#FeelingBeautifulin5 (VoxBox Review)

So the folks over at Influenster must have known that I was a new mom when making up their most recent product campaign. Or at the least, they knew I needed a little destress/pampering/"me" time. I think I sang a little happy song in my head when I got the email that I'd been chosen for this VoxBox... a collection of 5 (yes, FIVE) different facial masks.

It's a little bit of bliss for this tired momma.

About 10 days ago, I received 5 of the @FreemanBeauty Masks to sample, which has been a real treat. I received the Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask, the Charcoal and Black Sugar Polishing Mask, the Cucumber Peel-Off Mask, the Honeydew & Chamomile Facial Sleeping Mask, and the Coffee & Chai Energizing Paper Eye Mask.

I have tried out 4 of the 5 masks and would love to tell you about my experience with them. I can easily say this has been my favorite VoxBox to try and review!

The first I tried was the Honeydew and Chamomile Facial Sleeping Mask. It promises to deeply hydrate overnight and leave skin silky and smooth. You apply it on a clean face, go to bed, and rinse it off in the morning. Personal opinion: Meh. It feels good going on, smells heavily of honeydew (so if you love it, awesome... if not, stay away!), leaves a little tackiness to the skin overnight and didn't seem to make a substantial difference the next morning. I was glad it didn't leave any noticeable residue on my pillow. I think this product would be better suited for someone who has drier skin (mine is on the oily side).

Secondly, I tried the Coffee and Chai Energizing Paper Eye Mask, because if anyone needs to de-puff, reduce dark circles, and invigorate the eye area, it's the mom who's running after a 2 year old and nursing a 2 month old. Because I love you, I've included a post shower, no makeup, hair in a towel, before & after picture. Feast your eyes on this:

Can anyone see the red superhero mask I'm wearing in the "After" shots? It only got worse as time went on... in about 30 minutes, I was super red. There should be a note on the package that says "Do not use this product if you have someplace to be within the next 1.5 hours." About an hour after I removed the mask, the redness dissipated and left me with the same bags and eye circles that I was rocking pre-mask. Personal Opinion: Leave it.

Next, I tried the Cucumber Peel Off Mask. Up until this point, I'd only tried the light-duty masks, but this guy (and the remaining two) promised to remove dirt, impurities and dead skin cells. Bring it on!!!  This stuff was super thick and sticky and had a light cucumber scent. After applying, you let it dry and then peel it off. The package stated it would take 5-7 minutes, but after 20, I noticed there were still some sticky areas. However when it dried.... that's when the fun began. Did you ever smear Elmer's glue on your palms, let it dry, and peel it off??? This mask was the same consistency! It made the little 4th grader inside of me very happy to peel and pick it all away. It was pretty fun and my skin was smoother and a little brighter after using. Personal Opinion: I'd use this again.

Lastly, I have tried the Charcoal and Black Sugar Polishing Mask. I have yet to try the Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask, so I obviously can't review it quite yet. The Charcoal mask has definitely been my favorite so far. The activated charcoal is supposed to draw out excess oil while the sugar polishes away dead cells and debris. The consistency is thick and gel-like with sugar added, so it's not the easiest to apply. I basically had to put a little on my fingers and pat it exactly where I wanted it. There was a little warming sensation while it sat for 5-7 minutes and after "polishing" for 1-2 additional minutes, I rinsed it off to reveal smooth and glowy skin. It wasn't overly drying or too harsh. Personal Opinion: I'd enjoy using this again.

I'm looking forward to giving the last mask a try here in the next day or two. You can find this brand at Ulta and at Walmart and the price point is very reasonable. I'm seriously considering getting a full sized tube of the Charcoal and Black Sugar Polishing Mask. Many many thanks to @Influenster for giving this stretched-thin mom a few moments of pampering.

