Maternity Finale

Well, this is my last maternity outfit!  John and I went out for dinner the night before baby arrived and this is what I wore.

These pictures seem like they are from a million years ago.  I don't even remember my belly being so huge!  So much has happened since May 8th!  My world has been turned upside down in the best possible way.

We are slowly but surely figuring out how to take care of our little guy.  I think we are doing alright.  And he is just awesome.  Seriously, there are not words to describe how much I love him.  It's ridiculous.  

And since I happen to be wearing a skirt in these pictures, I get to link up with Bri for Third Thursday Threads - bare legs!  

Shirt: Loft maternity

Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Madden

Skirt: Loft

Shoes: Target

Sneaky Dots

This dress has very subtle polka dots on it, which you can kind of see if you look closely.  Or if I post a close-up outtake where I'm laughing.  That would also work.  

And it's Tuesday, so I'm linking up with Laura for Confident Twosday!

Necklace: InPink

Cardigan: Old Navy

Dress: Old Navy Maternity

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Tights; H&M

Boots: Madden

Baby Smith Is A...

Ninja!  I mean, based on all the kicks I've been getting this week, that's the only explanation.  Or maybe a Rockette.  But they don't let guys into the Rockettes, so he's probably a ninja.

You read that right, our baby is a BOY!  It's pretty exciting, except that boy names are completely impossible.

And if you are just here for the clothes, this outfit is a copycat of a copycat that I did last year.  The original inspiration came from Whitney's Instagram post, and featured a blue cardigan.  But then my blue cardigan was dirty, so I substituted my pink one.  I still had in my mind that I wanted to wear this outfit with the blue cardigan, so I did this a few weeks ago.  I much prefer the shirt shame-tucked, and the belt at my actual waist, but that's not happening these days, so I tried a higher belt, and didn't really like it.  But I felt like I needed the belt to go with the boots, so it stayed.  I might have to try this outfit again next January when I can (hopefully) wear a belt at the normal place!

Top: JCF (exact)
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Madden (exact)

Hemlock & Local Love & Third Thursday

There's a lot going on today!  For starters, this is my 700th post.  I don't even know what to say about that.  When I started this blog, I wasn't sure how long I'd stick with it, but apparently the answer is "a long time." 

It's day 4 of the Pantone challenge with Heidi and Marissa, which means HEMLOCK.  Which means POISON!  I mean, mint colored.  It was a good excuse to debut my mint polka dot popover from my shopping spree last week.  Gap Outlet knows my weaknesses!

It's also the Third Thursday of the month, so I'm linking up with Bri for the Pinspired theme.  I knew I wanted to wear this top, so I perused my Pinterest board for mint and polka dot inspiration.  and I found the perfect thing:  Laura's mint & polka dot & cobalt outfit! 

And finally, I'm still working my way through Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge, so I added this necklace from a local boutique (that I can't remember the name of - terrible!) for the LOCAL LOVE entry.  I was admiring it several years ago, and then my sneaky mother-in-law bought it without me noticing and surprised me on my birthday that year.  So tricky. 

Necklace: Gift
Cardigan: Old Navy
Top & Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Payless

Floral Week - Black & White

Let's kick off Floral Week with this outfit from the gloomiest day ever!  It was cold, sleeting and super windy, but I really loved this outfit and wanted to get pictures, so I braved the elements.  I might have to wear this again on a nicer day in the future.

Anyway, I'm back home after a fun and busy weekend, of which I'm sure I'll be posting about later and you can get a sneak preview on Instagram).  My sister and nieces are in town this week, so we will be having as much fun as possible over the next few days.

Link up information is after the jump!  Share your floral looks!    

Cardigan, Tights: Old Navy
Top: Alfani
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Limited
Shoes: J.Crew Factory

#25 - Try, Try Again

After my first attempt at styling this striped dress, I was worried it was a little too juvenile for me.  My second try is much better (partially helped by outdoor photos)!  I think adding the color with a cardigan instead of crazy tights is a better idea.

I'm so far behind on posting my outfits.  I'm officially done with the wearing portion of the 30X30, but I'll be finishing up the blogging portion next week. 

Dress, Cardigan, Tights: Old Navy
Necklace: InPink
Belt: TJ Maxx
Boots: Steve Madden

#16 - Book Nerds

Literary Junkies Day!  Here are this month's questions:

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.

I just started David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.  Not very far in yet, but I've really enjoyed his other books.  

2. Out of the 16 books that will be turned into a movie adaptation, which one are you most looking forward to seeing this year? (Article Link)

Can I pick three?  I think I'm most excited about A Long Way Down, because it is my favorite Nick Hornby book.  I didn't even know they were making a movie until I saw this list, so I'm pretty excited.  Plus, it has Jesse Pinkman in it!  I'm also excited/nervous about TFIOS and Divergent.  I loved both books and hope the movies are worth seeing.

3. What was the worst book you've ever read?

Worst book I've ever finished reading: The Casual Vacancy
BUT I've stopped reading a few that were just terrible:  Atonement and Eat,Pray,Love

4. What foods or beverages have you spilled on a book while reading? Anything good?

Ummm, I don't think I've ever spilled anything noteworthy.  I don't usually eat while reading (except Cheerios which don't really matter when spilled).  

5. Do you pictures characters as popular film or tv actors? Or do you create a whole new person in your head?

I don't really make a picture in my head when I'm reading.  But sometimes I am surprised when the movie comes out at what the characters look like, and I can't always explain why or what is different than I expected.  So I guess I subconsciously picture the characters, I just can't articulate it. 

6. Out of all the authors you've read books by, who's brain would you want to pick the most?

This is a tough one, too.  I'm going with Malcolm Gladwell, and I don't think it's just because I'm reading one of his books right now.  He's been able to interview and research really cool people and ideas.  I think it would be interesting to talk to him about how his brain works and where his ideas come from.  

Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee & Jeans: Gap
Scarf: Target 
Boots: Steve Madden

 

Leopard plus Sequins and a Link-up!

It's Leopard Link-Up Day, y'all!  I'm so excited that I'm typing in a southern accent!  Link up info is at the bottom of the post.

I saved my leopard print sequined tank top for the grand finale, because OBVIOUSLY!  The white jeans are a recent purchase from The Limited.  They've been on my wishlist for at least a year, but I'm happy that I waited, because these are perfect, and they were on end of summer clearance.  Limited is my new default jeans store.  I've been searching Pinterest for "white jeans in winter", so I can make sure to wear them as much as possible.

Week Two of Take One, Pass It On is complete!  I'm kind of excited that all 5 of my outfits have different locations.  

Cardigan: Old Navy
Top: Chaus
Jeans: Limited

Graphic Tee

I basically have ESP.  Exhibit A - I was already wearing this outfit on Friday when I read Bri's Third Thursday Threads announcement for "Dressed up tees" - brilliant!  There is no Exhibit B for my sixth sense, but I think I've proved my point.

This outfit was inspired by the fact that it was Friday, and I wanted to be comfortable, but I was also going to see Stomp after work, so I wanted to be a little bit fancy.  I think I achieved my goal, because this sparkly gold skirt always makes me feel fancy.  This is one of the Threadless tees I scored at Gap earlier in the summer for $2.50 and I've worn it a lot, but never on the blog.

Stomp was good, but not as good as I expected it to be.  There were some really cool moments, but it started to feel really repetitive.  It was like the same scene over and over but now they are using brooms, and now they are using matchboxes, and now trashcans.  I guess I just expected it more from it.  I was also really distracted by their outfits, because it was sort of like 1991 called and wanted their clothing back.

Have you seen Stomp?  What did you think?

I'm obviously linking up for Third Thursday Threads, as well as What I Wore to Work, Look What I Got, and Tres-Chic.

Tee and Skirt: Gap
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: Target

Peer Pressure

Happy Monday!  The weekend went by too fast, but that's pretty standard.  It was a pretty low key weekend for me.  I spent most of Saturday reading, and then most of Sunday doing household tasks that I've been neglecting.

After seeing a million Instagrams about the Philip Lim for Target line, I decided to check it out during my grocery trip.  Apparently Omahans aren't as interested in these designer collaborations, because it didn't look picked over at all this afternoon.  Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed.  The half-embellished collars just look awkward to me, the leopard print is too orange, and the things I do like are too expensive.  There are a couple tops I will keep an eye out for, and maybe pick up if they appear in the clearance section.

The little blogging devil on my shoulder was telling me to buy one of the purses, because everyone else was doing it, but my practical side won out this time.  Let's be honest here, I've never spent $50 on a purse!

Did you check out the line?  Did you buy anything?

Dress: Target
Cardigan & Belt: Old Navy
Shoes: Target