(My Jacket | Jeans (maternity) | Sweater | Harper’s Jacket | Jeans | Shoes)

We made it to Friday friends… and how sweet does it feel? Excited to be heading into this holiday weekend and hope you have something special planned over the next several days. I’ll be on a modified posting schedule over the next two weeks in honor of all the holidays….. so I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!

Sharing my monthly Q+A below…….
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1. I’m also currently expecting with a 17 month old! What, if anything, are you doing to prepare Harper?? 

Congrats!! As of right now, we’ve been showing Harper the ultrasound photos, talking to her about being a “big sister,” showing her where her “little sister” is (mommy’s tummy), and showing her what room she (baby) will have in the new house. In a month or so I’m going to start reading her this book + this book, to help her understand the changes that will be happening in a few months.

2. Would love your recommendations on the best maternity leggings! Mine won’t stay up anymore!

I don’t personally own any maternity leggings (yet….) because most of my pre-pregnancy leggings were high waisted and fit nicely with the bump (and stay put). Some of those are these, these, and these. Yet, I do recommend the Zella Live In Maternity leggings…. they’re great non-maternity, so I imagine they’d be just as good in the maternity version. I also live in my Spanx, and they have a maternity style.

3. We’re going to Florida next month for my birthday with the family and since I spent all last summer extremely pregnant, I haven’t purchased a new suit in almost 2 years! My girls are 5, almost 3, and 3 months old to I need on that is “mom friendly.” I’m built similar to you and am open to both one and two pieces. I need a couple. 

Sounds like it’s going to be such a fun time! This cut-out suit (different color option) was an all time favorite from last spring/summer…. super flattering and stays put! I also got this one shoulder ribbed top + high waisted bottoms (same colors, just look different online) for our last trip to Hawaii…. super comfortable and flattering fit. This plum high waisted bottom + ruffled top combo looks like a flattering and practical fit as well. Love the low back on this ruffle trimmed suit.

4. This is a last minute gift question, but what are the best pajama sets for a guy? My husband wants a soft fitted set.

Not sure how fitted he would like them to be, but this jogger + pullover combo looks like it would hang nicely on the body, and is made of super soft material!

5. You shared some running shoes the other day in stories and mentioned that you replace yours every 7 months or so. Why is that?

I shared this pair and this pair. I typically replace mine every 7 months due to wear and tear on the soles. For me, the soles typically wear down in the heel area (due to the way I run) and don’t provide as much support as I need them to. Replacing them helps me to prevent injury.

6. We will be in Ca the first week of June traveling from LA to San Diego. We will have our 20 month old with us. Do you have any recommendations for a great hotel that our daughter would like where we could spend one of two night on our way to San Diego? Maybe the Laguna Beach area? 

How fun! I recommend The Surf + Sand Hotel or Pelican Hill. Both are beautiful hotels, which are very family friendly. Surf + Sand is right on the water, but Pelican Hill is a much bigger property. Either way, you will have a blast.

7. Do you have any maternity jean recommendations? Or do you just wear your regular jeans with a bellaband? 

I only own one pair of maternity jeans right now (they’re still a little big) and they’re the ones I’m wearing in the photo above. I prefer to wear a bellaband with my pre-pregnancy jeans because I find them to fit better overall. That being said, I’m thinking in my third trimester I may need to invest in a pair. When that happens a few favorites include this distressed pair and this black option.

8. How did you get yourself used to eating so healthy all the time? 

I think the key to eating healthy, the majority of the time, is to make sure you’re eating foods that taste good. So often eating healthy is synonymous with bland and not tasty… yet some of the best meals I’ve ever had have been some of the most nutritious. We do that by using lots of seasonings, garlic, pepper, turmeric, sea salt (careful here though), chili powder, cumin, oregano, etc to maximize the flavors of the food.  Another thing to be mindful of is how you feel when you eat “healthy vs. not healthy.” For me, I don’t like the way I feel (mainly lethargic) so that’s motivation enough. “Cleaner” alternative to everyday favorites are all around, and so finding those options, or learning how to make the swaps helps eating clean and nutritious obtainable and more of a way of life

9. Do you keep stuff you’ve worn in years past or do you donate/sell most of them? 

I still have many items I’ve worn in past years, but when I do a closet purge I most often give my sister a first go at the piles and then I donate the rest.

10. I really want to invest in a pair of Golden Goose sneakers. Can you tell me how comfortable they are and then a few of your favorites? 

Here’s the scoop on Golden Goose. They’re design is amazing, and they’re very comfortable… but I would tell you that Tretorn sneakers are superior in comfort (if you want my honest opinion). The main attraction to them is the design and worn in style. That being said, I don’t think you’d ever be disappointed investing in them… as they’re very well made and the quality is excellent. I bought my first pair 2.5 years ago and they look the same. My favorites include the pair I’m wearing above (a basic white style), this black pair (on my Christmas list or birthday list), and this two toned brown option.

11. I know you have a background in therapy and was curious if you have any advice to share on strengthening the bond between daddy + daughter. My husband travels and works a lot. When he’s gone our 2 year old is constantly talking about him, but when he gets home she wants nothing to do with him. I’m at a loss of what to do to help them grow closer. Hoping you might have some thoughts on this. 

I’m always happy to provide general thoughts/tips, but always feel obligated to note that because I don’t have a full history, can’t observe dynamics, or have a back and forth dialogue, the tips are always general. Some things I worked on in the past with families include (1) Daddy Daughter dates- maybe an hour together getting something to eat, going to the park… something the child chooses so they’re more inclined to participate (2) A family movie afternoon or night (at home) with everyone together to show unity as a family (3) FaceTime while dad is away (4) Dad leaving letters for daughter, with other parent reading them to her while he is gone. Like I said, I know those are relatively broad, but hopefully they help in some way.

12. I started my own blog a few months ago and love it so far. Yet the only thing making blogging stink is that no one close to me has the patience to take pictures for me. And it’s just with my iPhone so I don’t want to hire a photographer. I tried explaining to my family that having someone to take photos is like having the right tools to do any other job but they don’t have the patience to take a few until I find one I like. I wish I could take them myself. How can I explain to them how important this is? 

How frustrating! Especially since, as you said, photos are pretty crucial to a blog. It sounds like you’ve done such a great job trying to explain to your family how important this is to you, so I’m not sure I have any more tips in the area. Yet, I can recommend a tripod with a handheld clicker so you can take images on your own. You mentioned that you have a specific vision, and no one is patient enough to take them, but this might be a great alternative. That way you can angle the camera in the way you’d like, and get as close (or far away) as you prefer.

13. I’m also a mom to a 2 year old + I’m expecting my second in May). I’m a runner as well and have been keeping up with that, although going slower + slightly less frequently now that I’m pregnant. I’ve had a lot more nausea this time around and I am ALWAYS hungry. Pre-pregnancy, I was in really great shape + thin. I’ve already put on a decent amount of weight in my first trimester and feel like I’m filling out faster than I should be. I’m just frustrated and not feeling myself. Wondering if you have any tips? Mom to mom? 

So sorry to hear about how you’re feeling… and I can most definitely relate! I think there are so many beautiful parts of pregnancy, but there are also the aspects that people don’t talk about… and possibly make you ashamed for being upset about. There are so many changes that a woman goes through… from hormones to a changing body, that there is a lot to acclimate to. Something I try to remind myself of is that my body is changing in the way it needs to in oder to grow a healthy baby. Although it might be hard to look in the mirror at times (an extra dimple here and there), knowing that it’s for something greater than myself helps. I also remind myself that I was pregnant once before, I gained weight and my body shifted and expanded before, and that I know how to get my body back post pregnancy, and that this is temporary.

I do also try to make sure that I have clothes that I feel good wearing. I know this might sound superficial, but it makes a huge difference. When I have pieces that make me feel great I feel better about the changes. A pair of leggings that hug in all the right places, a great fitting henley (just got this one, spent more than I typically would on a shirt like this, but well worth it)… all of that helps. Hopefully that helps a little.

14. Do you have some good recommendations for a baby shower dress? I’d like to show off my bump too! 

Yes! I wore this dress for our announcement photos and think it would be beautiful for a shower. I also think pomegranate midi dress (the most beautiful sleeves),  ribbed maxi dress (love the neckline), and this metallic ribbed midi dress. If you want something a little dressier, this one shoulder dress is gorgeous.

15. I rarely go out on NYE, but this year my husband and I have fun plans…. and a babysitter! I’d love some stylish tips for a dress or jumpsuit, preferably under $200! Thank you! 

SO fun! A few favorites for NYE include this emerald velvet twist front dress (more sizes), black mesh dress, emerald wrap dress, cropped velvet jumpsuit (love), sheer grey slip dress (ignore the pairing with sneakers), and this mauve wrap dress (love the peek of lace). Have so much fun!

16. I just bought the Lou & Grey eyelash sweater dress you said you were going to wear on Christmas Eve. Can you give me some other suggestions of ways to wear it?? 

This white dress is so soft and can easily be dressed up or down. Dressing it up I recommend a pair of over the knee boots (I’ll be wearing it this way for Christmas Eve)…. but you can easily wear it with sneakers, a teddy jacket (like the one above), and a scarf. Or you can pair it with a longline coat and OTK boots or sneakers.

17. Do you plan on having any more children after this new one arrives? How has this pregnancy been different? 

This will be our last one! TJ + I both came from a family with two children, and we agreed, early on, that was what we both wanted. There were times when we thought about stopping after Harper, but we really wanted to give her the gift of having a sibling. As far as how this pregnancy has been different, I feel as if I am tired all the time. The first time around I had the opportunity to nap, sleep in, and relax on days when I was feeling sluggish. Yet this time around I have a toddler in tow and it’s just not possible. In a way, I’m okay with that though because if I was feeling so well rested those sleepless nights would come as a huge shock again (not that they won’t this time around, but at least I’m already used to one wake up in the middle of the night with Harper needing to go to the bathroom!). I’d also say I popped much quicker, and that I’ve been much more emotional this time around.

18. If you won a fantasy football draft what would you splurge on?? 

I’m assuming you won, so congrats! SO exciting! I have two thoughts here. I’d likely either take the money and splurge on a weekend getaway for the family (or just the hubs and me). I always feel like the memories made outlive the money spent. Or, I’d splurge on a handbag or pair of shoes…. loving this winter white perforated bag + these golden goose sneakers (in black)…. just saying. OR… maybe one night away and the the bag… best of both worlds!

19. Can you share you investment bag recommendations? I want to splurge from my Christmas bonus but want a bag I will use for years, so not too trendy. Thank you! 

The trick to a timeless bag is purchasing something in a neutral color option (or a designer’s standard logo bag)… not too small and not too large. Every designer handbag I’ve purchased has followed these guidelines, which is why I still own, and use, all of them to this date. A few of my favorites include the Chloe crossbody bag (a favorite of mine), Gucci velvet shoulder bag in the taupe (on my Christmas list this season), Saint Laurent shoulder bag (in black or this natural color), Ferragamo tote bag in the blush/gold (more of a tan), and the Prada Saffiano Tote (I own it in blush and still love using it).

20. How do you bounce back after a cheat meal?

Well first of all, we’re all entitled to indulgent meals…. that’s life… celebrations… fun events… it’s going to happen, so enjoy it! The easiest way to bounce back is to simply return to clean eating the following meal/day. I drink lots of water, load up on veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains, and then get in a good workout. That’s usually sufficient to balance out any indulgence.