Hey y'all! It is practically 2018 already and these last few days have been a roller coaster! Outside of my constant need to overwhelm myself (please tell me I'm not a lone) I have been seriously doubting my parenting skills!
I know we all like to look at ourselves and think... "WOW! I am an AWESOME Mom/ wife!", but the truth is, we all have that nagging little voice in the back of our head that says other wise. I for one have not been able to silence that voice but I can definitely go toe to toe with it.

Everyday, when I wake up I thank God for all of his blessings. I have a home, food, clothes, health and everything else we take for granted as humans. I also thank God for my family. Every living moment of my life is dedicated around my family and I realized, sometimes I take that for granted. If something ever happened to my husband or kids my life would be in shambles. I could never imagine my life without any of them! 

So, when making this list of goals, I wanted to incorporate not only the things I wanted to change but also the things that my kids and husband wanted too! Thankfully, I have 4 of the best kids ever so they were a little TOO kind lol. So my goals THEY would like for ME to reach in 2018 as a mom are as follows.




KIDS:

Hey y'all! The year is just about up and I am coming out of a blogging slump! I have been telling myself that I need to write more (because I love it) and blogging really has become a passion of mine over the years.
 It's really something to see people respond to my posts, share them and genuinely like what I have to say. It brings me so much joy! 

So for my latest beauty post, I wanted to round up my top 10 FAVORITE makeup products for 2017. Sure some of these have been out longer than this year, but these were my "go- to's" this year! Most of these products I use almost daily and from the moment I tried them, I was in LOVE!

So here we go folks, my top 10 picks!



1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
This primer has become my "holy grail" of makeup! Seriously, if you can make this purchase.. do it! i have always admired Smashbox for many reasons but never had the opportunity to try them. Finally, I received this primer in my Ipsy bag and I was hooked! I can't get enough. My skin is so smooth and my foundation looks flawless when I use it. It is like Photoshop in  tube!



2. Angel Merino Diamond Glow Powder
I have always raved about this highlighter. It is so pigmented and it lasts FOREVER! I have had mine for quite some time now and I feel like I layer it on when I use it lol. There are so many different shades but I love "Gold Digger" the most.



3. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
This foundation is also like Photoshop in a bottle. I use the Matte Pore-less line and it really makes my skin look flawless. I don't have bad skin but I do have some scars from a child and uneven skin tone. This really balances out my complexion for a natural look.


4. Make up Forever Excessive Lash Mascara
Outside of Dior "Dior Show" this is one of my top mascaras. As a matter of fact, I would say this is my second favorite! Dior will forever be my #1!


5. Nude Stix Magnetic Lip Color (Rose)
Ok, I have been obsessed with Rose colored lip products for about 2 years now! I love how they make my lips look! My bottom lip is pretty full but I have insecurities about my top lip. It is pretty thin, uneven and I have a scar. Whenever I use a Rose color, it seems as if my lips transform into the perfect pout.


6. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Ok, if you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love this eyeliner! I have been wearing makeup almost half my life lol. It has never been so easy to perfect my winged look with this eyeliner. I don't know what it is but this eyeliner turns my hands into seasoned artist hands lol.


7. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick (Snob)
Another favorite of mine for years! Ok quick story about how I fell in love with this color. So one night I went out with a few gal pals and I ran to the restroom for a quick double look. To my surprise, a brand new MAC lipstick was just sitting on the counter! No one was in there so I decided to check it out. I opened the top and it was brand new! As soon as I got home, I quickly disinfected it, scraped off the top layers and tried it. I WAS smitten! Snob is another pinkish rose color and like I said above... I love rose colored lips!


8. Mac Cosmetics Blush (dainty)
This blush has been in my arsenal for a while too. It is the perfect shade of pink for my skin tone! It is pale enough to just give you that angelic look.



9. Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes
This is definitely #3 on my mascara list! I love the way my lashes look and fill out. My only issue with it is that if it tends to flake a little easier than my other mascaras which can really hurt my eyes!



10. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner (Perversion)
This eyeliner is so smooth and stays in place! I hate how some eyeliners goop up in the corner of the eye. I have never had any issues with this one! Plus this black liner is the blackest I have used!

So there you have it! My top 10 makeup products for 2017! What were yours? Have you tried any of the ones listed above? Let me know in the comments below!

