Top

Middle of Somewhere

An Albuquerque Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

Trend Spin Link Up – Stripes

Today I am co-hosting the Trend Spin link up with the lovely Laura of Walking in Memphis in High Heels and Erin of The Fashion Canvas. I have been joining this link up every week since I started this blog, so it is really exciting to be co-hosting today. Be sure to add a link to your recent blog post featuring your favorite stripes at the bottom of today’s post.

These photos were actually taken just a few days before little miss Harper decided to join the world. I had a feeling they may be the last outfit photos I took for awhile, but of course when she was actually going to arrive was a huge unknown. I know what you may be thinking… I already shared my love for this perfect striped maternity dress but it had really become a true maternity wardrobe staple. I think once you find something you love, there’s no reason to not wear it over and over. This dress was able to grow with me as my belly grew and was just the right length! You’ll have to excuse my non-existent ankles in these photos… end of pregnancy (and postpartum) swelling is no joke! These embellished sandals from Target have also been on serious repeat as a result, and thankfully they are super comfortable!

document.write(”);

Maternity Style Staples + Jord Wood Watches

Well hello there! I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 weeks since having my baby girl, and oh how I have neglected my blog. I have a few sets of outfit photos to share from when I was pregnant, so be expecting those in the next few weeks. I can honestly stay I have struggled with finding the motivation to sit down to blog when all I want to do is hold my baby girl in my arms and enjoy each moment because people are not kidding when they say time goes by SO fast once you have a baby. She is currently sleeping, so I figured I needed to take advantage and somewhat try to get back into the swing of things. I may only be posting 1-2 times a week for awhile, but am going to try my hardest not to fall off the map. Today’s outfit is featuring some of my maternity style staples, i.e. jeans and a tank top. During the last few weeks of my pregnancy I was hot all the time, so this Old Navy tank top was a life saver! I believe I was 38 weeks pregnant at the time we took these photos, so this is 100% #whatiactuallywore. Also, how fun is this gorgeous wood watch from Jord? Considering that I wear a watch on a daily basis, I was really excited to introduce this style into my accessory drawer! My go-to watch is always my Michael Kors ‘Bradshaw’ Watch, however sometimes in the summer it gets to be a little overwhelming with the heat. This Jord watch is so lightweight, and I love how neutral and versatile it is, especially to wear in the warmer months of the year. I also love that they use natural and sustainably sourced wood for each watch. Have you ever heard of Jord? If so, which style is your favorite?
Wearing:
Old Navy Maternity Jeans
Old Navy Maternity Tank (not available online, really cute and similar option here)
Old Navy Vest (old, similar version here)
Fieldcrest Wood Watch in Maple c/o Jord Wood Watches
Slate Marble Stud Earrings via Rocksbox (use code LINDSAYXOXO1 for your first month FREE)
Wanderlust + Co X Ring via Rocksbox
Loren Hope Sarra Cuff
Target Embellished Sandals
Amazon Fashion Sunglasses (only $10!)
MAC Lipstick in ‘Vegas Volt’
Linking Up With: Style Me Wednesday, Thursday Fashion Files, Trend Spin, Thursday Favorites

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Comfortable Casual with Lularoe + Giveaway to Polette

Whoever said leggings are not acceptable to wear as pants certainly has not been pregnant! The past few weeks I feel like I have been wearing my Preggo Leggings non-stop, and this Lularoe top (non-maternity, by the way) is the perfect tunic to wear with them. I don’t know about you, but when I wear leggings it is mandatory that my top is long enough to cover my behind, but that can sometimes be a challenging feat while pregnant. This top totally fits the bill, and I am looking forward to wearing it post-baby as well. I have talked about my love for Lularoe previously when I shared one of their beautiful kimonos, which I still wear at least once a week! Working with and supporting small businesses is so important to me, and has been one of my favorite things about blogging. With Lularoe, you can become your own small business owner by hosting pop-up boutiques and earn some extra cash on the side, or make it a full time endeavor. If I had extra time I would totally host my own! To receive more information about owning your own Lularoe business contact Sadi Thompson at sadi.lularoe@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @lulagirlsblog. 

P.S. A big congratulations to Meghan V. for winning the HD Clear Facial kit giveaway!
Wearing:
Irma Top c/o Lularoe
Hollister Denim Jacket (old, similar Old Navy version for less than $30)
Elegance Sunglasses c/o Polette 
Kendra Scott Sandra Necklace via Rocksbox (use code LINDSAYXOXO1 for your first month free)

Linking Up With: Confident Twosday, Personal Style, Style Me Wednesday, Let It Shine, Thursday Fashion Files, Thursday Favorites, WIWW

!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Today I have also teamed up with Polette to offer one lucky Middle of Somewhere reader a chance to win a pair of Polette eyeglasses or sunglasses of your choice by completing the entry options in the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run from 12am MST on 05/20 until 12am MST on 05/27. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must Have Monday with a Mrs & a Mama

Happy Monday! I feel like I am totally saying “happy Monday” because I am currently getting to take a little bit of a break from work as I await little miss Harper’s arrival. My husband and I were (not so) secretly hoping she would have arrived yesterday because it was my husband’s birthday, but that clearly did not happen. So since she is not here yet, I am still trying to keep my blog game strong knowing that once she arrives there will probably be some silence around here for awhile. Today I am teaming up with the lovely Katie of a Mrs & a Mama to share our must have beauty products. Be sure to head over to Katie’s blog to read all about her must have beauty product, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette! You can also follow her along via Pinterest and Instagram (@mrsandamama). I don’t typically talk too much about my favorite beauty products on here, so I was really inspired by Katie to do just that!

