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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Easy Sophistication

I've stayed away from the loafer trend for a while now because I remember wearing them in middle school with my hideous school uniform. Fortunately, fashion has come a long way since the '90s and there are plenty of cute loafer options to choose from.

From top clockwise: mustard flats, nude with gold buckle, white with tassel, blue suede,  metallic tassel with heel,
two-toned, center metallic tassel

All of these are great options for this fall and winter that can add a bit of ease to your look. You can wear them with boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, skirts, dresses, etc. If you are struggling with ideas on how to style this shoe for the fall, check out a few images that I found on pinterest. To see more fashion inspiration, you can follow me here.

Left/Right (no source)

No source found on pinterest for images

What is your favorite way to wear loafers?