summer lovin

These long summer days are really the best aren't they? We've been having a really hard time putting little j down to bed on time because we just want to spend every evening outside enjoying the fresh air. 

His grandparents got him a little motorized four-wheeler that he calls his moco-ize (motorcycle, you'll never hear me correct it, I'm holding on to this baby language as long humanly possible), and we've been watching him ride it around the backyard every evening. 

I've decided to slow down with photography a little bit; I'll only be accepting 2-3 jobs a month. I want a little more time to enjoy my family use our weekends for special outings with just us. I love my clients and am so grateful for them, and hope we'll still be able to meet the needs of those that come to us. 

Top: American Eagle $22 | Jeans: Jcrew via swap $20 | Shoes: Chucks via eBay $32
Glasses: Doce & Gabbana via Target

a fox says "yip"

Jeans: Ideeli | Blouse: AE | Sweater: eBay | Bag: Carla Mancini via eBay |
Boots: Jessica Simpson via 6pm.com

so maybe we can put that discussion to rest?

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Ours was amazing. We caught up on our favorite shows & some much needed cleaning, did a photo shoot with an adorable little family, spent time with my in-laws & found an amazing new Thai restaurant!

Its almost sad to see it over, but we have some really exciting shoots scheduled for this week, so it kind of makes up for it. :)

a birthday, chambray, and a giveaway!

Top: AE.com $30 (I wasn't kidding when I said I've been living in this thing)
/ Purse: AE.com $10 / Skirt: Asos.com also here / Boots: Urban /
Jacket: eBay / Tights: Jcrew.com / Watch: eBay fashion vault

I was looking through the ol' blog archives a few days ago, when I realized that my 2 year blog anniversary was coming up in the next couple months. Being the sentimental fool that I am, I decided that I must commemorate this momentous occasion with a series of giveaways.

Sooooo... we're going to start things off with a $50 amazon gift card. We LOVE amazon at our house. We have amazon prime, and we absolutely love the free 2 day shipping and all the other perks that come with it.

Here's how you enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!

balance.

Boots: 6pm.com / Pants: Soel Boutique / Blouse: AE of all places /
Jacket: eBay /  Mittens: Asos.com

Justin and I have really been trying to figure out this whole, baby, school working thing balance. It isn't easy, and I often find myself racked with guilt or trying to figure out what we can change or do differently. We've found the first thing to are the extraneous tasks, you know like blogging, haircuts, homework, eating, sleeping or cleaning. So basically we are a bunch of half starved cave dwellers over here.

I've gained a new admiration for families everywhere, and a special appreciation for my wonderful husband, who works so hard to help me in any way he can. And of course the glorious little guy, who can give me one little squinty eyed smile, and I forget about all the trouble he causes.

a working's mom uniform

Top: American Eagle / Pant: Anthropologie via eBay / Boots: Urban Outfitters

Happy President's Day! I'm alive, I've survived 2 1/2 months of work and baby, and I owe it all to this hat/shirt combo. Add a rich colored lipstick, and I'm almost presentable. When all else is wrong with the world, at least we'll always have chambray and beanies. Its a good working mom's uniform. A nice, "don't have to do you hair, but still look like you've made some kind of effort" look.

And also what I've worn at least once a week for the last 2 months.

And am I ashamed? Not in the least.

the library.

Top: F21, $20 / Pants: Thrifted, $6 / Bag: Carla Mancini via eBay / 
Watch:   Lucien Picard via eBay $75 / Wedges: Frye via 6pm.com $35

I love the library. Isn't it just crazy that they let you walk out of their doors with armfuls of books! It is like walking out carrying knowledge or something. I always feel so rich when I leave. The only down side is there is always a due date, and sometimes, we forget when that is. And when you walk out of the library with armfuls of books, that can be an unfortunate date to forget.

Ps. these pants have seriously saved my life. I don't think I ever posted them on the blog before I got pregnant, but thanks to their super stretchy waist, they are one of the only pair that can still get past my hips.

More Frye...

my new best friends

Shoes: Frye via 6pm.com here / Maternity Pants: F21 $6 / Top: F21 $20 / Bag: eBay $5

There has been a lot of this action going round here lately. It seems like no matter what I do, I can't avoid a good ol' pants adjustment for longer than 10 minutes. Thank you to my darling husband for capturing this magic moment. 

I also have been pretty much LIVING in these shoes. I know they basically cost an arm and a leg, but Frye does make some amazing shoes. These wedges are sooooo comfy and supportive, and make me feel like I'm actually succeeding in putting something semi cute around my growing ankles. 

This shirt has also become a major wardrobe staple. I can pretty much wear it with anything I want to, and it still buttons all the way. So, win win win.

More Frye...

safari

Blouse: F21, $20 / Skirt: Asos / Belt: Asos / Boots: UO, $35 / Hat: Asos / Bag: eBay: $5

This blouse has been on constant repeat the last few weeks. Dressing to accommodate my "fun" new shape has been a bit of a challenge. I find myself asking two main questions now when I get dressed:

1- Can I do it up over/under my belly?
2- Does it fit over my boobs?

Yes. Very glamours. This shirt happens to meet both criteria with the added benefit of being kinda cute, plus its made from a material that won' stretch out too much, so I don't feel as guilty wearing it.

Oh all the fun new discoveries I'm making. :)

a floral situation.

Top: F21.com / Skirt: F21 via eBay / Bag: Ideeli /
Belt: F21.com / Earrings: F21 / Scarf: Thrifted

I got home today, just after Justin left for scouts to find that the sweet man was half way through cleaning the bathroom. Now I'll never complain when my man wants to clean the bathroom (I realize how extremely lucky I am to have a guy who helps out so much around the house), but he was using some pretty harsh chemicals/bleach (this guy don't mess around yo. He cleans like he is cleaning up after a crime, which I suppose since it is the bathroom, is somewhat appropriate).

Anyhow, I immediately started getting loopy and a bit of a headache, so I ran to the bathroom and closed the place up, but I am now in a bit of a dilemma. Being pregnant, and not liking to do my business in public restrooms (I'm a freak I know it), the situation here is now getting desperate (trust me, the chemicals are realllllllly strong).

So I am left with three options:

1. Go ask the neighbor if I can use their toilet (I value our friendship waay too much to put it through something like that)

2. Wait 20 more minutes for Justin to get home (I think we all know that the probability that I'll make it that long is pretty bleak) ooor

3. Put a bag over my head, hold my breath, and move really really fast

I think number three might be our best option. Maybe I'll skip washing my hands to save time.
(Should go without saying, but I hope you all know that I'm just kidding. Mostly).

random thoughts on pregnancy.

 

Skirt: Asos, $30 / Top: F21, $20 / Shoes: Frye via eBay, $20 /
Bag: Carla Mancini via eBay, $30

I've been strangely resistant to the idea of getting a big pregnancy belly. I know it is inevitable, but still.

Apparently, being pregnant makes your skin a lot more sensitive. I've been sporting these leg burns since our Mexico trip. yay.

There are soooo many opinions about labor and delivery. I don't even know where to begin. So I haven't.

That said, I think I might be a little bit in denial.

Maybe I am the only woman in the world who feels this way, but I am really NOT down with the bigger boobies who have made getting dressed that much more difficult.

Skirts are my favorite.

Even though we are sooo not ready and you are already stressing me out of my mind, I already love you my little parasite.