Tag Archives: red

#RealTalk, a Giveaway, and #YOLOmondays Link-Up!

maternity style: navy and white ikat maxi dress, white bubble necklace, red toms {{Dress: Ross
{{Belt: Target
{{Shoes: TOMS
{{Necklace: Caroline G. Shop
{{Bracelet: ILYCouture c/o

Okay, it’s time for some Real Talk (or #RealTalk in hashtag speak).

#RealTalk: The dress I’m wearing in this post isn’t even a maternity dress, but it fits like one. And I love it. Boom.

#RealTalk: Golden Double Stuf Oreos are my new favorite cookie. They are so much better than regular Double Stuf oreos.

#RealTalk: I’ve gained too much weight in this pregnancy and I’ve genuinely tried to do what I can to keep it down and not gain too much, but it’s so hard. (This is totally unrelated to my new love of Golden Double Stuf Oreos. I promise.) I’m really trying to eat everything in moderation, but I fight this weird fight of being STARVING one minute and then four bites in to my meal I’m full. I hardly finish what I eat anymore, but I’m still gaining weight. Also, exercise is tough. Those pregnant women you see running races and being all active and stuff? Those women are heroes and I want to be like them, but sadly, I’m not. I’m trying, though!

#RealTalk: While I love my belly right now, I hate my body. I feel like in the last month everything has just grown OUT. My hips, my feet, my arms, my chest, my legs… it’s all growing OUTWARDS. Everything is getting wider. And as someone who has struggled with body image issues her whole life, it’s not helping that people keep asking me if I’m sure I’m not having twins. YES, I AM SURE I AM NOT HAVING TWINS. There is one baby in there. ONE. Like, I know it’s lighthearted but, come on. How am I supposed to take that? Asking a pregnant woman if she is sure she isn’t having twins is basically telling her you think she’s huge.

#RealTalk: Sometimes I want to vent about stuff like this just to vent about it. I’m not really looking for a solution or advice… sometimes I just want to vent.

#RealTalk: The Wendy’s by my house has caffeine free Diet Coke on tap… and it makes me happy. So yes, I go to Wendy’s JUST to get a fountain drink. Sue me.

#RealTalk: My husband got me this purse as a Mother’s Day gift (the one on my wish list!) and I am obsessed with it. Yes, I know it’s kinda weird that a purple purse would make me so happy, but it does.

#RealTalk: I am rewatching the entire series of Arrested Development in preparation for season FOUR coming to Netflix on May 26th. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am. Most hilarious show ever.

still being molly maternity style: belted floral cardigan, striped shirt, Litva's Jewelry earrings

#RealTalk: I’m super excited to bring you a FABULOUS giveaway from the adorable and oh-so-gorgeous Sandra of Litva’s Jewelry. You’ve seen her on here before as she’s been one of my amazing sponsors for a few months. Well, today’s she’s giving one lucky reader a $40 gift card to her shop! YES! $40!

And considering most of her jewelry is in the $10-$20 range, that’s preeeetty awesome. That’s like two pairs of earrings! Or something.

I have a couple pairs of her chandelier earrings and I absolutely LOVE them (pictured to up and to the right).

So, without further adieu, use the Rafflecopter tool below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy YOLO Monday! Each week, Carly & I select a few of our favorite posts from the Monday before to feature. It’s a great way to put the spotlight on a few of y’all each week! Please be sure to link up an ACTUAL post, not just a link to your main page.Our favs from last week?

White Jeans Day to Night

BBQ Chicken Salad

Mini Quiches

All About Accessories

The Rules for #YOLOMONDAYS Link-Ups:

Follow your hosts Molly @ still being [molly] ,Carly @ Lipgloss & Crayons , and your guest host for the week Susannah @ Simple Moments Stick
Grab a button and / or post a link back here in your BLOG POST (NOT your blog’s main page) so your readers know what all the #YOLOMONDAY-ness is about. We love you guys linking up and we do go through and read all your posts… so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link. That’s no fun, right? Right. So be nice and share a link! Pretty please?
Link your blog post up using the linky tool below! It can be ANYTHING! An outfit post, a giveaway, a story, a recipe, whatever. Why? Cause it’s #YOLOMONDAYS!
Visit a blog or four that you’ve never been to before and leave a #YOLOMONDAYS comment – you never know, you might “meet” someone new that you will lurve!
Have fun! Cause #YOLO!

Want to cohost #YOLOMONDAYS? We are accepting weekly co-hosts! Please email us at carlybrydon@gmail.com for more info!

Red, White, and Things I Hear a Lot

32 Replies

maternity style - red and white cotton chevron skirt, white tee, grey toms, white teardrop bib necklace - North Carolina Fashion Blogger {{Skirt: Old Navy (old, similar)
{{Shirt: Target (similar)
{{Shoes: TOMS
{{Necklace: Caroline G. c/o

While not every aspect of pregnancy has been fun, there hasn’t been ONE second that I have taken this whole experience for granted. Every bout of nausea, every weird craving, and every sleepless night is worth it, because I know the precious gift the Lord has blessed us with that is growing bigger and stronger every day.

And now as this baby moves more and more, I just smile and laugh as I watch the miracle happen before my eyes.

But, enough of the mushy gushy stuff. One of the things that has come along with this pregnancy that I was not aware of before, is the “stuff” I get to hear. All the time.

And, to be honest, here are a few things that I have heard a little too much, and I’d be okay if I didn’t hear them anymore (or at least a little less than I hear them now):

“You just wait…”
“Oh, you’ll see…”
“It only gets better.”
“It only gets worse.”
“Should you be eating that?”
“You should eat this.”
“That’s not how it was for me when I was pregnant.”
“That’s not how my sister / mother / friend / daughter felt when she was pregnant.”
“Well, she’s pregnant and she can do it, so shouldn’t you be able to?”
“Did your doctor say that was okay?”
“Wow, you’re huge for how far along you are!”
“Have you finished the nursery?” (We haven’t started on it yet… wooops.)
And of course, the unsolicited labor horror stories

Please, please, please don’t get me wrong – I know that most, if not ALL, of these statements have well-meaning intentions behind them and that people genuinely care and want to help. And I totally appreciate it and I’m SO grateful to be surrounded by so many people who are so caring and thoughtful. Just hearing these statements so frequently can just sometimes make an already sleepy and anxious pregnant lady a little weary. ‘Naw mean?

Anyone else know what I’m talking about? What do YOU hear a little more often than you’d like?

Linked up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

Red + White Travel Style

37 Replies

maternity travel style: red striped tee, jeans, red toms, longchamp bag

{{Shirt: Target (old)
{{Jeans: Motherhood Maternity
{{Shoes: TOMS
{{Bag: Longchamp (similar)
{{Necklace: Kazuri Kenya

I’m in Florida right now for a quick work trip and this is what I wore to the airport yesterday. If I’m gonna be on a plane, it’s all about comfort for me (AND ease of being able to take my shoes off for going through security).

Sure, nothing exciting or groundbreaking in fashion, but hey, this is one of those go-to outfits for me that’s comfortable and I can pretty much count on for any situation. Am I right?

What is YOUR go-to “travel” outfit?

Linked up with The Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So

Fancy Style + Legwear

14 Replies

First, let me say my prayers are in a few places today. With all of those affected by the bombings in Boston – my prayers are with you. Such a senseless tragedy and I pray for peace and healing during this tough time.

And secondly, my prayers are also with the Virginia Tech community. I can’t even believe it’s been six years since the shootings there – I remember it like it was yesterday. I know I was personally affected by that tragedy, along with so many of my friends, and it’s just important to never forget that awful day.

Prayers abound to all.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4

Now, on to today’s post.

I was super excited to get the opportunity to work with Hanes legwear to review some of their newest, super affordable options they have available now.

maternity style - black sequin shirt, black and white striped skirt, red bow bag, and Hanes tights

I used to work in a super professional-dress environment and, honestly, have been wearing Hanes legwear for years. I was excited (and weirdly a little nervous) to try out some of the newest options because, well, I’m pregnant, and so I wasn’t sure how they’d fit or how they’d work. Especially since my body is not really my own right now.

Here are the different styles Hanes sent me:

Hanes brand affordable legwear options

They sent six options – three nude color options and three black options. Two pairs of thigh highs and four pairs of control tops. All with different “textures,” if you will. BTW: All of these tights retail for less than $5.97 a piece and can be purchased at pretty much any drugstore, grocery store, or Target-type place.

Well, the timing was perfect because I had a business casual / cocktail attire-type event to attend this past weekend, and so I was eager to try out the different looks!

I opted for the “Seasonless Tights” in jet black for this particular outfit. These particular tights are lighter weight and so they work well in cold or warm weather. It was 76 degrees Saturday afternoon when I was getting ready, so these were the way to go.

Now, I will say that I loved the soft texture of these tights, but they are also “thick” enough that I don’t think I’d get a run in them easily.

However, they were definitely a little tighter and “stiffer” than I’m used to, but after some pretty hilarious and awkward stretches and lunges (my husband was looking at me like I was totally nuts) they were actually REALLY comfortable – and I’m 24 weeks pregnant. maternity style - black sequin shirt, black and white striped skirt, red bow bag, and Hanes tights

I’ve used “high-end” legwear before and these really measured up. I actually look forward to trying out the other styles and looking for fun ways to incorporate them into dressier looks.

Are you a tights / pantyhose / stockings fan? What do you call them, anyway? Tights, pantyhose, or stockings? Or is it just legwear? Have you ever used Hanes before? What’s been your experience?

{{Top: Express (purchased at Plato’s Closet)
{{Skirt: Motherhood Maternity
{{Bag: Oasap c/o
{{Shoes: Target
{{Tights: Hanes c/o