Leave it to 2020 to keep throwing curveballs. Like many of you, life as we knew it changed drastically in a few short months. After finding out that we were pregnant, we quickly realized that we had a major purchase on the horizon as well...a new car. My lease was slated to expire in the midst of a global pandemic, and we had to decide what was going to be the right fit for our growing family. Always exciting, right? I personally hate all things car-related...Enter my car-loving husband. This post is in collaboration with him because the topic is truly outside of my wheelhouse, but so many of you wanted to know more about our experience. I hope you find these tips helpful! 

So, here's a bit of background for context.

We had leased a 2017 Volkswagon Tiguan Limited about 6 months before our wedding, when my Honda Accord's lease was up. I've always leased my vehicles, so the thought of buying for the first time worried me. Leasing always made cars more affordable and required minimum maintenance. I know, financially, the experts say buying is better, but leasing just always fit my lifestyle and financial restraints. Prior to my VW, I only ever drove Hondas. I think Hondas are amazing cars, by the way, if you are in the market. Once I drove a VW vehicle, however I fell in love with how German cars drove. I knew going forward, I really only wanted to explore German brands. 

We test drove a ton of car options, safety, of course in the early to mid-Fall months. We had a decent laundry list of items, namely a high-quality, mid-sized SUV that was all-wheel drive with safety features, a roomy interior and great trunk space. For years, we discussed a BMW, if the opportunity ever presented itself for the build, design and craftsmanship, particularly since we were going to buy this time around. My personal reason for agreeing to buy, as my husband recommended, was to alleviate the stress of constantly watching the odometer. Once COVID is behind us and baby girl is here, I anticipate traveling to New York at least monthly and taking many family trips state-side, since I do not see us getting on a plane any time soon. We also live in a state where places we like to shop and areas we enjoy frequenting are several miles away. Those things really add up. While the new car was technically mine, it was really going to be a family vehicle, since my husband drives stick and I literally can barely turn his car on...haha! After months of research and test-drives, we ultimately purchased a 2020 BMW x3 in white with mocha interior that had 7k miles on it. It was truly an amazing deal and I feel so fortunate because we did not settle. 

With all that in mind, here are our tips:

1) Shop towards the end of the year, if possible, since the dealerships are much more willing to negotiate, or during economic downturns, like COVID, in our case.  

2) Know you numbers. When buying, you always want to put at least 20% down and do not go beyond a 5-year loan agreement. Should you be unable to do that financially, look for a different car within your budget. You'll be underwater otherwise, especially with the accelerated depreciation on vehicles. 

3) Look for vehicles that were part of the dealership's loaner program. This is really the crux of how we got our deal. A loaner car is owned and used by the dealership when a customer comes in for service and requires a vehicle to use for a few days. They generally have very low mileage and are newer, so they're still under warranty; however, it should be noted that it may not qualify as a certified pre-owned. These are very rare to come by, so you might have to sacrifice some "wants" for the sake of the deal. We, thankfully, were able to find exactly what we were looking for. We just had to travel to Maryland to get it. 

4) Do not pay for any excess fees. There are only a handful of items you are legally required to pay. This is state-specific, so you'll have to do a bit of googling to figure that out. Remember: the finance office always houses the best negotiator in the building. That's where they'll corner you. DO NOT let them up sell you on extra warranties, document fees and such. 

5) Make sure any discounts are off of the MSRP, not the bottom line. This is how dealerships manipulate the transaction to make you think you're getting a bargain. Be sure to check out cars.com, edmonds.com, autotrader.com, etc. to determine what's fair and learn competitors' pricing. 

6) Play hardball, even if you really do need a car that day. The sales guy, while very nice, doesn't need to know your every detail of your personal history and current circumstances. Be as direct as possible, and do not show extreme emotions. Once they know they have you, you're done for. For example, when we were at the BMW dealership, we acted like we were more interested in the Q5 and vice versa. Also, do not share any specifics about your finances early on. They'll use that to manipulate the numbers against you (see tip #2 and #5). 

With that, we are thrilled with our purchase. Honestly, it was both an exhausting and rewarding process, like any car-related transaction. Ultimately, do your best not to settle and remember that you're (pun intended) in the driver's seat. 

Lauren xo

First Trimester Recap & Early Pregnancy Recommendations

PIN ME!

It's hard to believe that I'm even typing this blog post because some days I still pinch myself...I can't believe that I'm going to be a mommy! It's something I've always wanted because I have the best mama around, and if I'm half the woman she is, my baby will be a lucky little peanut. Not to mention that I always pictured starting a family with my husband. Since we first started dating, even though we were so young, we always talked about the future and what our life would look like. I honestly can't wait to see him as a dad...He's going to be amazing. To anyone praying for a baby right now, please know my heart is with you and I have no doubt that your time is coming. 

Before we get into all the fun stuff, many of you did reach out and ask what we did to conceive. First and foremost, I recommend talking to your doctor about your family plans and getting off of hormonal birth control ASAP. Once you've done that, BUY THIS BOOK. I don't know how else to put it, but it's truly life changing. It's how I got my body ready for baby, and more importantly, learned the ins-and-outs of my cycle.

First Trimester Recap

Where do I begin? Can you say rollercoaster? We found out I was pregnant on August 22, 2020. I was 4 weeks along. It was a Saturday, and I just got back from getting my hair done. It had been months due to the pandemic, so I felt like a new woman...literally, I guess, in hindsight. My period was only a day late, but because of how in-tune I was, both my husband and I knew it was probably a good idea to take a test, even if it was early. About a week before, I did experience slight nausea and fatigue; however, that's not totally uncommon for me because I suffer with heredity autoimmune issues. 

Fast forward to week 5, and holy cow, the symptoms came in with a vengeance. I had extreme fatigue and nausea. I mean all day...the only time I felt relief was when I was sleeping. Basically running the day-to-day business of a corporate in-house legal department does not lend itself well to early stages of pregnancy, but I was incredibly thankful to be working from home. I'd work a few hours then lay down/take a cat nap, as needed.

From week 6 to 8, things were steady in terms of exhaustion and nausea. All I ate were bagels. Nothing else seemed appealing, but that was okay according to my doctor. It was really in the second trimester that I needed to mind what I was eating and significantly increase my protein. Frankly, the thought of anything healthy at that time felt repulsive, but I did love learning about the nutritional building blocks that baby needs in the Real Food for Pregnancy book, listed below. It just wasn't high priority at that time, given how crappy I felt. 

From week 9 to 12, I threw up a handful of times. That was probably the worst part because I was starting to feel a bit better in terms of fatigue and nausea, which resulted in me eating larger meals. That was not a good idea. I should've just stuck with the bagels...haha...Needless to say, other symptoms started to crop up, as my doctor had warned. I hadn't had sciatica (it's like a pinched nerve sensation down your rear-end and leg) since college, so when it started up again, I was not a happy camper. I sat on a heating pad most of the day, but ultimately, the only thing that helped was rest (i.e. laying horizontal on the couch watching TV). 

As I share this, I'm now 14 weeks and almost have a new lease on life. I'll give you the inside scoop next go-around, but for those of you who are pregnant, things do improve. The only caveat to that is each stage brings other victories and struggles. I should also note that I was virtually unable to workout at all, and apparently that's not uncommon. It was just a bit of a bummer for me because I had done really well with my Beachbody Barre Blend program during quarantine, and now I look like Humpty Dumpty...but it's all for a good cause. I hope to start up again this week with their prenatal program, sciatica and lower back pain permitting, because that's still lingering. 

Products I Couldn't Live Without

1. Pregnancy Pillow

2. Custom Fill Pillow with silky pillowcase (featured in this Insta post)

3. Heating Pad

4. Stretch Mark Prevention System // You can essentially re-create a similar system on the cheap using this and this

5. Maternity Leggings

6. Real Food for Pregnancy

BONUS ITEM: THIS YETI!

