My Favorite Bras For Every Occasion and Outfit

It’s tricky finding good bras. And no one wants to go to the department store and try on bras for hours. I’ve always felt uncomfortable doing that and I remember my mother taking me to Nordstrom to see the “bra specialist.” It felt intrusive and I wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could.

As a reference for my personal bra size and situation, I grew up with a big bust and a small waist. Throughout my life, I’ve ranged from a 34DD (in high school) to a 36G (breastfeeding.) Needless to say, I’ve had to test out a lot of different bras, and I’m sure there are so many that I haven’t tried that I should. But, for the sake of this post and to help others try out bras they may not have thought to try, I’m sharing which bras are currently working for me or have worked for me.

Let me also state that my boobs have changed a lot since birthing and breastfeeding four children. All of my children were exclusively breastfed for 14-16 months, so my boobs don’t look or feel like they used to! I’ve lost a lot of volume in my boobs and they are obviously not as firm or perky as they were at one point. Thus, a lot of the bras that I wear now are because they support my current boob situation. Over the years, there have been other bras that I loved, but now, these are my go-tos!

Right now, my current bra size is a 34/36DD (depends on the brand.)

The Best Bra For Everyday Support

Fits Everybody Corded Lace Underwire Bra by SKIM in size 36DD or Natori Bliss Perfection Underwire Contour Bra in 36DD.

There’s one bra that I wear for support and all-day wear that makes my boobs look and feel good. It’s the Fits Everybody Corded Lace Underwire Bra by SKIMS, but only the lace version. The other Fits Everybody bras don’t fit me right – it’s something about the material of the lace version.  I own it in 4 different colors!

Before my breasts lost all their volume, I swore by the Natori Bliss Perfection Underwire Contour Bra. Now, it still fits in a different size, but the top of my breasts don’t fill out the top as well (they’re not as firm!)

The Best Bra For Exercising

Lululemon Run Times Bra in size 36DD or Ultimate Bra by Athleta in size Medium.

So since my boobs have lost volume and they’re not as firm, I now prefer pull-on bras for strength training and more low impact workouts (although it’s so comfy, I’ll wear it on runs.) My favorite is the Ultimate Bra by Athleta. However, for seriously high-impact workouts (like running), I’ll wear my Lululemon Run Times Bra and it never fails. Since I don’t have as much volume in my breasts, they don’t fit as well as they used to but they still support me, and I own them in many colors. This is also the bra that I wore postpartum (when my breasts were full of milk!)

The Best Nursing Bra for Breastfeeding

Body Silk Seamless Recycled Nylon Blend Wireless Maternity/Nursing Bra in size Large.

I swear by the Bravado Designs nursing bras. They worked for me with all 4 of my kids. I like most of them, but my favorite is the Body Silk material, I feel like it’s sweat proof (and you’re always sweating postpartum.)

The Best Bra While Pregnant (Not Nursing)

Aurora Seamless Crop Rib Tank in size Small.

They say you should just purchase nursing bras while you’re pregnant and wear them to be comfortable, but I didn’t want to do that! I wanted something I could wear without clips and that would look a little nicer under shirts. For me, that was the Aurora Seamless Crop Rib Tank, which (because of how big my boobs were/are), it felt more like a bra and was just so comfortable. I still wear it when I’m just running around in athleisure. Does it make my boobs look good? No. Is it super supportive? No. But, it’s insanely comfortable, gives me enough support, and it doesn’t squish me like a sports bra does. I wear it mostly at home and on the weekends being active with the kids! I sized down!

The Best Strapless Bra

Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra in 34DD

When you find a good one, you know it. That’s how I feel with the Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra. It’s the only bra that I can wear all day, doesn’t dig into my back, and stays up. I’ve been wearing this bra since college, and its the best. I’ve varied in sizes in this bra (up to 36G!), so don’t be afraid to try out different sizes as your body changes.

The Best Sexy Bras

Underwire Scoop Bra in Ultra Fine Mesh by SKIMS in size 36DD, and Wicked Unlined Lace Balconette Bra in size 34DD.

Okay, okay. Relax! How can I talk about bras without talking about lingerie and just-for-my-husband bras? I have a few that I love that I can wear underneath regular clothing for that post-date-night surprise. I actually love this Underwire Scoop Bra in Ultra Fine Mesh by SKIMS, because it’s super supportive and I’ll wear it as an everybody bra sometimes. And then this Wicked Unlined Lace Balconette Bra is just a beautiful lacy bra that gives a little boost. It’s okay under sweaters or chunky fabrics, but the lace pops through t-shirts.

