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maternity clothing

#Slayternity: Stitch Fix Casual Chic Maternity Wear

by Rochelle April 9, 2017

This post contains affiliate links, including my Stitch Fix referral link. I earn a small commission each time someone signs up for Stitch Fix or makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support my blog. Additionally, this month’s fix was sent complimentary of Stitch Fix. All opinions are honest, my own and I’m so excited to share them with you.

As my due date quickly approaches, my clothing selection has officially slimmed down. Why? Because my body’s growing and I’m running out of options. #Slayternity means nothing if I can’t pull something together and with 5 weeks left, purchasing new maternity clothing will be short-lived. Luckily, there is Stitch Fix, a personal style service that evolves with your taste, needs, and lifestyle. All it takes is a few minutes to fill out your style profile and you are one step closer to a delivery filled with stylish pieces to match your wardrobe.

How Stitch Fix Works

Before anything gets sent your way, you fill out a style profile that asks several questions to help determine what pieces will be best for you. These questions cover everything from your sizing, shape, style, budget and lifestyle to help your stylist pick the best options. A total of 5 items will be added to your fix.

Next, pick a delivery date from their calendar. Once your stylist has picked your items, a styling fee of $20 will be charged that can be applied as a credit toward anything you’d like to keep from your shipment.

When your fix arrives, you have 3 days to try everything on and decide what you’d like to purchase or what you’d like to send back. The beauty of this is that you are only charged for the items you’d like to keep during checkout. Stitch Fix clients receive free shipping both ways and a 25% discount if all 5 items are purchased.

My Casual Chic Maternity Fix

Market & Spruce Sollas Maternity Knit Top

Because my body is in a state of growth, my style profile focused on comfort. What I love about the Stitch Fix website is that it caters to all body types, including maternity. After receiving my box in the mail, I was happy to see items that I knew would work for me. I thought I’d share my top items from my fix, one being a black Sollas Maternity Knit Top by Market & Spruce because of its simplicity and fit.

It was easy to add the Dolce Cabo Brule Faux Suede Jacket right on top to take it from casual to chic. The texture of both the top and jacket were soft and lightweight, a bonus for my ever-changing body temperature. With these two simple pieces, I was able to add a chunky necklace from my personal collection to dress up the look.

Dolce Cabo Brule Faux Suede Jacket

The Maternity Liza Distressed Skinny Jean by Lila Ryan were right up my alley. The light blue shade was casual enough for the daytime and the built-in belly band supported the extra weight I’m carrying.

Lila Ryan Maternity Liza Distressed Skinny Jean

How many of my pregnant mamas-to-be use Stitch Fix? Comment below and tell me about your favorite pieces…

stitch fix maternity wear

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PREGNANCY DIARY FROM 26-33 WEEKS

by Rochelle April 5, 2017

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. Let’s hope that’s the case with my long absence. My pregnancy diary is definitely spread out but hey, that’s what happens when narcolepsy kicks in during the third trimester. Things are definitely becoming more challenging during this stretch so let’s review what’s been happening.

More Body Changes

The most obvious change is my growing belly. It’s still on the rounder side just a lot larger. In addition, that seems to be the only thing growing on me. Sure, my thighs and bust size has increased but not nearly to what I imagined. Since I have no idea what the sex is of our child, I turn to old wives tales. From what I’ve heard, if you are all belly you may be carrying a boy and if you’re having a girl your body widens. Who knows if that’s true but I do find it interesting.

Additional changes include the darkening of my skin. My areolas, linea negra, and underarms have seen the most change but it is very common during pregnancy. My navel has officially popped out but luckily no visible stretch marks have shown up, partly because of my belly care regimen. Want to see how the first 32 weeks went, click here.

My Belly Care Regimen

My mother had 5 children and proudly wears her stripes. I’m not sure if she had them from baby number one or if it happened later but I’m doing everything in my power to avoid them. I won’t be embarrassed or ashamed if I get them but if they can be avoided, I’m gonna try.

