Author: With Love... Andrea

Dentist by day...Fashion enthusiast by night. Canadian living in ☀ LA....I ❤my baby girl Carlota, Boston Terrier, staying healthy, & living life

BUMPstyle Box

I will be the first to say that dressing your bump is NOT easy. Things that normally fit your body suddenly start to look awkward. Somedays wearing something oversized works well and then other days you feel like a beached whale. I now take at least 30 minutes trying on different outfits to see what will work that day. Thankfully my husband has been patient with me during my morning routine.

When looking at style and gossip magazines you see pregnant celebrities looking fabulous. Prior to my pregnancy I didn’t even realize how challenging it would be because all the maternity fashion I saw were the pristinely dressed models and actresses. Many of the celebrities we see photographed have personal stylists that find and choose their clothing for them. They help them determine what looks good and what just doesn’t make the cut. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have someone do that for us? With BUMPstyle box you can.

BUMPstyle box is a chic maternity boutique delivered to your door. You work with a personal stylist (Hannah) that hand picks 3-4 outfits just for you. You take about 10-15 minutes filling out a Style Profile. This helps your stylist better understand your size, style, budget, and lifestyle. Once you receive your box, you have 5 days to decide what you’ll purchase and what you’d like to send back. You’ll only be charged for the items you decide to keep. How amazing is this!! I had my bridal shower coming up right around the time I tried BUMPstyle, so I mentioned this was something I wanted them to focus on. I received multiple dresses and fell in love with one that was perfect for the event. I will post all about my bridal shower in another post and you will see what I had selected.

Here are a few of the items that were sent to me with my box.

Dress: BUMPstyle Leota //

Clutch: Michael Kors (old) (Similar here) //

Heels: Zara (old) (Similar here and here) //

Dress: BUMPstyle Seraphine (on sale %50) //

Belt: BUMPstyle Seraphine //

Heels: Jimmy Choo (old) (Similar here) //

Winter layers

The best part of dressing for winter is layering. You can add so much to your look by adding multiple layers. California winters do not allow us to wear chunky knits and thick coats so wearing a cool scarf, hat and pattern mixing can add the same effect.

Lately I have been all about a good hat. It can add so much personality to a casual outfit and is perfect for those days where your hair is just not cooperating. I love this Lack of Color fedora. It is so versatile, and if you are more adventurous than myself they come in multiple funky colors.

Pattern mixing has been in full effect this season. Things that you would have never paired together a few years ago are becoming trendy. Adding multiple patterns to a look is another way to add layers and volume to your outfit. This Scalpers scarf is a statement in itself with its bold colors and scull and cross bone pattern. Pairing it with my stripped shirt and Louis Vuitton bag tames it down. When I’m pattern mixing I try to have a basic pattern mixed with a bolder pattern. Having more than one loud pattern can be a little overwhelming for my taste. Some of the simple patterns I tend to use are stripes, leopard, and polka dots. These can all be paired with any other print.

Shirt: BCBG generation (Similar here and here maternity here) //

Jacket: Zara //

Hat: Lack of Color //

Scarf: Scalpers old (Similar here and here) //

Jeans: A pea in the Pod Maternity (Non-Maternity here) //

Boots: Sergio Rossi old (Similar here ) //

Nine Naturals beauty

Over the past few years I have become more conscious of what I was putting into my body. I started to want to eat more natural and organic foods and developed an awareness of all the toxins and health risks of GMO and heavily processed foods. This has become amplified since becoming pregnant. I want to make sure that my baby girl gets all the necessary nutrients without all the added hormones. I am no saint and have a major sweet tooth…so I still do indulge in chocolates and cupcakes. I am just trying my best to nourish my body and babys’ to the best of my ability. Somedays are harder than others, depending on my cravings!! 🙂

It has only been since being pregnant that I came to the realization that toxins and chemicals can also be absorbed through the skin and affect your growing baby. I have had to change my daily skin routine, as my facial acne creams were not pregnancy safe. This made me think about all the other products we use…how safe are they?? Daily body washes, shampoos and creams, can all be absorbed by my developing baby and I don’t even know half the ingredients listed on the side of the bottles.

I discovered Nine naturals and haven’t looked back. Their mission is to “make beauty simple, smart and safe for moms and moms-to-be”. The company was developed for this purpose, so all the research on health and safety has been done for you. Their formulas are 100% plant-based, with no added Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Petrochemicals, DEA, Synthetic Fragrances, or Artificial Preservatives. I have no questions on the products I am using and know that I am doing my best to provide a good home for baby girl.

They have a range of products from shampoo and conditioner, to belly butter and stretch mark creams. Everything an expecting mother could want, they have.

Nine Naturals Nourishing Conditioner //

Nine Naturals Nourishing Shampoo //

Nine Naturals Soothing Body Wash //

Nine Naturals Natural Belly Oil //

From the start of my pregnancy I was concerned about stretch marks and what I can do to prevent them. My OB stated that there wasn’t anything I could do. She mentioned that it depends on your skins elasticity but moisturizing the best you can may help. Even before I had a belly I was constantly putting on creams. Prior to finding Nine Naturals, I started with other natural belly balms, but both my husband and I weren’t too keen on the fragrances. This made me not want to use them very often….and was not going to be good in my attempt to keep things as moist as possible to stop those stretch marks. The creams from Nine Naturals have a minimal non-invasive fragrance so I love putting them on!! My husband has not complained since!!

