Journey Five || Grey Striped Diaper Bag

Hi friends! Have you shopped at Journey Five? So many cute items!! I received their Grey Aztec Diaper Bag and love it.  First of all, anything with stripes is a keeper for me and the cover Aztec design adds a pop of fun pattern. 

There are a total of 10 pockets, which is really important to me to keep everything organized and I love that most have a magnetic snap.  

You can wear this bag as a backpack or a messenger bag.  Backpack = hands/arms free and thats a big plus! The straps are removable if you aren't a backpack type of mama (or dad), which is a good option for other days as well.  

Being lightweight is so nice when you're carrying around kids, toys, and everything under the sun with you so the durable canvas material is great, as well. 

Journey Five also features more bags such as the Black Elizabeth's Striped Diaper Bag, Chic Chevron XL Bag, and the Double Chevron Diaper Bag all of which are so cute!  I also love their tops for the fall.  These are a few of my favorites: Kayla Floral Raglan , Navy Striped Bib Tunic , and their Long Sleeve Lace Blouse.  

If you follow Journey Five on Instagram (@journeyfive), they always post great deals that you can purchase directly from IG (hello, mama time saver) and always great customer service.  Be sure to check out their website as well, www.journeyfive.com.  Thanks so much, Journey Five, for our new diaper bag! 

Blogger Meet & Mingle || Amy Coral Blogs

It's Meet & Mingle day! Every week I'm sharing some of my favorite girlfriends and their blogs.  This is a great opportunity to see who's "behind the blog" and to get to know other bloggers.  Today, I'm so happy to share Amy from Amy Coral Blog  with you! Hope you enjoy getting to know her more with all of her answers to some fun behind-the-blog questions!

Your blog name & it’s significance

Hey! I am Amy and I blog over at Amy Coral Blog. My blog name is my first and (one of) my middle names. I wanted something simple and represented me. So Amy Coral Blog was born! 

Tell us a little about your family. 

I am engaged to the love of my life, Brock. He is the perfect person for me and I adore him immensely. We have two daughters, Kinsey, who will be 4 in September, and Bree who is 3 months old (WHAT?!). Kinsey is what you would call a "threenager"; full of attitude and challenging us on a daily basis. But she is an awesome little firecracker. Bree is easy-going like her daddy and I can't wait to see her little personality grow! I am the oldest of four kids and we live right around the corner from my parents! 

Currently in my shower [favorite beauty products]...

Honestly, my shower is so boring. I don't use anything special. I keep it simple with Herbal Essences, Proactiv, and Dove soap. I use grapefruit essential oil in the shower every day so I guess that would be my favourite. 

I never leave the house without...

My iPhone, wallet, kids (haha, I did have to throw the obvious in there), diaper bags, snacks and water. 

First thing you do when you have 5 minutes to yourself.

Enjoy the silence. Before I had two littles, I never fully appreciated the sound of silence. Now sitting in silence is a much deserved treat! 

Favorite cupcake

Let's be honest here, I won't turn down any kind of cupcake.

Top three baby items you’d recommend to new moms.

These Aden and Anais swaddles. We were gifted ours and I am totally in love with the colours, a house cleaner for the first few months, and COFFEE. 

Currently obsessed with…

I have a lot of obsessions. With a two month old, sleep is my current obsession. ;)

But actually if I think about it, lately I have been obsessed with Instagram. I am constantly on there schooling through my feed for any kind of inspiration. There are a lot of amazing people on there! 

Top three meals you make for your family. 

Meatloaf, spaghetti, and balsamic chicken. All so easy and favourites around here! 

Favorite blog & why. 

I would have to say either Little Baby Garvin. She writes about motherhood on such a relatable level, and her posts and pictures are always creative, fun and inspiring. I also love Tawnya over at Little Adventures Blog. She's real, inspiring, and such a nice girl that you can't help but like her. 

Social media links:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amycoral

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmyCoralBlog

Twitter: www.twitter.com/_amycoral

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amycoralxo

Blog: http://www.amycoralblog.blogspot.ca

Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your life with us, Amy! I just love learning about who's behind the blog...so fun, right?! Be sure to pop over to her blog and visit her social media links and follow along! 

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If you'd like to be featured for a Meet & Mingle, please contact me at thebirdsnestblogger@gmail.com.  Feel free to grab a button while you're here. ;)

Blogger Meet & Mingle || Sami Rae Writes

It's Meet & Mingle day! Every week I'm sharing some of my favorite girlfriends and their blogs.  This is a great opportunity to see who's "behind the blog" and to get to know other bloggers.  Today, I'm so happy to share Samantha from Sami Rae Writes with you! Hope you enjoy getting to know her more with all of her answers to some fun behind-the-blog questions!

Your blog name & its significance


Hello! My name is Samantha and I'm the author behind Sami Rae Writes! As I struggled to name my blog, I finally decided to go with the childhood nickname I received from my father (who is one of my major support in this) and what I've always loved to do. That's how Sami Rae Writes was born! I love it because my blog is truly about getting my written voice heard and I can write about anything throughout my different journeys of life.

Tell us about your family

I married my first and only boyfriend at the age of 19 in May of 2013, and a year later in June our precious son was born. These two boys truly run my world and keep me on my toes! I am blessed to be a stay at home mommy and housewife and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Currently in my shower [favorite beauty products]...

Currently in my shower is some pretty cheap beauty products. I use Suave Professionals products for my hair and Bath & Body Works body wash (they just had one of their big annual sales!) Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done

I never leave the house without...

I never leave the house without my child. Seriously! Being a stay at home mom means dragging my son around everywhere I go, but I enjoy it. I also never leave without my cell phone or my wedding ring. If I'm halfway to my destination and realize I forgot to put my ring on, I will literally drive all the way back to get it. The significance is very important to me!

First thing you do when you have 5 minutes to yourself

When I (finally) get five minutes to myself, the first thing I usually do is eat. There's something about eating food without a child in your lap begging for some that makes food taste ten times better!

Favorite cupcake

My favorite cupcake is any cupcake! If it's homemade, even better. I have a major sweet tooth so dessert is the way to my heart!

Top products you'd recommend to new moms...

If you're a new mom, I definitely recommend investing in an automatic baby swing. It will be your lifesaver in the early months! Also invest in a baby carrier. I recommend a Tula but honestly whatever works for you is best. Being able to carry a baby hands-free is awesome. Lastly, get some reusable nursing pads! I know it's technically not for baby, but it's because of baby! Don't spend tons of money on disposable nursing pads every month like you do diapers, just buy (or make) a pack of reusable ones and there you go. They truly are a lifesaver when your newborn (or any newborn) cries in public.

Currently obsessed with…

 I'm currently obsessed with DIY projects. There's not a crafty thing that I haven't tried this year!

Top three meals you make for your family

The top three meals I make for my family are:

 - Salsa chicken breast (cover chicken with taco seasoning and salsa and bake. So easy!)

 - Pesto Chicken Pasta

 - Turkey Tacos

As you can probably tell, I love chicken!

Favorite blog & why 

My favorite blog right now is Unveiled Wife. Jennifer is so encouraging and reminds me to pray for my husband and marriage every day. But honestly, I like to read so many blogs because we're all unique and have something different to offer to others!

Social Media Links:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your life with us, Samantha! I just love learning about who's behind the blog...so fun, right?! Be sure to pop over to her blog and visit her social media links and follow along! 

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If you'd like to be featured for a Meet & Mingle, please contact me at thebirdsnestblogger@gmail.com.  Feel free to grab a button while you're here. ;)

Blogger Meet & Mingle || Frost on the Vine

 

It's Meet & Mingle day! Every week I'm sharing some of my favorite girlfriends and their blogs.  This is a great opportunity to see who's "behind the blog" and to get to know other bloggers.  Today, I'm so happy to share Heather from Frost on the Vine with you! Hope you enjoy getting to know her more with all of her answers to some fun behind-the-blog questions!

Your blog name & its significance
I started FrostontheVine.com this past April. During that time, I would wake up early to go walking and I would watch the sun melt the frost from the foliage…such a pretty transition. Frost really only occurs twice a year; fall & spring. It symbolizes change for me. As hard as it can be sometimes, I strive to accept change and find adaptability. It seems to be an underlying theme for me. 

How did you meet your significant other?

I’m a leasing manager for a townhome community in Upstate New York. For my first two years, this really sweet southerner, who was up north for his job, would come into my office for rent receipts, to pilfer paperclips, and to ask me to fax things for him.  I was more than happy to oblige. I just thought he was the nicest, most handsome tenant…scratch that…man I’d ever met…and then finally he asked me out to dinner. My jaw dropped. We’re not supposed to fraternize with tenants so I tried to politely get out of it by telling him I had other plans. It didn’t work. It was obvious that he wasn’t going to leave my office without a date. Today, I am happier than I ever thought possible. I love him with all of my heart and we’ll be together two years August 2^nd.

Oh…and he’s since moved out, so I’m not breaking any rules anymore. lol

Currently in my shower [favorite beauty products]...
Any of the Shea Moisture bars. I have temperamental skin and this stuff is great. You can find it online or at CVS.

I never leave the house without...
My phone charger! Yes…I fear that disconnected to the world feeling when my phone dies.

First thing you do when you have 5 minutes to yourself
Only 5 minutes?  I usually check my social media but its funny how 5 minutes can turn into 30 when you’re lost on the net.

Favorite cupcake

GGrrrrr…I am currently doing a 31 day reboot challenge. I’m refraining from eating anything that comes in a package. I’m pretty much sticking to produce and eggs…just about any cupcake is my favorite cupcake right now…and the more frosting the better!!

What is your favorite time of year?

I love autumn. I just love carving pumpkins, and the air when it just starts to get brisk, and turning the heat on for the first time. I just love everything about that little pocket of time. Especially Halloween. I’m a big Halloween freak!

Currently obsessed with…

Succulents!!! I’m really into them right now. I recently blogged about them.

Top three meals you make for your family
Fried chicken, lasagna, and aglio e olio are my go to’s but I really want to get a recipe for Puerto Rican rice and beans down pat. My Aunt Wanda would always make that when she came to visit and we just went nuts over it.

Favorite blog & why 

I have so many favorite blogs!! Probably my favorite is ChaChingonaShoeString.com. I’ve been following it long before I decided to join the blogging community. Kaley has the best coupons and deal alerts around. Definitely worth checking out!

Social Media Links:

Blog -  http://frostonthevine.com

Instagram - @frost_on_the_vine 

Facebook - http://frostonthevine.com

Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your life with us, Heather! I just love learning about who's behind the blog...so fun, right?! Be sure to pop over to her blog and visit her social media links and follow along! 

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If you'd like to be featured for a Meet & Mingle, please contact me at thebirdsnestblogger@gmail.com.  Feel free to grab a button while you're here. ;)

Toddler Town

We've been riding the toddler town train all week here...ever have one of those days? ;)  I love this little monkey so much, but we all have those days.

Where you say "Go get in your highchair, breakfast is ready", and they hear "Go grab the Italian bread and ride it around like a witch on a broom".  Those kind of days.

I've been browsing Pinterest for some fun ideas, yummy meals, and activities to soak up our last weeks of summer...and slow down the toddler crazy.

This cloud dough sounds so fun to make and it's taste-safe, which is perfect for toddlers!  Two ingredients and it's ready for some little hands.  This will most likely be an outside activity so we'll save it for a day filled with sunshine.

I bought a huge head of butter lettuce from the farmer's market and these Chicken Lettuce Wraps sound so delicious.  I can't wait to try this recipe.  Anything from Damn Delicious is normally amazing so I'm sure these will follow suit.

This Little Bunny Embroidered Sleep Set is perfect for the fall and how cute are these Dancing Cat PJs?! Perfect for Halloween!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week! XO

Blogger Meet & Mingle || Mother Stressor

 

It's Meet & Mingle day! Every week I'm sharing some of my favorite girlfriends and their blogs.  This is a great opportunity to see who's "behind the blog" and to get to know other bloggers.  Today, I'm so happy to share Alicia from Mother Stressor with you! Hope you enjoy getting to know her more with all of her answers to some fun behind-the-blog questions!

Your blog name & it’s significance

My blog name is "Mother Stressor", which sounds like mother effer... I don't usually use curse words but I do get stressed out a lot, so I mumble things like Dangit and mother eff! And son of a gun. Lol. 

My blog site is "StressedButStillSmiling.blogspot.com" so I also use Stressed But Still Smiling a lot. I write mostly about trying to find humor in stressful mommy situations so I try to focus on smiling through the stress, and helping others do the same. I also challenge moms to take #stressedbutstillsmilingSelfies ... Which I repost on my Instagram to help show that it's possible to smile through the craziness that is motherhood! 

Tell us a little about your family

My hubby and I met when in high school and have had our fair share of ups and downs. But fifteen years after meeting, we are happily married with three beautiful daughters, who are 11, 8 and 2 years old. We are a blended family, but I go into more detail on that in my blog :) We love hanging out in our backyard, watching movies together, going out for frozen yogurt and walks, making ridiculous dubsmash videos together, and playing board games. Our absolute favorite place to go is Disneyland! 

Currently in my shower [favorite beauty products]...

Dove exfoliating bar! And I love my tuel face wash system! Also, and I know this sounds crazy.. But Vaseline, and Apple cider vinegar! Not together... I use Vaseline for everything.. Soft lips, soft skin, removing eye make up. And I drink 2-3 tsps of apple cider three times a day for clear skin and lots of energy! 

I never leave the house without...

Mini Vaseline (I HATE having dry lips/skin! Totally freaks me out!), gum, cell phone... Mainly for my gps and to add thoughts and notes to my notepad... I'm the worst ever at finding my way and if I don't write something down/type it out the second I think of it, it's gone for good! (Mommy brain!) 

First thing you do when you have 5 minutes to yourself

Check social media, read a book, work on homework. Oh, and use the bathroom peacefully.

Favorite cupcake

Funfetti! And chocolate. Gimme all the chocolate. 

Top three baby items you’d recommend to new moms 

A good, comfy nighttime nursing bra! It doesn't have to be an expensive brand, I got my favorite one from Target! 

Boppy pillow... The real brand, not a knock off. I got a knock off brand first and it was not enough support at all!

And some sort of wrap/sling. I didn't use one with my babies because my babies are huge and I didn't find one that felt supportive or comfortable enough. I'd love to find one that works for me with our next baby! 

 

Currently obsessed with…

Iced coffee. Iced coffee all day!! And cucumber water. And kindof The Bachelorette, because this season is like a trainwreck... I can't look away even though I want to. 

Top three meals you make for your family

Sauteed Salmon

Spaghetti...They'd eat it every night if I let them.

Chicken...All kinds. Grilled or baked is our go to though. 

Every meal has some sort of fruit or veggie as a side, that's my rule!

Favorite blog & why 

I really like Baby Boy Bakery, because she's honest, raw and full of faith even in the dark time that she is going through. I also like alovingspoon.com because I love following the amazing adoption story of a member of my church who also has great healthy advice and is a dedicated woman of God. I also like reading thrilledbythethought.com, because it's beautifully written and relatable stories of motherhood. 

Social Media Links:

Blog: http://www.stressedbutstillsmiling.com 

Facebook.com/StressedButStillSmiling 

Instagram: @stressedbutstillsmiling 

 

Pinterest: @alicia209

Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your life with us, Alicia! I just love learning about who's behind the blog...so fun, right?! Be sure to pop over to her blog and visit her social media links and follow along! 

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If you'd like to be featured for a Meet & Mingle, please contact me at thebirdsnestblogger@gmail.com.  Feel free to grab a button while you're here. ;)

Blogger Meet & Mingle || Peace and Chaos

 

It's Meet & Mingle day! Every week I'm sharing some of my favorite girlfriends and their blogs.  This is a great opportunity to see who's "behind the blog" and to get to know other bloggers.  Today, I'm so happy to share Cole from Peace and Chaos with you! Hope you enjoy getting to know her more with all of her answers to some fun behind-the-blog questions!

Your blog name & it’s significance

My name is Cole and my blog is called Peace and Chaos. I started Peace and Chaos in early 2013 as a way to express myself. I've always loved reading, writing, art and photography - and basically any creative pass time - so it made sense to share that publicly. My blog is a lifestyle blog, with a focus on self-improvement and creativity. I named my blog Peace and Chaos because I always felt that life is sometimes peaceful, and other times chaotic, and that's okay.

Tell us a little about your family

I live with my 7-year-old daughter and fiance. I was a teen mom. Nick and I have been together almost nine years now and we've always supported ourselves since my pregnancy. We work hard, and we play hard, and we love life.

Currently in my shower [favorite beauty products]...

I'm not big on beauty products, but currently in my shower is some handmade soap, generic shampoo and conditioner. I use a variety of different makeup, but always my Maybelline master precise liquid eyeliner. 

I never leave the house without...

My giant purse full of stuff, which always includes: my phone, a notebook and pen, umbrella, gum, wallet (money!), lip balm, sunglasses, napkins, hand sanitizer, etc. People always say that if they need something on the go, I probably have it in my purse!

First thing you do when you have 5 minutes to yourself

Check my email. I'm a little bit obsessed.

Favorite cupcake

Vanilla, with vanilla frosting.

Top three baby items you’d recommend to new moms 

Stock up on receiving blankets and a baby swing  

Currently obsessed with…

Iced coffee! Since the beginning of spring I've been making iced coffee at home and drinking at least two a day.

Top three meals you make for your family

Nick is a vegan, so meals tend to be difficult. We either eat a vegan dish, or have to make two different things. Typically, we like to make spaghetti with veggies, chicken and veggie burgers with salad or stir-fry. 

Favorite blog & why 

I have quite a few favourite blogs that I check on frequently. I love The Laughing Medusa because Sarah's writing is so honest and fun. She offers great advice on living an exciting life. I love Uncustomary Art because Mary is so much fun, colourful and happy! Her blog makes me want to dance! And I love reading The Nectar Collective because Melyssa shares the best advice on building a successful blog and business. 

Thank you so much for sharing a slice of your life with us, Cole! I just love learning about who's behind the blog...so fun, right?! Be sure to pop over to her blog and visit her social media links and follow along! 

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If you'd like to be featured for a Meet & Mingle, please contact me at thebirdsnestblogger@gmail.com.  Feel free to grab a button while you're here. ;)