Monday Musings

Here we are...another Monday...

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Charleston is experiencing some nice fall temps and they are much welcomed if I do say so myself! 70s breezes? Yes, please! I was able to relax out in the backyard catching up on 50 Shades of Grey on my Kindle...I started the books a year ago, but put it down midway through the second book and didn't get the itch to pick it back up again until they announced Charlie Hunnam would be playing Christian Grey in the movie adaptation. So I'm racing to finish the series before the movie comes out!

Speaking of fall weather, I can finally pull out the boots and scarves! Here is my outfit today:

Top: Banana Republic {old} // Scarf: Target {old} // Jeans: Levis {old} // Boots: Target {old}

I'm almost 8 weeks preggers and this being my 3rd, I am definitely rounding out in the middle quicker. I am still able to slide into my skinny jeans, but only because they are a tad on the stretchy side.

Another thing I'm excited for - October. Tomorrow is the first day of my new favorite month of the year. Being here in the Lowcountry, it is the most ideal month weather-wise and I just love all the fall activities I get to do with my kids - pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, watching them play in leaf piles, S'mores around the firepit...it's just such a sweet time of year.

Have a great week, y'all!

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Five on Friday

Hey y'all - happy Friday! I definitely need a weekend...but somehow I don't think I'll get much rest...two rambunctious boys makes that a wee bit difficult. This week has been the hardest thus far in this pregnancy....ultra-exhausted, starting to get nauseous on an empty or too full stomach and I really felt "hormonally-charged" when it came to my mood. Plus, getting a flat tire on the way to dropping the boys off to school on Wednesday really sucked...I was also due for rear brakes. It all got taken care of, but you know those things are never fun. 7 weeks down, 33 to go...

BUT, enough about that, going to try and turn it around.

In other news, here are five things I am happy about this Friday...

{one}

Yesterday, baseball practice got cancelled, but I found out a little late - on the way to practice. I was actually sort of glad because it's such a rush getting the boys a quick dinner and then racing to practice to get there on time. I love walking the bridge during practice, but my body definitely needed to not feel rushed yesterday...it had taken enough. So, we took a detour and headed here instead:

{via my Instagram}

{two}

I love having a Kohl's charge card. They send their monthly mailings where you either get a 15%, 20% or 30% off coupon and I hit the jackpot this time with a 30% off coupon. Plus, they sent me a $10 coupon in my email just for switching to paperless statements. I knew I was going to score big. I left with a couple books for the kids {a buy one get one half off deal} and this Simply Vera Wang bag to take with me on my NYC trip in December {I had been looking for a good big bag to be able to carry my DSLR in while I walk the streets of NYC}:

I was so lucky because it was originally $99.00 and they had it displayed on their 60% off rack for SVW handbags {it wasn't alone, there were a few of the same bag}, but when I went to the register, it rang for $64.99. I told the lady it was with plenty of the same bag, not looking misplaced, the employees definitely messed up when they set it there, and she ended up giving me the entire 60% off. Score. I left with those two books and that bag for under $40.00 total after my coupon discounts. Gotta love Kohl's. I felt kinda bad that she had to give me the extra off, but it was definitely a misleading advertisement, and technically they are supposed to offer the advertised price, even if it's their mistake. I learned this tactic from my mom.

{three}

Experienced yet again a nice bridge walk with Breckin on Tuesday during Tanner's baseball practice...it was a gorgeous sunset. I even had some extra time to take him the the play park under the bridge afterward.

{via my Instagram}

{four}

As a writer for Skinny Mom, they are having me do a product review on Hilaria Baldwin's new prenatal yoga DVD that comes out on Oct. 1st. It's actually really nice, I think it will help me maintain my flexibility throughout, and it definitely relieves back pain. If you're preggers, be sure to check it out!

{five}
We've had some great fall temps here in Charleston lately...I'm hoping I can pull out the scarves and boots really soon...this 3rd baby is showing a lot faster than my 1st and 2nd, so I'd like to be able to be comfy in some leggings and sweater dresses really soon!

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Links I Love

As a former competitive dancer, I can appreciate this...and I think it's pretty much true.

