DIY Makeup Vanity For $200

Childhood Dreams Coming True

As a little girl I was always jealous of my sister's Makeup Vanity. We shared a room for years but as soon as we each got our own room, Christina was gifted with the most glorious vanity set and I got a bookcase. My 8 year old self was green with envy, especially since at the time Christina was all tom boy and kept her drumsticks and music books in the drawers instead of all the accessories I thought she should've kept in them. Though to be fair, once we got our separate rooms, our dog picked me over her, so I got to cuddle with my pup in bed for years....so who's the real winner here?!?!? haha anyways... Lets fast forward 20 years and only now am I finally making my dreams come true, ok Mr. Ames is really the one who made it happen haha but still, I finally have my vanity and I'm so happy!

When we built our house, I chose a bathroom design that would lend ease into putting in a custom Makeup Vanity, but surprise surprise, going through the builder was crazy expensive. I spent over a year debating what I should do in that space, (future self is yelling at me for not utilizing that area for more closet space #smh), but finally after going over my budget with my Husband we decided to just go for it. I would've loved to have put in a custom vanity for $700+ buuuut I have a very long list of house projects and I couldn't justify spending that much money on cabinets, let alone adding a few extra hundred on the mirror and chair too.

So after doing a little research on Pinterest and asking my friends, I found some great Ikea Hacks and DIY's for creating a DIY Vanity for under $100. They looked simple, easy, and oh goodness think of all the money I would be saving by doing this all by myself!!! Welp, Im here to tell ya, they are all LIES! Those beautiful picture perfect squares on our Pin Boards sit on a throne of lies. If you are the crafty type, sure you could've followed directions just fine and got the project accomplished...but if you are like me, then it was like running a 5k with your shoelaces tied together. Equal parts hilarious, cringe worthy, and sad at the same time.

DISCLAIMER: I was, and still am, intimidated and overwhelmed with the idea of DIY's, I don't like to craft, I'm not creative with my hands, and I hate following directions. Aka I'm a recipe for disaster. Guys I got way over my head. It wasn't till after I sent out a million Marco Polo messages freaking out to my friend that I realized, just like Gob Bluth, "I've made a huge mistake."

After many failed attempts at Ikea, Lowes, and Home Depot all in one day;  I said screw it and gave up on trying to make my old desk the perfect/cheapest make up vanity. I had a specific look in mind for this project, and no "hack" was going to give me the results I wanted. Once I made up my mind about how I was going to go about my project, I finally took a breath in and started to enjoy the experience. 

When I went away to college my parents bought a cheap twin bed frame with a matching writing desk off of craigslist. It was creme colored and had hideous flower details on it (very early 90's look), but luckily my Mother is a spray paint wizard and was able to turn it into something worth an 18 year olds approval. It really turned into a beautiful bedroom set and for years I loved it! I still get great use out of it since the bed is currently in use in my sons bedroom and the desk has been used as a work desk in my basement ever since I graduated from school. I love being able to give new life to items I already have at home, and I knew if I worked hard enough, I could make my own spray paint magic happen. So heres a glimpse of the Before and After's of my DIY Makeup Vanity.

Materials 

Mercury Hardware $20

Cabinet Pull $10

Spray Paint + Primer $12

Glass Tabletop $70

Faux Fur Vanity Chair $60

Vanity Mirror $32

Total Cost Of DIY: $204

BEFORE

AFTER

Once I decided to follow my own vision, starting and finishing the project became a breeze. I sprayed primer and white finish on my writing desk and left it to dry for 24 hours. I followed this up from knobs and hardware from Lowes and Hobby Lobby, which I thought would be fun, but honestly it was just plain annoying having to make multiple visits to each store. But despite the push and pull, it led to a shopping spree at my local Home Goods store to find a vanity stool and mirror. That was the BEST part of my entire project. Lastly I reached out to a local Glass company and had a table top custom made to fit my vanity. I cringed about the expense, but after the big chain companies let me down I decided it was worth getting exactly what I wanted then something that doesn't fit correctly but cheaper. Quality over quantity. 

Side note, despite Lowes's claim to cut glass, they didn't carry glass large enough to cut and then their saw blade wasn't in store. It was on backorder and they had no idea when it would come in. Home Depot was the same story. I tried (and failed) to go to Ikea to pick up a glass top but after I purchased it I realized it was tempered glass and you cant cut through it without the whole piece shattering. So many fails and just like Lucile Bluth, after that failed DIY experience, all I wanted to do was "Set myself on fire". Sooo good times. 

After everything was said and done, I just went out one night and bought all the extra materials I would need and went for it! I dove right into my DIY and I was so happy with the results. By repurposing my old College Desk and using a little bit of paint, new hardware, and a glass tabletop; I was able to walk away with a whole new Vanity. I love how my project turned out and even though I wasn't able to Ikea Hack it like the fabulous tutorials you see all over the internet, I was able to make my vanity my own. I love the little details, especially how I chose to decorate the vanity, but what I'm looking forward to most is all the memories I'm going to make in my little corner of the Bathroom. I envision curling my daughters hair for church on the vanity stool, painting her nails, and even sitting her on my lap for Mommy Daughter makeovers. So many memories are just waiting to happen at my little Vanity and I cant wait to share them with my daughter!

DIY Makeup Vanity For $200

Childhood Dreams Coming True

As a little girl I was always jealous of my sister's Makeup Vanity. We shared a room for years but as soon as we each got our own room, Christina was gifted with the most glorious vanity set and I got a bookcase. My 8 year old self was green with envy, especially since at the time Christina was all tom boy and kept her drumsticks and music books in the drawers instead of all the accessories I thought she should've kept in them. Though to be fair, once we got our separate rooms, our dog picked me over her, so I got to cuddle with my pup in bed for years....so who's the real winner here?!?!? haha anyways... Lets fast forward 20 years and only now am I finally making my dreams come true, ok Mr. Ames is really the one who made it happen haha but still, I finally have my vanity and I'm so happy!

When we built our house, I chose a bathroom design that would lend ease into putting in a custom Makeup Vanity, but surprise surprise, going through the builder was crazy expensive. I spent over a year debating what I should do in that space, (future self is yelling at me for not utilizing that area for more closet space #smh), but finally after going over my budget with my Husband we decided to just go for it. I would've loved to have put in a custom vanity for $700+ buuuut I have a very long list of house projects and I couldn't justify spending that much money on cabinets, let alone adding a few extra hundred on the mirror and chair too.

So after doing a little research on Pinterest and asking my friends, I found some great Ikea Hacks and DIY's for creating a DIY Vanity for under $100. They looked simple, easy, and oh goodness think of all the money I would be saving by doing this all by myself!!! Welp, Im here to tell ya, they are all LIES! Those beautiful picture perfect squares on our Pin Boards sit on a throne of lies. If you are the crafty type, sure you could've followed directions just fine and got the project accomplished...but if you are like me, then it was like running a 5k with your shoelaces tied together. Equal parts hilarious, cringe worthy, and sad at the same time.

DISCLAIMER: I was, and still am, intimidated and overwhelmed with the idea of DIY's, I don't like to craft, I'm not creative with my hands, and I hate following directions. Aka I'm a recipe for disaster. Guys I got way over my head. It wasn't till after I sent out a million Marco Polo messages freaking out to my friend that I realized, just like Gob Bluth, "I've made a huge mistake."

After many failed attempts at Ikea, Lowes, and Home Depot all in one day;  I said screw it and gave up on trying to make my old desk the perfect/cheapest make up vanity. I had a specific look in mind for this project, and no "hack" was going to give me the results I wanted. Once I made up my mind about how I was going to go about my project, I finally took a breath in and started to enjoy the experience. 

When I went away to college my parents bought a cheap twin bed frame with a matching writing desk off of craigslist. It was creme colored and had hideous flower details on it (very early 90's look), but luckily my Mother is a spray paint wizard and was able to turn it into something worth an 18 year olds approval. It really turned into a beautiful bedroom set and for years I loved it! I still get great use out of it since the bed is currently in use in my sons bedroom and the desk has been used as a work desk in my basement ever since I graduated from school. I love being able to give new life to items I already have at home, and I knew if I worked hard enough, I could make my own spray paint magic happen. So heres a glimpse of the Before and After's of my DIY Makeup Vanity.

Materials 

Mercury Hardware $20

Cabinet Pull $10

Spray Paint + Primer $12

Glass Tabletop $70

Faux Fur Vanity Chair $60

Vanity Mirror $32

Total Cost Of DIY: $204

BEFORE

AFTER

Once I decided to follow my own vision, starting and finishing the project became a breeze. I sprayed primer and white finish on my writing desk and left it to dry for 24 hours. I followed this up from knobs and hardware from Lowes and Hobby Lobby, which I thought would be fun, but honestly it was just plain annoying having to make multiple visits to each store. But despite the push and pull, it led to a shopping spree at my local Home Goods store to find a vanity stool and mirror. That was the BEST part of my entire project. Lastly I reached out to a local Glass company and had a table top custom made to fit my vanity. I cringed about the expense, but after the big chain companies let me down I decided it was worth getting exactly what I wanted then something that doesn't fit correctly but cheaper. Quality over quantity. 

Side note, despite Lowes's claim to cut glass, they didn't carry glass large enough to cut and then their saw blade wasn't in store. It was on backorder and they had no idea when it would come in. Home Depot was the same story. I tried (and failed) to go to Ikea to pick up a glass top but after I purchased it I realized it was tempered glass and you cant cut through it without the whole piece shattering. So many fails and just like Lucile Bluth, after that failed DIY experience, all I wanted to do was "Set myself on fire". Sooo good times. 

After everything was said and done, I just went out one night and bought all the extra materials I would need and went for it! I dove right into my DIY and I was so happy with the results. By repurposing my old College Desk and using a little bit of paint, new hardware, and a glass tabletop; I was able to walk away with a whole new Vanity. I love how my project turned out and even though I wasn't able to Ikea Hack it like the fabulous tutorials you see all over the internet, I was able to make my vanity my own. I love the little details, especially how I chose to decorate the vanity, but what I'm looking forward to most is all the memories I'm going to make in my little corner of the Bathroom. I envision curling my daughters hair for church on the vanity stool, painting her nails, and even sitting her on my lap for Mommy Daughter makeovers. So many memories are just waiting to happen at my little Vanity and I cant wait to share them with my daughter!

Poop Face Mom

poopface

(n.)A term of endearment used between two people who are so enamored with one another that they do not care that the other one is stinky. Used in the place of babu, schnookums, and pooky.

The endearments back and forth between myself and my children are an eclectic mix between "Sweet love, my ting ting, and poop face". Oh to be 4 years old and insult your mother like a champ! I regularly get told I am a Poop Face Mom (multiple times a day, mind you) and I'm owning it. I declare from this day forth that I am a proud Poop Face Parent and no matter the variation or severity of poop names that get yelled my way, I am taking them as a compliment.

It's a compliment to my skills in parenting that my son gets angry at me for running a tight ship. I am the Bad Cop to my Husbands Good Cop, and I love it. I get to "shut it down" whenever I like and even though I'm the fun parent, I'm also the best at what I do! I am that maniacal parent who gets sweet joy out of my children's suffering haha... oh my kids dont want to go to bed, well too bad! Cue evil laughter and lightning strikes! Oh you wanted ice cream for dinner??? NOPE! Shut it down! Bless their hearts, they think they can get away with anything but I'm here to tell ya, that when Mom puts on her Poop Face Pants... Its. About. To. Go. Down. 

I bring this topic up because yesterday Brody yelled at me in front of my friend and called me names like  Poop Face Mom, Poopy Butt, and some mixture of Face Butt Fart Head. Ya know, real classy stuff. I could've been mortified by my sons behavior and disciplined him right then and there for talking back to me, but instead, my friend and I just busted out laughing! Bless him, he was so upset and did his best to express himself, and for that I applaud his efforts! I applaud him for expressing his anger, and not fighting his emotions. I applaud him for working through his anger. It's hard to express the big feelings we feel in our tiny bodies, and especially when your'e confused about why your'e angry (btw he was angry because I answered the front door.... #firstworldproblems) and you just want Mom to pay attention to you. 

Bless him, that boy is gonna turn me grey before I hit 30 but I sure do love him. I love the way he challenges me, I love how he finds creative ways to express himself. I love that he wants to go on mommy adventures to get Dr. Pepper and go to Target. I love that he wants mom to cuddle him every night. And I love the way he calls me Tess, and not Mom. He is a handful and I defiantly have my work cut out for me but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm learning to love my poop face mommy moments because it means I am doing something right. My Mom life is beautiful and ugly and hard... oh man are some of the days SO hard... but its my poop face life and I love it! I own all of the good and the bad! So I challenge you to embrace all your poop face moments and revel in the excitement and joy that is great parenting! All my Poop Face Moms UNITE!

Poop Face Mom

poopface

(n.)A term of endearment used between two people who are so enamored with one another that they do not care that the other one is stinky. Used in the place of babu, schnookums, and pooky.

The endearments back and forth between myself and my children are an eclectic mix between "Sweet love, my ting ting, and poop face". Oh to be 4 years old and insult your mother like a champ! I regularly get told I am a Poop Face Mom (multiple times a day, mind you) and I'm owning it. I declare from this day forth that I am a proud Poop Face Parent and no matter the variation or severity of poop names that get yelled my way, I am taking them as a compliment.

It's a compliment to my skills in parenting that my son gets angry at me for running a tight ship. I am the Bad Cop to my Husbands Good Cop, and I love it. I get to "shut it down" whenever I like and even though I'm the fun parent, I'm also the best at what I do! I am that maniacal parent who gets sweet joy out of my children's suffering haha... oh my kids dont want to go to bed, well too bad! Cue evil laughter and lightning strikes! Oh you wanted ice cream for dinner??? NOPE! Shut it down! Bless their hearts, they think they can get away with anything but I'm here to tell ya, that when Mom puts on her Poop Face Pants... Its. About. To. Go. Down. 

I bring this topic up because yesterday Brody yelled at me in front of my friend and called me names like  Poop Face Mom, Poopy Butt, and some mixture of Face Butt Fart Head. Ya know, real classy stuff. I could've been mortified by my sons behavior and disciplined him right then and there for talking back to me, but instead, my friend and I just busted out laughing! Bless him, he was so upset and did his best to express himself, and for that I applaud his efforts! I applaud him for expressing his anger, and not fighting his emotions. I applaud him for working through his anger. It's hard to express the big feelings we feel in our tiny bodies, and especially when your'e confused about why your'e angry (btw he was angry because I answered the front door.... #firstworldproblems) and you just want Mom to pay attention to you. 

Bless him, that boy is gonna turn me grey before I hit 30 but I sure do love him. I love the way he challenges me, I love how he finds creative ways to express himself. I love that he wants to go on mommy adventures to get Dr. Pepper and go to Target. I love that he wants mom to cuddle him every night. And I love the way he calls me Tess, and not Mom. He is a handful and I defiantly have my work cut out for me but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm learning to love my poop face mommy moments because it means I am doing something right. My Mom life is beautiful and ugly and hard... oh man are some of the days SO hard... but its my poop face life and I love it! I own all of the good and the bad! So I challenge you to embrace all your poop face moments and revel in the excitement and joy that is great parenting! All my Poop Face Moms UNITE!

You Are Not Alone: God Gave Those Little Children To You, Mama...YOU

2018 Parenting Motto's + Making peace with our Son's diagnosis

Parenting is tough. Hands down the most difficult task I've faced so far, it is beautiful, chaotic, exhausting and exhilarating. Add a strong willed child or two, and a Chromosome Disorder.... and by the end of one day I'm about ready to throw in the towel. I love my children but I find that my reactions to their behavior, can bring out the worst and best of me.  After an especially difficult day, I ran across this beautiful quote and my entire perspective changed.

"God gave those little children to you, mama- YOU. No one can mother them like you can. You may have your work cut out for you, but your'e the one cut out to accomplish it." - Erin Odom

This quote spoke to my soul, it made such an impact on me that I decided it was my 2018 Parenting Motto. I plan on getting a custom calligraphy print of it soon by my beautiful graphic designer, artist and friend, Carly Allred. I've been reading No Drama Discipline: The whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nature your child's developing mind, and it has made a huge impact on how I parent my children and understanding the root of emotional outbursts and improper behaviors. It's been an eye opening read and has given me a fresh perspective on parenting my lovely yet high strung kids. No Drama Discipline is a book I recommend to every single parent out there, you can fully expect to receive one for your Birthday or as Christmas present from me in the near future. 

Between my parenting motto and reading several parenting books, you would think I would be all set to rock this whole "Motherhood" thing....but a last, theres one piece missing to my Perfect Parenting Triangle. That is support. I belong to an awesome 20q13.33 Support Group , run by Christina Steckley, a parent of a child with this rare chromosome disorder.  It is a simple yet effective online support group for parents and caretakers of children with 20q13.33. I've been apart of it for a couple of years now and love learning about how other children are doing, what medications are helping, and updates on advocating for the overall health and wellness of children with disabilities.

An especially important advocate for disabilities is Collin Farrell. Yep, tall dark and handsome is a parent to a son with Angelmans Syndrome. My support group posted a great article written by Ellen Stumbo from The Mighty, entitled "Colin Farrell Offers Advice to Parents Navigating Their Child's New Diagnosis". It was an inspirational read that gave me so many eye opening revelations. It was such a comfort to know I was not alone. That there are other parents out there who understand the struggles and the triumphs of raising a son or daughter with special needs or other difficulties. One quote in particular made me stop and cry on the spot. Farrell expressed my husband and I's  feelings to a T after we got Brody's diagnosis. 

“I would humbly say to parents of a child with a recent diagnosis of any disorder that while they may well be experiencing the death of one dream, that dream of having a healthy child, there are a thousand dreams and milestones that are yet to reveal themselves.”

I won't go into the sorrows I felt or the dreams we had for our child  that were suddenly shattered. That is an emotional post for another time, but rather I'd like to focus on how I felt after the initial diagnosis and how I coped with it's short and long term affects.

The moment our Geneticist told us our sons diagnosis, I was equal parts relieved and devastated.  Months turned into years of slow milestone progression. Everything was so much harder for Brody and it hurt my heart to watch him struggle. Even now, years later when Brody is having a difficult time with a task it's hard for me to stay optimistic in our long term goals for his well being. I'm ashamed of these thoughts, and though I wish I could always look on the bright side, when I am having a particular tough day I tend to live in the sorrow of the moment. I've expressed these feelings to close friends and family and have benefited from their love and advice, but a part of me still feels a slight disconnect with them. 

Is it wrong for me to be jealous of the neighbor next door who's daughter, who is the same age as my son, draws stick figure families, suns and rainbows and writes her name with chalk on my driveway? I watch the two friends play together, while one is engaged in imaginary tales of her drawings, I look over at my son happily scribbling in his own little world. His art is different, his creativity is his own, and I wish with all my heart that he would engage in "normal" play with his peers, but thats just not my son. He is different and I'm still learning to embrace what that means for him and our family. Comparing apples to oranges hasn't got me anywhere and certainly won't aid in how I parent now. It's these little moments of disconnect that get me down, but thankfully they are just moments. A fleeting thought of jealousy isn't becoming, but at least it's fleeting. In the Mighty article, Farrell encourages parents to reach out to one another for support and solidarity. It is by doing so that we can bridge the disconnect we feel between ourselves and neurotypical parents and children.

“Only you will ever know truly what it is to feel what you feel, but you will recognize yourself in the struggles and triumphs of others when you hear their stories.”

That connection is what I had been searching for after our 20q13.33 diagnosis, I needed to know I wasn't alone. The support groups I've found online have helped my family tremendously, just knowing that there are parents around the world sharing my struggles, triumphs and pains gave me lasting hope. Little information can be found about my sons diagnosis, but through the use of the advocate groups, our local team of Doctors and medical resources found online, I know we are one step closer to helping my son and others with rare chromosome disorders. Such disorders can't be cured, but they can be understood. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can open the conversation about disabilities without any bias or reservations. We are all unique and different, and that is what makes us special. I hope that it will be our differences that set us apart but our commonalities that draw us together. 

My overall hope would be for us all to be a little kinder this year. Regardless of whatever personal or family motto you pick for 2018, may you include the goal to be courageous and kind. Kindness goes along way in parenting and even further when taught to our children. Remember, you are not alone. God gave those children to you mama, and only you. Be brave, be true and be kind.  

Have courage and be kind

 To the Parent, be a little kinder to yourself; you are doing your best, and you must remember that each day brings a new sun and a new opportunity to be your best self.

 To the Child, be kind to others. Keep an open mind and an open heart and you'll be sure to go far. Everyone needs a friend and you are just the person to start that friendship. 

To the Stranger, we are all fighting our own battles, though some aren't as apparent as others, always show kindness before judgement. Be considerate in your actions.

You Are Not Alone: God Gave Those Little Children To You, Mama...YOU

2018 Parenting Motto's + Making peace with our Son's diagnosis

Parenting is tough. Hands down the most difficult task I've faced so far, it is beautiful, chaotic, exhausting and exhilarating. Add a strong willed child or two, and a Chromosome Disorder.... and by the end of one day I'm about ready to throw in the towel. I love my children but I find that my reactions to their behavior, can bring out the worst and best of me.  After an especially difficult day, I ran across this beautiful quote and my entire perspective changed.

"God gave those little children to you, mama- YOU. No one can mother them like you can. You may have your work cut out for you, but your'e the one cut out to accomplish it." - Erin Odom

This quote spoke to my soul, it made such an impact on me that I decided it was my 2018 Parenting Motto. I plan on getting a custom calligraphy print of it soon by my beautiful graphic designer, artist and friend, Carly Allred. I've been reading No Drama Discipline: The whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nature your child's developing mind, and it has made a huge impact on how I parent my children and understanding the root of emotional outbursts and improper behaviors. It's been an eye opening read and has given me a fresh perspective on parenting my lovely yet high strung kids. No Drama Discipline is a book I recommend to every single parent out there, you can fully expect to receive one for your Birthday or as Christmas present from me in the near future. 

Between my parenting motto and reading several parenting books, you would think I would be all set to rock this whole "Motherhood" thing....but a last, theres one piece missing to my Perfect Parenting Triangle. That is support. I belong to an awesome 20q13.33 Support Group , run by Christina Steckley, a parent of a child with this rare chromosome disorder.  It is a simple yet effective online support group for parents and caretakers of children with 20q13.33. I've been apart of it for a couple of years now and love learning about how other children are doing, what medications are helping, and updates on advocating for the overall health and wellness of children with disabilities.

An especially important advocate for disabilities is Collin Farrell. Yep, tall dark and handsome is a parent to a son with Angelmans Syndrome. My support group posted a great article written by Ellen Stumbo from The Mighty, entitled "Colin Farrell Offers Advice to Parents Navigating Their Child's New Diagnosis". It was an inspirational read that gave me so many eye opening revelations. It was such a comfort to know I was not alone. That there are other parents out there who understand the struggles and the triumphs of raising a son or daughter with special needs or other difficulties. One quote in particular made me stop and cry on the spot. Farrell expressed my husband and I's  feelings to a T after we got Brody's diagnosis. 

“I would humbly say to parents of a child with a recent diagnosis of any disorder that while they may well be experiencing the death of one dream, that dream of having a healthy child, there are a thousand dreams and milestones that are yet to reveal themselves.”

I won't go into the sorrows I felt or the dreams we had for our child  that were suddenly shattered. That is an emotional post for another time, but rather I'd like to focus on how I felt after the initial diagnosis and how I coped with it's short and long term affects.

The moment our Geneticist told us our sons diagnosis, I was equal parts relieved and devastated.  Months turned into years of slow milestone progression. Everything was so much harder for Brody and it hurt my heart to watch him struggle. Even now, years later when Brody is having a difficult time with a task it's hard for me to stay optimistic in our long term goals for his well being. I'm ashamed of these thoughts, and though I wish I could always look on the bright side, when I am having a particular tough day I tend to live in the sorrow of the moment. I've expressed these feelings to close friends and family and have benefited from their love and advice, but a part of me still feels a slight disconnect with them. 

Is it wrong for me to be jealous of the neighbor next door who's daughter, who is the same age as my son, draws stick figure families, suns and rainbows and writes her name with chalk on my driveway? I watch the two friends play together, while one is engaged in imaginary tales of her drawings, I look over at my son happily scribbling in his own little world. His art is different, his creativity is his own, and I wish with all my heart that he would engage in "normal" play with his peers, but thats just not my son. He is different and I'm still learning to embrace what that means for him and our family. Comparing apples to oranges hasn't got me anywhere and certainly won't aid in how I parent now. It's these little moments of disconnect that get me down, but thankfully they are just moments. A fleeting thought of jealousy isn't becoming, but at least it's fleeting. In the Mighty article, Farrell encourages parents to reach out to one another for support and solidarity. It is by doing so that we can bridge the disconnect we feel between ourselves and neurotypical parents and children.

“Only you will ever know truly what it is to feel what you feel, but you will recognize yourself in the struggles and triumphs of others when you hear their stories.”

That connection is what I had been searching for after our 20q13.33 diagnosis, I needed to know I wasn't alone. The support groups I've found online have helped my family tremendously, just knowing that there are parents around the world sharing my struggles, triumphs and pains gave me lasting hope. Little information can be found about my sons diagnosis, but through the use of the advocate groups, our local team of Doctors and medical resources found online, I know we are one step closer to helping my son and others with rare chromosome disorders. Such disorders can't be cured, but they can be understood. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, I can open the conversation about disabilities without any bias or reservations. We are all unique and different, and that is what makes us special. I hope that it will be our differences that set us apart but our commonalities that draw us together. 

My overall hope would be for us all to be a little kinder this year. Regardless of whatever personal or family motto you pick for 2018, may you include the goal to be courageous and kind. Kindness goes along way in parenting and even further when taught to our children. Remember, you are not alone. God gave those children to you mama, and only you. Be brave, be true and be kind.  

Have courage and be kind

 To the Parent, be a little kinder to yourself; you are doing your best, and you must remember that each day brings a new sun and a new opportunity to be your best self.

 To the Child, be kind to others. Keep an open mind and an open heart and you'll be sure to go far. Everyone needs a friend and you are just the person to start that friendship. 

To the Stranger, we are all fighting our own battles, though some aren't as apparent as others, always show kindness before judgement. Be considerate in your actions.

Holiday Gift Guide For The New Mama

Holiday Gift Guide For The New Mama

There is no one way to be a perfect Mother, but a million ways to be a good one.

Modern Piggy
Do you know what I love more than Diet Coke??? Girl Bosses! My good friend Camille just celebrated her Bow Company's 2nd year anniversary! I'm so incredibly proud of her for chasing her dreams and navigating the competitive business world of Baby accessories. It's hard to break into, and even harder to be successful. But Camille and her business partner Becky, have surpassed all the major roadblocks most new companies encounter and have created a thriving business! You go glen coco! The bows are beautifully made and have a varied set of styles, fabrics and color palettes to choose from! Modern Piggy bows are a must for all new mommas, because lets get real, nothing is better than newborns in bows! I love to give her bows away to all my friends!

Jett & Jill 
Nothing is more important to a new parent then the gift of a good nights rest. It's the one thing I always wish I could tell soon to be parents, "embrace these last few months of sleep before your little one arrives, because once they do, you'll turn into a sleep deprived zombie and nothing will ever be the same" haha. Ok thats a little dramatic, but all the mommas out there are nodding their heads with me... because its a #momtruth. Sleep is a wonderful gift and Jett & Jill are the ones to give it to you. They've created a snuggly fit swaddle cocoon that's designed to be snug around the shoulders but roomy around the babes hips and feet. They handpick the softest designer knit prints and have revolutionized the modern swaddle. No velcro's, zippers, snaps or wrapping. You simply slip it on, lay your babe down and enjoy a full nights rest. I can't imagine giving a more thoughtful, and appreciated gift than the Jett & Jill Cocoon Swaddle! Besides cocoons, they also have beautiful blankets, binky blankets, knotted beanies and headbands. They are the perfect newborn shop and I couldn't recommend them enough to ALL my mommy friends!

Dr. Brown Bottles
Ok friends, this is the best bottle brand out there! Hands down my favorite! It really helped reduce colic for both my babes and comes in cute colors like blue and pink. Yeah there’s a lot of pieces involved but trust me when I say it’s worth the extra 15 seconds of assembly to prevent another colic spit up.

Mam Pacifiers
Pacifiers are lovely, not everyone uses them but if you do Mam is where it’s at. They’ve created an orthopedic nipple that promotes good oral care at a young age. Plus the glow and the dark ones are LIFE CHANGING. That alone is the reason why I use this brand. I can't tell you how many nights I've had to search frantically for the fallen Paci, and the only peace of mind I have is when I know iv'e got an extra glow in the dark Paci in the room. I find them in 1.5 seconds, plop it in, then sneak out like a champ. 

Little Loveleighs
Handmade accessories for all the little loves in your life. I discovered Little Loveleigh's through Instagram, and I was so happy to comes across her shop. She hand ties, designs and creates the loveliest Bow's and Bowties for your cute little ones. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Little Loveleighs to design a new bow collection called, The Twinkletoes Bow. Inspired by my experience with Ballet and dance, we picked out the prettiest rose gold and pink fabrics to inspire the even the smallest of babes to chase their ballerina dreams. Leigh is a beautiful and creative soul, and I felt so honored to collaborate with her on a such a special project! Go check out her shop to see her fun Holiday collection and be sure to order a special stocking stuffer for your little babes before Christmas! Mention my blog and get a coupon code for your next purchase!

Usborne Books
I love Usborne books and so do my kids! They get a new one every year for Christmas and their birthday. Pair them up with a set of Moccs and you have the perfect baby shower gift! It doesn't hurt that one of my besties is my book dealer, so I literally have unlimited access to the best in kids books! Holla! Whether your shopping for a baby, toddler, or young readers...Usborne is the best source for books! From one book nerd to another, invest in the gift of reading!

Sweet N Swag Gold Rush + Sweet N Swag Red Rover
I’ve shopped at Sweet N Swag for almost 4 years now! It’s my go to baby shower gift. The moccs come in all shapes and sizes and even have coordinating bow and bow tie suspender sets. They are affordable and cute, and 9/10 you’ll see one of my kids in their gear! But seriously though, they are a great Moccasin company and their prices can't be beat!

Fisher Price Nativity 
So much of the holidays is about Santa and presents but not so much the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This Nativity is s fun way to engage your little ones and teach them about the real meaning of Christmas. It’s our first year with ours and I have big plans to use it on Christmas Eve when we talk about Christ’s birth as a family. 

Gosig Golden
I think every kid needs the perfect pup doll and Ikea has nailed it. Almost every single one of Brody’s friends has one and they love playing with their puppies together. We named ours Bailey, after my parents labradoodle, and Brody sleeps with it every night. It was a great transitional comfort item especially after we got rid of his paci and blanket. I love dogs and animals, so its especially fun for me to connect with my Son when we play pups together.

The Hatching Hen 
Whenever possible, support local. I happened to be up in WA when I discovered the Hatching Hen and my mommy heart did the biggest happy dance when I saw how awesome the teethers were. They have been great for my 1 year old as she went through the teething process and even better for my 4 year old who has a sensory processing disorder. Utilizing the teethers has decreased his hand biting tremendously! Cute, functional and made from safe silicone materials make this company an A+ baby shop! 

Holiday Gift Guide For The New Mama

Holiday Gift Guide For The New Mama

There is no one way to be a perfect Mother, but a million ways to be a good one.

Modern Piggy
Do you know what I love more than Diet Coke??? Girl Bosses! My good friend Camille just celebrated her Bow Company's 2nd year anniversary! I'm so incredibly proud of her for chasing her dreams and navigating the competitive business world of Baby accessories. It's hard to break into, and even harder to be successful. But Camille and her business partner Becky, have surpassed all the major roadblocks most new companies encounter and have created a thriving business! You go glen coco! The bows are beautifully made and have a varied set of styles, fabrics and color palettes to choose from! Modern Piggy bows are a must for all new mommas, because lets get real, nothing is better than newborns in bows! I love to give her bows away to all my friends!

Jett & Jill 
Nothing is more important to a new parent then the gift of a good nights rest. It's the one thing I always wish I could tell soon to be parents, "embrace these last few months of sleep before your little one arrives, because once they do, you'll turn into a sleep deprived zombie and nothing will ever be the same" haha. Ok thats a little dramatic, but all the mommas out there are nodding their heads with me... because its a #momtruth. Sleep is a wonderful gift and Jett & Jill are the ones to give it to you. They've created a snuggly fit swaddle cocoon that's designed to be snug around the shoulders but roomy around the babes hips and feet. They handpick the softest designer knit prints and have revolutionized the modern swaddle. No velcro's, zippers, snaps or wrapping. You simply slip it on, lay your babe down and enjoy a full nights rest. I can't imagine giving a more thoughtful, and appreciated gift than the Jett & Jill Cocoon Swaddle! Besides cocoons, they also have beautiful blankets, binky blankets, knotted beanies and headbands. They are the perfect newborn shop and I couldn't recommend them enough to ALL my mommy friends!

Dr. Brown Bottles
Ok friends, this is the best bottle brand out there! Hands down my favorite! It really helped reduce colic for both my babes and comes in cute colors like blue and pink. Yeah there’s a lot of pieces involved but trust me when I say it’s worth the extra 15 seconds of assembly to prevent another colic spit up.

Mam Pacifiers
Pacifiers are lovely, not everyone uses them but if you do Mam is where it’s at. They’ve created an orthopedic nipple that promotes good oral care at a young age. Plus the glow and the dark ones are LIFE CHANGING. That alone is the reason why I use this brand. I can't tell you how many nights I've had to search frantically for the fallen Paci, and the only peace of mind I have is when I know iv'e got an extra glow in the dark Paci in the room. I find them in 1.5 seconds, plop it in, then sneak out like a champ. 

Little Loveleighs
Handmade accessories for all the little loves in your life. I discovered Little Loveleigh's through Instagram, and I was so happy to comes across her shop. She hand ties, designs and creates the loveliest Bow's and Bowties for your cute little ones. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Little Loveleighs to design a new bow collection called, The Twinkletoes Bow. Inspired by my experience with Ballet and dance, we picked out the prettiest rose gold and pink fabrics to inspire the even the smallest of babes to chase their ballerina dreams. Leigh is a beautiful and creative soul, and I felt so honored to collaborate with her on a such a special project! Go check out her shop to see her fun Holiday collection and be sure to order a special stocking stuffer for your little babes before Christmas! Mention my blog and get a coupon code for your next purchase!

Usborne Books
I love Usborne books and so do my kids! They get a new one every year for Christmas and their birthday. Pair them up with a set of Moccs and you have the perfect baby shower gift! It doesn't hurt that one of my besties is my book dealer, so I literally have unlimited access to the best in kids books! Holla! Whether your shopping for a baby, toddler, or young readers...Usborne is the best source for books! From one book nerd to another, invest in the gift of reading!

Sweet N Swag Gold Rush + Sweet N Swag Red Rover
I’ve shopped at Sweet N Swag for almost 4 years now! It’s my go to baby shower gift. The moccs come in all shapes and sizes and even have coordinating bow and bow tie suspender sets. They are affordable and cute, and 9/10 you’ll see one of my kids in their gear! But seriously though, they are a great Moccasin company and their prices can't be beat!

Fisher Price Nativity 
So much of the holidays is about Santa and presents but not so much the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This Nativity is s fun way to engage your little ones and teach them about the real meaning of Christmas. It’s our first year with ours and I have big plans to use it on Christmas Eve when we talk about Christ’s birth as a family. 

Gosig Golden
I think every kid needs the perfect pup doll and Ikea has nailed it. Almost every single one of Brody’s friends has one and they love playing with their puppies together. We named ours Bailey, after my parents labradoodle, and Brody sleeps with it every night. It was a great transitional comfort item especially after we got rid of his paci and blanket. I love dogs and animals, so its especially fun for me to connect with my Son when we play pups together.

The Hatching Hen 
Whenever possible, support local. I happened to be up in WA when I discovered the Hatching Hen and my mommy heart did the biggest happy dance when I saw how awesome the teethers were. They have been great for my 1 year old as she went through the teething process and even better for my 4 year old who has a sensory processing disorder. Utilizing the teethers has decreased his hand biting tremendously! Cute, functional and made from safe silicone materials make this company an A+ baby shop! 

Barre Babes Christmas Guide: Treat Yo Self

Treat Yo Self Ladies
Why you should invest in a positive attitude to self-care and nourishing your body, mind and spirit

My favorite quote is from the great Donna Meagle, of the epic NBC series, Parks & Rec.

"TREAT YO SELF "

I cant even begin to tell you all the ridiculous schemes iv'e pulled on my husband with that line. New makeup, treat yo self. Dying my hair pink, treat yo self. Starbucks Carmel Hot Chocolate, treat yo self. It's by far the best line in the entire english language. But despite its great tag line and message, there is another take away. Treat yo self means taking care of your wants and needs. Whether they are physical or mental, self love and self care is SO important to our overall health and wellness. I take ownership of my health and the steps I take for self care may differ from your own, but I believe we can all find common ground in wanting to be the best versions of ourselves. So for me I take Zoloft everyday, treat yo self (mental health). Teach Barre and workout daily, treat yo self (physical health). Go to Church every week, treat yo self (spiritual needs). Taking care of yourself isn't a selfish act, its the only way to give the best of ourselves to others and ultimately your self. Do something special for you, acknowledge how awesome and unique you are. "No one is you, thats your super power".

As a busy mother and fitness instructor its hard to find balance between my responsibilities in and outside of the home. When I do too much for myself I feel an immense amount of guilt for taking care of my needs and sometimes putting those needs first before my family. But I have to remind myself that taking care of my wants and needs is an important priority. I set the tone in my home and when I create a happy and loving place to be, than I can reciprocate those positive feelings and affirmations to my loved ones. Happy Wife, Happy life...ammmiright??? :) 

“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”– Parker Palmer

A lot of what I do in my free time is focusing on meeting my personal needs. Reading, exercise,  online shopping (#guilty), and even blogging help me be the best version of myself.  Its the little stress relieving activities that make me happy and help me focus on things other than the latest Pokemon battle and singing along to Frozen...over and over again.  So I scheduled out a personal ME time in the middle of the day. It's that sweet spot when Brody's at preschool and Addison's asleep, I have almost two hours to engage in me time activities. Between 12:30pm-2:30pm everyday i'll either be typing away at my blog or burrowing under the covers with a fun read. Btw- if you don't schedule out when you clean, you could get caught up in a cleaning jag during those "sacred mommy hours" haha so friends be sure to schedule accordingly!

When possible I try to incorporate my family into self care habits, like exercise, cooking together, or going out for a fun activity. Brody's favorite store is Target, so when I need a little retail therapy I take him with me for a Mommy + Son date. Those are his favorite outings when we spend special time together. Love is spelt  T I M E.... and nothing means more to your littles than taking time out of your day to be together and enjoy each others company. 

You don't need to do a lot to show yourself and your loved ones a little love. Be present, show interest, and live in the moment. Do what makes you happy....add the double scoop, stay up a little later, or even indulge in a sick day or two. Treat yo self to happy moments, you deserve it! Do what makes you happy!

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance".– Oscar Wilde

This Holiday Season I challenge you to begin the life-long romance with you, yourself, and I. Love yourself. Respect and honor your heart, mind, and body. Nourish yourself from the inside out. To help you along on your Self-love journey, I created a fun list of all my favorite treat your self items! This is a fun list of indulgences that I believe everyone should treat themselves to! Enjoy and let me know what your favorite item is!

Treat Yo Self 2017

Mom's One Line A Day Diary

Kindle Paperwhite

Chameleon + Clue

Mrs. Meyers Multi Surface Cleaner

Bath and Body Works Champagne Toast Candle

Garnier Dark Circle Eye Roller

Too Faced Mascara + Bronzer

A Court of Mist and Fury Digital Print

Moroccan Oil

One Line A Day

I got my Mom's One Line A Day Diary for Christmas last year and I love it!  It's a condensed and comparative record for five years of meaningful memories. It's quick and easy to use and usually takes less than a minute. Just jot down one experience a day and call it good. I keep it on my nightstand to write in every night before bed. My favorite entry was  from Jan 10th, 2017 " Addison said Momma for the first time today, my heart is so happy and full!".

Kindle Paperwhite 

Oh my goodnes, I could go on and on about the Kindle Paperwhite! I've been an avid kindle user for over 8 years and I love this product. Treat yo self to a new book and indulge on mysteries of the unknown, forbidden romances, or the latest critically acclaimed novels. With the Kindle, any book, magazine or Audible podcast is accessible with the swipe of a finger. Books on the Kindle makes reading a breeze when i'm traveling, waiting in the carpool lane, or enjoying a bubble bath. Plus you cant beat those prices on books utilizing Amazon Prime or Amazon Kindle Unlimited. This is the perfect gift! 

Chameleon  

Chameleon is a brand new game I discovered when I was up in WA for Thanksgiving. It was sneaky, intelligent and fun...the perfect combination for my family! This game is all the rage and the perfect game to play with friends and family! "In this fun family-friendly board game, everyone knows the secret word except the "Chameleon." But who is the Chameleon? Using one carefully chosen word each, you try to flush out the imposter - but if someone is particularly good at blending in, innocent people start looking guilty, and the Chameleon can escape unnoticed."

Clue

This hilarious murder mystery is one of my greatest guilty pleasures. Sick day? Put on clue. Movie night? Clue. Need to fold 4 loads of laundry? Clues the movie for you. It's a cult favorite for a reason, trust me when I tell you to treat yo self to this movie! Its a great way to kick back and relax with friends.

Mrs. Meyers Multi Surface Cleaner 
I'm late to the Mrs. Meyers band wagon, but I'm here to tell you its pretty great! My favorites are the Seasonal Peppermint and Iowa Pine scents. I was first introduced to this Multi-surface cleaner at a favorites thing party and I was a little skeptical at first but soon fell in love. Made from plant derived ingredients, this cleaner freshens surfaces and kills bacteria like a champ. I just do a quicks spritz on my counters every night and wake up in the morning to a sparkling clean kitchen that smells of rich peppermint and vanilla. Nothing is sweeter for the holidays like a clean house. 

Champagne Toast Candle 
Ive been a fan of Bath and Body Works for as long as I can remember, but now that i'm adult I only purchase it bi-annually. I love it but like all good things, its expensive and treating yo self to a whole grab bag adds up fast. So I usually pick up seasonal items and gifts than call it good, but I had to make an exception for their Champagne Toast candle. I have an annual beauty tradition of getting the Black Friday Tote at Bath and Body Works and this years bag didn’t disappoint! My favorite item was the Champagne Toast candle, it’s flirty with a hint if musky sweetness. Nuff said, It’s fabulous. The next day I found myself online hoarding up on all the Champagne Toast products I could fit in my cart!

Garnier Clearly Brighter Anti- Dark Circle brighting eye roller 

My newest discovery in masking dark circles and pretending I get at least 8 hrs of beauty sleep, (spoiler alert, I don't know any mom who gets 8 hrs of zzz's) is the fabulous Garnier Dark Circle Brightener. I roll a little on every morning and set it with some CC cream and i'm good to go. Despite the constant adult acne (ugh hormones get it together already), the lighter my foundation the easier it is on my sensitive skin. Especially when I teach in the mornings, I'm not gonna put a full face of makeup on just to workout, so adding a little bit of eye roller helps me look fresh without overdoing it. Perfect for those sleep deprived ladies who need a little love for those dark circles. 

 Too Faced Too Faced Mascara + Bronzer 
You might as well just go ahead and throw your money at Sephora because Too Faced is where it’s at! Every year on my birthday I treat yo self to Sephora’s birthday gift and always enjoy the special discounts to pickup my favorite makeup. I’ve been using the Too Faced Mascara and bronzer for years now. I consider these two beauty essentials the most important staples in my beauty routine.  I love how cute the product is designed and packaged. Even with my lash extensions, I utilize the mascara on my lower lashes and love the look!

"Makeup is no different than clothes and accessories - it's embellishments for your face. And it also gives you creative freedom. You get to have that moment in front the mirror every morning and give yourself self-love. You're making yourself up beautiful, which is essentially self-love."-Michelle Phan

Stars Quote

My favorite author is Sarah J. Maas and I’m obsessed with ALL of her books. This digital print is actually framed in my room right now and I love it. It means a lot to me. So go treat yo self to a favorite quote and hang it somewhere you can see. Express yourself and enjoy the little space of inspiration in your home or office. As I refine my style aesthetic, I find myself seeking out more unique pieces for my home including individualized art, poetry and scripted texts and quotes. Any art piece with a literary significance I have to have! It makes my heart so happy to surround myself with beautiful and meaningful pieces. 

Moroccan Oil

I get asked A LOT about my hair, especially since I chopped it off right before I had Addi. The two things I swore my hair growth on was 1) pregnancy hormones, and 2) Moroccan oil. I’ve used it religiously for a couple of years now and I’ve gotta tell ya, it works! So if you are looking for a great hair product that promotes health, boosts shine, and detangles even the worst rats nest, than look no further than Moroccan Oil. Plus it smells amazing! Anyone caressing your tress's will enjoy a whiff or two ;)

"I think the most important thing in life is self-love, because if you don't have self-love, and respect for everything about your own body, your own soul, your own capsule, then how can you have an authentic relationship with anyone else?"- Shailene Woodley