​Today, I'm talking about baby's first shoe with Freshly Picked. I couldn't be more excited to partner with them, seeing that they were one of my favorite brands when I had my first son, Lincoln, and stayed a favorite with my second, V.

With the final days until Christmas, I know how easy it is to gloss over the newest addition to your family when it comes to gifts. I mean, what could a baby possibly want for Christmas? Well, I've found the perfect gift in Freshly Picked baby moccasins. Whether you are gifting them to your little one or to a friend's little one, these soft-soled shoes are second to none.

​I'm not sure that I've come across a first shoe for baby that I love more. What I prefer about FP moccasins over other brands is the fit, flexibility, and style. The elasticity of the moccasins ensures that baby won't lose one shoe or the other. The flexibility of this soft-soled shoe allows baby to take his or her first steps in a gripping way, and the style of the shoe couldn't be cuter.

Speaking of style, I already own a few pairs of Freshly Picked moccasins, so I wanted to step outside of the box and try one of their new styles: the Cedar Oxford.  Let me tell you, the new design is amazing! In fact, I can't tell if I prefer the original moccasin to the Cedar Oxford.  I love the warm neutral color of the leather, and feel it pairs with most all outfits.

In addition to the Cedar Oxford, V wears the Milk Chocolate moccs. I can't get enough of both styles and honestly switch back and forth on the regular. As such, I recommend purchasing a few difference styles and colors. Your babe will live in them! Also, if you are looking for a holiday-patterned style, check out their website for several options.

While considering what to purchase for your bundle of joy this Christmas, be sure and check out Freshly Picked! They are the perfect first shoe for your sweetie's first Christmas. This year, make it Freshly Picked, under the tree.

Happy Holidays, friends!

With one week left until Christmas, I wanted to list TEN fun (and easy) family traditions to incorporate into the final week leading up to the holiday! We all know how quickly the holidays fly by. So fast, in fact, that sometimes you don't get to do all that you set out to accomplish. And that goes for implementing family holiday traditions. Thus, these holiday traditions are easy to carry out, while also allowing your kids to fully live out the magic of Christmas. Here we go...

Every year growing up, my parents allowed my sister and I to open one gift on Christmas Eve. The gift was always a brand new pair of holiday PJ's and slippers that we wore on Christmas Eve night and woke up in on Christmas morning. Even though the gift was always the same, we were so excited that we got to open a present early! While I love this family tradition so much, there are a few tweaks that I have made with my own family...  

1. We gift the kids PJ's on the first of December (so they can enjoy their PJ's through the holiday season), and
2. We buy matching pajamas for the entire family! ... Because what is more fun than opening presents on Christmas day in matching pajamas?​

Thanks to Lazy One, we were able to find matching pajama sets for the holidays. We chose the Bear Essentials Flapjacks for the whole family, and LOVE them. This is most definitely a fun family tradition that we will keep going ever year. Keep your Christmas cozy, festive (and matching!) with Lazy One pajamas!  

In the final week before Christmas, it is likely that your kiddos and the neighborhood/school kids are also on Christmas break. What better way to give your mama friends an excuse to get out of the house than to host a cookie decorating party? If you're not up for hosting, try setting some time aside to make, bake and decorate cookies at home.
If you're like me, you're thinking that your kids will likely eat their way through the party and end up with a massive sugar high. I get it, but it's freaking CHRISTMAS. Let them live a little. Sometimes my favorite memories with my kids are the ones in which I broke the rules. 

Once again, I know, it's sugar. Ah! By now, you've probably realized that sugar intake and associated control therein is out-the-window come December (see #2). Call me crazy, but I grew up drinking Capri Suns and eating Lunchables. I think I turned out okay, right?!  a night of hot cocoa consumption isn't going to ruin your kids, in fact, it'll add to the holiday magic. Thus, pick a night and make homemade hot cocoa with your kids. They will (literally) eat it up!

I know that we are almost to Christmas, but gifting/making your child a unique ornament that either they picked out or an ornament that you chose that reminds you of them is something that'll impart sweet memories over the years. Now that we have Amazon Prime, there is no excuse to not purchasing knick-knacky items at the last minute. If you don't want to Prime an ornament, you can also check out your local grocery store (which we did) and pick out an ornament there! It likely won't be fancy but it'll do the job.
This year, Lincoln picked out a Mickey Mouse ornament at Kroger. As stupid as I thought it was in the moment, now it is one of the most sentimental things we've gotten this Christmas!! The $5 Mickey ornament totally reminds me of Lincoln and makes me want to cry every time I look at it. 
For the "fancy-pants" moms, check out Christopher Radko ornaments. My mother-in-law gifted each of her five kids these fancy ornaments each year in the form of an ornament that reminded her of that particular child. Lucky for me, my husband now has a full box of 30-some Christopher Radko ornaments. This is something I'd ideally love to do for my boys. Buy hey, if you're not as fancy, head to Kroger or pull out some paper and make/draw your own!

Decorating our mailbox with Christmas decorations was not something I had ever thought of doing until I saw that all of my neighbors had decorated theirs! Omg, it is literally the cutest (and easiest thing). I immediately hopped on this bandwagon and busted out the Christmas wrapping paper and got to it. Again, to decorate, keep it simple and use things that you already own. I went to Kroger and bought a big red bow for $2, used wrapping paper that I already owned and battery-operated lights that were gifted to me.
Not only is this a fun thing for you to do, but it is also a fun thing that you can do with your kids. This is a family tradition we will be doing every year that brings joy to us every time we turn into the driveway!

My Aunt Claire told me about this one. Every year, she asked my grandpa (her dad) to call her two boys, pretending to be Santa. He would disguise his voice and carry on a conversation with each boy, asking them what they wanted for Christmas. She told me I had to do it and record it. So we did. We asked Ryan's brother to call our son, Lincoln, pretending that he was Santa.
You guys, this was SO hilarious, sweet and cute. Lincoln literally thought it was Santa calling (of course), and it was the most precious thing ever. Not only do you get to witness your child experiencing the magic of the holiday, but you also may get some insight into any presents you might have forgotten about. No matter what you find, this tradition is SO worth it, just be sure and get it on camera.

