A Cropped Denim Jacket

I haven't owned a denim jacket in a long time but suddenly I was craving one.  I wanted something lightweight for summer and a darker denim (though I love the light ones too!)  

I was browsing at Nordstrom last week and saw a really cute denim jacket on display and decided to try it on just for fun.  It was reasonably priced at $69 (some can go into the $200 range and I didn't want to spend that) and it fit really nicely and was really thin (perfect for the hot weather).  The jacket is by Kut from the Kloth Denim and it comes in different colors. For reference, I got a medium and I would say it fits on the smaller side, so size up if you're between sizes. I'm 38 weeks, 2 days pregnant in these photos :)

Denim Jacket- Kut from the Kloth denim @ Nordstrom (light color, dark color)

Necklace- J.Crew 

Maxi Dress- c/o PB&J Boutique 

Shoes- Steve Madden- similar, similar, similar

A few ladies have asked me if this maxi dress is see-thru because of the close-up photo where you can see skin through it (it's actually a nude slip, not my skin).  Yes, the entire fabric of the dress is sheer. I have to wear it with a nude slip to make sure my underwear doesn't show through.  

I took a photo of the dress upside-down so you could see how the fabric is throughout the garment if you're thinking of purchasing.  The sheerness doesn't bother me, but I realize that it may not be up everyone's alley.  I've kind of noticed that most maxi dresses that are a jersey/cotton material are not thick enough to wear without a slip and I wear them with slips even when I am not pregnant. My mint green one required a slip as well. 

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!

Pregnancy Favorites

Now that I'm just two and a half weeks away from my due date, I thought it would be a good time to share my pregnancy favorites.

I'll start with skincare because it's the first thing I changed when I got a positive pregnancy test.  My two favorite skincare products have been Belli's acne control spot treatment and Belli's eye brightening cream, both created with ingredients safe for pregnancy.

The spot treatment does seem to help keep blemishes at bay and treats existing ones. It's not as strong as formulas I used before pregnancy, but it gets the job done and I'm thrilled I found a spot treatment that was safe to use.

I've also really enjoyed Belli's eye cream. I wasn't initially head over heels with it, but over time I really did notice that it was keeping the skin under my eyes bright and well moisturized.  Plus, one tube lasted me my entire pregnancy!

Next up are stretch mark creams. Let's face it---stretch marks are totally based on genetics, but it doesn't hurt to keep you growing belly supple and moisturized.  My favorites ended up being Mustela's double action stretchmark cream and Belli's belly elasticity oil.

The Mustela cream is the absolute perfect texture and I liked its light, sort of floral scent.  It feels like a really luxurious cream and it absorbed really nicely into the skin.  I also ended up getting baby products from Mustela's line and I can't wait to use them!

Belli's elasticity oil smells heavenly and spreads super easily. I liked alternating between a cream and an oil.  Both products also last a really long time, especially when you're alternating.

For my hair, I've pretty much kept up the same routine but I've absolutely loved Keratase's Elixir Ultime and Macadamia's deep repair hair mask.  My ends have been really dry (not sure if that's pregnancy related or not) so these products have been lifesavers.

I apply the Elixir Ultime from the nape of my neck to the ends of my hair before blowdrying.  I use about 5-7 pumps and this stuff lasts forever, so don't hesitate at its steeper price.

As far as the hair mask, I continue to repurchase this product over and over because nothing else compares to it. I've tried expensive and inexpensive conditioners and I can truly say this one is the absolute best at leaving hair feeling moisturized and smooth. It also smells incredible.

I haven't been doing my nails as often during pregnancy. I might paint them every 10-14 days. But I've only been using "3 free" formulas that are free of the harmful ingredients some nail polishes contain.  Essie, OPI and Butter London are the three brands I've been using.  My favorite colors have been:

Essie- minimalistic and go ginza
OPI- sweet heart and bubble bath
Butter London- teddy girl

Pregnancy for some reason seemed to make my lashes less lush than usual, so a good mascara was essential to make the most of them.  I have love love loved DiorShow waterproof mascara and Clinique's bottom lash mascara.  They truly bring out the best in my lashes.

Now onto some style faves.  As I've mentioned before, I didn't buy any maternity clothing aside from two pairs of pants and some tank tops so I've really been able to utilize the looser pieces in my existing wardrobe. Even in the last two weeks or my pregnancy, I'm still wearing non-maternity tops that are a looser or tunic-style.  It's been wonderful to be able to maximize my existing wardrobe in this way.

First mention will go to GAP's really skinny maternity pants which I scored before they seemed to have discontinued them.  They are the perfect pants---fitted throughout and they made all of my longer/looser tops look pulled together. They look great with both flats and heels. I got these early on in my pregnancy and have been able to wear them through to the very end. Best investment ever (and they were on sale for like $25 so not really much of an investment at all!)

