Tag: pittsburgh blogger

Galentine’s and Bridal Party Photo Shoot

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Galentine's Photo Shoot

This past Monday, I was given the opportunity to play the role of a model in a bridal and Galentines photo shoot over at the Loveliest in Sewickley, PA. It was an afternoon of creative minds working together, laughs, and shivering in the cold for the photos! It was women coming together to share their talents with the world in such a beautiful way. We had so much fun and I think it shows through the photos even though with most of these women, it’s only my second or first time meeting them!

I just have to share some of my favorite photos with you all.

Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-222Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-212Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-218

Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-234Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-289Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-266Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-270

Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-156Galentine's Shoot - Photos by Molly M-261

This day couldn’t have been done without the talents of all these ladies below.

Bloggers/ Models: Jordyn, Leilani, Crystal

Hair: Katherine- The Lavendar Loft

Makeup: Annika and Raquel (Owners)- Glam to Go– Artists: Amanda and Rachel

Bridal Gown: Erin – Luna Boutique

Photographer:  Photos by Molly M

Charcuterie: Erin- Olive & Brie

Cookes w/ Names: Carly- Harper + Honey Bakery

Cookes for coffee: Marissa- Marissa Lynn Bakery

Pinata: Kayt- Hey Kayty Studio

Planning/ Floral: Hannah Di Cicco- Sip & Celebrate

Planning/ Studio/ Coffee: Kathryn Richardson- The Loveliest Co

 

It blows my mind on how organized and thoughtful the entire day was. I’m so thankful to be apart of it and I hope we can do it again soon!

Xo, Anna

Happy Blog-iversary to Me!

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Woohoo! Another year in the books. I know there are a lot of people who wonder why I chose this little hobby of mine and I realized never really shared my blogging story. So what better time than now?!

In November 2016, the company I was working for laid off our entire team. I was pretty devastated at the time, but it was actually the best thing for me. I wasn’t even happy working there and it was beginning to be too much because I was also working for Stitch Fix part-time. With my full-time job off the table, I wanted to market myself for a job in the actual field I wanted to be in and also get back to writing/creating.

I’ve been actually blogging off and on since 2012. I recently found my old blog after some heavy googling. It’s still out there and it’s pretty crazy how things have changed! Hah! Any guesses on it’s name? Anyway, I was ready for a fresh start and I opted for dropping the blog name to rebranded as just me, Anna Hinkle. I built a website that I love and shortly after Stitch Fix promoted me to be a full-time stylist. So my energy went back into my new job and still not 100% blogging.

As life went on, my son was born and I stepped down from my full-time position into part-time so I can spend most days with him. I underestimated how time-consuming and exhausting it can be to work and raise a tiny human in the same space. To this day, I know I can be better as I’m not always consistent in posting but this whole thing is genuinely fun for me! I enjoy the connections, flexing my creativity and writing. My blog content ebbs and flows with life, but I promised myself I will always get back to it because my little space on the internet makes me happy.

Lately, my blog has given me some fun opportunities to work with companies I love which has been such an exciting milestone for me. I also got accepted the Rewards Style program (aka LIKEtoKNOW.it) which allows me to make a small commission when you purchase off the links I share. For the people who are using my links, I seriously appreciate your support!

I truly find so much joy in sharing my life with you all and the connections we have made. Thank you, thank you thank you for your ongoing support! I can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

Cheers!

Xo, Anna

P.S. If you think we’d be a good match in working together, my inbox is always open at annahinkleblog@gmail.com!

How to Find Your Enneagram Number

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How to Find Your Enneagram Number

Hey guys! If you know me personally, you know I’ve probably brought up the enneagram around you. You may have heard of it, but don’t know where to begin! Yes, it’s another personality test… but this one really digs deeps into your motives and fears. I really gravitated to this test because I felt so seen after reading about my type! I didn’t know there were other people that have the same internal struggles as I do! I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders as I felt a little more understood. It has really helped me grow as a person and work through some of my internal conflicts. I always encourage others to look into the enneagram for themselves because of this. If we all understand one another’s motivations it would go along!

Not sure where to begin? You’re in luck! I’ve taken a lot of free tests, but this one at Eclectic Energies Enneagram is most accurate in my opinion. And don’t worry, it’s free!

Be sure to explore your results and see what really resonates with you. It may be easy to figure out, but it can also make you confused! I get it. I had a hard time figuring out my number at first because I was letting the influence of others and how they perceive me influence it. You need to dig a little deep for yourself and figure out what really motivates you and your actions. I kind of realized it when I was recently going through an internal conflict with someone and it clicked why I was acting the way I was. For me, it is that I want to be loved, to be needed and appreciated, I act to get others to respond to me, and to vindicate my claims about myself… also know as a 2, the helper.

Let’s say you read the description of your results on the previous website and weren’t completely sold. I’ve found that The Enneagram Institute is also full of helpful information and a little easier on the eyes.

If you are more into actual books, this one called The Enneagram Made Easy, it a great place to start.

At the end of the day, you are the only one who will be able to figure out your enneagram number because you know what internally motivates you to act the way you do. If you don’t know right now, it’s okay! It can take some time!

I look forward to learning more about this subject and am by no means an expert. I do enjoy sharing the tools I’ve used to learn about it though! I’d love to know your enneagram number, so leave me a comment below. Also, I’m always here to help because well, it’s just the way I am.

Good luck!

Xo, Anna

Little Blue Truck Party

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Hi, guys!

Fall is such a crazy time in our household and then adding in our little one’s birthday into the mix has kept me busy! Ever since Henry could sit up he’s been obsessed with books. He will literally sit there for long periods of time flipping the pages and staring at the illustrations. Little Blue Truck became a family favorite in this household and it seemed fitting to have it be the theme of Henry’s first birthday party.

We kept the guest list small with just immediate family and enjoyed spending the afternoon with loved ones. Henry was a little under the weather and wasn’t so sure about moments when all the attention was on him, but overall had fun playing with everyone! I served crockpot pulled pork, mac and cheese, coleslaw and a variety of dips. We finished off the meal with the most delicious birthday cake from a local baker! Henry liked playing with his smash cake, but when it came time to eat it gagged and cried. I’m sure he will eventually come around to sweets, ha!

little blue truck

I kept the decor simple, but thoughtful. We had a chalkboard chart with Henry’s current stats which was a hit for the family that doesn’t get to see him as often. Another piece was a banner showing all of Henry’s monthly milestone photos I had taken throughout the year. We had fun asking people which month was their favorite. Mine was his 7 month photo, which was when his rolls were sooo rolly! To liven up his high chair we tied on a special banner. The final detail was balloons!! Henry loves balloons, but his favorites were farm animals tied to the little blue truck.

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All in all, it was a fun day celebrating our little man! Happy birthday, Henry!

Special thanks to my extra crafty mom for helping as well as making some of the decor! Love ya!

Xo, Anna

3 Ways To Get Out Of Your Fashion Rut (New Mom Edition)

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Hello, world! I’m back! I’d love to be better with blogging but honestly I’ve been lacking inspiration. My life is basically all about Henry which is amazing, but I always find myself questioning just how much I was to share his life with the world. I keep trying to find a delicate balance so thanks for your patience!

Anyway, the other day I found myself staring into my closet and feeling so bored. I know we all feel that way at times, but I really took a step back and tried to figured out why I was feeling this way. I have built a closet full of basic and classic pieces that I would always have then play with accessories to liven them up or give them a more trend-forward look. But now… my hair constantly has to be up in a ponytail and jewelry has to be minimum to none because Henry will just pull everything he can get his little hand onto! After he broke my smallest necklace that I didn’t even realize those tiny fingers could grasp, I’ve basically given up on the jewelry game for now. Does anyone else’s little one like to grab on to their hair too? So what’s a mom on a budget to do in order to liven things up in this situation and feel a little more trendy again? I’ve found three quick and easy solutions that are also new mom friendly aka little effort. Hah, enjoy!

