Bump Update wearing the most comfy dress EVER!

dress c/o swimoutlet  *  sandals are old navy last season  *  georgia's outfit snagged via zulilly

I haven't done a pregnancy update at all this time and I thought it would be fun to do one this week!  I am 32 weeks and baby boy is low and wiggly :).  I find myself wearing workout clothes and pajamas mostly because that is all that fits and I am over maternity clothes.  Luckily I found the adorable dress above on Swim Outlet recently so my husband can stop asking me if I need clothes (because I wear the same thing every day!).  I love that this dress grows with my bump but is not maternity so I can comfortably wear it all summer long.  They have the cutest dresses y'all!  And suits of course.  Check em out!  But OK - back to baby boy bump update:

How far along:  32 weeks!

Size of baby: about the size of a squash!

Maternity Clothes: I'm kinda tired of them as mentioned above, so it's comfy dresses and stretch pajamas most days.

Stretch Marks and Sleep:  None of the former yet thankfully.  This pregnancy I used my BioOil for a few weeks until it ran out and now I've been using Beauty Counter Body Oil.  I love it and it smells DIVINE.  I have Rosemary + Citrus blend.  So good.  Sometimes I'll layer Burt's Bees Tummy Butter before bed if my belly has been itchy that day.

Best Moment Lately:  We recently took Gigi to the doctor with us to hear her brother's heartbeat and that was so sweet.  I also love when she lays on my belly and he kicks or wiggles around and it startles her.  She sweetly says, "Matthew moving!"

Movement:  Tons!  He's a wiggle worm just like his sister and nighttime seems to be his prime time.

Cravings:  Ice cream and cereal that's really bad for you.

Gender: Baby boy :)

Wedding Ring on or off: On!

Any sickness/nausea:  Luckily that has ended for the most part for me!  The first half of this pregnancy was rough compared my pregnancy with G. Lots of puking :)  Thankful that seems to be behind me.

Belly Button In or Out:  In!

What I miss:  Red wine mostly.  And stinky cheeses.  Lots of red wine and stinky cheeses are in my August future.

What I am looking forward to:  So much!  Holding my precious baby boy.  Being a mama to a baby boy!  Watching our family grow.  Seeing Georgia turn into a big sister.  Lots of cuddles and kisses.

Labor Signs:  None!  Let's keep it that way mister :)  Although I have a hunch I may be early this time.  but who knows!  I'll probably be 10 days late since I said that...

Nursery:  Not.  Even.  Started.  And I kinda feel bad about that.  He's already feeling the brunt of the 2nd child syndrome.  Poor thing.  But it'll get finished.  And that sweet boy is sleeping in my room for a few months at first anyway :)

Emotions:  Happy!  Nervous.  Excited.  Overwhelmed at time.  Blessed and thankful.

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Toddler Easter Dresses

Toddler Easter Dresses by deniselopatka featuring an eyelet dress

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

I've been on the hunt lately for a cute Easter/Spring dress!  My mom ordered Georgia the cutest monogrammed dress that she will probably wear on Easter and through Spring but I can't help but look too.  We are also doing some maternity/family photos towards the end of April so I have a few occasions I suppose!  These are my top picks!  Which one is your favorite?

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my first experience with Stitch Fix

wearing my favorite shirt from stitch fix.  holding my favorite girl.

Have yall heard of the ever-growing, personal shopping experience called Stitch Fix?  Well you should have!  Because it is ah-mazing.  See nowadays, I don't love shopping (my husband may disagree).  And I just don't have the time.  Try bringing a toddler into JCrew and see what happens.  Enter Stitch Fix.  The initial concept flagged my attention and some of my friends have tried (and loved) it so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  You sign up here, fill out a long and personal style questionnaire and your personal shopper does the rest!  You can even attach a link to your Pinterest Style board and leave personal comments (I requested a flannel shirt with some red in it and low and behold I got the softest, most comfy, absolutely perfect flannel shirt in my shipment!).  Another cool feature?  You attach price points to each categories (pants, tops, dresses, jewelry), so you won't receive a bunch of fabulous items that you can't afford.  The best part?  It's no strings attached.  You pay $20 to receive the shipment and if you don't like anything in the shipment, you mail it all back and all you forfeit is your 20 bucks.  But if you keep anything, your $20 goes towards the purchase of that item.  And even better, if you like everything you get 25% off of it all!  I spent $225 on my last shipment and kept everything.  I got a dress, a flannel shirt, jeans, a long cardigan and a black blouse.  I think I made out pretty great.  I also love the style cards sent with each piece offering various ways to style your items.  I kinda wanted to hug my personal shopper.  I know we would be friends in real life.  

So anyway, I think you should give it a shot!  Sign up HERE (I get a credit if you use my link!) and fill out your questionnaire and just wait.  Wait for Christmas to show up in your mailbox.  It's that good!

Stitch Fix

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$50 Giveaway to Mimi's the Look + Promo Code!

jeans  //  blouse (old) similiar  //  belt  //  backpack  //  earrings  //  sunglasses (similar)

Today I am giving away a $50 credit to the adorable boutique, Mimi's the Look.  If y'all haven't heard of Mimi's the Look, you're missing out - stylish clothes, jewelry and accessories at affordable prices.  Another perk?  They have weekly specials offering a $20 clothing special on Monday, $20 purse special on Wednesday and a $10 necklace special on Friday!  I have my eye on this maxi which is part of this week's specials and I'm also slightly in love with this dress.  I feel like you can dress it up or down easily. And I'm thinking a few of these monogram scarves are going to make it under my tree as gifts for some women in my family.  Oh and that bag in the outfit post above?  I'm obsessed.  I am so glad the backpack trend is back because it makes carrying a purse (that can also double as diaper bag!) so much easier, leaving my hands free for sippy cups and a toddler :).  I'm so in love with it I am asking for this backpack for Christmas too.  

So enough chatter and get to entering the giveaway!  Winner will be announced in one week.  And you don't have to wait to start shopping.  Use the code INSPIRED and receive 20% off your purchase while the giveaway runs.  I may pull the trigger on that backpack and some scarves with that code!

Happy Shopping and Good Luck!

Mimi's the Look 

Shop  //  Facebook  //  Instagram  //  Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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matching makes my heart happy

truth be told: none of these pictures are great.  none really even good.  gigi was squirming the whole time and all she really wanted was for her daddy to hold her.  but i had to take some pics.  and they all make my heart so happy.  i mean hello?!?  do you see our matching outfits?  thank you kelly's kids for making my dreams come true, one matching paisley print at a time.  i wonder if g will let me get a matching prom dress?  #chaperoneforeverythingrighthere

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$25 Gift card GIVEAWAY ** The Mint Julep Boutique

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am so excited for this giveaway today!  Like I said yesterday, The Mint Julep Boutique has become one of my newest go-to shopping sites.  Enter the giveaway above and don't forget to comment telling me how you would spend your $25! Winner will be announced a week from today!  

Some things I am loving:

this comfy/cute top

this long gray tank

these green skinnies

this adorable black dress (love the neckline!)

SHOP

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The Mint Julep Review // Fashion Post

Jumpsuit  //  Sunglasses  //  Wedges (Old ShoeMint)  //  Earrings (Old JewelMint but love these)  //  Bracelet (Old JCrew but love this one)  //  Long Necklace (Old but love this one on sale!)

I am in love with this jumpsuit.  It has become my-go to for running around with Georgia and an easy-transition into date night with Matt.  I love that I can brighten it up with some funky jewels or through a jean jacket over top of it this fall.  The Mint Julep has been one of my newest addictions.  Not only do they have a massive selection of fun and versatile pieces, but they are affordable!  And yall know I don't love spending too much moola on clothes because, well, babies make messes ya know.  I'm been eyeing this cardi and am pretty sure this tank needs to be a staple in my closet.  And guess what?  Tomorrow we are giving away a $25 giftcard to The Mint Julep Boutique so come back and sign up yall!  Winner will be announced a week from Wednesday!

The Mint Julep Boutique

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Q & A WITH GYPSY GIRL

Happy Friday!  I'm excited that the lovely ladies of Gyspy Girl are here for a little Q & A Sesh!  Y'all probably remember them from this post when I fell in love with their online shop.  Y'all check them out and remember to use the code GRATEFUL at checkout for 20% off your order!

Names: Melissa & Brooks (Owners)

Hometown:

M: Jacksonville, NC          

B: Chinquapin, NC

Current Town:

M: Jacksonville, NC

B: Wallace, NC

3 words that your family would use to describe you:

M: smart, independent, headstrong

B: fearless, strong-willed, giving

Your style in a few words: 

M: Simple and comfortable. I love pieces that can be changed with the addition of accessories, like jewelry or a scarf.

B: Versatile. I’m a style chameleon! I can go dressy for church, casually chic and bohemian on the weekends. I really love dressing for every occasion.

How did Gypsy Girl come to life?

M: Brooks and I are your typical “9 to 5” gals (though, who works those hours anymore? haha) working for the federal government. We are really grateful for our jobs, but the down side is we spend a lot of time behind a computer and processing lots of paperwork. We both have formal educations in Business Management and always wanted to start a business together, but we needed to find something that we could do while still maintaining our “day jobs.”

B: We spent our lunch breaks perusing shops and boutiques online, looking for great deals on the latest trends. More often than not though, the shopping interface was cumbersome and not as user friendly as it could be. And that’s when we thought, “we can do this!” An e-business was the perfect fit for us, because it enables us to have no overhead (a tremendous bonus for our customers, because we can literally pass the savings on to them).

M: We launched in November 2013.

Where is the name from?

B: I really loved the quote about the Gypsy Spirit which is this:  Someone who possesses a gypsy spirit is a person always in need of change and/or adventure. A gypsy spirit seeks the next best thing in any life situation. They can be very passionate and often inspired by different ideas, attitudes and experiences. Their sense of identity isn’t always sure of what they want out of life, but they are determined to find it.  So we wanted to incorporate the “gypsy” into our boutique name because it reminds us to always be open to what life throws at you.

M: Yes, expect the unexpected! And of course it just naturally rolls off the tongue, too! LOL

Your favorite piece on the site right now:

M: Curvy Peach Tank. It’s so cute with jeans or shorts, too!

B: Peacock dress. I love how you can wear just about any color cardigan to change up the look. It’s a very flattering dress, too.

What inspires you and fires you up?

M: I get inspired by people who take chances.

B: Jesus.

A day in the life:

M: Wake up at 6:30 am, get kids ready for day care/preschool and at work by 8. After work, it’s playtime with my toddlers, dinner, bath, movie time snuggles, and bed. I stay up way too late because the time I have between kids going to sleep and me going to sleep is sacred! It’s really the only time I have to spend on my own and with my hubby.

B: Alarm goes off at 4 am. Get ready for work. I have to stop by Starbucks. Every. Single. Day. I’m at work by 6 am. After my day job, I’m off to fulfill my “pastor’s wife duties,” in some way or another. We usually have a church activity, event, or meeting every night of the week. I’m usually in my pj’s by 11 pm each night.

When you aren’t filling orders and posting fabulous clothes on the Gypsy Girl Website what are you doing?

M:This is going to sound sad, but in my free time, I do things like steam mop the floors, shampoo the carpets in the house, and do laundry! I don’t really mind it though, because I feel so. much. better. when I have a clean house.  I like tending to my flower garden, too.

B: In my free time (ha!), I love to go fishing & kayaking. And of course, loving on my sweet babies, Jalen (a yellow lab) and Healer (a chocolate lab).

Favorite verse or quote:

M: Behind every successful woman is herself.

B: 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

What is one goal for Gypsy Girl?

M: Have fun.

B: To make people feel beautiful! And to encourage people to go outside their style comfort zone, try new things and discover their gypsy spirit.

In ten years you will be:

M: Taking a break! My kiddos will be 13 and 12, so hopefully I’ll be able to watch a movie from start to finish or maybe even blow dry my hair all the way through!

B: Preaching.

If you could pack your bags tonight and travel anywhere tomorrow where would you go?

M: I’m a Disney geek, so DISNEY WORLD!

B: Jamaica.

How can you not love these two sweet souls?!?!?!  Now that you know the heart of this shop, y'all go have fun and shop!  And remember to use the code GRATEFUL at checkout for 20% off!!

SHOP

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Gypsy Girl Boutique // and a promo code!

LOOK ONE

dress : beach dress here!

boots:  old steve madden  /  similar

LOOK TWO & THREE

elephant t-shirt : found here!  (and only $10!!)

lace shorts:  old arc & co  /  similar

pink shorts:  old jcrew  / similar

sandals : ann taylor here (on sale!)

boots: old steve madden  /  similar

I am so excited to introduce y'all to one of my new favorite online obsessions – Gypsy Girl Boutique.  First of all, they are out of Jacksonville, NC which is literally a hop skip and a jump from me here in Wilmington.  I have a special place in my heart for local businesses so when I discovered these girls were from NC, I had to check out their shop!  And I’m so glad I did.  I love when I find a shop that has pieces I can take from day to night while also not breaking the bank.  And then discovering that the owners have hearts of gold?!?  Double bonus! 

Gypsy girl was founded by two best friends, Melissa (who shares my alma mater – GO PACK!) and Brooks.  Both share a love for fashion and style while also respecting a budget, if ya know what I mean.  Brooks is also a youth minister and regularly goes to Jamaica with her husband for mission trips!  When I heard that, well I kinda got all teary-eyed.  Jamaica is totally where my hubby and I fell in loveeeee on a mission trip so long ago (you can read more about that here) and I love that Brooks, her hubby and their church are still serving those people and that community.  Her husband, Sam, even founded a youth ministry dedicated to missions in Jamaica called Walk The Line Ministries.  Anyway, the connections I have with these girls are insane.  Did I mention that Melissa used to babysit one of my best friends?!?!  We were meant to be friends - Brooks, Melissa and I! - and I’m certain they are changing this world in other ways than fashion J  You can read more about their stories HERE.

Hey!  But I am so very glad they started this online boutique because these girls know fashion!  I received this dress last week and basically haven’t taken it off.  I’ve worn it out and about running errands with G and then out for a date night a few nights later.  It’s so comfortable and if I had to sum up my style in one piece it would be this dress.  I also love my new tee.  I’ve worn it with shorts during the day and even wore it to yoga (ok fine!  I didn’t actually go to yoga, but I did dress like I was going to yoga so that counts for something right?).  It’s tissue thin which is perfect for the summer heat.  I’m also dying over this dress and this one.  I love how Gypsy Girl has something for everyone.  I’m also going to need this comfy-looking top to pair with my cutoffs for the remainder of the summer, and there is something oh-so-cool about this top.   Yep, I'm gonna need that too. 

So anyway!  Go check them out and because my readers are so wonderful use the code GRATEFUL at checkout to receive 20% off!  Hurry Hurry!!  What are your favorite pieces from their shop? 

SHOP  //  FACEBOOK

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