LiveEnergized

Recipe for Entertaining

2015-08-01T04:05:00.000-07:00

How to turn a long nap into a party planning afternoon. A few weeks ago, Lincoln’s 2.5 nap really allowed me to really allowed me to prepare and pull about all the stops for our 4^th of July family picnic. For those of you (like me) who love to host, but always feel like your under the gun and pressed for time.....all while trying to take care of your babies. I hope you find this helpful. Also, there are a few recipes as well!

The to do list:

-Make Cake

-Fruit Salad

-Slice fixings

-Speed Clean:

o Pick Up

o Wipe down counters/dust

o Sweep

o Dishes

-Set up paper plates/silver wear

-Attempt to recreate last night’s cocktail

-Season meat & make hamburger patties

-Get ready

-Party!

Cake – Confession, I have always wanted to make a flag cake. But a plain white cake is well, boring! So, instead I decided to just decorate my new favorite cake with strawberries and blueberries. This baby was a HIT! Some people even had thirds (but I won’t name names). I was introduced to this mandarin/clementine cake, by my sweet coworker Ramona. Here's the recipe.

Fruit salad – the only fancy thing here was instead of dirtying another bowl, I decided to hallow out and reuse half the watermelon as our serving dish. After all, nothing says picnic like Watermelon! One tip, don’t scrap too far into the white, you might puncture your “bowl” or get a bitter pieces of rind. I used my pampered chef ice cream scoop. As a bonus, the juice created by scooping out the little melon rounds can double as a sauce for your other berries/fruit!

Speed cleaning – this Step-by-Step Plan from Real Simple completely changed how I clean my kitchen. Save’s time and really allows you to focus on the fun parts of entertaining. (aka everything else on this list)

Cute Sign – This was added to my list, cause he was still sleeping. Courtesy of where else, PINTEREST!

Cocktail – the night before I fell in love with a drink from the 21C rooftop bar. Adorably named “Putting on the spritz”, I’ve was able to recreate this signature cocktail. Here is what you need:

Watermelon juice

White wine/sparkling wine

Sliced fennel

1 orange

To make, slice watermelon. Puree in blender, and push through a fine strainer.

Slice fennel, and half an orange. Add to mixture. Then juice other half of orange, adding to mixture. Finally, add the white wine of your choice and mix. Let sit for at least an hour, so the flavors can combine. It is normal for this cocktail to separate, so mix before serving. (Yes, I used the fennel as my stirer)

Last tip, the watermelon juice does dilute your drink (which being a light weight, I prefer). But, if you prefer more guesto in your cocktail, you may want to add two bottles of wine.

This was the point of the afternoon; I decided to make another cup of coffee.

Once I seasoned my hamburgers, and Lincoln woke up I was very happy to see my mother in law pulling in the driveway. Just in time for me to get ready.

Overall it was an amazing 4^th of July, here are some of the pictures of the kids enjoying a little cousin time.

Half way through the night I realized, this is a good test run for Lincoln’s 2^nd birthday party. Which, (gasp!) is today! I better get a move on. Have a great summer y'all!

It’s the Little Things in Life

2015-05-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

In the moments of extreme exhaustion or when I can feel the weight of the world on my back, is when I truly appreciate the little things. No matter how small, those little tiny things put a smile on my face, a skip in my step and sometimes help me find the second wind I’ve been searching for since 6am. Well, today is one of those moments.

To be blunt, I’m sleep deprived. My poor sweet boy has been battling night terrors. I’ve heard about these from my sisters-in-law, and our Lord knows I’ve prayed to never experience them. Well, they are AWFUL! There is nothing worse than watching your babies’ imagination develop, and wake them up to utter terror at the same time.

However, it’s Friday. Which means two things…..hopefully I can catch up on sleep, and time to savor those little things.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things!

1. Citrus Scents – I learned a few years ago that citrus scents give you a natural mood boost, and have been shown to wake you up. Life was easy when Origins carried an entire line of their GloomAway signature scent. But alas, several of my fav’s have been discontinued. Lucky, one of my besties recommended a new scent by NEST.

Spray this baby one time, and you will look around to see who just sliced open a fresh ruby red grapefruit.

Adding to my citrus kick, I discovered that EO makes a Citrus Mint Everyone 3-in-1 soap. This stuff is simply amazing! All natural, safe for everyone (hence the name) and it’s a shampoo, body-wash and bubble bath (and 32oz!). I’ve found mine at both Whole-foods and Vitamin Shoppe.

2. Fresh Strawberries – Another confession. While visiting Monterey with Travis and Lincoln I had what appeared to be an allergic reaction to strawberries. After one bite, within five minutes my hands started to itch….within ten I had hives all over my arms and back. After reading online, I had self-diagnosed myself with a strawberry allergy. (You see friends, this is why the internet is evil, and I am glad I am not in the medical profession). I’ve since leaved that pesticides can mimic food allergies. So while picking strawberries in my parents farm last weekend, I took a risk. Guess what, NO allergies! So now, I can truly savor these sweet in season little beauties.

