Saturday, August 30, 2014

Labor Day Sales

I'm all about holiday weekends for so many reasons and one of those reasons I can't lie about - yep, I love a good sale.

SO MANY stores are having awesome Labor Day sales and I want to pass along the goodness to you all. Here are some of my favorite deals happening this weekend. Most sales last thru Monday, September 1. So get to shopping, either online or in the store. I hope you score some awesome stuff.

Adidas - Extra 25% off all sale items. Use code EXTRASUMMER.
Anthropologie - Extra 20% off sale items.
BIRCHBOX - 50 extra Birchbox points with $35+ purchase. Use code WEEKEND50.
Gymboree - 40% off everything (G Ma - you better get shopping!!!).
J. Crew - 40% off final sale with free shipping on orders over $100.
LOFT - 50% off select full price styles and 50% off sale styles.
Old Navy - Up to 40% off the entire store.
Puma - 30% off your purchase.
Sole Society - Select style up to 70% off.
Stella & Dot - Extra 25% off all sale items.
Sunglasses Hut - Additional 33% off sale items.

Friday, August 29, 2014

High Five For Friday

We've made it another week! Happy Weekend to you all, I hope it has been a great week.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the past week.

1.) Does it get any cuter than seeing Tolar and Baby K walking hand in hand? Baby K is a "sort-of" walker where she takes about 6-10 steps by herself before squatting down to crawl. But she can walk and hold someone's hand like a champ!


2.) We had a practice run through for our new church, Lifeline Church, last weekend. It is so awesome to be a part of something that I know will change people's lives. So excited for our official launch on September 7. If you live in or near Christiansburg, VA - get yourself to the Regal Movie Theatre at 10 a.m.!


3.) And we are in trouble with our little girl climbing on everything. Even though we are chasing her all over the place and pulling her down from climbing, I love how curious and determined Baby K is.


4.) This was a rocking chair that my sister and I both used as little girls and Baby K decided it was time to become hers on Wednesday. She climbed right into it! We had about a 65% success rate of her listening to me when I told her to sit and not stand in the rocking chair.


5.) I am participating in the #BFCMugSwap (hosted by the adorable Kallie at But First, Coffee) and I got paired up with the most amazing partner. Amanda is the girl behind the super cute blog, Fun in the Oven, and I have LOVED getting to know her. We have so much in common, I feel like I am e-mailing with myself! I cannot wait for us to exchange packages - stay tuned for that. And for now, go check out Amanda's blog and pick up some awesome new recipes.



I'm linking up this post with Lauren Elizabeth, September Farm and Meet @ the Barre.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Repetition Helps Our Baby Communicate

Baby K is learning so much! In the past couple of weeks, she has really impressed us with everything she can do. It's amazing.

One thing that was very important to me when thinking about raising my child was being able to teach her to communicate before she could talk. I took some sign language classes in college and have tons of mom friends that taught their children to sign. I saw how beneficial it was to the child to be able to ask for things before they were verbal and knew I wanted to implement signing into Baby K's development.

We tried to sign with her when she was about 6 months old, but we didn't have much luck. She was learning so many other things (like clapping) and I was concerned that she would get confused because the sign for "more" looks similar to clapping. We would occasionally try to teach her some signs, but didn't push it until she was right at 1 year old.

My sweet friend Robyn recommended Baby Signing Time that she used with her daughter, so we checked it out on Amazon and watched some videos with Baby K. We concentrated mostly on the eating video as that is where we really wanted Baby K to be able to tell us what she needed. Just a quick warning, the videos are totally designed to entertain the baby - not the parent - so get ready to be annoyed that the songs will stick in your head!

Over the next few weeks, each time we wanted Baby K to sign something to us, we would repeat the word and sign several times. We added the words into our daily routine and constantly found new ways that we could use the words with her. Then one night while I was in Texas, Tolar said all of our repetition just clicked. He and my parents had taken Baby K out to dinner and she was signing like crazy. And now, she knows so much!

She can sign:
more
eat
milk
water
cracker
all done
please
and she can blow kisses

The cool thing (which my friend Robyn mentioned to me as well) is that once she understood and signed a couple words to us, it just clicked and didn't take her long to add more. "Please" was one of those words. After I saw how well she understood the other signs, I showed her please. I really only showed it to her about three times and she had it mastered! That warmed my heart, my child already has manners!!!! All I have to do when she starts reaching for something is say "can you say please?" and she will sign it for me. I am so proud of her.

The repetition of using the same words and having her see (and pay attention to) the signs was really helpful. When she has had enough food, she doesn't have to cry and we don't have to wonder what she needs. She can sign "all done" and I know to clear her food. The same with "more," if she wants more to eat she knows how to do it. Her signing is super cute too.


Here are a couple pics that I snapped of her with my iphone (which explains the photo quality and why she has ghost hands).

More

All Done

Please


To the parents out there, did you try to teach your children some signs before they could talk? Do you have anything that you would recommend?

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Personalized Stationery for the Win!

In a rare turn of events yesterday, I found myself with a free afternoon. Tolar was in class, my morning to do list was finished and nothing else was on the horizon. So I loaded up Baby K and headed to Target and Barnes & Noble to do a little browsing.

While in Barnes & Noble, it was almost like I was transported into another time - into a time where I had limitless hours to read whatever I wanted. I found myself walking up and down the aisles checking out book after book, reading the backs and getting excited about cracking open a new novel. Even though I was pushing my sweet (and quiet) babe in her stroller, I completely forgot that my current life rarely involves time for reading. I even found myself placing a few books in my cart to purchase, forgetting that I had at least 15 books at home just waiting for me to read. I snapped back into reality and ended up only purchasing the book I came to buy (as a gift for someone) and went along my merry way. Side note: I think that is the first time I have ever used the phrase "my merry way," I was transported into another time for sure!

Since my child was in such a good mood, I figured I would hop over to Target and look for some new stationary. I love sending snail mail to people and needed some new blank cards to have on hand. Well, my sweet little angel quickly became someone else's child while in Target because she was NOT enjoying our Target trip like I was. All of my dreams of finding the perfect stationary vanished and I quickly put the items that were in my cart back on their shelves and made a bee line for the front door. 

Fast forward to a few hours later after Baby K has calmed down and returned to her normal self, I decided to go check out Minted.com and see if they had any stationery that would suit my needs. Online shopping was seriously invented for mothers with young children. Thank you Jesus for shopping from the privacy of my own home! Baby K can scream as much as she wants, I'm getting my stationery! And my friends are getting beautiful notes in the mail!!!

Minted has some outrageously amazing designs for really any event you could ever want. I could spend hours on the site and find something for every occasion. And I found just what I was looking for - these beautiful Hello Friend Foil-Pressed notes that can be personalized. As a Southern girl, I'm all about monograms and personalization (amiright?). And the design is terrific; I love the simplicity of the design coupled with the shine from the foil. 



Because online shopping is so amazing, I had plenty of time to browse lots of other designs too. Here are some other stationary options that I really liked. 





It was so hard for me to choose, because they are all so beautiful. I will absolutely be ordering some more foil-pressed stationery in the future. One thing that I love about Minted, is that the quality is amazing. This stationery is printed on luxurious and sturdy paper and with such pretty designs, I know that my friends will be receiving some super stylish notes. Now the trick is to match my writing style to the beautiful stationery.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

I Might Be A Legit Blogger

What started out as just a little idea, has turned into a wonderful passion of mine over the past two years. You guys, I cannot believe it, but I have been blogging for two years!!! Two whole years!!! I feel like that means I'm a legit blogger by now, right?



I have been through a lot since starting this blog: full time job, pregnancy, first time mom, becoming a Rodan + Fields consultant, moving out of our first house as a married couple and now life in small town Virginia. Through it all, I have loved logging on everyday and sharing what is on my mind with you. You have all been incredible and so unbelievably supportive of everything I write. I am so appreciative of the community that Pursuit of Pink has brought me. Even though I have never met the majority of you in person, I still feel like I have made such strong friendships and connections through my place on the internet.

Every comment, every tweet, every encouraging word that you have shared with me over any social media outlet has touched me. I have been blessed over and over by the awesome people who read this - that would be YOU! Thank you for the prayers that have been sent up for me over the past two years and thank you to those of you who have trusted me with situations in your life and allowed me to pray for you. After these first incredible two years in the blogging world, I look forward to what the future holds. I have no doubt that it is going to be amazing!!!

So thank you for showing up and following along with me. Thank you for sticking by me when my family was going through a major transition and I took an unintentional step back from my daily posts. Thank you for making me laugh and making me smile. I'm so grateful for you all.

To celebrate my two year blog birthday and to say thank you, I'm going to do a little giveaway. Because this blog introduced me to Rodan + Fields, which has been life changing in such a positive way for my family, I want to offer up a little gift to one of you. I'm going to be giving away one of my ABSOLUTE favorite products from Rodan + Fields - our Body Microdermabrasion. This little magic in a tube has given my entire body the smoothest skin I have ever had. The Body Microdermabrasion feels like an indulgence, but works as a therapeutic, multi-benefit skin treatment. For use in the shower or tub, this powerful microdermabrasion exfoliates, cleanses and conditions skin in one invigorating step for all-over renewal and a smooth, even look and feel. Harper's Bazaar proclaims it will banish dry and flaky skin. Y'all this stuff is fabulous and I'm so excited for one lucky winner to receive it. (PS - I seriously get a closer shave on my legs after using this stuff)
To enter, do one of the following:
1.) Comment below telling me your biggest skin concern and leave a way that I can get in contact with you (e-mail address or twitter handle)
or
2.) Send me an e-mail at lindsay@pursuitofpink.com with your biggest skin concern.

And again, I have to say a BIG THANK YOU for sticking by me these past two years. I cannot believe how awesome this thing called blogging is.


So my true blog birthday was August 20, which snuck up on me and I didn't even realize it until the day was almost over. Does that make me a bad blogger? :) But I didn't want the special date to go by without acknowledging the milestone. 


Monday, August 25, 2014

Little Changes Can Equal Healthy Choices

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

 photo walgreens-balance-rewards_zps766ed458.jpg


You guys know that I like to keep things real and be honest with you. Well, there is no denying that kicking this butt in gear has been a hard process and losing the baby weight has taken longer than I wanted. As my life continues to stay busy, I'm realizing more and more that if I want to meet my health goals then I need to make small, simple changes to my daily life which can lead to lasting healthy choices. Losing weight isn't rocket science, so I need to remind myself of that. Simple changes to my day can really lead to some big pay offs.

So I finally had a talk with myself and decided that there are a few things I can do NOW to really start to change my body. Number one is I must drink more water. Back when I plumped up in college and then lost 35 pounds, a lot of the credit goes to the fact that I really just drank water. Adding more water to my day isn't that hard to incorporate at all. I decided to start things off right and buy some bottled water to really encourage me to drink LOTS of water each day. I'm going to fill up one of these bottles at least three times a day. I also want to incorporate healthier snacks into my day. Nuts and fruit will fill me up and keep me going much longer than a bag of chips or some cookies will.

healthy choices #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias #shop

I highly recommend that you guys check out Walgreens and their Balance Rewards program. That's where I went to stock up on water and healthy snacks. With the Balance Rewards program you can get a ton of savings on your purchases by signing up and using your Balance Rewards card at check out. Walgreens gives you points on lots of items in the store. You can earn points when you buy featured items each week and when you fill prescriptions, then you can redeem those points for dollars off a future purchase. I am all about savings and love how simple this program is.


healthy choices #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias #shop
healthy choices #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias #shop

And now there is a really cool addition to the Balance Rewards program that inspires me to get healthy. Walgreens rewards you with additional points for making healthy choices. Which leads to me another simple change I can immediately start incorporating into my life; walking more. Besides the natural health benefits to walking, Walgreens sweetens the pot by giving me additional points for tracking my walking (or any kind of physical activity). So I get monetary savings just for working out? Heck yeah!!!! Count me in.

In addition to giving Blanace Rewards points for fitness, you can earn points for other healthy choices you make. Like tracking your weight. People who keep track of their weight and hold themselves accountable are more likely to see the scale move in the direction they want. And Walgreens knows that - that's why they reward you. There are several other healthy choices that you can do to earn points: check your blood pressure, check your blood glucose level, set healthy goals for yourself and even download the Balance Rewards app! Yep, I earned 250 points for simply downloading the app. Woohoo, can't wait to get my savings at the register. 

healthy choices #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias #shop

If you are looking for a little motivation to start changing your life for the better, why don't you download the Walgreens Balance Rewards app and get started? For me, its so awesome that I get additional benefits (i.e. money savings) in addition to a healthy life. I think those are two things all people want in life at some point or another; extra money and less weight. :) And you can do that by getting started with the healthy choices program and tracking your progress.

I'm an ordinary woman, with no live-in personal chef or trainer. I'm bound and determined to live a healthier life to set a great example for my daughter. By changing just a few things about my day sets me up for success. And with these changes, I'm setting my daughter up for success as well by creating a habit for her.

healthy choices #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias #shop

So tell me, what small changes do you make to your day to live healthier? I would love to try some new tricks. 

Friday, August 22, 2014

High Five For Friday

I hope you all had a terrific week! Mine was jam packed and had me on the road again, heading up to D.C. to help my sweet friend launch her Rodan + Fields business. Woohoo, so happy for you Julie.
Here are some more awesome moments from my week.

1.) You guys, I got to fly by myself for the first time in a long time. I actually read some!!! I even got to just sit in the seat, be still and close my eyes. That was huge!!!


2.) Baby K has figured out that we can see her in the camera. She even waves at the camera while we are getting her dressed. Too cute.


3.) You already know from this post that I had an awesome time at my weekend retreat with Rodan + Fields. I still can't believe I got to stay in a house with this view. So blessed.


4.) I am so super excited. Mint Julep Boutique sent me one of the prettiest and most comfortable dresses ever. Can't wait to style it.


5.) During my quick trip up to D.C., I got to have breakfast with my two best friends: Marcy and Erica. It was so great to see them after two months. It's like I never left, we could pick right back up! I miss them so.

Linking up this High Five For Friday post with Lauren Elizabeth.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Can I Go Back To School?

My facebook feed is full of back to school photos and the colleges around here are gearing up for move in day as they welcome back students. Yesterday, we spent the day getting Tolar his new Student ID, registering for parking and locating all of his classes. As we were walking around campus, I realized how much fun I had in college and that I actually missed it.


So here are some things that I miss about going to college:

1.) Dorm Life - I only lived in a dorm for my freshman year of college, but man was it fun. Having a constant flow of people to talk to, running in and out of everyone's rooms, borrowing clothes from everyone on the hallway and laughing and talking til the wee hours of the morning. It was my first taste of freedom from a curfew and I loved it!

2.) Being Able To Use The Term "Poor College Student" - Having a reason to bow out of something because I don't have the funds or simply don't want to. If you said you were a poor college student, nobody questioned. :)

3.) Receiving A Student Discount - I remember I would get a student discount to the movies and it was awesome. Now I'm seeing student discounts everywhere and I really wish I still had a valid ID.

4.) My Friends - My college girlfriends have a very special place in my heart. They got to experience life with me in a different way from all of my other friends and will forever mean so much to me. I loved that I got to see those girls daily, whenever I wanted. Now miles separate us and we really only get to see each other when someone gets married or has a baby. (Side note: we've been doing really good at those things so I've gotten to hug them a lot!)


5.) Being Able To Stay Up All Night and Not Pay For It The Next Day - If I'm up past 11 p.m., I just can't function the next day. In college, things were just getting started at 11 p.m. and I could hang with the best of them!

6.) Taking Spontaneous Trips - I loved having a somewhat flexible schedule in college and if my friend wanted me to hop in the car and drive to Winston Salem with her one night to see Sister Hazel perform then I could say yes!

7.) Freedom - College gave me a ton of freedom to learn so many lessons on my own. I didn't have as much responsibility as I do now so the freedom was amazing!

8.) Packed Computer Lab - Remember the many times when you had to do research papers and you headed to the computer lab on campus? It was awesome because I would run into so many of my friends there, turning my homework into a social hour.

9.) Unlimited Supply of Play Scripts - I was a theatre major in college and I LOVED being able to go to the library and check out any and every play that I wanted...for free. Now I have to search high and low for a script if I really want to read it.

