reminiscing

Top: PinkBlush Maternity (flash sale) $15 Pants: c/o PinkBlush Maternity  Flats: Lulu*s $17 Total Outfit Cost: $32

I stole a little throwback questionnaire from Lauren (Exploring My Style) for today!

What year were you born?  1991

Do you have any pictures of yourself from when you were younger? Well of course!

What TV shows did you grow up watching? 3 all time faves-  Rugrats, Full House, Boy Meets World 

What did you want to be when you grew up and do you still want to be that?  I always wanted to be a dance teacher and own my own dance studio. I know now that I wouldn't want to own a dance studio.. for multiple reasons. BUT I would love to teach dance again some day. I really hope my baby girl will be a dancer like me and get me back in the studio again!

What were your favorite toys to play with?  Baby dolls and Barbies... but mainly Barbies. I played with them for way longer than the average kid haha.

What is the most embarrassing thing you can remember doing? In middle school (ok ok in high school too), my friends and I would put on ridiculously ugly makeup and fix our hair crazy and take pictures of ourselves. And when i say ridiculously ugly, I mean eyeliner drawn uni-brows and all. Yepp.

Three songs you loved listening to as a child.  A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton, I Want it That Wayby Backstreet Boys, and All or Nothing by O-Town. I actually saw O-Town perform at Walmart! We made shirts and everything! We waited in line for hours to meet them afterwards, but then they cut off the line ONE person in front of us. It was terrible!! 

What was one funny thing you dressed up as for Halloween? A Geisha girl. My Pawpaw worked in Singapore and he brought my sister and I back these outfits! Check out those eye brows my mom gave me!

Are there any special things you've kept since you were a child?  Honestly I've probably kept way too much! I'm a slight hoarder when it comes to keepsakes. I keep it all. I have all my dance competition medals, every ribbon I've ever won, school projects, everything! One of my favorite things I've kept is the teddy bear that my Pawpaw brought me back from Singapore. His name is Cea (pronounced like pea). I named him that because his tag said he was bought on Cea St. 

pink & gold

Blouse: PinkBlush Maternity (flash sale) $15

Gap Jeans: ThredUp $16
Sandals: Marshalls, gift carded
Necklace: Groopdealz $9
Total Outfit Cost: $40

I wasn't so sure of this outfit when I first put it on. This top is obviously a tunic, and I'm not quite sure if it's meant to be worn with actual pants rather than leggings, but I really wanted to give it a try!This pretty pink just looks so good with white bottoms and gold accessories!

*bump status: 21 weeks

maternity vs. sizing up

Top: Walmart c/o Mom

Skirt: White House Black Market Outlet (clearance) $10

Vince Camuto Vest: Bargain World Thrift Store $2

American Eagle Sandals: Marshall's, gift carded

Necklace: Forever 21 $7

Total Outfit Cost: $19

I've heard and read that a lot of women will just size up instead of buying maternity tops while pregnant. While this seemed like a good idea to me before I was pregnant, I know now that it's definitely not for me. Since most of my regular tops are loose fitting, almost all of them do still fit me at this point in my pregnancy. Problem is- 1. they aren't long enough to cover the band of my maternity pants (which are a necessity), 2. I just look fat. When I wear loose fitting, non-maternity tops, I don't look pregnant at all. I just look chunky! When I wear tight fitting or maternity tops, I look obviously pregnant. Not only that, but it makes me feel a whole lot more confident in my clothes. So while some women can get away with wearing regular tops, I will gladly wear maternity tops! I specifically love these with the cute little ruching on the side (which by the way, my mom bought online from Wamart for just a few dollars each).

*bump status: 19 weeks

PinkBlush giveaway {closed}

(Charlie Poo photobomb)
Top: c/o Pink Blush Maternity Gap Jeans: Thredup $16 Sandals: Target $15 Total Outfit Cost: $31
Funny story about this outfit. I suppose the stripes and the tight shirt accentuate the bump nicely because when I wore this I found everyone (meaning strangers) would look at me and I'd watch their eyes go from my eyes down to my bump. I guess this was just the first instance of this happening because ever since then, I'm seeing it more and more! I don't mind though, as long as they aren't looking at my bump trying to figure out if I just gained weight haha.
I'm so excited to offer y'all a giveaway for a chance to win a $25 gift card to PinkBlush today! I'm seriously so impressed with their clothing, and I know whoever wins will be too! All you need to do to enter is comment on this blog post with your email address. (only one entry per person)
Giveaway winner:

