Well today was quite the manic Monday. We were out of baby essentials so I had to make a Target run with both boys in tow. All started out well and I was feeling proud of myself for getting both babes fed, diapered, dressed, bottles packed, and both in car seats. So proud in fact that when I first walked in I awarded myself a Starbucks.
Then the meltdowns began. It started with Wilder crying and he was inconsolable. (He is colic so nothing new there…) Then Georgie decided to have the meltdown of all meltdowns. Thrashing, screaming, throwing his shoes off,etc. Two sweet ladies even came up to me and offered to help. I practically ran to get two quick items and high tailed it out of there.
After I loaded G into the car and put his TV on to calm him down I realized someone had parked so close to me I physically couldn’t open the door wide enough to get Wilder’s car seat in. I tried from the passenger side front, but that wouldn’t fit either. G’s carseat blocked the way from the back passenger side. I had no choice but to load both babies back up and head back inside. They had to make an announcement of the license plate number over the intercom. Then I had to wait for them to re-park and re-load them back in.
With that being said I try my best to be a glass half full kind of person SO the good news is this duster jacket is back in stock! It’s one of my favorite staple pieces in my closet. It’s so cozy and feels like wearing a robe. Another luxe fall fashion trend I’m adoring are embellished booties. I’m loving THESE because they are neutral enough to still go with everything and the block heel makes them wearable for everyday.
Yay for Friday! This Friday is extra special because Trey’s entire family is coming into town. The Nashville Food & Wine festival is this weekend and it has become a tradition over the past few years for us all to go together. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year, and I’ve greatly been looking forward to it!
Call me superficial, but I love my designer pieces. However, I also love a good deal!Saving money on designer pieces always feels so much better. I get a lot of my higher end pieces from Nordstrom. One hack I have for getting designer pieces at a much better deal, is finding a boys size 12 (it fits the same way as a womens’ small). The same look for much cheaper! This Gucci Logo T-Shirt has been on my wish list for a long time, but it carries a pretty hefty price tag. The boy version is $300 less, and looks identical!
It’s so easy to throw a super cozy cardigan over a designer tee shirt with some jeans and my favorite snakeskin slide mules. I’ve been getting lots of questions on these shoes via Instagram. Size up a half size! They run small. They are so easy to throw on and go, and I just love the grommet detailing on the sides. I get so many compliments on them! One of my favorite purchases I’ve made in a long time.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be sure to share our Food & Wine festival pictures soon. If you are a Nashvillian, come check it out!
One of my favorite Nashville boutiques is Kitty in East Nashville, and now you can shop it online! If you are a Nashvillian you must go check it out, and if you are visiting it’s a must stop spot as well. The owner, Sarah, is a friend of mine and a truly badass babe. She’s all about empowering other women and being a hard working, goal diggin’ woman.
This adorable boutique has a curated selection of boho pieces with an edgy vibe. (AKA Right up my alley…)
Kitty was named after Kitty Wells who was the first female to score a number 1 on the country charts, against much opposition. Kitty boutique is all about continuing that sentiment today through renaissance women who live outside of the box and according to their own rules.
With this motto in mind, I started thinking about what makes me feel empowered as a woman. First and foremost being a stay at home mother that also juggles entrepreneurship, being a good wife and friend, and keeping up with the home (well..sort of on that last one.) Secondly, being confident enough to empower other women, in turn makes me feel empowered.
There is something about tearing down the walls of competition and jealousy and in turn building up other women that feels good and makes me feel empowered myself. I’ve learned that if you don’t TRULY want the best for your friends then you aren’t friends at all. You need to feel confident enough in your own skin so that you can pump positivity into those around you. I hope that all of my friends reach their goals. Even if that means they reach one that I may want as well. THAT’S OK! Someone else’s success should never determine how you view your own successes. There is room for everyone to have happiness and success, and everyone deserves that very sentiment.
It’s the weekend!! This was a rough week with the boys so it couldn’t come soon enough! My mom and sister are coming into town to help, and I can’t wait. A good friend of mine is getting married this weekend so it will be a fun date night for Trey and I. We also have season tickets to the Titans and are planning on going to the home opener on Sunday.
In between the festivities, I’ll be running errands in this weekend casual outfit. The fall weather has finally arrived and I couldn’t be happier about it. Nothing beats a cozy sweatshirt. I like to add this suede moto jacket to any fall casual look. These jeans were a Nordstrom sale steal and are extremely comfortable. The snakeskin mules are one of the best purchases I’ve made in a long time. So easy to throw on, and the snakeskin acts as a neutral with a punch. (I did go up a half size…)
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I’ll be thinking about the hurricane victims, and everyone that must evacuate.
I like to think that this blog will one day be a journal stamped in time that I can go and reminisce on, and even one day my sons can do the same. Not to long ago I saw a fellow blogger say that she writes letters to her children on each birthday. She keeps the letters and will one day let them read them. Such a precious idea that I plan to borrow, but I wanted to go ahead and write one for G now. He’s in such a sweet stage and I want to remember all the little idiosyncrasies he has. So I thought I would share this letter to my son…
Dear Georgie-
There isn’t a thing in this world that makes my heart happier than hearing your sweet giggle. Right now you are a little giggle box, and it’s a sound I want to freeze in time. I know one day it will go away, and that will be the saddest day for me.
We thought you would be so jealous when Wilder came into our family, but you proved us wrong. The innate love and protective nature you have over him might just be the sweetest part about you. You are so proud to show him off to any new visitors; grabbing their hand and dragging them to him. When he cries you bring him a blanket or a pacifier, or even the remote control. Hey, what man doesn’t want control over the remote?!
You love food. (You get that honestly…) Currently you are a bottomless pit. You take your whole hand and shove as much as you can into your little mouth. I’ve yet to find anything you don’t like. Guacamole and meatballs are the current favorite. I wish it were socially acceptable for me to pick up the bowl of guac and lick the bottom like you do. If it were, I would sure join you. You and I are the same like that.
You are curious and adventurous. Your battery operated 4-wheeler can’t go fast enough. You can’t rock your rocking motorcycle (thanks to grandad for that one) hard enough. The look in your eye when you get your mind on something is mischievous, but in the sweetest possible way. With that curious spirit you aren’t afraid to climb up hills, jump off couches, slide down stairs or eat some dirt. However, you are terrified of anything in costume and even some stuffed animals. I secretly love when you are scared of something and run to me and cling to me. I hope I can always be the open arms you run to for protection.
“Da-Da” is by far your favorite word. Ya’ll are the best of friends. He can’t walk out of the room without me hearing the pitter patter of your feet chasing him down. As much as I want you to be a mamas boy, I love watching the special bond ya’ll have. Seeing your daddy like that makes me love him even more!
You’ve never met a puppy you didn’t like. It’s so sweet seeing how big your eyes get when you hear a bark. Then you will point and repeatedly say “pa-pa-pa” and try to find the puppy to snuggle him.
There is never a stranger in your eyes. You wave to every person, car, puppy, and plane that goes by. You might be stingy with real kisses, but you can blow kisses with the best of them. When you do finally give in to giving me a kiss, it is only done for the applause. That sweet little clap is my favorite.
I love watching you grow, but I sure wish you would slow down. Love you sweet boy!
Xo,
MAMA (P.S. You still refuse to say mama, my heart might melt right away when you finally give in and say it…)
Am I the only one that associates Labor Day with the Labor Day sales? It’s the first thing that I think of! Anything with sales and a long weekend and I’m a fan!!
My tiger motif obsession is truly out of control, but this one is under $50 so I couldn’t resist. Bonus: it’s from ASOS and they are having 20% off full priced items for the Labor Day Sales! I’ve also been wearing these black high-waisted pants non stop. They are flattering and strechy.
Which Labor Day Sales I’m Shopping
* ASOS – Use code “LABORYAY” for 20% off all full price items.
