Triple Max Tons

Moonstone Magic

2017-03-05T09:37:00.000-06:00

No, your eyes do not deceive you! This gal got all dolled up and ready for a night out on the town. The "town" being her couch with a hot husband waiting with a bowl of buttery popcorn, but still. Sometimes you just gotta get gussied up so you feel a little bit like your former self...remember, the girl that wore nice 'dry clean only' clothes that were never faced with the imminent threat of being covered in spit up? Yeah, her.

So, while Lilli catnapped, I popped on the comfiest outfit I could find that would still make John say "wow!" and all the rings by MoonstoneMagic.com. Are these not the prettiest? My fingers were doing a happy dance. They mix and match perfectly with each other, and are just begging to be taken out for a little music festival fun this summer.

Here's a fun fact I'm mentally bookmarking for next time when John and I go out and hit the actual town: moonstone is a sacred gem that was only used by monks and aided spiritual people in their inner journeys. Now you now a little about moonstone history and have some party trivia in your back pocket, too. Guarantee it'll come in handy when you least expect it. Just like my extremely random knowledge about heffalumps and woozles the last time we played Trivial Pursuit.

Dress: ASOS (similar) // Kimono: Raga Trinity Fringe Kimono // Headband: Free People (similar) // Rings: MoonstoneMagic.com // Shoes: Soludos // Nail Polish: OPI in 'Gelato On My Mind' // Nail Decals: 'Dakota' Flash Tattoos // Lipstick: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in 'Beso'

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Beauty Essentials For A "5 Minute Face"

2017-02-24T10:17:00.000-06:00

In between juggling work, a 5 month old, a sassy pup, and all of life's other demands, I've gotten pretty darn good at mastering what I call the "5 minute face." Just enough to make me feel put together without taking up too much time...because let's be real, no one needs to contour to go to the grocery store or HomeGoods, am I right?!

I get to work by popping Laura Mercier Secret Concealer under my eyes because the bags are real and they ain't designer, y'all. I just use my fingers to blend.

I'll follow that with the YSL Touche Eclat down the bridge and sides of my nose to brighten them up - this stuff is a crap concealer but it's a great brightener.

A pop of Benefit Dallas Bronzer on the apples of my cheeks, hairline around my forehead, and down my nose is next for a sunkissed look.

A swipe of RMS Beauty Living Luminizer then goes on the tops of my cheekbones. I've tried a couple of setting powders from the drugstore that have been ok at best, but I'm impressed with the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (thank you to the Laura Mercier, Sephora and Influenster team for the complimentary sample!) for keeping everything on lock for the entire day. Good stuff.

I then coat my lashes with a few swipes of Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara, brushing them out if I have a little extra time since it can get a little clumpy looking (though I don't mind that since it gives more oomph to my stubby lashes).

The look is finished with Fresh Rose Lip Balm. I hate that I love it so much because it is so expensive for a lip balm, but it's my ride or die.

So that's it! A few of my daily faves currently in rotation that help me look less like Gollum and more like Gigi (haaaaa....I wish). What are some of your everyday favorites, chickadees? Dish in the comments!

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Loving Lately 2.10.17

2017-02-10T10:48:00.000-06:00

Today, I'm sharing a few treats and trinkets I've recently acquired that have earned 5 gold stars in my book!

Feast & Dwell candle // I picked this up at my sweet friend Jen's amazing newly opened shop, Moulton. Curated to perfection with lots of artisan goods, I couldn't resist taking home the sandalwood and birch candle.

Dr. Jart Water Drop Moisturizer // This lightweight moisturizer arrived in my Sephora Play! box, and I love how it melts into my dry skin without an overly dewy finish. Nobody's got time to run errands looking like a greaseball!

Herbivore Jasmine Body Oil // I don't have much time to go beyond the basics when it comes to personal care these days (my ratchet hair and ragged nails can attest to that), but this natural body oil I picked up at Cove makes me feel like a million bucks. The smell is out of this world yummy, which offsets the 'eau de spit up' that I am usually wearing.

The Champagne Gypsy Feather Necklace // The perfect necklace that dresses up my basics for everyday, and is a staple in my layering game. Bonus points that Astra, the maker of these pretty baubles, is one of the kindest souls I've ever had the pleasure of (virtually) knowing.

Lemon Glaze Ceramics Texas Dish // Handmade in Texas (obviously), this dainty dish holds my rings and earrings and other trinkets when I call it a night....at like 8pm. I'm such a granny, which is exactly who this dish reminds me of with its pretty pressed lace pattern.

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DIY Raffia Pom Pom Basket Planter

2016-12-23T09:30:00.000-06:00

I scooped up a very convincing faux sansevieria plant because my skills of killing plants that "can't be killed" have been gravely underestimated. So, with a new dose of greenery that won't expire to add some botanical happiness to our home, I set out looking for some planters to pop this little guy into since the one it came in was bizarrely tiny for its size and height. Sort of like Claudia Schiffer's feet. Anyways, I spotted this seagrass basket trio on Hayneedle and was like "BINGO!". They were the perfect blank slate to add some DIY magic to. I had a few spools of raffia ribbon sitting in a box from our wedding 6.5 years ago, and figured inviting it to a pom pom party inspired by Eliza Gran's famous baskets would be the perfect way to finally use it up.

