It’s so ironic. Over the past 36 weeks, my body has done one of the most feminine acts possible, growing a child, though I for most of the time, I have not felt very feminine. As I began my pregnancy, I spent time reading multiple books, blogs and perusing baby apps. Every single one promised me the same thing – an incredible pregnancy glow. While my face has enjoyed a bit of a glow and tan thanks to chloasma, this glow and artificial tan has not left me feeling pretty.
There comes a point in pregnancy when nothing starts to fit and getting dressed, even for a work from home job, becomes a battle and teary-eyed breakdown just waiting to happen. I’ve experienced this during three different points in pregnancy:
- Week 15 or so, when I felt bloated and as if I’d had a giant burrito for lunch that kept my pants from buttoning.
- Week 26 or so, just when Spring and multiple trips and celebrations were about to take place.
- Week 35 when I started retaining water and even my maternity clothes started to feel uncomortable.
These days, I find myself only wanting to wear my 25 year old XL boxer shorts (Yes, I typed the number 25 next to years and it’s true, I’ve had these Jockey boxer shorts for 25 years. I realize that in itself is a topic for an entirely separate post.) and an oversized long-sleeved t-shirt because these are the two most comfortable articles of clothing I own. Even though I have built a wardrobe of 10-15 different maternity pieces, at this point in pregnancy, many of them no longer feel comfortable. The t-shirts are getting a bit too small, the dresses a bit too short and the leggings a bit too tight, especially in my calves.
Since the pregnancy weight gain has made me revert back to some of my high school and college fashion tendancies, when I was over 200 pounds, I realize now that I spent much of my pregnancy trying to camoflauge my body. Part of this was due to being pregnant in Winter when almost all New York Women dress in head to toe black. But, even beyond that, I’ve done little to draw attention to my bump or new, round shape.
It wasn’t until Pink Blush reached out to me, offering to send me a dress for my upcoming bridal shower, that I realized many pregnant women opt for vibrant colors and prints even during their third trimester. The pictures I saw of real women on their site gave me hope that there was a place for Spring florals in my wardrobe.
For those of you who haven’t heard of Pink Blush previously, it is not only a maternity brand. In fact, their site is filled with Women’s, Women’s Plus and Maternity clothing ranging from their famous dresses and tops to shoes, active wear and even accesories. Their large selection of reasonably priced maternity dresses and tops have made them famous within the maternity clothing scene as their quality, selection and price point is beyond your imagination! Their variety of styles, patterns and prints allow any woman, regardless their shape or size, to find something that will make them feel feminine and pretty.
I fell so in love with the Pink Blush Mint Floral Sash Tie Dress that I have worn it for multiple occasions over the past six weeks. The v-neckline flatters while also allowing for this dress to transition into a nursing-friendly dress after pregnancy. Even with my growing bump, the long length allows the dress to skim my ankles. But, my favorite part of the dress was the way the vibrant aqua and pink colors finally helped me find that elusive pregnancy glow.
Inspired by their 25% of Memorial Day Sale email, this week I ordered a few things to enjoy in the coming weeks and months:
Your Turn – CONTEST OVER – WINNER IS #27 – Sarah. Want to enter the giveaway for a $75 PinkBlush gift card? Leave a comment letting me know what ONE topic you’d like to see more of on the blog. The giveaway will end Monday at 10pm EST.
Thank you to Pink Blush for sponsoring this giveaway and for the gorgeous dress. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’d love to see more of your NYC tips!
I’d like to see more of your experiences within NYC – I am a NYC resident as well.
I would LOVE to have a Pink Blush maternity dress! I’m 29 weeks with baby #2 now, so I’m always up for hearing more about how other moms experience pregnancy and the newborn stage 🙂
Ahhh I love this! I am now 8 weeks pregnant after 2 losses in 2017 and I am so excited to hopefully get to buy maternity clothes soon. I am just now starting to understand the weirdness and not feeling quite like myself, in my own body.
I would love to see more posts about navigating relationships between friends and family (especially different friend groups) when big life things happen – new jobs, moves, new baby, marriage, etc.
Also – I would love to read posts eventually about transitioning to new motherhood and then back to getting into work because work/life/motherhood is something that I’m starting to think about into the future.
That dress is so springy and absolutely gorgeous! I also love the robe you ordered 🙂
I would like to see easy/healthy recipe ideas as I’ve been in a rut recently. I’m also looking forward to seeing your transition to motherhood. I’m still a few years away from wanting kids, but I still like reading about pregnancy and thereafter! 🙂
I can’t wait to get tips for staying healthy while balancing a newborn, breastfeeding etc! I’m on baby #2 and it’s so hard to try to be healthy when you’re sleep deprived and nursing! I never had many pregnancy cravings, but both times my nursing cravings have been intense!
Love to hear about life after baby. My friend hadn’t a rough birthing experience and finding it hard to transition back to work.
Healthy easy to make recipes as your transition into a different kind of busy lifestyle 🙂 so excited for y’all!
I would love to see more Day in the life posts! I’m so curious about your life in NYC!
I love that dress!!! I have to check out this company. I’d love to see having a babe in nyc I think it’s a cute topics and you guys will do such fun things!
I am OBSESSED with pink blush and I’ve already purchased 5 dresses from their site alone! (I’m 20 weeks pregnant right now). I’d love to see more about your plans for after baby and how you’re planning to adjust your work life/relationship with friends and family/your working out schedule after the baby is born. When I look into the future past our due date all I see is a blank page so I’d love to know more about your thoughts on this!
Definitely like to hear your perspective as a working mom to be
I’d love seeing when you talk about balancing work with maintain a strong home life.
I’m expecting my second baby in September and appreciate you letting us know about this site ! I can’t wait to read more about your transition to motherhood.
Love the dress. I am interested in reading about your new life as a mom!
I love this dress on you! I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant and am feeling all the same feelings. Thanks for the discount heads up. I’m needing a swimming suit to make it through summer.
I’d love to hear about products you registered for for baby and which ones you end up loving.
Have you ever done PiYo? Also, want to compare/contrast some of the different cardio you do (orangetheory vs. spin for instance)
Oh, and I’m pregnant. 😉 15 weeks and totally at that “I have a belly and my pants are barely buttoning” stage.
I’d love to hear more about your plans to transition to being a working mom. I’m 23 weeks and would love to put this towards a dress for my baby shower in july!
would love more of your favorite things posts! those are the best!
some of your favorite things id like to see more of
Love the pregnancy, new baby, birth story, daily eat examples and your journey back into fitness after the baby comes posts!
You look beautiful!! I love your posts about quick healthy and easy meals, especially breakfasts because that’s something I always struggle with –
Especially things I can make ahead and bring to work! Also I can’t wait to see more posts from you on life as a new mama 🙂
I’d like to hear about balancing life as a mom who works full time from home!
I’m not pregnant but one of my best running friend is so I would love to win this giftcard for her! Looking forward to reading about your life as a new mom.
I would love to hear more tips about working from home!
I hope you saw Wednesday’s post as it is all about working more efficiently, especially from home!
Honestly I feel like I’ve transitioned into this new phase right after you. I’m due with my first in August and going through the struggles of not running, and new things happening. So the current mish-mash of your current life has really applied to me and its refreshing!
Would love to hear more about your favorite things to do in New York!
i am excited for baby posts after your little one arrives!
I’m 25 weeks and have perused pink blush often- would love to pull the trigger on a dress for my baby shower!
I am 32 weeks pregnant and am very interested in postpartum fitness!
I love Pink Blush! I’m 30 weeks pregnant and the two dresses I own from them are my favorites!
I would love to see a post about your nursery. Must have items and how you’ve decorated it.
Congratulations Sarah! You were the winner in the random integer drawing! I will send your information to Pink Blush today and yes, I will share more details about the nursery this week or next!
I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been enjoing your honest take on the many ups and few downs of pregnancy. I’d love to see more posts about life with baby — fitness, meals, and finding your new version of healthy and happy.
I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been enjoying your honest take on the many ups and few downs of pregnancy. I’d love to see more posts about life with baby — fitness, meals, and finding your new version of healthy and happy.
I love that you compared week 15 to eating a giant burrito. I have never been pregnant before but I know what a belly with a giant burrito feels like! As I type that I know what I want for lunch!!!!
I’ve been following along with your pregnancy and am a few weeks behind you. So selfishly I’d like to see more about you with your new baby! Also I saw Pink Blush was having a sale today so I was going to finally place an order!
I work from home so that lifestyle with a baby is relevant and I’d like to hear about it.
I’d love to read about the transition to life as a new mom! You keep things real and honest, and I think all of us pregnant ladies could appreciate a perspective on what to expect!
I’m 25 weeks pregnant with my second baby, so I am all about the motherhood posts!!
Love day in the life posts!
I feel like this is asking a lot with all you’ve got going on, but I’d love to see recipes! You guys always seem to be cooking fun things!
I would love to see more recipes. I am in the process of buying a pressure cooker and would love to see some pressure cooker recipes.
Tracie, unfortunately, you won’t find any Pressure Cooker recipes on here as we do not have a Pressure Cooker and therefore won’t be creating any recipes. Sorry!
I love that dress on you! I’m actually looking forward to some mom posts once baby girl is here. I’m currently pregnant with my 1st kiddo after 4.5 years of infertility. I’m excited to embrace being pregnant and start day dreaming about when my kiddo gets here in November!
You cover most everything, but I guess if I had to say one thing I’d like to sere more of (besides contests, of course) is recipes! I’m a recipe junkie!