Leather

I know leather pants have been around for a long time now, but I still love how versatile and luxe they make any outfit look. I put together two looks, one for a party and one for the weekend that both embody my style. And somehow both looks are black and white, which also happens to be one of my favorite color combinations.

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A simple tee and ankle boots are the perfect way to keep leather pants casual on the weekend. I'm a huge fan of simple jewelry so a pair of stud earrings are enough for this look.

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I recently ran across a fur infinity scarf at Charming Charlie for only $20 (check your local store) but resisted the urge to buy it. Now I feel like I need to go back and get it because I had a hard time finding one online for this post. I think it would be such a great piece for this time of year. I paired it with a simple white tee and sequin jacket above but I think it would look great with a blazer, a plaid button down shirt, a sequin shell top, etc. There are so many different options!

Have a great day!

March Wedding

Dress, earrings (sold out), necklace, clutch, heels

I'll be attending a wedding the day before my due date. I ordered the above dress in coral several months ago and thought I would have plenty of room to grow in it as it was quite baggy at the time. I just tried it on this weekend and it was too small. So I think I will alter it and save it for when I return to my pre-pregnancy size because it is too pretty (and it's too late to send it back). I decided to order the same dress in a different color and this is pretty much the look I will be wearing in March. I'm crossing my fingers that it still fits in 12 weeks. 

'Tis the Season to Save

Yesterday I shared a couple of budget-friendly buys in the earring and cosmetic department. I'm branching out a little today and sharing some great priced bags, shoes, and sunglasses. I know most of you have people to shop for this season, but these finds are too great to pass up for yourself. I feel like if you shop smart, you can still add a few things here and there to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Left to right from top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I tried to find bags in the $40 and under department. I was pleasantly surprised to find some for under $10!

Left to right from top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I've never let myself pay more than $20 for a pair of sunglasses. I've lost a few over the years and have had some broken thanks to my sons. With cute sunglasses for $6 and $7, how can I go wrong?

Top to bottom starting left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

I'm not a big fan of boots in the winter (I will wear them) because heels are my absolute favorite. However, being 27 weeks pregnant, I have been wearing flats a bit more because it's just easier.

Have a great day! Get shopping!

Favorite Things, On a Budget

Lately I've tried to be conscious about what I'm spending on myself. Being a fashion blogger, it is sometimes hard to reel in the spending. There are always so many new trends and one would probably become broke if they indulged in every single trend that came their way. Well, at least I would.

Earrings clockwise from top: 1, 2, 3, 4

Stud earrings are definitely my favorite type of earring. Being a mom to two little boys (and soon to be one more baby), I have found myself gravitating toward studs more often because of the safety factor. I don't think I want long earrings being ripped out anytime soon. Forever 21 is my favorite place to shop for stud earrings. They are priced so well (most are under $5!) and believe it or not, they hold up. I've been wearing F21 earrings for years now and I have yet to break or lose one.

I definitely like to branch out and try new cosmetics from time to time but when the budget is tight, there are certain things that I have to have. I love Botanics eye make-remover and it has become my all-time favorite. It is organic, moisturizing, and one tube has lasted me a year and a half. You can't beat that.

I try new mascaras all the time but you can't beat a $2 tube of mascara. It may not be the most creamy formula out there but it definitely gets the job done and I don't feel like I have tarantula lashes when I use it.

I've been using Almay liquid liner for years. It took some getting used to since I used to be a pencil liner person but I will never go back to having to sharpen a pencil. It seems to last a really long time and for $6.50, it's a steal.

I'm a huge lip balm snob. Nothing has worked for me until I discovered Aquaphor (check any drug store). My lips are forever chapped and it is the only thing that has healed my flaky lips.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have a great week to come. I will try to have an outfit post up for you soon!

Winter Looks & An Update

With winter finally hitting us full-on (it's been in the 30s!!) I've decided to put together some cute winter looks that I wouldn't mind wearing.

Coat, top, heels, skirt, necklace, tote

I don't think winter is necessarily reserved for darker colors only (although they really are my favorite). I think some pieces from spring can be worn as long as you throw on an appropriate coat and less spring-like shoes. I joked above about it being in the 30s here but that is about as cold as it gets. The outfit above is definitely an appropriate one for a Louisiana winter.

Vest, top, heels, skirt, necklace, bag

This look is more my style. I love anything edgy and the leather vest and heels definitely fit that bill. Normally I would look at a sleeveless plaid shirt and think 'hillbilly' but with the right pieces, this top is chic. The vest and top would also look great with ripped skinny jeans and heels for a more relaxed look.

***

Things are progressing slowly but surely here. I have 14 more weeks to go and couldn't be more ready for this baby to come. Of course I want the baby to wait until the end, but I'm just getting uncomfortable and impatient. I think being pregnant with baby no. 3 is definitely difficult. I've gotten bigger a lot quicker and have had to deal with people looking shocked when I tell them that I am not due until March 2nd. They usually follow up with, 'Oh wow, I thought you were due in December.' Nope. I'm just big. Thanks for pointing it out.

I've also had a lot more pains this round. I hurt myself the other day doing the splits and pinched some nerve in my back which made my left leg go slightly numb. Other than that, I'm doing great! 

I don't know if I can promise anymore outfit posts until after baby comes. I am no longer able to wear my maternity jeans (they hurt so bad I could cry) so my wardrobe has instantly been limited. I have a few dresses and will try to snap pics of those as I wear them. 

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Good Eats

I know this is somewhat (okay A LOT) out of the realm of what I normally blog about, but I just couldn't help myself. I'm pregnant and obsessed with food. I think I've already surpassed the total weight gain that I gained with my first two pregnancies and I still have 16 weeks to go. But, I figure, take advantage of all the yummy pinterest recipes out there now and I can get my butt in shape the first of April.

The first recipe isn't bad, it's just a beef stew:

Photo and recipe here

Sometimes recipes on pinterest can be hit or miss but this one was a total winner. I even got my picky four year old to eat the whole bowl and let me tell you, that kid never eats veggies. Win for this mama.

This next recipe is more on the indulgent side:

Photo and recipe here

Holy smokes, people. This cookies are DELISH. If you love brownies (and who doesn't?) then you better give these a try. I made these last night and forced myself to eat only one. I am going to send some of them to work with my hubby because let's face it, baking a dessert once a week is not good for my thighs. 

Hope you had a great weekend and a great week to come! Follow me on pinterest for more great recipes. 

Fall Uniform

Gap maternity tee, F21 jacket, Loved maternity jeans, EMU Australia boots, Croft & Barrow tote

I don't know what it is about this pregnancy but I am feeling lazy when it comes to getting dressed. I was the same way with my first baby and it is probably because I was and will be my biggest during the winter. Nothing about being big in the cold says 'Hey, put on a dress!' But then I hate how tight my maternity jeans are so I guess I better suck it up and wear a dress every now and then.

Boots and skinny jeans are always so easy to wear when it's cold and I am so excited to pull out my favorite boots again. And you just can't go wrong with a striped tee... even if it makes my belly look bigger.

Have a great weekend!

Winter Staples & An Update

Coat, top, necklace, pants, bag, boots

I really don't know where this year has gone. I think the older I get, the quicker time seems to pass me by. Somehow November is already here and with that, much cooler temperatures have arrived. Of course, in Louisiana, we won't have 'winter' until about January. 

I think dresses and skirts are fine in winter but something about the cold months makes me lazy and I always want to wear pants. It just takes too much effort to put on tights and skirts sometimes. The look above is one that would be a winter staple of mine. The top, pants, and the coat are so versatile and I can imagine several looks incorporating all three pieces throughout the winter.

***

I know I've been MIA the past few weeks and for that I am only slightly sorry. It's been nice reading other blogs and not feeling the pressure to post anything. I've also been really sick the past two weeks and super busy on top of that.

I'm wrapping up my pilates training this week and I have my first real client this morning (wish me luck!!!). I'm 23 weeks along with this pregnancy and only have 17 to go (I'm sure you could have done the math), but I still feel like there is so much to do! My next big hurdle is to choreograph seven dances for recital and teach them in January. When I'm done with that, I feel like I will be able to relax again. Hope you are doing well! 

