Fall Uniforms

As some of you know, I've been doing a capsule wardrobe this fall, mostly because I am not a big fan of buying maternity clothes (plus, I've made it almost 35 weeks with these clothes, what's another month-ish?!) and also because it makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier. 

A big part of the capsule wardrobe is finding your uniform. What are you most comfortable in? What items do you reach for the most? What's your favorite color palette? And most importantly, what suits your lifestyle the best?

We all have our aspirational style, and this is typically the style we most often pin on Pinterest, aka what we picture ourselves wearing at our best. Sometimes, this style actually does line up with your lifestyle, but most of the time it's probably not something that is practical for every day life. You may love high heels and silk blouses, but if you're a mom those pieces may end up just sitting in your closet. 

It's like me and fall in Texas. As much as I want all the fuzzy sweaters, lace-up boots and cozy scarves, realistic outfits for fall in Texas look more like jeans and sneakers with the occasional light sweater. 

Or like me and dresses. I love the idea of dresses and I even have one in my fall capsule, but ask me when the last time I wore that dress? Before I even started this capsule. Oops!

Which is where our actual style comes in. This is typically the pieces and outfits that we reach for on a day to day basis. As a mom, I reach for comfort. As a pregnant mom, I reach for anything that is comfortable and no-fuss. These are my three fall uniforms that both make me feel great and save me from having to try on fifteen outfits before I leave the house (cause the struggle is real - especially when you're walking around with a bowling ball for a belly!)

Uniform One: Jeans + Tee + Sneakers + Light Sweater

[links: cardigan, tee, jeans, sneakers]

Uniform Two: Long Top + Leggings + Sneakers

[links: cowl neck, leggings, sneakers]

Uniform Three: Jeans + Tee + Booties + Outerwear

[links: denim jacket, striped top, black jeans, booties]

What are your go to fall outfits?

x Kristina

Newborn Essentials

Prepping for baby number two (who will be here in less than two months... what!) has me thinking a lot about what newborn essentials I was so thankful I had when EJ was born. Registering for a baby can feel somewhat overwhelming, and while I'm not an expert by any means, I am more than happy to share the things I found so helpful and useful during the newborn stage.

1. W H I T E   B O D Y   S U I T S - Newborn size clothes are pretty adorable and they're pretty hard to resist, but there is nothing more impractical than having a four-step process to getting your newborn dressed, only to have him spit up/blow out all over it. Plus, there's something so sweet about a tiny babe in white!

2. S L E E P    B A G - There's one thing you'll learn very quickly, and that's that snaps will be your worst nightmare during the middle of the night diaper changes! I am 100% team zippers, and sleep bags make it even easier because you don't have to wrangle itty bitty baby legs into leg holes. Plus, you can rest assured that your little babe will be kept nice and warm through the night.

3. B U R P   C L O T H S - Probably the least glamorous item on the list, but trust me, you'll want to have plenty burp cloths lying around! Newborns spit up, a lot, so I recommend buying a handful of burp cloths you like to keep in every room, in your diaper bag and constantly on your shoulder. 

4. W I P E   W A R M E R - Me three years ago would've rolled my eyes at any "essential" list that contained a wipe warmer, but hear me out! EJ was a winter babe (he was actually born during a snow storm!) and my mom was actually the one who said I should register for a wipe warmer. I'm pretty sure I laughed at the idea and said no way and then I probably said something about how unnecessary and ridiculous it was. Fast forward to when I actually had a newborn who absolutely hated cold wipes, I couldn't get my hands on a wipe warmer fast enough! The difference was night and day, and EJ went from scream crying during diaper changes to being able to sleep through them. Moral of the story: always listen to your mom, she probably actually does know best!

5. W A T E R   B O T T L E - Between breastfeeding and all the crazy hormonal changes you'll experience postpartum (let's just say postpartum sweats are a thing), you'll definitely want to stay hydrated! What better way to drink water than out of a cute travel cup?

6. S N A C K S - If you plan on breastfeeding I highly recommend staying stocked up on snacks, especially these "lactation cookies" that taste so good. I usually kept some snacks and my water bottle stocked on the table next to the couch, so it made it way easier when I felt like the nursing sessions were endless. And let's face it, when will you ever have a better excuse to eat cookies than when you're sustaining a tiny human?

7. B A C K P A C K   D I A P E R   B A G - So this one is a hindsight is 20/20 item, but I can't recommend it enough! Diaper bags come in all shapes and sizes, but for day to day I found it so much easier to have a backpack rather than a cross body bag. Not only was the weight easier to carry but your arms feel freed up as well. Plus, dads can easily rock a backpack, too!

8. B A B Y   C A R R I E R - I am all about babywearing, and I know it'll be even more helpful with baby number two! I had a Sakura Bloom sling and an Ergo with EJ and most days it was the only way I got anything done around the house. Plus, being so close and warm puts tiny newborns right to sleep! This time around I've got my eye on a Solly Baby Wrap, which seems less bulky than an Ergo and more comfortable than a ring sling. 

So there you have it, my short list of newborn essentials! What were the items you couldn't live without during the newborn stage?

x Kristina