I used to say I'd never wear maternity clothes after pregnancy...
but that was before I met this dress.

Amazing.
I was surprised with how beautiful, flattering and not to mention comfortable it is on me
...even with it being maternity.
I already knew Isabella Oliver could make me feel like a gazillion bucks while pregnant...
but postpartum too?

That's a yes, apparently.
I slipped on this maxi dress from their new Spring '14 line over the weekend and...gosh.
I felt better in it than anything else I've worn since giving birth!
I even nursed while wearing it...score.
All of you mamas know how frustrating getting dressed can be...during pregnancy and after.
It's important to have at least one clothing item that you feel AMAZING in...even if nothing else in your closet fits- hehhh. :)

My poochy post-baby body thanks you, Isabella Oliver.
You have won me over (yet again).

Of course, not all of Isabella Oliver's maternity pieces can really be worn unless you are actually pregnant, but I do think quite a few can definitely work postpartum and beyond. My picks are below...

More Isabella Oliver...

my outfit: Isabella Oliver Vienna Print maxi dress // *Onecklace Carrie Name necklace + Dogeared ribbon bow necklace // Wallis biker jacket // Nine West Heavy Hitter Shopper // JCP ballet flats (similar)

*Onecklace is offering LiM readers 10% off w/ code- lifeinmod

Isabella Oliver Does it Again - Spring 2014 Collection

Oh, man. Isabella Oliver.
How do they do it?
Their new Spring '14 collection just arrived and it is b-e-a-utiful.
Not surprising. At all.
I wore their ruched tank dress throughout my pregnancy...and I was actually sad to store it away when baby boy arrived.
I am looking forward to breaking it out again and again and ag-...wait a second. ;)

Isabella Oliver just does maternity right.
So right.

Here are some of  looks I can't get over from their new collection...
I want every. single. one. 

Look #1: dress/tunic | cardigan | tote 

Look #2: top | pants/trousers | sweater | shoes

Look #3: top | belt | dress | boots 

Look #4: dress/tunic | cardigan | shoes

Ughhhh. So good, eh?

I think several of the new pieces, if not all, can totally work for that weird, in-between postpartum bod too.

I tried on this maxi dress...

and let me just say...

ALLELUIA.
I'll be sharing more about that very soon though, so be on the look-out :).

I know that Isabella Oliver is a spectacular maternity line, because it always makes me want to be pregnant again (stop it, Cams. You're crazy. You just had a baby a month ago. Shhhh.). 

It's true though. They've got me...yet again.

FYI:
 As if they could make pregnancy feel and look any better...they now have an eStylist service. 
Basically, you can sign-up for a free online styling session (e-mail or video)- one of their stylists will talk you through the building blocks of a successful maternity wardrobe, offer advice, hints and tips for all of those dressing dilemmas and serve to inspire you.
How cool is that? 

Isabella Oliver | 1 maternity dress, 2 ways

Isabella Oliver ...an expectant mama's best friend? I say oh yes.

Their styles are spot-on, trendy and accentuate that bump in a way that makes it look like the best thing that has ever happened to your body. My Isabella Oliver ruched tank dress is one of my more prized maternity items. On that note, I was unsure about how to make it a more versatile piece- with it being so comfy and flattering, I wanted to be able to wear it many times...to all different kinds of places and occasions.

Sooo, ladies...I tackled "Project: Style Isabella Oliver's Ruched Tank Dress" this past weekend...and I came up with these 3 different outfits...

ruched tank dress-c/o Isabella Oliver | trench coat- Banana Republic (gift from an amazing friend that loves me. a lot), similar | studded skinny belt- Target, similar | leopard print flats- Steve Madden, similar

Refined: Oooh, trench. You're one of my materialistic loves. Ha. A classic trench does amazing things for an outfit in such a simple way. I threw mine over the ruched tank dress with a studded skinny belt (that I've had for ages, btw)...and finished off the whole look with leopard print flats. There are many different ways you can achieve this look...if you don't happen to have leopard print flats or a trench for that matter- go with a long cardigan or jacket and throw on a colorful &/or patterned pair of flats. Voila! You and the bump will be looking all kinds of refined and chic.

ruched tank dress- c/o Isabella Oliver | layered necklaces- up-cycled from old jewelry | biker jacket- c/o Wallis | booties- Macy's, similar

Edgy: I've always loved a bit of edge- from combat boots to studs to leather jackets...I'm sold. The key is making it all look feminine,...b/c I'm not sure looking like a hard core biker chick is a good idea. ;) It's a very simple task if you just pick one edgy piece, like my leather jacket, and pair it with more feminine items. The ruched tank dress, with it's vibrant color and ability to hug my curves and bump in just the right way, made me feel like one hot, yet still feminine, mama.

