Summer Style for Mamas

These past 16 months have been the best of my life! A week after my last post, little man came into the world and the Mr. and I have been changed for the better. These days, I'm busy chasing a toddler around and finally feeling like I'm maybe-sorta-kinda getting the hang of this thing called parenting. One of the biggest changes that came with having a child is the way I dress and the way I view clothing in general!

While like most other 20-30 somethings, I appreciate all the cute trendy styles that all my favorite fashion bloggers wear. As a new mom, I've curated a wardrobe that incorporates some trendy cute styles ensuring they are also versatile, affordable and comfortable. If you are like me and nodding your head and thinking yes! then check out some of these options I've been keeping on heavy rotation in my closet these days (which happens to be the most condensed it's ever been, but that's another story for another day!)

1. Black relaxed tee - I could live in these basic tees! I've got several in my arsenal in neutrals as wells as a few colors. They are super easy to mix and match to create endless outfit options!

2. Striped tee - Super cute and comfy! Love love love it.

3. Sunnies - A pair of cat eye sunnies is a great way to elevate a mom uniform to something a little more #extra.

4. Texture spray - Let's face it. We can all appreciate the power of a good dry shampoo but as a new mom, this stuff has become a true lifesaver. I love that this one also adds volume and texture! (It also has a nice light coconut scent!)

5. Summer jeans - Y'all. I finally bought my first pair of Madewell jeans and I'm obsessed. I wear them probably 5 times a week! Get your regular size -- they may be a tiny bit snug at first but they will quickly stretch out just a little to fit you perfectly. Love the flattering high waist on these!

6. Earrings - Another great way to elevate basics is to add fun statement earrings. I am super into the bright red fringe on these! So festive for summer.

7. Shorts - These are high waisted but far from "Mom shorts." The neutral stripes are perfect to pair with solid tees in virtually any color. These come in a pretty charcoal gray stripe as well!

8. Dress - In the summertime, I am all about throw on and go breezy basics. This sleeveless shift is a must and is so easy to change up with different jewelry and shoes to create new looks.

9. Pouch - Who says baby supply carrying pouches have to be boring? This fun leopard print pouch would be a great way to contain diapers/wipes, pacifiers, travel size diaper cream, etc and throw in your purse for weekend errands. So chic!

10. Red swimmie - I love that one pieces are so in right now! This one is perfect for mamas that want something a little spicier than a basic black swimsuit. The side cut outs add just the right amount of interest without being overly revealing.

11. Sandals - These affordable sandals are also comfy and a great basic shoe to pair with just about any outfit! They are slightly dressier than flip flops but just as easy to throw on and chase a baby all day in.

12. Romper - This romper is another fantastic, chic number to add to your mama wardrobe! I love the olive green color. Dress it up with wedges and fun jewelry or keep it simple with flat sandals (see #11!)

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summer reads

With school and work keeping me busy as ever, I've been quite pleased with myself that I've made time to also do some pleasure-reading. I've always been a huge bookworm, but the ability to guiltlessly indulge in a good book doesn't come easy when I think of all the "other things I could be doing."  This summer, though, I've been tearing through novels like no other, using suggestions from friends, Pinterest, and--my favorite--the Apple iBookstore, as my guide.

So far, I've read:

A quick rundown on each book:

(1) The Goldfinch by Donna Tart -- LOVED this book. It's a very lengthy read, but I was thoroughly impressed with her storytelling. It was raw and real. I didn't notice much repetitiveness (i.e. she has an extensive vocabulary, which I admire).

(2) Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple -- This was a very unique book and a departure from any other writing style I've read thus far. At times slow moving, the book culminated nicely and I was happy with the ending. 

(3) Gone, Girl by Gillian Flynn -- Not my most favorite book. Again, a very unique storytelling style (alternating between one character's present and another character's past. The ending leaves much to be desired, so I am interested to see how it translates in the upcoming film.

(4) The One & Only by Emily Giffin -- Least favorite book I have read all summer. I had heard great things about Emily Giffin's novels and was eager to read her newest work. I was utterly disappointed with the limited vocabulary and the character development. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this book to anyone. However, I am still open to giving her other books a try!

(5) Rules of Civility by Amor Towles -- Great, easy read. I love period pieces and especially love stories that take place in the 20s and 30s. You will like this book if you enjoyed The Great Gatsby. Other similar novels are The Paris Wife (LOVE love love) and The Beautiful and the Damned.

My fall book list currently includes: A Secret History, If I Stay, Me Before You, You Knew Me When, The Beginning of Everything, & #GIRLBOSS.

Tell me--what are you favorite books you've read lately? If you've read any of the above, what did you think? xo.

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salt in the air, sand in my hair

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I'm off to spend a week in the Caribbean with the hubs, celebrating 4 wonderful years of marriage! Here's to many, many more. xo.

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vacation packing list // beach beauty essentials

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 - "Need a Vacation" & "Sandy Beach" / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

So you've seen part 1 of my packing list--all the clothes and accessories I'd plan to pack for my upcoming beach vacay. Next up are my vacation beauty essentials! 

Since I'll no doubt be out soaking up the glorious sunshine every day, products containing SPF are a must. I plan on very minimal makeup--tinted lip balm and waterproof mascara are my go-to summer beauty items that are easy to pack in my purse or beach bag. I also cannot live without my Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray. It makes my hair look amazingly beachy, smells devine, and comes in an inexpensive travel size that is perfect to throw in a carryon. A fragrance atomizer for my perfume and some travel size bottles for sunscreen, contact solution and other liquids ensure my beauty products will pass TSA scans with flying colors!

What are your travel beauty essentials? xo.

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spring bucket list

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I recently started up a spring bucket list in my iPhone Notes app so that when I'm looking for something fun to do on the weekend, my ideas are literally at my fingertips. Some of these activities are things I've done before, while most are things that I "have always wanted to do" but tend to forget about once I get some free time. I'm looking forward to trying new things and going new places in the upcoming warm weather months. xo.

In no particular order...

1. Kayaking at Panther Island Pavilion // already been once this year. Will be returning on the reg. Such a fun way to soak up some sun and take in the beautiful Fort Worth skyline views in a peaceful environment!

2. Go to a Fort Worth Cats game // went once last year and looking forward to attending more this season!

3. Check out the Fort Worth Vaqueros (new minor league soccer team)

4. Segway tour // might see and learn things about the city I didn't know!

5. Host a Cowtown Cycle Party pub crawl

6. Try my hand at the driving range // it's been a while...

7. Go to at least one Rangers game // fulfilled this item on Opening Day (3/31)! Some sweet friends had extra tickets and invited the hubs and I to join. So much fun!

8. Fort Worth Zoo // Check! I went a few weeks ago for my mom's birthday. So fun seeing all the baby animals!

9. Host a wine and cheese party // obviously this involves staying home rather than going out, but I'd love to make it an al fresco get-together to at least enjoy a warm evening on the patio with candles, music, and yard games!

10. Find a new place to hike // I've already researched a few local gems to try out, namely the Fort Worth Nature Center and Eagle Mountain Park.

11. Run at least one 5k and/or half marathon // already signed up for a 5k in April and looking into possibly doing the Chisholm Trail Parkway half in May!

12. Spend an evening under the stars at the Coyote Drive In // the hubs and I went once last year when it first opened and have been planning to return now that the weather is just right!

13. Concert in the Gardens // nothing says "warm weather is here!" more than a picnic, best friends, and live music

14. Friday on the Green // a free version of the above. food, drinks, friends, music... perfection

15. Central Market weekend concerts // love these! such a good spur of the moment activity to do with the hubs and/or friends. I usually buy a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers inside and then enjoy them while listening to the free performances!

16. Go on a picnic // dying to sprawl out under Trinity Park's massive oak trees with a picnic basket and the possibility of a siesta in the afternoon sunshine

17. Get a bike and take it on a spin // I want to make more of an effort to get from point A to point B on two wheels instead of four--step one, get a bike!

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bikini babe

Tops L-R: stripes, multi, daisy. Bottoms L-R: pink, black, mint

I recently committed to floating down a cold river in West Texas with a group of friends over Memorial Weekend; as such, I  am amping up my workout routine (more on that later) and scouring my favorite stores and websites for cute--yet inexpensive--swimsuits.

Since I like to get more bang for my buck, I'm all about the mix and match look. In fact, I own several bottoms and tops that I've purchased over the past couple of years on clearance with the intention of mixing them up. I always like to start my year off with a new suit, though, and this year is no exception. The pieces above are adorable in any combination you think of, and also happen to match a few of my existing separates that I already own. If I had it my way, I'd buy them all! xo.

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