Whew... finally coming up for air, and first things first - I am so very thrilled to announce that our baby girl, Emily Fox, arrived on March 5th at 12:23am (her due date!). We fell in lover quicker and harder than we knew possible, and life will never be the same.
I can't wait to share her birth story, all her cute photos, her nursery details and everything else that has been going on these past couple of months - I can't believe how quickly time is flying! One big development has been the opening of our new shop, FoxTops. We are in the very early stages and still have a bazillion designs in the works, but between our real jobs, real life, a newborn, a toddler and everything else, we are starting off slowly and taking it one design at a time. First up..these adorable Stars & Stripes tees that will be oh-so-perfect for Memorial Day weekend BBQs, World Cup watching parties, 4th of July fireworks and more! Snag yours today! And one final time we are offering a full 15% off with code EMILY15 in honor of the blog going live again (finally!).
And my personal fave since it is my truth these days...our "Yoga Pants For Life" tank. Yoga pants/leggings and a comfy tank are my permanent uniform right now..who is with me!?
Thanks so much to all my friends, family and readers for the sweet words on Emily's arrival and for your continued support and patience during such a busy time in our lives. We are officially back up and running! xoxo to you all!
With just 16 days until my due date, I am starting to panic slightly. Those freezer meals? Still not done. However, at this point I am just ready to have the baby...fully stocked freezer or not! There just don't ever seem to be quite enough hours in the day. With that thought, I wanted to share three of my favorite products that are truly lifesavers when it comes to getting out the door halfway presentable in just those few precious minutes I have to get ready each day. 1. Organix Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo/Condition
About a year ago I made the switch from salon shampoo to just regular old grocery store stuff...partly because I was in the dreaded postpartum hair loss phase so it didn't really matter what shampoo I was using, but mostly because of the cost. It was just getting far too expensive! But in the past several months I noticed that my hair was just blah...it stopped shedding thanks to the new pregnancy, but it still looked so thin and flat. I was convinced I was losing my hair/going bald because of how thin and fine it had gotten. My husband suggested I switch shampoo, but I just didn't want to fork over $24 for a Trent-sized bottle at the salon. On one of my many Target runs, this Organix Thick & Full shampoo caught my eye, and at less than $6, I decided to give it a shot. It at least looked expensive, so it must be good, right?! Kid you not, after ONE wash and dry, my hair looked AMAZING. It was so much fuller, thicker, bouncier and just all around better. I went back for the conditioner and root boosting spray (which is on clearance right now - stock up!), and that next day was probably the best hair day of my life. Try these..you won't regret it! 2. Hot Tools Turbo Ceramic Dryer
Ok, this dryer blows my mind. No pun intended. Or maybe it was. Anyway...I had a similar ceramic/ionic hair dryer and was spending 30+ minutes drying my hair each time....which is why I was only drying my hair about once a month. Seriously. It was ridiculous how long it was taking. It was another one of my husband's suggestions, believe it or not, to check out a new dryer and that maybe that was the problem. I thought it was just that my hair had gotten so long and hair products were making it take longer to dry perhaps..but, nope, he was right. This Hot Tools dryer was on sale at Ulta, plus we had a coupon and a few other discounts, so we ended up getting it for a great price. I was definitely not sold on buying "the cheap option," but the first time I used it I think I texted everyone I knew and told them they HAD to get one. Then I told Matt we had to go buy several more immediately to save. He was not on board with that, but whatever. The point is, it is AMAZING. It cut my dry time down from 30+ minutes to less than 10. LESS THAN 10 MINUTES! I can now dry my hair, curl my hair, put on makeup and be out the door in the same amount of time or less than I was spending just to dry before. The dryer is so powerful yet so quiet...even Trent is not bothered by it. Just can't say enough good things about it. I don't know how it does it, but it works miracles. 3. Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray
Back in pre-baby days, I used to be able to apply makeup just minutes before heading out the door for something. Because I work from home, I didn't have to apply first thing in the morning...so if I had a dinner or some other function to go to in the evening, I was always able to have a fresh face of makeup just in time. It was definitely a luxury that I took for granted... Nowadays, the few days I actually even WEAR makeup...the makeup has to last ALL day (and maybe even the next day..), regardless of when I "need" it. My mom gave me this Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray for Christmas this year, and it took me a few weeks to actually give it a try, but now I am absolutely HOOKED. It seriously keeps your makeup looking freshly applied ALL FREAKING DAY. Not only that, but it makes your face and skin feel super fresh all day long as well. It is definitely one of the pricier makeup items I use, so I try to save it for the days I really feel like I need it, but honestly it is worth every penny. Watch out for those Ulta coupons in the mail!! Anyway, again....can't say enough good things about this. And it is now my go-to gift for girlfriends, family members, etc...the perfect little something that they probably haven't already got and/or wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves. It also makes a GREAT addition to a baby shower/new mom gift! Hint hint :) Hope everyone is enjoying their Monday! Send labor vibes this way, pleeease!
With Valentine's Day less than one month away, it occurred to me that that means our due date is less than two months away. Yep. 46 days (or less). I honestly don't know if I'm hoping for the day to hurry up and arrive or if I could stand to wait another several months. In some ways, I am terrified and want all the extra time I can have to work, tie up loose ends, finish the baby preparations and enjoy Trent being the center of attention for just a while longer. But on the other hand, I am just kind of ready for her to get here so we can jump right in and start establishing a routine/figuring out how things are going to work instead of just worrying/wondering/attempting to plan it out every day for the next 45 days. So with each passing day, we are both more excited and slightly more overwhelmed at baby girl's upcoming arrival!
