Amazon Ultimate Children's Toy Gift Guide | 2020

As a parent, you’ve probably purchased a toy for your child only to have it never played with again two days later. As you are Christmas shopping, I’m sure you are looking for items that will be enjoyed and well loved for a long time to come! So I spent time putting together a list of toys that we personally own, that have become favorite items of all three of my children. Each item on this list is available on Amazon, and has 4.5-5 star very high reviews, confirming why we likely have loved them!

This list is completely gender-neutral, and great for a variety of age ranges. I would say, anywhere from ages 3-10 years old for the majority of this list! Every item is also something that can be used time and time again for years to come with no end!

TO SHOP: Simply click a product picture in the image below, and it will direct you straight to that item on Amazon.

Book Series my 2nd Grade Son LOVES | 2020 on Amazon

My 2nd grade son LOVES to read, so I put together a list of his all time favorite book series that are available on Amazon. I do make sure these are age appropriate for him, but some do include a bit of “potty talk” humor, so beware of that if that’s not something you want your child to read. These are all available on Amazon and have very high reviews!

Of all these series, he would rate Dog Man, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and the Bad Guys Series as his top 3 favorites, but he has truly enjoyed all of them and has re-read each of them multiple times through.

TO SHOP: Just click one of the product photos to be directed to the Amazon listing!

Personalized Children's Apron + Oven Mitt Set | 2020 Kids Gift Ideas

Isn’t this such an adorable gift idea?? You can even personalize the little name tag for free! The children’s aprons are available in sizes small (4-7 yrs old) or size large (8-12 yrs old), and come in lots of cute patterns with the option to add a coordinating oven mitt!

Apron : $30
Oven Mitt: $18
Total: $48
OR… order a SET with the Apron + Oven Mitt for $42

To Shop: Just click on an item below to be directed to the website!

Amazon Christmas Gift Guide | 2020

I know many of us are starting Christmas shopping extra early this year because…. #covid So I put together a women’s gift guide under $25, along with a Men’s Christmas guide (I know how hard the guys can be to buy for!) Everything I included has 4.5+ reviews, and are available to ship with Amazon Prime.

I hope you find these lists helpful, as I have spent a TON of time putting them together for you! I also had several guys (including my husband) approve or help put together the men’s list.

TO SHOP: Click on the product photo and it will direct you to that specific item on Amazon.

Target Christmas Decor Haul

If you are looking to add some new Christmas decor into the mix this year, Target has a BEAUTIFUL selection right now! I rounded up some of my favorites that are all available to order online, and are items that I personally viewed in store that I would purchase for my own home!

TO SHOP: Just click on an item in either of these photos, and it will direct you straight to that particular item on Target’s website!

Home Rug Tour

The rug in our bedroom is also vintage inspired with a soft muted color palette. The colors are a slate gray and deep blue with a cream background. We have a king size bed and I ordered the 7’6” by 9’6” rug and it looks great! Find the link HERE.

Our entryway rug is another neutral vintage-inspired rug! The great feature about this one is that it’s actually washable. It’s a two-piece system from Ruggable that allows you to peel up the top layer and toss it into your washing machine to get it looking fresh and clean again. It’s a gorgeous pattern and I would highly recommend! Find the rug HERE.

Our living room rug has surprised me! Even though it has a very light tone, it hides dirt amazingly well! We live in the country, and my kids are constantly running in and out (forgetting to take their shoes off), and I’ve had to spray down dirty stains with Folex several times - yet you would never know! It comes in a ton of shapes and sizes, and is very reasonably priced. Find this rug HERE.

Our kitchen runner may be one of my favorite rugs in the house! I love the colors in this one with the mauve and deep blues, and the texture the tassles bring. It also hides dirt and stains incredibly well, is very reasonably priced and comes in several sizes. Find this rug HERE.

The runner in our hallway is another favorite! It has very great reviews, comes in a ton of shapes and sizes, is very affordable, and also hides dirt well for being a light rug! This is a high traffic area, and any stains come out easily with a quick shot of Folex. Find this rug HERE.

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NOTE: All my rugs that are placed on a hard surface also have a rug pad underneath to help keep them in place and add comfort. I would highly recommend these rug pads from Amazon! They protect your hardwood floors and do a great job of keeping the rug in place. Find the rug pad HERE.

American Eagle Shorts Try On - all 50% off!

Happy Friday! I woke up to an email this morning that all American Eagle shorts are 50% off this weekend! I know sizes will sell out fast, so I did a quick try on of my favorite styles. I love how soft and comfortable they are, with a bit of stretch that holds it’s shape so well! They are by FAR my favorite shorts that I own.

Click the photo below to shop these looks!

Aerie 30-50% off swim suits + cover ups

Now that summer is just around the corner, I ordered myself a couple new swim suits and cover ups from the Aerie sale! Everything was 30-50% off! Plus they have BOGO on all the bikini tops + bottoms!

I included links to the items I ordered in case you want to snag anything for yourself!

Abercrombie + Fitch Spring Try On | April 2020

This try on is taking me back to the ole’ college days… I actually worked at Abercrombie for several years while I got my degree at Portland State University! Blast from the past! I loved their clothes back then, and I love them now! They do such a good job combining comfort with style - these are definitely pieces that I will be wearing on repeat all spring and summer.

For reference, I am 5’6” and 118 pounds. I’m wearing an XS in all the tops and a size 27 in the shorts. I would say everything fits true to size, but if you are in between sizes - I would recommend sizing up. I will link everything up below - just select the hyperlink that corresponds to the number shown to be directed to the exact item on their website.

LINK TO SHORTS: High Rise 4 Inch Mom Shorts (in Light Ripped Wash)
LINK TO TOPS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Office Herringbone Wall Stencil Recap + Links

Over the weekend, my husband and I tackled a project in our home office to bring a little extra “pizzazz” to the space. A friend of ours recommended that we use a stencil on a couple walls to add a fun graphic element without committing to something like wallpaper.

So I ordered a stencil in a really pretty herringbone pattern, a stencil brush and some acrylic paint, and we got to work! You simply decide where you want to begin, use some blue painters tape to attach the stencil to your wall, and then begin painting. The instructions recommended a dense foam roller, but we wanted a softer appearance to the stencil - so we stuck with a stencil brush.

THE TECHNIQUE:
- Using a paper plate, drop a quarter size amount of paint onto the plate
- Blot the paint with your brush, and dab elsewhere on the plate to remove any excess
- Carefully begin blotting the stencil area on the wall until you finish each area on the stencil
- The stencil has a guide to set you up for the next stencil on the wall

Overall it took us about 7 hours to complete the project on two walls, and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! There are a TONNN of stencil options out there, so you can look for one that suits your home and taste. This is a fun project because you can easily paint over it down the road if you want something new =)

I will share the links below to everything I used for our stencil project. I am also including links to the rug we ordered (the rug we were contemplating ordering), as well as the faux olive tree, and some of you noticed a rainbow print sitting in our office that I plan to hang in my daughters bedroom. So I will link that as well!

LINKS :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

AMAZON PRIME :: EASTER BASKET IDEAS for boys + girls that arrive in time for Easter

If you’re like me and suddenly realizing that Easter is right around the corner - I wanted to round up a few items from Amazon that you can purchase online and have arrive in time for Easter! As of right now, all of the items listed above are IN STOCK and will arrive on time. But depending on when you view this post, just double check as you open the listing.

These collections include items that I either purchased for my own kids, or suggestions that I think most kids would love (and have very high reviews)! There are items for a variety of ages, but mainly appeal to age 2-10. I hope you find this helpful and that it makes your Easter shopping an easier experience!

LINKS TO GIRL ITEMS :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

LINKS TO BOY ITEMS :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

My Makeup Routine

I have always loved playing with makeup ever since I was younger. My obsession began in my teenage years when I began looking for a foundation to help cover up my constant breakouts… I thought it was amazing how finding the right makeup could make a drastic difference in my confidence! So I began to explore all sorts of eye shadows, lip sticks and new ways to apply my makeup. I still love finding new products to fall in love with and incorporate into my makeup routine.

Since I enjoy watching beauty tutorials so much, I thought I would film my own makeup routine and share what products I am currently using and how I apply them. I sped up the video so it’s a very quick demo - and I will link all the items that I use.

