Five Things

When I first started my Five Things series, I intended to just randomly share, quite literally, five things of note. Whether it was a great meal, a new purchase, a one-off thought I had or something I was wanting to do. But over the past year or so it's really morphed into a round-up of my current favorite products—and mostly beauty, at that. Since my blog is so full of cute little quadlings and lots of mom-related talk, I figure that a style + beauty themed post now and then is a good change. And I do love my makeup and products, especially when it's something that works and I'm passionate about. 

So I revamped a little image to drop into each new Five Things post I share with y'all—which also will make it easier to pin these posts and share them—and look forward to lots of fun products and shares in this category. Keep in mind that some of the products I share might be new, but most of them are just things I've come across and added to my repertoire and love. I only include and talk about products that I've been using for probably at least a few months and I'm never compensated for my Five Things posts, inclusions or opinions. 

And before you ask, yes that's my bathroom counter in the photo below and yes, that's a note on my mirror that says "you look amazing." Because, let's face it, there are plenty of mornings when I stumble to my sink and get that first morning glance into the looking glass that I feel like I look a thousand times less than amazing. What you can't exactly see are the words written to the right of it in a light pink lipstick my husband found in my drawer. He added, "Love, Your Husband" because he likes to remind me that I look just fine. And, other than that initial glance of my just-awoken mug, I always end up believing him. ;)

1.) Eos shaving cream. Really never thought about trying this one until another blogger I read occasionally talked about it and I decided to give it a go. I really like their lip balms, so figured the shaving cream might be pretty nice. It's not a foam, it's almost more creamy and clay-like and it's been great on my skin and gives a nice, close shave without the occasional razor burn I used to get with typical shave creams. I liked it enough that I bought a new one when I ran out instead of moving on to the next thing!

2.) Keeping up with my kids and stressing out over something (or four or 12 things) every day definitely has upped my perspiration and I always am looking for a deodorant that can truly do its job and also smell nice and not fade away before my day is done. I actually already had Degree MotionSense Dry Spray in a different scent and was due for a refill so I opted to try the sheer powder scent and this one has been so awesome. Refreshing smell that has lasted all day long that even I'm impressed!

3.) With my new shorter 'do and my love of big hair, I picked up Big Sexy Hair's Powder Play during a Target run several weeks ago and was pleased at it's effect. Just a very light sprinkle on my roots has provided lift and fullness, even on second or third day old hair. Because a little goes a long way, this tiny container will last a long time. I sort of divide my hair into three layers horizontally and sprinkle across my roots on each layer than tousle my fingers through my hair to let it absorb. Style and go. Done!

4.) I have long been a fan of John Frieda products, especially anything in his beach style line, so when I spotted this Beach Blonde Cool Dip Purifying Shampoo during my same aforementioned Target trip I immediately added it to my cart. Obviously I was in my hair care restocking phase, as I'd just squeezed the last few drops out of my OGX Coconut Water shampoo. The mint smelled so good when I flipped open the top of the Cool Dip shampoo, and I loved how clean and light my hair felt after just the first use. It's meant to help detoxify hair and I think it truly achieves that. Plus the mint on your scalp feels heavenly and it has some detangler mixed in for less "knottiness" when you brush out your way.

5.) Did I mention I love John Frieda's beach hair products!? Because I really, really do. The Beach Blonde Sea Waves has been my go-to sea salt spray now ever since it hit shelves a little while ago. The Frieda line used to have the most amazing beach hair spray that I used religiously back when I was a teenager and then for some reason they quit making it. Finally, after all these years, they released one again. It's not as great as the original but it still beats out the million other brands I've tried. It's not overly sticky nor does it have too much gel in it that ends up making your hair crunchy instead of soft and wavy. Plus I can do some great styles or braids with my hair the day after using this because it provides such good texture and grip in your strands.

Now repeat the words "you look amazing" every morning until you believe it (or your makeup is done) and you'll start the day a little more ahead than you were...

