what is in my bag

i have come a long way in 7 months. i went from packing a diaper bag full of anything and everything baby might need, weighing almost three times his weight. granted he was 5lbs then. slowly but surely i grew confident and started to carry less and less when we did errands. here's where i am at now and i couldn't be prouder of myself. i've never been a big gaudy purse sort of lady, and when my eye's caught this cute little Fossil clutch last year. yup that will work, and it still has!

so here is what i carry around on a daily basis, because (1) baby goes anywhere i go, guess there is a plus to being a temp-single parent (2) we started the solids adventure and (3) i work two jobs, one including my photography business.

1-wipes. the shea butter wipes from Target's UP&UP brand can make any dirty bum smell deliciously clean. if that is even possible?
2-diapers.  i adore the Seventh Generation ones, simple and no graphics.
3-bag:ThirtyOne. my husband's love for Burt's Bees runs deep and he insisted baby start the same. also include the miracle of teething tablets, because his first toofer popped through last week.
3-snack. we have ventured into solids for the last month, and little man loves it. i carry around a serving for him just in case.
4-the goods. anytime this kid sees his bottle within a 10 foot radius, he wants it. right now. so i make sure to have one measured and ready for him.
5-toy. the cutest little cow you ever did see!
6-my clutch. if i didn't have the babe, this is all i would be carrying. i'm simple type of gal when it comes to fashion.
7-diaper bag. found this adorable backpack at Walmart of all places and it's worked wonders for me.
8-planner. writing things down daily help me keep my sanity. my to-do lists longer. and my days shorter.
9-mama's snack. sometimes it's possible for me to forget to eat, and i'm starving when i do.
10-my lifeline. to my husband. to my business. to my friends. and to you blog readers! confession: i'd die without Instagram & FaceTime now.

my trends for the fall, stick to neutrals. browns & tans. you can't go wrong. i'm the type of mom that who now just carries the essentials, because lets face it: i've got a 16lb baby to lug around now and add the carseat to that weight too. for some moms, they may carrying everything but the kitchen sink with them. i like to keep those items ready & available in the car instead. to those mom's who need a little insight to what handbag works best for you, check out Rue La La's Handbag and Purse Style Guide. I'd love to know what bag works best for you and your little(s). seeing what's in your bag posts, always interest me. guess i'm a bit nosey. but come on now, who isn't?

PinkBlush Maternity Review/Giveaway!

back in October, before anyone except immediately family knew i was expecting, i was contacted by PinkBlush Maternity to review one of their items. this sweater is the one i chose, and i should have thought about it more because it's the middle of winter. yet i have lots of room to grow in it, and you bet it will be back on during those warm (hopefully) spring/beginning of summer months.

now as i'm starting to prepare a little more for this little one's arrival, you bet i'll be back on their website to look at more nursing items and a top or two for my maternity photo session if i ever decide to schedule one. it may just be me, out in the middle of a field with my tripod and timer. we shall see.

but none-the-less Pink Blush has offered one winner a $25.00 gift certificate, which would be emailed to the winner once selected! to entry this giveaway please comment below for each entry method:

"Like" on Facebook: SweetPeaMaternity
"Follow" on Pinterest: PinkBlushMat
"Follow" on Instagram: PinkBlushMaternity
"Follow" on Twitter: PinkBlushMat

"Follow" this blog: Black Little Button
"Follow" on Instagram: BlackLittleButton
"Follow" on Twitter: BlkLittleButton
"Follow" on Pinterest: whitmeza
"Like" on Facebook: Black Little Button

Enter each comment individually saying "I follow/like...." (that counts as an entry)

this giveaway will be open until February 3rd. 
February 4th i will announce the big winner! best of luck bloggers!

CONGRATS TO STORMY! YOU HAVE WON! 

**also, entrants who have won a giveaway from PinkBlush Maternity in the past 6 months, or have hosted a giveaway in the past 6 months, are not eligible to win a gift card again. Sorry bloggers.

We Wear Red Sweatshirt

So remember the t-shirt I snagged a while back? Well, the minute "moo" had these available on her etsy store to pre-order, you bet my card was ready to go! These beauties are perfect and I absolutely love mine! The jersey feel to these couldn't be more comfy, and you bet the more I grow, the more this little number will be around my shoulders. I love the simple-ness to the sweatshirt and it supports any branch of the military, even though I tend to favor the Army (of course). The week I received it, on that Friday, I had the privilege of photographing two fellow army wive's Welcome Home Ceremony for their husbands. It couldn't have been more perfect, and I was so proud to display my hoodie.

