What I Wore Wednesday

Welcome to the third installment of What I Wore Wednesday!

I've classed-it-up in "mommy chic," chilled out as the "cool mom," and today, I'm painting the town as an "artsy mom."

I thought this was such a cool and "artsy" looking outfit (I'm not artsy.. I wish I were, but I'm not.. at least I can dress like it, right?)--I wore it last Saturday for Brandon's and my burger date and felt so cool and creative looking the entire time. 

Here's the details: 

1.) The beautiful diamond necklace was actually a bridal shower gift from my (then) future mother and sister-in-law--it's one of my favorite go-to pieces because it's so versatile, subtle, and pretty.

2.) The long sleeved shirt was a Christmas gift from my Aunt Nancy. I'm typically intimidated by horizontal stripes (I don't need to look bigger than I am!) but LOVE this shirt and like how it can be worn alone or paired with a jacket/scarf/vest. An added bonus? It's super soft, light, and comfortable!

3.) The pants were a Christmas gift from my mom (maybe I should have titled this outfit the "Gifty Mom"?). They are hands down the most comfortable slacks I have ever worn--they're like yoga pants that you can wear to church or work!

This little number cost me a total of $0 (gotta love Christmas gifts)! It was really comfortable and fun and I will definitely be wearing it again soon! Do you like to mix up your look, too? Tell me about it!

What I Wore Wednesday

Welcome to another exciting edition of WIWW!

Today's outfit is called "The Cool Mom" (which describes me to a T, right?)!

Last Saturday, my guys and I spent the day running errands and shopping, so I wanted to wear something that was comfortable and fun--this outfit covered all the bases!

Outfit info:

1.) I picked up the Stone's tee at Goodwill in 2011 and have gotten lots of good wear out of it--I love how versatile it is and how it can be easily paired with jeans, yoga pants, or a skirt & blazer! 

2.) The charm bracelet was a Christmas gift from my mom--it adds a fun pop of color to my pale, white arms (ha).

3.) Have I mentioned that I live next to a Gordmans (yes, I am going to bring this up every post because I'm so stinking excited about it)? That's where I picked up these Amethyst jeans--they fit really, really well and I love the darker wash.

All together, this "cool mom" ensemble cost me maybe $30 (I love a good deal!)--gotta love thrifting and bargain shopping! Next week, I will be sharing the outfit that I'm wearing to Jack's baptism so be sure to stop back for all the deets.

What I Wore Wednesday (& the Debut of the New Do)

Good news: I'm bringing What I wore Wednesday (WIWW) back!

Do you remember the one WIWW post I did over a year ago? Yeah, I don't really either. Anyway, I decided to bring it back (hopefully weekly!) in order to get myself out of yoga pants and sweatshirts and into more trendy/fun outfits--and what better outfit to start with than this "mommy chic" ensemble I wore yesterday!

My personal style is chic, yet comfortable--I love pairing quirky and colorful t-shirts with something dressy, like a suit jacket or pretty necklace. 

Outfit info:

1.) I picked up the suit jacket at Goodwill for $3.99 in 2011 and it has been one of my wardrobe staples ever since (nothing makes me happier than finding cute threads at the thrift store--I'm very cheap thrifty)! 

2.) The Ariya "curvy fit" jeans were a post-pregnancy Gordmans buy (have I mentioned that I live next door to a Gordmans now? Oh, I have?)

3.) The Park Burger shirt was a gift from my aunt (P.S. if you're ever in Denver, eat. at. Park. Burger. It's amazing!!).

I love this outfit! 

So besides the fact that I'm wearing something other than sweats, do you notice anything different? 

If you answered "yes, you have a bit of a stomach pooch going on," you'd be right (rude, but right).. however, that's not what I'm talking about--I'm referring to my new hairdo! 

"The Natalie"

Before moving to Denver, my brother and I had a standing Friday afternoon date where he'd come over to our house to do his laundry and we'd sit around and watch "Monk" reruns.. that's where I got this idea for my new do! Remember Monk's assistant, Natalie? She was my inspiration (you thought I was going to say that Monk was my inspiration, didn't you?)!

I love Natalie's locks--her do is very light and wispy, yet edgy and fun

I absolutely LOVE the way my hair turned out! The layers and side bangs have given my super fine and limp hair new life and it is really easy to maintain--I just have to blow dry it, give it a few waves (with my hair straightener), spray it, and go! Love, love, love!!

On that note, it's to to wrap up this edition of WIWW--I hope to see you all again next week for another super exciting post about how I actually got dressed/put on makeup for once!

Pregnant in Heels

Disclaimer: I am a member of Influenster and received free products in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

I have the coolest job ever.

Seriously.

As a television reporter, I get to talk with new and interesting people every single day, travel to different locations (it is very seldom that I have to stay in the office for more than an hour at a time), and put together fun and classic outfits that look both professional and camera ready.

My favorite work outfit accessory is heels; a cute pair of heels (the shorter and classier, the better!) can complete any outfit. But.. since becoming pregnant, I have noticed that heels just aren't as comfortable and practical as they used to be (and if it's like this at 3 months, I can only imagine the way it'll be at 8 months when my tooties are swollen and 3x their normal size).

Enter Dr. Scholl's® For Her Ball of Foot inserts. 

I was so excited when I opened my VoxBox and discovered these inserts. Seriously, how perfect?!

I took these bad boys for a spin (or should I say for a walk?) yesterday in my favorite pair of closed toe black heels and I must say that I was impressed. I had to walk all over the place for interviews and felt just fine the entire time--almost like I was wearing a pair of comfortable and supportive tennies. I love the added comfort and support the cushions give you and it was a treat not having to come home to scrunched and blistered toes. The small size is also very discreet and perfect for open toed heels.

Do I dare try them with my favorite red heels?!

I highly recommend this product--and at less than $10 a pair, how can you go wrong (you can buy a pair for each set of heels!)? 

The ultimate test will be whether or not I'm able to wear heels (and still be comfortable) at Tyler and Jessica's wedding in November.. when I'm 7 1/2 months pregnant..

To be continued..

(Thrifty) Spring Fever

Ah, spring.

April showers bringing in the May flowers (although we seem to be getting more April blizzards..), the sun rising sooner and staying out later, fragrant cherry blossom trees.. Anyway, you get the point.

With all of that being said, it's time to do some spring cleaning.. and decorating!!

Decorating for the season doesn't need to be pricy--so before heading over to a department store, why not check out your local thrift shop?!

This cute little arrangement resides on our front porch--I bought the adorable "Welcome to our Nest" sign for $1.99 at the Salvation Army and the gnome planter for $1.49 at Goodwill.

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Look at this beautiful gazebo that the fabulous Goodwill Gal made from a metal bird cage! How beautiful would this be hanging next to your front door (the best part? She spent a whole $4.79 on it!)?

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There is just something about spring cleaning that makes a person want to redecorate--so why not do what Mandy did and make a fun and unique gallery wall with thrifted fabrics and hoops?!

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What a beautiful spring centerpiece for any table! Apartment Therapy suggests using thrifted wine glasses along with a small bunch of blooms.

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If you're a regular reader, you know that I love anything tea related--sooo this was most definitely love at first sight. A contributor at Thrifty Fun made this quirky and colorful garden totem pole from items she thrifted and picked up at garage sales.

Spring decorating is only half the fun.. what about the fabulous spring fashions?! Yes, you can also thrift your fashionable threads! 

My mamma and me (by the way, that's not Big Foot in the background; it's my dad!)

 Colored skinnies are in--and you can easily find them on your next thrifting adventure! I picked up these purple skinnies for $7 and the top for $1.99 at Goodwill.

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Cool and calming mint is one hot and popular color this spring--so hot that it could burn a hole into your savings! But never fear--my friend ThriftDee has found an affordable (and oh so stylish!) way to rock the look with threads she picked up at Goodwill.

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Pastels scream spring! Okay, maybe not scream (they are subtle colors, after all).. but you get what I'm saying. How cute and spring-y is this outfit from Chictopia?! The whole ensemble was thrifted!

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This adorable ensemble comes straight from Savers website. Love. it.

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Emerald was named the 2013 Pantone Color of the Year--and you can rock it on a budget! I have complete thrift envy over this beautiful vintage dress that Cassie Stephens found.. Well done, girl!

I hope this post inspires you to go on a little thrifting adventure of your own--once Brandon gets home from work, I'm going to see if he'll drive me to G-Dub and push me around in a wheelchair (okay, I don't need a wheelchair.. but I am not supposed to drive so I legitimately do need a ride!).

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A Few of My Favorite Things (January Edition)

Whenever I log into my Blogger Dashboard, I start going down the list of blogs I follow and begin my stalking reading. Posts that always stop me dead in my tracks are ones about beauty products. I LOVE getting tips and learning about new products from all of my lovely fellow bloggers.

I decided to start doing the same at the beginning of each month in hopes of helping my friends/fabulous readers find new products/styles/accessories/etc. to try.

1.) Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation. Oh my goodness, I LOVE this foundation. It seems like Rimmel gets a bad rap because it is an inexpensive drug store brand but honestly, it has worked better for me than behind the counter department store brands. This foundation goes on so smoothly and never leaves a visible makeup line (like I experienced with Cover Girl True Match). Add a little peachy blush for a flawless au natural look. And the best part? You can get it at Target/Wal-Mart/Walgreens/Wherever you buy your makeup for less than $5!

2.) Avon Advance Techniques Dry Ends Serum. I have never been a huge fan of Avon. A lady that used to work for my dad sold it so I'd buy makeup and lotions from her (this was back when I was in junior high). The makeup was never anything special and didn't seem to highlight or benefit my skin in anyway so I stopped using it. Fast forward to last Christmas when I found this serum in my stocking. I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first but my mamma-in-law swore by it so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did. I get terrible split ends and this has helped sooooo much. Another added benefit? My hair is really shiny! Oh, and it's $8. Yeah, you're going to want to try it.

3.) Kenra Platinum Blow Dry Spray. I blow dry AND use a flat iron on my hair every single day. Yes, ouch. This spray has been a life saver. My hair looks much healthier now (not to mention it's silky soft and smells amazing). This ingenious product only costs $17--having healthy hair doesn't have to break the bank!

4.) Bubble Necklace. I'm sure everyone has one of these by now (I'm a little behind on the times..) but I finally got one and have been saving it for a special occasion and finally have one--my mammas birthday celebration this weekend (and you can bet that I'll be posting pictures)!! Bubble necklaces vary in price, but you can typically get one for around $10.

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I Was on TV with Ryan Gosling (and What I Wore Wednesday)

Brandon and I spent the last week in sunny (and apparently freezing at 60 degrees..) California for our honeymoon.

We had so much fun and were able to do quite a bit--which I will post more about later--but one of the main highlights was Brandon's and my national television debut!

Ryan Gosling (or as I like to call him, The Gos) and Me--we're pretty tight. He's such a camera hog, though!

One of our favorite shows is 'Conan'--so we HAD to go see a taping while we were in LA. It was a blast! I highly recommend going to see a taping of your favorite show is you're ever in LA, New York, Chicago or wherever! It's so much fun AND it's free! Boom and boom.

Anyway, we knew who was going to be on the show a week ahead of time (The Gos, Kevin Hart and ZZ Ward) so I planned my outfit out while I was packing. And it was sooooo cute!

So bright--but you get the idea. We had about 3 hours between registering for Conan and the actual show so we cruised around Burbank and found the BEST gelato/coffee place and cute little boutique to kill the time (which of course my husband LOVED--I'll post more about those later..). This picture was taken in front of those shops!

I actually won the dress from a giveaway by Happy-Go-Lucky. The dress itself is from Jourdan's Jewels, which is an online boutique that has the cutest dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. at affordable prices!

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Seriously, how cute is this dress?? I paired it with my encircled bird earrings from Simply Sweet Creations and some black ballerina flats.

Totes adorbs!

P.S. If you haven't noticed, I chopped my hair off and LOVE it.

Before--December 31, 2012

After--January 8, 2013

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My New Favorite Jewelry Combo

I love winning contests.

I hadn't won a single contest in my life until last month when I won a wonderful gift package from Jerri at Simply Sweet Home.

One of my winnings was a beautiful mama bird silver necklace with two Swarovski birthstone beads from Mama Marchand's Nest. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a mom or grandma! Since I don't have kids (and wanted to wear the necklace myself... sorry mom..), I had Brandon's and my birthstones added. I. Love. It.

Photo from Tricia's shop.

Another of my winnings were a pair of encircled bird earrings from Jerri at Simply Sweet Home. They are so pretty and compliment any outfit. They would be a perfect Christmas gift for your best friend or sister (or you could do it the Annie way and keep it for yourself.. sorry to my girlfriends..).

Photo from Jerri's shop.

I have received so many compliments on the necklace/earring combo. I will definitely be doing some Christmas shopping at their shops and suggest you do too!

Rocking the necklace and earrings!

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