3. Single Ladies Synced to Duck Tails - If you didn't love the Beyonce Single Ladies video, and you weren't sold by the Samantha/Liza Minnelli rendition in Sex and The City 2. I STRONGLY recommend you watch this. Whoever crafted it is a comedic genius. Plus, it made me like the internet again. :)

4. LocalKentucky.com – I am all about supporting your local businesses. Since I have more UK fans as friends than I can count, I have to share this small shop that I stumbled upon and have fallen in love with. I rocked their “bless your heart” t-shirt, and Lincoln looked absolutely handsome in his toddler tee. I’m actually relieved I don’t live in Lexington; because ironically I just got an email that they are having a warehouse sale tomorrow?

5. Being published – ok, this is 100% a shameless plug. But, as some of you bloggers/writers well know. When you write something, whether it be a simple product review, or a heavily researched article. You want to share that information with the universe! It gives you a sense of accomplishment, and for me I feel like I am helping other’s, while fueling my passions at the same time. Hence why today, when I got an email from my team at SkinnyMom that my Svelte Like Cinderella piece was now live on the site, I was immediately sporting the goofiest grin!

That sums it up for me. Wishing you all a fun filled weekend, with I hope….your own moments to savor the little pleasures of life.

Xoxo -

The Worst Deja’Vu’

2015-04-16T11:20:00.001-07:00

There is one sentence you never wanna hear a family member or loved one say, “I have cancer”. It’s a reality we are all faced with, that someone in our life will discover they have cancer. In the midst of this discovery several sobering questions will arise…..

What stage is it?....Did they catch it early?...... Was it contained?.......What’s the course of treatment? and my least favorite question “What’s the survival rate…”.

The feeling of deja’vu’ came over me a few months ago when during a checkup and Lincoln doctor I got a random phone call from my mother. Instantly I could hear in her voice that she was trying to sound optimistic, but that something was wrong.

To give you a little history, it’s only been 2 years since I got a very similar phone call from my father. To tell me that in less than 24 hours he was having a massive tumor removed, in a surgery I later learned was called the whipple, to battle his very aggressive pancreatic cancer. A procedure that only 20% are eligible for, and is extremely risky. Luckily for all of us, he survived and did beautifully. And now, with the help of his oncologist and doctors and by God's grace, his tests keep coming back clean.

Being aware of how quickly cancer can spread, my mother has been proactive in her own screenings. Earlier this year during a routing mammogram her doctor discovered a small mass, and had it biopsied. This was not her first biopsy, but the first one that came back malignant (cancerous).

She wasted no time scheduling a surgery, to remove the mass and test her lymph nodes. Which leads up to the phone call I received the afternoon of February 5^th. My mom was calling to let me know she in fact had cancer, but that they caught it early.

I am happy to report, after her recovery and meeting with her oncologist, my mom is cancer free. The mass was so small in-fact, the majority was taken by the biopsy. So they are only recommending 5 weeks of radiation. I share this, because it’s not uncommon for caregivers, and family members to take a backseat to their own personal health when caring for a loved one. If my mom had done this, while helping my dad through recovery, there is no way we would have caught it this early.

Additionally, most people arnt aware that if you have a family history of cancer, insurance will cover additionally screenings. My mom is the 4th woman in my family to have been diagnosed with breast cancer. So, not only will I be electing to have yearly monograms moving forward, but we are looking into genetic testing.

I share this, because life can get so busy that we forget to take care of ourselves. Well, life is short....so please, take care of yourself, get check ups, screenings so you can spend more time enjoying what little precious time we have left.

Xoxo-

#LetsGo60Days – The Results

2015-04-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

I spent some time reflexing on my personal challenge, because the inches I lost don't even begin to explain how my life has changed. When I started this challenge I had let myself go. In November I started a new full time desk job, life got busy and my health became my last priority. Not only did I gain weight, but I started to feel very uncomfortable and I had no energy. For those of you who know me, that last part should come as a shocker.

It can be a slippery slope; first…you skip the gym for a few weeks. Next, you start eating out every night. All the sudden your life is a series of lazy, unproductive days and you don’t recognize yourself.

I decided to take control of this vicious cycle, and see what would happen if I finally did all the “things” I’ve never been able to stick with. Well, I will let you all be the judge, but I can tell you I’ve never been happier for sticking to a goal!

Day #1

Measurements (Inches)

Chest: 36

Arms: 10

Waist: 31.5

Hips: 39.5

Thigh: 22.5

Day #60

Measurements (Inches)

Chest: 32

Arms: 10.5

Waist: 27

Hips: 35.5

Thigh: 21

Total - 13.5 Inches LOST!

Lessoned Learned

When I set out on this journey, my goals were simple…attainable. Workout 4 days a week, eat clean and drink plenty of water. Most important, find that happier version of myself. What I realized 1/3 of the way in was to see results, REAL results, it took more. The four things I finally did paid off!

Supplements & Protein: Pre workout drinks, vitamins and protein shakes. Three things i’ve always consumed, sporadically. Something that drove my husband NUTS! Now, after using all three together every day, I understand how important they are to your body. Not only do I feel stronger, have cut my cravings in half and i've seen less injury and recovered faster.
Lifting Plan: Ahhh the weight room, we have always been acquaintances, but never besties. Now I know what it feels like to stick to a 4 day split, and have a new found comfort level with that section of the gym. I feel stronger and I’m seeing definition I haven’t seen in years!
Photos & Measurements – In case no one has told you, muscle weighs more than fat and scales LIE! In 60 days, I lost 3 lbs. If that was my only measure of success, I never would have made it this far.
Nutrition Coach – We all know the 80/20 rule, along with a million clique sayings like “You can’t out train a bad diet.” This has always been my struggle. I love food! Rich food, carbs and my portions… out of control! So I decided to call in a professional, my good friend Josh Winkler. Josh is a Fitness Coach, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, and he and his wife Tiffany own NewLife Active and NewLife Cafés. You may recognize him from the Face of ReebokONE contest, where he was a semifinalist. He not only held me accountable, but he showed me what I was doing wrong. All this time I thought carbs were my problem! Turns out it was lack of protein, an excess of fat…and carbs. He taught me how to track my food, meal prep and carb cycle. Now I’m learning how to eat for MY BODY. No diet will ever teach you this. Only working with someone who will support you, inform you and be honest.

