First Day of School Outfits

As I write this blog post I am not sure if G will have a first day of school or what exactly it all entails. We have been told Cash will have preschool in the fall. I am hoping that if G has virtual school a couple days a week I can work that out with C schedule. That way I can be able to help G with his school one on one when C is at school. If they say G school will all be virtual I most likely will home school. This is my worst nightmare. I am not a home school mom, nor am I for home schooling at all. 

Anyhow I am hoping everyone will have school. I bought them first day of school outfits with a positive attitude that we will be going to school!

I first found G outfit at Carter's. He loves dinosaurs, so I thought I would find something he loved to maybe help his nerves. The turquoise polo will bring out his blue eyes too. He will look so darling! Carter's showed the shorts with a coral colored polo too. I am tempted to get him that polo as an additional outfit. 

I found C outfit randomly at TJ Maxx on clearance. Both boys will get to wear dinosaurs for their first day of school! This is a first day of preschool outfit only. White on a preschooler is never a good idea. I learned very quickly with G that you don't send kids to preschool in their best clothes because they come back with paint and markers all over them. 

Outfit Details:

Cash Outfit: 
Carters 

G's Outfit: 
Polo
Shorts

10 things to do besides social media!

Social media can just take over your life. It has a way of sucking you in to scrolling and scrolling...wait...there went an hour or more. Instagram stories can be a time suck for me. 

I have actually unfollowed people because some bloggers are always telling us what we need to buy. I would think oh I neeeeeed that shirt or shoes. I felt I HAD to have it. I have a closet full of stuff that and I honestly don't need anything...well I honestly could use a new navy and white striped tee because mine is worn out. lol

Here is my list of things you can do besides spending it on social media.

1. Write in a gratitude journal

I really try to write in a journal each morning. I write down 10 things I am grateful for and 10 things I will make happen. My grateful things can be as simple as no one woke up last night, coffee, our home, snuggling with my boys, tacos. I just write down simple things that I am grateful for in that moment. 

I have a ongoing list of things I write that I will make happen. I try not to put a time limit on these things. As the past year has gone on some of those things have happened and they have been removed from the list. I write down each day I am a good mom. I feel it's important to start off the day thinking I am a good mom. It helps keep my intention good to take time to be a good mom. Work on my keeping my cool when I am frustrated. 

I love looking back over the past year of things I have wrote down. 

2. Read a book or listen to an audio book

I got on a roll after I finished watching all 16 seasons of Grey's Anatomy of listening to audio books. I listened to like 15 books in a few months. Our local library has an app called OverDrive where you can borrow audio books for FREE! A lot of popular books you have to go on a waiting list for, but if you have to wait a few weeks who cares again they are FREE! 

3. Go on a walk 

I have started walking again. When I worked in San Francisco I walked almost every single day on my lunch break. I would walk to AT&T Park and back to the office. It was close to a 2 mile round trip walk. I looked forward to that walk every day. I even went when it was raining. 

I like to listen to an audio book or a podcast while I walk. I always find if I am enjoying to what I am listening to it helps the walk go by so much faster. Walking is so much easier on my body than doing cardio. My fatigue gets much worse when I do a very strenuous exercise. 

4. Do a brain dump!

Have you ever tried doing a brain dump in a journal or notebook? When Covid first started I was so anxious. My brain was going 100 MPH. One day I just started writing in a notebook everything that was on my mind. Getting it put on paper helped me relax and be able to sort out my thoughts. It's a great way to make lists of things you want to do, goals, get things off your chest. 

5. Do Yoga or stretching

Chris Freytag has some 10 minute yoga and stretching exercises on her website www.gethealthyutv.com that are FREE! I love Chris! I just find her to be a very motivation trainer. I also like that she does the workouts with you. It drives me up the wall when trainers are always working on showing you how to do moves and don't do the workout. How about you show us how to do the workouts by DOING THEM!!!! 

Yoga or stretching will not only help your body, but it will help your brain too! If you want to try some of the 10 minute workouts you can find them HERE. 

6. Go play with your kids or dog 

My kids absolutely LOVE it when I play with them. If I take 10 minutes to wrestle with them they are ecstatic. I spent some time with Cash wrestling around and he was giggling the whole time. He likes to punch people in the face while you wrestle. This was a good time to teach him to punch me in the arm not my face. lol

G loves to play games. Taking the time to play a game with him completely changes his mood. My boys are the ones who will remember when I have taken time to play with them not the influencers on social media posting crap. Those people won't care that I watched their stories 5 years from now, but my boys will sure remember! 

7. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee! Even if your kids are running around, your at work, or whatever is going on take a few minutes to just enjoy the moment with a cup of tea. I have been enjoying a cup of tea at night after the boys are in bed. I will sit in bed drinking the tea and relax. 

8. Go declutter that cabinet or drawer

Take the 15-20 minutes to go organize that cabinet or drawer that has been driving you crazy! Organizing a space will help you feel so much better each time you see it!

9. Plan our your outfits for the next week

Wear stuff you that has been hanging in your closet unworn for ages. If you put the item on and don't like it then add it to your donate pile. This is a great way to wear stuff you forgot about, get rid of stuff because you don't like the fit of it and shop your own closet! 

Do you really need that new shirt you found at Target? What accessories could you add to the outfit to make it pop?

10. Put on a charcoal mask and listen to some of your favorite music

Does music ever take you back to a place when you use to listen to that song? The other day a song came on the radio and I remembered instantly where I was driving and how I was feeling when I heard it for the first time. 

I have been listening to the old The Chick's music. Man that first Chick's cd brings back so many memories. I loved it and I still do. I have so many great memories listening to their music. I went to their concert so many times with friends too. 

What are some things you enjoy doing to avoid getting sucked into social media?

Boys 4th of July Outfits

My boys love to match clothing. I realize my time is short to do this because it won't be long where they will be against it! They love to wear matching pajamas even. Cash insisted on getting his army pjs the other night because G had his on. 

Usually if I see things I like for them in both their sizes I grab them. G is about to outgrow the toddler sizing. We are actually pushing it with 5T clothing. When I saw these polka dot shorts at Target I thought they would be adorable for the 4th of July. Thankfully they had them in both sizes, so I grabbed them. 

Cash has some 4th of July shirts and an outfit that G wore, but let's have them match! I also like to have them match when we go places. It is less taxi on my brain to think what is G wearing and what is C wearing? So I put them in the same colors, so I just need to look for 2 boys wearing blue or red. 

G wasn't a fan of fireworks until he turned about 4. He liked to watch them, but he didn't want to touch them. I started buying glow sticks for him to have something to hold while I did sparklers. I LOVE sparklers! 

I found these adorable glow sticks in the bulleyes section at Target. I also found the sunglasses there. The boys love to wear sunglasses....although G can't wear them anymore since he wears regular glasses. Ooopps! If he decides he wants to wear them he can take his glasses off for a little bit to wear them.

Outfit Details:

Shirts: Carters
Shorts: Target 
Sunglasses & glow sticks: Target Bulleye Section

Monday Thrive!

I know I haven't blogged in ages! I had a lot of stuff going over the past few months. I just needed to take a break.

1) I thought I would share a couple of recent purchases from Amazon. Who hates bra shopping? It kills me to spend $40-100 on a bra that will last for about 6 months. Ugh! Not only do they not last that long, but the process of trying to find one to fit is the biggest pain ever! I usually buy my bras from Lane Bryant. They fit me the best, quality is great and you can find a sale most of the time.

Well I decided to take a chance with Amazon and order this bra for $16.99. The nice thing with Amazon Prime is you can return things if they don't work. Well this bra is AMAZING!!!! I noticed the price keeps changing. Watch it and you can get it for under $20. Once the first one fit great I ordered a second one!

2) I don't think it's a secret how much I love coconut oil! I use that stuff all the time. I use it to take my eye make up off every night. I have been using it over my eczema before I put the other cream on it. It really has helped heal my skin nicely! I use it to cook the majority of the time. 

Amazon had a full gallon on for $17.99. Normally I buy it at Costco where it is $17.99 for half that amount. I was sooooo excited when my sister told me about this deal. I quickly ordered a gallon! I think this should last us for a few months. 

3) I have spent the past 3 months going through every closet, cupboard, dresser, shelf in this house getting rid of stuff. I decided in 2018 we were going to live simpler. Why do we have so much stuff sitting in cupboards just taking up space? Stuff we never ever use. I have taken sooooo much stuff to the thrift store lately. I think I have taken about 10 car loads. That is just awful! I have sold some things. Just the thought of trying to deal with a garage sale was exhausting. I haven't missed one thing that I have donated. I mean can you really miss things that have sat in the back of a closet for years? It is also so nice to open a cupboard or closet and see space.

4) I have been following Emily Ley on Facebook and Instagram. She has such great tips to simply life. Normally I do all our laundry on the weekend. I sort piles and do 3-5 loads on Saturday. I hate this and have for awhile. I mean the last thing I want to do on the weekend is laundry. I don't know why it's more irritating to me on the weekend then during the week. Well Emily suggested doing 1 load of laundry a day. Just grab whatever clothes are dirty, don't sort, use color safe detergent, put the washer on a short load and do 1 load a day. I started doing this around the first of the year. I don't have enough laundry with 3 people to do a load a day. I try to do it when the basket is looking a little full. It's so nice not to have this take up my weekend. Art doesn't ever run out of work shirts. G doesn't run out of pants. That boy goes through a lot of pants during the week.

Emily also says complete the entire load of laundry. You can just wash & dry it and leave it in a basket for week. You do everything all at one time. When it's done washing move it to the drier and as soon as it's dry fold and put it away! I have always been good about folding it right out of the drier. I do not like to iron or steam stuff. If I take it right from the drier it is very unlikely I have to iron or steam things.

5) I have a large closet that is FULL of clothes. When I worked I always wanted TONS of options. After I lost weight I bought a lot of clothes. It was soooo nice to be able to just go into any store and buy clothes. This was a new exciting thing for me. Now I stay home and I wear jeans almost every day. I have been going through my closet and getting rid of stuff. Stuff I know I don't even like, doesn't fit right and stuff I am just over. I have gotten rid of a TON of stuff.

I turned all my hangers around with all my shirts. When I wear one of them I put the hanger back in the correct way. It has helped me wear stuff I don't always wear. It is also helping me to see things I probably won't ever wear again. I want to give it a good 6 months before I decide on things. With the different seasons I can't get rid of short sleeve shirts in the winter.

When I have less clothes it is easier to get dressed. There is less stuff distracting me as to what to wear. I also sort all my clothes by colors. All my tshirts are in one section, all my button up or dressier tops in another section and my cardigans in one section. I keep everything sorted.

I am not including my dresses or skirts in the backward hanger challenge. I only wear them when it's warm. I have so few that I don't feel I need to get rid of any right now. I have gotten rid of a TON of dresses and skirts lately. Stuff that I wore to business meetings at work. Thing I don't see myself wearing. Even if I went back to work I would need to update somethings.

Nordstrom Trunk Club Review

I recently received a Nordstrom Trunk in the mail. I haven't gotten one for over a year. If you aren't familiar with the Trunk Club it is a really great service through Nordstrom. It's a personal styling service where you work with a stylist. My stylists name is Hannah and I really like her! I am going to say this right away. The first 1-2 boxes were a little rough. It took my stylist a little bit to understand my price points and my style. Now that she gets those things she sends some amazing stuff. She also sends stuff out of my comfort level too. I like this because I am not sure I would ever try certain things if she didn't help me think outside the box. 

You are able to preview the box of items prior to them being sent. Sometimes I will decline things. I send links to other clothing or shoes and ask for them to be sent to me. I have told Hannah that I do not need anymore scarves, so she doesn't add them to my box. Seriously I have enough scarves for like 10 people. Now that I am a stay at home mom I don't want fancy things. I need kid friend clothes. I do like to invest in a pair of designer jeans. They last and are very comfortable! I bought a pair of Joe boyfriend jeans I wear a lot. They are the most comfortable pair of jeans. In my last box Hannah sent a pair of Hudson jeans. I still kind of wish I had kept them! They fit amazing, but also were sooooo soft. When you pay for denim they are so much softer than the cheap pairs. 

You can try the Trunk Club HERE. 

Here are the items I received in my box. I will try to link everything back. I am sorry most of these pictures are dark. I am struggling with lighting in my bedroom. 

I really like this top, but I felt part of it hit me in a weird place. If it had been a little longer on me I would have kept it. It was super soft!  These are the jeans I talked about above. Amazing jeans!!!! 

Twist Front Cozy Fleece Pullover

Colette Step Hem Skinny Jeans

I am actually getting this tee in a different size with my next box. I loved it, but it was a little too long for me. If I folded it under it worked great, but I would like to be able to wear it out. I will let you know how the next size works for me. 

LS SIDE SLIT TEE

This was a cute sweater. I just can't do short sleeve sweaters. In the winter I need long sleeves. I felt this defeated buying a sweater if I have to lay another item over it. 

Layered Look Cable Sweater

This was the item that was out of my comfort level, but I decided to try it anyhow. I keep seeing these big sleeve sweaters, sweatshirts and various other types of tops all over blog land. I decided to give it a try. I just couldn't do it! I felt like I had wings. I could have flapped my wings chasing a toddler around. lol

FLARE SLEEVE SWEATER

I have tried peplum tops so many times. I think they are darling on other people, but I just can't pull it off for me. I feel like it makes my hips and midsection look weird. I have a peplum just like this that I still haven't worn, so I sent this one back.

LONG SLEEVE PEPLUM CREW

This top was sooo comfortable!!! It was soft! It was short on me though. I didn't feel it was mom friendly. If I bent over it didn't cover anything. I tried this on numerous times trying to make it work. 

'Hanna' Split Neck Knit Top

When I saw these shoes I was like yuck! These are just gross! I tried them on anyhow. They were soooooo comfortable!!!! I feel I could have walked 50 miles in them and my feet wouldn't have been sore. I considered keeping them. I just didn't feel they were for fall. If they make these without the frayed-jute espadrille trim I would buy them in a second!!! 

Jinnie Platform Sneaker

Here are a few other items I received that I did not photograph.

The knit tee I didn't take a picture of was white and VERY sheer. I have asked Hannah to send it to me in some other colors. It is coming in my next trunk! 

Long Sleeve Slub Knit Tee 

The item I kept was the sneakers! They are blush pink! I just love them. They are super comfy. I think they will be great for fall! I need some comfortable shoes for the cooler temperatures that are suppose to come our way at some point. 

'Gazelle' Sneaker

If you are interested in trying out the Trunk Club click HERE. 

Let me know if you try a Trunk Club and your thoughts! 

Monday Thrive August 28

1) I have always loved back to school stuff in the stores. I love school supplies. It's been a long time since I have been in school or needed to buy school supplies. When I see school supplies on sale for $.25 for a box of crayons I think I need to buy like 10 of them. lol I do try to avoid that area of the store because honestly how many pens or boxes of crayons does one person need? 

G is now going to preschool, but we don't have to take any supplies. He will be going 2 days for 3 hours a day. All supplies are provided and snacks, so we just send him in play clothes. They do lots of art and play outside a lot. He comes home usually with paint and dirt all over himself. I learned very quickly do not send him in cute good clothes. They won't make it! One of his sweatshirts still has red paint on the sleeve. That will be his school jacket from now on. lol

2) During Nordstroms Anniversary Sale I bought the Barefoot Dreams circle cardigan. I wasn't sure about it, but I had heard so many great reviews about Barefoot Dreams items. I decided to order one. If I hated it I would just return it. OMG! This thing is the softest thing in the world! I wish I had ordered another color. I wear it all the time! I really want the mink one next! 

I also discovered for the first time probably in my entire life I actually need a black cardigan. The black and mink cardigans are going on my wish list! I will be ordering another one of these next year during the sale. 

3) I started listening to Jen Hatmaker podcasts when I was flying back from ND. I LOVE this podcast!!!!!! Her recently one with Brene' Brown is a must listen too! Sometimes I need something uplifting. This podcast is exactly that! I always feel so much better about what is going on in my life after listening to Jen. She makes you feel like you are doing your best and your best is good enough!

4) The hurricane/flooding in Texas is so very sad! Last year Art and I went to the Houston area to look at possibly moving there. Maybe one day we will, but right now we aren't. The area that is flooding is right where we looked at moving. I saw pictures of MD Anderson the medical facility I want to go to. It is terrible! The place that helps thousands of people is flooded. It's really heart breaking to see MD Anderson flooded! I know so many people that go there. They are one of the few places that understand Medullary Thyroid Cancer and actually help people fight this ugly cancer. Lots of thoughts and prayers for everyone dealing with this catastrophe. 

5) I am not sure if I shared these paleo chocolate chip cookies on the blog in the past. Sometimes you just need chocolate chip cookies even when you are eating as healthy as possible. These cookies are amazing! My dad even liked them which says a lot. He thinks I eat the craziest stuff. If you want something healthy, non-dairy and paleo these are your go to cookies! I actually haven't bought the ingredients for them because I can't avoid them. 

I hope everyone has a great week!

OOTD August 2

I have been trying to pull out my dresses and wear them more this summer. The weather has been super hot, so it's either a dress or shorts. I bought this green dress from Old Navy a few years back when they had a special on them for $5. It hung in my closet for the past few years. I just took the tag off of it. This dress is a knit material. I have a similar one in the same color, but it is made out of a cotton material. I usually start off with a cardigan, but once the heat starts up off the cardigan comes. 

It is such a comfortable dress! Also a great length for chasing a toddler around. I wish I had it in more colors. 

Dress: Old Navy

Cardigan: NY & Co

Sandals: Tory Burch

I have been wearing some of my cotton shirts with the sleeve rolled up. They can be a great shirt to wear with shorts on days when it's in the 70's. When the temperatures are warmer these shirts don't work. I bought these gray shorts from Old Navy earlier this year. I really love them and wear them a lot. 

Shirt & Shorts: Old Navy

Flip Flops: Havaianas

As you can see the cotton shirts are very versatile. You can wear them with shorts like I did above or you can wear them with jeans and a vest like I did below. The shirt would also look cute with white jeans and a denim jacket when the weather is cooler. 

Shirt & Vest: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: gifted

I have a few Lularoe Irma's that are too big on me since I lost some weight. I really love my black & white Irma, so I haven't gotten rid of it. I decided to use a rubberband to tie the side. This helped with the extra material, so it wasn't all baggy on me anymore. 

Shirt: Lularoe

Jeans: American Eagle

Flip Flops: Havaianas

The majority of these clothes are all old, so I can't find links for them. 

OOTD June 30

Happy Friday! I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend!

I really love the Carly Lularoe dresses! They are so comfy. My cousin Mary Kate sells Lularoe and carries the Carly dress. I linked her Facebook group. This dress looks like it hits below my knee but it is the angle of the picture. This dress hits right at the knee. I am wearing a size small for reference. 

I bought these Tory Burch Miller Sandals last year in a camel color. They are so very comfortable and versatile. They go with everything! They were a splurge, but I feel I will have these for a very long time. I would rather pay a little more for an item when it will last me for years then to spend $20-40 each year on sandals. I might as well have spent a little more on something instead of replacing it every year. 

Lularoe Carly Dress

Tory Burch Sandals 

These leopard Tory Burch Miller's are on my wish list! They are amazing and I could get so much use out of them. I love leopard!!!! 

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is coming in about 2 weeks! I can't wait! I bought the sweater in the picture below last year. I got so much use out if it! It is the perfect length! It is very cozy too! I am hoping they have something similar to this in another color! I will be scooping up another one. 

My top is a Lularoe Classic Tee. Again you can shop with my cousin Mary Kate to find great Lularoe items! I really love this mauve colored tee! It is perfect to wear with gray. 

I am wearing my favorite American Eagle jeans. I linked a similar pair below. I wear these things so much! I have 3 pairs of jeans I wear lately. One pair is from AE and the other 2 from Gap. 

  

Gray Cardigan: Nordstroms
Tee: Lularoe
Jeans: American Eagle
Flats: Lucky Leopard 

This is my other pair of jeans that I wear Gap boyfriend jeans. I bought these a really long time ago. Maybe 4-5 years ago. They have held up amazing. They don't get a saggy butt after you wear them. They have a little distressing, but it's very minimal. I think I paid about $30 for them. Well worth the money! 

The white tee I bought for $3.50 at Old Navy on clearance. It's really a great tee! The cardigan is old from Old Navy. I think I have had it 3-4 years. These items are staple pieces in my closet. I get a lot of wear out of them since they are so versatile with the items in my closet. 

Tee & Cardigan: Old Navy 

Jeans: Gap

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post OOTD appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant.

Monday Thrive

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a nice weekend! It has been soooo hot for us. It has been running in the high 80's. Thankfully it has been cooling off at night, so the house cools off too. 

1) I have been going to the thrift store for the past year and a half to buy G jeans. I usually buy him 1-2 pair from Gap. I buy him 5-7 pairs for play at the thrift store. I usually can buy them for about $1.50-$2 a pair. Depending on the brand and condition I will pay up to $4 a pair. 

I have a system I use when I am at the thrift store. I start a pile of his current size, must have an adjustable waist, straight leg and the knees need to look good. If they don't fit those requirements they stay on the rack. Once I have a pile I then go through my pile and pick out the best pairs. I went to the thrift store last weekend and I was able to score 5 pairs for $11. One pair is a 5T, but they were in really great condition for only $2.25. If the jeans get ruined for whatever reason I am not upset because I got a deal on them. 

2) I recently bought a new tumblers. I don't want to use plastic cups anymore, so I bought a stainless steal one on Amazon. It's a Haute 30 oz tumbler in a light pink. Let me just say this thing is AMAZING! I left it in the car twice on days when it was 80 degrees for up to 4 hours. I had ice water in the cup. When I returned to the car there was still ice in the thing! 

I bought these straws to go with my tumbler. I really like them. When I run the dishwasher I just through the straws in. I have enough to rotate. 

The instructions for the tumbler said not to put it in the dishwasher. I have been diligent about hand washing each time. I love this thing! It is worth the money especially for the summer! I took it with me to the zoo last week. It fits in my stroller cup holder. I had nice cold ice water through our entire zoo visit. If you know me then you know I drink A LOT of water. Water is so important for your health! Make sure you are getting your water in each day. 

3) I have talked about BeautyCounter's Mattifying Powder during a previous Monday Thrive. I have to say again how much I just love it. This past weekend like I said it was really hot. One morning I didn't put any powder on after I did my make up. Usually I put on my concealer, then put on some powder. Once I have completed all my eye make up right before my mascara I also put on the powder. I have noticed it helps my mascara stay in place better all day. Well I noticed a HUGE difference by not using it at all one day. Possibly from the heat too but I looked like a raccoon half way through the day. I don't have a problem with my eye make up coming off if I use the powder. 

4) Can we talk about toddlers and straws? Why do they need to bite the ends of them? This cup was like 5 minutes old and already the straw was destroyed. A week later this same straw is bitten up half way down. I had to buy more sippy cups since we stopped using bottles. It has been 3 weeks since we took his bottles away. He doesn't ask for them anymore. Once in awhile he will mention them. If he wants milk he is happy to have it in a cup. 

5) I took Bart to work almost every day for 7 years. I usually had a good store about the riders at least once a week. You do become immune to the insanity going on around you. I learned very early on to put headphones on or I would end up being highly annoyed every day on my commute. I don't have patience for nonsense in the mornings and some of these folks - holy cow!  Well last week I took G to San Francisco. On the way home we were at one of the stations. I looked to see some person sleeping on a bench, but they had so kindly taken their shoes. It cracked me up! They weren't on their couch. People walk all over those benches, so they could have kept their shoes on. 

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Monday Thrive appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant. 

Spring OOTD

I recently bought this tshirt on Etsy. I think the eyelash and lip shirts are really cute. I went out with a friend for drinks one night and wore this. I haven't worn a blazer in ages. I use to wear them all the time for work. I tried to find some similar booties like the ones I am wearing. I bought mine at Nordstrom Rack on a great deal! I found a couple pairs that are similar I linked below. 

Tshirt: Etsy

Blazer: Old from Target (similar)

Jeans: American Eagle

Booties: Nordstroms Rack (similar) (similar) 

I love these jeans! I wear them at least 3 times a week. Sometimes I have to force myself to wear something different. I have 2 pairs. I bought a pair at Gap and American Eagle. The pair from Gap I got for like $10. It was the only pair they had or I would have bought a second pair. I just love them because they are so comfy, cropped and they don't sag. I really like cropped jeans because I can wear them with booties, sandals or my converse. I don't have to roll them up at all. They are just perfect! 

I bought the sweater from Nordstrom Rack a few years back. It's a staple. Just a simple crewneck black comfy cardigan. I can't find anything on their website currently that is similar. You can find this type of sweater anywhere. Target even sells them. 

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack

Jeans: American Eagle 

Booties: Nordstroms Rack (similar) (similar) 

I recently bought this dress from Old Navy. I have been on the fence about this dress over the past year. I LOVE it, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear a form fitting dress. I decided that I needed to stop being over self conscious. This dress is the perfect dress for summer! It is comfy, cool and covers enough while chasing a toddler. I wore it recently when it was 89 degrees! We were dying from the heat. We went from the 60's to almost 90. I suggest you add it to your wardrobe! 

Dress: Old Navy

Sandals: Target (similar)

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Spring OOTD appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant.  

Monday Thrive!

Monday Thrive is back this week! I feel in order to have a good week I need a plan to make sure we all thrive! What are you planning to do this week to have a successful week? I plan our meals, activities, outfits, naps and when I can go get a sparkling water from Sonic. 

1) When my brother and I were little we use to love to watch Richard Simmons on tv. I remember 2 things we would beg to stay up late to watch. Around St. Patrick's Day Bonanza would have an episode with leprechauns. It was our favorite episode! The other thing we use to beg to watch is when Richard Simmons was on any late night tv show. We just loved him and would crack up laughing the entire time he was on. It actually wasn't that late where we lived when the shows came on. They usually where on around 9pm. I still look for the Bonanza episode occasionally with the leprechauns. 

I was looking for a new podcast and found Missing Richard Simmons. I decided to listen to it. I had listened to 4 episodes when he had was hospitalized a couple weeks ago. I still have 2 more episodes to go. I lost a little interest since I know he is actually ok. The podcast is really interesting about his life. I plan to finish it in the next week on my walks. 

2) I bought BeautyCounter's eyebrow pencil back in November. I use it every single day. I have barely used even half of the pencil in 5 months. The pencil costs $23. It really is a great deal for a brow pencil that lasts so long. I don't go out now without my eyebrows filled in and without eyeliner. It use to only be eyeliner. I have noticed such a difference in how my make up looks when I fill in my eyebrows. 

3) Art and I have been watching The Glades on Netflix. We have enjoyed watching a couple episodes every night. Well we finished it. It left us all hanging. They cancelled the show too. Ugh! So now we need a new show. Does anyone have a series they love? I am not a fan of zombie or horror type shows. I have wanted to watch Scandal. Any thoughts on the show? 

4) I really have been wanting mac & cheese, which isn't something that is paleo friendly. I really like Daiya products. I use their shredded cheese to make pizza. I use to buy their pizza, but I found a crust recipe I actually like better. Daiya products are my saving grace for the paleo life! I found the Daiya mac & cheese recently at Sprout's. I made it for dinner the other night. G LOVED it! He wouldn't eat anything else. He kept saying more mac & cheese mmmmmm. This really hit the spot! We will for sure be purchasing this for an occasional treat! 

5) I really love the lace cutout dresses. Lace isn't very toddler friendly. I found a Lularoe Julia dress that has a cutout look to it. The best part is I found an excellent deal on it. A rep was going out of business with reduced prices for about $20. It is such a comfortable dress! I will be wearing this a lot over the summer. I wore this when we went out to dinner the other night. 

I linked up with 

Carylee & Jenna

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Monday Thrive appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant.