Gracefully Sassy

Houston Fashion Blogger

Real Feelings On Babymoons & My Love For Toyota

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Happy Tuesday! TACOS, TACOS, TACOS… that’s usually the only thing Tuesday means for me lol, especially these days.
I thought it was about time to talk babymoon vacations with y’all now that I am in my second trimester just trucking along at 22 weeks. Before I was pregnant I was ALL about a babymoon! Like I wanted to burst every budget in mind and take a gorgeous tropical, and relaxing vacation with Kyle before said baby was due to arrive. Welllllll fast forward to being actually pregnant. My thoughts on this idea have totally changed.

We took a family vacation to Miami, FL in December. It was nice being out of the cold and escaping all the holiday hustle and bustle for beachside views. I thought I would totally enjoy soaking up the sun, relaxing, (my favorite past time) and shopping, but yeah that was a total NO GO! I was 6.5 weeks pregnant and experiencing nausea and exhaustion. Those two things combined will make anyone a not so pleasant person to be around. I had MAJOR food aversion too, so enjoying all the tasty delights were out of the question for me. There were a few good times that I didn’t feel like death warmed over that I highly suggest for you to do if you plan to visit Miami/Florida Keys. I have them listed below with the direct links. These were able to turn my frown upside down so definitely add them to your bucket list while visiting these areas!

Toyota so wonderfully let us test the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid while we were there. It was fantastic! I come from a family of Toyota lovers and honestly, I don’t have a negative thing to say about the brand. This particular car was truly wonderful to drive. It handled super well.  We were surprised at how quiet it was but I assume that has something to do with “hybrid” part of the vehicle. Gas mileage was awesome, and every bell and whistle featured on the vehicle was very impressive. Okay now for my FAVORITE part of the car, the back seat! Haha, I bet that wasn’t what you were thinking. A lot of 4-door sedan vehicles have manufactured their backseat to be “sporty”, but the problem in there lies that they are usually very uncomfortable. This back seat was super spacious and very comfortable! It really impressed me as far as being a wonderful family vehicle, not to mention that Toyotas are made so well they last for what feels like forever.

All in all, babymoons aren’t for me. I am even sad to say it because a vacation would be nice. But it wouldn’t be the vacation I want just due to everything that goes along with pregnancy. Kyle and I are already talking about taking a vacation next year just the two of us that I am sure will be necessary for us newbie exhausted parents. Not to mention, I will actually like to eat and be able to have some of my favorite cocktails while enjoying some relaxing time away. Kyle has already said we are not letting this vacation go by the wayside since the babymoon idea isn’t for this momma! Simply put, everything you may have thought you wanted during pregnancy could change, and it’s totally A-OKAY. Give yourself a break.. you’re growing a human. Just go with the flow and try to enjoy all of the moments just you and your baby.



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20 Week Bumpdate & Easter Dresses Under $100

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Photography By: BanAvenue

20 WEEKS! I am most definitely excited to be halfway through my pregnancy and that much closer to little man living outside of my body, snuggled in my arms. To be honest, I can’t complain because lately he has been giving momma a break and making things a lot more manageable. Buuuuut there has been interesting things that led up to this better time in my pregnancy. I am not really sure what you might want to know in these “bumpdates”, but here goes some key things that have happened so far.

  • Up until around 14 weeks I was dog sick and lost weight. If you have read my previous posts this was something I was attributing to us having a girl, but BOY was I wrong 😉 I totally hated to eat because nothing went over well, and nothing ever sounded good to eat. Luckily we are in a new phase where I like to eat.
  • Cravings: I thiiiink I crave Chinese food and pizza a lot. I say I think because I am not sure, it’s just the two things that always sound good and taste delicious. Husband is more than tired of eating these two food groups and begs we get something different most days. Yes, pizza is a food group as far as I am concerned.
  • Yep, I am about to say it.. constipation is a real thing during pregnancy! For me it really didn’t start until around 14 weeks when I began to not experience as much morning sickness. I could have implemented Metamucil and things of that sort, but I have just tried a more so called natural approach with changing things in my diet. I am typically eating an egg white based breakfast, green leafy lunch, and dinner is 50/50 on healthy cooking or one of the two “cravings” above. lol. The key word is try. It seems to keep me regular as far as what being regular is while pregnant.
  • Strangest of things thus far: I began to produce a extremely small amount of colostrum. I had a total freak out session when I first noticed it because I automatically assumed it had to be a sign of preterm labor because it was way too early for this to be happening. I phoned the doctor and apparently it’s SUPER normal!
  • 18 week movement: Again.. I thiiiiiink I felt him move for the first time at 18 weeks. I didn’t have the emotional tears of happiness I thought I was suppose to have because I was laughing so hard. It for me felt like constant tickles on the inside for 10 seconds at a time. And of course he was doing this at bedtime when I am trying to sleep but can’t because I am laughing so hard! Apparently this is normal? and what a lot of women refer to as flutters when describing the feeling. Simply put, it tickles!
  • Yes, Baby Boy has a name and I will be revealing that in my next blog post that concerns “bumpdates” 🙂

