baby boy style guide

When I found out that I was going to have a boy, I immediately resolved to find the most stylish baby clothes possible. Whenever I'm out shopping, I notice that trendy baby girl clothes are much easier to find than boy clothes. Why is that?? I did some digging and found what I consider to be the best options for the little guy. I'm all about the mini-me look and am going to try to replicate my husband's style for the babe, which means button-downs, comfy tees, stylish jeans, and accessories that have the ultimate cool-factor.

1. Splendid Slub Jersey Henley ($16)

2. H&M Knit Cotton Sweater ($12.99)

3. Loved By Hannah & Eli Man Cub T-Shirt ($34)

4. H&M Long-Sleeved Henley ($9.99)

5. Old Navy Plaid Roll-Sleeve Shirt ($14.94)

6. H&M Fine-Knit Cardigan ($12.99)

7. H&M Joggers ($12.99)

8. H&M Lined Corduroy Pants ($12.99)

9. H&M Slim Fit Jeans ($14.99)

10. Carter's 4-Pack Bodysuits ($9.99)

11. Monica + Andy Printed Joggers ($26)

12. H&M Soft Slippers ($12.99)

13. H&M High Tops ($19.99)

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life update + mama style guide

To say that the past few months have been a whirlwind might be an understatement.

After spending over half of 2016 cozying up to my new life in Columbus, Ohio, I took a job back in Texas and had about 2 weeks to pack up the entire house, drive across the country and prepare for the new gig. The other major life change happening concurrently with all of this was discovering that I was expecting a little one! So much excitement in a short amount of time made it clear that the blog had to take a little break. Now that things are settling down a bit, I wanted to get back into posting a bit more regularly.

Today I've got a style guide lined up with pieces that I've been living in the past few months as the bump gets bigger. I've caved and bought a couple of maternity-specific items but for the most part try to stick with things that I'll be able to wear after the babe is born. I am drawn to tunic-length tops, open cardis, leggings, stretchy pants, flats, dark/neutral colors and soft fabrics. I threw in a few other must-haves including the body butter I've been using and must-have accessories.

1. Gap Softspun Knit Slit Tunic (on sale - $24.99!) - I got this in both black and white and wear both at least once a week!

2. Gap Scoop Neck Stripe Long Sleeve Tee (on sale - $19.99) - Another great layering piece!

3. Lou & Grey Signaturesoft Cowl Tunic ($59.50) - I picked this up during one of Loft's sales this week and it is one of the softest things I've ever worn.

4. Loft Maternity Five Pocket Sateen Leggings ($79.50) - I have these in burgundy but the other colors are just as beautiful and can be dressed up or down very easily.

5. Loft Maternity Skinny Jeans ($79.50) - I wore my normal skinnies with a belly band (see #11) for as long as I could until I finally caved and bought these. They tend to stretch out a little in the legs over time but for the price (I got them during Loft's cyber Monday sale), they are worth being able to pull on easily. The dark wash is perfect and goes with everything.

6. Harlow & Graham V-Neck Soft Pullover Sweater ($21.97) - I bought this in the spring and sized up for an oversize fit. I've been wearing it often even with the baby bump! It still fits well and is also extremely soft.

7. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter ($9.08) - I'm super into skin products with the least amount of weird chemicals possible. I haven't been a Burt's Bees customer in the past but have been loving this belly butter. My skin is super soft after I use it and so far, I've yet to see any stretch marks. I'm sure those will still make an appearance at some point but for now, I'm pretty happy with the product!

8. Gap Pure Body Low-Rise Capri Leggings ($29.95) - These leggings are super soft and comfy--perfect for running weekend errands or lounging around the house!

9. BP. Open Front Cardigan ($49) - I bought a few of these in different colors during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale over the summer and wish I'd gotten more. I wear them ALL THE TIME and they are especially nice to throw on over the above mentioned Gap tunics. Pair with skinnies or leggings and a long necklace and I've got an instant outfit in no time.

10. Zella 'Live In' High Waist Leggings ($54-65) - I have these leggings in the old lower-rise fit but the high rise looks even more comfortable! I wear mine at least once a week, if not more. Even with the bump they have fit well. Lately, I've started folding the waist band down just a bit to keep them from squeezing in on the belly.

11. Ingrid & Isabel Women's Maternity Everyday Bellaband ($28.00) - This thing was a lifesaver during months 3-5 of the pregnancy. When the bump was just barely starting to debut but kept me from being able to button up my normal jeans comfortably, I left the button undone and just slipped this band over to keep my jeans up. They still fit snugly without being uncomfortable.

12. AZMED Maternity Belt ($24.97) - Around the 5-6 month mark, I started feeling discomfort in my hips/lower back. My job kept me on my feet nearly all day so I decided to grab a maternity support belt on Amazon to see if it could alleviate some of the pain. It seemed to work well enough and for the price, I haven't regretted buying it. I don't wear it every day but I throw it on over my jeans/leggings when I think I'll be walking around a lot during the day.

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Men's Edition

Last week, I rounded up all my favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for the ladies. Now it's time to take a look at some of my faves for the gents! I picked out some great deals on fall wardrobe staples, like this gray henley that works as a neutral top on its own in early fall but can be layered with a military-style jacket and scarf in the colder months. The Tumi bag is currently quite a steal (marked down from $345!) -- my husband uses his as a work bag and it is extremely durable and stylish!

Top Row: Non-Iron Button-Down Shirt // Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket // Henley // The North Face Vest

Row 2: Zella Moisture-Wicking T-Shirt // Reversible Belt // Levi's Jeans // AG Straight-Leg Pants

Row 3: Tumi Bag // Lacoste Sneakers // Nike Air Max Shoes

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What's Up in Cbus: July 15-17

Happy weekend! It's shaping up to be a nice, sunny one, which means you will find me outside pretty much all day every day. Here's a few noteworthy items to add to your weekend agenda.

Friday
Screen on the Green @ Goodale Park - 90s babies, rejoice! Screen on the Green is showing Clueless at Goodale Park on Friday night. Bring a blanket/chairs and your best buds and get ready for some major nostalgia.

Summer's Most Delicious Dinner Party @ The Kitchen - If you're a foodie, don't miss out on this event. For $60 you can join in on a chic summer dinner party consisting of courses made with in season fruits/veggies.

Saturday
German Village Art Crawl - $20 gets you access to this fun evening event that includes food samples, 2 beer/wine drinks, live music and of course the opportunity to see and buy some amazing art!

Picnic with the Pops @ Columbus Commons - Bring a blanket, food and friends and step back in time with tunes by a Police cover band! This is pretty much the recipe for my ideal Saturday night.

Sunday
Sunlight Market on Gay Street - Set up along Gay Street starting at 10 am, you'll find pop-up shops and sidewalk vendors to satisfy that shopping itch. There's also live music and plenty of food options -- it'll be easy to spend hours walking around and soaking up the sun.

Live Music @ Goodale Park - Make your way to Goodale Park for some free live jazz music! There will also be food trucks on site, although the park is just a hop, skip and jump away from the Short North if you're up for full-on weekend brunch.

Live Music @ Frank Fetch - Can't get enough jazz (or miss out on the Goodale Park concert earlier in the day)? Head to Frank Fetch Park in German Village for another free jazz concert! Don't forget to pack a picnic.

Monday
Restaurant Week - I know Monday isn't part of the weekend, but this is something you should definitely start planning (read: make reservations) for! Restaurant week begins Monday and goes all week. You can search the list of participating restaurants here, along with the menus and prices.

Other fun things to do any day this weekend:

• Brunch on the patio @ Lindey's, Katalina's or Blind Lady Tavern
• Columbus Coffee Trail
• Shakespeare in the Park @ Schiller Park 
• Ride bikes down to the Scioto Mile and stop by COSI

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Faves

Ahhh! The day has finally come for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (#NSale)!! I've had a countdown for July 14 in my planner for weeks, no joke! I woke up an hour before my alarm this morning and couldn't wait to check out the deals. For those of you living under a rock who don't know, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is the biggest sale of the year, where Nordstrom heavily discounts hundreds of new items, most of which are fall styles. This is the perfect time to stock up on things like boots/booties, sweaters, jeans and bags -- all of which go back up to their normal pricing in August. Speaking from experience, you will likely not see these low prices again all season! The sale starts today for cardholders and July 22nd for everyone else. Trust me, things sell out FAST so it's highly worth it to get a card!

Ok, PSA is over. Now on to the good stuff -- my favorite finds from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I picked up several today and am still mulling over a few more additions. For the fall, I'm loving warm hues--red, burgundy, and rust are huge and easy to find in the sale! I also love cognac and olive and think these colors will be fun to mix and match all season. One thing I must mention: these Ugg boots are my first pair (I resisted getting the Classic style for so long, but I think the heeled boots are more tailored and chic!) They are super warm and water resistant--I can't wait to wear them!

Top Row: Lush Blouse // Love on a Hanger Henley Top // BP. Long Sleeve Tunic // Lush Lace-Up Back Top

Row 2: Thread & Supply Peacoat // BLANKNYC Faux Leather Jacket // BP. Open Front Cardigan

Row 3: Kendra Scott Addie Earrings // Kendra Scott Elton Bracelet // Hinge Wool Hat // BP. Plaid Scarf // Tory Burch Hobo

Row 4: Ugg Suede Boots // BP. Burgundy Booties // Steve Madden Peep Toe Sandals // Vigoss Distressed Jeans // KUT from the Kloth Jeans

Next up, I'll be rounding up some of my faves from the Men's department!

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Dublin Recap

At the beginning of June I hopped on a plane and met my husband in Dublin, Ireland while he was on a work trip. This country has been near the top of my list of places to visit so I was super excited for the opportunity to go.  The weather was pretty fair, which allowed us to explore the city by foot without worrying about lugging around rain gear.

Here's a little recap of my trip:
Day 1 - After my flight from Houston to Dublin was delayed, I finally landed in Dublin via Heathrow on Tuesday afternoon. I immediately went to the hotel (the Intercontinental Hotel in the embassy district), unpacked and freshened up. My husband Cory got off work shortly after and we walked down the street for dinner at the Waterloo.

Day 2 - We had breakfast at the hotel and then I relaxed in the morning. Cory got off work around lunchtime and we grabbed tickets for the hop-on-hop-off tour bus (City Sightseeing). I had such a good experience doing this in Milan earlier this year and figured it would be just as entertaining to do it again in Dublin. It is such a great way to take in the city when time there is short. We stopped at the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and pints in the 360 degree viewing room at the top, with stunning views of Dublin! We boarded the bus again for a few more sights before stopping at another pub (Nancy Hands) for small pints and walked back across the city to our hotel.

Day 3: I bought tour pass to the Wicklow Mountains through Viator, figuring it would be a great way to kill some time while Cory was at work. I boarded the bus that morning at one of its pick-up locations a few blocks from my hotel. Our tour guide was a hilarious Irishman, full of stories ranging from pop-culture (i.e. U2, Enya, movie stars) to historical (kings and queens, castles, etc.) I fully enjoyed and appreciated the sense of humor he injected into these tales and he kept the whole bus entertained all day long! We made our way south from Dublin along the coast and headed for Wicklow Mountains, about an hour or so away.

We stopped at the "P.S. I Love You" bridge, a filming location for the movie, and got to wander around some other gorgeous places such as a 6th century monastery, a lake surrounded by mountains, and a quaint village where we enjoyed lunch. Overall, I couldn't recommend this tour enough! While I had originally hoped to take a tour to the Cliffs of Moher on the western side of the island, the tour was completely booked and I opted for Wicklow, not knowing much about it. I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty and history of the area. I was pretty wiped out by the time I got back to the hotel that evening, but it was definitely worth the $30!

Day 4: We woke up early and made our way to the airport to head back to the States for the next part of our summer vacation adventure.  Stay tuned for details about our cross-country road trip to St. Helena, California!

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The Columbus Coffee Trail

This past week, I had the chance to play tour guide and show my sister around Columbus. It was her first time to visit and I think it's safe to say she had a blast! We always make time for coffee dates when I visit her so we of course had to explore as many coffee shops as possible while she was up here. She noticed the Columbus Coffee Experience stamp cards at one of the shops and we immediately made it our mission to visit enough to score free t-shirts to commemorate our achievement!

In typical fashion, I took photos of the latte art at each because I'm a huge sucker for beautiful things + coffee.

From top-left going clockwise: Stauf's // Fox in the Snow // Brioso // Mission Coffee Co

My thoughts on each:

Stauf's - After a less than stellar first impression, I've since changed my mind about this German Village mainstay. I love the atmosphere and natural light but the patio is probably my favorite spot in this place. There's plenty of seating, free wi-fi and great lattes -- I tried the Milky Way flavor (SO good) and sister had the Buckeye, which definitely lived up to its name. The breakfast muffins aren't bad, either.

Fox in the Snow - This has been a frequent haunt for my husband and I and we come here weekly just for the massive cinnamon rolls. The lattes aren't my favorite of the others I've tried (I wish they offered specialty flavors!), but they are potent and the latte art is always on point.

Brioso - One of the best lattes I've had in Columbus so far has to be from Brioso. My sister and I tried out the Ohio Honey Lattes at the new location on Long Street and I was in love with the layout and overall vibes. They have plenty of large tables for those that are blessed with the ability to work remotely. There's tons of gorgeous natural light and the baristas are friendly. This place gets an A+ from me!

Mission Coffee Co. - Mission is a hip little shop tucked away just off High St. I had never been before but after this week I'm certain I'll be going back. It was open yet cozy and had a good amount of work surfaces. The lattes were both delicious and beautiful. We tried the Mocha and Vanilla flavors.

One Line Coffee - Not pictured, as my sister just got an iced honey latte and I refrained due to my limit of one coffee per day. I took a few sips though and it was good, though very potent! This place was a little on the small side but had a nice atmosphere and we were surprised that patrons can bring their dogs along with them! The baristas were super friendly, which is enough to get me to return and try one of their other coffee beverages for myself sometime.

We would have loved to hit up the rest of the coffee shops on the Experience Columbus Coffee Trail. However, since my sister was only here for the week we went ahead and redeemed our stamp cards for some super cute and soft t-shirts! Here we are modeling them:

If you live in Columbus and love coffee as much as we do, you should definitely take on the Columbus Coffee Trail challenge! It's a good way to break out of a routine (I'm guilty of going to the same place) and branch out to try new things!

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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is around the corner and I've rounded up some fun gift ideas that will delight any mama out there -- from sparkly arm candy for the fashion-conscious mother to a healthy cookbook for the mom that loves to cook. In the past I've gotten BirchBox and Kendra Scott jewels for my own mom. I'm currently undecided on what I'll get her this year, but I know she'd be happy with any of the gifts above.

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A Weekend in Texas Wine Country

This past weekend my husband Cory and I flew down to Texas to celebrate his 30th birthday with a group of friends in Fredericksburg, Texas. If you aren't from Texas you may not realize that Texas has its own little wine country about an hour west of Austin! This area is also known as the "hill country" because while much of Texas is quite flat, the terrain in this part is hilly and just beautiful! And while all the recent rains are catastrophic for people, the land has benefitted and is currently lush and green.

On Friday,  Cory and I got picked up at DFW Airport by two of our friends and we carpooled down to wine country, stopping along the way for a wine tasting and some lunch at The Vineyard At Florence.

Once we arrived in Fredericksburg, we stopped in at Becker Vineyards--Cory and I's favorite winery--for a quick tasting before they closed for the day. We then set our things down at the house and grabbed dinner at Fredericksburg Brewing Company. We always have to stop here when we visit! The rest of the evening we caught up with friends and enjoyed a low-key wine night.

Saturday we were up with a quick breakfast before getting picked up by our private shuttle! If you are planning to do a day of wine tasting, I highly recommend doing either the public or private shuttle (don't drink & drive!) After a day of wineries, our shuttle dropped us off at the house and we played games, grilled fajitas, and enjoyed more wine. The plan was originally to go to our favorite dinner spot and go out dancing, but the sun was just starting to peek out and we were having too good of a time at home!

Sunday morning we all rose early, had some coffee and hit the road. It was the best weekend, even with the overcast and rainy weather! You can't go wrong when you've got friends and wine.

What I Packed

lightweight gray sweater // cold-shoulder top (similar here) // lace-up top // open-knit cardigan (similar here) // denim cut-offs (similar here) // cropped side-zip jeans (similar here) // boater hat (similar here) // white sneakers // sandals (similar here) // earrings (similar here and here)

I kept my palette and items simple but allowed myself a few options due to uncertainty about the weather. It turned out to be cool and drizzly so I was glad I opted for a old pair of sandals rather than packing one of my new never-worn pairs. Normally, the weather in Texas is hot and sunny, so in that case I would not have brought my jeans or sweaters!

Where We Stayed

We stayed in a house right off of the highway that leads into town, which I found through HomeAway. It was super cute and I wish I'd taken my own pictures of the place, but here are some from the home's rental website. Joanna Gaines would love it, I think! If you're planning a trip for two, I can also recommend Austin Street Retreat.

Wineries

William Chris*, Lewis, 4.0, Grapecreek, Becker*, Six Shooter, Messina Hof

Transportation

The 290 Wine Shuttle provides public hop on/hop off transportation for only $25/day! Private tours cost $395 for up to 14 people. To me, this is a great deal and way better than drawing straws to figure out who will be the DD. 

Eat
There's plenty of delicious places to eat in Fredericksburg. However, these are some of my favorites!

• Hondo's - If you're feeling adventurous, try the jalepeno margarita. The quesadillas are my go-to but everything here is great.
• Fredericksburg Brewing - I love this spot for lunch or dinner. A few pretty good beers on tap and a pretty wide selection of food choices -- from salads to German cuisine to wraps and burgers.
• Clear River Pecan Co. - Cookies & ice cream. Enough said.
• Werner Warehouse Cafe - This is a charming little place tucked away from Main Street. I am a sucker for their cinnamon rolls!

To Do
If you need to take a break from wine tasting, there's lots of cute shops up and down Main Street to keep you busy. In the evening, put on your dancing shoes and check out Crossroads. The infamous Luckenbach, TX is only 15 minutes away and a fun place to visit for music and drinks.

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Healthy Baked Sweet Potato Fries

My friends, I've been keeping this a secret for too long. If you are a sweet potato fan like me, you will love this recipe. It is super easy to make and also easy to change up ingredients to fit your taste. Sweet potatoes are a super filling and pretty healthy snack, side, or (in some cases for me) meal! I've been making this recipe 1-3 times per week over the last couple of months and haven't gotten tired of it yet!

What you need:
1 small sweet potato
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chopped fresh garlic*
Chili powder
Cayenne
Grated parmesan cheese
Salt
Pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Chop the sweet potato length-wise into fries. Put in a bowl and coat with olive oil. Add garlic, chili powder, cayenne, parmesan, salt & pepper and stir a few times until the fries are evenly coated in spices. Add more or less spice to taste. I love the extra kick that the cayenne gives and the smokiness from the chili powder.
3. Spread fries in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes to the desired level of crispiness. I like my fries when they just barely start to burn on the edges. If you like super soft fries then around 20 minutes should be fine. Rotate the pan every 10 or 15 minutes to make sure they bake evenly. Feel free to flip the fries over midway to really ensure even baking.

*I use the pre-chopped kind in a jar because I can't stand when my hands smell like garlic all day!

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Spring Must Haves

The weather keeps warming up and I finally feel comfortable enough to start stocking up on bright spring essentials. My hubs and I are planning a Texas wine country weekend next month to celebrate his big 3-0 with some of our closest friends, so I'm extra motivated to refresh my closet with breezy pieces that can hold up to the heat (temps are already reaching the upper 80s so I can only imagine what it will be like a few weeks from now!)

I have my eye on perfectly worn-in destroyed denim shorts, neutral go-with-everything sandals, and light swingy dresses that will be comfortable enough in southern heat as well as paired with a thin cardi on cool evenings here in Ohio. These colorful pieces will also transition perfectly into summer!

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This Weekend in Columbus

Barcelona

Saturday, 3/12

• Second Saturdays in Historic Dublin: Check out the artisan pop-up shops at Chelsea Borough Home.
• Go outside. Seriously, it's going to be a beautiful day according to the weatherman. Sunny and high 60s is pretty much perfect. I will likely be spending most of my day at the park and on one of these patios:
• Barcelona
• Lindey's
• Harvest
• Seventh Son

Sunday, 3/13

• Spring forward. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour! We may be losing an hour of sleep but we are gaining extra daylight in the evening, which is totally worth it in my opinion.
• Not Your Mama's Craft Market at Roosevelt Coffeehouse from 10a-2p: Coffee and shopping, what else do I need to say?
• Live Music Sundays at Barcelona from 6p-8p. The Jacob Reed Trio will serenade you with jazz while you enjoy dinner/drinks.
• Shop from home. It's probably going to be rainy, so if you just want to stay in, here are some awesome online sales to shop this weekend:
• Kate Spade - Take 25% off your purchase online or in-store with code PURPOSE

• Kendra Scott - Take 15% off green items with code SPRING

• Madewell - Take extra 30% off sale items online or in-store with code SOCLOSE

• Gap - Take 40% off your purchase online or in-store with code FFSALE

Have a lovely weekend!

image source

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Columbus Foodie Adventures

I've been in Columbus for 2 months now and have quickly realized the food scene here is pretty phenomenal. I've rounded up some snaps from recent foodie escapades (and this is only what I remembered to take pictures of!). Here's the full list, starting from top to bottom, left to right:

1. Pulled Chicken Sandwich & Mac - Holy Smoke BBQ (North Market)
2. Macarons - Pistacia Vera
3. Samoa Donut & Donut Hole - Destination Donuts
4. Kindergarten Grilled Cheese - Melt
5. Chocolate Parfait - Lindey's (Restaurant Week)
6. Urban Brunch - Skillet
7. Salted Butterscotch Donut & Matcha Donut Hole - Destination Donuts
8. Mushroom Quesadilla - Local Cantina
9. Assorted Desserts - Columbus Underground (Best Bites Sweet Treats Event)

10. Seventh Son Brewing
11. Griddled Cinnamon Roll & Biscuits and Gravy - Skillet
12. Assorted Donuts - Buckeye Donuts
13. Cinnamon Roll & Cappuccino - Fox in the Snow

Just looking at that cinnamon roll from Fox in the Snow makes me practically drool. It's AMAZING.

Other places I've tried (and loved): Short North Piece of Cake, Bakersfield, Hubbard Grille, Brassica, Viet, Hot Chicken Takeover, Plank's, OH Pizza & Brew, Aab Indian, Happy Dragon, Alchemy, Thurman Cafe, Brown Bag Deli, Katz's Deli, The Old Mohawk

I'm open to suggestions for new places to try! Leave your ideas in the comments below.

