My Favorite Summer Pregnancy Snacks

While I wasn’t planning to be in my third trimester of pregnancy during the summer, I quickly learned just how difficult this can be! Apparently everyone else knew it, but I was blissfully unaware of what was to come. That being said, being pregnant in the summer allows you to have some pretty amazing snacks. Some of these may just be a pregnant lady’s cravings, but here were some of my favorite things to eat this summer!

Water and Frozen Fruit Smoothies

Ok, so smoothies aren’t exactly a new thing, but I quickly learned how much I craved sweets with my baby girl. We want them ALL THE TIME. In order to satisfy these cravings without going into sugar shock, I had to be a little bit creative. I started mixing frozen fruit (you can do packaged fruit or fresh fruit that you’ve frozen) and water, about a 50-50 ratio, then blended it in my Ninja Blender. The result is a cold, watery fruit juice that tastes a little bit sweet and super refreshing. It’s sweet but not too much, and it also sneaks in some much-needed water.

Ice Pops

When I was feeling especially hot or craving sweets, I’d grab an ice pop from the fridge! I didn’t want anything super sugary, so I stocked my freezer with Outshine Fruit Bars. The fruit and vegetable ones were the best because it gave me some extra nutrients since I’m not a huge fan of veggies. You can also make your own, which would allow you to make them whichever flavor you want, plus reduces waste since there's no box or plastic wrappers!

 

Hummus & Veggies or Crackers

If you’re craving something savory, try some hummus! I definitely had a hummus phase, where no one was allowed to touch my hummus haha. It’s so tasty and healthy, plus you can dip fresh veggies (extra nutrients for baby!) or some crackers for a filling snack. Add some cheese and you’ve got a tiny meal!

Ice Cream

Ok this is a no-brainer! Ice cream is fabulous in the summer. Barely an explanation needed here, but I enjoyed ice cream on a cone, and going out for some gave me a nice walk. Be conscious to avoid soft serve, as it can be dangerous. But, a scoop or two of regular ice cream is just perfect!

Oreos & Milk

My pantry was pretty much stocked with oreos throughout my entire pregnancy! I don’t think this is a particularly summer snack, but it was one of my faves so I had to include it. Paired with a cold glass of milk, it was perfect for those chocolatey cravings!

Fresh Fruit

Summer has some of the best, juiciest fruit in season! When I first got pregnant I was craving watermelon like nobody’s business but it was February/March and it definitely wasn’t in season. I had watermelon flavored EVERYTHING but nothing satisfied the craving like real watermelon. Then, as summer came, I started craving nectarines, peaches, and apricots! By the end, I was really loving blueberries in my cereal. Fresh fruit is a great and healthy way to satisfy those sweet cravings.

Salads

Summer is hot hot hot and sometimes you don’t want to eat a hot meal on top of it. But, a girl’s gotta eat! I really enjoyed salads, especially after a long day commuting in the heat. My favorite was anything with fruit (hah, duh) and a nice light dressing. There are plenty of homemade versions on Pinterest but you can also grab tasty ones at takeout places like Panera!

Water with Frozen Fruit

We’re supposed to drink a whole lot of water through pregnancy and it can get pretty boring. So, I started freezing my leftover watermelon and strawberries, then adding them as “ice cubes” to my water! It added some nice flavor to the water and kept it really cold. Win win!

 

Fresh Iced Tea

Avoid the sugary powdered stuff and the sugary packaged stuff and make your own iced tea! Grab your favorite (decaffeinated!) tea bags and steep them with some honey or agave syrup. Then, pour it over a glass of ice and enjoy. I have this cup which makes perfectly cold iced tea that’s perfect for at home and on the go! It has an auto-close feature that shuts the lid once you remove the straw, so you can add your ice to your hot tea and shake it up well!

Low Fat Cream Cheese & Pita Chips

Another new snack I started to love! Some Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips and cream cheese to dip it in! It’s crunchy and cool, slightly tart and sweet. Plus you can add some fresh fruit too if you want, like strawberries and blueberries!

I think one thing I’ll really miss about pregnancy is being able to eat all.the.time and never really gaining the weight! It’s been fun, but all good things must come to an end. Baby is coming soon, and that’s even better than anything else!

What are your favorite summer or pregnancy snacks? Was there something you just couldn’t get enough of? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Improve Your Photography on any Budget

Hey guys! It’s been a really exciting summer so far. I’m hard at work doing something I’m really passionate about- helping other bloggers, Etsy shops, and small business owners with their photography. As you may know, I struggled with my photography when I first started my business and I made it my mission to improve my photography in the easiest, cheapest and fastest way possible. You can check out the before and afters here to see for yourself!

As you probably know, having good photos is so important for your business. There are tons of options for stock photos out there, but nothing compares to having your own unique photos. This is especially true for most bloggers and shop owners, where it’s allll about the visuals! There are a lot of excuses that bloggers and business owners have about photography, but the reality is that photography doesn’t have to be complicated. If you develop a system, anyone can do it!

 To show you how true this is, I’ve created a 3 different offerings that will help you to improve your photography. They’re all super affordable, ranging from totally free to $149. Pick the option(s) that work best for you, and get those gorgeous photos online!

Starting Small

If your budget is non-existent but improving your photos is still important to you, I have a free e-course that you can take! This course is an introduction to photography and will teach you the very basics to take your photos to the next level. It goes over the basic principles of a good photo, and why it’s important for your business!

Cost: Free

Getting Some Guidance

If you’re just looking for a little bit of guidance on your photography, or to see if you’re headed on the right track, invest in an Instagram photography audit! I’ll take a look at your Instagram feed and let you know your strengths, weaknesses, and some recommendations to bring your A-game! Tons of businesses use Instagram as a marketing tool to get leads, clients, and sales. Now you can get some feedback and see if you’re on track with your goals.

Cost: $49

Become a Pro

If you’re looking to improve your photography pronto, look no further than Weekend Photo Academy. You’ll learn everything you need to improve your photos- lighting, composition, AND editing- within a short period, like a weekend! This is an online course, so you can take it any time at your own pace. But it doesn’t have any fluff, so you can learn what you need to know quickly and get back to your business. With step by step instructions, you’ll see immediate changes to your photography and editing process. Weekend Photo Academy is currently open for enrollment!

Only $149

No matter what your needs are, I can help you get your photography to the next level- quickly, easily, and affordably! Be sure to click the buttons above to get the photography service you need!

What’s your biggest struggle when it comes to taking your own photos? Is it lighting, editing, composition? Let me know in the comments below so I can help!

Maternity Style: Hamptons Stripes and Florals

On September 2nd, my husband and I celebrated our one year anniversary! I can’t believe an entire year has gone by since our wedding, but time flies when you’re having fun! Since I can’t do very much right now (8.5 months pregnant and a fractured toe!) I told John I wanted to take a short driving trip somewhere and explore a new town. He picked Montauk and the Hamptons. I’ve never been, so I was so excited to go! Plus it was a fun excuse to dress up a bit. Since I’m basically trapped at home with the fractured toe, I don’t really get to dress up much. An “adventure” for me is going to a store to run a few errands once in a while. It was nice to get out and go for a walk, explore, and hang out together!

*This post contains affiliate links

 I had bought this adorable summer dress (non-maternity!) and couldn’t wait for an opportunity to wear it somewhere. The Happens seemed perfect and although I showed off a little bit of underboob (whoops!) it was super comfy and lightweight. I got super excited and paired it with a bunch of my favorite accessories, like the bracelet I wore on my wedding day, my new heart-shaped sunglasses, and the lipstick from my wedding day.

To re-create the look, I've rounded up a few great options for each fashion piece!

Hat  1   2 

Sunglasses  1   2   3   4

Earrings  1   2   3   4

Dress  1   2   3   4   5   6

Pink Bangles  1   2   3   4

Pink Quartz  1   2  

Pearl Bracelet  1   2 

Makeup  1   2   3  

Here's some fun cell pics from the day:

As for our adventures? We visited the Montauk lighthouse, took a stroll around Gosman’s Dock in Montauk, had some lunch at Gosman’s Inlet Cafe and Sushi Bar, then headed back home. But don’t worry, we stopped at Bridgehampton Candy Kitchen for ice cream! I had pistachio and my husband had chocolate, and we took a short stroll around talking about what we’d do if we won the lotto (hint: NOT buy a house in the Hamptons!).

It was really fun to celebrate our wedding anniversary and have a fun day together before baby came. We’re just about 2 weeks away from our due date at this point! I can’t wait to go back again, this time with baby girl in tow! Have you ever been to the Hamptons/Montauk? What were your must-visit places? Let me know in the comments below!

Gift Guide: Balloon Animals

Not sure if it's just me, but I have a slight obsession with balloon animals. As I had mentioned, I am looking to reduce my waste when it comes to parties so I'm going to abstain from using real balloons. However, these cute balloon animal items are meant to be re-used, reworn, and displayed for years to come! If you're got a soft spot for balloon animals, check out my gift guide on all the best items to get! We've got jewelry, clothing, statues, piggy banks and more!

*This post contains affiliate links

1. Rose Gold Necklace 2. Happy Girls Sweatshirt 3. Purple Unicorn Piggy Bank 4. White T-Shirt 5. Pink Dog Earrings 6. Blue Elephant Piggy Bank 6. Teal Dog Statue 7. Balloon Animal PJ’s 8. Let’s Get Twisting T-Shirt 9. Blush Dog Phone Holder 10. Pink Dog Pin

Am I alone in this obsession with balloon animals? I just love them! What do you think about balloon animals? Love em? Hate em? Let me know in the comments below!

FREE Webinar: Picture Perfect Photos in Just 3 Days!

Update: The webinar has passed BUT I compiled all the info into a free photography e-course! Learn more below.

I’m stepping outside my comfort zone to drop a little knowledge on you guys- I’m teaching a LIVE one-hour webinar next week!

As you probably know, I struggled with my photography for years, trying to take professional quality photos and falling just short- or miles away- from the intended result. I did a whole lot of trial and error until finally I developed a system that worked for me- and it can work for you too!

Before perfecting my system, I was spending hours trying to get my photos to look good. First, I'd have to struggle with the lighting and battle my lamps. Then came uploading the photos and sorting them manually with either a notepad where I'd write the names of the best photos (IMG-346) or a system of "yes, no, maybe" folders where I'd sort the photos into the appropriate place, going back and forth trying to find the best ones. And then there was the editing process, where I would spend tons of time getting my photos "just right" but then have to go back and edit them again and again to make them all match. It wasn't a fun process, and I hated how long it took- and the fact that even when all of this was said and done, my photos STILL were not good enough. I was getting rejected from craft sites due to "grainy texture" and "awkward shadows" that I just didn't know how to fix.

At the end of 2016, I'd had enough. I could continue to wish that my photos would be better, and wait for enough success to hire a photographer... or I could do it myself. After all, tons of people took their own photos every day. I could too, right? I dug deep and found the easiest solutions to improve my photography. Taking photos was now quick, easy and FUN. It's been over a year since I developed this system, and it still works magically for me. So, I decided to share this knowledge! Starting with my free photography e-course, Picture Perfect Photos.

So, save yourself the time and hassle of trying to hack together a system that works, and give my proven system a try :) 

What you’ll learn:

This webinar will cover the very basics you need to learn to improve your photography. Things like...

• Photography Equipment and Editing Tools

• Finding Your Style (& Why It's Important)

• Depth of Field, Sharpness, and White Balance Basics

• Lighting Basics & Composition

• Editing Techniques & Basics That Take Your Photos from Meh to WOW

• How to Save Time on your Photography–and STILL Have Better Photos!

The main takeaway for this webinar will be how (and why!) creating a system for your blog/biz photography is THE way to go. Honestly, the amount of time you'll save and the improvement of your photos will truly be life changing! Imagine what you could do with more time AND better photos?!

Who it’s for:

Although this webinar will teach anyone the very basics they need to know to improve their photography, the content will be geared towards bloggers, Etsy shop owners and small business owners. However, if you’re looking to step up your Instagram game, this webinar will be helpful for you too! 

Although the webinar has a particular audience in mind, I think the skills are transferable for anyone who would like to improve their photos. Plus, it's totally free!

So, sign up for this webinar and you too can have better photos in a fraction of the time!