shorter & shorter

The bigger my belly got, the shorter & shorter this dress became...(evidenced here). Let's discuss something else that got shorter while I was pregnant: my hair.

Back story: I had spent more than a decade growing out my hair (high school through college and after graduation) after a disastrous few hair cuts in 2005. So, my hair was long and fine and blonde-ish, but LONG.

However, in February of 2016, I chopped off several inches of my hair. And it was okay. But about a month before the baby was born, I got the great idea to cut my hair even shorter. I figured I would have time to figure out how to do it before the baby arrived. It was a cute, short, textured lob for the cool mom I hoped to be.

Can you guess where this is going?

I successfully styled it a few times before the baby was born, then spent my first few months as a new mom wishing I hadn't cut it off . So, I've been growing it out ever since.

My advice to all moms-to-be: DO NOT make a drastic change to your hair before the baby arrives! Don't do it after the baby arrives, either (wait at least six months)! Your baby doesn't care what your hair looks like, but knowing how to do it with a go-to styling routine will help you to feel put together in those first few days/weeks/months of being a new & sleep-deprived mom. Trust me on this one.

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

sandals: Target

necklace: WalMart

bracelet: Kohl's

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

how do you poncho?

Ponchos. They either bring up memories of a rainy trip to Disneyworld (bright yellow with Mickey on the back), or fiestas in middle and high school Spanish.

This was my first venture into adult-like, real life poncho wearing. And I dig it. A sweet lady in my office gifted this to me, and I really like the black & blush combination - feminine, yet chic. This poncho is really a large scarf, with buttons in the front to make it into a poncho. I've worn it as a big heavy scarf, a poncho, and a small blanket (for when my office is freezing). It's quite versatile, really. And I'm sure it will be used a nursing cover and or impromptu baby blanket next fall and winter.

Tell me - do you poncho?

poncho: gift (I think Zulily?)

flared jeans: Kohl's, circa 2008

black shoes: Steve Madden, circa 2002 (not kidding)

pearl necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet

blushing leopard

When you don't know what to wear to a friend's wedding celebration, you pull out a statement piece and pair it with some (favorite!) neutrals.

Exhibit A (above):

statement piece - leopard print pencil skirt

neutrals - blush top, nude wedges + gold jewelry

(you might also wear your hair up, because, summer)

The really good news is, if you pick out favorites to wear, they're most likely rather comfortable. And they can probably take you from place to place. In my case, the wedding celebration to a free concert downtown. At both locations, I was not overdressed, nor underdressed -  I was like Goldilocks, and it was "juuuuust right." And feeling like a million bucks while still being comfortable in my own skin makes those summer evenings even that much more enjoyable.

And I'm featured over on Sydney Fashion Hunter for one of my posts last week - be sure to stop by and check it out.

blush blouse: H&M

leopard pencil skirt: thrifted (Target)

nude wedges: DSW

linking up:

Shopping My Closet // Tucker Up

Book of Leisure, Chic Street Style & Gracefullee Made

Pampers & Pearls // Classy Yet Trendy // The Pleated Poppy

Cappuccino and Fashion // Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Color and Grace

all my favorite neutrals

At first I had the idea to wear this blush blouse under my navy cardigan. I knew I wanted to wear something other than jeans or a skirt, so I decided on olive skinnies. And I really LOVE how these colors look together. I chose boots on this day, but also considered brown dotted flats.

I actually wore the brown pashmina scarf, but I also like how the blue plaid scarf looks. This look can be easily adapted for different seasons by changing the shoes, subtracting or changing the scarf, and changing up the jewelry (a statement necklace in place of a scarf, or statement earrings).

Would you ever pair these colors together? I hadn't before, but I sure do LOVE how it turned out.

blouse: H&M

cardigan: Banana Republic

brown pashmina: from my sis-in-law

blue scarf: thrifted (Target)

olive skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

blushing x2

 

 

 

 

 

Since picking up this blush blouse at H&M on my 4^th of July trip to Florida, I want to wear it almost every day (that was almost two whole months ago. WOW. I think my sun burn tan lines are fading). And now I want all of my clothes, accessories and shoes in shades of blush and nude, with the occasional piece of black, brown, or gray thrown in, to mix it up.

Can one ever have too many neutrals? I say no. To prove my point, here are two ways I’ve worn this blush blouse – once with skinnies & nude heels, and the other with a light pink skirt and brown wedges.

left: 

blouse: H&M

skinnies: Aéropostale

nude heels: Target

right:

blouse: H&M

skirt: Nordstrom

brown wedges: Rocketdog via DSW

Mr. Picks Mondays: Blushed

This blush-colored blouse is a recent addition to my closet - I found it at H&M on my recent (and quick!) trip to Florida for the 4th of July. No, it's nothing crazy (neon or sequins), or groundbreaking, or especially special, but it's a nice, solid, steady, understated classy piece that can be dressed up or down, and since it's so neutral, goes with just about anything and e'er'thang in my closet. 

Exhibit A: this navy and white striped skirt.

Next up: Olive skinnies? Shorts? Another skirt?

shirt:H&M

skirt: J. CREW Factory

wedges: DSW