Stay cool this summer in these 10 plus size outfits

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Our summer is brutal in Texas this year. We’ve been in the 100’s for weeks, plus it feels like 110+. I am not one to stay indoors (and my toddler won’t allow that!), so cute fashion that keeps me cool is a must.

I had the very special opportunity to be a model for an online boutique, B’in Gruene, that is headquartered in New Braunfels. Once a thriving brick and mortar in Gruene, they now cater to beyond our little town through their online shop and this special VIP Group. (Go join now for the hottest deals!)

Our fall fashion line just dropped, here’s what you need to buy

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The beautiful, flattering and confidence boosting fall line launched this week with Ruby Ribbon! Meanwhile, in Texas, it’s 100 degrees for 3 more months…

But seriously, who doesn’t want to start buying some of these gorgeous fall trends?

If you’ve been here a while you know how much I love Ruby Ribbon. Not only have I been bra-free for more than 2 years, but I also love their shaping essentials (hello, leggings with built in shaping FTW!) and pretty fashionable pieces.

Central Texas day trip: Boerne, Texas

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I picked up the Summer issue of Magnolia Journal and was completely inspired by an article by Chip and Joanna talking about their day-dates. Every month, my husband and I make our best attempts at going out when my parents visit, but sometimes a dinner at a restaurant simply isn’t enough.

Inspired and determined, Mi Amor and I hopped in the car on Saturday morning and drove down Highway 46.

We picked Boerne as our destination, and it was a beautiful, scenic one hour drive from New Braunfels. We had stayed in the town for a wedding in 2016, but with a 6-month-old in tow it was a blur! It was great to go back and explore the charming town.

My American Tale: I’m a daughter of an immigrant

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With my Welito & Welita on my wedding day — With my Welito & Welita at my wedding, 2014

My family’s history is so special to me. I have always loved sharing my abuelito’s story because it paved the way for me to experience freedom, faith and being born a United States citizen. Before we dive in, I want you to know this is not a politically driven post. But it is a story I want to share about my Mexican-American family and culture, and why I am proud to be a daughter of an immigrant.

Planning your New Braunfels date night

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Date nights are cherished for my husband and I now that we are parents. It is an interesting change to go from just the two of us to becoming three. With no family nearby, we are very fortunate to have my parents visit us monthly so we can get out and enjoy each other’s company.

Toddler fashion: The cutest duds for your dapper 2-year-old dude

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This is an updated post from February 5, 2018. New season, new style and new deals! Some of the links on this post are affiliate links, and you can read more about that here.

Okay, boy mamas, let’s talk about something that weighs on my heart every time I go shopping for my 2-year-old BabyCoolJ: the lack of cool clothing for boys! As I stroll by all the pink, tutus and bows I can’t help but feel bad that all that I can find in the boy-corner is boring outfits.

So, I am here to help. Since shopping is my ‘thang, I take a lot of pride in dressing my (in my opinion) super hip tot. I’ve done the work for you, scouting out the cutest duds to make your little guy one dapper dude. Read More

How to build community as a stay at home mom

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How to make mom friends

When I made the transition to stay home with BabyCoolJ last year I went from having a very full calendar to not a thing to do. No mom friends, no playdates, no activites. As a social (yet love-my-alone-time) person, I knew I needed to work on changing that stat.

Within months I had met the most amazing moms, joined multiple groups and built real community. If we hadn’t moved, I like to think my kiddo would have grown up with all these friends, and I’d continue to have lots of play dates and mommy dates.

Now that we’re in a new town, I am starting from scratch. And I’m not letting any time pass! We enjoyed our first few weeks being home and getting to know our new town, but both my son and I need friends. We need community.

So I think I’m in a pretty good place to make some suggestions to moms out there that are seeking friendships. Here are some of my favorite ways I’ve met my mom friends:

Date night outfit: one pair of jeans styled three ways

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Y’all – it was about time Mi Amor and I went for a date! It had been months since we had done anything just the two of us. So for his birthday weekend, I planned a bunch of fun activities for us to enjoy over two days.

Shaping up for wedding season: the best shapewear for brides and their guests

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When I got married I refused to wear Spanx. I know if would have made me slimmer, but I wanted to drink and dance all night long – and shapewear just doesn’t move with my groove, ya know?

I’m Not Scared: new children’s book will help your kiddo face their fears

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This is a sponsored post with Blessed Coast Books. All content and opinions expressed are my own. Affiliate links are used, and you may read my full disclosure here.

I decided to take a few days off from blogging to concentrate on my sweet boy. At only 2 1/2, BabyCoolJ has been such a trooper with our move. From staging our home, to running out the door, to living out of boxes, it has been such a great change being planted and building roots in our new community. We are now almost 3-weeks-in! And every day he says “I love our new home.”

For every season and change, I turn to books for my toddler. A good book can really speak to children, and it is amazing how a story can help them get through anything. Before we began packing, we read him Boomer’s Big Day on a daily basis. It really helped the transition of moving.