Lately.

Happy Friday Friends. Any fun plans this weekend? This is our last weekend in town before we head to Charlotte for Christmas. I feel like this holiday season has slipped by and I have hardly gotten to enjoy it. So that is just what I plan to do this weekend. I promised Sterling we would build a gingerbread house, go see the Christmas Lights at the James Island County Park, make hot chocolate, watch Christmas movies, and wrap gifts. I really want to slow down and and enjoy this time of the year because it is so fun for Sterling and he is so excited.   Plus I love Christmas!

This week I started taking photos at night of what was going in our house.  I want to create a whole Blurb book of them.  It will be fun to look back on them years later!  Here is what has been going on in the Mason House.

Loving our MamaRoo Swing.  So nice for Frances to sit in while we enjoy happy hour and our tree!

Sterling has been so creative lately.  I have really tried to limit his TV,  for awhile we were watching too much.  Now we play instead.  This night he lined up every single car and "friend" he had.

Matt worked late Wednesday night so both kids got in bed with me and we snuggled- pure bliss.

Miss Frances has been keeping her Daddy up at night in our room where she currently sleeps, so Matt decided to blow up the air mattress in her room to get a good nights sleep for work.  Of course Sterling wanted to sleep in this awesome bed too and have a slumber party.

Frances had her first bath this week, her belly button had been infected and it finally healed so I could bath her.  I bathed her all by myself and was very proud !  Btw any great bath suggestions?  We still have yet to get one, I just bathed her in our sink which was tricky with just me.

 My friend Sam gave Frances this adorable Monkey hat- I mean does it get any cuter??

I will leave you with this list of Bible readings for Advent- love how it is broken down daily. 

Have a great weekend!

Currently Living in Sweaters + Leggings

Dressing post baby is hard. You are not pregnant anymore so you don't have to deal with a huge belly but things just ain't the same. I can barely fit in my "fat" jeans- major muffin top over the top- so not pretty.   So I have been living in leggings.   My typical daily outfit is leggings and a cute sweater with ballet flats or my Rag and Bone Booties if I want to dress up a bit.   We had a baby shower for my friend Sarah yesterday and this is what I wore. 

I have already the praised the Spanx leggings enough so I am sure you get it- I love them.  Instead of nursing bras I have been loving the Bravado nursing tanks, I wear them under everything.  I feel like the tanks suck you in as well so you don't see flab.  Plus they make nursing easy.   My mom recently went to Chicago and found me the dark brown Rag and Bone Newbury Booties at the Nordstrom Outlet.  They are My absolute favorite, they go with everything!  I stopped in Forever 21 this week and picked up a few cheap sweaters for this after baby in between stage including the one I am wearing.  This outfit has been on repeat around here.
Links below.

Also love this pic of Charlize Theron for inspiration.  Leggings and sweaters can be a chic look!

A few awesome sweater deals from the Shopbop sale.

I also snagged this super cute zippered sweater from F21.  It looks way more expensive in person!

These Club Monaco leggings are also part of the Shopbop sale, I have heard great things about them.
They would be great with any of the sweaters!

Any other great sweaters or leggings I need?  I will probably be living in this ensemble for the next 3 months!
xoxo

The Best Veggie Sandwich Ever

After not really watching what I ate for the past nine months, I am ready to get back on track and lose the last of this baby weight.  I am not on a full blown diet that will come after the Holidays (I must indulge for all the holiday parties)  but I have been trying to buy healthier groceries and making smarter food choices.  I try to eat really healthy for breakfast and lunch so I can indulge at dinner and eat what I want plus have a glass of wine.  This week I decided to make veggie sandwiches for lunch.  This combo is amazing.  The Greek yogurt spread paired with the crunch of the carrots and cucumbers and then the creamy avocado is amazing.  Make sure you splurge and buy some really good bread.  I found this awesome multi grain bread by Band of Bakers in the fresh bread section at Harris Teeter and it makes the sandwich!   I think this sandwich would be killer with some cheese like pepper jack added too.

Enjoy!

:: T H E  B E S T  V E G G I E  S A N D W I C H ::

- Multigrain or Oat Bread

- Plain Greek Yogurt

- Fresh Dill

- Sliced Carrots

- Sliced English Cucumber

- Arugula sprouts

- Sliced Avocado

- Sea Salt

Combine Greek Yogurt with chopped fresh dill and salt and pepper.  You can mix up as much as you want to save for future sandwiches.  I mix about one cup of Greek yogurt with a tablespoon chopped fresh dill.  Layer on the veggies and slice and serve.  Be sure to sprinkle the avocado with sea salt it makes the flavors so much better!  I toast my bread slightly to soften it up.

