FINALLY Sharing My Little Valentine's Day Secret!

You may have noticed I've been a little quiet around here lately; I'm going to be honest with you today, I've been doing my best to share awesomeness with you as often as possible, but I've been busy & I may have been keeping a little bit of a secret from you...

I'm super excited to share that we are finally expecting! Little Baby Harmon is due in September 2016 and both my husband and I are thrilled! We went home earlier this month to share our news with our family and some close family friends but I wanted to make things official and share on our blog... if I could, I'd probably shout it from a mountain top as well. I'm that excited!

If you've been following the blog recently, you may have read that we have been longing to have a little one... So as you would expect, I'm super excited to share our journey into parenthood with you! Speaking of sharing, here's our first ultrasound from when we first found out in January!

Other than a sonogram photo of our baby from a few weeks I go, I'm not sure what to share as of yet... We're going to see the doc again tomorrow so I'll have a better update soon!

For now I'll start with a little bit about the pregnancy so far: I've been SO sick, it's insane. Morning, afternoon, and evening sickness almost every day, but it'll totally be worth it! When I'm not feeling sick, I'm craving foods that satisfy my sweet tooth and oddly, mashed potatoes are a normal craving as well! My spicy food craze that I've had my entire life has come to a screeching halt and I'm suddenly craving less seasoning and meals toddlers would enjoy like chicken tenders and mac & cheese!

Beyond my sickness and cravings, we're super excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl, as most couples are in the early months of pregnancy! While we're imagining whether we'll be buying little bows and pearls or tiny little toy cars and water guns, we're also starting to pick out names, nursery themes, and all the fun stuff we think we may want to add to the baby registry! As you can tell, we're both just a little overjoyed!

So, if you have any excellent parenting advice, tips for items we must have as new parents, or you just want to share some exciting news with me, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!


OH & by the way, Happy Valentine's Day! It's an especially happy holiday in our house this year!

Enlightenment, Entitlement and Encouragement

I've always been a pretty big fan of Humans of New York and the messages they share. With so much enlightenment and wisdom in each post, whether it's about an elderly lady embracing her unique sense of style or a young life-saving Surgeon saying he "only handles small procedures"; there's always some sort of deep and sometimes mind-expanding message and many, many feelings inspired by their posts.

So when I saw this simple photo of a young woman's hands kind of questioning the world, I knew this post would be interesting. Let me go off on a tangent and just say that I love the photos without faces, the stories seem to be deeper and more relatable... Regardless, this post about life and the sense of entitlement that some seem to feel really hit home with me and inspired me to expand on the topic somewhat.

“I think I felt entitled to success because I’m smart and I’m good at stuff and I work hard. Maybe ‘entitled’ isn’t the...
Posted by Humans of New York on Saturday, January 16, 2016

Here in America, raised in the millennial generation, we grew up with a community telling us "we can be anything we want to be" since the time we were born, entitlement is just part of our upbringing. Even though we feel like the world should be served to us on a silver platter, life just doesn't happen that way and most of us figure that out with time. But for some reason, I feel compelled to give a little bit of advice today - for anyone working towards their goals in life, whatever they may be.

We all need to realize we need to work to become who we want to be, we need determination and drive to make things happen, and simply put, things don't just happen, we have to make them happen. We need to push ourselves, step outside of our comfort zones, and occasionally, we need to fail to succeed. I'm still learning these lessons myself; but after having a successful year in 2015, I've truly learned the importance of hard work and determination.

I'll be the first to admit that I went through many stages over the past few years where I wasn't really succeeding with blogging and/or self employment in general and I probably should have been putting my effort into other endeavors to actually help support myself & my husband. But alas, I'm a stubborn broad and I was determined to make this work and I did... but it was with a lot of effort and, I won't lie, some tears were involved too.

I can remember several people telling me to "get a job" ... and to be honest, I probably should have. But I knew with enough determination I would make things happen. I didn't feel entitled to receive money based on my blog, but I knew that if I worked hard enough at my craft... I would gain readers (like you - side note: I truly appreciate you), I would be able to work with companies, and eventually I would make an income doing something I love.

Sharing stories and my feelings with you is something that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I found my happy place right here on the internet and I'm so proud of myself for working so hard to make things happen exactly as I wanted... but I still struggle with entitlement some days, as we all do and reality often bites me in the butt when I'm feeling that way. Luckily, even with reality's cold hard truth hitting some days, I know that committing to a goal and finally achieving that goal is the most rewarding experience I've ever felt so I keep on keeping on and so far my hard work has really paid off.

Instead of rambling on about determination, I guess what I'm saying is this: you CAN be anything you want to be and accomplish practically anything... IF, and only if, you are determined enough to make it happen. While I love encouraging kids to follow their dreams, THIS is what we should be teaching the next generation.

So tell me, what goals are you working towards in 2016? Do you have a 10-year plan that involves accomplishing some great feats? I'd love to hear all about your life, your determination, and your plans in the comments below... Plus, if you have any tips on learning to focus and achieve your goals I'm dying to hear all about them!

DIY Beach Kits for Guys: The Perfect Simple Little Gift for Him + a Great Way to Drop a Vacation Hint!

I know I say this often, but I love where I live... Florida is amazing. It's "winter" in the rest of the United States, but here in Florida we are basically living the islander lifestyle with our own separate climate! The sun is still shining and we're soaking up the UV rays all day long, with the temperature steadily sitting at a super comfortable 80+ degrees. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty much paradise here the last few weeks and I'm feeling super blessed.

I'm really trying not to rub it in though, I've lived through brutal winter weather (and even a few blizzards) before moving to paradise and I know how beautiful snow can be... But let's get real, I completely prefer a white sandy beach over a snow covered landscape any day! If you're anything like me and you don't already live here, you're likely plotting your next escape from the cold and I don't blame you one bit! Dreaming of warmer places and eventually getting to stick my toes in the sand are the only things that kept me sane while wearing snow boots and ear muffs back when I lived in the Midwest!

Whether you want a fun way to hint to your hubby that you're ready for a vacay or if you're planning a sunny stay over the holidays, I have a super fun gift idea to share! These little "dude friendly" beach kits are the perfect way to treat a man and his friends to everything guys love!

While I could have included a little bit of anything and most guys would have been happy, I think the items I decided to include are the perfect little gift items for any dude - everything a guy could want while chilling on the beach! You can gift this to your dad, your brother, or your lover and they'll all appreciate what's inside!

Speaking of what's inside, I suppose I should give you all the details on how you can make this super simple little beach kit for all the gentlemen in your life. You'll want to grab a few packs of Cubero Cigars from the convenience store, these are the most unqiue way to make sure the guys have a good time! Cubero's are natural leaf cigarillos with the perfect fusion of flavors (especially for those with sophisticated palettes) and quality satisfaction without breaking the bank!

With a variety of flavors to choose from, I decided to go with the Wine flavor, blend No. 7. Although 7 is a lucky number, what really enticed me about the Cubero Wine Cigar was the description! With naturally sweet tobacco, a distinct grape flavor, and an oak-like nuance - I'm pretty sure I chose the perfect cigar! While I won't be partaking in any cigar smoking, I love that I was able to stock up on these, so when hubby has friends in town & they need a boy's day at the beach they're all set. Do you want to sign up for free coupons and find a retailer near you that carries these special little treats? You'll want to visit Cubero Cigars website here!

After your cigar situation is taken care of, you'll want to shop for a handful of mini bar size nips at the liquor store... I think the reasoning behind this is obvious. I also suggest grabbing some soda to pair with the shots!

After your trip to the liquor store, you'll need to make a quick stop and grab a handful of koozies to keep the guys' drinks cool while lounging on the beach! You'll also want to grab little travel size deodorants and mints because we all know how stinky boys can get! Lastly, you'll want to supply him with protection - errr, not that kind of protection though... I'm talking sunglasses and a little travel size sunscreen, the two main things a dude really needs while at the beach and the two things they probably forget the most!

Now I've got a stack of these waiting for our guy friends that come visit us...

While these little beach kits are mostly intended for our house guests, I think they'll make awesome "stocking stuffer gifts" as well... I'm actually giving one to hubby instead of filling his stocking this year and I think he's most excited to get his hands on the Cubero cigars!

So, whether you and your man are both trying to quench your thirst for travel or actually booking your ticket, these little reminders of the beach will be an amazing gift for the surfer dude in your life!

