Rocked it & Swapped it: LOFT Gingham Peplum

When you put too many trends together at once, it can turn out disastrous. In this case, however, combining gingham and peplum, two of our current favorites, seemed like a match made in Heaven. This blouse with a flirty hem and button-tab sleeves feels like a great way to start a new season. It’s lightweight and feels fresh for the days that lie ahead. It's been the perfect style for me with a growing belly and just right for Spring layers. But it’s so much fun to see the outcome of another person’s vision, like the way Lisa chose to knot the side of the top and pair it with denim cut-offs, making it easily appropriate for the impending Summer months.

P.S. This fun top is on MAJOR sale...

$35 PLUS an extra 50% off! SHOP BELOW!

SHOP THE SWAP:

Have a great Thursday! 
Xo,

An Update on a Classic | Cabi Striped Trench

 Up until a few years ago, my coat closet always felt a little dejected..kind of like something was missing. It held tons of options including (multiple) denim jackets, a green utility jacket, numerous cropped leather styles, the dreaded Winter puffer and even a weather resistant wind breaker which saved me in Ireland. But it just never felt quite complete…until a lightweight, khaki colored trench hung on a hanger among the others. It was just right – sophisticated enough for work, classy enough for fancy nights out and stylish enough to dress up the most basic white t-shirt and jeans. 

When the weather allowed, I started wearing it with everything…that is until, the classic trench got a little competition from a new kid on the block -- the striped trench coat which made me wonder yet again where it has been all my life? The light trench is slightly pinched at the waist which offers a flattering cut and is outfitted with large navy buttons, so naturally I was automatically drawn to its nautical flair.  I'm also a huge sucker for navy and yellow together, so it only seemed natural to pair this with my favorite yellow Spring heels.

SHOP THE LOOK:

Wearing:
Jacket: c/o Cabi Clothing Maternity T-shirt: Old Navy Heels: c/o Sole Society (very similar) Maternity Jeans: LOFT Bag: Target Sunnies: Old Navy  

Call Me Mellow Yellow | Cabi Spring Jacket

 Spring has finally arrived and it's a breath of fresh air in more ways than one. We certainly can’t complain about the Winter we had in the Midwest but I seem to be even sensitive about the state of the outdoors due to my changing pregnancy hormones lately so needless the say, the flowers blooming in my front yard and a streak of sunshine over the weekend brought me back to life a bit.

It was a wonderful but very busy weekend. Having Friday off work was a blessing and my Mom and I spent it eating our way through Geneva. We started with a quick bite (hello orange scone!) at Graham's while we waited for our table at Buttermilk which I have been dying to try – Can we just dedicate a hot second to their coffee bar? My cousin/bestie has been raving about it for months and since I typically save coffee treats for the weekend these days, I figured it was a perfect time to try it out. When you walk into the rustic meets modern restaurant, first thing you see is a coffee bar with a menu that’s just begging to be tried. My eyes darted to the cookie butter milkaccino – I can’t even tell you what that means, but all I know is, you really couldn’t go wrong. I actually ended up ordering a slightly less sweet option, an iced toasted almond latte which was delicious and paired perfectly with my healthy start waffles…I pretend this is a real thing because it came topped with Greek yogurt and fruit. Do what we must :)

Post-Buttermilk, we took some photos, sat by the river and once we had more room in our stomachs, headed to the Sugar Path for an afternoon treat (yet ANOTHER scone...Can you tell we love to eat?) I like just sitting in their bakery, people watching and enjoying all the amazing sights & smells. I would love to own a coffee/bakery shop one day...I just feel so happy in these places filled with passion and community.

SHOP THE LOOK:

In other news, while I'm not the biggest advocate of maternity wear, my pregnancy has allowed me to play with a few styles that might regularly be a bit out of my normal rotation. Thanks to Cabi, I have added a few new Spring jackets to my collection and this yellowbutton up style is so different than anything currently in my closet. I tend to over wear my denim jacket (it’s a bit of an addiction!), so I love that this preppy alternative motivates me to mix it up and also adds a bright pop of color to any look. I liked pairing it with navy stripes, 1) because navy & yellow is an unbeatable combo and 2) because I think the prints go well together, especially since the jacket print is nice and subtle. 

Also, everyone told me I would "pop" around week 25 or 26 and wow, were they right. Here I am at 26 weeks and this belly is officially making a statement. I made it almost 5 months with friends and Family saying they could hardly tell I was pregnant...Let me tell you, nobody is saying that these days! My boy has decided he's ready to show off so here's to accepting the challenge of making this bump as stylish and comfortable as possible over the next 3 months. Wish me luck ;)

Wearing:
Top: Old Navy Jeans: LOFT Jacket: c/o Cabi Clothing Heels: Sole Society (similar) Scarf: Swap w/Lisa Sunnies: Old Navy Bag: Target Lipstick: Lancome

Spring Awakening | LOFT Maternity Dress

"Spring is the Meryl Streep of seasons: You never know from day to day exactly what it's going to look like, act like or sound like. But Spring is at its best when it's performing in its traditional role of "rebirth." (source)

 Isn't that the truth? Here in the Midwest, it feels like we have been waiting for a reemergence of sunshine and flowers for so long and this weekend provided us with a wonderful taste. The whole weekend was outdoor-worthy and we didn't waste a second of it. We took the pup for a Saturday morning stroll in our downtown and EVERYBODY was out...I mean, everyone and you could almost feel the collective sighs of relief among those we passed on the street. Perhaps the weather Gods heard my complaints and decided it was time for a break...(Thank you!)

I also attended a fun baby shower for one of my favorite ladies who is due just a few weeks before me, giving me the perfect chance to break out a floral dress I've been saving. This was one of the first moments I put on a maternity dress and felt REALLY pregnant. The high elastic waist definitely emphasizes the baby bump but it's also super feminine and very comfortable, making it a nice transition into the season for a soon-to-be Mom. 

Even though I'm already 6 months along and growing at a great pace, I'm still getting used to this new body and the adjustments that come along with it. Its a very weird feeling to have no control over what's happening to you but on the other hand, it amazes me that my body has this incredible ability. One thing's for sure, I look forward to being able to spend more time in dresses instead of jeans over the next few months...baby boy and I decided we like the freedom, not being confined by a belly band. I'm thinking tank dresses & my favorite jean jacket will be a staple uniform in the coming weeks...

SHOP THE LOOK:

Happy Spring to you!
Wearing:
Dress: LOFT Maternity (on sale!) Jacket: J. Crew Bag: Target Sunnies: Old Navy Shoes: Dolce Vita via Target  Lips: Glo Minerals - Crimson Earrings: c/o Park Lane Jewelry - similar

A Different Spring Break Staycation

Fact: Every now and then, life throws you a curveball that just can't be avoided. Sometimes, no matter how you try to work around it, plans are broken and we just have to go with the flow. For example, a certain pregnant gal and her husband were looking forward to a long weekend in Charleston, SC beneath the Spanish moss and among pastel colored homes...The last Spring Break just the two of us, exploring with no strings attached. But then life started to play ball and threw husband a torn ACL, making for a disappointed couple and possibly a a long road to recovery ahead, amidst all of the other changes already taking place. Not only was I sad to be missing our next adventure together but I felt so bad to hear his news...so much of what he does is to make me happy and when he finally started playing in a regular basketball league again with his friends, he was tossed a bad hand. But like I said, there will be many instances like this in life where we must adapt and make the best of the new situation. 

 I'd have been more content with staying home for Spring Break, working on the house, continuing to prepare for the addition to the Family and enjoying some of the things in our own city... that's actually a pretty accurate description of what we ended up doing last week but please note a few things: It has been gloomy and/or rainy almost every. single. day. and it's killing me slowly. These photos were taken on a rare sunny Sunday afternoon, so do not be fooled. My mood has always depended on the weather, but this end of Winter/beginning of Spring has truly had me feeling out of sorts and wishing for a few days on the beach or another place entirely, a little more than usual. Not to mention, I cannot catch a break in the world of flu's, colds and fevers - I have been hit with one illness after another which has been very tiring so even our staycation plans were a little more couch related than planned. It's really hard when the baby takes such a toll on your immune system!

All of this combined plus the realization of how many things are shifting in our lives has made for quite the roller coaster of emotions lately. As ecstatic as I am for our new adventure (tiny little man!!), our chapter as the two of us is soon coming to a bittersweet end. So, I guess that's made me a little more starry eyed and filled with wanderlust than normal. But I digress...this is all slightly selfish, as I think about all the amazing things we've done together already (our Ireland trip being at the very top) and all the memories yet to be made. So, here's to going with the flow, stocking up on green smoothies and welcoming the sunshine back, whenever it's ready.

In other news, this whole outfit not only seemed super Spring Break appropriate but also made me feel the most like myself that I have in a while. No belly bands, no long shirts to COVER the belly band...just a comfy pair of striped linen pants, with enough stretch for me to even TUCK IN my lace top. YES PLEASE! I miss tucking in, guys! Pair it all with the chambray straw hat and I'm ready for a day in the Sun...should it ever choose to return ;) 

Thanks for listening to my rant session today - sometimes it just feels better to let it out! Xo

Wearing:

Top: c/o J. Jill

Pants: c/o J. Jill

Sun Hat: c/o J. Jill

Purse: Jessica Simpson (similar)

Sandals: c/o Shopbop

Sunnies: LOFT

Blue Hues + Big News

Style obsessions come and go and coming in hot for me lately, are peplum tops. A little ruffle never hurt nobody, especially a preggo lady looking for an extra boost of flirty and feminine...plus they are super flattering on all body types. I have a growing collection and was excited to add some gingham to the peplum gang -- I jumped at the chance to order this LOFT top (on sale!) because with it being so light, I figured it was perfect for Spring and will pair great with white jeans as well (*tip - as with most things from LOFT, size down with this top...runs pretty big!)

I suppose I love this top because I'm also very into blue hues lately...Perhaps this has something to do with some BIG NEWS we found out last week! My husband and I are still reeling from finding out we have a son on the way. I'm going to have a son...a SON. In case you are wondering, typing those words feels just as surreal as the vision in my mind. I will be honest - For some reason, I was so positive we were having a girl (which makes no sense because it was obviously just a shot in the dark!) But because it's my first pregnancy, I found it fun to play into all the stereotypes and old wives tails, a lot of which made me think bows and tutu's...except for the ladies in my life who thought boy all along because of the way "I'm carrying." Seriously, does any of this stuff hold any truth?

Well, they were right. My Dr. said with much certainty, "looks like you're having a boy!" and I felt slightly blindsided...Sir, I don't have any boy names on deck and I don't know a thing about Matchbox Cars or Dinosaurs (or whatever boy things are cool these days...) But a little while later, I started thinking about my nephew (Lisa's boy) and what a big piece of my heart he has. Like, heart physically hurting when he's in pain or fluttering when he's happy and then I realized it's not about toys or what you "might not know," because it's only what you don't know YET...there's so much time to learn. Soon, I will begin a lifelong relationship with a special boy unlike any other in my life. A gentleman who I hope will always protect me, treat women with much-deserved respect, work hard at something he enjoys and love his Family just as unconditionally as we love him.

I should have figured because it IS customary in my Family for a boy to be born first...I always felt lucky to have an older brother who watched out for me (especially because he's the best one I could imagine), so hopefully we're following that trend. Not to mention, he and my Mom have such a special relationship...they got to spend almost 8 years together before I came along and you can definitely tell how much of her was instilled in him. Her generous spirit and sensitivity are obvious in his actions every day and I love seeing how great of friends they have become. I have so many amazing Mother-son examples in my life and look forward to setting my own soon enough.

Now, back to hanging with my hubs and editing/politely disagreeing over our "baby boy names" google doc... ;) 

SHOP THE LOOK:

Wearing:

Top: LOFT

Jeans: Destination Maternity (similar)

Trench Coat: H&M

Wedges: c/o Shopbop

Bag: Just Fab (similar)

Bracelet: c/o Park Lane Jewelry

Lipstick: GloMinerals