FASHION FAVS: maternity wear

Hi all! Happy Valentine's Day! Do ya'll have any special plans? The hubs and I don't have anything extravagant planned, but our anniversary is at the end of this month so that will be our real celebration! Well, I know I promised the blog wouldn't turn into strictly baby inspiration, but I wanted to share some of my latest maternity fashion favorites since it can be a daunting task to shop for. 

It is tough to fathom spending money on clothes that you only wear for a short period of time, but I believe you can invest in a few pieces to last you through the pregnancy while also purchasing items that will work during and after the baby. I know a lot of people just enjoy to be comfortable and cozy during pregnancy, but me on the other hand, I like a nice mix of comfort and style! Regardless of your preference, here are some great basics that I have loved since being pregnant ... 

ONE: forever 21 chiffon shirt - I have a ton of these types shirts from pre-pregnancy that I can still wear, plus any that I purchase now, I know I can wear afterwards! Double whammy!

TWO: old navy polka dot chiffon button up - If you caught my leather jacket instagram/post, this is the shirt I was sporting underneath. It goes with anything and is cute, but forgiving! With chiffon shirts, I always look for length so that I know my hinny is covered if I decide to wear it with leggings - and this shirt provides good coverage!

THREE: asos swan sweater dress - This was one of the first pieces I ordered online and it was such a great buy. The light weight material makes it perfect for spring or with a pair of leggings it is warm enough for our recent chilly weather. You can't beat any a-line dress during pregnancy -- and how cute are the swans along the bottom!?

FOUR: fleece lined leggings - I found mine at anthropologie, but I know there are lots of options out there. These are amazing for chilly days when thin leggings just won't cut it. I really love that they are thick enough so you can't see through them too. I have 2 pairs of black and 1 pair of gray and alternate them almost every day!

FIVE: anthropologie colorblock shift dress - You can't help but love this colorful, relaxed fit dress for parties and showers, or for when you are just tired of being "comfy." At a reasonable price, it is a good dress to invest in and get a lot of wear out of (pre and post baby!). Definitely one of my favorite purchases so far!

SIX: forever 21 button up blouse - It's nice that the trend right now is long, flowy chiffon tops because they are ideal to throw on with a tank and stretchy pants. 

SEVEN: j brand skinny maternity jeans - I knew I wanted to splurge on one nice pair of jeans to wear throughout the pregnancy and I just happened to catch these on sale. I thought, I all ready feel bloated and look like a whale so I don't want to be stuck in a pair of frumpy, saggy maternity jeans! These are still comfortable with room to grow and I can wear them with boots, flats, or sandals in the summer. So glad I invested in a pair of these! **Since then, I have also purchased a pair of H&M maternity jeans with the pull up extended top and they are reasonably priced and stylish as well. I would have included those in my list, but they aren't on the website!

EIGHT: jcrew chambray pullover button up - I have pretty much lived in this shirt + black leggings and boots for the majority of my pregnancy. You can easily dress it up or down, but it is always stylish!

NINE: camisoles - I don't have this exact brand, but any long camisole would get the job done. These are ideal for layering under shirts that have now become "cropped tops" due to the expanding belly or just to conceal under a chiffon top. I'm about to wear all mine out!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my maternity favorites - and it wasn't too boring for you non-pregnant followers! I think it is a great mix of items that are long lasting and stylish! Do you have any favorites to share? I'd love to hear more options! 

MY VERSION of biker chic

Now that hunting season is officially over, two of my friends and myself took advantage of daddy babysitters and hopped in the car for a girls night out trip to Atlanta.  Our first stop was Scott's Antique Market (I know, 2 months in a row but it's worth the trip!) where I found the perfect off white cow hide rug for Baby Owens' nursery! I can't wait to see how it looks in the room. The rest of the weekend was spent eating delicious food, gabbing about life, and enjoying a night of peaceful sleep. I'm trying to soak it all up while I can before Baby Owens makes his arrival!

You may remember my biker chic post before Christmas of me lusting after a leather jacket and my collage of some great options. Well, ya'll may have seen my instagram, but I finally snagged myself one this past weekend! It is faux, of course, but I really like it and wore it the same night I purchased it. It's from H&M and I opted for the light pink option (it looks more like a soft cream in person) because of the gold hardware. I love the cut and quality and you can't beat the price! So, if you're in the market for a reasonably priced, stylish leather jacket, try this one!

Here's my 23 week preggers self sportin my new jacket before dinner out in Atlanta - it's currently a little snug, but hopefully it won't be for forever! What do you think?

SYLE ICON: blake lively

I've always been a huge fan of Gossip Girl - whether it was the trend setting high fashion, sexy scandals, exaggerating gossip, or beautiful cast - it will always hold a place in my heart. I'm so sad it is over, but like they say - all good things, must come to an end, right!? It was the most perfect, beautiful finale I could ever have imagined and am so glad it went out with a bang. These photos make me so jealous:

But my love of GG extends further into a fascination with Serena VanDerWoodsen ... also known as, Blake Lively. I think she is fabulous and I'm pretty sure we would be bff. I mean not only is she strikingly beautiful, confident, and bubbly, but she is married to Ryan Reynolds! Who to me, is the equivalent but in a male body ... plus absurdly funny. I love keeping an eye on Blake's style and pinning away any picture of her hoping some of her fashion sense will rub off on me! I've heard she is her own stylist = amazing! What do you think? Are you a fan of Blake?

BIKER CHIC

I've been quite taken lately by the biker chic trend. Simply throw on some boots, a simple white tee, skinny jeans, add in a statement print or accessory and top it off with a leather jacket and you have yourself an effortlessly chic outfit. If you're not convinced, check out these gorgeous examples. 

Sold yet? A nice, leather jacket is a perfect staple item that never goes out of style. I know, I said that same line about Barbour jackets, and these couldn't be more opposite, but both are considered classic and timeless. I posted about one motorcycle jacket in my Christmas wish list, but now I have found a lot more that I would love to own. I am really lusting for #7 by Fossil. Hopefully Santa will see this before the 25th! Which is your favorite? 

ONE : TWO : THREE : FOUR : FIVE : SIX : SEVEN : EIGHT : NINE : TEN : ELEVEN

CHIC IN BARBOUR

Now that fall is approaching and a chill is starting to settle in the air, I have been admiring all of the new fall fashion line's. I can't help but be drawn to any JCrew or Madewell email, so when these popped into my inbox, I was immediately captured --

Barbour jackets!? I first saw Barbour as a hunting accessory on my husband a few years ago and didn't really think twice about it becoming a trend. They aren't anything fancy, adorned with sequins, or a fabulous new fall color, they are simple, classic, staple outerwear pieces that are now being sold by the hottest stores. These jackets are on the pricier side, but they are investment pieces that you will own forever and will never go out of style. You can catch style icons like Olivia Palmero, Kate Middleton, and even Princess Diana sporting Barbour. Here are some of stylish examples of Barbour:

Here is JCrew's selection of Barbour:

Barbour Hawkstone Parka

Barbour Beadnell Jacket

Barbour Liberty-Lined Beadnell Jacket

And here is some of Madewell's Barbour styles:

Barbour International Heritage Jacket

Barbour international Heritage Moto Jacket

And my personal favorite ...

The Barbour International Classic Bedale Jacket

See more people sporting Barbour here. What do you think? Would you invest? 

ROSE GOLD

I have had this admiration for rose gold lately and I can't help but swoon over any jewelry with this pink tone. My tiny twisted wedding band is rose gold and is paired with another white gold band and my twisted yellow gold engagement ring. I love the trio of metals. 

Design Work Life just did an awesome post on all things rose gold and it is a-maz-ing. All of the featured products are beautiful.

Fossil has developed a new line of chronograph watches that are absolutely gorgeous! They have really upped the ante for Michael Kors (check out the MK watch featured in DWL's post). MK (in my opinion) set the bar for taking chunky, boyfriend watches and morphing them into trendy, timeless masterpieces. They are too big on my wrist, but I do have a similar yellow gold knock off that I wear everyday. I would take one and all of these Fossils please!

champagne

rose gold

blush

white iridescent with rose gold face

tortoise shell with rose gold face

Check out all of Fossil's rose gold watches here and their fabulous new line of Stella watches. Do you like? Which is your fav?