All Posts By

Laureen

Fashion + Style Shopping

Blue tank dress + Nordstrom half yearly sale picks

May 25, 2018
casual maternity style, leith, nordstrom half yearly sale

tank dress, casual style, maternity style, bump friendly nonmaternity wear

maternity style, casual tank dress, leith, nordstrom half yearly sale, bump friendly casual wear, espadrilles

maternity style, casual tank dress, leith, nordstrom half yearly sale, bump friendly casual wear

maternity style, casual tank dress, leith, nordstrom half yearly sale, bump friendly casual wear

Outfit details: Casual tank dress (non-maternity) | Round Raffia Basket Bag | Espadrilles | Sunglasses | Watch

Hi friends! I’m rounding up my favorites from the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale. I’m sure you’ve seen some others share their picks, and it’s likely many of them are similar because a.) who can resist simple staples like this tank dress I’m wearing? b.) mom attire pretty much evolves to all be the same: easy, functional pieces that you can wrangle your child in but still look cute if you’re feeling like feeling fancy that day. I’ve linked a ton of things I own and wear regularly + others that are in my shopping cart because who can resist 40% off some great basics or warm weather pieces that’ll take you through this season and beyond?!

Speaking of feeling fancy… I’m just not feeling that fancy these days. I hit the 34 week mark this week, and I don’t want to sound like a complainer, but I’ve reached the achy, sort of miserable part of pregnancy where you get up a lot to pee in the middle of the night and toss and turn from all the back discomfort. So, I’m not getting very restful sleep. It’s super hot (and humid) outside so everything feels like sweaty exercise. I will probably only be doing curbside grocery pick-up or Instacart from now on because I made the mistake of going to the grocery store last week around 3pm and that just wasn’t fun.  I’m starting to get those looks from strangers where they try to get a cart for you or they offer to load your groceries.  I had to change a mattress cover and sheets on Braden’s bed earlier this week (we just switched him to his new room in a queen bed) and I felt like I had just worked out for 30 minutes. Don’t get me wrong — I am sooo grateful to be growing this healthy baby girl, but I’d be lying if I said I felt like I was functioning at 100% and feeling wonderful. Pregnancy four years ago was much easier than this pregnancy. Granted, I think that being sedentary due to bed rest and activity restrictions this go-round hasn’t helped, nor has chasing a toddler when you’re carry an extra 20+ pounds. I’m really understanding now why people say having a toddler and being pregnant will make you never want to have another kiddo again.

Because of the Texas heat, I’m wearing a ton of dresses like this blue lightweight tank dress. I typically wear with flip flops, but I have been loving these espadrille flats. The dress I’m wearing (color is called blue aurora) isn’t a part of the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale but still really affordable at $55. Other colors in this exact style are a part of the sale and under $30. I love this coral version here. These tank dresses are non-maternity, and I wear a small for reference.

I’ve shopped the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale for years to stock up on staples that will carry you through this summer and beyond. I have this burnt orange top (I wear a size small in it, even now since it’s meant to fit on the looser side.) which is perfect come football season. This casual baseball tee I’m wearing here is on sale, too, with tons of sizing available. I have this flowy pink dress, which is perfect for wedding or showers and it’s only $50!  I’ve linked a lot more items in the widget below and everything is non-maternity. Happy shopping and have a wonderful long weekend!

 

Home Design + Decor

5 Tips for a Curated Home + My Favorite Cozy Nook

May 10, 2018
window seat, 5 tips for a curated home

We’ve been in our home for about a year now, and people often ask me how it feels to be all settled in. I wouldn’t know – ha! I shared a little about our misfortunes of working with a builder who turned out to be terrible here. I’ll share more one day in a post regarding tips for building a custom home, but it still irritates me to think about it, so I’ll have to mentally prepare myself to write this.

I’m not sure when I’ll ever feel 100% settled, but we’re getting there.  But, I do have a few tips about curating a home, which I think is different from building a house.  I’m also giving you a peek into one of my favorite little spots in our house, so let’s just dive right in.

5 tips for creating a curated home

1. Make a list of what your priority rooms are and determine what’s needed vs. a “nice- to-have” in those rooms. For us, the kitchen was probably the most important because it truly is the heart of our home and where we seem to hang out the most as a family. Did I get everything I absolutely wanted in my kitchen? No. You have to understand your budget and give and take. Perhaps your significant other just lets you run with making all the home design decisions. Ben is very hands-on and has a good eye for things. I will usually find something I like and show it to him. He’ll try to persuade me against things or talk me through the pros and cons, or how to simplify something I want (typical engineer) and we go from there. We’re definitely on the same page with our kitchen being an area we wanted “done” first. That included having a few things early on that we knew we’d use right away including barstools, a breakfast table and some chairs, which we purchased before we even moved into our home. Also, this is one area where I made sure to purchase the lights I really wanted. From there, I tried to accessorize the kitchen to make it feel cozy and approachable.

