Friday Night Likes

(FRIDAY NIGHT LIKES: a collection of things I'm liking this week and things I've found across the internet this week)

1. Yankee Candle Hazelnut Coffee

My mother in law got me this candle last year for Christmas and I have been burning it since October hit. Hazelnut coffee has been my absolute favorite coffee flavor since I was about 15 or 16 years old. So having this scent in my house all day long has been making me very happy recently.

2. Cobalt Blue Handbag

I have been lusting over and wanting a nice inexpensive cobalt blue handbag for about a year now and I'm really drooling over this one at Old Navy. Maybe this will make my winter capsule wardrobe shopping list. We'll see!

3. LLBean look-a-like snow boots

So I really wanted a pair of LLbean boots last year for Christmas and when my husband went to order them they were on back order until February! I told him to not even bother again this year, BUT I just stumbled across these tonight at Old Navy for half the price. These are definitely on my wishlist now :)

4. Coat

I have been searching for and looking at coats at different sites for my winter capsule wardrobe and Old Navy has some really cute styles and of course right now they have some really good sales. But I have to wait! 

5. Oversized Multicolored Scarf

So like every other girl right now, I am really wanting a tartan scarf with a more tan background with green, red and navy and possible other colors in it, but they are sold out everywhere! All I can find in my local stores or ones that aren't sold out are like mainly red, green, black, or grey plaid. Search continues. 

What are some things you are finding and drooling over across the web these days?

October Favorites

Mommy Favorites

Resolve Carpet Cleaner
I know this isn't beauty realated (which seems to be trend with my monthly piosts) but it for sure is mommy/housewife related. From coffee spills, to poodle messes, to dirt from husbands shoes, and all other things I found myself cleaning up this month on our living room carpet...this stuff has done the trick! It has gotten out everything out, even stains that had been there a while. Try it out!

NYX Eyebrow Makeup Kit
I've never tried an eyebrow makeup kit before but this has definitely been a great buy. It goes on so light which I really like because I feel like I can really control it. If you haven't tried an eyebrow kit or aren't pleased with the one you're currently using, you should try this one!

Maybelline lipstick
This is my favorite lipstick of all time and this color is perfect for me. I've actually used this for 2 years now and am still in love with the color, the smoothness of the lipstick and the fact that it does not taste like a crayon.


Toddler Favorites

Not a great picture, but it's the best I could get with a poodle and a toddler that wanted to grab everything :)

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Puppy Train
I saw this toy on a commercial recently and thought Lilly would really enjoy it. I found one at Target and opened it up for her and she seem to really be intrigued with it so far!

Boots from Target
These are so cute and keep her feet warm on really cold days.


Carter's Polka Dot Toddler Jacket
Love this jacket! It has fleece lining to keep her warm and the outer shell protects from wind and rain. And of course it's polka dots, love it :)


What are some of your favorites from last month?

Holy Chic Backpack

So I'm in love with this Steve Madden backpack I found at Marshall's. It has such a fashionable look to it and is very practical running around with Lilly while we run errands. It holds everything I need for her and myself and fits great on the shoulder and doesn't tip over my stroller when I hang it on the handle ;) 

Here is a look at a typical outfit for a day out and about with a very mobile toddler:

yup the zipper was opened and we didn't realize it :-P

Jacket and T-shirt Old Navy 

Pants and Shoes Walmart

Steve Madden Backpack from Marshalls

Loft Sunglasses

Fall Capsule Wardrobe Update: Final Pieces

So I will admit, I could not pair down to an entire 37 piece wardrobe...it just wasn't going to happen for me with my fall/winter stuff. From working in retail I already had a good amount of classic items and quality pieces that I have been carrying over for almost 5 years now. They've lasted, still fit, and are still current. And after having Lilly last year, my body did not go back to pre-pregnancy state and I couldn't fit in those pre-preggo clothes. I wasn't concerned about fitting into those clothes, so all of those items that didn't fit me, I tossed, some still fit and I still have. But last year I invested in some newer pieces that fit my new body and my mommy lifestyle that have carried over this year. So when I was going through my fall wardrobe this year I already had a pretty well established collection for my lifestyle and the clothes fit really well.  There were just a few holes that needed to be filled and now I am done shopping until winter. Which I already know I'm probably going to need a new coat, I don't know yet, but we will find out in a couple of months when I pull that stuff out of storage.  Fall and Winter in Charleston, SC kind of just runs into each other. We don't really have an extremely cold winter, so all of my fall pieces will carry over into winter, and some of my winter pieces I will pull out and incorporate with my fall items on colder days. And again as previously mentioned my boots, booties, flats, and heels you'll see I already had invested in from years past. The key to a complete wardrobe is investing in quality classic pieces. So taking the 37 piece capsule wardrobe idea is a great way to build a foundation wardrobe with quality, classic pieces that will last you years of wear. 

So with all of that being said, I'm going in a different direction with my fall and winter capsule wardrobe. Since I already have a well established collection I'm going to show you 10 pieces that I've added this fall that I will be incorporating into my regular wardrobe and show you the countless combinations of those pieces for fall.  And I'll do the same in January for a winter capsule wardrobe. But the goal is still the same, now that I've filled some holes, I will not be shopping for any clothing until January.

So here are my pieces:

Military Jacket 

My favorite go-to fall piece right now. 

Little Black Sweatshirt

This was just too adorable to pass up at Banana Republic! 

Brown Sweater 

The picture does not do the color justice in this sweater. It is a nice rich caramel color and is super soft and kind of feels like a waffle knit material. I can't wait to wear this comfy thing! 

Striped Zip Back T-shirt 

So for the past year I have been on the hunt for a FLATTERING striped t-shirt for my body type. It has been so difficult, but I found this shirt at Old Navy and instantly fell in love with it. It is a little bit thicker then a typical t-shirt material and has a trendy zipper detailing on the back and I love the mix of print placement on the shoulders. 

Lace Shirt

 I love this deep wine color and am excited to try a lace top this year!

Polka Dot Puffer Vest

This is the cutest vest I've ever seen, and it's warm too! I've already worn it a couple of times :)

Little Black Dress

I haven't really been into wearing too many dresses and skirts since I had Lilly, but this year I really wanted to invest in a classic black dress that I could potentially wear all year round for special occasions. This black dress is so flattering on my body type right now and the material is super comfortable. I've always looked better in 3/4 sleeves or elbow sleeves rather than sleeveless and short sleeve so I'm really excited to wear this for the holidays. 

Distressed Jeans

This was a staple that I needed to invest in this year. Last year I bought some really cheap jeans from Walmart that worked great for my postpartum body, however this year 2 of those jeans are way too big for me. I found these at Old Navy and fell in love because it has just enough distress to them without really over doing it so these are going to be my go-to casual jeans.

Blush Rampage Handbag from Marshalls

I have been searching for the right blush colored handbag for the past 2 years now that wasn't going to break the bank. This bag was only $25!! And it has a detachable messenger strap, something that I have to have in my handbags right now. 

Black Suede Booties 

I found at the end of winter at an outlet last year, so they haven't been worn yet and they were only $19!

Halloween Recap!

This year for Halloween we were invited to my friend's house to join them and some of our friends and their kids for trick or treating in their neighborhood. Lilly had so much fun! It was the most excited I've ever really seen her and she loved walking around and seeing all the other kids.

The whole gang heading out to trick or treat

Lilly obviously wants her food haha

Lilly and Henry

A gardner and her flower ;)

Lilly's flower costume we found at an outlet store for $10!

My DIY Costume:

Beach hat, my baking apron, my moms gardening gloves, and Lilly's play gardening shovels

Josh came up with Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph as his costume and it was perfect!

How was your Halloween?

I've Been Nominated :)

So as you may know, I started this blog last year right after giving birth to my little girl, Lillian. I have had so much fun using this as my creative and mommy outlet and as a way for me to get my own personal time and just have fun. I have met a lot of amazing bloggers out there and discover new ones to follow and fall in love with every day. I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Vicki and Livi and Heather of Broken with Remedy! I am so honored and so grateful to be recognized by you ladies and it really means a lot to be nominated for this award. This award is for bloggers with less then 200 followers, and blogs are nominated by other blogs. 

I have answered 11 questions that they have passed on to me below. Then I will be nominating 11 other bloggers to answer the same questions. 

1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?

