Supplies needed:

1. Chalk (any kind will do)

2. Filbert 6 long handle paint brush

3. Blender

Check out this mini video showing the step by step process…

This Sweet Honey Roasted Pork Tenderloin is sure to be a winner this Father’s Day…while celebrating all of the men who have had a positive influence in your life.  Happy Father’s Day to all of the amazing father’s!

Ingredients:

One pork roast, 3-5 lbs.
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp. dried rosemary
a few sprigs fresh thyme (I used a few sprigs I dried, about 1/2 tsp.)
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Instructions:

Place pork roast in the slow cooker and top with the other ingredients.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-6, depending on the size of the roast.  (I put mine in frozen and it was done in 4 hours, but I left it for longer so it was more fall-apart tender*.)

Remove the cooked roast from the slow-cooker.  Cover and keep warm.  Pour the accumulated juices and vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Let it reduce by about half.  Slice the roast and pour the sauce over the top.

Serve it with one of my favorite refreshing summer salads…. Strawberry Cucumber Spinach salad…go here for the  recipe. 

1 patterned pillow here
2 face pillow here
3 balloon latterns here
4 miffy  lamp here
5 crib bumper here
6 chair here
7 common cloud types poster here
8 pop of orange pillow here
9 wooden layered toy here
10 stool here
11 grey rug  here

I recently purchased a couple new books for my boys (see video below of the books we have been reading) and have been enjoying them every night .

Currently my boys LOVE the book “The Way Back Home” by Oliver Jeffers. It’s a quirky little book about a boy and alien that get stuck on the moon at the together and their funny journey on how they help each other get home.

It is always good to have plenty of books around to encourage a child’s imagination but it can also add lots of color and personality in a little ones space.

Here are a few of my favorite images and tips of how to incorporate books into your child’s spaee!

1. Pick Books that will blend in with your room. I adore how the books in this image just blend in with the green walls.

2. Keep books on a shelf that is low enough that your child can access it.

3. Use special books to be displayed. I like collecting vintage books to add to my children’s space which gives it some old charm and are fun to look at!

What are your favorite books?

Sound familiar?

There are a lot of reasons why we are lucky to be women in our culture today…but an obsession with weight is not one of them. As a woman, it is nearly impossible not to absorb at least some of the popular (though incorrect) message that happiness is found in thinner thighs and flatter stomachs. Unfortunately, we experience some tragic and frightening consequences as a result. Research has shown that as high as 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies…and it’s probably because less than 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed by Americans in the media.

So what is a girl to do? It is easy to recognize the insanity of this Body Image Game….but to stop playing is much easier said than done. The following are five “rules” of this so-called Game. Taking an objective look at them reveals the fact that they are nothing more than myths, and that continuing to follow or believe them means a lifetime of playing a game that can’t be won.

Myth/Rule #1: Food is The Enemy
The first rule of the Body Image Game is that food is the enemy. This belief can and often does create a distorted relationship with food. Intended to fuel our bodies so that we can create lives of joy and fulfillment, food instead has become a scapegoat that keeps us from getting what we really want: the perfect body. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including eating disorders and the moralization of food (such as “I am being ‘good’ if I eat particular types of food, and ‘bad’ if I eat others.)

The truth is, food is your friend. Physiology proves eating food every 2-3 hours programs your metabolism to burn fat – not store it. And believe it or not, food (especially protein) is one of the primary components in building muscle, which is the actual machinery your body uses to burn fat.

Myth/Rule #2 : Happiness is Losing Ten Pounds
Another rule of the game has us subscribing to the philosophy that losing weight or emulating the standard of “the perfect body” is a necessary ingredient to happiness in life. I would like to counter that notion by sharing my own personal experience. Over the years, as I have periodically been successful at reaching my goal weight or level of fitness, I have observed something that might sound shocking: I am still the same person I was before I reached “the ideal.” That means that I still experienced conflict in my life, despite the perk of being able to fit comfortably in my jeans. What’s more, I was encumbered with the burden of staying fit, which seemed to distract me from some of the greater joys in life.

The truth? When we look to our bodies to give us assurance and validation, we are seeking something from them that they do not have the power to give. Happiness, the kind that is lasting and deep, comes from a place that is much less fleeting than a number on the scale.

Myth/Rule #3: If You Want To Be Thin, You Must Constantly Play the Game.
A few years ago, my son (an avid reader) had a school assignment in which he was asked to add up the amount of minutes he had spent reading in a given week. As we did the math, we calculated that he had read 23 hours in one week. Twenty-three hours! Minute by minute, what a lot of time that added up to be! I couldn’t help but draw a parallel to women’s obsession with their weight. If you were to add up, minute by minute, the time you spend looking in the mirror (or avoiding it), reflecting on what you have (or haven’t) eaten, and every other mental and physical activity pertaining to your weight and body, would you be astounded by the amount of time you devote to playing this game?

