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Fashion July 4, 2014

July Fourth Sales

Happy July Fourth everyone! It’s Isla’s one month birthday – one of my best friends gave birth to her baby girl, Lillian, on Monday, and Sasha’s cousin gave birth on Wednesday to sweet little Ana. It was my little sister’s birthday yesterday and our good friend’s birthday tomorrow – what was happening nine months ago?

I love this holiday! This year, we’ll be poolside with Isla and Belle – time to dip the little one in the water (besides a bath!). I’ll also be online shopping, given the amazing deals that are available for Independence Day! Check out my favorite sales below.

Shop Alice + Olivia for up to 60% off

Shop Banana Republic for 40% off in-stores and online with code BRJULY

Shop Lulu and Georgia for 25% off with code USA25

Shop Piperlime for up to 50% select styles

Shop DVF for an extra 40% off sale items with code JULY40

Shop Gap for an up to 60% off in-store and online

Shop J.Crew for 40% off final sale with code SHOPMORE

Shop Furbish Studio for 15% off everything with code HAPPY4

Shop Rebecca Taylor for extra 40% off sale with code RT14JULY40

Decor July 2, 2014

Dinner, Drinks and Jazz – Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

The geniuses at Papellerie are at it again – designing by far the coolest rehearsal dinner invitation I’ve ever seen (does anything else even compare?). When I saw these gorgeous New Orleans themed invitations on their website, I died. They are perfect. I love the box, the whiskey, the recipe, and the invitation. How impressive is this? There must have been a lot of very happy recipients!

See our wedding stationery + branding by Papellerie here

Baby July 1, 2014

Carter’s Footed Onesies

Isla has mixed feelings about bath time. We bathe her around 5:45pm, then feed her from 6-6:45 every night. She’s typically pretty fussy leading up to the bath, but when that diaper comes off, it’s wail time. Once she’s physically in the warm water, she’s happy as can be, but when she leaves the heat and is back in the air conditioned bathroom, she loses her marbles. I’ve learned that the fastest way to soothe her is to put her immediately in a warm, footed onesie – something we didn’t have many of when she was born. Her entire newborn-sized wardrobe went from about 4 onesies to nearly 14 outfits, and is expanding this week by a number of Carter’s “pjs,” as we’ll need them when we head to Durango in a few weeks (still cool at night!). She is growing quickly, and I imagine she won’t be in the newborn clothing for many more weeks, so I ordered some 0-3 month sizes too. I love Carter’s clothing – almost as much as Baby Gap! Her new outfits are below – my favorite is the floral footed onesie on the bottom left. Which do you like the most?

Top Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Middle Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Bottom Row: 1 // 2 // 3

USA June 30, 2014

Our Durango Adventure

I learned two of my favorite quotes from my American Literature course at The University of Texas at Austin. Both relate to nature (such a treehugger!). I posted the Thoreau quote here. The other one is a quote of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s: “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.” I love the thought of creating your own path in life – taking unexpected turns and making ad hoc decisions. Cue the decision for Sasha and I to move to Durango, Colorado for 8 weeks. We tossed around the idea one day while walking our dog (pre-Isla) and sort of said, “why not?” Sasha put in his two weeks at work this week, and I’m taking maternity leave until mid-September – our adventure will start in two weeks, after Sasha finishes his capstone assignment in Austin. I am so excited. Our days will involve hikes, bikes, walks, playing horse shoe, reading on the patio, walking along Main Street, and letting Isla become “one with nature” (ha). I’ve never been so ready for an adventure in my life! I’m ready to leave our trail.

You can read my Durango travel guide here

Pictures from my sister’s wedding weekend in Durango here

Personal June 23, 2014

2014 Summer Reading List Part 1

I used to read a lot, but then I graduated college and started working and quickly, reading became a past time suited only for vacations. I read six books during our honeymoon to Bali – my favorites being Da Vince Code and Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Both books were total page turners. Now that Isla has arrived, I do not have a lot of free time; however, I have been reading books on my iPhone while breastfeeding, as page flipping is much easier than texting (unless you one-finger type!). So far, I’ve read four books – The One and Only by Emily Giffin, The Fault in our Stars by John Green, #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso, and Love Does by Bob Goff.

The One and Only by Emily Giffin is an interesting read – especially for a Texas girl, given that the story is based in Texas and mentions The University of Texas at Austin (my alma mater) throughout the entire novel. The story is based on a sports editor, Shea, whose life is changed drastically when her best friend’s mother dies from cancer, her job changes, and she begins dating the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. There is an interesting (yet predictable as the story unfolds) plot twist which really freaked me out – I won’t ruin the plot line, but it’s perhaps the only Emily Giffin book that I wouldn’t recommend reading. I absolutely love her other novels – Baby Proof, Where We Belong, Heart of the Matter, Love the One You’re With, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue.

Cue me sobbing. A lot. The Fault in our Stars by John Green is probably not a good book to read immediately after having your first child. This story is about two teens battling cancer – a beautiful love story – but Sasha walked into the nursery on multiple occasions as I was feeding and found me crying uncontrollably. I kept telling him that Isla cannot get cancer, to which he completely agreed. Besides my hormonal self, the book is beautiful. What a moving read. I am not sure I’m ready to see the movie any time soon, but I would definitely recommend this book and will be buying the hardback book to read again in the future.

I decided to read #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso after Christie (of KiKiMac) recommended it. I flew through it and immediately decided that I need to create my own business. #GIRLBOSS is extremely inspirational – especially for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. The book outlines how Sophia grew Nasty Gal from a small eBay business to a multi-multi million dollar online retailer. #GIRLBOSS should be read by anyone who needs motivation to start doing what you love.

Loves Does by Bob Goff has definitely been my favorite read so far. This amazingly strong Christian lawyer tells a variety of stories about his life – all of which are unbelievable and had me both laughing out loud and sobbing. Love Does is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read, and Bob does a wonderful job tying his unique tales into God’s love for us. “Simply put, love does.” This novel is a must read.

I’m now reading The Vacationers by Emma Straub – I’m enjoying it so far. Other books I have lined up after include Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynch. Do you have any good book suggestions?

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