Big Girl Purchases

Happy Monday!  Maybe if I tell myself 'happy Monday' I'll actually believe it.  My husband and I are about done with Lucas' nursery and bought things off our registry that were left.  Luckily, our friends and family were extremely generous at our baby shower last weekend so we didn't have to buy too many things.

We made two big purchases: the stroller and car seat.  You know you're old when you are excited about buying a stroller and car seat.  My husband was grinning from ear to ear and looking up pictures of the two items.  We chose the Britax Chaperone car seat and Bob Revolution SE Jogger.  It feels so good to check things off our list.  Next up is signing up for baby classes...I need all the help I can get!

Dress: Target Maternity  /  Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM  /  Necklace: C Wonder  /  Scarf: The Limited {Similar}  /  Shoes: Me Too 'Patty' {Love these!}

Neon and Stripes

If there's a rule that pregnant women should stay away from stripes then I clearly have broken it many times throughout my pregnancy.  Not only stripes but bright pink neon stripes that scream huge hormonal lady coming your way!

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and everything is right on track.  Little man is measuring well and all the symptoms I described to my doctor are "normal."  Apparently, running out of air just walking from the couch to my bed is completely normal.  Good news!

Linking up with T+J Designs today!

Shirt: Loft  /  Blazer Vest: Banana Republic  /  Skirt: Motherhood Maternity  /  Shoes: Ann Taylor  /  Bag: London Fog  /  Necklace: Forever 21

Navy Polka Dots and Stripes

I really wish that more mainstream stores had maternity options.  I spent a good portion of my day adjusting/pulling this top down since the fit is off now that my belly is in the way.  My necklace was also being quickly swallowed up by my ummmm ever growing chest (very new to me!)  I've been remixing and using the different maternity clothes that I have with pre-pregnancy clothes which seemed to work.  Now, tops are just not fitting as comfortably unless they are loose cotton or side ruching (basically maternity tops).  I may buy a couple maxi dresses for the summer but I'm done buying anything else maternity since I'm already pretty far along.  Any ladies and mommas out there have advice on comfort during the summer months while 8-9 months pregnant?

 Top: J Crew Factory  /  Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Skirt: Gap Maternity  /  Shoes: Ann Klein via Macys  /  Handbag: LV Neverfull GM  /  Necklace: Ebay

Spaced Out

Pregnancy hormones are annoying.  I'm the first to recognize that I can be a world class monster biotch and the next second be super sweet (well, to an extent).  What has caught me off guard though is pregnancy brain. Whooooaaaa.  For example, on Monday, I was looking forward to watching OC Housewives on Bravo.  I got my juice ready on my night stand, positioned my Snoogle, but there was still 5 minutes left until the show started.  I decided to watch another channel until Housewives started.  The whole time I'm watching this other channel, in my head, I'm thinking how much I can't wait to watch the new OC Housewives.  I look at my clock and decide to click over to Bravo and the flipping show is over!  I completely spaced out.  What do I decide to do at this point?  Cry. Cry.  I cried.  I cried because I spaced out and missed Housewives.  This was a pointless example but just goes to show how crazy town my hormones and emotions are recently.  Can anyone relate??  Anyone??  Just lie and tell me yes...

 Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Dress: Old Navy Maternity  /  Shoes: Me Too  /  Jewelry: Gifted Necklace, Stella and Dot, David Yurman, Lorenzo

So Many Questions

I've become one of those obnoxious women that sees people with babies and runs up to them so I can ask a million and one questions.  Seriously.  If you have a baby and I'm in your vicinity, run away from me because I will talk your ear off.  I've been welcoming all advice, good and bad, because I'm new to this mom thing.  I also seriously pray that being a new mom will just come naturally to me but, in the meantime, I think I'll pester those around me.

On a totally unrelated note, do navy and black go together?  How's that for a topic change!

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: Gap Maternity {Same just different color}  /  Pants: Gap Maternity  /  Necklace: J Crew

Priorities

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: Gap  /  Skirt: Motherhood Maternity  /  Handbag: Chanel  / Shoes: Banana Republic

I normally wouldn't post such an ordinary outfit post like this but I've been getting questions on how I've been dressing the bump for court/suit outfits and this is it.  I think I've discussed how particular I am about dressing for court but to sum it up, I always feel the need to dress my most professional--fashionable or not.  Obviously, I prefer to look stylish but, honestly, clients pay their hard earned money for me to represent them so when it comes to dressing for court, I dress for the job not for me.  Maybe that will change more as I grow older but, lately, it has definitely changed as my bump grows larger.  I like to tuck my shirt in for court but that just isn't possible anymore.  Now, I can't tuck my shirts in and my jackets don't button up.  But that's okay.  Before pregnancy, I felt more comfortable going to court with my shirt tucked in, jacket buttoned but now, I'm more comfortable with a loose fitting shirt and my jacket undone.  I think Judges understand too that I don't mean to disrespect the court by not buttoning my jacket.  

I thought a lot about this last week when I was sitting outside the courtroom waiting for my case to be called.  I looked down and saw my jacket unbuttoned but knew I could do anything about it since I haven't purchased a maternity suit.  Maybe a minute later, my stomach felt like popcorn popping inside which I thought was odd until I remembered that I'm not alone.  There's a little baby in there kicking and moving around and it's the first time I'm literally feeling it!  Doesn't that just sound so cheesy?!  It really is what I thought at that time though.  It was a good court day.

Pattern Overload

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: J Crew  /  Jeans: AE  /  Shoes: Ann Taylor  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton 'Neverfull GM'

So I put myself on a shopping ban.  Yep.  That's right.  A Shopping BAN!  So far so good.

This year, we will be adding a new family member so I want to be smarter about my finances.  For as long as I can, I will only be buying essentials.  Now, do realize that my waist line is expanding so I did cheat a little by buying a maternity suit.  I consider buying the suit an essential because I have to wear it at least once or twice a week and none of my other suits fit.  For Christmas, my husband absolutely spoiled me so I consider that to be my last hooray.  As for maternity clothes, many family members bought me different items of clothes or gift certificates so I think I'm okay on the maternity clothes for a bit.  I'm interested to see how long I can last!

Has anyone else gone on a shopping ban and, if so, any tips?

Playing it Safe

Nothing too interesting going on with this except that it was comfortable but that's not too interesting either.  Have I stressed enough that I prefer comfortable over anything?  In fact, as soon as I get to my office in the morning, I immediately remove my watch and bracelets.  Some may ask what the point of even wearing them in the first place may be.  Habit, I guess.  I just prefer to be the most comfortable as I can be if I have to be at work all day.  I'm being honest here people...I'll show the good and not so great :-)

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Dress: Kohls  /  Shoes: DSW  /  Handbag: Kate Spade

Walk Like an Egyptian

So this is going to be the weirdest and most will think vain post ever but here goes.  Although these are pictures of what I wore to work, my post today is about my amazing co-worker, Mary, who now lives in Cairo.  Yeah, so the pictures having nothing to do with my post except it's what I wore to work and Mary used to work at my office...

Anyhow, when I moved back home to work at my firm, as soon as I walked through the doors, Mary and I clicked immediately.  We share the same sense of humor, tv shows, everything.  Soon, other co-workers joined our now little family which made going to work enjoyable.  After working together for two years, Mary, was accepted to graduate school in Egypt.  It was such an amazing opportunity but, selfishly, I was sad to see her go.  Thankfully, Mary has been blogging about her experiences as a way to help other students or foreigners looking to visit Egypt.  I've learned so much about Egypt through reading her blog and definitely hope to visit Egypt in my lifetime.

If you're interested, I highly encourage you to check out her blog Mary in Cairo.

Sweater: H&M  /  Shirt: Loft  /  Skirt: Ann Taylor  /  Handbag: London Fog  /  Shoes: Ann Klein via DSW  /  Jewelry: J Crew

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy!

Gingham Style

I feel so out of the loop on what is popular nowadays.  It's crazy to realize how much my priorities have changed.  Some for the better and some for worse.  However, I consider being up to date on pop culture top priority...just kidding...maybe...I just recently jumped on the Gangnam Style bandwagon and if you haven't seen or heard the video/song, I highly encourage it and the SNL skit to accompany.  I don't know what the song means and probably should have found out before recommending it.  Hmmm, I will consider that thought in the future :-)

Sweater: Banana Republic {Similar}  /  Shirt: Old Navy {Similar}  /  Skirt: Ann Taylor {Similar}  /  Shoes: JCP  /  Handbag: Coach 'Kristin'  /  Jewelry: J Crew, Stella and Dot, David Yurman, Ebay

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy!

