Baby Shower Style | ASOS Maternity Dress

A pancake station ✔️ 

Baby succulents ✔️ 

A "Mom-osa" bar ✔️ 

A carriage made of cupcakes ✔️

...These are a few of my favorite things 

I must say, the gracious hosts of our baby shower (all 7 of them!) didn't miss a beat in personalizing the day just for us and our growing Family. I remember how early my Mom started plotting ideas for shower day...We shared the big news with our parents in December and a few weeks after Christmas, she was already making folders with ideas and inspiration. A few months later, she hosted the rest of the ladies in my Family at her house for an Italian dinner while they narrowed down options and delegated different tasks to be completed. All along, my Mom made sure everything was kept secret from us because she wanted all of the touches to be a surprise and more than that, didn’t want us having to think about anything since there was already so much on our plates. I’ve been involved in planning multiple different showers (baby and wedding) so I know how much work they are and I can't thank them enough for their time and efforts.

The shower was a few weeks ago and we are still overwhelmed with the love we were shown that day. There was so much joy and happiness spilling out of every little moment and we feel so blessed that our little man is already so loved. P.S. You should have seen our faces once we got all of the gifts into our house...oh my God. I just kept saying, babies CANNOT need this much stuff (though I'm told we'll be surprised how much of it we actually do use). We put everything in the dining room until we were ready to start going through it (many days later) and then napped on the couch for hours, the dog included. A tiring day for us all!

Here are few shots of my favorite details:

party favor succulents found here

cupcake carriage by smallcakes 

"mom-osa" station

As for the dress, I considered quite a few – I basically kept my eye on the rotating maternity styles at ASOS for a few months and closer to shower day, I ordered a few different ones. I was obsessed with this style online – It was out of stock for so long (and actually is again, but the maxi version is available!). I loved it so I waited for it to be re-stocked to try it on...unfortunately, it was still a little too big/boxy on me and I was really looking for something more body hugging. As I’ve mentioned previously, I prefer this when it comes to maternity styles…in my mind, there’s no reason we should hide our bump or the rest of our shape. With that said, I ended up choosing this half sleeve style (in light blue, of course!) and was very happy with it. 

SHOP MY SHOWER LOOK:

P.S. If you're still hunting for a maternity occasion dress, here are a few of the other runners-up I debated on and off...they're all so beautiful! 

SHOP OCCASION DRESSES:

And because this outtake is too good not to share...Damn wind! Would have been a fun shot :)

Overjoyed and overwhelmed, all at once!

Can't believe we're about to become Mom & Dad...Eek!!

Let the adventure begin... 

Wearing:

Dress: ASOS Maternity

Shoes: Splendid c/o ShopBop

Earrings: Francesca's (old), similar

Bracelet: Alex & Ani

Lipstick: Butter London - Loved Up

5 Beauty Products I Need in my Life

On a daily basis I use a good amount of products. From hair wash to styling and from makeup all the way to washing my face before bed, there are so many items that are used daily. Today, I wanted to share my favorites with you. I have tried literally hundred of samples and full size products in the past 10 years and I am happy to say I have finally found a few to really covet!

Here are my top five beauty products I currently use.

Dry Shampoo This is HANDS DOWN my favorite dry shampoo of all time! I've tried over 15 brands and this one takes the cake for sure. I can go five days comfortable using this (seriously!) and it not only smells great but makes my hair look like day two everyday. Living Proof for the win! Well played Jennifer Aniston, well played. 

Facial Towelettes I use these daily to take off my makeup before washing my face. I use to use Neutrogena face wipes (and I still love those and would use them if I'm out), but I likes these better. They work just as well, and these are non-toxic too so what's not to love about that? 
Butter London & GloMinerals  The top photo are my two go-to colors, but honestly both these sets are my favorites. I've been wearing the Buttuer London colors for a litter over a year now and the GloMinerals I started this past summer. Not sure how I ever managed before them. ;) 

Contour Kit I really only use four of these colors for everyday wear and contouring. As an added bonus I don't need to switch my makeup in the summer months, as I just use the other colors! This pallet is perfect and gives you everything you need all in one set. They also come in different skin shades (this one is light-medium) so it's always a perfect match. 

Hair Spray I found the perfect hair spray! OK, so it's says helmet head, but it's not stiff if you brush your hair after applying it. I use this spray to curl my hair and then (I kid you not) my curls last for three days with no touch ups! I'm so serious. The best hair spray if you like hair styles that keep for all day and beyond! 
What are you favorite products? Any you love that I should know about and try?

These Are a Few of our Favorite....Lip Colors

As two girls of very different heights, we can't always make each piece of clothing shareable but one thing we never have a problem trading are our favorite lip colors. In our mind, a great lip color is just as important as your favorite pair of shoes or statement necklace because one swipe of color can actually change your mood. Even if you don't have other make up on (though mascara is still always a must!), you can still look and feel put together.

So yes, it's true...we are self-proclaimed beauty junkies, always on a mission to define our signature lip color — everyone has a shade that never fails to flatter and make them feel instantly gorgeous...

Here are a few of our current favorite shades:

Glo-Minerals // Colors: Crush, Bombshell, Demure, Sorbet 
Butter London // Colors: Loved up, Toff
Bobbi Brown // Colors: Blue Raspberry, Rose Blossom 

Sugar Advanced Therapy  What are your favorite lip colors? Do you have one we MUST try?

Beauty & the Blog: Kaitlyn's OOTD

For our Lake & Country Magazine shoot, we were photographed in two different settings: Romantic daytime for the "ladies who lunch" theme and everyday, an invitation to share our personal style. 

The photos were shot in January so it was slightly difficult to find blush tones and Spring styles but my search came to an end when I consulted ASOS - I ordered two different dress options because I knew I would need a backup and of course, I ended up loving them both, but promised my husband I would stick to my word and send the one back that wasn't being used ;) 

Look 1:

Dress: ASOS (on sale!) | Shoes: Jennifer Lopez (similar) | Earrings: Forever 21 | Bracelet: Francescas

For our second outfit, we were asked to bring something that defined our style as bloggers - a look that we felt most comfortable in and served as a good representation of our daily life. I didn't think twice about this -- When it comes down to it, I am definitely and jeans and t kind of girl and in the cooler months, I almost always gravitate towards a leather jacket to dress things up (or down). This is a weekday look I would wear to work and with the necklace and booties, could be dressed up for evening drinks or dinner. 

Look 2: (photos by Anna Urban Photography)

Jeans: LOFT | Top: LOFT (similar) | Jacket: BISTM | Booties: Just Fab 

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: T+J Designs (on SUPER sale!) | Lipstick: Butter London

What do you think of these looks? 

What do you consider your everyday style?

Sushi Sunday

Call me crazy for going exposing my legs in negative Chicago temps (because you'd be right) but I am OVER sweaters, skinny jeans & boots. Seriously, DONE. Every year I reach this breaking point (much like this) where our hometown weather suddenly seems unbearable and all I can think of are those endless summer days where the most clothing I have to wear is a swimsuit and cover up.

With that said, it's good to make sure you have things to look forward to on the calendar during these months...that's always what makes the time go faster for me. We recently celebrated my brother and Lisa's birthday (happy bday again, sister!) at Kona Grill, one of our favorites. Lisa and I ordered a few of our favorite sushi rolls and added avocado to each because it automatically makes everything more delicious ;)

Jacket: J.Crew (similar) | Blouse: Target (similar) | Skirt: Target (similar)

Booties: c/o Just Fab (almost identical!) | Bag: c/o Shopbop | Sunnies: Target

Gold bangle: Rocksbox | Red bracelet: Gift from Lisa | Lip color: Butter London

How do you make the last few months of winter more bearable?