4th Trimester Style: pants

No one talks about what to wear after you give birth.  There's this thing called the "fourth trimester" and it's discussed in terms of the baby but never the mom.  Well, we have our own transition, specially in terms of style. 

With this second child I've come to grips with the fact that my mid-section will be a bit mushy for a while.  Pants are a problem.  Even if I shrink down to my normal size 10, my tummy is rather soft so that pants are either too tight or slide off.  The best solution is maternity pants with the wide waist band or yoga pants.  I know no one wants to wear "maternity clothes" when they're not pregnant but I'd rather look good than have muffin top or mama crack.  Both are terribly unsexy.  

Gap has skinny, bright colored, demi-panel maternity jeans and I'm loving it! Hip maternity pants! Woohoo. I bought the red ones and I think I also want fushsia!

Valentine's Day Necklaces

 

I wish I could take credit for all my creative ventures.  My secret is that I'm addicted to reading blogs!  There are women, mothers who are amazing.  I just came across Flax & Twine via Design Mom.  I was looking to get P something special for Valentine's Day.  These necklaces were just perfect and what's even better is I could make them for her!  Dave had a last minute day off yesterday so we both went to Michael's to get supplies.  I'm so glad because it made him part of the process.

Instructions to make the necklaces can be found here.  Per P's request I used buttons to secure them at the end instead of tying them off.  

P is feeling cool with her new necklaces and a new outfit.   I ordered this tee and pants from The Mini Social weeks ago and they arrived today so we came off as super champs!  Phew, love it when things work out like that!

 

Zara Style

I recently got this dress for P with the intent to use it for the holidays.  I love it but it seems to have more of a Halloween, Thanksgiving feel than Christmas.  We're using it for nicer events.  

Dress: Zara

Leggings: Zara

Coat: Lands End

Shoes: Passitos from Garnet Hill

Costume?

 Hat: Target, Jacket & Pants: Lands End, Boots: Sorel

Once upon a time I had a daughter who never said a peep about what I dressed her in. It was fantastic!  When all the other daughters were voicing opinions and wearing crazy mismatched things in public, mine was always ok with her stylish and coordinated outfits.  Then, slowly but surely that little girl started to develop opinions.  I sense she's always had them but only recently has she gained the wisdom to vocalize them.  

Yesterday it was rainy and cold. Our first real day of fall/winter.  I finally got to pull out P's winter clothes. When I dressed her in navy, wide-legged cords with a cute cambray shirt she objected. "I don't like this! I don't like this shirt!".  I pulled out all the options that would go with her pants.  She picked out a stripped blousy shirt that I must admit was a better choice than what I had picked out.  I got her outer gear on reluctantly; double breasted yellow rain jacket with a hat and new,warm Sorel boots.  I saw the sour face but we were running late for school.  

On the way to the car she says to Dave "Can I take this costume off when I get home?"!!! Costume?  What costume?  I had to take a picture of her when she got home because I swear one day she'll look back at this and laugh at herself and her comment.  Costume?

Shirt & Leggings: Estella-NYC, Dress: Tea Collection, Boots: Land's End

Today's outfit was selected the night before. I wanted to go over it with her so that the morning would go smoother.  Turns out P is a girlier girl than I thought.  She wants to wear dresses. She doesn't want to wear pants.  Perfect, I bought her 5 pair of cords! Now I'll have to figure out a way for her to wear them.  I'm glad I bought lots of leggings and undershirts so I can layer all her dresses for winter.  Well, at least she continues to have a good sense of style. She does listens when I point out why something doesn't go with what she's wearing. And like I said, her choices are often better than mine.  I just liked it better when it was like having a doll I got to dress up everyday.  Now, someone pulled the cord on the doll and she started talking!!!

Cover that Bum!

My mom brought me back undies for P from her trip to Colombia!  Every time someone visits from our homeland they ask me what I want.  I always say the same: undies for P!  Why can't I buy underwear for my kid in the States?  

Well, I have an issue with American underwear for girls.  Just about every brand does not cover the bum and private parts enough.  Some even look like they belong on a Victoria Secrets model.  We're talking underpants for a toddler for Pete's sake!  Cover all the parts!  

At this point in P's life her privates belong to me and I'm not willing to share them with anyone.  Also, I don't want to constantly tell her to put her legs down. She's a child having fun. She should do what she wants, climb what she wants, straddle what she wants.  Boys don't have to worry about it why should girls at this age when an awareness of sexuality is not even there.  To solve the problem I buy her boy shorts underwear for girls which I can only find at H&M. Or I ask for foreign underwear.  Isn't it a little shocking that the standard in the rest of the world covers at least half a butt cheek and half a vagina more than here?!

Now, here is where I become more "liberated" or European.  I hate underwear lines, even on a 3 year old.  When P wears her jersey pants or any soft pants or leggings I don't have her put on underwear.  You should hear the questions I get asked at school by her teachers.  I don't get it. Yes, she has no underwear on!  Can you see any of her parts? No? Ok, well those regular underwear that the rest of the girls wear well I see half a vagina when they're sitting cross legged in a dress. So where is the indecency when she doesn't wear underwear with something that doesn't expose a thing?  The expectations in this country are weird.  

Anyway, call them granny panties. Call them what you like. For now, my daughter wears imported underwear that cover all her parts!

Blueberry Shoes

I got an order from The Mini Social today: 2 Tea dresses and one pair of Cientas shoes.  I ordered these on a whim and now I'm wishing I had ordered more.  I had never heard of this line and I love them!  They're made in Spain, super soft, sparkle,  eco-friendly and.....

....THEY SMELL LIKE BLUEBERRY!   You can't even begin to imagine how big this is for a 3-year old!  Too fun!!

Ballet Continues

P has been in ballet long enough to outgrow her first tutu and ballet shoes.  She continues to love it.  I like that it's given her a personal relationship to classical music. Swan Lake was playing on the radio and she recognized it right away.  It's giving her flexibility and getting her to do controlled body movements.  She has also learned to listen. It was hard at first but I now see her following Ms Sara really well.  We've made new friends through it. And the best part is that I see it building her self confidence.  We'll do a few weeks of ballet camp this summer.  Three hours of ballet a day!  We'll see how that goes.

On another note, I'm so not into the sparkly, frilly, poofed out tutus.  I'm more "Fame" style. I love what Natalie Portman wore in "The Black Swan". Thank God P likes it to! Phew!!!!

Favorite Outfits

Yesterday we were in Pasadena.  That city has such great texture!  The gate, the brick and the bike;  such a great backdrop for a picture!  P was wearing one of my favorite dresses and we bought the hat and shoes that very day at Jumping Jellyfish.  

Hat: Sand Cassel Kids

Dress: Tea Collection

Shoes: Livie & Luca