Champagne Wishes

Another Monday down.  Work has been piling up lately but I try not to let that stress or bring me down.  At these moments, I just try to remember how hard I have worked to get to the position that I am at now.  I try to remember back to those days of camping out at the law school library or staying up almost all night studying for the bar exam.  It was a lot of hard work, so, I don't throw myself a pity party.  Instead, I try to remember back to the Maria that hoped and prayed would be right where I am right now...swamped drafting and prepping for hearings but secretly loving every minute.  Does anyone else have ways to get your mind off of stress?

Sweater: Loft  /  Shirt: The Limited  /  Skirt: Ann Taylor  /  Handbag: Louis Vuitton  /  Shoes: Sole Society  / Jewelry: J Crew, David Yurman

Out and About

Do I find it silly that I put pictures on the internet of myself?  Yes.  Do I find it silly that pictures are taken of me by myself in public?  Yes.  I do find humor in it that my hubby now thinks of himself as a pro photographer.  What's not so funny is when he tells me to "suck it in."  Doghouse for sure, mmmkay.

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: Loft  /  Skirt: Talbots  /  Shoes: Me Too 'Patty'  /  Handbag: Louis Vuitton  /  Sunglasses: Chanel  /  Jewelry: C Wonder, J Crew, David Yurman, Stella & Dot

Cold Hearted Snake

I think my mirror memorized the lyrics and dance moves to 'Cold Hearted Snake' seen as though I gave the mirror a concert to it a million times.  Anywho, I'm linking up today with Marionberry Style and this month's challenge was animal print.  I have my fair share of leopard print but this is the only snakeskin print I own.  I feel very fancy pants skirts in this...see what I did there...I crack myself up :-)  Also linking up with The Pleated Poppy!

Sweater: JC Penney  /  Skirt: The Limited  /  Shoes: Ann Taylor  /  Sunglasses: Dior  /  Clutch: Coach  /  Jewelry: J Crew, Ebay, Forever 21, Stella & Dot, David Yurman

Country Spark

I'm very proud to admit that I am a reality t.v. show junkie.  I know I've mentioned my love for the Honey Boo Boo show here two or four times already, ummm did anyone else see Mama June make sketti???  If not, google it, I haven't looked at spaghetti the same ever since.  It's almost the end of another work week and while I know others may have more exciting plans, I seriously love weekends that include my favorite grungy pjs, in bed, catching up on my reality t.v. shows. It's my idea of bliss.

Sweater: Ann Taylor  /  Shirt: Nordstrom  /  Skirt: JC Penney  /  Sunglasses: Chanel  /  Shoes: MIA  /  Handbag: Coach 'Kristin'  /  Jewelry: Kate Spade 'Mrs', J Crew, David Yurman

Dotty Greens

It's an illness, an obsession, a sickness really on how much I love polka dots.  I won't mention it ever again because I'm being obnoxious but I really love them.

Sweater: Old Navy  /  Shirt: Kohls  /  Skirt: Loft  /  Handbag: J Crew 'Little Edie'  /  Shoes: Ann Taylor  /  Sunglasses: Chanel  /  Jewelry: J Crew, David Yurman

Classically Headless

It was a headless kind of day.  The kind of day where I had no inspiration to think, thus I turned to my J Crew catalog, and no makeup to cover up the under eye circles.  My hubby says that my head being chopped in most of the photos was on accident but I know the truth.  You see, there are these things called mirrors and I may or may not have glanced in them one or twice throughout the day.  Bless his little heart.

I'm not one to reapply makeup during the day so that doubled with the fact that I barely even put on makeup in the morning did not turn out well.  It's just one of those days...

Sweater: H&M  /  Shirt: Ann Taylor  /  Pants: JC Penney  /  Shoes: Guess DIY Cap Toe     Sunglasses: Dior  /  Handbag: Chanel  /  Jewelry: J Crew, Macys, David Yurman