Mommy Must-Have: The Ember Mug

As a new mom, there are many trade-offs experienced on a daily basis. I often sacrifice getting chores done so that I can hold Asher as he sleeps. I postpone showers so that I can spend time catching up with my husband in the evenings. I eat less-than-elaborate meals so that I can use one arm to hold my 7-week-old little buddy. 

One of the more minor -- albeit very real -- sacrifices since Ash arrived? Drinking coffee while it's still hot. As though on command, the very moment that my delicious Decaf La Silva is done brewing, a fit of fusiness ensues or I get distracted. After warming up a single, sad mug of coffee four times, I basically give up.

That is, until now...

Meet Ember

My sweet husband jumped on an awesome new product that he saw on IndieGoGo, and it is currently my favorite Mommy Must-Have. 

It's called Ember. It may just look like a sleek travel mug, but it's much more. It's a fully interactive coffee mug that you can pair with your smartphone to set temp preferences by beverage, get notifications, and even give it a name.

The feature that won my heart? It maintains the temperature of your drink for up to two hours on-the-go (longer when kept on the charging base, as shown in the photo). And it actually does that, for real. Find the temp you prefer, set the dial on the bottom, and your coffee will be as warm after an impromptu feeding or meltdown as it was when you brewed it.

It was an exciting day when Ember finally arrived, as M placed the order a while back. But, not surprisingly, the campaign did really well. Even Starbucks got in on the action, which I can imagine was a game-changer for the innovative folks behind the mug.

It's not cheap, and Ember is currently backordered given its incredible popularity, but if you're looking for something special for a lovely mommy in your life (including yourself!), I'd order Ember in a hot second and get on that waiting list!

This is NOT a sponsored post. I'm just super excited when we discover great products and had to share with y'all!

Best Fort Worth Coffee Shops {According to a Local}

When M and I get the chance to travel, we typically rely on Yelp and recommendations from friends on Facebook to find some hidden gems in any given locale. One of our first searches? Legit coffee shop. These are easier to come by in, say, areas like the Pacific Northwest, Austin, major metro cities, etc. And now that I'm preggers and off caffeine for at least a few more months, it's even more crucial to find decent coffee shops on the road. Decaf offerings in most mediocre stops are sad at best, so my options are limited unless we find a place with a decent menu and barista expertise. (These are the places that when I ask for decaf cold brew--which has eluded me to this day--know to offer up a decaf iced espresso instead. They don't suggest hot decaf coffee over ice. And yes, this suggestion has been made. I can't.)

When we're home in Fort Worth, we typically enjoy coffee at home. It doesn't hurt that Hubs is an amazing barista, and we have plenty of fun machines and gadgets with which to work. However, we still like to venture out for a good cup o' joe on the weekends, and we love buying freshly roasted beans from some of our local favorites. (After all, best technique and best gadgets in the work don't mean much if you're work with crap beans.)

So without further ado, I present to you...

My Top 3 Fort Worth Coffee Shops

Avoca Coffee Roasters {1311 W. Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth 76104}

We noticed Avoca before it even opened in 2011 because of its convenient location right across the street from one of our favorite Fort Worth restaurants, Spiral Diner. Both are located in the charming Historical Fairmont district, and I think Avoca has been busy since they opened their doors. The first time we tried it, I loved the ambiance and beautiful wood tables, but the coffee was just OK. We chalked it up to early-day growing pains, and they are now our regular stop to restock on decaf beans. (Their decaf De Silva is so ridiculously good. Like, best decaf ever. And I hesitate to share that because they're already getting harder to come by. Soooooo, please don't take all my beans y'all.) The New Orleans Style is my go-to when drinking in, and they recently opened a smaller location off of Foch Street (in the bustling West 7th area), which should be great for mid-day coffee stops since their flagship location on Magnolia is always bumping.

Buon Giorno {915 Florence Street, Fort Worth 76102} 

BG will always have a special place in my heart because (1) M introduced me to this adorable cafe and roaster, and (2) it was my first taste of quality coffee that could be consumed without a ridiculous amount of sugar or cream. Their cappuccinos are consistently smooth and creamy, and I definitely have a weakness for their vegetarian quiches. This spot is located near downtown Fort Worth, and their roaster is in Grapevine (which is also a cute shop). This is where I often meet friends or colleagues to hang out for a few hours because it's cozy and a bit easier to find a table than others on this list. They're open late too, which is awesome when we're craving an evening coffee date. We even bought beans here for our wedding, both to serve and to fill the apothecary jars that we gave out as favors. (Just enough for French Press for two!)

Craftwork Coffee Co. {4731 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth 76107} 

The only shop on this list that doesn't roast their own beans (though they source some absolute winners, such as Tweed out of Dallas), Craftwork came onto our radar earlier this year because they're located just a few blocks away, right off the charming old bricks of Camp Bowie. This place is a really smart concept: they serve awesome coffee, as well as offer private and shared workspaces that can be rented out full- or part-time. Their business model is really solid, which is great because we want them to stick around! Their machine is absolutely beautiful (M has a crush on it, and I'm OK with that), and their decaf almond milk cappuccinos are hands-down the best I've ever had in a coffee shop. (The only rival? Capp a la Mikey. For serious.) The owners are super nice and regularly working behind the bar. Solid new addition, and we love having them in the neighborhood.

So if you find yourself in our neck of the woods, be it as a visitor or a Funky Town resident yourself, I highly recommend these Fort Worth, TX coffee shops. There are certainly plenty to choose from, and we're spoiled in that respect big time. Cheers, friends!

Do you have a favorite coffee spot in Fort Worth? Do share!

My Five Minute Face

When I'm not traveling for a meeting or tradeshow, I'm fortunate enough to be able to work out of my home office. This transition occurred within the last six months, and while it has overall been a wonderful change, there are just a few drawbacks. Namely, the grooming situation. When all of my professional interactions take place via web-ex or conference call, it's easy to justify spending all day in my fuzzy yellow robe with my hair in the same state I slept in, and zero makeup on my grubby little face. Hawt, right?

Over the past month, I've tried to make more an effort in this regard, including getting dressed and pulling myself together a bit (before noon), but still wanting to relish in the joy of having some relief from heels, blazers, and lipstick.

Here's my regimen for sprucing up my mug in less time than it takes to brew a carafe of coffee. (Mmmm...coffee.) 

1. Rinse face. I don't wash my face in the morning because my combo skin tends to dry out from a twice daily wash. My night cream is a mixture of YL essential oils, grapeseed, and coconut oil, so there's nothing heavy or medicinal that needs to be washed away. Just a splash of water and a quick spritz of my morning serum (YL's Lavender and Joy EOs mixed with grapeseed oil and filtered water), and I'm spanky clean.

2. Balance the skin tone: 

• Jane Iredale Handi Brush
• Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Pale Yellow #1 - The yellow tone of this powder helps camouflage red undertones in my skin. (I also adore the JI Pure Pressed Powder, which has mineral SPF built in, but Mom had a stockpile of BB, so I'm working my way through that.)

3. Define the eyes:

• Rimmel's Exaggerate Eye Definer in Noir - Total steal for the price point. Applied just along the outer corners of the upper lashes to create an awake, fresh look. (If you have lighter coloring, I love the Origins Automagically Liner in Mushroom when I want a softer look.)
• It Cosmetics Universal Brow Powder Pencil - One of my fave new finds because it provides coverage without being too dramatic, and has a spooly on the other end to finish the application with a nice, natural flourish. This may be a step you're tempted to skip, but attended-to brows can make a huge difference in looking well groomed.
• Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black - Two coats, separated with a metal lash comb, and I apply to the upper lashes only for a clean look. (If you have lighter coloring, a dark brown or navy mascara would be lovely.)

4. Conceal yo'self*:

• It Cosmetics Dual Airbrush Concealer Brush - Game changer.
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye in Light - Under eye concealer is not an option for me...lest folks suspect I'm strung out or moonlighting as a boxer. This is a recent addition to my arsenal, and I love the texture and longevity of this stuff. I apply with the aforementioned brush in an upside down triangle pattern under my eye, blend out with the fluffy end of the brush, and use whatever is leftover on the brush to conceal around my nose and redness on my chin.

5. Blush and glow:

• Jane Iredale Dome Brush
• MAC powder blush in Peaches - Applied to the apples and swept up toward the temples.
• NARS powder blush in Orgasm - Yes, two blushes. The combo of these two colors is absolutely perfect, and I love the matte, bright color of the MAC blush, while the subtle illumination of Orgasm (teehee) gives a lovely glow and really makes you look refreshed.
• (MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark - If I'm wearing my hair down, I like to add a quick swipe of this bronzer to the hollows of my cheek, my temples, and just under my chin line for subtle definition. Takes a few extra seconds, but it gives some depth that makes a big difference.)

6. A little lip:

• Stila Lip Glaze in Loganberry - I suspect this color was a limited edition since I received it in a gift set, so I'm rationing what I have left since it's an awesome shade. But this lip glaze creates a nice shimmer (without looking like you've just ate a glitter sandwich), stays put, and the brush is firm enough to allow for a precise application (to avoid toddler-meets-popsicle mouth).

And there you have it! I'd venture to guess that it took you longer to read this than it would take to accomplish this look. So whether you're looking for a no-fuss work look, spending the day chasing around kiddos, or just want to shorten your time in front of the mirror before enjoying a low-key weekend, know that you can enhance your natural loveliness in whatever time you can spare by covering these basics.

*Side note: I never used to do concealer after my eye makeup since it struck me as a prep-your-mug kinda task, but when a gal at Ulta told me to try it, it made such a huge difference that I have been doing it ever since. 

Registry Favorites for the Kitchen

When M and I registered for our wedding a few years ago, we had to seriously rein it in on the kitchen gadgets and accessories. We both really enjoy cooking, yet we had a hard time imagining all the items we'd need long-term, but would likely never purchase for ourselves (which, is pretty much the definition of a registry). So we tried to strike a happy medium between uber practical and swoon-worthy lust items.

Having used every single item purchased by our sweet wedding guests within six months of marriage, we were quite pleased with our registry choices. We also felt accomplished for bringing everything out to play, especially some of the fancier goods, like our china (pictured in our tablescape to the left here) and the heavier serviceware. We didn't want to treat anything as "too special," relegating beautiful items to a lifetime tucked away in the dark (though we obviously take care to ensure that guests aren't afraid to actually use said items...which I equate to how I feel about putting out white guest towels, but that's for another post.).

So I wanted to share some of my favorite, must-have kitchen items from our registries (as well as their respective price points for reference), that have stood the test of time and continue to be in regular rotation in our home...

Acacia Salad Bowl and Serving Hands ($50 and $13) - I probably use this set at least once a week...twice, if I really think about it. It's so pretty and lightweight, which if you've ever had to schlep a heavy-as-bricks salad bowl, you hear me on that one. I wasn't sure how a natural material would last with that much use, but it still looks great.

NutriBullet ($100) - This is one of those items that M really wanted, but we both have enjoyed using this handy gadget to make smoothies and other healthy beverages (as well as assisting with other dishes here and there that don't warrant pulling out the big ol' blender). M's Mom & Dad also let us borrow their copy of the NutriBullet Healing Foods Book, which gave us some awesome new ideas when I burned myself out on my beloved soy milk-spinach-almond-strawberry-blueberry concoction. 

Sur La Table Blanc Rectangular Serving Platter ($6-$13) - This item probably seems really simple (and it is relatively inexpensive, which I've found is good practice: to pepper your registry with all price points, especially if you're having multiple showers before the wedding), but I don't go a week without using these sleek platters. I registered for two, but could easily make use of three or four. Bonus: they're dishwasher safe. Even a simple weeknight meal looks like something special served on these platters.

Luna Serving Set (via Pottery Barn)

PB Luna Serving Set ($45) - These match the flatware we picked out to match our china (Waterford's Padova), so this service set was an obvious choice. But given we entertain on an almost-weekly basis, they make an appearance as often. They're lovely and perfectly sized, and I just love the weight of them. Elegant enough to feature on a lavish tablescape, yet equally appropriate for noshing around the coffee table with family and friends.

Breville Smart Oven ($250) - So this was an item we almost didn't include on our registry because of the price, but we knew our kitchen needed this. We use this oven daily, be it to toast, bake, reheat, or broil, and especially on these triple-digit days in the Texas summer, I can't imagine not having this puppy to save us from heating up the whole house with the big oven or sweating like a banshee in front of the grill. 

Reidel Decanter ($50) - Confession: I use this beautiful crystal decanter equally as often as a vase as I do a decanter. (To our wine-drinking guests: I swear, I wash it really, really well!) I think that nothing elevates a delightful pairing like taking the time to properly decant a good bottle of wine and letting it come to room temp (we store our reds in a wine fridge).

Breville YouBrew Coffee Maker ($250) - (OK, I promise, this post wasn't sponsored by Breville, but they make some quality stuff, y'all.) We are quite picky when it comes to our coffee gadgets, and this was a big item for us. (Again, almost didn't include it on the registry, but I about did a backflip in my ladylike lace dress when I opened this package.) It's awesome...built-in burr grinder, single cup and carafe brew settings, pre-infusion, and can be programmed to auto-start. Haven't regretted this selection one day in the past (almost) two years.

Now it's your turn... What are your favorite registry items, or simply your splurge purchases for the kitchen/dining room that you can't imagine being without?

Friday Night Lights...Patio Style

Yes, yes, I know that Friday Night Lights is a reference to football. But this gal, not a huge fan of watching sports (unless you consider "Chopped" sports), so this Friday night, we are enjoying another kind of lights.

M and I finally got the tools we needed (i.e. a wicked tall ladder) to hang some string lights in our backyard, a project that we've been wanting to tackle since we moved into our bungalow. There is a small patio out back, perfect for our petite fire pit and a close group of friends, and it was practically begging for some enchanting lighting to set the mood. We strung clear orb lights from the roof to the top of our side fence, creating a lit awning over the patio as you exit the door from the kitchen to the backyard.They cast the perfect amount of light to play games and see companys' faces as we visit in our adirondack chairs, and we can't wait to also add some torches and lanterns to welcome many fall and winter evenings spent outdoors!

Owl Warm and Cozy mug // Hermes Avalon blanket // Zyga Lace Sweater

Current/Elliot boyfriend jeans // Terrain Starlight citronella candle // Lola Rose ring

OPI Pamplona Purple // TOMS Harper Cordones Oxford

 

Cozy nights call for comfy duds, great coffee (or a cocktail), the most gorgeous blanket ever, and just a touch of citronella to keep the pests away. (Texas insects don't respect the correlation between Pumpkin Spice Latte's arrival and the need for all things summer to scram.)

 

Where will you cozy up this Friday night?

 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway I'm hosting through Sunday!

 



Calling All Winos and Coffee Lovers... {A Giveaway!} CLOSED

In celebration of my new domain, I wanted to pass along a little something to thank y'all for reading, sharing (your often heartwarming and hilarious comments), Tweeting, Pinning, etc. So today we kick off a fun little giveaway...

via

Biscotti Brothers Bakery Almond Biscotti

Forget what you think you know about the twice baked treats, these biscotti are hands down the best I've had. I wasn't even a big biscotti fan (though I would tackle a baby holding a kitten for a good donut), but the good folks at Espresso Zone slipped in a free sample in our case of espresso pods, and we were done for. Dipped in hot tea, iced coffee, cappuccino, french press, whatever your brew of choice, these crispy delights maintain their crunch while absorbing just enough flavor to make your mouth go absolutely bananas. The almond flavor is my personal favorite, and my contact at EZ.com said they even like their biscotti paired with red wine. Whaaaaat.


The details:

 

Two (2) Use Your Words, Little Girl readers will receive their very own box of Almond Biscotti.*
The winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, September 16th. 
(Giveaway is open to US readers only.)
 

To enter:

•  Follow Use Your Words, Little Girl on Bloglovin'
• Follow @UseYourWordsNat on Twitter
• Follow me on Pinterest

Leave a separate comment below for each entry to let me know what you did, and be sure to include your email address so I can follow up with the winners!

Image shared courtesy of EspressoZone.com

*Please note: This giveaway is not sponsored by EspressoZone.com, though I thank them tremendously for their support and fantastic customer service! This is a "thank you," to you, from me.

Pop on Over to The SoHo...

Besides having a great name, Natalie over at the The Soho: Slices of Life from the Southern Hostess keeps a delightful collection of posts that feature delish dishes, pretty photos, and sweet snippets from her daily life.

I was inspired to participate in her May Photo Project, as the topic was breakfast, which is only the most awesome meal of the day. I had to share a recent pic that I took of the (most creamy ever) cappuccino and madeleines that M made for me during one rainy work-from-home day. Bliss, y'all.

Pop on over to check out some lovely,drool-worthy captures of the day's first (and most important) nom!