5 Tips For A First-Time Car Buyer

This post is sponsored by Cars.com. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone. #ad #CarsCom

We bought our first car just over a year and a half ago. It was something I knew was coming later on in the future, but definitely didn't expect to do right then and there. We were driving a car that belonged to Hunter's dad when we first got married. It did what we needed it to and he was happy to let us use it while Hunter was in school. Then, the unexpected happened and he passed away really unexpectedly. As a result, that car was no longer ours. Suddenly we were thrown into purchasing a new car for the first time and saying we were lost, nervous, and confused would be an understatement! So, here's some advice we have to someone purchasing a car for the first time. 

1) Set a Budget! This was key for us. We knew we wanted to stay at or around a certain budget and that helped us stay firm when talking to pushy car salesmen. I can't tell you how many times we walked away from a dealership just because they were trying to get us to go above our budget. We sat down and considered gas, maintenance, insurance, and the car payment and found were able to figure out what we could actually afford. 

2) Do Your Research! After setting a budget, it was time to actually look for a car! Neither of us really knew much about cars and to be honest, we had no clue what we were looking for in a car. Looking on Cars.com is a really great resource for first-time car buyers. It is one of the largest digital automotive platforms with tons of trusted information about all sorts of cars. You are able to research and then find a car that will fit you and your family best!

3) Phone a Friend! We kept trying to do it all on our own until we finally realized it might be best to ask what others thought. I talked to my dad and my husband talked to his brother and we felt a whole lot better after talking to them. They were able to offer insight we didn't think of and let us know what the car buying process is like before we went through it. Talking to someone we respect and love really helped us feel comfortable.

4) Ask a Million Questions! When it comes to this big of a decision, don't be afraid to ask all sorts of questions. There were a few car salesmen that I knew weren't going to give me straight answers and that made it very clear to me that I didn't want to buy a car from them. When I went to Hyundai and put my research to the test, I loved that they gave me clear answers and were very helpful. 

5) Test Drive the Car! So you like the car from the outside, but how do you like actually driving it?? I really liked our car at first glance. We looked at the inside, the outside, and I really honestly liked it. However, it wasn't until Hunter and I both drove it that we realized we really wanted it. It felt smooth, we liked how Oaklyn fit in the back seat, we liked that we were higher up, and it had a clean interior. Looking back, I wish I would've driven that car how I actually do now instead of being extra careful while test driving it ;) But seriously, drive it how you really will be driving it to see if you really like how it feels! 

Alright, those are my top 5 tips for being a first-time car buyer! What are your best tips?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Why I Always Keep My Freezer Stocked

This post was sponsored by Tai Pei as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I absolutely love cooking up a big meal and I always have.

For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed making up my own recipes and trying out new ingredients in the kitchen.

However, there are two instances where cooking just isn't in the cards for me.

Usually when it's hot outside, aka all summer, I really struggle cooking. 

Does anyone like standing in a hot kitchen in the dead of summer?

Didn't think so...

The other times are when I have something important going on that I need to take care of.

You never know when something will come up and cooking is just the last thing you have time for.

Sometimes it's a family emergency, a crying baby, sickness, helping a friend, the list goes on and on!

During those moments, I love being able to reach in the freezer and grab a convenient and great tasting meal.

Many of you know, we had one of those moments where something was just far more important this week.

My sweet Oaklyn had to get eye surgery and I knew I wanted to be able to spend as much undistracted time with her as possible before and after.

The day before her surgery I figured I would give her a fun summer day since after surgery she wouldn't be able to do many of her favorite activities.

I wanted so badly to get out the door quickly and have her spend as much time at the splash pad as possible but the thought of preparing lunch was stressing me out.

I just wanted to be with her instead of slaving over a hot stove.

Thanks to Tai Pei, our freezer was stocked and I was able to spend much needed time with her instead of preparing and making my own lunch

One of my favorite meals to stay stocked up on are the all-new Tai Pei single serve line of Asian inspired frozen entrees.

These meals are made with real, quality ingredients. None of the bad stuff, just pure and delicious goodness.

Hunter recently had the General Tso's Spicy Chicken, and I had Beef and Broccoli.

We both absolutely loved them and Oaklyn decided to snag a few bites herself ;)

Those are just two of their great tasting entrees, but we can't wait to try all of them!

One thing Hunter kept saying is how much he loved the chicken in his.

We're both pretty picky about meat in frozen meals, and this one exceeded his expectations.

That's because all entrees are made with real, pure ingredients, and no preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Beef and Broccoli is one of my all time favorite Asian dishes and Tai Pei hit the nail on the head with this one.

I loved that each entree features infused rice for great flavor.

I love a good tasting rice!

The coolest part about these entrees was the new packaging that makes Tai Pei quick and simple to prepare in just minutes in the microwave.

Seriously all I did was remove the plastic seal, popped it in the microwave with the lid on, and ta-da! It was done!

Not sure where to find Tai Pei entrees?

It's easy! Just click here to use their store locator and find the closest store that carries it.

You can also click here for a coupon so you can save $1.00 on ONE (1) Tai Pei® Entrée (7.9 oz. or larger) or Appetizer.

I have been so thankful to have my freezer stocked as Oaklyn is recovering from surgery.

It is making my life so much easier during meal times because I get to give her the much needed attention she deserves.

When is a time you could really use Tai Pei entrees?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Things You Should Never Say To A Pregnant Lady

Oh pregnancy, it's the best of times and the worst of times haha.

The swelling, the heartburn, the clothes that don't fit... it's all worth it to grow and bring new life into the world, but man is it challenging at times.

Just about every day I look at Hunter and say something along the lines of how done I am with being pregnant.

My pregnancy with Oaklyn had its ups and downs but mainly was a breeze, this time has just been harder all around.

The funny thing is, pregnant women are already going through so many emotional and physical changes, yet people still have the nerve to say some really well... dumb things. To put it politely ;)

I've decided to compile a list of all these rather annoying remarks to maybe shed some light on the topic, because really, just think before you speak people! 

"You must be due any day now!"

Okay people, just don't bring up a due date you know nothing about unless you are asking when someone is due. And when they tell you, just say something kind like "oh how fun!" When a 7 month along pregnant lady is walking through the grocery store, the last thing they want to hear is that they look like they are going to pop at any minute. It's a long process and every single body grows differently. Just let the body do its thing. Commenting on weight during pregnancy is a danger zone at all times. 

Just wait... 

Okay, ANY form of just wait comment is actually the worst. Just because something may have been harder for you does not mean it will be for the pregnant lady and even if it will be, they surely don't want to hear about it! "Just wait til the baby comes, you'll never sleep!" "Just wait until you have two to chase around, then you'll know how hard it is!" Just wait until you are in your third trimester, it's so much worse!" "Just wait until you're in labor, you'll be wishing you never got pregnant!" You guys, I'm not kidding I've had all of these said to me and I just wanna pull my hair out. It's just not kind to talk to someone like they are naive in the first place, but let's not freak out other moms either. Just let them be them and you do you.

You must want a *insert opposite gender here* so bad!

We're having our second girl. And guess what?? We are SO excited! This second baby being a girl could not be better for us. With Hunter still in school for a few more months, it is such a blessing that we can just reuse everything we had from Oaklyn. Also, it is so much fun having girls and Hunter is actually happy with having two girls! When someone is pregnant with another one of the same gender, it is actually possible that they are happy about it. And if they aren't it's probably best not to bring it up unless they do first...

Don't let your hands do the talking...

Some people could care less that random strangers come up and touch their belly... but most find it really really odd. I know I do. "Oh, is she kicking??" Uhm no, and even if she was I don't know you... It's just best to move along and keep your hands in your pockets people.

Opinions on labor choices

Here's the deal, we have several different choices and options when it comes to labor nowadays. There is no "right" way and that is a-okay. If you bring up labor, just keep your opinions to yourself. Your natural birth may have gone really awesome, but some just aren't about that. Your epidural may have been heaven sent, but some women just don't want one. Either way is just fine.

Asking baby's name

Okay, while it's not a bad thing to ask if they have a name picked out, don't pry if they don't want to talk about it. And if they do feel okay offering the name, you may not like it... but don't show it or say it. Our daughter has a "different" name, but we absolutely love it. I hated telling people her name because the reactions were all over the place. If the only names you like are the ones you named your children, it's best just not to ask this question...

Okay, that about covers it for now haha.

I'm sure I can think of more, but we'll leave it at that ;)

Pregnancy hormones are no joke, so let's just not mess with them.

Since pregnancy is such a difficult time for a lot of women it's always a plus to feel comfortable in your clothes.

I have been living in dresses and looser fitting clothes in general and PinkBlush Maternity has been heaven sent!

If you're pregnant and searching for something comfortable to wear, there is an amazing selection of cute maternity clothes on their website. 

I'm obsessed with this black lace up maternity shift dress because it is sooo comfortable and trendy!

I also will be able to wear it after the baby comes and that is always a plus in my book.

You are bound to find something you love from PinkBlush!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

*Thank you to PinkBlush Maternity for sponsoring this post!

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Three Steps to an Awesome Date Night In

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyWayToVeg #CollectiveBias

Hunter and I live away from most of our family and both grandmas. We have lots of friends here, but asking a friend to watch your child can be hard. Especially if they have kids too! We never want to inconvenience anyone and when someone other than family is watching Oaks I get super paranoid. We really try to go on a date once a week because it is so important for us to get away and remember what life was like before becoming parents, but it can definitely be difficult to find a babysitter at a convenient time. We've been really lucky to have Hunter's sister close by to watch Oaks when she's available, but occasionally a date night in is what we do to give ourselves a special night, just the two of us. I know several people think of date night in as not a fun date, but it can be super fun! So, I'm including three tips in this post to make an awesome date night in.

Step 1) Plan out a great meal

Hunter and I are total foodies. We love a good date night meal and love to taste each other's meal. We are fans of bold flavors and meals that look good. Appearance is totally huge for us ;) With the holidays here, we are trying to implement healthier dishes into our meals. When planning a date night in recently, I came across MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bowls and loved all the different flavor options. While I'm a huge fan of making my own meals and testing out new recipes, I think date night should be fun and relaxing. Veggie bowls are a convenient and a delicious "as-is" meal solution. MorningStar Farms Veggie Bowls are not only for vegetarians—they are for everyone. My husband even loved them! Veggie Bowls are made with Chik’n Strips, Steak Strips and Veggie Sausage Crumbles™. The Chik’n Strips are 100% vegan chik’n strips, lightly seasoned, and have 23g of protein with just 150 calories. Steak Strips are 100% vegan steak strips, lightly seasoned, and also offer 23g of protein at 150 calories. While Veggie bowls are perfect for a date night in, they are also good for all ages, demographics, and lifestyles. They taste good, are good for you, and are good for the world. Choose whatever meal you and your significant other really love, but I highly recommend MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bowls! We tried Chik’n Tikka Masala and Japanese Soba Noodles and they both had a really yummy flavor.

Step 2) Give yourself time to get "date night ready"

Just because you and your love aren't going out on the town, doesn't mean you can't get all dressed up! Spend a little extra time on your hair and makeup and be in one of your best dresses when he gets home. Have a vase of flowers on the table with dinner already made and you have yourself the perfect date night. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get ready for your date because if there's one thing I've learned in marriage, it's that men don't like waiting ;) Have fun with the ambiance and light some candles, turn on some music, and maybe even dim the lights if you can. Giving yourself time to get all of this ready will ensure you both have a wonderful experience dating inside your own home. Also, give yourself time to be ready to give your fully devoted attention to your loved one. I didn't think this was hard to do until I started having deadlines for my blog, a child to think about, numerous house chores, and other errands that need to be run. Make sure you get everything you need to do done ahead of time so you can be fully involved on your date. 

Step 3) Have a fun activity planned

There are actually so any fun activities out there you can do within your own home. No wasting gas, no sitting at stop lights, no loud crowds or busy restaurants... just the two of you in your house. You could set up blankets and pillows on the ground in front of the tv to make a cozy little spot that is perfect for snuggling to watch a movie. Pick out a movie you both haven't seen before and make a fun treat! You could also eat your MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bowls during this part of the date if you want! You can also do a little spa night in! Give each other massages and facials. Light some candles and give a foot rub! Have a relaxing night in. Have a game night! Buy some good 'ol board games that were your favorite growing up and play them all. You could also play video games, play 20 questions, or make one up! We also love going through old photos and reminiscing on the fun times we've had. Doing that with family videos is a blast too. One last idea is to have a workout date! Come up with some fun workouts together or find one online and get your sweat on together!

So now I want to know, what are your best date night in ideas??

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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What to Keep in Your Medicine Cabinet This Holiday Season

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HealthySavings #CollectiveBias

As much as I absolutely love the holidays, I'll be the first to admit that they are absolutely crazy. I get so excited to put the tree up, go sledding, receive holiday cards, eat delicious food, and be surrounded by so much family each year. Right as Halloween is over, that holiday spirit kicks in over at our house and it can't be stopped. We already have our tree up, ha! However, it isn't decorated yet so all the scrooges out there can't hate too hard ;) Anyhow, amidst all the fun and holiday bliss, comes the dreaded colds and other sicknesses. It's bound to happen that someone will end up sick in our home and need a little pick me up. I don't know about you, but I think the holidays can quickly lose their magic if you are down for the count with a winter illness. 

Last year, we went home during the spring and stayed for Mother's day. It was a blast being with family and showing off our then, little baby. However, travel and all new germs meant awaited sickness. Before I knew it, I was out cold on the couch with a fever and a sore throat. It was so hard to be sick and wake up to feed my baby. Before I knew it, she had a runny nose and lost her little baby voice. It was so sad that she could hardly get any noise out when she was crying. While being there was still fun, it was pretty miserable for both of us and a fun holiday with family was quickly turned into a not so fun time for me and my sick baby. 

I've decided I now always want to make sure we're stocked and ready for any sickness. Our medicine cabinet was seriously lagging back then and it made dealing with the aches and pains of a cold even harder. I now have a bin in my medicine cabinet with essentials pertaining to every season that I can stock up on as needed. 

To "make" this bin, you literally just need to buy a cheap one from your local Walgreens. I got a little white one that is the perfect size for everything I need to kick the holiday cold this year. You can then take a sharpie and write directly on the bin, or grab a piece of paper and tape it to the bin. I just wrote "medicine" on it but you can write something fun like "This season's essentials" or something else that will help your family find just what they need. Next just stuff the bin full of everything you need and continue to refill as needed! You will be so thankful you did this next time you wake up and think, "oh no, here it comes!"

So what do I always make sure I'm stocked up on? For starters, we absolutely always have Advil® Tablets on tap ;) I have found through personal experience that nothing's stronger on tough pain. You'll be able to find Advil® Tablets at your local Walgreens among OTC pain relievers. * Use as directed. Advil® is one thing that never leaves our medicine cabinet no matter what time of year it is, but especially during the holidays. 

Another thing I have found I love to keep in our cabinet is ThermaCare ® because it helps soothe the body aches that come with a seasonal cold or flu. Unlike creams and rubs that merely mask the pain, ThermaCare® has patented heat cells that penetrate deep to increase circulation and accelerate healing. ThermaCare® Heatwraps (once activated) only take 20-30 minutes to heat up to a comforting temperature of 104 degrees F. Make sure you don't use these overnight though! *Use as directed.

Ready or not, it’s time to stock up on Pfizer products that will help out this holiday season like Centrum and Emergen-C. Ensure you are prepared when sickness strikes with products like Advil® and Robitussin. Make sure to shop at Walgreens and take advantage of the $8 in coupon savings!

So, what will you be putting in your holiday medicine bin??

All my love, 
Aleigh Joy

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use as Directed.

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