Dressed up

The flirty flare of this dress is perfect for a date night.

Date night? What's that? Ha.

It's easy to style too...which is always a win for me.

I kind of stress over accessories- which actually work for what, etc.

The neckline on this dress means you can skip the necklace and just pop on some statement earrings.

I also threw on some simple bangles and grabbed a clutch.

A clutch? What's that? Haaa.

Can you tell it's been quite a while since I've been out with my husband? :-D

dress | earrings | bangles | clutch | sandal pumps

Dressed down

Grocery store, park, play date or weekend outfit - this dress works for all.

It has an amazing way of hiding that pooch too...

which I very much still have.

(I just started T25, but that's another story for another day. My body hurts ::hehh::)

The dress flares out riiiiight at the perfect spot. 

Grab a hat, huuuuge bag (to tote all that your toddler insists on stuffing in it) and you're good to go. 

dress | denim jacket | hat | handbag | sandals

Dressed for all around

So I threw this little ensemble on at the last minute and...my gosh.
I love it.
Mixing the feminine with the comfy and you've got a winning combo.
Am I right, mamas?
I'm ready to run around and get things done with babe on hip and toddler in tow.
BAM.

dress | shoes | canvas tote

Now, I wouldn't expect this dress to last for more than one or two seasons.
It's $15 and from Old Navy.
However, it's trendy and if you're looking to spend little...
this is the dress for you.

Trendy NURSING TOPS that aren't Nursing Tops

...because let's be honest...

most nursing tops scream, "I feed my baby with my boobs".

An awesome thing, of course, but they're not usually that awesome looking.

Nursing mamas, you know how it is.

Your upper half does all kinds of weird things...especially right after giving birth.

They are huge, rock hard...and then they're saggy and shapeless. ::blerg::

Your shirts don't fit right and you really just feel like a cow with udders. ::moo::
So hot.

Am I right or am I right?

In my own hunt for more attractive tops that aren't specifically nursing tops (but totally work as nursing tops), I came across some goodens...and thought I'd share them with you.

floral blouse // pastel pullover sweater // brawlers t shirt // crochet lace top // arabella crochet blouse

More Forever 21...

What you don't want is a top you have to wrestle with in order to get baby fed.
Easy access is key.
The tops I found provide just that - whether it be with a handy zipper in the front, buttons, a relaxed fit that can be easily pulled up and over le babe or a crop style that can be layered over a nursing tank.
It's totally possible to nurse and wear non-nursing tops...just look for styles that can get the job done.

Nursing is cool, so why not make it look terribly cool while you're at it? I mean, fo realz.

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 ;). 

The importance of a great pair of maternity jeans.

THE LOOK:

Red Lapel Long Sleeve Plaid Pockets Blouse | c/o SheInside

MAMA nursing tank top | H&M

blazer | Forever21, similar 

MAMA slim jeans | H&M

knit hat/beanie | H&M, similar
Troopa boot | Steve Madden 

I had underestimated the importance of having a quality pair of maternity jeans that fit well...until this pregnancy. I had been doing my best with the couple of so-so pairs I had worn throughout my pregnancy with Mads, but they made me want to cry this time around. They felt tight and would slide down. every. 5. seconds. Let's just say, they made me feel like a beached whale. It really doesn't matter what size you are. If you have ill-fitting jeans on, you will feel uncomfortable and less than your best. Am I right?

Soooo...I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore. I loaded Moo into the minivan and we made the 30 min trip to the only H&M around. They carry their MAMA maternity line in-store, so I was all over it. I found the above pair of awesome sauce jeans. Amazing. I'm in love. I may even have teared up a bit with sheer pregnant happiness when I tried them on. They fit so well and felt sooo good. I also grabbed up the two-pack of nursing tank tops (b+w), because not only do they work now for bump layering...they will be very handy once the baby boy arrives and I return to my nursing post. Yay for stylin' maternity finds! I was saved. 

My advice: if you're newly pregnant, reeeally pregnant...any kind of pregnant...purchase a pair of quality maternity jeans that fit well. You'll be happy you did when things get really bumpy, if you know what I mean. That is all. 

Give me comfy or give me death, says the pregnant lady.

THE LOOK: 

Green Onyx Square Cut Ring || c/o Belleza Mia on Etsy

Green Notch Lapel Coat || c/o SheInside 

3/4 Sleeve Aubergine Maternity Wrap Dress || c/o Ingrid & Isabel

Chamber 14" Boot (as seen in Redbook!) || c/o Hush Puppies 

Knee high socks || Target 

Horseshoe bracelet | c/o Project DIY box

I love a nice combo like this...especially when the entire outfit is comfy and maternity-friendly. I just can't handle anything that is even slightly constricting or uncomfortable right now. Nope. Can't do it. The belly is growing and growing (and growing)...& I can feel it. Like whoah. This easy, no fuss Fall maternity outfit makes me feel perfectly wonderful though. Oh...and the beautiful lovely of a ring on my finger? It some how makes my man hands look feminine (which is just crazy), so it's a definite new favorite accessory. 

Okay, I am off to conquer 5 bajillion things. My best friend/roomie from college is getting married later this week! Eeek! Long weekend alone with my husband! Eeeeeeeek! So many explanation points!!! 

Happy Monday, friends. 

Fall layering | my how-to with a baby bump.

MAMA's LOOK: 

army green notch lapel coat | c/o sheInside

white v-neck tee | Marshalls, similar 

denim button-up | Marshalls, similar

black maternity denim | Motherhood Maternity, similar

red flats | Juicy Couture via E-bay, similar

-Moo's LOOK-

H&M peasant dress | consignment

tights | target

riding boots | Carters.com

Layers, layers, layers...layers everyyywhere. Goodness. *sigh* Yet another reason I love this time of year. It's not cold enough yet to wear a full-on coat, but there's a slight chill in the air that has you pulling out your light sweaters and jackets. Now, I knew that I couldn't let the bump stop me from layering. Oh no, babaaay. I've simply been wearing button-ups over tees...unbuttoned. I then add a light jacket on top of that (&/or scarf, hat, cardi) and I am layered up. boom. Additionally, those lovely pregnancy hormones keep me all toasty...sooo...having an open shirt in the front keeps me cooled down. It all works out very well. :)

What's your favorite Fall layering technique??

Happy Monday, friends.

the cardi-again.

1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8

That cardigan. It's one of those clothing items that just won't ever go away...and that's a good thing! It remains a timeless and classic piece, yet one that is given trendy little spins every new season. It's a staple for any lady.

SheInside is my new found love, if you haven't already noticed (here, here & here). I'm constantly wearing the items I have from them (even though they are non-maternity and I am def-o sporting a growing bump right now...they still work for me!). I was going to share a round-up of cardis from all over, but...I found too many on sheInside.com...so I stopped there. :)

How do you like wearing a cardigan? 

Fried Pickles.

THE LOOK: 

denim jacket | c/o sheInside, similar

tiger print top | c/o sheInside

black maternity denim | Motherhood Maternity, similar 

black ballet flats | JCP, similar

TH satchel | Macy's (on sale), similar 

- love one with a cross-body strap...makes toting a satchel around actually possible for us mamas - 

We headed to Freedom Park's Festival in the Park for the first time ever this past weekend. It turns out that it is quite the festival. We made the mistake of not bringing any cash. None. Everything was CASH ONLY. Of course, Moo saw the fun kiddie rides...and...yehhh. It was like bringing a kid to a candy store and being like, "just kidding! you can't have any, but doesn't it look yummy?!". Ha. Oh well. Parental whoops.

We lasted maybe 40 minutes wandering around the throngs of people...and then this pregnant mama requested fried pickles and burgers at Bad Daddy's down the road. Best part of the festival. Oh, and the root beer! YUM. I am definitely going to make my OB happy with my pregnancy weight gain. No problem there, doc.

Bumpin' into Fall.

THE LOOK: 

deer distressed sweater | c/o sheInside

white long-sleeve tee (so comfy)  | c/o Ingrid & Isabel

army green cargo skinnies | A Pea in the Pod, similar

booties | Old Navy, similar

arm candy | Target

We spent all of Sunday at my mother and father in-law's, out in the country. They basically have a farm...and we love it. Moo is in heaven there with all of the animals- baby ducks, chickens, & horses. She busies herself with chasing the chickens, splashing in the ducks' water and things like that...poor animals. They'll be so excited to meet our baby boy! Hehhhhh.

Hey, so...Fall is coming to the Carolinas. It's true. Believe it. Slowly, yet surely. Slowly being the keyword here. We've seen a couple cooler days...meaning it has been low 80's instead of the usual 90+. It was enough of an excuse for me to run out and grab a salted caramel latte, throw open the windows and break out the booties and light sweaters. I mean, a girl can only wait so long! sheesh. 

I didn't get the chance to dress in Fall outfits during my pregnancy with Moo, because the bump didn't make a real appearance until Christmastime. Of course, it made me overly excited about this first layered outfit- the lighter sweater, comfiest long-sleeve tee (ever) and booties...amazing. I didn't burn up completely and start stripping down in front of the fam, so that's a good thing. Those pregnancy hormones are so good at keeping you pretty toasty...at all times. I'll probably continue to stick with lighter layers to make sure that I keep my clothes on. ;)

ps. isn't my husband becoming an awesome photographer??

this dress.

THE LOOK:

Embroidery pleated chiffon dress | c/o sheInside

denim jacket | c/o sheInside - similar

braided sandals | Target 

arm candy | Target

I...love this dress. At first I was a tad worried that I would look over-dressed doing normal, real life mom things in it, but once I slipped it on I thought, "oh, heck. It's just so awesome". The denim jacket was perf for it as well- toned it down a bit...honestly, I realized it didn't need it anyways. I do appreciate that jacket though! Fall staple, yo. 

I wore it to my weekend job, Summerbird, this past Saturday (the coolest consignment boutique in the CLT area, btw)- if you follow me on IG you saw me wearing it in my typical boutique mirror selfie. Ha-ha. That mirror and I are becoming old friends. Anywaays, the dress got several compliments...which, of course, made me feel more and more awesome in it. ;) Score one for the bump team.  

I'm actually wondering how long I can get away with wearing it into the Fall without looking a bit too summery...? Considering that it stays borderline hot here until about mid Oct, I think I should be allowed to sport it for a couple more months. Plus- it's a great dress for the bump. Yeh, I'll be wearing it for a while longer. So there.