1st Trimester Update

Now that I’m safely into the 2nd trimester I thought I’d recap the 1st trimester and some items that really helped me! I found I was pregnant at almost 5 weeks and actually felt okay for a week or two. Then exhaustion hit me hard during Thanksgiving! It felt like every little thing took so much effort. The following week the nausea hit me. I only had true “morning sickness” a few times where I felt sick from the time I woke up. Luckily, I only dry heaved those times. Other than that my nausea started around lunch most days and lasted until I went to bed that evening. It was hard for me to eat much without feeling very full and like I might be sick during this time. I started the Unisom and B6 combination and I do think that helped some plus keeping my stomach from getting too empty. Ginger Ale helped as well when I would sip on that! Around week 10 my nausea leveled off completely although I still was not able to eat much at once. This has continued into the 2nd trimester.

My only food aversions have been basically any vegetables other than green beans, broccoli or sweet potatoes. My biggest cravings besides carbs have been ice cold pineapple, pineapple popsicles, grilled cheese and fountain Diet Coke with extra ice. These are all still going strong in the 2nd trimester.

Physical changes so far have been lots of bloating and cystic acne. Other than that no baby bump just yet at week 14. I am still able to wear my regular jeans at this point. I have heard with your first you do not show until much later.

The best parts of the 1st trimester was hearing our baby’s heartbeat for the first time, telling our family the good news and finding out the gender! I also loved sharing on social media and telling students at school. Their reactions were so cute and they wrote baby the sweetest notes!

Here are some of my favorite things I used to get through the 1st trimester comfortably:

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I have added some of the supplements I touched on plus the magnesium gummies and probiotics which have helped with being “regular.” I have been reading the devotional book daily and have read through the 2nd trimester in Expecting Better and loved it! I gave my husband the Dad handbook and he reads it every week because it is set up into short two page chapters by the week you are on. Preggie Pops helped with the nausea off and on. The bras have been comfortable for me to wear as my body has been changing and will continue to grow with me over the coming months. I have also been slathering my belly with the belly butter even though I know stretch marks are genetic! Hey, if it makes me feel better and more in control I will take it.

So far in the second trimester I still have acne, acid reflux and daily headaches have appeared in full force. The major plus? Much more energy! Looking forward to these next 6 months and feeling grateful for every second.

Love, Megan

Brewing Positivity

*I am compensated by Keurig® for sharing my view; all opinions remain 100% my own.*

Nothing helps get me going on the right side of bed in the morning quicker than my favorite cup of coffee and the sight of my sweet pups! I am always known as the positive, high energy personality at school (I’m a teacher.) I have even had my students comment on my demeanor before. I wanted to share some things that help me look on the positive side of things daily besides my morning coffee from !

  1. Getting enough rest and taking care of my body. This looks different for everyone but let us face it: it is pretty hard to be positive if you do not feel your best.
  2. Wearing bright colors. I love my neutrals but there is something about pastel or neon colors that helps perk you up.
  3. Taking quiet time for prayers and gratitude. I always spend my commute to school praying and thinking of the many things I am grateful to have in my life.
  4. Playing upbeat music. You know that one song that comes on and you just start to smile? Yeah, that one! I always try to set the mood with music that makes me feel good. For example: my alarm clock ringtone is my favorite song, “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles. How can you not feel positive listening to those lyrics.
  5. Desperate times call for desperate measures: some days you gotta fake it ’til you make it. I have gotten this question a lot over the years, “How are you always so energetic, smiling and positive?” Well, the truth is that I am not. There are days I do not feel great or in a bad mood but I have to make a decision to try to be positive or have an awful day. I really try to be positive for my students and hope it also helps my coworkers with the energy of our school.

Did you know that 4 in 5 people agree their daily cup of coffee helps keep them positive? I certainly agree! I make my coffee at home every morning to save time and money. It is just so easy to pop a pod in and have it brew while I let my dogs out. I usually take my coffee with me on my commute as a little more me time. I truly look forward to it everyday!

I love the ease and convenience of the K-Mini Plus® Single Serve Coffee Maker. It fits virtually anywhere and is perfect for preparing your cup of coffee. You fill the water reservoir, choose your favorite pod from The Original Donut Shop Coffee, add your mug and you are ready to go. Right now, I am loving the Nutty Caramel flavor.

To celebrate the power of positivity The Original Donut Shop is asking Americans to nominate a coworker who positively impacts them. Consumers can nominate a coworker through a simple entry form on www.brewpositivity.com.

25 winners will be randomly selected to win $200 and year supply of The Original Donut Shop K-Cup® pods. Nominations will be accepted through November 22, 2019.

Do not forget to enter my K-Mini Plus® Single Serve Coffee Maker and variety of The Original Donut Shop K-Cup® pods on Instagram! Just comment your favorite coffee and tag a friend and you will be entered to win. Check out Keurig on Instagram if have not already as well! Let me know how you stay positive in the comments. I am always looking for new ideas!

Love,

Megan

Wedding Wednesday: Where to splurge vs. save

The wedding process can be overwhelming. Especially the monetary part of it! There are so many choices to make over the course of the planning phase and unfortunately most of them cost money. Once you’ve set your budget you can begin to make these choices both large and small. I’m sharing my opinion as a past bride on what to splurge on vs. what to save on!

 

WHERE TO SPLURGE:

  • The dress, duh! I know this contradicts my past post but I do think if spending a little more (as long as it’s in your budget) for your dream dress is well worth it.
  • The robe you get ready in the day of the wedding! I still wear mine and think it was worth every penny. It came from Nordstrom where they have a ton of great ones!
  • A special piece of jewelry, shoes etc. to wear the day of your wedding. But in my opinion, I’d only choose one of these things since you’re already going to be wearing a stunning dress! I only chose a pair of earrings as my splurge piece since I wanted my dress to shine.
  • The music for the wedding and reception. I had a violinist for our ceremony and it was worth every penny! She let me choose all the songs which was great since I didn’t use traditional wedding songs. I thought our violinist was the perfect musical backdrop to our beach wedding! For the reception had a band that played lots of 70s music which is what we both really like as a couple. The music can make or break a wedding so definitely splurge here!
  • Save the dates and invitations were worth using premium printing and paper. My best friend is a graphic designer and customized all of our stuff but if I hadn’t known one I would’ve hired one for sure! She also hand lettered all our envelopes which also worth the money to me as well.
  • Drink ware which probably just depends on the couple but we did neoprene koozies and frost flex cups with our logo on them both of which are more expensive but that was something we felt like was worth it!
  • Food is a huge one to me! Wedding dinners per head are more expensive than you could ever imagine even just for a buffet. This has been one thing I’ve known forever but still didn’t want to skimp on. We did a couple different types of fish, chicken, and sides from a local caterer. It was all delicious! I just feel like if people take the time to come celebrate you they should at least be able to enjoy a nice meal.
  • If you are having alcohol at your wedding I think it’s worth it to do the open bar. That’s what we did and we were happy with our choice. I will mention that because of county beach curfew our reception could only be until 10 pm so you probably would have to take into account how long your reception will last.
  • Photography and videography. The first one I feel like most people know but the second one I really didn’t. I was not going to have a videographer until like a month before my wedding. I just didn’t understand the need in the age of cellphones! I’m so glad I had one. I love watching our wedding video. Photos are wonderful but they still can’t capture everything! If you take one thing away from this post it should be: book the videographer!!
  • Your sendoff and whatever that entails. I knew I wanted a sparkler exit so we found the nicest sparklers that burned the longest for that. We also rented a vintage bentley and driver for our getaway car which I loved! This all made for awesome photos.
  • Transportation for your wedding party to and from the wedding location(s). This will ensure everyone is safe and on time to everything!

