Update & A Giveaway!

 

I feel behind and will have my newest post for the 30x30 challenge up sometime in the next couple of days.

But I wanted to leave you with a little giveaway today from some of us that are participating in the Fall 30x30 challenge. Who doesn’t love a free gift card!

The ladies of the Fall 30x30 challenge wanted to get together and thank you for supporting! Using the Rafflecopter below, enter to win a $50 giftcard to your choice of Target, Old Navy/Gap, Loft, or Forever 21! Dreaming about Someday / justjacq / It’s My Life / you, me & capri / Raising the Rogers / Olive the Things / Fox Tales and Ponytails / Shop School Sleep / Curly Crafty Mom / One Blessed Jess a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall 30x30 Challenge: Days 13-18

I think the sickness may have finally left.  I’m hoping that I don’t end up getting it anytime soon and that maybe my kids will nap today so I can disinfect the entire house!

I loved almost all of the outfits that I picked out this week, but I think like almost everyone else, I really I cannot wait to have my other wardrobe back.  I’ve bought a few super cute pieces that I’d really love to wear.  Only 2 more weeks to go!

I should disclose that I did miss Monday.  I had 2 kids (Livi and my husband) with the flu and all I wore was some yoga pants and a tee.   I didn't want to get my nice things all gross.


Day 13:

{ Target Chambray Top, Striped Old Navy Tee, Black Maxi from Loft and Cami slip ons}

This outfit was super comfy and will definetely be something that I wear again.  I've always been kind of afraid of my maxi skirt and I don't know why.  It is way easier to style than I thought it would be.  That would be Jordan to the left photo bombing me.

Day 14

{Navy Lace Target Dress and Target Booties (later Camo Slip ons)}

I just did some light running around with the kids and it was such a nice day out so I thought I'd try something new with the booties. It lasted about 10 mintues before I realized there was no way I could tackle the mall in them. Although now I think that this means I really need some cute flat booties.

Day 15

{Target Emerald Blazer, H&M Tank, ,Old Navy Skinny jeans, Target Booties}

Day 15 was my favorite day this entire challenge.   I loved this outfit.  We went out with friends who were in town and it was just the right amount of dressed up but it was still so comfortable. 

Day 16:

{Old Navy Cardi, Mint Gap Top, Gap Skinnys and Target Booties}

We did almost nothing this day.  It was just me and the kids because my husband was at the Buffalo Bills game with his friends (We actually won!).  It was nice to be somewhat dressed up though, because I was surprisingly productive.

Day 18. 

{Gap Striped Dress, Gap Skinnys, Target Slip Ons}

I turned my Gap dress into a shirt.  I think it turned out great.  I'm liking that this challenge is making me think out of the box and try things in ways that I haven't thought of before. 

Oh Target.

My idea of an exciting night these days is when I can trick my husband into thinking that I need to run to the store and grab one or two things. I really just want to spend an hour of my night walking around Target alone with a Starbucks. 

Today was something new though, the flu has found our house (so far I’m the only one who has been spared) and my husband stayed home from work.   While he napped with Liv, I took the opportunity to take my favorite 3 year old on a little day date.   It was so nice to be able to spend some one on one time with him.  We were able to go to the three stores I wanted and he was a perfect little angel (most of the time).   I think he really enjoyed it and I want to try and do it more often with him.

I thought I would share some of the things I found today while browsing (instead of trying to keep two kids quiet) that I am LOVING at Target lately.

{Open Sweater with faux leather detailing}

{Faux Leather Cardigan}

{Faux Leather Sleeved Tee}

I'm really loving all of the faux leather trimmed pieces this season.  Target was full of them.  I'm hoping a few of them go on sale soon so I can pick some pieces up.

{Peplum Sweater}

I'm loving anything peplum, but I always feel like they end up looking too short on me.  This one seems to be the perfect length and it comes in a bunch of different colors.

{Fit and Flare Dress}

I don't really need anymore black dresses, but I loved the fit of this one.  It was so flattering.  I think it would be great for the million of Holiday parties we have.  I'd probably pair it with some fun heels and a great statement necklace.

{The Kodi Boot}

I love these boots so much! Now that they are on clearance I am really tempted to buy them. I keep thinking about all of the awesome outfits I could pair them with.

{Threshold Antlers}

{Threshold Stag Head}

I am in love with these Ceramic-esque deer heads and antlers.   I think they would look great above my tv in the living room  and they are some of the most  inexpensive ones that I've found and I'm really loving gold accents lately.


What are you loving from Target or anywhere lately?  

Five on Friday

Last night was the first night in close to TWO weeks that we did not have a child wake up and end up taking over our bed.  It was amazing and yet I still feel like a zombie that didn’t get any sleep.  Hopefully they can keep this up so I can feel human again.  I found this great link up and thought I would join in on the fun. 
So here’s my 5 for Friday!

1.) Going out with my husband tomorrow!-  I think my mom could hear the desperation in my voice and she’s going to babysit the kids tomorrow with my step dad for us.  We have friends in town for the Bills v. Jets game tomorrow, so we’re all going to go out to dinner and maybe get some drinks afterwards.

{Hard to believe this was almost 5 years ago}

2.) This Quote-  This is certainly something to keep in mind on my quest to lose this baby weight.  I’ve been guilty of comparing myself to others and then getting discouraged and just losing all motivation.

3.) Losing the Baby Weight-  With the kids being sick, I only made it to the gym one time this week.  I planning on making a little schedule for this upcoming week and attempting to take a few classes.  I’m pretty shy and get really nervous around new people, so I’m hoping that I can make it happen.   The Y will be seeing a lot of me this week (and the kids, which they love)

{{Source}

4.) Christmas Lists-  I’m knee deep in making Christmas Lists.  I have both of the kid’s lists made and I’m working on mine.  I’m hoping Santa actually pays attention to the list this year.

{Source}

{Source}

{Source}

5.) Decorating!- I have the itch.  All I want to do is decorate for Christmas, but my husband would kill me.  I guess one should actually clean their house first, which is on the agenda this weekend.  Apparently two sick kids make a bigger mess than two healthy kids.  My house looks like a bomb went off.  I'm also going to try and get two toddlers to sit still and act like they like each other so I can get my Christmas cards ordered.  I am trying to be ahead of the Christmas game this year!

{Source}

30x30 Challenge: Days 7-12

This week was so much harder and to be honest, I almost gave up on the challenge.  I've been MIA because I've had two little sicklings.  Miss Olivia has been crying non stop since Sunday, so in most of these pictures I look exhausted.  I’m hoping next week will be better!  I broke some rules though, my sister “borrowed” 3 pieces that I was going to use, so I just replaced them.

Day 7:

{ Old Navy Cardigan, J.Crew Shirt Dress, Camo Slip Ons}

Day 8:
Don't mind the awful quality cell phone pic.  I forgot to take a picture before we left so I took one when we were done swimming with the kids!

{American Eagle Cardi, Neon Target Tee, Gap Ankle Zip Skinnys, Camo Slip-on}

Day 9:

{H&M Dress, Target Leggings, Target Booties, Loft Belt}

Day 10:  This is my favorite day this week!

{Old Navy Cardi, Target Chambray, J.Crew Skinnys, Just Fab boots}

Day 11:

{American Eagle Cardi, H&M Tank, Polka Dot Skinnys, Camo Slip-ons}

Day 12:  I didn't take any time to dress up.  I had to take two crazy kids to the Dr's. I almost didn't get dressed at all.

{J.Crew Cardi (one of my new items I swapped), H&M Tank, Target leggings, Camo Slip-ons}

Check out the items I picked to complete the challenge with and what outfits I came up with for last week.

Don’t forget to check out all of the other lovely ladies participating in the challenge.

30x30 Fall Challenge: Days 1-6

I totally agree with everyone that says the hardest part of this challenge is the photos.  I either need to buy a large floor length mirror or something.   I don’t know how these fashion bloggers do it, especially those that take their own photos!  I'm going to have to spend the week working on my photo taking skills and not making dumb faces!

Day 1:  It was a good thing this was the first day of the challenge and I couldn’t miss the first day.  I threw my shoulder/back out and I did not want to get dressed!

{Striped Gap Dress, Just Fab Boots}

Day 2:  We took my in-laws who were visiting from Long Island to the zoo with the kids and then headed to my brother and sister-in-laws house for dinner.  I tried to keep it cute but casual because I had two toddlers to chase all day.

{Black V- Neck, Aztec Cardy, Cobalt jeans, tan boots}

Day 3: Sunday I was able to look a little more put together.  We spent the day with family celebrating my niece Annie’s baptism. ( Sorry for the Iphone photo and the not so good photographer husband, trying to get two toddlers and two adults out of the house and to church by 9:30 and be gone for the whole day was no joke)

{Ivory sleeveless Target top. Leopard Cardigan from Old Navy.  Black H&M skinny jeans.  Black Target Booties.}

Day 4: I spent Monday running errands all around town with the kids and organizing things around the house with my mother in law..

{Target Chambray, Black Leggings, Tan Just Fab boots}

Day 5: I spent the day at the Dr, enough said.

{Target Chambray, Black and White Tee, Black Skinnys, Camo Slip on}

Day 6:  This was a "grandma went home withdrawl" day, so I was luckily to get out alive or get dressed! (P.s. I cut off my head because I was making literally the most stupid face ever!)

{H&M henley, leggings, boots}

I think that next week I want to try and incorporate more accessories into my outfits.  I think they could use an extra pop.

My favorite outfit for the week would probably be Day 3.  It was nice to find an outfit that was cute, dressed up a little and yet still comfortable and I was still able to chase my kids around the church and the party afterwards.

What was your favorite outfit?  Any ideas of different ways for me to pair my clothes together? Don't forget to check out the other lovely talented ladies also participating in this fall challenge!

Bye Bye Bye

Babies.  They’re all cute, tiny and snuggly. They steal your heart the first time you lay eyes on them.

What everyone doesn’t really tell you is what they do to you after they are here, especially when you have two close in age (Ours are a little less than 22 months apart).   I’m sure most mamas can relate.  The extra skin, the foggy “baby brain”, the bags under your eyes and sometimes you even come up with weird random allergies after you have them (Bye Bye Seafood) .  It’s all 100% worth it though!

After my son was born, I lost all but around 10 pounds.  I was really motivated because my (now) husband and I got married right before our son’s 1st birthday.  We got pregnant with Olivia right after our wedding.   I was on bed rest most of my pregnancy and while I didn't gain that much weight (25 pounds the day I delivered, same with my son) I’m still working to get rid of it.

Our Wedding Day

I breastfed my daughter for 6 months (She had major allergies and I couldn't survive on bland turkey and rice anymore) and the entire time I was pregnant and right after I had her, all I heard was “if you breastfed, you’ll lose that weight so fast”.   I didn't lose a single pound, not even after I stopped nursing her.   A few months ago, we joined a gym and I was working out 5 days a week and eating clean and didn't see a single change in either my measurements or on the scale.  It was extremely discouraging.  

I think (as well as my doctor, we’re just waiting for results) that it may be due to a thyroid issue.  Now 15 months into baby #2, this mama is ready to finally get rid of it.  So it’s back to the drawing board. Back to square one.  Someday I would like to have a baby # 3 someday, I know, call me crazy.  I don’t want to have to worry about packing on even more weight.

The sad thing is, I could hardly find a single photo of myself since having my daughter and barely any since having my son.  I don't want that.  I know that I'm the main photographer, but it's alarming that there are absolutely no photos, and I don't even think we've taken a family photo taken in the past 15 months.

So it’s off to the gym for us tomorrow and back to water, veggies galore and lean protein and protein shakes (If I can ever find one that's not processed anywhere near shellfish and without iodine).

Every week, I'm going to come up with a few "goals" I have in mind for myself.   I'll report back at the end of the week on what goals I accomplished.

For this week, my goals are:

1. Drink more water
2. Start Chalean Extreme 
3. Go to the Gym twice

November Goals

We had a FABULOUS weekend with our family celebrating our niece’s baptism.  It was great to have my husband’s parents and siblings with us for the weekend.  I’m not looking forward to the grandparent withdrawl that my kids are going to go through on Wednesday morning when my mother in law will no longer be here.
I’m a list maker.  If I don’t have a list or have something written down, I forget it.  I blame it on the two little children who have given me “mommy brain”.    What better way to hold you accountable than to post it on the internet for all to see.

1. Keep up with the laundry!- Boring, I know.  We have the luxury and curse of having a house with a built in laundry chute.  Only problem is that it dumps our laundry out in the basement and if I don’t see it, I don’t remember it until mama is out of clean underwear and Olivia is wearing mismatched socks.
2. Do more crafts with the kids-   I don’t spend enough time with Jordan doing arts and crafts.   He has gotten to the age where he loves anything paint or stickers and I think it would be some great bonding time while little sister is napping.
3. Take new House Tour photos-  Self explanatory and I really want to show off the kid’s new room and my hallway that I spent hours hanging wallpaper.
4. Get to the Gym 3x a week
5. Take the kids to the pool at least once a week
6. Start and finish Christmas shopping- This one is going to be tough! We have so many immediate family members to shop for.
7. Finally list all my items on Etsy- They’ve only been sitting in my sewing room for months.
8. More dates with my hubby
9. More mommy time
10. Schedule my first massage!

I’m hoping that next month that I will have had all of these things done! We’ll see if it actually happens though.

Fall

Every year at the end of September, we go to the Great Pumpkin Farm in the town of Clarence.   My dad and brother have a competition barbeque team called Hoof and Hog Smokers and Oinktoberfest is held at the Great Pumpkin Farm.  It’s nice to be there to support our family and have some fall fun.  I really enjoy the built-in babysitters that we have at these competitions, my niece Alyssa and nephew Connor (They’re twins).   I’m sure my brother doesn’t mind l us stealing them, it keeps them out of his hair.

The Pumpkin Farm is really great.  They often hold races and different events there throughout the fall season.  We also love that there are plenty of family friendly activities.  They have a mini maze made out of hay, a playground, a petting zoo and lots of pumpkins.

Hoof and Hog Smokers did fantastic on the second day of the competition.  They got Grand Champion.  It’s so awesome to see all of their hard work pay off.

Now for some photos.