COLOR CRUSH: Seeing Red

I used to have this huge aversion to red.  I'm not totally sure why.  I think I saw it as a little outdated and easily rustic...which is pretty much the opposite of my personal taste.  I didn't see how it could be luxe or soft.  To me, it was just bold and gaudy, an 80's vision of tacky "lady in red" dreams.

It wasn't until I started combining it with analogous colors like blush and plum that I started to fall in love with it.  Suddenly, it was romantic, a little risky and just the pop of personality my subdued hues needed to be paired with.

You heard it here first.  I predict a shade of red, whether it's berry, bordeaux or oxblood, has a really great shot at making it to the top of Pantone's top colors of 2014.  Here's a few pieces to buy to get ahead in the red race.

Sweater | Cheek & Lip Stain | Necklace | Snood | Nail Lacquer | Frame | Clutch | Skirt | Boots | Coat

Weekend Wear: 31 Weeks Pregnant

I have had such a hard time accepting that I'm basically missing out on an entire season of fashion!  Maternity wear tends to stick with classic or basic styles, so it's hard to feel current in this fall season of style that I am loving!!! Plaid, fun hats, booties, oversized sweaters in great patterns like fair isle, jeweled collars, amazing statement coats- it's hard to keep up, especially considering the expense of getting all of those trends in your closet, only to have to be donated after the birth of your little one!!

So, my approach has been to invest in accessories that are on trend and layering pieces that I can wear past pregnancy.  I'm in LOVE with my new felt hat with feather trim.  I paired it with maternity denim, booties that I bought a few months ago via ASOS and this non maternity sweater that I purchased with the hat because it's basically the coziest thing I'v ever owned and will last me well past pregnancy.  Worth the investment!  And, for an extra layer of texture, I grabbed Pete's chambray since mine is officially too small! :(

I'm definitely drawn to a more bohemian style during pregnancy.  It may not be the most slimming look with all of its layers and draping, but it feels great, so whatevs!!  Wear what you feel best in.  

How do you incorporate current trends into your maternity wardrobe?

Hat | Cardi | Chambray | Maternity Tank | Maternity Denim | Socks | Booties

Have an amazing week!

Weekend Roundup

It's the weekend!!  I am so, so excited to have a cozy weekend with my family!  I'm hoping for maybe a bundled up walk around the neighborhood, some Christmas shopping and to make some more headway in organizing Sadie's room.  We have a baby shower tomorrow for my cousin who's expecting a little boy in January.  I can't wait to ooh and ah over all the adorable mini man gifts!

And, for in between your weekend festivities...

Make this

Wear something cozy like this

Bake this (no, seriously.  it's amazing.)

Shop this

Think on this (read the post!)

(Photo Credit)

have the loveliest of weekends.

xo, lauren

2013 Holiday Gift Guide For Her | Under $100!

Ok, so most of these are on my wish list.  Actually, most of my wish list consists of some awesome accessories and layering pieces, since my usual list of clothes would be totally unnecessary, considering my midsection pregnancy girth.  (How gross of a word is girth anyway?! haha.  I have a weird thing about gross words.  "Slacks" is also a gross word.)

But, 'tis the season to be jolly and giving and all that, so I'm not holding out on all of you looking for items to add in your letter to Santa...or your not so secret pin board emailed to your man friend.  AND, they're all under $100!!  Woo hoo!

What's on your Christmas wish list?

Plaid Scarf | Merci Bracelet | Cashmere Gloves | Faux Fur Collar | Trinket Dish | Sweater | Slipper Socks | Skirt | Film Camera | Velvet Bow Clutch

Sadie Style: Baby Girl Outfits for Every Occasion

So sorry I was absent last week!  We started construction on our basement, I joined a committee at our Church and I have a side project going on, in addition to throwing a Christmas crafting party Friday night, I was out almost every day and just couldn't muster the energy to blog.

One thing that has consumed pretty much every moment of my online time is contemplating Sadie's wardrobe.  I started a little log of the pieces we have, by size, and have begun to look for pieces that I think are needed to fill in.  It is SO hard to know what to buy before baby comes, and, let's face it, not purchasing clothes for her before she comes is basically just not an option.  So, here's to hoping this little lady follows normal growth patterns! 

I know everyone is all like, "Oh, they just wear sleepers!  It doesn't even matter!!".  OH, SO FALSE.  Yes, I want her to be comfortable.  ABSOLUTELY.  But, leggings, a onesie, and a chambray are just as comfortable as a sleeper.  So, it's become my mission to make sure she has a realistic wardrobe that is ever fashionable.  DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS TO DO ON A BUDGET?!?!?!  Seriously.  I'm surrounded by cheesy sleepers with cupcakes and glitter and sayings like, "CATitude," followed by a little kitten graphic.  Who comes up with this stuff?  Oh and the "She doesn't need shoes until she walks!" approach... If I had to go a year without shoes, it would be a very sad year.  While I won't spend the $60 that I'd love to be able to spend on a pair of name brand moccasins, I think the $19.95 for the Minnetonkas below is worth it for some outfit completion.

I've found that the brands I love most are JCrew, Baby Gap, Tea Collection and Mini Boden.  Filling her closet with these brands alone is just not posssible.  Sorry, I can't spend $30 on a sleeper when I need 15 of them for a period of 3 months... I just can't do it.  And, as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE that oh so mini cashmere sweater, I think I would hyperventilate the first time she spit up on it.  I will not have Dry Clean Only pieces in the wardrobe of my 3 month old.  (I repeat this to myself every time I'm tempted to just add that little bit of caszh to my online cart...)  My approach is to carefully curate sleepers and basics from Carters, Old Navy and Osh Kosh, then fill in with full outfits from the brands I love ONLY when they're on sale.  Luckily, Gap turns over new collections really frequently, so waiting for sales isn't too hard!  JCrew, on the other hand, excludes their baby collection from all sales...WOMP.  Thus, I've only gotten a couple of, what I consider to be, statement onesies and socks from them.  Watch Zulily and Gilt.com for Tea Collection sales and Nordstrom for Mini Boden on sale.

You'll definitely be hearing more from me on this topic, but for now, here are a few outfits I put together I'm kind of obsessed with.  I'm obviously drawn to shades of tangerine and peach...wait until you see her room!!!! :)

FOR CHURCH: dress | tights | moccasins | headband || FOR COMING HOME: onepiece | headband || FOR LOUNGING: onesie | leg warmers | headband | blanket | boots || FOR LUNCH OUT: top | jeans | flats | headband ||

What are your "must haves" for your wee one's wardrobe?  What do refuse to buy?

Romantic Maternity Shoot Inspiration

Trying to find inspiration for our maternity shoot has been a challenge.  I knew I wanted a super soft, ethereal vibe that felt timeless and a bit editorial without being over the top since {obviously} I wanted to include both Pete and Jacob.  When searching for photos, I found that there were A LOT of pretty cheesy maternity shoots out there, that few well done shoots include families and that the look I was going for was more found in wedding photography or engagement shoots.  Shouldn't maternity photos be romantic too?!  Evidently, others don't feel the way I do...  So, then I was going between the pseudo European garden inspired, ethereal shoot I envisioned or a super romantic at home, naturally gorgeous, bring tears to your eyes kind of simply beautiful shoot.  I decided to go with the garden inspired for maternity and naturally beautiful at home shoot for our newborn shoot.

Anyway, I did find a few photos for inspiration and we'll be using these as the basis for our shoot with Leah from L. Hewitt Photography.  I'm in love with her style and can't wait to make some photo magic with her tomorrow morning at our shoot!

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I hope you all had a great Halloween!! Jacob was so into it this year, he would barely let me take any pictures because he was running around and begging to eat all of his candy.  This boy got a HAUL of candy.  I guess I'll just have to help him out a little... ;)  More to come next week on our Halloween!

Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!