WHAT TO SAVE ON:

  • Flowers because you can do it yourself with a little help! I’m going to do a whole post on this but basically you can order them wholesale from Sam’s Club and arrange them. We did all of our flowers except my bouquet which was professionally arranged.
  • Cake and sweets since neither my husband or I care about either much. We had a smaller cake and added a topper from ETSY. I noticed that a lot of times at weddings I’ve been to they have way too many sweets period and no one is eating them.
  • Decor in general because I can promise people barely notice this stuff. I had a few hand lettered signs done by my best friend which I loved but other than that we had table runners, small flower arrangements, and a few pictures. Since we got married on the beach we wanted to let that shine through!
  • Programs because I can promise no one cares about them. We had double sided ones printed at Office Depot for less than $30. They doubled as a fan for people if needed and I’m sure most were thrown away which is totally fine because we saved here!
  • Favors which we didn’t do at all. Personally, I can’t recall one favor I got from a wedding ever. I’m sure I did but they’re just not memorable. I love a nice koozie so we had those and the cups.
  • Wedding planner because you can definitely do it on your own if you do some research! It definitely takes some organization but it can be done and is worth the money you save.
  • The venue itself which is what we did in deciding to do both the wedding and reception on the beach at a public access area that had parking and restrooms. Having everything at one location will help you save on everything in general and be easier for you and your guests.

 

 

Overall, when it comes to what to splurge on and what to save on when planning a wedding it truly depends on your personal budget and preferences. If you put your mind to it you can save on anything! Make sure to keep open communication with your partner, parents, in-laws and whoever is involved in the wedding planning process. Have questions? Leave them in the comments below!

Love,

Megan

Wedding Wednesday: So you just got engaged…

So you just got engaged… congratulations! Such an exciting time full of happiness and lots of planning. I’m going to be breaking down the wedding planning process week by week every Wednesday. We planned a wedding in less than 6 months without a wedding planner. Oh, and did I mention it was a destination wedding? It can be done! I won’t be giving you a timeline or anything of that nature so these steps can take place as needed depending on the length of your engagement and planning schedule!

You’re probably overwhelmed right now. There are so many decisions to be made! The first thing you need to do is decide where you’re going to get married. I don’t even mean the venue but your hometown, another destination etc. This is a discussion you need to have with your partner and your families. Definitely take into account travel time for both sides.

Once you’ve agreed on where the wedding will take place you need to talk budget. This may involve both sets of parents or just yourself and partner if you are paying for everything. Once a budget has been set begin researching venues. Look at them online and read reviews if possible. Taking a tour would be wonderful if you’re close enough to do so! You’re also deciding if you will get married in a church and then move to another venue for a reception or if your whole wedding and reception will be at one location. If you choose two separate locations then make sure you take into account distance between them and traffic. This is one of the reasons we chose one location because the traffic where we got married on Highway 30A is awful. It would’ve taken people another hour to travel elsewhere for the reception.

Once you’ve chosen a venue you will need to decide on a date. This will depend on when the venue is available and making sure both sides are free for this time. In my opinion, setting the date is the most stressful part. It’s hard to find dates that work for everyone but can be done! We chose an unconventional day to get married, a Thursday, because it would allow people to travel home that weekend and only take off 2-3 days from work if needed. It also gave my husband and I three days after the wedding to travel back before he had to return to work that Monday.

Once your venue has been reserved and you’ve paid the deposit to secure it the next thing you need to do is choose a photographer. This is where your budget comes into play again. A lot of people don’t realize that wedding photography is a huge expense but it’s worth it. You know the saying: you get what you pay for? It’s true. If you want quality images then you need to make sure you’re choosing an experienced professional photographer. You will obviously need to make sure the photographer you choose is available on the date you want to get married. If you have your heart set on one specific photographer then you might need to work with them when choosing a date before you set it. We actually did this because we knew who we wanted to use. I highly suggest reading reviews and asking around! Stalk photography instagrams and websites.

We got lucky and had the same photographer for our proposal, engagement photos and wedding! If you’re looking for a wedding photographer I can recommend ours: Kendal Dockery-Thompson. 

Once you’ve gotten both of these huge steps accomplished give yourself a pat on the back and maybe even have a glass of vino if that’s your thing! I’ll be back next Wednesday will your next wedding planning steps. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments! I’ll be glad to try and help.

Love,

Megan

Fitness Gift Guide

Today I’m giving you tons of ideas for gifts for the fitness junkie in your life! Screenshot the two photos above to shop on the liketoknow.it app and go directly to the products you’re interested in!

Resistance Band Set – workout from home with this set of resistance bands that can be used countless ways. Each color is a different strength. Easily attaches to doorways and doors in home!

 

NUUN Hydration Tabs – I discovered these portable electrolyte tabs that you drop into your water a few years back when I was consistently running and needed hydration for my long runs while training for half-marathons! They come in many different flavors but personally Cherry Limeade is my favorite.

 

Trigger point Therapy Foam Roller – I have a love/hate relationship with this thing. Foam rolling is fabulous for helping out sore muscles but it definitely isn’t the most pleasant thing to do. When I consistently foam roll I feel like am less sore and able to go harder in my workouts the next day.

 

Zella Socks – These socks have grips inside so they never slide while you’re working out! I need more of these because I’m always wearing them.

 

Invisibobble Hair Ties – The absolute best. I’ve posted about these on my blog 3 times now but they’re the only thing that keeps my hair up during a workout. A must have!

 

 

Nike Tank – I hate to have sleeves on while working out so these tanks are perfect!

 

Adidas Hooded Sweatshirt – Wear this to and from the gym or just for lounging! Love this color.

 

Scalloped Bra Top by Joylab Target – This is so cute and fun! Also comes in black and is part of a matching set.

Scalloped Legging by Joylab Target – Scallops. Do I need to say more? Obsessed with this matching set!

 

Adidas Gym Bag – Transport all your goods in this class duffle! Perfect size for everything you need!

Adidas Airmax – I got these shoes back in August and I’m obsessed. Fashionable and functional? Say no more!

 

Quilted Athletic Pullover – Loving this color but also comes in two others. Perfect for to and from yoga or running errands!

 

Yoga Mat – Perfect to get your flow on or for your floor exercises at the house. I’ve literally never seen a cuter mat ever!

 

S’Well Bottle – Loving this fashionable way to get all your water in whether at the gym, house, or work!

 

 

Outdoor Voices Set – I’m obsessed with this cute color block workout set. Perfect for yoga, spin, lifting weights, hiking etc. Be best dressed at the gym!

Maxboost iPhone X Armband – Perfect for running or a hands free workout!

 

 

 

Apple Airpods – How I ever lived without these I’ll never know. Goodbye annoying headphone cord that gets tangled and hello Airpods! These are on of my favorite purchases of 2018!

Rent the Runway

If you’re anything like me then wearing the same outfit twice to a different event is pure torture. I know it’s silly but I love having something different to wear each time. The only problem is I’m definitely not a millionaire but that’s where Rent the Runway comes in! If you’re not familiar with how it works then I’ll break it down for you in this post.

Shop on either the website or through the app. First fill out your size profile. Then choose the dates you’ll need your rental for. It’s best to choose an arrival date for 1-2 days before the event to make sure it works and you have everything you need to wear with your rental. They have casual and formal dresses and accessories to choose from. I find it helpful to read the reviews on each rental and look at the pictures of people who have a similar body type to me before making a decision.

Another great thing about Rent the Runway is that they have thousands of rentals and there is a price range for everyone. I’ve rented dresses for as low as $35 and some over $100 for a more formal event. When you receive your rental it will come in a hanging bag with two sizes so you can choose which fits you best!

After your event returning your rental couldn’t be easier! You put your rentals back in the garment back and place the shipping label in the outside pocket. Then drop at a FedEx store or drop box.

My husband is in a wedding next month and I’ve already reserved my dress for it and as able to get my rental half-price because Rent the Runway sent me a promotional code.

