Its a Hero

fashion

Maplewood Boutique Fashion Show 2019

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I am zero percent fashion blogger, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed @maplewoodboutique’s Spring/Summer Fashion Show on Sunday!

All of the outfits were super cute (SO many jumpers! ?) and I was obsessed with every single accessory (I’m looking at you, amazing purse that I had to physically stop myself from purchasing —  but only ‘cause I’m still in the diaper bag season of life, y’all).

EXTRA bonus?? Incredible brunch fare from the @squarescullery and donuts + cronuts from Crest Bakery.

It was so great getting out of the house for a few hours and enjoying the company of friends while supporting our local female-run businesses.

We sipped, we brunched, and we shopped! The Trailhead at Cascade Lofts is GORGEOUS! The event space is incredible and if you’re looking for a local place to have a wedding or shower, this is IT!

How was your weekend?! What Cleveland or Akron spot did you visit??

a Thanksgiving SURPRISE!

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I’ve been keeping a HUGE secret. Like, bigger than big. And it explains everything, friends. I promise. And what better day to share it than Thanksgiving, right?!

That’s right — Remy Bea will be a middle child as of June 2018!

I know, I know. After Remy Bea was born in January 2016, I swore off anymore babies. She was such a horrible baby (for a full 12 months), that I fully intended to not have anymore children. As soon as we outgrew baby gear and clothes, I passed it on to someone else.

But something happened a few months ago. I told Chad I didn’t think we were done. He didn’t disagree, but he also thought I was a tad bit crazy.

So we tried. And here we are, 11 weeks pregnant. Because that’s how it works for us, I guess.

And now my complete exhaustion and inability to write more than a tweet should make a bit of sense. Because this first trimester has been kinda kicking my butt.

Not in the same way my pregnancy with Remy Bea did, but enough to where I am actually falling asleep during dinner and/or not eating dinner because I feel so nauseated.

Regardless, we’re thrilled to finish our family with JUST ONE MORE baby.

That’s right — I had a real fear that the ultrasound was going to show two babies (my mother is a fraternal twin AND I’m 33 AND you’re more likely to have multiples after the more babies you have…). But there was only one, thank the LORD. And it’s heartbeat was strong, steady, and healthy!

My official due date is June 16, 2018.

I’m not certain if we will find out the gender this time around. Part of me is dying to know, but I also realize that at this point we have one boy and one girl so this one will be the tie-breaker… and I kinda want it to be the ‘last surprise,’ of surprising events.

And now… we breathe. We breathe with the comfort that our secret is out! And, of course, we celebrate with eating a glorious Thanksgiving feast!

Oh, and I promise now that the secret is out, I’ll update a bit more! ♥ ♥

Much love to Shop Pink Blush for my amazing black lace maternity dress!

Many thanks to Alex Lucas – Photographer & Graphic Designer from the Cleveland, Ohio area, for coordinating this amazing pregnancy announcement shoot (and for dealing with my two crazy little monsters). Follow her over on Instagram at @ohtheraven and go check out her full portfolio here.

Special offer for my followers!

Mini Family or Lifestyle Shoot in the Cleveland, Ohio Area (Nov 27 – Jan 5th) or the Greenville, South Carolina Area (February 5th – May 11th) only $140. 

Whats included? 30 minute shoot, minimum of 20 photos delivered, photos delivered within 5 days. Just send Alex an email at alex@ohtheraven.com with ItsAHero in the subject line.

 

 

 

Photography credit: Alex Lucas

Maternity Dress credit: ShopPinkBlush

Kids Biggest, Middlest, Littlest shirts: Treehouse Apparel, Etsy

Kids Christmas Outfits: Cat + Jack, Target

Christmas List Announcement: FairyTaleWeddingPro, Etsy

 

Fall 2017 Favorites!

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Fall is by far my most favorite time of year — the leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping, and the air is crisp. It’s perfection.

