...and the husband wants to throw out the window. :-D

More Steve Madden...

 I have literally been living in these cargo pants recently.

I saw them hanging there at Tarjay, thought..."oh, husband will definitely hate these. Let's get 'em!" Ha ha. 

No, but really.

My body feels so wacked out since giving birth.

I don't fit into anyyyything I own.

Go ahead. Roll those eyes (I'm used to that reaction when I whine about this, because of my height yada yada).

It's true though...and it's frustrating. 

I'm at the point where sleep is better, days are more structured and I am managing to get out of the house more with the kiddies,

but the clothes....the getting dressed.

Ugh.

It's depressing when you go into your closet and can't fit into your favorite pair of jeans anymore.

I just want to fit into something again!!!

So.

I bought these baggy pants with a stretchy waistband and have been loving them. They are cute with a tee...and definitely work for the day-to-day mama routine.

However, I think I have come to the point where I need to get over it and buy some clothes (pants specifically) that are a few sizes up from my pre-baby size ::wahhh:: - some with shape, that show my curves and make that husband take a second look.
I need to do it and not be sad about it.

It happens. I had a baby. I have had two babies! My body has changed.

It's silly for me to sulk around and wait to fit back into my pre-baby clothes.
Maybe one day I will fit back into those fave jeans...or maybe I won't.

If I wear clothes that fit me I will feel better, regardless of how many sizes I went up.

Just doooo it, Cams. 

Have you struggled with getting dressed postpartum?

What did you find yourself wearing?...or did you have to give in and get bigger clothes too?

Being Type A & Letting things go

I am a Type A personality.
It's what both drives me and drives me crazy.
Having children throws off my type A groove...and I say that in the most loving way possible. lol.
I don't mean that I'm not happy and thankful to have children, because I am. Love them to death. It just means I have to really take steps to control my anxiety, impatience, high expectations and over-all need to go and do do doooooo.

I feel like I have to get. things. done. Everyday.
Not only that...I have to do them well. Almost perfectly.
It's ridiculous really, ya'll.
Having our first child did help me to slow down...a bit.
I could still pretty much do whatever I wanted or needed to do though. Once you get the hang of it it's relatively easy-ish to tote one babe around.
Now...two?
That's a totally different story.

I have days where I feel like I am trying to swim in quicksand...

and then there are the triumphant, "I CAN do this" days.

I've totally got it down pat and then another day comes and I totally don't have it. At all.

It's really a toss up. ;)

I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this (come on, Cams. Get to the point) is that with two I am really reeeeeally learning the importance of letting things go.
I can't get hung up on the fact that my sink is full of dirty dishes, my floors are filthy, I haven't gotten out of the house in a week and I look like a homeless person.
I have to let it go.
It's simply impossible to tackle it all in one day with two kids!
I have to lower my super high expectations...and it's hard for me.
Really. hard.

However, having to do so is making me a better mother. I can see it.
When I do calm down and let it go...I can breathe, notice more and soak up the small things that I would completely miss if I was running around like a maniac.
It's freeing and I'm much happier!
It's funny and almost doesn't make sense, but I think with each child...I have actually become a more patient person instead of the opposite.
I think that by being forced to get over things I have had to learn to control my anxiety, etc.

I will always be Type A. Ha. That will never change.
However, I hope to be a calmer, more patient version.
My babes deserve it, my husband needs it and most of all...
I will benefit from it.
Honestly, who really enjoys being a crazed maniac that's running around all of the time?
Not me.
I want to enjoy my kids, my husband, my days...life.

Who's with me on this? Are you Type A?

I have soooo many dirty dishes in my kitchen right now.
It's driving me crazyyyy. Haha!

:)

 outfit: sheInside jacket | Old Navy graphic tee | Target jeans | Target belt | DSW Crown Vintage loafer 

I'm giving up blogging.

Sort of. 

I'm giving up the way I have been blogging for a while now.

I've noticed that within the past few months this blog has become a source of anxiety and stress for me, rather than being the positive outlet it started out as. It used to make me feel so happy and inspired!

I don't know when it all changed.

It just did.

It may have been when I started trying to make it something bigger.

keywords: make it. yuck. bad. 

I have been pushing too hard, stressing myself out and as a result...my posts have been forced and inauthentic. So...what's the point really? That's the question I have been asking myself since our little guy was born a few weeks ago. It's funny how having a baby can change your whole perspective on certain things.
It's like I was served a big dish of clarity...and it was awesome.

So for the last four weeks I gave up blogging. 

I felt like a big weight was lifted.
I thought more clearly without blog thoughts flooding my brain 24/7.
Gosh. It felt good.

