My new favorite maternity jeans...

Now, in the 7th month of my second pregnancy, I can surely no longer wear regular pants (believe me, I've tried-- that elastic hair band can only stretch so far).  And, when my trusty GAP maternity jeans ripped in a place that only reinforced my growing size, I reluctantly went on the hunt for a new pair.  After ordering--and returning--a whopping seven pairs online, I finally found these.

In case you are pregnant, or know someone who is pregnant, I thought I would pass this revelation along to you.  I LOVE these "Jimmy Jimmy" jeans from Paige Denim.  Stretchy and cute.  I actually like the distressed look here.  The best part is the expanding waistband and NO belly band.  So, after the baby is born, I can throw on a belt and wear these like regular jeans (this is the plan, and thoughtful justification for the price point). 

the jeans made a cameo in this High Street Market instagram shot 

(I think I can legally write these off as a business expense now, right?)

and, since some kind people asked for a belly shot-- here it is!!  Wrapped up at 7 months.  

Baby girl will be here in May.  :)

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My Favorite Maternity Wear (so far...)

Come Saturday, I will officially be 20 weeks pregnant!  So far, I feel great, I'm not too big, and the baby has started to kick (all the time!).  Since maternity clothes can be expensive, I wanted to be able to wear my regular clothes as long as possible.  Up until now, I've gotten away with wearing a maternity shirt (or a long-waisted top) and a pair of regular jeans with a rubber band around the button hole.  But as my belly gets bigger and bigger, I find myself fidgeting to keep my top down and my rubber-banded pants up!  Clearly, these rubber band days are numbered.  :)  So off I go, shopping for stylish and affordable maternity wear.

When shopping for maternity wear, there are a lot of options (A Pea in the Pod, Motherhood Maternity, Target, ASOS, Gap, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, etc).  Since I will be as big as a manatee during the hot summer months, I decided to buy several sundresses, tanks tops, t-shirts, and blouses.  I also invested in a few pairs of jeans, a pair of leggings, and a couple pairs of shorts.  I work for myself (and don't go into an office), so I really don't need a ton of professional wear.  Most of the time, I dress pretty casually.  Here are some of my favorite things (so far...).

Dresses:

cheap and easy, these are perfect with flip flops... or paired with a cropped jacket, a belt and wedge sandals.

Target (here, here, and here)

 

 

 

fabulous maxi dresses-- love these!!

ASOS / A Pea In The Pod

 

ladylike & tailored, perfect for daytime or dinner.

ASOS  /  Ann Taylor LOFT

  

Blouses:

very cute, especially with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of jeans (love the gold buttons)

ASOS

love the loose fit and contrasting collar

ASOS

adorable little tank, perfect when paired with skinny jeans

Ann Taylor LOFT

 

Jeans, Pants, & Leggings:

thumbs up to ALL of these-- they fit so well (the white jeans have expanding side panels, so they look like regular pants at the waistband-- love that!).  I wear the Gap pair almost everyday now.

Gap  /  ASOS  /  A Pea In The Pod

 

black leggings-- a definite staple.

ASOS

Shorts:

 

Both of these are great (they're so comfortable, I wish elastic waist shorts were more socially acceptable so I could wear them forever)

Old Navy  /  Old Navy

 

 

 

 

Tees & Tanks:

 

In my brief experience as a pregnant girl, I've realized that I really DON'T like tees/tanks with side ruching.  I know that the ruching is supposed to be more flattering, but I feel like all that gathered material only makes me look like I have a beer belly.   :)

 

 

My absolute favorite piece of maternity clothing BY FAR-- this striped tee from ASOS.  I LOVE THIS SHIRT.  Sadly, it is out of stock, but this navy & red option is still available:

 

 

take my word for it, this shirt is the best.

ASOS

 

 

perfect for layering, these tanks are terrific (fitted and long).

Target

 

 

simple and comfortable, goes with everything

ASOS

 

 

simple.  I bought this tee in three colors.

ASOS

 

 

 

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I would love to hear from the other Mommys out there-- did you have a go-to piece that you loved wearing while pregnant?  Or, what was your favorite resource for maternity wear?  I would love to know!

 

 

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Snow Leopard Tote

 

 

The Emerson Fry fall collection is finally available online this week.  I'm swooning over this CRAZY GOOD snow leopard tote.  Coming soon, they say.  Not soon enough!  It's on my wishlist, definitely.

 

 

Also...

 

Emerson Fry's New Hampshire home.

 

 

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Boots

My mom is my style guru.  I'm (almost) 30, and she's (almost) 60, and I turn to her for nearly all of my fashion advice (Once, when shopping by myself, I emailed her an iphone picture of clothes in the dressing room-- "What should I buy, Mom?"  and she would text me back.  She's that good, and I'm that dependant). 

So, when she emailed me a link to these boots a few weeks ago, my heart skipped a beat.  When they arrived on my doorstep, I immediately put them on...  and I've been wearing them ever since.  In fact, I've already ordered two more pairs: one in black, and another pair in "brandy" (for next winter... a girl can't be too prepared).  They're cute, aren't they?  They're also on SALE in a major way (less than $150.00).

*Side note:  there isn't a tall boot on the planet that fits my freakishly large calves.  Really.  I've been excluded from every winter look: boots + skinny jeans, boots + pencil skirt, boots + tights & dresses.  It's so sad.  But, these boots fit me.  It's a Christmas miracle.  They're completely adjustable on one side, and they zip up on the other.  I finally feel like I fit in with the stylish girls.  I have tall boots now!!!  Look at me!

So, if you also suffer from this disorder, go get yourself a pair already. 

xoxo

Kelly

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Cover Girl

The newest issue of Matchbook Magazine is on virtual newsstands now, and the cover is just stunning.  I love the simplicity of this cover design.  It's so inspirational (in my humble opinion). The color, the dress, the simple and minimal text.  Gucci glasses, bouffant hair, and an overwhelming nod to 1960s style.  The subject of this marvelous portrait is Joy Venturini Bianchi.  She runs a vintage couture shop that benefits disabled adults in the San Francisco area.  And at age 72, Bianchi believes that "clothes are about good manners."  Isn't that a refreshing thought?

The article is really wonderful, as is the entire issue.

To read it in it's entirity, click HERE.

 

Doesn't it seem that the newest trend in women's fashion is actually a throw back to 1960s style?  Let the heavens rejoice.  We're moving away from women dressing like men, and going back to women dressing like women.  I love it.  Structured, sexy dresses with conservative cuts and modern silhouettes.  Trenchcoats, ballet flats, cigarette pants, and even lady-like blouses.  Reminiscent of fashion icons Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Audrey Hepburn

 

Audrey Hepburn

 

Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Grace Kelly

 

Grace Kelly

 

McCall's dress pattern from the 1960s

 

J.Crew Fall 2011 catalog cover: 

shot from the Fall 2011 J.Crew catalog

(complete with 1960s props)

 

I love a good tailored dress and I'm thrilled to see some of my favorite shops are carrying these retro styles.

J. Crew:

from left to right:

the "Teddie" dress in red, a "No. 2 Pencil Skirt" paired with the "Double Cloth Lady Day Coat" in musturd, and the "Memo" dress in black.

I'm a huge fan of EmersonMade. This online boutique always produces the most fabulously feminine pieces...

Goldie pockets skirt with a black Emerson turtleneck

London coat

Emerson little black dress

Emerson black suit skirt with Cheetah print blouse

And, even Talbots is getting in on the action.  Have you guys noticed the change in Talbots??  The clothes over there are quite good this year.  Gone are the days of boxy jackets, and khaki pants...

from left to right:

the "Puff Sleeve Dress" in red berry, the "Brush Back Wool Sheath" in blue, and the "Luxe Flannel Pleated Dress" in black

(all under $200.00 I might add)

Also, I bought myself those driving gloves that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.  I bought the color called "luggage" (what an odd name for a cognac leather?).  They're wonderful and I definitely feel like Grace Kelly when I wear them.  ;)

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I Never Cared Before, But Now You've Got My Interest...

I'm talking about...  Missoni for Target.

We all know the ending to this story.  Missoni madness!  Sold out in one day!  And, I like Missoni.  But I didn't go crazy for the Missoni for Target line (unfortunately, I don't look very good in zig zag dresses).

But, wait.  It's more than zig zag dresses.

And, now I'm interested.  One week too late.

How did I miss this?  Just look at this fun suitcase:

(spotted at a Target store, far far away...  Indianapolis, to be exact)

It's not available on the Target website.  But, you can get one on Ebay!  Prices start around $250.00. 

Also, isn't this little tote the perfect companion?

also available on eBay

So, what's your Missoni story?  Did you grab something good before everything was gone?  Or, could you care less?   Did you buy this suitcase?  Do you like it?

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Driving Gloves

I'm loving these leather driving gloves.  Aren't they fabulous?  They come in the most marvelous colors too... burgandy, charcoal, pale grey, camel, and black.  You can get them at Talbots and they're only $79.00.

I'll wear them and channel my inner Grace Kelly.

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I Love Zara

I received some emails asking me where I bought the skirt that I wore to the baby shower.  I loved that outfit, so thank you for asking!  I bought both the tomato red pleated mini skirt and the confetti printed blouse at Zara.  I love Zara.

skirt

(one thing I love about this skirt is that the backside fastens with two large white buttons)

blouse
(I love this top and have already worn it again to a client meeting-- paired with a leather jacket and jeans)

Both pieces were less than $40.00 each.

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Hello, Inspiration (via Matchbook)

Thank you, Matchbook Magazine, for providing a welcome relief to the daily doldrums.  The new issue is full of fabulous inspiration...  from fashion, to design, to cakes, calligraphy, and even diamond jewelry.  Here are some of my favorite pages...

LOVE the "Editors Wish List"

And, they showed me this:

I kind of love it and want to wear it this summer.

An article on Princess Diana:

(I'm not yet sick of the Royal Wedding and all related topics. I'm actually wanting more, so this was a pleasant surprise).

And, this is genius.  A Mother's Day Gift Guide (based on the editors' mothers):

love the daisy brooch.

An article on "Style Setter" Kelly Wearstler:

An article on GADABOUT owner, Hanna Brooks Nation,

and a tour through her Charleston, South Carolina home:

(skinny stripes!)

loving that wall of portraits, too.

The gals at Matchbook had a whole section dedicated to weddings. 
It included a feature on crazy talented calligrapher, Maybelle Isama-Stukuls:

San Francisco flower shop, Studio Choo:

I will never tire of the Jane Magnolia blossom (branches shown in a vase on the right)

And of course, New York wedding jewelers Doyle & Doyle:

Read the inspiring (and diverse!) new issue HERE.

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