**Arugula Sprouts can be found near the regular sprouts in the produce section.  I found mine at Harris Teeter and they were called Arugula MicroGreens.**

 

My Top 10 Buys of 2013

I know most of you are deep in the middle of Christmas shopping so I thought it would be the perfect time to share my favorite purchases this year. All items I swear by and love. They would be make great gifts for anyone including yourself!   This year I tried to be more selective about what I bought.  I am trying to edit my closet and only have things I really love.  More about investment pieces and less trendy items.  Here are my top 10 favorite purchases this year (although a few were gifts given to me).

:: RAG AND BONE NEWBURY BOOTIES::

I lusted after these boots forever before finally taking the plunge and buying them during a Shopbop sale.  I have to say they are honestly the best booties around.  They are comfortable, not too high of a heel and go with everything!! I have them in gray and my mom just recently brought this dark brown pair back for me from Chicago.  They run true to size.  They are on sale in a burgundy/brown color here.

 :: SPANX WOW STRUCTURED LEGGINGS::

I stand by the fact that these are the best leggings I have ever purchased.  They offer so much support and really suck you in, super flattering.  I have been wearing them everyday post baby to try and suck my stomach back in and I swear its working.  Even if it is not my tummy looks flat while I am wearing them.  They are totally on the expensive side for leggings but I swear they are worth every penny.

:: RAG AND BONE THE SKINNY JEANS ::

I know I rave about these often but they really are some of the best jeans around.  Super flattering and comfortable.

:: CHINESE LAUNDRY D'ORSAY FLATS ::

I love the look of the D'Orsay flat this year and while I loved the Vince version I just could not bring myself to pay $300 for them.  This Chinese Laundry pair is amazing, so comfortable.  I wear mine practically daily.  They are on sale right now at Nordstroms too for only $44!!

:: FOLEY AND CORINA MID CITY TOTE ::

I recently purchased this purse and I am smitten with it.  It is the perfect large size to toss all my stuff and the kids stuff in.  I love that you can carry it as a tote or fold it over and have a smaller cross body bag- the best of both worlds.  A fabulous everyday purse.

:: UGG SCUFFETTE SLIPPERS::

I ask for these slippers every year for Christmas and for some reason never get them.  Last year after Christmas I used some of my Christmas money to finally buy them and it was the best purchase ever.

I wear them all the time, they feel so soft on my feet and I think as far as slippers go they are cute.  Best slippers around I tell you.

:: JENNIFER ZUENER HORIZONTAL CROSS NECKLACE::

I have to admit I am not a huge jewelry person, while I love jewelry I tend to gravitate more towards everyday pieces I can wear all the time.  This was a birthday gift and one of my favorite necklaces.  I love that you can layer it with longer necklaces or wear it alone.  Such a simple piece that also stands out.

:: CLUB MONACO HALEY KNIT DRESS ::

Ever since I saw this dress floating around on pinterset I knew I needed it.  I have worn it so much, pregnant and not pregnant.  Such a great everyday dress.  They don't make it with the tan pockets anymore but the black version is available and onsale for 30% off!

:: JOIE MARLO BLOUSE::
This the most versatile blouse.  It is longer so you can pair with leggings or skinny jeans.   I have the blue color and wear it all the time but now I want the dusty pink or silver color.

:: TKEES FLIP FLOPS ::
By far the best flip flops ever.  I own the nude color and wear them all the time.  I plan to buy another pair for this spring.  So comfortable and they go with everything!

Lastly SHOPBOP is having up to 70% all their winter and fall merchandise!  You can check out the sale HERE!

Gratitude

Gratitude. Something I have thought about alot lately. I am not going to lie these first two weeks with two kids has been hard.  Harder than I ever thought it would be. It is hard as crap juggling two kids who need you around the clock.  There is zero time for mom these days and I relish some "me' time.  I am beyond exhausted and an emotional mess.  I called my mom the other day to vent and tell her everything I was worrying about, because isn't that what we do as Mothers, worry?  

As soon as we give birth we start to worry about anything and everything.  I worry that Sterling is not getting enough attention, I worry because Frances failed her hearing test in the hospital, I worry that she is not eating enough, I worry that I am not being a good enough mother and wife,  etc it never ends.  After our conversation my mom reminded to use my Gratitude beads.  She brought me these before I had Frances and honestly I had forgotten about them with all the hustle and bustle of this time of year and then having a baby on top of that.  The beads sat unused beside my bed.  I decided mom was right, it was time to change my outlook and put those beads to use.