Updated Skincare Routine

When you're pregnant, you basically have to avoid all retinol and most acids, even plant-based ones like my holy grail night cream from Ole Henrikson. That was difficult to part with, I won't lie. I realized I didn't note above that I experienced quite a bit of hormonal acne, which I never had before. Honestly, my skin has been really good the last 5+ years with the routine I had (you can check out my pre-pregnancy routine on the sidebar of my main blog page), so this was fairly uncharted territory for me. Add feeling bloated and like an alien took over your body, and I was nearly in tears looking at my pizza-face in the mirror. I also found that there were very few online resources for pregnancy-safe makeup and skincare information, but I eventually discovered 15 Minute Beauty. The creator is a doctor and offers comprehensive, brand-specific guides to what she recommends for pregnancy and nursing moms. Now, I spoke with my doctor about a few things I wasn't completely able or willing to give up, such as my EVER organic self-tanning drops, which I would only use sparingly for photos, and got his blessing, so be sure to do your own research and, of course, be your own advocate. 

My New Morning Routine

My New Nighttime Routine

Miscellaneous Things I Did/Would Recommend

These are items that I swapped out in favor of less toxic or completely non-toxic alternatives in my home and beauty regime, but may not be dealbreakers for everyone. This is just my personal preference and experience. 

First, I stopped doing dip powder nails. Even though I hadn't been at a salon since February, even my at-home kit (you can read all about my DIY experience HERE) contained acrylic within the powder, and I didn't want to risk it. I searched far and wide for the best, long-wear, 9 or 13-free nail polish. My top contenders include Ella + Mila (available at Target), Deborah Lippmann and Lakur by Londontown. I'd also only recommend any their removers, since conventional acetone can be harmful to baby. I did opt to continue to use this nail polish base/strengthener because it just works so damn well, and is still relatively non-toxic. 

Second, I stopped using traditional household cleaners, such as bleach. If needed, I wore a mask while using such products but I really didn't want to continue with them. Enter Branch Basics - I stumbled upon their page with scrolling Instagram one night when I couldn't sleep. The upfront cost is about $50-60, but you get a bunch a products made from a single concentrate, so they should last a while. Plus, it was much cheaper and more conventional than pursuing the whole Young Living/essential oils thing. So far, I love the array of products. What I'm most impressed with so far? Their laundry detergent! It works incredibly well. I'm also really loving the bathroom cleaner. You can save on your first order HERE. All other discount codes, including 20% off Tula skincare can be found HERE.

Third, I limited my use of Bath and Bodyworks candles. I know, I know...I just committed a sin, but as you'll learn in the fertility book I recommended above, those things are packed with artificial fragrance and petroleum. Not something you or your baby should be breathing in. Now, I do burn them every once in a while, but I recently got a Pura, which is basically a fancy, but super safe plug-in. It connects to an app and all their fragrances are made of high-end essential oils, boast brand names we already know and love, and are completely pet and child safe. Total win-win. You can save 15% on your order with code "THESASSYSUBURBS". I'm about to snag some holiday scents, but right now I have Vanilla Chiffon and White Gilded Pumpkin. I really like them both. I'll share more on Instagram stories in the coming weeks, so be sure to give me a follow on there if you haven't already (@thesassysuburbs). 

So that's pretty much all I have to share so far. I'm generally an open book, so please, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any specific questions. My goal is to be a real resource to you. Thank you again for your sweet congratulations and for following along!

Hearty & Delicious 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner | Ground Turkey Orecchiette

PIN ME

I'm pretty sure this is the first recipe I've shared on here, mainly because we had a makeshift kitchen for over a year, but I'm thrilled to be posting now. An overwhelming majority of you on Instagram voted for recipes, so here goes nothing!

I stumbled upon a similar ground turkey recipe while browsing Pinterest during quarantine; however, there were some ingredients that I didn't have and some that we just weren't crazy about. Well, necessity is the mother of invention, right? I ended up making my own variation and it's quickly become a favorite of my hubby. Plus, it's an incredibly easy, weeknight staple. To me, it's the perfect go-to when you're not sure what to make...particularly on a cool, fall night. Hope you enjoy it! Be sure to message me if you give it a try. 

Ingredients

1 box of Orecchiette pasta 

1 package of organic, ground turkey 

1 cup of preferred milk (we use Lactaid, since we're lactose-intolerant, and it's comes out great!)

3/4 of a jar of Rao's Homemade Sauce (it's the ONLY jar sauce I will use)

Pinch of Basil and Spices (I love TJ's Every Day Seasoning)

Steps

1) Bring water to a boil and add Orecchiette to pot 

2) Add olive oil and ground turkey to pan

3) Cook turkey until almost fully browned 

4) Add sauce to ground turkey 

5) Slowly pour in milk and add basil and spices

6) Cover ground turkey and allow to simmer for 5 minutes

7) While ground turkey/sauce simmers, drain cooked pasta and set aside

8) Add pasta to ground turkey/sauce 

9) Mix thoroughly and mangia!

What I Ordered, Kept and Returned from the 2020 NSale

Earrings linked HERE

Bracelet linked HERE | Necklace linked HERE

I won't lie, I was a bit disappointed in sale this year....but I guess that's 2020 in a nutshell, right? 

So, let's get to the good stuff. Below are the items I ordered this year with details regarding whether I decide to keep or return them (and why): 

{1} Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan - Keep - This brand has quickly become a staple in my wardrobe because of the quality and comfort it offers. I now have 4 pieces in my collection, and I truly love them all equally. You can't go wrong with a cardigan from their line. Since there's barely anything left in stock, I've linked other sale options via alternate retailers here. 
{2} Free People "Busted Knee" Jeans - Return - I hated these jeans...from the fit to the placement of the busted knee, I was not impressed. If you're interested in jeans from Free People size up or order multiple sizes to get the right fit. Not a fan for petite, curvy girls. 

{3} Articles of Society "Sarah" Jeans - Keep - If you've been following me for any period of time, you know almost every pair of jeans I own (and share) is from AoS. This style is the perfect combo of structured and distressed, so I'm thrilled to add them to my collection. 

{4} Karl Lagerfeld Pumps in Nude - Undecided - While I LOVED these pumps in black, I was surprised when I received the nude color because it was far more pinkish than I expected. I'll likely keep them because of how comfortable they are. Also, the shade isn't so off that they can't be paired with several outfits. 

{5} BP. All Day Tee in Gray - Keep - This is the softest tee ever! It has a longer sleeve than your usual tee, but that's what I love about it. Gives it a little different flare. I took a XXS, so size down if you're in-between sizes. Oh, and did I mention it's $11.40! What a steal! 

{6} Marc Fisher Booties in Cognac - Return - I had such high hopes for these booties. I used to be a diehard tall boot girl, but over the last few years, I've come to love booties on my petite frame; however, these did not pass the test. They basically got stuck on my cankle and were very uncomfortable, in my opinion, so back they go. 

I did try to order a few other items from Gibson, Socialite and Leith, but they were all cancelled. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out and definitely check out my last blog post sharing what I already own and love from Nordstrom that's available through the Anniversary Sale. Honestly, if you're in the market for beauty buys, I can't recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Kit and the Glo Pro enough!! 

What You *Actually* Need from the 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

PIN ME!!

It's that time of year again - the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is almost here! 

I've been shopping this amazing pre-fall sale for about 5 years now, and I always find something (well, several things) that I love. This year, however, things are different. We're all adapting to a new "normal" with work and home life, so buying wardrobe, beauty or home items may not be top priority, and that's perfectly acceptable. I, personally, won't be purchasing many things because I'll be working remotely until at least November. My focus will be on cozies and athleisure wear, but if I had an unlimited budget, I'd be getting all the things on my wish list (see below). 

While most bloggers will share their sale picks pre-sale, I try to do something a little bit unique. Each year, I usually share a post mid-sale reviewing things I actually purchased...I'm talking the good, bad and the ugly. That will still be coming, but I also wanted to do a post featuring things I currently own and love...things I believe you need in your life too! 

Leith Cardigan, BP Tee, Zella Leggings & Naturalizer Boots

Shop Necklace HERE

Halogen Blazer, Articles of Society Jeans & Karl Lagerfeld Pumps

Shop Earrings HERE, Cami HERE & Shoes HERE

Barefoot Dreams Cardigan & Articles of Society Jeans

Shop Necklace HERE & Similar Top HERE

Must-Buy Beauty Products

Charlotte Tilbury "Pillow Talk" Lip Kit

If you buy nothing from the sale buy this set, you're already winning. There's a reason this color quickly became a cult classic. It's the perfect brownish-nude that compliments every skin tone. Charlotte's lip liners are second to none, and I've come to adore their glosses. The value of this 3-piece set is phenomenal, so you won't want to miss out. I wear it from work to weekend, all year long. 

BeautyBio GloPro

I shared my thoughts on this gem of a device back in January (check out my post here). Let me be totally, unequivocally candid - this changed my skin!! You all know how much I love my products, but the GloPro was truly a game changer. If it's in your budget, I highly, highly recommend. Also, you can get the body roller here (I swear by this for cellulite reduction) or my exact set from QVC here. If you want both roller options, the QVC set is cheaper. 

Dermaflash

For anyone who goes to the dermatologist or esthetician for dermaplaning, you're going to want this for either at-home, in-between session use or in lieu of professional treatment. I've been using this for 2+ years to remove the hair from my face and exfoliate the dead skin cells, promoting even texture and tone. This, paired with the GloPro, will transform your skin. 

Don't forget to check out my ultimate wish lists below and subscribe for my next NSale post featuring items I actually bought! 

Workwear Wish List

Casual, Cozies & Althleisure Wish List

Beauty Wish List

Home Wish List

Top 10 Amazon Buys: Summer 2020

pin me!

Quarantine's catch phase should be "Wine & Amazon Prime" because, let's face facts, that's been the only upside to 2020. With that, like many of you, I've done quite a bit of exploring/shopping during the pandemic on everyone's favorite site. Last year I shared my first post about top Amazon buys, so I figured this was the perfect time to do it again! 

{1} Mora Ceramics Mug (gifted): This fabulous mug keeps your coffee nice and warm for up to an hour, thanks to its classic ceramic design. It's dishwasher safe, which I absolutely love, and to round out the trifecta, I'm obsessed with the modern, white speckled option; however, if you'd prefer a little color, they have lots available. Mora, which means to "take pause" in Latin, is a small business, so be sure to follow them on Instagram and feel free to reach out to Alix, the co-owner, with any questions. 

{2} Criss-Cross Indoor/Outdoor Slippers: These beauts are all over social media, so with the stay-at-home order in place, I finally pulled the trigger. To my pleasant surprise, I absolutely love them! My husband, on the other hand, thought I looked like an old biddie, so one of my blog friends nicknamed me/them "Gertie"...Now, going off of that, the little Italian woman in me has to share....it is important to note that these are slippers, not shoes. They're great for knocking around the house, but they are not super tight on the upper part of the foot, especially if you're petite, so make sure to change into sneakers in you're going on a step stool or ladder (I speak from personal experience haha).

{3} Laundry Room Lint Bin: This novel item has come in so handy! It's got magnetic backing so it attaches to either your washer or dryer for easy convenience. You could, in theory, use it to hold whatever you'd like, but I've found it life-changing on those long laundry days (e.g. lint balls out the wazoo). 

{4} Glass Nail Files: Whether you're heading back to the salon, doing regular manis are home or you've ventured into DIY dip powder nails like me, you need these nail files. They are truly like no other. The glass helps to close the nail's outer edge when filing, which lessens the likelihood of breakage. I've found them to be a total lifesaver during the pandemic. 

{5} Magnetic Garage Door Hinges: So, truth be told, I was hesitant to buy these things. Were they going to look gimmicky? Was I making the house looked older than it was? No and no - I was totally wrong about them! So many newer homes have gorgeous, detailed garage doors, which can come at a hefty price tag. The exterior of our home is very nice, don't get me wrong, but its definitely a bit dated (it was built in 1999), so the extra detail added a modern touch and made it look as if we put in new doors entirely...for under $25.

{6} Stove Guard: If you've been a follower since last year, you know we went through a hellish kitchen reno, so when it came to protecting our investment, I was paranoid Patty. Enter: Stove Guard...a nifty plastic cover that's cut to match your range's make and model. The custom cuts make for a perfect fit, which is the main reason this works so well. While not on Prime, it's a worthwhile buy because it's kept cleanup to a minimum. I simply wipe mine down after each use and rinse in the sink when it needs a deep clean. 

