Fashion Archives - Gracefully Sassy

Spring Swing Dress

April 19, 2018

Swing into spring with this adorable swing dress. It’s totally bump friendly for my pregos out there, but is non-maternity (sadly, this exact one sold out SUPER fast but I have very similar others linked for you). Houston has been so blessed lately with great spring weather that this momma is happy, happy, happy! Spring weather has always been a favorite for me with swing dresses like this because let’s be honest, they let the air in yet don’t fit too tight (allows for all high calorie brunch favorites), but makes you look like a walking spring look book which who doesn’t love that? It’s very little effort to look all spring chic, prego or not this is a total WIN!

Like I said, we have been super blessed with great weather and recently my husband made me privy to an activity that would be perfect to do in this weather. He told me that he has never been to the zoo. *GASP* Wild right?! I was shocked, but happy to hear that all in the same time. Needless to say here in the coming weekends… we’re going to the ZOO! He is super excited for this activity and I’m happy to be out and about in the weather doing something fun even for pregos lol. I have missed brunch mimosa sipping porch side on the weekends so he totally made my day with providing this information on a fun activity together. I am trading mimosas for lions, tigers, and bears.. O My! I tell all this to hopefully give you the boost to buy this swing spring dress and get out of the house to enjoy this insanely wonderful weather we’re having that is truly wonderful no matter what outdoor activity you have planned.

Photography By: Banavenue

20 Week Bumpdate & Easter Dresses Under $100

March 27, 2018

Photography By: BanAvenue

20 WEEKS! I am most definitely excited to be halfway through my pregnancy and that much closer to little man living outside of my body, snuggled in my arms. To be honest, I can’t complain because lately he has been giving momma a break and making things a lot more manageable. Buuuuut there has been interesting things that led up to this better time in my pregnancy. I am not really sure what you might want to know in these “bumpdates”, but here goes some key things that have happened so far.

Up until around 14 weeks I was dog sick and lost weight. If you have read my previous posts this was something I was attributing to us having a girl, but BOY was I wrong 😉 I totally hated to eat because nothing went over well, and nothing ever sounded good to eat. Luckily we are in a new phase where I like to eat.
Cravings: I thiiiink I crave Chinese food and pizza a lot. I say I think because I am not sure, it’s just the two things that always sound good and taste delicious. Husband is more than tired of eating these two food groups and begs we get something different most days. Yes, pizza is a food group as far as I am concerned.
Yep, I am about to say it.. constipation is a real thing during pregnancy! For me it really didn’t start until around 14 weeks when I began to not experience as much morning sickness. I could have implemented Metamucil and things of that sort, but I have just tried a more so called natural approach with changing things in my diet. I am typically eating an egg white based breakfast, green leafy lunch, and dinner is 50/50 on healthy cooking or one of the two “cravings” above. lol. The key word is try. It seems to keep me regular as far as what being regular is while pregnant.
Strangest of things thus far: I began to produce a extremely small amount of colostrum. I had a total freak out session when I first noticed it because I automatically assumed it had to be a sign of preterm labor because it was way too early for this to be happening. I phoned the doctor and apparently it’s SUPER normal!
18 week movement: Again.. I thiiiiiink I felt him move for the first time at 18 weeks. I didn’t have the emotional tears of happiness I thought I was suppose to have because I was laughing so hard. It for me felt like constant tickles on the inside for 10 seconds at a time. And of course he was doing this at bedtime when I am trying to sleep but can’t because I am laughing so hard! Apparently this is normal? and what a lot of women refer to as flutters when describing the feeling. Simply put, it tickles!
Yes, Baby Boy has a name and I will be revealing that in my next blog post that concerns “bumpdates” 🙂

Now that all the baby fun is out of the way, let’s talk Easter fashion! I love this dress I scoped up from Nasty Gal, but by the time I got it in it was already sold out. So I am linking other favorites below that are non-maternity, (but could still totally fit a growing bump) and under $100. This will leave your wallet with a little extra to splurge on mimosas after Sunday Easter church service!

Suit Up With Spring Work Wear

March 22, 2018

Aren’t you loving that it’s officially Spring Time? All the gorgeous flowers that are blooming and the beautiful weather make me never want to go into the office. I would much rather just bask in the sun having a picnic! Haha, over dramatic dreaming here if you can’t tell. With a new baby on the way I need to work, work, work so he can have all the best and be a little trendy man.

All my boss babes out there owning the corporate world, you’re probably right there with me wanting to enjoy all things outdoors that spring has to offer. Am I right?! If so I do have a way to bring those spring fashion vibes in doors. I know it isn’t exactly the same thing, but it will boost your spirits with spring enthusiasm so that’s something. I have linked below in sections of tops, bottoms, and dresses that I promise will give you rays of sunshine in your day! Not to mention, if taken care of will last you for springs to come and still leave you room in the budget to purchase your more festive weekend wear.

Spring Work Wear- TOPS

Spring Work Wear- BOTTOMS

Spring Work Wear- DRESSES

Photography By: Banavenue Photography
Next week I will have an Easter fashion blog post up, as well as a “bumpdate” for all of you who asked for me to share these details 🙂
Happy Friday Eve Loves!

Boy Oh Boy

March 6, 2018

Boy Oh Boy did I get the surprise of a lifetime this weekend. First, I will start by telling you all the things leading up to our gender reveal.

Like I have said before, I was pretty sick up until around 15 weeks. I have been feeling like a normal human being the past week and a half which has been wonderful. Although, just a heads up for anyone of you ladies who don’t know. Just because you feel like you’re 100% doesn’t mean you just push full steam ahead. It will totally kick your butt if you do. I learned this the hard way so I thought letting you know might save you some backaches, lol. So moving on, We did our Panorama genetic testing in which we also requested our gender be found out that way as well when I was 11 weeks. I got the results in 5 days so yep I have had MAJOR self-control in not opening the envelope so we could be surprised when I was 16.5 weeks at our gender reveal. To be honest, I was getting super anxious this past week from not knowing so I don’t suggest you draw it out too long for your pregnancies.

Around 14 weeks I got this idea in my head we were having a girl. I had no proof of any kind, it was just an idea my mind cooked up. Until this point I had absolutely no clue. As those two weeks went along before our reveal I started finding evidence to back up this “idea” such as I was super sick and people have said this generally happens when you have a girl. Also, baby’s heart beat is right over 140 bpm which people have also said you’re more likely to be carrying a girl. Annnnd last but not least, the Chinese calendar test said we were also having a girl. I figured with all this so called evidence I had found we were definitely having a girl.

The week of the reveal I would have put some big bucks on it that Baby H was a girl (so glad I didn’t go and do that)! Even before we busted the piñata open that was holding the secret, I was telling all of our friends and family that I hoped Kyle wasn’t going to be sad because I was dead sure we’re having a little princess. Hahaha, I laugh as I type this because I was the fool in for the big surprise. Not that I was ANY bit sad, I was oh so very shocked!

Well, the piñata’s bottom didn’t fall open like it was designed to when Kyle and I pulled the ribbons. We pulled and nothing happened. Kyle had to stick his hand in the hole that confetti and candy were supposed to fall out of and rip it apart. But before he ripped the hole large enough for everything to fall through, he saw something dangling and grabbed it to throw it out. I happened to see it and instantly saw it was blue and Lord have mercy, my face was mouth wide open, eyebrows as high as they could be saying “Oh My Gosh, It’s A Boy!”. No one picked it up on it because they were waiting for the piñata to bust with the surprise. Seconds later, the piñata let the secret out, with Kyle’s help, and everyone screamed “It’s a BOY”. Again, I was still shell shocked, but so happy to find out I am officially a Boy Mom!

I am sorry I am super behind on blog posts, and I do know this is a fashion blog where I share my life and experiences through fashion, so you have my word the next post will be fashion forward with life updates. I do have to tell you I wore the cutest romper for our gender reveal, and since I know you will love it I linked the exact one below! Also, linked are jumpsuit versions that are flying off the shelves as we speak. Sooo until (finger’s crossed, next week) the next blog post, I will be planning lots of spring fashion inspiration and some bump updates so please let me know what you would like me to share there. I may give you too much TMI updates if not, lol.

Tips For Making The Most Of Valentine’s Day

February 2, 2018

Baby, I’m BAAACK! You may or may not have noticed but I have not been active on social media or on this sassy space of mine in a month and a half. WOW I feel like I need to facetime each and everyone of you to see how you’re because it has been too long. Not to go into too much detail, but I have been battling sickness and extreme exhausting which has literately left me no creative energy what so ever which is just sad in it’s self. You all are so awesome and being able to communicate with each of you on here and social media is so special to me so here I am running on maybe 10% battery but super excited to be back!

Two week, yes less than two weeks until Valentine’s Day. To be honest I think I build this day up in my mind more than I should which typically means disappointment. That is not a negative reflections on my hubs, because he totally tries and blows it out of the park with thoughtfulness. I just mean like the day it’s self and expecting to be all dolled up for him even if we do a date night in and having loads of energy even after a hectic day at work. HA! That’s not reality and I need to have a serious “get over yourself” talk with myself. This year I am making EVERY effort to make the day special for both of us and set zero expectations so it will be perfect however it all comes together. Here are the tips I have truly found essential for Kyle and I to have a special day of love together.

Don’t set expectations! Go into Valentine’s just knowing it will be wonderful because you will see, talk, or spend time with the person or people you love.
You have children? Try to do something special for them (you DON’T have to break the bank). I have great memories of being made feel special at home by my parents that I never was sad if I didn’t get attention from a boy at school. I knew I was loved and special.
Personally, I wouldn’t advise to celebrating the day early. Whenever we have done that in the past it leaves me feeling empty and like I need to do something, anything for him on the actual day. Like I said, even if you pop popcorn and enjoy a movie together on the couch with some Hershey kisses you can make THE day special!
I can’t say, “don’t go to a nice dinner”. When we have had actual time to not rush, dress up, and go enjoy a nice meal it has always been a memorable experience. Buuuut this isn’t a necessity. We don’t have any plans to do this routine this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be totally culinary gods in the kitchen (haha, only kidding). This is a super fun way to do something together all while trying a new recipe and having a special meal together on the day of love.
Single?! Galentine’s Day is seriously so much fun. Grab your gal pals and go get sushi, drink the whole bottle of champagne and laugh until you cry. It will seriously make you love the day of love. If you and your gals prefer to stay in, order the best pizza in town, tell every gal to bring their favorite vino and have a wine tasting while watching bridesmaids. Now that’s a fun night right there!

All in all, make the most out of your day of love. You don’t have a significant other, kiddos, or anything else. You can simply make the day a day to love yourself for all your amazing qualities! Maybe next week I will have a real plan for our Valentine’s Day festivities but then again let’s be real.. I probably still won’t have anything put together lol.