Blouses: An Everyday Staple

My daily uniform consists of a blouse and either cut-off jean shorts or skinny jeans. I love how feminine blouses are and how easy they are to toss on yet you look really pulled together. Blouses have served me well this pregnancy,  most of my blouses still fit because I wore them loose and flowy before. If you need some inspiration check out these lovely ladies rocking blouses.

Oh how I love a blouse.  It is the perfect everyday staple.  I rounded up a few of my favorites of all different price ranges.  Whats your favorite blouse?

Key Lime and Coconut White Chocolate Pound Cake

This pregnancy I have been obsessed with all key lime desserts. I loved the mini cheesecakes so much I decided to try my hand at a key lime cake. I made this for my mom's birthday while we were on vacation, and it was a huge hit with everyone.  It was also easy to make because it uses a box pound cake mix- minimal measuring is always good!  I love the addition of white chocolate in the cake mix and the coconut in the icing, they both give the cake extra flavor and pair perfectly with the lime juice!  I made this cake in the bundt cake pan and it cooked perfectly it was just a touch thin, next time I may make the cake in the bread pans instead.   The loaf of bread would make a great hostess gift, but the cake is great as well for a birthday party.
Enjoy and trust me you won't be able to stop at just one slice.  I was eating the leftover icing by the spoonful with my second slice of cake.

:: K E Y  L I M E  P O U N D  A N D   C O C O N U T   W H I T E   C H O C O L A T E 

 P O U N D  C A K E::

Pound Cake:

1 – 16 oz. box Betty Crocker Pound Cake Mix

2/3 c. water

¼ c. butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tsp. Key lime juice

1 tsp. Key lime zest

1 – 3.5 oz. White Chocolate Bar finely chopped

Glaze:

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. Key lime juice

1-2 tbs. milk

¼ c. shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 4 miniature loaf pans or bundt cake pan and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, butter, eggs, Key lime juice, and lime zest.  Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy and the lumps are all gone.  Stir in white chocolate pieces.  Pour evenly into prepared pans.

Bake 28-30 minutes in mini loaf pans or bundt cake pan.  Remove from oven cool 10 minutes in pan.  Remove cakes from pan and cool completely on rack.

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, Key lime juice, and milk.  Whisk until smooth.  Drizzle evenly over cooled cakes.  Sprinkle with shredded coconut, and serve.

*we just mixed the coconut in with the icing and drizzled over the cake**

Obsessions

{Parker Bluebell Blouse} 

This blouse is so dreamy.  I love the Big Bang patterned one.  It looks so good with the skinny black jeans.

{Club Monaco Tasha Leggings}

I am desperate for a pair of faux leather leggings.  Love that these have a wider waist band for a more flattering fit. 

{Joie Huntley Tote}

I have not bought a new purse in a long time.  It has been almost three years since I bought my last purse.  I have been itching for a new one lately and this is a forerunner.  Love the size, shape and both colors.

{House of Harlow Fingerprick Necklace}

I am a huge fan of House of Harlow jewelry, I wear my Sunburst necklace all the time.  I am thinking this needs to be my new Fall necklace.  Love the bold black design.

 {Club Monaco Haley Dress}

My favorite dress is back in a new color combo.  I can't say enough great things about this dress.  I wear mine all the time pregnant and not (see below).  Love the new black/white combo.  I suggest ordering this now if you want it.  Last time it sold out fast!  Runs true to size, I have a size 4.

{BR Stripe Cardigan}

This the perfect cardigan for Fall.  Love the neutral colors,  it would go with everything. BR has been surprising me this Fall they have some cute stuff.

{T-Bags Faux Leather Dress}
So this dress looks like it would be more like a shirt on me, but I would totally pair it with leggings or skinny jeans for a killer outfit.  Any of you shorter gals could prob pull this off as a dress.    I am all about the faux leather look for Fall.

{Nate Berkus Woven Cotton Round Storage Bin}
I am loving Nate Berkus's new fall line.  This is one of my favorites.  I ordered one for Sterling's room to use as storage on his bookcase.  Hope it is as cute in person as it is online!

{BaubleBar Twain Travel Cases}
I am always looking for ways to organize and store my jewelry when I travel and these cases are just perfect.  I just can't decide what color I love best black, cobalt, teal, or red!  They are such a great price at $26 they would make great stocking stuffers for Christmas, bridesmaid gifts, or just a gift for anyone special!

Scenes From Our Weekend

Why do the weekends fly by so fast? I am starting to get a little weirded out that I only have 9 weekends or less before Baby girl makes her debut. I have alot left to do in the nursery not to mention cleaning out closets etc. A three bedroom house is gonna be a tight squeeze for 4 of us, but honestly it has been good to make me get rid of things we don't need. We have way too much stuff. 

Friday Night Matt and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary.  We went to dinner at the Mustard Seed one of our favorite restaurants.  It is pretty much our tradition to eat there on our anniversary.  The past three out of 4 years we have eaten there.  Once we tried to get all fancy and eat at Oak, well $200 later and we were both disappointed with our meals.  So now we have decided to stick with what works for us and has special meaning.

Wore my Zara Neoprene Dress, which is sadly about too small this pregnancy.  Will def rock it post baby though such a great dress.

 I had a trout salad with fresh mozzarella, cucumbers, and heirloom tomatoes that was amazing.  Matt had the Filet with truffled potatoes and green beans.  Both of our meals were excellent.

Normally we don't exchange gifts but this year Matt surprised me with two gorgeous necklaces from JCrew (thank you Melissa for helping him out).

Saturday morning Matt and his dad left bright and early to go flounder fishing so it was just me and Sterling.  We decided to hit up Krispy Kreme.  I have not been there once since I have been pregnant and decided it was time for this preggo to eat some hot and now doughnuts.  And yes Sterling and I finished this whole box.

We walked to the beach after that, had to burn off at least doughnut with my two mile stroll.  S loves the beach so much, we found a sharks tooth and he collected rocks.  Yep my son likes to collect rocks not shells from the beach go figure.

Had to get one shadow bump shot.  

Wore these shoes pretty much all weekend.  I scored them on major sale at Shoes on King, they are no longer available there but found them online HERE for almost 50% off.  Elizabeth and James makes such great shoes and they are comfortable!

Lastly started trying out arrangements in the nursery.  Put the rug down and now just need to figure out furniture arrangement!  Rocking chair is getting picked up next week to be recovered!

xoxo

Weekend Style Files: Fall Budget Finds Part 2

I had so much fun finding affordable Fall Fashions a few weeks ago, I decided to do a part two post. There are some seriously great options out there that won't break the bank.  Here is my second round-up, scroll thru to see all my picks!  I am loving loose sweaters paired with skinny leggings for Fall.  Plus there are so many great cozy cardigans out right now to pair with a tee shirt and jeans or leggings for a chic and comfy look.

Happy Saturday!

Thoughts For Friday

Happy Friday Dolls.  Is everyone ready for the weekend?  I know I sure am.  This weekend the hubs and I are celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary.  I can not believe it has been 6 years since our wedding day and 12 years we have been together.  Time flies!  We are going out to dinner tonight which should be fun- minus the fact that I can't drink, but oh well I will at least be a cheap date this anniversary!

Last night I stopped by the C. Wonder store opening downtown on King Street.  Can I just say I am so excited we are getting a C. Wonder.  I loved their Home section, there were so many goodies I wanted and the prices are great.  That's my girl Caycee front and center, she was  my side kick for the night!

I wore my favorite BB Dakota Noland Dress to the event.  It is finally back in stock at Social Dress Shop.  You can't beat it for the price, it is such a versatile dress.  I am smitten with the rich green color for Fall and think it will be cute with tights and booties as well.  I wear a size small and it still works pregnant but may not fit me much longer while preggo.  Small fits great not pregnant though. 

{BB Dakota Noland Dress}

I finally decided to jump on the Fall train and painted my nails a Fall Color this week, I mean it is September and all.  This is one of my new favorite nail polish colors for Fall, OPI Malaga Wine.  It truly is the perfect red.  And of course I had to get my first Pumpkin Spice latte too.

We got our first BlaBla doll for Baby Girls nursery.  I love BlaBla dolls so much.  I want an entire collection of them, Layla Grace has a great collection online.

{Lollipop the Frog}

 Next up I want the Bunny and Elephant!

I picked up my first pair of flats for the Fall.  I have been yearning for a pair of D'Orsay Flats.  There are so many options out there but these Madewell Beauties won me over.  Get a pair fast because they are selling out quickly,  only a few sizes are left.   I went with the dark river color, it is supposedly a dark navy/gray  which I thought would look great with everything!

{Madewell D'Orsay Flats}

We got our ottomans back for the den and I could not be happier with them.  I love the fabric we chose and the size is just perfect in our small den.

For all you local ladies, I wish you would please join me at the Wine, Women and Shoes event in a few weeks.  It is guaranteed to be an amazing time- what is better than wine and shoes with tasty food?   Plus I will be strutting it on the catwalk which should be comical at 8 months pregnant!  It's for a great cause so come on out!

You can purchase tickets HERE.

 

Its a good thing I am not a legit fashion blogger because I am so awkward in front of the camera.  Here is my snapshot for the event.  Of course Sterling had to make a cameo- stuffing his face!