The Best Boob Tape

Bring It Up Instant Breast Lift-Boob Tape/Sticky Bra or Body Tape.

I’ve been using this little secret for many years (since before kids!) to wear backless tops or just to wear anything where you can’t really “wear a bra.” It’s boob tape! I’ve used this when my breasts were larger and I use them now to give them a little lift and shape when I’m going braless (Lord knows I need a lift!) When I am wearing something that has a plunge and the shoulders are covered, I’ll use this tape.

What are some must-try bras that I need in my rotation?

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If you missed my post about my postpartum beauty journey, then you may have missed that I recently got a lash lift for the first time. I’m going to share what a lash lift is, what the treatment is like, what happened to my lashes after, and if I’d do it again.

What is a Lash Lift?

Basically, a lash lift is like a perm for your eyelashes, temporarily lifting and curling your lashes. Depending on how long or thick your natural lashes are, you can get a pretty dramatic effect.

During the treatment, you lay completely down on your back while the aesthetician works on your eyelashes. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour. She basically applies a cream that perms your eyelashes, and your eyes are closed the whole time. I put on a podcast and actually ended up falling asleep!

Once the treatment is done, you can’t wet the lashes for 12 hours, so build your appointment time off of that rule (this includes sweat, so no intense exercise.) She’ll brush the lashes with a little protective gel so they look a little wet when you’re done, but it dries quickly. And you’re left with curled lashes!

For me, it lasted about 5-6 weeks, and it says that it can last anywhere 4-7 weeks.

Before and After a Lash Lift

You’re all here for the before and after, right?

This is before and after without any makeup:

Unfortunately, I don’t have a before and after with mascara before the lift and with mascara after the lift, so I will update this post once I have that (in a few weeks!)

Would I get a lash lift again?

100% yes. I’m actually scheduled for one soon, because I’m going to a wedding and want to look extra glam! For me, I think a lash lift isn’t something that I would do religiously every 4-6 weeks, but for special occasions (like this wedding coming up) or a work related photoshoot or the summertime when I hate wearing mascara and extra makeup, I think it’s a great investment. I love that when I do put on mascara, my eyelashes look like I have extensions on – they look so full and curled. I also love that they look very natural and don’t get wonky like the extensions do, the curl just phases out.

Here’s my caveat. If you’re looking for something that is super dramatic and glamorous and noticeably changes the way you look, I wouldn’t go for a lash lift – I’d get eyelash extensions.

Now, if you have really long lashes and they’re straight so you want a little curl for oomph, the effect will be more dramatic. My lashes aren’t super thick or super long and they’re pin straight, so she couldn’t do an intense curl but after she was done, I was so happy. It fit my face, my look, and just made it so I don’t’ ever have to use an eyelash curler and when I get out of the shower or wake up in the morning, I feel more rested looking and awake. It seemed to lift my eyes and face a bit!

Overall, it’s a great treatment if you want a fun beauty boost!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments! 

The post I Got a Lash Lift: Before and After appeared first on Inspiralized.

T- Shirt / Zip Up Hoodie / Leggings / Sneakers

You can always find all the outfit details here on my LTK page.

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What I’m Wearing in Sonoma: Outfits!

When Roma was born, I made a group of mom friends here in jersey City. We met up weekly, we had an amazing postpartum summer with rosé lunches, park picnics, and plenty of time chatting together and bonding over the tiny babies crying for us 24/7.

We’re still friends to this day, even though many of us have moved out of Jersey City and on to greener pastures in the suburbs! We’ve been talking about a trip to wine country for years and we finally put a date on the calendar, planned the trip, and it’s this weekend!

I’ve never taken time like this away from my family, and I am so excited to have uninterrupted adult conversations, walk through an airport without yelling, “stop!” and frankly, peeing alone. Although I’ll have to pump the entire time, I’m looking forward to just having to worry about myself. When I return home, I’m hoping to be rejuvenated and ready to jump back into mom life with a bit more perspective.

Anyway, on to the fun stuff: THE OUTFITS! Since I only want to pack a carry-on, I’m trying to be strategic about outfits and not overpack. I’m the worst with overpacking! So here’s what I’m planning on wearing while in Sonoma, by day/night/activity!

