Maternity Style

I know it has been far too long between posts, so I apologize. My plan is to do a lot more posts because I have so many projects underway for the nursery. We also have been completing projects for our home so as soon as I can I will start posting our progress. I also want to make this blog more of a lifestyle blog instead of just being so focused on style and interiors. Being pregnant, family and our little girl's arrival pretty much consume my thoughts so I would love to document it.

So on to this post. I wasn't quite sure what kind of things I would want to wear while being pregnant, I didn't know if all I would want to wear was maternity or if I could make some of my own pieces work. Well my answer has been a mix of those. My bump didn't really progress that much until around 25 weeks, then it all seemed to arrive at once! Well I have really been able to wear a lot of my regular clothes like loose blouses, maxi skirts and dresses, some sweaters, tanks and tees. I have been lucky. The hardest area has been pants, more specifically jeans. Luckily I had a few pairs that were a little big that I was able to wear until just a couple weeks ago, and probably could still wear with a hair band, but when I have tried that it has been pretty uncomfortable. Luckily I had one pair of jeans that are sort of bell bottomy that also stretch and at 30 weeks I can still button them and wear them comfortably. Everyone is so different when it comes to what works for them, and the shape that their bump takes on is also a big factor. But I wanted to compile a board that showed the outfits and pieces that I live in and can't get enough of! I'm hoping I will still be able to squeeze myself into these the next couple months!

Graphic tee and maxi skirt - Let's face it, maxi skirts are like pajamas. They are so unbelievably comfy and you can get them in so many colors. I probably have 5 but I wear them all the time. I have a blue one like above, a couple neutral colors and then a couple more brights. I love pairing them with stretchy graphic tees, or a plain white tee or tank and a fun scarf.

Maxi dress - Or a high low dress or any dress! Maxis are great because again they are comfortable, they let you breathe and they are versatile. I love throwing a cardigan or denim jacket over mine and I feel stylish and comfy. Sometimes I even put a colorful blouse over the top to simply make them look like skirts. You cannot go wrong with maxis and being pregnant. I have a lot of maxi dresses, my favorites to currently wear I purchased for next to nothing at places like Ross and TJ Maxx. I hate the thought of spending money on clothes I will only wear or a short time. I just bought a size up from what I normally wear, got them in mostly stretchy fabrics and bam, you have the best pregnancy staple besides food!
Denim jacket - I already had one in my closet that I wore the heck out of, and I still do. Like I said, put it on over a dress or with the skirt outfit and you're good to go. It is great to have for spring or summer evenings or when you're unsure of what the weather will do. Especially like me living in Oregon where the weather is always unpredictable! I have one in white as well that I have had since high school and I still rock it.
Loose fitting blouses - These are another thing I already had in my closet and so far they have been great. I feel like I can look stylish and keep my bump happy. Plus there are a million and one loose and adorable styles to choose from. Fashion trends right now are so perfect for the pregnant lady!
Jeans - Now like I said, I am lucky to have a pair I can still wiggle into, but if you need maternity jeans I say get a pair or two. I switch off between my skinny maternity jeans and my flare regulars, but for me my regulars are just more comfortable. Plus they look great paired with a blouse, kind of puts out that 70's look that I'm so fond of. The point is you need a pair of jeans that fit comfortably or else you will have a whole lot of tops that you have nothing to pair with.
Tunics and leggings - Another fave of mine is any tunic, or summer dress paired with leggings. So comfy, so instantly cute. You can wear the combo year round with boots, or sandals. I can still squeeze into most of my leggings and I have them in a lot of colors. I also have a ton of little dresses and I'm sure you do too to make this look work for you. Again, a super comfy outfit for you and baby, that can be dressed up or down.
Flats and Sandals - I had a pair of booties I somehow managed to go shopping in when I was around 24 weeks. It was the last time I will wear any sort of heel, let me tell you! My back ACHED. So from that day on I made the commitment to flat shoes. The farther along I get I notice how crazy hard it is to put on tennis shoes, so I recommend flats and sandals because in most cases you can slip them on. They are pretty comfy too. Although, we had some snow last week so I wore my uggs and realized how nice those winter pregnant Mammas have it!

Here is a picture of me in a black maxi and owl tee taken a couple weeks ago at 7 months pregnant. 

Birthday Wish List

My birthday is coming up on Thursday! I thought it would be fun to put together a little wish list. I really don't plan on getting any of these things but my Mom did say we might go shopping so I figured doing a little shopping online would give me a good idea of some things I should look for. I have some recurring themes here I realized. One is that I am really into teal, red/orange, and neutrals like black and white. It was funny to me to see all these things together. Also I am already thinking about career wardrobes and fall. Fall is my favorite season, so it is hard not to get excited.

Anyway, throw some Nike + running shoes into this list (I couldn't decide on a pair to add), a hair dryer and other beauty supplies and this sums up the only things I could think of that I want. What I really want for my birthday is to spend some time with the people that I love, maybe get outdoors, play some games, get my hair done, grab a good coffee and have some good food and I will be one happy lady! So here it is! My Birthday wish list!! I love having a summer birthday and being a Leo is of course the coolest thing ever ;). Yay for birthdays!!


Numbers connect to links. Sizes: top - small, shoes - 8, bottoms - small or size 4.

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

What to Wear to Weddings

Being in my twenties, it seems every year we get a handful of wedding invitations. I obviously love weddings, and I always have so much fun no matter whom the couple or the theme. It can be a daunting task figuring out what to wear just from a simple invite. If you are lucky the invite will indicate the attire that is appropriate, otherwise you might only get the simple cue of garden, beach or a hotel name. I like to dress for weddings according to some simple rules that are good to keep in mind. They are:

1. Keep it classy - This is a ceremony often religious and you don't want to come wearing the neon, midriff  bearing, cleavage showing, glitter dress you wore in Vegas to the bachelorette party!

2. Don't wear all white, cream or any shade resembling a wedding dress - It is the bride's big day, let her stand out in the color that is reserved for her or her bridesmaids just this once.

3. Dress for the weather - One VERY important rule I have learned about dressing that I would like to share with you is if it is windy, don't wear anything that can fly upwards in the wind. This is especially true for the Beach wedding category, anything flowy, and above the knees will be driving you crazy all night if there is wind. And that leads me to my next rule...

4. Dress comfortably - Weddings are a time to celebrate love and romance, but they are also a time to let loose, party with friends, eat some good food and have a couple of drinks. Wear something that you are comfortable dancing in, and having an extra piece of cake in. Also by dressing comfortably, wear something that is you, something that fits your personality because when you dress that way you are always more comfortable.

5. Better to overdress than under-dress - This rule is pretty self explanatory. If you are worried about overdressing, don't. You will be much more comfortable wearing something dressy than if you show up in something casual and everyone else looks dressier than you. But it is possible to overdress, unless it says black tie, don't show up wearing anything that resembles your prom dress or that is covered in rhinestones and sparkles. Just keep it simple.


Well I have put together a few of my favorite options to inspire your wardrobe for wedding season, and have broken it down into 3 categories of possible wedding types. Pair the following ensembles with the right shoes and accessories and you will surely be set. Which are your favorite looks?

Backyard/Garden Wedding

1. Forever 21  2. Skirt - Forever 21, Top - Lulus  3. Tobi  4. Lulus

Beach Wedding

1. Lulus  2. Tobi  3. Lulus  4. Lulus

Elegant (Museum, Church, Hotel) Wedding

1. BEBE  2. Tobi  3. Tobi  4. Lulus

Inspiration Station

I love pretty little things

I love Taylor Swift, and her hair.

Colorful craft closet, awesome!

A ladies haven

Feather boutonniere in the most delicate palette.

Romantic seat, because I really like my cozy nooks.

Paper flower bouquet, so crafty, innovative, and PRETTY!

A vanity made for a queen

Reminds me of the pink fantasy version of my wedding dress

espresso and lovers...perfect combination.

I love her hair, I want her legs, love that dress, and blast her music

Road trip with your love...enough said.

Images all retrieved from Pinterest.com

Style Steal - Julianne Hough

I am very excited to introduce a new type of blog topic called "Style Steal". If there is a look I find that I love, or you love and have sent to me for inspiration, I will recreate the look for MUCH MUCH less! How awesome is that?! We can all take a cue from the celebrities when it comes to fashion from time to time, but of course most of us don't have their budget, as a matter of fact I am sure they don't even know what a budget is!

So to kick off the premiere of Style Steals I have chosen one of my personal style icons, Julianne Hough. Isn't she just adorable?!? She is wearing a very romantic and feminine little number. Casual enough for shopping as she is doing, but also dressy enough for going out with friends or your lover boy, or girl (no need to leave anyone out here). My favorite pieces are the lace skirt and this gorgeous pink, caramel and gold bag (I want!) You can find the pricing info and where to find the items below. This look really is a style steal!

Style Steal - Julianne Hough

Lace Shirt: $33.00 - Lulus

Lace Skirt: $28.00 - Lulus

Bag: $43.00 - Lulus

Gladiator Sandals: $19.80 - Forever 21

Belt: $9.50 - Charlotte Russe

Sunglasses: $5.80 - Forever 21

Hat: $28.00 - Nordstrom

Don't forget, you can email me with a look you would like recreated as a style steal by special request, just email me! Be on the lookout for more style steals coming up. I will also be doing them for menswear, for something a little different!

Vintage Weddings

Oh how I love weddings! One of my favorite trends for weddings that has been on the forefront the last couple years is vintage weddings. In 2009 when I was married I absolutely added an element of this trend to my own big day. It is funny really because I feel like another trend is modern weddings which is on the other end of the spectrum. I just may do a post about that as well!

With so many of my friends tying the knot all around me, I wanted to devote a little "wedding inspiration" to them. So here are some beautiful images I gathered of vintage wedding touches.

 This centerpiece is quite extravagant but the idea is the washed out tones in the flowers. That is what makes it so vintage. The crystals and candles add romance as well. 

 Believe it or not, this photo was one of the main inspirations for my own wedding when I was planning 2 years or so ago. The glass urn style vases, the jewels on the picture frame, candles, I love it all. There are also certain flowers that you will see over and over again that depict an antique vibe. Those are hydrangea, antique or garden roses, ranunculus and peonies, all my favorite flowers because I am a sucker for vintage!

 Notice the flower choices I just stated, here they are again. But what I love about these flowers is actually what they are held in. A silver pitcher. When thinking about your centerpieces if you are going for a vintage flair, think about something out of the box or unique pieces. Something unconventional shows personality and can make your centerpiece stand out amongst traditional vases. Also, when it comes to antiques, nothing usually matches perfectly. Mismatched pieces make the setting feel authentic.

Though I am not crazy about the flower arrangement in this photo (like those brown flowers) I love this dreamy palette. I like this photo because it is vintage without being in neutral or pink tones. The bouquet is colorful and rich. What makes it feel vintage is the watercolor effect or again washed out tones. After all the blue flowers are actually called Antique Hydrangea. They are absolutely one of my favorite flowers and are so popular for weddings and you can see why.

Now lets talk the fun part! DRESSES!

Vintage wedding dresses are all about lace, romance, embellishments and feminine details.

 This dress is gorgeous. The way the lace overlaps an antique ivory color is one of my favorite effects on wedding dresses. The satin rose belt defines the waistline and adds a feminine detail. The high neck where the lace lays over the skin is what makes this dress unique and reminiscent of old world style.

 A more common wedding dress style, this lace A-line would be flattering to a variety of figures and has all the right touches of vintage glamour.

 I love the cascading satin petals on this dress. Thick tool or organza like on the bottom is so girly and would make any woman feel like a "bride". Any ballgown with an empire waist flatters so many figures because it hides the areas that might be a problem spot for many women and highlights the collar bone and shoulders which is beautiful on all bodies.

 I chose this simple dress because I loved how this bride (or I should say model) has the flirty headband in. It is the perfect accessory to a simple dress. If you are an accessories girl then an understated dress would pair perfectly with your hair pieces or jewelry. Also, it is a very modern thing to get married while pregnant these days. This dress would look unbelievable on an expecting bride. It is flowy, simple and elegant.

 I love the scalloped lace halter straps on this dress. Also the bow highlighting the mini waist on this model. It is a modern silhouette for a vintage style bride.

And lastly, a ballgown in ivory with all the fluff and embellishments for the bride that wants to look like a glamorous princess on her big day. The corseting, and strapless neckline are so in right now. What makes it vintage is the lace, corset and romantic beading throughout. In fact this dress is extremely similar to my own wedding gown. I thought I wanted a dress like the simpler ones above but there is something about wearing a big fluffy ball gown that makes you feel set apart from the rest on your wedding day. I only tried on one ballgown and I knew it was the one, thanks to my sister for selecting it for me! 

Here are some images of me in my vintage style ball gown. And in closing your wedding is about you and your spouse and your personal style. Filling your wedding with personal touches and unique pieces will make your day all about you and your sweetie, just the way it should be.

images: theknot.com

My Spring color picks!

I am very excited for the spring 2011 color trends! It just so happens that the pastel portions of my color picks are also 3 of my very favorite colors. You can tell because I based my blog theme on them. So after a bit of research I present you with my top color picks for Spring 2011. These colors are not necessarily meant to be paired together but some do look great paired up! The three that I really think will make big statements in home and in fashion are Aqua dreams and any variety of the melon shade. The dark teal is especially popular in interiors as a paint color. I love it paired with natural materials and textures. Grey is also a huge natural right now particularly in interiors. Pair any of these colors with a warm grey and you will have a winning combo!

Here are some beautiful and inspiring interiors in my color picks!

And some fashion.

Do these colors seem a little too much for you? Spring brings out the brights in anticipation for summer. If you are feeling like these colors are too  bold for your taste don't worry. You can try mixing and matching with neutrals which are so unbelievably popular right now! Pale pinks, taupes, creams, everything that reminds us of a faded picture or something that has been antiqued and from Grandmas attic is what is in. I have created an alternate color palette that is just as big as the brights I just showed you. It is great because you can cater to your own tastes and still be fashionable. So I will leave you with these inspiring hues.

Interiors

Fashion

Images: Lulus, Style at home, other unknown sources