Gracefully Sassy

Real Feelings On Babymoons & My Love For Toyota

April 10, 2018

Happy Tuesday! TACOS, TACOS, TACOS… that’s usually the only thing Tuesday means for me lol, especially these days.
I thought it was about time to talk babymoon vacations with y’all now that I am in my second trimester just trucking along at 22 weeks. Before I was pregnant I was ALL about a babymoon! Like I wanted to burst every budget in mind and take a gorgeous tropical, and relaxing vacation with Kyle before said baby was due to arrive. Welllllll fast forward to being actually pregnant. My thoughts on this idea have totally changed.

We took a family vacation to Miami, FL in December. It was nice being out of the cold and escaping all the holiday hustle and bustle for beachside views. I thought I would totally enjoy soaking up the sun, relaxing, (my favorite past time) and shopping, but yeah that was a total NO GO! I was 6.5 weeks pregnant and experiencing nausea and exhaustion. Those two things combined will make anyone a not so pleasant person to be around. I had MAJOR food aversion too, so enjoying all the tasty delights were out of the question for me. There were a few good times that I didn’t feel like death warmed over that I highly suggest for you to do if you plan to visit Miami/Florida Keys. I have them listed below with the direct links. These were able to turn my frown upside down so definitely add them to your bucket list while visiting these areas!

Morado Beach Club Cafe
Snooks (we came here and played cards around a fire pit while listening to live music)
Hyatt Confidante Resort (had the cutest cabanas where we purchased resort day passes to enjoy the sandy shores of Miami)

Toyota so wonderfully let us test the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid while we were there. It was fantastic! I come from a family of Toyota lovers and honestly, I don’t have a negative thing to say about the brand. This particular car was truly wonderful to drive. It handled super well. We were surprised at how quiet it was but I assume that has something to do with “hybrid” part of the vehicle. Gas mileage was awesome, and every bell and whistle featured on the vehicle was very impressive. Okay now for my FAVORITE part of the car, the back seat! Haha, I bet that wasn’t what you were thinking. A lot of 4-door sedan vehicles have manufactured their backseat to be “sporty”, but the problem in there lies that they are usually very uncomfortable. This back seat was super spacious and very comfortable! It really impressed me as far as being a wonderful family vehicle, not to mention that Toyotas are made so well they last for what feels like forever.

All in all, babymoons aren’t for me. I am even sad to say it because a vacation would be nice. But it wouldn’t be the vacation I want just due to everything that goes along with pregnancy. Kyle and I are already talking about taking a vacation next year just the two of us that I am sure will be necessary for us newbie exhausted parents. Not to mention, I will actually like to eat and be able to have some of my favorite cocktails while enjoying some relaxing time away. Kyle has already said we are not letting this vacation go by the wayside since the babymoon idea isn’t for this momma! Simply put, everything you may have thought you wanted during pregnancy could change, and it’s totally A-OKAY. Give yourself a break.. you’re growing a human. Just go with the flow and try to enjoy all of the moments just you and your baby.

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.

Oooh Baby, Baby!

February 5, 2018

Photography By: Swish & Click Photography

It took me forever to come up with a title for this blog post, and then BAM! this song came into my head lol. So I didn’t even make it to the second half of the Super Bowl came last night. This momma was asleep by 8:30! I stayed up long enough to watch my first crush ever totally kill it. I know not everyone may agree but he can do no wrong in my book. Who’s with me when it came to having to DVR This Is US? To be honest, I am not sure I can handle watching it but I am going to attempt it tonight after work. I may end up having a total cry session with you all on Instastories later so sorry in advance.

I can’t say I am being extra emotional these days, I feel like my pretty usual emotional self. Although, this month is Valentine’s Day, and my second favorite holiday Mardi Gras so it does bring out my big heart happiness a little more so than say March or September. Annnnd my sweet fur baby PoBoy Daniels turns 4 next week! I am a total dog mom and want him to be in our family forever so I always hate the fact he is getting older. But I still spoil him extra on his birthday even though I am sure he has no idea what day it is, haha. Lately PoBoy has been bugging Kyle and I about getting him a sibling so this year he is getting an extra special Valentine’s Day present.
We are expecting his baby brother or baby sister in August!

Yep, it’s happening! We’re having a baby. Kyle and I are over so over moon and I think me more than him is still having a “pinch me” moment. I have been super sick and exhaaaauuusted this first trimester. It seriously sucks. I am so thankful God has blessed up with this pregnancy, but for reals this ain’t easy. Now that I am 13 weeks hoping to start turning a corner?! Who knows. For now, I just take it day by day and try to go along with whatever baby is signaling that they want.

I get asked frequently about food cravings, body changes, ect. I am not sure if that’s something you may want me to blog about, but it seems a lot of readers like “bump updates” I will start to implement those. But I am being honest in advance, I will be totally honest and not sugar coat things. And I will be reaching out to you for advice since I am TOTALLY new in this department haha.