Now that all the baby fun is out of the way, let’s talk Easter fashion! I love this dress I scoped up from Nasty Gal, but by the time I got it in it was already sold out. So I am linking other favorites below that are non-maternity, (but could still totally fit a growing bump) and under $100. This will leave your wallet with a little extra to splurge on mimosas after Sunday Easter church service!




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Boy Oh Boy

Boy Oh Boy did I get the surprise of a lifetime this weekend. First, I will start by telling you all the things leading up to our gender reveal.

Like I have said before, I was pretty sick up until around 15 weeks. I have been feeling like a normal human being the past week and a half which has been wonderful. Although, just a heads up for anyone of you ladies who don’t know. Just because you feel like you’re 100% doesn’t mean you just push full steam ahead. It will totally kick your butt if you do. I learned this the hard way so I thought letting you know might save you some backaches, lol. So moving on, We did our Panorama genetic testing in which we also requested our gender be found out that way as well when I was 11 weeks. I got the results in 5 days so yep I have had MAJOR self-control in not opening the envelope so we could be surprised when I was 16.5 weeks at our gender reveal. To be honest, I was getting super anxious this past week from not knowing so I don’t suggest you draw it out too long for your pregnancies.

Around 14 weeks I got this idea in my head we were having a girl. I had no proof of any kind, it was just an idea my mind cooked up. Until this point I had absolutely no clue. As those two weeks went along before our reveal I started finding evidence to back up this “idea” such as I was super sick and people have said this generally happens when you have a girl. Also, baby’s heart beat is right over 140 bpm which people have also said you’re more likely to be carrying a girl. Annnnd last but not least, the Chinese calendar test said we were also having a girl. I figured with all this so called evidence I had found we were definitely having a girl.

The week of the reveal I would have put some big bucks on it that Baby H was a girl (so glad I didn’t go and do that)! Even before we busted the piñata open that was holding the secret, I was telling all of our friends and family that I hoped Kyle wasn’t going to be sad because I was dead sure we’re having a little princess. Hahaha, I laugh as I type this because I was the fool in for the big surprise. Not that I was ANY bit sad, I was oh so very shocked!

Well, the piñata’s bottom didn’t fall open like it was designed to when Kyle and I pulled the ribbons. We pulled and nothing happened. Kyle had to stick his hand in the hole that confetti and candy were supposed to fall out of and rip it apart. But before he ripped the hole large enough for everything to fall through, he saw something dangling and grabbed it to throw it out. I happened to see it and instantly saw it was blue and Lord have mercy, my face was mouth wide open, eyebrows as high as they could be saying “Oh My Gosh, It’s A Boy!”. No one picked it up on it because they were waiting for the piñata to bust with the surprise. Seconds later, the piñata let the secret out, with Kyle’s help, and everyone screamed “It’s a BOY”. Again, I was still shell shocked, but so happy to find out I am officially a Boy Mom!

I am sorry I am super behind on blog posts, and I do know this is a fashion blog where I share my life and experiences through fashion, so you have my word the next post will be fashion forward with life updates. I do have to tell you I wore the cutest romper for our gender reveal, and since I know you will love it I linked the exact one below! Also, linked are jumpsuit versions that are flying off the shelves as we speak. Sooo until (finger’s crossed, next week) the next blog post, I will be planning lots of spring fashion inspiration and some bump updates so please let me know what you would like me to share there. I may give you too much TMI updates if not, lol.



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Oooh Baby, Baby!

valentine's baby announcement, pregnancy announce, first trimesterPhotography By: Swish & Click Photography

It took me forever to come up with a title for this blog post, and then BAM! this song came into my head lol. So I didn’t even make it to the second half of the Super Bowl came last night. This momma was asleep by 8:30! I stayed up long enough to watch my first crush ever totally kill it. I know not everyone may agree but he can do no wrong in my book. Who’s with me when it came to having to DVR This Is US? To be honest, I am not sure I can handle watching it but I am going to attempt it tonight after work. I may end up having a total cry session with you all on Instastories later so sorry in advance.

I can’t say I am being extra emotional these days, I feel like my pretty usual emotional self. Although, this month is Valentine’s Day, and my second favorite holiday Mardi Gras so it does bring out my big heart happiness a little more so than say March or September. Annnnd my sweet fur baby PoBoy Daniels turns 4 next week! I am a total dog mom and want him to be in our family forever so I always hate the fact he is getting older. But I still spoil him extra on his birthday even though I am sure he has no idea what day it is, haha. Lately PoBoy has been bugging Kyle and I about getting him a sibling so this year he is getting an extra special Valentine’s Day present.
We are expecting his baby brother or baby sister in August!

Yep, it’s happening! We’re having a baby. Kyle and I are over so over moon and I think me more than him is still having a “pinch me” moment. I have been super sick and exhaaaauuusted this first trimester. It seriously sucks. I am so thankful God has blessed up with this pregnancy, but for reals this ain’t easy. Now that I am 13 weeks hoping to start turning a corner?! Who knows. For now, I just take it day by day and try to go along with whatever baby is signaling that they want.

I get asked frequently about food cravings, body changes, ect. I am not sure if that’s something you may want me to blog about, but it seems a lot of readers like “bump updates” I will start to implement those. But I am being honest in advance, I will be totally honest and not sugar coat things. And I will be reaching out to you for advice since I am TOTALLY new in this department haha.



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Tips For Making The Most Of Valentine’s Day

Baby, I’m BAAACK! You may or may not have noticed but I have not been active on social media or on this sassy space of mine in a month and a half. WOW I feel like I need to facetime each and everyone of you to see how you’re because it has been too long. Not to go into too much detail, but I have been battling sickness and extreme exhausting which has literately left me no creative energy what so ever which is just sad in it’s self. You all are so awesome and being able to communicate with each of you on here and social media is so special to me so here I am running on maybe 10% battery but super excited to be back!

Two week, yes less than two weeks until Valentine’s Day. To be honest I think I build this day up in my mind more than I should which typically means disappointment. That is not a negative reflections on my hubs, because he totally tries and blows it out of the park with thoughtfulness. I just mean like the day it’s self and expecting to be all dolled up for him even if we do a date night in and having loads of energy even after a hectic day at work. HA! That’s not reality and I need to have a serious “get over yourself” talk with myself. This year I am making EVERY effort to make the day special for both of us and set zero expectations so it will be perfect however it all comes together. Here are the tips I have truly found essential for Kyle and I to have a special day of love together.

  • Don’t set expectations! Go into Valentine’s just knowing it will be wonderful because you will see, talk, or spend time with the person or people you love.
  • You have children? Try to do something special for them (you DON’T have to break the bank). I have great memories of being made feel special at home by my parents that I never was sad if I didn’t get attention from a boy at school. I knew I was loved and special.
  • Personally, I wouldn’t advise to celebrating the day early. Whenever we have done that in the past it leaves me feeling empty and like I need to do something, anything for him on the actual day. Like I said, even if you pop popcorn and enjoy a movie together on the couch with some Hershey kisses you can make THE day special!
  • I can’t say, “don’t go to a nice dinner”. When we have had actual time to not rush, dress up, and go enjoy a nice meal it has always been a memorable experience. Buuuut this isn’t a necessity. We don’t have any plans to do this routine this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be totally culinary gods in the kitchen (haha, only kidding). This is a super fun way to do something together all while trying a new recipe and having a special meal together on the day of love.
  • Single?! Galentine’s Day is seriously so much fun. Grab your gal pals and go get sushi, drink the whole bottle of champagne and laugh until you cry. It will seriously make you love the day of love. If you and your gals prefer to stay in, order the best pizza in town, tell every gal to bring their favorite vino and have a wine tasting while watching bridesmaids. Now that’s a fun night right there!

All in all, make the most out of your day of love. You don’t have a significant other, kiddos, or anything else. You can simply make the day a day to love yourself for all your amazing qualities! Maybe next week I will have a real plan for our Valentine’s Day festivities but then again let’s be real.. I probably still won’t have anything put together lol.



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