Holiday List: Jewels You'll Love

I often get asked about my favorite pieces of jewelry so I thought I'd put together a list of some of my favorite pieces so you could add them to your own wish list---or be inspired if you have a last-minute gift to purchase.

Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings (buy here)

Versatile and beautiful. My favorite earrings by far. 

I especially love the bold turquoise ones but the onyx ones are also gorgeous.

Local gals- Kendra Scott just opened her first Houston store in Rice Village 

and it's absolutely gorgeous!  It's in the same area as Sephora and MAC.

Regina Pierallini Clover Earrings (buy here)

These are my everyday studs- I have them in three colors and I love them so much. 

Perfect with any outfit and love the shape and gold border.

Kendra Scott Elle Earrings (buy here)

The smaller version of the popular Danielle, they are lightweight and perfect 

for everyday wear, especially if you're not a fan of studs. 

They come in a ton of colors and make a lovely gift as well.

T+J Designs bracelet (buy here)

Since the moment this bracelet arrived on my doorstep, I pretty much wear it daily.  

I love how it looks layered with my watch and with other bracelets.

Tiffany & Co. Bead Bracelet w/ Heart (buy now)

This dainty bracelet layers well with others and the tiny tiffany blue heart is sweet and whimsical.

Tiffany & Co. Bead Bracelet (buy here)

This classic bracelet is a must-own. It is beautiful on its own or as party of a multi-metal arm party. I highly recommend this one as a starter piece if you've never purchased from Tiffany's before.

Leighelena Thin Jigsaw Bracelet (buy here)

This bracelet was love at first sight. It looks so good paired with every bracelet I own and also with my watch.  I absolutely love the print and the matte gold jigsaw clasp---so simple yet looks incredible with everything.  For all of you local gals, Leighelena's first San Antonio location just opened in Pearl Brewery (303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, San Antonio).  The store will carry Leighelena's custom-made jewelry as well as a hand-picked selection of vintage cowboy boots, belt buckles and dresses and some fun surprises like kids' toys and games, housewares and tech accessories.

J.Crew Pave Chain Bracelet (buy here)

This bracelet is such a stunner. I love that though it's sparkly, it works for both day and night---it can dress up casual outfit but also look fantastic with a little black dress. This is a must have if you are building your collection. T+J Designs also carries a similar bracelet for a little less---you can buy it here.

Gold Chain Bracelet (buy here)

This classic double-chain bracelet from Etsy shop Amour Couture  is a cute and inexpensive way to add some style to your outfit. I particularly love to pair it with a silver watch.  It retails for under $20 so it makes a fab gift too.

Gold Initial Necklace (buy it here)

My husband got this for me---it's from Overstock.com. I absolutely love it and I kind of want to get one with our baby's initial too. This makes a wonderful gift too.

Rose Gold Sideways Cross Necklace (buy it here)

This Regina Pierallini necklace has been one of my consistent favorites. It looks so pretty and dainty against your collarbone and also comes in other styles. 

Regina Pierallini Clover Necklace (buy it here)

This necklace is an obsession. I wear it a ton and it's super long and works with so many different outfits. I also wear it to evening events to add style to a LBD.

Stella & Dot Gold Chain Necklace

This is no longer available, but you can check out T+J Designs for similar styles.  This is a staple in your wardrobe and add a bold dimension to any outfit. 

Today I wore mine with a black and white striped blouse.

Single Clove Necklace by Mint Tangerine (buy here)

I absolutely love the simplicity of this piece. It goes with everything---in fact, tons of girls in our office have it.  My co-worker owns this shop and all of her pieces are so cute!  

Rose Gold Skagen Watch (buy it here)

I love rose gold and more than anything, I love mixing metals. I know some gals are apprehensive about this, but I love mixing gold, silver and rose gold. I think it makes a bracelet stack interesting.  Perviously I only had a silver watch and it's been fun pairing different bracelets with a rose gold watch.

Michael Kors Watch (buy it here)

I have had this watch for years and it's classic and goes with everything. 

A great pick if you want something simple with just a tiny bit of bling.

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to share your favorite/must-have jewelry pieces in the comments below!

16 Weeks!

Week 16 went well.  I still haven't gotten back into working out, but I cleaned my house this weekend---so that counts as a workout, right?  

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained a total of 4 lbs so far. My OBGYN told me I should aim for 20 lbs total for the entire pregnancy, which seems low, so we'll see. 

Maternity clothes? Not yet.

Stretch marks? Not yet (still using Belli's Elasticity Belly Oil at night and Mamma Mio Tummy Rub during the day). I realize they are genetic, but it doesn't hurt to use creams and oils.

Symptoms:  I am having more round ligament pain than before. I am also thirsty a lot.

