July Roundup

I have been a terrible blogger this month. Summertime, what can I say?

Some pretty big news is that we've decided to put our house on the market. We won't be moving far, but we'll be getting a new home and we're excited to be able to pick out our own flooring, counter tops, etc. We spent a couple weekends looking around and Carter was a trooper! We've already started fixing the house up a bit to sell and we're hoping to have it on the market by the end of August/beginning of September.

Carter got a haircut!

We went to a new water park by our house

And of course we had to see the new "Planes" movie

We had a family dinner at the beach complete with smores. It was Carter's first time roasting marshmallows and he was hooked!

A self portrait by my artist

And my last bit of news is that I had my first IUI (interuterine insemination). This pic is us in the elevator on our way to the car following the procedure. We are both very hopeful for this cycle, but also trying to prepare ourselves should it not work. The success rate is about 10-20% for a woman under 35. Sometimes it's still hard to believe that we're at this place, but this journey has showed me parts of myself I didn't know existed (or maybe they didn't until now). And I'm so blessed to have such an amazing partner by my side. Russ is my rock. So at this point we've done all we can this cycle and now we wait. Please send prayers and positive energy our way.

This week we wrap up July and prepare for all that August has in store. My birthday, Russ' birthday, a trip to Vegas and hopefully a positive pregnancy test!

BaubleBar Dupe?!?

Hi Guys! It's Madison! Happy Fashion Friday!

 So recently I have been on a jewelry kick. I just felt that my wardrobe needed some sprucing up and I knew that accessories are always there to help. I decided to jump online and go to BaubleBar.com where they are known for their statement jewelry, custom pieces, and dainty elegant accessories that are unique. I love everything on that site but the prices are a little out of my range.

But no worries for the ladies who are on a budget (aka me) I went to Wal-Mart and there, standing right in front of me was a display of about 20 necklaces that looked like they could have been sold right off BaubleBar. The best part is instead of them being $50 these were $10!!

Now you're probably thinking well are they cheap feeling? Are they not as nice looking? Do they look like little kids jewelry? My answer: No! I went up to look at them and was very surprised that the quality was not “cheap” seeming at all. They have a pretty good amount of weight to them, they are not child sized and when looking through them I honestly did not see any stones coming off any of the pieces. So if you are a jewelry addict like myself I say it is definitely worth your time to go down to your local Wal-Mart and take a look at them! I have bought three and I want to go back and get more! Happy Shopping!!

                                                                               Top:$56
                                                                               Bottom Left:$46
                                                                               Bottom Right: $44

Happy 4th of July

Our day was packed from morning until night. We headed to the parade bright and early (but still hot) to watch my dad walk in it with his church organization! Carter's favorite part was watching the planes fly overhead to signal the start.

We then came back to our house for a bbq and swimming at our friends pool

Russ made some chocolate chip cookies from scratch! Yum!!

And we finished the day off with fireworks and this beautiful view! 

Carter almost fell asleep, but he was a trooper and hung in there!

It was a day of family and being thankful for all of the blessings and opportunities made available to us because we live in the USA!

June Wrap Up/ July Warm Up

I feel like I've been a little MIA lately, so this would be the perfect time for a June wrap up/July warm up. A couple weeks ago we went to the beach for the first time this summer. As always, it was beautiful and relaxing.

Carter went to a birthday party for the son of Russ' work friend. He was one of the youngest there, but that didn't stop him!

I started July off with a new haircut! As Coco Chanel says, "A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life." That feels incredibly true right now because...

...I'm in my two week wait (meaning the two weeks before I can take a pregnancy test). Shockingly, at my CD 11 ultrasound I had two mature follicles! I couldn't believe it! I actually responded to the Letrozole! That night for the first time I took Ovidrel (trigger shot) which forces ovulation within approximately 36 hours. The days are going by slowly, but thankfully I have Carter to keep me distracted.

Plus, when she's not working at Old Navy, Madison has been hanging out with us, helping to keep my mind busy. Yesterday we went to a beach in Corona del Mar called "Little Corona." It has tide pools and small/medium size waves. This was our first time going here and the three of us thought it was pretty cool. 

 And here we already are with July 4th tomorrow! I can't believe how fast time has flown by! I feel like we were just in San Diego celebrating last year! I hope that everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day!

Fashion Friday - The Perfect Sandal for a Wide Foot

Hi guys, Madison here! Happy Fashion Friday! I'll be taking over on today's post because we are going to be talking about shoes. Now I have never really been a shoes girl because I find it hard to find many that fit my foot. However, recently I have came across some really amazing sandals for all you wide foot girls out there!

Since summer has arrived I barely wear any other types of shoes except sandals, but I was getting tired of wearing the classic flip flop style and wanted some that were dressier and more stylish.

Then I found these: the Montego Bay Club "Women's Movie Star Embellished Sandal" from Payless. They are regularly $24.99, but are currently on sale online for $19.99. 

 They are the classic T strap sandal that really doesn't go out of style. The simple placement of the jems give these shoes a classic look.

The best part is that the back strap to wrap around the ankle has about an inch elastic to give you some extra room. It fits nicely around my ankle which was one of the struggles I was having when trying on these types of shoes. I was also pleasantly surprised at the fit across the top of the foot because I have high arches as well.

The comfort of these are AMAZING! They have padding and are very soft. I've worked 9 hour shifts in them and my feet were not hurting as bad as previous times I have stood that long in other shoes.

Another bonus is that there are seven color options : black, sliver, bronze, gold, white, blue, and coral.

So overall I would say if you're looking for a cute, stylish sandal to fit your wide and/or long foot (these go to a size 13), these are going to be a great investment for you this summer! Grab one pair or all seven colors!

The Pixie Cut - Friend or Foe?

There is a haircut that I have a love/hate relationship with and it's the pixie. The first pixie cut I had was when I was 5 and a friend dared me to cut my own hair. A few snips later I was missing chunks that only a pixie cut would solve. Looking back it was definitely cute (and seeing as it was 1987 I got a perm as soon as it was long enough), but there was teasing involved and I felt like I needed to grow it out as soon as possible. 

As the years passed my hair always stayed fairly short (mostly bobs) and when I was 16 I went for a pixie cut again thanks to this inspiration from Faith Hill (sorry I can't find a pic of myself):

That was really the start of what would happen time and time again throughout the years. I'd cut it short then try to grow it out, then cut it short and try to grow it out and so on and so forth. Here are some extra short cuts I've had over the past 10 years:

And here I am considering doing it again. I recently trimmed it similar to Kaley Cuoco, but I've got the itch to go shorter.

 I love pixie cuts because they are super easy to maintain, but I also feel like I have to put a little more effort into my look to feminize the cut. I've been coming across such fabulous inspiration though like Whippy Cake.  I love her style and her hair is always fab!!

I'm not making an rash decisions, but it's definitely fun to think about!! 

Fashion Friday - Summer Maxi

This gorgeous Floral Chiffon Maxi Dress from Lane Bryant is done right! Not only is the print beautiful, but the black piping makes it extra special! I also love that the waistband is dropped low enough where it gives your waist definition without being too much of an empire fit that you look pregnant. It's on the pricier end for my budget, but if you can catch a flash sale or pick it up with Real Women Dollars (there's 3 days left!!) then it's totally worth it.

Tomorrow is officially the first day of summer and we are loving it! How about you?