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Maternity Style-Seventh Month: Living in Maxi Dresses

This post is a month late, but better late than never, right?

I also realize that the quality of these photos is not the best, but when you’re pregnant with your ninth child, you do the best you can. Know what I mean?

At any rate, my maternity style in the last couple of months has consisted largely of maxi dresses and skirts. They are comfy and breathable and they seem to do a fairly good job of balancing the proportions of my belly-to-the-rest-of-body ratio. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. At the very least, they make me feel a little less like a whale!

This pretty purple maxi dress came from Zulily and it has been in heavy rotation in my wardrobe lately. I like the faux wrap front, and there is still plenty of room for my belly to grow. It is super comfy–I feel like I am wearing my pajamas all day, yet it looks put together without any effort. What more could a pregnant mama ask for?

I am also wearing maxi skirts with maternity tees quite often these days, for the same reasons as the dresses. They are comfortable and modest and easy to throw on but still look nice.

Obviously, this look shows off the bump a lot more than a flowy dress does. I have worn both of these skirts for my last four pregnancies, so it’s a look I have felt comfortable in for a while now!

What I Wore

Lilac colored dress: Zulily (Amazon has the exact same dress)
Knit skirt: Old Navy (similar)
Pink tank: Old Navy
Cardigan: Amazon
Scarf: ThredUp
Crinkle skirt: From I Don’t Remember Where (similar)
Gray tee: Old Navy
Scarf: Amazon
Earrings: Amazon

Here’s to another month gone by! I am actually in my eighth month now, so the time to meet this little one is getting closer!

(Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Be assured I only recommend products I personally use and love.)

Fab Fit Fun Unboxing—Summer 2019

Oh, the joy of opening a new seasonal subscription box! It’s like receiving a surprise gift from yourself four times a year. I have subscribed to a small handful of these type of boxes over the years, but by far my favorite of them all has been the Fab Fit Fun box. The box comes out 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—one for each season. The cost for each box is $49.99, but the items included in each box are full sized, high quality products whose combined value always exceeds $200. How’s that for an amazing deal?

I love opening the box each time it comes and seeing what treasures are inside. The outside of the box itself is part of the fun as it is always decorated with original artwork and is made of sturdy, heavy duty cardboard. (My daughter has started collecting the boxes to store things in, and they work great for that purpose!)

The selection of items in each box always includes a nice variety of beauty and personal care products, fashion, and items for the home. It’s a carefully curated box with some real lovely things inside.

The Summer 2019 is no exception. This season’s box is an array of really great items. Without further ado, let’s take a peek inside. . .

As I mentioned, the outside of the box is always covered in beautiful artwork. The summer box has a season-appropriate tropical theme which is super fun.

Each box includes a mini magazine with articles, fitness tips, recipes, and information on each of the products in the box. Flipping through it makes the experience of looking through the box even more enjoyable.

My box held a Sutra Professional Mini Travel Blow Dryer. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like a high quality styling tool—and the best part is that it included a diffuser, which is rare for a mini dryer and something this curly girl really appreciates.

I received a Summer & Rose Navy Diamond Tote in my box. This tote is gorgeous as well as sturdy and practical. It would make a perfect beach bag.

The Jennifer Zeuner Star Double Necklace was in my box, and it is so pretty and delicate. I plan to give mine to my daughter for her birthday next month.

Eyeko London Eye Do Black Liquid Eyeliner—every girl can use a good eyeliner. It’s always fun to try a new beauty product and most FFF boxes include one.

The Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm is an all natural balm that soothes and heals dry and damaged skin. It really does feel healing when applied.

Invisibobble Duo Pack is a package of hair ties that provide a strong yet gentle grip on the hair.

Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask—it’s perfect for a little at home spa night. Can’t wait to try it. It really is purple!

Grace & Stella Rose Facial Spray is a refreshing moisturizing spray that smells like actual roses. It’s amazing!

Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask has natural ingredients like willow bark extract and pumpkin seed to exfoliate and polish your feet. Perfect for summertime pedicures!

So there you have it—all the items in my Fab Fit Fun Summer 2019 box! Doesn’t that look like a lot of fun?

You can get a Fab Fit Fun Summer box of your own—and get $15 of your first box. That’s $200+ worth of presents to yourself, for just $35.99! Get your box by hopping over to FabFitFun.com and entering the referral code: refab-zuahq857wn

The coupon code expires on 7/31/19, so don’t wait! Go get your box now!

Maternity Style–Sixth Month

Currently, at this point in my pregnancy, I am about six months along, which is always an interesting place to be style-wise. It just happens to coincide with the most challenging time of year as far as clothing choices go. Up here in Northern New England, we are transitioning to spring. If you know anything about New England weather, you know that it is notoriously unpredictable, especially in springtime. One day it will be raining with a high of 45 degrees, the next day it will be sunny and 65. All of which makes for style related challenges. Add to that the fact that I am pregnant and that most of my maternity clothes are designed for warm weather (my last three babies were all born in August or September) and I end up standing in my closet, scratching my head every morning, wondering what I am going to put on for the day.

Ugh.

At any rate, leggings and dresses or long tunics have been a staple of this particular pregnancy, as have maxi dresses. Today’s outfit is an example of this. I’m not sure how stylish I’m looking these days, but at least I am still trying.

What I Wore

Chambray dress–Motherhood Maternity
Leggings–Amazon
Flats–Tieks
Earrings–Amazon Collection
Necklace–Chloe & Isabel

I love chambray and I feel like it is a wardrobe stable. You can’t go wrong when choosing a good chambray dress or button down shirt. My navy flats are my favorite shoes and the ones I wear the most, especially now that wearing heels is too uncomfortable for my lower back. Tieks are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, and if I had my way, I would own dozens of them!

Do you have any advice for this weary mama who can’t seem to find anything to wear that plays well with this crazy New England spring weather? Feel free to leave a comment below!

(Note: this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click on them. Rest assured, I only share links to products I use and love.)

Spring Favorites

I don’t know about you, but I am extremely happy to see spring finally arrive in earnest. It was a bit touch and go for a while in many places around the U.S. Being up here in the northeast region of the country, we’re accustomed to regular fluctuations in weather conditions. But the weather  craziness was overboard this year! 

At any rate, springtime has at last officially arrived, and I am very glad to see it!

Having been on an extended break from blogging, there were a lot of topics I considered covering as I ease back into blogging more regularly.

One of the things I wanted to share was the release date of my upcoming book, Adelaide’s Song. The book will be available for purchase on Amazon on MAY 6TH! Watch for a reminder post when it becomes available.

Though I certainly intend to keep you all informed about the publication of my upcoming book, I don’t want to bore you with all the nitty gritty details of it. (However, if you are interested in learning more about why I wrote the book or what my writing process consists of, feel free to let me know in the comments below or drop me a line at kimberly@mudbootsandpearls.com. If there is enough interest, I may share a little more about the book.) If you have no idea whatsoever what I am talking about, see this post.

My wardrobe has been a bit bland lately due to the disillusionment I was feeling over The Winter That Wouldn’t End, so I don’t have an outfit post to share with you this week, either.

I thought, instead, I would share of few of my favorite items this springtime. These are items that have brought me enjoyment or made my life easier, better, or just more beautiful. So, here we go…

Beauty/Personal Care

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I have long adored Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrubs. Lately, I’ve been using and loving the Coconut Lime scent. These scrubs have a nice amount of exfoliation without being annoyingly gritty. They are rich in nourishing oils as well, but they don’t leave any greasy residue. And the smell! Showering with this stuff is a lovely way to start a day.

Fashion

Tieks

I wanted a pair of Tieks ballet flats for YEARS before I finally splurged and bought myself a pair. They are pricey—but when you actually put a pair on your feet, you completely understand why. These shoes are handmade from Italian leather. And they are by far the most comfortable flats I have ever worn. They’re perfect for traveling, too. I wore these on a trip to France last fall, and they were comfortable all day, even after walking for miles each day, sightseeing. I’m happy the snow and mud have finally left so I can wear them more often again.

Food

Republic of Tea Peppermint Chocolate Tea

I love a good cup of tea. One of my favorites lately is the Peppermint Chocolate from Republic of Tea. I love the teas they offer, and this particular flavor is simply delicious. Especially yummy with a bit of sugar or honey and a splash of cream.

Multimedia

I Can Only Imagine

My husband and I took our older children and my mother to see the new movie I Can Only Imagine. The message of forgiveness is very powerful. I highly recommend seeing this movie, even if you are not a fan of CCM. It is a beautiful story of trust and reconciliation and finding strength in the Lord to do what is right. Warning—bring tissues!