Using the largest size pom pom maker, start winding the raffia ribbon around one side of the curve. Repeat on the other side. Snip the wrapped part in half down the center line. Tie it off with yarn or other strong string, pop the curves off, and pull the discs apart. Add another piece of yarn to make the center even tighter since I found they were still pretty loose when pulling it off the disc. Leave some extra length at the ends so you can tie it onto the basket (or hot glue it on if you want a more permanent option). Voila!

I plan on spicing up the larger one with a bunch of tiny pom poms and making a tassel or two to hang from the side, but Lilli was like "eeeeeentertaiiiinnnnn meeeeeeeeeee!" so I only got around to making the large and in charge poms for the planter basket. C'est la vie!

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Bringing Home Baby: Essentials During The First 3 Months

2016-12-22T14:42:00.003-06:00

Those first few weeks after bringing home baby are bananas. Your body is bruised, battered, and hormonal. You have a precious little baby that is, ahem, rather demanding. Here are a few essentials that got me through those first 3 months with my sanity in tact!

Swaddle blankets // I truly believe you can't have enough of these. Get the big muslin ones, and marvel at their many uses. Sleep swaddle, burp cloth, sun shield, nursing cover...you name it. Also, at 2 months old, Lilli has become quite the escape artist and this double swaddle technique works like a charm...and makes me hungry for a burrito.

Swaddle wrap // These are amazing for keeping little houdinis under wraps and for those middle of the night changes since no one wants to be fumbling with giant blankets at 3:30am. For the first 8 weeks, we swaddled her up in the zip style, this crazy shoulder zip style, and velcro styles. Zips are way better since they go up from the bottom for easy diaper changes, and the velcro noise wakes the baby when you take it off during changes and it gets super tangly in the dryer. The little Miss is now too big for those, so we've stocked up on these winged sleepsacks and this hilarious sleepsuit.

Snap onesies // Again, these are so much easier than the zip ones for the night changes since you can keep the swaddle on and just rip the bottom apart a la Magic Mike. The zips are great for daytime, but snaps are where its at once the lights go out. My faves are from Rosie Pope.

Bose soundsystem + ipod // All the better to blast white noise and lullabies for a good night's sleep. I popped an old iPhone loaded with music and white noise apps into the dock, and let the zzzz's roll.

Baby apps // I mentioned these in this post, but you'll want to go ahead and get the Total Baby Pro and the Sound Sleeper apps. Your foggy memory will thank you.

Dock-a-tot // The Dock-a-tot is awesome. Seriously. I didn't realize just how amazing it was until Lilli spit up all over the cover one morning during her nap when she was about 2 weeks old. The covers have to be hang dried, and it was still very damp when her bed time rolled around so we had to go without for the night. WORST night ever. She would not settle and woke up screaming each time I tried to set her down. Total nightmare. That morning, I ordered a spare cover because I will never repeat that mistake.

Bouncy chair // All hail the bouncy baby chair. Great for calming fussy babies while getting things done around the house or nipping into the shower. We have the Rockaroo, which I'm actually kinda ambivalent about since she won't nap in it. As she's getting bigger, I'm finding she hangs out in it for a bit and will stare and swat at the mobile so I'm glad we have it. Is the cost justified though? I'm not convinced. This rock n' play is much less cash and probably gets the job done just as well. Whatever style you go with, make sure you have some sort of jiggly bouncy chair thingamajig.

Baby carrier // This is a total must, as it lets you cuddle your babe with some skin-on-skin while having your hands free to do other things...like obsessively Google 'is it normal when my newborn...." type questions. Perhaps I went a little overboard by getting 3 different types or carriers, but I use them all in different ways. The Lillebaby carrier I like for longer walks and it's the carrier John uses. It's bulky though, so I don't carry it when on-the- go. For that, the Baby K'Tan and Beechtree Baby wrap are perfect. They fold up in my diaper bag super easily, and I like how they are super soft, snuggly, and can be popped in the washing machine and dryer. The K'Tan is pretty much just for me, since it is sized like a t-shirt (I went a size down from their recommendation and got the small, so glad I did since it's a much more snug and secure fit when Lilli is in it). The wrap option is free-sized (it can fit anyone in the family plus a growing babe) and it is by far the least expensive option. Learning to tie it takes a couple tries, but then it's pretty simple. So...there you go.

Multipurpose cover // Make your diaper bag a little lighter by getting one of these carseat covers that double as a nursing cover and shopping cart cover. When Lilli gets fussy from being overstimulated when we're out running errands, I just pop this on and bounce her for a bit. Before 5 minutes is over, baby girl is totally zonked out. I purchased my striped one from Copper Pearl, and Covered Goods also has some super cute options. You'll obviously need a carseat as well!