Want to know the best news? She is doing another preorder on these beauties starting on November 11th! Perfect timing, on Veterans Day. Snatch yours up while you can, they go quick! She also offers other fantastic products as well: bows, earrings, and more! Go check out her, you won't regret it:

Etsy Shop: DeploymentProblems  |  Twitter & Instagram: @deploymentprbs  |  Facebook | Her Sizing Info

hs jean jacket

that's right. surprisingly i have kept this jean jacket for over many years. why? i haven't a clue but they are coming back, i knew there was a reason! :) so i paired it with some black skinnies and my cowboy boots. i was ready for the country concert and dancing. even Harlee wanted in on some of the photos, paw-shakes and all.

jacket: aeropostale, t-shirt & cami: taget, jeans: kohl's, boots: somewhere downtown nashville

Linking Up to: Transatlantic Blonde, Style Elixir, Suburbs Mama, The Pleated Poppy, Kiwi Womens Style, Get Your Pretty On, Rolled Up Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Simple Easy Style, Suburbs Momma, My Girlish Whims, The Fashion Canvas, The Mummy Chronicles, Everyday Fashion and Finance, Life with the Crust Cut Off, Perfectly Coutured

a chicago outfit

something simple. not too heavy to walk around downtown chicago in. this was my pick.

i scored this lovely thang, for $10 at goodwill. vintage, meaning had some old tags sewn on it that were so worn and faded. i couldn't believe it, i grabbed it and didn't think twice. best decision. ever.

paired it with a forever 21 necklace and some nine west strappy sandals, outfit complete.

Linking Up to: Transatlantic Blonde, Style Elixir, Suburbs Mama, The Pleated Poppy, Kiwi Womens Style, Get Your Pretty On, Rolled Up Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, Two Thirty-Five Designs, Simple Easy Style, Suburbs Momma, My Girlish Whims, The Fashion Canvas, The Mummy Chronicles, Everyday Fashion and Finance, Life with the Crust Cut Off, Perfectly Coutured

Stars & Stripes

So I haven't got a clue what Harlee is doing in that last picture, total dork. But if I haven't mentioned it before, I am truly addicted to Instagram (blacklittlebutton). The photographer in me, is just loving all the photo updates from other bloggers & friends. Somehow I came across another photographer (Amy Clark Studios) that's only a couple states away. How we found each other is beyond me, but I just love her newborn photography and turns out she also has a small boutique where she hand makes headbands, baby crowns, and these baby's that I have on, One of a Kind Stars & Stripes shorts.

She hand dyed each and every one and I was lucky enough to get one of the pairs. Even though I'm a bit behind on the 4th of July outfits, I couldn't help but share.  These shorts are fantastic and I love love love the worn look to them. She also snuck in one of her reversible headwraps as well. If you haven't checked out her website before, I suggest you do so!

And for those bloggers who just recently had babies, or about to (there have been lots of them it seems lately) there are some cute accessories to include for your newborn sessions and such.

Bernie Bean Boutique: Store Website | Facebook

Linking Up to: Transatlantic Blonde, Style Elixir, My Thrifty Chic, Suburbs Mama, The Pleated Poppy, Kiwi Womens Style, Dear Abby Leigh, Get Your Pretty On, Rolled Up Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, My Girlish Whims, The Fashion Canvas, Life with the Crust Cut Off, 

She's Gone Country

Every year there is this huge week-long event where a ton of country music artists and bands come and perform for thousands of people.  I have attended every year since I began High School.  So when it came time for the opening day, I knew my outfit had to scream "country". Minus all the rain and mud that got to my outfit later on that night, I had a blast dancing in my favorite cowboy boots.

Top: F21 (husband accidentally shrunk) | Shorts: Target | Boots: Got 3 years ago in Nashville | Earrings: F21

Pretty proud of myself too, this was the first time I set up my camera and shot my own outfit.
Thank God for a remote.

Linking Up to: Transatlantic Blonde, Style Elixir, My Thrifty Chic, Suburbs Mama, The Pleated Poppy, Kiwi Womens Style, Dear Abby Leigh, Get Your Pretty On, Rolled Up Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, My Girlish Whims, The Fashion Canvas

WIWW: Red Friday Tank

I wish I was one of those gals that could pull of a cute pencil skirt and heels every day, but that's not me. I go for comfort, and I'm so thankful to work in a place where dress code is as strict as being able to wear Under Armour Hoodies & Yoga Pants on a Tuesday morning. Thanks to the wonderful husband whom was my photographer, I got to capture an ideal outfit, that fits me to a tee. Even Harlee got in on the action for a couple shots.

Tank: Red Friday Tank | Jeans: Arizona Skinny Ankle | Shoes: Converse All Star Light | Watch: Fossil Georgia

Linking up to: The Pleated Poppy, Get Your Pretty On, Transatlantic Blonde, My Girlish Whims, Rae Gun Ramblings, Rolled Up Pretty, Because Shanna Said So, Southern Lovely, Vintage Gwen, Black White Color, Tucker Up, This Kind of Love, Heart Shaped Sweat, Lipgloss & Crayons

An Outfit Post? Say it isn't so!

