Tory Burch Sale on Sale!

Day Dresses
Flats

Technically, the entire Tory Burch website is eligible for this promotion, but with coupon code WEEKEND (valid through Labor Day) you can take an additional 20% off orders of $300+, 25% off orders of $500+, or 30% off orders of $750+. Sale stuff doesn't seem to be excluded (sadly, Revas are) and there is free shipping so it's a might tempting offer! Above are some favorites compiled from the sale section. I adore this skirt which is available in two different colorways. The site also offers free returns and exchanges within a designated time frame (excluding items marked final sale).



Tons of sales are on for Labor Day weekend, including the extra 25% off Anthro sale that I learned about this morning from Roxy. Happy Shopping and beware of sale goggles! 

Pregnant in Anthropologie: Montserrat dress

When it went on a second cut I couldn't resist the temptation of the Montserrat dress. Even though my second trimester stomach has made maternity clothing an increasing necessity, I hoped buying a size up would allow me to wear it postpartum. Much to my delight, the generous pleating and full (non-petite) length work for now, too.

I know this one won't be getting any third trimester play, after all it has a side zip. But I did get to wear it for my first day of teaching (styled different, as you'll see in an upcoming post). And I am happy to have it in my closet for the future!

Vinca Minor Dress review

Vinca Minor Dress

The other week I found myself killing time at the mall, browsing non-maternity stores with some pangs of longing. Although any enthusiasm for shopping my favorite stores is tempered by the pregnancy (and all the shape-related uncertainties it brings), I also know that old habits die hard. So I stopped in Anthro and spotted the Vinca Minor dress. It was so pretty on the hanger that I decided to try it for fun, knowing that it would probably be too short to be practical. At this point my stomach really raises things in the front. I joke with Chris that it "Winnie the Pooh's" clothes upward.

Like the others, this Weston Wear dress is sized in letters, not numbers. I grabbed a large which was the biggest size available in my store. It was small on me and looked awkward over my belly. But this is not at all surprising because I was/am in the thick of my second trimester. It is not a pregnancy-friendly non-maternity option for me but I could see it being very fun for a party or as a guest of honor's bridal shower dress, under normal circumstances. It also seems easily winterized with layers and tights. I'd like to see it layered with a turtleneck underneath, to treat the dress as a jumper or even a dirndl. The dress ran true to size but I found the tulle underlayers to be slightly itchy on bare skin.

Masking vs emphasizing

Although the option to mask my growing belly decreases with every passing week, there are still some clothes that make it less apparent. The above is not one such example and that is fine with me.   On Thursday at the farmer's market when I was wearing this outfit, I had the first person (a neighbor) notice the change in my shape enough to ask without trepidation when I am due. So that was exciting in its own way.

Even though I don't like for my body to broadcast messages absent from my voice, the reality of nonverbal communication is that clothing worn on the body will often do that already. It also follows that in this celebrity-bump-watch-obsessed world, similar notions about bodies in transition would trickle into the everyday and mundane to cause the development of a pronounced stomach (where there was once a visible waistline) to yield speculation.

I am really lucky that I've yet to have bold strangers attempt or ask to touch my stomach. Family have asked which is fine with me. But no strangers and no friends so far. I also know that when the weather cools, layers will add additional possibilities to a masking repertoire, should I want one. But of late I haven't really tried to mask anything.

BTW, you can always check in on my expanding waistline and weekly belly shots here.

Details:
St. Johns Bay kimono maxi dress (gift from my mom who generously treated me to a bunch of pregnancy-friendly clothes last week. This one is SO comfy! Note that it is not a maternity dress but works great as one) (here it is in another print)
Chloé zipper flats (similar zipper flats here and here)

Handbags always fit

Hobos
Clutches

Today is the final weekday of summer break. A bittersweet day, indeed! I spent some time over the last few weeks trying on my clothes, but it only occurred to me recently to try my shoes. Little did I know that relaxin (a hormone emitted during pregnancy to loosen up things in anticipation of eventual birth) would effect my feet so much. Most of my pumps and some of my flats are snug. I'm not swollen so I know it is from other shifts that are occurring. And with so many of my fall favorites no longer fitting me, I am left feeling frustrated. At least handbags are always the right size! Above are some bags I'm coveting at the moment.

Same thing, again?!

Fluttering Flora dress

Now that I'm more than six months pregnant fitting into anything with a button or zipper near my midsection feels like an incredible novelty. That this dress still zips and feels comfortable has me reaching for it on the regular. So I'm wearing basically the same thing I've worn, multiple times on this blog. I even ordered the navy version because it went on sale at Anthropologie.

For other pregnant Anthrophiles, I think it's useful to know that this particular piece does have a seamed waistline but it is a forgiving one. The entire dress, including the very soft cotton lining has stretch to it. I bought a size up from my pre-pregnancy size (a deal on ebay while the dress was still full price) and it has been a great second trimester garment. It also is a piece that can be easily layered to hide the bump if that is a concern.  Even now, from the front I don't think I especially look pregnant in it. Its easy a-line shape is a great camouflage. The one thing I should caution is that I am not very tall (5'3"). And a growing belly shortens most everything. This is less of an issue if you have legs you don't mind highlighting and/or if it is tight season. But it still seems important to point out. I see it working well as part of my postpartum winter wardrobe. It is definitely an all star dress in which to be pregnant in Anthropologie.

Outfit details:
Fluttering Flora dress
Delman Wonder flats (similar)
Kate Spade Daycation bag (current season options on sale)
Redraven necklace (c/o), vintage bracelet, Kors watch

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

Kate Spade Sale

Sign in for 75% off a selection of bags, clothes, shoes, and jewelry! The sale is going on for two days. I love the Primrose Hill Goldie bag, marked down significantly from competitor sites. Are you getting anything? All sales are final so shop with caution!

Slanted and bumpy stripes OOTD

When I saw the Slanted Layers top in Anthropologie stores, it was after it already made it to a temporary sale. I liked the length and hoped that the pattern could trick the eye enough to flatter an increasingly visible pregnant belly. I tried it on (in large) and it seemed great as a maternity top. Very stretchy, long enough to not require constant fussing, and more attractive than the majority of legit maternity tops I had tried recently. I bought one for the discounted price and have been very pleased with the purchase. I wear it a lot and although it doesn't hide my bump (which would be hard to do at this point) it emphasizes it in what I hope is an inoffensive manner.

I wore this to go shopping with my mom and sister. They hadn't seen me for a few weeks so it was fun to debut a bigger belly. To follow the progress of my belly, you can browse the week by week section of my pregnancy blog.

Details:
Anthropologie Slanted Layers top
Gap "always skinny" cropped maternity jeans (not so cropped on me, somehow; btw, that name... ugh)
Coach flats
Kate Spade Daycation Bon Shopper in NYC street map print
Kors watch; MBMJ bracelet

Day Tripper

This year, I've tried to hunker down in preparation for some big life changes to come. It has meant that my summer travel plans were kept to a minimum. Although I find myself itching to lay on a beach somewhere warm, it doesn't make sense in terms of the lost writing time or my finances. After San Diego in April and New York in May, Chris and I have not ventured far outside of the greater Pittsburgh area. We will be going to New Orleans in September for a conference, but otherwise no big trips are on the horizon. I will be presenting at my field's major conference in November, but I have to do so remotely, as I will be too pregnant to fly by then.

To combat our wanderlust, we've taken a few fun, interesting day trips that don't require the same level of commitment as more elaborate vacations. And last weekend we went to the lake to spend some time outside.

Although it was pretty chilly, Speck loved it!

We brought some picnic friendly foods and had lunch outside.

Outfit details:
Old Navy Maternity maxi dress (similar; similar maternity)
Levis denim jacket (similar)
Coach flats
YSL sunglasses
Oasap newspaper print bag (c/o)

Chris is wearing:
J. Crew shorts 
Rag and Bone pullover (striped version here)
LL Bean rain jacket
Pittsburgh Pirates hat (from Mitchell and Ness)
Sperry Topsiders