My Nordstrom Sale Top Picks

Hey Friends! The Nordstrom sale is no new news but I must say, I have been enjoying snagging some fabulous finds as they have gone on sale. I'm all about a good sale. I wanted to share with you my top pics so far. I'm getting my last shopping fix in before the baby comes because my shopping addiction will be all about the baby in no time. Mama needs a few more fun items to get excited about and that will motivate me to drop the baby weight quicker! The sale has just begun and is for card holders only at the moment but in a few days the sale will be open to all! Hope you enjoy my top choices! Happy Shopping!

SHOP THE LOOK:

My favorite Booties! Under $100

My favorite Cropped Sweater Under $80

My favorite Boyfriend Jeans Under $55

My favorite Hobo Bag Under $300

My favorite Lace Tunic Under $55

My favorite Off The Shoulder Top Under $50

My favorite Vintage Floral Slip Dress Under $200

My favorite Plaid Tunic Under $65

My favorite Fleece Wrap Cardigan Under $40

My Heavenly Fab Fit Fun Box!!

Ya'll...I just said Ya'll!!  So, I had no idea what a Fab Fit Fun Box was until recently. Let me start by saying I'm not getting paid, this is not an add, and I was not paid to talk about this box. I just love it. Here's the deal.... I'm one of those people who loves to try new things and I love surprises. If you're a Fab Fit member, every 3 months the most wonderful box of goodies shows up on your doorstep. The summer 2017 box is my fave! I'm in love with everything in this box. The highlighter by Cargo has become my new obsession and this amazing cover up by Michael Stars has gone everywhere with me recently. The yummy eye serum is wonderful, I love the SPF 50, I have been using it all over my neck and chest before I swim. The pink water bottle makes me so excited to hydrate myself, loving the Himalayan salt, and the necklace is so adorable. Everything in this box has gone to use already. I love the idea of trying new things and the cost is sooooo good! Each box is valued around $200 or more and you pay $49.99 four times a year. Don't worry I did the math, on my calculator because I'm terrible with numbers. Reminding you again, I am NOT getting paid to talk about this box nor will I make a dime if you become a member. I'm just so in love with this company and think they have come up with such a fun girly way to make ladies happy!!!! So here it is broken down, Winter, spring, summer, and fall, expect a Fab Fit Fun box to arrive at your door. Total yearly value is at least $800. You are paying $199.96 for the year and not all at once. Every season you would be charged $49.99. Just that Michael Stars wrap alone costs at least $50! That totally got me excited. I have a discount code MORNINGCOFFEE you can use and receive $10 off your first box! When I find a company I really like, I try to team up with them to offer my readers a fun discount and introduce you to something that may be new to you, that I LOVE! Hope you enjoy!

More On Gestational Diabetes

Happy Monday Friends. Hopefully you had a wonderful weekend enjoying some relaxing down time. I got to see my sister so my weekend was perfect. It's been a little over a month since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I wanted to share some new thoughts, ideas, recipes, and feelings with you. I'm currently 36 weeks and my induction date is set for August 1st. I'm hoping he comes sooner on his own but I'm at peace with the idea of an induction now if he doesn't. If you currently have gestational diabetes, you are not alone. If you just found out you have GD and are super bummed, I totally get you and am here if you feel like reaching out. I'm writing this post today because some days are harder than others. About a week ago I had a tough few days in a row. I would like to start on a positive note by saying, I'm slowly but surly beginning to believe that being diagnosed with GD is a blessing in disguise. A woman told me this when I first learned I had GD and I didn't believe her. Now, I kinda do. Aside from having to prick my finger 4 times a day which is getting really old and annoying and not being able to eat much fruit or any sugar for that matter. The reason I say this is a blessing in disguise is for a few reasons. 1. From this moment forward you will watch EVERYTHING you put in your mouth and if your levels are anything like mine, that means getting very serious about sticking to a very healthy and strict diet. You can do this! The good news is you are only giving your baby and yourself the best of the best nutrients. As hard as it feels and as sick as I am of chicken, eggs, and veggies, I'm sure my baby boy is getting the best nutrients, where as before I was diagnosed, we were kinda on the Carb Queen diet and Cheetos were a huge part of our life, which is horrible for both of us anyway! 2. The weight gain has slowed down, baby is still getting proper nutrients and growing, and I'm not getting much larger everywhere else, which means it will be easier to drop the baby weight once he comes. 3. I have connected with some wonderful woman who are going through this or have already so my community of woman who are in the same shoes as me has grown and makes me feel a lot less alone.

Let me be sure to mention I'm not a doctor and everything I write about in this post is based on my own experience and my doctors advice and the advice I have received from other woman who have been through the same thing.

I wanted to share a few things that have really helped me. I'm not gonna lie to you and say I'm doing fantastic and everything is rainbows and butterflies over here because it has not been easy. I cry a lot and feel very frustrated a lot of the time. Especially when I eat clean and healthy and my levels are still high. I will say however, my doctor eased my mind when she told me it has a lot to do with hormones and my placenta and the chances of me and the baby having diabetes after birth isn't very likely.

What I do not do is read a lot on line because it makes me crazy. What I do do is reach out to people who have had GD. I share where I'm at and I'm honest about my fears and my concerns, so other woman will reach out to me and share their experience, strength, and hope about it. I reach out to friends of friends who I don't even know because it's nice to hear positive stories. My mom is a big researcher and has looked into everything that I refuse to read which is good and bad. One thing she found that I am very happy with is the book Real Food For Gestational Diabetes. It's the only book that has made sense to me and has some good helpful eating tips in it. It explains GD in a way that I could understand. It's not a complex book which I like. Life the last month has felt like all I do is wake up, check my blood, eat, wait two hours, eat, check my blood and repeat this until bedtime when I have my midnight snack with my medicine the doctors have me on. It really begins to feel like groundhogs day but I know the final result of holding my baby will make me forget I ever had GD. My midnight snack is something I really look forward to. I found a gluten free bread I LOVE called Canyon Bakehouse 7 Grain. You can get it at whole foods. I have a piece toasted with whipped organic cream cheese (also from wholefoods). I look forward to this snack at night because it tastes so good. This is one of the only snacks that seems to be very consistant on keeping my levels good in the morning.

I wanted to share a few tips that I noticed have been extremely helpful for me. Before my bedtime snack and before I take my medicine, I have two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with water. I know, gross, get use to it because the health benefits behind it are incredible for now and long after baby comes. Then I eat one slice of gluten free bread with whipped cream cheese on it. The toast and cream cheese was a suggestion from my doctor and through trial and error I found it worked best for me. I also love coconut peanut butter as one of my snacks on toast. Make sure it's a no sugar added brand. I LOVE North Shore Goodies coconut peanut butter the best. It's a bit expensive but if you love coconut and peanut butter, it's worth every dollar. It's honestly magical.

