Gift Guide for Children

Hey Guys,

With holiday season around the corner (some consider it now), many struggle with keeping their children balanced. For the past two years Kayden has had a low key Christmas. His gifts haven't been extravagant, but as he is getting older he is becoming more aware of what holidays are about.

Curtis and I are lucky that we are on the same page about what holidays should be about i.e. family and religion. Christmas can quite easily be about getting a bunch of gifts, rather then it being a celebration. I never want my child to be overly spoiled or ungrateful. I have seen families buy so many gifts for their children that they loose track of the gifts they have bought, and find them hidden somewhere months later, not my impression of the holidays.

Curtis has no family in Canada, and my family doesn't celebrate Christmas, even if they did they wouldn't join us. Christmas is always a special time for our family and regardless of our financial situation we have always made the best of it.

With Kayden getting older I wanted some guidelines on how to approach gift buying, this is what I found

Buy something they want

Every kid wants something impractical that usually costs a lot. This is what I consider to be the 'main gift'.

Get them something they need

This is what parents pick out for their children. It's usually practical and something that children dread seeing

Something they can read

Something they can wear

I love all of these categories. It allows children to receive presents, enjoy that aspect of the holidays but it also keeps them balanced. It gives children gifts they want as well as parents giving them what they feel they need. A little fun with a little education.

As kayden gets older there will be two additional categories.

Something to do as a family within the home

This includes a board game, movie etc. This gift benefits the whole family. It is usually something the whole family would enjoy and is non-stressful.

Something to do as a family outside the home

This may include a nice dinner out, going to the park, seeing a movie, playing mini golf etc. I know for many families going out and doing these activities is cobsidered special. Its nice to go out and not have to celebrate a birthday anniversary etc and do something out of the ordinary.

Tips for saving $$ on children's clothes

Hey guys,

As the mother of a two year old toddler I know how expensive it is to buy clothes for you little one. I did a post a few months ago in the summertime about how to save money when you have young children, because the costs can add up quickly. I know one of the best things to do as a mother is buy clothes for my little one and just dress him up. Because we all know been a few years he's gonna have an opinion and is gonna buy what he wants and wear what he wants to wear.

Unfortunately at this age children grow so fast. I'm so lucky that he is at the stage now where he is the same size for about one year which makes it a lot easier and makes it less stressful to purchase clothing because I know it'll last a lot longer than before. I decided to share some of my tips for buying clothes.

Sign up for emails to your favorite stores

 We all have favorite stores we like to go to for our little one's, mine are, The children's Place, Osh Kosh and Joe Fresh. All of these stores have stylish clothing at affordable prices. There are so many benefits to signing up to their email program (if you don't mind getting an e-mail everyday). Many of these stores have online exclusives, which are amazing deals. You get access to sales that many don't, with many perks. For instance 50% outerwear, 50-75% off of clearance items etc. Even when you shop for clothes, items can be expensive, so whenever you can save money on daily/seasonal items I will take it. Usually these stores will have a different theme every week, which can be easy on your pocket. The stores also give you a heads up about sales going on in stores, so you are the first to know and can beat the crowds!

Take advantage of seasonal sales

We all love dressing up our kids in cute pumpkin shirts, and have shirts with cute christmas saying's on them. One of the thing's I don't like doing, is shelling out $20 for a top he will only wear for one month. What we often forget as parent\s, is that stores need to get rid of their merchandise before the holiday arrives. For instance, halfway through October, I was getting sales for Halloween items. One of the great things is you are getting fashionable themed clothing at a discounted price. Often times I love buying a size up so Kayden can have stuff for next year. This is applicable for anything, shorts, t-shirts, jackets etc. The great thing about children's clothing, is it doesn't go out of style over a year. To be honest, I see the same christmas pj's online that Kayden wore 2 years ago. That just shows children's fashion takes a full circle. 

You don't always have to buy name brand clothing

As parents we want the best for our children. We often want to buy our children Nike, Ralph Lauren etc. While their clothing is cute, there's often no point to it. I admit, I have bought a few brand name items for Kayden, but those are few. At this age children only wear clothing for about 3 months. Luckily I live in Canada, so sometimes I can stretch it out for a bit longer. Buying a sweater for 45$ that Kayden will wear a handul of times (if I am lucky), makes me want to sweat. Walmart is my friend. I know I know, when I was growing up, we would turn our noses up at that place. What changed my mind is Cityline. They often showcase fashion and one week they talked about Walmart. They improved their quality of clothing, and stepped their game up with fashion as well. I love buying pj's from there for Kayden. It's hard to find his size, but when I do, I jump on it. I don't always find clothing that I love for kayden, but if you search I am sure all of you can find something. Their clothing is reasonably priced, and it does last a long time. They also have a gurantee, that the clothing won't wear out before your child outgrows it.

How I clean my makeup brushes

Hey Guys!

I'm sure if any of you wear makeup, you know how important it is to clean your brushes. I'll be honest, I use to be horrible at this. I wanted to find a quick and easy way to wash my brushes and also something that didn't break the bank. The way I did it previously just didn't make the cut. I always had makeup left on my brushes, which isn't hygienic at all. I decided to take to google ( my lifesaver) and see what they had to offer.

I came across a website that suggested using baby shampoo and warm water. I thought to myself this is exactly what I have in my house Bristol using baby shampoo on Kaden so why not just try it out. So I decided to share with all of you this new way I have been clean my makeup brushes that is quick easy and inexpensive.

So I take a old yogurt container that I am no longer using and I fill it up with warm water. the amount of water you need will depend on how many make up brushes you are washing. 

 

 

Because I've gotten into the habit of washing my brushes after every use I fill it up about 1/4 of the way I pour a tiny bit of baby shampoo and a tiny bit honestly goes a long way, then add a bit more water.

 

 I dip my brushes into the water, make sure to only get the bristles in the water, and I swish it around for about 10 seconds and then I rinse it under the warm water.

 

 I continue to do this with all of my brushes.

For me this is the most convenient and cost-efficient way to clean my brushes. The last thing I want to do is go out and have to buy a specific cleaner for my make up brushes. baby shampoo/wash runs for about $5 maximum where I am and I always have it in the house because of Kayden. I never have to worry about running out of it. It is gentle on my bristles and so far I haven't had any makeup residue.

Adventures in Potty training

Hey Guys!

So for almost a month I have been potty training Kayden. I decided to discuss the whole process with all of you, and hopefully share some of my insight.

How to know when they are ready

Kayden started verbalizing a lot more. Everytime I changed his diaper I would say whether he peed or took a poo. This help familiarize him with the differences between the two. We were also going through less wet diapers. It would be lunchtime and I often wouldn't have changed it unless he took a poo. This meant his bladder was growing and he was able to hold his pee for longer which was great. Kayden would also tell me when he peed. He would grab the front his diaper and wouldn't like how it felt. I knew it was time to get things started.

