Pregnant PFC #10: Summer to Fall

It's (Pregnant)Petite Fashion Challenge time and this month's host is Liz of Fashion for Teens.  This will be my last Pregnant PFC, just a little bit more to go!  :)  Can't wait to see everyone's entries!

The Challenge:
Take traditionally summer pieces (like tank tops, shorts, mini skirts, sundresses etc.) and make them appropriate for fall.

I decided to take my maternity-friendly Limited sundress and try 2 different takes with it.  One for early fall and one for late fall (I couldn't make my mind up so I went with both).

SUMMER Dress:  The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Belt:  Lands' End Canvas Nautical Rope Belt Necklace:  H&M Turquoise Necklace Shoes:  Those 15-year old comfy sandals! Sunnies:  Gucci	EARLY FALL Dress:  The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Blazer:  J. Crew Schoolboy  Blazer Summer  Stripe, Faded Indigo, Sz 0 Necklace:  Amrita Singh  Citla Necklace, Lapis Shoes:  Tory Burch Reva Flats Watch:  J. Crew Navy / Bisque Watch Strap + Timex Face	LATE FALL Dress:  The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Jacket:  LOFT Cropped  Tweed Jacket, XXSP Necklace:  Banana Republic Gold Chains Shoes:  Born Leather Boots Bracelet:  F21 Coral / Gold

Which one works better?

Don't forget to check out Liz's page for the rest of the entries!

DIY Fuchsia + Gray Bow Neck Dress

Quickie post today: I'm still obsessed with color blocking though this one is much more mild - incorporating fuchsia with a medium gray.

Dress:  Fuchsia + Gray DIY Bow Neck Dress

Belt:  J. Crew Factory Metallic Webbing Belt

Shoes:  Talbots Flower Bouquet Ballet Flats, Gray Flint

Sunnies:  Michael Kors

Bag:  Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

A closer view

I used this tutorial to make the dress (2 rectangles of 25 x 33") and then just added a gray border and sash.  What do you think?  I love the giant bow :)

Blogiversary: Hunter Kellen Boot Review & What I've Learned

Exactly one year ago today I posted my very first blog entry reviewing the Hunter Wellington Tall Boot.  So it is only fitting that I celebrate my 1-year blogiversary with another Hunter boot review - my 2nd Nordstrom Anniversary Sale find!  This time it's the Hunter Kellen Wedge Heel Boot.  I was drawn both to the mid-calf height (the Tall Wellies above were a tad to tall for me and would rub against the bottom of my knee) and the wedge heel.

Hunter Kellen Wedge Heel Boot, $175 (buy here)
Details (from Nordstrom):

A signature logo details a weather-ready rain boot updated with a chic wedge heel.

• Removable insole.
• Approx. heel height: 3 1/4".
• Approx. boot shaft height: 9 1/4"; 13" calf circumference. Narrow calf.

Likes:

• The wedge heel is a nice touch and something that was lacking from my Tall Wellington boots
• Like the Talls, these are SUPER COMFY
• The calf is definitely more narrow than the Talls but can easily accommodate thick socks / skinny jeans / tights / leggings (for reference, my calves are short and stocky)
• Love the "H" detail on the sides of the boots - it's cute without being in your face

Dislikes:

• I'm not sure about how I feel about the gloss but it's not too big of a deal
• I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to wear with it.  I'll wait until post pregnancy to experiment since I'm a little limited presently on what I can wear - especially in the skinnies / tights / leggings area

Overall:  A definite keeper!  Anything comfy with a heel in boot form (esp. since it was on sale) is a welcome addition to my little cast of shoes.  What would you wear with these boots?

Blogiversary - What I've Learned This Year:

1. How not to appear yellow in my pictures :)  Sheesh, lighting is important.
2. How showing some knee is not evil!  Prior to blogging, I had always believed that all dress / skirt hems HAD to fall below my knee.
3. How awesome the blogger / bloggee community is.  I love the feeling of camaraderie and community I get from each and every one of you - THANK YOU!
4. How to incorporate some color and stray away from my Black / White / Gray / Navy color palette
5. That I don't have to be matchy-matchy to look put together 

Michael Kors 2-Tone Chronograph Watch Review

I succumbed to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale despite my best efforts to avoid it.  I actually wound up buying 2 items but I'll post the 2nd item review (a keeper!) in the next entry.  I have to admit that Jean's post on her new MK acquisition really intrigued me despite my recently purchased J. Crew / Timex watch.  I rationalized that I still needed an everyday-type of work watch so when this beauty popped up on sale at Nordstrom for $150, I didn't hesitate to snap it up.  I love the chronograph feature as well as the combination of silver with rose gold.  The little pops of bling don't hurt either for a gal who loves sparkle ;)

Michael Kors 2-Tone Chronograph Bracelet Watch, $225 (buy here)

Description (from Nordstrom):

Rose gold embellishes a beautiful bracelet watch with a sparkling chronograph dial texturally contrasted by a knurled topring.

