Weekend Recap // Mother's Day, etc.

Hey, everyone!

Happy belated Mother's Day. 

It was a rainy and cold one here, but we packed in a lot of fun stuff this weekend. Stephen had three track meets last week. And Saturday was a long one in the rain. Poor guy. My parents actually came up on Saturday for the afternoon and took us out to eat at our favorite restaurant. It's my dad's birthday today, too, so there's lots to celebrate. I was bummed, though, because the only menu item they were out of was exactly what I planned to get (a quinoa burger). But I made up for it with a huge slice of vegan chocolate peanut butter pie.

Sunday morning we woke up, tossed on some clothes (nothing fancy -- it was laundry day), and drove down the street to our local diner. It's a good spot. Just basic food. We got there before the big rush, thank goodness. I got a chocolate Belgian waffle topped with whipped cream. And I think I ate it in two seconds flat. Ada had made me a little Mother's Day book at school as well as a last-minute hand-drawn card. Stephen also has a tradition of making silly cards using family photos. In mine, he gave me a coupon to take a spa day for myself next weekend.

He also got me tickets to go see A Quiet Place yesterday afternoon (so good). Going to the movies alone is my favorite thing to do since becoming a mom. It's dark, quiet (and THAT movie was INCREDIBLY quiet), and nobody is yelling for me or needing anything.

Perfection.

I also got a nice gift card from my in-laws for Ulta. So, I thought I'd share my Ulta haul. I know it's silly, but I've gotten in the habit of watching haul videos on YouTube. I love seeing what other people buy or use for different products. I'm not a real high-end type of person when it comes to personal care. In fact, I do still make some of my own bath and body stuff. As a result, I was able to get an impressive haul of things I'll be using for months to come.

Anyway, here's what I got:

Soap + Glory is my favorite. This shower gel and lotion set (with loofah) was on clearance for only $10. Score. They were also running a sale of buy 1/get one 40% off for the brand. So, I picked up another container of my favorite face cleansing milk (best smell ever) and my favorite lip gloss (in Rose & Shine).

I had originally planned to get my hair dyed professionally, but I'm going to go it on my own with this L'oreal box dye. I've used this kind a lot in the past with varying results. It's only hair. We'll see how my highlights turn out. I also picked up a hair oil spritz by OGX. It's super light weight and has organ oil. It also smells amazing.

Neutrogena's hyaluronic acid line (especially the foundation!) is doing great things for my skin. So, I picked up some of the Hydro Boost Skin Serum and the Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream. Other skin-care stuff I love is a face mist by Mario Badescu. And I couldn't resist getting a lip scrub that smells like my beloved mojitos. Gosh I miss those when the weather is hot.

Last but not least, I picked up some of my favorite NYX eyebrow pencils. I had been buying the Anastasia Brow Wiz for a long time. But I go through so much product, I needed to find a good + cheap alternative. I am really happy with NYX. And to round it out, I got a bath bomb for Ada that has a prize inside. Fun!

Happy Monday. I'll be back soon with more parenting stuff. You guys really liked my post about why I do the things the way I do with parenting. So, I'm hoping to write more around that topic. If you have questions or suggestions, send them my way!

(Note: I'm linking to Amazon because it's the easiest -- but check local stores for better prices. Some of these prices are great and some of them are not. Buyer beware!)

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Friday Rewind // Ada’s Nursery Tour

I was flipping through old photos the other day. I’ll try not to get too down on myself, but I feel like I was so much more together as a mom to Ada than I am to Eloise. I mean, so many factors in our lives have changed. I really should give myself more grace. But . . . we haven’t even finished painting Eloise’s nursery yet. Still, in my photos with Ada at just 11 months, I was dressed in cute dresses with boots, my house was impeccably clean, and Ada was wearing clean + adorable outfits. Everything seemed in place.

Here’s a rewind to September 2012.

(Side note: We still use this exact Woolino sleep sack! Every night!)

Was that real life? Honestly, I cannot remember. I’m sure I was projecting an image more than anything else. But at the same time, I am incapable of even trying to seem this together now. I write this as I type in my pajamas, dirty hair, and I haven’t run in a couple days. I’m definitely having an off week. I feel tired and slightly nervous for the upcoming school and cross country busy season.

Regardless. Five years ago. How times flies. We’ve been through so much since these photos were taken, but they are still a sweet glimpse into the life we used to lead. I hope to snap some photos of Eloise’s nursery soon. Maybe that’s some incentive to finish up the painting.

Happy Friday, friends! Be kind to yourselves.

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Weekend Things | Burst and Bloom

// 1: Check out these flowers. They're blooming on the tree in front of our home.

After nearly two weeks of cruddy, rainy, cold weather -- next week looks to be turning all things summer. Well, that is, after this weekend's monsoon. I'll take what I can get, though. And today? Today things are looking nice.

// 2: Read When the Gospel of Minimalism Collides With Everyday Life via the New York Times.

It's an interesting take on the "trend" of minimalism and how maybe all those pretty photos you look at of all-white rooms on Instagram don't tell the whole story. It is definitely a new way to look at things when you realize that minimalism is something that you can come to mostly if you have some privilege. It is indeed a privilege to decide to live without things that you already have versus simply not having them.

I'm in the middle on this discussion. I find a host of benefits from trying to adopt minimalist ideas. I'm far from being perfect at it, so this will be a discuss to expand upon another day.

// 3: Make chia pudding. Just do it.

Today's ROAD meal was a simple smoothie. But I wanted to mix things up a bit -- quite literally.


Chia pudding is simple. Just use a cup of almond milk or any plant-based milk. Then toss in four tablespoons of chia seeds (I get mine at Aldi). Stir every now and again for about 15-20 minutes. And then you're golden. For the rest of my smoothie, I simply blended frozen cherries, banana, and water in my NutriBullet. Then I layered and slurped.

// 4: Look at these girls!


Eloise is on the brink of walking. As in, I think it'll happen within the next week or two. As a result, the girls have suddenly started playing together. As much as they can. It's adorable to watch. I still have to be around E like a hawk because she's still in that phase of falling on her head often. You know, though, progress.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there. This will be my sixth big day, and it gets sweeter each year.

// 5: Try Schmidt's deodorant.



I've made my own deodorants throughout the years, but I decided to give Schmidt's a try, and I'm so glad I did. It works really well and smells absolutely amazing. You can find it at Target . . . but they have even more fun varieties on Amazon. My personal favorite is Lavender + Sage. I bought Stephen the Cedarwood.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Weekend Things

Random post for you guys today. Maybe it's the return of WEEKEND THINGS! Here's what's current in my life right now. If you didn't catch yesterday's post, check that out. I didn't really advertise it. But it's a goodie. Not only is happy within reach . . . but you can also lose 43 pounds by Memorial Day. You know. Because that sounds about right.

Current goal: Yoga everyday

I don't know if I'm just getting older or if I'm just being lazy with my strength and flexibility. It's probably a combination of the two. Whatever the case, I feel so stiff and sore all the time. I can't bound around and feel like I'm 10+ years older than I actually am. I've been running a good amount, but what I haven't been doing is much stretching.

So, I'm committing to at least 15 minutes of yoga each and everyday. Unfortunately, I shopped around at our local classes . . . and our schedule is too hectic for me to make a class in person. No problem! I do videos on Yoga with Adrine's YouTube channel. Totally free. Totally awesome. Totally varied. Totally on my schedule. I actually just finished 20 minutes of yoga outside on our deck. What a great way to flow in the morning!

Current joy: Being outdoors.

The weather has done a 180. There's nothing more boring than going on and on about the weather, but when you live where it's winter essentially half the year. Yeah. It's a big deal. We're in the 70s and 80s this week, and I couldn't be happier. The leaves are starting up on the trees. There's pollen, but I'm happy to sneeze a little if it means I can be outdoors in shorts and a T-shirt.

I have a serious question for those of you who live in warmer climates: Do you ever get tired of it? Or do you just bask in the glory of being where's warm all the time? We likely cannot move due to a variety of reasons, but I genuinely feel I'd live a longer, happier life somewhere warmer.

Current workout: 3-mile stroller jog.

Stephen's long hours have meant that my own fitness has been hit or miss. I'm trying to get in 10,000 steps a day at very minimum. It's actually harder than you might think for someone who works from home. It's become much easier with the weather change, though. I'm going to do a post next week about how I get in my 10,000. But besides walking and general movement, I've started jogging with the stroller again.

I can do only about 3-4 miles tops before Eloise gets antsy. She lasts about a half hour with a cracker and teething toy. But I take her up on it. It's better than dooming myself to feeling trapped just because I don't have babysitting. I am also hoping to start doing some more strength workouts with kettlebells again.

Current lunch: Ramen noodles with veggies and a fried egg.

I found this brand of ramen noodles at Wegmans recently that's only 99 cents per bowl. They're organic and made with heirloom wheat. Of course, they don't have a ton of nutrition as is. So, I've started adding a cup of frozen veggies to the mix. Then I top it off with a fried egg. It's pure heaven. I am really excited for lunch today.

