Etsy Love - 5 Favorite Finds

While doing some internet window shopping, I thought I'd share some treasures I came across on Etsy. Can I have it all now, please?!

These little critters would fit in perfectly in my little guy's nursery! Get these soft, hand-stitched toys and other adorable creatures from Woodland Tale.

Perfect for your New Year's Eve gathering, get these fab letterpress coasters from Dinglewood Design & Press.

Who doesn't love playing with washi tape?? Angie Hearts Jared has this polka dot pattern tape and other cute party accessories and crafts!

This is perfection. It Must be Nice to be a Bird makes amazing necklaces and pins! I need all of them.

In the market for a new iphone case? It doesn't get much better than this handmade real natural pressed flower case made by Clear Glasss.

New Year's Eve Party Dresses

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

With 2015 just around the corner, it's about time to start getting NYE party-ready! If you haven't found your perfect dress yet, I've picked out some amazing pieces from a few of my favorite shops - ModCloth, TopShop, and LuLu's to share with you lovely folks. I'm completely in love with the curve-hugging shapes and glittery colors of these dresses. They're so glitzy, glamorous, and perfect for any New Year's Eve party! Which one is your favorite?

Etsy Shop Goodies

Business has been pretty good in the ol' Etsy shop this holiday season! I've been hard at work fashioning lovely necklaces, bracelets, and more. Lately, my most popular items have been the golden state bracelets. They've been selling like crazy and make great gifts! It's a little late now to get these by Christmas day. However, if you'd still like to get one of your own state or grab any of the other pieces shown here, you can head on over to the SHOP and I'll have it shipped as soon as possible. Better late than never, huh? I'd say so. 

Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Baby Shower Fun

Yesterday, we had a blast with some of our closest friends at our very first baby shower. We started the party with a rousing game of baby Mad Libs. It was so much fun! Everyone filled the back of their cards with nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., and then filled in the blanks for the story on the front of the cards. The story was very specific to Cody and me so that made it pretty hilarious, especially since we both had to read each one out loud! Our friends can get a little crazy with stuff like that.

There was another fun card that everyone filled out. It was a "Predictions & Wishes" card for us and the baby. Those were really funny too. Some of my favorites were, "I hope you always... poop on Cody." and "Advice for mommy and daddy... get turnt even if you have to force it.." because both of those things are definitely going to happen!

After the fun games, Cody and I opened cards and presents. We got so many adorable things for the little fella. I can't wait to use all of it! 

As far as food and decor goes, Mary Meghan (who threw the shower) really outdid herself with the woodland critter theme. It was absolutely perfect! I don't have photos of everything because it was later in the day and lighting wasn't great, but some of my favorite details are pictured below. The cookies were just too cute to eat, and the hot cocoa bar was amazing! There was a crock pot filled with warm milk and next to it were mason jars filled with cocoa, candy canes, chocolate chips, butterscotch bits, and more for us to customize our own drinks. Yummm!

Overall, it was such a great shower. We were so glad to celebrate little Baby Hickman with our fabulous friends! It meant so much to me to share those sweet moments with everyone :)

Mammoth Cave

This past weekend, Cody and I ventured to Louisville, Kentucky for a work engagement. Before heading back home, we spent the night in Cave City and visited Mammoth Cave. We took a 2 hour-2 miles long tour through part of the cave. Yes, I ducked, bobbed, and weaved through narrow passageways and low hanging rock with an 8 month preggo belly. I even climbed a 150 stair tower towards the end of the tour to get back up to the surface. That was the hardest part. Cody climbed the stairs behind me and helped push me to the top. I finished - heart racing, heavy breathing, and fully ready to collapse on the ground, but I did it!

After leaving the caves, we drove a little way to a nice picnic spot next to a river for lunch. It was freeeezing but so much fun. We found an abandoned church nearby and took some time to explore and snap some photos.

Though the trip was short and primarily for work, it was still a nice little getaway. It's probably going to be the last getaway until sometime after Baby Hickman is born. Just 8 more weeks until he gets here!

Maternity Leave Announcement

I'm finally nearing the end of my pregnancy and will soon be meeting my sweet little boy. Yay! So, I wanted to go ahead and make a little announcement for all of my hometown client-friends and potentials. A lot of people have been asking me when I'll be taking my maternity leave and when they should book their next appointment before I go. To answer those questions, the answer is now-ish. 

If you want to make sure that your hair will stay looking awesome while I'm gone, December through early January is when you'll need to schedule your next hair appointment with me! I'm going to work as long as I can, and though I may still be booking appointments up until mid January, I can't guarantee a secure appointment in those later weeks. 

Thanks for supporting me and my little family with your business. I can't wait to introduce all of you to Baby Hickman!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving! The baby and I are currently in a food coma, but once we come out of it, I'm totally going in for some pumpkin pie! It's my faaavorite. I've been waiting all year for it. 

What are some of your favorite holiday foods or traditions?

Coat // Extra long top (similar) // Leggings

Reese's S'mores Crumble Recipe

Not many things are better than roasting marshmallows over a campfire and making S'mores on a cold, crisp night. However, if you don't have access to a campfire, there are plenty of ways to make-do. One way being this amazing and incredibly easy S'more recipe! I added a little twist to it by using Reese's cups instead of Hershey's chocolate. 

This stuff is seriously like crack. I've never had crack, but I'd like to think that this is just as addicting. I really can't stop eating it. I left it in its crumbly form and stored it in a Tupperware bowl so I could pick at it throughout the day. If you want it to look more presentable, you can mash it down into a greased pan, let it cool, then cut it into squares. Either way, I guarantee that it will be eaten up before you know it!

Ingredients: 

1 box of Golden Graham cereal

1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows

1-2 cups of crumbled Reese's cups

1/4 cup butter

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. 

2. Add marshmallows and stir until they completely melt and make a sauce. Remove from heat.

3. Add Golden Grahams and Reese's crumbles. Stir until well coated.

4. Transfer to pan or plate, let cool, and enjoy!

ModCloth Gift Guide

*This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The holidays are just around the corner and I have been "window shopping" for gifts a little bit lately. I'm usually bad about procrastinating until the very last minute on shopping, but this year, I'm trying to get a much earlier start on things. ModCloth has definitely made it a lot easier for me to find the best gifts with their 2014 Gift Guide. It's full of fun things for guys, gals, animal lovers, and pretty much anyone else! I picked out a few of my favorite goodies from the guide to share some ideas. How cute are those mushroom salt n' pepper shakers?! 

Over the River and Through the Woods...

...to Grandmother's house, we go.

I didn't mean to go so long between posts, but I've been pretty busy lately. Cody and I just got back from Sioux Falls, SD. We drove up there Thursday for a long weekend to visit my grandmother. I haven't seen her in at least 13 years so it was nice to finally be able to visit. We drove 14 looong hours to get there and the same to get back last night. Needless to say, we're pretty exhausted.

28 weeks baby bump

We got to do a little bit of sight seeing during the couple of days that we were there. Falls Park was a really neat area to explore. It was so pretty! The Sioux River and its falls cut right through the middle of the park and was surrounded by fun rocks to climb on. Good thing neither of us fell in the water while we were hiking along the rocks because that water was freezing! I will say, I think I did pretty darn good for a lady carrying a basketball in her belly.

That was most of the sight-seeing that we did. Aside from that and visiting with my grandmother, we did some shopping, eating, and of course, took a chilly stroll around their local zoo. I really wish we could've spent more time in South Dakota, but maybe we'll be able to go back soon. 

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone has a happy Halloween! Play all of the tricks and eat all of the treats. I know I will be! Mostly just the treat part though.

Alexander Wang X H&M

Jersey c/o H&M

I'm so pumped to be partnering with H&M again to help announce their exciting collaboration with designer Alexander Wang! This performance wear collection is a first for the designer. It features sporty-style apparel and accessories for both men and women. The Alexander Wang X H&M line will be available online and in stores worldwide on November 6th! 

Out of all the edgy styles in the lookbook, I picked out 4 of my favorites (pictured below). I'm dying to snatch up those leggings in look #5. This is just the active wear I'll need while I try to shed this baby weight after the little guy gets here. I can't wait!

Top 10 Fall Lip Colors

Along with the changing of weather and fashion, also comes the changing of makeup styles and colors. On the lips, we typically go from bright pinks and corals, to deep reds and plums during the colder months. I've taken it upon myself to comb the internet for my top ten favorite lip colors (a few of which I have). Some are glosses, some are lipsticks. All are perfect for this fall season. 

1. Yves Saint Laurent "Prune Impertinente"

2. MAC Viva Glam "Rihanna 1"

3. BITE "Sucre"

4. LimeCrime Velvetines "Suedeberry"

5. NYX "Temptress"

6. NARS "Fanny"

7. OCC Lip Tar "Black Dahlia"

8. Marc Jacobs "Understudy"

9. Makeup Forever "Satin Mauve Pink"

10. Urban Decay "Walk of Shame"