ALL SANDBOX NEW

It's May and the weather could not be more perfect in DC. I love love LOVE this time of the year. I also love that this month I will celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mother. I'm a mother!? It's still hard for me to believe. I remember giving birth to my daughter so I think I'm on my way to earning the title, but something about it just doesn't quite connect in my mind yet. Probably because my mind feels super mushy lately. My husband recently went on a week long business trip leaving me with a very strong appreciation for those who are single parents. It definitely wasn't easy. There were tears shed - mostly by me and mostly because I missed my husband so much... but by the end of the week, my bond with Blair felt even closer, and I felt stronger and more confident in my "mothering" abilities. I also could not have survived without the help of my mom who made sure I ate and had time to shower.

I found this dress on clearance at Marshalls last November while I was still pregnant. It's a W118 By Walter Baker with MSRP tag of $198. I #fabfound it on clearance for $20!! I didn't matter that I couldn't try it on, when you find a deal that good, you just buy it. It felt good to finally be able to wear it.

OUTFIT DETAILS \\
W118 By Walter Baker dress via Marshalls, Zara vest, Karen Walker sunglasses, Tibi heels, Chanel bag, lipstick created by me and Melt Your Make-up, hair by my Mom

SHOP MY LOOK \\

Something that people don't really talk about, at least I didn't realize, is that you still have a belly even after you give birth to your baby and in my case, a rather large one. I woke up the next morning after a 24+ hour labor, looked down at my stomach, and thought for a second that I'd dreamt the whole thing. Then I looked over at my sweet baby girl, realized it obviously wasn't a dream, and started to cry at the sight of my body. What I now know and after I've caught up on some sleep is 1) exhaustion plus hormones makes me extremely emotional and irrational and 2) it took me nearly 9 months to put on this weight, how could I expect it to magically disappear in one day? The last week of my pregnancy I was at my heaviest and most swollen. If I look back at pictures of myself (ones I haven't shared here), I honestly think it looks like I swallowed myself. I'm not trying to be self deprecating - that's just what it looks like to me, and it's okay. I was growing a person, so I'm giving myself a pass.

Now when it comes to dressing post maternity, I'm not ashamed to say that I'm still wearing some of my maternity clothes. What? They're comfortable. Also, loose fitting shift dresses and the belly bandit are my best friend. Here I paired my loose dress (#FabFound at Marshalls of course) with very thick heeled tan sandals. The thick heels are like training heels and are really easy to walk in.

I wore this outfit for Blair's newborn photography session with Yehudis Goldfarb Photography of which I cannot wait to see and share more! Did you see the sneak peek?

OUTFIT DETAILS \\
Marc New York dress, $39.99 compare at $68, c/o; Kelsi Dagger sandals, $79.99 compare at $130, c/o

SHOP THE POST \\

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

While my mom was in town I was able to make a very quick run to Marshalls to shop for some post-pregnancy clothes. Within 10 minutes my cart was filled to the brim with all of their latest Spring dresses, separates, and shoes. Here are some outfits I put together...

It really doesn't matter if it's Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall, black and white is always in style for me, and it's like winning the lottery when I can find designer brands I love at Marshalls for waaaay less than I would pay at the boutique store. These two-toned kitten heels can be dressed up with this structured drop-waist (tummy hiding) dress or dressed down with some distressed boyfriend jeans and a great cut t-shirt.

I love matching separates, and this set only cost me $40! What's great about a single print, separates set is that you can create a lot outfits by mixing and matching with some closet staples - wear the top with jeans (flared denim is hot right now) or layer it over a solid color body-con dress and then add a white button down blouse to the skirt. Keep any of those outfits comfy with some pointed-toe flats like these laser cut d'Orsays.

This watercolor painting-like print dress and paired with these leather, thick-heeled open toe-booties are what I'd called a "punk chic" look. It's what I'd wear to events around the city, and to feel even cooler (but stay warmer), I'd throw my leather jacket on over it.

