the outfit: fur-collared white coat, Old Navy | plaid scarf, Old Navy | textured open front cardigan, Old Navy | skinny glitter belt, Target | MAMA maternity jeans, H&M | Chamber 14" boot, c/o Hush Puppies 

After yesterday's post I actually got all inspired to lock-down a Christmas day outfit. I think I've finally got it. We're headed to the in-law's house in the country, so this outfit will work great- nothing too fancy shmancy, has a festive quality to it...and it's comfortable (the most important thing). Now, the only trick is getting me out of my even more comfy flannel pajamas that day... ;). It may or may not happen. 

A Cozy Maternity Wrap - styled 2 ways

This wrap came in super handy while we were up north with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday- was just a bit chillier there than it has been in NC. It's cozy, soft and long enough to drape around this (almost) 36 week bump and pregnant bod. It's the perfect thing to throw on, over most anything...and I love a versatile piece.

I thought I'd share how I styled in two ways- dressy and a bit more casual.

I was a fan of this outfit because it looked dressy, but definitely didn't feel that way. From the stretchy skinny pant to the low heel...I felt great and completely comfortable (which can be very hard to say at this point). It was all just a bit too boring by itself, so I added a pop of color with the necklace and that was that. A clutch would have been a nice add-on as well! I just didn't have one with me.

dressy outfit: cozy wrap, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | long sleeve scoop neck tee, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | ponte skinny pant, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | bold beaded strands, Baublebar | black pumps, H&M

Now, really...I'll find any excuse to wear these boots. They are my best shoe freeeends. In order to take the wrap from dressy to casual, I ditched the necklace and pumps and replaced them with the combat boot. I actually like how simply black and grey this look is. The boot did all of the work for me. It's so good at making most any outfit terribly cool (and that's my main goal in life, of course). I'm hoping they last for many more years to come, because the day they go to shoe heaven will be a sad sad day for me. ;)

casual outfit: cozy wrap, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | long sleeve scoop neck tee, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | ponte skinny pant, c/o Ingrid & Isabel | troopa boot, Steve Madden 

Anywho. I guess I should get going and finish decorating this house for Christmas. We did some yesterday, but I ran out of steam about halfway through...and immediately planted myself on the couch for the rest of the day. FYI: I have no energy whatsoever anymore. B day approacheth. I guess my body is making me rest before all the baby madness breaks loose. Woo!

Happy Monday, friends.

my maternity thanksgiving get-up

THE LOOK: 

textured open front cardi | Old Navy

long-sleeve graphic tee | Old Navy

plaid scarf | Old Navy

MAMA slim jeans | H&M

booties | Old Navy

I'm thankful for non-maternity clothes that still fit on my pregnant bod, even after a huge Thanksgiving dinner. :) Old Navy worked it for me this year...with the over-sized, comfy sweater, soft graphic tee, the perfect plaid scarf and booties (bought last year, fyi). We headed back to my hometown to spend Thanksgiving weekend with my fam and so I knew I had to be comfortable for the car trip...aaaand I didn't want some fussy outfit that I would just want to strip off halfway through the day. This outfit completely worked. Score one for the pregs team.

How was your Thanksgiving holiday??

InStyle and People StyleWatch at Target

 This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and People StyleWatch and InStyle magazines but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PeopleInStyle http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

There are those times (more often than naught) when I'm just blah about getting dressed. I feel like I have nothing to wear and I don't want to wear anything but pjs. It's those times when a magazine or two can come in handy...helping to re-inspire me and be more creative with what I already have in my closet. It's also nice to be informed about stylish budget-friendly steals that I'd never find on my own. InStyle and People Style Watch are two of my favorite mags to grab in the check-out aisle.

...aaaand they just so happen to be part of a sweet deal happening at Target right now. If you buy both of the December issues of InStyle and People Style Watch magazine you receive a $5 gift card! As if I or you needed another reason to spend more money at that lovely place. ;)

After flipping through both magazines I wanted to break-out my tuxedo jacket (that I have maybe worn a total of two times)...and so I did. I went for a more laid-back, casual, realistic mom look...instead of a more glitzy, tailored one as shown in the mags. I did, however, add a chic black pump! Gotta keep it classy in the land of gross toddler diapers and 34 week baby bumps, people.

THE LOOK:

Leather Sleeve Shirt | c/o FourthLove

contrast blazer | c/o Sway Chic, similar

MAMA maternity jeans | H&M

pointy toe black pumps | H&M

If you're heading into Target any time soon (or should I say today?...if you're anything like me) check-out the magazine rack. InStyle and People StyleWatch are waiting there for you...along with a $5 gift card. Woo!

*promo runs until 12/7

The importance of a great pair of maternity jeans.

THE LOOK:

Red Lapel Long Sleeve Plaid Pockets Blouse | c/o SheInside

MAMA nursing tank top | H&M

blazer | Forever21, similar 

MAMA slim jeans | H&M

knit hat/beanie | H&M, similar
Troopa boot | Steve Madden 

I had underestimated the importance of having a quality pair of maternity jeans that fit well...until this pregnancy. I had been doing my best with the couple of so-so pairs I had worn throughout my pregnancy with Mads, but they made me want to cry this time around. They felt tight and would slide down. every. 5. seconds. Let's just say, they made me feel like a beached whale. It really doesn't matter what size you are. If you have ill-fitting jeans on, you will feel uncomfortable and less than your best. Am I right?

Soooo...I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore. I loaded Moo into the minivan and we made the 30 min trip to the only H&M around. They carry their MAMA maternity line in-store, so I was all over it. I found the above pair of awesome sauce jeans. Amazing. I'm in love. I may even have teared up a bit with sheer pregnant happiness when I tried them on. They fit so well and felt sooo good. I also grabbed up the two-pack of nursing tank tops (b+w), because not only do they work now for bump layering...they will be very handy once the baby boy arrives and I return to my nursing post. Yay for stylin' maternity finds! I was saved. 

My advice: if you're newly pregnant, reeeally pregnant...any kind of pregnant...purchase a pair of quality maternity jeans that fit well. You'll be happy you did when things get really bumpy, if you know what I mean. That is all.