This post may contain affiliate links.
cabi McQueen Coat (wearing XS) | cabi Replay Top (wearing Small) | Madewell Maternity Jeans ON SALE! (size down one size from usual denim size) | Marc Fisher Boots (TTS)
And just like that, it’s almost November! I’m soaking up the last few days of October. My birthday is on the 30th and then, of course, Halloween is on the 31st. Although the holiday will look different this year, I always look forward to seeing pictures of all of my friends kiddos in their cute Halloween costumes!
The first week of November is sure to be a doozy. I’m hopeful for a positive result on Tuesday. Friendly reminder to make a voting game plan if you haven’t already voted! Check to see where your polling station is located and make a plan for when you’re going to vote. Every vote counts.
Before I get too far ahead, let’s take a look back at October and chat about the blog posts you loved, the items you clicked on the most, and more! If you’re interested in past Monthly Recaps, you can check them out here!
Travel Recap
Swim Top (old J.Crew) | Swim Bottom (old VS) | White Button Down (old Madewell, similar) | Amazon Sunglasses | Gorjana Necklaces here & here
Michael and I actually went somewhere besides our parents’ houses! We left Houston last Wednesday and headed out on a 2+ week road trip. I was anxious (and still am) about Covid and second guessed our decision to head out on the road (and still have moments), but so far, 99% of people in the places we’ve been have been wearing masks and have been respectful of social distancing.
We made a pitstop at Michael’s parents’ house in Baton Rouge for night one of our trip (4 hours from Houston) and then ventured on to Birmingham (6 hours from Baton Rouge) with a quick leg stretch in Laurel, MS to see the HGTV Home Town shops! We spent this past weekend in Birmingham and then headed straight south to The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, AL (4 hours from Birmingham).
We’re at The Grand through this Thursday. The Grand Hotel has been pretty empty, which in a Covid world is nice. I haven’t seen one other person besides the housekeeping lady on our floor since we’ve been here. And there have been max 15ish people at the huge pool area at a time. I had the whole beach area to myself on Monday!
Hurricane Zeta clouded up most of Tuesday and it’s supposed to rain for most of the day today (Wednesday). Although it’s not ideal, I’m just happy to be working from somewhere else besides my home office in Houston this week. It’s definitely been a nice physical and mental escape!
Wellness this Month
Amazon Dress (not maternity, wearing a medium)
I’m well into my second trimester, which is wild. I’ve been feeling really good since around 16 weeks (currently 23 weeks along).
A few interesting (?) side effects so far this trimester … my wedding rings no longer fit. My hands are swollen and a bit stiff, especially in the mornings. I added my rings to one of my necklaces that I never take off. At least while we’re still traveling on our road trip I plan to keep them there. The dark line that appears on pregnant women’s abdomen – the linea alba – mine has made its appearance! So strange. And one not so fun side affect – acne. I’ve never had an issue with back breakouts before, but LORD! Maybe I’m just being dramatic because it has never been a problem area for me, but it’s there, and something I’m just rolling with since it’s hard to find safe products to treat breakouts when you’re pregnant.
The best part of the second trimester has been feeling all of the baby kicks! He’s pretty active in there. I can feel him moving around throughout the day. And Michael has been able to catch him moving a few times too!
I mentioned this in last month’s recap, but one thing (among many) that I’m thankful for with this pregnancy is that I was already using clean products in our home (Branch Basics – Get 10% OFF your Starter Kit with code COBALT) and clean skincare, makeup, and body care products. One less thing to worry about with all of the wellness changes and dos and don’ts that come along with being pregnant.
On the body movement piece of my wellness practice, I’ve been LOVING the Peloton app for at home workouts! I added a new set of weights, yoga blocks, and a yoga strap to our “home gym” (aka our empty dining room). Peloton offers so many different types of classes (I like the strength and yoga classes), both live and on-demand. You don’t need the bike to join the app. Even after the free trial, the subscription is only $12.99/month, which to me, is totally reasonable. It’s been great for traveling too!
It’s important to me to keep up with my workout routine as much as possible during pregnancy so I’m really happy that I’ve been able to do that thus far. I’ve been incorporating weekend walks and even tennis(!) into my weekend routine.
A couple of recent wellness-related posts:
- Best Pregnancy Safe Skincare: My Current Morning Skincare Routine
- Isle of Paradise Mousse Review (Clean Beauty Product)
- Best Non Toxic Cookware: GreenPan Review
- Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation vs. Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation vs. Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer What’s the Difference?!
- Review of 3 Clean Dry Shampoos: Rahua, Briogeo, Playa
Most Read Blog Posts
Amazon Sweater (apricot, wearing small) | Lululemon Wunder Under Leggings (wearing size 6) | Golden Goose Sneakers (usually a size 7, I wear a 37 in GG) | Gorjana Necklaces (here & here) | Gorjana Huggie Earrings | Golden Thread Bracelets (here, here, here, here) | Amazon Sunglasses
I always find it interesting to see what you’re enjoying reading the most! Here are the most read blog posts from the month!
- October Amazon Favorites – Best Amazon Finds
- Beautycounter Holiday Sets 2020 + Fresh Fall Beauty is HERE!
- Five Fun Finds
- Five Best Fall Sweaters
- Instagram Outfit Roundup
Items You’re Loving the Most
Along with the most read blog posts of the month, I love seeing what you’re shopping! As a little behind the scenes, on the backend, I can see the most clicked on items out of the items I share. I love seeing what’s catching your eye!
- Topshop Cardigan (I have a size regular XS, seen wearing here)
- Madewell Maternity Jeans ON SALE! (size down one size from usual Madewell denim size; I usually wear size 26 in Madewell denim, wearing size 25 in these maternity jeans, seen wearing here)
- Amazon Fall Sweater (I have a size small in color apricot, seen wearing here)
- Marc Fisher Boots (TTS, seen wearing here)
- Topshop Space Dye Sweater ON SALE! (TTS, I have a size small, seen wearing here)
A Look Ahead to November
I’m anxious about Election Day but looking forward to fully embracing an early holiday season! Even though things will certainly look different this year, Thanksgiving is one of my favorites. Already looking forward to spending time with family and putting up Christmas decorations extra early this year … 😉
Cheers to a new month!
