the un-maternity dress

During these "Is She or Isn't She?" weeks, I've mostly been sporting my regular ol' work frocks {non-mat pants having forsaken my hips a while back}.  The all-star of the bunch?  My sole Lilly dress...

Oddly, this thing has a ton of room in the belly -- so much so that I would have sent it right back to RueLaLa had we not just found out about the wee bean.  I anticipate this one working for quite some time!  

{16 weeks}

"Jolie" Dress - Lilly Pulitzer via RueLaLa

Pink "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands End Canvas

Blush Metallic Pumps - J.Crew via eBay

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

Ultimate Panel Trouser Maternity Jean

Well!

It's been awhile!

I fully admit that vanity played heavily into my hiatus.  Ye ol' uterus squatter has been doing a number on my energy, skin, and mid-section... not to mention my wardrobe.  1,983% worth it, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I've been hung-ho about my appearance these past few months.  

But.... ahhhh... there it is... Second Trimester!  My energy's {mostly} back which means I've become reacquainted with my hairdryer and mascara.  And, this week {#14, if anyone's keeping track}, I swallowed my pride and fully embraced maternity pants!  And they feel delicious! 

For the most part, my tops and dresses still work, but, since the BellaBand and I never got along, my bottoms are ready for a stretchy-waistband-type-makeover.  

And so here we are. 

Apologies for starting this new phase in ITPitB with such a boring ensemble, but that's just how the cookie crumbles... But! I am really thrilled to review GAP's new Ultimate Panel Trouser Maternity Jeans**... 

Black "Bra Friendly" Tank - SNUG Camisoles

Eggplant "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands End Canvas

Ultimate Panel Trouser Jeans - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott 

With their super dark wash and wide trouser leg, these jeans are perfect for casual workdays.  GAP's new "ultimate panel" is higher in the back and lower in the front.  I'm told this provides support for back and {my currently "squint-or-you'll-miss-it"} belly.

WHATEVER "TECHNOLOGY" I'M JUST PSYCHED I CAN BREATHE NOW.

{Sizing Note: These are my regular GAP denim size in the Long length.} 

I bought two of these SNUG camisoles** when they were on sale at Zulily.  I should have bought every color - these things are amazing.  They are not maternity wear, but are a super stretchy, super long, one-size-fits-all {sizes 0-24} tank so they work great for those with or without buns in zee oven.  They do not bunch or ride up up... a rarity!  Also, they are thin, but not too thin - I feel like I can wear them with an unbuttoned cardigan and not look as if I'm walking around in my underwear in public.  Good stuff all around.  {Although, WARNING: their website could use a revamp... quite amateurish and, sometimes, like an online retailer for strippers.}  

Mamas or mamas-to-be: What are some of your favorite maternity brands?  

**As a GAP Brand Ambassador, I was given a pair of these jeans by GAP as a gift.  I was not asked, nor do I feel obligated, to review them... But I like them so much that I wanted to share with y'all!  The SNUG camisole was not a freebie... Just another product I'm excited to have discovered. 

new buddy

I feel like Purple and I are really getting along lately... My college roommate was a purple fiend. Thus, I OD'd-by-Osmosis on the hue and have just recently found myself enjoying it again.  

Purple Knit Dress - Banana Republic

Eggplant "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Quilted/Patent-Toe Gray & Black Flats - Delman

Amethyst Drop Earrings - gift

Skinny Black Patent Belt - came attached to some suit pants from LOFT

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Chunky Gold Cuff - Coach

Double Time

Yesterday's outfit....

Black Shift - GAP

Citron "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Gold & Black Pom Flats - GAP

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

... and today's! 

Silk Tunic - Tucker

Gray Tank - LEC

Black Boy-Fit Pants - GAP

Metallic Silver Peep-Toe Wedges - Tory Burch

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Orange + Purple

There's a lot going on here today... what with the platypus-face and the giant, fuzzy wedge growing out of my thorax  {do people even have thoraxes, or only bugs?  perhaps I'm completely wrong and the wedge is growing out of my abdomen. hmmmm}.

ToMAYto, toMAHto.

Royal Purple Dress - GAP

Orange "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Silver Wedges - Tory Burch

Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Pants on Fire

The other day?  When I said I owned five Heritage cardigans?

I fibbed.

Apologies to my Eggplant Friend... a.k.a., my sixth Heritage cardigan.

Grey Jersey-Knit Ruffle Collar Dress - J.Crew

Eggplant "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Blush Metallic Pumps - J.Crew

Blush Metallic Belt - J.Crew

ahoy!

Perhaps my favorite purchase of the season... Nautical Striped Pique Dress from LEC... qualifies as a semi-mini-dress while remaining casual.  I usually don't wear dresses this short to work {unless it's winter and there are opaque tights involved}... BUT!  It's Casual Friday and there are no clients or bosses in the office... So... HERE ARE MY LEGS, WORLD.

Nautical Striped Pique Dress - LEC

Gold Reva Flats - Tory Burch

Cobalt Earrings - gift

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

purple + citron

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again... This dress {Banana Republic... 2 years ago, maybe?} is ridiculously comfortable... plus it allows for Granny-Underpants.  {Yes, I said "underpants"... Sometimes when I'm feeling dainty, I say "underpinnings"... I loathe the P Word. Blahrg!}  GAP currently has a similar frock in stock... you better believe I snapped that sucker up as well!  

Purple Dress - Banana Republic

Citron "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Nude Patent "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein via Piperlime {2009}

Yellow "Danielle" Earrings - Kendra Scott

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Reader Question Answered:  My exact watch can be found here!  It is the Fossil Women's CE1004 White Ceramic & Gold Bracelet White Analog Multi-Function Watch.  Phew!  That's a mouthful!  

turquoise & red

This was a huge wedding color combination the year we said "I Do."  Not my personal nuptial style, but I do like the contrast!

Red Dress - Ann Taylor Loft

Turquoise "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Brown Mary Janes - Banana Republic

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

pink & navy

Someone asked the other day how many Heritage cardigans I have... totally not enough I believe I have 5... magenta, orange, marigold, citron, and turquoise.  No neutrals... that just wouldn't be any fun, now would it?

Navy Ruffle-Neck Dress - Shoshana

Magenta "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Nude Patent "Happy" Pumps - Ann Klein

Cobalt Earrings - gift

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - JCrew

Fancy!

... My new Diptic App, that is.

Black & White Shirt Dress - BCBG

Citron "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - JCrew

Metallic Wedges - Tory Burch

Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

casual friday

While blue jeans aren't kosher on Casual Fridays in my office {only for attorneys...THE INJUSTICE!}, it seems I can get away with white trouser jeans... Perhaps they've been mistaken for linen pants, seeing as my Ironing Skillz are about nil?  And I suppose the long tank helps with the camouflage. 

Either / or... I'm not telling! 

Marigold "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Striped Ruffle-Neck Racerback Tank - LEC

White Trouser Jeans - GAP

Gold Reva Flats - Tory Burch

{Faux} Pearl & Diamond Studs - Banana Republic

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

Gold Bangle - Coach

xxoo

Happy Heart Day!

Pink "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Orange Lattice Neck Silk Shell - Banana

Black Boy Fit Pants - GAP

Blush Crinkle Metallic Shoes - J.Crew

Gold Headband - Target

Gold Flower Earrings - J.Crew

White Ceramic Watch - Fossil

sunday brunch

New iPhone makes things rather yellow... huh

Plum "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Royal Blue Silk Rosette Tank - Banana

Always Skinny Jeans - GAP

Gray & Black Quilted/Patent Flats - Delman

Gold C Necklace - Coach

Purple Urple

Day...

Dress: Banana Republic

Argyle Cardigan: Land's End Canvas

Black Tights: Spanx

Gray OTK "Hero" Boots: Banana

Pearl Cluster Earrings: Etsy Seller Bridal Emunique

Skinny Blush Metallic Belt: J.Crew
White Ceramic Watch: Fossil

Night...

{how's that for a confused blond look?}

{birthday kicks!}

Sweater: Banana

Metallic Peep-Toe Wedges: Tory Burch

cozy cardigans

Been running a little late the past few mornings... not enough time to snap photos and post before work!  But here's yesterday's outfit.... I'm so glad it's finally getting and staying cooler during the day!  

This nubby black wrap cardigan is a favorite winter purchase from two years ago - it's the perfect layering piece!  I love that it's short-sleeved but thick - I can throw it over light fall and spring items for when there's just a slight chill in the air, or pop it over other sweaters for mega-warmth! 

Chunky Wrap Cardigan Sweater - Banana Republic

Peacock Silk T-Shirt Dress - Banana Republic

Black Tights - Merona via Target

Gray OKC Boots - Banana Republic

Gold Cuff - Coach

And here's todays... only slightly worse for the wrinkles!  The "bold sun" is definitely my favorite of my Heritage Cardigan obsession collection - I think it's a perfect example of a shade of yellow that works well for most skin tones and hair colors!  Blonds can wear yellow!  

And, um, I really can't gush about these GAP Boy Fit trousers enough... Peppermint Bliss spoke to my soul today, describing her quest for the perfect, casual, boyfriend-jeans-centered look... I look like a frumptastic sausage person in boyfriend jeans... and I've tried on muchos.  BUT!  These pants are a bit like the work version of the boyfriend jean... and they are actually flattering (although, I'm not sure the photos depict that so much... hmmmm... hopefully I'm not just delusional) - L-O-V-E, LOVE! 

Bold Sun "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

Polkadot Shell - J.Crew

Black "Boy Fit" Trousers - GAP

Patent Loafer Pumps - Cold Haan

turtle time

No.  I'm not starting off my morning with a heavy dose of Pinot Grigio (if only).  But I did bust out my new turtleneck from Lands' End Canvas {the Women's Softest Turtleneck Sweater}.  I'm feeling a little under the weather (hence the frowny faces), so the workday requires something soft and cozy. 

Turtleneck Fit Review: Like many LEC items, this runs a bit big.  I ordered my normal size but could have sized down.  I like the blousier fit for work but might order a black one in the smaller size for layering and weekends.  The material is very, very soft, but it is thin - perfect for Texas, but not really a "sweater" - more of a knit.  

Softest Turtleneck Sweater in Maplewood - Lands' End Canvas

Boy Fit Trousers - GAP

Tomato Patent "Juliet" Pumps - J.Crew

Layered Necklace - Francesca's Collections

My Pants are Not Pleated. Pinky-Swear.

Um.  I now realize it appears as if my new Boy Fit GAP Pants are pleated.  I can assure you, they are not.  They are actually rather awesome in a relaxed-yet-still-professional kind of way.  I'm mildly obsessed.  And this is coming from a Generally Anti-Pants Girl.  

Slouchy... 

...sans Jerry Curl. 

Lagoon "Heritage" Cardigan - Land's End Canvas

Turquoise Silk Shell - Banana Republic

Black Boy Fit Pants - GAP

Gunmetal "Lissie" Flats - Tory Burch

Virgin Voyage...

... of my new boots!  Yippee for cooler temperatures!

I'm making very few purchases for Fall/Winter this year... I've got my eye on a new dinning room table (oh how I love thee, World Market), plus there's just not much that's knocking my socks off this season!  A new pair of jeans, a few sweaters, and a pair of gorgeous over-the-knee boots are the only things on my shopping list this season!  

CHECK for the boots! 

These (from BR) hit at mid-knee or fold up to the full-on "OTK" style... I adore the color and think they'll prosper long after the over-the-knee trend bites the dust.  Plus, I scored them for less than half-price thanks to some killer discounts and coupons!  

Navy Ruffle-Neck Dress - Shoshana

Bright Cherry "Heritage" Cardigan - Lands' End Canvas

"Hero" Over-the-Knee Boot in Grey Stone - Banana Republic

Blue Earrings - gift

Blush Metallic Skinny Belt - J.Crew

rainbow brite

Our building manager is forever amused by my outfits - specifically, my color combos.  What can I say... I like bright colors!  Plus a cheery outfit helps when you work in a public health building! 

Purple Silk Blend Dress - GAP

Orange "Heritage" Cardigan - LEC

Tomato "Juliet" Pump - J.Crew

Gold & Amethyst Feather Earrings - Kendra Scott

Gold Cuff - Coach

Also... There's a GAP Jeans Giveaway happening today on EA!