Inspiration to Recreation: Romantic Bun

When preparing for a baby there is a lot to consider and plan for. One thing I've been considering is my time, particularly time getting ready. I have been working on keeping my hair routine simple and easy. I love to do hair though. I don't think that will change. I am sure even after the baby is born I will find time to still style my hair. I found this hairstyle by Carah Amelie. She is also a mom who understands time limitations but still enjoys doing hair and makeup. 

This is a holiday hairstyle she created, but really it can be done any time, especially for a date night! Here is my recreation:

I tried to get a picture of the back but couldn't find the right angle and didn't have anyone to assistant me. (One day I will have a tripod). I like this hairstyle because it is simple, it is easy to do and it looks fantastic!

Outfit of the Day: A Reason To Wear Boots

We had some chilly weather come through and though it likely will only last a few days (or one day), when you live in the Sunshine state you take every opportunity to rock those boots! This top drew my attention for a couple reasons, for one it was pretty soft and I truly like soft things. For another it had a great colorway. This neutral background with a purple-gray pattern spoke of Fall to me. The fact that it fit over my baby belly made me even more excited!

I paired this top with boot leg jeans and a pair of wedge boots. Just so you can appreciate these boots I took a close up. I got the boots with the fur ladies! 

Styling this look with tall boots and skinny jeans changes the look up a bit. I paired it with a layered purple pearl necklace and coordinating earrings completed the look for me. 

Outfit of the Day: Zipper Fashion

I am drawn to sometimes weird things. I saw this top and the first thing that grabbed my attention was the zipper. The second was the soft material. I thought this was a great top for casual days or weekends hanging out with the husband or friends. 

I paired this top with my skinny jeans, a layered silver necklace with coordinating earrings and my silver Toms. This outfit is both comfortable and stylish. 

Outfit of the Day: Red Polka Dots

If you ask anyone who knows me I am not a big fan of red. I think it looks great on my mom and even on other people, but if I chose any shade of red it would probably lean more towards a maroon. I have been blessed with some maternity hand-me-downs (lets face it, maternity clothes are crazy expensive and to spend that much money on clothes I'd only wear for another few months is just ridiculous). As I sorted through the bags of clothes this top caught my attention. Maybe it was the sheer-flowiness of it, or maybe it was because it was navy (I like blue). Whatever the reason, once I tried this top on I liked it. 

Due to the fact that I generally do not buy items of red color, I didn't own any jewelry that really looked good with this outfit. I decided to pair it with this white beaded necklace and gold earrings. Later I did discover a garnet (which happens to be both my birth stone and the color red) heart pendant necklace which I decided looked better with this outfit instead (not pictured).  Of course on those cooler days, I always take advantage of wearing my boots!

It's A...

It's a girl! I have been so excited to share this news ever since we found out! I've wanted to blurt it out to every person I pass by! I am thrilled to be having a little girl...to dress her up and do her hair. To share in tea parties together, to play dolls and dress up. I can hardly wait for all the wonderful adventures to begin! 

Almost as much as announcing that we are having a girl, have I wanted to announce her name. Alana Faye. It really is true, you shouldn't name a thing you don't plan to be attached to (it's why in every animal movie in which the pet is rescued off the streets the parents beg the child not to name it, because once you do, it becomes infinitely more dear and impossible to then be separated). Almost the instant we knew it was a girl, and knew what her name was to be, my heart swelled with so much love for this little one, it spilled out in joy and excitement. 

Hers was a name we picked out when we first got married, almost five years before. Alana means "little seed" or "little rock". Faye means "faith". She is a little seed of faith. Her name fits so well into our story, I was amazed and awed at God's timing and plan behind something seemingly so simple as a name. 

After all we have walked through; after every trial, every pain and hardship, she has come into our lives at such a time as this. She is a reminder, a call to trust. This past year has been the hardest of my life. My faith was tested and pulled; it was stretched to limits I hadn't known before. It was challenged not by people, not by the unbeliever trying to disprove my faith, but by life's circumstances. Every time I faced another unanswered prayer {was God still God}. Every time we encountered another health issue yet unresolved {Did God really have the power to heal}. When loss came into our lives and then came again {was God still good}. As one unknown built upon another, until the future became a thick fog {was God truly Sovereign over all}. As I still walk this path, I can say yes...God is faithful and yes, God is good. Just as a gardener plants a seed into the ground knowing the outcome and the beauty it will produce, though the seed does not understand why it has been thrust into the cold dark earth, nor why it must be broken open for life to spring forth, the Gardener knows. 

And so with ever little "butterfly" motion I feel, with every excited thought of who this little Alana Faye will grow up to be, I am always reminded of her name, it's meaning and the timing in which she has come to us. I cannot wait to hold her and to share this story with her one day. 

Outfit of the Day: Navy and Purple

I think I will wear this sheer-flowy top trend out until either the weather turns too cold (which in the Sunshine state likely won't be for a while yet), or my baby belly grows too big to rock the look. I particularly love this navy and purple top. For one thing it had my favorite color in it (purple), for another it is so darn soft (I just adore soft things). 

I like how this print givse almost a vintage look without appearing too dated. I paired it with my skinny jeans and a layered purple pearl necklace with coordinating earrings and white floral ballet flats. 

Outfit of the Day: Navy and Pink

As this pregnancy progresses, I have been very grateful for the sheer, flowy tops as they allow me to still wear something comfortable and stylish, and I so far I have not yet had to buy any maternity tops. This navy and pink floral top is one I like for that very reason. 

I like the ruffle detail down the collar line, it adds a touch of feminine appeal. I choose a pair of pale pink pearls and matching earring to complete this look. 

Outfit of the Day: Peter Pan in Pink

Being pregnant has been a wonderful and weird experience for me. I love the fact that there is a baby inside, growing big and strong. However the things pregnancy is doing to my body has been weird. I told my husband it is almost like being a teenager again; trying to figure out what's going on with all these changes in my body, along with what fits and looks right on me compared to what just doesn't work anymore. I have been reluctant to wear more "fitted" tops because it obviously shows more of the belly...and yes there is a baby in there, however it still takes some getting used to the fact that my stomach now sticks out farther than my boobs. I did like this pink top with the sheer peter pan collar and sheer sleeve top. 

I paired this top with my new maternity skinny jeans (can I just say how amazing maternity pants are? It's like wearing yoga pants with style!) and this beaded white stone necklace with gold earrings and white floral ballet flats. Here is a close up of that sheer collar.

Outfit of the Day: Cobalt Blue and Leather

I have a confession to make. I love leather pants. I didn't think I would. When I think of leather, generally a biker or someone on the rougher side comes to mind. However after borrowing a pair of leather pants and trying them out for myself I think they are one of my favorite things to wear (next to my skinny jeans). 

I paired it with this cobalt blue tank that has a leather trim detail and a 'peek-a-boo' hole. Wearing this outfit with flats makes it great for a work day or hanging out with friends.

Or slip on some heels and a blazer for a more dressed up look, perfect for a date night. 

Inspiration to Recreation: Twisted Side Braid

I love easy on-the-go hairstyles. I especially like the ones that seem a little bit different, or slightly more complicated than they really are! I learned how to do this twisted side braid from LuxyHair (side note, there is no real braiding involved in this hairstyle). 

I added a little teasing at the roots to give my hair some volume around the crown. I hope you enjoy recreating this hairstyle as much as I do!

Outfit of the Day: Blue Lace

I like soft things, floral things, feminine things and I especially like when all those things are combined. 

With this look, I paired it with black skinny pants and black ballet flats. To dress it up a bit, I changed out the shoes for wedges. this is a great outfit to transition into Fall.

I really like this blue cap sleeve top. It can be worn in so many ways. I paired it with a chunky tri-colored necklace, a scarf, even a blazer. It also looks great on it's own, allowing the details of the top to be the 'accessory'. 

Growing An Onion

Today, I am 17 weeks pregnant. I am still amazed to have come this far in the pregnancy. Last week, the husband and I were able to hear our baby's heartbeat. It was astounding. It did not sound like I'd expect. It wasn't a bump-bump, but more of a whoosh-whoosh. But it was strong and healthy. We were able to record the audio and I played it back again and again, taking in it's sweet sound. Our baby was still there, still alive and still doing well. (For those who don't know we lost two babies prior to this one, one was ectopic and one was a miscarriage). 

In three weeks we will find out if baby is a boy or girl; and yes we will find out. I am by nature a planner and we have already picked out the names and I even designed (in my head of course), the nursery...theme, colors and all. We will be announcing the sex of the baby along with baby's name at Thanksgiving! 

Thanks in much to my parents, we already have some baby items and even a glider and stool for the nursery! I cannot wait to start setting up the nursery. Unfortunately that will need to wait until we find a place to live. We are needing to move out of our apartment for a couple different reasons, one main one being that it is too small. We have been searching for a rental home or townhouse for quite some time without much success. I know God has the perfect place for us, but it is the not knowing where it will be or when it will come that is hard. 

For those of you who know about our journey with my husband's mysterious health issues, this has been a very interesting time in our lives. On one hand I am overjoyed to be having a baby and looking forward to all the wonderful memories we will get to make as a family. On the other hand I have my husband who is current unemployed due to a lay off at his job and on-going health problems that the doctors can't quite figure out. Because of that the future is both one filled with excitement and uncertainty. It has been difficult being the sole income and my trust in God's provision has grown so much during this time as my income doesn't cover all our living expenses, much less the growing stack of hospital and doctor bills. 
If you are interested in learning more about Scott's health journey, you can check out our page at Youcaring.com. 

Outfit of the Day: Black Bows

I think bows are one of my favorite things. They are a simple way to show feminine expression. Bows are great but can be tricky, you don't want to wear them in a juvenile way. 

This black tank is a perfect example of how to wear bows is a classic way. The details on this top are elegant and add interest. Pairing it with a soft pink pant and jewelry brings the look together. 

Outfit of the Day: Eggplant Dress

Aside from my jeans and my new found love of leather pants, dresses have always been the original favorite. They are easy to throw on, they are a complete outfit, none of this trying to find a top to go with those bottoms or vise versa. 

I love the gathered fabric on the side. It graciously hides that afternoon belly that always pops up after lunch. Pairing this dress with a beaded and pearl necklace and accompanied pearl earrings, I can keep it casual with ballet flats or dress it up with heels. 

Outfit of the Day: Blue and Cream Sheer Top



I really like sheer flowy tops. They can be easily dressed up or worn casually, and are very feminine. I paired this top with my dark wash skinny jeans and a pair of cream heels with a brown leather bow detail. I Added gold jewelry to to compliment that nutral pallet.

Outfit of the Day: Navy Floral

As Summer has faded into Fall, an easy way to transition your wardrobe is to pair summer colors with deeper shades. 

I've paired this navy blue floral top with pink skinny pants. Adding a cream blazer dresses this look up, making it a great outfit for the work place. 

Accessorizing with coordinating jewelry brings this outfit together. I love the little bow details and peak-a-boo holes.