plaid & more leopard

The first time I wore this outfit, the shirt fully and comfortably closed – that was many weeks ago. Now, it’s a bit snug. Might be time to retire it, or plan to wear it open and unbuttoned, with something underneath it, of course. I used my trick from a few weeks ago, which is double leopard. That’s right – my shoes and my tiny belt are different prints of leopard. As long as it looks intentional and not like you got dressed in the dark, it’s ok - I promise!

Additionally, adding a belt helps to define your waist (see how I wore this last time here) by showing off the smallest part of your torso – for me right now, that is between my bust and belly. Helps me to look and feel more put together lately, when all I want to wear is maternity leggings and the Mr.'s t-shirts

red & white checkered tunic: The Screamin' Peach

red sweater: from a friend (Banana Republic)

leopard belt: thrifted

leggings: maternity - Old Navy

leopard flats: Aéropostale

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

working formula

This layered navy look was perfect for a recent snowy day in Colorado. The only caveat - I wore my big SOREL snow boots to work, and slipped on these less cumbersome booties when I got to my desk (I'm definitely not going to wear these booties on ice).

You might think this looks eerily similar to another look I shared recently (check it out here), and you'd be right. When you've got a formula that works, you don't waiver too much. Especially when your closet is shrinking by the day as your belly grows.

Have a great Sunday - we're spending it around the house getting some things done, but also enjoying some much needed down time. Anyone else feel like they're going going going all the time lately? We sure do. Oof. Do adults get Spring Break?

red & navy striped shirt: thrifted

navy blue dress: thrifted

navy fleece-lined tights: GG Boutique

gold belt: thrifted

ankle booties: Old Navy

floral scarf: Target

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

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

new black pants

This is the first outing for some maternity pants I ordered from Pink Blush Maternity. My plan has never been to create an entire new wardrobe until our baby arrives - instead, I'm trying to stretch (literally & figuratively - ha!) the clothes I already had in my closet, with some thoughtful purchases to supplement.

First up: black pants. I knew I would get a lot of wear out of these, if my obsession with non-maternity black pants was any indication - they go with EVERYTHING. For real. And in the 2 weeks I've had these dark beauties, I've worn them at least twice a week to work, if not a few more times than that. I'm strategically planning laundry days.

I'm planning to write more about the "capsule wardrobe" approach I'm taking to my maternity style - stay tuned for some posts about my process, what I'm keeping, what I've tossed, and what I've already purchased / plan to purchase (not much on both fronts).

Don't worry, though, this is NOT going to become a maternity / mommy style only blog - pinky promise. However, that is something I'm having to dress around / dress up / consider when my pants don't fit, so there will be some of that. If that's not your cup of tea, I understand - maybe you'll stick around for my wit and charming personality? ;)

white sweater: (not maternity) borrowed from my Mama, Coldwater Creek

pants: (maternity) Pink Blush Maternity

black & white plaid scarf: thrifted

black flats: BCBG Generation, I think...

old faithful

I've worn this dress at a variety of sizes - even at my thinnest, I toyed (for 1 silly second) with the idea of getting rid of it, but decided to keep it. And I'm glad I did. This dress always looks good, and if it's a teeny bit too big, I just belt it and call it a day.

Currently, it's part of my small collection of dresses that fit my growing bump (I've officially "popped" in the last week and a half). The waistband is just high enough to comfortably (for now, anyways) fit over my belly. I've been layering shirts and tights under for this winter weather (I had a snow day today! most likely my first and last grown up snow day), because there are little ties/bows on the shoulders that don't slide easily under sweaters. This dress has pockets, is a flattering length, and wouldn't you know, I found it at the thrift store, in the wrong section, inside out. I took an inexpensive chance and it's one of my favorite thrift store finds EVER. I'm not sure I'll ever part with it.

Today's lesson in maternity dressing: try layers under your dress - up top and on bottom.

Breton striped top: Target (not maternity)

dress: thrifted (not maternity)

fleece lined tights: GG Boutique (not maternity)

ankle booties: Old Navy

scarf: Pendleton

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

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