100,000 pageviews, guest post & a-z challenge

Hi all! I am so excited to announce that I have hit 100,000 page views!!! Thank you for all your support & guidance through this process! I feel like I still have a lot more to learn & do.

I also did a guest post over at Chasing Davies the other day. She is another Kansas City blogger!!! 

Also, Monday starts a new blog challenge!! It should be a lot of fun & hopefully you will get to know more about me! 

Cara Box Reveal

I absolutely loved doing the cara box!!! If you have never done it, you should give it a try!!! It was so much fun picking out & making items for my box. Of course, it was awesome getting a box filled with goodies! 

My box came from Libby over at Artistic Expressions by Elisabeth, she obviously got the hint that pink was my favorite color & that I am a crafter!

Thanks so much, Libby! I loved it! I can't wait to participate again next month!!!

Back from Florida

Hope you all haven't missed me too much!!! I had a great time in Florida. It kind of exhausted me though!!! We hung out on the beach every day & did things every night, we kept busy!

Here is the view of the ocean!

Me & Laura. We are seriously like the same person!! We didn't know each other before we went on this trip & we were stuck like glue to each other the whole trip! 

We went to this really nice restaurant called the salt water grill! We had such good food & a good time there.

Us girls!!! 

Me & Bekah (My sister-in-law) on the beach!

Hope you enjoyed these pictures! I'm so glad to be home!!!

The Collective

<a href="http://www.peacoatsandplaid.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20collective" target="”_blank”"><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/bre916/BLOG/thecollective200_zpsb8a6e82b.jpg"/></a>

Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED weekly blog hop party, THE Collective.

This is a link up for bloggers who want to gain followers and meet awesome people.

Not sure if this is the blog hop for you? Listen to what other bloggers have to say...

"Just to let you know, your blog hop is the best I've participated in for gaining new friends!!! I couldn't believe the results!! Thank you!"

- Danavee, This Vintage Grove

"I'm dropping by to let you know that I love being a part of your blog hop! 

 I have been meeting really nice bloggers.  Bloggers who are actually friendly and want to connect! 

I'm putting the blog hop button on my side bar, like, permanently!  Everyone should know about it. Just thought I'd share with you. Thank you."

-Vickie, Oh Abby Day

"Hi BreAnna, just want to say that your blog is beautiful, creative, and fun. The GFC collective is one of my favorite parts of the blogging week. Love meeting new friends and fellow bloggers. We just started our blog and were amazed at how helpful the GFC collective is! Keep up the amazing work."

-Alea and Rachael, Sparkle Your Life

"This GFC Collective Hop is seriously one of the best link ups out there! Through this hop I have found so many great blogs & friends that I wouldn't have otherwise found! Thank you so much for hosting such a fun link up! Please take the time to link up & join along! You won't be sorry that you did!"

-Amy @ Keepin' Up With the Smith's

Has THE Collective done wonders for your following? Let me know, shoot me an email at peacoatsnplaid(at)gmail(dot)com

Bre @ Peacoats and Plaid

and our lovely co-hosts for the week

Courtney & Julie @ The Chirping Moms

Lauren @ The Crafty Ginger

Gayle @ A Gayle Force

Danielle & Katrina @ Provocative Manners

...want to co-host? Email Bre at peacoatsnplaid(at)gmail(dot)com

Guest Post from Mary

Good morning! My name is Mary and I write over at The Sauers. Lauren is in sunny Florida enjoying a much deserved vacation and I am so excited to posting for her today! We’re long time friends in real life and I am so glad to stay connected with her through the blogging world. I’d love it if you stop by and say hi on my corner of the internet. I can also be found on facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

If you follow my blog for any amount of time you will figure something out pretty quickly: I have a lot on my plate. I have multiple part time jobs, a new baby, and a growing blog. In addition to these things, I have a marriage and friendships that deserve my attention. Chances are you have a lot on your plate too.

And then there’s my health. Oh yea, that. To be totally honest, my health has taken the backseat to all of the things I listed above for way too long. For a long time, I justified my choices by saying I’ll get healthy when life slows down. Life has not slowed down, but my thinking has changed.

Somewhere along the way I stopped thinking: I’m too busy to exercise and eat right.

And started thinking: I’m too busy not to exercise and eat right.

I realized that I was unable to be the wife, mama, friend, blogger, employee, daughter, sister {fill in the blank} God created me to be if I felt tired and sluggish all of the time. I needed to start eating foods that fill me with energy if I wanted to keep up with that life I am living.

Great. What now? This change in thinking did not magically make my life slow down. Or give me extra hours to spend on the treadmill or in the kitchen. How am I making it work?

