Summer basic: black Maxi worn 2 ways

You can't go wrong with a basic black maxi dress for summer. It can worn casual for running errands during the day, a coverup for the pool, or dressed up for a date night or even a wedding! 

Casual look:

Black Maxi dress: Treads 4 Thought

Grey tee: American Eagle

Purse: Vintage Coach

Bracelets: Forever 21

Necklace: Vintage

Dressed up look:

Black Maxi Dress

Scarf: Target

Belt: Vintage Calvin Klein 

Black&White clutch: Ulta 

Gladiator Sandals: Sam Edelman

Bracelets: Forever 21

Building your wardrobe with the right basics is the best way to maximize your outfitting possibilities and your budget! 

Baby wearing

I am a first time mom and I would say one of the most important things I have learned since having my son is how much I value baby wearing! I researched a lot about kangaroo care and baby wearing before I gave birth and how significant it can be in an infant's development. Doing all my research convinced my husband and I that we wanted to implement this parenting technique with our son. 

Kangaroo care is a parenting technique that focus's on skin to skin contact with your infant everyday by way of baby wearing. Studies have shown that baby's are more content, sleep better, eat better and develop and adjust easier if they are given a significant amount of skin to skin contact everyday in the first few months of life. This can be done with both mom and dad!

So the baby carrier we decided to buy was the Boba Wrap. It is like a giant comfy t-shirt that wraps around you and baby to keep them close enough to hear your heartbeat. The best part of this wrap is that it is hands free! I was able to be close to my baby, give him skin to skin contact, but also get things done around the house at the same time. The laundry, dishes, cooking and cleaning were all easily completed as my baby slept soundly right on my chest in the Boba wrap. I thought this was pretty

much the best invention ever made. 

As my son grew bigger and was able to support his own head I started using the Ergo Baby carrier. This carrier is more structured and does not require any fancy tieing techniques. It also rests on your hips taking the pressure off your shoulders as you carry baby. I love to use the Ergo when we go on hikes, walking, or when I need to run into the store, I can quickly put the carrier on and place my son right in front of me. You can also put baby on your back using the Ergo, which is a nice option to always carrying baby in front, like with other carriers I have seen. 

Baby wearing has been a huge part of my son's life and he loves it! I am so thankful for both my Boba Wrap and Ergo Baby carrier. I strongly encourage you mom's out there to check out these carriers and see which one works best for you and your baby. I promise you won't regret this purchase!!

Fashion Friday: lazy hair day & yoga sling sandals

The summer season is here! As the hot weather approaches I am definitely more inclined to get my hair up out of my face and in a ponytail. But I love to add a little something extra like a cute headband, braid or in this case, a bandana. I like to tie mine on the top and have the knot showing. I bought this grey one at Michael's for $1.50! 

I have also found my new favorite go to sandals for this summer!! They are Sanuk's and made out of yoga mats! Yes, the soles are real yoga mats. It's like walking on marshmallows, (minus the sticky mess). They can be worn casual or dressed up. These wonder sandals will be adorning my feet all summer long. I might have to buy another pair in a different color!! 

Pullover: Velvet Wolf (Littleton Boutique)

Layer tank: Gap

Denim: American Eagle

Sandals: Sanuk's 

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Bandana: Micheal's 

Fashion Friday: Casual in boyfriend jeans

My boyfriend jeans are my favorite pair to wear! I can dress them up or down and  are super comfy. 

Today I am out running errands and this is always my go to outfit. I feel casual, yet also put together. Adding a fun scarf and cute sandels will always add style to a basic tee and jeans. 

As a nursing mom I am all about being comfortable and having easy outfits I can throw on quickly.  If you only have a minute to get dressed remember that adding accessories, like a scarf, necklace, or hat and some dressier flats is the easiest way to elevate your look. 

Give it a try! Happy Friday everyone!! 

The May Squat Challenge

So, I came across this challenge on Pinterest a few months ago. I pinned it with the intension of doing it sometime in the future! Well, as the month of May approached I figured now was a great time to actually do it, not just talk about it!! 

It is day number 8, I'm up to 90 squats and I am feeling great! I challenge all of you to give this a try and push yourself to a new fitness level. Whether that be to get your legs ready to bare shorts this summer, or to improve your leg strength like I am doing in preperation for my up coming half marathon in June. 

And for all my fellow moms out there this is a great exercise to do at home, no equipment or gym needed. You can also hold your baby while you squat to add some extra weight and really feel the burn! 

Come join me in the squat challenge for 30 days and let's gets our booties in shape!