Loving Lately - Springtime Edition

It has been a full, beautiful spring so far. Do you feel like the world is coming alive again, in more ways than just warm weather and yummy produce? I do!

Here is what I’ve been loving lately — What about you?

This top from Target (thanks, Lisa!)

Give me all the pastel colors, big sleeves, and gauzy fabrics for this warm weather! I saw Lisa post about this top on her blog in February and kept my eye out at Target. Is anyone else finding it hard to pull the trigger on clothing when you can’t try it on in-store? Thankfully, this top was totally worth the risk! It makes me feel instantly lovely and romantic, and is a color that really makes me feel happy!

On a more recent post of hers, Lisa mentioned she had posted a poll on an IG story asking if you feel like you dress in a way that is true to your personal style. 75% of the respondents said no, and I really resonated with that! Sometimes I want to edit my personal style to look like something I’ve seen on Pinterest, and I forget to follow a sense of joy or natural draw to pieces of clothing I see in the store. What are your thoughts on that?

This Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo from Whole Foods

Sensitive skin runs in my family, and one place that shows up on me personally is my scalp. While I don’t have dandruff or flaking, I do have dermatitis which results in a crazy itchy scalp. It has been my nemesis. It happens even if my hair is squeaky clean! And my desire to use more natural, non-toxic hair care products has made it even more difficult to find something that helps the itch.

Until recently, that is! Bye-bye stinky T-gel! I found a natural shampoo that has worked wonders for my scalp and hair! It is the PureZero Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo, which I stumbled upon in Whole Foods. It does not smell like ACV (but it does have a light added fragrance that is the last ingredient listed, meaning there is the least amount of that than all the other ingredients.) It has worked more effectively than T-gel or Head and Shoulders, which aren’t recommended to use during pregnancy anyways.

All things French-themed

This has been a little by accident, but I’m really loving it! In my heart, I’m always going to bend towards an idealized scene of being dressed casually-cool, reading a book at a tiny cafe table with a cappuccino and a croissant (just take a gander at my for early mornings inspo board on Pinterest, LOL!) And of all the countries John and I have visited together, France is our favorite. We can’t wait to go back!

I picked up a copy of French Kids Eat Everything a few months ago at my favorite thrift shop, enticed by the title and my current season of teaching a tiny child how to eat well. I love this book SO much! It is very similar to Bringing Up Bebe, in that it points out the drastic difference between how American children eat (really, what they eat and their behavior at the table), and how French children eat.

Le Billon does a more detailed look at the cultural aspects that really pour into healthy, happy food culture, not only for French children but in France as a whole. I haven’t been able to put it down!

I also have enjoyed watching The Daily Connoisseur on YouTube. She is the author of the Madame Chic book series, which I’ve not read, but I really like her vlogs! She comes at life in a poised, intentional, yet realistic and comfortable manner, and she has 4 kids, so I feel like she’s a reputable source of helpful life inspiration!

And can I just tell you this little life hack?? While you’re cooking dinner, put on some French Cafe music, like this playlist! I even added a song to the playlist I made for Griffin’s picnic party (A Spring Party) — it is just right!

Female Finance Advice

Ah, the budget. The dirty b-word. The thing that makes me instantly armor up, since I grew up in a home in which talking about money was like carefully tip-toeing across a minefield. I’m trying to put in the time and effort to 1) recognize my issues 2) own them — gotta let that light in — and 3) educate myself on how to pony up in my responsibility as an adult to understand and take hold of my finances instead of depending on marriage to glide me through. Anyone else relate?

I very much enjoyed learning from The Budgetnista through her recent interview on Jenna Kutcher’s podcast. While listening, I was instantly struck with the realization that I don’t connect as well hearing about finances from men. Hearing from a younger woman about finances who speaks in a way that feels conversational and relatable was so refreshing. She helped me to come to the realization that even though I’m married, I should approach ownership of our family finances as if I was a single person. It’s up to me to try to understand things and seek help and resources if I don’t.

I also really loved this podcast interview on Nancy’s podcast with Rachel Cruze, who happens to be the daughter of financial health guru Dave Ramsey. And while I attribute MANY positive and powerful tools that have helped me in my financial journey with Dave, there is, again, something about hearing from a woman that makes more sense for me.

One thing that struck me was her explanation of the 4 quadrants of financial environments, or “classrooms,” you may have grown up in. Mine? The Unstable Money Classroom - Verbally Open and Emotionally Stressed. So helpful to know! I want Griffin and baby #2 to grow up in a Stable Money Classroom - Verbally Open and Emotionally Calm. You can watch more about that in this interview - so good.

I’m looking forward to purchasing both of their newer books: Rachel’s new book Know Yourself, Know Your Money and The Budgetnista’s (Tifanny Alishe’s) new book Get Good with Money!

This lip color perfect for spring

There is something about a great coral lip color that will put the perfect pep in your springtime step. It plays off of the more subdued pastel pinks and blushes that are present across the board this time of year. Admittedly, I’ve been using a really old lipstick from Revlon but it is time to refresh with a more natural option. I’ve got my eyes on this Ere Perez colour pot (good for lips and cheeks!) in the color hello. Isn’t it gorgeous?

What makeup are you reaching for the most these days, if any?

My Spring Party Playlist

Guys, I’m gonna toot my own horn, because this playlist is so. so. good! I started building it for Griffin’s picnic party so we could have happy, springtime-y music that would be suitable for both adults and kids while everyone ate, talked, and played. It was absolutely perfect for the occasion and has been on constant rotation since then! I hope you enjoy!

How is your spring going so far? Anything in particular you are loving or looking forward to this season?

Source:

Coffee + Pastry / Coral Makeup / Hair / Mini Pies / Flowers / White Dress / Picnic / Window Reading / Strawberries