Wednesday, January 31, 2018

My Seattle Cozy Look

Hi Foxy Friends! It's always hard to get back into the swing of things after a nice long weekend. This week The Blended Blog prompt is Cozy In January. Since I was in Seattle over the weekend, I thought it would be perfect to time to take a cozy outfit picture, since it was 85°F over the weekend. I wore shorts and a t-shirt, that's not fun. But Seattle weather, perfect time to take pictures. Plus we went on a short hike to the most gorgeous view, and why not take pictures, right? Okay enough rambling, here is the outfit.

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

I stole the jacket from Abbie, because her jacket was cuter and warmer.




I love being able to take photos somewhere other than my backyard, it was a really nice change of scenery.



I can't find the exact jacket, but I love the 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 jackets. This is the closest one I found, but it has fur around the hood, which is super cute. I found this perfect one from Jones of New York. This one isn't quite the same, but super cute with a wool coat and sweater under it.


And of course a jumping picture, I think this might be my best one yet...mostly it has to do with the amazing background and the fact that I look like I can jump 10 feet high.


Thanks for continuing to link up and make this link  up successful! Now go out and meet some new people!





Linking up here

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Girls Weekend In Seattle + Vlog

Hello Foxy Friends! This past weekend I went to visit Lana and Deena and Abbie decided to join in on the fun. Deena recapped our weekend pretty nicely, so go over and read her recap...I'll fill in some other details.

First can we talk about how awesome Lana's family is and how welcoming they were to 3 stranger ladies coming to their house, being super loud and then eating like teenage boys? And can we talk about Mr. Lana...man he knows how to cook. It was fantastic, we would go out for the day and come home to hot meal on the table, my dream come true. Really this was the BEST girls weekend away I could have asked for.


There was of course lots of shopping



A little bit of site seeing and hiking, if you can call it that.



And lots of pretty scenery.


I got to go on a Ferry for the first time...with a car. That still blows my mind. How do we not sink?



And then some more shopping.


And lots and lots of eating. I'm fairly certain I ate my weight in food this weekend. But oh so worth it!
 





I couldn't imagine a better tribe. I no longer think of them as my blogging friends, but just friends. I am so happy to have gone on this blogging journey and met up with you and create more memories with you. Until next time! Disneyland in March? Who's in?

And of course there is a video/Vlog. Man remembering to Vlog is hard work. But here it is.









Monday, January 29, 2018

2017 Beach Family Pictures

Happy Monday Foxy Friends! Just getting back from the most fantastic trip to Seattle with some fellow Blogger friends. I realized that I never shared our family photos. We took them in La Jolla Scrips Pier.









Of course a family jumping picture











The kids were so done at the end and just wanted to play in the sand...this is how we do angels, in the sand in Southern California.


Linking up here

Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday Favorites #148 + Announcement!

Happy Friday Foxy Friends. Right now I'm with friends for a little girls getaway. I'm so excited to be visiting friends, and will tell you all about it next week! I just hope I don't completely freeze my butt off, we all know I'm a wimp when it comes to weather. Mr. likes to say I have a 3 degree window of comfort...I'm not going to deny that, at all. Okay let's get to my favorites of the week.



In case you missed it this week:

Monday: 5 Tips For Moms To Take Care Of Themselves
Tuesday: 5 Tips to Organize Your Home
Wednesday:Light Weight Tunic
Thursday: Boxy Charm Unboxing



*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

Something super excited to announce! The Blended Blog ladies and I want to connect to more of our readers, so we thought we would open our blogs for you all to share something on our blogs! See details below:

Do you have an anecdote you want to share?

An experience to relate?



A funny tale?



A hard thing that's still happening?



Something on your heart?



None of the above but something burning to be in print?



If you answered yes to any of these, then will you to be my guest on my blog?



With my Blended Blog besties, we're launching a fun new series and I'd love for you to be part of the conversation.



Here are the details:



Each week will have a different topic, if you’re feeling extra wordy, feel free to submit for more than one theme. The theme for February and March is Fostering Strength, here are the topics:


Feb 12-16: A Portrait of Love: Talk about what love looks like to you.  Be creative. Here are 3 examples of very different versions of the post- you can really go anywhere with this Glenna, Jordan, Sara.
 

Feb 19-24: Watch Embrace (rentable on Amazon for $4.99) and create a post using one or some of the questions in the discussion guide (here)- tell us what you took from this film.




              

Feb 26- March 2: Affirmations and self-talk: share your tips, what do you do to build up your confidence? Life hack survival tips: What do you do well that helps you get through life? See an example of a post here.

March 5-10: I’m *insert your age here* and I tried it : any fun trends you want to share that you’ve tried? Or that you’ve been dying to try and just need that little push ? Have you accomplished something that you are really proud of? Here’s an example of what Abbie tried at 35.

March 12-16: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 somethings.  Talk about this period in your life and what you’re going through.   Here are a few examples: JodiRenee

March 18-23: A woman you admire : tell us about the strong women in your life.





*DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION for February guest posts is Feb 9th and deadline for March articles is Feb 28th. 

 

Our goal is to reach out to our reader community because we know there are some great voices out there with stories to be told.  



I will include a bio of your awesomeness and your words. I'm sorry to say that I'm not paid so neither will you but I would love to promote any links you have to your amazingness and send you free hugs. You don't have to be a blogger to participate!



To sum up, in the words of of the lovely Malyn, "I was never at the cool mom table but we made our own table and we're all invited."



You in?



Comment on this post, email foxysdomesticside@gmail.com or message me on Facebook if you've got a great idea or an already formulated post!



You do NOT have to a professional blogger/writer/person. You do have to be yourself.



Can't wait to hear from YOU!



I am sure you have all heard about it, but I saw The Greatest Showman a couple of weeks ago, and OMG, this is the BEST movie. You have to go see it on the Big Screen! The music, wow, speechless. I really hope it wins some awards. Anyway, can't wait for it to come out on video so I can buy it and just watch it on repeat.


This baby's reaction getting glasses is just the cutest.



Only three things today, I figured the big announcement would count for 3 things...so what are you waiting for? Pick a topic and sign up! I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

inking up here

Thursday, January 25, 2018

January Boxy Charm Unboxing

Hi Foxy Friends! I know two Boxy Charms a few weeks apart. I guess because I just got into the subscription service, that my first box came a little late? I'm not sure, but in any case. I love what I got in this new box!

Here's my unboxing video I did. It would mean the world to me if you clicked on it and gave it a thumbs up.



What's in the Box:

Girlactik Lip Paint - $23

Crown Cosmetics Metals Eye Shadow Palette - $25

It Cosmetics Brow Pencil - $24

Pur Bronze and Cheek Palatte- $34

Dr. Brandt Pores No More - $38

So I got all of these products and I only paid $19.33, I mean what a great deal! I have used the lipstick a few times and it's awesome! Great color, and super hydrating, considering it's a lip paint. Highly reccomend, I haven't tried the other products yet, but will let you know!


Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Lightweight Tunic

Happy Wednesday Foxy Friends! Today is my last day of work this week, woo hoo! I'm headed up to visit some friends! I'm so excited, although one of them got sick with the flu and can't come...boo! Next time. I love taking theses girls trips, I don't get them often, but when I do, I appreciate every single second, because I know leaving for 4 days is hard on Mr.

Okay back on topic, I finally found a tunic that covers it all when I am wearing leggings...it's been a long road, but I finally found one. For being so short, I have a super long torso.

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.


Tunic / Leggings / Booties (Similar)



See the back...covers everything.




Necklace is a friend made, you should go check out her shop.

Thank you for continuing to make this link up a success! Now link up some beauty or fashion stuff and meet some new people!





inking up here

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

5 Tips To Organzing Your Home

Hello Foxy Friends! It's the new year and everyone is trying to get organized. Trust me I've been at The Container Store several times all all of the times I've gone it's been empty, they can't seem to keep stuff on the shelves everyone is trying to get their lives organized. I decided, with the help of a YouTube challenge, to finally organize my pantry. It was one of the last places I wanted to really organize, and figure why not! While doing my pantry re-org, I figured out some great tips. So I thought I would share them with you.

Tip 1: Don't Get Overwhelmed

Don't get overwhelmed. Just take it one step at a time. Remember that it's going to get MUCH, MUCH worse before it gets better.



Tip 2: Take Everything Out And Purge

You HAVE to see what you have, so that means you have to take EVERYTHING out of whatever it is you're cleaning. It going to get messy, there is going to be stuff everywhere, but you know what? It makes the perfect time to purge. I can't tell you how many things I had in my pantry that were super expired, I'm talking 2-3 years past expiration date.

I had to make dinner...so everything got pushed away. This was only 1/4 of the stuff I had on my counters. Every inch was covered in stuff. Yep I'm making bacon.



Tip 3: Organize

*Some of the links are affiliate links and I will  either receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you click on it or if you make a purchase from one of these links, I may also receive a commission on the sale of the product. Click here for my disclosure page.

While you're taking the stuff out and purging, try to organize into like things. I know I found a bunch of stuff I didn't know I had in random parts of my pantry. Once you organize you can figure out what sort of containers you can then go out and buy.

Here are some of the things I used in my pantry:

OXO Containers I used the .9 Qt, 2.5 Qt and the 4 qt. Basket Weave Bin Clear Bins
Spice Rack

Tip 4: Sort

Now that you're organized, sort them into the containers that you bought. Figure out the best way to store things, and whether it be how you use it, or with like things. Either way, make sure it makes sense to you and your family because the whole reason you are doing this is so you can find things easier and not have to spend 10 minutes trying to find a pair of scissors.

Tip 5: Enjoy!

Now you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. In all honesty, my pantry was a wreck! And it took me about 5 hours to get everything out, sorted and put back, in reality it took about a week because I had to wait for things to come in the mail and stuff.


Now that my pantry is all organized, I really think when I'm at the store, do I really NEED this? Most times it's a no, so in a way I'm saving money because I know there won't be anywhere to put it when I get home, and I don't want it to go back to the way it was!

Of course I made a video of my whole pantry organization. Take a look below, see not so hard is it?




 

Linking up here

Monday, January 22, 2018

5 Tips For Moms To Take Care Of Themselves

Hi Foxy Friends! Today I'm joining The Blended Blog for our Monday chat session. This week we are sharing self-care tips. Since I am a mom, I'm going to be sharing my secrets to making the best version of me that I can.

Tip 1

You have to get rid of the Mom guilt! You cannot be the best to your family if you are not feeling the best. As a working mom who is away from the house from 5am - 5pm, sometimes it's hard for me to want to go to the gym after work and take the kids with me, and drop them off at the kids care at the gym. I think,  they've been with someone other than me or Mr. the whole day, and now I'm going to drop them off again? You bet I am! I KNOW that when I work out, I feel better about myself, and I get all those anger endorphines out of my system, so that I then have more patience with the kids and am a better mother for it.

I wrote a post a few years back about mom guilt and when it starts to creep in, I came up with the phrase Stop And Think About It, go check it out to see what I mean when I say that. In all honesty I had forgotten that I wrote that, and re-reading it...I'm just nodding my head and thinking, I need to remember all of this!

Shaunacey from Simply Shuanacey also wrote an amazing post on how to get rid of Mom Guilt. It's a must read.

Tip 2

Feel pretty. Honestly, it sounds weird, but you are your best version if you feel pretty. You have more confidence and you feel like you can conquer the world. So do what you need to do to let yourself feel pretty. If that means taking a shower, go take that shower. If your little is crying for you, it's okay, get that quick shower in, because we all know clean hair and a clean body just makes you feel better. If make up, or pretty shoes, or whatever that thing is, buy it, spend a little extra to help you feel pretty. So when you start your day, you can think, I got this.

Make up is my thing...I love everything about it and how it can transform me from feeling blah to feeling much better about life.


Tip 3

Girlfriends/Mom friends. I can't stress this enough, find your local tribe and love them hard. I remember a time when I was sitting on my couch with my mom and sister and crying to them telling them I felt so lonely and that I had no one. My one friend I had here wasn't talking to me for her own issues and I felt awful. So you know what I did, I cried it out and then I got on my bike and made some friends. I was the one that reached out and said, hey let's get together. I put in the work and you know what? I started receiving it back. I was now getting calls to see if we could set up a play dates and Mom's Night Out. I know it makes you uncomfortable at times, but I have found that mostly, they feel the same way and if only someone would just reach out and say, hey I see you and want to be friends.



You might be interesting in reading my post 3 Tips to getting Me Time

Tip 4

Find something that you can do weekly that is just for you. For me that is working out. I wish I could do it more, but because of the Mom Guilt (I should follow rule #1), I try to only go to the gym, gym once or twice a week. The other times I do workout videos at home. which is totally fine because it shows my kids they can workout anywhere if you make the time and it's showing them a healthy lifestyle. Just this month, Mini Fox joined me for some Yoga, and Baby Fox did an entire workout video with me (which I was so freaking proud of, we got him some cans of beans for weights and he did everything, I wish I had taken a picture, but wanted to just be in the moment and enjoy it rather than stopping to take a picture). Anyway, back on track. I have a workout class every Wednesday that I LOVE taking, and it really does put me in a great mood, and I feel great afterwards and it gives me those workout endorphin's that makes me a better mother, as strange as that sounds.

Mr. took this while we were in the middle of meditating. I had no idea he had taken it.

Tip 5

Getting one on one time with your significant other. Making intentional time for your other half. I know this sounds weird as a self care tip, but for me that is working on my relationship with Mr. Every night we watch one show together, which sometimes means I am going to be late, but you know what? It's worth it for me because it is time we get to spend together, and even though we may not be talking, we are together enjoying our down time after the kids go to bed.

My mom used to have this sign in our kitchen, right by our kitchen table that I read everyday for 15+ years...90% of your happiness is who you marry. Which I find totally true, by working on us, I am working on a happier version of myself.


So those are my 5 tips for taking care of yourself. What is something that you can add? I'd love to hear it, either in the comments below or link up your post describing how you take care of yourself.

 Next week we are sharing our Fashion, food, fitness and Friendship goals, please join us and share what's on your mind!










Linking up here