– prepping for our first Halloween in our new home and wanting to be the house with the good candy (bowl available here) –
The Friday of Halloween weekend!!! Now THAT is a good time. After living in a townhouse and apartment for six years and having little to no trick-or-treaters, this was our first year in our home and things were popping off! I loved seeing all the costumes and was fully prepared with tons of candy. I have more in case more kids come tonight! There was a little neighborhood block party before kids went out for candy. Honestly, it was adorable.
I wanted to share another photo of this gorgeous dining room chandelier you guys have been loving and asking about. I love it so much and seeing it right when you walk in our front door makes me so happy!
Anyone have festive plans in store for the weekend? Christian and I will be hitting up our first and only class, a “birthing basics” class, that is offered at our hospital. They offer a ton of different classes, some over the course of weeks and others are just a few hours. We opted for a quick little run through of the experiences ahead, but I think it will mentally be good for us. It should be over before the Georgia vs. Florida game, and therefore C is being a good sport!
Things are starting to get a little bit more real as we put together the carseat and stroller, wash the little baby clothes and brainstorm about where the temporary changing table will be as we wait for ours to come in. I’ve learned that furniture delivery windows are much longer than I anticipated, but that’s ok as we plan to have him in his bassinet in our room for several months at first. I’m hoping to share a full nursery reveal with you guys in January (fingers crossed!). If it comes together the way I’m envisioning it, it’s going to be so sweet!
Other than that, we are nesting and trying to enjoy these quiet days before life changes indefinitely. And honestly, the bigger this belly gets, I’m ready for it. Hope you guys have a beautiful weekend and Happy HALLOWEEN weekend! XO –
A question I get quite often is “what do I wear for engagement photos?” Truth be told, I never actually took engagement photos. My sister snapped a photo of Christian and myself for our save-the-date and we called it a day. But because I do get this question so often I wanted to put together a blog post with some ideas. I’m also sharing my top picks when choosing something to wear for this kind of photo session!
You can also find some couples photos of Christian and me in the “marriage” category of this site that might give you some ideas on poses, framing, etc.
My top tips for selecting something to wear for your engagement photos:
Know what makes you feel confident. I think it’s most important to feel comfortable and confident when you’re having your photo taken with your significant other. Know what silhouettes flatter your body. Know what makes you stand up straight.
And on that note, it doesn’t have to be white and it doesn’t have to be a dress. I picked white and cream dresses above, but that’s because that’s what I would wear because I feel more comfortable in dresses and skirts than pants. If you feel the most fierce in a jumpsuit or pants – you do you! These are YOUR photos. You’re taking the time and money to shoot them, so truly, it only matters that you feel great and love them.
Consider splurging. One idea would be to buy something extra fabulous you can also wear to a shower or engagement party. I think these rare special occasions are such a great time to treat yourself because you’re going to have the photos to look at forever. You can save money on the honeymoon wardrobe.
Take photos of yourself in the outfit and see how it photographs before you meet with the photographer. This can just be a mirror selfie you delete later. But see how the fabric and cut photograph. Do you like it? Are the details that make the dress so special lost when a photo is snapped? We all know that sometimes things photograph differently than they look in person, and for a photo shoot… no one is going to see what it looks like in person. It kind of only matters what it looks like in photos.
I hope that helps some! If you have any other topics like this you’d like to see on CBL, please let me know in the comments. Appreciate you guys – XO –
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Where do you begin with a new home? Hire a designer?
I think this varies person to person depending on your confidence with your interior style, budget and motivation to decorate your home. I have never hired a designer but for this home I knew we would need to purchase a lot of new pieces and wanted some assistance with those big decisions. I have worked with two very talented local women on many of the rooms in this home. Often times it’s just me asking them, “do you think we should go with this one or this one? These drapes or these?” But just having someone else to help me with those decisions has been really helpful and absolutely worth the investment.
Will you do a home tour soon?
I don’t think this entire home will feel complete for years, but I’ll be sharing rooms as they are finished! We just moved into this home in July and it’s much larger than any space we’ve ever lived in. Many of the pieces of furniture we’ve ordered take 8-12 weeks to even come in, so it’s just going to be a process. But I will share as much as I can along the way! I’m also saving lots of snippets and links in the “GA Home” saved stories on Instagram.
Can you share more information on your rugs?
I plan on doing a full blog post just on rugs as this is so highly requested! I still have to complete a few more rooms… we just moved in a few months ago so things just take time. Most of the rugs in our Georgia home are from Annie Selke.
You can also search “rug” on this site tons of posts with the room’s rugs linked come up. I have also tagged rug sources in the “GA Home” saved stories on Instagram. That saved highlight is where I’m saving all home sneak peeks before room reveals go live!
Will you share your tablescape for your Thanksgiving dinner?
I’m taking a more relaxed approach this year as I’m 35 weeks pregnant and just don’t have the energy to go all out this year, but you can see previous years setups here, here and here!
What are a few items you splurged on for home decor that were definitely worth it?
Our dining room light fixture is gorgeous and a splurge that I think it totally worth it. Painting the exterior of our house was another splurge that was most definitely worth it!
Splurge vs. save for your house?
I always think sofas and chairs are worth splurging on. We spend so much time sitting on furniture that it’s important that it’s both beautiful and functional.
I like to save on accessories and throw pillows. I always want to mix things up so the big pieces are the only items that stick around for years and years!
Do you clean your own home or are you planning on hiring a service?
This is a question I get quite often that always surprises me. But apparently you guys are interesting in house cleaning! I had someone come every other week in Orange County, and she was incredible. We still text and keep in touch, she is a gem. In San Francisco I was quoted 2x as much to clean an even smaller space, so I cleaned our apartment myself that year. Now that we are in Georgia I’ve hired two lovely women who come together every other week, and so far they have been wonderful! I know when the baby is here I’ll be more thankful for them than ever.
When I clean myself it takes at least half a day of my time when I could be working. I don’t mind cleaning, but logistically and financially my time is better spent working and hiring professionals. I always do interim cleaning between their visits!
Just moved from Phoenix to Atlanta. What are some good basics to start a winter wardrobe?
Welcome girlfriend! Know that it never gets that cold in the South. My mom always said if you live in the South, splurge on spring/summer pieces over fall/winter because you don’t always get as much wear out of cold weather items!
Do you have a boot spray recommendation for leather or suede boots?
Yes I always spray my suede boots! I’ve used this spray but honestly any suede boot spray is great, it’s more about just actually spraying them vs. which spray you use.
How do you style a slip skirt for a holiday party?
Love this question! You can see some styled outfits in this realm here, here and here.
Etiquette on bringing/sending a gift to a gender reveal in addition to the baby shower?
The gift giving can seriously get out of hand for both weddings and babies, in my opinion. I mean… none of us are the first women to ever get married or have a baby! I think ONE nice gift is plenty to cover all the showers. Rather than several small gifts, splurge on one lovely, memorable gift. This personalized pewter baby cup is one of my favorite gifts to give those I’m close to.
You make pregnancy look amazing! Do you think you’ll miss it?
First of all, thank you, you’re a doll. I have been really lucky with a pretty mellow pregnancy and I don’t take it for granted. While I look forward to not only him being here, but also having my non-pregnant body (and clothes!) back, I do think I’ll miss certain parts. Almost every morning I’ll drink tea in bed and I’ll pull up my nightgown and watch him dance in my belly. If he’s in a weird position, I’ll pat pat pat that lump and he’ll move and even out. We have a rhythm, just the two of us. I’ve gotten caught calling him “my baby,” and Christian reminds me, “I think you mean ourbaby.” I know I only have a few more weeks of having him all to myself!
What stretch mark creams or oils have you used during pregnancy?
I saved this in the “Oh Baby” saved stories (along with other pregnancy-related topics + links!), but I’ve been using this stretch cream. I recently was gifted this belly oil so now I combine the two and put them on my belly and chest. I haven’t seen stretch marks yet, but I also hear this can be more about genetics than which creams you use. However I’m still just using one in case it does help!
Is there anything you did that helped you not get morning sickness or other symptoms?
My annoying answer… not really. I also think this might be genetics. My mom and sister both had easy pregnancies with both their daughters and sons. I’ve been fortunate to have a very similar pregnancy to theirs. The girls I know who haven’t enjoyed their pregnancies have said their moms had difficult pregnancies as well. Tell me what you think!
What will your work pattern be like once you have your baby?
I think I have to have this baby and see how it goes before I can really know. I know that I’ll need some help with him so I can maintain at least three structured office days, but for those first six months I’m going to want to be right there for everything. For the first two months we have hired some help from a guru in town who is literally going to teach me how to be a mother. I already adore her and am so, so thankful to have her help.
Then we’ll have to decide what’s going to work best for our family – daycare, a nanny, etc. Time will tell! Trying to give myself grace and take it day by day.
Are you taking maternity leave?
Kind of… this baby is due right before Thanksgiving, and November and December are my busiest months of the year. So that was really smart of me! I want to give myself time to not only enjoy our first newborn baby but also give my body the grace and time it needs. But I don’t want to disappear from CBL during holiday!
I am working ahead as much as I can to pre-shoot before December and will take December slower than usual. Thankfully January and February are calm months for me typically, so I know I will also have that time to slow down.
In a nutshell: no, I don’t have a traditional three-month maternity leave. But I love my job, and I would still rather do this than anything else.
When will you announce the baby’s name?
When he is born! Truthfully we are still bouncing between two names.
Best moisturizer you have used for dry skin this time of year?
When your skin is dry, I think it’s more about using a facial oil than the moisturizer. I would recommend adding a few drops of face oil to your moisturizer or using around 5 drops of a facial oil on its own without any moisturizer.
Yes they are posted on the blog! Hair can be found here, makeup can be found here.
Do you wish you and Christian had moved somewhere even closer to family than Georgia?
I feel confident that we are where we are supposed to be. This move fell right into place so easily in so many ways, and I am very calm and comforted knowing that I feel we followed where God led us. That being said, my dad is getting closer to retirement and they’ll be able to be more flexible. My sister is a little over three hours away and my brother will soon also be a little less than three hours away. We are 7-8 hours from Christian’s family in Mississippi which is a little tougher, but thankfully they are a happy road trippin’ kind of bunch!
What are your top tips for moving since you and Christian are pros?
I’ve got a whole blog post about moving tips for you here! Or just search “moving” in the search bar and it will pop right up!
That’s a wrap for this month! You can find my second trimester Q&A here and September’s Q&A here. If your questions wasn’t answered here, it was likely answered in one of the earlier months. Check the “personal” category for all of the Q&A’s on this blog since March.
Thank you so much for reading and for your fabulous questions! XO –
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I knew that as soon as we had a house to call our own, I would be investing in organizing the cabinets and drawers. I am majorly type A, and nothing brings me more joy than a functional, organized house!
So today I’m sharing a peek into our pantry, kitchen drawers and refrigerator to show you how I organized them with The Container Store. And most importantly, how you can do it too.
There are services out there you can pay hourly to help you get organized, and for some people that is an amazing option! But I think it’s also great to know that you can skip that expense and do it yourself with a little research.
But before we dive in, I want to be sure to share that The Container Store is having a kitchen sale through November 10th! So if you’re looking to get your kitchen in tip top shape before the holiday season really starts, there’s no better time than now.
PANTRY ORGANIZATION:
We have three large pantry cabinets and I use two of them for food and the third for storage. I ordered a mix of different pieces that I thought would best utilize these shelves. You could go rogue and do your own thing like we did or you could keep it simple by ordering a kit like this one or this one.
The Home Edit Organizer Bins | Order several of these! You can use them to organize larger storage bins or simply use them on their own. They are really helpful in both other containers or pantry drawers.
The Home Edit Divided Lazy Susan | I think it’s always helpful to have at least one Lazy Susan in your pantry. We use ours to store granola bars and snacks, but I know I could use it for anything.
KITCHEN DRAWER ORGANIZATION:
I ordered two of these Linus Large Drawer Organization Kits and they were perfect for the two most visited kitchen drawers in our space – the “junk” drawer and utensil drawer. It makes such a huge difference to have all of the rubber bands in a bin, all of the markers in a bin etc. Rather than stress me out when I open it, it’s now always neatly displayed. Bonus points that it makes telling a guest where the scissors or measuring tape is super easy!
We also ordered this Under Sink Organization Kit and I love it. It’s so easy for cleaning supplies to get lost under the sink, but having this drawer that rolls out makes an alarming difference in knowing exactly what we’re storing under there.
Lastly, I’ve been so surprised at how many of you guys have asked about our dish drying rack! I ordered both this Silicone Drying Mat and this Folding Bamboo Dish Rack. We have a big farmhouse sink, so I still needed a place to dry hand-washed items. It’s been the perfect solution. Plus it folds up easily for storing when you are entertaining.
FRIDGE ORGANIZATION:
The Fridge Organization Kit was the perfect kit to organize our refrigerator. It comes with plenty of containers for storage, sealed food containers, bottle holders – the works.
There were a few things I knew we wouldn’t need, so I eliminated them in the custom order section and then added things I wanted extra of (like the Fridge Monkey). Know that you can take these kits and eliminate or increase the quantities of any of the items to make the kit your own. It’s just there to serve as an incredibly helpful starting point!
If you’ve ever done a deep dive into your pantry or kitchen, I’d love to hear how you organized it! Don’t forget The Container Store’s Kitchen Sale goes through 11/10/19. And for another fab project with The Container Store, you can check out our bedroom closet transformation here and here.
You guys know I love a midi dress. I love them in the spring + summer with sneakers or sandals, and then I love them in the fall with booties, sneakers and a cardigan or blazer/moto jacket. So cute, so flattering and versatile.
I wanted to round up some of my favorite midi dresses right now that are super cute on their own or great layering foundation pieces. And yes… I realize that this jumpsuit isn’t a dress. But it was so cute that I had to include it!
I also threw in some accessories I’m loving right now, including all things hoop and chain earrings. And this bag has been on my wish list for over a year. Love the size and structure!
I’ve included more midi dress picks under $100 in the sliding thumbnails below. If you have a theme you’d like to see in these weekly wish lists. I love putting them together, and it’s even better when I know it’s for things you guys are looking for. Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
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I remember reading an article that suggested having a food delivery service lined up to make your life easier once your baby is born. I thought this was so smart and something I probably wouldn’t have thought much about otherwise.
We certainly live closer to friends & family than we used to, but we’re still many hours away. Being so new to town, we are still making friends and trying different churches, so I don’t expect or anticipate some running list of meals being brought over. BUT now that there are so many amazing services out there, there’s no need to worry about that!
I’ve shared many times on Instagram that we love HomeChef. But I wanted to make things even easier post-baby. No prep, no clean-up. Below are some of the best suggestions I received from CBL girls for both national companies as well as some that are local to Georgia!
National:
Freshly – my dad has actually used this before. Although he said the menu didn’t have as much variation as he would have liked, he still said the meals were good.
Tovala – I think this looks really good. A top contender!
Nourish Foods – I have tried this company before when we lived in OC and they were good! At the time most of the options were meat but it appears they have more vegetarian dishes in the rotation now.
JB’s Fresh to Go | There is no website but you can get on their weekly email menu mailing. If interested, leave a comment and I will share the email address there!
I hope this might be helpful to some of you looking for the same service! I think we’ll try to start locally, but Tovala is looking pretty delicious if I do say so myself.
Another week has breezed by which brings me closer to this baby’s due date. I feel both ready and totally unprepared. That’s probably normal, right?
At 34 weeks, I kicked it into gear getting my hospital bag organized, figuring out what I want to bring for the baby to the hospital, buying diapers, washing crib and bassinet sheets, etc. I think doing some of these motions are helping me feel a little more calm about the major life pace change ahead. My mantra has always been “outer order, inner calm,” so going through these motions is calming for me.
I do plan on sharing what we packed for the hospital after I have this baby. I want to make sure to share only what we actually needed, so I think it will be more informative after our experience!
The temperature seriously dropped this week so I’ve been drinking all the tea in my sweatpants. It reminds me of almost every day in San Francisco, and I can’t help but continue to be completely overwhelmed with gratitude at the difference in our life from this time last year.
Even with a major cross-country move, the workload of buying our first home and decorating it/working on the exterior, experiencing the third trimester and preparing for our first baby, Christian starting his first job… I still feel calmer every day and more like myself. Of course it comes with its own stressful moments, but I still feel like we’re working toward life goals and things we want for our future. It’s rewarding and feels like an investment rather than a chore. Even with bumps along the road!
If anything, that year of struggle has really made me appreciate so much. So, so much.
What are you grateful for right now? If you don’t keep a gratitude journal or share a few things each night at dinner with your partner – I’d highly recommend it. I am always happier on the days when I do!
I was somehow able to get away with not purchasing maternity clothes much until my third trimester. That’s when things changed and this belly took the lead! I knew that if I didn’t get some maternity exercise leggings, there was no chance I’d stay active. Finding the energy to move your body in the third trimester is challenging enough, but if you’re going to be uncomfortable in your clothes, forget it.
So I grabbed two pairs of Zella leggings from Nordstrom, the Mamasana (photographed here) and the 7/8 legging with pockets. They’re definitely the only two pair of fitness leggings I currently fit into. Bonus points that they are such a great price point.
While I wouldn’t say that I’m necessarily workin’ up a sweat these days, I am trying to get my legs moving or stretch with Pilates. Not to mention that just wearing these leggings with a denim jacket and baseball hat is sometimes the easiest outfit I can grab to feel both comfortable and put together in these final weeks pre-baby.
Do any of you have tips for staying motivated to keep it moving while pregnant? I welcome any advice from the seasoned mamas out there! We are most definitely winging it over here, but every time I feel this little guy moving around I think about how much I’m going to love strolling him in our new neighborhood.
You can see some of my favorite at-home workouts here, a Q&A on my Mirror device here and my January fitness challenge here (WOW that pre-baby body is… different than what we’re looking at these days!).
At 33 weeks pregnant, getting in bed is now one of my most exciting activities of the day. In fact, Christian and I share three great things about our day each night over dinner, and one of mine has often been, “working from the bed until 9AM” whenever I get the chance.
Two weeks ago we changed things up and got the Mattress Firm 900 Adjustable Base and it offers some features that have been a pregnant woman’s dream. This base offers lumbar support, can elevate your upper body as well as your feet, has massage settings and under-the-bed LED lighting if you like having a night light (for those middle of night bathroom runs). The remote also offers three built-in positions or you can customize your own to fit your personal needs.
We paired this base with the Serta iSeries Hybrid 100 13.5″ firm mattress. This is our second mattress that is a combination of both foam and springs, which I find very cool. You get the best of both worlds!
Christian is a stomach sleeper and I’m a back sleeper, so it can be difficult for us to find a mattress that meets both of our needs. He prefers a firmer mattress so if you are also someone who likes a really firm mattress, this would be your best option at Mattress Firm. And if you prefer something a little softer but still supportive, the Serta iSeries Hybrid 500 14″ Cushion would be a great pick for you! It does take up to 120 days to break in your mattress, so they recommend walking or jumping on your bed as often as you can to help loosen up the foam and springs.
