Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Five

1. In My Shopping Cart

I've made a few trips to Gap lately, and I've been stocking up on some maternity and baby essentials!  And right now they are having some crazy deals - using online coupon codes: STAPLES (for $25 off $50 of sale items) and then HAPPY (for an extra 30% off sale items.)  I'm not sure if they are still running, but I scored big time on an online order last night!  Here are a few things that I've brought home, and that will be coming to me soon!  


Side slit tank tunic - Sold Out :(
I'm actually wearing this tank while I type out this post!  I love it and it's so comfy!



I basically live in loose layering shirts, and I love Gap's linen tees.   This one is technically maternity, but I know I will wear it long after the baby comes. 



Speaking of baby, I have picked up several of these favorite footed sleepers in different prints. 
 But this cat-fish print is my fave!   



Leopard print mary janes - Sold Out :(
I simply couldn't resist these ballet flats.  I know baby shoes are pretty much useless, but ugh.  
So cute.



This will be for next summer - love the gingham print!  And I think it will look perfect with pretty pink monogram :)



Again for next summer - the scalloped detail is so precious.  Another monogram perhaps? ;)




We have loved these sleep sets for Andrew ever since he turned a year old (they run small IMO).  I do still like the zippered one-pieces, but these sets are perfect for lazy day lounging too.  And Andrew loves trucks so this one will be a fave!




2.  Highlighter Love 

No matter what season it is, I'm all about the highlighter, and I've professed my love on the blog for this and this in the past.  I definitely do not need another highlighter, but when I saw the Becca x Jaclyn Hill collab at Sephora, (and after seeing Biana rave about it), I pulled the trigger and ordered this bad boy.  It's not cheap.  But it's amazing.  Really amazing.  It's the most beautiful shade of gold with a peachy-pink undertone, and flattering for all skin tones.  A little goes a long way (wear it as eyeshadow too!), so I know this product will last forever.  It's limited edition so if you're considering buying it, do it now!








3.  White Chicken Chili

Chicken Chili | ©addapinch.com
adapted via


I don't know why, but I've been in the soup mood lately!  Maybe I'm just ready for fall, or maybe because soup is just a one-pot dinner that's usually pretty quick and easy to prepare.  Regardless, I made this White Chicken Chili this week, and I had to share the delicious recipe!  I made a big batch, so we've been eating lots of it for leftovers and it seems to get better each time!  Try it out now, or save it for when the weather gets cooler!  (And check out the instructions below for my favorite new way to shred chicken! Am I late to the ballgame on this one?)


INGREDIENTS

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 cups chicken stock

2 cups water
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 (15-ounce) can white beans, with liquids from beans
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis, with liquids from chilis

1 (15-ounce) can of whole kernel corn (drained)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano


INSTRUCTIONS

Add chicken to a 4-quart, heavy bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot. Add chicken stock and water and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Shred chicken with two forks (or if you have a Kitchen-Aid mixer, throw those suckers in there and shred 'em up!  One of my fave new Pinterest tricks! So quick and no-mess! and then add back to the liquid.
Add garlic and onion to stockpot, white beans, green chilis, corn, dried oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh oregano. Stir until well-combined. Taste for flavor and adjust to your preference.

Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and serve. We topped ours with fresh cilantro, avocado slices, shredded cheese and tortilla chips :)  We love our toppings, clearly. 



4.  Girl's Trip to Atlanta


I can hardly stand my excitement to see these beautiful ladies next week!  They are my college besties and we will be having our annual reunion in Atlanta this year! I can't wait for girl time, pizza, slumber parties, fancy dinners, lounging by the pool, and meeting the newest baby of the group, Lily!!  And I'm probably way too excited to just sit on a plane by myself with a large iced coffee, headphones, and a good book.  All by myself.  Did I mention, I'm flying by myself?  A vacation in of itself!  If only I could have a bed too...






5.  Nursery {Pin}spiration

We don't have a spare bedroom to put Baby Girl in when she comes, so she'll be bunking up with us in ours for awhile.  Even though we won't be doing a typical nursery, we will have a nursery "space" for her that I'm trying to decorate as much as possible.  We moved in Andrew's old glider, got a pretty changing table, a swing, and some artwork for the walls.  I think I'll end up doing some sort of gallery wall above her changing table.  Here are some of my favorite pins that have given me nursery nook inspiration!  (A girl can dream, right?!)


Love is spoken {a completed nursery for my niece}, wall gallery over changing table, ivie baby changing pad cover, coral and gold, touches of teal

Gender neutral nursery: http://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2015/05/04/a-gender-neutral-nursery-for-twins/ | Photography: Conrhod Zonio - http://www.conrhodzonio.com/


the rack above the changing table for storage. And then a shelf to soften it up. I'm guessing I can find this at IKEA?


Ayla's Sophisticated Botanical Nursery by Sara Hasstedt and Cassidy Brook Photography on COUTURE colorado Baby | stylish nursery + kid's room design | baby + mom style inspiration | featuring framed vintage botanic prints with ribbon picture hanger, peach white lemon yellow teal blush baby girl nursery.



Wall Art Print | Girls | Room | Nursery | Let her sleep for when she wakes she will move mountains


I am a Child of God- $5 for 4 prints, help a little girl with cancer

{linking up with April today!}


happy friday!!



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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Baby #2 - Weeks 25-28

The weeks are flying by so fast around here, I can hardly keep up!  This past month was the best so far!  We had an amazing trip to Florida, lots of parties and showers for friends, lazy days at the pool, and we are finally starting to set up Baby Girl's nursery space in our bedroom!  She can blink her eyes, hear our voices, and even detect bright lights - amazing!
Feeling excited and blessed - 
Here are the weekly updates from 25-28!






How far along? 25 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of an eggplant.
Total weight gain/loss: 24 lbs.
Maternity clothes? At the beach this week, so lots of cover ups and casual dresses.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleeping pretty good.
Best moment this week: Just being at the beach on vacation!  It's wonderful
Miss Anything? I randomly wanted baked brie on toast this week!
Movement: Yep - she is active!
Food cravings: Mostly sweets - candy and chocolate. Also Chick-fil-a!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great.
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Mood? Blessed and thankful.
Looking forward to: Spending the rest of the week here in FL with family and friends.  Andrew is having the time of his life!  :)





How far along? 26 weeks - Hello 3rd Trimester!
Baby Size: Baby is the size of a cucumber.
Total weight gain/loss: Still about 24 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Mostly dresses - it's hot here!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Sleeping ok, waking up 1x to pee and it's starting to get more uncomfortable finding good sleeping positions.
Best moment this week: Andrew's 18 month appointment at doctor, I just love spending time with him and watching him grow and change!  We got him a baby doll, and he loves her so much and is always "checking on her", so sweet!
Miss Anything? Jersey Mikes subs....nothing new.
Movement: Kicking and rolling around like crazy, especially at night!
Food cravings: Doughnuts!  Our Wegman's bakery is dangerous.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great and still working out!
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On, but tight. 
Mood? Good - feeling energized and happy!
Looking forward to: Getting back our family/maternity pics we took at the beach last week!!






How far along? 27 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of a cauliflower.
Total weight gain/loss: Around 25 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Maternity shorts (from Target and Pea in the Pod) and dresses.
Stretch marks? Not yet.
Sleep: Tossing and turning a lot, and taking lots of Tums. 
Best moment this week: I scored big time at a local consignment shop- shopping for girls is so much fun!  
Miss Anything? I'm always craving deli sandwiches and sushi.
Movement: Kicking like crazy - I love it!
Food cravings: Mostly sweets - especially peanut butter and chocolate combo!  I pretty much eat graham crackers with peanut butter and mini chocolate chips on a daily basis.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, got a cold this week, but feeling ok.
Have you started to show yet: Yep! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? Off, they are just a tad too tight. 
Mood? Excited and happy, just wish I could sleep better!
Looking forward to: Starting to shop for baby girl's nursery space!!





How far along? 28 weeks
Baby Size: Baby is the size of a small cabbage.
Total weight gain/loss: Around 27 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Lots of lightweight dresses and flowy tops.  Most of my favorites are from Gap (shirt above) and Target. 
Stretch marks? Nope, knock on wood.
Sleep: I'm having a really hard time falling asleep - and lots of heartburn.
Best moment this week: Starting to decorate and set up the nursery "nook" in our bedroom.  Since we don't have another room for the new baby, she'll be sharing our room for awhile - until we make another plan!  We set up her swing today!  Andrew immediately went to go get his "baby" doll and put her in the swing - it was the sweetest!  
Miss Anything? I've been craving sushi, I think I could eat an entire sushi boat.
Movement: Kicking like crazy, she's a night owl!
Food cravings: Mostly sweets and baked goods! Having my glucose test this week, fingers crossed!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great, just getting more tired.
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes, people comment all the time on my belly! 
Gender: GIRL!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly Button in or out? In, but getting more shallow ;)
Wedding rings on or off? Off - got a new sparkler from Target to wear now! 
Mood? Tired and hot!
Looking forward to: Getting her nook more decorated, getting results from glucose test, and going on a long hike this weekend!


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Monday, August 3, 2015

"Love is Sweet" Baby Shower

In honor of my best friend Ashley's due date week, I wanted to blog about her beautiful baby shower that we threw for her in Florida.  This shower was so special, and some of the hostesses have been friends for over 20 years!  Ashley and baby girl were definitely spoiled with amazing gifts, delicious food, and a super sweet candy bar!  That was the highlight for sure :)

Some pics from the shower!









{the wonderful hostesses}
















We love you so much Ashley, and baby girl Harper!  
Ash - you are going to be the best mama!!  Just trust your instinct, lean on Jesus, and sleep when the baby sleeps!  So happy to be a part of this unforgettable journey you are on!
  (Our baby girls are just 12 weeks apart - such a blessing!)

{linking up with Biana this week!}

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