Massage Track // review & giveaway

My neck, it always hurts. Mostly because I love to look at my babies when I breastfeed, my posture isn’t great, I’m sleep-deprived, and sometimes stressed. I hold all of that – all of the tension – in my neck.

I like going to the chiropractor but it’s hard to go on a consistent basis and I can’t tell you how many times I have an appointment and need to cancel for something. I’ve tried all types of things: foam rolling, stretching, other devices, massage. Nothing works consistently and I can’t afford a massage on a daily basis (bummer, right?!).

FullSizeRender (17)Then I started using Massage Track and I’m fairly certain I’ve found something that will ease the tension in my neck. I’ve tried the Whole Body Kit but my favorite is the Neck Track. I love that I can customize how I use the Neck Track. We all need need different amounts of pressure, different pressures in different places and at different times — and that’s exactly what you can do with this tool. You can use the neck track with the Deep Tissue Magic set. The set includes a total of 8 balls (4 sets of 2) in a range of sizes and hardnesses to accommodate most body parts and needs from injuries to maintenance for serious athletes; I love using the orange ball for my neck (sold separately). Ideally, I’d use Massage Track every day but with 2 young kids, I’m lucky if I get to it 2-3 times/week. I’m already seeing the benefits so I can only imagine how much better I’d feel with every day use (#goals).

 Yes, I’ll still go to the chiropractor and I’ll still get a massage, but I don’t need to go as often (and that’s a good thing). Massage Track has really changed how I think about at-home massage/stretching. If you’re not sure how to use your Massage Track or have more questions, check out my favorite tutorials here & here.

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Truly, I can’t say enough good things about Massage Track! And I think you’ll agree.

Buy it here: http://massagetrack.com/

Win it here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MADI Apparel // buy one, give one 

Friends! Did you know that underwear is the least donated item of clothing but is often the most needed?
My sister, Lindsey, has teamed up with MADI Apparel to provide undies to women around the globe. They’re headed to Ecuador at the end of June & hope to raise $15,000. 

$10 provides one pair of undies + donation drop-off. Will you consider joining the movement? 

Text ECUADOR to 71777 and enter your amount. For every $10 donation, you’ll be entered to win a pair of MADI undies ($40 value). Just leave a comment below when you donate. 

You rock! xoxo

First Birthday Bash

I can’t believe my baby girl is ONE. This was, hands down, the fastest year of my life (I thought Mr. President’s first year was fast. This was even faster). Having 2 kids under 2 was tough, crazy, fun, full of love – and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Coco brings so much joy and happiness to our family. She is such a blessing. She’s funny, happy, loves with a fierce love, and has a signature wave that would make any Miss America jealous. The last 365 days have been such a gift from God.

I loved celebrating my favorite girl. And I especially loved decorating in PINK (she’s still in the gender neutral nursery). I wanted girly, beautiful, and feminine without going over the top.

I’m so happy with how her FIRST birthday bash turned out:

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Happy Birthday, baby girl. I hope you know how much you are loved.

Birthday Party Details
Tassel: DIY by me
Name Sign: The Colorful Berry
Letterboard: The Letterfolk Co. 
Cake: Becky Bakes
Cake Topper & Flower Crown: Fancy Free Finery
ONE (Lemon Onsie): Swanky Shank
Lemonade Coachella Shorts: Hello Ellie Shop
Photos: Bobby Rivera Photography

 

For more motherhood and margaritas, follow me:
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Milk Nursing  // review & giveaway

I love wearing dresses but it’s hard to find one that works with breastfeeding. Do I lift the dress all the way up & flash everyone? Do I wear one that’s so low cut its inappropriate? I’ve maybe worn a dress 3 times in the last 12 months. That’s a lot of summer days not wearing a dress. 12 months + many failed attempts later, I finally found one I like.


Milk Nursingwear designs fashionable Nursing Wear and breastfeeding clothing for nursing mothers. All of their nursing wear features hidden openings for discreet breastfeeding. No nursing cover needed!

Now that is what I’m talkin’ about.

The Striped nursing tank dress is so comfortable, and it goes with everything. I put it on, I feel put-together. The super soft fabric is 95% lycra, 5% spandex and easy to wash on a warm cycle + hang dry (you can tumble it on low, but I don’t) And finally, just finally, I have a  breastfeeding-friendly dress I can wear on warm summer days.

After reading through the online reviews, I opted for a size small (though I think the medium would’ve worked too). It’s flattering but not too snug (especially in the midsection) and the length is just right. I love that I can dress it up or dress it down – wedges or flats, chunky necklace or simple pendant – everything works with this dress. Milk’s nursing dress has changed the way I dress + breastfeed my baby.


If you’re looking for comfortable, easy-to-wear, affordable nursing wear, Milk Nursingwear should be your go-to. Check out their full line of nursing essentials at MilkNursingwear.com

Love my dress and want one too?

Milk is offering one lucky reader a $35 gift certificate to spend at MilkNursingwear.com

To Enter on Instagram:

•Follow @run4margaritas & @milknursingwear
•Like the photo
•Tag (up to) 5 friends (separate comments for each)
•Bonus entry: comment on my blog post & tell me what item you want most. http://bit.ly/MilkNursingGiveaway

Ends 6/9, winner announced 6/10. Must be 18 or older to win. This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram.

 

For more motherhood and margaritas, follow me:
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taste of whole foods market

Every Saturday in May, Whole Foods Market is hosting “Taste of Whole Foods Market“. You are invited to taste & enjoy this free sampling event. Live cooking demonstrations will feature the Whole Foods Market private label brands, unique products for foodies, products from local suppliers, and take-and-go products that are made fresh in the Whole Foods kitchens.

I attended the May 7 event and had so much fun sampling food and sipping wine with my mom. The menu changes every week so you can attend any or all of the sampling events and always have something new to try.

We tasted caviar, guacamole, arugula salad, brie with sour cherries, prosecco, and rose’. I got new ideas for the kitchen and picked up recipe cards to use in the future. I never pass up dinner inspiration.

Tomorrow (May 14) is the next event. Don’t miss out on a fun, free way to sample and sip your way through Whole Foods. Other dates: May 21, May 28

Every Whole Foods Market location in Northern Virginia will be hosting a free in-store sampling event from 12-4pm. Share what you tasted or cooked at home with the products you discovered. Snap a photo, share it using the hashtag #TasteofWFM and tag your local store. Whole Foods will repost their favorites.

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For more recipes and margaritas, follow me:
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the story of motherhood

Today was a hard day. Coco was up 3 times in the middle of the night. Mr. President woke up with a 103 fever. I’m absolutely exhausted. My husband is out of town until Wednesday. I stubbed (broke?) my toe on Abe’s poorly placed stool and two minutes later, I stubbed the other toe on the coffee table. It’s pouring down rain. I haven’t worked out in 5 days. My kids won’t stop crying. And I really want a margarita.

But despite all of the chaos, the exhaustion, and the frustration of today, I get to spend my days with these two. My greatest accomplishments. My miracles.

I’ve cried more times today than I have in six months but it’s because I don’t want these days to end. I don’t want to stop having babies, I want them to be this cute and this small forever. Maybe it’s because Coco is almost ONE or maybe it’s because I truly am exhausted or maybe both.

That’s motherhood. All of the love, and chaos, and exhaustion, the exciting times, the frustrating times, the crying and the laughing, the fevers and sleepless nights, the snuggles and hugs and kisses, the messes, the memories. I want to remember it all and I never want it to end.

To my babies, I love you forever. To the moon and back. I hope you know that.

coconut date bites

I love having healthy snacks around the house, especially since we’re always on-the-go and someone is always hungry. I’ve had dates just waiting for me for months and Orange Blossom honey from Waxing Kara that I’ve been dying to try. Combine those ingredients with a string of rainy days and something was bound to happen in the kitchen.

Toss everything in the Vitamix or food processor and these bites are ready in less than 20 minutes. Yum.

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Ingredients 
2 cups Pitted Dates
1 cup Nuts (I like walnuts or sliced almonds)
1/2 cup shredded coconut + more for dipping
2 tbsp honey (I used Orange Blossom honey from Waxing Kara)
2 tbsp vanilla

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or food processor. Roll into small balls and dip in shredded coconut. Makes 30 balls.IMG_2341

Enjoy!

 

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DC Bike Ride + Special Offer

Have you heard about DC Bike Ride? A new event coming to DC in May?

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Washington DC is closing 17 miles (yes, 17) throughout the city. With DC as your backdrop, it’s not hard to be inspired. Cruise the city at your own pace . Bike by yourself, with your friends, or your family. Take in some of the most iconic sights in the world. Our hope is to bring people together for the pure joy of biking in the city you love and call home.

After the 17 mile ride, end your epic journey at the DCBR Finish Festival near the Capitol on Pennsylvania Avenue (America’s Main Street). The Finish Festival will feature live music from DJ Questlove, from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and White Ford Bronco, DC’s premier all-90s cover band, as well as food trucks, including Jose Andres’ Pepe and the Dolci Gelati Truck.

{the deets}
Date & Time: May 22, 2016; 8AM to 1PM
Course: 17 miles, closed road and traffic-free through DC and VA
Starting Line: 301 Penn Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001. Bring or rent a bike and meet us in front of the Capitol.
Finish Line: After the ride, celebrate life on two wheels at the Finish Line Festival near the Capitol with food and family-friendly fun
Beneficiary: WABA (Washington Area Bicyclist Association) and their efforts in bringing DC’s Vision Zero Campaign to life.

If you love riding in the springtime, taking in the sights and sounds of DC, and meeting great people passionate about biking, register here.

Use code MJONES for $10 off standard registration.

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sweet potato bruschetta

Spring means fresh herbs in my garden.  My favorite herb – and the one I cook with most – is basil.  I feel like you can do a lot with basil, but I’m still a sucker for bruschetta.  This sweet potato bruschetta is a healthy take on the traditional kind, made with grilled sourdough bread.  I swap bread for sweet potatoes; You still get the crunch and flavor but without all of the guilt!

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Ingredients
Olive oil spray
1 large sweet potato, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch thick ‘coins’ (unpeeled)
½ red onion, chopped
½ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ avocado, chopped
a few sprigs of fresh basil leaves
a drizzle of balsamic glaze

Directions
Preheat oven to 450F.  Spray a baking tray with oil and spray the potato coins with the oil, being sure to coat both sides.  Lay coins flat on the tray in a single layer and season with sea salt and cracked black pepper.  Roast potato coins for 15 to 20 minutes; carefully flip coins over and roast for another 15 minutes.  Broil for 2 minutes.  In the meantime, combine onion, tomatoes and avocado in a bowl.  When the potatoes are done, remove from oven and place onto serving plates.  Top each coin with bruschetta salad mix and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, serve, and enjoy!

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Enjoy!

 

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diaper clutch // must haves

In order to keep my diaper bag clean & my life sane, I have a diaper clutch for each of my babes. Each diaper clutch is customized to each kid, with a few mom things thrown in for good measure.

Here’s what I’m crushing on at the moment, Baby Coco edition:

@loganandlenora wet/dry clutch is perfect for my mini and me, and holds everything we need
@honest diapers & wipes // I mean, look at the Paris inspired spring line. Love
@babiators pink polarized sunglasses 
@waxingkara sweet lips in crimson // inspired by bees, sweet lips is the perfect amount of color + moisture. I’m obsessed.
@cammi_and_co pink bow
@happyfamily organic teether snacks // we don’t leave home without them 
@angeldearinc owl lovey
@bareminerals moxie lip gloss

Use code RUN4MARGS15 for 15% off your order at Logan & Lenora.

What’s in your diaper clutch?