Tis the season of giving and gifting! As I become more conscious of the kinds of presents I select for family and friends, I want to be choosing items that will last beyond December or January.  I also want to buy products that will not only be made of eco-friendly materials, but would help the receiver to appreciate its function and enjoy it immensely as well! I used to just shop what's on sale or popular.  It's so enjoyable to be more intentional & creative with gift-giving and put more thought into the entire process and lasting effect of these gifts.  
I've created a simple GREEN GIFT GUIDE with my take on smart ideas for the special folks in your life.  These choices are thoughtful, easy on Mother Earth, personal, and can be enjoyed year round!

If you're anything like me, you got bit by the Lularoe bug a year or two ago and fell instantly in love with the famously "buttery soft" leggings.  If you're a lot like me, you bought way too many pairs, did the math later, and hoped no one committed you to an intervention program.  I'm talking over 20 pairs of leggings (Jesus help me).  But let's be real, they are crazy comfortable! And as busy moms, comfort is a much appreciated blessing when it comes to fashion. 

So I know you totally don't follow trends cuz sister you're your own trend-setter.  But. Just in case you're curious, here are my best takes on what celebs and runways are rocking this season.  Maybe you'll find a new look you want to try for all those Holiday parties coming up. 

I'm not on a Crate & Barrel kind of budget.  In fact Target is probably as luxury as I'll go.  But I have to say, my boys' bedroom was such a fun project and I'm really proud of how it turned out.  I think they enjoy it as well.  Made with lots of love and intention behind it, here is how I designed and decorated my boys room on a budget.

My recommendations for Summer Make Up add ons to help keep the shiny face look at bay.  Seriously, these products have stood the test of hours in the sun and I couldn't speak more highly of them.  Here's my routine:

After my morning Cleansing Routine, I will apply Sunscreen to my face, neck, and decolletage.  Our sunscreens come in several options, including Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 20).  I will apply my Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation, which gives me build able coverage, evens my skin tone, and helps reduce appearance of lines with sodium hyaluronate.  Beautycounter's Mattifying Powder works brilliantly.  It's a translucent powder that instantly smooths, finishes, and sets your makeup while erasing shine.  This is one of my all time favorite cannot live without products.  Use in your T zone or all over, like me! After completing any other cosmetic touches, I will spritz my entire face with Beautycounter+ Balancing Facial Mist.  This cherry on top is infused with charcoal and kaolin clay to absorb excess oil and manage it throughout the day.  An absolute winner.  These are my go to products for summer and I promise you'll fall in love too when you add them to your routine.  

I can confidently say that I'm probably one of the least qualified people to do this, let alone succeed.  Why? You ask.  First of all, I'm an introvert and completely awkward around people (add to that the fact that I have a terrible memory and can't recall many people/events from years back.  Seriously, I suck).  Second, I have a pretty small circle - my family isn't large, and the number of people I can call friends, I could count on (a little more than) one hand.  Third, I have a background in Early Childhood Education, not sales or marketing.  Why am I sharing this with you? Well...because I've found something that has surprised me, something that has filled my life with purpose, joy, confidence, vision, and that thing I've found is available to you too.  

Can I be super transparent right now?  I can be grumpy.  I don't mean tired grumpy.  I mean look-at-me-wrong-and-feel-the-wrath-grumpy.  Not something I'm proud of.  I am not a pessimist, I like to consider myself a realist; but hank heavens, my other half is a singing dancing optimist!  But truly, the past couple months I've let the grump in me take over and my sweet family has had to bear with me.  It may be that I've felt stressed lately but I think its actually been a combination of 2 things. 
A perspective shift and a lack of gratitude.  So I'm working on changing that.  And I tell you something.  MAGIC HAPPENS when you have the right perspective in life.  

​I can’t remember what grade I got in Social Studies way back In elementary school; but I’ll tell you-nothing could have prepared me for being in the heart of our nation’s Capitol actively participating in American democracy. It was exhilarating.  

Washington DC is an incredible place. A landmark, if you will, chalk full of history and rich culture. It would take months to really experience all its museums, sights, eateries and more. My eyes couldn’t keep up as my Uber driver made the drive to the Fairmont Georgetown Hotel Saturday afternoon. It was time to meet the 99 other women who had earned their way to DC, and Beautycounter’s corporate team made up of some of the sharpest, most passionate young movers and shakers I’ve seen. (I say young because I don’t think anyone on the entire staff was over 50 years old, most under 40.) There is a freshness and innovative energy about this company that seems to light the fire in all of us who chose to join in the mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone.