Our Five Ring Circus: Fashion
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Making Life Easier One Shoe at a Time with Xpand

Down syndrome

*We received the following product free in exchange of our honest review.

When you have a big family, there is a LOT to juggle! There is no extra time, so any second saved is precious. I'm always looking for ways to save time (and energy), so I was thrilled to discover a time-saving product - Xpand!  

With Xpand, you never have to tie your shoes again! I love the concept behind this product, especially for Liam. We love them so much that we're replacing ALL of our laces with Xpand laces!

Putting on shoes is so much easier these days. It truly does save me time, and is much less stressful! And if you have little kids or a child who has extra needs, Xpand is a must have!

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Favorite Finds of the Week - Sam's Club & Aldi

 

Favorite Sam's Club and Aldi finds of the week!

Confession: I love shopping...but I love a good deal even more! I even love to shop in a mask! With 5 growing kids, we have to shop smart, search for deals, find things that work well for our family, and add extra money to the weekly budget to allot for clothing, household necessities, and gifts.

I frequently share my finds on Instagram, but got away from sharing them on the blog. Sometimes I only bring home a few things other than groceries, while other weeks are a bit heavier in the extra stuff department. (This week, we have a birthday.) I decided to transition my finds back to the blog again, in addition to sharing on social media. I love discovering new things on social media, and love sharing mine as well!

My weekly shopping trip is an undertaking with 7 people in my family. I also shop for my neighbor each week, and occasionally grab things for my parents. I always stop at Sam's Club for the bulk items (we go through a LOT of food), Aldi for the rest of our groceries, and I rotate between Walmart and Target for the extra grocery/household items that I can't find at those stores. Every so often, I stop at a different store, but most of my finds come from Amazon, Target, Aldi, and Sam's Club. This week, I'm sharing my favorite Sam's Club and Aldi non-food finds!

Monday, November 11, 2019

Fall Favorites

Parenting Blog

It's nearing the middle of November, and while everyone else seems to have decorated for Christmas already, I'm still fully embracing Fall! If there's anything having five children has taught me, it's to quit rushing things, and enjoy the moment. I love everything about the holiday season, from Halloween to New Year's Day, but I'm still enjoying pumpkins, Fall decor, and our Thankful Tree! And on Thanksgiving night, you will find all of us in Christmas pajamas!


If you read my last post from last month, you already know that life has been very chaotic around here. I just haven't had time to blog, and I had to fight through the guilt and realize that I would get back to it when I had a chance. Life has changed even more since I wrote that post three weeks ago. I now have a teenager at home with me every single day, doing cyber school. I'll share more details on the why and how soon. It's still very new to us!

Currently, my nap-protester is actually sleeping, my sick self is stuck on the couch trying to get rest, and my kids are off school for the next two days. It's surprisingly calm in my home for 8 PM on a Sunday night. It's the perfect time to share a few of my favorite things this Fall!

Friday, June 14, 2019

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites - Mom Blog / Pittsburgh Blog / Baby Blog / Down syndrome Blog / Big Family Blog

Happy Friday! It has been a long time since I shared a few of my favorite things. Life got in the way of blogging - having a baby and adjusting to having five kids will do that. BUT...I figured it was time to get back into posting my favorites regularly!


Life lately has been very busy. Our Summer Break just started, but it doesn't feel much like a break at all. We're in the midst of dance recital week, and it's all we can think about right now! Next week should be a bit more calm!

I discovered so many new favorites over the past few weeks. Some are for me, some are for my kids. I'm taking advantage of the quiet time in my house (AKA the middle of the night), to list my favorites for all of you!

Friday, September 28, 2018

A Few Of My Favorite Things

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Happy Friday, my friends! Can you believe it's the end of September already? Where did the past month go?!? Today I'm sharing a few of my favorites that I loved during the month of September!

Friday, July 13, 2018

Summer Friday Favorites

Summer Friday Favorites

I received several of the items below free for review. I only share the things I love the most!