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Fix Six! (March Stitch Fix)

It's Fix time again!! My favorite box of the month arrived on the doorstep last Friday... A whole day later than it was supposed to arrive (doom on you, FedEx.). Regardless, it was awesome and I can't wait to share it with you.

If you are unfamiliar with this incredible service, the concept is simple. Pay a visit to the Stitch Fix website and fill out your Style Profile. You'll answer questions about your body size and shape, as well as your favorite and least desired body areas (for example, I want to keep the girls covered, so that is on my style profile). You'll also answer questions about your personal style. Are you a classic girl? Like a little boho thrown in? Prefer edgy looks? All that is included as well. Link a pinterest board to your profile for extra style inspiration. You can list out your favorite colors and the types of items you'd like to receive. Since I live in South Texas, I have opted out of jackets and outerwear.  Finally, you can set your price ranges for each item. 

Then the magic happens.

A stylist reviews your profile and selects five pieces that she (or he) thinks you'll absolutely love. They are shipped to your door along with styling cards for each item. Try them on and mix and match them with items in your own closet (can't do that in the store!). Keep what you love and send back what you don't -- they send materials to make the return process a breeze. Each Fix has a $20 styling fee attached to it, but if you keep an item, that $20 is deducted from the cost of the item. Keep all 5 items? Give yourself an extra 25% off the total. 

Beware... it's addicting!

So What Did I Get?!?!

 1. Gilli Rae Maxi Dress ($74) (cami: Loft, cardi: Gap, necklace/bracelet: Stella & Dot, earrings: Kendra Scott, belt: dont remember!!) So after keeping a jersey dress by Gilli last month, Sarah picked out a very similar jersey maxi dress. It has a similar cross front neckline and is sleeveless. Love the color, love the cut, love that it's nursing friendly... love it all. KEPT.

PS: I apologize for the fuzzy photos. Not sure exactly what happened there, but it annoys me.

2. & 3. Skies are Blue Edna V-Neck Top and Dear John Lillie Short ($44 and $58, respectively) (cami: Loft, all jewelry: Stella & Dot) I got really excited as soon as I saw this top peeking out of the ever-so-neatly-presented stack of clothing when I opened the box. I was hoping for some colorful, summery printed tops and this was a match. It also has little buttons down the front, which make this top breastfeeding-friendly. I can easily see myself wearing this with just about any color short or pants and if I needed an extra layer, just about any color cardi or a denim jacket. It's cute and versatile, which I am all about. KEPT.

The shorts were also great. They fit well, had a nice rinse, weren't too short or too long. Unfortunately, I already had a pair of roll-up denim shorts in a very similar wash. I just couldn't justify spending $58 on a pair of shorts that were nearly identical to a pair I own already. RETURNED.

 4. Pixley Montgomery Chevron Cross-Front Top ($44) (pants: liverpool [from last month's fix], bracelet: Stella & Dot, necklace: Simple Addiction) If you caught last month's fix, I received this same top in a different fabric. The fit was spot on, but the pattern on the shirt was a bust, so I asked my faaaaaaaaaabulous stylist Sarah if she had the same shirt in a different print -- and this beauty showed up in my box! Once again, the fit was really nice, the fabric was super soft and comfortable and the pattern was much more my style. I really really loved it. Here's the sad part of this story: I didn't end up keeping it. I'm kind of kicking myself now looking at pictures, but my budget this month just wasn't feeling it and I was left choosing between this top and the Skies are Blue top. When I considered how much more versatile the other top was, it became the keeper. I miss this shirt already. RETURNED.

5. Papermoon Mirsilla Lace Detail Knit Top ($58) (jeans: Kut from the Kloth, earrings, Stella & Dot, baby: Ian) Hi Ian! Someone didn't want to be in his swing anymore, so he joined the photo session/fashion shoot. This top wasn't awesome. I know Sarah threw it in there because I love lace tops and lace details and lace lace lace lace... but this shirt just wasn't awesome. It was a boxy fit both in the body and in the sleeves, which wasn't flattering at all. I haven't jumped on the boxy trend because girls with major volume on top just look sloppy in boxy shapes. One thing I did really like about this shirt though was the softness! It was so comfortable on! That wasn't enough of a redeeming quality to save it though. RETURNED.

