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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

texturize

All of these neutral items are part of my "Maternity Capsule Wardrobe" (more on that soon!). My regular olive skinnies (RIP) were donated to Goodwill after heavy use over the past two and a half years. So I was thrilled to find these maternity olive skinnies at the thrift store - I think I even did a little jig in the dressing room when they fit. I won't sing the praises of olive-colored skinnies, but if you need some idea of how versatile they really are, check out these posts from the past. That's just the tip of the iceberg, trust me.

This oatmeal-colored sweater from my Mama has provided a nice backdrop for some different color combinations, while also extending the wearability of my wardrobe. It's a keeper, until it doesn't meet my pants anymore, then it will get boxed up with the rest of my pre & post-bebe wardrobe. But, for now, it's a nice & neutral color that plays well with others and provides any look with an interesting texture (and we know how I luuuuurve texture).

oatmeal sweater: Coldwater Creek from my Mama

scarf: gift from a friend

olive skinnies: thrifted

nude flats: Jessica Simpson via Nordstrom Rack

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

repeating the good stuff

I picked up this dress at Target a few weeks ago. One thing that I have found challenging when shopping for maternity clothes is that a lot of them are very cute, nice looking items, but when I go to try them on, they’re incredibly THIN. Meaning I’ll have to wear at least a tanktop underneath, if not something more substantial. And some items show every nook & cranny of my changing body, or every wrinkle & crinkle of my undergarments (not ok).

Since this little bebe is due to arrive in June, I know I won’t be interested in wearing more layers than absolutely necessary, so I’ve only been purchasing items that are of a thicker material. This dress fits the bill - no need for a slip, tank top, of shapewear underneath it. I like it so much, I’m tempted to order it in every color that’s available (who knows how many that could be?!), but I also keep reminding myself that pregnancy is not forever (although it can feel like it at times), and that to keep this dress interesting, I just need to switch up how I style it.

And, worst case scenario (not really,though), I could just wear it the same way more than once – the truth is, no one else notices if we repeat our clothes, it’s just us - it's all in our minds. Other people are too busy with their own closets, lives, work, families, etc. to concern themselves with the fact that I might have worn this dress twice (thrice?) in the same week...

black dress: Target - Liz Lange Maternity

pink scarf: gift

pink flats: Coldwater Creek

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