Cozy

Can you tell that I'm ready for fall? Husband and I cleaned out our close this past weekend and I gave my boots a hug and told them just a few more months. Nights are getting colder around here, so naturally I'm stocking up on cute hoodies/jackets/sweaters/cardigans. When Mindy Mae's Market posted that this hoodie was in stock, I HAD to purchase it. It's the perfect addition to my wardrobe and is super comfortable. If you use the code 'arrowsandapricots' you can receive 10% off your purchase! (This hoodie fits a bit snug. I'm wearing a small. If you want more of a loose fit buy a size up). What fall clothes are you stocking up on right now? 

Gender Reveal: How-To

How fun is this new trend to do a "gender reveal"? It seems like in the past few years more and more people have been doing them. When we found out we were pregnant, we knew we wanted to reveal the gender in a creative way and immediately started thinking of ideas. Good old Pinterest was a big help there! We decided on keeping it pretty simple with still having the element of surprise! Opening a box full of colored balloons it was going to be!

We decided to find out the gender in the ultrasound with just Chad and I, then reveal the gender to our family afterwards. We thought about being surprised and finding out along with everyone else, but we wanted to share that moment together with just the two of us. And let me tell you... I'm so glad we did. Let's just say the waterworks were flowing! It was such a special moment for us and we were able to let it sink in before we shared the news. 

Before the ultrasound, I got everything ready so all we had to do was buy the balloons and put them in the box. 

I bought an extra-large moving box from Home Depot for a whopping $2.12. Score! 

Then covered it with brown craft paper that I got from Michael's for $5.99...

I used Martha Stewart's Chalkboard Paint in black to draw the heart, which I also bought at Michael's for $5.99...

Used some chalk I already had and we were good to go! 

After the ultrasound, we headed to Zurchers to get balloons. We got ten balloons and splurged on the big one ($20 for one gigantic balloon? Yikes!) 

We met our immediate family members and a few close friends at my parent's house for the big reveal. It was SO fun to surprise them and see the reaction on their faces! Such a fun, memorable day! 

There you have it... simple, inexpensive Gender Reveal! 

By the way (if you haven't noticed)... IT'S A BOY! We are absolutely thrilled and can't wait to meet our little guy soon! 

Friday Favorites

1. Maybelline Mega Plush mascara. You can buy it at any drug store.

2. Urban Decay Naked palette. You can buy it at Ulta and Sephora.

3. EOS lip balm. You can buy it at any drug store.

4. Real Techniques Beauty Blender Dupe. You can buy it at Ulta.

5. Physicians Formula BB Cream. I bought mine at Target.

6. Mary Kay Bronzer. You can buy it online at marykay.com or through a consultant.

I'm thinking about doing a video showing you how I do my make up every day using these products!

1. Physicians Formula BB Cream. I bought mine at Target.

2. Physicians Formula Airbrush Powder. I bought mine at Target.

3. Sonia Kushak foundation brush. You can get it at Target.

4. Urban Decay Naked Palette. You can get it at Sephora or Ulta.

5. Mac lipstick in dark side. I got mine at the MAC counter at Nordstrom.

6. Benefit Blush in Coralista. I got mine at Sephora.

7. Anastasia eyebrow powder duo. I got mine at Ulta. You can get it at Sephora too. 

1. Moroccan Oil. I got mine at Ulta.

2. Stila light shadow palette. I got mine at Ulta, but you can also get it at Sephora and I think Nordstrom.

3. Suave Professionals dry shampoo. I got mine at WalMart, but you can purchase it at any drugstore.

4. Tanwise self tanner. I got mine at Sally Hansen. They also sell it on Amazon.

5. Physicians Formula BB Cream. I got mine at Target.

6. Maybelline Highlighter. You can purchase it at any drug store.

7. Rimmel London Natural Bronzer. You can purchase it at any drug store.

8. Loreal Voluminous Mascara. You can purchase it at any drug store.

Dressed up Jeans

Top: J.Crew Factory // Jeans: American Eagle // Shoes: Steve Madden // Watch: Arvo // Purse: Coach (old)

If you can't already tell- I absolutely love my brown tote from Coach. Hubby bought it for me for Christmas last year, and I use it all the time! I love the size of it and how it is such a great neutral that I can pair it with any outfit. 

I love my silk blouse from J.Crew Factory as well, and it's on sale right now! I love how it can dress up a lot of my outfits. The problem is-it wrinkles SO easily. I ironed it right before taking these pictures, and when I got out of the car I wanted to cry! SO-sorry about the wrinkles. I guess that's life right? 

Transitions

Shirt: found on groopdealz

Pants: Target

Watch: Arvo

Necklace: H&M

Shoes: Target

The summer to fall transition can sometimes be a little daunting, you feel like you have to hide away all of your bright whites and colors and go straight to the dark. Good news, you can make this transition easier on yourself and on your wallet by mixing fall-ish pieces with your summery pieces! White on white has been huge this season but if it feels too bright for this coming fall, try a charcoal colored shirt instead to tone it down a little. Adding in some brown strappy heels keeps that light summery feel while also creating a more neutral look. Don't be afraid to mix and match your colors and pattens. You don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe every season, you might just come up with a whole new set of favorite outfits!

Neutrals

Tee: Target // Jeans: Cotton On // Shoes: Target // Necklace: TAudrey // Purse: Coach (old) Similar // Watch: Fossil (old) Similar

This past weekend, Shawna and I went to Craft Lake City. I was really stuck on what to wear because I knew we would be walking around a lot, so I just put on my camo green pants, white v-neck, and color block sandals (typical go to). I love the look of jeans and a t-shirt, and felt completely comfortable walking around downtown Salt Lake all night. And FYI-these jeans are on sale right now at Cotton On. I bought one size up because they run small. Thanks for reading!

Snowbird

V-neck: Target // Maxi Skirt: Old // Heels: Target // Necklace: Mindy Mae's Market // Watch: Arvo //

Lipstick: Mac Dark Side

Sometimes I over think my outfits. Do you ever do that? I try so hard to pair things up to keep up with the trends, it can be really stressful and expensive! I've come to learn that as much as I try, I still feel so much more comfortable when I keep things simple. Even for a nice night out, I feel best in my staple pieces; jeans, maxi skirts and t-shirts (not to mention these save me a bit of money). I think these items are so versatile, you can create a casual look or dress it up just by adding some dramatic lip color, a statement necklace, some accessories and some strappy heels (which is exactly what I did here) and suddenly you're ready to hit the town. Or in my case, you're ready to climb to the top of the mountain. Ok, I didn't actually climb, we rode the tram up, but you thought I was really talented for a second there, didn't you? Thought so.

This last weekend the Mr. and I attended a beautiful wedding reception up at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and after we took some time and rode the tram to the top of Hidden peak right before sunset. It was gorgeous! A little chilly but luckily I opted for a maxi skirt so I basically had a built in blanket. One of the many benefits that come with maxi skirts. I paired it with a white loose fitting v-neck, brown strappy heels, a beautiful statement necklace, a watch and my favorite lipstick.

If you get the chance, take a trip up to Snowbird this summer and enjoy the beautiful scenery and all the fun activities they offer! They are even doing free movie nights and free concerts so really, what have you got to lose?