One Last Cool Weather Day

I wore this to church on Sunday but had such a painful day that I forgot to photograph it! I put the whole McDeal back on just to take pictures in my awesome back yard just so I didn't miss out on sharing! I do think this is the last time until Bean comes that I'm getting this skirt on. It didn't want to come over my top or my bottom... That felt pretty good.

I was planning on editing out our less than attractive grass and the sidewalk chalk all over my porch, but you know what? This is my life. I kind of love it... minus the grass. Having S' art work all over our porch makes me happy every time I open the curtains! As soon as it rains, I ask her to go out and fill it all up, again.

 top & skirt: Old Navy, scarf: c/o Happy Scarf, belt: New York & Company, boots: Silhouettes

Bean and I had our 30 week appointment yesterday. She's perfect and we're right on schedule. No VBAC for me, at least I got some answers and understand the decision. I'm so ready to meet this little one!

A Little Bit Country

I'll be out of town all week, so I've only got this post and one other scheduled. If I can pop in, I will. If not, I'll be back Saturday evening! I'm so excited; S and I are going to stay with my best friend who just had her third little girl! We're there to help. And play! Before leaving, though, I wanted to pre-post my church outfit from yesterday because I really loved the outcome and want to document it so I don't forget to do it again!

dress: Target

cardigan: Old Navy

belt: New York & Company

boots: Silhouettes

necklace: gift

I always feel just a little bit like a southern girl when I wear this boot/belt combination. I know they're not totally cowgirl. I think it's just the color. I love the polka dots and navy on navy, too! And the best part? This outfit is COMFY!

Hope you all have a great week! Little S will be here with her church duds, tomorrow!

Baby Bean Update: 19 Weeks

19 weeks is such a strange number. 18 weeks is when you generally find out the sex of your baby. 20 weeks is halfway there. 19 is just... lack luster, I suppose. But we won't let it be that way, will we Bean?

dress: Self Made

cardigan: Old Navy

belt: New York & Company

tights: c/o We Love Colors

boots: Silhouettes

I spent this morning at Pursue the Passion, a women's conference at our church. I wasn't going to be able to attend at all because of the expense, but as blessed as I am, a friend from bible study sat next to someone who couldn't make it today and offered her ticket. My friend thought of me and got in touch with me immediately. I'm so thankful and very glad I got to go. Spreading God's word through strong, passionate women is such a wonderful way to spend a weekend. And I got to spend time with my dear friends, too. Win-win? I think so.

This week with the Bean: Little girl has been MOVING and shaking for about two weeks straight. I'm not kidding. The second I'm still, she's dancing like Party Rock is in the house. I don't know if I can feel her much earlier or if she really does move a lot more than S, but I have a feeling that Bean is going to be an active character when she graces us with her tiny presence. This week, I've felt pretty wonderful. All except I've been so exhausted that I want to fall over by 4:00 in the afternoon. Nights have been fairly sleepless because Miss Smarty over here (that'd be me) drinks 1-2 bottles of water in the hour before bed. I'm sorry. I cannot help it. I am THIRSTY. Also, Bean is the size of a large heirloom tomato this week. So please explain why I look like I have a large honeydew inside of my belly instead. I guess a large heirloom tomato can get pretty sizable, so... I don't know. I just think I grew exponentially over the last week. And I'm HUNGRY. I haven't been hungry almost this whole time and now I'm so scared that my on-track 2.5 lb. weight gain is about to go out the window.

Let's talk nursery. Husband and I had this awesome plan for a baby boy room. NOT because we were hoping for a boy, but because designing the room naturally fell around the idea of Husband's 1971 Chevelle. Now that we used a sweet nursery design on Little S AND just redid her room to big girl style, frankly, our brains are mush from decorating for a girl and I need some ideas! I was thinking of doing something really striking and different like hot pink with white polka dots on one wall and chocolate brown accents. I don't know, though... Weigh in!

