OOTD: Maternity That Isn't.

I am trying something new with my ootd posts.  The review posts will stay the same, as will any "family photo" type posts.  I just find that because I am naturally inclined to constant talking here at the blog, my ootd posts are being put on the back burner because I can't find enough time in the day to post, since I know that writing and publishing ootd posts can take between thirty minutes and an hour.  That's fine if it is a Boden Weekly Review Roundup, but not so cool if it is a post that (by its very nature) should be brief.  I hope this new type of writing the posts helps me be more timely in publishing ootd posts.

Day: New Year's Eve Day, 12/31/12.

Where: Grocery Shopping @ Harris Teeter with all three kids and my stepmom.

Ease of Wear: (4 of 5 stars--5 being the most easy to wear.) The cozy Boden Cashmere Wrap* (currently part of the clearance section) is so lovely and warm, utterly right for the slightly windy and cool day.  The silk top is from my maternity days with Angus (first seen here and then here).  Because of the way it was designed and made, the top easily fits into my non-maternity wardrobe, since it looks like the empire waist seaming was intentional, and not like it is a maternity top.   The Loft pants are the Zoe fit, so they are very straight, but the stretch fabric fit fine over my hips.  I still need to lose about five pounds before the pants are utterly perfect, though.

*Did a review of the Cashmere Wrap here.

Cool Factor: (3 of 5 stars--5 being the coolest.)  Well, the earrings help give this outfit an edge, and the retro velvet purse/clutch is distinctive, but the rest of the outfit is very safe and easy.  That said, maybe the fact that the maternity top is French helps a tiny bit?  LOL.

Anecdote from the day:  Let's just say I am very happy that I rarely have to go to the grocery store with all three kids.  Although there is one buggy with three seats, it was heavy and because the seat belts didn't work in the "kids seating" portion (the baby's one did, though), Rex and CW were able to escape their seats at will.  And of course everyone and their brother was shopping that day, so there were lots of near misses with other carts.  Fortunately, about halfway through the trip, my stepmom stepped in and took Rex with her to get a few food items.  :)

Okay, that's it!  Any of you former pregnant ladies use maternity clothing as an intentional part of your non-pregnant wardrobe?

P.S. Little birdies (everywhere, FB, e-mail, etc.) have let me know that there may be a drop of the new Spring line at Boden tomorrow morning.  You better believe I will let you all know when that happens.  I just looked over there, so you know, and there are "internal errors" aplenty.  I believe the process has begun.  

P.P.S. New BWRR tomorrow--lots of great reviews, etc., from my blog friends, so I will have something to deliver in the BWRR.  ;)

P.P.P.S.  (LOL, last one, promise.) Post took twenty minutes to write.  Woo!

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Mommy Style Monday #27: Third Trimester Files: I Can Still Wear Dresses!

Note: Rather than bother with individually archiving the end of my third trimester outfits, I am going to do two separate Mommy Style Mondays highlighting my two "basic" outfits of the day. This week will be on how dresses are a SAVING grace for anyone "blessed" with a MASSIVE HUGE BABY BELLY (which is usually most pregnant ladies). Next week will be on how to do "stylish casual" during the last few difficult weeks when every part of your body is aching.

I also believe that many of my early postpartum outfits will also be part of the Mommy Style Monday series, however, I do intend to have at least a few of them be separate outfit of the day posts.

I have written on both of these subjects before in Mommy Style Mondays...here is one on dressing your bump, here is one on when you start to show, and here is one on how to dress either a first trimester belly OR a diminishing belly in the postpartum period.

Also, if you are interested, in the very first few months of this blog, say between January of 2009 till around May of 2009, I was still very much losing my baby weight from CW. My postpartum period this time is MUCH different (which I will probably get into at some point in the future in another post), and I sincerely doubt I will be in postpartum clothing in a few months. I did start this blog as a way to help emphasize fun fashion and style for all mommas, regardless of weight or shape, and even though I don't think what happened with CW will happen post-Angus, I do stand proud of my desire to work with what I had post-CW, EVEN if my style and fashion sense has changed since then. ;)

Okay, SO...here goes...what to do with that BIG OLE BABY BELLY in the last few weeks, when literally nothing else fits, even the "maternity" clothing that fit at 35 weeks?