I wanted a title that perfectly reflected what I was going to be making the blog about, everything from my passion for fashion to my adventures in mommyhood. Polka Dots are one my favorite prints to wear, to decorate, whatever, I love polka dots, and it reflects the fashion aspect of the blog. Pampers, is the brand of diapers I use other then Target brand and the combination had a nice ring to it, and reflects the mommyhood aspect of the blog. So there you have it, Polka Dots and Pampers! 

2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Passion! I have always had a passion for everything creative, style, and the fashion world. It's what guided me to the fashion degree I hold and the career path I chose in college. I am also passionate about my family, my husband, and daughter Lilly, and I've always wanted to be a good wife and mother, so taking time away from one passion to focus on the other was the best decision I made. Now I'm working on balancing everything and trying to reconnect with my creative and fashion side. Passion is what you'll see in my blog :)

3. What's your favorite pastime other than blogging?

Other then blogging or anything fashion/shopping really, my favorite pastime is the mountains. Hiking, climbing, exploring, and just anything outdoors are things I like to explore whether I'm in the mountains or not. The mountains are my favorite place on earth, so just being there is adventure enough for me.  

4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

I love being able to create things and just talk about things I'm interested in and want to talk about.

5. What recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself?

I'd most likely would try the DIY Garland from Old Clothes from Vicki and Livi's Blog craft for holiday decoration, decor for Lilly's room or for special event deocration. I really love this idea and more then likely will be trying this soon :)

6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Fashion and my daily life as a mom. 

7. What one country in the world would you like to visit? Why?

Well I would visit both Italy and Greece on the same trip. I have always wanted to visit these two beautiful places and explore and eat incredible food :)

8. If you have children, what are their names? If not, what are your favorite boy and girl names?

One girl named Lillian (Lilly).

9. A long lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?

Well it depends on the amount of the large sum. My first instinct of course is going to be a shopping spree and buy all the clothes, shoes and handbags I want! However, I'd probably do practical things with it, like pay of any debts, maybe buy a new house, car, put some away for Lilly, maybe start a business, and use a little for shopping :)

10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you've written so far? (Include the link!)
I don't know if I have a favorite. They're all my favorite :)

11. What is your favorite food?

Food: Pasta / Dessert food: Cake  

And here are my nominations (based on number of facebook followers for their blog page):

Mary @Mary Morelli Personal Blog
Bex @Butcher's Niche
Julia @Writers Block Near You
Jen @La Vida Life as it Comes

Samantha @Moving Peaces
Amanda @Fun in the Oven
Alexandra @With a Heart in Danger
Rebecca @The Glitter Diaries
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished
Jenny @ The Littlest Way
Shelby @Shelby Clarke Blog

These are the steps to accepting your award:

• Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person that nominated you (see below). Please comment on this post with your link when you are done so I can see your answers!

• In your post, link back to the person/blog who nominated you and give a little thank you shout out.

• After completing the questions, nominate 11 bloggers with under 200 followers on the social media platform of your choice, and give them 11 questions of your choice.

• Notify your nominees of their nomination, and provide a link to your post so that they know what to do.

These are your questions (I loved the questions I was given, so I've kept them the same!):
1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why? 
3. What's your favorite pastime other than blogging?
4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
5. Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself? 
6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit? Why?
8. If you have children, what are their names? If not, what are your favorite boy & girl names?
9. A long lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?
10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you've written so far? (Include the link!)
11. What is your favorite food? 

Congrats, ladies! I loved finding your blogs and I will continue to read them! :)

Mommy Uniform: Fall Edition

So on days when it actually feels like fall here I have been living in my go-to fall pieces: my military jacket, skinny jeans, flats or my ankle booties. This combination of pieces are just what I have been gravitating to on a daily basis this fall and the pairing options are endless. From denim shirts, to plaid, to basic or graphic t's, these few pieces make for unlimited amounts of fall outfits. Rotate the skinnies for cords, or a black skirt, or whatever your style fancy may be and you're whole fall wardrobe is complete with just a few pieces. 

Out running errands in my Old Navy Jacket, Banana Republic Striped T-shirt from the summer, Walmart Skinnies, Nine West Flats from a few years ago (similar below), and Bow Wallet/Clutch from Kohls :)

Mommy Uniform by nataliemorelliwaters

Old Navy brown jacket
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy blue jeans
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy ankle boots
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy flat shoes
oldnavy.gap.com