My Lasts by Lindsay Asta; TCOT owner

As the delivery of my new (and last) baby approaches I am having such mixed feelings. So excited to meet this beautiful, perfect little one and yet willing the days to slow down at the same time. My three oldest children (2, 4 and 8) are just growing up way too fast. I love each new and exciting chapter with them and love to see the amazing people they are turning into. With that said, it's all the lasts that are making me heavy hearted.

My oldest son just lost his last front tooth. He picks out his own clothes. He gets himself ready in the mornings. I can't remember the last time he wanted to snuggle up and cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. When I tucked him in and kissed him goodnight on the eve of his 8th birthday a few weeks ago I cried like a baby! I wonder, how much does he really need me for these days? When will he be too old and too cool to hug me and tell me he loves me before leaving for school? When will I be completely uncool to him?

With my four year old son I just keep wondering...is this his last nap? Is this the last time he will cuddle up and ask me to hold him so he can fall asleep?  I can't believe this fall he will be in pre-k and it will be his last year of preschool...unbelievable, it feels like he were just born. Will he even need me to hold his hand on his first day of kindergarten? He plays soccer and goes out to play with the "big boys". He goes to preschool and then surprises me with everything he learns...(insert sigh here)

And my baby girl, I am unsure how she is already two! She tells me we are best friends, will she always say that? Right now she need your mama to fall sleep, comforting arms to hold you tight, when will be the last time until you too, won't need your mama so much? All this little girl wants to do is play babies and make-up, Minnie Mouse dress up and do hair and nails...with me! Will she always love to spend time and share all her favorite things with me?

I know we have so much to look forward to, but am I alone in missing all the lasts? We get so excited about the firsts in life...baby's first smile, their first words and steps...first day of preschool and kindergarten. How about the last diaper you changed or the last bottle you gave them or the last time they nursed. What was the last bedtime story you told them. It's all these things I will miss with my older children as I prepare to welcome our last baby.

So, I will continue to try to live in the moment. Enjoy each and every thing, because even in that moment I might not be having very much fun, but because it just might be their "last".

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Dry Shampoo tested and approved! By Krista Leigh Blocker, QCA Hair Stylist

            As the hairstylist of the group, I can tell you that I have tried just about every dry shampoo there is on the market.  Both professional and non-professional brands.  When I come home with another new product, I tell my husband it’s market research to justify my obsession with the latest and greatest beauty brands.  From the ones that I have tried, hands down, I have found one that is far better then the rest.  It would be Alterna Bamboo Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo.  I give this one an A+ in ranking because it is great for all hair colors and textures.  Unlike some of the others that come in powder form, this one comes in a spray form making application super easy.  The powder dry shampoos that you shake onto the hair to apply, do not spread as evenly as this spray form does.  I’ve also seen issues with other dry shampoos, that once applied it can leave a white residue on the hair, especially those with dark hair.  This one when shaken properly leaves no residue.  To those of you that have never used a dry shampoo, you are definitely missing out!  It will change your life!! No joke.  Out of all the products that are out there right now, this is the best invention to come out. I would highly encourage you to go out, and try a dry shampoo particularly my favorite one.  :)

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The next book you should pick up!!! -Carly Morris, TCOT founder/owner

If you have read this book, then you know what I'm talking about! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I would consider myself an avid reader, I am always looking for my next favorite book. Well let me tell ya, this book did not disappoint. In short, its narrated by a sassy/spunky teenage girl who is dying of cancer and her love story with another teenager who happens to be a cancer-survivor.
Their story is quirky and artsy fartsy and adorable. The character's wit and charm make you fall in love with them.

It is true that this book is categorized as a YA (young adult novel). Don't let that deter you!!! It has eloquent writing and really tugs at the heart strings. I would also go as far to say that this book provoked deeper thinking about death and dying....it did for me anyway.

Warning, this book will most likely make you cry. Like probably sob. Like probably that ugly cry/sob.
I actually read and amazon review of someone who said he was a teenage boy and he said this book made him cry. So buyer beware.

The author, John Green is a great author that has some other popular books available. I had to know more about him after I finished reading this book so I did a little digging. He actually wrote this book with someone in mind. His inspiration was this 16yr old girl, he randomly met at a Harry Potter Fan Conference with his brother. This girl had thyroid cancer and he kept in sporadic touch. Ready more about that here!!! (warning there might be some spoilers in that interview) The girl who inspired this book actually has a book of her very own. Find out about that here. I am thinking it might be a good follow up read for me since I just recently finished the book.

Another exciting thing about this book is that they are adapting it into a movie due out this Summer. I'm hoping that they do this story justice because it definitely has been added to my list of favorite books.

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Meet the Woman behind the Makeup Brush! Brittany Chevelle, QCA Make up Artist

Let's get to know a little more about our favorite makeup Artist, Brittany Chevelle!!!

To find out more about Brittany, check out her fb page HERE

 

 

What inspired you to start in your field? How long have you been at it?

The creativity and expression that makeup artistry offers, just to each person doing their own makeup. I loved being able to share my passion and knowledge with women who had never been taught these skills, or had the interest in wanting to use makeup but not sure how to apply it, and what products to purchase.

 

I have been in the field professionally for over 6 years, but using my creative skills for about 10.

What has surprised you about your career?

 

That you never will know everything there is to know. You can always learn more skills, and because it is such a creative process, you can appeal to all kinds of kind people. And that's the great thing about this field, is that I get to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and diversities.

 

What has surprised you about becoming a mother?

 

 I was surprised at how fast time goes by. How your wants and needs change completely, and you make sacrifices, and sometimes give up the things you once enjoyed, so you can spend more time with your child. I don't spend an hour primping myself each day like I used to. I loved that "getting ready" time, but now I realize that their are more important things that have to be done. Now, I might do my makeup and hair once a week! haha

 

What are some of your favorite mom duties? Least favorite?

 

I love teaching my daughter through songs, books, and everyday moments. I try to use every day occurrences as lessons. My husband and I sing what we are doing, or narrate everything we do! haha

I would say, meal preparations are my least favorite. I like to feed my family home-cooked meals, so it's important to me to plan them. However, it's not always my favorite chore.

 

What do you love about living in the QCA?

I love the big city-small community feel. Everyone here is connected somehow, through someone that you know. It's pretty amazing. We have so much to do here, and ways to connect with others.

Who/what inspires you?

 

My husband is my biggest pusher. He wakes up ready to start the day and get things done. I, on the other hand, need to wake up for at least an hour! haha He really is such do-er. I can say without a doubt that he has motivated me in every possible way to be better and do better.

 

What is one of your favorite childhood memories associated with your field?

(example: learning to do make up with mom, decorating your room)

So most people don't believe this about me, because I always have my makeup on and hair done (always before having kids!) but I was such a Tom-boy.

I didn't wear much of any makeup until my later years of high school. You couldn't even catch me in a dress growing up. I climbed trees, fell out of them, played football with the boys, and ran around our farm barefoot.

 

What do you do to "feed your soul?"

 

Books and art. I love a good book, and most often will finish them within days of beginning them. One of the biggest reasons I love my career is because I am able to express myself through my work, because to me, a face is a canvas, and I get to share that joy with a client when they love how they look.

What kind of advice would you give to someone who is interested in starting a career in your field?

I think real world experience and education are great tools. The more faces, especially faces of all shapes/size/age/ethnicities you can touch, the better you become. It's not about how much makeup you own, or if its the best brands. You have to invest in a solid kit, learn new techniques and trends, and apply them.

 

Can you tell us some of your favorite blogs to read?

I enjoy "A bowl Full of Lemons" for her great organizational skills and printables.

I also really like "Six Sisters Stuff" for their recipes.

Anything that will help me become a more organized person, and has great recipes! :)

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Baby Shower Ideas

If you are in the process of or have ever hosted a baby shower you know how daunting of a task this can be. You love your friend and her baby to death and you want everything to be perfect on this special day. One of my best friends had her first baby this summer, a boy! It was a very special time for her and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to co-host her shower! So, I did a little research and I think we did alright! Here are a few highlights from what we found...

Do a beautiful cake or cupcakes as a centerpiece for the party. A gender reveal cake or cupcake would be so fun if the mommy hasn't told yet!

Don't buy expensive decorations that will get thrown away. Instead, get creative, use your gifts as the décor.

Make your gift practical. Fill a basket or a wash tub with items they will need for baby. Of course you can always throw in some fun things too!

Do the new mommy/mommy to be a favor and purchase thank you's when you purchase the invites. When guests arrive have the envelopes sitting with the guest book and have guest address them to themselves to save mommy a little time!

Hand make your guest book. You can begin baby's first scrap book by beginning it with the guest book. Have each guest write a personal note to the baby.

Get these little stickers along with some onesies for easy monthly photo ops!



Make a diaper cake. It's a great center piece and it is so practical! You will need a lot of diapers and rubber bands, so be ready! I love how the bottom picture has a tutu, shirt and booties for baby incorporated into it.

Fun treats and food ideas...

Good luck!!!

All pictures found on Pinterest



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It never gets easier, you just get better! By Libby of Advocare

Revelations come at the strangest times. Especially when they are from your kids. Those moments when we realize our kids are growing and becoming more independent. Where I have to let them go and struggle on their own a bit. It started when we decided to go swimming at the Bettendorf Y. I was excited because I love swimming as much as my three little girls. Well....It started out rather frustrating. We go into the locker room and get changed and I realize I brought everyone’s swim suit EXCEPT my own bottoms.... Ugh...After dumping out my bag 3 times hoping they would magically appear, I almost thought about wearing my black boy short underwear BUT (no pun intended) I decided to keep it classy. I had on a tank and yoga pants but felt so bad because I couldn’t get in and play. The girls weren’t too broken hearted so we all headed out and I sat there feeling like the “not wanting to get in the pool mom” but after awhile I got over it. We ended up getting into the deeper end (3 Ft) with life jackets. Bre, who just turned 3 stayed in the more shallow where I could watch her just as close as the twins. Now at this point I start to see that my twins are totally different lovers of water. Bella who is usually more timid, shockingly starts swimming out and paddling on her own while Liv does NOT want anything to do with letting go of the side. I let Bella do her thing happily doggie paddling along. I'm soo soo proud of her because she took it upon herself to “let go” and do

something uncomfortable. We do this for a while and they both even jump in but it’s not until I dare Liv to go swim out and grab the noodles to put away that it gets interesting.  She is perfectly fine floating and trying to get to the edge. There for what seemed like 10 minutes but probably 30 sec starts getting frustrated because she can’t make her way almost to the point of crying. Momma Bear wants to just HELP her and get to the edge because that anxious “my child is in danger mode” kicks in. We get through the moment rather calmly when I tell her to let go of the noodle and just kick to the side (maybe 3 feet away) But to Liv it may have well been 300 feet. What I realize is I sometimes have to let my child struggle to become stronger and learn how to solve her own problems. She was is no danger but still wanted to make is easier for her.
I then think of all my struggles in the past and how incredible they have been to my growth. I was proud of Liv for getting there by herself and I could see after she calmed down and looked at me and said, “I did it!!” excitedly.
Struggle always is for a reason. It never gets easier. You just get better. Jim Rohn.

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