Wednesday, January 29, 2014

In Waiting

plaiddress5

This dress has literally been sitting in my closet for months.  I snagged it up during a Modcloth super sale last year but was much too pregnant to even zip it up when it arrived.  So I waited (not so patiently) until after B's birth to wear it out.  It may have been just a trip to the pediatrician, but these days I look for any excuse to put on a pretty dress.

Of course, I'm a sucker for anything with a full skirt and pockets so this was a perfect match.  I've also realized that I don't really own anything plaid so it was a nice new print to add to my closet.  Oh, and did I mention it was cheap?  I go absolutely crazy for a good deal.  I feel like if I allowed myself I'd probably be one of those crazy coupon ladies.  While I'm not that bad (yet), I still refuse to pay retail for clothes.  Even if I love it I know it will eventually go on sale :)

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Makeup Review: Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Okay, so this palette was pretty much at the top of my Christmas list last month.  I was dying to have it and I couldn't wait to play with all the new shades.  I was a daily user of the Naked 2 palette, and as a lover of all things pink, the Naked 3 was after my own heart.
naked+3+palette
 (image source here)

I'm not one to use darker eyeshadow shades.  While I know how to blend, the "smokey eye" looks absolutely horrible on me.  That may also be the reason why I don't own the original Naked palette.  The last four shades in the Naked 3, while gorgeous, I have been too scared to even try.  The Blackheart shade actually has red flecks of glitter but it's just too dark for my extremely light skin tone.  I may experiment with the three deep browns in the future, but I've stuck mostly with the remaining eight shades.

Naked3-1
(image source here)
 
My favorites are definitely the Buzz and Dust shades.  I love a light rosy hue with lots of shimmer.  I had a conversation with Jessica (who also owns the Naked 3) and she mentioned that she wished Buzz were a little darker.  I have to agree.  All the shades I've tried tend to show up lighter on the lid than they show on the palette.  It's a little disappointing but not a deal breaker.  Like all Urban Decay eyeshadows, they last all day without reapplication.  At least the quality of the product hasn't been compromised :).

So what's the verdict?  Well, I'm still a daily Naked 2 user (mainly for my eyebrows).  While I love the new shades, I just don't think they match up to the previous palette.  Maybe I just need to play with it a little more but I'm leaning strongly towards the Naked 2.

Do you own the Naked 3?  What do you think?

xoxo

Ashley

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Growing Fonder

smockdress6

I think it's funny that I chose a smock dress as the first "post pregnancy" outfit for my blog.  I am, by no means, embarrassed with my body at the moment.  While I'm still a flabby mess (it's only been two weeks), I've already gone down to my pre baby size 4.  Once I'm cleared to start working out I think I'll be back to my old self in no time.  But like I stated in a post not too long ago, I'm absolutely obsessed with smock dresses lately.  I love that they look so fancy without compromising any comfort.  I have a feeling I'll be adding a few more to my closet this season...

Monday, January 20, 2014

Fleeting Voyage

greendress5

Well, this is officially the last set of pregnant outfit photos I had stored up on my computer.  It's a little bittersweet, but by the end of my journey I was so ready to feel normal again.  Mostly it was about sushi.  Words cannot express how much I missed chowing down on a soy wrapped spicy tuna roll.  It's pretty much all I thought about for the last nine months.  I'm thankful to have such a wonderful husband who curbed that craving almost immediately after delivery.  And you know what?  It was just as amazing as I had built it up in my head.

Friday, January 17, 2014

What's on My Radar: Current Loves

Since I'm now officially a mom and not carrying a watermelon in my belly, shopping seems so much more appealing these days.  While I may not have the time or the energy at the moment, I still like to take a minute or two to see what I can add to my ever growing wish list :)  Here are my picks this month!

luckbealady

Words cannot express how much I love the Luck Be A Lady dress.  I already own one in a horse print so why not add a bird print to the collection?  I love blue for every season so I really can see myself wearing this in both summer and winter.


velvetcollar

I've always been a fit and flare kind of girl but lately I've been completely obsessed with smock dresses!  I already purchased a different smock dress from Emerging Thoughts (which I can't wait to show you) and I'm anxious to get some more.  I love this deep blue velvet and that sequined collar is detachable!  Just get in my closet right now.


watermelon
Seriously, how cute is this clutch?  I love the fun print and the inside is lined with a cute houndstooth print.  I don't know why that even matters, but I somehow get excited when the lining of a purse or jacket is really cute.


Ruche Speckled Sweater
speckledsweater

In terms of cable knit sweaters, this is probably the cutest one I've ever seen.  The addition of the lace on the hem is just perfect.  I could see myself wearing this with some cute black skinny jeans (seriously, I'd wear pants for this sweater) and my panda flats :)



wizardofawesome

I've been dying to own a Bernie Dexter dress.  I love the vintage inspired cuts and the prints are just as interesting!  I'm particularly fond of the shoulder detail on this floral print dress.  It's just so unique.



rucheflats

These flats are just the prettiest things!  Since I don't have much use for heels these days I've definitely looked into different kinds of shoes.  Just because you're lacking a heel doesn't mean you can't find some gorgeous flats.  I think the lace detail is so pretty and feminine.


