Happy New Year - 3rd trimester maternity style

2014 is here and the Otto bean will be arriving before we know it.  I had a slight freakout when the clock struck midnight on NYE -- I can't believe I can no longer say and think, "Oh the baby isn't coming until next year."  I'm honestly still a bit in shock that we are having a real live baby.  It's happening...so we better get ready.  We are down to less than 10 weeks to the due date.  Josh loves to tell people the nursery is almost done.  Let's be real, I have mostly decorated it, but we have only one thing for the actual baby and that is a crib.  

Speaking of 10 weeks, what a difference 10 weeks has made.  This belly sure has grown!  I can't believe it's going to keep getting bigger for 10 more!  Ignore my pitiful hair in today's pic...yikes!  

Even though I look like I swallowed a watermelon, I've bought only a handful of actual maternity items -- mostly pants.  I love my AG jeans and intended to buy a pair of J Brand maternity, but at this point am thinking maybe just a cheaper pair of Old Navy skinny jeans and make due.  For work, I bought a pair of black J Crew Minnie maternity pants and have really loved them.  I found all of the pants mentioned ran really true to my pre-pregnancy size.

After reading Natalie from Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers raving over the Spanx leggings (here and here), I decided to buy a pair to add into my pants rotation.  I got them from ShopBop today and they really are comfortable and flattering, even 7 months pregnant.  Typically, I'm completely on the Kelly Ripa leggings-are-NOT-pants bandwagon, but for the third trimester, I'm embracing them more than ever.  For the most part I'll wear longer sweaters with them to completely cover my bum.

After splurging a little on these leggings (they run nearly $100, so I do consider that splurging for leggings!), I decided to peruse Forever21's website to find some reasonable items to pair with the leggings.  Well these 5 items arrived on my doorstep at the same moment as the Spanx and they are quite the match!  These will be my uniform for the next few months (and after...the beauty of not buying actual maternity).  I ordered a mix of smalls and mediums to try and make sure the ones that looked shorter would cover the watermelon, but kind of wish I'd gotten a small in all of them since they are all stretchy and long enough on my 5'2" body.  I'm happy though and keeping them all.  

Textured Knit Sweater Cape $27.80 (this is one size fits all)

Relaxed Eyelash Knit Sweater $29.80 (ordered M and should have ordered S)

Southwest Bound Sweater $32.80 (ordered a S.  Love the colors and pattern of this one, but it is a little bulkier than it appears in the picture.  It's also a tad itchy, so I'll likely wear a long-sleeved shirt under it)

Longline Metallic Thread Sweater $24.80 (ordered a S - love the buttons on the back of this!)

The fifth sweater is actually no longer availble.  If you want any of the above items, act quickly since that's how it goes at Forever21.

ASOS has a large variety of cute maternity items and I did order a shirt (which is no longer available) and dress from there back in early December.  I wore the dress NYE.  I didn't want it to be too tight and ordered a 4, but the ASOS maternity runs big according to the two purchases I made.  I'd recommend ordering in your pre-pregnancy size for a better fit -- even if you are busty.

ASOS Maternity Knitted Dress with Leather Look Pockets (originally $72.60, now only $21.78!)

Happy New Year!

XO,

Whit

SheInside - a happy ending

I spied this outfit on Pinterest a month or so ago and have been obsessed with recreating the look.  Like many Pinterest pics, the link didn't lead me to the source, but that certainly wasn't going to stop me.  I did some internet searching and found a few similar cape options (some were quite pricey!) and then ended up stumbling upon the very one on SheInside.com. 

At only $76 plus a 15% off code for being a new customer -- it was quite the bargain.  I was a bit skeptical since I'd heard mixed reviews for the site, but ended up taking my chance and ordering it.  I did pay for expedited shipping, but after processing time it still took about 2 weeks to arrive.  Overall, I'm happy with the quality for the price.  It will be quite comfortable during my third trimester.

Have you ordered anything from SheInside.com?

XO,

Whit

Lusting for glitter & gold!

I'm already ready for the glitter of the holiday season and rounded up a few things that I've been spying on the Internet the last few weeks.

1. Piperlime Collective Concepts Mila Sequin Color Block Dress - only $59 on sale (I ordered this for an engagement party this coming weekend)
2. The Oxford Trunk Sequin Mini Dress - only $65
3. Loeffler Randall Quinnie - a splurge at $295
4. Anthropologie Giraffe Trinket Dish - only $16
5. Gold Gift Wrapping Ideas
6. West Elm Metallic Print Glassware Set - on sale for $27 for a set of 4!

XO,
Whit

New designer crush: Chester NYC

Have you heard of Chester NYC?  Charlotte's in Raleigh just started carrying the line and I spent approximately 1 hour debating which necklace to get for myself because I loved them all!

The one below is really similar to the one I ended up snagging.

XO,

Whit

You're invited...

Next Thursday I'm hosting a Stella & Dot Trunk Show at my house.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to come by -- no pressure to buy, just a fun girls night with some apps and vino!  Please stop by and say hello anytime between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

If you cannot make it in person (mom!), then feel free to shop online at this link: http://www.stelladot.com/ts/k21j5

I'm coveting these beauties:

Chantilly Lace Cuff

Zahara Bib Necklace

Contessa Jade Necklace

Serenity Stone Drops

Serenity Stone Small Drops

Aurora Cocktail Ring

Hope to see you next Thursday!

XO,
Whit

Look for Less: Leopard Flats

Leopard seems to be EVERYWHERE this fall.  I've found some shoes I absolutely love, but these days (and really this isn't new), I prioritize home over clothes, so I can't justify paying lots of money for fun shoes like these:  

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Then I went on a mission looking for baskets for our back entry cubby holes (failure) and found these:

...and did I mention I love the touch of neon pink?! I won't lie -- I started walking like a geisha with bound feet due to some rubbing on the back of my heels, but I convinced myself that was going to happen with any ballet flats after a summer full of flip flops & other backless sandals.  I do think they will break in nicely and plan to enjoy them with jeans and a simple white or black top.

(I can't find them online, but just got them in the store within the last week or so...)

Hope you had a great weekend.

XO,
Whit

Bloom Theory Straps

Did you see these featured on Matchbook yesterday?  I am dying for one of these straps for my new camera.  Only dilemma is deciding which one...

I'm leaning towards #1 ("washed ashore") or #7 ("bohemian belle").  Which do you like better?  Which is more practical for having on my camera every day?

XO,
Whit

Express - Not just for teenagers or the 90s!

I've been eyeing some Aztec skirts for the last few months...but most came with a hefty price tag.

Most of the below are Antik Baltik or All Saints.

Here is the print in a top

...and Madonna's daughter, Lourdes, rocking the print.

Have you been to Express in years?  If you are like me, that is a NO.  Well while thumbing through the March Vogue I came across this darling sequin skirt.

For $59 I took it home (even though it was a little big).  Can't wait to wear it this weekend. For the record, they had some other really cute things as well -- and all reasonable!

XO,

Whit

Wardrobe needs some love

For those of you that have been following, you know I spent my Feb. allowance in January.  I am ready for it to be March so I can treat myself to a LITTLE something. :)

I am typically more of a decorista than fashionista, but with the new j-o-b, I think I should focus March money on making myself presentable.  I need a few more biz casual items in my wardrobe.  I've been eyeing some blouses that could take me from day to night.  (Check out some of the steals -- Old Navy channeling Anthropologie, I like!)

Then some of these spring-like days got me thinking of some other items for spring/summer and Hawaii...

And last, but not least, 2 accessories I'd love for spring.

Anything you are dying for as the weather gets warmer?

XO,

Whit

Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 Runway Show - Go Caroline!

One of my dear college roommates, Caroline, works as a designer for Marc Jacobs.  The Fall 2012 Runway Show was last Monday during NYFW -- so magical and beautiful!

Here are a few shots I grabbed (love print screen!).

Isn't the set fantastic?  Aren't the clothes gorgeous?  Aren't the hats the ultimate statement?

Watch it here.  SO impressed, Caroline.  Can't wait to view the collection in more detail.

Enjoy!

XO,
Whit