double duty

Windy & sunny days in Colorado do terrible things to my hair, and they make me squint in my blog pictures. Oofta.

Moving on...I found this dress at my local Clothes Mentor, and I'm really glad I happened upon it. I'd been admiring it and its navy blue cousin on PinkBlush's website for a few weeks. I snagged it and retreated to the dressing room as soon as I found it.It's a nice, springy maxi dress that I'm thinking would look okay postpartum, as well.

How's that for finding something I'd been eyeing, finding it on sale, and making it pull double duty? That's what we call smart shopping around here, folks.

maxi dress: consignment (PinkBlush)

metallic wedges: thrifted

headband: Lilly for Target

blushing

This pretty blush lace dress is from PinkBlush Maternity. In an effort to not procure a whole new maternity wardrobe, I’ve been trying make very wise shopping choices (I think the Mr. thought I was banking on a whole new wardrobe – not the case. I didn’t break down and buy maternity pants til I was 17-18 weeks).

Enter this dress. It’s perfect for a baby shower, church, parties, tea parties, weddings, fancy  brunches, etc. Almost anything I might encounter before our little one arrives this summer (several brunches & luncheons are on the agenda, and a few baby & bridal showers, too). One of my favorite parts about this dress is that it was flattering at 20 weeks, is flattering at 26 (!!!) weeks, and I’m hoping when I’m almost full term, due to the full and swingy skirt.

This color is also pretty flattering (although I could definitely use a spray tan - yikes), and would complement many skin tones. I’ve paired it here with magenta/hot pink accessories, but it would be easy to change them up to nude, brown,  or perhaps printed shoes. This dress is pretty enough to wear to anything, yet not noticeable enough to be concerned about wearing it over and over.

I've linked to some similar dress and pieces on PinkBlush's site:

Ivory Lace Belted Dress (same dress, but in ivory)

Blush Pink Lace Tank Top (similar lace print in a tank top)

Blush Pink Floral Lace Dress (same style dress, in a different lace print)

dress: c/o PinkBlush Maternity, however, all opinions are my own

magenta wedges: ALDO

double leopard

when your friend asks you for the "sorority girl pose"

and then you show her your house's symbol for pictures...

When you're a self-professed Francophile like yours truly, you make sure to get breakfast at one of the only French bakeries in town with some girlfriends. And then you ask them to take pictures for your blog ;)

And when you meet these great friends for breakfast, you rely on a classic - leopard & stripes. And trusty maternity pants. This chambray is well past its days of buttoning over my belly, but it adds a nice layer and contract to my black pants, as well as a change in texture.

Also, don't worry - mixing different types of leopard is totally ok. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently. And be sure to remember that leopard is a neutral. True story.

striped shirt: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black chambray: Old Navy (non-maternity)

black pants: Pink Blush Maternity

leopard flats: Aeropostale

leopard scarf: WalMart