Inspiration to Recreation: Second Day Updo

I've never been much for the 'second day hair.' My hair tends to be very oily and generally by the end of the first day is doesn't look so hot. Because of this and the fact that I like clean hair, I wash my hair every day. Well, this particular day I decided not to and just go with what I had. I'd put dry shampoo in it the day before and styled like this:

I decided for my "second day" look, I'd just do something like a messy bun. I found this look:

Adding a headband, this was my end result:

Outfit of the Day: Purple Polkadot

As I near the end of this pregnancy, comfort has begun to win over style. I still try to dress well, but ultimately I am more concerned with what fits and what's comfortable. 

I thought this outfit did a good job of mixing comfort with a bit of style. This lilac purple tank plagued with little black polka-dots stretches nicely over my ever growing baby bump! I added the ruffle trim black cardigan and black skinnies.

I Accessorized with a multi-toned chunky black necklace and coordinating earrings. I also put on a pair of well padded and easy-on-my-swollen-feet black flats.

A New Way To Do the 'Do

I have been growing my bangs out since last Fall. I figured after Alana is born I don't want to have to style them every day, nor do I want them hanging down in my face, as I plan to be looking down at her a LOT! My bangs have reached that middle ground...they are just barely able to tuck behind my ear but not enough to stay there yet. I've started playing with different ways to style them: up-forward-and-to-the-side, up-back-and-to-the-side, twisted back, la pouf, braided back...whatever I can think of to get them out of my way. I think I found a happy place with my bangs this week. I plan to style them this way for a few more days to see if I really like it, but so far I like to way it looks. What do you think? 

{A Bit Farrah Fawcett Maybe}

Outfit of the Day: Blue Stripe Dress

I have missed wearing dresses during this pregnancy. I have a specific cut that fits my body best when not pregnant and as I've grown bigger I've had a hard time finding dresses that look right on my new body. This dress is perfect. It's made from a thick but stretchy material, which is great for stretching over my baby bump. 

I love the details on this dress. The gold zipper over the shoulder adds some interest to the dress while still keeping it simple. 

I paired this outfit with a bib style double blue tone necklace and coordinating earrings.

Outfit of the Day: Neon Stars

Sometimes winter can get gloomy. Shades of black and gray parade about. They skies can even be tones of gray. So it is nice to add some color to winter's gloom. I was instantly drawn to this cream sweater with neon stars. 

I paired this sweater with a bright tank underneath, some khaki pants and brown boots. I added an opaque chunky peach necklace and some gold earrings to accessorize to bring the outfit together. 

Outfit of the Day: Coral & Navy

Maternity fashion has definitely been a challenge for me. Maternity clothes are an investment for sure. They can be quite expensive, without as many options, sales, or coupons. You only wear them for a short period of time, yet they are essential. I have tried to get away with borrowing as many clothes as I can, and wearing my own looser tops for as long as I can, but pants have been the one thing I have had to give in and buy. I finally found a pair of tan pants I was willing to spend money on this past weekend. I figured as long as I had a pair of jeans, a black pair and a tan pair of pants, I could make a lot mix and match outfits.

  

Today's pairing I kept simple: a stretchy coral (not maternity) t-shirt, my new tan pants, a navy floral scarf, blue pin-stripe blazer and cream ballet flats.

My Favorite Baby Items

We finished our baby registry. The amount of items they tell you that you need in order to have a baby is insane. I kept asking the husband, "is this really necessary? Do we seriously need that?" It still took several hours to go through the store and figure out what we would need, what would be nice to have and what we could do without. There were a few favorites though and I thought I'd share them with you:

1. Could B Sleep Sheep Sound Machine

This little lamb is so adorable for starters, but it is also great because it is a traveling sound machine for baby. It is soft and cuddly and I could have taken it for myself honestly it was that cute!

2. Graco Modes Click Connect Stroller - Onyx

This wasn't the original stroller I'd picked out with the cute pattern on it, but when I went to pick up that stroller it was so heavy. I knew I didn't want to be lugging around, breaking my back over a stroller, no matter how cute it was. When I saw this stroller and the ease to which it opened and closed along with how incredibly light weight it was, I knew this was the stroller for me. The fact that it is neutral colors will be good if we happen to have a boy next.

3. Graco SnugRide Car Seat - Onyx

Of course with the stroller you need a matching car seat. I like that the car seats now come with a base, so that you can just click the car seat in and out of the car without having to deal with the seat belt every time.

4. The Mommy Hook Stroller Hanger

I have heard almost every mom I know recommend "the mommy hook." When I was a nanny they had one and they were great so of course I just had to add it to my registry. My only disappointment was they didn't have any in purple. 

5. Tommee Tippee Explora Girl Bib

Also know as "pelican bibs," these are great! One of the first families I baby sat for had these and I knew when I had kids I'd have to have them as well. They are silicone, so easy to clean, and they have a little 'pocket' that catches all the food that either drops or is spit out. They are by far my favorite bib! 

6. WiFi Video Monitor

This is by far the most expensive item we registered for and we honestly almost didn't add it. But as a new mommy who will be returning to work, I desperately wanted a way to be able to see our baby girl, to know she is okay, and to calm my nervous heart. With this monitor I will be able to check in on her any time from my phone. We did a lot of research and are fully aware that there is a need for wifi security for these monitors so ensure our safety, but for the peace of mind and simple pleasure of being able to see my baby girl, this will probably end up being my favorite item. 

7. aden + anais Jillaroo Swaddle Wraps

I heard a lot of differing opinions about swaddle blankets. Most of the comments said it depends on the child, what they prefer. I decided to go ahead and register for some just in case. I added some cheaper swaddle blankets to the registry but I heard so much about this brand, the softness, how some kids will take it into toddler years, and that they are such a good quality, that I went ahead and added one pack. I love the print on this specific one, with the elephants and birds. 

8. Headbands are Hair Bows

As you all know I love to do my own hair so I am very much looking forward to doing Alana Faye's hair. I registered for quite a few headbands and hair bows...now I just pray she is born with a lot of hair! 

9. Clothes

As you also know, I love fashion, so I am so excited and eager to be able to dress up my little sweet thing in all kinds of adorable outfits. We registered for a few but I am sure people will buy her all kinds of outfits. We do plan on buying her "coming home" outfit ourselves though.

10. Toys

I left toys for last because I know it will be some time before she will really be able to play with anything. But we did register for a cute little tea set, a little play purse, a pint-size vanity table and a few other really fun toys. 

All of these items can be found here or you can check out what else we loved here. 

Inspiration to Recreation: Twisted Half-up

I saw this picture on Pinterest and thought, "gee that looks really easy to do."

 So I attempted the style and really liked the results. 

After curling my hair, I lightly teased the crown. Taking sections of hair by each temple, I gently twisted backwards until the met. I twisted the two sections together and clipped into place, letting the hair drape over the clip. 

Outfit of the Day: Mint Green & White

The weather here has been up into the 80's and then a couple days later down into the 50's. This is why in the Sunshine State you never pack away your short sleeves and tank tops because you never know when you will need them -- yes even in the Winter. Currently it has been cold and wet outside and so I wanted something cute, comfortable and cozy.

I really like this sweater. It is a cool mint color with a stripe pattern in the back. I don't generally wear stripes because I am naturally wide hipped and so stripes, especially horizontal ones, tend to over emphasize this. This sweater however allows me to wear stripes without the illusion that I am wider than I truly am! Because of my growing baby belly, I layered a white lace tank underneath and paired with my favorite brown boots and skinny jeans. 

I accessorized with a mint necklace and before leaving the house I added this white crocheted scarf. 

Outfit of the Day: Aqua Polka Dots

I think I have a bit of a preppy side, because I love the look of sweater layered over a button up. I layered this aqua blue sweater over a classic white top with black polka dots. I paired it with black ballet flats and black skinny pants. 

Accessorizing with a chunky beaded aqua necklace and coordinating earrings pulls this outfit all together. You can also pair this outfit with a black skirt and wedges. 

Outfit of the Day: Winter Cozy

Some cold weather hit the Sunshine State and naturally I pulled out a cozy sweater and my boots. 

I actually found this teal blue sweater on a Walmart sales rack several years ago. I like the line of the collar and the sheer lace accent. I paired it with my black skinny pants, black boots and a pair of teal heart shaped stud earring. Before leaving the house, I also added a black and white floral print scarf. 

Outfit of the Day: Spring for Winter

I have been fighting a cold all week. It has been the most miserable sickness I've gone through, as I'm extremely limited on what I can take to treat the cold as a result of the pregnancy. So my way of willing spring to come around, I picked out this outfit.

I can't remember where I got this navy and white stripe top, but I love that the stripes weren't even, that they had a sort of 'wave' effect to them. I paired my stripes with a floral scarf and pulling from the pink flowers in the scarf, I chose this pink cardigan to keep me warm. I kept it simple with my tan pants, brown boots and pearl stud earrings. 

Happy New Year

The holidays have come and gone and a new year has already begun. 2013 was the most challenging of my life, but I grew so much during that year as well. I learned new things about myself, I grew closer in my relationship with my husband, with friends and with God.
I look forward to this new year, not really knowing all it will hold for me, but with hope and anticipation. This new year is already filling up and the count down has started.

The Rock & Bowl fundraiser hosted by Area 3 Foundation is only eight days away. We leave for the Cleveland Clinic (and hopefully new answers and a plan for Scott's health) in just forteen days! My special birthday (I will be turning 30 on the 30th!) is only twenty-eight days from now. Valentine's Day is forty-three days away, our five year anniversary is fifty days away and of course the long awaited arrival of our first born child, Alana Faye, is an estimated ninty-six days from now! Somewhere in all that we still need to registery for baby stuff, have a baby shower, hopefully move into a new place, and get everything set up and ready to bring Alana home! There are a few hundred little things that also need to be done as well, but one thing I plan to do this new year is take one day at a time, one task at a time, and one adventure at a time.

It can be so easy to get caught up in the business of things, the hectic schedule of life, but I want to purposefully remember to slow down. To capture every moment, to give thanks for all the blessings, all the graces new every day in my life and to remember: remember that God walked with me through a tough year and He was faithful, to remmeber that He is trust worthy, that He is endless and that He is able!

Happy New Year All!