I am so pregnant here, I believe this was one week before I gave birth to Gus.  You can even see my "popped" belly button. 

No matter what I put on, everything fit extremely poorly.  I was only able to wear super stretchy fabrics that gave over the belly but also could be fitted enough to fit my smaller bustline and shoulders.

This is a Motherhood Maternity dress that I lived in during CW and Rex's pregnancies.  Until the last weeks of my pregnancy with Gus, I couldn't wear this dress as it was too big (overall I only gained thirty two pounds with Gus, with CW, I gained forty, and with Rex, I gained fifty). 

But MAN was I ever grateful to have this dress in the circulation, it felt good.  Like G-O-O-O-O-O-O-D good.  The stretch jersey fabric is super soft and the yummy bias cut skirt helped keep airflow on my legs.  (It was hot that day.)

Sunglasses: Target.
Shoes: Bensimon with Liberty Print Fabric.
Necklace: J. Crew.

I also appreciate how the cap sleeves and v-neck help draw the eye to the neckline and face rather than the belly.

CW is precious here.  She insisted on the hat.  ;)

This is yet another dress that I wore constantly with Rex and CW.  However, like I said with the above outfit, it was too large (especially in the neckline and shoulders) for most of this pregnancy.

I guess I am advising you, if you have the tendency to a very large bump, to invest in one or two "one size larger" dresses for the very end of your pregnancy.  Even if they lay dormant for months at least you will have something that you can feel decent in, pretty in, and be more than glad to put on because it gives you room to breathe and lots of comfort.

The dress is another Motherhood Maternity, in a size medium (typically wear a small with them).  I love the fabric, liberty-esque without being Liberty (yikes on those prices for a dress worn a few times in total).

Earrings and Shoes: J. Crew.

I wore this to one of my last doctor's appointments, may have been my very last one in fact.  I kind of really dig this photo.  I have only a handful of me truly appreciating the bump, but this one shows how much that I like being pregnant, even with all the hassle and hurt.

I adore this dress as it does fit regardless of point of pregnancy.  I can wear it earlier on (as I did here) or later on, as I am doing above.  The smocked top of this dress really works, especially if you have a pear shape...it will always work with a smaller upper body no matter what your lower half wants to do.
Dress: Pea in the Pod.
Bag: Anthropologie.
Shoes: J. Crew.
Bracelet: J. Crew necklace made into a bracelet, see next photo.  (Plus an additional traditional J. Crew bracelet and my Tiffany's Chain Link Bracelet.)
Earrings: J. Crew.

The red "bracelet" is the necklace (in-store only) wrapped three times around my wrist.

Rarely do I wear my glasses when dressing up, but I couldn't manage the contacts and makeup and accessories and dress.  Ya know.  Exhaustion and all.

About two weeks prior to giving birth, Mr. Dina and the fam and I went to a Thai restaurant together, and I loved the opportunity to get a little more dressy, yet even I realized there was no way in heck it would include heels, any sort of true tailoring or structure, or heavy accessories.

This dress is non-maternity from Garnet Hill.  Here and there I will buy a piece of two from Garnet Hill.  I had worn this once last fall (it never made it to the blog, though), and I wanted to see how far its stretchy jersey fabric would go.  (Turns out a whole lot.)

Jacket: J. Crew.  Wore it once before in the pregnancy, here.
Shoes: Target.
Earrings: J. Crew Factory.

When I am not pregnant, this dress features a very full skirt, which is great for my larger hips and bottom.  While pregnant, that volume easily accommodates the belly.  I HIGHLY recommend buying jersey dresses from non-maternity lines if you don't have a ton of money for a maternity wardrobe.  (And stretchy leggings--again from a non-maternity line...)

If you must (and I get that, I have been there, you all should have seen my wardrobe budget during my first job, everyone on three, say it, Chadwicks!) only buy things that can work before, during, and after pregnancy, do the jersey dress and leggings route, you can get a ton of wear and very little tear (these are sturdy fabrics) from these staple items.

I love the jeweled neckline.  This is sweet and elegant, without being especially fussy.

I popped the tie-fabric collar for a bit of fun.  By then end of the meal, it was down.  I only slightly cared.

I did a review of the necklace here, so if you read that review, you have seen the outfit before, but for some of you this is new.

This is a size medium Liz Lange for Target dress that I bought a while back.  It was huge on me, but because I have done this whole being pregnant thing two other times, I knew the dress would work for reals at the end.  And it did become a godsend.  I am not one to say this often, but black is certainly slimming.  (Well, kind of.)

Necklace: Boden.
Shoes: J. Crew.  (CW wants a pair of her own glitter golden flats.  One day...I suppose.)

Okay, that's all! 

My quick takeaways:

1. Dresses are a wonderful option at the end as they allow for freedom of movement and will easily accommodate a larger belly, even if the rest of you hasn't gotten larger. 

2. Always seek out jersey fabrics, as they allow for the MOST flexibility between a smaller upper or lower half and a very large waistline.  (At one point my belly measured 42 inches and my bustline was 35 inches.  Jersey fabric was, hands down, the most comfortable of all the fabrics.)

3. Look outside the maternity stores.  If there is a store whose jersey dresses work for you (my faves are J. Crew, Boden, and Garnet Hill), seek them out in longer lengths and with fuller skirts.  Chances are they will fit you the entire time you are pregnant and flatter you.

4. Have one or two maternity dresses that are one size bigger than your traditional maternity size.  (This is truly key if your belly gets abnormally big compared to the rest of you.  If this is your first pregnancy it is hard to tell what your body is likely to do, but by two and three, you should have an idea.)

5. Know that you don't have to try so hard at the end.  If you only throw on a dress, some lip gloss, a cute bracelet, and some adorable ballet flats, you are giving 110%.  It is HARD to lug the weight around, it is DIFFICULT to feel pretty, and it is a time when every. single. person. gets it.  No one wants you to work harder than you need to...if the heels and statement necklaces bug you at the end, well, yeah, give them up.  In a few months, you totally will be back to enjoying your whole wardrobe.  Promise.  :)

Any other tips from moms who have been there?  

OOTD: Scenes from a Baby Shower...

Gus and I had the lovely fortune of being thrown a baby shower in DC last Sunday. In the world of perfect timing, it was also the same day as Mothering Sunday and one of the best days to see the cherry blossoms. I felt incredibly blessed to have some great blog friends (folks who I met in this area by being part of the blogging community--some with blogs, some without blogs) literally shower my little man with some darling gifts and company.

Clearly, with a big brother, Gus will not want for much as many items we have already and will be happily handed down to him from Rex. That said, I truly believe that each little baby is special and even just a small treat here or there is something that needs to be done. (He has a handful of items bought specifically because I want him to have something that is his own that Rex or CW can't use.)

Did I ever imagine we would have a shower? Heck no! But when I received the invitation from the lovely Rosa (of the amazing blog Rosa Loves...), I was so excited and grateful!

We had settled on March 18, which was the absolute last day I felt comfortable going (just in case he came early!), so bearing that in mind, I ended up choosing an outfit that is amongst the last few maternity items that still actually fit.

Top: Liz Lange for Target.  This doesn't fit today, but managed to do the job last Sunday.  As I don't grow the "ladies" while pregnant (even postpartum it is kind of sad, really), I have a whole host of tees/tops that fit beautifully for the vast majority of my pregnancies but become far too small in the belly at the very end.  Because while I may not grow up top, my bellies are always very large at the very end.  Really, I probably need a size medium belly area and a size extra small in the shoulders.  Like I say when people seem surprised by my waistline at the end, "I brew 'em big."  :)
Skirt: Gap Maternity.
Shoes: Naturalizer.
Necklace: J. Crew Tangled Treasure.
Purse: J. Crew Patent Mini Campo.

I contemplated using this image as a header for my blog, even for just a brief time, but in the end, I will stick with insouciant dinagideon standing in front of a green fence thingy in the city.

You can see the slight pulling at the waist, yet look at the looser neckline.  Oh, Gus, you big ole boy.

One more view.  Really loved this look, felt a bit less frumpy (as I have been feeling a lot lately, muumuus will do that to any girl, right?) and a bit more fun.  It was pretty comfy, too, so yay for stretchy waistbands and padded insole booties.

Ladies who brunch...from left to right...Rosa (Rosa Loves...), Kelly, Cleo26 (former blog Trousseau Adventures), Slastena (About All and Nothing at All), Rebecca (I Wanna Be a Domestic Goddess), yours truly/Angus, and Summerilla (Sumsunshine).   The brunch was held at Jose Andres yummy eatery, America Eats Tavern, which is in the same building as both minibar (was in the DC episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain) and what used to be America Eats--Cafe Atlantico. 

BTW, Slastena BRAVED the DC traffic.  She accidentally ended up driving over near the tidal basin (I mentioned the cherry blossoms were blooming above, right?) and a four mile detour that would normally make her late by maybe 15-20 minutes meant she was stuck in traffic for an additional hour.  On the bright side, she was able to take many a pretty picture whilst stalled.

I saw the cherry blossoms from the metro.  Since I take the yellow line to get home, which crosses OVER the Potomac near the Tidal Basin  (as opposed to a tunnel, which some of the lines do UNDER the Potomac), I was able to get a view from my comfy air-conditioned seat.  It has been years since I actually went to the Tidal Basin.  (Quick secret for non-Washingtonians...many neighborhoods have cherry blossoms, they are quite ubiquitous around here.  Our neighborhood in Alexandria has a handful just hanging out on folk's front lawns.  Admittedly it doesn't quite stun the way the hundreds of trees together do, but they are still amazing in their own singleton way.)

America Eats Tavern does comfort/historical American food, but with a high-end flair.  Clearly the ingredients were top notch as everyone was raving over how our taste buds danced when enjoying our first bites to our last bites. 

Above is what I chose, the cornbread with Virginia (natch) bacon, fried egg, and sorghum syrup.  I also had some sweet tea, and unlike a lot of sweet tea I drink (and trust me, drink it, I do!), this was less sweet, which I have to say, I prefer.  My hubby's family makes it this way, and so I guess I have just gotten used to it.  That said, McDonald's sweet tea is awesome during pregnancy, ESPECIALLY when it is warm out.  (That crazy hit of over the top sweet and ice...unbeatable.)

Gus received many a gift, of which you will see on him (promise), but I did take one photo of the blue stuffed dog and hand-knitted booties and cap that Summerilla gave me.  :)  She says her mom knitted the booties and cap.  As someone who doesn't knit, I am in constant awe of those who do.  I literally hold the knitting needles and become all thumbs (like with gardening, I make a mockery of gardening).

Turns out hand knitted and crocheted items were the flavor of the day as Rosa gave Gus a beautiful blanket that she herself made (come on...amazing!).  Technically it was from her adorable dog, Lola, but I won't tell Gus, if you won't. 

We also received a few receiving blankets and adorable outfits and such.  I even was given the Hope Welcome Baby (Philosophy) set, which will be just what the doctor ordered after coming home from the hospital.

Thank you ladies.  I can't wait to see (and show off) Gus enjoying them all!!!

And finally one last little present, for everyone, a beautifully wrapped little pink box containing a yummy treat from...

