Lazy fall-ish days with my babes

This past weekend was super relaxing and for the most part uneventful. We went for walks since the weather has started to cool down - hence Harper's adorable new hat (daddy picked it out) - and just hung around at home. The next coming weekends are pretty jam packed, so we wanted to lay low this past weekend and we did just that.

 

 The weather was really cool Saturday morning when we went to do our grocery shopping so I thought we would pick out a new hat for Harper. Fraser picked this pink one out for her and I think it is super adorable and totally suits her!

 

This little lady loves going for walks and looking at all of the trees. She usually props her legs up and just lounges the entire time - not a single peep.

 

 We walked to the park that is literally just around the corner and played on the swing set for a little bit.

 

 I took this picture because I truly love our neighborhood. There are trees everywhere! Trees line our entire street. I'm so excited to see how they look when the leaves have all changed colour for the fall (since this is our first fall in our current house).

 

 Monday morning it was chilly outside, so I decided to pull out the knee high socks. These are honestly the most soft and comfortable socks ever (from American Eagle). I love how cozy they make me feel!

Since I'm not a coffee or tea drinker my guilty pleasure is hot chocolate. My favourite for the past few years is Rolo hot chocolate. Since the weather is finally cooling down, I now have the constant craving for a hot chocolate. I plan on searching to see if there is some different "gourmet" hot chocolates I can purchase for this fall/winter season.

 Harper was rocking her new floral onsie from Old Navy which is seriously cute. It seems really cozy and even has little bows at the wrists. 

 We were hanging out in our dining/family room, since Harper always crawls to here anyways.

 She is always on the move, I very rarely get a photo where she is sitting still anymore.

 My crawling girl..well sorta. Here she is in the perfect crawling position, which usually lasts a few seconds before she goes on her belly and continues to drag herself. I still consider this as crawling in my eyes since she gets to where she wants without rolling there.

 She is always so proud of herself when she gets to where she wants to be.

 This was the cutest thing ever, she kept wanting to stand and walk over to this picture box I have, which has pictures of her daddy from when we were younger. She would walk over (with some assistance) and put her hand on the glass near his face, and would stroke the picture. She did this over and over - I think she missed him.

Monday night ended with the babe in bed at around 7ish and Fraser and I cuddled in bed watching a movie on Netflix. My candle from Bath and Body Works is burning in the background (mint Chocolate) - it isn't my favourite but I need to burn it in order to use my new fall scents!

Visit with Great Nanny & Grandad

This past long weekend, we went for another visit to Frasers grandparents. It was a beautiful day out, perfect day for a fun visit. Harper was so well behaved which was really impressive considering she had about a 30 minute nap on the way there when she would normally nap about an hour and a half in the morning. But who am I seriously kidding..she's always good!

 This was Harpers first time in her big girl car seat! It was so weird but awesome at the same time to have her forward facing. I suppose I could sit in the front seat now..

 Having a little power nap.

 Harper Lynn sitting with Great Nanny.

 My beautiful babe and I.

 I told Fraser that I wanted more pictures of Harper and I because I feel like I'm always taking pictures of him together with Harper. Fraser did an awesome job taking a bunch of really great pictures of us.

 I love those chubby cheeks so much!

 Our little girl is growing up too fast!

 Love this picture of the both of them.

 Kisses with my misses.

Overall it was a nice visit, Harper loves her great grandparents!

Hello Fall!

WOO HOO, Fall is fast approaching! And yes..Harper is wearing Halloween jammies already. Once September hits I start celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving. Once November hits, it's all about Christmas. SO it's safe to say that these next four months, are my favourite - not to mention that Harper's birthday is in November!!

I love this time of year when all of the leaves change colour and the weather cools down. UGH, I'm so freaking excited. Halloween was such an exciting time for me growing up as a child. I used to get so excited to pick out a costume and go around collecting candy. I especially loved the weeks leading up to Halloween, when everyone starts decorating their houses and all the Halloween movies are playing on the t.v. I would sit and do a Halloween movie marathon during the weekends. 

My top 5 favourite Halloween movies would have to be these ones:

1. Hocus Pocus

2. Practical Magic

3. Trick 'r Treat

4. Halloweentown

5. Casper

Love, love..LOVE. Now I have to start watching these asap! I'm thinking this year I want to do a little Halloween party - maybe some goodie bags, cupcakes and some games. I want it to be really special since it will be Harper's first Halloween.

Let the planning begin!

Quick Everyday Morning Routine

 Since having Harper my everyday morning routine has drastically changed..duh. I don't have 45 minutes to get ready in the morning like I may have had before, more like 10 minutes - and this consists of Harper sitting in her highchair watching me like a hawk, playing with random things to keep her occupied and distracted.

Being home on maternity leave means I don't necessarily want to have a face full of makeup and be all dolled up, only to have various bodily fluids ending up on various parts of my clothing/body. However, I don't like feeling like a total bum and looking like utter crap throughout the day. I wanted to shed some light for anyone interested (..), on my morning routine and things I like to do to freshen up for the day.

8/8:30am: Wake up for the day

8/8:30am-8:45am: Get Harper dressed/Sit her in her highchair

8:45am-8:50am: Get dressed

8:50am-9am: Put some makeup on 

My makeup routine isn't anything crazy as I've never been a fan of wearing a ton of makeup, especially having foundation and powder all over my face. I've always been a tinted moisturizer kind of girl and a huge lover of blush. Blush takes you from looking like a pale ghost, to actually looking like you have a pulse. Some of my favourite brands for blush would have to be Nars and TheBalm. Blush is one makeup product I will actually spend a lot of money on because its something I use on almost a daily basis. Another favourite makeup product of mine is lip gloss. Again, another product that can perk up your appearance almost instantly. Currently my favourite lip gloss brands are Buxom and Bare Minerals.

Here's the products I use on a more regular basis:

1. Vita Zing Moisturizer  2. TooFaced Natural Eyes Palette  
3. Nars Blush  4. Bareminerals Lipgloss
5. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

1. Origins Vita Zing Tinted Moisturizer. This stuff is truly amazing. It has little speckles of tint in it, so while you are rubbing the moisturizer into your face it starts to change colour. The even cooler thing about this product is that it works with your skin to determine the colour. This stuff is on the pricier side ($45), however it lasts for at least four months plus.

2. TooFaced Natural Eyes Eyeshadow Palette. This is a newer purchase however it has already become one of my favourites. If I wear eyeshadow, I generally gravitate towards neutral tones. I love my Urban Decay Naked 1 palette, but this new palette is great as well. It has great pigmentation and there's not one colour I wouldn't use (which never happens with me). Again, this small palette is on the pricier side ($45) but in my opinion is totally worth it.

3. Nars Blush. I am obsessed with blush in general however there are some brands that do everything right when it comes to blush, i.e. their packaging, pigmentation and staying power of the blush. Nars is one of those brands and is worth the hefty price ($32). I have several different colours and can honestly say they are worth the splurge. One of my all time favourites is the blush in orgasm. If you like peachy toned blushes, then this one is for you. It also had a very subtle gold sheen that makes your skin glow.

4. Bareminerals Lipgloss. Recently I have been enjoying lip products more that I ever have. Lipgloss is one of those things that like blush, can make you feel a little more alive. Bareminerals makes wonderful glosses that come in a nice range of colours and are a decent price ($23).

5. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. This palette is a more recent purchase of mine and to be honest I wasn't sure about it at first. When you swatch the powders, especially the first one, you might be left wondering what it's actually supposed to do. The first time I used the first shade (dusted all over), I was pleasantly surprised with how it made my face seem flawless. The first shade doesn't have any shimmer or sheen, it's actually very bizarre as it doesn't seem very special when swatched. I took this shade and dusted it all over my face after using my Vita Zing moisturizer and it gave me this smooth finished look. The other two shades have a nice shimmer to them to highlight your cheek bones. This palette is on the pricey side ($65) but again it seems like it would last a while.

These are just a few of my favourite products to use on a more regular basis to brighten my appearance up a little.

Harpers Favourites August 2014

1. Chambray Shirt   2. Vtech Walker  3. Gap Sweater Dress

4. Woodstock Shirt  5. Two Piece Jammies

6. Mocs 7. Mary Janes 8. Baby Gourmet Food

I want to start doing this every month, showing the things Harper and I have enjoyed (more me than her..haha). I'm so excited we're going into fall and cooler weather is soon approaching. I hate the summer heat, I'm a fall/winter gal. When it came to buying Harper new clothes for the next size up, I obviously went towards the warmer clothes to prepare for fall and winter. I also wanted clothes she would be comfortable crawling around in. It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I am obsessed with Babygap and Old Navy. Gap's baby section is everything I want in my own wardrobe, ha! 

1. Chambray Shirt. I could not resist buying her this top, it is so darn cute! She has worn this already even though it is still pretty warm here in Canada (because I run the AC non-stop all summer!!). She looks adorable with a little bow headband to top the look of with.

2. Vtech Walker. This is probably one of her favourite toys right now. She pulls herself up into a standing position and loves all of the toys on the front. I bought this off of Amazon for a reasonable price ($45).

3. Gap Sweater Dress. Again this dress is more for cooler weather but when we're hanging out in the house, this is perfect for keeping her nice and cozy.

4. Woodstock Shirt. When I saw this shirt, I couldn't get over how cute it was. I also love the combination of the peach and navy. I pear this on her with some navy leggings and a navy headband.

5. Two Piece Jammies. Since Harper grows like a weed, I find the sleepers only last on her for about a month and then her feet look uncomfortable (squished). These two piece jammies are so adorable and cozy looking. She has this purple one along with about 7 other pairs. I also love these two piece jammies from Gap because the material is so soft and they hold up in the wash.

6. Mocs. Even though she hasn't worn these yet, they are still a favourite buy for the month of August. Their gender neutral and perfect for topping off a cute outfit. I plan to pair this on her with some camo pants and a neutral top. 

7. Mary Janes. These shoes are from Old Navy and I actually purchased them in both the pink and navy. I love these because they fit her feet perfectly. Ever since she was born, I have had a hard time finding shoes that fit her since she has such chubby and short feet. These are easy to get on her and with the Velcro strap they stay put!

8. Baby Gourmet Food. Since Harper started solids at 6 months, I have always made her baby food fresh. Once she started needing to have some meats added to her diet, I decided to look at some organic brands since I had no desire to be blending meat up. I also wanted to make sure she was getting a good variety of different fruits and veggies. I came across this brand when I was looking at dairy free brands (due to her milk intolerance) and also since they do not add any sugar, salt or preservatives to their foods. They have a nice selection and most importantly Harper seems to enjoy them. I add my homemade fresh fruits and veggies to these meals to make them last longer.

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend!