Chambray Off-The-Shoulder

Dress:  Express (identical here under $35!, also LOVE this long-sleeve version), Shoes:  Burberry Prorsum (old, similar here, also love these strappy ones), Bag:  Unknown (similar here, LOVE this similar style), Bracelets:  c/o Gold & Gray

I know y'all are probably tired of seeing this dress by now. I've seen it all over Pinterest and social media ~ seems that everyone out there has a similar version.

Truth be told, in addition to buying Ella's 4th of July outfit, I picked up this comfy casual frock the day I went into labor. 

Funny story actually ~ I walked into Express {with my literally about to burst prego belly} and spotted this dress. The sales associate in store asked me what size I was looking for and I said, "Extra small." She replied, "Are you sure you don't want to try the size small also?" Bless her teenage heart for not being sensitive to a hormonal pregnant woman. No offense taken here, but I did try the extra small, belly and all, and was sure to come out and show her that it fit me even WITH my ginormous belly.

I have worn this dress twice since having Ella and it's just the most comfortable dress out there. Also, perfect for when I was breastfeeding because I could easily pull down the top and latch her right on!

Please ignore my unruly hair as I have not had a cut or color in more than four months. I'm going next week and am sure I'll feel like a new woman.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Dressing the Bump

Top:  Old Navy ~ the best pregnancy tanks, Skirt:  Jen's Pirate Booty ~ on sale!, Shoes:  J.Crew (also here ~ on sale!), Bag:  Mar Y Sol (also here, here,) Bracelets:  Tory Burch (old, similar here) and c/o Gold & Gray, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Sharing what could possibly be my last maternity look today as I am a mere NINE DAYS from my due date and our baby girl could make her appearance any time now.

As much as I will miss being pregnant, dressing for pregnancy is definitely not as easy as it may appear. With my body changing shape on what seemed to be a weekly basis, coming up with outfits to wear to the office each and every day definitely presented a challenge for me.

As I mentioned a few months ago, I entered into this with the attitude that 'I'll never wear maternity clothes'. That thought quickly disappeared as I realized that many of my regular clothes no longer fit ~ not like slightly too tight, more like not a prayer of pulling them off with my growing belly.

Once I realized that investing in some maternity-wear was absolutely necessary, I knew that I wanted to make my pregnancy pieces go a long way. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on clothes that I would only need once {maybe twice ~ wink} again in my life.

I decided maternity basics were the way to go, and rather than shopping at your typical maternity stores {which in my opinion are a bit pricy}, I shopped mainly at H&M and Old Navy.

On top of that, I purchased some non-maternity pieces that I could wear during pregnancy and afterward, such as this dress, and this one.

Once it started to get warm I was able to don my non-maternity maxi dresses ~ by far my favorite thing to wear during my third trimester.

Hope this post is helpful to all mommies-to-be out there ~ wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Big Red

Dress:  Pink Stitch (here in many colors), Bag:  Mar Y Sol ~ on sale! (also here), Sandals:  Loeffler Randall (also here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I've been living in maxi dresses lately. Definitely the most comfortable garment for me to be wearing on these 80+ degree days.

This red number might be my all time favorite. It's so light and flowy and definitely provides ample room for my still growing bump.

Less than four weeks to go...

Happy Monday everyone!

Striped Maxi Dress

Dress:  Forever 21 (identical for only $12!), Bag:  Unknown ~ thinking of adding some DIY pompoms! (LOVE this similar option, also here), Sandals:  H&M (similar here), Fedora:  Urban Outfitters (old, but similar option here), Sunnies:  Forever 21 (lusting over these)

Just a simple striped maxi that I wore yesterday for a beautiful Mother's Day celebration. Yes, I realize that the horizontal stripes may not have been the most slimming choice, but these days I'm all about comfort (can you detect how swollen my feet/ankles are?!?)

Despite the swelling I feel great! My due date is now just one month away, and I'm more excited than ever to meet my baby girl.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Got Chucks On...

 

Dress:  Leith {not a maternity dress}, Jacket:  Madewell, Sneakers:  Converse, Bag:  Mansur Gavriel (also here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 

...with no Saint Laurent (sorry Bruno!)

Before my pregnancy, you would probably catch me in sneakers maybe once a year. 

Now that I'm well into my third trimester, sneakers are my best friend. 

These classic Cons do the trick ~ comfortable and they add the perfect pop of color.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Blue Picket Fence

Dress:  c/o Sheinside, Bag:  C.Wonder (love this similar option), Shoes:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Bracelets:  c/o Gold & Gray, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (similar)

I couldn't resist snapping some pictures in front of this blue picket fence in Folly Beach.

Such a great take on the traditional white picket fence.

You'll have to excuse my severely swollen ankles ~ the heat + walking around the Folly Beach festival for an hour did my poor puppies in!

Happy Monday everyone!

Southern Nights

Dress:  c/o Sheinside, Bag:  C.Wonder (old, LOVE this similar alternative), Sandals:  J.Crew, Bracelet:  c/o Sorrelli, Nails:  OPI "Cajun Shrimp"

 

Happy Monday readers! I'm back and feeling refreshed, lightly tanned, and ready to face the work week.

 

 

My husband and I spent the week in Folly Beach, South Carolina with his family ~ a beach community about 25 minutes outside of Charleston. It was our last getaway before our little girl comes, so I guess you could consider it our 'babymoon'.

 

 

The weather was absolutely perfect ~ 85 and sunny every day ~ so hopefully we brought some warmer temps home with us to NJ.

 

Just two months before baby Royle arrives, and although I have a LOT to do in preparation, I couldn't be more eager to meet her!

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

A Marilyn Moment

Dress:  Nordstrom (under $50 and it's not a maternity dress), Necklace:  Anthropologie x BaubleBar (old, loving this similar option ~ on sale!), Shoes:  c/o Isaac Mizrahi, Clutch:  c/o GiGi New York

In anticipation of my daughters arrival {now less than 10 or so weeks away!!!}, I've been loving all things pink. 

This swingy frock was a shower contender when I purchased it a month ago ~ however ~ I realized that by the time the big day comes {still three weeks away} this "dress" would be a tunic, courtesy of my rapidly growing bump.

I decided to wear it for Easter dinner instead {no, I did not wear this to church}. My family was kind enough not to pass judgement, and since there was no breeze inside I faired just fine {outside was a different story}.

Happy Monday everyone!

Spring Sparkle In My Step

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here, also here), Dress (non-maternity):  c/o Nora Gardner, Bag:  Etsy (old, similar here), Shoes:  Zara (old, loving this similar option), Earrings, Ring, and Bracelet:  c/o Sorrelli ~ use code CLASSCOUT20 for 20% off of their entire site now through 4/30/15!

I'm back and getting bigger by the week! We are now in the home stretch (I'm 28 weeks), and I couldn't be more excited for my beautiful baby girl to arrive.

Dressing is becoming quite the challenge these days as now ALL of my regular tops are cropped, and my non-maternity bottoms do not have a prayer. 

I was thrilled to receive this simple, sophisticated dress from Nora Gardner. It's perfect for work and any upcoming events that I have to attend. Best part is it's not a maternity dress so I'll definitely be able to wear it post-pregnancy! 

{Although Nora will be adding some baby bump friendly styles to her store at 47th and Lexington coming in April}.

I jazzed up my look with these gorgeous earrings, ring and bracelet thanks to Sorrelli ~ accessories are my best friends these days because they work no matter how big the belly gets! 

If all of the above weren't exciting enough, the polar vortex known as NJ is finally beginning to thaw. I've seen grass (and by grass I mean lifeless muddy patches of ground) for the first time in months!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Perpetual Winter

Coat:  c/o Sheinside, Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (similar non-maternity style here), Bag:  3.1 Phillip Lim, Boots:  Hunter, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (similar here)

This winter seriously seems as though it's never going to end. In fact, it's snowing as I'm creating this post. I haven't seen green in months, and I'm seriously yearning for some fresh air and vitamin D.

But enough whining about the weather.

Once it does start to warm up and the flowers begin to appear, Baby Royle will be here before I know it. And I'm certainly nowhere near ready for her arrival.

Happy Monday everyone!

Never Will I Ever

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top: Splendid, Jeans:  H&M Maternity (similar non-maternity style here), Bag:  Mansur Gavriel (also pre-order here), Boots:  Givenchy, Necklace:  Ona Chan c/o

Before becoming pregnant, I had many ideas about what my pregnancy style would look like. 

As I now embark on my 6th month of pregnancy, all I can do is sit back and laugh at my naive pre-pregnancy self.

So today I thought I would share with you a few of my pre-pregncy thoughts that went out the window once my belly began to pop.

 

#1 - I will never wear maternity jeans. Why the heck not? Did I think I was going to suck it in or do the hair-tie trick for 9 months? This was the first notion that was debunked. By 16 weeks I was dying for some relief. I dragged my mother to Destination Maternity with me, tried on about 15 pairs, and finally settled on my first pair of maternity jeans. Since then, I have purchased about 4 more pairs from H&M. I love the fit of their maternity jeans and you can't beat the price.

#2 - Leggings should never be worn as pants. I now prefer leggings over jeans/pants, and happily wear them to the office very often. After trying several pairs, I found this Gap pair to be the best. They go under the belly {sometimes I find the full panel can be a bit itchy} and are super soft.

#3 - I'm going to be pregnant in heels! I traded in my four inches for flats as soon as the lower back pain flared up. Once in a while I will wear a pair of heels at work, but I always bring my flats along. Also, there has been so much snow and ice that heels outside are just not a smart choice these days.

#4 - I'll probably be able to wear my regular clothes up until the very end. At about 5 months most of my tops started to become crop tops. I now have two options - buy a lot of oversized tunics, or buy some maternity tops. I did a bit of both, but for my basics I find that these Old Navy tees fit the bill.

And so, as my body changes my style does too. Lucky for me, accessories ~ like this amazing Ona Chan necklace ~ fit no matter how big your belly gets!

Happy Monday everyone!

Bip & Bop V-Day GIVEAWAY

Coat:  Tulle (very old, similar here, also loving this one), Top:  Gap, Jeans:  AG (similar here), Scarf:  c/o Sheinside, Shoes:  Classiques Entier (old, similar here), Bag:  Mansur Gavriel ~PREORDER HERE, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Hello, and happy Monday! You'll have to excuse my short absence. The cold NJ weather has me hibernating lately, but...

...to make it up to you I've teamed up with Bip & Bop to host a FABULOUS giveaway just in time for Valentine's Day.

S&M Necklace:  c/o Bip & Bop ~ use code 'Margo' for 15% off their entire site!

They have a gorgeous selection of delicate, customizable pieces such as the necklace I'm wearing above. One lucky Classroom Couture reader will win a $100 gift card to use on their site.

Enter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Sunday, February 1st at 11:59pm, and will be announced on Monday, February 2nd. 

Good luck!

Winter Neutrals

Coat:  J.Crew (old, similar here, here), Dress:  Madewell ~ on sale!, Hat:  Anthropologie (sold out in cream, similar here), Bag:  Mansur Gavriel (sold out, similar here), Booties:  Matiko (also here in taupe on sale!), Tights:  Hue

While ya'll know how much I enjoy a good pop of color {e.g. my last post}, I've definitely been in the neutral zone lately {no pun intended as I type this while watching the NFL playoffs}.

Happy Monday everyone!