xoxo Angelina

Ren is 3!!! Even after having multiple kids, I feel like every birthday sneaks up on us and I can't believe how fast they are growing. Last year for Rens Birthday we celebrated with Dinos & Dirtbikes, so this year I figured I would add some halloween spice to it! He loves everything with 2 wheels, which how I came up with ghosts, mummy's, and skeletons riding on dirt bikes, bmx bikes, and skateboards. Even though I know he probably won't remember this time in his life, I always make an effort for each kid to feel special. I always put together themed birthdays for Ryder and tried to be super creative (on a budget) of course lol. I hope y'all love this years bday design <3 

Ren literally had the best time at his party, which made my momma heart SO happy. We're not the kind of people to just invite everyone to the kids bday parties and it just so happened that this was the only day we could have it and many people weren't able to make it. Even with there not being a house packed of kids, we enjoyed it even more! Ren was able to spend quality time with the people who were able to make it and we jumped on the fun jump all afternoon with him!
 

xoxo Angelina

For starters, I have to thank my best friend and God mother to our sweet girl, Philicia. She asked what theme I wanted for the shower and made this all happen! She was up late the night before setting up balloons and cooking food at 5 AM the morning of. I'd also like to thank my other bestie, Macie Northcutt with Cookies by Macie for the amazing cookies and of course all of my family and friends who attended <3

I had so much fun making the wine bottles and putting the games together. Not to mention this was just a few days before my due date haha.

Our little guy loves his dirt bikes and dinos, so what better way to celebrate than a dino + dirt bike party! Thankfully we had many of the toys already but I also found a few items at hobby lobby and walmart as well. 

Cake: Rouses

Cookies: Cookies by Macie (Macie Chauffe Northcutt)

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

Hey Everyone!

I can't believe I've been so behind with blogging and keeping up with my online journal lol. I thought this would be a fun way to share how it's felt being pregnant with our third babe!

For starters...I'm going to say it's a crazy combination of being blessed but also scared. I get mixed opinions when I ask people if one to two was harder or two to three. Majority of people say one to two was the hardest which makes me feel better. BUT at the same time, Ryder was 7 when I had Ren so now I'll have a pre teen, toddler, and newborn. Needless to say I'm nervous!

This pregnancy overall health wise has had me extremely exhausted, super moody, mild morning sickness, and wanting ALL the sweet stuff. When I was pregnant with Ryder, I never had morning sickness or crazy tired spells. With Ren, I was sick a lot in the beginning with major migraines but this go round and some morning sickness. But with this pregnancy, I feel like I'm either dying from exhaustion or I want to yell at someone for no reason lol. There were days where I would just lay on the couch in the evening and tell the hubs that the world seemed so blah and I just didn't want to move. Thankfully that passed as the pregnancy moved on. 

I've also noticed a bit more weight gain. I'm not sure if it's from not going to the gym or all of the girl hormones happening lol. I've always stayed active and I've tried working out some but it's been super crazy between covid, freezing our gym membership, and keeping up with the kiddos we have now. So all in all, this pregnancy has been the hardest but I'm also excited to see how life flows after she's here with us. I've been much more patient with the process and definitely looking forward to another home birth (kind of) haha. I don't think I'll ever understand why I want to be in pain willingly but then I remember how amazing the home birth process is <3 

Here are a few photos while 27 weeks pregnant!

I know for us, our kids have been back in school for 3 weeks now but most school's haven't gone back yet. Maybe it's just me but this "summer break" has lasted FOREVER haha. I've been trying to find fun things to do with the kids and My Make Studio definitely made that happen today! I'm not an artist or baker by any means and the step by step process made it SO easy. I had ordered the Animal Cupcake Kit and it came with 6 different cupcake designs, with plenty of ingredients to make multiples of each. Here are some photos of the final product, as well as the kids making their own!

xoxo Angelina

So many exciting emotions happening but also being super nervous to go from 2 kiddos to 3 haha. I wanted to share us announcing to our family, along with some more photos that I hadn't shared yet <3 We've known for a while that we would be stoked with 3 kiddos but had no idea what God had in store for us. We are SO blessed and I'm extremely excited to share this journey with everyone!

When telling our family, I had purchased a pair of baby vans and made a sign that said (Ready or Not Baby #3 is coming in HOT!) I had the baby shoes connected to Ryder's fishing pole and we told our parents that Ryder caught a huge fish to HURRY!

Family photos are hard enough but then trying to take all of the photos yourself, bunny ear dilemma and getting all of your children looking at the camera haha. Needless to say, this is the best we could do with Baby Ren not wanting to smile and did not like Effie wearing bunny ears :P

Ren Golden Royal

October 25, 2018

Born at 5:00 PM - 7 Lbs. 3 oz. 20.25 Inches Long

Welcome Everyone!

I'm so happy that almost 18 months later, I'm finally able to share my birth story with y'all! It's crazy to think how fast passes by and how important it is to document every moment you can. Below you will see photos taken from my labor/birth and there's also a full video with my story + a few video clips from the actual labor/birth. I did my best to keep it PG and I just ask that everyone be respectful of the story, images and videos that I'm sharing with everyone. 

Love you all & I hope this helps anyone considering a home birth <3

P.S. My Midwife was Shatamia Webb with Baby Catcher Birth Services - Lafayette, LA + Surrounding Areas

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Wedding

_____________________________________________

Ozark

Wentworth

The I-Land

You

Good Girls

Madam Secretary 

The Fosters

Love Is Blind

Grace & Frankie

Vampire Diaries

Lucifer

Heart Strings

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

Doctor Foster

Quantico

Scandal 

The100

Limitless

Gossip Girl

Hart of Dixie

Trials of Gabriel Fernandez 

Raising Dion 

_____________________________________________

 Feel free to drop some of your favorites in the comments!

I finally got around to snapping some photos of Ren's nursery that has been put together since his birth haha. I'm clearly like 5 years behind on what I've been wanting to share with you guys. 

Now that I'm finally able to share, I wanted to keep it super simple! We learned with Ryder that the kiddos typically don't play with a ton of toys. They rather climb things or be in the cabinets!

Everything photographed was purchased either at TJMaxx, Homegoods, Target, Amazon or Hobby Lobby <3

Wooden Play Gym

xoxo Angelina

Hey Guys!

I'm only a year late on getting Ren's home birth out in the open but I can honestly say, things are finally starting to feel routine. It's only taken 15 months but hey, I'm here now haha.

So I wanted to share with you guys WHY, I chose a home birth. For starters, one of my best friends had both of her babies at a birthing center in a gorgeous white tub. I was able to see the videos and photos from both births and she made it look SO easy and beautiful. Of course she told me how painful it was but she was so uplifting with support that I COULD do it. 

I originally wanted a birthing center but I decided since the only local one near Lafayette looked more like a home, that I might as well just have the baby at home! 

I immediately started doing research and talked to a client of mine who had a home birth and that's when I found Shatamia Webb with Baby CatchersBirth Services. I set up a meeting with her, we had coffee and I was able to discuss all of my concerns and of course as plenty of questions. After leaving the meeting, Michael and I were both super excited about it all. 

>>> Fast Forward 7 months >>>

(I'll have a separate post with the actual birth story)

I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and my exact words during/after labor were "I'm Never Doing that AGAIN!"

It was so painful and for some reason I mentally prepared myself to be in labor for 11+ hours and I was only in labor for 3. Long story short, days after having him and being able to be in my home, my own bed, friends and family could come and go as they pleased, I would definitely do it ALL over again. 

Being with my family immediately after, holding my baby, no doctors or nurses poking at me, I was in HEAVEN. There was literally no greater feeling and I know that I could do it all over again <3

xoxo Angelina

October 25, 2019

I may be a month late but I'm finally getting some time to share Ren's first birthday party! We kept it super simple at our home and it turned out amazing. I'm so use to having Ryder's birthday during the summer, so I was happy to put together a Fall/Camping themed party of Ren <3

We started off with breakfast of course! There was bacon, eggs, biscuits and the kids were able to make their own pancakes w/ toppings. Then we played camping style games like bobbing for apples, candy pong and 3 legged races (never made it to that game lol)

Following that the kids roasted marshmallows, mades mores, had a fire, and then there was cake and presents!

