Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

The topic of this week for Confessional Friday is pet peeves and I'm dying to hear yours! I can't wait to see if some of us share a few of the same.

Here are the front runners on my list:

1. Drivers who don't actually yield at yield signs. 
I think in my previous life, I was a traffic cop. And yes, I drive like an 80-year-old grandmother on a sightseeing trip through Branson. But there's nothing more irritating than some yay-hoo (technical term) who careens right through a yield sign with no regard to fellow drivers.

2. Folks who speak a smidge too loudly.
By nature, I'm pretty soft spoken, so I think peeps with booming voices just put me on edge. This is made worse when they are so loud that they talk over other people. (Probably because they cannot hear them for the sound of their own voice.)

3. Incorrect word usage.
A few of my personal favorites:

supposed to vs. suppose to
"I am supposed to go to the market." - Correct
"I am suppose to go to the market." - Incorrect

used to vs. use to
"She used to attend Junior League meetings on Monday." - Correct
"She use to attend Junior League meetings on Monday." - Incorrect

past vs. passed
"In the past, we voted on the winner." - Correct
"In the passed, we voted on the winner." - Incorrect

4. Irregardless.
The above is not a word. It shouldn't be used as such. Regardless is just fine on it's own without the addition of the "i-r".

5. People who don't say "please" or "thank you".

6. The Kardashians. 

...................

Don't forget, you can get the topic schedule from week-to-week right here!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Bumpdate: {24 Weeks}

Good heavens, where has this summer gone?! If I'm not mistaken, we are already nearly into July - sheesh! This second trimester has flown by and we're soon coming up on the third. Crazy, crazy stuff that in just a little over three months, we'll be holding our BABY GIRL!

Excuse the outfit...nothing fancy this week! Just had S snap these after our walk last night : )

Weight Loss/Gain:  +6 lbs. total, so far. (It feels like I've gained a bowling ball though, especially when I have to roll over in bed, ha!)

Cravings:  Actually starting to crave sweets again, so I’ve been indulging in the new Chocolate Peanut Butter Pop Tarts, which I wrote about here. Mmm, baby, they're good! Also? Sweet tea. I’ve craved that pretty much throughout the pregnancy and now that it’s hot outside, even more so.

Favorite Moment this Week:  We also had a follow-up with the high-risk OB for Caroline (we still see him in addition to my regular OB due to my heart history) and got to watch her for a whole hour during the ultrasound yesterday. She danced, she twirled, she waved...it was amazing. Baby girl is thriving and measuring in at 1 lb. 8 oz. - right on track! 

Funniest Moment this Week:  Trying to get dressed for work on Monday and realizing that I may need to go shopping for pants soon – ha! I "popped" at around 23 weeks and went from, "What bump?", to, "Woah, bump!", seemingly overnight. 

Sleeping: Sleeping wonderfully this week, save for a nasty case of heartburn one night following...of all things...a milkshake. Weird.  

Clothes: Regular clothes, but I’m definitely going to be purchasing some maternity pants this upcoming week. I found some cute options on ASOS, so I’ll keep you posted in case any of you fellow moms-to-be are in the market for bump-accommodating pants, too.

Most looking forward to: 

Two things: 

1) Holding my sweet baby girl. A co-worker of mine had her little boy last week and it’s exciting to think that we’ll be having ours in just less than four months. It’s also a little surreal to think we’ll have a baby for all the holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas this year – crazy!

2) The cool front we're getting this weekend in Northwest Arkansas. Um, high of 71 on Sunday? Yes, please!

Humidity-Proof Hair: {Vlog}

I had a couple folks ask after last week’s Ulta Super Blender Sponge Tutorial if I could do one on straight hair (or better yet, how the heck to achieve smooth locks during summer’s crazy humidity.)

As many of you know, I live in Arkansas and WOAH MOMMA…the humidity will straight up wilt a girl during the summer. We’re talking 80-90% humidity during the hotter parts of July and August. Fun stuff.

I thought it'd be fun (and less boring than a novella-sized blog post) to tell you girls what products work for me to achieve a smooth 'n straight hair do' that stays in tact, even in our terrarium-like climate .

Here are the products I mentioned in the vlog that keep my locks nice and tidy during the blazing summer months:

1. CHI Silk Infusion - here

2. CHI CA1084 Ceramic Hair Dryer - here

3. Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo - here

4. Kenra Color Maintenance Conditioner - here

5. Tigi Catwalk Series Work It Hairspray - here

6. Moroccanoil Treatment® - here

Link to the Remington Flat Iron - here

P.S.- That other Redken shampoo/conditioner I couldn't remember the name of (for non-blonde hair)? Yeah, it's called Extreme. And you can get it here. 

Click on the items below to purchase for yourself!

Random Things To Make Your Tuesday Better

Because we haven't just had a good random post lately, I present "Things To Make Your Tuesday Better". Or, as I like to call it, Pop Tarts now come in a Peanut Butter & Chocolate flavor.

Which is an excellent segue into our #1...

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Pop Tarts
These things are just plain good. They're super sweet, so eating just one is enough to send you into sugar shock, but Lord almighty - YUM. Caroline and I have been enjoying them very much.

2. North America on Discovery
Stephen and I DVR'd North America, a documentary series on Discovery Channel, a few weeks ago and have been catching up on episodes here and there. The camera work is absolutely phenomenal and, if you're an animal lover like me, you'll be beside yourself with giddiness at seeing the cute baby bears as they practice shimmying up trees. I highly recommend it.

3. Sam & Libby Kamila Sandal
Another day, another shoe obsession from the Sam & Libby for Target collection. I believe that, for a mere $25, I need these. Yes...need.

