Big Loose Curls: Nume Curling Wand Deal!

Big Loose Curls: Nume Curling Wand Deal! 

 

Ladies! I had to jump on here and share the latest Nume wand i have been using the last couple weeks for big loose curls! I ordered the Magic 32mm Nume wand and i have been loving it. Its swivels at the end so you never get tied up in the chord and comes with a glove for heat protection so you wont burn your hand as youre curling your hair.  I love that its healthier for your hair and gives extra shine because its 100% titanium.  GOOD news is Nume is offering ANY WAND for $26 dollars today! I recommend this wand but you can also select a different one that works for your hair length and style. I love bigger curls so i went with the 32mm which is 1 inch thick.  You can check out the photo i snapped quickly last week after styling my hair in 5 minutes only the top layer while i was testing it out.  I am so happy with this selection and excited to share that this $149 wand is only $26 from now until October 25th! So hurry on over and scoop one up! Comes with a trial shampoo and conditioner too!

Click here for the link & be sure to use code NUMEFORME: WANDS

Weekend Fun, Birthday Bash's & Pumpkin Pick'n

Weekend Fun, Birthday Bash's & Pumpkin Pick'n

Hey loves, I hope you're all enjoying this great Fall weather as much as we are over here! Im taking full advantage of wearing jeans and boots again & being outdoors as much as possible because its no longer blistering hot!!  Anywho, I have had a TON of questions about where i purchased my blouse i wore over the weekend and on Laylas little beanie she wore this morning. SO i figured i might as well do a little post on those items so you guys can quickly and easily find them.

We had a blast over the weekend celebrating our best friends little girl turning One! Its so bittersweet watching these babies grow up. On one hand you love seeing them hit their milestones and become little funny people with personalities but on the other hand you miss and grieve each baby stage they grow out of, like sucking their baby toes, cooing, and that yummy fresh newborn smell! GAH! i live for these sweet tender years, i just cannot even believe Layla is already 4.5 months old, this second kid thing sure does fly by!   We went to the pumpkin patch twice this past week, ill share photos from there later this week. And today we took the kids on a fun morning hike, if you follow me on snapchat (tessa_rayanne) im sure you have been seeing a little glimpse into our real life and my busy boy who is always wanting to explore and adventure, and i dont mind it one bit!

Anyhow, happy shopping & happy Fall!

The first blouse is the exact one i purchased and i actually shared it here a couple weeks ago when i ordered it online. Its $32 i mean, you cant beat that! Everyone needs a good pair of ripped skinnies and i just bought this pair of Ralph Lauren and i love them! They have the perfect amount of stretch to them. They actually fit me perfectly when i put them on and stretched out a little bit by the second time i wore them, so you could even go a size down if you wanted to and they'll stretch to fit you perfectly, or if you order true to size like i did they work just as well they'll just be a tiny bit of a looser fit on your 2nd or 3rd day of wearing them.  I couldnt find the boots i own because theyre a year old so i posted a couple budget friendly options for a tan ankle boot because everyone needs one, they go with evvvverything.  I hope you have fun! There are some other peasant blouse options i listed below as well because im in love with this look and could buy them all!

Also, Laylas gold bow headband is c/o Swirl On Top shop and you can find it here.

Infant + Toddler Fall Fashion & Halloween Costume Picks!

Infant + Toddler Fall Fashion & Halloween Costume Picks! 

 

Hey guys, Im so glad you liked the makeup post as well as my fall picks post! I will try to do more of these more often instead of seasonally.  I wanted to share some of our favorite items for Fall for toddlers and babies. I always try to find sales, especially with Gap, so you can check out the deals i spotted below. And i also included some of the cutest little Halloween costumes for babies and toddlers, as well as threw in a couple in there for the older kids if they were too cute not to share.  I hope you like them if you're in search for an adorable or creative costume. 