Five Things

You know how you get so excited when you find a new product or outfit or beauty tip that literally makes your day? And then you love it so much you use it or eat it or wear it for, like, a month straight?! That's how I feel about these Five Things in my life right now, which I'm sharing below in no particular order. Except maybe the cookies. ;)

1. Sugar Coma Cookies. So I have this gal pal that I've known since we were tiny little kids. She and her twin sister and I used to pal around while our moms spent time together, as they've been long time friends, too. We both grew apart as we got into the adult years then reconnected when she was pregnant with triplets and I was pregnant with quadruplets. I mean, what are the odds, right?! Mary is super creative and highly talented, not just in motherhood, but in just about everything she sets out to do. Thus it's been no shocker that she started decorating sugar cookies one day and literally one year later, her sweet treats are the hot commodity! She created some beautiful cookies for my second annual QMBFF—short for "quad mom best friends forever"—trip and we just about died over them. So delicious and perfect to look at. (And more on that trip very soon, as it's one of the reasons I've been MIA lately!) The hearts represent my three girls and one boy, and she also made us QMBFF ones, too. Love, love, love this girl, her kiddos and her cookies!

2. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. I've probably blogged about these before, but they are the bomb.com! Easy to apply, lasts 10 days to two weeks and look like you spent hours on your nails! The geo-pattern I'm wearing above is the one I sported during my quad momma getaway. ;)

3. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in Dewy + Smooth. This fab stuff is my new go-to for the face. I was tired of dried out skin and not looking fresh, but this foundation literally makes my face look dewy and moisturized without being greasy or shiny. And it lasts all day! Tip: This looks extra good when I wear it with my fresh, peachy Milani blush in Luminoso. 

4. Signature Soy Island Coconut Candle. If you've been following my blog for a decent length of time, you'll no doubt be completely aware that I'm unashamedly (and immediately) in love with all things coconut! One of my quad mommas—who was hosting us during our trip in California—gifted us with bags full of goodies, including this awesome candle. I will be replacing it immediately after I have burned it all up! It makes my house smell like a fresh, beachy, coconut-laden haven. (Psssst: the Red Velvet Cupcake scent is another winner, and is one of my go-to gifts paired with a bottle of Cupcake Red Velvet wine.)

5. Printed Knit Palazzo Pant in Vintage Black. If you've checked out any of the links I've provided for all this stuff, you'll notice the Target trend I've got going on right now. Seriously, several of my cute new clothing items for summer are from Target and who doesn't find 458,453,940 things you don't need when you browse the aisles slow enough to admire everything!? These pants are soft knit, thin material so they're warm weather-appropriate, and have small pockets. I wore the vintage black patterned ones on the plane and loved them so much I bought a solid black pair, too, so I can pair it with turquoise or pink tops. Comfy, stylish and stretchy waist banded!

What's one of your most favorite things right now!?

Five Things - New Beauty Buys!

It's been awhile since I've done a Five Things post and I realized I'd gotten several new beauty items that I'm loving so here's my scoop on what's new on my bathroom counter!

1. Have you heard of the Wet Brush before? It's truly a miracle brush. My hair gets soooo tangled after I wash it. Every time. Doesn't matter what type of conditioner I use, if I comb it through while in the shower or not. But by combining a wonderful detangling spray (see #3) and this Wet Brush in a cool chevron print, it's a far less painful process to work out the knots and not pull my hair out in the process. This brush works so well on dry hair and even when my hair is curly, too, and it's been pretty much all I've used lately.

2. I'd run out of my daily face lotion that I use in the morning (I opt for coconut oil at night before bed—there's so many uses for that stuff!), so I was in the market for a refill. I was about to go for my usual when I spotted Neutrogena's new Hydro Boost Water Gel and threw it into my cart. Because of our super cold weather, I'd had two dry spots on my face for a couple weeks that I just couldn't get rid of and less than 48 hours with this new gel they were gone. So, needless to say, this is my new fav lotion for muh face.

3. As I mentioned, tangled hair is my nemesis post-shower and this stuff is amazing for beating the knots. And it doesn't make my hair oily or greasy looking after everything's dried.

4. I'm not a big-time essential oil user, but I do have a couple in my arsenal that get a regular rotation. I took a small spray bottle from the $1 bins at Target's beauty section and filled it with about 36 drops of lavender oil and then water for a bedtime pillow spray. Smells divine and truly helps me relax after lights out. I also take a few drops to my face when my allergies are killing me (above eyebrows, down the nose bone and across each cheek). This stuff also works great in a wax warmer, as would any scent of oil. I add one tablespoon of coconut oil—the high heat oil lasts very well in the warmer—and 8-10 drops of essential oil and my house smells amazing. 

5. Last but not least, every gal is always in search of the perfect deodorant, am I right? I use coconut oil a lot but for the days I'm getting in a serious workout or I'm literally running my ass off chasing after the kids, I need something that's not gonna fail me. I snatched up one of Degree's new spray-ons and love it already. 

And now that I've solved all your face lotion and deodorant choosing problems, you're free to enjoy your weekend ;)

{Five Things}

1. OGX Quenched Sea Mineral Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner - I'm easily sold on anything with an ocean-inspired scent and I already loved the OGX brand (formerly Organix), so when I spotted their new line of shampoos and conditioners that came out earlier this year, I stocked up. I love the sea mineral shampoo and conditioner for the moisturizing effect it has on my hair and it smells good between washes, which is usually a 2-3 day span for me. 

2. Rimmel 60 Second Nail in I Lilac You - Normally there isn't time or necessity for me to have my nails painted. But I've been a longtime user of Rimmel's 60 Second polish so I grabbed a fresh shade of lilac and put some on and it took about five minutes to apply and dry and lasted about four days. Not bad! Plus I got several compliments on the hue.

3. Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes in Grapefruit - These are great for a quick freshen up in the middle of the day or after a workout, or for a quick face clean at night if I haven't worn any makeup that day (which, let's be honest, is way too frequent). Love the smell, the soft after-effect and the time-saver!

4. Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - I've talked about my love of Coconut Oil before—I use it for face lotion, undereye cream, burn, scrapes and insect bite relief and more. And now I've begun using it for deodorant! A friend of mine told me she'd started using it for that purpose so I gave it a whirl. A pea-sized amount applied to the underarm in the morning and I smell fresh all day long!

5. TRESemmé Treatment Split Remedy Conditioning Spray - Because I have naturally curly hair, it sometimes takes awhile to get all the kinks brushed out after I shower. So I pretty much always have a conditioning or detangler spray on hand. The one I'd been using for years is no longer available (hate when that happens), so I recently picked this up at Target. I've always liked the TRESemme brand and this was no exception. It's lightweight and non-greasy and gives my hair the extra nourishment and detangling it needs. Plus it's budget-friendly!
Thanks for reading along this edition of Five Things!

{Five Things} Quad Squad Edition

1. The Pout-Pout Fish - This is the quad's favorite book, they ask for it to be read every night and you'll often find them with it in the play room flipping through the pages and doing their best to mimic the words they hear mommy and daddy read. It was a gift from a dear blog reader and has become a very loved tome in our house. So loved, in fact, that I just ordered another book in the Pout-Pout Fish series on Amazon this weekend!

2. Toddler Shades - I would never have believed that my fab four would actually keep their sunglasses on but something magical happened this summer and they're obsessed with wearing their shades when we go out! Splash pads, walks around the neighborhood, trips to the park—they're all for putting on the eye gear. They even ask for them specifically ("Gasses, mommy, sun gasses pease!") when we're getting ready to leave. I've bought our whole stash of toddler shades from Target, both the Carter's  brand and the $1 section.

3. Oreo Birthday Cake Flavor - If you haven't tried these Oreos yet, you haven't fully lived. I don't even like Oreos and I love these. The flavor literally tastes like a piece of birthday cake and the quads are such big fans of them that they now refuse to eat any other type of Oreo. Usually. ;)

4. Poke-A-Dot!: Who's in the Ocean? - The kiddos received two of these Poke-A-Dot books for their birthday from our fellow quad buddies and they've been an instant hit ever since. I'd never seen these books before and love the quality, the various learning opportunities they provide (colors, counting, animals, etc.) and the fact that one book can keep even Bam Bam occupied for 30 minutes straight. Amazing. The little pop "buttons" are much akin to bubble wrap and make a small popping noise when you push them in, then you turn the page and start all over!

5. Paw Patrol Racers - All four of my crew love Paw Patrol, but Harrison is the show's biggest fan. The Nick Jr. cartoon is still fairly new so there's not a lot of gear out for it yet, but Toys R Us does have a small line of supplies available. I snatched up the three available Paw Patrol cars for just $4.99 each and he play with them every single day. Success!

What are your tots loving these days?