* EXPRESS – 40% off EVERYTHING. No joke. Stock up!!!
Fall is coming! Fall fashion is my absolute favorite. I love to layer, and nothing beats a good live in sweater. You know, the kind you wear day after day in a row? (Or is that just me?!) This mustard-ish color in the sweater and tank is really hot for fall this season. This tiger tie front shirt is so soft and on sale for $27! (I sized up to a large so that it wouldn’t fit like a crop top. This mama isn’t quite ready to be baring my belly.) These studded booties are my favorite fall investment piece so far. The block heel makes them comfortable and easy to wear for day and night. They are neutral enough to go with everything, but also have that little something “extra.”
Fall fashion isn’t the only thing I love about this season. I’m ready for the crisp air, all things apple and pumpkin, and dressing the boy’s up in Halloween costumes! Who is with me? I’m hoping to enjoy one more summer weekend for labor day, but after that I’m jumping on the fall train. We will be outside as much as possible. Nashville has lots of great things to do in the fall. Cheekwood has one of the most impressive pumpkin patches as well as thousands of mums. They have food trucks and a beer garden with live music on the weekends. I can’t wait to take the boys there and snap some adorable shots of them.
What do ya’ll do for family fun during the fall? Love hearing ideas of fun family traditions we can start. Now I’m off to go brainstorm/Pinterest family of four Halloween costume ideas!
One of my favorite fall trends is mixing prints. This bomber jacket is under $40 and can be paired with so many different things this season. I partnered it with this polka dot blouse (under $25!) and wore the ruffle cuff longer than the jacket length to add interest. It would also look great over a dress worn buttoned up, or over a graphic t-shirt and some leggings with sneakers. These studded booties sold out so fast during the Nordstrom sale, but they are back fully stocked in all sizes and worth the $$. The block heel makes them wearable for everyday, and they add so much to a look. I love adding some texture to an outfit. The weather has yet to cooperate with my fall loving self just yet. It hasn’t stopped me from rocking fall trends already! I’m so very ready for sweater weather, and to be able to take the babies outside for longer periods of time.
It was Wilder’s one month birthday yesterday, and I took him along to try out the new Cafe Roze in East Nashville. The interior decor is adorable, and they make a mean iced latte. (AKA mom fuel.) This past month has been a complete whirlwind, and we are still adjusting to the major lack of sleep. I’m literally surviving on coffee. Speaking of, I’m working on a post with all of my favorite coffee shops in Nashville. There are so many great ones. (From a self-proclaimed connoisseur, of course…)
The Nashville Guide has so graciously let me take over their social media channels today so that I could share some of my favorite local hot spots. I’d love for you to give them a follow and check it out!
There is a saying that has always stayed with me, “don’t get attached to anything that doesn’t have a heartbeat.” While I agree with this 99% of the time, I must say I’ve developed an attachment to Napa. With the upcoming holiday season quicky approaching, it was amazing to get some QT with my husband.
The first day we went immediatly to Inglenook for Drake to play a small private show. The mansion and grounds were nothing short of stunning.
After Inglenook, we headed to our hotel the Senza Boutique Hotel. Our room was contemporary but cozy and I loved having a fireplace this time of the year. (P.S. If you are planning on going.. I HIGHLY reccomend the fall season. The colors in the valley are stunning and the weather was perfect.)
We then had dinner at Don Guilano beside the hotel. Not only was my meal unbelievable, but we were able to sit outside and look into the courtyard, which featured several local artisans work. It looked like Alice in Wonderland.
The next morning we got up and went to listen to Colbie Caillet play a show at Brasswood. I am such a fan of hers, so it was great meeting her. Bonus…she just moved to Nashville.
We then went across the street to Trinchero. This may have been my favorite stop of the whole trip! The aesthetic was an amped up Restoration Hardware. Anyone that knows me, knows how amazing that was for me. There was also a bocci ball court in the back with the prettiest view of Mt. Helena.
We made friends with Carlo, his family owns Sutter Home Winery and several others, including the namesake, Trinchero. He took us into their private wine cellar and cave. He also took us back across the street to Brasswood to enjoy their homeade Mozzerella. (Possibly, the best thing I’ve ever eaten. They make it in house, then bring it to the table in a cast iron skillet and roll it in olive and oil and garlic. The mozzerella was accompanied by Carlo’s own wine, Taken. If you head to Napa this is a MUST DO!
Day three consisted of a writer’s round at Sutter Home followed by a wine tasting at the beautiful Caymus. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves on this one.
I was so thankful for such a special trip surronded by inspiring and positive people. Dinners consisted of us talking about our hopes and dreams, and thinking how we could turn those thoughts into reality.
I’m starting this week feeling motivated and really grateful. Hope ya’ll have the best week! Go out and goal dig.
Hope everyone is having a great week! So last week I teamed up with a local Nashville boutique, Posh, to do a social takeover for their store. They have 3 locations (Hillsboro Village, Green Hills and Cool Springs.) Each of the locations carries their own unique lines that cater to that area of town’s specific demographic. I love that! If you are visiting Nashville, or live here, you must stop in and say hello to the girls! The girls in there will help you find anything you need and they even have champs on hand to make shopping a little more fun. (Let’s be real.. champs makes errrything more fun! I wanted to show ya’ll some of my favorite looks from each of the locations and share with ya what I couldn’t leave without purchasing. (Yikes.)
So my eye instantly went to this beautiful print maxi dress (wearing here as a duster.) This has been one of my easy “go to’s” for fall season. You can rock it as a maxi dress or put it over a shirt and some jeans open as a duster. This can carry you into the summer as well you can wear it over some cut off jean shorts and sandals too. I paired it with these caged BCBGeneration heels, because I loved the grommet detailing that is all the rage this fall and a Z Supply grey shirt. (SO SO comfy.)
This was at the Hillsboro Village location. Their dressing room has an adobe cave feel. Isn’t it the coolest?! The sales room in this location is MASSIVE. So. many. SHOES. At the Hillsboro location they also offer a wide range of mens clothing and some awesome gift items. They had an entire candle wall.
This crop top gave me alllll the feels. I loved the ruffle detailing on the sleeves and the bow. At first glance, I thought there was no chance I could wear this with my new post baby bod. HOWEVER, with some high waisted jeans it is totally do-able. I feel a lot of people are scared of the crop, but if styled correctly it can be really flattering without being overly revealing. One of my favorite styling tips is to mix and match girly items with more edgy items. These lace up booties where able to capture just that.
I also fell in love with this Scotch & Soda leather jacket. Ya’ll probably know by now that jackets are kind of “my thing.” I just don’t have it in me to turn down a good one. The star details on this are really great, and the leather is so soft. You can contact Posh for more details on this gem! I paired it with these chuncky booties. They were really easy to walk in and they have a great dip in the front that makes them really flattering.
I completely fell in love with this beautiful Misa Collection 2 peice. How pretty is this print?! You can wear just the top with some jeans or just the skirt with a tied up t-shirt to make it more casual. I loved the look of both pieces together too.
This was at their Green Hills location. They had some really great dress options, and so many shoes, bags, sunglasses and gift ideas. They too carry mens clothing at this location. I found a Scotch & Soda vest for Trey. So good.
Last location of the day was at their Cool Springs location. They have lots of everyday, wearable pieces at this store. I couldn’t leave with out this last outfit. I knew the pieces were neutral and really versatile and I could wear them in my everyday mom life. If you haven’t invested in a rails shirt yet… go ahead and take the plunge. I typically wear their plaid styles, but couldn’t turn down this striped top. These olive jeans are really comfortable. (P.S. you can wear olive as a neutral just as you would wear a jean!) I topped it with a leather baseball cap and the best slide-on shoes I have seen.
It was such a fun experience hanging out at all of their locations and diving in to all of their fall pieces. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or reach out to POSH (poshonline on all social handles) if you’d like to plan a girls shopping trip with them!
