Shop Scoop: Olive Box

June 5, 2013

My sisters and I used to scheme and dream about owning our own paper shop. We all have a thing for paper goods. The color, design, and texture possibilities are endless! So naturally, when I heard about Olive Box I had to take a moment to simmer down for a little bit. A paper subscription service where you receive a box of stationary goodies every month! Well here’s my little story about how I scored my first ever Olive Box…

I was feeling like Saturday was going to be a good day being June 1st and all. June is the month I was born AND my anniversary month AND the month this baby will be born….so its gotta be a good month, right??

I hit up the Maiedae Mixer and basked in all of the creative detailed glory it had to offer. I got to meet a blogging friend, Barb of Knack Studios (you know, the brilliant mind behind this book) which was so refreshing. Well she was the lucky duck that night and won the Olive Box that night in the raffle (me and raffles never seem to co-ordinate our stars). Apparantly Barb had just received one of her own Olive Box full of goodies so since I happened to be in the right place at the right time (aka, hovering like an awkward bookworm stalker), she so kindly gave her winnings to me. A generous and authentic one she is. So that is my little story and now I share the eye candy with you!

This month’s box contained:
Notecard Set from Fawnsberg – that I may just frame and never use…
Vintage Blossom Notebook from Rifle Paper Co. – obviously a winner and everyone’s favorite line.
Floral Fabric Puspins from A Girl of All Work – already in use above my desk.
The cutest calling cards on the block (not sure who by!).

You can check out more about Olive box and how to receive or gift your own paper goodies here.

Babymoon Essentials

June 4, 2013

Gabe and I have not been away together since before Gabriel was born! Since we don’t have family near by, leaving them with a sitter is not an affordable option or one I have felt comfortable with yet. Lucky for us, my sister is living with us this summer working here in Atlanta, and she so generously offered to stay with the kids for the weekend so we could squeeze in a Babymoon/Anniversary celebrating this weekend. So very excited to have time with my husband all to myself. We are heading to Charleston, SC since we have been dying to see the city, and since there is a beach there. (Necessary.) Have you been? Any fun places to recommend?

Here are a few essentials I am packing:

1. Denim Chambray – that piece you can throw over anything and use as a jacket for cooler evenings.

2. & 3. Picked up a few of these $5 tanks at H&M to layer over the Blanqi support camis.

4. Wide rim fedora – easy way to finish a look and mainly provide sun protection at the beach. Similar one here.

5. The most comfortable sandals that I have been wearing daily as of late that go with both dresses and casual shorts.

6. Honest Co. Sunscreen…because its one of the few safe for your skin. Also love their healing lip balms!

7. I was terrible at staying hydrated when pregnant with Gabriel and it got me into trouble! So this pregnancy I carry around this BKR Glass Water Bottle with me everywhere.

8. H&M also provided some fun sunglasses choices this year. Similar pair here.

9. Finally found an expandable tote in just the right color that can separate travel essentials + laptop or camera in different sections.

10. Camera…you know, that thing lifestyle bloggers can’t really go anywhere without;) (We use aRebel T3)

11. Baseball tee – one of my few tees that still fits over my belly bump and is comfortable and easy. (Affordable option here.)

Not pictured: Bathing suit ( ahhh do I have to??) Well beach time is a must for Gabe and I so I will swallow my pride for this one. Love ASOS’ maternity suits. Beach cover ups – I just received this one in the mail which is fun. Also will be bringing my Tolani Cover up and dresses for evenings. (See recent Bump Styled posts:))

Would love to hear your essentials!
Will be posting a few photos to instagram over the weekend if you want to see the city from afar!

My non-birth plan

May 31, 2013

Top: c/o Questhaven Fashions, Tank: Guess, Support Cami: Bumped by Blanqi, Jeans: Levi, Sandals: Sam Edelman, Hat: gift from hubs, Bag: Questhaven Fashions, Shades: H&M (similar) FYI – Last day to get 35% off at Questhaven Fashions!

I am about to have my third child. I have never attended a birth class or made a birth plan.

I just knew I would roll with it when the time came because we have a beautiful thing called natural instinct that kicks in. It has served me well up until this point, even though both of my birth experiences were so different than I had thought they would be. I knew if I had made a birth plan, it would be have made it more difficult for me to accept all the crazy turns of events that happened. Instead, I was able to just put my fighter mode on and go.

Well, after unexpectedly going natural last time with Veronica, it is what I hope to accomplish this time. That being said, I actually have a tentative plan for this baby…(gasp!)….a water birth. It is supposed to take the edge off the pain, allow more comfort, and ease the delivery. Gabe and I went to a two hour class last night. It was the first time since this pregnancy we actually got to sit down and think about the fact we were about to bring a new life into the world in a few short weeks. We both wondered how this was happening already. The class was an interesting experience to say the least. Probably more info than I would prefer to know, but important none the less. When it comes down to it, I know I am in good hands with who will be delivering our baby (our midwives are fantastic), and that Gabe will be there. That is really all I am concerned with. I know God already has a birth plan for us…He has proven He is most present in those moments.

So what do you think friends? Do you think Gabriel and Veronica will be getting a brother or a sister? I have my hunch but wil let you guess;)

Happy Weekend!

Recipe: Clean Green Smoothie

May 30, 2013

I have actually seen some really great green smoothie recipes across the www, and they are such a great solution for getting the right amounts of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and additional nutrients we should be consuming each day. I recently have been reading the book Nourishing Traditions and Beautiful Babies. Both based on the Weston Price diet that has largely changed our view on what we are putting into our bodies and what we are eating each day. My children sadly have a sweet palate based off what I probably gave them as babies (sweet based formula), but I have managed to sneak these veggies in their systems in the mornings with a Clean Green Smoothie. They eat it like yogurt, so it is thicker based. However, just blend in more milk, ice, or fruit for a juicier mix.

Clean Green Smoothie:
1 Avocado
1-2 Kiwi
1-2 Pear
2 c. Spinach
1 c. raw milk (or organic)
1/2 c. Greek Yogurt
2 Tbls. Milled Flax Seed
2-3 Tbls. Agave Nectar or Raw Honey

Optional Add ins:
1 Banana (makes it sweeter)
Coconut Oil (nutrition benefits here)
Frozen Blueberries

Blend well in a blender and serve up! This gives a good size portion to all four of us in our family (five including baby inside:)) Hope you all enjoy!

Shop Scoop: The Impeccable Pig

May 29, 2013

Its so fun for me to explore my city and get to know local spots whenever I get the opportunity. I already knew and loved The Impeccable Pig’s online boutique, but didn’t realize they had a few store locations. Lucky for me, they JUST opened a new one here in Atlanta this month at the Shops Around Lenox. (3400 Around Lenox Dr. NE Ste. #206B)

Walking into their store feels like you step into summer. Color happy prints and flowy layers galore. I got a little swept away with the decor pieces too. The mirrored wall?! You will want to have a seat, drink an iced tea, and feast your eyes on all the eye candy this store has to offer. Its in a perfect location too with it being in an outdoor shopping strip that’s actually enjoyable to walk around. (I avoid malls at all cost.)

They were so kind as to let me pick out this dress. Its non-maternity but going a size up fit the bump. I am surviving in maxi dresses. Can’t wait to go back post baby and pick up that crochet number. If there isn’t a location near you, have fun checking out their site!

Outfit// Dress: The Impeccable Pig, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Necklaces: DIY, Hello Fab

*This post is sponsored by The Impeccable Pig and is 100% my own opinion.

Bump Style: 7/7 – Hatch Collection

May 28, 2013

I know it is so hard to be motivated to get dressed or make the effort when you are expecting. Especially on this last stretch that I am on. That is why I took the opportunity to work with Paula of Tres Chic Mama (a pretty cool blog dedicated JUST to maternity fashion. A dream come true for mamas to be!) She has incredible taste too. We styled 7 looks from some of the best maternity lines on the market.

Today, we are sharing the Hatch Collection looks. Visit Tres Chic Mama to see how I styled a few of my favorite Hatch pieces and for full outfit details! We hope this helps with getting ideas with your current or next baby bump.

Hope you all had the best long weekend. I didn’t want ours to end!

DIY Wood Beaded Tassel Necklace for Poppytalk Handmade

May 27, 2013

Poppytalk is one of my very favorite art and design blogs that I have loved and followed faithfully for years. I am so honored to be a guest blogger this weekend and share this Anthropologie inspired DIY. Head on over for the full and EASY details for the Wood BeadedTassel Necklace. Thank you Jan for having me! And thanks to my beautiful sister Jana for modeling:)