Happy Friday! Summer life is in full swing, and we are loving the hot summer days. Even though some days are almost unbearably hot, it's my favorite time of year. Summer life is the best life!



A few fun things made my love list this week! Some were sent to me for review, and I quickly fell in love, and others were fun finds while I was shopping. Here are six of my current Summer Favorites:

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

What's Up Wednesday? ~ June Edition

What's Up Wednesday?

It's the last Wednesday of the month which means it's time for What's Up Wednesday! Is it just me, or did June fly by ridiculously fast?!? I can't believe the month is almost over, and July is arriving next week!


On the last Wednesday of each month, I share a life lately post. It's a great way to share what my family is up to! Not just the daily recap, but the things we're eating, watching, listening to, reading, wearing, and more...

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Fashion Diaries: Tackling Motherhood in Style with prAna + Discount Code

Fashion Diaries: Tackling Motherhood in Style with prAna + 15% Discount Code {sponsored} #prAnaMom

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by prAna, but all opinions are 100% my own.

As a mom of four, my days are busy! I often go straight from a meeting or blogging event to one of the activities my kids participate in, or to meet a friend for a walk. I keep a bag in my car so I can change clothes as needed, but now I don't have to! Thanks to prAna, I can tackle motherhood in style by going straight from a business casual event to the great outdoors without changing my outfit!


Mom Style

Like many moms, most of my time is spent driving kids around and waiting during their multiple activities. Fitting in trips to the park and walks with friends tends to be very spontaneous because our structured schedule doesn't have much wiggle room for additional activities. I need to be ready for anything at any time, and I want to look stylish and classy for everything that I do!

Mom Fashion

The older I get, the more conscientious I become about the world around me. I have been actively trying to introduce a green living lifestyle to my family, and I seek out companies that give back.  And prAna is a company that I can proudly support!

Motherhood

If you aren't familiar with prAna, let me share a few great things about this environmentally friendly company that specifically designs clothes that are meant to go straight from the office to outdoor activities. The tagline of the company is "design that sets you free." The clothing is designed for those with an adventurous spirit, and the company easily shows just how much they love the planet while doing so.


The Lucky Few

The company sells organic, sustainable, recycled, hemp, fair trade certified items. They also give back to communities all over the world. Every purchase you make from prAna has a positive impact on the world around you! Their main belief is to give back more than what you take from the world. That's a belief I can stand behind!

Motherhood in Style


My personal experience with prAna is a very positive one! 


Mom Style

The clothing arrived rolled up and tied with string. Even the tags are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. My cold-shoulder shirt and pants looked really cute and comfortable, but the true test was to try them on!

prAna clothing

The Ivana Top looked stylish and was very current with the cold-shoulder trend that is still all the rage (which I personally love). I loved the olive floral print which was unlike anything else I own. Upon trying it on, I quickly realized it was every bit as comfortable as it was cute! Plus, it just flattered my post-four kids mom body, and hid all the spots that make me feel uncomfortable!

prAna Ivana Top

The Mantra Pant, however, was my absolute favorite. They were truly the most comfortable pants I have ever worn! They feel exactly like pajama pants, but the black herringbone color made them look dressy when paired with the top. They quickly became my new favorite pair of pants because they can easily be dressed up or dressed down, and I feel like I'm in my pj pants when I wear them! Now that's comfort!

prAna Mantra Pant

Tackling every aspect of motherhood is easy while wearing prAna clothing! It's difficult to find something stylish and comfortable that is versatile enough to be worn for everything. I was completely happy with my outfit, and it quickly became a new favorite to add to the rotation. I'm proud to call myself a #prAnaMom!

Motherhood in Style

My adorable outfit from prAna took me from a school meeting to a walk at the park with a friend to an evening at the soccer field, and I did it all in style! I was comfortable all day long, and I felt confident in what I was wearing. I love the versatility of the pieces, and I feel good about wearing them. Not only because they flatter my body shape, but also because I know that I'm wearing something that was created with the sustainability of the planet in mind!


