I'm not sure what it is about Rodan and Fields but I am now fascinated. It could be because the world is changing and so is the way we do business. It could be because it's quietly empowering women (and men) to drive their 'Plan B' revenue, or it could be because I simply love their products. The problem is, the first time I saw this stuff on social media, I immediately despised it; but then I got to thinking...why? 

I would like to begin with I am in NO WAY being compensated for this endorsement. I would like to continue to say that the first time I saw Rodan and Fields I thought it was ridiculous that I was being inundated with their propaganda in my personal feed, but it sure did pique my curiosity. I put my toe in and evaluated but didn't buy. I had just had twins and I was buying formula, diapers and all sorts of other random things that I hadn't quite done the math on, there was no room in my budget for skin care, specifically expensive skincare (I was a Dove girl prior to using R&F). In addition, I didn't feel like I could trust the information because it inevitably was coming from ladies who were ultimately capitalizing on my purchase...of course they thought it was awesome, they were making money selling it.... But then, 15mos postpartum I hosted a shower for a friend and my picture was taken, and I looked worn. My skin had taken a beating due to hormone level changes, getting older and overall poor care. So I did what any reasonable mom on a budget would do and I headed to SAMs and bought an economy sized pack of Oil of Olay and....it didn't work. After feeling extra worn and a little ugly one day at work I decided to take the plunge and buy a regimen. I'm so glad I did.

I immediately saw results, and almost as immediately decided not to replace my foundation. I didn't need it any more. I then went on to purchase a few other products and have loved them all. But I totally understand that most women don't want to jump right into a fairly expensive regimen without some proof. Hence why I'm writing this.

A few things before we get started:
1. You do not have to set your orders on auto-replenish. If this is a concern of yours ask your R&F consultant how to get around it.
2. You may spend more on skin care but you will no longer invest in traditional foundation and you will look great! (I still use a loose powder - R&F Mineral Peptides but I no longer need a cream foundation or cover up and my clothes aren't stained from pulling them over my head at the end of the day.)
3.) You don't have to order a full regimen in order to see results. It is ideal and you may be so impressed with the outcome of your order that want to indulge further...but out of the gate it's not necessary.

​If I were a beginner that was hesitant to make an investment in a regimen, I would absolutely start with the Micro-Dermabrasion paste. It's packed with vitamin E, vitamin C and a sugar and salt blend for incredible exfoliation. It can be used alone or paired with other products to target specific skin concerns. I use it once or twice a week to simply keep my face looking fresh and dead-skin free! (A tub lasts a LONG time!)

Many of the gals I talk to begin with eye cream. Don't. If you are still caking on the foundation the impact of the eye cream will be wasted. The eye cream is a GREAT addition after you find yourself comfortable to have a naked face daily (which will happen after the regular use of a regimen). The paste is reasonable, provides immediate results, only requires application several times a week.

​So there it is, the missing component from the R&F equation; An unbiased recommendation. I don't sell it, I won't profit if you buy it, I just love it. My skin has never looked better and been easier. I also love the fact that I am spending my money supporting a momtreprenuer. If you don't know a consultant, message me and I will be happy to provide you with a contact. If you know one and you haven't tried the products give it a try - they really will give you your money back if you don't like it.

​If you DO use R&F please share your favorite product with us by leaving a comment!

For the last two years I have really dropped the ball when it comes to keeping my look up to date. There were two main reasons:
1.) My body had changed and I wasn't really sure what to do with that
2.) I'm at work during boutique shopping hours and taking my girls to 'try on' at any store is just out of the question.

This, ladies, is how the term 'mom' jeans evolved. Mom's were not wearing out of date jeans because they didn't know better, they started when their pleated jeans were actually trendy. Then...they lost track of time, their bodies changed, and their priorities were no longer getting to the mall to get new jeans...so a decade later they found themselves wearing those same out of date jeans.

​I decided this isn't going to happen to me. I also realized after talking amongst friends that I wasn't the only one who had put fashion second to life. So as a result, my partnership with Too Blue Boutique was created. Here's how it works: Once a month I visit the darling boutique, pick out an outfit or two that will keep me up to date and then I share my picks with you.

Here's the best part. You don't have to drive there, while Too Blue is a small town, unique boutique they offer the ability to purchase online. And the owner? She's a momtrepreneur and it's always fun to support someone living their dream.

​So here they are, my June picks!!!

The romper I chose is featured in the photo above. You can view an upclose picture of it if you follow the link to the site. It is bright, fun, and playful. Great for BBQ's, vacations and play dates where you don't want to be too dressed up but don't want to look like you rolled out of bed. It fits true to size, comes with built in support and has some extra fabric around the mid-section. Finally, the reason I loved this one instead of some others is because the shorts are a 'normal' length. Come on, I'm 36 and look a little ridiculous if I have SUPER short shorts on. This piece allows me to keep on point with trends, while being age/lifestyle appropriate and still super cute. Love it? The price point is right too! The link is below:

I am sooo excited about this dress!! It fits beautifully and cover's all of the area's I'm not interested in highlighting. It's timeless and fun; perfect for date night, dinner or any semi-formal gathering. It also fits true to size and is super reasonable. I have no doubt that this dress will be a 'go to' in my closet not only this year but for years to come! Love it? It's VERY reasonable for the quality and I have included the link below directly to the boutique: ​

I hope you love these cute summer outfits as much as I do! I will be sharing my picks from Too Blue monthly and will do my best to make sure that they seasonal current but lifestyle relevant. Hopefully, you will like a few of them, support a momtrapreneur instead of a 'big guy' and keep your closet without breaking the bank one piece at a time!

Visit Brook Palanca's beautiful photography site by clicking on her logo!
​Check out her summer special on mini-sessions!

I'm sure you've found yourself saying to someone, if I had more time I would {fill in the blank}. We all have a million things on our todo lists, and I'm not pretending that I get everything I want accomplished  but I do often get asked, "You have a blog? How do you have time? Don't you have a full time job and twin toddlers?" The answer yes, I have all of those things and how I have time is in how I prioritize my todo list. I use a method I heard a young entrepreneur speak about at a conference. It's a simple concept that stuck with me and is extremely effective.

​He referred to it as 'The Power of Five', although it could also be the power of three, or four or whatever number is manageable for you. Each of us has a todo list that goes on and on, it typically has items on it that pertain to the specific function at hand, for instance I have a todo list for work and a todo list for home. This 'normal' todo list may include things that NEED to be done in the immediate future like: buy milk, replace lightbulbs, call Susie etc. This list is important and you should keep it. The list I'm talking about should be totally separate and what is included on it should not be things you 'NEED' to get done...it should contain the things that you would do 'if you had more time.'

​The concept is simple, pick five things each day that you would do 'if you had more time.' Simple things that you can accomplish easily. For instance, when starting this blog I picked small items like: choose a name, purchase a domain, figure out how to get a logo made. These are simple tasks that I could easily do in a short period of time. It breaks down the bigger task at hand into manageable pieces and keeps you moving toward your goal with only five things to get done daily. But five small things add up quickly....5 turns into 35 in the first week, 70 in the second week and so on. It allows you to see incremental progress on a task that if viewed as a whole "start a blog" seems unmanageable. You don't have to start a blog to use this, it can be used for anything you want to get done but haven't found the time to do. For instance, want to get more organized? Use the power of five start with small manageable tasks: clean out junk drawer, buy containers...etc.

You can find this darling note pad and other one's like it at AThingCreated. I have included the link below if you'd like to check it out the shop or click on the picture above to go directly to this notepad.

Her designs are adorable and purchasing one of these is a fun way to jumpstart your project and keep yourself organized.

​So begin anywhere, all great things start somewhere. And good luck as you tackle that thing 'you haven't had time for.' Soon people will be asking you, 'How do you have time?' and you can tell them about the power of five!