I’m always looking for meaningful anniversary gift ideas and I think framing a special moment in time is the perfect one!
I’m always looking for meaningful anniversary gift ideas and I think framing a special moment in time is the perfect one! I’m so happy with how this shadowbox of these concert tickets turned out from Framebridge.
One of the best parts about Framebridge is that they have designers that can help you frame your project based on your design style. I knew I wanted to “float mount” these tickets to give a shadowbox effect. After letting them know that and my style, they helped me through the process and kept me involved the entire time. It truly couldn’t be easier!
Trey and I met at a concert. One of his bands was playing, and I was a concert “goer”. We truly have been inseparable since. I went to that concert with my best friend, and on my bachelorette party she gave me the tickets from that night. It was amazing that she still had them, and I treasure them so much. This was the perfect way to save that moment in time that has become one of my all time favorite nights. It has been one of my best anniversary gift ideas to date!
Since I have become a wife and mom I’ve become more sentimental. I love the idea of capturing a picture of a special place, tickets from an important event, invites, etc. Be sure to use promo “beauarrow15” and receive 15% off your first order!!!
It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years since we tied the knot. We (almost) have two babies in that time and every day I am thankful for our marriage. Nothing is more important to me. Trey is easy to love and life is just fun with him. I remember thinking on our wedding day that I couldn’t love anyone more, but somehow watching him with Georgie, I absolutely do! He has embraced being a husband and father whole heartedly and we sure love him something fierce.
Ok, enough sappy stuff, I’m off to our anniversary dinner! Hope everyone has a great week, make sure to let the ones you love know how much they mean to you, and not just on the “important days.”
It’s so hard balancing a healthy lifestyle in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but I’ve made it a priority to do so and have a few tips on how to make it manageable.
The other day I talked about how hard it is balancing the many hats we wear and maintaining your sanity doing so. One of the main points from that posts is finding what your priorities are and really just focusing on those. If that requires reaching out for help to cross them off the to-do list, then by all means, check the pride at the door and get the help!
Balancing a healthy lifestyle is one of the more important things to me. Don’t get me wrong, I fail at it frequently, but it is something that I try to put high on the priority list. With how busy the day to day craziness is, it’s one of the things I have had to allocate extra help with. There is a meal delivery service in Nashville called Eat Well Nashville, that prepares healthy, ready to eat, meals and delivers them to your door. No grocery shopping, no meal prep, no having to think of recipe ideas. It makes eating healthy so much more achievable. This week we tried the turkey meatloaf, and the no noodle, veggie lasagna. Both were SO good. It was so nice to be able to sit down with Trey when he got home from work at the table and eat a great meal, without all the time and hassle that would typically go into that. I HIGHLY recommend doing this for yourself!
Another part of that being healthy that I really want to be a priority, but I’m not afraid to admit I fail at regularly is working out. It’s not often I have someone to help watch G for me to go to they gym or a workout class. It really takes extra motivation, scheduling, etc. to make that happen. I’ve learned to take the do what you can, when you can approach. BUT, let’ be real having super cute workout clothes does give you that extra bit of motivation. Ellie fitness subscription box. It’s 5 items of workout clothes or gear for $49.95 delivered to your door in an adorable metallic box. For me, it gives me that extra little nudge I need to get myself together and make that a priority. It’s more realistic in my life, to take Georgie for a walk, and do some lunges with the stroller, some calf raises doing my hair, and some planks and a couple of arm weights before bed. I believe just that little bit is much better than nothing at all!
If you happen to have followed me during my first pregnancy, you know that I didn’t invest in many “maternity” clothes, this go around Blanqi maternity leggings and the tank top have been the exception!
If you happen to have followed me during my first pregnancy, you know that I didn’t invest in many “maternity” clothes, this go around Blanqi maternity leggings and the tank top have been the exception!
At 30 weeks pregnant today these are still the only maternity type item I’ve worn. This go around my back has really been bothering me. I’m not sure if it’s pregnancy related or Georgie related. (He weighs 23 pounds, and wants held A LOT..) Either way, the support from these leggings and tank have helped. The other reason that I can validate purchasing something “maternity” is that these are great for after.
