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.