April 2016 | Dearest Lou

Polka Dots and Checkered Print







*photos taken at 16w4d pregnant

Alice's Pig Django Skirt || Forever 21 Polka Shirt (similiar) || Nadelle Chelsea Boots (on sale!)

Who else is loving this rainy spring weather? I have always been a fan of the rain and overcast weather. Although I am excited about summer I'm also a bit terrified of how hot it will be being in my third trimester during the hottest months in Utah.

Speaking of pregnancy, this pregnancy is flying by! I'm 18w1d today and can't believe the halfway mark is slowly creeping up. We're going to find out this baby's gender mid next month when my in-laws are in town and I'm so excited. I have no motherly intuition what-so-ever but Daryl keeps insisting it's a girl so we shall see!

I'm still wearing both maternity and non-maternity clothing. This shirt is one I have had since high school and is easily one of my favorite layering pieces. I paired it with my new Django skirt from Alice's Pig. I ordered a size up so I could wear it throughout pregnancy and just plan on taking it in a couple inches when the time comes. I think it's the perfect length (I'm 5ft5.5 fyi), the handkerchief hem, and deep pockets! I highly recommend checking it out here.

*Linking up with: On Trend Tuesdays (hosted by: Sandy & Kileen)

Laser Cut Handbag Giveaway









*photos taken at 16.5 weeks pregnant

Pavilion Gift Laser Cut Handbag || Dress || Lace-up Flats

Happy Friday friends!

I haven't been as great as keeping up with my blog so far this month as I originally hoped due to spending more of my free time focusing on my photography. Ever since my nausea went away a few weeks ago I have been back at it at full force and have found a new drive and passion in it again. If you are ever wondering what I would love to have you follow along over @cecharvard or check out the #cecharvard hashtag to see my latest work. I'm hoping to have my updated portfolio up and running this weekend and blogging my latest mama and daughter session.

Aside from doing photography and balancing mama, wife, and social activities I have been feeling much better! Last week I felt Baby 2 move for the first time and I can't wait to find out what we are having on May 11th. My bump still plays peek-a-boo and isn't out in full force yet but is growing more and more each day.

Today's look features this gorgeous laser cut bag from Pavilion Gift! You might remember my last post and bag I featured from them and to say I'm obsessed with their gorgeous bags would be an understatement. This White/Blush version of the bag is perfect for Mother's Day and I was in need of a pretty white bag.

I have teamed up with Pavilion Gift once again to giveaway a laser cut handbag in the color of winners choice (color options: white/blush, teal/chocolate, or black/purple).

To enter, simply visit Pavilion Gift and fill out the rafflecopter widget below so I can keep track of your entries. The more entries you complete the better chance you have of winning. Giveaway is open to US/Canadian Dearest Lou readers only thru April 21st at 11:59PM EST. If your twitter, facebook, or instagram profile is on P R I V A T E please set your settings to P U B L I C on April 22, 2016 since I will be verifying the random winners entries at that time, private profiles will not be eligible of winning. Winners will be announced here on or after April 22nd and contacted via email shortly after.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Virtual Baby Shower Giveaway

I have teamed up with a group of amazing mamas and companies to giveaway the ultimate new mama gift package!  You read that right, one of you will win ALL of these items!

virtual-baby-shower

Here's a little bit about each of the items up for grabs:

HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper LUXEHALO Innovations is excited to announce a new arrival to its family of safe sleep products – the HALO Bassinest Swivel Sleeper LUXE.  The HALO Bassinest LUXE Series includes a soothing center with night light, 3 lullabies, 3 soothing sounds, 2 levels of vibration, a nursing timer and a coordinating storage caddy that provides additional space to keep baby’s essentials right at your fingertips. It also features a new floor light to help you see without disturbing your baby or your partner - ideal for helping you see the floor when getting in and out of bed. The HALO Bassinest has a unique dual-swivel design, which allows baby to sleep as close as Mom wants - even right next to her in bed.  It is the only bassinet that moves to bring baby to Mom.  It allows baby to sleep in his own separate sleep area, reducing the risks associated with bed-sharing.

BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Air: The new Baby Carrier One is the very latest baby carrier from BABYBJÖRN, recently updated in fall of 2015 to create a more comfortable and ergonomic carrying experience for both you and your child! Acknowledged as a a hip-healthy baby carrier by International Hip Dysplasia Institute, the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One allows you to switch between four ergonomic carrying positions: newborn facing-in (no infant insert needed!), older baby facing-in, older baby facing-out and back-carrying. The Baby Carrier One is equipped with an extra sturdy waist belt for added pressure relief, allowing you to support your child's weight on your hips, and avoid potential back and shoulder discomfort. BABYBJÖRN also significantly increased the padding in the form-fitting shoulder straps to help you comfortably and safely carry a growing child from newborn up to the age of three years. The carrier is made of a super soft and airy 3D mesh fabric that allows you and your child to enjoy your all-important closeness while staying comfortably cool – perfect for getting around during the hot summer months! Other improvements, such as lock-in-place zippers, will make for an overall better babywearing experience.

Quinny Buzz Xtra: With its robust design and tough wheels, the Buzz Xtra will smoothly take on any terrain beyond the city limits and across the globe. Thanks to a special patented design, the practical and functional Buzz Xtra unfolds automatically within seconds with the single push of a button. In addition, an extra-large canopy and extra padding provide comfort and protection for those all-day adventures.

Maxi Cosi Pria 70: Praised equally for safety and comfort, the latest generation of the Pria 70 is a cut above the rest. The Pria 70 is known for advanced safety utilizing FlexTech™ for multi-directional crash energy management and Air Protect® for advanced side impact protection. Fully equipped with new premium self-wicking fabric that deodorizes and draws liquids away from the skin to help keep baby dry and comfortable, the Pria 70 truly provides the ultimate comfort for children and convenience for parents.

Ollie Swaddle: The award-winning Ollie Swaddle is a totally unique swaddle that’s made better, feels better and helps your baby sleep better. The Ollie is named after and invented for a baby boy named Oliver—a foster baby that wasn’t thriving until Ollie Swaddle founder (and his foster mom) Hindi developed it. It helps improve the quality and duration of sleep for all babies (including preemies and high risk) and helps baby self-calm. The Ollie Swaddle has been shown to reduce fussiness/colic and help babies sleep. Not only does it reduce stress in preemies and high-risk infants, but it also helps keep baby in a safe, supine sleeping position and prevents sudden jerky arm and leg movements that wake babies up. The elasticity allows for freedom of movement while the opening at the bottom makes it easy to change diapers. The new Nature Collection features four new colors—Lavender, Sky, Nest and Stone— which are soothing, calming, and sleep-inducing. Certain colors and patterns can be over-stimulating to your little one’s eyes and consequently could have the opposite effect of soothing. The new colors will make baby feel calm, comforted and at peace. Retails for $59.

Be sure to check out all of the co-hosts blogs before and give them some love! 
Giveaway entry form widget is below (;
mommy-bloggers

 

Mama and Z Style: Color By Amber Mother's Day Collection













Mama's jewelryCharity Necklace, Nurture Bracelet, & Poise Earrings c/o Color By Amber
Z's necklace: Sailor Tag c/o Color By Amber

I'm loving Color By Amber's Mother's Day Collection! So many beautiful and unique eco-friendly jewelry pieces. Today I've styled three pieces from their collection and love how it adds a feminine touch to my overall look. Color By Amber even sent Z this sailor tag which he loves.

I love this message from Color By Amber about what their Mother's Day Collection is all about:

"mother is the epitome of poise, she's there through thick and thin and does it all while maintaining her rock-solid courage. A mother is a haven from the daily storms of life; she's nurturing and always wishes you sweet dreams. Charity is her daily mantra as she selflessly provides for everyone she loves.

Tell that extraordinary woman in your life how much she inspires you with this year's Mother's Day Collection. Each piece has been named after the unique virtues that characterize a mother. From her unconditional love to her unstoppable strength, she is who we all aspire to be."

Hop on over and view their Mother's Day Collection here and start shopping and getting ideas for the special women in your life.


Also don't forget to show Color By Amber some love on their social media pages (;
Color By Amber Facebook
Color By Amber Twitter
Color By Amber Instagram