![BIRTHDAY VIBES ☼ i don’t think i need to preface this by saying that these aren’t pictures of me today… they are however pictures of me only a few weeks after i found out i was pregnant with my little isla girl. i was scrambling to finish contracts before i started showing, my mind was trying to comprehend how i was going to be able to take on this new role as a mama & panicking how i’d still be able to give the business that i love so much 110%. needless to say, this year has been one of great change & for a self-proclaimed control freak change, even when wanted, can be really scary. whether it’s a new job, new city, new baby, new business, although exciting, it can feel like your world is spinning out of control. however, stevie & i just had a long conversation [one of thousands] agreeing that if we always got what we wanted, we’d be living such a different life right now. i’d still be a hairstylist in a salon, we’d probably still live in louisiana, he’d most likely be working at a university, etc… & the life we were meant to lead would have never come to fruition. a life that has given us more opportunities than we could have ever thought possible but it took letting go, taking risks & trusting our instincts for it to happen. so while pregnancy has been a rollercoaster of thoughts, emotions & hesitations, i know this is right where i’m meant to be. the most magical things in life are usually a little bit scary but sometimes having total control is even more scary because you may end up missing out on one of the universe’s beautiful plans for you. going into this next year i welcome all the uncertainty & while i’m still a control freak, i’m going to lean into the wonder of the unknown & my birthday wish is that you do, too. 12.3.21](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/263168896_103362585491331_4944294000086260342_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=3retGRvPzB0AX-tTvkh&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=4e8239b157c30dfab84d9efabeff44cb&oe=61B05677)
![BIRTHDAY VIBES ☼ i don’t think i need to preface this by saying that these aren’t pictures of me today… they are however pictures of me only a few weeks after i found out i was pregnant with my little isla girl. i was scrambling to finish contracts before i started showing, my mind was trying to comprehend how i was going to be able to take on this new role as a mama & panicking how i’d still be able to give the business that i love so much 110%. needless to say, this year has been one of great change & for a self-proclaimed control freak change, even when wanted, can be really scary. whether it’s a new job, new city, new baby, new business, although exciting, it can feel like your world is spinning out of control. however, stevie & i just had a long conversation [one of thousands] agreeing that if we always got what we wanted, we’d be living such a different life right now. i’d still be a hairstylist in a salon, we’d probably still live in louisiana, he’d most likely be working at a university, etc… & the life we were meant to lead would have never come to fruition. a life that has given us more opportunities than we could have ever thought possible but it took letting go, taking risks & trusting our instincts for it to happen. so while pregnancy has been a rollercoaster of thoughts, emotions & hesitations, i know this is right where i’m meant to be. the most magical things in life are usually a little bit scary but sometimes having total control is even more scary because you may end up missing out on one of the universe’s beautiful plans for you. going into this next year i welcome all the uncertainty & while i’m still a control freak, i’m going to lean into the wonder of the unknown & my birthday wish is that you do, too. 12.3.21](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/262830447_336174891192956_5493474459147911630_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=XjnukOOBEF0AX9PXvEY&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=3b872870d2cc1e2b6b102df9e1f5338f&oe=61AFF339)
![BIRTHDAY VIBES ☼ i don’t think i need to preface this by saying that these aren’t pictures of me today… they are however pictures of me only a few weeks after i found out i was pregnant with my little isla girl. i was scrambling to finish contracts before i started showing, my mind was trying to comprehend how i was going to be able to take on this new role as a mama & panicking how i’d still be able to give the business that i love so much 110%. needless to say, this year has been one of great change & for a self-proclaimed control freak change, even when wanted, can be really scary. whether it’s a new job, new city, new baby, new business, although exciting, it can feel like your world is spinning out of control. however, stevie & i just had a long conversation [one of thousands] agreeing that if we always got what we wanted, we’d be living such a different life right now. i’d still be a hairstylist in a salon, we’d probably still live in louisiana, he’d most likely be working at a university, etc… & the life we were meant to lead would have never come to fruition. a life that has given us more opportunities than we could have ever thought possible but it took letting go, taking risks & trusting our instincts for it to happen. so while pregnancy has been a rollercoaster of thoughts, emotions & hesitations, i know this is right where i’m meant to be. the most magical things in life are usually a little bit scary but sometimes having total control is even more scary because you may end up missing out on one of the universe’s beautiful plans for you. going into this next year i welcome all the uncertainty & while i’m still a control freak, i’m going to lean into the wonder of the unknown & my birthday wish is that you do, too. 12.3.21](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/263374039_623476152402821_5484975529277392073_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=rZBN1LSdjVYAX8-mLte&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=ea1ebdf11a4e7041e55103a9d4019244&oe=61B0B202)
![BIRTHDAY VIBES ☼ i don’t think i need to preface this by saying that these aren’t pictures of me today… they are however pictures of me only a few weeks after i found out i was pregnant with my little isla girl. i was scrambling to finish contracts before i started showing, my mind was trying to comprehend how i was going to be able to take on this new role as a mama & panicking how i’d still be able to give the business that i love so much 110%. needless to say, this year has been one of great change & for a self-proclaimed control freak change, even when wanted, can be really scary. whether it’s a new job, new city, new baby, new business, although exciting, it can feel like your world is spinning out of control. however, stevie & i just had a long conversation [one of thousands] agreeing that if we always got what we wanted, we’d be living such a different life right now. i’d still be a hairstylist in a salon, we’d probably still live in louisiana, he’d most likely be working at a university, etc… & the life we were meant to lead would have never come to fruition. a life that has given us more opportunities than we could have ever thought possible but it took letting go, taking risks & trusting our instincts for it to happen. so while pregnancy has been a rollercoaster of thoughts, emotions & hesitations, i know this is right where i’m meant to be. the most magical things in life are usually a little bit scary but sometimes having total control is even more scary because you may end up missing out on one of the universe’s beautiful plans for you. going into this next year i welcome all the uncertainty & while i’m still a control freak, i’m going to lean into the wonder of the unknown & my birthday wish is that you do, too. 12.3.21](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/262848478_862263777783047_5723526032403387195_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=2kd9NxQB_P4AX-tCmAm&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=8b8dc0c897b684df9181e2017d87c8b6&oe=61B1169A)
![an appreciation post for my two current favorite custom sneakers that i designed [swipe to see the nikes] thank you to all the brands who let my inner control freak thrive… i’ll happily give you an extra $40+ per pair to have them mY wAyYy. 11.8.21](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/254849749_418364346408400_1625082825413775637_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=KBPR1yO9dNQAX_pHXRR&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=3c98261124902d9e949f66f82c89e8eb&oe=61B0D835)
![an appreciation post for my two current favorite custom sneakers that i designed [swipe to see the nikes] thank you to all the brands who let my inner control freak thrive… i’ll happily give you an extra $40+ per pair to have them mY wAyYy. 11.8.21](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253905268_6301977686543878_5025454833320300292_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=b6HMqPqonw0AX-TXf7J&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=6b05364302ea3636fb0488dd705215d0&oe=61AFAC4A)
![an appreciation post for my two current favorite custom sneakers that i designed [swipe to see the nikes] thank you to all the brands who let my inner control freak thrive… i’ll happily give you an extra $40+ per pair to have them mY wAyYy. 11.8.21](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253689201_231504025741324_2215177583748309986_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=9rGl7PlCHtoAX8JHj7Y&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=ebff9950d831bb3a8809b8db1d9f6b47&oe=61AFB690)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253429673_580076469868489_6719730554532092007_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=vM2LaFcuvyUAX_en1PB&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=46628ef8c385a0361861d83b2417967c&oe=61B0A8A1)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253233914_439166661067210_2419158070162815195_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=1SsJqCRgbk8AX9r0RsR&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=eb0e24500bcddae0fb0d3d04d7f887cd&oe=61B01B39)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/252975211_398022882055032_4713974394086861190_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=ahpaOv4Tu08AX-4sEMf&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=378105595dc779e00d1c5cd517e6de88&oe=61B120F7)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253824461_377141454197470_98549125739544390_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=-s81jD2MTh4AX9JMtjJ&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=f86cc68ca31d200867f56d2703f30f6b&oe=61B02F9E)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253879904_583165142770509_3982905239277213733_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=Uqn9VIWto20AX_cPU9K&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=471b688b23a8749cca87a94554121269&oe=61AFF6F3)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/254062798_4584829754912411_1586411038114810593_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=5XQSnUgCJtYAX86zQU-&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=83e7f9d54612e838a4d01b1339f3915b&oe=61B0CCD3)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253414084_285262546817259_5980414992400508899_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=73UdaO3Uok4AX9ylI4K&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=934e5ac08cb68d89c3fa9985babef57e&oe=61AF8A1F)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253394611_648474592841754_8922448900332126092_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=snpBAJY_dm0AX-DNJ2V&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=969e8933dad0bcb044fb35aa874d2af9&oe=61B05581)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253397558_1267660360340989_1757438441386318444_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=o6n9gkmSGVIAX9Lz-0T&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=91bee73dce979ac6f6087b44957d23e6&oe=61B01FF6)
![happy salty & surfy sun ☼ day. might have been in the 70s [which is painfully cold for miami] but it was such a beautiful day & the surf watching was unreal in the neighborhood. i hope your sunday was just as rad, xx. 11.7.21 #36weekspregnant #beachbaby](https://scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/253905748_190846783206286_6489746199445749988_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8ae9d6&_nc_ohc=8znAzVCLg3YAX8cxiJG&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&oh=c7958d724fdb5a43785fb3027647c84a&oe=61B00688)
Aloha, my babes!
I wanted to throw this post together for you super quick because American Eagle is having a really amazing sale that includes fall & winter pieces. I thought this would be a good time to stock up, so I linked a bunch of sweaters & sweatshirts all under $30!!! Some of the sweatshirts are even under $20, so please don’t miss out because I can’t tell when the sale is ending? All the items are linked in the scrolling bars below the collages, happy hunting! 
As always, sending lots of tropical vibes your way!
Xx – Rachael