Happy Friday friends…. we. made. it. Sharing the answers to the most frequently asked questions from the past month…. with a lot focusing on eating + working out. Always feel free to send along any questions via e-mail or comments.
TJ and I are heading out of town for a night…. just the two of us… just a tad bit excited. I hope you all have a good one!!
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1. I am a mom to two girls, 5 and 3. I tend to mainly live in activewear. Seriously for almost a year now I have been debating whether to buy the sincerely Jules jogger. I saw you had them on in one of your posts the other week. I was hoping to get your honest opinion, are they worth the money? If so, what size were you wearing? I’m an avid runner and am roughly 5’4″, 110lbs.
The joggers are great! They’re a thicker material, so they are very appropriate for everyday life. That being said, you can also find cuter, less expensive options. My two current favorites are these joggers (which they brought back this season) and these (I’ve worn them several times this week!).
2. Do you use a daily sunscreen and/or a primer under your makeup? If so, which ones do you recommend?
I use this SPF foundation and love it (I mix it with a heavier one as well). I don’t use a specific primer, but prep my fave with a serum…. and the foundation is creamy enough that it doesn’t look cake-y.
3. I have to say that I have just discovered your blog and love it! Our style is very much the same, fitness is a major part of my life, nutrition is something I care about, and I was a special education teacher for 12 years before deciding to stay home. I am 30 weeks pregnant, and looking forward to postpartum fashion…although also struggling to find options. What would you suggest? I was thinking lots of layering options (to breastfeed) and leggings. Mostly tees and cardigans.
Yes, I think you’re on the right track with leggings and cardigans and tees. I lived in these high waisted leggings post partum (still do actually) and this wrap is a great option if you’re planning on nursing… easy access! Some really great oversized, cute, and easy access tees include this button-up thermal (great for nursing) and v-neck (great for layering under cardigan!). If you’re looking for a great nursing bra, I loved this one!
4. I have a few winter weddings to attend and I’m not sure what to wear. Any ideas would be helpful. Preferably in the $150-$200 price range.
I am loving velvet for winter… this burgundy dress is gorgeous, as is this navy one. I love this forest green lace option, and this lace burgundy dress is beautiful.
5. Where do you typically buy your bows/headbands for Harper? I’d love to get a few for my niece for Christmas! Thanks so much.
Most of the headbands and bows come from A Little Lady Shop. She makes the cutest bows!
6. I promise this is not a judgmental question, I’m actually inquiring because I’m working on getting healthier, but I love me some wine…. do you only drink on the weekends??
Hahaha! I get asked this question all the time, no offense taken! Yes though, I’d say 90% of the time I only drink on the weekends. I’ll have a glass or two of wine during the week if it’s for a special occassion though (lots of those during the holidays….). I wake up so early in the morning, and sometimes even a glass makes it a little difficult… I’ve found that’s what works best for my body!
7. I love the rug I always see in your instastories. Where is it from???
Thank you! It’s from Anthropologie.
8. I bought this cardigan in the red color and was wondering if you had any suggestions for ways to wear it for the holidays. We’re casual, and I am typically running after my son.
Love this cardigan, one of my favorites. I think it would look super cute with these velvet leggings (such a great texture for the holidays), studded booties (they are my recent obsession), and a black blouse. I always love layering some dainty gold pieces… this crescent necklace, bracelet (layered with these + these) would add the perfect touch.
9. I’ve been following you for quite sometimes and I am inspired by your commitment to take care of yourself. How do you make/find time? I have a 1 year old son and we don’t have any family in the area. I find it isolating. Any tips would be appreciated!
Thank you so much! I wake up at 5:30am every morning, and get my workout in before everyone wakes up. It’s definitely early, but if I don’t do it early in the morning I won’t get it done. I also use a lot of at home workout gear to get in my strength workouts (you can see my suggestions for a gym here… and I’ve recently added a heavier kettlebell). Tone It Up has great workouts you can do at home, as long as you have the equipment I listed in the post above. I also have a jogging stroller, so if I don’t get my cardio in, I can take Harper along (pending she’ll actually sit long enough) for a quick run.
10. Do you ever use the tapered barrel with your t3 wand? I’m trying to decide if I want to get the trio or not…..
I used it a few times, but found that it made my hair a little too spiraly (I don’t even know if that’s a word…). I do use the other two regularly though.
11. I got both the boots you recommended from Black Friday (the OTK boots, and navy blue booties). Such good recs, I love them! What dresses do you wear with the OTK boots? Every dress I have either goes too far above them (no need to look like a hooker) or too long (where did my legs go??). I’m 5’3″ so any recommendations would be helpful.
So glad you love them! For the OTK boots, my favorite dress to wear with them is this super comfortable long sleeve option (such a great price point… $17, and lots of color options). I also love this ruffle sleeve option.
12. I’m in a major struggle of getting my toddler twins to eat. I’d love some suggestions as to what you feed Harper!
Toddler eating struggles are real. Harper will love something one day (i.e. avocado) and the next not touch it…. That being said, I give her organic chicken nuggets (I discovered this brand and really like them), veggie burgers, quesadillas, peanut butter sandwiches, grilled cheese, lots of fruit (she loves fruit), eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, granola, peas carrots, asparagus (hit or miss here), salmon, shrimp, brown rice, lentils, turkey bacon, and cottage cheese. I am sure I am missing some things, but those are the main food items. Sometimes she eats everything, sometimes she doesn’t!
13. What are your travel tips for flying with a toddler? My husband and I are getting ready to take our 16 month old on a 3 hour flight and we’ll need all the advice we can get.
I feel you on this one! I for sure recommend bringing “novel” toys and books… a lot of people recommended window stickers…. lots and lots of snacks (this is one of our go-to’s), a baby carrier for the airport (this is a lifesaver…. navigating the security and check-in line with a toddler who just wants to run is nuts. The carrier makes it so manageable). Crayons/coloring book…. oh, and don’t forget your iPad. Honestly, I brought all of the above. Window stickers kept her occupied for 10 minutes. Coloring 15 minutes. New book 15 minutes. So, after 40 minutes we still have 4 hours left. The snacks and the iPad (she watched Goldie + Bear) kept her occupied, and she ended up falling asleep for about an hour.
14. What do you do when you crave carbs badly and you’re all out of calories for the day??
That would suck! I actually don’t follow a strict calorie regime (read: I don’t overeat, and know around how many I consume a day…. but there is flexibility in that always), so I always give myself something small at the end of the night…. some perfect bar, a small bowl of popcorn…. and I always have a bedtime tea, which I think actually helps to curb cravings.
15. Do you sell any of your gifted clothing items?
I actually don’t accept a lot of gifted items to feature on the blog… and when I do, it’s items I love and would wear regularly (and designate with a c/o). With that being said, since I love the items, I don’t sell them! I also have a sister, so when I clean out my closet, she goes through everything first and then I donate anything to a local thrift store.
16. Do you eat 3 meals a day or several small meals throughout the day?
I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner… and typically two snacks in between. I also always have a little something for dessert. No need to deprive myself, anything in moderation!
17. Any tried and true skin care favorites?
I am a huge fan of TULA. My favorites are the exfoliating mask, illuminating serum, and the moisturizer (oh, and the eye cream). I also love OSEA malibu. Their body scrub + facial oil is so moisturizing especially during these dry winter temps.
18. What does TJ do for work?
He’s in software sales.
19. What is your overall diet/exercise regimen? For example, do you try to eat minimally processed? And do you feel like you stick to it 90% of the time? As far as exercise goes, do you go for 5 times a week? And how do you pull it off with a toddler?
My overall “diet” is to just eat clean, with proper portion control. I focus more on the ingredients in a product than I do the nutritional facts (not discounting their importance… just, if you eat something that has zero fat, but it’s loaded with ingredients you can’t pronounce… how “good” or “healthy” is that really?). I prefer my meat to be organic + grass fed… but, you know what, I can’t always find a restaurant that serves that and it’s ok. I’m not SO obsessed that I can’t enjoy life… I’ve always been a firm believer in balance and that’s part of it. As far as exercise goes, I try to do something daily. Some days are more intense than others, but I typically do active recovery days where I go on a 20 minute walk with Harper in the morning. During the week I wake up at 5:30am and get my workout in first thing (before Harper wakes up). On the weekends, TJ and I work out together, sometimes heading to a spin class as our weekly date.
20. I don’t have a Trader Joe’s BUT I do have a Sprouts + Whole Foods. Can you post about your must haves from there please?
The items I’m going to list can be found at both stores:
Perfect Bars
Hilary Eats Well Veggie Burgers
Purely Elizabeth Granola
Healthade Kombucha
Primal Kitchen Salad Dressing
Vital Farms Eggs
Siggi’s Yogurt (Harper loves)
Butter Lettuce Cups
Brat Hans sausages (I think only Whole Foods)
Wild Friends and/or Justin’s Almond Butter/Peanut Butter
Boom Chick Popcorn
Appelgate Organics Bacon/Breakfast Sausage
EVAN’s Paleo English Muffins
Mi Rancho Organic Corn Tortillas (street taco size)
Explore Lentil Pasta