Diaper bag // Roomy, stylish and ideally one with backpack-style straps are where it's at. I am beyond obsessed with my convertible day bag from Nena & Co, and get so many compliments on it. Functional and pretty. Yes, please!

Laundry detergent // Stock up because you will go through it quickly. I'm still amazed at how much laundry such a tiny little person can create in a day. I'm talking like 3 outfit changes a day for both of us thanks to blow out diapers, projectile spit up, and major droolfests. Insane. And this stuff is the best for getting stains of a certain kind out of clothes.

Giant water bottle // You may have a thirst that seemingly can't be quenched, so keeping a giant cup of water nearby when your nursing (which is almost constantly in the early weeks) is a very good idea. You can buy something insulated if you want to keep your bevvie cold, or you can just be a kleptomaniac like I was and take the giant pitcher cup that you used in the hospital. I developed a strange attachment to that hideous pink cup with the styrofoam coozy...it was like my "prize"(after Lilli of course!) for giving birth.

Nipple cream // I use Lanolin (but there are also some really nice organic options available as well), and keep a couple tubes around the house since I nurse in a few different spots. Bonus: slather this stuff on your flaky parched post-partum lips to help with the dryness..

Nursing bras // Feeling like a cow ain't sexy. Having a pretty nursing bra that doesn't look like granny gear helps big time. Go and get yourself this bra, 2 of these bras, and 3 of these tummy control tanks. Ha...now you know what's covering my milkmakers on the regular. If you can't tell, I seriously love Rosie Pope stuff. It's the best.

Leggings // High rise compression leggings were (and still are) a postpartum mama's best friend. I don't bother with the overpriced options from maternity lines. This pair from Target is affordable and do the trick perfectly.

Anything else I'm missing, mamas? Spill your must haves in the comments if so!

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Weekend Link Love

2016-12-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

Photo via Sugar & Cloth

How stinkin' cute is that DIY Christmas tree cactus from the the craft queens at Sugar & Cloth?

Can't stop and won't stop binge watching Poldark. So good.

I wonder if these mini vegan pumpkin pie bites are as tasty as they are adorable?

Really digging The Jungalow's Insta feed. So much eye candy. One of my latest follows!

Did you hear Moulton opened up shop here in Austin? They say the best presents come in small boxes!

I am like stupid excited that this movie is finally out. Accio, babysitter!

I am seriously crushing on these booties. Paired with some black skinnies and a vintage tee....yaaasss.

Treated myself to this little magical skincare set during Sephora's VIB sale beacuse this mama is looking a little haggard these days.

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Holiday Gift Guide: For Little Ones

2016-11-30T09:30:00.000-06:00

Well, I didn't intentionally set out to make this gift guide for little ones so girly buuuuut perhaps I had my little Lilli on the brain while curating this list? Haha. Baby girl stuff is just my fave - the rainbow brights, the cute prints, and dainty details. Sorry but not sorry, boy mamas!

1. From J to Z – The Shawn Carter Story // 2. Appaman Ryder Varisty Jacket // 3. Teething Bead Necklace // 4. Wonderworld Wonder ABC Blocks // 5. Bikini Beach Mermaid Blanket // 6. Hazel Village Mushroom Rattle // 7. Skylar Luna Long Sleeves Pajamas // 8. Anne-Claire Petit Organic Cotton Terrier // 9. Baby Moccasins // 10. A+ Childsupply Colored Shapes Blocks // 11. Seedling Make Your Own Bird Wings

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Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

2016-11-29T10:23:00.001-06:00

Dudes are notoriously tough to shop for, aren't they? So, I went ahead and did the grunt work so you don't have to ride the struggle bus this holiday season looking for the perfect gift for the special guys in your life. Have to say, I'm pretty stoked about this gift guide for the gents this year...especially those shark socks, haha!

1. Aviator Nation Trucker Hat // 2. Who's Laughing Meow T-Shirt // 3. Anker Bluetooth Speaker // 4. 'Currents' Album by Tame Impala // 5. Byredo Mister Marvelous Eau De Parfum // 6. Son Of A Sailor India Folding Knife // 7. Shark Socks // 8. Everlane Backpack // 9. Fossil 'Knox' Leather Wallet // 10. Shwood Sunglasses // 11. Kenneth Cole High Top Sneakers // 12. Blind Barber Men's 90 Proof Pomade

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Holiday Gift Guide: For Her

2016-11-20T17:17:00.000-06:00

An assortment of little gifties that any babe would be pretty stoked to see tucked under the tree or stuffed inside a stocking on Christmas morning. Which will be here in about 4 weeks. Ay caramba!

