Top: PinkBlush. Jeans: Gap. Boots: KorkEase. Bag: Madewell |
#JesseCoulter - No. 21
#JesseCoulter - No. 20
After Walt and Whitney were born I immediately lost almost 30 pounds, and I felt great. Fast forward a month, and now I feel bigger than when I was 9 months pregnant...I know that sounds crazy. I had a huge belly, but my stomach was tight. It feels like someone let all the air out of me, and I'm a droopy balloon. With all that being said, my clothing options are limited. WARNING women who have just had a baby, DO NOT try on your pre-pregnancy jeans! I made that mistake, but have come to terms that it's going to likely take a year to get back to my normal shape. It took my body a year with Turner. However, I have a feeling it's going to be a bit challenging finding the time to take a work out class.
Sweater: A&F. Jeans: Old Navy (Maternity). Boots: Kork-Ease. Jacket: Ross. Scarf: Forever 21 |
Tunic: Old Navy. Cardigan: Target. Jacket: Ross. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo (This photo was taken prior to weaning myself from pumping...hello boobs!) |
Tee: Old Navy. Jeans: Cotton On. Shoes: Birkenstocks. Sunglasses: Forever 21. Diaper Bag: TwelveLittle. |
I've found that doing my hair and putting on jeans makes me feel a bit like myself again, even if I'm not 100% comfortable with my body. Mamas, did you experience this after you had kiddos?
Top 5 Favorite Maternity Outfits
1.) I love this Texas Tuxedo look (sorry, I don't call it a Canadian Tuxedo. My Dad sports this look everyday), because I would wear this non-maternity. I'm a jean lover, so these maternity rockstar jeans from Old Navy were life savers when it came to recreating my distressed skinnies. I do have to admit that they were a tad uncomfortable when they would sag (the side panel is comfy but tends to fall off my frame).
Top/Jeans: Old Navy. Hat: Cotton On. Boots: Justin (Thrifted). Hat: Cotton On. |
Top: Old Navy (Non-Maternity). Skirt: Boutique in Fredericksburg (Non-Maternity). Sandals: Gap. |
Top: PinkBlush Maternity. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo |
Top: Gap. Vest: Belk. Jeans: Cotton On (Non-Maternity). Shoes: Converse |
Dress: Cotton On (Similar). Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Scarf: ASOS. Coat: Nordstrom |
Dressing The Bump {Third Trimester}
Check out my Instagram here to get all the sources of the outfits, simply tap each photo. |
I relied on comfy leggings for pants, because jeans were very uncomfortable. Dresses and tunics were also my friend. I had thought about purchasing a winter coat, but c'mon I live in Texas. So I wore my non maternity coats and added a scarf for extra coverage when it was actually cold out.
I'm currently 35 weeks, and most of my tops don't fit anymore, so if you see me out I'll likely be wearing the same thing for the next 3 weeks. While I'm at home I'm in baggy t-shirts and sweatpants all day, every day.
Maternity Photos {Part 2}
A few weeks ago I shared with you maternity photos Todd White shot of me, and today I'm sharing the second look! I was 26 weeks pregnant {with twins} and wanted a mother earth/flowy feel to the photos. I attempted to make my own flower crown, and surprisingly it turned out ok! Although, I mainly used eucalyptus, and only a few purple flowers. The dress is non-maternity from Kohls (Lauren Conrad), and had an elastic waistband which was perfect for my growing bump. Thanks to Sarah Frey for doing my makeup!
#JesseCoulter - No. 19 {Maternity Style}
It's come down to only leggings for this pregnant lady. The third trimester has hit full swing, and my jeans aren't comfortable (specifically the belly band area). I'm thankful for maternity leggings, comfy dresses and tops that can be easily styled with boots. My $45 over the knee Aldo boots might be my favorite purchase of the season. I'm eyeing this brown pair...hopefully I'll find them at the outlet for a steal. Over the knee boots really amp up a simple outfit that could be pretty boring. Every time I zip them up I feel a bit like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman ; ).
Dress (Non Maternity): Cotton On. Maternity Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Jacket: Nordstrom. Scarf: ASOS |
Maternity Top: PinkBlush Maternity. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo Outlet |
Dress: Envie De Fraise. Leggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Scarf: Forever21 |
Dressing the Bump {Second Trimester}
Dressing a baby bump during the 2nd trimester is always my favorite. You're not too huge, but most people can tell you're pregnant (for me especially carrying twins). I wore a ton of dresses due to unpredictable Texas weather as it transitioned from Summer to Fall. When it came to pants, I only wore jeans and jeggings. I always favor low-panel jeans and side panel jeans are bearable. I despise over the belly jeans because they always end up sagging.
My advice would be to invest in a few key pieces, but choosing the right ones depends on what you do for a living. Are you a stay at home mom? Invest in some casual outfits (jeans, leggings/jeggings, tees, casual t-shirt dresses that you can easily move around in with your kiddos). If you go in to the office everyday and have to dress more formal, I would invest in a few dresses that you can dress up or down, as well as a pair of ankle length dress pants that you can wear with flats or heels. Whatever your job may be, I would own a lot of cardigans and tunics that cover your rear....it definitely grows over time ; ). Some of my favorite brands for maternity clothing are Old Navy, Gap, Envie De Fraise, ASOS and PinkBlush Maternity.
If you hate spending money on maternity clothes, look for non-maternity pieces such as tunics, a-line dresses, jogger pants, maxi dresses and a-line skirts that have stretchy waist bands. Cotton On is a great resource for tunics, cardigans and baggy dresses that work throughout pregnancy.
#JesseCoulter - No. 18 {Maternity Style}
I love the contrast of these two outfits. One is obviously very dressy, which I wear to work...although I'm not required to get super dressed up, I tend to wear dresses. This dress is super comfy and sucks you in....in all the right places. The other look is my favorite uniform of denim on denim paired with my felt hat and thrifted boots from a local antique store. I'm not going to lie when I say that I absolutely hate these maternity jeans. They are so cute for outfits, but extremely uncomfortable because they constantly sag and fall down around my waist (hello plumber's crack). They are the first pair of jeans I've tried with the side panel, and I'm not a fan. I'm also not a fan of over the belly jeans because they also fall off/sag. The only jeans that seem to work for me are the low panel style. What is your experience with maternity jeans?
Dress: Envie De Fraise. Shoes: Creatures Boutique. |
Top/Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Boots: Thrifted Justin Boots. Hat: Cotton On. See more of my fashion posts HERE! |
#JesseCoulter - No. 17 {Maternity Style}
Maternity Dress: c/o Envie Fraise. Cargdigan: Old Navy Non Maternity. Boots: Nine West. Hat: Cotton On |
Top: Gap Maternity. Jeggings: Motherhood Maternity. Boots: Aldo Outlet (scored for $45) |
Dress: Cotton On Non Maternity (On sale for $12). Cardigan: c/o PinkBlush Maternity. Shoes: Old Navy |
#JesseCoulter - No. 16 {Maternity Style}
Dress: ASOS Maternity. Shoes: Creatures Boutique |
Top/Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Birkenstocks |
Top: Gap Maternity. Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Gap. |
#JesseCoulter - No. 15 {Maternity Style}
I'm still waiting for temperatures to drop below the 90s here in Austin so I can break out my fall maternity wardrobe. Until then I've been living in this gray maternity tank handed down from my sis, and I enjoyed dressing up and feeling fancy for my baby shower in the Envie De Fraises dress below.
I also cashed in a gift card I won from Paypal and finally bought the Hunter rain boots I've been wanting for 3 years (Alex tried to buy them for me last year). Now I wait for rain as well.
Top: Target Maternity. Jeans: Cotton On (non maternity). Sandals: Gap. Sunglasses: Forever21 |
Dress: c/o Envie Die Fraises. Heels: Creatures Boutique. DIY Flower Crown |
Top: c/o PinkBlush Maternity. Leggings: Old Navy Maternity. Boots: Hunter Rain Boots |
Follow me on Instagram for more style inspiration! |
#JesseCoulter - No. 14 {Maternity Style}
Top: Old Navy (Non Maternity). Skirt: Bought from a tiny boutique in Fredericksburg a few years ago |
Top: Target Maternity. Pants: Old Navy (Non Maternity). Sandals: Gap. Hat: Aerie |
Dress: Old Navy Maternity. Cardigan: Old Navy. Shoes: Gap. |
#JesseCoulter - No. 13 {Maternity Style}
My clothing options are starting to become more and more slim, and I'm living in dresses as much as possible before Summer ends. I can still wear non maternity shirts, but jeans must be maternity. Thankfully I have a few pairs of non maternity stretchy track shorts that I can wear if it's too hot. All of these outfits are from when I was 18/19 weeks along.
Dress: Target Non Maternity. Shoes: Gap. (19 weeks) |
Top: Old Navy Non Maternity. Jeans: Old Navy Maternity. Shoes: Target. Sunglasses: Loft. (18 weeks) |
Dress: Target Maternity. Boots: Justin (18 weeks) |
Fall Wardrobe Inspiration
16 Weeks {Twins}
How Far Along: 16 weeks (I'm actually 17 today, but I'm a bit behind so I'll post 17 weeks in a few days)
Babies Genders: Boy AND Girl
Things to Note: Had my 16 week Dr. Appt and ultrasound. It was extremely hard not to find out right there what the genders were, as the tech told us see could tell the sexes within 30 seconds! I definitely think there is a boy in there...I'm 98% sure I saw male anatomy. Babies were moving around and looked like they were fighting each other. Hearts and brains looked to be in good shape and they are growing at the right pace. Thank you Jesus for healthy babies, that's all I ask for.
Bought 4 pairs of baby moccasins from Old Navy for the gender reveal...I was so excited!
Symptoms: Cramps when doing Zumba, Waking up at least once a night to use the restroom
(although this was normal prior to pregnancy)
Exercise: 30 min. walk x 2, 30 min. Zumba + Strength Training. That will definitely be the last time I do any sort of dancing or jumping exercise.
Clothing: Still wearing non maternity clothes. Maternity jeans and shorts are too big and the tops look like bags, so I'm sticking to stretchy shorts and using a hair band for closure on my regular jeans.
Cravings: N/A, my appetite has definitely subsided this week, but my belly looks like it grew a football inside over night!
Plan ahead
Top: Lulu's. Tights: Express. Boots: Nine West |