stretchin'

Stretchin.' As in: stretchin' my tummy, my comfort, and this dress. This dress is not a maternity dress, but it is QUITE stretchy, so it was added to the rotation. I purchased it for our maternity photos (coming soon!) - I tried to only purchase a few things I knew we would get a lot of wear out of after our photos were complete. This dress for me, and two shirts for the Mr. (one is chambray! eek!)

When thinking about transitioning to postpartum clothes, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed/nervous - I have A LOT of clothes. And not being able to fit into that many has been kinda nice - it really limits my options, forces me to be creative and OK with repeating outfits, and has helped to keep a lid on my shopping adventures. Aaah, just another hurdle to deal with, right?

I'm told parenthood is full of those ;)

dress: Old Navy

everything else from my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

black & gray

We've had some less than desirable weather the last few weeks - I'm talking cold and rainy (and some snow/slush, as well). So, as much as I'm dying to break out clothes for warmer weather (dresses & sandals), I'm holding off in favor of not freezing every time I walk outside. And, apparently, wearing lots of dark colors (cause I love 'em).

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

thrifted & festive

This black & gold printed dress is something my Mom picked out for me to wear during that "uncomfortable phase." For me, that was finding out I was pregnant until about 20 weeks, when I actually had a wee bump to show off (instead of looking like I had overindulged in one too many brunches...)

I wore this dress (undocumented) a few times over the winter holidays, as it can be quite festive and lends itself nicely to pairing with fleece-lined tights and sweaters. But sadly, this might be the last time I wear it before Bebe arrives - while it is stretchy, I'm not sure it can accommodate THAT much stretch ;)

I paired it with the above raspberry colored sweater that I thrifted - it's by Motherhood Maternity and I found it at my local ARC. It's a little big through the arms and shoulders, but I've been wearing it over almost everything as an "oversized" cardigan, so the extra room has been quite useful. I also love the color and the weight - in certain light it leans pink, and others, it leans purple. I'm going to tuck away this look for the next time I need a festive look with some stretch - black, gold, and a pop of color, perfecto!

printed dress: Base Exchange

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

black flats: BCBG via TJ Maxx

raspberry cardigan: thrifted (Motherhood Maternity)

stretchy pants

Hello! and happy Sunday!

I put together this look almost a month ago (*wide eye emoji*) so just imagine it now with a larger belly. However, it was perfect for wearing to work (leggings with a stretchy/flowy top), so I'm planning to repeat it soon.

That being said, I'm working on sharing my capsule wardrobe with you, but even in the few weeks since I took pictures of my items, I've discarded a few items (too small for now) and added a few more (birthday gifts from my parents), so there will be some edits. Hope you don't mind that I'll be utilizing an ever-evolving capsule wardrobe - it's a bit tough to put finite limits on getting dressed when your belly is growing everyday and your body is changing to support it...look for that post this week! I'm excited to dip my toes into a capsule wardrobe with you!

short sleeve tunic? top?: Kohl's (maternity)

striped long sleeve top: Kohl's (non-maternity)

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

black flats: BCBG via TJ Maxx

open-ended

The Mr. got me this lightweight silver/gray sweater for Valentine’s Day and it’s been a big hit – I’ve received lots of compliments every time I’ve worn it; it’s very comfortable, and easy to wash & take care of. And with such a neutral color, the styling possibilities are very open-ended: today, cobalt. Next time, maybe blush. After that, maybe black. After than, maybe some neon. WHO KNOWS?!

gray sweater: Kohl's (maternity)

leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

cobalt flats : Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

statement necklace: local consignment

a little bit of fit

This top is a recent addition to my maternity wardrobe – I’ve also got it in black & gray. I like the feel of these tops, but mostly I was looking at what I could comfortably wear as a tunic now, and as a shirt later, when my bump prevents any other top from meeting my pants. They’re nice and flowy, but I’m learning they need to be paired with some structure so I don’t look and feel like a blob. Something structured or more fitted somewhere in my outfit, is helping me to feel a lot more put together and human lately. While leggings and loose tops are great, something to define my legs or bump go a long way.

I added the vest so I wouldn’t be wearing leggings as pants, but instead as pants under a tunic-type layer. This scarf is a gift from my sister-in-law many Christmases ago and I’m always impressed that it manages to go with almost everything, especially since the gray can lean purple and the dots can lean highlighter yellow in the wrong light.

Happy Spring!!

cobalt v neck: Kohl's (maternity)

fringe vest: Aéropostale, 

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

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

bridging the gap

Hello! Good morning! Did all you mountain people survive the blizzard of the past few days? ;)

Onto the clothes (and shoes and accessories). My sweet mama got me this black plaid tunic in my 1st trimester, to help me bridge the gap between regular clothes and maternity clothes. It was originally long enough to be a short dress, but has since reached a more realistic length as a tunic. I paired it with black leggings (1 of 4 pairs of pants that fit me at the moment, 2 more being leggings), and my ever faithful snakeskin flats (they're slowly coming to their demise :/ ). I originally had a lilac scarf paired with the ensemble, but my friend stopped by my work and I liked her green ombre one so much that we switched for the day. And I like how the green makes the gray in my sweater lean a bit green. 

Have any tricks of the trade to share regarding making those "gap" clothes work a little harder? I'm all ears!

tunic: Base Exchange

leggings: Old Navy maternity leggings

flats: WalMart

scarf: borrowed from a friend

B to C

More ideas for ways to go from place to place, or you might say since we already covered A to B, this is B to C.

Exhibit B: frolicking in the mountains, and then driving back through the mountains and a few mountain passes to a lower elevation to run errands and get settled at home after a weekend of play. Exhibit B is comprised of: a bulldog sweater, leggings, a scarf, a down vest, and snow boots.

And lots and lots of snow.

Exhibit C: perfect for running errands and enjoying the winter sunshine in Colorado (the temperature this day reached 70! in the middle of winter! I rolled down my car windows and turned up the tunes. Y'all, it was great). Exhibit C was comprised of: the same (wonderfully awesome) bulldog sweater, skinny jeans cuffed a few times, fancy pointy-toed flats, a faux leather jacket, a pearl explosion necklace, and shades. Shades for the above mentioned sunshine.

This was an easy transitional look - I kept the sweater the same and changed my bottoms and outer layers. And accessories, too. And the entire vibe of my ensemble.

But, you gotta do what you gotta do when you swing from one weather extreme to another, and you need to look good and feel good while you're doing it.

sweater: Target

scarf: c/o Aéropostale

vest: Old Navy

leggings: c/o Aéropostale

boots: SOREL via JAX

sweater: Target

jeans: c/o Aéropostale

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

flats: Target