The Best Tee Shirt Dress (Half Off!)
Hello there! It’s been a while since I’ve done just a good ‘ol outfit post…no baby on my hip, wearing something that makes me feel wonderful and that I am excited to share with y’all, too. I am 95% mom and 5% blogger these days, and I’m not sure what my work/mom life will look like once baby number two is here, but for now I am embracing that 5% of time to jump on my computer and answer emails or just have some time to myself (…likely doing laundry…let’s be honest, ha!). About a month ago (before the quarantine and before so much in the world was uncertain and heavy), I met up with my friend and photographerAnna Szczekutowicz to grab coffee and catch up on life and shoot a few looks I’ve been loving lately. I felt pretty nervous and rusty getting back in front of a camera in the way I used to. I forgot how vulnerable it can feel…it’s been so long! Anna is so great though and helps direct and find flattering angles…I know when she sends me the photos I don’t need to be nervous to click “open.” Plus, there are a handful of new pieces I’ve been wearing so much lately that I’ve really wanting to share with y’all. (This tee shirt dress is one of them!).
CARDIGAN / DRESS / HANDBAG / SHOES (similar, mine are old Steve Madden) / JUDE NECKLACE / CRESCENT NECKLACE / SUNGLASSES
Our current routine: wake up, hang at home, take Jude on a walk outside, come back home, eat dinner, bath time, bedtime, repeat. We’re taking this social distancing thing very seriously, with small outings here and there to pick up the necessities (our toilet paper search finally ended today, thankfully! Phew, that stuff was tough to find!). In the midst of the caution and stillness, we’re all itching for some fresh air. Whether that be in the form of sitting on our back porch and sipping morning coffee, going for a stroll around the block or hiking through the local greenbelt. Now more than ever, we are cherishing those short bouts of time outside. (And of course, making sure we’re not in close contact with others while doing so).
Sunny days are headed our way as we inch closer to spring! It feels so good to box up my winter boots to make room for fun sandals and flats. I’m all about flashin’ a little ankle – and any excuse to treat myself to a pedicure…I will certainly take it, ha! DSW has been a go-to when it comes to shopping for myself and the fam…and the best part? I love that when I press “add to bag” there is no guilt involved because the prices simply can’t be beat! The brand I’m loving and sharing today is 
This week has been a big one in our world…we celebrated Jude’s first birthday (!!), announced baby number two to the world (!!) aaand the weather was finally perfect enough to enjoy a beautiful day at Zilker Park. I have to add that to the list because I feel like we’ve been in hibernation mode since it’s been freezing and raining on and off in Austin lately. It’s hard mentally to hide indoors for so long…I go stir crazy pretty quick! Thus, once we finally had a little peek of sunshine, we packed up the diaper bag, laced up our sneakers, zipped up our jackets and made our way to the park! We made sure to bring Jude’s favorite ball with us…that is a must these days!
Was there a sport you were really into when you were younger that you haven’t spent much time on as you got older? Blake always talks about basketball in that sort of adoring, nostalgic way. It was a huge part of his childhood and teenage years – a time when he could clear his head alone practicing in his driveway or pick up a game with neighborhood kids at a local park. When I think back on the one form of exercise that used to be that stress reliever for me, it’s running. From high school through college (…really until I joined the workforce), running was my daily therapy. Not running on a treadmill, but getting outside in the sunshine and heat of summer or bundling up during the winter months. I was never a lover of a gym run – there’s just something about being outside and feeling the wind on your face or the sun on your back. And even though summers are brutally hot in Austin, I lived for that crazy sweaty high that a summer run brings.
Ohh the weather outside is…definitely COLD! We bundled up and hit the town for a little coffee date on Lake Austin. Jude fell asleep on our way to Mozart’s, so Blake and I enjoyed a coffee date just the two of us before the lil man woke up and was ready to MOVE outside. We’re just days away from 10 months over here and this boy is officially a wiggle worm. He is very vocal and let’s us know quiiiickly that he wants to be down and walking (with our help!). And while mom and dad are absolutely getting their steps in these days (and passing out before 9pm because of it, ha!), what a joy it has been to spend the holiday season together. Mozart’s forever has a special place in our hearts because Blake and I grew up coming here, it’s where he proposed and now we get to bring Jude to enjoy their yummy pastries, this view and the outdoors all at once. Such a lovely place to come as a family!
This week has been rainy and cold…which means we’ve finally reached the fall season in Austin, ha! And while most days I’m not a huge fan of this combination (…dogs + rain = mud eeeverywhere in our house haha), this week was different because we totally embraced the crazy weather and it was maaagical. My sister and I spent an afternoon hiking down to Barton Creek (…the dogs stayed home haha). Mud, rain, cold wind…it was invigorating. We were both so happy! I know I say this all the time, but getting outside and spending time in nature really does revive the soul.
Are you into thrift shopping? #Sponsored Lately, my sister and I have had so much fun scoping out the cool secondhand stores around Austin. thredUP has been an online thrift brand we’ve both shopped for years and when we found out they were opening shops in 30 select JCPenney’s nationwide, we were pretty pumped to find one in a south Austin store just minutes away from my house. Blake watched Jude for a couple of hours while we got enjoy a coffee date and some thrift shopping! Needless to say, it was an afternoon very well spent and we left with some awesome finds.
Best fall season yet! Pretty certain every holiday this year will be our best one yet, thanks to one special little guy. Picking out pumpkins is always a fun annual activity, and this time was particularly adorable because I got to dress Jude in a matching mama and me outfit. Call me a dork, but man, I live for this stuff! Also…infant Patagonia vests?! I die!