The Perfect Little Black Dress + Sparkly Cocktail Dresses

The Perfect Little Black Dress + Sparkly Cocktail Dresses

Tomorrow is November 1st so I think it's officially time to start talking about the Holidays.  And the first thing I want to discuss is sparkly party dresses for holiday parties.  We can chat about cute matching outfits for the kids' Christmas Cards later; let's talk about us first for a change.  If you can't bust out the sparkles and fur and taffeta and tulle this time of year, when can you?  Well, actually I say anytime is a good time to sparkle but that's just personal opinion.

We're headed to Pittsburgh at Thanksgiving for a family wedding so it's the perfect excuse to splurge on something new this season.  I know I'll get to wear whatever dress I pick out to a few holiday parties as well as my Birthday in December.  Even without the already good price point I've stuck with here that's a pretty fabulous cost per wear.  I popped over to Nordstrom last week to check out some dress options in person and found lots of goodies as usual!   I tried on at least a dozen great dresses but narrowed it down to four top contenders.  Now I just need your help deciding on the final choice!

leopard dress || faux fur capelet || gold sequin dress || rose gold sequins top + tulle skirt

OPTION 1
This feels like the obvious choice.  It's flattering and comfortable and sophisticated.  I love the classic black and flattering silhouette.  And it's the perfect backdrop for a fabulous pair of shoes and fancy hair.  I also love that it covers up my arms which aren't my favorite body part.  I think the bow is supposed to be tied in the front but I kind of liked it just tied in a knot in the back.  Another plus is the ability to loosen the tie at the waist towards the end of the night when I've over done it on champagne and hors d'ourves. 

BOW TAFFETTA FIT & FLARE DRESS

OPTION 2
Something feels so very NYC about this combo.  Pink is always a good idea and paired with black it's very Kate Spade-esque.  It's also two separates so I could easily wear the skirt again for years to come with different top.  But I love that it's a crop top which is pretty fashion forward for me.  I also love that it's so on trend yet very classic.

 SKIRT || BEADED CROP 

[I'll probably order this top if I go with this outfit because it's almost identical and practically half the price]

OPTION THREE
Dang, I freaking love this outfit.  It's a sequins crop top paired with a tulle ball gown.  I feel like I'm playing dress-up with this one in the best way possible.  I'm pretty sure this crop trend won't last forever so I kind of want to take advantage of it while I still can.  The two pieces are sold together and I could totally picture wearing the skirt with a plaid shirt tucked in for Christmas Card photos.  Wouldn't that be so cute?  How very blogger of me :)

SEQUIN TWO-PIECE BALLGOWN

OPTION FOUR 

Go sparkle or go home.  I think this is my last choice for the wedding but my first choice for a cocktail party.  The kind where you send the kids to the grandparents for the weekend.  How freaking awesome would it be for a Christmas Party or New Years Eve.  It's actually really comfortable and not as short as you'd expect. 

GOLD SEQUIN DRESS || LONG VERSION

I always try to coordinate with Wells.  Not exactly Matching Mommy & Me but more like a well coordinated pair.  It makes for way cuter pictures!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.  All opinions and awkward selfies are all my own.

A New Season

Friday, Oct. 28th.

I was supposed to be leaving for Charleston in a few hours to enjoy some alone time with my husband and some much needed girl time with my favorites from college.  Instead I have a husband who has to work and a sick child.  I'm bummed, obviously.  Sometimes it's hard to focus my feelings.  My head gets so full of the everyday that I forget to take a quiet minute to sort through my own thoughts.  This morning I need to do that.

Either Tagg or Matthew has been sick literally every single time we've scheduled a weekend together without the kids for the past year.  It happened occasionally before that but now it's almost getting comical because it's literally EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  Only it's not funny.  I miss my husband.

When they were babies I felt like we learned to dance around them.  Conversations started and stopped and restarted over diaper changes and stroller walks and shared eye rolls over dragged out bedtime routines.  Dinners together on the couch after we finally broke free of our parenthood for a few hours.  We were surrounded by our children almost constantly but still found ways to connect amidst the chaos.