Sleep: Still using my Snoogle and have been sleeping well. Still going to bed earlier than I used to, but not as early as first trimester.

Best moment this week: Seeing my OB for my 16 week appointment and getting to hear the baby's heartbeat---it was a strong 156 bpm.

Worst moment of the week: Getting my blood taken for the quad screen that they do in second trimester. I don't hate getting blood drawn (I donate blood) but I hate waiting for the results of the tests. It always stresses me out and makes me anxious.  Praying everything is okay. (update: my screens came back negative, so thankful).

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? The motivation to work out, eggs Benedict

Movement: This was the first week I think I *may* have felt movement, because I have nothing else to explain the sensations.  Most of the time it feels like a little piece of popcorn "popping" (lightly) and I have felt a few "flutters" too. It only happens when I am laying propped up on the couch or in bed. Sometimes, it feels like little bubbles in there.

Food cravings: Same as last week- cuties clementines (cannot stop eating them), tomato soup, grilled cheese, gingerbread cookies, cereal with milk.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not at the moment.

Have you started to show yet: The day I hit 16 weeks I looked in the mirror from the side that night and my belly was the biggest it's been so far.  It seemed to only last a few days though because it hasn't stayed that large. Maybe I ate a lot that day. It is growing though---and I can definitely see a difference. But I haven't "popped" fully yet, ut still tends to fluctuate. You can see a little bump when I wear fitted clothing.

Gender prediction: We will do the big reveal Christmas day! We can't wait to find out :)

Belly Button in or out? In, but it's starting to look less deep than it used to.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex of the baby.

Thank you for reading and for all of my pregnant readers, please feel free to check in below as well and let me know how your pregnancy is going :) I also welcome everyone's advice and comments about pregnancy :)

A Maxi Dress in December

On Sunday, I attended a brunch and secret Santa gift exchange with all of my wonderful blogging friends in Houston.  We went to Mockingbird Bistro and it was excellent (though, I did think it was odd to be charged $6.00 for a glass of orange juice...but I digress).

I decided to wear a gorgeous maxi dress that I received courtesy of PB&J Boutique. I like to wear loose fitting clothing when I go out to eat these days and this dress fit the bill perfectly.

(16 weeks, 4 days pregnant)

Dress- c/o PB&J Boutique (similar, similar, similar)

Boots- Jessica Simpson (similar)

Jacket- Banana Republic (similar, similar)

Necklace- Banana Republic (similar)

Do you wear maxi dresses in fall and winter or only in the summer? I really enjoyed wearing this one on a milder day in December. Paired with a jacket, it kept me warm and comfortable!

At our brunch, we also had a gift exchange and I was lucky enough to score a bottle of Essie polish AND Emily Schuman's book, Cupcakes & Cashmere. So excited to read it!

Charming Charlie for the Holidays

Holiday shopping is fun---but it can also be stressful, especially if you have a lot of people on your list, because inevitably, it's tough to find the perfect gift when there are so many personalities and and interests in the mix.

I had the chance recently to go on a little spree at Charming Charlie and whoa---that store is like walking into a never ending accessories wonderland.

I picked out a few of my favorite pieces and styled some holiday outfits with them!

Here are the pieces I loved:

I decided to style my first look as the classic little black dress---perfect for any holiday party---especially when you add touches of gold and other metallics!

PS- I am 16 weeks, 4 days pregnant in all of these photos!

The second outfit I styled actually features a gorgeous top from Charming Charlie's!  The store has clothing too---which is awesome---tons of cute tops and dresses.  I picked out this top because it just screams holidays to me---plus, it practically is a piece of jewelry with all of the gorgeous beading detail. 

Have you ever shopped at Charming Charlie?  Let me know if you have a store near you----the prices are so great that you can buy something for every accessories lover on your list and still have funds left over to get a few things for yourself.

FTC: I received a gift card to Charming Charlie to purchase pieces I love to style for this post.

Have You Tried It? Secret's Outlast Antiperspirant Review

Sweating -- or as I like to call it, "glistening." We all do it. Whether you're just naturally on the sweatier side or you're into working out, a good antiperspirant is essential and can be hard to come by.

In fact, over the years I've tried several different brands, and I've had a tough time with some of them. I have really sensitive skin overall, and some products I had used in the past actually caused me to have underarm cysts on a regular basis (gross, I know, but we're talking about sweating so we're kind of on a not so sexy topic from the get-go).

Over the years I feel like I've tried them all. Different brands and scents, and the one I keep loyally repurchasing is Secret� Outlast� antiperspirant (and speaking of Secret�, I also love their clinical strength antiperspirant, especially during the height of summer). Outlast� says it offers 48 hours of protection, but really no one needs that much protection because you shower once a day, but hey, I'll take all the extra protection a product can offer.

