My Diaper Bag Essentials

Happy Friday friends! I'm finally getting around to getting these essentials up for y'all. All of these are items that I always have in my diaper bag. They are products that I love and use daily, so I hope this guide helps some of my fellow mommas find some new products you love too!

 

Outfit details: My Tee-Ily Couture || My Leggings-Lululemon || Ian's Tee: Target || Ian's Shorts: Similar Here

First, let's talk my diaper bag. I have had this one for a while now, and I can officially say I absolutely LOVE it. Especially with another baby on the way, there is no way I can use a bag that isn't a backpack style. But, there are multiple ways you can wear this one, which is great. The hands free option has been the best way to go with a toddler. And plus, is this bag not adorable?! You can find it HERE.

For diapering, I have been using Honest Company's diapers and wipes since we ran out of diapers that we got from our baby showers, and I won't turn back. I love knowing they are made without harmful materials/chemicals, and the auto-ship option makes it so easy. I never worry about running out of diapers. It doesn't hurt that all the prints are the cutest. You can shop their diapers and wipes HERE. I actually use THIS clutch here to carry Ian's wipes in, and it has been great! 

All of the skin/make-up products I carry are from Beautycounter. The ones I keep on me always are this sunscreen face stick, this sunscreen, this lip gloss and this hand lotion. The face stick is so easy to apply on Ian when we're headed to the park for just a little bit, but I have to carry the regular sunscreen too just in case because his skin is so fair. I'm terrible at ever putting sunscreen on myself, which I know I need to get better about!

The last two products you see pictured are this TwistShake Sippy Cup and my Erin Condren LifePlanner™. The sippy cup in my bag usually gets switched out frequently, but I have loved this one. [Some of my other favorite sippy cups are HERE and HERE.] You can add fruit to this one and shake to create a fruit infused water. I try not to give Ian juice too much, so this is perfect for adding a little flavor to his water. And, if you're a mom always on the go like I am too, this planner is so great for staying organized! I don't always carry it around because my bag is already crazy heavy and full, but it seriously is the cutest planner ever!

What are your must-haves in your diaper bag? I'm always looking for new goodies to make life easier. :) Have a great long weekend friends!

xoxo, Ash 

*All photography by Sam Carbine*

Summer Vest Style

 The past few spring and summers, I have been a lover of a good vest. They are a great piece to add a little more detail to your outfit and switch things up a little bit. Now that I'm pregnant again too, I love being able to throw on a tank and put a long vest over it to dress it up a little bit. 

I have this exact top in 3 different colors and LOVE it. It's currently on sale for just under $28 {linked below}! I have also linked the rest of the details of this look below. If the exact piece isn't in stock or is old, I have linked one similar to make it easy to shop this look. :)

  

xoxo, Ashley

*All Photography by Sam Carbine*

Five Things Motherhood Has Taught Me

With Mother's Day being this weekend, and now having two years of being a momma under my belt, I decided I would share a few things that being a mom has taught me. 

You can never imagine how much love you actually have room for in your heart. 

Before Ian arrived, I could have never imagined how much I would instantly love such a tiny little human. The amount of love you have is something I can never fully put into words, but each day that love grows more and more. Now that we're pregnant with our second child, I have wondered how I could ever love another baby as much as I love Ian, but then I remember how I could have never imagined there being this much room in my heart for such feelings and know that I won't understand until our sweet boy is here. I know I will love him just the same!

It's Okay to Ask for Help
I have always been one who is pretty independent and likes to do things on my own. I always felt like asking for help was a sign of weakness, and in my mind I was so strong that I couldn't ever let it appear like I was weak. That couldn't be farther from the truth. As humans, we all have our strengths, but I feel like sometimes asking for help when it's needed just shows you are that much stronger. As mommas, this is a tough gig whether you're trying to do it all by yourself or not. So just remember that it is 100% more than okay to ask for help or take help when it's offered to you.

Taking Care of Yourself is Important
I've come to terms with the fact that when I don't take care of my body and my mind, I'm not the best mom. I need the time to workout, eat a good meal or just get some rest in order to be a better mother. It can be exhausting always having to worry about your child, making sure you know where they are at all times and making sure they're fed, dressed, bathed day-in and day-out. I've come to realize what my body and mind needs in order to be my best self for everyone else. So make sure you take that time to recharge.

The Chores Can Wait
So I'm not always the best at remembering this one, but it is so important to soak in all of the play time, hugs, kisses and cuddles you can get from your little ones. They grow up way too quickly, and I'm not going to remember that basket of laundry that didn't get folded a year from now. So note to self, enjoy them being little while you can. You won't regret those memories.

