My February Favorites!

 Hey guys, I saw this link up yesterday morning and I just now had the chance to sit down and do it. On the last Wednesday of each month, these ladies discuss they're favorite things throughout the month! I thought it was neat and really wanted to do it! So here it goes..

Must Have Skinny Jeans in Eggplant from Forever 21

Okay so I am pretty sure I wore these pants like once a week... DON'T JUDGE! Sorry but I was in love with the color and they were super comfy! And also amazingly affordable at $15.80!!! 

Maybelline Baby Lips

I know this was in my top 5 beauty posts but I felt I had to put this as one of my February favorites since I used it constantly! Perfect for the cold weather!

Dexter

Yes as insane and eerily crazy this show is, I am quite the fan. I started watching this on Netflix. I am still on the first season but so far it has got me hooked!

Favorite Post!

My sweet Maddie Bug turned 11 months recently and it is my favorite post of the month. Her personality is definitely becoming more defined and you can tell in the pictures I uploaded! You can read the post HERE!!!!

Favorite Quote

Saw this quote on facebook and anyone who has children will understand. Nothing will ever come close to the love of your children. No jewelry, money, clothes, etc. will ever come close to the joy I receive when Maddie wraps her arms around me.

So those are my favorite things. I'm hoping that I will have more next month since I will be a little more prepared. But it was fun to reflect back on this past month. Be sure to check out the link by clicking on the button at the top of the post!

Much love,

Weekly Link Love 2/20/2014

Definitely something to think about

Love this quote! Be patient ladies!

I may be weird but this was fairly entertaining!

How darling is this chair?? I WANT IT!!!

I think this will be my summer hair!

Infographic about social media in 2013

Totally have the supplies to do this project

This seems simple enough!

And of course an amusing page of gifs that will have you on the floor!

My FIRST Citrus Lane Box

Hey readers! So yesterday I came home from class and found that I recieved my first Citrus Lane box! It also came on the day Maddie turned 11 months so they are already getting extra brownie points from me right now!

If you don't know what Citrus Lane is, I will do a quick summary. Citrus Lane is a monthly subscription box where they send 4 to 5 items tailored towards your child's age and gender. The boxes start at around $21 a box depending on the type of subscription you decide to go with. If you are interested, click on this link and I can get $20 worth of credits and YOU get half off of the first box and shipping is free! Sounds like a good deal huh?

The card that came with the box reads:

February is the time of year when we ask ourselves-is winter over yet? Not quite... but we've put together items that we hope will brighten up the dismal weather. We're so excited to bring you a beautiful shape sorter from Plan Toy's, a unique feeding item from Boon, something to read at bedtime, and a special treat for Mom. See you in the spring!

Also I apologize in advance about the low quality pictures. They were taken from my iPhone and I was in a rush. Busy supermom over here!

Bedtime Rhymes from Barefoot Books 

$6.99

I am really excited about starting up a book collection for Maddie. I loved this book. It has the traditional stories written as poems. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful. I will definitely start reading these before she goes to bed.

Pulp Teething Feeder from Boon

$7.49

I have actually been meaning to get one of these to give her fruits or veggies without worrying about choking on the seeds. It has a silicone cover and BPA free. The tiny holes help to allow only small pieces and the juice to come in. Maddie really loves limes and lemons (I have no clue why she does), so this will be great to stick some cold limes in without worrying about seeds. I believe this will help in introducing a new variety of fruits. It's easier to clean than those mesh feeders and it is easier for her to grip.

Green Apple Age Defy Hand Cream from Juice Beauty

$12.00

I was happy I got a little treat in my box! This product smells so amazing!!! It felt great and it is organic so that is a plus! This hand cream is formulated to minimize fine lines, help age spots, and keep hands soft during the winter months.

Shape Shorter from Plan Toys

$10.00

I LOVE this toy for Maddie. She tends to lose a lot of her toys but I love that the shapes are attached to a cord on the toy so no pieces go missing. This is a great on the go toy since everything is attached to one another. This will definitely help with fine motor and problem solving skills! See, she loved it!

What I payed: $20.00

Value of box: $36.48

I was definitely pleased with my first box. The value exceeded the price I paid for the box. Maddie definitely enjoys all her new things. So if you are interested, here is the link again! Remember, you get 50% off your first box through me!

Much love,

11 Month Update

Good morning readers! Today marks down the last month of Maddie's first year. I am both happy and sad in a way. I am happy she is growing, getting bigger, and becoming her own person. I am sad in the sense that I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

Before becoming a mom, I felt that it was always so clique for moms to say "My baby is growing so fast!" or "I wish time would slow down". I never understood why moms said the things they did or got so emotional at every milestone or birthday. But now I am truly understanding.

Madison is truly growing into her personality and it amazes me every moment of the day. When I was pregnant, I always wondered how she would act. I think the pictures really capture her personality. She is curious about everything and finds joy in the little things.

Sometimes she has a bad hair day but it doesn't phase her.

She has her silly moments. I think she does it to remind me that I shouldn't stress so much.

She also likes to remind me that she is a human being like myself and needs space on the bed as well!

And most importantly, she reminds me how beautiful my life is. 

So now I prepare for her to turn one. It has been a crazy, memorable, and delightful little journey. This time last year I was probably sprawled on the bed complaining about my feet, my head, my tummy, my back, or how much I was craving chocolate at the time! Now here I am getting emotional about the time passing too quickly for me. I am truly blessed beyond belief. Happy 11 months to my Maddie Bug!

Much love,

Weekly Link Love: Valentine Edition

Good morning! Welcome to another week of links! This weeks theme is all about Valentines Day and LOVE! OOO LA LA! This week I asked my followers and readers to send me any links or posts that they think I should share! I received some pretty good posts so here it goes. As always, I hope you enjoy.

Stuck on what you desperately want for V Day but don't know what to ask for?? Show your significant other this list

Need a quick easy snack for tomorrow? Check out this recipe for sweetheart popcorn

Wonder how Valentines Day is celebrated around the world? Check it out here

Absolutely gorgeous tablescape

You all know how much I love a good infographic

What a cute craft to do with the little ones

My mouth is just watering looking at these tasty treats

Okay guys, I feel like I have to brag about my nails I got done this week

In love with this date night outfit

The perfect gift for your man!

Share your Valentine posts in the comments below! I would love to see them!

Hope everyone has a happy Valentines Day tomorrow!

Wayback Wednesday

It's crazy to think that this was Madison exactly one year ago today.. Now that her birthday is arriving on me, I am always thinking about what I was doing that previous year. Mainly because my life before her seems like a long lost memory. Crazy to look back and see how things have changed in the period of a year.

There was her cute little face just hanging out and this is her now...

Crazy right?? She's getting too big and too sassy now for her own good! Haha!

And this picture just flat out makes me want to cry... Look at how long my hair was!!!! That is just crazy long. I sure do miss it but I will get my long locks back again!

So tomorrow is the weekly links and it will be Valentine themed! OOOO LA LA! If you have any valentine related posts such as recipes, ideas, DIY, etc., just send them my way and I will put them in the post. Those posts are where I get most of my traffic so it will definitely help you out in traffic and views! 

Linkups

Hope you have a happy hump day! Much love,

Top 5 Current Beauty Obsessions

Happy Tuesday!! The roads are all icy here in Texas so I have a day off from classes! WOOHOO! I am still a mom so technically I never have a day off but I am enjoying my day with Maddie Bug! 

So today I am going to talk about my beauty obsessions. I know I haven't done any beauty posts before but I am really starting to get into makeup a lot more. Probably because I have to look decent for class! So here are my affordable must haves!

Maybelline Baby Lips

Usually I am not too into the whole chapstick thing but with all this cold weather, my lips keep on getting chapped. I love this one! It goes on smoothly and provides shine and softness. I now carry this with me everywhere I go!

Rimmel Show Off Lip Laquer

I recently recieved one of these in an Influenster voxbox. I got the Aurora shade and I fell in LOVE!!! I loved the shine, color, boldness, everything! It was a lip color I would never used to try but now that I did, I wear it constantly!

Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation

This is a new recent purchase and I found this product very convenient! It's perfect for my on the go lifestyle. I am constantly busy and this is great for when I am in a rush! It will literally take me 20 seconds to put this on and rub it in real quick. It's something I can carry around with me for a touch up.

Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Golden Copper

I used to sell Mary Kay and I have to brag about this particular color. I put on this blush everyday! I am serious. It would be extremely hard for me to switch to another color. It gives my cheeks a quick kiss of the sun. It goes great with my skin color. I know this color is not for everyone but you should try it. I love it!

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

Yes another Mary Kay product but seriously this stuff is good! This is my daily mascara and the only mascara I may ever need! It does everything I need it to. It gives fullness, volume, length, everything... All without clumps! If you haven't tried this one, you are missing out BIG TIME!

Those are my top 5 current must haves. All of these products are affordable, efficient, convenient, and most importantly make me feel flat out glamorous! I signed up for Ipsy so I am excited to try out new products and give ya'll my input! Don't be afraid to comment your thoughts!

Much love,

Motivational Monday: 15 Sentences

1. Never compare your weaknesses to other people's strengths.

2. Own your life, or someone will own it for you.

3.  We cannot change the cards we are dealt,just how we play the hand.

4. Climb mountains not so the world can see you but so you can see the world.

5. If you accept your limitation, you go beyond them.

6. Comfort is the enemy of achievement.

7. No matter anyone says to you,you don't have to eat dinner with them,

live with them or go to bed with them.

8. If you risk nothing, you risk everything.

9. Don't give others the power to control your emotion. Those are only yours and it is only for you to manipulate.

10. Victory introduces you to the world, but defeat introduces the world to you.

11. If you don't do stupid things while you are young,you will have nothing to smile about when you are old.

12. Don't waste your time with explanation,people only hear what they want to hear.

13. Don't rest after your first victory,because if you fail the second time,more lips will be waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.

14. Everyone thinks of changing the world,but no one thinks of changing themselves.

15. The person that you will spend most time with in your life is yourself, so better try to make yourself as interesting as possible.

Weekly Link Love! YAYYY!!!

Ahh so excited to get back to my weekly series that I treasured so dearly before I took my "unofficial hiatus" from blogging. This is definitely one of my favorite things. You get a glimpse of what exactly interests me or sparks my interest while also giving you a chance to explore new things or ideas, discover something you love, be inspired, or to just have a good laugh. I post a little bit of everything so enjoy and share with me some interesting links as well! :)

When you just can't say no, just try these suggestions

For some reason, I was so interested in this world clock (I spent almost an hour on this page...Seriously...)

Having trouble coming up with date night ideas? Here are some nifty and unique ideas

This video gave me a good laugh!

Cute and possibly very simple nail design

What a cute idea for your fridge!!!

Absolutely love this outfit! Perfect for work!

Check out this Valentine's wreath

Linkups

Coca Cola Commercial Thoughts

Good morning! Hope everyone is having a marvelous hump day. I am afraid that I may upset some of you with this post but I feel like it's something I would like to talk about, discuss, and read some opinions about. Yes I am giving my two cents about the Super Bowl Coca Cola commercial. For those who didn't catch the video, you can watch below..

Okay so you have watched it, absorbed the material, collected your thoughts and opinion right? Unless you have been living under a rock (which maybe some people are which is okay, to each their own), there has been quite a stir about this commercial. It was a topic of discussion in my International Business class yesterday and of course I gave my opinion in there too no matter how many glares or dirty looks I received.

Some people are saying that it was a beautiful showcase of the diversity in our country. Some people are appalled that this commercial would disgrace a national song in such a way...

People, let's remember that this country was BUILT on immigration. This country started by a group taking another group's land and claiming it as their own. It started with immigrants and you know what, there are immigrants still here. Unless you are a Native American, this is technically not your native land. You were born from a family of immigrants. Last time I checked or heard, the United States actually does not have an "official language". Yes it would be easier for everyone to speak one language but honestly that's not possible at the moment. English is the hardest language to learn. Ask my mom!!!

Our country is getting more and more diverse. Some people are not willing to accept it and they want things to stay the same. Which they are entitled to want that if that is what they wish. Unfortunately what they wish for is highly unrealistic. We are living in a fast changing diverse world and I have accepted that and embraced it.

I believe the commercial was great. I am still an avid coca cola drinker and I will always be (even if they piss me off, I'm too addicted!!!) and honestly it was an excellent and very realistic view of our country.

So what are your thoughts on the commercial? I would love to hear even if we agree or not! :)

Much love,

Maddie Bug and I

Long time no see!

Well I am sitting here at school and I am thinking I should put in a blog post. I've been meaning to get back into my blogging but other things in my life have become a little bit more relevant. These past 2 months has been a definite up and down roller coaster. But that happens right? Every family has to go through some bumps in the road. It looks like we are back on the right track though so fingers crossed they stay that way!

So what has been happening? Well Justin has a new job and it has been good. He works a little less but it is good in a way in the sense that we have had more family time. Money and finances have stressed us out but we are in a good place again so things have been a little calmer.

Madison is growing like crazy. She is doing new things every single day. The one year mark is coming upon us. She will be 11 months in just about 2 weeks. So crazy! She is crawling everywhere, standing up on things, pointing, waving bye bye, babbling away, and almost standing on her own. She constantly brings more joy every day. I think she has helped Justin and I from completely losing our minds recently. Madison is a constant reminder of why we love one another and why we loved each other in the first place.

School is going well. I am taking 15 hours this semester! WHOOOO! I don't know how I am going to survive but I have faith and determination that I will get this done and hopefully still get my bachelors in December and get me a big girl job!

So that is what has been going on in a nutshell! I hope my readers will stick with me and I can still continue to let you glimpse into my little world. My purpose for this blog is to record my journey through my life as a mom while continuing to go to school and working. I also want my blog to be helpful for other moms whether it comes to time management, recipes, play ideas, ways to save money, or just plain encouragement to get you through the tough times. I have been through some lately and trust me ladies, it does get better.

For my followers who are reading this, thanks for sticking by. For the new readers who have happened to stumble upon my page, welcome! Don't be afraid to contact me about advice or topics you want me to talk about. This blog is not only for me. It is for YOU, the reader, as well!

So don't be shy, say hello down in my comments! I would love to be more involved in the blogging community so be friendly! 

Much love, 

Maddie Bug and I