dear first time mom: what 5 pregnancies has taught me

 

Dear first time mom,

I was hoping we could chat. I noticed how tired you look, & after our conversation about how difficult many things are about new motherhood, it got me reflecting, as I often do these days.

I remember my first pregnancy, & my second, even, my third & fourth often as times of dread. I dreaded the morning sickness, the widening hips, the fuller face, the ever growing belly that seemed to get in the way.

Pregnancy has never been easy for me, but I think with this fifth, I finally got something right. Or rather, I now have a bit more experience and perspective under my belt and I’ve learned a few things. I was hoping I could share with you.

 

 

It doesn’t last forever.

 

.

It also doesn’t last forever. (& neither do those sleep broken nights–it will return to...

Read More

pumpkin filled gingerbread bundt cake + warm vanilla syrup | vegan, gluten & refined sugar-free

Is it fall where you live?

I suppose it’s “fall” here too, in San Antonio. But it’s a weird fall, if I ever knew one.

For example, this photo wasn’t taken in mid-July. Nope. This was Monday. As in this past Monday.

We’re still swimming, it’s still in the mid 80’s most days. And the low during the night is typically in the mid 70’s. It is getting cooler they say.

True, it’s raining & actually cold this morning, but all this is foreign to me. Having grown up in Washington state (the dry side) & then having lived in Utah for almost a decade, I’m used to seasons changing, of autumn looking more like this,

image repinned to my autumn board from Danna Lisa, originally from flickr

 

and this,

image repinned via Aileen Allen, to my autumn board, originally from style me pretty

Instead,...

Read More

Frugal Tuesdays: a natural, inexpensive moisturizer–coconut oil

I know you might already be a minimalist & not spending very much money on face lotion or makeup, but prior to my scaling back, I spent a good chunk of money on high quality skin & beauty products.

I love Aveda products (organic & natural stuff) & the Body Shop used to have a lot of tempting things as well. I was fine spending more on organic, more natural, & cruelty free products because my skin is rather sensitive & I can’t go near the cheap stuff or else I’ll break out, get a rash, have skin irritation, etc. Also, I believe in supporting companies whose philosophy is based on ethical business practices. So, that meant I shelled out a good chunk of change as part of my beauty routine.

Since we’re on the get-out-of-debt-quick plan, & I revamped our budget some time ago, I racked my...

Read More