{Five Things} Charcoal Cleanser, Blush Sticks & More

I haven't bought new skin care products in awhile, other than lotion, so I was excited to see that Ulta and Target had a few things on the shelves I'd been wanting to try. Here's what I picked up and am loving right now!

1 & 2: These wonderful Freeman Feeling Beautiful face masks are easy on the wallet at just $3.99 and at Ulta, they were buy one get one free! Charcoal is all the rage right now in beauty products so I wanted to try out the charcoal and black sugar mask and the pineapple one smelled to good to resist. I needed something refreshing on my face and used the latter one today and now my skin is all smooth and cool.

3: Speaking of charcoal, Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser is another face product I'd read about in a magazine that's been getting rave reviews. I've only used it for a few days so far, but love that a little bit of the gel-like wash goes a long way, it lathers well and my face feels very smooth, clean and not dried out after each wash!

4. For a few years now, I've been wearing more blush than ever before. Bronze, peach, contour, rosy, you name it. Highlighting my cheeks with a color that reflects my mood, the season or my current skin tone has really made a difference in the look of my makeup. It looks more polished to me and my face seems to have more of a healthy glow with blush on the apples of my cheeks. This blush stick is no exception. I'd been using powder blush then applying a little sheer cream on top for a dewy finish, but the Maybelline Master Glaze Glistening Blush Stick in Pinch Pink takes care that in one step!

5. Ahhhh, my tan in a bottle. A friend recommended St. Tropez to me so I picked up the St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturiser to give my pasty self a little color. It takes a couple days to build up so verdict's still out on this one but I'm hopeful!

What new beauty find are you loving lately?

{Five Things} Quad Squad Edition

1. Crayola Color Wonder Bubble Guppies coloring pad - Just recently, the quads tried out the Color Wonder markers and paper for the first time and it was a success! And I loved it for the mess-free aspect. Since they adore Bubble Guppies, they'll be getting a pad of these coloring papers for their birthday and hopefully some Color Wonder paint as well!

2. Mother's Cookies Coconut Cocadas - Momma and babies all love these crunchy, yummy cookies and they make the perfect after-dinner dessert. Just don't buy more than a bag at a time or you'll be eating your entire day's worth of calories in one go. ;)

3. Sweet Dreams Lullaby book by Betsy Snyder - The quad squad really enjoys a nightly tome or two before bedtime and I always keep this book set aside just for that. It's the perfect length, has great illustrations and it's a lovely, rhyming little read.

4. Munchkin Click Lock Deluxe Snack Catcher - My little Kailey, aka Bam Bam, figured out how to take the top off her normal Munchkin snack cup and would excitedly dump all her edibles on the ground in the play room every afternoon during snack time. I'd been searching for a solution and tried out these click lock snack catcher versions, and they work! No more dumped food. They are buy one, get one 50% off at Babies R Us right now so I just picked up two more so that I have a full set to use for everyone.

5. Fisher-Price Doodle Pro Neon Doodler - These are the doodle pads I purchased specifically for the kiddos when we embarked on our first official road trip to Houston the other weekend. They've been a huge hit ever since and keep the kids happily entertained. I only let them use them during nap time in their cribs or in the car and plan to stash them in the diaper bag when we go on outings, that way they look forward to using them for special occasions.

I'm all for discovering the next great thing, what's your favorite new kid-friendly find?

Happy Sunday!

{Five Things} Lotion Commotion

1. Bath & Body Works Amber Blush lotion - This stuff smells amazing! Not too floral, not too light and sticks with me all day. And the name is amazing, too. ;)

2. BLISS Blood Orange+White Pepper Hand Cream - I'm constantly searching for good hand lotion that doesn't have a greasy affect, absorbs well and keeps my always dried-out hands moisturized. This stuff does the trick and I carry it in my purse at all times!

3. Suave Moroccan Infusion Body Lotion - A new addition to the Suave body care line, this stuff is awesome. It smells great and is a very light weight lotion that packs some serious moisture punch. I grabbed my bottle at Target for less than $5! Will be trying their Moroccan Infusion hair shampoo and conditioners next...

4. Boots No 7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Normal/Oily Skin - So, funny story. Boots is a big beauty brand for the UK and the entire year I lived in Scotland, not once did I try anything from their line. I was missing out! Among other stores, Target carries a fair selection of their stuff and I was in need of some good daytime face lotion, my skin just felt "thirsty" and like it wasn't getting enough from thin, watery day lotions. Picked up the day cream for normal skin (although they also have one for dry skin, which would be good throughout winter) and it has an SPF in it as well. It really is a creamy consistency and absorbs very well and I can feel it working all day. The dry spots on my cheeks are gone and my skin has a smoother appearance overall. Definitely a fan!

5. L'Oreal RevitaLift Triple Power Intensive Overnight Mask - Another reason my skin has felt so even toned and moisturized lately is this miracle worker. I love something that works on my skin all night while I sleep and read about L'Oreals new overnight mask in a magazine and decided to give it a try. It's not actually a mask but rather a slightly heavier cream that doesn't end up greasy or oily at all. I rub it in before bed, wash my face in the morning, apply my No 7 to my face and neck and I'm good to go! I truly feel my new skin care regime has helped a lot.

What lotion do you love?

{Five Things} Quad Squad Edition

This Five Things post is my first-ever "Quad Squad Edition" that features some of the items the crew is loving right now! Plus a bonus item! 

1. Old Navy bootcut jeans - I've got a bunch of skinny minnies so these pants have proven to fit well, both on the girls and Harrison. I like that the 18-24 month sizes don't swallow them up and the legs are long enough!

2. Munchkin Snack Catchers - After learning how to use these months ago, these snack catchers have made my life a million times easier! The kids all get their own snack cup after naps and can eat from them freely in the play room at their leisure. They squeal with excitement every time I bring them out!

3. Baby Einstein On The Go & Baby's Favorite Places - The two newest additions to our Baby Einstein DVD collection, these films are fantastic for familiarizing the babies with common places around town (like the post office and library) as well as moving objects like cars, boats and more. They point and repeat most of the words and love all the colorful images. We're big Baby Einstein fans over here. ;)

4. Melissa & Doug Construction Wooden Chunky Puzzle - I've acquired several of these types of puzzles over the past few weeks since Harrison has taken to doing puzzles like a lil genius—and I'm a huge fan of all Melissa & Doug products. He loves them! Right now this is his favorite and it's adorable how his sisters look over his shoulder while he puts it together and then take their turn at it when he moves on.

5. Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream - Harrison had a mild all-over case of eczema ever since he was a tiny baby and eventually we got it under control when our current pediatrician recommended using this lotion. It works wonders and I'm so glad that's all it took!

6. Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack & Roll Cups - We've got about four complete sets of these cups, some new and some used, that the kids enjoy taking apart and putting together and stacking inside each other. They've messed with them for months but now really seem to understand the various ways they work and the numbers and bright colors come in handy for teaching.

I look forward to your feedback on this new addition to the blog as well as what some of your tot's favorite things are, too! Leave me a note in the comments section!

{Five Things} Energy Tea, Caramel Lip Balm & More

1. OPI Barre My Soul - I just recently squeezed in a speedy manicure at my local nail salon (I'm usually more of a pedicure gal, but had been chewing my cuticles too much), and I picked out this color since I didn't want it to be painfully obvious when the polish started chipping. I love the subtle pink undertones and neutral hue and even got rave reviews from the manicurist. Definitely getting it again!

2. Sparkly Green Earrings - This book just arrived in my latest order from Amazon and I'm eager to crack it open! The author, Melanie Shankle, is also a blogger over at The Big Momma blog and the tome is all about her humorous, and some not so funny, memoirs as a parent. I've got book writing plans of my own—about raising multiples and keeping your sanity!—and thought this would be good inspiration.

3. L'Oreal Colour Rich Balm in Caramel Comfort - Grabbed this color at Target after a fellow quad mom spotted it on Pinterest and I added it to my Get Pretty board. Love it! I already had the light pink lip balm but this caramel shade is perfect for pairing with darker eye shadow or bronzy looks.

4. Lipton Natural Energy - It's been a few weeks now since I added to this to my tea stash in the kitchen and it's become a regular go-to. I don't drink coffee and limit myself to one Coke a day, so the rest of the time I'm sipping water, gatorade or tea. (Um, or wine.) I really do feel like it perks me up and gives me a boost, since it has more caffeine and thiamin then your average tea bag. Often, I'll pair it with some Tazo green tea for more flavor.

5. Now Foods Solutions Coconut Oil - Ta-dah! The item I couldn't wait to share with you most is my beloved coconut oil!!! I've cooked with this stuff for years now, and it's great for high-temp stove-top fare. But I've begun incorporating it into my beauty routine and am in love with this product. First, I made a DIY sugar scrub with it (blog post on that coming soon!) and then I started using it as under eye cream at night, dry spot face lotion during the day, elbow moisturizer, a quick remedy for household burns on skin, dry and red cheeks on the babies, foot lotion, knuckle moisturizer and more. I mean, seriously, you could put this on just about anything for any reason. It's all natural, high in moisture and isn't greasy once absorbed. Get you some of this!!

What products are you loving lately?

And don't forget to enter my giveaway, just leave a comment on this giveaway post to enter! You could win a bottle of Red Velvet wine, coconut lotion and more! Giveaway ends Monday night....

{Five Things} Rich & Indulgent!

There's a couple new additions to my day-to-day that I'm loving right now! This Five Thing's post actually has a bonus item (I sort of paired the lip balm and gloss as one in my mind). So here's six things that help make my world go happily 'round...

1 + 2. Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Demure and Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Snow Pink - I hadn't seen these before this week, probably spotted them in a magazine ad. I grabbed both at the grocery store one morning and tried out the balm when I got home and love it! It really does feel like a super soft chap stick with a subtle shimmer and color of a light gloss. A definite addition to my makeup bag and great for under lip shine. The gloss is the perfect pairing to the balm pencil and I love light, natural looking colors for my lip wear. Plus my tube of lip gloss that I loved ran out and since it's from Australia and a bit more pricey, I'm hoping this Revlon version is my new fav!

3. Hannah Max Baking All Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips - Holy moly, these things are dang good. I got them on a whim at Tom Thumb. They come in a variety of flavors and we tried the chocolate chip, which were obviously delicious. But I can't lie to you. Between myself and the babies the entire package was gone in one day. I intend to make the next bag last (a little) longer.

4. Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet wine - Cookie chips aside, this is my newest addiction. It's sooooo good. I wasn't sure I'd like it much, since I wondered if the Red Velvet flavor would be too sweet. (I tend to like mildly dry red wines.) It was perfection. You can actually taste a hint of red velvet flavor in between the sip and the swallow. Yum! I checked the website and their description says it best: Our Red Velvet blend delivers over-the-top aromas of chocolate, deep dark blackberries and luscious red fruits that follow through to the palate. Finish with a hint of coconut and creamy mocha that shows unmistakable intensity and length. Red Velvet combines Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah.

5. St. Ives Coconut Milk & Orchid Lotion - I've professed my love for coconut-scented things many, many times before and this lotion is now officially a staple in my house. And I say house because I tend to keep some in the kitchen, my bathroom and maybe even the living room. My hands get really dry from washing them so often and using lots of hand sanitizer—especially if the babies are sick—so I'm constantly reaching for a pump of lotion. But this stuff is now my after-shower essential as well because it's refreshing and makes me want to lay on a beach. It's light, creamy, very moisturizing and absorbs completely with no greasy after-effects.

6. St. Ives Triple Butters Intensely Hydrating Body Wash in Creamy Coconut - Pretty much just repeat everything I said about the lotion! Except the body wash has a more intense coconut smell, so that's a bonus in my book. It's so affordable (less than $4 at Wal-Mart and Target!) and has a rich, thick, creamy consistency, thus it's in my shower year-round.

What are you loving lately?

P.S. Did you know my blog has been viewed over a million times?!? More than 1,191,600 times to be exact. The husband actually suggested a giveaway to celebrate, so I'll be thinking of something fun! In the meantime, here's a link to my very first blog post.

{Five Things} A Little Holiday Cheer

Everyone knows it's all about the little things. Hell, little things are what totally get me by in the week when I'm knee-deep (literally) in taking care of all my kids. You know, little things like my little glass of wine, little pieces of chocolate, little candles that smell fantastic, little movies that make me smile, little songs that bring cheer. Here's five little things that I've been enjoying...

1. A blood red pedicure with a white and crystal design - 

I always like having something pretty on my toes to look at!

