Always Be Prepared

When I was pregnant with Brigid, I ate nothing but Oreos and ice cream for almost nine months straight, and my weight gain reflected this. So when I got pregnant with Caitlin, I swore that this time would be different. I wouldn't eat ALL F THE SUGAR IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD! I would eat healthy foods. I would work out. I wouldn't have to lose 20% of my body weight when I had the baby.

I would do this pregnancy right.

Then, I discovered soup. And not the clear broth, lots of vegetables kind of soup. The thick, creamy, nothing but cheese and whole milk kind of soup. And all of my resolve flew the coop.

So, once again, I find myself needing to lose an excessive amount of weight. And since clothing seems to be my primary motivation for doing so (meaning, I miss my favorite sweaters and skirts!!), and since most of my workout clothes are absolutely ragged, AND since the Gap outlet was offering 30-50% off of all of their Gap Body clothing, with an additional 40% off on top of that, well...
Guys! I got two pairs of boot cut compression pants, a pair of flared compression capris, and a pair of compression leggings, plus two tank tops with built-in support (which, combined with a sports bra, is the only way I can get enough support for the girls when I run), and two long-sleeve running shirts (with thumb holes! to keep the sleeves from riding up! my favorite!) for less than $80. I am all kinds of excited about this haul, over here.

Now, if only it were January 9th, when Brigid starts back to preschool, so I could actually find the time to start that Couch to 5K program I'm so excited to do again...

The Yellow One

I knew I'd worn a version of this necklace once before, but I couldn't remember which one it had been when I was getting dressed this morning. Luckily, my almost-three-year-old has a much better memory than I do, as she informed me this morning that I was wearing a pretty yellow necklace, but she liked the pink one I'd worn last week much more.

She's good to have around, that kid.

(Also, when I wore the pink one last week, I wore it with this exact same dress. The necklace really only works on me when I wear it with a higher neckline, and for some reason, this is the only maternity item I own, dress or t-shirt or blouse, that doesn't have a v-neck. I'd think that I should maybe rectify that, but I only have about three more months left, and I just don't want to. I just want the rest of my wardrobe back!)
Dress: Motherhood Maternity Sweater: Gap (outlet) Necklace: ebay

Getting By

Oh, you guys. Today...

Today has been a day.

All I can say is that it's a good thing it's Friday.

(Oh, and entirely unrelated to my day and a half that I'm having, could you all do a NO RAIN dance for me for this weekend? I'm going to see Jason Mraz tomorrow night, and you should know that if I'm willing to brave an outdoor concert in the middle of August, at 5+ months pregnant, then that concert is kind of a big deal to me. If it rains, I might cry. And you don't want that on your hands, now do you?)

Dress: Motherhood Maternity

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Belt: Express

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

Camouflage

If you need me, I'll just be over here, pretending you can't see my baby belly behind my extra large scarf.

It just felt like a good day to hide, I guess...

Dress; Motherhood Maternity

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Scarf: Cost Plus World Market (from Jess in her last scarf swap)

Shoes: Nine West

Belt: Land's End

Did you hear?

I announced it on my family blog and on Twitter yesterday, but if you aren't following either of those, then you might not have heard that we found out baby number two is, in fact...


A GIRL!!!

My husband is in for such a world of trouble around here, isn't he?

Dress/Belt: Motherhood Maternity

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West

Bracelets: Mango Tree

It's the little things...

Last night, the power went out in our neighborhood for about five hours. Considering what people in DC and the surrounding areas have been facing these last few days, I realize that I am incredibly lucky it was only out for five hours, because things could always be much, much, MUCH worse.

Perspective. I have it.

However, no amount of understanding could prevent me from swearing loudly at the tree that fell on our lines at 6:30PM or at Georgia Power for not having our power back up and running in an hour and a half, because do you know what happened to me last night?

I MISSED THE BACHELORETTE HOMETOWN DATES!!!

Perspective. It's hit or miss with me, really.

T-shirt: Target

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: J Crew

Bracelet: Macy's

I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Say What?

I was back in Indiana this weekend, for my baby sister's high school graduation, and while it's always fun to spend time with my immediate family, my extended family can be exhausting at times. Especially when there is no beer or wine involved to help my patience.

Case in point: My grandmother looked at me at one point and said, 'You look like you're a little bigger this time around, huh?', to which my aunt added, 'Well, that's to be expected. Your stomach muscles never really recovered from the first time around, did they?'.

Family...you have to love them, right?

 

Dress: Motherhood Maternity

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Belt: Target

Shoes: Jessica Simpson (from DSW)

Hippy

I fully intend to do nothing but reverse mirror shots throughout this pregnancy, as that mirror makes me look much, much, MUCH more skinny than I actually am in real life. And what better time to flatter myself than right now, right?

Seriously, I had someone tell me today that she thought I might be pregnant because she thought she could see it in my hips. Not in my stomach, which currently looks like I am about 5 months pregnant, instead of the three months that I actually am (which I'm pretty sure I can thank Brigid for...and don't think I'm not adding that to my guilt stockpile for when she tries to out-brat me as a teenager...), but in my hips.

IN MY HIPS!#$!%*!

I knew this, of course, because I have a couple of stretchy skirts that I thought would get me through the earlier stages of my pregnancy, but which started to do a weird, pulling thing across my butt well before I was ready for it, but still...

Nobody wants to hear that, you know?

 

Blouse: Banana Republic (outlet, probably? It was a gift from my MiL when I was pregnant with Brigid)

Sweater: Gap

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity

Shoes: Nine West (from Macy's)

Falling off of the wagon...sort of

I went shopping again today, and that just makes me sad, because after months of doing an excellent job of practicing my 'just say no' technique, I feel like I've really failed at what I set out to do this year. (What I set out to do this year was not shop, in case that needs clarification...) But, at the same time, the shopping has been kind of necessary, too, so I keep trying to focus on that.

(Well, the shoes weren't really necessary. In fact, those were not even anything remotely CLOSE to necessary. So that was a big fail. But we'll ignore that one for now...)

See, when I was pregnant with Brigid, I wasn't too concerned with what I was wearing to work everyday, because I was on my own. I was kind of out of the way in the office, I kept a low profile, and I just wanted to be comfortable. I am 99% sure that I wore the same skirt every day for the last three months of the pregnancy, just because I could.

But this time, it's different. I'm in a management position, now. I'm in meetings and holding interviews and participating in presentations. I have people looking for me all. of. the. time, and I don't think I can get away with wearing the same skirt for three months straight, anymore.

Plus, I've discovered fashion/style blogs since Brigid was born. So if I did try to wear that same skirt that often? I'd develop a serious case of Internet induced guilt. And NOBODY wants to see that...

So, I had to build up my maternity-fitting, work-appropriate, wardrobe. I've added another maternity dress to the three that I already owned. I've picked up two pencil skirts and two non-pencil skirts, so I could retire the lonely, ratty black skirt from Brigid's days. I still mostly have t-shirts as tops, but I've added a couple of blouses. And THAT'S IT! That is ALL that I am buying.

(Um, with the exception of one or two more blouses, maybe. I just think I'm going to need something more than only two nice tops and a bunch of t-shirts, as fabulous as I think those t-shirts might be...)

I've also got a couple of pairs of shorts and a jean skirt to throw into the mix, on the casual side of things, so I'm kind of excited about this pregnancy-as-fashion-challenge thing I'm cooking up for myself. It's like I'm doing a Kendi-style remix, with a maternity flair.

And real pictures. At some point, I promise, I will go back to real pictures...

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

T-shirt/Tank Top: Target

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity (outlet)

Belly: Chick-Fil-A chocolate shake

Human Valentine

I'm pretty sure that when I was growing up, the 'don't ever wear pink and red together' rule was right up there with not mixing black and brown as a fashion requirement, to be followed at all times.

My inner child is weeping for me, right now.

