Let’s be real, when it comes to wisely spending my money I teeter on that budget life vs. quality over quantity.

I believe in quality that lasts over quantity when it comes to the pieces I buy, which is why I really don’t spend my money on places like Forever 21 or Target- not because I am above that… like at all. I had to close my eyes at the cute dresses at Target right now when I was there a couple days ago! But because when it comes to wisely spending my monthly budget for clothes to share with you guys I would rather share things I believe are truly worth your money that will last rather than cute dresses or tops that will be done for in 6 months. Make sense? If I had money to toss around, I would buy cute pieces that are going to die on me quickly. But, I actually believe in spending more so you have to buy less often. I certainly live on a budget, and thanks to my husband who is way better with money than I am, we know where every penny we have is going each month. But with my closet, I tend to have more expensive taste and with that also means I have a closet of quality items I truly LOVE and know I can walk in and put together a look in seconds that I will feel 100 in.

Things I rarely skimp on…

Jeans: I spend money on quality denim, then I know no matter what I pair them with it will look good and -most importantly- they will last. I have had the same go-to Madewell denim for two years, y’all. TWO YEARS. Worth the $130 I spent on them.

Shoes: I spend good money on anything versatile that I will get a lot of wear out of. For example, these wrap-up nude heels from Steve Madden have lasted me 3 years. Worth every $$ I spent on them.

Here is a very similar pair: 

Basics: This white peplum tee from Landry Kate is a basic I can dress a million different ways, so though a bit more $$ for a white tee, it’s worth every dollar for you to get. I literally have worn in 3 completely different ways in the matter of a week before. You can see more of my “worth it” basics buys here.

When it comes to fun pieces, I will spend moderately on them if it’s something I can dress a variety of ways. This blush bomber jacket is an example of a piece I can dress up, like here with a peplum tee and heels, or down with my workout clothes on my way back from Pure Barre. But then on the flip side of cost, I just bought a very girly and frilly top specifically for Valentines Day that looks expensive but was only $27 from ASOS. I will wear it for more than just Valentines Day, I am sure, but it’s certainly not an every day item I would spend $$$ on.

My jacket is sold out, but here are similar ones and the top from ASOS:

You following my logic?

All in all, I am more inclined to have a wardrobe of 20 quality and versatile pieces I can interchange for 40+ outfits I LOVE rather than a closet stocked full of cheap pieces that will die out on me in 6 months. This past month I spent my budget on shoes, because I knew I needed some but I spent a week thinking through my outfits for the upcoming season and what’s in my closet in order to come to the conclusion I need a pair of flats and a pair of fancy sneakers I can dress up or down. Literally, A WEEK of thinking through my money and what different stores had to make the best choice for my budget without skimping on quality. I found a pair of flats that I would call moderately priced ($60)  that look like a pair of $600 flats by Chloe. As for fancy sneakers I can dress up or down, I found these platform tennis shoes on sale for $35. (SAY WHAAAAA) Because they were on sale, I was able to do both. Bonus, if dropping $130 on a pair of jeans just isn’t in the books for you right now- I get it!- I found this pair of jeans to try out for you from Nordstrom for less than $50 that fit like a glove. They were SO surprising! SUCH a good buy for denim that feels like a million bucks. I cannot, however, speak yet to how long they last. Give me 6 months of wearing them and I will check back in for you on that.

My make-up routine- another thing I don’t skimp on:

xoxo, Han

All photos by Cottonwood Road Photography for The Cake by Hannah

You could most definitely say I am a creature of habit, and really easy to please. I find my favorite things and stick to them. I have had the same favorite movies since middle school, and watch them over and over. I eat the same things most days. I have the same daily routine (and def need one to stay on top of things). Lately I have 5 new things I’ve had on repeat and am seriously loving, and I think you need them, too. 😉

1. Orgain Protein Bars– Listen, my husband is the master of coming home from Costco with random stuff we either don’t need or (often) already have but he forgot. 😉 BUT this one was a major win! These protein bars are so yummy, filling, the perfect snack for in between feedings (because, holy smokes I am hungry all the time), and I love dipping them in my afternoon coffee.
   
   
2. Block Heel Bootie- I wear these with EVERYTHING. Dresses, both casual and fancy, jeans and cardigans, nice denim with blouses… the list continues. They are way more versatile than I ever thought they’d be, the Chelsea Boot look threw me off for a while to getting them TBH, but I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I wear them. Unfortunately, my exact pair is sold out, but I found some look-alikes that are the same price range that I paid.
   
   
3. High-Waisted Denim- Never have I loved it more than I do now post-baby. Madewell 9 and 10 inch hi-rise denim was already all I bought before (see my go-to basics shopping guide), but now it’s my life saver. As a woman who is 5’1, hi-rise does wonders for making me look taller. Now, it also sucks in those last few pounds I need to drop before I am back to pre-pregnancy weight AND it feels like a girdle for my c-section incision. It feels like a win-win situation. 😉 These are my current obsession below, the new hi-rise button up pair from Madewell, but I also found a pair of dupes for near half the cost. The dupes are mid-rise, but have the same look. They just wont be quite as much of a hi-waisted look.
   
   
   
   4. Pink Bomber Jacket-  Landry Kate does it again y’all. This jacket is perfect for layering and will transition into spring perfectly. I have worn it with my favorite peplum tee (also from LK- here), and it makes for a sweet outfit… paired of course with my block heeled bootie. Insert emoji girl with the presentation arm here.
   5. Milk Snob– This is my top 5 must-have new mommy item. It’s made going back out into public settings really easy and anxiety free with Knox, because it covers up his carrier, basically transforming it into a sanitary incubator. My first Sunday back on the platform leading worship was my first time to leave him in the nursery. I was terrified, mostly because of the flu outbreak, but I requested the nursery just keep him in the carrier with this over him in the crib (lol), and I knew he was safe! It’s seriously been so helpful- get one, you need it. Of course it will also aid in public feedings once that bridge to cross comes.