Day 1: Travel Day/flight

We have an 8am flight to San Francisco, and since I’ll have to pump a couple of times in the airports and on the flight, I figured I would stay cozy and wear a pumping bra and pumping-friendly tank top, paired with some comfy sweats and cute sneakers.

Nike Dunks // Nursing Tank // Pumping bra // Denim Jacket // Sweatpants

Day 1: Vineyard lunch

We’re stopping at a vineyard to have our first tasting and lunch, so I’ll be changing at the airport and freshening up.

Ivory pants // Crop tank // Woven flats // Utility jacket

Day 1: Dinner out

After we get to our Airbnb, we’ll be getting ready and heading out to dinner.

Denim jumpsuit // Leather jacket // Green heels

Day 2: Vineyard day

We’ll be out all day at the vineyards, and it’s going to be a warm one.

Slit skirt // Crop sweater tank // Denim jacket // Sneakers

Day 2: Cozy night in

We’re having a chef come to the Airbnb and cook us all dinner so we’re all keeping it cozy!

Soft pant // Tank top // Linen shirt // Birkenstocks

Day 3: Vineyard Day 2 and Dinner

Another day out at the vineyards and it’s going to be even warmer.

Dress // White denim jacket // Sandals

Day 4: Travel day back to NJ

Keeping it simple on this airplane travel day back.

Leggings // Nursing tank // Pumping bra // Denim jacket // Sneakers

And those are my outfits! You can follow along on Instagram to see how they look on me!

The post What I’m Wearing in Sonoma: Packing List! appeared first on Inspiralized.

So, I made a point recently to make more of an effort with my postpartum style, and I realized that when I do dress like I’m me and not just a nursing mom, I feel better. I have a little pep in my step! What was important to me was that I found items and styles that were still comfortable and nursing friendly, so that I could do all of the mom things that I do (chase after a crazy toddler, keep up with housework, and nurse.)

In terms of nursing, I’ve found that I prefer to just wear high-rise bottoms and a top that’s easy to lift up, so that I don’t necessarily need to buy a “nursing friendly” top, but it’s nursing friendly because my stomach is covered when I lift my shirt up. I actually feel more comfortable nursing in public when the top of my breasts are covered, for whatever reason. I feel less exposed! however, I have found some clothes that are nursing friendly in the classic sense, and those are great too (for example – wrap tops.)

If you’re struggling for postpartum style inspiration or ideas for nursing friendly outfits, perhaps my latest finds and ideas will help you out! And let me know in the comments if you have any great finds!

nursing friendly and postpartum style

1 – lululemon align leggings: they’re the most flattering leggings ever, last forever (and I don’t hang dry my leggings like you’re supposed to, I put them in the dryer!), and I like the 25″ align, because it’s in between a crop and a full legging, so it looks more fashionable and less sporty.

2 – nursing tank: this flowy nursing tank is cute and doesn’t look like a nursing tank. it’s flattering in a sporty sense or can be worn with jeans as a cute top. it’s effortless to nurse in!

3 – cute sneaks: I’m not a sneakerhead or anything, but I think a cute pair of sneakers (like a cute pair of heels) can make all the difference. I’m loving these Nikes, they’re neutral colored with a little splash of color, so they look hip, but they also go with everything.

4 – high-rise denim: these are so comfortable and flattering, and I love that they hug your curves. I love wearing them with crop tops or tanks/tees tucked in for easy nursing access.

5 – wrap front jumpsuit: I LOVE this jumpsuit, it’s so comfortable (literally feels like you’re wearing pajamas) and flattering for the postpartum body.

6 – off the shoulder top: I actually wear this not off the shoulder and it covers my nursing bra straps. it’s super cute for date night or on top of the high-rise denim. super easy for pulling down to nurse!

7 –  tunic: every postpartum woman loves a flattering tunic and this one is a little more special, making you feel ‘dressed up.’ it goes great over leggings for a super comfy outfit (paired with some metallic Birkenstocks, espadrilles, or sneakers and it’s an instant cute outfit!) you can even wear it with bike shorts, slightly unbuttoned.

8 – button down summer dress: this dress is beautiful, feminine, airy, and perfect for summer brunching. the button down front makes it nursing accessible!