 Pretty sure I am making this Kale Ceasar Salad this weekend, looks amazing!

xoxo

Baby Essentials:The Second Time Around

The great thing about having baby number two is this isn't your first rodeo. You have been there done that and have an idea of what products work and are necessary for the baby what products are a waste of money.  They tell you so many things you need for the baby and most of it you really don't need.

In the last 3.5 years since I had Sterling there are so many new and great baby products out there. Thanks to my sister and friends who have had babies recently they have shared new products they loved with me.  I decided to compile a little list of products I love and used all the time with Sterling plus a few new additions that I will be purchasing for baby number two.

The first set are items I did not own with Sterling but came highly recommended, a few I have already purchased for Baby Girl.

MAMA ROO BOUNCER SEAT-  My sister and my good friend Katie both have this Baby swing and let me assure you it is the best one out there.  It is sleek and compact which I really like.  Our swing with Sterling was huge and such an eyesore.  This seat mimics the moves parents use to calm their children.  It has five different movement settings and it plays soothing noises.   It is lightweight and easy to carry room to room too.  My sister is letting me borrow hers and I am excited to have a better swing this go around.

BLOOM BABY HIGH CHAIR- I hated my hair chair I used with Sterling.  The tray always slanted and it was hard to get him in and out of it.  I am hoping to get this high chair for baby girl.  It folds up super easy plus I love the modern look of it. 

GRACO TREKKO3 STROLLER- I had all intentions to buy a BOB stroller this time around until my mom bought this stroller and I tested it out with Sterling.  I fell in love with it.  It was so easy to open and close and such a smooth ride.   Plus our car seat easily snaps in while the baby is a newborn.  It is half the price of the BOB and I swear it looks just like it and works just as well.  Lucky for me my mom gave me hers and I have been using it with Sterling all the time!  I used to feel the need to spend alot of money on a stroller but no longer feel that way after test driving this Graco.  I had a Bugaboo with Sterling and swear I like stroller just as much if not more.

DIAPER DEKOR TRASHCAN- I used the Diaper Genie with Sterling and let me tell you it sucks ass.  It always smelled and was not very easy to get the bags in and out.  This will most def be our trashcan this time around.

PUJ BABY BATH-  I have heard nothing but great things about this baby bath.  With Sterling we used the great big blue plastic bath tub and I hated it.  It was impossible to bath the baby by yourself because he kept slipping down.  The Puj is made out of non-slip materials and sits right in your sink which I really like.   It is smaller so it is easier to store as well.

ERGOBABY CARRIER- We borrowed my friends Baby Bijorn to use with Sterling and it worked fine but we gave it back so we need a new carrier this time around.  Everyone I have spoken to raves about the Ergo Carrier.  Apparently it is easier to use than the Bijorn.


Next up are the products I used and swear by with Sterling.  They will all be getting dusted off and pulled out of the attic very soon.

BEABA BABYCOOK-  I was given this as a gift with Sterling and I really love it.  Now don't get me wrong I bought plenty of jarred baby food, I did not exclusively make my own.  But the Beaba is so easy to use.  It was easy to steam veggies or puree fruits and store them in my freezer til we were ready to use.   You can make homemade and use it when you feel like it and sub in jarred food too.

ZOLI SNACK STACKER- This thing is awesome.  If you don't breastfeed it is great to store formula in or just finger food snacks like cheerios and puffs.  I always had mine in my purse!

OXO PERFECT PULL WIPE DISPENSER-  Works so well for refilling wipes and they are easy to get out this container.  Plus looks cute sitting on your changing table. 

BOON GRASS DRYING RACK-  Hands down the best drying rack out there.  I loved mine so much I bought two.  Works great for wine glasses too:)

MUSTELA LOTION- I am a huge fan of the Mustela baby line.  Their products smell amazing and are safe for baby.  I still use this lotion for Sterling.  I alos love their Baby Shampoo and Wet Wipes.

AIDEN AND ANAIS BURPY BIBS-  These are great because they serve two purposes,  a burp cloth and then they also wrap around and snap to form a bib when baby is older.  I had these exact same ones I used with Sterling.  They are so soft and wash up well.

AIDEN AND ANAIS BIBS-  I really love all Aiden and Anais products.  These bibs are a bit smaller than the burp cloth version and come in such great patterns.

SKIP HOP ACTIVITY MAT-  Skip Hop makes the cutest kids products, I am a big fan of this mat.  Activity mats are so great to lay your babies on when you need to get something done.  Great for tummy time too.

SOFIE THE GIRAFFEE-  I am sure most of you have heard of the infamous Sophie.  She really is a gloried dog toy but kids love her.  She is the perfect size for them to hold, easy to clean, and great for teething.   We had two of these for Sterling, no joke, because we were terrified we would lose one and it would calm him down and occupy him wherever we went!



 Any other new and fab things I need to add to my list?  I always love Mommy advice!