replay recycle no spill challenge

I posted on instagram a couple weeks ago that we were going to take the Replay Recycled no-spill sippy cup challenge.  We are already big fans of their plates and utensils, that it seemed like an obvious decision. We love that the products are made from recycled milk jugs, are BPA free, are super reasonably priced and (best of all) are made in the U.S.A. That is definitely something we can stand behind.

When I ordered the sippy cup, I was excited about all of the different color options. Of course, I picked purple since it's Natalie's current favorite color.

Re-play Recycled Cups

We opted for a sippy cup over a spout cup because of our previous issues with spout cups. I was intrigued by how simple the design and spout were on the cup. There was no click feature or anything special when putting the lid on the cup, just an old fashion twist on. They almost reminded me of the tupperware sippy cups that we had in our home growing up.  Super simple but, seemingly, super durable.  

While we're only about a month into things, I have to say, I am loving the cups. While they will drip a smidge (like literally two tiny drops of liquid) when Nat throws them, I cannot ding them on that.  That girl throws with some force - enough so that she has broken previous sippy cups lids.  The replay cups are holding up much better than past purchases.  I like that the spout on the sippy cup is solid and not a silicone spout. Nat likes to chew on the spout (and poke her fork at it), so it takes the abuse much better than a silicone spout. While we are loving the solid spout, Re-play does offer a silicone spout for those who prefer it.

Overall, these are the best cups we have used to date.  They really do not spill which is super refreshing.  We love them so much that I have packed away all of our other sippy cups and am making the full conversion to everything re-play!  In fact, I think Miss Natalie might be getting some purple plates and bowls for her birthday :)

If you want to take the No Spill Challenge yourself, check out the Re-Play Recycled website!  It's only $4 to play along and that price includes a replacement valve! 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

All views expressed in this post are solely my own. Re-play Recycle did not sponsor this post.

Friday favorites

Phew! Things are finally settling down and we are finally getting into the rhythm of a new job + new school year.  It has been quite the adjustment.  While I can sleep in later, which is absolutely lovely - 45 extra minutes of sleep is beautiful, it was throwing a curve ball to Brandon because I was crashing his morning routine.  Slowly but surely we're working out the kinks and Natalie is just rolling with the punches. We're lucky she has been so flexible and forgiving of the last few very crazy months!

1. Fall weather. I am absolutely loving the cooler weather we have been having lately. I cannot wait to pull all my boots out of hiding and layer up with infinity scarves or a perfect hoodie. You can bet that this mama all day everyday lightweight hoodie from Little Arrow Co. will be making it's way into my life in the near future!

2. Gymnastics Class!  Last weekend was Natalie's first class and I am beyond excited for another class tomorrow!  This week Brandon is participating with her and I cannot wait to see them running and playing together :)

3. Toddler Boots. I wanted to find a fall slip on shoe for Natalie for daycare so I went to Target.  While they had the most adorable little slip-ons (and on clearance too), I absolutely 1000% could not pass up these boots.  I died a little bit. I even sized up so that she would be in them all fall and winter. I played it smart :)

4. Pumpkin Everything. I picked up some pumpkin fudge (yep, amazing) last weekend at Gaver Farm and felt a little bit guilty because it wasn't quite fall yet, but now that it is officially fall, I will not be holding back!  In fact, I have finally had my first pumpkin spice latte of the year - heaven.  Huffington Post recently had an article with recipes to a bunch of PSL inspired items and you can bet your bippy we'll be trying some of them soon!  If you know of something pumpkin that I need to be trying, please let me know and comment below!

Happy Friday, y'all!

thoughts for Thursday: the "treat yourself kindly, mama" pact

A few weeks ago I wrote about a few of my most desired items from my personal Amazon wish list in a blog post.  These are things that I would love to have but, in the past, would probably not actually buy for myself.  I put it out there for the world to read that I would definitely take the time to get things for myself, but even after I published it, I felt guilty because it seemed like a lie. As a rule, I don't really buy things for myself. I buy for my family, especially for Natalie.

I started my new job about a month ago so I took to the outlets to find some new pieces for my work wardrobe. I did not make it through that shopping trip without a visit to Carter's and Oshkosh to pick up things for Nat. A couple weekends after that I was returning items to the outlets and took that money and spent it on Natalie to tie up some loose ends of her fall wardrobe.  Then, last week, it happened, I stumbled across an article from Scary Mommy that resonated with me so deeply.  I reflected on my recent shopping trips and found that on every shopping trip I went on, I ended up getting something for Natalie. If clothes did fit me the right way, I got her things instead because everything fits her and looks great on her.

So now, I am making a mama pact: the "treat yourself kindly, mama" pact. It's time that I start making a conscious effort to do something for myself before I let myself go completely on the personal end of things.  I can only play the double life of put-together-working-mama vs slumming-it-on-the-weekends-needs-a-hair-cut-and-her-brows-did mama for so long before the slumming it side takes over and people begin to question my sanity... like they're not already. I am sure Brandon sleeps with one eye open from time to time.

So here it is.  My personal vow to myself that I am putting out there for the world to see. I vow that once a month I will do something just for me.  I will take the time to get a nice hair cut or a pedicure or my eyebrows done.  I will find something on my Amazon wish list that I want and get it for myself.  I will splurge on the so totally unnecessary that they feel almost necessary boots I have been eyeing for YEARS. (After creating a budget plan for them, of course.) Honestly, I need to stop thinking that doing one special something a month just for me is selfish. I mean, let's be honest, before babies, this is the norm for women every. single. weekend. and nobody bats an eye. 

When did taking care of yourself and making yourself happy become selfish?! 

happy fall y'all

My favorite season is in full-swing, although totally unofficially until Wednesday.  I could not be more excited about the weather getting cooler, dinners from the crockpot, leaves changing colors, sweatshirts, boots and football. This really is the best time of year.

This weekend we totally kicked off fall in such a fun way too! Natalie had her very first gymnastics class!  It was so much fun and I am so excited to see her grow into a little gymnast!  It's a "parent n peanut" class so this past week I did the class with her and next week Brandon will be doing it with her.  We had so much fun and I learned so much more about Natalie.  She is so smart and strong and brave.  She puts things together so quickly and she is totally fearless.  She had absolutely no hesitation jumping into the foam pit from the side or from the 2 foot drop!  I hope she never loses her sense of adventure.

After class, we headed to the county fair!  One of our first stops was the birthing center.  I was really hoping to see a cow give birth (and it seemed like one was close!) but Brandon did not think it would be best to stay for that and traumatize Natalie :)  While in the birthing center, she kept pointing to the big cows and telling me, "look, it's mama cow".  She is so stinkin' smart.  We didn't stay at the fair too long since it was after gymnastics and someone was a bit tired, but it was a good time nonetheless.  I loved seeing her eyes light up when she saw the cows and horses up close.  She is such an animal lover and it's adorable the way she waves to them and calls out their names and makes their sounds. While she was a big fan of the goats last year, this year they were a bit scary to her.  

Sunday after a quick trip to Target for groceries, we headed to Gaver Farm for their fall fun festival.  This weekend was teacher appreciation weekend so Brandon and I had free admission, as did Nat since she is under 2! It was an absolutely gorgeous day and since it's still early in the season, the farm wasn't too crowded. Natalie had so much fun on the slides, looking at the animals and romping through the hay. 

I love weekends that are so packed with fun, laughter and family time.  We've already done two of the things on my fall bucket list and it's not even officially fall yet :)  This is such a fun age with Natalie and I love watching her experience the seasons and take everything in!  She really seems to appreciate things this year so you can bet the next few weeks will be filled with fall festivals, warm apple cider, pumpkins and hayrides! 

Happy Fall, y'all!

Natalie's Lit List Wish List

It is no secret that the little miss loves to read. It is for that reason that I keep a running Amazon wish list of all of the books I find that I want to add to her library. It makes ordering books super easy and it also makes it so that gift buyers in her life know what books she doesn't have yet!  These are the books we are most looking forward to adding to our library in the coming months!

one // two // three

four // five

six // seven // eight

While I know that some of these will appeal to Natalie sooner than others, the stories are all so sweet and so fun!  I am particularly excited about the BabyLit and Les Petits Fairytales books. I love a good board book that she can take in her crib with her for morning reading.  I also cannot wait to get the Tiniest Mermaid.  It is one of probably 10 mermaid books I have found but this one is at the top of my list!  Somehow being a girl mom has turned me into a lover of all things mermaids, ballerina and flamingo :)  Although, it may also be that my father-in-law's love of flamingos might be rubbing off on me!  

What are your favorite books for the little ones?

Florida Fun August 2015

As I had mentioned before, I took Natalie to Florida to visit my parents for a week before I started my new job.  I try to make it to Florida once a year to visit them and with the new house and everything we've had going on, I didn't think it would be possible this year.  Somehow the stars aligned and I was able to do it and I am so happy I was able to sneak in another trip with Natalie before she turns two (aka before I have to pay for her ticket)!

I was extremely anxious about flying with Natalie and without Brandon but she was a total champ on both flights. I am so proud of her! I posted a toddler travel guide before I left and all of those things definitely came in handy and made for a smooth trip!  I had more than one person stop me to tell me what a great traveler she is! And she was polite to boot! As we got off the plane, she thanked the flight crew on both flights. It was absolutely adorable!

The week was filled with beach trips, pool dips, long walks, snuggles and good food.  All the right ingredients for a wonderful vacation with my mini me :) We even snuck in a trip to Daytona to pick up a little something for Dada! Brace yourself for a Florida trip photo purge.

someone loves her Grandma :)

She was totally Grandma's little buddy :)

Twinning in our Emerson Grace Boutique tanks

At Daytona National Speedway

my little beach babe :)

the sass is unreal with this one...

While we definitely missed Dada for a week, I loved being able to spend that time with my parents. Natalie had changed so much since they had seen her in April/May that it was fun for them to see her again this year. We probably won't get to see my parents again until 2016 and I can only imagine how much different she will be then!

whoa.

Sorry for the radio silence over here.  Things have been pretty hectic. I took Natalie to Florida a couple weeks ago to visit my parents and then I started the new job.  It's been a very intense, very exhausting few weeks.  I am in hopes that I will be able to take some time this weekend to recap our trip to Florida and share some of my thoughts on the new job.

In the mean time, I will leave you with this gem of Natalie :)

That girl is something else!