Had I kept all 5 pieces, I would have gotten the 25% discount. That in conjunction with some referral money (y'all are awesome!), my box would have ended up being about $34/piece, which is more than reasonable to me, especially for a dress. I'd totally consider this another successful Fix. I love that more fixes = more and more specific and well thought-out pieces from my stylist, Sarah. 

Fix 1 / Fix 2 / Fix 3 / Fix 4 / Fix 5

If you're interested in giving Stitch Fix a try, I'd love it if you used my referral link here. It's where I can earn referral credits which will help to feed my Stitch Fix obsession!

Ian 2 Month Update

Aren't you just the cutest!

Sweet boy, you are two months old!!! You have really charmed the pants off of us. We love you so very much! Even though you're quickly moving out of the newborn phase, you're still that squishy, snuggly, melt-into-your-arms kinda guy. And momma loves the cuddles.

You have quieted down significantly at night, which doesn't mean a whole lot anymore because we moved you one step closer to the crib-- you now sleep in our master closet each night. The pack n play fits in there quite nicely and you do all of your night sleeping in there. You're taking more and more naps in the crib to get you ready for a big transition to your own room. I've started to notice that morning is the time for the "crap naps" (noisy, fidgety, and usually 30 minutes or less) and your afternoons are more for the heavy sleeping naps (1+ hours).  I'm very very VERY happy to say... you're sleeping longer stretches at night! For the last week, you've been sleeping from 11pm to 6am (give or take about 30 minutes)! Seven hour stretches!! Truthfully, I put you down for "bed time" between 9 and 9:30pm and sneak in a dream feeding around 11. You only wake up enough to latch on and eat for a few minutes and then you're down until morning. Soon, I'd like to start inching that dream feed back to 10pm and hope that you continue to sleep as late each morning. Even though I'd like for you to sleep until 7am, waking around 6 gives the two of us some sweet alone time for smiles and coos before big brother Isaac gets up.

So, now that everyone knows you're a pretty great sleeper.... lets not make a liar out of mom, mmmkay?

We got our first social smiles this month, and so far you've been generous with them! You love getting attention and when someone will sit and talk, you respond with lots of smiles, coos and gurgles. It's the sweetest thing! You also love to watch your big brother. I don't think I ever anticipated the joy that I would feel watching the bond between you and Isaac grow. It's incredible to see how much he loves you. The other day, Isaac asked to hold your hand, and I just burst into lots of little heart parts everywhere.

With Isaac I had the joy of watching my husband become a father. This time I get to watch my little boy become a brother. My heart is so full. 

So far, it seems like you're a very relaxed little guy. You don't like being in the car seat if the car isn't moving, and you fuss when you're really hungry and overtired, but hey, ...so do I. You're still not a fan of being tightly swaddled. All the wraps we used with Isaac are just gathering dust. Just give me a muslin blanket and you've got the right amount of wiggle room without feeling too restricted.

You've been eating well, and luckily, it's been a while since you've gone through a growth spurt/cluster feeding kinda period. Despite this, you are gaining lots of cute little rolls on your arms, legs, thighs, chin... everywhere really. Last week I visited the labor unit and you weighed 12lb 6oz. We will see Dr. Canales on Monday morning for your official 2 month weight and length. (13# 4oz & 23" long) You're still in size 1 diapers and 3m size clothes, although they're getting shorter and shorter by the day. I've already had to retire a set of footie pajamas that weren't quite long enough in the legs for you. You have these incredible blue eyes and a mostly bald head. Thankfully, your spit ups are still very rare. It's been so different to have a child who can wear the same clothes all day long!

