During the amazingly warm weather of last week, we took the baby on a little trip to Dun Laoghaire to walk along the pier. Of course, he slept through the entire thing. I loved the sunshine, blue sky, listening to the sea. Call off the wind and it would be perfect weather. It’s days like this that take a little bit of the sting out of my Texashomesickness.

I got this cardigan and bag at Dunnes on sale last week. It had crochet and bead patches on the shoulders, but my husband said I looked like a matador and the beads were falling off (not baby safe!). So I took the crochet pieces off and added them to the red bag (also from Dunnes) to remake two new pieces to suit me better. I plan on adding a bit more to the bag, maybe some embroidered flowers, if I get the time.

Of course the bag is just for show (and to carry my camera) I really roll with the ultimate mommy accessories, my buggy and nappy bag, and baby too of course.

Also, on the nails Rimmel Lasting Finish in Double Decker Red. It’s a great red — kinda coral, kinda orange depending on what it’s near. I’m not so sold on the Lasting big, but I’m really hard on my nails.

♥ Dress, Scarf: Forever 21 ♥ Cardigan: Gap ♥ Leggings: Old Navy ♥ Boots: M&S ♥ Bag: Dublin Flea ♥

Well folks, it’s my first outfit post in about 6 months. I have to admit, I have been lacking on the cute outfit front opting for stay-warm cardigans, yoga pants, hiking boots and nursing tops. For the most part, I’m on the floor playing with my busy little man or pushing him all around the neighborhood in his buggy. But I’m trying to pull it together a bit more on the weekends. This dress from Forever 21 is one of my first new purchases (not counting my many H&M nursing tops that I can’t live without) worn for shopping and lunch in Dundrum. It is a prefect post-baby outfit. Let’s be honest: a dark pattern to hide the baby slobber, button up top for easy boob access and flowy skirt for hiding that ever present baby tummy are all I need! That and my little monster in toe.

PS: He’s a doll. Here’s proof.

]]> http://stylebynumbers.info/2011/01/first-post/feed/ 0 http://stylebynumbers.info/2010/08/wtwwye-3rd-trimester-irish-summer/ http://stylebynumbers.info/2010/08/wtwwye-3rd-trimester-irish-summer/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:18:27 +0000 laurendare http://stylebynumbers.info/?p=1934 ♥ Trench: GapMaternity ♥ Blue eyelet dress: Beach wear from Penneys (last summer) ♥ Blue halter (worn under dress): Gap ♥ White leggings: H&M Maternity ♥ White cropped cardigan: Penneys ♥ Wellies: Joules ♥ Brown handbag: Gap ♥ Umbrella: Penneys ♥

@31 WeeksΞHappy August Bank Holiday! Here’s hoping the weather is a little better than the June Bank Holiday. Despite the massive downpour, the hubby and I had a great time on a surprise trip to Dublin’s north coast. We were determined have fun–even in the rain. Foul weather essentials included my maternity trench (the best investment of this pregnancy) and a trusty umbrella. I’m not sure if I would go with the white leggings again, they were a last minute addition when I realised my legs were going to get soaked. After our walk, the leggings and trench came off and were replaced by sandals and a cropped cardigan.

I thought the dress was missing something up-top and couldn’t find any accessories that I liked, so I added a halter top under the dress to give the illusion that the dress was a halter and not strapless.

At the end of a wet day, nothing is nicer than sitting in a cozy chair in an old castle with a cup of tea and a biscuit or two!

@29WeeksΞ Check me out in my totally non maternity dress! Okay, so the pleated bell shape is forgiving around my bump and it would be way too short without leggings–but it still fits and that’s pretty exciting. I haven’t worn it for a few months, but you might remember it from here and here.

I really love this tiny check shirt from American Apparel. It’s the hubby’s (and he hardly recognized it on me!) But true confession, I could only button the first couple of buttons before the tummy took over. I really like this combo and will be resuming it post maternity as well (if my hubby doesn’t mind me stealing his duds again)

PS: How pretty are those white flowers spilling over the fence. Thanks neighbours!

@27WeeksΞThis was a day that I just couldn’t get dressed up for. I’m pushing the boundaries of ‘casual Friday’ in my office a little, but after some weeks I just need to wear sneakers in the office. I just love Converse and they are really helping my aching, pregnant feet. I’ve already owned grey Chucks before and know they go well with most outfits. My favourite part about neutral toned Converse is that (if clean) they can keep an outfit looking polished.

I found this cute necklace at the Crafty Market last month. My favourite part is the bow, so I wore it with the bow to the side. A little part of me thought that the striped silk was a lot like a tie, therefore this totally dressed up the outfit and made it work appropriate. Ha. I do think this necklace will help dress down my navy suit (when and if I ever fit in it again, or am forced to wear it for work again).

If you haven’t checked out the Crafty Market, make sure you stop by in the new and very fitting location at Shebeen Chic. Although it is a little crowded, I loved being able to shop while my husband enjoyed a pint of Guinness and live music. It’s a win-win situation.

♥ Orange and blue vintage dress: Wild Child Vintage ♥ Navy Belt: from vintage, thrifted skirt found at Oxfam Georges St ♥ Cropped Cardi: Gap ♥ Vintage broach: Dublin Flea ♥ Peep-toe brown leather flats: Schuh ♥

@24 WeeksΞ When you’re headed to a vintage fair, you have no choice but wear vintage. I was totally excited that this dress (just) fit me as my bump is getting larger by the day. I’m 6 months now and very proud to say I can still fit in some of my non-maternity clothes! The secret of this dress is the natural waist and kick pleats, giving me a little extra room.

I found this dress last winter at Wild Child and was waiting until spring to bust it out (being white and all). I’m so glad I don’t have to wait until 2011 to debut it. It’s really sweet and perfect for sunny summer outings. Unfortunately, yesterday was not so sunny and I was freezing in my bare legs!

My favourite part of the dress is the unique faux button panel and wide shoulders. The fabric is really cute too. I have a feeling the dress is handmade. There’s no label and some of the tacking stitching inside is in different colours. If so, it’s superbly constructed.  I felt super girlie in this dress, but not over the top. I general try to blend my modern/highstreet pieces with vintage to keep from being in costume. This cropped sweater was a great bargain buy (on sale years ago).  It looks great will full skirts, accentuating my (still) tiny top (pregnancy hasn’t changed anything in that department!)

♥ Red stripe maternity t-shirt: Dorothy Perkins ♥ Jeans: GapMaternity ♥ Yellow flats: Berks, Harvard Sq ♥ Gold bow headband: A|Wear ♥ Trench: GapMaternity ♥ Market basket: Oxfam Fairtrade ♥

@21 WeeksΞ Sunday errands and market runs require go-to clothes. Something comfortable and cute that you can slip on and run out the door. I’m not much of a jeans girl, but maternity-me is living in these jeans at the weekend–partially because I want to save my nicer clothes for the weekend and partially because they elastic waist is pretty damn comfortable. To keep from looking sloppy, find a maternity t-shirt with a rouched, elasticated side. It keeps the shirt slim fit with lots of room for the growing belly. Dorothy Perkins actually has a great selection of trendy and cute maternity t-shirts.

Once again I threw on my trusty trench with the sleeves rolled up and the waist cinched up to keep out the early morning chill. There is nothing better than a trench–every lady needs one, now. I love my little market basket that I found years ago from the Oxfam Fairtrade shop outside Stephen’s Green. It has served a number of different purposes over the years, but my favourite use is flea market and car boot shopping!

On the feet, my cute yellow buckle shoes that I bought on a whim from Berks in Harvard Square. I really miss that shop. They had great sales, great brands and I always found a great excuse to get a pair. These were pretty cheap (maybe around $20) and I used my post-haircut glow as an excuse for getting them. Funny thing, they never fit quite right, but my feet are growing now and they fit perfectly, just in time for spring…thanks baby!

@22 WeeksΞI was feeling very Eastery last weekend and did not want the cold, rainy weather get me down. So I decided to dress like an Easter Egg with lots of bright colours to perk me up. Being pregnant doesn’t mean you have to shy away from colour. Although, a lot of people will tell you to wear all black. Sure it’s slimming, but you need a little fun every once in a while too…especially Easter.

Okay, so I did use a lot of black in this outfit, but it’s the purple that really pops. I love this dress and wore the heck out of it last summer. It’s a simple enough, loose dress that can easily fit into a maternity wardrobe. Once again, I’m at 22 weeks without a stitch of maternity clothes on–it all depends on the cut. The dress is a little shorter these days, so I’d only wear it with thick leggings.

To play up the baby bump and dress up the outfit, I added a black bow sash out of stiff cotton (so it would stand up better than a satin sash). I’m loving my strange new proportions of a tiny top and XL centre. The main point of getting dressed in the morning should be to make yourself feel good, no matter what happens to be peculiar about you!

@17WeeksΞ While in the US, I took advantage of the exchange rate and mid-season sales to stock up on maternity clothes. I’ve been wanting a great trench for the better part of 10 years, but have never been able to find the right one. So imagine my delight when I found this perfect trench (lined in sweet yellow) at the Gap off Market Street after getting soaked in an epic San Francisco rainstorm. This coat is perfect for the timing of my pregnancy as I will be growing through the spring and summer–and lets face it, in Dublin you do need a rain coat the odd summer day (or month). Plus it was on sale for $40!

I’m wearing a small, which fits me well in the shoulders and shoes off my small-er waist at the empire line, while there’s plenty of room for the bump to grow. As it gets warmer and I get bigger, it will look cute open and the sleeves rolled up. And by the way, these €4 mint-green shades are tons of fun. H&M has them in pale pink and beige too.

♥ Embroidered Tunic: Thrifted from Enable Georges St, Originally Topshop ♥ Black Cardigan: Penneys ♥ Black Leggings: Gap ♥ Raspberry Chucks: Urban Outfitters Bargain Basement, Harvard Square (4 yrs ago) ♥ Minty Shades: H&M

@17 Weeks Ξ So far, the beginning of the 2nd trimester is a mixed bag of maternity and non maternity clothes. I have tiny shoulders and haven’t grown too much above the waist, so I cans still get away with a lot of tops and dresses. This outfit is one of my favourites (found the tunic on my birthday), but I’m sad to report that the tunic won’t make a return after 19 weeks.

I can’t sing the praises of a great pair of leggings enough. These Gap ones are thick, soft, stretchy and held up on our week long holiday (worn almost every day) without getting saggy knee. Perfect!

By the way, this pic is in Chinatown, SF waiting for a bus to take us to Nick’s Crispy Tacos. Probably one of the most unusually delicious dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food in San Francisco is delicious! This baby definitely takes after its Texan mom and has a taste for Mexican food and guac….mmmm.