**hit the arrow on the right to browse more.** I hope you like these picks..obviously i have a thing for babies in furry animal costumes. TOO CUTE! Also, i added in there the Avent binkys we use for both kids, alot of you guys have asked me over the years what binkys we like and which ones we use for Cash. I also shared our favorite Fall and Winter boots, the toddler Hunters! They are a must, especially if you live somewhere with snow or a lot of rain. My son loves his boots and asks to wear them even in the summer if we are watering/gardening, he looooves them (we started with size 4 ..they run super big, and now he is in size 7 i believe, and theyre big on him but he will grow into them for winter, we double layer socks when theyre too big, its better to get them bigger so they can wear them longer)! He also lives in his Nike's. Theyre my favorite for toddlers because they have more arch support than converse and vans, but those sure are cute too and we own a couple pairs of them as well. He loves the bright blue ones so much that he has a second pair in a bigger size now. I feel like we are always having to upgrade his shoes to a bigger size, this boys feet keep on growing like weeds! There are some super cute baby Gap jammies i added for Halloween in the above post as well..because whats cuter than festive jams! Especially matching sibling jammies. We live in cozies during the winter so of course i picked lots of cozy leggings and long sleeve shirts. Also, American Apparel makes great beanies for kiddos, the pink beanie link will show you they have all different colors.  Sleep sacs are a must for the cooler winter months for infants. So are uggs, and close toed baby shoes to keep their feet warm. Socks too!

I hope you guys enjoy your week and are having fun decorating for Halloween! We'll  be going to the Pumpkin patch next weekend, IF the weather cools down. Its been so dang hot im nervous to take Layla out when its 100 degrees and she'll need to nap in the wrap, so its even hotter! Gotta be careful in this heat with little ones.  So heres to hoping it cools down asap~!  Also, im on Snapchat now so add me for daily adventures with these little people, username: tessarayanne

XO

Updated Makeup Favorites

Hi beauties, so many of you have asked about what products i've been using as of late on instagram and via email over the recent months. I havent dont an updated makeup post in a whiiiile so its about time i share some of my new favorites and those items that i've been loving for years and years. I've been a makeup lover since i was able to hold lipstick in my own hands...lets just say i could apply it without a mirror and no smudges at age 4 (says my mama) lol. I'm pretty much wearing makeup in every Christmas family photo that i was allowed to.  Its pretty funny!  i was a girly girl but also a tom boy. With that said, i have tried my fair share of makeup, but im always on the look out for items that you can purchase at the local drug store for reasonable prices, however some items you do have to splurge on if you want the same quality.  So here are my current favorites that i use weekly:

Lets start with face... i have used both olay facewash and sensitive lotion for years! I swear by it. Its gentle and an easy routine. I wash my face and lotion twice a day, once in the morning and at night when im getting ready for bed.  After putting lotion on i use Mac studio fix powder foundation. Its so easy and takes me 1 minute to apply and it gives an overall even coat but its not too thick and has just enough coverage. Its pretty much the easiest/quickest way to do your face makeup. I use liquid foundation for special occasians but my everyday, work, and weekend look is with Macs studio fix.  Next I recently purchases this contour and blush pallet and its supppper affordable and does the job.  OKAY, now that highlighter by Becca is a MUST, i have never ever tried a better highlighter.  Its pricey but so so worth it. I apply it to the bridge of my nose and on my cheekbones when i want that glow! I posted the sephora brush i love for blush and bronzer.  I am a huge fan of Anastasia dip brow, its literally the best for brows.. you need an angled brush so i posted the one i've been using above.  I also sometimes use their pencil.  I do Revlon skinny liquid liner for my cat eye on the weekends when i want to add some drama.  I love smashbox exposure pallet that ive been using for almost a year, i use mostly the matte colors.  I found this Milani lipstick at the local drug store and i use the color "matte naked" #61 and its my favorite lipstick ive ever tried... its afforable at just $5 and its SO good you guys.  I sometimes do a tint of revlons "Premium Pink" posted above and this stays on for hours... i just do a tiny dab and rub it all over with my finger because its bright if you apply it like normal lipstick, this will last you forever because youre just using a teeny tiny bit for a little tint..i even put the Matte Milani lipstick over it for a slightly more pink nude, thats been my favorite the past few months mixing the two.    Okay, and lastly i have used the same Maybelline Volume mascara since 7th grade people!! Thats a lifetime, but this is theeee only mascara that comes close (and i might even say better because its all natural, organic, vegan paraban and preservative free) and its by Arbonne..love love love their mascara, ive been using it for a month and i am in love.  So there you have it ladies! You can order through my girl Kelly by shopping (here).  These are my current favorites and i swear by them!

