Panache Lifestyle

Madison Newborn Photos Part II

2014-10-21T11:32:00.000-06:00

Seriously, I die, those lips. I am in love.

Don't worry folks, part II of Miss Madison's newborn photos are hereeee!!! Part II is just as precious as part I (I am biased, I know-- can we say obsessed mom?!). Now that my little muffin is officially 8 weeks old I cannot even believe how tiny she is in these pictures! She is still so small now- don't get me wrong- but those first two weeks- they are sooooo little!

Life has changed in more ways than I could have possibly imagined. Everyday a new adventure. I am loving every minute of it. Enjoy.

"Team Sutton" customized sack- made for her in honor of her race car driver daddy.

P.S. I am linked up with Tucker Up, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Pleated Poppy Fashion Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Friday Favorites & The Penniless Socialite!

Madison's Newborn Photos Part I

2014-10-15T13:40:00.001-06:00

I am officially "that mom".

Every photo, every coo, everything little thing this precious baby girl does completely melts my heart. And yes, I also feel the need to share each of these incredible moments with the world. I think this is a normal feeling for moms. It takes so much self control for me to not post every photo I take of Madison, serious self-control. So of course, I naturally need to share some of her newborn photos with you. She is only 2 weeks old in these photos... time goes sooooo fast! Newborns change in the blink of an eye. It is so crazy and amazing-- you have to cherish every second. Without further ado, here is Part I of Miss Madison’s newborn photos!

P.S. I am linked up with Tucker Up, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Lauren Elizabeth, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

Nursing Must Haves with Belly Dance Maternity

2014-10-01T12:56:00.000-06:00


Olian Maternity & Nursing Dress (Courtesy of Belly Dance Maternity)

When it comes to nursing and fashion, Belly Dance Maternity is where it is at.

I cannot believe it has been 5 weeks since our little Madison was born! Time goes so quickly!! When it comes to feeding our little bundle of joy, I chose breastfeeding. The thing about breastfeeding is, is it so hard to look cute and to have clothing that allows for it. You need clothing that provides comfort and convenience but doesn't look like you just rolled out of bed. Luckily, I found Belly Dance Maternity before Madison was born. They have the cutest styles, that are comfortable, chic and make breastfeeding so easy. The nursing clothing trifecta in a nutshell. Here I am wearing this amazing Olian maternity and nursing dress from Belly Dance Maternity. I highly recommend you check out this amazing company!

Visit Belly Dance Maternity before October 31, 2014 and use promo code: panache & get 20% off!

Great option for Belly Dance Maternity for Fall! NOM $94.00

P.S. Here is a special treat from my little love bug on her 1 month birthday!!!

P.S.S. I am linked up with Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, Niki, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Lauren Elizabeth, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

Announcing the Arrival of Miss Madison

2014-09-11T13:52:00.001-06:00

After 40 weeks and 2 days Miss Madison has officially arrived!!

After 26 hours of labor, Miss Madison made her debut in Denver, Colorado. Our little 7 pound, 6 ounce bundle of love has stolen out hearts. There is so much anticipation that goes into the arrival of your child, but nothing really prepares you for the amount of love you feel when you actually get to hold them, look into their eyes, and hold their little tiny hand. It is the most unbelievable, incredible feeling in the world. She has changed my life for the better in ways I never knew were possible.

Each and everyday with my little Madison is new, exciting, and different... I cannot wait to see what the future brings to our family. I know it will be wonderful and I am so excited to share my journey of motherhood with all of you.

So without further ado, here is my little Miss Madison. <3

PS It was really hard for me to not post a million pictures of her... I am obsessed with taking pictures of her! ;-)

Final Bump-Date & Go Time Essentials!

2014-08-20T11:28:00.000-06:00

Week 38, Week 39 & Week 40!

Friday, August 22nd, I will officially hit the 40 week mark. 280 days of pregnancy... so crazy how quickly that crept up on us!

This Friday also marks my husband, David, and my 5th wedding anniversary! I just cannot believe how quickly that 5 years flew by. I am so lucky to have a guy like him to stand by me, to be the father of our daughter, to grow old with. I love you so much David. If that was 5 years of marriage, I can't wait for the next 50+ years!!!

As we approach our official due date, I have packed my "go bag" for the big moment when Baby Girl Sutton makes her move. Here is a list of my must haves for that big moment for mommys-to-be!

1) Robe-A must have. Get one that is super comfy and looks cute on so you feel good. Here is a great one from Nordstrom! Splendid Boyfriend Robe

2) Comfy PJs or Loungewear- All of my mommy friends could not emphasize to me enough the importance of comfortable clothing-- specifically PJs & Loungewear. I am going to bring some of my loose fitting stretch pants and T-shirts for right after the baby arrives. I also got this adorable hoodie and sweatpants for the hospital in pink polish-- I just couldn't resist ;-) Make +Model Paige Hoodie & Sweatpants

3) Slippers or Flip-flops- Cushy footwear is a must in the hospital- easy to put on, easy to take off. Done & done. I love these slippers from UGG Australia- UGG Australia Lizzy Slipper

4) Sports Bra- A sports bra is a great item to bring to the hospital to wear during labor. You feel secure and look great while entering the final stretch before your bundle of joy arrives. So adorable- Josie 'Amp'd' Sports Bra

5) Jawbone Jambox- Labor is not a quick process, so it is essential to make your delivery room somewhere that puts you at ease. I love listening to music, it relaxes me. So bringing my Jambox is a no-brainer. Jawbone Jambox

Well guys, my bags are packed and I am ready to go... just need this little bean to give me the signal! Stay tuned for Baby Sutton watch!

P.S. I am linked up with Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Niki, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Pleated Poppy Fashion Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

Celeb Pregnancy Style

2014-08-13T09:36:00.002-06:00

Princess Kate looking stunning (as usual) in a peach Tara Jarmon coat and a dress from a private dress maker (image via).

With just 9 days until my due date, time feels like it has just stopped.

Every Braxton Hicks contraction I have, I think is this it?? Is it is time now?? To my disappointment, so far it has all been just that Braxton Hicks— false alarm. Everyone who has kids tells me-- "don't wish this time away, it is the last time you will sleep for months, years even. Once those kiddos come, sleep-- the way you enjoyed sleep pre-kids-- is NEVER the same." I know they are right, but the waiting game seems to keep me up at night these days anyways. I figure since I am already awake most nights, might as well have a little bundle of joy to keep me company, right?!!

Today I wanted to share with you my favorite celebrity style icons while they were pregnant. These ladies have impeccable style and really rocked pregnancy, looking fabulous in everything they wore.

Who is your favorite pregnant actress??

Olivia Wilde in her gorgeous Gucci gown at the Golden Globes (image via).

Olivia Wilde in a fabulous royal blue sheath from David Koma (image via).

Kristin Cavallari looking stunning in an ALC Maxi (left, image via) and in her Oscar maternity wear from Alexander McQueen (right, image via).

The always radiant Beyonce looked incredible while she was pregnant-- so beautiful! (image left via, right via)

P.S. I am linked up with Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Mix It Monday, Niki, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Pleated Poppy Fashion Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

The Waiting Game

2014-08-06T14:41:00.000-06:00

With week 38 of my pregnancy coming to a close, the tedious waiting game begins...

At this point of the pregnancy, I am soooooo ready for our little girl to be here. I feel as though the past 9 months and 1 week have lasted forrrreeevverrr! (Even though they actually went pretty quick...) Every time I struggle to turn over in bed, get off the couch or just bend down to pick something up, I am like “when will this baby get here?!" I can hardly wait to be able to pick up Ryder's tennis ball off the ground and be able to throw it for him like I used to be able to do, or sleep without shifting the entire bed every time I turn over, or just wear normal clothing again! On top of all that, there is the excitement and anxiety of finally becoming a mom and meeting our little girl!

So as I enter these final two weeks of pregnancy, I thought I would research some of the old wives' tales of kick starting labor. Here is the list I came up with-- maybe one of these will work for me... ;)

- Spicy Food
- Frequent Walking
- Exercising
- Fasting
- Driving on a bumpy road
- Being frightened
- Consuming castor oil
- Drinking herbal tea
- Acupuncture

Most of these are folk remedies and some are even ill advised by doctors. Sometimes it is just best to let nature take it's course.

P.S. I would also like to wish the love of my life, my best friend, my rock-- a very, very happy birthday! I am so lucky to have you & our daughter is the luckiest little girl in world to have you as a dad. I love you so much.

P.S.S. I am linked up with Mix It Monday, Niki, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Pleated Poppy Fashion Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

Pregnancy FAQ & The Monthly Bump-Date!

2014-07-29T12:17:00.000-06:00

33 Weeks, 34 Weeks, 35 Weeks

Hello Y'all! I thought this Bump-date I would answer all the questions everyone has been asking about my pregnancy. So let’s dive right in!

How far along are you?
I am 37 weeks right now... So freakin' crazy! I just cannot believe how quickly time goes. Baby S. has officially "dropped", which means she beginning to prepare for her exit. Tomorrow I head to the doctor and find out if Baby S in the right position for delivery! So I get to see her in her little nook once more before she makes her post-labor debut! I have also been getting braxton hicks contractions more frequently, so it should be long now.

What is the gender of the baby?
We are having a baby girl! Let me tell you, when it comes to baby clothing, there is nothing more fun than shopping for girls. Seriously, I cannot stop buying little headbands, outfits & all things baby girl!

What workouts have you been doing while pregnant?

My workouts during my pregnancy vastly changed as my pregnancy progressed. Let me begin by saying my pre-pregnancy workout consisted of running 2-3 miles about 3 times per week. Once I found out I was pregnant, I changed my workout to the elliptical. I made this change as it was more comfortable for me as my stomach began to grow. Up until week 20, I was doing about 30-40 minutes on the elliptical with light weight lifting. After week 20 my work out changed to walks with my husband and puppy, Ryder. These walks are anywhere from a half mile to 3 miles depending on my energy levels. I usually go on walks with them around 4 times per week. I have found these make me feel way better and help me sleep (which seems to elude me these days as it is hard to even turn over!).

Do you have stretch marks?
I am very lucky and have not gotten any stretch marks. I just used Aveeno lotion daily on my tummy to keep the itching at bay. I have read up on stretch marks and have found that getting stretch marks is more about genetics and less about the latest and greatest stretch mark cream. Also drinking a lot of water and gaining weight at steady pace helps too!

Do you have a name picked out?
We sure doooo!!! But you’ll have to wait for Miss Sutton’s big debut to find out her name. ;-)

What are your pregnancy essentials?
- A good support system- My husband has been my rock. He listens to all my pregnancy complaints & woes, supports our family and basically keeps me and the baby healthy & happy always.
-Comfy clothing- My FAVORITE clothing has been maternity tees and tanks with maternity leggings. I have lived in these for the last 9 months. I love these tees (here) and these leggings (here) from Belly Dance Maternity.
-Comfy Flats and Flip flops- So so essential! I have worn heels during most of pregnancy on the weekends, but last weekend at a wedding I attended, my luck with heels ran out. Luckily, I brought some comfy flip flops with me. Once you hit week 37, heels have lost ALL of their appeal, trust me on that one.

What have you done to prepare?
We have taken 4 different baby preparation classes through our hospital as I discussed in this past blog post. We also read the book, Mayo Clinic: Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. I feel pretty prepared right now, but there is always more to learn when you are a new mom!

36 Weeks & 37 Weeks

PS I am linked up with Glossy Blonde, Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, The Pleated Poppy& The Penniless Socialite!

Tunic Time

2014-07-22T13:19:00.002-06:00

Tunic: NOM Black Liz Colorblock Tunic c/o

It is tunic time in my world.

As I am fast approaching my due date, clingy clothing is not really cutting it anymore. Being pregnant-- especially in your third trimester-- in the prime of summer can be tough. You start to swell all over-- hands, feet, ankles, basically you feel like a swollen balloon. It is really easy to just let your style go and just become frumpy. The problem with this is that not only do you feel huge, you are not dressing to make yourself feel good. This becomes problematic.

So what is a girl to do???! Luckily, Belly Dance Maternity has this chic NOM Black Liz Colorblock Tunic for those days when I want to look cute but feel super comfortable. This tunic has become one of my favorite maternity wear pieces. The material is so soft and the colorblock design makes it a staple in any pregnant girl's wardrobe. I highly recommend you stop by Belly Dance Maternity and check out the adorable options in tunics they have.

