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New Mom-Approved Swimsuits

It’s hard to believe that Texans are currently celebrating spring break, as we’ve had terrible weather weeks three in a row, and this holiday is normally one filled with sunshine and a whole lot of pool time! Those who know me well are aware that I am not a huge fan of wearing a bikini outside of our own backyard, as I’ve always thought it felt like you were wearing a bra and underwear in front of people whom you wouldn’t normally. I do, however, enjoy a stylish one-piece, which Sasha may or may not make fun of me for. Wearing a one-piece does not have to be ultra conservative, as there are a number of fun shapes, colors, necklines that can add a little sass to your swimwear.

Even if you’re doing your stroller fitness (wink, wink), your stomach may not look as toned as it did prior to having a baby, so a well-cut one-piece or high waisted bottoms can be perfect to hide any of those last pounds your body is still hanging onto. Perhaps you’ve lost all of the baby weight but feel you’d rather not put on your itty-bitty bikini now that you’ve got a new title of ‘mom’ (I think I’ve been years ahead of myself in this category!), well that’s fine, as there are a number of gorgeous one-pieces you can choose from.  I’ve rounded up 18 of my favorite and am sharing them with you today! If you’re reading this on a mobile device, go to the home page and click ‘Shop This Post’ for links to each piece.  

Isla’s First Christmas With Carter’s: Opening Presents

As I mentioned yesterday, the Santa stockings are opened at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning – who has the control to wait any longer? After ripping through our stockings, we were made as children to go upstairs and get dressed up for the big present opening. As a child, this killed me. It used to be so difficult to see the gifts under the tree but know I had to put on a dress before finding out what was inside. Now I love this tradition of getting dolled up! It makes Christmas all the more exciting to have the entire family look fancy.

We’ve always opened the gifts by the big tree in my parent’s living room, and will do the same in our house. Our living room connects with our dining room and the entrance (it’s very open plan), so I had to decorate everything in a similar rustic Christmas theme. Getting to decorate the house is one of my favorite activities and traditions of the year (and involves lots of trips to Hobby Lobby, Crate & Barrel, West Elm and Target).

After we finish opening all of the gifts (distributed to everyone by my dad, who sits right beside the tree), we settle down at the dining room table and enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch. Since my family is from Scotland, this meal has always been a much bigger deal than Thanksgiving (an American tradition we adopted after a few years in Texas). We’ll have to factor in Isla’s feeding and nap times in the equation, but I know we’ll make it work and am so excited to have her be a part of this tradition.

The Holiday Collection at Carter’s has a number of sweet fancy dresses for little girls (and equally cute formal outfits for boys) that are perfect for our present opening celebration. When I saw this sweet Shimmer Satin Dress in Pink, I knew I had found Isla’s first Christmas day outfit.  It is not overtly Christmasy, which I like, as she can wear it again and again. However, it is very cupcake-esque, and I think it’s just perfect this big occasion. Isla absolutely loved the tulle layer, and by loved, I mean wanted to eat. As for a baby boy’s Christmas attire, I’d have him in the Button Front Shirt and Corduroy Pull-On Pants. Seriously so precious!

What are your Christmas tree present traditions? Do you open them right when you get up? Are they wrapped or unwrapped? I love hearing other family’s traditions!

In case you missed it, you can read Monday’s post our annual family photo tradition, Tuesday’s post about the Christmas Eve candlelit church service, and yesterday’s post about opening stockings on Christmas morning. Make sure you enter to win the $100 Carter’s gift card and free outfit of your choice from the Isla’s First Christmas with Carter’s series!

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Labor Day Sales

Labor Day weekend comes with bittersweet sentiment, as it marks our second to last weekend in Durango. My parents are here visiting, which is nice, as there are four extra (and very willing!) hands to help. I really do love this holiday, as it marks the transition into fall (perhaps not in Texas!). I love the shifting of seasons – especially this one.
There are some amazing Labor Day sales taking place right now, and I’ve taken advantage of a lot of them, as I’m mentally packing for our trip to Mexico City in two weeks time. Below you’ll find some of the best promotions – my favorites being Anthropologie’s 20% off sale items, J.Crew’s 4o% off final sale items, and LOFT’s 50% off select full price items and all sale styles.

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It’s a holiday – get to shopping!


Anthropologie: Extra 20% off sale items! Over 600 styles added.
Baublebar: Labor Day Sale! Jewelry Styles Starting at 50% Off!
Birchbox: 50 extra Birchbox Points with $35+ purchase form our shop // Code: WEEKEND50
C.Wonder: Get Prepped For Fall with 30% Off Full Price Items
J.Crew: 40% off Final Sale with Free shipping on orders over $100.
French Connection: All SALE dresses are now at $69.99. All orders $150+ receive free US ground shipping. // Code W14SHIP.
Furbish Studio: 15% off everything // runs through Friday Aug. 29 – Monday Sept. 1. // Code: ENDOFSUMMER
Kendra Scott: 15% off sitewide // Code: 2014LDW
LOFT: 50% off Select Full Price Styles and 50% off Sale Styles.
Lord & Taylor: Extra 20% off + 10% off with L&T Credit Card. // Code: LABORDAY.
Lulu and Georgia: 25% off! // Code: laborday25
Old Navy: 40% off entire store!
Sephora: Summer Sendoff Sale! Get up to 75% off hot summer favorites.
Stella & Dot: Extra 25% off all sale items.
Tibi: 20% off a curated edit of fall styles. // Code: hellofall.
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Isla’s Newborn Photos by Taylor Lord

When the doorbell rang yesterday, and Sasha came into the living room with a package, I freaked out. Isla’s newborn photos had arrived from Taylor Lord. We opened them, read Taylor’s sweet letter and immediately started looking at each photo, one by one. I love them so much. Taylor captured our happiness and Isla’s sweetness perfectly. I am absolutely terrible at editing down photos, so pardon the large number of pictures in this post, but I had to share my favorites. I love this little girl so much, and I am so happy that the Lord blessed Taylor with such an incredible talent. View Taylor’s website here and her blog here. View details about Isla’s nursery here.

PS We took these over a month ago – Isla is so much bigger by now! It’s crazy how fast they grow.

Oh, and the Trumpette giveaway ends tonight at midnight! Enter here to win a free set of adorable socks!

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New Series: Isla Loves

I am excited to introduce a new series to Snapshots and My Thoughts called ‘Isla Loves.’ One of Sasha’s best friends asked if we were going to name her Isla Lucy, which made me chuckle (get it?).

For this series, I’m partnering up with some of my favorite brands to share my thoughts on their products. I’ll even be sneaking in a few items I love (obviously, as Isla doesn’t have that much say yet!), including two items from Wink Shapewear. Not only will there be product reviews, but we’ll also have giveaways and discounts – I can’t wait to get started!

The first post will be next week, after we get settled in Colorado (our mini-sabbatical). Stay tuned for these reviews. I’ll be excited to hear what others think about these products too and to get recommendations on new items to try. Isla_Products

Sleeping in her Fisher-Price Rock & Play in her J. Crew Onesie | With her Cloud B Sleep Sheep, Carter’s Onesie (Similar) and Trumpette Socks

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Another day, more Trumpette Socks with a Gap onesie (similar) | Slowing moving into 0-3 month clothes in a Tigger-esque Gap footed onesie