Friday Favorites

If you follow us on Instagram you know our Dad had a birthday last week. So I thought I'd share a few of my favorites that we used for his birthday and family party in case you are party prepping for a birthday of your own. 

THE CAKE

The man loves chocolate. Really loves it. Over the years we have tried many (and I do mean many) a chocolate cake but have found that the Betty Crocker Super Moist is our favorite. 

THE CANDLES

We try to change up cake toppers a bit every year. This year I found these Happy Birthday candles at the Dollar Tree for a $1 but I have seen them at Walmart as well if you can't find them at your dollar store. The dollar store also has good wrapping paper every now and again so if you see some you like stock up because chances are when you come back it will be gone and only ugly stuff left. 

THE DECOR

Targets dollar spot is always a great place for party goods but I actually found Snoopy plates and party decor (not pictured) on sale in the birthday aisle. If you know you have a bday coming up check there every now and again and you'll be surprised at what you might find. I also found some cool hanging Snoopy decor that the kids and Grandpa loved. Birthday paper is also from the dollar store. Sometimes their stuff is not great but the last few times I have needed paper they have had some good stuff. Worth checking out.

THE CARD

I made photo Valentine cards at Walgreens this year, did same day pick up and was not impressed. But, for my Dads birthday my kids and I made this cute Birthday sign and then I used Shutterfly to make him a birthday card. It will take longer but it will go straight from Shutterfly to my Dad. With the coupon code I used (and they almost always have one) it was $2-4 dollars cheaper than buying a card at the store and sending it. Plus this way he has pictures of his grandkids (it let me use 3) on the card instead of some random picture. It takes a bit of planning. (Ours will miss his birthday by at least a week.) But, next time I'll think ahead and try the same thing again for Grandma.

So those are my latest favorite party finds. If you can't tell I'm loving the dollar store right now. I already have a small stash of stuff for my little boys birthday that is coming up. But, more on that later. :) Happy Friday all! 

xo, Jordy

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Friday Favorites

We just got back from an awesome, long awaited vacation to San Diego and let me tell you the sun on my skin felt like heaven, the sand on my feet was my yearly pedi and traveling with two kids was no joke, a crazy train on crack (the crazy crack train being Jared and I)! All joking aside they did awesome but there were definitely some crazy moments, but it sure was fun to get away with our little family.

I wanted to round up some Friday Favorites that I've absolutely loved from the vacation!

This baby wrap comes with special magic sleep dust and allows mama to be hands free to chase after a crazy blonde toddler child. 

Love, love, love the instant color, no smell, and longevity of this stuff! My bronzer always seems to wear off mid day and this tanner defiantly helps a girl out with pale sickly white skin.

I have green eyes so I've been around the block a time or two in the plum eye liner department; this stuff is a keeper, the color doesn't fade or rub off on your upper lid!

Traveling without our white noise machine so we pop on this baby on our phone; we haves used this for two and half years now. I love that it is customizable; my kiddos especially love the crickets and ocean waves.

Of course I had to grab a swimsuit for Brookes; right now Gap is having a 40% off everything sale!

Picked up this water activity pad for the plane ride and my two and half year old held still for a whopping 40 minutes! We pulled this sucker out for restaurants, church, and long car rides . . . life saver!

Now we just gotta get over our post vacation blues. Happy weekending my friends! 

XO, Megs 

SaveSave

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Lazy Lake Days with The Baby Cubby

If you don't know the two of us are both expecting babies this fall. Between the two of us it will be baby #4 and #5, which means we have been through our fair share of diaper bags. While on the hunt for new bags for the new babes The Baby Cubby asked us to review one of their bags and we love it. 

Diaper bags, in our minds must meet 3 main requirements:

• Multiple handles so it can be carried several different ways.
• Plenty of pockets and storage space for bit and small items.
• Every surface of the thing must be waterproof and/or wipeable.
• Its a nice added bonus if we like the way it looks. 

After spending a day at the lake with their bag we fell in love and are currently in the middle of an intense game of rock, paper, scissors to see who gets it. 

Why we love it:

• The large middle pocket easily holds diapers, wipes, a changing pad, snacks etc. 
• The front zips open and becomes your wallet should you choose to make it so. There are pockets for credit cards, museum memberships, and any other valuables you'd like to keep there. 
• A long shoulder strap lets you carry it across your body, or on your shoulder while two shorter handles let you carry it more like a purse.
• It comes with stroller straps to attach right to your stroller so you don't have to carry it at all. 
• All surfaces passed the wipe test as surprise surprise apple juice was spilled on it.
• Its well made and can take the use and abuse of being taken on our outdoor outings but still has style for trips around town and out with the girls.
• Two thumbs up for gender neutral. We are having boys, but this bag could easily be used for a girl which makes it usable for multiple children.

The Baby Cubby has given our readers at 10% discount. Use MEGYNJORDYN10 valid thru June 30!