{7} Petite-Friendly Maxi Dress: I'll be honest, I've never really been one to buy clothes on Amazon. I learned many, many years ago to seek a bargain but try to ensure some level of quality. This dress has been a total win for me. Although I *technically* ordered it last year, it's become a quarantine staple with it's effortless, great-fitting ways. Highly, highly recommend for anyone closer to 5'0, like myself. 

shop this entire look here // click here for necklace

{8} Pillow Covers: Being stuck (I mean, safe) at home for months on end can really start to wear on your opinion of your home. One day, you wake up and everything just looks like crap, so then you want to re-decorate the entire house. With old faithfuls, like Home Goods, closed, I turned to Amazon to snag a few new pillow covers to give my couches a refresh. I've been very impressed with the quality and pricing of the covers! 

{9} Ahmad Teas: I'm a sucker for a good holiday gift basket, so when my office received a bougie basket from one of our centers of influence this past December, I quickly snagged the fancy box of teas. First, I LOVE tea...all types of teas, for that matter...and actually only started really drinking coffee about 4-5 years ago when I was in law school. Second, I knew it would go to waste, as so many of those random basket items do. I'm thrilled I did because I discovered this AMAZING tea brand, which thankfully, is available on Amazon with every variety imaginable. My top 2 choices would be English Tea No. 1 and Earl Gray. Delish! 

Featured on my IG stories April 2020

{10} Acrylic Makeup Drawers: During the first few weeks of quarantine, I was cleaning house like a mad woman. Once I dialed back my makeup collection, I still realized how much stuff I had...hello, 9000 variations of nude-pink lipstick. This drawer was the perfect addition to my extra large, multi drawer organizer because it took up far less real estate and gave me the ability to put my mirror on top of it, while still having ample storage. The drawers are described as stackable, although I have not done that, but it is an option if you're looking to "build your own" acrylic set.

Refinishing a Console Table with Beyond Paint

PIN ME
{top (on sale for $24 + an additional 25% off!) // jeans // hoops}

The year was 2013 and cherry wood was all the rage...but here we are, many years later, and the orangey undertones once loved are dated, especially in comparison to our new espresso oak floors. My "problem child" was an accent piece from Bob's Discount Furniture that I purchased when I first moved to PA for law school. Not only was it sentimental for many reasons, but I actually loved the design and functionality. It also fit the space under our family room windows perfectly! Hence, my conundrum. The other challenge - I'm not exactly Martha Stewart when it comes to home projects. I prefer to leave things to the professionals when we can afford to do so; however, that proved fleeting in this situation.

After getting multiple estimates, it would cost more to professionally paint my "problem child" than it would to simply buy a brand new table that matched our decor.

Enter Instagram and the never-ending home pages I follow. I heard a variety of bloggers/influencers sign the praises of Beyond Paint, but to be honest, I was hesitant. Could I tackle this myself? Would this miracle/no-prep-needed product actually work? Did I honestly have the time to deal with it? Although we were in quarantine, I was still working from home and it felt like the days were longer than ever before. With that, the more I was home, the more irritated I was by this non-cohesive piece. My hubby and I discussed it and came to this conclusion: worst case scenario, I messed the thing up completely and it had to be tossed; best case scenario, it looks great and we'd get a few more years out of it. I picked my intended "start" date and purchased my supplies accordingly.

I ordered Beyond Paint's Refinishing Kit from HSN, since it was one of the only sites that had white in stock. I highly recommend ordering the kit because everything I needed came in one box. You're also going to want to order the sealer to ensure your piece(s) holds up to every day wear and tear. So, here's the final verdict: We're thrilled with the results and the process relatively simple! It look me 2 entire weekends to complete the project. My only real issue was the dust accumulation (discussed below) and the trickiness of the glass doors.

Tips & Recommendations:

• For dark furniture pieces, like ours, I would recommend a separate primer. It took me 4-5 coats of white to cover the piece completely. If you're using a dark color, this shouldn't be a problem. 
• Vacuum the piece before the sealer is applied. Do not use a duster! I ended up with all sorts of dust particles in my finished product. It's not noticeable to the naked eye, but I know they're there and it hurts my heart. 
• Take off all doors and drawers where possible. This will help avoid drip marks and offer an even, easy canvas to paint on. 
• Don't be alarmed when you see that the paint dries with a bit of texture. Apparently, that was done on purpose. The directions indicated that it helps hide imperfections and adds to the wearability. 
• Storage your paint tray, brush and roller in an extra large ziplock. It can last up to a week. 
• Add new knobs and/or hardware. It really completes and refreshes the piece!