Five Things

This week has been an odd one. We got hit with a "winter storm" here in the Southeast and it really caused some havoc. My son's school let out before noon on Tuesday and was closed Wednesday and Thursday. This morning they even started on a two-hour delay. Due to all of this, I have not been at work since Monday...which is nice, but still, girl's gotta make that money, honey.

But anywho...here are my five things this week:







{one}
The winter storm brought a very rare occurrence of snow to Charleston. We woke up on Wednesday morning to a lot of ice and a little bit of snow fall. Nothing to brag about, but the boys did sure enjoy getting a rare chance to play in the white stuff.

As you can see, there definitely was not much...but it was awesome to them nonetheless. It was also cute seeing them all bundled up in their winter coats {Sugar too}.




{two}
Since both Jake and I had the day off on Wednesday, I made sure to put him to work...I got him to paint the wainscot in our master bedroom. Long story short, about 6 years ago when we moved in, we thought it would be cool for it to be brown and white, but after a while, I really just wanted it white...and plus, we are planning to sell the house soon, so it will help it show better. Here is the "before" - stay tuned for "after's" next week!

{three}
My Sugar baby turned one this week...she's officially an adult! Here is a pic of her the first day we got her...she still needs me next to her to nap well...it's so funny. She literally sits and waits for me to wind down in the evenings and relax on the couch so she can nuzzle up next to me.

I thought this pic was too funny:

{four}
My J.Crew sweaters arrived - I ordered them on major clearance {$29.50 from $69.50!} from their "factory" website...they are versatile and will go with a lot of different outfits...now just to wait on this pregnant belly to go away...



The pink one pictured  above is now on backorder, but there are still a lot of colors to choose from, so hurry!

{five}
I picked up this pink and gold Threshold ottoman from Target...I have been eying it for a while now, so I finally bit the bullet with a giftcard I had from Christmas. It was on sale online at $55.99, I believe it was originally $69.99. Right now it is sitting in the nursery, but I may find a place for it in the living room!

{via}

Have a great weekend! Hope you're staying warm wherever you are...looks like Charleston will be up in the high 60s again next week - that's more like it!

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Pink Puffer Vest

I recently bought this pink puffer vest. After missing out on J. Crew's version, I still couldn't resist, so I searched the www high and low for a good deal. Unfortunately, due to pregnancy, I won't be able to wear it until next fall season...but a girl can still dream up outfits in the meantime, right? I imagine doing a little something like this:

Pink Puffer Vest by styleoyster featuring Moncler

How would you style it?

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Baby Girl Nursery Moodboard

I've been planning and working on my nursery ever since we found out this last baby of ours is going to be our little princess. I decided to use a color scheme of pink and yellow, very similar to our living room. Here is a moodboard to tide you over until the big reveal:

Pillows / Ottoman / Amy Coe Sorbet Splash Crib Bedding {Similar} / Crib / Art by Morgan J. Smith / Guest Bedding

I love being able to decorate for a girl now...it's a lot of fun...and I love the colors.

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Blogger's Office - With A Touch Of Gold

I am starting a love affair with the color gold...so much in fact that I'm looking at redecorating this blogger's desk of mine with bits and touches of it...it just feels so classy, crisp and clean.

{pencils / framed print / binder / stapler / mug}

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Monday Musings

I don't know about y'all, but I am O-V-E-R this cold weather. Yes, yes, I know here in Charleston what we are experiencing is pretty mild in comparison to other parts of the country - namely the Polar Vortex region...but hey, I didn't choose to live there. I'm supposed to be here in the hot and humid Lowcountry experiencing no lower than 40 at this time of year...yet apparently sometime between tomorrow and Wednesday, we have a chance of getting SNOW. I know it won't last long, but seriously? The fact that this cold front has been going on for a few weeks now isn't helping...normally we get a cold blast for a couple of days and then it's back to 60s-70s, sometimes 80s. I keep punching in the weather website and getting completely disheartened by the 10-day forecast. No end in sight right now.

OK, OK, enough about the weather. How was your weekend? We had a pretty laidback weekend altogether. On Friday night, the Hubs and I went out to celebrate his birthday. We ended up going to Longhorn Steakhouse {his choice} so he could enjoy a nice steak. Afterward, we went and saw Anchorman 2...I wanted to see Wolf of Wall Street, but it's a 3-hour movie and we had to pick up the kids still, so it wasn't a good night for it. I wasn't too impressed by the sequel...I love Will Ferrell, but he can go a little too far with far-fetched ideas and scenarios that are just plain "out there". So I was disappointed considering all the hype that the movie promotions created, but oh well. Moving on. {However, it was great seeing him when my mom and I went to the Kelly and Michael Show Live last month!}

Saturday and Sunday combined I literally did eight loads of laundry. I wish I was exaggerating. My oldest wet his bed Friday night, somehow their accumulated clothes for the week turned into three loads {I've now made a rule of them wearing PJs twice in a row, and jeans too as long as they are not dirty/stained}, then my 3yo took a nap and wet his bed, and of course I had to wash some of my clothes as well. I'm still looking at a couple of loads to do for my husband tonight! Oh the life of a mom...and somehow I'm adding in another to this crazy amount of laundry! On Sunday, we went to Jake's parents's house for a birthday lunch and cake...then we did some grocery shopping on the way home.

With the cold weather lately {and pregnancy draining every nutrient from my body}, I have been suffering from chapped lips...no matter how much chapstick I put on, it just wasn't getting better. While at Target this weekend, I happened upon this {it's in the lotion section}:

I thought, "Vaseline, this has to be good." It's tiny little container is so cute. At under $2.00, I bought three. One for Hubby, one for my purse and one to keep with my makeup to apply in the AM and PM. After just a couple days, I am already noticing a difference...a lot of the flakiness is gone. I am drinking almost a gallon of water most days for this pregnancy, so it's got to be from the weather and this sweet baby. I highly recommend this stuff if you are having a similar issue this winter.

Well, that's about all for today...have a fabulous week!

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Five Things

Happy Friday, yet again! I'm absolutely loving Fridays lately {not that I don't always}, more so because my pregnancy weeks turn over every Thursday, so I feel like I'm getting into a new week every Friday and it's helping this pregnancy {mentally} move along. Because we all know how fast weekends go... #amiright? By the time Monday rolls back around, I'm halfway through another gestational week and closer to seeing this precious baby girl {and a good bit of wine}.




Well without further adieu, here are my Five Things this week:

{one}
I feel like I've been a rockstar at the gym this week {all things - ahem, pregnancy - considering anyway}...I took the day off yesterday due to sore hips {that mountain climbing cardio machine is serious business}. I hate taking days off, but with pregnancy, I have to be sure to listen to my body and take it easy when I feel it's telling me to. My eating this week has been clean and with all of this, I definitely feel a big change in my energy levels, as well as my self-confidence, just from last month. I'm hoping it keeps the rest of the weight gain for this pregnancy in check. Hubby has taken on the T25 program I bought us and I really hate that I can't join in, but I am going to be so eager to get going with it come June!

{two}
Speaking of the Hubby...it's his 36th birthday today! I can't believe when I met him he was 26! Man, time does fly when you're having fun...or having babies...ha! We plan to go out tonight, hopefully try out the new tequila bar in town, Sol {though I'll try it sans tequila}. Happy Birthday, Baby - you are an amazing husband and I love you!

{three}
I think my tummy has really hit the beach ball stage. I'm 24 weeks and 1 day today...here is a pic I took after I got ready for work at the gym this morning. I definitely feel like I'm carrying higher this time than in my other pregnancies.

I love this dress...it was a great purchase from Target early on in the pregnancy...not even maternity, but I knew the material would work for it. It's nice to know I can wear it afterward...love to pair it with black leggings and my grayish brown boots from Aldo {you can't see pictured here, obviously}. Nice and warm for this cold weather we're having lately!

{four}
My husband and I have decided we are going to put our house on the market very soon! We are ready to move into the school district we desire most for our sons, as well as be a lot closer to friends. We're not that far right now, but it still feels a little B.F.E. status sometimes. Right now we are making a plan to purchase a storage unit mid-month next month and move out some of the extra things to make the house more show-worthy...and at the same time we'll do some much-needed purging and organizing of things. We're hoping it doesn't take too long to sell...but then again, if it sells real soon, we'd be looking at moving right when I'm due or right after...so that thought is a little scary to me in itself. But I know people have done this pregnant, so I'll just put faith in God's timing on it all.

{five}
And lastly, on this list today...just want to say I love you all! {I know that's a cheap shot for #5, but I'm seriously blanking!}

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Blogging Goals

I've had this blog now for a year and a half...this of course does not count the blogging I did prior to that before all of my blog identity crisis/name changing.

However, I feel that to keep on truckin', I need to outline some clear goals for myself and this space of mine. I love blogging...I don't do it for money {that's a good thing cuz I'm not makin' any!}...I do it for fun, as a hobby, and it also has brought me to find other women's amazing lifestyle blogs that introduce me to products, style inspiration, home decor inspiration, etc...it's major eye candy and so addicting. It's been a creative outlet for me...I was a very creative person growing up, however, somewhere along the way I lost my desire and inspiration to create and be an artist...it wasn't until blogging that I started painting again, so that in itself lets me know what a great outlet this is for me.

So, onto those goals now.

{via}

1} Stick to an editorial calendar. List a month's worth of posts in advance.
2} Be more organized...make a schedule for myself that includes: Facebook page time, Twitter time, reading other blogs and commenting, creating collages and editing images for my posts, working on projects...rather than being so sporadic with it all.
3} Do more outfit posts. Get Hubby to help with taking pictures. {This will of course be more so after having the baby and dropping some of the weight, but I'll try to work up some maternity style posts in the meantime.}

That's pretty much it for now. You'll notice I didn't mention monetizing or getting sponsors at all. I feel that shouldn't be the goal...the goal should be doing what I do...doing my best at it...and letting the rest fall into place. If I'm meant to be sponsored/monetized, then eventually it will happen as long as I stay the course with my goals in just making this a blog worth visiting.

Thank you as always for your support and readership. I truly appreciate every single visit and that you make me a part of your day/blogosphere.

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J. Crew Sale

Thanks to this lovely outfit post on Jimmy Choos & Tennis Shoes today...I went ahead and jumped on the sale for the sweater Tara is wearing...

Originally priced at $69.50, this Merino Charley sweater is steal right now at $29.50. It comes in quite a few colors as well. Hurry over and see what they have left in your size! I also went ahead and grabbed it in Camel because I have the perfect navy skirt with nude polkadots to pair it with...

Here's that skirt in case you don't remember me posting about it a while ago {I'm sure you don't!} It was from Forever 21 {but sorry, it's no longer available}...

I guess you could say I'm already planning the post-pregnancy wardrobe - AKA getting back to normal!

Now, while the 40% off clearance sale J. Crew is having right now did not include my sweaters, they were still a great price. Go check out their site right now and don't forget to peruse the clearance section and use promo code FUNSALE.

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Monday Musings

Happy Monday!

Not much to report on my weekend...I spent most of Saturday cleaning and doing laundry. We had our good friends Bill & Suz over for dinner and our kids all played together. Sunday, I did a little more cleaning because I had a realtor stop by to assess the house.

Now, I'll go ahead and let you know that we are not necessarily moving right away, nor are we sure we will be able to. We would like to be in our desired area, but we need to see what we can sell our house for vs. what we owe, etc. etc. I think it's going to be a process. We may be putting our house on the market within the next month, we may not. I really can't say for sure. I know it's the last thing we need with a baby coming soon and all, but I don't want to miss out on pricing in our desired area while we can afford it, as it seems the market is in the process of movin' on up. But, more on that later.

Bottom line for right now: I'm happy to have a clean house to start the week with. It's been a while since it's ALL been clean at once.

Anywho, I made some baby purchases over the weekend. Thanks to Natalie, I went ahead and purchased these nursing tanks and bras while they were 25% off. I'm definitely going to need something to wear under shirts that is easy to "pop and go" if you know what I mean.

Bravado Nursing Tank

Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

Nursing has never gone quite that well for me, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to make the process as easy on both baby and me as possible. With Tanner, I went maybe four weeks; Breckin, it was seven or so. I'd love to do it a lot longer.

I did want to take a moment and address my lack of fashion and DIY posts lately. I do apologize, and often find myself struggling for post topics these days. Obviously being pregnant is not great for either of those things. I honestly feel too large to be doing outfit posts {though I'll still try to put together some cute maternity outfits on here for those interested, or even those that may need ideas in the future ;-) } and DIY, well, this lady is supposed to stay away from paint...so a lot of my looming projects are on hold {believe me, it kills me as I am currently waiting to do my changing table-to-bar cart...so excited for that one}. I may see what I can do as far as paint masks and all to see if it's doable, but of course, baby's health, not this blog and my projects, comes first. So please bear with me. 

Happy Monday, Loves! Have a great week! Hopefully most of you are off work for MLK Day, but not me. :-(

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What I Want Wednesday

You'd think after Christmas passed, I wouldn't have too much on my want list, but I'll be honest, I don't get a lot of gifts for Christmas anymore. Don't feel sorry for me...we spent much of Hubby's bonus on much-needed baby items and he and I don't shop for each other. We figure, it's all coming from the same pot, so what's the point? So anyway, that leaves me with a still pretty lengthy lust list...and it grows nearly by the day.

1} OMG, these pants...are you kidding me? Sooooooo cute. I could picture myself rocking them in barre class {hopefully minus the pregnant belly and extra weight in the rear}. At $74, they beat Lulu in price...hopefully they have the longevity in them as well.

2} I've said it before {and I'll probably say it again once more before I actually bite the bullet and buy them}, but I need a pair of Hunter rain boots. That's it. I just do. I have been eyeing them in this color for a while. Yet, I can't decide if it would just be smarter to get them in basic black.

3} How fun are these ponchos? I'm really into the Bohemian look, and I love my Aztec sweater I found last year...I just love the colorful patterns. I love the middle one best...what about you?

4} I've been looking for a bar cart forever. I would love a pink one like this. Our kitchen is black, grey and white with pops of pink in the decor, so I think it would go just swimmingly in there. However, the $950 price tag is going to keep it from my wine-glass-holdin' hands.

So, I've instead been looking for DIY options. I have been searching everything from rolling racks, bookshelves and changing tables to find the perfect piece to makeover into a charming little pink bar cart and I've finally found it...I'm picking her up tonight from a lady in my neighborhood {it was on Craigslist, so that's a score in itself to find something in your own 'hood!} It may be hard to see now, but I've got a good vision for this thing. I may actually utilize it as a changing table after painting it pink, and THEN do the bar cart thing, but not sure. I may not be able to wait that long to set my booze out fashionably.

That's all for now...simply can't overwhelm you with ALL my wants at once now. Happy Hump Day!

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Hi Sugarplum!: Project Decorate {by Style Oyster}

Hi Sugarplum!: Project Decorate {by Style Oyster} by morgan483 featuring ikat home decor

DwellStudio contemporary lighting
dwellstudio.com

Zara Home multi colored area rug
zarahome.com

Black bathroom accessory
waterworks.com

Bar tool
furbishstudio.com

Framed painting
zgallerie.com

Ikat home decor
amberinteriordesign.com

Tufted couch
zgallerie.com

Modern furniture
zgallerie.com

Inlay table
kathykuohome.com

brass urchin large
furbishstudio.com

Xhilaration Chunky & Ornate Baroque Picture Frame 4x6
target.com