You can find the Koyo noodles on Amazon (that kind is reduced sodium -- I may need to order them!) if you cannot find them at your local store. If you're gluten-free, I've also had good success with the Thai Kitchen noodles in the past. They're rice versus wheat.

Current show: The People vs. OJ Simpson

Raise your hand if you remember watching the infamous Ford Bronco car chase back in the early 1990s. Also raise your hand if you know all the names of the people involved in the OJ Simpson trial. Keep your hand raised if you REALLY know anything about what happened. Yeah. I have the first two, but watching this show has been really eye-opening. I had no idea that the car chase was as complicated as it actually was. I also had no idea that OJ and the Kardashian family were so intimately connected.

It's a a good show. Plus, I absolutely love Sarah Paulson. What have you been watching lately?

Current obsession: Outdoor spaces. 

We recentely added a 10 x 10 addition to our deck. It has made just a gigantic difference in our backyard, let me tell you! Now I'm obsessed with making the ultimate backyard . . . on a budget. I'm hoping to make this a bit of a series. We need to build a better fence this summer, but I'd also like to spiff up the fire pit area and the garden. Wow. The garden needs some attention.

Here's a question for you green thumbs: If I am a lazy gardener this year without much plan -- what plants should I do? Cherry tomatoes have done really well in the past. I just want some produce and the experience of growing without having to give up a lot of time. I just don't have it right now. I think next year we could have a pretty banging garden if I start sooner.

Current cart:

And here's the stuff I've purchased or put in my cart on Amazon lately.

• I am finally buying a new pair of Birkenstock Mayari sandals. I bought my last pair in 2012. I cannot tell you how many people ask about these shoes. Mine have held up so well . . . but now the cork and tread have both had it. I've seen these shoes go for upwards of $120, so $80 felt like a total win -- especially knowing how much I will wear them.
•  OK. So as I was just getting the link for the sandals I bought, I somehow stumbled on the Birkenstock Daloa sandals. Ugh. That might be on my birthday list this year. They wrap around the ankle! 
• Since I'm trying to create a Braverman backyard, I've obviously been researching lighting. I think I may go with these solar globe string lights for the deck. Do you have experience with solar string lights? I didn't know there was such a thing!
• This adorable wooden fox ride-on toy by ALEX. Because Eloise's birthday is SO SOON. How did this happen!? 
• I'm also looking into those spiderweb swings to add one to our swing set.

That's all I have for you today. I actually don't have any freelancing work to finish up (#winning), so I'm hoping to enjoy a bit of quiet and maybe do a bit more yoga before Eloise wakes up from her nap. This weekend, I need to turn my attention to the indoors for cleaning. Our outdoor spaces look so nice . . . but, yeah, we actually LIVE inside. So, you know.

Enjoy!

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5-Minute Chocolate Pie + Friday Things

I am in love with pies you can process and pour into a pre-made graham cracker crust. It's like instant dessert, but it tastes like it took so much longer to prepare. So, to start your weekend, I thought I'd share the pie I made to celebrate Pi day earlier this week. You can whip this up in mere minutes before dinner or, well, just whenever.

It's sort of healthy, too:

5-MINUTE CHOCOLATE + BLACK BEAN PIE

What you'll need . . .

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can coconut cream, drain any liquid out
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or to taste)
• 1 pre-made graham cracker pie crust

Method . . .

1. Blend together the black beans, coconut cream, and cocoa powder in a food processor.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips, stirring continuously.
3. Add the chocolate to your mixture and blend until well incorporated.
4. Add the maple syrup, adjusting to your preferred sweetness.
5. Pour filling into your crust. Let set in the fridge for 1 or more hours.

For a different twist on the no-bake pie, check out this delicious Peanut Butter Pie that uses many of the same ingredients. And if you're curious, kids love this pie even with the black beans inside. At least Ada does, and she's pretty picky, so there's that!

// Friday Things Quickie

Reads:

• Watch elderly runners crush the 100 meter dash
• Baby tech is sold on fear, not practicality
• Honest Company under fire for not being so honest
• Your kitchen: Splurge on this, save on that
• Don't let these 6 home decor flaws ruin your house hunt
• How to stop ordering takeout and start saving money  

Things:

• This essential oil diffuser (review coming soon!) 
• These awesome + affordable sandals by Dr. Scholl's 
• These comfortable + seamless leggings for pregnancy on super sale
• This fun way to color eggs without chemicals
• This natural rubber duckie perfect for little Easter baskets

We're taking our family movie night out tonight and going to the theater to see Zootopia. Have you seen it yet? Ada's psyched!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

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Oh, Hey!

I'm hitting a transition period with blogging right now -- can you tell? Between Ada's new "sleep" habits, Stephen's track coaching schedule (goodbye, evenings + Saturdays till mid-June!), and rounding the corner into the third trimester in a few weeks . . . well, I'm exhausted. I've had to prioritize my work time for my freelancing versus blogging . . . but I'm hoping to get into a better rhythm soon.

I thought I'd do a weekend things post today! It's been quite a while since the last one. So, here's what I've been reading, making, eating, and adding to my shopping + wish lists these days. I have my 24 week pregnancy update written up, too, but I haven't snapped my weekly photo yet -- I'll probably combine week 24 + 25 in this event.

Thanks for your patience! I've been feeling like this:

// Finding Mom-Friends is Like Dating All Over Again -- right?! via HuffPost

// We're planning some backyard work. Mostly we need to enclose the rest of the fence. We want to add a small swing set. And my ultimate goal project is to switch out the window in the living room that faces the space and make it a single patio door. Here are some things (DIY fences, mostly) I've been digging on Pinterest.

// Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies. I don't follow the lifestyle, but somehow I came across this recipe in my searches. It's REALLY GOOD. Just almond flour, coconut oil, maple syrup (or honey), baking soda, vanilla, salt, and chocolate chips. Everyone in the family is obsessed.

// Favorite Barre3 online workout lately -- 40 Minute Cardio Burst

// What's on my shopping + wish list these days:

• I finally bought Ada the KidKraft Book Sling (she chose the pastel one) 
• We also got Baby E this changing table by Badger Basket
• And last in that order, I bought the grey Blanqi Bodystyler tank #wortheverypenny
• We're pretty set on the IronKids 300 Swing Set -- anyone have reviews?
• DEAL: Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser for just $30

// Stop Asking if My 4-year-old has a Girlfriend! via New York Times

// Benedict Cumberbunnies Have Arrived to Haunt Your Easter via Mashable

// How the Reversal of Adult + Child Roles is Hurting Kids via The Atlantic

My writing, elsewhere:

• How to Stop the Takeout Meal Cycle + Save
• 10 Fun Money Apps for Kids
• Avoid These 5 Common Gym Budget Busters
• Money Rules to Save Big in Baby's First Year
• 10 Hobbies You Can Start Today for Free
• 7 Beauty Tools That Aren't Worth the Money

Happy Friday + HOORAY for Daylight Savings!

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Vlog + Weekend Things

Happy Friday!

My first vlog of the year finally uploaded on my new YouTube Channel (definitely subscribe if you believe I’ll keep up my end of the goal!). I’d love to make this a weekly thing. Possibly on Fridays. But at the same time, I have a bunch of ideas of vlogs -- some casual like this one and others, like tutorials, that might fit into specific posts.

Also: Thanks for bearing with me while I figure out how to take better video. This one’s a little overexposed.



Here’s a few things I found interesting this week:

// I send my toddler to school outside. You should, too. (via High Country News)

// Teeny house, big lie: Why many are upsizing. (via Globe and Mail)

// Have you guys seen the Instant Pot 7-in-1 programmable electric pressure cooker?! I’m obsessed after my friend shared that she cooked a chili dinner in hers in less than 45 minutes. I might be kicking my old slow cooker to the curb this weekend.

// 5 reasons to leave lettuce out of your salad (via The Kitchn)

// FDA warns against 3-D “keepsake” ultrasounds (via CBS News)

// Here’s an amazing deal on a JA Henckles knife set. 12 pieces for just $96 -- that’s 63% off. We switched to this brand of knives long ago and haven’t looked back.

// Converting regular recipes to vegan recipes (via Mother Earth News)

// Does anyone else have a salt lamp (I have this one)? I use mine almost daily when I do yoga or just need to relax. I can’t describe how that amber glow just melts my worries away. I’m a bit skeptical on the whole air purification part of it, though. Thoughts?


Need to catch up on this week’s posts?

• My Goals for 2016
• On Planning Meals (Again)
• Pregnancy: Week 15 Update
• New Year: Looking Forward, Not Behind

And I remembered one thing I left off our Aldi shopping list for this week. We got 4 avocados with all that food, too. Here’s an older post, but a goodie: What $77 Looks Like at Aldi.

Have a great weekend!

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