Embellished Dress and Maxi Skirt

 

  Hi lovelies. Apologies for my absence. I spent the last week getting ready for my trip to Indiana with miss E. Traveling with a new born is a new thing for me so I had endless check list and repacked like 3 times but still ended up with an overweight luggage at the end of the day. The whole travel experience is a story for another day. 

I have to say something before moving on. I know I used to live here in Indiana but, lawd, it is cold out here. It's not even this cold in New Jersey, at least as of when I left. Right from when we got off the plan I could tell the difference. I hope for our sake the weather will take a turn for the better :)

Ok, on to the outfit. I wore this outfit  for a formal event about a week ago. One of my first thoughts when we receive an event like this is what to wear. And then, I get in that mood of I don't have anything to wear. But thankfully, that wasn't the case this time. Mostly because I wasn't sure if I was going or not. It was said to be adults only on the invite. Only to find out last minute that infants are ok to attend. With that, I had no time to complain about not having anything to wear. Tried on a couple of my old dresses but my body isn't ready to fit in them yet. So I picked out this very mini dress. Knowing I dare not wear it as a dress like it was meant to be and like I have worn it several times before, I turned it into a top and paired it with my basic black maxi skirt. Once I tried it on, I loved the pairing, so I added the embellished belt to the waist line to tie both pieces together and instead of a black heel, I opted for an ivory cap toe one. One of the things I love about this look is how the dress, more dressy and structured worked so well with a very basic pleated maxi skirt and in the process, transformed the skirt to something more elegant. 

I have to say I love when I pull out stunt like this from pieces that I might otherwise throw in the donation pile. This outfit gave me the motivation to hold on to a few more of my mini dresses and see what I can do with them; and for this dress, can't wait to pair it with a colored or different style of skirt. 

Hope everyone is staying warm and getting in the holiday spirit. 

Till next time.

Dress: Venus, Skirt; H&M, Shoes: Anne Klein, Clutch: Aldo, Belt:F21

Hi-Low and Grey Boots

Hi everyone!
Hope your week is going well. Mine has been filled with daycare center shopping for miss E. I've been putting this task off for the longest hoping that the day she'll have to go to one will never come. But, in reality, that day is fast approaching and giving that most of the good centers have a wait list, I better get on it now or be stuck with a less desirable center when the time comes. So no more procrastination.  I saw some centers that if it was the last resort, I'll quit my job and stay home with her and others that just looks like baby heaven. Today, I believe we found the perfect place for us. It's closer to my work, so I can go visit during my break and I feel very comfortable leaving her there without a doubt, unlike some other places. I still have one more place to see but I doubt it will top this. With that, I think I can check one more to-do off my list.

The weekend is almost here which means our trip to Indiana is just right around the corner. Miss E. will be getting on her first flight before she turns two months. I'm still a little nervous about traveling with a newborn all by myself but the fact that it's a short 2 hours flight is calming my nerves a little. The plan is for Mr. D. to escort us to the gate before he turns back and return home. I'm just hoping the plan I have in my head goes exactly like that the day off.

I've always consciously stayed away from hi-low anything until this dress. Not sure exactly why because I do love some pieces when I see it on others. But, picturing it on myself is a different story. It's just a style I've always avoided until this dress. I saw it and something in me nudged me to give it a try. The style is simple with no extra add-ons, it's long sleeve, and the rich color makes it worth trying. That's not to say I'll be interested in another hi-low piece. I think this dress has checked that box for me. But then again, never say never :)

   

Dress: F21, Boots: Target

Button Front Skirt and Turtleneck

 

Happy New Month!!!

Hope you guys had a great thanksgiving with family and friends. We spent ours as a family of 3.
It is December which means 2013 is surely coming to an end. Can't believe how fast this year has run by and all the changes that came with it. The biggest one of course is welcoming miss Eliana into our lives. There is so much to be thankful and grateful for as I reflect on the past months and all God has done for my family. 

While I've lost all my pregnancy weight plus a few extra, yes, I'm surprised too. I'm still trying to figure out what works and how to dress my current body.
I've always wanted an open front skirt and this one is just the right one for me. Not only is it open front, It has a lot more going for it. It's a textured skirt, with buttons and asymmetrical. It's what I wanted plus more. So I just couldn't pass it up when I saw it. Letting the skirt shine, I paired it with a basic turtleneck top and black pumps.

 

Top: H&M, Skirt: Asos, Necklace: F21, Jacket:Vertigo Paris , Shoes: Ralph Lauren 

Stripes and Beige

 

Hi Loves!

Hope you had a great weekend. My sister and one on my friends visited this past weekend for Eliana's dedication. With two extra hands, that meant Mr. D. and  I could head out alone for our first date night since Eliana's arrival. It felt good, like old times with just the two of us. 

I opted for something semi-casual for the outing. Love the fact that a button up shirt is a very easy way to dress up a simple pants or skirt. Went with wedge heel to switch things up and keep it more on the causal side.  

I'm finally all caught up on The Good wife and I can't wait for the next episode. It's only getting better and better. If anyone is looking for a new good show to watch, I'll definitely recommend it. It is just brilliant.

 

Top: F21, Pants: H&M, Coat: H&M, Necklace: F21, Bag: Phillip Lim for Target, Shoes: Target

Causal Friday

 

Happy Friday!!!
Even though everyday currently feels like continuous weekend for me, I still look forward to the real weekends because we get to have Mr. D. home with us. Took little miss Eliana to visit my work family yesterday which was fun. My little lady slept throughout the whole visit, even when they were passing her around. She woke up once to eat and went right back to sleep. I think I know who she got that from :)

Since I'm still on maternity leave, I'm usually more casual than dressy these days and in flats more than heels. Once I resume work, the reverse will be the case.
Wish you all a great weekend!

Top: H&M, Pants: H&M, Bag: Phillip Lim for Target, Shoes: Vince Camuto

Black and Mustard

Hello lovelies!

I've been spending a good portions of my days watching The Good Wife. Started from season 1 now on season 4 and can't wait to catch up with the current season/episode. I have to say it is a great show and I can't believe I haven't been watching until now.  The writing is brilliant and the characters, well it's hard not to fall in love with them. It's so good and I'm so into it that I skip all other shows I usually watch to watch it.

 This top is one of my purchase while pregnant and I'm glad I can finally wear it now. It's a very well structured and fitted peplum top and the embellishment / beading on the neckline is just the perfect amount extra touch needed on this simple top. Paired it with my high waisted mustard pants and a simple open toe heel. Added the blazer to keep warm in the cool fall weather.
Wish you a great rest of the week.

Top: Phillip Lim for Target, Blazer: H&M, Pants: Zara, Shoes: Target

Red and Black

Hello loves!
Hope your week is going well. I just can't believe how time is flying by and soon enough I'll be back to work, away from my precious baby and the routine we've got going on right now. Just trying to savor every moment before that time comes.

These pictures were taken exactly a week before bump turned into baby. This dress did sort of become my go to the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy for work. I wandered into the maternity session of target one day and walked out with it. I'm starting to think I have a thing for pairing red and black together as this would not be the first.
Have a great week!

 

Dress: Target Maternity, Blazer: H&M, Bag: Phillip Lim for Target

Meet Eliana

 I'm happy to finally share pictures of our little princess. She stole our hearts from the moment she made her grand entrance into this world.  Well she stole daddy's first before I got to see her few seconds later :) 

We are extremely blessed to have a sweet and perfect baby that has given our lives a whole new joy and perspective. She makes it super easy to love her with her non fussy nature, her endless stretches, her many faces and her smiles and laughter. 

We truly thank God for blessing us with you. We love you dearly and we're already amazed by how fast you're growing. But, you will always be our little girl.

Poncho Things

Hi Loves! Happy Monday!!
Hope you had a great weekend. Since my last post, I have become a mother to an amazing little girl. Can't believe its been 2 weeks already. The fact that she's mine still feels so surreal to me. I'm enjoying watching her grow and change each day. Being pregnant is one thing, but holding your baby in your hands is a completely different experience you get to relive everyday; and I must say it is one of the best feelings in the world.
I still have a couple pregnancy posts I'll like to share with you before we catch up to present day posts and happenings. Here is one of my last outfit shoots before bump turned to baby. This poncho is one of those items I just rediscovered in my closet. It only seemed appropriate and fitting to style it with the bump so I went with a causal look. A pair of jeans which doesn't get featured on the blog very often but I do wear jeans, a sleeveless white button up shirt and this two-tone poncho seemed like the perfect match.
Wish you a great week ahead.

 

Poncho: VS, Shirt: H&M, Necklace: Asos, Jeans: Macys, Bag: Phillip Lim x Target, Shoes: Gift

Sweet and Perfect Baby

Hi loves.

Can't believe its almost a week already.  We are all doing great.  Thanks for all your thoughtful comments and well wishes on Instagram to my Instagram followers.  

II'll be back shortly :)

Love always

Hint of Pink

 

 Hi Loves! Happy hump day!
Today, I'm featuring one of the ways I restyled my checkered skirt. I decided to style it in a different fashion than I did the first time here. Going for a more relaxed and fun look, I paired it with a basic white button down-up shirt, tying a knot at the end for a care free feel. Added a pair of pink sandals to add a pop of color to the outfit. Like I've mentioned before stretchy skirts like this is a must in a maternity wardrobe as they can be worn through out the entire pregnancy.

 

Shirt: Asos Maternity, Skirt: Asos Maternity, Shoes: VS, Bag: Asos

Shine On

 

  My first draft of this post few days ago was definitely in a completely different tone. I guess just like everything else, pregnancy has its off and on days and I sure know that by now. I must have drafted it on one of my off days because reading it now, I thought to myself, I don't think I feel that way anymore. Just a few days ago I felt like I was so ready for little one to be out of belly because I was feeling all achy breaky, limp-y and sleep deprived...lol. Now that I feel much better, I believe I have it in me to power through the last week(s). Like I have an option right? But, I'm glad that phase passed and I am did not end up spending one of the last weeks of my pregnancy complaining and walloming in my discomfort.
From now till whenever little one decides to make her big debut, my mission is to shine on and remain positive no matter what. The things I'm feeling are only natural as my body gets ready for the even bigger task it's about to perform, which in itself is a good thing and what this whole 9 months is about. Even though I really can't wait to meet our precious little one, I'll say no rush! So, keep cooking and growing little one :)

I'm going back a few weeks in picture update from the last post. I have to say this is one of my favorite outfit during this pregnancy. It just felt oh-so-comfortable, easy and fun. Colors, prints and studs done in subtle way, what more can I asked for?!

Top: F21, Blazer: H&M, Pants: F21, Bag: F21, Shoes: BCBG, Necklace: The Limited