I can not believe I am 33 years old.
Sometimes I think about my college days and it doesn’t seem that long ago. Sleeping in, heading to class with friends, laying out by the pool before a fun night out with lots of beer. Things seemed so serious then but now I realize I didn’t have a care in the world. Now I have 3 lives that count on me to be my absolute best each and every day. The person I was and the person I am today are completely different and I couldn’t be more thankful for where my life has taken me. I never would have thought that at 33 years old I would be a stay at home mom to 3 beautiful girls. That 21 year old me had no idea how hard and how happy my life would be today. I don’t think that 21 year old me would have wished for early mornings, story time, chicken nuggets, and sticky hands. What that 21 year old me didn’t know is that those things bring me more happiness than any party ever could. I sometimes miss those days of few responsibilities, of no one relying on me, of selfish days and night. I miss it, but at the same time I don’t. This is what I was meant to do in life, I was meant to be the mom to these beautiful little girls, and I couldn’t feel more blessed.
With birthdays of the past I would dread the idea of getting older. This year is so different. I am struggling with feeling comfortable in my postpartum body, most days I don’t brush my teeth until noon, and I’m embarrassed at how many days a week I wear yoga pants (and I don’t even do yoga). But you know what?!?! I have never felt morebeautiful. Not the cover of vogue magazine kind of beautiful. The kind of beautiful that shows my girls to be happy. The kind of beautiful that has a body that created three beautiful lives. The kind of beautiful that sacrifices for the well being of others. The kind of beautiful that loves with every bone of her body. The kind of beautiful that is confident in her own skin, no matter how imperfect. I won the lottery with this bunch, and no mater the number of wrinkles and gray hairs that come along, I wouldn’t change a thing.
It has been almost a year now since I decided to take this plunge. I decided to share my life with all of you. A very scary, yet therapeutic experience. I am just shocked with how you have embraced me andencouraged me along this journey. It hasn’t been easy but nothing good in life is. I couldn’t say thank you enough. Instead I decided to host a giveaway to give back to one of my beautiful followers. One of you will win gifts totaling well over $300. You deserve it, you have given me so much and I hope this shows just a small token of my appreciation.
Here is how to enter: ***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***
First go to my Instagram account (@mrsblinks).Make sure you complete the following actions to be eligible for the prize. We will be checking.
Look for my mostresent post (the giveaway photo) and give it a like!
Make sure you are following myself along with all the shops participating.
Tag as many friends as you would like (One per comment please). The more tags, the more chances to win.
For five bonus entries share the giveaway photo and use the hashtag #mrsblinks33giveaway (your profile must be public for the extra entries to count)
The giveaway will close on July 27th at midnight.
How did I choose the shops I did for this giveaway? Well these items are items that I can not live without. I have used them and love them and now I want to share them with you. Here is just a little bit about these shops incase you haven’t heard of them before.
1.Sticky Bellies– I came across this company when Lucille was just a newborn. I used their monthly stickers to document her growth through her first year, important milestones as she got older and even used a birthday poster for her third birthday (see post here). As the company grew, and the product line, I became obsessed with the different items to document my girls milestones, even as big kids. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the owner as well. Carly has the biggest heart and deserves every bit of success the company has. Her items are great for kids of any age
. I also think they are the perfect baby shower gifts! For this giveaway Sticky Bellies is giving away one of their new baby books. This item isn’t even released yet so you will be one of the first to own this adorable keepsake. What makes this baby book special is that each page can be filled in under 5 minutes which is perfect for busy moms. Plus the content is open ended so you can write about what is important to you. This book is really unique and I can’t wait for you to try it. Want to try some of these fabulous products for yourself? Coupon code is GRAYRUBY33 for 33% off. Good through 9/1
2.Dockatot– I have to be honest, I was a little apprehensive when I first heard of Dockatot and their famous baby beds. I had two horrible sleepers (as babies) and there was no way that a little bed was going to make a difference. Well let me tell you, I was so wrong. Hazel sleeps like a champ and i give credit to the Dockatot! Now I bring my Dockatot everywhere with me, to the beach, when we go to visit family, everywhere. I am now a firm believer of the powers of the Dockatot. It might be magic, who knows, but it works! Dockatot is giving away a $75 credit to their shop. Even if you don’t win I still have something special for you.Click HERE to get 10% off your order with Dockatot. See everyone wins!
3.Spoon and Moon– One day I saw a picture from a fellow mommy blogger and her little one was holding the most adorable sloth. This lovie was so unique and just the cutest thing ever so I knew I had to get one for Hazel. Spoon and Moon was founded by two mothers who both work in education. They got the idea of the Slumberland creatures from their own lovies they made for their boys. My sloth came with a Sleepytime Rhyme that I sing to Hazel to help her calm before bed. I have to tell you that I was shocked when this little sloth showed up in the mail. It was not only cute but more soft than I could have ever imagined. I am so excited to know that Hazel will have this sloth for many years to come. Spoon and Moon is giving away a medium weight creature of choice!
4.Elleberry Baby– This is one of the newer shops I have used but I can not say enough good things about the quality of their bows, and that is a lot coming from a mom with three girls who have A LOT of bows. They are beautiful, they are durable and the owner is just the absolute sweetest with a great talent. Her styles are simple and sophisticated which is exactly what I want for my girls. I love all of her patterns and our Elleberry collection is already getting quite big. Elleberry Baby is giving away a $35 credit to spend in her shop. Also Kelsey is generous enough to offer all of you20% off with coupon code HAPPY33.
5.Oat Mama– Now these bars are a win for mama and a win for baby. I tried my first Oat Mama bar and fell in love. They are so good! Not only is it a healthy snack (unlike goldfish off the floor or left over mac n cheese) but these bars will help boost your milk supply. The ladies of Oat Mama work to help us mothers by making life just a little bit easier. Feeding babies is hard so make this easy choice a grab a few for yourself,use CODE: blinks15 for 15% off your order. Oat Mama is giving away a $25 credit for their shop.
6.Saturday Morning Pancakes– Do you have the coolest kid on the block? Then your little one needs some apparel from Saturday Morning Pancakes. These shirts are one of a kind and if you are like me and constantly want to relive the 90’s then you will be just as obsessed with the witty play on words on these tees. I can’t pick a favorite and hope to have each and every one for my girls one day. I even have one for myself ( you can see it in my posthere). The shirts are so soft too so I am always reaching for it in my closet. You need to check out this shop, it has to be one of my favorites and am always smiling when I see their pictures scroll across my feed! Saturday Morning Pancakes is giving away $25 so you can finally grab that shirt you have been eyeing.
7.Lexy Pexy– This Eco Chic company makes some swoon worth teethers. We all know I have an obsession with donuts so I had to have their donut teether for my sweet babe. Plastics have tons of chemicals so I was on the search for a more natural option and these wood teethers are the perfect choice! The designs are adorable and the quality is top notch. Now me and my mini me can munch on our donuts together. Lexy Pexy is giving away a croissant teether for your little babe.
8.Grace and Grace– We stumbled across this shop and instantly fell in love. Approaching Hazels arrival I was obsessed with the idea of her wearing bonnets. I still am. She looks adorable in her white bonnet and I know this addiction is not going to stop. I can’t wait to get her more and I am loving Grace and Grace’s new colors for the fall. Grace and Grace is giving away a $20 credit to her shop.
9.Covered Goods– If you follow me on Instagram it is no secret that I am crazy about my Covered Goods nursing cover. Where do I start? Before this cover I had to be very strategic about what I wore in public, if it wasn’t a nursing shirt my entire back would be exposed with other covers. Covered goods covers you completely, last night I wore a dress and had to take off one strap, no problem. The prints are beautiful, the quality is top notch, and I use it for everything. Car seat cover, shopping cart cover, blanket when I just need to put hazel down for a second. I don’t leave home without it. Covered Goods is giving away $34.99 in credit for their shop.
EVERYONE WINS
As you can see some shops were kind enough to offer everyone discounts so you can try these amazing brands for yourself. I also want to remind you that you can get a free month with Rocksbox by using coupon code MRSBLINKSXOXO. We all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while.
Thank you again to each and every one of you who take the time out of your busy days to spend a minute with us. We love you so much and can’t wait to spend another wonderful year with all of you!