As a bonus, in the middle of my challenge I was invited to be a part of SkinnyMom's Real Moms #Iam Campaign. This campaign centers around reflecting a positive body image, for real moms who are looking to redefine SuperModel.

Now with this challenge complete, words cannot describe how much better I feel. I am excited to go to the gym, chase around Lincoln and getting out of bed is so much easier. Completing everyday tasks comes with ease, and I love the way I feel. With this new found energy I am committing to making this my lifestyle, by continuing to step up my game. So with a new month, and a new goal…I hope you will find my insight useful, and your own goal to shoot for. But remember, these things take time. So don't give up!

Photo Credit - MyfitnessPal

We only get one life, why not make it every second count!

Xoxo –

Things That Make Me Hangry!

2015-03-18T10:06:00.001-07:00

(Disclaimer – this was written after angrily and unsuccessfully peeling hard boiled eggs.)

On my way to work a few days ago, I heard about a recent study where women claimed dieting is harder than child birth. While this may seem preposterous to most of you, there is something to be said about this theory. Depending on your pregnancy, carrying a child will range on average 32-42 weeks and the delivery at max will last few days. Translation, and END in sight. However, as our Pinterest feed is flooded with the new tips and tricks we are all HUNGRY for …..eating clean, counting calories, watching carbs, fasting like Daniel & eating like a caveman. They are a constant reminder that as we get older, we have to DIET. Yes, it’s a four letter word no one likes, and these “latest and greatest” tricks are just new ways to do it.

Today, I had an epiphany on why we all despise this quest, it’s the foods themselves! Have you ever stopped to think about how easy it is to eat bad food, and how hard it is to eat foods that are good for you? It takes time, planning, patients and energy to eat healthy food. For certain foods, I’m totally up for the challenge! After all, artichokes are one of my favorite foods. A veggie my husband absolutely hates to prepare from its raw form. But for others….half way into the process I can’t help but to say “Are you freaking kidding me!”.

For those of you who were not born with amazing metabolisms, the “I can eat whatever I want and still look amazing in a bikini”, this GIF is for you, (AND ME!)

Tastes SO Good – You Know You Wanna Be Bad

(Top Left – 1. Pizza – it’s so easy you can have them on a bagel, from the freezer and even delivered to your door! 2. Cookies – between the “We don’t take no for an answer” girl scouts, and the packaging of these bad boys, we are all screwed. 3. Pasta – raise your hand if you have given into bottomless pasta bowls at Olive Garden, or finished off your child’s mac-n-cheese? 4. Potato Chips – there is a reason two separate companies have created slogans like “You Can’t Have Just One” and “Once You Pop You Can’t Stop”. They are genetically engineered to make discipline impossible. 5. Donut Holes – For when eating a whole donut is too hard of task…..they save the small centers so cute, you just can’t say no.)

Are You Freaking Kidding Me!

(Top Left – 1. Artichokes – you have to boil, peel, slice and cut these babies to even reach the edible part. 2. Nuts – You are nuts if you try to eat these pre-shelled! 3. Crustaceans – Smart little creatures who’s shells make us all think…..do I really want Shrimp and Lobster tonight? 4. Pomegranates – and other tropical fruits that not only come with their own amour, but you need a set of instructions to consume. 5. Hard Boiled Eggs – The bane of my existence, and the inspiration for this post.)

Happy Lunch time friends!

Xoxo -

Treenah

Let's Go 60 Days - Personal Challenge

2015-01-20T18:27:00.002-08:00

It’s the beginning of the third week of January, and its GAME time. SkinnyMom's Instagram photo yesterday was the perfect mental kick in the yoga pants I needed.

SkinnyMom Instagram

There are million excuses for not being the healthiest version of myself….for why I didn't "drinking enough water", "eat clean...today", or "make it to the gym". If I’m honest, it boils down to not challenging myself and laziness.

So today, on January 20^th, I am making a proclamation for a no excuses 60 day challenge, where I commit to the BEST version of myself in 2015. The conditions......

Water – 72 OZ or More
Food – Commit to eating clean 5 days a week, leaving room for 2 cheat meals per week
Fitness – Workout 4 times a week, at least 2x at the gym, if not more
Find Joy – regardless of how well I do day to day, week to week….I will find a way to tap into my inner bliss and find something that makes me happy every day

So far day one is off to a roaring start! With almost 10k steps, clean meals (dinner thanks to Seasons 52) and more water than my bladder knows what to do with!

I promise, at the end of this challenge, I will share my results! Feel free to join me and follow my progress!

#liveenergized #letsgo60days #gametime

Halloween Themed Workout

2014-10-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Before we all begin our nights with warm and hearty soups, festive beverages and a sampling of our kids Halloween candy....I wanted to share a festive workout my bootcamp buddies and I did this morning. So you can enjoy your treats, guilt free!