Hope this gives a little inspo to anyone having an upcoming party! It was honestly super inexpensive and the kids seemed to love it!

Cake: Rouses

(I customized it with coconut & pecan shavings + purchased the animals from Hobby Lobby)

Cookies: Cookies by Macie

(She's the bomb)

Decorations: Mixture of Hobby Lobby & TJ Maxx

I don't know about y'all but the weekends never last long enough. This morning we were late for school, Ren had 2 blow outs on the way, which led to me stopping twice and then on top of that he's been teething for a few days now with no sleep. I'm running on E here but I guess that's what us parents do haha. On the plus side, I wanted to share with you these super cute metal straws from Sand Cloud! I've always loved their shirts and towels so I'm super pumped to share their new metal straws. There are over 500 million straws used a day, just in the US alone. That number is INSANE. So much of this waste goes back into the earth such as our oceans, which is hurting marine life. You may have heard this before, but we really do only have one planet and it's our job to keep it save for our future generations <3 

Code: AW_RO20 for 20% off your purchase <3

****Frozen Fruit in water is the bomb****

xoxo Angelina

I wish I were saying it was a beautiful day in Louisiana but it's actually quite gloomy :/ I'm currently sitting outside with my little munchkin, enjoying the not so hot weather. It's crazy how hot September has been this year! On a different note, I wanted to share some ups and downs that I've experienced with breastfeeding to hopefully help some of you mommas out there. 

For starters, I think the most discouraging things anyone can hear are, "You're probably not producing enough. Your baby needs more. You should probably just stick to formula. Why don't you just use breast milk and formula?" Y'all I've heard it all. I feel like I've been through it all. From not producing a ton at first, to going back to work a week later, to having my nipples rubbed raw, to cracked nipples, to not reacting to a pump really well, it's been an endless road. But here I am with an almost 11 month old and I never gave up or gave into formula. I'm not saying this is for everyone and I totally suppose formula fed babies but I am super proud of myself for making it this far. I did not nurse with Ryder, he wouldn't latch, I didn't eat enough, nor could I pump enough so I gave up. I made a deal with myself for Ren, that I would try and get past the 6 month mark and then once I reached that point, I felt like I was doing well and so was he, so why change anything??

Tips for if you're struggling to produce:

- Up your water intake

- Pump when your little one is napping (helps to produce more) 

- Fenugreek Pills (Found mine at whole foods but here's an amazon link )

- Lactation Drinks ( This is the one I used Premama Wellness )

- Make sure you're eating enough!

Tips for cracked or hurting nipples, plus latching issues:

(These were a lifesaver, literally) 

- Nipple Shields 

- Lanolin Cream

I hope these small tips help for those of you struggling! Just remember that know one knows your body like you do. Do not let anyone talk you out of something you're committed to as well. I hate seeing people give up because of other's negativity. Whether breastfeeding is right for you, only you can decide but I truly love it. It has saved us tons in money, it's all natural, Ren has never had stomach issues or health problems. I mean I could go on for days. I feel like working moms have to be even more dedicated to pumping at work and freezing their milk but it's possible. I personally bring ice packs in a bag to work, and pump before and after my weddings. At the beginning, I would pump on my dinner break. You do what you have to for your babies and I think most moms can agree on that. I hope this helps!

Here are some of the things I use for breastfeeding:

- Kiinde Twist Storage Bags

- Medela Storage Bottles

- Medela Pump ( The car adapter is the bomb - I pump in my car A LOT)

(Photo creds to my awesome Hubs)

If you have any questions, feel free to comment or shoot me a message!

As many of you know, I have been terrible at blogging lately and I wish I had the time/energy to change that haha. Today I wanted to share with y'all some photos I had taken of Ren as his "9 month" photos. Needless to say, I didn't quite think it through...He decided to eat the fruit the entire time :P

xoxo Angelina

As I'm sitting here typing up this blog post, I have Ren in the other arm hitting my keyboard, biting a bottle and feeding Effie all of his snacks, hashtag momlife haha. This is exactly why I haven't been able to share a blog post since being pregnant :P On the plus side, I currently have a 7 year old and a 7 month old who keep me busier than ever! Oh, and a day job, plus cleaning and it's summertime...Yes, I'm sweatin! Thankfully my awesome husband is super helpful when he's off work and we manage to get things done around the house. That's why I wanted to share with you guys these awesome detergent pods from Dropps. My husband is super sensitive to detergents and always breaks out in a rash but these little pods have cleared that right up! They also have pods for babies, small loads, sensitive skin and your dish washer, which makes getting things done super easy. Not to mention they are animal friendly for our sweet Effie <3 If you happen to see them in your local store or want to order them online, you won't regret it!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Hey Everyone!

I've been MIA from the blog for quite some time now and hopefully now that things are slowing down in a different way, I will be able to stay up to date. This pregnancy has been so up and down with how I feel and some days, I just want to do NOTHING. Not to mention it's still 1,000 degrees outside, which can ruin anyones mood haha. I woke up at 3:45 this morning and am still going with energy, so I wanted to share some favorites that I've purchased for babe #2 <3

Comotomo - Baby Bottles - Baby Feeding - Green - 4 Pack - Two 5 Ounce Bottles and Two 8 Ounce Bottles

Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottle, 8oz, 4pk, SCF703/47

Sage Spoonfuls Glass Big Batch, 4 Ounce(Pack of 12)

Graco DreamGlider Gliding Seat & Sleeper, Sutton

Seventh Generation Baby Concentrated Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent, 40 oz, 2 Pack (106 Loads)

Sealy OptiCool 2-Stage Infant/Toddler Crib Mattress -Lightweight Foam, Soybean Cool Gel Memory Foam, Luxurious Cotton Cover, Waterproof, Allergy Barrier, Firmer Infant Side, 51.7”x27.3"

BEABA Babycook Neo, Glass 4 in 1 Steam Cooker & Blender, Comes with Stainless Steel Basket and Reservoir, 5.5 Cup Capacity (Cloud)

JJ Cole Diaper Caddy - Slate Heather

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Tia and Bryan tied the knot on June 9 in Hattiesburg Mississippi. The day started off quite sunny and hot, which you can expect during the summertime and quickly turned into A LOT of rain. Even with the rain that hit, the entire day was filled with smiles, joy, and laughter. I've never seen a couple so happy and so in love. They didn't let the crazy summer weather ruin their big day. Every moment was embraced and they made the best of it. I'm so happy to share some highlight photos from Tia and Bryan's Wedding <3

Venue: The Barn at Bridlewood 

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Sunglasses

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina 

If you haven't noticed already, Ryder and I are OBSESSED with snowballs. We will ride our bikes anytime of day to snag one and Ryder LOVES extra juice. Our new favorite spot is Cajun Country Sno balls off of La Neuvelle. It's located between the Youngsville Hwy and Bonin. If you're coming from the Youngsville hwy, it's right passed the gas station next to the laundry mat. It's perfect for summer days and the flavors are AMAZING. Ryder's exact words were, "This is the best snow cone I've ever had" and he's had a lot haha. Be sure to show them some love on these hot summer days! They are open from 1-8 PM Tuesday -Sunday <3

Ryder's Flavor: Tigers Blood

Mine: Cotton Candy

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

On another note, we have been discussing baby names but aren't 100% certain yet. Ryder has come up with multiple names and I think we've found one that we all agree on but we're going to give it more time <3 I hope everyone enjoys photos from the gender reveal party, ultrasound, and silly photos to announce our bundle of joy!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Venue: Nottoway

Cake: Fairy Dust Cakes

Floral: The Brides Mom! (Melissa Davis)

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

I cannot believe that it's already the end of the week and I'm 18 wks pregnant. Realistically, it feels like I've been pregnant for a year haha. I'm still having crazy back pains and the exhaustion seems to come and go. I have great days and then days where all I want to do is sleep! Can anyone else relate!? It's so crazy how it's true when they say every pregnancy is different. On the plus side, I wanted to share with you guys a few products from Better Shea Butter, that have been a LIFESAVER. My skin has been so dry (especially from swimming) and this stuff works miracles. I also love the fact that they're based out of Austin, TX, which is only 6 hours from here :) Below are a few of the products that I had ordered. My FAVORITES are the Sugar Scrub (also in the mom & baby bundle), which I've added to my regimen 2-3 times a week to exfoliate my skin and the Better Shea Body Butter + Belly Butter that's in the Mom & Baby Bundle! I use the body butters every night and I love how it makes my skin feel. 

Not to mention, all of their products are all-natural, organic, and raw ingredients, which allow you to DIY and make products at home for yourself, if you'd like! Be sure to check them out because I'm literally obsessed <3

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

We had a super long weekend with Ryder racing and me trying to catch up on work. I'm two weddings down and two more to go! This Thursday I'll be 17 weeks pregnant and even though the morning sickness has died down, I'm being slammed with major migraines. If anyone has tips for this, please let me know! On a positive note, I wanted to share with you this GORGEOUS diaper bag that I received from Lily Jade. It's literally perfect! Not only can it be a shoulder bag, but it can also turn into a backpack as well. The leather is simply amazing and this color is my Fav! I've linked this bag and a few dresses similar to the one I'm wearing for y'all <3

Diaper Bag/Purse (P.S. Don't miss their Mother's Day Sale)

Dress 1 (Similar)

Dress 2(Similar)

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

It's Tuesday & I feel like I'm still recovering from the weekend! We had a gender reveal party on Saturday & had so much fun visiting with our family & friends. Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite swimming workouts, that have been a lifesaver during both of my pregnancies. Unfortunately, all of my babies end up in my back, which cause major pain and there are some days where I can barely walk. Swimming has been one of the best workouts to help with this!

( You can turn the 50's into 25's or 100's to make it easier or harder! Not to mention I'm loving my new swimsuit from Q-Swimwear! )

***Workout***

Warm Up: (5) 50's Freestyle

Workout: (6) 50's Kick

               (5) 50's Pull

               (8) 50's Alternate Freestyle and Choice (Back, Breast or Fly)

Cool Down: 100 Yards Slow Paced

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Thursday Everyone!

I am so happy to share with you some exciting news. Ryder & Effie won’t be the only babies in our family come October! We have been keeping our little secret for a few months now & I’m happy to finally be able to share with everyone. Our close friends & family have known for a while but we wanted to wait until I was past my first trimester to share the news. I have to admit…this pregnancy has been nothing like my pregnancy with Ryder. Thankfully the sickness has calmed down a tad but for a while I thought I was dying haha. I’m not sure if it’s being 7 years older this go round or from going vegan but the morning sickness & lack of energy has been real! Now that I’m 15 weeks today, most of my symptoms have subsided but they do appear occasionally. I'm definitely ready for the nesting period & to be full of energy! I will be keeping everyone up to date on Baby Royal over the next 6 months & I'm super excited to share this journey with y'all! 

***To all of my clients, thank you for being super understanding and supportive. I still have weddings booked for the beginning of October and will be returning back in November. All client galleries take 2 weeks from the date of the photoshoot to be returned to the client as usual and weddings is 8-10 weeks. This has not changed and will not change throughout the course of my pregnancy. I have always guaranteed a set date and the photos will be delivered by then. Thank y'all again!

On a side note, here are some photos + a video from when I shared the news with Michael & Ryder. I found out the morning before our trip that I was pregnant and scrambled up a way to share the news with them. I ran into target before a wedding I had that night & found these booties (only pair) on clearance for a few dollars. I immediately knew that I wanted to theme the surprise around our trip & Michael had been joking about us seeing bears, so I came up with the saying to go with the booties. I was super nervous they would find it in my luggage but I managed to surprise them bright and early! We had arrived in Yosemite late the night before and had no idea what our surroundings even looked like, I was way too excited to see this gorgeous mountain top in the background, right outside of our camper!! Here are a few photos + a video of me sharing the news with them! Ryder's initial reaction was a little harsh but he's super excited now :)

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Is it just me or is spring time full of craziness!? Between weddings, senior photos and life in general, I feel like I've been hiding under a rock since Christmas. I'm happy to finally be back! Today I wanted to tell y'all about my comfy new socks :)

A few months back, I shared another post from K.Bell socks and I'm so happy to have partnered with them again! Ryder was rocking his new pizza socks, while I rocked the Avocado one's. I love how affordable and comfortable they are! Even though Ryder's at the age of never wanting to take photos, he definitely pulled some modeling poses and it was his idea to sit on the bricks :P

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Friday!

Today I wanted to share this new brand I found called Pact. There clothes are environmentally friendly and super soft! Be sure to check them out <3 P.S. They're having a sale on winter clothes right now!

Top (Sold Out) Similar One here

Bottoms

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Today I wanted to talk to you about one of my favorite skin care brands, Derma E. I've been using Derma E for a few years now and I thought it was about time to share some of my favorite products. What I love most about this company is that it's cruelty free, soy free, gluten free, and GMO free. Having gone Vegan back in June, I have to be careful with what I put in my body and on it. Your body becomes very sensitive to certain things, especially animal products and harsh chemicals. Below you will see me talking with Effie about the Purifying 2-in-1 Face Mask and a few other favorite products below. You can click the photos to find out more <3

Derma E - Microdermabrasion

Derma E - Hydrating Night Cream

Derma E - Scar Gel (Been Using for Years)

Derma E - Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

Derma E - Rose Cleaning Oil 

Derma E - Make-Up Remover (Only 1 Left in Stock)

If you've used Derma E before, let me know your thoughts!

Stay Strong & True to yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

I'm Vegan & my child is a Chicken Nugget Lover. He could literally eat chicken nuggets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Possibly a snack too haha. Even though he hates vegetables and 95% of other foods out there, I sure do love hanging out with him. As I had posted before about my expectations for 2018 and one of those being in the moment, well this is it. Yes, I have a camera in my hand and Ryder likes to act silly because of it, but we have fun. Even if that's as simple as watching him eat. Having a camera in my hand will distract me from being on my phone or not engaging with my own kid. Yes, I can do those things without taking photos but hey, it's my job to want photos of everything haha. 

Here's to a new year and silly posts about McDonalds :)

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Monday!

I'm sure some of you may have seen my post a few months ago about That's It! Veggie Bars. Well today, I get to share with you there truffle bites! Y'all..Being Vegan and a sweets addict. These little bites are saving grace! Not only are they delicious but they are super satisfying as well. To find out more check out their site HERE!

Previous Post with Veggie Bars

PS I love the Apple & Blueberry>>>  

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

What You'll Need:

-Street Tacos

-Refried Beans

^^^^

(Vegan or Vegetarian | Make sure it does not contain Lard!)

-Tex Mex Salsa

( I buy mine from whole foods for a quick meal but you can make your own with black beans, onions, kernel corn, jalapeño, cilantro, cayenne pepper, Lime Juice and salt )

-Guacamole 

Additional topping options:

Vegan Cheese - Lettuce - Tomatoes 

How to Make:

-Preheat oven to 350

-Place tacos on a pan

Add: Refried beans + Tex Mex Salsa

-Bake for 10 Minutes

Add toppings - Mine has guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Even though it's been crazy cold here in Louisiana, it's been a good New Years start here at the Royal household. Ryder's leg is slowly getting better from surgery, Michael's heel is healed, and I've added video to my brand. With all of that being said, I wanted to share this year's expectations for myself. I know many people set goals per say but I feel like a goal sounds so far fetched, where as an expectation is holding yourself accountable. So here goes:

-Be Myself-

That sounds hard right!? haha. No but really. This year I'm working on cleaning out the clutter and really putting my whole self into things. Every year I've tried new things such as sewing, being up to date with the latest trend, learning how to contour (DISASTER)...but at the end of the day. That's just not me. I wear workout clothes on the daily, my hairs always in a ponytail or bun, and I rarely have mascara on. But that's who I am and the more I try to be someone I'm not, the harder it is to be happy. 

-Living Like a Minimalist-

This has been on my mind for about a year now. Realistically, I'll probably never get rid of my whole closet but I want to live with less and soak in what matters more. 

-Capturing REAL Moments- 

Like I don't carry my camera around enough...haha. This may sound crazy but I love capturing what's happening without someone looking at me and posing. That goes for my family as well. I even did a lifestyle photoshoot at McDonald's with Ryder and I LOVE it. 

-Listen More-

Listen to people more and talk less. Listen to more podcasts. Listen to what God has planned for me and my family.

-Being Present-

This is the hardest thing on the planet for me. To really disconnect my mind from everything going on in life and just be there. Whether THERE is at home riding bikes or riding around Cali in a camper van. I just want to be fully present. 

If you have any goals/expectations for yourself that you'd like to share, please feel free to message me or comment below!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Cream of Celery Soup - Vegan Style

As you all may know, it's a new year and there's suppose to be a new me BUT I like the old me haha. This year I'll be focusing more on eating out less and really putting the lifestyle I chose as a priority. I alway make my famous chicken & dumplings soup for my family but nothing in that is vegan. Today I decided to try something similar by make a Cream of Celery Soup with Walnuts! Yes, walnuts...I needed the crunch haha. I have to admit, it turned out pretty darn good so here's the recipe for those who may need a little guidance on going vegan. 

What You Need:

1 Bundle of Celery

1 Onion or 1 Cup of Seasoning Blend

1 L of Vegetable Broth (4 Cups)

1/2 Cup of Flour (I used oat flour)

1 tbl Olive Oil

1 Cup of Water

1/2 Cup of Walnuts

Spices: Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, & Oregano 

How to Cook:

Step 1:

Dice Six Celery Stalks & Onion 

Step 2: 

Salute Celery & Onion's in pot for 10 minutes with 1 tbl spoon of Olive Oil

Step 3:

Bring Heat to a Boil

Add: Vegetable Broth

Water

Flour

Walnuts

***Season as you wish, I added about 1/4 tsp of all the seasonings above and sea salt as needed***

Let cook for 25- 30 minutes or until celery is cooked down

Voila, and you're done! One pot clean up <3

If you have any questions, please comment below!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina 

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Thursday! Is it just me or is it crazy cold outside right now!? This morning when I was walking to my car from yoga, I swear my body was hurting from the cold haha. Clearly, we have Louisiana issues when it comes to cold weather :P On a warmer note, I wanted to share this handmade knitted sweater with y'all! BGG Knits has the most beautiful pieces and The Oversized Sweater is one of my favorites!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Happy Christmas Eve! This is the first year that our gingerbread house didn't completely fall apart. A huge thank you to Twin's Burger, here in Youngsville that has them available to purchase put together haha. It's always been a tradition of ours to build and decorate one before Santa gets here. Here are some photos that I wanted to share with y'all!

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Am I the only one freaking out that it's Christmas Eve already!? It feels like just yesterday, we were celebrating Halloween around here. The older I get, the more I feel like time is flying by! 

Today I wanted to share with y'all this awesome new phone case from EYN. In the photos below, you can see how theres a clip for your license, credit cards, cash etc and on the opposite side, there's a small mirror, which I love! It's super convenient when you're on the go and don't want to throw your money or cards in your pocket. 

Check out more products here

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3

xoxo Angelina

Stay Strong & True to Yourself <3