Fashion Blogger


Want to try prAna for yourself? Use the code TMF17SS to save 15% off your entire order! (Code expires on 10/19 and is not valid on sale items.)


prAna clothing



Here's why hemp matters!



Find out more about the sustainable clothing movement and why organic cotton matters.


Thank you to prAna for sponsoring today's post! Visit prAna to see all of their comfortable and stylish clothing options for all the adventures in your life!


Mom Style

Fashion Diaries: Tackling Motherhood in Style with prAna + 15% Discount Code {sponsored} #prAnaMom

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

A Few Of My Favorite Things: End Of Summer Edition

A Few Of My Favorite Things

DISCLOSURE: I received several of the items below free for review, but loved them so much that they made it into my favorites list!

Happy Monday, my friends! I spent the past week fighting off a nasty migraine each day, so that's why I've been MIA. Thankfully, the pain has decreased to a dull ache, which means I can actually function. I figured I would ease my way back into a full blogging schedule by sharing a few of my favorite things!


I don't know about you, but I can't believe Summer is coming to an end. I'm feeling very sad about it! Technically we still have over a week left of Summer, but the kids have been back in school since August 24th, and it's starting to FEEL like Fall. Although the afternoons warm up, and we typically have temperatures in the seventies, mornings and evenings are cool. Yesterday morning we actually had to turn on the electric fireplace in our living room!

So without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things that I'm loving right now!

Mom Love Fellowship


Just before Summer began, I signed up with Little Dove Blog to participate in the Summer Mom Love Fellowship. My partner for the Summer was Courtney! Last week, Courtney sent me a sweet care package. I have plans to wear those earrings this week for Moms Night Out, and I'm excited to try the Rodan + Fields samples that she included!

Mom Love Fellowship

Flats


After a Summer of sandals and flip-flops, I'm starting to wear flats again. I rarely shop at Walmart, but I scored these on clearance for $3! I spotted them as I was walking through the store, and these ones (and a pink pair) ended up in my cart. They match everything, and I seriously couldn't pass them up for that price!

Shoes for Women


TotLogic Products


I am always on the lookout for great, natural products for my kids. Logic Products sent over two products from their TotLogic line for us to try! TotLogic products are gentle and non-toxic. The products are free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens (to name a few).

I love the 2-in-1 Wash & Shampoo for Liam. It is gentle on his sensitive skin and has a very light scent.

Tot Logic 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash

While we were at the beach, we also used TotLogic sunscreen on Lily and Liam. The natural zinc oxide formula is SPF 30 and water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Not only did it protect their skin from the harmful rays, but it also kept their skin moisturized!

TotLogic SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen

Currently Reading


I branched off from the type of books that I usually read to try The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey. I like it more than I expected, and I'm almost finished! If you are a fan of The Walking Dead or Fear The Walking Dead, this is a must read. But even if you're not, it's still really interesting!

Book Club

And while you're at it, buy a Bubba cup! It keeps my drink cold for HOURS.


Halloween Attire


Trendy Bubs has some adorable Halloween attire this year!!! Too soon? I think not! As always, use the code liamff to save 20% at checkout.

Trendy Bubs

{Leggings & Hat - Trendy Bubs / Shirt - Target / Shoes - H&M}

Bunny Love


Last week, I shared my new baby bunny, Arya. She has been with us a little over a week and is settling in nicely. Arctic, who is completely separated from all of her babies, happily took over mothering this little one! (They are big fans of Liam's new train set. I'm not even kidding. Arya climbs the tracks and Arctic pushes the balls around!)

Rabbits

Lovebug Probiotics


I am a fairly new probiotics user, but I am loving the line from lovebug probiotics. With lovebug probiotics, you are able to choose your plan, so everything you want is delivered to your door each month.

Now that my kids are back in school and cold season is approaching, I am a big fan of Colds Suck. Three of my kids already fell victim to the back to school cold, so I am taking Colds Suck each day! Lovebug Probiotics also offer products for kids. I can't wait to try them for Liam, who has a delicate digestive system!

lovebug probiotics

lovebug probiotics


Clutch Love


A dear friend of mine bought me the sweetest gift! I think he felt bad for me after watching me haul my 20 pound purse around. I keep this beautiful baby in my purse, filled with all the necessities, and take it out when I go somewhere alone (or into a store alone). It isn't often, but when I'm without kids, it's nice to leave my gigantic purse behind!

