Scenes From Our Weekend

Well that weekend flew by! Happy MLK Day. Sterling is out of school today so we are off to run some errands and I am going to attempt Target with two kids,  may be a bad idea!

Today Miss Frances Moon is two months old. I swear time is flying by, I feel like I was just in the hospital having her.  I have had so much fun dressing her up, girl clothes really are fun.  This weekend we decided to try out our Valentines outfit,  pretty adorable if I do say so.  Both the sweater and pants are on sale.

|| Heart Sweater | Striped Pants ||

 

Friday night we went out to dinner with two other couples, The Nixons and Hewitts for date night.  It was restaurant week so we were excited about a good meal for a great price.  We ate at 82 Queen and I have to say we were severely disappointed the food was totally mediocre and borderline bad.   I would not eat there again.   I am kind of over restaurant week, the meals are just never that good.   The company however was excellent and that is the most important thing right??  

I wore my Equipment Owen Dress, such a great dress and Christina Jervey moon necklace.

I love this Equipment Dress so much, such an easy dress to dress up or down.  Runs true to size I am wearing a small.
||EQUIPMENT OWEN DRESS ||

I also love this floral print it comes in as well.

|| EQUIPMENT OWEN DRESS ||

Wore my Twine and Twig necklace again this weekend, such a great necklace!

 

Saturday we had a fairly lazy day. 

I whipped up a batch of Energy Balls.  They are super easy to make: Mix 1 cup oats, 3/4 cups shredded coconut, 1/3 cup honey, 1/2 mini chocolate chips, 1 tsp vanilla. 1 tsp cinnamon.  Refrigerate for 30 mins then roll into balls.  Add flax seed or chia seeds if desired.

Sunday I scrubbed and cleaned out our entire fridge and pantry.  Such a good feeling to open it and see it so clean.   We also enjoyed some beautiful weather at the park.

I also signed up for my first Nature Box.  Have anyone of you done this before?   I had a coupon for 50% off so it came to $10 for a box.  Apparently each month you get a shipment of 5 different healthy snacks.  I will report back and let you guys know if I like it.  I am always looking for healthy new snacks for Sterling and me.  If you want to try it and get $10 off your first order click HERE

Have a great Monday.

Saturdays Steals and Splurges

Happy Saturday Friends. I am back with this weekends steals and splurges. 

First steal of the week is Gigi New York is offering 30% off their fall line.  Remember those jewelry pouches I blogged about Tuesday,  well they are on sale.  I am seriously considering finally ordering the clutch.  Shop all the sale Here.

The crossbody bag is down to $175

 The Oversized Uber Clutch is down to $90

 The Zippered Tote is down to $241

The All in One Bag is down to $71.  I am telling you major deals!

The Mini Pouch is $38- would be a great gift for someone or change pouch for your purse.

Another major steal is this tufted bench from Target.  I mean I was shocked when I saw it was from Target.  It is gorgeous and only $99!!
||Tufted Bench ||

 I also love the lavender smaller ones.  Two of these would be so cute under an entryway table.  A steal at $69.
|| Lavender Tufted Ottoman ||

Bloomingdales is having a pretty good sale right now too.  You all know I love Vince and there are several great pieces currently on sale.
|| Vince PopOver Silk Blouse||

These are the best tee shirts on sale now for $80.
||Vince Double V Tee ||

 Total splurge even on sale but this Vince Leather jacket is amazing.  An investment piece you would wear all the time.  I own a Vince Leather Jacket and it is my favorite jacket hands down.
||Vince Leather Jacket ||
 

Madewell is offering additional 40% off all sale stuff.  Love this black shift dress, total steal.
|| Director Shift Dress ||

The spring version of my Jcrew plaid top I wore over Christmas is now on sale with addiional 40%  off.  This would look so good with white jeans or jean shorts for Spring. 

||Embroidered Peasant Top ||

 Happy Shopping!

Nursing Essentials + Dressing While Nursing

 Nursing, its the hardest part of having a baby or at least it is to me.  It is a round the clock job for the first few months and it hurts.  You are restricted and you can't go places because you have feed your baby so often and that is hard.  I had a really hard time nursing with Sterling he would never latch on and I had to supplement with formula from the beginning because my milk supply was low.  It was difficult and I eventually stopped nursing at 3 months.  This time I have had a crazy milk supply and it is just easier all around so I am powering on.  But I am over having huge boobs, I keep waiting for them to shrink some but no luck!  You have to do what is best for you, if formula makes you a happier mom do that, if pumping is easier do that.  People can be very judgmental about nursing or not nursing, so you have to not listen and do what works for you, I learned this with Sterling when I felt guilty after quitting nursing but it was the right thing for us and ultimately I was happier.

I have had several requests for me to share nursing essentials and clothes that are easy to nurse in.   Nursing on the go can be hard.  With Sterling I was super funny about nursing in front of people this time I just don't care.  Thanks to my Hooter Hider, which I highly recommend I can basically nurse wherever with privacy.  If you have never seen one of these it goes around your neck and drapes in front to cover your chest area while nursing.  It folds up and can be easily tossed into your purse for on the go nursing.  I use mine if company is over and occasionally out in public like yesterday I used it at Chick Fila.

||Hooter Hider ||

When I know I am going to be out for awhile I will pump and bring a bottle.  But let me say I hate pumping, I would much rather nurse.   But nights when Matt and I go out I need a bottle left behind for his parents to feed Frances.  I own this Medela pump which I highly recommend.  I bought it with Sterling, then my sister used it and now it is back to me.  It holds up well and it is still working great. 

|| Medela Breast Pump ||

 As far as bottles I am loving the Dr. Browns bottles.  Added bonus they screw right into the breast pump so you can pump directly into the bottle.  

||Dr Browns Bottles ||

Don't forget nursing pads you will need these to wear daily and at night because trust me your milk will start to leak.  I have tried pretty much every brand and really don't love any of them.  I like the Nuk brand because they are thinner but then I leak with them.  This time I bought the Target Up brand and they work well for the price.

As far as dressing while nursing, I still wear all my regular blouse and sweaters but a must for me is a nursing tank.  I wear one under almost everything.  They are easy to unsnap and nurse in.  Plus I feel like the tanks help smooth out and suck in extra flab which is ever present post baby.

My favorite are the Bravado line.  I own one in black and white and wear them all the time.  Right now they are 25% off so stock up!

|| Bravado Nursing Tank ||

I have heard these Yummie Tummie nursing tanks are awesome because they are like spanx and suck you in. I am debating picking up one to try. I also like that they look like they are longer.   Remember Heather from RHNY?  This is her line:)
|| Yummie Tummie Nursing Tank||

I  love the Bravado nursing bras.  I own these two. 

|| Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra ||

This bra is like a sports bra and so comfortable, I sleep in it at night as well. The bras are also currently 25% off.

|| Bravado Allure Underwire Bra ||

This bra looks more like a regular bra and has underwire which I like for some days and under dressier clothes.

I still can't fit back in my regular pants so if you need some in between jeans, I highly recommend The Skinny by 7 For All Mankind.   I own these in a size larger than what I normally wear and have worn them after both pregnancies.  They are high waisted and suck you in plus they have alot of stretch which you need post baby!
|| 7 for All Mankind The Skinny Jeans ||

As for what I wear over my bras and tanks I find blouses that button up are easiest for nursing because you can just unbutton them and easily nurse.  I also have been wearing loose sweaters and tees that are easy to lift up. This way with my tanks under them, I just unsnap the tank and nurse.
The JCrew swing sweater is great for nursing.

A few options.

Rebecca Taylor Additional 40% off Sale!!

I felt like I had to share with you guys Rebecca Taylor is having an additional 40% off all sale items with code 40OFFSALE. There are some incredible deals. I am obsessed with my Python Blouse and it is still available for less than $100!  I am wearing a size 4 for those curious.

||RT PYTHON BLOUSE ||

Pretty sure I am ordering this beauty, been eyeing it forever.
||LEOPARD SWEATER ||

A few other favorites!  Shop the entire sale HERE.

Twine and Twig: Line You Need to Know About

 Don't you love finding locally created lines that are truly awesome?? I am so excited to introduce you guys to an incredible jewelry line, Twine and Twig.  This line is created by two sisters in Charlotte,  Elizabeth Stafford White and Jacquelyn Stafford Buckner,  and it is amazeballs.   Their love for the outdoors inspired this natural and organic line of necklaces

How adorable are Elizabeth and Jacquelyn?

Twine and Twig was just recently featured at the Garden and Gun Jubilee here in Charleston. Each Twine and Twig piece is one of a kind, handcrafted and designed by Elizabeth and Jacquelyn. Each necklace is hand tied with their signature suede strap, and features unique and naturally sourced eco-friendly materials from regions throughout the world.

They have several different necklace types: shells, tips, horse hair tassels, teeth and spines.  You can see some of the different styles below.

I have two of the necklaces and just adore them.  They are the perfect unique piece to toss on with a plain tee or sweater.  I own a tip and a shell necklace and love them equally.  They are such statement pieces and I love that.

Side note- yes these picture were taken in a parking lot, Sterling's school parking lot if you are curious.  Keeping things real this Momma doesn't have time for exotic backgrounds, but I wanted you to see how the necklaces looked with my whole outfit.

Other outfit Details
Swing Sweater || 7 for all Mankind The Skinny Jeans || Rag and Bone Newbury Booties
Twine + Twig Necklaces

They also carry a line for kids called Twine and Twig Littles that I die over.  You better believe Frances Moon will be rocking these when she is a little older.

They hope to have an online shop soon but in the meantime, they are carried in a few select stores on the east coast.  Here in Charleston you can find them at :

WORTHWHILE
268 King Street

Charleston, SC

843-723-4418

For a complete list of all other stores that carry Twine and Twig click HERE. 

You can also email the girls at twineandtwigstyle@gmail.com if you want to place a specific order. 

Prices start at $115. 


I will leave you with a few pictures of the necklaces styled perfectly. Seriously you must check this 

line out, such cool handmade necklaces. Support local artists!

 

 

 

Chopped Italian Salad

Why is it that salads are better when they are chopped?   I just love a good chopped salad.   This one is really awesome, even Matt commented how good it was and of course he was less than thrilled when I told him salad was all we were having for dinner.   But he agreed it was one of the best salads we have made yet.   The flavor combos are awesome together.  The fresh mozzarella and salami were my favorite parts.  You could even do pepperoni instead of salami if you prefer.  Heck I might even do pepperoni and salami next time!   Next time I will also only use one garlic clove in the dressing it was a bit too garlicky for us- like we both got in bed with stank breath.

Otherwise everything was just perfect. This would be a great salad for entertaining because it looks so pretty before you toss it together.  I assembled ours that morning and let it sit in the fridge til dinner time and tossed it together then and added the dressing.  A delicious, healthy, fresh salad.
Enjoy!

|| C H O P P E D   I T A L I A N   S A L A D ||
 adapted via the cozy apron

Salad ingredients:

3 romaine hearts, halved and chopped into small dice
  cherry tomatoes halved or quartered depending on the size
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped into small dice
½ red onion, chopped into small dice
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped into small dice
tiny fresh mozzarella balls halved (or you can use a big ball and dice)
4 ounces (about ¼ pound) Italian dry salami, chopped into small dice
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped fine
peperconcinis diced

Herbed Red Wine Vinaigrette ingredients:

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press
¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon sugar (I left the sugar out)
 Pinch ground black pepper and salt
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

-In a medium bowl, add all ingredients through salt and pepper, and whisk to combine; next begin slowly adding the oil, whisking until vinaigrette is emulsified.

To Assemble:

-Pour the vinaigrette over the chopped salad greens and thoroughly toss to coat; check and adjust the salt/pepper.