bustin out

Dress: Groopdealz $20 Button up: Forever 21 $20 Sandals: Rack Room Shoes $25 Total Outfit Cost: $65    This is probably my favorite outfit I've worn that shows off my bump! Unfortunately I may not be able to wear it again or anything like it without a new chambray button up. I was busting out of this one the whole day. It wouldn't be so bad if the buttons were regular buttons, but they're snaps. I would breathe too hard at work and would have to hurry and snap it back! 
I could've also titled this outfit "how to accentuate a small bump." Apparently horizontal stripes is #1 for making a small bump look not so small. #2 is knotting your shirt right above the bump. #3 bust out your shirt all day.. ok kidding. Be smarter than me and wear a shirt that actually fits. :) 
*bump status: 18 weeks

swing swing swing

Dress: Old Navy $13.50 Belt: Charming Charlie (clearance) $6 Sandals: Old  Total Outfit Cost: $19.50
Along with quite a few other bloggers, I am LOVING these Old Navy swing dresses. I also have the orange one. They're so soft that they seriously feel like pajamas. If you haven't tried one on yet, you should. You won't regret it. What I regret is not sizing up so that I can wear them towards the end of my pregnancy. But I did see today that Old Navy came out with a long sleeve version, so maybe I'll size up and get one once they go on sale!
*bump status: 16 weeks

chambray dress

Dress: Old Navy (30% off) $25 Belt: came off of another dress Mossimo Sandals: Target (bogo 1/2 off) $15 Total Outfit Cost: $40    Ok y'all. My goal this week is to catch up on some blogging. I'm holding myself to it. I have to! It wasn't such a big deal when I'd get behind on blogging before, but now that I have a growing bump, it can be confusing for me to post all out of order! What I'm going to do on each outfit post is try to include my weekly bump status at the end of each post. Hopefully that will help!   I wore this to eat for Larry's birthday dinner at Texas de Brazil.  Then we met my bestie and her husband at the movies to see Inside Out. Yes, we somehow drug our husbands to see a children's Disney movie with us and neither of them complained! Anyways, I had eaten so much at dinner that I totally had to take off this belt during the movie! I would have just loosened it, but it was already on the last hole. I guess this is what happens when you add a food baby to a baby baby!

 

*bump status: 14 weeks

summer style

Top: Target | Skirt: Target | Sandals: Target [similar] | Purse: Garage Sale

I never get to wear cute summer outfits like this! For the month of July, I worked Tuesday to Saturday, so that put me wearing work clothes on those days, a church outfit on Sunday (and then either change into comfy clothes or go swimming at my in-laws'), and then on Mondays I'd clean the house, be lazy, and/or go grocery shopping... all which require nike shorts and a t-shirt. But this certain Monday was different! Larry had a doctor's appointment out of town, so I decided to join him, and he decided to take me to the zoo! Yes, we are children expecting a child. Hah. It was nice little outing for us and definitely a change from my normal Mondays!

drafted

Old Navy Dress: Goodwill $6 Chambray: Forever 21 $20 Sandals: Target (bogo $15) Total Outfit Cost: $41
This outfit has been sitting in my drafts for a couple weeks now- oops! I wore this at 10 weeks pregnant, and I remember feeling so me and so confident in this outfit. Though I didn't have a bump at all yet, I was bloated and my pants were getting tight. This outfit was a comfy alternative to my too tight pants and made me feel good again. 

little blue dress

Dress: Old Navy (on sale) $15 Heels: Just Fab $40 Necklace: c/o Happiness Boutique Total Outfit Cost: $55 If you didn't know I was pregnant,you would totally just think that I put on a little weight... particularly in the tummy area. And you'd probably think that I need to pose different because this pose is totally unflattering! Lol! Luckily I am pregnant and you all know that that little pooch is carrying a peach sized baby!
I really love this necklace that Happiness Boutique sent me! I've really been lacking in the necklace department lately, and this gorgeous necklace was the perfect addition to my closet. I still love a good statement necklace, but I have been leaning more towards long pendant necklaces. You'll be seeing more of this beauty for sure! 

this is how we do

Romper: Apricot Lane (50% off) $22 [similar]

B.O.C. Heels: borrowed from mom [similar]

Necklace: (on clearance for 4.80 + 15% off coupon from retailmenot app) Kohl's $4 [similar]
Total Outfit Cost: $26


This is what I wore to the Katy Perry Concert in New Orleans a couple weeks ago! I originally wanted to wear something Katy Perry inspired.. like put together an outfit based off something she's worn before... but I came across this romper and just couldn't pass it up for the price. Then I found a picture of KP in this outfit so my outfit is kinda Katy inspired, right?

