Vegan Beauty & Body Care

Hi! So I know that not all of you are vegan... actually I'm 99.9% sure most of you are not! :) BUT, I do receive a lot of questions about what vegan/natural products I use and thought I would do a little (big) post about some of my favorites. I'm not trying to convert any of you guys to veganism or convince you that vegan products are better, in fact if you know me in real life then you know I do the exact opposite of that! ;) BUT if you've been shopping around for new body and beauty care products for you or your little ones, then hopefully this post will inspire you just a little bit to try some of the really wonderful cruelty-free products that are available! :)
***This is not a sponsored post. These are products that I go out and purchase for me, my daughter, and my home because I really love them.

NAILS

Sparitual

Honestly, I'm not sure how much a tube of nail polish costs... but for me, this is on the pricer side. Lucky for me, I hardly paint my nails. And lucky for me I only need a good red and deep purply-black in my life (oh, & I guess gold too). Anything colored red in the make-up world is difficult to find vegan. More often than not it will contain some type of carmine product. This red is amazing... and you can't (CANNOT) go wrong with a color named "hunk of burnin' love".

HAIR

Pureology& LUSH Solid Shampoo. 

Pureology is AH-MAZ-ING. Seriously. Yes, it's definitely an expensive running bottle of shampoo + conditioner, but it pays itself off. One bottle lasts forever. You need the tiniest amount to get a good lather and it leaves your hair feeling incredibly soft. My hair is no longer as long as it used to be, but it is still beyond incredibly thick and one dime sized amount goes a very long way. Before, I spent so much money buying bottle after bottle of shampoo and needing to use excessive amounts to get my head clean, but now I just buy one good quality bottle and it lasts forever and my hair looks a hell of a lot better. The LUSH solid shampoo is great for extra dirty and stinky hair. It's a life-saver when I get off the burger and fry smoke heaven that is food-truck work. It was actually gifted to me, I had never heard or tried it before, but now it's something I will want to invest in when it fits into my budget.

TEETH

Kiss My Face

Toothpaste may be one of the most questioned vegan products I use. I've tried a ton of different natural and vegan options and hated most of them. Most of them didn't lather well enough and left my mouth feeling blegh and dirty. This is great, it's natural, and it's fluoride free. I accidentally bought a weird flavor once that was gross.... it may have been a vanilla or lemon mint. Do not want. Cool mint all the way. Marlowe loves it too.

BODY

Jason'sbody wash: I'm addicted. I buy a huge bottle every few months. I stick with a tea-tree scent... not everyones favorite I'm sure, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something extra good for my body. I will say: I haven't tried many other soaps, but I really enjoyed this one from the beginning of my switch to vegan products and while trying other ones seems like a great and fun idea: why mess with something that works so well. And it's light enough where I feel more than comfortable using it on Marlowe.

Nature's Gate lotion: I'm sure there are a million better lotion options out there... but this one is vegan, natural, and cheap so it stays on my list.

Kiss My Face shaving cream: There are not a lot of natural shave cream options out there... or if there are I keep walking past the section. This one works up a pretty good lather, I'm not left with nasty razor burn, and I've loved every one of the scents I've tried, so it stays :) 

FACE

You can see a bit of a trend with Earth Science. I have loved each of their products I have tried. I'm especially found of: the facial scrub (I use it every shower), the skin peel (it's my newest go to face mask), and the moisturizer. (you can buy all of these at whole foods). And Desert Essence face wash: I love the way my face feels after I use it. It definitely burns if you get it near your eyes, but it burns so good on your face. There are a few different looking bottles and types, but my face approves all of them. 

MAKE-UP

Josie Maran tinted moisturizer: I'll be honest, I'm mixed about this one. The tinted moisturizer I was previously using got discontinued. This one works for now, but I'm looking forward to trying to new option once I run out. It covers the skin very nicely, but separates easily in the tube. 

Korrespowder. Covers nicely, not heavy, doesn't look cakey. 

Zuzu: I was running low on my other powder and figured I would try this one. I'm torn between the Korres and Zuzu. Zuzu covers flaws better, but is a bit heavier, and I hate to feel like I've got make-up on. 

