There are so many good opportunities to save money this weekend, so if you've been looking to update your wardrobe you will definitely want to check out this list. I have done a roundup of the best sales from all of my favorite retailers + some of the items I got!
You can click on the photos to directly shop the items in each photo!
Abercrombie: 25% off select styles
Adidas: 30% off sitewide
Adore Me: buy 1 set, get 1 free (sale items)
Aerie: 25-60% off the Aerie Collection + $20 bikini tops & bottoms
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 American Eagle: 25-60% off select styles |
buybuyBaby: 50% off boys & girls clothing + 20% off select car seats, strollers, bassinets, diaper bags, swaddles, & furniture
My skin has changed so much since I got pregnant, which means I have had to switch up my everyday makeup routine.
I used to be someone who only used matte foundations but lately, my skin has been loving a more hydrating and glowy formula and I can't leave the house without using a setting spray or it doesn't stay!
So here are the products I use daily to create a natural look that lasts.
What he doesn't know is that Claire has worked for months on a plan to vanish. A plan that takes her to the airport, poised to run from it all. But a chance meeting in the airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision.
The two women switch tickets, with Claire taking Eva's flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. But when the flight to Puerto Rico crashes, Claire realizes it's no longer a head start but a new life. Cut off, out of options, with the news of her death about to explode in the media, Claire will assume Eva's identity, and along with it, the secrets Eva fought so hard to keep hidden.
Pandemic aside, there are so many reasons why a virtual and/or "drive-by" baby shower might be the best option for you as an expecting Mama. The reason I had one is that here in Germany COVID restrictions were still super tight at the time, meaning no more than five friends were able to gather. But it was also great because my family and friends living back in the US were also able to participate! This is a great option to consider, even post-pandemic if you live far from family and friends. Not only that, it was much more cost-friendly.
So here is a brief rundown of how my shower went...
We started by making a virtual baby shower page on Facebook. This was a great way for me to make sure everyone was aware of the event and how it would work! A month out from the shower we invited friends and family both in the US and Germany. We posted our online registry on the page, which allowed anyone from afar to send gifts that would arrive in time for the virtual shower. We set a time for a live stream so that they knew they could still watch me open the gifts they sent. We let friends located in Germany know that the shower would be "drive-by" and then they too could watch me open the gifts they dropped off via the live stream.
On the day of the shower, we set an hour-long "drive-by" time. I and three close friends (two helping hands and a photographer) stationed ourselves outside to await the quick fleet of guests. Friends were able to drive up, drop their gifts, snap a picture with me for memories, and leave with a sweet favor in hand. After the hour, we restationed ourselves inside and 30-minutes later began the live stream of opening gifts. Friends and family were able to tune in live and leave comments while watching my excitement in real-time. Even better, those that were not able to watch at the time were able to go back later and watch my live reaction to the gift they sent!
So, what do you need for your Virtual/Drive-By Baby Shower?
1. A virtual landing page & online registry - this is the best way to keep everyone in the know + where you will host the live stream for the virtual portion.
2. A good location - a home with good street space or somewhere with a clear parking lot.
3. A gift table - One of three main components to the drive-by part is having somewhere for your guests to drop their gifts.
4. A photo backdrop & photographer - component 2/3. This was super important for me because even though I was not able to have a "traditional" baby shower, I still wanted the memories of one.
5. A favor - The final component for the drive-by portion, something simple to send your guests away with to thank them for dropping by!
6. A tripod - The easiest way to ensure a smooth video live stream for your faraway guests.
7. Helpful "hosts" - although much less work than an all-out baby shower, I would not have been able to do it without the three incredible friends that helped me!
This innovative baby shower allowed Baby and I to still be showered in love from friends and family all over! It was such a great way to celebrate this big life change, despite obstacles like the pandemic and distance. I am so so thankful for everyone who drove by and sent gifts from afar. We truly felt so so loved!!
14 weeks
As I sit writing this post I am almost 32 weeks pregnant (what!?!?) But we are here to talk about the second trimester which is weeks 14 through 28. So much happened in the second trimester that I am not even sure where to begin. SO many body changes, new symptoms, plus we found out the gender!
Although it took a little longer than I thought, my nausea and intense food aversions finally went away and I was able to enjoy food again! I definitely started having cravings but nothing weird (no pb and pickles here). I craved (and still do) mozzarella sticks and sour candy a lot. To the point where I was getting mozzarella sticks from a restaurant on base almost every weekday!
I was able to pick up working out again. Although this was really hard at first (I worked out maybe 5 times my entire first trimester) I knew it would be good for my body and I would be thankful for it during labor and my postpartum recovery. I am so thankful to have worked with a company called Expecting and Empowered. They offer workout guides specifically for each trimester and postpartum as well. I will link their page here and you can use my code "KAYLA10" to get $10 off any of their guides!
The biggest symptoms for me have been headaches, heartburn, and general discomfort. I would say the heartburn has been the most prominent and most annoying to deal with. Before pregnancy, I had never experienced heartburn, so it was a very weird feeling the first few times I got it, and it actually took me a bit to realize what it was. Needless to say, TUMS have been my BFF since I figured it out.
One thing I did during the second trimester that I would recommend to literally everyone is taking a birthing class. A family member gifted me with doula services including a three-part birthing class where she walked me through every nitty-gritty detail of birth such as early labor signs, vocabulary, emergency interventions, post-partum care and so so so much more. As someone who does an insane amount of research, I thought I was fairly well prepared, but now I truly feel educated and ready for labor and birth.
My 2nd Trimester Must-Have Items
1. Palmers Tummy Butter - It was the first pregnancy item I bought and I have been loving it!
2. Pregnancy Pillow - I mentioned this in my first-trimester bumpdate but truly I cannot sleep without this pillow.
3. Hydroflask - I have a hard time remembering to drink enough water (even pre-pregnancy), keeping this with me at all times has really helped!
4. Calvin Klein bra - this is the most comfortable bra I have ever owned and it is literally the only one I wear to support the growing sisters.
5. Fabletics Maternity Leggings - I really struggled to find maternity leggings that fit my petite frame. I have truly only grown in my belly so every pair of maternity leggings I found were too big and very unflattering. These offer the best fit and all the coverage! They pull all the way over my growing belly and do not sag in the booty. I wear my normal Fabletics size XXS.
I cannot believe that soon I will be sharing my last trimester bumpdate and welcoming my SON into this world. I am so excited I can hardly stand it!
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