Zaiya's First Halloween

Baby: Zaiya Ocean is 4 months old

Hi Loves! Notice anything different? I have a new blog design! For a while I thought I was not going to be blogging anymore but I have had a change of heart. There are just to many things I want to document and my baby girl is on top of that list. (Don't worry...beauty posts and non baby related topics are in the works!)

I seriously don't even know how 4 months have passed by! Next week she will be taking her first plane ride to NY for my cousins wedding! (wish us luck) I did a mini photo session with my doll on Sunday. Here are some of my favorite pics & some fun facts:

Weight:11.5 lbs
Drinking: 4 oz. of Breast Milk every 3 hours (I am still nursing)
Naps: Every 3 hours for 45 min
Sleeping: 6-7 hours straight at night
Talking: A lot! Cooing, yelling, gremlin sounds, baby talk non stop (especially around Daddy)
Smiling: All the time
Eyes: They are still Grey (Like her great grandmother <his side> & Great Grandfather <my side>)
Bath & Massage time: Loves bath time and Massages sometimes

Hope everyone has a great week! I have a full weekend of bridal clients coming up. Check my instagram for pics of my clients this weekend, I will be posting a lot! http://instagram.com/artistalovesart

BLUSH AND GLOW CLIENTS

One of our clients at Blush and Glow was featured in the Summer issue of Inside Weddings Magazine.

Here are some pics of my recent Bridal Clients:

Classic Red Lips

Side braid and loose curls

Loose low do

Dramatic Smokey eyes for an Indian Wedding Reception

Golden Bronze eyes and a side ponytail with soft curls

The hot mess on my counter after a long day 

Homemade Bars

On my quest to eat clean after baby I made these super easy mixed nut bars this weekend.

Ingredients:
1 can deluxe mixed nuts
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Agave Nectar or Honey
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 egg white

Whip one egg white and add all the ingredients and mix. You can add more or less sugar and really anything else you want. Next time I plan to add dried fruit.

Place in a cupcake pan and bake on 350 degrees for 20 min.

Wait for the bars to cool before you remove them from the pan.

Guess who's Back!

Lipstck: Revlon Lip Butter in "Raspberry Pie"

Hi everyone! I have been trying to do a blog post for almost a month now. Motherhood has changed my life and I am loving every minute of it. I plan and hope to blog more this year starting with at least one post a week.

Zaiya was born April 4, 2013. She came 3 weeks early. My pregnancy was smooth up until the last month I developed Preclampsia. I gained close to 60 lbs! I've lost 30 and have 30 lbs more to go. I am trying to eat clean and get to the gym at least 2-3 times a week.

A part of me wanted to have that dramatic "MY WATER BROKE!! RUSH ME TO THE HOSPITAL"
type of scenario like the movies but here I am walking (waddling) calmly to my hospital room.

3.5 months old

Pregnancy Update: 3rd Trimester

I know it's been months since I have posted but to be honest I just have not been motivated. I didn't want to force a post. I still don't feel like doing this post but a part of me wants to. You see, 2 weeks before I found out I was pregnant (July) I found out that someone very dear to me was diagnosed with cancer. Gioblastoma Stage 4 (Brain Tumor) to be exact. I am not saying that is the reason I stopped blogging but I don't know. My friend is still alive and fighting for his life everyday. He was so full of energy and really lived the perfect life and then just one visit to the doctor for a physical - his life will never be the same. All I can do is keep praying for him.

Anyways, this is supposed to be a pregnancy update.

Gender: Baby Girl aka Ocean

Cravings: No major cravings but I am eating anything I want, I don't think twice when I pull up to a drive through. Tomatoes with salt pepper and OO is something I am eating more of.

Sleep: Better but I wake up and toss and turn all night. Most nights I wake up for 2 hours (Pinterest time). Lots of trips to the bathroom (TMI...?)

Body Changes: I am wider and I have lost all the muscle I worked so hard to form doing crossfit! No stretch marks yet. I am oiling it up with BioOil and this special homemade oil my sister makes.

Weight Gain: I am packing 25 LB's baby! I have major achy feet in the am and sciatic pain if I am on my feet too long.

Work Outs: Prenatal yoga 2 times a week if I am good

Things missed: Crossfit and Spin class, lunch meat, sushi, a cold beer and I really really want a martini!!!

Maternity Clothes: I live in my gap maternity super soft leggings. Lately I have been wearing the Mr.'s tees and I officially can't wear heels unless I want to pay the consequences the next day.

New Experiences: She is moving much more and its so uncomfortable when she does.

Look Forward to:  Getting home from work everyday and lounging in my pjs with a cup of tea. I am trying to soak up all this alone time before she gets here.

Nursery: Almost done stenciling the wall. The crib and glider is here. The room is going to be all white and silver.

27 WEEKS

With all these changes I am going through my Mr. has been amazing. As nervous as I am - the excitment in his eyes makes me know I have nothing to worry about. Holy shit! I am growing a human being inside my belly! I still can't believe I am bringing life into this crazy world!
Happy Friday Friends!
xoxo Artista

It's a bird...It's a plane...no IT'S A BABY GIRL!

I am officially 17 weeks preggo and we found out last week we are having a baby girl! This whole "nesting" mode has pretty much taken over my life. I am in the process of reorganizing my entire house! Every pantry, closet and corner! I think I even got the Mr. in nesting mode because he came home today and went straight for the garage. I hope to post pictures of my newly decorated formal living room but ya know how that goes and my nursery that I have not started but I have ordered some pieces for. In the meanwhile, here are some pics of my growing belly and some random shots. What have y'all been up to? Leave me comments!
Beauty.Art.Love
Artista

I live in my gap maternity leggings!

Baby girls nickname is Ocean. lol

Nesting mode - I have 2 pantry's and this one was ridic! It was overstuffed with so much crap.

The bottles are from Ikea and Walmart, labels from Amazon.com

Sneak peek at my formal living room. Floral stems from hobby lobby

and vase and pillow from Z Gallerie

Bridal Client: Allyson

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of working with the beautiful and sweet Allyson on her wedding day. We created a plum smokey eye and half updo with soft curls. Here are some of the pictures of her and her bridemaids whom we did side ponytails on. Enjoy!

To see more of my work please visit my website: www.BlushandGlow.com

Allyson's fiance had one of her friends play this song for her as she was getting ready and I have been in love with the song since. Ya'll know I'm a cheeseball for a good love song! Such a great first dance song! Yes I went home and played it for Mr. K!!! Total Cheeseball!!! hey I admit it!!! : b

Baby Ocean

Please excuse my absence. Lately I have been feeling tired, restless, sleepless, anxious, nauseated and extremely hungry. You may be wondering "Is she preggo?" Well yes, yes I am!!!!!!!!!! My Baby aka Ocean is 12 weeks and I am so excited to be able to finally share this with the world! I still can't believe I am going to bring life into this world! I have always dreamed of how it would be and feel be to be a mother. My body has never been so tired and I can't wait for this burst of energy I hear you are suppose to get after your first trimester to kick in. I have already gained a whopping 7 lbs! I completely stopped cross fitting and spinning and just started eating and my body didn't take it too well. As soon as this energy comes back I am hitting the gym. Any advice for new mommys are very welcomed! Happy Monday!
Beauty.Art.Love ~Artista

Houston Bloggers Event

 

Kick off party was Friday night at Langford Market in the Village

 

 

That's me in the polka dot dress talking to Bre of Bre Writes and my new friend Lindsey behind me of Trial by Sapphire

 

 

Horrible lighting and please excuse the mess in the background - I went shopping!

(R - new clothes L - new shoes)

 

 

The host Megan of Greeting from Texas

 

The Icebreaker game

 

Ya I ate it all!

 

We got 2 swag bags full of goodies from Francesca's and Langford Market: tanks, tights, tees, scarf, cookies, coupons, wine fest tickets, chi hair products, bath junkie products, jewelry and more!

 

 

 

What I wore:

Pants, Top and Jewelry: F21

Shoes: Lauren Conrad Pumps

Lipstick: Up the Amp by Mac