Steppin' Out Saturday - This might have contributed to the giant basketball belly

Because I'm pregnant and I live for food, we're going to start with that; fashion details can wait ;)

I devoured this Caprese at our favorite local Italian deli, Nica's, in less then 5 minutes.

Then? Gelato of course. Chocolate for me. Carina preferred a combination of vanilla and orange that her Aunt Ellen concocted.

But what Carina really wanted to eat was...Daddy's face? She had a ball trying to chew on his stubble. Sometimes I'm convinced we must have the strangest little girl ever ;)

Dueling tongues - Carina

Mike

Ellen's friend Jun, Ellen, me, and a {rather} pooped little one

Carina:

Top - Jumping Beans from Kohl's

Tutu skirt - Old Navy

Sandals - Angels NY, bought on Zulily

Me:

Top - Old Navy

Skirt - Express (non-maternity, woot!)

Sandals - BOC by Born

Whoa. I'm feeling like I have a basketball underneath my shirt today!

And:

Necklace - Teethease (more on this next week!)

Earrings - made by my aunt, who owns Totally Beaded

And since you can't see them in the photos above, I want to share that I actually have cute painted toenails! You might be thinking, "so what, Mama G?" seeing as how most women have their toenails painted all the time. Well? I'm lazy and this is a first for me...at least in a long time. So let me enjoy showing them off ;)

I had asked for your nail polish recs on Facebook and Twitter a month or so ago and settled on the Julep Maven box. You can get your first box for only one cent with code PENNYINTRO...so I figured what had I to lose? I love it; two polishes, pedi cream, and those little foam things you put in between your toes to paint them. I think I'll wait to see what comes in the next box before I cancel. You guys might have me hooked.

Linking up with Mandy at the Haps.

Steppin' Out Saturday - 1st date night in AGES (and a giveaway!) CLOSED

It has been more months than I care to admit since Mike and I have been able to get out for longer than a couple of hours. Last night we went to a dear friend's wedding reception while Mike's parents watched Carina and it was FANTASTIC. I really enjoyed getting a little dressed up and straightening my stubborn hair for the 1st time in over a year. I felt pretty and relaxed and we had such a wonderful time. I may or may not have eaten four (yes, 4!) desserts. By the end of the night Aurelia was kicking like she was running out of space in there ;)

 Details:

Dress: Milan Maternity

Sandals: Kohl's

Arm Candy: That would be Mike, of course ;)

To be completely honest, at first I was a bit intimidated by this dress from Milan Maternity. I didn't think I would be able to pull it off due to my pasty, pasty whiteness (it seems to be physiologically impossible for me to tan, ha!) After some encouraging by Mike to step outside my comfort zone and try something different than my usual blue, purple, or white, I gave in and I'm so glad I did. I received compliment after compliment and felt so confident and cute wearing it. While the dress looked great all night, unfortunately the humidity got to my hair rather quickly...curse this 95 degree weather!

The Feliciana in Cerise Red is a faux wrap dress with ruffle detail and flutter sleeves.  The single side ruching makes the dress flattering during any stage of pregnancy and I think it will be perfect for slimming even after baby arrives. Before we left for the wedding I took advantage of the inner tank sheath, which allows for easy nursing; just pull the outer layer over and lift the inner sheath. Made of 70% polyester, 25% viscose, and 5% spandex, I love the way the dress feels: nice and comfy, and just a little stretchy.

28 weeks!

Other styles I love from Milan Maternity include the Aubriella, Carissa, and Elisabetta tops and Vittoria dress.

Milan Maternity's philosophy:

Pregnancy is a time to be celebrated and every woman deserves to have a great wardrobe during this special nine months! However, most of us don’t have $80 to slap down for a single designer maternity top, and also don’t want to settle for frumpy, unflattering styles either. Our mission is to provide designer style that flatters your new shape at prices you can be happy about.

Shop
Milan Maternity offers stylish and affordable maternity, nursing, and transitional wear. What's transitional wear? Those perfect pieces that fit just like regular tops but have some extra length added for the baby bump. Great for before, during, and after pregnancy. Psst...peek at their homepage - you can get 10% off every order with coupon code 10MMOFF!

Win

Milan Maternity is generously offering one of my readers a top of their choice!

How to Enter:

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click "Read More" below and then follow the instructions on the widget. Make sure to click "Enter!" after you complete each entry. All currents count! The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends at 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 7th.

The first entry is mandatory - Visit Milan Maternity and leave me a comment telling me which top you'd choose if you won! Once you complete this entry, the widget will give you the option of completing the rest. Complete more steps for more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Me and the ladies at the reception :)

I was not compensated for this review. I received the item(s) free of charge for reviewing purposes. All opinions are honest, and my own.

Steppin' Out Sunday - Renaissance Faire!

As soon as we arrived at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire, I saw exactly what Carina needed. Not a pretty princess hat {although we did look for one}, or intricately decorated fairy wings. No. A wooden sword.

She proceeded to smack me in the face with it shortly after I purchased it. Serves me right for buying a 17-month-old a weapon, I guess. Despite the Mommy abuse, we had a great time!

Epic Carina pout face

Fun on Daddy's shoulders

Trying to hit Daddy

Trying to escape from Mommy

 

Details

Dress: Shabby Apple - not a maternity dress, but I made it work ;)

Sandals: Kohl's

Parasol: Bought at the Faire since silly me forgot a hat

Carina

Dress: Hartstrings (gift from my Mother-in-law)

Hat: Flap Happy (gift from Mike's Aunt)

Shoes: Baby Deer -from Zulily

What did you do this weekend?

Steppin' Out Saturday - Playground Style

My sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew are visiting this weekend so "steppin' out" consisted of walking around downtown New Haven and heading to a playground later in the afternoon, after naps. Fancy stuff over here ;)

The slide is SO MUCH FUN OMG

Details

Top: Old Navy Maternity

Sweater: Forever 21

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Necklace: Forever 21

Carina

Tunic: Old Navy

Sweater: Handmade by my brother-in-law's Mother

Leggins: Carters

Socks: Carters (what can I say, I love frilly sock)

Shoes: Pediped - consignment

Steppin' Out Saturday (okay, well...Monday)

I needed to get out. M worked most of the weekend last weekend and by Sunday night I was exhausted. I couldn't think straight and I don't think I had changed out of my pajamas in longer than I would care to admit. So, when a friend of mine suggested we get out for a little while on Monday night, I couldn't possibly have gotten out of the apartment any faster.


Top: Gap Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Mary Janes: Kohl's (children's section!) No lie - I think they're Size 4; I have tiny feet

Kitty wanted to get in on the pictures

The stripes actually make my bump look smaller than normal!

My "I ate way too much pizza" face

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Steppin' Out Saturday - with the Baby Bump!

It has been quite some time since I last participated in Steppin' Out Saturday. We just don't get out much these days now with money being tight and me spending so much time laid out on the couch with a pillow clenched in my fists, willing the nausea to stop.

My amazing sister gave us a gift card to one of our favorite restaurant's for M's graduation, so tonight we decided to take advantage. Truth be told, at around 4:45 M gently suggested I change out of my pajamas because he wanted to get me out of the house for the first time in 3 days. Had it really been 3 days? Sadly, it had...



Top: Motherhood MaternityNecklace: Kohl's
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Flats: Payless
Bag: Coach
I've been wearing maternity clothes pretty much every day now for the last week or so. It is just so much more comfortable! I don't think I was wearing them consistently until about 17 weeks last time.
 I must say I am looking forward to hopefully picking up some {cheap} maternity sundresses. Being hugely pregnant in November and December last time didn't leave much of a chance for cute.

Steppin' Out Satuday - Date Night Sans Baby!

I can count on one hand the number of times that M and I have gone out without Carina. We live half-way across the country from most of our family and good friends, and haven't really felt comfortable leaving her with people we don't know.

Truth be told, I'm also pretty cheap. And with my quitting work and M still {only} collecting his graduate student stipend, things are a bit tight right now!

So when a friend of mine from work offered to watch Carina with his wife while M and I head out for a nice dinner (on them!) I was floored. Thank you again, guys SO MUCH - I know you read this ;)

On our way out for a baby-free night!

Top: F21

Sweater: F21
Jeans: Levi's from Kohl's - these barely fit me before I got pregnant. They fit great now...eee!
Shoes: Payless

Necklace: F21 {what can I say, I'm an F21 whore today}

Earrings: From a glass artisan in Murano, Italy

Bag: Coach

In an effort to feel pretty again, I had M take a few close ups of me. Anyone have any good tips on how not to feel awkward when someone is taking photos of you? I am not at all photogenic and it has always made me uncomfortable...

Please ignore the gas station behind me

We celebrated the anniversary of when we first started dating - 6 years ago. Who knew that here we would be, 6 years later...married, with an adorable little girl, and M about to become Dr. M. Crazy how time flies, isn't it?