Ian, you're a sweet little ray of sunshine in our lives and I want to soak in every tiny moment. I love you from the top of your bald little head to the tips of your baby soft toes. God has certainly been gracious to us!

What's on my side table? (Breastfeeding Edition)

If you've been around since Isaac was an infant, it should come as no surprise that I'm a huge fan of breastfeeding. I think it's an absolutely amazing thing that a woman's body can nourish a child so perfectly and I was really really blessed to nurse Isaac until his first birthday. Not only that, I made SO much milk, I was able to donate hundreds and hundreds of ounces to the Mothers Milk Bank. 

Basically, I'm a nut for breastfeeding my babes.

So I thought I'd take a second to share some of my basic needs. These are the items I like to have by my side every time I nurse. Chances are good during the day that I'm nursing Ian wherever Isaac is located, which means I may not have everything at my fingertips. However, in the early morning, evening, and sometimes during Isaac's nap, I'll have a moment to gather all my goodies up in one spot and it just makes breastfeeding a little more pleasant. Here's a glimpse at my nightstand:

Sheesh. The books just keep multiplying...

 Clockwise from the top: Lanolin, Cuppawater, chapstick, phone (with cord!), Boppy, pump, book.

And a closer look:

Lanolin: For some reason, this time around, I've had more issues with cracking. Because of this, I'm typically never far from a little nipple cream. And if I'm not, expressed breast milk makes a pretty good lubricant as well! (a little tip for you nursing mommas out there!) Hydrogel pads (not pictured because they're currently in use) have been a lifesaver.

Cuppawater: Because nursing makes you thirsty 24/7. Fo'realz.

Chapstick: Because when your thirsty, you get chapped lips. And as it turns out, applying chapstick nightly gives you lovely lips. Who knew I'd be 30 years old before I figured that one out.

Phone (with cord!): Not only for a little distraction during nursing, but also to keep track of things. I was a huge fan of the Itzbeen with Isaac and this time around I've found an app that keeps up with all the same information for me. The cord thing is pretty explanatory right? By the end of the day, I'm in the red....so I plug it in. Breaking news style journalism is my thing.

Boppy: The workhorse of my breastfeeding arsenal. I use this sucker every single day for almost every feeding. I even throw it in the car when I know I'll be out and about during nursing times.

Pump: Because I'm still in overproduction mode. Now that Ian is sleeping longer stretches, engorgement is an issue, so pumping is a necessary evil. (not pictured: extra nursing pads for those leaky moments) At least my freezer is getting ready for my eventual return to work.

Book: I can't have a "Whats on my side table?" post without talking about books! Currently, I'm reading You & Me Forever by Francis and Lisa Chan. I'm a big fan of Francis Chan already and this book has not been a disappointment. It's a very unconventional marriage book, but it has been great so far. I'm reading it with Jordan, which is also a joy. In addition to You & Me Forever, I'm also going through the Lent devotional, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross that was published by SheReadsTruth. It's been fantastic in a wreck-you-kinda-way.


So there's the list of 7 things I'm never far away from. The first few weeks of breastfeeding are tough, so anything that will make the experience easier, more convenient, and more comfortable is a win in my book!

Recent Recipe Successes

Here we are again... another 10+ day break from the blog. Last week had its share of ups and downs, including another few days with Jordan away. Unfortunately, this time, my mom wasn't here in town to shoulder some of the work around the house. In short-- we all survived, and I'm feeling stronger and more confident managing 2 because of it.

Basically, between manning the fort by myself and nursing a cold, I've spent most of my free time snoozing...

...That and hanging out with superman.

Back to the point of this whole blog! Recipes!!

While I miss my job and all, having maternity time off has given me the ability to somewhat keep up with housework, laundry, groceries, and cooking. While I haven't quite figured out the best way to balance everything, I also don't have 12 hour shifts eating up portions of my week. We've also spent a great deal of time eating at home, which means I've been able to try out a few new recipes. I wanted to share the winners with you!

