No More Gummy Smiles

The Momiform ft. PinkBlush

Throughout the week I am always rushing around in the mornings to make sure all my kids are ready, fed, and at school on time.
So while they always look cute and put together, my outfits tend to be...lacking.
I usually have the momiform (mom uniform) of jeans, one of my husbands shirts, and whatever shoes I can slide on on my way out the door.
So I was pretty giddy when PinkBlush gifted me this cute striped top!

Balade à Biot

Lately, we've been loving to take family walks through different towns and villages to burn of some of the girls' energy.

They sprint up and down cobblestoned hills while we stroll along behind them.

It is a nice way to see all the little side streets these gorgeous towns have tucked away.

This was our afternoon in Biot

Mother's Day 2018: Gift Ideas From Mama-Owned Shops

Mother's Day is coming up soon, so why not support some businesses run by amazing mothers?
Here is a list of gift ideas from some mama-run shops that I love and/or pine over on instagram.
*cough take notes Ben cough*

I'll divide it up by category to make it that much easier for ya 😘

SAHM Life feat. Mayalein Tights

My life as a SAHM (stay at home mom) is simply me having my hair thrown up into a mom bun and wearing my same momiform for the umpteenth time but joyfully dressing up my goobers in adorable outfits. 😂

Case in point:

So I was excited to try out these adorable dip dye tights from Mayalein.

France Finds: Talmont-sur-Gironde

While in the Sud Ouest for Christmastime, we briefly visited a quaint village called Talmont-sur-Gironde.

It was a very chill and windy day, which cut our visit short as the girls were freezing.

Nonetheless, it was a lovely time.

Three Christmases Throughout France

Every year we have a few Christmas celebrations, but celebrations were prolonged this year as we road-tripped to visit the girls' great grandma on the west coast.

The girls were so good with all the traveling we made them sit through.

(Makes me want to do more family roadtrips, but the hubby isn't feeling that 😂)

Here are our three different celebrations...

Trimming of the Tree

The girls gain so much joy from adding baubles and trinkets to our Christmas tree.

Last year they took a pile of clean laundry I had yet to put away, and draped it on the plastic branches of our fake tree.
They thought it was so much fun and were so proud of their work.
So this year I just let them at it again.

France Finds: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

I have been living in France for almost 6 years and specifically the French Riviera/Côte D'Azur for 5 years, so I thought I would start up a series about places I love here.
First up on the list:
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild 

That Autumnal Feeling

Winter is creeping up on us.
It snowed near my husband's workplace today...
So let's pretend it is still perfect autumnal weather. 👍

A Night à la Fête Foraine

This week we took the girls down to the fête foraine (like a little carnival/fair) at the esplanade du Pré des Pêcheurs in Antibes.
They had so much fun fishing for ducks and going on rides.
Well... Ellie had fun on the rides.
We learned that our little firecracker Coco is pretty terrified of roller coasters... 😬 🤦‍♀️

Oops. Mom fail.

Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas

My girls love playing dress up and putting on fun makeup.

Here are four fun and easy ideas we have done that can be used for Halloween.

1. David Bowie

Nissa La Bella

The other weekend we headed to Marché aux Fleurs in Nice to buy our weekly bouquet.

After that we took a little stroll around to shake off some energy.

It was a lovely afternoon.
♡

Mom Group Made Me Buy It: Made by Mary Poppy Choker

I am a human magpie.
I see something shiny and I NEED IT.
(Although I recently read that is a misconception about magpies and they are actually scared of shiny things... but WHATEVER)
Disc chokers always catch my eye whilst adorning someone's neck.
A different disc reflecting light with every movement.
Glimmering in the sunlight.
So I recently asked my mom group if Made By Mary necklaces are worth the hype.
Do I need one?
Does even more of my money need to go into the state of Utah?
They said yes.
And so...

I bought one. 🙈

Claire's Current Favorite Toys

When we were visiting Lincoln, NE this summer, we stopped in the cutest shop called Paper Kite.

I was overwhelmed by how I needed EVERY DAMN THING there.

Literally everything in their shop is adorable.

I had to restrain myself and I only bought one thing.

A Maileg leek.

Yes.

A stuffed leek.

Unicorn Cake for Beginner Bakers

I am an 'all or nothing' person.

So when it is birthday time, I want to make the most special cakes for my girls. (As seen here)

I don't want store bought cakes.

I also don't plop figurines onto a cake and call it good.

(If you do either of those things, cool! You do you. I personally just don't like it)

BUUUUT I know nothing about cake decoration or baking really.

I enjoy baking, but I am no expert or professional.

So I thought I would share how I make birthday cakes for others who want to do the same.

This was Ellie's birthday cake this week:

Is it perfect? No.

But is it exactly what she begged for for months prior to her birthday? YES!

Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon

This past weekend was slow and rainy.
Autumn is peeking around the corner and I am thrilled.
I despise hot weather with a passion. I live for cool and cloudy days.
Sunday was full of comfy clothes and cuddles.
And gelato.
Because gelato is good in any weather.
😜

Ellie's Fifth Birthday

My little Eloise is five years old.

😭 😭 😭

She is growing up so fast.

Just look at the difference in her face between 4 years old and 5 years old.

Unbelievable.

Mom Group Made Me Buy It: Free People Royale Flats

Everyone talks about how supportive and understanding online mom groups are and that you should totally join one.

While that is very true, nobody warns you that MOM GROUPS ARE FULL OF ENABLERS.

(Wildbird mamas, I'm looking at you 😂)

LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO

(no, that isn't a Taylor Swift reference)

#TBT: Ellie's Birthday

A look at some of Eloise's birthday cakes
(This is posted a day late so technically it is a Flashback Friday, but oh well)

This year Eloise has requested a unicorn cake for her fifth birthday.
Every year I forget how tiring it is to make a cute birthday cake from scratch. You know how people say after giving birth you get childbirth amnesia and forget the pain?
Well it is like that... but with baking.