I was not prepared for anything after birthing Georgie. I had no clue what to expect. Any mamas out there know you feel just a little strange, and having support over the belly is needed!
Blanqi maternity leggings/tanks are completely seamless. They can be worn on their own (this is how I have them pictured), but you can also treat them as a “base”. Meaning, you can put a t-shirt over the tank, or a kimono on over the set. (Ya’ll know I’m kimono obsessed, so I wear them like that a lot.)
Since, I have been loving them so much I’ve partnered with the brand to do a giveaway. Head over to my Instagram for all of the details. (@beauandarrownashville)
Side note, the mom guilt has been real lately. With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, I’ve really been doing a lot of reflecting. I’m so excited for G to have a built in best friend in just a few short weeks, but I’m so worried he will feel left out or like he’s not getting enough attention. He’s still so young, and he’s used to having my full attention all day every day. (Well besides the once a week we have a nanny come, and he still gets all of her attention…)
Mom guilt is just one of the things that you never think about before you have a baby. I need time away to have a few moments to myself, but then feel guilty being away. I have mom guilt over staying home with him. Am I doing him a dis service not having him in a program with other kids?! Then I have mom guilt over thinking about sending him to a mom’s day out program, when I could have one on one time with him those two days.
I know we are all out there doing are best, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters! One thing is for sure, and that’s G will always know he is loved by me!!! (Maybe, too much. Mom guilt.. am I smothering him?!) HA! Hope everyone has a great Mother’s Day week!
With Mother’s Day right around the corner I wanted to show some of my favorite beauty products that would make an AMAZING gift for any mamas out there. It’s not your typical gift, and can actually get a ton of use. (Or you can treat yourself… 😉 ) As a busy mom, I really don’t have time for a full face makeup and hair routine everyday. As much as I would like to, it’s just not in the cards for me. I typically rely on my quick makeup and hair look that’s under 20 minutes.
QUICK HAIR LOOK:
The most common question I get asked is about my hair. I mostly wear it curly, but lately discovered the T3 blowdryer (see previous post for more details) and it has saved me tons of time. If I blow dry my hair straight, I can run this new straightner through it in under 10 minutes. I start with spraying on a heat protectant. Then, section your hair in half. Use the clips to clip up the top half. Start at the root of your hair and straighten down. You only need to leave the tool on your hair for a few seconds. It works so fast. Then I do the second half, and spray with a gloss. It’s really that quick and easy!!!
Lately I’ve been more health conscious and Tarte cosmetics are all formulated without the use of parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, synthetic fragrances and gluten, just to name a few. They are also cruelty-free and the packaging is so adorable. I like to give it as gifts, because of the packaging. All but two of my everyday products have been Tarte.
For some reason, my skin has been INSANELY dry this second pregnancy. I’m constantly working to combat the dry skin issue. So some of these products are geared towards that. Also, here are a couple things that I use before the make up starts. I constantly am changing up my skincare routine, and I plan to post soon about my full skincare go to’s.
I was wanting to switch to an aluminum and alcohol free deodorant for a long time, but was hesitant that a natural deodorant wouldn’t work. Several of my friends have stopped wearing deodorant all together because of the harsh chemicals in most brands. However, I spend my days chasing Georgie, and that’s not an option for me! If you are looking for one, I can tell you this natural one WORKS. I highly recommend.
Along with the extreme dry skin, my lips have also been so dry and chapped. So I’ve been conditioning them with this lip scrub and it’s really helped a ton.
To help the tired mom eyes look (not cute) I’ve been using an eye brightner. It mainly helps with the puffiness. I need all the help I can get in that department.
QUICK MAKEUP LOOK:
First, I start with this foundation it is lightweight, but still full coverage. Since I have this major dry skin going on this pregnancy, this hydrating formula really works for me.It’s made with 20% water that helps quench that dry skin. I always look for a foundation with some built in SPF, and this has SPF 15. Sponges have been the best way to apply foundation for me. The beauty blender works the best. Also, a makeup artist friend recently told me to get it slightly damp first and then use it. Life changing.
Then sweep some bronzer over your cheekbones and VERY lightly on forehead, nose, chin, and chest. A little really goes a long way. I then sweep a small amount of highlighter on the top of my cheekbones and nose. It gives it that little extra glow. (This is the shade “Stunner.”) Highlighter is basically a way to trick people into thinking you have it all together. 😉
Next, I do a SUPER quick eye. A girlfriend of mine and total makeup junky, Mallory Ervin, introduced me to the “one sweep” eye. It’s a cream shadow that you put over just the lid of your eye. I prefer the shade “Marie Antoinette.” This one really doesn’t crease, but if you are really looking for long wear, then you can use an eye primer over your lid prior to applying this cream shadow.
I run a quick swipe of eyeliner in my waterline. This was one of Allure’s best of beauty products this year. The other end is a liquid eyeliner, which I will use for a full face on days when I actually have time or for a night out. Then, I apply a light layer of mascara on both my upper and lower lashes. I do usually get lash extensions, so when I have those I don’t put much mascara on the top lashes at all.
After I’m done with this I brush off any excess powder and then apply concealer under my eye. (This is CRUCIAL for a mama like me that has some major dark circles.) Another celebrity makeup artist friend of mine recommended this concealer as the one must have to put in your beauty bag, and I couldn’t agree more. Apply this under your eye in a triangle shape. Blend well using the sponge.
You can really look so much more put together with some color on those lips! I line my lips with this lip liner in deep nude. Then apply this quick dry matte lip . This shade is deep nude. I’m a long time addict of this rosebud lip balm and I top the color with that.
I finish up the look by spraying on one of my absolute favorite products lately has been this radiant skin mist. It hydrates and works as a make up refresher, but the scent is sooo amazing. It’s like an instant re-boost. This is a traveling must have.
I know everyone is busy these days, so I hope this quick makeup and hair look saves you some time!
Balance. How can we have it all, do it all, be it all, see it all?
The Creative Souls Tribe reached out to me to write a piece about balance for their May blog series, and I was so happy they did! First off, if you’ve never heard of them you MUST check them out. “Creative Souls is a community that inspires and equips females to take action in their creative endeavors. Our mission is to connect and empower women to get in touch with their true creativity.” I mean how amazing is that?! They also have meet ups and community outreach. Check them out HERE.
I wanted to share with ya’ll my thoughts from that…
Balance. How can we have it all, do it all, be it all, see it all? In today’s society it is normal for us to wear so many hats. For me, it’s mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, blogger, traveler, chef, house cleaner, traveler, believer, decorator, teacher, wannabe fitness junky, and the list goes on and on. How is it even possible to balance all of these things each and everyday? It seems overwhelming just typing it out. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not possible. More importantly, THAT’S OK.
Since having my son, Georgie, I feel some days are just a whirlwind. I’m not sure there has ever been a day where everything has gotten crossed off the to do list. You may start the day with the best of intentions, but then he crawls in your lap and needs attention, misses a nap or spills his lunch on top of his head (yes this happens) and needs a daytime bath. From there the whole day is thrown off, and the productivity goes on a downward spiral. Before you know it, I’m on the couch eating Halo ice cream and bing watching ‘Teen Mom.’ (Hey, don’t judge.)
I’m constantly seeking that perfect balance. Being a great wife, keeping a clean house, having healthy home cooked meals on the table, teaching my son as much as possible, taking him to as many activities as possible, working out, spending time with my friends, creating great content for my blog, and who even knows what else. It’s easy to get anxiety attempting to balance it all.
I was once told you always have time for the things you make time. Simple, but true. I’ve tried to use this as my key to keeping balance in my life. Think of it as a scale, some items are heavier than others on some days. For me, I never want to compromise being a mother, wife or friend. Those are my “heavy weights.” So to keep the scale balanced, I always put those on the one side, every day. Then I can add a few of the extras to the other side to balance it out. If you were to add every single other thing, the scale wouldn’t be balanced.
Being stubborn at heart, it’s always been hard for me to ask for help. You want to wear that superwoman badge, and be able to tackle everything without reaching out for any assistance.
Good luck to ya. I’ve learned to allocate outside help whenever I can. It’s like being able to wear all the hats, but having help putting them on. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
If you want to eat healthy, but don’t have time to cook that day, then get a delivery meal service that offers homemade healthy meals delivered. If you want to get your workout class in, but don’t have a babysitter that day during the class (ahemmm my everyday scenario), then take a quick jog, do some squats while you do your hair, some calf raises while you make dinner, and a few planks before bed and call it a day. If you want a clean house, but just can’t seem to have time, splurge on a house cleaner that week. You get the picture. Leave your pride at the door, there is no shame in the help game!
Somedays, Georgie may not get learning time, park time, and a bath in during the course of the day. I might have to do a little more work for the blog, or help a friend with some errands. That’s ok, I try again the next day.
For me, that key to balance in life has been a two-parter. First, prioritizing what is truly important to me and gives my life purpose and meaning. Concentrating on those things, and feeling fulfilled with those things alone. The second, learning not to compare my life to others, and losing the need to compete with others to keep up. Can we all make a pledge not to judge one another? You really never know what someone is going through. It may seem like they have it all together, but if you take a closer look they could be falling apart. Find what works for you and be happy with that. And if your day ends on the couch with a tub of Halo, hey, that’s ok too.
Now that we’ve agreed not to judge one another, I can let ya’ll know I have literally worn this every day for the last 5-6 days now. My obsession with longhorn everything is strong, and I couldn’t resist the back detailing. It’s also made with a loose knit so it’s cool and perfect for spring and summer. The white on white trend is as strong as ever, and easy to do. I’ve probably mentioned my favorite v-neck pocket tee a million times, but it’s the easiest go to piece. Of course I paired it with my white cut off denim shorts. These are a great low rise fit so I’m able to continue wearing them preggo because they hit under the bump. Hallelujah!
With Georgie we thought we needed every product on the market. I’ve realized there are some staple items you really need, and some things you don’t. Here are some of my baby must haves for our second round!
I’m so lucky to have friends that have asked us some things that we need for baby #2 and want to help us stock up on those for baby #2. I’m currently working on building a registry with Gugu Guru . You can put items from any website, and you can fill out a survey of your lifestyle and it guides you on what you need. That will be coming very soon!
Until then, here are some things that we learned are complete baby must haves!
First off, one of my favorite places to go for all things baby is The Baby Cubby. If you are about to be a first time parent and overwhelmed with the millions of options out there, then this is a great place to start. The team is made up of parents, and they test out every product. (Example, tons of stroller testing.) They price match (even amazon), they only carry high quality products that they researched and tested, and they offer free shipping on orders over $49. They are also offering a discount code right now for 15% your order. (Valid 5/5-5/8.) So run on over there and stock up!! USE CODE: beauandarrownashville15
They carry my FAVORITE blanket/swaddle/towel company, Little Unicorn. We did buy a ton for G, but for me it’s important for each of our boys’ to have a few of their own. G cuddles his quilt every night, so I thought it would be great to get them each their own. Same thing for the hooded towel, and the swaddle. It’s important to me that G doesn’t feel left out, and if we start using all of his things for the new baby I’m afraid he would feel that way.
Another thing we learned the first go around; when they are newborns gowns are much easier at night. I didn’t buy any for G at first, because I thought it made him look girly. Silly me. Luckily, we were gifted a few and they got their fair share of use. In the middle of the night..CONVENIENCE IS KING. Bring on the gowns! Baby Cubby carries L’ovedbaby organic and that brand really held up well last time. So I wanted to stock up on some additional ones this time.
They also sell DockATot™. YOU NEED THIS. My friend Ashley (the babe behind the blog, Nashville Wifestyles ) introduced this to me. Georgie had horrible sleep issues, and I know that I caused them. I held him for every nap, and he didn’t like his bassinet. She tried DockATot with her second baby, and she uses it nonstop. When she told me this, I really started looking into it, and come to find out TONS of my friends swear by them as well. I do NOT want to repeat the same sleeping mistakes, so this was a baby must have for us. Do yourself a favor, and just grab yourself one the first time around. They are breathable and made with 100% all natural cotton. There are two sizes the deluxe and the grand. The one shown is the deluxe (0-8 months.) Perfect for frequent travelers like we are as well. You can read more and check out all their different options HERE.
Having two babies under 15 months is NOT going to be an easy task. I haven’t even thought about how I’m going to accomplish other tasks. If I start to think too much about it my anxiety spikes and I’ll break out in hives or something. One of the things that will be a complete baby must have will be baby carriers. I loved the prints and the fact that these Tula Baby Carriers can fit a baby 7-45 pounds. This is perfect for me because I can use for Georgie now, and the new baby as well.
I really liked a soft baby wrap for the newborn stage and early months. We had this with G, and it was SO great for traveling! I prefer the Solly baby wraps. They have the cutest prints and are custom-made from certified lenzing modal, which is a lightweight, buttery soft and sustainable fabric sourced from the pulp of Austrian beechwood trees. They are also crafted in the USA. These are a great price point to use as shower gifts. (Been my go-to gift lately and a one of the true baby must haves!)
Speaking of go-to gifts for a new mom, the Gathre Mats are another one of my favorites. They are leather and adorable, but also wipeable, non toxic and waterproof. Also, the company is mama founded and run. (I love to support other entrepreneur moms out there.) Pictured is the changing mat. It’s easy to throw in your diaper bag, and then just wipe off. I also have the high chair mat (it will be pictured in an upcoming post I’m doing this week.) They also have play mats. (I plan on getting one of those to bring to the park this summer.) These are one of those baby must haves that you don’t even realize you need until you start living your day to day with the babe and realize it makes life so much easier!
How adorable are the matching onesie and t-shirt for G and baby #2 (I can’t wait to be able to replace this with a name p.s.)?! These are from https://www.urbanbabyco.com/ This company uses 100% organic, Fair Trade cotton, recycled materials, and biodegradable packaging. They are super soft and just have the cutest little sayings.
In no way to I consider myself an expert, but I do feel like having two so close together I have a pretty good grasp on what worked for us and what we need to adjust or add as some baby must haves the second time around. Hope this helps!!
I don’t believe there is such a thing as too much denim. I like to style my denim skirts with a graphic tee and a denim jacket. It’ s the kind of look that is so easy to put together and throw on, and can easily transition from day to night. Throw on some stacked bracelets and you are good to go!
I’m so impressed with how soft this denim trucker jacket is. It feels like it’s an old favorite you have washed a ton of times. The lighter wash makes it easy to pair with a wide range of colors, and is the perfect staple piece to add to your wardrobe.
When looking for a graphic tee, finding one with a little more character is key. This desert tank really spoke to my wanderlust spirit, and the choker neckline and v-neck make for a more modern take on the trend.
Booties are easy to run around in, and the studded detailing and embellished buckles on this pair adds interest to any outfit.
If you are looking for one must have piece for the spring/summer season, this two tone denim mini skirt is it! Denim skirts are versatile and you can pair it with a sweater or sweatshirt this fall when the temps cool down.
As a new mom, blogger, and frequent traveler I search for pieces that can transition from any type of event that may come my way. I wore this to coffee with a friend, then ran some errands with my baby, and grabbed some dinner with my family that night. Denim also packs extremely well, so it’s great to bring along on your summer travels.
The temps are heating up quickly, so I’ve partnered with Free People to bring you one of my go to staple pieces for summer fashion!
Free People has been one of my go to brands to fill my wardrobe for quite some time. I love the boho vibe of their clothes and the quality is great for the price! I’ve had most of my items for years and years.
One of my go to’s for summer is a maxi dress. They are breezy, easy and work for any occasion. I was drawn to this one because it’s basic enough to style several ways, but also had pretty ruffle and lace detailing to make it special.
You can dress this up with some wedges and dainty long layered necklaces, or pair it with a denim jacket and flats.
Maxi dresses are one of those summer fashion staples that you can keep in the closet and pull out whenever you don’t really know the dress code for an event. It can look dressy and casual at the same time. Not many other pieces can do that!