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Spring Wedges Under $100

Strappy: Seychelles Wedge ($60) // Abound Wedge ($40) // Jessica Simpson Wedge ($45-50)
Peeptoe: Lucky Brand Wedge ($99) // Report Peep Toe ($36-40) // BP. Slingback Peep Toe ($80)
Fringey: Very Volatile Wedge ($85) // Chinese Laundry Wedge ($70) // Fergalicious Wedge ($40-45)
Lace-up: Nature Breeze Lace-Up Wedge ($25) // a.n.a. Lace-Up Wedge ($60) // 14th & Union Lace-up Wedge (Sold out! - similar here)

It's almost March and that means it's officially acceptable to put away winter layers and freshen up my closet with airy tank tops and sandals. I'm mostly a flats girl but something about a wedge really brings out some inner sass and confidence, don't you think? Plus, wedges tend to be much more comfortable for my feet (i.e. better arch support) than heels. They look great with everything from ankle skinny jeans to destroyed denim shorts to breezy sundresses. I may or may not have multiple pairs of these shoes in my online shopping carts at this very moment! xo

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How to Take Your Own Headshot

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently moved to Columbus, Ohio due to my husband getting a new and exciting job opportunity. Although I was sad to leave my old job and great coworkers in Texas behind, I also welcomed this new change with open arms and decided to view it as an opportunity to dive into a new career path that excited me while also using my new MBA skill set.

It's been a few years since I've had to look for a job so there are definitely things I need to update such as my LinkedIn profile and resume. One thing that had been on my "to do" list for quite some time actually was getting a new, professional-looking headshot! Although I enjoy taking portraits of others on the side, I've never experimented with taking a picture of myself. Using acclaimed YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan's super helpful tips in the video above, I found a blank wall in my house across from a window (natural light is the most flattering light) and used my Aduro bluetooth selfie clicker and iPhone to take tons of pics from different angles. I normally prefer my DSLR for professional photos but for a simple LinkedIn photo, the iPhone worked like a charm.

If you are local to Columbus and looking for a photographer for your professional, senior, newborn, family, or engagement portraits, give me a shout or check out my Facebook page for examples of previous work. I took a break while I was in grad school but ready to jump back into it!

xo

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Milan Recap

I recently took a trip to Milan, which was actually my first trip to Italy! Since it is not the typical tourist season right now, airfare was relatively inexpensive. My husband was already there for a work trip so I flew a few days later to meet him there. I had never flown overseas alone before, but luckily got the row to myself going both ways. Despite the extra space, I was not able to fall asleep so I need to figure out some good strategies for doing that the next time around (the jet lag was killer the first day I was there.) Here's a little recap of my trip:

Day 1 - Like I said: killer jet lag. I took a bubble bath in the amazing tub at our hotel, napped, and then went downstairs in the hotel lounge/bar area for dinner and a drink.

Day 2 - I grabbed a cappuccino and breakfast at a cafe down the street (I did my best to speak only Italian and enjoyed my meal up at the bar like the locals do!). Then I bought a bus pass and toured the city for a few hours while my husband was in meetings. For less than $30, I could hop on and off at any stop and there were multiple routes so I could see all the main sites! I ended up hopping off at the Duomo to scope out the area and grab lunch at Luini before jumping back on a different bus route. I typically try to avoid super "touristy" things like this when I travel and prefer to explore the city like a local. But I was pleasantly surprised at how fun the bus tour was and the fact that I got to see so much more of the city than I would have just walking around on my own. I enjoyed listening to the audio explanations of each sight as we went along to get some background and history about the city. I joined my husband and his coworkers for dinner and dancing that evening--it was a late night but so much fun! I had some wonderful risotto and tiramisu... I'm still dreaming about it!

Day 3 - I slept in a bit and worked out in the hotel gym. Once my husband finished up the last of his meetings, we napped and relaxed before heading to dinner at an amazing pizza place called Camilo Benso. Superb! We walked off our meal and headed to the Duomo to see it lit up at night.

