Pregnancy - First Half

Well, as of right now, I'm actually 22 weeks, because I meant to post this 2 weeks ago, and life was too crazy.  Last time, I broke it out by trimester (1,2,3), and posted all of those recaps after Mr. Baby was here, but I figured let's try something different this time.  I am also taking outfit photos less consistently, so there are no pictures for some weeks, and 2 for some weeks.

Overall, I feel much larger at this point than I did last time at this many weeks, but looking at old pictures, that seems to not be the case.  It also seems to vary quite a bit from day to day and week to week.  I look bigger in my 17 week picture than my 18 week picture, I think.  Maybe I had just eaten dinner or something?     Or baby was stretched out differently?  

It's definitely harder to be pregnant when you already have a baby to take care of.  I slept SO MUCH last time, and this time I can't do that.  I also remember a point around 8 months last time where I would just give up if I dropped something.  Picking it up was going to be too much work.  That's not going to fly this time, when the thing I need to pick up from the floor is a child!  So the summer might be interesting.

Maternity Style - First Trimester

In order to avoid complete silence while I figure out this new mom thing, I've scheduled a few posts.  I figured it would be fun to recap my pregnancy with one outfit from each week.  Especially since I was posting a lot of stuff out of order in the fall.

I'm starting with when I actually knew I was pregnant, which is technically the 4th week.  (By the way, pregnancy months/weeks are completely counter-intuitive).

A few fun milestones from these weeks:

• Week 9: had first doctor's appointment and got to see the baby on the ultrasound, and see the heart fluttering.  
• Week 10:  John's birthday was this week.  We told his parents after birthday dinner, and then FaceTimed with my parents to share the exciting news.  Needless to say, they were all pretty thrilled!
• Week 12:  I turned 30!  
• Week 13:  Had another doctor's appointment, got to hear the heartbeat again, which was my favorite thing before I started feeling kicks.  

Anyway, I spent the first trimester trying not to look pregnant, and wearing things that I would soon outgrow.  I'm relying on belly bands in several of these outfits.  I was also really loving my knit pencil skirts!  

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)

New Favorite Dress

Meet my new favorite dress - at least for a little while.  This is the one I found at the Limited Outlet on my birthday weekend.  Pretty good present to myself, right!  Well, I thought so.  I wore it to work the very next day, because I was so excited about it.

Get ready to see this dress a lot in the next few months.  I'm imagining navy tights, gray or cognac boots, and pretty much every color of cardigan that I own.  Brace yourselves!

Jacket: J.Crew Factory  (exact)
Dress: Limited Outlet (similar)
Belt: Madden (similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)

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)

November Currently

It's time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love!  Hopefully I do better than last time...

Reading: Since November is here, I'm starting on my Winter reading challenge books. I finished The Storied Life of AJ Fikry in about 2 days, so now I'm reading The Eyre Affair.

Wishlisting: Christmas is coming, and my birthday just passed!  So I'm trying to keep my wishlist updated, because people are always asking for present ideas.  My current big ticket wishlist items are a new seatbelt bag, some opal earrings, and perhaps a fitness tracker (but I can't decide on a Fitbit vs a Garmin Vivofit - any advice?).

Loving: well, this is embarrassing, but I'm loving my birthday present from John.  We are only about 8 years behind the times, but I've always wanted a Wii, so he surprised me with one this year.  I currently just have MarioKart and Just Dance, so what other games should I get?

Appreciating: my part-time schedule.  I hated the days in past winters when I would leave the house when it was dark and get home when it's dark.  At least with my reduced schedule, I have a better chance of seeing the sunshine.

Creating: well, as I type this, I'm trying to create some dinner.  New recipes are always a gamble for me, so hopefully it turns out like it is supposed to.

Jacket: Old Navy (similar)
Shirt: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Gold Skirt Remix

I think it's time to say goodbye to this skirt.  It's been a good skirt and I've worn it a lot over the last 3 years, but the overlay is getting more snags in it, so I have to let it go.  But not without a remix collage first!  So without further ado, here are 23 ways I have worn this skirt in the last 3 years:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8
9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16
17/18/19/20/21/22/23

I remember when I bought this skirt in the summer of 2011, and thinking "how am I going to wear a gold skirt?" but I loved it and it was like $10, so I went for it.  I'm so glad I did, because I quickly learned that it's basically a neutral!  And I know I've worn it many other times, so I definitely got my money's worth.  I'm sad that it's finally going to the Goodwill pile, but it was a much-loved and frequently-worn skirt for a few years! 

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

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Top: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: Gap (similar)
Shoes: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Unexpected Visitor

I wore this outfit to church a few Sundays ago.  After lunch, we ventured into the backyard to take pictures.  John was trying to get me to go over by the tree, but I was freaking out because there was an uninvited guest that had made the tree home: 

I'm guessing this cat belongs to one of our neighbors, because it looked a little too fat and fluffy to be a stray.  We went ahead and took pictures, but I was nervous the whole time that this cat would jump out and tackle me.  I really don't trust cats. 

Cardigan: Loft
Tank: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Birthday Recap

My birthday was a week ago, so I guess it's about time that I wrote up a recap of what I did, huh?  Well, here it goes:

I had a meeting at work in the morning that I couldn't really skip, so I went in for a couple hours.  Then I met John for a quick lunch at Which Wich (my favorite!) before heading to the salon/spa for a pedicure and massage.  Best decision ever!  I was so relaxed afterwards. Seriously, I want to get a massage every day.  I should at least do it more than once a year!

I heard a rumor that Gap was having an additional 50% off all sale, so I stopped in really quick and picked up a few things, and then ran home to get changed for dinner.  Then I picked up John from work and we headed downtown to meet his family for birthday dinner!  There's a restaurant with the most delicious smoked gouda mac and cheese, and we never go there, because it's kind of annoying to deal with parking downtown.  But for my birthday, we made an exception.  Dinner was excellent, and then we went over to their house for presents, dessert, and a quick game of Dutch Blitz.  As usual, I was sufficiently spoiled.

The other fun part of the day was just getting random calls and texts from friends and family.  It just made me smile all day long!

And I completely forgot to take any pictures the whole day!  Because I'm the best blogger ever.  Oh wait, opposite.  But as I've said before when I forget to take pictures of big events, sometimes it's important to just enjoy the day without trying to document everything.  I did wear a really cute outfit for dinner, so I'll have to repeat it and take pictures before it gets too cold! 

On Saturday/Sunday, John and I took a little road trip, and I did actually take pictures throughout the day, so I'll have to sort through those and write up a little recap on that soon as well.

Oh, and Happy Halloween, I guess.  I'll probably just pretend to not be home this evening, because I'm a Halloween Grinch.  So stay safe and have fun if you are out and about.  Or I guess stay safe and have fun even if you aren't out and about.

**This outfit is almost an exact replication of what I wore for John's birthday, which I also failed to take pictures of.  Seemed fitting to put it on my birthday recap with no relevant photos, right!  Plus, I was having a really good hair day in these pics. 

Cardigan: JCF (similar)
Top: Gap Factory (option, option, option)
Necklace: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: Target (similar,similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)

Black and Tan

This outfit is from a day when we had clients in the office, and we were also getting flu shots.  As I was trying to get dressed, I learned that most of my fall-business looks were not conducive to upper arm accessibility.  So I ditched my other plans and decided a sleeveless dress and a cardigan would be the best option.  I almost ended up wearing this exact outfit from June, but then I grabbed my black cardigan, and then I thought a fun necklace would be good to add a little color.  And then I wore different black wedges, because I like to live on the edge.

Dress: Old Navy (maxi, leather, lace)
Necklace: Lucky B Boutique (exact)
Belt: Steve Madden (similar)
Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Shoes: Gap factory (similar, similar)

This is another example of an outfit that started out in my head a certain way and then ended up completely different.  It all started because Kate commented on this post that I should try wearing that blue/orange-ish skirt with something purple.  I immediately thought of this scarf with orange and purple on it.  It didn't look quite right with this tee and scarf, so I added the gray cardigan for some neutral hoping the neutral would subdue the situation.  I still felt weird, so I just grabbed my black skirt and called it a day. 

I still think purple is an idea I need to figure out with that other skirt.  I'll just have to try again some other day! 

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Scarf: F21 (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact in other colors)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Graphic Tee Week - 30!!!

It's my BIRTHDAY!!  And I'm 30?  What?  So strange.  I'm not really worried about getting older, but it just doesn't feel like I can be 30 already.  Didn't I just turn 18 like five minutes ago???  I'm taking the afternoon off work and getting a much needed massage and pedicure, and then looking forward to a fun weekend of celebrating!

When I decided to do Graphic Tee week, this was the first outfit that I thought of.  I just love this tee (another of the $2.50 deals from Gap). So I wore it and loved it and saved it for my birthday post and graphic tee week finale!

Anyway, thanks to everyone that linked up!  You can still join in until Monday.  Make sure to check out all the other links and make some new friends.  Especially Priya, who totally killed it as my co-host this week!

Blazer: Gap via consignment (option, option)
Tee: Gap
Necklace: InPink (exact)
Jeans: Gap factory (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Graphic Tee Week: Weezer

Another band t-shirt, but I couldn't help myself.  These are absolutely my favorite tees.  It seems like band merchandise has gotten nicer over the years.  My recent concert tees are all super soft cotton, so I love them.  And I mean, this one features a robot in an argyle sweater playing a drum.  What more could you want from a t-shirt??  Maybe a blogger whose hair doesn't cover half of the design?

I went the more casual route with this outfit.  This probably wouldn't fly at most offices, but as I've mentioned before - mine is super casual, unless we have clients visiting, which is pretty rare.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for the grand finale of Graphic Tee week, which also happens to be my 30th birthday!  (send presents)

Tee: concert souvenir (exact)
Jacket: Target (similar)
Jeans: Gap factory (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Graphic Tee Week - Ben Folds

In addition to Cardinals t-shirts, I also have an unreasonable number of concert tees (mostly Ben Folds).  I just have to buy one at every show.  This one is from the most recent concert this summer.  I really like this one - the instruments and outline of musicians are just fun.  The only problem is that I forget I'm advertising my fandom, so sometimes people will be like "oh, you like Ben Folds?" and I will immediately think HOW DID YOU KNOW?!  Before realizing that his name is plastered across my shirt.  I'm so smart sometimes. 