I am dying to try Honest Beauties new line of natural organic products. If you ladies have any suggestions of makeup you love love love please share below in the comments section. Im always looking to try something new!

**^^^^By the way those who have emailed me about the Nume Megastar straig
htener i use to curl my hair in THIS OLD TUTORIAL (click here) i did a while back (also use it daily), i have a new coupon for you, its the Megastar straightener & trial Hydro Punch Shampoo/Conditioner for only $68 total, deal ends October 31st! So get on it!! LOVE this straightener because its rounded so i can curl my hair with it! Heres the link to take you straight to it: $68 with code MEGACLEAN ^^^

 ^^^what you're getting^^^ (: 

Fall Fashion Picks

Hey loves, this week started off sooo good with some real Fall weather. We had rain both yesterday and today, hurray!!! And some cooler weather and gloomy skies. Im so much more excited about candles, soup, and all things Fall when the weather matches! I just cant do soups and warm chunky sweaters when its 90 degrees out, who can?! Anyhow, which the cooler weather coming our way, finally, and hoping its here to stay.. lets get into some of my favorite current Fall picks! Most of these are budget friendly with the exception of a couple items that will last longer and that are better to splurge on, like a really good statement piece or a neutral sweater you can wear with pretty much everything. I love spending more on pieces that are timeless, like a good boot too! check out my picks below and be sure to share your favorites or places you love to shop online (easier for us mamas) for winter weather finds/good basics for warm or cold weather!

starting with a couple things i just ordered..

I ordered a black and dark gray of the v neck tees because theyre simple basics you can layer with cute sweaters or wear on warmer days with a pair of ripped jeans & lets face it for quality tees theyre only 14 on sale! . I ordered that cream peasant blouse because the details and the price! I ordered that free people loose boyfriend V neck that goes high to low (can be worn on or off the shoulder, love!) and im obsessed with the cut and fit, you will love it,... and its on sale (i ordered size small and bought it in lavender and love the grayish color tone to it.. i might need the maroon!). Below are a few other picks for Fall that i think are too cute to pass up.

Right click for more (:

Life Lately: Via My Camera Roll

Life Lately: Via My Camera Roll

 

^^^A Shake Shack day date with our babies^^^

Hey all! I havent posted in a while..which should tell you ladies that life lately has been a little busy! Life with two just gets busier by the day! Im back at work, but my girly decided on my first day back to not take the bottle any longer after taking it 1-2 times a week from 4 weeks until 14 weeks she decided to boycott it.  Any tips on that would be great!! Anyhow im working two nights a week after shes in bed, thankfully girlfriend set her own bed time for 6-6:20 and is usually almost asleep by the time i leave.  Its kind of a blessing in disguise because im not ready to leave her just yet so now i get to spend the day with both of my kiddos and leave right around their bedtime.   

I've been adjusting to her naps and wake time changing as well.  I have become a planner when it comes to leaving the house, i have to plan around when she'll need to nap (usually after 50 mins of wake time shes ready to go down) so i have to stay wherever i am once shes fallen asleep in the wrap for a least an hour so she gets a solid nap in. I know there are moms that just bring their baby wherever whenever and let them crash on their own once theyre to the point that they cant keep their eyes open any longer, and there are moms whos babys nap short naps here and there while driving and wake up when they arrive at their destination. But im not that mama. I just feel guilty keeping her awake when shes tired or making her wake up from a nap when she isnt ready to. I know sometimes i dont have a choice if we have to be somewhere or leave somewhere, but if i can ill always do whats in the best interest for my kiddos, even when thats inconvenience. Im seeing more and more that im probably not the mama whos cut out to have 4 kids, i think i would always  feel bad inside that my 4th was being neglected and getting the short end of the stick, lol.  But anyhow we are all different, there isnt a right way to do it.  I struggle with mom guilt on the daily so i know im probably not cut out for a huge tribe.  God created all of us moms with unique personalities and we parent differently based on that. Im someone who likes a schedule and having my kids be really great sleepers who can fall asleep in their cribs and take naps and have early bed times. I love knowing theyre well rested, that theyll sleep when someone else is babysitting them (because i work), and that their little bodies and brains are getting the sleep they need. I also enjoy the break!  Im all about giving them the love that they need and try my best daily to spend quality time with each of them together as a family of 4 as well as one on one.  Its hard work but to me its worth it. I life for my family, they are the reason i get up and do everything i do each day.  There was once a time when i did a lot for myself and put my needs first but the moment i became a wife and a mama is the moment God really taught be about unconditional love and selflessness.  The "me" time i once had is very minimal. I know its important but theres also a time and a place for it. Right now my babies are little and i soak up as much of these short years as i can.  Im all for going out on dates with my husband and girls nights etc, but its nice that i dont miss out on much with my kids because theyre asleep when we leave.   Now that my son is older he has a ton of fun hanging out at daycare at MOPS, going on play dates with his grandparents etc.  He truly is so loved by our families and we are so blessed that he has such a special close relationship with each of them.  I am thankful for a little break here and there during the day when hes off playing with them for a couple hours.  My little lady is only just about 4 months and as i mentioned doesnt take a bottle so she doesnt quite leave mamas side quite yet and im perfectly ok with that and prefer it when theyre so tiny and dependent on you.

Lately, we have been playing a ton with family since my sisters have tiny babies a month apart from layla and kids similar in age to my toddler Cash.  Its such a blessing and i dont take it for granted for a second that they live close and theyre my best friends.  A lot of my girlfriends have little kiddos similar in age as well so thats always fun when we get together.  

Im looking forward to coming out of the newborn phase and all the foggy sleepless nights here very soon! At least thats my hope. haha.  Layla usually does a 5-7 hour stretch at night frm 6/630pm to around 12ish.  After that its every 2-3 hours sometimes another 4 if im lucky that she'll wake to eat.  Then shes up for the day around 7/730 and takes 4 naps a day usually around an hour sometimes less sometimes more.  She eats every 2 hours on average (1.5-2.5) and is a good nurser.  She is the happiest smiliest little baby and we are so thankful we were gifted with her.  I look forward to the day that Cash and Layla can play and be best buddies, but for now ill snuggle her up close while shes little and immobile. lol.  

What else is new.... i guess we are just enjoying being a family of 4 and adjusting the past few months.  If you guys have any questions please let me know in the comments below.  Love you all and cant wait to share more of our new family member. (;

On another note, im grieving that its the end of Summer and Fall is on its way here (even though the hot weather is telling us otherwise).  

 

^^^This summer we had plenty of swim days at Nana and Papas house (my parents)^^^

 

 

 

^^^this guy doesnt really like veggies so we sneak them into daily juicing or smoothies. I usually add in Bolthouse Farms "green goddess" and carrot juice plus a handful of spinach, almond milk, ice, and strawberry/bananas.  He loves it! .... also those snuggles she gets from him are unreal.. he is suuuuuch a good brother!^^^

 

^^^we had our fair share of beach days! this guy loves when there are no waves. ^^^

 

^^^I could snuggle this angel all day every day for the rest of my life ^^^

 

^^^for you mamas with new babies and toddlers, finding ways to entertain them is Crucial for a lot more time indoors with a newborn when its 90-100 degrees outside.. so we made some fun ocean scenes with paper markers and his little animal creatures, and also spend time at the mall playing in all the cars/stores^^^

^^^We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary! I love my hubs so much, 3 years and 2 babies... we have been busy!^^^

 

 

^^^These cousins are too cute! Their second beach day together. My parents just bought a vacation/second home in Newport a couple houses from the beach, needless to say, you'll be seeing us there plenty in the months to come!^^^

 

^^^this guy is addicted to water, its his favorite thing to play with... so we created some make shift "Cuzzis" as he calls them this summer.  And a sweet date night at Sundried Tomato, highly recommended this restaurant!^^^

  

^^^This guys pretty much potty trained after 3 days! Look how cute those boxer briefs are!, im such a proud mama. He picked it up so quickly and it was pretty much all self directed. He was showing he was ready and just went on the toilet one day. So now we reinforce with treats (skittles, licorice) threw some underwear on and got rid of the diapers and that seemed to do the trick.

 

                          ......and lastly this sweet face to end this post (16 weeks here)!

Life With Two Babies

Life With Two Babies

I'm glad I waited a few months to share on the topic of having two babies two years apart (22.5 months to be exact). My thoughts and feelings change weekly so now I have a little more gathered together to put down on paper. 

In the months leading up to having Layla I was anxious to share my heart with another child other than my first.  The idea of giving all of myself to each of them seemed impossible. I have talked in the past about my mama guilt and how I struggle with that fuuuuur reals. I am always asking myself if I'm meeting my kids needs, so I knew taking on two would be hard.  I assumed it was going to be extremely challenging initially getting the hanging of everything. 

The moment I met Layla I fell in love. My heart grew a billion times bigger and made room for this sweet angel of ours. Seeing my son with her makes me love them both even more. The first week was a lot of my hubs taking my son to play outside of the house while I hung back at home with our new babe. I felt guilty and disconnected from my toddler and missed him dearly but I knew I needed to rest and that he would soon be mamas boy again. The following week dad went back to work and it was game on! I was ready to take on the challenge of doing two but my sister who had a month head start with her newborn and toddler insisted she would help out and show me the ropes. Guys, this was huuuge. She was so helpful, when I needed to nurse and we were at a park she would take over and watch the toddlers and push them on the swing, etc. She helped me gracefully figure out how to do two outside and in stores by myself. Having a friend/sister there with me gave me a safety net just incase I needed someone to help out for a sec.  I highly recommend gathering together with another mama you're close with and asking for help that first month. We learned to venture off on our own but we still plan a lot of play dates with my sisters who both have newborns and are germ conscious and need to find  shaded areas for their kids to play so the new babies have protection from the hot summer sun.  Play dates with other mamas are always welcome but these first few months you have to be that annoying guarded mom who asks "has anyone been sick within the last two weeks?".  Usually i have found my mama friends to be very understanding and always wanting to protect the baby too.

The first couple months made me feel like super mom. My son was adjusting well, loving on his sissy every chance he had. And I felt like I was managing two pretty well without too much additional stress. Things were going smoothly and the transition was easy and natural. Life wasn't back to normal completely aka grocery shopping solo or leaving whenever I want to, and sleeping all night without waking up. Lol. But things were going better than I had expected adjusting to two would be. 

This third month took a little turn because we went on vacation, I'm heading back to work twice a week now, we began a healthy sleep routine/starting some sleep training, and little lady is currently going through a 'wonder week'. When all that goes on all at once it can cause some unwanted stress and change a moms tune about having more than two kiddos ha! So moral of the story, parenting kids is going to change from week to week, especially the first year of an infants life because they are going through so many changes nothing ever stays the same. Their schedule changes so often I can barely keep up, they're learning new milestones, staying awake longer periods and needing to sleep at different times. Just when you think you've figured it out and have a routine down you have to adapt to their needs and change it all up again. The best pointer I can offer is just to roll with the punches as hard as that is. Try not to think too far into the future and worry yourself overall the unknowns. Try your best each day to do what you feel is right in the moment and not to beat yourself up later if you get it all wrong. Make sure to have a lot of 'check ins' with your partner on how you're both coping and handling all the change and crazy foggy days of lack of sleep, handling multiples, etc. And most importantly get on the same page with your spouse. I can't tell you how important having spousal support and having them back you is! I would've have been able to sleep train or have a bed time routine without my husband backing it 100%. He helps out, he keeps us on track too, and he supported me when I felt like giving up or had a hard day of Cash napping all whacky.  Now our 2 year old still takes a 2-3 hour nap and falls asleep all on his own, anyone can put him down for bed because he does the work himself, he hasn't woke up at night since he was 9 months old, and he sleeps 11.5 hours at night with the same bed time every evening. We are working on Layla's sleep routine, she's currently going to bed between 6/645pm depending on her last nap. And wakes up throughout the night usually 1-3 times to eat, then goes back down. Sometimes we are lucky and she only wakes once. Other times she's going through a growth spurt and wakes a bunch. But that's what I mean by rolling with the punches. She sleeps in until anywhere from 730-10am. The first couple months it was always 9-10am that she would wake for the day, but since around 13 weeks she's had a few days of waking earlier around 730-830 so I think she's finally getting into a normal groove. You can't be too scheduled with newborns, they change literally almost weekly. She has great sleep cues to let you know she's tired but she's also very consistent with her optimal wake time being 40-50 mins. So I put her down usually around 40/45 mins of wake time so she's asleep within 15 mins of then. I've tried to gently implement healthy sleep habits like we did with Cash early on. So around 8 or so weeks we started doing the majority of naps upstairs in a white dark room with the sound machine going. Not long after we began this routine for naps and bed we also started rocking just until her eyes barely closed and then putting her down so she could fall asleep on her own (i had to do this early on because my toddler would get upset every time i left to put her down so i needed the time i spent upstairs without him to be a shorter period due to his new adopted struggle of me walking away with the baby). Some days I would have to help her out and pat her back and other days within a few mins she would drift off all on her own after laying there for a bit. She is a tummy sleeper.. Feel free to judge me. I probably would've sat here and told you all the safety issues with this but we only let her snooze on her tummy for naps (since we can watch her closely)and then flip her on her back for bedtime. About a week ago she wasn't into the bed time on her back anymore so we started letting her sleep on her tummy the last few nights and she wakes far less and easily goes back to sleep now. Some babies just prefer their tummy and really struggle on their backs. Cash wasn't a tummy sleeper until he was way older and could slip himself on to his tummy. Every baby is different and you have to adjust your parenting to what they each individually need.  I pray over her every day and feel that shes strong enough now since shes been flipping over onto her back since 4 weeks old.

A couple tips for moms going from one to two babies:

Invest in a double stroller.

Invest in a wrap so you can wear them for a couple naps out because your toddler will NEED to have social interaction and play time outside the house. And newborns sleep a ridiculous amount of naps the first few months so the wrap is my best purchase yet! I wear it daily for 1-2 naps. She takes 4-5 naps a day that are around 1 hour sometimes her afternoon naps are 2 hours. 

Introduce the bottle early on around week 4, keep trying if they don't take it. It's important to have just for an emergency or if you're interested in ever having a date night without worrying in the back of your mind if your baby wakes up that they won't have a way to eat.  Also if you're a working mom this is obviously necessary

Invest in a good cover and get comfortable nursing in public quickly. With your second baby running to the car to nurse or trying to plan out when they need to eat before you go somewhere isn't always doable. 

If you're going to nap your new baby in the wrap be sure to try and time how long you'll be at the destination for.. Because around 3 months a lot of babies don't do well with transferring from the wrap asleep into their car seat .. And you know the rule, "never wake a sleeping baby".  So make sure you are at your destination long enough for an hour nap (or however long your baby usually needs) 

If you have a hard day or hard week know that the next week will probably be different and keep your hopes up. 

Don't make decisions on whether you want another child in the future when you're still in the sleep deprivation mode and when your baby is still extremely dependent on you. Just don't do it. lol

Make sure to eat and drink enough water if you're nursing. Trust me sometimes I forget if I even ate breakfast.  Toddler life I tell ya. And I'm clearly in a sleep hAze. 

Take help if people offer it. 

Know that this phase is temporary. Soak in the good days of newborn yumminess and know that the hard days of feeling tired and low energy and irritable will pass. I tell my husband this frequently.. because right now having two little ones demands alot of a mother, hes so supportive and that comforts me.

If you guys have specific questions I would love to hear them and answer below in the comment section.