Ok ya’ll I have found the PERFECT everyday dress. It’s the softest material and so easy to throw on and go. I paired it with simple slide sandals (under $30 and come in several colors.) I wanted something I could chase babies in and be comfy in this hot weather. There is also a shorter version that’s less expensive as well. You can find that one HERE.
Back in my styling days I had go to items that I would suggest everyone have. Whenever you have those “I have absolutely nothing to wear” moments you can convert back to those few pieces and style them different ways.
You could also style this dress:
* With a bandana scarf and sneakers.
* Wedges and big statement earrings.
* Lace up sandals and a statement necklace.
* Tie up the bottom of the dress with a top knot hair style.
When it comes to a summer outfit I try to keep staple pieces in my closet and this is one of them. (As well as the slides.)
Here are some other under $100 summer outfit staples:
These days date nights are VERY few and far between. We don’t leave the babies very often. When we do, it is usually for work related events.
My mom was in town the other day and watched the kids so we could go on a little day date. It was one of the most fun days I’ve had in a long time, and the rest of the week we were just happier and ready to take on everything that came our way. It made me realize that taking time for one another is so important. It’s now a goal of mine to prioritize date nights!
Typical days at home with the boys are spent in pajamas. I do my best to upgrade to yoga pants at some point… On good days some distressed jeans and a band t-shirt. I rarely put on makeup during the week days unless I have an event, and my hair is often in a top knot. Trey never sees me dressed up. When we were first dating I was always dressed to the nines.
Every now and again it’s fun to get dolled up with some date night fashion and “date” each other again.
Since men’s fashion doesn’t change drastically from season to season, you can invest in quality pieces that can get a lot of wear. On our shopping venture we found SO many good deals at Nordstrom Rack. Several items we found at the rack were still full price at Nordatrom. The EXACT same items!
With men it doesn’t take a full suit to impress. A nice button down, fitted modern jeans and some suede shoes is all it takes.
I found these grey jeans that have a skinny fit without looking they are cutting off circulation… They are a great neutral color and look nicer than a blue denim color.
Rarely do I slip into a dress these days. A good dress can make you feel feminine and boost your confidence. I’ll invest in one from time to time that is flattering and wearable for all types of occasions.
The fit of a Veronica Beard dress is top notch. I caught this one on sale, and it’s becoming a closet staple piece. You know how you look in your closet on the day of an event and say “I have nothing to wear?” This is that kind of thing you can always throw on and have the fix for that. Pair it with flat sandals for day time or wedges for a more casual look.
I’m a sucker for a well made, designer heel. These M. Gemi suede heels are top notch quality, but at a lower price point than other Italian made quality shoes. They are comfortable, and made so well.
First things first, this has been my go to uniform any time I have somewhere to go this spring and summer. Graphic and band tees with a pair of white jeans, and adding a pop with some snakeskin booties. Easy peasy.
These white high-rise jeans are awesome for pulling everything in and up if you know what I mean. This mama needs alllll of that help. They are also made of an eco-friendly modo blend that is made to never fade into a yellowish color. Crisp white forever!
Snakeskin is a neutral. You can truly wear these snakeskin booties all summer long. (Bonus…they are 25% off right now!)
Ok, now on to my favorite clothing item- graphic and band tees. Not too long ago I reached out on Instastory and asked what people would like me to create more content around. I got lots of great ideas, but of course I was drawn to the one that asked for a list of places to shop for these tees. So here goes!
Where To Shop For The Best Graphic And Band Tees
Brands I love- Chaser, Madeworn, Anine Bing, Daydreamer LA, Brunette the Label, The Laundry Room, Junk Food, Gucci, Mate The Label, Sub_Urban Riot, Kenzo, See by Chloe, The Great, Spiritual Gagster, Wildfox, Brandy Melville, Banner Day….
Where to find them….
Revolve– They carry so many great options. Chaser brand makes the SOFTEST tees. They have a website as well, but Revolve always has great stock in them. They also have Madeworn (awesomeeee band tees, Anine Bing, Junk Food, and Daydreamer.)
