More Exciting News!

This past month has been an exciting one! I am so thrilled to share with you the news that I will be a contributing writer for Project Nursery!

For the past 3 years I have been a loyal follower of Project Nursery. Over the years they have evolved from a blog dedicated to your baby's 1st room, to an incredible website packed with reader and designer submitted rooms, party ideas, expert design advice and fantastic weekly giveaways. I can't tell you what an honor it is to be a part of their team.

On the Project Nursery Blog, I will be sharing my styling tips, fabulous budget buys, and I will give my best advice on how to stay stylish and comfortable during your pregnancy.

My first post is all about dressing the difficult first trimester of pregnancy. To read about some of my favorite items for the first trimester and beyond, click HERE.

Gift Guide: For Your Guy

Whether your guy is a clotheshorse, a techie or the hardest person in the world to shop for...here are some of my favorite go-to gifts.

I love a cozy cardigan this time a year. This fisherman inspired Donegal cable cardigan would look amazing with a tee or a flannel layered underneath. $198 J.Crew

I don't know any man that would pass up some great tennis shoes. J.Crew has partnered with New Balance for some really fun color combos. $130 in Mocha

My husband has had his eye on a watch by Nixon forever. They are well priced and they have a wide variety of styles to choose from. The Mellor Watch $99.99 in Black/Saddle

Tom's sunglasses are fantastic! They look like an updated Ray-Ban to me. The Classic 301 is $130 and for every pair of sunglasses purchased you will help give sight to a person in need.

This is on my husband's list this year. If you have never smelled Creed's Green Irish Tweed, you must. It was originally created for Clark Gable and many hollywood men are known to wear this scent. It is rich, fresh, green and with a touch of spice. according to the Creed website, the notes are:

Top Notes: French verbena, Florentine iris

Middle Notes: Violet leaves

Base Notes: Sandalwood from Mysore, ambergris

For the traveler, this grid-it ipad organizer bag is fantastic. It has room for your ipad and more $34

I thought this was hilarious. Perfect to store toiletries, cords or other tech stuff. $28 on flight001.com

For the guy who has everything, this very manly personalized stationery would be a great gift. $12 by When It Rains shop

I also think pocket squares are a great gift for the guy who has everything. Go with a fun gingham or paisley. $39.50 by J.Crew

Bundle up in style...

This past weekend I had the opportunity to style a news segment for our local Fox station featuring adorable outerwear and clothing from The Legends Outlets Kansas City. The Legends has quickly become a premier shopping destination with stores like J.Crew/Crewcuts, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Cole Haan and Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth. You know I love a great bargain, so the Legends is like the mother ship for fabulous deals!

Here is a breakdown of all of the outfits and where you can find them:

On Bunny: entire outfit from Old Navy

Red Coat: $89.94 on sale for $59

Cream Sweater: $34.90 on sale for $25

Rockstar Black Jeggings: $34.94

Crochet Hat: $12.94

Zig-Zag Sweater Knit Mittens  $12.94

Sparkle Flats $24.90

on Cara: entire outfit from Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth

Vigoss Faux Fur Jacket: $99.99

Sequin Tank: $54.99

7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans: $104.99

Texting Gloves: $29.99

Saks Fifth Avenue Booties: $279.99

on Margo: entire outfit from The Banana Republic Factory Store

Tweed Topper Coat: $169 on sale for $101

Ivory Knit Dress: $74.99

Necklace: $39.99

Earrings: $16.99

L.A.M.B shoes (from Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth):  $279.99

My wishlist this year: need vs.want

Tis the season to start decorating and start making lists! Our 3 year old has even caught on and told us he wanted to make his list for Santa. Yes, this is only the beginning!

My wish list is short this year. Most of all, I just want to have an uncomplicated pregnancy for the rest 5 months and a healthy baby to arrive in April. But, if you twisted my arm, I might share with you some things I wouldn't mind unwrapping this year. I am not requesting anything fancy, I would just like some practical items. Things I "need" more than "want".

I am in desperate need of new tennis shoes. Especially after the baby is born, I am going to kick my fitness routine into high gear. I love my Saucony's that I currently have, so when I spotted these in Orange I knew I had to have them! Grid Shadow Genesis $80 on Zappos

I have had my eye on this J.Crew peacoat forever. It's a timeless classic and perfect for Kansas City winters. I find I don't wear my heavy coats I used to have to wear in Chicago! Her Majesty's Peacoat in Navy $258

I am in need of a some organization in my life. I could use a new dayplanner and some cute file folders. I came across from these fun printed planners from Sarah Pinto. Right now you can get a planner, one notebook and a set of notecards for $30. What a deal!

I think I love the poka dot pattern the best...

