Sneak 'Peaking'

Since I will soon be a nursing mother again, I've been looking at my post-maternity wardrobing options for fall. Unfortunately, nursing tops leave little to be desired. Plain, stretchy tops are fine for taking walks or running errands, but what if a little soiree comes up? Enter, Peaks of London. Chic nursing tops and dresses rigged with discreet functionality to feed the little birds at their command.

images via

*The blue dress on bottom right was worn by Sienna Miller.

See the collection (all on sale!) here.

{chic finds} Target non-maternity

As previously mentioned, I generally shop at two stores: one for clothes/shoes (Neimans) and one for household staples (Target). But now my worlds are colliding. I saw a similar dress available at NM Last Call for about $75. Then I found it at Target.

I just did the math on this outfit: the entire thing (minus the watch) is under $50. Dress: 24.99, pendant necklace: 3 (H&M), hat: 12.99, sandals 7.99 (after a 'buy 1 get 1 50% off sale'). You can get these Dolce Vita sandals for $69, but since I wasn't sure how long I'd like the gold bar in the middle, I went with good ol' Mossimo. And bought them in both black and white. I can't find any of the pieces online, so you'll have to go to your local Tar-jay. As you can see from here and here, it's been my retailer of choice through this pregnancy.

The dress is in the non-maternity section and also comes in black with white bands. It's incredibly comfortable and a bright color, which you would see if I could take a good picture. And the hat? I'm not a hat person because of my freakishly large head, but this hat has saved many weekends. Lip gloss, aviators, hat - done. If you've seen me at all on the weekend, I'm wearing this hat. It doesn't matter what else I'm wearing; I've decided it goes with everything.

Can you guess???

We've decided to let the little Bean choose which one he'd like - brother or sister. That's how the gender stuff works, right?

This is a long over-due (pun intended) post, but it's our first family photo in...two years, maybe? In the real photos, we all have our heads. But I'm still making the same confused/constipated/mentally-challenged face. My husband makes it too, which is why it's surprising we had such a cute, perfect kid. (Okay, okay, indulge a pregnant lady a little, will you?)

Stay tuned to find out which he chooses! And yes, we're all wearing the same outfits tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth.

Bumps and dots

Oh,  maternity pictures. I didn't take maternity pictures when I was pregnant the first time, but I did take my own weekly self-portraits of the growing bump. (Not meant for public viewing, just for my own records - and now I can look back and compare.)
  
This wasn't a maternity shoot, but there was a camera and there was a me, so I posed with the same confused/constipated/mentally-challenged face that I make in every picture. (One of many reasons my head is always cropped.)  

I realize that this is the last of the baby bump months. In a few weeks, I'm going to turn the corner and go from "baby" to "giant" bump...and then look so large that strangers will steer clear of me in order to avoid ruining their shoes. But I must say when seeing these pictures: not looking as huge as I feel is always a good way to start off the week. 

If you have children, did you take maternity pictures with any of your pregnancies?

{chic find} maternity wear

It was in the 90's this past weekend, with a heat index of 100. It's been humid and sticky - and it's only the beginning of May. The thought of the five more months of this, with an ever-increasing belly and an ever-decreasing patience level (dwindling as the mercury rises), makes me want to spend the rest of our existence (just in case the Mayans are right), on the Pacific Northwest, or maybe Canada. I guess if I'm day dreaming about where I'll spend the end of days, I should also consider all the places in Europe that I've never visited.

But I digress....

I was in the mall today, so I popped into Forever 21 to quickly pick up a belly band from their maternity line. [Side note: I find it ironic - or maybe just a sad state of our country - that a store called "Forever 21" offers a maternity line.] Maybe I wasn't the only one that felt this way, because they cut this line. But today was my lucky day. There were a few maternity pieces left on the sale rack that I almost passed over. I bought 4 belly panels and 3 pairs of maternity skinny jeans (which are basically just jean leggings with a softer, loose waist band), a tank top, a chiffon tunic and sheer dress all for...wait for it...under $85! The bands and jeans were only $5 and $6 each - less than my lunch!

Forget that Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue are currently running their "one-day" sales. (BTW - Neiman's and Saks have some of their Spring merchandise marked at 20-30% off for the next two days, then it goes back up to full price. They've also marked down some older Spring styles. My friend bought Current Elliot colored jeans for $50! <-- See how I think jeans at Neiman's on sale for $50 are a such good deal, but I refuse to pay $20 for a belly band at Gap?)

Where was I going with this post? Oh yes, some days, it's the little things - and the little things that are growing into large, round, waddling things - that can make one's day.

Playing ball

 

 similar items: shirt dress, wrap bracelet, wedge sandals

You know the general rule not to ask a woman if she's pregnant unless she is actually in labor? Let's add another level to that: "If she has confirmed her pregnancy, don't ask if she's in her third trimester - unless she is actually in labor." No, not even close to third trimester, thank you very much, but clearly taking that as a hint to stop waddling when I walk. It's going to be a loooong summer.

PS - why does something the size of a softball need a house the size of a volleyball? I just don't get it. 

PSS - my legs really are that fluorescently white. It's not just a fancy Photoshop effect. It's a fancy wear-jeans-year-round effect. Stylist trick. Take note.

Big news

Remember 2 months ago when I said I was uninspired and generally cranky? Well, the truth of the matter is that I had a bunch of other things going on in life that was taking priority over blogging. First, a new job that I love. And second...

Yup, that's right, it's a baby bump! Well, obviously much more than a 'bump' by now. It's not just from too much Mexican food last night like I've been saying the past 2 years 4 months. I am well into the second trimester and also well into the maternity jeans I wasn't wearing until 7 months last time. This is a problem, people.

No one told me that the second time around you would start showing the minute you thought you could get pregnant. I had a tough first trimester, starting a new job and all, so I was exhausted and cranky, and eating everything in sight. But seeing pregnant pictures of Jessica Simpson shocked me right back into reality. Weight gain is under control (haven't gained a pound in two months!), which I wish I could say about my pregnant, hormonal rage and heightened annoyance at everything.

So you understand the lack of posts and bloggering in general, now - right? I'm still around, just getting rounder.

Now hatching

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I've been obsessed with Hatch Collection since it launched last Fall. We already know I want to be in more weddings thanks to Twobirds, and now they've given me baby fever. This line is so perfect for all nine months - and all the months beyond. Who needs to hit the gym to get back to pre-baby body when you have such fashionable pieces to camo the post-preggo pooch?