Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, my friends!

It has been a while since I shared a few of my favorite things!  I have the best intentions, but life just gets in the way sometimes. Two weeks ago, it was a broken wrist, last week it was what felt like a million appointments, and this week was the flu. 

That's right, the flu. It took Grant, Dylan and I down for a few days. Well, they are still down. I woke up with it on Wednesday and could barely function, but I bounced back much more quickly than my husband and son. Despite the lingering congestion and tiredness, I felt somewhat normal tonight. Poor Dylan, however, is currently fighting off a 105 degree fever. It came down with medication, but this mama won't be sleeping tonight!

Without further ado, here are a few things that I'm loving this week:

{Spring Style}

The colors and the trends...I'm loving it all! Warm, sunny weather just makes me so happy.  I shopped for Spring clothes over the past few weeks and I can't wait to share them all in an upcoming Mom Style post!

(I found this adorable top at TJ Maxx. They have so many cute tops this Spring!)

{Mug Love. And a cute bunny.}

My mug collection is out of control, but I can't help adding to it. I'm a sucker for holiday mugs, and my favorites come from TJ Maxx, too! This one was from last year, but they had a bunch of similar ones this year.

And the bunny!!! If you followed along on our bunny raising journey, you know that we ended up keeping 2 of the 7 babies. The other five are happily adjusting to their new homes. I'll recap that journey soon enough, but this one is all mine. Her name is Elle, and I didn't think she was going to make it for the first two weeks of her life. She was a fighter and took to following me around the house, so I had no choice but to keep her!

{EZPZ Play Mat}

This thing is AMAZING. If you don't have the EZPZ Play Mat, put it on your list of things to buy if you have kids! It seriously gets used every day. If you missed my post showcasing all the fun things we use it for, you can read it HERE. (And while you're at it, grab some Squigz!)

{Easter Socks}

Is anybody else obsessed with holiday socks? I have been since I was a kid! Now that I have my own kids, I scoop up the holiday socks from the Target Dollar Spot as soon as I spot them!

{Birthday Gifts}

My dear friend, Rich, gave me the sweetest gift for my birthday! He always manages to find things that I don't have and I end up loving everything. Sure enough, I loved these Alex and Ani charm bracelets and the Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss. (That convenient mirror attached to the side of the tube? GENIUS!)

{LuLaRoe}

So I'm completely new to the LulaRoe craze, but the leggings sure are comfortable! Liana sent me the sweetest package. Feature coming soon, but for now you can visit her on Instagram!

{Currently Reading}

I am loving Orphan Train! It was highly recommended, but I kept putting off reading it. It took me a while to really get started, and now I'm having a hard time putting it down! (And there's that cute bunny again and my newest Easter mug from TJ Maxx!)

{Ipad Accessories}

Even though I told Grant I didn't want any gifts from him for my birthday since I need a new camera, he insisted. My Apple-hating husband even did his research and found this amazing wireless keyboard case for my ipad pro! He hopes that I will use it more often now that it's similar to a laptop. (He was right!) He also gets bonus points for getting it in one of my favorite colors: rose gold!

{Daily Dose of Joy}

Last, but definitely not least, everybody could use a little bit of joy in their life! This kid has plenty to give!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! What's on your agenda?

Linking up for Friday Favorites  //  Oh Hey Friday  //  High Five For FRIDAY 

10 Tips To Help Moms Find The Perfect Swimsuit {Featuring Speedo USA}

DISCLOSURE: This post was sponsored by Speedo USA. I received Speedo products as compensation.

Spring has arrived and the weather is warming up in Pittsburgh! In just a few months, the kids will be out of school, and we will be logging in many hours at the pool, beach and splash pad.

Spring Fever is kicking in hardcore, and I’m eagerly shopping for Summer clothing. Sundresses are hanging in our closets, shorts are folded up in drawers, sandals and flip flops are ready to be worn and our swimsuits are waiting for the first pool day of the season.

There was only one thing left to do, and it’s a task I dread every single year: Shopping for MY swimsuit! Shopping for a swimsuit for yourself is never fun, but once you become a mom, shopping for the perfect suit is a bit more difficult.

Motherhood makes your body and your lifestyle change in so many ways. Swimsuits that you once loved may no longer be the perfect fit. Nobody wants to sacrifice style for function, but there are plenty of swimsuits out there for moms that are both stylish AND functional. Finding the perfect “Mom Suit” is a challenge, but it can be done! 

I teamed up with Speedo USA to show you just how easy it can be to find a swimsuit that’s right for you! Here are 10 tips to help you find the perfect “Mom Suit.”

1. Skip the store and shop online. Shopping for a swimsuit at a store can be overwhelming. Not only is it difficult to try on swimsuits while children are running around in a tiny dressing room, but the number of options can be overwhelming, and the harsh lighting is unforgiving. It can turn out to be a nightmarish experience for everyone involved!

The easiest solution is to remain in the comfort of your home, and browse through a selection of swimsuits while your children sleep. Speedo USA has an amazing collection of comfortable suits that are perfect for women of every shape and size!

2. Measure! I cannot stress this enough. The key to getting the perfect fit is to take every measurement before you purchase your swimsuit. Most websites have a convenient sizing guide to help you get the perfect fit. In my experience, if one of your measurements falls right in between sizes, it’s best to stick to the smaller size when it comes to swimwear. You certainly don’t want a fit that’s too loose, especially with little ones around! Trust me!

3. Figure out which problem spots you want to hide. Although we should love our bodies as is, every mom has a body feature that bothers them. Figure out which body part makes you feel the most self-conscious, and find a style that will camouflage that spot.  It helps so much to wear a swimsuit that makes you feel confident!

Do you want to camouflage a mom belly? Try a shirred swimsuit! Not feeling so confident about showing your legs? Try board shorts. Long torso? Try a bikini or a tankini! 

4. Keep your kids in mind while you shop. Picture what it’s like to take young kids to the pool or the beach, and imagine what kind of swimsuit you will need to keep up with them. I need a swimsuit that will stay put as I chase after my Toddler Tornado, that will keep everything covered when I bend over, and that stays in place despite tiny hands grabbing me all day long!

I also needed a suit that I could wear while running errands to and from the pool, and one that I could wear if I decide to go for a walk/jog on the beach. I opted for the Blouson Tankini and the Texture Stripe Hipster. 

The layered top looks like a piece of athletic wear and covers the spots I feel most self-conscious about, and the bottoms stay put no matter what, thanks to the silicone gripper on the inside of the suit!

5. Choose a flattering color. Black is always a great choice, because it’s slimming. But sometimes, a pretty pop of color will overshadow the parts you worry about the most!

6. Get a second opinion before you buy. I have a friend who is a pro at giving constructive criticism. Anytime I doubt something or can’t make up my mind, I always consult her. She always steers me in the right direction! If you are having a difficult time making a decision, just ask somebody you trust and get their opinion. But above all else, go with your gut! If you like it, that’s all that matters!

7. If you try on the suit and hate it, don't give up. Returning something that you bought online is such an easy process these days.  If the swimsuit arrives, and it doesn’t fit right, or if you just don’t like it, return it! There is another swimsuit out there that is perfect for you!

8. Never underestimate the power of a good cover up. A cover up is a mom’s best friend! Whether it’s a tunic, a dress or shorts, find something that works for you! We lead an active lifestyle, so I opted for the 4-Way Stretch Short. 

These shorts slip on very quickly and easily, which is essential when you have a kid who moves at lightning speed! They are so comfortable, and they keep up with my active kids and my busy lifestyle! Plus, the cut offers a flattering fit for any body type.

9. Don't forget the accessories! Now that you have the suit and the cover up, don’t forget the extras! I have a few favorite must haves from Speedo USA!

Printed Headband: A mom bun is my go to hairstyle for spending the day at the beach or the pool.  This printed headband works great to keep back all the unruly tendrils that threaten to slip out of my top knot!

Flip Flops: These On Deck Flip Flops are great for a day at the pool, but they’re also all-purpose for everyday use. They are padded, so they offer a very comfortable fit, and the non-slip soles grip the ground as I chase after my kids. My favorite feature is the fact that they wipe clean very easily. Let’s face it…life with kids can be VERY messy!

Water Shoes: I have a confession. I HATE walking into the water at the lake or the ocean. I cringe every single time my feet touch something I can’t see. My kids, however, love to be in the water, so I have to go in with them. These Surfwalker Pro 3.0 Water Shoes are going to be amazing for our days spent at the beach. They are comfortable, I can run after kids in them and they can get wet. Even if they are soaked, they dry very quickly after I remove them. Thanks to the comfortable fit, I can wear them all day and do anything in them! I have a feeling I will be wearing them all Summer!

Beach/Pool Bag: A roomy bag is a must when you have kids. The Deluxe Ventilator MeshBag was very impressive! I didn’t look at the dimensions, so I was very surprised at how big it was when it arrived! 

This drawstring backpack-style bag comes in a wide variety of colors and is made with mesh so it dries quickly. The interior of the tote is very spacious and easily holds 6 towels and our necessities. The tote also has a large, exterior zipper pocket that is perfect for small items that are easily lost, a mesh pocket that fits a pair of adult shoes, and a little protected pocket for a pool pass, license or ID card on the back.  I love the fact that I can carry everything we need and have my hands free to herd my kids around!

10. Try not to be overly critical and remember the reason why you are shopping for a "Mom Suit." I completely understand that this is easier said than done. But please remember that you are beautiful no matter what your body looks like, and there’s a wonderful reason (or two or three or four) why you are shopping for a Mom Suit.  The human body is an amazing thing, and the scars and flaws left behind after carrying a human being is a beautiful reminder of what you accomplished!

Thanks to durable, quality products from Speedo USA, I am officially all set for a Summer full of fun with my crew!  

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A Fun Easter Tradition for Kids: Plant a Lollipop Garden {Tuesday Talk}

With Easter less than two weeks away, we are desperately trying to fit in all of our yearly Easter traditions and activities. I'm not quite sure we're going to be able to cross everything off of our list, but we did manage to accomplish one thing already: Planting a Lollipop Garden!

We started this tradition years ago, when Dylan and Lexie were younger. They no longer participate in this activity, but it's still one of Lily's favorite Easter traditions, and Liam is just getting started!

Planting a Lollipop Garden is so simple, yet so magical for young kids! Plus, it opens up conversation about new life, which is a great thing to focus on for Easter and Spring. The jelly bean "seeds" get planted in the soil, and after some watering and sunlight, they transform into a garden of lollipops!

SUPPLIES:

• Potting Soil
• Containers for planting
• "Magical" jelly beans
• Lollipops in different colors and sizes

We switch things up just a little bit each year. This year we opted for inexpensive, plastic Easter baskets. (At 99 cents each, it was a steal!) In previous years, we have used mini flower pots (one for each kid), used an extra large planter for an extra large Lollipop Garden, and even planted them with our real flowers.

HOW TO PLANT YOUR LOLLIPOP GARDEN:

1. Have your child fill their container with potting soil.

You may want to assist the younger crowd to minimize the mess. Just saying...

2. Plant the "magical" jelly beans in the potting soil. Make sure your child uses a bunch of different colors!

Just FYI, taste testing will probably occur!

3. Have your child lightly water their Lollipop Garden and sit it in sunlight.

4. The most amazing thing will happen! Usually during nap time or overnight, the jelly bean "seeds" will turn into a garden full of lollipops! ;) Sometimes it happens during the course of one day, sometimes it happens overnight, and sometimes it takes a few days. Sometimes it's even discovered on Easter morning!

Once their Lollipop Gardens bloom, my kids love to pick lollipops to eat! Although waking up to a garden full of lollipops is exciting, eating them is definitely the best part!

Planting a Lollipop Garden is one of our favorite Easter traditions. It's simple and fun, and eagerly anticipated each year!

It's time for Tuesday Talk!!! 

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My Unexciting But Oh-So-Perfect Birthday

Many people get really excited about their birthday, but I'm not one of them! I enjoy my birthday, but I feel like once I became a mom, my special day lost its appeal. Birthdays just aren't as exciting when you become an adult. I get more excited about my kids' birthdays these days!

This weekend was my birthday weekend and I didn't do anything overly exciting. I didn't have a drink or party it up. (Did I ever mention that I hate alcohol? So drinking would be out of the question anyway!) Heck, I didn't even have a party other than with my immediate family. And that was perfectly fine. I was surrounded by an abundance of love, and that alone made my birthday feel perfect!

On Saturday evening, which was my birthday eve, my parents watched our kids for a few hours. Grant's coworker, who is also one of his closest friends, was directing a musical that evening, about an hour away. Grant, his best friend (also a coworker) and I headed down to show him our support. (Along the way, we delivered the last two baby bunnies to their new homes. I will be sharing the last part of our bunny raising adventure very soon!)

Grant and I met as the leads in a musical, so our love for musical theater is the main thing we have in common! It was nice to spend the evening watching a performance, and our dear friend was so happy we were there. He did a fantastic job directing the show!

We had to leave for the show before dinner, so by the time it was over, we were absolutely starving. A very late night visit to the Taco Bell drive thru was in order before we made the long trek home! When we arrived home, our entire crew was wide awake and already planning for my birthday! Our kiddos finally fell asleep and I got to enjoy a few hours of Netflix binge-watching to kick off my birthday!

This morning, everybody let me sleep in until nearly noon. I never sleep during the week, so it was amazing and much needed! I woke up to the sound of my kids singing Happy Birthday, and when I opened my eyes, they were all in my room with a tray. Once nice thing about having a few older kids is the fact that they can cook! Dylan made me scrambled eggs, Lily made me cinnamon toast and Lexie made my favorite hot tea. Liam just sang very loudly, which was appreciated just as much! 

Shortly after I got out of bed and got ready for the day, Grant's mom arrived for a visit. She stayed while my kids and Grant gave me presents, and was able to enjoy cake with us. We celebrate my birthday (and Grant's birthday) the same way every year. Each kid gives me a small gift and Grant gives me my big gift. My sweet kiddos get so excited about giving me gifts that it makes even the smallest gift seem like the most special thing in the world!

Lily gave me a new mug for my collection! She knows quite well that I love mugs and drink hot tea all day long.

Liam is the focus of many of my photo sessions. It seemed very fitting that he would give me a memory card reader for my iPad. I'm sure it's going to come in handy!

Lexie, who is my bookworm, gave me a new book from my reading list! I can't wait to start reading it!

Dylan knows I love chocolate and other sweets, so a bag full of candy and gum made my day!

My big gift this year is going to be a new DSLR and lens. It's a REALLY expensive gift, so I told Grant not to buy me anything, but he insisted. My anti-Apple husband did a lot of research and bought me a wireless keyboard case for my iPad Pro. Not only is it completely awesome, but it's also one of my favorite colors: rose gold! His hope is that I will use my iPad more frequently now that it's like a mini laptop. 

I was completely spoiled this year by my sweet family!

My little crew took it one step further this year, and made me a cake! It was Dylan's idea, but Lexie and Lily helped, too. They decided to make me a rice crispy treat cake! Dylan even spelled out "MOM' with toothpicks. He gets an A+++ for creativity!

After a few bites of their masterpiece, my mother in law headed home, and our friend arrived to babysit for a few hours. Grant took me out to my favorite restaurant, Olive Garden, for my birthday dinner! It was so nice to go out on a rare, much needed date night, and eat a complete meal without interruption!

We made a detour to the grocery store on the way home, because we know how to party, then headed home to our kids!

Birthdays can never be completely boring in our chaotic home. Liam decided to liven up the party by trying to change his poopy pull up during naptime. Needless to say, a bath and stripping his crib happened as soon as we arrived home. Motherhood doesn't pause for birthdays!

And, well, I decided to start off this year of my life with an injury. A few weeks ago, a picture frame broke and we sat it on a trunk in our room and kept forgetting to hang it back up. Today, I bent down to grab something, and caught my finger on a piece of glass. Yes, I probably should have gone to the ER for a stitch or two, but I didn't want to spend my birthday there. It's nothing that a few big bandages won't fix! It's on the same finger as another previous cut that also could have used a few stitches, and the scars will compliment each other well! 

So despite the poopy crib and the cut finger, my birthday was pretty perfect! It ended with a piece of my favorite cake from Olive Garden, the season finale of The Walking Dead and an episode of Gilmore Girls. It was definitely a great way to end my day!

I wasn't excited about my birthday this year, but my sweet family worked hard to make my day perfect! Just spending the day with them was enough for me. I am one incredibly lucky wife and mama!