9 – bike shorts: I love comfy bike shorts and these are comfy and affordable. you can wear them under tunics, under long muscle tanks, or under dresses as a little edgier of an outfit.

10 – buckle wrap front top: I love this shirt because it’s light, fashionable, feminine, and nursing friendly!

11 – my go-to nursing tank: this will forever be my favorite tank top. you can discreetly nurse in it and it’s flattering, albeit form fitting. I love wearing it under sweaters in the fall or with a light cardigan in the summer.

12 – high rise denim shorts: having a great pair of denim shorts is key in the summertime, especially when you’re nursing. you can wear any top and lift up and nurse, having your tummy covered. these are lightweight denim, which I love, and flattering.

what are your favorites for nursing and postpartum transitional style?

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Let’s be honest. Who has the time and/or patience to go to the store, shift through the racks, settle into a fitting room, get undressed, dressed, undressed, and dressed again, only to be disappointed when something isn’t in your size and you’re told, “Oh, we can order it online for you!” NOT ME!

I’ve been shopping online for 95% of my wardrobe for a few years now and now, as a mother to a toddler, it’s probably up to 99%. I just never go shopping! If I go shopping, it’s for a special occasion (I most recently went to try on coverups for our babymoon to Miami.) Enter pregnancy into this equation and it’s even less frequent.

Long story short, I prefer to shop online for my clothes, shoes, and accessories, and here are my favorite online stores to shop for maternity clothes:

GAP: I buy most of my maternity clothes here, to be honest, because they always have sales and I can get so much for so little. And I find the quality to be good, I still am wearing my GAP maternity clothes from my pregnancy with Luca and it’s in great condition. They have the BEST essentials (tank tops, t-shirts, long sleeves, etc) and some great cute items too. But literally, they’re always 30-40% off, so you can’t really beat the prices!

Old Navy: They have a huge selection, like GAP, but to be honest, I find their quality to be low, so I don’t shop there. But I wanted to include it, because it’s got a great selection at low prices for those who want more options.

A Pea In The Pod: I’ve found a lot of cute “special” items here, like rompers, dressers, and swimsuits. Many things are a bit pricey, but the quality is great and I always get excited to wear an outfit from this shop, because it’s non-maternity styles and trends for the maternity bod, which I appreciate. They have some great designer brands, like Splendid, Rachel Pally and Isabella Oliver, for when you want something special (like for a baby shower, etc.)

H&M: They have a great selection of maternity wear and I am LIVING in their joggers right now. They’ve got lots of trendier items, great prints (love their florals) and the quality is good. They’ve also got good basics! Just a note: I’d recommend ordering a size up if you’re in between sizes, by the way. For example, I’m typically a Small everywhere, but I order a Medium here, especially for the maternity wear.

ASOS: I love ASOS for when I want something specific, like a “kimono sleeve midi dress” or, “maternity utility jacket.” I find ASOS overwhelming and the quality is hit or miss, so I usually go here for specific reasons, occasions, etc. They carry all the trends, so search for what you want. Their bathing suits are the BEST!

Ingrid & Isabel: I love this brand, especially for their dresses, athleisure, and their denim. The prices are a little higher than, say, a GAP, but they have a much smaller, more curated selection of options and the quality is great. They have great options for special occasion dresses too, which is handy.

Nordstrom: This list wouldn’t be complete without good ‘ole Nordstrom. Of all the department stores, I think they have the cutest maternity selection. I’ve been wearing this utility jacket all spring long!

HATCH: For total splurges (I’ve bought two rompers from them that I wear nonstop!), you can’t do better than HATCH. They have effortlessly chic clothes that are meant to be worn during maternity and postpartum. I’ve loved the items I purchased and highly recommend. The quality is unbeatable!

Where do you shop for maternity clothes?