Warm Up:

60 Second Carioca or Grapevine Drill
50 Second Creepy Crawly Walk (Bridge walking backward on hands)
40 Squats
30 Jumping Jacks
20 Second Sprint
10 Push Ups

Cardio Bootcamp - Grab a partner and watch the calories burn! I recommend doing each workout 3 times, 40 seconds on...20 seconds off. Have fun!

Pumpkin Toss (Medicine Ball works too!) - Grab a partner and toss the pumpkin back and forth while running horizontally the length of a room.
Monster Walk - Place a tight small band around your ankles, walk in a half moon shape forward, alternating legs.....think Thriller!
Frankenstein Lunge - With a hand weight in each hand, lunge forward keeping your hands at shoulder height the whole time.
Spider Push Up - Starting in a plank, step forward bringing your foot to shoulder height, then pushup. Alternate on each side.
Bat Burpees - Standard burpee, but jumping into a "bat" pose (aka start jump).
Goblet Squat - Grabbing a pumpkin, or a kettle bell squat. For extra calories, add an upright row or overhead press.
Bon Fire Outs - Go into a deep squat, feet spread wider than shoulder width. With a bench or low surface in front come up into a lunge reaching out and coming into a elevated plank.
Zombie Get Ups - Starting laying completely flat, come up to full standing...without using your hands. You can however..cross your feet.
Full Moon Rises - Laying down with a exercise ball between your feet crunch up to pass it to your hands, alternate.

Of course this can also be done tomorrow, to burn off today's festivities. Or you can just join me tomorrow at Allstar Backyard Bootcamp at 9am, to see what we come up with next!

Xoxo -

6-Month Hiatus

2014-10-23T19:26:00.001-07:00

For those of you who know me well, 6 months of silence is quiet out of character. I’ve learned a few things this year that I believe are worth sharing. Being a mom is a privilege, but to call it a "hard job" would also be an understatement. Not due to the lack of sleep and constant change in our children, but the inner insecurity that nags at us all. The feeling like no matter how happy our family is, or how clean our house is…we still feel like we aren’t doing a good enough job. Its something I’ve struggled with, and from those of you I’ve talked to, I’m not alone.

Today I spent the day home with my sweet baby Lincoln, who woke up with a slight fever, and now is sleeping soundly and feeling much better. I am so thankful for this day, just your average Thursday and yes, I have a mountain of laundry that has overgrown my sofa now begging to be folded. But I don’t care.

A good friend of mine once said, sometimes its ok to just…be….still. She shared when her kids were little she would feel the needed to constantly doing something…cooking, cleaning, working out etc. It’s a wonder most of us go to bed at 9pm exhausted, still making to-do lists in our head as we fall asleep. So I say this to you amazing mothers out there, and to myself. Your best is amazing, and tomorrow rather than being your own worst critic…..lets try to be a cheerleader instead.

Missed you guys, happy to be back.

April (No Fools) Ab Challenge

2014-04-01T19:11:00.001-07:00

Source: Wordle

Spring has officially sprung! My first half marathon, The Flying Pig is less than 5 weeks away, so I am tasking myself with a new challenge. My friends at Bob Roncker’s have made it quite clear you not only need mileage, but a strong core to cross the finish line.

Since Lincoln is 8-months-old tomorrow, I have decided to dedicate my last month of training to rebuilding my post baby core! While it may not look the same as it did before baby, how I hate that pesky little line that just won’t fade away. I know I can feel just as strong as I did before my muscles were stretched out for 9, ok let’s be honest, 10 months!

To complete this challenge, I will be leveraging several things:

Pinterest Workouts – I even created an AAC board which houses ideas and workouts
DVDs – for the days I can’t get out of the house
Classes – now that warm weather is rolling in with Spring, I’m going to get out of the house (and my comfort zone) and try a few new core strengthening workouts
Swimsuit slimming secrets – let’s be honest, you can do a hundred sit ups and have the strongest core ever. But if you don’t balance that hard work with a good diet and proper nutrition, that beautiful six pack will be hidden under layers of flab. So I will also share healthy eating tips about giving my body the fuel it needs to showcase my new strong core

I promise to share weekly what is working, and what is not. Last, I vow to do something I have never done before, something that I know will hold me accountable: share before and after pictures. GASP!

Anyone else up for the challenge?

Good Gifting - Homemade Spa Products

2014-02-24T06:40:00.001-08:00

My gift to my beautiful baby shower hostesses,
see the final package below.

Having a natural obsession for spa products — particularly those made with natural ingredients — I decided to try my hand at making a few at home spa products. Creating these products make fun DIY projects that may even save me money in the long run.

My first inspiration came from a stay a year ago at an upscale hotel. They had a little welcome bag for my husband and I, including a bath tea bag. Loving any essential oils, Epsom salt and any bath fizzies I can get my hands on, this sounded like a great project for a spa themed gift. Here’s what you will need to make your own:

Dried chamomile flowers (about ½ cup)
Dried hibiscus flowers (about 1 ½ cups)
Dried lavender (about ½ cup)
Essential oil scented Epsom salt (or plain Epsom salt with the essential oils of your choice) (2 cups of Epsom salt)
Large (self-sealing) tea bags (I got mine at Teavana – great price!)
Iron
Large bowl

Measure and mix out the flowers, placing in the large bowl. Add in Epsom salt and mix. Scoop out and fill teabags half to three-quarters full. Use iron to press and seal.

