Contrast Colors and Dots

I'm finally able to wear this dress for its intended purpose--maternity!  Last year, I wore this dress around this time without realizing that in a few months, I would fall into the maternity category.  I had such a relaxing and wonderful weekend.  My husband and family spoiled me rotten.  Ever since we found out I was pregnant, I lost any urge to want to spoil myself/buy clothes/etc so when my Saturday started off with manicures with my mom and a pedicure at a day spa courtesy of my husband, I felt like a queen.  On Sunday, we ate breakfast at my mom's house and my parents gave me a St. Luke (or in Spanish 'San Lucas') charm necklace as well as a new dress and scrapbook my mom made for me and Lucas.  All the while, Lucas kicked up a storm the whole time which made me feel even more love on this special weekend. He's not even here yet but I feel an incredible bond already...

Dress: ASOS Maternity {Similar non-maternity}  /  Sweater: Banana Republic  /  Handbag: Chanel  /  Shoes: Steve Madden

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

Milking It

Even though this light cardi is navy blue, I was feeling a lot like Barney this day.  I'd catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or reflection and think "Whoa! I'm huge!"  My husband will sweetly remind me that I'm pregnant but, I'm not gonna lie, I milk the pregnancy card when I'm pigging out.  This was the conversation that took place last week between me and my husband:

Him: What do you need from Publix (Supermarket)?

Me: Apples and Nutella

Him: You don't need Nutella.  We have half of a bottle left and an unopened one in the cabinet.

Me: No, I need Nutella.

Him: You have two jars left.

Me: Nope.  I ate them both.

Him: Oh...are you sure?  I checked last week and they were both there.

Me: Not anymore.  Get me Nutella.

Him: Alright...okay, I'm thinking and it was definitely just three days ago that I saw both jars in the cabinet.

Me: GET ME MORE NUTELLA!

Dress: Target Maternity  /  Sweater: Forever21  /  Shoes: Steve Madden 'Vegass'  /  Necklace: Banana Republic

Candy Colored Stripes

 

Happy April Fools Day!  If you played a great joke on someone today, please let me know in the comments!  I need ideas for next year ;-)

Can you tell I'm just thrilled that it's Monday?  These were taken last week when it was super crazy busy at the office.  I've been up and down on my feet all day that, sadly, my heels days might be over soon but just until the baby is born.  I'll still save my heels for court days because it would feel odd to me to wear flats in court but that's just me.  Any recommendations for cute work/court appropriate flats?

Dress: Target  /  Sweater: Loft  /  Shoes: DSW  /  Bag: Kate Spade  /  Necklace: Banana Republic

Diva Confessions

Random thought of the the day:  Fashion Night on Bravo is becoming my favorite night of the week (besides Friday).  I mean Rachel Zoe Project,  Brad Brad World, then Dukes of Melrose...fashion television heaven.  In my next life I want to be a stylist or fashion designer.

I've received a couple comments and questions on how I can still be wearing heels pregnant but I have a couple diva confessions.  Firstly and grossly, I take my shoes off at the office.  I know that's nasty but I don't walk around barefoot and I sit in my chair 95% of the time.  Second, and here comes the diva confession, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to moving around so most the time, people come to me at the office versus me walking around.  So in my defense, I'm not so much a diva and more just plain lazy...don't judge me too harshly.

Shirt: J Crew Factory  /  Pants: Gap Maternity  /  Necklace: Banana Republic  /  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman  /  Handbag: London Fog

Capitol Hill

Linking up today with Marionberry Style!  There was a time when my closet solely consisted of black and white.  Seriously.  Black and White only.  Black and white attire is my safe and comfort zone but I grew tired of the usual.  Even though I've incorporated much more color into my wardrobe, black and white will always be my go to colors.  Heck, my wedding colors were even ivory and black.  Do you have any go to colors?

Sweater: H&M  /  Dress: Target  /  Shoes: Steve Madden  /  Necklace: Banana Republic  /  Handbag: Louis Vuitton

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.

Until Fall...

Sweater: Banana Republic  /  Shirt: Macy's  /  Skirt: J Crew  /  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman  /  Handbag: Chanel

I had to say goodbye to this skirt after I wore it.  In fact, I had to say goodbye to almost 95% of my skirts and pants this week.  It's goodbye until fall when I can *fingers crossed* fit into them again.  I could probably wear this skirt again soon but I have a weird thing about skirts that are above the knee at the office.  I had to wear this skirt above the belly which shortened the hem.  At this point, I think it's funny how big my belly is getting so I'm fully embracing it! 

New Norm

I'm so behind on reading all of your amazing blogs!  Every day I think as soon as I get home, I'm going to catch up on my reader.  It's one of my favorite things to do when I get home to unwind.  However, the new norm has been to get home from work, change in my pjs, and LITERALLY go to sleep.  Like 7 p.m ish sleep...then I wake up at 4 a.m and toss and turn until it's time to go to work again.  I'm told that the 2nd trimester gets better so I'm looking forward to feeling like myself again.  I know it sounds selfish to complain.  I really am grateful and excited for my little one to arrive in a couple months. This is just the tired nauseous Maria typing talking :-)

Shirt: J Crew  /  Vest: Banana Republic  /  Pants: TJ Maxx  /  Shoes: DSW  /  Bag: Kate Spade  /  Necklace: Ebay

Vote Walk

It's Election Day and although I will not preach, judge, etc about the elections, I do encourage those of you who can vote to do so.  How cute is this video about the little girl tired of "Bronco Bama" and Mitt Romney?!

Jacket: Kohls  /  Shirt: Macys {Similar}  /  Skirt: Banana Republic  /  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman {diy version!}  /  Handbag: Chanel  /  Jewelry: Eve's Addiction, Stella and Dot, David Yurman, Macys

Hocus Pocus

Halloween apparently came early this year!  Not gonna lie but the sun is doing all sorts of weirdness to my hair, eyes, and face in these pictures.  The brightness made my eyes look glassy and hair red but it didn't make my legs red; those are tights, silly.  I have to poke fun at myself because if I don't who will....oh, my husband who said I look like an avatar because my hair is covering my neck will.

Okay enough self deprecation, anyone recognize the title of my post?  If not, shame on you!  Hocus Pocus is one of the greatest films of all times.  Well, top halloween film for me.  Last year, I bought the DVD along with Teen Witch and The Worst Witch...you know, other great films.  I'll be the cool girl watching these movies on halloween.  I'm super cool you see :-)

Dress: White House Black Market  /  Sweater: Kohls  /  Belt: Banana Republic  /  Handbag: Chanel     Shoes: Banana Republic  /  Jewelry: Stella and Dot, David Yurman

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!

Blog Skip and a Hop

Sweater: Banana Republic  /  Skirt: Banana Republic  /  Tank: Gap  /  Belt: Forever 21  /  Clutch: Coach  /  Sunglasses: Dior  /  Shoes: Me Too 'Patty'  /  Jewelry: Kate Spade 'Mrs' Necklace, J Crew, David Yurman

On Tuesday, I guest posted on Schnelle!  If you haven't read it yet, I'd love for you to stop by and say hi :-)

I'm also linking up with Long Distance Loving for the Friday's Fancies outfit crush!  This outfit was inspired by an outfit I saw on, surprise surprise, Pinterest ;-)

Oxblood

Today I'm linking up with Pretty Shiny Sparkly for the Bloggers Do It Better Challenge - oxblood. Confession, I've never used the word 'oxblood' to describe this color.  I usually call it red or burgundy.  I'm a total guy when it comes to color names.

I'm also guest posting over on Schnelle today!  Come check it out and say hi!  It's a Pinterest inspired post :-)

Sweater: Banana Republic  /  Shirt: Kohls  /  Skirt: J Crew  /  Handbag: Gucci {vintage-my moms}     Sunglasses: Chanel  /    Shoes: Aldo 'Lillig'  /  Jewelry: Handmade necklace, J Crew, David Yurman, Stella & Dot

Working Uniform

I think I may have been in the minority of those school kids that actually wanted to wear uniforms.  I never had to wear a uniform but something about the plaid always appealed to me.  I would have gotten tired of them just like when I was a Brownie and never wanted to wear the brown uniform but since the grass is always greener, I secretly wanted uniforms.

When I was in middle school, there was a strict dress code that required the use of a belt if you had belt loops.  Well, one day I went to school in overalls that had, yep, belt loops and I, of course, did not wear a belt.  My friend and I were both called into the office for not wearing a belt.  Neither of our moms would come bring us a belt so we did the next best thing...cut the loops off.  This has obviously scarred me in life (this dress has loops attached) and is probably why I just wanted uniforms instead of having to wear a belt with my overalls...priorities.

Dress: Kohls  /  Shirt: Kohls  /  Belt: Banana Republic  /  Shoes: C Label Hudson 10  /  Handbag: London Fog  /  Sunglasses: Dior  /  Jewelry: Elizabeth Cole, J Crew, David Yurman, Macys

A Hoot

Whenever I visited my family in Puerto Rico and stayed at my grandmother's house, my mom's little sister would lend us her room for us to sleep.  My sisters and I loved sleeping in her room because she would let us play with her makeup, jewelry, and play dress up.  Another thing I really loved about her room was her collection of owls.  She had tons of owl figurines.  Growing up, I took a liking to owls because it reminded me of being young and my aunt's owl collection.  When I saw that this GAP blouse had little owls on it, I was smitten.  Then when I saw how cute it looked on Beach Chic Style, I knew this shirt and I were meant to be!

What wasn't meant to be...all the dry shampoo I failed to properly mix in my hair...holy gray hair!

Shirt: GAP  /  Pants: Talbots  /  Shoes: H&M  /  Handbag: London Fog  /  Sunglasses: Dior  /  Jewelry: Banana Republic (old), J Crew, David Yurman

Preppy for Fall

That's right, your eyes don't deceive you.  I totally tied a sweater around my waist like it's 1991. And ya know what, as soon as I turned on the radio, Ace of Base's 'I Saw the Sign' was blaring so it was meant to be.
Thank you to everyone that commented and sent emails on my sister's guest post :-) 
Oh and who else is loving the stores stocking up for Fall and Old Navy getting J Crew inspired at a fraction of the cost?  This girl is!

Shirt: Old Navy (GAP has a similar option sold out online) {Similar}  /  Skirt: J Crew {now on sale}   Sweater: Loft  /  Shoes: Aldo  /  Handbag: Gucci (vintage which I stole from my mom!)    Sunglasses: Chanel  /  Jewelry: Banana Republic {on sale!}, J Crew, David Yurman

Sale Blues

I exceeded my monthly clothing budget with all these summer sales.  I did get some great deals so I'm in no way having the blues.  Sorry hubby I'm not sorry.  While I'm still confessing, I bought another bubble necklace in a state of stress even though I swore to you, hubs, that I didn't need it.  Turns out, I did.  Sorry I'm not sorry... ;-)

Shirt: Ann Taylor  /  Skirt: Banana Republic  /  Shoes: Ivanka Trump 'Gurdia'  /  Sunglasses: Chanel  /  Handbag: Marc by Marc Jacobs  /  Jewelry: J Crew, David Yurman, Macys