Michael Kors Clutch


Perfectly Posh


I was recently introduced to the Perfectly Posh brand! Perfectly Posh pampering products are naturally based and made in the USA using sustainably sourced, cruelty-free ingredients. Everything is free of phthalates, parabens, paraffins, and soy-gluten and there are many vegan options as well. Jordan, who is a fellow rockin' mama (she also has a child who is rocking an extra chromosome), sent me two products to try.

The My Hands Are Thaied hand creme leaves my hands feeling so soft, and I absolutely love the scent! This hand creme is richer than many others I have tried, but absorbs into the skin quickly, and leaves my hands feeling hydrated.

Perfectly Posh My Hands Are Thaied

When I put on the Hot and Gold face mask, my girls couldn't stop looking at my face. They loved the gold shimmer! I loved the fact that the mask didn't make my skin feel tight, cold or uncomfortable while I was wearing it, which is why I tend to avoid masks. It just felt nice, and it left my skin with a soft glow after I washed it off!

Perfectly Posh Hot and Gold face mask

To browse these products in Jordan's shop, click HERE! You can also join her VIP Facebook Group!


Soccer Mom


I am officially a soccer mom! Haha! My sweet Lexie decided she wanted to play soccer, and that landed her on a travel team with girls who have been playing for 4-5 years. We were worried about how she would do, but she loves it!

Soccer

Lexie's first game was on Sunday. Her coach originally said she would sit on the bench for the entire game to observe, but she ended up on the field for half of the game and even had control of the ball several times.

Lexie is fast and has the endurance. Once she understands the rules of the game, I have a feeling she's going to be fierce on that field!


Soccer


Mug Love



I recently added another mug to my collection! (Can't stop, won't stop!) It was on clearance at Cracker Barrel and I couldn't pass it up!


Owl Coffee Mug


Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate



Even though Liam is 4, he still likes to toss his plate if you don't take it from him fast enough when he's done. Suction tableware is officially my best friend! From plates to bowls, we have it all. A recent addition to Liam's meals is the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Bear Character Section Plate.


Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate Bear

This 100% silicone section plate sticks to flat, smooth surfaces. It's perfect for kids 6 months and up, and is safe because it is BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free. It wipes clean easily, and is also dishwasher AND microwave safe!


Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate Bear

The section plate is perfect for picky kids who don't like their food to touch! Liam is a big fan of the bear shape. Using the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate eliminated messes for me to clean up, and makes mealtime more fun!


Nuby Parent Blogger

(Available at Babies R Us)

Connect with Nuby:

FACEBOOK // TWITTER // INSTAGRAM // PINTEREST



17 Years


If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw that Grant and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on Saturday! We were teenagers when we started dating, and we were married young, so it truly feels like we've been together forever!




For our anniversary, we escaped from the kids for a few hours to go out to dinner, then we all went to watch our township's community day fireworks (which were AMAZING) together as a family!

A sweet family member gifted us with a thoughtful present for our anniversary. It just serves as a reminder of just how much we have accomplished in 17 years. We are incredibly blessed!


The Lucky Few

On that note, I should probably crawl out from under my warm blanket, and get on with my day! If you try (or have already tried) a few of my favorite things, let me know what you think!

A Few Of My Favorite Things - Product Roundup

On another note, you can find an interview with me on The Sirois Family today! If you don't already read Johanna's blog, head over now to meet this sweet mom blogger!

You might also like:

A Few Of My Favorite Things: July Roundup

A Few of My Favorite Things

TUESDAY TALK


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Tuesday Talk




Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Mom & Me LuLaRoe Style: How We Wore It

DISCLOSURE: I received clothing for review. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Up until just a few weeks ago, I had never worn anything from LuLaRoe. I wasn't even sure what all the hype was about. Now I'm convinced this brand was created with moms in mind!


