Time to head out

So it's been a few weeks since I had Emma, and my body (and style) are beginning to adapt to our new - shall we call it - reality....Having been down this road before (albeit 5 years ago now...) I am better prepared for what to expect from my body apres delivery, and less shocked at what pregnancy has done to my figure. When it comes to my personal experience (and my body type) this is what I know:

1. Much of my pregnancy "bloat" is indeed water - take that all you meanies that thought making comments about how "HUGE" I was and predicting that my baby would be ready for delivery at month 6 was so hilarious!!!! (For those of you who have never been pregnant, and may not be aware, it is never ok to tell a pregnant woman that she is big....EVER. Unless your comment about her appearence is something along the lines of "you look fabulous/glowing/radiant/fantastic" keep quiet - we already know our feet are swollen, skin is breaking out, belly is huge and that we waddle when we walk. No commentary is necessary.

2. I will lose most of the weight I gained while pregnant with very little effort - The last 5-10 pounds is VERY difficult to shed. My bigger challenge will be losing the weight I tend to gain after the baby...oy!

3. Maternity leave is counter productive to losing weight - Being on maternity leave in the Canadian winter (ie, grossly inactive, all day access to television/magazines/internet and REFRIGERATOR) is the ultimate saboteur to my weight loss efforts - I actually tend to gain weight after I initially lose my pregnancy pounds.

4. Above all, don't stress - I gained and lost it before, I will gain and lose it again.

Style wise, I've spent the last 7 weeks in a uniform of black leggings, Roots sweatpants and loose sweaters. Today, as I ventured out into society with a purpose that did not involve dropping off or picking up our 5 year old from school, I decided it's time to make a little effort. Here's what I wore to hit the mall and begin (cringe) my Christmas shopping.

V-neck pullover - H&M

Scarf - Zara

Bracelet - Fossil

Pants - Lululemon

Shoes - Calvin Klein

Diaper bag - Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses - Sirens

These pants from Lululemon are among my favorite! They are so comfy and forgiving yet super stylish. NOBODY knows how toned (or not) your thighs are in these pants!!! I also love using pattern and colour in an unexpected way, and think that the faux snakeskin flats and red sunglasses add just the right amount of personality. 

I hope to share more of my post pregnancy style ideas and would love to hear your tips and feedback on how to keep your look stylish but at the same time comfortable and conducive to caring for a little one.

Welcome Emma Peyton!!

So it's been a minute since my last entry. But I was super busy completing final preparations for the newest addition to our family and then resting and recovering from delivery.

In addition to having a second baby, my husband is also finishing up his very first attempt at a total gut renovation (minus the basement). New house, new furniture and new baby! Of all the changes, my favorite one came in at 7lbs 5oz, with an angelic face and serene temperament :)

Please meet our newest bundle of love, Emma Peyton:

I know I'm biased, but isn't she a doll?

I suspect that keeping up with regular blogging will be something of a challenge, what with a newborn, a four year old and Christmas around the corner, but I will do my best to stay connected!

Kate Spade shipment has arrived!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!!!!

I got home from my doctor's appointment today to find a notice taped to my door letting me know that there was a package waiting for me at the Canada Post office. I knew it was either the crib bedding from Carousel Designs, the Kushies newborn nightgowns I had ordered from Walmart, or......my KATE SPADE SHIPMENT!!! Let's face it, handbags trump baby gear when it comes to the "which-package-do-I-want-it-to-be-most" contest, and I could barely contain my grin when the girl at the counter emerged from the backroom carrying my package with the sender labeled "Kate Spade".

A few weeks ago, I had barely made the midnight deadline of the 24 hour, on-line-only, 75% off sale. All items were final sale, so I was a bit nervous unboxing my purchases, but should have known better, as Kate never lets me down.

For less than the regular price of the satchel alone (and just $10 shipping to Canada) here's what I got:

Clockwise from left: Pave hoops, Silver bow earrings, Dot cosmetic case, Graphite satchel, Taupe cross-body, Turquoise wallet

 I'm really happy with all of the items. The wallet in particular makes me smile. I think I'm a bit too old to have a favorite colour, but I will admit that I am inexplicably drawn to blue and pink, particularly in shades of turquoise and dusty rose (did my blog design give it away??)

I just love the "Tiffany Blue" hue and gold hardware combination of the wallet:

Speaking of, did you know that all of the hardware on Kate Spade accessories is actually "14 karat gold plated"? Just one more reason to heart Kate Spade.

This sale is over but you can find similar items at the Kate Spade website here. And if you register your information with the site, you'll be added to the mailing list for the next big sale!

Have you recently unboxed a gorgeous steal of a deal? I'd love to hear about what you found and where.

So, we're having a baby....AGAIN!!

After 36 of the longest weeks of my life, I am happy to announce that not only am I in the final days of this pregnancy, but I am also officially off of work - for the next 13 months!!! (Gotta love the maternity benefits of the Great White North!) So I thought what better way to spend my last few days in what I am fairly certain will be my last ever pregnancy than shopping!

Truly, I didn't intend to purchase anything today - was headed to the mall with sole purpose of meeting a friend for lunch - however I was understandably side tracked by the "30% OFF all Baby and Maternity Wear" sign, screaming at me from the Old Navy shop window. Let's face it, the only thing I love more than fabulous fashion and thrifty finds, is fabulous fashion and thrifty finds - ON SALE!

I had to at least take a look...

...and ended up leaving with this sweet polka-dot pullover:

I think this deep "V" is a most flattering neckline for girls like me with shorter necks and it brings the attention up to the face and away from the belly. Also, I love that this piece will transition nicely into my postpartum wardrobe.

Now, throughout my pregnancy, I've purchased very little in the way of true "maternity" clothes because:

   1. They are so gosh-darned expensive

B. They are very rarely attractive OR stylish

and

iii. I simply cannot justify the expense for just a few months of wear

Fortunately I was "visibly" pregnant primarily during the summer months and so I was able to get away with stretchy maxi dresses, leggings, long tanks and my GAP 1969 denim vest, all from "non-maternity" collections. My typical weekend wardrobe consisted primarily of the following:

Walmart was my go-to spot for the strappy tanks which made for great layering pieces. And at just $3.50 a pop they are practically disposable! I purchased multiples in the three available colors of white, grey and black. You can purchase them online with free delivery in Canada here.

I did invest in a couple of maternity wear staples including a couple of pairs of maternity leggings (I find that piece of fabric over the tummy oh SO comfortable), 3 pairs of maternity jeans, (2 purchased for 75% off at Thyme Maternity and a faded blue cropped pair from the Gap) and 2 pairs of maternity dress pants for work (also from Thyme, also on sale).

For the most part I found that I could work dresses with stretch fabric under blazers left open for work, such as this Joe Fresh dress and Mendocino Blazer combination:

I did have one wedding this summer and after disappointing finds at the local maternity boutiques I finally sent for this black dress with a scooped back and crystal back chain detail from ASOS:

You can purchase it online here.

There are a lot of creative ways to look cute during pregnancy without breaking the bank. I'd love to hear your ideas for dressing your bump. Feel free to comment below.