Happy Birthday to me! It's my birthday, it's June, summer and my birthday! Is there a better day? What are your June summer plans? Today, I took the day off work and I'm venturing up to Vail with my hubs, meeting some of our best friends and going to enjoy the long weekend in the mountains!

It's been forever since I wrote a Friday Favorites, but there is so much good stuff going on! Join me by sharing your Friday Favorites. What are you loving this week, this month or this year?


ONE: I'm officially T H I R T Y - O N E. Guys, this means I'm officially in my thirties. I'm learning that my 30s are going to be the best years of my life. The 20s were good, but damn, my 30s are proving to be my best years yet. I'll see ya in Vail.

TWO: Younger. Yes. I talked about this in yesterdays post too. But I cannot stop watching. Its my new favorite show and I'm obsessed. Plus. Mariska Hargitay's husband is on it, Hillary Duff and Nico Tortella.

THREE: This Mignonne Gavigan necklace that Kathleen is wearing in her latest post. I need it in my wardrobe right now. And, I cannot wait until I'm not pregnant anymore so I can wear this dress. I die over her wardrobe.

FOUR: This new James Arthur song. 

FIVE: Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary to one of my best friends B! She got married after we graduated law school, on my birthday, and it was the BEST celebration. Today, she's celebrating with her family and her two gorgeous babies.

SIX: This Father's Day Gift Guide. Here's your reminder that its June 17th, meaning you still have time. This is Adam's "first" fathers day so I need to make it extra special.

SEVEN:  This post from Kallie re insomnia. Sleeping while pregnant is basically impossible. Kallie is sharing some natural tips to help sleep better. I will literally do anything and everything to sleep well.

EIGHT: These are my current favorites from Nordstrom and I need them all. I'm currently in the ultimate summer mood and I need all these dresses, swimsuits and sandals.



NINE: This article about God giving you more than you can handle. We're always told "God will never give you more than you can handle." But hey newsflash. thats a lie, a big lie and here's why.

Happy Friday friends and Happy Birthday to me! I hope you guys have the best weekend!

Happy Thursday Friends! I officially turn 31 tomorrow which means I'll be living in my thirties. Ay yi yi. I love me some June. Yes, I'm totally biased towards the month of June but it's so dang good, add in a birthday and it's the best. It's officially summer; people are down to vacation, go to happy hour and enjoy the best weather ever. I swear summer puts everyone in a better mood.

I started doing this post last year and I loved recapping all the good things my 29th year had to offer. Plus, it's so fun looking back years later. I'm officially in my thirties people. I'm growing up. Grab a glass of wine, coffee and a comfy space on the couch, this is a long post. 30 was a good year, but I'm ready to say goodbye.  Tomorrow, I turn 31, lets get recapping.
ONE // Baby! Let's start with our most exciting news, baby! It's been a year of baby (I'll get to that later) but celebrating this healthy little babe has been our biggest joy this year. She might not be here in my 30th year, but being pregnant during my 30th year has been such a huge blessing.


TWO // The big job change. For my mental, emotional and physical health, I switched jobs late last year and bless, it's been a huge blessing to me. While it took me a while to get through my pride of not being an attorney anymore, I'm so glad I took the jump.

THREE // 3 years of wedded bliss. Adam and I celebrated 3 years of marriage. It doesn't seem long enough to encompass everything we'd done together, but oh what a wonderful three years it's been. I'm lucky to have a husband who supports me through the crazy, through the tough times and through the joys.

FOUR // Napa. Adam and I ventured to Napa for one of my best friends amazing wedding. Dancing under the stars in the middle of wine country is something I want to do every weekend. It was such an incredible weekend full of love. Callie and I have been friends since our freshman year in college and watching her marry her love was incredible. I love celebrating best friends weddings.


