What to Wear *32 weeks* and a GIVEAWAY

Good Morning Lovelies!!!!!

I am officially 32 weeks. YOWZERS!!!!!

Let me just tell you I am starting to have a little bit of a hard time finding  cute things to wear. I mean lets forget cute I'm lucky if I have Pajamas I can fit in! 

Thank Goodness for GORGEOUS accessories like my turban head wrap from {Lemons and Lace}

I haven't done one of my little preggo surveys in a long time so I thought I'd throw one in today!!!!

How far along? 32 weeks

Baby’s Size: 3.75 pounds apparently

Weight Gain: Ohhhhhhh.............I'm going to be honest, 60 pounds! Please excuse my 5 chins!!!  But I am still extremely optimistic because I know I will loose IT ALL ASAP and be running marathons in no time! So seriously No worries. My body likes to do what it likes to do! Every time I get pregnant I gain a million pounds and then loose it all! 

It's hard for me now to think I ran a 10K at 16 weeks. Crazy! 

Bellybutton: in

Stretchmarks: just a million old ones

Maternity Clothes: Yes......I can still wear some non maternity stuff but majority is maternity.

Names: We are rock solid on a boys name, it will be Tosh James. 

We are rock solid on the girls first name only, we keep changing our minds on the middle name and we're keeping that one a secret.

Gender: S*U*R*P*R*I*S*E baby. My son, my husband and I all think it's a boy but my daughter thinks it's a girl. We'll just have to wait and see! 

Movement: TONS!! My belly now "JUMPS" to high heaven when the baby kicks!

Sleep: WHAT? I'm only getting about 5 hours and that's interrupted about 3 times to use the bathroom:( Mama's tired! 

Symptoms: CRAZY mood swings STILL!!! I still get sick once and a while but honestly it's almost gone! My legs and ankles are swollen most days and my hips are KILLING me at night. They just ACHE!!! 

Food Aversions: I never get any really terrible food aversions, I just usually like very simple food when I am pregnant which is out of character for me because I LOVE all kinds of crazy food when I'm  not! 

Food Cravings: cookies

Best Moments this week: both the kids started sleeping together in their new room in their big kid beds and we didn't have one single issue. not one tear, not one complaint. In fact they love it. They love sleeping in the same room. I'm so happy and relieved. 

What I miss: What don't I miss is more like it!!!! Feeling "normal", my body, my brain, my clothes, sleeping, RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

What I am Looking forward to: Having the baby! I'm getting to the "I'm ready to get this over with" phase now. I say it like that because I always have natural birth and it's not really very fun to be honest so I like to just get it over with so I can get on to the good part of being with my new baby.

Milestones: We officially managed to potty train little Milton in a week! YES!!!!!! 

dress: jcrew cardi: target suede thigh high boots: thrifted in NYC, VINTAGE, Oh I DIE!!! scarf: TJ Max Turban style headband: Lemons and Lace

So today is a pretty great day. 
WHY YOU ASK?
Well, you see that gorgeous lottie dottie turban style headband I'm wearing?
Well your getting the chance to win one of your choice from {LEMONS AND LACE}
Yup, if you win you can choose from ANY adult or child headband in her shop; choice is completely yours! 
I must say I am pretty much down right in love with these head bands so far. I have two. 
You can see my other post modeling a chevron style {HERE}
But, honestly, I am a mom of 2 toddlers and soon to be a new born.  3 babies in 3 years............Do you know what that means? Yes, that I am INSANE but also that   25 out of 30 days of the month will be BAD.HAIR.DAYS. for at least 3 months so I will literally be LIVING in one of these everyday from here on out!!!! I'm kind of excited about them if you can;t already tell!!!  I ordered 5 more:) I'm NOT kidding! 
So if you want to win one for you or your little cutie then simply fill out the Raffelcoppter below.
GOOD LUCK!!!!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

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ScrubinUp With the ~GIRLS~

Well.................

Saturday Afternoon I finally got a little two hour girl getaway! 

My dear friend Anna from Nursing School opened her own shop selling really hip, cute uniforms for nurses and medical workers. 

I'm so proud of her. Her shop is amazing.

So not only is she an entrepreneur, shop owner, a registered Nurse (She also works critical care like me), she has 7 kids between her and her fiance AND she's not even 30 yet!!!!

This woman is amazing!!!! 

Anyhow, We made fast friends back in nursing school. She is an absolute sweetheart and so much fun! 

If any of you are nurses or know anyone who's been through nursing school, it's quiet an "experience" if you will. It's 24/7 round the clock studying and complete immersion into the nursing world. 

The people that you start out with are the same people you stay with for YEARS at a time so by the end let's just say we all knew each other probably a little too well!!!!!!! 

Anna and I's relationship lasted  much longer than just school though. We are still great friends even tough we don't get to see each other that often. Obviously we're both just a tiny bit busy! 

