dotty.

{Top: Similar | Necklace: J. Crew Factory | Shorts: Ann Taylor Loft | Purse: J. Crew | Shoes: Similar}

This may not be obvious to everyone (how it's not obvious I don't know), but being nice to pregnant women is just well, NICE. 

Talking about how big they are is not nice. Commenting on how tired they look is not nice. Pretty much any negative comment that you would NOT make to any other woman on the street is 100 percent off-limits with a preggo. Just because a women's pregnant doesn't mean you get to lose your filter. Not cool people. Not cool.

Want to know how to make a preggo's day? Compliment her! I literally almost keeled over from shock when a young, attractive man said hello to me and then told me how cute my shirt was. I mean it's not like men are looking at me these days (Not that I need them to. I am happily married and well, eight months pregnant). 

But the fact that a man could be so nice when other women are so not just floored me. It made my day, week and maybe even my month. So the moral of the story, be nice please. That eight-month pregnant lady that you pass on the street who is chasing her toddler...well, it's me or some version of me. And trust me, I know how tired I feel. And I know how big I look. And I don't need anyone reminding me and neither does she. 

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

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.

stripes with a pop of floral.

{Sunnies: Target | Coat: Similar | Shirt: Gap | Pants: Gap | Purse: Target | Shoes: J. Crew Factory}

This is one of those outfits where you feel like a million bucks and trust me guys that doesn't happen very often these days. I felt pretty, put together and stylish in this look...like a woman who doesn't just clean up spilt milk or sift through mounds of dirty laundry. I know that's not all I do but some days it feels like it! This outfit is perfect for the office, a casual business lunch or a get together with friends!

I had this outfit in my head for awhile. The only problem when I was actually getting dressed was finding shoes. So now not only is my closet slim pickings but also my shoe collection! I do not exaggerate when I say I tried on five different pairs of shoes. My mom laughed at how my feet bulged over the edges of two pairs. And by the end of the day I gave in and opted for sneaks. Oh the joys of being pregnant!

fresh as a flower.

{Dress: Gap | Belt: Target | Bag: Target | Shoes: Target}

When I packed for Puerto Rico, I made sure I had plenty of accessories. You name it, I had it. And every evening I would layer them on. Let's try this bold necklace or this flashy bangle. And every single time, it just felt like too much. 

I don't know if it's something about the laid back culture of the Caribbean or the feel of warm weather or just being pregnant, but I just didn't want the extras. I wanted simple, breezy outfits that didn't seem over thought or uncomfortable. 

I'm curious if this simple styling will carry on through this summer or if it was just what a beachy week in the Caribbean called for. I kind of hope it sticks to some extent because sometimes I need to remember that a bold floral print is all the wow you need. 

What about you? Do you love accessories? Or do you take a more simplistic approach to dressing? Or does your basic style formula change as the seasons change?

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

color shock.

{Shirt: Similar | Scarf: Similar | Bag: Target | Shorts: Ann Taylor Loft | Sandals: Ann Taylor Loft}

Hello friends! I am back from vacation and it was absolutely wonderful. Exactly what I needed. And I'm happy to be back in Chicago, where the weather has taken a definite turn for the better!

I think while I was away I definitely "popped" so to speak. My belly is big at this point. And without actually looking at the days and weeks, I know I am now in the third trimester. It's like one day, you wake up and bam, your body is big, unwieldy (I often mow my son over because I can't see him) and everything hurts. I suppose cleaning all day and scrubbing our floors on my knees doesn't really help those aches and pains. But I guess I am a glutton for punishment. And let's be honest, how can you get away with not scrubbing the floors when your toddler decides that he wants to paint the room with his oatmeal> Ah welcome back to real life Lindsay. Welcome back.

polka dots and mint.

{Jacket: Similar | Belt: Target | Sweater: Similar | Tunic: Old Navy | Pants: Similar | Shoes: Madewell}

Oh man getting dressed these days is well...not easy. The weather just refuses to warm up, so I am forced to remix the the few, very few pieces that are still appropriate for colder weather. This means lots of open layers.

It's a little too late in the game to go purchase sweaters that I can only wear for (what will hopefully only be) a few more weeks. And the sweaters I do have are not maternity so they fit very awkwardly (that's a nice way of putting it). So all this to say, my creativity is really being put to the test. Most days I am cold because I can't button any of my layers and I refuse to put on my winter coat in the middle of April (some evenings I cave because I just can't stand being cold anymore).

Please tell me it is warmer where you guys are! Somebody needs to be enjoying the sunshine!

daytime sparkles.

{Sunglasses: Kate Spade | Jacket: Similar | Sweatshirt: Similar | Shoes: Madewell}

It's getting warmer (not super warm though), so that means you are going to see my utility jacket ALL the time. It literally is my trusty sidekick. I don't leave home without it.

My wardrobe is getting smaller and smaller (I didn't mean for that to be a double entendre, but touche Lindsay touche). I'm about to the point where I've outgrown my normal clothes. And even if I haven't, like this sweatshirt, I have major anxiety about my belly being exposed, so I am always yanking on the hem. Attractive no. Better than showing my belly? One would think so. 

So as much as I abhor buying maternity clothes, especially ones that will only see the light of day for another three months or so, I did exactly that. I needed a few more options, especially since I am likely to stretch the hem out of every shirt I own.

But one thing I don't need to buy in maternity is shoes. These sneakers were a bit of a stretch for me. I thought they could be a disaster. I totally did not expect a home-run. And I am super excited that they add a little bit of pizzazz to my weekend uniform.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

finally some camo!

{Shirt: Similar | Jacket: Similar | Belt: Target | Bag: Target | Shoes: Similar}

I found my beauty secret...it's a little thing called a two-hour nap. A two-hour nap is good for my skin, good for my hair, good for my body and apparently good for my wardrobe. Unfortunately, that kind of legendary nap happens once in a blue moon.

On another note, I got lucky. Super lucky. I know I go on rants all the time about how wonderful Target is but I have to go there again. During a recent jaunt, I stopped by the clearance rack thinking there would be nothing and you know what was waiting for me...this jacket! And if you have been a long time reader, you know that I've been on the hunt for a great camo jacket. I think I hit the jackpot with this one!

And speaking of the jackpot. can we talk about that beautiful red bag? Also from Target! I am in love with it and it's huge, which is wonderful because I have a bunch of crap that I need to tote around with me all the time.

So if you get anything out of this post, it should be that you need to take a two-hour nap ASAP to see what kind of wonders it brings and go to Target immediately because there is so much awesomeness there!

If that doesn't start out a Wednesday right, I don't know what does.

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So.

18 weeks and counting!

{Cardigan: Similar | Jeans: Similar | Clutch: Gap}

Two weeks guys and I am halfway there. Sadly, I am still waiting for the relief to kick in (you know the part of the pregnancy where you start to feel better and aren't sick ALL the time). I'm beginning to think that I am one of the few who might not experience that relief. This pregnancy has been hard, very hard. 

But you know what it makes it better. Finding pieces of clothing like this sweater that make me look like a million bucks even when I don't feel like it. And you know what? It's not maternity...which makes it 100 percent better in my book!

I hope you guys are having a lovely, lovely week. We just got another dumping of snow and I really couldn't convey to you how much I am OVER winter. But I'm sure you all share the same feeling if you live in colder temps. That will just make spring that much sweeter...I hope.

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and the ladies below.