Georgetown Cupcake!  Summerilla had ordered these for all of us to enjoy, and iced in light baby blue, with just a hint of femininity in the pink flower, this chocolate cupcake was the perfect end to an amazing day.  :)  Rex and CW even got one (which they devoured, btw).

So that's it!  I hope the cupcakes and yummy comfort food didn't make you all too hungry.  I am actually getting hungry.  Mr. Dina wants to go to this restaurant...so don't be surprised if you see more goodies from it in the future.

OOTD: Bit of Green.

Happy Belated Saint Patrick's Day, all! No Angus born on St. Patty's Day, so there you go...and no baby boy born on my daughter's half birthday, either (that would be 3.5, today, fwiw). That's fine. I am holding out for him to be born on time on the 29th or in the perfect world of a Rush fan, being born on 3/21/12. This date means nothing to you unless you really love Rush, as their album 2112 would always be part of his bday.  (Although would that mean I would have to name him Geddy?)

Not holding my breath, though. LOL. :)

Onto a bit of green! I love the color and am more than happy to wear as much green as possible on the actual day and during the week leading up to it in bits and pieces. Unfortunately, I am literally limited to the 6 or so pieces of clothing that still fit, and that means I have only two real items that will work. All good, though.

The first outfit is from the day the kids celebrated the world of shamrocks and rainbows and all things Irish--Tuesday.  (Thursday, the other day they go to preschool, they celebrated with a "leprechaun" party, in which their classrooms were destroyed by the antics of those Irish mischief makers.  CW was really irritated by them.  Hee.)

Dress: Pea in the Pod.  The ombre effect includes a deep green at the hem becoming a light tan color at the top.  You all have seen this dress before (of course...easy to do with a limited wardrobe).
Shoes: Boden.  These are the green animal bow flats from the fall.
Scarf: J. Crew.
Sunglasses: Target.

Mr. Dina was with me--he took the photo which is the only way I would ever pose like this in public--he took me to the doctor that day.  He really wanted to make sure that the doctor was comfortable with my due date, he is SURE that I should be giving birth earlier based on how big my tummy has become.  It turns out I just brew the children big.  Nice and hearty, like a Guinness.

Close up the dress, scarf, and sunglasses.  I do really love this dress!

Yeah, this is from St. Patrick's Day, just in case you were color blind (it's possible!!!).  CW is in a lime green splendor and I am in shades of dark olive.

Cardigan: Macy's Charter Club.
Top: Merona Maternity.  I wore this top with another very similar outfit a few weeks ago.
Shorts: Motherhood Maternity.  It was HOT that day.  I ended up, by the time we made it to the supermarket, not wearing the cardigan.  (BTW, at the supermarket a non-pregnant person parked in the expectant mother's spot. Le sigh.  Wasn't much I could do beyond giving them the side eye, but grrr!)
Shoes: J. Crew.
Necklace: Boden Semi Precious Pendant. This is a preview of this pendant, which I have better photos of for next week's Boden Weekly Review roundup. It is on backorder in both colors, I can see why. I think it is a keeper, and for the price, well worth it.

CW is in a selection of Carter's, Hanna Anderson, and Miss Trish of Capri for Target.  Her "purse" is an old one of mine.  She has a lot of my old purses.  And she carries them with her, without anything in them.  I think she just thinks they look good and that they add to her outfit.  She doesn't actually understand their utility yet.  ;)

My hair is in pigtails because it was so flipping hot...I would have melted if I had left it down.

Okay, so before I go, I had such a great day today!  Some of my blog friends invited me to one of the coolest restaurants in DC, America Eats Tavern (formerly Cafe Atlantico), for a Gus baby shower.  How sweet!  There will be more on today in an upcoming post, but I had to show off this adorable cupcake packaging that Summer (of the blog Sumsunshine) created for the party.  She had told the lovely folks at Georgetown Cupcake to package it for a boy's baby shower, but they must have not got the message, as we ended up with pink, but Summer swooped in and got the blue ribbon, blue safety pin, and "it's a boy" pendant on the package to show that I am having a little man and not a little lady.


