Mani Monday

Before we begin I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my baby girl, who is two today! Look for a special post about her this evening, but first I bring you....

NAIL POLISH!

Enjoy =)

 

 

     

So, I actually did my nails this past Friday because I had been wearing my favorite color, Plum Luck by Sally Hansen, but it chipped pretty badly before I got any good pictures of it. This is what I have been wearing since then:

It was actually inspired by a friend of mine who got her nails done at a salon in an OPI shade that is very close to this. Only difference that I can see is that hers had a good bit of glitter where as Raisin the Bar has more of a metallic feel to the polish. It almost looks like the Essie bronze/penny color.

Here it is:

 

 

 

Linking up with Heather and Anna for Mani Monday, and Jennie for The Nail Files! Thanks girls for inspiring me!


NEXT WEEK: I will be doing my first at-home DIY French manicure, and I will be using an office supply to achieve it! I can't wait to see how this turns out, because if I goes well, the color combinations are ENDLESS! I hope you stop by and check it out!


See you later lovebugs!

Rachael

My Husband Rocks: Vol. 22

No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."

(from the From*me Tees Mission Reflection)

Do I need to say anything more than that? My husband ROCKS =)

We want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

<center> <a href="http://thegrowingtreeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Husband%20Rocks"><img alt="The Growing Tree" src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh534/thegrowingtree/MHR200x200button.jpg" height="200"/></a></center>

*Next Sunday*

Jen from On a Rock in the Pacific will be back again hosting with me! Topic of conversation will be:

Whatever you would like! 

* If you would like to participate *

Follow the prompt, or just wing it and blog about whatever you want, as long as it is about the love of your life! Don't feel like you can't contribute if you are not married, this is for anyone who wants to celebrate their significant other!  Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or Twitter (icons at the top of my page - be sure to comment below and let me know how you follow and I will follow you back!) Then, take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop and add the link-up to your post, click here and highlight the first code!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email OR if you would like to co-host in the future*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, or would like to co-host your very own My Husband Rocks Sunday Link-up, send me a message with the subject My Husband Rocks to:

See you later lovebugs!



Rachael

52 in 52 Update: July

I last updated on June 14, 2013. You can view the full list here.

1. Blog at least twice a week. Done.
2. My Hubby Rocks posts each Sunday. Done. Go here to view them.
3. 52 in 52 updates once a month (5/12 )
4. Post Desire to Inspire posts once a month. Here (5/12)
5. "Little Miss Natalie" posts twice a month. I missed out on this. Something about being pregnant, being in labor, and having a newborn? (4/12)

13. Lose all baby weight (starting weight: 210) (current weight: 212) This is going to be easy, it feels like cheating! But I guess it's also good because it means that I did a good job not gaining a whole bunch of weight while pregnant.

6. Rename all photos, organize, and delete duplicates. Still in progress.
24. Get a meal planning system going. We have a menu planned by week for five weeks, and hopefully will be able to start in a week or two. I'm thinking about writing about our meal plans/recipes, but not sure if anyone would be interested.

30. Update baby book monthly. I received a baby book for Cameron from Hallmark that I actually like better than the one I have for Natalie. I'm planning on purchasing one for Natalie soon.
31. Throw/host a Wizard of Oz themed 2nd birthday party. We are doing a little party and decided to do Bubble Guppies instead since Natalie is currently OBSESSED. Completed (?) 7/14/13
32. Finish 0-6 month scrapbook. Still haven't done anything with this one. All of her stuff is currently packed away and I don't have the time or energy to do this right now, so I am taking this one off of the active goals for a while.
37. Bump shots weekly starting at 18 weeks. Completed 7/3/13 I've totally failed at this. I got a few more, but no where near weekly. I should have enough to put into his scrapbook, and I am no longer pregnant, so this one is as complete as it gets.
38. Montly update shots of Cameron. This will start on 8/3/13 with month one!
39. Buy a second crib/bassinet or toddler bed for Natalie. Completed 6/16/13!


45. Have a set bedtime and wakeup time and stick to it, even on weekends. I've got weekdays down pretty good, and with the baby I think this is going to get easier because I have agreed to do all 6-7am feedings, so it is enough to wake me up and keep me up. (for the most part)

49. Read 25 books. (2/25) Read: Fifty Shades Darker. Currently: (waiting on) Fifty Shades Freed.

50. Buy a pool this summer. Not sure if we are going to still buy this or not. Hoping to, but we will see.

That's it for now! August is going to be a busy month for the start of about 10 of my goals, but I am excited to get back on the weight loss wagon! I can't wait to get back in the gym and turn into the hot mama I wanna be! Next update will be August 9th!

Until later, lovebugs!



Rachael

15 Shades of Sephora Giveaway!

This awesome giveaway post is brought to you in affiliation with My So Called Chaos!

 

Enjoy!!

 

 

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Coconut lick worthy lipstick has me dreaming of the beach. I feel it is a perfect time to giveaway 15 Shades of Sephora. Enjoy from LeChateauDesFleurs:

 

What it is:

A collector’s edition of iconic lip colors spanning 15 years.

What it does:

This lip library includes everything from rich reds to natural nudes all in Bite’s lick-worthy Lush Fruit Lip Gloss formulation. Instant nutrition for lips, this formula contains the same healthy ingredients you’d find in a pure fruit smoothie: real coconut, mango, and strawberry infused with seven nourishing fruit oils for a tropical concoction delicious enough to eat. Rich, vibrant, and juicy, this modern formula is highly pigmented—what you see in the container is the color you’ll see on your lips.

This set contains:

- 15 x 0.06 oz Lip Gloss 

Rain Shadow Labs

Rain Shadow Labs provides the highest quality wholesale cosmetics. They offer lotions, washes, cremes, candles, soaps, gels, essential oils and so much more. http://rainshadowlabs.com/

I want to highlight an amazing moisturizing product this week from Rain Shadow Labs the ARH Hyaluronic Acid Serum, 98% natural/72% organic (whole foods).

Hyaluronic Acid makes up fifty percent of this high quality formulation. Holding up to 1000 times its weight in water and drawing moisture out of the environment and onto the surface of your skin, there is not a more effective moisturizing agent on the world market today. Non-comedogenic, penetrates deeply, and activates collagen production for a fresher, younger, firmer, brighter complexion.

The giveaway is available for both US and International entrants.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please see official terms and conditions in above Rafflecopter.

On My Heart: Doubts and Guilty Feelings - The Follow Up


I will be linking up with Amanda @ A Royal Daughter for today's On My Heart post. Amanda's blog and the way she lives her life inspires me, which is what this post is all about.

 

I first want to thank Lacey @ Little Miss Nerd Girl - Lady, your words helped me so much, and I don't think that you have any idea. So, thank you, so much!



I've had a few days to settle in to this new schedule and life that is mine, and I have to say that all those fears and doubts were so ridiculous. This little boy of mine, is amazing. He's squishy and he smells like brand new baby, and he's got an adorable little head of hair that is so soft I can't help but rub his head. He is mine, he has my eyes, and my fingers, and oh is he mine. I am completely smitten.

And his big sister....be still my heart. She lights up every time she walks into the room that he's in, yells "heyyyyyy baby!" and gasps and smiles really huge! She is probably more smitten with him than I am! And at this point he has been home for four days and it doesn't look like she is going to change her ways any time soon! I could be wrong, but I think that she is going to be a great helper, if her actions so far reflect what it will continue to be like. So far she has brought him his bottle, helped feed him, shared her monkey with him, and brought him a blanket! (even though it was completely unnecessary, yet still adorable)

To make it short and sweet, I don't know what I was thinking. He is amazing. She is amazing. My husband is amazing. Everything is perfect, and I couldn't be happier.

I was so wrong, and I am so happy that I was wrong.

 

 

Until later lovebugs,

 

Rachael