Wednesday, April 30, 2014

For my daughter...

As a parent, watching your child grow is like getting to relive childhood again.
 I always want to protect her but I know there are so many
 moments in life that are going to shape who she is. 
My mission in life into raise her to be the best version of herself. 

 I have always been the kind of person who has to learn things the hard way.
 I don't know why I but I always have to figure things out on my own and make a lot of mistakes while doing it. I have learned a lot of "lessons" in this thing we call life. 
I hope I can use them to help me be a better parent. 
I have been reflecting a lot lately on what I want my daughter to know about life and I decided to write down a few things I have realized. 

•First and foremost, LOVE YOURSELF! 
As a young women it is so important to love who you are inside and out. 
Everyone is different so embrace who you are and everything God blessed you with.
 Be confident with your self and it will radiate out of you. 

•Be kind. 
There is a lot of nasty in this world. 
Be a kind person always, even to those who don't display the actions back. 

•Stand up for what you believe. 
People will always try to tell you what to feel and what to think.
 Don't let them influence you. Self doubt is such a poison to life.
 Be your own person and stay true to yourself. 
A lot of the "mistakes" I have made in my life are because I just sat back and
 watched as everyone else told me what to think and how to feel. 
Don't be a passenger in your life, take charge of where you want your life to go.
 Be the best version of YOU! 

•There are no limits to what you can achieve.
 When someone tells you that you can't do something, prove them wrong. 
The opportunities in life are endless. 
Take advantage of them to become who ever you want to be.

•Life goes on. 
Mistakes happen, it is how we learn. Take the good from it and leave behind the bad. 
There will always be new lessons to learn from. Don't let your past dictate your future.
 Take this day and use it in a positive way to become who you want to become. 
There will be heartbreaks from boys, fights with girls (lots of them) 
and tears to cry but they don't last forever. 
Remember that life is a journey and that the times that seem the hardest 
are what make you strong.

•Only allow people in your life who are positive. 
Life is too short to have people around who don't have your best interest at heart. 
You are in charge of who is in your life. Be around the people that make you a better person. 

•Last but not least, always remember your Mommy loves you. 
No matter what. I will always be your number 1 fan and biggest supporter. 


I am sure there are so many more points to write but these a just a few that I wish I could tell the younger version of myself. Life is beautiful. Being a parent really is such a gift. I look at my daughter in awe at the innocence and excitement for life that she has. There is a careful curiosity in the way that she views everything. It is so beautiful seeing her blossom daily into her own beautiful person. I feel very lucky to get to be her Mom. 



{{for this child I have prayed & The Lord has granted me the desires of my heart}}




Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Easter Bunny came to the Cooper House...

Oh my goodness... the Easter bunny came after Ella fell asleep. I can't wait for Ella to wake up and see everything!!! Being a parent is the best! 



I also did a few little crafts to send instead of cards! They turned out pretty darn cute! 




Xoxo
Shannon 


Pre Easter Photoshoot


Happy 3rd Easter to my Beautiful Ella Grace! This Easter I am so thankful for the many blessings that The Lord has blessed my family and my self. 
{{too many blessings to count}}




God is so great. Remember the true meaning of Easter [[He is Risen]]. Many blessings to all of you. Happy Easter! 

Xoxo 
Shannon 





Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Slouchy hats... Oh how I love you...

Slouchy hats... Where have you been all my life...!?!? Obviously not on my head [[rude]] and now it is all I wear! I am obsessed!!!! I found super cute patterns online and just decided to try it out! Check them out :) 



^^slouchy hats, red lipstick & duckface selfies <3^^

So obviously I think you all need to jump on the band wagon and get your own slouchy hat to rock!!! Love them!!!!! They are now up in Cherry Lane Bowtique!!! Yay!!!!

Xoxo
Shannon


Sinful homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Well there is no secret that is are not guilt free but oh man are they delicious. [& sooo super easy] I was trying to find a reciepe with ingredients I had in my pantry already, so I just kind of played Betty Crocker and came up with these yummy bars! 

Here's the recipe for my Sinful Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars:

1 1/2 stick softened butter
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla 
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a food processor, combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips until it forms a thick consistency and can be spread. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Spread the peanut butter mixture in a foil lined pan (the size of the pan depends on how much peanut butter to chocolate ratio you want) I used an 8x8 pan. Pour the melted chocolate on top and cool in the fridge for 3 hours. Then cut and enjoy! 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Getting back on track!!!!

Soooo...Whoopsies... 
I sort of got off the work out routine this weekend. {{guilty}} I did however have a blast in Boulder making memories with my amazing parents and daughter so I guess it was worth it. Hanging out with Wes Welker wasn't bad either haha {{A3 launch party at the Hubby's work}}. 

^^this girl is just too cute for words^^

^^Wes Welker... Go Broncos!!!^^

^^this girl LOVES her Daddy... Seriously this cuteness is too much for my heart to handle^^

So now it is time to get my {{butt... Literally}} back on track. This snowy Monday I will be dedicating my workout to CARDIO... {{ugh}}. 

::Side note::
So as I was eves dropping in on the lady running next to me last week... Like full on running {{8.5mph... No thanks}}... I did the math and I burned 3 more calories per minute than her jogging at an incline in half the time! Plus I have also read that jogging at a high incline burns more fat...so {{YES PLEASE}} I'll stick to that! 

I'm going to catch up on Revenge and burn some calories on the treadmill. 
Check out my day 1 work out for my treadmill interval workout. Click Here 
Next I will be trying these ideas below out. I will probably embarrass my self and fall [[this happens too often haha]] but I'm going to try it out anyways! 


^^I haven't figured out how to stand on these like that yet with out falling but maybe today will be the day^^

^^I did these on Thursday...ummm Sore much???^^

^^Such a GREAT idea^^


So this is what I will be doing today... oh and adding some new things to Cherry Lane Bowtique  [[<3 Slouchy Hats coming soon]]... Yay!!!!
Happy Monday Everyone! 
xoxo-
Shannon





Thursday, April 10, 2014

Is it May yet...????


Is it terrible that I just want to skip April 
(except for Easter...I love Easter
& get to May!? I need to get my garden started already. 
 I can not WAIT to start growing my own veggies! The Hubby is building me a garden bed for Mothers Day. If we weren't renting, I would have my whole yard planted with Peonies and any flowering bulb you can think of.  My garden pinning is getting a little out of control & let's just say I'm not exactly gifted in the green thumb department. However,  I think if I can keep a child alive, I should be able to keep a garden alive. {{One would think}}. Since I can't have a real flower garden of my own yet...I guess I will just dedicate this post to my obsession with pretty flowers since 
SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!!!! 



{{Seriously...I need these flowers to grow everywhere}}




{{PEONIE-TULIPS!?!?!?! I need these}}



{{L.O.V.E.}}


Happy Spring Everyone!
xoxo
Shannon

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Day 3- At home Circuit Workout

.:Day 3:.
Seriously... Could this weather be any more beautiful!? I am taking advantage of it and doing my workout OUTSIDE! Yay! Who wants to be stuck inside on a treadmill when it is 70 degrees outside!!?? [Not Me!] Here is my easy "At home" circuit workout! This can totally be done outside, which is what I will be doing during my daughter's nap time!... Starting now...

After I finish this Circuit {Even though my abs are so super sore} 
Im going to repeat the Best Ab Workout EVER just because this warm weather is a reminder of Bikini season fast approaching. 

...& as my Girl BritBrit would say... 

Now get to work... :)

xoxo
Shannon

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Day 2 of Summer Ab Challenge

Today is day 2 of the summer ab journey. I just want to say that I am by no means an exercise expert. I am just a Mom who wants to try and achieve the goals I have always wanted to. By putting this out there for all of the world to see... I really have not choice but to {{Work B$$tch}}. 
I just like to try out different exercises and narrow it down to see which ones really work.
 So far I have found that high intensity interval training is the best way to burn fat. I'm a total short cut taker [[Guilty]]. Jogging at a high incline burns the same amount of calories as running at 0% incline. It also gets your heart rate up FAST. This and weight training is mainly how I lost my baby weight. I still have a long ways to go {in my own eyes} so this is the workout I will be doing today...

