Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

We spent our labor day in beautiful Laguna Beach.. heres a snap of our delicious tacos, side order of blackened chicken nachos, & tofu mushroom burger at Taco Loco.. So delish! 

This little boy takes my breath away!

In honor of Labor Day and to celebrate on this beautiful summer day & long weekend I thought i'd share some of my favorite summer picks! With family bbq's, all day beach outings, hanging by the pool and vacations these items are my go to's...  Enjoy (:

Indah Day Dresses · Blu Moon Jackets · Zoa Tops

Healthy Kale Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Healthy Kale Broccoli Slaw Recipe:

This recipe is absolutely delicious and its healthy! Its a fresh summer salad that would be perfect for a labor day get together!

Its really easy and quick!  

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 12 oz Classic Coleslaw  store bought package (broccoli slaw you can purchase from any grocery store)

2 cups Rainbow Slaw (another purchase from any grocery store)

1/4 cup Sliced Almonds

1/2 cup Dried Cranberries

3 cups Chopped fresh kale (i chopped it finer than it comes in the bag, i also took all of the bones out)

Dressing:

4 tbspn Apple Cider Vinegar or white rice vinegar

1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard Dijon mustard

3 Tbspn Honey or agave nector

1/4 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 tbspn Greek Yogurt or light sour cream

1/4 tsp fresh black pepper

I usually dont measure things and just eye ball it, so this is me guessing what i used.. you can add things in like chicken or chopped broccoli, etc if youd like. Have fun with it!

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the dressing in a separate bowl until it is smooth and emulsified. Then combine them and toss until the salad is covered thoroughly.

Let it sit for 30 mins and enjoy! My hubby and I ate it 5 minutes later, so you dont necessarily have to wait. This is delicious and a must try!

End of Summer GIVEAWAY For My Followers

End of Summer GIVEAWAY For My Followers:

Hi lovely followers,

It is so exciting to be able to interact with you all via instagram and my blog and here what you have to say, what you want to see more of, or questions or suggestions you guys have.  I am celebrating the end of the summer & all of the followers i've had a chance to chat with and get to know by doing a giveaway. My goal is to be able to do giveaways a couple times a month for my trusty followers that I adore so much!

I'd like to be able to not only chat via instagram, facebook, and twitter, but i'd love to have you comment more on the blog & start following here so I get a chance to get the scoop on whos following my blog as well.  With 86,000+ blog views and most of those being in these last couple months I want to know who my readers are and offer to you what you'd like to here more of!

So for the giveaway here are the rules:

1) You must be a follower of this blog (easy to add if you are not already)

2) You must leave a comment on this post replying to one of the following:

    a. what you want to read/hear/see more of on this blog

    b. your favorite post on here

    c. your favorite memory of this summer

It can be short and sweet or lengthy, its up to you!

Im so excited to get to meet more of you!

One of my followers will be picked at random if they comment here, and will win a $15 giftcard to Starbucks!

You can be anywhere in the world for this giveaway and I will ship it to you.

Starbucks is one of my favorite places to go to relax, to read, to catch up with a friend and chat, or to grab it to go and go on a date walk with my hubby to the beach.  Its perfect for summer, and necessary for this coming fall/winter!  So as a thank you to my readers i'll be giving away this gift card on September 10th.  All comments must be submitted by then to be eligible. 

Much love,

Tess

SUMMER DRESSES

Summer Dresses:

Happy Friday lovely readers.. A few of you asked about the outfits I wore for our maternity shoot a couple months back. I thought I'd try to link them for you here or try to find something similar. Here are a few options:

This dress is from Urban Outfitters, i couldnt find the exact dress but i found a couple like it and a TON of white lace dresses that im drooling over:

jcpenney Dresses · Blu Moon Day Dresses · Jens Pirate Booty Day Dresses

A few of them are on sale even!  They are perfect for the last couple months of summer/heat we have left.

Second look:

A ton of you asked about this lace top on instagram & the blog.. i found it at a boutique in Orange County months ago but I found a couple other options here that could work, the key is to show some skin underneath (some of these are on sale as well):

Alexis Shortsleeve Tops · Express Longsleeve Tops · BCBGMAXAZRIA Camisoles



I wanted to wear turquoise jewelry for this shoot for a nice pop of color so here are some ideas (just click on the piece if you want to purchase): Im loving all of Aldo's pieces and especially those fab prices!!

shopbop.com Necklaces · Dream Collective Necklaces · Lucky Brand Necklaces

This last look is from Macy's.  I found the following dresses that are similar:

Blu Moon Day Dresses · Jessica Simpson Day Dresses · Jessica Simpson Teen Girls' Dresses

Everyday Makeup Essentials

Everyday Makeup Essentials

photo cred: www.kelseysteindler.blogspot.com Kelsey Steindler Photography. Here im wearing alot of the products i listed.

