When we were in Florida last weekend for our friend’s beachside wedding, I ran out of time to get ready (due to a sweet little boy who was exceptionally hungry;)), and was left with ten minutes in the car to do my hair. Sooo, this is the solution I came up with using a handful of bobby pins!
Simple steps for ten minute hair: half-up double top knots
1. Pre-curl your hair into loose waves.
2. Gather a thick portion of your hair from the top forehead area of your head, and pin back, using a teasing brush if you want more volume.
3. Pull thick sections from each side of your head and twist together. Curl around into a top knot and secure with bobby pins.
4. Repeat a second time underneath the first knot, and you are done!
If you give this a try, I’d love to see it!
I’ll share some more pics of this trip soon. It was such a sight for the eyes, so I can’t resist!
No pumpkins yet here. Just some highlights (and outtakes!) from my iphone and camera reel of the very fast blurry month of September. It’s a slow rainy day here and I am thankful for that. I welcome those types of days with open arms! As we are adjusting our sails with four little ones, our lives at home and outside the home take on a new kind of adventure. Always counting heads to make sure we have everyone with us, and that they all have shoes on their feet at the same time. So our first family outings were close to home in my sister’s backyard for a campfire, at our local fairgrounds for a rodeo, apple orchard, and lakeside for some muscadine grape picking and rock skipping. I wish I could wrap this month up and put it in my pocket….
I could not wait to share with you all about this new to me line of clothing – NYDJ. As you know, I have been trying to build a smarter wardrobe with pieces I will wear more than a few times, and that are high quality (and ethically made if possible!).
NYDJ offers a range of styles in activewear, work wear, and everyday wear. I can’t get over how well made the pieces are. Super feminine, flattering, and with the extra details that leave your jaw to the floor. For instance…
The button downs and skirts have built in shapewear that are more than welcomed after having a baby;) It’s a lightweight and form fitting layer that you soon forget is even there. Another favorite detail is the double collar in this Fit Solution Blouse. A very stylish parisian element that completely changed my perspective on the basic button down. The checked cardigan is double sided with a reverse black and white pattern on the inside. It makes for a super soft and thick material built to last much longer than a season.
NYDJ has a patented criss cross panel inside their denim line. which I found to be intuitive to a woman’s natural shape. I have rarely found a high-waisted pair of denim that doesn’t completely swallow me whole. I find their sizing more accurate than the common industry standards, which was very refreshing (go a size down in their denim! ;)).
For activewear, I look for pieces that are both breathable and supportive, which I loved about these active and loungewear pieces. The City/Sport Yoga Leggings have a higher panel than most activewear pants so it gives abdomen support in a comfortable way. That being said, I have worn them non-stop over the weekend.
I had so much fun getting to style a few looks to share, and completely fell in love with their comfort level and modern classic vibe. You can check out the rest of the NYJD line here.
I think I made it through the first few years of college without wearing jeans more than a handful of times. I just never felt comfortable in jeans which probably had to do with my freshman 15 and inability to find a pair that fit my new curves;) However, over the years they have become my trusty loyals. Despite my more minimal philosophy I have adopted, I still can’t quite weed down my denim stack. I justify it by the fact that I wear them all to death, but I am working on it…
A few readers asked what my favorite denim brands were, so here is what is currently in my closet on rotation for fall.
Fall Denim Guide
1. Citizens of Humanity – My very first pair of high quality jeans was a pair of Citizens of Humanity I found at a consignment store. Never had jeans fit me so well, and had that medium wash nailed down to perfection. I currently have a pair going on year 7.
2.J. Brand– These tend to run to long on me, so I have them hemmed up a few inches, but they are equal parts thick and stretchy which makes for a more forgiving material and form. Their bell flares have been good to me!
3. Lou & Grey – They have mastered the jegging. A jean material, but super stretchy and an elastic waist. I wore these to death last fall/winter/spring under longer tunic tops. (Currently 40% off sitewide)
4. Henry & Belle – You have seen these in style posts over the last few years because they fit me like a glove. I like that the length is not made for only tall builds. There are options for ankle fit which suit my 5’5” frame quite well. Pictured above are the Lila Skinny.
5. NYDJ – Newer to my closet, but I like their fit for a high waisted flare. It is hard to find flattering high waist jeans, and these have their pockets in the right place, and don’t hug the hips too tight.
6. Blank Denim – I love the stretch and give in these skinny boy jeans. Blank Denim’s price point isn’t as high as most designer jeans, but they have the same quality. There are so many good styles currently out for fall.
7. American Eagle – I hadn’t stepped foot in an AE since high school until a few years ago when I discovered a fantastic pair of distressed denim. They are on the more affordable end for jeans so for a good pair of distressed denim that fit normal body types, check them out. (Btw, they are currently Buy one Get one %50 off.)
8. Madewell – I hit up a Madwell sample sale last year and scored a few really good pairs of pants. These are super durable, and don’t wear thin. They live up to the name!
National Coffee Day is on the 29th, and since coffee is a love language of mine, I invited Lauren of Love Lola to share today’s Mocha Smoothie Recipe. I made two batches of this already. One for Gabe and I (throw in some chia seeds!), and substituted milk for coffee for a kids version. It is actually completely sugar free! Bravo Lauren!
I have always been a lover of smoothies in the morning. They make a great on-the-go breakfast, which I’ve discovered I need if I am going to get out the door on time ;). I typically opt for green smoothies, getting a big dose of fruits and veggies first thing in the morning, but after a while I feel the need to switch it up.
I never gave much thought to the month of September since it is an in between month. One that ends a season and anticipates a new one. This year however, I have come to love this highly under-appreciated month;) The evenings are cooler and we can open the windows and let the breeze in. We can squeeze in a few more summer things before dabbling into all things fall….like some of my favorite clothing pieces (ankle boots and the oversized sweater)!
Gabe got me a pair of Ugg Classics a few years ago and I wear them around the house every fall/winter. It is like wearing a pair of pillows. I went into the store to check out what was new, and couldn’t believe the diverse range of styles. I must have saved 10 pairs of black ankle boots to my online cart last year and could never commit because I wasn’t crazy about any of them. However, this pair was love at first sight. All that I had been hoping for in a black bootie (including that comfort level). Also loved the color palate to the UGG classics collection. Buttons and bows…they must know the way to captivate a gal’s attention. It was nice to be able to wear the black boots out to a meeting and then slip into the comfort pair when I got home. After my little ones are in bed, I get a little time to relax with Gabe, and all I crave is a good read, (Btw, I don’t get to read magazines often, but when I do this mag has my favorite articles.) and a place to kick up my feet. I think these boots might do the trick. VIEW FULL POST
Back in June my family and I took a trip up to Raleigh for the weekend. We explored as much as we could, took some good notes of the area, and got to share some of the images in this month’s issue of Garden & Gun Magazine!
Such an honor to be included in this issue (on the opposite side of my dear friend Mandy no less!), for their travel south guide. Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, NC areas are extremely family friendly, and there is more to do there than possible to achieve in a weekend, so here are just some of the highlights…
(My plaid shirt from 
(Wearing the 
