a meal, makeup, and another maxi

top: shade maternity   skirt: giveaway win from so kate   necklace:  curated by kelly

1.  I won this skirt from a giveaway a few weeks ago and of course was happy to have another maxi skirt option these days.  I'm pretty sure that even if I wasn't pregnant I'd still be wearing maxi skirts all summer.   2. I bought this book last week and cried in the store reading it.  I'm going to bring it with us to the hospital and have people who come visit us sign it.   3. It was my week to host girls' night, which is always good motivation to make a "real" full meal.  I made this chicken casserole recipe, tomato, avocado and mozzarella salad and of course the best part, these s'more bar desserts.   All three pretty easy and delicious.  4.  I am not a huge makeup person and could use some serious lessons in applying makeup as I do the same thing if I'm running errands or going to a wedding.  I was really excited when I got the MaryKay Influenster box to try out their products.  MaryKay Lash Love Lengthening Mascara: I normally buy the $1 elf brand mascara but did really like this one and it stayed on longer for sure.  Mary Kay Cream Eye Color & Concealer Brush:  It's hard to see in the picture but it is this pretty violet color and I loved it.  Mary Kay Lash Primer: I've never used a lash primer and do have short eyelashes so anything that makes them a little longer is good in my book.  MaryKay True Dimension Lip Stick: I never wear lipstick and am so glad this color was lighter because it was even a stretch for me but I did really like it and will definitely wear it.  This was my favorite product of the group as I keep telling myself that someday I'd wear lipstick.  5. While I'm getting a little anxious waiting for our baby girl to make her appearance I am trying hard to enjoy this time of relaxing until she comes.  Last Sunday Chris, Molly and I spent a good amount of time just laying around and it was wonderful.  
Want to see more instragram pictures and make sure to see whenever our baby girl does arrive? Follow me @katiejvale.
I hope you have a great weekend!

(I received the MaryKay products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.)

I know what you're thinking

 

tee: old navy    skirt: tjmaxx  necklace: curated by Kelly
Oh look, another maxi skirt and tee.  This is getting old.  
and yes I am thinking the same thing.  But I am running out of options.  I've thought about not posting outfits much since it is getting to be the same thing, but realize that posting outfits on my blog is probably one of the top motivation these days for getting dressed.  
If it weren't for that I'd only be wearing my boxer shorts and same tank top like I do most days.  And my tank top would be pulled high above my belly because I hate things touching my stomach these days.  Let's just say it's not a pretty sight.  

I am however incredibly thankful for accessories.  If it weren't for them I'd start to get even more bored with my outfit.  This is my new favorite necklace from Kelly.  I've wanted one like this for awhile and am so glad I waited until I got this one.  If you haven't checked out her shop you need to do  it.  She has so many beautiful pieces and they are not expensive either!  Win, win! :)  
Another thing that I'm thankful for is funny, cute and personable bloggers like Kaylin.  I'm happy she's back on my blog today to share with you 5 things that are better in summer.  I could easily come up with a list of 20 right away and they would include watermelon, dresses and walks.  

Sometimes you just need to be one with your outfit, if you know what I mean,

so insert awesome leopard impersonation here.....

Clearly, I nailed it.

I'm Kaylin, and I blog here at Stay  Blonde, Ski Local, or SBSL for short.  You'll hear tons about my new niece, my online shopping addiction, I'll even talk about weight gain, how I feel about blogging, and I'll confess a few personal things while I am at it as well.

I started reading Katie's blog the day I started blogging, which coincidentally was the day I started reading blogs. I immediately feel in love with her relate-ability, kind character, and adorable (and affordable) style!!!

Katie loves summer, but honestly who doesn't???

Summer is exponenially better than most all seasons, 

except maybe winter for the skiing, but for now we'll just agree it's better.

 So here are five things that are better in summer.

1.  Reading-

 sure curling up by the fire and reading sounds fun, but I usually end up falling asleep. Give me a lounge chair by the pool or lake, and a book, and it's like I blink and I've finished the book.  I love it. Super relaxing, and getting a tan while doing it. It's simply called multitasking.

2. Going to the Movies- 

Let's not pretend like the movies are 'enjoyable' in winter.  Who wants a cherry slurpee when it's raining outside? Also why must theatres run the air conditioners year round. Lay off the AC in the winter Signature Six, it's just no necessary. But when it's triple digit heat, going to the movies is AMAZING.  Plus don't all the good movies come out during summer anyways?

3. Walks- 

I love walking Zoey, try to do it every day. Though when it's cold, and I can see my breath (it doesn't even snow where I live, and overall we have mild temperatures, you Mid-Westerners are hating me right now) it's hard to find motivation to get out there and walk.  Summer is always more fun, there are more people out, everyone is happy, and you don't have to wear rain boots or a parka.

4. Dinner Dates-

 Need I say more. When the waitress asks, 'inside or outside', it's a no brainer, outside. 

In winter it's not an option. I LOVE sitting outside.

5. Road Trips-

 Traveling someplace by car isn't always fun, but when you can have your windows down, and awesome upbeat 'sing along songs', eight hours feels more like two and just like that you are at your destination, no worse for the wear.

Stop by SBSL sometime, I'd love to have you.

Also get out there and enjoy summer, it won't last forever.

Thank you Kaylin!  You know that I am much happier in the summer too! 

Hello summer Katie, right?

Showers, shoppers, and statement necklaces

Last weekend Chris' side of the family threw me a wonderful baby shower. It was another one of those surreal moments where I kept reminding myself that this was for our baby!  We were so lucky to be blessed with lots of gifts for our baby girl and couldn't be more thankful.  

I did warn you that I'd mention this again because I'd LOVE to be one of the top 5 in this contest for expert shoppers and am currently number six.  If you already voted you can vote again and all you have to do is click on the love it button here!  Thank you so much!

It's not a secret that I love statement necklaces and know that I am not alone.  Which is why I'm excited to introduce you to a blogger who has a very talented shop full of beautiful necklaces, like this one, which I got in the mail yesterday and can't wait to wear it!!  Not only is she a talented shop owner, but also a mom of two adorable boys that were adopted this last year.  

I'm excited to introduce you to Kelly from Curated by Kelly . . . .

Hello, For Lauren and Lauren friends! I am Kelly and you can find me on my blog, Curated by Kelly, or in my shop by the same name.


I started the shop because I have a little thing for statement necklaces. As in, I own more than 50 of them! I just love how they can make a plain and ordinary outfit truly spectacular. It's fun to curate the collection in the shop and it's even more fun to see how everyone styles their purchases. We do a lot of fun giveaways and steals too!


I also write on my blog for fun. We recently adopted our two boys so I'm an "instant mom." I blog about my favorite parenting finds, adoption, fashion and our every day life. Each Friday I round up my Weekly Favorites. My Weekly Favorites cover anything and everything from Kate Spade shop tours to serious articles.


I hope you'll stop by and say hello!

Thank you so much Kelly!  Definitely go check out her blog and her shop - especially this one and this one which are my favorite!