Trending Favorites With Brass Button Clothing

There are a few trends out there that I don't think I'll ever love.

However, there's a few that I can't get enough of!

Currently, I'm obsessed with all things denim, anything striped, patterned tights, and of course fur vests!

Oaklyn and I have several articles of clothing with each of these trends... but so far Brass Button wins my vote on best striped shirt and denim dress.

First, let's talk about this dress!

It's amazing.

That's really all I need to say but I feel compelled to say a bit more.

It's so comfy! Which is huge for me!

It's also nursing/pumping friendly which is another huge thing for me.

Though I'm not still pumping, I often look at articles of clothing and feel more compelled to get something that would make pumping easier ha.

It paired so perfectly with these polka dot tights and I'm already dreaming up other tights I can pair it with during these colder months.

Once it gets warmer, I'll roll the sleeves up a bit more an style it with some cute summer flats and vibrant jewelry!

I love denim shirts, but this is the first dress I've owned. 

I love everything about it!

I also love that Brass Button styled it as a cardigan look. 

Next, let's talk about this amazing striped shirt!

It is again, SO comfy! I'm obsessed!

I've worn it a few ways but so far my favorite is with my hunter green pants, a fur vest, and booties.

Fur vests look so cute with stripes and I loved it with the length and touch of flowiness (so not a word but oh well) this shirt offers.

I think it would also look amazing with a deep burgundy lipstick in the fall and winter, and a cute pink or purple during the spring and summer.

I have thought of several ways in my head to dress it up for a date night as well.

It really is so versatile!

Make sure to check out Brass Button to get my two favorite picks as well as your favorite picks!

What do you love from this cute online boutique?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Denim Dress | Striped Shirt | Booties | Fur Vest (similar) | Necklace | Watch | Tights (similar) | Jeans (Similar)

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Tasty Tuesday: Black Bean Burgers

Guys, these burgers... were incredible.

I'm a big meat fan. So is Hunter.

But, we both really enjoyed these meatless burgers!

They were the right amount of salty and spicy and surprisingly really filling!

Not only did they taste good... but they were beyond cheap!

I made 10 burgers for about $5. 

They freeze super well, so I now have something ready for dinner any day I don't feel like cooking!

I read somewhere that skipping out on meat at least once a week is a good idea for your health.

So, I'm going to be trying that from now on!

Here's the recipe for this healthy and delicious dinner!

Ingredients:

-2 cans back beans rinsed (semi dried)

-1 can whole corn rinsed (semi dried)

-1/4 cup diced onion

-3/4 cup diced red bell pepper

-1 small can green chilies

-1 clove chopped garlic
-1 cup Panko or regular bread crumbs

-Whole wheat buns
-1 egg

-salt and pepper to taste

- 1/2 tsp. Paprika

-1 tsp. Cajun seasoning (optional)

-A bit of pickled jalepeno juice (totally optional, but I loved the spice it added!)

-

Directions:
1) Heat some olive oil on a skillet. Once it's hot add your bell pepper and onion with a few shakes of salt. Saute until slightly tender. When just about done add your garlic as well.
2) Rinse your beans in a strainer then pat dry with a paper towel. The more moisture you get out, the better. Do the same to your canned corn. Add to medium bowl.
3) Add green chilies, egg, seasonings (I also added a little seasoning salt and garlic salt), and sauteed mixture to the bowl.
4) Mix it up. I used my kitchenaid and it worked great. You could probably also use a food processor, blender, beaters, or even a fork. I mixed until all ingredients were well combined.
5) Add your bread crumbs and mix on a low speed until combined. The consistency should be a very thick paste. Not runny. If it seems runny, just add more panko or bread crumbs. This is also when I added the jalepeno juice.
6) Spray your hands with non stick spray and pat mixture into patties. Put onto wax paper.
7) Freeze for at least an hour. I did about two and it was great. (you could probably skip this step but they stay together much better when cooking if chilled/frozen)
8) Heat a skillet with non stick spray and cook about 5 minutes on each side or until middle is hot and both sides are browned and crispy.
9) Serve on whole wheat buns with all the toppings your want!
10) Freeze remaining patties on wax paper and take directly out for an easy, already made, dinner!

There Ya have it!
I loved this dinner and was surprised that Hunter did too!
The second day we had them they had been frozen longer and were quite a bit easier to cook and held together quite a bit better.
The second day we also made a little homemade chipotle mayo!
Next time, I think I'll add some pepper jack cheese!
Yum!!

What are your favorite meatless recipes?
Let me know in the comments!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

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The Eleventh Month

I'm currently sitting here in denial. 