I'm about to share the holy grail of diabetic deserts with you, a pancake recipe that didn't raise my insulin levels, and a cookie recipe! Massive shout out to my dear friend Julie Mangus, a wonderful therapist who gave me this mousse recipe because it will be with me for the rest of my life. Side note, for anyone struggling with fertility, Julie is your gal! She started a support group around the topic. And thanks mom for the coconut pancake recipe. I will be happy to go back to regular gluten free pancakes after this is over but this has been a nice substitution. Keep in mind the pancakes are more like a biscuit but with organic maple syrup and butter they do the trick just tine. Be sure to eat eggs or some sort of protein with any carb you eat! I also found a cookie recipe that didn't raise my levels!! I have been able to eat something that gives me my sugar fix and doesn't mess with my levels. Again, everyone is different so please try this and see how you do. I eat a few bites of the mousse and it kicks my cravings. The pancakes I had 3 and I had eggs to add more protein and my levels were fine and the peanut butter cookies are a good snack. Just have one or maybe two ;) Hope this all helped and that these recipes make you as happy as they did for me!

Coconut Cocoa Mousse

Dairy Free Cocoa Mousse

Ingredients:

*Coconut cream scraped from the top of 4 (13.5 oz) chilled cans of full fat coconut milk. Use BPA-free coconut milk

* 5 tablespoons cocoa (adjust according to taste and/or desired thickness)
* 3 tablespoons organic maple syrup
* a touch of Himalayan sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Directions

When you are ready to make the mousse, open up the cans and scoop the thick coconut cream into a large bowl of a heavy-duty mixer or with an electric hand mixer fitted with whisk attachment (try to keep as much liquid out of the cream as possible)
Add cocoa, honey and vanilla extract (if using) to the bowl and beat, starting on low, increasing incrementally to medium speed until soft peaks become visible, about 5 minutes.
Divide the mixture evenly among ramekins and refrigerate until ready to serve. Mousse will become thicker as it chills in the fridge.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 243 calories, 19 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbs and 3 grams of protein.

This mousse has been a huge lifesaver for my sweet tooth. I served it to friends as well and they fell in love.

Flour-less Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

I have been craving cookies and can't have them and it has been so upsetting. The carbs turn to sugar and the sugar raises my levels. I found a recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction and I changed a few ingredients to make sure I wasn't effected by the sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup (58g) old-fashioned rolled oats1
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (250g) peanut butter at room temperature or cold2 (I tagged my FAVORITE Peanut butter)
• 6 Tablespoons (90g) packed light brown sugar3 (SUB 2/3 Maple SYRUP INSTEAD OF BROWN SUGAR)
• 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (SUB COCOA NIBS INSTEAD OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS)

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, toss the oats, cinnamon, and baking soda together. Set aside. In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Mix in the peanut butter and brown sugar with a large rubber spatula until combined. Pour in the dry ingredients and slowly mix until everything is combined. Depending how thick and/or cold your peanut butter is, you'll have to use some arm muscles. Fold in the chocolate chips.
2. Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper. Scoop the dough, about 1.5 Tablespoons each, onto prepared baking sheet. Bake two batches - 7 cookies on each baking sheet. Gently press down on the dough mounds with the back of a spoon to slightly flatten as pictured in this recipe. If you find the cookie dough balls are oily-looking from your peanut butter, blot each with a paper towel.
4. Bake for 9-10 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked, but that's ok. For crispier cookies, bake for up to 11-12 minutes. Sometimes I press a couple more chocolate chips into the tops of each cookie immediately after coming out of the oven. This is optional and only for looks!
5. Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies stay fresh stored covered at room temperature for up to 7 days, if they last that long!
6. Make ahead tip: For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 3 months then thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Coconut Flower Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/8 t baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 - 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp organic, cold-pressed coconut oil
• 3 eggs
• 1-2 T honey ( I USE MAPLE SYRUP BECAUSE THE HONEY RAISES MY LEVELS)
• 1/2 t vanilla extract
• Maple syrup to taste on top
• Grass-fed butter for cooking

DIRECTIONS:

• Thoroughly mix the eggs, coconut oil, and honey together.
• Add the coconut milk and vanilla extract.
• Throw in the coconut flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix, but remember, not too much!
• Melt a dab of butter in your skillet and then using a measuring cup, add a little batter to the pan. I recommend figuring out how many pancakes you’d like to make beforehand so that you can use an appropriately sized cup or ladle.
• Remember that you aren’t likely to see many bubbles forming on the top, so carefully check the underside of your pancake before flipping. Extra kudos points for those of you who can flip without a spatula!
• For best results, serve your pancakes right away.

My Summer Essentials- Why I Spray Tan & Skin Cancer Real Talk!

Ladies and gentleman summer has arrived! The time to play outside, spend time in the pool, BBQ with friends and family, travel to the beach, boat on the lake, whatever your summer looks like we all face a similar issue.... the sun. Some of you may think the sun is your best friend, I use to, until I realized the sun didn't think I was it's best friend. I found out at 28 years old I had skin cancer on my arm and my days of baking were over. I'm 100% guilty of going in tanning beds when I was younger and baking in the sun for hours without sunscreen. I spent most my days on the beach as a teen and in my 20's. I'm also fair skin and light eyed, not the best combo for a sun lover. I'm even Italian! I just didn't get the brown skin like my mom and sister did. Either way, no one should be baking in the sun if they want to look good into their 30's, 40's 50,s and older. My grandmother is 90. You wouldn't know it from the looks of her skin. She never baked in the sun! My first word of advice is learn to put sunscreen on in the morning just like you learned to brush your teeth! Replace your daily moisturizer with one that has SPF. I love the Rodan+Fields body sunscreen. It smells nice and is lightweight and will keep your skin hydrated. You will be so thankful you did. Find a sunscreen that feels good on your skin and learn to love it. TIP: I have discovered iT Cosmetics makeup and I'm obsessed. It has SPF 50 and covers my skin like butter. It does the trick for me so I'm not needing any other sunscreen on my face but re-applying is very important so either keep an extra tube in the purse or a powder with SPF to keep your face safe all day. I LOVE all Jane Iredale Products. The Powder Me Dry Sunscreen in translucent or bronze if you want a little tan look are amazing to keep in the purse over the summer to keep applying SPF and it goes well over everything!  The These are my top picks for sunscreens.

Jane Iredale Powder Me Dry Sunscreen

iT CC Cream Face

ELTA MD Face

ELTA MD Body

Rodan + Fields Body

Now let's take a look at what's in my bag that I am leaning on every day for summer must haves. If you are living anywhere that is above 85 degrees a little pretty hand fan is a MUST. I am in love with the one I have by Fancy Hand Fans. If you use the code FANOFTHEFAN you will receive a 10% discount! I pull this bad boy out on the airplane, restaurants that clearly don't have proper air, or just sitting indoors when I am needing some more air. The fan I choose is so pretty and elegant I have no problem fanning myself down anywhere! Sunglasses are a MUST if you are spending a lot of time outside. If you haven't found your favorite pair yet I love my Warby Parkers. I have the Laurel in Oak Barrel and they are under $100. If you are looking for a little more color in your life, check out Diff Eye Wear! I love them too. Use my discount code EVIGAN25 and receive 25% off your order! I live in hats because sunscreen is not enough for my sensitive skin. I am in love with Lovely Bird Hats. Probably my favorite of all time! Something you probably have never thought of unless you are above the age of 35 and looking at your hands as a dead giveaway for age. The tops of our hands need sunscreen! We wash the sunscreen off when we use the bathroom so I love keeping this small sunscreen in my purse that literally goes on like deodorant so you don't get it on your palms of your hands! It's amazing! Age Shield Hand Balm SPF 30 by Rodan+Fields has the most handy one around in my opinion. If you need a little refreshing pick-me-up because you are melting I LOVE the Rosewater by Heritage Store. It's magical and beyond refreshing. I highly recommend it! I use the 4oz size so it's easy to travel with! If you are pregnant or nursing and your nipples are totally falling apart, I discovered a really nice all natural nipple balm by The Honest Co. It is very soothing and I find my nipples are not addicted to it if I stop using it. The iT CC cream and Rodan+Fields body sunscreen are what I am using right now and loving. See in above sunsreen reccomendations for direct links.

Why I spray tan? Because when I was 28 years old I got skin cancer on my arm. It hurt BAD. They cut in deep. I have this lovely scar to remind me any time I want to go sun-bake that this could have been on my face. I'm really lucky it is on my arm and not my face. Skin cancer is real and it will effect you or someone you know. The facts: Each year in the US alone over 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are treated in more than 3.3 million people. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. I could go on and on but friends this is scary and real. If you want more info read HERE. Don't bake, spray! Or find a tanning solution you like that you can do at home. The only one I have found that doesn't leave me orange and doesn't streak is the Foaming Sunless Tan by Rodan+Fields. I have tried them ALL. I like Jergen's Glow but I can get a little orange with that one over time.

Now that I'm living in Nashville, I have finally found a woman who I LOVE for my spray tan. She uses an all natural and organic formula and I look brown not orange. Her name is Joule and she comes to the house and sets up shop in 5 minutes, sprays you in about 7 and is finished and out all in about 15-20 minutes! Shes a magical unicorn. If you are in Nashville and looking for someone wonderful check her out here Beautiful By Joule. Her solution is also Eco-Certified and Parabean free, it also doesn't smell and I can smell EVERYTHING pregnant. I'm like a German Sheppard. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend Chocolate Sun. All natural and organic as well! 

Last thing I would like to share with you is melasma. It is not fun. This is the clinical term for all those wonderful dark marks you can get on your face and body after being in the sun. Some show up on woman as a mustache, or what looks like an actual face mask. It is not a pretty sight and very hard to combat. Especially in the summer. What worked best for me is a compound formula that my doctor ordered in for me with a combination of Reta .05% HYQ 8% and HCT 1%, This is very strong and can cause some skin sensitivity and you CAN NOT go in the sun when using this. Try it during the winter. You also can not use this pregnant or breastfeeding which is when melasma can get really bad. Talk to your doctor about this. If you are looking for something to work a little slower and not cause as much sensitivity using the entire Revers regimen by Rodan+Fields is wonderful as well. It will take longer but it is not as harsh and it brightens the skin and the outcome is beautiful. I used this as well at one point and loved it!! You can find it here at Rodan+Fields Reverse. Keep in mind you need to use the entire regimen to see the results you want.

My Non-Maternity Maternity Top Picks For Summer!

If you know me, then you know Show Me Your Mumu is one of my favorite clothing companies around. If you don't know me, you just learned something new about me! I had all my bridesmaids in Mumu bridal and I wear Mumu clothing all the time. I love that so much of their collection I'mable to wear pregnant and it's not a maternity clothing line. I take a small in everything pregnant too, and I'm NOT small right now! The great part is I can wear it all once baby comes. I am wearing some of the little dresses as tops over shorts and feeling so sexy and stylish. I wanted to share with you two of my most favorite patterns right now that I have recently found and that have been big hits on my LikeToKnowIt page! I will direct link them after I show you a few more pictures! The models on line are wearing the same items I'm wearing and they are not pregnant like me so you will get a feel for what the clothing looks like on a person without a bump! I linked a few of my favorite styles in these patterns as well and a sexy yellow dress that is just like my off the shoulder dress I am wearing above! Happy Shopping!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Circus Mini Dress - Tropical Twist

Circus Mini Dress-Aloha Beautiful

Peta Tunic- Tropical Twist

ZSA ZSA Dress- Daffodil Chiffon

Hana Boo- Tropical Twist

Speaking Truth & Gestational Diabetes

Two weeks ago I sat in my doctors office after my ultra sound patiently awaiting her arrival to tell me everything looked fine and I could be on with my day. When she came in the room and told me "baby looks good" there was a different tone in her voice. I could tell there was a "but" coming shortly after that sentence. "But baby is very big, in the 95% for growth right now and his stomach is measuring bigger than we like to see." I had no idea what this meant. About five weeks prior I had passed my gestational diabetes test so when she told me I would be going home with a diabetic kit to prick my finger 4 times a day and monitor by blood sugar levels for the next week, I felt bummed and discouraged to say the least. She said "everything will probably be fine but we rather be safe and monitor you until we see you back here next week to read the results." I'm a massive baby and hate needles so just the thought of pricking my finger had me in tears. I remember back to that time as a kid when I had to get that test done and it hurt so bad I'm pretty sure I have been traumatized ever since at the thought of having to draw blood from my finger. "Suck it up Vaness, you're a big girl and will be pushing a baby out of your body in no time so if you can't handle a little prick 4 times a day, you're in serious trouble." Is what I kept telling myself as I walked to my car.

Dang-it! I knew it had been too good to be true for me this entire pregnancy with no nausea and just slight depression. I got in my car and started crying. I felt like I had failed and that I was already hurting my child and I'm not even a real life parent yet. When I had asked the doctor what can happen to the baby when you have gestational diabetes, I only heard one thing she said and it sent me into a tailspin and I couldn't calm myself down. "Although it is extremely rare, still birth can happen" and from that moment on, I knew I had to make serious changes. The only issue is, I eat so healthy already, I didn't know what to cut out and what was okay to eat so I had no idea where to begin. I felt so alone sitting in my car in Nashville far away from my mom who I wanted to crawl up to and be held by and cry like the big baby I am. NOPE can't do that now that I'm a real life grown up and a 4 hour plane ride away from my mommy. I called my husband and thank God he is the calm in every one of my storms. He talked me off the ledge. I still didn't feel great or at ease. I also didn't want to read anything online because I find all the fears and negativity people share online to be so damaging for my anxiety.

We were on our trip to Telluride this past weekend and it wasn't until a woman who before this weekend was a stranger to me, asked me "how are you doing?" Instead of saying "great"  and putting on a happy face so I wouldn't have to be vulnerable with her, I looked at her and said with sad eyes "I'm hanging in there, I'm not feeling great at the moment and it could be because my doctor thinks I may have gestational diabetes." I started to feel myself holding back tears. She came right back with "Oh my God, one of my best friends had it with both her kids and everything turned out fine. I'll connect you two." I learned right there in that moment yet again, the power of speaking your truth and not trying to hide what is going on is detrimental. Had I not spoke up and shared how I was really doing, I never would have spoke to the only woman who has been able to ease my mind.

