STYLE: Dressing the Bump

So one of the things that worried me most about being pregnant was the thought of maybe having to give up my sense of style for a good 6 months or so. MYTH. Dressing a preggo body isn't as hard as you may think. Even though it can be challenging sometimes, especially when are shopping for something really specific and end up crying in the dressing room, it's actually fun most of the time. I've learned quite a few things along the way and since I have so many friends that are expecting, I thought I would share my tips for dressing the bump.

1) LAYER: This was especially relevant to me in the winter, but I think it applies to any season. Having a handful of key pieces that you can layer, mix and match is a life saver. A few good pairs of maternity pants/jeans, lots of black leggings (I've been able to wear H&Ms black leggings in a Medium through my whole pregnancy)  and some stretchy long camis are all things that have made pulling together outfits so much easier!

2) ACCESSORIZE: You can stay on trend and look cute with out having to invest in pricey trendy pieces from the maternity store. Keep your outfits simple and classic then jazz them up with fun scarves, statement jewelry or shoes. You are going to have to wear the same thing a lot (unless you have an endless clothing budget). Mixing up accessories is a great way to make it look like a completely different outfit.

3) THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Just because you are pregnant does not mean you have to shop at a maternity store. I only have 6 weeks left to go and the only things I've bought that are maternity are a pair of jeans, a few pairs of pants, a skirt and one sweater. Seriously places like H&M and Forever 21 are great for finding inexpensive pieces that you can buy a size up. Shirts and sweater come in much longer styles these days and they can cover pretty big bumps. I just bought a size M sweater at the Gap yesterday! H&M is great for basic pieces like stretchy dresses that grow with you. And remember that things like  cardigans, blazers and jackets, that don't have to be buttoned, can be layered over basic pieces even if they are the normal size you wear.

4) ROCK THE BUMP: I have found that fitted clothes actually look better. Loose baggy clothes that are typically associated with pregnancy actually make you look way bigger than you are. Your bump is adorable so show it off. People are more likely to identify you as being preggo this way too rather than assuming you've hit the donuts a little too hard.

Here are some examples of how I've applied all these tips. Please exscuse the fact that they are kinda awful self-portraits!:

THE BLOG HAS MOVED!

I finally got so fed up with Blogger that I've moved Whiskerz on Kittenz to wordpress. You can find it at http://whiskerzonkittenz.wordpress.com/ so come on over!

THE LITTLE THINGS: My Life Lately

I am 24 weeks along today and this baby is getting big!

 

 

 

I decided to give my sparkly Christmas reindeer a permanent home on my kitchen shelf because I love it so much. I know, how Anthropologie of me right?

 

 

 

Cats are drawn to things that give off heat in the winter. No surprise there.

 

 

 

 

We made Giada's White Bean Chicken Chili which was exciting because it has Swiss Chard in it and I love using ingredients I never cook with.

 

 

 

Georgia loves to be in the kitchen when we cook, but she's not that helpful.

 

 

 

PARTY: New Year's Eve!

My first dry New Year's Eve since I was 18! Not having a champagne hangover on New Year's Day is actually kind of amazing though. We went to our friends Kristin and Tim's house for a small gathering. We had a nice sit down dinner which was delicious then hung out until just after the ball dropped. Going to a friends house for a small party is the ideal New Year's Eve plan I think. I was never big into hitting the town and paying $100 for well drinks and a midnight toast squished into a club amongst strangers. Hope you had a delightful New Year's Eve as well!

 

If you want to make a pretty dessert that presents well, I would highly recommend this no-bake Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears from Martha Stewart!

 

HOLIDAY: Christmas Festivities!

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday this year! I am kind of glad it's over, but it was wonderful none the less. Charlie's mom was still in town and on Christmas Eve we got all gussied up and went to a family holiday party. Christmas Day was perfectly low-key. We busted out the waffle iron and made waffles with grilled apples and vanilla ice cream then we opened presents. After hanging out in our pjs all day, we made a fancy Christmas dinner of beef tenderloin with blue cheese cream sauce, roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta and a giant potato scallion pancake with sour cream and apple sauce toppings. The holidays were pure perfection and I am sad to be back at work today. We are being hit by a blizzard here in Cleveland so I am so thankful my job affords me the ability to work at home. Brrr, it looks cold out there. Hope you are staying warm!

Man if only this had been a few weeks earlier, it would have made a perfect Christmas card!

My Christmas party look. A little liner and mascara with merry and bright lips. Sephora #44 "Club Scene" A berry red with a little shimmer to it. This is also the longest I've spent styling my hair in a looong time.

The Mamaroo - apparently the mac daddy of baby swings and my mother-in-laws proudest purchase of the year by far.

Beef tenderloin and brussel sprouts from Every Day Occasions

Potato scallion pancake from Tyler Florence via Food & Wine

FAMILY: Christmas Brunch

Yesterday Charlie and I hosted his family for a Christmas Brunch. It was quite a success, but a little chaotic having so many people in our humble little house. Once I got past people having their snowy shoes on our Anthropologie living room rug it was quite an enjoyable morning. Which reminds me. I really hate when people say "just wait until you have kids". Does having kids mean you can't have nice stuff and you can't at least try to teach them to treat things nicely? Anyway, we served a breakfast strada with maple sausage, egg and cheese, I made homemade pain au chocolate (when you buy baking chocolate make sure it says semi-sweet and not unsweetened - oops!), fruit salad with a honey-lime dressing and we had a drink bar with Bloody Mary's, Mimosas and sparkling cider for the pregnant and under age. Sigh. Charlie also set up a coffee bar and made hand brewed coffee for everyone on the Chemex! I think being pregnant is heightening the stress level of the holidays for me. I've kind of been a little monster and I'd like to take a moment to apologize to my husband and thank him for his patience. Love you! Hope everyone is having a calm and happy holiday! :)

FAMILY: Baby Makes Three!

I know I have been MIA lately, but life has been a little bananas. And its going to get even more bananas in about 4 months. We are so excited to announce the impending arrival of our first little one! Maggie & Charlie + 1 on 4.25.12. The baby's due on NFL draft day, which is a religious holiday for Charlie when new seeds of hope are planted that make him say "this is the year" until about game 3 when the Browns are 0-3. At least he'll have something cute to distract him from the agony, right?