My favorite maxi dress and a giveaway

 

dress: c/o Oakleigh Rose

I had emailed the owner of Oakleigh Rose Boutique after I purchased this sweater (which I absolutely LOVE) because it had this tiny hole in it.  I was hoping I could send it back for an exchange, but being a final sale item she didn't have any left.  She apologized, refunded my $13 and told me to just keep the sweater and that maybe I could try fix it.  I sewed the hole and you can't even tell.  She was so nice about it, and I felt a little guilty that I got to keep the sweater, especially since I've already worn it a few times!  (They now have smalls of it available.  Mine is a medium and is plenty big!)

While I love shopping at Target and Old Navy, I have loved the times I've interacted with sweet shop owners like Meaghan, and love supporting their businesses.  After emailing a few times, Meaghan sent me this dress to share on my blog and offered to do a giveaway too.  I was thrilled!  

This dress is my favorite maxi I own, and I own an embarrassing amount of them.  I don't have any that aren't tank tops or strapless and I love that about this one.  You don't have to worry about what bra to wear or the straps sliding down.  It's so comfortable and I think it's probably one of the most flattering pieces of clothing I own.  And even better I think it's the only maxi dress or skirt I own that doesn't drag on the floor while I'm wearing flats.  

Besides this maxi and the sweater I own, I love the basic tunic, and pocket maxi dress.  If you win you can pick one of those or anything else in their shop!  Enter below to win $50 to shop!  (They always have free shipping, which always draws me into online shops! Plus if you join their VIP list you can get a $15 coupon.)  Make sure to follow them on instagram for sales.  That is how I got my sweater for only $13 when they were having 50% off all clearance! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for entering!! Hope you had a great weekend!

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!

Watermelon dress and $50 for you

 

dress: c/o kintage    necklace: target ($8 clearance)   sandals: target

I was so excited to get a chance to wear another dress from Kintage.  I am always looking at their store and love all of their things!  I was really happy to be able to pick out a dress that I can wear at 33 weeks pregnant, but also after the baby too!

Even though it feels like it should be summer weather, we've had some crazy weather with it being either really hot or a little chilly.  I love that I can wear this dress with my chambray top over it too.  Which means I'll get to keep wearing it throughout summer and fall too!

And the best news is that Kintage is giving away a $50 giftcard to one lucky reader!  I am incredibly indecisive and would have such a hard time choosing what I would do with $50.  Here are some of my favorite items: 

  maxi dress      maxi skirt       polka dot dress

I'm sure you'll have a hard time choosing if you win! Enter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner will be contacted after the 4th! Thanks for entering!


Linking up to: pleated poppy   random wednesday

Happy List

dress: target   cardigan: old navy

 I can now wear maxi dresses and not be freezing.   Hallelujah!!  And I found this non-maternity dress on the clearance rack at Target for $6.

I passed my gestational diabetes test.  And the sugar overload drink, while not pleasant, wasn't as terrible as I had heard.   My grandma got to come see my house this week.   I definitely never expected her 92 year old self to make it out here from California after not traveling for over 10 years.  

I didn't realize that 90210 started again after Christmas, when means I got to watch eight episodes in a row over the last two weeks, which makes my teen drama loving heart happy.  I am not a big reader and can't even tell you the slim number of books I've ever purchased myself, but I bought this book today and am really excited to read it.   Chris and I are going away tonight until Sunday to Wisconsin, the same place we stayed during our Fall trip. I can't wait for three days of relaxing and time together.  
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Truths and Thoughts

shirt: old navy   dress: forever 21   flats: kohls
The other day Chris was talking about how he was wishing he could call his grandpa and tell him about his new business and our baby.  This last year and half we lost all four of our grandpas.  It's sad for me to think about how we didn't get to tell them we're pregnant and our daughter won't met her great grandpas. I also feel sad that my grandpa isn't here to pray for my baby daily, like he prayed for us to get pregnant.  

In the last week or so more people in my life have found my blog.  And my first response to that is to feel embarrassed and self conscious.   It was over a year before anyone besides my family and a few friends knew I had a blog.  And I'm thankful for that.  It was so nice to not second guess what I wrote or worry about what others may think.  I think this was especially true when it came to posting details about our infertility journey.  Writing things for people you don't see is much easier.  With that being said, I should probably get over it and not worry what others may think but that's easier said than done! 

I've had a hard time with the weight I've gained during this pregnancy and all the changes my body is going through.  Before getting pregnant I worked out every day and with being on bed rest for the most of the first trimester and then not being able to work out the same, it's been hard to feel like I have no control over what is happening with my body.  I'm afraid of gaining too much weight and fear not being able to get back in shape.  And then all these feelings make me feel selfish and ungrateful that I am pregnant and able to carry this baby. 

I always thought Chris would be an amazing dad.  When we first starting trying to get pregnant he was really excited, but I think the waiting we did and what we went through to get pregnant has made him more excited and more ready to be a dad.  The other day he told me that throughout the day he thinks about meeting our daughter and can't wait to hold her.  He asks me every time I'm laying down if she's moving and wants to feel her.  He prayers for her every night and it's so clear that he is already in love with our baby. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be the best dad and I'm so thankful for him.  


Linking up to: pleated poppy   shanna said so   style sessions

Fall Favorites and the Easiest DIY pillow ever

skirt: old navy  jacket: old navy  booties: target

Things I'm loving about Fall:

1. Maxi Dresses

I think maxi dresses are one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing there is. 

I acquired quite a few maxi dresses and skirts this last year and this purple skirt was one of them. 

In the past once the weather got cooler I thought it was time to put them away with my summer clothes. 

2. Boots
I'm pretty excited to start wearing some of my favorite pair of boots, like these ones.

3. Candy Corn
I'm not quite sure how long I can resist buying some of this:




4. My New Pillows

I'm sure this is nothing new to any of you real sewers out there but I can't believe I haven't made all my pillows like this!

A pillow was the first thing I learned to sew and while it was easy, this method is way better!

If you have never sewn anything, you should start with this.  

Lay your pillow on top of your fabric.  Make sure there is space on both sides to fold it and overlap it and then an inch or so on top and bottom.  

No need to measure!

Iron down both short ends and sew. 

Turn your fabric inside out and overlap the edges.  

Cut off any extra fabric you may have on the sides.  

Slide the pillow out and then sew straight up both sides. 

Turn inside out and put on your pillow!

Doesn't that sound easy?

Unlike many projects I've done that claim to be fast, this one really is. 

I made two pillows in about 40 minutes.  

Linking up to:
Fall Favorites

craft-o-maniac   the girl creative
sunday funday  CRAFT
mingle monday

Summer Katie

 dress: discovery  necklace: world market  

sandals: tjmaxx

A few summers ago, once school ended Chris referred to me many times as "Summer Katie."

Implying that in the summer I am a different person.

At first I was offended, thinking he must think (and then make others think) that I am unhappy, crabby and not as fun during the school year. 

Then I was honest with myself.  Let's be real here. 

Who wouldn't be more relaxed, enjoyable and more fun to be around when they aren't working?

I'm pretty sure I am.  

Well with today being the last day of school hello Summer Katie!  

pleated poppy   rolled up pretty
the letter 4   

You gotta start somewhere

Multiple observations were made as I tried to do my first outfit post:

1. I feel kind of ridiculous taking pictures of myself.

2. I failed at taking a decent timed photo - hence the mirror shot. I think we have a tripod that I should fit and try to utilize.

3. I feel slightly embarrassed posting pictures of just me and am thankful that as of right now only my sister and sister - in - law (Lauren and Lauren) will be reading this.

4. I'd be happy and comfortable in a maxi dress everyday.