tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74819820184248307912024-03-12T19:02:47.200-04:00Runs on Coffee and CreamJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.comBlogger937125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-67197487449856425892023-11-03T15:01:00.000-04:002023-11-03T15:01:56.238-04:00November New Release Books<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AAna9AtK4MlCdRhBdy6ujHZvK0Ii590iMweycTuzXhWRqGm9j7GSN1SFVnj850GD1S8etORhrq7hYZfdYJ_vyD3Xl_Vyv8f2kaXwEQbMowl97q1dcxn33cknHU_28euLDbihoc4bguz425Dlk5ate3UkN_JbrNxx4dy07mBOfExhD4xh-FYrirt3oxsm/s1500/nov%20reads%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AAna9AtK4MlCdRhBdy6ujHZvK0Ii590iMweycTuzXhWRqGm9j7GSN1SFVnj850GD1S8etORhrq7hYZfdYJ_vyD3Xl_Vyv8f2kaXwEQbMowl97q1dcxn33cknHU_28euLDbihoc4bguz425Dlk5ate3UkN_JbrNxx4dy07mBOfExhD4xh-FYrirt3oxsm/s16000/nov%20reads%20(1).png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Let's be honest, my backlog of books to be read on my Kobo is insanely long. But, more and more books keep being released that I MUST have. November's new book releases are no exception. These are the titles I'm most wanting to pick up. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wjcgE6GOOMEngmrEu7FQLHwysojvqKAgNxdSlcUYM-c8p2GaCxJm63UEnDzY2r5dKfLMwc7Ku9Wvg-UKs9hxVV4k2ly4WWlLg2SpwNUuopKK2liEZD2nINZa3yWMM_SFjDu61oaFFkH-nsNyhUk2CW4U1TyZTwCc5g7Ax0KtISL0yp8UOWJeJCDBJ1Yf/s1938/90202302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="1299" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wjcgE6GOOMEngmrEu7FQLHwysojvqKAgNxdSlcUYM-c8p2GaCxJm63UEnDzY2r5dKfLMwc7Ku9Wvg-UKs9hxVV4k2ly4WWlLg2SpwNUuopKK2liEZD2nINZa3yWMM_SFjDu61oaFFkH-nsNyhUk2CW4U1TyZTwCc5g7Ax0KtISL0yp8UOWJeJCDBJ1Yf/w268-h400/90202302.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've been living under a rock, maybe you haven't heard of Fourth Wing. This book is/was HUGE. The follow up book releases in a few days and so many people, including myself, are itching to get ahold of the sequel.<b> </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end."</span></i></span><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Release Date: November 7, 2023</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpiBZjtZWcDEARLeNGCLvNaAMCla6qTnAVZldPQdpVWebdsNFa6WOPYqWg6ow-B5FhTkYiRAFinfsK1CkApD2lXX3cv-VV5rZVVsWgKscCiB4Q8Nvl67hxUmTssqFvuPdLpdiHWXbzWrRp_6PGFX3kzvLOage1UwBFW2ndabYfiKfYQgVQUgZNKLnoeb4/s400/112974914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpiBZjtZWcDEARLeNGCLvNaAMCla6qTnAVZldPQdpVWebdsNFa6WOPYqWg6ow-B5FhTkYiRAFinfsK1CkApD2lXX3cv-VV5rZVVsWgKscCiB4Q8Nvl67hxUmTssqFvuPdLpdiHWXbzWrRp_6PGFX3kzvLOage1UwBFW2ndabYfiKfYQgVQUgZNKLnoeb4/w268-h400/112974914.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just say I've been reading a lot of stories about witches lately and I'm not mad about it. Add in some romance and a great setting and I end up obsessed. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Evelyn is a witch with a perfect storm of impulses: terrible taste in bed partners, sticky fingers, and a lust for danger. After she steals from her vampire ex and falls through a portal to another realm, she’s fished out of the waters by a band of seafarers and their telekinetic captain. She’s immediately given a choice—join their group or die.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Bowen has no memory of his life before he became one of the Cŵn Annwn. He and his pirate crew are bound by vow to patrol through Threshold, the magical sea in between realms, keeping the portals to other worlds safe. When he rescues Evelyn, he doesn’t expect to be attracted to the unflappably brassy pickpocket. The longer he spends in her presence, the more he begins to question if his heart is the next thing she’ll steal.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But as tension heats up between Bowen and Evelyn, danger escalates as well. Because Evelyn has no intention of keeping her vows to the Cŵn Annwn, and if she betrays the crew, both she and Bowen will pay the ultimate price...."</span></i></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Release Date: November 7, 2023</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNSTGkehVXFbcvJwPaheb8xkK_hEZGo009whZWjDXOn1PSRb-d_8HjsTQyOrs2hzjOe_EZ0K5I_SKDDcRbbXSTtk0Khqu_JUANU35FxRR6zHDJTeO5yvCxXrQKW0YkaMAwKYjZzEqqFtzn7V_5JQnbKG68oDgq1v0GtNAOPCeXs9pBHUjEkue6lcTgNm_/s4950/60683957.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4950" data-original-width="3300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNSTGkehVXFbcvJwPaheb8xkK_hEZGo009whZWjDXOn1PSRb-d_8HjsTQyOrs2hzjOe_EZ0K5I_SKDDcRbbXSTtk0Khqu_JUANU35FxRR6zHDJTeO5yvCxXrQKW0YkaMAwKYjZzEqqFtzn7V_5JQnbKG68oDgq1v0GtNAOPCeXs9pBHUjEkue6lcTgNm_/s320/60683957.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>You can't go wrong with any book by Ali Hazelwood. Especially if you enjoy a strong female lead and a spicy romance. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Mallory Greenleaf is </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">done</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory's focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Nolan's loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What's even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can't help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent...and infuriating...)"</span></i></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Release Date: November 7, 2023</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFWWYZouNSm5HaLIm8c4IRavoKsHOsG5tZuhhn6q-Jt76ga7dfKP7UOdDcZfaJFOXjSJHhM3sO2kSn6M31ip0RkdYR2Gz6fL2ebwUFSj3koIOw521Oco5tky9QT4wUccjSR0lSVNdPFuAQG-WvCObnOI-l3CQ0LrvmHwuGBRtkFWBZrpIbOl1X-bOqFX7/s2339/32330132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFWWYZouNSm5HaLIm8c4IRavoKsHOsG5tZuhhn6q-Jt76ga7dfKP7UOdDcZfaJFOXjSJHhM3sO2kSn6M31ip0RkdYR2Gz6fL2ebwUFSj3koIOw521Oco5tky9QT4wUccjSR0lSVNdPFuAQG-WvCObnOI-l3CQ0LrvmHwuGBRtkFWBZrpIbOl1X-bOqFX7/s320/32330132.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I LOVE stories based on fairy tales, but have been turned into something twisted, dark, and a little bit terrifying. I'm so excited for this series!</div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span>"</span><span style="background-color: white;">For centuries, the enchanted members of the Entente have worked in tandem with the Three Fates—the Present, the Past, and the Future—to maintain destiny across the Thirteen Queendoms. But when Queen Magrit learns of her untimely demise from Hecate, Fate of the Future, Magrit burns Hecate at the stake and decrees death to all Entente in order to live forever.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But some survive, including sixteen-year-old Farrow, who hatches a dangerous plan to seek revenge. Along the way, she finds herself falling for the one person who could ruin everything. With life and love hanging in the balance, she must decide who to trust and what’s most important: living in the past or forging a new future.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Bestselling author Danielle Paige launches a brand-new fairy godmother origin story full of intrigue, magic, and romance.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;">"</span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;">Release Date: November 14, 2023</span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;">What books are you looking forward to this month? </span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;">xo Jen</span></div><div><span style="color: #1e1915;"><br /></span><p><i style="font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">*All quotes are from <a href="https://goodreads.com/" style="color: #f29f97; max-width: calc(800px); outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></i></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-37305536852003497302023-10-11T17:10:00.000-04:002023-10-11T17:10:33.720-04:00Witchy Reads: Books for October<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMFWHFW2PM2vDSVOXCJ6m5qBwRaEhxiS0ZMm16duETrqTfT-FMkJ1-81ntLrbIdz9IOl9zU2xckdaKDFD4_yIFtj2NlWvr_Zsg9CBB2pcxtBXRznruYDF2Mc-_oKdDs7ivvtXFajNW9itT0nu4kxy4br5bhCzSrcwIMBskgNhksBtipKzs4U5shjmwqRg/s1500/witchy%20pin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMFWHFW2PM2vDSVOXCJ6m5qBwRaEhxiS0ZMm16duETrqTfT-FMkJ1-81ntLrbIdz9IOl9zU2xckdaKDFD4_yIFtj2NlWvr_Zsg9CBB2pcxtBXRznruYDF2Mc-_oKdDs7ivvtXFajNW9itT0nu4kxy4br5bhCzSrcwIMBskgNhksBtipKzs4U5shjmwqRg/s16000/witchy%20pin.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What do I consider a witchy book? Usually they're rainy, take place in autumn or winter, are moody, definitely magical, have a cozy vibe, and obviously they star witches. Some of these witchy reads are lighthearted, romantic, coming of age, or fantasy stories. But they all have magical, strong woman who are witches. The weather outside always influences what I read, and right now, any of these books would be the perfect fit. Here are my picks for books for October (and the rest of the cold months). <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I have read three out of six of these books. And maybe over the next few weeks, I may just fit in another book or two from this list. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihcdIiyjhyphenhyphenF4PLelv7qedFkSDttPOMoevphazm7KwhTh7mbS-DU96Mt90D2Zxt2aCw2XmnoS5HNGvkzaoboYkaxF1WxyyNfSbRpP3Azm7ojuyyfiY7HVRdFAtVUNpTQAOKSFQEONvv0WkJWhh006CLRS_6sfEbfejcehkeCaHwPRjwBsALUl0452iIzsu/s2303/61931921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihcdIiyjhyphenhyphenF4PLelv7qedFkSDttPOMoevphazm7KwhTh7mbS-DU96Mt90D2Zxt2aCw2XmnoS5HNGvkzaoboYkaxF1WxyyNfSbRpP3Azm7ojuyyfiY7HVRdFAtVUNpTQAOKSFQEONvv0WkJWhh006CLRS_6sfEbfejcehkeCaHwPRjwBsALUl0452iIzsu/w417-h640/61931921.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson</b></p><p>This book is a rom-com and has been described as Gilmore Girls meets Hocus Pocus. It's a great story full of magic and takes place in an adorable little town. I really enjoyed this book. <br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white;">Essie Winterscale lives in a huge and ever-changing house in the village of Good Winter, in deepest, darkest Essex. She lives with various witches of various ages, one of whom is still a bit salty about being hanged in the 1700s, one who keeps accidentally casting fertility spells, and one who knits things that create the future.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">All Essie ever wanted was to have a normal life but in the end she found herself drawn back to Beldam House because she just can’t stop her witchiness (although the ability to instantly chill wine is pretty awesome, even she has to admit).</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Into this coven of chaos stumbles gorgeous, clueless Josh, their new landlord – and he’s just discovered his tenants haven’t paid rent since the 1700s! As Josh is drawn further into the lives of the inhabitants of Beldam House, Essie is determined to keep him at broomstick’s length. That is, until a family secret, lying hidden for centuries, puts Josh firmly under her spell…"</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4jgxEygLdXz8Ar-Ar2uWtEe-eXCTWbOugY75_qFgUny8vXUiFTarQRV09AHNlUhFQx6tGr5fsD4qju41lQez69Iektc1373piCGPHAFW6tCPCfDvBfP7zRl5GBrJi4knle4AJtJg-YbG-OfBV9GRmIBuaoOZOq_odQ4ezOGfP4u16rY_PXo3ewxi_a7J/s1250/60784546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4jgxEygLdXz8Ar-Ar2uWtEe-eXCTWbOugY75_qFgUny8vXUiFTarQRV09AHNlUhFQx6tGr5fsD4qju41lQez69Iektc1373piCGPHAFW6tCPCfDvBfP7zRl5GBrJi4knle4AJtJg-YbG-OfBV9GRmIBuaoOZOq_odQ4ezOGfP4u16rY_PXo3ewxi_a7J/w418-h640/60784546.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross</b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">This is a book I haven't read YET. It has great reviews and I've seen many people recommend it so it sits at the top of my wishlist. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.</i></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish—into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love."</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0XClDR-I1viNk5lnAXy-cSyk7Mjcf5EGmNbuI9Zm12_38Ou_sW-rLCLsdwOGz_3Jiap-EjK4c6Cw8RU3CZuXN923TVNhbWTpnZVwPOi-Ln7DxaHPE9Cx0_58CG3B-9mK2Uu4wL707sWt3_aHzsHFGvtaCD8KJuaFOh7XaWvtZG-esAEdoym7tAo_j2Ks/s2471/60018635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="1647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0XClDR-I1viNk5lnAXy-cSyk7Mjcf5EGmNbuI9Zm12_38Ou_sW-rLCLsdwOGz_3Jiap-EjK4c6Cw8RU3CZuXN923TVNhbWTpnZVwPOi-Ln7DxaHPE9Cx0_58CG3B-9mK2Uu4wL707sWt3_aHzsHFGvtaCD8KJuaFOh7XaWvtZG-esAEdoym7tAo_j2Ks/w427-h640/60018635.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another book I haven't read. The reviews and the synopsis have me wanting to read this book really bad. It sounds so good. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;">A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family--and a new love--changes the course of her life.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she's used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and...Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he's concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn't know she was looking for...."</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsU018jJDkxzgT7hUEoh7SoN-UCfwv9D1MXHjHAmvKYnSNSVPxcUyHzNRflZb_us17C066zfudq8LttACN5bfW2JG68FVBdkBPZJXM0mH2XT6n-2H58FpfRS-avIe6vy3VvhEGzHmDNl8vcEkZmMQJaFLzaGUeJh90ftM_LFLK6U9BJFTZR-Esa4Rf1vq/s2550/40024139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsU018jJDkxzgT7hUEoh7SoN-UCfwv9D1MXHjHAmvKYnSNSVPxcUyHzNRflZb_us17C066zfudq8LttACN5bfW2JG68FVBdkBPZJXM0mH2XT6n-2H58FpfRS-avIe6vy3VvhEGzHmDNl8vcEkZmMQJaFLzaGUeJh90ftM_LFLK6U9BJFTZR-Esa4Rf1vq/w424-h640/40024139.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This was an incredible book and the first one in a series. It's a fantasy book that will suck you in. Trust me, you will be left wanting more when you finish it. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">And love makes fools of us all."</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41pMMpcA1oPVykErgeWQFJt0ze61jms11hCWOo9kDd1xsLYWKsu8SUg1mBOW5oIJq8qAJihg2Dc4QZgkziNtF-PNev-yhuipokBZB84GkHMeRzkNWEnjbH_Ovunb5pa5pg1sKmEmi9HWzC8GleSI5fXR-Wl-BBlDJ7GJs5dh1-UwZxsFWn-e2P697AxGm/s500/56554626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41pMMpcA1oPVykErgeWQFJt0ze61jms11hCWOo9kDd1xsLYWKsu8SUg1mBOW5oIJq8qAJihg2Dc4QZgkziNtF-PNev-yhuipokBZB84GkHMeRzkNWEnjbH_Ovunb5pa5pg1sKmEmi9HWzC8GleSI5fXR-Wl-BBlDJ7GJs5dh1-UwZxsFWn-e2P697AxGm/s16000/56554626.