1. Butter London "Most Wonderful of All" Set // 2. Metallic Gold Swell Bottle // 3. Maison Margiela Replica Discovery Set // 4. La Kaiser Abalone + Moonstone Studs // 5. R+Co Dallas Round Up Set // 6. Proud Mary Simple Clutch // 7. Glitterville Marbled Plates // 8. Komono "Bonnie" Sunglasses // 9.Happy Plugs Gold Earbuds // 10. Marc Jacobs 'Moon & Star' Bobby Pins // 11. Chipper Things "Should I Wash My Hair Today?" Print

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Things I Wish I Knew (And Learned Along The Way) About Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum

2016-11-07T15:49:00.001-06:00

Photo: EffJay Photography

I can hardly believe that nearly 2 months have gone by since little Lilli came into our lives, and I figured I might share a few thoughts and things I learned along this whole pregnancy adventure for any other new mamas to be out there. Enjoy!

PREGNANCY

The big picture of pregnancy is nothing short of a miracle...but the day to day reality of it can really suck. There. I said it. But every ache, pain, stretch mark, and bout of sickness is so worth it!
Morning sickness is a misnomer. It can last all morning, afternoon, evening and night...and nothing will get rid of it. You can google how to get rid of morning sickness all you want (and you will) and call your friends for advice on how they dealt with theirs, but honestly nothing makes the nausea go away entirely. I tried ginger hard candies, strong peppermint gum, saltines, b-natals (vitamin B6), ginger tea, ice chips, Tums, switching up my pre-natal vitamins, avoiding my phone entirely because the scrolling motion brought on nausea, and praying to God for relief. You’ll just have to experiment, and see what your body responds to in order to take the edge off a little bit…and anything helps when you are on your 4th puke of the day.
Slather on the stretch mark cream. I made the mistake of getting super lax on applying the stretch mark creams since I didn't get any for 38 weeks, and then...BAM! Tiger stripes started appearing on my stomach right when I was in the celebratory home stretch. Crap!
Ironically, don't fret about stretch marks. It seemed like the end of the world when I was pregnant...a sign I'd never get my pre-baby body back. After having Lilli, stretch marks are the least of my worries and they'll eventually fade out anyways.
I wish I had been a lot more active during my pregnancy, because the pounds really piled on at the end. I gained about 42 lbs, and I've got about 20 lbs to loose at 7 weeks postpartum. Dang it. So, if you can muster the energy, walks, swimming and light weights are a good idea.
Read the books about how to care for and sleep train your baby now, because there is no freakin' way you are going to have the time or energy to do it once your babe is born. I've got a stack of books on my nightstand, and I joke with John that I'll probably get around to reading them by the time Lilli goes off to college.

LABOR & DELIVERY

Shrug off the natural childbirth naysayers if that's the method you choose to go. You'll hear things like "You don't get any special medals for going natural" and "Girl, you are batshit crazy" and "You know the invented the drugs for a reason?", but don't let it get to your head if you want to go the natural route. Just smile, nod, and move on.
Research as many labor positions as possible, with your partner/coach, before going into labor. You never know which positions will be most comfortable until you are actually in labor, and having an arsenal of options and massage/relaxation techniques is critical. Personally, I bounced up and down on an exercise ball for the entire 12 hours - bouncing paired with John pressing hard into my lower back was the only way I could find some relief. I'm pretty convinced I would've been begging for drugs and my labor would have gone very different had I not had that bouncy ball.
Relaxation is key - try not to tense up and fight the contractions...it'll only make your body work harder.Your body was made to do this, and it knows exactly what needs to happen to birth your baby.
When you're in labor, there are crazy surges of hormones rushing through your body that will make you shake like a Polaroid picture. I would go from freezing to a sweaty mess in minutes, all while ferociously shivering. It's normal...and so weird.
Natural childbirth is very bearable. By God's good grace, there is relief in between the contractions. I didn't believe this at first, but you do get a chance to collect yourself in between the 'waves'. Granted, those moments are short and quick towards the end of labor, but that brings me to my next point...
Delirium is a natural pain medication! I was so dang tired after being awake for 24 hours that I was basically in a trance and falling asleep while bouncing on that ball in between contractions. John had to catch me a few times from tumbling off!
Make your space as zen as possible. Keep the lights low, and relaxing music helps. I alternated between listening to this free Doula app and this song about 2343454354654645 times on repeat really loudly on my headphones to block out all the beeps in the room.
The ring of fire.You will howl like a wolf woman when the baby crowns because OMG. Yikes. The pain is short lived, but not gonna lie....that part wasn't pleasant.

