denim + fringe

Jacket - (on sale, and a great spring and fall staple) // Dress (less than $30!!) // Bag (similar/less expensive)// Shoes // Necklace // Sunglasses (less expensive)

These boots twice in two weeks, with no stopping in sight - I think we can definitely call them my fall favorites.  My un-fancy camera doesn't quite capture the effect (I'm hoping to get a new one soon) but the swish they make when you walk is sort of addictive.   I'm also completely obsessed with these sunglasses, I never wear any others anymore!  When we took these pictures it was legitimately cold enough for this outfit - by noon each day, sure, it's hot again, but we've been experiencing the sort of temperature waves that come with fall mornings and it's been fun to pull some of my favorite jackets out of storage again.  A classic denim jacket is a fall style staple for me, and this one from J.Crew has been my favorite forever - I've even bought it in multiple sizes over time (through the saga of pregnant, postpartum, and now haha!)  I like the darker wash, and I find that it runs a size big (wearing XS here.)  This dress from Old Navy is one of my favorite finds as of late; you can actually scrunch it up like a tunic and it looks fab with fall's wide legged flares.  

maternity style 08

wearing: coat - jcrew (on sale for $100!), sweater - pink blush, sold out but they have it in pink, jeans - j brand via ebay, shoes - tory burch also via ebay, scarf - target, sold out but i also really want it in navy

Since we're headed into that part of winter where everyone is officially SICK of winter, I've been really drawn to wearing bright colors, pretty much non-stop.  This coat has been on constant rotation, and it's also thankfully one of the coats I have left that will button over the bump.  I just keep thinking, if I can make it until March with at least one coat that will close in the front, I'll be set.  

Pink Blush Maternity continues to be my favorite place ever to buy tops that are no only long enough but really cute, and my search for the perfect maternity jeans has completely ended with these J. Brands.  I was skeptical - I actually did a post a while back about how I didn't think they could possibly be better than the Gap jeans......but I was wrong.  They are crazy expensive, but there are always a few pairs on eBay and if there is one time to buy your clothes on eBay, I think it's while you're pregnant.  They run true to size - Shopbop has some wonky sizing system listed, but thanks to some guidance from Grace I ordered my usual 28 and I love them oh so much.  Note: the denim dye totally bleeds.  Wash them in hot water, then cold, no detergent before you wear them!  My hands were so blue by Saturday night our waiter asked me if I was a painter.  

what i want wednesday/duck boots

photos from pink peonies, classy girls wear pearls

So this morning when I was literally shoveling my car out from being stuck in the middle of my road for the second time (good job city of St. Louis.....good job) I realized that I am severely lacking in the area of winter footwear.  My husband would laugh at that sentence on its own, because I have more shoes than it seems any person could ever need, but hear me out!  

I have UGGs, which are crazy warm and comfortable, but NOT at all waterproof.  We've got about 6 inches of show still on the ground, so they don't help much when you're trying to dislodge your car from a snowdrift.  

I also have Hunter boots, which keep your feet drier than dry, but they are pretty much the opposite of warm even when you wear them with thick socks.  The rubber just gets colder the longer you're outside, which makes them better for spring and autumn rain than for winter snow.  

That brings me to the conclusion that if I'm going to make it out of this supposedly/expectedly cold & wet winter I'm going to need a pair of duck boots, stat.  I've got my eyes on a few pairs on eBay, including this amazing coral pair from J. Crew, and of course some classic LL Bean boots.  If your store still has them in stock, Target always makes a few really cute options as well, like this adorable plaid pair!  I love the pop they give to an otherwise basic winter outfit.  

awkward & awesome tuesday

Awkward:

My skin while I'm pregnant.  Don't they say that you're having a girl if you feel like the baby is stealing all your good looks?  Yeah, this thing is after my previously clear skin, so I'm thinking it may be a girl...

Again, pregnancy brain.  My dogs may not make it through the birth of this child - I forgot Gatsby (YES, AGAIN) this time at the groomer's.  Good thing she didn't mind watching him for a few extra hours...

Crying (uh, maybe a little loudly) for the entire duration of Saving Mr. Banks - WHY are there no Disney movies where at least one person doesn't die?  

Trying to pick somewhere to go out on New Year's Eve - I refuse to pay $60 for a ticket to an all-inclusive party when I won't be drinking!  My requirements are valet parking, ample seating, and nothing too loud.  In other words, my idea of a perfect New Year's Even is pretty much in line with my grandmother's.  

One of my yoga teachers preaching to me about how I should have a natural (read - unmedicated) birth.  I'm fairly sure I pay my doctor for this kind of advice, and I really hate it when women push their way of doing things on other women.  It's a feat to give birth no matter how you plan to do it, and let's just leave it at that!  

Awesome: 

Darrell found a phone right outside our car when we parked to go to dinner one night.  He called a few people in the recent calls, finally reached the owner, and when the man came to meet us at the restaurant to pick it up he paid for our dinner.  It was the sweetest thing ever.  

Waking up around 6 every morning lately.  I know, you wouldn't think this would fall under awesome, but lately I just haven't needed as much sleep.  It's been SO nice to have the extra time in the morning.  

Christmas in general - we have such generous friends & family, and this week we used all the gifts cards (which are the BEST gift) to buy D some new clothes, which were so needed.  He really gets the shaft lately with someone needing maternity everything.  

Buying our baby's crib and rocking chair at Pottery Barn.  My amazing mother bought us a gorgeous crib and helped us out with the purchase of our rocking chair.  They are so gorgeous that I might just assemble the crib next week - although I doubt my husband will let me set it up until closer to April.  If you're curious, we got this crib in espresso, and this rocking chair in parchment twill (both majorly on sale right now).