Hey y'all! Can you believe 2017 will be over in a matter of weeks? This year seriously went by in a flash. It seems like only yesterday we were finally adjusting to life here in Kansas City. If you read my review on 2016 you know it was a crazy year! If not, you can check it out HERE!
This year was in no way shape or form as wild as 2016, but it definitely had a few great moments and ones that I would never want to experience again.

To start off, I will say that 2017 has had way more positives than negatives! Let's start with the negatives first.

#1. My Mother in Law passed away right after Mother's Day. This was by far the hardest part of 2017. My husband and I spoke with her on Mother's Day and we were excited because she had told us she was wanting to go to our church in Dallas. She said she really enjoyed being there and that she missed us of course. But quickly within a matter of days, she was not even able to fight for her life. Her heart, kidneys and lungs gave out. My husband was a rock for the entire family through out the entire process. It is still saddening to think about all the things she will miss out on. but I know that she is at peace and we will see her again!

#2. Kids. Another negative thing that happened during 2017 was more towards our kids. First, B-Boy fell off his bunk bed and got a concussion, then he turned around and had surgery for a hernia. Then to add to that, Thai has been struggling with her eye sight (unknowingly) and she was diagnosed with Dyslexia as well as other processing disorders. So the kids have really been fighting their own battles as well!

Now, on a positive note!

#3. Last year I started working with a group of moms and posting blog pieces for a local magazine! It is going great and I have been taking on more work for them as well! I absolutely love it!

#4. Homeschooling. This has been our second year homeschooling and It has been great! WE finally found our groove and I am slowly giving myself a break! I have met so many mom friends online within this past year that have encouraged me and reassured me I am doing my best. Plus, the kids tell me all the time how much they love homeschooling and that I am the best teacher they had lol ( yes, they have had teachers before). Plus they like the fact that we get to sleep in!

#5. Blogging. My blog has done so much for me this year! I have worked with more brands and I was even invited to Kansas City Fashion Week! It was amazing! I met so many great bloggers, designers and influencers! My blog had actually hit a 2,000 page view stat this summer as well! A few of my Instagram posts were also featured on a few other popular pages as well. Over all this year has been great for my blog!

#6. Anniversary. We hit the 11 year mark this year! During the FOT, we celebrated our anniversary with the kids, my mom and my BIL and SIL! And the cherry on top was that we were in Osage Beach!

Over all, 2017 made me feel like I was in  a hurdle race. We would run, run, run then bam! Hurdle! But, I am always grateful to have my amazing supportive husband, spectacular 4 kids and the love that continues to grow! We are not perfect and we don't try to be... we just want to be the best we can be!

So, here are a few of my favorite photos from the year!

The Collins Crew

Apple Camp

Lemonade Stand = BIG MONEY!

FALL = PSL!

Some of my fave lip colors!

Love these pants!

Brunch with my girls!

Fashion is my PASSION!

Fashion Week!

Cocktail Party for FW

Birthday GIRL!

One of my favorite looks!

I have the best Instagram Husband EVER!

My heartbeats after Church!

My sweet P entered her last year of elementary :(

My love, my rock, my heart! 11 years STRONG! How was your 2017? What do you look forward to in 2018? Let me know in the comments below!

Here is a close up of some of my accessories I paired with it as well as a glimpse of the neckline. I also have a gold band bracelet as well. You can see it in the photos above! These rings were from my happy place, Forever 21 and the bracelet is from Target (my other happy place).

Hey y'all! Where has the year gone?! I have been trying to enjoy Fall for as long as possible but it seems like it will be gone before I know it!

Since being in Kansas City, I really have gotten to enjoy the Fall weather. If you are from Texas or have been in Texas during the Fall, you know exactly what I am talking about lol. You may have not experienced it until Winter but you get the idea lol. These past couple months have been a complete whirlwind! I have been homesick for Dallas, over whelmed with homeschooling and organizing plus, my kids are not adapting well to this cold weather. It seems like they can pick up a cold at the snap of their fingers.

But all in all, I have been doing my best to embrace the chaos and enjoy every moment of it! One thing I definitely have been embracing is this amazing boot weather! When we were living in Texas, I never really had the opportunity to get to show out in my boots! It was either too warm or too wet for me to venture out! Plus when it was cold, most of the time it was warm within a few hours lol.. gotta love Texas!