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The last book in this list that I haven't read but it's sitting on my ereader waiting for me! This book is a romantic fantasy which is right up my alley. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late."</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXNdSraVnYUxes3wugsM14kXvAyE3-w6dUmn7k8dbBbN0NGnmtQ_EcSYM79XexH189HaZRFT0rP6arSHqxyiHrmS64YP5VR84K2C277Nw4CeLsm11GWMr2tPjIVz5WTve3xOHXErqlS_0Bv9_2vhVhHpsqGaT0U_S3e68GuQoAT9tD-7iscs0jB4o_x3o/s1024/36484081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXNdSraVnYUxes3wugsM14kXvAyE3-w6dUmn7k8dbBbN0NGnmtQ_EcSYM79XexH189HaZRFT0rP6arSHqxyiHrmS64YP5VR84K2C277Nw4CeLsm11GWMr2tPjIVz5WTve3xOHXErqlS_0Bv9_2vhVhHpsqGaT0U_S3e68GuQoAT9tD-7iscs0jB4o_x3o/w427-h640/36484081.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><b>These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is one of the first witchy books I read. It's a young adult book that takes place in Salem, where real witches reside. It was a really fun read and I want to read the rest of the series. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">Hannah's a witch, but not the kind you're thinking of. She's the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she's ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah's concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah's sure it's the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white;">While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day."</span></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">And now I'm itching to go make a tea and grab my Kobo ereader to start a witchy read. Which book(s) do you want to add to your reading list? </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">xo Jen</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>*All quotes are from <a href="https://goodreads.com/" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></i></span></span></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-6089554765015329592023-08-31T14:08:00.000-04:002023-08-31T14:08:10.103-04:00Cozy Games Wish List<p>What's cozy gaming? It's just that - gaming that provides a cozy atmosphere; relaxing, comforting, not stressful. After learning about this newer gaming genre, I realized cozy gaming has always been what I've been interested in and played. Probably one of the most popular cozy games? The Animal Crossing series, and well, I've put in hundreds of hours into Animal Crossing New Horizons and New Leaf. I've explored this genre with Stardew Valley, My Time at Portia, Disney Dreamlight Valley and Story of Seasons as well. I love these cozy farming-type games. </p><p>In September, two new cozy games are being released and they have topped my wish list!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_n44DH8a7oxtqFc2FnjygpRynYAI00vwHfG9HTHgbcGxUvW5iGkTa8xqqDmSjG_ZlbQ4igGLWMwD6laIGuzBD7z3RndCs_eT2TLIUchi_T587Sw-8iCvY3eNeGMVEzF8fBG6L39Yzhj9SfRryVCYEsfhc27VFxYblqrcxwbUoNGw5ycfWer7HZ8l2LrS/s616/fae%20farm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_n44DH8a7oxtqFc2FnjygpRynYAI00vwHfG9HTHgbcGxUvW5iGkTa8xqqDmSjG_ZlbQ4igGLWMwD6laIGuzBD7z3RndCs_eT2TLIUchi_T587Sw-8iCvY3eNeGMVEzF8fBG6L39Yzhj9SfRryVCYEsfhc27VFxYblqrcxwbUoNGw5ycfWer7HZ8l2LrS/w640-h366/fae%20farm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Fae Farm: magic + cozy gaming style = Yes please! Fae Farm is a highly anticipated game being released in September. I have seen it advertised everywhere. After finally sitting down to read about the game and watch a trailer, it skyrocketed to the top of my cozy gaming wish list. <br /><br />From <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/products/fae-farm-switch/" target="_blank">Nintendo</a>:<p></p><p>"<span style="font-family: inherit;">Escape to the world of Fae Farm and create your own cozy home in the enchanted world of Azoria. As you nurture and grow your homestead, you'll get to meet charming characters, foster deep relationships and discover ways to infuse magic into everything you do. Customize your character, master the arts of crafting, cooking, potion-making and discover so much more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfold the mysteries of the island on your own or with up to three other players. You can invite your family and friends or visit their homestead to progress together, playing beside you or online. As the seasons change, you'll be able to unlock new areas and restore the world around you</span>"</p><p>I cannot wait to play this and experience the different seasons! Any game that decorates for the holidays and adjusts the recipes/potions/DIYs to represent the specific season is extra cozy to me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-ZA7vqP_VzSJP8jEZ7-vZbB_WjQmEdWqxbGnCciP-VasXqbomVliLraLoVBv_fT6hJomRwiWZKbhVEdt4FnHJAK3usPThe_idNC1KUFi9MH8w9onVdLGceZlG1TWj1G0w1JykN3SbR7ZCS10Gr4ANNNiPDA0JWr-Ibnqb1muQdP4LzkJj26YIxnWfXJV/s616/paleo%20pines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-ZA7vqP_VzSJP8jEZ7-vZbB_WjQmEdWqxbGnCciP-VasXqbomVliLraLoVBv_fT6hJomRwiWZKbhVEdt4FnHJAK3usPThe_idNC1KUFi9MH8w9onVdLGceZlG1TWj1G0w1JykN3SbR7ZCS10Gr4ANNNiPDA0JWr-Ibnqb1muQdP4LzkJj26YIxnWfXJV/w640-h366/paleo%20pines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I have been getting targeted ads for Paleo Pines for the last month. Apparently dinosaurs + cozy gaming is very me and my phone knew it. This game reminds me of My Time at Portia from what I've seen so far and that's very OK by me. </p><p>From <a href="https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/products/paleo-pines-switch/" target="_blank">Nintendo</a>:</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Welcome to Paleo Pines, a charming island known for its friendly dinosaurs, quirky townsfolk, and mysterious past. Here evolution took a different path, creating a world in which humans and dinosaurs live together in harmony!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Set out with your dino companion, Lucky, to uncover the island’s secrets and discover new dinos. Your arrival on the island is met with welcome curiosity by the local townsfolk who can help you on your quest (and just might give you more work to do!). Together with Lucky, grow crops, assist local villagers, befriend adorable dinosaurs, and unearth the island’s lost history to build your cozy dino sanctuary</span><span style="color: #484848; font-family: museo-sans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, sans-serif;">.</span>"</p><p>Who doesn't want to create a dinosaur sanctuary?! This game looks like it'll be so much fun.</p><p>Do you play video games at all? Cozy Gaming has become such a hit because it really is a relaxing and great way to unwind. </p><p>xo Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-8419945982675750792023-08-25T21:34:00.000-04:002023-08-25T21:34:22.523-04:00Cakeworthy Halloween Line<p>Flannel shirts are a staple for fall, right? Especially oversized and super soft ones! I purchased one from Cakeworthy back in the spring and it is THE BEST. And now they've released an incredible line up of Halloween-inspired clothing, including flannels.</p><p>Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, The Haunted Mansion, and SO MUCH more!</p><p>Look at this Haunted Mansion Glow dress!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IgjhFrxCtCudV9ELxoDLiWq4jWuvDU16uWyqOZAMsUOSmxvA_gpKQ82B0Sgen5jkLD6PUYsdEKoLBl623TE86YmkZivvYPcMAL3sjBhLoI4kQBhcTa_eNlElIlQVU2Dbqn9K5e4oOZ4S3DoHGKT0bRN2MyJt9lrthzMiJ6heWsctXdhA-a3NMyeZozxB/s1080/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IgjhFrxCtCudV9ELxoDLiWq4jWuvDU16uWyqOZAMsUOSmxvA_gpKQ82B0Sgen5jkLD6PUYsdEKoLBl623TE86YmkZivvYPcMAL3sjBhLoI4kQBhcTa_eNlElIlQVU2Dbqn9K5e4oOZ4S3DoHGKT0bRN2MyJt9lrthzMiJ6heWsctXdhA-a3NMyeZozxB/w640-h640/2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The entire collection is huge so I'm only sharing a handful of my favourites. Definitely check out Cakeworthy's entire <a href="https://www.cakeworthystore.com/collections/new-arrivals" target="_blank">Halloween line</a>. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Of course most of my favourite items are the flannel shirts! I'd love to own all of the Hocus Pocus ones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_yRzBjBMinkocN6j8ati63X1F2_USd2Np2Fl-2NoHvTJQ-pqvSH5A0F73rlxIpN9OwYqLNQalVZp0h2Df4AwdrZnTS66D6nmzrgfz_zLe-TzjFpju5hXU8ORvxt_xPNfdhVq63LtRW8MEtmtcoP5kcfVCZF-iDEEVgr0oO3Vu8vOJq6TA6ZA7cPjDsBq/s1080/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_yRzBjBMinkocN6j8ati63X1F2_USd2Np2Fl-2NoHvTJQ-pqvSH5A0F73rlxIpN9OwYqLNQalVZp0h2Df4AwdrZnTS66D6nmzrgfz_zLe-TzjFpju5hXU8ORvxt_xPNfdhVq63LtRW8MEtmtcoP5kcfVCZF-iDEEVgr0oO3Vu8vOJq6TA6ZA7cPjDsBq/w640-h640/1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Which item would you want for your collection? </p><p>xo Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-45649072084550462402023-08-24T08:00:00.018-04:002023-08-24T08:00:00.139-04:00Old Navy Halloween Shirts<p>Yes, I know it's still August, but I'm already in the fall and Halloween mood. The weather has cooled a bit, Pumpkin Spice Lattes arrive this week at Starbucks, and Homesense is full of fall decor. I can feel my body relaxing as I slowly turn into my cozy basic self. </p><p>Costumes are slowly arriving in stores and Halloween t-shirts and pajamas are popping up too. There are some really cute shirts available for the whole family - from subtle prints to large graphics. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM0-HgtepVRGJ5vYr0sfnaDw1AdCCItVbz3QGvm2BvYqw7uh3jPAokUnNRF_WKm80CSqiSPGQ0IToURwlt0p-fY2rEgEyQIIow1m1AbyiYNflbrb9iScxEtWD7Peohr6gZtaCE641JxTVZy_rD-k0ev4GXgATSb-p-8e0s_Rco1z1ycnDFsTkpSsrLef6/s1080/Old%20Navy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyM0-HgtepVRGJ5vYr0sfnaDw1AdCCItVbz3QGvm2BvYqw7uh3jPAokUnNRF_WKm80CSqiSPGQ0IToURwlt0p-fY2rEgEyQIIow1m1AbyiYNflbrb9iScxEtWD7Peohr6gZtaCE641JxTVZy_rD-k0ev4GXgATSb-p-8e0s_Rco1z1ycnDFsTkpSsrLef6/w640-h640/Old%20Navy.png" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>These shirts are from Old Navy in their <a href="https://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/category.do?cid=3007307&searchText=halloween&nav=meganav%3AWomen%3ANew%20%26%20Now%3AHalloween%20Shop#department=136&facetOrder=department:136" target="_blank">Halloween Shop</a>. I'm obsessed with the skeleton Minnie shirt! The colours are so good. The subtle pumpkin and ghost shirts are perfect if you don't want anything over the top. </p><p></p><p>Do you wear Halloween shirts in the fall? I'll definitely wear a Halloween t-shirt throughout October, actually anytime, especially that Minnie one!</p><p>xo Jen </p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-69715710424348323042023-04-11T14:13:00.000-04:002023-04-11T14:13:19.526-04:00Pouches, Totes, and Scrunchies, Oh My!<p>My first vendor show in years is on April 23rd. I'm so excited but also a little nervous. I always found vendor shows inspired me. I'd be overstimulated and exhausted by the end of the day, but I'd have so many ideas and plans in my head for my next projects and shows. </p><p>I've been sewing at a slower pace than I used to but this is because of 1. kids and 2. avoiding burnout. It's working out though. I enjoy disappearing to my sewing room and creating. I'm also loving finding amazing fabric again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWljGq5I88F2UpKOioLywUL4biEFFx4-0tfKxK0juVHbPSJy81LjzOV3A4JahOMdKgh2RI1_jXp2Hq92zrasfvVyWxLSqenkIn1mnMVPX5QoECl0A_mySyh2qXQ4dNufAaEwkEwsCU7NX0meQMc5qy4_YM6y3v0BbIXgl9TmWQ7RVAoRHE3-OUq_X8nw/s2048/338597563_723963672803579_6816327549521974396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWljGq5I88F2UpKOioLywUL4biEFFx4-0tfKxK0juVHbPSJy81LjzOV3A4JahOMdKgh2RI1_jXp2Hq92zrasfvVyWxLSqenkIn1mnMVPX5QoECl0A_mySyh2qXQ4dNufAaEwkEwsCU7NX0meQMc5qy4_YM6y3v0BbIXgl9TmWQ7RVAoRHE3-OUq_X8nw/s16000/338597563_723963672803579_6816327549521974396_n.jpg" /></a></div><p>Anyone else a Gilmore Girls fan?<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIG_-tfEZuExhUi6FkUEq_r0vkF8TqkwVQoUtfC9vl14XeMZjyLZLEMiKqq786cx_sCFy21-euc5xkFUtXfuZZZcNj-n3nJYZXNYhsDHAL3xoM3KHXee-cBNo6AY5ykhXqtO7NAo6LTIbxlnQ9NqCvJgdotJr-aA_fcf4JcDbvv0xyj0fcCznybjmhA/s2048/332853486_1363212241190024_6028837653967881758_n%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIG_-tfEZuExhUi6FkUEq_r0vkF8TqkwVQoUtfC9vl14XeMZjyLZLEMiKqq786cx_sCFy21-euc5xkFUtXfuZZZcNj-n3nJYZXNYhsDHAL3xoM3KHXee-cBNo6AY5ykhXqtO7NAo6LTIbxlnQ9NqCvJgdotJr-aA_fcf4JcDbvv0xyj0fcCznybjmhA/s16000/332853486_1363212241190024_6028837653967881758_n%20(1).jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCUYJDf195scnL8mVEN7BXMQajVrKZEGlgFEOaKfRUJsb-3IUFgJFOPRNTV27JpKQ2lLNJ0E2cLNtlQgO0bIxfaAqQskZtoxiOdZfRp07zGeA_FFetabuhI7qv71n3NJP4YaTqtZx-4kpD0K2QzOD1pCW_8uRts8Ho64O0YmvgmSNIU5l4md7dzNQzg/s2048/338387002_914626326452887_6981995356278775708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCUYJDf195scnL8mVEN7BXMQajVrKZEGlgFEOaKfRUJsb-3IUFgJFOPRNTV27JpKQ2lLNJ0E2cLNtlQgO0bIxfaAqQskZtoxiOdZfRp07zGeA_FFetabuhI7qv71n3NJP4YaTqtZx-4kpD0K2QzOD1pCW_8uRts8Ho64O0YmvgmSNIU5l4md7dzNQzg/s16000/338387002_914626326452887_6981995356278775708_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Barbie seems to be EVERYWHERE this year because of the movie and I'm very ok with that! I was a Barbie kid and I was pretty excited to find this retro-looking fabric. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUGnqyhB-imbIoXsQmS4hmbmc7fG92aQt-xs-A5bRdfpRXPqDbi9wX4eog7FJtZC6lwJJSpZhuiDXE83Vg7A0Dv929WBpYfiksl0wHlTRnLjR_Kt2bWuo3mbuh0VADvTMc7IvG5qqCkVMXGDQ0eIgzTEsp_Gfdb8cgIPE1inRVu6mL3x6mpv_e4S0TQ/s2048/338389871_900513094388040_5320267694611078271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUGnqyhB-imbIoXsQmS4hmbmc7fG92aQt-xs-A5bRdfpRXPqDbi9wX4eog7FJtZC6lwJJSpZhuiDXE83Vg7A0Dv929WBpYfiksl0wHlTRnLjR_Kt2bWuo3mbuh0VADvTMc7IvG5qqCkVMXGDQ0eIgzTEsp_Gfdb8cgIPE1inRVu6mL3x6mpv_e4S0TQ/s16000/338389871_900513094388040_5320267694611078271_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBevgRCbqo_WTIj-phALpPFlUmtidReXAlfhlVhuqLP8GPtT8UthD8_ZD4qSDj7exFF04JQ5hdbvMeUcY2b4qO-ILRWwRpv5eulc7cOpx71_nKrmTjKwglA_5iiywfAhXSS-GY-JTAEejCCN5a4SUCVIZruiyMqTkDd3L5Qe4ozWRXOHSIlzRtcXOb6Q/s1920/337731549_560879089217872_9028872421321128154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBevgRCbqo_WTIj-phALpPFlUmtidReXAlfhlVhuqLP8GPtT8UthD8_ZD4qSDj7exFF04JQ5hdbvMeUcY2b4qO-ILRWwRpv5eulc7cOpx71_nKrmTjKwglA_5iiywfAhXSS-GY-JTAEejCCN5a4SUCVIZruiyMqTkDd3L5Qe4ozWRXOHSIlzRtcXOb6Q/s16000/337731549_560879089217872_9028872421321128154_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is just a tiny sample of the scrunchies I'll have on hand at my vendor show later this month. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT289L7X7nB0x3mknFf2P4-1UaPBOYhHJJ24uZSujpAy8wGpAuwLVP2WW19WSeuhdbL0xNDUg-wIMW8rF0e_vTF6sWLlPbp5vgzwOzVGwkMpfR8L4w8_E_dLDWygIUeVtp-C2buLcuMSYstiv4uwqGikacaoWlkc5mH3M2KPYXFaThSdrkVG9LQczxxA/s2048/338563213_179330661634338_7213022607932431941_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT289L7X7nB0x3mknFf2P4-1UaPBOYhHJJ24uZSujpAy8wGpAuwLVP2WW19WSeuhdbL0xNDUg-wIMW8rF0e_vTF6sWLlPbp5vgzwOzVGwkMpfR8L4w8_E_dLDWygIUeVtp-C2buLcuMSYstiv4uwqGikacaoWlkc5mH3M2KPYXFaThSdrkVG9LQczxxA/s16000/338563213_179330661634338_7213022607932431941_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I'll be making another tote out of this Bulbasaur fabric because it's GORGEOUS and I already sold this one on my Instagram. </p><p>If you're local to Sudbury, definitely come check out the show!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZSRTwkP8Ww89pEsiVZHy8mkduKoEK8AFfE69smEPifj-C4yzsjOAfQkiUBGrhz9FgPHNkjHBIqLLdtj250PKR86m2ey5HVwtuW59PsAS1wDeeX6TUEHk07D_ap7PtfEA612GoNASLEUPQNAiLQPb1kc4djQKNfRgc1Eo8ZVZQUCa_A66cyEOjbA6pw/s960/338863212_2154087061446544_2969411637124601736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZSRTwkP8Ww89pEsiVZHy8mkduKoEK8AFfE69smEPifj-C4yzsjOAfQkiUBGrhz9FgPHNkjHBIqLLdtj250PKR86m2ey5HVwtuW59PsAS1wDeeX6TUEHk07D_ap7PtfEA612GoNASLEUPQNAiLQPb1kc4djQKNfRgc1Eo8ZVZQUCa_A66cyEOjbA6pw/s16000/338863212_2154087061446544_2969411637124601736_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm hoping to sell at a couple more vendor shows this year! I'll also be updating my <a href="https://runsoncoffeeandcream.square.site/" target="_blank">online shop</a> after this show with all my new products so keep an eye out for that!</p><p>xo Jen</p><p><br /></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-47564467038297428222023-03-31T14:54:00.003-04:002023-03-31T14:54:24.584-04:00Disney Wish Cruise with Young Kids<p>We went on a 4 night cruise on the Disney Wish. It was my first cruise ever and I'm hooked! I came home and started looking up more Disney cruise things - the other ships, dates, places they visit. I want to do all the Disney cruises!</p><p>The Disney Wish ship was gorgeous, all the cast members were incredibly friendly and helpful, the food was delicious, and the kids were obsessed with the kids' pool and splash zone. I was also in love with our stateroom. We had a oceanview with a verandah. I've now been spoiled and I don't know if I'll be able to do a cruise in the future without one!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3_8QujGaQ9p3CXNVkqCZrHE6WSk0n53zOmbBn7WyDLsM5oXBNLb6BeeDYtwqQmYTtxufjAlqte3OgJwMYmq1bOg3aUnMi8GduatohKOXgWtqOV0I0BZxW2GV4RUgOiDnTj-2Gp2X-S8d-GQHqLUAu90WoFeZ3Bglf15esXsS6PWsWfbGCW7vxTe03A/s2048/334325822_177313565073516_8337561562557182462_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3_8QujGaQ9p3CXNVkqCZrHE6WSk0n53zOmbBn7WyDLsM5oXBNLb6BeeDYtwqQmYTtxufjAlqte3OgJwMYmq1bOg3aUnMi8GduatohKOXgWtqOV0I0BZxW2GV4RUgOiDnTj-2Gp2X-S8d-GQHqLUAu90WoFeZ3Bglf15esXsS6PWsWfbGCW7vxTe03A/s16000/334325822_177313565073516_8337561562557182462_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZk7HxddaTOMCywtkOePuVbujor9t9E4sg7wEIt8bAmF1zSjoOvvBcRJ0IbexBUUpgJQgrwOSLKEh9JYpZevY0aTI_0SurlyCae_dur5p6k5TmoEM22G2fz9BD6EpnqDI7f7iZzeJ-RO9h8hHHWd2v5pIz081uCiYBx2WTf8Gbhe4q015U6Hi3EEpZIA/s2048/334272450_1262382574683797_7984194846308529750_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZk7HxddaTOMCywtkOePuVbujor9t9E4sg7wEIt8bAmF1zSjoOvvBcRJ0IbexBUUpgJQgrwOSLKEh9JYpZevY0aTI_0SurlyCae_dur5p6k5TmoEM22G2fz9BD6EpnqDI7f7iZzeJ-RO9h8hHHWd2v5pIz081uCiYBx2WTf8Gbhe4q015U6Hi3EEpZIA/s16000/334272450_1262382574683797_7984194846308529750_n%20(1).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Now how did the kids do?</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span><b>Motion Sickness</b></span></p><p><span>No one got sick during our time on the ship. The first night I felt some movement and it made me feel weird, not nauseous though. I took some gravol before bed just in case. But that was it. The kids never got sick or complained of anything. This was my biggest fear about going on a cruise. My kids and myself get motion sickness easily so I thought we'd be in trouble. But we did good so now I feel confident to do more cruises!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrklyMZ4AqIN8sVF1Ye3_twkWFGAAXATzdArH6G7jtpn1UZJmTlgg3Et5NctOwqPS307jknrvwrzfexP0krPWhLYc1RQJBj6Jy5G1oMDfduSnJkp9MeToANLeqYmi5NYmR135KmUZ0g5BEiqOsRt5SpUXXyaJ5TldWbsxmv9l1DMG-Rtn1vqXrLQfEwQ/s2048/336750966_1857379057961717_7863118545959101227_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrklyMZ4AqIN8sVF1Ye3_twkWFGAAXATzdArH6G7jtpn1UZJmTlgg3Et5NctOwqPS307jknrvwrzfexP0krPWhLYc1RQJBj6Jy5G1oMDfduSnJkp9MeToANLeqYmi5NYmR135KmUZ0g5BEiqOsRt5SpUXXyaJ5TldWbsxmv9l1DMG-Rtn1vqXrLQfEwQ/s16000/336750966_1857379057961717_7863118545959101227_n.jpg" /></a></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><b>Meet and Greets</b></span></p><p><span>If you want to meet Disney characters, a Disney cruise is the place to do it! There were character meets all day, every day. In the Disney Cruise Line app, you can see the schedule for the entire cruise, and that includes character meets. We were able to meet all the characters we wanted and we waited no more than 15 minutes for any of them which was great. My kids loved every character meet and greet and I may have shed a few happy tears.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW4f9FduF0-_W0CoodlMm9wllwt8cCKRi9cDofr5unHt-Luic2XLoADGlK8lzG72zaNf5Tak9U9Xa0GEvvo35zN3mxirCMXGQRqoc6wPGpOsVdVWVPjRbFZ2ddZZ0U54dFlCMKGVg9GyttW33uHT_zQFZxc87HibSgXzNSV0nBcdoCDa7skPh5pNHKQ/s2048/334895904_2395264643984913_6402337871999632327_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW4f9FduF0-_W0CoodlMm9wllwt8cCKRi9cDofr5unHt-Luic2XLoADGlK8lzG72zaNf5Tak9U9Xa0GEvvo35zN3mxirCMXGQRqoc6wPGpOsVdVWVPjRbFZ2ddZZ0U54dFlCMKGVg9GyttW33uHT_zQFZxc87HibSgXzNSV0nBcdoCDa7skPh5pNHKQ/s16000/334895904_2395264643984913_6402337871999632327_n.jpg" /></a></div><b><p><b><br /></b></p>Food</b><p></p><p><span>The restaurants were incredible, the wait staff was so amazing and we were stuffed after every dinner. I wish we explored more of the food options for breakfast and lunch. We gravitated to the same things (because they were yummy and the kids loved them) but I've seen pictures and YouTube videos of food options that I definitely missed out on. We ordered breakfast to our room every morning (it's included in the price of the cruise!) of fruit, pastries, coffee and dry cereal. That was one of my favourite things. Then we'd hit up Marceline Market for a second breakfast a couple of hours later. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCDLZAUYqhb4mJCl46Putqw9qk2QUIv_sJ_6sWI--pn5nykbqWxoOBB6Xmxbw_B2n9PX0-OuF3dj2XR2tc4bIEJBdfXj9cQh3HLxrvQaw-jxI54Bo6cE0ojuLhz208ADdV_jHjrUQySmlu8cn-APdhmEpY1n4NBNAPnf0F6mh0lIoxOOAVaAek2tehg/s2048/334239343_653684229899814_6441514939803093792_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCDLZAUYqhb4mJCl46Putqw9qk2QUIv_sJ_6sWI--pn5nykbqWxoOBB6Xmxbw_B2n9PX0-OuF3dj2XR2tc4bIEJBdfXj9cQh3HLxrvQaw-jxI54Bo6cE0ojuLhz208ADdV_jHjrUQySmlu8cn-APdhmEpY1n4NBNAPnf0F6mh0lIoxOOAVaAek2tehg/s16000/334239343_653684229899814_6441514939803093792_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o6UFMRaizXv0j0-LyLYeBwidVHW-6grVgXc5fW-wRCLhLrqJyKHSxHvQv04XUoRV45AQwcg2WNil-9fVGEcx9z7niwWjTKU2gnXMXPKJRSPamIITdhXCxHyBQjEW5D7aOu8DzwlQVZTm4EwT1PSz1U3e6m1UwC5y8hZy09vp2p2HFzd_v7BjHL7Mow/s2048/334909432_613968837234050_5808317167605349045_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o6UFMRaizXv0j0-LyLYeBwidVHW-6grVgXc5fW-wRCLhLrqJyKHSxHvQv04XUoRV45AQwcg2WNil-9fVGEcx9z7niwWjTKU2gnXMXPKJRSPamIITdhXCxHyBQjEW5D7aOu8DzwlQVZTm4EwT1PSz1U3e6m1UwC5y8hZy09vp2p2HFzd_v7BjHL7Mow/s16000/334909432_613968837234050_5808317167605349045_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ddfScyW0C2PWX_QMGOtTgos8wv2IYWXOeYhNtrOTME8n0IvFYOwnhwmQMoNHNxdJVxfSiYGCZrfE0w9mra0R-QS7oyu03h8IH5W_7QNIVAGIEthsupbNcPwcU2qi_QOaRXt6Ohs9ZqdGl6w7mAmZOVBSn8hshoTdygzrkHDVgAAAN4B_wx-Ac8Wpmw/s2048/336862746_225451429980873_6480508155868767295_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ddfScyW0C2PWX_QMGOtTgos8wv2IYWXOeYhNtrOTME8n0IvFYOwnhwmQMoNHNxdJVxfSiYGCZrfE0w9mra0R-QS7oyu03h8IH5W_7QNIVAGIEthsupbNcPwcU2qi_QOaRXt6Ohs9ZqdGl6w7mAmZOVBSn8hshoTdygzrkHDVgAAAN4B_wx-Ac8Wpmw/s16000/336862746_225451429980873_6480508155868767295_n.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span><b>Naps</b></span></p><p><span>Our youngest, who's 2 1/2, still has an afternoon nap. We missed it the first 2 days while we were in Disney World so by the first day of our cruise, she was a meltdown mess. We had an early night and she slept a solid 12 hours. From that night on, we went back to our room mid-afternoon every day so she could nap for a couple of hours. Our oldest ended up napping almost every day as well. The fresh air, swimming and excitement just exhausted them. And it let us have some quiet time with a coffee and some snacks that we brought back from Marceline Market while they slept. </span></p><p><span>The naps helped the kids stay up a bit later without being miserable too. We were able to watch a couple of the after dinner shows and the kids stayed up till 10:30 PM on Pirate Night for the fireworks. I can't recommend nap time or some quiet downtime enough. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhL8PIRm2L0JPcM6EWVD0RRxSnSOyH7ZNajlDcpOH6g0_0jR2d1kE1vhX57Uq6_J-8uOJb4a-p35z6-rLBI_guWuP17lrYHFz8hxZo5pY6w99H0uRNMYFCgcugRFaQClUVcsDiPLw0ZMkBt94bLfndJC0SnGmTs-8gJSy_ncABspzvQRtPFYLoaIyUw/s2048/334916123_591854329503441_1528246670376426194_n%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhL8PIRm2L0JPcM6EWVD0RRxSnSOyH7ZNajlDcpOH6g0_0jR2d1kE1vhX57Uq6_J-8uOJb4a-p35z6-rLBI_guWuP17lrYHFz8hxZo5pY6w99H0uRNMYFCgcugRFaQClUVcsDiPLw0ZMkBt94bLfndJC0SnGmTs-8gJSy_ncABspzvQRtPFYLoaIyUw/s16000/334916123_591854329503441_1528246670376426194_n%20(1).jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><b>Castaway Cay</b><p></p><p><span>Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas which we stopped at during our cruise itinerary. It's absolutely beautiful. There's a decent amount of walking to each beach, activity spot and restaurants. We walked to the first beach but our 2 year old wanted to be carried for most of it. If you have kids that will walk on their own, it's really not that bad of a walk. On the way back to the ship we were smart and waited for the tram so we didn't have to carry our toddler back. So depending on your child, you may want to take advantage of the tram on the island to get around. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ThbxlGD25a3n2HZpLqETislitST0rkn_toaI8Zn9L6ZQB8vGDhJ47NAGJlXGlbJk81EnOp46iBSLReqNpjBq8j5aj4Ra65TeD3pW7pzpaLYHCrfDj5ZimHuqztqiXh1-_62xpIpOY2CnaYesGNcmAlYPO_aag9x-_Ijia4cr_Z9k7UiJsmsS52hjkQ/s2048/334712867_944118250373176_1198030417417261349_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ThbxlGD25a3n2HZpLqETislitST0rkn_toaI8Zn9L6ZQB8vGDhJ47NAGJlXGlbJk81EnOp46iBSLReqNpjBq8j5aj4Ra65TeD3pW7pzpaLYHCrfDj5ZimHuqztqiXh1-_62xpIpOY2CnaYesGNcmAlYPO_aag9x-_Ijia4cr_Z9k7UiJsmsS52hjkQ/s16000/334712867_944118250373176_1198030417417261349_n.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>My other non-kids tip for the island: ice cream sandwiches! They have a self serve ice cream machine (on the ship, a cast member makes the ice cream cones for you). So you can grab some chocolate chip cookies from the barbecue buffet and bring them over the to ice cream machine and make an insanely amazing ice cream sandwich. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mqE5fkqBJDOroKC6chaHQvEMmA75HbhEbKi1do40aUKCZrautjvTjNqVpvgTgJNRCmjjfyuGXNuSivW2lEIDuHGPGTLk9OV_mI9h7MqltkOjh1HUGUYWsQTenJ4UzCgE0_flIZ8FDnVkmBRCI7IuWQ_xo_aOu00nh3zTgIn0tuCTdEYbQlb8xNi_Ag/s2048/337433659_724276789183929_3021171993176950994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mqE5fkqBJDOroKC6chaHQvEMmA75HbhEbKi1do40aUKCZrautjvTjNqVpvgTgJNRCmjjfyuGXNuSivW2lEIDuHGPGTLk9OV_mI9h7MqltkOjh1HUGUYWsQTenJ4UzCgE0_flIZ8FDnVkmBRCI7IuWQ_xo_aOu00nh3zTgIn0tuCTdEYbQlb8xNi_Ag/s16000/337433659_724276789183929_3021171993176950994_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><p></p><p><span><b>Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique</b></span></p><p><span>We had plans to get both our kids an appointment for a Princess makeover. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique provides hair styling, accessories, and outfits for kids to become a princess, Captain Mickey or Minnie, a pirate or a knight. Lily was too young; it's for 3 years and up. So we still booked an appointment for Emma and bought Lily a princess dress on Amazon and brought it with us. It worked out so well! <br /><br />So yes, the appointments are not cheap. I've read that you can bring your own dress and pay less just for the hair/makeup and experience. But we got Emma the Elsa dress there that she wanted. She loved every second of the makeover and the "fairy godmother" did an incredible job making Emma feel special and like she might actually have some ice powers. It was sweet. If your child really loves a certain character that they offer, I think the experience is worth it. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgOJB9iW-UdECJWQP6gyli3dCTwtbJ9gwPj70VxFpSI07Phd8waZ4a-YXmdnd-wume42CHvKT_6Jr9RFNsMhgJ-ndcgDWUyk45WmR1Rv3U_bieaMOHOlAA66HPcPD6Uo7ZaOXYma9Sbre9J2NzMHZef8fNtBz9S_coUyq4MIIpaS4rxO9bMS8Rd558w/s2048/334164413_237846508613593_1346947836232468933_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgOJB9iW-UdECJWQP6gyli3dCTwtbJ9gwPj70VxFpSI07Phd8waZ4a-YXmdnd-wume42CHvKT_6Jr9RFNsMhgJ-ndcgDWUyk45WmR1Rv3U_bieaMOHOlAA66HPcPD6Uo7ZaOXYma9Sbre9J2NzMHZef8fNtBz9S_coUyq4MIIpaS4rxO9bMS8Rd558w/s16000/334164413_237846508613593_1346947836232468933_n.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I found the Disney cruise fun and exciting but still relaxing. You could fill your days up with activities or spend the afternoon lounging on the pool deck, watching Disney movies and eating ice cream. I can't wait to book another Disney cruise vacation because it was such an amazing trip with my family. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2-C11xmeiV8ojxiCcVcUuEe9Ug76R8iQ2Q3ojh1yD61QK1FL47f2OEAsdeq07LFJ7ndVeCm48Win3Cuk03AdATylfFKHzRakw2j2kOf039_-gN7k5DyNrEMBrnFYv-MmZ7TmhmtMEPlN-lB-cZyN1ktDRMk-zNOOvxri1bhqJexNn1mAGonOFWuYCA/s2048/334904731_1192497414784815_432952012309825778_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2-C11xmeiV8ojxiCcVcUuEe9Ug76R8iQ2Q3ojh1yD61QK1FL47f2OEAsdeq07LFJ7ndVeCm48Win3Cuk03AdATylfFKHzRakw2j2kOf039_-gN7k5DyNrEMBrnFYv-MmZ7TmhmtMEPlN-lB-cZyN1ktDRMk-zNOOvxri1bhqJexNn1mAGonOFWuYCA/s16000/334904731_1192497414784815_432952012309825778_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span>Have you been on a Disney cruise before? Or a regular cruise? Did you like it?</span><p></p><p>xo Jen</p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-15372036016986370032023-03-16T09:00:00.001-04:002023-03-16T09:00:00.193-04:00Disney World with Young Kids<p>At the end of February, we travelled to Orlando with our 2 kids and another couple with their kids. We stayed at the Art of Animation resort in Disney for 2 nights. Then we boarded the Disney Wish cruise ship and went on a 4 night cruise. </p><p>It was absolutely incredible. I read about the "Disney Blues" (when you're depressed after being at Disney) and I believe it because I'm pretty sure I'm going through it. There were a few hiccups during our vacation but, honestly, it went so smooth. I'm no expert but I wanted to share my experience and some things we found worked or helped us have a great 8 day vacation with a 2 and 4 year old. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KpI1S55v5JmBkQimj9omrZUKu_PqYnbTG4_HltnP8zax2cxvipilDOha6bzP9TXBkjCH3CKCkDSI_Sa6h6lEsJTv3si84U4ERhmRx7nyQxqh1-OoX6KQFmITFQN8Nsz-vzj6LJMiegowbf2s_oPWFWDqnmSsIC7G2R7533errD7XZqSaLop7BoqO7w/s2048/333368721_217116007639421_3673806268954546779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KpI1S55v5JmBkQimj9omrZUKu_PqYnbTG4_HltnP8zax2cxvipilDOha6bzP9TXBkjCH3CKCkDSI_Sa6h6lEsJTv3si84U4ERhmRx7nyQxqh1-OoX6KQFmITFQN8Nsz-vzj6LJMiegowbf2s_oPWFWDqnmSsIC7G2R7533errD7XZqSaLop7BoqO7w/s16000/333368721_217116007639421_3673806268954546779_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Here's our experience from the first half of our trip. I'll share more about the Disney cruise in my next post. <p></p><p><b>Airport/Plane</b></p><p>The airport wasn't great for our 2 year old. Lily was tired, moody, and cried a lot. All I can say is try to breathe and have patience. There's just nothing you can do when your toddler had to wake up at 3 AM to be at the airport. Once we got through security and customs, she was a different child. Probably because she could walk around and we were able to get her some milk and breakfast. </p><p>The plane ride went well for both our kids. I packed many snacks, colouring books, stickers, and our tablet for our older child. Overall, they did great and stayed pretty occupied. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtct2Mpled10D2P2exRqwH5UFg8DPtUNrQr6LM-qFz9ON7uir3NUB_rcms4voh0gR2FZYSLKEJ8HXRfyG5OJ4MWZZCvjY9MPt7CXbNkD3L8Zizpf_m4su3NqThoYZPkA2BXRxJrBSebucIwLB7Pf89u4zp1Fb1Eb_IxTQTQA_SjODz8otiYKSINs3bA/s2048/333993026_874135010483917_965969464978428664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtct2Mpled10D2P2exRqwH5UFg8DPtUNrQr6LM-qFz9ON7uir3NUB_rcms4voh0gR2FZYSLKEJ8HXRfyG5OJ4MWZZCvjY9MPt7CXbNkD3L8Zizpf_m4su3NqThoYZPkA2BXRxJrBSebucIwLB7Pf89u4zp1Fb1Eb_IxTQTQA_SjODz8otiYKSINs3bA/s16000/333993026_874135010483917_965969464978428664_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Disney Resort</b></p><p>BRING THE STROLLER. The only thing we regret? We didn't bring a stroller. We had planned to rent a double stroller in the park and our toddler has become really independent and typically wants out of her stroller, so we didn't bring one. Well, we kicked ourselves for not bringing an umbrella stroller. </p><p>We stayed in the Little Mermaid rooms at the Art of Animation resort and it's a good 8 minute walk to the main building and transportation. Add in a slow toddler or having to carry that toddler and the walk takes FOREVER. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ifUfU0LJ_A7WI0EsZq6c6byoi_dMoPmunMI_f4GMk6dtPLoPTYq5GZI3FRWfapSc22TnN2yw5YtZHA37aOqnoSsaOFnTIGFgnKKByM04w296VaKl8hztbj0vNnjOmQpt_gwK6YpsKBVyCzAgNG3oQ656gMyYcmsxuN4QK_smF9RIclhN4rnDxJGbWA/s2048/334867113_154546750840939_987597528405436817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ifUfU0LJ_A7WI0EsZq6c6byoi_dMoPmunMI_f4GMk6dtPLoPTYq5GZI3FRWfapSc22TnN2yw5YtZHA37aOqnoSsaOFnTIGFgnKKByM04w296VaKl8hztbj0vNnjOmQpt_gwK6YpsKBVyCzAgNG3oQ656gMyYcmsxuN4QK_smF9RIclhN4rnDxJGbWA/s16000/334867113_154546750840939_987597528405436817_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The resort was amazing though; it's heavy on the theming but that just made it more magical for us and the kids. The pool was really nice and we had to bribe the kids to get them out. We ate at the onsite restaurant twice. We had a pizza which was good. It was a standard pizza that we all inhaled. We then went for breakfast on our last morning there. It was decent, however, pricey when you look at what you get. I preferred my breakfast of a pastry and iced coffee inside the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Magic Kingdom/Park Day</b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLT6HgOfaDKIec_AK4sguEzQhV67cKvXorU2WAwA4ChJovEtn2iqKqSldcCd4Z-bd7oOmZG1LHpvq4pauHcEpcVZ89s1PcFUthTG7wQIFA_BDPVWpxbmCiRCsrTXZYErsiUVyS-V9wcX7c14z_4_sMM5EvdzSolo2FJw2CLK-r2Ov4ygJWt2gv5T8Jw/s2048/332991719_783350073219122_7194840037965323740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLT6HgOfaDKIec_AK4sguEzQhV67cKvXorU2WAwA4ChJovEtn2iqKqSldcCd4Z-bd7oOmZG1LHpvq4pauHcEpcVZ89s1PcFUthTG7wQIFA_BDPVWpxbmCiRCsrTXZYErsiUVyS-V9wcX7c14z_4_sMM5EvdzSolo2FJw2CLK-r2Ov4ygJWt2gv5T8Jw/s16000/332991719_783350073219122_7194840037965323740_n.jpg" /></a></div><p>As I said above, we planned on renting a double stroller at the park. It was SO worth it. My oldest child, who was almost 5 during the trip and is crazy tall for her age, JUST fit. But she didn't complain. We were at the park from rope drop (8:30 AM) until 10 PM. That wouldn't have been possible without the stroller. It kept the kids from tiring out and we were able to walk at a better pace. Plus we were able to keep a couple of purchases and drinks in the stroller which was nice. If you're on the fence about the stroller, get it. You will be happy to not have to carry kids because even us adults were feeling it in our legs and backs from all the walking. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThsxrX6gYjU49QKVEkkjxr1MDdagOsvochSXeeTbw1v1JFIKrLpmmEn_yZtIOF98kqexbMS1N0bhd_XyrCH5jHV3QL7gbMk18LK0Cu6rzF2HjyRMLcoblZYWlur07oC1aTmMhPbj201jqgQdYU8Qaf9qGZrld7Ov4J6_643YcSiBS17kNKU3nWVATsQ/s2048/334871116_122258187361640_5605358977174290449_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThsxrX6gYjU49QKVEkkjxr1MDdagOsvochSXeeTbw1v1JFIKrLpmmEn_yZtIOF98kqexbMS1N0bhd_XyrCH5jHV3QL7gbMk18LK0Cu6rzF2HjyRMLcoblZYWlur07oC1aTmMhPbj201jqgQdYU8Qaf9qGZrld7Ov4J6_643YcSiBS17kNKU3nWVATsQ/s16000/334871116_122258187361640_5605358977174290449_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CUi9PZbz8IftdlXDrIvBKpPY3asJXQRcISp0hPFsjpE8RlCnIDo4eB5AlW_FP8LitIK_9cdtzxPLRkZ1CqT-tR8XLFsG8Ol9D4t1inbdE6H9r3lM9TL2PGw7SCATi1coPMBhnzsgBf0gBkGSlS2FUPRLeGb4QWqVIi2EIwTySAi7GxZUqUq_ZTKPhg/s2048/333560020_751478896423905_9142219630897046258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CUi9PZbz8IftdlXDrIvBKpPY3asJXQRcISp0hPFsjpE8RlCnIDo4eB5AlW_FP8LitIK_9cdtzxPLRkZ1CqT-tR8XLFsG8Ol9D4t1inbdE6H9r3lM9TL2PGw7SCATi1coPMBhnzsgBf0gBkGSlS2FUPRLeGb4QWqVIi2EIwTySAi7GxZUqUq_ZTKPhg/s16000/333560020_751478896423905_9142219630897046258_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Disney Springs</b></p><p>If you are making a trip to Disney World, definitely check out Disney Springs. It's free and full of some incredible restaurants and stores. We only checked out a tiny area of it because the kids were starting to get tired, but what we saw was amazing. We went for dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub and had a great dinner. Then we checked out a couple of stores before heading back. But once again, a stroller would have been useful and we might have been able to stay longer.</p><p>The best part about Disney Springs? If you stay at any of the Disney resorts, you can get free transportation to and from Disney Springs. It's really convenient. I'm super excited to check out more of this area when we go back to Orlando.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLpHhtzfCoxq_SKhuQ-NMcRBxxckz5y7ZrMLfeNb5dSJJDsp7ZSk607jymfI0qoQ5MzRvKe6a_9ilLL5OSZLp-ZXzBqE4iGqJOQJUFTsiDgH-6v26C-cCD-V_rht6oyZ123xj0r391K48fyGkVaQJl2WhIqrbJKeeySJLe1D_ElXPxBhH2AXsyY_qoQ/s2048/334672218_8972725506135390_850599822737169175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLpHhtzfCoxq_SKhuQ-NMcRBxxckz5y7ZrMLfeNb5dSJJDsp7ZSk607jymfI0qoQ5MzRvKe6a_9ilLL5OSZLp-ZXzBqE4iGqJOQJUFTsiDgH-6v26C-cCD-V_rht6oyZ123xj0r391K48fyGkVaQJl2WhIqrbJKeeySJLe1D_ElXPxBhH2AXsyY_qoQ/s16000/334672218_8972725506135390_850599822737169175_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>We are already planning another Disney World trip for the end of 2024. So I'm back to watching Youtube videos, reading blog reviews and watching all the Disney reels on instagram. This trip will be at least a week long and we'll be going to all 4 of the Disney parks. If you have any tips or recommendations, please let me know! <br /><br />Keep an eye out for my next post about our Disney Wish cruise. </p><p>xo Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-44341825789208117142023-01-14T16:14:00.000-05:002023-01-14T16:14:08.644-05:00Give me all the Scrunchies!<p>I gave up sewing shortly after Emma turned 1. I was burnt out, prepping for another embryo transfer, and overwhelmed. It was bittersweet because I had been creating for YEARS but I was just so tired. </p><p>A friend had suggested that it was just a different season for me - a season of babies and a lot of firsts that babies come with. And that I might return to sewing again one day. </p><p>Well 2022 had me itching to sew again... 2 years after my second baby was born. For the last couple of years I have been searching for something for 'me'. Something to bring back my spark, make me feel normal or human again, something to excite me. A few hobbies helped guide me through this time but looking at fabric, watching sewing tutorials, and feeling jealous as I saw others selling at craft shows led me to the realization that I wanted to sew again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho5S-7FM5wnQ6hI3coxKXaBRbyJnp70UVraTuohaKHsMDmqFwxFsmSs5c7cJ7KTXIbccQSxx2FpB_LiboiHPspwW7nn3v3daK4JxM_DRzlY7GOJgebnVFMH7D0pFSrxPFt19rxun4q60PYNmmhPia6fGoKbh0_nCN0i4mKuRg4g_yQ5wGDiyjpHhxEQ/s2048/324796131_1335446143905788_651532407385416380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho5S-7FM5wnQ6hI3coxKXaBRbyJnp70UVraTuohaKHsMDmqFwxFsmSs5c7cJ7KTXIbccQSxx2FpB_LiboiHPspwW7nn3v3daK4JxM_DRzlY7GOJgebnVFMH7D0pFSrxPFt19rxun4q60PYNmmhPia6fGoKbh0_nCN0i4mKuRg4g_yQ5wGDiyjpHhxEQ/s16000/324796131_1335446143905788_651532407385416380_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>So as 2022 was coming to an end, I started making plans; I signed up for a local spring vendor show, I decided on a few projects to start with to get me back into the groove AND I allowed myself to go fabric shopping. And honestly, my fabric wish list is never ending right now... this is what I grabbed:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcyxGH8pLDwu3bESMMVFHbkYP55tM5Y-iUfKdIQT-JXK7l5cgGTgHUkAZNmQs2MScfjKHgEymCBkuaWiHYVpgM-SgCvE5Mx6biBj0jtJGCqg7sVSucm-72_T9YJzNNg09tOIbvMKSwv9KKN9unnYX9K9qfRuStmLDxNlzWiESph3BS6cKZyCt8uOGrg/s2048/325366827_910908669903626_4978879868304014368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcyxGH8pLDwu3bESMMVFHbkYP55tM5Y-iUfKdIQT-JXK7l5cgGTgHUkAZNmQs2MScfjKHgEymCBkuaWiHYVpgM-SgCvE5Mx6biBj0jtJGCqg7sVSucm-72_T9YJzNNg09tOIbvMKSwv9KKN9unnYX9K9qfRuStmLDxNlzWiESph3BS6cKZyCt8uOGrg/s16000/325366827_910908669903626_4978879868304014368_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWl85Tv_h8kcM7bV2EM4iSYsfs0ERFMy6_8RMdQNhJbEDLYCxFLCiImiF_wQfZpmBmBvj4XB5dV9JpZqyve7LGP8b5qJrTV7-j58jXUbAoPtvGpxXICRXVnWaBIh_Al5VYVikj-WJ_NeCR6GaSoi1bBDl-HM67QQ2rwteOcIRpM22bgNo28bXFfb2HA/s2048/325532696_846349156449454_466098496024883493_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWl85Tv_h8kcM7bV2EM4iSYsfs0ERFMy6_8RMdQNhJbEDLYCxFLCiImiF_wQfZpmBmBvj4XB5dV9JpZqyve7LGP8b5qJrTV7-j58jXUbAoPtvGpxXICRXVnWaBIh_Al5VYVikj-WJ_NeCR6GaSoi1bBDl-HM67QQ2rwteOcIRpM22bgNo28bXFfb2HA/s16000/325532696_846349156449454_466098496024883493_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />Once Christmas festivities were over and I had put all the decorations away, I started organizing my craft space. It had become a junk corner over the last few years. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since I got things cleaned up, I've been in there a handful of times working on some small projects. And the time I've spent in my craft room has made me realize that's what I was missing... quiet time, being alone, my own space, watching some TV show, using my hands to create and feeling excited and accomplished when I'm done.<br /><br />First project I finished were some Disney scrunchies! I keep buying scrunchies so why not make some in prints we love?! Emma and I will be testing these out. I want to make sure they have great hold since we both have thick hair. And next up will be some Disney pouches for our upcoming vacation. I don't want to overwhelm myself so I'm starting slow. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQIOryK5ZzLOHGwN9f8KYEsKGiUnQXpKJAsNSvi5FuNbwLhgY8X4P6BTy0rWKyFNi_4fsESlya8Ltd7Xxk899_gR54tg9bhDyYfNsH-jO0eVBqEG35Kbu6mR0AAuhnXxOkZ7SkSMmigNRdjlj0bsgG2lSTLPo1-LW8rFJALED04Ln5x6YFrnB4t_4_Q/s2048/321419439_1278943615984565_6687884897698391066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQIOryK5ZzLOHGwN9f8KYEsKGiUnQXpKJAsNSvi5FuNbwLhgY8X4P6BTy0rWKyFNi_4fsESlya8Ltd7Xxk899_gR54tg9bhDyYfNsH-jO0eVBqEG35Kbu6mR0AAuhnXxOkZ7SkSMmigNRdjlj0bsgG2lSTLPo1-LW8rFJALED04Ln5x6YFrnB4t_4_Q/s16000/321419439_1278943615984565_6687884897698391066_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQaClgeIoXq3_iRiegUbqfQ9PvnkjoHZ7jHJpNi19SFUMmw1jhCcoe4iQ1AJ9rAqR5CDKEDxiUZiNWTtNltiiXj7H1U6NoPHyjIhEnh0THxL6fJvCwefmW3cnsKK2qNAnUpWFW2Gu4aj4BQmRdESPqmSo9UbqR-qW8FUJQa_sNWw9HFDidpEdVJooZg/s2048/325664104_2949051278560031_7163286179498154756_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQaClgeIoXq3_iRiegUbqfQ9PvnkjoHZ7jHJpNi19SFUMmw1jhCcoe4iQ1AJ9rAqR5CDKEDxiUZiNWTtNltiiXj7H1U6NoPHyjIhEnh0THxL6fJvCwefmW3cnsKK2qNAnUpWFW2Gu4aj4BQmRdESPqmSo9UbqR-qW8FUJQa_sNWw9HFDidpEdVJooZg/s16000/325664104_2949051278560031_7163286179498154756_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm hoping to open my Etsy shop back up soon and I've been working on rebranding my Facebook page. I'm excited to see how things develop this year; what other projects I do and vendor shows I sign up for. And I can't wait to share it all with you!</div><div><br /></div><div>xo Jen</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-50180899935544213572022-12-03T08:00:00.001-05:002022-12-03T08:00:00.213-05:00My Life in Photos: Fall Recap<p>Before winter is 'officially' here and we get caught up in Christmas, I thought I'd share a bit about our fall. It was a whirlwind full of colds, adjusting to a school routine, a wedding and all things pumpkin!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3-gUn7oyVSWz6uZtBm6O4YiznBpVITtf4yI6EzQYAH3V0istcxtSpJQcAH3QoqvV_AgFmseIOkkL8G9TxK1DzYjt9US5Q4NlodXfb4FH9BIKex_8nZZ388whFgfVWgBcbi50tHx63OegswjYT-LAp52oDHaGkeOwcWFHH9JbeI3_Ra3H6rgBSTl-QA/s2048/317147860_2775113769289913_3506181494737515785_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3-gUn7oyVSWz6uZtBm6O4YiznBpVITtf4yI6EzQYAH3V0istcxtSpJQcAH3QoqvV_AgFmseIOkkL8G9TxK1DzYjt9US5Q4NlodXfb4FH9BIKex_8nZZ388whFgfVWgBcbi50tHx63OegswjYT-LAp52oDHaGkeOwcWFHH9JbeI3_Ra3H6rgBSTl-QA/s16000/317147860_2775113769289913_3506181494737515785_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUCjXEZWj7jJXyX56yjRR4rwLTYiLQ8RLCuRMPsSBRfQ5cBgfVs6baw1hVuyYXzEyYWTHSxCkG3xKNWNg6SNgfQKCZ8fHSMlHj7qromgsCCl780_f5uclP-bkEhv1IPjY_IqVdHrJY_53-jRdhb7TBIi4GaZLIpDaTigSYMjru6leYvpX9Jm6K7wCUw/s2048/317485796_701171524603433_4985294554518942018_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUCjXEZWj7jJXyX56yjRR4rwLTYiLQ8RLCuRMPsSBRfQ5cBgfVs6baw1hVuyYXzEyYWTHSxCkG3xKNWNg6SNgfQKCZ8fHSMlHj7qromgsCCl780_f5uclP-bkEhv1IPjY_IqVdHrJY_53-jRdhb7TBIi4GaZLIpDaTigSYMjru6leYvpX9Jm6K7wCUw/s16000/317485796_701171524603433_4985294554518942018_n.jpg" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Emma has transitioned to kindergarten so well; she really enjoys it, the activities, the experience, making friends. But I swear September and October were just one giant cold. Snotty noses were all around. We expected it as they build their immune systems but, frig, it wasn't fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We tried to enjoy as much as we could of fall. We went to a pumpkin farm, ate all things pumpkin spice, carved pumpkins and had a fantastic Halloween. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-abgrqqpE5QCFS5NrgyfgR_n--Q-yaZNWkjfsH0M6HEQJoPD5Nc76qBfVPkevYPrZEwu-r5Gv32aB8AnvlEFCT7q7Cq8uR8Of5NcxF709dGR3Jkf1Ts4SugJxndmc9lsovEy_ZgaRELkl-SybryKJD3X_ZcSeE5rDyHvKP5rtsL5DjHrXROO5lp9iug/s2048/317797745_479912450874253_1012081980641642736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-abgrqqpE5QCFS5NrgyfgR_n--Q-yaZNWkjfsH0M6HEQJoPD5Nc76qBfVPkevYPrZEwu-r5Gv32aB8AnvlEFCT7q7Cq8uR8Of5NcxF709dGR3Jkf1Ts4SugJxndmc9lsovEy_ZgaRELkl-SybryKJD3X_ZcSeE5rDyHvKP5rtsL5DjHrXROO5lp9iug/s16000/317797745_479912450874253_1012081980641642736_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNYTwuQSnvnjE9y9_H499PDMIc8nRi_Wjjre6BicwBDTF9jbebxqyJ3zXuxZg0_yUojvsTYTF-uOLzGA_BCXYNB23WlkJlLI2Z7DtnslALnH4H456PtMIhG4X4YsQ-TTIzTe3YGwlYCIm4SG5B0x1675xTuLVSkawuGME4QCU37y1X6dPQPWcz2DOqQ/s2048/317581058_672816637814624_7060017063238793051_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNYTwuQSnvnjE9y9_H499PDMIc8nRi_Wjjre6BicwBDTF9jbebxqyJ3zXuxZg0_yUojvsTYTF-uOLzGA_BCXYNB23WlkJlLI2Z7DtnslALnH4H456PtMIhG4X4YsQ-TTIzTe3YGwlYCIm4SG5B0x1675xTuLVSkawuGME4QCU37y1X6dPQPWcz2DOqQ/s16000/317581058_672816637814624_7060017063238793051_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYuB47IJ_E2TmaufOhKJ69EAD718QHcc9iuS_LBD_Xl68XBdV14ARUcf-TVFJ-X2gVR5M_PGyP-TmQs3RCsTGlCLJY0YtnTRi0uslU62EGQtehg2KBJs2YXhFTGM9F95XRIdSyPowDEhuoSqTn0rc8s7iQG2IOQK3Sek7Ut9EbvlMaHonc-HmP1IxCg/s2048/317613465_542447557748351_2264251832485235163_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYuB47IJ_E2TmaufOhKJ69EAD718QHcc9iuS_LBD_Xl68XBdV14ARUcf-TVFJ-X2gVR5M_PGyP-TmQs3RCsTGlCLJY0YtnTRi0uslU62EGQtehg2KBJs2YXhFTGM9F95XRIdSyPowDEhuoSqTn0rc8s7iQG2IOQK3Sek7Ut9EbvlMaHonc-HmP1IxCg/s16000/317613465_542447557748351_2264251832485235163_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adam and I also got a weekend away! We were in a gorgeous wedding of our dear friends at the most beautiful location in Quebec. It was an incredible weekend and we got to get dressed up and all fancy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlhYRHZAHVlnDrqOZUjaM7PmtIicw6L4DhVt4nC-ZA9i9YM1mvYUqwzYGOqzVWQaNVJ4iy6-5i-BnbcJ7a7ENJS_91xzC33UMTUqrfjiBL4xSiixyUgMbgJPZju5W11_rnyjuBTo_ztoRXoqwWQmnzkmAhmZKujvHu6zKYPqft1HvkHgLc2XjM40Yog/s2048/317751723_1467799903729319_7881156243693208161_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlhYRHZAHVlnDrqOZUjaM7PmtIicw6L4DhVt4nC-ZA9i9YM1mvYUqwzYGOqzVWQaNVJ4iy6-5i-BnbcJ7a7ENJS_91xzC33UMTUqrfjiBL4xSiixyUgMbgJPZju5W11_rnyjuBTo_ztoRXoqwWQmnzkmAhmZKujvHu6zKYPqft1HvkHgLc2XjM40Yog/s16000/317751723_1467799903729319_7881156243693208161_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How was your fall? Did it fly by for you too? It blows me away it's now December. We have so much going on this month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xo Jen</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-86424086691616557672022-12-01T08:00:00.004-05:002022-12-01T08:00:00.203-05:00My Favourite Christmas Movies So Far..<p>Tis the season for cheesy holiday movies. All the streaming services are filled with old and new Christmas movies. And I love it! </p><p>They're meant to be cheesy, sappy, have over the top characters, and a crazy, drama-filled storyline. </p><p>I've been watching all the Christmas movies during November, new and old. And a few stand out. However, I still have all of December to keep up my movie binge watching. </p><p>Here are my favourites so far...</p><p>Falling For Christmas (2022) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ZC1z5iEgjTTJONtziWFDjrabf59l5w3bmAxCxPrMfg14ob--cTKoR6OsMIoITk9PweCA_gpwmzk0h_3cGAlfwuJqnVWV_61ciGnPcrOx711XgQaWD5dZ7-907YSBpiOgrlzEnSsBDQ6u3N6QbtRvhWmQ5V_4GBX2T6O2Nugh9i4_8GDCFJ-EGnzdw/s2222/MV5BMDNhMWUxMjctZWFhNy00MjUzLWE3NjYtNTE4ZjVhYjRkZThmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTkxNjUyNQ@@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8ZC1z5iEgjTTJONtziWFDjrabf59l5w3bmAxCxPrMfg14ob--cTKoR6OsMIoITk9PweCA_gpwmzk0h_3cGAlfwuJqnVWV_61ciGnPcrOx711XgQaWD5dZ7-907YSBpiOgrlzEnSsBDQ6u3N6QbtRvhWmQ5V_4GBX2T6O2Nugh9i4_8GDCFJ-EGnzdw/s16000/MV5BMDNhMWUxMjctZWFhNy00MjUzLWE3NjYtNTE4ZjVhYjRkZThmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTkxNjUyNQ@@._V1_.jpg" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><p>This movie was highly anticipated and the hype got me - I was really looking forward to this movie. And, it's good! Funny, silly, doesn't take itself seriously. It's definitely rewatchable. </p><p>Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeeebY3CWGEUhecGzASw2kowrfhGYni19jB1lchEBBqVTVDhayP0TvqkesHC1axWfEYpKgDAUsv_238eKZXspWB-K0bJdw91hqJoU1xMkzVaSjeMRCiT3nZdSKxiTB5gP3lkFMMnHpySxXtvDvjwKLGR857ATPasLsId1zIhIzZf-95AAgjvKGhuB8A/s3000/MV5BOWQ1NjNiZTEtYzc3Zi00Nzk4LTg5MTYtNzc5NmJjYTg1MGQ4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTA4NDI1NTQx._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeeebY3CWGEUhecGzASw2kowrfhGYni19jB1lchEBBqVTVDhayP0TvqkesHC1axWfEYpKgDAUsv_238eKZXspWB-K0bJdw91hqJoU1xMkzVaSjeMRCiT3nZdSKxiTB5gP3lkFMMnHpySxXtvDvjwKLGR857ATPasLsId1zIhIzZf-95AAgjvKGhuB8A/s16000/MV5BOWQ1NjNiZTEtYzc3Zi00Nzk4LTg5MTYtNzc5NmJjYTg1MGQ4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTA4NDI1NTQx._V1_.jpg" /></a></div><p>This movie has been out for a few years but we only just watched it on Disney+. It's so cute and full of Christmas cheer. If you have any Frozen fans in your home, definitely give this a watch. </p><p>Last Christmas (2019)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV9I-Iyju5P44d1syhK9cJviYVtczCUluzxELVNUwsXr8MQ27KMlYqawQj8CKwecf0Y0M_2eZFKb8fog_ZPQZDshJkRwXTTzjafiNoKzQOv_iSB5DvLGDYi6CoV110icLR52I-V0whnSu-tWIIMkb4Zcl_TXA2m6e6v1CoIs5DB-yRk4FMYP8nowWLQ/s2560/91YoSALeVYL._RI_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV9I-Iyju5P44d1syhK9cJviYVtczCUluzxELVNUwsXr8MQ27KMlYqawQj8CKwecf0Y0M_2eZFKb8fog_ZPQZDshJkRwXTTzjafiNoKzQOv_iSB5DvLGDYi6CoV110icLR52I-V0whnSu-tWIIMkb4Zcl_TXA2m6e6v1CoIs5DB-yRk4FMYP8nowWLQ/s16000/91YoSALeVYL._RI_.jpg" /></a></div><p>I don't want to give away any spoilers, but this movie may cause tears or heartache. It's a great movie and went in a direction I didn't expect. I put this on thinking I would just scroll on my phone throughout the movie. That didn't happen. I was completely invested. I highly recommend giving this movie a watch!</p><p><br /></p><p>What holiday movies do you love? I'll be back with more recommendations once I binge some more over the next couple of weeks! </p><p>xo Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-80654346092730187672022-11-01T10:30:00.010-04:002022-11-01T10:30:00.196-04:00Sephora Holiday Sale Picks<p>Are you a Sephora Insider member? It's free to join and you get different perks based on how much you spend over a calendar year. The best part? You get to take part in member-only sales. Their Holiday event starts today for me (I'm a second-tier member so I get a bit of an early start on the sale). <br /><br />Saving 15% is a big deal. Nowadays, our budget is tight with inflation and sales don't happen often on skin care and makeup. So I'll be grabbing a few of my favourite must-haves at Sephora during this sale. <br /><br />Here are my picks:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVZQoFksSo-hjo7Xfva8urs3_CmX1RdMDn0KEa4MaKcxOJgeIxyURSDWGPzNcBUO8ElPeavbZNdMzn17u_8FhhRT1Dovh2-mO2hgvkgWM_ik175SCaOATV4M1M3rnH3CEz2vUosAzLkv112gbWs2dUNZj5mzpHOzz1PF6_rrHQnd0-asHcTegJzp9JA/s1080/Sephora%20Holiday%20Savings%20Event%20Picks%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVZQoFksSo-hjo7Xfva8urs3_CmX1RdMDn0KEa4MaKcxOJgeIxyURSDWGPzNcBUO8ElPeavbZNdMzn17u_8FhhRT1Dovh2-mO2hgvkgWM_ik175SCaOATV4M1M3rnH3CEz2vUosAzLkv112gbWs2dUNZj5mzpHOzz1PF6_rrHQnd0-asHcTegJzp9JA/s16000/Sephora%20Holiday%20Savings%20Event%20Picks%20(1).png" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clockwise from top left:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/amika-bust-your-brass-blonde-purple-intense-repair-hair-mask-P471529?skuId=2436830&icid2=products%20grid:p471529:product" target="_blank">Amika Bust Your Brass Intense Hair Repair Mask</a> - this purple hair mask came highly recommended from my hairstylist. It helps tone your blonde hair but it's also very hydrating. I'm pretty excited to get this to keep my hair soft and blonde this winter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/sos-save-our-skin-daily-rescue-facial-spray-P448852?skuId=2527844&icid2=products%20grid:p448852:product" target="_blank">Tower 28 SOS Spray</a> - I have been obsessed with this facial spray for a year now. It helps soothe my red skin after a shower, it's kept my cheeks clear from breakouts, and it's not irritating at all. I already have 1 bottle in my back up drawer but I'll be grabbing a second to hold me over until the next sale. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/P471049" target="_blank">Kosas Air Brow Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel</a> - I recently fell in love with this tinted brow gel. Not only does it provide a great dark blonde shade, keeps my hairs in place, but there's tripeptides in the formula to encourage hair growth (which my overplucked brows need!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/P472069" target="_blank">Silicone scalp massager</a> - I've been wanting to get one of these for a while and I'm finally going to order one! They're supposed to be great to use in the shower to help with dry shampoo build up (guilty!). I'm excited for the deep scalp clean. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/P441813" target="_blank">Milk Hydro Grip Primer</a> - I've been on the hunt for a primer that's silicone free, made with clean ingredients and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I found it! This primer WORKS - my makeup doesn't budge with this on underneath my foundation. But there's some amazing skin care ingredients in it that are great for your face, like aloe, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and hemp extract.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could buy SO much more, but for now, these will be sale splurges. What will you be picking up?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xo Jen</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-78819789518874607262022-08-15T14:13:00.001-04:002022-08-15T14:13:40.454-04:00Cute Disney Shirts<p>We are going to Disney! In February 2023 we are heading to Magic Kingdom for 1 day while staying at a Disney resort, and then heading on a Disney cruise!<br /><br />I am SO excited, like more than the kids. But they don't know exactly what's waiting for them so that's not surprising. Emma, my 4 year old, can't wait to meet Princesses. She'll be in awe and super excited the entire trip. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegOUFlJW9hb8EiM0B2RfiE4O1O1s665TmHYyxERnPjTeuoXodOJJH7oisvHvAODJ4gB2A2asFu-BxKKkrfwKv0JYafZ1-9OsDQ0Sp181HN2tebpxReOwPKy2_l0qdaI4kQ0Z7BAw_yP1ihlHhQmBtejtCrs7oGCZAcss1UIwZbAuherZcB_C9HLLL7w/s1280/95e7d963-79dc-46f5-9388-4a128a086b2a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegOUFlJW9hb8EiM0B2RfiE4O1O1s665TmHYyxERnPjTeuoXodOJJH7oisvHvAODJ4gB2A2asFu-BxKKkrfwKv0JYafZ1-9OsDQ0Sp181HN2tebpxReOwPKy2_l0qdaI4kQ0Z7BAw_yP1ihlHhQmBtejtCrs7oGCZAcss1UIwZbAuherZcB_C9HLLL7w/s16000/95e7d963-79dc-46f5-9388-4a128a086b2a.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Lily is a little young but I don't want to wait to make these memories. We will remember and she will be able to look back at photos and videos. AND she'll be beyond happy and excited in the moment. Plus, we're still planning a full Disney (all the parks!) trip in a couple of years when the kids are older. <p></p><p>As soon as we booked the cruise and resort, I was searching Disney merch online... all the clothes, accessories, and cruise items! <br /></p><p>These are my current favourite Disney tees I've found on Etsy, though my wishlist is growing daily! It's pretty easy to find Disney clothes for the kids but I want some shirts for myself!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYf-Z6g02SZoDXq5EM05sg0BVdjtt2jz8aKTIqrMN5vlIpwYmNpQPdWkU6SbPSJ8mQm1WxS34-IGJnOc6gzh00mEDTTJYdNJ72khWRY9FKKuWdWaZT_N-3M6C4qCvnoKfeJ7-Ze36HlcwJGnGycKac1RZnsEHy2i0uY2cnlLQS8KZOjF4W7EjrkwjYw/s1080/Cute%20Disney%20Shirts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYf-Z6g02SZoDXq5EM05sg0BVdjtt2jz8aKTIqrMN5vlIpwYmNpQPdWkU6SbPSJ8mQm1WxS34-IGJnOc6gzh00mEDTTJYdNJ72khWRY9FKKuWdWaZT_N-3M6C4qCvnoKfeJ7-Ze36HlcwJGnGycKac1RZnsEHy2i0uY2cnlLQS8KZOjF4W7EjrkwjYw/s16000/Cute%20Disney%20Shirts.png" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1170542965/disney-vacay-mode-t-shirt-theme-park?click_key=9e1005b4f9a19ce5c2f2bf13c0537e0cf022c6fa%3A1170542965&click_sum=773f48e6&ref=user_profile&pro=1&sts=1" target="_blank">1</a>.<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1174236594/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things?click_key=517375a8ae61e46627f0dc80fc3240663b812b04%3A1174236594&click_sum=c0dcfcf3&ref=user_profile&pro=1&sts=1" target="_blank">2</a>.<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1171256854/disney-encanto-shirt-theres-a-little?click_key=2faaa83320b07d8eb2ab24b57c78b8f90f8025be%3A1171256854&click_sum=b0a05c67&ref=user_profile&pro=1" target="_blank">3</a>.<a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1202208172/most-expensive-day-ever-t-shirt-best-day?click_key=dbd28e1ac290fed5534d5fe41c4b0cc191a5077b%3A1202208172&click_sum=a05398af&ref=user_profile&pro=1&sts=1" target="_blank">4</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now for anyone who's been to Disney with young kids or has been on a Disney cruise - what are things I NEED to bring/pack?? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">xo Jen</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-15333938118278797572022-07-16T22:40:00.002-04:002022-07-16T22:40:25.176-04:00Self Love<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">My body has endured a lot... cancer, infertility, fertility treatments, miscarriage, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, and SO much yo-yo dieting, extreme workouts and binging.</span></span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">It's also carried me through all those hard times AND carried 2 healthy babies to full-term, fed them, and continues to carry them, hold them, and protect them.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">Body positivity is learning to love and respect your body at every stage and treating it that way. But I feel like I've been using "Self Love" as an excuse to eat all the treats, drink all the lattes, and not move my body daily. </span></span></div><div><span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">No more.</span></div><div><span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WOz1yyeMtbrYqFsByMS80YFK2iuIRto0oiLKTj0ttaWFn1OAbJD1YIJZkh8tgMdzSuRy812nQkBRfG6xdIAu4Mkv0gwZV57IKixJSzZD3cO5GndbfxUqOM_1_7c6gxqiB8VcR4HIQ5vQfb5x8ED0AlQRFZF9B2Ch-xKVHRfvyN9Q7_ECdePJ2laikA/s806/mydeeplythoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WOz1yyeMtbrYqFsByMS80YFK2iuIRto0oiLKTj0ttaWFn1OAbJD1YIJZkh8tgMdzSuRy812nQkBRfG6xdIAu4Mkv0gwZV57IKixJSzZD3cO5GndbfxUqOM_1_7c6gxqiB8VcR4HIQ5vQfb5x8ED0AlQRFZF9B2Ch-xKVHRfvyN9Q7_ECdePJ2laikA/s16000/mydeeplythoughts.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><br />I need to start moving my body consistently, eating foods that make me feel good, and taking care of my mental health because I respect my body, not hate it.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">I know it's going to be a challenge but I know I need to do this. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: inherit;">I turned 38 the other day and 40 is looming on me HARD.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">So here I am, making myself a promise to put myself first.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2rfo1rPrWN1FuKEK6WQvlJWFzO0wbV8eIq45NeYQRHanthGd1uZQu9Sn8kNYXgr0u33BHt69Hill0I9fc9b6h21UR6WmM-MYxSGkCZ0CmfFlHF_ZbcZqX4BbCdFTUzlyES130_t29u672hArLm5vLtQDPDzw-w1mU3hi0ybQp8HBhNZKx2sSf4bufQ/s1286/293548292_766695794670824_2380809082090740088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2rfo1rPrWN1FuKEK6WQvlJWFzO0wbV8eIq45NeYQRHanthGd1uZQu9Sn8kNYXgr0u33BHt69Hill0I9fc9b6h21UR6WmM-MYxSGkCZ0CmfFlHF_ZbcZqX4BbCdFTUzlyES130_t29u672hArLm5vLtQDPDzw-w1mU3hi0ybQp8HBhNZKx2sSf4bufQ/s16000/293548292_766695794670824_2380809082090740088_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">xo Jen</span></span></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-54830538887149050582022-06-26T14:25:00.004-04:002022-06-26T14:25:39.819-04:00Summer is Here!<p>July is THIS week... what?! I feel like summer is already 1/3 over! We didn't have great weather (summer weather) for most of June but it's here now!</p><p>This is our last summer before Emma starts school in September. It's crazy and very bittersweet. I look forward to her making friends and so that I can spend some one-on-one time with Lily. But it also means my baby is growing up *tears up*. </p><p>So we're making the most of this summer and have already been to many playgrounds, splash pads, and eaten lots of ice cream!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIcdvpwWMQby43bYEs9vuKWf_KHwQUMps2Z6EVr_KbhSsnwFz5PqluaHA8-5EnqDAAIiL6-hzdQQgprdufSQkRNDRaLC8x05LUcYiuRpdr8yjROfuYVfgYaFbRu6TvF1HwXKSiR8aClrMFqQ_kggzcNzka4NT3GcjKJcPz7b60jImkv7-6bpgk1TFpA/s2048/289777972_462527729017529_8647681982188341876_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIcdvpwWMQby43bYEs9vuKWf_KHwQUMps2Z6EVr_KbhSsnwFz5PqluaHA8-5EnqDAAIiL6-hzdQQgprdufSQkRNDRaLC8x05LUcYiuRpdr8yjROfuYVfgYaFbRu6TvF1HwXKSiR8aClrMFqQ_kggzcNzka4NT3GcjKJcPz7b60jImkv7-6bpgk1TFpA/s16000/289777972_462527729017529_8647681982188341876_n.jpg" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our Summer Bucket List:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>visit lots of playgrounds and splash pads</li><li>visit different locations for ice cream</li><li>go camping</li><li>swim in the lake</li><li>swim in the backyard often</li><li>picnic at the beach</li><li>picnic at park</li><li>eat on patios</li><li>Mommy-and-Emma day</li><li>harvest our veggies and eat straight from the garden</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDMRU1G_wkdslwtHm30yHx4Mkymz8-tSVuSwb09W7aZ0FqZS2XPzgTeqWTcuEheNrvckwxJCboiXMrYLixeBHkBmOEEWf77r57G1gcozQ7E4NbVKN2_xkafsreszKrQXkauEx7WJ5N93njlVurmtFF7HHSZhFDn2QzjkvAL4IBYrmxipbvNG84QdlA/s2048/290027387_385495726895554_4552230729790362256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mDMRU1G_wkdslwtHm30yHx4Mkymz8-tSVuSwb09W7aZ0FqZS2XPzgTeqWTcuEheNrvckwxJCboiXMrYLixeBHkBmOEEWf77r57G1gcozQ7E4NbVKN2_xkafsreszKrQXkauEx7WJ5N93njlVurmtFF7HHSZhFDn2QzjkvAL4IBYrmxipbvNG84QdlA/s16000/290027387_385495726895554_4552230729790362256_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure we'll add more but I want to make sure we get outside, have fun and make amazing Summer memories! </div><div><br /></div><div>What are you hoping to do this summer?</div><div><br /></div><div>xo Jen</div></div><p></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-38110460408466647782022-05-14T16:10:00.000-04:002022-05-14T16:10:16.997-04:00May Book Wish List<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My book wish list is HUGE. Thankfully, I have an e-reader so it's more affordable than buying physical copies. Here are my May release book picks:</span><br /><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16.8px;"><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWLiGKQjXBKzhUIbpyWZTdgsy09e53pvRZ4oAaUPbuGtxa1lg86bKcflD1-HSLdFaTI8sc_QcCbg2la4zWtXJZF8XkAyY-Ic_t9ACIoR5P8QhsLLZUq4zdQEYrvLTwi5jJHvjknehald9SYj6e-_USW9eEIXECGCVL4n52ZDo-AZ9vQAdhTyjZBSkxA/s500/41MWIrcWrUL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWLiGKQjXBKzhUIbpyWZTdgsy09e53pvRZ4oAaUPbuGtxa1lg86bKcflD1-HSLdFaTI8sc_QcCbg2la4zWtXJZF8XkAyY-Ic_t9ACIoR5P8QhsLLZUq4zdQEYrvLTwi5jJHvjknehald9SYj6e-_USW9eEIXECGCVL4n52ZDo-AZ9vQAdhTyjZBSkxA/s16000/41MWIrcWrUL._SL500_.jpg" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By The Book</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Jasmine Guillory</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="bookDescription" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline-block;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overworked and underpaid, Isabelle is having second thoughts about her job as an editorial assistant. Third and fourth thoughts, too. Besides being the only Black employee in the entire publishing house, Izzy can’t even make enough money to get her own place. But perspectives start to shift when she meets reclusive writer Beau Towers, who’s just as lost and lonesome as she is. Jasmine Guillory reimagines a classic fairy tale in this second installment of the Disney Meant to Be series.</span></i></div><div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I LOVE Jasmine Guillory's books. I describe them as romantic comedies in book form. I fly through her books.</span><br /></span><div><div class="bookDescription" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline-block; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKuvMaBTVlJRfalK5RF0cudmCdoE-XTaCo-suXt-aB8c7kwFBXrSREtr5nA3klOZxdJAFDHW-Jp8ZJHzGTY85PHQrwVBhhwo4_9ac_P4JNju2I02z985mAU64JNy1jxFzZHwbnVP1vgS-aSiWt9_kIXWdLiyDjIE9yO-3UcT8UzgDdhFfL0O-VXM7vg/s500/41fKzbBLmGL._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKuvMaBTVlJRfalK5RF0cudmCdoE-XTaCo-suXt-aB8c7kwFBXrSREtr5nA3klOZxdJAFDHW-Jp8ZJHzGTY85PHQrwVBhhwo4_9ac_P4JNju2I02z985mAU64JNy1jxFzZHwbnVP1vgS-aSiWt9_kIXWdLiyDjIE9yO-3UcT8UzgDdhFfL0O-VXM7vg/s16000/41fKzbBLmGL._SL500_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Family of Liars</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By E. Lockhart</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #181818;">The highly anticipated prequel to </span><span style="color: #181818;">We Were Liars—</span><span style="color: #181818;">winner of the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction—</span><span style="color: #181818;">Family of Liars</span><span style="color: #181818;"> introduces an earlier generation of the severely complicated Sinclair family. Details about the story itself are slim, but advance material promises more family drama, a private island off the coast of Massachusetts, and “a summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes.” Those summers are the worst.</span></span></i></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read We Were Liars years ago and it was SO good. The twist... it got me good and I couldn't put the book down. I'm so excited for this prequel.</span><br /></span><span style="color: #181818;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C6RuxSA_eTPtRd-tJ3AkqgEATGVwLmywsVJQMIJ6sA_5z0JtS1-UrhPTev0JBS3HEYhgEQwp5_vsVKld5r1LpWbwt0f1OO0LRANA8ryPc_APk5YE1jvBExMZsM3_FbSUefJeCsqc9eCEpngaqNl6IBRhsb6WXh7HbnVSkeS0cRquEoU5nnL7uh0a8g/s500/41bbfRprMML._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C6RuxSA_eTPtRd-tJ3AkqgEATGVwLmywsVJQMIJ6sA_5z0JtS1-UrhPTev0JBS3HEYhgEQwp5_vsVKld5r1LpWbwt0f1OO0LRANA8ryPc_APk5YE1jvBExMZsM3_FbSUefJeCsqc9eCEpngaqNl6IBRhsb6WXh7HbnVSkeS0cRquEoU5nnL7uh0a8g/s16000/41bbfRprMML._SL500_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Book Lovers</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Emily Henry</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Natives of North Carolina can tell you: It’s a surprisingly romantic place. Veteran romance author Emily Henry (Beach Read) is back with a love story set in the Tar Heel State. (Why Tar Heel? Weird story.) Book Lovers spotlights a blossoming romance between a cutthroat literary agent and a brooding book editor. Doesn’t seem promising, does it? But the vibe changes drastically when Nora Stephens and Charlie Lastra meet up in rural NC. Location, location, location!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love a good romance book, especially in summer. This sounds like a fun read!</span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What's on your to-read list this month? Any releases coming out soon that you're excited for?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />xo Jen<br /></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;">*all book synopses are from Goodreads</span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="bookTitle" style="background-color: white; float: left; line-height: 1.3; padding-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div><div class="bookDescription" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline-block; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-85700677552163472682022-05-13T15:03:00.001-04:002022-05-13T15:13:12.342-04:00What I'm Loving Now<p>It's been a minute since I did one of these. But as the weather warms up, my anxiety subsides, and we start going out more, I'm feeling inspired again. Inspired to write and share all the amazing and cute things I'm loving lately!<br /><br /><b>Greenhouses/Plants<span></span></b></p><p>I've always loved looking in the Garden Centres come spring and this year is no exception. It probably seems extra special this year because I avoided going to them the last 2 years. And now, Emma asks all the questions and wants to take home all the flowers. <br /></p><p>We've been to 3 greenhouses so far this year and we have a wish list of things we want to go back for once we can actually start planting. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FOCLs5vnsGMaXPb62TOquc6weVTe0Oh7svfu3scjZUFvnwvjYqKR0rc9r2FWavnB061ib_YkmRQiimi5J2LO-rvzGPsyu6y_RVe5vQY0XzBH8Uhpm7rzarnW2GUwBVJkCR4MHU3eHw5c6l0iv8fS2tYurYSi6dXpXNmjgpvhzDRnFX2LOZ1nPzK-SA/s4032/20220508_150107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FOCLs5vnsGMaXPb62TOquc6weVTe0Oh7svfu3scjZUFvnwvjYqKR0rc9r2FWavnB061ib_YkmRQiimi5J2LO-rvzGPsyu6y_RVe5vQY0XzBH8Uhpm7rzarnW2GUwBVJkCR4MHU3eHw5c6l0iv8fS2tYurYSi6dXpXNmjgpvhzDRnFX2LOZ1nPzK-SA/s16000/20220508_150107.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma wasn't sleeping here... just 'relaxing'. Clearly we tired her out shopping for plants.</td></tr></tbody></table><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMolmJnznr0rKNOzB4jEDJ6vzZeNv8PCHdQuax_owiBNKzYXHBBUuzkz-2RU3Z9EGnSYdZqKAYaSG8CFGNG0BYVfPvNT9K8yqWtLYJ_BHu44lc7RtAnwexGAJXAxhqmHKEwRR9G2-4uWFFc1-Gi4DmX9MBx-u2RcALkqh7QhrX5ZRojUJQR0UlCG4zw/s4032/20220508_144332.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMolmJnznr0rKNOzB4jEDJ6vzZeNv8PCHdQuax_owiBNKzYXHBBUuzkz-2RU3Z9EGnSYdZqKAYaSG8CFGNG0BYVfPvNT9K8yqWtLYJ_BHu44lc7RtAnwexGAJXAxhqmHKEwRR9G2-4uWFFc1-Gi4DmX9MBx-u2RcALkqh7QhrX5ZRojUJQR0UlCG4zw/s16000/20220508_144332.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't tell anyone, but Lily kept ripping leaves off of plants she could reach... </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Kobo E-Reader</b><div><br /></div><div>I've had my Kobo for almost a year now and I'm OBSESSED. Books are so much cheaper which means I can grab a new book or 2 monthly. Plus, it's lightweight so it's easy to bring with me. When we visit family, I can easily bring it along and read before bed. And it holds so many books which means I can have 2 or 3 on the go and read whatever I'm in the mood for.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffOj2rWdELhe0WWOAKfnklsTAGey6sTqiiLOyQbADT8APqAiZuYHcuTmAyCm00v6aBwE0UjvBgBGFCbVx6ro3-XNRaLyZ4I6xidXX2TLTAGDEhJAcqgbOZFozJzDoffdbbFhNYxMR4Sgui1u2HZktV7qNHhi5zbHV21nz43WcDOXb4wAdWm6Om222Vw/s4128/20210709_125410.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffOj2rWdELhe0WWOAKfnklsTAGey6sTqiiLOyQbADT8APqAiZuYHcuTmAyCm00v6aBwE0UjvBgBGFCbVx6ro3-XNRaLyZ4I6xidXX2TLTAGDEhJAcqgbOZFozJzDoffdbbFhNYxMR4Sgui1u2HZktV7qNHhi5zbHV21nz43WcDOXb4wAdWm6Om222Vw/s16000/20210709_125410.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><p><b>Crave TV</b></p><p>Yep, a TV streaming service is something I'm loving right now. Between being able to catch up on all the Star Trek shows and now having full Sesame Street episodes to stream for the kids, it's become my go-to whenever I turn on the TV. If you have Crave, give me your show suggestions!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2wvxXecuNgi7pTP7fT00UGp1r7aNBaRRD-jnUhRyMXvLdSuaoweF_LyxC1x7dno0cbm5e4n0Vi83kO7q0pK8E5iYGX4GSqnXOxp1FfQD1tf_B8s2Ev9QIjonjnblJNG_eqIWA9uZi_qbhFuOjaOxtdSF9M26d_5_0vvhivFayzppATrM0EwavCFepQ/s1024/New-Crave-Header-img.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2wvxXecuNgi7pTP7fT00UGp1r7aNBaRRD-jnUhRyMXvLdSuaoweF_LyxC1x7dno0cbm5e4n0Vi83kO7q0pK8E5iYGX4GSqnXOxp1FfQD1tf_B8s2Ev9QIjonjnblJNG_eqIWA9uZi_qbhFuOjaOxtdSF9M26d_5_0vvhivFayzppATrM0EwavCFepQ/s16000/New-Crave-Header-img.png" /></a></div><br /><p>What have you been loving lately? </p><p>xo Jen</p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-12979489052435772262021-11-15T08:00:00.002-05:002021-11-15T08:00:00.186-05:00Parenting is Hard<p>How do you reason with a toddler who's a mini version of you? I never realized how stubborn, impatient, and dramatic I was until my 3 year old grew up to be just like that and just like me. </p><p>It's been a long couple of years. We haven't had a ton of in-person visits with family and friends because of the state of the world and that means I haven't had a lot of breaks from being "Mom". It's been wearing me down and as Emma grows into an independent child with a feisty personality, I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakdown some days. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vm_khoBUA07SbabY4jE0yZFOHqjGWONXpgFLB9swxtA3Sj_OPr7e8Dx97MgJis2FBiV9N5H7gUMXaQTgySkuR7sdiGYACpkCMo4l_zVwsmzy_zvBRcJaFqxiGDdUVeTVfHrVmV4LgnrR/s540/download+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="540" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vm_khoBUA07SbabY4jE0yZFOHqjGWONXpgFLB9swxtA3Sj_OPr7e8Dx97MgJis2FBiV9N5H7gUMXaQTgySkuR7sdiGYACpkCMo4l_zVwsmzy_zvBRcJaFqxiGDdUVeTVfHrVmV4LgnrR/w400-h309/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span><br />I'm not entirely sure how to go about things. I'm trying every trick and bit of advice out there. Like 'if I don't lose my cool, it'll keep her more calm'. It works sometimes and other days, there's just no other way than us butting heads. <br /><br />I keep telling myself this is a phase. We will both continue to grow and we'll find ways to get through this. And I know it's true. But on those really long days where I've dealt with a handful of meltdowns, her talking back, on top of taking care of my daredevil 1 year old who will not stop moving, I'm EXHAUSTED. </span><p></p><p><span>I know Emma's going to grow into an incredible woman and will do amazing things. But I just have to survive raising her first. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsc2YXGR49Vjy5dllNMS7NXf5Ygpm-S384VRTOz8w8zSbBEoyi0sdo8cNQQTrmDRWAtAQCzwfrVpq-hMntn0HHBbtwik3xCS_gHzLo9ynTZvuLak9FhKHweuFqtKt-Q9XwvudosLWMXcJ/s2048/20211111_112659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2048" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsc2YXGR49Vjy5dllNMS7NXf5Ygpm-S384VRTOz8w8zSbBEoyi0sdo8cNQQTrmDRWAtAQCzwfrVpq-hMntn0HHBbtwik3xCS_gHzLo9ynTZvuLak9FhKHweuFqtKt-Q9XwvudosLWMXcJ/w400-h393/20211111_112659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span>Here's to all the parents raising little spitfires and feel like they're failing some days. </span><p></p><p>xo Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-12971103133799542222021-11-14T15:26:00.001-05:002021-11-14T15:47:21.309-05:00My Sephora Sale Picks<p>Have you started your Holiday shopping yet? I'm pretty much done and have bought myself *ahem* a few things to wrap up to put under the tree. This past week I grabbed a few things at the Sephora sale. <br /><br />I'm a huge fan of Briogeo hair products. They're clean formulas and work great so I stock up a couple times a year during the Sephora sale. I also grabbed myself a few other things. <br /><br />These are my picks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlRqt0XB42OEEivbCKnHyN61zQfpzeXKSQc9XfKoDe2XZ-HpnazL7dffgxjFHxzj8Dt7Ut0TiZI0JcNqQpUxUqI9WTivNCPVJOgI0S1990uzLlT2LbZ-uRZmAVNMSMuTtgMlvgZCL-Owi/s940/Sephora+Sale+Picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlRqt0XB42OEEivbCKnHyN61zQfpzeXKSQc9XfKoDe2XZ-HpnazL7dffgxjFHxzj8Dt7Ut0TiZI0JcNqQpUxUqI9WTivNCPVJOgI0S1990uzLlT2LbZ-uRZmAVNMSMuTtgMlvgZCL-Owi/w400-h335/Sephora+Sale+Picks.png" width="400" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>1. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/frank-body-original-coffee-scrub-P469141?skuId=2444511&icid2=skugrid:p469141:product" target="_blank">Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub</a> - super simple ingredients and also super effective. This leaves my skin so soft and I love the smell - strong coffee! <div>2. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/curl-charisma-rice-amino-avocado-leave-in-defining-creme-P388626" target="_blank">Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-in Defining Cream</a> - this is a great cream for when I air dry my hair and let it dry wavy. It's fragrance free and helps control my frizz.</div><div>3. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/sos-save-our-skin-daily-rescue-facial-spray-mini-P448853?skuId=2284917&icid2=skugrid:p448853:product" target="_blank">Tower 28 S.O.S. Daily Rescue Facial Spray</a> - this is the first time I've bought this product. It sounds like magic in a bottle. I'm really hoping it helps with my rosacea flare-ups. I'll keep you posted! </div><div>4. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/scalp-revival-charcoal-coconut-oil-micro-exfoliating-shampoo-P418507?skuId=1895580&icid2=skugrid:p418507:product" target="_blank">Briogeo Scalp Revival</a> - SOO good to help with dry shampoo build up haha. I use it a few times a month so it lasts a long time and really helps give me a deep scrub when my scalp starts to itch. </div><div>5. <a href="https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/rosarco-blow-dry-perfection-heat-protectant-creme-P411359" target="_blank">Briogeo Farewell Fizz Heat Protectant Cream</a> - amazing cream to help fight frizz when I use a blow dryer. Also, super necessary to keep hair healthy if you use heat styling tools!</div><div><br /></div><div>Did you grab anything at the Sephora sale? I probably could have picked up more but I tried to stick to the items I needed and really really wanted. <br /><br />xo Jen</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-12592346375967726722021-09-14T13:43:00.007-04:002021-09-14T13:47:32.637-04:00Fall Things: Davids Tea<p>Fall is upon us! Pumpkin everything is everywhere and Halloween decorations are popping up. I recently received an email from Davids Tea about their new collection and I'm in LOVE. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hCXwcsc1sWZkfEomC-B-hc6Yat4zrnJYKA6JFdO8n3rDcC_DN7GkRmgbMPDwxaZ_7aCRzO2TUOuG8hxdP16VWDVO-G0ITz5KTguzp4GjBML_sNoZN8zEOs5cpkMMIBv8z7729W0lgfNO/s1080/fall+tea.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hCXwcsc1sWZkfEomC-B-hc6Yat4zrnJYKA6JFdO8n3rDcC_DN7GkRmgbMPDwxaZ_7aCRzO2TUOuG8hxdP16VWDVO-G0ITz5KTguzp4GjBML_sNoZN8zEOs5cpkMMIBv8z7729W0lgfNO/w400-h400/fall+tea.png" width="400" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div>1. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/fall-faves-collection/tea-press-leaves-burgundy/904428DT01.html?cgid=fall-faves-collection&dwvar_904428DT01_color=Burgundy" target="_blank">Leaves Tea Press</a> - a tea press is one of the easiest ways to make loose leaf tea. I love mine!<div>2. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/halloween-collection/nordic-mug-mushroom-green/904439DT01.html?cgid=halloween-collection&dwvar_904439DT01_color=Green#start=25&sz=24" target="_blank">Green Mushroom Nordic mug</a> - the colours and designs on this mug are great! </div><div>3. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/halloween-collection/nordic-mug-hedgehog-pink/904423DT01.html?cgid=halloween-collection&dwvar_904423DT01_color=Pink" target="_blank">Pink Hedgehog Nordic mug</a> - pastel pink and hedgehogs? Sooo cute for fall!</div><div>4. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/fall-faves-collection/pumpkin-chai-iconic-tin/961621DT01.html?cgid=fall-faves-collection" target="_blank">Pumpkin chai</a> - one of the first pumpkin teas I ever tried and I still love it and buy it yearly!</div><div><br /></div><div>And then the spooky things...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYgmPTK7_ZDC8mHTMzv0_Uk8Px_kBrs-8ZBKyv3MaLPd8240kRUtatJrpZt3etIq5N8R8m7JWqJelkiFWgfBQ1TAmcYPfBJhOikqDN3AKg_2iQeBcHULlNmfd02_Nz0OX6unN3YagyPTx/s1080/Halloween+Tea+Items.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYgmPTK7_ZDC8mHTMzv0_Uk8Px_kBrs-8ZBKyv3MaLPd8240kRUtatJrpZt3etIq5N8R8m7JWqJelkiFWgfBQ1TAmcYPfBJhOikqDN3AKg_2iQeBcHULlNmfd02_Nz0OX6unN3YagyPTx/w400-h400/Halloween+Tea+Items.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>1. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/halloween-collection/favourite-tumbler-ghosts-black/904437DT01.html?cgid=halloween-collection&dwvar_904437DT01_color=Black" target="_blank">Ghostly Favourite Tumbler</a> - I love how subtle the ghost design in on this. It's very sleek. </div><div>2. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/halloween-collection/latte-mug-skulls/904551DT01.html?cgid=halloween-collection&dwvar_904551DT01_color=Black" target="_blank">Skulls Latte Mug</a> - not my usual style but look at it! It's amazing AND lime green inside!</div><div>3. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/shop-all/halloween-collection/color-changing-nordic-mug-glow-in-the-dark-black/904436DT01.html?cgid=halloween-collection&dwvar_904436DT01_color=Black" target="_blank">Ghostly Color Changing Mug</a> - how cool is this mug? I love that it changes colour with heat.</div><div>4. <a href="https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/tea/monster-mash/10779DT01VAR0074411.html" target="_blank">Monster Mash Tea</a> - the description got me and now I need it - "pumpkin butter-inspired rooibos"<br /><p><br /></p><p>Do you love seasonal items like this? I'm definitely a sucker for it. Once I get the Monster Mash tea, I'll be sure to share a review in my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/sprinklecoveredlife" target="_blank">Facebook group</a>. </p><p>~Jen</p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-56036844319073295862021-07-24T10:00:00.001-04:002021-07-24T10:00:00.240-04:00Children's Clothing: Rise Little Earthling<p>I feel like I've tried almost every brand of children's clothing - some are made small, made large, made cheap. My favourite is usually Carters/OshKosh. But a new brand was released and I see myself becoming obsessed with it! They have baby and toddler sizes so both my girls will be dressed in it.</p><p>Rise Little Earthling has been released by Toys R Us in Canada and it's perfect - modern but classic, soft cotton material, high quality, great colours, priced reasonably, and I find they run large which I love since both my girls are big. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1cMFe9ekGW40LoZ9aeM3TK9r6QCBucGOFIlK764C5vQP_E1LAh2H_RRwv5p5nw1nmJrFNNDrS8fZiVYb2BftLc2kct-vzsASD0eNd293IVEFT5StMsUN5wHcCOlCHkHbi2sl6dukX8lN/s1146/Screen-Shot-2021-06-02-at-4.23.48-PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1146" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1cMFe9ekGW40LoZ9aeM3TK9r6QCBucGOFIlK764C5vQP_E1LAh2H_RRwv5p5nw1nmJrFNNDrS8fZiVYb2BftLc2kct-vzsASD0eNd293IVEFT5StMsUN5wHcCOlCHkHbi2sl6dukX8lN/w400-h250/Screen-Shot-2021-06-02-at-4.23.48-PM.png" width="400" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><p>From the site:</p><p><br /></p><h1 style="background-color: #f5dbcc; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: var(--font-serif),"Georgia","DejaVu Serif",serif; font-size: 2.75rem; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.03em; line-height: 3.125rem; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">rise with kindness</h1><div style="background-color: #f5dbcc; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Gotham, Futura, "Tw Cen MT", FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 1.25rem; text-align: center;">Our name represents our commitment to do better through positive messaging, imaging and better practices.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As a multi-dimensional style brand for little ones, we want to make organic and thoughtfully sourced products more available to parents who care about the future.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Our product has been designed in four categories to reflect the healthy, balanced life of our children:<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Dream - The coziest of organic cotton pjs to snuggle in<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Splash - Eco friendly swimsuits in recycled polyester<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Play - Easy to wear, easy to care for styles for everyday adventures<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Party - The perfect look for special event or family photos</div><p><br /></p><p>I love it! My kids have a few pieces already and I can say with confidence they are great quality and so soft! I'll be picking up more and I'm excited to see what else they release as we get into the fall season.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_YUGTWUS4mun_s5G-KoWM_nc9inH6UnhWsQrdxO-SvkR-QTdn46W9oAJfpMu7mU8vWrhyV1HR4g6r8fMFSmPO6CVAgUoivezeX2V8iDEZrQwxTOw5ZgafdBGM_uOxQ7WtanOUjNHFZhg/s940/little+earthling.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_YUGTWUS4mun_s5G-KoWM_nc9inH6UnhWsQrdxO-SvkR-QTdn46W9oAJfpMu7mU8vWrhyV1HR4g6r8fMFSmPO6CVAgUoivezeX2V8iDEZrQwxTOw5ZgafdBGM_uOxQ7WtanOUjNHFZhg/w640-h536/little+earthling.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>How cute are these styles? And the price point is perfect!<br /><br />Where do you shop for kid's clothes?</p><p>~Jen</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-81675470365679167532021-03-31T09:00:00.001-04:002021-03-31T09:00:03.133-04:00Body ImageHaving daughters has made me realize I need to change my relationship with my body. I need to start focusing on improving my strength and energy, and not just looking at food and exercise as a way to lose weight and change how I look. <div><br /></div><div>I've never had a good relationship with food, exercise and my body. I've never had an eating disorder or been obsessive over exercise. But I've still obsessed over calories, counting food, the number on the scale, and other crazy weight loss things. And I don't want my children to see that.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'm trying things differently now. I'm 8 months postpartum and pretty exhausted as I adjust to 2 children. But I'm ready to start changing things up.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGft-zDlVLHznro0F2pSQTql7eeKWJOc0h_6xF2ubW29rZ45q2Oh9PFrIgjZSzr7Jew6fSc3w_2LG75PR8B_R887NOxw05ybWxxsdk4UdGwOQHkb14Y4Haq-hNQ0YNEt4WPU5t2hHf5WEq/s2048/20201128_083418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGft-zDlVLHznro0F2pSQTql7eeKWJOc0h_6xF2ubW29rZ45q2Oh9PFrIgjZSzr7Jew6fSc3w_2LG75PR8B_R887NOxw05ybWxxsdk4UdGwOQHkb14Y4Haq-hNQ0YNEt4WPU5t2hHf5WEq/w300-h400/20201128_083418.jpg" width="300" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><br /><div>I decided I needed to start exercising; not for weight loss but to move my body, use my muscles, including my heart and lungs, and to increase my endorphins to help with my anxiety. Because of my lifestyle and the pandemic, I'm working out at home - streaming workouts on the computer. I've started to get up earlier than the girls so I can work out and shower before they're awake. Emma has joined me a couple of times because she's woken up early but I just make it work. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for food, I'm not dieting. I can't restrict myself from certain food. I've learned that. As soon as something is off limits, it's all I think about and I binge. So I'm trying to find balance. If I have a muffin for breakfast, lunch and dinner are healthy. If we order pizza for dinner, then the next day I eat healthy meals and skip on cookies. I'm trying to find healthy foods that we can easily grab from the fridge and eat too - pre-cut veggies, nuts, yogurts, and lots of fruit.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far it's been good. I can feel an increase in energy on the days I work out and my eating habits leave me feeling good. I haven't been bloated or felt gross from my balanced eating.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BMMMTC0_vu6sBEE6Z5pxhgWeN8G7hMuhfagseYds-3tWnUaW1b51ly8pwqn54SJfNlnJnrQv8ZEWdKatJ52sYThcG_be4yKJeu5_F903p6B14cRbRUCx2gTtOgBsSzWigi_F1WrJgIcX/s2048/20201123_083229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BMMMTC0_vu6sBEE6Z5pxhgWeN8G7hMuhfagseYds-3tWnUaW1b51ly8pwqn54SJfNlnJnrQv8ZEWdKatJ52sYThcG_be4yKJeu5_F903p6B14cRbRUCx2gTtOgBsSzWigi_F1WrJgIcX/w300-h400/20201123_083229.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>But the best part? Emma is watching and paying attention. During the mornings that she's joined me during my work out, she copies my moves and tells me she's doing 'yoga'. Then, a little while ago, she told me I was a superhero. This was right after a work out and I was still walking around the house in my leggings and sports bra. I don't know if it's because she saw me working with dumbbells or it was because of my outfit, but she called me a superhero multiple times that morning and it made me even more motivated to keep doing what I'm doing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want to be healthy for my children and I want them to see me living a balanced life - not obsessing over food and weight, but eating delicious food and also moving my body. That's the goal anyways. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do you try to live a healthy lifestyle?</div><div><br /></div><div>~Jen </div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-67761374437411480392021-03-30T14:47:00.001-04:002021-03-30T14:47:40.952-04:00Hello Spring<p>Spring is here. But not really. We got dumped on with snow again a couple of days ago. Our world looked like a snow globe all day. I think Emma was the only one thrilled about this turn of events in our household. Oh, and I guess the dog too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz5FH3lgntqEWGZpIJFcpte1uTdPee0uhUaUEpoIqm8fzzs5Vx1taNcscTbMTPsewKtK0mf-X6Ng7zTQnBmgUelp11WiXc1UgUvYRVKGTFZVubBJFo7i8DJjvotLLgGxW3DbvkDtKyckG/s670/162104256_10223365080568595_4454796449735357611_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="670" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz5FH3lgntqEWGZpIJFcpte1uTdPee0uhUaUEpoIqm8fzzs5Vx1taNcscTbMTPsewKtK0mf-X6Ng7zTQnBmgUelp11WiXc1UgUvYRVKGTFZVubBJFo7i8DJjvotLLgGxW3DbvkDtKyckG/w400-h400/162104256_10223365080568595_4454796449735357611_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>So yesterday, after Emma begged to go outside, we decided to all go out. It would be good for Lily and me to get some fresh air and sunshine on our face since we don't go out much. <div><br /></div><div>Lily was so unimpressed. She never got upset but we could not get a smile out of her. In her defense, she is teething and it was almost nap time. But her expression says it all about how we're feeling about snow in almost April. <div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGtr2V25begM1C9s-9-lwlusXPeb9TMQ36e2D6wtuZBIjGVhXLa_00nmtMEaqi5Hc_OsxI2UNsqazA2eRKe2odsC_l4CNntRjRKjFck6-Ry6K894GNXbhcp-UxPyXY0QgRtxE9iQfJ-es/s2048/20210329_132604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGtr2V25begM1C9s-9-lwlusXPeb9TMQ36e2D6wtuZBIjGVhXLa_00nmtMEaqi5Hc_OsxI2UNsqazA2eRKe2odsC_l4CNntRjRKjFck6-Ry6K894GNXbhcp-UxPyXY0QgRtxE9iQfJ-es/w300-h400/20210329_132604.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Easter is this weekend and we're still in Lockdown so we're hiding at home. It'll be nice though. I have a roast to cook, tons of little chocolate eggs to hide, and a Creme Egg Brownie ordered from our favourite local bakery, <a href="https://www.beardsbakery.com/" target="_blank">Beards Bakery</a>. </p><p>Emma sort of understands what's happening and talks about the Easter bunny coming and bringing her chocolate. We baked Pillsbury bunny cookies the other day which Emma just loved. It's great their dough is now safe to eat raw, but ever since I let Emma eat one of them raw, that's all she wants to do! She has no patience for them to bake. It's a battle, but thankfully she lasted the 12 minutes for the bunny cookies to finish in the oven. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp_UvLK1zFzg-NDPfxr-gw0llnzdv7umB6HHMJGzdbBqhyphenhyphenPVSKhCPzFxMXdlx2l0ACNiEkGmBDm61su0ZLJum-DBoMDHwHi62T0NvJQ7uJwv9cJ5ws7x38i5AUAvovkom-m1G2bFbf5tO/s2048/20210327_102457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp_UvLK1zFzg-NDPfxr-gw0llnzdv7umB6HHMJGzdbBqhyphenhyphenPVSKhCPzFxMXdlx2l0ACNiEkGmBDm61su0ZLJum-DBoMDHwHi62T0NvJQ7uJwv9cJ5ws7x38i5AUAvovkom-m1G2bFbf5tO/w300-h400/20210327_102457.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>How are you where you are? What are you doing for Easter?</p><p>~Jen</p><p></p></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-31097684836721433962021-01-12T11:41:00.004-05:002021-01-12T11:41:37.637-05:00Wash Your Face<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-weight: 600; transition-property: none !important;">Do you use whatever bar of soap you have in your shower or near your bathroom sink to wash your face?</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #050505;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lQmrVlFctL2JTFb3bW8d5y2sZ-1BvnTWEaVKDkSHQ-0nTNQGT3RTLdxvHLpxOmd_87riCDX7mCxsEnbaLMfgEnaWOcvCzor196IpUZUsaiwnALRXLA9H6Svrt2L0jY_pRaDXj_OhH8L2/s1080/washface.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lQmrVlFctL2JTFb3bW8d5y2sZ-1BvnTWEaVKDkSHQ-0nTNQGT3RTLdxvHLpxOmd_87riCDX7mCxsEnbaLMfgEnaWOcvCzor196IpUZUsaiwnALRXLA9H6Svrt2L0jY_pRaDXj_OhH8L2/w400-h400/washface.png" width="400" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know that it's super easy to do because it's convenient and cheaper.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But unless that bar of soap is specifically made for face cleansing - using proper ingredients - that bar of soap is going to hurt your skin <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="animation-name: none !important; display: inline-flex; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; transition-property: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A bar of soap will clean your face, but it will also strip your face of good lipids, which in turn ruins the outer layer of your skin. Not only can this dry the heck out of your face, but it can cause breakouts, irritation, and accentuate your pores and fine lines.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The pH level of a traditional bar of soap is way too high for the skin on your face. The skin on you face needs a proper face cleanser. One that not only cleans, but doesn't strip the top layer of your skin.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" style="animation-name: none !important; color: var(--primary-text); line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none !important; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; transition-property: none !important;"><span style="animation-name: none !important; font-weight: 600; transition-property: none !important;">Do you use a face cleanser?</span></span> I have 2 different ones - one to fight breakouts and a more gentle one. I use what my face needs, depending on if I have a breakout or if my rosacea is flared up.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;">I have friends who have never used skin care products other than a bar of soap and some cheap drug store moisturizer. Please, I beg of you, read the ingredients, make sure they're safe, and buy products meant for your face!</div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;">Also, so many bars of soap are full of fragrance and dyes - 2 things that shouldn't be anywhere on your body, never mind your face!</div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;">That's today's skin care tip - take care of that skin! It's your largest organ.</div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="animation-name: none !important; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: start; transition-property: none !important;">~Jen</div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481982018424830791.post-2292804321578069992020-12-28T23:41:00.000-05:002020-12-28T23:41:23.550-05:00New Year Intentions<p>There's only a couple of days left of 2020. What a year. It feels like this past year was multiple years long. Does that make sense? I can't say the entire year was bad or a crap show because we welcomed Lily into the world back in July. She's been the highlight of the year - she's happy and giggly and so freaking snuggly. </p><p>But I'm excited and interested to see what 2021 holds...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuPcUPRc69PhDtVJf0zY2G6rpidARrtWNnoLB2dVaAMUeYO06QuREnCUzxifjR7AnmXpF4La10SOjgixUZRppxxT1-w6x0wiFLB5vY80gwYKXeTjlBdPDMF96QDVf6qyjPJiPExeRGnVt/s600/bonne+annee++-+Page+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuPcUPRc69PhDtVJf0zY2G6rpidARrtWNnoLB2dVaAMUeYO06QuREnCUzxifjR7AnmXpF4La10SOjgixUZRppxxT1-w6x0wiFLB5vY80gwYKXeTjlBdPDMF96QDVf6qyjPJiPExeRGnVt/w400-h314/bonne+annee++-+Page+2.png" width="400" /></a><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've never been a fan of new year resolutions because I usually end up feeling like a failure. Plus, if we've learned anything this past year, it's that we can't always control what happens and how things play out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I do like the idea of setting intentions or goals; things to focus on or work on but they're not set in stone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are some of my intentions for 2021:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>find more time to read</li><li>try to move my body daily for my health </li><li>meal plan and eat a balanced diet</li><li>grow my business</li><li>get organized</li></ul></div><div><br /></div>Also, I heard a quote for the new year that I like - <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK8RqunbaLpaUkhX5rMV8YAH5jd3MKXIriDfm15S6gMbNP4Cb8eFCXxvchm99Z0Mt_EOGHyeiPnP51PCBEGJyJzI4HP-kX_Ym1AGS1lUV2q2zifG-PNqsGhwe6wUycd3LZy4t9mtQerXE/s1080/New+Year+New+Me+Better+Me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK8RqunbaLpaUkhX5rMV8YAH5jd3MKXIriDfm15S6gMbNP4Cb8eFCXxvchm99Z0Mt_EOGHyeiPnP51PCBEGJyJzI4HP-kX_Ym1AGS1lUV2q2zifG-PNqsGhwe6wUycd3LZy4t9mtQerXE/w400-h400/New+Year+New+Me+Better+Me.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I don't need to be a new version of myself. I like me. But I do want to continue working on myself in all areas of my life. So a 'better me' is more accurate. I'm itching for my new planner to come in so I can start scheduling things, making lists, and planning out January!</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually I ended up ordering a planner, meal planner, and budget journal. Yep. That's how serious I am about getting things organized in 2021.</div><div><br /></div><div>What are some of your intentions and goals for the new year?</div><div>~Jen<br /><p><br /></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831784398343496406noreply@blogger.com0