Bump Style Breakdown vol .01

March 31, 2015

Last weekend I went to a 3 day conference and packed about ten options and wore two of them. I think it is pretty common when you are pregnant to be discontent with everything you put on, right? Your shape changes by the day it seems. What you thought might be a great fit, no longer works, and that thing shoved in the back of your closet suddenly fits much better than you remember.

I have never been pregnant through the summer before (a tad nervous about that one), so Jessica Garvin and I thought it would be fun to start sharing some of our favorite looks for pregnancy. We will be sharing a few different looks in the coming months here on the blog and on instagram🙂 It’s sooo nice to have a pregnant pal to brave the summer with!

So here is today’s Bump Style Breakdown (I am 22 weeks):

Shift Dress – A dress style that looks pretty unshapely on a hanger, but when you are pregnant, it is glorious to wear since it offers a little more give. It is a good in between for those months you aren’t quite ready for maternity dresses. This dress I stumbled on at Francesca’s (hadn’t been in there in a few years!), and it is incredibly soft. Here is another favorite shift dress.

Wedge heeled Booties – I stubbornly hang on the heels until the end, but am very cautious about the type I wear since this is about the time where my back will start to get too sore if I don’t wear comfortable shoes. These were a really good comfortable option that lasts for a while with no pain. (They are from F21, but recommend a good quality pair like such.)

White Bucket Tote – My catch all, throw all for everything from snacks for my little ones to my giant dslr camera. I like bags that fit it all, so I usually put in an insert to keep these separate and organized (if that is possible?). c/o J.Crew.

Layering necklaces + Arm Cuff – I usually just throw on a long necklace with most looks, but I like to layer them once in a while. The arm cuff from Trading Hope is a new piece that came just in time for shorter sleeves. Necklaces are by Velina, Mourning Dove, and Kendra Scott c/o.

Head over to Little Baby Gravin blog to see how she styled her ridiculously cute swing dress!

Thank you Chelsey Heidorn for Photography!

Ooh, Berry Berry Cocktail Recipe

March 30, 2015

Somehow I got lucky enough to live in a city full of creative genius. Jenn Gietzen & Kathryn McCrary have become wonderful friends over the past few years, and I am pretty jazzed to have them share one of their newest drinks from their joint collaboration Project Sip , which will most likely become your new favorite instagram account come 5 o’clock. This is a simple berry cocktail recipe you can serve in the spring and summer months or on your Easter Table this weekend! It also includes a recipe to make your own mint simple syrup if you are feeling extra ambitious:) We hope you enjoy!

Project Sip Creators : Jenn Gietzen and Kathryn McCrary

Hand lettering : Jenn Gietzen

Photography : Kathryn McCrary

Model and Assistant : Candice Beaty

[yumprint-recipe id=’5′]

Neighbor’s Table.

March 27, 2015

Happy Friday!
Somehow, I survived the whirlwind week, and landed myself in Dallas, TX for Hope Spoken Conference. The speakers flew in yesterday to have a chance to connect with each other before the conference begins, and we lucked out with a cool sun lit evening.

The dinner was hosted by Neighbors Table in Sarah’s backyard. Her father built those tables, and since then has hosted hundreds of visitors around it’s benches. The names are signed all across it. I have talked about before my love for a good table, and the community it can bring to it, so this was right up my alley. Sarah’s brings life into that table, and I was grateful to sit a spell.

Some of the girls at this table are long time friends I have met through blogging (like Casey, Danielle, and Jen!) I was finally meeting in person for the first time. Many different states and backgrounds among this group, and we weren’t on a shortage of things to talk about;)

Looking forward to the weekend ahead. Hope you all have a good one…sunny side up!

x, Anna

Bump Style Breakdown

March 23, 2015

Arrived at 21 weeks today. I think the fourth time around has allowed me comfort in my own skin. I expect the changes, and am more than okay with the extra weight. I am celebrating, because every day I have a life inside of me is something miraculous to rejoice over. As my closet choices grow thin, and my belly continues to expand, it is much easier to succumb to leggings over anything else. So, I’ll be starting a pregnancy lookbook series next week with Jessica in hopes it will help my dwindling motivation to get dressed, and maybe help a few other mothers to be in the process. There really are some great options available now for every phase of pregnancy. So here we go, this bump style break down:

Long and stretchy stiped tee – I probably should avoid stripes when I am pregnant, but I have an undying love for them…especially black and white stripes. This is a maternity tee I used from my last pregnancy that I just fit into again last week. Here are a few non-maternity striped tees here and here that could also work for your first and second trimester by going up a size or two.

Black Slouchy pants – Make way leggings make way. You have been replaced by the slouch pants from Lou & Grey. These are not maternity but the stretchy waist and ankle give plenty of room for comfort. Love how you can dress these up or down. They are still available in stores, and online they just released a pair that is almost the same.

Cognac Ankle boots – Low cut ankle boots are handmade by Poppy Barley. They make the shoes to custom fit the width of your foot which I welcome with open arms. They also have these cushions on the insoles that allow you to wear them for hours without pain. I bow down. (Also #consciousclosets approved!)

Black Leather Tote – I love large totes because I need to be able to fit the world inside. This is a reversible brown/black leather tote that works with just about everything I wear.

Gold accents – I love supporting ethically made jewelry and clothing companies as you know, and really loved the mission behind Trading Hope. Their pieces are also really unique. I paired their Elin necklace, Trellis cuff bracelet, and stud earrings for some gold accents to complete the look.

Check back next week for my next outfit breakdown. Cheers to the new week, expandable pants, and better yet, husbands who go on ice cream runs for the pregnant wives;)
x, Anna

Photography by Chelsey Heidorn, layout by IHOD

Best Photo Editing Apps for iPhone and Android

March 22, 2015

(This photo taken with Vsco + Edited with the Fotograph app using Earth Tones filter and editing tools)

This is the third part to my improving your instagram series! These are topics that are extensions of our social media segments in The Brand Market workshops:) I hope you find them helpful! I probably will be updating this post frequently if you would like to check back on it.

Here are a few photo editing apps for iphone and android to check out:

1. Vsco Cam – My favorite app to use for manual editing photos and taking the actual photo in iPhone. It is free for download and it is worth paying the few extra dollars for the big filter pack. How to edit your photos using this app here. iPhone and Android.

2. Camera+ – This photo cam has a pretty good focus and exposure option. (Allows you to control lighting options before snapping the pic.) Similar to VSCO. It also has a really good clarity filter to sharpen up your photos. A good app for shooting your pics in. $3.99

3. Afterlight – If you like filters with a creamier tone, this app has some fantastic warm and cool filter options that are fun to play around with. It also has a pretty good photo editing toolbar, frames, sizing, and a few other fun features. Available for both iphone and android. $.99

4. Facetune – Best known for its capacity to edit and improve skin tone and facial touch ups, but I like to use it if I want to blur or smooth out certain aspects of a picture (like backgrounds). It has some really good photo correction tools. $3.99 iPhone or Android.

5. Snapseed – User friendly with fun saturated filter options. Very easy to use! Available for iPhone and Android. Free.

6. Lightroom – If you are a photographer, designer, or blogger who is familiar with the adobe suite software, you might geek out a little bit over the Lightroom app. It has many of the editing capabilities as the computer edition, and can sync with your desktop program! Free to Adobe icloud photography subscribers.

7. Looksee. This is a new app that I am still figuring out, but I think the concept is fun. Some well known travel and food photographers as well as bloggers are sharing their own sets of filters you can try out. There are some really brilliant filters offered. I am loving it so far. The app is Free to download, and you purchase $.99 filter packs you like.

