Abstract

Dress: Old Navy  /  Sweater: J Crew  /  Shoes: Sole Society 'Kelly'  /  Handbag: J Crew

Dresses make me so happy.  They are easy and forgiving.  However, there was a time that I despised dresses.  Middle school Maria was NOT a fan of anything girly.  I didn't hit my girly peak until the summer between the 8th grade and 9th grade.  No matter what anyone said or did, I could not have cared less about what I looked like in middle school.  Looking back, I wish someone could have been like "hey, why don't you brush your hair" or "maybe your dad's t-shirts aren't the best things to wear" but, honestly, it wouldn't have mattered.  Dad's old t-shirts and ratty hair was my norm.  I cringe at those super awkward photos that now happen to be my husband's "favorite" of me...he's evil I tell you...

Cobalt Tones

The top photo is totally staged.  Okay, so technically most all photos are not natural because who poses by themselves out in the street besides bloggers?  Anyhow, the reason I say it's staged is because I never ever cradle my belly with my hands.  It just isn't natural for me.  If you ever catch me out and about, chances are I'm lazily resting my hands on top of my belly like I'm flipping Santa Clause or something...not cute.  Have a great weekend!

Sweater: Loft:  /  Dress: Target  /  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman  /  Handbag: Chanel

13 Week Preggo Update

I love reading bloggers such as Schnelle, Veronika's Blushing, or Perfection Possibilities pregnancy updates so I've decided to do the same and keep track of my pregnancy this way.  I think this will just be a monthly thing and I'll summarize the month instead.  I also loved how Merrick wore the same dress when she did her updates so I'm going to try to remember to do the same.  I'm a copy cater.  I own it :-)

Weight Gain?:  I lost weight when I was sick but I'm pretty sure I've gained.  I'll find out on Friday at our next appointment.

Maternity Clothes?:  I tried to fight this as long as I could but my bump popped VERY early on.  I had to buy maternity bottoms just because yoga pants aren't acceptable at my office nor in court.  How I wish they were...

Symptoms?:  Thankfully, the nausea has gone away but now I have some bad acid reflux.  I had reflux before getting pregnant but it is definitely worse now.  I find that drinking chocolate milk helps it get better.

Sleep?:  Yes and no.  I sleep is spurts like 2 hours here or 3 hours there.  My husband bought me a Snoogle but he seems to use it more than me lol

Do I miss anything?:  Soft cheeses, cold deli meats, sleeping throughout the night, sushi

Movement?:  I sometimes think I feel a heartbeat or movement but I think it's too early for that.

Anything making you sick or queasy?:  Smells!!  Oh my goodness, air fresheners will literally make me sick.  Ahem...mom's air freshener.  The smell of chicken grosses me out too.

Food cravings?:  I mostly have cravings 'of the day' but lately cocoa krispies cereal, tomatoes, watermelon, strawberries, chocolate, and Japanese food.

Have you started to show?:  ABSOLUTELY!  It's crazy how early my belly popped.  Although I now love seeing the bump grow, I thought I would have a couple months to continue wearing my regular clothes but nope.  Belly is out in full force.

Boy or a Girl?:  Don't know yet but we finally decided on names!  The girl name came pretty easy and I love love love it.  The boy name was a little harder but we've finally decided.  So if it's a girl, I'll be calling her baby "O" until she's born or, if it's a boy, he'll be baby "L" :-)

Best Moment This Week?:  We're looking forward to our appointment on Friday and hoping that our little one is still healthy.

Pattern Overload

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: J Crew  /  Jeans: AE  /  Shoes: Ann Taylor  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton 'Neverfull GM'

So I put myself on a shopping ban.  Yep.  That's right.  A Shopping BAN!  So far so good.

This year, we will be adding a new family member so I want to be smarter about my finances.  For as long as I can, I will only be buying essentials.  Now, do realize that my waist line is expanding so I did cheat a little by buying a maternity suit.  I consider buying the suit an essential because I have to wear it at least once or twice a week and none of my other suits fit.  For Christmas, my husband absolutely spoiled me so I consider that to be my last hooray.  As for maternity clothes, many family members bought me different items of clothes or gift certificates so I think I'm okay on the maternity clothes for a bit.  I'm interested to see how long I can last!

