We have a sitter! Believe it or not Miss Gwen is coming up on 8 months, though I swear she was born just last week. Ugh, can she just stay little forever? And never grow teeth? Does it get any better then a toofless baby grin?!
I feel like it’s been a minute since we last casually chatted on the blog. I’ve mentioned it before but I use Instagram stories a lot to share slices of my day to day life as it’s a quick and easy way to pop in and say hello. The blog is still my ride or die, but writing a blog post takes a lot more time then snapping a pic and posting it to the ‘gram, know what I mean? That said, I’d love if you followed along over there to keep our connection going strong. What’s your handle? I’ll follow you too. :)
Before we get into this edition of “Currently” I though I’d catch you up on the kids – like I said, they are growing so fast!!! Cam is coming up on 2-1/2 and we’ve already enrolled him in pre-school (2 days/week for 2 hours/day) next fall. HOW ARE WE HERE?! I’m excited for him though. Cam is my little social butterfly and I know he’ll have so much fun.
We are anxiously awaiting spring like many of you – cabin fever is a real thing! I gave Cam a couple sheets of colored construction paper, a bowl of water, and paintbrush the other night to have at while I was making dinner and turned my back for one minute. This kid is a master mess maker. ;)
We gave him access to Lincoln’s Legos a month or two ago (which Lincoln was HORRIFIED about. Any tips for successfully sharing Legos between younger and older siblings without tears is welcomed!) and he’s actually done really well! Mostly just likes to assemble guys then laugh with them over secrets only they share. My Cam. ;)
Lincoln is in the middle of winter swimming lessons and has finally aced putting his entire head underwater! I’ve never had a prouder (more proud?) moment between watching him actually do it AND seeing how proud he was of himself. Man oh man! We told him that if he worked really hard at lessons we’d talk about taking a trip to Legoland…except we forgot to specify Kansas City’s Legoland vs California’s Disney World-esque Legoland which was featured in one of his Lego Magazines that he’d apparently been eyeing for months. Whoops.
He got to practice his skillz during a recent weekend getaway to Minneapolis with Ben. I immediately start singing Baby Shark in my head anytime I look at this picture.
This winter has been long with too many school cancellations to count, frigid temps, and cabin fever, but I also can’t believe March is already here, and warmer temps are on the way! I am so, so excited to resume walks, playing at the park, and emptying the mailbox without slipping on a 3″ thick layer of ice. Viva spring!
(Recent trip to the wonderfully warm and humid Botanical Center on a cold day. Not a framer, but…#proofofmom!)
Allllrighty! Here’s what else is going on in this month’s Currently!
Reading (and re-reading):Â Those Extra 5-10lbs. I shared this post from The Moment on Instagram a few weeks ago and people went NUTS over it. I want to frame it and put it on my wall. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1,000 times – YOLO, ladies!
Craving: Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies. Speaking of YOLO, I cannot stop making the Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies I shared last week! So soft. So squishy. So easy to eat in one bite. Lots of you have already tweaked the recipe to use what you’ve got on hand which I love.
Sharing: Free Ground Beef for Life. ButcherBox’s best promotion of the year is here! If you sign up for ButcherBox between now and March 31, you’ll automatically get 2 free pounds of ground beef in every shipment for life. It is undeniably the best tasting ground beef I’ve ever had and 2 free pounds in each shipment is SUCH a great value. Let me know if you have any questions about BB in the comments below. I’ve been using the service since last year and have been so, so pleased with it!
Loving:Â Athleta Natura Underwear. Not too much to say here except bought them…LOVED THEM…bought some more!
Wearing: Aqualuxe Swim Suit. SWIM SUIT SEASON IS ALMOST HERE. I don’t think I’ll ever get excited about being in a swim suit – I don’t like tight fitting clothing in the first place and they don’t get tighter then a swim suit – but I have little kids and this is my life for the next 18 years, at least. That said, I am so thankful to have finally found The Suit. Not too low cut, fun back detail, ruching, and wide, sturdy straps. Swimming pool – here I (reluctantly) come!
Playing: Freddie the Firefly. Since we spend a lot of time in the car I was wanting to change things up from Gwen’s point of view, so I got her this firefly toy and she loves it! Lots of textures to gnaw on, sounds to hear, flaps to lift, and little mirrors to see herself in. I also like that it’s big so it doesn’t get lost in her chair.
Reading: It’s 2050 and This is How We Stopped Climate Change. Super interesting article on how we could potentially eliminate global warming by 2050. One question I have is, if we eliminate cars in favor of mass transportation, how do families with small children in carseats get around? Either way, neat peek into how different life could look in 30 years.
