Ladylike CosmoPrep

Thursdays are marathons for me and yesterday was no different. I have standing a doctor's appointment early in the morning and birthing classes in the evening with DH. Our usual routine is I pick him up from work and we'll squeeze in a light dinner before class. Mid-days are used to run errands since I'm already dressed. To top off all that activity I also try to squeeze in a nap during the afternoon so that I'm alert for the evening's class. Whew!

So this outfit was inspired when I scrolled though my favorites from the forum (thank you ladies!). I settled on Adelfa's business casual look from last week and decided to keep the yellow bag in play based on Rae's outfit from several months ago. I thought Adelfa's outfit was so polished and classic in addition to being easy for me to copy since cropped BF jeans are one of my 2 maternity bottoms. The inspiration to continue carrying my yellow bag was deliberate. It was from an outfit Rae wore earlier this year also from my favorites. Rae sported a similar color palette then added a bright yellow bag. So essentially yesterday's outfit was cobbled together with the "help of my friends" on the forum. I'm wearing:

• Old Navy Bateau tee in cream and black 
• Apt 9 cropped peplum black jacket 
• Old Navy Maternity BF cropped jeans 
• Puma ballet flats in gray and teal
• LC yellow tote

Happy Friday!

Nothing I wore today came from the maternity department. My skirt is hitched up pretty far and it seems that my teal tee is acting to give me a dropped waist. I rather like the effect. Additionally I love butterflies and they are featured in the print on my skirt. I thought my yellow tote was a nice counterpoint to my teal tee. I felt like I was participating in fashion today and not sitting in maternity exile.
I'm wearing:

• Apt. 9  tee in Teal
• H&M print skirt 
• Liz Claiborne yellow tote 
• tan lace ballet flats 

I've included a bonus pic of another teal and yellow outfit I wore last weekend. 

So with only 7 more weeks to go before the big day and the weather turning quickly from spring to summer my maternity BFs and boot cut jeans make me sweat just thinking about putting them on. Where I live summer temps mean humid, sticky, stuck-to-the-couch kind of weather. So at least 1 or 2 pairs of maternity shorts are a must as my collection of dresses is small and does not provide a lot of variety.

Two weeks ago I went on an all out search for reasonably priced (cheap! - I admit it) shorts that would accommodate my belly (notice I did not say maternity).  Like most other things once you label an article of clothing as having some sort of specialty short-term function the price automatically increases by 100%. (Example: "wedding dress" and "maternity" anything) I searched high and low and ended up in the places I would normally shop, which I thought was hilarious since it goes completely against conventional wisdom. When shopping my normal haunts I simply looked for stretchy, comfy, no-fail, knit-jersey pieces in a much larger size. I also went with makers I knew provide generously cut sizes.

I was successfully rewarded with a combo I was NOT looking for or expecting -- A SKORT.  It's been so long since my last pair I barely remember them, nor was I aware that they still made them ;-) Anyway I found a pair in extra large white knit jersey with a draw string (perfect for a slightly smaller post-partum belly to finish out the summer).  What a perfect solution! So even if my shorts bunch in unflattering ways as I walk (as they did today) all anyone will see is a cute white skirt YAY!

I was also rewarded with a real skirt in black size XXL. Here are 2 quick pics of my finds. You'll probably see these a lot in the coming weeks.

Happy Monday!

I wore these python printed pieces (blouse and shoes) to a recent doctor's appointment. I thought this outfit worked out rather well. It's rather neutral but I thought the print saved it from being utterly boring. Only the pants are maternity. Given the small universe of maternity pieces I have I marvel at the idea that any of my regular clothes look appropriate and fit well at 32 weeks. This blouse has a twin in gray because I could not decide which one I liked better. I can actually button the front over my belly but not my bust line which I find hilarious.
I'm wearing:

• ON scoop neck tee in beige (not the soul-sucking kind, well maybe it is but the python saves it I think)
• ON python print chiffon blouse in beige
• LOFT maternity jeans
• Vera Wang python print ballet flats

In other topics today June 7, is my fifth wedding anniversary. We are spending the day together doing tourist-y things in our fair city. I thought I would share with the forum a few of my favorite memories from my wedding day.

Happy Saturday and thanks for walking down memory lane with me :-) 

I was a whole lot busier this weekend than I'd anticipated. A lot of it was that life administration stuff, changing banks, checking up on accounts, ordering baby basics, making room for said baby basics etc. etc.

