Target teamed up with Influenster for a #IceCreamStockUp this summer, and I was able to taste test a Fruttare product of my choice!

I headed to Target with my coupon for a box of free Fruttare, and decided on the Strawberry bars. They have fruit and milk bars, as well as just fruit bars, but since I was going to use these as post run treats, I decided on just fruit!
Their other flavors include Mango, Lime, Pineapple, Black Cherry, Strawberry + Milk, Peach + Milk, Coconut + Milk, Banana + Milk, and Strawberry & Milk + Mixed Berry & Milk.

Im not sure what I was expecting, but damn, these are good! They aren't super hard fruit pops.. they are frozen, but soft. The strawberry pops are sweet, but not over sweet, and the real fruit bits are a plus! I found that most of the time I was eating big chunks of actual frozen strawberry! 
You can actually pronounce all the ingredients too, which is always a plus when it comes to ingredients that you are eating! (From the Fruttare Wesbite : STRAWBERRY: 'WATER, SUGAR, STRAWBERRIES, STRAWBERRY PUREE, FRUCTOSE, MALTODEXTRIN, CORN SYRUP, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, GUAR GUM, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, BEET JUICE CONCENTRATE AND TURMERIC OLEORESIN (FOR COLOR), PECTIN, LOCUST BEAN GUM, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, ASCORBIC ACID'). 

via

A serving size is one full bar for 60 calories, and there are 6 bars to a box. So yes, you could actually eat the whole box and not feel guilty! (only 360 cals for an entire box!) 

thanks husband for the 2,000 pics you took of me.

  They are super refreshing after a training run, so to say i've enjoyed every last one is no lie! I'd definitely buy these again, and want to try some of the other flavors too! YUM!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Fall 2014 Must Haves

I know it's technically not fall just yet, but that hasn't stopped the pumpkin spice latte lover in me from getting ready for my most favorite time of the year! College football, crisp cool weather, pumpkin flavored everything, and cozy evenings in! Here are a few of my favorite fall must haves!

1- An over-sized, vintage feel collegiate sweatshirt. Nothing says comfy Saturday football watching attire like a worn in sweatshirt with your Alma Mater's logo on it. I have a Baylor one that I just adore, and this one from State Vintage is just perfect with its cut neck. Pair it with some skinny jeans, a tank and some converse or boots and you're all set! 
2- A great pair of boots (or two). Now, if you're like me, you're always on the lookout for a tried and true, budget friendly pair of boots and these Steve Madden Intyce are my faves. My first pair lasted 2+ years and CL literally made me trash them because they were falling apart. I was lucky to pick up both the cognac and black pairs last year while I was pregnant and I LIVED in them. They have a small wedge so they give you a little lift without being uncomfy. And for $129 you can get both colors for under $300, which is coincidentally the starting cost of one pair of Frye's or Tory Burch's. Just sayin'. 
3- An infinity scarf. If you live in the Bay Area, you know that layering is key, so you are never without a good scarf. And if you're a breast feeding mom, you know a good infinity scarf doubles as a good hooter hider. I have a few, but I really love my Popcorn Space Dyed Lurex Infinity Scarf by Simply Vera Vera Wang from Kohl's. Mine is cornflower blue and it matches just about everything. It's full of texture, is light & breathable, and super cozy. Bonus? I picked it up on clearance for less than $10 a while back!
4- Crabtree & Evelyn's Hand Therapy in Pear and Magnolia. I walked in the store randomly a few months back, and tried this, and was hooked almost immediately. With cooler temps, your skin begins to dry out, and if you wash your hands as much as I do (#momproblems), you really need a good moisturizer. This hand cream smells yummy, but not overpowering, is super luxurious feeling, doesn't dry greasy, and keeps your hands super soft. I use it every night before bed and my hands feel amazing. I only purchased the .9oz tube and it's lasted for at least 3 months. Totally worth the $8 if you ask me!
5- Animal Print is going to be huge this fall. Whether you like cheetah, leopard or zebra, adding some print to your wardobe is key! Im loving these Tory Burch Reva Printed Ballet Flats, and this Old Navy Cardigan. You can add a lot (cardigan) if you love wearing bold prints, or a little (shoes, scarf, etc.) if you're more conservative. The cardigan with a fun graphic tee (like this one from Forever21) would be super chic!
6- Clutches are on trend for the fall, and this adorable Kate Spade indigo Denim Clutch is just perfect. Oversized, durable, and a bow detail, this clutch can go from work, errands, and playgroup to cocktails and dinner without ever skipping a beat! And for $78 you can't go wrong!

Vitality Vox Box Review

A few weeks ago, I received my latest Vox Box from Influenster. This one was full of all sorts of goodies! Instead of reviewing them in separate posts, i'm doing this one all in one!

Without further adieu, The Vitality Vox Box!

Let's start with the Softlips Cube. I was most excited about this product because, well, who doesn't love a good lip balm? I was really impressed with this balm! It tasted yummy (I got Fresh Mint. There is also Pomegranate Blueberry and Vanilla Bean). The product design is pretty cute too.. a small square that locks tight. This will deter any pets from eating the packaging unlike the EOS eggs! The balm is smooth, and lasting. It doesn't leave any residue, and gives your lips a nice shine. It's super hydrating and even has SPF so go ahead and wear it out in the sun! 
Being a southerner, I love sweet tea, and Pure Leaf Sweet Tea brought me back home! It was sweet, but not too sweet. It almost tastes like Bush's sweet tea if you've ever had that! Great chilled or over ice! Definitely refreshing on a warm, late summer day!
Being a bit clumsy, the First Degree Burn Cream will definitely come in handy some day! Its thick and creamy so it will help soothe any minor burns- from kitchen mishaps to straightening iron burns. It even has a scar reducing element, so if you are prone to scaring, this is definitely a great product to try! Be sure to check the drug facts label before trying for all warnings, as you should with any over the counter drug or cream.
The Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Serum was a definite perk in this box because it runs about $60 for a 1oz bottle! From the Elizabeth Arden Site.. "This unique liquid serum with caplet mini-beads activates when dispensed, providing a refreshing burst that initially clings to skin then dries to a smooth weightless finish. Use to help reinforce skin’s essential moisture barrier, even skin tone, retexturize, and reduce the appearance of early signs of wrinkles. Rejuvenates the look of tired skin for a more energized complexion."  I couldn't agree more. I've used it a handful of times after washing my face. It dries light and weightless- you wouldn't even know you are wearing it, although it does take some time for it to fully dry. It smells nice- kind of like what expensive foundation smells like.You can wear your moisturizer and/ or sunscreen over it too! I have pretty dry skin, and with 30 on the horizon, this is a great first defense from aging and wrinkles!
I have not been able to test the Bikini Ready Energy Gummies because the packaging does not recommend breast feeding mothers to use these and I'm still breast feeding.
I have also not tested the Playtex Sport Fresh Balance Tampons because, well, I still haven't gotten my period post baby. And NO im not pregnant. I'm still breastfeeding, and getting my flow back can take up to a year! I have used Playtex tampons in the past, so when the time arrives, i'm excited to try these!
I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

#WeRunSF Training Week 5, 6

I know I said i'd keep everyone up to date weekly with my half marathon training, but yeah, thats a lot, so you'll be able to keep up with me in real time on instagram (@angelicalouis) and here every 2 weeks! Things are going really well since I last checked in. Im feeling good, and very motivated since we are now half way through training! As of today (9-10-14) there are 38 days until race day! AH!

 Nike released the actual course map, so its been good to see when and where the hills will smack me in the face. We are headed into the city this weekend to check it out, so hopefully the hills i've been running have been kind of beneficial! I'm going to try and get some training runs in the city before race day, but who knows!

I've been able to keep up with my current training schedule pretty well considering I had to take off and rest for a couple weeks. It's amazing how quickly your body remembers what it needs to do!

CL and Beckett even came with me on a short run! They went for a walk while I (literally) ran circles around them. Apparently I'm a little faster than I thought!

the cutest water boys there ever was!

OK, so milestones.. finally ran 8 miles! And lived to tell about it! 

yeah yeah. slow and steady. we are JUST trying to finish!

 I can't believe i'm saying this, but it wasn't that bad! Honestly the first two miles of any run are the worst, then I kind of hit cruise control and just go. It's actually therapeutic. (And yes, i'm rolling my eyes at myself for actually saying that...!) CL and Beckett had a frozen snickers bar waiting for me when I got home, and CL helped me stretch out and gave me 30 minutes of baby free hot tub time to relax the morning after! It was blissful!

Week 7 is going well so far and i'll hit 100+ miles by the end of the week! OH YEAH! It's been great having the support of CL and Beckett but it's getting increasingly hard doing my training runs after being a Momma all day. I wish we had a BOB running stroller so I could get my runs out of the way in the morning instead of the evenings. Im so dead by the time I get done that by the time Beckett goes to sleep, I go to sleep too! Poor CL. He's getting the short end of the stick, but at least I don't fight him when he wants to watch Sports Center all night! 

Is anyone else training for anything? A 5K? 10K? Half or Full Marathon? I'd love to hear your training stories too! (side note.. I just realized in all 3 screen shots that my phone is never above 50% battery. True Life my iPhone battery sucks. The struggle is REAL.)

Seven Months.

Time really flies when you're having fun. 7 months?! Is this real life?!

Stats: 

Beckett is now 21bs, 3/4oz (rough estimate) and 29 1/8"tall. (We don't go to the dr until November, so I had to measure and weigh him myself!) He still has the biggest, sparkling blue eyes, and his blonde peach fuzz hair is getting thicker every day! It stands up straight no matter now hard we try and style it..although it is finally starting to lay down a tiny bit! Still in size 3 diapers and is in 4-6 month H&M clothes, and 9-12 month in everything else. He's really tall and thin so, finding pants that are long enough are still a little big. He's still drooling up a storm from teething, but we have yet to see any chompers pop up yet, but one may or may not show up any second now!

  
Food: Oh the food! We finally started Mr. B on some organic brown rice cereal for and he LOVES it! We started off with one scoop mixed with breast milk, and have since increased it to two scoops at night. We also started on some veggies and fruits and so far so good! He's had carrots, bananas, peas (he did NOT like peas! hah), green beans, avocado, watermelon, apple, pears.. and then we started on some mixed meals including apple carrot, apple mango with rice and vanilla, zucchini banana and amaranth, spinach peas and pear, pear and mango, sweet potato corn and apple, peach apricot banana, and his favorite mid day snack Earth's Best Apple Peach Oatmeal! We have been using Plum Organics, Earth's Best, and Gerber Organics to see what he likes. We have been really happy with these brands so far-- and only use organic food with ingredients that are only purees and things I can pronounce (example: pear puree and water or apple puree and lemon juice). I fully intend on making some of his food, but the pouches come in handy when you're out and about! He is still nursing/ taking a milk bottle for all his other meals, but we may have to give our growing boy a second solid meal.. I can't keep up!

 
 

Peas. Not a fan. hahahahaha.

yeah right, Mom. I know those are still peas and im not eating them!

    

 He is SUCH a great eater! He's currently not as messy as we thought, but I know that the more he wants to get involved in eating (he LOVES holding his spoon!) the messier it's going to get! He always finishes all his food, and drinks some of his water. 

Sleep:  Bah. Little Sir has had some set backs when it comes to sleep. I blame the teething and possibly some nighttime separation anxiety. He goes down in his crib every night and has been getting up 1-2x a night.. sometimes around 12 midnight, or 1-3am, then around 4 or 5am, then gets in to bed with us (I know, I hate co-sleeping but it works for us right now) until 7 or 8am. He's started taking 2 good naps a day (one in the morning for 1 1/2 to 2 hours and again around afternoon) and sometimes sneaks a short nap here and there. He does surprise us now and again and sleeps through the night, and im crossing my fingers that he starts doing those long stretches again soon!

 Awake Time:
The older Beckett gets, the more fun awake time is.. except that one time  I GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER TO SEE HIM STANDING UP IN HIS CRIB. Yeah, that happened. He's started independent play, and can keep himself busy for 30-45 mins at a time in his new baby jail Joovy Room 2 Playard. It's so big and safe, and he just LOVES it! I highly recommend it if you're in the market for a pack and play/ playard. He doesn't have any separation anxiety, which is great when he won't nap and I need to shower.. he will just chill in his crib with his butterfly mobile for 15 mins and let me get dressed! He still loves his OBall play center and is getting more and more mobile every day. He can literally roll his way across a room in like .3 seconds. No lie. He love toys that make noise, and if they don't he knocks them on something and makes noise himself. He also gets really excited all the time and flails his arms and squeals. It's totally adorable and totally a work hazard. I'm constantly ducking! haha.  It's so cool watching him learn and explore the world around him!

 

i like to call this one 'rabid teething monster baby' haha

just doing some yoga in my stroller. 

   Personality:

What a ham we have! Beckett is always smiling and giggling and happy to be himself. He really is a laid back, happy baby! We are so lucky! He loves to play with us, and play on his own. He's been getting friendlier with Molly. He's also learned to play us like fools.. he fake coughs and fake cries, and well, we fall for it all the time! He babbles up a storm and has learned that the FaceTime dial tone (is that what they even call it anymore?!) means that Momadear is about to be on the screen and he gets SO excited! He also can be in total meltdown mode, but that's no match for Taylor Swift or Justin Timberlake. He just loves them! He's starting to really hold on to you when you carry him and hug on him. It's almost like he's hugging back! 

   
 Firsts & Milestones:  First foods! Cereal and fruits and veggie purees! Sitting on his own (no more tri-pod!). Starting to pull up on things and standing. School! Well I say school, but we just went to visit our friend Cole's momma Ashley when she was getting her classroom ready, but it was fun none the less! Beckett met his first celeb Jenny Mollen and attended his first book signing! Got a library card! Learned to untie all my shoes. Experienced his first earthquake. Learned to say 'MA MA MA MA'. Survived a boys weekend when I went to Scottsdale for 3 days! And went to his first brewery with his Daddy! Started bathing in the sink because he outgrew his infant bath tub, and rooted all his teams (the Baylor Bears, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers) to victory!

   
 Nicknames: 

Beckett Bear, Boo Boo, Mr Boo Boo Beckett Bear, Mr. B, Baby Boy, Cheeky Cheeky Boy, Bubbie, Mr. Handsome, Little Sir, Cranky Pants, DJ Poopie Pants and my current favorite Cutie Bear. 

Beckett, as always, we grow to love you more and more every day. Watching you see the world and learn new things every day truly makes our lives so incredibly rich. Seeing you light up when you learn something is the best feeling in the world. I know these next few months are going to go fast, and there are lots of firsts in the cards for us! We can't wait to see what you have to show us next! xoxo