(Then again, my inner child wore a school uniform until she was 12, so we don't necessarily trust her style judgment, anyway. PINK AND RED, FOREVER!)

Sweater: Gap

Cardigan: Banana Republic (outlet)

Skirt: Banana Republic (outlet)

Necklace: Old Navy

Shoes: Missoni for Target

So THIS is what February feels like...

It was cold this weekend. Colder than it has been since, I don't know, last winter or something. You know, when it was ACTUALLY WINTER, and not this bizarre will-it-won't-it winter tease we've had so far this year.

(Not that I'm complaining, or anything, because I like the warmer weather, but seriously...MAKE UP YOUR MIND, ALREADY, GEORGIA!!)

So, because it was cold, I figured it was as good a time as any to counteract the winter temperatures with spring colors. Flawed logic...it works for me, every time.

(Do you know what else works for me, every time? Totally copying my outfit from Kendi...)

 Tank Top: Old Navy

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Jeans: Levis (from TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Cole Haan

Scarf: Land's End Canvas

Hello, Monday...

It's Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds, and since today's plans included registering Brigid for preschool in the fall (I am already calling 'not it' on taking B in for her first day, ok? DO YOU HEAR ME, STEPHEN??? NOT IT!!) and taking her to the aquarium on my mother-in-law's membership guest pass, the timing of today's inspiration couldn't have been better.

Because, this?

Well, this just translates really well into an outfit that let's you crawl through the penguin tunnel, to the plastic bubble thing in the middle of the penguin pond, where you can stand face to face with those darn penguins!

(which probably would have been a lot cooler, if penguins didn't have beady little creepy eyes right in the middle of their faces, but whatever...I have bird issues.)

 T-shirt: Gap

Sweater: Banana Republic (outlet)

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Hunter

A walk in the park...

I know that this warmer than normal winter we're having should have me worried about the general state of the environment, and it really kind of does, but that hasn't exactly stopped me from enjoying it at the moment.

A picnic in January? Don't mind if I do...

And...what I wore for the picnic, because not all of us can pull of the Rapunzel t-shirt/hooded sweatshirt look. And every time I don't actually get dressed, I always seem to run into one of the other mothers from the neighborhood. And we wouldn't want that, of course...

T-shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap (outlet)

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Cole Haan (Off Fifth outlet)

The last reserves...

I had a ton of pictures stored up from right before Christmas that I never got around to posting, and I figured I could hang on to them to post at a later date, on one of those days where I just didn't feel like getting out of my sweatpants. And now I'm down to my last one. Apparently, I've been lazy these last couple of weeks...

This was my shout-out to the Georgia Bulldogs, the day they lost to LSU in the SEC championship game. We were heading out to meet some friends to watch the game at a restaurant, and since Steve's brother and sister both went to UGA, I thought I should probably show my support somehow. Sadly, the one Georgia t-shirt I own has some bizarre black stains on it, so red shoes were the next best option.

Actually, red shoes were the first best option, if I'm being honest, but I was afraid they might kick me out of the game watch for mentioning that...

Sweater: Loft

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

Wristlet: Macy's

Bracelet: Lucky Brand 

My lady-crush...

So, I have a confession to make. I absolutely adore Emily Blunt. She seems lovely, in a normal kind of way. Her interviews are always funny, she's ridiculously pretty, and I am apparently a sucker for an English accent, no matter who is speaking. Her character in The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favorite characters, ever.

And she's married to John Krasinksi. Enough said, right?

(And as much as I love Michael Buble's voice, I've lost a lot of love for the rest of him, since he chose to marry a model, 10 years-ish younger than him, over the fabulous Ms. Blunt. But then again, she rebounded with John. So...point, Emily.)

Anyway, can you imagine how excited I was when the ladies over at Two Birds picked my lady-crush for this week's Inspiration Monday?

Hint: I was pretty freaking excited...

T-shirt: Gap

Button-up: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Converse

Happy Monday!

