A Sailor's Life for Me

Yo-ho, yo-ho... I didn't intend on looking remotely nautical, today, and the style of my outfit is far from it. But the stripes and ocean-like flow of my beloved maxi just remind me of standing on the bow of a boat in the wind.

 top (skirt): Made by me, skirt: Old Navy, shoes: Shoe Department, necklace: Made by Whitney

I found this little nook in the trees and it was shady and beautiful... until I set up the camera. And then it was sunny and beautiful and my photos became washed out. Ah, such is life. 

Because of the lighting, you can't really see my hair color, but I dyed it back to my natural-ish hue. The super-blonde was way too much maintenance with how busy I am right now and let's face it, bleach blonde hair with dark roots is just not hot. Hopefully I can get a more true-to-color photo of the hair this week for ya!

Little S' ROOM!!!

I'm so, so, so sorry I've been MIA all week! Between working, Little S' birthday, finding out the gender of Bean, finishing her room, rearranging our whole house, doing S' third year check-up, about 10 loads of laundry, and preparing for her birthday party this weekend, I just didn't make time to blog! Eek! Alas, her room is (pretty much) done. Other than one stuffed animal swing that I have to make (I ran out of the purple ribbon), the valance I'm going to hang (I just found the rod!), and the canvases that Husband and S are going to paint together for above her bed, it's basically finished. I was so happy her bedding came ON her birthday! She hasn't had any transition as far as sleeping in her new room and big girl bed. It's been absolutely AWESOME. So, here it is!

What do you guys think? I am so pleased with the bedding and the box spring (and look at the little feet!). S picked out the lamp and green pillow and we hadn't picked out bedding, yet. Because we ordered the bedding online, I was really nervous about the colors not working how I'd hoped, but everything just came together like it was meant to be! My favorite part is still definitely the striped wall. I also love the lime lantern we put above her window.

As you know, S turned three on Tuesday! We also had a big ultrasound for Baby Bean that day and S found out that she's going to have a baby SISTER! We are thrilled! We took a few photos on her birthday/the day we found out. Excuse my outfit. I was going for comfort in the almost-70-degree-weather and I wanted to wear a dress, but then I'd have to pull it all up and be awkward during the ultrasound. FYI: for an ultrasound, always wear something with a waist so you can just pull it down ever so slightly.

tank: Target

sweater: Old Navy

skirt: I made it from a dress (from Target)

boots: Soda brand from Shoe Department

Tomorrow's Little S' third birthday party! I can't tell if I'm excited or not.

But I'll be back to tell you all about it on Monday (with a meal plan)! Hope you have a great weekend!

On the Farm ... Sorta

We had Christmas in Hampstead, NC, at my uncle's house. He lives right outside of town, but has a huge lot of land, goats that live in the field behind his house, and random sheds and gardens throughout his property. My mom and I took advantage of one of the sheds that had old rusted farm tools around it for Friday afternoon photos.

dress: Old Navy

boots: Soda/Shoe Department

And this is my beautiful momma...

My very best friend.

She wasn't too pleased when I made her cheese with me on Christmas morning, but I think the photo turned out really cute! Everyone was making fun of me for wearing lipstick to open gifts. My mom gave it to me the night before and I promise I just thought it was a lightly tinted chapstick. I didn't even look in the mirror before leaving the guest house and voila! The photo tells the truth. Coral on Christmas day, anyone?

Festive Easter Egg!

I certainly did not intend to have my tangerine cardigan photographed against my apple wall, but it just happened that way. So, today, I'm serving up dyed eggs! I actually wore this to work on Tuesday and was so displeased with my outfit the entire day. First, I didn't wash this cardigan after I wore it last, so it was stretched out (exhibit A: right arm cuff). Second, I was walking all over my pants in these sandals, which was increasing the jean hikage that was occurring due to the low rise nature of the waistline. Third, and most important, I bought this top for $4.99 from Charlotte Russe on Saturday. I've been looking for longer length tees to wear with jeans and jackets/cardis, so this one was lacey AND black, which is a total win for a basic tee. I went to play with the lace ruffles, today, and BAM!

These suckers are SCREEN PRINTED.

Yeah, I was surprised and upset, too.

tee shirt: Charlotte Russe

cardigan: Motherhood, (I dyed it from white to tangerine.)

jeans: Charlotte Russe

sandals: Cabrizi, via Shoe Department

necklace: c/o Doe Run Jewelry

Husband really likes taking sideways photos. They're extra hard to crop, so I don't know if I'm going to continue being an advocate for 100% freedom of photography. He is the artist, though. Perhaps I should just sit back and enjoy the footless ride. Hmm?

Friends, thank you.

Just thanks. You're all so awesome. From telling me how to save time and style my bangs to helping me talk myself out of being sad that I'm growing up and low rise jeans just don't work on my post-baby, grown-up body; from talking me through washing my make-up brushes to consoling me about not being able to stay home and raise my kiddo... You just amaze me. You stick with me. And I'm 

SO THANKFUL.