life lately | baby talk feat. chicco baby products

little miss elle gray and her chicco pocket buddy + pacifier

A lot has happened in the last couple of months that I’ve missed out blogging on. My blog turned 2 (!), I turned 34 (wide eyed emoji!), and I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl, Elle! The past few weeks have been oh, so challenging, but even more rewarding. I’m getting to the point where I don’t remember and don’t want to remember what life was like without this little one. She really is my pride and joy!

One of my biggest challenges has been breastfeeding. While I knew it was going to be hard, I never knew how hard. New moms know, the struggle is real. And if you don’t know the struggle, consider yourself very lucky. I have been researching breastfeeding like crazy, and I have found comfort reading other people’s experiences, so I thought I’d share my own. I’m on week four of breastfeeding and I still don’t really know what I’m doing – trying to figure out how to up my supply, feeding on demand, cluster feeding until I literally feel empty, and just generally not knowing how much she’s getting at a time and trying to not feel guilty about supplementing with formula – it’s been so hard. But my little one seems content and she’s growing like a weed so hopefully I’m doing something right!

When I was pregnant, I only focused on being pregnant, and I let the fear of labor keep me from researching anything that came after giving birth. I really wish I would have done more research on breastfeeding beforehand. New moms: take it or leave it, but here are a few tips I’ve learned in the past few weeks:

1. Take advantage of your lactation consultant, set up a meeting, and soak in all their knowledge. Write it down, because if you’re anything like me, your brain is fried from a lack of sleep. I met with 3 different lactation consultants and all of them were so helpful in their own ways. They’re an amazing and absolutely necessary resource if you’re planning to breastfeed. 
2. Drink plenty of water. The first few days I was home, I was not taking in enough water, I was so busy and tired I literally forgot. There are periods of time where Elle will want to eat every hour, and I can tell I’m getting dehydrated. Have a glass wherever you’re sitting, next to your bed, and next to your pump, and chug, chug, chug. 
3. Lactation cookies. My best friend had a baby 3 months before me and had the same breastfeeding woes. She made me a batch of lactation cookies, and they were delicious, filling, and great to grab one or two while I’m on the pump. You can find the mix here. 
4. Mother’s Milk Tea. My best friend also gave me some mother’s milk tea to try, and so far it seems to be helping. Some people don’t care for the taste, but I don’t mind it. I have heard adding some honey helps. You can find it here. I also love this supplement here.
5. Don’t stress. Your emotions are everywhere thanks to hormones, and it’s a lot easier said than done. I was in tears many times trying to get Elle to breastfeed and the stress was definitely getting to me. It wasn’t until the third lactation consultant that I met with that I really felt a sense of peace and freedom – she told me do not stress – if the baby doesn’t want to breastfeed, give her a bottle and pump. One way or another, she is going to get fed. 
6. To help with the stress – ask for help! I’m the type of person who loves to have control over everything, and I do not like asking for help. But lately I’ve been leaning more on my husband, mom and sister to help me out, even if it’s just playing with the baby for a bit so I can take a nap or do the dishes. 
7. If you need to supplement, or even if you decide to do formula only, find a good bottle. These Chicco NaturalFit bottles have a nipple that helps bio-mimic breastfeeding, so it helps ease my mind about going back and forth. They’re anti-colic to prevent air ingestion and the angled nipple makes feeding comfortable for both the baby and whoever is feeding. The slow flow makes feeding less messy, and the wide bottle makes clean up easier. And they’re BPA free!

chicco naturalfit newborn gift set c/o, also comes in blue (great registry item!)

chicco pocket buddy c/o, also comes in blue

chicco naturalfit bottles c/o

Note: This post contains items provided to me by Chicco and contains affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

I’m 100% no expert, and I definitely have a lot more to learn. Like I said, I’m only on week four, and I’m not going to work myself up about setting any goals. At this point it’s just best to take it one day at a time! I would love to hear your breastfeeding stories in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

nordstrom fall sale

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Happy November, y’all! I know it’s been a minute since I posted – mid-September and all through October was a bit crazy for me – but more on that in another post. For now, I wanted to share some deals – it’s like Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale all over again! Starting today until November 12th, Nordstrom is having their fall sale, with tons of great items that can be taken into winter as well. I’ve rounded up a few of my faves for you all, but there are still plenty more where this came from – all up to 40% off!

