chanelmovingforward

Nom Nom Necklaces Review

April 5, 2016

Oh to be a teething baby. My heart goes out to all the little ones experiencing this. I can’t even imagine being in so much pain and not being able to express to someone how I feel. Poor Evelyn has SIX teeth coming in, include four molars, one on each side (top and bottom) of her mouth. Needless to say my usually happy baby has been pretty miserable. She wants to chew on everything from my toes to the couch. She also wants to be held. A lot. So even though we own several teethers and they do provide relief, it’s hard to hold her and the teethers while we are out and about because she will constantly drop them.

I was super excited when I found Nom Nom Necklaces. My favorite thing about these necklaces is that the beads do not go all the way around the thread. I’ve had necklaces with full beads in the past but could never wear them because they would pull out my hair in back, and I cannot afford to lose anymore hair since it’s coming in much slower after baby number two. They even have kid necklaces which are adorable and would make a great birthday gift, stocking stuffer or addition to an Easter basket (bookmarking for next year!) The monochrome set, shown in these pictures, would make the perfect gift for an expectant mama. Even better is that the price is only $16 for the combo. Nom Nom Necklaces has graciously offered readers 15% off their purchase with the code CHANEL15.

Not only are these necklaces designed for babies but they are bright, colorful and beautiful accessories for you to wear. My style is definitely described as “she has young kids” so it’s nice to add a fun piece of jewelry to my everyday look. There are so many fun colors to choose from. Next up on my wish list is their pendant design which is on sale for only $9! If you have a teething babe at home or know someone that does, head over to Etsy and check out Nom Nom Necklaces.

I hope everyone is having a great week! xo

*Nom Nom Necklaces provided me with necklace & bracelet free of charge. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

Baby Bow Giveaway!

April 1, 2016

I have been looking forward to this giveaway for weeks now. Seeing all of the beautiful headbands sitting on my dining room table makes me almost want to have another baby. Earlier this year I was getting word that a lot of my friends were pregnant with baby girls. I kept trying to come up with something new and exciting to give them and that’s when I thought of the ultimate bow bundle. How fun would it be for a new girl mama or expectant mama to win a collection of bows? I have teamed up with 19 of the most adorable shops to bring you the ultimate baby bow giveaway. It’s no secret that I am a huge supporter of headbands and bows on baby girls. Evelyn was practically born with one on her head and now thinks they are apart of her body which is the only reason she keeps them on 🙂

Each one of these bows was handpicked based on their style, craftsmanship and overall design. After seeing them in person I can honestly say that the winner will be set for every occasion. The majority of the headbands are on a nylon band which can be worn well into the toddler years and they do not leave marks on babies heads. There are a few on alligator clips if you are lucky enough to have a child with hair. Evelyn probably won’t have enough hair to wear clips until she’s a teenager and by that time I’m sure she will surprise me one day by shaving her head. buy cymbalta online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/ no prescription

buy paxil online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/paxil.html no prescription

Getting to know the sweet ladies from all of these shops has been such a joy. I love supporting made in the USA clothing and accessories. Here is a list of all the wonderful shops who have donated to this amazing bundle. Please check them out if you are looking for yourself or a friend. buy plavix online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/plavix.html no prescription

Striped Olive Designs

Yasmi & CrewThe winner will receive 28 headbands, all of which will ship collectively (yay!) The giveaway runs until Tuesday, April 5 at 11:59pm. No purchase necessary, US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easter 2016 Recap

March 29, 2016

Who has been in a chocolate bunny and peep coma today? This Monday was a tough one. Our whole family indulged in way too many sweets and champagne (actually just me). Even though it was rainy and overcast the whole day, we managed to have a good day despite the weather. I cooked some yummy treats for the husband and kids and Henry filled up on chocolate and jelly beans. Easter Sunday should have been nicknamed Candy Sunday because it was non stop. Just thinking about all the candy and sweets makes my teeth hurt. Thank goodness Halloween and Easter are so far apart. buy zovirax online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/zovirax.html no prescription

The kids were up at the crack of dawn as usual and Henry could not wait to find his candy basket. We put plastic empty eggs in the living room for Evelyn to “hunt” and Henry had his egg hunt in the backyard when she went down for her morning nap. He loved all the mini legos and has been playing with them non stop. I’m so glad I went with legos and not more candy because he would probably still be awake now on a binge. buy priligy online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/priligy.html no prescription

After nap time we headed to my mothers house for Easter dinner. As usual the food and decor was incredible and as usual Henry was being his wild self. I basically drank my weight in champagne to get through his craziness. Evelyn refused to nap and was pretty fussy the whole time. They must have felt bad for how they acted and made it up to us by sleeping until 7:30 this morning. It also helps that they’re pretty cute.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with family and loved ones! Preggo mama friends and new girl moms: stay tuned this week for a huge bow giveaway that you don’t want to miss! buy benicar online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/benicar.html no prescription

Easter Week

March 26, 2016

Can you believe tomorrow is Easter? March sure has flown by but I am really looking forward to seeing my kids faces when they wake up tomorrow. Henry is at the best age for all things holiday related. He really is starting to grasp the actives that come with each one. Evelyn just loves to run around and roam like a velociraptor with her little arms up to her side and scream things out occasionally at the pets and her brother. Needless to say she hasn’t participated in many Easter activities this year! During her morning naps this week Henry and I were able to do some things together, including decorating eggs with no dye. My second home, Target, had these great plastic matte eggs for $3 per dozen which can be drawn on. I bought the plain white and the black which came with chalk. Henry had a blast coloring on them and the mess was non existent.

Even though Henry will be getting some candy in his Easter basket, the last thing he needs is to partake in an egg hunt in which the eggs are full of sweets. We are putting together an egg hunt in our backyard that is just for him. The eggs all have mini legos in them since he loves to play and build. I filled 47 plastic eggs with 303 mini lego pieces. If you are looking for a last minute activity for your kids, this is excellent. I purchased the legos at Target for $20 and used mostly eggs saved from previous years. Even if you don’t have any left over eggs on hand, you can get them for next to nothing at the dollar store and even Target has them on sale by now. buy diflucan online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/diflucan.html no prescription

You may have seen on instagram one of the baskets I put together for Evelyn which was inspired by the blue gingham bunny years on the bucket. When I saw this at Target (of course) for $5, I had to have it for her. There is no shortage of gingham prints out there so filling the bucket was very simple. That cute gingham bow is from an Etsy shop I found a few months ago, the bathing suit is from Old Navy, the eggs and plastic books are also from Target and the book is vintage that I picked up at Powell’s in Portland. buy benzac online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/benzac.html no prescription

I’ve been baking up a storm for Easter tomorrow and I cannot wait to see the look on my kids faces when they see their baskets and when Henry sees nearly 50 eggs in the backyard for him! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your families! buy cipro online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/cipro.html no prescription

Five Things Friday – Birthday Picks

March 25, 2016

How fast is this year going by and how the hell am I turning 32 next week? Since having kids my birthday hasn’t been that important to me because celebrating them is way more fun. However I have added a small roundup of things I am loving right now. These would be great gifts for any lady in your life, not just a birthday! I am all about that fringe game lately since it seems to be everywhere. This boho style bag is perfect for our upcoming travels and the cross body strap is ideal for exploring a new city so I have both hands free. The warm weather in Georgia is definitely here to stay which means I should probably kick my leggings and invest in some summery dresses. The green on this Mod Cloth dress is the perfect shade. buy elavil online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/elavil.html no prescription
Mod Cloth has so many different styles of dresses to choose from and there is something for every body type. MAC lipstick has always been my favorite and is really the only brand I wear. Maybe I’m too chicken to try out others but there is something so reassuring knowing that a favorite won’t let you down. If going out during the day I always wear a nude, beige or light pink color (let me clarify: I do not wear lipstick daily unless I have something important to do. Running to Target does not count). Finally, who doesn’t like to walk in their house and have it smell like Anthropologie? The answer is my husband because it reminds him of how much money I could spend there. Happy Friday, friends! buy atarax online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/atarax.html no prescription

lipstick // bag // flats // dress // candle

buy nexium online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/nexium.html no prescription

Portland Part 2

March 23, 2016

Writing this last recap and reminiscing about our trip really has me wanting to go back. My husband and I are talking about taking a trip in September for Feast Portland since we basically travel to eat good food. Until then I can continue to follow all the Portland instagram accounts and drool over everything I see … Back to our trip recap (and my diet). It was a good decision to keep the rental car for the rest of our stay. We wanted to explore Cannon Beach so we headed out pretty early Saturday since the ride was about 90 minutes each way. The drive was a straight shot down Route 26 and overall very easy. There was some winding roads but I think the ride could be done for at nearly age, even with kids. We stopped first at the top part of the cliff which was extremely windy. I literally thought the wind was going to blow me over. It was also freezing so after I took a few pictures and mental snapshots I hightailed it back to car since my fingers felt like ice cubes. In true Oregon fashion, the sky had parted and the sun was out by the time we got back down to Cannon beach. It was so beautiful and spacious. The coast line is definitely different from southern beaches. The sand extends much deeper into the water. I loved seeing Haystack Rock which was accessible by foot since the tide was low. buy desyrel online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/desyrel.html no prescription
Goonies Never Say Die.

We ended up back in Portland right around lunch time and hit up Lela’s Bistro for some bahn mis. They have a ton of vegan options and the food was pretty decent. Prices were a little high compared to Atlanta but still good. By the time we finished eating it was pouring out, of course, so we got the car and drove to the Portland Gear store which I had been dying to check out. I have followed them on instagram for months and I love their clothing and accessories. When I heard they were opening a store a few weeks before our strip, I knew I had to go and buy some goodies. I got a few shirts for my husband and myself and a coffee mug since I am a mug hoarder. The shirts are super soft with a great slim fit and the mug holds a ton of coffee since I never just have one cup at a time. Marcus, the owner, was there and he was very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in our group, asking us questions about our trip and if we were having a good time. I definitely recommend checking this store out if you have a chance to visit Portland. buy effexor online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/effexor.html no prescription
It’s right by Providence Park so if you’re going to check out a Timbers game, stop in there for some hometown gear.

For a late afternoon snack we braved the cold rain and stood in line at Pip’s Original Doughnuts, which was the longest wait we had since being in Portland, but it was so worth it. Their donuts were some of the best I have ever had. They were all made fresh as you ordered and came out super warm. The Dirty Wu is their most popular and I can see why. How can you go wrong with cinnamon sugar drizzled with warm nutella? You can’t. It’s also named after Sgt. Wu on my favorite show Grimm. The pricing is very cheap but that’s because the donuts are all minis. They are the perfect size for a snack or to share and you can try all flavors without overdoing it since they are light and airy. The staff was very friendly and patient. You could tell they are used to crowds and tourists and they answered everyones questions with a smile on their face. buy premarin online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html no prescription

Saturday night was our last dinner together and since we were pretty exhausted from such a full day, we Yelped it for some low key Italian. Serratto, located in the Alphabet district, was quaint and quiet with dim lighting and a warm atmosphere. They had valet on site which was perfect for a busy Saturday evening since parking was scarce. I of course had a few glasses of prosecco which tasted so refreshing and the girls and I split the Pommes Frites (house-cut fries, fried twice with garlic aioli) as our starter. The Risotto with mushrooms, leeks, Grana Padano and white truffle butter was incredible. Mind blowing even. I could have licked my dish but decided to spare my friends and fellow dinner goers. As much as I would love to come back here and try other things on the menu I don’t think I could because I’d want to order the risotto again, it was just that tasty. Of course we went out with a bang and ordered the Creme Brûlée for dessert, how daring of us. I usually never order dessert because I am so stuffed from entrees and wine but the Creme Brûlée must have been a house favorite because we were watching them walk by us all night. It was delicious, which wasn’t surprising and the perfect way to end a great evening with friends in such a wonderful city.

Two of the girls on our trip booked the noon flight home so they had to head out relatively early. We decided to have one last meal together and went to Meriwether’s for brunch. This place was just down the street from our rental in the Northwest/ Industrial area and had it not been pouring we could have walked. The service here was excellent but we were also only the second table to be seated which may have played a part. Our waitress was super sweet and attentive and made us feel very at home. We ordered a stack of the classic buttermilk pancakes as an appetizer .. not really sure if people do that at brunch but they sounded, and were, delicious. I love how this restaurant operates their own farm which is located 20 minutes away so you know the ingredients are top notch. Fresh squeezed orange juice and vanilla iced coffees were flowing and the rain outside kept pouring. One of the girls ordered the chicken chilaquiles (basically nachos for breakfast) and I was lucky enough to try a bite and they were superb. The southern part of me chose the fried chicken and waffle with orange marmalade. It sucked. I’m kidding, it was everything I had hoped it would be. The orange marmalade, pure maple syrup and light dusting of powdered sugar added the finishing touch with just the right amount of sweetness.

After our group breakfast two of the girls headed to the airport and my other girlfriend and I went back to our rental house to sleep/lounge off the carbs. We packed up the car with our luggage, returned the keys and spent the next 9 hours exploring the different neighborhoods in the city. We were on the red eye which left at 11pm and had to check out by noon. It was a good excuse to really take advantage of the day and not have the house to go back to for periodic carb induced naps. On our last day the weather called for 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms but the weather pattern changed drastically and we were blessed with clear skies and sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for a better surprise since we didn’t have a house to go back to in case of continuous downpours. Since we were just down the street from the Industrial area I had to stop at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply. They had been on my “must go to” list since planning this trip. I’m a huge fan of industrial decor and lighting and being in their store made me long for city lofts with exposed brick walls and pipes.

One of my favorite things about Portland is all the beautiful murals throughout the city. They’re so gorgeous and basically outdoor works of art. I have a thing for colored and textured walls and there is definitely no shortage in Portland. My friend and I hit up Alberta street for some shopping and exploring since ironically our last day of the trip also gave us the best weather. I loved how unique each shop was and definitely did my part to help boost the economy by purchasing something in almost every single one (sorry babe).

Once the rain started to come down a little we thought that would be a good time to grab some lunch. Boxer Ramen was literally right in front of us as we were talking about food so in we went. The restaurant was very tiny but we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Luckily the waiting area is outside the restaurant so there aren’t people hovering over you watching you eat and huffing while looking at their watches. The portions were huge and the prices were very reasonable ($12 for a large bowl). If I were a local I would come here all the time and get the lunch and save half for later. I ordered the Tonkotsu Shio: traditional pork broth, pork belly, soft-poached egg and scallions. We split the Okonomiyaki Tots which were tater tots with a creamy spicy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, shavings of bonito flakes, togarashi and nori. The bonito flakes actually moved and it looked like our tots were alive. One of the craziest things I have ever seen and I would definitely spend the $5 just so you can see this. Even though there weren’t kids with us, the place was kid friendly and I know my son would have loved watching the dancing tater tots.

We walked off our ramen and headed to Salt & Straw because why not? I could not leave Portland without trying this awesomeness. I chose the Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon scoops. How local of me, right? Some seats emptied at the front bar and we were able to enjoy our ice cream and people watch. By the time we left the line was out the door. The staff was also super friendly and handed out a ton of samples. Everything was delicious and I wish I lived closer so I could try all the flavors. The shop was very clean and kid friendly and I was definitely getting home sick seeing all the little boys excited for ice cream with their mamas. Until a little boy tried to pull his pants down and that reminded me of something Henry would do so I quickly snapped out of it.

After our Alberta street adventures we went to see a friend of my girlfriends who happened to be a bartender at a bar in North Portland, the Florida Room. The drinks were very well made and there was a Photo Booth so I could have stayed there all night pumping money into that machine. My friend told me about photo booth hire Birmingham since she lives in the UK and she’s considering getting a booth for her wedding. I told her to do it! They’re so fun!! This place definitely has that road-side bar feeling with graffiti in the bathroom, a pinball machine and a covered front patio for smoking. Being non smokers we sat inside at the bar which was pretty comfortable. We didn’t stay long and it was in the afternoon so it wasn’t too crowded but it sure seems like a fun and interesting place to hang out at night.

Before the sun set we really wanted to see the Cherry Blossoms that had recently bloomed by the Steel Bridge, so we booked it over to Tom McCall park to walk along the waterfront. As I mentioned before, Sunday gave us the best weather of the trip and I am so glad I decided to take the red eye back so I had another whole day to see Portland. It was also nice to spend quality time with one of my best friends who I’ve known for almost 20 years!

We had worked up an appetite and were running out of daylight (and energy), so we decided to spend the rest of our time perusing the isles at Powell’s and having some pizza at Sizzle Pie. The slices were huge and the people watching was fantastic, since the face of the restaurant sits right on the corner and there are people coming and going in all directions. At the bookstore I came across from vintage JFK coloring books and am kicking myself for not getting them, even though they were nearly $30 a pop, but still. I know what I will now be searching for on eBay.

Just like that, our trip came and went and we are all back to our real lives. Mine currently consists of registering my son for pre-k and being covered in smashed bananas, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Portland, you were so good to us … what an amazing city you are. I’ll be back for you soon.

Monday Outfit of the Day

March 21, 2016

Happy second day of Spring! It feels a little funny saying that since the temp was 37 degrees when I woke up this morning and is still a bit cold. However I was happy for the colder weather because it means Evelyn finally can wear her Childhoods dress which she got for Christmas! I purchased the 12-18 month size and luckily it runs pretty big so she can enjoy it well into Fall and it’s lightweight enough to wear on chilly Spring mornings as well. They also have great pullovers for boys and 90% of their items are all unisex.

buy remeron online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/remeron.html no prescription

I have been a fan of Childhoods skinny sweats since right before Evelyn was born. They make the softest and most comfortable clothing for babies, kids and even adults. I’m hoping they bring back more rompers and dresses this summer because they are so cute on toddler girls. Every piece is designed by a husband and wife team out of Houston, TX and locally produced. The cotton they use is unreal and so soft without being heavy and hot. Last summer Evie had two pair of shorties and I can’t even begin to tell you how cute her baby thighs looked in them. I cannot wait to snag some more! buy celexa online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/celexa.html no prescription

And now the fun part. If you’re a girl mom and not already following me on Instagram (@chanelvanreenen) you will want to do so because I am hosting a giveaway with Modern Piggy that starts today. The winner will receive two bows of their choosing, which I know will be hard because I literally wanted to buy every single one. The ladies over at Modern Piggy were so gracious and sent me the Evelyn (duh) and the Milly, which is pictured in this post. You can choose from a nylon headband or a hair clip if you’re lucky enough to have a daughter with hair, unlike mine 🙂 Head over to Instagram and follow both myself and Modern Piggy for a chance to win. Good luck!

buy lexapro online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/lexapro.html no prescription

Latest from Instagram