Have you entered the Belly Dance Maternity $25 gift card giveaway yet??? If not head over HERE and get signed up so you can get some cute items from this awesome company!

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Tuesday Pretties Linkup , Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, Transatlantic Blonde , The Pleated Poppy & The Penniless Socialite!

Belly Dance Maternity Gift Card Giveaway!

2014-07-15T10:17:00.000-06:00

Dress: Belly Dance Maternity c/o

Today I am so excited to be collaborating with Belly Dance Maternity to bring you a great giveaway--a $25 gift card to Belly Dance Maternity!!

Belly Dance Maternity is a fantastic company that has EVERYTHING you could ever want when it comes to everything baby. Maternity wear, nursing clothing, diaper bags, baby shower gifts, Belly Dance Maternity has so many fabulous products, it is a one-stop-shop for all your mommy needs!

Here I am wearing the most comfortable yet stylish maternity dress from Belly Dance Maternity, the NOM Carrie Dress. When I put the Carrie dress on, I fell in love. This dress is so perfect for a hot summer day, your baby shower or any summer event where you want to look cute and feel great. I cannot wait to wear it this weekend to one of my good friend's birthday celebrations!

Now, you ask, how do I win the $25 gift card?? Well it is easy! To enter, simply complete the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway be open until 12:00 AM EST Saturday, July 26th. One lucky winner will be announced shortly after!

Good luck & happy shopping!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PS I am linked up with Mix It Monday, Niki, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, The Pleated Poppy Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, & The Penniless Socialite!

Maternity Photos Part Two

2014-07-08T11:27:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July weekend!

I cannot believe the 4th of July is over... where is summer going?! Summer always seems to fly by with all the weddings, showers, birthdays and classic summer activities. So many events we look forward to just fly by!!

Here is part two of my maternity photos (part one was featured last week on the blog). Meredith Moran did such a wonderful job taking these and making me feel completely at ease. I have been pretty lucky so far in pregnancy. I have has limited swelling and haven't felt too uncomfortable (knock on wood!!). That being said, I still have a good six weeks until Baby Girl Sutton will make her debut. Six weeks is more than enough time for these lovely pregnancy symptoms to make an appearance. Fingers crossed they will stay away. ;-)

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, Fashion Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, Weekly Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, The Pleated Poppy& The Penniless Socialite!

Maternity Photos Part One

2014-06-30T10:52:00.000-06:00

Official countdown: 7 weeks!

A couple weeks ago, David and I took our maternity photos with the lovely and talented Meredith Moran. I wasn't sure I wanted maternity photos at first, but now I am so happy we did them. It is such a special time in your life, a time I would like to remember and share with my daughter when she is older.

There are so many great photos I want to share with you all, so here is part one of my two part series. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much I enjoyed taking them!

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, The Pleated Poppy, Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Passion for Fashion & The Penniless Socialite!

Preparing for Baby & The Monthly Bump-Date!

2014-06-25T12:24:00.000-06:00

32 weeks have come and gone. If everything goes according to plan, there should only be one more Bump-Date before Baby Girl Sutton arrives!! Time flies when your tummy is growing exponentially.

So what have we been doing in these final weeks to prepare for the arrival of this little girl?? Along with the essentials like preparing the nursery and buying baby supplies, we have been very busy taking classes. Let me tell you, I highly recommend these to all new parents to be.

When we first got pregnant, I vowed to become the most prepared mom possible. So I signed up for 4 different baby preparation classes. So far these have been amazing. Here are the ones I have taken and recommend:

CPR & First Aid- So essential. Learning these basic techniques can save your baby's life. To us taking this class was absolutely mandatory.

Infant Care & Early Parenting- Such a great class. This class covers a multitude of topics. Some of the many topics are what to buy for baby, setting expectations for the first couple of weeks after the baby’s arrival, choosing a pediatrician, diapering, bathing, illness, sleeping, crying... basically this class answers all those questions of what the heck do I do once the baby gets here?!!

Childbirth Preparation Class- Best class ever. When David and I started this class about 4 weeks ago, I was super nervous-- I mean labor is the scariest part of pregnancy-- at least to me it is. But once this class began, our instructor, Martha at Rose Medical Center, put my mind to ease. Something that gave me anxiety just to think about no longer does. It covers almost every possible scenario of what can happen during child birth, how to know when you are actually going into labor, gives you comfort techniques, and ways to get through any birthing scenario- relaxed and calm. To me this is priceless. My fellow classmates all agree, especially the 3 couples who went into early labor last weekend!

And finally the last class we are taking on July 19th--Breastfeeding- I am hoping this class will give me the tricks of the the trade since I plan on breastfeeding Baby Girl Sutton for a couple months. ;-)

There are still 2 more days to enter the PinkBlush Maternity $25 gift card giveaway!! Click here for your chance to win!

29 Weeks

30 Weeks

31 Weeks

32 Weeks

We are having Ryder do his share of baby prep as well.... ;-)
(Ryder not pictured.. this is what we wish Ryder would act like. Oh puppies!! ;-))

PinkBlush Maternity Giveaway!!!

2014-06-17T11:55:00.001-06:00

Finding cute maternity clothing is so hard. When you are in those final couple months, all you want is to feel comfortable while looking cute without spending a small fortune. When I found PinkBlush Maternity, I knew I hit the jackpot!

I found this incredible turquoise woven shoulder maxi dress at PinkBlush Maternity and I fell in love. Not only was I so pleased with how it fit me, but I was so excited to get a dual purpose maxi dress—this little number will work through pregnancy & nursing. Double score!

PinkBlush Maternity and I have teamed up to bring you an awesome giveaway! A $25 gift card to PinkBlush Maternity, so you too can buy some amazing, trendy maternity clothing! The giveaway will run from June 18th, 2014 12:00 am EST to June 28th, 2014 12:00 am EST.

Hope you are the lucky momma-to-be to win!! Happy shopping & good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dress: PinkBlush Maternity Woven Shoulder Maternity/ Nursing Maxi Dress c/o

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Transatlantic Blonde, Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me, The Tiny Heart, Fashion Friday, Casual Friday, The Lauren Elizabeth, Fashion Item Friday, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favorites, Friday Frills, 4 Favorites with Let it Be Beautiful & Fancy Things, The Pleated Poppy& The Penniless Socialite!

Baby Shower Bliss

2014-06-11T15:56:00.000-06:00

Julie (my mother-in-law aka Grandma), Jennifer (my sister aka Auntie Jen), Carol (my mom aka Mimi), Me, & Kate (my sister-in-law aka Auntie Kate)

Fabulous decor, delicious food, incredible company... the makings of the PERFECT Baby Shower.

This past Saturday I had my baby shower for little Baby Sutton, hosted by Baby Girl's future Grandmas, my mother-in-law and my mom. It was such a special day for me, I seriously could have not dreamed of a better baby shower ever, pure perfection. It was so nice to have all the women in my life come together and help me celebrate the arrival of sweet Baby S. Both she and I are so incredibly lucky to have all these women surrounding us.

Some of my girlfriends and their babies. So blessed to have all the women who attended in my life.

Anyone hungry?!! Such a vast spread of delicious food, I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

Fruit salad baby!! So sweet (both literally & figuratively! ;-))!

Mini bundt cakes for dessert! Sooooo yummmmy!!!!!

Best favors. EOS hand lotion & EOS lip Balm.

Guess Baby Sutton's Stats! We will see who wins this game in August. ;-)

Saturday was so full of love. I am such a lucky girl.

72 days until August 22nd!!

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde , More Pieces of Me, Perfectly Coutured, White Coat Wardrobe, The Tiny Heart, The Style Record & The Penniless Socialite.

Fab Fuschia with eShakti

2014-06-04T10:03:00.001-06:00

eShakti is absolutely a must for any women who in the market for a new dress this summer!

Today, I've partnered up with eShakti to bring you the BEST business model in women's wear, hands down. eShakti has amazing clothing options for women of all shapes and sizes and the best part is you have the option to tailor the clothing to your preference! So awesome!

For my first eShakti experience, I chose this incredible Vibrant Jersey V-neck Maxi Knit dress. After I decided on this chic dress, eShakti allowed me to add and change this dress so it would fit to a tee! SOOOO great, especially when you are 7 1/2 months pregnant! To start the customization process the website prompts you to pick your size based on your body measurements, for mine I went with the size 0, put in your height, I am 5'2" (this is so they can make the dress the exact length you desire.) You are then asked if you would like to change the sleeves. I decided to go with capped sleeves. Then you are asked what length you would like the dress to be, I went with ankle length (I am not rockin' heels too often these days with this growing bump!). Voila! For a mere $7.50 more your custom dress is complete and on it's way to you! No need for tailors, just a couple clicks with their fabulous custom styling option and you are good to go. Nothing could be easier.

eShakti has an endless selection of beautiful dresses, skirts, tops, jackets that are not only customizable, but also top quality. I am huge fan and I know you will be too.

BONUS: Anytime you visit eShakti from 06/05/2014- 07/05/2014, use this exclusive Panache Lifestyle discount code: klpanaches to get 10% off your eShakti purchase! Time to go shopping!!**

Deep V-Neck Maxi Knit Dress

Dress: eShakti Deep V-Neck Maxi Knit Dress c/o

** Please note: Code has to be entered in the ‘promotional code’ box. It is not case-sensitive. Code can be used any number of times until the validity period. It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions. This discount code is not applicable on clearance / sale, gift cards & overstock categories. Not applicable on previous purchases.

Pondering Baby Names & The Monthly Bump-Date!!

2014-05-28T11:46:00.000-06:00

25 Weeks

What to name Baby Girl Sutton?? That is the question.

Another month has yet flown by! So crazy how quickly time goes and how the months just zip by as we continue to plan for our little bundle!

Baby names... a very hot topic in our household these days. What to name our little girl is something I’ve been pondering even before I was pregnant. From the time I was small I said things like I am going to name my baby this “name“ or that “name" someday. Let’s just say I’ve had some practice with it now.

There are so many so many factors that go into picking a name, here are some of the main ones that I think about when deciding whether or not I like a name:

Is this a name that I will like forever? Will he or she like this name or will they be like, "Why the heck did my parents name me this???" I don’t want to choose a name that my child will want to change in the future? e.g. Apple and North West
What are possible nicknames that come attached to this name? Are these nicknames that I like or hate? No one wants to give their child a name that has a bad nickname attached to it.
What will their initials be?? This is important as the wrong initial could trigger a less than desirable nickname for your child in the future or a really bad email address.
Does this name have meaning to us? It is good to pick a name that you genuinely love and has meaning to you when you say it. Your child is the most important thing in your life and you want to give them a name that has significance.

After you mull this matter over with your partner for hours, days, even months, you finally come up with a winner... do you reveal the winner before baby is born????

My husband and I have decided that once we come up with a victor we are going to keep it near and dear to our hearts until she makes her debut in August. We decided this is a surprise we would like to keep private for just us. We don't want any outside opinions on our name, or advice, we don't want to know who people know with that same name that they may like or may not like. When we decide on a name, it will be our little girl's name and no one can change that. Revealing the name is something that every couple feels differently about and everyone is entitled to their beliefs when it comes to their baby.

In conclusion, Baby Girl Sutton's name will not be revealed today, sorry guys, you will have to stay tuned until August... ;-)

26 Weeks

27 Weeks

28 Weeks

Navy Baby.

2014-05-21T10:46:00.001-06:00

Spring is just flying by! This Friday I begin my third trimester... I cannot wait to meet my little princess!!! August cannot come soon enough.

One of my favorite items of clothing to wear these days is the classic t-shirt. Comfortable, reliable and looks great for a casual spring evening. Here I am wearing this incredible navy tee from A Pea In The Pod. It is flattering, cute and simple. I paired it with my favorite AG Jeans Stella Secret Fit Belly® 5 Pocket Maternity Jeans and my always classic loafers from Dolce Vita (I have been wearing heels less and less frequently… for obvious reasons ;-)). The perfect combo for maternity wear. And who can forget my adorable little accessory, the always in style, Mr. Ryder. Can you believe he weighs 70 pounds now??! They grow up so fast!!

Jeans: AG Jeans Stella Secret Fit Belly® 5 Pocket Maternity Jeans | Tee: A Pea In The Pod | Loafers: Dolce Vita (similar & on SALE at Nordstroms!!) | Necklace: David Yurman

Comfort.

2014-05-13T10:09:00.000-06:00

Since becoming pregnant my new favorite word is comfort.

When you’re not pregnant, comfort may not be the priority when finding the right pair of jeans. But when you are, comfort becomes a necessity. So when I went to A Pea in the Pod and found these maternity jeans, I fell in love. The AG Jeans Stella Secret Fit Belly® 5 Pocket Maternity Jeans are seriously like heaven on earth to wear. The Secret Fit Belly is so essential and great as your belly and body continues to grow and change. I would highly recommend these incredible jeans to anyone who is expecting. They are fabulous.

What is your favorite brand of jeans currently??

Jeans: AG Jeans Stella Secret Fit Belly® 5 Pocket Maternity Jeans | Sweater: Express (similar & very cute!) | Booties: Dolce Vita (previous post) | Sunglasses: Tory Burch (previous post) | Bag: Michael Kors (previous post)

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, Vodka Infused Lemonade, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde , More Pieces of Me, Perfectly Coutured, White Coat Wardrobe, The Style Record & Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!

Would you like fries with that??

2014-05-07T11:08:00.000-06:00

This pregnant lady loves me some french fries!! Here is a great recipe on how to make the perfect homemade french fry!

Ingredients:
-5 pounds of Russet Potatoes
- Sunflower or Vegetable Oil for frying
- Sea Salt
-Dipping Sauce! (see below for my favs!)

1) Start by peeling five pounds of potatoes, then cut them into five long pieces. Then lay these pieces flat to cut them into sticks. Throw the sticks into a pot or large bowl and cover them with cold water, then let them soak for at least 2-3 hours. Note: Soaking the potatoes helps to remove the unnecessary starch from the outside of the potato, allowing the french fry to later get that crispy texture we all know & love!

2) After they’ve soaked for 2-3 hours, drain the fries. Lay the fries on a bunch of paper towels to dry them off. Blot the top to remove excess moisture.

3) Next, heat a pot of oil to 400 degrees, using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Add the potatoes to the boiling oil.

4) Cook until they are golden brown and crispy!!

5) Drain them on a plate with a napkin or paper towel…

6) Add Sea Salt

7) Enjoy with your favorite sauce!! David & I love to add balsamic vinegar and make a Sriracha dipping sauce!

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

PS I am linked up with Tucker Up, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir & More Pieces of Me!

Pregnancy Craving Gone Wrong & The Monthly Bump-date!!

2014-04-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

21 Weeks

I know that they say women have crazy cravings during pregnancy, well let me tell you about one I had that went terribly, terribly wrong.

Initially, it started as a craving for french toast, very normal, nothing weird about that. Then I thought, well I really would like some breakfast sausage on the side. Again perfectly normal, nothing weird about that. So I went to the grocery store to get the ingredients for my craving and it hit me, why not make a french toast & sausage breakfast sandwich. Now this is something that has been done before so I thought, why not I can do it too.

I went and bought a package of Jimmy Dean's Maple Sausage, bread, syrup, and all the fixings for french toast. I went home and told my husband my plan and told him he would be joining me in this craving, as it would be our dinner. He looked thrilled (no, not at all, but he went along with it anyway-- such a good husband!!). I began making the sausage the patties and french toast. Here is where it went wrong-- the sausage patties ended up looking more like hamburger patties-- so they took forever to cook! Then since the patties took so long to cook, the french toast ended up getting cold & soggy (since I insisted on adding butter and syrup-- channeling the McDonald's McGriddle). Basically the final result ended up being a soggy, cold french toast and sausage burger-- not good. Here is a picture of the final result... yikes!!

Needless to say, this is the last time David will let me "create" new recipes for dinner and I have to say I will have to agree with this. ;-)

22 Weeks

23 Weeks

24 Weeks

Our little girl continues to grow by the week!! I cannot believe we are approaching week 25!! So exciting!

PS I am linked up with Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, On The Daily Express , Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde & More Pieces of Me!

Spring Showers

2014-04-24T09:13:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season for showers!! Yes, we are full swing into shower season-- bridal and baby showers in full effect!

It has been quite challenging finding perfect outfits as I continue to grow. You never truly appreciate how easy shopping is when you are the same size until you become pregnant.

Here is a little essemble I put together for one of my best friend's showers. I was very lucky with this one. I found this amazing fitted midi navy dress at H&M— bargain alert!— nothing better than saving a pretty penny on a dress you may not be able to wear in a week or two. Seriously, nothing better. I paired this navy midi with this beautiful floral scarf to add that touch of spring and a light cream trench coat in case of a spring chill. Voila!--the perfect look for a spring shower! Done & done.

Do you have a lot of showers this spring??

Midi Dress: H&M (similar & super cute!)| Jacket: Birdie | Pumps: Dolce Vita | Sunnies: Chanel

PS I am linked up with Perfectly Coutured, Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Style Elixir & Transatlantic Blonde !

Blue love.

2014-04-22T10:57:00.000-06:00

Clean and classic. This Banana Republic blazer has it going on.

I am OBSESSED with this blazer. It is both work and out-on-the-town chic. I love rockin' this blazer with jeans and cute booties. Accessorized with some fun bangles from Alex and Ani and the always timeless David Yurman ring and necklace, I am going out ready. Perfect spring look. I am really sad that it no longer fits my growing belly (as you can see these pictures were taken at 14 weeks preggers!).

What are some of your favorite spring looks?

PS I am linked up with The Style Record, Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express!

Babymoon.

2014-04-18T10:57:00.001-06:00

Babymoons. A must for expecting couples.

Last week David & I adventured to the beautiful JW Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona. It was so incredible. We had fantastic food, amazing views, relaxed by the various pools, were lazy in the lazy river and just enjoyed some quality R & R. The resort was such a great place to just unwind and get away. We had so much fun. I highly recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for a one-stop-shop vacation resort. It is both adult and kid friendly making it an excellent choice for your next trip!

Before I was pregnant I didn't believe in babymoons, now that I am pregnant, I believe in them more than ever. It is so important to get that quality time in with your significant other before the little bundle of joy arrives. After your baby arrives it will never just be the two of you again, you are now responsible for a tiny human. So my advice to anyone who is expecting is-- take a babymoon, it is sooooo worth it.

Dinner at Roys. Best food ever.

One of the many delicious desserts we tried at the resort. We did not hold back when it came to dessert. ;-)

PS I am linked up with Everyday Fashion & Finance, Perfectly Coutured, Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Style Elixir & Transatlantic Blonde !

Before Or After A Day Well Lived.

2014-04-16T11:09:00.001-06:00

Session Kitchen. Hands down best meal I have had in awhile.

I had one of the best dinners EVER a couple weeks ago at a new Denver hot spot, Session Kitchen. This new restaurant located on S. Pearl Street has a seasonal menu with great ambiance and so many must try items. Here are a couple menu selections that I highly recommend.

Brisket Buns (starter)- Seriously so freakin' amazing. This starter has beef brisket, cream cheese & BBQ sauce all baked into a bun--- I was in love. Beef + cream cheese = key to my heart.

Rosemary Lamb Collar (entree)- This entree will literally melt in your mouth. The lamb is cooked all day, so it just falls off the bone, with ugly goat cheve gnudi (Sessions way of saying goat cheese), arugula, pistachios, apricot and Lamb Jus. I have always liked lamb, but this particular dish has made me LOVE it.

Smokey & the European (adult beverage)- While I was not able to try this adult beverage, I was able to see how it is prepared and heard from my brother and husband it was absolutely a must try. This beverage combines Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Amaro, Green Chartreuse & Smoked Mesquite to add the special effects of presentation and taste. Not only is it delicious, it is so entertaining! I will definitely be trying this beverage post pregnancy.

Cronuts (dessert)- Ummm cronuts. Yesss please. They come in chocolate and cream cheese glazed... we obviously ordered both. So so yummmmmyyy!!!!

Just writing this blog post is making my mouth water. Visit Session Kitchen, you will not regret it.

Smokey & the European

Cronuts

PS I am linked up with The Style Record, Style Elixir, More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express!