With the holiday party season coming this would be a great time to rent from Rent the Runway! I’ll be happy to provide links to any of the rentals on my post. Just leave me a comment and let me know which one you’re interested in!

Love,

Megan

What To Wear For Engagement Pictures

Being engaged is one of the most exciting and happiest times in your life but what no one tells you is how many decisions you will have to make between now and getting married. I remember I was so overwhelmed with what to choose to wear for our engagement photos since these would be around forever. You know when you look back on photos from your past and cringe about your hair, make-up, outfit? I did not want that to happen with these photos.

Our photos were taken at the end of January but we got blessed with unseasonable warm and beautiful day. When preparing for our photos my photographer advised me not to wear anything white. I was kind of unsure about that advice at first but now I am so glad I took her advice! Her reasoning is that you wear white all day on your wedding day so save something special for that day.

I did two outfit changes. I am such a dress girl that I decided to make both outfits involve one of those. Both of my outfits were from Show Me Your Mumu. The first was the bell sleeve dress with the print. I loved the colors of this dress and actually already owned it prior to getting engaged which I paired with Tory Burch riding boots.

The second outfit was also from Show Me Your Mumu. It was the black lace dress that I paired with my red cowboy boots. I loved the classic look of this dress and chose it in hopes that when I look at these pictures in a decade or two I will still be happy with my choice to wear it.

As far as jewelry I wore my rings, a watch, small dainty Kendra Scott necklace and earrings. The funniest part of the whole day is we get out to the farm my husband’s family has and I am missing one of my earrings. Thinking it has fallen us we are all searching frantically for it. We never find it so we did the whole engagement shoot with my only having one earring on but you can never tell in any of the pictures. Got home later and found it in the hallway on the floor!

I had my hair and makeup done professionally prior to the photos because it really is not something that I am great at. Definitely splurge for those things if you think it would help you look your best!

My husband also made two outfit changes. He wore dark jeans for the first with checkered button-up. He wore a plaid button up and khaki Wranglers for the second outfit. My advice for dressing your significant other is make sure they wear something that is within their usual style. We wanted a more casual look for our photos so he selected clothing according to that.

My only regrets from our engagement photos are that I had barbie pink nail polish on. I wish I had chosen a more neutral shade or a french manicure. I also wish I had worn a more neutral lipstick instead of pink but at the time that was my go to shade. Overall I am very pleased with how they turned out even almost 3 years later.

And of course do not hesitate to have your fur children in your photos. We only had Reese at the time and she ended up in a photo with us that we chose for our save-the-date that was sent out to our guests! Questions about what to wear for your engagement shoot? I would love to help! Looking for a photographer in the Texas/Arkansas/Oklahoma area? I have your girl! She’s amazing to work with and also did our wedding. She can be reached via her website: Kendal Dockery Photography

Love,

Megan

Crockpot Fall Favorites

It’s finally beginning to feel like Fall here in Arkansas! We made our first crockpot meal last night for this season. I love how easy the preparation and clean up is when using a slow cooker! Today I’m sharing my favorite tried and true crockpot recipes from Pinterest.

BUFFALO CHICKEN CHILI

We made this one yesterday for the first time and it was delicious. Very easy and you just need to brown the ground chicken beforehand. Delicious with fritos and shredded cheese on top!

 

RANCH CHICKEN

This is a favorite in our home! It can be used for tacos, sandwiches, wraps etc. Just throw the ingredients in and come home to an easy meal that serves many people.

 

CHICKEN TACOS

We love these for tacos, quesadillas, salads etc. Easy and a definite crowd pleaser. Would be great to bring to a family gather and pot luck at work!

 

BUFFALO CHICKEN

Very easy with only three ingredients. We love to make this and put it in wraps! There are always plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day!

 

We make sure to buy the crock-pot liners for an easy clean up after. What are some of your favorite crock pot recipes? The easier the better! Send me the link if you have any favs!

 

Love,

Megan