My Go To's:

I have had a few of you ask my about what mascara i use, concealer etc. so I thought i'd do a quick post on some of my favorite every day products.  The question I am asked most often is about my mascara.. I have used the same mascara for 13 years now (they've changed the bottle a few times but its the same mascara).  I have tried multiple kinds and nothing compares to this mascara (we're talking lancome, mac, clinique etc and still this drug store mascara takes the cake).. its called Volume by Maybelline (click the link to see the exact one, as maybelline has quiet a few different selections)

I also get asked about what time of lipstick I use.. as mine always stays on for multiple hours and doesn't fade away. I use more of a tint than anything and i layer it with chapstick. I've been using this for years as well. Its called Revlon color stay (you can click the link below to view the different options for colors.. i use premium pink). I just do a tiny dab (tear drop size) on my finger or lower lip and use the tip of my finger to blend it into both lips. You dont need much, this stuff goes a long ways.  It stays on for hours, you can eat, kiss, work out, and this tint will give your lips a nice touch of color. I put strawberry 'chapstick' on top to make sure my lips stay moist. Ive tried a ton of different color stay products for lipsticks and all of them either clump or come off right away or in pieces.. this doesn't do that, it goes on smooth and the chapstick is the perfect touch. I get a lot of compliments on this chapstick because its not the typical cherry flavored chapstick, its strawberry and harder to find (it sort of smells like cotton candy people say, they can smell it when i put it on even from a distance) I think its delicious.

I use Mac studio fix powder (NC 30 is my current color.. when i am not tan) its linked below.   I'll use this every day after putting on Olay face lotion (the one below).  On weekends if we go out somewhere i'll sometimes put on concealer (my favorite is below.. colorstay revlon) its not too thick but covers blemishes well.  For extra special occasions i'll use Revlon Colorstay foundation (it doesn't crease and they have a pretty good selection of colors).  

My drug store blush and bronzers are both a matte finish (its more natural this way.. i use True Match powder W6 for bronzer, and True Match blush W5-6 for blush). 

Mac's highlighter listed below (strobe liquid) is a good one i use for nights out.

.

Maybelline Mascara · Revlon Eyeliner · L'Oreal Eyeliner

 I put some of my simple everyday eye shadows above (always stick with neutral colors for day time).  My go to eye shadows from Mac are not below but are similar to the revlon colors i posted  (i use mac Sheeth (blend in the crease with lancome brown), Mac "Jest" to highlight under brows and  on eye lid,  satin taupe (my favorite), and mac 'All that glitters' all over the lower lid

I really like Loreal carbon black pencil for every day eyeliner. You can smudge it so its less harsh looking and smear some eyeshadow on top.  It stays on all day and never ends up below my eye like some of the other ones i've tried.  For a more dramatic effect on nights when we go out ill sometimes use liquid liner, above is a newer one i've been using for the past 6 months or so & i really like it. Its easy to use & gives a straight line for that sexy cat eye. For a good inexpensive red lip i go with Maybelline Ruby star (has a bit of sparkle to it) or Loreal Refined Ruby (matte no sparkle).

Lastly, for everyday use: my night time routine is to wash all this off with the Olay face wash i listed above. I have used Olay face wash and lotion for so long, i love it and have nothing but praise for this drugstore find.  Before putting on face lotion at night ill use Clean & Clear astringent (i stick with this one because i like the way it smells after, it leaves a sweet smell verses an alcohol smell).

There you have it, some of my favorite & long lasting products. Enjoy!

We Have A Baby & He Is 1 Month Old

We Have A Baby & He Is One Month Old

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body" - Elizabeth Stone

My baby boy is already one month old, where do I even begin with how beautiful and special this past month has been? 

I could never imagine what it would be like to be a mommy. The moment he was placed on my chest I instantly fell in love.. it was so surreal, i could see myself in him, i created this being with the person I love most in this world, my husband.  It was an INSTANT love... I think thats how God intended for it to be. Being a parent gives us a glimpse into the love our Lord has for us.  I cannot even imagine how He possibly loves us more than I love this little person.

The first moment I found out I was pregnant (read story here: http://tessarayanne.blogspot.com/2013/01/exciting-news.html) was not how I imagined itd be.  But it was perfect. It was so special because it brought me even closer to my husband. In a time of need he was really there for me. Something that could have really tested us in our first 6 weeks of marriage,  united us as one and strengthened us because we had God at the center and knew we could trust in Him because this was Him at work and His hand that created this life inside of me. We were so happy, so grateful, and instantly we loved this little baby inside my womb.  I want to reflect back to how grateful I am for the incredible journey of pregnancy, I honestly already miss it.. i know, i know, it sounds crazy.. I never thought I would say it, but I really do miss the experience, and it seems so far in my past already .. Its almost like I dont remember what it was like because its such a magical feeling that only when you're pregnant can you feel that supernatural experience (if that makes any sense, maybe you mamas know what i mean). I was always terrified of pregnancy..being out of control with your emotions, your body, you dont feel like yourself, you are uncomfortable, so much can go wrong with you and the baby, and i had heard horror stories about labor and delivery... but that was not my experience at all.  I loved every moment of pregnancy. I want to say thank you Jesus for such a wonderful pregnancy, labor and delivery, and for the greatest gift in this perfectly healthy baby boy.  He couldn't be any sweeter, he is such a playful happy soul, we couldn't love him any more. We are so excited to watch him grow. Its a battle within my soul because I long for him to stay dependent on me for his every need, to be able to cradle him, cuddle him, protect him and keep him my small little baby forever, but I also dream about the moments that lie ahead.. moments where I will watch him become a big brother, walk for the first time, discover his talents, watch him create art and be playful, listen to him sing songs and laugh, become the man of God that I know he will be.. these moments sound so sweet and warm my heart to just think about.  I believe being a parent is the most important role in the world. To be able to guide someone, shape them, lead them, & love them into being who they were created to become is such a rewarding and incredible gift.  It is also terrifying, demanding, and requires a ton of prayer, responsibility, thoughtfulness, love, selflessness, and patience. I know I was meant to be a mommy, my heart wants so badly to do everything it can to give this boy of ours the wonderful joyful life he so deserves... I feel like my entire perspective on life has changed, my meaning for being alive has expanded & become something entirely new and much more fulfilling.  I live and breathe for my boys. I want to be a better wife so I can be a better mommy, I want to be a wonderful mom so I can be an even greater wife... it goes both ways. I have so much more to learn in life and so many years ahead of me but I truly feel a huge shift has taken place in me.. this shift is more like a tidal wave that has taken over my soul... I exist to serve Jesus, I've known this sacred lesson for some time now... but He has put this new burning desire in me along side of being a light for Him.. to be all that my family needs me to be.. to shine bright for them, to be my husbands other half & my children's safety that they can rely on. I want to be a better woman.  I want them to be able to count on our marriage, to be confident in our love, to never question the security they can find in our family, in our home, in our Christ centered relationships with one another. I will live to make these humans happy, healthy, joyful, and spiritually fulfilled in Christ the best way that Jesus shows me how.  I cannot put into words the feelings that I have about this, this is the best I know how to explain it.  Maybe its unexplainable.. love, that is. Maybe its love that I cannot explain. Maybe my heart is so full of love that my being has changed. And maybe this is just a fraction of what God feels for us & thats just it, its unexplainable, agape LOVE. A love that has no conditions.  Im still figuring it out.  But i know this much, this first month of being a mother & a wife to my boys has been the most trying month, but the best month of my life...& i owe that all to the love that has consumed my heart. God is doing amazing things in this little family of mine. I may not always give Him the thanks that He SOOO deserves, so taking moments like this remind me of how blessed I am.. I deserve nothing, & I am so grateful for all my Father has gifted me with, thank you Abba. To Him be the glory!

I want to forever remember these precious moments and all of his firsts.  It is the best feeling to hold your baby in your arms and know that they are forever yours.  When he looks up at me i know that I am all that he sees, he makes it known with those pretty blue eyes that I am everything to him & he trusts me... THIS IS what life is all about.  This is truly living. I see life in him and through him. I see our Father's wondrous work in this beautiful and perfect being.  The touch of his soft skin & tiny hands and feet, his chubby delicious cheeks, those lips that were made red and juicy for kissing, his sweet scent that i cannot get enough of, his fragile body that needs my protection, his adorable smile that just wrecks me in the most perfect way, the back of his neck is softer than velvet, his tiny little buns that fit in the cup of my hand, his eyes that I see myself in, the way his chest lifts while hes breathing, the adorable faces he makes while hes dreaming, his every whimper, coo, grunt, squeal, and cry make my heart sing... every little bit of you Cashy just fills your mama to the brim. 

All is well with my soul.

Happy Birthday to me! Little man is 1 week old here

 Every morning i make a point to cuddle this little muffin... not that i have to try, hes so delicious that i cant wait for morning when i get to grab him out of his bassinet and cuddle him close (we cosleep if hes having a hard time sleeping or being noisy).

 His lips just kill me.

 My first outing by myself with Cash, coffee date of course (and much needed i might add)

Catching some sun rays with this little 1 week old cutie pie

Those little legs and feet!!

First smiles captured on camera (3 weeks old).. he is such a happy little babe