on repeat

You've seen this dress before - several times recently (here and here). I just dig it, you guys. A stretchy, comfortable, and flattering dress that's affordable and is basic enough to go with almost everything, yet has a fun print that keeps it from looking drab and dull. What's not to love?

If it's not TOO stretched out, it is definitely going to become a part of my regular rotation. And if it is too stretched out to pass as a regular clothing item, then it will get stored with the rest of my maternity clothes once the baby arrives for the next time.

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

milestones

Today marks a special day - it's our four year wedding anniversary. Four years ago today we were getting ready to walk down the aisle, say our "I Do"s and celebrate with friends and family. Flash forward to today and we're getting ready to welcome our first little babe into the world and our little family. Seems fitting, yes? We didn't plan it that way, promise - just happened to happily work out that way.

So, on this anniversary, to my husband: "I love you. Thanks. For everything. For making me breakfast, for cooking the bacon extra crispy. for loving our pup, for loving me, for loving our little babe, for all the nice things you do for me and for us. For being funny and my best friend. For putting up with me. Love you long time."

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

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 & 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

a bachelorette party

When you are expecting, things that were previously a part of your social life are not quite the same.

Say, for example, a bachelorette party. A friend of mine is getting married Memorial Day weekend in Texas, and we won't be able to attend. Her bachelorette party, however, was being held in town where I live, so I was able to go. And this is what I wore.

You might be thinking "That doesn't look like typical bachelorette party attire, Annie." And you would be quite right, my friends. Normally, I'd wear something a bit different (most likely a party dress and heels), but I attended this party during the day, right after a snowstorm. Hence, the layers and the boots.

Additionally, the bride and other party-attendees had ordered matching tank tops in dark purple and lilac, but I declined, as nobody wants to see this girl squeeze into a party tank top at the moment. So, I wore a basic black tank dress, black fleece-lined tights, rain boots, a dark purple cardigan and a lilac scarf, so I wouldn't be TOO out of place.

While I didn't attend the entire party (a Friday to Sunday event, with one evening in Denver, one in Northern Colorado, hotel rooms, and lots of champagne), I did attend Saturday day for a scavenger hunt around town in a party bus and a stop for delicious local lunch. Then we showered the bride with gifts, and while everyone else took a power nap, I went on home to lay low and watch some Netflix in my pajamas. It was a win-win in my book - I celebrated the bride, got to be comfortable, and got home at a reasonable hour, 3 of my favorite things!

black tank dress: American Apparel via sorority recruitment (non-maternity)

purple cardigan: Ann Taylor (non-maternity)

lilac scarf: gift

black fleece-lined tights: Kansas City Kitty (non-maternity)

rain boots: gift

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)

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

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

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

hello, it's me

Oof, October was truly not my month for blogging. Chalk it up to still sharing a car (that’s now resolved – hallelujah!), something different after work most nights of the week for most of the weeks, being out of town for at least part of the weekend almost every weekend, a very slow laptop and a very ill desktop computer, and, most likely the real culprit, a lack of motivation.

I’m trying here, but I’m feeling quite uninspired lately: by my wardrobe, and to write. I’m not sure why – I’m purposely cutting back in some areas of my life, and perhaps that has translated its way to the screen/keyboard? Whatever the reason, even though my outfits have not been that great for the past month (months, let’s be real), I do have a few to share here. Perhaps I just need to ease off, throw away any “schedule” and let this be a place to come hang out when I’m inspired, instead of forcing it. That sounds quite deep, yes? We’ll see how that pans out for this schedule junkie...

And now, a monochromatic look to share with you, made interesting with the use of different textures, and a belt. Obviously, this picture is not TOO recent (late September, methinks) - it’s too cold for open toesies now. In an effort to not look like a black blob of clothing, I wrapped my sweater around me and belted it, almost creating a karate-style-type jacket, but not quite (the wrapping of the sweater was essential, because I tried it hanging open and belted, and be glad I’m sparing you those terrible scars on your eyeballs).

Bear with me, as it’s now dark at noon (exaggerating), and my pictures will be relegated to a quick weekend outfit shoot (not my favorite), if they happen at all. Still friends?

black sweater: Ann Taylor

black belt: thrifted

black pants: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's