My Pregnancy Outfit Matrix

One of the things that I really like about pregnancy is that it forces me down to a much simpler wardrobe.  Almost capsule style, but not quite (I am not a huge fan of the capsule wardrobe, and you can read about that right here).

This pregnancy, Janssen was really nice and sent me a box of her maternity clothes to wear, and my mom got me a few new items as well, which I was really excited about, because the few pregnancy items that I already owned were definitely not made for a twin pregnancy, and I was worried I would end up with one outfit to wear the last six weeks.

So now I have a much larger collection of pregnancy appropriate clothes, but I still find myself categorizing these clothes into some tried and true outfit combos that make me feel attractive despite the extra weight I am carrying right now.

Here are my favorite pregnancy outfit combinations:

Form fitting maternity dress + scarf + booties

dress: target// scarf: loft (old)// shoes: dsw

Pencil skirt + tunic/maternity top + booties/boots

skirt: made by my mom// shirt: h&m// shoes: dsw

Maternity pants + cute form fitting maternity top + cute tennis shoes

cords: old navy (similar)// shirt: h&m (similar)// shoes: GH Bass 

A few cozy sweaters to mix and match

black sweater: via clothing swap (similar)// brown: old navy// pink: forever 21

I think that anyone could easily get away with a fall pregnancy wardrobe looking something like this:

- 2 maternity dresses

- 2-3 cozy sweaters (add a coat if you like)

- 1-2 neutral pencil skirts

- 3-5 tunics and maternity tops

- Plus a few scarves, booties and leggings/tights

Also, because I just can't quit talking, a few random notes about some of these items:

- pencil skirts.  Adam was a little mystified after finding out that I feel these are essential for pregnancy, and he asked me about it.   I couldn't give him a very good answer, but after a day or two of thinking, I realized that I love pencil skirts because they are (1) stretchy (2) they are form fitting, so you can feel like an attractive person even with your belly is huge and, (3) they stay up much better than maternity pants because they are form fitting.

- tunics are great because a number of the pieces that I own are not maternity, and I can't wait to wear them with skinny jeans once I am not pregnant.  They are also long enough to last the duration of a pregnancy.

- Booties are the best, because they keep your foot warm, and look like fall, but they aren't so hard to zip up.  Tall boots can get tricky to zip up once you can't bend over very well.  Trust me, I know.

- Maternity pants.  I love wearing jeans, but during pregnancy, they stop fitting after a while, and I am constantly hiking them up, because they are trying to find a smaller place to grab onto than my giant belly. I wear them as long as I can, but usually know when to call it quits.  Sadly  my jeans got phased out a few weeks ago, and the cords won't be around much longer :(
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20 Weeks Twin Pregnancy Update

I am halfway through!  That is insane.

- Still napping regularly.  I don't have to take a nap everyday now, which is nice, but some days it is definitely a necessity.  

- Eating a ton everyday (A book that was recommended to me says you should gain most of your weight in the first 28 weeks when the placenta is developing and forming vital organs and such.  Then plateau until delivery, and you should have heavier, healthier babies, and be able to lose the weight faster... Guess we will see!).  My favorites currently are plain yogurt and bran sticks, crackers and cheese, and cold cereal.  Obviously all the carbs.  

- Babies moving like crazy.  Most days I feel them moving a lot.  I think most people are just starting to feel their babies right about now, but I have been feeling them for weeks.

- Terrible heartburn.  Tums are a current staple in our medicine cabinet.  I had it pretty bad with Fox, so I was not totally surprised.  Last pregnancy, I thought it was a dairy allergy for about 6 weeks, but this time I was prepared, and knew how to handle it.  Makes a huge difference.

- Feeling huge.  I went to a doctor appointment a few days ago where they measured me, and I am measuring at about 24 weeks... I am going to be huge by the end!!!

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Pregnant for the Holidays: Dressy Style (Part 2)

Look 1:  Black is always a slimming color, especially when you are pregnant.  Choose a fun skirt, a plain top and a pop of color (red, if you are going for a holiday look) and some fun heels, unless you have sworn them off because they are too dangerous (I am just about to that point...)

 skirt: Ann Taylor// shirt: target (via Clothing swap)// jacket: h&m (similar)// shoes: dsw(similar)// earrings: forever 21

Look 2:  Go for a classic LBD and pair it with some classy heels and a large gold or other festive necklace.  

 dress: from Merrick(similar)// shoes: from my mom// necklace: francesca's

Look 3:  Pair a fun jacket with a fitted dress for a fun, semi-festive look.  Add boots for emphasis.  

jacket: calvin klein// dress: old navy (very similar)// boots: dsw// earrings: claire's(similar)

See Part 1 of "Pregnant for the Holidays" here

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Pregnant for the Holidays: Casual Style (Part 1)

The holiday season always brings lots of parties and gatherings with family and friends, and as a pregnant person (who is feeling sort of massive with only 3 weeks to go), I want to look my best for all of the events that we have planned over the next few weeks.   So, I came up with a few types of outfits that could work for my holiday parties, and might give you some ideas for the holiday parties that you might be attending throughout the month of December!

Look 1: Go for a striped sweater, a gold or metallic scarf and jeans with metallic shoes.  The metallic accents will give the outfit a festive feeling, but will keep your from feeling like a disco ball.

sweater: downeast basics// scarf: gift (similar)// earrings: kendra scott// jeans: old navy// shoes: ross

Look 2: Look festive in a red sweater, but combine it with a patterned blouse and some pearls for a cute casual look.  

sweater: clothing swap// blouse: jc penney(similar)// jeans: old navy// shoes: target (similar)// necklace: gift

Look 3: Possibly my favorite look of the three... Pair a cranberry pair of maternity pants with a striped shirt and fitted jacket.  Throw on some boots and gold earrings and you are festive AND fashionable. 

shirt: forever 21 (somewhat similar)// jacket: target (similar)// pants: old navy// boots: dsw// earrings: nickel & suede

Check back later this week for part 2!  

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Green Blazer and Kate Spade

Oh, this jacket.  I could talk about it all day long.  I think it is the most gorgeous piece in my closet right now.  Wool, dark green and a perfect fit.  I am obsessed.  I honestly love J. Crew, so it should come as no shock that my favorite piece of clothing currently is from there.  Also, I have been thinking a lot about filling my closet with high quality clothing that will last a long time and still be stylish.  This jacket has just about made me decide to do it.  I will keep you posted on if I actually do it or not.  I am hoping I will be able to convince myself to do it. Have any of you done something similar?  I have seen a few people in the blogging world paring down their closets to their favorite items and people say great things about it, but somehow, I am scared.  

shirt: Old Navy// scarf: Old Navy(similar)// jacket: J. Crew Factory(Tan Color)// Bag: Kate Spade (similar)// jeans: Old Navy// boots: DSW(similar)// Earrings: Ruche(similar)// Sunglasses: Ross (similar)

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