  I had a blast with a few of my friends at the concert. We started the night off eating at a small seafood restaurant downtown. Then we walked down to Bourbon Street for some drinks and site seeing (if you've ever been there you know what I mean by site seeing.. the people). We stopped in Channing Tatum's bar, Saints & Sinners, for some drinks. Too bad his gorgeous self wasn't in town :(. After that we headed to the concert just in time for Katy to be getting on stage! It was my second KP concert, and I still can not get over how just plain phenomenal she is. I am already ready for her next tour! 

i thrifted hunter rain boots

Hunter Wellies: Goodwill $9 [here] Tank: Old Navy (clearance + super cash) $5 Shorts: TJ Maxx $16 Old Navy: Goodwill $3.50 Total Outfit Cost: $33.50
The other day I stopped in the Goodwill for just a quick run through. When I do my quickie trips I typically look through the houseware/junk, shoes, and dresses. After my pass through the houseware, I noticed one of the workers with a huge buggy of shoes waiting to be put out. And on the top of the buggy? These Hunter rain boots. In. My. Size! AND my favorite color! You better believe I snatched them up real quick and didn't put them down till they were safe in my car. When I was waiting in line to check out these two young (college-age looking) girls saw the boots and said "oh my God, did you find those HERE?" And I was all like "yeahhhh omg, I'm like the thrifting queeen." Ok just kidding. But no really. These boots are something I would absolutely never own if it wasn't for me thrifting them. To be honest, if it wasn't for blogging, I'd have no clue what the heck Hunter Wellies were! I still don't understand why anyone would pay $150 for rainboots, but that's just me! If I didn't know better, I'd think the Goodwill was crazy for up pricing them to $9. ;)

splurged

Dress: Lulu's $40 [here]
Just Fab Heels: $22 instagram shop $20

Bracelet: Goodwill $1

Total Outfit Cost: $61

This past Friday I attended a friends wedding. I'm a girl, so of course I've been thinking about what I could wear to the wedding for months. A chance to dress up a little fancier than normal is too exciting, right?! I think so at least. Anyways, with the wedding being in October, I knew I wanted to wear a longsleeve dress (even though it was fairly warm so I didn't need sleeves at all). Specifically one with a floral print. I searched the internez up and down, and for probably 2 months I kept coming back to this dress. The style was perfect and the floral was perfect. But if you know me or have followed this blog for any length of time (or even just have read my blog title ;) you know that I'm not one to just order a dress for 40 bucks! Finally a couple weeks ago I decided to take the plunge. I allowed myself to splurge for this beat. I even paid extra for shipping to make sure it was here in a decent time. I'm so happy I did, because I'm seriously IN LOVE with this dress! It's soooo me. I can't wait for something else to come up so I can wear it again. I may even try to dress it down with my cognac boots... how do you think I should style it next?

young business casual

Peplum Blouse: Plato's Closet $8

Cynthia Rowley Pants: Marshall's $25

Heels: Target (bogo) $22

Necklace: Groopdealz $3

Total Outfit Cost: $58

Long time no blog post, eh? We got back from our wonderful Disney vacation last Tuesday, but I just couldn't get myself to write up a new post! I was partially busy unpacking, cleaning house, washing clothes, etc... but partially I was being just plain lazy. Ain't nothing wrong with that! Being in Disney World makes me miss living there soooo much. It just feels like home to me! Unfortunately there's no chance I'd live there again. It's way too far from all of our family. I can't say that our future children will be Disney deprived though. I feel like we'll probably be that family that vacations there every year. I'm already ready to go back! Too bad it may be another 3 years or so before we do. :( I'll miss ya, Mickey!

On to the outfit- something about this outfit just says "young business casual" to me. I know that a couple of years ago when I thought of business casual I thought of black flare dress pants, black flats, and a boring blouse. I've been wearing business casual to work for 2 years, and I now know that business casual doesn't have to be plain and boring! Take a look at this outfit I wore to my first day of work 2 years ago when I worked at Top Gun Aviation. Not boring, but just not me. In 2 years I've learned how portray my own style even when having to dress business casual! Did you ever have a certain style in your mind when you thought business casual?

a whim

Gap Pants: Plato's Closet $12 [similar] Earrings: Forever 21 [super similar] Target Bouse: Goodwill $4 Leopard Belt: Forever 21 $5 Kate Landry Purse: Dillards (clearance) $17 Total Outfit Cost: $42    