There was fun to be had DH ran a 10 mile race on Saturday morning. With all the spectator changes I was not able to cheer him on in person. (Who wants to be in a room full of strangers for 2 hours on a beautiful spring morning at 5am???) Instead we went to brunch mid-morning at our favorite spot.

Sunday I took a break from everything -- I felt like things around the house were getting out of order and needed attention. Yesterday we went to the movies and I really enjoyed our pick - the X Men movie. Anyhow, this is what I wore this weekend:

#1 is from Saturday and #'s 2&3 are from yesterday.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend too!

This blouse is from Banana Republic I added it to my wardrobe about 2 years ago. I of course love the colors, v neck and flutter sleeve.

I am amazed at how long some of my standard fit blouses are. I've said many times on the forum that I have a short torso. As a result many standard fit blouses are nearly tunics on me not because I'm short but because there just isn't must space between my shoulders and hips. I'm not complaining because if I weren't pregnant I'd just belt the excess and keep it moving. The advantage to these super long tops is that they work beautifully at covering my expanding belly. I can't remember who it was suggested that I buy clothing for tall women to avoid maternity clothes since the longer lengths would cover my belly, but she was right in theory. I just don't need to go all the way to tall to get the same benefit. 

So I'm doing more blues and greens today accented by yellow. I love this color combination and it was perfect for today's pleasant temps in the low 60's.

I'm wearing:

• BR flutter sleeve blouse
• J Crew cardigan 
• ON maternity BF jeans 
• teal scarf (World Market accessories)
• tan lace ballet flats 
• Yellow Liz Claiborne tote

Thanks for looking and Happy Thursday!

So I went through my existing summer clothing to determine what fits and what is a wait until next year item. This Old Navy sundress was a happy surprise. The background is white and the design alternates between citron and chartruse. There is absolutely no stretch in it whatsoever, but it fits quite nicely (for now). I added my Crocs (errands) jewelry and fuchsia Old Navy cardigan and I was out the door. My hair is freshly washed so my usual sleeker style is out of the question.
I rather like this simple formula. My concern is I don't have any more sun dresses that will fit when this one gets too small, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

The title of this thread was lifted from my Alma Mater. It's the opening lines to the school song as I happen to be wearing school colors. I just realized yesterday was the anniversary of my college graduation many moons ago. 

I just happened to wear this outfit to an event yesterday afternoon. Afterward DH and I enjoyed a casual dinner out. (Yay! no cooking!) I really like the pops of red-orange against the white and blue. I also think the spectator-like caps at the toe of my shoes are a modern twist on a classic look.

I'm wearing:

• BR tipped sweater in navy and cream
• ON cami in red-orange
• LOFT bootcut maternity jeans
• Kenneth Cole tote in red-orange 
• Isabel Toledo for Payless kitten heels 

Happy Sunday! Thanks for looking

I had a client meeting yesterday and wanted to at least appear professional. I thought it was funny that everyone thought I was dressed up. However because I'm just getting started in my profession I think it's important show people what they expect to see when they're paying for advice and guidance from a lawyer. I certainly don't want people devaluing my services simply because I look like my advice should be free and rendered out the back of a van. But I think that's the subject of a completely different thread and how today's society sees very little reason to put any effort at all into self presentation. (I'm putting away my portable soap box).

Any way. I am wearing a sweater and ponte knit dress from Banana Republic (no maternity clothes in sight). I really like the tights and shoes with this dress I've never worn them together before. I just like how the violet is enhanced by the soft gray tones in the sweater and tights. I think the houndstooth print and oversized bow on the flats are both modern and playfully professional. I will definitely do this again.

Sadly I think it was ridiculous that I had to reach for a wool sweater AND rain coat in mid may because temperatures yesterday topped out in the upper 40's and low 50's! (Our never ending winter continues -- it actually SNOWED yesterday morning north of the city).

So I wore this yesterday while doing marathon grocery shopping yesterday. (I had been neglecting the much needed big trip for awhile). I knew I needed to be comfortable and for my own sanity somewhat stylish. You'll remember this tunic from last week. I thought it might bookend nicely with red. I had to wear closed-toed shoes yesterday as temps were in the low 50's and upper 40's. So these were selected more for their comfort and warmth than their ability to tie into this outfit.
Was this a worthy remix of the tunic?

I'm wearing:

• ON Maternity Tunic in navy and cream
• ON Rockstar red skinny jeans
• Zara deep red infinity scarf
• Puma ballet sneaker flats in charcoal

I did not show the rain coat I wore which was a light tan with a baby doll fit. I thought it was sufficiently neutral so as not to distract from the red and stripes.