Body Image {Motherhood Challenges Series}

Becoming a mother is an earth shattering experience. If you haven't been through it, there really is no way to explain it. Honestly. Besides having the precious little bundle of joy and the excitement of being a mother, there are a lot of things a woman goes through. 

After growing this gorgeous belly and having everyone admire your body's ability to house a human, all of a sudden you are empty. You have nothing but flab skin and stretch marks, your hair is falling out and your breasts are leaking milk. What has happened, you may ask yourself? Where am I in all this? Who's this tired and frazzled woman starring at me in the mirror?

All those things are normal and part of the deal.

After having my first baby, I was super upset and almost hated the way my body looked. I gained too much weight and on top of that, had a C-section which made healing that much more painful physically and emotionally. There were stretch marks and lots of silent tears in the shower. I did not appreciate what my body has done and wanted my old self back. Desperately.

It took time and lots of patience to feel like myself again.

This time around, I took care of myself and was kind to my body all throughout my pregnancy. I ate healthy, exercised and didn't gain above what I should. But I still have loose skin and a flabby belly which will take time to disappear. And even though I look better, it's my attitude and thoughts that changed. 

I appreciate my body's ability to grow a human being.  I marvel at the fact that I was able to give birth naturally and the incredible feeling that it gave me. 

I love my curves and that soft belly that once held my precious little girl. I enjoy the fact that my ankles are back and don't look like elephant feet anymore (ha!). I love being able to breastfeed my child and laugh every time I get a let down. 

I know that it takes time to lose the baby weight but I'm not in a hurry. I'm enjoying this season of life because I know it goes by way too fast.

Honestly, having a positive body image is not about size or number on the scale, it's about feeling comfortable in your own skin. I'm happy with the way my body looks right now and what it has accomplished. I know I'm not perfect, and never want to be. Those curves remind me that this body brought two amazing individuals into the world and that's something to be celebrated (with a giant piece of cake;-).

The Last of Summer

top: INC
skirt: Forever21 (similsr here and here on sale)
heels: old (similar)
bag: Kate Spade
glasses: Choies c/o
watch: Fossil

It's officially fall over here. The mornings are so chilly that I'm itching to turn the heat on. Yet, I couldn't wait to wear this top (which I go on super sale) until next year. I know that it's not online or in stores anymore but I just love it. The stripes and the flowers are so perfect together I think. Plus, can you tell I'm in love with this midi skirt? Although, I'm quite not sure about the 70s trend for this fall. I can get on board with denim but suede isn't quite my thing (yet). Are you a fan of all the fringe, suede and lots of denim? 

Thank you for stopping by!
P.S. Enter jewelry giveaway of your choice HERE
P.P.S Can you help a girl out please? HERE

Shop Red Midi Skirt

What Would You Like To See More?

Happy Sunday! If you've been following me for a while, you know I've done all kinds of posts. Everything from recipes to marriage advice has been on this blog. Although, having variety is a good idea, I would like to narrow down what I'm going to post and focus on that from now on. Changing my blog's direction and having a goal in mind is something I'm working on right now. 

Would you help a girl out? It seems that all kinds of different posts get interaction from a lot of people. In an effort to narrow down what this blog is about, give ideas about your favorite posts. Or is it something totally different that I haven't explored but you would like to see. 

1) Outfits

2) Family+Kids
3) Recipes
4) Home+Decor
5) DIY
6) Motherhood\

7) Shopping Deals

8) How To...
9) Guest Post
10) Relationship/Marriage

Thank you so much for your input! 

Have a wonderful day.

Fall Layers + GIVEAWAY

DRESS: Dorothy Perkins
CARDIGAN: Gap
PUMPS: J.Crew (also love these flats under $22)
GLASSES: Choies c/o
SATCHEL: Kate Spade (similar on sale!)
BRACELETS: My Arm Charms c/o

It's Friday again! This week has been flying by while we are enjoy the last of nice weather. Trip to the zoo and family play time is what late summers are made of. I'm definitely going to miss it! This outfit came together as I was running late for church in the morning. I just can't stop wearing these striped pumps and planning all my outfits around them ha! Also, how cute are these bracelets (one and two)? They are a perfect addition to my fall accessories and can be dressed up or down. My Arm Charms shop is giving away TWO bracelets of your choice to one lucky reader! 

Enter to win with the Rafflecopter below and have a great weekend.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rustic French Apple Tart {Recipe}

Whenever I ate apple tarts at bakeries, they were delicious but looked too intimidating to make. Then one time, I was all out of pie crust and had basic ingredients on hand. That one time was my lucky time because from now on I don't want to buy another crust dough, The dough is light and flaky while the apples are sweet and yummy. This apple tart is a true French perfection. 

Adopted from Alexandra's Kitchen 

Ingredietns

Tart Shell

1 1/4 cups flour, plus more for dusting

2 tablespoon sugar (optional — this is my addition. I love a little sugar in a tart shell.)

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and chilled, divided

1/4 tsp. table salt 

Apple Filling

7 apples* peeled and cored 

2 tbsp granulated sugar

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup corn starch

1 tsp lemons juice

1/2 cup apricot jam, (optional)

*I used Gala apples, and I needed about 6 for my 9-inch tart pan.

Process

1. Combine flour, sugar, 8 tbsp. butter, and salt and work together with your hands to incorporate butter into flour. Drizzle in 3 tbsp. ice­ cold water and work it until dough is moistened. Clump it together to make sure it's not falling apart. Transfer the dough to a work surface and form into a flat disk; wrap in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Peel, core and slice the apples.

(Note: This can be made up to three days in advance, You can follow this tutorial for a real fancy lay out of the apples. I do not have that much time on my hands so I just dumped the cut apples into the tart. Shall we say it's a rustic apple tart.)

2. Unwrap dough and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, flatten dough into a 13″ circle and then transfer to a tart pan with a removable bottom; trim edges; chill for 15 minutes.. 

(Note: It may be easier to remove the bottom of the tart pan and roll the dough directly on it. It was a little tricky getting the dough into the pan after it was rolled out)

3. Heat oven to 350º. Combine apples, sugars, corn starch, cinnamon and lemons juice in a bowl and toss it together to coat. Fill the tart with apple mixture and spread it out evenly. Bake for 45 minutes.

4. If you’re doing the apricot glaze: heat apricot jam in a small saucepan until warmed and loose; pour through a fine strainer into a small bowl and set aside. Transfer tart to a wire rack; using a pastry brush, brush top of tart with jam. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.