mama style: fall is here!

Sweater Dress, H&M
Tights, Target
Boots, Charlotte Russe

I am so excited for fall!!!!  It's my favorite time of the year, and it's the best season, in my opinion.  Apple cider, bright skies, crisp air, pumpkins, warm fires, layering clothes, my boots, flannel, spices, crunchy leaves...I love it all.

While it's officially fall here, the mornings are really cool but the afternoons are still wonderfully warm and comfortable.  We are enjoying this gorgeous weather and making the most of these beautiful days.

We did a mini photo shoot on our patio on Sunday since we got dressed up a little more to head to church.  Finn was happy to help out.  I love him in his little flannel. :)

Here's to all the mamas out there.  You are beautiful and lovely!

mama style: summer date night...

Tank and necklace: H & M
Skirt: Charlotte Russe

Last week, Finn got to go hang out with Landon's parents for a few days so we could de-clutter our house.  We worked pretty hard and got rid of a ton of stuff we rarely use anymore.  It felt so good to get things cleaned out.

We made sure to spend some quality time not cleaning together, but just hanging out on a date.  I love dressing up just a bit since I'm at home a lot with Finn and don't get the chance very often.  It was a gorgeous summer evening when we went out, so I paired a simple black tank, with a red mini skirt I love, and a fun necklace.  It was perfect as we sat outside on a patio drinking margaritas and eating mexican food, then heading over to a classy tasting room at a local meadery.

It was such a wonderful night, and so fun to dress up a bit more than usual.  Date nights are so precious to Landon and I, and it feels so good to spend time with my best friend!

mama style: natural face routine...

I finally found an easy and natural face routine to help exfoliate and smooth my face.  These winter months are hard on my skin, and the dry build-up I get is annoying.  After looking through various routines online, I mixed a couple together and the results have been great.

For my skin, which is a combination depending on the weather, I use a brown sugar/olive oil scrub first, then a greek yogurt/egg white mask second.  I have been doing this once a week, and it keeps my face feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Here is the method I've used:











My favorite moisturizer for the day is Lumene Pure Radiance Day Cream with Vitamin C.  I use the night cream in the evenings.  I have also found that applying almond oil to my face before showering helps with the dry skin, as I love to take hot showers.

mama style...plus an update...

Wednesdays are my busy days; Finn and I have the car and I go to Bible study then run errands, Finn takes one nap, and we pick up Landon after work.  I try not to look too frazzled on days like today, but it's hard sometimes.  Thankfully, I got some new earrings that really spruce up any look...like roll out of bed, throw my hair in a bun and slap on a little eye makeup look.  I'm getting better at accessorizing, because I'm terrible at it, and things like earrings really help.  I got them at Khol's on sale, plus a coupon...boosh.

This week has been crazy period.  Landon and I decided to stay in Indy for another year, then revisit that decision next year.  We have been contemplating moving out of state for awhile and see ourselves living somewhere else in the future.  However, with timing of a few things, we thought it best to stay a bit longer here and take this next year to really figure out what our future may look like afterwards.  So, we may be staying in our condo, or we might move within the city elsewhere, and these past few weeks have been figuring that out.  Basically, we're waiting on two people to get back with us before we know for sure.  And it's hard to wait.  I love to plan, and I want to know way ahead of time what the plan will be.

Since we may or may not be moving in the next month, and we are busy every weekend in February (best month of the year!!), I will not be posting as frequently...as you have seen already.  But, I'll try to stay in the loop!

mama style: coconut oil uses...

I have been using organic coconut oil for about a year now, and love it for its many uses in beauty, health, and the kitchen.  After reading an article about coconut oil, I went to Whole Foods and picked up my first jar.  Now, a year later, I'm still finding new ways to incorporate it into my beauty routine and everyday diet.
Here is a good article on the benefits of using this amazing oil.  Top on the list for me is heart health, and boosting metabolism...things I'm sure I will care more about (and should) as I get older.

Some of my favorite uses for coconut oil are:

*Skin - I use it on my lips and face as a moisturizer, and it also works great on pregnant bellies to prevent or control stretch marks.

*Teeth - Have you ever heard of oil pulling?  Neither had I until a few months ago.  Here's the video I watched, and now I regularly practice oil pulling.  A nice side effect of this practice is natural teeth whitening.  After only one time, I noticed my teeth were brilliantly white, similar to using the whitening strips.  Now, I have a perfect way to rid my body of toxins, and get a great smile at the same time.

*Diet - After learning of the many health benefits of using coconut oil in my diet, I now try to incorporate it into our meals at least once a day.  It's a great fat to put into Finn's oatmeal in the morning, and I also love to add it to my eggs or toast instead of butter.  It has a slightly sweet taste, but it's very pleasant, and not overpowering.  Here's a good blog post on ways to use coconut oil in your home.

Things I'm wanting to try with coconut oil but haven't yet:

*Hair - I've been reading on how you can use coconut oil to condition and repair hair, and I'm hoping to try it soon!

*Natural Diaper cream - I am still doing some reading, but I think I can use coconut oil as a cloth diaper safe cream.  Finn has very sensitive skin, so it would be a great way to keep him comfy and not ruin our cloth diapers in the process.

*Homemade natural sunscreen - I found a recipe, now I just need to make it!

Needless to say, there are so many uses for coconut oil, and I just love that I can buy one product instead of 10.  Better for my health and body, and better for my wallet.

What about you, do you use coconut oil?  And what's your favorite way to use it?

mama style: lips...

Lip Balm Stain

I have only bought lipstick twice since being married, and I was looking for something new and fun for the holiday season.  My sister-in-law told me about lip stain, and I found this one at Target recently.  It's lip stain with balm, so it doesn't dry out my lips, and the color stays vivid all day.  I normally don't wear lipstick, as it tends to leave my lips dry, but I am loving this stain!

Landon is taking me to his work Christmas party in a couple weeks, and it's a fancy affair this year, so I'm putting on a dress and heels, and this lip stain will complete the look perfectly.

I will be posting some other fun beauty tips this week that I've learned in the past year or two, so stay tuned!

mama style: boots...

I have been on the hunt for a good pair of brown boots for awhile now.  I probably wouldn't have a hard time finding some, except for one thing...I wear size 12 shoes.  (womp, womp.)

While this was a struggle for me growing up as a gawky teenager trying to find fashionable shoes, it's actually become a blessing.  If I had smaller feet, you can bet your buttons my closet would be jam packed with unnecessary pairs of shoes bought on a whim.  There have been many times I see a pair of cute shoes and really really want them, and alas, they are size 9, 10, or 11.  Size 11s are like a tease....

So, this time for boots, as I have two pairs of old size 11s that I crammed my toes into, I was determined to find some that actually fit correctly.  I have seriously been checking around online for over a month now, and couldn't find anything that I liked or that was in my price range.  I got so desperate (over boots, no less) that I found some Sperry Top Siders that I convinced myself I loved, even though they were Sperry Top Siders - and over $100.  If you know me at all, you'd know I had gone a little mad at this point.  Thank goodness for a husband and a sister who wisely talk sense into me when I need it.

As I looked once more online, I stumbled across these boots from Wet Seal...in size 12!  They were exactly what I was looking for: in brown, somewhat military/combat style, and foldable.  I couldn't believe I hadn't seen them before.  Bonus, they were on sale, and under $40!

So the moral of the story for me has been to not give up, to not settle, and more importantly, embrace my unique self.  There are no other feet like mine, and I'm proud of it.  I'm so excited to wear my new mama style boots this winter, and feel satisfied knowing I worked so hard to find them.  Now, to find some good outfit ideas incorporating boots and/or leggings!  Pinterest, you best be watching your back.

mama style...

I normally don't do fashion or outfit posts, but I got a shirt the other day and really loved it, so I thought I'd share.  There's a great second-hand shop near us, and I was able to get his great flannel shirt for $10.  It makes the cool weather feel so good, and wearing flannel makes fall feel that much closer.  You know when you wear an outfit that just works and makes you feel beautiful and great?  This was it for me.  I've worn this outfit maybe three times in the last week, I love it that much!

Being a mama can take a lot out of me...I am tired, overwhelmed sometimes, and paying attention and caring for a little one 99% of the time.   There are few moments that I truly have to myself, or feel like I am looking my best, only because I don't have a lot of time to "do myself up."  I am getting better at dealing with this, but I don't want to play the martyr either.  I am learning to cut out time wasters in my life, and making room for things that matter to me more, and not making excuses.  In my opinion, a mama needs to take some time for herself and make herself feel beautiful.  It's vital and necessary.

I was reading Bringing Up Bébé awhile ago, and a quote really stood out to me.

"She forgets about her baby, to think about herself.  She now takes a shower, gets dressed, puts on makeup, becomes beautiful for her own pleasure, that of her husband and of others.  Evening comes, and she prepares herself for the night, for love."

Let's be honest, the French make everything sound romantic and blissful.  But I really think there are some wise words in there.  Have you ever seen a mama that's obviously frazzled, tired, and grumpy?  I have...that was me yesterday!  Landon came home from work early, and told me to take a shower and get dressed up to go out for coffee.  I followed his advice, and it really made a huge difference.  My day was better, I was able to read my bible, read my favorite blogs, enjoy a nice drink, journal, read in peace, and feel beautiful and clean for a bit.

Now I am not saying that mamas should make sure they look hot and awesome every moment of every day...that's clearly not realistic or reasonable.  What I am saying is mamas should make time for themselves every once in awhile, to keep up morale.  Have your partner or a sitter watch your child for a couple hours once a week or twice a month, get dressed up and go out...but not for grocery shopping or errands.  Get coffee and read a book, window shop for things you like, check out an art gallery.

I really don't think mamas were meant to do everything on their own...props to those who can, but that's definitely not me.  There are things that keep me going every day - prayer, my husband, friends, and yes, looking good and feeling comfortable in my own skin.

Here's my fall mama style: casual, comfy, and easy.