Urban Decay
blush. Be cautious... not all of these are vegan. Urban Decay is not a vegan line, but they do have a fair amount of vegan options. This blush is creamy, not powder, and great to add a light tint or a full blast of color on your face. I love the color "crush": the brighter the better! 

EYES

Josie Maran mascara. I very, very rarely wear eye make-up... especially mascara... so for eye make-up experts: I'm not sure how great this is compared to other eye products, but it suites me just fine. It doesn't look overly fake, it doesn't clump up, and it makes my lashes almost as long as Marlowes. 

Urban Decay liquid liner: love it. 

BABY

California Baby shampoo and body wash: you can see this bottle has seen better days. It's been around for over a year now. Like my shampoo, it's expensive, but lasts forever. You can buy this brand pretty much anywhere which makes it an incredibly convenient option.

Mild By Nature: the bottle pictured is the conditioner, because the soap is left at my dad's house for bath time there. The whole line is light and clean, without being overly scented. 

Live Clean Baby: I freakin' love this bubble bath. Marlowe smells like the most deliciously clean baby after a bath. This was actually sent to us, but the whole line really is great--- especially the "baby bath"-- Marlowe needs daily baths in it. It bubbles up pretty well (we've tried one or two other natural bubble bath products) and the lavender smell is great, you could not soap her, and she would still smell delicious after sitting in only bubbles.

BABY LOTIONS

Live Clean Baby lotion: big bottle, light scent, light feeling. Marlowe has become an expert at lotioning her tummy.

Baby Avalon Organics diaper cream. I did a quick google search while in Whole Foods to find out what of the products they sold were cloth-diapering friendly. This seemed like my only option (at least in my Whole Foods), but we like it. It's nice and thick so it doesn't slide off. 

SUNSCREEN

One of my other most asked about body-care products. Alba Kids Sunblock seems to work pretty well for us. I wish it was stronger, but even (or especially?) living in Florida we try to avoid too much direct sun. Marlowe hasn't had a sunburn yet *knock on wood* so it seems to be doing a pretty good job (it's also in her genes, I'm sure). I've tried a few other options, but I like this one a lot and have zero complaints. In the future, I still might try other, stronger options, but this still gets two non-sun burned thumbs up. Gotta protect that delicate baby skin! 

CRUELTY-FREE

There are a lot of ways to find out what products are vegan and cruelty-free. One of the most commonly used logos is the side profile of a bunny. Another is the face of a bunny. I've always seen a plant with a "V" for vegan. Some products will just state: "cruelty-free", "vegan", "not tested on animals and no animal bi-products". If you can't find any of these logos or statements, the best thing to do is: ASK! Both Whole Foods and Sephora (where many of these products have been purchased) have well trained staff that know their products pretty well, and have been great to help me find new products to try. And of course, I'm sure many other places will have equally as helpful staff. Most places will carry at the very least, a small selection of cruelty-free products. Smaller natural health-food stores are always a great option, Whole Foods has a ridiculous selection of natural products to try... and many of these baby and body care products (maybe not as many cosmetics) can even be purchased at chains such as: target, walmart, walgreens, and your neighborhood supermarket (publix here).

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I unfortunately don't have any great recommendations for deodorant. I have no idea whether my deodorant is vegan or not.... and it is certainly far from natural, but that's just the way it is. I've tried a fair amount of natural options and was left disappointed with each and every one of them. It's the only non natural product left in my house that is used daily. It's Florida, it's April and 90 degrees, and oh boy do I sweat. But if you've got tried and true natural deodorant options, please do share! I'm always happy to try new vegan and natural products.... and hopefully this post will inspire you to try a new cruelty-free option when the product you are currently using runs out!

If you have (vegan, or even just natural) products you use and love, please share! It would be great to know and try out the items you and your body use daily and love! Please link up or comment to share :)

It's April

I feel like I've been a funk for a while now.... not sad... definitely not sad... but this whole flu has thrown me off. Life has been off. Every once in a while I want to throw my arms up in a boogie... singing and dancing loudly... and then the rest of the time, I just want to curl up on the couch and sleep... which I do. M naps with her feet high on my body and face... and I nap.
I'm not used to being this tired. I want to wake up after a night of rest, ready to go, like I was two weeks ago. I want to get up, throw on some clothes, start my day, and go go go. I'm starting to question if it's still the flu messing with me (I've heard it is) or if I need to make a change. I rarely eat sweets... but when my sweet tooth kicks in... oh boy, does it kick in and I grow tired. Sugar makes me tired and it's currently in an upswing. (Give me chocolate.) I question, do I need to cut out sugar again? Or should I start drinking caffeine again? Is it more of my hormones acting up and regulating? Am I lacking a vitamin or something of nutritional value? Probably not-- but you never know--- I really don't know.
It's midnight. I'm drinking wine. "Wedding wine"--- yes... "wedding wine". You know.. that thing that was supposed to be taking place soon, very soon?  Fourteen days until my would have been wedding. Yeah, that. And surprisingly... I'm not sad... or upset... or anything about it. It's just "wedding wine".... bottles and bottles of wine that were ordered for a wedding that was supposed to take place. It's not taking place... and I'm not sad. I'm not indifferent... I have emotions, thoughts, and feelings-- much like anyone would have... but I'm not sad. Thats okay, right? I think that may be more than okay.
It's April. A month for celebration. Whether it's getting married---- or not getting married--- unexpected twists and turns... celebrating the weather--- or just being happy--  It's April and I'm looking forward to this month.

If you haven't already, I recommend checking out the buttons/links to the right ----> We've got some great sponsors.... and a few more discount codes up. We'll have a few more giveaways this month. At least one, probably two. Check out the links, use the codes, spend some time getting to know our sponsors.

And happy April, everyone. Enjoy every second of it... after all it is the only April you will have this year ;)

Tuesdays

As many of you (might, maybe) know: I don't own a TV. I had one in my home when I first moved in here, but it was never even connected to anything, it just sat there like a worthless eye-sore. I got rid of it. I've always preferred living in a TV free home. That being said, I do have a few guilty pleasures... you know, some of those really girly or trashy TV shows. I watch about four hours of TV a week... on the internet. Yesterday (or was it the day before?), I put on one of my favorite guilty pleasures: Desperate Housewives. The intro/narrator started and an image of a tired mom relaxing without her kids was shown (Lynette). The narrator goes on to say that Lynette had quickly realized the bonus of separating with her spouse: child sharing: three whole days a week where she was able to do things she enjoyed without having to tending to her children's needs 24/7. I giggled to myself and thought: "How true".
This is me. Well, sort of. I have less kids and I have one day a week, guaranteed to myself: Tuesdays. Every Tuesday that comes along, I have a little lump in my throat, I feel a bit of sadness, and every second that goes by I feel like I am forgetting or missing something, but I will say: I do enjoy my little break. Every single day a week. Twenty-four hours a day. I am the only one responsible for Marlowe. I don't really get a break. I mean, I leave for a few hours a day to go to work (um... but thats work), but as soon as I get home: it's back to go go go, alone with Marlowe.
I do like Tuesdays. I like waking up with her, pulling her into my bed for an hour or so in the morning. (I hate saying goodbye). I go to work. I actually get to go to the gym. I come home. I shower with no little hands poking through the curtain. I eat a small meal to myself: anything I want--- I don't have to worry about how healthy it is, how messy it is, how kid friendly it is: ANYTHING I WANT. And then I have hours to do as little or as much as I want. More often then not, I take a moment to respond to emails, blog, and sometimes, maybe, search around on the internet for nothing. Then, if I'd like, I can go to dinner with friends, eat as slow as I want, stay as long as I want (well, as long as I'm home by 9), and just: enjoy and not worry. Then before I know it: it's 9 pm. Marlowe is back at my door and back in my arms. We eat snacks, read books, do puzzles, and spend an hour together before it's time for bed again.
About a month after I became a single mama again, time-sharing began again. I knew I would have to make the absolute best of it. No sitting around. No being sad. But using and taking advantage of those hours (12 of them) a week I had to myself. I most recently (the past two tuesdays) even went shopping! I know, we all know: I hate shopping. But I discovered a tip to make it more enjoyable: have a beer first and stay for no more then half an hour. Even if I end up returning half the stuff, it makes shopping tolerable for sure, and almost-kind of enjoyable. Anyway, I digress. I like my me time. I like not having to be the only one responsible. I like and need that moment to relax. I need that time to re-charge, at the end of the day, it makes me a better mom.

