Dreams do come true

 Confession: I didn't paint this mural, nor do I know who did. It just so happens the previous owners of our house had a little girl as well and used this room for a nursery. This mural we never painted over "just in case". Well, it worked and we greatly appreciate the mystery artist.

You are my sunshine frame, similar here // My top // Scott's top // Hadley's Pants // Gunther's Bowtie, similar here // My Watch // My Bracelets: David Yurman, Tiffanys // "hello" print // Hadley Chair // 'You are my bucket list' print // Pink gingham pillow // White Linen embroidered pillow // starburst mirror, similar here // Owl Rocker // Rug // Changing Pad // Golden Retriever Plush // Hanging bird cage // Yarn spun 'H', similar here // Burlap flowers // Paper pinwheels: Click here for the DIY instructions // white wicker basket // 'Love you more' sign // Owl Piggy Bank // little boy statue // Bowl lamp // hanging hand mirrors; Similar here // monogram decal // Hadley's blanket 

I can honestly say that I never had any intention of doing a blog post on Hadley's nursery. However, I've had enough friends and family members actually get mad at me for not writing about it, so I figured I'd better write something. Not to mention my friend and talented photographer, Lauren Frisch, did call Hadley's nursery "blogger gold" so...hey, why not?

When I say that Hadley's nursery was on a budget,  I mean a "don't spend any money" budget. Aside from the necessary crib and dresser that you have to have, the idea of spending a ton of money on a 8 pound baby seemed a little silly. I might love one style but who's to say she isn't going to want a "Limited too-esque" zebra print room in a few years? (please God,  anything but that.) Hadley's room began and ended in a day. Of course, I had a few ideas, and Pinterest always helps to get those going, but it wasn't until I went into our basement and started going through Scott's and my keepsake boxes that her nursery started to come to life. That is the biggest advice I can give anyone who is trying to revamp any room in their house...see what you already have in your house, or even within your family, before you go and spend any money on decorations. Additionally, the things I wanted but couldn't seem to find, I ended up making myself. Yes, I got "DIYed" 7 months pregnant. 

A few items that are pictured were Scott's, or mine, as a child and my mother's as a child, so those I couldn't link to anything. (sorry.) But, these are the items you might find in your basement or your parents basement. Vintage books are the cheapest way to decorate, I have them everywhere. You could go to any vintage bookstore or even a garage sale and find them for a quarter. All of the Peter Rabbit china was Scott's as a child, and the rabbit lamp was mine as a baby. When you're wanting to redecorate a room, get inspiration from magazines, Pinterest, really anything. Then, before you go straight to Pottery Barn do a little shopping at places you never thought you'd go, such as flea markets, vintage stores, thrift stores. It's incredible what you can find (and make) with just a little inspiration. 

'Tis the season

1. Midi Skirt // 2. fingerless mittens // 3. Long trench jacket // 4. shrunken button down // 5.Sherling lined vest // 6. 'tis the season mug // 7. socks // 8. tartan poncho // 9. Blanket Scarf // 10. Tartan loafers // 11. Rugby jacket // 12. Plaid jogger pants // 13. Buffalo check peacoat // 14. Midi Skirt // 15. Plaid checked pants // 16. Minimergency kit // 17. Plaid shorts // 18. Slippers // 19. Vest

Can someone please explain to me how it's already Thanksgiving? I'm pretty sure I was holding a sparkler and wearing something that resembled an American flag just last week. Thanksgiving is a holiday I could do without but Black Friday and Cyber Monday make up my trio of favorite holidays. So, I guess I have to deal with hyped up turkey and sides in order to enjoy my favorite holidays.

If you are a diehard Chiefs fan like myself, you never need an excuse to buy anything that's red and fashionable. It's as if it's become a part of my vocabulary, just like me make an excuse as to why I buy anything black and gold (Go, Tigers). "I mean, it's perfect for a Chiefs game!" "This would be perfect for one of those chilly tailgating Mizzou games, duh." Yes, this is how I talk to myself in my head, just agree to get over it. (Disclaimer: I have been to 3 Mizzou games this year but am fully prepared for another 15 this season.) Imagine my joy when I started to see the trend for this season shifting towards my beloved buffalo plaid, red & black. Hallelujah, Praise Jesus...Let the "Chiefs" shopping commence! 

You don't have to even know who the Chiefs are in order to love this look right now. I rarely wear red but there is something about November & December where I truly believe red looks good on everyone. Not to mention...drum roll please...EVERY SINGLE ITEM I covet above, is on sale from now until Monday night. And, I'm not talking "Save 5% but pay $15 in shipping" Sale, I'm talking 50% off with free 2-day shipping. Get in gear, kids. It's game time.

{Amy}

In the Trenches

2 Tone Trench // Yellow Floral Trench // Beige & Black heart Trench // Pink handwritten Trench // Polka Dotted Bow Trench // Watercolor collar Trench // Lace detailing Trench // High Low Black Trench // Denim Trench // The New Basic Trench

Like I said in my very first post, almost a year ago; I’m not a writer. I’ve never thought of myself as a writer, nor do I believe I am supposed to be a writer. However, I am a thinker, a big one. I’m one big emotional basket case that will say idioms “just cause” and 65% of the time have no idea if I am using it in the correct way or not. Guess it’s my way of thinking that if I use an idiom here and there, I’m a grown up.  (And since I’m expecting my first baby, clearly I’m a grown up.)

However, one idiom I use all too often, and even more so today, is ‘to be in the trenches’.  Not to be confused with “into trenches” which I am also fully on board with as well. And have dedicated this post to my most favorite (and most reasonably priced) trench coats. There’s a whole big world out there that doesn’t involve just Navy and Beige, people!

I am “in the trenches” with the hardest part of my pregnancy, the trenches of a huge layoff throughout my company, the happiest trenches (yeah, it's a thing) of the most exciting sporting event to happen in KC since I moved here 18 years ago. And finally, the trenches of a rather life altering family event. But, like I told one of my closest friends this past weekend as I was catching her up to speed on my life; “I’m uncomfortable if there isn’t chaos.” Chaos has been my life for as long as I can remember. I actually get anxiety if things are going too well, running too smoothly; it’s that feeling of “things are too good to be true, something has to come down.” 

I am on the front line of these events (well, not the Royals going to the World Series but if anyone wants to put me in the front line, feel free.) and I don’t see them letting up any time soon. And that’s ok. I know that through life events, I can handle all of these. There will be good days and bad days, ups and downs, and highs and lows. But, the more I talk to people about being in the front line of all of these life events, the more I realize I’m not the only one. We have all been in the trenches of our own lives and amazingly enough, we’ve all powered through them. 

We all know rain is inevitable; it’s just a matter of when it decides to fall. 

{Amy}

 

An Ode to Old Navy

On the Left: Beige zip booties: Old Navy // On the right: Beige zip booties: Rag & Bone // On the left: Black zip booties: Old Navy // On the right: Black zip booties: Rag & Bone // On the left: Beige ankle strap booties: Old Navy // On the right: Beige ankle strap booties: Rag & Bone // On the Left: Black ankle strap booties: Old Navy // On the right: Black ankle strap booties: Rag & Bone

I can safely say that up until a few months ago I couldn't honestly tell you the last time I had stepped foot into Old Navy. Maybe it's the mass produced "4th of July [insert year here]" tee for $4 that turned me off but I just couldn't do it. It wasn't until I got pregnant that people started suggesting I go in there for cheap maternity clothes. Naturally, I thought all their tops would look like they came straight from the '80's handbook with a tie-back "waist" because doesn't every pregnant woman want to showcase their stomach like it's a big present? (The answer is no. Yes, it's a beautiful thing. But no, I don't want to walk around like I am giving the entire metro the gift of life.)

Hesitant to what I'd see there, on a boring weekend I decided to venture into the unknown and see what all the hype was about. Once again, I was proved wrong. Dead. Wrong. Yes, they still have their $4 Tees that look like they may or may not fall apart in the washing machine. And yes, their jeans are still $32 but you run the risk of some serious mom-butt. But, for the most part, their fashionable clothing are very much so on-trend and still extremely cheap. The biggest find for me were their shoes...

Any time I can buy a pair of boots or booties that are $32 instead of $525, I'm in. Even if they only last me 1 month...money well spent in my books. The quality felt great (although not real leather), they look like they will be able to last me, at the very least, 1 season, and I'm saving money while wearing them. Now, if I could just talk to them about their maternity section, I'd be their #1 fan. 

{Amy} 

Always down for a good find

 

 Jacket: Target // L/S Tee: GAP // Jeans: GAP // Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner // Shoes: Kate Spade

 

Let's face it; we've all bought clothing at Target at some point in our lives. NO one is "above" target, I don't care what you say. Some of us buy clothing there weekly and hell; even daily (guilty). However, once in a blue moon we stumble upon something that does not look like it should be hanging on the stainless steel, cold racks of Target. Case in point; this faux leather Xhilaration jacket. it has the Faux sweatshirt attached so you don't have to worry about the bulky look when you put it on. I went up a size just for length and it fits like a glove. The best $40 I've spent at target in a long time. (Well, I did just buy a killer pair of elastic waistband pants but, that's a totally different post.)

 

Also, to all my DIY friends out there, these shoes are Kate Spade and my daily obsession but something tells me this would be easy to replicate. I know Target has some similar cheetah print slip-on's right now and Lord knows (no pun intended) Hobby Lobby makes a mean faux leather bow. Would be curious if anyone out there has thought about replicating these on a budget.

 

{Amy} 



Too Soon?

Shearling cardigan: BB Dakota

Side Zip Sweater: She Inside

Fringe Hem Sweater: She Inside

Open Back Sweater: Asos

Chiffon Hem Sweater: J. Crew

Embellished Sweater: Necessary Clothing

Wrap Sweater: Just Female

Rival Team Cardigans: Gold // Blue

Is it too soon to already be wanting to be in big, oversized, chunky sweaters? Maybe it's the fact that all I have had to choose from this summer has been tanks or tees with ruching down the side (*side note can someone please find a better way to design maternity clothes? We are pregnant, not PTO mom's in training.) and pants with elastic waist bands. If elastic waist pants don't scream "take fashion advice from me"; then I'm clearly in the wrong business.

Or, maybe it's the fact that 'sweater weather' means fall, which I think we can all agree is by far the most superior of seasons. (I'll spare everyone from sounding like a broken record going on and on about the 'crisp air' and football saturdays. We know, that also happens in the fall.)  It also means that Christmas (and Baby Morris) are right around the corner and with Christmas means a new year, a time for everything to start anew. 

Since I just can't wait to bust out my Fall sweaters (and say sayonara to ruching galore), I've decided to give everyone a little head start on their fall wardrobe. Above are some of my most favorite pieces for Fall...and did I mention none of them are over $110 (Most of them being under $50!!!!!!!!)????????

{Amy}

deal of the day

 

Dress top/skirt combo: SheInside // Dress: SheInside // Shift Dress: Dolce & Gabbana

I had a rush of nostalgia come back to me this past week. Knowing it was recruitment at The University of Missouri, knowing that in 18 years my little girl will (hopefully) be going through rush, I found myself thinking a lot about how terrible it was as a freshman to go through it but how sad it was as a senior to know it was the beginning of the end. 

Now, more than ever before, I am realizing just how fast life breezes by.  Maybe it's the fact that I'm staring motherhood square in the eyes, or maybe it's because I ran into my 6th grade softball coach last weekend, and it was as if not a single day had gone by. Whatever it is, life's moving fast and although a lot of excitment and joy are right around the corner for me, I'm allowed to be a little nervous for what's in store. 

However, I don't need to be nervous to finally "pull the trigger" on a dress I've been drooling over for 3 months now. (And no, I will not be purchasing the $5,000 D&G number. Something tells me if wouldn't have the same effect with baby throw up all down the front side.)

[Amy}