10.) Beautiful Campus - I love to drive or walk through campuses, even if I didn't attend there. They just have so many beautiful sites to see and cool places to sit. College campuses provide great photo opportunities too. I wish I enjoyed UNCG's campus more when I attended.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Lake Austin, MTV cribs style

I told you on Friday that I was headed to Austin, Texas for a weekend retreat with some awesome ladies from my Rodan + Fields team. Well let me tell you, it was amazing!!!!

There are Rodan + Fields consultants all over the US and it was so awesome to finally get to meet several of my team members who I only know from social media. To put their pretty faces with their names (and voices) was incredible. After a quick six months in the business, I have already made some terrific friends and spending a weekend with them solidified that they will be lifelong friends.

We spent the weekend relaxing, hanging out by the pool, doing some training, talking, laughing and having an amazing time in the biggest house I have ever stayed. I'm telling you, I thought I was on MTV Cribs or even the Bachelor - minus the drama. The house was incredible. I'll share some photos of the house below for you to drool over.

Who can say that their job offers them a chance to have a relaxing weekend at an incredible house on Lake Austin? Not many people, so I consider us all very lucky. We come from all different walks of life, all with different stories. Some of the girls work full time, others are stay at home moms, while others work a part time job; but we all work our Rodan + Fields business in very part time hours. And I mean VERY part time.

If you are reading this and know that you need to make some extra money, I would love to talk to you! Maybe you're trying to pay off some debt. Maybe you are struggling to pay back student loans so you are working your tail off just to make ends meet. Maybe you want to pay for some extra curricular activities for your children. Maybe you want a shameless shoe fund. Or maybe you have your heart set on adoption or a special ministry and you have no clue where the money is going to come from. Whatever your want is, whatever you need extra money for, this is a "job" that can help you get there.

What I love most is that Rodan + Fields is a "job" that can fit into the nooks and crannies of my life. I can work while Baby K sleeps, I can work whenever I have just a few minutes. We aren't a party company so you're not having to take time away from your super busy schedule and family to throw parties (this was a BIG reason I joined). If you have a phone and a computer then you are good to go. You can work this business around your schedule and your life.

And the awesome thing is, the people that are the busiest in life are the most successful! My girlfriend Ashley is a busy stay at home mom to FOUR children. She runs a very successful blog and blog consultation program, home schools her oldest child (age 6), manages her family and is KILLING it with Rodan + Fields. If she has time to be super successful, you do too.

If you are interested in making some extra money for any reason, whatever it is, let's talk. Even if you are interested just a little bit, I would love to talk to you.
Send me an e-mail (lindsay@pursuitofpink.com) and let's schedule a chat. And who knows, maybe this time next year you will be joining me on the next episode of Rodan + Fields cribs.




Meanwhile, back at home...




Friday, August 15, 2014

High Five For Friday

Another week down, a fab weekend upon me!!!

I love High Five For Friday because it gives me a chance to reflect on the positive things (big or small) that happen in my life everyday. Here are some of my favorite moments from this week:

1.) My mother in-law was in town visiting for a few days and Baby K had a blast with her. Our girl is quite the ham and developing a sassy personality.


2.) We found a church!!!! I will write more details later, but Tolar and I found a church very similar to our beloved DC Metro Church. God answered our prayers and He answered them quickly by introducing us to Lifeline Church after only living in Dublin a few short weeks.


3.) Tolar is well loved these days. Baby K always wants to be around him and my sister's dog Madison just can't get enough of him. They were enjoying an awesome episode of Wheel of Fortune when this pic was snapped.


4.) My how times have changed. I put together this little comparison photo of Baby K when she was just a few weeks old and Baby K now...is that even the same child? :)


5.) This is happening today!!! I'm actually on my way to Austin, Texas as you read this and I will be staying in this glorious house for the weekend. I'll be staying there with other girls from my Rodan + Fields team and I am just giddy with excitement. Check out those views! This business has opened up so many doors for me and provided quite a lot of F-U-N! Stay tuned to the blog next week for lots of pictures from my weekend getaway.


I hope my High Five For Friday posts inspire you to take a few minutes and find the good in your week. I'm linking up this post with Lauren Elizabeth.