ELEVEN MONTH UPDATE!

Happy Friday! The sun is shining today and I'm feeling so grateful! Not only is it because the weather is nice, I'm so thankful that I took these pictures and can now look back and see just how teeny tiny Harrison was. I hate sounding cliche but time really does go too fast. 

My most frequently asked questions are related to the boys nap schedules and their daily schedules overall. I haven't done this before but I'm chatting about Harry's below. Its not always easy but the most important thing for us has always been sticking to a routine. Because Frank and I both work outside of the home we opt for a slightly later bedtime so we can spend time as a family when we get home at night. Right now it works for us because Luke is in an afternoon school program. I imagine it will change next September when we need to be out the door by 8:45! EEEK!! PS I'm NOT a morning person and I have so much love and admiration for my friends that have to wake up with their kids at 5am. I couldn't do it! 

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HARRISON'S SCHEDULE

7:00-7:45 Wake up and has an 8oz bottle of formula. We love this one. 

8:30 Breakfast - Right now his favorite foods for breakfast are avocado, oatmeal, or yogurt. He loves ALL fruit and hates eggs! 

9-10:45 He loves to play and look at books. Maybe its a second child thing but Harry is great amusing himself in the play kitchen for 20-30 minutes on his own!

10:45-12:45 Nap - both my kids nap and sleep at night with a sound machine and sleep sacks. Luke still uses one because he loves it so much. We have to get them from Europe because its the only place I can find them in the super big sizes!

12:45 Wakeup - 2nd 8oz bottle and lunch 

1:30-3:30 Play (go on walks if it ever gets nice out!!!)

3:30-5:00 Nap

5:30-6:30 Bath Routine - both boys LOVE to take a bath. I think they would stay in it for hours if they could! We do bath, lotion, and PJ's and then its time for dinner!

6:30-7:15 Dinner - Harrison eats everything we do now. He especially loves Fish (salmon and cod) and pesto! Frank has an allergy to some nuts so we've tried all of those and luckily so far neither of the boys inherited it. We were a little behind on introducing a sippy cup with water but we now use this one. 

7:30 Books - We're just getting to the age where I can get through one book with both boys together. Usually Harrison will squirm out of my lap or Luke doesn't want to read Goodnight Moon for the millionth time but they're really starting to get the hang of it! My mom ready to my sister and I every night and I still cherish those memories. 

8:00 Bedtime! Sound machine, sleep sack, and we put Harrison down! It takes him anywhere from 5-20 minutes to fall asleep and he will usually babble to himself or sing:)

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SHOP SLEEPWEAR

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MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Lately I've been getting a ton of emails and messages on social media asking about my skincare routine. The most important thing for me has been understanding the type of skin that I have. Growing up (especially in my teens) I suffered from acne and breakouts. In college I actually tried products like Proactive and I found myself managing blackheads and clogged pores on a daily basis. On the flip side my sister's skin? You could not find a pore on her face! She's always suffered from eczema and dry skin though. Genetics! 

In the last couple of years I feel like I finally have a good handle on my skin. I credit most of my success to consistency and using natural or organic products. I started a very basic nightly routine about ten years ago and have been diligent over the years. I first posted about this topic here after I had Harrison. I loved the products I was using but still felt like something was missing. Then I discovered Organachs Farm to Skin in Westport, CT. I've finally found the place I was always looking for - a natural and organic destination for skincare and makeup. Immediately I connected with owner and curator Siobhan McKinley over her passion and love for natural products. She believes, as I do, that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Here are the products I love from Organachs and some of my skincare tips:

• Voya Even Pure Moisturizer - The thing I like most about this moisturizer is you can wear it day and night. I like to keep my routine simple and with this you don't have to have a night cream. In the mornings I use it solo (unless my skin is very dry) and at night after my face oil.  
• May Lindstrom Honey Mud - I've been using this for about a month now and I'm HOOKED! I use it as a cleanser during the week as well as a mask once a week. It is purifying, smells amazing, and consistency is something you would want to eat!
• Ursa Major Deodorant - I'm constantly on the hunt for a natural deodorant and this one works! No aluminum or harsh metals and it smells really fresh.

Be Diligent at Night: Remove your Makeup! You're exhausted, its been a long day at work or with the kids and the last thing you want to spend time on is washing, toning, and applying a face oil or night cream. But I PROMISE! You will thank yourself in the morning!

Get Oily: I'm an oil addict. Applying oil to your oily t-zone may seem counterintuitive but actually if you are cleansing and exfoliating your skin properly, oils can clarify and offer your skin many nutrients its needs. I LOVE this one. My favorite part about using natural oils? They smell AMAZING and many have the added benefit of aromatherapy. 

Find the Right Moisturizer: Not all moisturizers are created equal. Most brands make a light and a heavier formula depending on the time of year and skin type. Listen to your skin - you may need to go a little lighter in the summer. During the winter, even with an oily t zone, I layer an oil and a moisturizer.

Facials: For me facials are a luxury. Of course it would be great to have one weekly but for most thats not realistic. BUT, I do think there are real benefits to a monthly one. If you're local and interested in a natural and organic experience, Organachs is the ultimate destination. Last month I had the VOYA anti aging restorative facial. During it, hand harvested seaweed from Ireland was placed on my face over a seaweed mask. The leaves detoxify, hydrate, and firm the skin while also helping to stimulate collagen production. I left feeling rehydrated and my skin looked amazing! This facial is definitely on my wish list this Christmas!

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MY BEAUTY ROUTINE

Hi there! Welcome to my first beauty post! Since starting The Girl Guide I've received so many questions about my skincare routine. I'm a big fan of the "less is more" approach and I have to admit, it's pretty basic. BUT the key has always been natural ingredients.  I've been using Tata Harper skincare for almost 8 years! She is sort of a pioneer in the organic skincare space. When I met her I was instantly inspired by her story - her step dad was diagnosed with Cancer and when she started to help him "detox" the products he was using, she realized there was nothing 100% natural/organic on the market. I love everything about her line especially the scents of her products, so natural and clean. 

About two years ago a discovered JuiceBeauty at Whole Foods. I was looking for an affordable moisturizer to switch things up a bit and I fell in love! You can't beat the prices (my antioxidant moisturizer is $39) and I find it to be really effective during the dry winter months. SO when I heard that one of my favorite websites/brands GOOP was teaming up with Juice Beauty I was super psyched. I bought this discovery set and I'm only about three weeks in but I LOVE it! Especially the face oil! 

• I first tried this face wash when I purchased a Theory x Lola box for International Women's day. It was filled with goodies and one of my favorites was this product. I use it every night (in the morning's I just splash water on my face and re-apply moisturizer). The smell is very clean!
• I have a thing for face oils....I used to think it was weird - how does applying oil to your face not make you break out? Now that I've been using them for years I'm addicted. I highly recommend this one and this one is my new favorite. 
• The first skincare product I ever switched from mainstream to holistic was my deodorant. I once read an article linking aluminum containing antiperspirants to breast cancer and I immediately switched to an all natural deodorant. Disclaimer: The natural ones are NEVER going to work as well as the chemical ridden ones, BUT thats a trade I'm willing to make! This is my current favorite. 

Check out this article, Clean Beauty - And Why It's Important and you'll be hooked just like I am!

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SKINCARE

FACE OIL

FACE WASH

FACE MASKS

DEODORANT