Wrap with a cute ribbon for a gift, or place in a tub of hot water and enjoy for your self.

The second idea came from a gift my wonderful friend, Heather Loyall, gave me for Christmas. This little jar smelled so good, in a crazy pregnant moment I actually tasted it… .Then panicked I sent her a text that said “What was in that scrub?, I just tasted it ‘cause it smelled so good!” Luckily it only has three safe ingredients:

¼ Cup Coconut oil
½ Cup Brown sugar
¼ Cup Honey
Small Jars

That's it! To make a batch, I took the whole jar of coconut oil and scooped its contents into a large bowl.

Next added in the brown sugar, mixing well. Last, I added in the honey, mixing until smooth. My friend Heather said you can substitute the sugar for salt for a grainier feel and add in fun ingredients to mix it up, like:

Coffee grounds
Orange zest
Fresh rosemary

Then simply jar, decorate and figure out who you want to spoil!

This is what I gave beautiful baby shower hostess, last summer. Tag reads:
"From my shower to yours. Thank you for helping to prepare us for our little arrival. Now go pamper yourself with these fresh spa products."

Please know these measurements are what I used, but if you want a grainier scrub, or a bath soak that smells more like lavender and chamomile and lavender, just adjust to make it yours!

New Year, New Goals

2014-01-18T12:11:00.000-08:00

Some of you may find it ironic, that only 60 days after joining the world’s largest health and wellness website I decided not to make a New Year’s resolution. Particularly when some would say that’s the bread and butter of our business. In my opinion the term “resolution” is one you hear less and less after today. Fun fact, January 18^th is known as the most common day people abandoning what they sought out to do in the New Year.

I've decided to set goals instead. After all, a goal is just a dream with a deadline.

To not forget them, I have also made a collage to serve as motivation over the next 347 days.

Find balance between work & family – as new mom and working at company I have so much passion for, it can be tough to switch gears. I am very lucky to have many friends who are also working mothers, who have done a great job leading by example.
Help spread the Spark – I love my new company, and as a member of their team I would love to make us a house hold name!
Eat more clean meals, more often – yes, I love my fruit and veggies…but sometimes I need to eat more clean meals on a consistent basis. (diet confessional)
Be early – yes, I am one of those who walks in right as things start…it would be nice to be early more often.
Run my first half marathon – The Cincinnati Flying Pig, very exciting to run this with my wonderful HoneyBadgers!
Weekly blog posts – to share my ideas, content and life moments….that I hope you all will find interesting and useful!
Focus on the task at hand – I get overwhelmed sometimes when there are so many things going on, but I find when I make a list and focus on the tasks at hand, I feel amazing once they are complete. This is another situation when my planner is key to this year’s success.
Keep my positive outlook – I have noticed as a mom it’s easy to beat myself up for getting off track, but I have always been an optimist and a positive person…..So I am committing to not let that change.
Read 3 business, and 3 fun books – confession I am great at starting a book….but sometimes life prevents me from finishing them.
Take the stairs – yes, this is one area I am lazy….working on fixing that.
Make time to stretch – another fitness confessional.
Language – pregnancy was a great motivator to watch my words, but here soon I will have a little one who will repeating things….so this year I have decided to find new words for those moments when you just want to scream out things that require censoring.

So there you have it, my dozen goals for 2014.

Happy New Year everyone!

Festive Makeover

2013-11-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

Before Lincoln arrived, I made a long list of things I wanted to do around the house while I was on maternity leave for 12 weeks. However, I didn’t fully grasp how busy our little bundle of joy would keep me. This was especially true while adapting to the BabyWhisperer E.A.S.Y. sleep system, which now I am very thankful for since our little man sleeps through the night… most nights. But fall is my favorite time of year, so I had to spruce up my décor before returning to work.

Before

Blank canvas :)

First thing I had to tackle was our wreath. Travis hated it, and I didn’t want to hear about how ugly our wreath was each week leading up until Christmas.

Ta-Da!

So I ventured down to my local Hobby Lobby, took advantage of its fall décor sale, and voilà, our reinvented wreath!

Second thing was our mantel. While I loved the simplicity of having silver framed pictures of our friends and family, it was a tad boring. Like most of my recent household projects, I harvested ideas from Pinterest.

I quickly inventoried what I had at home, used the leftover wreath décor and with a few touches from Pier 1… I’m pleased to present our festive fireplace!

Of course, I carried over my holiday dining room decor and added a new kitchen towel. Have I mention my obsession for decorative towels? Yes, I’m a dork!

I hope you all are harvesting wonderful memories and giving thanks for this beautiful time of year.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Our Birth Story

2013-10-30T19:04:00.001-07:00

Our family photos - courtesy of http://creamncocoaphotography.com/

Ready to go!

Three months ago my life was forever changed. After being induced on a Wednesday night, and laboring through 26 long hours, it was time for the final push. Travis and I had been up since 4 a.m., and our sweet boy was about to enter the world.

They say there are some moments when everything stops, the world is still and things seem to move in slow motion. The first time I experienced this for myself was when I saw our sweet boy lifted up in the air and his eyes met mine. Granted, this was no TV movie so the nurses had to wipe him off… but he was still one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Instantly, happy tears steamed down my face. I looked at Travis, and for the second time in our life together, I saw a few little tears clinging to the corner of his eyes.

