New to Me Friday Favorites

It's April...and it's Friday...hoorah!

::via::

[1]

By this point two years ago, I was just days away from delivering our daughter. I did not need to worry about having a maternity wardrobe for summer. It is not so this time around. With our sweet boy due in July (and me detesting heat), I’ll need to make sure I’ve got some things to wear as the weather heats up. I found this adorable (non-maternity) Jersey Maxi Tank dress at Old Navy. The fabric is so light and it is something I can wear post-baby.

::via::

 

[2]

Since Old Navy was having a sale the day I went shopping, I also purchased this Eyelet-Panel dress. It is maternity but will also be comfy the months following baby’s arrival as I try to get back into my old clothes.

::via::

[3]

This pregnancy has done some crazy things to me that I did not experience with my first. The most prominent issue has been my teeth. A few weeks ago I unexpectedly had to have a wisdom tooth pulled, and then on Tuesday of this week, I returned to my dentist because of some discomfort I was having with another tooth. He was able to do a quick fix that will tide me over until the baby arrives. At that point he can break out the big guns and take care of everything permanently. While I feel that I have great dental hygiene, I feel like I need to find things to get me through this next little bit. I bought this new tooth paste by Colgate*. I’ve always used their toothpaste but with this product claiming to add calcium and other minerals back into my teeth/enamel, I had to give it ago. I’m hoping this will help restore some of what the baby has been depleting up to this point.

::via::

 

*I was not compensated in any way to mention this product.

[4]

Spring Break will officially begin at 4:00pm today and I am ready. For a lot of reasons I’m glad to have this little break. One of which brings me to #5!

::via::

[5]

We will be taking a family vacation and I am so excited! This will be our last trip for a bit and I could not be happier to spend this extra time with my sweet little family. It’s hard to believe that this will be our last big trip as a family of 3. While I’m not looking forward to the drive, I do look forward to enjoying some of the things that Tennessee has to offer.

::via::

 

Linking up with Oh Hey Friday! and Five on Friday

My New Love: eShakti

I was thoroughly excited when eShakti contacted me about reviewing one of their clothing items. How could I say no?! I've been eyeing several items on their site and I could not wait to pick something of my very own.

I adore so many of the dresses on this site. There was no way I could just pick one...so I opted for a jacket. I have not bought a good jacket in a few years, so this was a much needed item. I loved many of the designs and colors but opted for a beautiful, blue floral trench coat. I put in my height and custom length...placed my sample order and waited. However, my wait was not long.

I was impressed with how quickly  my coat arrived. I was even more impressed with the overall beauty and quality of the piece. The lining is threaded tightly and every part of the coat is stitched together flawlessly. At first I was a little intimidated by the weight, but once I put it on, I realized it was comparable to my other coats. I probably could have gone with a size slightly smaller (after all, they can customize all of their products based solely on your measurements), but it still fits well.

I love the pattern and I could not believe how many compliments I received upon wearing it out. While I am no fashion blogger and my sweet hubby is no photographer (and this picture was taken first thing in the morning...as in before the dawn), I hope you'll get an idea of just how great this piece really is. However, do keep in mind that this picture does not do it justice.

I can't express enough thanks to eShakti for giving me this opportunity. I see more purchases in my future...Especially since I'm currently swooning over their holiday items. Check out this amazing company. You will not be disappointed. Their quality, customer service and customization are impeccable.

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday

A Little Revamping...

::via::

Okay...this week has been a bit crazy. Over the weekend my daughter came down with a 103 fever. This lasted through Sunday when it broke mid-morning. We took her to the pediatrician and found out that she once again has Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). She's had this before but not this bad. In the past she had a rash and a high fever that lasted a few days. This time around she didn't have the fever as long but her rash is far worse and she has the blisters in her mouth. It's been a challenge finding things that she wants to eat. At least she has been taking lots of fluids.

On Tuesday she woke up at 4:30am and much to my dismay, did not nap at all! She finally laid down around 8:00pm. I don't know how she did it. Not only was I listening to a super cranky baby going down the road after an evening of parent-teacher conferences, but then my poor hubby called to say that he was leaving work because he was sick. His flu like symptoms made him pretty miserable and because he loves me and wanted me to stay healthy, he slept on the sofa bed. ::sigh:: It was a rough start to the week.

I needed a break from the chaos and thanks to a few posts by Leslyn, I felt inspired to revamp some of my fitness goals and to review my 30 by 30 list (especially since April will be here sooner than later.)

I've been maintaining my 20lb weight loss, give or take a few pounds (and right now it's more on the give side). I've really been trying to rein in my eating habits as of late (goodbye ice cream and cookie dough and cupcakes and...) so I've been opting for more fruits and veggies. Right now the two main things I have been focusing on are eating fruits and/or veggies for my snacks and getting plenty of water. I love water but teaching often distracts me from ensuring I get enough...not to mention I don't really get the opportunity to use the bathroom at will so I have to be conscious of that as well. Overall though I'm feeling better about my choices. I hope to start getting back to an exercise routine as well.

Now for my 30 by 30 list...

30 By 30

1. Host a Brunch Party

2. Begin (and finish?) building our “forever” home

3. Hike to a waterfall

4. Lose 30 pounds

5. Make G a big sister

6. Take a family trip to Washington D.C.

7. Make a pair of shoes

8. Visit a lighthouse

9. Go to the South Carolina Aquarium

10. Take a family trip to the North Carolina Zoo

11. Make a pecan pie

12. Send a card to a stranger

13. Make a photo book of G’s first year

14. Take a cooking class

15. Make homemade truffles

16. Plant a tree

17. Serve at a soup kitchen

18. Make a holiday wreath

19. Teach a kids’ cooking class

20. Take a girls’ trip with my mom, daughter and sisters

21. Learn to crochet

22. Take a carriage ride

23. Make real homemade alfredo sauce

24. Make homemade ravioli

26. Pay for a stranger’s meal

27. Learn to French Braid

28. Be in a parade

29. Read 100 books with/to my daughter

30. Buy new living room furniture

Linking up with Home of Malones

Oh Hey Friday! Fall Favorites Wardrobe Wish List

It's Friday! The mornings and evenings here in Central Virginia have been so fall like that I'm starting to get the bug. Fall colors are my favorite...especially in clothing.

Based on my current (typical) wardrobe it's obvious that I'm far from any Fashionista but I thought I'd share a few of my fall favorites. I don't know if they'll make it into my closet this year but a girl can dream...

[Plaid]
I've always been a sucker for plaid...maybe it's my days of being raised on the farm or being married to a good ol' country boy, but I truly believe a lady can rock plaid. I'm a particular fan of this Plaid Flannel Pop-over shirt from Old Navy.

[Ginger]

I adore this Soda Fountain Dress in Ginger from ModCloth. Visions of brown boots and leggings are dancing in my head...

[Blues and Browns]

As a fading red head I love to accent my hair and eyes with colors that compliment both. Blues and browns do it every time...which leads me to love this Commit It To Memoir Dress from ModCloth.

[Boots]

I do not currently own a pair of boots...unless rubber or snow counts...and I thought these Hailey Jeans Co. Buckle High Heel Boots in Brown could do the trick.

[Gold n Gems]

This necklace from Target just screams fall to me. I'd love to add this to my jewelry box!

What would you love to wear this fall?

*I was not compensated in anyway to oogle over these items.*

Linking up with the Farmer's Wife