Summer Reading

With school around the corner, I know I’m going to miss having Myla at home so much. This summer we have been working on her reading so she is fresh when she heads back into the classroom. One of my favorite things to see is her reading to Viv.  Viv will sit there all day long and listen to her! It is so sweet.

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We received these darling books from Bookroo and my girls LOVE them! They have board books and picture books available through monthly subscriptions.  They come wrapped up really cute, so opening them up is like Christmas! 8 (1 of 1)7 (1 of 1)

This month’s box came with two books.  Myla has been reading them non-stop! She even brings them on car rides with us 🙂 6 (1 of 1)

It is really sweet to see Myla improving in her reading skills.  The first time she read a book to me, I couldn’t help but tear up.  Some milestones just get me! It is amazing watching her grow up and I’m so grateful to be her mom.

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Check out Bookroo to bring a little more joy to your childrens’ life and help them love reading! Good luck with all things back to school! XO4 (1 of 1)3 (1 of 1)

Girl Maker

Being a “girl maker,” or mom of girls, is one of my favorite parts of my life.  No doubt, I would love boys too, but so far I’ve been dealt the girl card, and I’m pretty happy about it!  View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullife

There are SO many things I have learned from raising my babes so far, and it’s clear to me everyday that I have so much more to learn.  I’m ok with that, though!  There are some important things I want my girls to glean. Being kind and compassionate, including to yourself, is a big one!  View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullife

I loved this GIRL MAKER tee from Revol Roots because it connected to my heart.  It is made of the most comfortable material and I love how simple it is!  I wear it all the time!

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I’m going to get real here.  I’ve had to learn a few things the hard way, and as a result, my parenting style has changed quite a bit these last couple years.  I used to parent a lot out of fear.  Mainly fear that I wouldn’t teach them something they needed to know, or that they would grow up lacking some major component of life I hadn’t given them. I put so much unnecessary stress into my life everyday, even though my intentions were pure.  My stress, of course, was not helping my children to be carefree, happy, and confident like I wanted them to be.  Haha like I had been stressing to teach them to be! Thankfully, I hit my knees in prayer and was guided to some books that helped me come to a pretty clear realization…The only way for me to truly teach them, is for me to be what I want them to be.  It was daunting and overwhelming at first.  I was in a place where I knew I had a lot to work on, in many ways.  Being kind to myself was not even something I was comfortable with.  Looking back on it now, it’s hard to wrap my head around the daily thoughts and conversations I allowed to roll around in my brain, and even vocalize to myself.  No wonder I was feeling inadequate as a wife, mother, homemaker, daughter, sister, friend, etc.  Sadly, I was telling myself I was inadequate in almost every way with the hope that it would somehow motivate me to do better.  Hence the fear of not raising my girls “right.”View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullife

It has taken daily prayer, and intentional action every single day for the last couple years, but I’m finally in a place where I am kind to myself.  I’m not perfect by any means, and I catch myself slipping all the time.  All it takes, though, is one look in my daughter’s eyes to bring me back. (Or my sweet husband not letting us leave until I appologize to myslef for the self-depreciating comment I made 🙂 )  The best and most effective way to teach, in my opinion, is by example.  I feel like one of the greatest gifts I, as a mother, can give my daughters is to embody the things I am trying to teach them.  At first it seemed selfish to me to put so much effort in my improvement, but it has made such a difference!

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Our home has become so much more relaxed and encouraging, the more confident I become in my imperfection.  I want my girls to know how beautiful and special they are, be confident, and the rest will come! I love being a GIRL MAKER!Girl maker t shirt- gray v neck! Girl mom shirt!

Have a wonderful week! XO

Photos by Stayc Smart

Extend Your Summer Nights

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I’m still in denial a bit that school is starting in a couple weeks and that summer is coming to an end 😦 My summer loving heart never wants it to leave! We have been trying to make the most of every day.  If you are like us, you may also be clinging to summer, and wanting a way to extend your summer nights!

