Flutter Sleeves

Blank NYC Suede Vest & Levis Jeans c/o Marshalls

Topshop Booties

H&M Blouse

Flutter sleeves have made their way into so many girls' wardrobes this year. Whether on a thick sweater or a delicate chiffon - ruffled and bell sleeves are a huge staple for the season. I have seen so many cute options on Instagram and out shopping - most are a cropped fit, which I absolutely love, but wouldn't be able to wear until next spring/summer. I've been on the hunt for a longer silhouette to fit my baby bump and spotted this beauty at H&M for under $10. The delicate accents like the ruffled neckline and sheer material provided a nice contrast against the edgy suede and zippered details on this Blank NYC vest. When I'm purchasing items like jackets or vests, I tend to stick to neutrals because I know they will provide the most versatility for my closet. And this Blank NYC jacket was too good to pass up, especially for under $75. Gotta love those Marshalls prices!

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls or The TJX Companies, Inc. 

in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB

As always, all opinions are my own.

Dressing For Pregnancy

Free People Dress - c/o Marshalls

Stuart Weitzman Boot

Karen Walker Sunglasses

I'll admit, the idea of dressing in anything but leggings or sweats while your pregnant seems daunting. Will I be comfortable? Will I ever wear that again? Wait, is that a button on those jeans? Ladies, you're preaching to the choir! There are mornings when the idea of squeezing into jeans seems impossible or buying a sweater that you will only wear for 2 more months seems like a total waste of money. Cue the pregnancy tears (thanks, hormones). Here are some of my tips for staying fashionable, keeping in budget, and feeling incredible for pregnancy!

1. Invest in good jeans

This is key! If you only splurge on one item, make it an amazing pair of denim. Don't be fooled, it doesn't have to be designer! ASOS carries a killer line of maternity wear and it's all very affordable. You can dress them up, dress them down, and they're perfect for when you're in a rush and need an outfit. I've linked a few pairs below - no pair is over $75!

2. You can still try on regular clothes!

You can still shop at stores that aren't "maternity" or have a maternity line. There are plenty of options out there that are friendly for all trimesters and items that you can wear post-baby. Dresses are a great option for comfort and easily can be worn after pregnancy and they'll make you feel like a million bucks! I scored this one by Free People from Marshalls and felt comfortable all day in it. I've purchased a lot of my pregnancy wardrobe from Marshalls, because they have on-trend items that don't cost an arm and a leg. No guilt!

3. Stick with what you like

Just because your body is changing, it doesn't mean your style has to change too! This also helps in being able to incorporate items into your outfits that you already have in your wardrobe. Jackets and vests are one of my favorite ways to amp up an outfit. Plus, no matter how big your belly gets...they'll always fit.

4. Embrace the bump

Don't be afraid of bold prints or body-con dresses. In early pregnancy, there's a thin line between a food baby or a real baby, but as the months go on and your tummy grows embrace your new shape. Opt for form fitting outfits or bold prints -- don't be afraid to dress up.

Being pregnant doesn't mean giving up your personal style. There are so many stylish maternity options, no matter what your shape is. If you feel great- wear it! 

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls or The TJX Companies, Inc. 

in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB

As always, all opinions are my own.

Cashmere and Studs

Tracy Reese dress & Tahari cashmere sweater -- c/o Marshalls

Sunglasses & Booties -- Nordstrom

Every season I purchase a piece or two that is a true investment. Last year it was an All Saints jacket and Stuart Weitzman boots; this year I decided to bite the bullet and purchase my first cashmere sweater. I wanted one that could be worn with countless outfits and was a color that would work well with items in my closet. I was shopping for Christmas decor at Marshalls and decided to walk through the sweater section. I wasn't expecting to find a cashmere sweater and was so surprised to find this amazing one. I didn't even try it on! it immediately went in my cart. This sweater is something that would normally be a couple hundred dollars and a little crying on the inside at the register, but instead I was able to score a beautiful 100% cashmere vest by Tahari at Marshalls for under $100! I've worn it countless times since picking it up just a few weeks ago; it's the perfect neutral color and I love the length. Paired with a studded Tracy Reese dress (also scored from Marshalls) and simple black booties made for a chic outfit for a stroll downtown.