Drinking: Tres Agaves Margarita Mix. Confession, I bought this margarita mix when I was 9 months pregnant. In my defense it was July and it’d been over 100 degrees for like 78 days in a row. Also, well, Mama needed a marg. #thirdsummerpregnancy Anyway, I didn’t end up cracking the bottle open until a month or so ago and oh my word, it is DELICIOUS!! The ingredients are water, organic agave, lime juice and vitamin C, plus it’s certified gluten-free. I pour 2oz each of the mix and tequila (Jose Cuervo) over ice then add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and sprinkling of coarse sea salt. Heaven, my friends. HEAVEN! I buy the mix at HyVee and I think Target sells it too.
Using: Invisibobble Hair Rings. These were an impulse purchase from a salon a couple months ago and I’ve actually really liked using them. I get a hair dent from regular ponytail holders if they are in my hair for, no joke, one minute. These make zero dents and have held my hair back really nicely – I even use them while working out/running. I don’t know if they’d be sturdy enough to keep a long ponytail in place, but I’ve had no issues with my newly cut short hair.
Loving: New Balance Sneakers. I bought these adorable sneakers during our last snow storm in a desperate attempt to will spring our way. Jury’s still out on whether the warmer weather is here to stay, but I can’t wait to wear these babies when it is! These sneakers are light weight and I love the leather-looking detail on the tongue. Perfect for everyday errands and activities, and walks to the park.
Reading: Where the Crawdads Sing. I’m trying to create a new habit of reading in the car while waiting in the school pick up line instead of wasting time on my phone. So far it’s working! I keep a few magazines in the passenger seat to flip through (otherwise they’ll sit and collect dust at home) and just ordered Where the Crawdads Sing. I’ve been seeing this book EVERYWHERE and cannot wait to dig in. Like, literally dig in – I ordered the actual book vs ebook in an attempt to keep my phone down. I know if I start reading it on my Kindle app inevitably a notification for another app will pop up and I’ll get sidetracked!
Pick a “Currently” category and fill me in!Â
Lisa 03.12.2019
Love your blog, have been reading for years and many of my family’s favorite recipes are yours. Also following you on IG, my account is lwhitney105.
Kelly 03.12.2019
Loved Where The Crawdads Sing , it’s a good one!
Just started at a gym a couple months ago and desperately need some yoga undies!! Will def. check Athleta out
Kris 03.12.2019
Hey there! I love your blog and LOVE your recipes! (They have saved me many times while cooking for GF and dairy-free.) You introduced me to Living in Yellow (another great blog) a few years ago, so I’m wondering if you know if any decent bloggers who have teenagers, especially girls? That’s the stage of life I’m in! Thanks!
Kasia 03.12.2019
My twins loooved Freddie the Firefly! This was the very first toy that interested them and they played with it for a long time!
BTW, there’s also Fifi the Firefly. :)
Amy 03.12.2019
Love your currently posts! Thanks for sharing. Also, I just finished Where the Crawdads Sing snd while it was a good book, it’s definitely not a page turner so took me a long time to read! It’s very descriptive so I’d youre into that you’ll enjoy it. Anyway, just giving you a heads up!
Becky 03.12.2019
Just read “Where the Crawdads Sing” on a quick weekend getaway with my hubby. Such a great read! It was gifted to me by a friend right before I left and I can’t wait to pass it along to others. Enjoy!
Jen 03.12.2019
With the Butcher Box subscription do you have to get monthly deliveries or can you spread them out? Can you choose what meat you receive? Is it only red meat? Thanks!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Great questions! You can choose once a month or every other month for deliveries, and you can choose between beef & pork, beef & chicken, all beef, a mixed box (which is what I get), or a custom box. :)
Kayla Athy 03.12.2019
I had similar questions…
Do you have to do it monthly or can you suspend it/schedule it whenever you want? If you suspend or don’t schedule monthly, would you lose the free ground beef for life?
Also, do you know about how much the meat costs per pound? I’m wondering if it’s comparably priced to costco/Hy Vee?
Kristin 03.12.2019
You can absolutely cancel any time you like – you are not locked into a contract or anything. You would lose the free ground beef for life if you canceled though. That said, they are always running different promotions for signing up – 2 free filet mignon in your first delivery, etc. The reason why this promo is so great though is because you get the free ground beef in EVERY delivery for the duration of your subscription. The box I get is a mixed meat box for $129 every 30 days. They break that down into 24 meals at $5.48/meal. Obviously that cost would be less if you are able to stretch the meat out more!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Also worth mentioning is that the meat is organic chicken, grass fed/finished beef, and heritage pork which is why it may more then HyVee for example!
