Nordstrom Anniversary Early Access!

If you've heard lots of chatter about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, it's for good reason! The Early Access Sale starts today, and if you are a Nordstrom cardholder {credit or debit}, you can shop brand new fall arrivals at a major discount- ahead of the season! It's truly my favorite sale of the year, I mean why not? This sale has me all sorts of excited for fall clothes, just like that! If you are not a Nordstrom cardholder, the sale opens up to the public next week. There are definitely some items that will sell out early, as I have learned in the past! Here is my initial roundup of favorites but I will keep posting on the sale as I have more time to work through it all.

These booties are so darn cute and are perfect for early fall. Last fall we had what seemed like an endless summer and I could have worn sandals well into November! Having a transitional shoe like this is perfect for southern climates.

Vince Camuto 'Katleen' Peep Toe Bootie 

Same goes for these heels below. Wear now and later, which is so nice. I love the neutral shade of these, they will go with everything!

Hinge Cora Block Heel

This poncho looks like it drapes beautifully and I love the length of it. I live in this sort of thing in the fall and winter. PS- pregnant Momma tip: Buy this for something you can wear before and after the baby!

Halogen Cashmere Poncho

Most days when I am at home with the kids I just need an easy tee to throw on. However, I like that tee to be as cute as possible. I think I will get this in a few colors for fall to pair with scarves and skinnies for a quick outfit. For $15 you can't beat it!

Lush Deep V Tee

I swore by my AG maternity jeans {I tried so many!!} and now I am itching for a regular pair. These are perfect in my opinion! 

AG The Legging Ankle Jean

These are also on my wish list for skinnies {by the way- I just put on my first pair post baby and it felt SO good!} I love the dark denim that will be so flattering on everyone.

Paige Ankle Skinny Denim

Hello, gorgeous handbag! This will be a sure sell out. It's a stunner.

Tory Burch Diamond Stitch Pebbled Leather Hobo 

Jackets and coats are always an investment piece for me, so being able to get one on sale is a major plus. I have wanted a cowlneck leather jacket for a few years now and I love this style.

Levis Cowlneck Jacket

I also have a Barbour jacket on my wishlist. It will be perfect for football games and running around town. This is such a good price for Barbour!

Barbour Millfire Hooded Jacket

I adore my Burberry jacket and this one is similar. I love the oversized lapel and the classic cut. Burberry is obviously quite the investment but you will have it, literally, forever.

Burberry Brit' Leightonbury' Quilted Hooded Jacket

Another favorite in my closet- my Fryes! Now is the time to purchase them, a little easier on the wallet. These will be in your shoe wardrobe for years to come- such a classic. I love this leather color as well.

Frye Melissa Riding Boot 

I'll be back soon with more picks! What are your favorites so far? xo.

Currently Loving III

This umbrella is on major sale! Use it for the end of summer and it will still be in good shape for next year // I've had my eye on this drop stitch blouse...so chic and a great price! // Wore my sparkle jack rogers last night...easy way to upgrade your outfit while still wearing flats! These are 30% off!! // Nothing like a good pair of hoops // This magazine tote would be the perfect travel bag. I love the inside! // Not seen above but this top is right up my athleisure alley!

Currently Loving II

Did everyone have a good holiday weekend? I love the Fourth of July, really, I do. We spent the weekend at the beach house and came home yesterday morning. I am already aching for another afternoon on the beach, but luckily that isn't too far away! We had no crazy plans, unless you count baby feeding schedules and working in toddler naps. Stephen and I ran out for a quick trip downtown to listen to some music and that was the extent of my out of the house activities for the weekend! In true, busy Mom fashion...I forgot to give you this post over the weekend, meant for July 4th sales! Luckily, most stores are still offering incredible deals {some even better now} as we head towards the last half of summer. Here were some of my favorites!

GAP: take 35% off with code style, even sale items! These are my favorite shorts. I just got this workout top- love the tie in the back!

LOFT: 40% off styles... This top, this embroidered dress {extra 40% off} and this off the shoulder tee.

JCREW extra 40-60% off summer styles. THESE wedges, adorable eyelet shorts, a classic striped top in fall colors!

OLD NAVY: Take 30% off your order. This dress is only $12- for real {great for the beach}!  I cant resist a buffalo check tunic. 

Everyone loved Miss Frances Ann's swimsuit over on insta....it is pretty darn cute!

Weeks was just as cute in his matching rashguard!

Currently Loving I

While I am still getting back in the swing of things I thought I would do a weekly round up of favorites: no particular category- fashion or home, or perhaps even recipe links, beauty favorites, etc. A good and simple, yet efficient way to stay in touch on these busy summer days. Be sure to look for it each week, I'm aiming to have it on Tuesdays or Wednesdays!

pocket t {major sale! I have 2 colors and you cannot beat this price!!} // summer shorts {great everyday jean shorts I am lovin'} // sandals {love these pretty sandals with a tassel} // polish {my go-to pink this summer} // ibiza tote {so pretty} // pillow {on my wish list} //  woven straw tote {perfect for  the beachy holiday this coming weekend!}

Also, to see my All American outfit inspiration for the fam, see here.
Don't forget to send me any post requests! xo.

Newborn Favorites: Sleeping and Eating

I wanted to round up some favorites from my experiences with 2 newborns, totally different from one another. Let me first start off by filling you on how I fed/am feeding my children {America is fascinated by that right?!?} With my first, Weeks, I started exclusively pumping after about 2 weeks of unsuccessful and frustrating breastfeeding, and him losing weight or not gaining weight. In no way was I going to let my goal of breastfeeding get in the way of him gaining weight, so I started pumping. I exclusively pumped for several months and generated a decent freezer supply to keep him breastfed a while after I stopped pumping. I threw in the towel on EP after we introduced formula, because 1) he liked it 2) it kept him full with his big appetite that was hard to keep up with {round the clock feeding every 2 hours!} Exclusively pumping is a huge undertaking. Can't even put it into words. It was incredibly hard to do this and feel like I could care for a newborn at the same time. This experience was pretty hard at the time...I was discouraged and felt like a failure for not making the breastfeeding work. However, I stand by that breastfeeding was not in our deck of cards and no matter how long it took we weren't going to get it. I am especially sensitive to any mothers that choose formula and bottles for whatever reason it may be. I know the struggles and I completely feel for any woman battling the breastfeeding issue- emotionally and physically. 

Frances Ann is so far doing a wonderful job with breastfeeding, much to my surprise. As soon as I arrived into our room from recovery, girl was ready to eat. Our nurse even commented that it was the best "first feed" she had ever witnessed from a newborn. I only mention this because I want other Moms that may have had a tough experience the first time to be encouraged for the second child. Enough about my experiences though, {I usually don't share things like this!} but I wanted to fill you all in on how I have this "wealth" of knowledge for the range of products below! {totally joking on the wealth of knowledge part too}...

Having a positioning pillow is key, especially with breastfeeding. I am using the boppy pillow this time around- learn from my mistake and don't use a knockoff like I did the first time! I always heard the best things about tommee tippee bottles and Weeks did great with them.  I was religious about using this  bottle sterilizer for pump parts and bottles to keep everything clean. Right now, I am using this hand pump after some feedings just to keep my supply up and to have some milk in storage for occasional bottles. This is my double pump  that works really, really well. I would prefer it to the hospital grade pump we borrowed with Weeks, just for convenience and size.

 Both babies knew how to escape the swaddle from the get-go and blanket anxiety immediately ensued for me. Luckily, both babies love their sleep sacks and I do too! This one is recommended by our doctor as well. The rock and play was a game changer for Weeks....nights became exponentially easier after we started using it! Frances Ann goes in it occasionally for naps- she is still a little small to be really comfy in it at night I think. She is currently very content in her bassinet for night time. This time around, I went with a smaller, portable swing and love it! It is so nice that it takes up minimal space as far as baby equipment is concerned. It folds up for easy travel too. We are using it for naps and for a place for Frances Ann to be when I am in the kitchen, doing laundry, etc. I use these swaddle blankets for draping for nursing and for light layers when we are out and about. I don't actually swaddle with them.  Both babies started out with these pacifiers, although we might switch Frances Ann soon.

Whichever way you are feeding your baby, or plan to- I bet you are doing a good job at it! Hope these tips can help you in some way or another if you are the market for it. If I could change one thing it would be to give myself a little more grace however we handle the feeding, sleeping and parenting thing ;)

All American Family

One of my favorite holidays is quickly approaching! Seriously, I am in awe that the 4th is right around the corner. The month of June has totally escaped me {with good reason}! I loved pulling together some All American inspiration to get everyone's wheels turning for the upcoming celebration of America. We all definitely deserve some fun summertime treats, right?

classic polo // shorts // necklace

tie front shirt {I need this! love the tie front} // eyelet skirt // wedge

rug // doormat // radio  {this is perfect for the beach} // float {it is the summer of the float, right? Everyone needs one} // beach bag // wine $ {for your wine money...love it}

shorts {we love these boys shorts too!} // check shirt {ordered this!} // rash guard {I love rash guards for kids} // flutter shortie {ordered this as well, I can't wait for Weeks and Frances Ann to match!} // denim mary jane // 2 piece set {do they make this in big girl sizes? prob not as cute ;) }

Welcome Frances Ann

Our sweet baby girl is here!

We welcomed Frances Ann into our lives May 25, at 8:26 am, weighing in at 6 pounds and 9 ounces. So far she has been a total sweetheart....we are loving her cute personality, her alertness, the way Weeks will grab her hand, soft snuggles, adorable noises, those sleeping smiles and the way she has expanded our family and love many times over!

Frances Ann is a combination of her two great grandmother's...Frances was Stephen's beloved Grandma who passed away in 2013...full of love, wit and wisdom; down to earth, and a fantastic country cook. Ann is my grandmother...a graceful and dynamic lady, and a talented artist. We are planning on going with the whole double name thing...I love that southern way! 

I was not planning on hospital photos, but our nanny actually doubles as a photographer on the side, her website is here. I mainly wanted to capture Weeks and his new baby sister. Our "newborn" photos are actually tomorrow!

Frances Ann's hat // my robe and short set // bracelet

Thanks for tuning back in after my baby break! As I am transitioning into this new phase of having toddler and a newborn, life is sure to be busy. Right now I am just mastering the art of getting a baby and a toddler fed and happy, bedtimes, clean laundry and squeezing in quick showers and 2 minute makeup routines. Having my little break was nice- and I certainly did not want to miss any sweet moments right in front of me. But, I do love this little space and have missed it for the last few weeks. Any post suggestions are happily welcomed, please send me any requests you might have :)