How cute is this top? I liked it so much that I bought it in two colors, this one (“silver sash brown”) and fuchsia/purple, and it didn’t hurt that they were on sale. While available in maternity sizes, I opted for the regular size because you can do that when you’re as small as I am! Just one more pro to standing in at five feet tall. I think the best part about being able to wear regular sizes while pregnant is that they will still fit after pregnancy. A two-for-one deal, really. These coated denim jeans aren’t maternity either so I’ve turned to my trusty belly band. I could have worn dark denim but I feel like I wear those ALL. THE. TIME. so I wanted to change it up a little bit.

I started out in heels but quickly changed my mind, mostly because I don’t really like these heels. They’re uncomfortable and surprisingly hard to walk in — and I don’t usually have trouble walking in heels. I wanted so much to love them and I’ve tried very hard to make them work but I think I’m going to have to replace them. For the purpose of this outfit, which was to have lunch with Nick and run to the grocery store for some juice and cookies (yay pregnancy), I think I like the flats better anyway. What do you think?

Also, I’m sorry not sorry about holding my belly in these pics because pre-pregnancy, when I thought I didn’t want kids at all, I would see women holding their pregnant bellies and all I could think was, ‘okay, we get it. you’re pregnant’ but now that I’m pregnant, I finally get it — at least for me, it’s to show that I am growing a human and not just bloated from a burrito. But, haters gonna hate and I sincerely apologize for my past ignorance.

Chiffon-Hem Top: Old Navy | Necklace: Old Navy | Coated Denim Jeans: Banana Republic | Heels: via Payless | Flats: Old Navy | Rings: Old Navy

Linking up with What I Wore to Work | On the Edge

Y’all, with all of this snowy winter weather, I have been in full-on hibernation mode. Where I live, it started sleeting on Friday evening which turned to snow that didn’t let up until Saturday evening, resulting in about 2 inches of beautiful fluffy snow on top of an inch of pure ice. I had every intention of taking fun outfit pictures in the snow, but when it came right down to it, it was just too cold! The low on Sunday was in the single digits. That’s rare for these parts of NC so Nick, the dog, and I stayed bundled up indoors. Luckily, I got some mirror photos/selfies of a few past outfits that I’ll share with you instead. As usual, apologies for the quality but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.

Gingham shirt: Target | Vest: Old Navy | Pants: Loft | Shoes: Old Navy 

I wore this gingham/vest combo on Thursday (and then again on Friday) to run errands before the wintery bottom dropped out of the sky. It’s been on my list to wear for a while but I was afraid the pants would be uncomfortable since they’re not maternity, but I was pleasantly surprised how well they held up with just a belly band. The shirt is struggling a bit against the belly, though, so I might have to retire this one until after the baby arrives.

Sweater: Banana Republic | Skirt: Target | Boots: Old Navy | Scarf: Target

I wore this cute little sweater/skirt combo to meet with my career coach to learn how to improve my resume. She gave me some really good tips that I’m hoping will land me a job sooner rather than later. This was taken when I was only about 6 months along (so about 1.5 months ago) and the career coach had no idea I was pregnant until I told her. Looking at this photo now, I can understand why. Tiny little bump!

Sweater and Tank: Banana Republic | Jeans: Target (Liz Lange Maternity) | Boots: BP Trolley via Nordstrom | Necklace: via Le Tote

I wear this outfit all. the. time. Seriously, it has become my go-to outfit for everything from errands to doctor appointments to hanging out to whatever. I love the layered look and it’s really comfortable and the boots make it feel even more stylish. I don’t really know what else to say about it except that I love it.

Sweater: J. Crew Outlet | Vest and Jeans: Banana Republic | Boots: Old Navy | Necklace: via Francesca’s

So, this was a really cute outfit but an example of one that didn’t quite work so I had to change it up a bit. These are not maternity jeans and they did not hold up well with the belly band. I wore this outfit to do some shopping and after my first stop I came home to change because I was literally pulling my pants up every 3 seconds. Very uncomfortable. The purple sweater/vest/purple boots combo, however, is on point so all I did was change into a pair of light washed, distressed maternity jeans and got the same effect.