Prioritize
The first thing I did was identify the areas of my life that needed to change and fast. Knowing my tendency to take on too much at once, I set out to name the top three things that would make a big difference to my health. This could look different for everyone. For me, my priorities became clear very quickly. The first thing I had to deal with was my sugar addiction. Due to the way we eat in this country, type II Diabetes is a real possibility for many Americans. Besides the threat of diabetes, I was so tired all of the time. I knew my sugar eating habits were holding me back from living up to my full potential each day. The second, and perhaps most obvious thing, was my weight. I had lost all of my pregnancy weight but needed to attack the thirty pounds I gained during a high stress career change. And third, I wanted to start becoming more active on a daily basis. I had yet to fall back into a rhythm of staying active after having Clementine. In my mind, this is important for me, but also for my family. I want to strive to live an example of an active lifestyle.

Plan Ahead
The best goals can fail without a good plan. So after I had my priorities lined up, I made a plan to take them from goals to reality. I now spend a half an hour each Sunday evening planning out my week. This planning "date" includes meal planning and mapping out the time I will exercise that week. 

Compromise
I'm going to be really transparent on this one: In order to focus on your health, other things may have to fall through the cracks. In my life this looks like me eating the same thing for breakfast most days of the week. Or making enough food for lunch to reheat for dinner later on. It looks like dishes piling up in the sink. Or washing my face and putting my hair up after a workout, instead of taking a shower. You should be the judge of what areas in your life can take a back burner or be put on hold so you can focus on your health.

Multitask
Many days, getting up before baby to run or workout is just not realistic. When you have been up multiple time throughout the night, being the best mama you can be might mean sleeping as long as the babies are sleeping. On days like this, I get outside with the baby while she is awake. I made a rule this winter that if it was above 35 degrees and there was not anything coming out of the sky, we would bundle up and take the stroller out for a walk.
Another way I multitask is in the kitchen. If your family is anything like mine, hubby and baby are probably not following along on your diet. Instead of planning a complete separate menu for my diet, I have found ways to modify family dinner to fit my needs. For example, if I am making spaghetti and meatballs for Chris, I skip the pasta and eat the meatball as my main course with a side salad. Be creative with meal times, there are many ways you can make them work for you!

Walk in grace
I tend to be an all-or-nothing person, but I have quickly learned this was contributing to my failure to live a healthy style. Because I was not showing myself grace when I made mistakes in my eating plan or missed a day of exercise, I would let one mistake ruin an entire day or even an entire week. God’s grace extends to the little parts of your life. It extends to bad days and struggling with discipline and self control. Ask Him for strength and drive to take care of the body he gave you, but also except his grace when you fall short.

I hope that a look at the changes I am making in my life will not only inspire you but also help you to feel less overwhelmed by the changes you want to make.

Have you already figure out your top three priorities for living a healthier life? I would love to hear them! Leave me a comment below, email me, or drop by my blog.

- Mary

Guest Post from Elle at My Dearest Friend

I’m a girl that loves style, food and travel above all other things. I’m inspired by street style over celebrities, food over foot wear, nature over …nutella, haha. You know what I’m getting at. I just love things that are really and stir some kind of emotion, you know? I thrive on the simplistically beautiful… but I suppose I should tell you who I am. My name is Elle and I’m the quirky Canadian girl over at the blog My Dearest Friend! I classify myself as a working student and lifestyle blogger, and today I’m filling in for your lovely host Lauren as she soaks up some serious rays on the beautiful beaches of Florida. Not gonna lie, I wish I was there!
I’ve been inspired lately by the lovely spring like weather we’ve been having up here, so I thought I would bring you guys a little spring like styling inspiration. Today we’re taking three essential pieces that you may already have in your wardrobe and introducing little pops of Spring to freshen them up!

Skater Dress by ellefalconer featuring thin belts

Ribbon, 23 CAD / Forever 21 , 31 CAD / H&M sneaker, 23 CAD / Crossbody handbag, 7.73 CAD / Lucky Brand straw fedora hat, 51 CAD / Party sunglasses, 10 CAD / Thin belt, 6.17 CAD

Punk Chic: Leather Skirt by ellefalconer featuring stud earrings

Felder Felder crop tee, 94 CAD / Forever 21 faux leather skirt, 23 CAD / Canvas platform sneaker, 51 CAD / Color block handbag, 37 CAD / Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelets jewelry, 50 CAD / Pim + Larkin stud earrings, 11 CAD / Forever 21 beaded necklace, 5.97 CAD / River Island beanie hat, 12 CAD

White Cropped Pants by ellefalconer featuring genuine leather jackets

H&M genuine leather jacket, 46 CAD / Old Navy denim pants, 31 CAD / Suede shoes, 15 CAD / Flat heels, 51 CAD / Hobo shoulder bag, 27 CAD / Lucca Couture braided jewelry, 36 CAD / Madewell braided jewelry, 7.19 CAD

I love the comeback of bright accessories, but also the bright and muted tones of mint, coral, and of course, neutrals. Florals are also making a comeback for spring and decked out on that cross-body bag is just the perfect accent. I made sure to make everything under $50, so it’s super affordable. Another get bonus to some of these items is that you can DIY a lot of it. Like the braided bracelets? Hit up a craft store for some of the same suede rope, paint it, add some funky beading, and you’ve got yourself some cute and affordable bracelets! Those studded converses? Buy some bulk studs on ebay and go crazy on your favourite pair of tennis shoes. Those pink keds? Buy a cheap pair at Ardene’s and stamp the leopard print on with some fabric paint! Amazing, right?
I hope you guys enjoyed this little post! If you did be sure come stop by My Dearest Friend for a visit!

