summer layers

dress (non-maternity), also similar here and here | cover-up (sold out), also love this one, this one and this one | shoes | sunglasses, also similar here

I bought this cover-up for our vacation to Palm Springs that we didn't end up going on, but instead of returning it I wanted to figure out how to wear it back in Iowa... plus I know it will come in handy for many vacations to come! I love the tropical print and the colors, and it's definitely light enough to layer over a dress - and light layers are essential while being pregnant in these hot summer months!

This outfit was perfect for a casual summer date night with my hubby. We live right on the Mississippi River, so we visited Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill a couple towns away and sat outside where the hubs had a beer and a burger and I had fish and chips. And the margaritas looked so good! We usually love to explore and check out new places, but I've been so boring since I've been pregnant, so it was nice to get out and about. This restaurant and the ambiance were perfect for a nice summer night - it almost felt like we were on vacation!

What's your favorite summer layering piece? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading! XO

oh baby | baby shower details

dress (maternity) | earrings | shoes

ribbon backdrop made by me with ribbon from Hobby Lobby and balloons from Target

Today I'm sharing the details of my baby shower that I planned with the help of four of my closest friends. I decided to help plan because I love to plan parties and I'm a bit of a control freak - I had a vision and I wanted it to go exactly how I imagined it! While things didn't go exactly as planned (they never do for me!) I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! Even though everyone there had to travel at least an hour to be there, most of my closest friends and family were able to make it - and baby McClure and I were definitely feeling the love! 

My friends have made jokes about how Lauren Conrad came out with a maternity line while I was pregnant and how I must have planned it because I love LC, so naturally I had to wear this adorable dress from her maternity line, and even though it's maternity I definitely think it can be worn post-baby! And I had to pair it with these blush shoes and pink ball drop earrings to match the pink theme! Keep scrolling to see pics and more details from the party!

banners from Bannerize on Etsy (in rose gold)

I love Etsy for party planning, and I've found some great little shops in my research. I got a custom banner from Bannerize for my best friend's bachelorette party a while ago (see the deets in this post here) and I was so pleased the first time that I decided to use them again. Excellent customer service, quality products, and great pricing! Check them out here for their custom banners and other party decor! I'm sure this will not be the last time you see their decor on my blog!

What we ate, drank and indulged on:

Walking Taco Bar

Mock Pink Champagne (non-alcoholic - recipe below)

Sweet Tea

Mini Cupcakes

M&M Cookies

Pink Starburst treat bags

{My girlfriends Lindsay and Aubrey and twin sister Alyson taking a selfie in front of the DIY ribbon and balloon photo backdrop that I made - these were three of the four girls who helped make this day go off without a hitch - the fourth had a baby just days before and wasn't able to make it, but she was there in spirit and helped so much! We also got to meet her babe (who is baby McClure's future bestie!) shortly after the shower!}

B-A-B-Y sparklers from TOPS Malibu | mini cupcakes from Scratch Cupcakery

My invite had an illustration of a cake with these sparklers on it, so I had to have them as decor at my shower. I was excited when I finally found them at TOPS Malibu's online store. I reached out to them and they had great customer service and sent me the sparklers along with the confetti popper that I used for my gender reveal in this post here. They have tons of great party decor and they already have me thinking about details for my next party! 

I have been a fan of Scratch Cupcakes since they opened a shop in my hometown, and I was happy to see that they made mini cupcakes! My best friend chose the flavors and they were all so delicious, and I loved that they were able to make them pink for baby girl! The flavors pictured above from top to bottom were:

Oh Happy Day - made with pink sprinkles

Wedding Day - a little off topic, but my favorite of their cupcakes, and they were able to make them with pink frosting!

White Chocolate Raspberry - I'm not normally a fan chocolate and fruit, but these were SO good!

Mock Pink Champagne from 7up.com (non-alcoholic) | Straws from pomtree on Etsy

I got a sample of this mocktail while I was grocery shopping one day and I took the recipe knowing I had to recreate it for a party, and it ended up being the perfect mocktail for my shower! It was so good and was a hit - and if I wasn't pregnant I'd definitely add some champs to it! Click the link above for the recipe!

{diaper bouquet made by my friend Alison - find the instructions here}

{Centerpieces using upcycled McClure's Pickles jars with faux flowers from Hobby Lobby, linens, tables and chairs from Big Ten Rental}

{Big brother Fletch couldn't help but try to be the center of attention at the party!}

The party was a major success thanks to everyone involved and I would have lost my mind if it wasn't for my best friend Lindsay being here all the way from Dallas and my husband Brian helping me set everything up. The party was supposed to be outside, but last minute we changed it to inside because it was so incredibly hot out, and it all ended up being perfect. Even if it didn't go as planned, just being surrounded by friends and family celebrating baby girl McClure made it success enough. She is definitely going to be one spoiled and stylish little girl, and we cannot wait to meet her in 12 short weeks! Thanks for reading! XO

Shopbop Event of the Season picks

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Shopbop's Event of the Season starts today for 3 days only, so you need to head over and get some amazing deals on some great designer finds! To help you out, I've picked a few of my favorite pieces to share with you all - linked above! 

I'm currently obsessing over colorful drop earrings, distressed denim and ruffles and bell sleeves. And I will always love a Mar Y Sol bag and a cute pair of espadrilles! Here are the details for the sale:

Get 25% off orders of $500 or more with code EVENT17

Get 20% off orders under $500 with code EVENT17 

The sale ends 4/14, so head over ASAP -  and let me know what you scooped up in the comments below! Thanks for reading! XO

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pink + grey | spring style

cardigan | tank, similar here| jeggings, similar here and here | shoes | hat, almost identical here and here | lips (my fave gloss!)

Sometimes it's way too windy outside to take a pic. Sometimes your husband gripes and complains when you ask him to take a pic. So sometimes, you just need to head to the bedroom for a mirror selfie. #bloggersgottablog and if that means an iPhone mirror selfie, then that's what you do! So here we are. I couldn't let this outfit go to waste - I just love it so much!

I got this sweater at Kohl's for less than $15 (!) over the weekend and I LOVE it, especially paired with these adorable pink shoes and this pink suede hat. The hubs and I spent the day at the dog park then walking around downtown Davenport and having lunch outside, and it was a bit breezy so I'm glad I had this long cardigan on. You can never go wrong with white on white, and this outfit is so comfortable and perfect for a gorgeous spring day!

How'd you guys spend your weekend? I hope you had gorgeous weather like we did! Thanks for reading! XO

Facebook: Blonde Style Blog | Instagram: @blondestyleblog | Twitter: @blondestyleblog | Pinterest: @theblondestyle | Snapchat: stephmcclure

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military vest | look one

vest | tank top (comes in 8 colors!) | jeans | clutch | shoes | sunnies | bracelet 1, 2 (similar)

memorial weekend sales

1 (comes in 8 colors!) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

tour of texas // san antonio

A couple weeks ago my husband and I were lucky enough to do a little tour of Texas. We started in San Antonio, spent a day in Austin, than finished our trip in Dallas, which happens to be one of my favorite cities in the US. I never really had any desire to go to Dallas, but then one of my best friends moved there and I visited and have been in love ever since. I'm really trying to take advantage of the time that she's living there to visit often, without annoying her and her (new!) hubby too much! 

San Antonio was so neat. We stayed at the historic Crockett Hotel, which was right behind The Alamo and literally footsteps away from the Riverwalk, plus tons of shopping and restaurants on the street level. The first day, we decided to go check out the Riverwalk, and as we were going down the stairs we ran right into the Bier Garten that had a chalkboard sign saying "to-go margaritas". MY. PERSONAL. HEAVEN. I grabbed a marg and the hubs grabbed a beer and we walked around checking out all the cool places along the Riverwalk. We were very fortunate - it was a gorgeous day - and we need to go back just because of all the restaurants we didn't have time to go to! And the architecture and everything was so cool. We had lunch at a place called Iron Cactus - highly recommended. The Pineapple-Jalapeño Mule is a must have!

 

see this post here for outfit deets!

peach romper // honolulu

romper, nearly identical one here (and 54% off!) also love this one // necklace, similar here // bracelet, similar here // rings // sunnies // not pictured: shoes and purse, similar here

off the shoulder trend

The off the shoulder look is everywhere right now, and I'm a fan. There are so many different styles and to me it's a reminder that spring is just around the corner. Here are a few of my faves:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

We are sure to start seeing more of this as the weather continues to get nicer, and I love it. I can't wait to sport the off the shoulder look in Hawaii, but I'm having a hard time picking one out because there are so many choices!

What do you think of the off the shoulder trend? Let me know in the comments below! Also, be sure to check out what's in my bag for our upcoming trip to Hawaii here! Thanks for reading! 

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#bacheLOrette weekend // our girl's trip in miami

My friend's parents are such great hosts, not only when we stay at their home in Wisconsin, but also by allowing us to use their timeshare when we go on girl's trips. They've provided a place to stay in Marco Island, Vegas, and now, Miami. This time we stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club Resort at McAlpin - Ocean Plaza and the accommodations were beyond amazing. Not to mention, it was the perfect location. Here's a guide to how we celebrated three days of bachelorette mayhem in Miami - also known as #bacheLOrette weekend.

pink + grey // valentine's look

A little twist on your typical Valentine's Day outfit! Actually there's rarely a time I don't like combining pink and grey. I found these shoes buried in my shoe closet and thought I needed to find something to wear them with. They don't get worn often - obviously they are a little high! But they are so cute - and I just happened to have a purse to match!

first of the month faves // february

Welcome to the second month of 2016! I don't know about you, but January flew by for me. Shocking, because I had absolutely nothing going on. Besides going to work, I think I left the house four times total... It's too cold outside! February will be a different story though. In just two days I'm heading to Miami to celebrate one of my best friend's bachelorette party... I'm so looking forward to some fun in the (warm) sun! Without further ado... Here's February's first of the month faves!

january wish list

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

You'd think that after the holidays I wouldn't be able to come up with a wish list, but it just never ends for me. Don't get me wrong, I got a lot of great things for Christmas and I absolutely do not need anything else, but that's why it's called a 'wish' list, right? In this digital age, new fun things are always popping up online and in my emails and I'm all, I NEED DIS. 

winter style // night out

This year I decided to go for a more laid back look for NYE because we weren't really doing anything crazy - we spent the majority of our night at Buffalo Wild Wings on Hollywood Blvd. so the boys could watch football and drink cheap beer. We planned to take it easy so we weren't in rough shape for the Rose Bowl, but I got on that struggle bus and rode it well into the next day - #vacation. 

circle hem sweater + scuba leggings

I bought this sweater a while back because I loved the color, not knowing that soon this style would be all over the place. I'm so glad I did because it is so comfy and I love the circle hem detail! I bought it with these scuba leggings knowing that I wanted to pair them together, and I love the way it looks. The circle hem falls right above the zipper detail on the leggings as if they were made for each other. These leggings are very comfortable when on... they definitely do not look like they would be! So that was a pleasant surprise!