POSTPARTUM

Apps are life. You won't be able to remember what side you last nursed on, how long it was since your baby's last feeding, how many diaper changes, and all that other stuff that nursers like to ask. I downloaded the Total Baby Pro app, and it's been super easy keeping track of all that stuff that my tired brain can't remember. I also use the Sound Sleeper app on an old iPhone that I hook up to a speaker.
Don't feel bad about sending your babe to the nursery at night for a bit at the hospital. It's worth it to get some shut eye.
You will get virtually no sleep in the hospital. After 2 days of nurses coming in to take your vitals, trying to feed the baby, check ups from the hospital pediatrician, lactation consultants, food delivery, visitors, etc....you will be ready to go home.
Take the stool softeners. If they don't offer them, ask and take them regularly...and continue taking them at home. You will be very very sorry if you don't. That's all I'm going to say about that unladylike topic.
Mesh undies. Not attractive, but oh so awesome. I took my stash home from the hospital, and these disposable granny panties were my jam while the postpartum bleeding was at its heaviest. Try to get extras if you can.
Prep a postpartum care box for your bathroom at home before you have the baby. I got 3 different pads (1 box of extra heavy overnights for right after, 2 boxes of thinner flex foam medium flow, and a box of light flow ones), Dermoplast (the one with the blue cap), Colace, Tucks pads with witch hazel, and Prep-H just in case.
Have some cheap washcloths on hand for when you shower at home. You don't want to mess up your nice towels, so use them as a makeshift pad while you're drying off.
Spanx are your friend. I felt like my guts were sloshing around the first 2 weeks after giving birth, and I loved having these Spanx compression leggings and a few of these Rosie Pope nursing tanks to hold my jelly belly in. Also...don't buy into the marketing mumbo jumbo for postpartum compression shapewear. It's like 2x more expensive and does the exact same thing.
Hoard items from the hospital. I'm talking extra pads, mesh undies, Dermoplast, a tummy binder (you might have to request one)....you won't feel bad about it once you get that oh-so-lovely bill in the mail. You'll also might have some gifts from visitors to bring home, so pack an extra bag or two.
Don't be a dodo like I was and neglect to book your photographer in advance if you want to have newborn photos done. Find a photographer you like, reserve a session, and find some inspo photos so they can start prepping!
Love on your baby and take millions of photos, because they grow and change so fast.
The first several weeks are hard, scary, wonderful, exciting, and exhausting. Remind yourself that you are an awesome new mama and doing a great job!

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DIY Modern Geometric Rainbow Gem Baby Mobile

2016-09-04T10:32:00.000-05:00

I had one heck of a time finding a store-ready mobile that wasn't absolutely hideous and the ones I liked on Etsy were basically a bazillion dollars. It was decided...this would be one nursery project I would DIY. Handmade with love, the mobile in our sweet girl's nursery was a fun little weekend craft project to tackle that cost us under $6 since I already had the paper, glitter, and twine in my crafting arsenal.

HOW TO MAKE A DIY MODERN GEOMETRIC GEM BABY MOBILE

1.) Download this 3D polyhedron template, and print the template onto thick cardstock in the colors of your choice.

2.) Cut out the shape on the outside perimeter.

3.) Use a bone folder to lightly score the interior folds, and assemble the shape with the printed lines on the inside. Be sure to leave one side open so you can string these up later! Let dry. This is a good time to laugh and love on the attention-demanding pup sitting by your feet.

4.) If you want to add sparkle to your mobile (duh!), pour fine glitter out on a paper plate. Use a paint brush dipped in regular Elmer's glue to coat one side, and press into the glitter. Once dried, mix Elmer's glue into a small dish with a little water and plenty of glitter to make a slightly thinned out glitter glue. Carefully paint it on top of the loose glitter to seal it in so it won't flake off.

5.) I opted for a brass embroidery ring instead of wooden dowels to hang the mobile. Secure the string (I used striped baker's twine) to the mobile by cutting 6 really long pieces of string. Fold in half, and tie them at the top in a loop shape. Space and tie each 'leg' of string to the hoop.

6.) Using a big eyed needle, thread the polyhedrons onto the string. Position as desired, and glue the flaps closed. These stayed in place just fine without any knots to anchor them.

7.) Voila! Sit back and admire your rad baby mobile...or keep on stringing until you have a rockin' photography backdrop, wall hanging, or fun party decor.

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The Waiting Game.

2016-09-02T22:32:00.001-05:00

As I type up this post at a very round 38 weeks and 1 day pregnant, I feel both jittery and at ease. My mind is constantly wandering towards that due date on the horizon. The anxiety of not knowing - having no control over the where and when - is messing with my mind a bit, and I've been trying to focus on shrugging it off to keep myself sane.

At my obgyn appt last week, I had started to dilate and efface and felt like I had just been told for the first time that I am, indeed, going to be having a baby! I know that sounds silly, but that was quite the reality check....and I was pretty dang excited that things were starting to happen. I was hyper-focused on my work, which made for quite an intense and exhausting week since I felt like I could maybe go into labor any minute. The appointment today revealed little change from last week, so that was a mega downer...but there's always a silver lining to everything. Lesson learned? I'm letting go and letting God take the reigns from here on out. He will protect the growing babe in my tummy, making sure she has everything she needs to thrive on the outside. All I have to do is be patient while we wait to meet this little miracle!

