siri says

 

I always like to open with a cute baby picture for these posts, because why not?  I'm emptying out my iPhone, and that's mostly what's on there...

My closet y'all, it has been undergoing a revolution.  I've stayed at my current size for a couple of months now and guess what?  NONE of my old clothes fit.  They were all too big and although that's a nice problem to have, it can be a real pain when you're trying to actually you know, wear clothes.  So I sold a TON of stuff on eBay (I'm talking like 50% of my closet, and I still have several up if you want to go check them out ) and I've been slowly but surely replacing some things.  I shop a lot on eBay after selling there, which can be a gamble on fit because obviously you can't just send things back, but I stick to brands I know and love and if necessary, tailor them.  I had to bring this dress home from the Pink Magnolia last week because it was just too perfect, and how cute are their dressing rooms?   

 

I will never have enough photos of Claire and I, because getting one where we are both smiling is next to impossible. This was the best I could do, and of course it's all kinds of blurry. 

Photos of Claire smiling though, and simultaneously getting into trouble, are not something I am short on.  

Mark my words, she will learn to climb this gate in the next year.  

 

I went out for the most decadent and AMAZING brunch at Cafe Osage this past weekend and I just though you might want to drool over these food photos.   Also, where can I find little herb boxes like that?

Don't worry Shaw, Claire has got the neighborhood on watch.  This is her favorite perch lately and I basically think it's the cutest thing ever.  She likes to wave at everyone who walks by. 

That's all folks, you are welcome for that randomness!  I'm too busy putting together details for this girl's first birthday party Saturday! 

hey pretty mama/nursing style: the button down

Top - Lilly Pulitzer Elsa , Shorts - J. Crew, Sandals - Jack Rogers, Earrings - Kendra Scott, Sunglasses - Ray Ban Clubmasters

 So here's the thing about style blogging - sometimes the best laid plans don't really work out!  I had planned this outfit out Saturday night and woke up to the most dreary, cold day.  So we took these pictures and.....I promptly ran back inside to change into jeans and a pullover for lunch.  Last day of May, high of 60 degrees.  St. Louis weather will never cease to amaze me.  

So after that thrilling talk about the weather, let's just jump into the meat of this post...

If I read one more recommendation to wear 'button down shirts' while nursing I might just puke.  Truthfully, button down shirts are TERRIBLE on women whose breasts have just become disproportionally large in comparison to their bodies.  It's ridiculous to even suggest them as an option in general.  They pull, they aren't flattering to a somewhat inflated waistline, and they tend to look either oddly formal or overly frumpt.  Popovers, however, are an entirely different story!  

I love a popover blouse because you get all the benefits of a button down without the button-popping problems.  As long as you get the right size, you're golden, and they look just as good tucked in as out.  This top in particular is one of my favorite styles, and is consistently released by Lilly Pulitzer year round in a variety of prints and solids.  

hey pretty mama/nursing style: shift dress

Shift dresses are one of the most common requests I've gotten since starting the nursing style series.  It is admittedly VERY hard to work around a shift while nursing.  It takes very specific styling to make it work.  Even more frustrating is the fact that shift dresses are among the most flattering styles to post baby bodies!  I have two solutions to this problem.  

1) Buy a shift that zips down the front.  Easier said than done, I know - this is the Lilly Pulitzer Alexa shift, and although you can't tell in the photos at all, it has an invisible zipper in the front detail.  It goes realllllly low and really high! Totally adjustable, totally ideal for nursing.  This dress has a much higher price point that clothes I usually recommend, but I actually found it half off at my local Lilly signature store (The Pink Magnolia!) and maybe you could do the same?  It came in three colors, and there are also a few sellers on eBay that have it new with tags for much less than retail.  Word to the wise - size up, it runs small! It's certainly an investment, but in my opinion the sixties silhouette will never really be out of style. 

2) Bring a sling with you!  I have a habit of wearing shifts more and more lately, because to Claire what is out of sight is out of mind.  Now that she's almost one, I'm trying to cut down on her nursing a bit to introduce more solid food, and take some of the pressure off of me.  We aren't weaning!  Just making a transition to a little bit more freedom for mom and baby.  Shift dresses have been a big help with that.  Of course, she still has to eat eventually.  What I'll do when we're out and about to avoid having to run to the car is throw the sling on like a sash, unzip the dress from the back, and shimmy one arm out, the side that is covered by the sling.  I just do that on both sides and usually no one is the wiser.  It's especially easy and discreet if you happen to be seated in a corner booth! 

the ultimate weekender/hangout festival

Let's just get started with the cute stuff, okay?  Sandy baby toes!!! Oh my gosh, we had so much fun at the beach this week I can't even tell you.  I can't say that Claire LOVED the sand and sea, but she did love spending all weekend with her favorite people.  Such a cheerful kiddo she was, the entire weekend, and only one or two car meltdowns during our 12 hour drive.  All in all, the kid was a champ.  

The beach in front of our condo was beautiful, all white and sandy and clean, with cushy chairs you could rent and someone would re-adjust your umbrella to keep you out of the sun.  That's heaven with a baby, and she didn't get even the slightest sunburn the entire weekend thanks to those people!  

 This balcony though, it was terrifying!  The bars on that railing were just far enough apart to really terrify me, so we were pretty much only out there to take a quick picture every once in a while and then straight back inside! 

 

 When on family vacation, you max out on the family photos.  

 The only place you can successfully pull off these $4 Forever 21 shades?  A music festival.  

Darrell & I did spend a fair amount of time inside the festival just the two of us, seeing a couple daytime shows when it was very hot and bright out while Claire stayed at the condo with my parents, safely shaded.  Sylvan Esso was definitely a highlight of the Hangout, as were Father John Misty, Lake Street Dive, My Morning Jacket, the Foo Fighters, and Zac Brown Band. 

 

This kid just did not dig the sand too much - she kept crawling into my lap and hanging on for deal life every time I sat her down in it.  

She also did not dig the family selfies too much, preferring to mostly munch on the fair food we had for dinner every night.  Here, hashbrowns > photos.  

 The venue really couldn't be beat though.  This was the view at almost every single concert, with folks making little couches out of the sand piles and relaxing with a beer.  There was a consistent breeze, which is a huge blessing at any music festival. 

 

 All in all, it was pretty much a heavenly weekend, we had so much fun and I see more Hangout festivals in our future for sure. 

Sorry for the super short photo recap, but as you can imagine with being out of work for three days I'm pretty behind, and when you throw in the holiday weekend coming up I basically have no time for typing! 

bring back bonnets: briar handmade

 

In case you hadn't noticed, we are pretty big bonnet fans around here!  Claire's a baby who has been blessed with lots of hair, but it certainly has grown in oddly.  Headbands are an absolute no-go, mostly serving only as a toy she can quickly rip off or to make her bangs stick straight up!  I have a drawer of them just sitting, while our bonnets, well....let's just say I don't think we can ever have enough!  

These pretty ones are by one of my very favorite companies, Briar Handmade.  They make beautiful bonnets for children in natural fibers, all constructed in the US.  For little heads this summer, they are the absolute best way to keep the sun away!  Who has a baby that will keep on any other kind of hat?  Not I!  Claire will quickly rip off a bucket hat or fedora, but the tie on these bonnets is baby-proof.  

They are lovely and light, never making Claire too hot or uncomfortable.  We're practically chased down by moms wanting to know where to buy when I take her out in these, because frankly cute baby hats are nearly impossible to find. Old Navy and Gap come out with one or two hats each summer, both mediocre looking at best in my opinion and always quickly sold out.  Switch it up this summer, and bring back bonnets!  They're releasing brimmed bonnets this summer which I am SO excited about, because who can keep sunglasses on a baby?  Not I!  They also make beautifully warm and even sherpa lined bonnets for winter - this is one of my favorite photos of Claire with her red velvet Christmas bonnet (and swoon, 6 month old tiny Claire, be still my heart!)  

You can find Briar Handmade's website here (they restock frequently but sell out fast!) so I also suggest following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.  

The cream linen bonnet Claire is wearing in the top photo was given to us, but rest assured that all opinions here are my own - I personally bought the watercolor and velvet pom bonnets for her previously, and will continue to buy them for her as long as they fit!