(these are the non-maternity version, but you get the idea)

I've also loved Lululemon's cool racerback tanks and their Wunder Under crops. Lululemon does sell the cool racerbacks in an extra-long length (limited colors), but I've found the normal ones still fit over my belly because they are stretchy and long.  My wunder unders have also been fantastic---I just roll the front down on them so it's not pressing on my belly.  They are stretchy and super comfy, perfect for weekends!

Liz Lange's long & lean maternity tanks from Target have been a Godsend because they are SO long.  I would stick with your regular size on these because the length will stretch over your belly perfectly.  They are a super soft cotton, thick and stretchy. I will continue to wear these post-pregnancy as well.

Another pair of tights I've enjoyed are these footless tights by Preggers. They are compression tights which help with swelling during pregnancy and help improve circulation. I was able to wear them under some dresses/tunics when it was cooler here in Houston and the compression really does feel nice---especially if you'll be on your feet a lot during the day.  They also have a super stretchy part over the belly that grows as you do---unlike normal pantyhose that made me feel like I was choking my belly.  

I stopped wearing heels a couple of months ago. I was just over it.  My feet started to swell this week for the first time which is an odd feeling, but with just 2.5 weeks left I can't complain.  I have been obsessed with my Tory Burch Reva flats throughout my third trimester.  They are comfortable and make walking around at work a lot easier. I've worn them more in the last few months than ever before.

The maxi dress I got from PB&J Boutique has totally saved me this pregnancy. I wear it on weekends all.the.time.  Sometimes on Saturday and Sunday (don't judge!) It's so comfy and flattering.

(obviously earlier on in my pregnancy)

I also got several great maxi dresses for my baby showers including from Forever21 and Zappos.com, so check out those sites for some great options (I linked the ones I purchased above).

One last item---GAP's racerback sports bra. Lifesavers. With the rib pain I started to have towards the end of my second trimester, I could no longer wear regular bras, even when I went up a band size. These are soft, stretchy, comfy and overall perfect for pregnancy (though if you are very well endowed, they may not provide enough support, word of warning).

Those are all of the items I can think of for now! I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to share your pregnancy favorites in the comments below!

FTC disclaimer: I purchased all of these products with my own money except for the Preggers tights and PB&J maxi dress, which were sent to me for review.

Recent Purchases...

When my friend Heather was in town from Toronto over the weekend for my second baby shower, we had such a blast having some much-needed girl time and that included some shopping.

Heather got some pretty great deals at the 290 Premium Outlets and I picked up a few items from Kate Spade---all were 40% off!

The first item I purchased was this pretty color block zip case.  It can fit an iPad and would also be ideal for travel (makeup, toiletries, etc). The outside is like a coated canvas so it won't get dirty easily. I actually may use this in my diaper bag to carry some baby items like diaper cream, wipes, etc. The outlet price on the bag was $65.00 and I got an additional 40% off.

The second item I purchased was a black and white bird print makeup bag. I don't take makeup to work with me (other than lipgloss) and I don't touch up my makeup during the day, so I don't need a makeup bag for daily use but wanted to get this one for travel.  It is large enough to fit all of the makeup I'd take when I travel but like the bag above, could also be used for toiletries.  I like to take one bag for makeup and one for hair products and toiletries when I travel, so I'm glad I have the two.  The regular store price on this bag was $80, the outlet price was $50 and I got it for 40% off of that price.

The last item I got at Kate Spade was this tee.  I loved the minty color with the contrasting sleeves and pocket.  I got a size medium and it fits over my pregnant belly right now---although it won't in a few more weeks, I really bought it to wear post-baby.  The outlet price was $55 and I got it for 40% off of that price. You can buy it here on zappos.com or here at Neiman Marcus (also on sale!).

The next item is a chambray shirt I picked up at Forever21. I have been searching for a chambray shirt that fits really nicely for a long time. I had purchased two others from Old Navy---one of them was even in the tall length, but truthfully, neither fit how I had hoped they would.  I still wore them, but I was always on the hunt for one that fit better.This one is absolutely amazing. It's super long and every part of it fits really nicely.  I got a size medium and it's perfect. Right now, I can button down up until the last 2-3 buttons which can't button over my belly---but the shirt looks super cute layered over a tank with the last couple buttons undone or just completely undone.  I also like the way it looks paired over a maxi dress right now.

You can buy this gorgeous chambray top right here :) Best $20 you'll spend!

This is the outfit I wore to work today at 33 weeks, 5 days pregnant---and I have to take a quick moment to rave about Lululemon's Cool Racerback Tanks. They have really been incredible to wear throughout my pregnancy.  They are super long, fit over my belly, stretchy and not at all sheer like some tanks get when you stretch them a bit.  They also come in an extra-long length (but only in select colors). I find the regular length to be pretty long anyway.  You can check out all of the seasonal colors here.

Wishing you all a wonderful week and thanks for reading!  Have you made any purchases recently?  Share them below!

Recent Outfits

I'm not going to lie, I pretty much wear my GAP maternity skinnies everyday.  I was starting to get back into wearing dresses and then another cold front hit and I just gave up. These days, I just wear what's comfortable (and warm!) and these pants have made dressing for pregnancy easy.  They go with almost everything, they fit great and they're super comfy. I've been wearing them since second tri and couldn't rave more about them.  They're not as fun and exciting as a brightly colored or printed skirt, but they get the job done and with just two months left in my pregnancy, buying maternity clothes isn't high on my priority list (though I'd love these pants in pretty much every color, they aren't available). 

These are a few of my recent outfits:

GAP pants, Kate Spade shoes, Liz Lange for Target maternity tank, Aritzia blazer

 Forever 21 necklace (I extended the length with another chain)

GAP pants, Tory Burch Reva flats, Old Navy chambray shirt (in tall), 

Artizia blazer, T&J designs necklace (c/o)

GAP pants, Zara flats, Forever 21 v-neck tee, Banana Republic cardigan, 

Stella & Dot necklace (c/o)

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Ruched

I've talked about this in my weekly pregnancy updates, but aside from pants, I haven't been wearing a lot of maternity clothes.  I'm fortunate to have a lot of looser tops in my existing wardrobe so a lot of the outfits I'm posting aren't anything new if you've been reading my blog for awhile---they just fit differently now because of my shape and it's fun to document that.

I think during a first pregnancy buying maternity clothes can be very exciting.  I've definitely checked out Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod and GAP's maternity selections, but the truth is, I didn't really want to spend a ton of money buying new clothes that I would only wear for a short period of time.

I actually know several bloggers who also transitioned a lot of their existing wardrobe into their maternity wear, so it was fun to follow their pregnancies and see how they were styling some of the items that they wore pre-pregnancy. 

Obviously I'll eventually get to the point where I will need maternity clothes, so I realize that I'll have to transition into the pieces my co-worker generously passed along to me, but until then, I've been enjoying experimenting with the pieces already in my closet.

One of those pieces is this dress I got at Banana Republic.  I actually purchased it early into my pregnancy anticipating that I'd be able to wear it as my belly grows because it has this great ruching and is super stretchy---and long---which is key when your belly makes everything shorter.

It's such a simple piece and I've enjoyed wearing it through all three trimesters.

Dress- Banana Republic (similar, under $40) |  Necklace- Stella & Dot c/o (similar, similar) | Shoes- Zara (older)

How long were you able to extend your existing wardrobe during your pregnancy? Leave me a comment below!

Dots for Spring

After months (and months) of wearing pretty much exclusively pants, I was so happy to finally slip into one of my favorite dresses.  Getting dressed in the morning for work these days is kind of an adventure because I never quite know how things will fit since there are pieces I haven't worn in quite some time.

I was happy that this J.Crew silk dress still had enough give to accommodate my new shape. I think it has maybe a few more weeks left to it before I have to move on to stretchier dresses so I'm taking advantage while I still can!

Dress- J.Crew (similar, love this too) | Belt- J.Crew (similar)| Shoes- Kate Spade (similar) | Cardigan- Zara (similar) |Necklace- overstock.com 

Hope your week is off to a great start!

91 Degrees

...is what the temperature reader in my car said when I was driving home from work.  I've been wishing for warmer weather, so I certainly got what I asked for!

I know I've been a horrible style blogger lately and I truly apologize to those of you who come to my blog just for that content. I know not all of my readers are interested in following my pregnancy updates and you're really here just to see the outfits---so I'm trying to get back on track with them now that we have more daylight to work with and my husband can snap some quick shots when I get home from work (thank you, H!)

Needless to say, today's outfit was not the best choice for a 91 degree day.  Fortunately the heat wave didn't hit me until I left work for the day.

Blouse- J.Crew (similar, love this polka dot version for spring!)

Blazer- Gibson (similar)

Pants- GAP really skinny maternity (buy here)

Shoes- Ivanka Trump (similar, nearly identical for $25)

Necklace- Banana Republic (similar)

After we snapped my outfit photos we took Lulu for a nice long walk---I haven't worn shorts in 6 months so it was fun to see how big my belly was wearing something so fitted!

(The tank is from Love Culture, Shorts- Lululemon and the shoes are TOMS)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will keep up with my outfit photos.  I remember before I got pregnant that I really wanted to document my pregnancy style and that all fell by the wayside, especially in first trimester when I was sick most nights and really exhausted.  Now that my belly is getting really big, it's interesting to see how my clothes fit (or don't anymore haha). Either way, I'm enjoying dressing my pregnant body.

Wishing everyone a great week!