Day 2 Summer AB Challenge
-Begin with the same treadmill work out from yesterday. {{warm up. jog at 12-15% incline at 4.5-5.0 mph for 5-10min. sprint at 5-7% incline for as long as you can go 3-5min is my usual. *repeat for 30-45 min*} Do what works for you, feel free to alter this as you need. (ps. Heres my secret to making it through dreaded cardio... Netflix, Hulu and Pandora workout stations! AMAZEBALLS)  
 -Repeat the Best ab workout EVER from yesterday. I absolutely LOVE this because it works those hard to get to lower abs! 
-Medicine Ball Tabata Workout. [I have never tried this, but medicine balls always seem to kick my butt. Let me know what you guys think of this workout.] 
 Click here for more details on this workout 
Extra Work Out Ideas
[[...and if that isn't enough I like to hold 35lb weights in each hand with my legs together and rock side to side. 25x each time and repeat 3 times.
In between those reps I like to hold the same weights and do standing lunges 20 on each leg. Repeat 3x.]]

{True That}

Enjoy and Get Sweaty!
-Shannon-

Monday, April 7, 2014

Summer Ab Makeover Challenge

Today I am beginning a 30 day ab makeover challenge! I'm going to post the different fitness routines I'm going to try daily. I'm going to literally be my own personally trainer. I just want to try all different things to see if I can {{FINALLY}} completely get rid of the baby pooch. I will post all of the different things that I do so that if you want to do it along with me you can! I would love to see any before and after pictures you guys have at the end of this 30 days! Today's fit plan will include this work out:

Remember to drink a ton of water and eat clean. My sugar addiction is going to need to be smashed!!!! Guess I better head off to the gym!!!! Make sure to sign up for email alerts to get the up to date daily workout! 

No matter how hard it seems...the end result is worth it all!

Get Sweaty :)

-Shannon-


Sunday, April 6, 2014

Adventures in Baking: Toddler Style


Today I tackled my first time baking with my little girl. Let's just say we made lots of memories, had tons of fun, made yummy sugar cookie bars and a {{BIG}} ole mess. I think we can say Mission Accomplished!





You can get the super yummy reciepe we used here! It is Ella approved for sure! 

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sugar-cookie-bars/

Thanks for reading!
Shannon


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Crochet Crown Pattern

My new obsession is making cute baby hats and accessories. This little crown I made today is so adorable to use for pictures. It would be adorable on girls and boys. Little Prince or Princess pics... love it! I originally used a different pattern but I tweeked it a little to make it stand up better.

It is so fast and easy to make. It literally took me 20 min start to finish. Here is my own pattern that I used {{this is for 6 month size}}

You will need yarn of your choice {I like the hobby lobby Love This Yarn brand but any yarn would work}, a size G/6 hook (4.25mm), scissors and a tapestry needle


Size 6-12 month Chain 60 [for newborn size, chain 50 but use the same pattern below]

Row 1: slip stitch the two ends together. Ch 2 {{this counts as your first hdc}} hdc in next st, repeat in every stitch till you reach the end. Slip stitch into the ch 2 to connect. {Make sure to make your stitches very tight so that the crown will stand up better}


Row 2: {{same as row 1}} ch 2. Hdc in next st. Repeat in every stitch. Slp St into ch2 at end.  

Row 3: ch 1. *Skip 2 st. Make a shell with 7dc in the third st. Skip next 2 st and sc in the third st. Skip 2 st and make 7dc shell. *repeat* till you reach the end. Slp st together. 

Row 4: sc around until you reach the 4th dc. 3dc in the 4th dc. Sc in the same stitch.*repeat all the way around*. Slp st together, cut yarn and weave in extra yarn ends with a tapestry needle. 


Such an easy project and so super cute! 

{{Princess Brookie Cookie looks adorbs}}

Let me know if you have any questions with my pattern! 

Enjoy!
~Shannon~

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Huge Sale at CherryLaneBowtique

Happy Spring Everyone!
        To celebrate CherryLaneBowtique is having a huge sale! Enjoy 35% off your entire purchase! Stock up for next winter or buy early Christmas presents now! All items are handmade and are super cute! I also do custom orders so just let me know if you have an idea in mind! This offer is only good until May 1st so don't miss out!

Use coupon code SPRINGSPREE35 at checkout!
Click here to be directed to the store -->> CherryLaneBowtique
Lots of love
~Shannon~