favorite things :: beach vacation edition

We are headed to Florida soon with my family - we are so excited to get away, relax and be with each other. I'm praying the weather is great because I have plans to be in the sun all day, every day. Even if we do get rain, it will be a wonderful time! 

As I'm starting to think about what to bring and do to prepare, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things right now and what I consider some beach essentials. I am actually excited to be in a swim suit for this trip because I do not care at all what my body looks like. I'm nearly eight months pregnant and will totally be rocking the bikini. Packing, in my mind, is easy when it comes to a low-key beach trip. You just need a few things: sunscreen, swim suits, cover ups and comfy clothes. Done and done. Here are my favorites - some of which I have shared on the blog before!

you never can go wrong with bright nails - love orangey-reds for summer
Essie / Target / $8

I love this stuff during the summer - it covers lightly, provides protection and doesn't hurt my sensitive skin!
Supergoop / Nordstrom / $32

I have this maxi dress and it is perfect for my baby bump and post pregnancy. It's perfect for the beach because I can throw it on after being at the pool or beach OR I can dress it up for dinner out.
Nordstrom (on sale!!) / comes in a variety of colors and prints

Everyone in my family uses this after the pool or beach. Smells wonderful and works!
Aveda / $21

My friend Callie just gifted me a new tote bag for my bday and it's perfect for the beach.
A monogrammed jute tote bag is a must have to carry towels, sun screen, hats and a book.
Tote Bag / Etsy

Not exactly necessary, but how adorable is this clutch from Anthropologie?
I almost bought it the other day with birthday money but decided against it.
Still doesn't mean I won't go and buy it!
Clutch / Anthropologie / $48

I did buy this from Anthropologie - got to use my birthday gift card and birthday discount.
I love this dress - and plan to wear. it. out.
Note: if you buy it and are on the shorter size, a small petite fit me perfectly!
Dress / Anthropologie / $118

These towel shorts from Mini Boden are my new favorite piece of clothing for Emma and Claire.
They are on sale online right now, too!!
Shorts / Mini Boden / $18

I love J.Crew swim suits - but what I do to save money is pair them with pieces from Target.
Case in point - I have a plain pair of black bottoms from Target and will match it with this top from J.Crew.
Bikini Top / J.Crew / $52 (with additional 30% off with code GOSHOP)

These were another birthday present - I got a $50 birthday month gift card from Tory Burch
and used bday money to pay for the rest. I love these sandals and they come in a variety of colors.
Plus, it's friends and family right now at TB so everything is 25% off!
Bow Sandals / Tory Burch / $150

march :: favorite things

Here's a round up of my favorite things for this month. I never did one for February although I did share my favorite beach essentials. This is a collection of food, home decor and spring fashion. Enjoy!

This might be my favorite home ever decorated. Ever. And guess what? It was styled by Holly Mathis Interiors (blog favorite) AND the owners of the home go to our church! The husband, James, actually attends Daniel's weekly morning bible study breakfast. I told Daniel that he has to tell them his wife has crazily stalked their home pictures and would love to see it in person. I have no shame.

I don't know if I've blogged about this before, but this is a piece of heaven. I don't drink milk and haven't used milk or dairy creamer in my coffee for over a year. This stuff is the best "creamer" in my opinion - making any cup of coffee 100 times better!! You can find it at Whole Foods and some grocery stores (HEB yes, Randalls no).

We had a fun shopping trip to Nordstrom yesterday. The girls are pretty set for Spring. Using leftover gift cards from Christmas, I bought the girls new Salt Water sandals (pic below) and these adorable swing dresses by Tea Collection. I love Tea Collection - the prints are fun, the cuts are modest and they wash/dry so well. 

Nordstrom

I am loving the d'Orsay flat style. They seem so chic and perfect for spring. I tried these on yesterday at Nordstrom and they look so good on my feet. The price is good for a dress shoe, too! 

The new arrivals from Anthropologie. OMG. It's probably a good thing I'm pregnant. I am loving that blouse above and the dress below. I actually have some money on a gift card from Christmas and might have to buy the dress below. I could wear it year round in Texas and would be perfect postpartum. 

Anthropologie

I love all white. And Reese. That's all.
image via People Magazine

I added blueberries to my favorite banana bread recipe this morning and whoa. I will be sharing the recipe this week!!
photo courtesy damndelicious.net

january :: favorite things

I haven't done a favorite things list in a long time, so I'm excited to share these items with you. Lately, all that's been on the brain is stuff for baby. I scored a snap-n-go stroller off a trading site on Facebook for $35 and I've slowly been keeping a mental list of all the things we will need for Henry once he's here... which is actually a lot of stuff because everything I had catered to twins or girls. Of course, I had to include food and clothes... ha!

I'm obsessed with smoothies and I LOVE this recipe found HERE

How precious are these baskets from Target? Perfect for nursery storage.

I bought this today from Nordstrom and I love it. It's Laura Mercier's creme cheek color in Rosebud. My skin is so dry due to pregnancy hormones and this is creamy and gives me the right pop of color for that natural flushed look!

We will need a new baby carrier. I was not pleased with the baby bjorn... it only lasted a few months and cut the girls thighs! I've heard great things about ErgoBaby and definitely want to check this out - love the color of this too.

I saw this at Nordstrom today and fell in love. Maybe this can be my 30th birthday present in April - I want a large tote bag for a new baby bag too... oh, and this will look great at the beach this spring. Hint Hint, Daniel!

Everyone says girl clothes are cuter but Mini Boden has the sweetest little baby boy clothes!! I want everything in the new spring catalogue for H. Precious!

I'm getting this. There is no way around it. I'll squeeze my pregnant stomach in that!

Aren't these gorgeous? And they are less than $35... perfection!

Loli bought these for the girls today at Nordstrom. I had never heard of this brand before, but they fit the girls feet so well - they're jelly sandals, but they have a sturdy sole and they are narrow. The girls looked so cute in them... I really want to get them in gold, too!

favorite things : september

I haven't done a favorite things round up in awhile so I thought I'd kick off fall with some of my new must haves!

I will never buy Laura Mercier lipgloss again... at $8 this colorburst lip gloss by Revlon is an exact match - promise! Peony matches exactly to my LM color and I love the variety of colors. 

I sold a bunch of clothes to Buffalo Exchange and took the money straight to Lululemon to invest in some workout pieces. While this top is expensive, it's the best $58 I've ever spent. It feels so nice and you really do not sweat through it at all. Genius!

If you like pimento cheese, this sharp white cheddar version will take it to the next level. Be careful... you will eat the entire bowl. Recipe from Southern Living.

These are the best chicken tacos AND easiest: 2 pounds chicken breasts, 1 package taco seasoning, 1 16oz jar of chunky pace picante sauce - mix to combine, set on high for 4 hours and done. Amazing! (Take chicken out with one hour left and shred... mix back in). Recipe from Chocolate Therapy.

I have found a new favorite flat - these Sam Edelman nude flats from Nordstrom are super comfortable, affordable and cute. I want them in every color... and in leopard.

Ankle boots!! I wore them all fall and winter and love them with skinny jeans, leggings and dresses. I have two pairs but love these grey leather zip ups from Nordstrom.

My arm candy - the two silver bracelets (James Avery and Tiffany's) are standards, but I love the addition of my new turquoise J.Crew bracelet (sold out) and Stella and Dot gold bangle. 

SMU. College Football. Need I say more?

I really, really want this dress. I have fall and winter weddings coming up and this beauty is calling my name. I have it saved on my wish list from Anthropologie. It's gorgeous!

favorite things :: april

This month I'm including some of my birthday gifts that I love but also just some everyday stuff that has made my life better or easier. Here are my favorite things for April!

Linen-cotton tees from J.Crew. These are the most comfortable shirts I've ever put on.
I can wear them dressed up or down. 

I love Lululemon workout clothes - they fit better than any Nike stuff I own. I got this skirt for my birthday and I love it. It's a fun alternative to shorts and perfect for running/walking or just running errands. FYI: I bought the tall size after my MOPS friends telling me to do so. I'm only 5' 4" and the tall definitely covers the behind a lot better!

Kendra Scott's Island Escape Summer collection - I bought these with my birthday 50% off discount.
I love this shell/stone as it has a brown tint so it really goes with anything!

Lobe Wonders from Kendra Scott - these are the BEST accessory in my closet right now. My right ear lobe really needs to be sewn up and re-pierced (I know, gross) and these lobe wonders help support the heavy earrings I wear. I had been using medical tape behind my ear, but these are perfectly cut for your ear and are a little bit more heavy-duty.

I have already worn these shoes about five times in the past week. I think they are more comfortable than my TOMS! I am definitely thankful for the $50 gift card from Tory Burch - it made these shoes reasonably priced!

I know this is super extravagant, but I am obsessed with my iPad mini. One, it's made my life so much easier with work and Two, it's just a lot of fun for games, browsing the internet and Pinterest. 

Miracle cleaner. Really. If you can get past the bleach then you will love this product, too. I use it on my Dash and Albert Indoor/Outdoor rugs to get out stains and it's turned all the grout in our bathrooms back to a perfect white. 

I think most moms love the Magic Eraser and I've found the best uses for it: cleaning our stainless steel fridge, making our laminate kitchen counters sparkling white again, getting stains out of our wood floors... this has been a game-changer in the cleaning department. 

favorite things :: etsy shops

I love Etsy. Etsy is probably my favorite website... yes, it's shopping but it's also just an outpouring of creativity! I am always amazed with the items people are selling and creating. I love buying gifts for others off of Etsy and I love shopping on Etsy for myself! So, this month I thought I would share my favorite Etsy shops with you - and I would love to hear yours!! 

Taylor Custer Jewelry : Taylor and I are sorority/pledge sisters. I love, love her jewelry!

Dandy Lion Clothing Company : dresses, accessories and these precious bib/burp cloth set - for only $17!

Round The Bend Clothing and Decor : I love their applique dresses and shirts.

Inscribe : These wooden monograms are 16" tall and I want to get an E and C for over the girls' big girl beds!! These prices are really reasonable, too!

Patches and Puppies : probably one of THE cutest applique stores... I love their birthday shirts and big brother/sister tops - perfect gifts for friends! 

Mandipidy: This store was one of my original favorite Etsy shops - we've gifted this State print to family and friends... they are so fun and a perfect housewarming gift. 

Sugar & Spice NOLA : cutest placemats - great gifts for toddlers!

Julianne Originals : another great applique store - I love these twirl dresses - I definitely want to get two for the girls this spring. 

Two Sisters Designs : I love this monogram shop on Etsy - anything you want monogrammed, they probably have it... from wine-stoppers from $7.50 to buckets, cups, frames, whatever... this is gift central, people. Most everything is under $30. 

Other Etsy shops I love:
Pretty Smitten (anything personalized - trays, iPhone covers, etc...)
Jessica Greer / Polka Dot Tots (think monogram john-johns and bubbles)
Hadden Co (baby cardigans, omg!)
Finny & Zook (nursery artwork)
Trial by Cupcakes (amazing calligraphy and personalized stamps - I've bought several from her)