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?

SEVEN

I started with the title of FIVE for this post in hopes of linking up to High Five for Friday but everything was far to interesting and important to take out two so seven it is.  (Please humor me as I know that none of them are all too exciting.) 

tank top: old navy   skirt: tjmaxx  

1.  We've had some pretty crazy rainy and stormy weather which means inside pictures.  And I believe I've been wearing this skirt at least three times a week.  To make me feel better please feel free to tell me that there is something you wear multiple times a week too.  
2. While I am in no place to be buying swimsuits or cover-ups with this almost 9 month belly, I'm still a bit addicted to window shopping for maternity wear, and can't help but look at cute plus size ones like I found on this site. 3. With our baby coming sometime in July I know that blogging will be a little harder at the beginning and want to be prepared and still work with sponsors.  Which is why if you sign up to sponsor in July you get to stay for August for free! That means that two months for a large ad space is only $15!  Check out details here and email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com.  

4.  Chris and I went to a wedding last week and clearly enjoyed the photobooth.  I also have to say that I stayed out to 11:00 both Friday night and Saturday night.  I shouldn't admit how proud of myself I was, but it is true.

5.  If you're looking for a blog to check out you need to check out Chelsea.  This week she shared about the perfect summer shorts which I wish I could own and wear, and showed a super cute and easy DIY project making a glitter travel mug.   6. Friday night we are having a Minute to Win it party at our house with our friends. I'm super excited to play games and eat lots of food!  I am making this delicious and easy dip.
Skinny Poolside Dip
And it is still considered skinny if you eat a large amount of it like I usually do?
7. I am still in denial that GFC is going away in a few days, but I did transfer all my blogs to bloglovin' and am ready if it really does happen.  If you currently follow through GFC make sure you find another way!  Bloglovin, facebook, twitter, or follow by email on the right. 
Happy Friday! I hope you have a great weekend!

I don't understand

skirt:  tjmaxx   tank: shadeclothing  maternity   vest: loft    necklace: groopdealz 

I don't understand how I'm supposed to sleep comfortably in my bed after finding a tick crawling on me the other night while in bed, and then another one on our wall the next day.   And I don't understand why I felt the need to take a picture of it and share it with you.  I'm sorry.  It really it too disgusting.  

I don't understand why my belly has started growing sideways instead of straight out.  Isn't that the wrong way?  I don't understand why last week I lost more than a handful of followers and how to not let that bother me a little. I don't understand how I am supposed to have energy after school when it is in the upper 80's outside and I'm in an non air conditioned classroom with 21 sweaty, restless kids who are ready for summer, with a pregnant belly that makes me even more sweaty and tired.   I don't understand why all shows end in May.  I would much prefer 90210, Modern Family and Parks and Recreation to continue throughout the summer.  Speaking of tv shows, I don't understand why Netflix sucks me in with the first two seasons of shows like Sister Wives and Hart of Dixie, but doesn't have the rest of the seasons available.    I don't understand why my sister has to go back to Vermont after visiting this weekend.  Wishing she could stay! and I don't understand why I forgot to pick a winner for the Target giftcard giveaway.  Congratulations to Deborah Rose!  Email me at katiejvale@yahoo.com and Lindsay and I will get you your prize.  

Blessings and Curses

jacket: old navy (similar)   shirt: tjmaxx (similar)  tee: target  

Do you ever read something insightful, hear good advice or encouragement and kind of wish you didn't hear it because you know it applies directly to you? 

Because sometimes it is really hard to believe and live out that advice. 

That is how I've been feeling after I read the book Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequiest. 

I had read this book awhile ago and wanted to read it again, as I felt like it would be applicable during this stage in my life.  And I was right. 

In a chapter about blessings and curses, Shauna writes about a friend's hardships and how it seemed like God was being cruel that year, but how she knew that he was not. 

"What I know now is that his (God's) kindness burns through the deepest betrayals and invites life from death every chance we let him.  There are things the explode into our lives and we call them curses, and then one day, a year later or ten years later, we realize that they are actually something else.  They are the most precious kinds of blessings." 

I find myself many mornings having a mini pity party for myself as I have started a new round of fertility treatments. 

My mornings involve lots of different medicines and my breaks at school involve insurance phone calls and dr. appointments, my blog rolls and facebook feeds are filled with pregnancy updates and announcements and my thoughts are constantly filled with anxiousness and uncertainty for the future. 

There are many days I look at this current place I'm in and feel as though it isn't fair.  

And it is easier to be upset and annoyed at this place where God has me.  

But I have a choice daily. 

". . . but more often than not, there is something just past the heartbreak, just past the curse, just past the despair and that thing is beautiful.  You don't want it to be beautiful, at first. You want to stay in the pain and the blackness because it feels familiar, and because you're not done feeling victimized and smashed up.  But one day you'll wake up surprised and humbled, staring at something you thought for sure was a curse and has revealed itself to be a blessing - a beautiful, delicate, blessing." 

While I can see some blessings that have come from this trial, I have yet to see this season of our life as beautiful, but I am waiting.  I know some day I will get there and that gives me hope. 

While I fail all the time, I am working on this daily. 

 Daily choosing to accept this place where God has me, and daily searching for the blessings in all this.  

$1,000

skirt: marshalls (similar)  top: jcpenny  necklace: ebay

Don't you wish I was talking about a $1,000 giveaway?
Me too.

Instead I'm asking you this:
Want to know a fun way to spend $1,000?

Don't buy a refrigerator.

Because it is not fun. 

What I would have rather spent my money on:

Buying many many more statement necklaces.

A long weekend away in Lake Geneva.

A shopping spree, purchasing these items and many more.

Many sushi dinners:


Plane tickets to visit my favorite little boy and girl.

Sometimes being an adult and owning a house is a bummer.

On a more exciting note I'm doing a giveaway on Much Love Illy's blog.  Check it out!

Risk Taker

shirt: target ($3 pajamas section)  skirt: tjmaxx (similar)  headband: made myself  bracelets: target

The words risk taker, spontaneous and adventurous are words that are far from my personality vocabulary.  

I desire routine, consistency and predictability. 

I prefer things to stay the same, so much that even changing my hair color drastically is a big step.
 And I was extremely proud of myself for dying my hair dark. 

After this post, someone left me a comment that made me incredibly happy,
telling me that I had the hippie look going on. 

Dream. Come. True.

I've always wanted to rock a headband like a hippie but am too much of a wuss to try something out of my comfort zone.  Well here it is. 

Gosh.  Who knows what's next?

Maybe I'll even attempt pattern mixing. 

And apparently I think this is what hippies do.

Peace Out Friends!

Sunday Funday  Monday Meet Up
YOLO Monday   Steppin' Out

Outfit Observations

 shirt: tjmaxx  shirt: gap  sandals: target  bracelet: francesca's

1. Let's acknowledge the obvious first. 

You may be wondering where my eyes are.  You have to look hard. 

Hey, it's been a rough week. 

2. If you want to feel like you are wearing pajamas all day wear a cotton maxi skirt and cotton tee.

3. If someone knows how to tie their shirt like this in less than 5 minutes please tell me.

It takes me way too long, which probably means I need longer shirts.

4. I think I wear these sandals at least every other day. 

5.  I clearly have stopped blow drying my hair.  

Case in point here and here this week. 

It is just too darn hot. 

6. I recently bought a strapless bra that has detachable straps, and have been wearing it as a non strapless bra. But today one strap unhooked at least 5 times, which is incredibly inconvenient. 

(I know you can't see this one, but trust me.  It may have been mid detachment in this picture.)

Happy 4th of July!

follower fest  Rolled up Pretty
Rae Gun Ramblings