This post about the 13 Worst Fitness Instructors had me laughing...and inevitably picturing some past instructors whose classes I've taken and whom I've worked with.

This video about how we use social media is great. #laughs

Do you hashtag too much? Are we as a society hashtag-addicted? Check out this #funnyvideo with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake.

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Wanted Wednesday

Here are some items I've been lusting over lately...

Phillip Lim for Target - Mini Satchel w/Gusset in Yellow

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Old Navy Waffle-Knit NFL Team Henley

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With football season now in full swing, I may need yet another Packers shirt for Sunday wear...especially with the weather getting a bit chillier, my current tee just won't do. This waffle-knit henley looks so cozy. I love that Old Navy stocks these NFL items; I can even find the Packers gear at my local store in Charleston, SC. These are always a great price in comparison to an NFL store or website. Always a great gift for Hubby. And plus, won't this go well with above-mentioned yellow satchel? I think so.

Jessica Alba is a new editor for Piperlime. I have always loved her style and her picks are swoon-worthy. I most adore the:

Tinley Road Notch Neck A-Line Mini Dress

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 and the:

House of Harlow Dynamic Necklace

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What have you been lusting over lately?

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Monday Musings

Funny thing about pregnancy...

It makes your weekends A LOT less interesting than they were previously. So unless you want to hear about my longing for a glass of Merlot, my midday naps or my little moments of nausea and fatigue, I'm going to just talk about something else entirely if that's OK.....mmmmmmmm-K.

So I've got this workout top and I love it....

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It comes in a few other colors, so I'm thinking about getting a few more because it will be perfect for working out once my belly starts really popping out. I recommend this shirt to everyone because it's nice on days at the gym when you feel a little bloated...completely covers that for you! I personally have to wear an additional sports bra underneath this, or I feel like the ladies are spilling out a little much, but that may not be the case for everyone.

I've been feeling the need to start stocking up on sweater dresses...I love pairing them with leggings, boots and a scarf in the fall and winter. Also, particularly, this look will be my go-to maternity look! As I've said, I want to be as maternity-wear less as possible. Old Navy has a few cute options right now:

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This cute dress also comes in red, black and camel tan.

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The polka dots on this dress are too cute. Don't you agree?

And I had to peek over at their scarf collection...isn't this infinity scarf great?

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Happy Monday, y'all and have a great week!

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Five on Friday

Ahhhh...this week has been super busy. As you can tell, other than today, I've only posted here once! I hope to get back in the swing of it next week. But you know what, today is FRIDAY and I'm going to just revel in that fact. It's time for...

 

{one}
Tanner started baseball this week! If you don't already know, my sons are polar opposites, and Tanner is my more introverted, less into sports one. It started off great, the first night, one of his classmates came up to him and was so excited that Tanner was playing baseball with him this year. I was so glad he immediately found someone he knew. We are hoping to get him to branch out and like more "active" activities rather than just Legos, drawing and video games. He is who he is, but I feel it's my duty as a mom to expose him to as many healthy activities as I can and provide opportunities for him to be social. Here's a picture of my little man looking handsome in his uniform:

The socks are blue because they didn't provide uniform socks, so we are using baseball socks from another year! LOL. We will be doing baseball every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:15 to 8:00 for the next five weeks. It's a big rush to get them picked up from daycare all the way at the other end of town and make it back in time for practice, plus they need to be fed, so we've found that grabbing fast food and heading to the baseball field to have a pre-practice picnic is the way to go.

{two}
Thanks to baseball, and I know I've mentioned this before, I now get a good excuse to walk the Cooper River Bridge two nights a week. With the practice field being right next to it, and trying to entertain his three year old brother for almost two hours being nearly impossible, it's nice to be able to pop Breckin in the stroller and take a long stroll on the bridge. It's great exercise too of course! Hubby came with us the first night, but couldn't make it last night. Hopefully he will be there for the rest of the baseball practices though.

Gorgeous view, isn't it? And we get to enjoy the sunset each time too. Breckin loves watching for boats in the water.