#SecretWeapon With Mustela

Around the second trimester, when my belly size increased, Mustela sent a few products my way to try out. It included the Mustela Stretch Marks Prevention Oil & Cream as well as the Bust Firming Serum. Twice a day, I apply the Stretch Mark Prevention Oil or Cream to my belly, thighs, and butt and I apply the Bust Firming Serum in the morning after my shower. To my surprise, this line has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly. It also has a fresh, floral scent that’s not overpowering and safe for baby. So far, not a stretch mark in sight and I’m hoping it stays that way. *These products were gifted to me free of charge as part of the Preen.Me VIP program together with Mustela.*

Must Have Clothing Items

As your body changes, so do the size of your clothing. My most important purchases have been soft bras with no underwire or sports bras. Unfortunately, I missed the boat on another necessity for your bras, bra extenders! Had I purchased one, I may have worn the bras for a longer period of time but I skipped them and went straight to a sports bra once I realized I couldn’t breathe anymore.

Another must have splurge were a pair of comfortable wedge slip-on’s. The extra weight has been killing my arches and heels and investing in a pair of flats with a small wedge has made all the difference in my work day.

Diet & Exercise

My appetite has definitely increased! During my second trimester, the baby was so high that anything I ate made me feel full quickly. It was extremely uncomfortable until the baby dropped a little. Then it was game on and I’ve been stuffing my face like a champ ever since. As far as what I’ve been eating, consider everything! I stay away from the usual suspects, raw meats, sushi, unpasteurized dairy, and deli meats but I do crave red meat and anything with peanut butter. I struggle to get my greens so one way I’ve included them is by preparing a smoothie in the morning with a banana, frozen berries and a handful of spinach.

Don’t Tempt Me, I Will Eat It All!!!

Staying in shape has been another struggle but I manage to get in a 30-minute walk a few times a week. If I really have time on my hands, I visit the gym to do weight training (with much lighter weights) a couple times a week. More recently, I’ve included prenatal yoga which has been a God-send for my achy body.

Hopefully, the next pregnancy diary will happen before the baby decides to arrive. It would be a shame to not update you all with the last few weeks, especially since that’s when all the fun happens (that was a joke). I’d love to hear from all of my pregnant mamas about how your pregnancies are going. Leave me a comment and tell me about your cravings and must have maternity clothing items.

Watch my latest pregnancy vlog here:

*The Mustela products were gifted to me free of charge as part of the Preen.Me VIP program together with Mustela. All opinions reflect my honest opinion and are based on actual product use*

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#Slayternity: Nursing Sweater & Slouchy Pants

by Rochelle March 2, 2017

As I enter my third trimester I welcome you to another #Slayternity post! This is the cozy edition that features a nursing sweater and a pair of slouchy pants. Every day as my tummy grows a little bigger I become a little more clumsy which is why being comfortable is at the top of my list. Here’s what I’m wearing to keep up with my appearance.

Old Navy Nursing Sweater

See those zippers! Those aren’t just for decoration. They zip right down so that I can easily nurse when the time comes. In the meantime, this Old Navy Nursing Sweater fits beautifully and provides plenty of extra space near my belly.

Old Navy Nursing Sweater

Forever 21 Tie-Waist Trousers

Let me first acknowledge that these are not maternity pants. However, these Forever 21 Tie-Waist Trousers do have a stretch waistband in the back and can be worn low. The beautiful rust color caught my attention and the tie-front gave the trousers a casual feel. These pants do have a zipper that will eventually not make the cut but will make an appearance again after I deliver.

Forever 21 Tie-Front Trousers in Rust

VANS Disco Python SK-8 Hi-Slim

You had me at Disco. How could I not purchase a comfortable sneaker like this? If you read my first Slayternity post then you already know that my black leather Vans were a game changer simply because they were a step up from my knock around sneakers. Although the Vans Disco Python Sk-8 Hi-Slim doesn’t offer a zipper in the back, they offer my swollen feet comfort and they get an A for looking like a shiny, disco ball.

Vans Disco Python Hi-Slim SK-8

What’s your favorite piece of clothing in this post? What are your favorite non-maternity pants to wear in your 3rd Trimester? Let me know down below in the comments.

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Pregnancy Diary From 0 to 25 Weeks

by Rochelle March 1, 2017

For those of you following my pregnancy journey, I felt it was best to document what I could through my blog and video. Since I’m starting late on this, this pregnancy diary post will begin at 0 weeks and go to 25 weeks. It will briefly cover my how I knew I was pregnant, body changes, and maternity clothing.

How I Knew I Was Pregnant

Shortly after my husband and I started trying, I went to a California Fish Grill to enjoy a bowl of clam chowder and a fish plate. I love fish and was beyond excited to give this restaurant a try. After diving into my first spoonful, I noticed something strange. The clam chowder tasted off. Some people would have stopped there but I tried a couple more bites to make sure I wasn’t crazy. What I was tasting was metallic.

Immediately, I knew that meant one of two things. Either the chowder was truly bad or I was pregnant. I had read somewhere that if fish has a metallic taste it could mean your pregnant. Needless to say, I’ve always kept that in the back of my mind. I glanced at the other tables surrounding me with a bowl of chowder. They licked the bowl clean. Maybe it was just my imagination or the seasoning was off. I stopped eating it just in case but moved onto the fish. No metallic taste there. Probably because it was smothered in lemon, butter, and garlic.

I felt confused but very curious. I called my husband to tell him that my chowder tasted funny and maybe I was pregnant. On my way home I grabbed a pregnancy test and sure enough, I was.

Pregnancy Diary 1st Trimester (0-12 Weeks)

Grateful is the word that I think about often in regards to my first trimester. No serious nausea, no vomiting. I did experience bloating, however. Almost immediately after I realized I was pregnant, my pants became tight instantly and within a month I was using a rubber band wrapped around my buttons as a relief.

I say “serious nausea” for a reason. I didn’t experience much until my 12th week. All of a sudden, the taste and smell of ground turkey was so gamey and strong and I couldn’t eat it. The same went for red meat. Luckily, that feeling only lasted that one week and then I went back to eating as normal. My only craving was fresh fruit, anything artificial didn’t appeal to me.

2 Months Pregnant

Pregnancy Diary 2nd Trimester (13-25 Weeks)

Yes, I realize the 2nd trimester lasts until 28 weeks but at the time I filmed my pregnancy vlog that’s where I left off (See link below). During this time, we let both of our families know that we were expecting. Both families were over the moon and filled with questions. Boy or Girl? Who’s your pediatrician? Why aren’t you registered? The truth is, my husband and I had no answers for them except pure joy. We weren’t concerned about the sex, the pediatrician or a baby registry. We only cared about a healthy pregnancy that results in a healthy child.

My tummy was slowly growing and eventually, it was time for maternity clothing. My sister took me shopping and our focus was bigger underwear, bras and maternity pants. My rubber bands were snapping and it was time to invest in the right pants. My underwear was cutting off my circulation and my breasts were spilling out of my bras. Luckily, Target and H&M had maternity sections that were helpful during this process. Check out “Slayternity: Dressing the Bump Without the Frump” to see some of my maternity styles.

Besides my growing belly, my only other complaints were of round ligament pain. Right above the right and left side of my pelvis were the occasional sharp pain. My doctor told me there was nothing to be worried about as this is part of the process. It is a bit scary at first as I had no idea what to expect. It also only happened on certain weeks.

Want to see how week 26-33 went? Click here for pregnancy vlog #2

Watch My Pregnancy Vlog here:

Share your pregnancy story with me below in the comments…

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#Slayternity: Fringed Poncho & Flat Boots

by Rochelle January 31, 2017

#Slayternity is back with a new look for the winter season! This week like most focuses on comfort above all. As a fan of oversized sweaters, I’ve included a fringed poncho to the mix. Pairing it with a slim-fit black maternity pant and knee high flat boots gives it a look that is chic and effortless. Here are all the details…

Fringed Poncho

This cable knit sweater poncho has an oversized turtleneck and fringed hem. The sleeve lays at a 3/4 length and the length of the fringe falls below the knee. The black and white pattern can be mixed and matched with any solid color pant. Available at Forever 21. Find a poncho like this here.

Turtleneck Sweater Poncho | Forever 21

Over The Knee Flat Boots

It’s not easy finding the perfect pair of flat boots…especially when you’re a size 10. Some make my feet look like skis while others are so wide that I look like I’m swimming in them. What I love about my Marc Fisher Felissa Tall Boots are that the toe is not pointy (because then I look like a clown), the back is stretchy (so it’s form fitting to my skinny calves), there is a zipper closure at the inner ankle, and they’re only a 1 1/4 stacked heel (perfect for long work days on my feet).

Another detail I love is the gold frame at the top of the boot. It easily takes the boot from everyday to evening. As far as the sizing, I did have to order a 9 1/2 as they run big (Hallelujah!)

Marc Fisher Felissa Tall Boots

How many of you rock a fringed poncho and what are your favorite brands? Also, do you have big feet and skinny calves? What are your favorite shoe styles and brands for this? Let me know down below in the comments…

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