Rea - 4 Months Old & the Secret to Traveling with Her

 

 

Rea is growing too too fast. She was actually 4 months on Monday!

So on Monday...I mentioned we would be traveling with Rea to Austin to visit my mom for my birthday.

This trip will be super easy with two of us but About a month ago I traveled to Austin to visit my mom (Grami & Papi) by myself. It's about a 3.5 hour trip from Houston (I think...I can't remember haha).

Eric was out of town on a business trip to New York (lucky butt).

I was pretty nervous and fully prepared to stop or turn around if I needed to! 

Well what do you know...she was a fantastic little travel mate.

The secret?!?! 

 

1. Keep about 5 pacifiers in front with you at all times.

 

2. Make sure your arm is long enough to reach the baby.

(Maybe do some arm stretches the week before to make it longer?) haha

 

3. Place a baby mirror in front of her car seat (attached to the backseat headrest) so you can see her at all times.

 

4. Anytime you can't find current paci...give her one from your stash!

Not sure if it's the safest but I did keep my eyes on the road...just reached my hand back to her :-/

What are your secrets to traveling with the baby? Or kids in general!

Have a great day yall!

Xoxo

Manda

 

Happy Monday ladies!

...oh...who am I kidding...

I am BUTT tired today y'all.

We hosted Easter lunch at our house yesterday and it was exhausting. Had a great time...just exhausting!

I kept my attire super casual and comfy since I was in the kitchen all morn. I forgot to wear my apron, so i ended up with powdered sugar all over me and my face at one point and splatters from various recipes!

Wearing Shirt from Express and maxi dress from Conversation Pieces. Also a red chloe vs tank bracelet!

I made homemade mac and cheese for the first time and it turned out great plus I made my mom's awesome apple cake! Hopefully I'll be able to post the recipe for you guys tomorrow!

I took chloe to the vet for her yearly exam and she was over the moon for her car ride!

I also had a little time to add some extra bracelets to the shop.

Visit chloe vs tank and use coupon code CHLOE for a buy 1 Get 1 Half Off!

Thats about all I got for you today! As I said...I am pooped.

And I'll try to blog a little more this week haha.

xoxo

manda

Anybody Home?

Hi ladies!!!

It has really been a while huh?!

Well, since getting married and starting my new job...it's just been so busy. I have to prioritize my family, my job and working out...and those things have taken priority over blogging. 

Hope you can understand! 

I have missed blogging but it really does take a lot of time. 

If you still follow me on Instagram...then you've been able to keep up with me a little bit :-) 

I also started making bracelets again at Chloe vs Tank!
Use coupon code BLOG for $5 off your order!
And it's always free shipping!

Also...have been selling some clothes on Poshmark! 

(search for mandapanda81 on the app!)

And just a few photos to show you what we've been up to!

yeah...we pretty much lead a simple life!!!

I'm excited to be back! I won't be bloggin 5 times a week but I should be on here 2 or 3 days a week for now! i just need to find some balance!

alright ladies!!

I'll be back later this week!

xoxo

manda

Reasons why...

shirt: F21, Skirt: Modern Vintage Boutique (seriously in love with this skirt! it was a Black Friday buy!)

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5 reasons why it doesn't feel like Christmas.

It's 80 degrees every day here in Texas.

Chopping down our Christmas tree in 80 degree weather.

Wearing short sleeves in 80 degree weather in December.

It's 80 degrees...everyone is wearing shorts... while I'm pretending it's cool by wearin scarves.

It's 80 degrees out and I have my car blowing the a/c.


Oh did you know it's been in the 80s here in Houston?



Reasons why I shouldn't be singing and grooving in the car?

Just happening to look over at the car next to me and realize that they are probably laughing at me.

I def do not sing in tune...I pity anyone that hears me.

I'm sure the car shakes while I'm stopped at the stop light...no, people, no hanky panky going on in here...just rockin out!


Can you tell his southern girl is ready for some cool weather?!?!

y'all have a great day ladies!!!
xoxo
manda

Size...me

Jacket: c/o Frock Candy (same jacket)
Shirt: Forever 21
Shoes: H&M
Necklace: Old Navy
Glasses: c/o Firmoo 
(bloggers get free glasses and I'll show you how tomorrow!)

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So almost all of you have never met me in person...except for the few of the Houston bloggers that I met once...in which i need to go to more outings with you ladies!

Anyways...sometimes when I see people on a blog...I create an image in my head of maybe how tall they are or what not. Get what I'm saying?

Well...sometimes I wonder what y'all think I would be like if you met me in person!

Do you think I'm tall? Short? Super talkative?

I am actually a very very quiet person until I get to know you. It takes me a while to warm up...but when I do...I'm just a goofy butt!

My stats...

I am...
5'6"

123 lbs (I have never weighed less than 110 and at that weight I looked sick!) I am looking to get a little more toned like I was during the summer...been slacking at the gym lol)

wear a size 26 in jeans and a small in most shirts.

Shoe size is 8 (eric might beg to differ they are a size 11 but I promise...size 8!)

I have green eyes (aka cat eyes).

Never had braces as a kid but have straight teeth.

I have broad shoulders and a bubble butt...also pretty well endowed up top thanks to my mom! haha

I've been told I have long legs. Others have said I have tree trunks for legs...(yeah thanks)

People always say I look like amanda peet.

So does this give you some perspective of how I would actually size up in person?!?! Did you picture me a little different?!

xoxo
manda

Polka Dot Love...plus win a cross bracelet!

I love mustard and blue together! 
and of course polka dots are very in season!

 

Photos by: Juliana Evans Photography

Dress: c/o James & Leigh (same dress)

Boots: c/o Blowfish Shoes (same boots)

Boot Socks: c/o Grace & Lace

Bracelets: c/o Derng (Pave Cross / Chain Link)

Scarf: Target

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Oh you guys. We took some family photos this weekend! Meaning Eric and I plus the two pups! It was actually a lot of fun except for the getting up at 6:30 in the morn part! We had stayed up late the night before so obviously we weren't very happy lol! 

And goodness gracious....it was so difficult getting these pups to sit still. For some reason...when Chloe knows you have a camera pointed at her...she refuses to look (or maybe it was the ducks behind us in the pond). And poor Juliana...she was holding Tank's leash for a second and I guess he decides to try and charge off. Not sure how that 5"1' pretty lady held on to him but she did!

It was definitely a fun experience! I'm just glad I actually got Eric in front of the camera! I can't wait to see them! (Hint hint to Juliana...haha...Jk)

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But anyways...I have a fun little surprise for you that you will love!!

Accessories can always make an outfit and bracelets from Derng are no exception. They are so stylish and have become a staple in my everyday wardrobe...seriously!

Emily...the creative lady behind Derng is giving away one pave sideways cross bracelet! 

I'm sure you've seen me wearing mine a ton! And if you already have one...enter anyway...because they make the greatest Christmas gifts!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

xoxo

Manda
linking to the pleated poppy

PS: Dont forget to enter the huge November Group Giveaway here and The Hope's $50 GC here.

Loving Gray...plus a little something for you!

I love the color gray...I really do!

Photos by Juliana Evans Photography

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Polka Dot Gray Shirt & Necklace: c/o Hope's

Bracelets: c/o Derng (Pave Cross / Chain Link)

Coffee Cozy: c/o The Cozy Project

Shoes: Francesca's Collections (same shoes)

Chambray Shirt: H&M

Purse: Old Navy

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You guys...I am so pooped...I just finished my crossfit class and can barely lift my arms up...you know the kind of work outs where you can even lift your arms to wash your hair in the shower??? yeahhhhh....anyways....

So...I've found quite a few new shops recently and they are so amazing! Be sure to check out the links above!

and one of those shops of course is Hope's!

I have a seriously long wish list! If We didnt just buy a new car...these would be on my birthday list which is Thursday!!

Scarf & Dress

Cardigan

See...and thats not even the beginning! Their items are sold so fast...if you see something you want...don't wait...it will be gone the next time you log in to buy! I'm so not even joking!

Hope's is actually giving one of you ladies a $50 gift certificate to their online shop!

Amazing...and I'm jealous!!

Want to win? Enter via rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

xoxo

Manda
linking to the pleated poppy

PS: Dont forget to enter the huge November Group Giveaway here

.

my new jean jacket...

Jean Jacket: c/o Sheinside (same jacket)

Shirt: Conversation Pieces (similar)

Jeans: Big Star (old) // Boots: Tilly's

and for some reason Eric likes to take continuous shots as I'm walking back...goodness gracious!

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I have been wanting a jean vest jacket for a while now and when I saw this one from Sheinside...I had to have it! 

Eric said I should be living somewhere in Montana on a ranch in this outfit but its comfy! He did say it was cute tho!

And then I wasn't so sure about the jeans with the vest so i paired it with a maxi...

Oh and one quick question?

Does anyone else practice in the mirror or is it just me? haha!

I hope y'all have a great day ladies!!

xoxo

manda