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Pinterest Fun, Plans Gone Awry, + a (Long) Overdue Haircut // A Weekend Wrap Up

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You know those weekends that just restore your soul? Well, I had one of those weekends, friends. It also just so happened to be one of those weekends where I had “X-Y-and-Z” planned…. but all of it got nixed off the to-do list and we just improvised.

Friday we had plans to go to the Great Lakes Science Center and finally utilize our passes. But it was snowing and absolutely frigid, so, even though Chad had taken the day off from work, we decided to just hang around the house with the kids and relax. They still had a blast. [PS. Do you know what kind of fun a 4-year old will have just walking around in Best Buy??]

The chill day came in handy because I had exciting plans for the evening! A little “Moms Night Out,” if you will! My friend Emily had invited me to go to Pin It, which is a Pinterest/craft-making event, with her!

I was so excited to manifest some of my creative energy with Pinterest projects that had already been planned and prepped by someone other than myself! Ha!

But first? Food. Because these delicious macarons and appetizers weren’t going to eat themselves! And after finishing off these delicious snacks, we headed to our first Pin It station — a watercolor mug!

And after the mug we made an “Embrace Messy Hair” planter. I was going to actually use this as a planter, but my mom suggested I use it to store Remy Bea’s bows and headbands. GENIUS! And so it is!

We rounded out the evening with an all-natural headache salve. And, when all was said and done? I realized just how easy these crafts were to do at home! More to come, friends!

Saturday morning, Mimi (who arrived from Kentucky the night before) and I took Ari to the monthly Home Depot workshop.

Unlike January’s workshop, this one wasn’t too complicated for anyone under the age of 40. I kid (but not really. because Februarys’ build was IMPossible). But honestly, if you’ve never been to one of these workshops I absolutely recommend them. They are so fun — and free!

From there I sent Mimi, Chad and the kids to karate while I went to get my haircut for the first time in a few years. YEARS, friends. Years!

 

 

I ended up at Apotheclaire a little early so I stopped next door at Sweet Mary’s Bakery for a morning snack and coffee! And, if you’re local, you *must* stop in to both of these places! Sweet Mary’s Bakery is A-MAZING, and Apotheclaire is so incredibly eco-friendly and local-focused.

I went in to my hair appointment knowing that I wanted my hair cut off, but not a pixie cut like before; I also knew that I wanted something specific, but couldn’t exactly put it into words (or pictures); soooo big pressure to my stylist. Ha! But I told her what I wanted and she delivered ONE THOUSAND PERCENT! Helloooooo, asymmetrical long bob!

I walked around the rest of my day with a little sass in my step, for sure! It’s a good thing we had a family party to attend so that I had somewhere to be with all of that sass!

PS. The only picture I have from this party was of Remy eating ALL OF THE WORLD (as per usual). But seriously. Where does this child (and her tapeworm) put all of this food!?

Saturday night Ari had his first sleepover at Grandma Vicki and Grandma Rosie’s house (my aunts’ house), so we got off the hook and just had to deal with one tired kid! And by the time we got home Remy was totally ready for bed (no naps will do that to a kid!).

After Remy fell asleep, Mimi and I snuck out to the second official Northside Market! It was later than I’d hoped, but we made it! It was great running into Kevin of Studio KMR and Rachel from IWearJewelRay. It was such a quick trip before we headed home, but it was so worth it. I love running into my creative friends, even if just briefly!

And Sunday? Sunday wasn’t all that bad, friends. It had the makings of a busy day — more talk of perhaps going to the Science Center after we picked Ari up from his sleepover. But once we met up with him we realized that taking a sleep deprived child to a busy museum? Not going to be that much fun. So instead we went to lunch and to Trader Joe’s. Because? #MomLife.

Oh, but I did manage to score 4 pairs of shoes for $70 (after tax!!) from Stride Rite in Legacy Village. So, if you’re local to Northeast Ohio, head over there, like, now. Because they’re going out of business and these prices are THE BOMB.

It was honestly the perfect way to round out the weekend. Just regular Mom Life at it’s best.

A huge thank you to everyone who was in any way involved in this weekend. Whether or not I saw you, texted you, or even if you just sent positive vibes my way, thank you. I will always be forever grateful for my tribe. They make weekends like this possible! ♥ ♥ ♥ Cheers to many more weekends like this!

xoxo

rock or dye //

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… my hair, that is!!