Moments after we met Lincoln.

Sweet 7 pounds and 7.4 ounces.

My best friend Helene, who had been my second delivery coach, was also there to witness this moment. The room was still as we all looked at this crying little miracle, our 7 pound, 7.4 ounce bundle of joy: Lincoln James Kight.

We had time to snuggle and begin the bonding process before the nurses took to be weighed and measured. Daddy hovered over the proceedings as they checked Lincoln’s vitals. Since I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, they had to check his blood sugar. It can back at 54, which is right in line with what they want.

Look at those little eyes!

Kisses for our new baby!

Our family and close friends came to visit that day and the next. Luckily the doctors and nurses didn’t send us home on Saturday, because when little Lincoln broke free of his swaddle, we noticed his hands were a little blue and his arms were shaky. Travis suggested then that we have his blood sugar re-tested. Thank the Lord we did, because on that Saturday afternoon little Lincoln had a scary blood sugar level of 21. When a baby’s blood sugar drops below 20, they run the risk of seizers. So immediately we started supplementing formula using and S&S system to add additional calories to my breast-feeding. Unfortunately, this did not bring his levels up fast enough, so he was admitted into the NICU. This was the scariest moment of my life. To have such an amazing baby be born, then watch him be taken to an intensive care nursery, where he is hooked up to monitors and poked and prodded. In that moment Travis and I clung to each other and did the only thing we knew to do: pray. Hoping that God would help our little boy get healthy quickly. The nurses, our own angels on Earth, did an amazing job. By supplementing sugar water, my breast milk and formula, we were able to get his blood sugar to healthy levels in two days. This told us that his pancreas has adjusted to life outside the womb, and after two nights, it was time to take our healthy boy home.

The amazing NICU at Saint Elizabeth Edgewood

Our warm welcome home, thanks to our family!

Looking back, while this experience was terrifying, it made us the parents we are today. Those extra few days in the hospital gave us time to ask the doctors and nurses extra questions and allowed me extra time with the lactation consultants. Most importantly, it made bringing our baby home seem easy. Making his first night under our roof, his first time in his comfy crib, like heaven! (Especially compared to the uncomfortable “crate” in the NICU.)

I still checked the monitor multiple times through out the night. Even though Travis had offered to stay up and feed him, so I could get long awaited rest.

Now, three months later, our little boy is strong and developing quiet the personality. I feel so blessed to have him in our lives, and like all parents had told me time and time again, I don’t know how Travis and I lived all this time without him.

A huge thank you to our friends and family who have been there for us over the past three months. We are very thankful to have amazing examples of parents all around us. We love you all!

Our alert little man.

Lincoln's first wave, Hello world!

Our angel, Lincoln James Kight.

Blog Hiatus

2013-10-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the radio silence. Over the past three months I have been writing numerous blog posts, in my head....while enjoying every sweet moment of motherhood. Now that we are all on a routine, I look forward to sharing my thoughts...recipes....and a sneak peak into our lives.

I have missed you all!

Love,

Our Nursery

2013-07-27T20:02:00.002-07:00

Jonathan Adler Elephant Bookends

The story behind this room is the perfect example of how irony, destiny and design can all intersect.

On November 8th I was on a flight home from San Diego, where I had spent a week at a conference. Luckily, Travis had flown out with me a few days prior to take in the sites and spend some time together. On the flight home my computer died, and all I had to entertain myself was our trusty iPad. Checking my email, I had a note from Ben and the Pinterest team, telling his story about becoming a new dad and announcing their new secret boards.

Needless to say, I was touched at Ben’s adorable story and his unique approach to telling the world about this new feature. It inspired me to save some of the ideas I had been wanting to pin, for “the future”. At this point Travis and I had taken all preventative measures out of the way, and left our baby future in God's hands. I created a secret board titled “One Day”, ironically not knowing that I was one week pregnant. It’s amazing how God can speak to us in subtle ways, when we aren't even listening. During this 3-hour flight I found tons of ideas, which are now present in our nursery. All that’s missing, is our sweet little boy!

Now without further ado, I present….our nursery.

My sweet friend Kim Post designed these pictures, this was her gift to the baby and beyond perfect artwork.

His crib is a blend of patterns, mixing grey, yellow and touches of white. Perfectly matching this beautiful stroller blanket from Bostonian bestie Sara Zwricker.

This turtle is one of many pieces of nostalgia from Travis's childhood nursery. While it doesn’t 100% match, it was too cute not to be in the room.

The Pottery Barn Kids elephant play-mat & chevron pillow are very thoughtful gifts from our stylish supper club friends Terrah Kocher and Amy Albery.
Later, I found the matching yellow pillow at Pier 1.

On top of our Target storage ottoman is an adorable diaper cake, made by my amazing friend and colleague Ashley Walters. One day she will take everyone’s advice and start selling them on Etsy!

Quacking cute, this duck lamp is another touch from Travis’s childhood. Daddy picked out a new lamp shade today, to match our color scheme. The towel is yet another hand-made gift from our crafty friend Amanda Raybuck.