What's on your list this month?

xoxo

Ashley

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Right Meow

Modcloth Retrolicious Hooked on a Feline dress

This dress.  I could seriously talk about it forever.  It really is a dream!  Sammi was nice enough to let me borrow it a few weeks back and I actually fell in love.  I've always been a fan of vintage inspired cuts but I've slowly realized that they don't exist in my closet.  I wonder why that is?  I could have worn it everyday and been happy as a clam.  But, all good swaps come to an end.  So I've done my research and actually found the same dress in puppy print.  It's going to the top of my wishlist!

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Welcome

The day has finally come!  My beautiful daughter, Bianca Belle, was born on Wednesday, January 8th at 9:17am.  She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.

delivery

bianca

Untitled

The original plan was to be induced at 6:30am on the 8th (which was her actual due date) but I actually went into labor naturally the night before.  It's not very often that you have your baby on your due date, but much like momma, she's never late to an occasion :)

Bianca is the most beautiful baby and she's been such a wonderful girl so far.  While I get up several times a night to feed her, she doesn't actually keep me up all night (yet).  Not only did I have a really short labor and delivery, I also have a great baby.  I feel like the luckiest mom in the world!

xoxo

Ashley

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Inspiration: Winter Outfits

I know winter is different depending on where you live.  For me, it usually involves a dress and a light cardigan.  I do get a little envious when I see outfit posts with gorgeous coats and layers but I'd probably be a total brat in weather under 50 degrees.  Regardless of my winter woes, here are some of my favorite winter outfits in blog land :)

Jenna of Smitten
smitten

Seriously Jenna, you make me want to experience a cold Canadian winter with this outfit!  It's just perfection.  I'm dying over that coat and I love the addition of the faux fur stole.


Franziska of Franish
franish

Franziska really knows how to balance black and white with metallic accents.  This outfit is both casual and a classic way to showcase a great winter outfit.


Kailey of Mermaidens
mermaidens

This is definitely more of a southern California winter outfit!  I love how Kailey paired this pretty dress with wedge jellies and those cute polka dot socks.  She looks wonderful :)


sammi

Sammi looks wonderful in pastels and white!  She sure knows how to take an already gorgeous dress and accessorize it for winter.  And I seriously want to know what Target she got that faux fur cape from... It's adorable!


Jamie of Petite Panoply
petitepanoply

Those.  Shoes!  This outfit from Jamie is much like Franziska's but with red accents and animal printed loafers.  Considering I own a couple pairs of panda flats, I obviously fell in love with her fun accessories.


What's your favorite winter look this season?

xoxo

Ashley

Monday, January 6, 2014

Flock Together: Velveteen Dreams

I'm excited to show you my first Flock Together swap of the year!  I think everyone needs a gorgeous velvet dress for their winter wardrobe.  Thankfully, Jenna let me borrow hers.  Click HERE to check out how the gals and I remixed her dress!

velvetdress3

xoxo

Ashley

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Jewel Tones

emeralddress2

Do I really need an excuse to wear this much color?  I think not!  When Jessica sent me this dress for Christmas I was pretty giddy with excitement.  She sent along a little note saying she noticed I didn't have many dresses in this color and she was totally right.  I don't know if this happens to you but I tend to buy similar things in spurts.  Sometimes it's prints, other times it's colors, but I guess I've somehow missed the turquoise train.  I'm glad she's put more thought into my wardrobe than I have these last few months.  That's definitely what friends are for!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Pregnancy: Week 38

Happy new year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  To be honest, I'm just so glad that it's over!  It's been a pretty rough two weeks and I'm just ready to have my baby already.  As of Sunday I'm officially off the contraction medication so I'm starting to feel those bigger ones.  While it isn't horrible, they definitely stop me in my tracks.  I'm also starting to be a little more active to I can jump start the labor.  There are plenty of old wives tales and remedies to start labor but nothing works better than being on your feet.

38weeks5

38weeks4

38weeks2

I am currently too big to wear about 90% of my dresses anymore.  It's a little depressing but I just keep reminding myself that this is only very temporary.  Once I give birth I'll be the size I was when I was about 5-6 months pregnant and I'm totally okay with that.  I also have a hard time putting on clothes in general.  Bending, twisting, and anything other than lying down takes way more energy than it should.  I definitely won't be taking it for granted in the future!

I went to my doctor on Monday and I'm about 2 cm dilated (sorry if this is TMI).  So I'm right on track for an on time delivery.  B is measuring fine, her heart rate is nice and steady, and she's staying in the head down position.  My right rib cage is probably internally bruised due to her constant kicks there, but as long as she's active I'll take the abuse haha!  I can now actually feel her foot through my skin.  It's the weirdest/coolest thing ever.  Every time I go to touch her foot she moves it away... What a little diva!

Like I said during my last update, I'm hoping his will be my last one!  I'm really scared of being overdue, only because I don't want her to get too big to deliver.  And I don't know how long I can keep being this uncomfortable all the time.  Keep your fingers crossed and those thoughts positive for me :)

xoxo

Ashley
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