Chill With Jill

Bump Update 26 Weeks

2018-01-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

Bump update 🤰🏻Currently at 26 weeks (6.5 months) + 16 lbs heavier. This pregnancy got me like *woaw* everything is happening way too fast! Although this time around I’m within the “healthy range” of weight gain compared to my first pregnancy (where I gained TOO MUCH -50 lbs- to be exact so yeah my doctor scolded me about that) I guess having a toddler really does help in maintaining your weight 😆 he’s been putting me to work all day everyday —in a good way! I mean at least I do not have to go to the gym that often but of course I still go when I can. Anyway my calendar says I have 92 more days to go til baby 👶🏻 girl comes. That means I still have time to nest nest nest, get some rest rest rest 😴and enjoy me some preggy glow. Wish me lunch I mean LUCK! Gosh I’m always hungry 🤤 sidenote: having a girl makes me want to be all girly! 💅💃🏻👠🌸

We're pregnant.... AGAIN!

2018-01-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

We thought we were one and done but two is always better than one.

Another sweet baby coming April 2018!

Hi guys! It has been ages since my last post and I just wanted to share the big news

(which is also why I haven't been blogging lately...) Please be warned I'm blogging pretty late so this and future posts about my second pregnancy will have a tone of me reminiscent of these moments instead of experiencing them in real time.

My husband and I both knew we wanted a second child but then again we're also both too chicken to actually go through the whole process of having a newborn once again so this has been a sweet surprise (and relief) to us that it just happened. It's funny because I had no clue that I was pregnant for the first few weeks and being that this is my second baby, I know that your OB GYN would only see you if you are at least 8 weeks pregnant so I thought --ok I have time--

Big mistake! The first time we saw our OB GYN I thought wow, the baby looks bigger than expected --while peeping at the ultrasound screen-- Then my doctor goes "Uummmm you're not 8 weeks pregnant, you're actually 12 weeks now! We need to get some tests done fast otherwise we'll miss our window". My husband and I looked at each other in utter shock. How can the first trimester be almost over?! Everything is happening so fast! I guess that's what happens during your second pregnancy. You're way too pre-occupied with the first child to have time to think and be worried about the second one. Sad but true...

So many thoughts going through my head now that --h*ly smokes the first trimester is almost over!-- I start making a mental to-do list to a point where I overwhelm myself. I remember thinking I would have to go through back to back tests and doctor appointments, move to a bigger place, potty train my toddler, find help in caring for him, transition him to a toddler bed along with having to deal with the guilt that he won't have me solely attending to him anymore. Then, more worries flood my brain, will he be jealous? Can I handle two kids? Can we afford two kids? What the hell am I going to do?!?! At this point, I had to remind myself to breathe and know that things will work out. I mean, they always do! For now, I'll bask in the fact that this will be my last pregnancy and I should enjoy it.

Thanks for dropping by!

First Time Magazine Feature

2017-09-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you FIRST TIME PARENT MAGAZINE for featuring us in your September 2017 issue!

My Hummingbird Baby

2017-07-18T14:52:00.001-07:00

Hi guys! I'm super excited to announce the launch of our new store,

MY HUMMINGBIRD BABY

I started My Hummingbird Baby because when I was nursing my son, I knew that whatever I eat, drink and apply on my body would affect my breast milk. So naturally, I became more cautious about the products I use. As my nursing journey continued, I noticed that there wasn't any deodorant in the market that's dedicated to pregnant or nursing women. Most have harsh chemicals in them and they don't even work well!

With the increase usage of toxins in personal care items, it has become our mission to help people make healthier choices by offering products that only use natural, safe & effective ingredients.

Our COCONUT NATURAL ACTIVE DEODORANT is formulated specially for Women, Pre-teens, Pregnant and Nursing Mothers. The awesome part is it has been loved by men as well (including my hubby) and even active pre-teenage boys too. Check it out!

Mommy, Don't You Matter?

2017-03-01T10:37:00.000-08:00

My son recently started pre-school, and as I go through the first month of transitioning, I found myself going through a lot of emotions. All these issues I never really got to look in the eye and deal with because I've been so busy taking care of my family at home.

