{Personal} 16 Week Bump + A Handmade Pretty Kimono

These past few weeks have been full of more energy than I even know what to do with. For example, the other night, I was awake until 11pm making bow ties for a friend's baby just because and when I finally made myself go to bed, I woke up at 3am thinking about baby stuff-what kind of crib we should get, the colors to paint the walls, baby shower details (which by the way isn't until February), etc. I had to drink some chamomile tea and read the bible to make myself go back to bed somewhere around 4:30am. Have any "good nights rest" tips??

The nesting is getting absurd too. Sanitizing every single cubbard and washing shower curtains??? I'm only 16 weeks along!!! What am I turning into? 

Can't complain though, at least I feel good.

By the way, see this amazing kimono I am wearing? It is handmade by the sweetest girl, Lexi of The Lovely Sewjourner. She's been sewing for a while now making these pretty pieces for friends and family and finally opened her Etsy shop back up!! She has over 50 fabrics to choose from so you know you can get the perfect print(s) for your wardrobe!!

Here's to another productive week!

Any pregnancy stories that you'd like to share that I can read if I wake up again at 3am? Oh please, oh please?!! ;)

|Happy Fall| Photo Shoot Featuring a New Headband and Cozy Fall Essentials by Laila's Charming Pieces

Happy Fall

(finally)

Yesterday, I spent the evening playing "photographer" behind the camera. It's something that I don't often do but it's another love of mine. My truly amazing friend's Crystal and Tara joined me on a little adventure in the dessert as we scouted for some glorious lighting to showcase a new headband I just created for LSP. I also photographed some cozy fall pieces created by Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces.

Inspired by the Art Deco and 1920's era, this classic tie-back headband has just been added to the shop. I'm in love with the beaded details in this piece! Wear it with your favorite fall wardrobe choices or elegant nights out. Get it in the shop here.

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This season has brought much more productivity not only for me but for my talented friend Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces as well. She has been working so hard lately getting new fall essentials made for her shop and the upcoming Penelope Lane Boutique which is on September 27!! She seriously makes me even more excited for the cooler season ahead with her warm and comforting adornments.

Here is a teeny tiny sneak peek of some of her new crochet pieces which will be available soon and THANK YOU to my gorgeous friend, Crystal for modeling!!

What are some of your favorite fall essentials??
Mine are definitely boots, scarves and statement rings. Bring on the cooler weather!

Photography Credit: Love Sparkle Pretty

Crochet Scarves and Ear Warmer: Laila's Charming Pieces

Model: Crystal of She Does

Boho-Inspired Styled Contest with $30 up for Grabs!!!

Photo Credit: Kayla V Photography

Tara from Laila's Charming Pieces is hosting a styled contest that I am pretty excited about! Her crochet headband with wooden beads and guinnea feathers is up for styling with your favorite attire for a chance to WIN $30 credit to her shop! You can use this $$ towards one of her fringe cross body bags, a warm scarf for the fall or lots of other handmade accessories she has. 

Photo Credit: Kayla V Photography

Here are the deets:

1) Purchase this Crochet Tie-Back Headband from Laila's Charming Pieces (P.S. Get FREE shipping on this piece until Aug. 15)

2) Style this piece however you'd like that best describes YOU

3) Take some cute photos

4) Post your photo(s) via Instagram using the hashtag #styledcontest and tag @lailascharmingpieces

5) Take a yummy sip of fresh lemonade, put your feet up and relax patiently for the winner to be announced the first week of September!!

You can enter as many times as you'd like all month long by styling this pretty headband with your favorite wardrobe pieces!

Photo Credit: Kayla V Photography

Here's how I styled my boho-inspired headband:

Good Luck! Can't wait to see everyone's different styling ideas!

Photo shoot for re-branding + stepping out of my comfort zone

This past weekend, I chose to step out of my comfort zone and in front of a camera...with another eye looking through the lens. I'm not sure why but I get really nervous when people take photos of me by myself. I just feel awkward and all I want to do is a silly face because at least I'm purposefully going to look funny right?

Well, I have been meaning to update my photos on the blog and website for a while now so I enlisted the help of Kayla from Kayla V Photography. I've worked with her on several styled shoots (her work is featured all over my blog & online shop) and I love her aesthetic of photography. If anyone can make me feel a little more at ease in front of the camera, it would be her and that's exactly what happened!

When she sent me these photos, I was so excited that I seriously squealed! Yes, we may have been kicked out of our first location (closed park) and I may have been caught on barbed wire more than once but I'm so happy that I took that little leap and let her snap away. THANK YOU SO MUCH KAYLA!!

Here are just a handful of photos from the photo shoot.

A few of these pretty supplies will be used to create the new bridal line debuting this Summer!

See more of this shoot on the Kayla V Photography blog. 

Featured Floral Crown: "Leigh" Crown from the shop

7 Things You Don't Know About Me (Skinnies, Disappearing Tongue & Cheese)

7 things you don't know about me...until now

1) A couple times a week I take my mind to a small cafe in France, sipping coffee, reading a good book and listening to some french tunes. I may be in my living room with a crazy child running around beating on metal pans but I can certainly day dream. Ha!

2) I basically live in skinny jeans and dresses (not at the same time). When I received these skinnies from kensie, I was a bit intimidated at first because they were high-waisted but let me tell you, they are definitely my new favs in my closet! I love the way they fit snugly without making me feel uncomfortably stiff and the dark wash makes them go with just about every color!

3) My thumbs are double jointed. When I give a "thumbs up," they look like table tops.

4) I can stick my tongue behind my tonsils. Most people don't believe me until I show them but yes, I can stick my tongue up behind my little "punching bag" in my mouth. I used to call it the "make my tongue disappear" trick.

Jeans: kensie/Floral Shirt: Rue 21/Ring: Love Sparkle Pretty/Flats: Rue 21/Glasses: Firmoo

5) When I talk to my son, my voice gets really weird like a cartoon character and I call him names like boog, bugger, buggy, booooger baby, love head, lover buggy, woog and woogy. It just happens...

6) I probably listen to "What Does the Fox Say" more than anyone in their life ever needs too because my son is OBSESSED. When will this fox phase be over?

7) I LOVE CHEESE. I may have already blogged about this before but this is a pretty important fact not to forget. Cheddar, White American, Pepper Jack, Ricotta, Parmesan, whatever the Babybel cheese is....etc. I don't discriminate. I always joke that my heart is made out of cheese which may become true as I get older and have high cholesterol...until then, throw some cheese on it and I will be happy. Thank you!

What are some things about you that most don't know?

**A portion of this post his been sponsored with product for compensation but all of the opinions and statements are my own.**

Clinging onto Fall Attire & Another Shop Announcement

It seems as if Fall has finally arrived to southern Cali and I am soaking it in! My favorite color of this season seems to be mustard yellow and I love pairing it with mulberry red and browns. My favorite cardigan from Target has been a staple item in my wardrobe this past month-see it in my post from our trip to Oak Glen.

I scoured some pretty shops for pieces that would look divine together or as separates. Comfy scarfs, cozy cardigans (love the maxi look), boots and cross bodies are my favorite right now!  

What is your favorite color combo this season?

Want to shop handmade? Look at this GORGEOUS crochet scarf my friend Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces created!

She will be adding these to her shop soon. :)

Speaking of shops, my shop vacation dates have changed to Nov.11-Nov. 28th! We are moving sooner than expected but the shop will reopen just in time for Black Friday sales with new items making their debut. Follow along with the move and new shop creations on my Instagram.

Have a beautiful Fall day my friends!!