Thank you so much, ladies.  It really was an amazing day!!!  

You all have a great night! 

OOTD: Target Stripes Times Two.

Very quickly: no Boden Weekly Review Roundup this week...two reasons...one, there are literally only a few reviews, and they can be held off until next Wednesday, and two, I am conserving my blogging energy for the most bang for buck, and a smaller BWRR is not on my "bang for buck" agenda. ;)

So instead I decided to pull out two recent maternity outfits, featuring two of my favorite Target striped maternity pieces.

Dress: Liz Lange for Target, Body Con Style dress.
Scarf: J. Crew.
Shoes: Merona Meadow, another Target find.  (LOVE these shoes.)

We were headed out to the gluttony capital of the free world that evening, Texas de Brazil, to celebrate Mr. Dina's bday.  I am the worst pregnant lady...my tummy is about the size of a peanut and I literally was unable to enjoy more than one half of a plate, at least Mr. Dina had a great time...but I definitely looking forward to going and eating like a normal person (not even a gluttonous person, necessarily). 

It wasn't super cold, but the J. Crew felted wool double-breasted jacket I bought in 2010 was the exact right topper to the dress.

CW wore her Paris Striped Shirt, again (she last wore it here)!  :)  She also has on Target, with the pants and shoes, too.

The dress is more wonderful than it appears on line and in stores.  When I first saw it, the stripes appealed to me, but the very fitted look scared me a bit.  I picked it up and decided to try it on, at least.  It was far more appealing when I put it on.  I think if you are pregnant, and you have a belly that you like to show off, then definitely go for it, but be aware that your belly is very much "out there" whilst wearing it.  The review I had read of it (at target.com) also agreed with me.  

Body Con. Target Stripes. by dinagideon featuring clutch handbags

Above is the polyvore of this dressy casual look.

There are stripes here, promise!  :)

Coat: Pea in the Pod.  You saw it with another outfit here.  Yet again, I wore it for exactly two hours, as it got far too warm after mid-morning or so.
Leggings: Madewell.
Shoes: J. Crew Lula Jacquard Ballet Flats.
Sunglasses: Target.

There are the stripes.  Love this sweater.  :)  I wore it last here in pretty much the same darn outfit.  Only the belly got bigger, and I have no scarf this time.

Close-up of the sweater and sunglasses.

So you all know, I am now TWO weeks from my scheduled c-section.  I am at once exceedingly excited and over the top anxious.  I have had two c-sections before, and admittedly, it was only the first one (the emergency with Rex) that completely went awry and caused the two of us to end up in our respective intensive care units, but that is enough to always ALWAYS freak me out leading up to delivery.  I have the BEST obs in the world (in my opinion), but I can't get over the fact that I was *this* close to an incredibly tragic ending for our growing family.  I am glad it all went beautifully with my darling CW, but memory is long, eh?

Okay, well off to go get some things done (maybe commenting back on some recent posts???)...

You all have a fab night!!!  If you are in the eastern 2/3rds of the USA, enjoy this weather.  It hit 85 here today.  Wow!

OOTD: Attempting Dressy.

Even if all I feel like wearing is pjs and sweatpants, I know that in the end if I put effort into my outfit, I will enjoy my day more, so as long as I am out and about, I at least give it a try. (Although I admit to a full on sweatpants/hoodie outfit when I visited urgent care during my nasal infection mess...I am not crazy!)

But...even if I choose not to wear pjs or sweats in public doesn't mean that I won't find the most crazy comfy and soft outfit possible to wear instead. That's my secret for the last three months of pregnancy. As much as I really REALLY want to wear my kick-butt maternity jeans and high heels, I can't bring myself to even attempt it. Oh, and so you know, with CW's pregnancy, I totally started this comfy dressing like really early, sometime around 24 weeks. (I was preggers with her in the summer, though...definitely the worst time to be pregnant...hands down.)