1. Radiant Defense :: for all over coverage (shade beige with a touch of sand) + Radiant Defense Application Brush

2. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in light beige

3. Becca Under Eye Brightening Setting Powder

4. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in murimuru

5. Becca Shimmering Highlighter in moonstone

6. Milani Baked Blush in luminoso

7. Urban Decay Naked Palette - colors SIN on eyelid and SMOG in the crease

8. Maybelline Brow Define and Duo in medium brown

9. Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara

10. NYX Butter Lip Gloss in peaches and cream

#makeuproutine #beautyfaves #makeupdemo #momlife #quickmakeup

Here is the finished look with all products that I linked. Hope that was helpful and that you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!

Amazon Dress Try On | September 2019

I’ve actually been finding a ton of cute clothes on Amazon lately! If you make sure the item has free shipping & free returns - it makes for a great way to shop for clothes.

Since my husband and I are leaving to Nashville this month, I was on the hunt for dresses that served various purposes. A night out on the town, and a few pieces that I could wear to my work convention. I’ll share my finds below!

OUTFIT ABOVE : V Neck Ruffle Polka Dot Dress || Taupe Target Heels || Necklaces

OUTFIT ABOVE : V Neck Button Down Ruffle Dress in Grey Blue || Long Grey Sweater from Target || Necklaces || Boots Out of Stock =(

OUTFIT ABOVE : V Beck Bell Sleeve Dress || Taupe Target Heels || Necklaces || Boots Out of Stock =(

OUTFIT ABOVE : Layered Look Sparkle Sequin Dress || Taupe Target Heels || Necklaces

Floral Swim Suit and Straw Hat || Amazon Finds

I was on the hunt for a new mom-friendly swim suit. You know, the kind where you can be in the pool and you won’t risk flashing everyone as your kids crawl all over you 😆⁣
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I found this adorable suit on Amazon and crossed my fingers it would work! It showed up just in time for our vacation to Black Butte, Oregon and it was PERFECT! 😍 It’s a super flattering one piece with really cute scalloped details and a beautiful floral pattern. It has adjustable straps that cross in the back, and a nice high neckline to keep everything in place while swimming with the kiddos 🙌🏼⁣
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I also ordered this sun hat that comes in a LARGE for my (apparently giant) head! It also comes in a medium if you don’t need the jumbo size like I do. ⁣
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I know summer is winding down, but I wanted to share in case anyone else is on the search! You can find the link below 💕 Suit is $23.99 and the sun hat is $18.99 (both on Amazon)!

OUTFIT DETAILS : One Piece Floral Swim Suit || Straw Sun Hat || Gold Heart Necklace || White Swim Suit Cover Up

Target Fall Clothes Try On | August 2019

Holy heck - Target has THE CUTEST fall clothes right now! I had a few kid-free hours this week, so I did what any caged up mom would do… drove directly to Target!

I shared all of my cozy fall finds below along with links to each of the items.

OUTFIT ABOVE : Dark Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || Long Sleeve Ribbed Cardigan || Ribbed Lace Cami || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie

OUTFIT ABOVE : Medium Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || Camo Sweater || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie || Necklaces

OUTFIT ABOVE : Medium Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || Striped Long Sleeve Sweatshirt || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie || Necklaces

OUTFIT ABOVE : Dark Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || Green Long Sleeve Layering Sweater || Animal Print Tank || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie || Necklaces

OUTFIT ABOVE : Medium Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || V Neck RIbbed T-Shirt || Bralette || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie || Necklaces

OUTFIT ABOVE : Dark Wash High Rise Skinny Jeans || Ribbed Long Sleeve Cardigan || Animal Print Tank || (Boot shown is Gone - but I will link another option) Laser Cut Out Bootie || Necklaces

Such great finds at Target! I hope that was helpful - be sure to leave me a comment if you have any questions =) Happy fall shopping!

Welcome to my BLOG!

Hello! My name is Megan Ward and I’m a wife and mom to three kids (ages 6, 4, and 1). I believe at age 34 that puts me into the “mid-thirties” realm. I spend most of my days at home attempting to raise decent humans and testing my sanity in the process. My husband and I just built a custom home, which you could say is somewhat of a modern farmhouse. Our property is just under 2 acres, and we are now in the process of landscaping. I’ll share progress and updates along the way!

So here’s the deal. I went ahead and created a blog (which I’m currently pretending that I know how to use). My plan is to share fashion finds, my beauty faves, funny stories that will hopefully make you laugh, and boost your spirits.

Thanks for being here, and for starting out on this journey with me!