Favorite Wears: Conference Outfit & a Recap

This past weekend I attended Go Blog Social for my 3rd year in a row! I was only able to attend the Friday sessions, but I made the most of it by catching up with blog-friends, meeting lots of new friends (some in person for the first time) and introducing some of those new friends to Kansas City.  If you're ever headed to Kansas City and want some recommendations - I'd love you to email me!  I'm passionate about this city of mine. ;)
The conference that is located in Kansas City is a great one, especially if you are just getting into  or new to blogging or looking to take it to the next level.  It's wonderful for inspiring you to think about what you're already good at a bit differently, give you a new lens to peek through and a platform to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and/or bloggers, collaborate and learn from.  I gathered a lot of that in just my one day at the two-day conference!
It's hard to pick a favorite speaker - as they were all great, but I really related with Alea Lovely, a super talented, published and overall accomplished photographer, entrepreneur, speaker and artist.   
Have you ever attended a blog conference?   I'd love to know which one and what you like about them/took away from it!

{Outfit Details: Denim Jacket; Stripe Dress; Adidas Sneakers - bought via Twice, similar; Tote - last year Target, similar; Earrings; Bracelet}

The even this weekend was held at the Berg Event Space in downtown Kansas City, which is a really bright, open space that's just perfect. The space was packed full of beautiful floral arrangements courtesy of Trapp and Company, a gift, event, interior design and much more company rooted in KC.

Big THANKS to Caitlin of Sophisticaited.com for taking the pics of me! You should check out her blog, she is an awesome KC-based stylist (personal and commercial).
And lastly, don't forget to shop the Shopbop Friends & Family site-wide sale going on now through Friday. Click here to get the discount code & shop!

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Favorite Wears: Black & Blue with a Pop of Nora

My best accessory?  This little, dimpled cheeked, big blue-eyed beauty of mine, that's what. I didn't even mean to coordinate her outfit with mine (stripes and color matching my necklace), but it happened, and it does subconsciously often.  And I love it.  I never knew how fun dressing a girl would be - and to tell you the truth, I really haven't even gone crazy about it.  
Most of the time, she is in her "daycare" clothes - just hand-me-down onesies from her big bro, Liam, because the girl has about 10 blowouts a week and now that she's crawling, she is filthy!  But the older, more sturdy and stable she gets, the more she's standing up, the most I'm starting to dress her in the clothes I've been so excited to dress her in.  I've recently started dressing her in two-piece type outfits now that when I hold her, she can actually support herself and her shirt doesn't just end up bunched up around her armpits. 
And as for me - Fall, baby. That's really all I have to say. This kind of outfit is a dream to me. Layers, hats, booties! I love it, love it, love it.  This dress, under my jacket, is long sleeve, which I also really love. 
{Outfit details: Dress; Jacket - oldie from Target (similar); Booties (BEST EVER!); Necklace; Hat - oldie from Target (similar); Purse - and Nora's... I wish I could remember who gave her this cute outfit, but it was a gift, as well as her headband, with moccs by Freshly Picked}

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Favorite Wears: Mint Maxi

Perfect spring outfit includes a maxi and light-weight tops for unpredictable weather.  This outfit is complete with bright pops to really make this get-up separate from winter. My favorite time to style clothing is fall and spring because you can still get away with light layers and more fabrics without burying the cuteness under pounds of outerwear.
I'm also pretty jazzed to be outside more during this time.  Currently, our backyard is fenced (which is great for our dog and kids), but lacking any sort of patio, just all grass.  Well, finallllllly we are getting a patio poured next week! I'm so excited to then also get a real grill (we use a small tailgating one now), patio furniture, outdoor-toy storage and a lounge chair! Just in time for all the great cookouts that summer-time brings, especially when you have kiddos and it becomes pretty much impossible to go out to dinner.  I can't wait for all the family dinners we'll get to have out side, where Liam seems to be the happiest!
Now off to scour the internet for patio furniture... any suggestions?
{Outfit Details: Sweater (on sale!); Skirt - old Target (similar here, here, here and dress version here); Flats; Sunnies; Lips; Jacket - Gap (solid color version)}

 {Can you just please pause and look at Liam's little mischievous face?  I could just eat it up.}

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Favorite Wears: Camo in the Westside

A little over a week or so ago, Nora and I ventured out to meet friends, Erin and Sandy for lunch down in the Westside of Kansas City.  I love this area, for there are so many local joints with unique flavors and themes + a really cute street (though not a huge fan of the humongous piles of snow that made parking a beast, but ya know, come spring...).   One of my goals for when eating out this year is to try new things, and go local!  So on this particular day, we noshed at Blue Bird Bistro (where two years ago some of my friends hosted a baby shower for me when I was expecting Liam) and caught up about the world of blogging.  It's good to have girlfriends who also blog... and therefore kind of understand this little world.   Anyways, after lunch, Erin and I hopped over to another local shoppe, Little Freshie, to <finally> try it out and give the cute little place a looksie.  We each grabbed a drink (me - coffee, Erin - I think a soda of some kind) and then I drooled over their peanut cocoa spread - which now I need to go back to buy some (why didn't I get buy some?). 
Hey Kansas City readers - any other great local places you recommend I check out?  I have a few others on my list and reviews coming soon, but always looking to expand that list!  Get out and support local!
{Outfit Details: Jacket - old via Old Navy; Sweater (under $15 + use code DEAL for 30% off); Camo - last year via Gap (similar here - use DEAL for 30% off); Boots; Necklace; Lips; Glasses}

{Nora's booties here}

^ My little peanut doll. 

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My Favorite Holiday Looks from Party-Goer to at Home Gathering

No matter what is on your agenda this holiday season, it's a super fun time to get dressed!  The layers, textures, colors, patterns and variety of them all for an either dressed up look or cozy night in make it all so fun!  Here are some of my very favorite looks for this time of year for all types of happenings.
Dazzling Dresses: Beaded Black Dress w/ Sleeves & Sequin and Stripe Party Dress Girls Nights Out: Sweet Floral Dress; Panther Print Dress (great to dress up or down & totally unique) & a Classic Stripe Dress Beautiful Plus-Sized Options: Navy Midi Dress & Leopard Swing Dress Cozy Family Gatherings: Red Crepe Dress & Grey Dress + Plaid Scarf Perfect for Work Events: Chevron Beaded Toothpick Jean + Plaid Shirt + Buffalo Check Jacket & Soft Grey Sweater + Sequin Skirt
What will you be wearing this holidays season?

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Winter Coats: Splurge vs. Steal

I love a good winter coat, even though I hate having to wear one.  I love the look of them on and layered over an outfit, but hate having to tote it around.  I love having lots of different coats to pick from depending on my outfit or mood, but hate having to make space for them in my small closet. So... the least I can do is not spend a whole lot on them.  Here are some major steals that look like some richer coats and I'm loving them all!
Row One: Splurge vs. Steal Row Two: Steal vs. Splurge Row Three: Splurge vs. Steal {similar version with faux-fur hood: Splurge vs. Steal} Row Four: Steal vs. Splurge Row Five: Splurge vs. Steal Row Six: Steal vs. Splurge
Here are a few other coats I'm loving, all under $100:

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Liam and the Great Outdoors

This little love of mine is in his absolute element when he's outside, especially open fields, trees above, dirt all around.  He is the ultimate wilderness boy!  I love watching him explore and how excited he gets to run free.  Earlier this month we celebrated our friend's annual Oktoberfest (a little later this year).  We all brought a dish and beer to share (and encouraged to try new things).  There was a big bonfire and colorful trees, stacks of fire wood and hay bales. The perfect setting for my wilderness lover. 
Even better, we were surrounded by friends and over the years (twelve!) this annual Oktoberfest has added kid after kid, soon to outnumber the adults it we're not careful!  It's always fun to explore and be outdoors with other little friends.  The kids even had their own table to eat dinner and a scavenger hunt lit up by glow sticks and led by lanterns.  It was quite the evening for our little guy.

{The kids enjoying Oktoberfest dinner by lantern.}

More on my outfit - trying to feel good about how I'm dressed in these last few weeks of pregnancy, and it's hard work. This plaid jacket is one of my favorite things that I can't wait to wear post-pregnancy (you know, be able to zip)!

{Liam's Outfit Details: I'm obsessed with buffalo plaid for myself and my son!  Similar Fleece Jacket and Skinny Jeans - My Outfit Details: Jacket, Old Sweater via H&M (similar); Maternity Pants from Loft (similar); Boots; Lips; Old Scarf (similar) and Necklace}

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33 week along // getting sh*t done

Good news, friends!  The past two weeks we've accomplished a lot!  After feeling overwhelmed and short on time two weeks ago with a list of way too many BIG things to do, I got really fired up to make a dent.  Here are some of the major things we have accomplished:
1. Attic: It helps to have an awesome mom, who helped me start cleaning out the attic.  We spent about 2.5 hours breaking down boxes, vacuuming and starting to go through items to donate, then she and my husband hauled it all away.  We plan to take another night to finish up with cleaning more stuff out for donation and organizing what's left.
2. We got Liam's new big boy room set up (with a few more decorative things still to do), but the main stuff done!  My husband spent several nights updating the electrical outlets in that room (grounding them and installing some kinda of safety outlets or something - electrical speak I do not make).  He also installed our new wood blinds in that room (now for the rest of the house...) and then my dad came over and helped him install a floating shelf! I transferred all Liam's little clothing, favorite books, toys and set up his reading and play nook {see a sneak peek of the room here}.
3. We transitioned Liam to him new room with new big boy bed and all! {more on that later}
4. I need a new car before baby #2 arrives, as my current one doesn't fit 2 car seats!  I got my current car cleaned, took it to CarMax for an initial estimate and sent out a bunch of emails to area dealers for quotes on the new car we're looking to get.  I'm currently going through those bids and working out the details... hope to have a new car in a week or so!
We still have a lot more to do... but all in all, that's progress!  With Liam in his new room, I can get to work on updating the nursery for baby girl.  And husband will be hanging blinds around our house for weeks...  I'll share both the nursery and Liam's new big boy room in more detail soon!
Oh and as far as my health... things have been good there, too. I started physical therapy and with doing all of the above house work, I've been pretty sore (hip and belly area), but I think PT is going to ultimately help.  I'll be going once a week until they deem otherwise. 
What are some important home updates or to-dos before you had your babies?
{Outfit Details: Denim Shirt (one of the few maternity pieces I own); Skirt; Boots (on sale!); Earrings}

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My favorite online Labor Day weekend sales!

Do you prefer to shop online or in person at a store? I am about 80% of an online shopper myself. I love virtual shopping for a few reasons: it's so convenient, like late at night after baby is sleeping - no lines, no crowds, no rush; being able to quickly compare prices and act on the best deal; being able to use discount codes vs. coupons (hate paper); more options (in available merch, sizes, styles, stores that aren't local, etc).
But about 20% of the time, I do like to get into a store for a few reasons: in-store displays are always inspiring; if the mood to browse in person strikes (sometimes it does, most the time it doesn't); shopping with friends - it's a fun social activity; trying it on and buying only if it fits and I like it and return worries.
So which do you prefer and why?
And speaking of shopping... Labor Day weekend is one of the best times to shop and save money!  I never do my fall or "back to school" shopping in July when all the merchandise comes out (though tempted), I hold out for a month and a half or so for this weekend, because it all goes on sale!  Best time to shop for the best season ahead...  Here are a few of my favorite online sales (with their discount codes and a few favorite picks) going on now through Monday. 
ASOS is my go-to shopping site for something more unique to even the most basic, yet chic tee. I am obsessed with their midi-skirt selection.  

• Currently you can save 70% off their summer sale event - shop it here (prices as marked)
• Take 20% off on full-priced items with code SW20
• ASOS always has free shipping AND returns (so don't fret if new to ordering from their) + right now, free 2-day shipping on orders $140+ with code EXPRESSUSA
• A few of my picks:

Boden, a site I've yet to order from, but often adore their clothes and love flipping through their catalogs and site for inspiration.  Might have to bite the bullet this time, plus they have adorable kids clothing, too!

• Get 15% of select Autumn picks - shop it here (prices as marked)
• Take 15% off order of $100 or more, plus receive free shipping with code AD21 (see site for full terms)
• A few of my picks:

Gap is my go-to for a good basic and every once and awhile, a surprising unique piece. I just upgraded from my current, slightly too big and more of a faded camo jacket to this season's Gap one, that I just love. It was a deal to good to pass up!

• Red, Bright and Blue Event: 40% off select styles - shop full sale here (prices as marked)
• As always, get free shipping on orders over $50 (can combine with Old Navy, Piperlime & Banana Republic, too)
• A few of my picks:

NEW!  J.Crew's wonderful extra sale of their sale, just in!  

• Get 30% off final sale items with code HELLO30 - shop entire sale here
• Get free shipping off sales over $100
• Few of my picks {great time to get some super cute swimwear for next year} :

Madewell is always a go-to for casual-chic items and outfit inspiration.  I love just looking, but have also gotten some majorly cherished pieces from this brand.

• 30% off all sale items with code BYESUMMER - shop all sale items here
• Free shipping on all orders, automatically applied, no code needed
• A few of my picks (from sale items only; I want everything from their new arrivals):

The Limited is a store I'm on and off with. I come and go, either love a lot of not into much that they have in stock. But, I must say that right now, I'm on (well, would be if I weren't so preggo).

• Get 40% off full priced items only with code LONGWKND
• Get 30% off sale items with code LONGWKND - complete sale section here
• A few of my picks:

Are you shopping this weekend? What are your favorite Labor Day sales? Please share in the comments below (so many good ones going on)!