baby bump: 24 weeks.

All I have to say is that I’m hungry and swollen 24/7. I have suddenly become a Thanksgiving Day blimp of a pregnant woman. I have kankles and cracked dry skin and I’m not so pleased about the 90 degree weather we’re been having lately. I know I sound like a sour puss; I’m going to blame the pregnancy for that one.



Yesterday I tried to put on my favorite comfy/frumpy but still cute preggo shirt… I could barely breathe… Needless to say that sent me on a whirl wind of emotions. It’s amazing how over night my stomach can grow twice its regular size. This little girl is a giant! This led me to the idea of going shopping last night. Maybe find a few spring dresses to wear during the really hot days in Phoenix. This doesn’t seem like a terrible task, right? I guess I was wrong.

I have always hated clothes shopping. I love clothes and fashion, don’t get me wrong, I just get so frustrated at spending money on it. I didn’t even go anywhere fancy to try and find something. I figured Target and Wal-Mart would be good stops. I’m hoping I only have to wear these clothes for a few months so I didn’t want to spend a boat load of money or anything. Some people may say I’m cheap, and I am, I can admit that. Something just gets to me when I see a cute simple, yet mass produced, dress that I have to pay even $25.00 for. I know that it was probably made by some poor woman making pennies an hour, cranking out hundreds of the same silly frock over and over again.

After making a few purchases I ended up driving home, in tears, calling my husband complaining about my horrible experience. He laughed a little. I go through this same thing just about every time I go shopping. My husband calmed me down and rationalized the situation with me. He helped me come to the conclusions that if I don’t want to buy something from a store, why not just make it myself? I’ve always been happier with things I’ve made than anything I’ve bought from a store, so why should a dress be any different? So I’m challenging myself to create a summer dress. I’m going to return the clothes I bought and get myself some fabric and go at it. I’m terrified! I’m not sure my sewing skills are really up for this but what have I go to lose!

If you know of any good dress patterns or sewing tutorials please send them my way! I’m determined to make this happen. Sorry about the clothing rant, I couldn’t contain myself. Thanks for sticking it out!

trying to be fashionable: your pregnant, not dead.

So, I’m not a really fashion forward or style savvy but I still like to look nice on a regular basis. I think it’s important for people, particularly women, to be able to look in the mirror and feel good about what they see. Women come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and being and I think everyone has something to feel beautiful about, even pregnant women.

The first time I was pregnant I was 22 years old and serious disappointed with the choices out there in the “Maternity” section of clothing departments. Just because I’m pregnant does not mean I am over a certain age or feel that I need to wear flowers, ribbons and bows. All woman, pregnant or not, have different taste as well as body image. I felt like the clothing stores were trying to shove me into a neat little happy pregnant box, it was a squeeze and I really didn't fit.

This time around I’ve noticed that stores are getting better at stocking things in the Maternity section that don’t really scream “LOOK AT ME! I’M HAVING A BABY!!!” This makes me pretty pleased. I also learned that just because I have a belly doesn’t mean I have to buy everything from the limited Maternity section. Flowing blouses and dresses seem to be really “in” right now, and that works prefect for this prego! I’m learned to look for certain things in tops in the store:

1. Length, make sure it’s long enough to stretch over the belly and still be able to cover your bum if you bend over.
2. The baggy look is perfect! It might hang off petite little bodied but it will probably comfortable huge around a growing bump.
3. Layers! I still have a bunch of my maternity tank tops that I can layer under regular shirt to hide any gaps a shirt might not cover.
4. Something that I will wear even when I’m not pregnant. I think money for most people anymore is pretty tight. I can go around spending hundreds of dollars on new clothes just because my butt can’t fit into something anymore. If it’s on sale, it works!

I was at Kohl's last week picking out a few things and found so many lovely things! I wish I could have bought more. Here are some ideas for all the mommy's out there from the Kohl's website.

Call me crazy but I really like the Simply Vera line.


This summer when it hits over 100 degrees here in Arizona, dresses are going to be my best friend! For pregnant ladies, watch if the dress has a waist line. I'm carrying low enough that I can get away with a reglar on but many woman may find it better for look for emperor waisted dresses.



These might be the most comfortable pair of pants I have ever put on! Maternity or not I might be wearing them well after the baby is born!

Shoes!Personally, I go for comfort. I got these crocs for Christmas and I'm so happy with them! They are really comfortable and I think they will be great with my pregnancy (they'll stretch with my swelling feet!)



I’m pretty happy with my growing belly and body for the moment. Baby did give me a whirlwind of a ride a little while ago. I hit my second trimester and baby grew like wild fire. This seemed to have calmed down now; I’m able to eat regularly again and haven’t had the horrible pains that I was getting, so we’re back on track!

17 Weeks!



Next Monday I go for my big exam! So, what do you think? Boy or Girl? Can’t wait to find out!!!!

fashion icon: jennifer nettles

So, it’s apparent to me that I’ve been thinking about fashion and style a lot lately. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of it in my life right now, which I’m totally okay with. As I’m growing older I think I’m coming into a new phase of “style,” it’s still evolving, and we’ll have to see how it all turns out in the end.

One thing I’m sure of is who I admire style wise. Jennifer Nettles, from the band Sugar land, defiantly tops my list right now. She’s extremely beautiful and confident; you can tell by the way she carries herself. I think that’s one reason why she can wear so many styles and they all work for her. She can go from pretty girl, to sassy and vintage, and she can even make pants and a jacket look amazing. My hats off to her, she’s a talked singer and song writer as well at being a cutie too!









See Jennifer and Kristian is their crazy/cute music video for "Stuck like Glue"



On a side note:I finally got a hair cut!! YAY!

the men's clothing issue.

Today I got to get out for a little while. Marc, my husband, got a gift card to Kohl's from my parents for Christmas and he is in desperate need of some new work attire. He attempted at one point to go shopping for himself but only came back with one dress shirt and a Princess outfit for Aurora. Although the Princess outfit is super cute and came with a wand that Aurora has been "Poofing" everything with, Marc can't really wear it to work. He asked me to take the gift card and find him a nice outfit to wear. I didn't think this was going to be a very big deal until I actually got to the store.

I have come to this realization; men's clothes suck. There is hardly any verity or choices. It's a selection of different colored jeans or kahkis with a small selection of shirts to wear with the bottoms. I know a lot of guys can get really creative with what they wear and I give them a lot of credit for that. My husband is a simple man and I almost feel bad for him. With woman’s clothes at least you have variations is colors and patterns or even design. We can wear pants, short, skirts, or dresses. We also get a more wide verity of accessories to go a long with our outfits. Even the most "basic" of woman's attire can get pretty complex.

kohl's.com

Why am I telling you all of this? I have no idea. It's just a thought that crossed my mind about the way men view getting dressed every morning. "Should I wear the jeans with the brown shirt or blue shirt?" Not all that exciting. Although a lot of times I feel very lazy about looking nice and "getting dressed" I feel lucky to have more options then a lot of men feel like they do.

kohl's.com

Any thoughts on the male fashion predicament?