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Enchiladas

Source

First, I made this meal for a fellow new mom. When it turned out really well (and got rave reviews), I thought I'd make it for us on a night that we had friends over for dinner. It is muy delicioso! It is also kind of labor intensive. Nothing difficult, just lots of little steps that can't be skipped over. I assure you, however, the end result is awesome. I paired ours with some mexican rice and it was a stellar meal that my husband asked me to make again before he even finished his plate.

Vanilla Pear Muffins

Source

Its funny, these are delicious and EASY muffins to put together, and yet I typically only make them for other people. I made a batch recently for the same mom who got the enchiladas (Lucky girl. Love you, Carole!) and they are deceptively fancy looking. Chances are good, you have all the ingredients in your pantry already and the recipe is super simple and quick. Honestly, I do not know why I don't make them more often.

Lemon Velvet Cake

See the difference between the pretty staged photos above and my awesome iPhone shots?

Now for the good stuff... cake. So my husband's office chooses to celebrate birthdays on the second Monday of each month, which we all lovingly refer to as Cake Day. For many years, a sweet couple made cakes for the staff in honor of their birthdays, and after they "retired" last summer, I've picked up a few months' worth of Cake Days. This month, I made a Lemon Velvet Cake and a Brown Sugar Pound Cake. The Lemon Velvet Cake recipe was easy to follow and produced a fluffy moist cake, which I think is different from the texture of a traditional red velvet cake (for which the lemon velvet cake was fashioned after). Regardless, it was tasty! Next time, I'll cut the frosting recipe in half. You can see how thick the layer of frosting is and I was left with 1/3 of the bowl still full! I considered it a success when one of the office ladies told me this cake would be specially requested for her birthday month.

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

I kept referring to this cake as a "Caramel Pecan" cake this morning, which I think fits it better than Brown Sugar Pound Cake. My husband said this was his favorite of the two, and I agree with him. I'd seen this recipe floating around Facebook and made sure to pin it for later. I have a feeling I'll be making this a LOT more. It was easy to put together and the flavors were right up my alley. I may have eaten the topping with a spoon... yummmm. The topping takes less than 10 minutes to put together and quickly hardens into a praline-like consistency (ooh, maybe Praline Pecan Cake?), making it perfect to drizzle over cake. Or ice cream. Or you can just eat it with a spoon like I did.

With posts like these, it's easy to see why I haven't lost any of the baby weight yet.

Happy cooking!

February Favorites Link Up

I decided to jump on board with Kelli @ A Deeper Joy and share with you some of my favorites from the month of February. If I can be perfectly honest, some of these items I've been meaning to share with you for a whiiiiile now, I just haven't gotten around to posting about them until now.

FYI: None of these links are affiliate links, however, the Advocare link will take you to our personal distributor page.

Health & Beauty : SYS Skincare Line from Advocare. 

Advocare SYS Skincare Line

Sometime around the middle of last summer, Advocare released it's own line of skincare products. Jordan and I are big Advocare fans for their supplements (I drink a Spark every day!), so I was really intrigued by the SYS skincare line. I waited several months and got some feedback from friends who were using it before I finally took the plunge and ordered a few of the products.

Totally worth it! I use the cleanser and serum every time I wash my face and I can tell a big difference in the overall appearance of my skin. (I would probably have even better results if I was more diligent in my skincare routine) Most notably, my skin tone has completely evened out. Where I used to be red around my nose and cheeks, now those areas are significantly more even.

Baby: Little Green Pouch.

Little Green Pouch

A friend told me about these reusable food pouches and how much she loved using them for her little girl. Considering I made all of Isaac's baby food, I thought this would be perfect to have for Ian when it comes time for him to start with solids. Wait no... scratch that... they are perfect NOW for Isaac to eat from! We were spending $$$$ on applesauce and yogurt pouches, which he eats on a daily basis. Now, I can make applesauce (with whatever variety of apple happens to be on sale), or buy the large tubs of yogurt, fill these bad boys up, and hand them over for an easy breakfast or snack. They're dishwasher and freezer safe too. Easy Easy Easy... and a money saver.

Food: This Recipe

Baked Ravioli

I made this last night for the fam (ok, so that should technically make it a March favorite...) and it was well received by all members! Isaac even asked for seconds! I used leftover spaghetti sauce instead of jarred marinara and added lots of extra cheese between the layers of sauce and pasta. It's a lasagna rip off, but it was SUPER easy. I think it took me maybe 5 minutes to put it together and then it just hangs out in the oven for like 45 minutes. I also made it a little more portion-friendly in a 9x9" pan instead of the 9x13 the recipe calls for and it turned out just fine.

I imagine this could have TONS of different applications as well, with different sauces, different filled pastas, and even adding layers of vegetables or chicken. I have a feeling this will become a regular in the rotation, especially when I have homemade sauce that needs to be used.

February Stitch Fix

At the end of last week, I received my first Stitch Fix since Ian has arrived.

Can I just say how much I capital-L-Love Stitch Fix??? If you are unfamiliar with this incredible service, the concept is simple. Pay a visit to the Stitch Fix website and fill out your Style Profile. You'll answer questions about your body size and shape, as well as your favorite and least desired body areas (for example, I want to keep the girls covered, so that is on my style profile). You'll also answer questions about your personal style. Are you a classic girl? Like a little boho thrown in? Prefer edgy looks? All that is included as well. Link a pinterest board to your profile for extra style inspiration. You can list out your favorite colors and the types of items you'd like to receive. Since I live in South Texas, I have opted out of jackets and outerwear.  Finally, you can set your price ranges for each item. 

Then the magic happens.

A stylist reviews your profile and selects five pieces that she (or he) thinks you'll absolutely love. They are shipped to your door along with styling cards for each item. Try them on and mix and match them with items in your own closet (can't do that in the store!). Keep what you love and send back what you don't -- they send materials to make the return process a breeze. Each Fix has a $20 styling fee attached to it, but if you keep an item, that $20 is deducted from the cost of the item. Keep all 5 items? Give yourself an extra 25% off the total. 

Beware... it's addicting!

So what did I get?????

1. Liverpool Mira Skinny Jean ($78) (top: Loft. jacket: Gap. Boots: Frye. earrings/bracelet: Stella & Dot.) So I told my stylist Sarah, whom I adore, that I had very recently delivered a little bundle of joy. This being the case, I would need pieces to accommodate my *ahem* squishier bits. I'm still 15 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight and honesty was a little terrified to be trying on "real" clothes again. I even told her to not even send pants unless they were stretchy like leggings. Aint nobody got time for pants with buttons and zippers.

These jeans. Y'all. They were a GIGANTIC WIN. I don't know how she does it, but Sarah nailed this.  There was no question that they were a keeper. I love that she went with black instead of a regular jean rinse because I already have a closet full of different jean shapes and rinses (with the exception of black). These jeans have a generous amount of stretch, but after wearing them most of the day yesterday, they aren't saggy anywhere.  Because of the way they fit, I can see these really carrying me through this weird body phase and into my "normal" body... whatever that may be. KEPT.

 2. 41Hawthorn Montgomery Cross Front Knit Top ($48) (cardi: Banana Republic. pants: JCrew Factory. earrings: Stella & Dot.) Once again, Sarah really put a lot of thought into this item. The fit, fabric, and construction are spot on. The material is stretchy and comfortable, but thin enough to be cool. The sides are ruched, which is really flattering and hide a lot of lumpy, squishy postpartum tummy bits. The wrap design makes it nursing-friendly... an essential feature for the next 11 months of my life. Unfortunately, I was really not a fan of the print. The look on Jordan's face when I tried this top was all I needed to know that this wasn't a keeper. I informed Sarah that I'd love to try this top in a solid color or different print, because it wasn't the fit but the print that was a turnoff. RETURNED.

3. THML Kahlo Knit Top ($58) (jeans: Kut from the Kloth. earrings: Kendra Scott.) One look and anyone can tell this top is terrible on me. Obviously I didn't keep it, but at the same time, I had this top pinned with a "I'd love to give this a try" note. I'd seen it floating around and thought it was really cute. Sarah was kind enough to fulfill my special request. I take total responsibility for the fail. The fabric is super duper soft and the detail around the neck is even more beautiful in person... basically I was really disappointed to see that this top wasn't flattering on me. I wanted it to work so bad. I think it would be perfect on someone with more of a straight/petite body frame who could use a little curve. As for me, I've got plenty of curvy spots. RETURNED.

 4. Gilli Lauree V-Neck Drape Dress ($68) (cami: Loft. necklace: Francesca's.) I'm such a huge sucker for jersey dresses. This one was no exception. Light fabric, beautiful color, nursing friendly, AND Jordan loved it... a win all around. Plus, it's one of those easy/throw on items that can make a frazzled mom look way more put together than she actually feels. Although it hangs nicely now, I think once I let go of some of this baby weight, it will fit even better. I'm looking forward to some slightly warmer weather so I can wear this cute dress. I should mention that on the style card, Sarah paired this item with a scarf I'd kept from a previous fix. I love that she considers present and past items when selecting things- it really makes the entire experience even more personalized. KEPT

5. Bay to Baubles Ashlyn Hammered Bar Drop Necklace ($28). The style and price of this necklace is good, but I just don't need any more jewelry. Also, the length is a little on the awkward side. I think it'd be really beautiful at more of a 30" length. It's really likely that if I were keeping the 4 other items, I'd probably keep this also and there's a good chance it would get worn here and there. Since it wasn't a "love" kinda item, I decided not to keep it. RETURNED.

I'd consider this a super successful post-baby Fix. I may have only kept 2 of the 5 items, but all 5 items were essentially good matches for me with some minor flaws. Sarah has been my stylist for 4 of 5 Fixes and she really seems to understand my style. I had a credit from previous referrals, so if I had kept all 5 items, the 25% discount plus the styling fee credit and referral credit would have taken the total cost to $165. That breaks down to about $33 per item, which I consider reasonable, especially for jeans and a dress. Thanks again, Sarah & Stitch Fix for an awesome assortment of items.

Fix 1 / Fix 2 / Fix 3 / Fix 4

If you're interested in giving Stitch Fix a try, I'd love it if you used my referral link here. It's where I can earn referral credits which will help to feed my Stitch Fix obsession!

Ian's Birth in Pictures

Oh boy.

These pictures.

I cannot tell you the intense emotion these images bring. I have yet to look through them with dry eyes. We were so incredibly blessed by my work family who paid for Ashley from In Bloom Photography to come and be a "fly on the wall" during my labor and delivery process. She captured such dear, sweet moments that wouldn't have remained in my memory forever, but now I have these images that I can always look to and weep over. They are so incredibly special to me.

And yet, sharing them here feels very vulnerable. I'm letting you in on one of the most intimate moments of my life. There is just SO much emotion attached to them. It is with great trepidation that I hit "publish." Be warned, there are a few juicy baby pictures. 

The remainder of the post is captionless, but if you need a refresher, I've already written out Ian's birth story. You can find it here.  

Please Please PLEASE be respectful of photography as an art form; these photos are the result of a lot of hard work and should be given credit where credit is due. Ashley gave us such a special gift and I think it only fitting to be respectful of her as a photographer. Not only that, they are copyright protected by In Bloom Photography, not to be reproduced without permission. If you like what you see, you should go "like" her Facebook page. You can find it here.