OVER ON THE BLOG: LIFESTYLE MOTHERHOOD HOME TRAVEL
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Nike + The Sheltons 2023
We decided to do a little something different for our family photo shoot for the Holidays this year. I used to stress about outfits and making sure I picked out clothing that my kids would be comfortable wearing. If you have kids, you know it’s a struggle to get them all dressed up. LOL. So I decided to just go trendy & casual this year. We skipped the dresses and button-up shirts. We wanted our personality and FOREVER VIBE to show through our pictures.
Oh My Denim!
My youngest sister has been painting on clothing for me for a few years! However, she moved to North Carolina and I wanted to make a personalized denim jacket for Marlee. Someone suggested using denim patches or iron-on vinyl… but I think that fabric paint might last longer. Now, I’m not an artist like my sister and I have shaky hands. Getting it to look right was my problem! I thought about a stencil but I wanted to make sure it didn’t move. I’ve seen projects on Pinterest where they used removable vinyl as the stencil. So I had to give it a try! The design I wanted wasn’t that big and I knew this was the perfect project for my new Cricut Joy!
90’s Nostalgia: Oversized Outfits are Backkkk!
Oversized outfits are back and I’m here for it! It brings me back to the 90s when I was just a young child. Honestly, I’m loving how everything from the 90s is making a comeback: oversized outfits, tamagotchi, platform shoes, and etc. Take me back to one of my favorite decades! 🙌🏽
Upgrade your Hand-Me-Downs (Fashion Hoodie)
My youngest daughter, Marlee, is growing so fast. She will be two in September but she is already wearing size 3/4T clothes. Some clothes that Maya outgrew last year and recently, she is already wearing!
Mini Veggie Garden
Maya has been my little helper when it comes to keeping our indoor plants alive. We started off with a couple of plants in the living room, now we have quite a collection all around the house. Whoever knew that we would toss our faux plants for real plants? 😂
There’s always room for improvements!
Is it just me? Or are preschoolers more demanding than they used to be? Or maybe it’s just different personalities! I’ve never had issues with Tristan when he was this age. He was very easy to raise during his pre-school years. He listened very well and rarely threw tantrums. Maybe it’s a boy thing? I’m not sure! I really have a hard time with Maya. Not that she’s a bad child, because children should never be labeled as “bad.” But Maya is my strong willed girl. I truly admire her personality because I know it will make her a strong, independent, determined woman when she gets older. But whew child! There are times when my blood boils because she can be a lot to handle.
DIY Pillow Cases
Ever since Maya’s swim instructor called her a “mermaid,” she wanted to make sure she lived up to that title. 🧜♀️ She prefers to swim with her hair down, just like Mermaids would do. She also thinks that wearing her mermaid swimsuit gives her “swim powers.” But, she’s doing it all by herself! I’m so proud of how much Maya has learned being in the water for the past 3-4 weeks. She is doing amazing and she absolutely loves being in the water. Can’t you tell by her golden tan? ☀️
Spice, spice, baby!
Who doesn’t love an aesthetically pleasing lifestyle? It’s always been a dream of mine to have an organized spice cabinet. I had no idea how easy and fun it would be to make your own spice labels with my Cricut! The Cricut Joy is a machine that was made for crafting pros and beginners (like me) for their next DIY project. The results are so great!
Mom’s Out of the Office!
Finally, after 12 years, I went on a much needed girls trip with my sisters and friends! I’ve been planning a girls trip since December and couldn’t decide where to go. My top 3 destinations were Sedona, Vegas, and Miami. As much as I wanted to go out of the country, I didn’t feel comfortable being in a different country, while away from the kids. I wanted a destination that was a short plane ride away and I could hop on a flight to go home, just in case. I decided to choose Miami…. it’s like a Caribbean vacation but in the city.
It’s your turn, MAMA!
No one has ever told me that I can lose myself after having a baby... or babies. They tell me how much joy motherhood gives you and how in love you will be with your children. BUT there comes a point where you need to get your life back. Is there a time period? No... everyone is different and you will know when you’re ready! Here are a couple of simple steps that will help you rediscover yourself
Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets
I got a head start shopping for the kids’ Valentine’s Day gift baskets this year. Good thing I did, because I went last minute shopping for Maya’s class on Wednesday and there wasn’t much left! I love shopping at the Dollar Tree and Target Dollar Spot for basket fillers! I was able to find all their favorite treats and the cutest toys! Since I had some time on my hands yesterday, I decided to craft with my Cricut! I added their name on their baskets and made some personalized tees for the girls.
“I can do it mom” - Maya
Just last year, after Maya turned 3, she was still my little baby. I was currently pregnant with Marlee and I wanted to spend as much time as I could with Maya. She wasn’t 100% potty trained yet and she couldn’t quite do things on her own. However, shortly after Marlee was born, Maya grew up right before my eyes. She was potty trained and insisted on helping out! She was making sure that she fit in the role of “big sister.”
A season to celebrate!
Cook with me: Wonder Rolled French Toast
Traveling for the Holidays?
Chuck E. Cheese's Halloween Boo-Tacular
Cook With Me: CrockPot Brisket
Can I let y’all in on a little secret? I use my slow cooker and oven to cook brisket. If you’ve been following me for a while, you may have seen it on my stories. I’ve been cooking it this way for at least 2-3 years. Preparation is quick, cooking it doesn’t take a lot of effort, and it tastes DELISH! Majority of the ingredients you need is already in your pantry too. You only need 5 ingredients: Beef Brisket, Dry Rub, Liquid Smoke, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Olive Oil!
Cook With Me: Bun Rolled Omelets
More Back to School Crafts!