{three}
I hit my six-weeks-along pregnancy mark yesterday. I still haven't had morning {all day} sickness...I'm surprised with the very few symptoms I'm having this time around. I wasn't ever very sick with my boys, but I definitely had nausea...I think it hit about week 6 or 7 with them...so maybe it's coming. I'm doing well with my weight...with Breckin I think I gained like 7 or 8 lbs in the first trimester, which is considered a lot! I was eating to avoid feeling sick. This one, I'm making sure to keep up the exercise with morning cardio, and now the bridge walks are definitely a plus. I've heard exercise helps fight sickness during pregnancy. Right now, I'm about 1 lb gained...and good Lord, it's probably in "my girls". Not wearing maternity clothes yet, but my pants do get a little tight by the evening time and I jump into PJs right when I get home. Sorry if you're squeamish, but these pictures always amaze me about the woman's body and what we are made to do:

{Week 6 Pregnancy}

{four}
Speaking of exercise during pregnancy, I just came across this article about a woman who does CrossFit during her pregnancies and the backlash she received even though her doctor assured her since she was already that active prior, that it was OK. She even gained a healthy pregnancy weight. I don't lift like this right now, but I've not done CrossFit, so of course pregnancy isn't the time for me to start...but I do keep up my regular strength training and cardio, and like her, believe it's a much better alternative than being sedentary and not getting that blood flowing for baby. What are your thoughts?

{five}
Flared jeans...do you think they'll be the new craze and edge out skinny jeans for popularity? A few of my friends have been pinning images like this lately:

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I've always been a fan of the flares or bootcuts....they flatter my shape better. I don't have the ultra-thin legs that look bomb in skinnies, though I do love to wear them. But flares make my thighs appear thinner...and that's a magic trick I can't resist.

Have a great weekend!

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Of Hair Tragedies & Triumps

I made a big change to my hair...remember how I said I wanted to go blonde again {it's been so many years}? Well, I started the transition...trying to get a natural blonde...so I didn't want to do anything too light or abrupt right away...to get away from a dyed dark brown, you have to be careful. I started this weekend with Feria Hi-Lift Brown...it was a very caramel light blondish brown with some shimmer to it, so I thought it would be a good base. It was meant for dark brown to black hair.

It did not turn out good. Basically, my roots were dyed the color and the rest of my hair stayed dark brown. Extreme lightening, hi-lift - my ass. Disaster. I put my hair up in a pony tail and ran to Walgreen's to get a color removal system. I read online about this one:

It was nerve-racking to try it, but I went for it. It lifted a lot of the brown and I ended up with an orange-y strawberry blonde shade {expected}. I had also picked up this hair dye knowing I would have to dye it again after {my poor hair}:

And well, not much better...my roots were still very light in comparison to the rest of my hair, though at least my dark brown had lifted to a more light brown. To everyone's disappointment, I did not take a picture of any of these stages...I do not want the record. However, if you are going to learn something from this post, just remember, it was BAD, very bad.

At this point, I didn't want to do anything more for fear my poor hair might retaliate from all the chemicals and just fall out. So I gave 'er a rest for the night and let myself stew think about what route I wanted to go - either just give up and buy a box of dark brown, or continue to try to achieve the blonde I was going for.

The next day, I threw it up in a pony tail {that was the only way to somewhat disguise the hell that was my hair}...and I went to work. My bosses are in town this week, and surprisingly, neither of them said anything about it {I guess they know when not to say anything}.

Anyway, I had a box of highlights in my linen closet, so I decided I'd go ahead and give it a try. I figured the highlights would help break up the line between my blonde roots and my brown shaft...help it blend a little better. So, here's the result:

So yeah, a little better...and able to wear it down in public. It's not what I want exactly, I definitely have some work to do. I want to achieve a more natural blonde, not so yellowish-toned. More like this:

I'm still a pretty far cry from that...so I'm going to work on it {slowly but surely}...this little beauty endeavor is to be continued...

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Five on Friday

Boy, has this seemed like a long week! {I guess coming off a short work week for Labor Day makes a difference!} It's finally that time again -

I'm linking up with the 5 on Friday ladies again...

{one}
Well, first and foremost, I made a special announcement on the blog this week, in case you missed it:

Yup. We're at it again. Not planned...not expected...but very exciting! Please blow some *pink* dust my way because I'm dying for a girl...and this is definitely our last try!

