A Weekend in the Mountains

There is nothing like a quick getaway to refresh your spirit. Even if the white mountains were missing snow, it didn't make it any less magical. To add to it, the little was just so wonderful. He was literally a joy. He hammed it up at every restaurant, shop and locale we visited. Check out some pictures after the jump!

Three (Quick) Ways to Reduce Stress

Each day goes by so quickly. After I had my son somebody said to me "the days are long and the years are short". That couldn't be more true. So often, those days are spent running from place to place, anticipating our next move. This morning, as I sat at my desk, I started thinking ahead to the remainder of my day: visiting the little (would I have enough time!), eating breakfast, , the five meetings booked, the several reports I had to review, the insurmountable number of emails that I had in my inbox, the dinner that I had to go to that evening, the blog post I really wanted to write that night....

It seemed as if the list would never end. As I sat there, I became keenly aware that I didn't think once about what I was doing that very moment. For example, the chatter coming from the opposite side of the office, the children being lead around the parking lot from the daycare below, or the flock of birds milling around the river outside of my window. I was not present it the moments of my day because the stress of all the items I "had" to get done. Sometimes, we just need to stop, breathe and believe. Believe that no matter what you need to do or where you have to go, you should always be present in each moment - because you never know when your last one will be. Take some time to inhale your "now" and just savor you, your life and your surroundings.

Here are three things I do to try and get back to the now and reduce stress.

1. Breathe

Just stop and take 20 (count em'!) deep breath's. Inhale and exhale from deep down in your diaphragm. Force yourself to feel that inhale and exhale. Feel each molecule of air as is fills up your lungs. I learned this through yoga. I love yoga. I miss yoga....I digress...

 Just the practice of focusing on your breathing can relax your mind, heighten your senses and calm your spirit.

2. Stand up and Walk

It may seem so trivial or fundamental, but, sometimes walking is therapeutic. Commit ten minutes of your day to walking alone. Maybe around the office, parking lot, to the water cooler or down the street. Just open your eyes and walk. Think about your heart, your pulse and feel your body come to life. Walking can energize, focus and calm all at the same time.

This is something I have to literally force myself to do. I get so caught up the day that I forget to just do something for my own sanity.

3. Smile

I actually learned this one in health class in high school. Just stop and smile. Who cares if you look like a fool... just smile about it. According to my tenth grade health teacher, smiling increases happiness and decreases stress! Even when you don't feel like smiling, clench a pen between your teeth, and make a smile face. I promise, you will notice a difference. You'll either be laughing at yourself because you feel silly, or enjoying a good old fashioned grin.

What do you do to de-stress? Do you have any thing you do to stay focused during the day?

How To Roast Garlic

Oh. Roast. Garlic. How you brighten my world. I wanted to share this simple recipe because it is just a home cooking staple. Roasting garlic just brings out the buttery goodness of garlic. It can be used as a spread, mashed into potatoes or pretty much used in any recipe. 

Ingredients: Olive oil, garlic

Step 2: Grab four (or any number you so desire) heads of garlic and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Step 3: Peel the heads of garlic until only the skin that covers the cloves is left and chop off the top of the head. Lay them down in a plate with two tablespoons of olive oil coating the bottom and let them sit in the oil for an hour or so.

Step 4: Once they have adequately soaked up the goodness, place them each, base down on a small piece of their own foil and drown them in the olive oil left on the plate.

Wrap them like little happy presents and bake for 40 minutes.

When they are finished, they will be buttery, sweet, spreadable and delish.

My Current Workout Routine

The f-word. Fitness. 

Before I had the little dude, fitness was a HUGE part of my life. I did Crossfit, Bikram, Barre and ran on a daily basis. I literally worked out 7 days a week. I was in the absolute best shape of my life before I got pregnant...which likely contributed to my fertility since I had issues conceiving for years!

Fast forward to now. I can barely run. Seriously.... it's so unhealthy. I find that my lack of dedication to fitness is actually impacting all part of my life. I am getting sick more often, my stress level is through the roof and my mood swings much more. I know that being fit doesn't define happiness - but for me it clears my mind and genuinely increases my endorphin levels; allowing me to be more alert and present in all areas of my life. Who else feels the same??

Well....I am TRYING to get back into it. Since I work full time, 5 days a week, I try and sneak in workouts when the little is sleeping. I came across a workout DVD from the Tone it Up team and I am honestly loving it. The workouts are intense and build-able. I have an older DVD so i'm sure the newer stuff is even better - but for now this is working!!

This DVD is focused on HIIT workouts. Essentially high intensity interval training. It is the same principle that Crossfit is built on except it is much less intense. They have barre, interval training, yoga and other general sessions. There are 8 workouts in total. It is perfect for somebody looking to ramp up their fitness. Plus, the bodies on Karena and Katrina are INSANE. It make me more motivated AND it is set on a beach...so...that also makes me think of summer. 

There are a TON of workout at home dvd's out there. Do you guys have any favorites? Which ones do you love to use?

ps - in my gym snobbery day's I would totally look down on the "at-home-workout" stuff. Honestly. I did. I get it now. I get it....

Must Have Baby Products for New Moms

So through this blog I want to make sure i'm not product slinging ALL OF THE TIME. But, let's face it. As parents, we buy products to aid in the care of our babies. We do. 

Anytime I speak about a product that I am being compensated for, the post will be labeled as an ad. None of these products are products that I have been paid to speak about. I simply love them!

1. Nose Frida filters - Critical piece of advice here. MAKE SURE you have a filter in your Frida AND that said filter is properly attached. I know from experience that you WILL in fact get a mouthfull of snots if it's not.

2. AvaKids Boo Boo stick - This is actually great for Mom and Baby. Simply rub the stick on irritated skin and it seems to magically disappear.

3. California Baby Sun Screen - During the summer I was a CRAZY person about sunscreen. The thought of my little boy's super soft pale skin getting burned was terrible. I love the California Baby sunscreen. It worked great and was harmful chemical free.

4. Honest Company Diaper Rash Cream - Again, love this stuff. It works, is a good thickness and helps any rash go away super fast. I've tried Ava, California Baby, and Seventh Generation - this one is the best.

5. AvaBaby massage cream - First, the scent of lavender is really divine. Not too strong at all. Bink loves after bath time when we put this lotion on. Super relaxing and so fresh smelling. Again, free of harmful chemicals.

My Skincare Routine

a | b | c | d | e | f | g

Now that I am over thirty, I am OBSESSED with making sure my skin looks good. Sleepless nights with an infant sure don't help that situation - but at least I am more focused on having a routine and sticking to it. 

When it comes to skincare, it's important to me that the products I am using aren't full of harmful chemicals. I think of skincare at the nourishing shield against the worlds toxins. So making sure that shield isn't full of the very chemicals that I am trying to shield it from, makes sense!

For the past three months have been all Ava Anderson, all the time. Now that we are in the thick of winter, I find Ava not nourishing enough. It just doesn't moisturize the way I need it to and leaves dry patches all over. 

While researching some all natural and harmful chemical-free products, I came across Acure. From the Acure website:

Acure Organics is a family owned and operated company founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality fair trade, natural and certified organic personal care products. Our products are created with great care and are a reflection of our values. Each of our products is free from animal testing, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives and artificial colors. We travel the globe to find the most potent certified organic ingredients that meet our high standards of efficacy and purity. We thank you for sharing in our mission to have a positive impact on the world we live in.

I have been using the Acure products for about three weeks now (plus a couple Ava products and a Lavido eye cream) and I have been really liking them. I start with the cleanser and use it twice a day. Follow that with the toner, hyleronic acid and either the day or night cream and eye cream. Then, I exfoliate every other night. It leaves my skin soft, smooth and hydrated. 

Special Tip: No matter how much cream you put on your face - if you aren't drinking enough water, eating crap and not getting enough sleep...it really won't make a difference. Not one bit! So drink up, eat well and rest. 

What are the skincare products you can't live without??

Scenes from the Weekend and a Quick Recipe

This weekend was super low key since my little family is still recovering from the dreaded hand, foot and mouth disease. As I write this on Sunday night, I can honestly say today is the first day I am feeling better (yes...yes I got it). The dude is still sniffling and coughing up a storm so it will probably take him a few more days to recover. 

Rather than go anywhere, we had both side of the family over our house. 

On Sunday, I put together one of my absolute favorite recipes ever.

Brown Butter Sage Pork Chops!!

I didn't take nearly enough pictures because there was so much commotion in the house so I will just summarize for you.

Ingredients

Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Butter, Sage, Lemon, Garlic (2 cloves)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400. Slice one clove of garlic and rub all of over the pork chop. Season the chops with salt and pepper. Pour some evoo into a pan and warm to medium heat. Sear the chops for 2-4 minutes each side. Pop the chops on a baking sheet or pan and put in the over for 7-8 minutes.

While the chops are cooking, make the sauce. Drain the chop pain, add 2-3 tablespoons of butter, the other garlic clove (crushed) and brown it. Add lemon zest and juice of one lemon, and sliced sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove garlic before it burns. 

Take the chops out of the oven and pop into the pan with the sauce and toss until they are coated. 

IT IS SO GOOD,

Serve with veggies (I did asparagus with parm and lemon)

Makeup Essentials: February

 

So.... confession. I am a makeup addict. Yep. Addict. Sephora Rouge type addict. 

It's funny because in all other parts of my life I try my best to stay away from chemicals or additives. But, when it comes to makeup, that goes right out the window. I always love to hear about people's must have cosmetic items. So I figured I'd go ahead and share mine with all of you! This list doesn't include any shadows or lipsticks... that post is for another day. This contains just the daily "base" that I slather on my mug. Special Note: This in no way is sponsored by any of these brands. This is truly just the products I wear and use regularly!

Lipstick in this picture is ColourPop More Better

Primer: The Porefessional Facial Primer by Benefit. This gives a great, smooth base for application.

Skin Illuminator: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector. This gives the skin a really nice sheen and makes sure the foundation isn't too matte. Makes everything look more "dewy".

Foundation:  Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer. This is a new favorite of mine. I find it to be full coverage, lasts all day and isn't too matte. If you like a weightless foundation, this isn't for you - but it gives great lasting coverage.

Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. This is most definitely a cult classic AND lives up to all of the hype. I find that you really need to be sure to set the concealer especially if you are my age and have smile lines. If you don't, It will sink right into wrinkles. 

Powder: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. Perfect for setting the under eyes and any areas you need to brighten up.

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola. Perfect matte bronzer for some sweet contouring and face slimming....which I always need. Not too warm. Perfect shade for hollowing some cheeks. 

Blush 1: Nars Unlawful. I know, I know... Orgasm is the favorite of many. Unlawful is more brownish and bronzy with a little shimmer. I like to brush this on my cheeks and hair line to amplify the contour. 

Blush 2: Too Faced Love Hangover. I LOVE this color. Peachy pink. A nice flush and so long lasting. I actually would recommend Too Faced for all their blushes. They have great pigmentation and last almost the whole day.

Highlighter: Becca Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone. Give the perfect shimmer to my skin. 

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer. I only dabble in brows. I am not skilled enough to really define. I just fill in any sparse areas.

Liner: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper. Love this. Best liquid liner I've found and make it easy for a novice to do a nice cat eye.

Smoothie of the Month: Mixed Berry Vanilla w/ Coco Water

A | B | C

Every morning I start my day with a smoothie. I've been using the Vega protien powder for years. Trust me... this post isn't sponsored in any way by Vega! I'm not that important! I simply just love the taste and all of the nutrients are just a bonus. 

This combo here is the perfect blend to take you right into Spring! Just take one scoop of protein, a handful or two of the frozen berries and enough coconut water to cover it all and blend! If you want it thicker, add some ice!

My FAVE newest purchase is the magic bullet. It came with three cups with caps so I can blend, and take it in the car on the go. Honestly, its the most convenient thing for a working mom on the go.

Sleep Training Tips for New Moms

How, where and when a baby sleeps is a pretty hot topic in the parent world. There are strongly opinionated advocates of co-sleeping. On the other side there are very fiery opponents to co-sleeping. I fall into the camp of...do what works for you so long as you are keeping your kiddo safe.

What worked for us was having Mr. Bink sleep in a bassinet in our room on my side of the bed until he was six months old.  At six months we transitioned to his crib. I'm not going to pretend the transition from my room to the nursery was easy. In fact, it was terrible.... FOR ME! I sat in bed, staring at the video monitor ALL NIGHT LONG. For at least 5 nights straight. Then I got my shit together and calmed down. 

The issue really arose when I stopped nursing. Mr. Bink was a "fall asleep on the boob" type of guy. That was his bedtime routine. We rocked and nursed and he'd drift away into Milkland. This is really when sleeping went off the rails. Getting him down to bed became a nightmare and dreaded part of my day. He'd wake up throughout the night sobbing and looking to nurse. I work a full time job and my days just became dreadful. I was literally hanging on to my sanity with a single thread and decided I needed to sleep train. 

Here are some tips I can offer all of you Mama's out there:

1. Remember... it's much harder for you than it is for them.  Mr. Bink is a baby that needs sleep, love, sustenance, safety and stability. Sleep training him takes none of these things away. You need to remember that. In fact, it help children sooth themselves which will come in handy later in life.

2. Feel the baby a nice big meal before they go to bed. Early on I made the mistake of feeding Bink when he woke in the night during our sleep training process. He began to expect it. Feed your little a nice big meal before he goes to bed and offer a pacifier to help sooth him during the night if he wakes up.

3. Let them cry it out a bit. I was SO concerned about extended crying. It was something I even spoke with my Pedi about. I wanted to make sure I wasn't being cruel or neglectful if I ever let the baby cry. I know there are so many different opinions about it but we decided that letting him cry for 10 minute spans was acceptable. At the 10 minute mark either my husband or I would go in, comfort him by rubbing him on his tummy or giving him his paci. 

4. You need to be persistent and consistent. If you do this for three days straight, it will become a habit. TRUST ME. Take a long weekend. It will be a weekend full of stress, tears from everyone and a lot of emotions - but at the end of it you may just have your sanity back. 

Please share your experiences in the comments below!! 

xx

Tot Style: Red Jumpers and Skinny Jeans

There is something oh-so-cuddly about a nice thick sweater when the weather gets chilly. Even if you are stuck inside still fighting off a nasty little virus. I found this sweater and jeans in a fantastic 60% off Gap sale and paired them with his Nordstrom Rack converse kicks. I scoured the web to see if I could link them. It looks like they are sold out but I did find some similar styles and linked them below.

What are your favorite winter styles for boys?

Sweater | Jeans | Sneakers

xx