2. Home Alone 2 - one of my favorite Christmas movies! We already played it 

once this season while we started putting up the first decorations 

and the quads loved dancing to all the festive music!

3. No Boundaries Yoga skinny pants with sequins and, believe it or not, they came 

from Walmart for just $12!

4. Loooove this mini Christmas tree from Hobby Lobby! They come

in three sizes and I've already got two of them. :)

5. A chevron ceramic vase was the perfect addition to my kitchen and

helped me organize all my cooking utensils before holiday meal prep! 

Also from Hobby Lobby.

What holiday items are bringing you cheer?

{Five Things} New Purchases!

Today, my Five Things is all about fashion! I don't have many opportunities these days to go clothes shopping, plus I'm still adjusting to my new body shape and size post-quadruplets and post-surgery (an update on that soon!). So I was excited to get out for a brief stint a few mornings ago while my nanny held down the fort at home with the kiddos. First I went to Carter's and loaded up on the most adorable outfits and holiday clothes for the quads, I can't wait to share those with you! Everything was on sale from 40-70% off, which made for some great deals. Then I went next door and perused Old Navy and was excited to find several things—also all on sale for 30% off. And I recently ordered some Nordic leggings from Dillards online and can't wait to try them out. They should be here soon.

1. Gray polka dot oxford shirt, Old Navy

2. Black polka dot embellished cardigan, Old Navy

3. Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans, Old Navy

4. Honeycomb-knit sweater in sea salt, Old Navy

5. Poof Nordic-print leggings, Dillards

What looks are you loving lately?

Five Things

1. Hydrangeas - I'm obsessed with having these flowers around my house right now and have three large white ones in my kitchen by the sink!

2. Victoria's Secret PINK - I love the whole line but their half-zip pullover sweatshirts are the most comfortable cold weather gear, in my opinion. Typically, I wear them with yoga pants for errands, work outs or lounging around at home.

3. Redwood Creek Pinot Noir - My mother-in-law turned me onto this wine when she came over a couple weeks ago and I immediately ran out and got my own bottle at Tom Thumb. It's fruity and light for a pinot with a smooth finish. Best part - a large bottle only ran $11!

4. Revlon Photo Ready Foundation - Though it's not new, I recently switched back to this for my foundation and it's proven once again to be a great pick. It holds up in humidity and to all-day wear, which is typically the case on the days I do wear makeup. And it blends flawlessly!

5. Slatkin & Co. Pumpkin Cupcake candle - This candle smells like freshly baked pumpkin bread, aptly enough, and is enough to make the entire downstairs of our home feel cozy and warm. I LOVE IT! (Reuse the leftover wax and candle jar with my DIY cleaning method!)

What things are you loving right now?

Five Things

There's been a lot going on in my life the past couple weeks. Here's a quick Five Things to get you up to speed. Because I know you were worried you were missing out. ;)

1. Eight kids

My mom brought her other four grandkids (all different ages) over to my house a couple weeks ago. We entertained them all in the playroom, I made 12 grilled cheeses (plus chips, fruit, etc.) for everyone's lunch, plated all their lunches and fed eight kids at two tables, gave my nieces and nephews little goodie bags (the bubbles entertained them for 30 minutes!), handed out blue jean quilts so the older kids could watch an animated movie while the quads napped then had one more round of play time before the big kids went home. I was genuinely touched at how the big kids were so excited to play with the babies and how well they did. The big kids repeatedly asked how long the quads were going to be napping and when they would wake up. Finally I asked why they were so interested and they replied, "Because we miss them!" My favorite line of the day was my six-year-old nephew, Levi, asking to hold Trystan then upon me placing her in his lap, he said with a grunt: "This is the big one!" 

2. Harrison's surgery

My little man is now 15 months old and finally was due up for his circumcision surgery. We did not have this done at the hospital after he was born because of his prematurity and his rough start, so it was a no brainer to wait until he was older. We briefly contemplated not having him circumcised at all but the social stigma that comes with that and the whole "Why am I different?" question that will come with group baths with toddler friends, sports and locker room scenarios and, eventually, grown up dating and love life (that will NOT happen until he's 35, right!?) led us to strongly feel this was the right call. However, I had two minor panic attacks while at the hospital with him because I hadn't really been in that setting since the babies came home from the NICU. Everything was all too familiar again and just seeing him with the monitors and an IV, laying in a bed was very, very difficult for both me and the husband. We were both with him all day, which started early and ended late, but he did fantastic and was home by that evening. His recovery is going great and a few more days and he'll be himself again.