Looking at the Christmas lights around the neighborhood is often something we take for granted, especially with our kids! It is amazing how these little details make a huge difference through the eyes of our children. While most of us have had roughly thirty or so years of seeing Christmas lights each season, our children have not. In fact, for a lot of them, this may be the first time that they actually appreciate the lights and decorations. Make a tradition of it and either hop in the car or a wagon/stroller and explore the neighborhood Christmas lights. Be sure and have your kids tell you their favorite types of lights and ask them what they like about those houses most.
You could even step it up a notch and take your children to a Christmas event solely dedicated to holiday lights. For instance, Nashville's Cheekwood hosts "Holiday LIGHTS" with over one million Christmas lights illuminating their gardens. It is magical!

This is something that I have yet to do, but is a tradition that I am 100% making sure I partake in every year. While Santa photos are necessary, we all know that the best kind of Santa photo is the one that is free. Google around or ask friends about photos with Santa and you'll likely uncover a Santa set that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Whether you choose the same movie each year or rotate each year, choosing a "Christmas-themed" movie to watch is festive and memorable. Curl up around the fire and turn on a Christmas film that the entire family will like. Maybe that movie is The Polar Express or It's A Wonderful Life or A Charlie Brown Christmas. Guaranteed there is a Christmas version of your child's favorite shows. Make it a fun, family tradition!

As a parent giving to my kids unconditionally over the holidays, sometimes I forget the true meaning of the holiday. I need to constantly remind myself that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and most poignantly, celebrates the gift of giving. Make the holiday season a time to teach your kids the significance of the holiday; it is not in receiving that we find joy, but in giving that we find joy.
Thus, you can make the act of "giving" a family tradition by picking a way to give back. Maybe it is something that is relevant to your family. For instance, if you are a military family and want to pick a military family to sponsor. Or maybe you've had a family member affected by cancer, and it's on your heart to give back to the local hospital that cares for children with cancer. Even if it is a small act of kindness, such as giving to the homeless man on the corner, there are several ways to give back this season! In some way, I think it's important to teach our kids the reason for the season (God only knows how blessed they are and how much they receive!). As your kids grow into this tradition, it'll be a great way to teach them the importance and gift of giving.

Hey mamas!

Hope this post finds you well. Today I wanted to share a post on transitioning from one to two kids. The transition is something that I reflect upon often, but have failed to put into words. It is something that has been amazing, but also challenging. Now that I am nine months into the transition and feel like I have gotten to a place of equilibrium, I wanted to share my experience in going from one to two kids. As such, this post will include:
​

• What has stayed the same in transitioning from one to two kids.
• What has changed in transitioning from one to two kids.
• What has been difficult in transitioning from one to two kids.
• What has been amazing in transitioning from one to two kids.

​Also, a huge shoutout to Playtex Baby™​. We are happy to be in a partnership with them and are thankful they make our lives easier (especially in transitioning from one to two kids!). Below are some of the respective products we use and love. They are shown in the photos and I also refer to some in this post.

Life is still a balancing act.
Whether you have one kid, two kids, three kids, etc., life is still a balancing act. With the first kid, you are thrown into the pits of parenthood, floundering not knowing what to do. You are running around like a chicken with your head cutoff, and life can be difficult to balance. When you have your second kid, you are a life-balancing pro. You know what to expect, you know the challenges, you know the demands, and you still have to balance them all the same. Yes, there are different kinds of challenges and there is more to balance, but because you know what you are doing, it seems like the same ole thing. 

Life with two kids is still "hard".
Do you know that feeling when you have your first kid and you think that life has forever changed... and even though you are absolutely in love with your kid you realize that life is harder now? Rather than focusing solely on yourself, you are now required to manage and care for another human being. It is hard, guys! So, when you go from from one to two kids that feeling of life being hard is still the same. In fact, when you have your second kid you realize how freakin' easy it was to have only one kid. 
I categorized this as something that has stayed the same because of the fact that you don't realize how much easier it was with one kid until you have your second kid. When you are in it, no matter how many kids you have, life always feels harder (than maybe it is). Now that I comprehend this phenomenon, I try and remind myself that having two kids isn't all that bad!

You will still have a strong relationship with your first/oldest.
While the relationship with your first may inherently change (and I will talk about the difficulties of this down below), the relationship with your first will remain strong and you will still feel a strong bond. The fact that your first was your first in and of itself makes that relationship special. Bringing another baby into the world doesn't change that, unless you allow it to. 
I admit that I was worried that my relationship with my first would change when we had our second, and to a certain extent it did because he was no longer the only one. But, the reason it changed wasn't because of him, it was mostly because of me. I put feelings of guilt and sadness on myself. If I were to assess how it made my son feel, I'd say that he adapted quite well and still looked at me and our relationship the same. After we were able to settle into our life as a new family, I outgrew the sadness and guilt and was able to re-initiate the relationship with him in a new way and because of that, it grew stronger.

You're day-to-day routine will change.
For me personally, I got very comfortable with my day-to-day routine with my first, and when I was about to deliver our second, the thought of giving up our routine was hard on me. I had finally hit a very sweet spot with our first baby, Lincoln, when he was about one year old to about twenty months (just before the terrible twos!), which was ironically (or probably why) I got pregnant with our second. At this point, everything sort of clicked for me as a mama, and our routine became very manageable and fun. The thought of uprooting this and changing our lives/schedules scared me. I knew that with a newborn, we would be thrown back into the hardships of schedules and the craziness of baby life.
In the first few months (maybe first three months) after delivering our second, I was lucky that I recovered quickly and was able to carry on my routine with my first as much as possible (which I highly recommend you try doing if you're able to!). I kept the same playdates, I took him to the same story-times, we took the same walks, the same outings, the same everything. That is until newborn life, sleepless nights and rigorous nap schedules started taking a toll on our "original" routine. I felt bad for Lincoln; he had to stay strapped to the house during this time. I was bummed that our schedule was forced to change.
All of this said, while our schedule did change and as difficult as it was for the first several months, we have now gotten into a new rhythm and a new sort of schedule. While it is different than our original schedule, it accommodates the two boys nicely and they are happy as can be (and so am I!). ​

You may be unsure if you want more kids at this point.
When I had my first, I 100% knew I wanted another kid, and I wanted him/her sooner than later. I probably started getting baby fever around 8 to 10 months postpartum. At that time, I loved being a mom and wanted to grow my little family, and fast, because I knew I wanted our kids to be close in age. Thus, when Lincoln turned one, we started trying. Boom. I got pregnant right away.
When we had our second, V, there were several moments during the newborn stage in which I told myself and made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to have anymore kids. With Lincoln (my first), I didn't have this sensation. The sleepless nights and demands of the newborn stage was hard on me. Not only that, but dividing my time, energy and attention between two kids was also very hard on me. I love being able to give my kids a lot of my attention and now with two kids, I often struggle with not being able to give them as much as I could be. Therefore, the thought of now having to give another kid attention seems unfathomable. There is a part of me that may have room for one more kid, but I certainly don't have the surety that I had with my first. 

You love your kids all the same but in different ways.
This is an interesting point and one that I wasn't sure I was prepared for. In having another child, I guess I didn't realize how different they would be and how much this would impact my parenting style. Not only are the boys different in terms of their age, but they are also different in terms of their personality. What motivates one child, may not motivate another child. What makes one child laugh, may not make the other laugh. What discipline works for one child, may not work for another. This isn't good or bad, it is just different.

 You're "baby" is no longer your baby/youngest, and that relationship inherently changes.
When I became pregnant with our second child, I would tell you that the idea of my relationship changing with my first (the reality that he was no longer my baby) and in actuality when it happened, was all really hard on me. Not to mention I finally came to terms with this when I was going through my first (and only) encounter with postpartum depression. It was difficult, not going to lie. I had grown to fall so deeply in love with our first and poured all of my time, energy and love into him. He was so young when I had our second that there was a part of me that wished I had had more time with him as an only child.
When we had our second, it felt like a betrayal. I struggled to find a balance and felt a major sense of guilt. Again, I think the postpartum depression and anxiety majorly contributed to this feeling. In addition to the new reality that I had not one but two children to pour my love into, when we had V, Lincoln all of the sudden grew out of his baby stage and into a two-year old. Some people told me that the older sibling would "revert" back to babyish tendencies, but in my case, Lincoln did the opposite. He grew up and matured rather quickly. While I insistently appreciated this, I also grew sad about the feeling that I had somehow lost my first baby. It was a weird sensation that I had to emotionally overcome - and that took time.
The silver lining in saying all of this is that the guilt, and possibly sadness, you feel will reside and you will reach a place in which it becomes second nature to give to both children. It is bittersweet to think, but your days with an only child will become distant. Personally, I had to mourn this maybe a little more than others. If you are struggling with these feelings, I guarantee you are not alone! (And let me add that the sadness/guilt was not because I didn't love my second baby as much as my first. I absolutely did. It was the fact that the transition now to have two kids to love rather than one was difficult for a period of time). 

If the age gap between your kids is close, that may be a challenge (in the beginning).
I put this point under the "difficult" section because I feel as if I won't reap the benefits of the close age gap between my kids until they are a little bit older. As for now, the twenty-two month age gap between both kids has been challenging! First, it was difficult because again, I was sad for a period of time that I didn't have more time with my first as an only child. I wished that I had gotten a little bit more time with him, especially while he was so young. Second, the age gap is hard because I was thrown right back into the newborn stage when I had just gotten out of it. It felt as if my son transitioned from babyhood to toddlerhood, and then I was thrown right back into babyhood with our second. The days of schedules and sleepless nights seemed far behind me and then I was thrown back into it. This was hard. ​
While the age gap has been a challenge, I know that it will benefit my kids in the near future. As two little boys so close in age, they will be the best of friends, will have a lot in common and will be able to share in life's adventures. It may be difficult now, but it will pay dividends in the future! I am confident in this because I have talked to a majority of parents who say that this age gap is preferred (big phew). I also like the fact that my kids won't know life any other way than with a sibling. From as early as their memory's can recall, they will always know life with a little/older brother. There is something endearing about that; always having a constant companion.

You will have to share your time and attention between your kids.
Sharing my time and attention between both kids has been a tough one, as well. I think it stems from my personality; I put a lot of pressure on myself to do the best I can; I'm a bit of an over-achiever, and in motherhood, it's no different. There is so much that I want to pour into my kids. I want to pour love, attention, adoration, knowledge, healthy food, good sleep, lots of stories, etc. etc. I want to pour all of life's good and healthy things into my kids. 
I was able to achieve this with one child, but when you add another kid into the mix, your ability to pour into each kid diminishes. Sorry, it does. Not only that, but it can also become overwhelming, especially if you have a high-achieving personality like myself. It is not possible to put 100% into each kid all of the time  because you cannot give each kid the same attention at the same time unless you're God! You either have to group parent, aka read them stories at the same time, or pick and choose when you pour into each kid. As you pick and choose when to pour into each kid, it automatically may take away from the other. Do they care? Probably not, they are happy as can be, but it might be hard on you -- in the beginning.
As life continues and you grow used to the transition from one to two kids, this aspect will become easier. You're oldest will become (tear*) more independent and will be able to entertain himself more often. You'll have nap times with one kid that is devoted to providing the other kid with attention. Sooner or later, you'll get the hang of it and again, it'll become second nature.

You don't have as much one-on-one time with each kid.
Getting one-on-one time with each kid is uber important to me. If you think about how precious your time with your first kid was, you'll realize that a lot of that stems from the fact that it was because you were one-on-one with them, giving them 100% of your time, energy and love (to the point above). When you have two kids, you clearly don't get as much one-on-one time with your kids.
​Because I value one-on-one time, I now carve it out with each kid during the week. While Lincoln is at school, I get one-on-one time with V. While V is with a nanny, I get one-on-one time with Lincoln. During this time, I am sure to focus 100% on each child. I also try and make that time special. I put away my phone and pack their favorite snacks. For Lincoln, I bring along the Playtex® Flip Top Snacker filled with organic Snackimal Crackers (his favorite)! I also pack his favorite drink, usually almond milk with cinnamon, in his favorite cup, the Playtex® Sipsters® Stage 3 Thomas & Friends™ . 
All of this said, it is still hard to balance how much one-on-one time is enough, meanwhile coming up with the resources (babysitting money and time) to be able to do so. And more importantly, do your kids care? I seem to think so! Lately, what I find happening is that I spend a lot of the time with the baby and my husband spends a lot of time with Lincoln - especially on the weekends. Is this ideal? No, but it ensures that each kid has adequate attention.

You are stuck in the house and are thrown back into the baby stage (in the beginning).
Being thrown back into the newborn stage was hard on me. I think it was hard on me because I felt like I had JUST gotten passed it with Lincoln. After delivering V, just twenty-two months after Lincoln was born, I had to rewind back to the hard part that I thought was over! The newborn stage is hard at first because you have sleepless nights and are breastfeeding around the clock amongst other things. Around three months your baby starts to eat less and starts sleeping through the night, but then you are chained to the house because of nap schedules (if you're strict with schedule like me). It's tough, guys, or at least it was on me.
During this difficult phase with two young children, I was thankful in my ability to step away from the house, alone, when I needed time to recover as a mom and as a person. This was necessary for survival! I hired a nanny two days a week and either left her with breastmilk or formula, directing her to use V's favorite bottle: Playtex Baby™ Nurser® with Drop-Ins® Liners.  There was no issue with either child in my ability to take personal time for myself (and no issue with my little guy taking a bottle using the Playtex Baby™ Nurser®). I highly encourage you do this; you will be a better mom for it.
The silver lining during this stage, as hard as it is, is that the newborn phase is the sweetest ever. Even though it is freaking hard, it is freaking magical. And thank goodness for that. Some more silver lining (and also the sad part) is that it doesn't last forever. You'll get out of the strict schedules, sleepless nights, breastfeeding around the clock and your routine will normalize. I hit this point when V (my second) started napping twice a day, around seven/eight months of age.

You can enjoy the "baby" stage a little more with new perspective.
With my first, I was on edge all of the time. I was a first-time parent and had no idea what I was doing. I was nervous about everything! With the second kid, you know what you are doing. You realize how short the newborn stage is and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Additionally, you are a lot more relaxed about things because you know how resilient children are. For instance, with my first I freaked out about giving him formula. Because of this, he had a difficult time taking the bottle. With my second, I wasn't afraid of formula, In fact, I welcome it. I realized the balance that I needed and the reality that I needed time away from my children. I was able to give him the Playtex Baby™ Nurser® with Drop-Ins® Liners which simulates a nursing sensation similar to breastfeeding. It worked like a charm. Mom was happy and baby was even happier!
Because you are more relaxed and confident in your parenting ability, you are able to enjoy the "tough" phases a little bit more. You know what to expect and you know what should be concerning and what to relax about. Most of the time, you are able to enjoy the ride a little bit more. Equally, it also gives you wise perspective on how to parent your oldest. Instead of freaking out about their attitude or the fact that they aren't potty-trained, you can see it as a phase and appreciate it for what it is, knowing that it will be over before you know it. I do love the perspective that having two kids gives me!

You get to enjoy the stages of your child's life all over again, and in a new way.
This one is bittersweet and makes me want to cry as I think about it. As parents, we all know how precious time is in watching our little ones grow. With your first baby, time is a blur; so much that you don't know what to appreciate and how much to appreciate it until it is gone. In having a second child it is as if you get another chance to enjoy the stages all over again. To the point above, you also get to enjoy those stages in a more relaxed way and with a new and unique child. In having our second, it has indefinitely made me appreciate every single freaking second of life. Not only with him, but also with Lincoln. Time is flashing by, but I am holding onto the moments as hard as I can because I know how fast the clock ticks when they are little.

​You find a new "normal."
As difficult as the transition from one to two kids is, you will reach a place of equilibrium -- and when you get there, it'll be amazing! It may take some time, but I promise it'll be worth it. Again, I hit my stride at about 8 to 9 months. This is when I really felt like I had the whole two kid thing under control and we were in some sort of a cohesive routine. I'm not sure if this particular point in time (8 to 9 months) had to do with the fact that I was now out of my postpartum depression/anxiety period or the fact that my second was now on two naps a day or the fact that I forced myself to find a schedule. One way or another, all of my ultra-intense emotions started to calm down and I found a good rhythm with our family of four.
If you are freaking out, I suggest that you literally calendar out a schedule. Write down things that are important to you! What is stressing you out? What do you need to change? Do it. It'll make things go back to normal faster and you'll be able to enjoy your family tenfold.

You're love for both kids will be infinite.
People tell you that your love will multiply and expand when you have more kids. While I struggled with a variety of emotions in transitioning from one to two kids, loving each child deeply was not one of them. A child (especially your own child!) is a blessing, always. Bringing another baby into the world and introducing them into your family will generate so much love from your heart. That love is powerful beyond belief, as it was/is with your first child. 

You'll love to watch your kids interact (even when they fight).
Because I have two boys and had them so close together, it took a little longer for them to start interacting. Lincoln, being a boy, wasn't really into his baby brother and was too little to really comprehend what was going on when we brought V home from the hospital. Now that V is eight months and fully coming into his own, I've had the pleasure and pure joy of seeing my kids start to interact with one another. Whether they are playing with toys, standing together, wearing the same outfits or even fighting with one another, it fills me with so much happiness in seeing them together. 
One of my favorite things is seeing my older son's adoration and concern for his younger brother. Sometimes he wakes up from his nap asking where "Vancey Bear" is. Or, he'll instruct V on how to do something. Or, I'll catch him taking a toy away from V only to replace it with something else - something we taught him. I feel as if having a sibling has really sharpened my oldest in his emotional intelligence and empathy.

Your heart grows fuller.
This took me awhile to realize because again it took time for me to fully settle into the transition from one to two kids. It was difficult at first to comprehend how my heart could ever be fuller than it was with one child. For awhile, I felt as if I had to split hairs. That said, once you get through all of the emotions and life settles into a new routine, you will feel fuller (in a new way), I promise! 

​

Happy Holiday Ladies!

With the weather cooling down here in Nashville, it finally feels like the holidays are upon us! From Christmas decorations to holiday music to Christmas tree farms sprouting up all over town, we have officially entered into Christmas territory. As we embark on the holiday season, I am making every excuse to invite my mama friends over for holiday-themed parties. One of the many things that makes for a great holiday party is a great holiday cocktail. As such, I have gathered a list of Cate and I's FAVORITE holiday cocktails that we are dying to try with our gal-pals this season. We all know that mama deserves a drink, so bust out your shakers and martini glasses, and enjoy! 

(makes one drink)
2 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. Godiva white chocolate liqueur
1 oz. white creme de cacao
1 oz.  half and half
Lemon wedge
Sanding sugar

​Cut a half-inch slit into the lemon wedge and rub it around the rim of the glass. Pour sanding sugar into a shallow dish then dip the rim in the sugar to coat evenly. Gently shake off excess sugar. Add the vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half and half into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain mixture into glass.
Serve immediately, and enjoy with your favorite seasonal tunes next to a toasty fireplace!

(serves 2)

• 4 fluid ounces vodka
• 4 fluid ounces apple cider
• Juice of 2 lime wedges
• 24 fluid ounces ginger beer
• 1⁄4 teaspoon Simply Organic® Ceylon Cinnamon
• 2 Simply Organic® Cinnamon Sticks

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, apple cider and lime juice. Shake until well mixed.
2. Fill 2 copper mugs with ice, then divide mixture between mugs. Divide ginger beer between mugs, filling to top.
3. Top off with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy!

​

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir together with a large wooden spoon to help the sugar dissolve. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Serve chilled or over ice.
​

Gingerbread Syrup:

• 100 g (rounded 1/2 cup) dark brown soft sugar
• 200 ml (3/4 cup + 1tbsp) water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 inch piece fresh ginger sliced into thin rounds
• 2 pieces mace optional
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Spiced Sugar Rim:

• 4 tbsp dark brown soft sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Martini:

• 30 ml (2tbsp) vodka
• 30 ml (2tbsp) Feeney's Irish Cream
• 30 ml (2tbsp) single cream
• 30 ml (2tbsp) gingerbread syrup
• 15 ml (1tbsp) cold espresso

To Serve:

• Squirty cream
• crushed gingerbread biscuits
• ground ginger

To make the gingerbread syrup:

1. Place the sugar, water, cinnamon, ginger and mace into a small saucepan, stir over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved then bring up to a simmer and allow to cook at a gentle simmer for 10 minutes. remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, leave to cool then keep refrigerated until needed.

Spiced sugar rim:

1. Mix together the brown sugar, ground ginger and cinnamon and spread out on a saucer or wide bowl. Pour a little bit of water onto another saucer and dip the rim of a martini glass into it, shake off the excess water then dip the rim into the spiced sugar to coat.

To make the gingerbread latte martini:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and measure in the vodka, Feeney's Irish Cream, single cream, gingerbread syrup and espresso. Shake vigorously then strain into the prepared glass.
2. Top with a swirl of whipped cream then sprinkle with a little ground ginger and plenty of crushed gingerbread.

(serves 24)

• 1 liter Maker's Mark® Bourbon
• 1 quart Milk
• 1 quart Heavy Cream
• 2 dozen Eggs
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• Garnish Nutmeg

Separate eggs and beat yolks until creamy. Whip sugar into yolks. Beat whites until they stand in peaks, adding 1/2 cup additional sugar, if desired. Beat yolks and Maker’s Mark® Bourbon together. Add whites. Beat cream. Add cream and milk to mixture. Add nutmeg to taste, and garnish each cup with nutmeg. Makes approximately 24 servings.

Happy Holidays from Nashville, mamas!

Today I wanted to share holiday card tips in a Q+A format, as well as some actual shots from our family shoot. Holiday cards can be unnecessarily tough and expensive to execute, and they shouldn't be! With these tips and some photo inspiration, we hope the day is anything but that. This year, we hope your Christmas card photoshoot is a fun and celebratory event that serves as a snapshot in time of your family, especially your kids as they grow. With that, we take Christmas cards to heart and hope these tips help you get the most out of your holiday cards this season!

How did you choose a suitable holiday card setting? 
I did the research, narrowed it down to my favorite kinds of photos then set out to make it all happen. First, I scoured the internet, aka Pinterest, looking at holiday card inspiration. Through this search, I found that my favorite cards were those: 1) taken outdoors and those 2) at Christmas tree lots/farms. Outdoor photos utilize natural light and with my limited knowledge of photography, I knew that outdoor shots make the best, highest quality images and are the most natural-looking. As for the Christmas tree idea, I 100% knew I wanted the photos taken at a Christmas tree farm. I mean, how cute, right? Plus, none of us had been to a Christmas tree farm with the exception of my husband. 
The trouble was accessing a farm without a ton of people walking through shopping for trees while we were trying to take photos. I googled Christmas tree farms and ultimately came cross the gem that is Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm, which offered holiday card photoshoots during the week (rather than the weekend when the Christmas tree shoppers were present). Not only that, but the farm provided several different setups for photos with Christmas-oriented props. It couldn't have been a cuter, more fun place to take photos.
My recommendation for choosing a holiday card setting is to do something that embodies you and your family, that'll make a fun outing for the entire family! I knew that driving out to a Christmas Tree Farm all dressed up would make for cute photos, and an amazing adventure/family outing, most importantly. This made the entire experience fun and very natural, which makes for great photos!


How did you get the props?
Again, these were included in the shoot. We paid $40 to take the photos at Country Cove Christmas Tree Farm and got to use all of the props/stations for photos. 
Before I came across Country Cove, I was at the point that I was literally going to go to Michael's and buy some props for a shoot at our house. Instead, I recommend searching for a venue that has props already in place. If you can't find that, focus on the setting and bring a few Christmas decorations lying around the house, maybe a wreath or a star, or something!

How did you decide on your holiday card outfits?
I say dress it up, keep it timeless and be totally you. For my family, I started with me (the only person who cares what they are wearing). I knew I wanted to wear a plaid dress. Once I found my dress, I honestly selected everyone's outfits around mine. I found my dress on Revolve. Highly recommend. You can find my outfit/makeup details HERE. 
For outfits, I recommend selecting the most important outfit first, and then coordinating everyone's around it. For instance, if you KNOW you want your oldest son to wear his navy striped moose sweater, then use that, and plan everyone else's around that. 
I also recommend mixing and matching prints and playing off of a color scheme (but not matchy-matchy). I wanted to wear plaid, but didn't want everyone to be wearing plaid. I simply played off of the plaid print when selecting the boys' outfits. I did the same thing with color. We all wore some shade of red, but all different.
If you don't want to spend a ton of money, I recommend focusing on shirts/tops. That is what I did. I took it as an excuse to buy the boys new holiday shirts (except Ryan because he doesn't care ha!), which they needed, and they all wore old pants. Jeans are always a go-to for family photos; a nice shirt with jeans, and you can't go wrong.
Last point, I also played off of the setting. Because we were taking photos at a Christmas Tree Farm with GREEN trees, I knew I wanted our outfits to be RED, which contrasted nicely with green and are also the perfect Christmas colors. In addition to the colors contrasting and because we were at a Christmas Tree Farm, I kind of wanted a lumberjack vibe. Thus, Lincoln is wearing a maroon/grey flannel button-down, V is wearing a bear shirt, and Ryan is in a brighter red flannel. I wanted us to look nice but not overly dressed up; like we were going out to the farm to cut down our tree, but a little nicer :)


How did you find your photographer?
This is funny. I actually went on Instagram and searched the hashtag "#nashvillephotography" and clicked on the best looking photos. I then emailed those photographers. One of the photographers I emailed was a Belmont University student, who told me that his photos didn't show well on IG, so he recommended his friend, Merritt Ellaine. Merritt, who took the photos in this post, is an EXTREMELY talented photographer (you can access her site HERE). She is also a student at Belmont University, studying photography. I looked at her IG and she is AMAZING to say the least. Not only that, but she is sweet as can be. 
Thus, when searching for a photographer, consider out-of-the-box options. Sometimes you can find people on IG or even students at a local university, who won't charge $1,000 for a holiday card shoot, but are just as talented. I also recommend choosing a photographer who is friendly/nice to work with. I mean, you are taking family photos, this person should be able to make your kids laugh. They should also make you feel extremely comfortable. Sometimes holiday card shoots can be a-wkward. Choose someone who makes the shoot fun for everyone, and who you feel comfortable around! The best photos are the most natural.
​Last point on this, be sure and take note of the type of filters that your photographer uses. You can tell the type of filter by looking at the image and assessing the type of "vibe" or "mood" that the photos give off.  Think Instagram filter. What filters do you like? Do you like a faded look? Do you like a bright/colorful look? Do you like black and white? Do you like deep/moody colors? Do you like a bright skyline? Again, the final editing schematic gives the photos their overall vibe and mood. You can see that our photos have a colorful, yet sepia tone to them, emphasizing the warm sky line. To me, Merritt's editing is perfect. Pay attention to the way your photographer edits and if you want a particular "filter", show them examples.

What time of day should I take my photos?
The time of day you take your photos is almost as important as the photographer you select. If you take your photos when the sun is too bright, your photos will end up overexposed. If you take your photos when there is not enough light, the photos will be too dark. The key is to take your photos earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon - when the sun is just right.
For fall/winter shoots, aim for a shoot before 10am or after 4pm. For spring/summer shoots, aim before 9am or after 5pm. 

How do you get your kids to look at the camera?
​We were lucky and Merritt actually brought two of her sweet friends to the photoshoot. They clapped and cheered to make the boys look at the camera. They also bribed Lincoln with candy and cookies (which I fully pioneered and encouraged). Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.
In hindsight, I wished I would have brought a bright toy for the baby and some treats for Lincoln. The bright toy would have been a focal point for the baby and the treats would have allowed Lincoln to get an instant reward after smiling!
I also recommend taking some shots in which the kids aren't looking, but instead you are just "being" with your family. Some of my favorite photos are candid. Maybe you won't use this for your card, but they are the best keepsakes.


What is your biggest recommendation for holiday cards?
I have two recommendations: 1) again, do something this is totally representative of your family, and 2) make it a fun outing. Starting with the former: do something that embodies your family... My sister-in-law's friend uses a photo of her kids crying hysterically while sitting on Santa's lap. She uses this photo for her Christmas Card every year and it is the funniest thing ever. It embodies her and her family in a fun and unique way.
For my family, (or mainly me ha!) it is important that we take the photos seriously - meaning putting in some effort. Personally, holiday card shoots are so much fun for me; it is the time of year where mama gets to shine and I can execute my inner creativity. I live for the planing and the details: the setting/location, photographer, makeup, hair, outfits, etc ... literally, it is what I am passionate about as a mom and there are only so many opportunities for me to do things like this throughout the year. Therefore, I had fun with it and I'm not ashamed to say that I take holiday cards seriously... because that is me! Aside from me, me, me - I knew I wanted it to be adventurous and something we'd enjoy doing. In saying all of this, I am thrilled with how the photos turned out and how representative they are of our fam!
In sum, I think it is always authentic to do what suits you and your family. If you are a funny family, do something funny. If you are a family that likes to get dressed up, do that. If you like outdoor adventures, do that. If you don't care, do that! Christmas cards are a reflection of you and your family, it is best to do something that you feel comfortable doing and something you'll remember as totally YOUR family!
Lastly, make the photos FUN. Holiday photoshoots can either be a pain in the you-know-what or they can be one of the highlights of the year. One recommendation to make the shoot fun is to make it a fun outing for your family; maybe something you've never done before, like adventuring to a Christmas Tree Farm. By making your photoshoot fun, it'll make for great photos and will be something you always remember.

The SoundBub by WavHello is one of my favorite products by far! We use it everyday to soothe Banx to sleep. We play the white noise all night and if it's fully charged it will last the entire night without the battery dying. I love how compact and soft it is. It makes on-the-go ultra easy. And Ollie actually acts as a bluetooth speaker, so I can play any music for a little interactive playtime with B- it's incredibly useful. I literally take little Ollie the owl everywhere we go, and I'm thinking about getting one more to keep in the car so I don't forget him! I don't particularly like using my phone for white noise unless it's for emergencies (AKA a screaming baby). Keep the phone a good distance from baby is a good idea due to radiation. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY.
Some of the best features include:

1. Plays white noise
2. Clips to stroller, carseat, and crib
3. Has 30.60.an 90 min timers OR continuous play
4. BLuetooth capability- plays musics, etc.
5. Records voice messages, lullabies, and stories. Download Voice Share Mobile App for FREE

Number 5 is by far the most unique and fun feature because it allows anyone, say grandma and grandpa, to download Voice Share on their phone and record a little message or song so baby can listen and recognize their voice at ANYTIME. I just LOVE this!

I don't know about you, but I gave birth to Edward Scissor Hands! Without these little mittens, Banx would scratch the heck out of his face when he was 0-3 months. We tried various mittens, but these were the best by far because they actually stayed on!
Some of the best features include:

1. Soft and Safe Fabric- Machine-washable, 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton blend is breathable, naturally antimicrobial and environmentally sustainable
2. Adjustable velcro straps- for easy application
3. Breathable- Allows enough room for baby to stretch his fingers- Most mitts I tried confined his little hands or were very difficult to get on him.
4. Functional Design and Pretty- you just can't go wrong

Goumi Kids was created by two rockstar moms. They are making life much easier for new moms as well as well as helping to support communities around the globe by donating 10% of their sales to families in need. I think I want to be their friends. : ) Now go get yourself these amazing little mitts and check out the rest of their wonderful products at goumikids.com. You won't regret it. ; )

I'm completely in love with my Kindred Bravely Organic Cotton Nursing and Sleep Bra. If you know me, I'm a huge proponent of anything organic- especially when it comes to sleepwear since we spend much of our time sleeping and with chemicals, or not, from clothing directly on our skin. Baby benefits from this, too! The crossover keeps my large and in charge boobs separated when I sleep and makes for easy middle of the night feedings with a simple and easy pull to the side movement. 
Some of the best features include:

1. Comes in six pretty organic colors
2. ​Made For Comfort- has no underwire
3. Functional- can be used for sleeping support, pregnancy, nursing, post surgery, yoga- you name it.
4. Beautiful Design- I feel sexy in it and provides enough support without being tight while I sleep
5. Ultra Soft and Stretchy Organic Fabric- even my husband loves it! (90% Organic Cotton, 10% Spandex).

I highly recommend this bra, mamas!! And I want it in every color. GAH!
​

They even make it simple for you to start your diaper journey. They offer 3 different variety packs at 3 different price points- the Mega Mom, the Newborn Babe, and the Prepared Parent. And for a 4th option, you can customize your diaper pack. Winning! And just think how happy your baby will be when you find the perfect diaper and without breaking the bank. Mama and daddy like!

Basq NYC has the perfect Stretch Mark Butter. And if you are looking to prevent them, try their 9 Month Stretch Essentials Kit for your pregnancy or that of a friend. : )

Well isn't this just the strangest/coolest invention ever?! If you're anything like me, you highly dislike wasting your precious milk. Milkies Milk Saver saves your milk while you are nursing/pumping the other side. It is a simple design that easily can go with you anywhere. Instead of leaking through your shirt or soaking thru your nursing pads, the Milkies Milk Saver "saves" your precious milk. It may seem a little ridiculous and you're probably wondering the same thing I was..."It can't be THAT useful. Well, when I gave it a whirl, I realized just HOW MUCH milk was actually being saved! Now that's worth it right there! The patented container can hold up to 2 ounces of milk and the protective lid prevents the milk from spilling. 

Hay hay mamas!

With Christmas literally around the corner, now is the time to begin planning your family holiday cards. While there are many details involved in planning Christmas cards, I wanted to focus on mama today. God only knows we deserve to be pampered for all of the hard work that we do. Why not make the pampering scheduled on the day that you can show it off? On your holiday card, of course!

Thus, in this post, I will be talking about MOMMY'S holiday card look: how to look and feel your best for your holiday card photos. This year, I felt amazing and beautiful (despite being heavier than I normally am), and you know what, I deserve to look and feel amazing. I work my booty off as a mama and a lot of the time I don't get to dress up or be pampered as much as I would like to. Therefore, make this day not only about your family, but also about you. You deserve it, girl.

In this post, I will share an overview of my holiday card:
​

• Makeup
• Hair
• Outfit
• Nails
• Exercise + Nutrition

If you know me personally, you know that I am passionate about makeup and pretty much wear a full face of makeup daily, so I figured I'll start by sharing my favorite holiday makeup routine.

PRODUCTS​
SKIN/FACE

• Primer: ​MAC Prep + Prime
• Foundation: Clinique Super Balanced (no SPF) AND Mac Studio Face + Body
• Concealer: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
• Mineral Powder: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder
• Bronzer: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish
• Blush: MAC Powder Blush "Peaches"
• Cheek Highlighter: MAC 'Mineralize' Skinfinish

EYES

• Eye Primer: MAC Eyeshadow Brule 
• Eye Shadows: MAC Warm Neutral Times 15 Eyeshadow Palette
• Eye Liner: MAC Black Liquid Eyeliner
• Mascara: MAC 'In Extreme" Dimension - 3D Black Lash' Mascara
• Fake Eyelashes: MAC 36 Lash
• Eye Lash Glue: Any; I like MAC best. Duh

EYEBROWS

• Eye Brow Kit: Anastasia Beverly Hills Five Item Brow Kit (If you haven't colored in your brows, talk to someone about this kit at Nordstrom. I can't live without and it literally change the shape of my face. Amazing.)
  • Includes: Brow Shadow, Brow Brush, Brow Mascara + Tweezers

​
LIPS

• Lip Liner: MAC Redd Lip Pencel
• Lipstick: MAC Chili Lipstick
  

  4.  Apply eye shadow primer over the concealer (on eyelid all the way up to eyebrow). 
​
 5.  Apply eye shadow. I generally do a lighter, shimmery color on my eyelid. Blend. Then I add a darker, warm/brown color to the crease of my eye. Blend that in by making somewhat of a "V" shape, blending the crease and along the outer lash line, slightly with the color on the lid. Add one more color, slightly different but maybe in between the other two colors. Apply to the crease along that bone and down along lash line. ​*See image below for a similar look.

8. Apply lashes. Start by putting a dollop of lash glue on a tissue. Then trace the fake eye lash against the glue. Don't apply too much or too little glue. Be sure to apply a decent amount to corners of lash, especially (this is where the lash tends to fall off first, if at all). After applying glue, wave the lash in the air to dry for about 5 seconds, then bend the lash in a curved motion for flexibility, and apply. Be sure to apply lashes as close as you can to lash line! 
​
9. Apply remaining concealer to the bottom of eye and blend with a brush. I usually tap in a repetitive motion. *See image below for under-eye concealer application technique.

10. After you apply your concealer and have your eyes almost complete (with the exception of mascara and under eye liner/shadow), you will then do your foundation. I mix two foundation together - see the "PRODUCTS" list above for reference. I always use a blush and blend a decent amount, especially for family photos. I do more coverage than a daytime look. Blend foundation all over face, but be careful NOT to blend too much into where you have your concealer. You want a brighter look around your eyes, and a darker foundation look surrounding.

