GIRL NUMBER THREE!

Thank you to Sneak Peek for sponsoring this post.

 Can you believe it?? We're having another girl!

Honestly, I can totally believe it... but for some reason reading the results still took me by surprise! We are thrilled to be adding another little girl into our family! And, if you've seen the video of us telling the girls, you know they're beyond excited! Having girls feels so natural to us and honestly, I hardly have to do anything to prepare, ha! Another girl will fit so easily into our family. For whatever reason though, from the moment I saw the positive pregnancy test, I thought we were having a boy. If I'm being honest, I really had to mentally prepare for that. Having two girly girls feels really natural to me. Over time I mentally prepared to have a boy and started to warm up to the idea of a little Hunter running around. Then, came the ring test... Have you heard of this? If not, look it up on Google. Basically if you hold your ring over your hand with a piece of hair or string, it'll either move back and forth or move in a circle and that supposedly tells you the genders of your children and how many you will have. This test appeared to be accurate for every person we tried it on. My test said this baby would be a boy. So, here I was thinking we'd be welcoming a little boy into our family. I got super anxious and wanted to really actually start preparing if it were a boy because hello, we have ZERO baby boy things! Need dresses, hair bows, barbies, and pink nursery decor... I got you! But boy stuff... I have none of that. So I desperately wanted to find out the gender of this child, and fast! That's when I heard about Sneak Peek...

I have a few friends that have done Sneak Peek so I was really interested in it. The more I read, the more I really wanted tot try it! Sneak Peek is the only at-home early gender DNA blood test with results that are 99.1% accurate. It can also be taken as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy! Can you believe that?? You can now find out the gender of your baby at 8 weeks! That is 12 weeks earlier than the anatomy scan. Sneak Peek is also the safest, earliest, most accurate way to determine your baby's gender. 

I received my test in the mail and was so excited to take it. I had my mom help me because blood often makes me feel a little queasy. Luckily, my mom was super calm and helpful and it literally took us like 20 minutes. The instructions were very straight forward and I was surprised at how easy it was. You don't want male DNA to come in contact with the test so we had my dad stay downstairs and I used disinfectant  spray on the entire bathroom... I may have sprayed my moms hand after she touched her phone too... haha sorry mom. Once you mail the test back you can find out the results as fast as 72 hours after! I was alone when I opened the email and I was literally shocked! I told Hunter and he was soo excited. When I called my mom to tell her we both felt like we should go get an ultrasound just to make sure. I found a place that would take me the next day and sure enough, after looking for like 30 seconds, she confirmed that we are having a little girl! Once I received both results I felt like I could finally breathe and start really feeling excited about another girl. We're 98% sure we have her name already picked out and each passing day I get even more excited to see my three girls together. 💗💗💗

I would totally recommend doing the Sneak Peek test if you are wanting to find out the gender of your baby early. They ship everywhere in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. If you are wanting to try the test you can use code SPINOV11 for $10 off the standard test or $20 off the FastTrack test. The code is valid the whole month of November!

If you have any questions feel free to ask me! 

All my love

-Aleigh Joy

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4 Simple Ways To Be The Hostess With The Mostess

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx.com. All opinions shared are mine alone. #ad #EDCRepeatBboxx

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love sun kissed skin when summer rolls around, I love fresh blooms during spring, and of course I love pumpkin spice everything during the fall, but nothing quite beats the magic of Christmas. Even though it's not "technically" winter yet, I think of winter starting on December 1st. It just feels so exciting and magical with all things Christmas surrounding us everywhere we go. I love the gift exchanges, the festive clothes, the Christmas music playing in all the stores, the pretty wrapping paper, and of course all the parties and gatherings. Sometimes parties are well thought out and planned weeks in advance, and other times they are small get togethers that happen spur of the moment. No matter what type of party is happening in your home this year, make sure you're prepared with everything you need to eat, drink, celebrate, and repeat!

EAT:

Small bites, appetizers, and full blown dinners are delightful, but you have to make sure you have something sweet for your guests! I don't know about the rest of you, but I think dessert is a must! Everyone does the same old things, cookies, cakes, maybe some form of bar... but you would really stand out with something new and different! Everyone loves chocolates, and I can promise everyone will be OBSESSED with these Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels from Fran's Chocolate. They are literally mouthwatering good. They combine rich, smooth chocolate, soft buttery caramel, and the unexpected boldness of sea salt. The Gray Salt Caramels are dipped in 70% dark chocolate and finished with sea salt. The smoked salt caramels are dipped in 39% deep milk chocolate, and finished with Welsh smoked sea salt. This women owned business will not disappoint! 

Another fun, sweet treat is My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream! So maybe you're hesitant... I get it! I was at first too. But trust me, you have to try this stuff! I looovee it! My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is Premium Ice Cream wrapped inside a sweet, chewy dough that melts in your mouth. They come in 8 delicious flavors, but I can promise you the strawberry is delicious! You can pick it up at a retailer near you, but I found mine at Target! Make sure to get your $1 off coupon by visiting: https://www.mymomochi.com/lifeissweet/ And, get $1.00 Cash Back by visiting: https://ibotta.com/rebates/204115/my-mo-mochi-ice-cream?q=my%2Fmo

DRINK:

When is comes to drinks, I like to lean towards ice cold water and maybe some hot chocolate... but not all of your guest will be like me, haha. For that reason, you can serve Cinzano Prosecco which is an aromatic, dry sparkling wine, that is fresh, fruity and crisp. Cinzano Prosecco has intense floral aromas and hints of apple and pear. Full disclosure, I don't drink... but if you do, I have heard from several sources that you can trust this brand! They recommend making a Prosecco Bellini which is -3 parts Cinzano Prosecco -1 part fresh peach purée -Pour all ingredients into a chilled flute glass. Stir gently. The taste of sweet peach is balanced by the dry, crisp acidity in the Cinzano Prosecco. Enjoy as an aperitif or with light appetizers!

Celebrate!

There are so many reasons to celebrate during the holiday season! One thing I've really learned to celebrate over time, is good friends. Good friends can really make a difference in your life and it's important to let them know they are appreciated. Inviting them over for a get together can really help your friends feel loved and making your home inviting helps them feel welcomed! One way to make it extra special during the holidays is using ScentSicles Scented Ornaments and table ornaments! I love walking into a home smelling like a Christmas tree lot. It makes it feel so special and festive! ScentSicles are designed to naturally blend in, simply hang or hide in trees, wreaths, garland and other holiday décor for the fresh scents of the season. ScentSicles deliver “Christmas in an Instant” with no-mess, no oil, and no-flame! Make sure to check out their special offer of $5 off a purchase of $30 or more with code BABBLEBOXX and $1 off 1 item with code BABBLEBOXX1 Valid now through 12/31/2018. Free shipping on all orders of $15 or more Coupon code not valid on bundles.

Well, that concludes my tips on what to have on hand for those last minute get togethers and perfectly planned holiday parties! All of these things would also be so fun to use for a date night in! I hope you found something you will love in this post!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Three Ways To Fit a Workout In During the Holidays

This post is sponsored by Febreze. All opinions are mine alone.

Does anyone else seriously struggle trying to make time to workout during the holidays? It can't be just me... right?? From the constant sweet treat temptations, to the busy schedules, and of course the lack of motivation with family in town, working out always gets put on the back burner. Once Cambria started to really sleep through the night and I felt more well-rested, I made a goal to workout between 5-6 times a week. I noticed working out made me feel so much better about myself. It encouraged me to make healthier eating choices, it helped me feel confident in my own skin, and overall I just felt SO much better. I have been doing really well with sticking with it up until last week. Thanksgiving, a holiday where the biggest tradition is literally to eat, really threw me off. I didn't have a set plan on how I would fit my workouts in and I quickly fell out of my routine. It's now soo much harder to get back into a routine. So, I am determined to stick to a plan for Christmas to ensure I keep healthy habits. Here's the plan...

1) Wake up a little earlier than the girls to fit my workout in. Guys, this is legitimately going to be realllyy hard for me... but I honestly think it's the best way to go about making sure I stick with it. If you have little ones, you know that working out with them around is straight up comical. It's pretty much impossible. When the girls are around I'm either cutting a workout short or only doing it halfway because they need my help every 10 seconds. So, I'm giving myself an extra hour to wake up, eat a banana, work out, and take a quick shower. Maybe you work in the morning... I challenge you to wake up earlier than normal and get your workout in! That way when the Christmas parties and family comes, you can get your workout done first thing each day and still be able to visit with friends and family after work. 

2) Keep Febreze Fabric Refresher nearby. Just like me, more and more Americans are getting serious about upping their fitness. Since we are busier than ever, we have to get creative to cram our workout (along with everything else) into our day. That being said, it's no surprise that 84% of gym goers* admit to running errands within two hours of working out. I mean, kill two birds with one stone right? You're already out! However, we forget that the smells go where we go. And if you're anything like me after a workout... there are definitely smells! For the millions who don’t have time to immediately change and wash their gear after each workout, it’s time to #FebrezeYourGear. The #FebrezeYourGear program, shows us that if it's fabric, Febreze it! All you have to do is spray Febreze Fabric Refresher on anything you wore at the gym until it is completely damp to safely and effectively clean away workout odors. Febreze Fabric Refresher with OdorClearTM Technology cleans away odors in two simple ways: 1) seeks out tough odors and 2) cleans them away by deactivating and replacing them with a light, fresh scent. Make sure to keep Febreze in your gym bag, in your car, in your personal gym, or anywhere else nearby to keep the odors where they belong... at the gym!

3) Make yourself an upbeat playlist! I have found that music motivates me more than anything when it comes to exercising. I run a lot faster, lift a lot harder, squat a lot deeper, and work a lot more efficiently if the music I am listening to leaves me feeling inspired to keep pushing. No matter what genre you love, there are some awesome songs out there to get you up and moving. I actually look forward to listening to my "special"workout songs. If you make yourself an upbeat playlist where you get to listen and decompress from holiday stress, you'll be more determined to fit it in!

I'd love to hear any of your tips and trick for staying active during the holidays! And don't forget to try out Febreze Fabric Refresher on your gym clothes and gear!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

*Source: The Nielsen Company Fall 2015 On-Location Study.

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2018 Christmas Cards!

This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. All opinions are mine alone. #partner 

If you've been around here long, you know that Christmas cards make me sooooo happy! Like giddy happy. There's just something so fun about getting tons of happy mail from friends and family during the holidays. It seriously brightens my day getting each card. I love seeing how kids have grown, reading about what everyone did that year, and seeing the different photos and designs everyone chose. We have sent a Christmas card every year we've been married and even though it is a hassle trying to make sure photos get done, I have never once regretted it. I love having updated photos of our family over the years, and I make sure to keep a Christmas card from each year so we can look back at those too. I love pulling the book out each year and remembering what each card looked like. I also think it'll be so fun to show the girls all the cards they were in over the years. 

For a while I chose to design my own card. It was fun to get creative and make it different. Over time though, I realized how much more convenient it is to order them from a company. There are a million companies to choose from, so how are you supposed to pick just one? Don't worry... I've done all the research to make it easy on you ;) After looking into several companies, I can hands down say that Shutterfly is the way to go! They have SO many designs to choose from that there is something for everybody's style. I promise! From gold foil to marble, and gate fold to glitter you are bound to find the perfect card. Once you've selected your card literally all you have to do is upload your photos and then drag them into the desired spot. You then have the option to use your address book and let Shutterfly address all your envelopes for you! They have cute designs and fonts and it makes it so quick and easy. Plus, your envelope will look SO cute! After that, you can order personalized stamps and have them delivered right to you. Then, you're done! I mean seriously, a few clicks and your cards are completely done! How cool is that??

Now I'm sure you're thinking it's too good to be true... but trust me it really isn't! The card quality is lovely and they arrive in a timely manner. You will definitely not regret choosing Shutterfly. This year I used a Tiny Prints design which is owned by Shutterfly and can be accessed through their site. I chose a tri-fold card and I seriously love it! Make sure to order your cards this weekend to get their Black Friday deal of 40% off everything! They will be having a Cyber Monday sale too! 

I hope you have fun sending and receiving cards this year!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Making A Goal To Get Outside This Summer

 This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. All opinions shared are mine alone.

I've always loved being outside. The fresh air, the sunshine on my skin, the cool breeze, the pretty flowers and green trees... I love it all! I grew up with a very active family that loved being outdoors. Several of my childhood memories include hikes, bike rides, and walks/runs. My parents helped create my love for being outdoors really early on. After becoming a mom, I realized just how important being outside is for my mental health. Being out in the fresh air and getting active has really helped me stay sane... haha! Thanks to Babbleboxx, I recently found some awesome products that will help me get outside even more this summer!

First up is the AfterShokz Trekz Air Open-Ear Headphones

Okay you guys, these headphones are seriously incredible! I go running three times a week and I always bring Oaklyn. Music motivates and inspires me to run harder and faster, but I also need to be able to hear Oaklyn. I've tried just keeping my phone in the stroller, having an arm band... nothing has really worked for me until these! With Aftershokz I'm able to enjoy my music without shutting out the world around me. AfterShokz open-ear headphones allow you to hear it all! I'm able to run up-hill listening to my favorite pump up song and hear Oaklyn tell me she needs another snack. One of my favorite parts about Trekz Air is that they are so lightweight, sometimes I even forget I'm wearing them! They are also designed to embrace any elements thrown your way. From rain to dirt, and in my case sweat to front yard sprinklers (ha!) I know they will last through it all. Trust me, you're going to want to check out these amazing headphones and get some for yourself. Check them out by clicking here!

Next Up is Brew Dr. Kombucha

You've probably been hearing about Kombucha all over the place, but what exactly is it? Kombucha is a fermented tea. Dr. Brew kombucha is live and active, 100% RAW and unpasteurized. It is also Non-Alcoholic. Dr. Brew uses a form of non-heat distillation to gently extract the alcohol but keep the goodness. This beverage makes it possible to treat yourself! Clear Mind is their most popular flavor with notes of rosemary and sage. Each herb included has the ability to assist in mental clarity and focus. The strawberry basil flavor is deliciously refreshing and was my personal favorite. It is the perfect refreshing, summer beverage! Find out more about the brand here.

Another favorite is Heliocare® Daily Use Antioxidant Formula

This product is a natural dietary supplement with antioxidant effects on the skin. It is clinically proven and dermatologist-recommended for over 25 years. Heliocare contains Fernblock® PLE Technology, an exclusive and powerful antioxidant extract that is naturally derived from the extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PLE), a tropical fern native to Central and South America that aids in eliminating free radicals to maintain younger-looking, more resilient skin. I'm pretty young, but I definitely could be taking much better care of my skin. Heliocare makes it easy for me to get the skin I've always wanted. These little Capsules are Vegan, Gluten-free, and Free of artificial dyes. The sun can negatively impact your skin, so if you plan on being outside all summer like I am, these are a must! Find out more here.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Next we have Skratch Labs Drink Mixes, Energy Chews, and Energy Bar

Skratch Labs has created a variety of different products to help you recover after working out. Their products are not only tasty, but they are also made with all natural ingredients. Skratch Labs prides themselves in creating products made with only ingredients that will help you perform and feel better. I have found several companies with products that have questionable ingredients. It's refreshing to see that Skratch does not.

I loved the sport hydration drink mix because it did just what it was supposed to for my body. Not only do I work out six times a week, I also nurse my baby three times a day... the combination of the two leaves my body needing to hydrate often. This sports drink is formulated with 800 mg of electrolytes per liter. (twice the level of Gatorade) This is the average amount of salt active people lose when they sweat. The sport recovery drink mix is also great because it helps you recover faster than using carbs or protein alone. The sport energy chews provide a slow drip energy that won't make you crash. The anytime Energy Bar is made with plant based protein and is tasty enough to eat any time of the day! The anytime hydration drink mix is a sports drink for people who hate sports drinks! The electrolyte level is similar to that of national sports drink brands but is made with natural can sugar, real fruit, and nothing artificial. Click here to find out more about these products and receive 20% off your order with the code TRYSKRATCH.

And last but definitely not least, we have T-Rex® Tape

Let's be honest here, we all have had situations where our duct tape just wasn't strong enough to get the job done... but how is that so?? Isn't duct tape supposed to be ferociously strong?? T-Rex tape is! It is built for intense holding power so you can use it on long lasting home repairs, awesome DIY projects, or any other task at hand. T-Rex tape has a double-thick adhesive that holds up in any climate and environmental condition. Head outside this summer and find projects you can accomplish with T-Rex Tape. Click here to find out more about this brand!

So what are your summer plans this year? Are you making an effort to get outside more?

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Our Favorite Afternoon Snack + Printable Valentines!

Thank you to Cuties for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions written are mine alone.  #100daysofsunshine 

I don't know about the rest of you, but the afternoon munchies hit hard in our home. It's that time in the late afternoon when we've already had lunch and it isn't quite time for dinner, but Oaklyn and I just really need a snack that satisfies. The absolute perfect snack solution that won't spoil our dinner is Cuties! They are perfectly kid-sized and adult-sized!

Oaklyn is in a "I can do it myself" phase where she wants to be independent and do everything she's able to, on her own. There are definitely times when it's helpful, and others when it proves to be more difficult than beneficial. You know, like the times she wants to help make cookies and somehow flour ends up all over the floor... sigh. Luckily, Cuties are easy to peel and her little hands love being able to unwrap them. Not only are they easy to peel, but they are also easy to eat! Foods that involve a spoon, or any utensil for that matter, create quite the eating challenge for my little 2 year old. Cuties are sweet and seedless making them the perfect kid-friendly snack. Lucky for all of us, it is Cuties season and they are back in-store, ripe, and ready to eat!

Not only do Cuties make the perfect snack for your little ones, but they also make a for a great activity to pass some time! We love sitting outside in the sunshine and peeling several of them together. Oaklyn would honestly rather peel a Cutie than play with half her toys, ha! The other fun activity you can do with your kids and Cuties, is make Valentines! I personally don't think my child needs an ounce more of sugar on Valentine's Day, so I'm guessing other moms must feel the same way. For that reason, I think passing out Cuties make the perfect Valentines! Have your child help place a Cutie in a bag, let them choose some special festive ribbon, and then attach the Valentine card that I made! All you need to do is download the printable here and then print! I personally selected the option on my printer of 4 images per page but you can do one large Valentine, or even smaller with 8 images! Whatever you fancy ;) Have your child sign their name on the back, hole punch it, then attach to the ribbon. Now you have a festive Valentine for your child to give to all of their friends!

February 16th is "Random Acts of Kindness Day" and to coincide with it, Cuties created their 100 Days of Sunshine Campaign! This campaign is meant to inspire others to spread sunshine within their communities and families. True happiness can be felt when you lose yourself in serving others and Cuties wants everyone to feel that joy and love. We will be taking our Cuties Valentines to local service men and women this year!

So, whether you need a snack on the go, a Valentine for your kid to bring to school, a snack in between meals, a tasty gift to bring to a friend or neighbor, or a side for a meal, Cuties are the perfect healthy and tasty option!

Does your family love Cuties as much as we do? Head over to buy a bag today!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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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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