All Black

ASOS top (old), faux leather pants via Target, ShoeDazzle c/o flats (here), Francesca's bag

I think these shoes are going to be the most favorite pair that I have ever owned. Not exaggerating. They are so cute and can be worn with pants, dresses, shorts, and skirts. And the best part is... they are comfortable. Normally when I put on a new pair of shoes I get a little blister after wearing them for an hour or more. Not so with these! 

Things are going pretty well here. I have about a month left of Pilates training and am starting to feel more comfortable with it. I've practiced on a few friends who are already certified so that was helpful because they were able to tell me what I was doing right/wrong. 

My son's second birthday is this week and we will be having his party this weekend. I also start Christmas rehearsals....which means I need to make up the six dances this week that I will be teaching on Saturday. No pressure.

Flowers

ASOS maternity dress, BCBG flats, F21 clutch

Well, these aren't the best pictures I've ever taken, but I guess it's better than nothing. I grabbed my nice camera Sunday before church and checked to make sure that it was charged (it was). However, once we finally got around to taking pictures, the battery was dead. I almost just told my husband to forget it until I remembered we could use his phone. So there you have it; pictures on a rainy day with an iPhone.

I'm almost at the halfway point with this baby! It's definitely getting harder to do simple things but thankfully my boys are pretty capable and I can rely on them to feed themselves, dress themselves, and clean up. Pilates is going well - I had my first 'teaching' experience on Saturday. I gave my husband a lesson and he did really well. Once I practice on a few of my friends and family, I will feel more confident about taking on a client for a private lesson.

It's another busy week for us! I have training and have to start making up six dances for the upcoming Christmas show. Hope you guys have a great day!

Easy Look

ASOS maternity dress (here), Wallis c/o blazer (here), Outrage Fashion c/o clutch (here), Zara flats (here), Charming Charlie jewelry, sunglasses (here)

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago so my tummy isn't as big here as it is in real life. This is a maternity dress but I'm hoping that I will still be able to wear it much later after the baby comes. The only problem is that everything is just always bigger when you aren't pregnant but maybe wearing a jacket or blazer over dresses, such as this one, will help disguise any bagginess. 

In other news, the Pilates training is going great. I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable with the exercises and am looking forward to teaching eventually. Things at the dance studio are starting to get busy as we have a performance coming up in the next few weeks and we also have a huge Christmas show to prepare for.

I could also use prayers for two family members who aren't doing so well right now. I hope you are all doing great! Thanks for your support!

Charming Lucy Guest Post

Today I have a guest post from Susan over at Charming Lucy all about fashion for teens.

 As the mom of a tween girl, I find it difficult to find fashion tips for young ladies on blogs. So, this post is for my daughter and her friends, as well as for anyone who loves a tween/teen girl and wants to help her dress like a cool little lady! As the mother of a soon-to-be teenage girl, I need to be current on all of the fashion trends! I have a few rules for my daughter, which she happily follows, but she has always had her own style. I love watching her put together outfits and add accessories to her wardrobe. Our fashion rules are simple; cover your stomach and hind end, as well as other body parts that are meant to be kept private, and no clothing with inappropriate words or sayings. I have always taught my daughter that beauty is internal and fashion is a way to express yourself. However, as Christians, we are responsible for dressing in a manner that brings glory to God. So, I have come up with a few tips for building a wardrobe for your tween. 1. You must have core pieces in your closet. These pieces will act as your backbone for your wardrobe. Dark denim, neutral tees, leggings, a button-down blouse, several versatile belts, and basic sweaters are a must. A closet full of blinged out sweatshirts will quickly go out of style. Use the majority of your clothing budget to purchase wardrobe basics. Then, leave a certain amount of your budget for purchasing the latest trend.