I have been really lucky to still be sleeping pretty well. I usually wake up at least once, but that’s about it. My tips for getting better sleep, especially while pregnant, would be:
Research Your Mattress Options
Some people love a foam mattress, for others a hybrid foam/spring combo might be your best choice. Go to the store and try out some different mattresses for yourself to see what’s going to be the best for you. Ask about the firmness, warranty and if it will loosen up over time or if what you feel is what you get off the bat. Be informed!
Consider an Adjustable Base
This base has exceeded all of my expectations. I will crank up that lumbar support, elevate my head and feet, and I’m not kidding – I don’ want to move for hours. It really is amazing. AMAZING.
Sound Machine
We bought this sound machine in San Francisco and now we are addicts. Baby Barnes also has one of his own waiting for him. It’s the best!
Pregnancy Pillow
I didn’t feel like I needed this pillow until about 29 weeks and boy, has it saved me. I sleep with it every night without question.
Silk Pillowcase
I’ve been committed to a silk pillowcase for years and really do prefer not only how it feels, but also the hair and skin benefits. I’d recommend investing in two nice ones and rotating them out!
Other recommendations would be to activate your cell phone night mode + do not disturb, wake up at the same time everyday and really think about the fabric of your pajamas.
Have you ever experienced an adjustable base or tried one of the mattresses from Mattress Firm? And do you have any pregnancy sleeping tips? I would really love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
Several of you brought it to my attention that finding nursing-friendly clothes can be a challenge. So when I saw this green midi dress that is both maternity and nursing friendly, I thought it might come in handy throughout the upcoming months!
I am linking several similar style dresses below that are not maternity/nursing specific for those of you not in this wheelhouse. Know that I haven’t forgotten about all my girls who are not rocking a bump this fall and winter. I got you.
And if you don’t have a pair of python booties for this season – girl. Get onboard! I snagged these last year as well as a knee-high version from Zara that I had taken in at the calf in San Francisco. I had no idea that python boots and booties would be all over the interwebs this year! I’m so glad to see it. Along with leopard, they really act as such a neutral yet amp up any simple outfit. Chic!
It’s Friday!! This Friday feels extra fabulous because the weather is amazing, and we accomplished a huge to-do! The exterior of our house was finished being painted. This included the shutters, windows, replacing several gutters – the whole kit and caboodle. I knew when we bought this house I had a revamped vision for the exterior. However I never thought we would be able to make things happen so quickly! I really love that we’ll bring our baby boy home to this fresh house that really feels like our own.
And on that note, I wanted to make some cookies for the painters on their last day of working on the house because they’ve just been the nicest guys. When you move somewhere new that you’ve never lived before and you hire help for different projects, you just have to hope you have chosen the right people to come into your home. I have no doubt these guys were the best choice for us. They’ve been such a delight to work with.
SO, about those cookies. This is my favorite cookie recipe by a landslide. In my opinion, they’re the best chocolate chip cookies out there. I don’t want to admit how many times I’ve made them… but let’s just say I’m close to having the recipe memorized.
Christian’s parents are getting in town this afternoon! It will be not only their first time to see our home, but also their first visit to the area! I know he is excited to show them around, and they’ve kindly expressed their willingness to help with any home projects… so we might have a basement touch-up painting journey on our hands.
Thats about it on our end. UGA plays South Carolina in town this weekend so it should be a fun one! Thank you so much for reading and checking in – XO –
With wedding season upon us, I wanted to share some dress and accessory picks for those with a full calendar of fall weddings ahead!
I’ve shared a few seasonal posts surrounding what to wear to weddings (winter option one, winter option two, fall wedding option), but there are so many cute dresses out there right now that I wanted to round up some fresh pieces.
One thing I would recommend looking for when buying something new to wear to an upcoming wedding: versatility. Can you wear it with a blazer or moto jacket and booties to work? Would it also work for a baby shower or wedding shower? Could it be worn in spring? Dresses like this one, this one and this one totally fit that bill.
Let me know if this post is helpful to you guys. Next week I was thinking about rounding up some midi dress favorites for fall. And be sure to check out more dress picks in the rotating thumbnails below. Thank you so much for reading! XO –
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