Summer is here and new jewelry trends are out! I’ve gathered some of my favorite summer jewelry trends here for you! I started with some super cute delicate pieces that are great for creating a layered look. I also added some super fun beaded pieces that are great for added a pop of color to any outfit! Check it out below and let me know which is your favorite!!
Delicate Layering Pieces
Beaded Colorful Pieces
For those in your life who are obsessed with all things Disney, here are some gift ideas to help you find the right gift for them!
Clothing items
Wall Art
Kitchen Items
Bathrooms Items
Tech Items
There you have it! Some super cute gift ideas for the Disney lover in your life! Let me know which is your favorite in the comments below!
xoxo,
m
Cleaning is something I absolutely hate doing but is something that I need to do since I hate a dirty house! So I created a Simple Cleaning Schedule that I follow every day of the week to help keep my place nice and clean. And the best part is, I split everything up during the week so that my weekends are free to do whatever I want!
Weekly Schedule:
Monday: Sinks / Toilets
Tuesday: Tub / Shower
Wednesday: Vacuum / Floors
Thursday: Laundry / Once a Month cleaning
Friday: Dust
Bi-Weekly
Microwave – The microwave is definitely a lot easier to clean because I just use my anti-bac cleaner. I’ll link all the cleaning products that I use below for you guys!
Ceiling Fans – This is an easy task so I never feel like it’s a huge burden. In our apartment we only have one ceiling fan so it doesn’t take me very long.
Monthly:
Clean out fridge – Once a month, I take the time to empty my fridge and scrub it down. While I do this, I also take the time to make sure all the food in there hasn’t expired at all. It takes some elbow grease but it’s so worth seeing everything nice and clean in there!
Scrub cabinets – I don’t have to do this every month or even on all my cabinets. I really have to focus on the cabinets that are close to my stove. Sometimes grease may end up on there depending on what I have been cooking that month. I use a basic anti-bac cleaner and a sponge and just go to town! Because I have a small kitchen this only takes me about 10 minutes.
Clean air vents / bathroom vents – Another easy task, cleaning our vents. Our apartment is a little weird in that our air vent doesn’t have a fan that is accessible to us. But the vents that we do have access to in our apartment, I use our vacuum cleaner to clean out any dust that may have accumulated on the outside.
Clean laundry room (behind machines) – Because I’m pregnant, I can’t do this one that easily. So I have my husband help me move the machines so that I can vacuum any dust that may have accumulated behind them.
Every Two Months
Clean Oven – Also, because I’m pregnant, I can’t do this one that much because of the fumes. My mother came to visit me and graciously cleaned my oven for me. This one isn’t the easiest thing to do because it does mean you have to scrub but it’s worth seeing a nice and clean oven!
Cleaning Products:
Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner
Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Method Stainless Steel Cleaner
Method Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner
So I hope this little guide help alleviate some cleaning pressure during the week! I listed some of the natural cleaning products that I like to use but I’d love to hear what some of your favorite cleaning products are! Let me know below!
xoxo,
m
A few weeks ago my husband and I traveled to Orlando, Florida for our baby shower! We live in NJ and basically our entire family lives in Orlando so it just made sense for us to travel down there for a shower. My wonderful sister, sister-in-law and mother-in-law put everything together for me. It was absolutely beautiful! The only downside was the typically unpredictable Florida weather! It started out as a beautiful morning then the afternoon showers came. But, after about an hour the sun came out again and it was great. It was such a great time to spend together with family and friends celebrating our little girl. It made everything feel even more real honestly.
For the theme, the only thing that I told them was that I wanted a Minnie Mouse theme but more of a feminine and floral style. Not the typical bright red or pink style. It came out exactly how I imagined it really.
My mother-in-law put together this awesome candy bar as well. And it doubled as favors! Aside from the other favors that we had. Everything was delicious!
We had some really fun games but I think my favorite of the afternoon was this game they found where the men have to put a balloon in their shirt and try to sit and tie their shoes. It was absolutely hilarious! Then they had to put a ball between their knees, hop across the floor, and try to put the ball into a cup. I’m telling you I’ve never laughed so hard!
We also had some great food! We had the event catered by Chef Montalvo Catering. I had a very simple requests for the food, I’m not a very picky person. Everything he made for our shower was amazing. The steak was so tender I was able to cut it with a plastic fork! The flavors were amazing. I would definitely recommend him for any other event you may have in the Orlando area! Check him out here.
In the end, everything turned out amazing. More than I could have asked for really. Looking back at all these beautiful photos just shows me how much our little girl is already so loved. Having everyone come out to celebrate her just meant the world to us. I can’t wait for her to be here in my arms and meet everyone that just showered her with love and gifts before she was even born.
All photos were done by my sister-in-law, Elsie Calo of Confident Motherhood. She does such a beautiful job for every event that she’s photographed for us. If you’re in the Orlando area you seriously need to contact her! Check her out here.
xoxo,
m
We all have that friend who is obsessed with coffee. And if you don’t have that friend, it’s most likely you’re the coffee obsessed one. Either way, I’ve gathered some great coffee based items that are perfect gifts! Even if you’re the coffee lover in your group of friends, these are great items to share with them to buy for you! Or for yourself, either way. Enjoy shopping!
Coffee Mugs
Coffee Makers
Coffee Grinders
Coffee Themed Wall Art
There you have it! Some great coffee themed gift ideas for that coffee lover in your life! Happy Shopping!!
xoxo,
m
Fashion is something that is always a concern for me. When I got pregnant, I scoured Pinterest and Instagram to grab whatever maternity fashion inspiration I could find. Once my belly got too big for my non-maternity clothing, I began my hunt for some great pieces that weren’t crazy expensive. One thing I suggest, start with your basics.
Basics:
These include a pair of jeans, basic tops, dresses and leggings. I personally always start my shopping at Old Navy. I love their clothing and it’s within my budget. Plus they have good deals, especially for card holders. So when I needed a pair of maternity jeans, that is the first place I went. I personally love a skinny cut jean in a darker wash so that’s what I went for. I love these jeans that I grabbed from Old Navy, they’re really comfortable and come in various colors. Of course, Old Navy isn’t the only store you can shop so here’s some from Target, Amazon, and Gap.
Once I had a good pair of jeans that fit me, I went on to grab some basic tops. I also went to Old Navy for these. They have great tee shirts in both V-neck and crew neck cuts. I like both cuts so I picked up a few of each. I kept the colors neutral to pair with some other items. I got white, black, and grey tops. Here are some options from Target, Amazon, and Gap.
Something that I also love and feel every pregnant woman needs, a good, comfy dress. During a sale, I grabbed some $8 dresses from Old Navy in neutral colors and prints to mix it up a bit. I’m due at the end of July, so as the weather warms up, I just want to be able to throw on a dress and be on my way. Here are some options from Target, Amazon and Gap.
Another staple item for any pregnant woman, leggings. Enough said.
Extras:
Once you have some good basics, you can start adding some other pieces to your maternity wardrobe.
Blazer:
I think a blazer is always a necessity. You can pair it with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt to dress up your look. I love wearing a basic outfit of jeans and a tee shirt and throwing on a blazer with some comfy sneakers to really take my outfit to the next level.
Prints:
I always like starting a wardrobe with basics and solid colors. Once I have those set, I begin to add some prints. I suggest starting with easy prints like stripes or polka dots. Depending on the season, you can add in some florals for Spring and Summer.
Weather appropriate clothing:
Depending on the season you’re in while pregnant, you might need to grab a sweater or two. If you live up north, like me, you’ll need 2-3 long sleeve sweaters so help keep you warm. You might even need to purchase a new coat depending on how big you get at winter time. I personally did have to purchase a new coat then I only got to wear it a couple of times because of the change of weather. But such as life!
Keeping to these basic rules, you’ll be set to start a great maternity wardrobe! Hope this helps!
xoxo,
m
Sharing all Friends TV Show themed gifts!!!
Have that friend who is obsessed with the Friends TV show?! Well, I’ve scoured the internet and found some great gifts that you can get them for their birthday or special occasion! Check it out below!
There you have it! Some great gifts for that friend who is obsessed with Friends!!
xoxo,
m
Today I’m talking about maternity tops!
Keeping up with my style has been my biggest concern ever since my non-maternity jeans stopped fitting me. Once that happened, I had to purchase some new tops and jeans. Today, I’ll be sharing what tops I got and what tops I’m loving!
First up, basics. I love shopping at Old Navy, especially because I’m a cardholder. They have great sales and rewards for card members that make shopping there worth it. I made to stock up on 3-4 basic maternity tees. Basic tees are the key to starting any kind of wardrobe. If you’re struggling with starting a maternity capsule wardrobe, start with the basics! Here are some options for you to check out! Best part! Old Navy is having a sale on these tops! Only $7!!
Next up, I went over to Motherhood Maternity to see what they had on sale. Personally, I can’t spend a lot of money on clothing that I will only wear for 9 months, so shopping sales is what I’ve been doing! I did find an awesome white sleeveless top but they sold out. So! I’ve found a few other ones I think are just as cute!
Once you have basics down, I think it’s important to add in some other styles of tops. I was able to find some great options on Amazon that I wanted to share as well! All under $30!!
