Wearable Palm Prints

Nothing says summer more than a fun tropical print, like these retro feeling palm prints.

Here are some different versions in different price points.

DRESSES

H&M, $12.95 HERE

Old Navy, $32 (on sale), HERE

Topshop at Nordstrom, $60, HERE

If a dress is too much print, opt for either a top or bottom paired with a solid color.

 

Sleeveless top, Forever 21, $15.90, HERE
 

Shorts, Old Navy, $22 (on sale) HERE
 

Tote, Society 6, $22, HERE

Cheap or Chic- Striped Dress

I was really surprised to find a dress similar to an expensive dress I saw at Nordstrom recently at Old Navy- which is where I have gotten some great and inexpensive maternity items!

 

Both dresses are white with a gray stripe pattern and both have a narrow neckline and fitted bust and flare bottom.

 

Both are on sale and even with the sales- the designer dress is about $230 MORE than the Old Navy.

 

Although I like the look of the expensive one much better, the Old Navy dress is a close comparison and is perfect for a dress you may only wear one time.

 

Striped Sheath, Old Navy, $26 (on sale from $36.94) HERE

'Magdalena' Stripe Fit & Flare Dress, Elizabeth and James at Nordstrom $254.98 (on sale from $425) HERE

Maternity Fashion Style- DRESSES!

I have a few posts now about maternity fashion, but now at 35 weeks I figured I would update on some of my favorites!

 

Tees by Tina Dress- the crosshatch style. I purchased from Nordstrom, it was $98 compared to $120 on the Tees By Tina site. Bought in both red and gray and wore each to a wedding. This one size fits all dress fits like a glove and rouching hides unsightly lines.

 

$98 each here

 

Once the warmer weather hit, I fell in love with the simple tank dress. My favorite is by Ingrid and Isabele and sold on their website and at Nordstrom. I bought the same dress in Aqua, Navy, and Red/Pink/Coral color.- they are available here and here. $88 each.

SHOPPING TIP: If you buy from Ingrid and Isabele their is a 15% off code for new customers with email sign up!

 

I wore the aqua to the baby Jackson's shower!

 

Next was a cheap find from Old Navy- simple tank dresses (thin and not as soft as the Ingrid and Isabel but good for everyday wear/ dressed down look). Purchased in both olive and salmon. HERE $29.95 each

 

SHOPPING TIP: Use a promo code! Saved 30% and got free shipping. They run big, so buy a size down.

Wearing the green olive colored one at Kenny Chesney concert at Merriweather!

I also got a few maxi dresses from Old Navy online as well- in both black and red. Both $32.94 each but with the code and sale you can pick up for around $20 each. HERE



Wearing the black maxi on my birthday :) Paired with BCBG cardigan (not maternity)

So buying maternity clothing can be a challenge since you pretty much can only find stuff online (ALL OF THE ABOVE WAS BOUGHT ONLINE!)

 

 There is definitely trial and error...below was a cute dress sold at both Nordstrom and Bella Blu Maternity by Olian Angela. Looked so cute in the pics but when I got it UGH HORRIBLE FIT! Made me look 50000000 lbs! Lesson learned- empire waist not for me- the tighter the better!

 

SHOPPING TIP: Bella Blu has many of the same brands as Nordstrom, but at a lower cost and also has promo codes for 10% off. So if you find a maternity dress at Nordstrom, make sure to check out Bella Blu first!

As seen online....

I love online shopping! Using promo codes and being able to shops sales are a great way to get some good deals.

I also love getting ideas for great outfits from blogs and Pinterest.

Here are a few items I picked up recently for this Spring and Summer (preg and post!)

As seen on Pinterest: Maxi Dress, $35 ($26 with shipping using a promo code)  HERE

I was hesitant to order this, since I never used the site before and was scared it would be from China and fit terribly. But after reading the reviews on the item and of the site, I gave it a try and I'm glad I did! The material is great and the colors are just as amazing in person.

As seen on J's Everyday Fashion Blog: J Crew Factory Top, $27 (on sale with promo code)  HERE

I really liked this color combo and already have a pair of shorts in the same color from last summer. Also pair with a yellow skirt, white pants, and a deep green skirt I have as well!

As seen on Pink Peonies Blog: Tees By Tina via Nordstrom, $98 (used $20 off Nordstrom note, so I got for $80 with tax) HERE

I am obsessed with this girls maternity fashion and a bit jealous she can afford a lot of the items! LOL
This dress was a one size fits all and I just loved the color! Fits great and really surprisingly flattering.

