Heels Themed Week

As you may have read in last week’s post, Black and White Themed Fashion Week, my friend and I periodically go through fashion ruts where we feel totally uninspired, hate our clothes, or have “nothing to wear.” Enter friendship fashion themed weeks to the rescue! By setting a theme to my fashion, I wear items I ordinarily do not think to wear, it gives me more purpose to choosing my outfit, and makes getting ready fun again.

This week’s theme was heels. I was a little skeptical because I’m a teacher and a mom, so I’m on my feet all day. However, since I normally do not wear heels anymore, this week made me feel especially feminine and special, and I found out that some of my heels are actually more comfortable than any flats I own! (And one pair made me want to cut my feet off…)

See this week’s outfits of the day paired with my heels in an Instagram-esque visual post. Keep up with me to see my #OOTD and more sneak peeks into my little world on Instagram.

Rosebud Salve in a Tube

I received free product in return for my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links.

If you know me, you may already know my love for the Rosebud Perfume Co. from my posts on my Everyday Skin Routine and Faking Pregnancy Radiance. Rosebud’s products, especially the Rosebud Lip Balm in Minted Rose, is commonly known as a cult-classic and boasts the highest ratings on Sephora and Amazon.

This family-owned business dates back to Maryland in 1902 when Dr. Smith, a teacher turned pharmacist, started the company in a small drugstore where he prepared a popular salve. This specially-formulated salve, the Rosebud Salve, has many purposes: curing minor skin infections, soothing the sting of minor burns, healing chapped lips, dry elbows, and cuticles and is even a great remedy for diaper rash. You can see the unique and charming old school pharmacy inspiration in the adorable, apothecary-esque tin packaging of the balms, which I completely adore. Imagine my delight to receive three Rosebud Salves in a Tube in a large signature tin!

DIY Love Story Map

One of my best friends just got engaged, so I was on the hunt for the perfect engagement present. Thinking back to my engagement party, I remember receiving really generous gifts – gift cards that allowed us to choose our items; Waterford crystal; champagne, wine, and beer glasses – so I figured my friend would be receiving many of these items anyway.

When I give gifts, I have to LOVE the items. Honestly, I rather give a gift at a later time than give a gift I’m not in love with. I checked out her Pinterest boards to see if there were any ideas on there and hit the jackpot! She had a tri-photo frame “Love Story Map” pinned from an Etsy shop that showcased three maps, each one with a heart around a location – one for the place the couple met, got engaged, and were married.

This seemed like an easy (somewhat) DIY project for me that would hopefully be a special present for my friend. I’m happy with how this DIY Love Story Map came out, and not that I don’t want to support lovely Etsy shop owners, but I was happy to have taken control of this simple endeavor myself.

Black & White Fashion Week

A few years ago, my friend and I realized we were in office fashion ruts. You know the feeling right? You have a closet full of clothes yet you have nothing to wear. You hate everything you own and think the only solution is buying a new wardrobe. You have a few go-to pieces and are bored by them at this point. You don’t even care what your hair and makeup look like because you feel so dull anyway, so what’s the point?

Have you been there? Well, that’s where we were, so we decided that, even though we didn’t work together, we would have fashion themes every week and send each other pictures of what we wore. Not only did this reignite my fervor for fashion, it made me excited to get ready in the morning, it gave me something to look forward to each day, and made me realize I had great pieces in my wardrobe that just needed a second chance.

Well two weeks ago, we found ourselves back in that rut. With my friend in law school planning a move to California and me as a new mom and part-time teacher, we’re both trying to save as much money as we can.

Frugal DIY Halloween Costume

This post contains affiliate links.

May the odds be ever in your favor with this costume money saver.

While summer is still here, there is no denying the wonderful, crisp fall air sneaking its way in, cutting the dreadful humidity and putting a smile on people’s faces. Soon the leaves will change, the air will become cool enough to enjoy your homemade spiced latte, you will resurrect your favorite boots, and you’ll start planning an apple picking weekend.

You know what doesn’t scream fall? Spending $100 on a synthetic, latex, glittery, tutu, spandex little number at your friendly overpriced Halloween store that just rolled into town to rob you of your hard-earned money.

The miniature-sized version of any profession’s uniform or character’s costume is sure to turn heads, though not always in a ‘see how great she looks’ kind of way.

 

Visiting a New Mom in the Hospital Etiquette

Everyone loves babies. There is nothing quite like the innocence and purity of a brand new baby, so it’s no wonder that family and friends are so eager to visit in the hospital. I suggest thinking about some guidelines and sharing it with your loved ones before the baby comes to protect those precious first few days you have with your new bundle of joy.

You may feel differently in the moment, so it might be a good idea to set more conservative parameters and ease up once you decide how you feel after the baby arrives.

If you’re a new mom, the idea of visitors in the hospital may sound fantastic- of course you want your five best friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins to visit- they are so important to you, so why wouldn’t you want them there? Below you’ll find some things for you to consider as well as guidelines for visitors regarding visiting a mom and new baby in the hospital etiquette.