1.Headbands!

This trend is back and I couldn’t be more thankful. It’s a great way to liven up a messy ponytail full of dry shampoo. Plus, they are great for summer! I just bought this pack from Amazon.

2. Kimonos!They are always so colorful with fun prints and in my opinion the best summer layering piece to have in your closet. It’s so easy to throw one on over a solid tee or tank to liven things up. They often can also be used as swim suit cover ups. I found this one at Marshalls, but I’ve seen them everywhere lately!

3. Go shopping with this specific goal in mind or schedule a Fix!

As you may know I’m a stylist with Stitch Fix which allows me to style my own fixes if I so choose… but its a blessing and a curse! Having a new set of eyes on your style is sometimes all you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Though I still styled myself in my most recent Fix, this time I really tried to style myself as an actual client asking for fun details/prints/accessories to get out a fashion rut. I’m excited about my choices and I ended up keeping 3/5 pieces. Two printed tops and one with super cute embroidery detailed top now have been added to my wardrobe!

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, sign up here… https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/6126849?som=c&sod=i

Do you have any ideas I’m not thinking of? Talk soon!

Xo

Anna

Winter Fashion Essentials for New Moms

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Winter Fashion Essentials For New Moms

Fashion or just generally feeling put together has always been one of my favorite things.  Nowadays becoming a mom is my new favorite thing! I quickly came to the realization that merging the two is challenging some days with an abundance of baby spit up and the shortage of time. Somedays I’m not getting dressed until right before I head out the door, but pro tip, I do have my outfit planned in my head or laid out already. To help you eliminate the fashion trial and errors of a new mom, I put together a list of fashion essentials this winter!

Hats

I’ve always been a hat girl, and boy has it come in handy lately! The days of showering and getting ready right before you need to be somewhere are long gone for now. This calls for dry shampoo and a hat. This winter, I’ve been wearing my floppy hats on days I want to be a little bit more fashion forward. My current favorite floppy hat is a vintage wool hat that was my mom’s, but I linked something similar at Nordstrom. On my more casual days I’ll throw on my Love Your Melon beanie which is an apparel brand dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer in America (win, win). Regardless, if you’re not a hat wearer, become one.

Delicate Jewelry

I haven’t seen my hoops or statement necklaces in awhile, but I’m always wearing my stud earrings and initial necklace. I actually leave these on all the time since they are so delicate, making it even easier to wear an accessory! My favorite earrings these days are the classic crystal studs by Sabika. I talk a little bit more about my initial necklace on a previous blog post that you can find here. Having some sort of jewelry on helps me feel a little bit more put together.

Button up shirts

Where are my breastfeeding mama’s at? Say hello, buttons! I’m constantly in a nursing tank at home, but when headed out, I layer on a button up. I have a love of plaids and chambray in general, so these pieces are constant staples before and after pregnancy. My current favorite is from Target (surprise, surprise).

Pockets

This was one I didn’t think of going into the whole mom thing. I constantly need an extra pocket! Whether it’s to hold an extra pacifier or my phone, they are always all in use. When you are carrying a carseat, diaper bag and coffee, you’ll be glad to have an extra pocket to throw your car keys in, trust me. My go to right now is this cardigan from Loft.

Leggings

Whether you’re a week postpartum or months, leggings are your best friend. Heck, they are always your friend, baby or not! I found the perfect leggings at Loft this winter. They come in petite which is essential for me, but also are soft, thick and hold everything in when you’re feeling a little loose!

Backpack Diaper Bag

Listen, I don’t know how some of you ladies carry around super cute diaper bags that look like purses! I love having a diaper bag I can just throw on my back to free my hands for Henry and head out the door. There are a ton of cute options out there, mine is from SkipHop. It’s almost crazy how functional it is!

 

Winter Fashion

Now go out there and be your new mom self while feeling good! Been there, done that mom’s… what am I missing that you can add to the list?

XO, Anna

2017 Highlights

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F6BE8632-F535-4FDE-8F33-47C31617E0D8Well, well, well…Happy new year! I know, I’m late, per usual on the blogging front. This blog has been a little hobby of mine for years that I end up picking up and down, starting over and over. But, I’d like to make it more consistent for 2018 as I really do enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts! I often find myself getting discouraged with all the bloggers out there and their beautifully curated feeds. I have to remind myself that’s just not what this blog is for me, and I’m okay with that. Whatever this becomes, it will become. I’m figuring it out as I go, so thanks sticking with me and for following along!

My brother recently did a highlight reel of his 2017 and I thought, hey that’s a good idea! And honestly, I needed some inspiration to get back into the swing of things. With that being said, I’d love to share the highlights of my 2017 to reflect on everything that was and move forward into the new year.

Life Highlights… officially adulting.

Henry was born. Which is the highlight of my life, let alone my year. He’s growing so fast already and it’s been such a rewarding experience being his mother. I’m constantly going between wanting him to stay little forever and being excited about all the things he is learning daily!

We bought a house. We’re homeowners and have a kid now so basically we are officially real adults. We took on a house that needed a little bit of love, but it was so worth it! The paint choices and work in this house were, um, interesting to say the least. By giving it a good scrub with the family, refinishing the floors and a lot of paint, it has really has become home.

Our first wedding anniversary. One year down, forever to go! I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life. 2017 was such a whirlwind with being pregnant followed with the first few months of being a mother. Nick has tied my shoes when I couldn’t bend over, wiped my tears when I was scared, gotten me fresh water about a zillion times, and so much more. He has taken care of me when it was honestly so hard to take care of myself. Gosh, I love him!

Adventure Highlights… with a large belly.

Blackwater Falls, WV. This was a place I stumbled upon a few years ago and finally got around to exploring it this summer. The falls were gorgeous and the mountainous view on our hike was breathtaking! The town of Thomas, WV is so artsy and quaint, it doesn’t get enough credit. I talk a little bit more about it in this blog post.

Niagara Falls, Canada. I guess the kids these days call a trip like this a babymoon. I still can’t believe I had never been to the falls with it being so close! We wanted to take a weekend to ourselves after a crazy summer of moving/renovating pre-Henry and I’m glad we took the time to do so. It was so fun! The falls are were a sight to see and Niagara on the Lake is calling my name now that I can drink all the wine.

Bruno Mars concert. It had been a lonnnng time since I had been to a concert. I love live music, but stadium concerts are always put on the back burner for whatever reason. Lucky for us, my mother in law bought us tickets because she had seen Bruno live and swore it was one we couldn’t miss. She was right! He is unbelievably talented and entertaining.

Fashion Highlights… the year of comfort.

Target Maternity Tank dress. When I think about what I wore the most this past year, I think of the Target maternity tank dress. I wore it all spring, summer and fall. It was seriously the easiest thing to throw on and head out the door. Not to mention it was so versatile to dressing up or down depending on the chosen accessories. I loved it so much that I had it in three colors!

Loft Leggings. Post maternity, I live in these leggings. During the Black Friday sales, I scooped up them up for 50% off and ended up buying another pair when they carried that sale on longer. They are soft, thick and hold everything in. Oh and they come in petite, aka perfect!

My “H” necklace for Henry. It really never comes off my neck! It’s small and simple for my new life as a mom. It helps me feel a little bit more put together. I had told Nick I wanted something like this for Christmas and my longest friend, Annie, had beat him to the punch and sent it as a gift after Henry was born. She had no idea I had been wanting one just like it! It’s from Geo Supply Co. which has a ton of super cute jewelry items.

 

I want to thank you again for reading and following along! I can’t wait to share more of my life, adventures and fashion with you in 2018.

Xo, Anna