Via

Exercising while pregnant is not easy – especially when you get to the third trimester. During my first and the beginning of my second trimesters, I had no problem walking 2 miles every day, swimming, doing barre exercises, etc. That has all changed. I’m 30 weeks pregnant and I’m doing good if I make it a mile at a strolling pace. I just have to keep telling myself that anything is better than nothing.

I have found that it is so much easier to swim. It takes the pressure off of you and makes you feel light which is a wonderful feeling at this point in the pregnancy. It is so much easier on my back and I still get in a great workout.

I’ve looked into prenatal yoga and it is great for meditation and relaxation, however, I’m more of a cardio girl. I enjoy upbeat workouts that make me want to push myself, and yoga just doesn’t do it for me. I enjoy yoga a lot more when I’m not pregnant and can actually bend.

Bottom line: Anything is better than nothing. There will be plenty of time to push myself and work off these pounds after baby H gets here.

What worked for you during your pregnancy?

The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Random House, Inc., 2012

First Line: The day Paxton Osgood took the box of heavy-stock, foil-lined envelopes to the post office, the ones she’d had a professional calligrapher address, it began to rain so hard the air turned as white as bleached cotton.

Synopsis from Goodreads: The New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Chased the Moon welcomes you to her newest locale: Walls of Water, North Carolina, where the secrets are thicker than the fog from the town’s famous waterfalls, and the stuff of superstition is just as real as you want it to be.


It’s the dubious distinction of thirty-year-old Willa Jackson to hail from a fine old Southern family of means that met with financial ruin generations ago. The Blue Ridge Madam—built by Willa’s great-great-grandfather during Walls of Water’s heyday, and once the town’s grandest home—has stood for years as a lonely monument to misfortune and scandal. And Willa herself has long strived to build a life beyond the brooding Jackson family shadow. No easy task in a town shaped by years of tradition and the well-marked boundaries of the haves and have-nots.


But Willa has lately learned that an old classmate—socialite do-gooder Paxton Osgood—of the very prominent Osgood family, has restored the Blue Ridge Madam to her former glory, with plans to open a top-flight inn. Maybe, at last, the troubled past can be laid to rest while something new and wonderful rises from its ashes. But what rises instead is a skeleton, found buried beneath the property’s lone peach tree, and certain to drag up dire consequences along with it.


For the bones—those of charismatic traveling salesman Tucker Devlin, who worked his dark charms on Walls of Water seventy-five years ago—are not all that lay hidden out of sight and mind. Long-kept secrets surrounding the troubling remains have also come to light, seemingly heralded by a spate of sudden strange occurrences throughout the town.


Now, thrust together in an unlikely friendship, united by a full-blooded mystery, Willa and Paxton must confront the dangerous passions and tragic betrayals that once bound their families—and uncover truths of the long-dead that have transcended time and defied the grave to touch the hearts and souls of the living.


Resonant with insight into the deep and lasting power of friendship, love, and tradition, The Peach Keeper is a portrait of the unshakable bonds that—in good times and bad, from one generation to the next—endure forever.

My Thoughts: I will be really honest. I read The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen and hated it. It took a lot for me to give her another try, but I had this book recommended to me by my cousin so I figured I’d give her another shot. The Peach Keeper was not terrible, but it didn’t blow me away either. I thought it was pretty slow for the first half of the book, but after that it picked up and became more interesting. I gave this book 3 stars. After reading this, I am more open to reading other novels written by her.

Welcome to the twenty-eighth week of Monday Mingling! Please take the time to introduce yourselves to our co-hosts! If you are new to this blog hop, please leave us a comment letting us know you are following and we would be happy to follow you back. If you are interested in co-hosting please fill out this form. Thank you for joining us this week, and don’t forget to link back to us by grabbing our button. Happy Mingling!

When I was contacted by Misikko to do a review of the Hana Pro 1″ Flat Iron, I was ecstatic. I have seen a couple of other bloggers review this product and I couldn’t wait to try it out myself.

First off, I have terrible hair. It is frizzy and curly. Half of the time, I give up on it and end up throwing some gel in it and calling it a day. I have been using a hair straightener that has been okay. It has lasted a while but it has definitely run it’s course on my doo. Example:

I received my box from Misikko and let’s just say they spoiled me. Not only did I receive the incredible flat iron, they also included a brush, silicone mat, hand sanitizer, nail files, E.L.F. lip gloss, eye shadow and eyelash curler. This would make a perfect gift for birthdays or Christmas.

So here is why I loved this hair straightener: It heats up to 450° and heats very quickly. It also has a 2 year warranty which is pretty rare these days. But the best part? It worked wonders on my hair. My hair didn’t feel all dry and hay-like after using it. It felt and looked soft. It also made my hair less frizzy than my old straightener. Instead of going over it multiple times, I only had to do it once. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a new flat iron.

Here is a picture of my hair a few hours after I used the Hana flat iron:

A huge thanks to Misikko and Hana for letting me try your product.

*I was given a product as compensation for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How far along? 28 1/2 weeks (3rd Trimester!!!)

Baby Size: 17 in. 2.9 lbs. (What to Expect app)

Feeling: Excited and a little sad. I realized this past week that I’m actually going to miss being pregnant. It has been such a wonderful experience for me. Of course it hasn’t been perfect and I’ve experienced the not so fun things. I’ve had sickness, round ligament pain and Hampton decided to chill out on my sciatic nerve for three weeks. But it has all been so exciting and emotional. From that first kick to being able to see his precious face for the first time, it is all so worth it.

Sleep: I’m not sleeping too well because I have a hard time getting comfortable.

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach and having my back popped. That sounds like heaven right now. 

Movement: All the time! 

Looking forward to: My doctor appointment tomorrow! I’m going every 2 weeks now.

Bump: If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen pictures of my growing belly. It’s definitely out there now!

Exercise: Still walking and swimming. I love to swim because it is so much cooler. 

Doctor Visit: We had our 4D ultrasound done last week! Ryan and my little sister were there to share in the joy of seeing our sweet boys face for the first time. It was the greatest thing I’ve experienced. I haven’t been able to quit staring at the pictures since. To you, they may look like a mud creature, but here are a couple for your enjoyment. 🙂

Welcome to the twenty-seventh week of Monday Mingling! Please take the time to introduce yourselves to our co-hosts! If you are new to this blog hop, please leave us a comment letting us know you are following and we would be happy to follow you back. If you are interested in co-hosting please fill out this form. Thank you for joining us this week, and don’t forget to link back to us by grabbing our button. Happy Mingling!

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A lifestyle blog about finding the brighter side of life. You can find recipes, my diy attempts, pinterest tests, mommy humor and inspiration

Welcome to the twenty-sixth week of Monday Mingling! Please take the time to introduce yourselves to our co-hosts! If you are new to this blog hop, please leave us a comment letting us know you are following and we would be happy to follow you back. Thank you for joining us this week, and don’t forget to link back to us by grabbing our button. Happy Mingling!

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I am a college student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My blog is all about the experiences I have as a college student and a young woman.

Lisa @ Sorority Life to Army Wife

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Lifestyle blog about a military wife, recipes and random stories.

How far along? 26 1/2 weeks

Baby Size: A cucumber! About 15 inches and 2.2 lbs. (What to Expect app)

Feeling: Other than the cold I have been plagued with this week, I am feeling wonderful! 

Sleep: Sleep? What sleep?

Miss Anything? I’m starting to miss my old clothes. 

Movement: All the time! My doctor said he is VERY active.

Looking forward to: Our 4D ultrasound next week! I can’t wait to see my sweet boy!

Bump: If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen pictures of my growing belly. It’s definitely out there now!


Exercise: Still walking and swimming. I love to swim because it is so much cooler. 

Nursery: The nursery is painted and the carpet is in! We ordered our furniture 2 weeks ago, but they said it would take 8 weeks to come in so we are just waiting on that. I promise I’ll post pics soon!


Doctor Visit: I went to the doctor last Thursday and had my glucose test done. Everything went great! His heartbeat was 140! I love hearing that sweet thump.


I can’t believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by! I’m only a week away from the third trimester! It’s nuts. I am getting so excited to see his sweet little face, but I’m also super nervous about the birth. Luckily my excitement outweighs my nervousness.