Pinned It and Did It - Semi Halloween Spirit

I'm linking up with Heather's Pinned and Did It today.  And actually, this is an outfit pin I totally stole from her!  I liked the orange and black together and decided it was the best I could do for some Halloween spirit today.

Didn't quite go for bare legs as it's a little damp and chilly today, but otherwise I think this was kind of a fun look to copy and easy for me to do being pregnant.  I love that this little sweater dress still stretches over the bump for me!

I gotta let you in on a little secret though.  You might disown me or decide we can't be internet friends anymore.  I'm not a big fan of Halloween.  There, I said it.  I do put a few decorations out each year and I have had fun dressing in costume some years too - but I'm not that crafty or creative, so putting together costumes is always a challenge.  I'm not a fan of being startled or scared, so haunted houses are out for me. And our neighborhood really has few children, so we only get a handful of trick or treaters each year if we're lucky.  This year is exceptionally hard for me - no candy with the GD diet.  No crazy parties and drinking with friends.  So yeah, call me the Halloween Scrooge I guess.  I'm really excited for next year though - I absolutely cannot wait to dress up my little guy in a costume!  I look forward to taking him trick or treating when he's old enough.  I think a lot of holidays are more fun when kids are involved.

Dress - H&M via two birds garage sale

Leggings and boots - Target

Cardigan - Zashi from cousin

Necklace and earrings - S&D 

I certainly do not hate Halloween - in fact one of my favorite Charlie Brown specials of all time is It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  But I love other holidays just a little bit more.  Thanksgiving?  Oh yeah, let's talk about that.  Mmm, turkey. 

Head on over to H&K Style Journey for more Pinned and Did It blog posts!

50 Shades of Gray

Apparently I wanted to wear all the gray the day I wore this outfit!  I said it in a post last week during the color challenge though - I own a lot of gray!  It's just one of those neutrals that works with everything!

So speaking of 50 Shades of Gray - I still haven't read that book.  I do still want to because of all the hype about it and I'm still not sure how I feel about the movie.  There are many books that have transferred to the big screen very well, but many, MANY others that should just be left alone too.  At any rate, this is one I think I will want to read before seeing the movie, so I should really get on that one of these days.  Been too busy reading birthing and baby care books.  I need more fiction in my life!!

Dress - Motherhood Maternity, consignment

Sweater - F21, thrifted

Tights and boots - Target

Necklace - S&D with MMD buttonflower 

And speaking of things that have colors in their titles - we finished Orange is the New Black last night which makes me saaaaaaad panda.  Love everything about that show.  I did hear it's getting another "season" so to speak so I will be anxiously awaiting new episodes.  It's almost November Sweeps anyway, so many of our regular shows should be getting good here!

You gotta have heart

Apparently I'm in a real "heart" mood this week.  I can't keep it going all week though, this is the only other heart item I have, but hey, it's kind of a theme!  I grabbed this bad boy at the swap too (told you I made out like a bandit there!) and loved the fact that it was slouchy and stretchy and fit over the bump.  And it's another piece I should be able to wear after as well, can't beat that!

Man I sure look tired in these pictures!  We had had an early OB appointment yesterday morning and I think I took these as soon as I got to work - but pre-coffee!  Everything went well at the appointment, though I do get to have an ultrasound next week because of my gestational diabetes and also because shock, I'm measuring small.  They just want to see what's going on in there, but I'm not complaining too hard, I'll get to see my little guy for the first time in a few months now, so that will be exciting.

Sweater - from swap

Tank top - Old Navy

Pants - Oh Baby, thrifted

Necklace - gift from friend 

After work today I'm going to interview a pediatrician.  I tell you this stuff gets more and more real each passing day!  Still just going one day at a time though!  Trying to stave off any panic, lol!

Inspiration Monday - Needed

Good morning and happy Monday!  I hope you all had wonderful weekends.  I had a pretty good one, even though we did things, we were able to relax for the first time in I don't even know how long and it felt SO GOOD.  More on that in a moment, first up, Inspiration Monday and today's pick is Taylor Swift.  I can't help but like her, she seems like a positive roll model and I will admit to enjoying some of her music!

So I forgot to wear a hat, not to mention, it was nice and warm yesterday so a hat wasn't even needed!  But anyway, I wore this out to brunch with the Pants Monkey yesterday morning.  We tried a restaurant we hadn't been to before (The Bachelor Farmer for you locals) and it was delicious and wonderful.  And then even though it was a beautiful day, we opted to be quite lazy and rented a movie (The Oranges) and unpacked a bunch of more things in the baby's room before watching another movie (Lars and the Real Girl) with dinner.  I may regret not spending time outside later on, but really, I think we needed a very lazy day like yesterday with no timeline.

The earlier parts of the weekend were good too.  As I mentioned, I had my shower with my girlfriends on Friday night.  It was a blast, I am so blessed to have many friends in my life that I've known from kindergarten through college and a large majority of them made it out, so it was wonderful to see them.  There were plenty of pictures taken thanks to my wonderful hostess who also happens to be a professional photographer, so I'll share some here once I get them.

Sweater - Xhilaration, Target

Jacket - White House, Black Market, consignment

Leggings - Simply Vera, Kohls

Boots - I think Target, from mom

Scarf - World Market 

Saturday we did a bit of cleanup around the house and then had a very low key beer night with a couple of friends, my sister-in-law and her boyfriend.  So overall it was just a good, relaxing and enjoyable weekend. I know our days like that are numbered, so we'll enjoy them while we can!

For more Inspiration Monday outfits, head on over to two birds over here.

Acai and 33

TGIF my friends!  We have made it through another week again!  I'm so excited today - my shower with my girlfriends is tonight.  I'm sure that will make the day drag a bit.  I love my families and those showers were fun and wonderful, but there is something about time with your closest friends you know?  I've been craving a night like this and I'm just so excited to hang out with my lady peeps!

Today's color for the Pantone color challenge is Acai - a nice shade of purple.  I wore the perfect outfit to my shower and Josh Groban concert last weekend and had every intention of using it for today but I never took the time to actually photograph it!  Blogger fail.  So, I chose to style my super comfy purple leggings for today instead.  The Pants Monkey said I looked cute this morning, so that's always a win.  And, I have had this shirt for a couple of months now but haven't shared it on the blog yet, so that's something too I suppose!

The button sweater is the gray one I was talking about earlier this week that I picked up at the swap.  And it may be my new favorite thing ever.  I don't know that I'll need to wear it all day, but it was below freezing this morning and the striped shirt is thin, so I needed the extra layer!  It's supposed to actually be pretty nice out later today though, so maybe I will be able to shed a layer!

 Sweater - swap

Striped shirt - Zulily

Leggings - Simply Vera, Kohls

Necklace - Stella and Dot with MMD buttonflower

Boots - Target

Bag - 31 Gifts

And of course, Friday is the day we count weeks and so we're at 33 weeks today, so there's my 33 week bump.  I'm trying to no longer panic over how much time is or isn't left.  We've made good progress at home and we still do have some time left.  And that's all that matters at the moment.  This weekend I'm treating Mr. Monkey and myself to a break, we're going to take some time for ourselves on Sunday, getting breakfast out somewhere and maybe just being lazy with movies all day.  We try to take a day and do that every Fall and I feel like we need a day like that before the baby comes.  We've been working hard on baby prep and house projects in addition to our regular jobs and our music group and it can get a little crazy sometimes.  So I'm quite excited for a "me and him" day!

And that brings us to the end of the Pantone Inspired Fall color challenge week!  I had a lot of fun!  I haven't decided what outfit this week was my favorite, but I loved all the colors, that is for sure!  Make sure you head to Heidi's blog to see other how other bloggers styled Acai today!

Carafe

Day four of the Pantone color challenge and going strong!  Today's color is "carafe" which was decided could be a shade of brown or olive or green.  So I went for a combo platter and used kind of all three.  And I have to say I'm kind of in love with this outfit.  It feels very me even though it's using a bit of maternity stuff. And can I say how excited I was to find this plaid skirt at the swap that actually fits??  Elastic waistband for the win once again!  This is the first bit of plaid I've been able to wear in a while now and I'm so happy, I've missed my favorite pattern!  This skirt should work for me after baby too, I think it's going to be a new favorite!

In other news, today is the last day of our CSA share of goodies for the year.  I'm so sad.  I have had so much fun with all the different veggies we have received and I'm so proud of us - well mostly of Mr. Monkey - for trying out fun, interesting and unique new recipes using the items.  We really ate well these last few months!  I am looking forward to doing this again next year - and using the items to make baby food for our little guy too!

Sweater - Liz Lange, consignment

Shirt - Motherhood, thrifted

Skirt - Swap

Boots - Target

Necklace - Stella and Dot 

Back to the color challenge - the word carafe makes me think of coffee, as in a coffee carafe, so I guess in a way I dressed up as my favorite beverage today.  Think that would pass for a Halloween costume?  I kid.  I think I need to drink a little more coffee, that's what I think!

Head on over to Heidi's blog to check out the other Pantone inspired outfits or to add your own!

Koi

It's Koi day for the Pantone Fall Color Challenge - which as I said yesterday I actually struggled with a bit, but I made it work!  I had a 25% off deal on Cartwheel for one Liz Lange maternity item from Target, so I bought this cute maroon and orange polka dot t-shirt last night - which you totally can't see the polka dots, though I got a close up in a picture further down.  Then I pulled out this fun scarf I picked up at the two birds garage sale last year.  Added a warm sweater from the swap this weekend because it is chilly and it slushed outside this morning and I'm good to go!

