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

Blanket scarfs are so cozy, aren’t they? They’re also huge so I almost passed up on this trend because I thought it would weigh me down. Jean from Extra Petite convinced me to give it a try, though, when she posted her video showing a few different ways to style to it. She’s actually about an inch shorter than me (while her style sense is miles above mine) so I figured if she can make it work then so could I. Her video is really helpful so even if you’re not a shorty like me, I would recommend it. I’ve found that the trick is not only in the fold (fold it in half first) but also in rolling it a few times so it isn’t quite as long. All that folding and rolling does leave it feeling a bit bulky so I usually save the blanket scarf for those really cold days when I need the extra warmth.

*this is a long one but hopefully worth the read*

I took a six-month blogging break so I could figure out what blogging meant for me. Am I even a blogger? I like writing but what do I want to write about? And would anyone else care about what I had to say? These were the things I thought about and even consulted with some of my friends. There were plenty of times I thought I was ready to start back up. A post idea would come to me and I’d start writing it in my head but the post never made it to paper/screen. Before I could sit myself down to write it all out, I would have talked myself out of it. I’d tell myself that it was a stupid idea and that no one would care about it. Or I would put together a super cute outfit and get tons of compliments on it and think, ‘this should go on the blog,’ but then I’d hear that voice telling me that sure, it’s a cute outfit for me, but it would never stand up to some of the outfits being displayed by the more popular bloggers — even though I had all the same elements.

I’m writing this post because I recently had an epiphany. Okay, maybe epiphany is too strong of a word. But I realized that I first started my blog because, although I was still learning how to be fashionable myself, I really liked my style and was getting a lot of inspiration from other bloggers, and I wanted to share my new knowledge with others like me, average girls who wanted to feel pretty and stylish. I came to understand that everyone who has a blog does so because they just put their stuff out there and that stuff makes its way to people who like reading it, whether that’s an outfit, a story, travel tips, life hacks, etc. I know that’s very simplistic, but in a nutshell that’s all blogging is.

Now, I’ve hated telling people about my blog because I haven’t felt like a real blogger. I’m just someone who puts words and pictures on a screen and then sends those words and pictures out into the ether of the internet. Even now, I mostly put together my outfits based on inspiration I’ve gotten from other bloggers and what I see on Pinterest. My google searches often start with, “How to wear…” so that makes me feel like I don’t know enough about fashion to be a “fashion blogger.” But one time, at a party, I showed my friend the trick for wearing non-skinny jeans with tall boots and she told me that I just had to put that on my blog. At the time I resisted because it was already on someone else’s blog but now I know that while I may not have come up with that idea, I did help spread it to a new audience. Isn’t that what the internet is even for?!

So, yes, I look to Pinterest, other bloggers, and the styled mannequins at clothing stores for outfit inspiration, but I’m pretty good at putting my own spin on whatever I put together. In high school, I proudly wore purple pleather pants, dammit. I’m going to continue to wear what I like, write about things that interest me, and share it all with you in case you like it, too. Maybe it’ll help you. Maybe it’ll entertain you. Maybe you’ll find it educational. But that’s what blogging is to me and it’s what I’ll continue to do!

 Sweater: J. Crew Outlet | Hat: Old Navy | Necklace: Stitch Fix | Denim: Banana Republic | Shoes: Target

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