• Deployant clasp closure.
• Approx. band length: 190mm.
• Approx. band width: 18mm.
• Approx. case diameter: 36mm.
• Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters).
• Stainless steel/rose-gold ionic plating/Swarovski crystals/mineral crystal/mother-of-pearl.
• By Michael Kors; imported.

On to the review!

Size:  The watch face size is a little larger than my standard watches but I didn't feel like it overwhelmed my wrist.  Of course, keep in mind, that I also just purchased a men's watch with a case diameter of 40 mm.

Fit:  The fit needs to be adjusted as with all watches but this is easily remedied by removing a few links.

 

The typical out of box loose fit

Overall Opinion:  I like the general size and I know the fit can be adjusted.  However, a few things made me decide to return it:

1. The contrast between the silver and rose gold looked very sharp on the website but more muted in person.
2. The watch was a bit too heavy for my liking.  I weighed it (bc I'm a nerd like that) and it was twice as heavy as my J. Crew / Timex.
3. I just didn't fall in love with it :(

So back to Nordstrom it went!  I'm still interested in MK watches, but I'll try it on in person next time before purchasing.  What's your favorite everyday watch?

P.S.  Thank you everyone for your kind words regarding my awkward elevator conversation!  I truly appreciated it  :)  

Summer Brights One Last Time?

The days are getting shorter and cooler, a sure sign that fall is just around the corner.  As much as I love fall, I'm going to miss the bright color combos of summer!  This dress is actually a reddish-orange but it photographed more of a cherry red.

Dress:  The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress

Belt:  Lands' End Canvas Nautical Rope Belt

Necklace:  H&M Turquoise Necklace

Shoes:  Those 15-year old comfy sandals!

Sunnies:  Gucci

Week 34 of the pregnancy and I have a random elevator conversation to share:

A lady (excitedly): "Are you having twins?!?"

Me: "No, we just have the one baby in there."

Lady: "So your baby is just measuring very large then?"

Me: "Um, no, she's measuring right on track."

Lady: "Oh."

A-w-k-w-a-r-d silence.

I was a little annoyed that she was implying that I was way beyond the normal size of a pregnant woman when I've only gained ~20 lbs but at the same time I know she didn't mean it maliciously.  Just comes with the territory I guess!

I don't know if anyone checks, but I'm behind in responding to comments - I'll catch up soon, promise!

DIY Colorblocked Maxi Dress OOTD

Remember my t-shirt to colorblocked maxi dress tutorial a little while ago?  Some of you asked to see what it looked like on me and of course I had to oblige :)

Dress:  DIY Striped Colorblock Maxi Dress

Necklace:  DIY Looped Rope Necklace

Belt:  Lands End Nautical Rope Belt

Shoes:  THE comfiest sandals in the world!  I bought these ~15 years ago and have been wearing them every single summer.  They are so old that I can't even tell what brand or size they are anymore.

Sunnies:  Gucci

 The perfect thing about a t-shirt dress is the ability to either look "normal" or s-t-r-e-t-c-h to accommodate my baby bump :) 

Then and Now: Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell

Pregnancy check-in:

• Gestational Time:  32.5 weeks - 7.5 more to go!  (Only 4 more until maternity leave - woohoo!)
• Weight Gain:  23 lbs 
• Added Inches: +13 at the tummy
• Current Cravings:  Falafels, fried pickles (I don't think this one is going away), cheeseburgers (sans the top bun to be diabetic-friendly), milk, smoked BBQ chicken

The Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell originally came out in the spring of 2010 (see here on Jean of Extra Petite and Kelly of Alterations Needed) and was re-released this spring at Ann Taylor Factory (see on Annie of Really Petite and me).  The one I'm wearing here is the spring 2010 version in lavender.  The floral petal detail consists of little blooms with beaded centers and the shirt itself is a very soft and stretchy knit - perfect for the pregnant!