When Katie mentioned the topic of Must Have Monday I immediately had a hard time choosing just one item. I was able to narrow it down to a top three based on products that I honestly could not go a day without unless it’s a day that I am not wearing any makeup. I absolutely LOVE Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde. I really never thought I would see the day that I would fill in my brows, however as I have gotten older, my eyebrows feel like they have stopped growing. I have also fallen in love with a well-defined brow and feel like it can complete a look and make it look more polished, even a simple every day one. I am not kidding when I say I could not live without Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste. I have had problematic skin for years now and sadly it really hasn’t gotten a lot better as an adult. Since I have been pregnant, my skin has gotten even worse, reverting to its high school days, and how what remains is a lot of discoloration. Erase Paste is a savior in the concealer department and surprisingly lasts most of the day for me. My final favorite is Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara, which I was introduced to by a friend. We both have a mutual love for Julia of Gal Meets Glam and of course wanted to try it out after she had mentioned it on her Instagram/blog. There is no need to worry about clumps or uneven coverage, and I love how easy it is to remove at night.
!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

What are some of your must have beauty products that you just couldn’t live without?
I am always on the look out for new ones to try and would love to hear your feedback!

P.S. Speaking of beauty products, there are only a few days left to enter to win a HD Clear facial kit, which you don’t want to miss out on. It’s definitely one of the giveaways I wish I could enter myself!

Primary Colors with Seraphine Maternity

Well I’m officially in the home stretch… 39 weeks as of yesterday and I can totally see why people say that this is the longest waiting game you will ever play in your life. Don’t get me wrong, I am still loving being pregnant and am really not that uncomfortable at this point. I am just so excited to meet my baby girl and begin our lives as a family of four (Joanie, our dog, is always included in this number). Although choices are limited because I refuse to buy more maternity clothes at this point, I am still having fun dressing my bump and it’s hard to imagine getting dressed without it! This Seraphine Maternity dress is so soft and stretchy, and was the perfect thing to wear last weekend for Mother’s Day. We had brunch with my family for Mother’s Day and I was even spoiled with a few gifts from family. My sister got me the BEST coffee mug, which I posted a picture of on Instagram (@lindsayrutland). Speaking of Instagram, I also have a great giveaway going on right now that I talked about in Wednesday’s post about my use of essential oils, so be sure to check it out and get your entries in! Hope you have a fantastic weekend. It’s so crazy to think that this weekend may be my last without a baby. We will be celebrating my husband’s birthday on Sunday, and who knows… he just may be sharing his birthday from now on!
Wearing:
Knot Front Maternity Dress c/o Serpahine Maternity (also loving the same dress in coral)
!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.

Essential Oils for Pregnancy and Beyond + Giveaway!

As my due date gets closer and closer it seems only natural that Harper’s birth is pretty much one of the only things I can think about. I have always considered myself to be someone who is more in favor of natural homeopathic remedies, and clearly I am just a tad bit of a hippie with the whole birth center thing (I kid, I kid…) During one of our baby showers, a family friend had gifted us a diffuser and a few Doterra essential oils. Prior to this, I had read about oils and had a desire to try them out, but I never actually pulled the trigger. As soon as we received the oils as a gift, I couldn’t wait to try them out. My favorite oil that I have used thus far is Breathe, which I put in my diffuser each night before bed. Living in such a dry climate, this has really helped with allergies and congestion, which has gotten so much worse since I have been pregnant. My exposure to essential oils has also expanded recently when I “met” two wonderful ladies via Instagram, Holly (@hollystic_oils) and Cortney (@an.oil.a.day). I really value the information they have given me so far regarding the use of essential oils during pregnancy and birth, and look forward to learning more about the best ways to incorporate oils into my daily routine, not only for myself, but for the rest of my family.

Holly created two blends for me to try, including an Uplifting Mood Blend and a Gentle Baby Blend. The Uplifting Mood blend is a combination of fractionated coconut oil, Elevation blend, Frankincense, and Wild Orange oils. The Uplifting Mood blend smells beautiful, and definitely helps induce calm and relaxation when I have applied it to the back of my neck. The Gentle Baby blend, which I can’t wait to use on Harper when she’s here, is a combination of fractionated coconut oil, Lavender, and Roman Chamomile oils. She was also so kind to send over the Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth & Babies book, which has given me a lot of wonderful ideas!
Cortney created three different blends for me, including a Perineum spray to help with postpartum healing, a “Contract” roller bottle blend to bring on and/or intensify contractions, and a “Pain” roller bottle blend to help relieve pain and encourage relaxation during labor. I have read a lot of positive reviews about the use of a Peri Spray after birth to help soothe and heal, and have a feeling that this blend will become my new best friend. Both of the roller blends are already packed away in my birth center bag, along with a list of birth affirmations that Cortney passed on to me. Two of my favorite mantras can be found below. 
You definitely have to check these ladies out on Instagram for daily tips as how best to incorporate Doterra oils into your daily lives. They can answer any questions that you have about oils and I am so lucky that we found each other via social media!
________________________________________________________________________________
And now it’s giveaway time! Complete the entries in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win a full HD Clear Facial Kit (retail value is $63). The kit includes the HD Clear Facial Lotion, HD Clear Topical Blend, and HD Clear Foaming Face Wash. The giveaway will be open to US residents only and will run from midnight MST on 05/13 until midnight MST on 05/20. All entries will be verified and a winner will be chosen and notified via email within 48 hours. Thank you so much for entering, and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway 

A HUGE thank you to Holly & Cortney for sponsoring today’s post and offering such a generous giveaway. I received these products in exchange for a post, but as always, all opinions are 100% my own.