IG: @MEGYNJORDYN

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Top 10 Pregnancy Must Haves

Hello Cyber World, Megyn here!! I took a small hiatus due to this growing little BOY. I gotta tell ya that first trimester just about killed me. We FOR SURE thought we had another little girl on the way (isn't that the common fact: you are more sick with girls) so we were pretty shocked when we found out we had a Mr. on the way!

With Jordyn having gone through two pregnancies and myself this being my second, this list is tried and true from one mama to another! Share with us what you have loved during your pregnancies!!

1 || Target Maternity Leggings || This one is a no brainer...what pregnant mama hasn't lived in stretchy pants. These are our favorites...cheap and cute.

2 || Body Pillow || It's not technically the actual pregnancy pillow but who wants to spend the money on one...when this pillow follows the same principle as the pregnancy pillow. We both have both used ours pretty much our whole pregnancy, it makes sleeping so much more comfortable to be able to have support between your legs.

3 || Tee's || These are cheap and well made quality...they hold up for your whole pregnancy and with the side ruching are flattering on your growing belly.

4 || Cotton Dresses || This dress seems to stretch with you as you grow...and not in an unflattering way. We are all about being kept cool while pregnant and with the knee length, short sleeves, and light material this one is a winner.

5 || BodyLotion || Tried and true with my first pregnancy, helps to relieve my dry, itchy skin and the smell is right on point.

6 || Prenatal Gummies || I didn't have a problem with prenatals with my first pregnancy but being as sick as I am I can't seem to keep down the Costco prenatals...too much iron i've been told. These gummies taste good and I can stomach them. The trick I've found is to take them in the middle of the day with lunch (or when you are feeling your best) try to avoid right before bed though.

7 Ovia Pregnancy App: The more commonly known apps which we have both used and loved are What To Expect and The Bump App but the Ovia App is more a little more detailed and gives you more info on your weekly updates as well as daily updates.

8 || Nike Shoes || These shoes are at a $40.00 discounted right now....so jump on it. Every pregnant woman wants to stay active with your pregnancy....that's hard to do without some good shoes. Not only do we love the comfort of these shoes (durable support shoes help so much with lower back pain) but they are neutral colors which can be worn with anything.

9 || Bra Extender || With a rib cage that is daily expanding these little things will be your best friend. If you like us want to wear your regular bra vs. a nursing bra during your pregnancy. Motherhood Maternity also carries bra extenders.

10 || Bringing Up Bebe || Aside from all the norm pregnancy books this New York Times Bestseller is a must read. An American Journalist has her baby in Paris and writes all about the "French Parenting" way of raising your kids.

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31 October Musts

You have all felt it. That nip in the air that means fall is here. There are certain things we all do, or hope to do each year during the fall season.  While some are no brainers, others you might need a little reminder about. Here is a list of our favorites to WEAR, SEE, DO, and EAT before your make your plans for the month of October. So without any further ado, we give you our 31 October Musts!

Wear It

1- Go mad for plaid with us and jump on the seasons hottest trend. Hashtag #theplaidproject on Instagram to see our favorites or share your own.

2-Look chic while embracing sweater and boot weather as sadly sandal weather is coming to an end.

3-Snag outdoor gear, clothes, and/or boots for yourself or the man in your life at end of season sales from your favorite retailers all having fall sales at the moment. REI Cabelas Bass Pro Shops

4-Love your layers, time to bring out jackets, vests, long sleeves, and fleece. Favorite outdoor vest here.

5-Scarves will dress you up and down, and keep you warm at the same time. 6 ways to wear them here.

Do It

6-Pumpkin Carving or Crafting; stay true to the basic Jack-O-Lantern or mix it up and get creative for a unique and one of a kind pumpkin.

7-Plan a Witches Night Out with any and all of your girls; daughters, sisters, mom, or girlfriends.

8-Make Do-It-Youself decor easy on yourself this year by trying things from Pinterest that are actually doable such as Megyns' bats on branches' or Halloween banner which turned out just as planned.

9-Get in on the fun and create costumes for yourself, your littles, or your pets.

10-This time of year pumpkin patches are a stones throw away from nearly everyone. Find one and visit.

11-Throw a Boo worthy bash for for friends, family, or both. Light it up with candles, string lights, and lanterns for a spooky but charming effect.

12-"Boo!" to YOU! Leave a treat on the doorstep of your lucky recipient with a note telling them they have been BOOed, and spread the holiday cheer. Free Printables here

13-Devilish Date Nights can be a trip to a haunted house or corn maze or a night in with a classic Hitchcock movie.

14-Fall family pictures now make perfect Christmas cards later, plus its one less thing to do in December. (Costco gives discounts if you get them done early)

15-Christmas Tree pickin is best done before Halloween, see our post here to find out what you are missing.

16-It is nice to be remembered during any holiday, so pick up a pen (what is that), buy a stamp (we've lost you right), and drop some Haunted Mail in the mailbox to a friend or loved one that needs it.

17-Take a wagon hayride and enjoy a kiss from these soft fuzzy lips afterward.