What you need

Pull ups and diapers (30$ for size 2T-3T and you get 74 in a box)

Potty seat ( We got ours online for about $14)

Wipes for the toilet (when you child poo's, they work great for toilets because they wont clog them) $3

Underwear (pack of 4 for $10)

Treat/reward

What I did

We started on a weekend because his dad was home and was able to help out. At first Kayden freaked out whenever we put him on the toilet. He didn't understand what was happening, but we continued to reassure him. We started using pull ups unless we were going out or Kayden was napping. We refer to them as underwear, and started saying that we don't pee/poo in them. The weekend was hard, he didn't actually pee in the toilet until atleast 3 days later. I was frustrated as well. The first week we put him on the toilet every 20 minutes, then 30 minutes the next week and so on. This allowed for a natural increase in the amount of time in between bathroom visits and he hasn't noticed that he needs to hold for a longer amount. Some people use stickers then give their child a reward after they get a certain amount. We chose to give kayden a small treat. Right now we are using skittles, 1 skittles when he pee's and 2 when he poo's. It has worked wonders for us. He is so motivated to use the toilet and runs to the bathroom when I tell him it's time to pee. It is true what you hear, you need to cheer loudly an make it seem like they did the greatest thing ever. Now I've toned it down it down quite a bit, I still cheer when Kayden does go to the bathroom but now he knows that he's done a good job so he does a thumbs up and he gets excited himself. The great thing is on the weekend his dad's home so his dad makes a really big deal out of it because he's not here during the weekdays to celebrate those moments so there's still a lot of excitement for Kayden.

Review on products

The first brand of training pants we bought was pampers and I will tell you I do not care for their version of it at all. One of the biggest things we did not like was we had trouble knowing which was the front and which was the back. On the box there was no clear distinction of how to put them on, I actually had to google it myself. I then found out the pattern that does need to remain at the front because that will fade once your child has soiled the diaper. Another thing I did not care for was the sides of the training pants. One of the things that Parents will find when they are potty trained their child is the ease of opening the sides if they do happen to make a mistake and go to the bathroom in a training pants. Kayden is amazing at peeing in the toilet, the one thing that I am trying to get him comfortable with is pooping in the toilet. He has expressed to me that he is scared, I don't know exactly what he is scared of but that is something I am working with him on. As a result he does still poop in his training pants and I did find when opening the side you really have to pull on them and you really do see a clear distinction between training pants and diapers and it is so difficult to open up the side you almost yanking it. And once you have opened up the sides you cannot close it back up it's basically opened it and then you gotta throw it out so that part was not a plus in my box.

I personally do not have a preference when it comes to diapers. I bought Huggies because it was on sale and it was something that I was able to easily find in my local Walmart. I was under the impression before purchasing Huggies that the pampers style was the style of training pants everywhere. I was so relieved to find out that Huggies was a million times better then pampers. One of the major pluses was a clear distinction with the front and the back of the training pants. Huggies clearly stated back on the training pants are there was no confusion. The pattern for the front of the training pants was bigger and it was more clear when it comes to your child to soiling the training pants. there was a picture within a circle and it was so much easier and quicker to read whether not the child has soiled the training pants then peppers. Also the sides of the training pants were quite similar to a diaper. If I would compare it to anything I would probably say it's almost like a Velcro and the great thing about it was if you did open it as a diaper you could quite easily close it back up and you would feel confident that it was still secure on your child.

Because we live in an apartment buying something for kayden to train on was difficult. Experts say it's important for toddlers to only use the potty in the bathroom so they associate going to the bathroom with that room. Also, once you take the toilet out of the room, and place it in the kitchen, bedroom, hallway etc for instance it can become a toy. We decided to get the seats that fit on top of the toilet. It helped save on space and Kayden loves it. There are two handles on the side for kayden to hold onto, and we can tuck it away nicely when he is not using it. With a tiny bathroom it such been such a relief that it doesn't clutter up the space.

My thoughts

Potty training is exhausting. You are constantly getting up and sometimes chasing after your toddler because they think it's a game. Sometimes you think they are never going to catch on, and yes, I have a few days where kayden rarely pees in the toilet and I feel like I'm back peddling. You honestly need to take it one day at a time and im just focusing on Kayden staying dry in the daytime. I don't want to overwhelm anyone. I keep it short and sweet on the toilet. I don't force him to sit if he's fussing because it's counterproductive. He knows there's an incentive if he goes and that's enough.

Latest Obsession

As a mom, getting 'glam' everyday isn't an option. I hate to say it, but no makeup, comfy clothes with my hair up is my daily look. I know I know, I've heard it all before, I'm letting myself go, I'm not taking care of myself etc. But to be honest, since my son was born, my boyfriend has had a hectic and abnormal work schedule. His schedule changes every week, which means some weeks I'm with kayden all day and other weeks for half the day. Running after a toddler and a Maltese while maintaining a household isn't the easiest.

Nevertheless, like any girl, I like to get out of my sweats/workout clothes and enjoy a good pair of heels and having my hair done. One of the things I've gotten reintroduced to is lashes. The past few months I've really taken the time to update my makeup collection and buy things for myself and not feel guilty about it. My boyfriend urged me to buy lashes, and try them out.

Since I have made this purchase, I look forward to special occasions. I am not a super glam person while running errands so I leave my lashes for those times when I want to dress up, for instance, thanksgiving, anniversaries, birthdays etc.

My go to lashes are the individuals. The reason I love them is because I already have long lashes, and after applying mascara it takes my lashes to another level. I use 3-4 individual lashes to fill in the gaps, and my lashes instantly look full, stand out more, and look fluffy. It doesnt take much for my lashes to go to another level so this is perfect. For myself personally, I find individual lashes easier to apply, as it takes less time and requires less concentration. I personally love my lashes standing out more on the edges where my lashes tend to not stand out as much.

One of the main things I love is how natural they look. Because I use them to fill in the gaps to give a cohesive look, they blend in seamlessly, and look like they are part of my own lashes.

Individual lashes are also much cheaper then regular lashes. Regular lashes run for about $10-15$ whereas I can get a pack of individuals for about $6.

I have seen people say that individual lashes are much more difficult to apply then a strip but I feel the opposite! A few lashes go a long way (for me atleast) and I have had a better experience overall with individuals.

Dole Chopped Salad Kit

Hey Guys!!

You all know I love YouTube videos. I was watching a vlog and Jenn Brooks was raving about Dole Salad Kits. I normally don't rush out to buy things, but her comments convinced me this is something I needed to try. I am not the biggest fan of pre-packaged salad kits as I feel they taste wilted, lack flavor and are over priced.

Dole Salad Kits proved me wrong. Firstly, the packaging is so simple and compact. You open the bag just like a chip bag, there is separate packaging for the added ingredients( in my case it was tortilla chips and dressing).

I will say, the chopped up salad wasn't my cup of tea. You couldn't poke your fork in it, you had to scoop it up.

There is so much flavor packed into this little salad. I added the smallest amount of chicken, but you could quite easily omit protein and not miss it.

The great thing about the salads is that they taste delicious, and you can quite easily get full with them. I know for myself personally, these salads will come in handy on those busy hectic days. There are tons of times when Kayden is acting up, and this is a quick and easy meal..

The salad is also low in calories for half the bag it's 150 cal of course if you add some protein to it the calorie count will go up I'm sure, they do give you tons of dressing your salad is easily quite coated in the dressing.

The only negative about these solid kits, is how expensive they are. I don't know what the prices in the USA, but the price here in Canada is about five dollars for a bag. Finding a variety of flavors isn't easy either.

I am sure this will be a staple in my fridge and be a life saver during those crazy moments!

I did find another brand, that is similar to these kits called Fresh Express and they had an asian inspired salad which was delicious! I wish they had more flavors in Canada, but so far I havent gotten tired of my bbq ranch salad. I did find if you shop around a little, you can get them for about $3.99 in canada, which is the lowest I have seen it.

