Baby Boy Clothes are Hard to Find

I wrote a little post at Babble about baby boy clothes on a budget.

Click here to read about my favorite picks.

Look for Less: J.Crew Lace Trimmed Cotton Tank

I saw this looked for less and wanted to share:

Lace Trimmed Cotton Tank - J.Crew - $64.00 (Sold Out)
Lace-Yoke Jersey Tank - Old Navy - $19.94

I definitely like the J.Crew option better, it seems more delicate or something. But I think the Old Navy version is a good budget option.

What do you think? Leave your thoughts below.

Spied: J.Crew Stripe Swingtime Sweater (Postpartum Must-Have)

Yesterday, my husband, son, and I made a journey to the mall. We were on a mission to find clothes for me that didn't make me cry in front of my closet for half an hour because nothing fits the way it's supposed to (not that this happens - that often). Getting used to this postpartum body is certainly taking some adjustment.

We started at Urban Outfitters, where I fell in love with this lone blouse on the clearance rack. Unfortunately it was missing a button (hence the clearance price) and was a size too small. It was also $50, but I am still thinking about it. Like, I could live with all the problems including the hefty price. If I am still thinking about this shirt in the morning, I am going to have to head back and figure out how to justify purchasing it.

Next we headed to J.Crew. I didn't think I would be buying anything there, but when I walked in I noticed the extra 30% off discount, so I went digging. I pulled this lightweight sweater out and was intrigued.

Stripe Swingtime Sweater - J.Crew - $49.99 (Orig. $89.50)
(In my brick and mortar store it was marked at $34.99, with the discount, I paid $24.49)

When I put it on, I fell in love. It's lightweight, soft, and swingy. It clings to the parts of me I like, and grazes over the less than desirable soft section in the middle. Not to mention the shape is just different enough to look cool and urban, or at least that's what I like to think.

I might just be living in this top for the rest of the summer, or possibly the rest of the year.

So what's your postpartum fashion must have? What do you think of the sweater? Leave your thoughts below.

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Babys First Year. Here are my recent posts:

Let's Talk About Sleep Deprivation.

Have you had Problems with Breastfeeding?

Read my tips to help you Feel Like Yourself After Having a Baby.

Last week we had a Nursing Victory.

Do your babies Grunt?

See a slideshow of my husband, Steve, and our son for his First Father's Day.

How do you deal with a Fussy Baby?

Read about the Baby Blanket I Can't Live Without.

When did your Babymoon end?

Friday Wishlist: Anthropologie Wreathen Blouse

I heart crochet. I have been looking for a little crocheted something to wear this summer. I saw this and absolutely fell in love with the delicate pattern. If only I could afford it.

Wreathen Blouse - Anthropologie - $78.00

What do you think? Is this something you would wear? What's your fashion dream this week? Leave your thoughts below.

Happy Weekend. 

Inspired: J.Crew {ikat + shorts}

As I was perusing the latest J.Crew catalog, I noticed this outfit and wanted to create my own version. I just love the pattern and unexpected color combination

{j.crew - $312.50}

Here is how I would do it for less:

Geometric & Jersey Top - Forever 21 - $24.80
Lightweight 3/4-Sleeve Cardigan - Old Navy - $24.94
Twilight Pants - Roxy - $17.32 (Orig. $49.50)
Faux-Leather O-Ring Sandals - Old Navy - $19.94
Wide Brim Hat - Forever 21 - $12.80
total: $99.80

I chose to use pants because I am not a short shorts kind of girl, but if you are interested in some seafoam green shorts, I think these are a good option. I really like the pattern and color of the top I chose but I found two other top options that could also work really well with the outfit. {one + two}

So what do you think? Is this something you would wear? Leave your thoughts below.

Le Mode Accessories: 15% Off

Just wanted to let you all know Le Mode Accessories is having a sale this week. Here are a few of my new favorites at Le Mode right now:

1 - Wise Ol' Owl Studs - $10.50
2 - Sweet as a Peach Necklace - $18.00
3 - Polka Bows Studs - $10.50
4 - Beaming Delight Ring in Orange - $15.50
5 - Bow Stopper Belt - $15.00
6 - Hot Air Balloon Ride Necklace - $14.50

Enter | summer at checkout to receive 15% off your order.

Check out Le Mode's other goodies here.

J.Crew Sale: 30% Off Clearance

I received an email from J.Crew yesterday alerting me to the fact that they are offering 30% off (no minimum) on their sale section.

I found a few things I wouldn't mind getting my hands on:

1 - Silk Stripe Tee - $20.65 (Orig. $48.00)
2 - Radiette Cami - $20.99 (Orig. $88.00)
3 - Crosstown Tee - $10.49 (Orig. $34.50)
4 - Finespun Draped Tank - $13.99 (Orig. $39.50)
5 - Whisper Linen Cardigan - $27.65 (Orig. $49.50)
6 - Poet Popover - $41.65 (Orig. $72.00)

Use coupon code | MUSTHAVE at check out to receive the discount.

What do you think? Anything you would buy? Leave your thoughts below.

Spied: Dream Girl Dress

I got an email from DownEast Basics, letting me know that all of their skirts and dresses are 20% off this week. I headed over to check out the goods, and thought this was a good find:

Dream Girl Dress - $29.59 (Orig. $36.99)

I really dig the neckline and pleating at the waist. And I love the uneven nature of the lace pattern, it's a bit reminiscent of something that would be found at Anthro.

To receive your 20% discount online, use coupon code | STYLE. The discount is applied automatically in store.

What do you think? Is this something you would wear? Leave your thoughts below.

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Babys First Year. Here are my recent posts:

In case you missed it, Baby Tate: A Birth Story.

Has anyone ever told you, "Your Baby Doesnt Look Like You"?

Some of my Postpartum Feelings have really taken me off guard.

Our experience of having to take a jaundice baby to the ER | Part 1 + Part 2

Why I think women should find and share the Positive in Their Birth Story.

Have you ever felt like a Momma Bear?

Anthropologie Sale: 25% Off

Thanks to Nadja for letting me know about the markdowns and extra discount at Anthropologie.

Here are a few of my favorite finds:

1 - Montgomery Blouse - $29.96 $39.95
2 - Diamond Weave Slingbacks - $37.46 $49.95 (Orig. $90.00)
3 - Basketweave Racerback - $22.46 $29.95
4 - Two Worlds Tee - $22.46 $29.95 (Orig. $48.00)
5 - Denpasar Skirt - $37.46 $49.95 (Orig. $98.00)
6 - Magdalena Peasant Top - $37.46 $49.95

The discount is applied automatically at checkout. 

What do you think? Is this 25% off promo enough to get you to buy? Leave your thoughts below.

Outfit Under $100 {Neutral Floral}

I saw this floral tank and sort of fell for it. I decided to build a look around it.

Cropped Bolero Cardigans - Old Navy - $12.99 (Orig. $22.50)
Tiered-Hem Chiffon Tanks - Old Navy - $19.50 (Orig. $24.94)
Fab Grey Signature Skinnies - Forever 21 - $10.50
Faux-Leather Woven Sandals - Old Navy - $19.94
total: $62.93

What do you think? Is this something you would wear? Leave your thoughts below.

Spied: Merona Essential Cardigan - Grey Dot

To say I have been looking for a dotted cardigan for a while would be the understatement of the year.  I saw this one at Target, and thought it was perfection:

Merona® Essentials Cardigan Sweater - Grey Dot - Target - $15.00 (Orig. $22.99)

It doesn't hurt that it's on sale.

There are what seems like a million patterns available. Here are a few of my other favorites:

Merona® Essentials Cardigan Sweater - Green Clover - $15.00 (Orig. $22.99)
Merona® Essentials Cardigan Sweater - Pink Floral - $15.00 (Orig. $22.99)
Merona® Essentials Cardigan Sweater - Turquoise Print - $15.00 (Orig. $27.99)

What do you think? Which is your favorite? Leave your thoughts below.

Jem Apparel: 20% Off Sale

Do you all remember Jem Apparel, the online boutique that focuses on good quality, classic styles and low price points? They are having a sale this week and I wanted to make sure that you knew.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

{Open Back Ruffle Top} - $29.00 $35.00 (Orig. $60.00)
{Scoop Back Blouse} - $31.40 $38.00
{Peacock Print Top} - $32.00 $40.00

I wanted to make sure you guys knew my favorite thing about Jem Apparel, the owner, Jenny. She is such a dream to work with and is happy and willing to answer any questions on sizing, fit, etc.I worked with her when I was 5 months pregnant, and she was so helpful to make suggestions on what would work best with a changing, pregnant body. If you have any questions at all on your order, make sure to let her know!

Don't forget to enter | SPRINGSALE at checkout to receive the 20% off discount. {Sale ends June 7}

Make sure to check out all the goodies at Jem Apparel!
Happy Shopping.

Baby Tate: A Birth Story

It's hard to know where to begin the story of how baby Tate came into this world. No matter how much I remember and repeat it I can't possibly express the magnitude of the life-changing event. I guess I should start with our plan for Tate's arrival. My husband and I decided that we would like to try to have our son as naturally as possible. We signed up for Brio method birthing classes and started making our plans. The birthing classes were 2 hours long every week for 12 weeks. It was intense. We talked about things I had never even thought about. We learned so much. We were ready.

Our baby Tate's birth story starts after our doctor told us my blood pressure was too high on Friday morning. She told us to start considering induction because of the possibility of developing Preclampsia. We spent the weekend dealing with the fact that our rigid birth plan was being flipped upside down and inside out. We went to bed on Sunday night anxious about our Monday morning follow up.

Read the rest of the story here on Babble.