8.08.2013

Gameday Ready: {Outfit Pics feat. Riffraff}

It’s late summer and I'm well into my third trimester, so that means dresses like this Loose Knit Piko Tank dress are reigning supreme in my wardrobe rotation right now.

This black tank Piko dress (yep, they come in dresses) c/o Riffraff is the perfect way for this mama-to-be to feel stylish and comfy for early tailgates this fall when it's still plenty warm. If you aren't familiar with the Piko line, you MUST get that way. It's the softest material ever!


I styled mine with my favorite ASOS pumps, a cheetah print belt from Old Navy (last year), and tons of bracelets. Oh, and a little face decoration, too : )



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So many fun things going on at Riffraff right now, including their new Game Day Collection! And, Riffraff is the official outfit sponsor of Jen Bielema, wife of AR football coach Bret Bielema, for the 2013 season. Big things happening for this much-loved local store, indeed!





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P.S. - Speaking of shopping locally, remember a while ago when I told you girls about American Native Goods, the handmade line of leather goods made by my friend Bobby and his brother Clayton? Well, the fantastic team at Arkansas Life is featuring them in this month's issue! Take a look at this beautiful spread about their company and the exciting things in store for this inspiring duo. 

Photos via Arkansas Life

8.07.2013

Sugar is Still My Friend

I had grand plans to post my Riffraff outfit pics for y'all today, but then I had my 9:30 glucose screening, followed by an 11:30 appointment with another doc...that we didn't get out of until nearly 1:30 - goo!

30-week baby bump...not so patiently waiting on the doctor : )

Anywhoodle, a few things, because I know you were holding your breath for this info.

-I passed the one-hour glucose test! So yay - no need to endure that 3 hour mess!
-The RhoGam shot hurt like a son-of-a-gun. My backside may be sore for days.
-That drink was some kind of nasty, but I didn't puke. #smallvictories

All in all, it wasn't terrible. And, we're done with needles until it's time to deliver Miss Caroline.

Annnnnd...my sweet friends Emily and Christi left this beautiful May Designs baby book on my desk as a surprise today! Isn't it adorable? I've been coveting one of these forever and it just made my day seeing Cee's little name on the cover. I really am blessed with the sweetest friends and co-workers!


Now, I really WILL be back tomorrow with pics of a fabulous frock c/o Riffraff. For real, this time.

And finally, here are some free printables for the 3rd trimester mamas that I made for my Whitney English planner. I only did weeks 30-38, since we'll likely be doing the C-section around the 38-week mark. Feel free to use them for yourselves, though!


8.06.2013

5 Reasons to Get Excited for Fall (Plus, Outfit Week)

It's no secret that summer really isn't my season of choice. Humidity? No thank you. Scorching heat? I'll pass.

I'll take the season of crunchy leaves, apple cider and SEC football any day. (This obsession for fall also may or may not be the reason I wanted to get pregnant in early winter...I've always wanted a fall baby!)

Here are some reasons you should be excited for the upcoming autumnal months:

1. H&M
In case you live under a rock, I wanted to let you know that you can NOW SHOP ONLINE at H&M! After years and years of waiting for H&M to launch an online version of their mega-store, they finally have. And the fall merchandise couldn't be any more precious. I've already placed an order for a few post-baby bump items ; )


2. Bath & Body Works' Fall Scents
I ducked into B&BW yesterday after a doctor's appointment and picked up some of their fall handsoaps and candles. Let me tell you girls, these scents are so yummy! My early favorites are the Blackberry Spice, Scarlett Pumpkin and Honeycrisp Apple. To die for, I tell you.
3. The Annual Fall/Winter Scentsy Catalog
Word on the street is, Scentsy has some beautiful new warmers in store for us this fall. I saw a sneak peek of the new lampshade warmers via the Scentsy site's blog and was floored. They're so pretty! I'm excited for next month when the new catalog and items launch.


4. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Does this really need an explanation? I think not. Yum. That is all.


5. Baby Caroline
Okay, okay...the excitement over this one really just pertains to Stephen and me, but we're pretty darn pumped to welcome Baby Girl in a couple months.

What are you most looking forward to this fall?

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Sidenote: The rest of this week is filled with outfit photos. Here are some fun ones that you might want to tune in to:

Wednesday: Two punchy little frocks for late summer from Riffraff

Thursday: A very special Bumpdate post, featuring a hot little citron number from Maude Boutique

Friday (in addition to Confessional Fri.): The CUTEST pair of Razorback shorts from denim powerhouse, OCJ Apparel...stay tuned, college football fans!

8.02.2013

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}


Inlinkz and I have gone around and around lately, SO if the link-up tool isn't working, please just leave your link in the comments!
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Today’s topic is one of my favorites because, as a soon-to-be mama in her third trimester, I have been doing lots of sitting on the couch lately. Enter: reality TV, bad TV, cheesy murder mystery TV (i.e. Lifetime), and just about any other genre of TV you can think of.

Here are a few of my very favorite silly, low-on-substance TV shows:

Real Housewives of Orange County or Real Housewives of New Jersey
Both are equally obnoxious in their own special ways, but I can’t seem to tear myself away.


True Blood
The acting leaves much to be desired. The plot? Well, it’s ridiculous. But this vampire/werewolf/shifter-filled HBO production is one of my very favorite ways to spend Sunday nights with my beau. Bring on the Hep-V!



Ghost Adventures
This show is pure comedy. From host Zack’s overly gelled hair, to the bevy of horrendous Ed Hardy t-shirts worn by his camera crew posse, it’s a hot, spooky mess. And, I love it.

Pretty Little Liars
Love, love, love this show! My SIL Stephanie turned me on to it and I can’t watch the episodes fast enough. If it’s a crime to love cotton-candy drama, then lock me up for life.



Banshee
Stephen and I were so happy that this Cinemax show was renewed for another season next year. This one probably has a bit more grit than the others on this list, but the plot is laughably over the top.

Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite “zero-calorie” shows?


8.01.2013

Bumpdate: {29 Weeks}

First off - A VERY happy birthday to my Papaw!! This handsome guy is still farming and keeping my Memaw in line ; ) Love you, Papps!



Only one more week until we're into the 30's! Holy baby bump, girls - this little lady is coming soon!

This last trimester really has flown by so much faster than the first two. Although I've enjoyed this one a LOT so far, (is it weird that it has been my favorite?) I'm more ready than anything to meet our daughter.



Here are this week's third trimester updates:

Weight Loss/Gain? 11 lbs. However, it feels like 95 lbs. with all this puffiness this week – hello, Arkansas heat and humidity!

Cravings:  Nothing. Sounds. Good. It’s been hot and sticky weather-wise this week and I’m in a cooking rut. (I know that y’all know what I’m talking about.) Anyone have any awesome recipes they’d like to share with me??

I’m quickly running out of room for any and all food in my stomach, as Miss Caroline is taking up lots of space in my midsection. However, there is always room for sweet tea : )


Baby bump!!

Favorite Moment this Week:  Our first shipment of diapers arrived from Amazon and it made me SO excited for that sweet little heiney that will soon be gracing our home! Those newborn diappies are sooooo teeeeeeny and cute!

Funniest Moment this Week:  Stephen and I danced at my brother’s wedding last Saturday and it was so funny having to stand awkwardly apart because the bump was in the way. We felt like two middle schoolers at a dance, ha!

Sleeping: Not so great, but I’m surprisingly not tired at all. I’ve found I can actually function on 4 hours or so, just fine, even at work. I have a feeling the good Lord is preparing me for Cee’s arrival soon.

Clothes: They haven’t arrived yet, but I ordered two pairs of pants and a dress from ASOS, plus a pair of pants and a top from Zulily this week – all maternity. Until then, just wearing dresses and sporting the BeBand with my regular pants.


Most looking forward to: Our babymoon trip to Eureka Springs! We plan to go up for a quick overnight stay at the Crescent soon and just enjoy the peace and quiet before the wee one gets here.  


If anyone has a moment today, please send up a few positive thoughts and/or prayers for my nephew. He's two years old and was recently diagnosed with a congenital defect called a thyroglossal duct cyst, which is underneath his chin. He has taken a bad turn this week and yesterday, they discovered he has staph infection. He has been sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital to get IV treatment. Please pray that they are able to get the staph under control with antibiotics soon, so that they can operate. He's in quite a bit of pain and, at only two years old, it's very hard to explain to him what's going on, I'm sure.

You can follow Sarah's blog here for the latest on this sweet babe. Thanks, y'all.