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July 28, 2014

Weekend Shopping Haul


So Friday night I scored some awesome pieces for me and Lilly from Old Navy that are going to be great pieces for the fall. Almost everything was on sale in the store so there were so many things I wanted but had to restrain from haha :)
So I scored a pair of polka dot sneakers which are so cute and comfy, an army green jacket to replace my old one that was too small, and a pair of drawstring printed ankle pants that feel like dressy pajamas...I can't wait to wear them!
For Lilly I scored a matching jacket, a cute t-shirt and a printed romper for next spring/summer. 

So I would say it was a nice, successful shopping haul and the best part I got all of this for way less then $100! Score for me :) 

What are some things you picked up this weekend? 

July 24, 2014

What Wives Wear Thursday: Beat the Heat Style




Today is extremely hot here so I have opted for something cool and comfortable. Loose fitting T with my favorite shorts from target complete with my Sanuk flip flops and a hat so I don't have to mess with my hair :) Stay cool today mommas!



Beat the Heat Style



Blue shorts
target.com



Sole Society straw fedora
solesociety.com


SANUK Yoga Joy Womens Sandals
tillys.com







Be sure to link up you What Wives Wear with Carrie and Sherri


July 21, 2014

Mommy Favorites for Baby: June

Mommy Favorites for Baby

Mommy Favorites for Baby by nataliemorelliwaters on Polyvore


Super easy to clean when your child starts eating solid food and makes a huge mess! Just rinse them off and they are good to go. Very convenient for us!

These wipes are 99.9% water and 0.1% fruit extract. They are an all purpose baby wipe when cleaning up your child. I used to carry like 5 different types of wipes (wet ones, hand and face wipes, boogie wipes,  baking soda pacifier/toy wipes, etc) but now I found these at Walgreens and only carry these and a thing of wet ones. 

Gold fish and cheerios
Lilly loves her snacks...they, amongst many other different baby snacks that we have for her, are a life saver when she gets bored while I'm running errands or shopping.

This stroller is so easy to handle and maneuver and is super light weight. It's perfect now that she has gotten older and doesn't need to be in the carrier anymore. I sold both of my other strollers at a local consignment shop and got this one. It comes in a lot of different colors which I love as well! 

This is one my favorite diaper bag brands! They are functional and washable, yes washable...you can throw them in the washing machine and viola, they are clean again, and come in so many different styles and prints equipped with matching accessories to fit any and all of your mommy/baby needs. 



July 18, 2014

High Five For Friday

1. It was such a relief to have all our meals planned for the week and lunches already made for me and my husband, AND husband approved all the meals! Score for momma :) I'm looking forward to finding more recipes and delicious things to try for my family. 

2. I was able to go to Stride Rite Outlet and get Lilly walking shoes! She's not walking on her own yet, but getting so close...she walks from table to couch to tv stand and back to couch... she's so close!
Aren't these adorable? I think they are going to match like every piece of clothing she has. 
(Oh and the turquoise bag is from Target and my Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bag is behind it)



3. I have gotten a lot accomplished this week including getting all the decorations and supplies needed for Lilly's first birthday party in 2 weeks except the food of course. 

4. I love our nightly family walks after dinner



5. And last but not least, my mom was so gracious and watched Lilly one morning so I could take 1 hour and get a long awaited pedicure! Isn't it funny how a 1 hour pedicure can feel like a vacation? Whatever free moment I can get I take advantage :)


Link-Up your #H54F post here






July 17, 2014

What Wives Wear Thursday

Shirt and wedges from Cato

Shorts are from Target

Lilly's outfit is from Kohls and her shirt describes her attitude this week :P

Be sure to link up you What Wives Wear with Carrie and Sherri


July 16, 2014

Weekly Food Preparation

Containers are from Dollar Tree and my mommy planner is from Staples

Yes, I have decided to courageously embark on prepping my family's meals for the entire week including breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks for me and my husband (little one is still on baby food or just eats a little bit of what we eat). It's a lot of planning and a lot of work but totally worth it so far. 
I first researched meals that I wanted to cook that both of us would enjoy. Something easy and quick in the morning, something filling and healthy for lunch and dinner and 2 snacks to enjoy. For breakfast I always keep cereal, bagels, frozen waffles, and eggs on hand so we can pick and choose what we want in the mornings. My husband gets up before me and Lilly do so something easy and simple he can fix himself when he's rushing out the door is key. For lunch I decided to fix the same meal ahead of time for the both of us to eat for the entire week. And 2 snacks that are healthy and filling. Dinner will be something different every night with Friday night being our going out or take out night. 

