Semi-Hiatus on the Account of Baby Preparation + Maternity Photos!

Hey, friends! I just wanted to let you know that I know I've been MIA a lot, lately. I don't plan to completely disappear, but Bean is coming in 2 weeks and 1 day and I do need to concentrate on... well, getting everything ready. My mind is constantly wandering and sitting in the computer chair is pretty much the most brutal thing I can do to my sciatica. Basically, what I'm saying is that between now and Bean's birth, you should probably only expect to see 2 or so posts a week from me.

I wear the same dress every time I leave the house (so I try not to frequent the same places within a week's period), so outfit posts are pretty much nonexistent.

Because I'm going AWOL on you guys for a bit, I thought I'd leave you with some of the maternity photos that my best friend took last weekend! I love what I've seen so far and can't wait to share more as we get them! All photos are c/o of Jackie Ranson Photography.

 

 

Thank you so much to Jackie for this session and our beautiful pictures! And extra special thanks for dealing with me when I broke the dress!
Stay tuned for my 37 week update on Saturday and a sneak peek of Bean's nursery!

My Daughter, the Supermodel

All photos c/o Jackie Ranson.

Thank you, best friend.

 top & skirt: Old Navy

How did I get so lucky?

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win these gorgeous pearl earrings from Scarlet Samples!

Scarlet Samples Giveaway!

I was contacted by Scarlet Samples just a few short weeks ago and introduced to a wonderful online jewelry boutique with insane prices. With choices ranging from gold and silver to pearls and gemstones, there are plenty of choices for everyone's taste. When asked if I wanted to review a piece of jewelry and give the same one away to one of you, I tried to keep my readers in mind. I wanted to choose something classic and understated, but something that also made a bold statement. 

Once again, I was lucky enough to have Jackie photograph me for this post. And she lives on the river, so I couldn't stay out of the water! Can you just imagine going on an early evening picnic with your man and playing in the river? I chose to pair my big ol' pearl earrings with this simple and comfortable cotton maxi dress. I think that if you have the right pair of pair earrings, you can quite literally wear anything. These would have looked beautiful with jeans and a cute top or a slinky cocktail dress.

dress: Gift from Jackie, earrings: c/o Scarlet Samples

Scarlet Samples has generously agreed to give away the same pair of earrings I'm wearing in this post to one of my sweet readers! They are the Sterling Silver Post Earrings with White Pearl, are extremely lightweight, but large, so they pack a punch!

All you have to do to enter is be a reader of a little bit of this and like Scarlet Samples on facebook!

Leave one comment and let me know you've done those two things!

If you'd like an EXTRA entry, tell me how you'd style these beautiful earrings!
Giveaway closes on Monday, March 26, at 11:59 pm ET. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, March 27!

One Man's Trash

Sometimes your friends buy clothes and they don't fit. Then you inherit the clothes. Enter this beautiful and colorful Charlotte Russe top that my bff, Jackie, passed down to me over the weekend. Although I was sad that things didn't work out for her, I was elated that they turned into good fortune on my part. This baby had a tie waist, which I just cut off so I could add belts for shape wherever I wanted (lower or higher). The weather was warm enough to not have to wear a sweater or jacket last night, so I got dressed for bible study and knew I could pull this shirt off without having to cover the pretty sleeves with a cardigan (although, that would work too!)

Husband was playing with indoor lighting and the flash since it's so dark outside when he gets home these days. Although the flash washes me out, I think it's probably the best indoor option. The rest are grainy and I really can't dig that.

top: Charlotte Russe, via Jackie

cami: Old Navy

jeans: Old Navy

belt: Old Navy

wedges: Lower East Side

The lesson today is: If you find something beautiful in your closet that no longer fits, pass it on to someone you know could get some good mileage out of it! That's pretty much what I'm doing with my Lulu's dress giveaway! Got it. Tried it. Doesn't work! That means one of YOU can win it!

Enter to win my brand new Lulu's dress!

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!

Blooms in the Rain

I've been really slacking off on my 30 Things for you guys! I'm so sorry! To catch up, I'll do three today. I know you love learning all of this randomness about me. Or, I really just like survey-type things, so I'm enjoying sharing the randomness.

Day 15: A person you admire.

Oh, wow. Well, we all know I admire my mom. But since I already wrote a letter to her for changing my life, I will tell you that I admire my best friend, Jackie. She has been through the ringer, in my opinion, over the last two years. Her husband's program got cut at the school where he taught, so he was forced to find a new job. With baby # 2 on the way, he found it necessary to act quickly and auditioned for the Marine Corps Band. With his extreme talent, of course he made it, and started  his journey to becoming a US Marine. After graduating bootcamp, Jackie's husband took a blow to the leg during martial arts training. His femur endured a spiral break and he's not been able to continue his journey to music school. So, you might be thinking, "Well, this is so much more about Jackie's husband..." Yes, I truly admire him for what he has gone through and for the spirit he is in, after a couple of major surgeries. The doctors hope to see him heal and be able to be a full Marine, again. But, Jackie, your strength and endurance amazes me. You are working full time, have your incredible photography business on the side, are raising two beautiful and sweet little girls, trying to sell your house so you and your hubby can be together, and you're doing it mostly by yourself.

You.AMAZE.Me. I love you, best friend.

Day 16: A song that makes you cry.

Oh, really? You should read yesterday's post.

I've been dropping tears for Taylor Swift's new song, "Never Grow Up," for days.

If you're away from your children (Melissa) right now, I'm giving you fair warning- just don't listen to this, today.

Day 17: An art piece.

Both of these pieces of art (acrylic paint on the left, colored pencil on the right) are by my amazingly talented husband. He framed the leftmost for me as a Christmas gift. It's a painting of a photo he took the day after Hurricane Isabel. I was sitting on his 1971 Chevelle, down at Briar Creek.

I officially went from having nothing to blog about to having too much to share in one post! I was going to do a birthday wish list (in case you all wanted to send me stuff, you know... just.in.case), but I'll have to do that tomorrow, in an effort to make this post take you less than your entire lunch break to read!

So, onto my outfit.

sequined thermal top: Charlotte Russe

red blooms skirt: I made it

nude lace tights: Target

belt: Target

peter pan boots: Soda via Shoe Department

headband: Walgreen's

Oh, FYI- second day hair success, today, right? I slept with it in a twisty bun, a la Kimberly's routine, and it came out LIKE THIS! How excited am I? New trick? I'll bite.

This outfit is screaming out for green tights. I just feel it.

Hey, my legs and waist look kind of good in this, too. Eh? Eh?

Okay, now it's time for me to call it quits. I'm getting full of myself.

'Til tomorrow, my friends!

P.S.- Please check out Life Through Preppy Glasses' FIRST GIVEAWAY!