Has anyone else gone on a shopping ban and, if so, any tips?

Daily Makeup Routine

(**Apologies for the bad lighting**)

It's no secret to those who know me--I'm a beauty junkie and always have been.  I'm obsessed with Youtube beauty channels--obsessed I tell you.  I have tons of makeup, however, you would never know about my obsession unless I told you (which I just did!) because I do not like to wear a lot of it.  Does that make sense?  Didn't think so.  And if you saw me on the weekend, I would either be scaring you with my bare face or wearing my "no makeup makeup look."  During the week, though, I try tttrrryyy to look my best since I'm either meeting new clients, seeing my old ones, or in court and looking put together is important for me.  I tend to change up my makeup routine but the one below is the one I've been doing for the past couple of week/months.

1. Sephora Immediate Wrinkle Release:  I use this after I've moisturized my skin and before I apply any product.  I think it's been discontinued which makes me sad.

2.  Foundation:  I will NEVER use another foundation.  The Diorskin Forever foundation is hands down the best foundation I have ever used.  It's not too heavy but gives me enough coverage to hide any imperfections.  It's pricey but lasts a long time since you only need to use a little bit each time.  I buff this on using my Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush.

2.  Under Eyes:  I use a combo of the Bobbi Brown Corrector, apply the concealer, then set with the setting powder that comes with the concealer.  It may sound like a lot but I have super dark circles.  I use the Sephora Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush to apply both.

3.  Eyebrows:  Using a light hand, I fill in my brows using Mac Mystery Eyeshadow.

4.  Eyes: I prime my lids using Too Faced Shadow Insurance.  I like to change up my eyeshadow but since buying the Naked Basics Palette I haven't used anything else since.  In my opinion, if you only buy one palette, you should buy this.  For $27, you get 6 full size neutral shades that are perfect for day and night looks.

5.  Eyeliner:  I swear by Bobbi Brown gel liner.  This stuff will not budge!

6.  Mascara:  I switch between using Loreal Telescopic and Covergirl Lashblast.  Both are wonderful and I love the price!

7.  Bronzer:  For my pale skin, I have to use matte bronzers and I love that not only does the Too Faced Chocolate bronzer smell like chocolate but I can also use it to contour.

8.  Blush:  I switch up my blush a lot but lately I'm liking this Lorac baked blush.

8.  Lips:  I am obsessed with the Revlon Just Bitten Stain in Adored.  It doesn't dry or chap my lips like a lot of stains do.

For extra specials days, I may apply highlighter and more contouring but that's usually my daily makeup routine.

Please let me know if you recommend any new products!  I love testing new things :-)

New Year, New Me

 Shirt: J Crew  /  Sweater: Gap  /  Pants: Talbots  /  Handbag: Kate Spade  /  Necklace: J Crew

Why hello there and happy new year!  Did you have any resolutions for the new year?  I had one and it's pretty simple...snap out of it!  Admittedly, since I learned that I was pregnant about 2 1/2 months ago, I got into a deep dark funk.  Not because I am not ecstatic about the lil one we're expecting in the summer but because I got really sick and just felt crappy overall.  My blogging was sporadic because I wasn't dressing up for work, my hair and makeup was a mess, and I just stopped caring.  Well, I am by no means the first pregnant woman that still has to work full time so I've decided to quit the pity party and snap out of it.

I am now looking forward to blogging more regularly because I really want to look back to see the growth of this already ginormous belly.  For how early I am in my pregnancy, my belly is big.  The picture in this post was taken three weeks ago and it makes me sad to look at it because those pants no longer fit me.  I didn't anticipate my belly growing so quickly.  I even had to tell my cousin I couldn't be in her wedding this past December because I no longer fit in my bridesmaid dress.  Although it sucked to not be in the wedding, it just means I have a healthy and growing baby so that makes me very happy.

During my blogging break, I started ready some "mommy" blogs and I discovered something...I'm the worst preggo mommy.  I seriously had a panic attack when I learned that I was eating things I shouldn't be and using the wrong soaps, etc.  No judgment please! :-)  Needless to say, I need to buy some books and read up quick.  Don't worry, I won't be dishing out any advice because, let's be honest, I know nothing.  

This has turned out to be a longer post than usual!  Thank you again and I hope you all had a great holiday season!