Fashion: Let It Flow

It's funny to realize how much my style has changed over the past couple of years. In my college days, it used to be a form fitting shirt and flared jeans. I couldn't help it. I grew up in the 90's. 

Now days, it's totally flip-flopped. I LOVE flowy tops. Maybe it's my post baby-body telling me thank you, but seriously. You CAN be comfortable and stylish at the same time! I live for flowy tops and stretchy pants. :)

This new top from Liam's Loft fits into my wardrobe quite nicely! It is super comfy, loose, stylish, all in one. I absolutely love it! 

Today, I paired it with this gorgeous statement necklace and a cream/black lightweight cardigan - all from Liam's Loft. I really love the pop of color from my skinny jeans. It's just enough color to make the outfit interesting, but still looks pulled together.

Oh, and I know you are loving my hair. LOL :) This is my go-to hairstyle...every day. Yes, I could do something much cuter with it. Yes, I have a TON of hair. It's long, and this only takes me 5 minutes. So, cute or not, this is what you get pretty much every day :)

Like what you see? Follow the links:

WHAT I WORE:

Khloee Chiffon Blouse, Statement Necklace, Cream/Black Cardigan: Liam's Loft

Website: www.liamsloft.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liamsloft

** The Khloee Chiffon Blouse is currently on sale over at www.jane.com : http://jane.com/deal/15383/khloee-chiffon-blouse

Skinny Jeans: Blue Asphault / Wet Seal

Photography: Rachael Cook Photography

Website: www.rachaelcookphotos.com

Facebook: rachaelcookphotos

Fashion: To Infinity, and beyond!

I am absolutely in love with this wrap style bracelet from Liam's Loft! It has become one of my staple pieces. Valentine's Day is rolling around, wouldn't this be a cute gift for your BFF? If my BFF didn't own Liam's Loft... she'd definitely be getting one :)

Aren't the colors so cute?! I love them all! Lucky for you, they are currently on sale over at www.jane.com for only $5.99!! Hurry and grab your's before they are sold out!

LINK: http://jane.com/deal/15267/designer-inspired-infinity-wrap-bracelets

What I Wore:

Headband, scarf, ring, wrap bracelet: Liam's Loft

Website: http://liamsloft.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liamsloft

Photography: Rachael Cook Photography

Website: www.rachaelcookphotos.com

Facebook: Rachael Cook Photography

Fashion: Stunning Crystal Blue Grotto Earrings

Fun fact about me... I didn't get my ears pierced until my 29th birthday! (Unless you count the time I tried to pierce the top of my ear while at a church youth camp...oops...)

Anywho, I'm still fairly new to earrings! I always thought earrings would look silly on me, and now I wear them every day :) Feel naked without something in.

When Apple of My Eye Jewelry sent me these beauties, I was super excited! The colors are just amazing!

Gorgeous!!

Lucky for you, they are on sale over on Groopdealz right now! 

You can find them here: https://www.groopdealz.com/deal/stunning-crystal-blue-grotto-earrings/11679

What I Wore:

Crystal Blue Grotto Earrings: Apple of My Eye Jewelry

Photography: Rachael Cook Photography

website: http://www.rachaelcookphotos.com 

FITNESS: Low Carb Meal Ideas

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes when I was pregnant with my first baby. I remember crying the whole way home. Despite eating healthy and exercising daily, I felt like a failure (although I know now that Gestational Diabetes is generally due to hormonal imbalances rather than lifestyle choices).

Thankfully, my health education background helped me to better understand my nutritional needs at the time, and create a healthy diet for both me and my baby.

Several months ago, my mom was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. For any one who has ever dealt with Diabetes before, you know it can be quite overwhelming at first. I'm sure, like myself, there was probably much crying and feelings of failure and despair.

At first glance, a diabetic diet can seem very restrictive and, well, blah. But, I'm here to tell you, it doesn't have to be that way!

While visiting family this week, I was able to sit down with my mom and create a meal plan that works around the foods that she likes. She was shocked at how much food she can actually eat, and was pleasantly surprised that she doesn't have to feel like she is starving all day :)

She is currently on a 30, 15. 30, 15, 30, 15 diet meaning, meals are to be right around 30 carbs, snacks around 15. I wanted to share what we came up with to help others realize that low carb doesn't have to mean starvation :) You can actually eat a good amount of food on a low-carb diet, you just have to be smart about how you plan it out!

Fill up on greens and protein! And while counting calories is good too, you'll find that you will fill fuller faster with a high protein, high fiber diet.

Here is what we came up with for her:

Now, we based this meal plan off of foods that my mom currently eats and likes. It is definitely not for everyone. My mom is a teacher. By the time she gets home at night, cooking a big fancy meal just doesn't fit her lifestyle. We kept her meals super simple. Not a lot of prep. 

To make things even easier, I have found that prepping my meals once a week saves a ton of time, and also helps me to eat healthier throughout the rest of the week. I generally choose 1 or 2 days throughout the week to prep my meals for the remainder of the week. This means if I plan on eating chicken in several of my meals that week, I cook all of my chicken at once and put the remainder in the fridge to use throughout the week. Same with my veggies. I generally bake a ton of veggies all at once, and then I have them done for the rest of the week. Saves me so much time throughout the week, and guarantees that I have healthy options all week long!

Below is a meal prep list, as well as, a grocery list for the above meals.

Sidenote: Grocery list and meal prep is for a family of 2. 

Eating healthy does take some thought and a little bit of effort, but it is SO WORTH it in the end!

What are your favorite healthy snacks/ meal ideas? I'd love to add some more to my list, and even feature some on the blog and on my Facebook page! Feel free to post ideas below, or email them to cookrach@hotmail.com ♥

Fashion: Chevron For The Littles

Rachael Cook Photography - Akron, OH Photographer specializing in newborns, children, teens, & fashion photography.

Um hello! This chevron sweater from Liam's Loft is so stinkin adorable - oh, and that little girl - totally mine!

I am so wishing I had this same sweater in my size! Some sweaters are itchy and uncomfortable, but not this one! It is super soft, which my little girl LOVES. It has a really cute cut to it, leaving it a little loose. It would be so cute paired with some little colored skinnies or leggings.

My daughter actually put this outfit together herself, and insisted on it. I think she did a pretty good job :) She's my little fashionista and loves to look "fabulous" and "stylish". Sure love her, but I am definitely in for it when she becomes a teenager :)

This adorable sweater is currently available in two CUTE color combos: black/gray & black/mocha.

Head on over to www.jane.com right now and snag yours before they sell out!

Link: http://jane.com/deal/13031/girls-chevron-sweater

Liam's Loft Facebook

Liam's Loft Website

Fashion: Finish It With a Bow

'Tis the season for ribbons and bows :) Why not accessorize with them too?

Super loving these cute bow bangles and bow necklaces from Personalize Me Jewelry!

These bangles have a hinge closure making them so much easier to get on than a regular bangle bracelet. 

Plus, look at all cute colors to choose from! 

My real fav are these bow pendant necklaces. These are just the perfect length to wear with all the long sweaters and tunics that are out right now! Super cute!

And once again, so many cute colors to choose from!

Both of these styles will be available on www.jane.com first thing in the morning. If you are familiar with Jane, you know that things sell out FAST! If you want something, you better run and grab it first thing!

And, well, since it is the season for giving... let's give a set away! Woot!

Winner will receive one bangle and one bow necklace of their color choice. Merry Christmas!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FASHION: Apple of My Eye

There are SO many fab deals going on right now, that I can't even keep them all straight! Several of my favorite vendors have some amazing deals up for grabs right now!

Up first one the list is Apple of My Eye Jewelry. It is no secret that I am obsessed with their products. And - I'm lucky enough to get to see the products, touch them, photograph them, all before you will ever see them :) I feel sneaky because I always know what kind of goodies are coming out next!

They have some awesome oldies and newbies out right now, and all of them are being offered at amazing prices. The quality is amazing, and they are always on top of the trends.

Here's my newest fav: Designer Inspired Crystal Clover Necklace

Isn't it gorgeous?! And I just absolutely love the length! It is so perfect for sweater weather. It comes in two fabulous colors: clear & navy/grey

 

As much as I love them both... I think I'm becoming partial to the navy/grey. I wore it the other night and just loved it! It's currently being offered on www.jane.com for a great price! This is seriously J.Crew quality. You'll love it! Click HERE to order yours!

And, if you hurry fast enough, you can run over to Sassy Steals and get a sweet deal on a grab bag of fab jewelry from Apple of My Eye! 

"Each grab bag will have 4 jewelry items in them. They will also have at least 1 necklace and 1 bracelet, the other two items will be a sweet surprise! -"

Awesome deal. Hurry quick! I believe the grab bag deal is only good for another 6-7 hours!

They also have a few other goodies up for grabs over at GroopDealz:

All Purpose KABUKI Makeup Brush

I have this, and love it! the brush is super soft. I love that it has it's own storage case as well. Super awesome deal for the quality.

LOVE this Designer Inspired Crystal Vine Necklace. This is the PERFECT necklace to wear for special occasions and holiday parties. It is just absolutely gorgeous on, and the quality is amazing!