Nine Naturals Belly Butter vanilla + geranium //

Nine Naturals Moisterizing Body Cream //

Nine Naturals Belly Oil //

Nine Naturals Repairing Body Balm //

Nine Naturals Lip Balm //

Winter Whites!!

Fashion rule number #1….no white after labour day!!! This fashion faux pas has been passed on from generation to generation and we have all grown up hearing this. These past couple of years white has become a major power player in the fashion world. It has been a featured color on multiple runways as the color of the season. No longer are we abiding by these rules, and I love it.

I think an all white look is so chic and powerful. Pairing white jeans with a textured sweater is a perfect winter look. Lately the weather in Los Angeles has been like summer so this outfit has a mix of the two seasons.

I was worried that white would be a color to avoid during my late stages of pregnancy. Once I found these Wendy Bellissimo skinny jeans from Motherhood maternity I realized that this did not have to be the case. I love the distressed knees and perfect fit. Maternity jeans are not what they used to be. They look and fit just like regular jeans without the waistband.

Jeans: Wendy Bellissimo Motherhood Maternity //

Sweater: Aritzia (Similar here) //

T-Shirt: A pea in the pod maternity (currently on sale) //

Shoes: Converse //

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban //

Purse: Goyard //

Working with what you already have!!

How many times have you walked into your closet in the morning trying to decide what your outfit of the day will be and think “I have nothing to wear!!” I feel like this is the story of my life. I am constantly aimlessly staring at my hanging clothes thinking I need a new wardrobe because nothing is right and there is nothing for me to wear.

This is becoming worse now that majority of my clothes are either too tight or too short to cover the belly. I have a limited amount to work with, and it has forced me to get creative and think outside my comfort zone. It has also pushed me to look deeper in my closet and pull out those items that have been there for years and I have forgotten about. I have obviously bought maternity clothing….I think there are multiple items that are essential, especially jeans (as stated in my previous post). I also don’t want to splurge too much on an abundance of maternity items since I will hopefully get back to my pre-pregnancy shape in a few months. (This is my goal….lets see how that works!)

All items in this post are at least 2-4 years old, other than my sunglasses!! I tend to lean towards classic pieces rather than trendy ones. This works to my advantage because I can still wear them years later.

Take a peek into your closet and pull out a piece you haven’t worn in a few years. You may be surprised and a whole new look may come out of it without breaking your bank account.

Cardigan: Aritzia old (Similar here, here and here) //

Dress: Twin Set Simona Barbieri old (Similar here, here, here and here) //

Boots: Sergio Rossi old (Similar here and here) //

Clutch: L.A.M.B old (Similar here and here) //

Sunglasses: Karen Walker //

That perfect pair!!

Everyone has that one pair of jeans that are their favorite. They fit you perfectly and flatter all aspects of your figure. During my pregnancy I had quickly outgrown my perfect pair of jeans. I then started to wear some of the others in my closet and used elastic belly bands to help hold them up. This worked well early in my pregnancy but it quickly started becoming uncomfortable. I know many expectant mothers wear their regular jeans for as long as possible, but this was not the case for me. Possibly because I was gaining more weight than the average, or my belly was lower than others… but I rushed to purchase maternity jeans as soon as I hit my second trimester. I am so thankful I did because I was able to wear comfortable stylish pants all throughout my pregnancy.

When I found these Seraphine maternity grey jeans I was thrilled. There is something about grey jeans that I love so much. They are different than the usual blue and black, and go with everything. I had tried on other brands of grey jeans and was disappointed because they didn’t make me feel confident wearing them. When I tried on these, I knew they were going to be my “perfect pair” maternity jeans!!

Blazer: Massimo Dutti old (Similar here, here and here) //

Shirt: Vince old (Similar here and here) //

Jeans: Seraphine Maternity //

Flats: Tory Burch old (Similar here and here) //

Shirt: Zara old (Similar here and here) //

Jeans: Seraphine Maternity //

Sneakers: Converse //

Sunglasses: Ray-ban //

Sweater: Aritzia (Similar here) //

Shirt: A Pea in the Pod //

Jeans: Seraphine Maternity //

Flats: Tory Burch old (Similar here and here) //

All about the accessories

You wouldn’t think I was a California girl with all the black I wear. I can’t get enough of a sleek all black look. To add a little glam, I paired my outfit with bright red lips and intricate accessories.

I will gladly invest in classic items, but have a hard time spending a lot money on trendy or statement pieces. This is why when I found both my Bauble Bar earrings and Zara clutch I knew they were must haves. Both are very affordable but look pretty pricey. (At least I like to think so!!)

I love all the bead work on this clutch. It gives me an Alexander McQueen, or Judith Leiber vibe without the price tag that accompanies their purses.