I really do love orange hues, I don't know what it is.  I have said time and again it never used to be my favorite color, but in the last two years I've really grown to love it and find myself grabbing more and more of it!  It is definitely perking up a gray day today!

 T-shirt - Liz Lange, Target
Sweater - swap
Pants - Liz Lange, Target 
Scarf - two birds garage sale
Shoes - Steve Madden, thrifted

You still can't see the dots real well when I take off the sweater.  So, I took a looking down at my bump shot and then you can see the dots.  And you can now see what I see when I look down.  I can still see my feet if I lean over the bump a bit more, but to look straight down, they're definitely gone!

What do you think about orange?  What is your favorite color for Fall?

Make sure you check out Heidi's blog today for more Pantone Inspired outfits!  Click the link below!

Turbulant

I'm not going to lie - I don't love my outfit 100% today.  I thought this sweater would be just a wee bit longer.  Oh well, pregnant ladies are like the only people for whom leggings are acceptable as pants I think, so I guess it's all good.  I don't have to go into the clinics today anyway!  I'll just be comfy here at my desk where no one can see me!  But anyway I'm getting off track. Today's color for the Pantone color challenge is Turbulence - which is best described as kind of a slate gray.

I own SO much gray you guys.  I don't know why.  It's not the happiest color ever.  I just gravitate towards it.  I even told the girls at the swap on Sunday that I just always flock to gray and guess what, I even brought home a gray sweater from the swap.  Not the one I'm wearing today, but one I'm sure you'll see soon.  I'm not allowed to buy anymore gray though I have decided!

 Sweater - Oh Baby by Motherhood via consignment
Leggings and boots - Target
Necklace - Stella and Dot

I'm excited about the color for tomorrow - it's a shade of orange and if you've followed me for awhile you know I adore orange - but I'm facing the challenge of not sure what I have in my closet that will work for me at the present moment given this lovely bump and all.  I'm going to maybe have to get creative!  But it will happen!  I'm always up for a challenge!!

Make sure to hit up Marissa's blog and see the other Pantone inspired outfits!

Vivacious

Welcome to Monday everyone.  Does anyone else feel like they need a weekend from their weekend?  Uffda, it was a busy one here!  It was all fun stuff, but it just was so full!  Anyway, I'll get to that in a minute, but today starts a fun new fall color challenge with Heidi of Literate and Stylish and Marissa of the Modern Austen.  I had a lot of fun with their spring Pantone challenge, so when I saw they were doing a Fall one, I was totally on board.  Today's color is Vivacious - which is kind of a magenta.

My magenta is a bit more on the muted side of things today, but I think it's somewhat close.  And it's giving me an excuse to wear this shirt I picked up at Erin's clothing swap yesterday.  It was a great swap - first one I've ever been to and I was so excited to bring home a bunch of goodies that will work both while I'm still pregnant and for after as well!  And I was able to unload a bag of my own things too, so that was really quite awesome!

 Striped shirt - swap
T-shirt - Mossimo, Target
Pants - Old Navy maternity
Necklace - Charming Charlie
Booties - Target

The rest of the weekend was busy with my baby shower with Mr. Monkey's family - his aunt truly outdid herself I swear, our theme for our nursery is Dr. Seuss and she found the cutest decorations and favors I've ever seen.  I don't have a ton of pictures, but I'll try to remember to post a couple of the ones I got here once I get them off my phone!  Then Saturday night my mom and I went and saw Josh Groban.  We had awesome seats and he is always amazing.  I could listen to him sing the encyclopedia and still be entranced.  I managed to get one semi-decent picture, but the lighting in the arena wasn't the best.  

He's amazing.  End of story.  And yesterday in addition to the clothing swap we celebrated the Pants Monkey's mom's birthday.  We had a nice yummy dinner and a fire in their fireplace - it's getting cold here folks.  There was even a little white sleet or snow falling as I drove to work this morning.  So. Not. Ready.  

Check out either the Modern Austen or Literate and Stylish for more Pantone color inspired outfits - or to add your own - this challenge goes all week long!  

32 and not so blue

Happy Friday!  It's been another week gone by kind of fast!  I know a lot of pregnant ladies get to this point and feel that the time drags because they are so close to the end and so uncomfortable, but not this mama.  There is some mild discomfort sure, but we're not quite ready at home yet for this little guy!  We're making good progress, but man.  Time could slow down just a hair.

Shirt - Apt 9, thrifted

Sweater - Polo Ralph Lauren, thrifted

Jeans - Indigo Blue Maternity, consignment

Shoes - Xhilaration, Target

Necklace and earrings - Camy Couture via giveaway

 I have a rather busy weekend on tap.  Tomorrow I have another baby shower, this time with the Pants Monkey's family.  Tomorrow night my mom and I are going to see Josh Groban in concert - yes I am a Grobanite, I have no shame!  He is AMAZING live.  And not too hard on the eyes too.  Sunday I am hopefully going to a clothing swap with some local ladies, I had thought I wasn't going to make it due to plans for my mother-in-law's birthday, but now they're changing again so I just might make it now.  Then in the evening I think we're having a little birthday gathering for my mother-in-law.  And in the midst of that, we're hopefully still working on our home projects too - organizing and finishing the window from the inside and all that good stuff.  Going to be a bit crazy.

And we're 32 weeks today.  The bump keeps getting bigger but I have to say I don't always feel like it's that big which is kind of nice!  And I'm thankful that my weight hasn't been bad in other areas - in fact at this week's OB appointment I hadn't gained any from my last appointment.  It's perfectly normal and there's nothing wrong.  Baby is still healthy and growing and that's all that matters.  

So that's my story for today!  I'm sure I'll have stories from my crazy, but hopefully fun weekend coming up here!  Hope you all have great weekends too!

Some things I love

You know what I love?  Maternity clothes that don't feel that much like maternity clothes.  I had completely forgotten about this hooded sweater I bought from Old Navy during a sale in maybe August?  I found it in my closet this week and decided, this would be really cute with leggings and boots.  And this is an outfit I'd wear even if I wasn't pregnant!  Say what you want about Old Navy - but I have to say, lately they've kind of been on a roll with cute stuff and the maternity stuff I've bought from them has been rather nice.  I may be holding onto this sweater for postpartum for a bit too!

The other thing I love?  Getting a decent full night's sleep!  Hallelujah I woke up feeling like the birds were singing all around me.  I didn't get up once to to go to the bathroom, I didn't wake up with intense hip or leg pain.  I just flat out slept ALL NIGHT LONG.  It was such a gift.  I just want to take advantage of as many good nights of sleep as I can get before this little guy gets here and lately, that's been a challenge.  So I'm a happy camper today.  It's the little things sometimes!

Sweater - Old Navy Maternity

Leggings - Steve Madden via DSW

Boots - Target, old

Necklace - gift from friend 

I also love how spiky my hair turned out today.  I love that the week is almost over.  I just love everything today!  What do you love today?

Would rather be brunching

This entire outfit is courtesy of the Just Between Friends consignment sale I went to with my mom a couple of weeks ago.  I bought plenty of stuff for the baby too, trust me, but the prices were pretty darn good on maternity stuff too!  If you're a mom and you've never checked out one of those sales (they're all over the US from what I understand) look it up and head to the next one in your area - I still can't believe all the things I got for only $30.

My doctor appointment went really well yesterday.  The doctor we met was lovely!  I am happy to know there is more than one in the practice that I like enough if they're the one there on the day.  I had to laugh too, she complimented my outfit (the one pictured here, I wore it yesterday) and asked if we had plans other than going to work. She said "oh you should go out to breakfast, you just look so nice!"  Made me smile.

Sweater - Motherhood, consignment

Pants - Liz Lange, consignment

Necklace - Stella and Dot

Shoes - Mudd, Kohls 

And of course, it's Wednesday, my one busy day of the week, so I better dive into it.  Make it a great day everyone!!

Doctor, doctor, give me the news

Man, I really need to get back to taking my pictures at home again you guys.  I am failing at this photography thing lately!  This is an outfit from last week and I tried several different spots in my office and it just wasn't working great!  Sigh.  Also, I'll try to get back into the habit of jewelry close ups again, had some requests for that yesterday.  Again, this outfit is from last week though, so what you get is what you get for today!

Anyway, I pre-planned this post, I have a routine OB appt today that is at a later time than I usually take. Because the practice I go to has several OB's on staff, they encourage you to at least meet everyone once because any one of them could be the one that's there for you on the big day.  So while I have a doctor I like there quite a bit, it was time to start spreading it out a bit and meeting others as well.  There is one doc I really do not want at all, he put the fear of God into us months ago at our first appointment when he couldn't find the heartbeat and while I appreciated him being proactive about it, the alarmist approach was not appreciated.  So I'm really hoping he won't be the one on call that day!!

Shirt - Oh Mamma, thrifted

Pants - Liz Lange, consignment
Necklace - DIY by me

Overall the staff at my clinic is really great, I can't stress how important it is to be comfortable with where you're going when you're pregnant - in order for me to do that, I actually chose a practice that isn't the health practice I work for.  I just figured it would be awkward and uncomfortable to be having those kinds of exams by people I talk to on the phone for facility type issues!  So while I think it's good to support your own business, it's also important to protect your own privacy too!