Did you see the teaser video I made on Instagram for this post? If not, see it here. Which look is your favorite?

OUTFIT DETAILS \\
#1: Kate Spade dress, $99.99 compare at $168; French Connection shoes, $59.99 compare at $96, c/o
#2: Katherine Barclay top, $19.99 compare at $29; Katherine Barclay skirt, $19.99 compare at $29; Franco Sarto flats, $39.99 compare at $64, c/o
#3: Mercer & Madison dress, $29.99 compare at $42; Dolce Vita shoes, $34.99 compare at $77

Looking for details on the fourth look? Stay tuned!

SHOP THE POST \\

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

Valentine's Day is less than 2 weeks away! It's not a day I normally get mushy and gushy over, but I'm feeling so much love this year that I've got cartoon hearts in my eyes and am overflowing with lust for pink and red everything. Inspired by that love, I've partnered with Marshalls to give you some ideas on what to get for your loved ones with items I've #FabFound at Marshalls. I LOVE Marshalls because it's a one stop shop for many unique gifts.

Surprise your Valentine with with breakfast or brunch in bed \\


On the menu: Pancakes with chocolate covered strawberries deconstructed served with the beverage of their choice - tea, coffee, or a brunch cocktail.

Get your relative or friend ready for a night out with red hot accessories \\

Whether they're coupled or single, everyone loves to be taken out and what better way to get into the mood for love than to wear red. Whether it's a casual night out with jeans or a night that calls for an LBD, these red accessories will look good with anything.

Ready to find the perfect Valentine's Day gifts at Marshalls? I'm giving away $25 to one lucky winner! Please use the widget below to enter. The giveaway will only run for 3 days (to give you adequate time to shop). Please read the instructions carefully.

$25 MARSHALLS GIFT CARD GIVEAWAYDisclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

Decorating my home has always been a very...slow... process. Most home decor is not like fashion where you can find things on super sale and change things up with your mood or the weather. Furniture and home items are often a big investment, and you need to think about their longevity. However, like fashion, you can refresh your home style with a few new accessories. This weekend I gave my apartment a little new year refresh thanks to Marshalls. It's amazing how adding a few small home accessories can completely change or upgrade any room. Check out all the new home pieces I #FabFound at Marshalls.


Bedroom Additions:
If I could make my entire home all white, marble errrthang, I probably would. So this marble box sent to me by Marshalls could not be more perfect. I placed it on one of our nightstands and filled it with all of our ultrasound pictures. I love keeping those images protected and close by.

One of the last things I do before bed is realize that I still have all my jewelry on. I'll sleepily take off every piece but my wedding rings and put them on my nightstand. Then I'll wake up in the morning in a panic when I realize one of my earrings has fallen on to the floor. Adding this small jewelry box\tray to my other nightstand prevents any jewelry loss.

I have a lot of decorative, bedroom pillows - the kind you don't sleep on. (My husband's not a huge fan of this.) Each night before bed we've been stacking them all in an empty plastic laundry basket. It's a bit of an eyesore, and so I replaced it with a large, weaved basket. It is so much nicer to look at. The best part is when it isn't being used, you can just slip it under the bed. My husband is a fan of this.

Living Room Additions:

Speaking of pillows, I also added two new ones to my couch. Previously, I only had knit black pillows and furry white ones (from Homegoods). I added another white pillow with texture, and then broke up the solid colors with a leopard pattern pillow.

I also added this magnifying glass, another piece picked out for me by Marshalls, to our coffee table. They really know how much I love black and white.

Nursey Additions:
You're probably already thinking it. Yes, I'm nesting. BUT I'm trying to nest in the most minimalist way. I want to buy things that are truly functional - especially since we'll be creating a nursery within our one bedroom apartment (more on this later). We've already created some space in our closet for baby clothes and supplies. This little storage flower box was perfect for the pieces that don't currently have a hanger or can't be hung up, and how could I say no to this adorable hippo?! SO CUTE! I also picked up a set of sleeping gowns with little duckies on them for only $7! That's $3.50 each!

At Marshalls furniture and home items don't have to be a big investment. Their prices always make it easy to say 'yes'.

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

This is my third and last look on how to style a sweater dress from Marshalls. (See Look 1 & Look 2.) This time I pulled out my over-the-knee camo boots from Nine West and layered a Zara blanket cape over for a look that can be worn to date night with my husband or night out with my girls (and by night out I mean I'm home by 9 PM). It's probably my favorite of the three looks because, honestly, I feel pretty sexy wearing it. With a growing baby bump, it's hard to feel anything but big.

Which look of the three looks is your favorite?

SHOP MY LOOK \\

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

Being a Marshalls Project Fab blogger is the best gift ever! This holiday season, the Marshalls team paired each blogger with another blogger for an epic #ProjectFab Secret Santa gift exchange! With $50 we were each challenged to find the BEST GIFT EVER!! - which is really easy to do with the variety of unique gifts available at Marshalls.

I was the Secret Santa for Amanda Gluck from the blog "Fashionable Hostess". Her blog is as stunning as she is! I drew inspiration from her posts and decided to treat this mom of two to gifts that were relaxing and, of course, fashionable. Here's what I found:


Kate Spade Mug ($12.99, compare at $20), Notepad ($3.99, compare at $6), Lemon Slipper Socks ($19.99, compare at $40.00), Calvin Klein candles in a 'Winter Fruit' scent ($12.99, compare at $20).

My vision was for Amanda to cozy up on her couch (kids fast asleep) in these Lemon socks with a warm drink in her Kate Spade mug, Calvin Klein candles lit...preparing her to-do list. Sounds lovely to me! Amanda - I hope you enjoy each gift!

My Project Fab Secret Santa was the ever so chic Tamara Marbury from "Blitz and Glam". You may remember her from our fun post collaboration, "One Crop-top, Two Looks". She got me the best gifts!


She knew the I've been decorating my home office and thought the Coco Chanel quote and 'Style Style Style' picture would be the perfect complement to my other Chanel picture, and she was right! She also got me a really cute Betsy Johnson black beanie. It's not pictured because it didn't fit my surprisingly large head! I was bummed, but Marshalls' exchange policy is so easy I was able to take it back for a gift card. Tamara - Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts, and thank you so much to Marshalls for coordinating such a fun project!

I hope this post inspires you this gift giving season! Also, be sure to share all your Marshalls' finds on social media with #FabFound - you could win a $50 Marshalls gift card!

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

It's been an indescribable feeling watching my baby grow and my body change. While I am sizing up and buying a few maternity items, I really don't want to spend too much money on clothing that I don't plan to fit into in the next year. I'm challenging myself to only purchase staple pieces like a sweater dress and then style them in several ways. I'm going to show you who to style this sweater dress from Marshalls (#FabFound for $39.99, compare at $80, also available here) three different ways. Marshalls is my go-to store for affordable wardrobe staples.

This first styling is a look I can wear day or night. I layered another Fall/Winter closet staple, this leather moto jacket gifted to me by 424 Fifth, over the sweater dress and slipped on some flat booties to meet my husband in Georgetown for lunch. I could easily take this look to dinner by putting on my heeled booties to dress it up. Stay tuned for look 2 and 3 coming up! xo

SHOP MY LOOK \\

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.

Tis the season to throw a holiday party! Whenever I'm planning any party (large or small) I head to Marshalls to find all of my party supplies. Continue reading to see how I set up for a dinner party for four at my apartment and what mocktail I'll be enjoying all season long.


Easy Holiday Mocktail Ingredients
1 cup Spiced Apple Cider
1 cup Sparkling White Grape Juice
1 Cinnamon Stick


Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls of The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB. All opinions are my own.