An Eggplant Lover

Eggplant was never one of my favorite vegetable. Growing up, I dreaded dinner the days my mom made her Indian eggplant curry dish. I just remember it being slimy and for some reason it always reminded me of fish.

Well, over the years I've given eggplant second and third chances and it's slowly grown on me. One of the best eggplant dishes I've ever had was the Eggplant with Miso at Nobu. However, I can't afford to go to Nobu as often I'd like. So, typically the eggplant dish I try most often when dinning out is an Eggplant Parmesan.

Recently, while at the grocery store I decided to try something outside my comfort zone of veggies which is typically just onions, bell peppers, and spinach. On any given day our dinner will consist of these three veggies in some form or fashion. I know it's sad, but isn't it also amazing that I manage to stick with the same three veggies and make something different each time? Or maybe I'm just very good at fooling my husband! ;) Anyways, so I picked up a big firm eggplant and secretly told myself it's ok if I completely screw this up.

After looking up a few recipes on pinterest and other various sites, I realized that I didn't have all the ingredients of any one recipe. So, I decided to just wing it with the little understanding I had of the general concept. And guess what? This was was the best eggplant parmesan I have ever had... even my husband agreed!

edited via Instagram

The main ingredients in an eggplant parmesan are typically an eggplant, parmesan cheese (duh?!), some sort of breading, egg to help the breading stick, a little bit of seasoning, marinara sauce, and some bed of pasta to serve the eggplant with.

Here are a few of my tips. Don't cut the eggplant too thick or it will become too soggy. I like to cut mine in less than half an inch rounds. Next, be sure to salt your eggplant well, let it rest for at least 10 to 15 mins, and completely dry off each slice of eggplant prior to continuing. I can't stress how important it is to really take care of the eggplant up to this step before continuing. If you do this, the rest will be easy peasy.

Then simply whisk up 1 to 2 eggs in a bowl, depending on how many eggplant slices you have. In dish mix up some breadcrumbs or panko crumbs with all the seasonings of your choice. I decided to use some regular breadcrumbs and added garlic powder, herb de provence, salt, pepper, and some fresh thyme and grated parmesan cheese. I mixed it all very well together. Line a tray with parchment paper and begin to dip the eggplant in the egg and then breadcrumb mixture and place it on the tray. I made sure to really pat the breadcrumb mixture on to the eggplant well. You can put some oil on the eggplant at this time, but I just lightly sprayed them all with cooking spray. At 350 degrees, cook the eggplant for a good 25 minutes or until the tops start to get lightly brown.

Next, I just used bottled marinara sauce and placed a good tablespoon on each eggplant slice and topped it with a slice of fresh mozzarella. The eggplants went back in the oven for another 10 minutes until the cheese was lightly melted on top. Mean while, I cooked up some linguine pasta I had on hand. This would actually be my second tip. Try linguine versus the traditional spaghetti pasta that is typically severed with eggplant. It makes the dish a bit lighter. Lastly, make a small bed of pasta on a plate and place the eggplant on top. Finish it off with some fresh basil. I must admit that the fresh mozzarella and fresh basil really complete the dish.

So, am I now a lover of eggplant? Umm... maybe! I'm so glad that I tried something outside of my comfort zone. I'm also very happy with how it turned out. I can't wait to make this for my mom the next time I see her and maybe I'll give her eggplant curry another try as well.



Are you lover of eggplant?

A Transitional Floral Dress

Cardigan top / H M moto jacket / J Crew blue jean jacket / Mossimo Supply Co. roman sandals / BP black flat / Style & Co. zipper boots / Mossimo strappy sandals / MK satchel handbag / MK crossbody purse / ALDO clutch

Spring is finally here! I'm so happy to be done with the cold weather and all the layering. I'm ready for warm sunny days with a light crisp breeze. Isn't it interesting how the weather has a big effect on our mood? I always feel a lot more energized and happier during the spring/summer months. 

One of my favorite items to add to my closet during this time are dresses! It's one of the easiest things to throw on and get out the door feeling completely put together. And a dress like this one from Target is a must have for me. I can easily transition it from spring to summer and from day to night with just a few additional items. 

I've really been wanting to add an affordable, yet good quality faux leather jacket to my closet and this H&M version fit the bill when it was recently on sale. I really like how it completely changes the look of the dress for a night out. Another great option instead of black is this brown Suede version. I'm totally in love with it, but I'm not sure I could justify the cost per wear for myself. 

I recently wore the first outfit to work this week and got tons of compliments. The material is easy to take care of and the floral print is very well balanced. I would have typically paired the dress with a black or neutral cardigan for work, but adding the yellow really brightened up the entire look. We are required to wear closed toed shoes for work, so I paired it with some simple ballet flats. However, I have been eyeing these sandals from Nordstrom for a while and Target has a very similar pair for less. Unfortunately, I took the photograph late in the day and the lighting wasn't very good. 

If you've been on a look out for a great floral dress that is also very versatile, I would highly recommend this one.

Side note: I also picked up this off-the shoulder chambray that is really on trend and would look great with these BP sandals or these affordable Target version too. Whenever I'm a little nervous to try new trends, like the off-the shoulder trend, I can always depend on Target for some good affordable options. 

What's your spring/summer staple item?

Favorites | February

February has been quiet a busy month! So much happened this month and it was pretty much all surrounding Riya. With the amazing spring like weather we've been having lately, Riya loves going to the park. We had an amazing time with my entire family mid month and they came in town just in time to see Riya start crawling! I can't believe how much she changes every day and her personality is really starting to shine.

So besides all the wonderful moments I've had with my baby girl this month, which have been absolutely priceless, I also have a just a few monthly favorites to share.

Day One

I started using the Day One journal app on my iphone the day Riya was born. This is honestly THE BEST journal app! I have absolutely love it! I was hesitant to purchase it at first since there are several free options available, but I am so glad I did. This application is really ideal for any one who loves to journal. It has so many cool features like location data and adding multiple photos to each entry. Plus, another cool feature is that you can add additional journals within this one app. For example, I currently have a journal for Riya's First Year and as well as a Food Journal all housed within this one application. I found a great blog post detailing the various features here. I also think this app would be ideal for anyone traveling... I really wish I had discovered it a few years ago for our trip to China and Japan.

Trader Joe's Trail Mix Cookies

It is no surprise that Trader Joe's in one of my favorite grocery stores. Besides having amazing food, flowers, and wine selection their customer service is fabulous and their workers just seems like happy people. Recently, I discovered these trail mix cookies and omg! they are so delicious it's hard to believe that their healthy. I would highly recommend them for snack time or anytime.

Baby Brezza

Speaking for food... This has been quiet useful over the past 2 months as Riya has transitioned to pureed foods. There are some great baby food options on the market now, but I really wanted to try to make home-cooked food for Riya as much as I could. Typically I will set the machine up for whatever her meal will be the following day while I'm feeding her dinner. By the time we are done feeding her meal for the next day is already steamed and blended up nicely. I wouldn't say that it's a necessity, but it sure is convenient and fresh!

Lion

So I didn't see all the movies nominated for this year's Oscars, but the only movie I was really hoping would get some recognition was Lion. I was so impressed by Sunny Pawar, who plays the child Saroo... he seriously stole my heart! This movie deeply moved me and it's just amazing to think that it was a true story. A definite must see!

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Ted Radio Hour - Reconciliation 

It's been very difficult for me to believe what is going on in our country today. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way. I recently came across this TedTalk Podcast I had saved from December. The segment with Suzanne Barakat's story left me with chills on my drive to work and has since stuck with me. A word of warning, her story is quiet graphic but important to be heard. She made an important point about the dangers of remaining in silence. I can't exactly explain it, but I found some comfort and strength in listening to her story and other parts of this podcast. You can also hear Suzanne's entire Ted Talk here. 

That's it for last month's favorites! I hope this post was helpful or has inspired you to try something new.


Are you familiar with any of these favorites? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

The Perfect Spring Sweater

H M long sleeve sweater / H&M activewear pants / Old Navy white jeans / J Crew petite skirt / J Crew flared skirt / Hollister Co. high waisted denim shorts / BP. open toe shoes / NIKE low top / Mossimo sandals / BP. flat shoes / Sam & Libby sam libby shoes / Rebecca Minkoff crossbody handbag / Stella Dot feather necklace / Kendra scott necklace / Leopard scarve / Old navy scarve / J Crew straw hat/ BP. mirrored aviator sunglasses

I hadn't really been interested in shopping after delivering my daughter last June. Although I knew I needed to give myself time to get back into shape, I still struggled with feeling a little depressed and worried about what I saw in the mirror. Over the past month and a half I've been making it a daily goal to take better care of myself (post coming soon). 

I'm already seeing a small difference in the way I look and an even bigger difference in the way I feel. So, I recently treated myself to a small online shopping spree. This sweater was just one of the many amazing finds I picked up from H&M. 

I'm always a bit skeptical about purchasing anything from H&M without trying it on in store. I was already all over the place in their sizing and fit before pregnancy... so you can imagine my current hesitation in purchasing anything online. However, on a the very rare occasion that I do make it out to the mall these days I typically just end up frustrated and find absolutely nothing that inspires me to try the item on. So, when I saw that H&M now offers free in-store returns, plus I had a code for free shipping and a 30% discount, I said... why not?! 

I love putting together outfit options with my recent purchases because it helps me to better understand if the item will bring me joy and add value to my closet. The color of this sweater is a perfect neutral beige. I'm very pleased with the quality and it's a perfect sweater to be worn as is or layered. When I first placed it into my online shopping cart, I imagined that it would make a nice outfit with jeans for a casual day and on skinny trousers for work. And after playing around with other outfit ideas I'm convinced that this is my new favorite sweater and a perfect transition item going into the spring months. 

I know it might be a little too early to be thinking of spring around some neck of the woods, but here in Texas the weather has been in the 70s and with my allergies acting up... spring is definitely in the air! I'm very excited to try out all these looks in the coming months. Majority of all the completer pieces are either already in my closet or I have something very similar. So, this also helps me to visualize outfits that I can keep a mental note for when I'm in a hurry to get dressed for an event. Another reason I love doing these outfit posts is because it gives me an idea of how much I might actually wear a particular item on my wish list. For example, this pegasus necklace from Stella Dot has been on my wish list for over a year, but I have yet to justify the price for the amount of times I think I would actually wear it. I've been on a hunt for something similar, but a bit more affordable. I think it goes perfectly with outfit #3, but I'm not convinced to pull the trigger on it. Come to think of it... my birthday is right around the corner! ;)

To my delight I'm happy with all the items from my recent H&M purchase and I'm most excited about this sweater and the joggers in the first outfit.



Which look is your favorite?

Favorites | January

Monthly favorites are one of my favorite posts. It's a great way to learn and share about new ideas and products. For me it's a little spin off the Three Things Thursday posts I've enjoyed sharing in the past. I'm not sure if these posts will be centered around any theme in the future: beauty products, recipes, books, etc. For now it's a little bit of everything and anything that I've been loving this past month. So let's get started with January Favorites!

Fitbit Charge 2

I put this on my Christmas wish list after debating on a Fitbit versus an Apple Watch. I think this Fitbit is a perfect fit for me. I've been trying to loose the baby weight, but being active hasn't always been easy. This has definitely helped to motive me to get moving; not only that, I also like how it tracks my sleep and reminds me to incorporate meditation into my daily routine. 

Sweet Potato Enchiladas 

Where have these been all my life?! I've been making black bean enchiladas with verde sauce for years and it's one of my favorite quick and satisfying dinner ideas. Damn Delicious is one of my favorite food blogs and I was super excited to try this recipe. I never thought about adding sweet potatoes before, but now that I have... I can never image making enchiladas any other way!

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Laneige Hydration Trial Kit

I'm always on the hunt for a great moisturizer, but this winter I decided that maybe I needed to take a closer look at my entire skincare regimen. With all the rage about Korean skincare lately, I did some research and decided to give this brand a try for two reasons: great reviews and reasonably priced ($30 for 6 products). I'm so glad I did because I love pretty much every single product in this kit. I definitely be repurchasing the cleanser and the water sleeping mask.

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Stila Perfect Me, Perfect Hue Eye & Cheek Palette

I'm a big fan of all-in-one palettes. Christmas is usually a good time to pick one up. This one made it on my wishlist and I was so excited when I received it! The medium/tan palette is perfect for my skin tone. The shadows and blushes are highly pigmented, a good size, and nicely packaged in a hard case. This is a must for a mommy on the go!

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Antilop Highchair

Speaking of being a mommy... as with all things baby, when I started looking for a highchair for Riya there were a hundred different options. After doing a little bit of research and speaking with other mommies, I decided to give this super affordable highchair a try. For only $20 bucks, I can definitely say that this highchair would be my number one recommendation!

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Drop It! 

Lastly, listening to Joel Osteen for just 10 minutes will leave anyone feeling inspired and uplifted (regardless of your religion). This podcast episode has been one of my favorites this month. It has been a great reminder to keep up with my 2017 theme of being kind - to myself and to others, by not being hung up on things that just don't matter in the long run.

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So, that's it! January has been a great start to 2017! I hope this post is helpful or has inspired you to try something new.


What were some of your favorites this month?