Vacation!

Hello all!

First off, I want to inform you that I will be in Florida this whole week. I am leaving today & so excited to get some sun & warm weather. I apologize for the lack of posts that there will be this week. Hopefully, I can do some posts & pictures, it might not make it to my blog though (be sure to check facebook & instagram). 

I will be guest blogging over at Lillies & Silk tomorrow & doing a DIY project! Go check it out tomorrow! :)

Also, I have some lovely ladies doing some posts for me while I'm in Florida. 

The first one will be Elle, over at My Dearest Friend. She is an amazing girl. I love her heart to help new bloggers out! She has a passion for fashion. 

Then, Mary from The Sauers will be doing a post on Friday. I have known her for a long time in real life! She is an amazing writer! Her post should inspire you all! 

Please, get to know these girls. They are both so encouraging & helpful! Go visit their blogs! 

5 days of Chambray: Chambray + Skinnies

Hey Guys!

It's Friday & I leave for Florida tomorrow! Wooo! :) Don't worry, you will get an update tomorrow about everything! Anyways, it's the last & final day of 5 ways to rock a chambray! Here we go.

Today's look is a chambray & skinnies. This look is simple, casual & cute. Perfect for spring or fall, depending on what color your skinnies are. I would only wear this skinnies in the spring & I have some burgundy one's that I would wear in the fall! Also, you guys get a picture with my face in it because my husband was available to take my picture! :)

Chambray: Forever 21 {Similar}

Skinnies: Forever 21 {Exact}

Flats: Charlotte Russe (A long, long time ago)

5 days of Chambray: Chambray + Skirt

It's Thursday & I'm back at it again! Today's look could be worn in fall or spring! Chambray & a skirt, you could always pair this look with some fun tights! :)

Chambray: Forever 21 {Similar}

Skirt: Forever 21 {Similar}
Boots: Charlotte Russe 

5 days of Chambray: Chambray + Shorts

I will be in Florida next week & I plan to wear this outfit on the beach! I love the look of the denim shirt mixed with white shorts! Love! Also, I love that white shorts can make even me look tan! Okay, maybe not tan, but not glow in the dark white either.

Chambray: Forever 21 {Similar}

White Shorts: Forever 21 {Similar}

5 days of Chambray: Chambray + Maxi

Today, is one of my favorite ways to wear my chambray! I absolutely love maxis paired with chambrays. I love that it could be a spring look if you pair it with sandals. Or, it could be a fall look if you pair it with boots.

Chambray: Forever 21 {Similar}

Maxi Skirt: Boutique in California

What is your favorite way to wear a chambray?

Also, I'm guest blogging today over at My Dearest Friend. Go check out how you can add lace to your shorts!

5 days of Chambray: Chambray + Leggings

I am going to do a series this week on ways to wear a chambray shirt. There will be 5 different ways!

Today's look is Leggings & Chambray.

Chambray: Forever 21 // Black Leggings: Forever 21

Boots: Target

Guest Blogging at From Awkward to Art

I'm over at From Awkward to Art doing a guest blog. Come check it out & you may learn a new way to do your hair! :)

Homemade Salsa

Hello All!

So, I'm being really good lately about what I eat & what I put into my body! The other day I was craving salsa. Mmmm! & my mom would always make the most delicious, chunky, yummy salsa!! I decided I would make it!

Chunky Salsa:
2-3 tomatoes
1/2 of an onion
1/2 can olives (chopped)
dried cilantro (to taste)
1 Tbsp White Vinegar
Salt (to taste)
1 squirt of lime juice

Mix all together & enjoy! Most of the time I whip out my Pampered Chef food chopper & chop away at the olives & onions! I did it with the onions, but I was a little lazy about the olives! I wouldn't suggest using it on the tomatoes because it kind of just makes them mushy! Absolutely delicious!

Also, I have some more exciting news for you! I got my etsy labels for my items in the mail today!!! Woo!! I've been working on items for my shop for a while now! I can't wait to get it all set up & going! 

Also, I'm going to Florida in a little over a week! So excited to get away from all the snow!!! I will for sure having 2 guest bloggers on my blog that week! Can't wait! Also, I should be able to keep you all updated with my trip!