Cullipher Farm - Pumpkin Patch.

If you follow me on Instagram, I've been posting teaser photos from our trip out to the farm...

This past weekend we headed down to Pungo and hit up Cullipher Farm. We searched and searched for a pumpkin patch that didn't have an entrance fee, because honestly little man is way too young for all of the kids activities and we really didn't feel like spending an hour or so in a cornfield trying to find our way out of a maze. Our second desire was a patch that you actually PICKED them, aka: off the vine. Cullipher Farm fit the bill!

We arrived and instantly got a laugh at the parking situation, because well you know "there's something 'bout a truck, in a farmer's field..."

We headed to the main area for the "low-down," it was decorated with cute crates, mums, and an assortment of pumpkins and goards (I never knew there were SO many different kinds). They also had a small "market" under the tent offering ciders, fall flavored baked treats, butters, and jams.

We waited until after we got our pumpkins ($8 for all three! We got a traditional Jack, a blue Haikido, and a white Cotton Candy, so fun...) to shop at the market and came away with a 1/2 gallon of apple cider, a small jar of apple butter, as well as the most delicious pumpkin ice cream!

The farm is open through November 1st, so if you're still looking to go you have THREE days! Check out their website for full information.
-Tay

Fresh Face.

My friend Rachel, over at Cozy Chic Mommy, recently blogged about "Less is More." I commented on the Instagram photo linking the post - saying that on busy days I slap on some spf moisturizer, a little mascara, chapstick, and call it good.

I completely agree with her sentiments about contouring, fake lashes, and hair extensions... I don't see the point. I personally can't imagine waking up in the morning and taking that much time before I went out the door... I am in my late 20s. I am a mom. I still get acne. My face is not some "flawless" super model... I am just me and I am okay with that. I had a friend in high school who had never seen her step mom without make-up on?! She would wake up before anyone else in the house and cake the stuff on, I used to wonder if her husband even knew what she looked like under all of it... I never got the nerve to ask, which is probably good, I don't think a 15yr old asking their carpool driver a question like that would go over very well.

I don't have a younger brother like Rachel does, but I do have a son. A son I want to raise watching me put on make-up. I am a woman and it is nice to have a fresh face, but I am not about caking it on, or using "tricks" to completely change my look. I want him to respect a woman for who she is, what she believes in, and what she is working towards. NOT solely on her looks! I also want him to see me at night and in the mornings with no make-up on. To take him camping and to the beach where its completely unnecessary and silly to even think of bringing make-up. To let him know that women are beautiful because God created them in his image, just like he was created in God's image. The media, advertisers, and socialites want us to think that "flawless" is perfection. I want my son to think that each woman is unique, beautiful in her own way, and doesn't need to look like the photo-shopped women in magazines, posters, and billboards.

The picture below is my non-rushed day time make-up. This is a completely un-edited photo, snapped with my phone right before heading out to get groceries:

The only think I add for evening (aka: date night or special events) is a bit more under-eye concealer (eek) and some pretty eye shadow.

Here's what I used:

1. Moisturizer (earlier in the morning right after I washed my face)- Olay
2. Primer- BareMinerals
3. Foundation- BareMinerals
4. Blush- Ulta (similar item)
5. Eyeliner- Revlon (similar item)
6. Mascara- Gabriel
7. Lipstick- Ulta

This entire "look" takes me maybe 10min on a good day. Its natural looking, but covers any zits/redness, however I like the mineral powder because it still shows my freckles.

How long does it take you to have a "fresh face" in the mornings?
-Tay

Fit Friday! - Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge

Sorry for the late post, little man and I hit the ground running once we arrived here in Arizona to visit my family... but here it is! Adrien from Freckled & Free is hosting a CHALLENGE, will you ACCEPT and JOIN?

Time to reshape my booty! 

-Tay

--------------------------------------------------------------

Fit Fabulous Fall Challenge

Tay and I thought it would be fun to change things up this Fit Friday. With the season changing, the air getting crisp, and the weather getting colder (depending on where you live!) it is time for a Squat Challenge. Pretty simple - follow the squat series below and let’s see how many people we can get to go on this squat challenge with us! Share with your friends.

Use #fffsquatchallenge on Instagram to let us you are doing this challenge with us, don't forget #fitfriday and tagging @thedaringdandelion & @active_freckals. Take before and after pictures (promise it's worth it!), also take your measurements. Let’s see how much change we can get just from squatting it out!
~Adrien

Links:

• Morning Stretch Flow

*I apologize for graphic quality and the spell check lines below the hashtags in the challenge photo, I am blogging via my iPad and can't fixed everything...


Disclaimer: Adrien is a Beach Body Coach, however all the moves listed are done at your own risk. Please ensure that your baby can hold their head up on their own before attempting any of these moves. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program. The Daring Dandelion along with Freckled & Free assume no responsibility for injuries that may occur while completing the moves utilized in this workout.

2015 Neptune Festival - International Sandsculpting Championship.

The weather has been CRAZY here! Super windy, an intense amount of rain, coastal flooding, ocean safety warnings, etc etc. However, I have wanted to attend an event like this for a very long time, so we threw on some warm clothes and braved the boardwalk...

I am SO glad we went. It blows my mind that people can make such amazing things out of sand. The tent spanned an entire block and was sectioned off into two rows. Each of the artists (or duo) had a square of sand to create their masterpiece. It was really hard to pick a favorite... they were all so unique and beautiful in their own way.

Scripture is Mark 8:36

If you are in the Hampton Roads area the tent will be set-up until October 4th, it costs $5/per, kids 12 and under are free with an adult. The tent is stroller accessible. Check out the website for more information, especially with the pending hurricane!!!

"all you need is aloha" - Wimini Hawaii

Have you ever attended a sandsculpting event? 
-Tay

NAS Oceana Airshow 2015

We headed down to the airshow mid-morning opening day... It was quite busy! Somehow we got into a preferred parking lane and ended up parking where the fighter jets usually are on base. No one told us to show a pass or anything so we just went with it. Because of where we parked we didn't need to take a shuttle, we just loaded up the stroller and walked to the entry. We got to see a military landing zone and bombing demo, the Geico Skytypers, an awesome aerial show in a Texan, and some skydivers. Of course we were there for the Blue Angel's though!

Ear pro by Baby Banz

Mamarazzi... hehe, love my boys! They are checking out the skydivers.

SO MANY PEOPLE!

F22 Raptor, my favorite! Our windows would rattle like crazy when they flew over our house in Hawaii.

Despite the Blue Angels not performing until 3pm we ended up heading back to the car around 2pm since baby boy was completely spent, and probably a bit dehydrated, little did we know we would be getting to see the Blue Angel's after all! He drank some water and promptly passed out. We spent nearly 1.5hrs in the parking lot... for some reason they only had one exit route set-up for the parking area we were in. Let me just say you sure can learn a lot about a person's character when stuck in a parking lot. There were two cars that decided they were far more important than everyone else and bullied their way through the lines (I mean we didn't want to get in an accident, and I don't think anyone else did, so when they kept edging in and honking their horns we weren't chancing it!). Despite watching the Blue Angels from the car and the crazy parking situation - it was a good day!

What is your favorite part of attending an airshow?
-Tay

Almond Butter Blondies

Sometimes my sweet tooth gets the best of me! I try to keep the carbs in check though, hence the almond butter to combat the sugar. These aren't terribly sweet but they are very satisfying, my husband wasn't going to have any because he wasn't "in the mood for dessert" but I made him try a square and he said "these are good, not too sweet, but they have a nice taste!"

Almond Butter Blondies

Gluten free, can be dairy free if you utilize 2tbsp of flax seed in place of the egg and carob chips

1 cup almond butter

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 twists on my sea salt grinder

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 egg + 3 tablespoons water

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2) Beat egg in medium sized bowl

3) Add all ingredients to the egg and stir until dough forms (it will look a bit grainy)

4) Fold in the chocolate chips

5) Put batter in a greased metal pie pan, pat flat with the back of the spoon

6) Bake for 20min, top will be a dark gold color and the edges will just start to brown
7) Let pan cool on wire rack for at least 10min before attempting to cut into slices/squares (unless you are serving to a party to share - you can pull out of the oven, wait 5min, and top with ice cream then pass the spoons around so everyone can dig in- but be careful as the pan is extremely hot!)
 

Fit Friday! - Let's Go For A Walk.

Sorry for the late post, West Coast & East Coast time difference and an e-mail miscommunication... but here it is! Adrien from Freckled & Free is discussing the benefits of walking and what to plan for when baby is involved.

Let us know if there are any good walking paths in your neighborhood/hometown! If you're on Instagram you can also hashtag #thedaringdandelion #fitfriday and tag @thedaringdandelion

There's a walking path a couple miles down the road from us, guess we should try it!

-Tay

-----------------------------------------------------

Let's Go For A Walk!
Seems simple right? Because it is. Walking is a great was to burn calories, stay active, get to where you need to go, have some quality family time, discover your community, and decompress. Of course we (my husband & I) will be babywearing on our walks. We try to walk everywhere we can that it makes sense.

We walk to the coffee house, post office, grocery store, pharmacy, dollar store, Salvation Army, and sometimes even McDonalds for a late night sweet-tooth craving. Walking is a great low-impact exercise. I try to walk a minimum of 30 minutes twice a day. The first walk is bonding time, just baby girl and I. The second walk is all about family and my husband wears our little lady.

If you have babies and are able to babywear I highly recommend it. It is a great was to get an additional calore burn and bond even more with your child. If stroller is how you roll (pun intended), then roll away!

My tips for walking with baby:

1. Wear comfy appropriate footwear. There's no point in having sore feet.
2. Dress accordingly . If its sunny, wear sunscreen (baby as well, if old enough), sunglasses, hat, and light layers. If raining or there's a chance of rain wear and oversized rain coat while babywearing (needs to fit around you and baby).
3. Make sure before you leave that baby is in a fresh diaper. I say this because if your walk is short enough you should not need to pack diapers. With that being said, going for a longer walk (1hr+) bring those diapers!
4. Take your time and enjoy the walk. Literally, or not, "stop and smell the roses." By taking the time to enjoy the walk through your community you are introducing your child to the town.

Children or not, I hope you are able to get out for a walk soon. Who knows, maybe you will discover a new little surprise... a community garden, art display, small business, stream, or playground you didn't know about. So get out, discover, and stretch your legs.

If you want to add a bit more to your walks, I recommend checking out my Morning Stretch Flow & Mommy & Baby exercise routine.

~Adrien



Disclaimer: Adrien is a Beach Body Coach, however all the moves listed are done at your own risk. Please ensure that your baby can hold their head up on their own before attempting any of these moves. Be sure to consult a doctor before starting any exercise program. The Daring Dandelion along with Freckled & Free assume no responsibility for injuries that may occur while completing the moves utilized in this workout.