Here we are at my wedding. 

(sorry, worst iTouch pic)

Here's The Front of her shop. Isn't the logo the cutest?

The inside is gorgeous! Honestly, I was blown away at what a beautiful job she did.

She's even selling my absolute favorite work and workout headbands, {BICBANDS}. 

For those of you who don't know I slightly obsessively run a million miles a week when I'm not pregnant and I am obsessed (read about it HERE) with Sandy's Bicbands I also wear them every single day to work as a nurse. SO I was so excited to see a handmade, small business being represented here too. 

CHEERS to great partnerships ladies!!!!

I showed up a little early so I could visit with her before everyone showed up and another of our dear friends from nursing school Nicole came too!!!! 

She is also a nurse and a mother of two but she went on to get her bachelors, masters and  then become a nursing midwife and she's not 30 yet either!!!! 

SHEESH!!!!!! 

I guess us nurses tend to pretty much all fall into the TYPE A personality category!!!!! 

We like to get stuff done!!!!

I made Anna play model for me so I could get a few nice shots of her and her gorgeous new shop!!!!! 

KYLE!!!

This is Anna's Fiance. He has been the encouragement behind this dream and project for her. 

They are an adorable couple and so happy together!!! 

She had a beautiful spread with champagne , wine, soft drinks and horderves for her grand opening celebration! 

It was LOVELY!!!!!! 

Mainly, I was so grateful to get a couple hours away; a couple hours to visit and chat about 

anything and nothing.

It really is so important, especially for moms who stay at home and don't get out of the house often. 

I think it makes us better mothers. Actually I know it does!!!!

I had a wonderful time and am so grateful to my hubby for watching the kids for me!!!!! 

You can find Anna's Facebook page {HERE} and her online shop will be up soon.
So guess what that means????
You got it!!!! You'll be getting a giveaway from one of my best friends! Maybe a gift card? Maybe some shoes? Trust me, you won't be sad about it!!
How cool is that?  STAY TUNED FOR THAT!!!!!!!!
GRATEFUL TODAY!!!!!!!!


ONE LAST THING!!!  Don't forget to enter my Because *I Love You* Giveaway. It ends in a couple days AND I wrote a post from my heart on Friday that I'd love your feedback on if you missed it! Pin It

WEEKEND *Snipits*

Good evening sweet friends!!!!!! 

HOW WAS YOUR WEEKEND?

Mine was great but JAM.PACKED.

I am exhausted and as I am looking at my "to do" list for this week I must admit I'm pretty darn overwhelmed.

I have a lot going on here on the blog this week and Little Ginger turns 2 on Saturday and I of course totally over committed myself with elaborate decorating and baking for her party. So with this past weekend being so busy, I didn't get as much for next week done as I'd hoped.

There are piles of laundry, dirty dishes, there is NO FOOD whatsoever, crumbs on the floor and wild children everywhere right now:) 

HERE are MY *SNIPITS* FROM WEEKEND LIFE

These were only $6 online and they only had medium left which is great because they will fit perfectly when I'm not pregnant but I was a tiny bit sad when I tried to pull them up and couldn't get past my knees. 

Oh.Well.eight.months.pregnant. 

My hair has gotten a little longer and nicer since I've been pregnant so I decided I wanted to start doing more FUN things with it! I attempted that "hair bow" that you see on Pinterest everywhere but I looked like a dog or mouse with 2 ears:) 

Anyhow, I NEVER use hairspray and I decided if I was really going to start doing some do's that I was going to need something serious so I bought this is unscented!!!

IT'S LIKE CONCRETE!!!!!

It's been REALLY cold here, bitter cold. I think it was 6 degrees this morning so everywhere we go, which isn't many places, we have to majorly bundle the kiddoes.

But they sure look cute!!!! 

So all morning I painted  Ginger's Castle.   

It took me about 45 minuets and by the end I was having braxon hicks like crazy and I was TIRED, like, red in the face tired:) 

I guess that 8 months pregnant thing is really kicking in now.

We are really lucky and have a wonderful friend Alex who is a painter by trade and gave us about 4 pastel colors to play with when I told him about Ginger's Party for free so I let the kids decide the color of the castle and they wanted yellow, so yellow it is. 

I'm going to do different  accent colors and such but the base is yellow. Still lots to do!!!!! It's still in pieces!!!!

Cute, I think!

Okay so last week I posted I was dying to try some dry shampoo. I had several, several recommendations, For the most part they were for Suave and Tresseme. 

I tried Suave. 

My review: 

It works GREAT!!! It Could remove grease even from the oiliest of hair. It did have a rather STRONG odor. I don't really like too many perfumey, smelly things so it might bug Me a little but I also noticed the smell faded pretty quickly. It only smelled strong at first application. 

