Seeing Stars

Dress: Asos // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Shoes: Cole Haan 

Last weekend I wore this fun glitter star-print maxi dress to a fashion show downtown SLC. It's from Asos, which has always been one of my favorite affordable sites for dress shopping for so many reasons. They offer free shipping both ways (and it's seriously the easiest returns know to man) and they offer most items in tall sizes which is perfect for me. What's better is that now while looking for maternity clothes, they are one of the only places with a super cute selection of tall maternity clothes!! That's a dream come true.

If anyone knows some good places for tall girls to get some cute maternity clothes, do tell!

Adjusting to an Expanding Wasitline

Dress: H&M (comes in 4 patterns) // Jean jacket: Nordstrom // Shoes: Adidas Classics via Nordstrom // Purse: Rebecca Minkoff (on sale right now in 3 colors for just $59!)// Lips NYX soft matte lip cream in Ibiza

It came as no surprise that I was going to get larger around the waist but it sure isn't fun in the beginning stages when it just looks like I've been going overboard on the burgers and fries!  

I've always been the type who has to work really hard to stay healthy and maintain my weight. I focus on eating a healthy diet and love to workout. So when food aversions hit big time and I wasn't able to even look at a vegetable or go work out without wanting to vomit, I knew I had to take it easy. I've been really cognizant of reminding myself that I'm getting larger because I'm TWO people, not that I'm letting myself go.  It's been hard releasing the control, but really what choice do I have. This little chick is running the show and she made darn sure I knew that! 

My doctor advised me to quit hot yoga which has been quite an adjustment since I love it so much and it brings me such peace of mind. I'm still doing The Bar Method classes as much as I can and switched to prenatal yoga. It all has been a really humbling experience. A woman told me a few days ago that there is nothing quite as humbling as pregnancy and I have been really thinking about that. It's so true! No matter what kind of control freak you have been in the past, you just have to try to let that go. I'm doing my best to let that happen.

Not only have I had to adjust my mind set, I've had to adjust my wardrobe. Shopping has actually been kind of fun. Sometimes you try on a dress and think it's just kind of a shapeless sack and it doesn't flatter your body so its not worth buying, but now those are the dresses I'm going after. I'm trying to think longterm here too, like are these the kind of cute shapeless sacks I'll want to wear post-baby too? 

This yellow non-maternity H&M dress was perfect and only 20 bucks! I paired it with my favorite super soft denim jacket and the worlds most comfortable shoes for an easy look last Friday night when my husband and I went up to Ogden to pick up his race packet for the marathon he ran on Saturday.  It also started pouring when we were taking these pictures.

Any tips any of you mamma out there have for pregnancy body changes or clothing favorites, please share! I'd love to hear them!

Gender Reveal

As part two of our big announcement we have the gender reveal. I have always said that I wanted to know what I'm having just as soon as I could find out, so that is exactly what we did. We were lucky enough to be able to find out really early so we have known for a few weeks now.

No one was more convinced than I, that I was having a boy. I think in my head I've always envisioned having boys because I grew up with only boys. I never have seen my life with girls in my family. All I know is I am absolutely smitten with my niece Allie and she has prepared me for a girl more than I realized.

We were driving home on a Friday and the doctors office called to share the news with us. We found out in the driveway of our house while still in the car. After that we walked into the house for the first time knowing one day there would be 2 girls living in this house! Poor Andrew will be outnumbered.

So since then I have only bought two things for the baby and both are blue. Sorry little lady, but I'm not about all the girly pink which may sound surprising. I'm not going to force that on her just yet. There will be lots of color in her life. That I know for sure.

Again, I'm working on a post of questions I've gotten so far regarding my pregnancy, but if you have any more for me leave them below or email me. 

Baby Welhouse Coming Soon!

Andrew and I are so excited to finally spill the beans! We are welcoming a new little human into our lives over here in Salt Lake City come early November!

Our lives have changed so much since we moved here, and this is just another fun new adventure for this new chapter of our lives.

Anyone who knows me, knows that the passion/profession of teaching for the last 11 years leads me to fall madly and deeply in love with my students and many other children that come into my life. I'm a sucker for kids and I've had hundreds in my life to love and care for right in front of me for the last decade. It's kept me busy for sure and my heart has been so full, but it's only fitting that now that I'm not teaching full time, that I make my own own little person to love and care for just the same... probably more.

We are excited to say the least. Especially to just finally share the news. It's pretty hard when you live across the country from most of your friends and family to hold secrets of this magnitude. When I went home to Chicago a few weeks ago I told my family and close friends. It was really fun to share that news in person and I'm glad I flew back to make that happen. I'm really lucky to have such wonderful people in my life!

With all that being said, I'm new to this pregnancy stuff in general, and on my blog I want to know if you guys have any interest in pregnancy updates and such? I know I've loved reading so many of my fellow bloggers' updates and experiences in pregnancy. If this is something you would like to see on the blog let me know in the comments, email, texts... you know where to find me! Questions welcome too so I know what in the heck you want to know.

FYI in the picture above, Andrew is the one with the hairy legs and (slightly) bigger feet. Special thanks to Happy Socks for the adorable heart socks to help us share our news in a fun and colorful way!

Easy Trench Coat Look

Top: J Crew // Scarf: Zara // Trench: Ann Taylor c/o // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Love crossbody" // Leggings: Aritzia // Shoes: Converse / Sunglasses: Shop Ditto c/o

Easy outfits like this are my favorite. The inspo for this outfit actually came from a random old lady I saw on the street. She clearly had great taste ;)

I of course, updated her "old-lady-chic" look with my Rebecca Minkoff Love cross body bag that goes with everything, day or night. I also added in my low-top converse, which are totally MIA at the moment! 

I threw on this Ann Taylor trench (comes in an awesome orange right now too) and a really old Zara scarf to complete the look. Yes, the old lady even had a cool scarf in her outfit too! 

Have a happy Monday all. I hope it's feeling springy where ever you are! I'm feeling super excited because registration to the amazing 4 day Albion Soulstice retreat I'm going to just opened and the classes all sound awesome! I may have overbooked myself but I am just so excited I signed up for as much as I could fit into the weekend!

Have a great week! 

Rediscovered Favorites

Dress: Forever 21 // Jacket: Forever 21 // Purse: Kelsy Dagger // Shoes: Adidas // Scarf (old Zara) // Sunglasses: Karen Walker "Starburst" c/o Shop Ditto // Photos by Sandy

Since I moved, It's ben really fun discovering old pieces in my wardrobe. You know, when you have to reorganize your closet to move to a new closet and you find a bunch of stuff you half forgot about. Aside from these shoes, which I've been wearing constantly (and are great for the airport btw) this whole outfit is made up of oldies. Not to mention most of it is from Forever 21 so I love when you find affordable pieces that can stick with your wardrobe for the long haul.

What are your favorite rediscovered classics in your wardrobe?

Anthropologie Dress for breakfast at Eva's Bakery

Dress: Anthropologie  (loving this one right now)// Shoes: Keds // Purse: Kate Spade // Sunglasses: Forever 21

It's not every day that Andrew and I get to go to breakfast but we made time for it recently on a Friday morning for a trip to Eva's Bakery downtown. In fact lately, I feel like I haven't had much time to do a whole lot of anything. I just got back from Chicago and I've been working 

Eva's is the cutest Parisian bakery and it stands out on the street in it's bright shade of blue. As you can see it made the perfect backdrop for my super springy blue painted gingham print dress. It also offers a wide variety of treats like chocolate croissants and macarons and super yummy coffee.

If you are ever in down town Salt Lake City, try to make your way over to this cute bakery! 

Hope you all have a great Monday!