Link up below!

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Tee: Concert souvenir (exact)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Shoes: Gap factory (similar, similar)

Graphic Tee Week - Cardinals

A pretty decent section of my t-shirt drawer contains St. Louis Cardinals tees.  Even more have come and gone over the years (and I'm about due for some new options - birthday hint!!).  I've mentioned before that Cardinals games were a big tradition for my Dad and me, for at least 10 years.  I wish we could still go every summer, but it's been harder since I've been a real grown-up.  Anyway, I couldn't let the week go by without working in one of these tees.  I was hoping they'd be playing in the World Series right now, but they couldn't quite make it.  So I'm voting for the Royals!

Since this is a sporty t-shirt, I decided to go the "opposites attract" route and wear my frilliest floral skirt.  I really loved this outfit, but I suspect others thought it was a bit weird.  I'm okay with that.   

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
T-shirt: some sports store at the mall
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Graphic Tee Week - Do What You Love

Graphic Tee Week is here!  Get excited!  Be sure to check out Priya's posts this week, and remember you can link up with us every day! 

Most of my t-shirts are of the concert/sports team/vacation souvenir variety, but the ones I wear to work are usually of the more fashiony variety.  This particular one was a steal ($2.50) at the Gap a few summers ago.  I like it because it kind of just looks like a flowery design from far away, but if you look closely, it says "Do What You Love."  Matchy-matchy seemed like the way to go, so I played off the blue of the shirt and added this skirt, and then played off the orange/coral in the skirt to add the cardigan.

Let me just say that this might be my most-complimented outfit ever.  My co-workers were really onboard with this look.

Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Gap
Skirt: Gap Factory
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Cobalt Copycat

This outfit was 100% inspired by Danielle's version with cobalt pants.  At the beginning of the school year, she did a series of posts about teacher style, including this one about pants!  I'm not a teacher and I never wear pants, but I still really liked her outfit ideas.  And that's the nice thing about outfit inspiration - we can make adjustments for our own style/wardrobe.  And a cobalt skirt is just as nice as cobalt pants!

In other news, one week until my birthday!   Not that I'm excited or anything. Oh, and next week is all about graphic tees!  I hope you all can join in.

Top: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Shoes: Gap

Third Thursday - Wear Pink

Well, October is flying by and it's the Third Thursday already, so I'm linking up with Bri again.  The theme this month is all about wearing pink for breast cancer awareness month.  Perfect time to debut my new pink skirt from Old Navy. 

I think most of us probably have women in our lives who have fought this fight.  Both my mom and my aunt have battled breast cancer in the last decade.  If I think about it too much, odds are that I or my sisters will also end up dealing with it.  I'm so grateful for the medical advancements of the past several years and hope progress will continue so eventually cancer will not be such a scary diagnosis.  In the meantime, make sure you take care of yourselves and go to the doctor regularly!

That's a serious topic for a not very serious outfit.  This is one of those outfits that I felt great in all day, but then when editing photos, I don't think it's doing my figure any favors.  Heels probably would have helped.  

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Tee: H&M
Necklace: F21(exact, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (this style in this color)
Shoes: Gap Factory

Striped Blazer Remix

It's been awhile since I've done a good remix collage post.  And what better item to feature than my gray and white striped blazer.  Ever since John gave me this blazer for Christmas back in 2012, it's been one of my favorite things.  I've neglected it a bit this summer, but you can expect to see it in the rotation again for fall/winter.  Here are 8 other ways I've worn it over the years:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

Blazer: Gap
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Tee: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

A Birthday Party

Several of my friends have birthdays in the coming weeks.  An unreasonable proportion of my college friends have birthdays in the late Sept-early Nov range.  So we always had lots of birthdays to celebrate this time of year.  Over the weekend, one of my friends had a kind of epic 30th birthday.  I skipped the roller skating rink, because I'm clumsy enough on my own..  Strapping wheels to my feet seems like a recipe for disaster.  So J just met up with everyone for dinner, which was at a bar with karaoke.  I wasn't brave enough to participate, but a few friends did and it was awesome.  And then a few strangers sang and it was very bizarre.  There was an eclectic mix of folks at this particular locale.  The best part - my friend gave our favor bags (just like in elementary school) that contained awesome things like slap bracelets and Lisa Frank stickers.  It was like 1993 all over again!  So fun.

Okay, the actual best part was hanging out with friends that I don't get to see very often.  But the favor bag was pretty great.  And I absolutely can't believe we are all turning 30 this year.  I still think of my college friends as "new" friends, but I guess we've known each other for 11+ years now.  Not so new anymore.  Funny how that happens.

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Scarf: Target (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Gap (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)