Overall, I think it really works. I used it on day 2 or 3 of no wash and my hair fluffed right up and looked like I have just washed it. It feels a little different than if you had just washed it but hey it can't be perfect.

Bottom line, it works, it smells kinds strong but I think I like it.

 I might try another brand later! 

HELLO......MY SON IS THE CUTEST!!!!!!!!!

When I am not pregnant I am like the healthiest person on the planet! 

I run 40 miles a week and NEVER (never say never..but) eat sugar or carbs but hey when I'm 8 months pregnant I'm gonna take this opportunity than you very much!!!! 

I was not sorry about my decision!

Yesterday I got an afternoon with girl friends!!!! I have a whole post on that coming up!!!! 
WHOOP!!!!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I am now going to either keep crafting like a maniac or start cleaning like the Tasmanian devil! 
See you tomorrow!!!!! 
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SOMETHING *beautiful* is Happening Here

Lately, I have been feeling *something*. Something MORE is happening on this blog.
Yes, I've always really liked blogging. I've always found it to be a good outlet. I have met some great people. I got to keep a personal memoir of my life forever but recently something changed.
This blog has FILLED me!  This blog has Gratified me. This blog has FULFILLED me in a way it never has before.

When I first started this blog 3 years ago I had no idea what direction I was going. I thought I wanted strictly a food blog.  I mainly posted recipes and hardly anything about my personal life. My photos were HORRIBLE!!!!!! I mean seriously bad:)   I didn't feel comfortable writing, truly writing about anything "real."
I was afraid of how other's would judge me. I wanted people to like me.

But then I hit another phase where I wanted people to see me. I wanted people to read my blog and like it so I tried harder. 
 The only problem, my heart wasn't FULLY in it .  I was, I think at a point that every blogger gets to at one point in their blogging career, I wanted TOO MUCH! I got greedy; such an ugly quality. I wasn't being true and real and forming true, real relationships. 
Am I proud of that?  Absolutely not!!!!! but I am being 100% honest with you. I wanted followers and felt like I would do anything to get them, I wanted to Be "SEEN"
But guess what?
I didn't get truly SEEN! Not by the eyes I wanted to see me! 
You don't  get truly "SEEN" until you drop the curtain and just be you.
Forget about the numbers, forget about the followers, forget about the stats, 

JUST.BE.YOU.
JUST.WRITE.YOUR.TRUTH.
Everyone will see you:)

So I started writing about "MY TRUTH" I started sharing my heartaches, my struggles along with my joy and my triumphs but I let myself be real, raw, honest to the core and the response I got was AMAZING.
The first post I wrote like that I was horrified. As soon as I hit "post", I thought, "Oh no what have I just done to myself. My readers are going to hate me."
NOPE.WRONG.
The exact opposite happened. I had the most amazing response I have ever had. 
SO ever since then I have always been VERY, VERY honest here in this space and that is something you can  A-L-W-A-Y-S count on with me. You really are getting to know the true me, the real me.
Be raw, Be Honest, Tell The ugly Truth in a beautiful way, Inspire people, Make them feel welcome and not alone. Make yourself APPROACHABLE!!!!!  We're all in this together. That's what it's all about. Well for me anyway! 
No expectations No selfish wants Nothing in return

When I went back to work full time after Ginger was born the blog took a MAJOR back seat which was what was necessary for me to get enough time with my family so I stopped caring as much about it. That's okay. It was what it was. 
Every since I have been out on maternity leave (I've been BACK), something happened, something changed! 
I feel like I have been called to do something more with this blog! 
Reach more people to inspire them, to comfort them, to let them know their not alone. I feel like I need to use this blog to be absolutely 100% me but I feel like it's more than that.  I feel like I am meant to CONNECT.  To help people connect the dots, whether it's weight loss or depression or joy or gratitude or faith (which I am VERY new to.) 
I feel like I have been chosen to do something here, exactly what????
I don't know yet  but what I do know is that I have a huge warm fuzzy spot in my heart every single day because of this blog and my readers. 
You have shown me that there are truly still really, really good people in this word who would give anything to help another suffering soul.
I LOST THAT BELIEVE 7 YEARS AGO and shakily had it before then. 
After the loss of everything in Katrina, My faith was shaken, I was torn apart inside, skeptical, I felt like I couldn't ever fully trust anyone again.  (One day I will tell you my story, the whole story)
and I am so joyful to  know that I was wrong. I can, I will and I am. 
Thank you for reading my blog, for letting me share my stories, good, bad, ugly and joyous with you. 
Thank you for lifting me up when I don't have the strength to stand on my own and I truly hope you will stick around for a long time because I enjoy you, immensely!

