Maternity Monday: 6 Baby Registry Picks in Gray

I'm being honest when I say I found registering for our baby to be quite an overwhelming experience. Quite different from how I remember feeling when my husband and I walked into Bed Bath and Beyond to register for our wedding. They handed us the scanner and we must've looked like inmates who had just been let out of prison. The store was our oyster and we had the freedom to pick ANYTHING we wanted for our new life together. Me, obsessing over the Kitchen Aid and him, telling me how important it was for us to own a Pizza Pizazz (which was new to me but a staple of his childhood). It was all new, exciting and something we'll always remember.

Registering for Baby A was a little different - While still exciting, I found it to be much more stressful because so much of it was unknown and came with added pressure. When we registered for ourselves, it was mostly about our own vanity and what we thought would look nice in the kitchen or fun appliances we couldn't wait to try out. But this time around, we were picking out items that would shape the life of a new human. This warranted us doing a lot of research - reading EVERY review, scouring Consumer Reports and engaging in a never ending group text with two of my pregnant girlfriends about this vs. that. I also signed up for emails from Lucie's List which has been AMAZINGLY helpful! 

Now, keep in mind, as first time parents, I'm 100% sure we were over thinking some of our choices...years ago, there weren't 50 different kinds of strollers and car seat combos, just one or two made by your standard baby brand and expecting Parents were set. But with so many options on the market now, it almost feels tougher, like you're just shooting in the dark, trying to pick that one item that will make your life easier when the baby arrives. A bassinet that encourages sleep for hours, a stroller suitable for jogging AND traveling and a swing vs. a bouncer in hopes of entertaining your baby at the most necessary times. As long as you're realistic and realize the same mistakes and mishaps will happen no matter WHAT diaper pail you choose, all you can do is go with your gut and trust your instincts.

In the meantime, you can pick out a color palette you love and use that as a starting point for some of the more "frivolous" items which are a little easier to decide on. Our nursery is gray, white and blue so I used gray as a base for things when I could and I started to realize how many cute accessories there are, even for us Mom's. 
Here are 6 of my registry picks in gray: 

SHOP GRAY BABY PICKS:

Are you just starting out? The Bump has a great checklist to keep your organized! Mom's...What are the most useful items you received from your registry? How did you feel about your first baby registering experience? I'd love to hear!

P.S. I'm sharing the progress on our nursery right here next week -- STAY TUNED!

Spring Swing Dress

I just want to dedicate this blog post to this special day in history...one where it's 70 degrees on a Chicago February day. Not in 30 years can I recall a similar occurrence - In fact, it's usually around this time when I start frantically looking for cheap flights to anywhere but here because I can no longer stand my Winter jacket. But this week is different. It's a well-deserved, though certainly not normal, welcome break from the long string of gray skies and hibernation we have endured. For all the times we ask ourselves, "Why do I live here?," we now start to remember. That moment when you can finally breathe outdoors again in the Midwest is so appreciated because it always seems like decades have passed since you dined on your deck or went for a run on actual pavement...or wore a dress WITHOUT tights. SWEET FREEDOM!

I took a chance on that last one and ran with it, as I'm certain this weather isn't here to stay. I was grateful for every minute spent outside in this lightweight swing dress (on major sale, BTW), which feels more like pj's than casual wear because it's made of tencel, the softest material I never knew existed - FYI, it's a cotton alternative made from natural fibers. PLUS, the swing style is more than perfect for this preggo gal...these days, I love things with a little extra room.

As for a mini bump update, baby and I are feeling pretty great as we close in on 18 weeks. Honestly, I only feel pregnant in the sense that my clothes no longer fit like they used to (holy Dolly Parton changes!). My belly has been on a growth spurt so I finally gave in and bought a few new pairs of regular jeans (just sized up) AND a two pairs of maternity jeans, panels and all (review to come!). 

I can't say I'm in love with the style of the elastic band around the waistline but they definitely offer some comfort & relief, whereas my "rubber banding plan" for my regular jeans has grown a bit tired. I think this means it's about time to invest in a belly band too...Lisa highly recommends it for getting more use out of your go-to pairs of jeans, plus I think it's a Mom-to-be right of passage sort of deal :) 

SHOP THE LOOK:

P.S. My beautiful Mother/best friend graciously snapped these photos for me (as she does quite often and I am so thankful!), and suggested I go for the "Mary Tyler Moore" to end our shoot. "Throw your jacket up in the air, it will be great," she said. I sighed, assuming it would be ridiculous but you know what? That tiny moment was fun and had us both laughing...a great reminder that it doesn't pay to take anything too seriously. You're gonna make it after all ;) 

Cheers to Sunshine & sightings of Spring!
Wearing:
Dress: c/o J. Jill  Jacket: Old Navy - Similar OTK Boots: Amazon - Similar & here Bag: Old Navy - Similar Hair Clip: Headbands of Hope - Similar under $15 Sunnies: LOFT

It IS Easy Being Green

This is one of those days where I was pretty much decked out in "Lisa" from head to toe - I found this great sheer midi dress in my most recent #swap bag and it was perfect for our al fresco dining experience at the lake and I chose to pair it with her gold belt and blue sunnies for a few photos. I love this dress length because it's appropriate enough for work with a jacket or blazer but also just right for the beach. 

The night before this, we had some fun with hair chalk by testing out different hues in our hair. I've always wanted to dye my hair a different color but I will never let myself because I'm too afraid I'll never get my original color back -- my hair stylist  (slash amazing photographer) pretty much refuses to let me touch it so the temporary chalk is a great way to mix it up when you're bored. 

I think the pink was a good choice for me though I'm tempted to try the purple next ;)

Dress: Shop Frankies // Sandals: Old Navy // Purse: Persunmall // Belt: ASOS (similar) // Bracelets: It's a Bling Thing  Jacket: J. Crew // Brown sunnies: Old Navy // Blue sunnies: Ray Ban // Necklace: Rachel Roy// Hair chalk: Amazon (similar)

Which sunglasses look do you prefer on me? I like both styles, depending what outfit I'm wearing.

Have you ever tried hair chalk?