One of my favorite things about Fall (besides Pumpkin Spice Lattés) is dressing and accessorizing for the season! But there is SO much more to Fall than clothes and jewelry, am I right!?

Today I’ve rounded up some of my Fall Favorites for 2017! 

My JORD Wood Watch. I’ve been dying for one of these for myself for months now. I bought my husband a JORD Wood Watch from the Men’s Shop last year and I just knew my watch would be equally as gorgeous!

And OMG it is! It’s the perfect Fall accessory because it goes with everything and compliments the changing landscape!

My women’s wooden watch, which is the Frankie 35 series, is gorgeous! It’s made from Zebrawood, which I think makes it an incredibly unique women’s watch!

Want to win a $100 gift code to use on the JORD site!? Enter an exclusive giveaway for itsahero.com readers only HERE!

The giveaway is open through 10/29/17 and ALL entrants will receive a $25 gift code for the JORD site! Win-win! So go enter, NOW!

Shopping for a new planner. It’s official. Come Fall, the race is on for a new planner! I know, I know — there are still SEVERAL months left in the year; but events are already piling up for 2018! So a new planner is a requirement! And, YES, a planner is an accessory.

My favorite planner is the Day Designer. It’s perfect for my need to fill in time slots and a weekly layout. I’ve tried pretty much every planner on the market and this one is by far my long-standing favorite.

Fun with food. I’m just absolutely loving quirky, food-themed, accessories, silly cookies (which are both delicious and adorable), and t-shirts with random food printed on them (like donuts or hotdogs). It’s just a cute, fun way to incorporate something near and dear to my heart (ALL OF THE FOOD) with my everyday life.

Remy recently has been rocking this hot dog onesie from Estella NYC (cutest, softest, and made of organic cotton) and I’m IN LOVE. Also, my favorite new earrings are these ice cream cones!

All of the fun family activities. 

Let’s be real. This is where it’s really at — family. I honestly despise being outside, sweating, during the Summer. Sure, if I’m meant to be sweating (like, by exercising) I don’t mind; but just by being?? Nope.

That’s why Fall activities are where it’s at! Pumpkin patches, Halloween parties, Trunk-or-Treats — you name it, I’m up for it.

Especially when it comes to the kids. To see their faces light up? That’s my end goal every single day (no, this doesn’t happen everyday; but gosh darnit! It’s my goal!).

So this Fall you can find me trick-or-treating, pumpkin-patching, and party-going with two tiny humans in tow! ♥

So tell me — what are your 2017 Fall Favorites!? And don’t forget to enter my JORD Wood Watches giveaway here!


Luxury Wooden Watch

 

Disclosure: I received my watch at no cost in exchange for this post. I was not compensated, but, as always, all opinions herein are my own.

Back to PRESCHOOL Must-Haves!

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We JUST started back-to-school last week! I was READY! I know, I know.. preschool is just a few days a week, for just a few hours a day. But being on this schedule saves our family, ya’ll!

Ari is currently enrolled at the YMCA (where I work) for preschool. He attended two-day preschool last year, so this year I bumped him to 3-days. And, even though it’s *just* preschool, it’s important to make sure we’re all prepared for a change.

A backpack. Ari needs to take his swim trunks and a towel to school with him, but even if he didn’t, he would take a backpack. Preschoolers are always coming home with art projects and letters from teachers explaining what they did that day. It’s just the easiest way to keep all of that in one place until preschool pickup.

PS. Ari picked out his own backpack — this Skip Hop unicorn backpack. One of the many reasons I love this kid so damn much! 

Reusable snack bags. No, Ari doesn’t get ‘snack time’ during school; but as soon as school is over, that kid is hungry! I mean, aren’t you after you spend a morning learning your face off?? Haha! 🙂 So these snack packs come in handy!

A Water Bottle. Honestly, what is it about preschool that makes kids so dang thirsty!? If I forget Ari’s water bottle, he will chug all of the water from mine. So I always have his water bottle full for him so he can drink up as soon as I pick him up.