I also am so pleased that ever since I have come back and commited my life here to this little blog I have met SOOOOOO many wonderful woman and have ALREADY formed wonderful friendships, and support groups. They bring me so much encouragment! 
I have also had the pleasure to come across of the most wonderful handmade shops. Oh be still my heart. I L*O*V*E handmade shops like nothing else. Their creations are far more beautiful in my eyes than anything that could ever come from a factory! Just a few of my favorites
1. {Lemons and Lace} 2. {Acute Designs} 3. {The Printed Palette} 4. {Evy's Tree} 5. {Take the Cannoli}

skirt: Wal-Mart $9 Coat: Target scarf: TJ Max  Boots: Cork-Ease Tank: forever 21 xtra long
Something has happened my friends.  Something Beautiful!!!! 
Thank you so much for being part of my journey, my life, and my blog!!!!
And please do feel free to enter my *I Love You* giveaway. 
It's for you lovelies!!!!! 

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FRIDAY *Snipits*

H-A-P-P-Y   F-R-I-D-A-Y

I say it as if I should be happier that today is Friday rather than any other day of the week. 

My husband's 5 part time jobs have actually managed to land primarily on the weekends which means it's actually the hardest part of the week for me but Happy Friday anyway. 

Today I am grateful!!!! Gratitude is an amazing thing. TRY.IT!!!!

RANDOM THING I MUST TRY THIS MONTH:

Dry Shampoo. 

I suppose the new tend I have seen just about everywhere is to only wash your hair with shampoo and water once or twice a week and then use dry shampoo in between. 

Hmmmmmm...........Interesting right? 

Just listen to these ladies, {STEPHANIE}, {CARA LOREN}, and   {HEATHER}

So there's got to be something great doing on here and I want in on it! Going to find me the cheapest brand I can:) Please enlighten me and tell me your experience if you've tried it!

I am praying that this "BIG BANG" trend never goes out of style because I love it and makes my face look much thinner!!!!!! 

LOVE ME SOME CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANGS!!!!!!!

Milton Joseph Villarrubia the Fourth 

Is C*L*E*A*R*L*Y  his Father's son.

Milton the third's (my husband's) mother bought this teeny tiny violin for my husband to take lessons on when he was only 5 years old. I'm not sure it went over too well.

However, our son, at the age of 3 cannot only play it but wants to play it A LOT!!!!!! 

A little GENIUS I tell you

 but that's what every parent says I suppose:)

You know I'm always complaining I have no friends, I mean except for all of you gals and don't get me wrong you are 

V-E-R-Y real to me but lets just say I am always complaining I don't have any "real life" friends or friends I see often.

SOOOOOOO....................point being, my husband knows EVERYONE!!!!

 It's one of those things that is a curse and a blessing at the same time but it's hard not to go anywhere without him knowing at least 5 people.

He's a musician, I suppose that's just what happens! 

Again, back to my point, he has introduced me to a lovely couple who sing in a band together and recently got married and I happen to adore them. I'm not saying I'm favoring anyone, I'm just saying I happen to really enjoy these two, so I was so pleasantly surprised when sweet Heather brought me this gorgeous , humongous glass jar of Mexican Hot Cocoa!!!! 

Plus, I got to talk to an adult for 5 minuets!!! 

SCORE!!!!!!

I try REALLY, REALLY hard as a mom to make everything I possibly can from ingredients I can control. The more ingredients listed on the label, the worse it is for you in general. Processed food is just so bad for our poor little digestive systems.

So, because I love my little babies digestive systems but still want them to be able to partake in wonderful treats, I try to make everything I can from scratch. 

PLUS.......The H*U*G*E bonus, 

IT.TASTES.BETTER.TOO

So here's one of the kids all time favorite afternoon snacks!!! 

My sweet, sweet Ginger Grace is turning 2 in two weeks so we are going to have a small, intimate princess tea party for her and her cousins! 

And, well, I have a small problem not going A-L-L  O-U-T even if no one is coming so we started this project.

A 6 foot high cardboard castle with multiple wings and windows and you name it. 

She's also getting an elaborate floral tea garden:)

I know, I know but I just want her to nothing but M*A*G*I*C on her big day. 

She deserves it!!!!

So this is the very unattractive beginning stages of our castle!!!! Don't worry, when it's finished, you'll be floored.

 I promise and I'll have an AMAZING DIY!!!

Fold over end E*N*J*O*Y!!!

Never tried it? 

JUST TRUST ME!!!!!!

I've been so wrapped up in above said "castle" that I managed to burn my first ever batch of brownies. Kind of a tragedy but then I realized that you can just cut all the squares out of the middle and then they pretty much taste great and just throw the outside away! 

Don;t you just love my ridiculous wisdom for you today?

That's my life in a SNIPIT!!! 
Oh and don't forget about my *because I LOVE YOU giveaway* Seriously, you really don't want to miss this one. 
HAPPY WEEKEND LOVELIES!!!!!!!!
and don't forget, any advice on the dry shampoo? Pin It