One of my favorite areas of our home is this cozy little nook in the stairwell landing near the playroom/game room. I’ve always been a fan of window seats, and I knew I wanted to put one here to have some storage and use up what probably would have been some dead space. There is a ton of storage underneath the bench cushion that houses wrapping paper, seasonal items and crafting supplies. This nook is the perfect spot to read magazines or work on my laptop when I need a change of scenery from my office. This chandelier in this area might  be my favorite in the house! This nook was more of a “nice-to-have” but it was also turned out to be practical  storage solution, and I’m really happy we have this spot in our home.

2. Create a budget and general timeline. Figure out what you’re realistically willing to spend on things, especially after pricing some things out. I have often found something I like and find a high and low version, and figure out what makes sense to splurge vs. save on. Again, lighting for me is really important, so we did splurge on some of this. I actually have two more spots in our house that need lights, including the baby’s room. We left a spot for a chandelier and just covered it up with one of those little caps so no one could tell until we were ready to buy one. So, I am currently on the hunt.  Hardware (cabinet pulls) is actually something you can really save on if you look around. So, make your list and pick your battles based on your budget. Your timeline is also something to think about when you’re trying to “finish” your home. Sometimes your timeline is determined for you based on other aspects of life. Right now, my focus is the baby’s room. Since I’m less than two months out from having baby #2 (eek!), I really need to get on it. I know I’ m probably driving Ben insane with my mood boards and color palettes I’m showing him. I am basically getting him to execute my vision – ha!  Accent wallpaper and window treatments are ordered. Picking out a paint color is next on the agenda. Oh, and moving Braden into a different room since he is currently in the room that’ll be for the baby. Details. 😉

As for timing and budget, we’re mindful of this especially when it comes to figuring out  window treatments. Because all of our windows are custom sizes and we have pretty tall ceilings, we have to do custom window treatments around our house. I was so surprised when I got a quote for doing a mix of roman shades and curtains in 2/3 of our home. I could buy a car for what I was quoted.  This was eye-opening for me, and I found that that the pricing doesn’t change that much either from place to place when you have to customize things. So, I am just tackling a few rooms here and there and will probably continue to do so for the next year or so unless we come across a money tree or win the lottery.

3. Seek inspiration. I follow several designers on social media that have given me inspiration for our home. Instagram and Pinterest are great tools for this. A few I regularly look at and flag for inspiration include:  Studio McGee, Marie Flanigan Interiors, Caitlin Wilson, Bria Hammel Interiors, and Kathy Kuo Home. I also pull pantone colors and scour design magazines when I have a chance. I have a lot of home items on Pinterest so give me a follow if you’re looking for home design inspo for various rooms: https://www.pinterest.com/laureenloves/

4. Avoid comparison. I think social media has created a whole other version of the idea of “keeping up with the Joneses.” Everyone has a different path and a different style. Perhaps someone saved for five years to be able to buy an amazing piece of furniture, or perhaps someone you follow fell into some money from their parents. Or, maybe she scored an amazing HomeGoods find (I’m raising my hand here). Just go with what makes you feel happy in your home environment. I’ve had family members come to my house and tell me they don’t like something. I guess our family isn’t shy.  This doesn’t offend me; I just choose to ignore them because my style is different, and it’s my home. I have a sticky-fingered toddler running around, and I like a really lived in, approachable home,  so I keep this in mind when I am choosing items. So, I would think about the kind of home you want to create and adjust your mindset when you’re looking online for inspiration. I seek things for inspiration rather than for comparison, and I encourage you to do the same!

5. Add pieces that are sentimental to you. I have a few things around my house that I just love because they are special to me. I have this little elephant accent table that I placed in Braden’s room next to his rocker and it’ll be in the new baby’s room, too. My mom used to make a lot of ceramics in the 70s as a hobby when she lived in the Philippines, so this was in my house growing up, and I asked her to bring it to me when I was pregnant with Braden. I feel like this type of accent piece is trendy now, and I have seen them at Serena and Lily and Pottery Barn, but I love that I have one that is unique that my mom made. We also have a kids’ table and chairs that Ben had as a child, which I featured in this post. Before we were married, Ben’s family was moving out of their Dallas-area home and they were going to sell this table and chairs in a garage sale. I asked for it and hoarded it for 10 years before using it! We definitely had to paint it and give it a little TLC, but it’s something Braden uses every day, and I hope we can pass it along to other family members or our own kids one day.

The maps I have framed that line my stairwell are also sentimental to me, as we’ve picked up maps on most of our travels together from places like Italy, Croatia, Belize, Kauai, St. John and Puerto Rico. Many of them are large and framed, but we have a few smaller ones around the house, too. We recently framed one from Grand Cayman for Braden’s room. We took our first international family trip here and it was the first time taking B to the beach. I love that they remind me of the memories we’ve had over the years.

In summary, my key takeaway is that creating a home that makes you happy is a marathon not a sprint. More power to you if you can make a lot of decisions fairly quickly, or you’re working with a decorator who can help you cross the finish line faster. I am not opposed to the latter, but I think the home decor process is something I want to tackle myself. I’m not an expert by any means, but I’d like to think I have a good eye, and I like a layered, curated look.  It’s satisfying to me knowing I was able to concept and create something for my home. And, I do have to be mindful of budget, so I have to take time with things, as I’m sure many people can relate to this.

I hope this was helpful, and if anyone has any questions or other tips to share on how to make your house feel like a home, please pass along! Or, if you have anyone you follow when it comes to home design interiors, share them with me! I am always on the hunt for inspiration.

If you’re in Houston and need someone to make custom bench cushions or roman shades, let me know and I’m happy to share the name of the person I work with. I have had her make several roman shades for various rooms in our home, including these pictured. She’s also made our breakfast nook bench cushions that are in a L shape. The store she works at has great fabric selection at a pretty affordable price point compared to other places I’ve been to. We’ve installed the shades ourselves, and we have had to do the measuring as well, but since Ben is super handy this is no problem for us. It’s actually not that bad to measure and install, and she provides tips for doing so. I’m currently making some custom shades for the baby’s room and will be reupholstering a chair just as soon as I select a fabric.

Gifts Holiday Shopping

Gift Picks for Mom

May 7, 2018
gifts for mom, mother's day, mother's day gift guide

1| 2| 3| 4 | 5 | 6| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

This one is for the mamas! I’ve rounded up a few easy gifts to get mom this Mother’s Day and categorized them for easy reference. All of these gifts are under $65. In fact, all but one item are under $50. You don’t have to spend a ton of $$ to make mom feel special. I love homemade cards, a special  breakfast and just having a little ‘me’ time, so just try to do something thoughtful and I’m sure it’ll go over well!

1. Southern mama/Fixer Upper fan mom: I pre-ordered Joanna’s new cookbook, and I have many pages flagged already of things I want to make. If you like comfort food, or some good ol’ Southern staples like King Ranch Chicken and Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, then this book will be right up your alley. As soon as I start making any of these delicious recipes (probably this weekend) I’ll be sure to share!

2. Mama who needs a little extra ‘me’ time: This is my favorite candle EVER. It has a bit of subtle smell that reminds me of vacation. The volcano scent is my favorite. Select ‘pick up in store’ and then do a quick drive by to have it waiting for you. This is also a great item to have one hand for one of those last minute hostess or teacher gifts!

3. Casual mom: I love casual t-shirts like this one. Pair it with a blazer for a more elevated look or with denim shorts when running errands.

4. Home cook/hostess mama: You can’t go wrong with a pretty dish towel. Pair it with one of the cookbooks I’ve mentioned for an extra special touch.

5. Cozy mom: One of my friends got this super soft blanket for me for Christmas in navy, and it is used almost daily in my living room. Braden loves it so much that I recently bought him one for his bed that he sleeps with every night because he kept taking the one from downstairs. It’s soooo soft and cozy, and I’ll probably buy the pink peony color soon for the new baby’s room to drape over the rocker.

6. Healthy mom: If you’re looking for a healthy cookbook that is centered on real food, or perhaps one that caters to people who eat gluten-free or dairy-free, this is a good one. I just got it a few weeks ago and have several recipes flagged like Zucchini Almond Butter Brownies or Shrimp and Scallop Linguine with Veggies. I’ll report back!

7. Mom with the green thumb: I am not much of a gardener, but both my mom and MIL are, so this book is a good option for the women in your life who are all about the plant lady life.

8. Sentimental mom: This interview journal is a  sweet way to document all the special things about mom and the moments you’ve had with her over the years. I personally would love this, and I bet most moms would agree!

9. Mom who loves to entertain: Raise your hand if you love a glass or wine or two to unwind?!  I think this ice mold/wine bottle chiller is practical and adorable. It’s a great gift for a mom who loves to play hostess since she can make this into a fun little centerpiece.

10. Tea loving mom: I know many women who would enjoy this tea sampler. What mom doesn’t need a quiet moment with an afternoon tea pick-me-up?!

11. Homebody mama: I love me some cozy pajamas, and this brand makes really soft, quality PJs at a great price point that are so, so comfortable and last forever. I have two pairs in a shorty set and a long PJ set. You won’t regret this classic style.

