Punk Rock Mom

While I don't style too many outfits with sneakers, I do have a pretty extensive collection of kicks. Converse are a must... My Air Force 1's are considered more of a collector's item than footwear (but I do wear them), and the hightop Reebok's I'm wearing are considered more fashionable than functional. I like sneakers that don't look like running shoes. 

And I'm gunna be honest - the day I took these photos I absolutely felt so pregnant. Oh, and I've officially hit 8 months!

I've been thinking about putting together a look that gives a nod to my days when my life revolved music. When I was a writer for music magazines. Although I'm not attending many concerts these days, I still love music culture. So when I found this baseball tee with The Beatles on it, the first thing I thought was:

"This is so punk rock mom."

I've been very lucky that many typical pregnant symptoms have just started to catch up to me now.

My hands have recently started to swell... so my wedding ring will have to be put away for a bit. 

And my feet... thank God it's not summer. 

My belly button - it's officially an outie.

All in all, I still feel like myself. But carrying around two human beings is absolutely a reality now that I feel the weight in my tummy. Walking is a little difficult. Driving can be uncomfortable. But to be honest, I have been so unbelievably blessed that I have had no complications throughout my pregnancy that I roll with the minor aches. It just means that I might have to put those heels away, throw on leggings and add a little extra lip gloss to my style routine... 

Outfit details:

Blank NYC Vegan Leather Panel Jacket / The Beatles " Good Day Sunshine" Baseball Tee - Forever 21 / Black Leggings - Destination Maternity / High Top Sneakers - Reebok / River Island Satchel / Henri Bendel Spiked Cuff & Henri Bendel Leather and Crystal Bracelet / Roman Numeral Cuff via Etsy

Preggo Is The New Black

I'll be honest with you: I spend the majority of my free time lately upstairs in my bedroom. My pregnancy has absolutely started to catch up to me. I feel bigger, heavier and tired more often, and after a day of work, I usually head upstairs with a book or pop in a DVD and just straight up relax or fall asleep. So, the amount of snow New Jersey has been hit with, combined with the freezing cold, inspired me to take outfit shots in my current favorite indoor place.

But even on days when I'm feeling a little under the weather, one thing I always do is get dressed in something that makes me feel like I'm... me. 

I couldn't feel more like myself in this "Preggo Is The New Black" Mesh Insert Sweatshirt that Preggo Leggings gifted to me, along with these ridiculously stretchy and comfortable red maternity leggings. The mesh panel has a "peek-a-boo" shoulder that allows me to dress it up with skinny jeans, or throw on a pair of leggings and heels for dinner with my husband.

There is nothing more prideful for me than celebrating my growing belly when it comes to putting together an outfit. Maternity clothing tends to have a stereotype that it's dowdy and bland. Totally not the case! Even if I wasn't a fashion blogger, being stylish while pregnant was important to me because I always wanted to maintain my sense of self - but just a different part of myself in a different stage of my life. 

So for me, preggo really IS the new black!

Outfit details:

Preggo Is The New Back Mesh Insert Sweatshirt - c/o Preggo Leggings / Red Leggings in Kiss Me Hello - c/o Preggo Leggings / Bobby Brown Lipstick in Old Hollywood / What To Expect When You're Expecting (aka - the pregnant lady's bible) / Chunky Heel Combat Ankle Boots - Steve Madden

Denim and DVF

Thank goodness for denim chambray shirts. Up until I become pregnant, I actually never owned a denim shirt. The look of pairing it with skirts and prints was always something I loved, but for some reason, I think I was afraid it would look too plain. 

Boy was I wrong.

I found this super soft denim chambray shirt at Gap Maternity, and I immediately knew I wanted to wear it with my favorite fuzzy vest for extra coziness. At 7 months pregnant, I continue to grow bigger and bigger, and lucky, this shirt covers my tummy in warmthness as New Jersey continues to be pelted with snow week after week... after week.

Also, I finally filfulled one of my dreams - I am now the proud owner of this amazing 440 Courier Rail Quilted Bag from one of my favorite designers, Diane von Furstenberg. Long have I admired her work, and I've always wanted to purchase a bag of hers. I couldn't resist this beauty in black, and the luggage tag is just over the top adorable with her signature DVF lips logo. I'm considering it a preemptive push present to myself.

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant, and I can say that it's starting to get harder for me to feel like myself. I'm tired more, I feel heavy and sleep is non-existant. I do my best to cope with it all because I know that it's just part of being pregnant. I don't mind the pain because I know when I see my two boys I'm going to forget any aches and pains I once had. 

Can't believe they'll be here soon!