I believe that we are meant to use our time and energy for so much more than counting calories or fretting over the way we look. What if we could transfer the effort we put into playing this game into something that truly had the ability to bring us happiness? We might discover a small oasis of time we never knew we had. How much more meaningful it would be to invest that time on things that really matter in life.

Myth/Rule #4: If You Can’t Emulate the Standard, You’re Doing Something Wrong
One of the more tragic outcomes of playing this game is the self-resentment and disgust that can develop when our bodies don’t “measure up.” Study after study shows that when women fall into the trap of objectifying their bodies and seeking validation through pursuing the cultural ideal, self-esteem plummets. The game would have us believe that something is wrong with our self – we lack the discipline, initiative, and ability to achieve the body that is so easily and naturally attained by other women.

This is a toxic rule. It teaches us to turn against ourselves, and begins to theorize that there is something inherently wrong with who we are at the core. Question the rule, not yourself.

Myth/Rule #5: Other Women are Competition
You’ve felt this before, haven’t you? The compulsion to immediately size up the rest of the room, and rank yourself according to where your body fits in? Or the feelings of jealousy when someone close to you is losing weight, as if this somehow implies that the Weight-Loss Fairy will not visit you because she is currently employed elsewhere?

The Game seeks to create a division between us and other women, because comparison perpetuates our participation in the game. Women who are wise enough to drop out of the game experience the rare gift of not feeling threatened by other women around them.

Conclusion
In the Broadway Musical “Wicked” the main character, Elphaba, experiences a profound epiphany, and then sings:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same.
I’m through with playing by the
Rules of someone else’s game.

Ladies, I hope we recognize that the rules we are playing are the rules of someone else’s game…and it’s not a game that is meant to be won or make us happy. Life has the potential to be so much more. It’s time for a new view on our bodies…and about what really has the ability to give us the happiness we are seeking. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game. How about you?

For more insights on living a happy life and cultivating a healthy body image, visit TheHappyGal.com.

Perfect Pool-side curls styled by the darling Megan from The Beauty Snoop,  for the “HOW TO” details please go here….

Swimsuit, fitness wear, and accessories styled by Tana Hallows from mom’s best.

All Photos taken by: Aubry from Beauty and Truth,

The new T.M.W.Y (Take Me With You) accessories collection from Serena and Lily is everything we expected and more. Featured here is their Pacific Tote, the perfect swim/beach bag with roomy pockets and easy to clean nylon fabric.  As well as the lovely Pareos which can be worn as a sarong, sundress, or scarf then used as an impromptu beach blanket.  This is our favorite!   Also featured above is the new “French Ring Perfect Clutch”  for those quick on-the-go must have items.  It’s super easy to wipe clean, they thought of everything!

Good workout clothing that is stylish as well as flattering is very hard to find…so when Albion Fit sent us the White Love Racer Tank and Capri Yoga pants we died and went to  heaven!  Of course Aubry from Beauty and Truth wears it very well!

Most of the time pulling your hair back in a ponytail or quick top knot can be the workout hair style of choice.. but why not try this simple bubble pony styled by Megan from The Beauty Snoop…for the HOW TO details of this hair style please go here….

Make sure you Enter below to win an awesome swimsuit from Albion fit!

TO ENTER:  GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED Congrats to the 2 winners… Aimoku Higu and Kimberly Rampersad!   We never heard back from our second winner so we picked another one….Congrats to AMY PUGMIRE!!!

1. Please complete each of the details below to increase your chances for winning one of the Albion Fit Swimsuits!  Excited to pick 2 Lucky Winners!  Make sure you leave your comments below!

2. For more ways to win Visit Beauty & Truth and The Beauty Snoop
*Open to US residents only
**Giveaway ends Tuesday June 11th, Winners announced Wednesday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOW TO:  Perfect Pool-Side Curls
The curl look was created by wrapping large sections of hair around a 2-inch curling wand. Place the wand in vertically (pointing towards the floor) near the root, then wrap the hair down the barrel and allow the strand to twist as you go. Once the section is heated through, release the curl and let it cool completely before gently loosening the curls with your fingers.

Photos taken by Aubry from Beauty and Truth   Outfit details go here…

HOW TO: Fun Work out Hair featuring  THE BUBBLE PONY

The bubble pony is created by gathering your hair into a high pony at the crown using a tradition hair tie. Next, place a second small plastic elastic a few inches lower on the pony, then use your fingers to bubble that section by tugging on the hair outward between the two elastics. Repeat with additional elastics to get the finished look.

Featuring Aubry from Beauty and Truth  Outfit details go here…

What is body image? simply put it is the subjective view of our own personal appearance, established by our self-observation, and the reaction of others.  Our view whether good or bad can have a great affect on our mental well-being, which in turn will ultimately affect our children and how they view themselves.  Naturally they learn from our example…having a healthy body image is important not only for us but for them as well.

Even though I have a love for products, style, and fashion, I want to make sure that my children realize that dressing stylishly is not the most important thing….the most important thing is having a confidence in who they are as a person, it’s what’s on the INSIDE that counts and matters most. At the end of the day if they are not happy with who they are as a person (essentially their own body image), it could lead to a myriad of other problems. I especially want them to realize that the perfect dress, shoes, or latest thing, is not going to give them that fulfillment and happiness they seek.   I love this quote by Alicia Keys, designed for us by our favorite Melanie Burk from Fifth and Hazel. 

Having a healthy body image can be key not only to our personal well being but to our families well being.  Have you heard the saying, “If mama’s not happy then nobody’s happy” how true it is.  As mothers and women we have the power to not only set the tone in our homes, but to help foster a positive or negative body image simply by our attitude and example.

So again ask yourself do I have a healthy body image? am I comfortable in my own skin? If not, it may be time for a body image make over…?

Here are a few thoughts….

1. Get rid of unrealistic expectations ..whether we are thin, fat, short, or tall if we place unrealistic expectations on our selves…it makes it harder to ever feel good about who we are.  Pushing yourself to be a specific size that is not realistic for your body type is not healthy for a positive body image.  Finding out what is healthy for your body shape is important so that your health and fitness goals can be realistic.   Several years ago after my fourth baby, I was probably the most discouraged I could ever be as that last 15 pounds of baby weight was just not going anywhere. I then went through a weight loss journey over the next several months that fortunately allowed me to lose that last 15 lbs plus 15 more for a total loss of about 30 lbs. I literally worked my butt off and I felt amazing, but soon found myself obsessing over my new found size,  I started to stress over whether I gained a pound or two.  I soon realized that my obsessing was not mentally or physically healthy for me…so instead of obsessing I tried to focus on being consistent with the things that I had learned that helped me get fit in the first place…by exercising regularly, eating healthy and using moderation in all things especially when it comes to enjoying a treat!  Maintaining this new attitude is the reason my 5th and last pregnancy went so well.  I was able to gain a healthy 30 pounds, and then shed them within a few months after delivery.  The first time ever in my history of 5 babies!  Consistent exercise for me was really key, it has helped me to continue to maintain where I want to be.  It keeps me balanced both mentally and physically so that I can manage the stresses of life that come from raising 5 kids and building a business.

 Remember to be kind to yourself and keep your expectations real…this will make a difference in maintaining a positive body image.  Don’t forget you are amazing!

2. Avoid the comparison trap….”Find You be You…be happy with that!”  We focused a whole series on comparing ourselves with others and ways you can avoid it..(for details go here).  It’s not a healthy practice for anyone to adopt…what we see other’s featuring or doing is not always a correct representation of their real life…everyone has trials, sometimes family issues, etc. You never really know what people could be battling! As well your body type could be very different than your friend suzy down the street which is totally unfair to even try to compare yourself or want to be alike as we come in all shapes and sizes.

3. Maintain Positive thoughts….” As a man thinketh in his heart so is he!”  this is so true, and some of the greatest words we could live by!  We are the maker and molder of our destiny and who we can  become! I am a firm believer on how our thoughts and attitude can create our successes in life!  Positive self talk can help us maintain a positive body image.   Replacing a negative thought with a positive one will make the difference.  I will forever be a broken record on this subject of thoughts are things…as I have seen the power of it in my own life. For more details and my thoughts on this subject go here… 

It really is a day by day…step by step process,  but I  hope to continue to foster a positive example and environment for myself and for my children…to help them to continue to develop and maintain a positive body image.

Let us know what you think? by liking or commenting on this post…we would love to hear your thoughts on this subject

I wanted to bring you some of the best there is when it comes to blankets.  It’s amazing how styling the right one can really enhance your space!  With so many great online stores and etsy shops it is some times impossible to narrow down the choices!  These are all beautiful and unique.

There are so many ways you can welcome them into your home and make them your own. One can never have enough blankets or throws – whether they are to drape over a chair or snuggle under, the uses are endless. Go ahead and add that great finishing touch to your child’s space!

Here are some of my favorite color palettes, patterns and unique stores to buy from right now!

RED ASTRID // ROXY MARJ // FINE LITTLE DAY // NOE AND ZOE // LITTLE RED STUGA
FERM LIVING // LACASADECOTO // UIMI // COLETTE BREAM