Man, I have been just so lazy lately. I had big dreams this year of blogging and taking pictures of my outfits to make them look like any other "fashion blogger" out there on the web.

But let's be honest, I just don't have time or am just way to lazy. So the iPhone pics are the best I've gotten so far.

With my current job, I have free range to wear almost anything I want. Jeans every day last week? don't mind if i do! Under Armour hoodie and pants on Friday afternoons? Surely! 

Something inside of me just had to be a little more dressy today, and I came up with this outfit. Still a bit lazy with the iPhone picks just before I walked out the door. But none the less, an OUTFIT POST! I'm making progress here, bloggers.

Chambray (jc pennys), white top (forever 21), mustard skinnies (target) and booties (kohls).  

The scarf is actually some fabric I picked up from the thrift store that is directly across the road from my house. No lie. I'm spoiled, I admit it. The husband had no idea what he was getting into, renting our current place. :) But all that fabric I put to good use and it worked well with the outfit today. What do you all think?

Linking up to the Pleated Poppy (wiww)

What I Wore Wednesday

Quick and cute outfit today for work. Simple colors: black, gray and white. I loved it!

Shrug: Rue 21

White Tank: Rue 21

Dress: Forever 21 (only two dollars!)

Belt: Kohl's

Leggings: Forever 21

Shoes: Rue 21

Linking Up to:

WIWW- A Thrifty Outfit

I haven't done a What I Wore Wednesday Post for a while, but I'm hoping that this outfit makes up for all those missed Wednesdays in the past.

Shirt: Rue 21 - $2.00

Belt: Thrifted - $0.50

Lace Skirt: Goodwill - $6.00

Shoes: Goodwill - $7.00

Earrings: Forever 21 - $FREE

I just loved my outfit I wore to work this week. I felt so put together for once. Beats the "oh crap, I've got ten minutes to get to work" outfit. 

Linking Up With:

The Pleated Poppy
This Kind of Love
Transatlantic Blonde
Two Thirty-Five Designs
Rolled-Up Pretty

Day Nine [30 for 30]

I think this is my most impressive outfit so far in this 30 for 30 Challenge. It's the warm weather that has got me inspired, I guess.

Jean Jacket - Thrifted
Striped Dress - Rue 21
Brown Belt - knotted nicely, thanks to Pinterest
Blue Tights - Forever 21
White Shoes - Rue 21

Day Seven [30 for 30]

DO YOU SEE THAT?! An open window with a breeze!  We have had the windows open all week long. It's been so nice. The husband keeps telling me it is a tease, but I will take what I can get for good ole' Wisconsin weather.

White Sweater - Target
Blue Striped "Dress" used as a top - Rue 21
Gray Converse Pants - Target
White Shoes - Rue 21

Day Eight [30 for 30]

This is my quick, "OH SHOOT I HAVE TO BE TO WORK IN TEN MINUTES" outfit. Like it? :)

Tan Sweater - Target
Striped Top - Target
Black Skinny Pants - Kohl's
Brown Boots - Charlotte Russe

Day Six [30 for 30]

When it's too early in the morning to be able to turn on the light because the husband is still asleep, you get a crappy picture. Hence my outfit for today:

Blue Striped "Dress" used as a top - Rue 21
Cream Skirt - Goodwill find
Brown Skinny Bent - Rue 21
Blue Tights - Forever 21
Brown Boots - Charlotte Russe 

Sorry again for the dark picture. Next time will be better! Hopefully. :)

Day Five [30 for 30]

I loved this outfit today. I had to work this weekend, so I still wanted to be comfortable, hence my outfit:


Black Sweater - Target
Gray Dress - Rue 21
Black Tights - Rue 21
Gray Converse Flats

I guess anything with my converse flats is an awesome outfit, maybe I am a bit bias. ;)

Day Four [30 for 30]

Happy St. Patty's Day (a little late, i know). But i swapped out one of my shirts, for a good old Goodwill find: Green Sweater :)

Necklace - made by yours truly :)
Tan Sweater - Target
Green Sweater - Goodwill
Jeans - Buckle
Shoes - Rue 21

Hope you had a wonderful one! I got to spend a couple hours with the husband out for a couple drinks and lots of deep fried food. We were in bed by 10pm. Such old farts, or maybe it's because I had to work the next day. Who really knows...

Day Three [30 for 30]

I'm on a roll, and feeling motivated!

Green Sweater - Target
Floral Tee - Charlotte Russe
Blue Pants - Old Navy
Shoes - Target

Super comfortable at work today, can you tell? :)