mommy blogger Archives - Popcorn and Pandas

2018 Fashion Round Up

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Pregnancy and Post Partum marked my style for 2019. Always a challenge to dress an ever-changing body, but I had fun with it rocking lots of dresses over the summer bump and lots of comfy casual in the squishy fall.

Which look is your favorite???

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This weekend I am working on posting a yearly round up of adventures we’ve had both as a family and for the blog and business which is always fun to look back on and see how we’ve grown in the past year. I’m also working on goals for 2019, and a round of some of my favorite books I’ve read in the past year or so. Lastly, I am kicking off my “Make it Epic 2019” Health + Fitness Challenge Group officially on Monday! I have a few spots open for anyone who is still looking for a plan of action in this New Year. Our new program also launches on January 14th, and we will be hosting a Team Test Group for those participating in this 20 minutes cardio based program with us! Okay just kidding, I’m not done yet. I also made a last minute giveaway purchase at Target with a little bag of goodies for a special winner to start off the year on the right foot! I will be announcing the giveaway sometime this week, so stay tuned!

Hope you all enjoyed the holidays, and cheers for a healthy + happy New Year!

XO,

Gina

READER’S CHOICE BEAUTY AWARDS: PART 2

HYear!

My goodness, you guys, I almost feel embarrassed posting Part 2 of this Beauty Awards post almost a year later! But better late than never, right? Part 1 was all about SKINCARE, and Part 2 is going to be all about MAKEUP! I’m definitely not a beauty blogger by any means, and makeup tutorials are not my thing. However, I do love wearing makeup. I feel most like myself when I take the time to put some on, and especially love a good pop of lip color! I come from a family of ladies who know how to rock a bold lip, and so that’s always just been a go-to product for me, and it’s an easy way take your look to the next level.

In the past couple years, I have been trying out some more clean, natural brands and so this list will reflect many new, clean brands that you all have recommended. However, there are still products on here that we all use and love that aren’t in the natural category. Just want to make sure I mention that up front! I am always open to learning about different products, so if you have any favorites that aren’t on this list, please send them my way!

I have linked the ones you recommended here for your convenience and maybe you will find something for yourself or a loved one for the holidays.

Without further ado…here are your Reader’s Choice FAVORITE MAKEUP products!!!

Under Eyes:

Tarte Shape Tape

Smashbox Color Correcting Stick

Face:

Tarte Aquacealer Concealer

Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Skin Foundation

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream

Young Living Savvy Minerals Foundation

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer

Benefit Watts Up! Highlighter

BareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush

Flower Beauty Flower Pots Blush

Lips:

MAC Lipstick (Mattes)

MAC Lipstick (Cream)

MAC Cremesheen Glass Lip Gloss

100 Percent Pure Matte Lipstick

Bite Beauty Lipstick

Red Apple Lipstick

Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick

Maybelline New York Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm

Eyes:

Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Rodan + Fields Lash Boost

Make Up Forever Eyeshadow

MAC Paint Pot (Painterly shade as eyeshadow primer)

Benefit Ka-Brow Cream Gel Eyebrow Color

Lancome Definicils Mascara

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara

Stila Liquid Waterprood Eye Liner

Nails:

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

Color Street Nail Strips

Zoya Nail Polish

JINSoon Nail Polish

OPI Drip Dry Lacquer

Oh em gee!!!! Okay, that was a lot of makeup!!! Thank you SO much for all of your beauty recommendations for Makeup…I appreciate it so very much! I have used many of these on the list, but there are definitely some that I am going to go out and try for SURE! Hope you guys get a chance to try them as well!

Do you love some things on this list? Do you think something needs to be added? I want to know!!! Please leave your comments below!

The Notes Family is getting ready to head down to Maryland for the Thanksgiving holiday. Trying to tie up all the loose ends around here…getting all the blog posts prepped, getting all the invites out for my upcoming health/fitness Challenge Groups, doctor’s appointments, laundry, packing, and all the rest. We are getting excited to see family and friends next week and for all the delicious food! OH! And I scheduled my annual (yes I know) hair appointment with my girl Nikki Cagle for when I’m in town. If you guys have any inspo for what I should do, please send my way!

Happy Sunday!

XO,

Gina

Joylab

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Sweatshirt: Joylab for Target (sold out) – also like this one / Side Tie Leggings: Joylab for Target / Sneakers: Blondo via Trunk Club / Sunnies: Brickyard Buffalo (old)

Okay, you guys. I am seriously behind on blog posts! This shoot was done back in NOVEMBER. I know, I know. Look how long my hair was! And this was before the baby bump even existed. But better late than never right? And guess what? Joylab, the now new-ish activewear line from Target is still fabulous…and comfortable and adorable…and totally perfect for that busy mom-on-the-go life.

I’m telling you, this sweatshirt is the softest, most comfortable ever, and was my go-to all winter long. The fit is loose with plenty of room for that belly that continued (and still continues) to grow as well. The leggings no longer fit with the bump, however, I look forward to wearing them again once baby arrives. Super sleek, comfy and perfect for either a workout, running errands, or hanging at the playground with your kiddos.

The rest of their line is adorable too, so I would check it out if you haven’t already!

This week has been a bit gloomy here in the Big Apple, and I’m personally missing the sunshine. However, mama and baby had a good doctor’s appointment this week…which if you have been following me on Facebook, you know it’s been a crazy roller coaster. I haven’t really shared over here, but we had a super big health scare with baby a couple weeks back which required some further testing, and luckily the results came back looking good, thank GOD. So to hit Week 26 this week with another good appointment is frankly the only real sunshine I TRULY need.

Happy Friday to all, and cheers to getting some more uber-belated blog posts up in the next few weeks!

XO,

Gina

Baby Notes #3 Reveal

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Oh my gosh, you guys. The reveal day is finally here!!! I have been waiting to share (and find out myself) for so long! Lemme tell you, holding onto that envelope for 2 weeks while Zack was out of town was not easy! Haha. But our props finally arrived, Zack came home, and Saturday was go time. We headed to Prospect Park with Tyler Lyons on Saturday evening around sunset to capture our reveal and our reactions along with the news. It was a beautiful evening, and we are so happy for our little Baby Notes on the way!

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Your guesses on Facebook and Instagram massively skewed toward girl. I honestly went back and forth each trimester thinking something different. Of course, I found this soccer ball reveal prop on Etsy, and I just HAD to use it being a soccer player and now that my boys love the sport as well. My neighbor was the first one to find out since she purchased the soccer ball for me to use for this shoot. Okay…keep scrolling to find out if you guessed it right!!!

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It’s a BOY!!!! Another Brother! #boysonlyclub

Oh my gosh. You should have seen poor little Nico’s face. He was CERTAIN it was going to be pink, and he was in SUCH a state of shock. I felt a little bad that we hyped up this reveal a little too much, because apparently he really got into it! He was hoping for a sister…That said, one day later, and he was back to being super excited again about his little baby on the way!

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So I had an extra ball ordered, because I wasn’t sure how easy they were going to be to break open, and I was a little nervous myself or one of the kids would break it before we actually got to take our photos! LOL. I will say that this thing was STURDY as a rock. I had to kick is really hard (and my foot actually hurt haha), so I don’t think buying two was necessary. But that said, we had an extra one, so we let Nico throw it down to take a few more photos once we knew we were having a little BOY! It took him about 4 throws before he could get it to break, but he finally got it!

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The official sonogram pic that the sono tech had put in an envelope for me. Yup. No doubt about that anatomy haha.

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Can’t believe I’m gonna be a #boymom for life!!! Wow! Another little monkey will be joining this crazy crew in August!

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Thank you Tyler Lyons for capturing this special family moment for us! It was so much fun!

Tyler also snagged a video for us from his phone, and I edited a little something together as well if you want to watch the action.

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Thank you all for your patience! I know I was driving some of you crazy making you all wait this long to find out haha. One person even said they thought we were having twins because of all the hype hahaha. NO. I guess I have always just loved a big production. 😉

To see the reveals we did in the past for Nico and Luca you can check them out here (Nico’s) and here (Luca’s).

Thanks for all the love and I feel so incredibly blessed right now! <3 <3 <3

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

XO,

Gina

Another Present Under the Tree!

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Welp, today is Day #1 of the long anticipated 80 Day Obsession, but looks like I won’t be starting today afterall…God has another plan!!!

Looks like there was one more present under the tree. The Notes Fam is expecting Baby 3! 🙂 🙂

We’re only 9 weeks so say some prayers to the man upstairs and send some good vibes for a healthy human to arrive to us in August!

I know some of you are probably wondering why I am announcing so “early” because it’s not the “norm,” but after hearing about a recent terrible pregnancy loss from a high school friend, it was another reminder to me to celebrate every moment. I have something to celebrate NOW. And yes, I know the terrible that could happen…it has happened before…but announcing “early” and celebrating the life inside me now doesn’t change any outcomes. I don’t want to hide in fear of what could happen but instead celebrate what IS happening now..and that is I’m growing a human! And no matter what happens, I will only be stronger for having all of the support around me.

Plus, I’m starting to pop out already big time. I share much of my life on social media, and it just feels so unnatural for me to hide and not be able to share everything that has been going on behind the scenes of the first trimester…like being super hungry and incredibly tired this week and not even wanting to exercise. And having that nausea finally kick in. Apparently this is normal for this week of pregnancy, so I’m trying to ride the wave, but happy to share what’s been going on as I navigate this pregnancy with two little boys. This weekend I have been SO thankful for my helpful hubby! And that we have him for an extra day.

Thanks for all the love and support you all have shown my fam thus far, and we are so excited for this new journey as a family of 5!

XO,

Gina

Good Vibes Only

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Good Vibes Only Sweatshirt: Target / Tank: Gifted / Denim: Paige Denim / Sneaks: New Balance via Poshmark – on sale here / Rainbow + Unicorn Earrings: UncommonGoods / Lip: MAC Up the Amp

A little rain ain’t gonna kill my vibe. The weather is calling for a rainy forecast ahead, but this week is going to be packed with high vibe goodness! From Namaste November to the 80 Day Obsession Sneak Peek, to our “A Day in the Life” Event on Facebook and Instagram Stories, to my New Coach Mentorship Program, (which by the way, shoot me an email to join any of these groups or get more details) Kindergarten tours, a full day off with the both boys on Tuesday, playdates with friends, and MORE…I am ready to #sparkthefire this week!

You can’t control everything in your life, but you can control how you react to it and the vibes/energy you put out into the world. Remember, your vibe attracts your tribe, and I truly believe what you put out there comes back to you. I can’t control the rain, but I can choose whether I complain or splash in the puddles with a smile.

What type of vibes are you going to be putting out into the world this week?

XO,

Gina

4 Years of Motherhood

Dear Nico,

Has it really been FOUR years since you came into this world and made me a mama? Today you seem so grown up from the little baby I remember holding in my arms. We prayed so hard for you, and I was so nervous the whole time you were in my belly…my little rainbow baby. After complications and scares throughout my pregnancy with you, and a SUPER long time in the hospital with not one but TWO inductions….having you arrive on this day four years was the biggest blessing.

You taught me about unconditional love. The type of love that is so strong that it overpowers you like none other. That you can’t even understand until you are living it. You taught me about selflessness, about true responsibility. I remember your Papa and I thinking…”Oh my God, they are going to let us take this little tiny baby HOME from the hospital?!?!” And re-watching the video of the nurse swaddling you over and over again so we would know how to do it right. FYI…I still can’t swaddle right lol.

You have always been such a strong person your entire life…even when just a tiny little guy. I can’t even get mad at your stubbornness and strength, because I know you got it honest right from your Mama. You are fierce and competitive, but you are also sweet and loving. You have a heart of gold and a smile that is contagious. You make friends wherever you go which reminds me of your Nano and your great-grandpa Frank that you never got to meet. You have a sense of adventure like your Papa and you are always up for exploring and trying new things.

Your sense of humor makes me laugh constantly, and I love how you and your little brother tell each other knock-knock jokes and make them up yourselves. You have taken on the big brother role so well these past two years. While yes, sometimes, you are that typical big brother who picks on the little one…you also always have his back. You make him laugh. You teach him new things (even when those things are how to climb out of his crib lol), and you protect and love him with all your heart. Seeing you and your little brother together makes my heart light up and makes me so happy to see your relationship with each other grow.

You have such an eagerness to learn. You have an incredible attention span for learning and you just soak every little bit in. You remember things that happened over two years ago…things that I don’t even remember and the smallest details. You seriously impress me every day with your ability and passion to expand your mind and I know this quality will take you far in life.

I am so happy to be your mama. You make me proud every single day. I love you with all my heart my Nico, Bonzo, Little Monkey, NiNi (as Luca called you), Nico Nics, and so many other names we have created for you. Thank you for teaching me and challenging me and loving me and I know you will continue to grow and flourish in this world.

Happy 4th Birthday my sweet, Nico. I love you so freakin’ much.

Love,

Mama

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Excited to be spending this special day with family down in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We have a little rain today, but that won’t “rain on our parade.” Fun times in store for this sweet Birthday Boy and the whole fam! <3

Hope you all are enjoying this last bit of summertime!

XO,

Gina

Find Your Tribe, Love Them Hard

Spark Open House

***FIND YOUR TRIBE AND LOVE THEM HARD***

Who would have thought that 15 years after high school, I would have been in New Orleans with these 3 ladies from good ole ASHS???

Seriously though… Sure, we were friendly… I don’t think many of us couldn’t talk to pretty much anyone from our school in the hallway (it was truly a special place!)…but we didn’t know each other all that well. And yet we came together with a common purpose:

*To help others succeed

*To create a more fulfilling future for ourselves and our families

*To inspire others

*To be happy + healthy

*To grow as individuals + support each other along the way

*To surround ourselves with positive influences

And it felt incredibly EASY and NATURAL and just like we have been the best of friends the whole time throughout these last 15 years!

One of the BEST things about coaching is the amazing people this opportunity has brought into my life. I can honestly say I would not be the same person I am today if it weren’t for my team. Building each other up, supporting each other when we are down.

Throughout my whole life I had always been a part of a team. And I realized in my adult life, a team is still what I crave and need to have around me. This community has meant the world to me. Along with these amazing ladies, I have met tons of others from across the country who have changed me for the better.

And honestly? They just “get” me! My quirks, my goofy weirdness, my gangsta rap, the fact that even though I CAN be in yoga pants all day doesn’t mean I want to (I actually LIKE to get dressed up!), my OCD personality, the bookworm nerd in me, the fact that I never want to miss out on anything, my adventurous nature, they relate to me on the mom-level, we can have deep conversations, and so much more…they never judge…and they work so hard to do the best they can at every facet of life. They inspire me every day.

*The incredible group of ladies you see here along with the rest of Team SPARK! who weren’t able to make it to New Orleans this year will be hosting a SPECIAL EVENT this THURSDAY evening at 8:30pm ET!*

After coming back from our trip, we realize that we would be doing you a disservice if we did not SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS at how much this incredible Coaching Opportunity has CHANGED our lives, and we want to pay it forward. We want to share with you that ANYTHING is possible if you believe in yourself and what you can achieve.

We are looking for TEAM PLAYERS.

People who are GO-GETTERS.

Who want to hustle.

Who aren’t afraid to dig deep and grow themselves.

Who want to be happy and healthy.

Who want to be financially free.

Who enjoy helping others.

If this sounds like YOU, then please fill out this application and comment below with your RSVP for Thursday night at 8:30pm!

https://pandpfitness.wufoo.com/forms/team-spark/

Hope to chat with you soon and hope you believe in yourself enough to take the leap and join this amazing tribe!

XO,

Gina

2016 Style

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And here you have it…a little throwback Thursday here this morning with the 2016 style round-up! Which look is your fav? Which look should never come back around in 2017? LOL.

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Hope 2017 is treating you well so far! I am working on those yearly goals and that vision board! Who else is making a vision board for this year?

Don’t forget to join me on Facebook LIVE tonight at 9 as I will be doing my first LIVE @ 9 “broadcast.” Tonight will be a LIVE “Lately” post!!! So excited to share what I’ve been up to Lately and also to hear what YOU’VE been doing! Make it a great Thursday!!!

XO,

Gina

Jaw Drop

Holy Thursday!!!

My face says it all…today was my first Beachbody paycheck of 2017, and I almost spit out my coffee. This paycheck more than doubled my highest paycheck ever earned since I started coaching.

I don’t talk about money or income much, because 1) I think it’s kinda tacky and 2) I haven’t reached my income goals yet…and so at times it can be scary to share the “before” or while you are still on the journey. It’s much easier to share once you have achieved those results you are looking for. But the reality is…there will always be a journey and there will always be goals to reach. And I’m sure others out there can relate…so in an effort to “keep it real” here we go…

I became a coach almost to this day about 2 years ago. I had no idea what I was getting into…what to do, how it all worked, etc. I was fresh and new and excited. I knew I wanted to help people. I knew I wanted to work on my own schedule and for myself so I could also be present for my kids…but I honestly had NO idea what it was like to be an entrepreneur. I thought I would easily match what I was making at my old job and then some pretty quickly. But I underestimated how much patience I would need to have. Starting your own business is NOT a “get rich quick” kind of thing. It takes time, and work…LOTS of work. It takes consistency. It takes fearlessness.

All of which I have struggled with at times. It’s scary to put yourself out there on a daily basis. To wonder what people think about what you are doing. If they think you are a complete weirdo. I know it shouldn’t matter what other people think, but I’m only human.

And then comes the life of being a busy mom, trying to balance two young boys, a hubby, family, traveling, a social life, housework, adulting in general, and everything else that comes with it. There have been times when I thought maybe I just wasn’t cut out for this. That maybe I just can’t do it all. That maybe it’s okay if this coaching thing is just a hobby. That maybe I just am not that great of a leader.

But I kept going. And I know now after all the personal growth I dove into at the tail end of 2016 that those are just limiting beliefs. Being a leader starts within, and I needed (and still need) to grow MYSELF before I can help others to grow and succeed. So I will continue to keep going…and growing.

Success is a personal definition. It doesn’t always have to be directly related to money. But for a long time I related success = money. To be honest, I thought by the end of 2016, I would have made more money than I did. I thought I would have achieved a higher rank in my company. I didn’t reach some of my big goals. But what I didn’t realize was how much I would learn and grow personally. Apparently, I wasn’t yet ready for all of that. And 2016 was a year of growth for sure.

And it’s interesting…when you stop focusing on the money…and start focusing on growing yourself and helping others…then the money actually comes haha. Imagine that.

Because quite frankly even though money is not the most important thing…we all need it. Especially when you live in a city like New York and everything is so darn expensive. My husband and I have tons of old debt to pay off, plus our monthly rent, car payment, student loans, credit cards, IRS taxes…and I have goals of traveling around the world with my family…sending my kids to the best schools possible, allowing them to reach their full potential with extra curricular classes, and more.

So when I saw that paycheck today, it was a reminder that I need to keep going. That all the hard work that I have put in for the past 2 years has not been for nothing. It was a reminder of all the people I have been able to help to reach their goals. I thought about the thank you notes and positive comments I have received from challengers and coaches on my team. I thought about how I would never want to let them down. I thought about being able to pay those debts off in the future and to be able to give my kids the best education, and about seeing the world. I thought about how supportive my husband has been these past 2 years. When I was down on myself, he always looked at the positive and told me how much money I was saving for our family by working from home or how I was helping to pay off preschool or groceries that week.

I thought about how patience is key. And everyone has been telling me that those who don’t succeed are the ones who quit too early. So even those next week’s paycheck will probably not come close to this one…thank you little paycheck for that reminder that what I am doing is important for myself and my family…and that I AM growing…that if I have the belief and the work ethic, anything is possible…and that 2017 is going to be amazing.

XO,

Gina