I am in desperate need of some new pajamas. Marigot Collection is a Kansas City based company that makes the most gorgeous cotton pajamas and cashmere lounge wear. I have my eye on these Lorient print pajamas with shorts. They are available for pre-order now and will ship mid-February. $150

I have been taking The Bar Method classes at the brand new studio that opened here in Kansas City. I am officially obsessed. It's a fantastic workout, and I hope to continue this through my pregnancy and after. I would love the DVD's to do right after the baby is born. Once the baby comes, I will only have a few months to get in shape for swimsuit season!!!!

I have been doing photography on the side and would love to get a new lens. A photographer friend recommended the Canon EF 50MM lens. I looked at some photo examples take with this lens and they are amazing. The lens itself is only $106 (on Amazon). Anyone use this lens? Would you also recommend it?

So, I am dying to know...what is high on your list this year?  

Closet Confession

Some secrets are REALLY hard to keep. Especially one that I have been keeping under wraps for over 4 months!

No, I haven't been slacking at the gym, that is a 17 week old baby bump we have going on here. We are expecting baby #2 at the end of April! We could not be more excited about the next addition to our family.

Dressing the bump has been more challenging this time around, because my first pregnancy was mainly during the summer. Thank goodness for some generous friends who have loaned me some fantastic items. Like these J.Brand skinny maternity jeans (with elastic on the sides of the waistband). They are probably the cutest maternity jeans I have tried on so far...

paired with H&M sweater, J.Crew sequin tank, thrifted gold necklace, Rachel Zoe for Neiman Marcus clutch and Forever 21 booties (sinilar here)

Street Style Pioneer: Bill Cunningham

A friend of mine told me I must see Bill Cunningham New York, a documentary about the famed New York Times fashion photographer. I have to be honest, I knew nothing about the man except that he was was legendary and the very first "street style" photographers of our time.

So, one night when my husband was watching the World Series I got a bowl of popcorn (Lime and Seasalt by Orville Redenbacher...it's so good, you must try it!) and tucked in for the show. Immediately I was drawn in...what a fascinating man with an unbelievable story to tell.

Here is Bill, on a rainy day photographing shoes...

I could not believe that this tiny 82 year old man rides around on his bicycle (rain, snow or sleet) snapping models, socialites, charity events, fashion shows, or just anonymous people on the streets of NYC. Anna Wintour says in the movie, "We ALL dress for Bill Cunningham".

I could ramble on and on about the documentary and how inspiring and lovely it was, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Just do yourself a favor and rent it, you won't be disappointed.

Paper Love

I just came across a stationery line I have never seen before, and I am in love!  Rifle Paper Co is a paper goods and gift company designed by a husband and wife team from Winter Park, Florida. What makes them unique is that all of their illustrations are hand painted. It gives their line a very nostalgic feel, yet with a modern twist.

I was first drawn to their custom illustrations. I would just love these for our Christmas card!

I still am a big fan of sending an occasional hand written note, these cards would be just perfect...

How can you resist these cutie-pie dog illustrations?! These would make a great Christmas gift for the dog lover in your life.

This reminds me...I have a few Thank-You notes to send. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Guest blogging over at Bright, Bold & Beautiful...

I am guest blogging over at Bright,Bold and Beautiful today talking about 3 things I am thankful for! Thanks to Laura from BB&B for having me!

It's just WONDER!ful

I miss Chicago for many reasons...friends, the restaurants, and of course the SHOPPING! Well, their shopping just got a little bit better with the arrival of a one stop shop for kids called Wonder!.

This 135,000 square foot shop has everything your child would need from birth on up to age 7. You will find 150 stroller models, different room vignettes set up Ikea style with furniture, bedding and nursery decor, clothing, toys, and gifts. It is the first ever store of its kind, offering higher-end boutique style merchandise on an extremely large scale. This is no babies-r-us, people.

If you weren't wowed by the shopping, you will be uber impressed by all of the amenities that Wonder! has. There is a 2 acre play area with real trees, a 1600 square foot registry area, a 20,000 square foot party rental space, a cafe and different rooms where children can take classes like yoga, art, cooking and dance.

Sounds wonderful, right? Now parents AND kids can have a fun shopping experience. I love the concept and I hope that it catches on. Who knows...maybe a Wonder! store will be coming to your town soon.

I scoped out their online site and found some super cute things. I am loving this new line called  Millions of Colors...

They also have a great selection of Appaman, a favorite of mine for boy stuff...

 And love all the striped cuteness from Toobydoo...

I found some great bath toys, like this tub island Racing Around toy by Alex $26

and they have some super cute baby bags. This Nest Dexter Bag in Army Green is a favorite of mine. Love the green color and it's lined in Turqoise!

You can visit the store in Deerfield at 250 S. Waukegan Road Deerfield, IL 60015. Or online at shopwonder.com

Neutral Zone

As much as I am drawn to color and pattern, lately I have been inspired by neutral tones. I love to mix cream, camel and winter white in clothing and it looks just as stunning in home decor.

all images via my Pinterest

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Melanie on Pinterest

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Source: temptalia.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: projectnursery.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest