taking it waaay back

Let's take a trip back, shall we?

Waaaay back, to a pregnant belly, shorter hair, and the porch of our old house.

I was almost done being pregnant at this point and comfort was key - so, a flowy maxi dress with lots of room it was. I just love the colors on this dress. I even wore it postpartum to a friend's wedding (the grandparents kept the babe upstairs at the hotel while the husband and I danced the night away) - it's also nursing-friendly, if that is something that interests you.

So glad to be back!

May showers

About three weeks ago, three of my sweet sweet girlfriends hosted a baby shower for me and our new Bebe. It was a truly lovely afternoon - lots of delicious food, lots of fun books for Bebe to read (or, us to read to Bebe, let's be real), and lots of lovely gifts (thank you cards are being worked on, pinky promise).

My parents came to visit for the occasion, and while Mom and I attended the shower, the Mr., my Dad and some boyfriends/husbands of the girls attending my shower played lawn games and enjoyed beer at our house. My bestie with a new baby came and even brought her little one to my house before the shower so I could love on the wee one. Friends came from all over Colorado to celebrate and I only wish I could had more time to see everyone.

Mama (soon-to-be- Gramma) & I

friends from high school - thanks for making the trip!

ZTA friends - thanks for making the trip!

Above is the dress I wore for the shower - not included in my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe, as this was a birthday gift from my parents that arrived after I'd taken pictures and posted my capsule on this here blog.

It's from a Pea in the Pod Maternity, and while I do like it a lot (built-in print mixing, huzzah!), I had planned to wear an apricot midi skirt with a lace top for my shower, but this Colorado spring weather had other ideas (gray. cold. rain. mud.). So, a warm dress with tights and booties was the next best option. Luckily these fleece-lined tights matched the red/maroon in the dress perfectly - phew!

Thank you to my hostesses for a lovely party, and thank you to everyone who made the trip or sent lovely gifts - you guys are the best. We can't wait for you to meet our new addition!

temporary retirement

I thought I could eek out a few more wears from this lightweight hooded gray top and floral print tanktop underneath, but looking at these pictures has convinced me that they are headed for temporary retirement. Looking like you're about to bust out of your clothes is not a good look on anyone, my friends. Even pregnant women who might waddle...

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

seasonally

Apparently this season is not my best, in terms of blogging. I seem to get a nice rhythm going with a few posts written and scheduled, then BAM – something shakes it up and I stop writing. Things like packed weekends with friends and family, packed weeks with fun stuff after work and/or baby classes (or both, sometimes). Busy times at work. Appointments. And trying to get so many things done before the baby actually arrives (we’re less than 1 month out!) and we become a family of three humans + a naughty, yet handsome, and ever-so-endearing, bulldog.

So, here is what I wore a few weeks ago – but the weather is pretty much the same around here, so it's still pretty appropriate for spring time in Colorado. I'm still hoping I can get away without purchasing TOO many maternity items for winter because I’m due in early summer, but the way this weather is hanging around makes me wonder. Can't it just be warm and I can wear my sandals and dresses and flowy skirts in peace??

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

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

fickle spring

I could only salvage a few decent pictures of this outfit due to the wind. A "perk" (curse?) of living in Colorado, I guess. The latest perk is that after a few weeks of sunshine and warmer weather, it snowed this past week (I knew we weren't done with snow yet) and I even had a snow day!

Springtime in the Rockies is a tricky thing, and the earlier you embrace it, the better. Just because you were able to patio drink (not me) in March doesn't mean that spring is here - it means that it will still snow in March, April, and most likely May. Just take it as it is, roll with it, and don't get too bummed about having to continue to wear your sweaters and coats and boots. But also appreciate being able to wear a lightweight sweater and no socks when it's not freezing, like yours truly ;)

white sweater: Coldwater Creek from my Mama

jeans: PinkBlush Maternity

scarf: Target

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

undone favorites

Mint. Navy. Floral. Skinnies. Sandals.

These are a few of my favorite things. (bonus points if you know the musical I'm referencing. 20 more bonus points if you have the soundtrack on your iPod...no? just me?)

These pictures look grainy on my teeny laptop screen, but you'll have to believe me that the execution of this look was pretty great. I've found that  when in doubt, pair some of your favorite things together and watch as magic unfolds.

A mint v-neck tee, favorite lightweight scarf, skinnies + sandals. Messy hair helps, too (isn't that the key to every look great? something slightly undone/messy), as does a fancy belt and a half-tuck (that says "I'm fancy, but I'm casual and only tuck in my shirt halfway, some of the time").

mint v-neck: Old Navy

scarf: Target

skinnies: Aéropostale

sandals: Target

funk-ay

In retrospect, this wasn't my best outfit everrrrr. BUT, it's far from my worst. There's not quite enough blue in the skirt to really pull off the stripes. And maybe the neon sandals were a bit much. I've ended up with an almost funky vibe, don't ya think?

But enough about me. Aren't those trees and grass so nice and green?? Thanks to Colorado State University for providing an opportune place to have a lunch date and take some blog pictures. Just in time for the students to return to campus, and to town.

shirt: Old Navy

skirt: J. Crew Factory

sandals: Target

oh, the compliments

Somehow, this dress always garners me oodles of compliments when I wear it. Don't misunderstand me - I'm not fishing here, nor am I downplaying this dress.

It's black, cotton, nice floral print, and a skater-style fit.

I'm just not entirely sure what is so special about it.

Sure, it's comfortable, and I can easily dress it up or down - I'm just unable to put my finger on what exactly is so great about it. BUT, you better believe I'll keep wearing it and graciously accepting compliments until I do.

dress: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's

necklace: borrowed from Rocksbox

blustery

This is the perfect outfit for a not-quite-cold, not-quite-warm, gray day in Colorado. My arms were covered, yet I never overheated because of my bare legs. However, I would avoid wearing a skater-skirt dress like this one if the wind is out to play. Unless, of course, you want to show off your knickers. And then, by all means...

dress: c/o Aéropostale

cardigan: Ann Taylor

black belt: thrifted

black flats: Target

green bag: gift

30 for 30: day 29 + day 30

The last two-fer, for the last two outfits in my April 30 for 30 style challenge. So, sit back, relax, sip that glass of wine, and continue to wait on the edge of your seat for my recap of these 30 outfits (you'll be waiting a few days. Did I mention I'm running a half marathon on Sunday morning?

because I am...)

day 29

These tights didn't photograph so well - they look more puke-green than in their packaging from Old Navy. Disappointing.

BUT

Never fear. One of my favorite dresses, my favorite boots, and a new necklace make for a redeeming outfit.

blue sweatshirt dress: J. Crew Factory

green tights: Old Navy

boots: The Frye Company via Nordstrom

navy floral scarf: Target

necklace: WalMart

day 30

The last one. Not to read too much into this and create some meaning out of something that is probably pretty insignificant, but this is one of my favorite outfits. Not just for this month.

But EVER.

Polka dots, leopard, skinnies, flats + a faux leather jacket. I mean...

Do I have to say it?

All of my favorite things. Together. In one outfit.

And the print-mixing. This cardigan. This shirt.

LOVE.

 (apparently I've lost the ability to speak in complete sentences. excuse me. Friday?)

leopard print button up: WalMart

polka dot cardigan: J. Crew Factory

dark skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

black flats: Target

faux leather jacket: Target