I made this dress from an old stained t-shirt and a cheap curtain we used to cover our laundry room in our old apartment! My mom called me Scarlett O'Hara since I was "tearing down the drapes" to make a dress! I'll be featuring the other two maternity dresses I created over the course of the week!

You Look Like You Should Be on National Geographic

Husband and I joked that this dress + Baby Bean make me look like a tribal egg, and therefore I should be featured in one of those National Geographic other-wordly child birthing specials. It's funny when one of your most tried and true, favorite wardrobe pieces becomes the centerpiece for a good laugh.

dress: Ross

tights: c/o We Love Colors

boots: Silhouettes

earrings: Target

I wore this out last Saturday night to my friend's Annual Girls' Night. The dress is sort of awesome, because it's so lightweight that it feels like absolutely nothing. Coincidentally, tights do NOT feel like absolutely nothing, so I felt naked on top and restricted on the bottom. It was interesting, to say the least. I had a great time meeting some new ladies and hanging out with old friends, but I think it's safe to say that being the pregnant chick amongst a group of wine-induced hilarity and jokery (jokes weren't on me, don't worry) is not my forte. I might have to stick to sober nights in (or out) from now on. Lame? Maybe. I just had more trouble opening up than usual. Sadly, I'm becoming the mommy who misses her girl when she's out and longs for bed past 10:30. That's okay, right?

Don't forget to enter the Darling Sparrow apron giveaway! 

Lunch with Friends

Today, Little S. and I joined some girls from my bible study group for lunch at the Daily Grind and it was so nice to see them! I was really excited to check the place out, too, since I've heard so many great things! Lunch was delicious, but the company was much better. And Little S. was on her best behavior. It helped that we sat in the booth attached to a huge fish tank. I also really enjoyed spending time with some wonderful ladies, meeting one of their new babies, and getting to share my exciting news with them!

dress: Old Navy

leggings: Target

boots: Silhouettes

belt: New York & Company

necklace: The Word Jewelry

And this one is quite possibly why I've been in hiding for a while... 

 I'm so blessed to have all of you and that you've stuck around while I've been sorting this all out! I literally freaked out when I started showing so early, because with a style-related blog, you see pictures of me so often, that it'd be impossible to hide my changing body from you without some serious stealth. And let's be honest; who has time for stealth? I do not. So, thank you so much for your sweet comments on facebook, twitter, and the blog yesterday. I'm happy to share this special time in my life with you! And I'm happy to be back!

That said, yes, please expect this blog to have lots of baby/pregnancy stuff happening. And clothes. And decor. Etc. Stuff shouldn't change too much, but the epicenter might shift due to growing a human. Hope you'll come with us on our journey!

Yellow Buttercup eShakti Review

I was contacted by eShakti a while ago and was asked if I'd like to try a piece from their online store. eShakti means "power of the internet" and that's exactly what this site gives us. With sizes ranging from 0 to 4X and most items available for customization, every woman can find something! I was so excited to hear from the company because I have such a difficult time finding clothes that fit me properly. While scouring eShakti, it literally took me a week to choose my item. I ended up picking the beautiful Scallop Tiers Shift Dress, which was available in yellow at the beginning of the fall season, but is now only available in black. When I received my parcel in the mail and opened it, I squealed with surprise. This dress is the epitome of a cupcake! Love? I think so.

dress: c/o eShakti

denim jacket: American Eagle

boots: Silhouettes

earrings: gifted from Jen

headband: Goody's via Walgreens

Although my personal measurements fit some standard sizing, I took advantage of customizing this dress and filling out the size chart to have it made perfectly for my body. I think we (Husband, ahem) had an operator error and measured my arms too slimly, but other than that, this dress is absolutely perfect and so comfortable. I wanted the hemline to be longer so I could wear it year-round. And even though the color is summery, accessorized with a pair of boots and a jacket, I think it looked perfectly fall. Now, if any of you have some awesome winter styling ideas for this little number, I'd love to hear them!

Check out eShakti online for thousands of styles that you can order off the rack or have created to fit your body perfectly! For more information and specials, "like" eShakti on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

And I can't leave this post without thanking my best friend, Jackie, of Jackie Ranson Photography, for taking these beautiful photos. You are amazing!

Broke Out the Boots

You know it's fall when you're hitting up the pumpkin patch in your boots. I was so excited to take Little S. and my brother, his girlfriend, and her daughter to one of the local farms right outside of town to have a little family outing and get pumpkins for Harvest and Halloween! I can't wait to carve and roast those yummy seeds!

 sweater: LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's

cami: Rue 21

skinnies: Charlotte Russe

boots: Silhouettes

necklace: The Word Jewelry

There's nothing like the changing of seasons. Smells, memories, family time, the best part of my wardrobe... I'm already loving it all and fall has really just kissed us. Speaking of changing... are YOU changing something in your wardrobe this week? Remember, Thursday is Old to New in October with Required 2 Be Inspired and me! Hopefully you'll be here to link up with your project so you can be entered to win some fabulous prizes from Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique!

And remember I have a Scentsy Blog Party going on right now! Check it out to place your orders and enter to win some AMAZING gift certificates that will set you right up for the cool weather and/or holiday season!

Train Travelin' & GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm gonna make you hold out on the giveaway. How do you feel about that?

I guess you have the freedom to scroll down, but I assure you, you won't want to miss Husband's pick for today's photo location. I swear, the man is a location scheming MASTERMIND. I have no idea how he remembers these places even exist in our semi-sorry little "city." All I know is that I'm thankful for his eye, because I'd be having lots of blurry photos with my hallway as a background if it weren't for his talent and patience. So, Husband, if you're reading this (and I know you are), thank you a million times over.

Without further ado...
{side note... now many bloggers say, "Without further ado...?" a lot. that's the answer}

1960s inspired shift: Emma & Michele, via Ross (gifted by Rochelle)

I TOLD YOU SHE SPOILED ME TO PIECES!

cognac buckle boots: Silhouettes

stamped copper earrings: gift from Jen 

Warning: Photo overload. Couldn't help myself (or choose)!

 

Had to throw the blooper in, up there. I look angry, don't I? I promise, I was just tired of eating my hair. The wind is WICKED in North Carolina, today! Hands up if you love this dress as much as I do! My hand is waving, frantically, because every time I look at it, I love it MORE than I did the last time I saw it (read: 10 seconds before now).

And now... What you've all been waiting for!

To celebrate the milestone of reaching 300 readers this week, I am hosting a very special, very personalized giveaway!

First, I want to thank each and every one of you pretties that reads this blog. You all have inspired me to do better, go harder, and not give up when times get tough. You've seen me through some mini hiatuses, let me wear sweatpants, looked at blurry photos, and have stuck with me through even the most boring of posts. And to all of you newcomers, WELCOME! I'm so glad to have you, and I hope you're here for the long haul. Ask the veterans. I promise I can be funny, sometimes. I also am continuing to work hard to create a more reader-friendly page that is fun to visit and easy to navigate! 

Once again, thank you all for everything!

The lucky winner of my 300 Reader Giveaway will receive ONE from EACH category!

A $25 gift card from your choice of:

 

and...

TWO pairs of solid color tights (your choice!) from

We Love Colors:

Pretty darn exciting, RIGHT? Yes, that's how thankful I am. And YES, that's how much I love you!

And here's all the dirty deets on how to enter:

- MANDATORY -

*You must be a follower via Blog Lovin' or Google Friend Connect*

- please leave one comment, telling me how you follow, with a valid email address -

- EXTRA ENTRIES -

(please leave separate comments for each entry)

*Follow me on twitter: FashionMomma22*

*Tweet this giveway, including a link back to here and @FashionMomma22*

Please note: If you do not include "@FashionMomma22" in your tweet, the entry will not count.

*Blog about this giveaway and leave a link*

GIVEAWAY WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN VIA RANDOM.ORG AT MIDNIGHT (ET) ON FRIDAY, MARCH 4!

Simple enough, right?!

Have fun! Good luck! And more than seriously, THANK YOU!!!