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the softest pants ever: I basically feel like I’m wearing pajamas when I wear these, but paired with some cute white sneaks or flats and a tank or fitted tee and you look effortlessly chic. and SO comfy.

world’s most flattering leggings: I’ve received so many questions on these leggings – they are my favorite ever and are 100% worth the money. I own them in three different colors (Black, Black Heather 2, and Dusty Plum). literally, when you put them on, everything is tightened, firmed, and lifted – and you can just throw over a white tee, a denim jacket, and some sneakers and look cool. and you’ll feel confident!

tie front tee: I wear this all the time – with the above leggings and the below denim jacket. it’s my everyday uniform and I always feel trendy wearing it! sometimes, if my hair is reallllly bad, I’ll put a baseball cap on.

softest denim jacket: I wore the oversized version of this jacket alllll spring long. it’s the perfect lightweight, soft jacket and tied around your waist with your leggings and a tee is just magic. love having it for going inside to the air conditioning when running errands to the grocery store when I’m otherwise dressed for summer. the color’s spot on!

tie front tank: same idea as the tie front tee, just for those really hot summer days.

allbirds slip ons: I’m late to the allbirds game, but better late than never – they literally feel like slippers and they’re so supportive and comfortable. and no, my feet never sweat in them! they’re my go-to when I’m running out of the house!

the softest tee: you’ve probably seen me wear this A LOT on IG stories – it’s hard not to live in it. I sleep in it often, too. it’s RIDICULOUSLY soft and tucked into high waisted leggings or jeans you look comfy chic! it’s an oversized fit, so it has that effortless look!

burt’s bees lipstick: I haven’t met a color of theirs I don’t like — and I always have it in my purse for if I need to run out the door – or if I just want a little extra color in my face while on the ‘gram.

a giant tote: I shove everything on this bag when I have to run out of the house in a pinch – it’s great when you work from home and need to run out to a coffee shop. it’s one of those bags that looks like high-quality leather, but is super affordable. AND it fits your laptop, a water bottle, notebook – all of it! it takes your casual outfit up a notch!

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keys to wearing one pieces if you have a big bust:

• high-neck offers max coverage and more support
• sometimes if you size DOWN it’ll fit more firmly and suck everything in and provide extra support
• cup sizing if you can find it!
• off the shoulder/ruffle shoulder is more flattering and can hide some of the saggy-ness when you don’t have the support of a cup! it’s a trick to wear the trend and still flatter your bod.

here are the bathing suits I am keeping for this summer AND the perfect denim jean shorts that are high-rise, flattering, and your butt won’t hang out the bottom (what is with that trend?!)

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Robe // Lipstick

my mother always told me to moisturize. I think that’s the only thing I’ve done consistently with my skin since I was in middle school – always apply moisturizer. perhaps that’s why my skin still glows in the wintertime?  who knows, but today, I’m sharing my simple skincare routine – for morning and night!

currently, this is what my skincare routine consists of:

morning

Wash my face with this Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Exfoliator

Use this Thayers Witch Hazel toner all over my face

Apply this Beautycounter Rejuvenating Eye Cream

Apply this Beautycounter Rejuvenating Day Cream

night

Take my makeup off (I love these!)

Wash with this Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser

Use this Thayers Witch Hazel toner all over my face, again

Apply this Beautycounter Nourishing Night Cream

Apply this Beautycounter Rejuvenating Night Cream

and sometimes

if my skin looks dull, is dry, or I just feel like I’ve neglected it, I love this Resurfacing Mask by Tata Harper.

if my skin looks oily and I have a lot of black heads, I’ll use this Balancing Facial Mask by Beautycounter.

always after a shower

there’s never a time I don’t apply this moisturizer by Eminence all over my arms, legs, butt, and boobs! keeps me silky smooth.

and that’s it! I’ve been doing this for the past year and my skin is the glowiest it’s ever been!

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I have been receiving so many questions about what workout clothing I’ve loved during this pregnancy, so I figured I’d share that today on the blog!

and once this baby is here, I’m sure I’ll be fully ‘signing off’, but until then, I’ve definitely taken a step back, but it’s hard to fully check out when you don’t have the constant distraction and purpose of caring for a newborn! so until then, I may be posting on here!

my approach to workout gear during this pregnancy was “find what works inexpensively and just buy it in every color.” I didn’t want to spend a fortune on cute workout gear during my pregnancy, because post-partum, I knew I’d want to buy cute stuff and didn’t want to break the bank while I was pregnant. once I discovered that GAP has all you need, I pretty much stuck there.

here are my favorites:

favorite workout pants

Left: Ingrid & Isabel / Right: GAP (on sale!)

it’s a tie between these cross-panel active capris by Ingrid & Isabel and these full panel capris by GAP. I have the GAP ones in 2 colors and 3 of the Ingrid & Isabel and I just keep washing them over and over again! they’ve withstood dozens of washes and they still keep their form and tightness.

I like the GAP ones (they’re on major sale!) because they’re full panel and come in fun colors.

I like the Ingrid & Isabel ones because they’re cross-over panel and can feel a little less restrictive than the full panel type capris, but sometimes, I do want a bit of fuller coverage (as the belly gets bigger, you want it to be sucked in more!) you can also buy these Ingrid & Isabel ones here, on their website.

favorite sports bra

Sports Bra by Panache

this is my favorite sports bra year-round, because I’m big-busted. it straps those puppies in and they do NOT move. they’re half-marathon-training tested and approved! no matter what kind of exercise you’re doing, this sports bra is supportive. the bra also clips to become racerback, so you can wear it with all those cute workout tops. it comes in tons of colors, too !

HOWEVER, I found that because they have underwire, I had to size up to a 36 from a 34, because it started really digging into my rib cage, as my boobs grew and rested on my belly/bump. I’ve been told that with my fluctuating boobs during post-baby breastfeeding, I’ll be thankful.

I’ve also ordered a couple non-underwire sports bras for nursing (I’m told you don’t want to mess with underwire while you’re breast-feeding, because it can lead to thinks like clogged milk ducts!), so I’ll update this post once I have those recommendations ready. I started with the non-wired version of the Panache.

favorite workout tops

I’ve been able to wear non-maternity workout tops up until about week 37 of this pregnancy, so I didn’t have to buy too many tops. I’ve found that a lot of the tops at Athleta are nice and long. but, I have bought a few maternity tops and they’re definitely less restrictive and feel better around my belly and give me more flexibility during my workouts.

favorite tank top

soon tank tops were a bit tough to find, because they’re all pretty low-cut, I’ve always found. and the high-necks are tough, because they tend to show the sides of your bra, if you have a heavy-duty bra like me.

here were the three I bought and worked for me (I cut the interior shelf bra of the high-neck!)

High Neck Tank by GAP

Strappy Tank by GAP

Racerback Tank by GAP

favorite zip-up

Zip-up top by GAP

since I was pregnant throughout the summer, there wasn’t much need for cold weather gear. however, when I was going from gym to errands and didn’t want to be sweaty and cold when going in and out of stores, I’d always bring this zip up. it’s SUPER long (like, really, really long) and made with the softest spandex cotton blend. it’s my favorite to throw on and go!

favorite t-shirt

T-shirt by GAP

this doesn’t wick sweat away, but I wear it when I’m just going on walks or when I’m going to a workout class and want to throw a t-shirt on over my tank top. it’s so comfortable and flattering – and honestly, I’ve worn it out running errands with a sports bra!

that’s what I’ve been wearing throughout this pregnancy!

as you know, I’m nearing the end (my due date is in 2 days!), so soon, I’ll be treating myself to some cute post-partum workout gear! hope this post helps some of you mamas-to-be out there!

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I feel like such a pretty lady in this dress! every time I put it on, I feel so feminine. there’s something about florals that makes you feel the way.

I bought this dress when it first came out and I’ve probably worn it 4 or 5 times – it’s the perfect date night dress or for a fun brunch with friends. you can dress it down or up – some heeled sandals or espadrilles to dress it up, or even  some white sneakers to dress it down.

I chose to dress it down with the most comfortable platform shoes from Cole Haan that quickly became pregnancy favorites. I bought these early on in my pregnancy because someone told me that “comfortable shoes are a must!” and they were right. I can walk all day in these Cole Haan sandals. they’re also velcro, so I don’t have to bend down to tie laces which is key.

this dress has been great for my expanding pregnancy as well – it has a nice tie at the waist that slims me out, but the skirt and arms flow nicely to give it that breezy, cool feel.

I’ll definitely be wearing this more and more in the final couple of weeks leading up to the baby’s arrival!

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Dress by ASOS (sold out) // Shoes by Steve Madden // Hat from Puerto Rico // Sunnies by Madewell

I’ve always loved stripes, but certain striped patterns I didn’t wear, because they did tend to make me look larger than I was (some sort of optical illusion, I’m sure!)

when I got pregnant, all the maternity wear out there was striped, and I thought, “wait, I thought stripes made you look bigger!” then I tried on some of the striped maternity dresses and tops and I totally understood why there are so many striped options out there for us pregnant mamas: it truly is the most flattering pattern!

I own probably 5 or 6 striped maternity dresses and tops and I wear them all the time, because I feel best in them. they just hug your belly, hug your hips, and kind of making it all look…. better!

I figured I’d round up some of my favorite maternity stripes in case some of you pregnant mamas are afraid to try the trend and don’t know where to even look! I’ve got you covered.

striped maternity dresses

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Black Dress // Flats

you know LBD? little black dress. the black dress that fits like a glove and goes with every occasion – formal, casual, and everything in between.

every woman needs to own a LBD (or 20), and that means that every pregnant woman needs a maternity LBD, or, as we’ll call it – LBMD!

I found mine early on (THIS dress).

I put it on at about 12 weeks pregnant and of course, it didn’t fit, because I didn’t have a belly yet (just that dreaded awkward bloating right in the beginning.) around 25 weeks, I put it back on and I knew right then and there that this would be my go-to dress. for nights out with friends, for casual weeknight dinners with Lu, or for something more dressed up, just with cute shoes and accessories.

I wear it all the time – the shirring on the sides is so flattering, I always feel sexy in it – and it’s fun to top with a jean jacket and dress it down with some white sneakers.

most of all, it’s just EASY. you throw it on and you feel put together. that’s very important while you’re pregnant (I’ve quickly learned). and as this belly of mine grows and grows, this dress continues to fit and look fabulous!

happy Monday! hope everyone has a beautiful week!

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IT’S TIME! THE NURSERY REVEAL IS HERE!

even in the week since these photos were taken, I’ve already added so many little things to the nursery. I’m in total nest mode (and I thought that wasn’t supposed to happen until the very end!) — everything I see online I want for the nursery. I blame Facebook’s genius ad targeting – every time I scroll, I buy something!

so even though there are a few extras in the nursery since these photos (like the perfect lamp for my space), I’m calling this the reveal, because I haven’t yet shared finished photos of the nursery yet on this blog or even on Instagram – just sneak peeks!

and the dress I’m wearing in all of these photos is this one by Ingrid and Isabel.

every day when I wake up, the first thing I do is walk into the nursery. it brings me such a peace. I love the room so much, and I can’t wait for our baby boy to spend his first night there.

I have to say, it was definitely difficult to pick a nursery theme. I didn’t want anything too themed (i.e. “safari animals”) and I didn’t want anything overly “boyish.” I was trying to avoid baby blue, but it has popped up in the room – I guess I am more traditional than I thought I was, I couldn’t fight it in the end!

I just really wanted the space to be peaceful.

if I had to give it a theme, I’d name this nursery “palm zen.” the wallpaper is, of course, the focal point of the room. when you sit down in the rocking chair (I found the comfiest one EVER) and look up at the crib/wallpaper, you feel zen. a palm-y kinda zen.

so without further ado, let’s get into the nursery, shall we?

the crib and wallpaper

I wanted lots of neutrals and whites in the room, so I went with a light wood crib to complement the rug and contrast the bedding and wallpaper.

wallpaper // crib // crib sheet // crib skirt // blanket

the baby’s library

I was most excited about decorating this bookshelf, which I had in my office. I wanted it to be another focal point of the room – colorful, inviting, and garnished with toys and odds and ends. as a voracious reader growing up, I was excited to curate this bookshelf.

bookshelf // pom pom basket // blanket // rug

the daybed

since my mom is most likely going to stay with us for a couple of weeks in the beginning and will be visiting a lot in the first few months (before the baby starts sleeping in the crib), I needed a place for her – and Lu’s mom  – to crash. once the baby starts sleeping full-time in the nursery, the daybed will be nice for when I need to crash in there on sleepless nights to give Lu a break. and, it’ll just be a nice area to rest with the baby, read books, and admire this view we’re so grateful for.

daybed // quilt // throw pillow (west elm, sold out)

the rocking chair nook

I don’t know if all/many women dream of the day they’ll have their own little rocking chair nook for nursing/feeding their babies and reading to their babies in the middle of the night, but I definitely have dreamt about it for my whole life. I found a beautiful rocking chair (scored it on sale during Memorial Day Weekend), a mini pouf, and a nightstand to hold feeding accessories like burp cloths and nipple cream, toys, and other odds and ends.

