Birthdays and Valentine's Day

To me February is the best month of the year. Not for its rigid weather and blizzards (although those have their charm). Not because of Valentine's Day (although I'll never turn away roses and chocolates). But for the simple reason that February is my Birthday month! I'm wearing pink and my new favorite hand knit scarf from my Momma to celebrate.

My Birthday is right around the corner and I am EXCITED! I created a secret Birthday wishlist board that I sent to Chris, just to help make his shopping a little easier, I planned my weekend full of fun things which includes a date night, a shopping day, and an ultrasound so we can all find out the gender of our baby!

But with all of this coming weekend centered around me, I really feel like it is only fitting to make the first gesture of romance to Chris for Valentine's Day. I always assure him that my Birthday is all he needs to worry about for February and then I usually take over any VDay plans.

Every time I want to get a present for a man, the first site I peruse is Uncommon Goods. Men are so hard to shop for, but Uncommon Goods has a wide variety of unique gifts for men that make it easy. And thankfully, they contacted me recently, asking if I would do a product review. Needless to say I was thrilled since I was planning on getting a gift for Chris from them already. Not to mention, I had my eye set on this particular little gadget for myself (I have been using the spongester for over a week and it has already made a difference in warding off nasty bacterial smells in my sponges).

Here are just a few of the items that I considered for my hubby for Vday (not going to post what I actually got otherwise he will see it):

Razor Pit Sharpener

Beard Pack

Salvaged Furniture Wood Cufflinks

For more gifts for men, click here. 

Uncommon Goods sells products that aren't just interesting, practical, and unique - they also offer many handmade items to support local artisans, they offer a wide variety of personalized gifts, and have high standards and work ethics for their company - committing to featuring unique designs and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people. 

So while most of you are shoveling your way out of snowstorms or bundling up against the cold, instead of begrudging February, take the time to buy a gift for someone for Valentine's Day, wrap yourself in your favorite color of pink and cozy up under a warm blanket with something warm to drink. Enjoy February - I know I will! 

Maxi Dress and Another Haircut

Had to get my bangs thinned out a bit. The mod/blunt cut just wasn't me. Feeling a bit lighter and fresher now.

 

Anything knit and stretchy is my best bet these days. This maxi dress is perfect for my growing bump and this warm weather.

 

Dress - Ann Taylor Loft via a thrift shop - $7

Necklace - Charlotte Russe - $8.50

Field Trip

Took the children on a field trip to a historic village yesterday and had so much fun! My son is just the right age to start asking questions about how they did things in the "old days," and he was fascinated with all of it. Ending our field trip at the village's ice cream parlor definitely made everyone that much more happy about the outing.

 

Top - Ann Taylor - $7

Necklace - gifted

Earrings - Target - $1

Skirt - Gap - $17

Espadrilles - Nine West - gifted

Watch - Bulova - gifted

70 Degrees and Sunny!

Hope you are all having weather like we are - it's been in the 70's with sunshine for over a week now. This sunshine is making me long for the beach. We're headed to Florida for vacation soon and I can't wait to smell the salty ocean air and get my first sunburn tan for the year!

Had to confess my little trick to staying in my regular jeans - just used a hair tie. Gives me just that little extra give I need until maternity jeans become my only option.

The kids have been wanting to be included in my outfit posts. They're pretty cute, so I can't resist.

Top - J.Crew via Goodwill - $3

Jeans - Express - $19

Espadrilles - Nine West - gifted

Necklace - gifted

Blue Linen Dress

 

My hubby picked out this dress from United Colors of Benetton while we were in Italy. My airline had lost my luggage, and I needed a sleeved/knee-length dress for visiting the Vatican (I also wore it for our tour of the Colosseum as pictured below). At the time I remember thinking it would work as a great maternity dress, too. Sure enough, it does fit very comfortably, and there is plenty of room still. It should work through my entire pregnancy!

 

Dress - United Colors of Benetton - $30

Espadrilles - Target - $6

Leather obi belt - Florence, Italy, $18

 

 

I really like this dress with the gold belt, too.

 

 

Feelin' Girly

 Lovin' the girly shape of this dress - just makes me want to curtsy or something!

 

 

Aren't these two kiddos adorbs?

 

Love being a stay-at-home-mom again! This has been my first week back since the end of February.

I'm going to be honest here and admit that I've not spent this first week back as a stay-at-home-mom, but more like a lady of leisure. I slept in every morning till about 7:30 or 8, and although I did do school and chores with the children every day, we spent a lot of time outside at either a park, or with friends, and spent one day shopping for fun stuff. This week I'm going to try and buckle down and get a lot accomplished. I'll wake up early, hit the gym, do a lot of house cleaning and house projects, but I'll still spend plenty of time out in this beautiful weather!

 

Dress - Target (from The Webster Collection) - $8

Pumps - Steve Madden via DSW - gifted

Necklace - Charlotte Russe - $8.50

Cami - Dillard's - $4.99