Top 5 Purchases from October

So I normally share a roundup of all of my favorite clothing purchases of the month, along with a couple of my readers’ most purchased items. I didn’t buy many new clothing items for myself this month, so I’m just going to share my 5 favorite purchases, as well as the 5 most purchased items that my readers bought through my links! I think I like this idea more than just sharing my favorites anyway- it’s always fun to see what other people are purchasing too!

I have explained this before, but if you are curious- I am able to see how many people click on my links and how many people purchase items through my links. However, I am never able to see any names of the people who are doing the buying. I do get a small commission from items that are purchased through my links, so if you are shopping through my links, please know that I am SO grateful and wish I knew who you were so I could properly thank you!

My Top 5 Purchases

1. My baby shower dress- one of the 2 clothing purchases I made this month! I actually have it in 2 other prints from before pregnancy. I wear size medium regularly, but I sized up to a large for the bump. It is so comfortable, and it’s one of those dresses that I am excited to pull out year after year because of it’s classic and cute style! Other colors that have more sizes- graphite, ice blue, and snakeskin.

2. Mockneck sweater- sweaters with mocknecks are my very favorite! And this color is gorgeous. It also comes in camel. I sized up from my normal medium to a large and love it!

3. My mom’s birthday cake- When Parker and I got our gender reveal cupcakes, I spotted this cake that looked like a dream come true! My mom and I both love icing, so I knew I’d have to go back and get it for her birthday. It was the most perfect and delicious cake for icing lovers! So glad I got to celebrate my mom’s birthday while I was home last weekend!

4. Baby’s crib and mattress- This is why my clothing purchases have decreased… all of the precious baby things that we need are currently taking priority!

5. Baby’s dresser/ changing table- We also got this, and it comes in about 4000 pieces. So we haven’t quite had the time to put it together just yet. Parker said he would take it on as a weekend project this weekend. Perfect birthday gift for him, right (his birthday is Friday)?!

Bonus: Glider- We also got this glider where I know lots of time will be spent!

My Readers’ Top 5 Purchases

1. Lou & Grey SignatureSoft Top- So funny this made the number 1 top spot for October’s best seller because it was also number 1 for September’s best seller list. What I mean by that is more people bought this top than any other item on my blog 2 months in a row! And for good reason… it is SO soft, comfortable, and the best top for fall! I had a friend message me after hers came in, and she said it felt like she was wearing pajamas! So true!

2. Ottoman Slouchy Tunic- So the top I shared above is my favorite top I have bought this fall, but this slouchy ottoman tunic is my favorite sweater of all time! It is the best oversized tunic that can be worn with leggings, jeans, or even as a dress if you are short enough! Mine is a size medium and fit me before pregnancy, as well as now. It definitely runs big, and I love it! A friend let me know it was on sale last week, so I shared about the sale on Insta stories, and people took advantage! I’ll share again if I see it go on sale because it is such a cute sweater!

3. Zella Leggings- Fun fact: the Zella maternity leggings have been the most clicked on item on my blog this month, but they are always out of stock. :( I’m glad all of the non pregnant people are purchasing these regular live in Zella leggings though because they are the very best leggings! They can be worn for exercise or with regular clothes.

4. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings- my second favorite pair of leggings for fall (when not pregnant)! So cute, flattering, and fun! Other outfit details- sweater | shoes

5. Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow- SO glad people are buying this because it has been so helpful for me! I can’t sleep without it now. It helps my achy back and hips tremendously!

I couldn’t be more excited about the top 5 purchases y’all have made this month because they are all things that I love and use constantly! And I am so excited about my own purchases as well! Thanks so much for reading! Have a wonderful day!

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Baby Shower Fun

My sister and best friends threw a baby shower for me last weekend, and it was such a sweet and special party! When my sister called to brainstorm ideas for the shower, the words I kept using to describe how I wanted it to be were fun and laid back. And that’s exactly how it was!

I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to a baby shower. Only a handful of my friends have babies, and I haven’t been able to make it to any of their showers. So I’m not sure where my visual of a very formal tea party with finger foods and high heels came from, but that is the type of baby shower that I did not want. Some people love this idea, and if this is you- you go girl! I knew I wanted a less formal type setting. I wanted the focus to be on having fun quality time with my very favorite people who I get to see so rarely. And that is exactly what happened!

The shower was at my parents’ house and included my family and closest friends. We had Foosackly’s for dinner, which is one of my favorites! If you’re not from Mobile, you may not have heard of it. It is our local chicken finger place that is superb! So we had chicken fingers, salad, french fries, and toast from Foosackly’s for dinner. Plus Ebie brought a few dips that were delicious!

Oh, and the cutest part of the food area- the desserts! Pollman’s made the most perfect baby boy cookies and petit fours that everyone loved. Especially me- sweets have been my biggest craving lately! There was also a drink station with adult beverages for everyone who wanted to partake in the fun, as well as water and tea with Foosackly’s ice AKA the very best crunchy ice!

One of my best friends brought the most beautiful flowers. She had asked me what the theme of our nursery was recently, and I told her we didn’t really have one. I said we’re sticking with white and gray furniture with pale blues, greens, and yellows in the art and decor. She then used that info and brought flowers that were the prettiest blues, greens, and yellows! My mom’s sweet friend Kim also brought over some gorgeous arrangements! Beyond thoughtful of both of them!

There were also adorable decorations that I will share photos of next. My mom hung some silver pieces that we received when we were babies on the chandeliers with blue ribbon. I thought that was the cutest idea! Wait, although I did love that idea, there’s actually one decoration I loved even more. My mom painted individual canvases with the letters of our baby’s name and displayed them on her bookshelf (no picture of that because I’m not sharing the baby’s name on the blog until after he’s born). She helped so much with this shower too. Every detail was so thoughtful, and it made me extra thankful for my family and friends!

I’m so disappointed I forgot to take a picture of the beautifully wrapped gifts that everyone brought over or sent, as well as the 2 paintings my mom painted for our nursery. Baby stuff is just simply the cutest! Parker and I are so appreciative for all the things- the functional gifts that we (as first time parents) really needed, along with the precious clothes that I cannot wait to dress our baby boy in! I’ll share a photo of some of the precious baby clothes we were given since I didn’t get any photos of the cute wrapped gifts.

The thing that usually comes easiest to me was actually the most difficult- picking out a dress for myself! :) I typically have no problem with this, but have you tried looking for a baby blue outfit in the fall? I don’t think I had because after days of searching online I learned just how difficult it actually is. However, I ended up finding this dress that I adore! I actually have 2 others identical to it. It is nonmaternity, and the other 2 that I have are size medium. I just sized up to a large for pregnancy. It is selling out, so here are a few more options with more sizes in stock- graphite, ice blue, and snakeskin.

And my earrings were so fun too! Caitlin from Caitlin Elizabeth Collection sent them to me, specifically for my baby shower! So sweet! The white flowers are 100% handcrafted silk and the gold bars are 18 karat gold. You can click here to check them out. Or click here to check out all of the other options on her website. There are so many other gorgeous styles and colors.

The best part- she is giving my followers 15% off everything on her website with code ART15, so definitely take advantage of that if you are in the market for gorgeous earrings. They would make fabulous Christmas gifts for loved ones too! The discount code is good through Saturday, and they are already reasonably priced for the amazing quality.

I had the very best time getting to celebrate our baby boy with the sweetest friends and family. I am 32 weeks today! We are getting so close to meeting our baby, and we are much more prepared after this baby shower! Thanks so much to our friends and family for being so precious! And thanks to you for reading this long-winded post! :) Have a great day!

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A Few More Pictures:

Pregnancy Essentials

As of today, we are officially 2 months away from our due date! Time is flying, and I feel like I have spent enough time being pregnant at this point to share my must-have pregnancy items!

I know this post is not for everyone, but one way I come up with ideas of things to write about is through questions I am asked. I have had lots of questions about this topic lately, so I wanted to share my thoughts in one place! I always want to write about things that people are interested in, so if you ever have any questions or ideas of things for me to write about, I would love for you to send them my way!

Pregnancy Essentials

Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow- This is something I wish I would have purchased much earlier on in my pregnancy. Honestly, before becoming pregnant myself, I didn’t realize you couldn’t sleep on your back or stomach anymore. This pillow helps so much with getting comfortable on my sides, and it alleviates back pain. It took me a couple of nights to figure out exactly how to use it, but now I cannot go a night without it. It takes up a lot of space, but I have to have it, even when traveling! A little pricy, but worth every single penny. Rosie is a huge fan of it too. :)

What to Expect When You’re Expecting- This has basically been my pregnancy bible. Pregnancy is a whole new world. There are so many changes happening in your body and SO much to learn! This book is organized by month of pregnancy, so I read it as I go. It has taught me how much weight is normal to gain, what the cause of my back pain is, and countless other things that have answered my “is this normal?” questions I frequently have.

The Nanny Connie Way- My friend Caroline taught me about this book, and it is such an easy yet informative read. And y’all- al.com shared here that the nanny who wrote this book is supposed to be the nanny for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby. If she’s good enough for them, I believe her advice will be good enough for us. :)

Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care- I honestly haven’t started reading this book yet, but it is the one book my doctor suggested. And I adore him, so anything he suggests, I will try! Parker ordered it for me, and I plan on starting it once I catch up on What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

Palmer’s Stretch Mark Lotion- I just stumbled upon this stuff recently and wish I had had it for way longer. I tried a Burt’s Bees stretch mark cream for a while, and I know that some people like it, but I am SO picky about lotions and really didn’t love it. I really don’t like the texture of lotion at all, but I do like this Palmer’s stuff. It rubs in really quickly and has no smell. I haven’t noticed any stretch marks yet, so I will continue using this throughout the rest of my pregnancy in hope that this stuff helps prevent them!

