Best Straw Bags

Trends.. they come and go. If we are lucky they stick around for two years so we can get wear out of said trend!
I can remember growing up the straw purse was a thing. My mom had one, actually fairly similar to some of the styles today; and she got me a smaller one to match hers. Flash forward to just a few years ago and the trend was back. I remember I had to have this Michael Kors straw and leather clutch when it came out. I was just out of college, my student loans were starting to kick in and I was working in retail (with not the best pay). I needed this clutch like I needed a hole in my head, but I of course purchased it. I couldn't fit hardly anything in it. I can guarantee I would not be able to fit my phone in there today (I have an iPhone 8 plus) let alone all the baggage I carry when Joey is with me! I think I maybe used it a handful of times and then it sat. Which is where it is now, on top of a closet in a box. 
Anyway, before my rant started I was talking about trends. I fully believe in following trends.. I mean I am a lifestyle blogger, so it kinda comes with the territory! But I also believe in not spending an arm and a leg! If I want to grab something that I don't foresee myself using a lot that's trendy, I will shop around and try to find a bargain.  
Today I'm sharing with you some budget friendly options if you wanna jump on the straw bag trend yourself!

1. Gap 2. Walmart 3. H&M 4. Amazon 5. DSW

30 Rotations Around The Sun

And just like that, I turned 30. How did this happen? I feel as though I'm still 18.. okay, maybe not 18 but it does feel like I just turned 18 yesterday! SO much has happened these past few years that time really has flown by.. + Engaged + House + Married + Baby

Some of the things I'm celebrating today, well Freebies of course! Starbucks Rewards- free drink on your birthday Panera Bread- free pastry Sephora Beauty Rewards- free gift on your birthday Madewell Rewards- free shipping and returns on your birthday Baskin Robins- Free scoop of ice cream on your birthday Kohl's Rewards- $5.00 off purchase Jcrew Credit Card- $25 off the purchase of $25.00
Make sure to sign up for free rewards so you can enjoy special treats on your birthday too!

Wayfair 'Way Day' Sales

Friends! Stop what you are doing and head over to Wayfair to catch their biggest sale of the year!

 
 We have had our eye on new bedding since Charger likes to scratch at the bed and put some holes in the comforter. I'm loving this Comforter, and is similar to a much more expensive one from Anthropologie.
These Frames are such a good buy. They are perfect for a gallery wall or even break them up and put them throughout the house.
I'm loving the colors in this Area Rug and the pricing is great too! 
I could think of a million styling ways I would do with this Book Case. If only we had more room in our tiny house.
This is such a great deal for this Dining Room Set. It would be perfect in an eat in kitchen or smaller dining room.
It's the time of year where everyone is pulling their summer furniture from their sheds or garage. Maybe you don't like the look or it is damaged? This Outdoor Furniture would be a great addition, and super cheap!
There are so. many. things. to chose from on sale today only! What are some things you've had your eye on or are interested in picking up?

Baby Food That's Just Like Homemade

If you had to ask Joey what his favorite fruit and veggie is, we would say (if he could talk yet) apples and carrots! These 2nd Foods® Apple and Carrot look like homemade, taste like homemade, and are textured just like homemade. The texture is identical to if I was to whip them up myself. I'm pretty sure all my mom's out there would agree we love making homemade for our babies, but who has the time. 

This week I went back to work full time. Joey is now with my mom two days a week and a family friend the other three days. On the weekends we prefer to make big breakfasts and do something fun, and making baby food is just usually not on that agenda. If you make all your own foods.. please, please tell me your secrets!! I am 100% okay though, with giving Joey this baby food. He loves it and moans and groans when I don't feed it to him fast enough!

Joey gets that same nutrition, since it is real fruit; as he would I take longer and whip him some up myself. The 2nd Foods® Apple is definitely a favorite in our house, and Joey gets so excited when he sees me take one out for him! 

If you want to pick up your own Gerber 2nd Foods® check out a coupon here!

Sephora Beauty Insider Sale Picks

It's the time of year to stock up on your must haves, wants, or splurges at Sephora! Their beauty insider sale is going on now. Whether you are an insider, VIB or rouge you can catch a great discount. If you shop at Sephora, you know that makeup sheldom goes on sale so anytime you can score a deal, you must jump on it. 
I've listed some of my must haves, as well as some things I've had my eye on. Today I'm sharing them with you..

+ This is my go to Mascara lately. Def adds volume to my lashes. + Recently my hair has been dry and needs an extra boost and this Conditioning Spray works wonders! + I'm trying this Natural Lipstick to wear on the daily, ya know work, errands, around the house! lol + In the market for a new Curling Iron, so gonna give this one a shot. Has great reviews. + Because summer is (supposedly) right around the corner, I'm going to try this  Self Tanner and Face Tanner and see it will give me the glow before the natural sun does. + I like to stock up on things like this Beauty Blender when they go one sale. + I started using this Setting Spray a month ago, and it helps my make up to last all day.
Use code YAYINSIDER if you are a beauty insider for 10% off your purchase! Use code YAYVIB if you are a beauty vib for 15% off your purchase! Use code YAYROUGE if you are a beauty rouge for 15% off your purchase! + If you are not an insider yet, sign up here! + This sale only lasts until Monday April 23, so hurry!

