I’m Back – With Some Mom Wisdom

So, you may or may not have noticed I didn’t have any new posts last week. I granted myself a little break. It was a busy and stressful week at work, and I also had some family stresses weighing pretty heavily on my mind as well. By the time I got to thinking about what I wanted to go up on the blog…it just felt like another chore I had to get out of my hair.

And this is supposed to be fun, so it was time to take a short breather.

I think it did me quite a bit of good. I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself about the success of this blog, but first and foremost, it’s supposed to be fun. So I’m trying to keep that goal in mind while writing going forward–just have a little fun!

I’ve also been doing a little thinking about the direction I want this blog to go. I’ve written about a little bit of everything these past couple of months, trying to figure out where my strengths and interests lie. And I think they’re in complaining.

I’m kidding. Mostly.

What I mean is, the words flow most freely and easily when I’m either A) on a rant or B) doling out a little Mom Wisdom/ Snark.

Today I want to hit you with a little Mom Wisdom on Birth Plans. When I was pregnant, I devoured everything I could online about pregnancy. Blogs, message boards, Facebook pages, and one thing that frequently came up was The Birth Plan.

Here’s my thoughts about that. Birth Plans are…okay. By all means, write one out. Put down the things you want to happen, and list the things you don’t want to happen.

Now take that paper. Crumple it up.

Set it on fire.

Then stomp (or cry) on the ashes.

Because here’s the thing, sweet cheeks. You’re (basically) a parent now, and life is pretty much NEVER going to go according to plan ever again.

Forgive me for being a little over dramatic. Things not going to plan…it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The past 18 months or so of parenting my daughter has taught me VOLUMES on letting go and accepting that not everything is within my control.

I had a birth plan. I wrote it out. I put a moderate amount of effort into it.

Literally nothing went according to plan. Except for getting an epidural (hallelujah!) and getting a pretty awesome baby at the end of it all. By all means, still make a birth plan, but be prepared for that plan to change. Actually, think of it more as a wish list than a plan, because it is very likely that things will change. Whether it’s a small detail, like keeping lights low and the atmosphere quiet, or a big deal, like an unplanned c-section. It’s all within the realm of possibilities.

The birth of my daughter was my first and maybe most important lesson in motherhood. That lesson is: things rarely go as planned, and that’s okay. Sometimes, you’ve just got to do whatever gets you through those tough moments.

For me, that was electing for a c-section after being induced and not progressing after over twenty hours in the hospital. It was giving my daughter a bottle because breastfeeding was sheer agony and further wrecked my fragile psyche that was already being ravaged by those post-pregnancy hormones. It was letting her sleep in my arms when some said I’d spoil her. It was also letting her cry in her bed for a few minutes because I just needed a break and she desperately needed to sleep.

You can have the best intentions when entering parenthood, but those intentions are quickly thrown aside once you’re really in it. Once the reality hits you that you are responsible for the care and well-being of this precious little person, you’ll literally do anything if you think it will make them happy or take away their pain. And that’s what you do.

You just do.

What’s the best advice you’d give to a  parent-to-be, or the best advice you received? What’s one thing you want to do as a parent? Did your birth go as planned…or not at all? Share your stories in the comments!

It’s Gonna Be A Short One Today Guys…

Let me start by scolding myself. I have GOT to get myself a better schedule to sit down and get my blogs written during the week. This night before business is so not working. I have tons of ideas, but I never sit down and hammer out a draft of any of those ideas. Shame on me. I can’t expect this blog to be successful if I don’t invest a little time in it! Argh! To the few who do read my blog: thank you so much and please keep reading! I promise I am trying my best to post great content regularly! Stick around, okay? It’s gonna be awesome!

Today, I don’t have a whole lot for you to read, so I thought I’d share some pictures. First thing–I was super pumped to check my mail today. Ipsy AND Birchbox came Wednesday! WooHoo! Expect a review of both soon!

In other news, I’ve been on Pinterest adding pins to my Blogging board like mad. I truly do want to grow this blog and contribute to the awesome community that is blogging. I want to see it succeed, and more than that, thrive. I want to meet more weirdos like me who love EVERYTHING! This blog is my newest adventure and I want to make it a good one. So I doodled a little bit and worked on what goals I have for this blog.

And then I just also feel like sharing some cute photos from my week so far.

So, that’s all I’ve got this time around. As usual, leave me a little something in the comments! What adventures are you working on right now? How do you get inspired? If you’re a blogger, when do you find time to work on your content (like really, how do you do it?) Are you a Pinterest addict like me? Follow me HERE!

What’s In My Purse?

I remember when I really got into carrying a purse around. I was in seventh grade. I had this purse that either my grandma or my great aunt bought for me, I don’t remember which. It was a black purse with a crossbody strap, and had some Chinese symbols embroidered in red along the lower right corner. It had a zipper pouch on the back side that came with those worthless sponge-tip eyeshadow appicators and a plastic mirror stitched into the inside of the pocket. It was from Target, it was quirky, and I thought it was the coolest damn thing I ever owned.

Fourteen years later, I realize I was wrong. That sucker was ugly.

Pictured: Only slightly less ugly than the purse I actually had.

But still, my obsession with purses began there. I began buying different purses and totes whenever I had the chance. At yard sales and flea markets, and souvenir shops, and anywhere that I could. Thankfully, my taste has improved over the years. Or at least I think so.

I remember back in seventh grade, when all the girls were carrying a purse, the ultimate time killer whether you were in class or hanging out together outside of school, was to swap purses and go through each other’s crap. Let’s face it, how much did we really need to take with us at thirteen years old? It was crap. We just did it because it was cool and we needed somewhere to stash our pads.

But going through each other’s crap was fun. I think everyone’s purse said a little something about who they were at the time. Mine was full of cheap makeup and lip smackers because I desperately wanted to feel grown up and independent and cool. A lot of my girlfriends were the same way. For others, it was just a place to stash a few school supplies. Those were the same people that got upset when they got an A- instead of an A. Wound a little tight sometimes, those ones were.

So, I thought it might be fun to show you what’s in my purse these days as a real-live adult. Honestly, I think a “what’s in my purse” at thirteen years old probably would have been a lot more interesting now that I think about it….. 🙂

My Purse

I just got this purse a couple of weeks ago and I am in loooove with it. I want to marry this bag I love it so much. It’s from one of my favorite stores in the whole wide world, Charming Charlie. It is cute, big enough for all my crap, durable, AND I didn’t have to spend buckoo bucks on it (I only paid $39.00)! Seriously, if you love bags, purses, & accessories but can’t bring yourself to spend a whole lot of money on those things, Charming Charlie is your best friend.

My Wallet

Also from Charming Charlie. I love that It has space for my checkbook which I still use occasionally, as well as plenty of space for cards, cash, and change. I love how durable Charming Charlie’s stuff is. I tend to buy lots of neutral colored things, so this navy blue wallet is just the pop of color I needed!

My ZigZag Ipsy Bag

This was the Ipsy Bag for July 2015 and I thought it was just too awesome. I even posted in my Ipsy July review that I would probably use it in my purse, and I am! Ipsy bags are the perfect size for my purses. Not so small that I have to jam stuff in them, and not so large that they take up precious real estate inside my bag.

Ipsy Bag Contents

I don’t carry a lot of makeup or beauty products with me in my bag. I put my makeup on in the morning, and hope it lasts, because I REFUSE to reapply makeup. Unless my hubby decides to take me out on a date. Even then it’s iffy. But I usually keep a lip balm, some lotion, and that’s about it. I usually have a hair tie in there as well, but apparently I’ve lost it!

Baby Bag

My little Muffin will be 16 months old next week, and let me tell you, it is so nice that I don’t have to lug around a diaper bag anymore! When she was a few months old, I would I would pack her diaper bag to the point we could have survived in the wild for a couple of weeks when we were only going to the park to get some fresh air! To say I was a little bit of an overpacker would be an understatement. What can I say? I’m a first time mom. I’m just winging it about 85% of the time.

These days, I have relaxed quite a bit, and I know what is necessary and what isn’t when taking Muffin on a little jaunt about town. Snacks are always a must. I never understood why so many moms loved Goldfish crackers so much until I had my own. And they. Are. Awesome! They are the perfect little bite-size for her little hands and little mouth. Which is handy because she is very adamant about feeding herself most days, and cutting food into teeny tiny cute little bite size pieces gets old pretty quick. They are a great cure to diffusing a public meltdown.

Also pictured are a couple lollipops, because I am not above bribery. Will I give her a sucker just because she’s throwing a tantrum in Wal-Mart? Absolutely not. Will I give one to her when she gets shots at her checkup and is downright inconsolable? You bet. Her getting shots makes ME cry. That’s why there’s one in there for Momma too!

You always have to have a backup binky too, and some toys as well. She loves this Minion happy meal toy lately. It talks when you slap it around. And she loves phones and phone cases, so when I retire a case, she usually inherits it as a new toy. And I think that’s a Minnie Mouse mini frisbee? I don’t know, it keeps her busy, and that’s all that matters to me!