This outfit is insanely comfy.  And yes for that.  :)  It also made me feel slightly stylish, which I need now that a 30 pound basketball has firmly attached itself to my waistline.

Dress: Boden Jersey Maxi Dress. 
Shoes: Madewell Handbook Pump.  I only recommend these heels (or heels like this) in late pregnancy.  The cone shaped heel is substantial and there is a platform making the overall footbed more secure than a stiletto type.

PSA: Do not wear any shoe that hurts, especially if it hurts because of feet swelling, definitely not worth it.  Ballet flats or slight wedges are adorable, and if you have to buy one pair of black flats in a larger size, just for pregnancy, that's okay.  I had to for Rex, but after I gave birth, my feet returned to normal.  *I have not had that swelling since.  They think my swelling with Rex was preeclampsia, which also may have contributed to his early birth and emergency c-section.  So even though swelling is not usually a big deal, don't ignore it, either.*

Purse: J. Crew Mini Patent Campo Bag.
Necklace: J. Crew Mini Orbit Necklace.  It's on sale!  :)
Sunglasses: J. Crew A.R. Trapp.

If you read my Boden Weekly Review Roundup, you already saw this image.  But I do know that a lot of you only come over for ootd posts, so it's not a repeat to you!

I actually kind of like this image.  I didn't realize the self-timer was going to go off that quickly, and it caught me kind of walking, lol.  It does allow you all to see the shape of the Handbook pump.  :)

BTW, this dress is a double layer fabric and super soft.  It is like wearing a nightgown, just a fitted, fancier version of a nightgown you can wear out to lunch with the family (which we were about to do).

Close up of the makeup, hair, necklace, and dress print.  I had fun playing with the colors that day, especially on the eyes (which I rarely put a lot of effort into).  This outfit, fwiw, was from the weekend before last, so I had not yet gotten my bangs trimmed (did that on this last Saturday).

Attempting Dressy. 30 Pound Basketball Notwithstanding. by dinagideon featuring patent handbags

Polyvore of the outfit is above.

Okay, that's all...I hope you all have a great evening.

P.S. I read over at Boden's facebook page that there will be a big, exciting announcement tomorrow morning.  Most commenters are of the mindset there will be a "catch of the day" or "mid-season" sale, but there are a few who just think a new line will be rolled out.  I personally think it will be a "catch of the day" sort of deal, which in Boden land usually mean 30-35% off of certain items each day.  This is usually a big deal, and so when I figure it out (and get home from my doctor's appointment tomorrow), I will do a blog post on it.  :)  (Or do a blog post on the non-event, if the naysayers are right!)

OOTDs: Countdown Commences!

Well, with only 2.5 weeks to go until my scheduled c-section, I can definitely start the countdown. (Thank God, btw, I am a little bit worn out...the extra 30 pounds, yeah, I feel them every time I attempt to you know, do normal things like stand or walk.) ;)

I have here a few outfits that I have worn recently, almost all of them repeats from earlier this pregnancy. I don't even bother with "real" clothing outside of cardigans/jackets, shoes, and accessories anymore.

So you all know...the MOMENT I walk in my door after doing my day's events (preschool run, doctor's appointments, grocery store runs, etc.)...I go to my dresser, pull out my most comfy sweat pants, most comfy tee shirt, and change. It's nuts. I am definitely all about easy wear when I am behind closed doors. Even better is when the easy wear is made from terry cloth, such a sucker I am for soft fabrics.

Worn to a doctor's appointment two weeks ago.  You all recently saw this dress in this post.

It was super warm that day, probably about 70?

