I Miss My Boyfriend Jeans

Please don't think I take my opportunity to grow life for granted, but today I am feeling particularly plump and somewhat unhappily pregnant. It could be the weather, the required layers (due to the weather) or the fact that I washed the only pants I want to wear (ahem, leggings) late last night in order to wear them again today, but some days I just yearn for regular clothing. And today is one of those days.

Like boyfriend jeans with a blouse tucked in, or a skirt that sits at my waist and a crop top. And a belt! Oh, and stilettos too. I can't wear high heels for longer than a few minutes without my feet screaming at me to stop.

Basically, I want to dress like this (credit to my fave style blogger, Atlantic-Pacific. Girl knows how to dress!).

  

{1} {2}

It's amazing what a difference what you wear makes to how you feel. At my wedding on Saturday I wore a dress from Maternal America borrowed from my friend Renee (you're the best R!) and I felt good. My legs and feet not so much, but I stood a little taller knowing I was wearing something pretty. In my last pregnancy I ignored maternity dresses altogether as I was able to get away with wearing my regular clothing, but this time is different. I've also learned it really is much more comfortable when you're wearing something you don't need to worry about pulling up or down all the time.

I'd like to recommend that someone gift me this dress from Maternal America. A bit pricey for something I'll only wear for another four months, but think how pleasant I would be if I not only felt good but felt good (since cashmere is super soft and all)...

{nordstrom}

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Maternity Pants

They say you're not supposed to make your pregnancy public until you're past 12 weeks, but let me tell you this is pretty tricky when you have a noticeable bump. At 10 weeks my pants wouldn't button and by 11 I jumped into maternity pants out of necessity. I tried the old 'elastic looped through your button hole with a Bella Band trick' but then I remembered this is totally uncomfortable; you spend 90% of the day trying to keep the pants up and the band down. Forget it, I'm putting comfort first this time around and pulling on the delicious soft waistbands of maternity pants now.

For the record, I did not need maternity anything until nearly halfway through my pregnancy with Eloise. They say your muscle memory means showing earlier with your second but this is absurd. Unless this growth peters out I'm going to be one. big. pregnant. lady.

I have a few friends who were pregnant last year so I passed on my maternity clothes and we started "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Maternity Pants". I like to think of myself as the founding member as it was my stash that did the traveling first, but my friends Davi & Ari added to the collection too and I am now the proud guardian of nine pairs of stylish maternity pants. It made me giddy to count them up today - boot cut and skinny jeans, coloured denim and black pants - I am outfitted for the next six months with a nearly overwhelming selection. My friend Renee also contributed to my maternity wardrobe with tons of tops and pants, including a sexy pair of 7 For All Mankind skinny jeans that will be my go-to during the coming events season.

Here are a few of my favourites from the first time around. In all honesty, I wore the H&M leggings out because they were so damn comfy, but at $14.95 I think it's safe to say I can treat myself to another pair. And the American Apparel is not maternity, but these super soft, unisex v-neck tees are generous enough to cover a pregnant belly.

{a pea in the pod}

{h&m}

{h&m}

{american apparel}

For the record, my maternity choices are not always black. But when you're pregnant and nothing fits and you're feeling plump, at least black goes with everything.