Rain Room at 37 Weeks Pregnant

If you're in Los Angeles, I would highly recommend taking time to check out the Rain Room exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art.   Tickets need to be purchased in advance and are a bit hard to obtain, but I thought it was worth the effort!  I wish I had taken some more time to set my camera settings a bit better, but oh well.  Iphone shots also come out decently!  I found that the best photos were taken with the subjects being backlit by the only light in the room.  Also, note that if you are a little person (i.e. my two year old daughter), the sensors aren't so great and you WILL get wet.  This also happens if you crouch down to take a photo, as I learned personally.  All in all it was a fun afternoon!

Maternity Dress: At Both 29 and 34 Weeks Pregnant

I have been attempting to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes as much as possible during this pregnancy, but there are some scenarios that just don't work.  Work pants and jeans fall into that category as I haven't been able to zip up my pants since the end of my first trimester (I blame it on this being my second pregnancy).  Thank goodness for those stretchy panels!  I can still pull off non-maternity empire-waisted dresses with looser bottoms, but if I want to wear a dress that is fitted in the third trimester, I just suck it up and buy maternity.  Thank goodness for Asos and their affordable options.  I mean, $18??  Such a steal!  The ruching is quite forgiving for the growing belly, as evidenced by the fact that I can wear this dress easily at 29 weeks and 34 weeks pregnant.  The first set of photos are from a wedding I attended at 29 weeks pregnant, and the second set are from a date night with Dr. S at 34 weeks pregnant.

Date night at Tar and Roses at 34 weeks!

 

Maternity high neck dress: Asos.  

1st look at 29 weeks pregnant: Nude wrap up heels: Schutz.  Cross-body bag: Ferragamo.  

2nd look at 34 weeks pregnant: Embroidered clutch with pom-poms: from travels in Thailand.  Gold and tan wedge sandals: Loeffler Randall. 

June Gloom at 32 Weeks Pregnant

 

So we are in the midst of a brutal heat wave with 100+ degree temps here in LA, but these photos were taken a couple weeks back when it felt like summer would never arrive.  While I'm happy to have some warm weather, I generally have been running quite hot with this pregnancy (does this happen to all preggo women?).  I would love to go back to some of this overcast weather.  I guess I shouldn't complain too much, given that I don't have to face any humidity like when I was living in Philly. 

 

Shawl cardigan: Anthropologie 'Chamonix Cocoon Cardigan'.  White top: Anthropologie (old).  Maternity jeans: Indigo Blue.  Tan/gold tie necklace: Anthropologie.  Gold framed cross body bag: Carven Saint Sulpice bag.  Gold and tan wedge sandals: Loeffler Randall. 

Off the Shoulder at 30 Weeks

I tried my best to keep wearing non-maternity clothes for as long as possible for a couple of reasons.  1. Who wants to spend a ton of money on new clothes that you can only wear for a few months?  2. Maternity clothing style options leave much to be desired.   

I purchased this dress as a cover up while on a mini staycation.  I don't love forking over money for trendy items so places like Forever 21 (where this dress is from) and H&M are great when I want to just test out the waters.  I sized up to an M, and I'll definitely wear it post-pregnancy too since I tend to like my cover ups a little loose.  An added bonus is easy access for nursing/pumping with the elasticized neckline!  Sure, at 30 weeks pregnant, it's not the most flattering piece.  I kind of look like a big rectangle since it doesn't have a fitted empire waist, but it was still fun.

On a side note, this was the first time I wore these white sandals even though I bought them nearly TWO years ago.  I remember the day vividly since it was the day I was in labor with Baby Bear.  After starting to have active contractions in the morning, I checked into the hospital but got sent away for not being far enough along.  The nurse told me, "Come back when you can't talk through your contractions."  Geez.  I wandered around Westwood Village for 5 hours, ate a few slices of pizza, browsed the City Target, and bought these sandals on super sale for $10 at Urban Outfitters.  I checked back in when the contractions grew more intense (thankfully, they let me stay), and almost exactly 24 hrs after I went into labor, Noa Bear was born!

 

Forever 21 off the shoulder chambray dress (out of stock but in yellow here, and similar chambray here).  White sandals: Circus by Sam Edelman.  Mint green crossbody bag: Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Happy 2nd Birthday to Noa Bear!

I can't believe two years have flown by so quickly!  Our little Noa Bear has turned into a bonafide toddler, full of fun and sass, loving and easy to please, but always a few seconds away from a crying-on-the-floor tantrum.  While her first birthday was a true undertaking, we kept this party decidedly low key with a Cinco de Mayo theme and burritos from Baja Fresh (one of my favorite fast food joints!).  I bought almost all the decorations from Amazon.com, making the party super easy to throw together.  We also kept the party at our condo, which put Noa at ease and free to roam about like the queen of the castle.  Here are some photos from the party!

 Delicious naked funfetti cake by my talented friend Jen from LoveMercat

Flowers from Trader Joe's

 Eyeing the cake (which she calls a cupcake)

Fiesta themed dresses!  Me in Marc by Marc Jacobs (super old), 

and Noa Bear in Hartstrings.

Gilded Natural Baby Shower for Jen

I helped throw a baby shower for my good friend Jen (remember her bridal shower?) recently.  We piled into a private room at Zinc Cafe and Market, a restaurant I had actually never been to but had been dying to try.  I'm not really into vegetarian food but the food was seriously so delicious and so fresh.  That avocado toast...drooool.  

Having the event at a restaurant made party planning SO much easier.  Less slaving in the kitchen means more time to actually enjoy the party!  We could concentrate our efforts on the decorative elements like the florals and the dessert display.  Early morning trips to the LA Flower Market can be a bit stressful, but it's so gratifying to put together your own florals.  We always go in with a general game plan, but end up being surprised with what we find.  This time we found these gorgeous, open, blush pink dahlias.  I also happily used this party as an opportunity to trim down my mom's way overgrown succulent container as part of the party decor.  I've been obsessed with succulents ever since my wedding (has it really been 6 years??), and my obsession hasn't waned.    

Jen is actually due the week before me, and I feel blessed to be able to go through this pregnancy with her!  We enjoy commiserating about pregnancy woes such as pelvic pressure and shoulder pain from sleeping on our sides.  And I already know that having each other's support will be crucial during the newborn months when we are up all night on nursing/diaper duty.  I can't wait for our kids to start playing with each other! 

Avocado Toast!

Asparagus sandwich with cauliflower puree, poached egg, and toasted breadcrumbs

Chef's salad with lemon dressing

Gold spray painted alphabet blocks

Vintage baby books

 

I was obsessed with finding a cloche!

Confetti geronimo balloons with fringed streamers
 

Albanese pink grapefruit gummi bear favors (the BEST flavor!)