Despite being spammed with articles on "How to induce labor naturally" and "Has your baby arrived yet?!" on my pregnancy tracking apps, I've resolved to let this little lady call the shots and come when she's ready. I'm ready to meet this babe who is contorting my belly into the oddest pointy shapes and enjoys using my bladder like her own personal bean bag chair, but I also want to savor these last few weeks of it being just her and I, just John and I. I know everything is about to change, and it's just a matter of how and when...but for now, I suppose I'm just happy to be floating in the in between.

Anyways, I find myself wandering into the nursery (Miles following in tow, natch) at the end of the day, plopping down in the rocker, and dreaming of all the little moments we'll be creating as a family within those 4 walls in just a few short weeks...or days, who knows. A room that, while not perfect or even necessarily 'blog worthy', was assembled with love. The furniture was assembled by a doting dad-to-be who I could barely watch put together everything without turning into a sentimental sap, the majority of books are much loved hand-me-downs from my mom's and my childhood with sweet love scribbles in them, family heirlooms that were a part of John and my homes growing up, and picture frames filled with loved ones faces, thrifted treasures, and inside jokes. Ready for your homecoming when you are, Ghibbibibbi. XO

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Jules Smith

2016-06-15T12:49:00.001-05:00

Just a little sparkle and shine from some new Jules Smith jewelry pieces to brighten up your day because gold, turquoise, and sparkles just go together oh so well. Kinda like wine and cheese, Sonny and Cher, and kettle chips dipped in ketchup....or is that just one of my weird pregnancy cravings? ;)

Jewelry: Jules Smith // Flash Tattoos: Josephine // Nail Polish: 'Mind your Mittens' by Essie (similar)

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Nesting // Setting Up The Nursery

2016-06-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, John and I jump started the project to fluff the nest for our little chicklet which kicked off with moving the main stuff from my former office into the dining room and assembling the crib. The fact that we are actually making a physical space for our first born to settle into this fall made our impending parenthood feel super duper real. The whole process had me welling up while simultaneously falling more and more in love with my amazing husband as I watched him screw together this tiny little bed frame for our tiny little girl. I picked a real good one, and I am so excited to watch him step into the role of dad. Gosh, it still feels so weird saying that. He and I are going to be some incredible little girl's mom and dad. Mind blowing stuff right there.

Anyways, Miles was acting like a stage five clinger during set-up, worming his way onto my lap and nudging me when I wasn't paying enough attention to him. I hope he and baby girl become the best of friends, and that there isn't jealousy or territorial issues there. Fingers crossed Doggy Dan will help us with that particular stage! We're a few weeks in and have already noticed a big change, but lots more progress to go before baby arrives.

So, there's still a rocker to be found, decor and accessories to give it a cozy feel, lighting to be purchased and installed, closets to be cleaned out, picture frames taken off the wall (or can I leave those up? I'm afraid of them falling on her!), and who knows what else I'm forgetting. But for now, even in its incompleteness, it's my new favorite space to sit and dream and just take it all in.

Crib: Babyletto // Mattress: Babyletto Pure Core // Rug: HomeGoods (similar) // Prints: Thrifted, designed by me, or note cards // Frames: Ikea

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Love Child

2016-06-04T19:53:00.000-05:00

So very proud of my gorgeous friend and super chic mama-to-be Cristina on the launch of Love Child, her awesome new website for modern mamas. There's so much love, thought, and detail that went into putting each sweet post together, and I can't wait to see what's in store for the future. Drop those gems of wisdom on me!

Natch, when she invited me to talk about work, my 24 week baby bump, and give y'all a sneak peek into ‪Miles Stoddard‬'s casa (let's be real...it's our pup's world, we just live in it), I was game to play. It's such an honor to be a small part of her new passion project, and big thanks to Katie Jameson for working her magic behind the lens on this lil' feature. You babes rule!

Now go check it out, bookmark it, and spread the word because ‪Love Child‬ is where it's at.

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Flashy Fingers

2015-05-30T11:03:00.001-05:00

It's no secret I love me some Flash Tattoos. So, natch, I added added a little one-two-punch to my basic pink mani with some Sheebani designs. I love how it turned out, and - more importantly - how easy it was. Ain't nobody got time for those complicated nail art tutorials on Pinterest. Bling bling!

Wanna deck your nails out too? Check out the post I wrote on the Flash blog for the full tutorial.

Nail Polish: 'Tickled Pink' by Sally Hansen // Flash Tattoos: Sheebani // Rings: Satya, vintage, Tiro Tiro

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Recent Bobbi Brown Beauty Buys

2015-05-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Being stuck inside during a very rainy (and slighty terrifying) Memorial Day weekend, a makeup bag full of empties, and a voucher offer on Gilt City for $30 off at Bobbi Brown's website meant it was the perfect time to go on a little beauty bender. I've never had a bad experience with Bobbi's line in the past (and there's some nostalgia there since I used her line for my wedding day), so I kinda had this #treatyoself mentality and went nuts. Here's the general consensus of what I stocked up on:

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick // I loved my Benefit foundation while it lasted, but I ran out and bought some cheapo Boots foundation to tide me over. Sometimes liquid foundation is a little high maintenance or too much for everyday. My co-worker Alex uses a foundation stick, which basically made me realize I pretty much needed one ASAP. I love how quick and easy it is to even out your skin tone without getting foundation cake face. Bonus points for it being TSA-friendly.

