Baby Bean Update: 24 Weeks

I'm back! I just spent the entire week in Virginia with my best friend, Jackie, her 3 girls (6, 2, and 3 weeks), and Little S! We were busy to say the least. And with Jackie nursing and me pregnant, neither of us could indulge in the hard drinks we craved at the end of a day with four children. Moms who do it all the time, I commend you! Both of us were having back pain, neither of us were sleeping... and kids? Well, they go to bed late and wake up early no matter what ails mommas. Lucky me, though! Jackie is a professional photographer and I was blessed enough to have her snap some belly shots for my 24 week update! These aren't edited and she was standing in her driveway about 7 minutes after crawling out of bed and she still managed to make me look better than in any photo I can take! Can't wait to share the ones she took of Little S at the river with you this week!

 tee: Old Navy, tank: Old Navy, jeans: Motherhood, flats: Target, necklace: The Word Jewelry

Bean and I are doing well. I read in my Babycenter update this morning that she weighs a little over a pound, is as long as a cob of corn, and my uterus is the size of a soccer ball. Seriously? Soccer ball?! I was looking at these photos and thinking, "Why in the world do I look like I'm carrying around a soccer ball at six months pregnant?" Well, Babycenter gave me my answer. I met a very snide lady at WalMart over the course of the week and I've decided I'll no longer be sharing my due date with the general public. She asked when I was due, and when I told her she said, "Oh... wow." Yes, I'm huge. But I'm also 4'10 1/2"-ish. I don't have the space to grow up and down like most women, so I grow straight out. It's physics. Not rocket science. Or maybe it's geometry or something... I'm not good at science. But these are cold, hard facts! When one's torso is only 8 inches long (I'm probably exaggerating), the baby is going to take up a lot more front to back space. ie: Brutal low back pain. Yes, that's still happening. Oh, and I finally have an appetite. I don't know why I say "finally," though, because I'm not super excited about it.

This week's exciting revelation: I think I officially look pregnant and should no longer have any confusing looks from bystanders wondering, "Is she preggers or just fat?"

Craving: Pineapple, watermelon, salad with oil and vinegar, water, diet root beer

 Special thanks to Jackie for taking my photos and letting me crash her pad for the last week! 

Stay tuned for Monday's post (more photos from Jackie) for an awesome giveaway by Scarlet Samples!

P.S.- Super exciting: I won We Love Colors' Curvy Girl of the Month for March!!!

Magenta Meow (& a Giveaway Winner!)

First, congratulations to Megan for winning the Polyvore Maternity Styling giveaway! Her outfits were so well researched that I literally owned everything in her sets (except some jewelry). The outfits are ready and easy to wear. They're comfortable and classic and exactly what I was looking for! If you're interested in the sets she submitted, you can see them here! Thanks, friend! And congrats!

S and I went to our first Greenville Mommies event yesterday morning. It was a meet and greet at one of the newer coffee places in town. We had a great time and met some new friends! I also had a reason to get up and get dressed. WIN! Later, we headed to the daffodil fields to take her Easter pictures. I want to share those photos with you so badly, but I can't! I'll post them Easter weekend after our cards are out in the mail. She was ah-DORable. I'm so blessed! On the way home, we stopped on a side road so I could take some outfit pictures. It is very clear that I need Husband to take them for me and thankfully with daylight savings around the corner, he'll be home in that golden sun hour and we can *hopefully* make it happen. Please excuse my blurry self-portraits. It's been a while, folks.

dress: Old Navy

cardigan: New York & Company

belt: New York & Company

flats: Target

necklace: The Word Jewelry

Holy wow... I really have 3.5+ whole months left to go? How much more growing can I do?

Guys, wait 'til you see me full term. You are gonna crack up. It looks funny when I'm carrying myself as wide as I am tall!

Triple extra special thanks to my dear, sweet, gorgeous friend Megan (who writes at The Frugalista Diaries, BTW) for creating several ways for me to wear this awesome, bright dress. It feels like a nightgown and I'll be happy to wear it once a week between now and the end of June! 

A Holiday Beach Excursion

The Thursday before Christmas, my parents, brother, Little S. and I trekked from Hampstead, NC down to North Myrtle Beach, SC to visit some of my dad's family for the holiday. Lucky for me, my uncle lives 2 blocks from the beach and it was in the 70s. So what if it was raining!

dress as top: Target

maxi skirt: Old Navy

sandals: handed down from Aunt

necklace: The Word Jewelry

Also lucky for me? This skirt was on sale at Old Navy last week for $11.99 and it's super stretchy, so I'll be able to wear it for a LONG time through this pregnancy. 

P.S. - Thank you, second trimester, for calming down with all the yuck.

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!

Poshlocket Giveaway!

When Poshlocket contacted me about reviewing a product and hosting a giveaway, I couldn't have been more excited. Ever since our working relationship began, I've been so impressed with Poshlocket's classic, but unique jewelry choices. When choosing my favorites earlier this month, I highlighted the metal and fabric collection, which I absolutely adore! I was lucky enough to receive the Stacey Three Chain Fabric Bracelet and I'm in love. The thickness makes such a statement and the fabric has splashes of green, lime, royal blue, turquoise, and white, all separated by bold black lines. Sometimes, statement pieces are tough to style more than just a handful of ways, but my Stacey is going to go with virtually everything in my wardrobe! Most of the metal and fabric pieces come with a choice of silver or gold, too, which is super convenient!

*Apologies for night time quality photos- I forgot to take pictures when I wore this to church!

dress: Merona for Target

cardigan: New York & Company

belt: New York & Company

shoes: Ross (gifted by Rochelle)

solitaire: Zales (Christmas gift from Husband)

initial necklace: The Word Jewelry

bracelet: c/o Poshlocket

Because I have gobs of adoration for the fabric and metal pieces, Poshlocket has offered to giveaway one of the items from the same collection! Up for grabs is the Jenny Fabric Weave Cuff, valued at $26! And that's not all! You get a free pair of fabric and metal earrings shown on the site! The Jenny is also offered in gold or silver and the earrings will come in the same metal as your bracelet.

Mandatory entries (only ONE comment needed with all of the following info):

- Follow my blog via GFC! Please let me know in your comment.

- Visit Poshlocket and tell us your favorite item!

- Follow Poshlocket on twitter OR "like" Poshlocket on Facebook.

Extra entries (one comment per):

- Follow Poshlocket on twitter OR "like Poshlocket on Facebook (which ever one you didn't do for the mandatory entry).

- Tweet this giveaway, linking back to this post and including @the_littlebit and @poshlocket so we can count it!

- Subscribe to Poshlocket's mailing list and let me know!

Giveaway open until Friday, November 4 at 11:59 pm, ET. Open to US and Canada.


And remember, TODAY is the last day to enter the Scentsy giveaway!

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!

Denim & Khaki

I've had this denim jacket for over a year and I think I've worn it once or twice. I never know how to style it, but I just had to have it when I found it in the store. I had all of these hopes and dreams of wearing it with cute sundresses and thong sandals or skirts and boots. But when the moment arrives, my creativity always escapes me.

This outfit is a great example of that, because what's more streamlined than to pair a denim jacket with a t-shirt and chinos? You know what, though? Tried and true just works. I'm pleased with the outcome of the simple look and it was perfect for a morning at church and lunch with friends. I stayed warm in the crisp autumn weather and didn't fall into wearing black pants and a cardigan like I had laying out on my bed before getting dressed. Not that there's anything wrong with that combo- AT ALL. I just like to step out of the norm on weekends since I'm constantly losing my opportunity for creativity while wearing yoga pants and t-shirts during the week!

top: LOFT

chinos: Old Navy

denim jacket: American Eagle

heels: Mudd via Kohl's

necklace: The Word Jewelry

In other news, we met with some new friends for lunch on Sunday (when I wore this) and I'm so happy to have them in our lives! A & A are wonderful people and I look forward to spending more time with them and furnishing a long-lasting friendship!

What's your go-to look with a denim jacket?

Don't forget to enter the Initial Necklace giveaway by clicking the button below! 

Mustard Yellow & Necklace Giveaway!

** Really quickly, if you haven't voted yet and don't mind doing so, could you weigh in with your sweet opinion right here to the left?
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I've been on the hunt for something mustard yellow to add to my fall wardrobe forEVer. I'm so thankful to have finally found this top at Old Navy. It comes in a variety of colors, but for some reason, this one felt very warm and J.Crew to me. I can totally see myself drinking a salted caramel hot chocolate on the patio of Starbucks with my girlfriends in this top. And isn't that the epitome of the upcoming cooler months? Quality time, delicious smells and flavors, and the best clothes of the year? I think so!

button-up: Old Navy

cami: Rue 21

jeans: Charlotte Russe

flats: Old Navy

necklace: The Word Jewelry

I'm so in love with lipstick right now! I used to be completely afraid of it and dubbed myself an ever-after chapstick gal, but the change in weather has changed my desire to wear color on my lips! This berry hue by Revlon (I can't remember the exact name. Shameful.) is so buildable. The color I've got in the photos is after WIPING and chapsticking on top. It was dark and husband did not like it. I think the dark, dark berry lips aged me, but this raspberry hue makes me very happy! Have you started to wear more color on your lips as the weather has let up a little?

I ordered this gorgeous and simple initial necklace from The Word Jewelry just a few weeks ago and waited a mere 3 days to receive it in the mail! Stacey, the shop owner, is extremely customer-oriented and extra sweet! She even sends a photo of the finished product before mailing it out to make sure you love it! After I started wearing my necklace, I bought another for my friend and she loves hers as well! I feel so strong and beautiful sporting the initial of my last name. It's not just about me. It's for Husband and Little S, too, and that feels amazing. I've also stacked this with my solitaire diamond which is on a shorter chain and the simplicity of the two make the combination very timeless.

Lucky for YOU, Stacey agreed to give one lucky a little bit of this... reader their very own hand-stamped, single initial necklace. I'm kind of jealous because I'd love to get one for each of my closest girlfriends and one for Little S. to wear when she gets a tiny bit older. But it's not in the cards for me to win! You, however, have many chances to get one of these babies of your very own!

Mandatory (1 total):

- Follow a little bit of this... via GFC or Blogger and let me know.

- Go to The Word Jewelry and comment here with your favorite item from the shop.

Extra entries (+1 each):

- Favorite The Word Jewelry on Etsy.

- Display the giveaway button (below) on your sidebar and leave the link!

- Follow me on twitter.

- Tweet "I just entered to win an initial necklace at @the_littlebit! http://bit.ly/pbG0M2"

- "Like" ALBOT on facebook.

- Go check out my brand new Etsy shop and tell me your favorite item!

<center><a href="http://www.fashionmommaintraining.com/2011/09/mustard-yellow-necklace-giveaway.html"><img border="0" src="http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k550/thelittlebit/TheWordGiveaway.jpg"/></a></center>

Giveaway ends Sunday, September 25 at 11:59 ET and the winner will be chosen at random! That means the more entries you do, the more chances you have to win! Please be sure to leave a valid email address or make sure I can contact you via your account! Sorry to my international readers, but this one's open to US only.

The winner of the Fabuless Fashions pink hoop earrings is Bekah! Email me, girl!