We happen to love this Contigo Autoseal kids water bottle! It works perfectly and is the absolute perfect size for my little guy.

Dry erase lapboard. This lapboard is key, y’all! One thing that amazed me from Ari’s first year of preschool was how quickly he learned his letters and how to write his name. Like, for months the only thing he would say when someone asked him how to spell his name was “A – R – I… Ari!” 🙂 But that is because we practiced — a lot!

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Age appropriate flash cards. Knowing that preschoolers learn by playing, Ari and I make games out of flash cards. He already knows his colors, shapes, and numbers; but this year we’re working on sight words so he’s ready for the next step (ahhhh!! kindergarten!!).

New shoes! I’m not team #AlwaysNeedsNewClothes. In fact, we buy so many of our children’s clothes gently-used from a local consignment shop. I always find Gap jeans and Gymboree clothes (with tags on!) for, like, three bucks! Heck yes! But one thing I never skimp on is shoes. Our children stand, play, jump, and run, nonstop. It’s so important that they have support. So I have actually purchased several sizes in these Stride Rite shoes so that I can just have them on hand for when he grows!

So if you’re a mom of a preschooler, what would you recommend to have for preschool-readiness?? Did I miss something?

If you’re not yet to the preschool years, Pin this post for later!

Elevate, Play with Lark, SOAK, and Eat Local! // Embracing the Chaos

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We’ve been so crazy busy lately that we’ve hardly had a chance to slow down. It’s my own fault, really. I’m a chronic over-scheduler. It’s a blessing and a curse, friends. It really is.

See, I thrive on the crazy; I need the busy days. I need them because they make me feel accomplished. And slowing down just isn’t in my vocabulary. At least, not in this current season of my life.

So here’s what we’ve been up to as of late:

Lots and lots and lots of playing with the kids. Lucky for me, we have a standing playdate at the YMCA every day but Sunday (because, well, I’m there for 4-6 hours a day). So both kids really love (and need) this time with their friends.

But it’s been HOT, friends. Like, hot and crazy humid. Which has truly limited our outdoor play. However, I have felt a bit more comfortable playing outdoors with the kiddos knowing that Miss Bea is wearing moisture-wicking baby clothes from Lark.

If you haven’t heard of Lark, their mission is to make quality baby clothes that can easily endure the daily life of an active infant or toddler. They have developed a proprietary natural, eco-friendly moisture wicking fabric. Safer for babies sensitive skin than some of the synthetic wear that adults wear when outside or working out! Awesome, right!?

Well Miss Bea is truly comfortable in her rompers and bodysuits from Lark. And I breathe easy knowing the fabric is not only breathable, but free of synthetic fabric and chemicals, and is made in the USA!

And you can get free shipping on any order using this code: SHIPPING. Go support this awesome business, friends!

Living in my SOAK sandals. So I am weird about shoes. See, when I find shoes I love, I live in them. Like, I wear holes in my flats because I wear them every day and literally nothing else. So when I was offered a pair of slides from SOAK, a company right here in the United States, I truly didn’t know what to expect.

See, I have super high arches in my feet and it makes wearing anything slip-on quite difficult (and sometimes painful). But I’ve worn these every single day for the last 30 days and I’m in love.

A post shared by Rachel L (@itsahero) on

They’re comfortable, incredibly stylish, and crunchy-mama-friendly! Yep, not only are they made in Maine, but they are made from BPA-free recycled materials!

And so versatile! I’ve worn them with dresses and to my yoga classes! Seriously the only shoe I’ve needed (well, except for my running shoes to, well, run!).

Check out their full line of slides here and use code CHIC15 to save 15% off!

Yoga. Not quite #yogaeverydamnday, but my fire for yoga has been reignited, thanks to a couple of amazing yoga classes.

