New Mom Must Haves

Nursing Friendly Tops

Is it me or do these clothing brands need to step up their game with cute nursing friendly tops?! Thankfully their are some "regular" clothing options out there that can get the job done for us Mamas. After I have established nursing, I usually just start wearing my normal shirts and just pull it up to nurse. I have a lot of these tops in my cart right now and some I already own.

My Desert Maternity Shoot

What's in my Hospital Bag: The Third Time Around

Nursery Reveal

Hospital Bag for baby: What I packed the third time around

Second Trimester Recap

Prepping to become a big sister with Ju Ju Be

20 Week Bump Date

Christmas Gift Guide for her, him, and the kiddos!

Hi Dolls!

Can you believe we are already three weeks away from Christmas! Yikes and Yay!!! I have collected some items that I have personally have ordered for either myself and family or would love to open up on Christmas morning! I have fun checking out all these amazing deals!!!

A Healthy Spooky Snack with Mini Babybel®

Hi Dolls!

The kids and I did a quick Target run the other day for some last minute things for my vacation and of course we couldn't leave without hitting the Target Cafe and picking up some snacks for the week. My kids have been eyeing these cheese snacks from Mini Babybel® forever and I just couldn't say no because I secretly wanted to try them too. HA! My kids could seriously live off of cheese and crackers! Mini Babybel® is made with 100% real cheese and is a good source of calcium and protein....so this Mama is WINNING in the healthy snack department! 

My littles could not wait to get home to open up these yummy little snacks and to be honest, either could I! 

I came across some really yummy ways to enjoy these tasty cheeses bbbbuuutttt I kinda let the kids that the lead on this snack. I couldn't resist snapping some adorable photos of them with my Fall decor! These are seriously the prefect little party snack for the upcoming holiday season and just bring out the kid in us!

I truly love  the fact that, not only are these snacks healthy and tasty for my little ones to enjoy during the day or to place in their lunch boxes for school, etc...I love that they help them with their motor skills as well! From the unwrapping to cutting the cheese up to place on their favorite crackers! As Mom, I appreciate all the help I can get to keep them busy and make learning fun!

Ok Mamas, make sure to pick up a bag of these yummy Mini Babybel®  cheeses on your next Target run! You won't be sorry and let me know how you enjoyed them! Also make sure to check out Mini Babybel® to learn more about this delicious snack that the entire enjoy family can enjoy!

Cheers from our table to yours! 

Back to School Shopping

We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel from Summer break! I am that weird Mom who is dreading having my babies in school all day. I love having them home and being with them all the time. Thankfully my littlest one has one more year before she's in school 24/7.

I have always loved back to school shopping. From school supplies to new shoes. There is nothing more fun than prepping for school to start! My kids share that same excitement and love with me as well. I think picking out their new backpack for the upcoming school year is their favorite part of the entire process!

I have come across some amazing deals while shopping for the kids and I just had to share with you Mama's out there.

School Supplies 

There are so MANY awesome deals on Amazon right now for school supplies. They even categorized the grades on their website! I know my kids teachers love donations and I am always happy to help with those. 

Backpacks and Lunch Time

My Kids totally snagged the cutest backpacks this year for school and I'm sending Amazon the biggest hug because they had Averie's dream bag for school! HA! Also my kids have used these water bottles for years and we all LOVE them! 

School Clothes

Oh the adorable clothes now a days for these kiddos. My son will be in uniforms this year and we are both excited about that! 

Shoes

I always buy my kids shoes from the Nordstrom Sale for school. Not on purpose but mainly because we find the best deals there. I linked some of my favorite for the kids for school.

Mama's

Now I didn't forget about us Mom's out there! Where would be without our coffee to get these kiddos off to school onetime!? I love a good coffee mug and tumbler to use in the morning. It just makes my morning move a little faster and it's the prefect accessory to go with my top knot, leggings, and oversize shirt! HA! I think you will enjoy these picks I found for you. 

I hope you ladies enjoyed today's round up of back to school shopping!

Gymboree: Extra 50% OFF New & Further Markdowns

Old Navy: Entire site up to 50% OFF. Also 30% OFF total including clearance items!

Target School Uniform sale: 10% OFF no code needed

Macys: BACK FRIDAY IN JULY! Take an EXTRA 25% OFF with code JULY

Mom Life and Blogging and CaseApp

Hi Dolls,

I just have to say thank you so much for all the sweet and supportive comments on my post on Sunday morning. It so meant so much to me!

I have been trying to put this post together for some time now. It's funny how stuff works out, because when I originally wanted to create this post, I was in a totally different mind set than I am now. My one year anniversary for the blog is coming up in a few months and I wish I had a better understanding at what works for me but to be completely honest...I am still really learning at what is working best for me and my blog. 

Balancing being a stay at home Mom and blogger is extremely hard, not gonna lie. I began blogging for two reasons, firstly it was because I have ALWAYS had a strong passion for everything fashion. I love styling outfits and helping others put outfits together. Secondly it was the prefect creative outlet for me after being home with my kids for all these years. My oldest starts Kindergarten this year and I'm so sad yet proud of all far he has come these past 6 years.

 I had started a handful of blogs since my kids where born and ended up pulling the plug because I just didn't have the amount of time I wanted to put into it. When I created Balancing In Heels Through Motherhood, it just felt right and I had the full support of my Husband which made ALL the difference. I am not a full time blogger and I hope one day I will be because I truly love blogging. I did't start my blog to make money and if you are wondering if I have made money since blogging the answer is no. I have been doing everything because I truly love it!

As of right now, I work on my blog before my kids wake up in the morning because I am a major morning person. When I first started my blog, I was working on it after they went to bed but I am more clear in the morning haha.  If I am behind on my post, which I usually am half of the time. I will fix my kids up with a show or have them work on a workbook so I can finish up what I need to quickly. Now this sounds great written out but it usually doesn't always happen. I have to break up arguments or get them snacks/drinks/change the show etc. I wish I could plan out my posts like 90% of bloggers do but honestly I don't like doing that. I like to feel genuine and in the moment with my post. I may not feel like sharing a certain picture 3 days from now, so that's probably why I feel so overwhelmed sometimes because I don't know what post each day.

Instagram is a real Mother isn't it? It can really screw with you as a blogger and make you question who you are. I stress so much about what photo to post and if my caption is "LIKE" worthy EVERY time I post. I would be lying if I didn't say I questioned if I should be moving forward with my blog because I was losing followers like crazy for being ME!!! Now how stupid is that??! I created this blog because I wanted an outlet, ME!! I wasn't doing it for likes or to get paid. This exhausted Mom stay at home Mom with two kids needed an outlet during her endless days of cleaning a house that NEVER seems to want to stay clean, breaking up arguments all day over toys and which show we are going to watch, kids up and down all night, the amount of stress eating that lead to unwanted "toddler weight gain" (yes ladies I'm making that a thing), and always serving and making sure everyone in the house is taken care of.  It's a thankless job but if I had the ability to turn back time and do it over again, I certainly would.

My blog is a place where I am come and just relax. I can share the things that I love with other women who my be seeking fashion help, inspiration, or a place where they can take their mind off things. I followed a lot of fashion bloggers when my kids were just born and it helped my realize that I can still have style after being a Mom. So I hope my blog is like that who are in that position. With my kids heading back to school on the same days this year, I'll have a couple of free days to myself, which is going to be really weird! Thankfully I still have another year before Averie heads to Kindergarten.

So far now, just like Motherhood....I am doing the best I can when I can. I wish I had a better balance for my blog and home life but I don't. I think if I was getting paid for blogging I would have a set schedule because at that point it is a legit job. Since it's a major time consuming hobby, I'll do the best I can and not feel so stressed about me being ME!!

I want to truly thank CaseApp for sending me these little goodies! I have been enjoying them so much. I created a skin for my laptop which I completely LOVE!! Also I created a photo case because lets face it, who doesn't love showing off those you love dear to your heart.

Thank you so much for all the support thus far ladies. I promise to keep staying true to me and not someone who is trying to push products on you. I never recommend anything that I truly don't love or haven't tried myself. <3

CaseApp and I are sharing the love with you guys. So head to www.caseapp.com and use code ASHLEYCLARK20 for 20% :) They have SO MANY great designs for just about every tech device and you can pick from predesigned items or create your own. So have fun ladies and thanks again for everything! LOVE YOU!!

Summer Fun with Itzy Ritz

Hi Dolls,

Summer is here and that means us Mamas are putting in that extra work to keep our littles entertained! It can get expensive to keep these kiddos busy and I wanted to share how I'm keeping my kids busy this Summer without breaking the bank!

When Itzy Ritzy contacted me about these snack bags, I was over the moon excited!! My kids are snacking machines!!! My bag is full of snacks when we leave the house and I love having these reusable and washable little bags. I have one large one and one small size one for each of the kids. Our current favorite snacks fit in them and that makes this Mama oh so happy! They love the fun prints on them too and the price point too! 

I have use them for other items as well. My son liked to put his hot wheels and legos in them when we went to dinner. My daughter put in her favorite pretend make up and little figures to play with when lunch with friends.

( My tee and my son's hat )

This Summer my kids are at a really fun age and I am loving it! I'm going to break down what we have been doing and what we have on out Summer Activities list.

•  First off, head to Pinterest and create a Summer Activities board. I have a couple kids boards created, so make sure to check them out. As I'm sure you already know, Pinterest is overloaded with Summer fun. Tho, it can get overwhelming, so I like to try and stick to a theme...printing, building, outside activities, etc. My kids and I have picked our top 5 things we want to try out from Pinterest. 

• Google your local library and check out their events page. Every library has a Summer reading program and this is good for all ages. Even if your kids are 1-2 years old, getting on the floor and reading to them or doing picture books is so good for them. Some libraries have some really great events going on for kids. Our local library is having a lego building day and a read to a service dog day! 

• Google your local parks/splash pads. Arizona is such a hot state, so thankfully they offer some free splash pads for the kids to cool off at. We love to pack up our bags with toys and snacks when we plan our park days. Bring a large blanket and enjoy lunch outside. 

• Check out your cities recreation website. They can offer free events for you and your kids!

• Home Depot offers FREE work shops for kids and adults!

• Summer Movies! Most movie theaters offer a Summer Movie package at a very discounted rate. 

• Vacation Bible School. These fun camps can either be free or very cost effective. 

• Check out your local tourist website page! Be a tourist in your town. They will have the best info on what's happening in your town. 

I hope you enjoyed today's post and got some inspiration for your Summer fun! What are some of your favorite things to do this Summer? Thank you to Itzy Ritzy for sending my kids and I these amazing on the go bags for all our Summer fun. Make sure you guys go and check them out!

Mr. Champ // Dog Mom

 I'm happy for you to finally "meet" Champ. Our sweet, crazy, loving, and oh so happy 5 1/2 month old chocolate lab. I never thought my husband would EVER agree to getting a dog while our kids are so young but once again he surprises me and spoils me. He surprised me with Champ on Christmas Eve and said he had to work, which isn't a total shock because he has to sometimes on holidays. What he was really doing, was driving to go pick up Champ and bring him home to us! <3 I literally cried my eyes out when I saw this sweet little furry chocolate love starring at me when I wanted in the door.

 I had never had a puppy before. Growing up I had a dog but she was way passed the puppy stage when we got her. I couldn't believe how much work having a puppy was going to be. Now that we are in more of the toddler/teenager stage it's getting better. It's amazing how fast dogs grow and develop!

I am signing this little sweet nugget up for puppy school and I don't think I have ever been more excited about attending school! HA! My dream is to make him a certified service dog one day. I have recently been dealing with a lot of anxiety issues and I will share more about that on another day/post. :( I'm so thankful God created these sweet animals for us to learn and grow from. I feel beyond blessed to have two healthy children and now this sweet pup to learn from and love on! <3

We discovered this ADORABLE dog park near our home. It has a little pond for the dogs to jump and swim in. Also a couple play yards for them to socialize in. The best part of the park, is the massive paw prints everywhere! Champ and I brought our Starbuck drinks and watched all the other dogs get dirty and play. It's funny how we are so alike! HA! He had no desire to go play with the other dogs and I was ok with that. :D

It's safe to say that Mr. Champ LOVES a Pupachino from Starbucks!

I don't want to be that dog Mom that goes on and on about her dog...haha...but he is to cute note to share. I am so grateful for this pup and really believe that dogs find us. With that being sad, I will be opening up to you about my battle with anxiety. I am still working on that post and will share it with you soon.

I hope you have a beautiful rest of the weekend babes! You can snag my adorable shirt and MANY other cute ones from www.threadtank.com :)

Spring Picks + kiddos

Hi loves!!
Can you believe Spring is around the corner?! On today's quick post I have rounded up some great things for Spring and Summer. These are pieces that you could easily play around with items you already have in your closet!

Now there are seriously SO MANY goodies out there for Spring and Summer. I believe if you are going to truly wear them items like crazy then INVEST! If you are just trying them because they are trendy, then go BUGDET FRIENDLY! NEVER break the bank for a trendy item! That's just my personal opinion. I saw some adorable items for the littles too, so I added those in there on the bottom. :) Hope you ladies have a great week!!


Tops 

Jackets

Jeans 

Shoes

Accessories

Swimwear

                                                                                                                                                               

Kiddos

Girls

Boys