Links to recipes down below

Breakfast Options on Hand
Eggs
Waffles
Bagels
Cereal

Snacks
4 snacks per day x 5 days = 20 snacks for the week
Apple and/or banana
Peanut Butter
Protein Bar

Lunch 
2 lunches per day x 5 days = 10 total lunches for the week
Skillet chicken with salt and pepper and olive oil with black beans and rice and green beans

Dinner

Monday 
Spaghetti and salad

Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Friday 
Go out/take out night

Food prepping is a little bit of work and a lot of planning. These recipes that I found are great and the ingredients are pretty simple, most of the stuff I already had in the pantry and just had to pick up a few key things. Preparing and cooking all the lunches for the entire week only took me an hour and half, which was not bad at all on a lazy Sunday when it's raining. I created a shopping list with everything I needed for these specific meals for the week and a few things that we were out of and kept strictly to the list while we went to the grocery store. And surprisingly enough, we spent less money buying groceries this way then we normally do when we do our weekly shop! How I saved $$: 1) Go for the store brand things as much as possible 2) Check which grocery stores around you has the most/best deals of the week. Every single thing I bought was on some sort of promo or sale so that helped tremendously as well!

It took me an entire week to research and plan what meals I wanted to cook for lunch and dinner and to put my grocery list together. It took us about an hour to an hour and a half at the grocery store. An hour and a half of preparing the lunches and boom, I was done!

I will admit I am can be pretty lazy when it comes to cooking, I always take the easy way out with frozen family dinners or semi-homemade things. But I will tell you even for this multi-tasking momma I can do it and you can do it too. If this is something you've been wanting to try with your family TRY IT! Start planning and find a system/routine that works for you. I actually feel less stressed because I know and have everything I need for food for the entire week. I'm going to keep with it and keep updating on how my food preps are going.

Oh and the meals are husband approved so far :) He loves the rice and beans recipe that I made for lunch with chicken and beans.

Happy Food Prepping! 

July 15, 2014

Trendy Tot Tuesday



Lilly's dress is Baby Gap that I got at Once Upon a Child

Gold sandals were a gift before she was born, I love them! And she likes them too ;)

Bow is from Carter's Outlet

Bloomers are from another dress that I got at TJMaxx

Follow Kelly and Meganand link up your trendy tot post! 



July 14, 2014

Mommy Confessions: Having it All


Okay, so let's be really honest here, I was completely terrified when I made the decision to leave work and become a stay-at-home mom. I have been working since I was 14 years old, from babysitting...to temporary summer jobs in high school...to working at a local restaurant...to a receptionist...to working in retail... then back to office work, I don't know what it's like to not have a job. I mean when I was in college I had an almost full-time retail job plus a full-time internship while still going to class. I don't know how not to work. So this endeavor to say the least is a challenge, not a difficult challenge because I love being at home with the little one all day, but I'm only 3 months in and I'm not satisfied. Yes, I love being able to be home and take care of Lilly and watch her develop and keep our house functioning, but I feel like I'm not fulfilling my potential. I had all these hopes and dreams to open my own store or move up in the corporate retail world, but right now neither are feasible. I have all these ideas and creative juices flowing and I'm trying to find ways to hone in on those while I stay home and ultimately try and "have it all."



But really...can we have it all? I know a lot of you moms out there have experienced this or are going through it right now as well. I'm still adjusting to the stay-at-home-mom thing and trying to figure out a way to make it all work. I'm hoping to find something I do that I'm passionate about and am using my skills toward while also fulfilling my duties as a wife and mother. How have you made it all work? Can we have it all? What are some ways you adjusted to staying at home full-time?


July 11, 2014

Fashion Friday Mommy Style






Outfit Details

Top and Earrings are from Target

Pants are from Old Navy

Shoes are Dr. Scholl's sandals, super comfy

Bangles are Alex and Ani and two random ones ( I can't remember where they came from)

Necklace is Stella and Dot from a very, very long time ago




July 10, 2014

My Mommy Summer Essentials



My Mommy Summer Essentials

My Mommy Summer Essentials by nataliemorelliwaters featuring leather sandals


Banana Repulic's Timeless tees are my favorite tees on the market. They hold up very well, have a little bit of stretch to them, last forever, and this new elbow-sleeve style is so flattering! They are pricey at full-price, but if you can catch them when they have a sale then definitely snatch one (or two or three) up. 

My husband got me some Alex and Ani bracelets for Mother's Day this year and I absolutely love them. Each one has their own special meaning, and they look great stacked with each other and are super affordable. I wear these everyday, Lilly likes to play with the dangling charms.  

These shorts from Target are my absolute favorite shorts that I have found after having Lilly. I'm still holding on to a little extra baby weight and when shopping for shorts at the beginning of the season I was having a very hard time finding shorts that were long enough to cover some of my imperfections on my thighs while also being flattering on my body. At first I tried bermuda shorts from Old Navy but the material was super tight and hit very low on my waist. These shorts at target cover what I need to cover and hit at the perfect spot on my waist....love them! 

My husband also got me a pair of these yoga mat sandals for Mother's Day and I have not taken them off sense. They are super comfortable and go with everything. They feel like a pillow on your feet. 

This brand is my favorite diaper bag brand. These bags have tons of pockets and organization for all your mommy and diapering needs. This bag specifically has detachable back pack straps and messenger strap so you can wear it multiple ways to fit your needs with your little one. All of their bags can be washed in the washing machine and have antimicrobial lining. And their prints are adorable! 

And last but not least, of course you need to stay hydrated this summer. I love a good large insulated tumbler to take with me everyday when me and the little one are out and about.

Striped tee
bananarepublic.gap.com



Leather sandals
urbanoutfitters.com



July 8, 2014

Lilly's First Birthday Inspiration



I cannot believe Lilly is going to be a year old come August! Time has flown by so fast and it still feels like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital. I would be lying if I didn't admit I started thinking about her first birthday soon after we brought her home, I'm a planner so I like to think ahead...sometimes way ahead. I have already started shopping for decorations at the dollar tree since we are on a tight budget. We are going to do hamburgers, chips, pasta salad, fruit skewers, baby snacks for the little ones that will be there, and cupcakes with water, sweet tea, and soda for the drinks. Our house is very tiny and we have a carport, but it will probably be extremely hot here to have the entire party outside so I'm thinking of an indoor/outdoor scenario and still trying to decide setup. But for now here are some of the images from pinterest I have been using as my inspiration. 

Stay tuned for how it all turns out :)










This is the start of my party supplies from The Dollar Tree and Tuesday Morning.
Stay tuned :)


July 7, 2014

Mommy Favorites: June



So I didn't realize until I was almost done with putting this post together that a majority of these items are beauty items. But these items are ones that I discovered last month or have been using daily for a while so I thought I'd share some of top favorites with all you other mommy's out there trying to find good products that actually work :)

Sonia Kashuk Concealer
This concealor is a miracle worker. It covers everything! From under eye circles...to scars...to uneven skin tone...everything vanishes. Try it out, it is a heavier concealor so a little bit goes a long way and it needs to be blended a little bit more then lighter ones. Another tip, I put this on after my foundation and before my powder to help set everything. 

Stella and Dot Wallet
This wallet is the perfect little wristlet and has a slot for your phone. Perfect for when I'm on the go with or without baby.

Target Towel Wrap
I love this thing. I'm literally in this all morning while getting ready and juggling the little one.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum / Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
I started using these after reading tons of reviews and let me tell you I will never stop using them unless they discontinue them which I really hope will never happen. I saw an improvement in my skin within 1 week. The fastest results I've ever gotten from any skincare product! It helped my under eye circles, complexion, and scaring on my face. I don't look that horrible without makeup anymore...ha! These are on the more expensive side, but they really have been worth the cost and these bottles should last a while before I have to buy more, some other ladies that use both of these have said that they only have to buy these twice a year. Since it is a serum, a little bit is all you need. 

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Conditioner
Best thing you could put on your hair. It has everything you could ever need in one product. Try it and see for yourself.

Organix Kukui Anti-Frizz Hydrating Oil Mist
If you battle frizz and/or humidity where you live this is going to be your new BFF. This plus the it's 10 has completely changed my hair forever. I'm so glad I tried it.