THREE DIY Bridal Hair Tutorials

THREE DIY Bridal Hair Tutorials:

Hi ladies, I have partnered with Nume to create three DIY bridal hairstyles that are SIMPLE & stylish for Spring !!! These styles can be done by pretty much anyone, I just cut my hair super short so if I can pull these looks off then they will be even easier with longer hair! First, I wanted to create a simple look for that free spirited bride who is going for more of a beachy vibe, then I created a more bohemian look with a twisted wavy half-updo but added a touch of glitz to dress it up, and the third look is a messy knotted bun with a braided band, this is more of a loose updo for those of you that aren't into a structured tight updo or want a bit of bridal edge.  Check out the different styles below that I created using the Nume Megastar straightener. Most of the time I opt to use a straightener to create a textured wave instead of using a curling iron. Using the Megastar makes doing my hair so easy because it literally takes me less than 5 minutes to style my entire head! It heats up so quick and has a soft handle that is easy to grip and maneuver as I quickly create waves and curls in my hair. 

*Nume Collaboration* see bottom of this post to get a discount code for the Megastar flatiron.

LOOK ONE: Beachy Waves 

1.) Begin with dry unstyled hair. 

2.) Take a 1 inch section starting in the front of your hair on one side,  place the straightener at the top of the sectioned hair. Then twist at an angle while moving the straightner downward towards the ends of your hair while slowly twisting. Then release the hair by opening the straighter.  You should have a curl or a wave depending on how tightly you press and how tightly you wrap the hair around the straightener. If you want a loose wave then don't wrap it as tight around.  The Megastar straightener works so well with styling my hair because it was designed with a rounded barrel so the hair wraps around it perfectly.

To create texture and depth take smaller pieces and wave/curl those. Also, I switch the direction of the curl by turning the straightner away from my face or towards my face for every few sections. This changes up the direction and thickness of the waves giving it a textured more natural look.  Continue this pattern all the way around your head making your way to the other side of your face.  Make sure to get the pieces underneath as well.  

 

3.) Finish off with applying a small amount of argan oil to hair for a piecier finish.

4.) Add a feminine or fun headband to polish off the look!

LOOK TWO: Twisted Half-Updo for A Bohemian Bride

1.) Begin by creating the same textured wave described above using the MegaStar. 

2.) Tease your hair at the crown. I teased three layered sections at the crown. Spray the area with hairspray. Smooth it out if needed.   Apply this light as a feather finishing serum to flyaways and at ends to complete the look.

3.) Take one section framing your face and begin twisting to the back of your head, secure with a bobby pin. Section the hair framing the other side of your face and begin to twist back until you meet the back of your head where your other twist is secured, then overlap it just a tiny bit and secure with a bobby pin. 

4.) Add a bit of glitz to dress it up! Pull out some of your bangs if you want to frame your face.

LOOK THREE: Messy Knotted Bun With Braided Band

1.) Begin with your natural hair whether it is wavy, straight, or curly. If you want to achieve this exact look I used the hair waving process mentioned above in Bridal Look #1. But any texture of hair will work! Then begin teasing the crown of your hair.

2.) Section off the front and sides of your hair and pin forward. In the top right photo you can see this area pinned.  Then take the back section of your hair (the hair left that is not pinned forward) and all in one step lightly grab your hair into a pony tail at the back of your head (pony tail should be level with your ears) then with your other hand grab all your hair and just tuck or smoosh it down into a messy bun & then wrap a clear elastic band around the messy bun. You will have what looks like the bottom right picture.  Now take bobby pins and start pinning in the pieces of hair that are hanging down in the back. The messier the better! 

3.) Take one of the sections that you have pinned forward and beginning braiding towards the back of your head (if you dont braid back then the braid wont lie flat to your head like it is supposed to).  Secure the braid with a bobby pin at the back of your head right above the top of the bun. Then do the other side and secure the ends of the braid underneathe your first braid. Bobby pin down any pieces sticking out of the braid.

The finished product! I love this look! Pull some face framing pieces out if you'd like!

These flatirons are usually $199 but since I have partnered with Nume, I have a code & link for you below to get you SUCH a great deal. I haven't ever had a straightener that has worked as well as this one. The barrel is designed to be rounded so it makes creating waves SO EASY, which if you are anything like me and like your hair wavy instead of straight, this makes my life a whole lot simpler. I also love how it automatically shuts off for you after 30 minutes (NO FIRES here). Its 100% pure ceramic and uses an infared heat light beam! Its no wonder they call it "MEGA". 
Get Your Nume MegaStar Flatiron for just $79 by using code MEGASPRING

Megastar c/o Nume
Photography c/o Kelsey Steindler

I hope you ladies enjoyed the tutorials! Let me know if you'd like to see more of these in the future in the comments section.