There is No Need for Mom Guilt & Shame
Every single mother's journey is going to be different. For me personally, I could only breastfeed Ian for about two months. I had a really hard time with my supply, and he wasn't gaining enough weight. When I decided to feed him 100% formula, I was so upset about it and really struggled with feeling like I was a failure. Once I finally got over that though, I realized that Ian was happy and healthy, and that was what was most important. I share this to say that you don't know what struggles another mother or human being in general is facing, so never ever dare shame her/him. I have the utmost respect for women that are able to breastfeed for an entire year or more, but I also have the same amount of respect for those women who aren't able to for being able to make a decision that is best for their family and child. This goes for so many more parenting decisions other that just breastfeeding, but that was the most personal example I could share. So please moms, stop with the shaming and let's respect, support and build each other up. This thing called motherhood is hard enough without all of that negativity.

What have you learned through your journey or what has being a daughter taught you about motherhood? I'm sending love and prayers to every mom, woman and daughter no matter your situation
on this special weekend.

xoxo, Ashley

One Tank, Three Ways

I love being able to style one piece several ways + you can style just about any tank like I've shown below for the spring and summer. First, I just styled the tank by itself which is great for warmer days or a more casual setting. If I need to dress it up or change up the outfit just a little bit I've added a kimono next. Kimonos are the best closet staple to have for these humid months here in TN (and will be great for me being preggers this year).

Finally, if I need to make a tank look a little more professional or dress is up even more, I have added a white blazer. Have I told you how much I love blazers?! I have multiple colors and styles, and this one is extremely light weight, which is great. What are some other way you like to style your tank tops? I would love to hear!

Even though these pieces are old (and all of them are non-maternity!), I have linked similar pieces to each item below, so you can easily shop + achieve all of these looks. Have a great rest of your week babes!

xoxo, Ashley

*All photography by Sam Carbine*

The Perfect Floral Peplum

A floral peplum top is definitely a must have for the warmer weather. Peplums been perfect for my growing bump, plus I can still wear them after the baby is born, which I love. When I saw this top from Vici Collection, I knew I had to get it. (And no, this post isn't sponsored! I just LOVE all of their stuff. I shop there WAY too much.) I am a sucker for anything floral right now too. Let's be honest, I just have a shopping obsession in general! :) 

This color is currently sold out, but you can sign up for the restock notification HERE. You can find it in black, which is adorable too, HERE. I have linked some other cute peplums below as well. I love finding lightweight jackets than I can layer with to mix up an outfit like I did below. This exact one is from a few years ago, but I've also linked some similar below. They are such great staples, and who doesn't love a few good ways to wear one top?! 

xoxo, Ashley

*All photography by Sam Carbine*

Erin Condren Party + Must Have's

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being invited to an Erin Condren party here in Nashville to check out her line and to mix + mingle with other Nashville blogger babes. I have always loved her pieces and cannot tell you how excited I was to be invited to this event. What's even better is that ERIN herself ended up popping into the party. We had no idea she would be there, so it was such a fabulous surprise. She was the sweetest, and I just loved getting to meet her and chat with her. 

If you know me, you know I am such a planner. I love to have my days/weeks planned out. I hate being late, and I love anything that has to do with organization. So when I received Erin Condren's LifePlanner ™, I was immediately obsessed. You can see the personalized one I got below (p.s. did you know you can personalize ALL of her products and free of charge...winning!). All of the designs are adorable, which makes it even more fun, but way hard to narrow it down to just one design. Not only does she have pieces great for getting your life together and organized, but she now has a home section as well. I am for sure in trouble after seeing all of the cute pillows and throws at the party. You will definitely want to head over to check it all out HERE! 

It's pretty much a one-stop-shop for getting your home, office and life organized in an adorable and fun way. I know with a toddler and one on the way, life is about to get even busier and crazier than it already is, and I know I won't forget anything with her line to keep me organized + keep the creative juices flowing. :) And, y'all, pregnancy brain mixed with mom brain is no joke right now. I feel like I forget things every single day, so now I really have zero excuse to blame it on that! Added bonus, I was totally geeking out color coding our events, appointments, etc. depending on who it was for with her set of different colored pens. Those are definitely a must-have to get with your Erin Condren LifePlanner ™!

Discount code alert! I'm excited to share that y'all can currently get 15% off with the code "GETSOCIAL15" now through 7/31/17. (Please note this code cannot be combined with any other offers). I hope y'all enjoy her products as much as I do!

xoxo, Ashley

All photography by Sam Carbine.

This post was sponsored by Erin Condren.