11. After you apply liquid foundation, I go in with the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder to set the foundation. I do this with a big, loose brush. Again, I am careful not to blend too much of this into the "concealer" parts of my face.

12. Next, apply bronzer. You will need to know how to contour!!! This is very important to bronzer application.  Contouring shapes your face and really makes your cheekbones and other sexy parts of your face "pop." I highly recommend learning how to contour. See the below image for more info. The "contouring" part, or where you apply the bronzer is along the darker dots. I use MAC Mineralize Bronzer. Using a brush, I make round motions along the designated areas you see in the photo. If the bronzer looks to "stark", you can go over it again with the powder brush to blend.

13. Apply blush. I used MAC Powder Blush in the color "PEACES". I apply blush by smiling in the mirror and putting it on the round part of my cheeks, slightly above where you contoured with the bronzer.

15. Next, apply a highlighter to your cheekbone in a sideways "V" shape - along your cheekbone (above blush) and up to your eyebrow. Highlighters make ALL the difference, girlfriend. Don't skip this step. See below for more info on where to apply a highlighter. I use MAC Mineralize Skinfinish. It is the BOMB highlighter. I also apply highlighter down the top of my nose (lightly), on the tip of my nose and around the top of my lips. Sometimes I also apply to the inner corner of my eyes, just under my brows and to the center part of my forehead AND maybe even the butt of my nose. Man, I love highlighter.

16. Next, do the eyebrows. This is also a very important step because eyebrows shape your face. I plucked the heck out of mine and almost NEED to color in my eyebrows everyday. Watch a brow tutorial if you need to and look at the above images (and on Pinterest) for eyebrow inspiration. Below is the basic idea. I could do a full post on brows - so just look it up this time around!

17. Go back to your eyes and you'll notice you'll need something under your eyes. I always go in with a lighter color eyeshadow to set the concealer and to make my eyes pop. I generally use Brule from MAC or some other lighter beige/white color. I also put the shadow on the inner part of my lower eye lid. Next, apply a darker shadow at or just under (depending on your eye shape/what look you're going for) your lower lash line. I used a brown shadow. I apply it from the outer corner of the eye, and not all of the way in. If you apply too far in, it'll "close up" your eyes. I like a doe-y, bright-eyed look, so I avoid the inner corner of my eye.

18. Next, apply a light coat of mascara to the top (you have lashes on so you don't need to overdo the mascara). Also apply a decent coat to the bottom lashes.

19. Now for the lips. Apply the REDD liner, tracing the outer shape of your lips. I always color in the corners of my lips both on the right and left side, upper and lower. Then I add CHILI to the center of my lips. Be careful not to apply red lipstick too early because it may bleed. I applied it literally right before we got out of the car. 

Presto, Gorgeous Mama!

I won't get into details about hair because everyone has different hair. All I know is that I wanted to make a statement with my hair this year. Like I said earlier, I don't often get to dress up and "go all out" with my hair and makeup, so why not have fun? Thus, for our holiday card shoot, I wore extensions. My hair isn't this long normally and having lost a ton of hair after birthing my son, V,  I wanted to add back some volume and length.

When I use extensions, I use clip-in extensions. For this shoot, I used two large strands. Before I put the extensions in, I washed and blow-dried my hair. I then put in rollers (not hot rollers -- yet, just regular rollers) to the crown of my head to add some volume. I wore these around the house while I played with the kids. Before I started my makeup, I then put in hot rollers, just to the crown of my head. If you can't tell, I really wanted volume.

After I took the rollers out, I added the extensions in, then used a thicker curling wand to lightly curl the remainder of my hair. I wanted a loose and natural wave. At last, I added Euphora Hair Spray. Ummmm, it's the best hair spray ever. It keeps the shape and doesn't weigh down your hair.

Funny story. I tried to convince Ryan, my husband, to do a pajama Christmas Card shoot. He totally denied me, saying that he wouldn't be caught dead doing a serious pajama shoot in the middle of a Christmas tree farm. Don't worry guys, I'm going to get him to do it, eventually. Anyways, because he denied my pajama idea, I needed something to wear so I went shopping. Yep, that's what he gets :)

I found my entire outfit online. It is so much easier to shop online than to go to the store. With kids it is nearly impossible to have an enjoyable and successful shopping experience, and I also find it is harder to find the things that I need in the store.  

If you are in the market for a holiday outfit, Revolve has the absolute cutest stuff and the most variety of options. I knew I wanted plaid, and they had like a zillion options. I also wore Spanx under my dress, just to keep it real. And, I wore the Lagos pearl earrings that the hub got me for my bday. Below are my outfit details:

Get your nails done! Not sure about you, but I feel so much prettier and more glamorous when I get my nails done. True story, I took BOTH boys to the nail salon with me the day of our holiday card shoot. I was desperate. I hadn't gotten my nails done in months and really, really, really wanted to feel pretty. I gave Lincoln my iPhone and played one-handed with V and also held him some of the time. The guy doing my nails also ended up holding him for a period of time. Serious. They were so nice and it was so worth it. Mama needed a mani/pedi. I chose a warm grey color; did gel on my nails and regular polish on my toes. Y'all, it makes a difference. Do it.

Since I went through postpartum depression/anxiety, I have gotten really into exercise. And not just walking/running here and there, like full-on hardcore exercise. It makes me feel like a million bucks and works wonders on my mind. Not only is it good for my psychological well-being, it also gives me energy like you wouldn't believe. I have come to know and love hardcore exercise and I highly recommend that you exercise on days that are important to you. Because why? Because you will feel your best.

For me personally, our holiday card shoot was important for many reasons. It is a memory that I will remember forever. We took the kids out to a magical Christmas Tree farm and created once-in-a-lifetime memories. I wanted to feel good and I wanted to have energy. The number one thing that helps me achieve those feelings is exercise.

In addition to mentally feeling great on such an important day, I wanted to look good and exercise helps me achieve a nice glow and literally makes me look/feel happier - which ultimately shows through in photos. 

Last but not least, try and eat healthy a few days before the shoot. You'll also want to ensure that you eat healthy the day of the shoot. I opt for green smoothies. Another important part of looking and feeling healthy is hydration. Drinking enough water will make you feel good, give your energy and also help you GLOW. If you want that beautiful glow, drink up!

Courtesy of Half Bake Harvest.