Life By Nadine Lynn - Page 123 of 339

baby, health

Body Image

I can’t remember a time in my life when I looked in the mirror and thought, damn I look good! I have struggled with weight and body image my entire life. Looking back, I can see times where I was so hard on myself for no reason at all. And there were times that yeah, I could have lost a few pounds…but I was being way too hard on myself.

The thing is, I can’t have body image issues anymore. You guys, I have a daughter. I am terrified of her growing up having the same issues I had. I want her to be proud of her self and her body. I don’t want her to have anxiety about going to a pool party or changing in gym class. I don’t ever want her to stare in the mirror and think she is less just because she doesn’t look exactly like she wants to. But the thing is, how do you raise them with healthy thoughts? Society is eventually going to make her feel bad about something.

If Zoe sees me looking in the mirror and scrunching my nose at myself, if she sees me constantly adjusting my clothes because I don’t feel comfortable, what does that tell her? If she hears me joke about how I can’t have this or that because I am fat…what is she going to think.

From now on, I have to look in the mirror and smile. Sure, I have my flaws but you know what…I am pretty damn proud of this body. This body grew and nurtured my daughter for 40 weeks and two days. Those stretch marks and c-section scars are battle scars to be proud of, not ashamed of. These arms held her at night and gave her lots of hugs. These eyes saw the beauty and amazement of her. These legs take us to the grocery store, to the park, our for fun. And while I am far from perfect, I need to be proud of what I have. Thankful that I am healthy and able to lift my daughter in the air to hear her giggle. That I can get down on the ground and be silly with her.

I want her to see me working out and eating healthy, because I take care of my self. Not because I feel like I have to for looks. I want her to grow up making healthy choices because it is good for her, not because she is trying to fit some mold she has set for herself. I want her to know that it is ok to enjoy a cookie or cupcake and not be ashamed. I want her to have some physical activities in her life because they are fun.

I am putting all of this out here to remind you that when you have little ones around, don’t sit there and pick at your insecurities. You may not realize what type of message you are sending out to them. After all you are their mom/aunt/friend and they think the world of you. Isn’t that good enough?

May 2, 2017 by Nadine

weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans

This weekend we….

Played lots and lots of the new Mario Kart for the Switch!

I stopped by the new Panera that opened in our town! Oh how I have missed their iced green teas and delicious foods! While I was in the new shopping center I checked out Ulta’s Grand Opening and the new HomeGoods. I fully intend to hit up the HomeGoods again this weekend when I have more time to browse.

Interrupted Zoe reading her book…

And ate the most delicious chicken flautas at our favorite Mexican place.

A few other things not pictured was the open house that we went to yesterday. An amazing renovated house sitting on 5.7 acres with a private lake and a pool. Swoon!!!! A delicious Italian dinner Saturday night from Papa Sal’s. And lots of organizing, meal planning, grocery shopping and tons and tons of yard work.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Linking up with Biana.

May 1, 2017 by Nadine

about me, favorites

Friday Things

1.I was excited to receive the Poppy Vox Box from Influenster this week! I even did an Instastory about it! Anyone else feel awkward talking on Instastory or is it just me? Anyways, there is some really great stuff in this box!!! I am a huge fan of Rimmel lip products and I received a full size Oh My Gloss in the shade Master Pink! The smell reminds me of something I used to use when I was a lot longer and I sort of love that! It glides on smooth and leaves my lips feeling soft for a few hours. The color is sheer, but pretty.

There was also a Rimmel Scandal Eyes liner! I am a big fan of drugstore liners, and I had never tried a Rimmel one before. I like how precise the application is and the color is a deep black which I appreciate. The only thing is, I feel like it smudges some and it is most certainly NOT waterproof!! I was able to wipe it away with a wet qtip. I cant even do that with most regular liners.

I was really excited to try the Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish!!! This is a Kenyan Coffee scrub and it left my face feeling super soft!

I didn’t take care of my feet when I was pregnant. Mainly because the last few months I couldn’t reach them comfortably. They are still a disaster. The worst they have ever been, honestly. The 7th Heaven Sock Masque couldn’t have come at a better time! I haven’t actually used this one yet, I will report back.

Who doesn’t love a good in shower body lotion? I can always use the one from Nivea! It has a pleasant smell and I really love how soft my skin feels after using it. Works great for those mornings I am in a rush to get out the door because I can confidently skip putting on additional lotions.

I had never heard of Eva NYC, so I was intrigued when I saw the dry shampoo. I have pretty heavy opinions about the ones I like and dont like. I have to say, I like this one!!! The scent was pleasant and it didn’t leave a white film on my dark hair. I would consider purchasing this, it is half the price of the one I usually buy!

And yay for Tide Pods! The ones I received had downy in them and they smell heavenly! I usually use Honest Company laundry detergent for all of our clothes, but I love these Tide pods for our towels!

Have you used any of these items before? Thanks Influenster!!!

2. For you mamas out there, what is the best sunscreen you have used for your kid??? I wont be putting any on Zoe until after she is 6 months old, but that is right around the corner. I know my mom used Coppertone baby stuff on me and my sister but I have read so many horrible articles about regular sunscreens. It’s hard to know what the right thing to do is? I used Babyganics on myself last summer when I was pregnant at the beach, but I burned in splotches. I am worried it isn’t as good as some other stuff.

3. We finished watching Big Little Lies this week. SO GOOD! It didn’t follow the book exactly, but I really loved the casting and the few new twists to it. Some of you commented that there might be a second season in the works. That would be pretty cool! We have 13 Reasons Why on our list to watch, what else are you guys loving?

4. Did you know that there glitter paint for walls????? I basically want to glitter everything in my house now. Well ok, not everything. But how fun would a glitter accent wall be in my office?!

5. Some funnies to get you through the day! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Linking up with Amanda.

April 28, 2017 by Nadine

about me, currently

What’s Up Wednesday

I always enjoy reading these posts, but have never participated myself. I told myself last month that I would join in this go round, so here we are! Linking up with Shay.

WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK

This week’s dinner menu consists of taco bowls two nights, turkey burgers with roasted potatoes, my baked pork chops, and mini paleo Italian turkey meatloaf. For lunches I am having paleo sloppy joe’s over baked red potatoes.

WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT

Lot’s of things, but mostly past beach trips. I cant wait to take our first one as a family of three with Zoe! I am hoping that she is going to be a water/beach baby.

view from our condo

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

Things are pretty routine over here. Just werk werk werk werk werk. And well, raising a tiny human too! I went and picked up my money from the consignment sale I was in this past weekend. I actually made $50!!! And the girls that are doing it are hosting a garage sale next month so they offered to keep my stuff for it, so I plan on getting more stuff together before then to get rid of as well.

WHAT I’M DREADING

All of the bugs that we are going to have this year since it never really got cold here. Woof. This accurately describes the south…

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

Trying to get some blog posts drafted, organizing pictures on my computer, finishing the office in our house, and most recently I started uploading photos to make books for each month of Zoe’s first year. I figure I can do the first four months in the next month…and then just keep up with it monthly after that. I am making a page in each one to share mostly what I share on her monthly updates here on the blog too so she can see how she changed from month to month.

WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING/LISTENING TO

We just finished Big Little Lies last night. I would like to start 13 Reasons Why soon. I am almost done reading The Girl You Left Behind, I have about 20% left. And I just started listening to I Don’t Know How She Does It on audiobook.

WHAT I’M WEARING

I have fully embraced the athleisure wear trend, and wearing lots of black workout capris, flowy workout tops and sports bras just about every day around the house. When I actually do leave, it is mostly swing or shift dresses. I have been wearing the heck out of the LC sandals I picked up a few weeks ago too!

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND

I am not really sure what we have planned for the weekend. Friday, Mario Kart comes out for the Switch. I plan to be in line when the stores open to grab one!!! So I am sure we will be playing that some! My BIL’s birthday is this weekend, and my sister is having a bonfire party for him Saturday night. Not sure if we will make it though since it is closing in on Zoe’s bedtime.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH

Chris’s birthday is next month! Hopefully we can plan something fun to do.

April 26, 2017 by Nadine

beauty, favorites

April Favorites – Add it to Your List

Linking up with Lauren and Bre today with some of my April favorites I think you should add to your list!

Van’s Foods The Perfect 10 Crackers

These crackers are so good!!! I love to pair them with a little Laughing Cow wedge for the perfect afternoon snack. And wine. They go great with wine. Doesn’t everything? They have whole grains and seeds in them so I tell myself they are healthy. Ish.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

I have tried ~~a million~~ many lipsticks and glosses over the years. Rarely is there one that really stands out as absolutely amazing. This stuff you guys? This is my holy grail!!! My mom got the Lovesick color for me off my Christmas list, and it is my absolute all time favorite lip product. This stuff has some amazing staying power. Even though it is matte, it doesn’t look or feel dry on my very dry lips.I can’t say enough good things about this stuff. If you are looking for a new lipstick, give this a try! I want to pick up this duo from Sephora!

I am wearing lovesick in this picture…

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser

I have been using this cleanser for about a month now and I love it!!! It’s a real bitch when you have to worry about breakouts and wrinkles, am I right??? This cleanser covers both problems!!! The thing with most acne cleansers is they tend to dry my skin out and make the problem worse. Not this stuff!!! It is more of a cream cleanser than a gel. It goes on smooth, has a cooling effect and leaves my skin super soft and looking awesome!!! Chris is even using this stuff too.

Big Little Lies

I know I am late to watching the show, but we were trying to catch up on our other stuff first. I read the book two years ago and really loved it and I have to say that this show has been done very well!!! We have two episodes left and I am trying to savor them. If you were on the fence, give it a try. Chris is watching it with me and enjoying it as well. I will say that some of the twists in the book are easier to figure out on the show.

Grocery IQ

I used to write all my shopping lists on paper, all the way up until about a year ago. I decided to finally try a few apps to see if it made it easier and it does!!! I got tired of leaving my list at home. Or sometimes we were out and decided to go ahead and pick up a few things. Grocery IQ makes everything so easy! It is free to download and you can share your lists with multiple people. Chris has it on his phone and it was a HUGE help the first few weeks after we had Zoe when he was going to the store himself. I also shared a shopping list with one of my coworkers last year who did Whole 30 with me so he could see everything he needed to pick up from the meal plans that I set up for us. You can check off things as you find them in the store and have several lists going at once.

What are some things you are loving right now?

April 25, 2017 by Nadine

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