FIVE // I started binge watching Younger. This is a new revolution in my life and I'm hooked. If you aren't watching Younger, stop everything, grab your Hulu and get watching. The new season just started so I've got a full 4 seasons to catch up on.
SIX // Skied. This winter, I skied for the first time since tearing my ACL Yes, I only skied greens and I took level 1 ski lessons, but I did it and felt amazing. It was so fun and I got 2 glorious days on the mountain. Then I found out I was pregnant so that quickly ended my ski days, but have no fear, I'll be back next winter.

SEVEN // All the photoshoots. I promised myself I'd jump into more photoshoots for the blog and boy did I. I even got Adam on the photo-taking bandwagon. I did around 10 photoshoots throughout the year and I grew this incredible space. I partnered with some amazing maternity lines, shoe lines and makeup. It was such a fun year for this space.

EIGHT // Insta-stories. Started getting a little more comfortable with Insta-stories. I love getting to connect to my readers in a new way and insta-stories is such a fun way to do so.

NINE // TAYLOR SWIFT. Call me a nerd, but I've never missed a Taylor Swift tour. This is my 5th Taylor concert. Yep, I even went to the concert where she dressed as a country princess, all the way to snakes and anti-kardashian Taylor. I'm a not ashamed huge Taylor fan.

TEN // Baby Girl! Lets piggy back on number 1, but not only did we find out we're pregnant, but we found out baby kavan is a girl! Cue all the pink, ruffles and dolls I can get my hands on. Adam doesn't even know the cuteness that is coming!

ELEVEN // Henry turned 9 and Lola turned 2 (today!) This is the last year they'll be the only babies in our house.

TWELVE // Found my love for podcasts. Everyone has been telling me for years I need to start listening and I was really never convinced. Until now. Adam and I road-tripped a few times and found some new favorites and now instead of listening to jams at work, podcasts are my thing.

THIRTEEN // Target. Fell in love with Target clothes and my addiction is only getting stronger. From shoes to maternity, to mens clothes to dresses, I love it. I've had to put boundaries on myself or else I'd be there literally every day.


FOURTEEN // We suffered a miscarriage. While this isn't exactly a hi-light of this year, it's a huge thing that happened to me. If we're being honest here, it was one of the worst things ever. It was the biggest heartbreak I've ever felt. But it also taught me a lot about myself, my body and my relationship with Adam. It helped us grow together and realize what we really want.

FIFTEEN // Jackson, WY. We spent Easter in Jackson, WY with some of our friends. I ate at Persephone Bakery 3x, the group skied, we ate the best Thai food ever and relaxed in the snowy mountain town. If you haven't been to Jackson yet, book a trip! It will be your favorite.

SIXTEEN // Weekends with my parents. My parents came to visit for a long weekend. The boys skied, the girls shopped and it was some great quality time with my fambam. Plus, my mom and I got in some early baby shopping!

SEVENTEEN // Trips to Omaha, NCAA tournaments and 2 year old birthday parties. Our weekends in Omaha are always jam packed but so full of family and friends.

EIGHTEEN // Sonoma. In the mood of weddings, we went back to Sonoma for another wedding and it involved the same. Love, dancing under the stars and lots of wine. I'm lucky that my best friends love wine country as much as I do.


NINETEEN // Wisconsin. Last year was the year of weddings and we were lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel the country celebrating our dearest friends. Adams long time friend, Teddy got married in Milwaukee and it was so fun because I'd never been. We ate great meals and again, danced the night away.

TWENTY // Bought Kristin Cavallari's cookbook and cooked from it every night for a month. I wish I was kidding. I never particularly liked Kristin on The Hills, but I'm low-key obsessed with her now.

TWENTY-ONE // Michigan. My sweet grandparents are getting old and unfortunately we had to move them out of their house. The perk? Getting to spend quality time with family and my grandmother. Michigan will always hold a really special place in my heart. It's where my family is from and by default, me.


TWENTY-TWO // Decaf coffee became a thing. Started drinking decaf coffee and no caffeine all together. Blame it on the baby.

TWENTY-THREE // Laguna Beach & baby showers. One of my favorite things about this pregnancy is getting to do it with some of my favorite friends. My gf Kate is pregnant and we're due 6 weeks of each other and last weekend I got to venture out and celebrate her and her baby boy. This season of life can be a little isolating and getting to do it with a gf is the best.

TWENTY-FOUR // Tough mudder. Adam was a boss and ran his second tough mudder in Copper Mountain. If you haven't heard about this its a crazy race with lots of obstacles and challenges and it tires me out just watching him. He's incredible.

TWENTY-FIVE // Phoenix Open. 5 days in Scottsdale and the warm Arizona air. Everyone here loves how much I love Arizona so Adam and I left cold January Denver and ventured to Arizona to spend the weekend with both our families under the warm sun, watching golf. We also got to tell our families we were pregnant this weekend. It was so fun to do this in person, in my favorite state.

TWENTY-SIX // Estes Park. Adams family came out for his birthday and we hit Estes Park. IT was so fun touring the national park, celebrating Adam and getting extra time with family. If you haven't been to Estes Park you should go, my advice? Maybe not in the middle of the summer, its very touristy!


TWENTY-SEVEN // Grew my blog, my instagram and this space. I finally hit 2000 followers, changed the trajectory of this space a little and learned to really love what I'm creating. Thanks to you!

TWENTY-EIGHT // 24 books in 12 months. I challenged myself to 24 books in one year. I'm half way through the year and only on book 10. I gotta get to work!

TWENTY-NINE // My sister-in-laws came to Denver and we had the best weekend venturing around the city. We hiked, ate and drank our way through the city, had spa days in my bathroom, drank champagne on the grass, got into a free rockies game and enjoyed each other's company. I absolutely LOVE having friends come to Denver, it's so fun showing them the city I call home.


THIRTY // Learned to trust my body, my gut and myself a little bit more. This year has been really trying, but also so incredible. Right after we miscarried, I never felt more betrayed by my own body, and me. We wanted a baby so much and I couldn't help but think losing that baby was my fault, my bodies fault. And then, months later, we got pregnant again and I trusted my body a little more. I quit my job where I had security and stabilty for something so different, and with that I trusted myself a little more. It's been a year of growth and joys and I'm so excited for next year.

Thanks to my readers, my friends and my family for getting me through another year, pushing me, supporting me, encouraging me and loving me through the past year!

Happy Friday friends and Happy June! It's crazy to me that we are already half way through the year! I swear every month goes faster and faster. Sorry I've been MIA, life has been crazy busy, this whole growing a human thing is harder than I thought. Next week I'll have a full life update on the blog + some fun new happenings.

I'm officially more than 6 months pregnant (26 weeks to be exact) and I think I'm finally getting this pregnancy thing down, or at least getting the hang of it. When I first started this journey I had no clue what to expect, what I thought it would be like or what my body would do. 6 months in and I still don't know much, but I know what I need to help me through.


ONE // A Heating Pad. I swear, I hit 22 weeks and my back was done with being pregnant. It hurt all the time, my hips ached and my feet were sore. Cue, the heating pad. I swear I couldn't live without it. I use it in bed, when I work at my desk, sit on the couch. It's a lifesaver. Do yourself a favor and get one asap. Here's a good cheap one from Amazon!

TWO // Prenatal massages. Do your body a favor and book a prenatal massage. Life. Changing. Make sure when you schedule it you tell them you're pregnant. The massage is different and you want to make sure your masseuse knows what they're doing. I also checked with my doc first to make sure it was okay. When I was on bedrest I wasn't allowed to get them, so always check!

THREE // Comfortable dresses. I am enjoying a nice hot Denver summer and honestly, pants sound like some weird version of hell to me. I hate wearing pants so dresses have become my saving grace. I know you've heard me talk about Pink Blush before, but guys I'm seriously obsessed. These Pink Blush dresses are perfect because I can dress them up, down, sandals, heels and they are so comfortable (& cool!). They have everything from maternity dresses and clothes to non-maternity. dresses and clothes.