8. Fotograf – I absolutely love some of the manual editing options and filters. I really like how the photo filter options show the previews in a larger view. Very easy to use with rich results. iPhone only. $1.99

What are your favorites? I’d love to hear! Hopefully these are helpful to you, and I look forward to sharing more biz tips soon!
X, Anna

Color For All

March 18, 2015

Did you know that nearly 300 MILLION people around the world are colorblind?

(Source: One, Two, Three, Four)

I have talked about my love of color here on IHOD for a few years now. You all know I have a deep love for bold colors because they express so much more than words can sometimes. They are exuberant, expressive, connective, and complex. Having worked with color throughout my career in graphic design, art direction, and even with my own hands through paint, color has affected my life in such a positive way. My perception of the world around me is largely shaped by my experience of colors.

I admit I have taken the ability to see the complexity of color for granted many times, so I was excited that Valspar paint just launched an initiative called #ColorForAll with a simple mission: to bring color to those who don’t have it, and to help remind those of us who do, to truly appreciate it.
Valspar has created a short film titled Color for the Colorblind that chronicles the journey of four individuals living with colorblindness and their reactions to seeing colors for the first time through the use of the EnChroma glasses. I watched this film and it gave me chills and teary eyes as some of these men and women get to see the world in its bounty of color for the first time. Please watch this moving video:

So get this…Valspar is bringing color to the colorblind through EnChroma’s innovative glasses. Individuals who are colorblind or affected by colorblindness can submit their own stories using #ColorForAll or at ValsparColorforAll.com where responses will be featured along with additional footage from the film. Some of those submitting stories will also receive EnChroma glasses, courtesy of Valspar! I think this is the coolest initiative, and I am so proud to get on board and help spread the word. Color can enrich our everyday experiences and most memorable moments in life, and as seen in this video, it is a pure gift to those who have been without it. I hope you will join me in sharing this message for all those who hope to see color in all its complexities one day!
x, Anna

This post is in partnership with Valspar paint. Thank you for supporting the companies that make this blog possible.

Chalky paint finish Reveal

March 16, 2015

You all remember our Flea Market Fixer Challenge with Valspar? We found this really cool dresser to use as an entryway table. It was already painted in a flat navy and teal finish, and my goal was to turn it into a darker grey color with gold finishes. We used Valspar’s chalky finish paint to turn this piece around.

Here is the before and photo! Usually to prep the piece you would want to lightly sand the surface if it is a glossy paint or texture. Since this was a matte paint that was already applied, we just cleaned the surfaces before applying the chalky finish paint. It was kind of wonderful to start painting and see an instantly thick rich color coat. If you apply a second coat make sure you have 4-8 hours in between to let dry thoroughly. There are 40 tintable color options for the paint, and Opera Gown was just what I was looking for.

Wax Finish: To apply the Valspar Sealing protective wax finish we used an old cut up t-shirt and a paintbrush. Brush the wax on in small areas in the same direction, then wipe with the t-shirt to remove excess. Repeat until all the surfaces are covered. I was aiming for a more satin finish so we applied a second coat after we let the first one dry a whole 24 hrs, although you only technically need 4-8 hrs.

For the white pulls, I used a gold leaf paint to turn them around into a sheek looking finish. We are working on our living room right now, and these colors blended well with the color scheme we already have going. If you can re-purpose what you already have, you will find it incredibly gratifying:)

I thought it would be cool to line the drawers with leftover wallpaper I had on hand from our dining room. We are using these drawers for storage including old records and kids puzzles:) Even though no one will see the insides but me, I couldn’t resist. You can tell I love these types of projects;)

The Valspar chalky finish paint is now available at Lowe’s if you want to go tackle your next project:) I am on to my desk! It sits right next to the entryway table so I will also be painting it Opera Gown color. Will show you how it looks when it is all finished!

This post is in partnership with Valspar. A brand we genuinely value and approve of. Thanks for supporting the companies who make this blog possible!