Shabby Apple GIVEAWAY!

Oh do I have a giveaway for you!  I have the privilege of giving one Elle Apparel reader a Teacher's Pet Skirt from Shabby Apple!  You are just lucky I am currently large and in charge, or else I might be temped to keep this beauty for myself!

You must be an Elle Apparel follower to enter.  Just leave a comment saying what pieces from your fall wardrobe you would pair with this skirt.

For a second entry, visit Shabby Apple and tell me the name of one of your favorite dresses from their site.  

This giveaway will run through midnight on Thursday, Oct. 6th.  I'll announce the lucky winner Friday the 7th.

Best of luck!

secret weapon

With the dry winter months approaching, I am already needing to boost up my moisturizing routine at night.  The other day I was so sick of getting such dry skin that I dabbed on some vitamin E oil around my eyes, cheeks, and corners of my nose before heading to bed.  I totally noticed a difference in the morning, and have done the same thing every night since then.  It works wonders for dry skin, helps in the anti-aging department, and it's only a few bucks at the grocery store.  Just a little tidbit of info I thought I'd pass along.  What do you do to help your skin in the dry winter months?

giveaway skirt

Remember when I did a giveaway for a custom Socialite Skirt earlier this summer?  Well, it is off to it's lucky owner, but I snapped a few quick pictures of if before I sent it off.

Enjoy your skirt Rita! I'm sure you will look adorable in it!

facelift

Hi Friends!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  

I just wanted to let you guys know that I am currently working on giving my blog a little facelift, and I am in the market for a blog designing extraordinaire.  I just need some help with a few final tweaks.  In exchange for your services I would be happy to give a free month of Elle Apparel sponsorship/sidebar advertizing as well as a more personalized review post.  If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact me via email at contactelleapparel@gmail.com with some samples of your work.  

I'm off to attempt an anthro-inspired maxi dress that will fit over my growing bump.  I might have started hyperventilating a little while going through my closet yesterday preparing my outfit for church.  It's probably not a good sign when your totally understanding/non-judgemental husband looks at you in a potential dress option and says, "um. . . it might be the last Sunday you are able to wear that one."
Awesome.

it's a...

We are excited to welcome baby Cash into our home.  Bradley is going to love having a permanent little friend around. 

(also excited that we decided on a name before he arrived.  When Bradley was born we were still trying to decide)

navy maxi

 top: J.Crew / bag: Banana Republic / belt: vintage

I've already started making more of these beauties. What if my next 20 posts are just of maxi skirts? That might make me the lamest blogger ever.... I'll try to keep it interesting.

Welcome Sponsor: Shabby Apple

I am happy to welcome Shabby Apple as my newest sponsor!  If you haven't already, take a look around at their newest line.  It's adorable, and a great place to look for new fall pieces to add to your wardrobe.  Here are a few of my other favorite picks...

academia

el capitan

lighthouse

gondola

pizarro

The Maxi

Remember that one time I used to sew clothes?  Well cross country traveling mixed with nausea every night really put a damper on my desire to sew.  But I started getting the itch a few weeks ago with all of my gorgeous new fabric.  So I decided to ease back into my sewing machine with a simple, fabulous especially if you're pregnant, maxi skirt.

It's long and stretchy.  At this point, I can't think of a better combo.  I stocked up on knits in LA, so I have about 5 more that I want to make of this exact skirt. 


top: Cozy / necklace: J.Crew / bangles: Forever 21 / shoes: Steve Madden


UPDATE:

My Maxi skirts are available for purchase in my store, leannebarlow.com.  For those of you that would like to make your own skirt,  I have listed the tutorial for this skirt in my Esty store!

falling for fall

So, it is still a bazillion degrees here in Utah, but I have been flipping through my 750 page Vogue September issue and am seeing new fall fashions pop up all over the blogs and it is getting me excited for cooler weather and changing leaves.  It's going to get a little tricky for me being pregnant, but I'm hoping I can make most of the styles work.  Here are a few of my top pics for this season:

via

perfect fall blazers that aren't too short, with structured shoulders

anthropologie

lace galore.  I think this shirt would even work with a growing tummy.

jcrew

love these heather gray trousers, especially the cuff at the bottom.  Do these come in maternity??

anthropologie

chunky cableknit ponchos.  cozy and oversized.

 madewell

maxi skirts, maxi skirts, maxi skirts.   they were great for summer and transition perfectly into fall.  and can we say 'stretchy waistband'??  I may have a little tricks up my sleeve for creating your own perfect maxi here pretty soon....

 anthropologie

long lightweight cardigans.  love the sleeves on this one.

essie: mezmerised

pops of  cobalt are going to be everywhere, and I think a polish is a great inexpensive way to add it to your wardrobe.

madewell

flowy mid-calf skirts

j.crew

boatnecks

 maybe I can use my growing tummy as a fashion accessory.  or maybe I'll just wear a lot of black..

 but long flowy skirts are going to be my main go-to this season

any suggestions for maternity fall style?  I was pregnant with Bradley in the summer, so skirts and sandals were a no-brainer.  I think it might be a little more tricky with this one...