{two}
All this baby business has got me thinking about maternity fashion. I really want to wear a lot of non-maternity stuff that will work with the belly. Fall and winter make it easy with leggings, boots, scarves and sweaters or dresses. Here's some looks I've pinned lately:

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Except I would pair this with some brown boots.

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Gotta love the slimming effects of all black!

{three}
I haven't tried these yet, but I saw them at Target yesterday. Wondering if I should pick up a bag and give them a try? Have you tried them?

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{four}
I need recommendations for maternity skinny jeans! I am looking at these from ASOS, and the price is great, but hoping the fit is right. Do you have any recommendations for {affordable} maternity skinny jeans?

{five}
I must say I'm really struggling to fill this list today. There, that's my #5.

Have a great weekend!

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Breckin's Room Reveal

About this time last year, we made the transition from crib to twin bed for Breckin. It was at this time I started decorating his big boy room. It has been a long process...just adding things here and there. I had actually planned on painting it, but never got around to that. It's a little bittersweet to share this post now because now that Hubby and I have found out our news, we are planning on bunking the two boys in one room. I plan on revealing Tanner's room as well, since his made big changes too. Here is a picture of the moodboard I had created for Breckin's room:

And here's what we've ended up with:

The bed and bedding were Tanner's old sets. The bedding was from Target and I love it so much. I wish they still sold it so I could do matching bunk beds with it when the time comes!

The dresser was given to me by a friend when I was pregnant with Tanner. I actually have two of them! They are actually pretty cute - bamboo detailed. Perfect for a beach-themed room.

The striped rug is also from Target. The dog just follows me around.

This is his desk area...he's a bit too young for schoolwork yet, but I was planning early. He's also big on tools right now, so his tool bench sits right beside. The "B" picture is one I painted myself and the frame was around $3 at Ross when I was pregnant with him. The lamp was from Target a few years ago, again from Tanner's old room. The chair is actually a chair I've had since I was a teenager! It's moved with me time and time again and is now the perfect chair for either one of my boys. The bulletin board is a Goodwill find I covered with fabric and pinned down with nailhead trim {I ran out of trim and need to go grab another pack from Hobby Lobby!} I did this exactly like I did Tanner's in this post.

The shelves were my favorite part to decorate. I found the cool orange mirror at TJ Maxx and knew I had to have it for his room. The coconut monkey is actually a drink holder I got from a vendor while walking on Savannah's River Street. The football piggy bank and striped photo album are from Target.

This is his reading nook. He loves books. This kid will not go to bed without a story {or three}. He enjoys looking at books by himself too. I definitely have no worries about this one when he gets to Kindergarten!

The chair and ottoman were from Marshall's, as well as that small blue bucket. The shelf was a curbside find from my neighbor. The lamp base was from Target, but had a baby blue shade. I actually JUST changed that out because can you believe I found the matching shade to the other lamp at Goodwill the other week for less than $2.00??? It was like it was meant for me to find it. I love crazy finds like that. The "B" monogram was made from a Goodwill frame, some fabric and a wooden "B" from Hobby Lobby. I showed you how I made Tanner's here.

 The lamp was from Target {surprise, surprise}.

The nightstand was another curbside find from my neighbor, not sure why they were getting rid of it! It's a great nightstand.  The "Breckin" market tote was made from an Etsy seller a couple years ago. I used them as their Easter baskets. For now it holds some of his favorite bedtime buddies.

The curtain is definitely Target, but I got it off a selling group on Facebook for moms in my area. The stacked cube shelves I've had since my college days {also from Target}. The brown drawer was from Target and the blue bucket {matches the one in the book nook} and the cube box are from Marshall's. 

And lastly, his toy bin shelf is a folding tier shelf I've had since college too. The baskets are from Marshall's {I have yet to label them - my chalk marker ran out!} They magically fit perfectly across in the shelves when I brought them home.

So overall, what do you think of the space? It will be sad to break most of it down in the coming months as we start putting together the nursery. But my hopes are to plan a great shared room for them and hope they don't kill each other!

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