Fall 2015 Beauty Trends

It may be a little early to start thinking about fall...but I'm already thinking about fall. Fall beauty, that is. While I probably won't be buying lots of new products this year, I do find it fun to check out what the trends are and possibly try to follow one or two. I usually try to dig through my makeup drawer to find products I already own that will fit the trends and only buy a new item if I see something I really like.

Three trends that seem to be popping up for Fall 2015 that I could actually see myself trying are: Berry Lips, Bronze Eyes, and Flushed Cheeks. I think I'll be able to give these a try without spending a lot of money and I pulled together some inspiration below.

Lovely Links 08.25.15

Sooo, I'm bringing back my Lovely Links series. Enjoy!

I will definitely be coming back to this post about what you really need for a baby's first six weeks. (morganmanagesmommyhood.com)

Tips on creating a budget that will help you save money (and get out of debt, if necessary.) (ericadhouse.com)

Why Being in the 'Outer' World Exhausts Introverts. (introvertdear.com)

An Announcement...aka Nursery Ideas

So I have an announcement to make to whomever may be reading this blog:

I'm pregnant!

Surprised? We were too, haha. I'm just starting my second trimester, so we've had some time to get used to the idea by now and to feel more excited and less panicked. I plan on doing some posts on my first trimester favorites and suggestions for coping with various symptoms and so forth. This was never intended to be a pregnancy or mommy blog, but it is a lifestyle blog and this has definitely become a huge part of my lifestyle, so...you'll see of that stuff popping up here. I've found it immensely helpful to read other bloggers' experiences, which is another reason I want to share some of what I've learned.

Anyways, I'm definitely starting to excited about planning our baby's room. Specific choices for decor and colors will have to wait until we know if we're having a boy or girl, but I know I want to go neutral on the basics, which makes a good starting-point. I played around with some choices on Polyvore and came up with this mood board. The center items (wall color, rug, crib, dresser, book ledges, lamp and basket) would work for either gender. I added some decor choices for a boy at the top and for a girl at the bottom.

Some of the items are products we make actually purchase and use (the crib and the dresser) while others are just ideas of what I like, but not maybe the specific ones I'd choose (pretty much everything else).

Drum lamp shade
allmodern.com

Threshold blue rug
target.com

Pottery Barn round basket
potterybarn.com

No 918 grommet curtain
kohls.com

Sun Zero navy curtain
amazon.com

IKEA HENSVIK Crib, white
ikea.com

Slipcover chair
kohls.com

HEMNES
ikea.com

Navy and Coral Theme Pom Set Nautical Theme by ShopSimplyNesting
etsy.com

Cinderella's Castle Disney Watercolor Art Print by VIVIDEDITIONS
etsy.com

So what do you think? Any ideas for items that would fit with these themes? If you're a parent, can you recommend any cribs/gliders/dressers that worked really well in your baby's room? This is all new to me so I welcome all suggestions!

(To read my other pregnancy posts, click here or on the pregnancy button at the top of the page.)

Banana Walnut Raisin Chocolate Chip Bars

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today! These bars are one of my all-time favorite snacks to make and to eat. I always have them on hand, either fresh on the counter or stashed in the freezer. They're naturally sweetened (except for the chocolate chips, if you use them) with mashed banana, unsweetened applesauce, and raisins; rich with healthy fats from the walnuts; and packed with the comforting flavors of vanilla and cinnamon. 

What's Your Favorite Jane Austen Novel?

I thought I'd do something a little different this week and talk about books. I've always been an avid reader--books, blogs, cereal boxes--I'm addicted to the written word. And it's always fun to talk books with other people who love them.

Jane Austen image via wikipedia