lately [tidbits + pics]

I was recently reminded that I haven't blogged in three weeks (thanks KAYCIE). Life has been busy and hectic and fun and OMG SUMMER. So here's what we've been up to - in bullet point form, naturally.

- Our house is officially on the market! As exciting as it is to plan our future in a new home (details to come on that in another post - I don't want to jinx it), it's pretty overwhelming in a lot of ways. 

First of all, we have a TON of last minute projects to wrap up before we have showings... you know those little things you've been putting off for years... like un-cluttering the empty bedroom and repainting the outdoor stair rail? We've been busting our asses (meaning, Sean has been busting his ass) getting all this stuff done. 

Also, it's a little emotional to think about leaving this place and starting over somewhere else. This was our first home we owned together and we have a ton of memories here. But I'm so excited to start fresh in a home that ISN'T 60+ years old. So yeah, that shiz has been a little crazy. 

- Ronin loves the pool. Granted, we've only been a handful of times, but he loves the water and that makes me such a happy Mama. We spent a few hours at the pool on the 4th of July and it made me so excited to spend his first Independence Day doing something fun. We had a little cookout at our home to celebrate the 4th and sadly, I took zero photos. But trust me when I say we are certainly enjoying our summer so far!

water baby :)

- My Arbonne business has been such an eye opening experience, and I'm really enjoying everything I'm learning about network marketing, our products, and building leadership skills. I'm bound and determined to move up in rank by the end of the year, and it feels extremely empowering to have a goal like that in mind. 

- I have yet to take Ronin's 10 month photos and he'll be 11 months old next week. I also sent his birthday invitations out this week and I may or may not have cried in the parking lot of the post office. This kid is looking more and more like a little boy and less like a baby by the day, y'all. And I just can't. 

Ronin's birthday invite - designed it myself, blocked out the address for privacy reasons, duh.

-  I'm currently reading Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (author of the infamous Gone Girl), and I cannot put it down. It's been a long time since I was so into a book that I finished it in less than a week. We're reading it for our book club and it's going to be so hard to wait until August to discuss! 

- I'm thinking that we may have a slight intolerance to fruit going on with Ronin - either that, or I'm just giving him too much of it and he can't handle all of the fiber. He's been in disposables for about 10 days because he's been pooping SO MUCH, and he also had a nasty diaper rash that lasted for almost 4 days. It seems to be getting better (the poop frequency AND the rash) now that I've cut back on the fruit at meals, so let's hope that's all it was. 

I just talked about baby poop on my blog. I think I'm officially a mom blogger now? 

Happy Hump Day!

Friday loves

this is a fraction of the junk that is in our food here in the U.S. 

- sad, but true. so happy to be a part of a company that bans these ingredients from our products. 

Russell Brand is a boss.

I hope that when Ronin is four, he's half as cool as this girl. 

some Etsy love: this necklace, a detailed to-do list, and this personalized journal. 

"behind every great kid is a mom who is pretty sure she's screwing things up." 

- Jess' awesome take on this quote. 

a baby sea lion jumps on a boat and cuddles. aka my dream come true.

pure. safe. beneficial.

a few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted on Facebook about wanting to employ someone part time through her Arbonne business. I'd heard of Arbonne before, but didn't really know much about the company or the products. for the past few months, I've been considering working part time to bring in some extra income. our bills are paid, but we really don't have a lot leftover at the end of the month to put into savings, and that has bothered me. so I emailed Angela to inquire about the business, and not only did she welcome me with open arms, but she mailed me a substantial package full of samples and product information. 

as I read through the material, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I agreed with the company policies. along with being carbon neutral and totally green (and not in a trendy way), Arbonne makes an incredible commitment to their customers when it comes to providing the safest products possible. every product offered through Arbonne is the best combination of scientific research and botanic ingredients. I found myself thinking "wow, that's amazing!" about 983 times while reading through the paperwork. 

obviously, I began using the product samples that very evening, and I am not even exaggerating that by the next evening, I could see and feel the difference between the Arbonne RE9 skincare line and my drugstore purchased stuff. my skin felt firmer and seemed to breathe easier within 24 hours. the fact that every single product is made without nasty chemicals or fillers made my decision that much easier. in fact, Arbonne not only follows FDA standards with their ingredients (did you know that the FDA only prohibits 13 ingredients from being added to products that GO INTO OUR BODIES?!), but they follow European guidelines as well (which ban over 200 ingredients). what's even more awesome is that there is a product for everyone - products that provide targeted results, from acne and wrinkles to weight loss and ridding your body of toxins. 

I think the best thing about this opportunity is that I get to work at my own pace, all while I stay home with Ronin. as much as I love the products, it really is about the convenience for me. I can take someone to Starbucks and teach them about the products and the company, and it will be considered "work." Arbonne isn't just about selling products, it's about people - it's about improving the lives of others, whether it be through the products, or the business opportunity that is offered. 

so with all that said, I'm very excited to announce that I've decided to join the Arbonne team as an Independent Consultant. I feel privileged to associate myself with such a reputable company and cannot wait to learn as much as I possibly can. I never thought I'd have my own piece of a network marketing company, but here I am. I attended a local Arbonne Retreat over the weekend and left feeling more inspired than I have been in YEARS. the group of women that surround me within this business are absolutely incredible, and I can't wait to work (if I can even call it that...) with and learn from them all.