Lilly for Target

I think it was back in January that I first began to see the advertisements for the Lilly Pulitzer collaboration with Target. Yesterday morning, I woke up early (that happens when your prego and go to bed early) and decided to try my luck at Target after looking on the site and seeing all the clothing items out of stock in my size. I arrived at the store about 20 minutes prior to opening and was surprised to see a line was already formed, maybe only about 50 ft. long. Filled with excited women, we gabbed about how stupid we were for getting up to shop and about what we wanted to buy. The line got extremely long very quickly and the store opened their doors right at 8 am.

 

 

To say it was mayhem, is an understatement.

 

Picture Black Friday times 10. Limited supplies and people grabbing whatever they could. Only a few racks with clothes and the employees would wheel out a cart full of an item (like towels or chairs) and people would just go nuts.

 

Not sure how, but I didn't run or push and a few of the items I really wanted! I was going for a few clothing items, where most girls were going for the home goods. People were stalking dressing rooms and as soon as an item was put down, another girl or two snatched it up.

 

Here is what I got:

Nosey Posey Maxi Dress $34

See Ya Later Shift $38

Navy Eyelet cover up, with gold details, $32

Gold Starfish Cuff $20

Overall I got lucky, I got what I wanted in the sizes I wanted.

 I didn't realize it at the time, but I should have bought whatever and then sold it on Ebay- with any items are going for triple to five times the cost!

 

It was unfortunate to see the women with carts full of stuff, knowing it was just going to be resold and the really unhappy shoppers leaving empty handed.

 

 

Maternity Wardrobe

So at about 21 weeks I had to break down and shell out money (a lot) on maternity clothes. Up to this point, I was rocking leggings, which had become insanely uncomfortable, tight, and not flattering. Many of my shirts were too short and again, not comfortable.

Here's how I built my maternity wardrobe:

I bought staple bottoms and where I shelled out the most money. I wanted good jeans and work pants and got these from  A Pea in the Pod. The closest store was Bethesda, but it was worth the drive. Again good quality, but pricey, however they fit nice and look good so at this point that's all I wanted!

Dark Wash Jeans, Boyfriend Style
HERE

 

Crop "Work Pants" in Tan
Similar HERE

Black "work pants" Crop Cut
Similar HERE

 

Skinny Jeans
Similar HERE

Next I searched for tops. My go to were my purchases from Gap.com I bought basic t-shirts and tanks. The big difference from non-maternity is the rouching- which when you are pregnant is your best friend! This helps hide your belly button and any bulges. Also the length is longer to cover your bump and you don't have to constantly keep pulling down your shirt.

 

Definitely recommend fitted. Anything big, looks terrible. Tighter the better so you look pregnant and not like a huge massive person in a drapey top!

 

 

I bought these V-necks in all three colors! Super soft and comfortable. Used a promo code and got for $11 each

HERE

 

 

Again super affordable and simple tops- just in tank version.

HERE

 

Next I went for dresses! Needed a few good things for weddings, showers, and work events. Found a lot at ASOS.com and loved the fact they have free shipping both ways! Only issue I had was the sizing, but once I figured out what fit best, I was super happy with what I got. Anything that I ordered that was not form fitting, got returned. Again the loose stuff looked like a tent on me and was super unflattering.

 



HERE



HERE



HERE



HERE

Next I ordered some linen pants, similar to what I had seen shopping at A Pea in the Pod, but for WAY cheaper. From Old Navy (online) I bought a very similar linen pant, for only $21 each (sale plus promo code) with shipping. They are so comfortable and cannot wait to wear them!

 

 

HERE

 

I also picked up these cheap basics:

 

HERE

HERE

 

Next I hit up Target.com for some basics. 

I used Pinterest for inspiration then I got a few close matches to styles I liked.

 

Inspiration: Ms. Tatum rocking a striped tan maxi

 

HERE

 

Inspiration: Gisele Bundchen rocking a casual black shirt dress

 

Non-Maternity HERE
 

Maternity Workout pants: Although my pre-pregnancy still fit, but fall down (since I am wearing below bump)
HERE

another basic item HERE

 

After reading a fashion blog, I learned the need for these, especially with those tight dresses!

HERE

 

Okay so last bit of searching came way of Ebay. Really liked some things I saw that were really high priced at Nordstrom or sold out. So with a little search, I was able to score an Isabella Oliver Navy Dress, Nicole Miller (MOM) teal maxi, and H&M sleeveless print dress.

 

 

The hardest part about buying maternity clothes was getting all the basics to make multiple outfits as well as get some pieces to wear to events- all having to be comfortable and flattering- no easy task.

It's also different than typical shopping since you don't want to invest a lot of money into stuff you aren't going to wear for long. I don't plan on more children, so I looked at these items as short term wear. Most stores have maternity clothes, but ONLY online (Loft, Nordstrom) or what is in store is a really small picked over selection. I found the best deals online especially when using promo code.