The Best Lehigh Valley Outdoor Dining Areas

Spring has sprung! Or has it.. Sunday it's suppose to be back into the 40's. Come on Mother Nature, get your act together!!

Anyway, there is nothing I love more then having a drink or some apps on the patio. And when we can get out and do that, it's even better! If you are local to me, I've rounded up the top spots for outdoor dining! These are all my own opinions, but would love to know of any I've missed!

1. Blue Grill House 4431 Easton Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18020 Website Blue offers a spacious outdoor patio with huge outdoor bar and middle fire pit. The entire patio is covered so you can enjoy the outdoors rain or shine. The tables consist of high tops, regular and community tables. Great place to meet after work for their happy hour specials, or reserve a table for dinner because it fills up fast! 2. Tapa's On Main 500 Main Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 Website If you are looking for a lighter meal with delicious drinks you have come to the right place. Here you can sit and people watch in one of Tapa's outdoor tables located on the side walk infront or on the side of the building. There are only a couple tables, and they fill up fast- especially at happy hour/dinner time hours, so make sure to get a reservation early!  3.White Orchids Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley 2985 Center Valley Parkway
Center Valley, PA 18034 Website Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is great too. I personally like a restaurant where I know I am not being stared out while eating or sitting at the outdoor seating. This place is located in the back of the Promenade Shops, so walking traffic is light. The patio is also gated with large umbrellas, so you aren't getting beat on by the warm sun come Summer. Perfect place to grab lunch or dinner after a day of shopping in their stores.  4. Slopeside Pub and Grill at Blue Mountain Ski 1660 Blue Mountain Drive Palmerton, PA 18071 Website Their motto is where 'every seat is a window seat', you can take in the great views of the Pocono mountains. You can sit at the bar, inside or on the outdoor patio. Every Thursday you can enjoy a free summer concert as well. 
5. The Mint GastroPub 1223 Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 Website This place offers TWO great patio's. If you are looking to meet up and sip on a cocktail or craft beer, head to the back patio with fire pit. If you are looking to sit down and enjoy one of their ever changing eats, then I suggest reserving an outside table. There isn't a bad seat in the house whether at the bar, patio or inside. Oh and don't forget to check out the safe where the wines are kept!
6. Hamilton Kitchen 645 West Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101 Website This place sits right next to the PPL Center, so you can conveniently have dinner, drinks and apps and then catch a concert. With a large outdoor bar, this is the perfect place to meet us for happy hour drinks or sit for a meal.  7. The Wooden Match 61 West Lehigh Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 Website Set along side the railroad tracks in Bethlehem, this place is really only good to eat at during the Spring and Summer. The inside allows for smoking of cigars, so unless I have to use the restroom, I don't go inside. The outside dining is perfect to enjoy on a date or with a group of friends. Each outside table is set up under it's own canopy to shade from the sun. On the weekends, there is typically entertainment on the patio as well. 

Are you local or ever visited the Lehigh Valley area and have a great dining place? Tell me about it! 

Farm Animal First Birthday

This past weekend we celebrated our little boys first birthday party! We decided pretty early on (we're talking like 6 months old) that we wanted to have a farm animal theme party for him. He loves animals. He giggles so much when his toys play farm sounds or if he sees them in a book or show.

We had his party at our local Community Center, which was good because our original plan would be to hold the party outside.. Ya know April is Spring and all. Good thing we didn't because earlier that week snow was in the forecast. Luckily the snow never came but it was still only a high of 40 degrees!

For the Tables I wanted to keep the centerpieces simple. I got these adorable hay bales and wooden farm animals that I glued to skewers! I made the party hats and added some milk jugs with sunflowers. I put some extra cow tails on each table as well.

We went with the whole "down on the farm" theme and did a BBQ menu from Sauced and Rubbed. For appetizers we did an assortment of cheese, deviled eggs, and "Joey's Veggie Garden". We couldn't forget about our little friends, so we had a good basket of Puffs, yogurt bites and fruit pouches!

We had an "adopt a farm animal' and activity station as well for the kids (and adults). I found these barn frames with foam sticks to decorated and some goodies from the Target dollar section to keep the little ones busy with.

I also made custom Snapchat filters for friends and family to use!!

Joey's guest book was none other then Dr. Seuss's Happy Birthday Baby! All guest made a little note for us to read to him on his birthday every year.

We had dessert overload with these huge Sheet Cakes from Buttercups Bakery. They also made his Smash Cake. The cake pops and cookies were all made by my mom or family friends.

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