XO

March Fashion Finds: Forever 21

March Fashion Finds: Forever 21

Hi beauties, I have so many fun posts to share with you these next couple of weeks, but tonight I wanted to share some March Fashion Finds from Forever 21 before the month is over and these beauties sell out. Their clothes go so quickly online! Anyone else have that problem? You have to grab it when you see it or its gone. Here are some of my favorites for my ladies who are shoppin on a budget, from blazers, to crop tops, from chic to casual..and of course some shoe game! 

That little red peekaboo number is calling my name, where were you for valentines day? I could die and be happy in that blue funky blazer. I love crop tops, probably because this summer i can actually wear them since Im not pregnant like I was all of last summer. So you'll definitely see me in some of those on a date night out. And how about that casual crop top? So cute! And how can I not share that sexy sleek side mesh romper?! Gah, I think I need it.

Forever 21 Mini Skirts · Forever 21 Sweaters · Forever 21 Cocktail Dresses

Forever 21 Sandals · Forever 21 Pumps · Forever 21 Boots

I love the cuffed ankle heels! Im all about a good detailed summer sandle and those stripes, well, they just add so much flavor to any outfit and are a good statement piece to have!

Enjoy!

XO

What I've Been Eating Lately: Quicky Healthy Meals & Recipes

What I've Been Eating Lately: Quicky Healthy Meals & Recipes

I know you ladies love these quick easy healthy meal posts. If you are anything like me and are in a season where you feel you just don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done that you need to do..then these meals I post are for you! They are quick(er) than most and are still for the most part, healthy. I'll try to post these more often, maybe one every two weeks or once a week, we'll see!

Greek Salad & Lavash Bread: For the above photo I made a quick healthy lunch with this Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Lavash Bread, their pre packaged fresh greek salad, and a side of their organic hummus. Delicious and SOO EASY! This whole wheat lavash bread is seriously amazing, you can do so much with it as you will see below, i used it like pita bread for dipping in hummus (you could dip it in olive oil with herbs), I made wraps with it, and I used it for pizza crust! Its WAY healthier for you than bread, or normal pizza crust!

Healthy QUICK pizzas: These babies cook (Broil at 425 in the oven) in 5 minutes! I used the Lavash bread mentioned above so you don't have to wait for your crust to cook like normal pizza. You just slap on whatever toppings you're in the mood for.  I used Tj's precooked preservative free grilled chicken, their sun dried tomatos, organic spinach, low fat mozerella cheese, Tj's bruchetta and of course some basil tomato pizza sauce! 

 For this pizza I used basil tomato pizza sauce, then lined it with organic baby spinach, then low fat mozerella cheese on top, then layerd it with jalapenos,  onion, TJ's fauntina and roasted garlic chicken sausage with half the pizza drizzled with TJ's tapenade (and olive blend of green and black olives) that i had left over in the fridge. You can really put anything you want on these! They were so delicious, you just have to make sure you don't use too much tomato sauce since the lavash bread is thinner than normal crust. And make sure its crispy!

Serve with a side salad and this meal would take you less than 10-15 minutes including all the prep and slicing!

Quick Curry Chicken and Vegetable Bowl: I use Trader's Red Curry sauce (they also have a green we've tried and loved, and a yellow curry sauce i have yet to try). I could make curry from scratch and it would probably be even yummier but the goal of these meals is to help all of us mamas, or tired people who come home from work and want an easy healthy meal to whip up in less than 20-30 minutes. I used Tj's 3 minute brown rice, their frozen sliced bell peppers and 1 fresh green bell pepper i had left in the fridge, frozen broccoli (takes 6-7 minutes to cook on the stove), fresh chopped onion, 1 raw garlic clove, and organic raw chicken (grilled in olive oil and 1/4 cup or so of the red curry sauce). I layered the rice first on the plate, then the veggies, then the grilled and flavored chicken. I then quickly heated up some of the curry sauce and poured it over the entire bowl (use as much as you'd like). DELICIOUS!

Spinach Kale Turkey Pattys: I used Tj's 99% fat free ground turkey and mushed it up with some chopped organic spinach, 1 tspn garlic powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and then added in some chopped frozen kale (tj's sells this in the frozen section). I muchsed it all together into 5 or 6 patties and threw them on the george forman grill. SO quick, took 10 minutes all together! This is a perfect example of eating healthy while still being able to enjoy a delicious meal. I threw these on some whole wheat buns with veggies, ketchup, and cheese. My hubs wanted beef so here we have a his and her's meal. 

I hope some of these meals find their way into your home! Enjoy!

I always welcome your ideas and recipes if you'd like to share in the comments below I LOVE that and will possibly even feature one of your recipes!

XO

What We Wear: I Know My Alphabet + A Discount

What We Wear: I Know My Alphabet

You ladies know we all love to support small businesses and handmade shops! Well, I have a great one for you that you won't want to miss out on! I Know My Alphabet sent us these adorable personalized baby leggings and we are in love with them. Who doesn't want to see their baby's name on everything! It takes months and for some (like us) years to come up with what we want to name our children, so to see it stamped onto something adorable, like baby leggings and then put them on something even cuter, those sweet chunky baby thighs..well, its just something you can't miss out on! Im drooling over these leggings, they couldn't have turned out better, he even has room to grow in them, so you'll be seen us in these for quite a bit!

I Know My Alphabet has a ton of options for fonts, colors, and even spacing for your personalized baby leggings.  They also sell really fashionable prints with arrows, letters, deer, chevron print, triangles and more! You must check out their site! They also have baby hats and really super cute pillows.

I MEAN..that booty!!!

I love you sweet boy. 

Coupon Code for 10% off: HANDMADE
I Know My Alphabet Shop Here
Follow their instagram feed for updates and coupon codes: @kristakendrick


Onesie: H&M
Leggings: c/o I Know My Alphabet

7 Months Postparum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

7 Months Postpartum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

Weight lifting/Strength training 1-2 times a week. My favorite class 

 Walks with my little guy & my man are the best kind of work out though.

He gives me the greatest joy... i would have 1,000,000 kids if it were possible. Being his mama has made living so rewarding, so fulfilling, and so joy-filled!

Hikes w/ these two

Not sure if my uterus will ever be back to how it use to be, I definitely have to tighten my tummy to hold it in. I think thats just what might happen after babies though. My moms had 5 kids and she always talks about how it never went back. Its so worth wakling around looking 4 months prego though! (;

I thought it would be interesting to see a side by side of 4 weeks pregnant (basically prebaby) and of me 7 months postpartum. You can definitely tell im still exclusively breast feeding lol! My ribs are wider (i think) and I have a little more skin below my belly button. My belly button has changed its shape a tiny bit too! 

Heres what I had to say this month:

Hey ladies, I reached that 7 month postpartum mark last month and have been meaning to post but wasn't sure about what I wanted to write this month. I try to use these posts as a platform to talk about something important, not just share about fitness, or exercise, but to be really honest, to reach other woman who are right here on this journey with me.

This month I recieved a lot of emails from some of you. Most of the emails were about you guys struggling either currently or in the past with body image and your self worth.  My heart broke as I read every word you shared. I want to thank you again for your courage and for sharing a part of your story and your lives with me. You are so inspiring.  I hope its okay that i share just a piece of what one of you ladies sent me, i'll be sure to keep it annonymous..

One reader shared with me how my blog has reminded her of another blogger she use to read years ago..she shared with me how this blogger was simply thankful for life and how that helped her break free from the bondage of the shame she felt for her body. Heres what she said,

" to be thankful for all those small things that her life was filled with... Those pictures and articles made me want to be thankful, made me want to heal.

When I found your blog, it made me remember that girl. How without knowing it, she saved my life. Following your blog is like reminding me how far I came and most importantly how happy I am. 

......




Our live's are filled with miracle babies, wonderful life partners and precious moments. And the thing I realize is that you've got to love yourself if you want to be able to see all that!"







Her words inspired me so much. She pointed out the importance of how loving yourself can free you in so many ways. It helps open your eyes up to see the beauty in the world around us. If we have shame, hatred, or disgust for our bodies, we stop loving ourselves. We start bashing ourselves. We begin to look in the mirror and make agreements with all sorts of lies the enemy whispers to us.."you're ugly, you're fat, you aren't good enough, you'll always be like this, who will ever want you or love you, you have to be thin to be loved". The list goes on.  When that is your focus, when that becomes the way you see yourself how can you see clearly when you are believing lies about yourself?




If we develop an attitude of gratitude, if we  begin to "TRY" to just accept and love ourselve on the inside and outside.. our hearts change. We become thankful. And then we can fully appreciate all that God has given us. We can begin to really live this life abundantly as He calls us to. 




Choose Joy today. Choose to be thankful.