Just a tip ladies, guys love this as well! My boyfriend took a bite and loved it as well. My boyfriend isn't a big salad guy ( what guy is?) and only gravitates towards cesar salad's, but I am sure, if I added chicken to this and gave it to him for dinner, he would love it!

How to get through Toddler sick days

This past week Kayden got sick for the first time since he was one month old. As a mother, this was the first time he was sick, so I was worried. He didn't sleep much and didn't have much appetite. The medicine Curtis got, wasn't Kayden's cup of tea. They were nose drops that did help, but Kayden refused to take them again, so that didn't help. The next day he got a bit of a cough so I got some children's Tylenol in banana berry flavor, and I saw an improvement, thank you Tylenol!!

I decided to compile a list of things to get through a toddlers sickness, because it's not easy.

1. Be prepared to be tired

I am utterly exhausted as I write this. Kayden didn't sleep at all last night, and his naps have been all over the place. I napped when I could last night (4 hours of sleep) and today Starbucks was needed. Being a toddler he needed extra attention and cuddles.

2. Medicine

Have the basic medication in your cabinet, this will be a time saver. Since kayden turned 2 a few days ago, infant Tylenol wasn't going to cut it. I ran over to the pharmacy an picked up children's tylenol. We usually have tylenol stocked in our cabinet, which has come in handy a few times when he was teething. When kayden came down with a cold, he literally woke up from a nap and and had a runny nose. If you have certain things in your cabinet it'll be easier to tackle it from the begining. Try to also get a medicine that has a flavor that your child does enjoy, it'll make it so much easier for your child to take that medicine. Tylenol for infants it was white grape flavor and Kayden couldn't stand it but unfortunately it was all that we could buy so it made it difficult for him to take it. This time I got banana berry and Kayden is obsessed with bananas if you put banana and anything he will gobble it up and I didn't have to fight him at all he took the medicine so easily.

3. Prepare for anything

When kayden gets sick (it's only happened twice) he doesn't have much appetite and all he wants to do is sleep. The only time he is fussy is when he is exhausted and needs a nap. Sometimes you get a whole new personality when your child is sick, so be prepared for anything, diarrhea, vomiting, only wanting certain foods etc. Today I was lucky that kayden ate a cookie, that's about all he ate. He was very quiet, but despite everything, he wanted to be outside constantly.

4. Tv/Movies

As a child I remember the best thing about being sick was being able to lay in front of the TV and just watch endless amounts. That is the exact same thing I have done with Kayden because honestly it has calmed him down and he is just relaxed. Cadence favorite show is curious George, so we always have those on the PBR and we have a few curious George movies. We have put them on the coach with his favorite stuffed animal, which is a monkey no surprise, and he's also late up in our bed. We have a blanket for him And he just loves being close to either his dad for me, his dad was working last night so it was just me and him cuddling in the bed. I had Curious George on and I mustve played the movie at least three times in the past 24 hours and the day is not even done, but he just sits there and he laughed and he has a good time and he totally forgot that he is sick. So one of the greatest things is for him to sit down and just enjoy himself and he will stand been like dancing play a little bit as well when he seems to have the energy.

I will tell you from experience, regardless of any tips that anyone gives you it will always be difficult when your child is sick. To see your child in pain to see you child crying and you not being able to ease the pain as easily as if they had fallen is very difficult. It's also hard for the child themselves because sometimes they don't even understand this concept of being sick. Kayden hates getting his nose wiped right now because he's been getting it done since last night and he is just absolutely over it all he wants to do is be outside playing but he doesn't understand why is energy level is so low. To see you child's personality change can sometimes also be hard to come on located is extremely lazy doing certain point of the day he breaks down and cries a lot when he is extremely tired and he's also fighting trying to sleep thinking that he can stay up. You need to just fight through this as and if you are able to switch over to your partner and let them take over or call the family member or friend and allow yourself just to recuperate. When your child is sick You need to work harder and there so much more that you were doing and trying to balance. A lot of times Parents thing because you talk to sick your child to stop being lazy and sleeping in that's not the case I dog is so much more effort that goes into it when you tell this feeling under the weather.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation

Hey Guys!

So my birthday is coming up at the end of September, and for the first time in awhile, I have the opportunity to spoil myself a little. I have heard a lot about Estee Lauder's double wear foundation, and have been curious to try it. I will admit, the price point made me think twice, to be honest I spent 45 minutes debating whether or not to put the order in. Part of why I wanted to purchase this foundation is because I wanted a foundation that was a better coverage then my clinique foundation for those special occasions.

Claims
stays on for 15 hours
flawless & natural looking
lasts in the heat, humidity and activity
doesn't change color once it is on your face
doesn't come off on clothes
lightweight & comfortable
Lasts all day without touch ups

Price- $45

My Review
I absolutely love this foundation, to the point where I have said good bye to my clinique foundation. I purchased the shade 'wheat' and it matches me perfectly. I purchased this product through the Sephora website, and I matched my shade through an online foundation finder. The second I put this on my skin, it blended flawlessly, and a little bit truly goes a long way. Every single time I put an amount on the back of my hand, I put about 50% back ( and I don't pour to much out). I have applied this with a primer, and I set it with a setting spray. It does stay on for 15 hours, but I do notice that my nose and forehead does get a little oily, (8 hours after application) so I would need to do a minor touchup in those areas during the day. For the most part, it did stay flawless on my face. The one thing I do love, it doesn't oxidize, it is true, the color you get on your face, is the color that will stay. I had a few people tell me, that my face looked amazing with this foundation, and I have gotten a consistent look with this product. It blends seamlessly with your skin, and you can't even feel it on your face. The price point is high, but after using it, I can see what it is so pricey, and didn't think twice about it. Also, this foundation is going to last me forever, which is a pro seeing how high the price is. This is has now become my day to day foundation and I have now said goodbye to clinique.

Kayden's daytime 2 year old schedule

Hey Guys!

A few days ago, Kayden turned 2! I can't believe I am saying that. I knew once he turned two a few things were going to change, so im excited to bring you all along for the journey. One of the first things is his daily schedule. If he was in daycare, he would now enter preschool. In order to prepare him for JK, I want to ensure that he has all the necessary skills, so I wanted to structure his day, as though he was in preschool. I researched the key skills that Kayden should know by the time he reaches 3 years old. We also have tons of activities to do. Keep in mind he doesn't sit down for the full time. It is a lot of getting up getting distracted but I get in what I can.

7am- kayden wakes up, has breakfast and doe independent play. Kayden usually pulls out all his toys while I do some dishes and do a little bit of tidying up. His dad leaves for work at 7:30 so Kayden often follows him around trying to get some extra time with him.

8:30- Snack time

9am- Language skills

9:30am- Math

10am-Go Outside

10:30am- art activity

11:15 am- wash hands, eat lunch and get a diaper change

Noon- nap time

2:30- snack time

3pm-Music

3:30 PM - free time

Kayden's structured day is done around the time that school would be done, which works great. We also work on gross and fine motor skills throughout the day. 

How to survive when your partner works long hours

Hey Guys!

It's been awhile since my boyfriend has been working nights, and also a day job. As tough as its been, I feel as though I am able to pass my wisdom on, about surviving with a spouse working long hours. I found these tips helped me stay sane, and also kept my days busy.

1. Do things for yourself

I am such a big believer in taking time for yourself. My "me time" is when Kayden is sleeping. Whether he is taking a nap or is down for the night, it is all about me. If you read my post from long time ago, I talked about how every mom needs something that will keep them sane. For me it is taking a peaceful shower and working out. During his morning nap I shower and when he goes down for the night I work out. Those moments where I focus on me, and do something for myself I feel Refreshed.

2. Go out!!

I am lucky enough to have a dog. Which forces me to get out of the house.For those that don't have a dog find something you can do which allows you to get out of the house . For me I sometimes will run errands with just Kayden. we have also gone to the park for some mommy and sometimes we were just going down to the local dollar store. it is so great for Kayden to get out of the house and it breaks up the day as well because we do have a schedule which does help me and Kayden as well but it is also fun just to break out of that day to day schedule and do something different. Now that Kayden can walk so much better, he doesn't last in the stroller for to long. A few times on our walks, I let him out, and he discovers nature! There is so much you can do in your backyard or just around the corner. Our regular 20 minute walk turned in 40, but it was well worth it.

3. Spend time with family/friends

Because Curtis works such long and crazy hours it has been a lot easier for me to spend time with my family and thankfully they are free on weekdays and mostly busy on the weekends which works great for my schedule because usually on the weekend or on the weekend Curtis will work on Sunday, so on Saturday will run errands and then spend Sunday just lazing around having really good family time. it is great when we can all go over by all I mean Kayden and Buddy (which is our dog) and I can go over to my parents house for the day, which means a lot of spoiling and time outside playing. I can put my feet up for a little bit and just relax. Another great thing is going and spending time with friends even when Curtis wasn't working his two jobs or I would have friends come over or I would go out with friends and he would take care of Kayden and it was such a great bonding time for those two and it gave me a break allowing me to have girl time.

4. Let your partner take over

I had to have a Little talk with Curtis in order for this to happen because of course he's a man and he doesn't always realize that if he takes Kayden for 20 to 30 minutes when he's running a quick errand, it gives me a break. It is always the smallest things that make the biggest difference. There have been times when we have split up when doing groceries, so I don't have to tend to a toddler and I can just do it in piece, or Curtis will just take care of Kayden while I shop. I always emphasized to Curtis that he is the biggest male influence in Kayden's life., disciplining him, or even correcting his behaviour plays a major role. Often times Kayden wants attention and will do extreme things to try to achieve it. Often times I find myself repeating a lot, and when curtis takes over, it helps keep me calm. It's nic when curtis steps up after working long hours, and the great thing, I know he enjoys it. He spends so much time apart from Kayden, just playing with him, being around during meal time or just a movie is amazing.

I am not going to denie it, it is exhausting, being a parent in general is exhausting. Throw in a partner not always being around puts you on double duty. The older your kid(s) are the more on your toes one needs to be. I hope these tips add some sanity to your life!

Wisdom Wednesday

Hey Guys!

The past month or so has been tough. My family has been going through a tough time, and my boyfriend has been working 2 jobs, which means he is home less. Often times when he is home, he is sleeping (which I don't blame him for). I remember back to when we learned he was going to work nights, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but I was hopeful of our new beginning. Then I learned he would be working days as well, and that worried me a bit. It would be less time with the family, he would be stressed, overworked and tired. I wondered as well, would I be able to handle this? Kayden is about to reach two, and we just hit a sleep regression, he is in his terrible two's stage, and well potty training and transitioning him to a toddler bed is next on the list. Phew, I am exhausted just thinking of all of this. I took a step back and tried to look at this from an outside perspective.That is the moment everything hanged for me, I started thinking of all the things that could go right.Our lifestyle would be more comfortable, we would be able to celebrate holidays and milestones, and finally redecorate the house. I knew it would be tough for me to handle Kayden by myself everyday without help, but I knew this was just another 'mom challenge' I had to face. I knew this was a new beginning for all of us. It is so easy to get sidetracked by all the what if's in life. I even thought about working from home, to try and bring some extra cash in the house, and it would be something I would do for myself as well. But I got worried that it would take away from the little time I would get with Curtis. With every negative thought you have, there is always two positive thoughts that should come with it. I use to be so scared to talk to people, or put myself out there,because I was so concerned about being judged or if people would like me, and I will admit I am still not carefree about it, but I have gotten a lot better. whats the worst that could happen? So what if I don't click with them, on the flip side I could make a great friend and expand my circle. Life is so unpredictable, we should take these leaps, and opportunities instead of pondering on the negative. 

Cornbread Recipe

Hey Guys!

So growing up there are a few recipes that my boyfriend loves. If you read my recipe post last week, I posted a recipe for beans, and I mentioned that freshly baked cornbread is always on hand with this dish. I usually bake cornbread in large batches and freeze some for later, because it is so handy to have, and it goes with so many dishes. I found this recipe while looking up 1 year old friendly meals for Kayden. My boyfriend was skeptical I could bake cornbread from scratch, but I was determined to prove him wrong. He even bought a prepackaged cornbread mix from Bulk Barn, which went horribly wrong. I told him to keep an open mind, I baked this, and he loved it!

Ingredients
Cornmeal 1 Cup
Flour 1 Cup
Sugar 1/2 Cup
Buttermilk 1 Cup
Eggs 2
Baking Soda 1/2 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Melted Butter 1/2 cup

Steps
Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees
Mix butter and sugar in a bowl, then add eggs and buttermilk(  Heres a tip! There have been times when my local grocery store is out of buttermilk, use regular milk, and add some lemon to it. Let it sit for 5 minutes and you will see is transform into buttermilk.)
In another bowl add flour, cornmeal, baking soda and salt
Combine ingredients

Pour in pan or muffin tin. It takes about 30 minutes to bake, but I always check at the 20 minute mark, and make sure that the top is golden brown.

I got this recipe from pinterest which got it from The Cupcake Diaries. She had added cut up hot dogs in the middle to make it a child friendly meal. My son loves cornbread, it is always the first thing he eats on his plate, and always wants more! I had never had cornbread before baking this recipe, and I will admit it, I fall in love with it every time I bake it.

Ways to save money with baby/toddler

Hey Guys!

When Kayden was born, my boyfriend wasn't working at the time. He had recently left his job, and we didn't have an income coming in. Having a newborn, and bills coming in, I panicked, as any new mom would. For almost 2 years I have found ways to save money which has allowed us to get through the tough times that life throws at you.

1. Diapers

Before Kayden was born I stocked up. I got one box of newborn, 1 box of size one and 1 box of size 2. If you read my post about signing up for things when you are pregnant you will know I got a small pack of newborn diapers as well. This allowed us to be prepared. You never know how much your little one is going to weigh, or how fast they will go through diapers. So i bought a small box of newborn diapers, and only got one box of each size, so I wasn't wasting money.  I'm so thankful I got those sizes, because by the time he had gone back to work, I had some wiggle room till he got his first paycheck. This allows you to find sales and buy them at a great price. With Kayden, we haven't had luck with non brand name diapers. To be honest, he leaks all the time, and im constantly changing him because it doesn't hold up. We end up paying more money and going through them much faster. As a result, we look for sales when we know Kayden is running low, that is one way we prevent spending a lot of money on brand name diapers. We don't have a Target in Canada, so Walmart is the cheapest place we have found to buy diapers. Another thing we have done, is use points for diapers, and other baby products. If you have a points card at a store you regularly visit, that's another way to cut back on the costs.