FOUR // Snacks. Hear me out. Yes, you're always hungry. But, eating huge meals hurts like hell. The ugly side of pregnancy includes upset stomachs, gas, crampy feelings, heartburn, ect. To avoid that, snacks are the best. I try and eat small meals throughout the day instead of three main meals. Lara bars, fruit, bananas. Keep them in your purse, in your car because when hunger strikes its almost as if you're dying. I wish I was being dramatic.

FIVE // Sandals. This goes hand in hand with comfortable dresses. Everyone needs a good pair of sandals and in my opinion ones you don't have to strap because lets face it, bending over sucks.

SIX // A Good Book. I just had my glucose test doctors appointment and I was there for over 2 hours. Ultrasounds take a while, pediatrician meet and greets make you sit forever therefore a good book is mandatory. My top three books right now, Bread & Wine, Babywise and The Woman in Cabin 10.

Happy Thursday friends! Hey, thanks for all the sweet messages on my post yesterday! You guys are so sweet and encouraging, I adore you all. Adam and I didn't get to celebrate yet since he's traveling for work, but Saturday we're planning a day in Boulder. So if you have recommendations, send them my way!

The other night, Adam and I were chatting and he mentioned how this is my last Mother's Day without a baby on the outside. I swear there are times during this pregnancy where I realllyyy realize I'm actually pregnant. I know that sounds weird since I am pregnant, but you know what I mean. Him saying that was one of those times. This time next year I'll be holding my daughter on Mother's Day. Crazy!


Mother's Day is just around the corner and there's no time like the present to celebrate moms everywhere. Ingrid & Isabel has quickly become one of my favorite clothing stores for maternity and even non-maternity. It's hard to find cute stuff, thats comfortable and that isn't just leggings. But, on the topic of leggings, their leggings are the best! Anyways, I've been looking for cute dresses that I can dress up (sneakers) or down (sandals) <-- lets be real long gone are the days of heels.

Ingrid & Isabel is rocking this month especially because they're offering 15% off all first purchases using the promo code MothersMay. Do yourself and all the moms in your life a favor and spoil them with some Ingrid & Isabel this Mothers Day. Or heck, check it out for yourself. they have the cutest stuff.

To all the mamas out there, thank you for all you do. God knows you're strong, powerful, badass, hardworking, dedicated and doing everything you can to keep those little babies (even if they're 30) safe. I'm glad there is a whole day dedicated to you. Ps. Teach me your tricks because I'm already nervous and still have a whole 4 1/2 months to prep! 

Shop this dress here!

Today, Adam and I are celebrating 3 years of wedded bliss. While that time doesn't seem long enough to encompass life and the things we've been through, it also feels like time is flying. Three years ago we were just fresh-faced little buns ready to start their life together. We had no damn clue what we were getting ourselves in to, but we knew whatever it was, we were going to do it together.

I love wedding/anniversary recaps. They are all so special to me and I love recapping the love we shared three years ago and the love we're living in now. If you're interested, year one and year two are here.


This year feels extra special. Over the last last year we've grown in our love in a totally different way than I thought possible. With the anticipation of a new baby in this year, it makes everything feel different, in the best way.

This year it's all about things I want Adam to know.

Even though you joke about knowing nothing about babies (like giving them water to drink), I know you’re going to be the best dad because you’re literally the best person I've ever known and you love bigger than anyone.   

I love you even though you turn the toilet paper roll around and make it come out underneath. And even though you're not the best at loading a dishwasher. I appreciate you for helping me. 

When our daughter is 15 and we fight, because we're mom and daughter, promise you'll have her back while reassuring her that I really am a cool mom.

I promise to put our marriage above it all. Before our baby, before our dogs, friends, family because it's you and me babe. We made this enormous vow before God and if we’re strong, all those other things in our life will be even stronger. 

I hope our daughter gets your insane work ethic, kind spirit, gentle sarcasm, enormous capacity for love and full head of hair (even if its blonde!).     

I cry at everything. Thanks for handing me tissues or laughing at me because I'm laughing at the dumbest Apple commercial. 

I love that you love country, so to borrow some words from our boy Jason, 'You're my sunshine in the darkest days. My better half, my saving grace. You make me who I wanna be. You make it easy.'