Most of the time I either have my outfit planned out in my head the day before or at least an idea of what I'm wearing.This is an outfit that was totally unplanned and put together in a whim one morning. I knew going to bed the night before that I wanted to wear these pants, but I had no idea with what yet. When I got to putting my outfit together, somehow this happened, and I love it! This is definitely one of my favorite outfits in a while! Do your best outfits come when they're planned or unplanned?

a neglected favorite

LC Lauren Conrad blazer: Kohl's $24 [similar]  Blouse: Plato's Closet $6 Pants: Old Navy $26  [here] Heels: Shoe Station (clearance) $10 [almost exact] Total Outfit Cost: $66
Last year I wore this blazer sooo much. I had to stop myself from wearing it once a week. But this year? It's been neglected in my closet! How could I have let that happen to one of my favorite pieces in my closet? No idea! My dear coral blazer, I am sorry. I promise not to neglect you anymore.  One thing that has definitely not been neglected is these Old Navy "the diva" skinny pants. I have worn these babies OUT. The bottom seam is out so I have to flat iron it cuffed under so it doesn't come undone during the day. (please tell me y'all flat iron your clothes too?!) Anyone have a good recommendation for skinny pants for work that are under $30??

orange dress #2

'
Old Navy dress: Goodwill $6 [similar] Sandals: Target, gift carded [same] Necklace: Forever 21 $9 [similar] Belt: off another dress Total Outfit Cost: $15
I remember seeing this dress at Old Navy last summer and loving it, but with a $35 price tag this pretty little thing was not coming home with me! Lucky enough, I found it for a whole 6 bucks at Goodwill a few months ago! Funny how last time I wore an orange dress, I asked y'all what colors to pair with orange. Y'all gave such great feedback, and yet I end up styling this dress almost exactly like I styled the other dress!  Hope you all are enjoying your Labor Day! It's just me, myself, and I in the office today. I was off on July 4th and Memorial Day, so I'm really not complaining about having to work today. Plus, it's still a 4 day week for me and just 4 more days until Disney World!

four seasons, one dress: summer

Gap Dress: Goodwill $8 Sandals: Apricot Lane, gifted Belt: came off another dress Necklace: Forever 21 $9 Puppy: FREE ;) j/k Total Outfit Cost: $17
Happy Friday! A few weeks ago I showed y'all some of my recent thrifted finds, this adorable dress being one of them! The adorable Priya commented and told me she had the same dress, and I had the idea that we should collaborate a blog post together and show y'all how we style this dress for all seasons! Dresses like these that can be worn all year around are definitely my favorite. I paired mine with a cognac colored belt and sandals because you just can't go wrong with that color right? I acessorized with my latest favorite necklace and a gold headband.  I love how Priya styled her's with a bold yellow necklace and some fun clogs! Don't forget to stop by her blog, Perfectly Priya, where she shows off her style and bits and pieces of her life. She's totally a sweetheart! Charlie wanted to drop in and say hi too! And I promise that I didn't use her to show off the back of my hair, but I love that it turned out that way! haha :)

green + leopard

Cardigan: Garage Sale $2 Tank: Old Navy, gift carded Skirt: Ross $6 Heels: Payless (clearance) $10 Necklace: ebay $4 Total Outfit Cost: $22
Monday came here way too quick, dontcha think? When will we all turn to 3 days weekends? Speaking of 3 day weekends, I totally thought I'd be getting one next weekend because I go from working Mon-Fri to Tues-Sat for September. So I would be off Saturday to Monday right? Well nope! I completely forgot that I'm working Labor day! Booooo. Oh well, still only a 3 day week for me though, because we're going to Disney World that week! I spent Saturday with my best friend, and we got all our Disney reservations, fast passes, and outfits all in order for our trip! We were so productive! We even finished the day watching Frozen. We are definitely big kids at heat forever. I can't wait to show ya'll our Disney Bound outfits we have planned for the trip. :)

Other ways I've worn this blouse ----> 1 2 3

a good week ahead

Target Blouse: Goodwill $4 Old Navy Skirt: Gift carded [almost exact here & here] Necklace: Forever 21 $6 [here] BCBG Flats: Marshalls (clearance) $25  Total Outfit Cost: $35 Happy Monday pretty ladies! I know a lot of you are thinking... Monday and happy in the same sentence? I may be thinking the same thing as you're reading this, but I'm writing it on Sunday night! I think it's going to be a good week though. I have my outfits and meals planned out for the week, so in my eyes, that projects a good week. No waking up and having nothing to wear, and no coming home and not having anything to eat.... two things that I struggle with on the daily! Plus, the house is clean and most of the clothes are clean, folded/hung and put away. How's your week ahead of you looking?