Herbal Cleanse

When people visit my page for the first time, they usually click on my Weight Loss tab. I wouldn't say that this is a weight loss blog or really any kind of specific blog-- just Holly-is-all-over-the-place-mom-blog.

But I will say that my readership went from 100 hits a day to 3,000 hits a day when I started talking about my inner fat girl. The most frequent type of email I receive is, "What kind of cleanse did you do?" 

About six weeks after Olive, I had noticed that I was starting to gain weight. Granted, I would nurse her twice a night and then wake up and toast five slices of raisin bread with real butter.

I had seen one of my friends on facebook talk about an Herbal Cleanse that they did through Advocare. I am not one to take shortcuts... and this isn't magic shakes in a box. It's a basic fiber shake that you take over a period of 10 days, as well as some vitamins to restore your digestive system.

Fiber drinks, water, eating super-Mr.Clean.

Basically, it helps get rid of that poo baby you have goin' on.

In 10 days, I had lost 10 pounds. You can see my results HERE.

More than just flushing out the old, it was a great discipline to re-train my taste buds, so to speak.

Anyway, I have been feeling really bloated and retaining a little more water than normal. I am a strick only-water drinker, who easily gets in about 80oz a day. But my eating has sucked. When I was younger, my grandmother that we had to refer as our aunt, would tell my cousin and I (are you still following?), in a thick Spanish accent, "You are not garbage disposals, you don't need to  eat everything in sight."

So I am going to re-do the cleanse starting next month. 

Herbal cleanse for me. Spark for Chris so that he will stop drinking Mt. Dew all the damn time. But Spark is good too, especially if you are someone that needs a little caffeine during the day.

I don't expect to lose 10 pounds. I am thinking it will be around three-four. But I know I will feel so much better afterwards.

If you're interested in doing an Herbal Cleanse, I bought (and paid full price) for this one through my real life friend, Molly Hall. Her email is: mollyhall24(at)yahoo(dot)com

It's $31.50 plus shipping.

You can also check out what to eat/not eat while on the 10 day cleanse HERE.

If you're interested in seeing the products that Molly offers, then click HERE (the cleanse is on the WELL page).

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And now the end of my January sponsors...

Everyone, this is my friend Becky from One Year to Hot Momma. Don't pay attention to her blog design too much because she is getting ready to get a revamp. She is a St. Louis mom to two cute kids and a big ND fan. Her and her husband even went to Miami to see the game against Alabama. Becky is one of the nicest blogger around, go check out her page HERE.

Marianne from When Does Mommy Get a Nap has recently become a Perfectly Posh consultant. Perfectly Posh carries a wide line of pampering products, like lotions and scrubs. If you need to order a gift or a Valentine's Day idea, click over on Marianne's page HERE or visit her facebook page HERE.

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And finally, Ashlee from a Step in the Right Direction. She is a new mom, who is overcoming her struggle with weight loss to lose a few pounds. She blogs about everything and anything in between. Ashlee is also an Operation Red Bikini girl. :) Please hop over and say hello HERE.

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If you're interested in a sponsor spot, there are TWO left. 

Email me today... New sponsors will be live tomorrow. 

Happy Thursday!

Cowabunga

It's a given that Haven and Olive will spend their adult years in some kind of therapy. A lot of money will be spent on how they were not treated fairly, with Olive being the obvious victim.

Maybe it's the second child syndrome. I don't know. I was the oldest and I turned out awesome.

But really, by the time parents get to that second kid, they live, learn, and then get Luvs.

Haven has slept in my armpit since the day we have brought him home from the hospital. Did I mention I failed at the big boy bed? Lasted a whole two days. Olive has never even slept in a bassinet. Girlfriend has been in her crib, in her room, since night number one.

Another big difference, I am sure, will be birthday celebrations. Olive's birthday is two weeks before Christmas and the money owed for the personal property taxes on our vehicles. She is going to have a Christmas themed party until she is 12. And the majority if her presents will be re-wrapped and put back under the tree until she is old enough to outsmart me.

Haven on the other hand? If there could be a toddler version of MTV's Sweet 16 than Haven could qualify. His birthday is in February, the same week that I always get my company bonus. Usually tax time is somewhere in there too, so I can buy him the extra stuff he needs like a Buzz Lightyear Ferrari.

This year, we are doing a Ninja Turtles themed party. I asked Kristen (go check out her fab blog design) from First Name Smith and also Little Laws Prints to make Haven's invites. She has made Olive's birthday invites as well as our Christmas card and I am always so happy with what she makes.

And not to get off on a side tangent, but did you know they renamed the Ninja Turtles? They are not Michelangelo  Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael anymore. Just Mikey, Donny, Leo, and Raph.

Anyway, if you see me pinning Ninja Turtle stuff all over pinterest, just know the TMNT are back. :)

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And while you're scrolling around today...

Christy from MamaPurls on Etsy makes this adorable knitted scarfs and neck warmers. Her pieces are so cute and original, I just think they would be a great gift for a friend or a hard-to-shop-for kind of person. Go check out her shop page HERE.

Next up is Becka from Busy Becka... and really, just the face behind Kiki la Rue. To say that Becca is busy in an understatement. She is a working mom that runs one of the busiest online boutiques. You can also find her on instagram (@theshoejunkie / @shopkikilarue). Jump over to her personal blog HERE.

And last, but not least, one of my new favorite bloggers.... Chrissy from Mama Chrissy's Chaos.  Like all of us, she is currently trying to get back in shape. She is a mom to one gorgeous little girl and in the middle of adopting a second child. Chrissy bakes, crafts, and is really just a fun blogger. Please go check out her blog HERE.

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Happy Wednesday! Anyone want to talk about what their children will speak about in therapy as adults? :)

Not like a Magician

Since Sunday, I have had the most ravenous appetite for carbs and sleep. It's like College Holly is visiting and just messing with working-mom-of-two Holly. I even woke up at 4am, browsed blogs, then went back to bed. That never happens.

Anyway, I've decided to listen to my body.... make Chris pick me up some mushroom ravioli from Olive Garden and sleep in a few hours longer this morning.

I feel like some awesome sauce this morning.

On that note, I have got to get-ta-goin', so in the meantime, check out some of my favorite blogs below.

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This is my Home Slice, Alexis, from Life's Sweetest Little Blessings. She is one of the best mom's that I know... and girlfriend is on her way for making quite the name for herself. Alexis lives in Texas with husband John and son Crewe. Please go check out all of her home remodeling projects and reflections on motherhood HERE. She is a gem.

Next is my lady friend, Sarah, from Fueled and Aflamed. Her and I have way too much in common, minus the whole she is a sex ed teacher thing. But she is a Tennessee girl, who has recently lost weight with Weight Watchers. She is also a PoliSci junkie like myself. Please hop over to her blog HERE.

Do you all know Alexandra from the Skinny Jean Pilgramage? Her and Erin from She's a Big Star host weekly weigh ins to keep each other motivated. Alex is one of the strongest women and fun blog friend around. She is a single mom to a sweet little girl who is working to get herself and body back. Check out her blog HERE.

And finally, Shelly from Shelly No Belly! I have big plans to meet Shelly when I am in Dallas this March... and it's a long time comin'. :) Shelly is a work-from-home mom to two sweet kids. She started her weight loss journey last year and has made great progress. She is also a crafting and cussing machine. This is why I liker her. Check out Shelly HERE.

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And with that... have a Happy Tuesday! There are still a few sponsor spots open for February  They will be live on Friday. Shoot me an email (holly.j.stanfield@gmail.com) if you're interested.

My First Run Recap as My Gluteus Maximus Throbs

As you might have seen on instagram (@hollystanfield) or Facebook HERE (what? you can only handle me in small doses?)... I had my first 10k this weekend.

Let me back up for a moment...

I have never ran a race before. There was one time when my friend Joan signed up for a 5k. At the last minute, her friend dropped out, so I was going to fill in for her. When we got there, they didn't have packets/shirts for us. So we decided to leave and go have breakfast at Bob Evan's.

I have also never ran the distance of a 10k before either. But like everything else in my life, I will fake it til I make it.

So Saturday, I packed up the car and headed 3 hours west to Kansas City to see Darci, Molly, and Amanda. It was Darci's Dirty Thirty Weekend... and all she wanted us to do is run a 10k through a cave with her. She knows how to party.

We ended up going to the Cheesecake Factory because that was closest to our hotel and only had a two hour wait. :) It was connected to the biggest Forever 21 I have ever seen, so we browsed for an hour, before making our way back to the restaurant bar for some drinks.

Dinner was delicious. I did my goat impression for everyone. And we decided to hit up a bar before going back to the hotel. So we take a cab ride a few blocks and pop in this bar. We stayed for a half a drink before we slapped ourselves with a reality check that we were too damn old to be there.

Yesterday, we woke up and headed to the race.This isn't a race where people PR. It's a man-made cave... It's dark... The ceiling is low... and it feels like you are doing laps in a really tight parking garage. We told ourselves before the race that we would all be happy if we could do it under 1:15. The race was 90% mental because it was darker, there wasn't any mile markers, and everything looked the same.

What's interesting is that we all had a different running approach, but all finished within seconds or minutes of each other.

I did  my slow and steady fat girl bounce. No stopping, but no speed. I knew if I stopped, there would be no more distance in my Teletubby legs.

Darci did the same. But I let her finish three seconds ahead of me because she is old and 30 now. :)

Molly lead the pack in the beginning, then cooled down for a walk, turned into a light jog, and then sprinted the finish like a champ.

Amanda took it real slow at the beginning and then finished strong.

And we made our goal but the laces on our shoes.

It was the best feeling in the world finishing the race for two reasons:

One, the feeling of just stopping... I bent over to take off my shoe chip, and started to tear up until a sling of snot poured out of my nose. I had to pull myself together. Good job, Big Holly.

Two, the small child that I delivered on the way home at a truck stop in the middle of Missouri.

Today, I feel like I have been hit by a F150, but ready to get my rear in gear for the half in April.

Thanks to everyone for the Good luck's and Way to go's on IG and facebook. :)

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Also, some of my favorite bloggers are putting together a mother load of a giveaway. It ends tonight but includes so many goodies... all going to ONE PERSON. Check it out HERE.

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Here are a few new blogs to check out this week...

Angie is a newbie blogger and Jersey Girl. She really isn't mean like her blog name-- that's just an inside joke between her friends. She blogs about her crazy family and a little bit of everything. Go leave her some new-blog love today. Check out her blog, Mean Ang, HERE.

Who does Taber look like to you? I cannot pin her celebrity look alike at the moment and it's bothering me. Taber is also a new-er blogger. She runs and blogs about her small family, love for owls and champagne. Jump over to Taber's blog HERE.

And last but not least, my friend Amanda Z. :) We have hung out twice in real life now. First time she slept over at my house while in town and then this past weekend for our 10k. She is still friends with me even though Haven walked in on her in the shower. She is a girl-mom and recently lost 30+ pounds. Stop by her blog HERE.

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If you are interested in sponsoring for February  just shoot me an email (holly.j.stanfield@gmail.com). It's $10/mo and includes having your button on my sidebar and a shout out. If you don't have a button, no worries-- I will have Chris make you one out of the kindness of his little heart. 

Darci's Dirty Thirty Wish

I have my first race, ever, this weekend. A big 10k with Darci, Amanda, and Molly.

Darci wanted to do this for her 30th birthday-- run through caves in Kansas City. What a dreamer. The things we do for our friends. :)

The good news is that the caves should be about 60 degrees.

The bad news is that anything less than 75 degrees is too cold for me, I haven't ran more than 3 miles at one time in the last week, and I've never ran a race before.

No goals over here, but to finish. Maybe tape a little Debbie Cake to Molly's back to keep me runnin'.

With all of that being said, will everyone just pop over to Darci's blog  or her instagram (darci_spear) today and wish her a Happy Dirty Thirty. She is one of my favorite people and closest friends.

Happy 30th Dar-say! Me love yew.

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And after this weekend, I am getting my rear back in gear with another DietBet. Courtney from Journey of a Dreamer hosted one in December. There was over $7k in the pot. All of the winners who lost 4% of their body weight got to split the pot ($52 for Big Holly). This time, she wants us to get ready for Spring Break. And there is a bigger buy-in ($35) and more at stake to win.

If you're interested in playing along or seeing how it works, click HERE. It's really easy. You pay the website your buy-in money, they send you a code word to take a picture of the scale and verify your weight, then you play along with a pool of people. The great thing is that you can choose to keep your weight and pictures private. At the end of the four weeks, you are given another code word to put on a piece of paper next to the photo you take of yourself on the scale to verify your final weight. Anyone that hits their 4% goal gets to split the pot. It's really fun, I hope you join! It starts Feb 4th. Courtney will be hosting a weekly weigh in for those participating on her blog HERE. :)

And if you're browsing around online this weekend, check out Kiki La Rue. It's an online boutique filled with lots of stylish and unique pieces. Everyone is loving the tunics and piko tops right now. Kiki La Rue also offers plus size clothing and fun accessories. I promise that you will get personalized service and a real person on the other end of the phone. Visit the website HERE.

Happy Friday, Friends!

In My Makeup Bag

My friend, Trista, over at Stewart Street is hosting a linkup today called "What's in Your Makeup Bag?"

I can be known as Homely Holly.

I am the whitest shade of white, freckled, with "strawberry patches" around my nose.

This is what's in my makeup bag... Some I love... and some I just keep buying because I don't know what else to buy.

See that love of my life?? That's the Lorac Double Feature from Sephora. I had been looking for better under eye coverage for awhile. When Aly was in town, we went to Sephora to get some lashes. I told the lady that I wanted some under eye coverage-- like I was on the Oprah Show. You know how her guests look so awake? I wanted some whiteness, too. It's amazing. The bottom part goes on for coverage and then the top part goes on as a highlighter almost. Getcha some.

Other than that, I am going on four years wearing bareMinerals makeup. I like it because it lasts me awhile, but it's not giving me the coverage I want anymore.

Great Lash mascara? The best. I have tried Department store mascaras, the tube mascaras, the mascaras with primer, mascaras with voluminous brush... But I always go back to the old school kind. Two coats make me look like a kitty cat. :)

Primer: Clinique pore refining solutions (invisible light)
Foundation: bareMinerals fairly light N10
Blush: bareMinerals warmth
Eye concealer: Lorac Double Feature (DF1)
Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash (blackest black)
Eye liner: Revlon Colorstay liquid liner (blackest black)
Eyebrow pencil: Almay (04 Rich Mocha)
Eye shadow: Neutrogena mineral sheers (sand 40)
Lip gloss: Clinique superbalm gloss (04 Rootbeer)

Go link up with Trista... Her post should be up around 9am. :)

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And here are some new blogs to add to your reader. :)

Cari from The Crazy Kents is probably one of the nicest women around. I know this first hand because she really helped us with the MLPay it Forward campaign. She has a big, big heart. Cari is doing Operation Red Bikini and has already lost 10 pounds. If we lived closer, we would have a perfectly matched play date. Please go check out her blog HERE.

Daliene from Daliene's Alamo Adventures is a Texas girl and a teacher (and I am obsessed with her name).  She bakes, runs, loves Target and thrift shopping. Her blog is fun and fresh and I really like her a lot. Don't you love your blog friends that leave good old fashion comments? That's Daliene. Please hop over to her blog HERE and say hello.

And finally, Angela from Honey I Shrunk the Mom. I heart Angela! She is such a great motivation to kick my rear into gear. She has already lost almost 60 pounds... and still wants to lose 45 more. I love her blog because she doesn't just post about weight loss-- she posts a little bit of everything. Please check out her weight loss collage on her About Me page. Jump over to her blog HERE.

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One day closer to Friday... Holla! :)

Weigh in Wednesday: Operation Red Bikini

If you are on instagram (@hollystanfield), you might have seen the hash tag #operationredbikini. Kassie from Southern Girl Gets Fit kicked this off a few weeks ago. Bikini bodies are made in the winter, right?

Well, there is no way in hell that I would put on a bikini today. The Activia I have been choking down can't even get rid of my middle bloat. And a red bikini isn't really my goal... My goal is just not to be a fat Six Flags mom, who wears a one piece with a skirt and a t-shirt over that IN THE POOL.

Small dreams.

Anyway, to go along with Weigh in Wednesday with Erin and Alexandra, I thought I would share what I am doing to get a smokin hot 130 pound bod. 130 is the ultimate goal.

+ I am still drinking about 80oz of water a day
+ I should be counting my calories, but I've just been eating healthier snacks
+ Lots of hard boiled eggs, lentils, green beans
+ Trying to cut back on the bread

Sunday night through Thursday, I can do this without problem. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I eat like it's the only way into Heaven.

Half marathon status?

Still jogging. :) Jogging because I don't know if anyone runs a sexy 12 minute mile like me. But I have a 10k this weekend with Darci, Molly, and Amanda... So I am hoping that is what kicks my butt into gear.

Workout status:

+ I bought the 30DS again. It's great for me to do at night while Chris plays with the kids.
+ Still doing cardio during my lunch. I usually split it up half elliptical, half stair climber. Then end with lunges, squats, and sit ups. And then I go back to my desk looking like a purple pig.

But if anyone needs motivation to lose weight, please check out these blogs:

Elle Noel. If you are not following her blog, please click over HERE now. Leigh Ann is one of the most motivating blogger friends. She has gone from a size 16 jean down to a size 2 dress. With lots of clean meals, workouts, and more will power than dimples on my legs. Seriously, I heart her mucho grande. Find her on instagram (@ellenoelfitness).

And next up is Amy from Write This Down. I met Amy in Tulsa and thought she might be 27... then I started reading her blog and found out she was in her mid 30's. Girlfriend looks good. She has also stepped it up big time with her races and in the gym. She has also lost a good chunk of weight and keeps me motivated. I love checking out her instagram (amy_writethisdown) and blog HERE.

And finally, my little Lora Poo. Lora blogs over at Raising Steppe Sisters. Pending that she doesn't get pregnant in the next few months, we are doing the St. Louis Go! Half marathon together. I like Lora because she keeps it real. Talks about how difficult it is to lose weight when your husband wants to pig out all of the time. :) But more importantly, she is just an awesome cheerleader for everyone... and funny. Check out her instagram (@mrsloyoung) and her blog HERE.

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And if anyone is wanting to run the St. Louis Go half marathon in April, shoot me an email. It's April 7th and there is a big group of us blogging moms running it together. The more, the merrier.

Smells

Of all of my senses, my sense of smell is probably the strongest.

I can smell BS and the Scentsy block that you had burning in your house on your clothes at work.

When I was pregnant, it was the death of me. The smell of Chris's car, the smell of his body, the smell of a drink, etc could send me over the edge into Vomit Hell.

I bring this up because Olive is in her a new classroom at school, where the teachers burn those Scentsy things on a counter all day. It's the same scent. I would assume that they call this probably a "seashore" scent and my guess is that it probably some light blue wax resembling the ocean water.

When I walk into the classroom, I am knocked out by the smell. But I won't say anything because I love Olive's new teacher and she probably does it for her own sanity. Who wants to smell shitty diapers and pissy pants all day from 8 babies?

But now Olive doesn't smell like Olive anymore. She smells like this waxy, god-awful seashore scent.

When did she stop smelling like milk? I missed that passing. Where I would nuzzle her warm neck and her little breath would knock me into Baby Heaven.

Which brings me to Good Smells and Bad Smells. Let's play this game shall we?

Good Smells:
Alcohol on a man's breath. White-trash Holly comin' out.
The pink baby lotion.
New shower curtain liner. Mmmm plastic.
Gasoline. I don't mind if a little is on my hands afterwards.
Coffee brewing. I don't drink coffee but I love the smell.
Babies. Warm, milky babies, with lots of fat rolls.
Pinesol. The old school kind.
Chlorine at a water park.

Bad Smells:
Subway. Barf City. Why does it smell so bad? Why do I smell it on me when I leave?
Fruit Punch. I hate the smell of punch. Yes, it has a smell.
Nutella. I know I am alone here.
Chocolate stores. Again, I am all by myself.
Chris's car to this day
CATS. CATS. CATS.

What are some of your good and bad smells?

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Do you guys know Rachel from {simply little joys}? She is one of my favorite bloggers and instagramers (rachdillard). She is hosting a big giveaway on her blog for a $50 gift certificate to Kiki La Rue. While you are over there, please check out her weight loss tab. You will be so inspired by her progress. She really is a gorgeous person inside and out. Check out her blog HERE.

Another blog favorite is Ashleigh from Life in Bloom. She lives in Florida  but is originally from Illinois. It wasn't until we became facebook friends, that we realized we grew up an hour away from each other.. and have a few mutual friends. She is running the Nike half marathon in a couple of months.... and I would give my right arm for her skinny legs. Check out her blog HERE.

And last but not least, my girl Lindsey from A Plane Doctor, His Nurse, and 3 Little Passengers. Lindsey is that mom that kind of does it all. She has a hard working husband, she is a nurse, has some cute kids, and still rocks an awesome bod. I need to get on her level. And she is one of the nicest blogger's around. Please go check out her blog HERE.

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PS- My girls Laura and Mel are hosting a linkup today on favorite work out clothes. You know I am a sucker for a linkup, but I work out in Chris's old clothes. Womp womp. But head to their blogs and check out some good stuff.

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Happy Tuesday! All things Operation Red Bikini tomorrow!

Shortcuts

This weekend, I was a victim of shortcuts. One my fault. One the fault of Kohl's.

We'll get my one out of the way. I left clothes in the washer too long. Maybe three days too long, but I am not for sure because the middle of my week is always a blur. Friday night, I started sorting laundry and switching it around. I throw in the clothes from the washer, which were practically dry at this point, into the dryer.

They reek of swamp ass.

I knew they were mildew-y. I knew it. But instead, I threw in 12 sheets of Bounce thinking that it would do the trick and fluff them into magically smelling clean clothes. I think the heat of the dryer made it worse. The smell intensified. When I was folding them, I started tossing pieces back into the dirty clothes pile. Then, my lazy self put the rest of the not-so-bad ones away.

And all weekend, those were the clothes that we wore... Or clothes that were hanging/folded next to other clothes, which subsequently smell rancid now. So tonight, I will be re-washing everything we own.

And Kohl's? What did they ever do to me?

Last week, I bought 3 sets of these super cute "etched" glasses. They were "etched" in polka dots and vintage stripes. I immediately came home, rinsed them off, threw all of my old glasses away, and restocked the cabinets with these beauties.

Over the weekend, a few of them went through the dishwasher. And that "etching" isn't so etched. The glasses have started peeling plastic. My only dilemma is that I threw the boxes away-- and probably the receipt. I am going to dig around for that today... or go up in there Big Holly style.

I pulled up the website because I was thinking that maybe the box said that these weren't dishwasher safe... But nope.

Do you think Kohl's will take these back without a receipt and box? Or will I be rinsing the rest by hand until I splurge again?

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The Mimi & Chip giveaway winner is.... Lydia! I've sent you an email, lady.... Congrats. :)

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And now, some new blogs for a new week!

First up is Allie from Tales of a Twenty Something. Allie is a twenty-something, going back to school to be a second grade teacher and trying to find that motivation to lose some weight. She is a fun girly-girl who loves country music and North Carolina. Check out her blog HERE.

Suze from Straight on the Ground is one of my favorite bloggers. She is a St. Louis mama, teaching high school by day, and raising a baby boy at night. We got to hang out at the St. Louis bloggers dinner and I think she is fab. Check out her blog HERE.

And last, but not least, Kimmy from That's the Thing About Destiny! Every time I scroll through my instagram and see one of Kim's pictures (@KIMMYYY1), I always say out loud, "Bah, I love Kimmy." She is funny, quick witted, and a little ball of happy. Please hop over and check out her blog HERE.

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Cheers to a Happy Monday! I hope to find some normal smelling clothes and my Kohl's receipt. :)

Giveaways Galore

Yesterday, I posted about these cute shirts that Megan from Mimi & Chip to sent my rugrats. Well today, she is giving away a free personalized Valentine's Day shirt to a reader. All you have to do is click over HERE and like her facebook page. Once you do that, pop back over and leave a comment. Ends Sunday night at 6pm (CST) and winner will be announced Monday morning.

My friend, Amanda, over at Simply Sarchet is also hosting a giveaway today of her seven favorite things. Amanda is a Texas mom raising two little boys... while trying to bring sexy back, so check out her blog HERE. She is one of my favs.

I also heard from a little bird that Kelly Kapowski is doing a giveaway today. She is one of my texting buddies... she is funny and sassy. Check out her blog, No Rest for the Weary Mommy HERE.

Find me on facebook HERE or instagram @hollystanfield

And that's it from me. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Tootles.

Leggings as Pants

I mentioned yesterday that I feel like I am the only mom without a pair of boots. Like every instagram picture, someone is wearing some flashy leggings with riding boots. Well since I just joined 2009 and got a pair of leggings, I figured that I need some boots as well. But I would probably have to go back to 1998 to my calves into a pair.

I digress.

This is all stemming from a childhood story that I was telling a coworker.

When I was in 1st grade, there was a girl named Stephanie Reed who was like the fashion diva of six year olds. She had the thick, black and neon colored chevron sweaters, with leggings and flats. Huge bow in the side of the her blonde, brushed hair. Cute little Cindy Crawford mole. The works. I wanted to be Stephanie Reed.

One day, I thought I was going to dress just like her, but since I was an overgrown toddler, I didn't know how to pull it off.

Those leggings she was wearing? At the time, I thought they were just pantyhose. I remember trying to wear something I thought was similar out the door and my mom said no. So I went back to my room and changed, but not before packing my back up outfit in my book bag.

When I got to school, I kept my sweater on, but changed into my "leggings" which were just pink pantyhose. I remember being bummed that my sweater wasn't long, but I didn't think it mattered. Then I walked into the classroom like I owned the place.

Almost immediately, my 1st grade teacher came over to me and asked where were my pants... I said, "These are my pants today." Then my mom was called. When she came to pick me up, I was wearing a short pink sweater, with pink pantyhose.... with my hot pink underwear showing right through. A perfect pink tuxedo! I thought I was Stephanie Reed.

My mom must have got the hint because then she bought me this faux-denim skirt. And I have this picture to treasure for the rest of my life.

My fashion sense has always been terrible.

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In other fashion-worthy news, Megan from Mimi & Chip sent Haven and Olive these personalized Valentine's Day shirts. Please check out her shop HERE. She makes the cutest, hand-made, personalized items. If you need something for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, a baby shower, etc, just visit her page and send her a message.

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And my blog friend, Jill, from A Trail Life is hosting a giveaway this week on her blog HERE. Jill is kind of an everything-blogger. She blogs about healthy living, hiking, nature, yummy recipes, and crafts. Her blog has a little bit for everyone. Go check her out and enter to win a water proof camera case from Aquapac.

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That's it for me today! Happy Thursday, friends. :)

So What Wednesday

I am linking up with Shannon from Life After I Dew for So What Wednesday.

So What that my kid looked like Joe Dirt for the last three months. Glave-man got a hair cut at school yesterday and looks just like his Dad... and Zoolander.

So What I signed up for a 10k next weekend for Darci's 30th birthday...and I've never ran that far before. My goal was to take an hour lunch yesterday and knock it out. I made it around three miles. In my lazy ass defense, I didn't have ear phones and I couldn't read the closed captions on the television. All I could think about was eating my lunch and checking my phone.

SoWhat if I am the only blog mom without a pair of boots. I'm going to try to find a pair this weekend that can handle my canks and calves.

So What that I am getting my wisdom teeth pulled just because it will help me lose a few pounds. That and I am tired of having the mouth of an English villager.

So What that I grabbed my extra set of keys on my way to work and was locked out when I got home with both kids. It was total Awkward Town when I had to ask our neighbor across the street if she still had our extra key.... and she didn't. :) I waited in her living room with Olive while Haven destroyed her house, waiting for her husband to get home to see if it was in his car. He forgot his cell phone at home so she couldn't call him. A spilled cup, dirty diaper, four toddler fights, and an hour later... her husband showed up... and he had the key. Thank....GAWD.

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And while you're jumping around today, be sure to check out these ladies!

Katie from KTJ Weighing In is a new blogger! She works as an attorney and just started this blog to document her weight loss journey. She has lost her first 25 pounds. She participates in weekly weight loss posts and just has a fun personality. In celebration of meeting her first goal, she is hosting a giveaway today. Go check her out HERE.

Taylor from Mama Tay LeMay is also a new blogger. Taylor is an Army wife and full time work-outside-the-home mama. On top of all of that, she also balances graduate school while trying to lose weight. Taylor blogs about a variety of things like fashion, weight loss, and her sweet toddler. Check out her blog HERE.