Jen 03.13.2019
Thank you for the info. That is a great deal. It is hard to find grass fed/organic options where we live and we pay more than that per pound. For Laura’s Lean ground beef it is more for sure.
Jen 03.14.2019
I just ordered my first box. Thanks for sharing this offer.
Kristin 03.14.2019
My pleasure, Jen! I hope you love it!!
Amber 03.12.2019
I would love for you or anyone to follow me! Constantly trying to find healthy recipes to cook and trying out all the amazing restaurants in Austin, TX. @gimmealldafood
Kristin 03.12.2019
Followed, Amber!! :D
Leslie Jackson 03.12.2019
Where the Crawdads Sing is a great book. You will enjoy it once you find the time to read it. Having had 3 at 3 and under myself years ago, not sure when you will find the time to read. Good Luck, Happy Reading and Happy Spring! Love your Blog!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Literally only in the car ? Thanks Leslie!
Kristi 03.12.2019
I LOVE those invisibobbles too! I have medium length hair that is thick and curly–wore one of them to exercise last night and my hair actually stayed up the whole time! I’ve also got 2 little girls that love to do buns, so these have been working great for them too!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Yay! So glad to have another endorsement! My SIL follows the curly girl method and she uses them too. ;)
Morgan 03.12.2019
I, too, have been thinking of pulling the trigger on Butcher Box, and this free ground beef promo might be just the push we needed! I’ve had Where the Crawdads Sing on my reading list for a while now…some day I will get to it! Love seeing your little snippets of life on Insta. If you want to follow back I’m @morgankd :)
Kristin 03.12.2019
Followed! I see you know Lindsey Koch?! :)
Sara 03.12.2019
Love your insta-stories! @sara_sweetstyledsimplicity
I have been thinking about biting the bullet and doing Butcher Box…the ground beef promo may seal the deal!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Followed, Sara! :) It really is such a great deal. I adore their breakfast sausage too!
Steph 03.12.2019
Let us know what you think of the book! I’ve seen it everywhere lately as well. Just followed you in Instagram, I can’t believe I didn’t already?
Kristin 03.12.2019
Right?! Everyone I know seems to be reading it right now. It’s a Reese Witherspoon book club pick – think she’s the new Oprah in terms of book club popularity!
Lindsey 03.12.2019
I just bought the J. Crew/ New Balance shoes Living in Yellow recommended and I love them, but I kind of want the ones you got, too! My closet used to be full of cute heels and now I just want all the comfy sneaks #momlife Where is the sweater/ sweatshirt in the botanical gardens picture from? Love the length and texture.
Kristin 03.12.2019
Hahaha, yes, I can relate. ;) The shirt is from Loft! I love it! https://shopstyle.it/l/0Gj3
Liz 03.12.2019
I have been reading a ton on my Kindle lately and loving it! I have a 3 month old and like to read while I’m nursing her so I can zone out and pretend like my older 2 are not destroying the house, haha! Where the Crawdads Sing was awesome! Another couple of great ones I’ve read recently are Home Fire and Small Great Things!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Oh my gosh I can so relate. ? Thanks for the book recs!
Kate Bowermaster 03.12.2019
____k.fit____
I have followed your IGE blog for a long time now and have loved watching your life change, as mine changed in much the same way :)
Kristin 03.12.2019
Found ya! And followed! :)
Jennifer 03.12.2019
I just finished Where the Crawdads Sing and LOVED it! I spend a lot of time waiting in parking lots and always have a book to pass the time.
Kristin 03.12.2019
Yay! I can’t wait to start. Should be arriving today!
GREGORY HANKINS 03.12.2019
Where the Crawdads Sing was great. If you like it, try John Hart’s The Hush.
Kristin 03.12.2019
Thank you!
Stephanie 03.12.2019
I love your Instagram stories!! @steph_coulter if you want to follow my 3 month old, 2 dogs and cooking adventures :)
Kristin 03.12.2019
I do, I do! Just followed! :)
Emily 03.12.2019
@emmysbuys on instagram. New account I’m trying to get up and running sharing things I’m buying like on this blog post. It’s a mix of kids stuff, beauty, home, recipes, books.
Tara 03.12.2019
Love @emmysbuys !!!!! I am @taralc64 I am a long time follower and love your blog!!
Kristin 03.12.2019
Thank you Tara! Just followed back! :)
Kristin 03.12.2019
Fun!! Just followed, Emily! :)