I can wear ankle boots during every season with the exception of summer, and I love this pair and this pair. This dress is perfect for holiday parties, and this dress would be so easy to layer for winter, and would be so cute with some tights. If you don’t have a pair yet, you must get a pair of OTK boots, like these here which are a great price – 40% off right now! And since I’m still carrying a bit of baby weight, I’m looking forward to ponchos being in this season, and I’m loving this one here! And layer this top with a faux-fur vest and you’ve got a great, casual winter look!

Thanks for reading, and happy shopping! XO

sweater cami + scuba leggings | fall style

sweater cami | cardigan, similar here | leggings | booties | purse

One of my favorite fall colors is this orangy, cognac, saddle color, and I love it combined with black. There’s something about the look of a cami in the summertime, and I love this one that is made of sweater material, making it perfect for fall. I bought it in a size up to accomodate my baby bump, but I’ll definitely still be able to wear it post bump, possibly with a little tuck in the front, or even tucked into a high-waisted skirt. 

I love these leggings (see this look here and this look here) and took a chance with them for this look, and the band was just thick enough to lay under my baby bump even though they’re not maternity. They’re from last season but are still available, and I’ve worn them a lot and they’re still in good shape after multiple wears and washes. These booties were my birthday present to myself last year, and they brought them back this year which I’m so excited about because they’re so much fun and they go with just about anything. I have a clutch very similar to this one that I bought several years ago, and it’s gotten a lot of use and is showing some wear, so I was excited when I found the perfect replacement for it!

This week is a big one for me and the hubs because we close on our new house and will be slowly moving in the next couple weeks. I never in my life thought I’d be moving at 9 months pregnant, but I guess there’s never a dull moment for the McClures! Now hopefully baby girl stays put a little longer! Thanks for reading! XO

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trend alert | sweater weather

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My favorite time of year! And it appears that this year, fall has come early! It was a very tolerable August in the weather department, and so far September has been beautiful! Usually it is still blazing hot through September, and then anything goes. I just hope it stays in the 60s-70s and doesn’t drop any lower any time soon! In Iowa, it could be snowing by mid-October!

This season I’m loving oversized sweaters, sweaters with fun sleeve details, and of course long cardigans, which is basically all I can wear right now with this bump that is STILL growing! I’m hoping winter doesn’t arrive right when baby does so I can try to enjoy a sliver of sweater weather in late October/early November. I do have a couple long cardigans that I’ve been living in (including this one here), especially just lounging around at home with a cute pair of PJs underneath – and I’m sure that will continue once I hit maternity leave!

Hope you’re able to enjoy some cool, fall weather where you live! Thanks for reading! XO

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friday faves + labor day sales

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Adios, Sunday of Summer! Time to say hello to a new month and kick off a new season with Labor Day weekend! Does anybody else think that this summer flew by!? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a new season… even though it’s gone by fast, this summer hasn’t been a great one, and I’m ready for a fresh start! Plus, I’m always excited for fall!

Today I’m sharing a few items on my wish list, including some adorable fall finds, some maternity items (because I’m seriously running out of clothes that fit me!) and some shoes I’m totally eyeing for fall/winter… mostly just eyeing though, because we all know that once baby comes in October, I’m not going to have any social life! I’m also sharing some sales below that are going on this weekend, so be sure to stock up on some great last minute summer or fall items – there are some good ones!

Alice + Wonder – 30% off select summer items through 9/4

Ann Taylor – 50% select full-price styles + extra 50% off all sale styles

Anthropologie – extra 30% off sale

Banana Republic – 40% off everything

BaubleBar – up to 80% select sale items

Bloomingdale’s – 40%-60% off sale items

Express – 40% off everything until 9/4

Gap – up to 50% off everything + 20% off your purchase with code GETMORE

Kohl’s – $10 off $25+ with code TAKE10 + $10 Kohl’s cash for every $50 spent

LOFT – 30% off select full-price styles

Old Navy – 50% off select items

Target – 30% off select items + 15% off select items with code LABORDAY

Urban Outfitters – 30% off all sale items

West Elm – up to 30% off with code HUGESALE

World Market – extra 10% off + free shipping on orders over $150 with code LABORDAYDEALS

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! Thanks for reading! XO

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maternity jeans | lc lauren conrad

tank top, also similar here | jeans (maternity), also love these (non-maternity) | shoes | purse | necklace, similar here | sunnies

I’ve been trying to soak up these last days of summer (and freedom) by getting out of the house and doing all the summer things. So yesterday the hubs and I went to the farmer’s market in downtown Davenport and it was so much fun! They had roasted sweet corn (which is a must-have in Iowa!), craft beers, tons of pastries and live music. This August has been surprisingly mild in the weather department and it was nice to get out and soak up some sunshine without sweating profusely!

Let’s talk denim. Since it has been somewhat cooler, I was getting nervous about what to do about jeans – I love my skinny jeans and clearly cannot currently fit into any of mine. Just the thought of sausage casing myself into a pair of skinny jeans makes me tired and out of breath, but I found these jeans from Lauren Conrad’s maternity line at Kohl’s and decided to give them a try – and I’m obsessed! They are stretchy, soft, SO comfortable and I love the distressed details. They fit true to the size you were pre-pregnancy and have a little stretch and a panel over the belly, and let’s be honest, I’ll probably still wear them post-pregnancy. I decided to keep it casual with jeans and a tank for the farmer’s market – this tank top is not maternity but is still super comfy and covers the bump well. It also comes in several different colors! 

Hope you all had a great weekend! Thanks for reading! XO

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baby room decor

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I just realized I haven’t posted in 2 weeks… I’m blaming baby brain, the fact that we just bought a new house, and that work has been crazy… honestly I could keep going on and on with excuses, so I’ll just stop there. I’m down to single digit weeks until baby girl McClure gets here, so babies are ON the brain, which brings me to today’s post! I’m talking all about how I want to decorate the nursery!

Honestly when I first started my registry, I didn’t have a clue what I all needed. Thankfully most places pretty much map it out for you. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to Google what most things were, but I’m assuming as a new mama, Google is going to become my BFF. I knew I always wanted to have the nursery be grey and white with pops of pink and gold, so I’m sharing some of my big items, and once we get in to our new house I can figure out the rest of the decor. The carpet and walls are grey in the new baby room, so the white crib, dresser/changing table and this rug will work perfectly. I love that this rug is a little funky for a baby room, and it will be easy to continue to use as she gets older. Baby girl already has so many cute toys, but this plush unicorn and gold metallic balloon dog fit the pink and gold theme perfectly! I’m also in love with this rocker chair and ottoman combo. And how cute are these crib sheets!?

I honestly don’t even care if the rest of the house is put together before baby comes, as long as the nursery is done! If you have any suggestions on anything we absolutely HAVE to have, let me know in the comments below! We definitely have a lot to figure out in the next 9 weeks! Thanks for reading! XO

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last minute #nsale finds

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I’m just going to cut straight to the chase – unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is coming to an end this weekend, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve waited until the very last minute to do any sort of shopping! I’ve picked out some great items that are still available, some in limited colors or sizes, so get over to Nordstrom and pick up some last minute deals – the sale ends Sunday!

Also check out what’s left of my ultimate under $100 guide in this post here, and some great home items in this post here! And let me know what you scored from the sale! Thanks for reading! XO

summer layers

dress (non-maternity), also similar here and here | cover-up (sold out), also love this one, this one and this one | shoes | sunglasses, also similar here

I bought this cover-up for our vacation to Palm Springs that we didn’t end up going on, but instead of returning it I wanted to figure out how to wear it back in Iowa… plus I know it will come in handy for many vacations to come! I love the tropical print and the colors, and it’s definitely light enough to layer over a dress – and light layers are essential while being pregnant in these hot summer months!

This outfit was perfect for a casual summer date night with my hubby. We live right on the Mississippi River, so we visited Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill a couple towns away and sat outside where the hubs had a beer and a burger and I had fish and chips. And the margaritas looked so good! We usually love to explore and check out new places, but I’ve been so boring since I’ve been pregnant, so it was nice to get out and about. This restaurant and the ambiance were perfect for a nice summer night – it almost felt like we were on vacation!

What’s your favorite summer layering piece? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading! XO

oh baby | baby shower details

dress (maternity) | earrings | shoes

ribbon backdrop made by me with ribbon from Hobby Lobby and balloons from Target

Today I’m sharing the details of my baby shower that I planned with the help of four of my closest friends. I decided to help plan because I love to plan parties and I’m a bit of a control freak – I had a vision and I wanted it to go exactly how I imagined it! While things didn’t go exactly as planned (they never do for me!) I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! Even though everyone there had to travel at least an hour to be there, most of my closest friends and family were able to make it – and baby McClure and I were definitely feeling the love! 

My friends have made jokes about how Lauren Conrad came out with a maternity line while I was pregnant and how I must have planned it because I love LC, so naturally I had to wear this adorable dress from her maternity line, and even though it’s maternity I definitely think it can be worn post-baby! And I had to pair it with these blush shoes and pink ball drop earrings to match the pink theme! Keep scrolling to see pics and more details from the party!

banners from Bannerize on Etsy (in rose gold)

I love Etsy for party planning, and I’ve found some great little shops in my research. I got a custom banner from Bannerize for my best friend’s bachelorette party a while ago (see the deets in this post here) and I was so pleased the first time that I decided to use them again. Excellent customer service, quality products, and great pricing! Check them out here for their custom banners and other party decor! I’m sure this will not be the last time you see their decor on my blog!

What we ate, drank and indulged on:

Walking Taco Bar

Mock Pink Champagne (non-alcoholic – recipe below)

Sweet Tea

Mini Cupcakes

M&M Cookies

Pink Starburst treat bags

{My girlfriends Lindsay and Aubrey and twin sister Alyson taking a selfie in front of the DIY ribbon and balloon photo backdrop that I made – these were three of the four girls who helped make this day go off without a hitch – the fourth had a baby just days before and wasn’t able to make it, but she was there in spirit and helped so much! We also got to meet her babe (who is baby McClure’s future bestie!) shortly after the shower!}

B-A-B-Y sparklers from TOPS Malibu | mini cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery

My invite had an illustration of a cake with these sparklers on it, so I had to have them as decor at my shower. I was excited when I finally found them at TOPS Malibu‘s online store. I reached out to them and they had great customer service and sent me the sparklers along with the confetti popper that I used for my gender reveal in this post here. They have tons of great party decor and they already have me thinking about details for my next party! 

I have been a fan of Scratch Cupcakes since they opened a shop in my hometown, and I was happy to see that they made mini cupcakes! My best friend chose the flavors and they were all so delicious, and I loved that they were able to make them pink for baby girl! The flavors pictured above from top to bottom were:

Oh Happy Day – made with pink sprinkles

Wedding Day – a little off topic, but my favorite of their cupcakes, and they were able to make them with pink frosting!

White Chocolate Raspberry – I’m not normally a fan chocolate and fruit, but these were SO good!

Mock Pink Champagne from 7up.com (non-alcoholic) | Straws from pomtree on Etsy

I got a sample of this mocktail while I was grocery shopping one day and I took the recipe knowing I had to recreate it for a party, and it ended up being the perfect mocktail for my shower! It was so good and was a hit – and if I wasn’t pregnant I’d definitely add some champs to it! Click the link above for the recipe!

{diaper bouquet made by my friend Alison – find the instructions here}

{Centerpieces using upcycled McClure’s Pickles jars with faux flowers from Hobby Lobby, linens, tables and chairs from Big Ten Rental}

{Big brother Fletch couldn’t help but try to be the center of attention at the party!}

The party was a major success thanks to everyone involved and I would have lost my mind if it wasn’t for my best friend Lindsay being here all the way from Dallas and my husband Brian helping me set everything up. The party was supposed to be outside, but last minute we changed it to inside because it was so incredibly hot out, and it all ended up being perfect. Even if it didn’t go as planned, just being surrounded by friends and family celebrating baby girl McClure made it success enough. She is definitely going to be one spoiled and stylish little girl, and we cannot wait to meet her in 12 short weeks! Thanks for reading! XO