Now that I've shared a fun, beachy gift idea for him. I'd love to hear where your next sunny vacation destination will be? Do you want to build a little beach kit for your man to enjoy while you are there? Don't forget to stock up on all the essentials!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Scandinavian Tobacco Group, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #masteryourblend  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Make Things Easier with Staples Holiday Cards & Custom Photo Gifts!

Christmas is almost here and I'm going to share a little secret, I'm just now sending my holiday cards out to my family! I'm a total procrastinator with most things in life, so it comes as no surprise to the recipients of these cards to see them rolling in last minute, but what my family isn't expecting is the super cute and unique card I was able to design quickly and easily with Staples!

I'm totally in love with how our cards turned out! They are the most dreamy design we've sent out ever and I can't wait to share it, so I'm giving you guys a peek at it today!

Staples Copy & Print made it so easy for me to make these cards, I literally grabbed a picture from our holiday photo shoot and added it into their template... and here's the end result! My cards were printed off within a day or two and when I walked in to our local Staples to pick up my order, the guy behind the counter recognized us from our photo and had our order waiting for us when we approached him!

Our Christmas cards are on thick, high quality paper and they're bound to be a hit with our family. With a little bit of a love and a wish for peace - these cards are truly the sweetest! I'm excited to design our cards for next year, so maybe I won't procrastinate so much and they'll actually make it out on time... That's the goal anyways!

Are you looking for a last minute solution for Christmas cards as well? Maybe you want to send out a batch of New Years Eve cards or a holiday update to your nearest and dearest? I've got some awesome news - you can save 20% off your order of holiday cards, invitations, calendars and more by using the code HOLIDAY20 by 12/26!

While I'm obviously a huge fan of the cards I designed with Staples, I also ordered some personalized gifts... because well, I just can't help myself when I find out I can add pictures to everyday objects!

The first personalized gift I designed with Staples Copy & Print were these customized coffee mugs! I made these little cuties for some of our favorite coffee drinkers! I love the high quality, thick mugs that these are printed on and the quality of the images is superb. As my husband said when he saw these sitting on the counter after their arrival, "those could be sold in a boutique somewhere..." and I must say I totally agree with him! I'm so excited about these mugs and the adorable designs!

Plus I made an extra mug with my favorite holiday picture printed on it, because a girl has to reward herself with cute, picture covered items sometimes as well! I love the template I used to make this mug, the print is so colorful and using the Staples Copy & Print system to insert my picture was effortless... that's why Staples Copy & Print is so awesome, it's so easy to use!

I guess it's obvious, I'm super excited about the mugs I made... but have I mentioned I'm also really excited about the adorable personalized ornaments I crafted up to help add some "spice" to the mugs!

The Staples Copy & Print service did a great job with all of my custom photo gifts, but I really think the ornaments may be my favorite part of my entire order! They turned out so incredibly perfect, it's going to be hard to let them go... I think I may even order an additional set or two, actually!

I think these ornaments are going to be like gold coins in my family, with a precious picture of my niece in her ballet outfit on a set of them... and of course, a picture of me and the hubs on the other - I can think of a few family members that would smile to see these waiting for them under the tree!

Are you wanting to make some custom photo gifts for your family? Stock up now while they're on sale, use the code JOLLY20 by 12/26 and you'll save 20% off your custom photo gifts order!

So now that I've shared my little procrastination secret and how I decided to creatively make some adorable gifts with Staples Copy & Print this year, I'd love to hear what you would make with their services? Are you wanting to stock up on coffee mugs with your dogs face printed on the side or maybe you want to add a few new personalized t-shirts to your collection? Head on over to Staples and tell me all about it!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Spread Joy This Holiday & Get a Brighter, Whiter Smile with Crest 3D White Whitestrips

With Christmas literally right around the corner, I'm doing everything I can to prepare for the holiday! From packing bags and boxes full of presents so we can send and deliver it all to our friends and family to whipping up batches of delicious holiday goodies in the kitchen, I've been having a good time getting in the spirit of the season.

While I'm joyous about all the holiday fun, I feel like I need to share something... We took pictures for our Christmas cards earlier this month and here's the good news: the photos turned out adorable and I'll be sharing them soon. But there's also some bad news: I noticed something about our smiles I didn't like... I'm not going to blame it on any one thing, but maybe our espresso habit and our love for red wine have something to do with it... I really hate to say it type it, but our teeth were looking pretty yellow and that's just not okay! Eeeek!

After realizing we had a "situation", I couldn't let me or the hubs head home to see family with our teeth looking funky... I mean, really, who wants to be that couple in their family photos? Not us!

So I had to take steps to whiten our teeth immediately, I decided to check out Crest Whitestrips and when I saw that I could eliminate YEARS of stains within an hour with Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1-Hour Express Teeth Whitening Kit, I knew we were in business and that out smiles would soon be brighter! These little Whitestrips whiten teeth faster than ever and with the advanced no-slip grip you can even talk and drink water while you are whitening your teeth... Plus, you don't have to worry about crazy chemicals because Crest Whitestrips only use the ingredients your trusted dentist uses!

I know all of this is great, but the best part about our teeth whitening experience is the fact that my husband taught me how to play chess while we whitened our teeth. It's always nice to learn something new from him and he never ceases to amaze me, I guess I'm pretty lucky to call this man & his smile mine.

You can see our official results with Crest Whitestrips below:

 

After we whitened our teeth, we both were feeling pretty fancy so we dressed up in our Christmas finest and decided to do some Christmas shopping... You better believe I was smiling at everyone we crossed paths with because when you have noticeably whiter teeth, it's easy to flash a friendly smile!

Are you wanting to whiten your teeth like we did? I've got some awesome news! Crest 3D White Whitestrips 1-Hour Express Teeth Whitening Kit is offering a limited time deal - if you buy one kit at walmart.com, you'll get the second kit completely free!

So tell me, do you have special plans this holiday? Would having a brighter, whiter smile make you a little merrier this time of year? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

The Most Unique Gift for Everyone on Your List!

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #eholidays #CollectiveBias

With only a few weeks left until Christmas, most of us are in a rush to finishing shopping for everyone on our lists... some may even be close to finishing your Christmas shopping! While I wish I was among the latter, I tend to always be the former... every single year. With so many loving people to buy for on both sides of our family, we are still getting presents organized and making sure that each and every person in our life gets a gift they really love.

While the little kids in our family will love the items we've bought them this year... we're still squaring away almost all of the presents for the adults! While we love our family members dearly, most of them already have everything they need or want! I suppose we're blessed like that... and I'm not complaining, but it really does make gift giving/buying a difficult experience. I bet you have people in your life that tend to be a little troublesome to gift items to as well...

While we love these members of our family, it's no fun playing the guessing game while at the store trying to find presents... That's why we're going to be giving a few of the tough-to-buy-for adults in our family gift cards this year - more specifically personalized photo book gift cards from TheGiftCardShop.com! Everyone loves a gift that includes photos of their family and these easy to make photobooks are adorable and so very thoughtful!

The first person I surprised with a photobook and a gift card for the holiday season is someone I love very much, my own mother. She loves my niece, as much if not a million times more than she loves my sister and I, so it comes as no surprise that I made her photobook about my precious little niece!

The best part of this FREE photobook is that I was able to personalize each photo by pulling them all from my facebook and instagram pictures and then I added my own captions, making the story line of the book about how much we love and appreciate her! The book plays music and scrolls through pages, as if it were actually sitting in front of the recipient - such a cool experience! Plus, to show a little extra appreciation, I was able to surprise her with a $25 gift card to Olive Garden through TheGiftCardShop.com! The perfect little gift to remind her that I'm thinking about her!

It was so easy getting my mom one of her favorite gifts this year, seeing pictures of our family's precious memories flash on her screen and then rewarding her with a gift card to one of our favorite places to go together - it is literally the perfect gift! And... now that I know about TheGiftCardShop.com, gift giving just got even easier for all the adults on our list.

Are you wanting to surprise someone with a gift card but you've been told before that it isn't a thoughtful gift? Well, that is NOT an accurate statement - at least not for my generation! According to a new national study on gift giving from Millennials gift cards take 1st place in gift giving, expert Jason Dorsey and The Center for Generational Kinetics found that nearly 50% of consumers chose gift cards over physical gifts of the same value.

So tell me, who on your list will you surprise with a unique photobook and gift card from TheGiftCardShop.com first? Once you've gifted your photobook, don't miss your chance to win big - share your photobook using the hashtag #TGCS & tag TheGiftCardShop on Facebook to be entered to win a $200 gift card!