about me

Life in Numbers

35 – The number of bottles of nail polish that I gave to my sister and nieces last weekend. I honestly have a ridiculous amount of polish for someone who rarely has her nails painted. I basically rotate the same 5-6 colors on my toes during sandal season and I maybe paint my finger nails once every other month for about four days. Or however long it takes for them to chip. I don’t see me upping that frequency with an infant. I mean seriously, who has the time to wait for them to dry. Zoe says I don’t.

10 – The number of pounds I am away from my pre-pregnancy weight.

40- The number of pounds I actually want to lose.

0- The motivation I have some days to do anything about the last two statements.

4 – The number of segments it took me to get through my last work out. Someone needed a bottle. Then someone wouldn’t take a nap. You see where I am going with this, right?

7- The number of years Chris and I have been together. Our dating anniversary was January 10th and our engagement anniversary was February 19th. August 1st will be my 7 year anniversary of being a resident of Alabama.

5 – The number of bedtime books I read to Zoe last night. Little Miss loves to look at the pictures and hear mommy’s silly voices. I hope that means shes going to be a reader!

50 – The approximate number of magazines that are stacked in my office to read. Behind much?

12 – The number of calls I made for work yesterday during Zoe’s nap. The first time in a long time that I didn’t get sent to voicemail or have someone be rude with me. It was quite refreshing.

129- The number of minutes it took me to drop Zoe off and get to my office with traffic. RIDICULOUS!!!! This is why I like working from home most days. I get to see Zoe, I get so much more done because I can start earlier and not have to worry about getting ready and driving there. And I mean, who wants to sit in their car for 2 hours one way???? Not me. Not me at all.

3- The number of rings I wear on my fingers every day. Engagement ring, wedding band, and Zoe’s birthstone that Chris got me for Christmas.

1- Tattoo that I have on my upper right shoulder. I still want one on my wrist. I wanted to do it last year but then I got pregnant.

2- How many times Zoe rolled on to her belly yesterday then got pissed because she hates being on her belly.

My MIL sent me this picture when I was at the office Monday. She rolled over for her too. How cute is her ruffle butt?

March 15, 2017 by Nadine

book review, books

Books Books Books

It’s all about the books today!!! Linking up with Steph and Jana. While I am no where near on my reading game that I was so good at last year, I am starting to build up a little steam. I always love reading everyone’s post and adding things to my list. Each and every month there are several more books that I realize I cant live without reading at some point!

Forever, Interupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I really loved One True Loves and immediately added all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books to my TBR. This book jumped in time, starting with a tragedy, then going back in forth on the past and current situation which kept me interested. I love how TJR writes her characters. You really get to know them and start pulling for them, and this book was no different. Did I love it as much as One True Loves, no. But I am not discrediting the book, it was still a great read! I just felt like maybe I wanted a little more in the end.

Bottom Line: Give it a try!

Rating: 3.5/5

Giving it All (book 3 in The Naked Men series) by Christi Barth

I really enjoyed the first two books in The Naked Men series, and this one was just as enjoyable. I will say, I feel like the author has a formula for these books and they seem similar in situations. However, I do like how all the books sort of continue where the other left off and all the characters are in them all. Sometimes it is great to read a series that could be stand alone, but sometimes it is nice to keep going with the story line too. You will remember that The Naked Men is a blog and podcast that group of guys does. This time we learn about Logan, and see as he meets his half sister and also reconnects with a girl from his past.

Bottom Line: This is a great series if you are into the chick lit bordering on romance type novels. You are promised a good love story at least!

Rating: 3/5

**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner

I don’t normally grab faith based books, but I saw this one for Zoe and thought it would be a great addition to her ever growing collection! What really grabbed my attention was that this book is supposed to show kids how their talents and personalities grow and develop and help them understand that they have a place in our world. I want Zoe to grow up knowing that she can be who she wants to be and will be loved regardless. I want her to grow up knowing that she can do whatever she sets her mind to. This book goes along with those goals.

I think that the illustrations and colors in the book were also wonderful. Zoe is only three months old now and may not get the meaning of the book yet…but the page sure did grab her attention!

Rating: 4/5

**I received a copy of When God Made You from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Currently Reading:

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Because what is as good as a TV binge? An author binge!!!

What are you reading?

March 14, 2017 by Nadine

weekend shenanigans

Shenanigans and Such

Why is the time change still a thing? Does anyone actually like getting your schedule messed up twice a year??? Also, did you know that babies and dogs have no regard for such changes? Exhibit A:

I feel you Z, I feel you!

Regardless of the loss of an hour of sleep, which is really just humorous at this point….there have been a lot of fun things going on around here lately!!! My mom came to visit Z and I and took us out for lunch and shopping. I got a new shirt and dress and we got Z some stuff for her Easter basket! Speaking of Easter, I ordered the cutest basket from Pottery Barn Kids that I cant wait to show you!!

Chris started looking at new cars this weekend. He wants to join the SUV club too! Looking for new cars is always so fun but daunting. Sort of like looking for a house. It’s a big financial commitment and you want to make sure you aren’t getting screwed.

My sister and my dad both stopped by (separately) to see Little Z this weekend. I have seen my family more since having a baby, than I have the last 7 years living in this state! Having a baby gives you some leverage!

I started working out again last week!!! Man, were my legs sore for about three days after! Eating has also looked a lot like this….

I have a good 10 pounds to get back to pre-pregnancy weight and a whole lot more pounds and tightening to get back to pre-pregnancy shape and better!! Having to cut the grass soon should help with the cardio!

Speaking of grass, what the fuck is up with the weather????? I am all, is it going to be hot or cold today and Birmingham is all BOTH! I don’t even know how to dress for this but whatever, I make it up as I go. Doesn’t stop my allergies though, am I right?!

Some other scenes from the weekend….

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!! Let’s do this Monday! Linking up with Biana.

March 13, 2017 by Nadine

beauty

Empties

I have some more empties for you today! This makes a small dent in the bag full of them I have. These are all face products, one of them being face sunscreen! Let’s just get to it, shall we??

Lush Ultrabland – I really enjoyed Ultrabland to remove my make up and clean my face in the evenings without drying it out. The smell takes a little getting used to, but it isn’t terrible or anything like that. I liked that you put it on your dry face and wiped it with a warm wet cloth. I felt like it took a step away from my nightly routine, which was a win. I would repurchase this again, but I enjoy the makeup remover balms more.

Lush Angels on Bare Skin -This is a scrub that smells very much like natural lavender. So you have to be ok with that scent to power through this container. I liked this alright, but to be honest…I got tired of the little “nature” like stuff getting stuck on my shower walls and floor and such. I suppose if I used it only at the sink, it wouldn’t have been as bad. I liked this alright, but I was barely able to use it all before the use by date and I had purchased the smaller container that is offered. I probably wouldn’t purchase this again because I like my Yes to Grapefruit scrub better, plus it is more easily found and less expensive. I will say that this was great for when my skin was super sensitive.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H Makeup -I love this foundation. It is my second favorite behind the Estee Lauder Double Wear. It provides a medium to full coverage look and you can make it look more matte or dewy depending on how you apply it. My favorite way is with a beauty blender. I have a perfect match in this line for color. I would repurchase this again.

Cotz Face – I absolutely LOVE this stuff. I wore this on my face all last summer at the beach, and the summer before cutting grass. I like that it doesn’t burn my eyes at all or break me out. I cant say enough good things about this, I highly recommend you get this for this year!!! It is time to stock up on these things. Remember I have super pale sun-sensitive skin and I had no issues with this! Have repurchased and will again this year!

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet -This provides a medium matte coverage. I liked the coverage alright, and it worked great in the summer with oily skin in the Alabama humidity. However, I could never find a color from Makeup forever that matched my skin tone perfectly. I also felt like this was almost too dry for my skin, and I am combination. I wont be repurchasing this.

Estee Lauder Double Wear – This is my holy grail IT foundation you guys!!! I used to wear it a long time ago and came back to it last year and I am not even in the market for anything else anymore. This provides medium/full coverage, lasts alllllll day long, looks great on my skin and has the perfect shade for me. Which is hard to find for some reason. Love love love this stuff and I have recommended it to several people. Have and will repurchase.

Fun tip, you see my foundation bottles up there? When I am running low and can’t pump/pour out anymore, I take a small brush and scrape out on the sides. I get about two more weeks out of my foundations doing this. You gotta save money where you can, am I right?! Have you used any of these things? Which products are you finishing up right now that you would repurchase?

March 8, 2017 by Nadine

baby

Three Months

I cannot believe that Zoe turned three months old on March 4. It is so weird because I feel like she has always been a part of our family, yet it is crazy to think that three months has already come and gone. It has been such a whirlwind, but so wonderful and amazing and more than I ever could have imagined or dreamed.

Nicknames: Little Z, Zoe Bear, Z, Cheeks, Kiddo

Loves: Smiling, chewing/sucking on hands and fingers, grabbing every two that you can fit your hands around, pulling mommy’s hair, laying on your activity mat, hanging out in your bouncer (your still too small for it, I sit there with you and have a blanket propped up behind you), car rides, bouncing on your memom’s lap, playing airplane.

Hates: Tummy time and naps. You have been fighting naps like crazy!! And I am not sure why you hate tummy time so much, because you are so good at holding your head up.

Milestones: You giggled for the first time this month!!! You also squealed in delight and haven’t stopped. You hate tummy time so much, you rolled over from your belly to your back on Thursday, March 2nd on your activity mat. You rolled from your back to your belly on Monday, March 6th in your crib.

Clothing: You wear mostly 3-month clothing. You still have some things that are 0-3 months, but they are getting to be too short on you. You are still in a size 1 diaper.

Feeding: You take 4-6 ounces every 2-3 awake hours. You have been an awesome night sleeper!!! You usually go down for bed between 8-9 pm and wake up between 6-7 am.

Looks: Whenever people try to figure out who you look like, I tell them you look like Zoe!! Your eyes are a light blue and your hair has gotten a little lighter again this month.

Things I want to remember from this month…

How much you love watching me sing and dance to The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Every time I look at you, you are either smiling…or your fingers/hands are in your mouth!

The way your face lights up when we play pat-a-cake with Curious George.

The way you pucker your lips when you sleep.

How you close your eyes and giggle when I pull your clothes off over your head.

The way you dramatically push your bottle away when you’re done with it or angry that it is empty.

How you shrug your shoulders when you talk and smile. I do that too!

The way you raise your eyebrows at me.

When you eat you sometimes reach up and hold my face or rub my cheek with your hand.

All of the faces you make. I always say the many faces of Zoe.

Three Month Outtakes – Nothing makes me laugh more than this little girl and her huge personality!!! I told her to smile and I got this….