Dress: Merona Maternity.
Shoes: J. Crew Classic Printed Ballet Flats.  These are the ones with the adorable apple print (called orchard, I believe).  The normal size I wear, 9.5, was perfect.  One thing to note...the print is on an ivory background, which got a bit of dirt on it from my first wear out.  It doesn't really get to me, because I can live with cleaning them and/or accepting that they will get stained with my lifestyle, but if you tend to freak out over that, only wear them inside.  I bought them with the 20% off (recent promo).  I do not think they are worth full price.

Yes, it got to 70 that day, yet I thought that I would need this lightweight Pea in the Pod trench (bought during Rex's pregnancy).  Nope.  I wore it a grand total of twenty minutes.  I did wear it last night and wore it constantly during Rex's pregnancy, so it does get wear, just not as much as I expected during this time.

Having said that, I have worn this trench whilst not pregnant.  It's cut is fairly workable, with a tighter fitted bodice and a slight a-line shape to the bottom.  I often pull it out when I need a dressier trench for going out to dinner, etc.  It has light metallic threading throughout, giving it a bit of a dressy look.

I should have just worn pjs, I was so tired and uncomfortable that day.  Since I couldn't (preschool run day), I just dealt and wore my most comfy "going outside" clothes.

Top: Liz Lange for Target.  Super soft.  For those of you that watch Desperate Housewives, Julie, Susan's daughter who is pregnant, recently wore this top.  Good to know that they bargain shop, too.  :)
Leggings: J. Crew.
Shoes: J. Crew Dreamweaver in cobalt and tan.

Dance class and dentist day.  My dentist was mad at me.  My gums were a mess.  Oops.  ;)  At least he didn't say I needed a root canal, although he did tell me that I need to have my wisdom teeth extracted.  (Sigh.)

Cardigan: J. Crew Factory, Spring 2008.  This was a cotton cardi re-issue of a medallion print from Spring 2007 that was really really pretty.
Top: Merona Maternity.  I recently wore the green version here, in a very similar outfit.  At least I am predictable.
Pants: Duo Maternity.
Shoes: Lauren by Ralph Lauren driving mocs I have had forever.

I felt great that day, but the pants slipped a bit as the belly band sits below the belly instead of on the belly.

Target shades.  I love the colors of the cardigan and top, very saturated and lovely.

Preschool run day.  My hubby took the kids that morning, and I went and got them in the afternoon.  It was nice to take my time getting ready for the day.  Another gorgeous day, highs last Thursday were in the mid-70s.  Amazing.

Dress: Boden Maternity, Breezy Jersey Dress.  You saw this one recently, too.  (Definitely a bit more dressed up, though.)
Shoes: J. Crew Jacquard Ballet Flats.
Sunglasses: Target.

I straightened my bangs that day but decided to let the rest of my hair wave up a bit.

We went to church last night and then dinner.  I don't know if you can tell, but I am beat down here.  LOL.  I mean I literally had to be rolled out of bed in order to get the move on to get ready to go out.  Pathetic, really. 

Top: Liz Lange for Target.  I wore it a while back, when I was able to see Gus in 3D.
Pants: Mimi Maternity.
Shoes: Naturalizer Bates Booties.
Earrings: Eiffel Tower earrings from the actual Eiffel Tower.  (There is a reason I am wearing them.)

CW has on the cutest outfit, btw.  I definitely expended more energy on getting her ready than myself. 

CW's outfit:

Top: crewcuts Paris stripe tee.  Love this tee, very sweet.  crewcuts does a great job with adorable graphic tees, and unlike past incarnations, this one seems well made and of a substantial cotton.  Plus it has an Eiffel Tower graphic (like my earrings!).
Pants: Target. 
Shoes: Target.
Scarf: My "free" Marie Claire France scarf that I wore with this outfit last.  She specifically requested to wear this scarf.

I got my bangs trimmed yesterday.  I was able to get them trimmed for a grand total of ten dollars.  Thanks to all you ladies who spoke up and let me know that this was an option for between "big" haircuts.  :)

Okay, that's it.  You all have a wonderful Sunday.  I will.  I plan on doing very little.  ;)