Smile And Wave

Ready for the Cozy

Fall! It means the end of mosquito season when we can enjoy coffee on the front porch again! It means there are colorful weeks ahead of us as the maple in our backyard fills the sky with golden leaves! It means cozy vibes from that first fire in the fireplace, flannel sheets on all the beds, and layering up for the first time in months. 

For the last four years I've had a favorite citron yellow hat or beanie that sees me through the colder months. It's my go-to fall color and kind of hard to find so I was thrilled when I saw Rella had more than a few hats in this color for their Winter 2016-2017 line. After opening the box they sent over, I knew I'd probably not have to look for a new citron yellow beanie for a few years! It's double layered and made of 100% cashmere which means it's not only an incredible color, it feels pretty deluxe. 

Living in Colorado for three years taught me to appreciate a warm hat but not all warm hats are created equal! This hat is one that feels both practical and stylish so I don't have to sacrifice one for the other. It's also versatile enough that I can wear it to pick out pumpkins with the kids or on a casual date night with my favorite chunky sweater. I also expect this hat will be joining me every Saturday morning for the rest of the Mighty Mites football season! 

Check out the rest of their beautiful collection here to find that one perfect accessory for this fall/winter season.

Are you like me and get attached to a favorite hat or coat or do you like to rotate through a few different colors and styles? Are you into the capsule wardrobe or on the minimalist track? I think I might be by default! Also, doesn't Sunday look cute in her matching yellow bandana? Yeah, we went there.

-Rachel

This sponsored post was in partnership with Rella but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I love working with brands that fit the Smile and Wave DIY aesthetic and only share those that I'd buy/use myself. Thanks for your support!

 

Finger Knit Fabric Necklace Tutorial for ABM

Sharing the easiest statement necklace DIY you'll ever make over at A Beautiful Mess today. After taking a few months off to write my DIY Weaving book, I'm so happy to be sending projects out into the crowds through their platform. Those ladies are dolls and they have a great team of hard-working friends helping work all of that magic. If you haven't already heard, they're about to release a new photo-editing app that gets your brights brighter in one little step! I can't wait to try it out! It'll be available for Android users this time, too, if I'm not mistaken.

Go see their news and then read through my post on how you can add something special to your winter wardrobe in just about an hour. 

-Rachel

 

Woven Necklace DIY for ABM

A boho-chic, woven necklace for when you need a little something extra to keep your wardrobe feeling fun through the end of summer. If you've never woven anything before, this is the perfect little project to get the hang of things and can be made without spending any money on a loom. 

Head over to A Beautiful Mess for the full tutorial and get started on your new favorite hobby!

-Rachel 

What She Wore: Zimmerman Shoes

Sometimes little girls get a little fussy about their clothes. Sometimes mamas do, too. My grandmother took Ruby, Smith, and myself to the mall a few weeks ago to do some spring clothes shopping. We used to do that together when I was a kid every time my family would get to visit them and it's always been a fun way to spend time together and make some memories. Also, new clothes! Yay! 

I remember my mom telling me I was particular about what I wore when I was Ruby's age and it needed to be comfortable and stretchy or I wasn't wearing it. No jeans, no corduroys, and mostly it needed to be purple. Well, it seems Ruby is carrying on the tradition of having strong opinions about what she will and will not wear. 

My grandmother and I spent a good twenty minutes walking in circles in the Old Navy little girls department trying to coordinate an Easter day ensemble that we all thought looked nice. I'd suggest a colorful buffalo plaid cotton and she'd turn up her nose. I'd then show her a bright drop waist that she liked but they didn't have her size. She LOVED the white cotton sundress but then I told her we couldn't get white because we always attract all the stains before we even leave the house. 

After going in circles trying to coordinate the one colorful dress she liked with a pair of leggings that would match with a sweater that she'd probably need because it is ALWAYS cold on Easter morning except the sweater didn't feel good and SHE DIDN'T WANT A SWEATER, I almost had an internal hissy fit myself. I then realized this is probably a familiar feeling to my own mother, and maybe even one my Grandmother had had a time or two on our own shopping trips. 

