Friday I'm In Love

All around me the Christmas season has begun but I just can't get into it until after Thanksgiving. I mean, I'm super excited for Fallon's first Christmas but we are still in fall mode for another week around here. There will be no tree, no Christmas music, no cookies and no decorating until next weekend. I could say there will be no shopping but who am I kidding? It's just not Christmas shopping yet. Don't worry, as soon as black Friday hits there will definitely not be a shortage of holiday cheer in this house. In the meantime, one last favorites roundup until it's all Christmas Vacation, NSYNC & Mariah Carey on repeat, twinkle lights and toy stores. 

I'm pretty sure half of my closet is made up of Target finds. I also go for something else and come out with something new in my wardrobe. I just snagged this cardigan and it is the softest, coziest thing ever!

I love my booties this time of year but running around with Fallon all the time requires comfy shoes. It's pretty awesome that there are tons of cute and stylish sneaks out right now. I just got these and they literally feel like slippers, the perfect compliment to any momiform. 

If Fallon falls asleep while we are out and about the last thing I need is strangers getting too close. I love MilkSnob car seat covers and this new one for fall/winter is the cutest.

My friend sent me this article about what SAHMs really do all day. Even if you're working mama, this is a good one. I was literally laughing out loud.

This website has the coolest mom tees. I could make a case for this one, this one, or this one. Maybe all 3!

My mom hosts Thanksgiving dinner and didn't ask me to bring anything but I might show up with a plate of these anyway. 

There are countless sweet and cuddly stuffed dolls for kids out there but Cuddle + Kind dolls are extra special. Not only are they handmade, each doll purchase provides 10 meals to kids who only dream of Thanksgiving dinner. I melted seeing Fallon grab her doll's little hand. 

Friday I'm in Love

Fri-YAY!!! Where have you been? While it's definitely been a productive week around here, it's also been stressful. I had to fast for a blood test today which meant no coffee this morning. The horror. This mama is ready for some down time + a cold one. On the positive side, it's finally feeling like fall and that means lots of favorites. So many favorites. I won't bombard you with them all but it just wouldn't be right if I didn't share a few. 

I love navy nails for fall and I finally found the perfect shade. 

A neutral pair of booties is a staple in my fall wardrobe but I've been hesitant to go the open toe route. This pair changed my mind. 

I tend to be a bit of a candle hoarder all year long but the fall scents are by far and away my favorite.This one is at the top of the list, makes your house smell like pancakes.

I've been drooling over all the pumpkin and apple recipes on Pinterest but I absolutely must try these pumpkin gooey butter cakes. 

If you came to my house you might say I've gone a bit pumpkin crazy with my fall decor. But I added an adorable print to break up the madness. 

This isn't fall related but my sister showed me this hilarious video about breastfeeding in public and I'm a sucker for sarcastic humor. 

Have the happiest weekend friends!

Friday I'm in Love

Happy first Friday of fall y'all! Decorations are up, pantry is stocked with pumpkin and apple flavored things, fall candles are burning and PSLs are on the breakfast menu. The only problem is Mother Nature hasn't received the message yet here in NKY and we are still baking in 90 degree weather. C'mon fall, my blanket scarves and boots are calling my name! I realize it's been a LONG time since I did a Friday favorites post so while the weather is a total bummer, let's focus on the positives.

Can we talk about how awesome these shoes are?! First of all, I scored them for 20% off with free shipping. Sperry quality and style at a discount, SCORE. They fit true to size and are really comfy plus they go with everything. I'm not kidding, I've worn them every day for the past week. It's the perfect way to add a little spice to the jeans + tshirt uniform I'm sporting these days. 

Speaking of jeans, I might just have a new favorite pair. So I don't know about you but back in high school, which was 10+ years ago for me, Abercrombie & Fitch was it. All the cool kids wore their graphic tees and jeans and I was pretty sure I was one of them. I was also pretty sure I knew everything. Sorry mom! But I grew up and left A & F behind along with my know it all attitude so I was pretty excited to find out that the brand actually grew up too! You will still find that cool, casual west coast vibe all of us who rocked the clothes in high school know and love. But A & F has something for us now young professionals, parents and stylish 20-30 somethings. I am absolutely in love with these distressed skinny jeans for several reason. The rips are in all the right places, they have definite stretch without being too tight or loosening up too much with wear. I was warned to size down because this particular pair runs large and they fit like a glove. Now that's a confidence booster for a mama with an 11 week old!

While I was out on a Target run last weekend I spied this rug that's been popping up all over my Instagram feed. In my cart it went and I am not sorry about jumping on this bandwagon. I can't wait to dress up my porch (okay it's really just a stoop) for fall around it. If you follow me on Instagram @hkpfeff523 you are sure to see it again. And again. You've been warned.

I've only been doing this mom thing with a human kid for a short while, but man it can be overwhelming. Parenting articles, social media and just our peers in general all say we should always do this, never do that and OMG you do what with your child?! Not to mention we are usually our own worst critics and constantly making ourselves feel guilty. So I absolutely loved this article my mom sent me and feel compelled to pass it along. Sometimes not giving a crap is just what the doctor ordered. 

I can pretty much always find something I like for myself at Old Navy but now I'm having all the heart eyes for their baby girl clothes. One of my favorite pieces of clothing in my closet is an army green utility jacket I got a few years ago. You better believe I snatched this one up for Fallon as soon as I saw it because OMG now we can match. I know, I know I will pay for this one day. 

Happy Friday loves!

Friday I'm in Love

I'm sure if you're on any form of social media you've seen a post that says, "Friday is coming tomorrow and she's bringing wine," on a Thursday evening. Oh how I wish I could have a glass of wine. Well, Friday is here and since I can't drink wine I thought I'd share some recent favorites instead. This very well may be my last post that doesn't include an overload of baby things!

The off the shoulder trend has stolen my heart. This dress comes in a few colors, is so comfortable and flattering (even at 9 months pregnant!) and it's only $25! I ordered yellow but all the choices are pretty for summer.

My latest shoe obsession continues. The sale on these is still going on and I cannot wait to get mine. Even though I've had some swelling in my feet, the gladiator style kind of masks it and surprisingly the other pair I have remains comfortable. Hopefully I'll be rocking these new ones with a cute baby and skinny feet.

I decided that I don't care if I'm 29 and a mom, I'm still going to wear cut-off shorts. I've been waiting to have the baby to order these but I might just go ahead and get my regular size and hope I can get back in them before the end of summer, dream big. What can I say, I have no problem being barefoot in cut-offs with a baby in my arms. #kentuckygirl

Probably statement necklaces aren't very practical with a newborn and I'll most likely be in t-shirts covered in who knows what the majority of the time. But I love this one so much and it would even dress up a t-shirt for that first time I go out without the kiddo.

My best friend for over ten years is getting married tomorrow. I'm beyond honored and excited to be her matron of honor but these glow in the dark legs of mine need a little color. Okay so probably my giant 38 week pregnant belly distracts from everything else but since I'm wearing a shorter dress it would make me feel better to have a bit of a tan on my legs. I've tried a lot of self-tanners and this one is pretty awesome. I even use it on my face and no streaks!

Happy first weekend of summer!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

We haven't had a 3 day holiday weekend since the beginning of the year so we took full advantage for Memorial Day. Between regular chores and projects around the house we celebrated baby P, spent time with family, ate good food and relaxed. Saturday was my 2nd baby shower, hosted by my sister-in-law. It was a really nice afternoon and I am so grateful for all the family and friends who came and so generously brought gifts. Baby P feasted on all kinds of goodies including blueberry cheesecake and mama managed to wear a non-maternity dress and heels, okay wedges.

 

Sunday we continued with cleaning/organizing/the Honey-Do list in the morning. Nesting at it's finest. Then we headed to a family picnic where I proceeded to drop my phone in the toilet. It was only icky toilet water, thankfully, but I thought I might have killed my very expensive iPhone. After drying it off, sanitizing the heck out of it, and letting it be for a bit, it worked perfectly the rest of the evening. I was shocked. It was almost drowned again when a pop up shower had us scrambling to get back inside as we were listening to music on the deck. I thought we were home free until yesterday morning when I was working out and heard Siri talking....as my phone was on the other side of the room. So creepy. I tried to shut her down but the buttons wouldn't work and then...blackness. It wouldn't turn back on so I was dreading taking it to Apple and begging for a new one. I was even shamelessly going to go for 8 months pregnant and crying. But on a whim we tried the old bag of rice trick and do you know what? After nearly 24 hours in the bag, it turned on this morning. And it's been working perfectly fine since. Not a single unsolicited peep from Siri. Fingers crossed.

 

Striped cropped leggings - old from Gap / Yellow striped tee / Maternity Jeans - sold out from A Pea in the Pod / Lace up espadrilles / Bag / Monogrammed leather cuff bracelet / Gold bangles

 

Yesterday lots was accomplished and lots was eaten. I was dead on my feet by the time we ate lunch from the grill after being busy all morning and scrambling to chop veggies and make mac n'cheese (from scratch) without much notice. I'm not blaming anyone though, ahem, Christopher. Really it was fine, and delicious. I'm kind of bummed I was phoneless aka cameraless and didn't get pictures of the bump in my patriotic attire or the pups snacking on doggie ice cream. But sometimes just living in the moment is better than capturing it.

 

We celebrate Memorial Day weekend the good ol' American way with beers, hotdogs, pool floats and ice cream but I hope we all remember what the day is actually for. Thank you to all the men and women who have and are serving in our US military. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones while protecting our freedoms and those who dearly miss moms and dads away for duty.

Friday I'm in Love

You know when you have one of those days when it's just one thing after another going wrong or just annoying the crap out of you? Yesterday was one of those days. And of course I was being all 2nd trimester melodramatic about it. See, usually Thursday is a good day for 3 reasons.

 

1. I'm another week pregnant

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. It's Friday Eve

 

But yesterday was not good. Yesterday was stupid. That quickly became my word of the day. By the time I got home from work I was a total hot mess. Let's just say I had avocado in my hair, a bursting bladder and sweat beads rolling down my neck not to mention a brain so fried so I tried to use my phone to open our garage door. So natrually I went online and bought shoes. Sometimes retail therapy IS the answer. But today is a new day AND it's Friday! Since it's so far a million times better than Thursday, let's kick off the weekend with some favorites.

 

 

Espadrilles are apparently all the rage this spring and I'm hopping right on the wagon. I happily used a 20% code I had last night to stop me from having a complete meltdown to order these beauties. I'm a sucker for stripes and I think it's fun that they can be both a neutral or a statement piece for probably a gazillion outfits.

 

If you've been following along here or on Instagram @hkpfeff523 you've seen my weekly pregnancy updates, aka bumpdates, or so I'm told. I've yet to really use any props because honestly, trying to get a good picture each week is hard enough. But I found these adorable wooden blocks that I just could not pass up. I can use them to count down the rest of my pregnancy and/or use them for cute pictures when baby P is born plus they can later be used as toys or room décor.

 

Clearly I'm a huge fan of Essie nail polish. It seems like I'm almost always posting about a new color I've tried or an old favorite. If you're looking for the perfect neutral I've got you covered. Not only is this color really light but opaque, great for done up nails that won't compete with a bright outfit, it has a fun name. Yes, I'm one of those people that bet on horses based solely on the name and ignore all the important factors. I won a good chunk of change once on Popsicle Toes so don't knock my strategy.

 

I have an army green military style jacket that I can confidently say is the most worn clothing item in my entire closet. And that's saying a lot because I kind of have a robust wardrobe. #confessionsofashopaholic. I've yet to pull the trigger on a vest version for the warmer seasons but I have my eye on this one. Maybe when it inevitably goes on sale for 40% off I will snag it.

 

Decorating our new living room is still an ongoing project but so far I'm loving the neutral color palette. This will make it so easy to swap out accent pieces and add color when I need a change or want to compliment the season (which I ALWAYS do). Our sectional couch just screams for throw pillows, even though Chris likes to repeatedly ask what the purpose of having so many is. Because they're pretty. Duh. These are a great price and look springy but not like something you'd find on Grandma's decades old couch. Right?

 

Dress season is upon us and I'm especially into them this year since they make covering my growing belly much less of a challenge. I saw this pretty maxi on a fashion blogger and had to check it out for myself immediately. I really love the simple, flowy style and variety of beautiful colors it comes in. I haven't ordered it simply because of the price point. But I'm thinking it may be justified since it's a pretty classic look that I could fit the bump under and of course wear after munchkin's arrival since it's not maternity.

Lilac Love

 

Easter is already this weekend and I'm excited to see our families and show them how big this little bunny in my belly has grown! I'm loving bright lilac for the season and have probably already hit my limit on the amount of items I own in this color so I may gotten a bit carried away. But it's the perfect color for Easter and early spring. It all started with a bra, actually. Don't worry, I won't get too personal. Let's just say I quickly realized that pregnancy doesn't just cause your belly to get bigger. My friend Kristina used to work at Aerie and recommended this style. I don't see that they currently have the color I bought but it was so pretty I couldn't pass it up! And I also second the recommendation. Seriously, you can sleep in it. Then I saw this beautiful maternity dress and my mom bought it for me. It fits me now and has room for a growing bump so it will be perfect for wearing to some of the events I have coming up. I found this comfy t-shirt at Target and snatched it right up in a larger size since it's non-maternity. I can wear it to workout in, to sleep in, under a jacket or with a fun necklace to work or just to run errands or hang out on the weekends with jeans. It's so soft and has some stretch to it which are definitely of qualities I want in a t-shirt. The other day I was perusing the Essie selection of nail colors and my eyes were drawn right to this shade. Of course. It's so lovely on! These Hunter boots are super cute too, although I don’t know that they would be neutral enough for me. I'm not the biggest fan of Peeps but I might have to eat one just because they are so pretty!

Happy Easter friends!

Hunter Boots

Today is a rainy day. Even though it’s not officially Spring yet, it sure has felt like it this week. With many more rainy days on the horizon it seemed like a good time for a post about rain boots. Specifically Hunter Wellies. I’m betting the majority of you know exactly what I’m talking about. If not well, Hunter is a brand that makes rains boots known as Wellies. Someone decided these boots were not only for keeping feet dry in the rain but also as a staple in any fashionista’s closet. Popularity has soared and now you’re probably hard pressed to be out in public on a rainy day without seeing these boots walking the streets. There are tons of styles and colors to choose from but at $100 + a pair, there’s a lot of people wondering if it’s worth it for rubber rain boots. If you’re one of these people, I’ve got you covered.

 

 

My sister has had a pair of these boots for several years now, the original hunter green color. When I saw them for the first time I thought they were ugly and wouldn’t be caught dead in them. And then all of a sudden I started to see other girls wearing them, in a variety of colors. I couldn’t get on Pinterest without seeing them and all the fashion bloggers were wearing them. I had a pair of cheap rain boots I had been wearing for quite a while that seemed just fine, especially compared to the price tag these Hunter Wellies came with. But eventually they won me over. Maybe it was all the cute outfits I was seeing, maybe it was the desire to follow the trend, or maybe it was the pretty, shiny colors. In any case, I put them on my Christmas list in 2014 and have loved the dusty blue pair I received as a gift ever since. Last year I had my eyes on the glossy red color and entered a contest on IG to win a pair. I was pretty surprised when I was actually one of the winners and a few days later the brand new pair showed up at my door, just in time for our rainy Christmas.

 

Even though I haven’t actually purchased a pair myself, I think as the proud owner of 2, I can fairly give my opinion. In short, they are beyond worth it. If you own a pair you’ll agree they are extremely high quality. This isn’t cheap rubber we’re talking about, it’s heavy duty stuff. You could probably hurt someone if you threw one of these bad boys hard enough. Even though these boots have become a fashion statement, they truly do fulfill the original purpose of keeping your tootsies clean and dry in the rain. The soles have amazing grips for traction in slick parking lots and driveways (great for those with a penchant for sliding). They’re incredibly easy to clean either with the brand’s product or with a little olive oil and a towel. These are not boots you’ll have to replace after a season or two of consistent wear. They’re made to last so it’s an investment. On the vain side of things, they come in both neutral and fun colors to fit all personalities and tastes. You can pair them with just about any outfit and still look put together while being appropriately dressed for the weather. While I don’t recommend them so much for playing in the snow or trudging around in deep drifts, they’re great for flurries and that icky snow/rain/sleet whatever it is. There is some insulation but without the fleece inserts and thick socks your feet will probably get cold walking around in lots of the white stuff, especially for an extended period of time. I stick with my Sorel or Bean boots for those situations. The only other thing I would add is I’m normally a women’s US size 7 ½ and I wear the size 7 Wellies comfortably. They are snug with thick socks but not too tight and also aren’t too big with thin socks. I plan to keep wearing mine all year round and I might even go for a brightly colored short version for Spring. You can find the boots above and many others online here:

 

Hunter / Zappos / Nordstrom / Shopbop / Neiman Marcus

 

P.S. My friend Amanda started a new blog about life as a new mama. Go check her out here. Now I’m off to rain dance in my boots! Just kidding