I love the idea of the gratitude beads and since talking with my mom I have been using them everyday.  I always let Sterling help me,  each day we make a point to sit and say what we are thankful for and pull a bead (or several) aside.  It is a nice reminder especially during this time of the year to be thankful.  As overwhelmed as I feel, I am so lucky, I really do have such a blessed life.  There are so many people fighting way bigger battles out there.  I can't help that I am a worrier by nature (although my dad claims I can change this) but I can change my outlook on things and choose to look at the positive side and be grateful.  I read a great verse in my Jesus Calling the other day about starting your day thanking God, such a good reminder.  Often we pray for help and things we want but sometimes it nice to just stop and Thank God for what we have.

A few things I am grateful these days.

These two kids bring me more joy than I ever thought possible.  Grateful.

Even though these last two weeks Matt and I have been at each others throats (I blame the lack of sleep) I am grateful for him.  We have been together for 12 years and he is my best friend.  We had our first night out this weekend post baby and it was lovely. Grateful.

I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends in my life here in Charleston. Can you believe when I moved here I knew one person?  Thankful for one of my best friends,  Caycee- we celebrated her birthday Friday night.  She is the kind of friend you want in your life trust me.  Grateful.

My sweet baby has started smiling and it is the best thing ever.  Grateful.

 Friends and Family that have brought us meals.  Such a nice treat post baby.  This weekend my sister in law brought us food from Mex One, along with a huge bag of diapers.  Grateful.

In case you are curious what Sterling is grateful for his list is:  Santa, Mermaids, Princesses, and toys. Go figure.

One of my mom's dear friends makes and sells these prayer/gratitude beads.  They are such a wonderful gift for someone.  A new mom, a teacher, someone going thru a rough time, a fab stocking stuffer.   Anyone can benefit from these gratitude beads.   She will hand make them in any color you want.  They came in a cute bag with a card describing the beads and how they work.  I love the idea of gifting these to friends and family.  I am thinking of doing these as end of the year gifts for Sterling's teachers.  I love the idea too of bringing these to new moms post baby.   Such a wonderful idea for anyone to be thankful.

I have the copper beads and adore them.

 

You can email Kathy below to see her catalog of beads and place an order.  She really is so talented the beads are gorgeous.  Prices range from $18.50- $125 depending on the materials used.  The copper beads like I have are $18.50.  There are so many different possibilities.  I plan to stock up and have a few on hand for Birthdays and gifts.

Happy Monday!  Lets all have a little gratitude today.

The Joys of Creating a Christmas Card + $150 Gift Card to Minted

This year I am scrambling to get a Christmas card put together and out.  I thought about just bagging it in light of the just having a baby thing and all, but I love getting and sending Christmas Cards. They are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I love seeing people's families and their kids thru the years.  Nothing better than opening a mail box filled with Christmas Cards.

 I wanted to wait til after Frances was born to try and get a picture with her and Sterling together.  So after we put our tree up last weekend,  I put them in some Christmas clothes and busted out my iphone to try and snap a few pictures.  I had no idea how difficult it would be to get a good picture of the two of them.  The outtakes however were hilarious.

Sterling bless his heart tried so hard but he just has a hard time smiling naturally for the camera.  His forced smiles made me laugh.  I love the stank eye Frances is giving him in the last picture.  I did manage to get a pretty solo picture of Frances sleeping after all the comotion.

In the past years I have bought the old school kind of Christmas cards where you attach the picture yourself and hand sign them.  I don't have time for that mess this year.  I decided to use Minted instead.  I had been so impressed with several Minted invitations and cards I received.  They use thicker card stock paper which I really like and I loved their new gold foil designs for this Christmas!  Their quality is really amazing and all the work is done for you!

Minted has a fabulous selection this Holiday season, a few of my favorites:

and in case you are curious this is the card we went with this year.  Some of you should be getting it in the mail soon!  Best picture we could get but they are both looking up with eyes open so I will take it!

Luckily for any of you last minute Christmas Card people like me, Minted is offering one of my readers a $150 giftcard.   You can use this for anything it doesn't have to be Christmas Cards.  $150 will go a long way towards any of Minted's fabulous designs!

All you have to do to enter is visit Minted.com and leave a comment telling  me what you would use the $150 towards.  Giveaway is open til Sunday at noon and I will contact the winner Monday!
xoxo

Piperlime 50% off Dresses + More Sale

If you didn't get enough shopping done during black Friday there is a pretty awesome sale at Piperlime right now.   I actually didn't buy anything during Black Friday or cyber Monday- big pat on the back for me:)  I did however order this Clover Canyon Dress from Piperlime.  I have been wanting a Clover Canyon piece forever and could not beat it at 50% off!  Use code WINTER at checkout!

Piperlime is offering:

50% off dresses

40% tops

30% sweaters

30% outerwear

20% denim 

My top 16 picks from the sale: