MATERNITY CLOTHING: WHY I LOVE H&M BASICS

Yes, this will be my one and only maternity fashion post - if you can even call it that. After a recent trip to H&M, I feel the need to share (weird. me? share?) my extreme excitement over how many non-maternity pieces they have that work for my expanding belly. Seriously! It was fabulous. Not only are they not maternity clothes (so I don't have to feel weird about wearing them post baby) but they have great price tags! Most items I just sized up one size and they work like a charm! I would suggest actually going to the store vs. ordering online. Some items I didn't need to size up and some I did. It is obviously hard to tell those things when buying online.

I have a few thoughts when it comes to buying maternity clothes. I personally do not like to spend a lot of money. Wait... who am I kidding? I don't like to spend a lot of money on anything. Hey, call me frugal cheap! ;) Anyways, this might (might not) be my last pregnancy. That being said, I really do not see the need to spend a lot of money on clothing to get me through the next three months. I try to buy as many non-maternity items as possible b/c they work great during that awkward postpartum stage (and possibly even after) and buying basics works great b/c you can dress them up with jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc. You know, the stuff that stays the same size no matter how big your belly gets....

Anyways, I am loving H&M basics. Here are a few things I picked up to get through the home stretch.

Oh, wait one more thing....
I hate maternity jeans with a passion. They slide down in the back constantly and make your butt look saggy. I pretty much wear leggings with EVERYTHING and these ones from Old Navy are my favorite! I wore them all through my last pregnancy and I ordered another set (black and grey) this time around. I love them AND they are 50% off right now - two for $15!

And b/c I wear leggings with everything and firmly believe leggings ARE NOT PANTS, I am always looking for long tank tops, shirts, cardigans, and tunics that are long enough to cover my butt. Thanks H&M for having me covered... literally. ;)

Old Navy Jersey Maternity Leggings

Ok, now on to the H&M basics....

Jersey top - $9.95

Maxi Dress - $17.95

Jersey dress - $12.95

This might seem like an odd one, but after sizing up, the dress is not that tight on me - plus, I wear it with my favorite leggings and a cardigan that covers my butt. :)

Fine-knit Cardigan - $14.95

LOVE this cardigan. It is plenty long and lightweight, so it will work great into the hot months of summer!

Long tank top - $5.95

Superstretch Treggings - $17.95

These pants!!! These pants!!! I love them! They work great now and will work perfect for the awkward post baby stage! Yay for elastic waists!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIS & FINN!

A few weekends ago we celebrated two birthdays in the family. Ellis' second and Finn's (our nephew) fifth. People always say that time flies after you start having kids and are they right. I cannot believe two years have passed since Little Miss Ellis Averee entered our lives. She has brought us so much happiness and we just couldn't imagine life without her. It kind of feels like she has just been here all along.

It was a great weekend filled with friends and family. We celebrated both the kiddo's birthdays together with an underwater themed party. Ashley and I had fun crafting the silly underwater creatures for the decorations. We both just pulled together stuff we had around the house and in our crafting supplies to make them. (It probably helps that I hoard crafting supplies.)

We had smoked chickens, pulled pork, homemade buns, pasta salad, ceasar salad, caprese salad kabobs, deviled eggs, chips and dip, taco dip, veggie platter, cheese tray, pickles, olives, home brewed beer, lemon cake, chocolate cake, trix treats, and cake pops! You name it, we had it! ;)

After a celebration like that, I cannot help but feel so truly blessed. We are so lucky to have so many friends and family who love our little girl.