1.9.2015

{Minted Review}

I always thought Minted was just cards and stationary, I had no idea they  had so much more until I was the lucky winner of $150 credit from TaylorMade!  (if you aren't following her yet you should be!)  I didn't waste any time choosing my items and man that was some fun shopping!  I got my shipment in a couple of weeks ago and wanted to share a small review of the items.

 










 This felt garland is so adorable!  I got two different color combinations.  I plan to use the red one during the holidays and the blue one year round in my daughter's play room, my craft room or anywhere in the house really.  They are smaller felt balls but they are so cute!

I have to be honest I thought these ornaments were going to be bigger in size but shame on me for not reading the dimensions.  They are still super cute and I figured I could decorate a small tree to put on a shelf or buffet since I got two sets.  They are gorgeous metallic combinations and are about two to three inches in size.

I'm a sucker for cute stationary!  I'm the girl at Home Goods who get stopped in her tracks going to the register to dig through their selection..always!  So of course I had to get some with this order.  I chose this beautiful mint and gold color card and love it even more in person!

I'm also guilty for being a sucker for planners!  lol  I think it's the teacher in me... at least that's what I'll blame it on.  I put things in my phone a lot as a planner but I love writing things down and since I started blogging I though it would be perfect for planning posts, etc.  I chose this light pink and gold monthly planner.  I'm so happy with it and I love that on each month it has a side tab for notes or to do lists. 

I basically loved everything I got and will definitly be ordering from Minted in the future!  Do you have any favorite products from there?  If so, please share. :) 


Love,
Katie

[find more of me on Instagram]

1.6.2015

{Momma Do:  Verbal Mapping}

In 2008, I received a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies for Early Childhood through Fourth grade and during that time of study I took an Early Childhood Development course with a professor who quickly became a favorite of mine.  One thing we studied that semester was the importance of verbal mapping (specifically for baby and toddlers) and it's something I have remembered and practiced with my two nieces and nephew and now with my own daughter.  More than likely you are doing it too with your precious babies!


What is verbal mapping?   Verbalizing what is happening or what is going to happen.


What does verbal mapping look like?

-Changing a diaper: "okay, we're going to change your diaper now.. let's take your pants off.. one leg, two legs.. (singing song to distract crying baby)... okay one more wipe.. now lets put your new diaper on.. almost done..  one strap, two straps.. one button, two buttons, three buttons... yay we're done!"

-It can also be as simple as verbalizing the actions your child is doing such as "your eating your carrots"  "your pointing at the dog"


Verbal Mapping Tips:
-speak slowly
-use short and simple sentences
-repeat the important words


When you have these "conversations" with your babies & toddlers you are helping them build a sense of trust and security as well as creating the building blocks for cognitive and language skills.  Even if you think they are just gazing into the air at three months old, they really are soaking in everything they hear, especially their mommy's sweet voice!


I hope this post is nothing but helpful!  I'm so excited to start this segment of Momma Do, you can read more on my Instagram.  Talk to y'all soon!

Love,
Katie

1.6.2015

{Whole 30:  Recipes}

Yesterday I was searching for whole 30 recipes online and I came across the awesome blog I Heart Naptime and found two recipes I couldn't wait to make!  I've already made and tried out the Coconut Lemon Balls and they are AMAZING!  The Mexican Chicken Soup is cooking away in my crock pot right now but it is making my house smell so scrumptious.  I'll keep y'all posted on that one, but I'm sure it is going to be delicious! 

I wanted to go ahead and share the recipes since i know some of y'all are doing whole30 right now as well.

Lemon Coconut Balls

Mexican Chicken Soup

If y'all have any favorite whole 30 recipes please share them below or come find me on Instagram and let me know there!  

Love,

Katie

1.5.2013

{Whole 30: Trader Joe's Grocery Haul}

We don't have the luxury of living near a Trader Joe's, Whole Foods or Central Market so I will sometimes (especially when we do whole30) make a trip out once in a while to Trader Joe's which is about 30 miles from our house.  I went today to pick up some things since we are on day 4 of whole 30 and I wanted to share with you what I bought.  Some are new and some I have tried.  If you decide to use my list, it might help to take a screen shot of the photos below so that when you are in the store looking it will help your search go quicker.

 

1. Albacore Tuna in water:  ill be sharing a recipe I make with this soon

2. TJ's Everyday Seasoning: we use this on almost everything

3. TJ's 21 seasoning salute: new to us

4. Tj's Kosher Dill Pickles:  new to us

5. Coconut Oil Spray: love this for cooking!

6. Hatch Valley Salsa: new to us

7, Tomatillo Salsa: new to us

8. Salsa Verde:  love this and can be used on top of salads or eaten with plantain chips

9. apple sauce: new but I bought to go on the side of breakfast

10. Olives: new to us, bought to add to lunches & dinners

11. Romaine

12. Chili Lime Chicken Burgers: new to us, bought to put on salads

13. Plantain Chips: amazing!

14. Freeze Dried Banana Slices: oh soo good!

15. Raisins: to put on top of salads

I mentioned plantain chips and salsa and I wanted to mention while on whole30 snacking isn't recommended so with things like this I try and eat with my meal instead of grazing throughout the day.  This goes for the freeze dried fruit too, I'm actually still figuring out if they are whole 30 compliant.  

As always,  let me know if you have any questions.  I have a couple of recipes I will be sharing soon so be on the lookout for those!

Love,

Katie

1.3.2015

{Review + Giveaway: Acute Care}

Today I want to share with you an amazing product (& giveaway!) that has been sitting on my counter staring at me every day wanting to be used.  My sister is a Rodan + Fields Consultant and a few months ago she gave me a few of the Acute Care strips to try out.  I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to use them especially since all of the before & afters I've seen are crazy good!

Here's a little info about Acute Care. 

**As Close as You Can Get to an In-Office Procedure ... No Needle Required:

Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields introduce their latest advanced at-home solution -- Rodan + Fields® REDEFINE ACUTE CARE Skincare for Expression Lines. Each ACUTE CARE patch holds more than one hundred microscopic liquid cones that melt into lines and wrinkle for smoother, more youthful looking skin. When used at night, these treatment patches fit comfortably under the eye or above the lip, to quickly and painlessly smooth targeted lines and wrinkles for a naturally younger-looking appearance. REDEFINE ACUTE CARE Skincare for Expression Lines delivers hyaluronic acid and peptides that produce visible results in the majority of users from just one use. Further benefits are seen and sustained with continued usage.

During the exclusive Preferred Customer launch of Acute Care in October, AC sold out in less than 24 hrs. We were expecting a sell-out, just not this quick, nor were we expecting the 800% increase in activity on our sites. Wow, is right!**

My smile lines are my biggest concern with wrinkles so that is where I chose to try the product on.  I am SO impressed with my results after just ONE use of the strips that I had to share my raw & untouched before and after photos!  To me, they more than halfway diminished.

I want to give one of you a set of the Acute Care strips to try out for yourself.  Visit my Instagram here for all of the details on how to enter.  Also, if you visit the link below there is a Solutions Tool that takes just a few minutes to complete and it will give you recommendations and daily skincare routine advice.  I hope you all are having a great Saturday and a wonderful start to the new year!

Love,
Katie

***Interested in Rodan + Fields or have some questions?  Contact my sweet sister here or call, text or email her for more info:
carrie.whiddon@hotmail.com
713.302.3227

 

12.21.15

{Sunday Spotlight}

Today I'm sharing with you an Etsy shop called Sweetlace Shop owned by Laci in Iowa.  She offers a variety of colorful and high quality crocheted items including party hats, pacifier clips, headbands, etc.

 

One of the first things I ordered for Norah from Etsy was a crocheted pacifier clip from this adorable shop.  Let me tell you the quality is amazing!  We ran ours through the washer and sometimes the dryer (oops) and this thing is till intact as you can see in the photo below.  Obviously the material looks a little worn from doing so but I think it is still in great shape.  I highly recommend her products!

You can find Sweetlace Shop on Etsy and Facebook.


Why did you begin your handmade shop?
As a stay at home mom of two, I really needed a creative outlet (my kids were 2 years old and 6 months old at the time). And extra income never hurts. :)

How long have you been in business?
It will be 3 years in February!

What are two random facts about yourself?
1.I got married at the age of 17
2.I have never watched The Wizard of Oz

What would you say is your peak and pit of owning your own business?
I would definitely say the peak would be being my own boss, having flexible hours, and deciding what I want to design and sell. The pit is trying to find the time to do everything (make orders, shipping, photography, and adding new items) since I am a one woman show.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to open a handmade shop what would it be?
Start slow and don't be discouraged if you don't make a sale quickly. It takes time to establish! Don't sell yourself short when it comes to pricing, your time and efforts are worth it.


I hope you enjoyed today's spotlighted shop & thanks for hanging out!

Love,
Katie

12.15.14

{Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm}

Today I wanted to share a favorite lip balm of mine by Burt's Bees.  I first bought one of these about 6 months ago and have bought two more colors since because I absolutely love the product.  It gives my lips a hint of color and the perfect amount of moisture which to me is the perfect day time lip combo especially during the colder and drying months.  I also love that these can be applied without using a mirror, perfect for on the go!

 

Here is some info from Burt's Bees website about this product:
*nourishes with shea butter and botanical waxes
*nine flattering shades
*100% natural
*wearable everyday shades

Below I have the three of the colors shown on my lips.  These photos are unedited and were taken in front of a large window with sunlight so the the colors are a bit lighter in the phones than in person.

bare lips

Red Dahlia

Forest Flower

Sweet Violet

Forest Flower - is a nudish mauve
Red Dahlia - is a lot like Forest Flower but has a hint of red
Sweet Violet - a light fushia color

I hope you enjoyed my review! Let me know if you have a favorite lip product.

Love,
Katie