 Anyway, I hope you’re all having a happy Friday and not tucked up in bed bed all day to avoid the back luck that is thought to come on Friday the 13th! Did you know that there are TWO Friday the 13ths in 2017?  January 13th (today) and October 13. Everyone beware, mwah-ha-ha! 😀

Apologies for the title; that’s a lot of acronyms! Lace Little Black Dress for New Year’s Eve. I wore this cute little lace dress for my New Year’s Eve/Birthday party this year. I actually bought it last year to wear to a party we were attending while visiting friends in Washington, D.C. but I was so tired by the time we got there and had dinner that I didn’t feel like changing. Plus, it was really cold and I just wanted to be comfortable. The original plan this year was to wear it with thick black tights and a cute pair of ankle boots, but since I was warm in my house, I just threw on some flats. They’re must easier for this mama-to-be to walk around in anyway!

This isn’t a maternity dress as you probably gathered from the fact that I bought it last year, but with me not working and therefore not having a clothing budget anymore, I have to make do with what I have. I think it worked okay. I was a little concerned about the length, as I don’t normally like wearing dresses this short (unless it’s summer, then I might make an exception) but Nick repeatedly assured me it was okay. I probably should have worn some tights anyway.

On my birthday, I was 28 weeks+1 day pregnant, and I just couldn’t resist showing off the bump!

Happy birthday to me!

Dress: Target | Necklace: Francesca’s | Shoes: Old Navy | Tiara: Party City

I hope you’re all staying warm in these winter storms we’ve been having. Until next time…

Hello Monday Linkup | Start the Week Stylish | Confident Twosday

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Happy birthday to me! I’m 32 years old today and I think I’m looking & feeling pretty good. Also, I hope everyone has a very happy new year!

For the past few years I’ve written a review post featuring my favorite outfits from that year. Since I took a six-month break this year and haven’t posted many outfits in 2016, I decided to instead share my favorite outfits since I started documenting my outfits. I technically started blogging in 2010 but it was just an ‘every now and then, when I felt like it’ sort of thing. I started blogging my outfits in 2013 when I started graduate school. So the outfits outlined above and detailed below are from the past three years. The majority of my favorites are from 2014, when I was finally hitting my stride in blogging. And the outfits I chose are the ones I’ve worn the most in real life and would totally (read: will most likely) wear again in the coming year.

Original post 1: Plum is one of my favorite colors. Even in 2013 when this was taken.

Original post 2:  I was figuring out how to dress like a graduate student and succeeding.

Original post 3: Weekend layers are perfect for any backyard bbq.

Original post 4: Wearing sweaters in the summer because of office air conditioning.

Original post 5: When a short girl is able to successfully pull off a midi skirt — it’s not too long!

Original post 6: I have a lot of little green dresses but this is one of my favorites. Perfect for holiday parties.

Original post 7: Sequins are perfect for any party, but especially a holiday party.

Original post 8: A fuzzy sweater, boots, and a knit hat to keep me warm and cozy in the winter.

Original post 9: Warm breezes in the middle of February make you dream of warm sunshine.

Original post 10: I’m drawn to neutral colors, especially white, with maybe a splash of color in the form of an accessory or blazer/jacket.

Original post 11: My favorite little black dress that can be worn for day and night.

Original post 12: I finally found a job after grad school and got to wear cute outfits like this again.

Original post 13: That one piece of clothing that I love more than anything but I’m afraid to wear, even though it has shown up twice in this list.

Original post 14: Adding some color to my collection of jeans/bottoms with these purple pants. And rocking a cute baby bump.

Original post 15: When a short girl is able to successfully pull off a blanket scarf and it doesn’t swallow her whole.

I’m hoping that 2017 is a much better year than 2017. Also, one last time:

photo source

Here lately I don’t really have anywhere to go so getting dressed means throwing on something comfortable to wear around the house. My bump is finally getting big enough that full-panel maternity pants are more comfortable than my belly band, so I finally threw in the towel and purchased a few new pairs, this pair being one of them. I now have 4 pairs of maternity pants that should last through the next 3 months. Also, it’s been cold and/or rainy for the last few days so apologies for the not-so-great photos from my phone, but it was honestly the only way I was going to get to document this outfit.

I love the mustard and black combination. I think it’s my favorite way to wear the dark yellow color. And I chose this pattern in these pants because it’s somewhat different and because they were on sale for 40% off! I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they are so they’re going to get plenty of wear.

The baby bump isn’t looking as big as it feels these days but my doctor says I’m right where I’m supposed to be, growth-wise, so I’m not too worried about it.

Sweater: ModCloth | Pants: Old Navy (these are available in maternity & regular) | Shoes: Old Navy