That Forever 21 Dress

... you know the one.

I wear it every other day, but it never looks quite the same. Thank goodness.

 dress: Forever 21, tank: Old Navy, belt: Target, sandals: Target, sunnies: New York & Company

I wore a variation of this to a coffee date on Saturday (different belt and shoes), but decided to wear it again for errands, today, because it's a fool-proof nursing combo. The dress is strapless (because I chopped the top section off!), so I just pull the top up, dress down, and it's very inconspicuous. Also, the most important of all the things: I'm dressed and comfortable. Winning combination.

Dressed and Mombots

Confession: I'm afraid the moms at Little S' school are going to fry me up and eat me for lunch. They are of three types:

1) The Real Housewives - They are perfectly tanned, perfectly highlighted, donning designer dresses and jewelry, and all run to hug each other at the door of the school.

2) The Gymbots - They drop off and/or pick up their children in workout gear (skin-tight) and look like they exercised for 7 hours straight. Although sweaty, their hair is beautiful, make-up in-tact, and they are gorgeous.

3) The "Me" People - Normal

Nonetheless, I am afraid of them all. Maybe it's because I'm one of two new moms at the school and the other is quite anti-social. I'm not. But I'm scared to talk to the mombots. They're all well-versed in how to be a part of the little Montessori community and well, they're sort of perfect (at arms' reach). I'm sure they all struggle with the same stuff with which I do. But it's the least I can do to get out of my nursing top and panties in the morning, much less into a gorgeous outfit with make-up and hair or to the gym! I did get dressed this morning, but just because I felt like I had to.

Maybe feeling like I "have to" will get me back into the swing of feeling like I want to?

 shirt: Old Navy, skirt: Made by Me, scarf: c/o Happy Scarf, sandals: Target

Whether or not you're a busy mom, what motivates you to get dressed in the morning? What struggles do you face? Do you feel better when you start your day in an outfit you like?

Baby, You're a Firework - A Week Late

Everyone shares their holidays a week late, right? Our first "big event" after Bean was born was July 4th. We didn't travel to visit family, but we had our own little cookout at home and ventured out to the local Town Commons for a beautiful fireworks display. There was a ton of walking involved between the car and the lawn and back. Add a massive stroller system and a toddler and I was super tired and sore by the end of the night. S loved the fireworks with remarks like, "Wow, beautiful!" and "Super cool!" after almost each one was set off. Bean slept the whole time. I'd forgotten how loud fireworks were and freaked out, putting my hands over her ears after the first one, but she was none the wiser.

Bean- dress: Faded Glory (consigned)

Me- dress/flip flops: Old Navy

S- dress: Old Navy, sandals: Target (gift from Aunt Whitney), bow: Local Artist

So I hope everyone had a very happy Fourth of July with friends and family. Better late than never, right?

Baby Bean Update: 36 Weeks & Mommy Moxie Winner!

First of all, I am officially dubbing myself the bravest plus-sized, pregnant style blogger because I'm posting 36 week pregnancy photos of me in a bathing suit.

#winning

Also, this has been my uniform as of late and I didn't wear anything else today, so...

 bathing suit: Merona for Target (last year-not maternity), flip flops: Old Navy

Well, you can't really see me anymore than that, right? This is Bean and me at 36 weeks and 1 day. Please excuse my amazingly sexy tank top tan lines. I've been wearing a tank top in the sun for the past year and a half while watching kids run around, so I think it might be semi-permanent. 

In other news, I touched up my roots (by myself! without a box!) and then got some highlights just to make things really evened out for my maternity pictures, which were yesterday. My best friend, Jackie, was here with her two youngest girls and we had a BUSY time. Crazy busy. But it was awesome to have her here and I can't wait 'til she gets back to stay for a week after Bean's born.

Pregnancy? Well, it's going... slowly. You know that hip adductor machine at the gym where you have the weights between your thighs and press together? Or maybe you'd understand riding a horse better... Either way, I feel like I've been doing those for a week straight. My inner thighs are killing me and I have absolutely no idea what the deal is. Pressure? Anyone experience that before? My hips, pelvis and low back (especially on the left side) are hurting all the time and about 75% of the time, my left bum cheek and left leg are numb/sore (sciatica). Being in the pool is 100% my favorite feeling right now, because it takes all the pressure off of my ginormous body. Oh, also, swelling is so happening. My flip flops and fake wedding ring no longer fit. So, yeah. Needless to say, I thought I was ready before, but I'm super ready, now. We have our 36 week appointment on Wednesday and are having an ultrasound for size and position. I pray that she's head down and wants to come out on her own before my surgery date. If not, oh well. It's in God's hands.

Big thanks to Mommy Moxie for having the awesome giveaway last week on my blog! We had a great turnout with 95 entries and the winner of the maternity hospital gown is MICHAELA! Congratulations! Michaela said she was going to use the gown as a shower gift for one of her many friends who are expecting soon.

If you haven't visited the Mommy Moxie shop recently, stop by! You can now order your own The Little Bit hospital gown and there are some awesome new items in the shop, too! Check out the Custom Minky Crib Sheet and Custom Changing Pad Cover! I'm definitely going to be getting one of those changing pad covers. Too cute!
If you entered the Mommy Moxie Giveaway last week and are interested in receiving a 20% shop discount on your next purchase, please email me for a special promo code!

Pink Jelly Shoes!

Yesterday, I had to run some errands and decided I'd feel a lot better if I got out of my ginormous gouchos (I promise I only wear them around the house) and ragged tank top. While searching through my closet, I found this gem of a top that my friends bought for me when I was pregnant with S. I'm so glad it peeked through all the random clothes I can't fit into right now because it also gave me the opportunity to wear my new jelly shoes from Happy Scarf! I never thought I'd want to wear jelly shoes, considering I totally missed the wagon in the 90s and never wore them when they were in style then. However, when I checked them out online, they looked so roomy and airy... and flat. Those all seemed like very necessary details in a shoe while I'm 8-9-10 months pregnant this summer.

You'll have to excuse my pictures. I'm just not the girl who can take her own photos and have good quality. It's an art I don't have time to perfect. This is why Husband takes all of my weekend photos.

 top: Liz Lange Maternity for Target, jeans: Motherhood, jellies: c/o Happy Scarf, earrings: c/o Scarlet Samples

My new shoes were as expected- fit perfectly with a little bit of room to swell (ahem) and VERY light and airy. I was afraid they'd be sweaty, but they totally weren't! The only thing I was a bit disappointment in was the color. I thought they would be more nude like on the website, but they really are a pale pinkish purple hue. I'm okay with that since I have plenty of pink, but I was just hoping for something I could wear with everything!

Don't forget to enter the Bitty Bug Designs giveaway on Blonde Undercover Blonde!

And please visit yesterday's post about our friend, Officer James Winslow. See what you can do to help!

Baby Bean Update: 32 Week Update

I'm wondering exactly how much bigger I can get.

That's really all that's on my mind. That, pain, and watermelon.

Apparently, I'm also neighborly and Husband catches me waving.

 hi-lo ruffle top: c/o Anika Burke, tank: Maurices, jeans: Motherhood, sandals: Target, necklace: family heirloom, bracelets: c/o Anika Burke, "wedding ring:" fakeout while mine don't fit from Kohl's ($9, yeah!)

 Bean is moving non-stop, which is awesome because I had some time where she didn't move about a week ago and again on Thursday. It was kind of scary, but I drank a ton of ice water (60 oz!), laid on my left side, and she started up again. Phew! I'm not exactly sure if there's any more growing room in there, but I'm feeling pretty healthy other than the back pain and Braxton Hicks contractions. Those babies used to feel like pressure and now they're pretty painful. Yuck! And it's practice for what? My c-section. Nice.

 

 In other news, I don't hate my hair anymore. I was having such a hair color identity crisis over the past few weeks and I'm really over worrying about it all... It's not so bad. Husband and my friend, Mell, really like it with a little bit of roots showing. I think I do, too. I was quick to think it needed to be touched up, but I think it looks less harsh against my skin with the darker roots. What do you think? You know, since my hair is the topic of conversation as of late.

