Casual Saturday

Top: Rag & Bone // Shorts: SOLD denim, similar here // Shoes: Chanel, similar here // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Sunnies: Ray-Ban // Watch: Michele // Bracelets: David Yurman, Vintage, DIY // Hat: J. Crew

Photo Cred: The one and only, Ryland Devero.

2 weeks ago I traveled to a city that will forever have a piece of my heart; My beloved Chicago. This trip was different then the last 15 I've taken over the past 4 years. When Alcohol and partying isn't allowed on the agenda I was forced to, once again, keep it simple.

Thankfully for me, I stayed with one of the strongest friends I know, a girl I'm lucky enough to call "one of my people". Ryland is the type of genuine friend that when she says she wants you to succeed, she means it. Even if it isn't want I want to hear, she will give me advice and I am forced to step back and realize that what she is saying is right (most of the time...). She reminded me this weekend that girlfriends are what will always stay constant in your life. Sure, some might come and go. But without them, it is a lonely, dark road, that I never want to be on alone.

And by the way, for those of you that go to Chicago strictly to booze it up and shop...there's a lot more out there then just that! The lake is beautiful at any time of the day, my personal favorite is at sunset (obviously). Second City comedy club is the birthplace of Tina Fey and the talent there is just incredible. Finally, don't even get me started on the Oreo & Praline Flapjacks from The Bongo Room. Holy. Shit.

{Amy}

what might have been

Even in the midst of such a happy, joyous, time, I stopped where I was to let myself cry. Surprising to some, it isn't always easy for me to find exactly what to say at the right time. So with that, on a day like today - my original due date; the day that will never be, I turn to an author that wrote it in the most beautiful of ways. Shauna Niequist, author of Bittersweet. Below is an excerpt from her fabulous book about "change, grace, and learning the hard way".

"Today is the day that would have been my due date, had my first pregnancy been a healthy one.  Nine months ago, the world was so different. I was so different. The concept of pregnancy was so different to me, so innocent. Of course I knew women who had miscarried: my mother, my aunt, my friends. But like anything, when it happens to you it's like waking up to a conversation you've heard before and only now grasp, and you realize entirely anew what they were taking about, what they were trying to find the words to describe."

So that's today, the day of what might have been. Soon, we will have another child. But we'll never have a child born on July 22, 2014.

"If you've been marked by what might have been, you don't forget. You know the days, the years. You know when the baby would have been born. You know exactly what anniversary you'd be celebrating, if the wedding had happened. You know exactly how old she'd be right now, if she were still alive. You'll never forget the last time you saw your child, or the last time cancer was a word about someone else's life, or the day that changed absolutely everything. It makes the calendar feel like a minefield, like you're constantly tiptoeing over explosions of grief until one day you hit one, shattered by what might have been." 

"On most days, for me, it's all right. But for today, for a minute, it's not all right. I understand that God is sovereign, that bodies are fragile and fallible. I understand that grief mellows over time, and that guarantees aren't part of human life, as much as we'd like them to be. But on this day, I'm crying just a little for what might have been." 

"I'll get up from here. Life will keep moving, exactly as it should. No one might ever notice today and what it means for me. But I'll always know."

"I don't know what date it is for you - what broke apart on that day, what was lost, what memories are pinned forever to that day on that calendar. But I hope that on that day you hold yourself open and tender to the memories for just a moment.  As one who grieves today, I grieve with you, for whatever you've lost, too, for what might have been." 
 
{Amy}

Yet, another find

Bargain Maxi Dress // Alice McCall Maxi Dress

I've gotten a lot of request to continue doing "bargain finds" when I see them. So, here you are my dear friends. Yet another find!

{Amy}

What is familiar

Jacket: Kate Spade // Tank: Patterson j. Kincaid // Jeans: Rag & Bone // Bracelets: Coordinate collection, J. Crew, David Yurman // Watch: Michele // Sunnies: Ray-Ban // Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner // Shoes: Christian Louboutin, similar here // Earrings: Lily Dawson // Moccasins: Minnetonka

Photo creds: Ryland Devero

Can we really act surprised? Scott and I come from a family of just girls. No, I am not kidding. I only have 1 older sister, my mom has 1 younger sister, my dad has 1 younger sister, my 1 grandmother only has 2 girls, and my other grandmother as 1 girl and 1 boy (my dad).  Scott is the youngest of 3 with 2 older sisters, with his oldest sister having1 baby girl,  his mother is a twin to a sister (and has a younger sister), and his father has 1 younger sister.

I mean, come on. As much as we would have loved to have a baby Scott first, I can't act like I didn't see this coming. 

