HELLO WEEKEND

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Happy Friday everyone! Are you hitting up the Black Friday sales? I'm kinnnnnda tempted to venture out because James is off and we can make it a family outing but honestly, I'm starting to prefer shopping from my smartphone over going to the mall, ha!

Here are some sales I got my eye on:

• Asos- 20% off the whole site with code GOGOGO. Ohhh this jacket has me all heart eyes.
• TOPSHOP- up to 50% off! Loving these sandals.
• Joe Fresh- 30% off almost everything! I think I need this little sweater for Luca and this cute top for me!
• Urban Outfitters- BOGO 50% off on apparel! I'm liking this graphic tee and this sweatshirt.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend AND if you live in Victoria, do come to my church's CAROLS ALBUM RELEASE!! It's happening on Sunday at Glad Tidings Church at 6 & 8pm and it's going to be AMAZING!!!! You'll hear amazing musicians (including my handsome hubby!)

XOXO!
laura

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE #1- COZY

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Have you started your Christmas shopping? I usually leave it to the last minute but this time I'm determined (wishing, hoping) to get it done before mid-December!

This gift guide sums up my life right now. It's freezing outside, which means all I want to do is cozy up by our fire with a good book or a cute baby :)

1. Kate Spade Pyjamas  //  2. Mug  //  3. Eye Mask  //  4. Frasier Fir Candle (MY ABSOLUTE FAVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR!)  //  5. Joggers  //  
6. Giant Knit Throw  //  7. Slippers  //  8. Bubble Bath

Hope this gives you some gift ideas for that cozy lover in your life!

XO,
laura

HELLO WEEKEND

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image via

Happy Friday y'all. Can you believe December is less than TWO weeks AWAY....my goodness gracious. This past week was pretty chill around here and I am totally okay with that. I have a packed Saturday with holiday photos, a baby shower, 1st birthday and my bro & sis in law are here!! But on Sunday afternoon, I'm going to ask James to make a fire and get out the Christmas box because that just needs to happen.

Have you started decorating yet? Or are you on of those who waits until December 1st? I usually wait until December 1st but this year I just want to celebrate as long as I possibly can...I may have already finished a carton of eggnog (!!!!)

Black Friday deals have started...I may have scooped up these bodysuits along with a few more things for Luca at Old Navy (40% off most of the site!) 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

XO,
laura

5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU NEED THIS WINTER

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Nothing says winter is coming, like super pale skin and the sun setting at 4:30pm.....I KNOW RIGHT...it's so cruel but praise the Lord for Christmas music and beauty products that make you look alive. Thankfully Sephora had their annual VIB sale (20% off) over the weekend and this mama went on a little shopping spree aka I used gift cards I had been saving since my birthday (budget life LOLZ) to stock up on some old and new favourites to get me through the dismal winter.

1. GOOD MASCARA If I could only wear one beauty product for the rest of my life, you know I would choose mascara. I obviously went with my good ol' faithful who has never let me down (Benefit Roller Lash, by far THE BEST mascara out there!)

2. BLUSH & BRONZER I wear SPF 40 almost everyday so that being said, my skin needs some COLOUR. I had used this one from Nars for ages. I loved it but wanted to try up something different. I picked up Urban Decay's Naked Flushed Palette and I'm happy to report that it goes on great! Way cheaper than Nars AND has a light pink highlighter. The bronzer doesn't have any shimmer in it, which is defs a win for me. 

3. LIP BALM My lips get SO dry during the winter so I am always in need of a good lip balm. Fresh's Sugar balm is my absolute favourite. Trust me, you will love it.

4. SELF TANNER/MOISTURE MASK I finally bit the bullet and bought Vita Liberata's night moisture mask and I'm sooo glad I did. It's an overnight self tanner/moisture mask that leaves your skin mega moisturized along with a non-orange glow (which also doesn't stain your pillow!) It takes me from "you look tired and deathly" to "ohhh, your skin looks so nice". It's a bit on the pricier side but you don't need much (this bottle should last me at least 6 months!) 

5. GOOD CONCEALER And lastly I picked up concealer to hide my massive dark circles. I was a little sad to see that Smashbox had discontinued the one I had been using for years BUT the replacement is just as good, if not better. It's waterproof, and seemed to last a bit longer than the old smashbox one so my dark circles don't need to show their lovely selves anytime soon, ha.

I wasn't in need of moisturizer but my go to one is this one by Clinique and also I started using this cleanser from the drugstore (I know righhhttt!!) and I am loving it!!

What are you winter beauty must haves?? let me know in the comments or on facebook!

XOXO,
laura 

LUCA THE LION // 5 MONTHS OLD

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LUCA AT FIVE MONTHS

My sweet, sweet lion is now five months old and this stage has definitely been my favourite yet. Don't get me wrong, I do miss the littleness of him as a newborn but now he's growing into his own little person and it's so precious to see.

We had the best time away. He was such a champ and I think it's because he was the perfect age to travel with! Oh, the family time was sooo, sooo good.

WEIGHT: 17lbs
This little lion is getting heavy now! I actually hurt my back last month from lifting/rocking him improperly. Thankfully it's much better now after rest, stretching and proper lifting.

HEIGHT: 26 inches
Another inch taller...I'm kinda freaking out because his current carseat only goes to 29 inches!

WEARS: I'm barely squeezing him into size 3-6 months. I've had to move up to 6 month in some clothes and sleepers will be next. It breaks my heart a little bit whenever I have to put away what he has outgrown...but I'm hoping one day I'll be able to bust it out for a little brother (down the road, ha!) I also love how every few months I get to go on mini shopping sprees for him #firstchildprivileges. He needs some new basics so I'll probably end up getting these but seriously how cute is this little dude sweater....

SLEEPS: His sleeping has been a bit all over the place! On vacation he slept surprisingly well at night (usually 10 hours straight!) but because of our schedule he did most naps on the go. When he got home, I had a few days of napping nightmare aka either super short or no nap at all.  
I knew I had to change some things because when he naps well, he is a happier little guy so we got out the old sleep training manual (we use sleepsense, leave the room model incase you were wondering).
He caught on very quickly because we instilled stuff that we had already taught him a few months back. We keep our routine pretty consistent and the biggest thing is, I stopped feeding him to sleep. I'm happy to say that he's been doing really well! His naps are mostly 1-2 hours and he's settled into a nap routine.
A typical night looks like going down between 6:45-7pm, waking up at 5 for a 10 minute feed and then going back down until 8am. First nap is usually 1.5-2 hours after waking up and second is usually 2-3 hours after waking up from his first nap. He usually skips the third nap unless we're driving and he snoozes in the car. He's usually okay on skipping the third nap but on those days I have to get him down by 7!

HIGHS: Definitely going away was a huge high this past month. James had been working like crazy, so it was soooooo fun to just be a family together checking out sweet spots in San Diego. My heart just melts when I see my guys together.

LOWS: The four month shots were not my favourite but thankfully he didn't react as much as he did after the two month ones....but man that scream/cry is just the worst for a mama.

PARENTING: Since we've started sleep training again I've had a bit more free time because James is able to put the Lion down for a nap and also helps with his bedtime routine...having help from dad, is sooo nice and I love seeing their little bond form.

POSTPARTUM: Now that we're back from vaycay I'm really trying to get back on the whole "working out" train...it's going but it's not my favourite, ha. This weather makes me just want to stay in, eat cookies and watch netflix. James and I have been trying to schedule in workouts, but it's been hard because we either have to workout over quality time with each other/go after Luca is in bed and we're stupid tired. Ahhhh...I'm sure we'll find out rhythm soon!

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: We're really looking forward to feeding him food! He's sooo interested in what we're eating and reaches for it as well. Can't wait to watch him experience food for the first time!!! We'll probably wait till just before he's six months!

Oh my sweet, sweet baby boy, you are such a little delight. Time can you please slow down?

XO,
Laura