DiY Mother's Day Gift

It's not too late! You can still make your Mama a cost efficient gift that won't take a whole lot of time. I was inspired by a project that I saw on Pinterest, or like my cousin likes to call it, "My best friend Pinny." Project "Blooming Monogram." It's so pretty and different, I wanted to give it a shot.

Inspiration Site: Blooming Monogram

So the baby and I set out on a journey to Hobby Lobby where we retrieved the cardboard letters ($2.47 each) and some black cardboard ($2.99). Then we went to Michaels to get a laser cut frame ($4.99). And lastly, we went to Dollar Tree and got a whole bunch of flowers for $1 a piece and flower foam as well. Truth be told we made 2 trips to Dollar Tree because I got this big and beautiful flowers, when I learned that I really needed small ones. I'm actually quite impressed with the quality of flowers from Dollar Tree, they were every bit as nice as the $7 bunches at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Oh- and I made a second trip back to Hobby Lobby to get this special E600 miracle glue... ($2.43 with coupon)

The blog says to use an exacto knife and cut off the front of the letters. I actually just used it enough to get my fingers under it and then was able to pull it straight up for a clean break, better than with the knife. 

I also took the ends off the "I" to make it skinnier

Then I used a hot glue gun to glue the flower foam in. Next I started sticking the flowers into it. The trick is not to get the flowers too big. Also, it's better if there's wire in the plastic to make it extra sturdy. I spray painted the laser cut frame outside moments before it rained- lucky me! And then glued the black cardboard to the back of the frame after the paint dried. Next I glued the letters on to the front using the special E600 magic glue.

In retrospect, I wish that they made the frame larger, or the letter blocks smaller. But unfortunately I don't rule the world (yet) and have to make due with what these crafter peeps make. The letters go onto the frame, but it gives it a popping effect I guess...

Here's the final presentation to the best Lil' Mommie in the whole wide world!!!

Do I Look Like a 1950's Artsy Mom?

I feel like this is a 1950 Artsy Mom kind of look, not sure why... I really love this look though! I need to find a better way to photograph myself. The crooked bathroom mirror with my fancy iphone cover pic isn't very classy. Hmmmm... I might have to put the tripod to use.

I'm totally into the "scarf in my hair" look. It's cute, but in all reality, it's convenient. I can make my dirty, child proof boppy look like I meant for it to look like that ;) 

Featured Top:

$8.60 at Image

This sleeveless coral top came from a store called "Image" and cost $8.60! WooHoo! I love the gold buttons, and the price was a selling point too :) I love how it's not too short in the front and not too long in the back. And obviously it pairs well with my $3 shoes too! I got my scarf a while back at Sam Moon, and my bracelet was $1 at the Dollar Jewelry Store. Oh!!!!! And my bi's and tri's that are looking all swoll in my pic (haha!) are from my FAVORITE Workout at GX Fitness.

Save the world and take a friend to go workout!

$3 Shoes + Sunless Tanning Gone BAD! Like VERY BAD!

What would an Oompa Loompa crossed with Michael Jackson look like???

Yeah... So a long time ago, I put a note on BFlo's Palm Beach Tanning account stating that he was not allowed to use the bronzing/orange spray tan because he always came out looking like our favorite characters in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Well, now I look like one...

I've never used sunless tanning lotion in my life, and obviously have no business ever using it again! Apparently you can't just slather it on like after shower lotion. IF I do ever try it again, I will have to work with pea size amounts and concentrate on really smoothing it in.

At least this stuff doesn't have any chemicals in it.

Back to the most important business on the table... SHOES! You probably couldn't look past my diseased looking ankles in that last pic to see my really cute new boat shoes. 

I found this at Old Navy last weekend when looking for a new dress for the baby. I thought they were a good deal at $7.49. But when I got up to the register, the cashier said my total and I was like "What???" I said it to myself, of course, because what if he made a mistake in my benefit? Women's clearance shoes were an additional 50% off!!! Woot Woot! $3.74 for these babies! Now I love them even more! I'm naming these girls "Carmen," because everything needs a name, why not?  

Kid's Shoe Dept

Do you wear women's size 8 shoe or smaller???

If the answer is YES, then I have a secret for you! :)

While walking through WalMart the other day, I saw some really cute shoes and quickly went to check them out (yeah right, nothing in WalMart is quick...) I realized that they were little girl's shoes... While looking at them, I noticed that they looked kinda big, so I was like "why not try them on?" Low and behold the 6 was too big, but the 5 fit! What? I wear size 6.5/7 in women's shoes. This is crazy!!!

I didn't end up getting any shoes at WalMart, of course they didn't have the one size that was mine... However, this opened up an entirely new dimension in my view of the wonderful land of shoes. And they're cheaper too! When I was a Target, I remembered this best kept secret and headed over to the kid's shoes.

Check out these awesome finds....

My little girl "Boat Shoes"

$12.99 @Target

Next up- because my nickname wouldn't be "PiNKy" without PiNK shoes...

My little girl "fake Tom's Shoes"

$9.99 @Target

WalMart had some incredibly cute sandals! If these would have had PiNK flowers, I would've gotten them immediately:

$9.97 @WalMart

Next time you're at the store, don't forget to check out the kid's shoe dept! You never know what you might be able to find for an awesome price and premium level of cuteness!

Best AB Workout

Getting back to my pre-baby shape...

It hasn't been easy, nor very fun. I really do miss the days of working out whenever I want. Obviously lots of things revolve around the baby now, and hitting the good 'ol workout is one of them. I still think about my favorite gym in the whole wide world closing, and it literally brings tears to my eyes. It might sound lame, but I truly loved that place! It would have been such a great place for the baby to get used to hanging out. ):

One of our instructors from the gym is still teaching some of the best classes EVER. Check it out: www.GXfitn.com. I never thought I could handle exercising outside with my allergies and whatnot, but so far I've enjoyed it. The only problem is that our girl has to hang out in her stroller, and we're constantly having to check on her and make sure she's entertained. I LOVE Tony's classes and will do them whenever I can, but I need to find a gym for cold weather, windy and non-baby conducive days. Plus, my goal is to do two-a-days if/when possible. Gym in the morning, outdoors in the evenings. I'm convinced that it's the only way I'll be able to get everything back to what it used to look like.

In the meantime, I recently purchased Tracy Anderson's Post-Pregnancy DVD. Exercising at home is sometimes the only option... OMG- it's the BEST AB workout E-V-E-R!!!

Even if you didn't just have a baby, you would benefit from this workout. It's not just abs, but mostly abs and icarumba- it's fantastic! It's my new favorite go-to workout when our girl has left me with no choice. Some people complain about the classical music, but it's very soothing and peaceful to me. And I love that she truly works out every single part of your abs! I got it on Amazon a few weeks back for like $8. It's currently $9.99, but still a great deal. I mean, how much would you pay for abs??? Check it out on Amazon. 

I don't have a glory-story yet about how I got my muscle def back in 5 days. But I definitely can feel my abs screaming, and I love every minute of it!