Finally, Grandmother suggested that we get the white cotton dress as well as a bottle of Oxi-Clean just in case we needed it. Problem solved.

Grandmothers know lots of things.

Also, I appreciate the reminder that what is most important to me isn't necessarily important to my self-aware, strongly opinionated, creative, happy, five-year-old daughter and that while I want to guide her through the tricky waters of dressing appropriately for certain occasions and certain weather, I certainly enjoy that she knows what she likes. Some people spend their whole adult lives not knowing that much.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: White cotton dress, Old Navy. Jean leggings, Target. Milo boot c/o Zimmerman Shoes.

Sew with Us eCourse Giveaway!

Who wants to win one of our Sew with Us eCourses?!

Katie and I are proud to offer a few lucky readers access to our newest eCourse with hopes that you'll enjoy working on some of these sewing projects as much as we did. There are easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for making both home decor and wearable projects that start out simple and then build in skill level as you gain confidence in the techniques you're learning. All you need is a sewing machine and can-do attitude! 

The response to this course has been incredible so far and we're thrilled that so many of you have already decided you're ready to finally learn how to sew! I love seeing people taking action on something they've always wanted to try and I can't wait to see more of the projects everyone finishes with their newfound confidence. 

For your chance to win one of three Sew with Us eCourses, leave a comment below with your name and a way for me to contact you if you're a winner. Three winners will be chosen and announced later this week. 

If you're not wanting to wait, Sew with Us is offered at $45 but is on sale at it's launch price of $30 until April 8th so don't miss out on the $15 discount if you're planning on purchasing this course!

Good luck, friends!

-Rachel

Sew with Us eCourse is Here!

Sew with Us is finally available to share! Katie Shelton and I have been developing this sewing eCourse with A Beautiful Mess for months to make sure we were able to offer you a sewing basics eCourse that really got students excited to dust off their machines!

We've designed it for beginners who are needing to learn the basics and work their way up from simple projects such as pillowcases and fabric garlands and leave you feeling confident enough to sew your own dress! There are twenty new to this class projects that you can work through that will not only fill your home and closet with one-of-a-kind items, you'll be able to use your skills on a hundred other things you've always wanted to make!

We walk you through how to thread your machine with a detailed video and share what to look for when you get stuck. We also offer tips on other ways to customize many of the projects that we've shared in case you want to get a little fancy and take it a step further! We share how learning to sew has been such a valuable tool for our own personal growth and even our businesses with plenty of encouragement to stick with it no matter how your first project turns out! 

Since we can't come over and craft together, we're hoping this course is a close second to sharing a new hobby with someone else that gets your excitement over scratching the creative itch with a new pair of scissors and maybe some beautiful fabrics. There was so much love and excitement poured into the projects shared in Sew with Us and I am thrilled it is finally ready to share with you! 

Head over to A Beautiful Mess for the full project list and other details. 

NOTE: For the first two weeks (until April 8th), ABM is offering the course at $30 USD—so you can save $15 just by purchasing now. Don't miss out on this discount if you're interested in taking your skills to the next level. 

Thank you for sharing in our excitement over this newest eCourse! Katie and I are going out to coffee soon to celebrate the launch but we also want to thank the team at ABM for all of their hard work in getting it to look good on the back end! High five, team!

-Rachel

What I Wore: Gypsy Threads

I was able to sneak out for a coffee date with Elsie over the weekend to catch up on life and have some lady time at Kingdom Coffee. I came back feeling so thankful we get to live in the same town again. I left this little heartbreaker at home but had to sneak him in these photos. 

My top and boots are both from Gypsy Threads, a fun little online boutique that is having a major sale right now. Brittany is closing up shop for a bit to help focus on her pregnancy so she's ready to part with some inventory. Head over and see what might need to find it's way to your closet! 

Coffee dates with friends that have known you through at least four different hair styles are worth their weight in gold, aren't they. I vote for more coffee dates this year.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Top and boots c/o Gypsy Threads. Jeans, Old Navy. Denim jacket, Gap (circa 2002 baby!). Bag c/o JoTotes.

What I Wore: JoTotes Camera Bag

I haven't carried a traditional diaper bag since Sebastian was Smith's age-back when all baby gear was exciting no matter how excessive it may have been. I'm also a work-from-home mama so I have the luxury of keeping baby essentials in the same space as my own stuff. JoTotes is a camera bag company but all I see is lots of space, convenient pockets, and something that looks great with everything in my closet so it's one of my current favorites for both running errands and road trips alike.

I'm also loving the blanket scarf trend! I've had this plaid flannel fabric sitting in my stash thinking it might be a great stroller/car seat blanket for Smith but I've stolen it. It's mine now, kid!

Red lips forever!

What fall/winter trends are making their way into your wardrobe right now?
-Rachel

On Me: Jeans, Jessica Simpson. Plaid shirt and jacket, Target. Boots, Steve Madden. Scarf, flannel fabric from Hancocks. Bag c/o JoTotes. 

On Smith: Pants and top, Old Navy. Moccasins c/o Freshly Picked.

What I Wore: Turning Thirty-Three

I celebrated my thirty-third circle around the sun on Sunday with a special little outing with my love and my littlest. Our sweet neighbor friends watched the big kids and we snuck out to try a new to us coffee shop in downtown Colorado Springs. It was a beautiful afternoon so we brought the stroller and enjoyed a little...well, stroll.

Since Smith has been born I've been carrying him in either a Solly Baby wrap or my new Ergo baby carrier which has also had me sporting flats and sandals so I don't trip and drop a kid. It was nice to have a reason to dust off the clogs and don a semi-dangerous, blingy necklace that I knew wouldn't poke Smith's eyes out. 

Smith appreciated that I wasn't carrying him in my clogs but he still grew bored of pausing in front of the white wall to take outfit photos. 

I think he just felt a little underdressed himself.

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Top and Vest, Target. Denim, Old Navy. Clogs, ModCloth. Necklace, H&M. Glasses c/o Tumbleweeds HC. Bag, handmade by me. On Smith: Romper c/o Nununubaby. Stroller c/o Stokke.

P.S. Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes via text or IG!

Postpartum Fashion: A Forgiving Shift Dress

I've never been one of those moms that snaps back into her pre-baby shape a few weeks after giving birth. If this one is anything like the last two it's going to take some real work to shed the extra weight I gained (as well as the residual weight from prior pregnancies) but that doesn't mean I should hide out in frumpy t-shirts until I get closer to my goal. 

One of my new favorite dresses for the rare date night or catching up over coffee with an old friend is this shift dress. It's not nursing friendly as it has a high neck but with a good three hour stretch between feedings these days it's worth the outfit change. It's also likely to work well belted and with sandals later this summer when I've gotten closer to my goal.

Pairing this with a structured coat has been easy with our cooler weather here in Colorado and helps break up attention in the mid-section area. You want to know another secret? I'm wearing a Belly Bandit. I bought something similar after Sebastian was born after my OBGYN suggested it would help my muscles return to their rightful places and provide back and core support while things got strong again. I forgot all about them when I had Ruby and ended up having to see a chiropractor after injuring my lower back. I've worn this one since the day after Smith was born and feel much more confident in my shape during this transition period as well as it's role in keeping me injury free as I begin working out again.

Summer is almost here and I'm finding myself feeling a little less nervous about shedding the layers as I do what I can to take care of my body. My focus is on eating mostly whole, unprocessed foods, exercising in ways that are both fun and effective, and finding pieces that will work with my postpartum silhouette. In the mean time I'm making peace with my softer shape and remaining thankful for the life and love it's added to our family. 

What are looking forward to wearing this summer? What pieces have you found that flatter your specific shape?

-Rachel

Outfit Details: Jacket, H&M. Shift dress c/o Ever Mi Crush. Boots, Nine West. Gold necklace c/o Gypsy Threads. BFF Belly Bandit, Amazon.