Big Yeti Cup- Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water is so important while pregnant. I find it easier to drink more water when it is ice cold, and I can drink it out of a straw. Thanks to Ebie for this Christmas gift from last year that I am still getting so much use out of!

Heating Pad- I got one of these when I started having terrible back pain, and it has helped tremendously! I put it behind my back when sitting on the sofa and even in my bed when my back still hurts at night.

Comfy Slippers- It was officially time for my Ugg slippers to go in the trashcan. I got a lot of use out of them and completely wore them out. I knew I wanted a new pair of comfortable slippers, but I didn’t want to pay the money for Ugg slippers, so I purchased these. And I personally think they are just as comfortable! I actually prefer wearing these to being barefoot because they give my feet support.

Maternity Leggings- This is what I get the most questions about. And I feel so bad because my only suggestion is constantly sold out. I bought 2 pairs of Zella maternity leggings during the big Nordstrom sale (medium and large), and I have only ever owned and loved these. I am constantly checking the website to see if they get restocked, but they just come back in a couple of sizes from time to time. If they do happen to have a few sizes in stock, I suggest going with your true size. The medium pair has fit me comfortably my entire pregnancy. The large pair was way too big for a long time and would not stay up. They are starting to fit a little more comfortably as I get bigger, but the medium still fits. So I would suggest going with your true size. I am around five foot five, and they are the perfect length on me.

Maternity Jeans- I know people have all different preferences for maternity jeans. I personally prefer a low panel because I don’t love the higher bands suffocating my stomach. Maternity clothes can be super pricy, so I have tried to not purchase too many because I know I will not need them for long. However, jeans are obviously something everyone needs in the fall and winter. I ordered 3 pairs of Old Navy maternity rockstar jeans a while ago and loved 2 of the 3. I loved this pair, this pair, and I did not love this pair with the side panel. They didn’t stay up well on me. I went with my regular size in the first two pairs I mentioned, and they fit perfectly!

Comfy Bras- I have come to despise all bras with underwire. I have mostly been wearing sports bras because I have had a hard time finding bras that I actually like. Just like with jeans, I don’t like the bras with big bands that go down lower and suffocate my stomach. My friend Sarah just told me about these nursing bras. She said she wore them while breastfeeding, as well as after, because they are so comfortable. I’m def ordering them to add to my very small collection of comfortable bras that I like. While we’re talking undergarments, I’ll also mention that I have heard these underwear are fabulous for pregnancy. I hope it’s just girls reading today’s post. :)

Stretchy Pajama Pants- Until I hit about 20 weeks, I lived in these PJ Harlow pajama pants. They are all I have worn for the past few years. I love them, but they are made out of satin, and I needed something a little more stretchy for pregnancy.

Prenatal Vitamins- I don’t take anything fancy. I’ve been taking One A Day prenatals, and they have worked just fine.

Nausea Meds- This is obviously something you have to talk to your doctor about, but it is also a pregnancy essential that I simply had to include on this list. During the first trimester, I took Diclegis free samples until they ran out, and then I switched to a Diclegis alternative because that stuff is $$$. My doctor told me that a combo of Unisom (make sure it says Doxylamine Succinate on the box) and Vitamin B works just the same as Diclegis, and it did for me. My doctor also told me that after the first trimester, nausea is not typically caused by morning sickness, it’s caused by reflux. So he switched me to Nexium, and that is what I will take until the baby is born to prevent nausea. So far, so good. Knock on serious wood! And again, this is something you should talk to your doctor about because this is just what has worked for me. It could be different for everyone!

Snacks- specifically blandish carbs to keep in your purse, your bedside table, your car, etc. There have been so many occasions where cheerios, crackers, or plain chips have saved the day for me. Even when I don’t feel hungry at all but I don’t feel good, Parker will tell me to eat a snack, and it makes me feel better just about every single time!

Kopari Deodorant- This is a last minute addition, so there is not a photo of it in the collage, but I wanted to include it! I have been careful about every single thing I put on my body while carrying a baby, so I finally made the switch to a better-for-me deodorant. This deodorant is made with organic coconut oil. It is aluminum free, non toxic, paraben free, etc. In all honesty, I was using Old Spice before I switched over to this. I love the smell! It took me a few days to get used to the different smell of this deodorant, but I do like it now. Not as much as Old Spice, but I know it is better for me, so I am sticking with it!

If you have any other ideas, please share! I’d love to add them to this list! Thanks so much for reading. Have a great day!

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Fall Favorites Under $50

Fall weather is officially here, so I thought it would be fun to share some affordable fall finds today! Some are new, some I’ve had for years. They are all things that I am currently loving and wearing!

Favorite Pullover- I got this pullover during the big Nordstrom sale, and it is finally marked down again! It is currently 35% off, making it just under $50. It is the absolute softest fleece pullover I’ve ever owned, and I can’t suggest it enough! The website suggests sizing down one size. However, I always size up in pullovers because I like them to fit oversized. I sized up from my usual medium to a large, and I love the fit! I love the fact that it has pockets too. It comes in a few colors. Mine is charcoal. Other details- jeans | bag

Favorite Sweater- Sweaters that are long enough to wear with leggings are my absolute favorite. This one comes in 6 colors, and I would be happy with one of each. I ordered a large for pregnancy, but it is slightly fitted through the body (according to the website and my own opinion), and I’m not one to like fitted clothes. So I actually exchanged my large for an XL, and I love the fit. Other details- maternity leggings | nonmaternity leggings | earrings

Favorite Tunic- I have shared this tunic a million times because I have 11 of them, and they are basically my uniform. It is long enough to wear with leggings and so comfortable! Other details- maternity leggings | nonmaternity leggings | shoes | sunglasses

This teal ribbed one is the newest one in my collection!

Favorite Jeans- These maternity jeans have been my absolute favorite! I love the low panel and the fact that they feel like leggings. They also come in nonmaternity, so you can click here to check those out. They both run true to size. The maternity pair that I have is the same size I wore before pregnancy. Other details- thermal | shoes

Favorite Moto Leggings- I bought these 2 years ago, and they fit before pregnancy and still at 31 weeks pregnant! They are so comfortable and have such fun and unique details! Mine are last year’s style, so they are slightly different from this year’s style. Mine have a couple more seams in the front. Other details- sweater | shoes

Favorite Shoes- I have been wearing these on repeat lately. They are perfect to wear when the weather is as crazy as it has been. They feel appropriate for the season, but they also don’t make my feet miserably hot when it warms up during the daytime. They run true to size. Other details- sweater | maternity leggings | nonmaternity leggings | crossbody bag

Favorite Earrings- These tortoise resin hoop earrings are hard to see in the picture, but I adore them! They are the perfect fall hoops and go with basically every outfit! They are really lightweight too. Other details- sweater

Thanks so much for reading! Have a wonderful day!

SHOP MY FALL FAVORITES:

SHOP MORE FALL FAVORITES UNDER $50

30 Week Bumpdate

There used to be times when people would (so kindly) say oh, I can’t even tell you’re pregnant! That is most definitely nowhere close to the case anymore. I hit 30 weeks on Tuesday, and I cannot believe that we now have less than 10 weeks to go! We are so grateful for this little baby and cannot wait to meet him in a couple of months!

26 Weeks- 30 Weeks

• Due Date: December 25, 2018

• Baby is the size of a: zucchini- 15.7 inches, 2.89 pounds (30 weeks), pineapple (29 weeks), eggplant (28 weeks), lettuce (27 weeks), kale (26 weeks)- all of this info came from The Bump app

• Total weight gain: 26 lbs since before baby. WHOA. Can I blame that on the fact that I can no longer wear lightweight Lilly dresses to appointments when I get weighed? The extra clothing I have on has to contribute to some of that weight, right? My doctor told me yesterday that the baby and I are both right on track. I’ll stick with that positive commentary instead of sharing my actual thoughts on this matter.

• The bump: It is without a doubt there now and shows even when I am wearing my loose fitting sweatshirts and t-shirts.

• Symptoms: No more nausea since week 20! My back has hurt badly, but a heating pad has definitely helped with that. Super vivid dreams. Wanting to organize/prepare like crazy for baby. Not being able to walk as quickly as I used to. Splotchiness on my face. Nothing too crazy overall. I am just so grateful for this gift of pregnancy!

• Food cravings: all the sweets & Taziki’s

• Food aversions: Most aversions are completely gone! The thought of eating grilled fish still grosses me out, but I had a couple bites of Parker’s seafood gumbo at Jason’s Deli, so I’m excited to be able to eat some seafood now!

• Sleep: Great until I wake up. Once I wake up, my mind has 4 million thoughts going on, and I can’t go back to sleep.

• What I miss: comfortably bending over to paint my toenails, putting my shoes on, and shaving my legs. These were the things I listed last month, and these are still the same things that I miss. I despise pedicures, but painting my toenails has become next to impossible, so I think I’m going to have to go to a nail salon soon.

• Movement: Lots of movement is happening! Until I tell Parker to look, and then the baby immediately stops any movement every. single. time.

• Maternity clothes: these Zella maternity leggings, these maternity jeans, and these maternity jeans. Those are the only maternity things I’ve bought so far. I have bought a few new dresses, tops, and sweaters, but they are all nonmaternity- I’ve just sized up to fit the bump.

• What we are most looking forward to: our baby shower and seeing my family and friends for the first time in forever!!!!!

• Apps I've used: Ovia Pregnancy & The Bump

• Products I've been loving: I just bought this cocoa butter lotion for stretch marks, and I LOVE it (I have never liked lotion, and I’ve only ever worn face moisturizer my whole life. This stuff has no smell and dries quickly. Best lotion ever, even for a non lotion lover.), my Snoogle pregnancy pillow (helps so much with my back when I’m trying to sleep), a heating pad (also for my back), comfy clothes, Nexium to prevent nausea, What to Expect When You're Expecting

• Purchases for baby: I have a page on my blog under Shop My Favorites called Favorite Baby Items, and that is where I’m sharing the things we have purchased and received so far for our baby! We purchased this Rock and Play, this Mamaroo swing, and this Pack and Play when they were on sale last month. I also got some baby hangers and picked up a little hooded towel at Home Goods! I got these bins for our 8 cube storage organizer that is in the baby’s closet. We also purchased the baby’s crib, changing table, glider, and mattress during this Target baby deal that is still going on! We’re finally starting to knock some things off the list! 