rocking chair // pouf // nightstand // lamp // lamp shade // letter folk // round rug

changing table and dresser

stokke was kind enough to gift me this changing table and dresser, which is beautifully made of sturdy white wood. I can’t believe how perfectly it fit into the nursery – and it’s currently stocked with LOTS of baby clothes, diapers, and all the essentials. the changing table goes on top of the dresser and then can be removed when the baby’s older and out of diapers! I hung a simple wall hanging above the table – Lu was afraid of putting anything heavy up there (like a picture frame), because he’s nervous everything is going to fall on the baby, so I respectfully found a sweet little wall hanging that worked perfectly. and the mirror is for mommy to take plenty of selfies and let the sweet baby look at his reflection!

changing table and dresser // wall hanging // mirror

bassinet

so this isn’t going to be in the nursery, it’s actually going to be in our bedroom, but currently, it’s living in the nursery, so I figured I’d share it! this was also gifted by stokke and we get so many complements on it from friends visiting. it’s again made of gorgeous wood, so sturdy, and we’re currently hanging a mobile on it, but that’s going to be moved to either above the crib or hang about the changing table/dresser. it’s just for looks right now! we plan on having the baby sleep in our room for the first few months and he’ll sleep in this bassinet!

bassinet // mobile // blanket

still left to do in the nursery

• I’m thinking of adding decals to the closet doors, because it’s a lot of white space right now. any recommendations?
• we ordered a sign in the baby’s name that’s coming soon! can’t wait to hang it on the wall, above the mirror (or wherever it ends up looking best.)
• consolidate the closet. right now, all of the baby stuff is in the closet, neatly in bins – but on the top and on the sides, is a lot of our storage, and I’d like to consolidate it to make more room for baby stuff!

thanks for tuning in for the nursery reveal. I can’t wait to hear what you think! next week, I’ll be sharing all of my favorite baby products, in collaboration with Gugu Guru!

so, what do you think?!

all photos by Erin Dwyer Photography.

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after 17+ years of bra-shopping, I’ve finally found the three bras that flatter, fit, and support my large bust. and now, being pregnant and having even a bigger bust, these bras are still standing the test.

I’m always asked what kind of bras I wear, so I figured I would make a complete blog post about them. here they are:

for strapless tops & dresses

the Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra by Wacoal

the reason this bra is amazing is because it really secures firmly to your rib cage, so it won’t slide down. it has three clasps in the back and offers amazing support. it’s convertible, so you can even add straps if you want to – for racerback tops, one shoulder tops, etc. you can even wear it as an everyday, regular bra, which I have many times!

for everyday

Ultimate Side Smoother Underwire T-Shirt Bra by Wacoal

since you need to make sure you have enough support for those tatas, you have to clasp on the bra nice and tight around your rib cage – which can often result in some unsightly pudge hanging over – like a muffin top on your back, not cute. this bra conceals all of that, is breathable, and I think gives great cleavage without smooshing you! I’ve been wearing this bra for years.

for working out

Underwire Sports Bra by Panache (You can also order it on Amazon in more colors, here)

hands down the best bra for working out for a big bust, ever! Panache never fails – I wore this bra training for my half marathon last year (i.e. LOTS of bouncing up and down) and it held me in tight. I can’t recommend it enough. while it’s not necessary if you’re doing a low impact workout like yoga, I still love it because I just feel so ‘protected.’

the next phase will be for nursing, so I’m sure I’ll be writing a full blog post on that!

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Dress / Suede Mules / Earrings

I can’t decide when is the best time to be pregnant. since I’ve only been pregnant once, I only know what I’m experiencing right now. HOTNESS.

it’s hot in the summer here in the NYC area. it’s muggy, humid, and lots of hot Subway fumes. I’m sweating wherever I go, constantly.

HOWEVER, I do get to wear dresses all the time, so that means it’s easy to get dressed, I don’t need to sit down and pull on a million layers (like socks and boots) and I can wear light, breathable fabrics.

I have this go-to flowy dress that I’ve been wearing in this pregnancy that’s super flattering, comfortable, and is that perfect balance of feminine and ‘I want to stay in my PJs all day’ relaxed. I don’t love sheath dresses, because they tend to not flatter my shape properly, but the seams and floppiness of this dress make it shapely – especially when the wind blows and it clings to my bump!

I’ve been wearing it for lazy weeknight date nights and on the weekends running errands, with a pair of white sneakers – it can be dressed up or down!

Photos by Erin Dwyer

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