Mommy Mode

Hi everyone!

I am so happy to announce my first guest blog piece for Donna Be of Mommy Mode. Meeting people via the internet incredibly fascinating and opens the world up for endless possibilities. This mama’s heart for her family and other mothers is so beautifully sweet, and you all should be following her as well.

So without further adieu, please click on the link below to read this week’s blog post featured on Mommy Mode entitled Fourth Times the Charm written by yours truly.

https://mommymodesite.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/fourth-times-the-charm/

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Not another beauty post

LOOK AT ALL OF THESE SAMPLES!!!! For a person who doesn’t where a lot of make up, I am a beauty product junkie!! Because of that, samples are a great way for me to get the experience of trying some thing new before I buy. Sephora, Ulta, Nordstroms and Bend Soap Company is where I got these gems, and while this post is not a review about any of them, I will say that I would recommend anything you see here.

Most of the time I get my testers while on lunch or meandering through the mall during Saturday errands when I miraculously do not have a child at my hip. This particular haul was from mall hang out time with a friend. When I got home I sent a excitedly sent a picture to another friend of mine because, well… duh that’s what one does when they come home from the mall. “I feel uncomfortable asking for samples, but I know I need to just do it” was her unexpected response to my text. “You’re coming with me next time, and we’re getting you any tester you want” was my reply.  Then more texting about husbands and kids ensued. But her initial response got me to thinking, how many things are we afraid to ask for in life?

For the record, I am a way bolder in my adult life than I used to be. I began to feel the shift around 28 and then when I turned 30, I really felt like I had officially found my adult voice or stance. I wish I could tell you that it was motherhood that made me feel like this whole person or gave me this “I am woman hear me roar” mentality. But it did not. What motherhood gave me was a “I am mama bear hear me roar” mentality, which was to my surprise, very different from the woman one. Being able to verbalize what I needed as woman in various capacities, employee, spouse, friend etc. did not come naturally. Learning how to speak my mind and handle people disliking what I had to say or saying no was TERRIFYING. What if’s, worry, and overall anxiety would flood my mind and I started to limit myself internally. Two things happened to me that brought me into my own 1. Life 2. Therapy.

Sometimes there can be a stigma associated with being a bold outspoken woman. Often it elicits the image of a sassy, neck rolling, stubborn, bitchy lady. I obviously wanted to be none of those. Once I fully grasp that how I wanted my communication to work for me and that it would not look like someone elses, I was finally able to speak my mind within my own personality. I am freer and happier for it too. If I hadn’t found my true roar, I wouldn’t be able to write this blog nor ask for gnarly beauty samples.

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Eat

I found this waffle several hours after breakfast time. Whose waffle was it? Mine. I took one bite and put it down to tend to my family. I can’t tell you how many times I have not eaten or only had coffee or eaten way after my family because I was making sure everyone was taken care of and fed. That always leads me to becoming HANGRY or some other serious digestion issues. Which is not fun for anyone. I have really tried not to do that anymore and ensure that I have had some kind of good sustenance during the day.

There are only three pieces of advice that I like to give to new mommies and one of them is to E A T!! Trust me I get that we get busy ladies, sometimes life just gets in the way. We trick ourselves into thinking that skipping meals or popping a piece of candy is a good band-aid so we can just complete the task at hand and get more out of our day. In reality we are doing more harm than good. Be in charge of your health in its entirety which includes your tummy.

Now I am not preaching that your food has to be organic or all natural, I mean duh we all know that fruits and veggies are important, if we didn’t we wouldn’t be trying to find ways to trick our kids into eating them. I am more so talking about being healthy by just making sure that you are eating an actual meal. According to Websters Dictionary, the definition of healthy is “free from disease or pain : enjoying health and vigor of body, mind, or spirit.” We cannot enjoy the vigor part if we are only putting coffee in our bodies. And I love a good iced vanilla latte.

So in short, us mamas need to work to make a conscious effort to remember to eat a burger or some carrots to give us the mental fuel we need to get throw all of this back to school shopping.

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Winner winner

Congratulations to Ashley Bengs on winning Code Name: Mama’s first giveaway!!! We’ll be sending Ashley’s at home spa kit right away!!! Because all women need a little pampering.

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Giveaway

It’s GIVEAWAY time!!! Who wants free stuff?!

We want to give one lucky mama a box full of goodies. Products that we have personally picked out, use, and love.
In order to enter you have to:
1. Follow us on Instagram @code_name_mama
2. Be a follower of this blog
3. Follow @gorgeouslikme on Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel (links in her bio)
And that is it!
You have until Saturday 7/15 to enter.
The winner will be announced Sunday 7/16
Good Luck!!! 
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Birkenstocks

In 1966 Birkenstocks were introduced to the United States and the comfortable shoe market has never been the same.

But seriously… who has a pair of these sandals?!?! They are amazing right??

I am aware that Birks are very popular right now. So I am glad my podiatrist suggested that I start wearing them to help my semi flat feet and back pain. These sandals are based on a design that started in 1774 using firm, orthopedically correct support. On Health.com, the shoe is listed as the number two best sandal for your feet according to podiatrists. The Washington Post also featured an article on why finding the right comfort shoe is so important, and listed Birkenstocks as a great shoe try without having to get custom orthopedics. Basically I’m just trying to tell you not to take my word on their greatness; but know that there is actual science behind them.

There are a couple of down sides to Birks. But not enough to keep me from recommending them. The first down side is that they can be quite uncomfortable when you first start wearing them. Odd, I know… But what this shoe does is actually mold to your foot. Thus, they have to be “broken in” if you will. Once they start for form to your feet you will be able to see a marked difference. I wore my first pair for about five days straight and I could feel them getting better every time I put them on.

Second is the price point. Birkenstocks can be pretty pricey, especially when you have back to school supplies and diapers to buy. Most of the traditional sandals start at around $100. That can definitely be quite an undertaking on the family budget so I would not suggest  getting a couple of pairs up front. Buy a pair and see how they work for you. For me they are an investment that I was inclined to make as I am on my feet all day at work, and then running around with kids and pets when I get home. Plus, I have some health issues that make the proper daily support vital.

Another huge selling point for me is the versatility of the sandal. I can switch from wearing jeans, a skirt, or a dress with Birks and they make the outfit cute and unique every time. You can’t always do that with sneakers or heels. This is also a reason I didn’t mind investing in the shoe because you can get a lot of wear out of them. So if you want a hip mom shoe… choose these.

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Welcome!

Well heloo mamas!

I am so excited for you to read our first blog post. Welcome to Code Name: Mama, the lifestyle brand geared towards MAMA’S!! We will be sharing our experiences of the greatness that is motherhood and the beauty that is womanhood. Our blog is not only here to share tips and ideas to help through motherhood, but will also remind us that first and foremost we are women. So there will be style ideas, drink and trip ideas, and as well as ways to keep it fun in the bedroom. And sometimes just some good ol’ “guess what happened to me today” posts.

My sister and I started this brand for these main reasons:

1. We wanted something fun that we could share together while bringing out our unique creative sides
2. We felt that there was a community of women out there that were under served. The younger, working, or stay at home moms who want to stay fun and fresh
3. FOR FUNNNN!!!!!

So please join us on this exciting journey that is sure to be filled with laughs, food for thought (and food for the belly), and maybe a tear or too (but hopefully not to many). Remember, Kim, Carrie, Gwen, Vicki, Aina, Kelly or whatever your name might be; you are still you. You are still a fun, beautiful, vivacious woman. You’re just operating under a code name…. Code Name: Mama.

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