Free People– They offer some Daydreamer that is only sold through Free People and they are SO good. They also carry Banner Day (embroidered and really cool),
Nordstrom– They carry Brunette the label, Sub_Urban Riot (great price point!), Spiritual Gagster (all the positive vibes and sayings), as well as higher end pieces like Gucci.
Shopbop– They have such an amazing selection of The Great, Pam & Gela, always rotating Madeworn, Wildfox (another SUPER soft line), Anine Bing (a current favorite), etc.
One of the first things you see in a home is the entryway, but so often it’s the last to get decorated. I wanted to make ours a little more special and put it high on the “to-do” list when we moved in.
I pinned this Hudson Valley Acrylic Chandelier on a “dream home” board awhile back, and I knew that the entryway of this home would be the perfect place for it. It replaced a iron pendant that was pretty vanilla, and I couldn’t be happier with the transformation! There are several different sizes, but this is the Travis pendant 20″ in the aged brass finish. You can find the exact one HERE.
When designing a space I start with a statement piece and let that inspire the rest of the room. I found a few other acrylic pieces that compliment the chandelier well. These floating acrylic wall frames line the walls, and blend in perfectly. They have brass knobs that give it that little something extra. This acrylic console table is in our living room as well. It’s not a very large space, so the acrylic blends without looking too bulky for the space. It allows me to have a home for a braided basket for storage and a spot for a tray or fresh florals to freshen the space.
Even though I kept to my typical neutral theme, I like to add different textures and prints. An easy way to add that is with rugs. I loved this vintage turkish rug that covers a lot of space and wanted an additional faux cowhide to cover more of the dark hardwood as well.
I wanted an inviting and comfy chair in the little corner, and found this grey accent chair. The shape is interesting, and slightly modern. The bottom has nailheads and a rustic looking wood. The perfect juxtaposition. A big cozy blanket makes anything feel more “homey.” This one is by Little Giraffe. It’s a splurge, but SO comfy. Some items are worth splurging and you can balance it out with inexpensive pieces that can be traded in and out. This marble top nesting table came in a set of two on Amazon for under $50.
I’d still love to add a picture light above each of the acrylic frames in a brass color to really make it pop. These aren’t cheap so it’d be an investment, but I think it could really make a statement! What do ya’ll think? Should I pull the trigger?
Happy Mother’s Day to ALL the “Mamas” of the world out there! For the mom still hoping, the mom that adopted, the mom that pricked herself with countless needles and endured IVF. The ones who saw the heartbeat and the ones who lost the heartbeat. The aunties, the grandmas, the step moms who stepped on in and up. Whatever describes you… Happy Mother’s Day to YOU.
The sweetest sound I’ve ever heard is the first time each of my boys babbled out, “mama.” My heart just about exploded. It’s the most honorable title I’ve ever held, the hardest job I’ve ever had, and the deepest love I’ve ever felt.
The day G came into the world and I got to join the precious “mama” club was the greatest day of my life. So much advice was thrown my way. How to swaddle/not to swaddle, to breastfeed/not to breastfeed, how tired I’d be, how to get my baby to sleep through the night. Blah, blah, blah. Now I’m happy to listen to advice from any other club member, because I know the kind of work that goes into learning these secrets. However, what I didn’t hear much of was the immense and absolutely insane love that you INSTANTLY feel for your child. Un-describable, unmatched, unconditional, pure LOVE.
So on this Mother’s Day I’m choosing to not focus on the sleepless nights, thousands of diapers, and the emotional distress that motherhood brings along. Instead I’m focusing on what being “mama” means to me. LOVE.
I’m just going to bask in all the love and focus on gratitude. Gratitude that I GET to live this life. That these precious angel babies call me “mama.” That they crawl to me when they are hurt. They yell for me when they have a success. For this incredible precious time in life I’m the one they need for everything and love the most.
Mother’s Day has quickly become my favorite holiday. Celebrating my favorite and most special role in life. How amazing!
So today, give yourself some grace and sing some praises to any fellow mamas out there. No matter what path they are walking!
(P.S. I’ve partnered with some mama friends of mine to do a pretty amazing giveaway to pamper all the mamas out there. You can check that out HERE. )
I wanted to share a fun festival outfit inspo that would be perfect for all day festival going, but also something you could wear all spring/summer long.
This dress is the most perfect piece! It’s lightweight and flowy. Very comfortable for long wear. The back is beautiful and gives it that something special. It runs true to size. (Wearing a small for reference.)
I had so much fun creating some fun hair and make-up with my friend Cali Jeffries. She works with Parlour 3/ Hunter Paige here in Nashville and is just SO talented. This double twist keeps your hair back from your face, but is easy to do and has that boho vibe. (Perfect for the festival scene.) She used a large barrel curling rod and did loose curls. She then pulled two small sections back, twisting each one and securing with criss-crossed bobby pins. Easy peasy!
She suggests lots of skin primer for long wearing makeup looks like this. Also, Urban Decay’s long lasting setting spray to help keep everything in place. She did an amped up natural look, with lots of gold glow and highlighter. I LOVED IT!!!
Here are a few of my other favorite festival outfit inspired looks that you can rock all spring and summer long!
Ya’ll.. I have found the perfect pair of spring sneakers! These Koolaburra suede slip on spring sneakers are super comfortable and easy to style for everyday wear. I’m a sucker for suede. If you are looking to have a more polished look than a typical athletic sneaker, this is the way to do it. The whipstiching detail on these are perfect.
(These are at a great price point too… under $100!)
I paired them with some distressed light wash jeans and this adorable off the shoulder blouse. This tan color can go with lighter colors, or would look great with an all black look as well. I plan on styling them with my black graphic t-shirts and black cut offs as well. They’d also be super cute with a sundress for times when you want to be just a little more dressed up.
Spring sneakers are my jam these days with the boys. It’s easy for me to slide them on and be comfortable while balancing a baby on each hip.
Koolaburra is the sister company to UGG, and I love their effortlessly cool vibe. Their designs are easy to style, and comfortable. They were created with the “on the go” lifestyle in mind. Great for this busy mama!
Spring has sprung in Nashville, and we are finally able to get out and about. It’s been SO nice! I’ve been “faking” spring in my house for awhile now by keeping it stocked with fresh flowers. No more faking it! (However, I am addicted to having our house stocked with flowers to bring that little extra life and happiness to the place.)
I hope everyone is having a great start to their spring and getting out and about in the fresh air!
#koola #ad
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Koolaburra. The opinions and text are all mine.
This rollercoaster ride known as parenthood is a wild one. Emotions are amplified and you feel the shrill of the highs and the stomach dropping low of the lows.
Our babies’ milestones become so bittersweet. The pride I feel when they take their first crawl is swept over by the grieving their need for me to be mobile. The smiles and cheers while singing “Happy Birthday” are accompanied by the feeling of loss and sadness over the sweet baby years. It’s wild I tell ya!
Being a mom changes my life perspective in so many ways. I love deeper, laugh harder, and empathize more. It’s the joy of my life.
As sleepless and challenging as these baby days are, I still find myself clinging to them. They are so precious, and going by so very fast.
I want to remember every quirky way they pronounce a word, giggle, and cry. I know I’m that annoying mom taking pictures and videos non stop, but I want to capture these moments in time.
If I had a magic genie in a bottle I would ask to freeze time right now.
We are often told, “You are in the trenches right now.” This is true. Some days it feels like I have a house arrest bracelet on my ankle. The nap schedules of both babies can never seem to synch up where I have a moment to myself. There is no sitting down. It’s going from one diaper to the next. Someone always needs soothed, food, diapered, changed, or played with. I’ve absolutely lost myself, but I have lost myself in them. That I am ok with.
Georgie is curious, insanely smart, temperamental, funny, sweet, and a mamas boy. He loves puppies, jumping on the bed, building block towers only to knock them over, animal sounds, music, PAW Patrol, My Gym, bubbles, golf carts, and mostly just being outside.
We love him so much and are so proud of the little boy that he is becoming. He always says “please” and “thank you”. He gives Wilder is paci and tells him “it’s ok Wy Wy” when he is crying. He keeps are cardio up by chasing him around. My heart is full from the sweet “I love you mama and dadas” he now so lovingly says at bedtime.
Bittersweet birthdays. Reason to celebrate, but time please slow down.
Nashville weather has been pretty bipolar lately which makes spring outfit ideas a little difficult. I have to step outside in the morning and decide if I need a parka or a tank top. However, there are a couple of staple items that I can wear, no matter what the weather, this spring season that I wanted to share!
This jacket is such a hero piece for spring. The color is called “blondie” so I knew I just needed it. It’s such a great color for spring, and works well with everything. This jacket is under $200, but the quality and cut looks like a designer piece. It comes in several other colors as well. I’m wearing a small for reference. (Fits true to size.)
I truly try my best to not get the jealous bone, even though it is sooo hard in this field. BUT all the bloggers at Coachella are making me just a little bit jealous. It looks amazing out there! It’s #nochella for me this year because….babies. SO. I bought myself this cacuts graphic tee to pretend I was out in the desert. (HA!) This one might put me over the edge into official graphic tee hoarder.
High-Rise cut off shorts are another spring/summer staple. These are super comfortable and high enough to wear with crop tops without baring any belly. (These are the kinds of things I look for these days…) These run true to size as well.
I’ve been trying to think quality over quantity these days. A good jacket, booties, and cut offs can be worn again and again.
I’m so excited to be starting a healthy recipe series! I’ve been sharing what I make for healthy weeknight meals for awhile now on Instastories and they have become a hit, so it only made since to bring it to the blog!
Like so many of you, the hardest part for me when it comes to maintaining a healthy eating routine is coming up with the ideas. After hours of searching food blogs, Pinterest, and experimenting in the kitchen I’ve come up with an arsenal of easy/healthy weeknight dinners.
With two babies at home, I’m looking for quick and easy things to whip up that are still delicious and seem like fine dining.
There is now a “Recipe” tab that will be host to all of these as well.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional chef in any sense of the word. All of these healthy recipes are simple, quick, and can be prepared by anyone!
First up, a cauliflower crust pizza with smoked salmon, capers and dill. My neighbor brought over a delicious version of this a few weeks back and I went to work converting it into a healthier version so I could enjoy it on weeknights!
Her version substitutes the cauliflower crust with a regular pizza crust and the greek yogurt with a sour cream. If you are wanting a heartier option, this is great!
CAULIFLOWER CRUST SMOKED SALMON PIZZA
1. Prepare the cauliflower crust. I simply used a pre-made option, because babies. Trader Joe’s has a wonderful option. If you are wanting to make one from scratch you can find a really good one HERE.
2. While the pizza is cooking, prepare the “sauce.” Mix the greek yogurt with the chopped dill, salt, pepper, and the juice of a whole lemon.
3. Thinly chop the shallots.
4. Let pizza crust cool and then layer on the sauce.
5. Add your toppings. Layer the smoked salmon so it covers the entire crust. Add shallots and capers to your liking.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with dill.
Ingredients:
* Pre-Made Cauliflower Pizza Crust
* 4 oz. Smoked Salmon
* 1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt
* Juice From One Lemon
* 4 Large Sprigs Of Dill Finely Chopped
* One Shallot Thinly Sliced
* 1/4 Cup Capers
I’d love to hear about your favorite (healthy) dinner! I’m always seeking new ideas to try and keep mixing it up. I think the key to eating healthier is to not get bored. Trying out new things makes it fun and easier to stay on course.