Now that my son is in school, I should get myself a job and get right back into the workforce right? Some may call it getting back to "contributing to society" -- as if I haven't been doing that for the last two years of my life as I took on the most difficult (yet most fulfilling) job in the world.--

I scroll through Glassdoor discovering what my options are and again I'm at a crossroads because for one, my schedule will still have to fit with my son's schooling which mind you, is so awkwardly placed in the middle of the day. And two, they still celebrate holidays, spring breaks and summer breaks. I wonder, who's going to take care of my son during those breaks if I'm at work? So of course I need to consider that. As the month passes by, I notice that my son is getting sick almost every week. Well, what was I thinking! Of course he's going to get sick. First time in a pre-school setting surrounded by other kids, the school is basically a Petri dish of all kinds of germs and although I cringe at the thought of that, I know it's a good thing.

My job hunting came to a halt as I had to refocus my attention back to my son. He'd be fine for a few days, then back to school he went and again another pack of germs floods his system and he's sick again. So now I came to realize that this is normal and this will keep happening even when I do have a regular/full time day job. And when that happens, will my new boss be considerate? Will they accommodate a flaky mom employee? Will they pass on a mom applicant and opt for the younger more driven and ambitious single fresh graduate? Will they treat me any different? Will they still give me a promotion? Will they take me seriously?

All these issues and worries started to come to surface and although none of these events have materialized yet, I couldn't help but be affected. I talked to my girlfriends about this and we all could relate, mom or non-mom, every woman has some sort of issue or fear about getting treated a certain way in the workplace because they are simply a WOMAN. Throw in the issue of becoming a mom then it's a whole different level of challenges.

The toxic mentality about women is depressing and downright wrong. I'm obviously all about equality but sometimes it's not even about that. Sometimes the gesture of simply respecting a woman as a person is not even there anymore. At extreme instances, it's like we don't exist or even matter. It's like being a woman is a curse. I see women going against each other, tearing each other down and not even realize that they are doing it.

So with this post, I'm hoping I can bring awareness not only to these issues but also to our own behavior. I want to get down to the bottom of it and ask WHY???? What makes us think that this is ok? WHAT HAPPENED?

Science says that women are biologically wired to compete with each other in hopes of attracting the best mate. But so does the male species! Given that this statement is true, I personally do not think that this justifies the poor attitude towards women. This doesn't justify the way we call each other degrading names. And this surely does not justify how we find it difficult to support each other.

As I ponder on this, I begin to notice that in almost every type of media, you will find something that is against us (women). You turn the TV on, and women are objectified. Turn the radio on and women are constantly called demeaning names. You read the magazines and women are targeted and are manipulated to dress/look/behave a certain way. You turn to other women and they also hate each other. We've been constantly conditioned and brainwashed to look at ourselves in an inglorious way.

Who's to blame? Firstly, in any relationship, you are treated the way you allow to be treated. So frankly speaking it is also a fault of our own because we allowed it. We forgot about who we truly are. We forgot that each one of us is a person, a human being and if I want to get all yogi on you, the truth is women are Goddesses. It's about time we treat ourselves and each other as such. Secondly, society as a whole made it ok, growing up in a society like this made us think that nothing is wrong but then again, IS THAT TRUE?

The fact is, this doesn't have to be our reality and I refuse to be defined by society as such. We've got a lot of work to do. These issues around women are REAL and it is much bigger than all of us. It affects ALL OF US. I mean, now that I'm a mom, do I really want my son to think that MOMMY DOESN'T MATTER?

Before I sign off, I'd like to share this series of photos that I found on TBWA's website. In this ad campaign they asked the women in their company about issues that they go through but instead of using female models, they used the images of their fellow male peers knowing that people will pay more attention if it was a male figure that's featured on the ad. I think it's BRILLIANT!

Photos By: TBWA

Happy 5th

2016-12-19T22:13:00.001-08:00

It's been 5 years since Kim Kardashian West wore one of my first creations for their annual Family Christmas shoot. I still remember vividly how hectic it was assisting that season of keeping up with the Kardashians and all her other events, but this shoot was definitely the highlight of my year in terms of styling. The theme of the shoot was Menswear, I was assigned to help pull accessories, clothes and shoes with that theme in mind and I remember being so frustrated and stressed out because I couldn't find the perfect bow tie anywhere. So I sat down, came up with a design and made my own. I took it to the shoot with me and placed it on the table of accessories alongside Hugo Boss, Gucci, Versace and a lot of famous designers so I understandably, felt "small" and almost ashamed to place my bow tie next to these designers but I did it anyway and thought "hey if they don't like it, I'll live". The shoot took place, I went on to the side doing my next big task (which was steaming clothes) then I looked up and I was SHOCKED to see that Kim was wearing my bow tie and was being photographed with it! 😱😳I couldn't believe it! It made the cut! Who would've thought that my little bow tie will end up on one of the most controversial celebrities of our time. Who would've thought that I would even end up in the shoot?! I've never thought that I would even be in the same room with all of these people but there I was, it HAPPENED right before my eyes. Considering that earlier that year I was sitting in a desk at a job that I hated. I took the risk, I volunteered to be laid off and enrolled myself in styling school. After a few months of paying my dues, this happened. I've never talked about this experience of mine but looking back now I think I should share it because this experience have taught me so much.

The TRUTH is:

1. You should be willing to take risks.

2. You must never underestimate your own abilities.

3. You should always do your best.

4. If you're not happy about something, get rid of it. If you can't get rid of it, change it.

5. You shouldn't fear change. Embrace it!

6. You must love what you do, don't do it for the money.

7. You should always treat people the way you like to be treated. Be grateful for the people that helped you along the way.

8. You will realize that it takes balls to be original. Be brave little one.

9. You might and will get rejected, but try anyway.

10. Life is too short, so go ahead and blow your own f*cking mind and see how far you can go.

Bow tie by: Jill Pineda

Workout Wednesday

2016-09-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

I struggled to get on the mat today. I felt super tired, groggy and just plain unmotivated to do any yoga. It was one of those days when I feel just blahhhhh. BUT here I am, I didn't give in, I made it to the mat.

It's funny how our mind works sometimes and how we actually try to talk ourselves out of accomplishing any goals we have. Mental challenges are first of all, one of the toughest to recognize and second, to overcome. It's tough to recognize because half the time we are not even aware that we are doing it. We convince ourselves not to complete our tasks, we come up with excuses and other forms of resistance. We justify the easy way out and end up forgetting the goal. So how do we overcome mental barriers?

We do it by becoming aware of our thoughts. Be mindful of what your mind tells you and what you tell your mind. What do you tell yourself? Are you focused on excuses or your goals? Are you focused on what you CAN do instead of what you cannot? Accept that our thoughts and emotions are there but they don't have to be our truth. We can change our perception and we can choose how to react. We have control of our own decisions, put them into action and ultimately reach our goals in fitness, in school, in life, in ANYTHING! Namaste b*tches! 😋

Transformation Tuesday

2016-08-23T10:52:00.001-07:00

I gained a total of 50 lbs 😳 throughout my pregnancy and weighed about 158 lbs. I do not know how much I weigh now. I haven't weighed myself in a loooooonnnnnggg time, the numbers do not concern me. What I do care about is how I feel. Do I feel good? Strong? Confident? Healthy? Happy? If the answers are YESes, then who cares what the scale says?!

Yoga Plank

2016-07-15T15:40:00.003-07:00

Plank is one of the most popular core stabilizing exercises. It builds endurance in the lower back, abs, shoulder and hip muscles. The aim is to hold the position for as long as possible, depending on your fitness level.

Add a variation and challenge yourself more by extending one leg up and pulling it back in to touch your knee to your nose. As you extend your legs out, hips should be squared to the ground and then round your back as you pull your leg back in.

I wanted to do a full video but my son, started throwing his food at me LOL #momlife

Did you know that the current world-record holder maintained the plank position for more than an hour?! Dannnnggggg!! How long can you yours?

Birthday Love

2016-07-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

At 34, my life is settled, and my priorities have changed.

At 34, I get to play with my son and re-live my childhood everyday.

At 34, I am surrounded by family and friends that I love and love me most.

At 34, I learned new lessons and gained new experiences.

At 34, my passion is ignited and I'm ready to start anew.

At 34, I'm still looking like I'm 24 LOL!

At 34, I am grateful and truly HAPPY.

So yah! 34 is not bad...

Not bad at all.

Thank you so much for all the birthday love!

You guys rock! \m/

Fedora Hat: Urban Outfitters

Romper : Forever 21

Sneakers: Converse

My Own Lookbook? Yes Pls!

2016-05-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

I was recently inspired by Social Print Studio to create my own lookbook. Check out their digital photo books to bring your own lookbook to life. Having them in physical form is a great thing to have. Check it out for more ideas on how to compile your pictures together.

So if I were to create my own lookbook, these looks would make my top picks.

I love this one because I've always been a fan of black and white, it's chic and it's super easy! Put on different black and white prints together and you get an instant fashion girl vibe.

I like this 2nd look because the sheer top screams summertime but it does not show a lot skin. The skort is super feminine but styled with a fedora hat and ray bans and you get a cool casual California girl look.

I've always treated snake prints as neutrals and that's exactly how I styled them here. It's not too basic which can be a good thing if you are going to a dressy event. Perfect stand-out-but-approachable outfit if you know what I mean! =)

When I'm not wearing black and white, my plan B would be to color block. Here, I used the colors found on my skort and paired it with similar colored top and detachable collar. This detachable collar is extra special because it is handmade by me =)

I was 16 weeks pregnant when I took this photo! I like that my belly wasn't that big yet and I just remember feeling so happy that I'm about to become a mom. I'm in my workout clothes too so it wasn't my usual fashion OOTD. Check out my pregnancy fitness post HERE.

As my belly got bigger, I refused to compromise style. So I was super happy that this ensemble actually worked! This is the same sheer top that I've worn a few times pre-baby and it accommodated my growing belly. I was 23 weeks back then but even so, the cotton shorts and flat sandals made me feel comfortable. The gray fedora hat I love because not only is it stylish but it's also given to me by my hubby a.k.a. baby daddy lol!

This picture always makes me smile because I'm finally posing with my baby boy! I'm a MOM!!! And being so means, I do not have a lot of time to fuss about my outfit anymore but then again, I just threw on some basics and a pair of cute boots and viola! Just enough style that I'm craving for.

Here's another picture of me being a mom but this time in Menswear. I'm soooooooOOooo into menswear! Sometimes I like the styles in the men's section more than in women's! Is that weird? I swear sometimes, I Think I'm Transgender. Kidding aside, it's obvious that the gold shoes took the outfit up a notch and it didn't hurt that they were super comfortable too.

So there you have it, my top outfit picks if I were to create my own lookbook.

Thanks for stopping by!

Xoxo,

Jill

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became A MOM

2016-05-10T11:48:00.001-07:00

When I was pregnant with my baby boy, I read a few books, took birthing classes and thought, OK I did my due diligence. My nursery is ready, my birth plan is on file, I know what to expect when the baby comes... So I'm ready, let's do this! The thing is, I never thought to ask what happens AFTER the baby arrives. I mean, sure I've had feedback from moms but they were really vague and honestly their feedbacks just sounded more like endless rants about not getting any more sleep .... But.... WHY? Why do you not get any sleep? Well I found out for myself and here are a few reasons why.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became A MOM

1. AS SOON AS THE BABY COMES, YOU WILL NOT GET ANY SLEEP.

I state this with no exaggeration at all. From the moment you give birth (especially in the hospital) nurses, technicians, doctors, visitors will constantly be in and out of your recovery room. Allow me to enumerate what might happen so you will not feel that I'm not being specific here. I remember lying on the hospital bed trying to get some shut eye but literally every hour or so, there will be someone in our room checking or testing something. First, the nurse will change your dressing, then there's another nurse to check your baby's hearing, and then another technician to get blood samples from your newborn, then the nurse comes back to remind you that you need to feed your baby, then the pediatrician comes to check the baby again. If you have a baby boy and decide to have him circumcised, of course there's another nurse to get the baby for that procedure too. Then you get lessons on how to care for your baby, you need to fill out a feeding chart, you need to fill out birth certificates and other paperwork and make sure everything is correct. Oh and wait, you also have to feed your baby. If you don't have any milk yet, you need to be pumping your breasts away. By the way, you might need to squeeze in a walk during your hospital stay so you don't get any blood clotting. Then you eat, change your dressing, do whatever then the next day, do it all again. All of this, after a full day of labor and giving birth! Every procedure/protocol is jammed in 2-3 days because guess what? Your insurance won't pay for sh*t if you stay any longer than that, so hospital staff are doing and performing every test they possibly can in 2-3 days. Then you're out of there! Not even a month later expect your mailbox to be full of hospital bills, but don't even get me started on that subject...

2. YOUR BABY SHOULD BE FED/NURSED EVERY 2-3 HOURS.

Had I known this fact before I gave birth, I swear I could've at least prepared myself MENTALLY on what's about to come. I mean, yeah people would say something like "sleep now while you can" or "say ba-bye to your peaceful nights" but those are just vague comments that do not make any sense for someone who is pregnant and frankly, they're not helpful either. No one was specific enough to say, by the way you need to nurse your baby every 2-3 hours. I honestly think this is the biggest contributor to women having postpartum depression. Having to endure 3 months (or more) of sleep deprivation while trying to feed yourself, clean up after the baby, entertain visitors, do errands and then some was completely overwhelming! Remember you JUST gave birth.

3. WHEN YOUR BABY IS BORN, YOU MUST PUMP (YOUR BREASTS) PUMP... AND PUMP SOME MORE.

This means again no sleep even after long hours of labor because the nursing staff (at least the good ones) will come to your room to remind you that it's time to pump your girls once again. Apparently I skipped a whole night of pumping and the nurse scolded me about my pumping ethics. Like I was supposed to know that from now on, I'm not allowed to sleep or do anything but pump. I do appreciate the nurse who forced my baby to latch on to me early on. That really made things easier for us throughout our nursing days.

4. EMPTY BREASTS MEANS MORE MILK SUPPLY.

Ladies it's not enough to just nurse your baby every 2-3 hours. Nope! You're not done yet. After you nurse your little one, you are suppose to strap yourself to a pump and "empty" your breasts for another 15-30 minutes. Forget about eating, sleeping, showering and all your primary needs. Seriously. You want more milk? You gotta empty your girls mama!

5. YOUR BABY BUMP WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL MAYBE 3 MONTHS OR SO AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

Obviously every new mom's body is different so this range will vary. Now that your bundle of joy is here, do not expect the baby bump to just disappear. Let's not disappoint ourselves here by not being realistic. If you're nursing, then yours might shrink much faster, but again, every woman is different. I still have my little pooch and my son is already 16 months! It will take time and effort and, that's OK. Do not beat yourself up, you JUST GAVE BIRTH.

6. SEX WILL BE PAINFUL FOR AWHILE.

I do not want to get too personal but let's just say sex was painful for me for AWHILE. I'm speaking for the mamas that had a natural/vaginal birth.

7. YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE THE SAME AT LEAST DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS.

Due to the fact that you have been pregnant for the past 9 months, your immune system has been slightly different because your body has accommodated a new growing human being. Now that you have given birth, your body is still adjusting to going back to non-baby mode. Throw in a big dose of sleep deprivation and exhaustion and your body will have every reason to quickly get sick.

8. NURSING IS VERY REWARDING... AND PAINFUL... AND HARD... AND AMAZING

Although you would think that it is the most "natural" thing that a woman can do after giving birth. Nursing doesn't always come naturally to every woman. It really does take practice, and when you do get into the swing of things, you and your little one will have the most sacred bond. I swear, nursing my baby kept me sane during all the overwhelming transitions that came with being a new mom. It didn't matter if I was stressed out, sleep deprived or hungry. When my baby nursed, all I can think of was that everything is gonna be OK, I can do this. I mean look at him! And look at me! I'm feeding my baby and he's beautiful! Nursing my baby gave me a sense of confidence that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of him. That's HUGE!

9. YOU MIGHT LOSE YOUR HAIR.

Some women lose their hair, I know I did. I remember noticing that my face seemed fatter (cause I was) and longer. After a few months, I noticed a lot of baby hair growing back from my hairline and it made sense cause I lost hair! Don't you worry though because with all that's going on in your life as a new mom, you probably won't even notice.

10. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

The moment you lay eyes on your little one, you realize that all the little things that you used to worry about pre-baby doesn't matter anymore. It's a major shift in perspective. You develop a new-found respect for people who are parents, especially your own. You will understand what loving someone unconditionally really means and there would be no words to describe it really. You will have to go through it yourself to truly understand. No wonder people keep having babies!

I hope this article helps new moms-to-be out there. My only advice is, please take it easy on yourself, YOU JUST GAVE BIRTH. Eat as much as you can and drink lots of water. You'll need it to keep that milk supply coming. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask for help either.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Thanks for dropping by!

xoxo

Jill

First Time Parent Magazine Article

2016-04-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Great News!

