Road trip!

This my husband and I are departing on our great American honeymoon road trip. We start in Myrtle Beach, drive through the mountains, and up to Illinois for a family Thanksgiving on the farm.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I haven't been in the states for one in over 4 years. Far too long. I won't be able to fly home for Christmas so my family is having Christmas in November!

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Do I really need maternity tights?

They're all stretchy so what's the difference? Can't I just go up a size if I need to?

No. BUY MATERNITY TIGHTS.

You can get away with wearing non-maternity tights for the first and maybe even second trimester but come the third you will want maternity tights. You need to wear things that will accommodate your bump, especially if they squeeze you around your tummy.

The main reason for buying tights that were actually made to fit you rather than going up a size is that you may not have gotten any larger around the legs. Baggy tights are not cute. You are a lot bigger in one place so get some clothes that conform to your flesh balloon. Don't try and make it work with droopy tights. Just buy some tights that fit already!

You don't get the variety in maternity like you normally do but here are some basic options:

ASOS £8

Spanx £24

Isabella Oliver £24

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29 weeks

I swear, any day now my belly button is going to pop out like a champagne cork. 

Being noticeably pregnant is starting to be fun. Turns out strangers are nice to pregnant ladies; who knew? People are SO happy for you it's kind of uncomfortable, but in a good way. However, there is a lot of unwanted advice that I am trying to learn to take gracefully. Everyone has an opinion about what you can and can't do when you are pregnant. It really does my nut in when someone tells me I can't drink alcohol. It's like, "I am not just an incubator, I am a human being, and I can make my own choices." It's equally annoying when someone tells me that I'm allowed to have a glass of red wine if I want to; as if I needed their permission. I choose not to drink at all during my pregnancy, but that is my choice. Telling everyone off won't make it stop though, so I tend to just smile and nod.

I am thrilled that my Goosebumps shirt still fits me and my bump with out too much of a stretch. Best part about this t shirt: it glows in the dark! Gotta love the 90's.

The flannel, tshirt, and shoes are all vintage. The jeans are by A Pea in the Pod. Socks are from Calzedonia; They have an amazing color range for socks.

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Best Performance: Maternity Jeans

I was a maternity denier. I was convinced that I could wear leggings for 9 months and then my mother basically forced me to go shopping for jeans that would actually fit. Dammit, mother knows best. I love my maternity jeans...which is a sentence I never thought I would say.
I am definitely not a model, so trust me when I tell you that my jeans look great and are super comfortable even if the picture isn't so hot. They are by A Pea in the Pod, which has a huge range of designer maternity jeans. It's an American store but they ship to the UK.

In maternity, I think over the bump coverage is more comfortable and flattering than under the bump. I've heard other people say the opposite so try them and find what's right for you. Here are my top 10 picks starting with my favorite category, dark and skinny.

A Pea in the Pod ($95)

J Brand Maternity (£245)

Hudson ($215)

Isabella Oliver (£95)

Sometimes people like a bit of variety, and maternity jeans are a really good investment if you wear jeans normally, or are planning on having multiple pregnancies. You will want more than one pair.

Citizens of Humanity ($139.99)

Gap Jeans (£44.95)

Joe's Jeans ($189)

And for those of you who are wild and can't be tamed, here's some denim that is fabulous and not blue. I love the +MAMALICIOUS snake skin jeans! Rock and roll.

Mamalicious (£34.09)

Seraphine ($49)

Mamalicious (£46.89)

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Outfit: 20/11/13

Today I forgot my own advice in my what not to wear post, and wore this dress and cardigan from Primark. The dress is really cute when you're inside but when you go outside there's wind. Wind is not your friend. I'm going to stick with actual maternity dresses from now on if I have to spend more than 15 minutes outside. Something about the hemline being slightly uneven makes the skirt want to fly up.

The cardigan is great though, very cozy and I love the texture. Thank you Primark; the dress was just 5 pounds!The boots are vintage.

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Figleaves

I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed to buy a new bra at around 15 weeks and I am so happy I did. It was amazing, being able to breathe. Don't put it off; do yourself a solid and buy a maternity bra at the first moment you feel uncomfortable. 

There is a lot of beige out there. You will not want for a skin colored maternity bra. Thats....fine. Everyone needs a basic flesh toned bra but what about the fun? I was afraid I was going to be forced to wear boring granny panty sets for the next year until I found +figleaves.com. They have a huge range of nursing and maternity bras and sets that are sexy.

Black Lace Set ( Bra £29, Knickers £14.50)

Ginger Set (Bra £38, Knickers £18)

Blue Lace Set (Bra £33, Knickers £16)

 Rosa Set (Bra £28, Knickers £14)

Dark Chocolate Set (Bra £38, Knickers £18)

Rosie Black Set (Bra £34, Knickers £14.50)

Navy Lace Bra (£40.00)

They have lounge wear too! Sometimes I think that lounge wear is the most important investment you make during your pregnancy. A good nightie is a god send on those nights when you have to get up and pee about a million times. You will wear your comfy yoga pants and tank top more than you wear any other maternity item you purchase.

Navy Nightie (£50)

Grey Nightie (£45)

Black Nightie (£40)

Maternity Vest (£22)

Maternity Yoga Pants (£30)

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Practical hippie: Homemade deoderant

People always think I am, well, a bit strange when they find out that I make my own deodorant. My sisters in law definitely think I'm slightly mental.
To me, it just makes sense. I was unhappy with the results of the products I was buying at the pharmacy, so I tried making my own. I won't say it works better than the brand names, but it works just as well and with so many added perks. I get to decided what it smells like, the consistency, and what goes into it. I'm not a health nut but I don't want to put aluminum chloride on the skin right next to my breasts when I am breast feeding.
I got the recipe I use from Keeper of the Home. She's clever, and has worked it out so you can put it in an old deodorant container for easy application. I didn't have any of those so I just put it on like a lotion every day. I ordered most of the ingredients off Amazon and have included links.

1/8 cup arrowroot powder
1/8 cup baking soda

2 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil

1 heaped Tbsp beeswax pellets

8 drops tea tree essential oil

8 drops of whatever essential oil you like

Heat all ingredients in a pot on low until melted. Stir and pour into whatever container you are using and let set. Then end.

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Free People wishlist competition

I love Free People. Like with my whole heart, I covet you, I need you, and want you inside me sort of love. 

In light of that I probably shouldn't tell you this. It might weaken my chances, but +Free People is running a win your wishlist competition. You can win everything your little heart desires up to £1000. 

Here are some of my top choices:

Lilah Ring £128

Cropped Pullover £68 - I've already expressed my love for this in my crop top post.

Skinny Printed Cord £68

 Obviously I can't wear these now, but one day soon I will have a waist again, and on that day I will want to have these.

Cuff Bag £328


There. I said it. Doesn't mean you have to enter, more for me. Just say that if you win you'll share with me ok?!

Shop Freepeople.co.uk

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Mamalicious

+MAMALICIOUS is one of the best brands I've found for maternity basics with style. It's not super trendy or flashy but it has a more cool casual tone. It's tailored specifically for pregnant shapes so you know you're going to look good. 

Flower Top (£23.00)

Multifunctional Top (£29.82)

Knit Cardigan (£42.62)

Glitter Knit Dress (£46.89)

Luna Skirt (£25.56)

Cap Sleeve Dress (£26.84)

Wolf Shirt (£21.29)

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28 Weeks

Dress: Topshop, Socks: Primark, Shoes: Used to be my mom's.

Heartburn! I have never had heartburn a day in my life; now I get it every day. Thanks Ham. I love the silhouette of this dress; I'm a cute little bell. Bad idea: wearing vintage shoes on a rainy day. The bottoms are slick, and I had to be very careful not to slip in the rain.

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The last time I will be painting my own toes

There comes a time in every pregnancy when you can no longer reach your own toes. I think that day might be today for me. I have given my toes their last paint, and from now on I'll have salon days for pedicures and waxing. I've used Nails Inc Leather Effect. Nails Inc make my favorite nail varnishes. Usually I go for a light blue or sea foam green, but I was feeling audacious today so I went for some rock and roll texture.

 If you don't like feet pictures then cover your eyes.

Good bye toes, I'll see you in a couple months xx

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What NOT to wear during your pregnancy (from your pre-pregnancy wardrobe)

Before I actually became pregnant there were times I would buy clothes and think "Hey, I can wear this when I am pregnant too!" Not always. You don't realize that it's not just your belly that expands; you get bigger all over, even your feet! This is all based on my personal experience: a nearly 28 week pregnant lady addicted to clothes.

1) Anything you want to wear post-pregnancy

Even though you can fit into it doesn't mean you will want to wear it because it's about to be stretched to high hell. I love my vintage horse tee so it will have to go in storage.

2) Buttons and zippers

It's not a good look; better to buy something that lays right rather than making you look like a balloon that's about to pop.

3) Heels

So sad to see them go but my balance is so bad these days, I don't want to topple over in the street. Plus you're feet may do a bit of swelling so strappy sandles are not always a good idea.

4) Watch that hemline
Short circle skirts are cute but they are the worst perpetrators. You really don't want to be caught in the wind wearing one of these. So even if it fits, mind the bottom. A wonky hemline just looks sloppy.

5) The bust crusher

Tops and dresses that I thought I could wear during my pregnancy are turning out to be unaccommodating in the bust region. At 14 weeks pregnant I was going to a wedding and tried to wear a princess cut tube top with the same problem. It was obscene; your extra chest has to go somewhere and it will spill out the top in ways that you wish it wouldn't. Makes me sad...

6) Super plunging necklines

Yes, your boobs are looking pretty great these days. However, unless you want to remind people where your eyes are all day, it's maybe better not to. Plus there are some weird adult baby fetishes out there, yikes! But I am a bit of an introvert; if you are into the extra attention then werk it gurl.

7)  Jeans or denim

Trust. I got my maternity jeans around 15 weeks and it was a big feeling of relief. I was in denial about it, thought I could just wear leggings for 7 months. There is a lot of good denim out in maternity so it's not as bad as you think it's going to be. Buy them sooner rather than later, you'll be happy you did. I think my expression says it all.

8) Elastic waist bands

You don't have a waist anymore, remember? It makes you look wide and is uncomfortable to boot.

9) Tops that expose the lower half of your bump

Just don't. It's not cute.

10) Your old bra

Your boobs git bigger, your nipples get sore, and your chest expands, so don't torture yourself by trying to fit your big bust into a little bra. It hurts. Make sure you go get sized because you are changing. Believe me when I tell you that you will look and feel SO much better if your bra fits you properly.

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ASOS Maternity

+ASOS  has a lot of on trend maternity clothes. Like I keep saying: just because you have to wear maternity doesn't mean you have to look matronly. They have lots of cute dresses and a huge range of accessories and shoes so you can sass it up. I've got to get my hands on those tights!

Floral Dress (£25.00)

Smock Dress (On Sale £20.00)

Leather and Plaid Clutch (£45.00)

Zig Zag Necklace (£8.00)

Check Trousers (£22.00)

Slipper Shoes (£35.00)

Denim Dress (£40.00)

Black Tights (£10.00)

Bodycon Dress (On Sale £12.50)

Peter Pan Collar Dress (£35.00)

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My coats

I did a post on Sunday about maternity coats. They are a good investment if you're going to be pregnant through the winter. I have 5 coats and am lucky enough to have 2 of them still fit. My other jackets either won't zip/button, or my bump peaks out.

My primary coat is by +Free People, several seasons back. It was such a good investment. I love the bell shape and the flared sleeves; it was even cute before I was pregnant.
Shop Freepeople.co.uk

I must really like gingham because this my other coat that still fits:

It's totally true; I f.ing love gingham. This coat is vintage Pendleton from +Etsy. I pair it with boots and skinny jeans and feel tough in the snow.

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Japanese brand: Familiar

I was given these adorable clothes for Ham by a Japanese friend who has 2 boys. They are ridiculously cute,: I die. 

I mean, right?

This is all from their winter collection.

Problem is, I don't know where to buy this brand. Maybe that's a good thing because I feel like if I could get this stuff I would get ALL of this stuff. 

I MEAN SERIOUSLY!!!!

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Work it out

I do Prenatal Pilates ($5.09) nearly every day, and when I don't, I wish I had. This DVD makes me feel better, sleep better, and it reduces my back and hip pain by approximately 75%. There's a video on YouTube as well if you're on a budget:

Tracy Anderson has a prenatal work out video (£39.75). I am a big fan of the Tracey Anderson method of dancing it out. Her first work out DVD is a part of my pre-pregnancy collection, and it is fun for a work out. Not as fun as eating a big pizza but you have to do the video to eat the pizza am I right? Suzanne Bowen also has a pregnancy DVD that is well rated on Amazon (£9.00).

I hear that prenatal classes are a great place to meet other mums to be, but I like to do my working out in private and on my own schedule. It may make me a bit of a hermit but so be it. I'll meet people in the birthing classes.

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Outfit: 11/11/13

When reading crystaldaisies.blogspot.co.uk I got a sudden urge to root around in Primark. I did a post about crop tops last week and found this lovely short jumper. It's cozy warm, but not too warm; my blood runs hot these days. I also purchased this cami in chartreuse, orange, teal, and hunter's green. I love Primark for their cheap basics; can't feel bad stretching it out when it only cost £1.50. 

The jeans are by A Pea in the Pod, and the boots are Aldo.

Today was supposed to be donut day for my friend and me. We were going to try the infamous cronut, and a new muffin-donut from +Starbucks Coffee. He got the flu so I am staying well away, even though I've had my jab. It never used to phase me when one of my friends was sick; I would hang out anyways. Now I put myself in quarantine: can't get sick, mustn't get a fever.

Right now I'm packing up and getting ready for a road trip later this week. A road trip might not sound fun when you're 7 months pregnant but I can't wait to be free and explore one last time while I have the chance.

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Winter Collection: French Connection

+French Connection is undeniably great for formal wear. They don't technically have a maternity line but here are some pieces from their winter collection that could dress up that bump:

Glitter Halter Dress £160.00

Dipped Hem Tee £35.00

Sequinned Leggings £120.00

Salt n Pepper Cardigan £89.00

Flared Coat £180.00

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Coats Coats Coats

Winter is coming. How, oh how, to keep the bump warm. I don't know about you but I can no longer zip up my leather jacket and my bump peaks out of my pea coat.
Capes are always accommodating, and there are some surprising maternity coats out this season. The first one by +MAMALICIOUS is my favorite; check out the detailed sleeves!

Mamalicious Studded Coat - £93.82
Esprit Padded Coat - £133.95
Vitnage Plaid Cape - $44.12
Mamalicious Leather Jacket - £55.42
Seraphine Houndstooth Coat - £115.00
Topshop Fur Hooded Coat - £65.00
New Look Contrast Coat - £49.99,
Rokit Brown Cape - £45.00

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Put the lotion on the belly

Nobody wants stretch marks. Obviously.

Apparently there is nothing that can be done to prevent them, according to the NHS and other internet sources. However, the amount of products out there making promises would suggest that there is something you can do. Maybe they are just playing into our vanity. I don't have any stretch marks yet (touch wood) but I make no promises.

I was just using my regular lotion, Shea body lotion by The Body Shop, but then my skin started itching from the big stretch. I started trying out a couple things.  I tried Palmer's cocoa butter formula, Palmer's tummy butter, Bio Oil, Bert's Bee's mama bee belly butter, and plain old coconut oil.

My skin care routine now is to use regular lotion on my arms and legs. For my chest, bump, thighs, and booty I use Palmer's cocoa butter formula. At night I use Bio Oil. When my skin itches, which isn't nearly as often as before, I just put some coconut oil on it. That usually sorts it right out.

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Winter Collection: Allsaints

Allsaints has some amazing stuff that's out now for winter. It's all very grey but so is the weather. Pair it with some bright accessories if you're scared of the dark. +AllSaints does such a good job with leather, drapery, embroidery, and details. I wish they had more clothing I could wear but I'll have to wait. 

Here's some pieces that I believe could be bump accommodating, although you may need to go up a size:

Decadence Top £48.00

Jumper Dress £158.00

Saxa Top £98.00

Biker Coat £358.00

Jersey Top £78.00

Kapital Shoes £175.00

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