I do however, find it funny how mom-mode never really shuts off though. Just yesterday, I caught myself asking Jerry if he could see the doggie outside the window. Heh.

Parting Gifts // The Universe

I've been posting and mentioning quite frequently about how tired I've been. Life is good, but I'm tired. Well, when I tell you that I've been tired, I mean: REALLY tired, not just "oh, single mama life is hard and days are long" but physically struggling to stay awake at points. Along with my exhaustion I've been feeling... well, nauseous, having lots of headaches, and you know, lucid dreams among other things too. Not too long ago I wrote a post about the separation of Alex and I and how I would be living single mama life again. I ended the post saying: "It's my time". I was so ready and so confident that life was going in a certain way and it would be easier without all the heavy problems Alex brought to my home, but it turns out: I was wrong (sort of). Well, the next day, I found out... maybe it wasn't actually my time, my time would be on hold, again. It turned out, that again, Alex had left me a small parting gift with his decision to leave. The day after my post, the day before I started work on the food truck, I found out I was pregnant, again.
Before I even stood up, the test read positive. My head was filled with a million different emotions and my heart raced a bit, but I didn't panic and I didn't cry. Now what? I decided I should finish getting Marlowe dressed and go about my day as planned.

You can imagine this story is pretty long (really, really long) so I'm going to cut it and let you click the link if you'd like to choose to continue reading....





So yeah, here I was... single again, raising Marlowe alone again, and pregnant. My emotions were torn and bounced back and forth between the positives and the negatives of my situation. I so badly wanted a sibling for Marlowe. I so badly wanted to raise another child, and to have a growing family... but I no way thought that this is how it would be again. Part of me was upset, slightly bothered, and annoyed, knowing that: AGAIN I would be going through a pregnancy alone... that I would now, not only be raising one child alone, but two children, by myself. All while Alex would be living his life, with zero responsibility, for himself, just like he always has. That no matter what would happen, that I would be at every single doctors visit, in the labor room, up all night long, and exhausted to no end during the day, with a toddler, and a newborn, without a partner, without someone I could love and trust by my side. I would again be missing the joy of sharing a pregnancy and child-raising with a loved one... I would be fighting to parent alone. My mind continued to jump further into more thoughts of good and bad. Yes, it would no longer be my time, again, my life would be on hold, but there would be another baby. A baby to love, a brother or sister for Marlowe. Marlowe would not be alone. I thought, well now, on holidays and her birthday, and on the weekly visits with her father, she wouldn't be alone when having to be dragged back and forth. The idea of her having someone by her side brought me relief... and not just someone, but a sibling by the same mother and father.  I also thought about the fact that, without this pregnancy now, who knows when I would be ready to have children again, maybe a decade from now? When I'm 35? 40? When Marlowe is much, much older, missing out on someone to grow up with? Well, that's not how I would want life to be either. I thought about how physically and mentally exhausted I would be. Raising two on my own means less attention for both kids--- attention they deserve, attention I could give, but at what cost? But, then I would think about the fact that there are MANY women who are in this situation, with less help, and more children, who not only manage, but thrive, giving their children really wonderful lives. I thought about the fact that any problems I had now with Alex, wouldn't really change. I mean, what difference would it make? If I had to deal with all the crap of co-parenting with one kid, then two would be no different... it's a struggle either way. But then, I would grow angry thinking about Alex as a father. Thinking about how I would honestly feel like a bad person if I brought another child in this world with Alex as their father. Harsh, but true. It's already nearly impossible for me to get a weekly schedule out of him... so much time and energy trying to find out what day he will see Marlowe next. If he doesn't want to (or can't) make more time now, if he continue to lie about EVERYTHING and doesn't help with childcare, and/or help provide enough money now, he isn't going to do it later. If the pressure of being a father to one kid is already too much work for him, then two will surely be too much for him to handle. My heart was torn between wanting another child versus feeling guilt for having another child by the same, unstable man. But then I would think: I am young and I can do this. So what if I'm exhausted, low on money, and raising another newborn? I've done it once before, and I did it well, and I could (and can) do it again-- this time with two. I've heard many times in the past few weeks: "The universe won't give you anything you can't handle". Well, I knew I could handle this. Many thoughts and questions, but no tears, little fear, and moving forward.
A few days later: I told Alex. He filled the phone with questions. Every few sentences he would question: "Why are you so calm? Why aren't you freaking out?". I would respond: "Alex. I've been here. I freaked out before. I now know that freaking out isn't going to change this situation. I am fine and calm because and I can do this, I've done this once before. I was alone then, just like I am now, and nothing is going to change that, so why am I going to freak out?". Just like the first time, he viewed the situation as something to fear, as a financial burden, and not as a pregnancy or a baby-- after all: it would REALLY only affect my daily life. We very briefly discussed it a few times, and then decided: we would not talk about it anymore, because no matter how Alex felt or what he wanted, nothing was going to change.
The first time I became pregnant, I did not have health insurance. Until I was able to acquire health insurance (medicaid), my family helped me pay out of pocket for the first doctors visit. (For those of you who don't know how the medicaid system works: it can take weeks upon weeks to be approved for medicaid. I had very little income--- I had left Miami and was living with my brother and sister in law for most of my pregnancy until I could find a (more than) affordable place of my own... I was approved for just about everything the medicaid system could offer me, but it still took weeks until everything was qualified, approved, and put into system. And even after you are approved, the whole system is shoddy at best). This time around, I had no idea how far along I could be, I figured it could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks--- thats a pretty big range in the world pregnancy. Even knowing very well each pregnancy is different, I tried to base things on how strong my symptoms were--- but really, between breast-feeding and weaning, I knew everything within my body was sensitive and off. I decided to wait, tell very little people, and about two weeks after finding out I was pregnant, I decided to schedule an appointment at Planned Parenthood (No insurance, remember?). I called, I scheduled, they give me rates, and told me about price adjustments for people who qualify. A friend came with me, she kept me company, we discussed dinner plans. I told her (about a million times) I wanted a feast with mass amounts of delicious food--- but mostly: I just wanted to stop being nauseous. I never actually threw up with morning sickness--- I did ONCE when I was pregnant with Marlowe-- but only after I ate cheese (real cheese, I never realized how lactose intolerant I really was until a few years ago)--- but I do (and did) waiver between wanting to run to the bathroom and wanting to eat every disgusting thing in site. 
We wait. Nothing seems real. A million thoughts run through my head and I find myself wondering if I am possibly dreaming. After an hour or two I am called into the office. I disrobe. I lay down. And I wait for the ultrasound tech. She comes in and we proceed. I lay there... waiting and staring... and confused. She has a weird look on her face and like hers, my eyebrows also start to scrunch down with confusion. I ask her what is going on. I honestly forget exactly how she put it, but basically: there is no baby. I ask: "what?" and she begins to explain that my gestational sack is empty. A "blighted ovum". I am confused and I have no idea what this means. She turns the screen closer to me and moves the ultrasound wand around to show me all the angles. My mind darts back to my first ultrasound with Marlowe. The screen looks so familiar.... but there is no little bean where a baby should be. I tell her: I don't understand, "but I took a test and it was positive and I have all the symptoms?". She tells me that if I took a test it would be positive, because I have all the pregnancy hormones in me. I ask her how common this is. She tells me: "I see this a few times a month". I lay there in shock. I question everything and I tell her: "I don't know if this is wrong to think and say, but I feel a bit of relief." 
I ask her more questions. Is she sure? Can she tell how far along I am and is it possible that a baby could grow and I will be pregnant? How would she be able to tell if there is no possible future baby? By measuring the sack? What happens next? She tells me: "Does seven weeks seem right?" Absolutely: five days after I had fully weaned Marlowe, a few days off from a night I had calculated as a possibility. She goes on to tell me more about my situation. Somewhere along the way, after I got pregnant, something happened, and a baby did not grow. The hormones were in me, and my gestational sack and uterus would continue to grow and eventually I would miscarry. I could wait for my body to miscarry naturally or I could choose to have a D&C. Knowing: I do not have insurance, the (small) risk of complications, a hospital bill would be incredibly pricey, and especially knowing: I'm the only one there to watch Marlowe 24/7 and (I imagine) a miscarriage would be an emotionally and physically uncomfortable thing to go through: I decide to stay and have the D&C. I go back in the waiting room. Five more hours pass. I am searching the internet for every bit of information I can find. I want medical terminology. I want statistics. I want possible complications of  D&C. I want to know if maybe it would be better to wait for a natural miscarriage. I want to know how long I would have to wait. I want to know the side effects of my procedure--- physical, yes, but mostly: emotionally. How will my hormones be affected? Emotionally, will it be the same as a natural miscarriage? Will I become depressed? How long will it last? How long will I feel "pregnant"? Why did this happen? Is there really no baby? There is no baby.
I am called in. I've decided what pain methods and such I will allow. I decide benedryl and an anti-anxeity pill. I don't want an IV. I want to be conscious and aware of what is going on. I ask the doctor even more questions. He tells me: it's quite common and most women don't know, they will miscarry before they are even aware they are pregnant. This all makes sense. 

Almost instantly: the pregnancy symptoms slow and I being feel better. Physically and emotionally: there is a calm. I felt (and feel) a bit of disbelief about the whole thing. Still, I feel so many mixed emotions. I think back to that saying I kept hearing and I wonder "Did the universe know it wasn't my time?". I feel relief and part of me feels guilt. There are so many families out there trying to conceive that would be devastated in this situation, but I.... well, I don't know. I feel a calm and think: as much as I would have wanted a second child, a sibling for Marlowe, things are probably better off this way. Marlowe happened. I became pregnant, I was scared, alone, tossed back and forth, but I knew: there was no way I could go through with an abortion or adoption. And here we are. Marlowe is here. No blighted ovum, no miscarriage, no complications what-so-ever, she is here and the most important thing in my world.  
Yes, I allowed Alex back in our lives, I took a risk on someone undeserving of it, but he is and always will be her father. I wanted a family for her and I made the jump. Yes, he proved again that he was not able to fill the family role that I wanted and Marlowe needed, and he again let us down, but I needed to take that risk--- for her and for me. I now know what I didn't want to believe. I am now (more than) ready to move forward and continue with the beautiful life I share with my daughter, raising her alone. I wake up everyday and I feel grateful for the life I've lived and my lessons learned. Things were hard, very hard for a while--  with never ending lies, a new break up, the end of a family, raising one child, and pregnant with another, alone. Struggling to stay awake, finding new work, but struggling not to let my morning sickness get the best of me on the overly hot, smoke filled truck, coming home and doing everything I did the night before, but with even more exhaustion. (Not whining, ranting, or complaining-- it is what it is, nothing that anyone else wouldn't be able to handle, it's life). But through it all-- I continued to move forward and smile everyday, and complain about nothing--- other than, well, being nauseous. I came to a huge realization over the past year, months, and especially in the past few weeks: I am stronger than I ever realized. I am not looking for anything or anyone. I am just living--- Living a life I love, raising a beautiful and incredibly happy daughter, and I am happy. I am really, truly happy. I am proud of the mother I am. And I am proud of the person I am. 
I know this story is a lot to share, it's not a story about a perfect life or an ideal situation. I debated whether or not I would write publicly about this experience, or just let it be another thing that stays behind the scenes of this blog. A few days after posting about having "a story to share", I was catching up on many of the blogs I've missed over the past few weeks and found this quote on a cup of jo, in a post she had shared about being authentic:

"It seems to me that being authentic is being brave enough or just candid enough to be honest about what you are experiencing or who you are, whether it is popular are not. A person gives a gift to other people when they say, 'This is what happened to me or this is how I truly feel, no matter what the popular belief is about what I should feel.' Whenever you are honest, you are speaking for a thousand silent people who don't have the voice to say what they really feel or are really experiencing. So, if you ever talk about [the thing you went through], you will touch a million hearts. Because you are speaking for more than just yourself. You are never alone in what you are feeling. I love you."

It reminded me again why I write, why I share my life stories (as complicated or as imperfect as they may be), and why I feel the need to be so overly honest about everything around me. I have a few reasons for sharing my story. My main reason is so you know where I am at, where my head is, and how I am doing. That life happens, goods and bads, and unexpected situations. The world isn't going to stop turning, changing, and throwing unexpected curve-balls, so the best thing I (and we all) can do is to just be happy-- with ourselves (and all of life's ups and downs), to be honest, to breathe in and breathe out, and keep living. 
Somewhat unrelated, but I also wanted to share this story because of all the craziness surrounding Planned Parenthood in the past few months with funds being pulled by Susan G. Komen, the largest private breast cancer research group in the country.. and everything else that always goes on there. Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life I think we all need to be aware of the good Planned Parenthood is able to do for ALL women, but especially the women in need and women lacking health insurance--- which I don't have numbers or statistic in front of me, but I think we can all agree: the numbers for people lacking health insurance and proper care in this nation (and in TOO many parts of this world) are high. If it weren't for Planned Parenthood, I might still be sitting here today, suffering with all the physical and emotional symptoms of a pregnancy--- with no baby-- just waiting for a miscarriage to happen sometime in the near future. I am grateful for Planned Parenthood. With them, I was able to: get the help I needed at an affordable price, with no health insurance. And now, I can sit here today: feeling much, much better (great even), feeling happy, raising my daughter, and no longer wanting to gag at the sight of mushrooms or peppers. 

Staycation (Two)

Happy New Year! 

We had a much, much needed staycation over the past day and a half. On our last (first) staycation, we stayed local, this time around we headed an hour south to South Beach. My mom was gracious enough to gift Alex and I a one night hotel stay for Christmas. She also stayed at my home to baby and doggy sit while we went away. It was so needed. We stayed at the Breakwater Hotel. It was seriously amazing. The room was amazing and the service was so incredibly helpful and friendly. We aren't really 'south beach' people (I did live there for a while, but once I left, I pretty much never went back), so we spent most of our time sleeping, watching tv, or in the design distract in search of delicious food. Alex slept much of the time, while I happily relaxed with him snuggled up on me. We spent our first evening in the hotel room. Alex slept and I enjoyed a marathon of Portlandia. After, we headed out for pizza, came back to the hotel (where I had left my ID... so weird being carded!), and then headed out to a reggae bar. We spent much of our second day walking around... even though I had clumsily twisted my ankle the night before... it was a bit rough, but stubbornness will get you far ;) We found tacos and mexican coke (vacation guilty pleasure) for breakfast and then made our way to the beach. We finished our night with a movie and of course: more food. Both of us left incredibly happy, full, in love, and a bit more relaxed. 

metro organic bistro // south beach living

our ocean drive, hotel. it was blocked off the first day due to new years and was a bit of a crazy show on the streets! 

ps. extra bonus? The products in the room were all vegan!

harry's pizzeria.

monday morning. 

waiting on breakfast.

making our way back to the beach.

my cowl from up a tree cup a tea: doubled as a champagne holder.

60's vintage suit = winning. 

last stop: gigi's = extra delicious. we ordered enough food for about three to four people. gluttons. 



And now... back to the daily (finally chilly) grind! Happy day, friends :)

Time!

After three long weeks, Alex finally got a day off from work last monday. Yes, three weeks of 12+ hour days.... it's been difficult for all of us. We took the day to spend as much quality time together as possible. We picked up some food from one of our local food trucks and headed to the park. I attempted put Marlowe in the swings for her second time ever, but like last time: she hated it. But... she loved watching Alex swing back and forth as high as he could. Afterwards we went on a little bit of an antique search, but sadly left empty handed. Alex made dinner (tacos, salsa, and guacamole) and then we headed out together, without Marlowe, for a bit of parent alone time. It was a great day. Well, here we are a week and a half later and Alex has his second day off tomorrow.... and we have some REALLY exciting things planned. I cannot wait. *so excited*

Here are some photos from the park....

M was a little out of it during most of picnic time. Woke her up from her nap and she just sat there with her sad floppy french fry.