Theme for 2017 | Be Kind

This year instead of making a list of new year's resolutions, I've been inspired by Aileen from Lavendaire to set a theme for 2017. A theme is a great way to begin the new year with intention.

Recently, I got the chance to catch up on one of my favorite day time shows - Ellen. If you haven't watched her show before, Ellen always starts the show with a funny monologue followed by dancing and ends the show by saying the phrase Be kind to one another. When I heard her say this the first couple of times I watched the show, I just thought to myself... what a nice and positive message to end the show with. But the more frequently I heard this phrase, I started to wonder why Ellen chose the word kind and not nice... why not just Be nice to another?

The more and more I thought about it, I began to dissect the word nice versus kind. I really didn't get much help from the dictionary, but these articles (1 | 2 | 3) did help shed some light on this topic. I don't agree with these articles 100%. Nonetheless, they both have led me to decide on my theme for 2017 - Be Kind.

So here are some goals for 2017 with the intention to be kind.

Be kind to my body

• walk 10,000 steps in a day 
• sleep 6 to 7 hours
• fuel it with natural foods and water

Be kind to my mind

• meditate once a day (start with 2 minutes)
• forgive myself and others daily
• continue to live with gratitude every day

Be kind to others

• pause before reacting to others
• do something unselfish for someone every day
• respect versus just please others

Be kind to my money

• use it to buy with intention and not always to fulfill a desire
• this is inspired by Carly's goal to "intentionally dine out"
• use it to be kind to others
• respect my purchases

Be kind to my home

• respect my surroundings and keep it tidy
• only bring items into my home that bring value and joy
• fill my home with a positive vibes

My hope is that this theme will help guide me through different areas in my life. Not simply to set goals and feel defeated if I fail to follow through, but with hopes that it will help me to be consciously aware of the intention with which I want to live my life this year. By the end of 2017, I'm hopeful that this intention will be so engraved in my mind that it will lead me to naturally practice kindness moving forward.



What might be your theme for 2017?

Recent Purchases | Nursing Purchases

White shirt / LOFT vintage t shirt / LOFT petite top / LOFT lace top / Red top / LOFT legging pants / Women's Nursing Full Coverage Bra Black Lace / Old Navy drawstring pants / Cotton camisole / credit card holder

I thought maternity shopping was difficult, but nursing shopping is sometimes even harder. At least when I was maternity shopping, I could usually just buy a few sizes up and I would be able to cover my growing belly. But nursing clothes are a slightly different story. 

During the first month or so when I was hardly ever leaving the house, the Gillian O'Malley nursing cami really came in handy. They are pretty comfortable and I bought these in every color. I would typically wear them with loose drawstring pants like the ones from Old Navy. They are currently only $11 bucks!  Both these items are super easy to wash and wear. If I wanted to run out the door or was expecting some company to stop by to visit Riya, I would  just throw on an old button down shirt or a cardigan on for a bit more coverage. 

I'm headed back to work soon and although I won't be taking Riya along with me to breastfeed daily (I wish!)... I still needed tops that would give me easy access for pumping. The Express portofino shirts are by far my favorite. I wore them a ton pre-pregnancy as well and I just sized up while I'm trying to get back in shape. I'm loving the stripped one I recently purchased during the 40% off sale.. I also liked their long sleeve front zip blouse. I haven't had a chance to wear it, so I can't comment on how well the zip up really works for breastfeeding or pumping. 

I picked up a few tops from Loft as well. I've already worn the mixed ivy lace bib shell and it looks great with some work appropriate pants and a contrasting cardigan. The fabric is easy wash and wear so I bought them in two different prints. The olive jeggings were an impulse buy since I was getting quiet frustrated trying to fit into my old jeans again. I know it's a little too soon for that so I thought these pants would be perfect for the upcoming fall/winter season. Before heading out the door, I also grabbed a couple of their soft vintage tees in a size up. Although these don't provide full access, they are great to layer on top of the nursing camis. 

The last two purchases are both a necessity in my book. A nursing bra of course! This one from Target is super inexpensive and is functional as well as pretty. I have them in both nude and black. And the skinny credit card holder was a last minute purchase from Express. With having to take a diaper bag with me everywhere I go now, I needed to have a skinny wallet that I could easily throw in the bag. I brought it in this bright red color so it's easy to see and grab. 

These are all my purchases thus far. I think I'll make it through fall alright, but I'm struggling to find some nursing friendly sweaters for the winter. If any of you seasoned mamas have any advice, please do share below! 

What have you been purchasing recently?

Hello Again

I have been contemplating getting back into blogging for a while now and today I've decided to jump right into it. Since the last post back in April (yikes!), a lot has happened in my life. I am now a Mommy to our sweet baby girl, Riya. Over the past couple of months there have been a few small hiccups. Thankfully, I've had almost 3 months of maternity leave to be able to give Riya my full attention.

BEbany Photography

In today's post I wanted to write about my thoughts and hesitations about blogging again. I'm sure all of us at some point in our lives have decided to start something new and exciting. Maybe it was a new hobby, a new diet plan, a new exercise regimen, or maybe it was a new blog. In the beginning it all seems very exciting and you're so consistent with it each and every week, but then life happens... you miss a day here or there and promise yourself that you will get back to it, but slowly those days start to pile up and you start to think that maybe it's just too late. Usually, it's been easier for me to get back into my hobby of painting no matter how long it's been... or get back on track with my "healthier lifestyle" after taking a few days or months off from working out. But for some reason it seems a bit more difficult with something more public like this blog.

BEbany Photography

During my pregnancy I had really wanted to blog about my journey, but after having a complication in my second trimester I focused all my attention on my health. Blogging took a back seat and slowly I just sort of lost interest. When I did feel like writing a short post here and there I told myself that it wasn't worth spending the time... no one is gonna care to read it... what's the point? I was embarrassed about my lack of consistency and laziness. A few months ago, I was worried this would turn into a pregnancy only blog and maybe now it'll be a "mommy" blog. I cared and worried too much about having a defined niche for this blog. But today I'm feeling reinspired by my little girl and I've decided to put those negative thoughts out of my head.

BEbany Photography

Ever since I was young, I have always enjoyed journaling and documenting my life... for none other than for myself. My blog is like a public journal for me. I'm reminding myself not to take this so seriously. Pretty much each and every post I write is for myself. But I have to admit that I get very excited and feel special when someone decides to stop by and finds interest in one of my posts. I started this blog one afternoon because I was simply inspired by my surroundings. I wanted to document my inspirations so that when I read an old post, like My Spiritual Master or Be Your Own Happy, I able to revisit the sentiment I once felt.

No matter what direction this blog takes I know that each and every post will be true to where I am currently in my life and it will continue to evolve as I do.

I appreciate you stopping by and hope you'll continue to visit every now and again! :)



I'd love to hear your thoughts...Have you ever felt this way?

April | small goals

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March was quiet a month! As much as I expected it to be one of the best months of the year... it wasn't exactly as peachy as I had hoped. I won't bore you with the details. Overall, I feel that I did fairly well on my goals. Here's a quick recap.

1. Drink 64 oz of water a day.  I can't say that I drank 64 oz a day, but I did do a much better job of increasing my water in-take. Small progress is better than no progress at all, so I will be continuing to make this a goal an important goal in April as well. 

2. Upper body exercises 15-20 mins a day. I didn't do upper body exercises with weighs every single day in March, but I was able to do it more frequently than before. In addition, I incorporated more walking, yoga, and meditation into my routine this month. There are tons of helpful videos on YouTube and I've linked two of my favorites below. I'm trying to really listen to my body and being extra careful during these last few months of my pregnancy.

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3. Complete my project for my nephew's playroom. I am so happy to report that this project is complete! I really enjoyed drawing and painting baby Loony Tune's characters for my nephew's playroom. My SIL plans on ordering square canvased photographs of my nephew to alternate on the wall with these cute paintings. I think it'll be adorable!

4. Continue to keep my gratitude journal.  Another goal accomplished this month! :) I've tweaked my routine a bit. Instead of writing in my journal at night, I've started to write in it during the mornings. I've made it a point to clam my mind, sit down, and enjoy my breakfast for at least 5-10 minutes instead of literally eating while I'm heading out the door. During this time, I like to reflect on happy moments from the day before and get in a positive frame of mind for the day ahead.

I realize that we are already two weeks into April, but I've had these goals listed on my phone since late March and have already gotten a head start. So, onto my April #smallgoals.

1. Start on our annual Shutterfly scrapbook. I have been scrapbooking since I was in high school. I really love it and Shutterfly makes it so easy! I've been creating an annual scrapbook since our first year of marriage and this one will be last one with just the two of us!

2. Pick out a color for the nursery. You would think that it doesn't take a whole month for a person to select a color for a room, but when you have two very opinionated parents, this can be a very difficult process. I'm leaning towards a more of a mint or soft turquoise color and my husband is more for a neutral gray or soft pink.

