Bella Gravida Recap

Continuing the trend of posting outfits a month after I wear them...

This skirt is the last of my items from Bella Gravida.  I really liked getting some fun maternity clothes, and probably would have kept it if I was still working.  But as I've said a million times, being a SAHM, I really don't need pretty skirts and dresses very often.  

After doing a few months of LeTote, and now doing a couple months of Bella Gravida, I guess I should compare the two.  Of course, if you aren't pregnant, the Bella Gravida review isn't particularly relevant, but maybe it will be helpful in the future.  So I guess I'll just break out my favorite things about each option:

Bella Gravida wins at:

• Actual clothes - I generally liked almost everything that they sent me.  Your account has a closet that you put things in, and they only send you things from the closet.  Sizes were somewhat limited, so I ended up putting things that I was kind of iffy about in my closet, but everything they sent me fit and I actually wore!  LeTote sent me quite a few things that either didn't fit at all, or I didn't like the style of and just sent back.  Also, most of the clothes I got from BG were new with tags!  Probably because they are a newer company, but still, it was awesome!  
• Rotation timing - shipping seemed faster, and they would start preparing your new items when you notified them that the others were on the way back.  The turnaround was MUCH faster than with LeTote.  They also sent items in separate boxes with separate return envelopes, so I could wear a shirt and send it back right away instead of waiting to wear my other 2 items.  
• Customer service - I got a very sweet handwritten note with every box I received!  Sometimes it was just a comment about something in the box, but other times reminders about how to get the most out of the service.  

LeTote wins at:

• size availability - while I didn't always like the styles, there were plenty of options in my size range.
• shipment tracking info - I liked being able to check on when my items would arrive, but it was slower than Bella Gravida. 
• customization of items - LeTote would email and say "hey, your tote is ready, take a look!" and then you could go in and change anything that you didn't want.  

So anyway, I think I'm done with box clothes for now.  I do think it's a pretty cool concept, but the normal monthly cost is too high for me.  I do like how they give you one month at a discount so you can try it out.  Once I'm not pregnant, I might have to try Gwynnie Bee, because they have a month free trial!  Any other clothing rental companies I should know about??

Skirt: Bellyssima via Bella Gravida
Tee: ON Maternity
Cardigan: H&M
Shoes: Target

Phantom of the Opera

This is what I wore to the last broadway show of the season:  Phantom of the Opera.  I was happy to have another fun dress from Bella Gravida to wear.

I'm not a big fan of Phantom.  I know it's a favorite of many people, but I just don't get into it.  I first saw it about 6 or 7 years ago.  It's one of my MIL and SIL's favorites, so I was excited.  I also had a vague idea of the plot, which was completely wrong.  I always thought the Phantom was a nice but misunderstood guy, but he's actually quite evil.  So that's a whole different dynamic!

Anyway, with my expectations lowered, I did enjoy this show.  The music is pretty fun, and I about jumped out of my seat when the chandelier falls.  My SIL was like "didn't you know that was coming?"  No, I really didn't remember it from 7 years ago!  Shocking, I know.

Dress: Leota via Bella Gravida
Jacket: Target
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Target

Standard Activities

You'll never guess what I did the day I wore this outfit.  Oh wait, it's the same things I do most days that I wear something remotely blog-worthy!  Lunch with John and then a doctors appointment for Mr. Baby.  Only on this particular day, it was even more exciting, because apparently my slip was showing out the bottom of my dress, and my collar was unintentionally popped.  Never a dull moment around here, you guys!

Dress: Lilac via Bella Gravida
Jacket: JCF
Shoes: Target

Orange Blouse

Well, I'm still about a month behind on posting outfits.  This was from early April when we went out to dinner with John's mom and grandpa.  I, of course, took the opportunity to wear one of my maternity box clothing items.  I don't love this orange blouse, but it was something different to wear. Plus we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant, so that was fun!