Treat yourself or the mamas in your life with one (or more)  of these simple and affordable gifts to make her feel extra special this Mother’s Day! Most importantly, tell your mom she is loved and appreciated for all she does!

Fashion + Style Pregnancy

Everyday Casual: White Bohemian Top

April 19, 2018
jcrew white shirt, bohemian top, pregnancy style, maternity top

Outfit details:Shirt | Shorts | Sunglasses | Straw handbag | Earrings (old) – similar here

The weather has been pretty amazing lately especially for running around in casual outfits.  As I’ve mentioned here, I’ve been trying to make non-maternity pieces work for my wardrobe, and this topis a perfect example of just that. White shirts are a closet staple for me, so adding another simple cotton top with a little flair like this one is right up my alley. I love that it’s a little loose (ideal for my growing bump) and has a bit of a bohemian feel to it. It actually reminds me of something I’d wear for a Cinco de Mayo party, so maybe I’ll do just that! I wore it a few days ago to a fiesta-themed child’s birthday, so sort of the same?!

I’m wearing a small tall, which is my true size in this brand. If I don’t get a tall, the shirts aren’t usually long enough for me.  I’m 5’10 for reference. I’m been wearing these denim shorts quite a bit, and I’m sure that will just continue as we start feeling the heat here in Houston. I recently picked up this distressed pair  of denim shorts (size small) that fit me a bit better, so I like them more overall. So, if you’re pregnant I’d try these instead of the ones I’m wearing in these pictures. I’ve linked a few additional pairs in the widget below.

A quick bumpdate:

I’m feeling pretty good, minus the normal pregnancy back pain. The chiropractor and I are BFFs. 😉 I am 28 weeks now, which is the start of the third trimester. Some days I can’t believe I’m to this point since I didn’t get this far in my last pregnancy; I just feel incredibly grateful to be going through this period. I’m told the placenta previa I had that put me on bedrest at the beginning of the second trimester has gone away, so that’s good news! The baby is SUPER active, and I often wake up in the middle of the night from a swift kick in the belly or from turning to a different side.  I am trying to cherish these little moments because I know this is the last time I will feel this, as we’re pretty set on being done after this kid. I remember missing the feeling of the baby kicking after Braden was born. It’s just such a cool feeling and is a nice reminder that pregnancy/childbirth are pretty remarkable in general.

I am definitely nesting and have been on a mission to get certain things around the house updated before baby arrives. I REALLY need to think about her room, and when we will be making the official switch to Braden’s new room. I did order wallpaper samples recently and picked up some paint colors last week, so at least I’ve done a few things. I’m not sure if I want to do wallpaper or not, but we’ll see. Ben would vote no if he had his way. I am pretty busy with work right now, so I can’t really do too much until I wrap up a project at the end of the month so none of the baby projects will be making any progress until then. I’ll be in uber-nesting mode come May and June, I’m sure.

jcrew white shirt, bohemian top, pregnancy style, maternity top

Food Healthy Living + Food

My Easy Non-recipe Recipe for a Smoothie

April 12, 2018
healthy snacks, healthy smoothies, easy smoothie recipe

 

smoothie, healthy snacks, easy smoothie recipe

smoothie bowl, easy healthy smoothie recipes, easy smoothie bowlI have been really into smoothies lately, even more than usual since I’m pregnant and eating more. I’m sure a lot of people drink smoothies for breakfast, and I sometimes do, but I mostly enjoy a smoothie as an afternoon snack when I’m craving something sweet and refreshing. I have been making a faux tropical smoothie drink pretty often (I mention the ingredients/method below) that makes me feel like I’m in Turks and Caicos or somewhere amazing with a high-calorie alcoholic beverage. Ha!

Smoothies are ideal for getting extra fruits and veggies in for the day.  And, it’s a fantastic way to take advantage of seasonable produce like berries, which we always have a ton of in our fridge.

I have a feeling people feel overwhelmed about what to put into a smoothie to make it taste good. Honestly, I rarely follow a recipe. I usually throw whatever fruit is in my fridge or freezer, a handful of spinach, chia seeds and some collagen protein powder in mine. If I have baby kale, I’ll use that but it’s usually spinach.  I’ve broken down my method to an easy smoothie below.

What goes in my non-recipe recipe for a smoothie

Fruit: this gives the smoothie the sweetness it needs to make it feel indulgent. I usually have frozen bananas in my freezer, so half a banana typically goes in, plus a 1/2 cup to a cup of whatever other type of fruit I want to throw in. I buy bananas every week at the store, and one or two always get to the point where no one in my house wants to eat it, so those are the ones that go into ziploc bags in the freezer. Then, you need another type of fruit that gives some sweetness such as berries, pineapple or mangoes. Frozen pineapple and mango are always in my freezer for smoothies as well. These are some of my favorite foods! I just love fruit, and I probably eat more than the average person. I’ve been buying a fresh pineapple every week because Braden loves it, plus they’ve been on sale, so I’ve been using them in smoothies quite a bit. You can add one or all of these fruits. Like I said, you have to determine the right combo that works for you. One other thing to note: If you feel like you need more sweetness at the end, you can always add a few drops of liquid stevia. I use Trader Joe’s organic liquid stevia everyday in my coffee and sometimes in smoothies if needed.