That's that. There are many ways you can wear Isabella Oliver's ruched tank dress...you just have to think out of the box a bit. If you have the dress already, please do share how you like to style it. We'd all love to hear! :)

NYFW: bumped - maternity outfit

biker jacket | bootie | ruched tank dress | lariat pendant necklace | chevron ring + quartz shard ring

This is one outfit I would definitely be wearing if I was at NYFW this week- not only because I just so happen to have most of the items, but also because it's a chic way to style the bump. They say black is slimming, right? ;)

I was actually reeeeally hoping to make it there this Fall just so that I could challenge myself with the task of dressing for the most stylish event of the year while pregnant. Yes, I'll be honest...the whole idea was scary, because...uhhh...everyone looks so dayum good in NYC. How do you compete with all of the Olivia Palermos running around (especially with a baby bump)? Well, I was up for the challenge.

Maybe next year I'll be able to brave the sea of ridiculously well-dressed peeps. The bump may or may not be present though...

My Maternity Style Must-Haves

My bump isn't too bumpin' yet, but I know that soon it will be (without warning)...and that's why I'm prepping for it with this maternity must-haves list. Also, Fall is fast approaching!...weird...which means I'd like to have some maternity essentials that will work style magic through the cooler months.  Okeee, so...here we go.  1. the Blanqi bodystyler- let's talk about working magic. This thing has gotten rave reviews from mamas all over the place. I didn't have one while pregnant with Moo, which was just plain silly. This time around I WILL have one. It gives you back supports, smooths, shapes & secures...and cannot forget it's belly lifting abilities. These are all good things for a pregnant mama. *& oooh, look who it is that's modeling one of them...Anna of IHOD. Gorgeous mama! 2. Bump Nest Pregnancy Pillow- so this isn't something you wear, but I had to add it b/c it's so comfy and pretty looking. I didn't invest in a body pillow last pregnancy, but ooooo...if there is something I have learned it's that you need a good support pillow for when sleeping starts to be really "fun". Sadly, it's already happening to me (up to pee about 3x already). I actually think that it will come in handy when the sweet bubs first arrives- nursing through the night and all that jazz. I'm excited about giving this one a try! Btw, they have the cutest patterned covers for them. 
3. Isabella Oliver Ruched Maternity Tank Dress- Kallah wore one during her current pregnancy- you may have caught the Maternity Shmernity post with her in it? Bombshell. That was enough proof that this dress is a maternity style must-have. My favorite thing about it is it's versatility- want to go casual? Easy. Jean jacket + booties. Dressy? A fun, statement necklace and heels. Done deal.  4. Ballet flats- not much needs to be said about this one. They're comfy, yet perfectly Audrey Hepburn-ish. The Franco Sarto pair shown above are actually a very good option- they come in a variety of other colors too. I've got a similar black pair which I plan on wearing with a slew of outfits this pregnancy.  5. Open-front blazer or long sweater-  found at Parc Boutique and what's nice about this style is...more room for growth. I also think a long open-front sweater would be nice- helps you cozy up in the Fall/Winter with a bumpy sticking out a bit.  & there you have it. That's the list.  Now, I want to hand the mic over to you...if you know of any MUST-HAVE Maternity items that just so happen to be stylish too, please comment below and let all of us know about them.
Bye! I am totally at the beach right now. I have turned off everything and am soaking up every minute of this heaven while I can. You can be jealous. It's ok. ;)

Isabella Oliver for a Night at Neiman's

When I started this series,  I thought it would be all about the non-maternity stuff.  And it still is!  I am finding lots of ways to shop confidently  around the bump without the tags. But you know what I realized? When you take this approach, when you realize you don't have to have that "maternity" tag on all your clothes, you are suddenly free to buy the few maternity clothes that you do get at a much higher quality and style. This Isabella Oliver dress is an excellent example of a prudent, simple maternity staple piece. I will have this in my closet for years.

Not to mention... sexy?! 

Y'all - this never happens to me. I neverevereverever look at pictures and think, 

wow I looked so beautiful! 

But this dress gave me such an instant boost of confidence... made me truly feel like my self-professed idol for this pregnancy, Sofia herself, 

I guess that only helped "the glow" do its thang!

I have never gotten so many compliments. Seriously. Here I was at Neiman Freaking Marcus, wearing Target earrings and pumps I bought on super clearance at Nordstrom Rack for $7 (I kid you not)... and ladies wearing $3000 outfits were stopping me to tell me I looked awesome.

That feels good even not pregnant...but when you are preggas? I had to fight back tears of joy.

Also - I had never liked the ruched style on myself before. I realized when I got this dress that you can't do ruched on the cheap. The difference of a high-quality (thick and double-layered) jersey fabric, combined with the attention to details such as the perfect length and shape (just right to make you feel sexy but not hoochie lol) - are worth every last penny. Especially if you are self-conscious like me. 

Don't buy maternity everything. Do buy a few things maternity that you love. That you will want to whip out, pregnancy after pregnancy  (what? maybe I am having so much fun this pregnancy, I hope to have lotsa bebe's!).  That you will look back at pictures of and think, "Wow! I love that!"
wearing: Isabella Oliver Ruched Maternity Tank Dress Jessica Simpson Moto Jacket Jcrew Necklace Target Earrings (similar) Marco Santi (sold by Sole Society) platform pumps (similar) *this post has been graciously sponsored by Isabella Oliver; all of the opinions expressed are my very own! 
-Kallah