room to grow

Not my most flattering dress, look, or phase of life, but this dress fits over the bump (with a little room to spare!). So, wear it I shall.

I found it at a consignment shop with my Mama when I was about 20 weeks - she kept telling me to get clothing that was big, because I'd need the room. I couldn't quite wrap my head about how big my bump would get with this little babe, but, she was right (as she usually is). I'm glad I listened and brought home this short-sleeve chambray dress, even if it's pretty shapeless and not my most flattering piece of clothing (or item of chambray).

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

black & olive

This black/dark gray chambray hasn't buttoned properly for quite some time, but that doesn't mean I can't still wear it open over my bump. And that's precisely what I did here. Just because something doesn't fit the way it's designed to, doesn't mean you can't wear it, especially while growing a human - that's when you should feel your best!

Take a look at some pieces you love but aren't wearing at the moment - is there a different way to style them? Voila! An outfit is born! ;)

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

blues & greens

Unintentionally, I paired together ALL OF THE SHADES OF BLUE with some olive green skinnies. And since blue and green are both such nice, cool colors (I mean color-temperature wise, but they're also pretty cool/kool/kewl), they played well together. I love it when that happens!

ombre chambray: Target (maternity)

olive skinnies: thrifted (maternity)

teal scarf: Lilly Pulitzer for Target

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

heart eye emoji

If you've read this blog for longer than a hot minute, you'll know that I LOVE chambray (heart-eye emoji love). And you also knew it was only a matter of time before I found a maternity chambray to please my denim-loving soul.

This shirt comes to me from the mecca of inexpensive clothing - Target. It came with a chambray sash to tie over my belly, but I'm not sure that look is for me. At least, not today. Instead, I plan to wear it untied, as above, until I can no longer squeeze into my old faithful favorite.

Chambray is such a great back drop for anything you might plan to wear, so kudos to whoever designed this ombre maternity chambray for this expecting girl (and others!) to wear and be sassy.

chambray: (maternity) Target

ikat print scarf: WalMart

black pants: (maternity) PinkBlush

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein

literally & figuratively

Even though I can’t get this chambray buttoned anymore, I’m keeping it around as a layering piece. Colorado teased us the last few weeks with lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures, and now we’re expecting snow...This summer-loving girl knew it was too good to be true – I enjoyed the sunshine, but have kept my sweaters and maternity coat easily accessible. I’ve also planned a few more outfits with layers and sweaters and fleece-lined tights, because inevitably, it will snow again. If you’re a long time reader, you’ll know that it’s snowed on Mother’s Day for the past two years...

All of that being said, the key to making your maternity wardrobe stretch (literally and figuratively, ha!) is layering and switching it up. I’ve worn this tunic with jeans, leggings, and ponte knit black pants. I’ve worn it by itself, under a sweater, under a jacket, and now under a chambray with a scarf. Keep ‘em guessing – that wardrobe is getting smaller and smaller ;) [again, literally and figuratively. I am HILARIOUS today, you guys…]

teal tunic: Target

chambray: thrifted

leggings: maternity - Old Navy

scarf: Pendleton

flats: WalMart

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

Americana

I had high hopes to be able to wear this dress for a bit longer, but after today, it was retired to a box labeled something along the lines of "after baby." I might pick up a maternity chambray dress, in the meantime, but I'm not sure yet.

However, before this dress was temporarily retired, I paired it with  maroon fleece-lined tights, a leopard-print infinity scarf, and cowboy boots. I don't wear these boots that often, but on this particular day, we were in the midst of our closet renovation (more on that later) and they were the first boots I could easily get my hands on. And I figured I couldn't go wrong with denim & cowboy boots, right? Americana, at its finest.

Happy Saturday - we're supposed to get tons of snow tonight/tomorrow/tomorrow night, so maybe we'll get cozily snowed in?

chambray dress: Kohl's

fleece-lined tights: GG Boutique

cowboy boots: Steve Madden via DSW

leopard-print infinity scarf: WalMart

vested chambray

Oh look! All the pretty fall colors! Fitting, since these pictures are from this fall...and just now making an appearance...I digress...

Beautiful aspen trees in the mountains are the perfect backdrop for just about anything. Truly. They add an element of "nature" to everything, and somehow, magically, seem to complement anything they're paired with.

Enough with my love song to aspens - let's talk about my outfit. That's why you're here, yes? This is a simple, layered, fall look. Chambray dress, white vest + booties (not easily seen: aspen leaf earrings - they're a real thing, trust). When you need a little more warmth than just a thin dress, a vest is the perfect option - it adds dimension without overwhelming the entire look. And of course, booties - perfect for bare legs with skirts or dresses. However, this look could be easily adapted for the colder weather we're experiencing right now - add tights and a scarf, and voila! Colorado winter chic!

chambray dress: Kohl's

white denim vest: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

Oktoberfest and High Latitude Style

Hi friends! Good morning!

I'm co-hosting a linkup with Nicole of High Latitude Style. And I thought this layered fall look that I wore to Oktoberfest in the mountains would be perfect to share today.

I layered a dark chambray (knotted, of course - my jam lately), over a teal midi length dress. I added a teal & blue plaid infinity scarf and comfortable flats for traipsing all over Breckenridge. Wearing so many layers gave me the ability to shed my layers to keep cool in the sun while we enjoyed Bavarian pretzels and streusel, but it was nice to have the option to add back my chambray and scarf when the temperatures cooled down and the steins were empty.

The print of the lace on my dress, the plaid in the scarf and the print on my shoes allowed for subtle, yet cohesive print mixing. A must for looking put together while waiting in lines at a festival. And did I mention this dress is stretchy? That's really the whole reason I wore it - schnitzel, bratwursts, pretzels, streusel, and German beer - to camouflage a day of indulging.

Switching gears, this is Nicole, and I love reading her blog (based in Alaska) for cold weather outfit ideas - another blogger to glean inspiration from when the snow flies! This red on red look she's got going on is just perfect for fall. Without further ado, here's a bit more about Nicole and the link up:

Nicole Mölders is married, has one cat, no kids, and is a fashion, and science enthusiast from Fairbanks, Alaska. She is the blogger of High Latitude Style – an Alaska fashion blog with science bits for the stylish 40+ woman. She shares how to dress stylishly on trend over 40 without looking like a fashion victim.  

Now let's get the party going. Everyone of any age and gender is welcome to share their fashion and style posts.

1. Please follow your Host via wordpress, twitter, facebook, google+, bloglovin and your co-host via her blog, bloglovin, twitter, instagram
2. Linkup any of your fashion/style posts by simply adding your link below
3. Please stop by your linkup-fellows' blogs, introduce yourself to them, and make new friends
4. Please spread the word and invite your friends to this party Invite your friends on twitter