Beautiful Bump: Quick and Casual

Moving in to month six of my pregnancy. I can't believe how quickly time is flying! Staying warm during these northeast winters means lots of layers, so check out this quick and casual look. Love plaid flannel this season! The only item in this look from the maternity department is the jeans. Keep stretching that closet, ladies!

 

 

Top: Target

Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Jessica Simpson for Destination Maternity

Shoes: Breckelle's

Necklace: Francesca's Collections

Beautifu Bump: Runway Edition!

 Last night's 2014 Golden Globes kicked off awards season in full force. It was great to see some soon-to-be Hollywood Mamas glowing with their beautiful baby bumps! These ladies showed us  that just because your body is changing, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style and glamor. Is a baby bump the new accessory for the season?

Olivia Wilde in a stunning Gucci sequin dress. My personal favorite look of the night!

Drew Barrymore in a dreamy Monique Lhullier

Kerry Washington in a flawless Balenciaga

I'm looking forward to seeing more beautiful bumps on the runway this year! Which look is your favorite?

How to Recycle Your Old Christmas Cards

It's the middle of January, which means I have finally cleared my house of (most of) the leftover Christmas clutter. The decorations have been packed away, the cookies have all been eaten, and the New Year's resolutions have been slacking ever so slightly!  One holiday remnant I hold onto perhaps a little too long are the Christmas cards we have received. I love looking through them and reading the stories and well-wishes from our friends and family. But what do you do with them when the season is over? Toss them in the recycling bin? This year I decided to try a new project, and upcycle some of my favorite cards into gift tags for next year. It is a simple project, and only took me about 15 minutes to complete. For those of you with LOTS of Christmas cards, it may take a little longer.

Here's how to get started:

 

Gather your crafting supplies. I used a few of my favorite decorative hole punches and corner punches. If you don't have any of these, plain old scissors or pinking shears will work just fine, too!

 

Select a few of your favorite holiday cards, and let's get to work!

I began with a poinsettia card that I knew would work perfectly with my large round hole punch. Trim the front of the card from the greeting. Then, make sure the image is lined up where you want it with the hole punch. Simply punch out, add another small hole with a basic hole punch, tie a string, and you're done! You just made your first Christmas card gift tag. Pretty simple, right?

Here are a few other examples of tags I made using cards. Get creative - sometimes you can even make multiple gift tags out of one card image. It will save you a little extra cash on your gift wrap for next year's holidays. Enjoy!

Do you have a great idea for recycling old Christmas cards? I'd love to hear it! Share in the comment section below :) Happy crafting!

Beautiful Bump: Date Night 2

Just another simple maternity style idea for a date night. No matter what size you are, you can never go wrong with black!

One of the best tricks I have learned since I've started wearing maternity clothes is to define your bump - that way no one can confuse your  baby belly with extra holiday pounds! The easiest way to do this is to use a belted accessory, which you probably already have in your closet. Ready, set, style!

Dress: Modern Times
Leggings: Target
Boots: MIA
Belt: Target
Necklace: Kohl's
Bracelet: Chloe & Isabel

Beautiful Bump: Date Night!

Faux fur is one of my favorite trends of the season. This adorable fur vest from Ark&Co. is a great accessory to add to any outfit. I chose to dress it up for a date night outfit. Check back for ideas on how to dress casually with faux fur.

Dress: Old Navy Maternity
Vest: Ark&Co.
Belt: Target
Tights: DSW
Booties: Fergalicious by Fergie Shoes

Beautiful Bump: New Year's Eve Option 2

So sorry for the suspense! This was my second option for New Year's Eve. I am at 23 weeks and still fitting into a lot of my regular clothes. Be mindful of the clothing design, and you can make many of your regular clothes work well into the later weeks of your pregnancy! I find that sheath dresses, empire waist dresses, and flowing tunics are still flattering.

Dress: Lauren Conrad for Kohl's
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Bracelet: Chloe and Isabel

I adore this wrap bracelet from Chloe and Isabel! It can be worn as a layered necklace, bracelet, belt, or headband. Sparkly and versatile, what's not to love?

Beautiful Bump: New Year's Eve Options

Hubs and I are still undecided about our New Year's Plans, so I put together two different options. Option 1 is a more casual look for an informal get-together. Option 2 is an all-out "Hot Mama" moment. Check back tomorrow to see the second choice!

Blazer: Mona B from The Geisha House
Top: Target
Leggings: Destination Maternity
Shoes: Enzo Angiolini
Necklace: Fossil
Bracelet: Charming Charlie