   Instagram Round-Up

   Some of my most liked and asked about Instagrams from the last week or so are below with links to everything. You can ALWAYS shop my posts with a liketoknow.it link on a photo by liking it or screen-shotting and checking your liketoknow.it app (free app to download and easy to use!), or by going to the Shop My Looks page on the site, here. 

   Milestone Blanket: Dashing Fox Co.
   
   Denim|Bootie (best look-alike)| Look-alike Sweaters: Here, Here, Here | Floral Blouse (look-alike)
   

   

   
   Je Suis a Vous Tee | Here
   

   

   
   Denim (look-alike) | Jacket | OTK Boot
   

   
   
   
   His Tee | His Shoes | Tan Bootie| Duster Cardigan (look-alike)
   
   

   Denim Look-Alikes: 
   

   
   
   

With so much of the attention on me as the mommy during my pregnancy, I really wanted to do something special for Paul before Knox came. Like, sure, I am the one carrying the baby but Paul had a lot to do with that (lol), AND his life is changing drastically, too. We had three baby showers, but he was only at one. I really wanted him to feel the excitement of opening gifts like I had the chance to at my ladies only baby showers, so I had him open them all up at our family shower. I loved watching him get so excited! Before bub got here, I really wanted to get Paul a special gift- a new dad bag filled with goodies that he could feel sleek carrying around all the diapers and necessities that could function well for work, too.

I surprise him with this amazing backpack we had found together, and I filled it up with fun items.

The Ultimate Dad Bag

We searched a lot for one that Paul loved (which is hard… he is picky) and he found this amazing bag from The Littles Shop. It’s so cool! It has so many pockets for dad to fill on the inside with the baby goodies, two bottle pockets on either side inside the bag, a large center main space, and a spot for a water bottle for dad on the outside, and Paul even throws his laptop and snacks in the front pocket for the day. It’s the PERFECT bag for him! The gray was by far our favorite- it’s the perfect shade.

Papa Bear Baseball Tee

I got a mama bear tee for Mother’s Day this past year (early on in our pregnancy), and I wanted Paul to have a cozy papa bear sleep shirt! It was a cute addition to fill his dad bag gift. Find here. 

Sweatshirt

Paul loves The Clippers (don’t ask me why- he just literally chose them to be his team a few years ago with zero ties other than loving Chris Paul). SOOOO, when he found this sweatshirt, he had to have it. I was so excited to surprise him with it in his dad bag. He literally has worn it every day for the last two weeks. Get here.

Giraffe Diapers: here

Dude Onesie: here (this one was a gift to us, but it’s a cute idea to fill his dad bag with baby clothes that are “daddy” inspired.)

Other Post Details:

My top and vest are from Landry Kate – give them a call or DM on Instagram for either item!

Shopping for those girlies in your life, in my opinion, is the most fun! I love finding that great accessory or piece of clothing I think they need or great make-up and skincare for them to test out. I seriously love buying gifts for my gal pals, and it’s always so hard to narrow down what to get. There are years my grandma knitted scarves for all of my friends in custom colors I picked for them according to their style, candles and cards, my favorite make-up choices, gift cards to special date nights with their boo… I LOVE tailoring gift ideas for people.

Below you will find my top favorite current items and things I have on my own Christmas wish list. I first and foremost love supporting smaller shops, so I have a couple of my favorites (including The Cake Shop… duh) for you to gander through.

All photos by Cottonwood Road Photography for The Cake by Hannah

My Outfit Details

Boutique Skincare: I have been using A’del Natural Cosmetics for about 6 months now, and I love it. I wear their cream foundation and powder every day. They just did a huge rebrand and launched their very own skincare line. After three weeks of using it consistently, my skin is GLOWING (and it’s NOT just because I am pregnant). In fact, sleep has been minimal, so I can assure you I am not glowing because of pregnancy. My skin tone is more even, and so soft to the touch. And, everything is natural! I feel great putting it on my skin, and I know my little chunker who I will be kissing non-stop in the coming days will be just fine touching my skin and breathing in what I have on.

Young Living: I have mentioned them throughout my pregnancy, and though I am not your diffuse them all hours of the day kind of oils user, I do believe in Essential Oils and have the whole starter kit. (c/o of my momma!) I started using them for my anxiety attacks last winter and have slowly added to my collection until my mom just finally sent me the whole starter kit. She is incredibly knowledgable of them and has an amazing team of women she leads who also believe wholeheartedly in these and can teach you anything you could ever want to know! This would make for a GREAT gift. It’s pretty (sorry, but I am all about aesthetics), you get a diffuser, and it is filled with the top 11 most used oils. (Lavender and peppermint are my go-to ones from it!) The best way to get the starter kit is by signing up and ordering your whole kit here. Then type in 2289666 for the enroller and sponsor IDs!

Staying Stylish by Candace Cameron Bure: I had the opportunity to team up with Zondervan and get Candace’s brand new book, Staying Stylish, before anybody else. It’s SO CUTE, first of all- it makes for a great coffee table book. And, it’s packed full of fun stylish tips, health and fitness tips, and so much more!

Shop Small Items:

The Cake Shop

Signature Sweatshirt (Grey) | Signature Sweatshirt (Blue) | Merry & Bright Tee | Joy to the World Tee | Blush Tapestry Weaving | Blue Tapestry Weaving | Chip & Jo Tee | Cozy Farmhouse Sign |

Auj Poj

Always More Bar Necklace | Always More Dad Hat |

Soul Scripts 

Brokenness Welcome Hat | Sweatshirt |

Gift Guide