This cute little rocking chair was a gift from two amazing couples, the Loyall’s and Fassler’s. Our mobile came from Etsy, and daddy installed a corner shelf so we can see our boy when he sleeping....or not.
A family friend made our panel curtains, complete with black out liners for nap-time.

Ironically, both the Chef bear and grey elephant thumbie are from family friend Sue Hunter.

Our organized baby closet, complete with my DIY tags, and Etsy closet dividers. Baskets from Meijer.

We re-framed this third generation baseball picture, to keep the nostalgic theme going.

Finally, the homemade gift that made me cry. My amazing sister in law used individual buttons to make this adorable elephant work of art. It was the perfect final touch to pull all the details together.

Thanks to our family and amazing friends for helping to get our nursery ready for little Lincoln James Kight.
Now let the countdown begin!

My Top 10 Pregnancy Must Haves!

2013-07-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Counting down the days until our little man arrives, I can’t help to reflect on the past 9 months. It’s hard to believe that very soon I will be a new mommy, and our lives will be forever changed. With that being said, there are a few things that I could not have lived without over the past few months. Please know there are many emotional things I could have listed, like a loving spouse… great friends… moms who will answer questions without that judgmental response: “How do you not know this!”. But for those you who just found out you have a bun in the oven, grab a pen and paper cause this list of things, may come in handy…

My Top 10 Pregnancy Must Haves!

Snoggle pillow – This bad boy is essential! I cannot stress how much easier sleep will be if you have one; it supports you in all the right places and prevents parts of you body from going numb in the middle of the night and gives you comfort as you get back to sleep… after your third trip to the bathroom.
Planner or Organization System – It seems like moments after people say congratulations, your calendar becomes flooded with appointments, baby showers, classes… My baby brain can’t think of the rest. Plus you need a place to centralize your baby-related lists… ahhh lists. Who to invite, what to register for, who to send thank you cards to, what you need to do at work and finally… what to pack in the hospital bag. I was blessed to have teacher friends who introduced me to the amazing ErinCondren Planner last year. I honestly don’t think I would be ready for this child without it. However, as long as you have a system you can stick to, you should be good to go.
Largest Water Bottle With a Straw You Can Find – I am not kidding. H2O is your new best friend, and having a straw makes it easier to suck down the ounces you need to keep from feeling nauseas, breaking out, getting Braxton hicks contractions and just feeling blah. Plus the straw will come in handy once baby is here, since you will have your hands full… literally!
The Belly Band – This accessory is great. It can help cover the rubber-banded pants early in your pregnancy and hold them up towards the end. I got two of them, because I liked having color options. I will say the cheaper ones work, but having that little silicone strip from the Ingrid and Isabel does wonders.
Belli Oil – Now at 37 weeks, I have tried it all… cocoa butter, organic creams, you name it! But this stuff has a scent and consistency that are both calming and soothing. It honestly feels like a mini massage when you apply it. Hard to describe, but worth every penny. I found some on Amazon that was a good savings from what Ulta was charging.
Tennis Ball – The further along you get, the more aches and pains you will feel, particularly when sitting for a long period of time or driving. Now its not uncommon for me to take my yellow tennis ball and place it behind my middle back while driving, to make my back stop hurting. This can be done against a wall, down your leg… really wherever it hurts. Because unfortunately your husband will not always be there to rub your back.
Baby Center App – Use the “What to Expect When you are Expecting” book as door stop. Watch the movie instead. In this Prego’s opinion, this book is full of way to much information and it’s, well… scary! The Baby center app gives you little nuggets of information in an easy to digestible form, like “eat a pregnancy super food” or “get your car seat installed.” Complete with happy little boxes you can check off, as the day gets closer. Plus on the days of the weeks you progress, it will prompt you with a little “Your Baby” recap, complete with what size they are and what’s developing.
Pregnancy Spanx – You will want to wear dresses. They are flattering, you can stretch out non-maternity ones and they are comfortable. But everyone needs a little smoothing out and support sometimes.
Supportive Bras – In between my first and second trimester, I experienced a lot of upper back pain. Funny thing was, my bras were now two sizes too small! When I learned this, I was in such shock, I left my beautiful red leather jacket Travis got me a few years ago in the Victoria Secret dressing room. After upgrading my over-the-shoulder bolder holders, the back pain magically disappeared.
Chiropractor – While I know I said I would leave “people” off this list, you really need a chiropractor during pregnancy. Your body is about to go through major changes. Your back, hips, chest…pretty much everything will need to be adjusted from time to time. Plus, some chiro’s even have massage therapist on staff… can you say bonus! The amazing staff at All Star Chiropractic have saved me countless times, and I don’t know what I would do without them.

Like I said, there are many emotional things I could list here. I have been extremely lucky to have a sweet, supportive and loving husband who has been by my side for nine months. I have amazing friends, about of dozen of who are on the same journey. Not to mention my faith, which has kept everything in perspective. While I am still eating spicy food, hoping that will lessen the time between today and the moment I get to meet our little man… I know God has a plan for his due date.

Wishing you all a beautiful 9 month journey!

Picture Perfect

2013-07-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

Like most men, my husband likes to think he is always right. Well, this is one time he was right. At the foot of the steps leading to the second floor of our house, I had tried to make a colleague of pictures of our friends, family and the two of us. Travis (diplomatically) told me it didn’t look quite right. At first, I put my foot down. My “work of art” was going to stay as-is. Needless to say over time, I saw his point.

BEFORE

Thanks to a little pinspiration, I found a new way to display our love and loved ones. Introducing my DIY gallery wall:

AFTER

Step 1 – Measure: After consulting a few friends with a good eyes for design, I decided to us the window as a guide. Next, I bought shelves that would fit in this space from Ikea.

Step 2 – Tape off designated area: Using Frog Tape, I made the job of painting easy on my self by measuring and leveling the gallery wall.

Step 3 – Paint: The gallery wall; let dry over night. (Leave tape up!)

Step 4 – Remove: The tape slowly and see if any touchups are needed.

Step 5 – Measure again: To determine where you want the shelves to sit, remember to take into account the size of pictures you will be resting on these shelves.

Step 6 – Hang shelves: My good friend Ashley Parsons gave me a tutorial on how to hang shelves that saved me from having lop sided pictures. This was the part that gave me anxiety, but once I did one shelf… the rest were a piece of cake.

Step 7 – Arrange and enjoy!

I cannot wait until our little man arrives, and I can add pictures of him.

Bump Pics!

2013-07-22T16:07:00.002-07:00

37 Weeks - We are full TERM!
Baby is the size of a bunch of swiss chard.

Bump Pics!

2013-07-22T16:04:00.002-07:00

36 Weeks, aka 9 Months!
Excited for a day of outlet shopping with my girls....will need to take lots and lots of breaks.

Bump Pics!

2013-07-12T05:54:00.000-07:00

35 Weeks, who knew a honeydew was bigger than a cantaloupe!?
Rocking a little red white and blue for the Fourth of July :)

Good Gifting - Great for Grads

2013-07-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Truth: It’s been a long time since I rocked a cap and gown. But with graduation season behind us and the class of 2013 preparing for college, I thought it would be good to share a nifty idea I found on Pinterest. The majority of grads will get money, gift cards and the occasional sentimental picture frame. However, if you want to think outside the box, why not make them a dorm kit? You don’t even need a gift bag; just use a tote they can use to and from the communal shower. Here is a list of ideas:

Flip flops (rubber or plastic for the shower)
Shampoo
Face wash
Body wash
Luffa
Hand soap
Hand sanitizer
Stain pen
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Floss
Mouthwash
Q-Tips
Pain killer
5 Hour Energy
Their favorite snacks (For our cousin Logan, I included chocolate-covered Oreos, Pringles and Swiss Rolls)
Shower tote (to put it all in)
Fun bow and card

One other direction you can go is the laundry route. Buy a new laundry basket and add in following:

Detergent
Dryer sheets
Stain remover
Towels
Wash cloths
Sheets
Laundry bag or small sorter
Iron
Laundry basket (to put it in)
Big bow and card

This can be a fun alternative or a great add-on for a monetary gift.

Have a great summer, grads!

Bump Pics!

2013-07-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

34 Weeks! Baby is the size of a cantaloupe.
Very happy I can still stretch this White House Black Market dress, maternity and polka dots go together like peas and carrots. :)

Gestational Diabetes

2013-06-24T14:14:00.002-07:00

First, I apologize for my digital silence. A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Given how carefree of a pregnancy I have experienced....most of you were probably waiting for at least one shoe to drop.

Needless to say I was surprised, annoyed and of course worried for our little one. While it can be manage with diet, the side of effects for baby and mama are not to be taken lightly. The good news is, with a little disciple and changing up my diet I can absolutely manage my blood sugar and make sure both of us are getting the nutrition we need.

So I hope you all enjoyed the pasta recipe I just posted...because from here on out it's healthy food all the way. Given that its swimsuit season, most of you will probably love these recipes. I have already discovered amazing snacks and things you can make ahead of time in bulk....like roasted vegetable breakfast burritos. YUM! Come back soon to see what I am cooking up in the kitchen, and other fun things as I prepare for our little arrival.

Caprese Pasta Salad

2013-06-24T13:52:00.001-07:00

I love cooking during the summer. Gardens are full of fresh ingredients, herbs taste the way they should and there are always reasons to get together with friends and family to share a meal. I have been craving caprese salads ever since I had my first farm-fresh tomato of the season earlier this summer. However, it can be hard to serve burrata, heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil to large group. So if you are craving the same thing, here is a cool alternative for hot summer nights.

Caprese Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1 box bowtie pasta

2 ½ cups kumatos or farm-fresh tomatoes

1 small can sliced olives

¼ cup minced red onion

1 cup diced fresh mozzarella

1 cup of fresh basil – 4 leaves set aside for garnish, julienne the rest

½ cup white balsamic & honey dressing (I prefer Private Selection dressing & marinade)

½ olive oil

½ tablespoon chopped jalapenos (Christopher Ranch makes a great jarred version)

Sea salt

Fresh cracked pepper

Directions

Bring a pot of water, lightly salted, to a good boil and add the box of pasta; cook until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Dice, chop and julienne the next 5 ingredients. Mix the mozzarella in ¼ cup of olive oil; cover with basil.

Mix kumatos/tomatoes, olives, red onion and jalapenos in a separate bowl; add this mixture to cooled pasta. Stir in dressing, salt and pepper to taste.

Cover with mozzarella and basil mixture; garnish with a few basil leaves. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Bump Pics

2013-06-24T13:32:00.002-07:00

33 Weeks
Our boy is the size of a pineapple....a fruit I will be having in a blended drink after he is born!