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By Brigette Danielle



Hello there lovely people!

Let me just say this, I have literally only ONE toddler let and I am starting to freak out! I can;t imagine what it will be like with 4 kids that are no longer considered little kids but big kids! Some one help me out here lol.

But seriously, as they have gotten older, I started to realize how much "less chaotic" my life was whenever I would step out of the house or go on trips. I would have my whole life and another human beings life packed to capacity in a diaper bag! Let me tell you moms out there this, I have envied you for a looonnngg time! I mean you literally have one bag that has EVERYTHING you need! Hand cleaners, emergency items, clothes, food and whatever else you could fit in it. I know I would pack basically a drawer, half a sleeve from the diaper box, a  whole can of Gerber puffs and I would feel like I could conquer the world!

But now that I have a toddler, a little man and two on the verge of of becoming pre- teens, I can't be that mom that still carries a diaper bag! I just could't do it to them...

So, I have decided instead of carrying a diaper bag, or making them lug around extra bags (they keep school work in their backpacks) I would carry things that were necessary for the kids and my sanity. My new prized possession.... MY TODDLER TOTE!!

Okay so it isn't a legit "tote" but I can carry all that I need to keep the kids clean, entertained, fed and a quick change of clothes because well yea.... kids. Check out all that goes inside.. for now!



So of course I had to get something fashionable that my older girls would love and something that was comfortable and big enough to tote stuff around all day for 4 kids. I found this super cute bag from Walmart for less than $20.


In the center pocket (biggest) we have snacks and goodies. My kids love gum and as long as they are listening and being well behaved, I let them chew on some of their favorites. I also have several packs of fruit snacks, granola bars and will switch out between animal crackers or snack crackers.

On the left pocket, we have our boredom busters. A pack of cards to play games, the tablet (don't forget the charger), and one of our old iPhones. They have all their school apps downloaded and some fun games that they don't know are educational ssshh lol!

My kiddos have allergies pretty bad, so do I! So I have extra packs of tissue, band- aids, chapstick, handy wipes and safety pins. For some reason I always get asked for one or need one when out and about. So I had to have a few in there!


Inside, each kid has a change of clothes and if need be, an extra pair of shoes. Most of the time they don't need to bring any shoes unless they want to bring sandals along.

Since I started carrying my "toddler tote" I seem to be more on top of things lol. The kids have what they want, I have what I need and there is peace once again in the kingdom!

Do you still use a diaper bag? What all do you need to make it through the day? Let me know in the comments below!!

Also, how cute is my water bottle?! My Aunt helped my kiddos make it for one of my Mother's Day gifts! It reads " I'm not like a regular mom, I'm a cool mom" with eyes winking lol. I love it! It is a quote from one of my all time favorite movies.. Mean Girls! lol
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Hello there lovely people!
It is almost June can you believe it!! I know this post is super super late, but we have had a crazy past few weeks. I won't go into details because I don't believe you should post every single intimate or personal struggle. I'll just say this, please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers!

But... now to the one thing that has kept me focused these pas several days. My Ipsy Glam Bag! Every month this little gem comes through my mailbox in it's metallic pink wrapper! I am only 2 months in and so far, I am super impressed! I mean $10 for MAKEUP every month! This is one of the best things ever!

So this month, to kick off the summer season, Ipsy sent me some great products. So first, lets discuss the bag. I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of this makeup bag. But I believe it is mostly due to my dislike of clear plastic like materials. It brings me back to elementary school and how all the girls used to wear clear backpacks.... just wasn't my style. I do however love the cute details of the creamsicles and ice cream cones! Perfect for summer!
 Next we have "hey honey" in Besame Mucho. This is a sheer shea butter lip balm and it is amazing! My lips have been going through it since we moved to KC. The weather has been dry and cold so my lips have been aching for relief. Outside of my Burt's Bees this has been a life saver!


 Next we have "Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics". This eye shadow is called electric and let me tell you this... it is highly pigmented and super metallic! I love it! I used my finger tips to apply some over the weekend and I didn't need to pack it on. This is definitely one of my favorites!

 Here we have a foundation brush from "Luxie". This is number 660. I really love how soft this brush is. It holds powder well and doesn't seem to shed. Plus it is rose gold so.... yea, they had me!

 It is official! I am deeming this the holy grail of summer highlighters! This highlighter is from Urban Decay and it is called "sin". This champagne colored highlighter is so beautiful! It gives you the perfect glow. Plus it lasts 8 hours... and in summer, long lasting makeup is a must!
 Last but not least we have this Silky Eye Pen from "Pixi". I have to admit I have always seen this brand but never really gave it much thought. I am so glad I got this! I love it! This is the smoothest eye pencil I have ever used. The color for this is called BlackNoir and it is super silky and black! Perfect for a dramatic smokey eye!


I love all of the products this month, and it really makes me happy to know that I am getting great quality makeup for only $10 a month. I can't wait to see what I am getting next month!





Do you subscribe to Ipsy? What was the best thing you ever received?! Let me know in the comments below!


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Hello there lovely people!

Let me just get this out of the way... KIDS EAT TOO MUCH! lol There I said it! When your kids hit a certain age they seem to just grow two extra stomachs, endless amounts of energy and taste buds that only like the craziest, non nutritional and expensive things on the grocery store shelf. Since moving up to KC and homeschooling, I have realized that this is an epidemic in our household and It must be stopped lol.

When we were living in Dallas, we had very low sales tax. So when I bought something for $1 it didn't come out to $1.99! I'm no tax or math expert, I just know that in some states there are higher taxes and KC is one of them! So there was an instant jump in our grocery bill there. Then not to mention, instead of one meal and snack a day it changed to 3 meals a day and multiple snacks throughout the day since we HS. That right there drove up our grocery bill again!
Now we have older kids, one who is bordering her "tween" stages, one who is going through a growth spurt because 9/10 is so awkward. Then there is a boy and they just EAT! Lastly we have the most wasteful, picky and all around food snob in our house... the baby lol. She only eats what she LOVES. Tack on a grown man that loves to cook and a grown woman that is trying to eat the absolute healthiest food she can and that drives it up even MORE!

So how did I cut our grocery bills? How can I stay on budget, eat healthy and not break the bank?!

Here's how:

1. Apps- yes I know you probably have seen so many bloggers talk about these apps, seen them advertised on Facebook or heard family talk about them. Here's the deal. You don't save money off the initial purchase (like a coupon) but you get cash back! How awesome is that!? My favorite one is Ibotta, You get bonuses for purchasing paired items, if your team hits a mark or even if you shop[ during the week ( some weeks). One week I turned a normal shopping trip into a $6 return which then more than doubled to $14 because of bonuses. Not to mention you get $$$ just for signing up and having your friends get on board. Don't have an account yet? Sign up HERE and get $10! This is the first thing I do when planning out our weekly meals.

2. Planning- As mentioned above I plan our meals weekly so I'm not just buying random things. I know my step daughter doesn't like peanut butter so I only plan for pb&j for during the week. I know the 3 youngest like granola so I use my app and stock up on those to get them through the day. We try to eat the healthiest foods possible so we plan our meals based off what's in season and what I have a rebate for.

3. Shopping at Aldi- I have blogged about shopping there in the past ( see it here). Aldi always has some of the lowest prices on meat, produce and even home necessities. Once I purchase all my rebates from Ibotta ( not valid at Aldi, hopefully soon) I head over to Aldi to complete my list. They have have amazing stuff! 

**tip, shop at your local farmers market during the early part of the week. prices seem to be lower!**

4. Coupons- I wish I can say that I am a major couponer but I'm not. I do use the occasional coupon but they are mostly for home essentials like soap, dish liquid and tp. What's great about coupons, is you can double them with your Ibotta rebates! 

5. Walmart app- When getting my rebates from Ibotta, I shop at Walmart. They tend to have the lowest prices and are closer that Super Target. But the thing that keeps me coming back is their app. Walmart's savings catcher was introduced to me by my SIL and I can't not get enough of it! When ever you are done shopping, scan your receipt and it will check all the surrounding stores for cheaper prices. If they find it cheaper somewhere else, they will refund you the difference. When you are ready to use your savings, you can use it in store or online as an e-gift card. I use most of my cash back on more personal items like stuff for my hair, makeup or if there is a great rebate on Ibotta.

This is how I was able to reduce our monthly grocery bill! I don't have exact numbers and I apologize, but I would say I roughly saved $200-$250 a month on grocery bill. What tactics do you use? Let me know in the comments below!
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Hello there lovely people! I am super excited about this post! This is my first EVER guest post and it is something that I have been wanting to talk about for a long time!! SKIN CARE! The seasons are changing and that can always cause "issues" with our skin. 

Well Emma has some great tips to help you get your skin glowing!  Check it out!


Nothing can boost your confidence and help you feel good about yourself like having naturally glowy and radiant skin. This is especially true during warmer months when the fresh air and pleasant sun can help you feel free and fulfilling. So, why trouble yourself with the pressure of covering your face with heavy makeup that can often make you feel all self-conscious, when a little bit of your daily efforts can help you feel and look amazing? Great spring skincare is not all about the products you use and the way you apply them. It’s actually a combination of your lifestyle habits and effective beauty routine. Let’s take a look at what you can do to make your skin glow this spring.



Adjust your diet

Don’t get too worried when you hear the word “diet”. You don’t have to restrict your meals. However, if you want to make sure that your skin looks healthy and radiant, the first thing you should do is take care of it from the inside. There are various foods and drinks that are actually beneficial for the look and texture of your skin. Try to include fish and nuts since they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, spice up your meals with a lot of leafy greens and drink plenty of water. Also, green tea is perfect for a complete detox, healthy gut and great skin.

Exercise more

If you’re not a gym-goer, you don’t have to force yourself to sign up for training sessions. However, regular physical activity can tremendously help with improving the look of your skin. You can exercise a bit at home, go for walks, ride a bike or do anything else that seems fun to you. Once you get into the habit of moving your body regularly, you’ll be able to notice a positive change in your skin as well. Essentially, exercise boosts blood circulation which in turn makes your skin bright and supple. Furthermore, through sweating you’ll get rid of toxins, which can effectively minimize your breakouts as well. Not to mention that you’ll feel happier and more energetic overall. Perfect for springtime!

Exfoliate regularly

When it comes to the necessary steps that you need to take in order to update your skincare, exfoliation is first on the list. Depending on your skin type, you should exfoliate your face (and your body) once or twice a week. This will help remove dead skin cells that would otherwise stick to your skin, as well as get rid of stubborn dirt particles that can’t be removed with simple cleansing. You should never be too rough on the skin though. If you want to make sure that you’re not damaging your skin even more, you can try some natural homemade scrubs, too.

Cleanse your face

It’s recommended that you wash your face in the morning and evening. Moreover, you should never go to bed without washing your face thoroughly, and since you have to wash your face pretty often, it would be best to opt for mild and natural cleansers. However, this is not enough to remove makeup and dirt. Therefore, in order not to dry out your skin, add an additional step to this routine and use a cream cleanser before your usual one. In the evening, wash your face with lukewarm water, and in the morning, you can use cold water to tighten the pores and make your skin brighter and less puffy.

Use adequate skincare products

As mentioned, your skin needs proper care from both inside and outside. In that respect, you shouldn’t neglect skincare products. Moisturizer is essential part of a healthy skincare routine. Of course, you should choose the products that suit your own skin type and needs. With a wide range of Alive Skin and Hair products, you can find everything you could possibly need. This is especially true when it comes to sunscreen. SPF is a must throughout the year and even more so with the arrival of warm weather. If you don’t want to put several layers of products on your skin, you can also opt for moisturizers that already have an SPF.

As you can see, the above-mentioned skincare tips depend solely on you and your efforts. Taking good care of your skin and having a radiant, fresh and youthful complexion in spring is not something unimaginable, or hard to achieve. Once you get into the habit of taking good care of your overall health with a proper diet and exercise, all that’s left is to listen to your skin’s needs and soothe it with products that work best for you.


Thank you so much Emma for sharing these great tips with us all! What are your secret tips for your skin? Let me know in the comments below!
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Hello lovely people!
It is that time of the year and one of the most talked about events has certainly delivered! That's right, I'm talking about the Met Gala! Last year was one of my absolute favorites. I know that each year it gets more and more dramatic and avant garde, but I wasn't sure if the celebs and designers were going to pass up last years theme! You can see why last year was so epic HERE!

This years theme for the 2017 Met Gala  was Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons! Kawakubo is known for very avant garde designs and is definitely not for fashion minimalism lol.  Either way, a lot of her designs are both intriguing and breathtaking.

So the other night this fashion free for all took place and I was not disappointed! First up is Donald Glover.
He rocked this Burberry suit! I love the different shades of deep blue and the hint of maroon. I feel like people underestimate men when it comes to making bold statements in their wardrobes. He definitely wore this well.

Donald Glover in Burberry 
Next we have the beautiful Janelle Monae.  She looked royaly stunning in this piece. It reminds me of a new take on something from the 1800's with this cinched waist line and the way the dress accentuates her neck. She looks flawless!

Janelle Monae in Ralph & Russo

Lily Rose absolutely popped in this Chanel number! This pink is the perfect shade for spring and the minimal accented roses fits perfectly!
Lily Rose Depp in Chanel
How stunning is Mandy Moore?! Sometimes I can't believe this is the same girl  woman that I grew up jamming too. This dress definitely adds drama right along with that gorgeous purple smokey eye!
Mandy Moore in Micheal Kors Collection
ok, can we just pause and give a round of applause for Nick Jonas! I mean seriously, this guy went from shy, curly, boy band nice guy to super chic , masculine heart throb! His transition from boy to man has definitely been one for the books! He looks great in this Ralph Lauren suit.
Nick Jonas in Ralph Lauren
Rita Ora is another one that has transitioned in to a fashion eye candy. I remember seeing a music video she did a while back  and all I kepot thinking was like "ehh wanna be Rhianna.." But boy has she proved me wrong! She is stunning and very fashion forward. Not only is she elegant but she is so posed and reminds me of a vintage beauty.
Rita Ora in custom Marchesa


Rose, dear Rose.. I'll never let go! lol.  How amazing does Rose Byrne look!? This color looks great against her glowing skin. She is naturally petite and doesn't have many "curves" but this dress easily agrees with her sleek silhouette.

Rose Byrne in Ralph Lauren
Stella Maxwell is every girls boudoir photo shoot dream! What woman doesnt want to drape herself with a gazillion pearls and diamonds and wear it as a dress?? My favorite part is the back of the dress, I love how the string of pearls just drape across her perfectly.

Stella Maxwell in custom H&M

This last look was absolutely my FAVORITE! Usually at red carpet events and award shows, I rarely have a "hands down winner", but this... THIS is stunning! Zendaya stole the show in my opinion. Her hair in its natural glory looked beautiful and her makeup was so on point I almost shed a tear. Her Dolce & Gabbana dress was perfect for this event and she wore this dress! Not the other way around. She looks like a perfectly painted masterpiece in this look and I for one am going to start following her more closely!



Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana  Alta Moda
 There were so many other amazing looks from the night but all of these really stood out to me. I love red carpets and I love seeing those that walk it in beautiful pieces of art. I studied fashion for years and every time I see a beautiful design, I can't help but feel like a proud family member. I know all the hard work that goes into preparing, creating and perfecting designs. I admire so many of them for making their dreams come true!

What was your favorite look of the night? Let me know in the comments below!

*** i do not own any of these photos***
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Hello there lovely people! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT IS MAY?!?! I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that we are almost half way through 2017...

Sunday was such a bitter sweet day for me. My little Italy, the last of the crew turned 4!! She literally has one more year  left in the "toddler" ages and I am slowly loosing it!
Since her and Bboys birthdays are so close, we decided to have a little get together with the family and eat cake! For some odd reason there was also a pinata as well.... oh kids lol.

Anyway..like I said before, this is post is really a form of an  online memory book. A way to keep record of my babies likes, dislikes and what they were like at each age. So here it is folks! 4 things about  my little diva with sass and the ability to make anyone just about pee their pants from laughter.. little Miss Italy!


1. What is your most favorite thing? "Apple, from ever ever high" (ever after high)
2.What do you love about Italy? "hmmm my mouth! like my smile!"
3. What's your favorite color? "hmmm red i guess?"
4. What is your favorite thing to do? "Play with ponies!"

And from the mouth of a babe this is the truth lol. Italy has a special place in my heart because she is my last baby... honestly, I didn't even want to have more kids after my son was born. I had lost over 100 pounds and I was already overwhelmed with the 3 I already had lol. But from the moment  I seen her, got over how big her eyes were and the pain meds wore off, I was in love! She definitely keeps me on my toes and like her older sister Thai, she knows how to brighten my day!

Do you do anything special for the baby of your family? Let me know in the comments below!

*** btw, i will be updating this post with more photos of her. she insisted on wearing her hair out curly saturday and it is all lopsided now lol. gotta tame it first!***



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About Me

Welcome to By Brigette Danielle!

I'm a full time Texas mom of 4, wife, homeschooler and coffee lover. This blog is dedicated to sharing family topics, beauty, plus size style, mom hacks and more. Welcome to my little world, I'm glad you came to visit.


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      • My Ultimate Toddler Tote
      • May Ipsy Glam Bag!
      • How I save money feeding a family of 6
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