Flu season can be a scary time of year for some adults; nobody wants to suffer the debilitating effects of this infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by influenza viruses. If this is your first flu season with a little one (or you're due to deliver soon) the thought of your precious bundle of joy, yourself, or anybody else who might come in contact with your baby catching the flu is even scarier. The flu is more dangerous than the common cold for young children and each year hundreds of children younger than 5 are hospitalized with flu complications, like pneumonia. I'm sharing my top tips for protecting your precious bundle of joy and yourself from contracting the flu illness and stay well this season.

My Favorite Posts of 2017

It's so hard to believe that 2017 will be over in just nine short days! It's definitely been a long, eventful year that I know a lot of us are anxious to forget. I know I'm looking forward to 2018 and everything it has to offer. Truly Yours, A. has been my creative outlet and I've enjoyed coming up with all of the posts I've put up this past year. Here are my top favorites that I hope you loved, too!

Wishlist Wednesday: My Christmas List!

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I don’t want anything for Christmas, other than McKenna having the best first Christmas ever. But if I HAD to ask for something, it would be one of these amazing gifts!

Ultra Violet

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The past couple of years have been some of my favorite years for Pantone’s Color of the Year. 2017 brought us Greenery, a refreshing shade symbolizing new beginnings. In 2016 we got a two-for one with the beautiful shades of Rose Quartz (a blush pink) and Serenity (a soft baby blue). This year’s Pantone COTY is Ultra Violet: a vibrant purple that “communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points toward the future,” says Pantone.

New Parent December Bucket List

It’s finally the most wonderful time of the year and I’m not excited: I’m ELATED! December is great for so many reasons: the first official day of winter, holiday cheer, and Christmas! It’s also my first December as a mom and there’s so many fun activities that I can’t wait to share with my little one. I’m sharing all of my favorite holiday projects and must-dos for new parents PLUS a free printable with tons of other activities!

3 Ways to Spice Up Your Holiday Party Looks

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There's nothing like getting all dolled up and heading out to a fabulous holiday party. Want to wow the guests at your next soiree? Keep reading for my top three tips for spicing up your holiday party looks with Schwarzkopf® Keratin Color! Schwarzkopf® Keratin Color brings out confidence in every woman by gently restoring and augmenting her hair. With every purchase of Schwarzkopf® Keratin Color we can also help women get a fresh start through a partnership with Dress for Success®.

Breastfeeding Essentials for a Happy Mommy & Healthy Baby

As a new-ish mom my full-time job is breastfeeding my daughter. Along the way I’ve gone through a ton of products that have made the journey a lot easier. I’ve listed all my faves that will make Mommy happy and keep Baby healthy along the way, including an amazing probiotic from Evivo! 

Gift Guide for New Parents

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If you’re looking to get the new parents in your circle a well thought out gift then you’re going to love this gift guide. I’ve rounded up eight practical gifts that will make Mom and Dad’s new job of parenthood a little easier!

Thanksgiving Stripes

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If you look in my closet you’ll see a multitude of patterns, but stripes rule them all! I already own a striped sweater dress from Forever 21 (last seen here) and it’s one of my favorite outfit starters. With all the rich colors in my latest sweater dress purchase, all I need is a pair of booties, tights, vest, and jewelry and I’m ready for anything!

3 Coats You Need for a Stylish Winter

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I am not a big coat person; I prefer puffer vests and super thick sweaters, but this year I’ve done a complete 180! I am completely obsessed with the three trendy coat styles that are hitting all the stores right now: silver puffer jackets, millennial pink coats, and faux fur coats. If you consider your style to be sporty, classic, or daring, then you’ll want to keep reading for the prime picks I found for each trend!

Gift Guide for Her

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‘Tis the season for gift giving and I’ve got you covered for all the ladies in your life! This girly gift guide has something for all the women on your list no matter what your budget is. Most of these gifts are under $100, but I did include a few splurge-worthy items. It was so hard narrowing these picks down so I included an additional list of items that would make great stocking stuffers! Here are a few more gift guides if you need more shopping inspiration: Gifts for the girl who loves sparkle, Gifts for the Tech fiend.

How to Feel (And Look) Your Best After Baby Arrives

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AGummyYouCanTrust #NatureMade #NatureMadeAdultGummies #USP #CollectiveBias

In the weeks and months following childbirth it can be hard to find time to do anything for yourself besides a nap and the occasional shower. It’s almost been 4 months since McKenna was born and I’m still struggling with this. Lately, I’ve found a few easy ways to feel like my old self again and do something just for me. Today I’ve partnered with Nature Made®  to share a few simple ways you can feel and look your best after baby arrives!

Fall & Winter Essentials from the Nordstrom Fall Sale

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If you know me, you know I love a good sale. This year’s Nordstrom Fall sale is no exception! Sales like this are a great time to buy higher priced items that you will wear this year and many more in the future. I’ve rounded up a few of the best items from this year’s sale that you won’t want to miss including boots, jackets, and jeans! This sale ends on 11/12 so if you haven’t shopped then what are you waiting for?!

Mad for Plaid

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This is outfit #1 (of 3) featuring an item from my Le Tote box I mentioned on Instagram. If you don’t know, Le Tote is a clothing subscription box that allows you to try different items in the comfort of your own home. You wear each item as long as you want then keep what you love and send back what you don’t! I’d you want to try it out and get 50% off your first box sign up here and use code HEARTLT at registration! I’ll be posting a full review on the blog soon, but for now let’s get into this look!

6 Ways to Refresh Your Look for Fall

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One of my favorite quotes is by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” So much changes during this time of year: the weather, the foliage. So why shouldn’t your look? Today I’ve partnered with Schwarzkopf to share my top tips for giving your wardrobe, makeup, and hair a refresh for fall! I’m also sharing how I gave myself a mini makeover for the season. 

Jumpsuit for Joy

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My first holiday outfit series was filled with comfy outfit inspiration for Thanksgiving. This year I’m sharing dressier looks because this is the time of year when those holiday party invitations start rolling in. Of course I’m going to RSVP ‘yes’ to all of them because who doesn’t love a good reason to dress up! My must-have item for amazing holiday party outfits? A jumpsuit: they don’t require tights (I really hate wearing them), they are completely unexpected, and just plain cool!

4 Things Nobody Told Me About Breastfeeding

October 27th marked my 100th day of breastfeeding McKenna! Before I started this journey I had very little knowledge about breastfeeding. I knew the basics: look for feeding cues, babies only need colostrum for the first couple of days, and the numerous health benefits for mom and baby. There was still a multitude of things that I had no idea about before I had my daughter. I have learned so much about breastfeeding in such a short amount of time and I wanted to compile all the little known things I’ve learned on this journey for all the soon-to-be moms who might need more insight into breastfeeding.

The Best Apps for New Moms

As a millennial, I'm pretty much attached to my phone 24/7. As a millennial parent, I use my phone for everything - taking and sending photos, researching symptoms, and scouring forums for other moms with the same issues. For the past three months I've relied on a few apps that make this motherhood job a little easier. Keep reading for a rundown of my favorite apps for new moms!

Pumpkin Spice Stripes

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Time for a moment of complete transparency: I hate pumpkin or pumpkin spice anything. In my unpopular opinion, it's completely overrated and, if we're being honest, sweet potato pie > pumpkin pie. I will admit that the only pumpkin spice item I like is this adorable striped top from H&M. This top comes in a few different colors, but I was immediately drawn to this one because this shade of vibrant orange is flat out gorgeous!

Save vs Splurge: Fall Bags

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It's been so long since I've shared my Save vs Splurge finds with you all. I love rounding up fabulous pieces that can fit anybody's budget because your style shouldn't have to suffer because of your bank account. Today's finds are 3 bags that would be perfect for fall. Whether you're looking for a tote to carry your life around, a small crossbody for weekend excursions, or something a little more chic, I've got a bag for you at a great price!

McKenna at 3 Months

It still doesn't seem real, but McKenna is 3 months old TODAY! Fall is my favorite season and I'm ecstatic to experience everything it has to offer with her. I'm all about making memories with her because we'll never have this time together again. McKenna doesn't have a doctors appointment until December so this month's update is short, but sweet so keep reading to check it out!

5 Reasons Why You Need A Leather Skirt

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There are so many ways to add a little spice to your wardrobe, but all it takes is one piece to be the game changer. My game changer for this year is this faux leather skirt from Loft that I snagged during their fall sale. I don't know what attracted me to this piece, but I just know that I needed to add it to my closet. I've already got so many awesome outfits planned around this versatile piece that I can't wait to share with all of you. Until then I'm  sharing the 5 reasons why you need to add a leather skirt to your closet now!

My New Mom Fall Staples

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It's no secret that fall is my favorite season for fashion. I love everything about it: the colors (Hey there spicy mustard!), the layering (Hello puffer vest, my old friend!), and the new textures (Looking sexy there, velvet!). Lately, I haven't had much of a chance to experiment with my wardrobe since I have been living in my fall "mom uniform." All my moms out there know exactly what I'm talking about: sweat/yoga pants, oversized sweaters, and anything that isn't covered in spit up. On the fall days that I want to look more put together while running errands or taking my daughter to the doctor, I reach for these 4 new mom fall staples.

Pearl Embellished Faves Under $100

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Pearls are for more than just jewelry this fall! To say the world is obsessed with pearl embellishments is a bit of an understatement. These pretty pieces of calcium carbonate exploded on the fashion scene earlier this year and it seemed like everybody couldn't get enough of them. This summer brought us a sandal adorned with larger pearls and quickly became the most sought after shoe of the season. Now that fall is here there are still tons of pearl pieces that can help fill the pearl void your closet. Today I've rounded up the best of pearl embellished accessories, shoes, tops, and bottoms. The best part? They are all pieces under $100 so you won't break the bank shopping one of the season's hottest trends!

Our Fertility Story

This is a sponsored conversation from Mums the Word Network and The Stork OTC. All opinions are my own. 

I mentioned the beginning of my pregnancy journey in my "I'm Pregnant" life update post. What I didn't mention was our fertility or conception story. Conceiving wasn't the easiest thing in the world, but with a little help from Stork OTC it definitely could have been easier. Keep reading to see how Stork OTC can help with trying to get pregnant!

4 Fall Outfits to Recreate Year After Year

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When it comes to everyday style, there are just certain fall outfits that continue to make an appearance year after year. I try to incorporate a few new pieces every year, but my motto when it comes to getting dressed during this season is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Today I'm sharing my top 4 staple outfits that you can recreate year after year!

How to Create the Perfect Feeding Station

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #SimplyBonding

As any new parent knows here's nothing worse than sitting down for a feeding with your little one and realizing you forgot something. The only thing that could possibly be worse would be your precious bundle of joy crying while you gather all the appropriate materials. Both situations have happened to me, but not anymore! Being the organized person I am I went through my house and set up feeding stations, each stocked with every little thing I could possibly need for feeding my baby. These feeding stations are also perfect for times when I'm not the one feeding McKenna; everything my boyfriend or any other family member needs is right at their fingertips! 

2017 Fall Bucket List

The first official day of fall is tomorrow and I'm so exited! Last year's bucket list was made with just my boyfriend and I in mind. This year we get to celebrate the season as a family with McKenna! I know she isn't old enough to understand most or any of the activities on my bucket list, but I'm still pretty psyched for her first autumn! Keep reading to see what's on my fall bucket list and why!

McKenna at 2 Months

2 months down, thousands more to go! While the first month of McKenna's life flew by, things definitely slowed down for month two. It may sound cliche, but this girl has grown so much since her one month update! I really can't complain about anything because she's such an easygoing baby. She doesn't really cry and when she does she's easily soothed. She's not overly clingy, but I am definitely a stage 5 clinger so I always want to hold her. But I feel that's normal for most first-time moms so I'm not going to be ashamed! Enough about all that, keep reading for McKenna's second month update!

Fall Floral Dress

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Florals? For fall? Not entirely groundbreaking, but still pretty unexpected this time of year. With fall comes a whole new pattern and color palette. I'm stepping outside the fall fashion box with this pretty floral frock from Pink Blush Maternity! The muted floral pattern just works perfectly for the transitional time between summer and fall. 

My Favorite Summer to Fall Transitional Nail Colors

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If you ever need to rush out of the house without having put your make-up on having your nails painted is the next best thing! I try to make time every week to unwind and give myself a fresh manicure with one of the season's hottest colors. I love the transitional time between summer and fall because of the colors that make an appearance. Today I'm sharing my favorite summer to fall transitional nail colors. 

Fan Sea Pants

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Even though it's September, I couldn't resist posting one last summer look. This one is one of my all-time favorites so I don't know what took me so long to share it with you all! This outit is everything I love about summer - bright colors, tropical inspiration, and uber relaxed.

Labor Day White + 9 Ways to Wear White After Labor Day

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For as long as I can remember, my mother instilled in me that white was NOT to be work after Labor Day. I never questioned her, but I often wondered why I couldn't wear my favorite white Mary Janes after the summer. Fast forward to 2017 and I am still hesitant to keep this color in my wardrobe once we reach the end of August. However, I made a promise to myself to step outside te box more often when it comes to my style which is why I'm sharing this all white ensemble with you all today!

Loft Peplum Top

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Summer is so close to being over and I almost can't believe it. We're so close to fall and that means we're even closer to fall fashion. One of my favorite ways to transition to fall fashion is to incorporate more jewel tones into my wardrobe. Think darker, moodier hues like burgundy, navy, emerald, and, my new favorite, spicy mustard. This color has been a fall staple for years and I can totally see why!

The Perfect Fall Date Night Blouse!

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Happy Hump Day, y'all! Tomorrow is the last day of the month which means we're one day closer to fall! Don't get me wrong; I love summer. Probably more than I should, but fall will always be my first love. It might be the leaves changing or the chill in the air or the multitude of fall activities; whatever it is, I can't wait for it! In my neck of the woods the weather has cooled down just a little bit and some of my favorite fall pieces have come out to play including this blouse from Pink Blush!

Baby Beach Bag Essentials

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and it's advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM4

Summer should get a speeding ticket because it definitely flew past! It's so hard to believe that September is less than a week away. To aid in the pain of summer ending I planned a last minute beach getaway as a way to send summer off properly and cross another item off my summer bucket list. How was I able to do that? With all the money I saved by switching to Walmart Family Mobile! The $49.88 TRULY Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data◊ Plan from Walmart Family Mobile, powered by T-Mobile, helped me do more this summer by keeping more money in my pocket. Of course, a last minute beach trip would be nothing without a properly packed beach bag especially with a newborn in tow.

5 Mistakes I've Made As A New Mom

I like to think of being a new mom as a the job I've been waiting my whole life for. While the hours are terrible and the days off nonexistent, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I would like to think that I picked up on the basics pretty quickly, but there is always room for improvement. I've only had this position for a month and I've made plenty of mistakes along the way. I don't really like to think of them as mistakes, but as lessons learned. Today I'm sharing the mistakes I've made along the way in the hopes that someone else can learn a lesson from them.

McKenna At One Month

How has it been a whole month (plus a couple days) since McKenna wasn't born?! I feel like the time flew by, but I also feel like it went by slowly. It definitely feels like it's way too soon for me to have a 1 month old. I know it's cliche, but she really has grown so much in this short amount of time.  She never ceases to amaze me and I love watching her grow and adapt to being out in the world. I honestly could go on and on about her all day, but I'm going to share a quick 1 month update instead. I thought this would be a great way to document McKenna's growth while I'm on the hunt for the perfect baby book (does anybody have any recommendations?).

3 Sneakers You Need for Fall

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Fall is right around the corner and it feels like everyone is anxious for pumpkin spice everything and leaves on the ground. I, on the other hand, am most excited for the fall fashion, especially footwear. Boots and booties are the usually the footwear staples for this time of year, but I'm encouraging you to step outside of the box for 2017. Sneakers are my go-to during this time of year mainly because they are super comfy. I have a wider foot so most boots and booties end up being too narrow and uncomfortable if worn for a long period of time. There are tons of trendy sneakers available as stores are shifting to their autumnal wares. I'm giving you 3 great styles that you need to get you through the upcoming months. As an added bonus most of these are under $100, so you can look your best and keep a little extra money in your pocket for those pumpkin spice lattes! If you need a little styling undo, be sure to check out my tips for nailing the sneaker trend!

Truly Yours, A. Turned 2!

Truly Yours, A. officially turned 2 on July 11th, but I was a little busy with McKenna's arrival so I didn't have time to celebrate or put up this post! I still find it hard to believe that 2 years ago I decided to put all my fears behind me and just start this blog. I was 100% sure that nobody would even care about what I had to say and that blogging would be another hobby I would give up after a few months. I'm so glad I didn't listen to that pessimistic voice inside my head because has been an amazing 2 year journey. I've had more than my share of hiatuses, but I've always come back because I truly love writing and sharing it all with you guys. Today's post isn't just about how many years this blog has been on the internet, but a culmination of everything I've learned over the past couple of years as well. Keep reading for little bits of blogging advice and a colorful style look, too!

Summer Bucket List Update with Walmart Family Mobile!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser,  Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM2

I can't believe it's already the end of July! It seems like just yesterday that summer started and now we're heading into the final month. Since we only have a few more weeks of summer left, I thought I would share a quick update on how my summer bucket list is progressing. Compared to last year I still have a few tasks that I haven't had a chance to cross off. Luckily, I plan on knocking out a couple activities this week all with a little help from Walmart Family Mobile! Keep reading to see how nationwide coverage on T-Mobile's 4G LTE network and Walmart's best pricing in no contract wireless plans makes it easier than ever to stay connected and save some serious cash so I have more money in my pocket to have a little summer fun!