What I appreciate about this antiperspirant is it does not irritate my skin; it works all day (and night, no need to reapply), and it goes clear when you apply it.

The true test for any antiperspirant is how it performs after wearing it all day and then hitting the gym at night. As I mentioned earlier, I never have to reapply this antiperspirant before a workout (even the grueling ones with my trainer). It continues to protect as I'm "glistening" away.

I also live in Texas, and in October we're still having some days in the 80s and 90s, so while some ladies might be able to get away with a super mild product, I need the extra protection of a 24-48 hour formula. I also find that the powder scent isn't so overpowering that it competes with my perfume.

Though antiperspirant isn't as glamorous as lip gloss, blush and bronzer, I'd argue that it's just as essential -- if not more so. Finding one that works for you should definitely be a priority when it comes to your hygiene routine (it's kind of on the same level as finding the perfect whitening toothpaste).

Speaking of products that are part of your everyday routine, feel free to visit Have You Tried This Yet from P&G to learn more about high performing products from Procter & Gamble brands like Crest�, Olay�, Pampers� and Tide�. Other than Pampers (obviously), I have used products from all of these brands -- in fact, TIDE's "Free" laundry detergent is the only one I buy for my regular loads (I do use a special sport wash for my Lululemon clothing) and Crest's Glamorous White is my favorite whitening toothpaste (it really does help fade stains).

If you're still not sure about a product you're wanting to try, P&G is running a program throughout the next year offering various value saving opportunities to try some of the Have You Tried This Yet? from P&G program�s participating products:

• brandSAMPLER: Samples and valuable coupons mailed directly to you (YES, PLEASE!)
• eSAVER: Get coupons downloaded directly to your own personal shopper card.

Now that I'm done talking about sweating, let's get to the fun part -- a sweepstakes for a
$100 Visa Gift Card, sponsored by BlogHer. Each comment posted on this post generates an automatic entry into the sweepstakes.

All you have to do is tell me, in your comment on THIS post---How would Secret� Outlast� antiperspirant fit into your everyday life?

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
"b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: ""#SweepstakesEntry""; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post"
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/06 to 12/31
Be sure to visit the P&G Have You Tried This Yet? brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers� reviews and find more chances to win!

Thank you for reading and good luck!

15 Weeks!

Week 15 was pretty good!  My goal for the coming weeks is to try to get back into Bar Method classes again. I have to learn the modifications for pregnancy via their DVD, so I haven't been as motivated as I'd like to be. I try to walk a lot on weekends as I do my errands but the weather and darkness outside has kept me from wanting to walk after work.  If you have any tips for how to get motivated to be active during pregnancy, please let me know what worked for you!

How far along? 15 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure, my 16 week appointment is tomorrow. I imagined I've gained a few pounds but not sure as I don't have a scale at home. 

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but my pants are getting a bit snug throughout the day.

Stretch marks? Not yet (still using Belli's Elasticity Belly Oil at night and Mamma Mio Tummy Rub during the day)

Symptoms:  Occasionally I get stretching type pains/sensations in my uterus. If I'm on the couch in one position for too long I'll sometimes get a very brief sharp pain as I stand (this has actually only happened twice).  I still get pretty bloated throughout the day. My skin is still more oily than usual and I am still dealing with blackheads. My nipples are still sensitive/tender as well.

Sleep: Still using my Snoogle.  I sleep on my left side most of the night and on my right side for portions of the night when I feel like I need a change to get back to sleep. I sleep pretty well but some nights I do feel a little restless...luckily that does not happen very often.

Best moment this week: Booking our u/s to find out the sex of the baby! We will announce it at Christmas. It was also great to have enough energy to clean the house this past weekend. I know that sounds lame, but I love a clean house! I also have my 16 week appointment on Thursday so I always look forward to those.

Worst moment of the week: Realizing how much work it's going to be to clear the entire baby room out (which is now an office/random room) and wondering where that furniture will go...maybe Craigslist...

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach, working out regularly (and having the motivation to)

Movement: I hope to feel baby soon!  It is so hard to tell if little sensations are gastrointestinal or not...can't wait for a moment where I know for certain. The other night I had what felt like a piece of popcorn "popping" in that area but it was so light...it's just really difficult to tell if that's the baby or not.

Food cravings: cuties clementines (cannot stop eating them), tomato soup, grilled cheese, gingerbread cookies, cereal with milk (for dinner).

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really...though sometimes being at the grocery store with all of the smells combined makes me feel a bit queasy. I still get very light nausea when I am hungry, which is not very often since I eat all.the.time.

Have you started to show yet: I wasn't at 15 weeks but my belly is definitely starting to grow and not just with bloating!  You'll have to wait for my 16 week update for that. Last weekend on Facebook I asked you all when YOU started to show because I was starting to get worried when I took some 15 week photos.  But many of you assured me that you didn't show until 20 weeks---or beyond!  I think due to my height, long torso and the fact that my stomach muscles were pretty tight before I got pregnant, it may just take my body a little longer for my belly to pop---but now that I'm 16 weeks as I write this, I can tell it's happening.

(Taken at about 15 weeks, 3 days- my stomach is MUCH bigger now 

at 16 weeks, I couldn't believe the difference!)

Gender prediction: I think it's a boy, H thinks it's a girl. 50/50 chance of being right ;) We will do the big reveal Christmas day!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move and finding out the sex of the baby in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for reading and for all of my pregnant readers, please feel free to check in below as well and let me know how your pregnancy is going :) I also welcome everyone's advice and comments about pregnancy :)

PS- I really need to start taking regular belly shots (like full head-to-toe).  I really wanted to document that and I have been slacking on doing more formal photos.

What I'm Reading: Pregnancy, Baby & Parenting

In the past few years, I am ashamed to admit I have not read a lot of books (magazines and blogs are another story, I've read many many of those).  As a young girl and teen, reading was probably one of my most major hobbies. My idea of a fun weekend was going to the library by myself and coming home with a bag of books. I used to read the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley books like they were going out of style.  I also read the Full House "Stephanie" books. Laugh all you want, they were awesome. I would also get passionate about new subjects seemingly each month and read books about those too (I once read books all about the history of doll houses for a month straight).

As I got older and the internet became more and more part of everyday life, I definitely noticed my reading began to decline.  Plus, working full time, blogging and other responsibilities left little time for reading.  

When I found out I was pregnant though, I knew I'd get back into reading because I wanted to learn all there is to know about pregnancy, babies and parenting.  I'm especially interested in books about parenting in various cultures and on baby's brain development.

Mayo Clinic- Guide to a Health Pregnancy (buy it here)

This is the first pregnancy book I got---someone wonderful actually sent it to me before I even got pregnant!  I like reading the weekly summaries and refer to it each week. It seems to have a lot more detailed information on labor, birth and newborn care than the week-by-week development, so I'll do a full review once I've gotten to that point.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chau (buy it here)

A co-worker lent this book to me and I am so glad she did.  I think Chau's story was totally over-hyped in the media to make her out to be something different than what I read in the book.  Don't get me wrong---some of her parenting methods are definitely extreme, but the book reads more like a memoir of her own experiences raising her two daughters and not a parenting guide.  

Though guidance is exactly what I came out with as I read the last page.  I 100% agree with Chau's overall, underlying premise: that as a parent, you must invest in your child and push them to be the best they can be---because no one else will do that for your child.  How can a child reach their full potential if their own parent doesn't encourage and push them to achieve what they never thought was possible?  If you want your child to be great---show them they are capable of doing incredible things---even things they never thought they were capable of.  Another part of her book I appreciated was that she admits that being a strict parent, as she was, is hard.  It's much more difficult, time consuming, and heart-wrenching than being a parent who is more passive.  I was raised by very strict parents and though I do not agree with a lot of what went on in my childhood (the same way I don't agree with all of Chau's parenting experiences), I do believe that I am a more confident and motivated individual partly due to the way I was raised.  The bottom line/takeaway from Chau's book for me--- invest time in your children, even if it's not "easy" and push your children to achieve what you know they can---because no one else will do it for you and if you instill in your children that they can be great---they are more likely to rise to the occasion.  Let me know what you thought of the book if you've read it in the comments!

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman (buy it here)

I am 81 pages into Brining Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman and I absolutely love it already.  The author didn't like Paris when she first moved there but she noticed that French children and babies seem so clam and well-behaved.  In the book, she explores the reasons for this and breaks down several of the concepts French parents follow, seemingly naturally or instinctively.  I cannot wait to finish this book and provide a full review.  Truthfully, I find myself more drawn to non-American parenting theories. I think every parent needs to do what works best for them and their child(ren), but for me, these more structured and disciplined parenting styles are more appealing.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D. (buy it here)

I have not started to read this one yet, but it came highly recommended by many friends and bloggers. I believe it's considered to be a must-have book for any new mom.

Dad's Pregnant Too! by Harlan Cohen (buy it here)

A friend of mine who is well into her pregnancy recommended this book to me. She originally bought it for her husband, but she enjoyed it so much herself that she told me I should get it for Kevin and we should read it together. That's the plan!

Baby Bargains (buy it here)

This book was another book I saw popping up on all of the mommy blogs I read. I look forward to checking out the money-saving tips and deals :)

What books would you recommend I check out and why?  Please leave your recommendations in the comments below and thank you!