Links to Love

+ A recent blog find, Chasing Sunshine. Loving even more since I just won her 100 followers giveaway! I'm thinking about getting this dress & these shorts. And since I can't not spend $50 at F21 online (hello free shipping), a few other goodies will make their way into my cart.


+ Along with the F21 giftcard, I also won a giftcard to this awesome Etsy shop. It's going to be super hard picking just one print!


+ Look at this Up themed 1st birthday party Erin threw for her son. The balloons? The cake? The walker? It all made me smile & giggle. Awesome job, Erin!


+ Speaking of birthday parties, we just got the first (of many to come, I'm sure) package in the mail for Emmy's 2nd party. I LOVE these & can't wait to use them. Pretty sure we've got a theme in place....I'll be sharing soon! And? This shop is fabulous. I ordered these on Tuesday & got them this morning complete with a piece of salt water taffy with the thank you card.


+ How awesome does this teepee tutorial look? If only I had one simple sewing bone in my body.



+ My friend Haley, who happens to be an amazing photographer, wrote a great tutorial for photographing newborns. Check it out!


+ I kinda really yeah want this iPhone case. Mainly becaue I want to see people's confused faces while they read it 3 times in their head & still not get it *cough* Mom *cough*.


+ I'm obsessed with rompers this year. I'd rock one myself, but I fear it'd look like a onesie on my 6 foot self. But for my girls? Perfect. I know I said I was done with the girls clothes for this spring & summer (did you really believe me?), but I just got this one for Emily and this one for Brooklyn.


+ Speaking of the girls, they are obsessed with this new show on Disney. I can't lie. I'm loving it too.



Happy Friday, friends! Can I get an amen for a puppy who went from whimpering in his crate and peeing four times a night to happily laying in his crate & only whimpering to pee once at 5am after sleeping for 7 hours? AMEN!!

Little Bits of Happiness v-4



80* park time fun.//slumber death grip. seriously, she was drooling in her sleep, but if we tried to take her cup, she'd wake right up & whimper.//"i need a refresh-mint"//my vice. my crack.//top knottin' sissies.

what little things made your week a bit happier? link up with the lovely  mrs.stephanie t.

Max & Brookie

ohh yes. this boy is loved.

and? you're welcome for now having the max & ruby theme song stuck in your head. where ARE those bunnies parents?!

Steppin' Out 3-24-12

::deets::

cardgian--old navy

tank--f21

leggings--target

boots--target

earrings--kohls

puppy--Maximus Feller :)

Yesterday Dustin & I made the hour long drive to pick up our boy. When we got there, he was asleep inside a crate on top of his brother. The only 2 left out of a litter of 8. Part of me wanted to bring both guys home with us & then reality smacked me in the face and I knew we could only maintain sanity with 1 pup. 1 sweet, deliciously soft, scrappy widdle pup. I mean, c'mon. Wook at that face. So wuvable.

When we brought him home, Emily cried & Brookie shrieked. Emily's was out of terror however while Brookie's was out of pure joy. She kept asking if he was real or if we could keep him forever. Best of all? She told Dustin "I wished and wished for this. And he's here! He's real!" Ensue heart melting goodness.

After a full day of playing, peeing (oh sweet moses on a cracker, I didn't realize how much a pup pees in an hour), and a bath, Max was down for the count. And? Emily started coming around.....once he was asleep.

As much as we already love him, I can't deny that last night was pretty rough. The whimpering, the whining, the barking, 'oy. Our intention is to crate train him, but he was pretty scared last night downstairs alone in the living room. Tonight we're going to try & use Emily's old womb bear and hopefully that'll bring him some comfort. And us some sleep. Let's face it....bags under my eyes went out of style after Em turned 1.

{linking up with mandy at harpers happenings.}

Giveaway Winner and.........It's a Boy!

First & foremost, the winner of the Reese's Pieces growth chart giveaway is Caroline! Congratulations! And thank you to everyone who entered this awesome giveaway!

And now, the part where I'm sure you're confused. It's a Boy? Huh? How could Ashley's uterus have a tenant & us not know about it?! Rest assured (and resume breathing, Dustin) I'm not pregnant. But? Our family is growing.

Tomorrow morning Dustin & I are going to pick up our first family pet. An 8 week old full bred yellow lab who'll be known as Maximus. Or Maxi Pad when he chews on my coffee table legs.

I'm excited! I know the girls are going to be shocked and I can't wait to see the look of their faces when we bring him home tomorrow. An "early gift from the Easter Bunny" we're telling them. Y'all should see my husband. He is school girl giddy over this. Registered him at Pet Smart so he'll get a birthday card next January. Bought him a bunch of goodies (including ridiculous priced treats.) It's pretty much downright adorable. And I may be guilty of looking at bow ties for his first birthday....can't confirm nor deny that....

Oh and? The hubs also knows that this Momma spent 16 months having a baby on my boob around the clock. I told him to toughen up his nips because he's in charge of all 3 am nature calls. That's only fair, amiright?

Now. This is where you all tell me that this dog will never chew on my shoes. Poop on my floor. Whine at night. Track mud all over my carpet. Or eat us out of house & home. Go on now....

Beautiful, Inside & Out

The other day while Emily was napping, Brooklyn asked me to paint her nails. Being a lover of all things girly, we walked upstairs to my polish stash, picked out the perfect shade of red, & sat down side by side. Her hands flat on a coloring book, fingers widely spread. Her fingernails are miniscule compared to mine, and her cuticles are enviable.

After 2 coats are applied & she blew on them to help speed along the drying process, she was done. Looked up at me beaming & asked me "How do I look Mommy? Even more beautiful?"

And while she did, something inside me clicked. Wondered if at only 3 years old, she had the impression that beauty only came with perfection. The perfectly colored nails, the perfect hair complete with a bow, the perfect outfit that matches to a tee. By being the mother of girls & loving all the sweet girlyness that comes along with it, was I giving my daughter the understanding the beauty was only on the surface? Did she realize that beauty wasn't only skin deep? Could she this young?

So at that moment, with fresh colored nails, we decided to go outside. Play with chalk on the sidewalk. Go hunting through the grass & dirt to find the first dandelion of the year. Run around. Fall down. Get dirty. Not care.

Emily was about to wake up, so we came inside to get cleaned up. While we were in the bathroom, Brookie took a look at herself. Sweaty curls at the nape of her neck & forehead. Red cheeks. Chalk powder all over her shirt & shorts. Dirt underneath her freshly manicured nails, which are now chipped in a few places. And while she looked at herself & smiled, I told her that she was beautiful. That no matter how she looked, she was still a beautiful person. I hope she takes that moment with her always. So if at 13 years old, she needs braces? I want her to know she's beautiful--on the inside. Where it matters most. Appearance is important, but I'll take the little girl covered in dirt with the loving, bubbly personality over the snobby beauty queen anyday.

Mommas of girls, do you ever worry about how beauty is perceived in society nowadays? How do you make your girls feel beautiful?

Wordless Wednesday

So yeah. Greatest daddy ever. And? Happiest girls. Excuse me while I beam.

Linking up with Live & Love Outloud, A Beautiful Mess, &jenni from the blog

Spring & Summerizing Closets

This post is sponsored by Pine-Sol® Clean & Disinfect with Pine-Sol®: The Powerful Scent of Clean." I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

My name is Ashley, and I'm a clearance rack/thrift store/online sale shopaholic ::hiii ashley:: The thing is though, it's not often for myself. Nope...it's for the girls. I just can't help myself--why DO they make girls clothes so cute?! I also like to buy ahead a season when it goes on sale. And yesterday? I did the biannual closet clean out. Bring out the totes, the hand me downs, the new bags of clothes. And pack up the fall, winter, & grown out of ensambles.

At noon, their room looked like a cyclone had passed through. Not only am I a child clothes buyaholic, I'm also a lover of memory lane. So when I see a shirt that Emily can no longer fit into but it's one I know she took her first step in? I get a little weepy. And spend 10 minutes looking for the leggings she wore with it.

But by 3pm? Mission completion.

In order of season & size...

 Kept the boots out of storage. Never can trust Ohio weather. I also kept cardigans & hoodies out too, but in the back of the closet. Again, Ohio weather.

 What I love about these closets in the built in storage each girl has. Drawers for leggings, socks, tights, undies, bathing suits, jami's, anything.

So now I breathe a sigh of relief, as does Dustin. Why? Because when I finally finished, I told him not to let me buy anymore for the girls this summer. His words? "A verbal contract is binding in all 50 states".

Have you started your spring cleaning yet? Or are you a natural organaizing machine?

Are you a little extreme when it comes to cleaning? Win the Pine-Sol® Deep Clean Diva Crown and $5000. Enter Now!

Steppin' Out 3-18-12, Girls Style

::emmy's deets::

romper that makes me completely swoon--target

shoes--crazy8

hairbow--i made back in my craftier days

::brookie's deets::

dress--thrifted

leggings--thrifted from her sister. yep, a 3.5 year old rocking 18 month leggings.

sandals--target

How this is March weather in Ohio, I'll never understand. But I'm definitely not complaining! It's been in the 70's all weekend and is supposed to hit 80 on Wednesday. Say wha!? We're all thinking spring has sprung but then realize the state we live in. Ohio...where it can be snowing in May & 70 degrees in November.

Today I plan on tackling the girls closets. Emily still has size 12 month clothes hanging in hers and now that Brookie likes to pick out her own clothes, her closet is a clusterfark. Time to spring & summerize the clothes, pack up the fall & winter. Well, not all of it. Better keep out some boots & hats juuuust in case.

Hope you're all having a fabulous warmer than usual weekend. Don't forget to enter the Reese's Pieces giveaway! And stay tuned here next Saturday where you'll get to meet the 5th member of our family....(more about this soon!!)

{linking up with mandy at harpers happenings.}

Reese's Pieces Giveaway.

Today I'd like to highlight one of my newest amazing sponsors, Corinne from Reese's Pieces. In this sweet Etsy shop, you'll find the perfect finish for your little one's bedroom whether it be her wall letters, wall art, or my favorite, her growth charts.

Best of all? Everything she makes is completely customizable AND completely handpainted. Want wall letters to match your favorite quilt? Done.

Wall art from your child's favorite book? Done.

 Corinne can do it. And do it well.

Want to win something from her shop? I thought so! Corinne is giving away {ONE} personalized growth chart to 1 lucky Stauffer Shenanigans reader. Remember, completely customizable. But you could also pick one already in her shop, which are SO.CUTE. I love all the details she includes. And remember--HANDPAINTED!
This one is perfect for a girl...

and I just love this one for a boy...


This is a rafflecopter giveaway & will end Friday, March 23rd. A winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Good Luck!

Preschool. Yes, Already.

Yep. This is my child--ya know, the one that was just letting go of my hand to take her first steps--holding up her preschool acceptance letter. 2 mornings a week starting in August, she'll be away at school. Away from her Momma....

I'm doing okay with this, actually. Haven't shed a tear (yet). I mean, she's away from me more in 1 day I'm at work than she will be away at school for 1 week. So there's no need to worry, right? Right?! And look at that face. That contageous smile. She's so excited.

 I know Brookie is so ready for this. Ready to be around kids her age. She's always been watched by family & while we love it this way, it doesn't give her much time around any children, other than her sis & cousins. I love seeing her face when we get to the playground. How she sees every single kid there as a friend. But the smother mother deep down inside me is terrified of her feelings getting hurt by something a child says or does. I'll never forget the look on her face when she was pushed down at the playground last year & the kid just laughed at her and walked away. It was comparable to watching a kitten getting kicked. And then I really wanted to kick that kid, but I digress.

Fact is, I can't keep this girl is a bubble forever (at least I think that's frowned upon.) It's time to let her learn. Make friends. Have time away on her own. Have fun! Away from the familiar routine. Grow up. And? It'll also be nice for Emily. Give her a little extra Momma/Sissy time (and MawMaw/Sissy time on the day I'm at work.)

So you know what this means? Yep. This Momma & big girl have already started the hunt for the perfect backpack. If anything will cure my preschool blues, it'll be shopping for school supplies this summer. Admit it---you know nothing beats the smell of a fresh box of crayons.

Wordless Wednesday

Ringlets & cheekies? Be still, my ovaries. I could just nom this chunkaroo all the live long day.

And I think I've seen this before....

Hammidowns. The best things since yellow tutu swimsuit wedgies.

Linking up with The Paper Mama, Live & Love Outloud, A Beautiful Mess, & jenni from the blog

March Birchbox

It's arrived again! I'm telling you, I think my heart skips a beat or two when I see this pink box on my front step. I'm pretty excited about this months box....it's like they knew exactly what I was jonesing for.

::from L to R::

*Tea Forte extraordinary tea--As a coffeeaholic, but lover of chai & green tea, I was excited to see these. The cool thing is they're "skin smart", so each flavor is designed to help your skin in a different way. The 3 flavors I received are cherry marzipan (for corrective repair), honey yuzu (for natural renewal), & cucumber mint (for youth recovery). Honey yuzu? So.Good. Didn't even need to add my beloved splenda, which is saying alot.

*Kerastase Elixir Ultime--"beautifying oil". Count me in. As you all know, I have quite the head of hair. And I use a blowdryer & flat iron on it. This serum can be used on damp and dry hair. I used it yesterday after I blow dried & flat iron my hair straight for some exrta frizz control & shine enhancer. Works great! Not too oily & smells good.

*Ahava Essential Day Moisturizer--LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. LOVE. I've actually used this product in the past (pre-baby, pre-crazy skin, pre-budget) & it made my skin very smooth and even toned. And doesn't feel greasy at all. Might have to sneak this back into my daily routine.

*Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser--Whew...I needed this. My t-zone has been a beyatch lately & I've been getting random breakouts on my chin, so when I saw this in the box and then read the reviews online, angels sang. Nothing shouts married mommy of 2 than a face like a 14 year old boy :/ I've got high hopes for this product.

*Color Club Nail Polish in Jackie Oh!--Hello HOT pink. You will look absolutely fabulous on my toes this summer.

*Eau d'Hadrien by Annick Goutal--Eh...not really a fan. It doesn't smell bad, but it's definitely not my style. It's a pretty intense scent of basil & citrus. I think my Momma will like it though.

So, that's it for March's Birchbox bragfest. Were you convinced after seeing last month's Birchbox & have decided to join the party? Spill it--what'd you get in your box this month? And if you're new to this & thinking what the crap is Birchbox?!, click here. Trust.

Steppin' Out 3-9-12

::deets::

button down--old navy

jeggings--target

boots--target

earrings--f21

So. This is actually from Friday where we stepped out for grocery shopping & mexican for dinner (ohhh the Friday night of parents.) And where I loudly laughed when Brookie told our waiter she wanted chocolate milk, but pronounced it cha-co-la-tay. Thank you Dora for making my daughter bilingual. It'll look great on her preschool registration form.

Now today? Today you don't want to see me. Pretty sure I was splashed in the face with some spit or pee water in the wave pool at Kalahari last Thursday because I woke up this morning with a raw throat & one side nostril blockage. I feel gross. But a certain 3 year old with the memory of an elephant reminded me 4.2 thousand times that I promised her a trip to the movies to see "The Lorax" today. And, well, a coke slushie sounds fabulous to my throat. So off we go, old college hoodie and all.

I hope y'all are having a great phlegm free weekend!

Little Bits of Happiness v-3

Here's a mini preview (via Instagram) of our great week clusterfudge post to come!



helping daddy blow out the big 2-9 candle//big sis is all packed & ready to go//driving around in march with the windows down? euphoria.//chlorine hair? dig it.//g'mornin' smooches//shut.up.

{linking up with the lovely mrs.stephanie t.}

Chomper Check

Last week Brookie had her first trip to the dentist. Being an anti-dentite myself (based soley on my lack of enamel & multiple fillings growing up, not my dentist office staff because they're fabulous) I was nervous that she would be scared. But nope, she was actually really excited & couldn't wait to find out how many teeth she had in her mouth.

She did SO well! Everything she was asked to do, she did. The only thing that made her a little nervous was when she was asked to close her mouth over the water sucker outter (yes, it's proper name I'm sure.)

What was really surreal was having one of my childhood frinds take care of her. Erin (along with her twin sister, Kelly) and I have known each other for more than 20 years. To see her with my daughter was really sweet.

Brookie did so well with Dr. Sackett. And made it out of there cavity free :)

 

So our friend, Mandy, gave her a prize. Quite a few prizes! We were VIP, obvs.

Another milestone completed for my baby girl. Did I menton I just picked up her preschool registration forms? Hold me.

Steppin' Out Saturday 3-3-12

::deets::

top & belt--target

jeans--f21

boots--target

earrings--f21

hair--double bun, a blessing for day 3 flatiron curls & super easy.

With my hubby's birthday just around the corner, we decided to go out & celebrate tonight. What did Dustin want to do? Go for a round of beer testers & dinner at BJ's Brewhouse followed by a little shopping, then dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Done, done, done, aaaand done.

Random fact about yours truly--I hated beer with a passion until last summer. I never told anyone because when you're a poor 19 (um, i mean 21) year old, beer is what you drink. So I'd sip mine until it turned warm & throw out half the can. Then summer shandy entered my mouth on a hot summer day & I haven't looked back since.

After dinner of the most delicious sandwich I've had the gluttonous pleasure of eating (sourdough bread, garlic mayo, bacon, grilled chicken, avacado, & swiss cheese....ooooh, it just tingles me), we did a little shopping. I made my way towards Forever 21 (duh) while Dustin went to roam around. I should mention here that he DID finish off the beer testers. So when I saw him walking out of the Disney store with a full bag and shook my head at him, his words were "you shouldn't let me go in there drunk". Needless to say, I think I have 3 children on my hands.

After being told it would be over an hour wait to sit down and eat our dessert, we got it to go (red velvet cheesecake for Dustin, pineapple upside down for me), came home, kissed our sleeping babies, & chowed down on the couch while watching "The Wonder Years" reruns. The life...I'm living it.

I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!

{linking up with mandy at harpers happenings.}

How I Tame This Mane

Last month during my Q and A, I received quite a few questions about what hair products I use & how I tame my unruly mop (my words, not theirs. but let's call a spade a spade.) Well friends, here you go. First I'll show you a few pics of my hair & what products I use, followed by a quick awkward video of how I curl my hair (with a flat iron. yep.) And by awkward, I mean awkward. Perhaps a smidgen scary seeings how I accidently erased my first video & had to reshoot it at 9pm, therefore I had already taken my makeup off. Magoo. (Note to self...buy tanning package.)

So, first things first. What I wash my hair with.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly. Cheap, smells good, and it leaves my hair super soft. And since I have a crazy amount of thick hair, I only wash my hair max three times a week.

Now, if I'm just going to let my natural curl flag fly...

I just spray in Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves and either air dry or use a diffuser.

But if I'm straightening or curling my hair, I apply Tresemme Heat Protectant Spray all over. LOVE this product. And it leaves me feeling less guilty about singeing my hair.

Then using a round soft brush, go to town with the blow dryer. The aftermath? Animal kingdom.

Enter Chi. Thank the Lord for Chi.

I do my hair by layers. Bottom first, then middle, then crown & bangs. And below is a video of how I get my curls with my Chi.

 After all the curling is done, I break the cardinal rule of curls & brush them. Yes, brush them. Believe me when I say it will not break your curls, it'll give them a softer look. Set with hairspray & voila! Curls with a flat iron...whodathunkit?