Bump Styled: Black and White

April 9, 2013

*Update: This was the one post that didn’t transfer from my old site so I am re-logging into the new blog. Hopefully you email subscribers won’t receive this, but if you do, I apologize for the double post in one weekend!

Anna // Tee: Target, Tank: Blanqi Bodystyler, Denim: Gap, Heels: Zara (similar), Sunnies: UO
Gabriel // Shirt: RL (consigned-similar here), Jeans: Gap (consigned), Sandals: Target

___________________

Ever since Gabriel felt the baby move, he has been frequently asking me what the baby is doing, and what we should call him/her. Here are some of the names that were being discussed while Gabe was snapping these pics…

Mary Fawn

Mary Chapstick

Mary Nose

He cracked himself up. He gets his joke skills from his dad..;)

Speaking of names, do you name the baby before he or she arrives? We have a few favorites for both boy and girl that we have up our sleeves. I like to see the face of the baby though before naming them. I was pretty sure the name Veronica needed to be a dark hair and dark eyed babe, but when I saw little V for the first time, I knew that it fit her just right. Gabe and I talk about names on a regular basis. We have a whole list we love. We’ll see how many we get to use;)

We had a beautiful weekend here in Georgia. Spring is finally staying for a minute. Happy Monday!

Shop Scoop: BRIKA

April 5, 2013

I have often said, one of my favorite things about being a lifestyle blogger is being able to connect with different sites of talented artists and unique finds. Excited to share this with you…

BRIKA features the work of entrepreneurs and designers in a well picked and curated collection of products that combine modern craft with the artisans shared belief that our lives can be as beautiful as we wish to make them. These are some of my favorite items, but there is a grand selection that you can browse by category or by the maker. I hope you have fun checking it out! Those triangle necklaces…such a steal! Trying to decide which color to go for:)

By the way, very member that signs up for BRIKA receives an instant $15 credit in their email inboxes to spend! You are also automatically entered into a giveaway to win one of 2 $100 BRIKA gift cards.

Happy Friday to you all!

*This is a sponsored post which is %100 my own opinion.

Shop Scoop: Litographs

April 4, 2013

A favorite book and movie of mine is now breaking in the formerly drab neutral walls in our guest room. It will be the leading lady on this soon to be gallery wall. The entire volume II (Cosette) of Les Miserables is written into the poster. These prints above are just a few examples of the classics that are transformed into posters and tee’s through tiny words that make up the story.

Litographs.com offers color or black and white variations of your favorite tales in the coolest of art forms. Check out their magnifying glass zoom option to see how the words form the imagery. Its fascinating! Which story would you choose to wear or display on your walls?

*This is a sponsored post that is 100% my own opinion.

Bump Styled: Wear and Go Basics

April 3, 2013

Top: c/o She Inside // Denim: Gap // Necklace: DIY // Orange Tote: HM (Same here) // Long Haul Bag: c/o Fly Girl Handbags // Wrap Bracelet: Iristy // Leopard flats: F21 (similar)

________________________

There are a few basics this pregnancy that I have been switching out back and forth. Comfortable pants are probably the most important factor for me. I use a Blanqi to keep up non-maternity pants and to smooth and shape. I also love long and loose tops. My leopard flats are almost at their end considering I have worn the life out of them! Color and prints can be thrown in with accessories. For instance…

Sometimes I stick a tote inside a larger carry all:) I can fit just about everything into this Long Haul Bag – laptop, bottles, diapers, snacks (for low cal emergencies for both the kids and I;), wallet, make-up, etc. That way, if I am heading into a store and don’t need it all, I can pull out the smaller tote to stick in necessities.

So there you have some of my wear and go tricks of the mama-hood trade;)

Rayban Wayfarer Giveaway with Smart Buy Glasses

April 2, 2013

Now that the sun is finally showing its face (halelluiah!), I am thrilled to team up with Smart Buy Glasses to give a lucky reader a pair of the new Ray Ban Wayfarers! 3 color options as displayed above! These sunnies don’t mess around. Durable and stylish, and made of acetate and glass. These will last you for miles.

In case you are not familiar with the site, Smart Buy Glasses offers everything from prescription lenses to designer shades at all price ranges, so it is worth the look!

Enter the giveaway below, and we will draw a winner next Tuesday!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easter Dessert: Double Layer Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

March 28, 2013

Recipe by my sister Maria!

This Double Layer Strawberry Shortcake is one of my favorite Easter desserts, and it can serve a large crowd! Super easy to make, and you can prep some of the steps ahead of time.

VIEW FULL POST

"Her mouth speaks from that which fills her heart."

March 27, 2013

And just like that we are at the end of March…(?!!)

This quote seemed to reflect our Encourage Beauty Challenge so well. In the small decisions to choose uplifting words to those around us, you can notice the small changes in your own heart. This is something I have learned from all of you who participated. That even if its just a moment we take for someone else, you an change that day for a person.

Mandy shared with us that one of her readers who read about the challenge wrote the following:

I just have to thank you for mentioning the “encourage beauty” campaign at the beginning of the month. It inspired me to send a brief note/card to all the women in my life (mom’s, sisters, friends) just telling them that they are beautiful and that I love them.

I cannot tell you how I many of them have contacted me to tell me how much it meant, or that it came at “just” the right time, when they needed to hear it! (Of course, don’t we all long to hear that everyday – or rather need to hear it everyday!). It made everyone feel beautiful!!!

This was all I needed to remind me to live more aware of my words, but also to act upon them.
Hilary is sharing another print we made that you will have to check out. We decided this challenge should be something we can partake in anytime. If you are new and missed the original post, feel free too use the updated calendar to make the Encourage Beauty campaign part of your year!

If you ever want to share a story, just email us or use the hashtag #encouragebeauty. You can download these prints here. Thank you for all of you who took part with us. You were a motivation to us in so many ways!

Love, Anna