About 4 years ago, I found my first grey hair. Chad thought it was hilarious. At 34, he claimed to have never had a single grey hair. Meanwhile, I, at age 25, had gotten my first. (He’s a big liar, by the way 😉 … I told him he just hadn’t noticed his grey hair because he keeps his head shaved. LOL.)

Every so often since that day, I’ll find a random, HUGE, grey hair. SO big and SO long that I’ll wonder “How in Gods name have I not noticed that!?”

Then I finally braved the pixie cut.

And a couple of short months later, I noticed the sides of my hair (I guess it would be sideburns? Ha! Do chicks with short hair call them sideburns??) were actually greying. Like, big time. And I pretty much asked everyone “Why didn’t you tell me this was happening!?” Everyone claims to not have noticed (liars).

But I decided that I’m not quite ready to start dying my hair. Once I do start, I know I’m going to have to continue to do it all the time. I’m already committed to the pixie; I can’t commit to color, too!

So for now, I’ll just be rocking the grey. But when I do decide to color, it will be bold! 😉

 

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I totally totally love having red hair! 😉 Soon enough, hair! Soon enough!!

 

BAMR Bands // Review + Giveaway

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Katie from Healthy Heddleston has her hands full — she’s a mom of two, a dietician, fitness fanatic, and owns and operates her own company — BAMR Bands (Bad Ass Mother Runner Bands)!

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Not only is the name BAMR Bands something I can totally stand behind (love a company/anyone who refers to bad ass mothers!), but the product is, too!

Now that my  hair is pixie cut, I end up running and having sweat get into my eyes (it’s not pretty, but it’s the truth). And without a ponytail option available, I’ve been using headbands to keep the wispy hairs in place. BAMR Bands come in fun colors and patterns, plus they’re made with a non-slip material to keep them in place (especially important — since it’s awful to have to adjust accessories during a run!).

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The headbands measure 7/8 inches in width and $1 from each headband purchased is donated to the charity Every Mother Counts.

I’ve been wearing my headband nonstop since I got it. I specifically chose it in this color because I can match it to non-fitness apparel, too! 🙂

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And now you can enter to win one for yourself!

Head on over to the BAMR Bands shop here and then enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!
The giveaway will run through 12am on January 4th!
The winner will be notified within 48 hours of the giveaway closing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogger Date at Charles Scott Salon //

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Last week I met up with Charlene (aka @cacoughlin) from Life In The CLE and Jess (aka @Mojamala2) of the Tambura Runner last week for a blogger friends mani-pedi date at Charles Scott Salon in Rocky River!

We each had manis and then met up in the massage chairs for our pedis! The girls at Charles Scott Salon treated us so well. The environment there is so welcoming, so inviting, and SO serene! I love that it’s such a chill place. And I love that my manicurist, Rae, had a full-sleeve tattoo down her left arm. It made me feel right at home. 🙂

And yeah I know that they’re supposed to treat clients well and supposed to make us feel comfortable, but the girls who work there are awesome. They aren’t stuffy and they aren’t pushy or too talky. Just AWESOME.

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Jess opted for red nails, Charlene for grey, and I decided on hunter green — toes AND fingers!

I’ve yet to check out their location in Crocker Park because I’m already so attached to the Rocky River location — plus it’s where my stylist, Allie, works!

After our manis and pedis we grabbed a bite to eat at The Wine Bar, Rocky River. I know I should venture out and go to other places in Rocky River, but their food is SO good!

We ate, we had a glass of wine, we chatted and it was totally worth it. From the start of the night it was clear that we all needed a night out — a night away from reality! 🙂

Thankfully I am ‘forced’ to go back in just a couple weeks because I’ll ‘require’ a haircut! Ha! The joys of having a pixie cut!

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Disclaimer: All 3 of us are brand ambassadors for Charles Scott Salon and as such, receive a discount for services provided. All opinions are my own.

December, I’ve got BIG plans for you.

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I’m not certain that the words “I’m so excited for December” have been uttered from my mouth since I was a kid. Wait – scratch that. Probably in college when I wanted to go home for break. Regardless, this year is bound to be far more exciting than any other December for our household!

Christmas // 

I’m having way too much fun buying Christmas presents this year. I’m trying not to go too crazy with toys for #BabyAri. I know that he’ll be super confused by the whole Christmas tree and present thing still, but it’s going to be so fun seeing his face light up when he gets his wagon from Santa!

My husband on the other hand is quite possibly THE hardest person to shop for. I know you’re probably thinking “no my husband is,” but I promise you, I’ve got you beat. And I’m not just saying that. Because if he wants something, he just gets it. I can’t even be like “Oh ya know what he’d like — a machete!” No. Cause he already bought it himself. Not joking (so wish I was. But nope. We have a machete!). But I think I found a few things that he is going to love, thanks in large part to Crafty Mart Akron and the Pop Up Holiday shop!

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December Fit Challenge – also known as #DECFitChallenge // 

You can join if you’d like, but my goal for this month is small, but mighty. December is my most difficult month to get out and get moving. So my goal is to do something — regardless of how small it may be — to break a sweat or get moving EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Whether that be an intense round of sit ups, P90x, yoga (at home or at a class), or running. Whatever. Just get moving!

If you’re up for it, I’m hoping you’ll get motivated with me! I’ll host a link up and check in every few days, both here and on my Facebook page!

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Parties, Events, and MORE Parties! // 

This month is full of busy — but it’s busy fun! I’m running two races (both this weekend), hosting family at our house for a weekend, visiting with my sister-in-law who will be in town from Colorado, attending the Ohio Blogging Association Cookie Swap, two family Christmas parties, and at least two festivals!

Last but not least //

… I have a hair appointment! Which means one moms night out in the month of December! Hooooooray!! 🙂 Seriously. I know it sounds crazy, but that one day or night out really keeps my sanity in tact. 🙂

operation: mama gets her groove back

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Having a baby is life changing. I mean went from focusing on myself and Chad, to having to refocus on this new little person non-stop. So I pretty much did a one-eighty overnight. I stopped focusing on Chad; and I pretty much stopped focusing on me.

It took a significant amount of time to realize that the best thing for Ari and the best thing for my relationship with Chad was to take care of myself. Seriously, you know that saying about putting your own oxygen mask on before assisting others?? SO true! This goes for motherhood, too!

I try to keep my wits by attending a regular power yoga class on the weekends — baby in tow (Oh the beauty of childcare at a yoga studio!), running on the towpath after work once a week, and getting pampered once in a while. I’ve had more massages in the last 12 months than I’ve had in all of my life! Ha!

And then I committed to a new kind of pampering… a haircut. Like, a serious haircut.

A few weeks ago I went to Charles Scott Salon in Rocky River and decided to cut it all of. That’s right — I decided that I wanted to go through with something that I always wanted to do — cut it allllllllll off!

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So I went and saw Allie at Charles Scott Salon. I showed her a picture of Ginnifer Goodwin and said, “Yes, that short.” “No I don’t want bangs.”

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Reason? As much as I love my long hair, I never EVER do it. I always wear it in a ponytail. Always. Sleep is so hard to come by these days. And to the people who said “are you sure??” I replied that the worst thing that could happen is that I could hate it. And it will eventually grow back, amIright?? RIGHT.

Enter Allie. Ohhhh, Allie. My new BFF.

She was down to do it. Thank GOD! I was terrified that she was going to be all “ya sure??” and then I would panic. But she wasn’t.

Before I could change my mind she put my hair in a pony and said “Ready?” “Ready!” I said.

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Aaaand CHOP! Have fun with that hair, Locks Of Love! Mama got her groove back with a new do!

I LOVE it! And yeah I have to go back for regular trims/cuts to maintain the length.

This week I went back for my first trim. I drove up to Rocky River right after work and stopped by Rocky River Wine Bar for some dinner, first! Yep, no shame in this mamas game! A solo dinner alone was just what I needed.

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The fact that I ate dinner sitting down was enough for me! But the glass of red wine, the delicious salad, and yummy fries before a haircut was just what this mama needed!

I love Allie and the group at Charles Scott Salon! And I love the idea of regular “mama” nights out (which, as it turns out, still means I’m asleep by 9!). See ya in another couple weeks, wine and haircut mama date!

Disclaimer: I am a brand ambassador for Charles Scott Salon and as such, receive a discount for services provided. All opinions are my own.