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.

Fashion Friday With the Bump

Well...it's no secret anymore. We've told everyone that we're expecting! I still wear lots of flowy tops, though, so you may not notice right away. This pregnancy is already so different from when I was pregnant with Hallen. I hardly felt Hallen kicking at all...throughout the whole pregnancy! This one started kicking at 16 weeks...yes 16...and hasn't stopped! And I have to pee at least twice an hour. The joys! I'll take that with a healthy pregnancy, though!

These are some of my favorite new pieces I've snagged...well, Kevin snagged the new diaper bag for a surprise! I don't know if you've ever tried to buy a Fawn Design diaper bag, but when they restock, they're sold before the hour is up! So, being the stay at home mom that I am, when a package got delivered that said Fawn Design on it, I immediately smiled from ear to ear, but then pretended I didn't see it. I dropped it and walked away, so he could still "surprise me." Kevin usually tells me about a surprise the day after he he formulates the surprise, so I wanted this to be special for him too! He got the gorgeous new plum color they designed exclusively for fall! It's gorgeous. I want to sleep with it, but Kevin said no to diaper bags in the bed. It's seriously changed my life, though. I liked my old diaper bag, but my shoulder began to hurt so bad, which led to a nerve problem in my back from always carrying it on the same side. I load my bags down, so I knew I needed a back pack bag. And this is perfect! It has pockets for all the essentials, plus I can thrown my heavy camera in there and still feel fine.

My last pregnancy, I didn't buy any new jeans. I wanted skinny jeans, but I resorted to my Lululemon leggings or just my regular jeans with a hair tie looping the button and button hole together. This baby is in a completely different position this time, though. The baby is right under my pants waist line, so it hurts after a couple hours wearing normal jeans....or after I eat! So much pressure. So, I broke down early and started wearing maternity jeans. These beauties are from Pink Blush Maternity, and "whoa baby," as Hallen says these days, they feel so good! My stomach can breathe; I can eat; and baby can squirm all around. Plus, they look like normal jeans I'd wear when I'm not preggo. 

These adorable booties are from Zoo Shoo. They're the perfect fall color, perfect height to chase a toddler in, and the perfect touch of "I can still dress normal and look cute while pregnant."  They're super comfortable, and Zoo Shoo always has free shipping! What's better than that?

Another favorite item that I've worn a lot is this kimono from Shop K La. It's a local boutique here in Charlotte that handpicks from all of my favorite brands. I'll continue to buy pieces there throughout this pregnancy, because it's stuff I can wear now and after this little nugget is born!

Bag: Fawn Design

Jeans: Pink Blush Maternity

Shoes: Zoo Shoo

Kimono: Shop K La

Mommy and Me Monday

So, this may not be an every Monday occurrence, but this Monday is a mommy and me kind of day! It's JUST starting to become fall-ish around here. And I'm going to use the -ish part very strongly. It's still humid and muggy some days, but the cool mornings have come! Over the next two weeks, we have two mountain escapes planned too, so then I think fall will really feel like it's setting in. The best part about the little mountain escapes is that they'll be free of toddler drama! I love Hallen with every little bit of my heart, but I haven't been away from her in months and months. And I'm at that point of just needing time to remember what it's like to have no responsibilities for a night or two. I mean really...what's a responsibility as important as keeping a child alive!? 

Between now and then, I'm squeezing in as much time with this little gal as I  can, because I know I'll miss her. She's why I stay at home. And time together means dressing alike, right? I know you do it too...or you want to! 

These skirts from Ashley Rose Clothing are the perfect fall piece to have in your wardrobe. First and foremost, they're comfortable. You can add some stockings or leggings once it starts to cool down a little bit, or if it's still hot during the day and cool at night like it is in the Carolinas, go without leg wear during the day and throw a cute pair of tights on at night! Two outfits in one. You can't beat that.   To top it all off, grab a mommy and me headband set from Sassy Bow Co. in a great fall color that'll go with everything else pumpkin spice!

I paired my skirt with some older pieces in my wardrobe. Everyone has a denim shirt and a tank top laying around that is so easy to throw on and make this outfit look seamless. Take out last year's booties if you haven't had a chance to go shopping yet, because kids make it impossible to leave your house sometimes. That's what I did! 

When it starts to get cooler out, throw on your blanket scarf and some knee high boots. You can't go wrong with these skirts. They're so versatile and leave you with a lot of fall styling options.

Hallen: Boots - Old Navy, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Tunic - Gracious May, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Me: Boots - Zara, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Denim Top - Toms for Target, Necklace - Koco and Viking, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Most Versatile Cardigan

So in love with this simple, light weight cardigan from Mila Chic Boutique. It's a little longer, so it covers your tush, which is something I look for when I'm wearing leggings! I've only worn it in the summer so far, but when you go into a restaurant or a store where the AC is blasting and all of a sudden your sweat starts to form icicles, this is going to be your go-to cardi. You can throw it in your tote, and it comes out in perfect form. No wrinkles. Just a chic light layer.

The best part is that Mila Chic Boutique makes mostly baby-toddler clothing, so you can buy a matching one for your little girl or boy!!

My outfit details:

• Top: Altar'd State
• Necklace: Francesca's
• Pants: Old Navy
• Shoes: Amazon
• Bracelets: Alex and Ani and Templeton Silver

Hallen's outfit details:

• Bows: Air Beans Bowtique
• Top and boots: Gracious May
• Jeggings: Gap Kids

Both cardigans from Mila Chic Boutique

Summer Days Ending

I seriously thought I wouldn't be sad to see these stifling hot summer days be done with. Every time we've stepped out of the house, we've rushed to the car to sweat as little as possible on the 2 minute trip from door to door, and cranked the AC to the max as soon we settled in. But, as soon as we said goodbye to our pool last weekend, I realized that hot hot summer days are still amazing. Hot hot summer days mean more family time for us, more traveling, being a little more tired from the travels and heat, more grilling, and more outdoor time. Summer is as much the end of the year as December 31st is in a way. School starts, school buses come and go in flocks, rush hour is a little more stressful, and kids go back to living for the weekend (at least I did when I was young)! Sunsets come a little quicker and you start to give in to warm comfort foods just a little easier since you don't have to wear that bathing suit tomorrow...or is that just me?

We've had such a great summer. As soon as it began, I knew it'd fly by. We started off with our big move from Baltimore to Charlotte, and then 3 months later, moved into our dream home that still has several projects to do! We also suffered a miscarriage that rocked our world for a few months, and when I still dwell on that day when I knew we lost her, tears still come to my eyes. But, God is good. He is sovereign in all His ways and plans.

There have been so many reminders of God's graciousness this summer. I'll be the first to admit that, at first, I thought it may have been a mistake that we moved.  I didn't like our apartment, because my allergies were on fire in that place; we had a miscarriage; Kevin struggled in his job at first; and no one was buying our home in Baltimore! But, remember that quote that goes something like, "don't look at your circumstances..." There are a lot of variations of it, but the gist is: Don't focus on your circumstances, because circumstances ALWAYS change. They are variables in life that we have to take in stride. Sometimes (okay...most of the time) I'm not good at that. I'm great at taking it in stride when the variables are always in my favor, but when it starts going downhill, my circumstances tend to take the limelight in my life over my faith and all the blessings.

But, I've come to learn that even if my circumstance don't change for a long time or don't end up like "my perfect plan," He is and always will be forever good. I'm trying to learn to start each day with a grateful heart. Count my blessings at the beginning and the end of each day.  I am so much a work in progress, but I always will be! That's the joyous news! God uses us when we're broken and learning and not perfect. He wants our struggles to intertwine with our neighbor's struggles and stories so that we can see the bigger picture of God's grace. Isn't that so cool?! No, I don't want to struggle. No, I don't want to hurt or be hurt. But, I do want to see God's kingdom grow, expand, and reach people who are deemed "unreachable." 

Pastor John Gray came to speak at our church today, and wow! I was blown away by his words. He spoke of how David was anointed as king when he was still dirty shepherd boy, but that's exactly how God wanted him. He was the last one chosen from his brothers. He was the unexpected answer. And I'm in a time of my life where I feel that big things are going to happen. We've been in a weird place (and also great places) since coming to Charlotte where we need to just listen and follow God's direction He's planned for us even when we feel unusable or out of touch with Him. We've been wanting to go, go, go, and fix, and get new things, and meet new people, but very few times have I intentionally sat down to listen to God's plan for us now that we're back in the Bible Belt. 

And it's time for me to listen. To be quiet. Turn off my rambling, spaghetti, woman brain, and rest in His promises or I'll always feel lost. I challenge you to do the same thing! Fall is upon us, and it opens up a new chapter for this year. Let the cool breeze be a gentle reminder that God can change you as well as the season. He can use you where ever you are in your walk with Him. Be proactive in your faith ( I know I need to be)! Maybe set "Fall and Winter 2016 Resolutions." The year isn't over! Take time to sit down, listen to Him, invest in His word, and I promise you'll reap the benefits. He's waiting for you and me to do this.