2016-04-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

One of my articles has been published on First Time Parent Magazine. We all know raising kids do not come with a manual, but not to worry! Answers to your parenting questions are here. Take a peep and DOWNLOAD HERE to enjoy fascinating topics on baby's brain development, behavior and more.

Their easy-to-use app is available on the website too for your Iphone/Ipad.

"Having a baby is a life-changer. It gives you a whole new perspective on why you wake up every day."

-Taylor Hanson

Sporty Sunday

2016-01-31T16:34:00.001-08:00

I raided my husband's closet once again and took his gray hoodie! I swear, I have this inclination to men's fashion, I just really dig them! Sometimes, I catch myself browsing in the men's section and I'm like, why the hell haven't I been shopping here?! Shamefully, I get the same feeling when I'm in the boy's section although the clothes over there maybe a little too ummmmmm little so I try not to even go there unless of course, I'm shopping for Ethan.

Ladies, I'm seriously encouraging you to feel free and go through your brother's, dad's, boyfriend's, husband's or any man in your life's closet when you're having an "I don't know or have anything to wear" moment. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find a whole other closet you can explore (sorry guys!). Just be warned, if you're pulling a button down shirt, all the buttons will be on the opposite side. It's kind of annoying I know, but there's a history to that and maybe I'll touch on that later.

So here's a sporty outfit that's perfect for everyday. It's super easy and I'm pretty sure most of it you already own. Again, if not, check your hubby/boyfriend's closet haha!

That's it for now, thanks for dropping by and hope to chat with you again soon!

Hoodie: Gap

Pants: Zara

Sneakers: Nike

Bag: Alexander Wang

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Lipstick : MAC (Rebel)

Camels

2016-01-25T16:32:00.001-08:00

When your coat matches some random awning, it's time to do #ootd

Coat, pants, top: Zara

Bag: Celine

Shoes: Converse

Sunglasses: Rayban

Hat: My own brand

Date Night Athleisure Wear

2016-01-14T17:56:00.002-08:00

"ATHLEISURE" is going to be huge in 2016! Whether you're running errands, having coffee, or actually going to the gym, it is now cool to be in your activewear anytime, anyplace.

It makes sense, because who doesn't love leggings? How about sweatpants? Oh and SNEAKERS! I for one am super excited about this trend because now that I'm a mom, I'm constantly in my activewear. I wear them so much that I practically LIVE in them! Yes, even on date nights.

Here's my take on using activewear during one of those rare date nights with the hubby. Thanks to grandma and grandpa, mommy and daddy get to go on a date once in a while. Topic of dinner conversation? Baby of course!

This pair of yoga pants are one of my favorites. They look like normal skinny jeans with pockets, zippers and all, but really, they are yoga pants. Check out these pants from Betabrand.com for something similar. I also raided my hubby's closet for an oversized denim shirt. He didn't mind.

My feet started to get sore by the end of the night so I threw on a pair of chucks.

I think the outfit looked even cuter with sneakers. Check out the last picture, boots or sneakers?

ON PHOTO:

COAT : Think Geek

Denim Top: Soul Cal

Pants: Betabrand

Statement Necklace: Dylan Lex or similar on Etsy

Snakeskin Clutch: Etsy

Nail Polish: Formula X

Nude Lipstick: YSL

Boots: Jimmy Choo or similar here Bally

ON ME:

Coat: Zara (sold out)

Top: Converse (hubby's closet)

Yoga Pants: C'est Toi

Clutch: H&M (sold out)

Boots: Jimmy Choo

Sneakers: Converse

Necklace: Handmade by me

Cheers to more date nights!

Play Date!

2016-01-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

Play dates with these two are always FUNNNN!

Fitness Friday

2016-01-08T11:23:00.002-08:00

It's time for a Fitness Friday video once again! I filmed this with my son before the heavy rains started in California so I was brave enough to workout without a hoodie on hehe! Oh and this was also the first time I tried doing bench jumps. It was a struggle at first and I got a little scared that I wouldn't do it right and end up with an unwanted face-plant but as soon as my first jump was successful I got right into it... Took a couple of tries but I got the hang of it. Those bench jumps are no joke! Try it! With CAUTION that is!