Now that I'm back I have some rules for myself.
I want to be careful not to get right back into my self-made rut.
(and I'm sharing them with you here because it makes them real. lol. ;)

Cam's Blogging Rules: 

1. I will only post when I want to...when I feel inspired to share. If that means I only post once a week or not at all for weeks on end, I will be okay with that. 

2. I will say 'no' more and not tie myself down with too many deadlines...especially with things that I am not that excited about in the first place. I mean, why bother?

3. I will let it flow more naturally. If that means all of my pictures are snapped with my iPhone while we're out getting diapers at Target...awesome. Trying to find fun, new places to shoot outfits at and having to bring along my clunky Canon makes things stressful for me. It really makes it all feel too staged and more of a big production than I'd like it to be. I just want to share a bit of myself, my family and my style in a more natural, real way on here. 

4. I will put my family first. I will be more present to them. If that means that I can't finish a post or take the time to put together an outfit...oh well! I have been realizing recently how often I dismiss Mads and my husband because I feel pressure to finish my blog work. I don't want to do that anymore!...especially now that I have another sweet babe that needs my love and attention.

& that's that.
Yay!

You maaaay have noticed that I simplified the look as well.
I've always been a b+w lover. It's classic, clean and simple.
Definitely more my style. It makes me happy :).

I'm excited about this change, friends.
Hope you'll keep visiting!

outfit: Sheinside fur vest // Old Navy long cardigan // Target destroyed denim // Steve Madden leopard print flats 

ps. Anthony's birth story is coming soon...as soon as I can get some time to type it up (without feeling any pressure or stress of any kind, of course ;). 

37 weeks. Um. What?

the outfit: 

burgundy crochet-trim maternity top, c/o PinkBlush | the strand necklace, c/o applepear | faux fur vest, Target | Burberry satchel knock-off, thrift find | maternity boyfriend jean, A Pea In the Pod (via e-bay) | Moorland ankle bootie, c/o Hush Puppies, similar 

The husband & I got to have a date day this past weekend (maybe our last before the baby boy arrives?!). So. What did we do? Starbucks, a Target run and then literally just vegged on the couch. It was glorious. It's funny what you consider to be a hot date once you have a kid(s). O m geeee...we get time to ourselves. What do you want to do?? Ummm. Let's sit on the couch without interruption! ha-ha. Pretty much.

It's weird to think that I won't be dressing this bump for much longer. We've hit that 37 week mark. What? Crazy. I really can't believe it. I actually found getting dressed this time around a bit more challenging...not sure why. Maybe because my two year old was keeping me busy and very tired at. all. times? That may be it. I know that I'll miss it though...sometimes. Keyword here. ;)

I'll be layered for Christmas.

the outfit: fur-collared white coat, Old Navy | plaid scarf, Old Navy | textured open front cardigan, Old Navy | skinny glitter belt, Target | MAMA maternity jeans, H&M | Chamber 14" boot, c/o Hush Puppies 

After yesterday's post I actually got all inspired to lock-down a Christmas day outfit. I think I've finally got it. We're headed to the in-law's house in the country, so this outfit will work great- nothing too fancy shmancy, has a festive quality to it...and it's comfortable (the most important thing). Now, the only trick is getting me out of my even more comfy flannel pajamas that day... ;). It may or may not happen. 

Bump gone wild.

the look: leather sleeve top - c/o Fourth Love Maternity, cargo maternity pants - A Pea in the Pod, leopard chunky heel pumps - Target, studded handbag - DIY, assortment of old chain jewelry 

Oh, bump. Look at you bumpin'. It's started to get wild around here. I now have to think of creative ways to sit, stand and sleep in order to be semi-comfortable. It's a real party! ;)

Anyways, the leather sleeve top totally inspired this entire rocker chic outfit. There is something about leather that makes me want to break out the metals, so I piled on the chain necklaces, a chain bracelet and grabbed my chain-strap handbag. Voila. Edgy mama-to-be. Now, where's the concert?? heh hehh.

I cannot get over the fact that the 37 week mark is this Friday. Stop. it. The boy could show up at any time. I am definitely hoping he stays in a while longer, because I love my sleep too much...but still. He will be here in the blink of an eye (after a really super quick and easy labor and delivery?! haha) It is completely blowing my mind. Aaaahhhhhhh!

ps. fourth love is an awesome maternity clothing shop. I wish I had found them sooner! They have edgy and trendy pieces...all very well-made. They are definitely on my list for next time.

A Cozy Maternity Wrap - styled 2 ways

This wrap came in super handy while we were up north with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday- was just a bit chillier there than it has been in NC. It's cozy, soft and long enough to drape around this (almost) 36 week bump and pregnant bod. It's the perfect thing to throw on, over most anything...and I love a versatile piece.