2. Be Yourself. I am sure that Lucy tires of all the things I try to teach her about fashion. I do hope that she remembers to wear what works for her. Wear what makes you feel pretty and you will always look pretty. Think about what activities you are doing that day and what will be appropriate to wear for certain events. Assess your figure and wear what flatters you. Just because it looks fabulous on your friend, does not mean that it will work for you. Wear what suits your lifestyle and body type. And remember...ultra-tight looks good on no one!

3. Trends are fabulous, in moderation. If you fill your closet with the latest and greatest teen trend, your entire wardrobe will be out of style in two months. Use the majority of your clothing budget to purchase wardrobe basics. Then, purchase one or two fun pieces that you can mix and match into your everyday style.

4. Learn to love knock-offs and hand-me-downs. If you spend your entire budget on that new crossbody bag your friend got for Christmas, you won't have any money left to buy anything else! Try shopping at thrift stores, as you can often find items with tags still attached! Host a clothing swap with your friends. That purple peplum top that has been hanging in your closet for a year may be a treasure for someone else!

 

Great style is a learned art. You will find your fashion groove over the next few years. Just be true to yourself, follow your family dress code rules, and have fun! I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions from my tween/teen friends! Have a blessed day and happy shopping!

Maternity Stripes

ASOS dress (here), F21 jacket (here) and clutch (here), BCBG heels (here), Old Navy sunglasses, belt via TJ Maxx

I can't tell you guys how much I needed that blog break last week. I feel like my life has become so consumed lately with this blog and it was nice to be able to not think about it for a week. I have had a few changes in my life lately and it has made me question my ability to keep up with this blog. It has almost become a chore. Something that I feel like I "have" to do and get annoyed when I have to do a post. Did I miss blogging last week? Not one bit. Am I ready to quit? I don't know. 

Thinking about the new baby coming makes me question whether I will have the time and energy to pour into this blog. With three children that need my attention, I wonder if I will have time. What do I get out of blogging? I don't really know. So with that being said, it makes it hard to want to continue when I'm not really sure what I get out of it. Yes, I have met some great women and I am totally grateful for that. Blogging has also helped me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things so I am grateful for that as well. 

I have also decided to become certified to teach Pilates. It is something that I have gone back and forth about for the past five years and have finally decided to do it. It is something that will take less effort than blogging (and pay really darn well) and will not take up nearly as much time. 

So with all this being said, I'm not throwing in the towel, just backing off a little. You can definitely expect less posts from me and a little less consistently. I don't want to feel tied down to this blog anymore. Thanks for sticking around through this transition in my life!

Have a great day!

A Short Break...

Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, I'm just taking a break this week. I've had a lot going on (I will fill you in next week) and just needed this week to not blog. I will see you back next Monday with a new outfit post!

* Keeping It Casual link-up will resume next Wednesday. Have a great day!

Black and White

F21 blouse, Zara jacket, Seven jeans, C Label shoes via DSW (here), Outrage Fashion c/o clutch (here), sunglasses (here)

These past few weeks have been busy. My mom came to visit and I got a surprise visit from my brother who has been living in Florida for a long time. The past week and a half was such a great time to catch up with both of them and I even took a trip to see my sister and my niece. I haven't been able to catch up with my blog reading but I hope to do that over the next week. 

I found this jacket on mega sale at Zara a few weeks ago and thought it would be the perfect piece for my closet this winter. It's more like an oversize blazer, which is more my style than a heavy winter coat. I already have countless ways in my mind to wear this jacket and can't wait to style it more ways.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Keeping It Casual - 26 (Link-up)

F21 jacket (here) and clutch (here), Sheinside blouse c/o (here), BCBG heels via DSW (here), Loved by Heidi Klum
jeans, Old Navy sunglasses (old)

With this outfit, I can definitely say that I am ready for fall. I don't even want to look at my summer stuff even though the temps are ridiculously hot. Neutral colors are always a great way to make your outfit fall-appropriate. When the temps cool down, all you need is a light jacket like this utility jacket to get you through the morning.

I'm loving the faux leather detail on the neckline of this blouse too - it is the perfect touch next to the stiff collar of this jacket.

If you are linking up today, please make sure that you are follower of this blog and that you link back here in your post.

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