What's in my holiday clutch

{hello breath spray // clutch currently out of stock but via tuckernuck // buxom lip gloss in white russian // tarte mascara i got via glossybox and it's my new fave // credit card & cash holder }

Tonight is JB's company holiday party and I'm excited to get dressed up.  I'm wearing a dress from rent the runway even.  fancy, fancy.  And gosh if I'm not so excited about not carrying around a diaper bag!  A little teeny tiny clutch instead.  I'm gonna be feeling freeeeeee!
Just in time, 

Hello sent me these little breath sprays and they are perfect for tonight.

i've grown to love these little guys.  let me count the ways ...

1. they're cuuuuuute. 

2.  they fit pretty much anywhere. even in my teensy clutch

3.  they' are natural (99%), even my momma approves 

4.  they taste SO good.  i can't say i'll stop at just one spritz

5.  if I experience a close talker  tonight with bad breath i could just offer him a little squirt... but that would be maybe the most awkward thing for a wife to do. 

6.   the packaging alone could get me in a heart beat .  I'm definitely that person who has been known to buy a bottle of wine based on the packaging... and I can't say I stop with just choosing my wine based on packaging ...  

7.  i'm ready for fresh breath whether it's a coffee date with girlfriends (what's worse than coffee breath)  or a date night with huz (for smooching) 

So you get the point, I love these little guys.  AND Hello didn't just stop with breath fresheners... they have mouth wash (that doesn't sting y'all! + in flavors like mojito mint!!), cute toothbrushes made out of recyclable and safe plastics, and toothpaste that solves that problem of jerks (like me, sometimes) who don't always push the toothpaste tube at the bottom.

if you'd like to have two of these little breath friends yourself, just leave a comment letting us know what holiday moment you'd like hello breath for? + I'll put in some of my peonies postcards to sweeten the deal even more.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
** this post was sponsored by Hello, a brand I personally believe in and like. all opinions are my own.  thank you for supporting our little family through reading this blog** 

tuck at ten months

{yesterday celebrating Shannon's birthday}

tuck at ten months (one day until 11 months!)

... 

the mayor of everywhere we go.  kissing babies and waving at every.single.human.  literally forcing them with his stare to notice and say hello.  who is this kid?  it cracks me up.

busy.  so busy.  

 toddling around.  his walk is scary at this point but it's so cute.  looks like someone put some whiskey in his bottle.
still thinks playing peekaboo is the most hilarious thing on earth.  next most hysterical thing? lola.

he just really loves people.  no exceptions. yesterday he jumped out of my arms and into the just-met barista's. 

i say this every darn time, but i am not sure it can get more fun than this age... and yet tomorrow will prove me wrong i'm sure. 

sequined mermaid

Photos by Shannon Kirsten 

{look one top: old but just basic black tank via  f21  and tote - hansel & basel via blushshop 

look two:  leather sleeves  // tortoise purse  - sold out:( via tuckernuk  

look three: h&m old but similar 

look four:  peplum top via F21 // earrings and necklace via jcrew outlet  }

This skirt is magic I tell ya.  I wore it out the other night to a fancy dinner and every darn person I encountered complimented me.  Maybe it's just the sequins but I'll take it.

I also think it's cute dressed up or down.  For sure you have to be bold to wear it during the day but why not?  

For our date on Tuesday I wore it with this blouse from jcpenney.  I tied it in a knot in the front.  

it was cuuuute and I wish I had a decent picture of it!  

also, oh ya... i have dark hair.  ombre was sorta dipping my toes in.  trying it out.

and now I've just jumped in the deep end.

being a brunette is good, easy and i'll be honest - makes me long for a tan.

and on that note - best self tanners?  spill.

Gift Guide for every gal in your life // under $30

Holidays can make me a little crazy.  I always put a good amount of pressure on me to find the perfect gift. for everyone.  It's just one of the ways I like to show someone how much i love them- all - look!  

you are known!  you are loved. 

i have a ton of girls on my list to buy for this year - with all the girls in my family & my bffs it can get a little overwhelming.  JB, being the financial hero of the house, always makes me spend the time to write out a budget.  I always always always hate that part of it, but then I'm glad after it's done.  

It helps me be intentional about my Christmas gifts instead of walking into the store and buying  all of the thiiiiiings like a toddler with a credit card.

Some odds and ends; perfect for the cook to the girl who likes to get pampered.

For the girlfriend or sist or mama who loves fashion in general.  from baubles to this seasons must have sunnies.  {so pretty much every gal in my life}

I'm a paper a holic and you know my girlfriends are too!  (shop small with them at shannon kirsten & paper please)  I've always been a huge fan of writing letters.  Must have stemmed from going to camp every summer and writing every single day to my mama.  Or the fact that my mom made us write out thank you notes from the time i could hold a crayon.  Anyhow, I still love it.  From the perfect pens to the perfect card.

For the gal who loves Kate Spade.  What I love about KS is their products are multi generational.  I could totally see my grandma having their mugs, my mom having their jewelry, and me having their paper products.

So for those who love a good glass of wine, or for those who love them some coffee in their favorite mug (i'm both of these kinda gals) ...
this one is definitely a favorite ($25) or this one for just ($8).  

see other gift guides here!

post partum hair

{poncho c/o PB&J boutique // shorts via j.crew }

These snaps were actually taken about two months ago!  I kept meaning to share but let's be honest, my hair could use a lot of work.  but then I figured, why not share what my hair looks like 99% of the time.  in a dang pony tail.   since then i've actually made the switch to dark (you can see here).   gotta trust God knew what he was doing when he gave me brown hair.  (:  

something i had heard about but was hoping it was all a fat lie was the hair falling out a few months after i had tuck.  it was horrifying!  it was quite literally everywhere!  then the baby hairs started to come in.  this whole hair falling out biz is at the top of my list when my girlfriends ask me what weird things have happened to my body post tuck.  i've recently started to take biotin and we'll see if it helps.  I have hope!  

other than that when i do get dolled up (like tonight.  we're headed to st. pete for date night) I either use my hot tools or my hot rollers.  the rollers i've actually used since sophomore year of college off and on.

  I was a total granny with my rollers getting ready every day.  

so that's the story of my hair.  and you so know what i'm going to say, right?  it's all worth it.

i'll surely go bald again for another babe one day. 

until then i'll be rocking the baby hairs that will probably resemble odd bangs here shortly.