Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas! <3, MiddleCoastMommy

Music for Christmas Eve

Here is a favorite Christmas tune to dance to. Can you tell I like the "oldies?" Enjoy! ;)

Top 5 Natural Beauty Favorites of 2013

Here are my top 5 favorite natural beauty products of 2013!

• bareMinerals READY Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20: With the right brushes this powder foundation can be used both as a concealer and foundation. It not only feels lightweight but also covers and is long lasting.
  
• Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara: Not only does this mascara condition my eye lashes, but really makes them pop. 
  
• Aveda Brilliant Conditioner: I have curly hair and curly hair tends to be on the drier side, and this conditioner has done wonders for my curls! 
  
• Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser: Not only does this cleanser smell amazing, but it also makes my face feel ultimately refreshed afterwards!
  
• Aveda Hand Relief: This lotion smells and feels so good that it's not just me who loves it, but my husband too!
  

Hope you enjoy my favorites, and feel free to share some of yours too!

Cold Weather Fun

To beat cabin fever during those cold winter months, I suggest getting outdoors whenever possible! Living in the midwest you can easily see freezing temps, like tonight when we're -4 degrees with a feel like temperature of -17. So obviously be choosy when you take those adventures. If you do decide to go outside make sure that your little one is dressed in head to toe winter weather gear. When Zooey plays outside she is in snow boots, snow pants, snow coat, snow mittens and a snow hat (literally head to toe winter weather gear). One of her favorite winter activities is riding in the boggon  (has a safety strap and all) as I pull her along, weaving in and out of our front and backyard.

So even though we're "adults" feel free to be a kid again and play with your kid(s) in the snow: snowmen, snowball fights, sledding, ice skating, "snow" castle, snow fort, snow igloo,
cross-country ski, snow angels, and so on.

And if the cold weather gets you down? Put on some island music, turn up the heat, and dance around (inside) in your swimsuits! ;)

Zooey's First Birthday!

Zooey's First Birthday

November 29th marked Zooey's 1st birthday! I feel so blessed to have her in my life, the experience of being a mommy, and all my family and friends who have been there for us. It's truly been a remarkable and unforgettable year. Love you all!


The Sunday after her Birthday we threw a little party for immediate family. I used Paper-Source Fox Place Card Kit to create adorable

Foldable Fox Invitations

invitations. Since it took place in the afternoon we made yummy snack food: Roasted Sweet and Spicy Nuts, Puppy Chow (or during the holidays you can call it Reindeer Food!), carrots and dip, and homemade chocolate cake with whipped vanilla frosting. 

Birthday Cake

Zooey loved seeing her family and getting cute gifts!

Birthday Fun

On another note, since December's holidays reminds people of family and giving I thought it'd be appropriate to pick the Meg Meeker, M.D. book "The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose and Sanity" as December's read! Mother's so often want give to others and make others happy, but sometimes forget about themselves. As Meeker states, "Feeling good about your value to them [your children] is important because the better you feel, the better your relationship with them will be and the happier both of you will be. Sounds simple, but understanding our value and then feeling good about the mothers that we are (or maybe even saying it out loud!) is one of the toughest challenges we mothers face."

The Middle Place

Corrigan and her girls

"This is exactly what being an adult is--leaving a voicemail for the national expert in urology while scrubbing out the grime that builds up inside the lid of a sippy cup. Keeping your toddler from opening
the bathroom door while you inject a thousand dollars' worth of Neupogen into your thigh so you can keep up your white blood cell count. Untangling a pink princess boa while wondering if you are a month away from losing both breasts, both ovaries, and your father." -Kelly Corrigan, The Middle Place

Corrigan with her father

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan is a book about a woman who battles breast cancer while being married with two young children and a lovable father who also has been diagnosed with cancer. She jumps back and forth between stories of her past with her stages of facing cancer. Corrigan reveals emotional and personal accounts that gives the reader an intimate look at her life. It is a life-like read that can seem harsh but has the sweet rewards that only life brings.