Lula Obsessed

I told myself I didn't need another "thing." I didn't need to fall in love with another brand, another line, another designer.... I held off on going to parties for the longest time, because...well...money, and I fall in love with clothes so easily! The way certain textures feel, the nostalgia a certain piece has, the colors that make me feel sexier and younger. I just love clothes. There.

But, I finally went to a Lularoe party a couple weeks ago with my friend. We both said we were going to just hang out, chat, and have fun. Yeah right. I can't do that when there are racks of beautiful, buttery clothes in front of me! I started to try some things on. Look at myself with only one eye open, trying to make myself look weird in the clothes. It didn't work. It was love. Everyone else that has been telling me how great these clothes were, were right! I hate admitting when I'm wrong, and I hate being late to the party (no pun intended). I scooped up my first piece that night, which happens to be perfect for my growing bump. The Julia dress.

Hat, scarf, boots: all in my closet from last year. Diaper Bag: Fawn Design Bracelet: Sweet Peas Stamping

That's a pretty cute dress, right?! You can also inch it up to be a tunic/top, but I won't show you that without pants on! I styled it a few different ways as a dress. Maybe next week, I'll style the same dress as a top

This next outfit is so fun with the faux fur vest. This was a last year's pick from Target, but I've seen new ones for this year. I really wanted to show you how to make one new piece in your wardrobe last with other pieces you already love from your closet.

Boots, vest: closet picks. 

Also chose to wear another favorite necklace from Sweet Peas Stamping.

And last, a simple cardigan from Mila Chic Boutique. A favorite of mine to throw on with everything. Simple, sweet, out on the town look

Boots, earrings: Closet picks Necklace: Belle and Blush (my daughter's, but I stole it!)

I had such a great time at my party, I decided to have one. It was so great to have a "girls' night out." No kids or husband (love them both dearly, I swear). There was seriously zero pressure to buy anything. It really was just about going to see friends and meet new ones. There was no sales pitch, no marketing plan that they took us through....nothing. Just shopping, eating, and drinking (obviously water for me). You can find my great consultant here. Her name is Nicole, and she's a blast! If you happen to be in the Charlotte area on November 9th, you're invited to my house ;-) You can try on some of these buttery clothes...or not.

Personalized Jewelry

If you're smart, you're already Christmas shopping so that it doesn't catch up to you on Christmas Eve! Walking around the mall with everyone else the day before Christmas is always so agonizing and depressing to me. There's nothing jolly about bumping into everyone's shoulders and standing in lines 30 minutes long. You should be enjoying the day with family or friends! So, I'm here to help you! Just call me a little elf :) I've fallen in love with some personalized jewelry that I've recently gotten. Sweet Peas Stamping has so many beautiful pieces to personalize or little sayings that they've already come up with that will compliment your friends' and family's personalities. 

Her jewelry comes in different colors, and if you need a polishing cloth, you can have one free of charge! The owner is so great to work with, and really wants to help you with what you want. I constantly receive compliments whenever I wear a piece from Sweet Peas Stamping and I'm proud to wear it. 

Each piece comes packaged in a little box and cloth bag that are perfect for gifting. No lines. No waiting. No bumping into other people. So simple. 

Top: Altar'd State Leggings: Blanqi Boots: Chinese Laundry 

Two of my favorite things right now. This necklace reminds me to just breathe when anxiety build up about adding another wee babe to this family. Just breathe. (Mug: Sweet Water Decor)

 My life is filled with so many anxieties. What woman's isn't? This passage is one of my favorites to look to when worry starts to build up in my chest and it feels as if I'm choking. I don't have to worry about anything. It's all taken care of. Worries add nothing to my life.

Such a great bangle! I love having a little jingle around my wrist. It makes me feel so feminine. I don't know why...is it just a girl thing? Are you like that too, or am I alone on this? My small group and I are going through this study called Becoming Mrs. Betterhalf that is yet to be released to the public. It's such a great study though! I have so much to learn about becoming a better wife.  So many days that are tough between Kevin and I are because of my own darn pride built up inside. I need the reminder to "be still and know" that He is God when I feel like nothing is right and everything is going awry between us. Be still and know... that we are together for God's purpose...be still and know that our unity is more important that an arbitrary fight...be still and know that...fill in the blank.

The New Kid On the Block

I don't think much explanation even needs to go into this post since there's a video, but I'll give you the shortened play by play.

The day we went in for our ultrasound, we knew we were going to turn away when she checked the gender. We wanted to find out together, but not in the doctor's office. We did a gender reveal party for Hallen, so we wanted something special for this little bundle of joy too. The ultrasound tech sweetly put the gender photos in a sealed envelope for us so we could still have them, but wait to look at them until after the reveal...you know...just to be 100% positive!

We ordered a gender reveal lovey from Hudson and Heart Co to open for our big surprise. I thought it'd be fun for Hallen to get involved with too since it was a stuffed animal. Hudson and Heart Co is such an amazing company. Their hearts are truly about giving back. For each gift purchased in their shop, they're able to give a meal to a child in need. I love supporting shops with such a heart felt mission, and I like knowing that my money isn't just going into some big corporation.

So, the lovey arrived two days after our ultrasound. Once that box was there, it was go time in my head. I called Kevin to see when he was coming home, and when we could make this happen! I wanted to rip into that box and see what cute animal was hiding in there! Once I told Kevin the package had arrived, he immediately left work so we could get this party started.

Once he got home, there was no putzing around. He hopped in the shower, we gathered everything up that we needed, and headed out. Our friends met us nearby to take photos and a video (super sweet of them...we were just going to put the camera on a tripod and hope for it not to come out blurry)! Once everyone was there and had eaten their Chick-Fil-A, it was go time. My gut feeling was a girl and Kevin's (along with everyone else) was a boy. It was so exciting to have the answer just moments away.

  A larger version can be found here.

We are so thrilled to announce we'll be having another little girl this February. It seems surreal still that we'll be raising sisters soon. I hope they become best friends. My heart could explode with joy right now. God is so good.

Cardigan: Mila Chic Boutique Leggings: Blanqi Tunic: Shop K La Hallen's Flares: Happy Shombey Shoes: Lili Collection Shoes Headband: Daddy Said Yes Boutique Lovie: Hudson and Heart Co.