While everything I wear is a reflection of the style I like, this outfit is one of those that feels so quintessentially me. The cute top, the comfortable pants, mostly neutral with a pop of color in the shoes… these are the things that make me feel happy and confident in an outfit. Of course, happy and confident are the main feelings I try to achieve with any outfit (as well as comfortable!) but this one really hits the mark.

For all of my adult career, I’ve enjoyed dressing business casual. I’ve never really been the jeans and tee kind of girl because that’s just me. Once, in middle school, my gym/health teacher asked me why I was always so dressed up. I think I told him I just liked to look nice. Nothing wrong with that! And this outfit looks really nice. It’s simple yet elegant. The only thing missing in this whole ensemble is some color on my lips!

I mentioned in one of my posts last week that Target is retiring its Mossimo and Merona brands but will continue with its Who What Wear line (along with several new lines). This shirt is from that line and one of the reasons I ain’t mad about Target’s decision. It’s a great shirt! It’s cute and interesting, it can be dressed up (like here, or with a skirt) or down (with jeans), and it can be worn with just about any other color. That’s a win in my book.

Top: Who What Wear via Target | Trousers: Banana Republic | Shoes: Old Navy | Sunnies & Watch: Target

What outfit combinations or qualities make you feel happy and confident?

Linkup: Spread the Kindness Linkup | Confident Twosday | Trend Spin Linkup

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

A few years ago I was pinspired to wear this polka dot sweater and patterned vest together, and the resulting outfit turned out really well. When the formula works, you use it. So I did it again with a few switcharoos. Dark denim instead of black jeans and burgundy/maroon (what is this color officially called this year?) flats. I’m not sure which version I like better because they’re both really cute. I suppose that’s the beauty of learning how to work your closet.  Also: holy moly at my hair in the original post; it’s so long!

I wore this outfit on Black Friday when the only shopping we did was to pick out our Christmas tree. We go to the same lot every year because I really like supporting the organization, TROSA, a residential program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals in the community by providing treatment, work-based vocational training, education, and care. We’ve been going to one of their lots since we moved into our house, so it’s been about 5 years now. It feels good to support a cause I care about. 

Look at that little 23-week bump peeking out!

Sweater: Old Navy | Vest: Banana Republic | Jeans: Liz Lange Maternity @ Target | Shoes: Old Navy

Linkups: Confident Twosday

I’ve been looking to add some color options to my bottoms that aren’t just dark or light denim so when I saw these pants, I was drawn to them. While they look purple, they’re actually more burgundy. Either way, I like them. They aren’t maternity pants but luckily my belly is still small enough to use my BellaBand, which means that I’ll be able to wear them after baby gets here.

Fall in NC is pretty unpredictable. It can be almost 80 degrees one day and then down in the 50s the next day. That’s a true story; it happened just this weekend. But we’ve had enough of a chill in the air lately that I can wear my new blanket scarf. Because layers are an essential part of a Fall wardrobe, this scarf is pretty ideal. Plus the colors will go with anything!

Here’s the fun one: Check out my cool momma-to-be modeling pose… or something like that.

Sweater and Skinnies: Loft | Scarf: Old Navy | Flats: Gap Outlet

Linkups: Start the Week Stylish

This isn’t the first time I’ve copied an outfit from Audrey from Putting Me Together and it certainly won’t be the last. Her style is the most relatable for me because she keeps her pieces affordable and comfortable yet still in style with the times. When I saw her Comfortable Fall Outfit and realized  that I already had the same or similar pieces (but not on purpose this time; it’s just because my style is already very similar to hers), I knew I would be playing copycat again. However, I’m planning to wear my version for Thanksgiving dinner with my families — yes, I will most likely be wearing it twice to two separate dinners, sorry not sorry — so I wanted to dress it up a little. Of course I had to accentuate the bump by adding a belt around my waist. And even though you can’t see it very well in the photos, I added a sparkly necklace that looks really nice in person, which gives it a hint of sophistication. I also added a jeweled headband and a sparkly clutch. Voila, instant dinner outfit!

This is a great outfit to transition into winter as well, because as the temperature drops, I plan on wearing it with black tights and black ankle boots. Throw in a black scarf under my coat and I’ll be good to go. By the way, this isn’t a maternity dress, it’s a regular swing dress from Old Navy, but it is PERFECT for my bump. I’m considering purchasing, like, a million more of these bad boys.

Here’s the fun blooper: Eyes closed while adjusting my sleeves. This is probably what I look like most of the time in life. At least there’s still a smile on my face!

Dress, Cardigan, and Shoes: Old Navy | Necklace: Francesca’s | Belt: Target | Clutch: Nordstrom | Headband: J. Crew Outlet

Linkups:  WIWW Tucker Up