Weekly Fun

Week 26- All parts of my back started killing me this week. I’m typically fine when I’m up and moving around, but when I sit down for more than a few minutes or get in bed to go to sleep- ouch! I’ve been praising my Snoogle pregnancy pillow since the second I got it, but it wasn’t enough to fix this problem. Tylenol and an extra pillow under my back helped thankfully! We also received the sweetest gift- one of my friends sent a monogrammed blanket and Angel Dear bunny lovey with our baby’s name on it. It was the first time I had ever seen his actual name on anything, and it made me tear up. SO precious!

Nonmaternity Dress | Cardigan

Week 27- My back is feeling better, and my food aversions have finally gone away this week! I cooked chicken at home for the first time since being pregnant, and I had a couple bites of Parker’s spicy seafood gumbo at Jason’s Deli! My bites included shrimp- woohooo! Seafood has always been my fav. I did not enjoy being repulsed by it. Nesting has become a serious thing. I worked so hard and finally finished completely cleaning all of my stuff out of my office turned baby’s room! The closet in that room used to be my dress and bag closet. There are officially no more dresses or bags. And the precious baby clothes have been hung! And we started putting together some baby items!

SignatureSoft Top | Leggings

Week 28- We had our 3D/4D ultrasound this week! It was so neat to see a live view of our baby boy! The most amazing thing to me was being able to feel him move and see him move on the screen at the same time! The ultrasound tech kept trying to get him to move because his hands were in his face 90% of the time. Out of the 8 pictures we were given, his hands were covering his face in 6 of them. It was still such a neat experience to get to see his features more clearly than we ever had! My doctor suggested a heating pad for my back, and that has been life changing. We will now start going to the doctor every 2 weeks, so that made things seem pretty real.

I also had a scare at a blogger event I went to in Memphis. It’s a long story, and I shared all of the details in this blog post if you missed it. To sum things up- I hadn’t eaten enough, it was in the 90s, and I was on my feet for too long while carrying a baby around and almost fainted. But I made my way to the ground before actually fainting and was completely fine after about 10 minutes of being taken care of by some precious people! My doctor said it was most likely because of a dip in blood pressure, and my blood pressure is completely fine now!

My dress is from Anthropologie last year

Week 29- I finally bought some little bins to put the baby’s things in this week, and his closet looks so much more organized! I LOVE having designated places for all of his things. I know they will all be changed around as we get furniture for his room, but the organization process has brought me so much joy! I also did some less than fun tasks, like call the insurance company to see what types of breast pumps are covered, schedule our baby classes, and register at the hospital where our baby will be born. Parker and I also put together a couple more baby items, and I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this together. Some of the directions come with pictures only and no words. Parker’s college degree is in Building Science, but putting together baby items can actually be quite the challenge. And makes me laugh so hard. Rosie’s fear of these baby items is quite entertaining as well. I’m glad we already have them, so she can start getting used to the sounds and movements of some of these baby things!

My storage organizer is actually from Ikea, but this one from Walmart is exactly the same! And I got these storage bins to put in it!

Tunic | Leggings | Shoes

Week 30- Considering week 30 started Tuesday, I don’t have much to report. We got our crib and changing table, and I cannot wait much longer for the weekend to get here so “we” can put them together! I somehow did not think about bedding… if anybody has any bedding suggestions, please let me know! We went to the doctor yesterday, and we both adore our doctor. There’s not much to report from the visit, and I think that is good news. We did get to listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and that is always such a neat experience. I also got my flu shot while we were there. We’ll go back again for our next appointment in 2 weeks and take our baby classes at the hospital in November!

Sweater

Other Baby-Related Blog Posts:

25 Week Bumpdate

20 Week Bumpdate

1st Trimester Bumpdate

We're Having a Baby BOY!

Baby Goodman Coming Christmas 2018!

Thanks so much for reading!! Have a wonderful day!

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The Last Day of Tory Burch's Fall Annual Event

I’ve got a Monday post up for you today to take the place of my typical Tuesday post. And for good reason! Today is the last day of Tory Burch’s Fall Annual Event. If you are a Tory Burch lover, you know that big sales like this do not happen frequently. So when they do, you have to think Christmas, birthday, next summer, dream bag, etc.

The details: From right now through tonight, you can use code FALL to get:

*20% off $200

*25% off $350

*30% off $500

There are some exclusions, so make sure the item you want does not say Excluded from the Fall Event when you click on it. All of the items I am sharing in this post today will be included. You can actually get up to 50% off because some items are already on sale, so add the additional promotion on top of the sale price and that gives you quite the deal!

One more tip- If your cart is close to being at one of the necessary totals to get a certain percentage off, add this pair of thin flip flops to get your total up above the minimum. They are one of the more affordable items included in the sale and a great purchase! I have them in a few colors and they are the perfect beach/pool/throw on and go flip flops!

Ok, now let’s get into the best items included in the sale! I’m going to share my top 3 picks and then all the rest of my favorites. Keep in mind that many of the items come in multiple colors, so you can click on the links or images below to be taken to the site to see all of the color options!

My Top 3 Picks

1. Riding Boots- Over the past 6 or 7 years, I have managed to score 2 pairs of Tory Burch riding boots as Christmas gifts from Parker! The fact that I have asked for them twice shows just how amazing they truly are. They are so comfortable but also very sturdy. They are classic and go with almost any outfit in the fall and winter. You can dress them up or dress them down. I have gotten so much use out of mine, and they still look brand new! They run true to size. I wear my regular size 9.

2. Perry Tote- My mom and dad gave me the Tory Burch Perry Tote for Christmas years ago, and it is my absolute favorite tote to this day. I carry it all year long throughout every single season. It has been unavailable for a few years now, but I just saw that a new version of it is currently available! And it is reversible! And comes in a few different colors. It also comes in a mini size. You can click here to check out the mini one. And you can click here to check out a very similar style with a much lower price!

3. Monroe Sandals- Most people claim the Miller sandals as their favorite Tory Burch sandals. While I do love my Miller sandals, the Monroe sandals are my number 1 favorite. They are more comfortable in my opinion. You know that pair of sandals you reach for time after time again? That is what these are for me. So cute, classic, and comfortable! The color I have is no longer available. However, I love the makeup color and think it would go with everything. They also come in black- another classic color that you can’t go wrong with! These run true to size. I wear my regular size 9.

More Sale Favorites:

Do you have any favorite items by Tory Burch? I’d love to hear what I need to put on my Christmas wishlist this year! Thanks so much for reading! Have a wonderful day! And if you are interested in checking out a blog post from my earlier days of blogging AKA summer 2017, you can click here to read a blog post I wrote called Brands I Love: Tory Burch. :)

Fall Shoe Guide 2018

A lot of the shoes I’m sharing with you today are actually shoes that I pull out year after year. I think that speaks highly for them because it shows they are classic, high quality, and have not gone out of style. And thankfully my shoes are something that have continued to fit me, even when quite a bit of my clothes currently do not. I’m going to show you pictures of my favorite shoes by category and then share a few other options that I’m loving!

Boots

Sam Edelman Boots

Sam Edelman Boots in Black

Hunter Boots

Ugg Tall Boots

Mules

Lucky Brand Mules

Wedges

Pierre Dumas Wedges (my exact color is not available, but there are 3 other options in the exact style I have)

Stacked Heel Wedges

Platform Wedges

Booties

None of my booties from last year are back in stock this year, so I am linking some other pairs that I found and liked! Each year, Jack Rogers and Steve Madden usually make my favorite booties!

Sneakers

Adidas Running Shoes

Slippers

Suede Shearling Slippers

Thank you so much for reading! Have a wonderful day!

A Blogger Event I Will Never Forget

Last Thursday I went to a fall blogger event in Memphis held by The Shops of Saddle Creek. It was fabulous in so many ways, and I’m so excited to share all the details with you today! I’m so grateful that I got invited! The majority of blogging takes place individually behind a phone or computer screen, so I’m thankful I got to spend time with other bloggers while following the most fun itinerary the Shops of Saddle Creek created for us!

As I start typing this post, I already know it’s going to be a long one because I have so many things to share- the good, the fun, and the scary! I’ll start by sharing our itinerary with you. And if you’re unfamiliar with the Shops of Saddle Creek, it is a shopping center in Memphis with the best places to shop, like Anthropologie, J.Crew, Loft, Madewell, Free People, Lululemon, Athleta, Sephora, etc.

Our Itinerary

• 6 pm- meet at J.Crew for drinks from vomFASS and bites from Rise Biscuits & Donuts

• 6:45 pm- walk to Pandora for nail art from Nail Bar & Co

• 7:30 pm- walk to Athleta for an optional light fitness session (we were dressed in our cute clothes, so we ended up chatting and shopping and not working out)

• 7:55 pm- walk to Brahmin for dessert from Rise Biscuits & Donuts

My friend Megan (megonomics101 on Instagram) and I planned to meet at J.Crew a little early to get some photos before the event started. Another friend Elizabeth from @lifestyleinfocus showed up right around the same time we did, so we all took pictures together. Lucky for us, Elizabeth is a photographer, so she gave us all the posing tips!