My friend Chelsea and I headed out to Shelby Park in East Nashville the other day and we snapped these pics. She was showing me the new nature center, and if you live in Nashville it’s a great place to go! They have “under the star” nights where there are tons of telescopes that you can go check out to see the stars. Would make a perfect and inexpensive date night idea! When Georgie is old enough I plan to take him out there to check it all out. For now, we can stroll around all the trails and he can watch all the puppies. He loves that!
I’m excited for summer and being outdoors more, and the easy lightweight summer fashion that comes with it.
Getting organized has been one of my top priorities lately, to help my everyday life run more smoothly.
I attended an event a few days back with some fellow Nashville bloggers showcasing Erin Condren organizational products, and it really got me on a kick to get myself together and get organized! Fair warning, I am NOT an organized person by nature, so I have to work hard at it. Everything is so much easier once I get myself on a plan.
As a mom that juggles doing styling and blogging on the side of being a full time mom as well as frequent travel, doc appointments, events, etc. it’s important for me to write everything down. Something about physically writing things down really helps me remember and get a grasp on the upcoming things that I have to do.
I’m not an organized person naturally, so here are a couple of the tips I’ve learned have really helped me wrap my head around getting organized and adding some structure in my life.
5 Organizational Tips:
1.) Write it down as SOON as you know. As soon as I get the info for an event I immediately write it down. (You can carry your planner with you in your purse to make this more feasible.)
2.) If something is extremely important, write it in a color in marker. Whenever you are scrolling through your planner it will always stand out and give you a mental reminder.
3.) Set aside a block of hours in your week to get done small tasks and write it down. I write down in my schedule a few hours when I know Georgie will be napping to do laundry, straighten up the house etc. Then I also schedule blocks of time to work on blogging. This really helps it all seem not as overwhelming.
4.) When you travel write out all confirmation numbers or any info you may have in the notes on the side of your planner. Having it all in one dedicated place really helps me not worry about scrambling at the airport, car rental place, etc. to find it.
5.) Keep it fun! I like to use the stickers, bright markets, etc to make it not seem like a task. I actually look forward to getting organized when everything is bright and fun to use. This is one of the things that I love about the Erin Condren products, there were so many options to pick and you can personalize the cover with your name as well. Keeping it fun and easy is the way to go!
Be sure to head over to Erin Condren and check out all of their fun products. I HIGHLY recommend the Life Planner ™. To receive 15% off your order use code GETSOCIAL15. (Code cannot be combined with other offers and expires 7/31/17.)
One of spring and summers biggest trend, is floral. I’m all in on this trend, but wanted to share a couple of easy ways to incorporate floral fashion into your wardrobe.
First of all, you must go see the Amelia’s flower truck when visiting Nashville. It is usually parked in the 12th South area, it’s the cutest little thing!
All the floral fashion has been giving me heart eyes lately, but I know it can seem overwhelming to style.
While on the hunt for white booties when I found these dreamy flower applique studded booties. I didn’t have them on for 5 minutes before I got stopped asking where I had found them. I like to add floral fashion in small doses, and this does the trick. Pair it with an easy boyfriend tee and some cut offs and you are good to go. You may be sick of me talking about these boyfriend style pocket tees, but they are under $20 and come in so many colors. This olive version just got added to my closet. My go to denim shorts will always be these one teaspoons. I finished the look with my go to spring handbag (how pretty is the handle detailing?!) and this marble wrap necklace.
5 Tips To Incorporate Floral Fashion Into Your Wardrobe:
1. If the floral print is large keep your other pieces very neutral. I’m all about a floral print, but bold on bold just gets to be a bit much.
2. Look for embroidered florals. This is my favorite way to incorporate two hot trends, and keep the floral look very classy. (A few post back I featured this embroidered floral moto jacket and it showcases this perfectly!)
3. For small florals, or a single floral go ahead and mix it with a print. These shoes would love great with a striped blouse, or a dress with a boho print.
4. Look for pieces that have really delicate florals or “prairie florals.” This is a new hot trend for spring/summer and has that boho vibe. (Love that!)
5. Mix it up with some of spring/summers other hottest trends to curate go to pieces for any occasion. (Think one shoulder tops, blouses with ruffles, on a sweatshirt with denim cut offs, etc.)