And then there’s…everything else. A diaper for Muffin. I usually have a few in there, but apparently I only had one. Time to restock! Two pairs of sunglasses because I am forever losing and breaking sunglasses. They also make good toys for Muffin, so it’s good to have a spare pair handy or she will rip the ones I’m wearing off my face! I usually have a pen or two floating around in there, and I love this pen. It writes so smooth and pretty. And last but not least, is a granola bar for me, because I get hangry every day about 12:15 but my lunch break isn’t until 1:00. So this keeps me a sane, functional human being while I’m still at work.

So that is what’s in my bag! It’s not a whole lot now that I think about it. Once I became a mom, I adopted the mentality that if I don’t absolutely need it, I don’t pack it. What’s the inside of your bag like? Do we carry all the same stuff? Not at all? What’s something weird that you keep in your purse? How do you feel about man-purses? Fanny packs? Leave me some love in the comments! Thanks for reading!

July Wrap-Up & August Ideas

I had the genius idea that I should try to post two times per week. Last week I managed to do that. Here it is Sunday evening, and I haven’t put much together for Monday’s post.

Argh.

I have realized that the first few of my posts have been reviews or review-like. Talking about the content and products of someone else. I’m not making my own original content by doing that. So, by trying to avoid those types of posts, I’ve painted myself into a corner.

The problem is, my brain has too many other thoughts bouncing around in there.

I have too many things I want to do all at once. Seriously, look at the stuff I jotted down while I was trying to de-clutter my mind so that I can write.

I had hubby take the muffin upstairs to entertain her so I could at least get something down, but I cannot quiet my mind long enough to have a creative thought. And I feel guilty for letting hubby take over with the kiddo, so I feel like I have a stopwatch running for every second I’m spending away from my munchkin… this is so frustrating! So, I’m thinking I’m just going to run with it. Here’s a look into my crazy brain and a round-up of what’s going on with me personally.

Someone recommended the book Go Givers Sell More to me, and I have been trying so hard to sit myself down and read it. It’s not that I don’t find it interesting—the very opposite in fact. It sounds like it is right up my alley, especially what I want to achieve through this blog. It is about sales, but not about sales. Crazy, right? I am so not a salesperson. The idea of sales makes me feel icky. This book takes the focus out of trying to sell something, and places that focus on “creating value” and forming relationships with people (and or customers) so that a sale may occur. I am so into that kind of mentality. I love it. But I have not been able to make time to read it this past week for the life of me. The title sounds kind of hokey, but I really do like the general message of the book so far. Has anyone else read it? If you have, what are your opinions? If you haven’t, do you think that it is something that you would read? Maybe, if I ever get it read, I will do a little review on here for you!

Cute kid not included.

Check out this little gem I found at Francesca’s last weekend! I don’t stop in that store often, and I don’t know why, because they have some of the coolest stuff! They had lots of canvasses and wooden signs with cute sayings on them, and I couldn’t help myself when I saw this one. If you want to see just how bad my obsession with inspirational quotes are, see my Pinterest boards here and here. How inspiring is this sign though? I was hoping to hang it in my office at work, but it unfortunately doesn’t look quite right, so back home it went. I’m thinking of hanging it in my bathroom so I can get some motivation when I’m getting ready in the morning.

Seriously, guys. I’m listening to music on my iPhone trying to get this bad boy done. Love me some Lindsey Stirling!

Ahh. I feel much better now that I have a little  something written.

So, now I need some help from my readers.

All 3 of you.

Leave me some love in the comments below and let me know if there is anything you would like me to do this month. I will most likely have Ipsy and Birchbox reviews again, although I’m thinking of combining them into one post. I haven’t decided yet. Other things I’ve thought about are some mom blog posts— weird stuff about pregnancy, things I’ve learned as a new mom, etc. Also, as I mentioned above, as soon as I can finish reading it, a review of Go Givers Sell More may be coming up. I really need to read more, so maybe I’ll make book reviews a more regular thing as well. I have so many things I am interested in, it’s making it very difficult for me to find my niche with my blog. Let me know what you’d like to see & be interested in reading and maybe we will figure out that niche together!

My Favorite YouTubers!

As I mentioned in my “Getting Started” post, I have a serious love affair with YouTube. My interests are so varied, so my subscription list is kinda crazy. I have a handful of YouTubers I watch regularly and love, and I thought I would share some of my favorites with you!

Jenna Marbles

I am OBSESSED with Jenna Marbles. She’s hilarious. She is not afraid to be weird and might be what I love about her most. Whether it is a rant, a crazy made-up song, or what hip-hop taught her, she makes content that is funny and relatable. She has the cutest dogs that make cameos in her videos often. She also happens to curse like a sailor, so you’ve been warned.

The Video that made her famous:

One of my all-time favorites: How diets Work

Kandee Johnson

There are SO many makeup and beauty YouTubers out there, but Kandee has remained one of the few I watch regularly. She seems so genuinely sweet and nice, you can’t help but love this girl! She is a kind and happy person in her videos, and always has something positive to say. And the number of different looks she has done are…too many to count! This girl can literally transform into anyone.

One of the first videos of hers I remember watching:

And something a little more recent:

Meghan Tonjes

I think I first heard of Meghan Tonjes about a year or so ago when she stood up to Instagram for removing a picture of her (covered!) derrière  because it violated their community policy. She called them out, citing many pictures that showed far more than she had that were not removed. She has started the booty revolution, a movement that supports body positivity no matter what your size. Her Ipsy and Birchbox reviews got me interested in starting my own subscriptions over on her other channel, Life Size Beauty. She is also a singer, posting both covers and original songs often on her channel. She is witty, clever, honest, and sugarcoats nothing when it comes to her opinions, and I admire her.

Dear Instagram

Ipsy vx. Birchbox via her LifeSizeBeauty Channel

Philip DeFranco / SourceFed/ SourceFed Nerd/ The DeFranco Fam

These channels I have combined together because they are all channels associated with YouTuber Philip DeFranco. This guy has created a largely successful network of YouTube channels, employing dozens of people (or more, I have no idea), and he started out just posting videos of himself talking on various topics from his bedroom. That is amazing to me. The Philip Defranco channel discusses current events, as well as SourceFed, hosted by other personalities. SourceFed Nerd discusses all things nerd and geek. Gaming, movies, tv…they have had an anime club, a book club, a movie club…all encouraging interaction with their audience and  really reinforcing that sense of community that exists on YouTube.

Draw My Life–a popular tag on YouTube

SourceFed– Lee Newton as The Negotiator. I don’t know why, but this one cracks me up!

The Defranco Fam is a newer channel run by Phil’s wife Lindsey, and is a kind of lifestyle vlog I guess?  It’s personal vlogs of their day-to-day life. The star of the show is their adorable son Trey, who is only a few weeks younger than my daughter. I absolutely love this channel. I can relate to Lindsey so much. She’s like my much cooler spirit animal. She’s a great example of what it’s like to be a twenty-something mom nowadays.

So there are some of my favorite YouTubers. Who are your favorites? Did I list any YouTubers that you’ve never heard of before? Got anyone new I should check out? Leave me some love in the comments!

Getting Started

I started this blog a few weeks ago, and I haven’t got much further than registering my blog name with various social media. I have so many post ideas, but I haven’t been able to hammer one out that I am comfortable posting.

So, I did what any twenty something female would do and turned to Pinterest. I came across A Girl, Obsessed’s post 25 Blog Post Ideas for New Bloggers. I figure, why not? If nothing else, maybe this will get my creativity flowing. I thought I’d start off with a mash-up of an About Me post and why I wanted to start this blog.

My name is Jessica, but Jessa is a nickname that my friends have been calling me for a few years, and it has just kind of stuck with me. I think the nickname initially started because a friend’s munchkin couldn’t say Jessica, so he called me Jessa instead. And I’ve been Jessa ever since. I’m 27, happily married to my high school sweetheart, and mom to one amazing little daughter who’s almost a year and a half old. I work full time in banking, and I am very lucky that I truly enjoy my day job. In addition to a serious Pinterest addiction, I love all things makeup and beauty, I have a serious subscription list on YouTube, and I’m a little into tech and gaming.

I wanted to start this blog because it has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I even tried a beauty blog with a friend a few years ago, but neither of us could commit to it. The idea has come and gone a few times in the past several years, but something changed once I had my daughter last year.

It’s hard for me to put into words, the feeling I got. But once she was a few months old and I had come out of the fog that is new motherhood, I felt different. Better. Stronger. More determined. And less afraid to fail. Before I was a mother, I was so terrified of failure. But now? So what if I fail? There have been so many times I’ve felt like a failure as a mother, but things have a way of turning out okay. The things I thought were failures were not even a big deal in the long term. At least I’m doing something, going after something, instead of waiting for things to happen to me. There are so many things I want to try or do, and I used to always find a reason not to do them. Now, I kind of feel like, why not? If nothing else, at least now it will make for some entertaining blog content.

So, I hope you stop back in sometime to read about those failures, and maybe some successes in the future on my little ‘ol blog. I’d say that’s a decent summary about myself and the blog I want to start. Hope to see you back here soon & thanks for reading!