3. Complete our baby registry. We had previously put everything for the baby on hold at the end of February, while I was admitted into the hospital and then put on bedrest. But we have officially been cleared so we still have some time to get together with my friends and family for a small shower. I've really been putting off completing our registry because I just get so overwhelmed every time I start! How can something so tiny need so many items?! And why are there are billion options for every single product?!

4. Improve my diet and exercise. Pregnancy has been a great excuse to let myself go. Although I'm not looking to loose weight or fit into a particular outfit, I do want to be as healthy as possible... not only for myself, but also for my baby. My sweet tooth has definitely been getting the best of me lately. So, my plan is to cut down on sweets and continue to incorporate more walking, yoga, and light weights into my daily routine.


What are you goals this month?

March | Few Favs

March is one of my favorite months of the year! Besides being my birthday month, it's a month that typically marks the beginning of Spring, my favorite of the all the seasons. I love the beautiful sunny, yet breezy weather which is perfect to get back to running outdoors. The leaves on the trees are bright green and the beautiful flowers start to bloom everywhere you look. It's also the best time to go shopping since the stores are filled with refreshing new styles in cooler colors and lighter fabrics. Plus, I'm one of those people who actually enjoys a little spring cleaning to help recharge myself. What is there not to love about March?

So, this month I thought I would write a post to share a few favs I've been enjoying all month long. I'm not quiet sure if this will turn into a series of monthly posts, but let's live in the moment and just get started, shall we?!

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1. I have absolutely been loving this desktop wallpaper on for my laptop all month long by Dawn Nicole. Besides doing some spring cleaning around my house this month, I also did a little digital spring cleaning. It feels good to have a clean desktop and organized folders so I can easily find all my documents. I just feel so happy every time I open up my laptop and see this beautiful calendar.

I've already downloaded the April Wallpaper, which is just as pretty. Dawn even has free a high resolution 8"x10" size calendar printable as well as a phone wallpaper. She is so talented and I'm so thankful that she offers such amazing art every month for FREE! 

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2. In addition to doing some spring cleaning for my home and computer, I've also been trying to spring clean my mind. Although I have had so many things to be thankful for this month, there have also been days that I've really struggled to look on the bright side and keep the bigger picture in mind. I could easily blame it on pregnancy hormones, but I've been feeling like it's more than just that. So, I've tried to incorporate more yoga, meditation and soul healing practices into my daily routine. This spotify playlist: The Soul of Healing Affirmations by Deepak Chopra has really helped me declutter my mind and focus on long-term goal of becoming a better version of myself. I listen to it both on my morning and evening commute. It really helps me get in a positive mindset for my day ahead and reflect on my experiences at the end of work day, plus relaxes my mind for the evening once I've reached home. 

3. This month I rekindled my love for painting. I find painting to be very relaxing and therapeutic. Chirag actually found a great way to incorporate this into my birthday this year (birthday post?). While I was put on bedrest in late February, we moved in with my SIL for a short while. Since my husband was at work most of the time, it was nice to have my SIL and my nephew Anand's company during the day. My BIL is a big fan of looney tunes and so I decided to draw and paint baby looney tunes characters for Anand's soon to be playroom. I thought it would be special gift all three of them would love. I've finally completed the project and really happy with the results. If you're interested in making similar prints, there are some great YouTube videos to help guide you - like this one. 

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4. While on bedrest earlier this month, I spent some time catching up on reading blogs and watching youtube channels I like to follow, as well as discovering some new ones. Miss Louie's youtube channel definitely caught my eye and I pretty much watched majority of all her videos in one day. This Austin-based blogger and youtuber has a great sense of style, not only when it comes to her wardrobe but also her home. I've gotten some great inspiration for my spring shopping list from her latest video on Transitional Spring Outfits.

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5. Since the beginning of my pregnancy the one question that often gets asked is "What are you craving?" Honestly, I really wasn't craving much of anything until this month. After going through about 3 or 4 boxes of Halo Mandarin Oranges in the past few weeks, I guess it would be right to say that I'm craving these little cuties quiet frequently! If you haven't yet given these a try, I would definitely recommend them. They tend to be sweeter and juicier than regular naval oranges. Just one is never enough!

What were some of your favorites this month?

Second Trimester Capsule Wardrobe

Lush maxi dress / Gap long dress / Mossimo t shirt / Splendid vintage t shirt / Mossimo top / Merona top / Merona cardigan / Gap white t shirt / Tory Burch cardigan / Gap long cardigan / J Crew blue jacket / PinkBlush Maternity PinkBlush White Floral Chiffon Bottom Maternity... / Luxe Essentials Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings / Motherhood Maternity Ruched Polka-Dot Top / Sperry top-sider shoes, $85 / BP black flat / Sam & Libby sam libby shoes / BP pendant necklace / Asprey diamond jewelry / Kendra Scott long necklace / J Crew leather belt / Tory Burch leather belt / Women's Striped Drapey Tee White And Black Stripe - Mossimo Supply... / Flirty Ruffle Valentine Dress | Jane

As mentioned in my previous post, I'm now into my second trimester of pregnancy. Although looking cute and fashionable during pregnancy should really be the least of my worries... I'll admit that it's still pretty important to me. Somehow all the little discomforts and pains seem a bit more bareable when I feel and look good on the outside. 

I was able to get through my first trimester in most of my regular clothes. A few first trimester essentials for me were my Luxe Essentials Maternity Leggings and a slightly thicker, more expensive version by Pea in the Pod for the cooler days. I also found myself reaching for this Beband from Target for those days when my precious leggings were in the wash and I literally had nothing in my closet that fit me. I would wear it over my dress pants for work or jeans on my days off. The Beband was a perfect solution during that in between phase before I really showing versus looking like I just had a big fat meal.  Besides that I probably only bought 2-3 tunic style maternity sweaters on sale to help me get through the cooler months. 

Second trimester has been a bit different. I have definitely popped and squeezing into my regular clothes has become quite a challenge. I'm still trying my best to stretch my current wardrobe as much as I possibly can before spending money on maternity clothes. My job allows me to be fairly casual. So, my go to items have been pre-pregnancy loose fitting tee-shirts and stretchy tanks which layer well under cardigans. Maxi dresses have also been a great versatile item in my closet. I can wear them on their own, with completer pieces (cardigans, jean jacket, or vest), or as skirts with a tee and a belt! 

Prior to getting pregnant I was really trying to invest in a few key pieces a month in an effort to minimize my wardrobe to only those items I truly loved. Although it's harder to do so now that I'm pregnant, I'm still trying to keep a few principles in mind when building my second trimester wardrobe.

1. Items must be stretchable and last throughout the majority of my pregnancy - I'm sure this is going to get extremely tricky towards the end
2. Items must be versatile - work and play appropriate
3. Items must be reasonably priced - you will not believe how expensive maternity clothes can get!
4. Invest in completer pieces and accessories - these can be used post-pregnancy and keep me from getting bored with the basics
5. Don't be boring - add some color!

I'm always intrigued by capsule wardrobe posts by other bloggers. Editing a wardrobe down to 30 something pieces and mixing them so effortlessly is a skill I'm constantly trying to master. Although I love a great basic capsule wardrobe, I also crave color and personality. So I definitely think it's important to have a few pieces with some great color, a versatile pattern, or just a basic item with some unexpected interest. A few of my favorite items is my polka-dot maternity top, the simple blue maxi dress, and a recent addition - my lace-up flats.

One tip I also recently learned from the Mademoiselle blog was to leave a little room for growth in your capsule wardrobe. Instead of selecting all 30 something pieces at the beginning, select only about 15-20 items upfront. Then add additional pieces as you slowly progress through your capsule and figure out what works and doesn't. I think this is also great way to help me shop for only those few specific pieces I might have had my eye, instead of everything and anything currently on sale. Plus, this tip is especially helpful if you're pregnant, as you always need a little extra room to "grow" - quiet literally. 

I plan on doing a separate post to show the outfits I've been creating with my current capsule. Although it can be challenging at times, I've had fun working with these pieces. Whether you're pregnant or not, I hope this post will be helpful if you're looking to try a capsule wardrobe this season! 


What are some of your essential capsule wardrobe items?

{Rewind} Early 2016 and March | small goals

So, it's been a while... but I'm back! I've missed blogging, but quiet honestly there was just too much going on in the past few months. This post is a bit of a quick recap, sharing some exciting news, and setting a few small goals for the month of March.

First, let's recap the goals from December! Seems like forever ago, but I'll make this quick.

1. Host a holiday party. We hosted a small dinner party with our dearest friends. I wanted it to be a bit fancy, yet still fun for some of the kids who would be attending. We did a chocolate fondue and hot coco bar for the kids, decorated an elegant dinner scape for the adults and had fun with a white elephant exchange. 

2. Bake and decorate holiday cookies. Chirag and I both visited my family in GA right before the holidays and had a great time with all of my family. I thought this would be an excellent time to host a holiday cookie decorating get-together with all of my cousins. Everyone loved the idea and we're thinking of making it a holiday tradition.

3. Create a gift idea to give to extended family.  I decided to make the raspberry-chocolate-chip banana bread as a little gift to give all extended families in GA this year. I was hoping to get a lot more creative than this, but everyone still loved it. 

4. Drink at least 48 fluid ounces of water a day. Can't say I did very good on this goal. Increasing my water in-take is something I struggle with still. I think for me it will always be a goal in process.

5. Continue keep up with my gratitude journal. I did well through most of December and early January, but I totally slacked off in February. So goal is to get back this in the month of March. 

Again, 3 out of 5 - not too bad. I'm pretty happy overall with how December went. January and February have been a bit of a blur. So we will just start fresh with my birthday month - March! 

Before I get into my small goals for March, I would like to share some very exciting news. Chirag and I are having a....

Overall, the first trimester was a breeze. No morning sickness, just feeling quiet tired with some back and hip pain. I'm currently in my second trimester and although this trimester has had some complications, we are still hanging in there strong. We are both super happy, excited, nervous, and anxious to meet our little baby girl! 

Now onto my #smallgoals for the month of March.

1. Drink 64 oz of water a day. Since my water goals have always been a challenge for me and it is now more important than ever before. I've decided to make small goals through out the day to ensure that I complete my 64 oz in a 24 hour period. 

2. Upper body exercises 15-20 mins a day. While I was quiet active in my first trimester, my doctor has put me on bed rest for now. Although I'm not allowed to go on long walks, run, or do squats, I'm trying to focus on building up my arm strength. My goal is to start with 15-20 minutes of upper body exercises daily with 3-5 lbs weights.

3. Complete my project for my nephew's playroom. I have started a small project painting baby Looney Tunes characters for my nephew's playroom. His Dad loves Looney Tunes and already has a print currently in the area they plan to turn into this playroom. My plan is to complete a total of 6 characters. I hope my nephew will love and enjoy them for years to come!

4. Continue to keep my gratitude journal. These past few weeks have really made me realize that although things got a little tough, I still have so much to be grateful for. I want to make sure that I continue to count my blessings daily and stay strong and positive for my baby girl. 

Although a couple of the goals for the month of March are repeats from December, I think they are extremely important. I really hope I can follow through with all of these goals and hopefully stay positive, motivated, and on track for this month.


What are your goals for March?

December | small goals

It's been a while since I've written a post. Quiet honestly I've been pretty tired and feeling a bit uninspired. So in order to motivate myself back into the spirit of the holiday season, I figured let's focus on some small goals for December.

But before we get to December, let me do a quick recap on how I did in November. Here is how I did on my goals for last month:

1. Finish our yearly scrapbook. I'm so happy to report that I kept on track and completed our yearly scarpbook. It's actually on its way from Shutterfly and I can't wait to share it with everyone.
I think Shutterfly is one of the best sites if you're interesting in making a photo book. They have so many pre-made templates to choose from, plus their customization tool allows me a lot of freedom as well.

2. Start a new book. I started Beyond Religion - Ethics for the Whole World by HH Dalai Lama this month, but quiet honestly I have not been very inspired to finish it. I don't think it's the book's fault... I just haven't been in the mood lately.

3. Attend a photography class. I attended a 4-hour photography class by Sam Anise at Beaux Art Photography this month. I have to say, if you live near the Dallas area, I would highly recommend Sam's class. He is really a great teacher and I felt like he simplified a lot of the technicial aspects of photography. I learned a great deal and have already started playing around with my camera a lot more without being totally clueless.

4. Overhaul my closet for fall/winter and make a list of the holes in my closet. Unfortunately, this one just didn't get checked off my list! :( I think it had a lot to do with feeling tired and feeling quiet uninspired. I just wasn't even interested in shopping much this month, even with all the great Black Friday deals. This is on my list again for December, so I'm determined to get it done!

5. Be present. I will give myself a C this month. Sadly, I have to admit that I don't think I put as much effort into accomplishing this goal as I could have. I was doing better earlier in the month, but then just kind of fell off the bandwagon. My phone seems to be the biggest distraction.

Three out of 5, I guess that's not too bad. Although I would have loved to give me a 5 out of 5, I'm pretty happy with the progress I have made this month. Now on to the...

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1. Host a holiday party.

2. Bake and decorate holiday cookies.

3. Create a gift idea to give to extended family.

4. Drink at least 48 fluid ounces of water a day.

5. Continue keep up with my gratitude journal.

What are some of your goals this December?  Be sure to link up with us over on Nicole's blog.