Why is being confident so dang hard? Wow I feel like I've been hit with a wave of self-doubt recently. Why do I say the meanest things to myself? It is so hard feeling like enough, when we put our worth in the world. I needed a reminder this week that He is where I should get all my worth from. Recently I have been putting my worth in social media, weight, even motherhood. All my life I have been pretty successful. But recently I have felt like a BIG FAT FAILURE. I've realized that I crave a lot of acceptance and praise from others to feel noticed, worthy, and happy. Even taking these pictures took a lot of encouragement from my husband. I felt completely embarrassed and stupid getting dolled up to take pictures at a lake. That is so unlike me. Something did help me get in front of that freaking dumb camera. And that's my mom. I love seeing pictures of her when she was my age, in that cute bikini on the beach or with her friends at the fair, or with me as baby. I want to give that to my girls too. I want to give them everything I can. 

Motherhood has taken a lot out of me. Made me feel truly empty at times. Completely out of gas and running on fumes. Thinking that at any moment my body will shut down and I'll need someone to come fill me up. Most of the time motherhood fills me with the purest joy and happiness I have ever experienced. Having two tiny girls love me no matter what I look like, what I wear, what my political beliefs are, what my past is....they love me unconditionally.

Why can't I love myself the way they love me? Why can't I love myself the way God does?

To the mom in the sweats who hasn't spoken to another adult in days, I see you. To the mom who literally avoids mirrors because you hate the weight you've gained, I see you. To the mom who can't even cry after a long day because you are too tired for tears, I see you. To the mom bouncing her baby up and down trying to get them to fall asleep, I see you. I see you. I know you. I am you. 

We are not alone. God literally hears and sees you..

Let's put our worth in Him.

And let's take some freaking pictures of ourselves. 

xo carly 

A few weeks ago I won a giveaway put on by some super talented women. I was fortunate enough to get my hair done, makeup done, and pictures taken. There was something soo cool about a bunch of women getting together and creating something. I loved the female power. These girls were the absolutely sweetest and made me feel so beautiful. It was craziness having hair and makeup stuff all around my kitchen; it honestly felt like my wedding day. I was way too spoiled. Something that was pretty cool was that these women are in the beginning of their businesses. Each girl had been doing their trade for less than 2 years. And honestly you could barely even tell. The talent and confidence was unreal. 

We headed down to Eagle Park Campground and had an absolute blast. The area was so luscious and diverse. I was in nature heaven. We got to dip our feet in the river, adventure down dirt roads, and play in a wheat field. It was the best time ever.

Special thanks to all the women who made this possible & My Rosella Boutique for lending me this stunning dress!!

xo, Carly

hair: https://www.instagram.com/petitecoiffeuse/

makeup: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.crystal.clear/

photography: https://www.instagram.com/ksullivanphotography/

dress: https://www.instagram.com/myrosellaboutique/

I am cracking up, because I honestly don't look that blonde in these pictures. When I first saw it, it felt like a huge change. I haven't gotten my hair bleached this much in probably 8 years. It felt good to lighten it up & get back into the blonde game again. I was born blonde and pretty much maintained that color until high school. There, I experimented with every color out there: light blonde, black, chocolate brown, red, dirty blonde. I decided to call it quits around 2011 and let my natural color come through. Man it was wayyy darker than I thought it would be. After having Harper, it basically got 3 shades darker. The darker it got, the less like myself I felt. I am so happy to have light hair again and just feel like me! Plus a fresh cut can't ever do you wrong. I'm loving short hair & I don't think I'll ever grow it out again. Not sure what my next hair color will be. Lighter, darker? I'm thinking maybe 6 months from now to go lighter. Comment down below what you think. Also if I had it my way, I'd dye my hair pink. Taylor told me he'd disown me though soo... I might have to hold off until he owes me a favor ;) 

xo, Carly

I have worked with KalleeCoBoutique in the past and was so thrilled when she asked me to collab again. She makes some of the cutest custom baby accessories on Etsy! I fell completely in love with this new Spring line of bows she is putting out. There is nothing cuter than pink and flowery bows. Harper was loving them too. She wanted to eat them all (not ideal for a photoshoot). Seriously you guys snag these while you can. They are to die for! Use code SPRING15 to enjoy 15% off your purchase of $10 or more. Oh and don't worry mamas of boys. She makes cute bow ties too!

xo, Carly

//  KalleeCoBoutique //

As some of you many know, I decided to join the Lipsense game. I am going to be really honest. I hate MLMs. Like HATE. I used to get so annoyed with people messaging me and adding me to these stupid groups on Facebook. I was like leave me a lone, I'm poor! So I get it if you aren't interested in what I'm selling. I am so not offended! I know what it is like to not know if you can afford groceries, gas, rent, etc. I know what it is like living pay check to paycheck. I get it. But please don't hate me for reaching out to you. Tell me you aren't interested & I will leave you alone. Pinky swear.

There are so many reasons I decided to join this company. After Harper was born, I struggled a lot with anxiety and depression. I just felt like I was going crazy week after week. I love being a mom, but it's lonely sometimes. It's overwhelming. It is so hard. Anyone who says it's not hard is a straight up liar. I would cry to Taylor all the time and the week before I joined Lipsense I finally snapped. I didn't even know who I was. I had completely lost myself in diapers and nap schedules. I just prayed to God that I could find myself again. That night I had a dream that I was with my friend Genny and she was selling Lipsense. She was like hey you should sign up and sell with me. And I was like okay! This sounds so crazy, but when I woke up I knew that was the answer. I hadn't even tried Lipsense! I knew nothing about it. But I did know that my friend Genny suffered from PPD like me. So I watched a bunch of her videos and researched online about Senegence. I felt really connected to their products and mission. I listened to a few bloggers talk about why they joined and I messaged Genny saying I was interested in signing up under her. Am I a crazy person or what? I got myself some lipsense and signed up. 

I honestly can't even believe how much this company has changed me since joining 5 days ago! In 4 days I made back my $55 dollar invest plus more. I feel so much more confident. I honestly feel like I am radiating happiness. I have made tons of friends through this business. These women are so incredible and supportive. I want to cry thinking about it. Please try this product! I promise you will love it, 100% money back guarantee! Help me change your life!

xo, Carly

// Join my Lipsense FB Group //