Last week I went to Elevate Akron, an annual outdoor yoga event here in my amazing city. It was powerful, friends. So powerful! I realized that all of the cycling, running, and strength training I’ve been doing has totally made me more physically fit — in ways I didn’t even realize before! I am so much stronger than I’d recently given myself credit for.

Oh, and I’m certain that the stretching and conditioning alongside the gymnasts I coach doesn’t hurt!

But then I decided to go, solo, to my first Yoga on Tap/Balance and Brews event. See, here in Northeast Ohio, we’ve been on the beer + yoga train for a long time — at least the last 4 years! But, sadly, I’ve never been able to actually make a class.

Well, that changed yesterday. I was elated to find out that Melissa of Balance and Brews was teaching a class right here in my own town, at HiHo Brewing Co.!

It was a great class and ended with a complimentary beer (the Smash Smash Pilz Pilz double pilsner was the bomb!).

So many markets! Guys, I’m a sucker for a good farmers market. Throw in some hand-crafted goodies? Double-sold.

Between the Cleveland Flea, the Akron Honey Market, and the Countryside Conservancy Market in Highland Square? We’ve been biz-zeeee! Busy getting delicious food, ya’ll!

Cycling. Kickboxing. and Gymnastics, Oh My! I’ve been working out non-stop and, like I said, I’m feeling so much stronger! One thing that’s truly been helping is how much I’ve been trying to remain committed to my schedule of workouts. At times it’s been a struggle, but it’s also been a saving grace during the crazy moments. As much as, in those moments, I want to just hide or cry or sleep, I find myself working out all of my frustrations and it’s helped me tremendously.

Sure, we’ve been busy. But it’s been perfect. Perfect chaos! So tell me — Do you thrive on chaos, like me? Or do you prefer to have unscheduled days and relaxing weekends!?

 

 

 

P.S. I Love JORD (and my husband) // GIVEAWAY

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In keeping with my commitment to be as open and honest as possible here on my blog, I have to say that I had no idea how having children would change my relationship with my husband.

See, Chad and I had dated for four years before we decided to get hitched! So we certainly didn’t jump into anything. Naively I assumed that our relationship weathered enough in those four years to survive babies.

Guys. I am here to tell you. Having children. changes. EVERYTHING. Sure, they are wonderful little mini humans with unique and awesome personalities; but there is no storm like children. Not even close.

We haven’t had an easy road with either child. Honestly, as soon as we got the hang of Ari, we decided to have another. Remy Bea has been extra difficult from the very start. Especially over the last year — with two children, both difficult in their own ways, we’ve lost sight of what truly matters most — being present with each other.

Shortly after this Valentine’s Day, Chad and I will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. It honestly baffles me that the last 5 years have flown by this quickly; but somehow we’ve weathered this storm together. And our time together, especially our time spent together without kids, is so incredibly precious.

As corny as it sounds, the most precious gift I can give my husband is the gift of time. And to celebrate our upcoming anniversary a tad bit early, I gave him the gift of a beautiful and unique wood watch from JORD! There’s no time like the present, am I right?!

This man. This men’s watch. This struggle. They don’t even begin to show my love, affection, and appreciation for our journey.

And, believe it or not, this cool watch isn’t just a way for him to monitor how many minutes are left in a timeout! Ha! This watch symbolizes the days, the months, and the years that we have put into each other and into our relationship.

This beautiful and unique wood watch comes in a variety of styles and designs. I chose a classic round-faced men’s watch — the Frankie — with Koa wood! It’s sized accurately for the most perfect fit on my husband’s wrist!

This Valentine’s Day, reconnect with your partner by giving them a beautiful wood timepiece! Thanks to the wonderful people at JORD, one lucky reader will win a $100 gift code to use over on the JORD site!

To enter, head HERE.

Bonus? Everyone who enters will receive a $25 gift code to use at JORD at the close of the contest! It’s a win-win!

Contest is open through 11:59 on 2/5/17. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by JORD directly with gift code. I received product for my honest thoughts and review of JORD. As always, all opinions are my own!

Luxury Wooden Watch