As soon as I returned home I had my follow up doctors appointment and sure enough after reading my levels from the past week the doctor diagnosed me with gestational diabetes. I knew I had it because I read my numbers myself every day and they were sky high. I started crying in her office and asked as many questions as I could rememer to ask which was maybe two. I was in shock. I guess I thought by some miracle she would tell me I didn't have it. She said she was worried about my fasting levels and I would probably need to go on medicine but that diet will really help control the issue. She told me how important it was that I followed a very strict diet and how important it was for me to count my carbohydrates all day. Again I left feeling alone and lost at where to even begin when I'm already gluten free and don't eat bad foods.

I cried the entire drive home and then pulled it together like the big girl I know I can be, and called the woman who my new friend from Telluride suggested I call. Within the first five minutes of our conversation I already felt at ease. She was blunt and positive and that is exactly what I needed. Telling me to look at this as a positive and explaining all the reasons why. She shared her pinterest board with me that had healthy recipes and snack ideas. She said "trust me this is a blessing in disguise, it may not seem that way now but it is." She had it with both her kids and was forced to eat extremely healthy and it helped her to only gain the weight that was necessary for baby. She felt better through the whole pregnancy and knew she was giving her baby all the proper nutrients. She was able to drop the weight real quick and both her kids were healthy, beautiful babies. She explained to me that she loved being diagnosed because it meant she knew they would induce her early and she would have time to get her nails done, shower, put makeup on and be off to the hospital looking good without having to guess when baby was coming and how the whole process would work. That made me laugh but I needed to hear that and that is so me! I'd love to be able to have makeup on and my nails done before I go into labor! I liked the sound of all of this because for me I am wondering at any moment if I could go into labor and have been living in fear of what that will look like when the time comes and at least having a little bit more of a plan, sets my mind at ease. I also felt understood and I think more than anything that is what I was looking for. I have felt sick every single time I put anything in my mouth from an egg to a raspberry. I didn't realize until I was diagnosed how important food combining is and learned I wasn't eating enough protein with my carbs or fat with my proteins! I am on the mend, not fully there yet, but I am trying to stay very positive and reach out to any woman who have been through it before me for tips, advice, and yummy safe recipes. If you have recently been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and feel alone, please feel free to email me. I'm no doctor and have nothing but suggestions of what has worked for me since I found out and I would love to connect with woman who have been through this before and can offer strength and hope!

Big tip: If you have just found out you have GD..... DON'T EAT FRUIT IN THE MORNING! I have been eating fruit all day since it's what I crave. No bueno! You can eat it but later in the day and stick with berries only. Be sure to mix with plain yogurt to add the fat. Only 1 cup of berries on top of 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt! The body has a very hard time processing fruit in the morning.

LINK TO MY PINTEREST GESTATIONAL DIABETES BOARD

SHOP MY KIMONO ONLY $58

SHOP MY GREEN RUANA WRAP ON SALE ONLY $21.99

SHOP MY MIRANDA PRINTED PULL OVER PANTS ONLY $68

SHOP MY MATERNITY JEANS ON SALE FOR LIMITED TIME $69.50

Our Messy Not So Perfect Life

This post feels very vulnerable and scary to post. I'm by no means giving advice because I don't think I have much to give, I'm just trying to be real and Instagram can make everything look so wonderful and perfect and I want to share real truth and beauty at the same time.  I'm posting this very late at night in hopes that I can hold my promises from earlier today that I would post this but hoping that not many people will end up reading it.

Five years ago on May 5th, I met my husband Miles while visiting a friend in Nashville. One year ago today, we got engaged. A lot has happened in between. We were married October 29th of 2016 and found out we were pregnant two weeks after returning from our honeymoon in South Africa. We are grateful, very excited, a bit scared, and feel very lucky to be welcoming a little boy into the world on or around August 5th. However, life is a bumpy roller coaster as everyone knows. Thanks to my hubs, I have learned to love the bumps, bumps can sometimes be fun. I was on a very smooth ride most of my life. I hated any bumps and certainly hated flipping upside down! I did jump off that ride around 27 and life has been wild and crazy ever since and I wouldn't change a thing. My husband is constantly challenging me and getting me to do things that make me step out of my comfort zone almost every week!

Pictures make things look so "perfect" and we are far from that. I find that daily, I'm comparing myself to every beautiful couple I see on social media and that is so unhealthy.

Miles and I have been learning how to understand each others messy selves for five years and I know that will be the case for the rest of our lives. Some days seem so easy, others are a lot more challenging. My grandfather told us before he passed away at 90 years of age, the trick to a happy marriage is patience and tolerance. We laughed but he is right in a lot of ways. He did leave out the part about connection, having fun together, passion, and good conversation but he was married happily for 70 years so I will give him that! 

Let me start by saying that I was a horrible communicator my entire life and I still wouldn't consider myself a good one but I'm working on it. I'm really good at a lot of other stuff but I hated confrontation and didn't know how to have a proper argument with anyone especially a boyfriend. A fight in my mind meant we would probably break up so I avoided confrontation at all costs. My husband on the other hand is wonderful at confrontation. In fact, I think he loves it. For those of you reading this that don't already know, my husband owns a wellness retreat center in Tennessee called Onsite. I linked the website in case you want to understand more about it and I'm really proud of what my husband does and how many people him and Onsite help all over the world. I like to say going to Onsite is like doing 9 months of therapy in a week. It's amazing and I can vouch for that because I have been there and done a program called The Living Center Program. I worked with horses doing Equine therapy, experiential therapy, and dug really deep into issues I never knew I had, and learned I have an ego, I'm stubborn, and I'm hard headed. Onsite has both short term and long term programs as well as wonderful couple-ship programs. We have yet to do the couples program but are going to at some point because we both believe in doing work on ourselves individually and as a couple. I share all of this with you not to promote Onsite, although I love it and would promote it all day long, I share this with you because a lot of people who meet us think we are "masters in relationships" when they hear what Miles does for a living. That couldn't be further from the truth. We are totally relationship challenged a lot of the time to be honest. What we do have working for us? We are aware of it and aware of our weaknesses and very willing to look at our own stuff and work on it. I struggle at everything in life but try so hard to do my best! Miles would tell you himself he struggles with a lot of things that he is really good at helping others with but he and I both strive to get better and better at relationships, not just with each other but with our family and friendships.

In the beginning of our relationship Miles had a lot of conversations with me and shared his needs all the time but I was unable to do that. I didn't know how to. It never felt "safe" in the past for me to express my needs in my other relationships. It wasn't until I started dating Miles and he created a safe environment for me to feel like I could ask for things that I needed, that I found my voice and boy did I find my voice. He made me understand I could have an argument, I could disagree with someone, or even have a big full-blown meltdown and I wouldn't be getting on a plane and moving back to Los Angeles if it went South. I'm not saying Miles is a guru by any means, he's just been practicing this for a lot longer than me and he's really good at this area in his life!

Miles made arguing so safe that I probably do it more than I should now. Sometimes I do it just to feel like I'm "strong" or "confident" or to try and prove a point. Lucky he knows how to handle me and ring me in and back to reality. Sometimes his calmness in the midst of an argument while I'm at a 10 and he's at a 2 makes me want to throw knifes and I'm not a violent person! The fact that he works in the help industry only makes me more frustrated sometimes during an argument because my ego gets so big and I know I'm headed down a rabbit hole that he already sees I'm about to jump in!! Again my ego getting in the way. He has a much better way of "arguing" than I do and over the years he has been helping and teaching me how to do this in a peaceful and healthy way. A way that I really believe has grown us closer.

Over the five years Miles and I have been together we have had our share of struggles and at one point almost didn't make it but we made a choice a year ago and I'm so glad we did. We decided we were going to work through the hurdles instead of letting them take us down. We continue to struggle but with each struggle it feels like we get a whole lot closer.

I have no advice to give EXCEPT I strongly suggest learning your partners Love Language. If you haven't heard of this you have GOT to get the book "The Five Love Languages." Miles and I speak completely different love languages. Usually you will not be the same as your partner and therefor you will neglect their love language because if you don't seek it then you don't speak!

Something we started doing recently is checking in with each other every day. Usually at the end of the day because we both have busy schedules and are not together all day long. Even if it's just 5 minutes to say "what do you need from me right now that I may not be bringing to the relationship?" We aren't good at this one yet but we are working on it.

When one of us has a bit of a blow up which is usually me because I get so upset so easily especially being pregnant, we circle back around and apologize, take ownership for our behavior,  and look at where it came from and why we got there in the first place. If we can figure that out, then we are able to try and deal with how to avoid the same issue coming back up in the future.

Acts of kindness are really a big deal for us. Miles and I both like to be told we are doing a good job or be acknowledged for something we did that was sweet for the other person so we both try really hard to enforce the appreciation and not let it go unnoticed. This is hard when life is busy and there are a million distractions but taking a moment to really notice each other and be present for a moment with each other is so important and can be like a little sprinkle of fairy dust on our relationship.

Sometimes something as simple as him putting a dish in the dishwasher or me stopping him in the morning to tell him how good he looks before he walks out the door, can make the entire day a much brighter one. Or a long hug before we go our separate ways will literally fuel me for the entire day and keep a smile on my face.

Last but not least the way we argue. We do it in a kind and loving way now days. I use to throw out mean hurtful things just because I was feeling hurt or unheard. Bringing up anything from the past was a big stupid thing I use to do. I mean LEAVE IT IN THE PAST VANESSA SERIOUSLY!! I must admit I'm still working hard at this one. Mean words are really hard to forget and almost impossible to take back so I'm very careful what I say and if it's something I wouldn't want said to me, then I don't say it. The way Miles has shown me to argue works for me. He usually starts with a strength of mine or brings up a weakness in himself. It really sets the tone to a safe and even level. Then he addresses the issue and he's able to do it in a soft voice and a kind manor. When he does that, I hear him and we get through the argument with bells on! I'm much more likely to receive constructive criticism and think about it instead of getting defensive and shutting down. I do shut down a lot but I always come back around and I'm able to look at the argument from another pair of glasses. We are both a constant work in progress, but hey, everything is a work in progress and a beautiful work it is and I think we are darn good for each other and help each other grow! 

Thanks for reading this vulnerable piece of my life!

Hello Marvelous Monday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day and a relaxing weekend.My husband got his Italian Bee's this weekend so we spent the better half of the weekend getting them set up in the backyard and surrounding them with flowers and food so they live and begin to reproduce. I'm hoping they help me overcome my fear of bee's and that by this time next year we are producing some fantastic honey!

We ventured out into the country for a friends daughters graduation and stopped at a few little spots to grab a few pictures in some outfits I found that I'm so excited to share with you. I'm 28 weeks pregnant and feeling HUGE. I'm at a point where I'm so sick of wearing the same favorite maternity jeans that I had to find something else that didn't feel maternity. Of course Free People never let's me down. Ladies, if you are pregnant, Free People is such a wonderful option. These pant's I'm wearing are a SMALL! I am NOT SMALL right now! I tried the medium on but the small looked better and they sit just under my belly bump and don't cut on me at all. They are stretchy at the waist and not a tight stretchy so they feel very comfortable on the tummy. They come in 5 colors which is so marvelous! The color I'm wearing is Mauve combo. I was so excited to have found these. I found a lot of others there as well that I will post later this week. These pants are so soft and so comfy. It's getting very hot here and they are keeping me cool. I found this cute little scarf that I'm wearing as a cover wrap for super cheap at Charming Charlie's and these tanks are on repeat every day in every color from Pea In The Pod. I have never loved a tank more in my life! Oh and I found my wedges again! They had gone on sale at DSW but are gone and I found them again, sadly back at their normal price but they are such comfortable shoes and worth the price! My feet are so happy in them. I have them in black as well!  This cream color has little bits of gold in them and are perfect for summer. So sexy on the leg!! I am so happy I can wear this entire outfit once I have the baby too!! Happy shopping!!

SHOP MY LOOK:

My Free People Pants Under $70

My Green Cover Up Scarf ON SALE $6.99

My Tank $25

My Wedge

MY Hat

Diff Eye Wear Gives Back!

Show me a company with a great product that gives back, and I'll show A LOT of support. Diff Eye Wear is a company with really cute, fun, and affordable sunglasses in all shapes and beautiful lens colors that gives back!

Their mission? To make a DIFFerence; by providing their customers with premium quality eye wear at a fair price and giving back to people around the world. LOVE THEM. Diff Eye Wear teamed up with Eyes On Africa which is a charitable non-profit organization that provides eye glasses at no cost to Africans through distribution in communities with no access to vision care. Diff Eye Wear partnered with the Eyes On Africa founder Sherry Gribsby, with the intention to provide eyeglasses for people in need. Did you know that over 1 billion people in the world need eye care that don't have it? That blew my mind when I read that.

The glasses are affordable to begin with and with my discount code evigan25 you are looking at maybe $65 total! I'm so use to spending at least $150 for a pair of really good sunnies and thinking that's a steal. When I discovered Diff Eye Wear I was blown away that they have cute affordable sunglasses that look and feels just as good as any high end sun-glass company like Oliver Peoples, Prada, or Fendi at less than half the cost and they give back! These glasses are durable and so great for summer! Shop them below! Don't forget my discount code evigan25 at checkout!!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Diff Eye Wear

My Green Wrap (one size fits all and under $30)

Magenta Bell Sleeve Dress For Summer!

Hope you had a beautiful weekend and were able to get some rest and spend time with the ones you love. I mentioned in my Instagram post that I wasn't in the greatest head space this weekend.  Just feeling a bit down and disconnected. Could be a mixture of hormones and life but I would rather be honest than tell you everything is great and post a picture of everything "looking great." Monday is here and I'm ready to get in a better head space. Meditating more often, gratitude lists, uplifting positive quotes, and shifting my energy over to people who may be in need so I am able to get out of my own way.

As my belly continues to grow and so does our little guy, I get more and more excited about meeting him.That's one thing I am so grateful for.  I'm loving these little dresses I found at Shop Pink Blush. They are only $52 and with my discount code vanessaevigan15 you receive 15% off your entire purchase! I have this dress in 5 colors and one pattern! This dress has a medium size bell sleeve and can be worn with a bump or without a bump! ALL the clothing at Shop Pink Blush can be worn pregnant or not pregnant. Perfect for summer days or a fun date night. I feel really classy but sexy in this dress and I'm loving the magenta color a lot! Something about shades of pink that can really brighten up your world. Also, pink is a heart chakra and I was told to wear more of it so that's exactly what I'm doing!

SHOP THE LOOK

Magenta Bell Sleeve Dress

Similar to My Vince Camuto Shoes

Mom's Mother's Day Mug

Mom's are so special and creating a gift for Mother's Day should be fun and stress free. I have been really enjoying putting together little basket ideas for different moms in my life including my mother. My mom's will be extra big and extra special of course because I always have to overdue it for her. I wanted to share a fun, cute, and easy idea I put together with the help of Hallmark and Walmart and some other online shops! You can order everything in this picture on line (except your greeting cards) and make your life a lot easier! What's in my mom's mug?!

1. THE MUG

I found this mug for $5.99. It's a big fun mug that says "Best Mom Ever"! While scrolling around online after I had already bought this mug, I found and even better and prettier one HERE. This mug says Best Mom Ever just like mine but in a cuter color for the same price from Target!!!  Start with this large mug and stuff the back of it with pretty tissue paper so the paper sticks up and out! Whatever color is your moms favorite!

2. THE KISSES

Stuffing the mug with the kisses!! I love Hershey Chocolate Kisses with almonds so much. The big bag costs $9.98. I could eat an entire big bag all to myself. The idea is to fill the entire mug with them so the gifts can sit on top and make a pretty display. Using the tissue paper behind it to look even prettier!

3. WHATS IN THE MUG

I filled my mug up with a few fun and special items that are girly and pampering for mom. My mom loves beauty products so I went with a beauty theme! Let me start with the Lash Boost by R+F. Now this may be a tad of a splurge at $150 but it's probably not something your mom is running out to buy but may dream of having. Who doesn't dream of long lashes? I have been using this stuff now for months and my lashes are LONG. Remind your mom she HAS to use it every day for at least 4 weeks before she sees growth. Next!  Urban Decay Sheer Shimmer in Whip is the lip color I chose for the mug. It's always fun to share a lip color that pretty much goes well on everyone's skin tone, one that my mom would probably never find herself. I love this color and use it as well. It's $17. Next I thought how sweet would it be to gift my mom the Gratitude oil by Young Living. To show my gratitude for my mamma! I know my mom loves essential oils but they are not something she ever buys for herself. This oil costs $34.54. I just love the idea of the Gratitude oil because it smells divine and I'm so grateful for my mother so the wording is perfect! Next! I thought it would be fun to add a lip pencil to go with the lipstick. One of my favorites is the Sephora Lip Pencil in 03 Rose Wine. It's $12 and a beautiful color!! It will go perfect on any skin tone and mix really well with the lip color. The last fun thing I added to the mug is a buffing emery board. My mom is always asking me "do you have an emery board?" when she sees me! I found a really cute light blue, grey, and white Smooth Operator Buffer board for $12 by Deborah Lippmann that mom can throw in her bag and leave there and never be without a file again! This one isn't as large and thick as the one in my picture.  I prefer the thinner buffer, that way it's easier to throw in a bag and not as bulky. You can also find a much cheaper one just as cute at Walmart or CVS but if you want a higher quality I'd stick with my choice!

4. THE CARDS

Last but certainly not least, the greeting card. Greeting cards are my most favorite thing to receive during any important time in life. I love writing a special card to people and sharing what they mean to me. It's more important than any "thing" you can give someone and more meaningful. I have always leaned towards Hallmark cards no matter what the holiday is. I love everything Hallmark. I have been on the Hallmark channel in the past, I frequent the store in the mall, and I love the company and what they have created as a whole. They always have the best cards with the most beautiful writings. The Mother's Day Signature Cards are really fun and extra special. You will probably have to venture into either a Walmart or a Hallmark store to find your cards, but everything else you can order online! I found mine at Walmart. They had a massively large selection there and a wonderful Signature section as well.

To finish your Mom's Mug....  You will need some clear cellophane wrap to wrap the whole gift in!! I highly recommend this so nothing falls out and gets lost! Tie the top of the cellophane wrap with some pretty ribbon. My choice would be lace or burlap. I hope this Mom Mug idea has helped you get closer to figuring out what you are going to put together for your mom on her special day! Replace anything in the mug to fit your moms personality and interests! 

Not So Maternity

26 weeks and going strong. I got my energy back and my test results and I am all good! Le Bébé must have been going through a growth spurt that knocked me on the couch for a week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the energy I have had the past few days sticks around for a while. I wanted to share with you a store that I am so in love with. They are online and called Shop Pink Blush. They offer maternity, non maternity, and plus size! Something for everyone. What am I loving so much about the maternity clothes? They don't look or feel maternity, I can wear them during and after pregnancy which makes me very happy, AND their clothing is supper affordable, and with my discount code you receive 15% off your entire order which makes the closes crazy affordable! I kinda have hit a point in the pregnancy where I want it to be easy and breezy but still look cute and not like I stepped out of a maternity add for generic looking maternity wear. This clothing line has the most beautiful prints and such cute long and short dress options. I don't own any of their shirts. Only the dresses both short and long, kimonos, robes, and pajama bottoms. They have a bunch of "maternity nursing robes" that I am wearing as kimonos to go out in and loving them!! I was out today in this black floral kimono shown above and people were stopping me to tell me how pretty it was! Little do they know it's a nursing robe! Haha. The black dress under it is so flattering and so pretty on. I will be posting a lot more about this store soon but wanted to share a few of my new favorites from the store with you to help you pick out a new outfit for Mother's Day! Don't forget to use my discount code VANESSAEVIGAN15 at checkout! I hope you find something you love here! I have half the online store in my closet at the moment so I can truly say everything from the store is super cute on!!!

SHOP THE LOOKS:

Red Floral Maternity Dress Was $54 now $48

Floral Maternity Robe Was $56 now $48

Black long dress

Magenta bell sleeve dress

Four Fun & Unique Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is such a fun and important day. It's the day we get to honor and shower the woman who gave us life. I have always been one who loves to do fun surprises for my mom and the mother's in my life. I spent some time trying to find fun and unique gift ideas that can be put in a basket if you are on a budget or one really special splurge. Mother's Day comes every year and it's fun to change it up with different unique gifts that you normally wouldn't get for mom. Here are my 4 picks at the moment!

