This week’s roundup is what I’ve been buying and contemplating buying… maternity leave has left me a little more time to peruse online. I’ve got to reel it in!
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
We snapped these photos between Easter Sunday service and brunch, and I had to share them because I can’t get over how fabulous this dress is.
It’s an investment, but a classic dress that will never go out of style and will fit your body in any season of life. I’m new to Fil de Vie and can’t get over how beautiful some of their pieces are.
I also linked some styles below, like this one and this one, that have the same kind of feel.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday weekend – XO –
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Are you done with skinny jeans? I have too many to just not wear them anymore!
I’ve never felt skinny jeans flatter my body, so I haven’t worn them in many years. I was quick to jump on the wider leg cropped jean and mom jean trends because they make me feel more comfortable and confident.
But if you like the way you look in skinny jeans, I say they stay! As long as the wash is classic (no “whiskering,” distressed, etc.) like these or these, I think we should focus more on what flatters our body shape vs. what others say is on-trend.
Are you using a postpartum belly belt?
I wore this one for 2-3 weeks. It’s the same one I used with Hudson.
I wore this one for back support while pregnant with Theo.
You always seem to add something different or a twist to classic outfits. Would love tips!
LOVE this question (and thank you)!
I think layering always makes an outfit more interesting – adding a blazer, necklaces, or a sweater loosely tied around the shoulders.
I also love adding a neckerchief or headband to an outfit.
What are your go-to’s for easy weeknight dinners?
I feel you here – I am always looking for ideas! Easy cleanup is also a huge factor for me. Who wants to spend hours cooking and cleaning up afterward?
Some of the recipes that are in regular rotation for us are:
Do you have a recommendation for a good robe that isn’t too heavy?
I recently got this one and it’s a great summer robe!
Do you have any spring jacket recommendations?
I got this one recently and it is absolutely adorable and so great for spring.
Also love this one and this one (splurge but it’s gorgeous). And my ultimate favorite spring jacket would be a linen blazer.
What are your favorite white tees?
I actually have an entire blog post dedicated to white tees here.
Do you have a favorite spring/summer fashion must-have?
I got these slides this spring (worn in the above photos) and I LOVE them.
Affordable bags/accessories?
Everyone’s definition of “affordable” varies, but I think Leatherology is an amazing price for the quality. I love their bags, especially this one and this one.
And instead, 90% of the time I use this small leather zip pouch like this because it adds less weight to my bag and can easily be tossed in a pocket or diaper bag. Ha!
Trying to elevate my style but feel awkward dress nicer. You’re always so confident. Tips?
Love this question and also, claps for deciding you want to elevate your personal style! It’s never too late to try to change any area of your life.
I think it comes down to reminding yourself, “who are you dressing for?” I dress for myself. So it matters most to me that I like my reflection in the mirror before leaving the house.
You want to elevate your personal style for your confidence. Chin up, you look great!!
What was the name of the camera roll cleanup app you said you were using?
GetSorted!
Your favorite undereye concealer with strong coverage?
I am all about denim, now, always and forever. As I long for and wait for the day I can fit into my favorite denim again, I wanted to share some of my favorite styles and washes that are available for spring!
To shop, simply click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
There are a few silhouettes I find really timeless and flattering. These are classic and a go-to. I wear them all the time. Love this slightly darker wash in a similar cut.
This wider leg is very trendy right now, and while I don’t know if it’s going to work for my body, I’ve seen it on others and it totally works.
I have these eggshell jeans, and I love that they aren’t stark white. Makes them not only more wearable but also great to wear all year long. I also have these and love them with a pair of heels.
If you want an ultra-high waist, I have these in multiple washes. Love them in black too. They are always going to be classic because Levi’s is the OG. I also love this pair of theirs.
Have you bought any denim in the past year that you really love? Please share! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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Shopbop is having one of its seasonal sales, and I wanted to round up some of my favorite things on the site right now! With the code STYLE you can get –
15% off orders $200+
20% off orders $500+
25% orders $800+
To shop, click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage –
I love splurging on a new hat every other spring/summer, and this one and this visor are so cute. I got this one a few years back and still wear it every summer. I also love this tote for the pool and beach.
I’m still on maternity leave through April, but I think it is second nature for me to be working a little bit, right? I plan on sharing some wish lists and photos of what’s going on around here. I still need to write and share Theo’s birth story, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a few sweet things around the house lately.
This has been my second week on my own with both boys. Other than one rocky morning with Hudson, it has gone more smoothly than I expected. Truthfully, while challenging, it’s been nice to work on finding my rhythm as a mom of two. Christian has been pretty busy at work with additional meetings, appointments, etc., so it’s been a test of my mom skills for sure. But so far I would say the adjustment from 0 to 1 felt harder than 1 to 2 does. I already own all the “stuff,” I feel more relaxed and confident in caring for Theo and I am already adjusted to the lifestyle of having small kids. So it’s not as jarring as becoming a parent for the first time felt. It’s been a pleasant surprise! Alas, all more manageable because of the time I’m taking off of collaborations/partnerships, but still. Small victories are worth celebrating, especially in the fourth trimester.
I have been catching up on all things TV and podcasts during the middle-of-the-night feeds, and I just finished Amy Schumer’s Life & Beth + Only Murders in the Building. I loved both and would recommend both! Christian and I have some movie watching to catch up on that I hope we can do this weekend over some Mexican Train Dominoes. I really want to watch King Richard, Windfall, The Bubble and Deep Water. I have watched CODA and Deep Water recently and CODA was amazing. Deep Water was bizarre but entertaining. Has anyone seen those?
Last but not least, you might notice we have a fresh new website design and layout! The site was down longer than I expected as we worked on transitioning everything over, but I’m going to work on a blog post to share some of the new features on the site. After having the same design since 2017, it felt time for a little freshening up. I love the mature and sleek layout, and I hope you guys will love it too.
I love a crisp white summer dress and this maxi and this one are the types that will never get old. I love the bedazzled waist of this one. It would be so great for a bride!
I’m loving all the shades of blue I’m seeing around right now… maybe it’s just the new baby boy of it all. But this dress and this one look so sweet for spring and summer.
Loose-fitting dresses like this one, this one and this one are going to be my go-to this spring until I feel more comfortable in my skin as my body is still changing week to week. I hate buying fitted things that may not work later on, so loose, gauzy pieces like that are so great as they’ll fit long term also.
Next week I plan on sharing my denim picks, but if you have any wish list themes you’d love to see please drop a comment! I’m always looking for ideas.
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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dress – $25 and came in handy many times in this pregnancy
We welcomed a healthy little boy, Theodore “Theo” Thorne, into the world exactly one week ago on March 15, 2022, and he is a delicious dream, sent straight from heaven. Both names happen to be family names on my side, and when I looked up the meaning of Theodore and saw it meant “gift of God,” there were no doubts that this little baby would be Theo if a boy.
I shared a short reel video on Instagram here of some of our favorite moments. I may have watched this video 20x and I think I cry each time.
Theodore comes from my great uncle and Thorne was my grandmother’s maiden name (along with my dad and sister’s names – we probably now have over 20 Thorne’s in the family). A fun fact – we didn’t name Hudson until the day he was born because we were undecided between Hudson and Theodore. So we always knew if we had another boy, his name would probably be Theo. So it’s extra exciting and wild that he now exists and is here with us!
Our girl name was the same girl name we had for Hudson if he had been a girl… so we will have to see if it ever gets used.
I look forward to sharing more about Theo’s birth story later on when we have settled in a little bit more. For now, we are all working on adjusting, healing and finding our new rhythm with our boys.
This pregnancy was so different than my first, both in how I carried the baby as well as my symptoms, nausea all throughout my first and third trimesters, back pain, etc. At times I thought it could be a little girl which would have been magical also, but knowing my two boys will be two grades apart and grow up playing together gives me so many happy feelings. My sister and I were four years apart and it took a long time for us to really be “friends.” I was always envious of those with same-gender siblings close in age. I can’t wait to watch their relationship as they grow older. Christian and his little brother are back-to-back and lifelong best friends.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, love, and warm wishes. We are in a newborn fog but joyous, grateful, and in awe of the miracle of this healthy addition to our family. Knowing how quickly these weeks and months pass does make us look at them differently this time around. Don’t get me wrong – it’s still exhausting but fleeting for sure.
PS – a few posts you may like if you like this one:
Sharing some athleisure and workout picks that I’m loving right now. I am so excited to be able to fit in workout clothes again. Currently, even my maternity exercise clothes are tight. So that will be exciting to be able to just grab something and go.
To shop, simply click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
– prepping the house for all the newborn nesting ahead –
This week has been a little chaotic but in a great way. For the past nine days, we have been staying upstairs in our guest bathroom and bedroom while we had some repair work done on our primary bathroom. Halfway into this week, it was complete (yay!) and we were able to have our bathroom and bedroom cleaned which means we can bring the bassinet down and really feel fully prepared and ready for this baby, arriving in a few days or sooner.
On that note, I’ve been doing all the things someone having a baby any day now does – buying plants, refreshing orchids, touching up the paint on cabinets… you know, the necessary things. Deep cleaning sanitizing and organizing. It’s that weird instinctual feeling you get before anything big happens. Anxious energy I guess?
We have a hand-me-down slatted bassinet for our bedroom, but this gorgeous leather tufted bassinet is nestled into our main living space for daytime naps. Seeing Hudson use it here, it is going to be so sweet to see this next baby use some of the same things we used two years ago.
Other than that, I’m trying to rest when I can, soak up my last days with my only baby and get myself mentally psyched for what’s ahead. I think it’s both more and less overwhelming when you have an idea of what to expect. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
With spring weather coming for some of us, I’ve spent a few days tidying up our patio to prepare for more afternoons and play time outside. I’m sure the sight of a 9-month pregnant lady with a leaf blower is something to see. Which inspired me to put together some pretty patio picks for this week’s wish list!
To shop, simply click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
A lot of this depends on if you have a covered patio or not. We thankfully do have a large covered patio, but it’s not screened in. You’d be surprised how much is blown onto the covered part. Don’t get me wrong – we still love that it’s covered and overlooks the yard but I definitely need to deep clean everything at least once a year.
I love these roped LED lights – how fun is that? I also need a citronella candle like this for spring and summer evenings outside. I prioritize pretty planters inside, but when it comes to outside I try not to invest too much. We have had strong winds knock over three planters and break them… just nthis year. This footed one really caught my eye, and I think this one is pretty too.
We have one area that I think would really thrive with an umbrella like this, but I wonder how long it would be pretty until the sun faded it? Does anyone have experience with that?
I bought two of these chairs for our patio and they’re so comfortable – I’ve never regretted it. But dang… how fun are these or these? And I love the simplicity of these.
These poufs are so cute and I think they would work in or outside. Love them.
If you’ve made a good patio purchase lately, do share. I love a patio makeover! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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Last weekend we snapped some photos to document the last days of life with just one child. These two years with only him have been so special. A learning experience for everyone, but also less chaotic than it will become and super sweet as a little family trio.
Christian and I both grew up with two siblings, and I can’t imagine my childhood without them. I always knew we wanted to give Hudson a sibling or two, so this is a natural next step. But I love these photos to capture our last week just with our one big boy before his world changes.
photos by Christian Barnes
I posted some of these photos with music on Instagram over the weekend and got some of the sweetest responses about the bond between people’s first two children. I’m still reading through all of them and it’s been so heartwarming!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing in this joy and excitement with us – XO –
