New Obsession

Stay at home mom life equals little time to put yourself together in the morning. Usually I have one kid screaming at me "I need more donuts" and another one crying "feed me woman." My wardrobe these days consist of track shorts and t-shirts, and they are usually covered in something disgusting (baby food, spit up, pee, paint, you name it). I rarely ever wear make up and well I feel down right sorry for the Mr. because my hair is always in a pony tail. Would I change any of it? Absolutely not! I love being a stay at home mom, even though I have to say it is the hardest job I have ever had. I am terrible with schedules, my kids eat donuts, and sometimes we stay in our pajamas until lunch. Definitely not winning mom of the year, but hey I figure at this point who really is? Judge all you want, but at the end of the day we are all alive and happy and that is really all that matters! 

With that being said and you now knowing that the Logan's are a hot mess. I want to tell you about my new go to product that does give me some sense of putting myself together in the morning. Like I mentioned before I don't wear make up often. I just don't have time to spend in the mirror putting it on. I do however go out in public and don't want to look totally scary. I have tried several different types of tinted moisturizer and haven't really liked any of them. They either make my skin feel oily, don't match my skin tone, or make me feel like I am actually wearing a thick cakey make up. 

One of my best friends Ashley sells Beauty Counter. If you haven't heard about this amazing company you should check it out. Over 80% of their ingredients are organic, natural, or plant derived and are super safe for your skin! They do excessive amounts of research to ensure that the products they produce are safe, down to the containers the put them in. Who knew a lot of the most popular make up you buy is filled with ingredients that aren't safe for your skin?   Ashley sent me some samples of their different cleansing lines, which sparked me to try their tinted moisturizer.  

I love how this tinted moisturizer goes on. I use a brush similar to this one to apply the moisturizer. It goes on smooth, blends with my skin perfectly, is light, and gives me just the right amount of coverage that I need to make my skin look even. It also has SPF in it which is great for those days at the park. The product smells amazing! I purchased shade No. 2, and honestly I have worn it even when I needed a little more make up, its that good. I have just added some concealer under my eyes, bronzer, and blush and feel just as made up as I would if I used my usual go to foundation. Ashley sent me this video just to show you how awesome this product is. Plus it was featured on the Today show and was named by Allure as one of the top tinted moisturizer, it speaks for itself.  

I plan on ordering the concealer from Beauty Counter once I have used up all of the one I usually purchase (not that I don't like the one I use but I am willing to try all things Beauty Counter). The sample sets that Ashley sent me were from both their Essential line and the CounterTime Line. I really liked both lines, but honestly I will be ordering products from each line. I have already ordered the Nourishing Cream Cleanser. My main reasons for liking this product is that it left my skin feeling smooth, washes away the tinted moisturizer/make up, and smells great. I use the Clarisonic in my morning beauty routine and it works great with the Clarisonic. 

I plan on ordering the Rejuvenating Eye Cream, I could definitely notice a diminishing of my dark circles when I used the sample (yep, lack of sleep causes those) and I may also order the Rejuvenating Radiance Serum, my face always felt tighter when I used it and now that I am 30 I probably need to start worrying about controlling the aging process. Unless I inherited this girls skin then I have nothing to worry about:

My grandmom who doesn't look day over 30! 

If you need any help at all figuring out the Beauty Counter line don't hesitate to contact my friend Ashley. She is an expert in all things Beauty Counter and really all things life! Hope you all order at least one of these amazing products, you will probably be hooked but don't say I didn't warn you.

    

Elephant Trunk Flea Market As Seen on HGTV

When you think of a flea market your mind instantly races to a few antiques, good deals, farm animals, knock off purses, and well essentially junk because that is what most of them have become these days. My mind races to a place full of hidden treasures that you can turn into works of art, now that kind of flea market is a hidden treasure in itself. I love a good flea market. Partly because I love crafting and making old new again and partly because I love people watching. I am a sucker for places that scream people watching, and we all know that is exactly what you will find at your typical flea market. Now I maybe crazy and you may disagree but in the KY I feel like the flea markets have made a turn for the worse. Back in the day they were filled with those rare finds, but now it seems like the are literally full of just junk (air brush t-shirts, toys you buy at the fair, and the list goes on and on). Maybe there are still some legit flea markets out there but I just haven't been to a good one in some time. 

Now in Connecticut we have found the greatest flea market I believe I have ever been to. Seriously people it is worth the trip up here just for the flea market finds and food trucks, oh the food trucks (my mouth is currently watering). If you have ever watched the show Flea Market Flip on HGTV than you probably have seen the very flea market that I so lovingly dragged the Mr. and kids to (they will no longer go kicking and screaming, the Mr. is practically begging to go back so he can be put into a food truck coma again). 

The Elephant Trunk is located in New Milford, CT. This is about 45 minutes from where the Mr. and I live. It is only open on Sundays during the months of April through December. You can participate as a vendor or a buyer. The flea market opens bright an early, and if you are an early bird (5:45 a.m.) be prepared to pay $20 for admission, regular buyers (7:00 a.m. and beyond)pay $2.00 for admission. The market has a variety of vendors and honestly they say no two weekends are the same at the market. Vendors travel from all across the country to participate in this flea market. Its really pretty incredible. To top it all off there are some great food trucks set up. 

The weekend that the Mr. and I went (and I think they are there every weekend during market season) the Crafty Cue food truck was there. Now the Mr. and I love BBQ (you could always find us at Marks on Monday night when we lived in Louisville, we were Monday regulars). Seeing that we were there around brunch a lot of the food trucks were serving breakfast type items, but there were so many and it was a little chilly (cold enough for the kids to take a really good nap all snuggled up in the stroller) that we didn't have time to check them all out. Back to the Crafty Cue, we decided to eat brunch at this cute little food truck and both order the "Dirty Pig," which consisted of BBQ, an egg, two slices of bacon on top of some delicious type of bun. Some of you maybe reading this thinking that sounds disgusting, others maybe curious about this concoction, while others maybe watering at the mouth (that would be me as I type this post). Let me just tell you the Mr. believes it is the best BBQ sandwich he has ever eaten (we've been to Austin folks, grew up with Moonlight BBQ, we know our BBQ). I kid you not he has talked about it since we left, wishes he would have bought two sandwiches. He is currently reading this post planning our next trip to the Elephant Trunk. It was pretty delectable, and I honestly think anything on their menu would have been scrumptious. Also a major plus to Crafty Cue, they served sweet tea and it was good. I love a good food truck, they never let me down. 

To sweet not to share

They both took a great nap, missed brunch entirely

While we didn't find any treasures we couldn't live without (we really don't have room anyways) it was nice to look around. We were there for 2 hours before it got cold and rainy and only made it down two rows, and of course ate. Its a huge flea market, so if you are coming bring your wagon (to put your goodies in), wear your walking shoes, and come hungry. I promise the Elephant Trunk won't disappoint. 

Vermont The Green Mountain State

When we decided to move to the Northeast everyone just went on and on about how beautiful Connecticut is, I have to sometimes stop and wonder, have these people ever been here? Connecticut is probably one of the dumpiest states I have ever seen, I am still looking for the beauty everyone is talking about (sorry folks even the coastline is rocky, not like you are spending a day warm on the sand). I know, I know the leaves change in the fall, but come on a Kentucky fall is gorgeous! We see the leaves change just like they change here. Connecticut is old, industrial, cold, and just not all that attractive. Plus, to be honest I thought I was rule follower, these people take it to a whole new level (that is a whole post itself). Maybe I'll find the beauty one day, just haven't sent it yet, I've got my eyes peeled though. 

Today's post isn't to tell you how ugly Connecticut is, but to tell you how BEAUTIFUL Vermont is. We have decided to make sure that for however long God intends for us to live in the northeast we will try to take advantage of all that it has to offer. One thing it has to offer is that we literally can be to states, such as Vermont, in 3 hours. For those of you who know me, you know I am from a small town in Western KY. When I use to come home from the University of Kentucky it took me 3 hours and I never left the state. We plan to make adventures to all the New England states in the coming months. Our first adventure outside of Connecticut was a quick over night visit to Vermont.

Vermont is known as the Green Mountain State, one because Green Mountain coffee comes from Vermont, two because from top to bottom it is full of beautiful green mountains. Its most popular attraction is skiing, with the kids being so young it makes it rather difficult for the Mr. and I to partake in this attraction. We planned our trip to meet the dictator's needs, this included some of Vermont's finest: Ben and Jerry's Factory Tour, a Sugar House, a trip into Burlington, and some fine dining (aka, pizza, pancakes, and french fries.) 

We got up early Saturday morning and drove up to Waterbury, VT. Waterbury is known for the one and only Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory. Who doesn't love ice cream? Who doesn't love Ben and Jerry's? We had told Elin a few weeks ago that we were going to the ice cream factory. Every night for the past few weeks she has told us she was going to dream of the ice cream factory. We stopped first at a great little lunch spot in Waterbury called Prohibition Pig. It was small little restaurant with a huge brewery in the back. We waited maybe 20 minutes for a table and it was definitely worth the wait. The Mr. got a Brisket sandwich and I opted for the pimento cheese grilled cheese. Both delicious! The dictator had one thing on her mind "ice cream." We convinced her to eat the shoe string french fries. We ordered them as an appetizer and I am thankful I didn't order a side, because these were enough for all of us to eat. 

 Okay seriously how cute is the BBQ sauce bottle?

After lunch we headed over to the Ben and Jerry's Factory. I don't really know what I was expecting from the tour. We have been on factory tours, our favorite being the Coors Brewery in Golden, CO. This tour didn't quite meet my expectation. I definitely wouldn't make a trip to Vermont just to go on the Ben and Jerry's Factory tour. It lasted maybe 20 minutes, included a short film of how Ben and Jerry's got started, we went to a mezzanine that overlooked the factory, and then off to get 1 sample (the Coors brew gives you samples throughout the tour, and then 3 drink at the end). The sample was delicious though (maple ice cream with dark chocolate, but it left you wanting more of course). 

If you can't tell she was super excited to be at the ice cream factory, she has been dreaming about it for weeks!

I'm pretty sure he was is the most laid back kid I know, whatever people, I'm just along for the nap!

All the flavors that they have retired, or didn't last long!

Sampling some Ben and Jerry's

So what do they force you to do? Buy more of course! After the tour we had to try some other flavors. The Mr. opted for peanut butter chocolate, I picked salted Carmel Blondie (every ones favorite), and for whatever reason Elin just picked plain vanilla. The highlight of the ice cream factory for pretty much everyone was the great park they had outside by the Flavor Cemetery. Luckily we had time to kill before the tour and were able to partake in the park, otherwise we would have missed out afterward (rain, rain go away). So I can officially say we got the t-shirt, but probably won't be going back to Ben and Jerry's factory again.

After the tour ended we hopped back in the car for a 20 minute drive to Burlington. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and is located on Lake Champlain, is home to the University of Vermont, and is probably one of the prettiest cities I have been too. The Mr. and I are already talking about planning a trip back to Vermont just to go to Burlington and spend some time around the lake. I have a feeling it would be a great place to be during the summer months. It was however, a tiny bit cold for us to truly enjoy all that Burlington had to offer. We had to see most of it by car, which is okay, but definitely a place I see us returning and recommending to people to visit. If I were going to plan a trip to Vermont I would opt out of the Ben and Jerry's Factory tour and head straight to Burlington where you can visit the original Ben and Jerry's store and take in Burlington all at the same time. 

We did have another scrumptious meal while in Burlington. We thought to keep the dictator's spirits up we would take her out for pizza (her favorite.) The Food Channel Network had recommended a great little restaurant called American Flatbread. Had it just been the Mr. and I we would have waited the hour and half for a table in this trendy little hipster place, but with a toddler and 3 month old, patience is a virtue that they currently don't have. We ordered to go and ate our pizza at the hotel.

While waiting for our delicious pizza some exploration of Burlington occurred. There is an adorable little street lined with shops, bars, and restaurants called Church Street, looks like my kind of place in good weather. It was hustling and bustling though on a Saturday night. As mentioned previously Burlington sits next to Lake Champlain, so there were some pretty beautiful views of the lake and mountains. Hoping to go back in warm weather, that's how beautiful this place is. The pizza was awesome, we ordered pepperoni and peppers. They offer two size options, a large fed the dictator, the Mr. and myself. If you have more than three people sharing I definitely recommend ordering a couple. They had a whole menu of pizza to try, and it will definitely be a place we stop back by if we go to Burlington again. Thank heavens the hotel had a pool. With kids we weren't hitting the bar scene, although it looked they had one. Our fun night in Burlington consisted of pizza and the pool, instead of pizza and beer. Perfect day in Elin's world.

So what I am 3 months old and have already been to 3 states, however, this was my first night in a hotel, photo opt!

Probably her favorite part of the whole trip, sad, but true!

Vermont is know for their maple syrup. In fact another slogan for Vermont is bet you can't name two towns in Vermont? (Montpelier and Burlington) However, most people do know  that maple syrup is the prized procession of Vermont. What better way to eat maple syrup than with pancakes? Before heading back to Connecticut, we headed to downtown Burlington for probably the best breakfast I have had since moving north (for whatever reason Connecticut's idea of a breakfast joint it IHOP, no Wild Eggs, no First Watch, no wonderful brunch spots, only like one Cracker Barrel 30 minutes away).  


Penny Cluse is kind of similar to a Wild Eggs meets North End Cafe, if you are from Louisville (if you are not and plan to visit KY add these to your list of restaurants to go to for breakfast.) If I have convinced you to plan a Vermont vacation add Penny Cluse to your list. Go early though because it is in a small little house, not a lot of tables, and fills up quickly. Thank goodness for the reviewers on The Food Channel Network. We went at 8:30 and if we had walked in 15 minutes later we would have waited at least and hour for a table. The Mr. had a breakfast burrito (which I would probably get the next go around), Elin had pancakes (with Vermont Maple Syrup), and I had blueberry pancakes. Everything was delectable and probably my favorite meal we had (I am a breakfast lover though, sadly the Mr. is not.) 

I wanted to make sure we hit at least as many of the top things listed as things to do in Burlington. On that list the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet was listed. Let's just say with my Eagle Watching Train ride and this little adventure my family is questioning my thoughts right now, I am sure they will never let me forget these things. The World's Tallest Filing Cabinet was an art piece that now attracts tourist. It is old, it is rusty, it has graffiti all over it. It is quite possibly the funniest thing I have forced my family to see. No one was there to look at it, but us, and I definitely can see why. It is seriously just a bunch of filing cabinets stacked on top of one another in the middle of plot of land. 

I wish I could have truly captured Lake Champlain's beauty

                                                  

Why of course I forced my family to go here? Let me tell you how thrilled they were!

I was hoping to redeem myself by taking my family to a sugar house on our trip back to Connecticut. Apparently it was Open House Weekend for the sugar houses associated with Vermont Maple Syrup Association. After taking several back road, and finding ourselves on a gravel road in Vermont I am pretty sure the Mr. really thought I had lost my mind. Upon arrival, he just shook his head. It was a small little cabin, two rooms max, and just the family that owned the sugar farm piled inside. It was so cold that you really couldn't go in the woods to see them tap the trees, and then the rest of the process was basically just in machines that you couldn't see what was going on. This particular sugar house was in its 3rd generation, and the newest generation is hoping to get Silloway Farm Maple Syrup on the map and known throughout the country. The family was super nice and reminded me so much of home where they are close knit group all living within just a few mile from each other. 

Overall the trip to Vermont was definitely a success and we have added it to our list of states checked off. As our introduction stated we love Jesus, sweet tea, and traveling! Vermont the Green Mountain State we hope to see you again soon! 

Mystic Aquarium

We had visitors! We love having visitors! This weekend was Easter weekend so my parents came for a visit. We decided that instead of sitting around the apartment all weekend we should take advantage of some of the things Connecticut has to offer. We ventured out to the Aquarium on Easter Sunday in the seaport town of Mystic. 

The dictator is probably going to be veterinary when she grows up. She has a love for animals that I have really never seen a kid have. She loves all animals too, big or small, scary or cute. The aquarium was right up her alley (minus the fact that they didn't have a polar bear, which is what she was looking for, thanks L for the $20.00 stuffed polar bear friend). 

Sea Lion Show

I have been to a couple of aquariums before (Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY , and Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN) and while this one was a good aquarium I wouldn't put it up there with the Newport Aquarium or the Ripley's Aquarium. The indoor area didn't have the moving sidewalks that took you under the shark tank, or entire walls of tanks (maybe one entire wall). It was just really one giant room with tanks of different types of fish, sharks, and turtles. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is kind of cool to ride a moving sidewalk through a tunnel with sharks over your head, or really pretty fish. 

Can you tell she loved having visitors?

The one major plus about the Mystic Aquarium is that it had great outdoor walking paths (probably more enjoyable in 60 degree weather, but we still managed in 45 degree weather.) The animals that you were able to see outside were a must, they are unlike the animals you see at a typically aquarium (minus the penguins.) The Beluga whale was definitely the top attraction for our family. The majority of Beluga whales live off the coast of North America, Greenland, and Russia in the arctic seas. It is known for its unmistakeable all white color and the absence of a dorsal fin. It is truly a beautiful creature. The Beluga's in Mystic are also certainly good at putting on a show. They came right up to the glass, Elin has not stopped talking about it since we left. Other animals featured outside included the rescued sea lions, seals, and the penguin exhibit. They have aquarium workers stationed throughout the walking path to fill you in on the detail of the animals. Pretty cool to hear how one of the rescued sea lions thinks he is human, so much so that when they rescued him he had just completed a mile walk with elementary school aged kids in a parade. 

Seriously how cool is this whale? 

We arrived just in time for the sea lions show. Most of these sea lions were rescued and were now trained to perform in this little show. It was a lot of talking about training so not that entertaining for a two year old, interesting for adults but not engaging for a toddler. We didn't last the entire show but it was fun to watch for a little bit. Definitely something that I think older kids would really enjoy. 

Overall, I wouldn't jump in my car and drive up from Kentucky just to go this aquarium. However, if you are in the vicinity and looking for something to do that is very family friendly this is great place to stop. Not only do you have the aquarium but there are several shops and restaurants around the aquarium area. Mystic is also famous for the seaport and "Mystic Pizza," which is based off a Julia Roberts movie. Seeing that it was Easter Sunday most of these places were closed but chances are we will be able to return to Mystic to explore. I have feeling this won't be our last time visiting the aquarium, the dictator will be demanding a return trip, probably soon.