Then: Oct 2010 Jacket:  Peplum Jacket, DIY Top:  Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell, XS  Skirt:  Black Skirt, DIY Necklace:  Pearl/Ribbon Twisted Necklace, DIY Shoes:  DKNY Studded Leather Sandals	Now: 32 Weeks Pregnant Top:  Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell, XS Skirt:  Banana Republic White Embroidered Bottom Skirt, S Shoes:  Tommy Hilfiger Illie Print Wedge Sandal (buy here) Bag:  Talbots Flap Top Leather Satchel, Croc-embossed Sunnies:  Gucci

Debuting today is my new Talbots Flap Top Leather Satchel with a Croc-embossed pattern (buy non croc-embossed here).  Some of you already knew that I'd been lusting after a flap satchel all summer (darn that Mulberry Alexa!) but I've been doing some mad shopping lately and didn't want to spend much on a new bag.  I wanted a leather satchel in a Cognac or Taupe-y color with a flap.  Enter this Talbots leather bag on sale from $249 to $57 shipped.

The soft gold hardware, center pleating, and croc-embossed pattern were what drew me in and you can't beat the price for a leather bag.  It's a little too big for me but perfect for lugging things to and from the office.  

A better view of the bag size on me

The floral print on these sandals - love!

And a random.

"Hi Baby Girl, whatcha doing in there?"

What's your favorite work bag right now?  Is it larger than what you would normally carry?

45 Min. Colorblocked T-Shirt Dress DIY Tutorial

After seeing this Petit Bateau t-shirt dress in the pages of In Style, I became inspired to do a variation of my colorblocked maxi dress.  And this one went by much quicker, only 45 minutes from beginning to end!  The great thing about this is that you don't have to do any hemming / making sleeves / finishing the collar because you're using all pre-existing materials that come with these components finished!

Petit Bateau Short-Sleeved Tee Dress (currently sold out, but see link here)	My DIY version - Aqua, Pink Coral, and Black

See tutorial after the jump:

Make Your Own Stripes Colorblocked Maxi Dress Tutorial

Does hubby / boyfriend / dad / brother have a bunch of old t-shirts they don't want anymore (or ahem, won't notice if you take)?  Here's an easy way to get another round of use out of them!  I used 3 t-shirts and some scrap knit fabric to create a striped colorblock maxi dress.  I've been in love with the combination of grays and yellows for a while but it is so HARD to find fabric that uses these colors.  Rather than continue my search, I decided to make my own "fabric."  :)

DIY Striped Colorblock Maxi Dress

DIY Looped Rope Necklace

See tutorial after the jump :)

Watch Search: J. Crew Timex? (And a "Revealing" OOTD)

My go-to watch is running out of batteries.  Somehow, rather than replace said batteries, I've been feeling compelled to search for a brand new watch instead.  I am fascinated, and I really mean fascinated, by the striped watch bands offered by J. Crew for the men's collection.  I have to admit it, J. Crew has me hooked and hooked so badly that I'm venturing out of women's and into men's (I've already ventured into kids' with the gingham shirt Cee made popular).  The thing holding me back was that I have no idea how a men's watch face was going to look on my wrist.  The watch face is 40mm which is considerably larger than my normal watches.  Given that and knowing that a striped watch band will probably be paired with casual, preppy wear rather than as an everyday staple, I'm going to "Frankenstein" my own mens' J. Crew Timex Watch.

First, I took to the blogs and found this nifty post from J. Crew Aficionada on J. Crew Timex alternatives (but still using J. Crew straps).  So off I went to purchase the Timex T40091 Field Expedition Watch from Amazon ($30) for a super similar watch face and then 2 watch straps from J. Crew, navy/bisque ($20) and olive/red ($9).

And the finished product looks like:

The watch face isn't as big as I thought it would be - a plus and I like the military feel of it!  The strap is a bit long so I have to double it up.  The navy/bisque strap is on back order until mid to late August.

And with a "revealing" (Hello- you can see my face LOL) ensemble (I'm taking a cue from Cee here - thanks Cee for the sunglasses trick!):

Tank: Old Navy, Striped Ribbed Tank

Blazer: J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Summer Stripe, Sz 0 (buy here)

Capris:  Gap Maternity Skinny Cargo Pants (I cropped these bc I needed more air LOL - thanks Gigi for the maternity skinny idea!)

Shoes:  Tommy Hilfiger Illie Print Wedge Sandal (buy here)

Watch:  Timex Face + J. Crew Strap

By the way, I felt incredibly awkward taking photos outdoors - I kept waiting for my neighbor to pop his head out and ask what I was doing.  And this is from just being in the backyard.  I gotta hand it to you bloggers who take photos outside AND in public all the time!  Plus my shots were all overexposed because I left my indoor settings on - oops!

What are your thoughts on wearing men's garments / accessories?