Dress: Vince (Similar here and here) //

Earrings: Bauble Bar (Similar here and here) //

Clutch: Zara Spain (Similar here, here , here and here) //

Boots: Sergio Rossi old (Similar here and here) //

Jacket: Zara //

I can’t get enough of the sweater dress!! Pregnant or not, a sweater dress is so simple yet super chic. While I’m outgrowing the majority of my clothes, I turn to pieces such as this one. Knitwear stretches perfectly to fit over my changing figure. This dress can be worn all throughout my pregnancy and once I go back to my pre-pregnancy shape. I have been trying to purchase items that I will be able to use post-pregnancy as well.

My 30 weeks of pregnancy!!

I haven’t really written a blog post about my pregnancy, other than my fashion choices. I constantly look to other pregnant bloggers to see weekly updates of how they are feeling and what changes they are going through. I decided it was time to share with you all my journey thus far!!

I am pretty thankful as I have had a fairly easy pregnancy. During the first trimester I felt nauseous a handful of times but nothing that made me run to the washroom. I was constantly tired, but was still functioning at work without a hitch. The funniest part of my first trimester was that I developed an aversion to coffee. The thought and smell of it made me sick. This was actually perfect because it kicked my morning coffee habit in the butt.

Throughout the entire pregnancy I have been able to continue with crossfit. My husband and I have been going to SpeedX for about 2 years now and I was determined to keep up with my fitness. As the pregnancy progresses, I am modifying the workouts to suit my comfort level and growing bump. I am also trying to take walks with my little pup as much as I can.

As I entered in my second trimester I was so excited. This was the point where I could share the news with all my friends and family and was when the pregnancy felt more “real”. I started to develop my little bump. It was so exciting to finally start seeing and feeling the little being that was growing inside me. They say the second trimester is the best out of them all….I would agree only slightly. Around week 15 I started breaking out. Having suffered from Acne previously and finally getting things under control this was hard for me to endure knowing there was really nothing I could do or use to make it better. Thankfully as the weeks progressed and my hormones regulated I have noticed a significant improvement. I began going for facials regularly, and I believe this played a large factor in the improvement.

During these months I have also started to gain a significant amount of weight. I guess I had always envisoned myself as one of those pregnant ladies that is all bump….thats not happening. I have already gained 30 lbs at 30 weeks. This is the recommended weight gain for the entire pregnancy and I still have 10 weeks to go. As long as I’m providing a good, healthy nurturing home for baby girl I have to stop being selfish and get over it.

I cant believe I’m in the final lap of pregnancy. These past couple of weekends have been all about getting all the necessities for baby girls arrival. So much to do and only a few more weeks left. We finally decided on pieces for the nursery. I can’t wait to start putting it all together!! I know we are kind of late….but I guess the third trimester just kind of snuck up on us. I am counting down the weeks until I get to meet her, but am also trying to enjoy the last few weeks of quality alone time with my husband.

Seraphine Maternity

I am now officially in the 3rd trimester of my pregnancy. Where has the time gone? Only 10 weeks left and so much to do!! I will write all about how pregnancy has been for me so far in an upcoming blog post. Today is all about Seraphine Maternity. Now that my belly is growing by the second, even my oversized shirts are starting to be fitted or even too small. Maternity clothing is becoming more of a necessity as the days pass.

I had recently come across Seraphine Maternity online and was so excited. To all the moms or pregnant readers, you know that finding good maternity clothing is not that easy. Prior to my pregnancy I could walk into a store and always find something I love….not a talent my husband appreciates. When it comes to dressing my bump it has definitely been more of a challenge. I think I try on 10 outfits a day before I find a look that makes me feel confident. Finding those staple maternity pieces have been my lifesaver. Some of the most fashionable celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani and Kate Middleton have been seen wearing Seraphine Maternity.

This season I have been all about the poncho or cape…so I couldn’t help but gravitate towards this beauty. I love the cut and grey trim detail. The front zipper and buckle make it versatile. Its that perfect piece to throw over any outfit, or wear it as the main attraction as I did here.

I paired the poncho with dainty jewelry, distressed denim and Valentino rockstuds. I’m always a firm believer that less is more.

Poncho: Seraphine Maternity currently on sale //

Jeans: Genetic denim //

Shoes: Valentino Rockstuds //

Home for the Holidays!!

After spending just a few days in Barcelona my husband and I went home to Toronto to celebrate the holidays. We were looking forward to a winter wonderland and to our surprise the weather was quite mild and no snow. Living in sunny LA this was kind of disappointing. We made the best of it and took a road trip to Niagara Falls. It had been years since I visited the falls and I forgot how breathtaking they really are. My photos don’t do them justice.

Located on the Niagara River and draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, the combined falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, with a vertical drop of more than 165 feet. One of the 3 falls (Horseshoe falls) is the most powerful waterfall in North America. It’s such a beautiful sight.

After visiting the falls we went straight to Niagara on the Lake for lunch. Such a beautiful little town with great boutiques. It’s definitely a must visit if you are there.

Jacket: Zara //

Sweater: Rag & Bone (old) (Similar here, here and here) //

Hat: Lack of Colors //

Jewels: Rabat //