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The girls and I have spent a lot of nights this summer watching their dad play lacrosse on his summer league.  We are usually using my phone to take pictures, dance to music, chat with grandparents, etc while we “watch” 🙂 By some crazy miracle (they lost most of the games this season) they actually make it to the playoffs and clawed their way to a victory last night! If you hurry, you can catch my cute husband’s championship victory dance on my Instagram story haha (@savanahpoulsen)

Since we use my phone all day (mainly for our dance parties) and now we also use it all night, my battery just cant keep up! I’m so grateful for my portable charger from MOXYO 🙂 It carries a full charge on it and has saved us many times! By saved us, I mean made it possible for Myla to take more selfies because you know those are GOLD haha

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Documenting our fun times together is something that is super important to me.  It’s nice to know I have my MOXYO charger to help! This cute case is also from MOXYO and I love it.  It is sleek and since my phone is gigantic, it’s great to have a case that doesn’t add any bulk!

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View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullifeThank you to MOXYO for the awesome case and charger! Thank you to Stayc Smart for the photos! My scalloped top is the same one from the Scalloped Details post 🙂

Hope you are enjoying your summer! I’d love to hear your favorite activities and how you extend your summer nights! XO

 

Scalloped Details

There is nothing better than hanging with my girls! I love their cute little personalities and getting to spend every day with them.  I also love wearing things that make it easy to be comfortable to play around with them! Enter, this top!Scalloped top from Brick and Main! Lovely short sleeved shirt with feminine detail!

Nothing beats a top that is functional and darling! Little details really make a big difference in my opinion. The scallops on this top from Brick + Main are my favorite! The sleeves and length are also perfection.  View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullife

My sweet Myla has so much energy and her silliness is contagious! I just love joking around with her.  If only I could bottle her up haha!View More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullifeView More: http://staycsmartphotography.pass.us/boldbeautifullife

I learn all my crazy faces from her!  Give them a shot, a good silly face can totally brighten your day 🙂

Photos by Stayc Smart Photography follow her HERE she is the best!

Hope you have an amazing week! Head to Brick + Main for the cutest clothes.  I seriously love them all!  XO

Little Besties

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One of my motherhood dreams has always been for my kids to be good friends.  It melts my heart to see it happening with these two babes! I worried a little bit when I was pregnant with Viv.  They are five years apart and I thought it might make it hard for them to become good friends, but I was totally wrong! They are the most darling little friends and want to be together all the time.  I love it!

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Most days Myla begs to get Viv dressed and pick out her clothes.  I let her for the most part, but sometimes the outfits get a little crazy haha! I love having things like this cute poppy jumper from Little Cottonwood that make it easy and look adorable.  PS it is on sale 😉viv1 (1 of 1)

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I tried to play with Viv a bit, but she was NOT having it haha! She just wanted her sister, or to be doing her own thing.  Unless I bribed her with a fruit snack haha.  She still had a bit of a scowl, though.  See pic below 🙂

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My flowy white top is from Cozy Threads Boutique, and I am loving it.  I can’t get enough of tops that are comfortable and easy, while still looking good! Check out their site and use code COZY25 for 25% off your purchase!

Flowy white top! Women's summer and spring style :)

Hope you have an amazing week! I’m hoping to get some deep cleaning done, and possibly even some reorganizing if I’m feeling extra ambitious haha!

XO Savanah

Seaport Stitches

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When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I remember the moment I realized how important my diaper bag would be and how much I instantly cared so much about it! I needed it to be so many things, but most of all, I needed it to look amazing.  It wasn’t until after I had my baby that I realized the functionality is just as important. I wish I had this bag and clutch from Seaport Stitches when I started my mom journey!  I have been obsessing over it from afar for a long time and now I get compliments on it daily.  It definitely checks the “looks amazing” box! The best part about it, though, it also checks the functionality box! Some of my favorite features include the zipper across the top (keeping those sweet baby hands from emptying it all day) the pockets lining the inside, the large outside pockets, and best of all-> the convertible strap.  It can be a backpack or a messenger bag style just by adjusting the clips. I never knew I could be so in love with a backpack!