3. Champagne brunch

Some of my best girl friends got to come see the house, say hi to the babies and hang out with mimosas and brunch food on a recent Sunday morning. There's only a few of us pictured below since we didn't think to take a photo until some had left, but it was a very special occasion to me nonetheless and a welcome opportunity to spend some quality time with some of the most special girls in my life. We all have various life paths now and some live in different states, but we all manage to stay connected and get together occasionally throughout the year! I met all of these girls through my club synchronized swim team I joined when I was 7 and swam with most of them for 11 years. Lifelong friendships were cultivated and we've been a "team" ever since.

4. Smart toddlers

The babies really are growing. They're pretty much toddlers now, though it's hard for me to refer to them as such. I can't believe they're now 15 months! All have been walking well for several months now, they babble a lot and are really starting to express themselves even more and are desperately trying to form a few words. Trystan can say "doggie" and Harrison will occasionally repeat "blue" when we say it. We've been working on more sensory-oriented activities as I'm able (I have an easy one to share soon!) and have started reviewing color and shape flash cards as well as regularly using bowls and plates at meal time. They are getting smarter with their toys as well, and have really starting getting the hang of cause-and-effect. We got them a little toy work bench and today Trystan was taking the large plastic screws and pushing them into the holes on the work bench. I was very impressed!

5. Sick toddlers

We have officially had our first round of sick babies. All four got a cold a week or so ago and it's been hell on my daytime stamina. Just wiping four super runny noses every five seconds all day long is exhausting. Then keeping up with medicine, dirty diapers, hydrating everyone and giving TLC to four clingy, grumpy kiddos is hard. The nighttime process alone is so much more complicated. We get everyone fed as much as they'll begrudgingly eat then change them, apply Vicks to their chest, give them medicine, plug in all their humidifiers, get teethers and fresh sheets and sleep sacks (I change these out often when they're sick) and rock nearly all four to calm down before sleep. Whew. I truly hope this is almost over. Add in Harrison's surgery recovery and it's been a doozy...

Hope you've had a fab week. Next up on the blog: my new Mongolian chicken recipe and it's delish!

Five Things

1. St. Ives Replenishing Mineral Lotion. Love how soft it is and it absorbs quickly, which has been great for healing my super dry hands.

2. Half and half combo of Tazo Awake English Breakfast and Tazo Zen Tea. It's seriously delicious and the right amount of caffeine to keep me going.

3. Muslin sleep sacks and crib sheets by aden + anais, on sale at Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us! These are super soft and perfect for our hot Texas summers. The breathable fabric keeps the babies from sweating, yet it's warm and cozy in cooler temps. The quads literally rubbed their cheeks and hands on the fabric when I first put them on their beds and they seemed very content!

4. Frozen coconut yogurt (with all the sinful toppings) from my local RaceTrac gas station. Yes, a gas station. Can you believe it? Love that place. They also have tons of freshly brewed flavored teas, like pomegranate berry green tea.

5. Pür Minerals CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40. This is thicker than lotions or BB creams but lighter than foundation and provides great coverage. I love it for daytime wear—with simple blush, mascara and lip gloss—and it's got killer SPF, to boot.

What are you loving lately?

P.S. I've made Five Things a new blog category, so now you can find lots of my current faves all in one place.

Five Things

1. I love the way our home looks at night (photo above taken yesterday evening) and I am so grateful to be in a place we feel comfortable. There's still so much work to be done, but it's a process we can invest in and appreciate.

2. The babies started another round of teething yesterday and it's making me v e r y t i r e d.

3. Tonight, the husband and I watched the first two episodes of Season 1 from Game of Thrones. Verdict's still out, I'm hoping we get hooked.

4. For dinner, I made this crock pot balsamic chicken and it was delicious. Definitely use chicken thighs.

5. I'm pretty sure I walked around my kitchen island three times today because I forgot what I was doing in about three seconds flat....multiple times. I could barely leave the babies sight and it had me all frazzled and completely incapable of completing my chain of thoughts. Though, I'm not really sure how often I truly complete my chain of thoughts, er, what were we talking about?