2nd Trimester Style Favorites

July 14, 2016

This pregnancy is by far the fastest I’ve ever experienced, but as you know, that might have something to do with not knowing I was pregnant for the first two months. Suddenly I am in the third trimester a little bewildered and a little in disbelief at how I am having a baby in a few short months! I wanted to share a few staples that I wore throughout my second trimester that helped me still feel a little more among the land of the living than the land of the zombie waddling platypus;)

These have been both new and long time pregnancy favorites, that have gotten me through the last few months with a little more ease and comfortability and some beauty favorites that have woken up my tired face!

Blanqi Maternity Support Tank
Clinique CC Cream – SPF 30, blends well, and offers lightweight coverage.
Nars Lip Gloss – Smooth, summery, and long lasting.
S’well Water Bottles – Keeps water cold for hours!
Cotton Tank Dresses – Cool and easy to style…especially when they are striped.
Comfortable kicks – I wear these with denim shorts and tees.
More comfortable kicks – It’s all I wear guys. Even with dresses!
Scoop tank bras – Too live, breath, and sleep in.
Reversible Tote – It carries everything. Stick in a pocket organizer and you are good to go.
Moisturizers – The healing balm has been salvation for my dry patches and lips on my face. I am a moisturizer junkie, so I am loyal to this ultra repair cream that has also been wonderful at night.

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A big hit at our house.

July 13, 2016

I am pretty selective when it comes to toys these days. I have seen all too many cast aside after a few short days. I usually only say yes to bringing one home if it is something I know they will love and use for months. Since Max just turned 3, and is only drawn to constructive play, I knew the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar was going to be a big hit. He loves to figure out how things connect and operate, so this educational toy was a perfect match for him! As you can see by the video, not only Max, but ALL of my children were smitten with this learning toy, and are still fighting over who gets to build and play with it each day.

The code-a-pillar is designed for preschool aged children and offers the chance for them to problem solve and construct as they play. The segments of the code-a-pillar each have a direction arrow on the top (right, left, forward), and it will take a course based on the combination you put together. You can rearrange the segments of the code-a-pillar over and over again, so it takes a different course each time. This is why it holds the attention of both my active three year and inquisitive five year old so well.

The eyes also light up on the face of the code-a-pillar, and change colors as it hits each segment of the code you have set up for it. It comes with target discs you can set up around the room to lay out a planned course for the code-a-pillar. This has been another cool problem solving aspect that challenges him to get it to follow the course and get it to the finish line by the way they connect it together. My little ones jump up and down every time the code-a-pillar begins, which is quite entertaining to watch;)

You can check out Fisher-Price’s Facebook page for full videos on how the Code-a-pillar works later this summer that will help give you a good idea of how this product works.

Happy Wednesday!

Thank you Fisher-Price for sponsoring this post. A brand I have loved and used for many years. All opinions expressed are my own.

3 Unique Summer Handbags

July 11, 2016

My grandmother had such a great collection of hats and handbags. Even though they never had much money to spare, she took pride in looking her best for the right occasions. She chose her accessories carefully, and used them every Sunday. I definitely inherited that same love for a good handbag or hat.

A little moderation, and a good dose of spontaneity from time to time can become a fun bold summer look!

These are 3 Unique Summer Handbags that caught my eye and roped me in. I’ll be putting them to good use this year no doubt…

1. Circle Crossbody – As an avid geometric junkie (see last post), I swooned a little hard when I saw this versatile option by 2PennyBlue. Small and compact, but with enough room to hold all the essentials. The color and textures are a good summer addition to most looks. (Dress on sale from here, sandals on sale from here.)

2. Foldover tassel clutch – I stick with neutrals with all my basic wardrobe pieces most of the time now, but I still don’t shy from a little color when it comes to accessories. It is so much fun to have a bold clutch on hand for a day date or dinner out. I have been a long time supporter of Nena and Co., so couldn’t wait to share this fantastic piece with you all. I’ll be giving one of these beauties away on instagram so head over to enter. (Sandals on sale from here, dress from here via Trunkclub)

3. Bamboo clutch – These are hard to get a hold of, but if you find one in the vintage section on etsy, jump quick! The semi-circle shape was a personal favorite, but this rectangular option was a close second. Managed to snatch it up before it sold out. If nothing else, this is quite an entertaining conversation piece, as I had several people stop to make note of it last time I took it out. I mean, it does resemble a bird cage after all. (Dress on sale from here, sandals from here.)

Have any unique favorite accessories you are boldly wearing this summer?

Items Featured:

DIY Triangle Wall Planter

July 6, 2016

We have tried out a few versions of this DIY Triangle Wall Planter, and Gabe is sharing the instructions below for the latest version we love. Make a few of these to jazz up your gallery wall space and bring some easy greenery to your room. Read on for full directions! VIEW FULL POST

4th of July Weekend

July 5, 2016

* Watermelon and Blueberry Skewers *

*Rocco’s first Independence Day. This time last year he was giving me pre-labor contractions!*

*Homemade whip cream berry pies. Divine as they look.*

*When all my boys had shirts on at the same time;) My dress is from ASOS. Sold out, but all of their dresses are on clearance! Sandals from Splendid. The kiddos shirts and dress are from Old Navy and Gap.

*We went through boxes of sparklers. Max loved them and Veronica was slightly terrified.*

*7 out of 8 sisters got to make it home this year for the 4th:)*

We spent the 4th of July with our midwest family over a good deal of food, pool time, sparklers and the works. So thankful for this day to remember why we have the freedom we do in this country, and to honor those who have fought for it for decades.

We hope you all had a restful long weekend!

Fourth of July Desktop Download

July 1, 2016

The January Jane is back for your free Fourth of July desktop download!

I think I’ll request a printed anchor for the boys room out of this. Good grief! So good! Hope you all enjoy the free download for your desktop, phone, or tech devices!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD JULY DESKTOP WALLPAPER

Instructions to download: Simply click the link of the wallpaper of choice to open image in a new window. Download to your desktop, and upload as a wallpaper for your device. To download to your phone, visit link, click on the three dots in upper right hand corner and “share.” This will allow you to SAVE IMAGE. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!

In case you missed the rest of this week’s 4th of July fun:

Iced Tea Dessert Floats
Three red, white, and blue looks
Pole-ish Horseshoes
3 ingredient Strawberry Pie
Build Your Own Corn Hole Set
S’more Bar

Finding the right fit for our babies.

June 30, 2016

There are a million and two products available for mothers these days, and I can get so easily overwhelmed by it all. I had to learn to slowly do my own research, ask my sisters or friends for recommendations, and just test things out on my own to find what is best for my family. That’s why I occasionally like to share what is working for us, in hopes it can help some of you also in the “overwhelmed” department!

Rocco has had the most sensitive skin of all of my babies, and I tried at least 5 different brands throughout the year to find one he wouldn’t react to. I settled on one that he didn’t break out with, but was not too happy knowing the materials could contain harmful products. I had used Seventh Generation for cleaning products already, but hadn’t heard of their diapers until more recently. We have had such a good experience with them, and I am eager to talk about them with friends and family now. We have been slowly converting over to chemical free items in home products, sunscreen and beauty, laundry care, etc. so I was so relieved to find disposable diapers that contained no fragrances, petroleum-based lotions, or chlorine processing.

It’s also important to me that they don’t leak easily. These Free & Clear diapers have been working overnight with Rocco as they combine high absorbency with a comfy fit around the legs. I wish we would have discovered these sooner!

As I have researched about what ingredients and products can be harmful to my little ones, it has made me want to go through everything that touches their skin and read the labels more carefully. So much can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, and it only made sense to check my diapers and wipes! I hadn’t really considered it until recent years as these studies of safe ingredients have come to the front lines. My one complaint? I can never smell when Rocco has dirtied his diaper;) These diapers are odor eaters!

I have also switched our wipes over to the Seventh Generation Free & Clear wipes. They are thick, durable, and generously-sized, but are also hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, dyes, parabens, and phthalates.

I’m still in the learning phase of finding what products fit best in our family, but so happy to have at least the diaper and wipes department figured out! Have you all tried these before?

*Dress is by Isabella Oliver

This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation. Thank you for supporting the brands that support IHOD. All opinions are my own.