I thought I'd share how I styled in two ways- dressy and a bit more casual.

I was a fan of this outfit because it looked dressy, but definitely didn't feel that way. From the stretchy skinny pant to the low heel...I felt great and completely comfortable (which can be very hard to say at this point). It was all just a bit too boring by itself, so I added a pop of color with the necklace and that was that. A clutch would have been a nice add-on as well! I just didn't have one with me.

dressy outfit: cozy wrap, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | long sleeve scoop neck tee, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | ponte skinny pant, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | bold beaded strands, Baublebar | black pumps, H&M

Now, really...I'll find any excuse to wear these boots. They are my best shoe freeeends. In order to take the wrap from dressy to casual, I ditched the necklace and pumps and replaced them with the combat boot. I actually like how simply black and grey this look is. The boot did all of the work for me. It's so good at making most any outfit terribly cool (and that's my main goal in life, of course). I'm hoping they last for many more years to come, because the day they go to shoe heaven will be a sad sad day for me. ;)

casual outfit: cozy wrap, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | long sleeve scoop neck tee, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | ponte skinny pant, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | troopa boot, Steve Madden 

Anywho. I guess I should get going and finish decorating this house for Christmas. We did some yesterday, but I ran out of steam about halfway through...and immediately planted myself on the couch for the rest of the day. FYI: I have no energy whatsoever anymore. B day approacheth. I guess my body is making me rest before all the baby madness breaks loose. Woo!

Happy Monday, friends.

a day in the country

what I wore: Banana Republic navy blazer // Old Navy gingham button-up // 7 for all Mankind wide leg denim // Steve Madden braided flats

Nona and Pup Pup Pup had Moo all weekend! FREEDOM. Yes-aaaahhh. ;). 

The husband and I had fun laying around watching movies, I got my hair did (Karlie Kloss-esque?), we ate a lot, & Matt drank an entire fish bowl. If you don't know what that is- it's a lot of alcohol meant for 4 people. He drank it all. Champion.

We ended our lovely little weekend at Nona & Pup Pups for din din and a little romping around outdoors- with the chickens, horsies, etc. Oh, country. You are loverly. 

How was your weekend?

snow on my berfday.

My birthday weekend was awesome. Not only did I turn 25 (for the second time), a random snow storm decided to happen! I had been hoping for snow all winter, but we do live in NC....sooo...all seemed lost. Until...we were out for my b-day din din...& BAM...it started snowing.

 & 15 min. later...

what I wore: Old Navy white furry coat // Target striped cotton top // F21 necklace // J Brand Jeggings // Hush Puppies

Moorland Ankle Boot

Best birthday. Ever. 

:)

ps. don't miss the chance to enter for this lovely necklace giveaway. Right here. 

my little Valentine creeper

my Valentine's Day outfit: pink polka dot scarf- Cottage Chic // white tee w/ neon pink accents- Cottage Chic // Joe's Jeans- Cottage Chic // *trench- BR ($40 on sale sale!)- similar // booties- Old Navy // DIY sparkle heart canvas bag 

My darling Madeline manages to creep her way into most of my outfit shots. I think it's hysterical...and totally my reality as a mama. I have tried to keep her out of the pic on several occasions, but I soon gave up....b/c why should I really? This is my real life and I want to share that with you. No pretending here! lol. I hope you enjoy my little creeper, b/c I think she'll be sticking around for a long while ;).  B-t-dubs, if you'd like some further Valentine's outfit inspo...head on over to my post on Scoop Charlotte!  ps. have you seen my new and improved 'About me' page yet? It only took me a year. 

*the beautiful trench was an early b-day gift and the lovely person that gifted it knows how very much I appreciate it :). Thank YOU!

the biker jacket I have been looking for all my life

Yeh, found it. I'm in deep love. This biker jacket right here is versatile with a bit of femininity thrown in with the fur- it's a classic example of what a lady's biker jacket should look like. Am. I. Right...or am I right? The jacket, striped maxi and hi lo top all made for two sha-BLAM weekend outfits for me. They were my weekend lovaaahs. 

shop this look: Ronen Chen striped empire maxi dress - similar / Oasis biker jacket - similar / bow ballet flats 

 shop this outfit: Oasis biker jacket- similar  / Ronen Chen hi lo top - similar / J Brand denim - similar / black booties - similar

I was unsure about pairing a hi lo top with a jacket like this, but...it looks like you definitely can.  Sometimes you don't know if I style will work until you try it.
Moral of this post: find a feminine biker jacket, buy it and wear that thing out like it's your job! ...b/c you can pair it with so many things- a dress, blouse, denim, skirt etc. It's cray.

Happy Monday!