Outfit Details:

440 Courier Rail Quilted Leather Bag - DVF.com / Denim Shirt - Gap Maternity (but here's the non maternity option! / Faux Fur Vest - Forever 21 / Black Leggings - Destination Maternity / Studded Ankle Boots - Francesca's 

Wrapped Up

This winter is making it brutal to dress my bump in things other than cardigans. While I can still squeeze myself into some of my pre-maternity clothing, at 7 months pregnant, I've reached the point where being creative with outfits is getting harder. The shirts I wore for the past 4 months are starting to rise up higher and higher, and the bottom of my belly goes uncovered. Thank God for my collection of wrap sweaters like this gold Aztec print number. It's got enough going on to be interesting and make me feel like I'm putting an effort into my outfit. 

But I really miss wearing skirts.

And ladies, catching a gust of wind up your belly when it's literally 4 degrees out - it's torturous. 

While a view of me from the front definately reveals I'm pregnant, I often hear from people that from the back, I look like my normal, pre-pregnancy self. 

What do you think?

As for an update on the babies - they are both doing extremely well. I have been very blessed that my pregnancy has gone smooth. But when you're pregnant, you worry a lot about what you eat, how much sleep your getting and if you're doing everything in your power to take care of yourself so it doesn't affect your baby, or, in my case, babies. I try to watch what I eat, but my sweet tooth gets the best of me at times. I've now limited myself to letting myself have one dessert/sweet treat every other day so I don't overdo it. 

I guess the worrying I'm doing now is practice for when the twins are here. Practice makes perfect!

Outfit:

Gold Aztec Cardigan - Forever 21 / Black Tee - Old Navy Maternity / Jeans - Destination Maternity / Quilted Shoulder Bag - Forever 21 / Gold Lurex Hat - Zara / Shoes - Chinese Laundry

Pixel Print Perfection

At 27 weeks, I now weigh the most I've ever weighed in my life.
And no, I won't be telling you how much that is...

With each week, I do notice myself struggling to do all the normal things you take for granted. Bending over, getting out of bed... putting on shoes. I haven't seen my feet since December. I definitely don't look at these tiny struggles as a downside to pregnancy, but rather it's something I laugh about with with my husband since he's the one that usually hears my small grunts and sees my attempts at getting up out of bed or the car. 

At this point, I haven't been buying more new maternity clothes. My abundance of cardigans is getting me through this last week's snow, when NJ was hit with stupid amounts of ice, sleet and snow. I'm relying on knit cardis to keep my bump toasty, and this ombre, pixelated version of a shawl cardigan is among my favorites. No joke - I saw some random singer during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade wearing a coat that was purple, red and black ombre, which I loved. Naturally, finding this sweater, along with the hat, appealed to my inner hipster.

To complete my hipster mom look, these shoes I scored from Francesca's for $9 (yes, you read that right), are just... awesome. You know how I love my gold studs and buckles... So comfy, and I can see myself wearing these with skirts next year... when I can actually see my feet again.

Outfit details:

Ombre Cardigan - Forever 21 / Crewneck Long Sleeve Maternity Tee - Gap / Maternity Leggings - Destination Maternity / Gold Stud Triple Buckle Boots - Francescas / Fringe Hobo Handbag - Steve Madden / Norma Bracelet - Erica Weiner Jewelry / Wool Fedora - Forever 21

Preggers in Purple

I can't believe I'm already 6 months (26 weeks to be exact) along in my pregnancy!!!

I remember a time when I wondered when my stomach would start to show... and now, I'm sporting a significant bump as my boys continue to grow. I can honestly say that I have more good days than bad days in terms of how I feel physically in my pregnancy. I know some women who didn't enjoy being pregnant, but when I'm not anymore, I will absolutely miss it. There comes a big sense of pride in looking down at your stomach, and seeing a flicker of movement from a foot or hand pushing out towards me. Simply amazing....

As my bump gets bigger, so does the challenge of being comfortable in my clothes. I want to wear things that are fun from my pre-pregnancy days, but it's not happening. Styling my bump has been interesting, and I have a whole new respect for women who have had to struggle like me to find clothes that make them feel like themselves during pregnancy. 

So, what's on the top of the list I don't want to wear?

Jeans. I finally managed to find a pair of dark wash skinny jeans after outgrowing my first round of maternity jeans, and I sort of want nothing to do with them. Anything tight is out of the picture. 

And what's on the top of the list of clothing I live in most?

Leggings. Hands down they are comfortable and versatile. Sure, you might be sick of seeing me in them, but can't please em all. I changed up my normal top and bottom pairing by adding this Tommy Hilfiger flannel over a Gap Maternity sweater for contrast. Layering 101 - mommy style. 