ETA:  I'm totally cheating and linking up with Third Thursday Threads, because I can't be trusted to pay attention and actually post the theme on the proper day.  But white jeans from last Friday seems recent enough, right?

Jacket: JCF
Top: Lilac via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Target

ONE

I can hardly believe that my little Mr. Baby turned one this week.  They say time flies and it really does.  I'm not a "mommy blogger" so I haven't been posting monthly updates on the boy, but I figured a quick montage of his monthly pictures as appropriate, just this once.  This chair is older than me; my parents bought it a few years before I was born, and then I claimed it when they redecorated in the 90s.  I love that it is in Mr. Baby's room, and knew I wanted to use it for his monthly pictures.  I did not consider that once he got wiggly, it would become exceedingly difficult to get him sitting still in the chair.  I have many outtakes of him diving at me!  

        

       

So anyway, we officially made it through the first year.  It was overwhelming and wonderful and too slow and too fast and just kind of unbelievable.  There are a lot of cliches about babies and parenting, but they sure seem true to me right now.  

Zebra Tee

So here's an outfit that I wore about a month ago.  If I remember correctly, Mr. Baby and I had lunch with John, and then walked around the mall a little bit before going to a doctor's appointment.  But then we were getting onto the elevator for the doctor's office, and they called to cancel, because the doctor had to go deliver a baby.  But then I went up to the office to reschedule, and they said that the doctor actually had time to see me before she left.  So I felt a little awkward because I was worried about the woman who needed to give birth!  But I assume the doctor was being responsible with her time, right?

These are the boring OB visits.  I know baby is fine because he's kicking me all the time, so hearing the heartbeat isn't as important to me as it was during those earlier visits.  It's mostly just "how are you?"  "more uncomfortable than last appt."  "Okay, sounds about right! See you in a few weeks!"

Cardigan: ON
Tee: Everly Gray via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Target

Currently May

This was from a couple Sundays ago.  I had a little helper who was exploring the deck while I took outfit pictures.  Believe it or not, all the pictures where he isn't in the frame, I look ridiculous because I'm nervously watching him to make sure he doesn't do something dangerous!  I also love his rhino shirt sooooo much.  It's one of the few ridiculous clothing items I have purchased for him.  

It's also time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love.

celebrating - so much!  I'm officially in the 3rd trimester with baby2.  My sister is getting married this weekend.  I get to celebrate my 2nd Mother's day (and my first when I'm not in the hospital!), and then Mr. Baby turns 1 in less than a week.  It's a wild and crazy time!  

reading - hopefully soon I can start The Nightingale.  I've been on hold for the ebook forever, and I'm next in line!  I've heard it is really good.  

pondering - how the past year has flown by.  May 4th was my due date last year, and then Mr. Baby showed up about a week later.  Some moments he seems so big and grown up, and the next he just seems so itty bitty still.  And baby2 will be here before I know it.  It keeps hitting me that I will have 2 babies soon and what will I even do with them??

Dress: Bellyssima via Bella Gravida
Cardigan: JCF
Shoes: Target
Mr. Baby's shirt and pants: Gap outlet

Floral Blouse

Can you tell that I have no creativity anymore?  I mean, these post titles are truly inspired.  Honestly, when I'm editing pictures and starting posts, I just label them with the item of clothing I'm wearing, and then I usually end up changing the title at some point.  But then there's now, where I don't have much to say.  I wore this outfit to go out to dinner with my 2 favorite guys.  This blouse was another favorite from Bella Gravida, even though it didn't quite fit properly.  It was fine for a couple hours, and I felt very pretty!

Cardigan: Gap outlet
Top: Olian via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes; JCF

Red dress

I'm a good 5 or so weeks behind on outfit posts, but I'm going to try to post them somewhat in order.  This was from late March.  I think I just wore it to run a few errands with Mr. Baby and meet John for lunch.  This is my $4 dress from Gap.  I'm sure it's not the most flattering, but it is comfortable, and sometimes that's all you need as a pregnant lady!  

Jacket: JCF

Dress: Gap

Shoes: Target