There you have it! Some great maternity top options for those who are struggling to find some options. I love shopping but I do know how hard it can be, so I wanted to make it easier for you! Happy shopping!
xoxo,
m
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! I’ve collected some of my favorite gift ideas for mom! Check them out below!
Personalized Jewelry
Something I love doing for my mom is giving her personalized items. I can’t give her the same thing every year so I always mix things up. But I think it’s such a nice touch to give her something personalized. With me pregnant with my first child, this year this is something I’m definitely doing with the name of my first child. While I haven’t decided where I’m going to buy it from yet, here are some shops that I’m looking at:
Spa Gift Card
Spa treatments are always a good gift, no matter the occasion! Moms, especially, are the most deserving of spa treatments. No matter the treatment, spa gift cards are always a good idea! Whether it’s just a manicure, pedicure or massage, it will be a good gift!
Retail Gift Card
Shopping is a women’s most favorite thing to do. There are not many women out there that hate shopping. If you don’t know her favorite store, then find out and get her a gift card to that store specifically. Moms are selfless. If you give them a Visa gift card, they will most likely use it on their kids or family. So, get her a gift card to her favorite store so that she can only spend it on herself!
Cook for her
This option really only works if you live close to your mom. Moms love nothing more than having someone cook a meal for them. They don’t have to think about what to make and can actually relax and enjoy a meal! If you’re not a good cook, take her out to eat. It gives the same result!
Meal Service
This is something that I’ve been loving personally, so I know this would be something that my mother would love! Depending on your budget, giving 1 week or 1 month of meals is a great gift for a working or stay-at-home mom. Giving her the option of not even having to think about meals is something that will really bless her!
Cleaning Service
If you’re like me, working full-time and having to come home to clean just isn’t something I love doing. So the idea of having someone come and deep clean my house for me, THANK YOU JESUS!! If this is in your budget, do this for your mom! Hiring a service to come and clean your moms house is something that will probably shock her to her core!
Favorite Things
Spend the day doing all of your moms favorite things! Even if they are things you don’t like or hate doing. Spending some good quality time with your mom is something she will always remember!
Night at a hotel
This is something that I think is a great and creative idea. Just because it gives your mom some alone time. Some times, what moms want the most, is just some quiet time. Getting her a hotel room where she can just be alone to read or watch her favorite movies or shows without anyone bothering her would just bring her so much peace! Especially if she has a lot of kids!
What are you planning to get your mom this year? Let me know below!
xoxo,
m
**I am not being paid to write this post at all. This is a service that we have been using for the past few weeks. I have had a couple people ask me to give my honest opinion about it because they were interested in using this service, so that’s what this is.**
I used to love cooking. I used to love coming up with these different ideas for meals and I took the time to really try and create some great dishes. But once I got married, that all changed. When you’re working full-time and now have a husband and house to care for, that passion for me has really died down. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to cook but the creativity just isn’t’ there anymore. And it’s not anyone’s fault, I’m just tired. We work in ministry, which means this isn’t your typical 9-5 Monday through Friday job. Sometimes it can be a 24/7 thing. Granted, we really love what we do, but it does take a lot out of me, especially now that I’m pregnant.
After my first trimester, I told my husband that we would need to try a meal service again. We’ve used Hello Fresh in the past and loved it, but it does get expensive. While searching one day, I came across Every Plate. What drew me to Every Plate, honestly, was the price. For a family of 2 getting 3 meals per week, we spend $29.95. To me, that’s a great deal. Especially considering that is now 3 days a week that I do no have to think about what to make for dinner.
We’ve been receiving weekly boxes from Every Plate for 3 weeks now. We’re currently on our 4th week. So far, we have loved the recipes that they offer. Everything has been super easy to make. The instruction cards go over everything you will need for that particular recipe as well as any extra stuff you may need, like butter or olive oil. We’ve really loved having this delivered to us every week because we know 1. We don’t have to worry about meals for 3 days and 2. We know the recipes are going to be good.
Obtaining a meal service is different for everyone. For us, with our crazy busy schedule it’s been a life saver. But price is always something that I’m conscious of. We have tried Hello Fresh in the past and have also loved that service. But financially, it didn’t work for us to continue. Every Plate is a great budget friendly option for those who want to try a meal service but don’t want to spend a ton of money every week on one. Because the cost is lower, you don’t get as many meal choices per week than say with Hello Fresh. But for me, it’s not a big deal. I can always mix up our meals on the other 4 days a week that I still have to cook. If you’re interested in trying this meal service, I would definitely suggest it!
If you’ve tried a meal service in the past, let me know which one below! I’d love to hear about all the other options out there!
– m
