Why Do You Blog? {A Link-Up}

Sarah, my amazing sister-in-law, (or SIL if you're familiar with blog acronyms), recently wrote a great post about the driving factors behind her reasons for blogging. I thought it was such a neat idea because, for some of us who've been blogging for years, we forget exactly why we do choose to put our lives on the interwebs.

So bloggers, I want to do a link-up with all of YOU. I want to hear why you blog. Plain and simple. It can be as simple as, "It's easier than keeping a scrapbook", or as complex as, "I'm a level 4 hoarder and have been stuck inside my home for the better part of the last decade. It's my only link to the outside world." Which would be scary. But, perhaps, the reason why you blog. I'm not here to judge.

You get the just of it.

So join me in telling why you blog this Friday, in place of Confessional Friday.

Now here's the fun part...post the button below on your blogs, Twitter, FB, Insta, whatever and encourage your fellow bloggers to link up. Be sure to use the hashtag #whyIblog if you post to Twitter or Instagram. I think it'd be neat to share our blogging journeys with each other...and a great way to find NEW BLOGS and make new friends.

Get your posts ready for Friday and come back here to link up & share why you blog!

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hey, chicas! Let's confess, shall we?

1) I confess that I've eaten Chick-Fil-A just about every day for lunch this week. Still haven't gained any weight, but I figure if I keep this up, I'm bound to get back up to pre-pregnancy weight in no time. (Who knew early pregnancy was a great weight loss tactic?)

2) I confess that I tried so hard to eat a cupcake yesterday, but after one bite of the frosting, I got queasy. This baby is decidedly NOT a sweet-lover. Know what the lil' bean does love, though? Velveeta Shells n' Cheese. I could eat that manna from heaven every day. This baby will probably come out requesting fake cheese.

3) I confess that I'm obsessed with Hannibal, the new show on NBC. It's gory, strange and completely brilliant. And that Hugh Dancy...pretty cute. I highly suggest it if you love a thrilling hour of TV.

4) I confess that I'm finally getting my hair highlighted next week, following a four month hiatus. Yes, folks, the blonde is making a comeback. Maybe I'll even get a spray tan to really take things up a notch ; )

5) I confess that I had to quit watching episodes of A Baby Story on TLC. Frankly, it scared the mess out of me, ha!

Alrighty, your turn.

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

1. Covergirl Point Perfect Liner // 2. Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten // 3. Stila Eyeshadow in Espresso // 4. YSL Touch Eclat // 5. Maybelline Falsies // 6. Sephora Eyelash Curler


I'm a creature of the night lately. Don't know what it is about this pregnancy, but sleep isn't exactly happening regularly these days. In fact, I'm more awake at nighttime than I am during the day! I get my second wind around 10:30 p.m. and after that, it's re-runs of Friends and infomercials. Needless to say, I've had to come up with a pretty solid eye make-up routine that conceals the shopping bags under my eyes and magically helps me look like I've gotten a full eight hours.

I swear by YSL's Touche Eclat eye brightener, as well Stila's uber-pigmented eye shadows. And nothing on this planet will wake up your eye sockets quite as well as a healthy dose of mascara atop curled lashes.

Oh yeah, all this and a big ol' cup of java.

Link up tonight/tomorrow for Confessional Friday!

Bumpdate: {14 Weeks}

Though we’re dealing with some stresses right now, we are still celebrating this pregnancy and our Little Bean! It really is such an exciting and joyous time. And to think we're this much closer to the half-way point...gaw!

Just makes me want to see our babe even more – hurry up, October!

Gender?

We have a pretty good idea, but won't know for certain until the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.

Weight Loss/Gain?    

Loss. Dropped the one measly pound I gained (boo!) putting me still below pre-pregnancy weight, sigh...Working hard to get some lbs. on, though. My doctor jokingly said he was going to put me on an all-Chick-Fil-A diet, haha! 

Cravings?

Food is slowing starting to sound good again and my appetite is on the rise. Sweets still make me really queasy, but salty/savory foods like guacamole and queso taste amazing right now. Oh, and I’m off Zofran. Hooray! Also, I enjoyed my very first half-caff vanilla latte since becoming pregnant yesterday. Yum!

Dress: Wallis (size 2) // Shoes: ASOS (size 7)  // Bracelet: Belle Boutique  -  Rogers

Favorite Moment this Week?

Buying my first newborn outfit at Target for our sweet one : )

Funniest Moment this Week?

It actually happened last weekend, but our 4-year-old niece Ava gave Stephen some advice for how to feed a baby using his “ta-tas”, ha! She also reminded him that he WILL need to help change diapers. Thanks, Ava!

Sleeping?

I’ve heard a LOT of expectant moms deal with this early in their pregnancies, but I have the worst insomnia right now. Like, I catch my second wind around 10:30 p.m. and I can’t switch it off. Benadryl (as recommended by our OB) helps on nights when it’s really bad, but there’s not a lot of shuteye going on at the S household.

Clothes?

So far, just wearing my regular clothes. I am definitely starting to show and LOVE my bump – woohoo!

Thinking of doing a mommy link-up this spring where we can share tips/secrets on favorite baby products, brands, feeding tips, what worked for you/didn't, etc. What would you moms think about that?

Monogram Madness: {feat. Shop Dandy}

I am southern. This comes as no shock to anyone who reads this blog, watches any of my YouTube tutorials or (for the real unfortunate folks) has to hear my southern twang in person.

My southerness also becomes evident by the sheer amount of monogrammed trinkets that I own. I’m talking dishes, sweaters, towels, bottle openers, house slippers, koozies, ink pens…everything but the kitchen sink. (And if that had been an option, I’d have monogrammed that sucker, too.) We southern girls flat-out love a monogram.

So, sue us.

Recently, sweet Danielle of Shop Dandy reached out to me about sending some monogrammed beauties my way to share with y’all on here. To say I was ecstatic when I opened the box is an understatement.

Behold, the most perfect acrylic monogrammed tray I have ever laid eyes on. Oh, and a matching key chain. WITH MY INITIALS.

To me, you could use this tray for just about anything. I’m choosing to display my bracelets and make-up brushes in our master bath, but honestly, it would look adorable anywhere. It makes everything SO much prettier and more organized!

Now this key chain…my word, this key chain. Love it. It makes my big ol’ janky mess of metal far more chic. Imagine that…a wad of keys being chic! If you’re a bride, these would make excellent bridesmaid gifts or gifts for your sorority sisters, (hint hint!)

A few of my other favorite goodies from Shop Dandy, monogrammed and otherwise:

Nautical Tunic - purchase here

Ruffle Top in Teal - buy here

Sailor Dress - get it here

Mint Hope Bracelet - here

Anchor Necklace - and here

Monogram Color Dipped Canvas Tote - here

Monogrammed Mason Jars (Set of 4) - get 'em here

Acrylic Monogram Trink Box - buy it here

Monogrammed Bamboo Pillow - here

Don't forget to follow Shop Dandy on Facebook and Twitter! Danielle is constantly posting new items and fun updates, so don't miss out!