A.JAFFE CUSTOM MAP PENDANT NECKLACE

I fell in love with this line recently when I decided to try the line out for myself before I went to buy one for my mom. This is possibly the coolest necklace idea I have ever found. I talked about it a bit today in my previous post. A.JAFFE will map on a pendant an exact location you send them with a little diamond. I decided to map the spot where we conceived our son in South Africa. I can't wait to do this for my mom now that I know how incredible this necklace turned out. The back of your necklace will be a special personalized message of your choice! Just a little FYI the chain and the back side of the map are not included so you will need to make sure to request that. The top of the pendant is large enough to put around your favorite chain if you are on a budget or you can purchase a chain from them! A.JAFFE is offering a buy one gift one for Mother's Day! When you buy a sterling silver round pendant with the diamond, you will receive a matching one free using my gift code MD18MAP. This offer is only available until May 24,2017 so don't miss out! Keep in mind you will have to add both pendants to your shopping cart and then apply the promo code to receive the discount. Multiple offers do not apply!

SABON BUTTER HAND CREAM

My mom has held my hand through it all. The ups, the downs, the good, the bad. Her hands bathed my brother, sister, and myself for years and years and have been through the ringer! I'm sure all those dishes she washed and baths she drew left her hands dry and in need of a lot of attention. I thought how sweet to gift her a beautiful hand butter that I have found has made my hands so soft and smell so lovely. I think adding a sweet personal note to mom explaining how important her hands have always been all these years, how soft her touch has been, and how comforted she has made me feel holding my hand through it all is so important. I want her hands to be beautiful and happy because that's how she has made me feel all these years. This Sabon Butter Hand Cream has hints of vanilla and almond that are subtle but so yummy and the packaging is so pretty. I love that one of the main ingredient is Shea Butter because it's so healing and calming on the skin. Shea Butter reduces inflammation too! The Sabon Butter Hand Cream is an affordable wonderful gift to give to a hard working mom who's hands could use some love and is the perfect size for travel.

VICHY MINERAL 89

What mom doesn't want a hydrating drench of love all over her face? I know my mom does. I'm a skin freak and I'm always telling my mom about new must have serums and the Vichy Mineral 89 is a must! First off, it's super duper affordable which is fabulous if you're putting together a sweet little gift basket for mom and are on a budget! This product is a new generation of moisturizer, combining 15 Mineral Rich Water with Hyaluronic Acid to fortify skin and make it more resistant to visible aging caused by environmental damage!!! Vichy Mineral 89 delivers a boost of hydration for a vibrant and healthy glow. The skin feels more toned and plumped and super hydrated after using just 2 drops! Because VICHY is so awesome, they are offering a 20% discount AND free shipping when you use the code BABBLE. This offer is valid from May 1st, 2017 - June 30th, 2017 so be sure you don't miss out on this offer!

23ANDME ANCESTRY KIT

If you really want to change it up and give your mom a cool, unique, fun gift, the 23andMe Ancestry Kit is it! Find out where your DNA comes from around the world. Did you know your DNA can tell you where your ancestors lived more than 500 years ago? I did not know that until I discovered this kit! With this kit your mom will learn about her ancestral origins and see how each of her biological parents contributed to her ancestry composition. I think it's pretty cool that 23AndMe Ancestry Kit will show you how many generations ago you had an ancestor that was descended from a single population or ethnicity. They look at 32 populations worldwide and show a breakdown by region, including Eastern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and more! How cool is that? This gift may seem a bit out of the box, but I love stepping out of the box, especially if it means digging deep into family heritage! 23AndMe wants to help moms celebrate Mother's Day by offering $20 off through May 14th, 2017. No discount code required!

I hope these fun and unique Mother's Day gift ideas will help you put together a sweet little basket or design a meaningful necklace that I know your mom will shed a tear or two when she opens. 

Something Special For Mother's Day From A.JAFFE

Mother's Day has always been one of the most important days to me. If it weren't for my mom, I wouldn't be here. My mom has always been my biggest fan and my rock. She does more for everyone else than she does for herself. I think it's so important to honor mother's on their special day and shower them with meaningful notes and gifts. With Mother's Day right around the corner, I wanted to share with you something incredibly special I found from a jewelry line called A.Jaffee. They're a jewelry line that custom designs the most beautiful and meaningful necklaces and diamond rings I have ever seen. What makes this necklace so special is you get to pick a special location, any location in the world that will be created into your own map for the front of your necklace, then you choose a personalized message on the back!! I decided to try a necklace out before I went crazy ordering gifts for my mother and mother-in-law just to make sure all the hype was worth it... Let me tell you, IT IS. The front of my sterling silver necklace is a map of an area in South Africa with a small diamond on the exact location where our little guy was conceived. The street names are even on there!! We were in South Africa at The One&Only Hotel in Capetown and that is right where the diamond sits. I started crying the moment I opened the box. It's so meaningful for me to be able to wear this around my neck. The back of my necklace has our sons name (which will remain a surprise for now until he is born) and a special note to him. I have never found a more meaningful piece of jewelry that I got to be part of designing. This company offers yellow gold, rose gold, and silver with all different shape options. I was torn between the heart and the circle so I went with the circle. I always go for gold over silver so I thought I'd switch it up and do silver for a change since everything I own is gold other than my wedding ring.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS: Exclusive offer!!! When you decide you want to start designing your necklace, you will visit the website which I have linked below.  Don't wait too long because the special offer expires May, 24th 2017. All custom maps include a small diamond that mark the exact location of a special memory, and a custom message is also engraved on the reverse side .

• Custom mapping software on ajaffe.com allows you to choose any location in the world, and mark an exact spot with a diamond.

• A custom message or even a second map can be engraved on the reverse side. 

• Buy one. Gift one!! Using my promo code MD18MAP

• Buy a Sterling Silver Round Pendant with a Diamond and get a matching one free! Note, you will have to add both pendants to the shopping cart for it to subtotal to $250 only then will you be able to apply the promo code and receive the discount.

I'm so in love with this necklace and know you will be too. I can't wait to hear about your experience with the company. Mine was wonderful and I will continue to order from them. These necklaces not only make great Mother's Day gifts, they are perfect for a graduation, birth, anniversary, or proposal!

DESIGN YOUR OWN NECKLACE HERE WITH A.JAFFE

Erin Condren LifePlanner™

Oh hey Sunday, you came fast didn't you? I'm trying to get a jump start on May over here, writing the month down in advance which is so unlike me.  One thing you may or may not know about me depending on how well you know me, I'm a complete scatter brain, creative, non-planning, unorganized, dreamer. Add baby brain to that and I'm useless. I find it very hard to keep things in order these days and find myself forgetting about events, parties, and work all the time, especially now that I'm pregnant. Baby brain is no joke and the struggle is REAL.  I'm old fashion in the sense that I don't love to use my iphone for my calendar, even though that is exactly what I have been using since it's all I have. I can't seem to get anywhere on time and I'm missing events and I don't want to blame it entirely on my phone, but I don't like the way the ical is set up!! Am I the only person who finds it so difficult to see my appointments on that dang thing? And every time I go to look at my calendar on my phone, I'm distracted by something like a text, an email, or Instagram calls my name!!

I have got to get it together, especially since I have a baby on the way. I have these nightmare visions of not having a clue where my child is or where he's suppose to be going. I haven't been real good at writing things down in the past, I'm finding if I don't write it down, it don't happen! Not good especially if I'm trying to "adult" over here.

The Erin Condren LifePlanner™ has become a saving grace for me and I'm not even with child yet. I'm able to write down my upcoming appointments on something I actually want to look at. Her Life planners are so beautiful and perfect for my creative mind. I love that you can personalize the front cover with your name.  I have all her fun pen colors, stickers, and tiny post-it notes to help make life planning fun, pretty, and easy to read!

Not only do I LOVE this company, I had the pleasure of meeting Erin recently at a blogging event for the LifePlanner™ and she couldn't have been more down to Earth and sweet. I love supporting woman who are kind, loving people and doing great things for our world and that is who Erin is and what she is doing. I have teamed up with Erin to offer you a 15% discount valid through July 31, 2017! How awesome is that?! Just use the code GETSOCIAL15 at checkout! Visit the link below to shop her products and grab a Erin Condren LifePlanner™ ! I'm LOVING mine and I know you will love yours too!

SHOP ERIN CONDREN'S LIFE PLANNER™ HERE

Maxi Wrap Dress For $31

I'm so excited to have found a dress so similar to the one I was wearing above with my little road warrior dog Dakota. It was a favorite among so many of you, that when it sold out the day I added it to my blog, I was so sad. Although I did find it in a plus size, I have searched and searched for the dress in the size I bought and couldn't find it anywhere. I was thrilled to find this dress in a different color. It's so beautiful and falls the same way the one I am wearing falls and is super affordable. Only $31. Having a black floral staple button down in the wardrobe is a must to dress up a pair of jeans and a white T or wear as a sexy summer dress!! Happy shopping!! For my hat & jeans see previous post!

SHOP THE LOOK:

Maxi Wrap Dress

What's In My Diaper Bag

Soooo I may be jumping the gun a little over here, I'm just beyond excited getting ready for the arrival of our little man. I found this fabulous diaper bag that honestly I would carry around as another one of my Mary Poppins bags if I wasn't going to use it as a diaper bag. First off, it feels like butter it's so soft. This Marc Jacobs bag comes with a changing pad, removeable strap and has lots of pockets. I love the large pocket on the outside that I can use to throw my wallet and phone in. Inside there are two deep side pockets for bottles and toys, there are two smaller pockets on the inside that can fit little things like ointment, baby powder, and oils. Then you have an entire large hole for everything else like clothing, blanket's, and all the wonderful things your heart desires!!! The bag is lightweight so you aren't starting off with a real heavy bag to begin with. I have always been a huge fan of Marc Jacobs. I have a large collection of their purses. Their bags hold up for years and years and seem to become collectors items. With what this bag is about to go through, I trust this bag will withhold a lot of wear. I looked into tons of diaper bags and for a really sturdy and stylish bag with pockets and comfort this one was the winner. All the nicer and sturdy diaper bags I looked into fell into a similar price range. I really liked the way this one looked because it's simple and classic and I know my husband won't feel like a total girl when I make him wear it! This bag is BIG TIME on SALE. It was $310 and is now $166. GET IT NOW!!! Link below.

The Erin Condren LifePlanner™ is simply awesome. It has already helped me get the month of May in order and taken a lot of stress of my back. Being able to see everything in colors and using stickers helps me want to be more orginized. I actually want to look in my planner now because it's fun and pretty! Be sure to use the code GETSOCIAL15 at checkout for a 15% discount!

Last but certainly not least, I recently sat down for coffee with the most lovely woman named Lindsey who started a line with her sister called Luna Blu Mar. Let me tell you, Lindsey is a rare gem. She has started non-profits and is all about giving back. She started Luna Blu Mar which is a baby line of the cutest bibs and burping clothes. Luna Blu Mar is a "one for one" company. Their "For One" bibs are made by indigenous women in the Republic of Panama (where Lindsey once lived). In addition to receiving fair-trade wages, their women receive supplemental education and are empowered within their communities, which is another reason I love them so much. For every bib sold, a child in need receives a bib!! Lindsey herself taught the woman of Panama how to sew and in time taught young woman in orphanages how to sew. I can't say enough incredible things about Lindsey and this company and can't wait to rock all their bibs on our little guy! Lindsey will be a forever friend. She is one of those woman who you feel you have known forever with such a kind soul and bright spirit. I will support woman like her forever and ever because she is doing so much good for our world. 

SHOP THE LOOK:

Marc Jacob Diaper Bag On Sale $166

Erin Condren LifePlanner™

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Hello Fresh

Cooking has always been something I love to do. I love cooking meals for friends and family and I love making my husband different and exciting meals. He feels nurtured when I cook so it has always been very important that I keep that up. I think it's one of the things he fell in love with about me, that I was able to cook more than just eggs. Breakfast is however one of my favorite meals to cook. It's sorta our tradition, I cook breakfast every morning. Sometimes it's just eggs, bacon, and toast. Other times I like to whip up a grand breakfast with some gluten free pancakes or waffles, fruit, bacon, muffins, and fresh OJ. I do however love to cook dinner and find fun recipes that are both healthy and tasty. I will spend hours on line finding recipes or way too much time at the grocery store rounding up all the ingredients but I have to admit, I kinda like it.

Being pregnant I have felt a lot less motivated to cook or get myself to the store so I have been trying different at home delivery companies. I like the idea of all the fresh ingredients coming straight to my door with the directions. My struggle with a lot of the companies I have tried were they didn't have the best options for people like me who don't really eat much meat. The vegetarian options didn't taste very good in my opinion. The fish options were not the best either. With Hello Fresh, all the options they send are wonderful. I am gluten free and find it very easy to substitute any ingredients they may send with something I have at home that is gluten free. The food is very fresh and the recipes are soooooo delicious. I get so excited looking at the pictures of what the meals will look like when I finish cooking them. It's so easy even someone who isn't really a good cook could make these meals taste good.

When the baby comes, I know I won't be able to spend time prepping meals and I certainly won't have hours to spend at the grocery store. It's also so important to me that I don't loose my wife love and neglect my husband. I still want him to feel taken care of while I'm caring for the baby. Knowing I have options sent straight to my door with Hello Fresh, that has taken a huge weight off my back. I can still cook different meals with hardly any prep time and know there will always be something different I can surprise my husband and myself with. I know how important it is for me to eat well especially as I'm healing up and breastfeeding so I will still be able to do this now. Hello Fresh is offering $30 off your first order! I think that is just the sweetest gift ever! Visit the link below to try them out and be sure to use the codeVANESSA30 to receive that discount! I hope you love Hello Fresh as much as I do! This is also a great company to try if you aren't a very good cook but want to learn. Everything is sent to you and it's almost impossible to screw it up!! Unless you burn everything, then you may have your significant other try the cooking!

HELLO FRESH