Day 4 - Hubs and I explored the Brera district for breakfast. It rained pretty much all day, but we made the most of it. We walked all around the city, grabbing cappuccinos and pastries along the way. Hey, while in Rome Milan, right?? In the afternoon, we headed to Sforza Castle and walked through the museums. We would have liked to see the Da Vinci Last Supper exhibit but since I wasn't sure what our schedule would be like, I didn't buy tickets in advance (we attempted to get in but were turned away!)

The next day we flew back to the U.S. It was a whirlwind trip but I think we made the most of it! I was so glad I spent a few weeks leading up to it listening to my Coffee Break Italian podcast episodes--it really helped! I used my new language skills quite a bit while ordering coffee and food as well as just generally understanding the Italian culture.

Overall, my trip was a blast and I cannot wait to return to Italy.

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4 Perfect Valentine's Day Date Night Outfits

If you asked me to pick my favorite holiday it would be really, really hard for me to answer because I love them all! Currently,  I'm head over heels for all things red, pink, pretty, heart-shaped, and romantic for Valentine's Day.  I cannot wait to celebrate this weekend! I am not sure what my husband and I will do yet, but my preference is the cliche dinner date with wine and chocolate and a pretty dress. As such, I'm looking to some of my favorite bloggers for outfit inspiration for this weekend. From ultra-feminine to effortless and minimal, these looks are perfect for whatever your Valentine's Day plans are--whether it's a fancy night out, a relaxing home-cooked meal, or a Galentine's Day party with your friends!

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image sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 

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6 Books to Read Right Now!!

Ever since I finished up grad school last December, I've thrown myself back into reading (for fun, of course!) I have always enjoyed reading and love to share books I've read here on the blog (see here and here). This list of recent reads pretty much covers the spectrum of genres--from suspense to mystery to romance. This allows me to pick up any one of them according to how I'm feeling that day or what time of day it is! (Dark Places isn't exactly bedtime reading material for me.) As always, I'm open to suggestions for new books to check out! xo.

What Alice Forgot - Currently reading. The main character (Alice) wakes up after hitting her head and can't remember the past 10 years of her life. Not sure where it's going but I'm already hooked!

The Husband's Secret - This was a great book with a nice little twist. I read this on my recent trip to Milan and was completely engrossed until the very end!

The Secret History - Currently reading. I've been digging my way through this one for several months now. It's an extremely rich, complex, well-written novel and it is just taking me longer to read and digest the material. However, I really like it and am determined to get to the end of the story! Donna Tartt is an amazing author (check out her more recent Goldfinch!)

All the Bright Places - A great read for fans of Fault in Our Stars. A tragic love story between the two main characters, Violet and Finch. Both easy to read yet emotionally complex. A tearjerker!

Dark Places - Although it took me a few chapters to get into this book, I couldn't put it down once the story got going. This book has plenty of suspense, twists and turns!

Big Magic - Currently reading. I've heard amazing things about this book and hope to get some nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from author Elizabeth Gilbert.

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5 Delicious Dip Recipes for Your Super Bowl Party!

TGIF and happy weekend, y'all!

I'm looking forward to brunch, exploring more of my new city, and--of course--watching the Super Bowl! I'm not exactly partial to either team, although I will probably be rooting for Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Whoever you're rooting for and whether you're entertaining or attending a friend's party, you can't go wrong with a delicious dip. Try one of these crowd-pleasers (some of them are even "skinny"), any of which will be a hit with all your friends! My husband loves the white chicken chili dip (it's on a regular rotation in our kitchen) and the beer cheese dip is sinfully good--it won't last long, I promise!

Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip via Live Well Bake Often

Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip via Gimme Some Oven

Jalepeno Popper Dip via Cook Crave Inspire

Skinny White Chicken Chili Dip via Heartbeet Kitchen

Warm Beer Cheese Dip via Dip Recipe Creations

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