Quick tips: Start with a low bench then go higher as your legs get stronger.

Also very important, watch where you're landing. You can't land on something you can't see (I learned that in gymnastics) so keep your eye on the bench. Lastly, use your arms for added momentum at first, then use them less to get your legs working harder. If you're more advanced, you can wear leg weights around your ankles to make the workout more challenging.

Good luck and happy Friday!

Easy Gluten Free Funnel Cake/ Pancake Recipe

2015-11-25T15:15:00.001-08:00

Ingredients

1 whole banana

2 eggs

4 oz Almond milk

1 tbsp honey

1 snack size bag of trail mix

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

1 tsp baking powder (optional)

Preparation

In a saucepan, pour coconut oil and heat up in medium heat.

Combine banana, eggs, baking powder and almond milk into a blender and blend until smooth. Using a funnel or a ketchup dispenser pour batter onto hot coconut oil and fry until golden brown.

Serve with honey and your choice of trail mix/nuts on top.

Enjoy and have a Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Mommy And Me Workout Wednesday

2015-11-18T15:17:00.000-08:00

No gym? No problem! Just go out to the park lay a mat down and you're good to go!

Post Partum Body Month 11

2015-11-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

I understand the fear and excitement that a woman feels when she first finds out she's pregnant. It's like suddenly she's going through major changes in her life and her body and it can be overwhelming!

I know, because I went through it. I remember worrying if I will ever get my body back? Call me vain but I'm pretty sure most women will relate to this. In my case, I learned that IT IS POSSIBLE and you will get your body back as long as you are consistently exercising (even while pregnant, here's my post on Pregnancy Fitness) and watching what you eat. Putting on loads of cocoa butter on your belly throughout the 9 months doesn't hurt either! I know I have a long way to go but I will get there, and I hope somehow my fitness posts will inspire and motivate you to start being kind to yourself and look forward to your own fitness journey.

Thanks for dropping by!

Honest Beauty Makeup Review

2015-11-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Few weeks ago I finally got the chance to visit The Grove in Los Angeles with the sole purpose of checking out Jessica Alba's new Honest Beauty store. As you know, her Honest products were inspired by her awareness of the tremendous amounts of harmful products that surround us everyday. Being a new mom at that time, like myself, she wanted to protect her children and so, she created products that are safe mainly for her kids. Although some of her line seems to be slightly overpriced, I have to say that I'm satisfied with them and as soon as I heard about her new make up line, I was thrilled! I couldn't wait to get my new mom self in her store.

Trust me I LOVE make up but I do not like chemicals so I try to keep it minimal or I just save it for special occasions. I also try to make changes in the products I use and be more conscious of the ingredients now. It's funny because I never used to worry about these things, but now that I have a baby, I find myself wondering if the lipstick or foundation that I use might contain something that could be harmful to my son. Call me paranoid but it's better safe than sorry.

Anyway, so here are a few selfies that I took while I was wearing some of her make up line namely: Luminous primer, oil free tinted moisturizer in Praline, creme blush in Truly Daring and lip crayon in Sheer Rose Kiss

My favorite so far are the primer and the tinted moisturizer. The primer is fabulous because it feels so light on the skin and it smells so good! The tinted moisturizer on the other hand, matches my skin tone perfectly. I love how I can have a natural dewy look with minimal coverage and I can also build it up and have more coverage depending on how much I put on. I'm very satisfied with how it looks on camera and in person too.

Overall I'm happy with what I've purchased. I haven't tried her eyeliner or mascara yet but that would be next. I hope they end up having a line of false lashes with cosmetic glue that have natural ingredients. I mean... Cause sometimes, I think all a girl needs is a good pair of falsies and she's good to go... Don't ya think?!

Face : Wearing all Honest Beauty except for mascara, eyeliner and false lashes.

Mommy And Me Fitness

2015-11-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

Who needs weights when you have a 19 lb baby! Try these fitness moves to help you get back in shape while having fun with your little one!

Thanks for watching and happy Friday!

Top & Sports Bra: Lululemon

Shorts & Running Shoes : Nike

Tough Baby Trainer

2015-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Working out with a 10 month old has been a challenge,

and he doesn't seem impressed at all that mommy is TRYING here!

Thanks for watching!