Pregnant | DIY maternity shorts & 24 weeks

I am so excited to share my latest DIY with you, even though if I were selling this pair of shorts, they would be listed as "slightly imperfect," or something like that. Nonetheless, I am seriously pleased with them, and they only cost me a bit of time and elastic, as I already had a few pair of Cody's old jeans lying around! If your husbands old jeans don't correspond as nicely as mine with your size (yes, last night I did tell Cody that his hips are just like my pregnant hips, except all the time! We got a good laugh as I'm sure you can imagine) you can go to the thrift store and find a pair that works.

As I didn't have any elastic wider than one inch, which as it turns out is less than ideal for keeping up a pair of maternity pants, this pair is going to be a playground, chase-Seb-around pair, and then I am going to make a couple more once I get some 3 inch elastic.

Here is the tutorial that I referenced. If this one isn't clear enough to you, just do a google search. There are so many tutorials out there on this subject. This one looks good.

P.S. If you don't have access to a sewing machine, but have some pants or shorts you'd like to turn into maternity, check out Belly Jeans, an Etsy store that will take your regular jeans and convert them into maternity jeans!

Oh and I should probably say that once again, this lady was my inspiration. And hello, skirts as tops? What a good idea.

Pregnant | American Apparel?

This post is a result of a thought I had last week about maternity clothes: "All I really need right now is a pack of men's undershirts that are cheap and I can wear to the playground. Surely someone makes a basic, cheap, comfy-casual tee for pregnant women!"

I then remembered the only two sorority tees that I kept and still wear, and both are from American Apparel. I keep going back to them every summer for their incredible fit, length, and their casual but flattering look. Today I am a day short of being 24 weeks pregnant and am wearing one of those tees, which happens to be a whole 2 sizes smaller than my normal size. It still covers my stomach, and although it is a little snug, it's still comfortable and works well in spite of my expanding waistline.

So maybe I've been looking in the wrong place for great basic maternity clothes? Gap has some cute things, but let me tell you, absolutely none of my Gap tees took me to the end of my pregnancy. They are just too short. Why invest in something that you can only wear for a few weeks or months, and not to mention are overpriced and get holes and what-have-you. I want longevity with my maternity clothes.

Here are my two reasons to try American Apparel: 1) You don't get the, "Hey, look at the ruching at my waistline. I'm so pregnant" look, and 2) They are going to help me transition into my postpartum days just beautifully. Who wants to wear maternity clothes after they have a baby? I know I felt sloppy for at least 4 months after having Seb.

In case you still have doubts as to the suitability of American Apparel for your maternity wear, check out this lady's series. American Apparel took her through her entire pregnancy, wearing these shorts at 35 weeks. I am impressed.

Also, in case you are lamenting that the HATCH Collection is so pricey, try these pieces instead: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

So who wants to go to Charlotte with me for some American Apparel action?

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Pregnant | Maternity Photo Inspiration

These are hands down the most attractive, respectful and endearing maternity photos that I have seen. Photographer Kelly Hicks captured her pregnant little sister at home, in her bedroom, wearing simple, soft, and comfortable clothing. The poses are pretty, not showy, and do a great job showcasing the simple beauty of pregnancy, and the lovely ordinariness of it all. Doesn't every pregnant woman want to feel like everything is still normal, even though it's undeniably different?

Would you or have you done a maternity photo shoot? I wasn't feeling up for professional pictures when I was pregnant with Seb (or any pictures!), but now I do wish I had a few, especially in Kelly Hicks' style.