18- Have some fun with your little monsters this month whether it be halloween story time at the local library, trick or treating, class parties, or just an afternoon with you playing in the leaves. It's the Simple things that matter most.

19- Lace up your worn in sneaks, or your best loved hiking boots and hit the trails for a cool and gorgeous fall hike.

 20- If you can swing it, find time to do your favorite summer activity one more time. 

See It

21-You might have to drive far and wide but make the effort, take a day trip, and find some fall color before the snow flies.

22-The Full Moon returns October 27th so plan a night hike, watch it come up hot cocoa in hand, or catch natures full moon from a forest friend any day during the month. Thanks buddy.

23-Meet the wildlife no matter how big or small, safely of course, and from a distance if need be.

24-You haven't truly enjoyed fall until you have found fog in the early morning autumn air. More here.

Eat It

25-Spooktacular themed treat for the season of spook, try something new and be frightfully impressed.

26-Cozy up next to a campfire, tell the spookiest of tales, and enjoy one last s'more fireside.

27-To kick off the season of pumpkin everything make pumpkin chocolate chip 3 ingredient cookies; 1 can of pumpkin puree, 1 box spice cake, 1 bag of chocolate chips. Mix and bake at 350 degrees.

28-Cobbler cooking with a cutie. Ok, he cooked and we watched and ate all of his cobbler. Our Peach Cobbler how-to here.

29-Crisp fall apples picking eaten fresh from the tree and lightly salted are a favorite fall tradition we never miss. As an added benefit we have found that an apple a day keeps the sweet tooth at bay.

30-Farmers Markets or Fresh fruit stands are a must hit this time of year, so keep cash on your just in case you run across one when you least expect it.

31-Last but certainly not least, prepare yourself for No-shave November and all that goes with it. It's happened to us two years in a row and it can happen to you! Look at our happy bearded hubbies.

 Happy Fall! Get out and enjoy Pumpkin Season!

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Fashion Friday - Are you a Mom like me?

While I don't know anything about you or what your day entails as a Mother. I do know what one looks like for me. Yesterday that day was spent cleaning up an entire tube of toothpaste emptied around my bathroom. It was a long walk in the heat to get to a park so the kids could "get some energy out" and a fight to get them back in the stroller to go home. It was a lost beloved flip flop on the way home from the park, looked for by me on a bike at dusk up and down the route we took several times. (Which would result in a trip to several Target stores this morning trying to find a replacement when they are sold out in the middle of summer. Go figure.) It was a giant box of Cheerios emptied out on my couch and thrown all over my house. It was no naps, epic tantrums at the grocery store, and a visit to a sick neighbor that ended up in her laundry detergent begin poured all over her laundry room floor and dripping down her heat vent, and me leaving embarrassed and adding her soap to my grocery list so I can replace it. It was a near sleepless night the night before and the night after. It was spent with the endless messes, requests, and demands. 

The few moments I stole for myself to scroll through my Instagram left me feeling like a deflated balloon as it showed picture after picture of "Moms like me" playing with their children while looking immaculately perfect. Captions like "playing blocks before nap time," "chilling at the pool," and "breakfast in perfect pi's on a perfect bed in a perfect house" while the mothers in these pictures appear to have just returned from the Oscars and slipped out of their evening gowns into a slightly less fancy picture perfect outfit. Did you just return from family pictures, a wedding, or a 5 star spa? Is your Mom on the way over to babysit for the night while you and your husband go on an anniversary date?  Do you have a full time nanny who does the childcare? Who looks like this on a daily mom basis because I sure don't. Sometimes I wish I did. But I don't. A year ago I took a 60 second bathroom break and returned to the wood and glass panel door being ripped off its hinges by one of my children. I can only imagine what would happen if I left them long enough to look as good as some of these moms do because I do know it takes some serious time to look like that. 

Are they bad moms? Are they wrong to look like that? No. Beauty is defined differently by each of us. Children are different ages, stages, and temperaments. I've learned that my "dressed up" is a whole lot different than others definitions of "dressed up." I've learned that looking like a million bucks is not real for me on a daily basis, and that is ok too. For me I have found out why moms like tee shirts and jeans. Its easy, comfortable, and cleans easily. I do have my days where I look better than others, as I sit here makeup less, hair in a messy braid, and holes the size of grapefruits in my jeans that I've been wearing for over a decade. But, I hope that if you truly are a "mom like me" you too realize that Instagram perfection is maybe not what it seems and we shouldn't think it is. We all put our best selves forward on social media and it's not fair to judge your worst to someones best, or your best to a fantasy that is not what it appears. Be YOU. Be Happy. Dress up or dress down, whatever that may mean for you. But don't feel bad about it, and wonder where you are falling short. You are doing the best you can and that is all that matters. Be your kind of pretty. You'll be happier that way. Promise.

So for this fashion friday, embrace the graphic tee, wear your jeans, holey or otherwise with pride, rock that ponytail, or cover it up with a hat. Free your feet in flip flops, leave the jewelry in your closet, and top it all off with a smile. You are a babe, just the way you are!

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