The idea of carrying on the "firstborn girl tradition" was something I honestly feared. As much of a girlie girl as I am, I was terrified at the idea of bring a girl into this cruel, mean, caddy world. I wanted to change the tradition. Before you judge my parenting skills (before I even give birth) let me explain myself...

Having female relationships was never my strong suit. I have always felt most comfortable around men and hanging with the guys. I have just a select few girlfriends that I talk to on the regular and even though I was in a sorority, I wasn't the one that had all the friends. the backstabbing, bad-mouthing, cattiness was something I physically could not handle. My sister and I are deathly close but we weren't always that way. We actually hated each other until I was abut 18. My parents would have to get babysitters for us into our teens for the fear of us killing each other was too real from them to ignore. We fought like hell, and we were cruel to each other. It went past name calling and hair pulling, it was deeper than that. We truly, hated each other with all of our beings. Times have changed and my sister is my closest confidant. It wasn't until my sister confided in me the deep dark 'secret' she was keeping that made her who she was. It's amazing what happens when you set YOUR truth free. My Mother and I are extremely close. At times, I question if we are too close. However, we have our issues like any mother/daughter duo. We have both been through enormous amounts of changes over the past few years and it's hard changing your ways after being in the same routine for 21 years.

Yes, boy or girl, I am scared. But, isn't that what motherhood is all about? If I wasn't scared I don't think I would be able to say "I'm going to be a great mother". Scott and I are thrilled to be having a girl. I can only imagine how she will have Scott wrapped around her fingers and how I will now have a new forever best friend. But, the truth is, it's scary. It's scary to be a woman in this world, to have gone through all the challenges and triumphs that I've been through and not be scared to bring a baby girl into this world. But we are. And in my eyes, she will be perfect, every single inch of her. No matter what any pre-teen, caddy girl says. 

{Amy}

Another day, another find.

 

 $39 Dress // For Love and Lemons Dress

These deals are KILLING me!!! Although I wouldn't trade being pregnant for the world, I do miss being able to wear some of these AMAZING dresses! 

Always remember, shop SMARTER not harder online.

{Amy}

Find of the day

Embroidered dress // Embroidered dress // close up // Mara Hoffman

I think this dress has been re-pinned on pinterest over 4,000 times. I mean, it's clear everyone loves it. However, it's not every day someone can drop $411 on a maxi.

GOOD news, gang... after doing some "research" I have found the dress, for less that $60. You can thank me later...

{Amy}

The most wonderful time of the Year

Blanket //  Riding Boots // Perfume // Crossbody // Coin Purse // Thong // Sweater // Leather Dress // Jacket // Necklace // Top // Boyfriend Jeans // Black boots

Forgive me as I go on my annual rant about my most favorite time of the year. Some people think Christmas is the best time of the year and that's their own personal opinion. I, on the other hand, find it way too cold, the pressure to impress people with gifts and holiday parties is overwhelming at times and don't even get me started on the time it takes to decorate your house.

My favorite time of the year is right now. Why? For one reason, and one reason only...THE Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Sure, I am a little biased to this sale as I successfully worked 6 of these sales in the past.  At the time I hated every waking minute of it. Not even kidding, in the slightest. Until you can call yourself a "Nordy Girl" and have worked at least 1 of these, you will never understand the work, preparation and sheer exhaustion one goes through to make sure you, as a consumer, gets the deals you are coveting. The most important thing to remember about this sale is when it's over on August 4th...prices go back up to original price. That's even if these items make in through the entire sale without being sold out.

Above are a few of the items that are 1. things I must have, or, 2. ACTUAL deals. meaning, these items NEVER go on sale (like, ever) except for these 17 days of the anniversary sale.

{Amy}

1. Barefoot dreams Blanket. $64.90 // after sale $98

2. Tory Burch Riding boots. $299.90 // after sale $495

3.Balenciaga perfume. $121 // after sale $130

4. Rebecca Minkoff crossbody. $196.90 // after sale $295

5. Rebecca Minkoff Coin Purse. $49.90 // after sale $75

6. Hanky Panky Thong. $14.90 // after sale $23

7. Woven Heart Sweater. $37.90 // after sale $58

8. Halogen Leather Dress. $198.90 // after sale $298

9. Thread & Supply Jacket. $41.90 // after sale $64

10. Kendra Scott necklace. $51.90 // after sale $78

11. Rag & Bone Top. $99.90 // after sale $150

12. KUT of Kloth Boyfriend Jean. $52.90 // after sale $79.50

13. Frye 'Molly' Boot. $279.90 // after sale $417.95