FYI- if you have not tried taking solo shots, it’s not as easy as it looks. There are so many things to think about- what do I do with my hands? My legs and feet? What is the most flattering angle? And this baby bump is throwing yet even more difficulty into the equation. But anyway, Elizabeth made taking photos fun and taught us all kinds of tricks, which is not always how it goes with Parker…

After our photo session, we walked into the event:

Stop 1: J.Crew with Rise Biscuits & Donuts

As soon as we walked into J.Crew, we were given an adorable Vera Bradley goody bag with all kinds of treats. They were also serving the most delicious biscuits from Rise. I was starving, so I grabbed a pimento cheese biscuit and some raspberry lemonade! Another girl grabbed a second biscuit, and I told her she had just scored the place of my BFF by doing this. I followed her lead and grabbed a second one, and this one was a chicken biscuit- even better!

Stop 2: Pandora with Nail Bar & Co.

We walked over to Pandora next, and they were serving fun drinks and providing nail art from Nail Bar & Co. I obviously couldn’t have a fun strawberry basil cocktail, but the bartender was so nice and went to the back to make me a mocktail version of what everyone else was drinking!

Then it was onto the nails- I had never gotten nail art before, and it was so much fun! They had really thought out this part of the event because not only did we get nail art, but then we got to try on some beautiful rings and bracelets from Pandora and model them with our cute new nails! I tried on this ring (I actually loved it and wanted it to wear in place of my engagement ring that no longer fits) and this bracelet that was just released in stores the day we were there!

Nail Bar is opening in Shops of Saddle Creek soon, and I will most definitely be going back for more fun nails. The people were beyond friendly, and they gave us some cuticle oil in a goody bag. I’ve never owned this stuff before. The rose scent smells SO good, and I’m so excited to add it into my nail routine!

Unplanned Stop 2a: Almost Fainting on the Floor

So this was clearly not a planned part of the event, and nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I had just finished trying on the pretty jewels after getting my nails done and was chatting with some of my friends. All of a sudden, my vision started getting blurry, and I started feeling really weak, like I was about to pass out.

We were in a jewelry store that was basically shaped like a rectangle with another rectangular case displaying jewelry in the middle. I say this because there was nowhere for me to inconspicuously recover. I made it as far as I could towards the door and then kinda slid down a wall to sit down. People started asking me if I was ok, and I honestly didn’t know what was happening. I said yes, I’ll be fine, but I could feel the color draining out of my face and my whole body starting to sweat.

Someone brought me a chair, and getting off the floor into that seemed to make things worse. There are sofas and hammocks in a courtyard directly beside Pandora and all I could think about was getting on a sofa, but there was no way I could make it out the door. So after a few minutes, I swallowed what was left of my pride and got back on the floor. This time all the way down. As in, on my side. In my dress.

My friend Megan brought me my Vera Bradley goody bag, and I put that behind me in an effort to not flash everyone. She started googling pregnancy + faint + what to do. She also offered to call Parker, but he was half an hour away, and I was hoping and praying this would go away soon, so I didn’t want to worry him. Heather from the Shops of Saddle Creek got the people to turn the air way down, and I think that helped a lot. But now let me tell you what all happened that led to me finally being able to get up off of the floor.

Remember the friendly bartender I mentioned who went out of his way to make me a mocktail? Well, he was actually an angel sent from God. First, he brought me some ice chips in a really cold cup. Next, he brought me some ice water. Then, he brought me a towel full of ice to put on my face. After that, he took his button-down shirt off his back (he had an undershirt underneath it), and he folded it up for me to use as a pillow. And then he proceeded to fan me. I started feeling much better and was able to sit up. Then, he brought me some sliced strawberries to eat.

Have you EVER heard of anyone treating a stranger like that? This kind man had no clue who I was, yet he treated me like a princess at a spa while I was hitting an all time low in life. I remember people asking him how he knew how to do all of these things, and he said he’s a bartender. He has to deal with drunk people passing out, but I was obviously not drunk and much nicer than the drunk people- his words, not mine. At least I had that going for me.

I still can’t get over his kindness. And the kindness of everyone who was there. This was obviously not an impression I would like to leave on my blogger friends who I so rarely get to see in real life, but I am beyond grateful for the bartender and sweetest girls who were so, so kind in such a strange situation.

I think it was caused by a combination of my weird eating that day (I know my 7 month pregnant body needs more than I had eaten that day), high temps (my car said 94 degrees every time I got in it), and being on my feet for too long while carrying around more weight than I’m used to. The whole thing probably lasted 10 minutes, but it certainly felt like an eternity. Once I got up, I was still slightly shaky, but almost completely better. I was able to go to the last two stops of the event!

My sister Ebie is a PA, and bless her heart- she needs to start charging me by the phone call. I called her when I left to make sure she thought the baby was fine, I was fine, and I didn’t need to go see a doctor. I was feeling fine at that point, so I headed on back to Southaven. I followed her orders and checked my blood pressure at Kroger the next day, and it was completely normal. So relieved that story ended happily! Now, back to the last 2 stops that I am so grateful I was able to participate in!

Stop 3: Athleta

Athleta just opened recently at the Shops of Saddle Creek, so it was my first time walking into the new store. The best part- the A/C was cranked up, and it felt SO good in there! I had already planned to shop instead of participate in the light fitness session they were offering, but that whole almost passing out thing solidified my decision. And then they canceled it anyway because we were all dressed up in our cute blogger clothes.

