WIWW: Olive Dress + Link Up

This is a glorified nightgown and I'm not even ashamed about it. Only being (almost!) 5'3", I've never worn dresses that hit me mid-calf...until I tried this one on!

It does come with a tie around the waist, but I'm not a fan of belting my dresses because, again, I have no torso and I'm 5'3".

The lace detail on this dress is a touch that I normally wouldn't be drawn towards, but I love it. I wore this out to a graduation party Saturday night and got so many compliments!

I guess everyone is a fan of nightgowns :)

Happy Wednesday and thanks for linking up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Whole 30 || Menu Week 1

Hello, friends! We had a great weekend and this week my kiddos take our state assessment, so prayers appreciated. Also, thanks for all the sweet comments and prayers about my Mimi's passing. My family truly appreciates it!

Now, let's get down to this Whole 30 talk. I need preface this again by saying that I am not doing it 100%. Maybe I should just call it Paleo 30? Or eating healthier 30? My doctor wants me to be taking a probiotic each morning which contains ingredients that are not Whole 30 approved. I also refuse to give up my coffee creamer at this point (read above: state assessments). And, honestly, I am wanting this to be more of a lifestyle change and not just a 30 day fix where I get to the end and want to binge on all the ice cream in the whole world!

Here was my menu for the week:

MONDAY:

Breakfast - 2 egg muffins with salsa

Lunch - grilled chicken with quinoa and kale (quinoa is not Whole 30 approved) 

Dinner - zucchini lasagna (contained a very small amount of ricotta cheese)

TUESDAY:

Breakfast - egg muffin with salsa

Lunch - zucchini lasagna

Dinner - sheet pan chicken and veggies (seriously make this!!)

WEDNESDAY: 

Breakfast - egg muffins with salsa

Lunch - zucchini lasagna 

Dinner - eggs and bacon

THURSDAY: 

Breakfast - egg muffin with salsa

Lunch - chopped BBQ pork

Dinner - grilled chicken with bacon, salsa, and avocado

FRIDAY:

Breakfast - scrambled eggs with breakfast sausage 

Lunch - grilled chicken with quinoa 

Dinner - steak, sweet potato, grilled zucchini and squash 

SNACKS:

carrots

strawberry

apple with almond butter

almonds

cantaloupe

Y'all, I've never ate this much grilled chicken in my life. And, I still think it is gross. Gimme all the friend chicken! 

This next week I am trying to be even more strict. The Sunday before I started I made a huge pan of the zucchini lasagna that contained a very small amount of ricotta cheese. It is still a really healthy meal, so I didn't want to not eat on it all week just because of the cheese. The quinoa was a random purchase at Sprouts. I was lacking in lunch ideas and was in a crunch for time and this option turned out to be something I actually could stand day after day. 

Over the weekend I cheated with a margarita (not worth it) and salmon with asparagus drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. I ordered the healthiest thing on the menu and didn't interrogate the waiter just to alter it to be Whole 30 approved. It was delicious and I felt good about my selection. Again, I am trying to make this a lifestyle change and not a 30 day fix.

I hope this helps some of you who are looking for meal ideas. I've gotten over trying to enjoy my food and, instead, I'm in the mindset to eat for nourishment. I'm hoping when I have more time this summer I can find better recipes to try!

Dressing Room Diaries

This Sunday we are taking family pictures. Like with a real photographer! I'm really excited because these will be the first 'official' family pictures we've had since Graham was born.

I knew we needed coordinating outfits, so I ran into Old Navy after work yesterday to try some stuff on and get G and Chris something to wear. 

We are taking pictures outside in a field/wooded area, so I tried sticking to neutrals. Also, I am always about comfort, so I went for things that I felt comfortable being photographed in. 

For reference, I am 5'3", athletic build. I weigh 130 pounds and like my clothes loose. I wear size 2/4 pants and my shirt/dress size ranges from XS-M depending on the style and fit. I am not large chested (obviously), so sometimes I have to size down my tops to accommodate for a low cut. 

Option #1:

I was drawn to this linen-blend romper because the stripes were subdued enough to go well with other neutrals. I also love how linen photographs. I would pair this with some brown wedges or sandals, for a more casual look.  

I have no torso and would consider myself 'hippy', so the pockets really accentuated my hips. I also loved that the straps had two adjustable lengths. Ultimately, I carried it with me to the register, but decided to go with a couple dresses below. I'm wearing a medium. 

Option#2:

I got this dress because, y'all, I felt like I was wearing a mumu!! I am alllll about the loose, flowy dresses. Although the length took me out of my comfort zone, because I tend to steer towards shorter dresses because I'm short, I couldn't help but imagine pairing this with some nude wedges or sandals and going out to dinner! 

Also, the lace detail!! I love the wider straps, too. It felt secure and had the right about of coverage for a mom worried about her little one pulling her top off (me raising hand!). There is the tie option, but I prefer it without on my frame. I'm wearing a medium, but I bought the small. The medium was just a tad too loose in the chest area. 

Option #3:

I honestly have no complaints about this dress whatsoever! What I can complain about is that I'm 5'3" and this dress was just too long for me. It is definitely meant for a taller girl. I'm wearing a medium, but sizing down didn't help the length. 

Option #4: 

The winner! Even though I got the green dress with the lace detail, this is the dress I will be wearing for our pictures! Everything about it is me, and I felt so comfortable in it! It is the perfect length, it isn't tight on my body at all, I'm obsessed with shift dresses, and it is perfect for outside pictures. 

I am going to pair it with my favorite clogs, some chunky earrings, and I'll be good to go! I'm wearing a medium. 

Option #5:

I say option 5, but this wasn't an option for pictures. This dress is just something you could live in! It is so soft!! Plus, it was really cheap! Throw it on with some Converse and you're good to go. 

I'm wearing a medium, but sized down. You can see under my arms how it was pretty big. 

Bonus:

You can never have enough pajama shorts, right?

Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!