In many ways the long crazy days are growing shorter as our children grow taller.  But rather than feel like we're squished into one big family sandwich I feel like we're both standing on opposite sides of the kitchen watching a whirlwind swirl around in between us promising to hang out tomorrow. Arms stretched out toward each other trying to find a way to cross the storm.

I don't mean for that analogy to sound so depressing.  But in a way it feels depressing.  There is no big elephant in the room or big issue we're struggling to overcome, we're just in this new phase of children not babies and it's hard to navigate.  I thought it was hard to hold an adult conversation with a baby crying (and it was, it really and truly was) but like all couples we had a sort of side-step we created; talk (request for more water) talk (she won't play with me) talk (I need to GO POOP!!!!  NOW!!!!) talk (that's MINE no its MINE no its MINE....MOOOOMMMY).

I'm finding it even harder when the betimes are getting later and the couch time is getting shorter. Because we're tired.  Those interruptions come in the form of sleepover requests from a kindergartner who misses her mommy.  She really hasn't seen me all day, how do I turn down that request?  My husband hasn't either but he's the adult so he gets told to wait.  And it's hard to unload and decompress from your work day when you're constantly interrupted by questions from two small people curiously listening in to ask if that means Daddy is quitting his job or why doesn't his boss like that? Who is Jim? Why did he say that?  Why is that bullshit?  Om, Mommy what is bullshit?  Why does Mommy get to go?  I want to go?  And on and on and on.  It's not that I don't love the smart and inquisitive children I'm raising. And it's not that I don't want to include them in adult conversation. Because I do.  I really really really do. I just miss my husband.

And the crazy thing is, on a scale of 1-10, I'd say our relationship is hovering close to 10 status, *for parents, anyway.  We're connected and committed and respectful and happy and in love.  And yet it's still freaking hard.  And I just think it's important to share that.  Not every day is a love your spouse challenge and that's okay.  Actually it is.  Every day is absolutely a love your spouse challenge.  Just not the way it appears on Facebook.  Every day isn't about celebrating that AH-mazing and fantastic spouse of yours.  Wait, you mean your husband doesn't surprise you with spa weekend getaways and massages and flowers on the regular?  Dang, I thought I was the only one.  Mine takes the trash cans out to the curb every single Monday night.  Even when it's raining.  That may not be instagram worthy, but it impresses me every week.

So am I worried (okay, and slightly annoyed and stressed) that my kid is sick again?  Yes, ma'am.  Am I really sad and disappointed I don't get a guaranteed belly-laugh night out with my best girls?  Of course.  Do I miss my husband?  The one who lives with me?  Yup.

But I think the real bottom line is that just when I thought I had figured out how to balance being a good wife and a good mother the arena changed and I'm having to work at it again. 

Dining Room Scheming

Dining Room Scheming

Our dining room has been at a stand still since last year when I decided I was over the navy walls.  I really like the contrast between the dark navy built-ins and the light walls.  But without any color or window treatments it's completely unbalanced.  I'm thinking about doing a fun wallpaper on the remaining walls to kick things up a notch.  It's really hard to visualize how the pattern will look on the walls.  I know I want something with a little bit of contrast but an overall light feel.  Nothing too wild in the pattern and color department because I know my need to shake things up often and I don't want to box myself in to anyone style.  The architecture of our house is dutch colonial and we're in a very traditional area and I want to embrace that but still make it feel modern!

Enter my current top contender.  It's graphic and modern up close but reads fairly neutral from far away.  It reminds me up antelope but in my favorite gray + white color scheme.  Om, and now are you ready for this?  It's called POP THE CHAMPAGNE.  I know!!!  Just saying the name makes me feel like dancing.

Maybe it's the Holidays coming up but I'm also in a major fancy pants mood lately.  I want our dining room to be a bit more formal than I've been feeling lately. 

shop the post:

Lantern || wallpaper || wall color-BM hale navy || art-one || art-two || art-three || art-four || fabric-one || fabric-two || bar cart || hammered copper cake stand || dining chair || pillow-one || pillow-two || pillow-three || decanter set (on sale) || juliska plates || cutting board (cheese tray) ||

Free Halloween Printable

How is it only Tuesday?  Then again, how are we less than a week away from Halloween?  I need to get on the ball.  I created a fun free Halloween printable for y'all this morning.  These would be super cute as a lunchbox note or as a tag on a little treat bag.

I'm not really a fan of Halloween at all but it's fun to get into the spirit for the kids.  Mine are super into scary and gore (or so they think) this year and I'm trying to desperately to stick with the cute and friendly!  I think I'm going to pick up some spider web netting and let them decorate the yard on Halloween afternoon.  That's about all I can take of the spooky.

Don't forget to tag me if you use these and share them on instagram!

Fall Fashion Part 1

FALL FALL FALL.  Where did you go?  We had the absolute best weather here this past weekend and then the heat came back.  womp womp.  It's supposed to cool back off here later this week and I couldn't be more pleased.  I'm ready for firepits in the back yard!

I've got some cute fall outfit ideas for y'all this morning.  Nothing cutting edge here, just a few ways to hopefully inspire you to step out of the yoga pants and hop into a picture or two at your next pumpkin carving party :)

I've partnered with my Nordstrom to show you a few of my go-to fall looks because they always have something I love no matter the occasion. And sometimes it's worth it to get dressed.

Jeans + Plaid Shirt + Booties

Jeans || plaid shirt || Sam Edelman fringe booties from last year similar booties one / two / three || lip gloss || earrings || sunglasses || Barbour Jacket / look for less here 

|| too tired to care sweatshirt ||  

I'm going to apologize for my bitch face above; y'all know it's actually my awkard "what the hell am I doing in front of the camera face."  But the sweatshirt is too good not to share and this was the best one we got.  Thank goodness I warmed up a little once my assistant quit complaining and started doing his job.  I mean how hard is it for a four year old to stand next to the camera and make silly faces?  Haha!  Please note, he was paid/bribed in plenty via grossery gang chocolate bars.  Oh the joys of little boys.

I think it's also helpful to see the non staged version of these outfits because they really are super cute and simple to throw on and look like you tried!

wool stadium coat / look for less

Casual Comfy Dress + Scarf + Booties + Structured Jacket
Everyone needs a good cute throw on outfit.  In the fall you just need to top with a scarf and or a jacket and you're all set.  I love how easy it is and how comfortable!  I wear this type of outfit with booties in the fall because my legs get hot in riding boots.  But that's an easy swap when it's cooler and I don't want any exposed skin!

Dress // also major love this one in navy || Plaid Scarf || Jacket || Bag

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.  All opinions and outfit selections are picked solely by me.  Thank you for supporting the brands that help support this blog!

READING + WATCHING + LISTENING

Happy Friday, friends!  I just popped outside and I think we might actually have some cooler temps back.  Thank goodness.  I'm over the random heat of the past few days.  When I'm hot I get anxious and irritable; it's a fact.

WHAT I'M READING + WATCHING + LISTENING TO

  
Poldark Season One // on amazon prime here and Season Two is out now if you're ready!  I love a good BBC show, it makes me feel better about all the BRAVO I watch!
 
TURN Season Three // If you're new to the series be sure to start at Season One which is also on NETFLIX.  Spies and lies and history; you can't make this stuff up.  Kind of makes you wonder what people will be watching

This Is Us // I feel like this just keeps getting better and better!  I'm actually catching up on Episode Four as a I type. I think it's so cool how they're offering so many points of view we don't usually see on tv. 

Real Housewives of Orange County // Okay, no spoiler alerts please because I haven't seen the Ireland episode yet but I know there is lots of controversy!  I can't wait!  I have to say that my allegiances switch season to season but currently I'm on team Megan and Shannon and am so turned off by Kelly and Vicky. 

Grace Not Perfection // This books reads like a long coffee date with a good friend reminding you of all the reasons why you're doing just fine.  Love your people, love yourself; give grace freely.  Plus it's pretty hardback cover will look great stacked on your coffee table serving as a daily reminder.

What She Knew // As a mother it is a whole new level of heart-wrenching to read about missing children but for some reason I still do.  I couldn't put this one down although I can't say the ending was my favorite.

The Magnolia Story // Chip and Joanna Gaines share their journey.  I haven't started this one yet but I'm pretty even if it's the worst journalism and poorly written book of all time I will still love it; because Chip and Joanna Gaines, y'all.

Searching for Sunday // This has been a purposefully slow read for me over the past few months.  I've been reading about a chapter (or less) each Sunday morning.  I personally relate to lot of what the author struggles with love, acceptance, Jesus, Church, and Christianity as it stands today.  A good read for anyone who's ever questioned the Church.

Imagine Me Gone // I can't wait to start on this story full of raw and emotional family interactions.  It's been getting incredible reviews and promises to change how you view the relationships in your life.

The Art of Waiting // Any book that opens with the observation that once we decide we want to become parents we go from desperately trying not to get pregnant to trying to make a baby literally over night.  She then goes on to talk about the implications of that and her struggle with fertility.  A compassionate read for even those who have never faced infertility because chances are you know someone who has.

Zen And the Art of Happiness // Y'all know anything and everything that claims to help with my anxiety and depression will be under my radar.  This one offers some good tools for training a mind that wanders.

Hardcore Self Help F**CK ANXIETY // Om, the title of this book was enough to get me to place an order but the promise by the author to talk to you like a friend and include the occasional curse word had me thinking this might be a good surcie for most of my friends.

Daring Greatly // Brene´Brown.  Love love love her.  Vulnerability and finding authenticity and focusing not on winning or losing but on the courage of just trying.


“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”—Theodore Roosevelt

The Worry Trick // Go ahead and click on the see inside the cover button and read everything.  I think this is going to be a good one so I went ahead and ordered it this morning.

The Splendid Table // This is a fun podcast about food.  Sometimes I'm too tired to read or even watch tv at night and I just want to lay in bed under the covers and have someone tell me a bedtime story.  

Bitch Sesh // This one is another fabulous podcast to listen to while vacuuming or folding laundry or any other mundane task where you're ready for a laugh.  These ladies dish on all things Housewives.  Can't get enough!

shop the post:

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Also, a few of y'all have asked me for suggestions for dresses to put your older girls in who are refusing smocked dresses.  If you have younger children in smocked outfits you'll need something with simple lines to go with it.  My favorites this year are from Bella Bliss and I'm still narrowing down which of these I'll order for Wells. 

Sweatshirt Season

I'm about as basic as they come.  I love to put on a pair of black leggings with my uggs, throw on a plaid scarf and order a pumpkin spice latte´ (#PSL, y'all) to drink while filling my cart with $3 seasonal decor at Target.  My house has a pumpkin-ish scented candle going and the leopard pillows and fur blankets have made their way to the couch.  Show me a fall meme and I'll see you that one and raise it by two.  But do you want to know what is a new and surprising celebration of Fall I've come to learn about this year?  The official start of sweatshirt season at the bus stop.

Hallelujah and praise the lord I no longer need to pretend I've just come back from barre or even get dressed to get my little bug off to school.  I'm already tip-toeing around the house trying to get her dressed and fed and out the door in partial darkness and utmost quiet so we don't wake up baby brother at this early hour.  Sneaking back up creaky stairs to find a bra just sucked.  Now I'm stress free as I throw on a fleece or hoodie and proudly walk my girl out the front door looking completely together without even getting dressed.  Yes ma'am, some might argue this is a new fashion low but for me it's embracing my season of life!  Proud supporter of Sweatshirt Season from now on!

Now before you worry and conjure up thoughts of winnie the pooh pajama pants, let's get back on track.  I'm talking full on bra free leisure-wear, not a loss of dignity.  Let's take a look, shall we?

black leggings (I've got my eye on these black fleece lined leggings as well) || funnel neck sweatshirt || vest || vineyard vines dot hooded sweatershirt || Ruffle Hem sweatshirt || Didn't Wake Up Like This || HUNTER boots || ugg slip on sneakers || black tote || excursion vest || infinity scarf ||

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J.CREW // 25% off closet must-haves & extra 30% off sale styles with code: STARTSHOPPING
LOFT // 50% off everything with code: THEBEST

Design Plan | A shared little girls' room

Happy Monday, friends.  You know how you see a thousand memes about letting the dishes sit in the sink because babies don't keep.  Well, I'm about over that.  I've spent the past three hours ignoring my children and cleaning my house.  I just can't concentrate when it's a mess.  Tagg is sick. I think it's just seasonal allergies or a little cold but for him that means around the clock nebulizer treatments to keep his asthma under control.  Wells is off from school today and has a friend over so I think they're upstairs playing American Girl Dolls go to Target to buy Shopkins.  Keep moving, nothing basic to see over here.  Anyway, I started this post at 10:45 and it's now 4:15 and I'm just now getting it posted.  Story of my life.

My friend Meg asked for my help doing a little zhushing in her little girls' shared bedroom. They just moved into this house a few months ago and already have a great blank slate to start from  but now it's time to add in just a bit of color and whimsy worthy of their fun personalities!

The girls are five and seven and which is hard because they're young and sweet but you don't want a room that resembles a nursery nor do you want to choose things that they'll outgrow in a few years.  I could easily see this room transitioning to tween.

nightstands || beds || art  || rug || pillow sham || pillow case || removal cloud decal wallpaper || chandelier || star lights || dollhouse || lamb doll / bunny doll || curtains

I always love to lead with the after version but the before is really pretty and I knew y'all would want to see what she's starting with.  Like I mentioned before, Wells was home today so she threw in a few must have's for her little friends' room like sparkly lights and their names on their pillows :)  I have to agree, all little girls need some twinkle lights!

Get the look:

A few of the other art I picked out for the room, all perfect for little girls!

affiliates used

Friday | Pool House Project Update

Happy Friday everyone!  I realized I shared a picture of the progress we're making in my friend's pool house on instagram last week but I never talked about it here on the blog. 

The entire space was concrete and cinder block when we started.  They added dry wall to the top half of the room and painted the walls and the floors.  I'll have to get those colors for you, I can't remember off the top of my head.  She wanted to keep the existing yellow sofa because it's in perfect condition and it doesn't make sense to blow the budget at this point getting it reupholstered.  The striped chair is worn and needs updating so we're picking out a sunbrella fabric to help make it more durable.

We chose the fabrics and a fun trim for the pillows and picked up those awesome faux snakeskin ottomans and the wood and metal table at homegoods. I know a lot of people feel like you can't achieve a high end or well collected look from big box stores but I disagree.  With the right eye you can make anything from anywhere work well.

I'm on the hunt to find those quatrefoil ottomans and that fabulous light somewhere online for you.  I've rounded up the closest I can find for now below.

affiliates used

ShopBop Sale

Shopbop just started their big sale and their is lots of goodies to be had!  Come check it my favorites!  Be sure to use code: MAINEVENT16 at checkout.  The Man-Sale is also on if you're feeling loving.  Personally, I'm feeling a bit more selfish right now and want some new things for myself!

Mara Hoffman compass dress || Sam Edelman d'orsay pumps || chiffon dress || navy floral dress || pink suede loafers || mara hoffman dress || Lace tee || off the shoulder blouse || pink tassel dress || plaid shirt dress || double cross wrap dress || black knit top || ruffle tee

And all the Tory Burch included in the sale too!