Athleta was generous enough to give us gift cards, so I went ahead and used mine and grabbed a couple things for my mom for her birthday! She had mentioned liking this shirt, so I grabbed a couple for her. She knows I got them for her, so I’m not ruining the surprise! She doesn’t know what colors I got though. :)

Stop 4: Brahmin with Rise Biscuits & Donuts

Our last stop was at Brahmin. They had some more cute drinks and delicious biscuits and cinnamon rolls. I had a blueberry biscuit for a little sweet treat, and it was AMAZING! Brahmin also very generously gifted us this Harley Melbourne bag in tinsel. Crossbody bags are my favorite, so I’m excited to take this one out next time I get all dressed up!

Do you see why I titled this post A Blogger Event I Will Never Forget? Between the amazing planned stops, the unplanned almost fainting spell, and the unimaginable kindness people showed me, this event will be a night I always remember.

Thank you so much to the Shops of Saddle Creek, J.Crew, vomFASS, Rise Biscuits & Donuts, Pandora, Nail Bar & Co., Athleta, and Brahmin for hosting the most fabulous blogger event! And thanks to you for reading this long post! Have a wonderful day!

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(My dress is from last year, but I have linked a dress by the same designer that is available this year!)

10 of the Best Columbus Day Sales

I don’t typically have Monday blog posts up, but I’ve got to change that when the sales are this good! I’m sharing 10 of the best sales happening right now and my picks from some of them! It’s the perfect time to stock up on fall clothes and hopefully we’ll actually be able to start wearing them by the end of the week!

Anthropologie- Extra 40% off sale clothing & sale home, 20% off furniture

Bloomingdale’s- 25% off items labeled Friends & Family

Gigi New York- 30% off sitewide with code WEAREFAMILY

Crossbody Bag // Dress // Shoes

J.Crew- 40% off your entire purchase (sale styles included) with code BIGSALE

J.Crew Factory- 40-50% off + Extra 10% off sitewide with code HOORAY

Suede shearling slippers that are a much more affordable dupe of Uggs (size up if in between sizes)

Loft- 40% off your purchase + Extra 50% off sale styles with code FALLFEST

The softest top you will ever own

Macy’s- 25-40% off women’s clothing, 25-60% off furniture

Madewell- 20% off $100+ or 30% off $200+ with code ONYOURMARK

Old Navy- 35% off plus free shipping on orders of $25+

Coat // Dress

Target- 20% off clothing, shoes, & accessories with code SAVE20

Are you planning on doing any shopping?! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

3 Pairs of Leggings Every Girl Will Want in Her Closet this Fall

It is no secret that leggings and a tunic/oversized sweater make up my favorite fall outfit. I am a dress girl during summer and spring, but I turn into a total leggings girl when cooler weather hits. I always have been and now that I am 7 months pregnant, I am dying for cooler weather to get here for good, so I can wear my comfortable fall uniform (leggings and a tunic/oversized sweater) daily!

Now, let’s get into my 3 must-have pairs of leggings!

1. Zella Live In High Waist Leggings- If you have read my posts for a while now, I bet you could have easily guessed these would be at the top of my list. I bought my first pair during the Nordstrom sale 2 year ago, and they are the only black leggings I have worn since. I think it is the material and the high waist that I like best. The material makes them perfect for everyday wear or even for working out.

Since my first pair, I have gotten another identical pair, a cropped pair (that is currently sold out- I’m sorry!), and 2 pairs of Zella maternity leggings (in medium and large). I’m telling you- I love them!

The maternity pair is new this year, and they keep selling out, but Nordstrom will add a size or two to their site when they become available. As of last night, medium was in stock! Lots of people have asked me about maternity leggings, and these are my only suggestion. I just hate that they are always sold out! For size reference though, I have been wearing my size medium since I got them. I will probably switch to the large in my last month of pregnancy, so I would say your usual size should fit for the majority of pregnancy.

2. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings- If you’re looking for a fun and flattering pair of leggings, these are the ones you need! They are made by Spanx, so they suck you in and make your legs look fab! They do run small. I suggest sizing up one size from your regular size if you are not pregnant and size up 2 sizes if you are pregnant. Mine are size large and they fit comfortably when I am not pregnant and definitely do not currently fit comfortably while I am pregnant.

3. Moto Leggings- I got these during the Nordstrom sale last year, and I was so excited to see they brought them back again this fall! They come in olive and black, and I have olive. These are the most affordable option of the 3 I am sharing today. Because mine are from last year, they are slightly different. It looks like they took away one seam in this year’s version, but that’s it. They are high waisted and still actually fit comfortably with a bump! They are a little long on me, so I just folded the bottom under.

What are your favorite leggings? My mom was just telling me about this pair of leggings from J.Crew. They’re currently on sale, but I haven’t tried them yet so I don’t know how they fit. I can 100% recommend the other 3 pairs I shared today though! Thanks so much for reading! Have a great day!

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