2. Clothes

We bought some basics on our own and of course got presents from friends and family, which we were so grateful for. We also went to an outlet store and we were able to get a lot of things for less. This was a lifesaver, the Walmart near us doesn't have a lot of boy clothes, you get 2 aisles for boys and 5 for girls. So there wasn't a lot to choose from. I also went shopping with a friend towards the end of summer, a lot of stores were having end of seasons sales, so I got clothes for when he was older. Going to Old Navy, The Children's Store, Baby Gap etc. didn't break our budget because they had amazing sales. With newborns, they clothes don't need to be overly decorative, because you are constantly changing them. We did splurge on a few pieces, for when he was going out/we had guests over. For 6 months and up, we were able to get some pants, and shirts etc. and keep them in the closet. Once Kayden reached that age, if we needed more sweaters or onesies, we go to the store and pick those items up. But to be honest, we didn't have to, because what we picked up, and the presents we received held us over. The great thing about baby clothes, is they don't go out of style, so you can buy something right now (end of summer) and it will still be in style the next summer.

3. Snacks

As Kayden got older, solids came into the picture. When he started solids the Gerber snacks were great. They were a decent price and it took about a week for him to get through a container. But before long, in a sitting or two he would Polish them off, which isn't budget friendly. Now I spend less in Bear paws, fruit cups etc. And they last for over a week. I buy his snacks when they are in sale, which is often in my area (Thank Goodness). I find that he enjoys them more and they are often quite healthy as companies are realizing this is important for parents.

4. Books

Kayden loves books, it his favorite time of the day when we cuddle up and read a story together. I quickly noticed he was getting bored of the same ones. At a bookstore, books can easily run for 8-10 dollars. Not very practical when you are trying to build his collection. A family friend told me, how his mother found a $40 book at a bookstore for $5 at the dollar store (probably even less, I cant remember the exact price). I was shocked when I heard this, and the next time I visited I decided to check it out. I found Scooby-Doo books, and even children's classics for $1.50 and retail price is close to $10. This was such a deal. I visit the dollar store monthly and everytime I'm sure to pick up a book for him, and I must say his collection has grown. The only time I went to a bookstore was for his 2nd birthday gift, for Curious George books. His father and I spent months looking for them an couldn't find them anywhere so we had to shell out the money. I even noticed at Walmart, they  have deals 2 for $5 and 2 for $10 which Kayden really enjoyed when he was younger.

5. Footwear

Kids grow out of shoes fast. As a result we have a rule, we pay money for one good pair of shoes. These shoes are a neutral color, so he will get a lot of wear out of them. The other pair of shoes, we don't pay as much. For instance Kayden has a pair of Lacoste shoes, we got them.on sale but they were still a bit pricey. Kayden wears these all the time, and we have gotten our.moneys worth. His two pairs of sandals are about $10 combined. Lacoste shoes, have held up a lot better then his other runners which we paid less for. Once again, splurging on items that are worthwhile. We went to Walmart for his sandals, because that is a seasonal item, and he has worn them everyday in the summer ( 3 months) and they have held up. He does have a little bit of trouble sometimes wearing them, as he trips over his own feet.

I know raising a baby/toddler, can get pricey which is why when I discovered I was so relieved. Coupons in Canada have gone down in quality, I remember 4 years ago, I saved so much on my grocery bill, now it doesn't impact it at all which is why I stopped. I had to find other solutions, because I realized after having Kayden, every penny counts. I hope these tips are able to help some of you mama's out!

Wisdom Wednesday

Once I became a mom, there were a lot of changes in my life. I will admit, like most moms, I got frazzled and lost my cool once in awhile. I remember Kayden going through a sleep regression at around 18 months, I had no sleep, he was always hyper at 1 am, and I felt like a hot mess. I read something online that said if your child wants to be held embrace it, because there will be a day when your child doesn't want that anymore. That stuck with me, and changed my attitude on how I approach situations. I just kept thinking, that all of this will only be for a short time, his temper tantrums, him throwing food on the floor and wanting to be around me every second. With that mentality, i became a lot calmer. Once I realized this is a phase, or a small stepping stone into the next stage I became a lot calmer. It is so interesting, because I remember my boyfriend saying to me, he will sense your mood, and if I am stressed or anxious he will feel the same way. Because my boyfriend works days and nights, I take care of  Kayden by myself most days, and I will admit, it has gone a lot smoother. Sure there are times where my emotions get the best of me, but hey, I'm human. Try to remain calm in every situation, i wont discuss things or tackle situations if I know my emotions are going to get the best of me. There are times when I wait a few days, because I want to ensure I am not thinking with my emotions. this also allows me to see things from the other parties perspective. Like the caption says, it is a superpower. It isn't the easiest thing in the world, so just try to take it one situation at a time, and take a deep breath!

Favorite Bean recipe

Hey Guys!

So today I am going to share a beans recipe. I got this recipe from my boyfriends mother. We were going through a hard time and we didn't know what to make. I called her up to get some ideas and she told us to make beans, it brought back great memories for my boyfriend since he ate beans growing up. It is such a simple recipe, but so delicious! It has turned into one of my favorites.

Ingredients
Beans ( We use black beans and kidney beans)
Garlic
Onions
Meat
Seasoning

Steps
We buy black beans in a bag, so we soak them for about 2-3 hours ( we usually use about half the bag)
Take a large pot and cover the beans with water (cook on high)
Cut up a whole onion, and a head of garlic, add it to the beans
I use whatever meat we have in the fridge. We have used pepperoni, sausage, turkey etc. so feel free to add anything you would enjoy.
let the beans simmer, and add water once the water level goes down (cook on medium)
I add spices as well, I use whatever I have. Last time I made beans I used, pepper, seasoning salt, oregano and parsley. I don't measure the amount of spices I add, I just eyeball it.
I let this simmer for about an hour and a half
I add the canned kidney beans at the end, because it takes less time to cook. I let this simmer for 30-60 min.
 

I serve this on top of rice with hot sauce and a side of cornbread.

My boyfriend has made this in the crockpot as well, and it turned out as delicious. We always make a big pot of it, and freeze some because it is such a favorite. My son loves it as well, he goes crazy for beans. This is the type of recipe where you can put it on the stove and check it periodically to see if the beans has soaked up the water.

Wisdom Wednesday

This right here, speaks to me. As you all know, I took a much needed break from blogging. I need time to get adjusted to some life changes and not push myself to do more then I can handle. As life throws challenges at us, as mother's, it is very easy to stretch ourselves thin. I am constantly repeating the above phrase to myself. My boyfriend use to always tell me to relax, and to take things one day at a time. I am always thinking 3 days in advance and playing the what if game. I use to always think that I didn't clean enough, I could've made our guests experience better, or there is so many things that we don't have. It is so important to put your feet up and realize that everything you have/did is enough. At the end of the day, you shouldn't stress over the small things, but rather look at the bigger picture. it is so easy to get caught up in the things that should've happened rather then acknowledging all the great things that have happened.

A small update

Hey Guys!

The past few weeks have been so hectic, that I couldn't blog, so I wanted to apologize. I just wanted to update you all so we are all on the same page.

My boyfriend is still working nights but he will be starting a full time job on Monday. My schedule is still hectic with him working nights and the past few days he has been getting ready for his new job so we have been running around.

I also fell sick so for 3 days I did absolutely nothing and I have been visiting my parents often. Since it's summer time I can't forget that we have been entertaining almost every weekend!!

By the end of the night I am exhausted I can't even think about doing anything so I have been taking time for myself. If you have read my previous posts, you'll know how important that is for a mommy.

With my boyfriend starting his new job tomorrow there are a lot of emotions happening, but I am excited and this will be a new change for all of us. It is going to be so much more important when he is only working his day job and he has a day off that we really make the most of those days.

I look forward to blogging regularly again, and once again I apologize I didn't mean to take this big of a break from it

How to tone down bright lipstick

Hey Guys!

One of my favorite things about summer is the amazing lipstick shades. I love nudes but it is always fun to change it up with bright shades. I will admit, I am not always wanting the bold pigment on my lips, but I love the shade. I have spent the past year or so trying to figure out a solution. I did everything I possibly could until I found this solution.

Before

After

I know the photo quality isn't the best, but you can all see a difference.

Steps
Start with bare lips. I have seen suggestions that you should use a setting powder on your lips, but I used a cream concealer on me to neutralize them.

 Then I used a nude lipstick on top. For this example I used L'oreal Paris Nude collection in 'Eva's Nude'

Then I used Covergirl Lipstick in the shade 'Spellbound' on top. (Refer to 'after' picture)

I have done this with drugstore and department store lipstick's and it is amazing. The lipstick is long lasting and the pigmentation is amazing.

Wisdom Wednesday

We spend so much of our life trying to be accepted/fit in. Starting in elementary school, middle school, high school and into the workforce. We are always trying to please people, or conform ourselves to who we think they want us to be. We have all been there. I have done it with past relationships, and until a few years ago, my mother. All we end up doing is making ourselves miserable, and I believe in being our authentic selves. We will never be who people want us to be, someone is always going to be unhappy/find something wrong about you. Once you accept yourself, you dont have to worry about pleasing others, or if you are playing the 'role' correctly. It is so important to live your life for yourself, because there will be a time when those people aren't here anymore, whether the relationship has fizzled away, or their time has come. And you never want to look back and think that you have wasted your time, by living a life that wasn't true to yourself. Once you accept all your flaws and positive things about yourself, you don't need acceptance from others. There is only one you int he world, and for you to waste it, would be a shame.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake pops

Hey Guys!

Over the weekend I had a few people over, and one of the items we ate was strawberry shortcake cake pops. This was my first time making cake pops and strawberry shortcake so I was a bit nervous. I made a few mistakes so I will be sure to add little tid bits to ensure this doesnt happen to you!

Ingredients
Pound cake ( I baked one myself, but you can always buy one)
Vanilla Icing
1 lb of strawberries
White chocolate
Lollipop Sticks

Steps
Crumble up your pound cake. I baked mine the night before to save me some time
Mix in 12 oz of icing. I did 16 oz and I felt I could have added a little more, so I suggest buying extra icing.
Cut strawberries into small pieces (I thought my pieces were small, but I suggest chopping them up as finely as you can) Fold strawberries into batter
Put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to harden up
Grab a tray (cookie sheet) and place wax paper on top. Roll the mix into small balls(  I made mine way to big, I would suggest making them the same size balls as small cookies)
Place stick in the middle of the ball
Place in freezer for at least 1 hr but max 3
Melt white chocolate on stove top. My friend taught me a trick, where you put the stove on low heat and it will slowly melt. Stir periodically to ensure it doesn't stick to the pot.
Dip the Cake pops into the white chocolate and place on wax paper and stick in the fridge until it hardens.

I will say they were Delicious. They were hard on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Mine aren't aesthetically pleasing but I learned along the way. I had issues with my sticks staying in, which has to do with the fact that I could've added more icing to make it stick better, and my strawberries were way to big as well as my cake pops.
I hope you all try this recipe soon!

Scoliosis and being a mom

Hey Guys!

About 3 years ago I was told I had scoliosis. A simple diagnosis that answered many questions. I went to the doctor to get my birth control refilled and figured while I was there I should ask about my neck pain that was reoccurring.

I remember not being able to stand on my feet for long periods of time, bending over was painful and walking constantly was impossible. My boyfriend didn't understand why I was always complaining and I honestly didn't have the answers. I felt so out of shape and at times felt like I was holding us back. When I was told my neck pain was connected to my spinal issues it all made sense. Even today, I will wake up unable to move my neck, I cant hold kayden for more then a minute and my boyfriend helps pick up heavy items.

When my boyfriend and I were discussing having a baby. He naturally had some concerns. Putting on extra weight, which comes along with a pregnancy, could do a lot of harm. I was told by my doctor to be more conscious of my weight because the more extra weight I have, the higher the chance that I will be in pain. I worked out everyday, I took buddy out for long walks, I went to the gym and I ate healthy. Thank God I put on the perfect amount of weight.

Fast forward to today, it's not always easy with scoliosis, which is why I'm blessed to have a hands on boyfriend. He helps bathe Kayden every night (if he is home). He picks up the heavy items, and helps clean because he knows it can be a lot on my back.

When kayden was younger I was in a lot of pain most days. It's hard with kayden being a newborn, because they need to be picked up and rocked and that can be hard. There were a lot of times I felt like my back was going to snap an I felt like the worst mother out there.

When Kayden napped I napped. I know that sounds cliche, but it wasn't always to sleep, it was to fully rest my back and not put any strain on it. We have a massager, and I would hook it up to my back, after 15 minutes I would fall asleep, and it would continue to massage me. This really helped. It knocked out any pain I would've gotten and got all the knots out. One of the biggest struggles I had was putting kayden to bed. We all know with newborns you can sit in a chair for hours or even walk back and forth. Kayden wasn't big on daytime naps, so I would pace back and forth just for him to go down for 30 minutes. Holding kayden put a lot of strain on my back. When I would sit in a rocking chair what was comfortable for me wasn't for kayden which made it tough.

I was happy after my pregnancy when I could have Epsom salt baths. Kayden was a great night time sleeper, so I could always soak in the tub with lavender scented salts and soak for 30 minutes if Curtis wasn't home. For those fussy nights I had a heating pad which was great. I would sit near the AC (since I live in an apartment) and have the heating pad on and it was glorious.

Now that kayden is 2 months away from being 2, he is a lot bigger but still likes the occasional pick up. Luckily now I can say "you're a big boy, and big boys walk" which is a lifesaver on the days I'm in a lot of pain.

It hasn't gotten better but I do workout in an attempt to keep my weight down and I do have a healthy balanced diet. I made a promise to myself that I wouldnt let my pain hold me back. I may do things slower, and may have to sit down occasionally but I am as hands on as any other mom.

Wednesday Wisdom

Yaaaasss Hunny! I am not one to get overly religious or political on a public forum, but I read this and couldn't help but think about certain events/times in my life. We have all questioned things in life ( our existence, God, why certain things are happening etc,) and maybe lost our faith or way in life. I remember a few months ago, my boyfriend and I were going through a hard time, where everything and anything you could think was happening to us was. We don't have a lot of family to lean on around us, which makes those difficult times much harder. I remember questioning why these things were happening to us. It was during those times he would remind me that I need to strengthen my faith. Ever since I got pregnant, and there was a lot emotionally that I was going through, I made a commitment to pray everyday. It doesn't have to be a certain time frame, or at a certain time everyday. I wanted to take a few moments and thank God for another day, and blessing me for the things I have in my life. As much as we complain about things, we often forget about the small things in life. Even if I may have been selfish, or forgetful, the great thing about God, is tomorrow you start with a clean slate. We are human and God knows that. We don't always make the best decisions in life, but we have unconditional love and forgiveness from him. I know not everyone is religious or believes in God, but whatever you believe is bigger then you is what you should apply this quote to.

Gain Fireworks Review

 Hey guys!

The past few days I have been sick so excuse the late post. This is going to be about gain fireworks. A few companies have come out with their version of this. I never bothered with any of these, but the past few months we have been trying to stretch our dollar.

My boyfriend loves gain, he loves the scent it leaves on his clothes and has Gain everything, detergent, fabric softener and sheets. We switched to Gain detergent pods, but those got quite pricey. In efforts to cut back awhile ago, he compromised on trying Gain fireworks. If he loved it, we would keep it, if he didn't, it was back to Gain everything.

I'm not picky about detergent , ive never had an issue with stains being left behind, or feeling as though my clothes aren't clean, so I'm easy. We bought perisil detergent because it was on sale, and got Gain Fireworks.

At the beginning my boyfriend dumped a bunch in, looking back, it was to much. But I will admit it's amazing. If you love the scent of certain detergents, but for whatever reason are turning elsewhere these are a great option. They claim to leave your laundry smelling great for a month, I don't know about that, but I will admit after a week or two my clothes did smell great.

We get the amazing Gain scent without having to use to the detergent. My son has sensitive skin, so this has been a great alternative. You are suppose to throw the beads directly into the drum of your washer, and they gradually dissolve as the load gets washed. We have used it on everything, clothes, sheets, bedding and towels. The scent has been amazing on everything. My boyfriend was using cupfulls at a time which he said was to kick so we have been trying to see what amount works for us. There is no maximum or minimum to use which is great, it's to your own preference.

Why Intermittent Fasting Isn't for me

Hey Guys!

I kept hearing about intermittent fasting, from youtubers and the Internet, so I decided to check it out for myself. Like most people, I am trying to loose weight and thought this would be a great solution. It seemed like it would work for my lifestyle, I could still drink liquids, water, coffee with 2 tsp milk and bone broth. I have limited my snacking at night, so I am done eating by 8pm. I figured 16 hour fast would be easy. For those that don't know, the basics are, you skip one meal a day (based on 16 hour fast). You don't eat less food, you just eat bigger meals. For instance, if you are on a 1500 calorie diet, you would divide that between 2 meals and potentially 2 snacks. I heard a lot of youtubers say that it was easy for them since they wernt hungry in the morning, and I usually don't get hungry till 10am in the morning, so I thought an extra 2 hours wouldn't be a big deal.

Intermittent fasting is not for me. I was miserable. I'm the type of person that needs her breakfast, and im not about to give up dinner and an after workout snack since I workout at night. I was starving in the morning, and awful to be around. I don't necessarily need to eat right away, but to go all the way till noon without food was unbearable. I tried for over a week to do it but all I wanted to do was sit down and wait for noon to hit. Being a mother, this was not practical. I am constantly running around, and I would eat when Kayden ate, to make my day run smoother. There are many health benefits to IF, which is why I really wanted to get on the bandwagon.

I know it takes a while to adjust, but we went out for breakfast yesterday as a family, and I had so much more energy and felt satisfied. That in itself was enough to let me know IF is a no go. I was seeing results which is why giving up on IF was such a struggle for me. My stomach had gone down and my clothes were fitting better. The only downside, I was really sick, I wasn't sitting in bed with the flu, but rather I was in the bathroom. Yes I was running constantly because I was constipated and I was gassy. It brought back to many memories of struggling to go. I was at my parents house at one point and had the worst pain underneath my belly. I had the feeling like my bladder was full and I was holding it in, and the pain stayed for 2 day, until I started to eat properly. Whatever was happening to my body wasn't worth it. I would recommend for everyone to try it, and see how your body adjusts, but listen to your body. I use to do fasted cardio, and that was quite easy for me. Granted about an hour or so later I did need to eat, but that was a lot easier on my body.

Vaseline Lip care (lip balm)

Hey Guys!

Ever since I was a teenager, if I didn't apply a lip product before I went to bed, I would wake up the next morning with chapped, cracked, bleeding lips. Ever since I have been on the hunt for an amazing lip product. About 4 years ago I started using Burts Bee's, and I will admit I fell in love. It was so moisturizing, I didn't think I would ever change my lip product..until 6 months ago.
I got a sample from samplesource for Vaseline Lip care, I admit at first I was hesitant. I didn't think it would meet my needs, or even moisturize the way a lip product should. The lip care has the benefits of vaseline and a lip balm in one. It was moisturizing and really went deep into your lips. Hours after the product is gone, you still feel moisturized. It lasts a long time so there is no need to reapply for hours. Even when the product is gone, it has gone so deep in your lips, you feel moisturized and protected. I got this in the winter time, and  during the cold months this was a life saver. My lips are extra dry, and when I say a little bit goes a long way, I am not kidding. It took me awhile to find the prefect amount to apply on my lips and I haven't even made a dent in it. I would apply this before going outside, and when I got home, it was still there. It looks natural on the lips, there is no gloss to it.
I got the original, so my was scent free, I didn't have any reaction to it. I would recommend this product to anyone who has chapped lips, or has problems during the summer/winter months and need that extra protection. Growing up I would use Vaseline on my lips, and as an adult, I love this modern revamped version. It has the benefits of a balm (moisturizing, heals lips, protects etc) with the old school feel of Vaseline.

Wisdom wednesday

The past couple of months have been tough for my family. We have had a lot of struggles and challenges. There have been people trying to bring us down, think negatively about us and trying to figure out our next steps in life. There were days when I didn't want to deal with anything, and at times not even get out of bed. I would often wonder, what else could possibly go wrong? Why was all of this happening to us? It was during those moments that my boyfriend reminded me to have faith, not just that things will work out, but that God had a plan for us. Even if you aren't religious, its about having trust that things will work out in the end, as they say, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As tough as these past months have been, I couldn't have gone through all of this, or made it through the day without my trust in God. I do believe that God doesn't put things in front of you that you cannot handle, so there is a reason that we all go through what we go through. We constantly question why certain things are happening, but we need to stop analyzing, and harping on the what if's and the why's and just let go. We can only control ourselves in life, and I have learned this the hard way, all the other things, I leave in God's hands. I have put my full trust in God, and believe that things will work out the way they should.

Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Hey Guys!

As you can tell by the title, this post is a blueberry recipe. I will admit, I am not the biggest blueberry fan, but my boyfriend loves it. When I was younger, i was obsessed with blueberry muffins, I would eat them all the time, to the point, where I am now sick of them!

I found this recipe on pinterest, and made these when I had people over one day. They were obsessed with them, they even took them home! Now that my boyfriend is working night shifts, his schedule is a bit off. When he wakes up to start his shift, I like to give him quick foods that he doesn't have to waste time on. In all honesty, baked breakfast goods is the answer.

I have tried these muffins, and they are actually delicious, and this is coming from someone who doesn't like blueberries! The recipe claims its a bakery style muffin, and my boyfriend agrees!

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups of blueberries ( i personally think this is to many, I did find I had a lot leftover because my batter was overflowing with blueberries)
2 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 3/16 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line your muffin trays
mix flour, baking powder and salt
in another bowl beat butter and sugar
add 1 egg at a time, and beat after each egg
add vanilla extract
add half the flour and milk, and mix
repeat
add the blueberries slowly, break it up in thirds or do half at a time
fold the blueberries in
put in muffin liners, and sprinkle with sugar on top
bake for 30 minutes

mysweetmission.net/2015/04/bakery-style-blueberry-muffins.html

The one thing I love about the recipe is how easy it is, and how all these ingredients, I usually have in my house.

How I de-stress

Hey Guys!

We all deal with stress in life, and with little one's it can be more challenging. Awhile ago I had an awful migraine due to stress, which lasted for a month. I woke up with my head pounding and went to bed unable to move from the pain. I went to the doctor and was told it was from stress. I let things overpower me, to the point where it interfered with me being a mother. This broke my heart, and was a wake up call for me. I decided to find ways to distress myself, not just for my health but also for the benefit of my family.

Working out

It's so cliche but everything you hear about it is true. I literally sweat out every frustration or negative emotion out of me. I have recently increased the number of workouts I do a week and noticed amazing results. I am in a better mood and I sleep a lot better. It is also time I get for myself, it's 30 minutes a day where I can work hard, focus on getting through the workout and nothing else exists.

Sleep

While working out does help the quality I sleep I get, it doesn't compensate for everything. Figure out how much sleep your body needs a night. I need 7-8 hours but my boyfriend is fine with 5. Sleep outs me in a better mood, I'm more alert and emotions are balanced so I am able to handle situations a lot better. I have a lot more energy and patience with Kayden, and I don't take things out of context. We all underestimate how much sleep can help regulate our emotions, and allow us to function in a productive way.

Take time for yourself

I use to spread myself thin, and looking back that was the worst thing I could do. You need to find something that calms you down and helps center you. For me a good nap can make everything better. Find what you need to put yourself in a better place, get your nails done, hair done, go out with friends etc. This will allow yourself to breathe and give you a break from the day to day. There are days when Kayden is whining a little extra, or he didn't get enough sleep and everything is to emotional for him. If my boyfriend is home, I tell him I need a time out, and he takes over. If you have family/friends nearby don't be afraid to ask them for help. Sometimes you need to just step outside if there is no one to help you. I will go out on the balcony with kayden, he will blow some bubbles, play with some toys and I get to a few moments of sanity.

Tea

I love tea in the evening. After I workout I love making myself a cup of decaf green tea ( I also have other flavors) sit on the couch and just relax. Honestly, evening is the best time for me, Kayden is asleep, the house is quiet, and if my boyfriend isn't working that night,we get quality time together. There is something about tea ( or anything warm) that calms your body, and just relaxes you. I also sleep better when I drink a warm beverage. There are many teas out there, and I can guarantee that you'll find one that works for you, i always gave orange pekoe, green tea and chai tea stocked in my cabinet.

Makeup I spluge on

Hey Guys!

So as someone who loves makeup, we can all get caught up in the hype of certain department store products. I have been guilty of shelling out money, when the drugstore has a better/just as good product. Everyone always asks me what makeup to splurge on, so I am here to tell you. While it may not seem like a lot that I list, I will tell you my reasoning. Products that I use up often is not worth breaking the bank over, also I think about what I use all the time, if I am going to reach for a product once a blue moon, it is not worth it for me.

Foundation
I do believe you should splurge on foundation. It goes on your face, and sometimes can be the first item of makeup you put on. I do find when you go to a department store, there is more variety in terms of skin needs. You can always find a foundation to help you with your problems i.e. oily, dry, combination, breakouts etc. I also do find the ingredients  they use is different. The foundations glide on so well, and honestly have never settled into my dry spots.  They have more staying power then drugstore makeup. Part of why I don't mind spending a lot on foundation, is because a little bit goes a long way. I have a medium/full coverage foundation, and I find that my foundation lasts over a year.


Bronzer
I have only bought one bronzer in my life, and it has been drugstore. I fell in love. It is smooth and silky, and once again a little bit goes a long way. I do find the color payoff to be amazing as well.  I never have to reapply, and I look like I have a natural glow.

Concealer
I will stand by my department store concealer any day. I have bags under my eyes and dark circles. I have tried so many drugstore concealers and nothing did the trick, plus they settled into my fine lines. I finally found an amazing department store concealer, and my under eyes have never looked better. The coverage is amazing, but I do have to set it, to get that amazing flawless look. As all department store finds, it lasts a long time.

Lipstick
 I have mixed feelings about this. I do find drugstore lipsticks work well. They have really changed their formula and the color payoff is amazing. I will admit though, I do find department store lipsticks more moisturizing, it almost feels like butter. For me to pay that extra money when I can, is worth it. I wouldn't recommend buying department store lipsticks solely for their color. You can find so many dupes online, which makes the internet an amazing place.

All in all for certain products, you should shell out that extra money. I love the colors, and the moisturizing, and the luxuriousness you feel with department store makeup. I dont replace my department store makeup often, which justifies the amount I pay for my items, and honestly, its only a few items. I like mixing up my makeup with high end and low end products. You get introduced to so many new products, and I guarantee you will be shocked at how well drugstore makeup is.

Wednesday Wisdom

The past two weeks have presented a lot of changes for my family. My boyfriend works night shifts now at a new job, and a lot of things have been hectic and different. I will admit, I cried. I know this will sound silly, but regardless of how our days are, we always went to bed together, and whenever I wake up at night, I roll over and he is there. My night has changed completely. I use to always be scared of taking care of Kayden at night, not because I don't think I am capable but rather the bond that Kayden and his father have. Curtis is able to walk into the room, and put him back down with ease, if Kayden has had a bad dream, whereas for me it takes much longer, mostly because I can't hold him for a long time, or a position that is comfortable for my back is uncomfortable for him. As difficult as these last 3 nights have been, I learned a lot about myself, and about being a mother. I can put Kayden down with ease, I need to stay calm and remind him that I am here for him, and there is nothing to worry about. Kayden and I have our own special connection, that as a mother I always questioned. There are times I felt jealous of what Curtis and Kayden have. Sure my days are a lot lonelier with Curtis sleeping, but I reevaluated myself. I have made mistakes in the past week, but as the quote said, i said 'oops'. Curtis is going to gain great work experience in the next few months, and open up a new field for himself. Kayden may have to play a little quieter, and I will do a lot more then I usually do, but we never have to wonder if Curtis could handle these new responsibilities. I will gladly take on more, to ease the stress for my boyfriend. Let's challenge ourselves to step outside the box, and face our ears, for whatever that may be, a new job, new roles or even a new life.

How to cook basmati rice perfectly

Hey Guys!

I grew up eating rice, to be honest, I will find any excuse to eat rice. It is my absolute favorite thing to eat. I must admit, I didn't perfect my 'rice making skills' till September. I make basmati rice, that is always in our house. The only time I buy another brand, is if I can't find a reasonably priced bag of basmati at the store.
For my birthday in September, my dad took me to a restaurant, and the rice was amazing. It was light, fluffy, and you could eat endless amounts, which is odd because it usually leaves you feeling heavy.
Here is the secret, soak your rice. I ideally like to soak it for 2 hours before I am going to cook it, but I have done it 30 minutes before and gotten good results.
I usually make a cup and half of rice, so I double that amount in water. If i am not soaking my rice, I will add a dash of oil. If I am soaking it, I rinse it off with water and put it in the pot once the water has boiled. I put my stove on 7, and let it cook for 5 minutes. If i have soaked it, I do find that all the water is gone, and the rice is fully cooked. If i haven't soaked it I lower the heat to 5, and usually in 2-3 minutes it will be done. I cover the rice with a small plate/bowl. The reason I don't use a lid, is because I don't want any steam/heat to escape. I cover it for at least 5 minutes.