But on to the real reason you clicked this link, BOOTS! I have rounded up some of the hottest boots from Nordstrom and the best thing about them... they are ALL UNDER $100! Take a look!

Just an FYI.. checking back on some if these boots certain colors were no longer available and half the boots I originally picked out were sold out the next day! So, if you love these... ACT FAST!

1. Naomi Cutout Bootie- STEVE MADDEN

I love the detail on this boot! It is so unique and plus it comes in one of my favorite colors... TAUPE! 

2. Ravynn Block Heel Bootie- LUCKY BRAND

This boot is a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll! This steel grey is absolutely beautiful!


3. Garfield' Western Bootie-SARTO BY FRANCO SARTO


I am all about buckles on my boots! I love the way they look and add basic detail! Plus this color is just gorgeous! 



4 .Vatena Bootie-VINCE CAMUTO





I also love a unique design. These booties are definitely not for those that prefer the simple life!


5.Heartbeat Over the Knee Boot- VERY VOLATIL




Ok, real talk! I am in love with these boots but I hate them at the same time lol. I have wide calves so I can never find boots that go over the knee for me! These babies are boots that must be bought if you have small enough legs lol. If I could fit my legs into these... I would wear them EVERYDAY! I am obsessed with these! 

So what do you think?! Which ones are your favorites? Again, these boots are marked down to crazy low prices and they are going fast! Make sure you grab your pair asap! Let me know in the comments below!

Hey y'all! I feel like it has been a while since I sat down and put all my thoughts on "paper". We have been going through so many family events, changes and I honestly feel like my head is spinning! But more on that later..

Today, I am going to share with you something that is a priority for all parents when raising their kids. That's raising ACTIVE (and happy) kids! Look my kids are not star athletes by any means (at least not now 😉) but them being active is so important to their overall health!

When we first started homeschooling, our activity levels were no where near where they were. The kids had gym class 2 times a week plus daily recess at public school and Italy would spend two hours a day with me at the gym playing with other little kids. I was always in the gym and making sure the kids knew I was being active too.

 When we started homeschooling, we just moved to a city where the kids had no roots or friends. I wasn't the happiest person in the world because my life got up rooted and I let that interfere with our active lifestyles.
Once I seen just how inactive we had become, I made it a goal to make sure that the kids and I still maintained an active life. I'm not going to lie, there were times where I would not do anything "active" for days and it really started to take a toll on all of us.

SO now.. how did we do it? How can you do it? It's simple really!

1. Get out- Even if it is just walking around the block, walking around your neighborhood or at a track, getting out is the first stepping stone to encouraging your kids to be active.


2. Visit the park.. OFTEN- I know there is a split between the mom world about parks. Strangers roam near by, mean kids tend to bully others and let's be honest.... it can be kinda creepy  when someone is lurking by that looks kind of suspect. I get it! I am constantly shouting their name if I can't spot them in 2 seconds, literally. But parks do have their advantages. There is tons of equipment and these days, most parks have been upgraded for the safety of children. I love the fact that they can climb, jump, race and play on things that may require them to use their muscles more.





3. Competition/Games- Playing games and making obstacle courses are one way that I really get my kids moving. Sometimes, they are nothing but a ball of energy and it can be difficult for them to focus on school work, make them crabby or just flat out mean. At our loft, we have several sets of stairs outside, a ramp and a huge walkway by the entrance. When they need a little extra "workout" we go outside and they run an obstacle course race or see who can go up and down the stairs the most. My kids are very competitive so they love doing this.







4. Be an example- By being an example, your kids will imitate you. When I am sneaking my chocolate because I had a stressful day( terrible habit I know) they automatically want candy too. When I make a salad, they all come up with ways we can eat healthy together. I know it may seem like an obvious thing, but kids really pay attention.. TO EVERY THING!



5.Push them- Pushing your kids to try harder or be better has been twisted into this "stage mom" perception and quite frankly, I think it hurts our kids more than helps them. I do my best to teach my kids that not everyone will win and if you loose, try harder next time. When a kid really wants something, they will work for it! When Thai broke her arm, she was so afraid to get back on the playground, do anything high up or anything that required her to use her hands like the monkey bars. After talking with her about why she has to keep trying and why she shouldn't give up... she tried again. and she did great!