As I said, there are still so many things that need to get done, one of which is possibly my favorite pre-baby ritual, if you will: The Great Pre-Baby Stock Up Shopping Trip! Aside from the freezer meals, which we still consider the most valuable thing we did before Trent, the stock-up was just about the greatest thing ever. In the first few weeks (okay, months) after Trent was born, I could barely get myself up and ready for a public appearance, much less myself, a newborn, a diaper bag, etc. It was beyond nice to have everything I could possibly want and need stashed away in the house to avoid errands and save hubs from daily "Can you stop on your way home for 'blank'?" trips. And let's be honest, asking him to stop for Tucks pads or an exact shade of concealer wasn't going to go well anyway... So I dug out the list I had saved from last time, went on a coupon clipping rampage and begged the hubs to help me hit up Costco, Target and a few other stores for a stock up marathon! If you can't afford the time or expense of doing a full stock-up all at once, keep your list with you (or on your phone) and just grab one or two things each time you go to the grocery store for the last few months of your pregnancy..especially when something on your list happens to be on sale. Clipping coupons is great for the stock-up shopping, as there are always a ton of coupons floating around out there for toiletry items and paper/food storage goods which can get pretty pricey when buying them all at once. Here is the list I went by last time with a few additions from lessons learned. I tend to go a bit overboard stocking up, but I know it is all stuff that we will use and/or will make life a million times easier which is a major priority for us with a newborn at home. This list doesn't include all the pantry and refrigerated goods/freezer meals or ALL of the newborn/postpartum essentials...this is just "buy ahead of time" stuff. Look out for the next post with freezer meal recipes and shopping list!
Hi, Pinners!! Follow us on the blog (use button to the right) and on Instagram @sweetorangefox for list printables, special Etsy discounts and more! xoxo! For the Home - Toilet Paper - Kleenex - Hand Sanitizer Pumps x a million - Hand Soap - Paper Towels - Paper Napkins - Paper Plates - Ziploc/Freezer Bags - Foil - Plastic Wrap - Slow Cooker Liners (for all those freezer meals!) - Vinegar (to clean the sterilizer) - Trash Bags - Dishwasher Tablets - Dish Soap - Extra Baby Bottle Brush - Laundry Detergent (the pods make life so much easier when you have to put hubs in charge of the laundry! - Dreft - Dryer Sheets - Dog/Pet Food, Treats, Bags - Dog/Pet Flea/Heartworm Medicine - Cleaning supplies (counter spray, swiffer pads, windex, etc) - Light Bulbs and Batteries (a chirping smoke alarm can make a postpartum momma do crazy things, trust me) - Air Conditioner Filters - Refrigerator Filters Toiletries (don't forget one of all of hubs' stuff too!) - Toothpaste - Toothbrushes - Floss (I have an obsession...this may not be on your must-have list!) - Razors/Razor Heads - Shaving Cream - Deodorant - Lotion, Face Moisturizer - Sunscreen (if needed) - Shampoo/Conditioner - Body Wash/Shower Gel - Face Wash - Breathe Right Strips (if your significant other has a snoring problem.... xoxo, Matt!) - Earplugs (see above) - One Extra of All Makeup Products (concealer, foundation, powder, mascara, eyeliner, sponges etc) - Q-tips/Cotton Balls/Cotton Rounds For the Pantry - Coffee/K-Cups - Sugar for Coffee - Fiber Wafers - Prune Juice - Bottled Water - Dry Goods (rice, pasta, pasta sauce, etc) for quick and easy meals/sides to go with your freezer meals - Wine - Wine - Wine For Mama (you can find more of my post-delivery mama must haves here) - Tylenol/Motrin/Advil (whatever your doc says is safe for you and breastfeeding baby) for all those nasty postpartum headaches! - Reusable ice packs (again with the damn headaches and of course the hot flashes/night sweats. Lovely.) - Nursing Pads - Nursing Gel Pads - Lanolin - Tucks pads - Pads/Panty Liners For Baby - Saline - Diapers in a few sizes - Wipes x a million - Diaper Genie Refills - Lotion/Bath Supplies Whew. And believe it or not, this is not even a complete list of everything I want to have on hand...there are many more must-haves (a Keurig, some specific nursing bras, etc), but this is the buy-in-bulk/stock-up ahead of time shopping list. Stay tuned for more lists, a stock-up printable to throw in your purse, freezer meal recipes and more! Happy shopping, mommas!
Happy 2014, friends and family! I have missed you all over the past month and did not plan on taking a "break," but somehow I found myself unplugging little by little to spend more time with my family..soaking up the last bit of the holidays and 2013. No Instagram, no blog posts, an Etsy hiatus and almost no phone/texting/emailing (sorry!). It was great to finally have some much-needed downtime...if you can call chasing a 14 month old around while 8 months pregnant in the midst of the craziest holiday season ever "downtime"...but in any case, a little bit of huddling ourselves away from all of our normal obligations and pursuits was well worth it. I am back, now, though, and ready to hit the ground running in this New Year! I can't wait to share more about our Christmas break and 2014 plans with you and hear all about yours. For now...here are a few images to recap our holidays.
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and is adjusting back to reality..better than I am!