4. Katy Perry is on the cover of Vogue
I like this girl. Always have. And her interview in the July issue of Vogue makes me like her even more.

5. College football is in, like, 60-something days
I'm not sure whether to be excited, (because frankly, football is the best sport ever), or incredibly nervous following last year's horrific Razorback season, but the start of college football is right around the corner. Here's hoping this season won't be quite as painful to watch for us Hog fans. And if it is, we'll drown our sorrows in chili and hot dogs. And Pepcid.

6. AMC's The Killing
Have y'all seen The Killing on AMC? We started watching it a couple weeks ago from Season 1 and love it! Add it to your Netflix queue STAT!

7. We're one day closer to Friday
This one needs no explanation.

What's making your Tuesday better?

Fab Etsy Finds (Like the Monogram Door Hanging!)

I buy a lot of stuff on Etsy. To me, it's the best place to go to A) support small businesses and artisans; and B) get neat things cheaply. Here are a few of my absolute favorite things I've purchased from Etsy recently.

Monogram Door Hanging from Southern Greeters

Featured in last week's 23 Week Bumpdate

Seen here on Southern Greeters' store page

Headbands for Caroline from Bebebands

2013-2014 Day Planner from Whitney English

 

I will say, this hasn't shipped yet (ships in July), so I haven't actually used it yet, but my co-worker has one and LOVES it. I've been eyeing hers for a while, so I know I'll adore it, too.

Self-Inking Address Stamp from Foryoo

What are some of your favorite Etsy stores and recent buys? I NEED to know this stuff ; )

................................

P.S. - Stay tuned this week for a hair tutorial vlog (we're talking straight hair that will hold up in summer humidity!), as well as a MAJOR blog link-up announcement for mommas and mommas-to-be!! Whether you're expecting your first little one or if you're a veteran mom at this point, you won't want to miss the chance to glean advice and tips from your fellow bloggers, (AND give your own!)

Confessional Friday: {Link-up}

'Ello, lovelies! Another work week has passed and, lo' and behold, it's time for Confessional Friday. If you're playing along with the schedule of topics, it's time to let us all in on the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make you...well...you.

Here are a few things you may not know about me:

-I have a thing for goats. I've always, always wanted a pet goat. I think they're adorable and highly entertaining.

-I loathe (and am allergic to) cats. Ack!

-When I was eight or so, I used to pretend I was on Baywatch at our local beach. I had a red bathing suit and would run with my Jem air mattress tucked under my arm (remember Jem?), pretending to be dashing off to save a drowning victim, usually played by my childhood friend Josh. True story.

-For the longest time, I thought "snipe hunting" involved the tracking and killing of a strange bird called a snipe. It wasn't until a few years ago that a then-boyfriend let me in on the secret that this was a joke.

-I'm one of the only people in the world that hates jelly beans. Shew!

-I used to have a phobia of throwing up, so when I was little, I would literally hold it in and do whatever it took to avoid it when I had a stomach bug. You'll be happy to know that, thanks to this pregnancy, I no longer have that phobia.

...................................................................................

P.S. - Answers to questions from yesterday's Bumpdate post:

-Where did my shoes come from? Right here. Sam & Libby for Target.

-Where did my dress come from? Forever 21 two years ago!

-Where did we find the monogrammed door hanging? Right here. It took a few weeks to ship, but it was well worth it - we LOVE it!


   

    http://new.inlinkz.com//luwpview.php?id=287030" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up

   

Bumpdate: {23 Weeks}

First off, thank you all so much for your help and insight on the diaper bag dilemma! I knew I wasn't alone in not wanting to carry a bag emblazoned with farm animals and Hello Kitty ; )

And now I present, Week 23:

Weight Loss/Gain?  No change as of this morning from last week. Five pounds total so far!  



Ignore odd glare on my bump and face...we need a new camera : )

 

Cravings:  Still loving the occasional steak and potatoes meal. Still eating the heck out of fresh fruit and salads with my favorite homemade buttermilk dressing. And? Gummi Bears (only the Haribow brand.) Cannot get enough.

Favorite Moment this Week: ORDERING HER FURNITURE! I'm happy to report that Miss Caroline will be sleeping in style in her new crib from Pottery Barn and dresser w/ changing topper from Restoration Hardware. 

Sleigh Fixed Gate Crib from Pottery Barn - here

For her dresser, we are going with this one, the Sloane dresser and topper from Restoration Hardware.

 

Funniest Moment this Week:  Ruby was laying her little head on my bump Tuesday night and Caroline kicked so hard that she (Ruby) felt it. It startled her so badly that she jumped up and looked at me like, "What the heck are you packing in there, woman?" 

 

Sleeping: I haven't slept great this week, but that's because Stephen's been traveling for work. He was back last night and I slept much better just knowing he was there beside me. #sappywife

Clothes: Regular clothes still. Sweet (and beautiful expectant momma) Elaine told me about these drawstring shorts at Old Navy (non-maternity), so I went yesterday and scooped up a pair in a fun melon sherbet color. Flat-out love 'em. 


Women's Drawstring Linen Shorts in Melon Drama

Most looking forward to: Starting the assembly process of the nursery. Now that we have most of the big items ordered, it's time to decorate - woot! And, um, we are a mere 5 weeks away from the THIRD TRIMESTER. Holy home stretch, Batman!

P.S. - Take notice of the Confessional Friday button at the bottom of the right side bar (where it will live permanently.)

You can use the graphic above (just right click and save on the circle graphic) for the header of your future CF posts...AND, if you give it a click on the side nav (or click this handy link), you'll be taken to a page with a schedule of topics for CF. You do not have to use these at all, but I thought it might be fun to dedicate a theme to each week just for this summer!