DIY "Boo" Sign

Happy Saturday!!

How fun is this BOO sign!?!

Want to make one?  I know you do!

Today I am over at Chasing Sunshine sharing a step by step tutorial showing you how to create this fun Halloween decoration.

Go check it out!!

Stay tuned for some more fabulous DIY Halloween projects in the upcoming weeks!!  

October is almost here, hooray!!

October is my favorite month of the year mainly because it's my birth month and my favorite holiday, Halloween, falls in this month!  I have big plans for this month!  Sponsoring is a perfect way to gain exposure for your blog and/or shop.  I would love to help promote you so come join me this month for tons of spooky fun!!!

For rates and details, take a look at my sponsor page here!  And because I love October so much I am offering a 10% discount on all ads.  Just use the code OCTOBERFEST.  If you are interested in doing a solo giveaway shoot me an e-mail at erin.simplyjustlovely@gmail.com.

Link Love

I don't get out much these days, so most of my shopping/browsing is done online.  

Things I'm loving currently.  

I finally decided on a pair of riding boots for Fall.  These lovelies from American Eagle were the winners with these coming in a close second place.

Check out these awesome tutorial over at A Beautiful Mess on creating product collages.

I find myself shopping for Aidan more often than myself these days.  How cute is this chevron elephant nursery pillow, I want one for his nursery!  Speaking of gifts for Aidan, you have to check out this adorable owl hat I ordered him for those colder days approaching and this cute pumpkin hat for Halloween.  I have big "photo ideas" planned for this pumpkin hat!  

Speaking of pumpkins, if you love anything pumpkin flavored as much as I do then go check out these recipes here, here and here.  One word: Yummy!!

Every now and than you have to treat yourself to something new right?!  Well my recent treat was these beautiful rings from gorjana that you can find here and here.

Need a little DIY Halloween inspiration then head over here, here and here for some adorable ideas.

Now obviously I created a wish list, a pretty long one actually, after browsing tons of sites.  With a birthday and Christmas, yes I said Christmas, coming I felt it necessary!  This fedora from The Loft is high on that list.  It's just too freakin cute!

Style inspiration of the week goes to Rachel from The Pink Peonies.  Go here to check out the perfect fall outfit.  Just like Rachel, I am loving this wine color for fall.

Don't forget to head over to The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife and enter her September giveaway here.  I'm giving away one month featured ad space.

Are you obsessed with instagram?  Because I sure am!  When I discovered the website StickyGram, I was one excited girl.  I can turn my instagram photos into magnets...can we say awesome!  Go take a look here.  Project cover the entire fridge with instagram magnets has begun!!

Are you a fan of watercolor prints?  If so you must check out this Etsy shop here.  Her paintings are unique and creative on top of being gorgeous!  You better believe I ordered one, the deer skull with flower eyes.

The First Month

My baby is already a month old!  Time please slow down.  On Saturday we took his 1 month photos.  I found these "month tie stickers" on Etsy and immediately fell in love.

I made it through the first month, hooray!!

Here are few things that have made my life a little easier this past month.

First and foremost, I would never have made it through this first month without the love, support, and help from my friends and family particularly my mother.  I cannot express how helpful she has been and how grateful I am for everything she has done for Aidan and I.

Swaddle me:  It's amazing how quickly one of these can soothe your baby.  Aidan moves his arms and legs like crazy, which tends to frustrate him when he is really tired.  These work perfect to control his movement and help him into a deep sleep.    

Bouncer:  Aidan spends time in his bouncer seat every morning.  He loves the vibration.  It's perfect for when you need to try and get something done like use the bathroom!

Binkies:  I always have one handy for those cranky baby moments.

Cradle Swing:  Aidan can sleep in his swing for hours.

Boppy Pad Liners:  These have saved my changing pad cover from pee many times!

Boppy Pillow:  This has been extremely helpful with both breast and bottle feeding.

Rock and Play Sleeper:  I bought this based off a recommendation from another mother and boy am I glad I did.  It is perfect for when Aidan is sleepy but insists on not closing those blue eyes.  The rocking  calms him and puts him right to sleep most of the time.

Black Peplum

Outfit posts are back!!  

// Top: Forever 21 // Shorts: H&M // Flats: Necessary Clothing // Necklace: Zara // Bracelets: Forever 21 & Simply Just Lovely // Ring: ASOS // Hair clip: ASOS // Sunglasses: Karen Walker //

I finally fit in some of my clothes again, hooray!!  I bought this shirt while I was pregnant and have been dying to wear it and the time has come.  It definitely helps disguise the belly I still have from being preggo.  I have a feeling this top will be popping up in my fall wardrobe quite often since I'm kind of in love with it!  I added a belt so it looks like I actually have a waist again.  Oh and how funky is this necklace!?!  I had to have it the minute I laid my eyes on it.  It feels good to wear non maternity clothes again.

Transforming Your Summer Wardrobe for Fall

...happy monday my friends...

Who says you can't continue to wear your summer clothes into the fall!  Not this girl.  Today over at The Funny Thing Of It Is, I'm going to show you how to transform 4 summer pieces into the perfect fall outfit.  Go check it out!

I'm also giving away ad space, shop credit and a Starbuck's gift card, so head over and ENTER the giveaway!!

And don't forget to enter these awesome giveaways that I am participating in!

Rags to Stitches

Dearest Lou

KV's Confessions

My Three Bittles

For Love of a Cupcake

check out this awesomeness

Welcome to Hello Fall $1000 Cash Giveaway

Happy Home and Family and Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog together with the most amazing group of bloggers are bringing you once again another FABULOUS event where one very lucky reader will win $1000 cold hard cash!

 

Special thanks to: Diva Fabulosa & Beauty and Fashion Diva  

So what would you do with a thousand dollars if you win, tell us your plan :)?

 Oh the things I would do with a $1000.  Two words: shopping spree!!!

 

• Giveaway will run September 22 at 12:01 am EST – October 22 at 11:59 PM EST
• OPEN WORLDWIDE
• You must be 18 years or older to enter.
• Must have a paypal account
• Entries will be verified so please don’t cheat, it’s a waste of time.

 

>>a Rafflecopter giveaway<<

Goodluck everyone! Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for shipment of prize, nor did I accept any form of payment to promote this event. All entries will be verified. 

 

Aidan James: A Birth Story

Aidan James will be 1 month old tomorrow!  

I feel like it was just yesterday that I was headed to the hospital to have him.  

I swear I blinked my eyes and a month is gone  already. 

Where does the time go!?!

Today I thought I would share with you the story of Aidan James' entrance into this world.

Let's backtrack a bit, shall we.  My due date was August 24th.  On Friday the 17th, I went for my last ultrasound and baby boy was estimated to weigh 8lb 13oz, a big boy for sure!  Considering Aidan's weight and my size, I was informed of some possible complications (shoulder dystocia) that could occur with giving natural birth.  Talk about a possible c-section was discussed and I left my appointment having to make a big decision.  On Monday, I was scheduled to see my regular doctor for what I hoped was my last appointment before having Aidan.  I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced at this point so any day my little boy could make his appearance.  We discussed the results from my ultrasound and I made the decision to have a c-section.  With the present warning signs and risks I decided not to take any chances.  My c-section was scheduled for Thursday, August 23rd at 1:00 pm.  

Well Aidan decided he could not wait until Thursday.  Wednesday morning at about 1:00 am I decided it was time for bed.  Little did I know, that about a half hour later I would be woken up abruptly to my water breaking.  I remember being so concerned that I wouldn't know if my water broke.  Yea that was so not the case.  It was very clear that my water just broke.  I believe my exact words to my fiancee were "either my water just broke or I peed in my pants".  I'm not sure I ever saw him jump up so fast.  I made all the necessary phone calls and headed to the hospital.  Figures after seeing 4 different doctors for 9 months not one of them would be the doctor to deliver my son.  I was a shaky mess during all of this.  In my mind I was prepared for Thursday but not for everything to be happening the day before .  I remember telling my mom Tuesday night "I only have to make it through tonight and tomorrow night" but Aidan obviously had other plans.

One of the benefits of having a scheduled c-section is you don't have to experience labor pains right?  Well I got to experience both!  I had no idea I was having contractions until they hooked me up to that machine that shows when a contraction is coming on.  Around 3:30am the nurse came in and informed me I would be going in for my c-section at 4:30am.  I had an hour to wait, piece of cake right.  HA!  Around 4:00 the pain kicked in and the next half hour was miserable and I mean miserable.  The procedure went smoothly and I finally got to meet my little man.  And sure enough he was 8lb 11oz!!!  

     

I have never been happier in my entire life.  

The love I feel for this little guy cannot even be put into words.

And you want to know the crazy thing about all of it.  My grandfather, who's house I currently live in, passed away a year ago on Aidan's birthday.  Talk about the circle of life!

Life Updates

Life Lately...

consists of baby boy and lots of TV!

Lots of Glee and The Big Bang Theory.

I get out of the house for about 10 minutes every morning to get my daily pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.  You go a little stir crazy being inside all day.

But I get to spend my days with this handsome young man, so I can't complain!

My little monkey man.

Love snuggle time.

He's getting so good with his bath, no more tears.

I was going to wait until October 1st but I gave in and started decorating for Halloween.  This is just the beginning.  I'm extremely obsessed with Halloween so I will be going all out with the decorating.  Much more to come!

And with any free time I get, I have been making stuff for my Etsy shop.  I just added some bracelets.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Aidan's birth story!

I am giving away a pair of earrings from H&M and 2 months large ad space over at Dearest Lou, a $25 store credit over at Rags to Stitches, and 1 month feature ad space over at KV's Confessions.  

Go enter now!!!

A Touch of Leather

One trend I am loving this Fall is Leather!

Whether it's a subtle detail to a blouse, a leather skirt or a jacket.

Whether it's faux leather or genuine leather.

I love it all!!

/ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 /

I am particularly in love with the collar necklace, so I caved in and bought it!  

I tend to feel like a bad ass when I wear leather, silly I know.  

I love the edge leather can add to a delicate, feminine piece like the peplum top.

A sophisticated blazer now has a more rock star feel due to the leather sleeves.

Leather will be making an appearance in my wardrobe this fall for sure!

boots, boots & more boots

Oh boots, how I love thee!!  Tall, short, ankle, mid calf...I'll wear them all.  With boot season approaching, it's time to start my search for those perfect boots that I will wear into the ground.  Here are some of the lovelies I have come across.  I have almost purchased the third pair from Zara about 3 times now but held back each time.  The willpower is wearing off!  In all honesty, I want each and every pair of boots below in my closet now but that is just not going to happen so the search is on for that one "must have" pair!  I think I want a pair of flat, brown riding boots.

/ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 /

Which pair is your favorite?!?

Take A Look

I am currently offering a 15% discount on all orders in my Etsy shop until September 22!  Just use the code 15OFF.  New necklace designs are being added weekly so make sure you stop on by! And bracelets are coming soon!

Have a fabulous weekend!