The Winner of the iphone Case giveaway with the Psalm 139 verse is "K-Photography", comment on here leaving your email so I can make sure to get your address for shipping. Congratulations love, and thanks to all who entered! 




What would you guys like to see offered for a giveway in the future? What do you think about this post?

Quick Healthy Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Jalapeno Turkey Chili, and Tomato Vegetable Soup

Quick Healthy Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Jalapeno Turkey Chili, and Tomato Vegetable Soup

Here in California we barely had a real Winter this past year so when it rained for 3 or 4 days straight last week I took full advantage (knowing Spring and Summer weather is here to stay for months on end).  So I decided to soak up the gray stormy weather and make some delicious warm hearty soups. I made Tortilla soup, a SPICY chili, and a Tomato Vegetable soup.  

Tortilla Soup: The base of this soup is Chicken broth and canned diced organic tomatoes.  Its really simple! My husaband rarely cooks but he actually threw this together for me while I went to a gym class.  I just left him a simple recipe to follow and he did a great job, I love having a warm meal ready for me after a tough late night work out (no one ever wants to pump one out but i have to take those rare opportunities during the week that i get).  

• 4 c. chicken broth
• 3-4. whole chicken breasts
• 1 large can of diced tomatos (i used 1 and a half of trader joe's organic diced tomatos 14.5 ounce cans)
• 1 large onion, chopped 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 Celery Stalks chopped (optional for added veggies and crunch.)
• 1 Jalapeno' , finely diced (optional for flavor)
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 lime
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (more to taste)
• avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips ( I used trader joe's Veggie Flaxseed Tortilla chips, cilantro (didnt have any but it would be a great topping.
• 
  
• 1)Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic,onions, jalapeno and celery and cook, stirring, until onions begin to become translucent. 
• 2) Grill up some chicken breast in Olive oil, when fully cooked then slice or shred (whichever you prefer).
• 3)Add chicken to pot of onion/garlic. Add in crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and juice of 1/2 lime. Bring to a boil, stir constantly so it doesnt burn. 
• 4)Then add in your chicken broth, reduce the heat to low, simmer soup for 15 minutes.
• 5) Top with toppings (avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, chips).
• 
  

*You can add black beans and corn to this recipe if you'd like!

• 
  

Spicy Chili: My girlfriend Tori gave me this recipe, and it is soooo yummy! I made it for our couples bible study we host at our home and everyone loved it! The recipe calls for Pumpkin puree' but Tori said because its not in season to sub it out for Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Thats the only way i've made this soup so far and I think its perfect! 

Serves 6-8

Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup

1/2 Cup Water

2 Jalepenos

1 Can of Red Kidney Beans (15 oz) rinse first

1 Can of diced tomatoes w/ liquid (again I used TJ's organic diced tomatoes 14.5 oz can)

1 lb of ground turkey

1 yellow onion chopped

1 green bell, seeded and cored, then chopped

2 garlic cloves diced

1 tbspn EVOO

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tspn salt

1 tbspn chili powder

pepper to taste

1)Heat oil in a large pan. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapenos. Stir frequently, cook until tender.  

2)Add turkey, cook until browned.

3) Add tomatoes, the red pepper soup mix (i used about 1/2 of the box), water, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper and bring to boil.

4) Reduce heat to medium and add beans. Cover and simmer for 30 mins stirring occasionally.

Serve!

Its even better the next day!!

Tomato Vegetable Soup: My girlfriend Chelsea had tried Tori's chili recipe and made a quick version but instead of doing chili she just made it into a simple soup. Its healthy, hearty and really yummy! We ate ours with a side of cheese bread (you gotta balance the healthy out with some gooey cheesey bread, right?!? lol). 

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 tsp minced garlic

1 yellow bell pepper seeded, cored, chopped

3 celery stalks chopped

salt & pepper to taste

1 tbspn EVOO

I also added oregeno, cumin, basil to taste (probably 1/2 tspn for each)

1 lb ground turkey (i used TJ's kosher turkey, it has so much additional flavor!)

1 box of Tj's Organic Tomato And Roasted Red Pepper Soup (see bove)

1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce organic traders can, see below)

1)Throw all of your veggies in a pan with EVOO and garlic, cook until tender.

2) Cook turkey in pan until browned.

3) Mix in all spices and add in tomatos and soup mix.

4) Heat until boiling, then simmer for 10 minutes or longer , stirring occasionally.

Serve.

Enjoy!! 

Tell me in the comments what you would like to see more of? What would you like me to cook? Or what are your favorite topics that I write about, ill try to encorporate more. I just want to hear from you! 



All submissions for the Iphone Case GIVEAWAY end tonight at 5pm Pacific time. Winner will be announced this weekend! Thanks all for your participation.  (Instructions to enter HERE if you havent already)

XO

An Imperfect Mother Doubts Herself: Finding A Way To Trust

An Imperfect Mother Doubts Herself: Finding A Way To Trust

The last 40 minutes my husband and I sat in the bathroom, him in the bathtub, me perched on the side of the tub leaning over, both helping our son try to go to the bathroom. Cash has been eating solids for a month and a half now, hes up to two meals a day of pureed veggies/fruits and has mutligrain or brown rice cereal mixed with water and breast milk.  He recently began having some issues with constipation, we noticed he is straining to go to the bathroom but nothing was coming out. This went on for 3-4 days with no relief. I tried giving him the P's (prunes, pears, peaches, and plums) and water. I felt so terrible for him this morning and could see his tummy was bothering him, so I went online to one of my favorite baby websites for medical information (Ask Dr Sears- hes really conservative & offers great information for infants/toddlers/children) there I read about all the different natural methods of constipation relief. I decided to try his method of a warm bath (chest height) and massaging the babies tummy.  So in to the bath we went! 

My wonderful husband threw on some shorts (he said "to protect himself", HA!) and held our little guy while I messaged his tummy. Next thing I know I'm using baby wipes under water to help stimulate a bowel movement. I will spare you any further detail that may upset your stomach but it worked and needless to say, hes sound asleep right now, happy that his tummy feels normal again. We'll be sticking to just breast milk for today (: .  I was just thinking to myself, "the things we do for our children.. i could never do what I just did for anyone else, i just wouldnt have the stomach for it".  I began thinking about how selfless being a mother makes you.. 

Being a mother has changed me in ways I am yet to be even aware of.  However, some of the changes I do see have made me into a better woman. I think of my family first, I put their needs above my own, I make decisions based on the whole of our family, we are a unit, there is no longer just me, Tessa.  I am one flesh with my husband, and our son is an extension of that that we cannot separate.  The love that has filled my life and my heart is unexplainable. The joy and peace I feel when im with my son, even just looking at him, or smelling him in the dark on those warm 2 am nursing moments when im barely awake & then I feel him in my arms & Im more present than I've ever been.  A mother's heart for her child is only understood by another mother's heart. Its a deep almost painful love, because there is this tragic awareness that "I really have no control".  It requires constant faith to put your child in Gods hands. 

I often think of the mother I am, I wonder how royally I am messing it up daily. I am SO aware that my hindrances, my weaknesses, the flaws that seep out unnoticably in my daily behaviors, are being watched and observed by this little human. It pains me to think about how imperfect I am and how that could damage this perfect person.  That is the greatest challenge I've faced as a mother. I've struggled so terribly, wrestling since day one with the idea that what I do really matters, who I am every single day matters to this child of mine. I see numerous clients walk into my office for counseling who have behaviors, cognitions, belief systems, and heart struggles because of their childhood, the way they were raised, how they were cared for and nurtured. A good portion of these families were great families. But the children still took away negative messages, or felt their needs weren't met, or percieved they weren't good enough at times or believed they were unloveable or unwanted, even in great families with parents who had every good intention that I have for my son. And to have that information stored in my brain, no, branded in my brain..well, sometimes it gets to me.  How could it not?

I've learned now that God chose me. The Lord picked me. He created me to be Cash's mother. God knows every hair on my head, every strength and every weakness I live with, and He knew I would be the perfect woman to be the mother of this special boy. He knew his father would be the perfect daddy to raise up this Godly little boy into a Godly man.  That is what makes me feel calm and at peace in those moments when I wonder if Im doing it right, if im being the mother that Cash needs. If i'm allowing him independence and yet giving him enough of me all at the same time. If being me is enough for him. It is.  I know it is because Jesus chose me, knowing me and every bit of who I am.  
And that is reassuriing. That is what builds me up as a mother and empowers me to just be me and know that I am who Cash needs.  I am the only mother this baby will ever know.. and God ordained that, He planned that. And that is what I hold on to when I have my moments of imperfection or doubt..  When I have those moments when Im unsure about a decision I need to make as a mother..  I cling to my faith and trust Him.

I also just want to say thank you for those of you that have been emailing me! You guys literally have me in tears. I am so grateful for your courage to reach out and share your stories. You inspire me more than you know. I love getting to know you. I am thankful for each of you. If I havent written you back yet, I will today, the last couple weeks have been busy busy! You matter to me and I appreciate you taking the time to email me. <3

xo

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