In other, other news, I am so excited about my new bracelets and Light as a Feather top from Anika Burke! I received these items in the mail last week and couldn't wait to wear them! I also received a beautiful ivory bow belt with a sweet note that suggested I wait until Bean is born for comfort. If you haven't had the chance to pop over to Anika Burke, check them out on Facebook and Twitter, too! If you haven't noticed (ahem), if you check out the little ad on my sidebar, YOU can receive 30% off of your Anika Burke order by using the code LITTLE-BIT. Go 'head. Treat yourself!

* Anika Burke Junior Clothing * Anika Burke * Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique * 

In the otherest of newses (I'm so making up words, here), I have some exciting giveaways starting this Monday, May 14 for those of you interested in my new shop, Bitty Bug Designs! I'm so excited to be spreading the word and sharing products that I'm passionate about! I've worked so hard on starting up my stock and I'm excited to begin custom orders as I build fabric inventory. Please stay tuned to find out where you can enter to win some Bitty Bug swag! Special thank yous go out for all of the support I've had and if you haven't, yet, follow Bitty Bug Designs on Facebook and Twitter!

Turquoise & Magenta

I've only worn this dress once before and decided it was time to break it out, again! I love the color and how pink is almost as versatile as black! I also decided I won't be wearing belts for a whole lot longer because as much as it's not too uncomfortable to wear one, there really just isn't space for them. Even the skinny ones!

 dress: Old Navy Maternity, belt: Old Navy, shoes: Target, necklace: The Body Shop

I love getting dressed for bible study. It's about the only thing (along with church) for which I get really excited to put on a dress. Sure, I dress myself when I go out on errands with S, but I don't wear dresses all the time. Those cuffed jeans are sort of my zone right now. I'm alright with that, though. Jeans = getting dressed, right? 

Floral and Neon

Guys, I have a confession to make. I miss regular outfit posts! Truth is, I do get dressed most days, so there really isn't a reason not to do them. Would you mind if I started doing more? Guess I shouldn't make any big promises that I can't keep... I'm trying!

dress: Filene's Basement, cardigan: Old Navy, shoes, Guess (from Whitney), belt: Target

My hair is neon. Like the highlighter. Some colors bring it out more than others and I guess blue is one of them because they're almost opposite on the color wheel. Almost. I asked for it! I'm so glad I found this dress in the back of my husband's side of the closet. I forgot about it and it's so soft, cottony, and nightgowny. Yes, that's a new adjective. Friends, only 9.5 weeks left. Phew.

Black, White, & Denim

 It's bad when the maternity clothes from the last go-round are getting too tight and the Food Lion lady says, "Giiirrrrrrrl, you gonna have twins." Grocery stores, FYI, are not my favorite places to visit right now. I do, however, enjoy the farmer's market, even when there is only one vendor. Little S and I bought two tomatoes, two onions, 1/4 lb of broccolini (which we ate for dinner last night and it was delicious), and 1 lb of fresh green beans for $4.65. Seriously? And people complain that eating healthfully is so expensive. I guess it is. But I felt like I was stealing from that cute little old farmer.

 jacket: American Eagle, tee: Old Navy, tank: Old Navy Maternity, pants: Motherhood, scarf: Old Navy, flats: Target

 I can't wait to go to the farmer's market on Saturday when all of the vendors are there! I'm excited to get watermelon, strawberries, and eggs! 

Oh, ps - I'm on that crazy kick again when I won't feed my family crap. Here's hoping it sticks.

Targeting the Neons and Brights

I went to Target for a quick errand this week and gasped in glory when I walked in and the front display was neon! I know, I know. I'm behind on the times. Neon's been "in" for months and was a huge fashion projection for the spring and summer. It's also been a while since I've stepped into Target... I've had to build up my strength so I only come out with the item(s) for which I went in. If you're a Target fiend like me, you know how hard it is to go in thinking you'll spend $9 and come out after spending $70. Not hard to do. Either way, I didn't buy one of these items, but I loved them all. I NEED a neon yellow purse and I'm loving the little fedora! So great for shading my face from the sun AND having a cute accessory for all of my maxi dresses this summer. I think I might have to go back and get it... eventually.

How do you feel about the neon trend this season? And what are you loving from Target?