I absolutely love this time of year and getting to dress the Bump has been so much fun! If you follow my Instagram account, you will see tons of outfits I’ve been wearing lately like this short black dress styled two ways or this adorable pink dress that gives so much room for my growing belly. I had a few requests for styling tips and now that I’m in my second trimester I actually have a bump to show off! Currently, I’m sizing up one size in anything I buy so I have room for my larger boobs (yes they’ve jumped two cup sizes) and waistline. I’ve also invested in a couple of maternity bras that will convert later for nursing. It’s good to have those staples on hand so you don’t feel uncomfortable underneath your clothes.

Pretty Plaid Dress

Hope you had a lovely weekend! I am prepping for a business trip and spending the weekend with my daughter and getting ready for travel. I also had such a good time at a luncheon and putting with friends at Bigshot Golf here in town. If you haven’t been over there, I highly recommend it! It was a blast! I planned to wear this dress that evening, but temperatures dropped quickly, and I ended up changing into jeans and a sweater. This shirt dress has the prettiest Madrid plaid print. Soft colors and delicate embroidery make this a really special piece. I’ve been wearing shirt dresses often lately - see this post and this post. They are so easy to throw on and look flattering on most body types. Because they are tied at the waist, it creates a natural hourglass shape. Plus, having a fuller skirt allows you to move freely without feeling like you are going to flash someone. Yes, you can even sit criss-cross legged on the ground when you pick a long enough skirt. Although the one I’m wearing is an investment piece, you can easily grab other options below! I rounded up a ton of them starting at $35. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter and win a free Younique MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D Mascara!

Two Ways to Wear A Cozy Winter Scarf

Yesterday the chilliest of cold fronts blew in. A drastic change from earlier this week when I was frolicking in a dress without even a cardigan. That’s Texas for you. One minute hot and one minute cold. I decided it was time to bust out the new scarf I picked up over the holidays from Nordstrom. It’s the coziest thing ever! Seriously! I rounded up a ton of plaid, pastel, stripe, and printed scarves below. I find a little pop of color on a dreary day does wonder for my mood. A cozy scarf can also be layered indoors over a long sleeve t-shirt or blouse if the house is drafty or you just seem to struggle to warm up as I do. I am usually cold so that extra layer really helps! Here are two ways I wore this scarf yesterday.

Wrapped Up at Caprock Canyons

The week between Christmas and NYE is one of the weirdest weeks of the year. Days seem to blur together and there’s an overarching tone of “let’s put it off till next year” happening in business. I took this as an opportunity to travel to some of the places I’ve had on my bucket list for a while. I drove from College Station to Abilene on Sunday stopping to catch the sunset before grabbing dinner and retiring for the evening. You can check out that post and I’m wearing one show-stopping dress in this post. After leaving Abilene I made my way up through Caprock Canyons and then onto Amarillo, Texas for a few days. This whole area of the Texas Panhandle is like nothing I’ve seen before. I don’t recall ever making it through Amarillo in the past but it’s definitely a world of its own. Surrounded by so much nature! Great place for spending time on Lake Meredith, or hiking one of the toughest trails in Texas on Palo Duro Canyon. Either way, if you are an outdoors person this place is for you!

Christmas Theme Dinner at Royal 38

Over Thanksgiving break, I took a quick trip to Dallas for a few days. While I was there I made sure to stop by the Royal 38 Christmas pop up restaurant which is decked out in everything Christmas-related. I thought it would make a fun evening to merrily kick off the holiday season. When you walk in you are immediately greeted with a leg lamp like the one found in Christmas Story. The exterior is has a beautiful canopy of lights over the patio and each table is individually wrapped like a present. Even the cocktails carried the theme by being served in Santa mugs. If you are in the area and are looking for a fun spot, check them out. I recommend making reservations before going since it’s a pretty small venue. Also, the menu is done by scanning a QR code and ordering yourself so when you sit down you can immediately get things moving for your table. It was such a fun place to be for the evening and the food was incredible.

The Historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs

My daughter and I took a brief trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas a few weekends ago to stay at the Arlington Hotel. This iconic location was filled with the most beautiful marble staircase, vintage elevators, and high ceilings. The hotel dates back to the roaring ’20s when people would flock to the area for the Bathhouses. Nestled on federal land right across the street from Hot Springs National Park it’s a prime location! We stay for the entire weekend being able to walk to restaurants, shops, and the park. The hotel is also dog friendly which made it even more appealing.

Favorite Fall Plaids

What is fall without a little plaid? I don’t know about you, but I legit wait for autumn to roll around this time of year so I can bust out all my cozy pieces. Plaid is such a classic print (actually one of the few prints you’ll find in my closet) and as soon as the cool weather hits I pull out all of my plaid pieces. This blazer has some history to it - it was given to my grandmother by her sister. Then, it was passed down to my mom who then passed it to me. I absolutely adore and cherish it! I paired it with a bigger plaid print and my new favorite jeans for a very classic look. Add on navy booties and you’re ready to go. Below is a round-up of more of my favorite plaid pieces and a few plaid looks I’ve shared in the past!

fashion, Fashion, Style, VintageCrystal LowyNovember 3, 2021Home Sweet Heel ClicksPlaid, Fall Style, Petite Style, Blazer, Style 32, Navy, Jeans, Booties, BootsComment

Doing Scary Things

A few years ago I decided to stop letting fear get in the way of living. It takes a moment to moment approach but when you are doing something that requires bravery you don’t feel brave. You feel nervous, your heart races, and your chest may tighten. But as you move through each moment it begins to be bearable. Maybe your fear is public speaking. Maybe your fear is putting yourself out there on social media. Maybe your fear is standing up to someone in your family or at your job. Whatever the fear is, you can get through it. It won’t be easy, but the easy things don’t bring fulfillment. It’s through the hard lessons our character develops and our faith is strengthened.

Fall Picnic in the Park

Every Fall and Spring my daughter and I make it a point to get out of the house and go for a picnic. We’ve been doing this for years at this point and it just never gets old. We’ve spent holidays like Mother’s Day on a picnic and then sometimes just go on a whim to enjoy the scenery around us. The weather in Texas is always hot. Well, at least 3/4 of the year so when weather cools down enough, we take advantage of everything nature has to offer. About a week ago we decided to pack up at golden hour and have our dinner outdoors. There were ducks swimming just feet away from us and the whole scene felt like we were in a storybook. Making memories like that with her fills my heart so much! When was the last time you had a picnic? Believe it or not they are really easy to throw together!