This week marks 7 months and this little babe is moving 24/7. Just a few more months and we will find out if we're having a boy or a girl -- so excited! I will admit, dressing during pregnancy can be hard at times, but so far I haven't had any crazy mornings or "nothing fits" breakdowns. Stay tuned for some more maternity looks that are perfect for the holidays. 

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls or The TJX Companies, Inc. 

in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB

As always, all opinions are my own.

Winter Layers

My look: 

Paige jeans, Cloth & Stone chambray, Tart hat, Velvet vest -- c/o Marshalls

Booties -- Nordstrom

Nick's look:

RVCA button-up, Joe's jeans -- c/o Marshalls

Uriah's look:

Joe's jeans & top -- c/o Marshalls

Sweatshirt -- c/o Primpop

Christmas season is here! Our tree is up, holiday music is on Pandora 24/7, and we are enjoying every.single.moment.

It's adorable seeing Uriah excited for all of the holiday decorations; he is  always trying to convince me to get ornaments whenever he sees them. We added a little tree in his room for him to decorate and picked up some kid-proof ornaments from Target and Marshalls for him to add to his tree. We went to a local lot (family owned for 26 years!) and picked out the perfect tree. Well, Uriah wanted (of course) this 18ft. tree, but sadly that wouldn't work for our home so he settled for a regular ole' tree. I love smelling that fresh pine scent when I'm in the living room!

Another thing I'm loving is all the winter items at Marshalls. I walked in and had a cart filled within minutes. Not kidding - minutes! I was so surprised to find this amazing shearling vest by Velvet for only $44. And it has pockets! I also added another felt hat to my growing collection. Whenever I spot a Tart Collections hat at Marshalls, it always comes home with me. Such incredible quality and they're priced perfectly at $19.99 compare at over $48 -- who could resist that? It's difficult shopping for a growing belly, but luckily vests and hats will always fit!

                                    

Festive Holiday Gifting

 

 

Gifting supplies - c/o Marshalls

Joie sweater & Theory jeans - c/o Marshalls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether presented to family or stacked under the tree, beautifully wrapped presents set the tone for holiday gift exchanging. When the month of December comes, our weekends become full of holiday parties and of course, Christmas is right around the corner. It’s made life so much easier to have an array of gifting necessities on hand, because you never know when you'll need to throw together a present at the last minute. I headed straight to my nearest Marshalls to stock up on festive wrapping paper, gift tags, and lots and lots of pretty ribbon. 

I decided to choose a few key pieces, because there were so many different options in the store for wrapping paper and ribbons and I like to have all my wrapped gifts to have a cohesive look. I was drawn to all the metallic accents, flannel ribbon, neutral paper, and of course- the affordable price tag! I started by choosing bright red and gold polka dot boxes for an easy gift box when I'm in a hurry. Last minute white elephant gift exchange? Throw your goodies in a pretty box, add a bow, and your gift will be the first one picked! The larger one was $7.99 and the smaller only $4.99 – totally a score for such pretty display boxes that can be used for the rest of the year. For the presents I know about ahead of time, I like to add an ornament on top forextra decoration and a mini gift. I spotted metallic glass star ornaments to add a little flair to the gifts; the ones I chose came in packs of 2 for $4.99 -- which is a steal for pretty ornaments! After snatching those up, I spotted giant rolls offlannel ribbon packaged on adorable wooden spools. I’m a sucker for great packaging and I knew I had to add those to all my gifts for a wintery accent. Plus $5.99 for 10 yards is an incredible deal! The ribbon is even stitched on both sides with pretty red thread- I go crazy for little details like that and they really stand out when tied on a gift. I figured I would add this to simply wrapped packages for a pop of color and for the other gifts I found burlap string to use in 6 different shades. I was surprised to find this cute wooden display of burlap gift ties- there were some with metallic accents, others in shades of red or green. The best part is that once you run out, you can simply add new string and keep them sorted and organized on individual spools. Uriah loved spinning the spools around and around, so I guess it could double as a toy ;)

This season my beautifully wrapped gifts will show my friends and family how much I truly care about them. And thanks to Marshalls, I’m able to impress everyone on my Christmas gift list without breaking the bank.