Our Weekend + Recent Buys + 14-Day Plank Challenge

Today was a really fun day. I woke up feeling a little anxious because I wasn't sure if Harper would be in pain or really bruised, but her upper lip area actually looked way better than the day before and though the swelling was still present on the inside of her upper lip, but the outside looked good, considering how hard the fall was.

We ended up going through with our plans to go to the Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival at the Nature Discovery Center. My in-laws joined us and we had a great time walking the grounds and playing at the park.

Can you believe Harper actually kept her sunglasses on for some of the time we were there? I think it's the longest she's ever worn them. I'm trying to get her to wear her babiators more often so she's used to them when we go to the Bahamas. By the way, babiators have a warranty--- if you break or lose them within a year of having them, they replace them for free (you just pay $5.95 shipping). Harper's broke a couple of months ago (we would have tried to fix them but the second lens was MIA) and they sent us a new pair right away.

Harper's favorite thing lately is the slide. Since the weather has cooled down a little (in the 70's or 80's instead of the 90's, ha) we have taken evening walks most nights and she loves going to the park. She can slide down all by herself now and keeps saying "more more" because she wants to go again and again.  So it was no surprise when she beelined for the slide at the nature center today.

Anytime she sees pumpkins, she wants to carry them or sit on them...

She loved that smiling scarecrow�we had to jump around just to get her to look at the camera for this shot...

 The perfect size to carry around...

After visiting the Nature Discovery Center, we took my in-laws to Local Foods. We eat there all the time but they had never been. I always get the crunchy chicken sandwich and postole soup. I've tried a lot of the sides and some salads too. It's all delicious food made with ingredients that are locally sourced. 

When we got home, I used my Zoku popsickle molds to make blueberry/raspberry yogurt popsicles for Harper. I used plain, 2% fage yogurt and blended it with blueberries and raspberries. I really love this kit--- it's really easy to use and the popsicles are a good size. I can already tell Harper will love them because I gave her the leftover mix from the blender and she licked the bowl clean.

If you follow me on instagram, you probably already saw my new Daniel Wellington watch. I'm obsessed! From the rose gold, to the simple and elegant watch face, to the navy and pink band, it's just gorgeous. I can't wait to show it to you with some outfits. Daniel Wellington is offering all of my readers a 15% off discount using the code "veronikasblushing" at checkout, if you're in the market for a new watch!

Last weekend, I purchased some new beauty items at Ulta, and I forgot to share them!

IT cosmetics powder brush  |  urban decay primer potion  |  essie "wicked"  |  seche vite topcoat |  anastasia of beverly hills perfect brow pencil  |  living proof "perfect hair day"  | 

frederick fekkai "glossing creme" | 

I also have to share these adorable bows Mary from Ryan & Wren sent to me last week:

They're perfect for fall and very well made. Ryan & Wren is one of the first Etsy shops I ever ordered bows from and I just love the styles she offers.

Before I wrap-up, I want to invite you all to join me for a 14-day plank challenge with Marion from Marionberry Style. I will be doing check-ins on Instagram and you can join the group's Facebook page here. If you're already fit, no worries, because Marion will be posting an advanced schedule + moves each day to follow. You have 20 seconds on Monday, right? Join me!

I hope you had a wonderful Sunday! Thank you for all of your comments on yesterday's post here on on IG. It was a very scary moment as a first time parent and I'm grateful for everyone who sent good wishes to Harper.

FTC Disclaimer: I was sent the Daniel Wellington watch and the two hair bows from Ryan & Wren as gifts. These are my honest opinions about the products and no additional monetary compensation was provided. All other items mentioned were purchased with my own money.

Recent Purchases...

Hello and happy Thursday! 

Megan texted me from Maine to tell me that I absolutely had to try Urban Decay's new Perversion mascara as well as Anastasia's new Dipbrow pomade tout de suite. We tend to like the same kinds of makeup products, so I can't wait to try these! 

  |  ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS DIPBROW� Pomade  | 

|  URBAN DECAY Perversion Mascara & Deluxe Subversion Prime  |

I also picked up a new bottle of my beloved Ojon shampoo. It looks like they changed the packaging recently and when I got to the store I thought they had discontinued it and panicked (for a moment). 

|  OJON- Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo  |

My Nine West Martina heels are the most comfortable pair I own, so they get worn most often (and they go with almost everything!)  Needless to say, I was in dire need of a new pair after nearly three years of wear. They're my absolute favorite nude heels and you can bet I'll be purchasing them for years to come.

|  Nine West- Martina Heels  | 

And last, but definitely not least, are these absolutely adorable bows from HappinessLivesHere. They're fantastic quality and the size is perfect for Harper's pony tails. She wears clip-in bows way more often than headbands now and these come with great non-slip grips!

|  The Meg Bow  |

  | Creamy White Scalloped Bow  |

 |  Nora Bow Set  | 

(mine were a custom set of different patterns I liked!)

 Thank you so much for sending these Jackie! I absolutely love them.

Have a great night everyone :)

PS- I forgot to mention these sweet prints I purchased from Printstagr.am! I used these to make a photo wall/collage as well as a banner for Harper's first birthday and I currently use the prints to decorate my cube at work. I got a new set recently since I hadn't ordered in three months!

Bows for Babies- Support A Wonderful Cause

Amanda and I connected for the first time via my Veronika's Blushing page on Facebook.  She sent me a note telling me she thought she had seen me at the hospital (I was pregnant at the time and seeing my OB) and that she had a baby in the NICU there.

I work pretty extensively with our neonatology service and have a special place in my heart for these families after having worked with so many of them on news stories over the last few years. I meet these families during a very vulnerable and stressful time in their lives and it is a privilege every time I get to meet their precious miracles and learn about their journeys.

I want to share with you a very special project Amanda is working on to support new moms and dads who have babies in the NICU at Texas Children's Hospital and also to bring a moment of happiness to families who have to spend a holiday in the hospital. 

Tell us briefly about your pregnancy and experience having Cami in the NICU

After a scary pregnancy, filled with more downs than ups, Cami was born at the gestational age of 25 weeks and 5 days, weighing just over 2 pounds. We were incredibly lucky to know ahead of time that she would be born early so that we were prepared to get to the hospital at a moments notice. 

Though our NICU stay was long, and filled with highs and lows, we managed to maintain a positive attitude, knowing how lucky we were to still have Cami with us. In addition to the great relationships I had with Cami�s nurses and doctors, one thing that always made me feel special was when volunteers brought us an unexpected gift, whether it was a hand knit baby blanket or a cup of hot tea.

After 86 days in the NICU, Cami came home. Not a day goes by that I don�t consciously think of how lucky I am to have my perfect angel on Earth.

When did you first come up with the idea to give/donate bows and bow ties to babies in the NICU at Texas Children's?

We were so fortunate to not have to spend a Christmas in the NICU.  As we were decorating for the holidays and planning out all of the traditions we were excited to start for Cami, it dawned on me that even though WE weren�t in the NICU for Christmas, other families were.  I knew I wanted to do something to bring joy to these families, but wasn�t sure what that was.

I considered making ornaments that the families could put on their Christmas tree at home, but decided I wanted to give the babies and families something special that they could enjoy inside the hospital. Then it hit me - bows! When Cami was in the NICU, the nurses would help me tape regular bows onto her CPAP hat because I couldn�t find any preemie sized bows.  Even though this was something only the families of baby girls could enjoy, it was something that was very special to me during our stay that I wanted to share with others.  I made about 60 tiny headbands and put them in a little baggie with a before and after picture of Cami wearing the huge bow I had bought her at the hospital gift shop during our NICU stay. I made a promise to myself that I would think of something to do for the boys by Christmas 2014.

What inspired you to start your business � Squishy Cheeks BOWtique?

After making bows for the little preemie girls, I decided I wanted to start making and selling bows to others via a Facebook page.  I named the business after my once tiny, now big squishy baby girl � Squishy Cheeks BOWtique.  After the first couple of weeks of operation, moms of boys started telling me that I need to offer something for boys.  I joked around with them about the idea of making bows for boys until it hit me � bow ties!

Since I learned how to make the bow ties in March, I decided Easter would be the perfect holiday to do a bow and bowtie donation to the hospital.  

Tell us about what you have planned for this Easter for the babies in the NICU

This past Christmas, I was so late with my idea of making and donating bows that I had to drop the bows off at the front desk of the NICU.  For Easter, I am very excited that I might have the opportunity to actually take the bows to the families and see them on some of the babies.   

I will be holding a bow sale on my Facebook page starting this week, with profits going towards the Easter bows and bow ties.  If the sale is a success, I hope to have money left over to donate to a great organization offered to moms in the Texas Children�s Pavilion for Women NICU called First Memories Texas.  They go into the NICU rooms each week and take photos of the babies.  Then, they print the pictures and provide scrap booking supplies for moms and dads to make a memory card for that week.  I put all of the cards I made during our NICU stay into a photo album and it is something I treasure greatly.

If you would like to support a wonderful cause and get a cute little hair bow or bow tie for your little one (or the baby of a friend or family member!) please visit Amanda's Facebook boutique page here. Thanks for your support and for making a difference for these babies and families!

I also want to mention that through my job I have worked with First Memories Texas and they are a wonderful volunteer group providing a very crucial service to our NICU families. I have done a few news stories with them on the news and I can't tell you just how much happiness they bring to families who want to document their child's journey. You can learn more about First Memories here.