I've been tearing up off and on all day.

 And more than usual, I've been watching old videos of my tiny girl.

I just can't believe how fast this time is going.

One month from today, we will celebrating Oaklyn Joy's first birthday.

How could that be possible?

This time last year I was a crazy pregnant woman trying to get everything ready for my little girl.

I was excited, nervous, and to be honest... clueless.

No one can tell you what to expect with your first baby.

You can prepare all you want, but just living the day to day is the only way you will figure things out.

But, to any mama's reading this expecting their first little one, just be ready to see your heart grow ten times bigger than you knew it could

You will think your heart exploded the first time your baby smiles at you and you'll feel a sense of pride that had never existed before.

Each new phase is so exciting and each day they are learning something new and different. 

It goes by fast, so try not to miss a thing.

I can't believe my Oaksie girl is almost done with her first year of life.

I have been planning her birthday party like crazy and I'm in denial that she isn't my tiny baby anymore.

She's learning and growing like crazy. Here's what this month has brought:

+ She has 4 teeth that have come through and 2 more trying to cut through! That explains why she's been extra fussy lately...

+ She never stops moving. The girl is constantly on the move and touching everything. She's such a curious little thing.

+ We call her destructo because she destroys everything she can ha! He recent favorite game is destroying all the towers dada builds with blocks and laughing about it!

+ She thinks tooting and burping is hilarious when she does it! She laughs as we say "stinky" and tries to do the hand motion with it. It's adorable!

+ She seriously gets heavier by the day! I'm not totally sure how much she's weighing right now but it's enough to make Hunter and I both tired.

+ She still loved being wrapped on mama in the Solly baby and I still love having her in it! Forced snuggles.

+ She has separation anxiety like you wouldn't believe... I'm trying so hard to love that she loves me so much, but I seriously can't even take five steps away from her without a full on meltdown...

+I'm pretty sure she could totally walk right now if she wanted to. She practically runs while holding on to things but the second the couch ends she gets down to crawl.

+She has started standing by herself a little bit but doesn't love it. Scaredy cat ;)

+She thinks practically anything her dada does is hilarious. I really love watching them play together. It warms my heart!

+She's a big fan of bath time and doesn't cry every single time water gets in her eyes any more!

+Everything goes straight to the mouth. Always.

+She chooses when she wants to be a good eater. Her favorite foods currently are shredded cheese, blueberries, peas, oatmeal, and oranges.

+ She has the funniest poop face ever haha.

+ She's not the best at sharing and also has started hitting and pinching. We've recently started trying to introduce discipline and teaching her what "no" means. I think she gets the concept of "no", but definitely doesn't always listen... obviously

+ Her favorite shows are daniel tiger and little baby bum... strange.

+She's obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED with books! She loves to turn the pages and could stare at them for so long. A huge thank you to grammy for giving her the singing book! She loves the thing.

+ She really isn't much different than a puppy, other than the fact that she can say a few words. But really, she eats our shoes, loves trash, and occasionally eats right out of my hands.

+ She also growls at me when I don't share my food... She now gets her own samples at Costco. People always look at me funny when I grab an entire sample for my baby... but she definitely holds her own!

+ She tugs and pulls on my hair and gets pretty angry when it doesn't come off my head. Along with me and Hunter's eyes, noses, and teeth.

+She has this thing with tongues currently. She pretty much thinks they're hilarious and love grabbing dada's. Ha!

+ She loves waving "bye bye" whenever we leave.. she even waves to the car when we walk away ha.

+ She also is loving playing hide and seek and when we chase her. She screams in excitement and it's seriously so fun!

+ She cries a ton but can also be the happiest and sweetest

+ Her little personality comes out more and more each day and we are just loving every second as her parents.

As for this mama, I have learned so much these past 11 months.

I've learned not to sweat the little things, and to always be there for the big things.

I've learned to remember to take it day by day and to cherish every new phase.

I've learned that I really can do anything and that between my motherly instinct and prayer, I'll always find a way to help my girl.

More than anything, I've learned how to give love when I really don't think there's anything left.

My PPD really isn't there anymore, but I'll occasionally feel bits of anxiety creep up. 

I don't handle stress the way I used to, but that's okay.

It's almost my one yeariversay on becoming a mom, and I really just can't believe it.

The second best decision I've ever made, is the decision to become a mommy :)

(the first was marrying Hunter)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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My Little Girl is Rad

The other day I looked at Oaklyn and couldn't believe how big she has gotten.

She's almost one year old and it's beyond me how quickly the time has passed. 

We decided to head up to our club house and look around the space to see what we had to work with for her first birthday party next month!

The planning is in full swing over here and I am beyond excited about it!

Oaklyn was having a blast in such a big, open space and crawled all over exploring every inch.

I just kept watching her and laughing at how curious she is.

She's all the entertainment I need ;)

It hit me pretty hard when she stood up all by herself, that she's just going to keep growing up, and there really, is no stopping her.

I talk often about how hard the newborn stage was for me, but with every passing day, I find myself missing it more and more.

She's not itty bitty anymore, and if the first year has gone by this fast, I can't even imagine how fast the next few years will go!

someone got a little excited about her bunny, haha!

andd the tongue thing..

As I was pondering all of these thoughts and snapping pictures, I observed every little part of her.

The way she waddles when she walks along side things.

The way her belly hangs when she sits up.

The way she sticks her tongue out when I tell her to smile, ha!

The way she laughs when I do something silly.

The way she smiles at me making me feel like I could do no wrong in her mind.

The way she fast crawls when she gets excited because something caught her eye.

And, how absolutely beautiful she is.

curious little thing found something that caught her eye!

So yes, it is equally as sad as it is exciting that she is growing up.

But, watching her grow up is just as rad as her joggers.

I'm so thankful I get to be right here, always, to watch her and experience every new thing she does.

She keeps me on my toes and has me cracking up more often than not!

I love my little girl and her rad little personality.

and then it was nap time :)

I'm obsessed with this little outfit.

She looks like a little hip hop baby and I love it so much!

The most amazing joggers ever are from Rad Revolution and I think they are just the cutest thing!

I'm loving all the new prints and designs Mallory has in her shop and I just want them all in every size and color!

I love the way these joggers fit and the quality.

They are so soft and seem so comfortable yet stylish at the same time.

I'm a huge fan of this brand and can't wait to get more of it!

I especially want to try out one of these teething necklaces!

Thanks Rad Revolution for the cutest pants my little Oaks owns!
Use code: AJM for 15% off your purchase until the end of the month!

What's your favorite thing your little one does?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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It's Just a Phase | Little Lady's Lane

I feel like I constantly have to repeat the words my mom told me over and over when Oaklyn was tiny... "It's just a phase, next week it'll be something completely different."

If there's one thing I would tell a new mom, it would be this, and here's why...

As moms, we just worry.

About the little things, the big things, and everything in between.

Your baby suddenly learned how to scream and does it in the quietest places.

Your toddler can't say any words when everyone else her age can.

Your child will not give up the pacifier no matter what you try. 

Your 5 year old should be reading right now, why is he struggling?

Your 6 month old spits out solids no matter what flavor. The kid is gonna live off bottles.

Your youngest never naps and your oldest never wakes up...

And you're thinking it's all your fault.

The thing is, you're going to remember most of it, but a lot of it, you're going to forget.

Why?

Because, it's just a phase, and it really is not all your fault.

Children grow fast, a little too fast, and suddenly the thing you were worried about most, is close to forgotten.

Obviously we need to try our best and continually try a little harder to be a little better, but I firmly believe that everyone comes to earth with our own personalities making some children just a little harder... or maybe "spirited" is a better word, so there will be several phases you will come across.

Hunter has already forgotten that Oaklyn woke up around 7 times every night when she was 4 months old after thinking we had just gotten the hang of this whole sleeping thing.

He forgot that Oaklyn used to never take naps.

He also forgot how terrible it was when we decided to give sleep training a try.

That's because those phases lasted such a sort amount of time and Oaklyn has completely new phases already.

So mama, you should probably be concerned if your child is doing something seriously wrong and they are fully aware of it... but don't sweat these little things.

Oaks is going through a separation anxiety phase right now, but I'll be begging for her to want me this much when she turns 16.

She's also going through a throwing and hitting phase... but I have confidence that I can teach her it is  wrong and we will move on to the next phase...

So, here's me telling all of you that think you are completely failing, that you are not.

Keep trying and keep moving forward.

Because more than likely, it's just a phase.

a current phase... she just figured out how to make this face and does it all the time, ha!

We have been loving 9am church so far.

I don't love the shorter amount of time I have to get ready, but I

refuse to wake up earlier!

Oaklyn makes it through all 3 hours because she no longer has to nap right in the middle of church, score!

I'm loving getting her dressed up in all the cute girly things for church.

I'm especially loving her twirly dress and my matching pencil skirt from Little Lady's Lane. 

They are so comfortable and great quality!

I think I've made it pretty clear that I'm obsessed with matching my little girl, and I could not be happier about this cute combo!

Check out Little Lady's Lane to get the cutest mama and baby matching outfits and use code: MOORE15 for 15% off your purchase!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Home for Good

I blinked and it's been two whole years since Hunter came home from serving his LDS mission.

I can't believe how little I think about that time now.

It consumed so much of my time and life for what felt like forever, now it's just a memory of the past.

Time is funny like that, something that can be so important one day, is so not the next...

Kinda like wedding planning ha.

Oh, how I wish I could re-plan my wedding!

Anyhow, Hunter came home 2 years ago as of the 2nd.

I remember being more nervous and excited than I ever had been. 

It was a crazy feeling, one I'll never forget.

Those two years were hard, but I'll forever tell everyone that they were beyond worth it.

We needed that time apart to learn and grow on our own before we could grow together.

I'll always be thankful that Hunter dedicated two whole years of his life to serving the Lord.

I can't believe all that has happened since he came home.

We've gotten engaged, got married, had a baby, Hunter played a season of BYU football, I started my own business, Hunter got 2 new jobs, we've gone on a few trips together, we've learned more about each other than I thought there was to learn, we've had some amazing ups, and we've had our fair share of downs. 

This time every year, I love reflecting on that time we spent apart.

I kept a binder of every single letter and email I sent him.

I included the pictures he sent me and it's so fun to read them.

I had never felt as in love as I did the day Hunter came home.

Then we got married.

Then we had a baby.

And now we're here, just living our day to day lives.

But, we're living it together and life has never been better.

So would I say that waiting was worth it?

You betcha I would!

I haven't regretted that decision for one second.

"I'm so glad I waited for you."

Read more about Hunter coming home here, and see all the packages I sent him here!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

Welcome Home Elder Moore! from Aleigh Mellinger on Vimeo.

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Tasty Tuesday: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

It's been way too long since I've done a tasty Tuesday recipe!

Going on vacation + the holidays caused me to forget completely about it!

I'm back to posting recipes hopefully weekly, but if not... at least once a month ;)

My favorite dinner my mom made growing up was enchiladas.

Which is funny, because I never liked them anywhere else.

I loved that she uses green sauce and that the filling can be eaten alone.

I put my own spin on my mom's recipe and it is easily one of me and Hunter's favorite dinners!

I've made it for a few friends as well and they all love them!

So here's the recipe!

Ingredients:

5-6 cooked chicken tenders (chopped) or 3-4 breasts

Salt and pepper

6-7 tortillas

1 tin foil package enchilada seasoning 

28 oz can green enchilada sauce

1 4 oz can diced green chiles

1 can cream of chicken soup

3 cups shredded cheese

Nonstick spray

Directions:

Cook chicken in pan with salt and pepper. Chop it up and put in large mixing bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups shredded cheese, 1/2 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 package enchilada seasoning, and green chiles. Mix it all up. Fill tortillas with 2  spoonfuls of the mixture. Roll them up and place in 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Smother those enchiladas with green chile enchilada sauce (about 3/4 of can save the rest for next day leftovers) and add 1/2 cup cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes at 375. When there's about five minutes left, take off the foil and turn your oven to broil. Serve with Spanish rice and sour cream on top! Yummy! 

All my love, 

Aleigh Joy

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Colder Days

It was 27 degrees outside today.

That's really cold for me!

It's still a good 65 in San Diego.

The last day we were there, Hunter was cleaning out the car while Oaklyn and I sat on a blanket on the grass playing.

The skies were perfectly blue with a few scattered clouds.

The sun was shining and Hunter was in shorts and a t-shirt.

I sat there and thought, "What are we going to do when we go back to Utah?"

It was easy to stay inside most of our days while there because both our parents have yards so if we needed a bit outside we could just pop out for a few minutes and come back in when ready.

We also had tons of family around so it was fun to just sit around and visit.

But the biggest of all, their houses have a whole lot of natural light.

We live in a basement condo that I like to call "the dungeon" because it seriously has zero natural light.

There is one room that has a little, but the others are almost depressing, ha!

Also, if it's just me and Oaklyn inside all day, she totally drives me nuts.

We need to be outside of the house!

So what do we do on these cold days that we can't just play outside?

We go run errands of course!

I'm using the word "errands" very very loosely. 

We really don't have much to do every day other than grocery shop and get a few home items during the week.

So, we go anywhere and everywhere!

I love exploring new places with my girl.

If it wasn't fun, then we just don't go back.

However if it was fun, we get to go back with daddy!

A few of our favorite places we've been during our exploration dates are:

• Blickenstaff's at the Shops at Riverwoods
• Target (obviously)
• Costco (another obvious one. Samples. Duh)
• A drive up the Provo canyon and ending in walking around beautiful Sundance.
• Provo Beach Resort at the Shops at Riverwoods
• Provo Rec Center (or any rec center for that matter)
• Visiting family and friends
• Thanksgiving Point in Lehi
• The fun center at the mall
  The local library
• Walking through craft stores to discover new projects
• Looking at Model Homes

And this is just the beginning of the list!

I can't wait to see the other fun places we find during this freezing winter ;)

Oaklyn was wearing her adorable sweat suit from Cara Loren.

I'm obsessed with these joggers (that are on sale!) and the way they fit on her little legs.

Not to mention they even have the cutest little back pocket!

I also loved that it was comfortable, stylish, and kept her warm getting in and out of the car!

Check out Cara Loren's shop for more cute prints and colors!

All photos were taken during one of our days spent looking at all the fun toys and books at Blickenstaff's. 

Where are your favorite places to hang out on cold days?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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A Yearning For Home

This afternoon Hunter was out home teaching, and I was inside playing with my Oaklyn girl.

We were in the family room on the floor, toys scattered all around, and church music playing. There was an especially happy feeling in the room. A warm spirit I can't quite explain, but I knew we both felt. Oaklyn was hiding behind my leg playing peek-a-boo, a game she has recently learned. She got bored of that particular game and made her way up to my tummy, jumping up and down and giggling with every silly face I made. My phone was on a shelf and switched to a new song, she crawled over to reach for it leaving me observing her every move on the ground. I watched as her chunky legs and hips moved together to help her crawl over to the shelf. I then watched her chubby hands grab a hold of the shelf to pull the rest of her body up. She looked back at me to make sure I was still there. I smiled at her letting her know I wasn't going anywhere, and she smiled turning back to the shelf to continue on. I watched her and felt the tender love a mother feels for her child so intense. I grabbed her and brought her to my chest. She grabbed a blankie and we "snuggle snuggled" for 10 minutes with several giggles in between. I got thirsty and got up to get a drink of water. The second Oaklyn caught sight of me walking away, the tears and sobs came with her saying "ma-ma-ma-ma" betwwen sobs. I grabbed my water and quickly returned to her. I picked her up and almost instantaneously the crying stopped. 

Oaklyn is going through a separation anxiety phase right now. I'm basically never aloud to leave her sight, or even walk a few steps away. It easily gets annoying, and exhausting throughout the busy day, but it got me thinking and feeling something a little differently on this calm Sunday afternoon.

I'm thankful my daughter wants and needs me.

I'm thankful she thinks of me as the one that nurtures her.

I'm thankful that when I leave, she wants me to come back and be with her.

I'm thankful that when I come back, she's so excited to see me. No matter how long I was gone.

I'm thankful that she feels an attachment to me, that she knows I am her mother.

I'm thankful that I'm able to be home with her, all day long, and she notices when I'm not.

I'm thankful she feels comfortable in our home and in the presence of her parents. 

I'm thankful for the fun and loving spirit she adds to our home, and I'm thankful we all feel it.

I'm thankful she loves being in her parent's presence.

And, I'm thankful we will have these happy little memories forever.

I love my family.

I love them with a love I just didn't know existed until I got married and later had a baby.

It's interesting, that when you have a little family of your own, nothing else really matters.

I want my family to always know I feel that way.

That nothing else, really, matters to me but them.

I want them to want to be home and want to have me and Hunter around. Always. Maybe a little less intense than how Oaklyn feels right now, but the same idea ha.

Oklyn's clingy stage led me to reading this talk by Marvin J. Ashton. 

It reminded me, that the home is more important than many are observing it to be today.

I want my little Oaklyn, and the rest of our future kiddos, to enjoy being home and around their parents.

It is my goal, and will be in my best efforts, always, to make sure that our home is "an anchor, a port in the storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and where we can love."

Thank you for hitting the nail on the head Elder Ashton, and for providing me with an uplifting and inspiring Sunday Message.

How do you create your home to be a "Heaven on Earth" and a place that your kids yearn to be?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

"There is a certain kind of yearning for home we should never want to lose. Home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and where we can love. Home should be where life’s greatest lessons are taught and learned. Home and family can be the center of one’s earthly faith, where love and mutual responsibility are appropriately blended. Thinking of home with its pleasant and happy memories can make us stronger during our present and future days here upon the earth."

- Marvin J. Ashton

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