Watching you paint our daughters room pink, all day on a Saturday, when playoff hockey was on, made you even sexier. And, watching you build her crib was the cherry on top. 

We've had some scary moments in this thing called parenthood and we're not even to the scariest part. From the miscarriage, to 8 weeks of bedrest, thank you for being the rock. I know this has been so hard on you too, but thank you for letting me fall into you time and time again. 

We're always going to have dogs. I know they make our life crazy, but I love that you love our dogs so much.  

Being your wife is one of my greatest honors, but thank you for not letting it be the only thing that defines me. Thank you for encouraging me to chase my dreams, work harder than ever and find my passion. You've been the best source of encouragement, even when it's scary and unknown.  

Thank you for not judging my love of weird TV shows like American Idol, obsession with Carrie Underwood, needing to talk to my best friend for hours on end or my Snoogle. Instead you embrace my weird and I love you for it. 

You are damn good looking. 

I love our basic life. Let me explain. I love that we cook dinner together every night and go to bed together every night. I love that we would rather do things together than apart. I love that we love doing mundane things together. I love that we have our routine that works for us. I love that we have found our basic life, but it doesn't mean we have basic love, because our love is one for the books my love. 

The quiet moments we share are some of my favorite moments. Laying in bed right before we both fall asleep or when we're reading on the couch, or both singing in the car. These are the moments I know I found my heart. 

Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary my love. I can't possibly describe how much I love you so I'll tell you. You're the best human and husband and you see this world, including me in a way that no one else does. There's no-one in the world like you. I'm the luckiest all because you asked me to be yours. 

The Details: 
Photography: Stephanie Fay Photography
Planner and Coordinator (and basically my life coach): Ashley Gain Weddings
Videography: Serendipity Cinematography
Venue: El Chorro
Flowers: The Flower Studio
Band : Shining Star Band
Makeup : Glam Lounge
Linens : La Tavola Linens
Cake : Ruze Cake House
Dress : Mariee Bridal 
Paper : Alexandra Bruch / Fleurish Letters

On a tranquil harbour and within walking distance to Seven Mile Beach, this new urbanism community is a must-see corner of Grand Cayman. Camana Bay is the perfect destination for everyone from honeymooners to families on vacation offering visitors everything from luxury brands in interesting boutiques and some of Grand Cayman’s best restaurants to a variety of wellness activities and a weekly farmers and artisans market. 

Happy Monday! I recently had a girl reach out on Instagram and ask how I started my blog. While I was flattered, I was a little shocked because I don't really blog about blogging. There are a ton of people who do and make a killing, but its not really my vibe. We DM'ed back and forth a little bit and I thought, hey, how about a quick post to help you start.

Back story. I technically started blogging in college (2008!), meaning all my emo-blog posts are still on the archives here. But I really started blogging in August, 2014. That's when The Everyday Grace came to be. I've been blogging while doing the full time job thing since and it's hard but its the best.


These are some of the things I wish I knew when I started blogging.

You will meet the best group of blog support. Sometimes my best blog support comes from people I've never actually met. Take my friend Chelsea. I have never met her in person, but she constantly comments on my blog, my instagram, likes my pictures, picks me up when its a bad day and celebrates the good. I literally love this girl. Ps. go follow her. Sometimes your real life friends don't get how to support you as a blogger or don't want too and thats okay. Find your blog tribe, love them hard.

Social Media is a full time job.  As much as I hate being glued to my phone, social media is what brings me the most business. Yes, I love writing and I love this blog, but my instagram numbers usually mean more to advertisers. People like numbers on a photo rather than comments on a post. Engaging with other bloggers, sharing your own content and managing it in between is a lot of damn work. I need an assistant/

Quality over quantity. Shoot, I still post stuff where I second guess myself. Write stuff you love. Even if you think you NEED to post, your readers will understand a day off for great content instead of reading crap.

Learn HTML or at least the basics. If you want to make this work, learn the basics. Watch the YouTube videos, take the classes. Don't rest on templates to carry you through. And don't ask for advice if you aren't willing to pay for it. I didn't take 50 hours of HTML classes online over the last 4 years to give you the cliff-notes.
Numbers matter. But they don't. But they do. Are you loving what you're doing? Then great! Yes, numbers matter to advertisers and brands. But so does passion, quality and engagement. Keep working, keep creating and the numbers will come, swear.

You will burn out. Maybe not all the way. Maybe not for a long time. But its okay to take a break. Its only to only put out a post twice a week and call it a success. Burn out is real, it happens to the best of us. Learn from it, take a break and pick back up.

You will compare yourself to others, it's natural, but don't let it control you. It will only hurt you. It's super easy to see someones growth and instantly feel jealous. But you don't know how hard that blogger is working, what they're doing behind the scenes or how they're growing. Supporting others doesn't lessen your own value.

Join Facebook groups in your niche. This is not only a great place to learn tips, but it's a great place to share your blogs and meet amazing woman. There are tons and tons of facebook groups dedicated to all kinds of blogs.

Find your passion. I'm not saying niche per se, but your passion. Mom blogging isn't for us all, neither is fashion. But if you love it, your readers will see it, the advertisers will see it and you will see it in the success of your blog. I don't believe in the whole niche thing, but if you write what you love, it will be the perfect niche for you.

Blogging takes a shit ton of time. I think people look at blogs and think, Oh I could do that. I'm sure you could, but are you aware that most posts take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to draft. And that pictures are a day long event. An Instagram pic and caption is 10 minutes per, at least. I love blogging, but it totally takes its time.

When did you start your blog? What advice would you give newbies out there?

Ps. If you want some more tips, these are my 10 blogging commandments. See a theme here?

Before I was pregnant I didn't really know much about being pregnant. I've watched close friends and family go through pregnancy and too be honest, these woman are badasses because they made it seem pretty dang easy. While being pregnant is not all oreo cookies and baby clothes, it's not that terrible either.


Yes, the first few months are hard and taxing and learning new things about your body is interesting, but, there are some pregnancy perks. I was a little skeptical to these pregnancy at first because I don't love asking other people for help with things I can normally do on my own. See #3. But then when my doc put me on modified best rest, I sat back and starting reeling in some of the pregnancy benefits.

ONE // When you're hungry, you can say you're eating for two. Or if its something you're craving, you blame the craving on the baby. My favorite phrase, "It's for the baby." I tell Adam this every weekend when I want a chiptole chicken burrito bowl.

TWO // You get to go shopppping! This is my favorite perk. Sure, I love my leggings and oversized shirts, but every now and then a girl needs to get dressed up. PinkBlush has some of the cutest maternity clothes and dresses. Perfect timing for spring! I love that their maternity dresses could easily transition to post-pregnancy life too!

THREE // You can't pick things up. At first I thought this would be annoying but now I don't have to take out the garbage, carry laundry up the stairs or move boxes. Adam, I apologize for this pregnancy perk because it requires you do a lot more. But thanks for being my superhero hubs. You're the real MVP.

FOUR // You have to stay away from certain things, like windex, 409, and bleach. Bring on the cleaning ladies, or men. This is a perk I hope to hold on to way after pregnancy ends. Because then, I don't want to have the baby around that stuff either.


FIVE // When people find out you're pregnant, they're usually nicer. I say usually because sometimes they're meaner. But, most people hold the doors, let you cut in line, carry things for you. Ladies, take advantage. Last night when my gf and I were at Union Station, tons of people held the door, let me go in front of them, order first. It was pretty dang sweet.

SIX // You get to decorate a new room in your house. Adam and I have lived in our house for over 2 years and our token baby room has been empty! We now have an excuse to paint it pink, buy new furniture and finally have a finished room!

SEVEN // You get three months vacay at the end. Hahaha I can just hear Rachel from Friends saying, "My idea of a vacation does not involve something sucking on my nipples until they are raw." But still, three months with your baby.