What I've Been Reading: December 2012

Question of the month: What make-up do you carry around in your handbag?

In my handbag you will find MAC Pressed Blot Powder, a NYX black pencil eye liner and a ton of lip products! I just cleaned out my bag and purged some products. It wasn't easy, but it needed to be done so this list won't be as long and sickening as it could have been.

This is my go-to lipstick and lip liner at the moment, along with NYX Pumpkin Pie (not pictured). 
NYX Thalia Lipstick - a pretty medium/dark rose hue
NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Natural - a great liner for just about any nude/neutral shade of lipstick

From top to Bottom:
Lorac Couture Shine in Vintage
*fun fact: I wore NYX Pumpkin Pie & Lorac Vintage Gloss on my wedding day*

Nars in Turkish Delight
-I originally purchased this to use with Nars Belle De Jour lipstick which I really liked together but for $25 a pop, there are better options out there and more importantly, there are options that aren't as sticky as Turkish Delight.

Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Lip Gloss
- This gloss is great with any lipstick for added shine and it's also pretty when worn alone too

Danielle & Co. Organic Lip Balm in Pure Lime
-I'm so in love with this stuff and no, it's not because it is my name, although that is what attracted me to it in the first place. It doesn't leave a waxy feeling on your lips like some chapsticks and balms will, it hydrates your lips, and it smells amazing too!

• Alison*Elle - Alison shares a tutorial on how to make a super cute cupcake mani.
• Ella Pretty - Ella's posted her holiday party outfits, red skinnies & bubble necklaces. 
• Lilly's Style - Lilly's rocking a red blazer.
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay tried a retro style dress & a new hemline...
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen announced and shared her pregnancy story.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle is expecting her little girl any day... or week now. Check out her 33 week BUMPdate.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette says' "December is THE month for red, right?"
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen OOTD : 19 weeks pregnant

My Baby Shower

Yes, I know... I'm seriously slacking with my posts. My shower was almost a month ago and I'm just finally posting about it now! I hope you can cut me a break though, I mean afterall with the holidays, the nesting, the lousy sleep I've been getting, and the everyday things that come up in life, I just haven't had time until now.

My mom hosted my baby shower at the most adorable cottage in the small town that I grew up in and it was beautiful beyond words. The photos that you are about to see don't do any justice to how pretty everything looked. Everything was pink, cozy, cute, and shabby chic (which is right up my alley). 

The cake

Seating and Cookie Bar in background

Seating

More Seating
There were over 30 people packed into this tiny little cottage, believe it or not. 

Gift Table

Dessert Table & Cookie Bar

Centerpiece and Cookie Container Favor
Instead of a candy bar we had a cookie bar and that served as the favors.
I'm not sure if you can read it but the favor box reads: "A giggle, a curl, a sweet little girl Baby B is on her way! Thank you for sharing in this special day. December 8, 2012"

Game Prizes- Baby Power Scented Candles & Russell Stover Chocolate Bars
We played Baby Bingo.
How cute are the chocolate bars?!

Gifts & Mini Diaper Cake
In case you haven't noticed, the theme of the shower was baby owls- my newest obsession.

Opening gifts with my two BFFs sisters helping

My Mom & I

BFFs Sisters
No, we didn't coordinate our outfits to match or plan ahead. It just happened that way.

It was such an amazing weekend that was packed full of fun, friends, and family. My friend was in town from Arizona and I was so happy she was able to make to my shower. She is actually 4 weeks behind me in her pregnancy and her shower was the following day so it was a shower weekend for us and our friends! 

I remember thinking to myself around the time of our wedding that all of the events leading up to the big day, the big day included left me feeling so fortunate and so loved, loved on a whole other level and my baby shower left me with a very similar feeling. Our little girl is about to enter into a family filled with tons of excitement and happiness and an endless amount of love.

BUMPdate: 36 Weeks

(I'm 36 weeks, 5 days today)

Size of the baby?

The size of a watermelon (19-22 inches, and about 6.5lbs.)

Since she's measuring a little bit on the smaller side, she probably weighs a little less than that though.

Total Weight Gain/Loss?

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday and I have gained a total of 26 lbs. so far.

Maternity Clothes?

Still a mix of maternity and normal clothes. Lots of leggings. 

Stretch marks?

None except for the tiny one where my belly button piercing once was.

Best Moments?

Hearing that she is happy and healthy in there. She has a good, strong heartbeat, she's very active, she's measuring on schedule, and she is in position to make her debut. I also found out at this last appointment that she is beginning to "drop," so we are just one step closer to her arrival!

Movement?

Lots and lots of movement. I've been waking up and falling asleep her to moving around. I love feeling her move but her movements are getting quite forceful the bigger she gets!

Food Cravings?

I'm totally turned off by salad right now and I'm having an occasional glass of caffeine free diet soda here and there -which is totally unlike me btw- I normally despise soda!

Anything making you queasy or sick?

No.

What I miss?

There are lots of things that I could come up with that I miss but what I will miss pretty soon is feeling her move around inside of me. I just want her here already!

Nausea/Vomiting?

None.

Symptoms?

Tired, some hip pain here and there. Pressure in my pelvic region and it's not just the pressure from having to empty my bladder anymore, it's the pressure of her dropping. 

Labor signs?

I think I had a few Braxton Hicks contractions the other day.  

Gender?

Girl

Belly Button In or Out?

Flattened.

Wedding rings On or Off?

They're on! No swelling so far.

Sleep?

Still waking up to go to the bathroom and now to get a drink of water too. It's such a chore to change positions.

What I'm looking forward to?

My 38 week appointment when I will find out if I'm starting to dilate and meeting our baby girl! 

*The photo above is a tiny sneak peek of the nursery. I'll be doing a nursery tour soon.*

NYE Outfit & NYD Shopping Finds

As I mentioned in a previous post, we stayed in this NYE and had a relaxing night. I still wanted to dress up a bit and feel a bit special for the holiday but my wardrobe is pretty limited so my outfit is pretty boring but it did have a hint of sparkle and that's what matters, right? We had dinner at my in-law's house, which was delicious and then we headed home to relax. My husband had to be up super early for work that day so he fell asleep around 11 but I turned on the tv at 5 minutes before the ball dropped and we watched it together.

Tunic/Dress- Burlington
Leggings- Strawberry's
Flower Flats- Dr. Scholl's
Bracelets- Body Central (I think)

Holy BUMP!

My husband calls this my Michael Jackson top because of the jeweled shoulders and shoulder pads. 

I ventured out on New Year's Day for a little shopping. I needed to pick up a few last minute things from the registry, like the bath tub, humidifier, and a few other odds and ends. I hit some Christmas sales too which was exciting!

Look what I found in Macy's! I have to get her one but I can't decide which color I like better because I  love them both. Have I mentioned that I'm extremely indecisive now that I'm pregnant?

Now on to the after Christmas sales...

I picked this little tree up at Michael's. It was originally $15 and I got it for $3!

This pre-lit mini tree is from Michael's as well. It was $25, I picked it up for $7.50!
The ornaments are all from WalMart. They were 50 cents each!

I've always adored these fun, colorful ornaments but I never let myself buy them because they don't match any of my other Christmas decor but I went for it this year because I thought it would make the perfect tree for our little girl's room next year. That's right, she's not even here yet and she has her own holiday decorations!

Then I went to Target and found these super comfy flannel boxers that were originally $10 but I paid just $3 each. I love the patterns and colors and they're so soft too.

Do you shop the after Christmas sales for new decorations too?

Mellow Yellow OOTD

Cardi- Wet Seal (old)
Tank Top- Old Navy
Jeans- Motherhood
Flats- Dr. Scholl's

 

I have to tell you, I'm trying so hard these days to come up with new outfits to wear but I'm really running out of clothes to work with. I was shocked that this tank top that I bought at the beginning of my pregnancy still fits! Actually, I'm amazed at some of the non-maternity things that I can still squeeze into because lately, I'm feeling quite round. So, my advice to those you who are preggo? Don't doubt your closet so much- try things on- you will be amazed at what still fits and looks good.