(My jumpsuit, slides, bag)

Happy Friday friends! We made it! I know the photo above has absolutely nothing to do with my Q+A… but until I can call it champagne chatting again (8 more weeks!) I’m at a loss for photos….. Anyway, answering some questions about toning up, packing for Hawaii, and friendships in today’s post…. Have a great weekend! xx
____________

1. What are some of your favorite hats for the spring + summer months? 

So many great options. I’m loving this baseball cap  for an off duty look, this visor sun hat (and this one), + wide brimmed straw hat. I also own, and love, this straw hat + this white tweed sancho hat from last season and think they’re still wonderful options.

2. What do you use to listen to music while you’re running? 

I’m so old school and still just use my apple earphones that came with my phone! My sister owns the Apple airpods and loves them!

3. How long did it take for you to conceive your second with acupuncture? 

It took me 4 months, but I also think it’s important to note that I started acupuncture the first time we were trying to get pregnant, and that was a much more challenging process. I think everyone’s body responds differently to acupuncture… depending on where you are when you first start. My second time around, my body was functioning at a better hormonal state than the first time. You can read all about my first experience here, and second experience here.

4. What’s your favorite non-chalky chocolate protein powder? I just ran out of Dr. Axe bone broth protein…. 

I’ve been a fan of the Tone It Up chocolate protein powder for the past year. I don’t find it to be chalky, but I do have to note here that I don’t simply combine it with water and drink it…. I typically blend it with smoothies, or use it in pancakes, so I don’t know if that masks any possible chalky consistency.

5. How are you planning on styling your black frame windows? With curtains, shades, blinds, etc….??

When we initially bought the house we really wanted to do shutters, like we had in our condo. Yet, as our designs changed and we decided we wanted black windows, we thought that covering them up would defeat the purpose. We’re looking at woven wood shades in the ivory color shade. We mainly want the blinds for privacy when we’re away/in the evening, and for black out purposes in the evenings (in the bedrooms).

6. How did you “let go” of a friend or relationship that isn’t serving you anymore? 

Always a tricky situation, and never fun. I personally feel that it all depends on “why” the relationship isn’t serving you anymore. Is it one in which you feel as if you give a lot of yourself and they take? Or is it full of drama, and you feel as if you’re always walking on egg shells? Lots of different reasons, but those are the two that come to my mind the quickest… I think the best way is to try and talk with them about what you’re feeling… and if you’ve already tried that, and nothing has changed, then I’d slowly let the friendship fade out. I’m sure some people would be much more forward, but I tend to go with what my gut says… and in the relationships that I’ve had to phase out, I’ve let them go slowly. No animosity, they just aren’t integral parts of my life anymore. I’m not sure how much that helps!

7. I’m looking for a new wallet, do you have any favorites that you can share? 

If you’re looking for an investment, the last wallet I purchased (10 years ago) was this Gucci wallet. A few other beautiful, more budget friendly, options include this beautiful black leather wallet, beautiful ring hardware wallet,  and this camel leather wallet. I also think this studded wallet is gorgeous.

8. Do you have any tips for dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions? I’m a first time mom over here!

I think the best way to deal with them is to rest… sit down, drink lots of water, and put your feet up… and let them pass. At least that’s what I do!

9. How are you handling any acne while pregnant? 

I don’t think I can be of much help here, as I haven’t had any acne during my pregnancies. I did struggle with more dry/dull looking skin, but not acne.

10. Do you have any good suggestions of maxi/midi dresses for a newborn shoot this spring? 

I feel as if I always recommend this embroidered dress for photos, but it’s because I personally love it, and think it would be so beautiful in newborn photos. I also recommended this tiered ruffle dress below, but think it would be soft and feminine in newborn photos. I also think this white lace maxi dress is gorgeous.

11. What’s your favorite strapless bra? I need a go to one that’s comfy for racerback top, etc…. I have small books so don’t need much support! 

This has been my favorite strapless bra for the past 4-5 years. Yet, if you don’t need much support, this bra also looks like a great option!

12. I am trying to lose weight and tone, but kind of don’t know where to start with 3 kids. Could you offer any suggestions on how to get started? 

I think a good place to start is with Tone It Up… I say that because all of their workouts can easily be completed at home, in under 30 minutes, which is ideal/optimal when you have young kiddos around. I wrote a post about them here…. they have lots of great meal plan suggestions as well, and healthy eating is critical in the toning/losing weight category. I first discovered them when I was about a year postpartum with Harper and wasn’t seeing the toning results I was looking for…. I loved their workouts and saw great results as well….

I do a combination of cardio/toning… so maybe a 20 minute walk/run and one of their videos would be a great place to start. Stocking your cabinets and refrigerator with clean eats… lean proteins, fruits/vegetables, energy giving carbs (brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes)… when those are on hand, it makes eating healthy a little more accessible and easier….

I also like that Tone It Up has “indulgences” as well… so you never feel like you’re depriving yourself. They’re just made with clean + healthy ingredients.

13. Do you have any good swimsuits for when you are pregnant? I’m going on a girl’s trip and will be 4 months pregnant and want to get a couple of new suits! 

I’ve tried on a few one piece suits and they just look super awkward! I did recently order this lace-up suit in a “long” size and crossing my fingers it will look cute (also, if you’re not pregnant I think it would look amazing too)! Other than that I recommend cute two piece suits. My favorite, and one I wore when I was newly pregnant, is this one shoulder top + low rise bottom suit. I also have my eye on this leopard print top + bottom combo. If you’re looking for a maternity specific suit, this gingham suit, ruffled cross front suit, high waisted suit, ruffled strapless suit, and this white one piece are super cute.

14. If could buy just one pair of sunglasses, which would you get? 

This was a really hard question for me to answer, mainly because if I could only own one pair of sunglasses, I would likely invest in this Celine round sunglass pair. The other pair that I would suggest would be these Illestevas (I had them and they fell out of my car when we were taking photos… but the time I realized it was too late and they were gone…. but now they’re back in stock…. so…..).

15. What are some of your favorite graphic tees? You always have the best ones! 

TY! I did an entire post on my favorite graphic tees here…. but this tiger one was recently added to my collection a few weeks ago… super soft… I highly recommend!

16. This is a random question, but we are remodeling an older home with original red oak floors and have sanded them down. We’re wanting to keep them light and modern looking- do you happen to know what color stain your contractor used on your floors? 

We reached out to the gentleman who did our floors, but we’re still waiting to hear back from him. Our floors were originally red oak as well, and I wanted more of a taupe finish, but he noted that with original red oak it would be a little more challenging to cut all the orange/red tones out. That being said, when he gets back to us, I’ll be sure to share!

17. What paint color are the walls in your home?? 

The walls are Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee.

16. Do you wear mostly maternity jeans/pants or do you wear your regular stuff with a bellaband? Also, how are you sizing your clothes? Pre-maternity, or couple sizes up? I’m newly pregnant and about to start shopping!

I have 3 pairs of maternity jeans…. this boyfriend style pair (which is still a little loose one me), this black pair (fits like a glove, size down), and I just bought this medium wash pair…. and for the last two, I really struggled with buying them knowing that they’d only be temporary. With that being said, I try to wear a bellaband as much as possible, just because I find the overall fit so much more comfortable (I don’t like pulling up pants that are too large)…. I think the bellaband is such a great way to mimic maternity jeans too. In my first pregnancy, I actually purchased regular jeans that were one size bigger (to fit for weight gain) and then wore them with a bellaband… they were great post pregnancy too!

As far as sizing goes, it really depends on the brand, material, + overall fit of the product. I do find myself sizing up one to two sizes in tops to account for length. I recently got this dress, but because it was naturally very oversized, I stuck with my regular size and it should be sufficient to get me through the next eight weeks. If you’re newly pregnant with your first, I’d start with sizing up one since the big pop tends to happen more towards the end and you still want to show off your cute bump!

17. Can you help a 7 month postpartum bod with packing for a Hawaii trip? I’m at a loss right now! I’m thinking one piece suits that are not too mom-ish (haha) and then some dresses, long + short for day and night. I don’t think I’m quite ready for shorts yet! 

Have so much fun! I love, love, this leopard one piece suit (beautiful low back), black lace up suit, ruffle light blue suit, and this beautiful v-plunge one piece (I actually tried to make it work while pregnant but the bump was too much for the plunging neckline… saving it for this summer though….). As far as dresses go, I would probably pack this beautiful slate colored dress (that also acts like a coverup), my favorite gingham (blue + white) smocked dress (I’ve had it for two years….), off the shoulder ivory dress, super cute tie front dress, and I really like the idea of this high waisted smocked skirt with this suit (or this one)…. it’s one of my favorite ways to take your daytime look to evening. I also love this ruffled maxi dress for day and night. I know you said no to shorts, but I think these paperbag shorts could be super cute! Hope that helps!

18. I love how your hair was styled for your sister’s wedding. Did you show your hairstylists any specific pics for the look you wanted? If you did, would you be able to share them? I am the MOH for my friend’s beach wedding and I think your hairstyle was the perfect balance of breezy, but still formal. 

TY so much! Yes, I showed her this photo  and was very specific that I wanted it to look tousled and “undone…” Hope that helps!