Outfit details:

Purple Flannel with Seersucker Striped Cuffs - c/o Tommy Hilfiger / Purple V-Neck Maternity Sweater - Gap / Knit Leggings - H&M / Grey Wedges - MIA Shoes / Burgundy Duffel - Forever 21 / Purple Leather Bracelet - Lia Sophia / Urban Outfitter Sunglasses

Denim Daze - Finding the Perfect Pair of Maternity Jeans

Disclaimer: I am not being endorsed by The Gap in any way for this post. This is my own personal opinion, and I have in no way been asked by The Gap to create a post to promote their products... I'm doing it anyway.

The Gap, hands down, makes THE BEST maternity skinny jeans. I have been to countless stores looking for jeans that mimic the look and style I wore pre-pregnancy, and tried on almost every brand of maternity jeans, and none even come close to what the Gap is offering. Their 1969 Demi Panel Always Skinny Jeans really fit how they claim, and have helped me tremendously in terms of making me feel more like myself on days when getting dressed has been an absolute struggle.

I love the jeans so much I bought 3 pairs - grey, blue and black. The Gap's maternity jeans fit right in all the places they should. The leg is a true skinny, (right down to the ankle); the seat is snug but not constricting, and their variety of full panel, elastic insert and demi panel waistlines gives me options that don't suffocate my growing belly. The make, without a doubt, the perfect line of maternity denim.

Amen for the Gap!

Outfit details:

Mirror Print Sweatshirt - Missguided / 1969 Demi Panel Always Skinny Maternity Jeans - The Gap / Knit Beanie - Zara / Gold Buckle Ankle Booties - c/o LuLu*s / A-List Grommet Satchel - c/o Henri Bendel /
Rhinestone Bar Bracelet - Henri Bendel

Boho Bump

There's two reasons I'm smiling in this picture. First, well, obviously - when do I not love taking pictures of my bump?! And two - it was strangely warm the day that I took these pictures that I didn't have to wear a coat. It's the small things, people.

At the moment, I'm really into boho style. I know it's more of a spring-style trend, but the appeal of 70s-inspired clothing seems to be speaking to the part of myself that missed out on being born in the 70s by one year. 

My polka dot/floral button up combo from LuLu*s gives a nod to my inner flower child, while the fringe bag from Steve Madden screams "festival chic"! 

And since my stomach is growing at a ridiculous, I'm living in leggings as much as possible. I bought these grey leggings from Destination Maternity in October, when I was about 9 weeks pregnant, and honestly, the investment was sooo worth it. They have a stretch tummy panel that I can pull over my bump, or fold down. Even when I'm not #preggers, I can wear am. At this point in my pregnancy when I pretty much hate every pair of pants I own, leggings are a lifesaver. 

And speaking of pregnancy, I'm so excited to reveal the sex of the babies via my new Alex and Ani bracelets that my husband bought for me...

So, the twins are....

Two boys! 

The more I think of all the things I'll get to share with them, and how I'll grow into the role of being a mom to two little dudes... It's pretty amazing. Since finding out their sex, we've been shopping like mad. I'm so used to looking at girl things that I've had to get used to learning more about styling little boys. We're just so happy that the boys will always have each other, and I know I say this all the time, but I really can't wait to see their faces and meet the little ones who kick me all day!

Outfit details:

Polka Dot and Floral Print Button-Up Shirt - c/o LuLu*s / Secret Fit Belly Maternity Leggings - Destination Maternity / Fringe Bag - Steve Madden / Alex and Ani Special Delivery Charm Bracelet / Alex and Ani "Mom" Bracelet / Black Wedge Shoes - Modcloth

Pregnant in Paisley

Now 5 months pregnant, I'm starting to not only show... but the struggle to dress myself is real. I've clung to my pre-maternity clothes for as long as I could... but the reality of waiting till next year to wear my many of my winter dresses is setting in. 

I purchased this paisley print dress when I was pregnant, knowing that it would give me some room for a couple of months. I ended up wearing it to a family function, and surprisingly, it wasn't strangling my stomach. The cardigan I'll get plenty of use out of, but those purple tights - no way. I haven't really seen many stores carry traditional "maternity pantyhose", so I've bought size Large in some cases... 

If I'm being honest - shopping for maternity clothes is kind of a bummer. Tops are fine, but pants, especially jeans - there aren't that many options. I wear a lot of black and grey, which is making me feel limited. I think this is why I'm trying everything I can to be as bright as I can with my outfits before I reach the point where I can give a s^&* about style and am more concerned with my comfort.

Regardless, I have to say it's really crazy to watch all the changes your body goes through when pregnant. These pictures are a couple weeks behind what I currently look like, but still, you can see my twin bump making its way out. I miss my waistline... and not seeing my feet when I look down has finally happened!

Outfit details:

Paisley Print Dress - Forever 21 / Knit Cardigan - Forever 21 / Purple Tights - H&M / Grey Wedge Booties - MIA Shoes / Rebecca Minkoff Bag (won it 2 years ago at a South Moon Under opening) / Gold Necklace - South Moon Under / Alex and Ani Bracelets