Books

Sword of Peace

Well written and filled with great characters, Sword of Peace is as entertaining a history lesson as you will ever get. The book is rich with historical details. It’s obvious that the author researched meticulously for this book. The characters are interesting and there is action to be found on almost every page. There’s even a little bit of romance sprinkled throughout the story. As someone deeply interested in history, I know a fair amount about the Reformation era, however I knew very little about the Annabaptists’ part in the Reformation until I read this book.

Home Decor

Grove Collaborative has THE most beautiful kitchen towels right now. They are also carrying the Mrs. Meyers special spring collection of cleaning and personal care products. The peony scent of these products is simply delightful!

And there you have it—my spring favorites!

What are you loving lately? I’d love to know—please share in the comments!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

6 Ways to Style a Maxi Dress

how to style a maxi dress

A knit maxi dress is a versatile wardrobe piece. It is simple and comfortable to wear and easy to accessorize. There are so many ways to style a maxi dress!

Being that it’s one of my personal favorite items in my own closet, I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways to style a simple knit maxi dress. You very easily bring it from day to evening, casual to dressy with a few well chosen accessories. The possibilities truly are endless!

Here my 6 favorite ways to style a knit maxi dress….

With a scarf

Adding a scarf elevates a simple dress to another level and gives an added element of interest and style. You can express your personality with a fun or pretty scarf. And it’s so easy to change out the look simply by changing the scarf.

With a wide belt

I love the simplicity of a knit maxi dress with a wide belt. Not only does it emphasize the waistline, but the right belt can really make a statement. Choose one that’s colorful and interesting, and your outfit will be simple by far from boring.

With a jacket

Make a maxi dress office ready by adding a jacket or blazer. It can take the look up to a much dressier level. Worn with a pair of pumps and some statement jewelry, you have a comfortable by sophisticated look that’s work-wear ready.

With statement jewelry

Adding a statement necklace or earrings to a simple knit dress can really spice up the look and make an impact on the overall feel of the outfit. It’s a super simple way to look amazing. Let the simplicity of the dress be the perfect backdrop for an interesting and eye catching piece of jewelry to shine.

With a button down

Wear a button down shirt over your maxi dress, and you’ll instantly change the look completely. By adding a shirt over the top of the dress, you are creating an entirely new look. It will give the impression of a top worn with a skirt, and will multiply your styling options.

With a cardigan

I love this look for church, date night, or some other semi-dressy event where you want to look pretty without having to put in a ton of effort. A colorful cardigan over a neutral dress with be eye-catching and eye pleasing. Add some jewelry and a pair of feminine shoes are your good to go!

So, which of these options is your favorite? Personally, I’ve worn and love them all!

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

Transitional Style in Blue and Paisley

navy-and-paisley skirt

I’m back with another modest fashion post. This one features an outfit in blue and paisley for transitional style to bridge the seasons from summer into fall.

This is a simple outfit, but the look can be quite dressy. The flowing quality of the blouse and the length of the skirt lend itself to situations when personal style might need to elevated a bit. There is an easy elegance in this look. It was simple to put together, too.

The blouse featured in this outfit is a nice neutral navy. The material of the blouse has a crinkled texture and the silhouette is loose and flowy. The blouse is really more of a tunic style and looks really good as part of an outfit with a slimmer fitting bottom half.

I paired the blouse with an a-line knit maxi skirt with a subtle paisley pattern. Even thought the pattern is a very subdued gray, it has a nice impact. Although it is a patterned skirt, it feels like a neutral that can be styled with a lot of different looks. It’s a nice seasonal transitional piece that can be paired with a t-shirt or with a sweater to extend the season.

My favorite pair of denim colored espadrille wedge sandals round out the look. A few simple pieces of jewelry complete the outfit.

This outfit is a great transitional style for this time of year, with the warmer fall temperatures creeping into cooler days that will soon be turning into truly chilly weather.

navy-and-paisley

What I Wore

Blouse: NY & Co. (thrifted—find similar here)
Skirt: Chris & Carol (similar)
Shoes: Clarks
Earrings: Amazon Collection

 

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Be assured that  I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Linking up with: Modest Mondays | Hello MondayStart the Week Stylish | Watch What I am Wearing | I Will Wear What I Like |  Style Sessions | Style Swap Tuesdays | On Trend Tuesdays | Turning Heads Tuesday | What I Wore |  Style Me Wednesday | Color and Grace | Who’s Wearing What Wednesday |  Style Spotlight | Thursday Fashion Files | Thursday ModaNo Rules Weekend Blog Party | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Fun Fashion  | Fancy Friday | Fabulous Friday | Fashion Friday | Weekend Wear Linkup

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