a little splash of emerald and a trend collaboration!

{Top: Similar | Jeans: Similar | Necklace: Similar | Shoes: Similar | Bag: Similar}

It is getting harder and harder to find tops that cover my belly! I was walking down the street today and saw this woman with her belly hanging out of her shirt and I am very fearful that will be me. I think maybe I need to opt for moo moos (how can I possibly make that look stylish??) at this point to ensure that does NOT happen to me.

I am digging farther and farther into the reaches of my closet to pull out something that covers this expanding midsection. And I've said it once, I'll say it again, if it weren't for accessories my outfits would become real boring real quick. But alas, I found a shirt that fits and I found some pretty great accessories to make this look pop. I am thinking I should find some more emerald colored goodies. The color is just too pretty to pass up!

Today I'm over at Lipgloss and Crayons wearing the outfit below for a trend collaboration. I actually love how this look turned out. One of my better maternity creations, I think. Oh and even better than this striped outfit, there's a giveaway for a pretty awesome J. Crew bracelet happening too! Don't miss out on it!

{Vest: Similar | Shirt: Old Navy | Scarf: J. Crew Factory | Shorts: Anthropologie | Bag: J. Crew | Shoes: Target}

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So and Style Elixir.

style and sleep approved.

{Jacket: Similar | Shirt: Similar | Pants: Anthropologie | Purse: J. Crew}

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This HAS to be the perfect maternity outfit. Any outfit that looks this good on the street and feels just as good on is a winner in my book. I took my usual daily nap (yes I can't make it through a day without a nap!) in just the top and pants. And I was so comfy. I mean this look is style and sleep approved. There aren't many outfits that can do both!

I know I really shouldn't dress based on this concept but I just can't help it! I am too far along at this point to not be comfortable!

Fortunately or unfortunately, I found these pants online. I am really tempted to buy the navy and coral colors. I mean a whole wardrobe made of linen pants is okay...right?

my favorite non-maternity items.

{Top to bottom: Everyday dress | 

Striped dressy dress | Ombre dressy dress | 

Ikat bottoms | Embroidered shorts | Coral linen pants}

I know this might not apply to very many of you, but I thought I would share some of my very favorite non-maternity finds that have worked for me even during my third trimester! I am really hoping that by investing in these pieces I have actually expanded my wardrobe rather than just purchasing pieces that can only be worn during pregnancy. I really, really love all of these items and I wear them A LOT.

The everyday dress: I have a dress from Target from many years ago that is very similar to this one without the high-low hem. I have loved it during this pregnancy. I prefer to have sleeves on my maxis as I feel like every part of me is swollen including my arms and legs. Having a little coverage gives me a lot more confidence. The waistline couldn't be any more perfect for a growing (or already grown bump). I have just snagged a couple of these beauties as the colors are just irresistible!

The dressy dress: This silhouette of this dress is very similar to the everyday dress. It's just a little more dressed up. I think the pink version would be perfect for a casual summer wedding or a fancy dinner out with the hubby. The striped one is a little more casual but equally fabulous. I think I could wear it practically everyday!

Stylish and stretchy bottoms: Every time I head into a store I do a quick tour of all the bottoms. I try to find elastic waists (which seem to be really in right now) and fabrics that have some give. I bought a pair of patterned Anthro pants (similar to the ones above) and I love them. Every time I put them on I feel like I am putting on pj pants. They are super cute and stylish and fun but still so very comfortable on my otherwise uncomfortable body. I am also in love with those embroidered shorts. I can't wait to wear them post pregnancy!

I would also mention that if you have a pregnant friend that lives close to you, it is so worth it to go shopping together. Two of my close friends are pregnant and when you have three heads instead of one, you find so many more great options!

So what do you guys think? Do you think my strategy of wearing non-maternity pieces will actually pay off in the end? I sure hope so!

maternity what?

{Jacket: Similar | Scarf: Similar | Shirt: Gap | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: Target}

I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend. And I hope that my small break wasn't too long. I just feel like lately I have too much on my plate chasing after a toddler all day, traveling two weekends in a row and managing the last trimester of this pregnancy. Not to mention, it's hard to be stylish when you are this pregnant! It has definitely been a major style challenge for me (in a good way). I've had to push myself to get dressed every day even when I don't feel like it. And I'm not usually a big accessory lady, but you have to be when you are wearing the same pieces over and over again!

I do have to give myself credit because folks, I am more than seven months pregnant and I am not wearing one single piece of maternity clothing. Can you believe it? I feel like that's a miracle! I am loving, loving, loving the stretchy waistbands in wide-leg pants these days. They are just perfect for me! And I am pretty sure these guys are gonna get a lot of play post pregnancy.

Linking up with Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So.

colorblock cardi.

{Sweater: Similar | Scarf: Similar | Shirt: Gap | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Similar}

So several years ago, I used to be all about designer duds. It's not something I am proud of and it's definitely not s a course that I recommend. But there are few (read: very few) items that I acquired during this time that I believe will be in my wardrobe for a very long time to come. This cardigan is one of those pieces. I used to wear it all the time when I was working; it's a great piece that has a little bit of pizzazz for my mom days; it works perfectly while I'm pregnant; and I truly believe it will last me until I am much older. There are not very many pieces that can be that versatile or that timeless.

I definitely don't encourage buying designer labels but if you come across a piece that might be more than you would normally spend and you can see it working in every stage of your life, then I think that's a pretty good investment.

then & now: pre-pregnancy and pregnancy

Admittedly it's pretty hard to re-use the clothes that you already have in your wardrobe from your pre-pregnancy days, but it's not impossible. I love that these outfits have totally different feels but use the same pieces, a chambray shirt and a plaid button-up. Not buttoning up is a great way to still wear your button-ups and layer in a new and different way.

And while I'm definitely ready to get back to my pre-pregnancy clothes, it is fun to challenge myself on how I can wear what I already have. Right now as the temperatures rise, I'm really working with my looser fitting dresses and skirts and adding in maternity pieces where needed.

How do you make your wardrobe work for you?

navy & mint.

{Necklace: Similar | Scarf: Target | Cardi: Similar | Flats: J. Crew Factory}

It's official I am entering the not so attractive part of my pregnancy. There are less and less "keeper" photos and fewer and fewer outfit options. I know I still have a ways to go and I am not really sure how I'm gonna maintain a style blog! 

Not only has my mid-section grown but it seems that every part of me has. Funny story for you...not so much for me. I decided to get a pedicure last week and forgot to change my pants. I mean I'm lucky I remembered to shave my legs. 

So I get there and cannot get my pants up. It literally took me more than five minutes to hike up my pants to just below knee level. And even that was pretty excruciating. As I am sitting there getting my pedicure, it seems that my pants are getting tighter and tighter and I'm getting more and more uncomfortable. All I can think is, how am I gonna get these down before my manicure? Finally after several minutes of stewing I come up with the plan that I will go to the bathroom so that I can somehow extract my pants off my legs. And after my pedicure that's just what I do. 

Um it took a really, really long time to get them back down. I even considered asking someone in the nail salon for scissors so I could just cut them off. And to prove this was no joke, I walked a way with a nasty, nasty bruise all the way around my leg where my pants were stuck. Attractive I know. 

The beauty of motherhood folks. This is it.