The Baby Bump

Okay, I admit it... dressing the baby bump hasn't been the easiest thing for me. It's actually been extremely difficult. Here are 2 reasons as to why I believe this is so...

1. I live in Europe

I swear nobody has children here. The government actually pays people to have children in Germany. Seriously. I've asked around and no-one seems to know where to find maternity clothes other than H&M…which is great if their maternity section wasn't the size of my walk in closet.

2. Shopping On-line

This is what I've had to resort to since my options are limited. We have a 'maternity' section here at the PX (Post EXchange) but I swear the person who buys for it should be fired. I'm not wearing your tye dyed tunic with ruffles.

Gross.

Also shopping on-line leaves you with too much uncertianty about what the look, feel and fit will be. It's exhausting. 

I miss the States.

However, I do have to say I'm thankful I'm pregnant during the winter time. It makes thing much easier when you can bundle up in an old sweater and stretchy pants when nothing else in your closet seems to fit.

I'm now 34 weeks and I've gained 25 pounds so far this pregnancy. Which is healthy but, when your friend tells you you're huge and your face looks fat it makes you feel like you've gained a 100. Though, I've had more people tell me that I'm 'all baby!'

I would like to think their right.

I still can't believe she's going to be here in a few weeks. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole giving birth aspect. 

Am I excited? Yes.
Terrified? Yes.   
Plan on a natural birth? Yes.

I think the last one explains why I'm terrified. But, I'm determined to do it. We'll see how it turns out.

I'll also be giving birth in a German hospital, which is another reason as to why I'm terrified. English is not their first language and German is certainly not mine. Oh my. This should be an interesting experience.

ANYWAYS!

I found this website that has helped me style my bump.

A few suggestions
1. Accessories
2. Accentuate your waist

3. Layers
4. Comfort (aka skirts!)

Comfort

I love this look! So effortless~ I'm a HUGE fan of the bun and the skirt really works with her denim shirt.

Waist

Accessories/Waist

These looks help show off your bump! Why not?! I feel like anything that helps 'prove' your pregnant and not just 'round' cant hurt. 

Layers/Accessories

This particular outfit you can't go wrong with pregnant or not. I also LOVE the chunky necklace!

Does anyone else have some ideas to help dress your bump?

SPRING!

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. I love pastels and here in Germany it means we get to see the sun again! In my opinion there are some colors and patterns (done properly) you just can't go wrong with EVERY spring!

FLORAL

Any who~ I saw this dress and thought, SPRING!

Pair this with a boyfriend cardi (pink or a light blue) and some khaki wedges~ Adorable!

YELLOW

 I thought this shirt with WHITE skinny jeans paired with some bronze jelwery... AMAZING!

CORAL

I'm kinda obessed with this color. I thought these pants with a white v-neck shirt and a demin jacket for those colder days. Make sure you add a scarf!

Go with the hearts <3 if you're feeling cute but definitely the leopard print if your feeling a little on the 'spicy' side of life that day!

MINT GREEN

I'm most definely obessed with this color! I was in H&M the other day and bought a shirt this color knowing I couldn't wear it until after my pregnancy. Did I care? No.

All of these items can be found @ http://downeastbasics.com/

Bullies

This post started as a Facebook status but turned out to be way too long to post.
For those of you who don't know,  I was a victim of bullying for 4 years. At one point it got so bad that I actually was pulled out of school for the first part of my 7th grade year.
After watching Whitney Kropp's story on the news I felt compelled to share my own story.

  "I can just prove all these kids wrong ... I'm not the joke everyone thinks I am."  

For those of you who don't know Whitney, she was voted to her homecoming court as a joke by other students. Which is wrong on so many levels. Also, stupid on the students that voted her in because if your going to hurt someone... you don't vote them to homecoming court. DUMB.

Anyhow, my favorite part of this story is that Whitney's community rallied behind her in support of anti-bullying. She had her dress and hair and make-up all donated to her. Katie Couric even gave her a free trip to Disney World!
I'm happy that Whitney took a stand and went to the game that night. She ended up being the center of attention and had people come from all over her state to support her. She also has a Facebook page that has over 142,000 likes and she's been overwhelmed with her own FB requests. Which I'm sure is MANY more than any of those people who voted for her as a joke have.
I hope she continues to be an inspiration to many and a reminder to the cruel, that every person is beautiful and unique and karma is a ... well, you know.

As for me...
It started a few weeks into my 6th grade year, I went to father daughter work day with my dad while my sister went to school. The next day I woke up and got dressed, my mom had taken me shopping that weekend so I was super excited to wear my new shirt to school. I was about to head out the door when the phone rang. My mom answered, it was the principle, he said he confiscated a diary from my sister the day before that was being passed around to the students.

It was mine.

Praying it wasn't, I Immediatly ran upstairs and looked under my mattress where I kept it and it was gone. I just sat on my bed crying. I had been looking for it the night before and I even asked my sister where it was and she told me she didn't know.

But, she did.

I had so many personal things written in that dairy. Definitely not meant for a bunch of 12 year olds. At the time I had thick glasses and huge braces, which didn't exactly help my self confidence.
I was so angry with my sister, I think my Dad knew what I would face for the next few years because he immediately grounded my sister for a year cleaning the horse stalls. My mom did her best to console me that day. She took me shopping, bought me the new Mariah Carey, Honey cd. Nothing helped.

 (The only picture I could find of me with my glasses)

I was a mess, I feel for my mom... what could she do?

Looking back, I'm glad the principle called and I didn't walk into school without a clue what had transpired the day before.

I didn't ever want to go back, but the next morning I did. 
It was rough. We stood in lines outside before school started and it was a full on attack. 
There are things I remember like being labeled 'Copy Cat' because I had 2 of the same shirts and 1 dress that a popular girl had. Which apparently is a crime in the State of Washington. I would have 'Copy Cat' yelled at me while I walked down the halls. So many hurtful things. Most days I went home crying. 

By the time I was supposed to start 7th grade my mom pulled both my sister and I out of school to be home schooled. By the time December rolled around that same year my mom put us back in school, hopeful middle school would be better.

Well, it wasn't. 

The end of my first day back a girl who I had never seen before in my life came up to me and said, "I heard you called me a b*tch." 
I literally took a step back and said, "I don't know you and I've never seen you before until this very moment." When I saw the same group of popular girls gathered together on the other side of the hall huddled staring my direction. 
I looked at the girl, pointed to the group of girls behind her and said..."Did they tell you I said that?"
"Yes."
"Figures." I shut my locker and walked straight to the principles office to call my mom. Crying of course.

The last thing I remember is on the bus my 8th grade year on the way home from school. I always kept my book bag on the floor next to me. When I went to get off a girl had taken it and hid it, and watched me for a good 5 minutes look for it. When I found it and her, it was bad news. It was my breaking point. I got off the bus and beat the crap out of her. WHICH I do not condone!

But, she deserved it. ;)

Needless to say she didn't mess with me again.

By the end of my 8th grade year had my 'moment of enlightenment.'
The...Who cares what those other girls think of me! moment.

Things slowly got better after that. It wasn't until the end of my 9th grade year that things were back to 'normal.'

We moved away for my 10th grade year and high school was the complete opposite of middle school. I made it a goal of mine to be nice to everyone. I played soccer, cheered, and was voted class secretary every year, voted Class Clown and like Whitney, voted on Homecoming Court.

Since then I found the love of my life and married him in the Temple. We have a little one on the way and I have traveled all over Europe!

Life is good.

I can look back and say those years changed me. Made me a kinder more understanding person. Not that I'm thanking those 'mean girls,' because I'm not. But I'm grateful for the person I am today because of the many good and bad life experiences I've had.

Like Whitney, we both overcame our struggles with courage. To anyone who is currently or has been a victim of bullying, I want to remind you that you ARE NOT alone. You might not have a community rally behind you like Whitney but, there is always someone who knows and understands and cares about you.

My Fashion Icon

Oh, there are so many reasons why I love Kate Middleton. Or should I say the Duchess of Cambridge?

She's beautiful, classy and my fashion icon.

She's not always 'modest' but 90% of the time she is and I literally love everything she puts on that tall/skinny body!

I'm convinced she can put on a a trash bag and make it look good.

These are some of my formal favorites

She's stunning. I almost ordered the green dress... but the asking price of $400 didn't go with the 'fiscally responsible' part of me.

Some of my 'casual' favorites~

Who's your fashion icon?

Sunday Fun Day!

For me, Sundays are the easiest to get dressed.

There's no compromising about what is 'too dressy' for Church. That's the point isn't it? To get dressed up and have fun doing it!

This is one of my personal favs~

Shirt- The Gap
Skirt- H&M

 For some reason you can't see my massive gold earrings in the picture above.
Fail.
That's okay... Here's a way to dress this up!

Scarf- H&M
Earrings- H&M

Getting dressed is easy... just go with simple pieces and make it your own by adding accessories!

Lime Ricki

Lime Ricki is beyond adorable swimwear. I know summer is coming to a close but, I literally just found this site and I couldn't wait to share with all of you!

I like to wear tankini's because I'm not a huge fan of the one-piece.
Lime Ricki allows you to mix and match with I LOVE
Here's a small sample of what they offer~

Madras V-Strap Undewire Tankini Top $47.99

Flame Classic Tankini Top $44.99

Lime Ricki also offers 3 different bottoms

Short

Bikini

Skirt

Check them out!!!
http://www.limericki.com/

Sundresses

I first heard of Shabby Apple http://www.shabbyapple.com/ about 4 years ago when I was living in Utah. I'm NOT a huge fan of all their dresses but I recently fell in love with this one-

Serenade $80

Cameron and I are going to Greece in September and I was looking for some modest sun dresses when I came across this one. Sundresses that meet my standards are really REALLY hard to find... I'm sure some of you can relate.

I've spent hours on-line looking for a simple sundress. So when I found his one, I was ecstatic! It's a little on the pricey side, but I think this one fits the bill. I needed a dress that I'm going to be comfortable in and at the same time stay cool in.

I also love the color!

Do you think it's an appropriate dress for the Mediterranean?

If any of you can find some more modest sundresses let me know about it!