Catching Up

I am still working my way through the last couple of weeks of blog posts in my feed reader, but I will get there. Even if I'm not commenting on the posts, I hate leaving them unread...it's part of the anal retentive side of my personality, I think. So, I keep trying.

I had even managed to pull the number of unread posts under 100 on Tuesday evening, while watching The Bachelor episode that I'd DVR'd, but then...

Well, then I started The Hunger Games. And it is so good. And now I have to read all three books before I can do anything else. Because that's how I operate.

So, maybe I'll see you all again after the weekend?

Shirt: Gap

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Cole Haan

Necklace: Banana Republic (outlet) 

Plaid

I don't know why plaid is making such a comeback right now, but I kind of think I like it. I gave my husband a hard time when he started loading up on plaid shirts once fall hit (in fact, I think my exact words were 'when did it become 1996 again?'), but then I fell in love with this little skirt at the thrift store, and I decided maybe Steve was on the right track.

AND THEN! And then, when I was doing my post-Thanksgiving, pre-detox spending spree at the outlet mall, I came across this skirt at the Loft outlet, and...well...gray and purple plaid?

There was just no saying no to this one.

(And that's why I put myself on the shopping ban...

The clothes were winning, my friends. The clothes were winning.)

 Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Skirt:Loft (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West (outlet)

Tights: Hue (from DSW)

Necklace: Charming Charlie 

Don't forget, eShakti is offering $20 off of any order through the end of the year, when you use the promotional code NOTAHOBBY0811.

The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be combined with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period.

Also, you can find my post about the skirt the company sent me to review here.

Sequins!

I haven't participated in an Everybody, Everywear challenge in a few months, but when I saw that the December prompt was sequins and sparkle, I definitely wanted to play along. Might not be a bad one to check out, if you're looking to add a little shine to the holiday wardrobe...

 

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Speaking of holidays, I started wrapping my Christmas presents last night, and if that's not the most time consuming activity right now, I don't know what is. Luckily, I sugared myself up on some eggnog for the evening, so I was able to power through a good portion of the gift pile.

That said, though, I think everyone is just getting gift cards next year. So much easier, you know?

(Oh, who am I kidding? Gifts for EVERYONE! I love shopping for Christmas presents for my family...there's just something about thinking you've found that one perfect gift, I guess.)

Tank Top: J Crew

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Skirt: J Crew (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West (outlet)

Don't forget, eShakti is offering $20 off of any order through the end of the year, when you use the promotional code NOTAHOBBY0811.

The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be combined with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period.

Also, you can find my post about the skirt the company sent me to review here.

Monday Blahs

It's cloudy and cold and Monday, and while that seems like it should be an absolute bummer, it's also full-on Christmas season, and Brigid and I have spent the day listening to festive music and watching DVR'd holiday specials and eating some of the various holiday treats lying around the house, so it's actually been a pretty pleasant day.

It's also Inspiration Monday at Two Birds, so that always helps, too, because if it wasn't for those ladies, I'm pretty sure I'd be sitting around in my sweats all day, and the fact that I'm wearing pants with an actual waistband is the only thing that's kept me from eating ALL of the holiday treats in the house.

And that's never a good feeling...

Anyway, the inspiration:

And, the outfit:

 T-shirt: Gap

Sweater: DKNY Jeans (from Macy's)

Jeans: MICHAEL Michael Kors (from Macy's)

Shoes: Steve Madden (from Macy's)

Lowdown Brown

For other neutral ideas, you can always visit Megan Mae Daily to see other participants!

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So, obviously, this isn't really a typical workday outfit for me...but that's because I wore this to work/shopping with my sister-in-law last weekend.

See how I tricked you there? Ha!

Happy Wednesday!

Top: The Limited

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Gap

Boots: DSW

Necklace: Charming Charlie 

Don't forget, eShakti is offering $20 off of any order through the end of the year, when you use the promotional code NOTAHOBBY0811.

The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be combined with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period.

Also, you can find my post about the skirt the company sent me to review here.