LuLaRoe

Other than when I'm hanging out at home or running, I'm not a leggings and tee shirt kind of girl. When I go out in public, I need to look put together. I supposed I avoided LuLaRoe because I didn't think I would wear it, but I was wrong!

Liana, from LuLaRoe Mini Oreo, sent the sweetest package for me and my girls! There was a pair of leggings for each of us, a tee shirt for me, a Shout Color Catcher for our laundry and a hair tie with unicorns on it. She thought of everything! (She also had no idea that unicorns are the unofficial symbol for Down syndrome mamas, so she unknowingly sent the perfect extra!)

When I tried on the leggings, I was seriously impressed. The softness that everyone raves about is legit. They were buttery soft, the waistband was really comfortable and the one size leggings fit like a dream. It didn't even feel like I was wearing pants at all!


The shirt was also soft and I loved the fit. It wasn't skin tight, but it wasn't too loose. The longer hem in the back was very much appreciated, because I didn't feel like I had to keep checking to make sure everything was covered. When I wore the leggings and the shirt together, I just felt comfortable!

Motherhood

What I loved most about these pieces was the fact that they were very versatile! They were perfect to wear while hanging out at home, but also looked cute while I was on the go. I was able to dress them up by adding a few pieces that I already had. The best thing was that I was really comfortable no matter how I wore them. They are a great addition to my wardrobe! My girls love them, too!

Here's how we styled LuLaRoe:


Casual Mom-On-The-Go

I threw on a pair of comfortable flats with the leggings and the shirt, and it was a great, comfortable look while running errands. I felt a lot more put together than I typically would in leggings and a tee shirt! And once I arrived home, I swapped the shoes for a pair of slipper socks, and it felt like I was already in my pajamas!

LuLaRoe


Cute & Casual Tween Girl Style

Lexie is very tall and skinny these days, and it's hard to find pants that aren't too short. These leggings fit her perfectly! She opted to pair her leggings with a cute blouse, and it was a perfect transition outfit for Spring! (Can you tell this girl had a two sleepovers in a row hangover?)

LuLaRoe


Kindergarten Diva

Lily has a BIG personality! She prefers bold clothes that stand out, but they also need to keep up with her on the playground. These leggings were definitely bold enough for her taste. Paired with a peplum top and Mary Jane-style sneakers, this outfit was perfect for school and the playground!

LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe


Chilly Day Style

Here in Pittsburgh, it can be almost 90 degrees one day, then 45 degrees the next. (I wish I was kidding.) Plus, mornings are cool and afternoons are hot. Throwing on a cardigan over my LuLaRoe outfit was the perfect solution! I could wear it while I was cold, then remove it when it warmed up.


LuLaRoe
{Cardigan - Old Navy}

Matching Mom & Me Style

Lily was so excited when she realized we had identical black peplum tops that just happened to match our new LuLaRoe leggings perfectly. The long sleeves on my shirt and my black booties were perfect for a cooler Spring day!

LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe


Mom On-The-Move

My LuLaRoe shirt turned out to be a really comfortable option for working out! When it's paired with athletic shorts and converse, it's a really cute option for casual strolls with friends!

LuLaRoe


Date Night & Mom's Night Out

Every so often, I get the chance to go out, and I love to dress up! A black mini dress over my LuLaRoe leggings, paired with black flats, was such a fun and comfortable choice. I loved how the bold leggings made a boring black dress pop!

LuLaRoe

Pssst...can you tell she didn't want me to leave? Moms Night Out and Date Night are EXTREMELY rare around here!

LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe

Lexie, Lily and I love the comfort and versatility of our LuLaRoe. These leggings quickly became our new favorites!


LuLaRoe

Looking for some LuLaRoe? Visit Liana!

Mom & Me LuLaRoe Style - How We Wore It

TUESDAY TALK


It's time for Tuesday Talk! Grab the button, link back to your hosts and add your blog post link on the widget below!

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Tuesday Talk

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