Happy 4 Months Old Grey!

Short Hair, Don't Care

So... I did it!

I chopped my hair right on off.

I had been wanting to for some time now. After all, my hair was in terrible shape from years of heat styling and coloring. My husband and I recently bought a clipper set because I wanted to learn to cut his hair at home (which was a success by the way!) and so I told him to just buzz it right on off. We took an # 8 guard because I wanted it to still be somewhat long and he buzzed it!

The result?

PERFECTION!

SASSY!

CHIC!

Needless to say, I LOVE my new hair. I was planning on growing it back out asap, but who knows, I may keep it this short for a while. As a new mom, it is easier to manage.

Here are my inspirations for going short:

The Incredible Halle Berry

The Unforgettable Miss Audrey Hepburn

And the Beautiful Marion Cotillard!

To Cheat or Not to Cheat?

The debate revolving around cheat meals has been around for some time. Some claim that by having a cheat day, it helps you from overeating later while others feel that just one bite of something naughty will increase temptation and lead to more and more.

Personally, when eating strict, I do not like cheat days whatsoever. In my opinion, you can always find a healthier substitute or alternative to just about any sweet or fatty meal. I do, however, have my "higher calorie" days.

Here are some pros & cons to having or not having a cheat day:

Reasons to cheat:

• Less likely to binge later.
• Makes clean eating less of a "chore" and gives you something to look forward to.
• Helps you develop a most positive relationship with food.
• Refill glycogen stores to support hard training
• Increased 24 hour energy expenditure.
• Recharge a stagnant metabolism
• Increased serum Leptin levels.
• Increased thyroid hormone output.

Reasons not to cheat:

• You might feel guilty.
• Likely to binge or take it too far.
• Your body might not completely adapt to a clean diet.
• It can feed the addiction.
• Junk food is bad for you.

If you are going to cheat, do it right. 

If your idea of a cheat meal is a pint of Ben and Jerry's with a spoon, rethink your weekly reward. When it comes to choosing a cheat, be realistic. Even though you're allowed to break from your day-to-day diet, don't use a cheat meal as an excuse to overindulge. While you can indulge in a small, sugary treat from time to time, I recommend trying to avoid sugar-laden, nutrient-poor foods that can quickly ruin a week's worth of progress.

Instead, eat a cheat meal that is still well-balanced and higher in both calories and carbohydrates than your normal meal. Examples of cheat meals I typically incorporate are a cheeseburger with the bun (foreign concept, I know), two slices of pizza, a pasta dish with a protein source, chicken or shrimp fajitas with two tortillas, chicken stir fry with rice or noodles, or a filet mignon with baked potato and vegetables.

SoftBums Echo Cloth Diaper Review

Hey ladies!

I am reviewing a cloth diaper brand called SoftBums. SoftBums is the husband and wife team of Sarah and Brian Van Bogart, based in Minnesota and have been selling cloth diapers since 2008.

Softbums sells two different styles of cloth diapers: the Echo & the Omni. You can find the unique distinctions below.

After picking your shell, you pick your 'Pod" or insert.

I had the chance to review the SoftBums Chocolate Echo cloth diaper with snaps. This is the first diaper of its kind that I had a chance to review as it slides to perfectly fit your baby's size! All you have to do is pull the elastics! Easy as that. The inside was incredibly SOFT and the insert snapped right on in! No leaking whatsoever!

Overall, I loved this diaper! It was so compact and was not bulky showing through my son's onesies. It also fit very snugly and he was able to move in them so they definitely were not restricting. I would certainly own more SoftBums in the future!

To view the rest of SoftBums cloth diaper line, visit their:
Main Site
Facebook
Twitter

Disclaimer: I was given a cloth diaper to test, at no cost. All opinions are my own.

20 Signs You're a Mom

Being a mom is such a joy! It has its moments that I am sure every mommy can relate to at some point or another. Here are 20 signs that you're a mom!

1. Your food and coffee goes cold while you feed your little ones first.
2. Sleep? Hahaha.
3. You put off that long awaited pedicure for a Tonka truck set or a Frozen figurine collection.
4. Coffee becomes your lifeline.
5. You have a knack for hearing crying..  even if it's not happening at that moment.
6. Your wardrobe around the house consists of lounging in your nursing bra because it's easier to feed your kids that way.
7. Old regurgitated milk becomes your new fashion accessory.
8. You skip washing your hair while sneaking in a shower while your little one sleeps.. in fear of him waking up that exact moment.
9. You sleep with one eye open.
10. You can eat a sandwich with one hand while wiping poop with the other.
11. It takes you at least 30 minutes to get ready TO get ready to go out with your little one.
12. Instead of running away from vomit, you run towards it.
13. Grocery store trips alone are your long awaited vacations.
14. You're so tired that you wash a load of laundry.. only to realize you forgot to put in any detergent. (true story)
15. You memorize all of the words to Spongebob Squarepants episodes.
16. You start selecting clothes based on their comfort level.
17. Nursing bras & tanks replace your Victoria's Secret stash.
18. You start speaking to your husband in baby talk.
19. You start referring to yourself in 3rd person as "Mommy" to everyone you talk to.
20. Disney movies fill your Netflix instant que.