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

#momlife

Being a mom is sometimes ridiculous.  A lot of days (especially these snowy frigid days), Mr. Baby and I just stay at home and those days are usually pretty chill.  But I tend to get stir crazy if we haven't left the house in a few days, and you know, sometimes we need to buy groceries.  On Tuesday this week, I was feeling like going out, but didn't have any specific errands to run, so I was like "hey, I'll go to Which Wich, my favorite lunch place!"  Seemed like a good plan.  It was after the lunch rush, but I didn't think about how tricky it would be with the boy.

If you've never been there (you should go!), you fill out a bag with your sandwich order on it, and then you go up to order and pay, and then they call your name when your food is ready.  Simple enough.  Unless you are carrying around a tiny menace to society!  As I was filling out my sandwich bag, Mr. Baby managed to grab a sign off the wall, ripping it in half.  Oops.  I took the pieces up to the cashier and apologized.  I was so relieved it was the manager who basically knows me because I went there like once a week when I was pregnant.  So as I'm trying to pay, Mr. Baby decides to be as wiggly as possible, and do his best to dive out of my arms.  Not cool, baby!  Anyway, I got my order in and paid, and then went to find a table.  But then I needed to grab a high chair, which are way back in the corner.  I'm not going to leave my bag unattended, so I lug everything back and somehow manage to wrangle a high chair off the stack, and carry it back to the table.  (Note - chivalry is absolutely dead, according to the 5 or so businessmen who just stared awkwardly at me.)

I get Mr. Baby all situated with the high chair and the cover, and then realized I needed to get my drink.  Well, I'm definitely not going to leave him unattended, so I pull him out, go get the drink.  Get back to the table, put him back in the chair.  Then they call my name.  Okay, get baby back out, go grab sandwich.  It's ridiculous.  So I finally have everything I need, and he is happy in the high chair, so I got to eat in relative peace.

**An aside: the table next to me was 2 girls who are in college. They were cracking me up, talking about getting ready to graduate, and the guys they are dating.  I should have been live tweeting their whole conversation.  Did you know there's a formula to determine whether a guy is too old to date, and therefore creepy?  The one girl is dating a 28 year old, but I guess you take his age, divide by 2, and add 7.  Since she's 21, it's just barely not creepy.  Who comes up with this stuff???  Also, apparently really smart guys can sometimes be socially awkward.  Who knew?  (everyone).

Anyway, I finished eating and decided we should head to Babies R Us, because I needed to buy my friend a baby shower present.  I just needed to feed the boy before we left.  I got him out, went to refill my drink, and came back to the table to feed him.  He was in my lap, and I was digging in the diaper bag for his bottle, when he slapped my drink right off the table.  All 20 ounces went into the high chair seat cover, and then spilled onto the floor.  And I can't even do anything about it, because I am holding him!  The college girls sprang to their feet to help.  One of the workers looked like he was coming over, but he was actually going to dig through the trash to look for a lost cell phone (oh it was a crazy day for the Which Wich employees).  I knew we were going to need more than paper towels, so I went and talked to the manager again.  And again, she was very gracious.  She mopped everything up, and I went ahead and fed the boy.  Then I got a refill again and we went out to the car.  I got him into the carseat, got the soaking wet high chair cover into the back where it wouldn't ruin anything fabric, and started the car.  Right before I backed out, the manager comes running out "your drink is on the top of your car!"  Oh man... I'm a mess.  We didn't go to Babies R Us.  We just went home where I could avoid any more embarrassment!

Just in case you thought I was one of those moms who has it all together.

Cardigan: H&M
Tee: Loft
Jeans: Gap
Flats: Target

Copycat Aunt

So, this is my niece.  She's awesome.  You may remember her from the last time I shamelessly copied her outfit.  What can I say?  The girl has great style!  Anyway, she recently sent me these pics of her in a super cute outfit, and I thought it would be fun to do another copycat post.  I wore my version out to dinner with my 2 favorite guys, and then we walked around the duck pond.  Somehow, taking outfit pictures turned into copying all of the poses that E did.  

Tree hugging isn't my forte, especially since there was a spider on the tree.  I also sadly didn't have a red hairbow!  

There also weren't any fancy benches at the park we were at, so I had to settle for this boring green one.  

 Thanks for the inspiration, E!

Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (eyelet option that I have been tempted to buy!)
Shoes: Target (similar)

Weekend Update

Another weekend is gone, and I'm really starting to feel like time is flying by!  How about a quick weekend update?

Friday after work, John and I went out for dinner and a movie.  The weather was so gorgeous that we sat outside to eat!  I am so terribly excited for warm weather, I don't even care about being a blogging cliche!

On Saturday, I met up with a friend for lunch, and catching up on life.  Then I went to the outdoor mall and did a little shopping.  I didn't buy too much (more on that at the end of the month), but it was so pretty walking around in the sunshine!  And I may have purchased these shoes for the baby, because they were only $4 and I just couldn't help myself.  I was very brave and left behind a very cute baseball cap.

Saturday afternoon/evening, John and I put together the baby cage crib that recently arrived.  Okay, John did all of the assembly, but I helped hold things!  It's pretty cool to see the room coming together.

Sunday was church, lunch, home for a little bit, and then I went over to a friend's house for a few hours in the afternoon.  She's got a 5-month-old who is completely adorable.  So again, it's fun to think about having a little person soon, and sort of shocking how quickly they grow up and change!

Anyway, it was a fun weekend, but I didn't get much accomplished.  I'm quickly running out of weekends, so I guess I need to work on my task lists in the evenings.  Well, not this week.  I have plans almost every evening.  Maybe next weekend will be more productive?

Cardigan: H&M
Necklace: F21
Top: Kohl's Maternity
Jeans: H&M Maternity
Shoes: Target

Neglected Dress and Cantaloupe Baby

Oh hey, a neglected dress!  It's been quite awhile since this one made an appearance.  I think it was lost in the ironing pile for a few months.  It needed to be rescued!  

And it's been a few weeks since I compared my child to produce, so I know you are all dying  for an update.  I have 2 apps, one says cantaloupe, the other says jicama.  Since I know what a cantaloupe is, we're sticking with that option.  

Whenever I think of cantaloupe, my mind immediately goes to an episode of Saved by the Bell, when Screech is going to get married, and Mr. Belding says "Screech, you can't elope!" and Screech replies "Who are you calling a cantaloupe!?"  Just think about how many important things I have forgotten, and yet that stays.  

And in the interest of being honest, here's a side view.  It's crazy how from the front view, I don't think I look pregnant at all in this outfit, but then I turn to the side and BAM! - giant cantaloupe baby!  

Cardigan: H&M
Dress: Old Navy
Belt: Madden
Tights; H&M Maternity
Boots: Madden

Happy Post-Christmas Day!

Happy day after Christmas!  I hope everyone had a great day.  If I had to guess, I bet I had a pretty good day.  But I'm writing this a few days early, because we are spending the week in New Mexico, so I don't really know!

I think this is the last time you'll see these jeans for awhile.  The belly band trick just isn't going to cut it anymore.  Hopefully I can fit into them again next fall/winter.  And hopefully red skinny jeans are still acceptable.  Wait, are red skinny jeans even still acceptable now?  I mean, I like them, so I guess I don't really care!

I'll be getting back home this weekend, so hopefully I will be able to share a Christmas week wrapup soon!

Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Top: Target (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Gap factory (similar, similar)

Shrunk

Well, I'm pretty sure this dress is shorter than it used to be.  Probably because I ignore the "Dry Clean Only" care instructions and just wash it on delicate.  I mean, I don't put it in the dryer, so I'm surprised it shrunk, but these things happen.  Which is why I really shouldn't buy anything that says "Dry Clean" or "Hand Wash."  Or even "iron" if I'm being honest.

Do we think this dress would look okay with tights?  I'm worried the eyelets make it seem more summery and tights would look weird.  Maybe I'll have to try it and see.

Necklace: Old Navy (similar)
Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Dress: Daniel Cremieux (similar)
Belt: Steve Madden (similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Confident Twosday

It's Tuesday, which means I'm linking up with Laura for her Confident Twosday party.  And this week is extra special, because she asked me to co-host!  Whoo!

I've been thinking about confidence, since that's the whole theme of the linkup.  I've never considered myself to be a super confident person, but I pretty regularly have people tell me I must be confident to wear whatever bright colors or crazy patterns.  That may be a back-handed compliment, but I'll take it.  The more I've thought about it, I guess I agree with them.  I don't walk around feeling super confident all the time, but I also don't spend very much time worrying about my flaws.

It seems like there's a trend recently towards celebrating different body types, and I think that's good.  What I don't like is that it sometimes swings too far, and we get into the "real women have curves" type comments.  So I would like to say that yeah, sometimes real women have curves, and sometimes real women have angles, and sometimes we are short or tall or medium, or whatever.  I don't buy into the "everyone is perfect" thing.  I'm more on the "everyone has their own set of flaws" side of things.  We've all got to work with what we've got.  So I probably need to lose a few (well, more than a few) pounds, but right now I'm a little bit fat.  And that's okay.  

And here's a SUPER HELPFUL definition of "self confidence" from Merriam Webster: confidence in oneself.  Wow, I never would have guessed that.  Isn't there supposed to be a rule that you can't use the word to define itself?  Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of defining things? 

Anyway, link up below!  And I'd love to hear your thoughts about confidence! 

Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Dress: Loft Outlet (option,option)
Belt: Steve Madden (similar)
Necklace: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Target (exact)

I do deClaire (Bloglovin) | Just Another Smith (Bloglovin) 

An InLinkz Link-up

Dress Week - Neglected Neutral

Dress week continues!  **Linkup after the jump.**
This dress was saved from the back of my closet during the inventory.  I haven't worn it in over a year, but I thought it was worth keeping.  I love the fit and fabric, but the color seems awkward for me to style.  But I got 2 compliments from people specifically about the color, so maybe I'm crazy.  I do really love how it looks with my leopard cardigan! 

Cardigan: H&M
Dress: Old Navy
Necklace: F21
Belt: Steve Madden
Shoes: J.Crew Factory

Leopard Cardigan

It's been a long week back in the real world.  I'm ready for another vacation, that's for sure!  Or at least I'm ready for the weekend to get caught up on laundry and like, unpack and stuff.  Here's some free advice - when you go on vacation, try not to get home late on Sunday evening.  Because you might be disoriented all week, but you will make time for important stuff like blogging.  But you might not make it to the grocery store.  Hypothetically, of course.

Anyway, a leopard print cardigan has been on my wishlist for over a year.  A few weeks before I went to Minnesota, I started looking at the H&M website, and I saw this one (now it's only $7!).  I almost ordered it, but decided to wait, because H&M sizing can be all over the place.  I was pretty excited when it was actually in the store and fit properly!    

Top & Cardigan: H&M
Skirt: Gibson & Latimer
Coat: Gap
Shoes: J.Crew Factory