December 2012 | Dearest Lou

Suede Wedges from Lulus.com

I can't believe that in less than 13 hours from now (MST time that is, for some of you it may already be the new year) it will be 2013, this year has flown right by! It's crazy to think that I was pregnant for 3/4 of our newlywed life and for a majority of this year. I'm definitely excited for this upcoming year and for all of the joy that Zaden will bring into our lives. Life will never be the same but in many ways it will be so much better. We couldn't imagine life without him now that he's here (;

I'm really loving these fun wedges lulu's.com sent me to style for my postpartum series. They're really easy to take on and off since there's a zipper in the back. No need to bend over and strap on both the pretty straps! I have a feeling that I won't be wearing stilettos or any other heel other than a wedge until Zaden is a bit older and independent so these are perfect for when I want to dress a little bit fancy.

Happy almost 2013 friends! 
Outfit details: Top, c/o Sugarlips// Skirt, Lovenell// Bracelet, Wet Seal// Shoes, c/o Lulu's

Top 12 Outfits 2012


Here are my top twelve favorite outfits from this past year. It was so fun looking back and seeing all of my previous looks and all of the creative ways I dressed my changing body through my pregnancy. My goal for 2013 is to come up with more outfits that incorporate thrift/cheap finds!

2012 in Review

January:
We started off the new year in Seattle as newlyweds, I set a few goals for myself and am embarrassed to admit that I only accomplished 2/5. We celebrated Daryl's 23rd birthday by finishing off the last bit of our wedding cake. I started doing outfit posts more consistently and got more comfortable in front of the camera (geez I use to be skinny).

February:
Towards the beginning of the month we celebrated both my mama's and Natalie's birthdays. Daryl and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together as husband and wife. One morning Daryl accidentally flushed his phone down the toilet (I forgot to include that after 2 days of drying it actually worked). I had a fun girls day with two of my favorite girls. I also got pregnant sometime towards the end of this month!

March:
I just completed all of my midterms of my final semester of college and started feeling really tired (little did I know I was pregnant). This was my most successful month of posting outfit posts. I attended the BYU Blogger meetup. Daryl and I went out to sushi for St. Patricks Day. My dear friend Jessalyn gave me my copies of a photoshoot she did for her portfolio (parts 1,2,3,&4). Daryl and I hosted a small party to show our new place to some of our dear friends.

April:
Our dear friend Kevin hosted a date night at his place and we roasted marshmallows with friends. I took a pregnancy test and found out I was pregnant and this was my first outfit post after finding out the good news. Spent some quality time with some of our friends. I graduated with my four year degree!

May:
I got in a car accident on my way to visit my grandmother in the hospital, she passed away the following day. I was a bridesmaid in my friend Hillarys spring wedding. I spent my first mother's day with my mama and family. I had a lovely time shopping and eating with these three lovelies. My dearest friend Kandice tied the knot with the love of her life in Oregon.

June:
I spent many days eating froyo and hanging out with friends and family. Our dear friend Kandice helped us spill the beans about Baby Harvard and I did a pregnancy update. I wrote a letter to each of the fathers in my life on father's day. We hit our 6 month mark of marriage. I started my maternity series and we announced Baby Harvard's gender.

July:
Daryl and I spent a lot of time eating pizza and my sister spent many nights at our place. Celebrated my dads birthday. We went out with Daryl's family to the Hogle Zoo.

August:
My friend Dani and I went to the Beehive Tea Room. I caved in and bought my one and only pair of maternity bottoms. I started experiencing back pains and feeling baby Harvard move around a lot more!

September:
For an early Birthday present Daryl bought me my first DSLR camera. I had the opportunity of collaborating with Apricot Lane Boutique. I entered my final trimester of pregnancy and my sister through together an amazing baby shower. We had another ultrasound and I updated about Zaden and I.

October:
I did my first tutorial on how to make your own spiked loafers. We started and completed our 4 week lamaze course. Did many fun fall activities such as: s'mores with friends, corn maze, an adventure to cottonwood canyon, dates to gardner village and thanksgiving point, and closed off the month dressing up as hobbits.

November:
We celebrated my 21st birthday and made many final preparations for Zaden's arrival. I went to blogger's night out. Had two last minute maternity shoots, one with Daryl and one solo (here, here, and here). Gave birth to our handsome Zaden Eliot Harvard and spent the remainder of the month adjusting to life as a new mama.

December:
We gave Zaden his first sponge bath and I wrote about our first week with our little one. I ended my maternity series by writing a final letter to Zaden. We went on our first family vacation to Washington to visit Daryl's family and friends. Daryl and I celebrated one year of marriage on the 20th <3 We also spent Zaden's first Christmas with my family. December is not over yet and we will also be spending our first new years together as a family of three!

2012 has been an amazing year, I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store. Thanks so much for reading and following along, I appreciate each and every one of you!

Scenes from our Christmas

Christmas Card Picture 2012

Hey friends,

I promise I'm still alive and well, I took a tiny break from the internet/social media while we were away in Washington and over the holidays. I will be back to regular posting the remainder of this week (; 
Here's the picture we used for our Christmas card we sent out to family and friends this year. You have no idea what it took to get this picture.. we waited LAST minute and Zaden was being a little grumpygrump and didn't want to be in his Santa suit. He still looks super adorable though, don't you think? Hopefully next year it will be a little easier with a one year old! Hope you all had a great holiday!

PS: Since I didn't blog at all during the Beauty and Truth giveaway week I decided to extend the giveaway until January 1st! If you didn't have a chance to enter and would like to I'm still accepting entries here (;

Guest Post and Lovely Statement Necklace Giveaway from Beauty and Truth (CLOSED)

Happy Wednesday friends! Today I want to introduce you to my gorgeous friend Aubry from Beauty & Truth. Her pretty space of the internet includes delicious recipes, DIY's, and the occasional update on events going on at Apricot Lane Boutique! I'm a big fan of Apricot Lane Boutique and a few of you might remember the collaboration I did with them back in September here. Make sure and stop by her blog after reading her post and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end (;

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Nothing is better than a bit of bling, 
especially during the holiday season.  

I'm Aubry, blogger of beauty & truth and recent re-discoverer of flannel. It is my new favorite go-to.  It never fails to keep me warm and looking like a little lumberjack--flannel is the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season. Mix it, match it and pair it with colored cords and jewels . . . 

. . . custom-made jewels from Apricot Lane Boutique in Provo, Utah. Each piece makes a statement with its large stones and beautiful, eclectic design.  

Did I mention that you won't find these pieces at any other boutique? This collection of jewelry can only be purchased from one of six Apricot Lane locations, meaning it's very unlikely that you'll ever show up to a party flashing the same jewels as Betty, Suzy or Sally. 

So, 'tis the season to stack on the jewels.  You'll be quite glad that you did.

The statement necklace pictured above can be yours 
c/o Apricot Lane Boutique

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Isn't that necklace absolutely breath taking? It would make an excellent statement piece for your new years eve outfit (;

For one entry, you must:
1) Follow Beauty & Truth via GFC 

Additional entries:
*Like Apricot Lane on facebook
*Follow Dearest Lou (in your comment let me know how you follow)
*Mention this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter, or blog and leave the URL

Make sure you leave a separate comment for each additional entry. Thanks friends and good luck!

*This giveaway is open until January 1st @ 11:50 pm MST to readers with a US mailing address only. Winner will be announced on or after Wednesday January 2nd. Winner will have 7 days to claim their prize by emailing me at dearestlou at gmail.com or another winner will be selected and contacted via email. Winner will be chosen randomly using random.org.


Psst--Click here to see if you are the winner of the Fashion 87 Giveaway!


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Update: January 2, 2012 

Knitted Cut Out Sweater and Gold Chains

On Thursday we are going up to Washington to visit Daryl's family. We are traveling on an airplane with a three week old, anyone have any tips? I'm hoping the flight goes well and that if I breastfeed or have his pacifier in during departure and arrival that it will help calm him down while his ears adjust to the pressure. Thursday is also mine and Daryl's one year wedding anniversary! Man did this year fly by and so did my pregnancy. If you would have told me at this time last year that I would be a mama to an almost 1 month old I wouldn't have believed you. It's funny how life works out sometimes (;
Outfit details: Sweater, c/o Chicnova// Skirt&Gold Chains, Forever 21// Shirt, c/o Kingdom & State//Heels,(buy them here for $8.65!)// Lipstick, Lancome Retro Rouge

My Boys

We went on our first date to see The Hobbit this past Friday without Zaden and it was so hard to be away from his cute little face. I just couldn't stop thinking about the little guy and how much of a blessing he is in my life. The past three weeks have been awesome and I wouldn't trade the lack of sleep or frustration for anything in the world! I have the best husband and the most adorable baby boy.
I don't need anything else, just as long as I get to keep spending time with them<3

Postpartum Style with Lulus.com

I'm thrilled to announce my newest blog series with all of you lovely readers! Since the maternity series was such a success, I decided I wanted to do a postpartum series for the next couple of weeks. I've teamed up with my lovely sponsor Lulus.com and they let me pick out a few items from their online store to incorporate into my outfits (;

When I first laid my eyes on this top I knew I had to have it! It is the perfect top for breast feeding my little one. All of you mamas out there know they practically eat every hour on the hour the first few weeks! Not only is it convenient for breast feeding but it's super comfortable, stylish, and affordable!

I decided to style the top  with my pretty feather necklace from f21 and these lovely aqua blue cowboy boots! The teal added a bit more color to this outfit and I'm all about adding more color (;
Outfit details: Top+Boots, c/o Lulu's.com// Jeans, Gap// Necklace, Forever 21// Lipstick, Revlon Siren

Pssst!-- Lulu*s is offering Dearest Lou readers an exclusive discount now through December 20th! Use coupon code: DEARESTLOU at checkout for 15% off your entire order. Can only be used once, happy shopping friends (;