My other new obsession is my diaper clutch.  I almost can’t believe how much I love it.  My favorite part (other than how stinkin cute it is) is the built in pocket for wipes! No more carrying around a separate wipe container, and diapers, and a wallet, and your phone, and your lipgloss, and your keys…goodness! This beauty fits IT ALL in one darling little package.  I carry it with me all the time and when I also need toys, food, books, blankets (I could go on and on) I just throw it in my diaper bag as well.  Honestly, it has made those quick trips to the store, school, or friend’s house so much nicer! They come in lots of cute designs too.  Love love love! Make sure you check out these bags, they sell out crazy fast.  I can totally see why!

Hope you enjoy your day! XO Thank you to Seaport Stitches for sponsoring this post! Also, thank you to Stayc Smart Photography for the photos.  Check her out on instagram @staycsmartphotography

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Little Head to Toe GIVEAWAY!

 

I have yet to find a person that doesn’t think baby shoes are the cutest ever.  They just are. I love them, but I have a hard time keeping them on Viv’s feet.  She will kick and pull on them until she gets them off!  BUUUT…not these cute little shoes from Little Head to Toe!  She wears them all day and loves it.  I don’t blame her.  They look amazingly comfortable, and adorable. What more could she want from shoes!?

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Chanel from Little Head to Toe just launched her fall line and there are so many darling designs.  Also, she is the sweetest! I am hosting a GIVEAWAY with her for one lucky winner to get their very own pair of shoes.  Head over to my instagram (@savanahpoulsen) to enter! Hurry though, it ends tomorrow night!

Also, click HERE to check out Little Head to Toe and use code “BBLIFE” to get 10% off your order!

 

Holding on to Summer in Mommy Daughter Dresses

Welcome to part two of our mommy and me collaboration with my girl Sandy! She is so much fun, I love that we were able to get together.  In case you missed it on the first post, we both have baby girls named Vivian, and they are only about a month apart.  They were so cute playing on the grass together!  I loved seeing their sweet little personalities come out.  If you haven’t checked out Sandy’s blog yet, you are missing out! She is inspiring in so many ways, find her here. We wanted to do a dressier look with our girls, that still felt like summer.  I love when an outfit is comfortable, cute, and functional for mommyhood!

Photos by LC Photography

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We teamed up with Lucky Lamb and Co. for our Vivians’ headwraps, and I’m in love!  I seriously want everything in the shop! I’m so excited to be able to offer you a coupon code for free shipping on your order from Lucky Lamb and Co.  Go check them out, fall in love, and use the code VIVIAN2 to get your free shipping!

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I also want to introduce you to my sister in law’s company TweetleDee Shoes.  She makes leather baby and toddler flip flops! They are so adorable and I love the softer sole for those early walkers! She can even do custom orders, check her out!

 

 

 

 

Mommy and Me: Babies and Bloomers

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A few months ago I met this awesome girl, Sandy, when we were both modeling for Happy Baby Wrap.  She was so sweet and of course, darling! We both happened to have baby girls named Vivian and they are only about a month apart!  She is an amazing blogger, check her out here!  She totally inspires me.  I don’t know how she balances so many talents and motherhood with such style and grace!  She is wonderful.  We decided to team up with our cute babes and bring you a joint mommy and me post!  I died when I saw these bloomers we got from Tiny Tot Threads.  They are so fun.  They also have lots of adorable dresses I have been eyeing!

Photos by LC Photography. She was wonderful to work with!

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Both Vivians were pretty happy and interactive until we added these Loulou Lollipop teething necklaces.  Then my Viv was obsessed, and I couldn’t get her to focus on anything else haha.  At one point she was actually double fisting, stuffing them into her mouth.  Ha it was intense.  To say she loved them would be an understatement!

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I love when Sandy and I have conversations about our girls because we each say, “my Viv” whenever we refer to them.  Makes me laugh!

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These bows from Little Cans are so neat because they come with three colors of clip on bows and two sizes for the headband. I love how customizable they are!

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My top is from The Rambler Boutique, Jeans from Gap

Vivian’s bloomers from Tiny Tot Threads, Moccs from Sophie Kate Moccasins, Headband from Little Cans, Top from Gap