WIWW: Eyeglasses + Link Up

Hello, friends!! I'm drowning over here in the end-of-the-year business that comes along with being a teacher. There are activities or programs going on almost every night of the week which has left me neglecting this little space of mine.

At the same time, my Etsy shop has exploded and I've been completely overwhelmed being a mom, wife, teacher, blogger, and sign maker. Something's gotta give and that's the blog. But, in eight short school days, I'll be done with school and I have some new updates up my sleeve that I can't wait to see come to fruition!

Moving on now!

I'm one of the lucky ones who have worn eyeglasses since elementary. I remember praying for glasses and then, when I had to get them, I instantly regretted it. They weren't quite as fun as wearing my fake ones that I could wear when I wanted.

Luckily, as time has gone on, eyeglasses have become such a fashion statement and I'm no longer wishing I didn't forget to order more contacts :)

Buying eyeglasses online has become a thing. Do people actually still buy glasses from their eye doctor? The ones that cost $4,873,983 and still aren't as cute as the ones you can find on sites like Glassesshop.com? Consider this a public service announcement: stop overpaying for boring glasses!

Glassesshop.com has such a huge selection of eyeglasses, as well as prescription sunglasses for a really affordable price. Like really affordable.

I decided to step out of my comfort zone with these two toned glasses, but I am quite obsessed with them. They fit my face really well and are very comfortable and sturdy feeling.

Lucky for you, GlassesShop.com is giving my readers 50% off all eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses with the code GSHOT50. (This code doesn't work on frames that are already on sale.)

Now for the link up!

Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up

Succulent Love

Succulents are all the rage right now. They are easy plants to maintain and add a fun pop of color throughout your home. But, if you're like me, I prefer even my succulents to be fake! I've rounded up some fun succulent finds for you!

Clockwise from left:

- How fun are these sandals?? I imagine them with a plain black sundress and some hot pink tassel earrings! Oh, and I'd be sitting on a patio with a drink and some chips and salsa.

- These little succulents have great reviews and would add just the right pop of green to any room!

- LOVE this sign! Unfortunately, this is not true in my case. I can even kill succulents! #fakesucculentsforlife

- Y'all, these slides!! How freakin' cute??!

- This succulent print on Etsy starts at just $5. Frame it in a gold frame and give it as a housewarming gift, or hang it up for yourself to enjoy!

- Hanging succulents...yes please! 

- You get both of these adorable ceramic planters for only $10. Again, pot a cute succulent, print out that print from Etsy, and you've got the perfect little gift for any occasion! 

- I feel like this cactus would be in the 'popular' group at school. So sleek and cool. 

WIWW: Olive Dress + Link Up

This is a glorified nightgown and I'm not even ashamed about it. Only being (almost!) 5'3", I've never worn dresses that hit me mid-calf...until I tried this one on!

It does come with a tie around the waist, but I'm not a fan of belting my dresses because, again, I have no torso and I'm 5'3".

The lace detail on this dress is a touch that I normally wouldn't be drawn towards, but I love it. I wore this out to a graduation party Saturday night and got so many compliments!

I guess everyone is a fan of nightgowns :)

Happy Wednesday and thanks for linking up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Whole 30 || Menu Week 1

Hello, friends! We had a great weekend and this week my kiddos take our state assessment, so prayers appreciated. Also, thanks for all the sweet comments and prayers about my Mimi's passing. My family truly appreciates it!

Now, let's get down to this Whole 30 talk. I need preface this again by saying that I am not doing it 100%. Maybe I should just call it Paleo 30? Or eating healthier 30? My doctor wants me to be taking a probiotic each morning which contains ingredients that are not Whole 30 approved. I also refuse to give up my coffee creamer at this point (read above: state assessments). And, honestly, I am wanting this to be more of a lifestyle change and not just a 30 day fix where I get to the end and want to binge on all the ice cream in the whole world!

Here was my menu for the week:

MONDAY:

Breakfast - 2 egg muffins with salsa

Lunch - grilled chicken with quinoa and kale (quinoa is not Whole 30 approved) 

Dinner - zucchini lasagna (contained a very small amount of ricotta cheese)

TUESDAY:

Breakfast - egg muffin with salsa

Lunch - zucchini lasagna

Dinner - sheet pan chicken and veggies (seriously make this!!)

WEDNESDAY: 

Breakfast - egg muffins with salsa

Lunch - zucchini lasagna 

Dinner - eggs and bacon

THURSDAY: 

Breakfast - egg muffin with salsa

Lunch - chopped BBQ pork

Dinner - grilled chicken with bacon, salsa, and avocado

FRIDAY:

Breakfast - scrambled eggs with breakfast sausage 

Lunch - grilled chicken with quinoa 

Dinner - steak, sweet potato, grilled zucchini and squash 

SNACKS:

carrots

strawberry

apple with almond butter

almonds

cantaloupe

Y'all, I've never ate this much grilled chicken in my life. And, I still think it is gross. Gimme all the friend chicken! 

This next week I am trying to be even more strict. The Sunday before I started I made a huge pan of the zucchini lasagna that contained a very small amount of ricotta cheese. It is still a really healthy meal, so I didn't want to not eat on it all week just because of the cheese. The quinoa was a random purchase at Sprouts. I was lacking in lunch ideas and was in a crunch for time and this option turned out to be something I actually could stand day after day. 

Over the weekend I cheated with a margarita (not worth it) and salmon with asparagus drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. I ordered the healthiest thing on the menu and didn't interrogate the waiter just to alter it to be Whole 30 approved. It was delicious and I felt good about my selection. Again, I am trying to make this a lifestyle change and not a 30 day fix.

I hope this helps some of you who are looking for meal ideas. I've gotten over trying to enjoy my food and, instead, I'm in the mindset to eat for nourishment. I'm hoping when I have more time this summer I can find better recipes to try!

Dressing Room Diaries

This Sunday we are taking family pictures. Like with a real photographer! I'm really excited because these will be the first 'official' family pictures we've had since Graham was born.

I knew we needed coordinating outfits, so I ran into Old Navy after work yesterday to try some stuff on and get G and Chris something to wear. 

We are taking pictures outside in a field/wooded area, so I tried sticking to neutrals. Also, I am always about comfort, so I went for things that I felt comfortable being photographed in. 

For reference, I am 5'3", athletic build. I weigh 130 pounds and like my clothes loose. I wear size 2/4 pants and my shirt/dress size ranges from XS-M depending on the style and fit. I am not large chested (obviously), so sometimes I have to size down my tops to accommodate for a low cut. 

Option #1:

I was drawn to this linen-blend romper because the stripes were subdued enough to go well with other neutrals. I also love how linen photographs. I would pair this with some brown wedges or sandals, for a more casual look.  

I have no torso and would consider myself 'hippy', so the pockets really accentuated my hips. I also loved that the straps had two adjustable lengths. Ultimately, I carried it with me to the register, but decided to go with a couple dresses below. I'm wearing a medium. 

Option#2:

I got this dress because, y'all, I felt like I was wearing a mumu!! I am alllll about the loose, flowy dresses. Although the length took me out of my comfort zone, because I tend to steer towards shorter dresses because I'm short, I couldn't help but imagine pairing this with some nude wedges or sandals and going out to dinner! 

Also, the lace detail!! I love the wider straps, too. It felt secure and had the right about of coverage for a mom worried about her little one pulling her top off (me raising hand!). There is the tie option, but I prefer it without on my frame. I'm wearing a medium, but I bought the small. The medium was just a tad too loose in the chest area. 

Option #3:

I honestly have no complaints about this dress whatsoever! What I can complain about is that I'm 5'3" and this dress was just too long for me. It is definitely meant for a taller girl. I'm wearing a medium, but sizing down didn't help the length. 

Option #4: 

The winner! Even though I got the green dress with the lace detail, this is the dress I will be wearing for our pictures! Everything about it is me, and I felt so comfortable in it! It is the perfect length, it isn't tight on my body at all, I'm obsessed with shift dresses, and it is perfect for outside pictures. 

I am going to pair it with my favorite clogs, some chunky earrings, and I'll be good to go! I'm wearing a medium. 

Option #5:

I say option 5, but this wasn't an option for pictures. This dress is just something you could live in! It is so soft!! Plus, it was really cheap! Throw it on with some Converse and you're good to go. 

I'm wearing a medium, but sized down. You can see under my arms how it was pretty big. 

Bonus:

You can never have enough pajama shorts, right?

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Under $30 || Unique Mother's Day Gifts

One of my goals this year is to be better about giving unique gifts. Not clothes, or jewelry. Something different. Something that the person wouldn't buy for them self. 

I'm a procrastinator and I hate just going at the last minute to find something. That's when I end up buying the cliche new blouse or cute necklace. I want to be that person who remembers birthdays and anniversaries and sends cards and a fun gift. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it.

I was actually on top of my Mother's Day game this year! I can't say what I bought because my mom reads my blog (hi, mom!), but I can tell you I finally didn't just spend money to spend it. 

Above are some really fun finds that would be great for Mother's Day. ALL of them have amazing reviews! You could buy a couple to put together in a gift basket, or, if you're feeling like living on the edge, all of them together is only $158, which I found to be shockingly cheap considering all that you'd get. I'm all about the gift basket concept and this would be one your momma would be talking about for years!

Clockwise from top left:

- Pink Clay - 4.3/5 stars! This clay makes you look 10 years younger! Just kidding, but what lady doesn't love getting new products to try??

- Succulent Tea Light Candles - 4.3/5 stars + #1 Best Seller!! I think I'd buy these just because they're adorable. 

- Bamboo Utensils - 3.7/5 stars! How cute are these? For only $13, everyone could use a utensil revamp. They are perfect for summer gatherings, or to wrap up in a gift basket with some fun dish towels and a bottle of wine. 

- Bath Bombs - 4.8/5 stars!! Honestly, I hate baths, BUT my mom, MIL, and SIL loveeee them. The reviews for these are outstanding. Everyone said they were better/comparable to Lush bath bombs. Never heard of those, but if you're a bath bomb connoisseur, there ya go. 

- Salt and Pepper Grinder - 4.6/5 stars! These would be perfect paired with the Bamboo Utensils, a dish towel, and some wine! How fun to give a momma that loves to be in the kitchen!

- Exfoliating Foot Cream - 4.6/5 stars! I literally would have Chris rub my feet with this stuff any chance I could when I was pregnant. Actually, that's a lie. I beg Chris to rub this on my feet pregnant or not! It's amazing. 

- Diffuser - 4.6/5 stars! For all the oil diffuser lovers and mothers, this one has outstanding reviews! 

- Travel Mug - 4.4/5 stars! I mean, can anyone really have too many traveling mugs? The answer is no.

WIWW: Gingham Top + Link Up

I'm admittedly not a summer person. Give me layers and cozy food and I'm set. Sweating and the 100+ degrees Texas temperatures? Not my thing. But, I must say that this year, I'm ready.

I'm ready to see G baby in a swimsuit. I'm ready to take him to the pool. I'm ready to let him indulge in snow cones and stay up past his bedtime. I'm ready. 

And this outfit makes me even more ready. You can't go wrong with gingham. It is classic, can be dressed up or down, and has a way about it that makes me wish I was in the Hamptons. A girl can dream, right?

Here are some of my favorite gingham finds, along with my MUST HAVE stretchy shorts and my favorite nude sandals. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Whole 30: Let's Do This!

A few years ago I did a Whole 30. I stuck to it and it sucked. There is no way around it. My why is what drove me. 

I’ve battled with acid reflux for over 10 years now. I’ve been on and tried every medication and Tums are my best friend. After being fed up with throwing up stomach bile, I decided to do a Whole 30 challenge in the fall of 2014. I didn’t do it to lose weight or for my physique. I did it for my health and, you know what, it helped tremendously.

I was able to keep up semi-healthy eating habits until time passed and I fell back into my old ways. 

So that brings me to now and why I’m doing it again, and the answer is simple: acid reflux and some undiagnosable digestive issues. 

I’m using my blog to help y’all keep me accountable. I must preface this all by saying that I’m not going to be doing it 100%. Honestly, it takes time and that is something that I have a limited amount of right now, so I’d say I’m doing it about 95%. I am not planning on splurging on anything, but I will be eating quinoa (pictured above), some cheese, and I will be putting creamer in my morning coffee because #teacherlife. We are in survival mode and creamer is a must!

I am planning on posting my meals and meal plans. I can tell you know that there will be a lot of repeated meals. I refuse to spend tons of money on random grocery items that then take me 45 minutes to prepare. Ain’t nobody got time for that. 

I am by no means a health food expert. I know my way around a gym, but the kitchen is not my area of expertise, so feel free to share easy (I repeat, easy!) Whole 30 or Paleo recipes with me!

I did take before pictures just to help myself. I refuse to post any on here because, hello, I teach pre-teens who have told me they know I blog (embarrassing), so I don’t need them seeing what my momma gave me. But, I make no promises that this summer I won’t find the guts to show off my hard work. 

Also, I’m getting back into my workout routine, so if you’d like me to post more about that, let me know! 

And, if anyone wants to join me to help me stay accountable, I’d love to hear from you! It takes a village, y’all!