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

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

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

April Shopping

"It's gonna be May" tomorrow, and thanks to everyone on the internet, I now have this song stuck in my head.  And I am trying to remember what even happened in April.  For example, this outfit is from mid-March.  This is one of the dresses I got from Bella Gravida, and I loved it, but it was a little short for my comfort, so I wore leggings, even though I don't love how they look.

As far as shopping goes, I know that I bought and returned many items, as I continued my search for the perfect casual shoes, and also a pretty dress for my sister's wedding.  I really thought the Sperry Zuma  slip-ons were going to be perfect, but they were too loose in the heel, and kind of slipped when I tried to walk around.  The casual shoe search continues, with increasing frustration on my part.

I ordered 2 dresses from Amazon, and 3 from ASOS, hoping something (anything) would work for my sister's wedding.  I also tried on pretty much every maternity dress option at the local Motherhood store, and the one department store that actually has maternity.  Fail!   I'm sure I've said this before, maybe multiple times, but you can be tall, or you can be pregnant, but good luck to you if you are both tall and pregnant!  All maternity dresses are made for someone who is about 6 inches shorter than me.  I had my eye on this Loft dress, but didn't want to pay full price, and it was never part of the sale offers.  I finally decided to cave (as a last resort), and it was 40% off!!  Hooray!  It is a little more casual than I was originally wanting, but at this point (wedding next weekend), I'm happy with it.

Otherwise, I bought a couple longer t-shirts at Gap factory, and I also had my Bella Gravida subscription, which I meant to cancel, but didn't get done in time, oops.

2 Gap outlet tees: $4 each
Loft dress: $48 (used a gift card)
Bella Gravida subscription:  $80

Total Spent in April: $136

Earned selling: $50

Since I have barely bought anything this year, I'm still well under my budget.  And I'm linking up with Franish, as always.

Cardigan: JCF
Necklace: ON
Dress:Bellyssima via Bella Gravida
Belt: Madden
Leggings: H&M mama
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

Lady Who Lunches

One problem I have with LeTote  is that I want to wear cute things on days I really don't need to wear cute things.  So I end up wearing an outfit to meet John for lunch and he asks me why I'm all dressed up. Granted, this is just jeans and a top, but it feels fancy.  I love this lace tee from LeTote, and was excited to wear it.  I don't have much in this darker green color, so it was fun to wear for a day.  I paired it with white jeans because (a) my good blue jeans were both in the laundry pile (#momproblems) and (b) I thought a light bottom would be a nice contrast to the dark top.  The leopard flats were an obvious choice.  And if we are being completely honest, I just wore the jewelry for pictures, because it was pretty, but I knew Mr. Baby would try to destroy it.  My hair also went into a ponytail immediately.  And then I didn't feel quite so fancy.  And then I changed into workout clothes and went for a walk.  So I will never wear an outfit just to take blog pictures, but I will wear an outfit just to go to lunch for an hour.  Keeping it real.    

Top: LeTote (similar)
Necklace and Bracelet: LeTote
Jeans: Limited (similar)
Shoes: Target (similar, pointy toe)

Currently October

First Wednesday of the month means it is time to link up and share what we are currently up to.  Go check out In Residence and Gold and Bloom. to see the other participants!  

eating - less.  I'm trying to get serious about losing weight, which means I'm logging all of my meals again.  It's annoying, but it works!    

exploring - local parks.  Mr. Baby loves to be outside, so we go on walks as much as possible.  On the weekends, we've gone to parks with walking trails, and it's really fun.  Except for that time I got stung by a bee.  Not cool, nature.  

wearing - mostly LeTote stuff. It's been fun to try new things.  I'm not sure how long I'll keep it, but I'm glad I've tried it!

admiring - Mr. Baby.  Seriously, I cannot even stand how cute he is.  

collecting - um... I don't know. I'll be sappy and say memories!  

And most importantly, today is my husband's birthday!  Happy Birthday!!     

Sweater: JCF (similar, similar)
Scarf: H&M (similar, similar)
Dress: Gap (similar with sleeves)
Shoes: Target (exact without captoe)

Weekend Update

Well, it's been about a year since I last wore this skirt!  I tried it on yesterday morning expecting it to not fit, but it did!  Hooray!  So I wore this outfit to church!  Mr. Baby thought the necklace was super fun to grab.

Speaking of fun, my mom is visiting at the moment!  She got in Friday evening.  Then we took an impromptu road trip to Grand Island on Saturday to see one of her best friends.  That was really fun, but kind of ridiculous.  Babies aren't the best road trip companions, but he really did quite well.  It was his first time being on the road for more than an hour or so.   We learned pretty quickly that he was lonely in the backseat, so my mom kept him company while I played chauffeur.

We are having pretty amazing weather right now, so we've gone on a few walks, and otherwise just getting as much grandma/baby time in as possible.

Necklace: Lucky B Boutique (similar)
Cardigan: JCF (similar, similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: JCF (similar, similar)
Flats: Target (exact without captoe)

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)

Ode to a Dress

These days, I often thank my former self for buying so many skirts and dresses with flowy skirts!  This is a magical dress that fits no matter what size I am.  It's a "dry clean only" dress, but the first time I took it into the cleaners, they wanted to charge me $1 per pleat, to iron it.  And I was like, "um, this dress only cost $18. I'm not going to spend $100 to get it cleaned!" and I've been washing it on delicate and line drying it ever since.  And I don't even iron it, because I'm a rebel.  And I'm pretty sure it looks exactly like it did the first time I wore it on vacation back in 2013.  And now I want to go to the beach.  Babies love cruises, right??  (I'm joking - I think having a baby in a stateroom would be pretty awful!).

Oh, and if you are wondering why I was dressed up, it's because one of my friends got married!  YAY!

Dress: Limited
Belt: Madden
Shoes:Target

Waiting and Waiting

This outfit is from a couple weeks ago, but I guess I never posted it.  I don't have anything interesting to say today.  It's been a long week, as I not-so-patiently wait for baby to arrive.  Every day, I think "this would be a great day to have a birthday!" but he doesn't agree.  

Anyway, happy Friday and happy weekend!  Be extra nice to your moms on Sunday, especially if you were born after your due date!  

Jacket: JCF

Scarf: H&M

Tee: Old Navy Maternity

Skirt: Old Navy

Shoes: Target

Giraffes - Now and Then

It's no secret that I love giraffes and elephants, so when I saw this tank at H&M, I pretty much had to buy it.  In college, I had a long sleeve tee that was white with black giraffe silhouettes all over it.  It was pretty cool, but it was also fairly cropped, so eventually I had to admit it wasn't working for me anymore.  The 4 inches of tank top at the waist wasn't a great look.  Anyway, I'm glad to have a new giraffe shirt.

And in honor of Throwback Thursday, here's a picture of me feeding giraffes in Kenya in 2006, in a shirt that was also more cropped than it should have been!  (But man, how skinny was I??  I really shouldn't look at old pictures right now!)



Cardigan: JCF
Tank: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Flats: Target (top 10 remix item)

Substitution - Leopard Flats

Well, since I haven't been working for the last couple weeks, and I've had family in town, I pretty much have lost all track of what day it is anyway, so why not have a Saturday post?  Plus, I have all these Top 10 Remix outfits to deal with.

Since the striped flats from Target didn't work out, I needed to make a substitution.  I decided these leopard flats would be a good option.  I wore this outfit for an afternoon of shopping with my sister and nieces.  They accused me of not dressing like myself, because I normally wear colors.  I had to explain that maternity clothes aren't as easy to find in bright colors.

Jacket: Target
Top: Loft Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target (top 10 remix item)

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

Jailbird

This outfit seemed like a good idea in my imagination, but then I just felt like a convict all day.  I thought the chambray and leopard would break it up enough, but I was wrong.  So unless you are dressing up for Halloween, I'd caution against black/white stripes with black pants.

Sweater: Gap (similar)
Shirt: JCF (exact)
Jeans: H&M  (similar)
Shoes: Gap (similar)

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)

December

Welcome to December!  I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!  We spent a few days with my family in Indiana.  It's so fun when we can get together with them!

I feel like I should start putting a "date worn" disclaimer on all my posts, since I'm so far behind.  Just for the record, I wore this on October 22.  Way back when I was a twenty-something.

Cardigan: Limited (similar)
Dress: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Scarf: H&M (similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)

Maroon & Leopard (again)

Apparently this dress just demands to be worn with leopard print.  I guess I don't have as many ideas about how to wear maroon.  I will have to get more creative, I guess.

Also, winter has finally arrived in the midwest!  After being spoiled in October, the beautiful fall days are pretty much over.  It even snowed on Monday night (womp womp).  I'm about 2-3 weeks behind on outfit photos, but just know that in real life, bare legs are going to be a rare occurrence for the next several months!

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (similar)
Scarf: H&M (similar)
Dress: Loft Outlet (option,option)
Belt: Steve Madden (similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

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)