Bobbi Brown Corrector // Where the hell has this product been all my life? It zaps the blue out from under my eyes like a boss. You just put this on, then layer your regular concealer (I'm still using this one) over it for dark circle coverage that doesn't look super thick but definitely does the job.

Bobbi Brown Bronzer // I wear bronzer year round, so I've got a few faves but this one is a classic matte option that works well for everyday. I got the Golden Light color. Me gusta.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder // This was a new one for me, and to be honest, when I first put it on I was like "nooooooo." It kinda makes my face look like some kind of sparkly Twilight-esque vampire...but with a slight tan. A definitely departure for this matte girl. Jury's still out on this one...need to play with it a bit more.

So there you have it. Spring beauty arsenal almost complete. And vow to not spend any more money has been made.

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DIY Terrariums With Slavonk & Hortus at Loveding

2015-05-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

Earlier this week, a bunch of seriously awesome Austin blogger babes and creative cool kids gathered together at LoveDing for a Slavonk & Hortus Terraria DIY terrarium workshop. LoveDing is a total gem on the southside of Austin, and most definitely my new favorite shop...I was literally stroking out over all the amazingly priced vintage finds, adorable art, hilarious cards, soft blankets, neon Acapulco chairs, and gifts that would be very hard to actually not keep for yourself. I kinda went into hoard mode, and picked up a few goodies that I couldn't resist...including that very fancy gold Morrocan poof and a cute Turkish towel. Nothing like an oversized impulse buy to make the night (and my living room) feel extra special. ;)

I don't know if it was the excitement of being surrounded by some of my favorite baes in Austin (I'm looking at you, Jesse, Michelle, Celine, Sara, Tina, Britt, Anne, Ashley, Chelsea, and Kelsey...), the thrill of getting my hands dirty while making the cutest little terrarium there ever was, or the completely beautiful heart-fluttering objects that surrounded us, but that night was seriously one of the best times I've had in a while.

If all this fabulousness has you itching for a trip down south, you should definitely come anytime...but definitely try to make it to the next Terrarium Workshop at LoveDing on June 30th ($40). It's a guaranteed good time. Reserve your tix here!

I copped this photo from the beautiful Jesse Coulter...she's the fox in the middle. Michelle and Sara are to her left, Celine and some ridiculously tall weird chick with a strangely named blog to her right. ;)

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RIP, Pink Hair

2015-05-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

On a whim, I dyed my hair pink 2 weeks ago. I was smitten, it was awesome, I felt like a bad ass, and it was the perfect pastel color for spring.

Unfortunately, I am already back to blonde. Despite buying some fancy shampoos and conditioners and loading up on dry shampoo to avoid washing it, the color didn't even last for a full week after 2 washes. Very depressing. And expensive. Wahhh.

Any of you have a good experience going the DIY route and dyeing your hair a fun color at home? Or is that just a really, really, really bad idea? The process looked pretty fool-proof when we did it in the salon....but maybe that's just something a fool would think!?

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Bon Weekend!

2014-11-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

Some fun weekend reading...enjoy the winks (weekend links)!

+ Have you guys been watching House of DVF? I kinda love it....John even got a little into it when shit hit the fan about Kier's giant gold bow. Anyways, I heart and admire Diane so I thought this article on Refinery 29 was an inspiring read from a very smart biz lady.

+ If you don't follow Megan's blog, what the heck is wrong with you? Add it to your RSS immediately. I loved this podcast she did with Jessica of One Part Plant. She gets real and talks cancer, menopause, adoption, her book, upcoming screenplay, and....why meth babies are a deal breaker. ;)

+ TXSC 2015 is on....pack your best plaid, find yourself a s'mores stick and reserve your spot! This year, the conference is about getting back to basics, so the theme is CAMP. I'm super bummed that I won't be able to go this year because of SXSW commitments - boo hoo!

+ This illustration on Cup of Jo had me laughing out loud. I can't help but eye roll when couples are all "Weeee're pregnant!!!" so I am 100% behind that one. Another one are those stupid BINGS on airplanes that scares the crap out of you when it wakes you up. What are your pet peeves?

+ The '60s are my most favorite decade - the fashion! the beauty! the decor! the movies! - so this post was definitely bookmark-worthy. It has me rummaging through my hair bin for my teasing comb within 10 seconds flat.

+Speaking of which, have you seen these classic films? With the exception of the Marilyn Monroe movies, I haven't watched any of them. I feel a movie marathon coming on....get ready, Netflix.

+ Flourless pumpkin almond butter bars with dark chocolate and coconut? Ummm, get in my belly.

+ Elsie and Emma hit it out of the DIY park with this rad marbled clay ring dish tutorial. Brilliant!

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Loving Lately 11.19.14

2014-11-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

Petite Pavia Stud Earrings // A little bit earthy, a little bit glam. Druzy anything is pretty rad, and I love the simplicity of these petite studs by Rifle + Radford.

Gold Foil Cocktail Glasses // I don't think I've ever met my daily requirement of water, but maybe these gilded cups would motivate me to chug, chug, chug a la my glory days in college?

Blaine Bowen Jewelry Sydney Ring // If you know me, you know I have a thing for triangles...especially triangle jewelry. Combine that with some sparkly stones, and you have a winner. Ding ding ding!

Flash Tattoos // The obsession still rages on....my faves for holiday are the simple and classic designs from Josephine and the pretty henna designs in the Sheebani pack, which benefits local Austin charity The Miracle Foundation.

Jonathan Adler 'Muse D'Or' Candle // It's kinda weird, super shiny, smells really good, and you can reuse the vessel to stash your keys, candy or peonies once the candle is burned up. Ambient lighting has never been this cool.

MCMC Fragrances // I've had Anne's gorgeous line of fragrances on my radar for a while, and I finally got to spritz a few testers at the Aro pop-up at Feliz. I spotted them right as the event was closing and the "get the hell out of here" lights started flickering, so without a moment to second guess myself, I quickly snatched up a bottle of Phoenix because ermahgerd it is the most beautiful scent ever. No regrets. It's incredible.

Paige Leggy Extra Long Ultra Skinny in Mona // Shopping for pants is already an annoying task because I'm 6' tall, and throw my bubble butt into the mix, and it's a straight up pain in the you know what. These super long, super stretchy jeans are like a second skin and a total God send to long-limbed ladies like myself. Adios, chilly ankles.

Chooka Darren Rain Boot // A week prior to ACL, I darted over to DSW and scooped these up as a 'just in case it rains' option, and oh my gosh was I glad I had them. If you happen to follow me on Instagram, you'll know why. ;) I love that they don't scream "I'm a rain boot," you know?

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Should I Wash My Hair Today?

2014-11-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Becky Murphy - a multi-talented (and pint-sized) author/illustrator/designer/friend here in Austin- this handy flow chart makes me feel validated about my answer usually being 'no.' This new one is also rad, and deserves some equally awesome wall real estate.

If you are looking for holiday gift ideas (props to you for not being a procrastinator like moi), I'd definitely hop over to Becky's print shop. It's full of quirky and motivational handmade gems that'll give you a little chuckle or pep talk whenever you look at them.

PS Of all the dry shampoos out there, this one is my ultimate favorite. Just in case you were wondering.

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Currently Wishlisted: Ear Jackets

2014-11-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

It's finally fall here in Texas, and the temps have taken a dramatic dip south. I've been reaching for winter hats, scarves and my coat. Another accessory I'm digging? Ear jackets. They won't keep your ears warm, but they'll look fly as hell peeking out behind your lobe. Also, I just said 'fly as hell' for the first time. I feel really weird about that.

A Peace Treaty Skandza Turquoise Ear Jacket // Elizabeth And James Astral Earring Jacket // Celia Gold Crystal Ear jacket // BaubleBar Mariposa Ear Jackets // Gorjana Mika Shimmer Ear Jacket // Jacquie Aiche Starburst Ear Jacket// Gorjana Crescent Shimmer Ear Jackets

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Pretty In Pink With Aquahaus

2014-10-17T10:40:00.002-05:00

I'm talking breast cancer awareness and giving a sneak peek into my home for the Pretty In Pink column on the lovely Aquahaus blog today.

Cha-cha-check it out, and be sure to catch the stories of Austin babes Elizabeth Mollen, Kelly LaPlante, Kim West, and Killy Scheer too.

Thanks for having me be a part of this rad column, Cel! You da bomb. xoxo

PS Want to help save lives? Donate riiiiight here.

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Purse & Clutch Fall 2014 Lookbook

2014-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cute fair trade bags curated by local lady Jen Lewis of the fab online boutique Purse & Clutch? Sign me up. It was super fun collaborating with this dream team of talent (you are all welcome to dress me/make me pretty/take outfit photos any time you want) and showing off Purse & Clutch's fab fall arrivals. I think this little Hmong beauty was my favorite....I loved the mix of neutral and neon, and the grab-and-go size is perfect for day and night.

Big thanks to Candice and Jen for inviting me along, and Katherine...you are a magician for making my groggy self look decent that early in the AM! So, shippity bippity bop over to the shop and snatch up these fall essentials. You'll be helping artisans earn a living wage for their region by rocking P&C's latest designs....it's a win-win.

Stylist & Location Scout: Candice DePrang Boehm // Make-Up Artist: Katherine Iwans // Photographer: Jen Lewis // Models: Hanniel John and Kirsten Stoddard

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