Hey there, long time no see! Ok, so that's mostly my fault. It has been a LOOOONG time since my last post...which was actually my first post...so, this is me finally picking up where I left off all those months ago. A LOT has happened in my life since my last/first post. I was kind of MIA from the social media/blogger world for the end of 2013 but thankfully God is good and His mercies are new every morning, and every new year. The biggest news in our family since my last post is that I am pregnant and due in 6 weeks! We couldn't be more thrilled that God is blessing us with another tiny person to love and we can't wait to meet him! I've gone back and forth on what to make this long awaited second post about but since my house and my life seem to be brimming with baby preparations, I decided just to run with that.
With our current youngest having just turned 4 years old, it's been a good few years since I was last pregnant. During my first two pregnancies, I didn't really buy a lot of maternity clothes. I was teaching full time during my first and the Bella Band was literally my best friend. I wore dress clothes to work every day and I was blessed that the Bella Band fit great throughout my entire pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my second, we had moved to Florida and I was a stay-at-home-mom so I basically lived in sun dresses that I already owned and wore my Bella Band (again) with everything else.
This pregnancy, however, has been very different than my first two and the Bella Bands that I relied on so much previously just didn't cut it for me this time around. On top of that, I'm due in late July and this will be my first summer baby. I quickly realized that I was going to have to make some additions to my maternity wardrobe but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on clothes that I was only going to wear for a few months. So, I set out to add strategic pieces to my wardrobe that were either, a) super versatile and I could wear throughout my entire pregnancy, or b) that weren't maternity clothes at all and that I could wear even after I had the baby. The following is a list of My 7 Maternity Wardrobe Must-Haves, aka the things I couldn't have made it through this pregnancy without. Some are maternity but most are not. I love that I can continue to wear those things even after the baby is born.
{My 7 Maternity Wardrobe Must-Haves}
1. Maternity Tanks
These Old Navy Maternity Rib-Knit Tanks are one of the few actual maternity pieces that I bought and boy were they worth it! I bought them in 4 colors and as my belly has gotten larger during this last trimester, unless I'm wearing a dress these are practically all I wear. I can wear them by themselves or layer them under some of my other non-maternity shirts, which has really expanded my wardrobe options. They're also super comfortable and they've retained their shape through wash after wash. These are hands down my favorite maternity purchase!
2. Maxi Skirt
My love for maxi skirts began long before I got pregnant, which was a major bonus this time around. One of the best things about them is that most maxi skirts will fit throughout pregnancy. They're comfortable, flattering and the best part of all for me, is that I can buy them in my regular, non-pregnant size and keep wearing them after the baby comes. Here are a few different maxi skirts that I just love. I have the chevron one in a bright blue and I wear it all the time! (You can find these at Bloomingdales, LoveCulture and Target)
3. Statement Necklace
Some days, I find myself just basking in the "pregnancy glow." Other days, not so much. It's on those "other days" especially, that I throw on a bold statement necklace and my favorite stud earrings for an instant pick me up. This is another part of my wardrobe that I didn't necessarily have to go out and stock up on from scratch when I got pregnant and that I can obviously use well beyond delivery. I love that I can wear necklaces like the ones below with almost any outfit I have to help dress it up a tad or simply add a bold pop of color. (You can find these at Aldo, Forever 21 and Zappos. I have the bright blue and turquoise necklaces and love them!)
4. Belt
This is one piece that I already had in my closet and that I've added to more outfits than I can count this pregnancy. I have a black one just like the top one pictured below that came with a pair of dress pants I have long since packed away until after this baby comes. I kept the belt around so that I could use it as a waist belt and it fits perfectly just above my growing belly. I like to use this belt to dress up my maternity tanks when I pair them with a maxi skirt or to wear it with my maxi dresses to help show off my baby bump. (You can find the ones below at Aldo.)
5. Maxi Dress
Ahh, the maxi dress. One of the most comfortable, flattering pieces of clothing ever made. At least in my humble opinion that is. I had a few maxi's before I got pregnant but I've had fun adding a few more to my wardrobe. I did get 2 maternity maxi dresses which I LOVE wearing but I've also found a few that weren't maternity and that fit great even with my bump. Once again, I love that I'll be able to wear those long after the baby is born. Here are a few that I stumbled upon recently, I want them all! (You can find all of these at Target & Nordstrom Rack.)
6. Denim Jacket/Vest
This is a non-pregnant closet staple of mine that has really come in handy this pregnancy. During the cooler months towards the end of my second trimester, my blue & white denim jackets were easy to layer over over my maxi dresses and maternity tanks that weren't warm enough to wear by themselves yet. As the temperatures rose, I replaced my jackets with my denim vest during the day and still wore my jackets out at night. I love how versatile these pieces are and that I can wear them even during these last weeks of pregnancy. Oh, and the best part? I already had them in my closet! Even if I didn't, they would've been great investments as they are super versatile and I can wear them after I deliver, too. (H&M, J Crew, A&E)
7. Sandals
When I was about 3 months pregnant, I found these super cute nude pumps on sale at The Rack. (Nordstrom Rack) I was so excited!! Sadly, after only wearing them one time my prego balance started to take a turn for the worse and I haven't been able to wear them since. So, I put those on a shelf to break out in a few months and I've been rocking flat sandals ever since. They're comfortable, stylish and again, not limited to pregnancy. Here are a few I've found that I just love. (Aldo, Target, Nordstrom Rack)
Well, there you have it! Thanks for sticking with me through that long post and for checking back in after my even longer hiatus. I promise that I'll be back a lot more often! Do you have a maternity must-have? Please share it with me, I've still got 6 weeks to go!