Veggie: Baby spinach is my go-to, and I don’t taste it at all. I feel good knowing I’ve pretty much eaten a cup of spinach that day in my smoothie. I know sometimes people are very anti-vegetable, which is sort of crazy to me, but you really can’t taste the spinach (or baby kale) if you just use a handful and the right mixture of fruit. Maybe start with half a handful if you’re skeptical. Or, if you don’t have this you can always omit. I put spinach in everything, and we go through at least 2-3 bags per week in my house because I use for salads, sandwiches,  egg scrambles, or just sauteed with with a little garlic and olive oil. If you’re going to use kale, I find that baby kale is the way to go, as the more coarse, curly kale  is a little much to break down in a smoothie. We eat curly kale all the time in salads, and we’ve been growing this in our outdoor garden. I have an awesome kale salad recipe I’ll share another day!

Protein:  Collagen peptides are great if you want to add protein in your smoothie without the chalky taste that protein powder sometimes gives off. I also put this collagen peptide protein powder in my coffee most mornings. A serving is 2 scoops and has 18g of protein; in coffee, I usually only put one scoop. I highly recommend this brand, and you can get your hands on it thanks to Amazon. I’m sure there are other ways you can add protein in, but this is easy and it also has other health benefits such as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails. Plus, collagen helps with joint health. Seems strange to worry about that now, but once you hit your mid- 30s, kids, you start to feel things in your back and knees! 😉  Greek yogurt is another great source of protein, and I’ll put a a dollop or two of non-fat greek yogurt sometimes, which we always have in our fridge since it’s a regular snack for Braden and me. Or, you could try almond butter or peanut butter. I think it’s a little bit of trial and error or a case of “use-what-you-have-handy” to find out what you prefer.

Chia seeds: I love the nuttiness chia seeds give to a smoothie. I throw them into my yogurt as well. I buy these chia seeds from Trader Joe’ s, which I mentioned in my fave Trader Joe’s picks here. If you don’t have chia seeds, use nuts like walnuts which are yummy and have the omega-3s you need.

Liquid (optional): if you need to thin out the smoothie or add another splash of sweetness, add a bit of orange juice or almond milk. We buy unsweetened almond milk, and I will sometimes splash a little in. I’m talking 2 tablespoons if I had to ballpark. I know people who like to use vanilla almond milk, and I’m sure that’s good, too. I sometimes throw crushed ice in  to make the consistency feel like a tropical beverage.

How do I quickly make my smoothies?

Up until two months ago or so, I was making smoothies in my blender. I had a blender, therefore, that’s what I used. Then, my husband starting going to work super early and he wanted to start making shakes in the morning so we bought this. GAME CHANGER. I’m not sure why we didn’t buy one sooner. Sometimes I’m stubborn and I don’t want to buy extra gadgets for our kitchen, but  I highly recommend a Nutribullet. This is the version we have, and it is perfect! And, it’s only $60. Totally worth it.  I love that it’s a one-stop shop, and you’re not creating a ton of dirty dishes, just the one you’re using. If you want one additional bigger cup, you could get this set instead for a tad more but still under $75.

Here are a couple of smoothie combinations I’ve been mixing up lately:

  • Tropical smoothie I mentioned earlier: Frozen mango and fresh or frozen pineapple + handful of spinach + splash of OJ + chia seeds + collagen protein + some shredded coconut on top
  • Easy everyday smoothie: Blueberries, blackberries and strawberries + handful of spinach + dollop of vanilla non-fat greek yogurt + chia seeds + collagen protein
  • Green smoothie: 2 handfuls of spinach + half an avocado + 2 dollops of non-fat vanilla greek yogurt + green pear + a couple of pineapple chunks + crushed ice
  • Smoothie bowl: Again, I follow the same general “throw-whatever-you-have-on-hand” rules I’ve mentioned above, but I also top with more whole berries, granola and nuts and eat in a bowl. Here’s an easy smoothie bowl recipe for inspiration.

And, if you’re really a recipe person, here are some easy, healthy smoothie recipes that you might try. Sometimes I look at smoothie recipes just to give me ideas on new flavor combinations.

Is anyone else a big smoothie lover? If so, what’s your go-to way to make a smoothie? I’d love to hear!

 

 

 

Photos by Jason Fitzgerald Photography

Fashion + Style Home Design + Decor Kids clothing kids decor Shopping

Feelin’ Fruity

April 8, 2018
fruit inspired prints and home decor

fruit inspired gifts and clothing for kids

For the kids

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

I’ve been drawn to whimsical, fruit-inspired items lately. Maybe because it’s spring, it seems like a lot more clothing and home decor pieces with lemons, pineapples and more are popping up. Or, maybe I’m  paying attention to more feminine things (for me + baby )  since we discovered baby #2 is a girl. Either way, I’ve rounded up several fun and fruity pieces perfect for spring and summer!

Lots of items linked in the widget below.

Top picks

Target just launched this new line called Opalhouse filled with lots of adorable and affordable home decor pieces. It has a very bohemian vibe reminiscent of Anthropologie Home. I went to Target in-person today and things were a bit picked over, but I did get a flavor for everything and picked up this cute dish towel, bowl, and ordered a few things online like this gold trinket box. I think this pineapple lamp would look cute in an office or girl’s room (or this one) and this floor lamp might be a nice addition to a baby’s room.

I think this fruit alphabet book is just the cutest! I just bought for a friend who recently had a baby girl along with this veggie book, too. I’ll be buying for baby #2 soon. Also, I think it’s always cute to package up a baby gift that is somewhat themed. Pull together a gift filled with these swaddles, bibs, books, and these rattles and you have the perfect gift for a little baby girl! Braden had a cute little carrot rattle when he was a newborn that he loved. I’ll be scooping up this little banana and watermelon rattle for his sister.

Braden has this shirt from Zara Kids and he laughs every time I put it on him and tell him what it says. Baby Zara/Zara Kids clothing is my top store for doing shopping for Braden, and after perusing the girl clothing, I know it will continue to be a go-to for me. I mean — a fluffy pineapple or banana purse?!

When it comes to fashion for women, I think fruit prints are better when in smaller doses. But, in the right setting such as a tropical vacation, I think this little wrap dress or bikini would be perfect. I did score these  pineapple earrings two years ago on a trip to Charleston, and I just started wearing them again when spring hit.

I think this stationary is so fun. You can never have too much stationary to use for little gifts for friends, teachers, kids birthdays, etc. And, if you have any spring or summer parties coming up where a fruit tray is present, why not have these little fruit toothpicks on hand?

Fashion + Style Pregnancy

Casual baseball tee

April 3, 2018
maternity style, casual style, pregnancy style

rebecca minkoff watch

Outfit Details: Baseball Tee | Shorts | Shoes | Watch | Sunglasses 

My wardrobe is pretty casual these days since I work from home. This casual baseball tee and denim shorts combo is something I can run around in and be 100% comfortable, and I know I’ll wear this tee after baby as well since I like tees to be on the looser side anyways. It’s also the perfect outfit to wear to Astros games! I also love it because it’s super soft and on the longer side. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few baseball tees from different stores, so it seems like a classic style that tends to come back. The brand of this tee is one I discovered about a year ago, and I’m definitely a fan. They tend to make effortless and classic basics, which I’m all about.

Maternity clothes in general are pretty terrible. I try to find things like this top that can work after pregnancy, as it seems wasteful to buy clothes that I’ll use for  5 months or less since that’s when I tend to transition into maternity clothes. I do believe in investing in 1-2 pairs of good maternity denim jeans. I bought two pair in my first pregnancy and have started to wear them again.

When Ben saw me wearing these shorts, he said, “Those look like mom shorts.” Um, hello…I’m a mom. But, I know what he means. They’re a tad longer than other denim shorts I own. I wouldn’t say these maternity shorts are necessarily my favorite. I think I bought them for 50% off so they’ll do for a few months. I  recently picked up another pair of affordable maternity shorts, which I much prefer because they fit my legs a little better.  I have pretty thin legs, and they’re probably even thinner than normal right now because I haven’t worked out during this pregnancy. I work out to try to give myself a little shape, and because of bedrest and reduced activity restrictions during this pregnancy, my exercise schedule has been almost nonexistent.

If anyone has any maternity clothing suggestions, I’d love to hear them! For now, I’ll stick to brands that are a little more flowy like Free People and Anthro so I can wear now and later.

 

 

 

 

Family

Gender Reveal: We’re Having a…

March 30, 2018

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atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

We are over the moon to be welcoming a little girl into the world! People closest to me know that I have only ever wanted two kids, ideally one of each. I joke all the time that we built a house with 4 mudroom lockers, so that was going to be the size of our family. Ben and I are very much in sync about most things in life, including how many kids we wanted.  We discussed this when we were dating in college actually. All that said, any baby is a blessing and a healthy baby is all one can ever hope for. However, we all have wants… and in my heart of hearts I knew I wanted a girl one day. So, I am SO happy to be able to even out our little family and give Braden a little sister.

After losing a baby girl in Dec. 2016 and having complications in this pregnancy, I was so anxious to even share I was pregnant much less the gender of this baby. Family members have been trying to get it out of us for weeks, but we wanted to wait even though we’ve known since early Dec.  And no, we will not be sharing the name until she is born. Frankly, I don’t really want anyone’s opinion unless we ask. It’s surprising how people can be so judgmental about names!

I’m now 26 weeks, and I’m feeling pretty good. I’m officially off of all my activity restrictions so I can now exercise if I want to and not live this sedentary lifestyle anymore. I exercised 3x a week in my first pregnancy, and this is probably the longest I’ve ever gone with such little exercise. My schedule has been a bit hectic lately so exercise has hard to squeeze in, and let’s face it — after being on bedrest for six weeks and having  activity restrictions and so much anxiety, it’s hard to get started on an exercise program at 24 weeks, which is when I got the ‘ok’ from my dr. I really want to do what I can over the next few weeks before this little girl arrives, but I’m not going to stress about it. I definitely prioritize sleep over exercise, so if I can get back into yoga and lifting weights ( my main activities when I was pregnant with Braden) over the next three months, I’ll give myself a pat on the back for trying.

Gender reveal photos

We took these gender reveal photos back in December before I had my big scare and visit to the ER. For awhile, I was too nervous to share them for fear of something terrible happening again in this pregnancy. Thankfully, that’s not the case, and I’m so glad we took these photos. I want to give a shout-out to Tiffany Harston for capturing these special family photos for us! She has been so understanding about me being hesitant to share, and I appreciate that immensely.

If you are in the Houston area, please consider working with her! She was easy to work with, great at providing feedback to all of us during the photoshoot and very personable. She has the capability to create some beautiful photo galleries for your home as well through some of the software she has. Decorating our home is such a work in progress, so I’m not quite ready to pull the trigger on that yet but if you’re wanting to explore something like that, she can definitely guide you through the process. During the photoshoot, Tiffany was so great at wrangling Braden and  capturing some of those cheesy little smiles of his. I just love this kid so much, and I can’t believe he’s growing up so fast! It’s wonderful to have these precious memories before we welcome one more to our little family.

More soon!

LL

All photos c/o Tiffany Harston Photography

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atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

atascocita family photographer, houston family photographer, gender reveal, eagle springs photographer

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Family Holiday kids kids decor

Easter basket treats perfect for toddlers

March 28, 2018
Easter basket ideas toddlers

I had good intentions of sharing this post several days ago, but my intentions seem to be really conflicting with what real life has to offer me lately. I’ll save that for another day or we could go down a rabbit hole. Speaking of rabbits, Easter has seemed to creep up on us. This weekend will be pretty low key for our family: we’ll have an Easter egg hunt with our neighbors and attend church. I think we have a birthday party to attend as well. I’ll be REALLY happy if I get to take a nap or two. The past week has been crazy busy around here, and I know I’ll be ready for a little R&R in a couple of days.

I’ve been collecting items for Braden’s Easter basket for awhile thanks to my impromptu visits to Home Goods and Target, so I thought I’d share a few of those items and other ideas that make the holiday festive. Keep in mind, I have a toddler boy who is 3 years 7 months. How the heck did that even happen, by the way!? Some of my suggestions are catered to his likes, but I think many of these items are perfect for both boys and girls.

I recall my parents doing an Easter egg hunt for us growing up, giving us Easter baskets full of treats and peppering the front yard with colorful eggs filled with candy. We’d collect them in the yard while dressed up in our new church outfits and pose for pics. I appreciate that my mom did that for us, and I love creating little traditions for Braden that hopefully he’ll remember one day, too. I still have to supplement his Easter basket with some candy because I got into that the past few days. #pregnantladyproblems But for the most part, many of these items are easily found on Amazon, which per the norm, is how I roll. My neighbor told me that we’re definitely winning the package game on our block since we get a ton of stuff everyday. I can’t imagine life without the convenience of online shopping!

I have a basket from the past two years that I will pull out once again for all the treats, but I also picked up another basket because it was just so soft and cute. I’ll probably fill this one with smaller treats and  let him bring it to school for his spring party and Easter egg hunt.  The other bucket is much larger and I got at Target two years ago. I’ve linked a a couple below plus all the treats I have currently hid in a closet until later this week.

Easter basket essentials

  • Baskets: cute white bunny basket and larger basket with liner that could be used year after  year
  • Books: We have a few of these from previous years (God Gave Us Easter, I Love You, Honey BunnyHappy Easter, Mouse! and Llama, Llama Easter Egg.) We’ve been reading this one, The Story of Easter, a lot lately which, of course, helps give some context to the holiday that is much more meaningful. I ordered this little set of four books, which I should be receiving in the mail tomorrow. And, this Blaze an the Monster Machines obsession continues, so I found this book that I know he’ll love.
  • Spring/Summer essentials: I got Braden a pair of swim trunks and new sunglasses. This kid has more sunglasses than I do!
  • Playdoh eggs – We’re all about the playdoh lately, so these cute little eggs are perfect.
  • Artsy itemscoloring book, paint, and dry erase markers or colors to use on the art easel are always a hit. I also have a random stash of things I pick up at HomeGoods like this model car kit for him to paint.
  • Plastic Easter eggs –  I have a ton leftover from last year but I would go to the Dollar store if I needed more.
  • Bunny ears – $1 in the Target One Spot section. I pretty much have a whole cabinet with  seasonal items from this section. Target created this section for suckers like me.
  • Items that fit into the eggs:
    • Dinosaurs
    • Bandaids – lately, they are basically stickers.  I picked up a ton in the One Spot Target section and tons of options on Amazon are available like this pack.
    • Stamps  – One Spot at Target finds
    • Stickers – One Spot at Target has a ton. Here are some cute eggs and bunnies.
    • Edible items – I have hoarded some candy that I like (and Braden likes as well) because I pretty much deserve it for all my crafty mom Easter basket shenanigans. Fruit snacks like Annie’s Bunnies are always a hit, and the small boxes of vanilla yogurt raisins, which are Braden’s version of crack that I just buy at the grocery store (much less expensive than Amazon.) are always a winner, too.

pottery barn kids easter table itemsWe are so fortunate to have built-in playmates on our street, so we’re doing an easy potluck Easter breakfast after the kids do their Easter egg hunting. I picked up some Easter egg hunt signs from Target for the yard. Cute signs  linked  here and here. Getting paper plates and cups for them is another fun way to make the morning a little special for them. I picked up some at HomeGoods weeks ago because I go to HomeGoods and come home with a bag of random things every time. Tell me I’m not alone! I’ve seen the meme that basically says: I go to HomeGoods so it can tell me what I need not vice versa.

Cupcake toppers to put on muffins (store-bought or homemade) are super easy and I have Peter Rabbit ones I picked up at HomeGoods ( are you surprised?) and also saw these cute toppers the other day, too. I bought Braden a few things for his kids table that we’ve already been using like this plate, cup, napkin and utensil set. I bought a set of two so we will have for family breakfasts in the future because I’m a cheesy mom who likes to set up a kids’ table for holidays. Ben – don’t hate. We’ve been using these items the past week or so. I did a Thanksgiving kids table as well, which I shared in this post.

I have a feeling I’ve probably bought too many things and some items  will end up getting saved for later. The good news is many of these items are perfect for using over and over again like the baskets or the books, so don’t feel too guilty for buying all this random stuff.

Let Amazon Prime be your friend and make your life easy if you’re still working on putting together baskets. Otherwise, I have seen plenty of cute items at my local Kroger, HomeGoods, Target, World Market, and Pottery Barn Kids. William Sonoma and Nordstrom have festive items, too.

My MIL gave me a Easter bunny cake mold recently,  which Ben and his sister told me they remember as children. It’s 3D, sort of like this one. Honestly, this looks like something I could easily turn into a Pinterest fail. This looks really intimidating and sort of gives me anxiety to think about making it. Can you imagine how long it would take to make this? This link say it’s a weekend project. Um, no. If I get a big wave of energy, perhaps I will share my efforts.

If you have any other fun treats or Easter traditions, I’d love to hear!

Fashion + Style Loving Lately...

Loving Lately: Weekend Sale Finds

March 9, 2018

I’ve come across some really great sales online that are helping me getting into the mood for spring! I’m typically not a fan of buying maternity clothes, so I try to buy tops that are flowy and will work during and after pregnancy. One way to perk up your spring wardrobe is to pick up a few pieces of jewelry in lighter or brighter colors. This is a great way to freshen up outfits from last season and, this is my favorite part, I don’t feel like a stuffed sausage with earrings like I sometimes do with jeans while trying to grow a human. 😉 I found these light pink fringe earrings a few weeks ago and I’ve been wearing them a lot and getting tons of compliments. They’re currently on sale for 40% off (through 3/10) with the code NEWNOW at check out, making them $20. Another retailer I shop regularly is also having a 40% off sale as well through 3/12 with the code FRIENDS40. I love their shoes, so this is a great time to stock up on some spring styles like this suede block sandal, which I have in 4 colors (as seen here and here), or this nude heel with ruffle detail, which would be so cute with a spring dress for a wedding or other special occasion.

Happy shopping!