Welcome Back Style!

Boy does time fly when you have a new baby!  I know it's time to blog about Spring clothes, but today I wanted to do a simple outfit post from a few months back since I hadn't made the time to blog about it before.



This was one of my first outfits that I wore after I had my baby that really represented me, rather than just pajama pants and whatever top currently fit me.  I was still in the process losing my baby belly, and my boobs were still insane, but I was feeling pretty confident and ready to go out in the world and show off my little girl.  I wore my velvet pants from GAP, along with a black top with a gold collar that I have had for a few years from Modcloth.  I also wore my tallest heals and a statement necklace because I was feeling really ready to have a little fun with fashion again.

Up next: more post baby fashion fun.  Blog to you soon!

Crazy Hat Day

This post is all about the hat.  My awesome friend Tiffani made me this hat for my birthday and I have already worn it three times!

This photo is actually from a different day when I wore a different mint colored shirt.

I decided that this purple hat looks pretty amazing with mint, and lucky me, I have a lot of mint in my wardrobe! This top was a Modcloth purchase from way back, and the jeans are even older GAP boyfriend jeans. The shoes are simple leather pumps from Dillard's.  But it's all about the hat, right?

You can see more of Tiffani's creations at her Etsy site here: Lovelymuggle

The cute little bug pin on the hat was a gift from my sister Rachel.  Darling, right?

I am a hat girl from way back, but often forget to accessorize when I am running out the door.  Hopefully this will be the year I remember to bust out my lovely jewelry, scarves, belts and hat collections more regularly. I smell a self made challenge!

Speaking of self made, Me-Made-May is almost upon us again.  Me-Made-May is when those of us in the crafting/ blogging world try to wear one hand made item every day in the month of May.  I am really going to try to accomplish it this year, but we shall see!  It might be a little more challenging than it is worth while breastfeeding since it is harder to wear my dresses.

And just 'cause I like you guys-here's one of Sonora just being awesome!  Have a great one.  :)

Bikini mamma!

Who wore a bikini while pregnant?  This girl!  Personally, I love one piece swimsuits-so classic!- but they are just not practical for a growing bump (or rack if I am being honest).  I was not about to miss out on swimming during my pregnancy, so it was time to bust out that bikini and rock that bump!

Here is the proof.  Mini baby bump at 18 weeks pregnant:



But of course, a changing body when you are pregnant is expected.  Cute even!  I was much more nervous about what my body would look like after pregnancy then I was during.  I am a confident person, but going through such drastic changes can be more than a little frightening!

Still, I knew that I owed it to more than just myself to keep up my great body image after I became a mommy.  I owed it to my daughter! So when it came time to ask myself if my bikini days were over for good after having my kiddo, my answer, of course, was hell no!

I was lucky and breast feeding took off the pregnancy pounds quickly for me (I know this is not always the case) but my body has still changed a lot since I gave birth.

Part of what helped me feel good again in my post baby body was consciously re-writing the language I used when describing myself to myself.  My skin hasn't lost firmness, it has become softer!  Yes, my breasts and stomach have changed, but why does that have to be a bad thing?  And beyond that-I grew a new human in my body people!  I am a rock star!

These photos were taken when my baby was just around two months old.  My uterus hadn't even fully shrunk down to its original size yet, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from wearing whatever I felt comfortable in to go swim on my mini vacation with my hubby.  I should mention that my self confidence is helped out a lot by a husband that adores my body no matter what.  He was so proud of me and couldn't stop telling me how beautiful I looked.  I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to show my tummy off this much without his encouragement.  I knew that in a few months my body would be a lot closer to looking how it did before I had Sonora, but it was important to me to be confident in this moment and live my life without caring what others thought.  Too many of us spend our lives waiting for the day we are perfect to feel good about ourselves and to let ourselves live our best lives, but perfection is a dream that will never come.  Never deny yourself pleasure because of how you feel about your appearance.  If I could go back in time and tell my younger self one thing it would be that.

So why did I decide to share these photos?  For one, I think I looked pretty darn great for someone who just had a baby.  I want other women to see that pregnancy doesn't ruin your body, no matter how much it changes it.  But I also wanted to post them so that I could show that I stand behind what I tell other women every day.  No matter what body type you have, you will be beautiful if you are happy and confident.  If I was a different kind of woman, I could look at these photos and see a collection of flaws.  I could see the changes in my body and be ashamed of them, and worry about what other people would think if they could see them.  But I am not that kind of woman.  No matter what, I will not be ashamed of my body.  It is strong, it is amazing, and it is mine.  It's already changed a lot since these photos were taken.  Both my belly and my boobs are a little smaller.  But it is no more or less beautiful now than it was on this day.  The first day I took my perfect little princess swimming!

Okay enough about me.  There was another bathing beauty there that day and she deserves a mention too!  Here is little Sonora, proudly showing off her adorable tummy before we headed into the pool.  If I have anything to say about it, this wont be the last time this little mermaid swims without a second thought about how her cute little body looks in a bathing suit.  I will do my best to show her how to be confident in herself.  I will lead by example.

So what are you waiting for?  Don't you know you are perfect too?  Don't waste a second.  Throw on that bikini and head out the door.  Life is too short to spend your days hiding your light for fear of what others might think.