I know, three pregnancy related posts in a row. But since baby is getting super close to making his appearance, and I don't want to forget any of my favorite things in case I get pregnant again in the very distant future, here are some of my must haves during my pregnancy!

1. Jessica Simpson Secret Fit Belly 5 Pocket Skinny Leg Maternity Jeans. These were the best investment in my maternity wardrobe. Super comfy, and they go with everything! I actually got mine at Macy's during a sale, which made them even more lovable!    2. Tervis 24oz Clear Water Bottle. Y'all this thing is awesome. You drink a lot, I mean a LOT of water during pregnancy, so having a handy waterbottle is key. This one keeps your water cold. (Yes, I was that picky, water WITH ice, always haha!) Plus you can personalize it like I did! I got some monogram decals from The Preppy Polkadot on Etsy. Best $8 ever.    3. Victoria's Secret Miraculous Dry Body Oil. BEST PURCHASE EVER. I usually use coconut oil, but decided to try this out on a whim, and I love it. I wish I would have purchased a second bottle since I can't find it anywhere but amazon now. It has a light scent, and dries quickly leaving your skin supple and moisturized. At first I only used it on my belly, but now I use it everywhere- hands, elbows, belly, legs, cuticles, you name it!    4. Old Navy Slub-Knit Tee in white. What a wardrobe staple! I layered this with cardigans, sweaters, or just with jeans and a scarf. I bought two and alternated them so they would wear evenly. They hug your curves and your belly for a comfy and supportive fit! And for $10 each, you can't go wrong!    5.Target up&up Prenatal Vitamins. I actully bought these and started taking them before I got pregnant and I credit my lack of morning sickness to these. Apparently if you start prenatals prior to getting pregnant it can help decrease your chances of wicked morning sickness. Plus they have all the extra nutrients and supplements your body needs for a growing baby! And they're pink! Im getting low, and the dr recommends that you continue taking them while breastfeeding, so im going to purchase another bottle!    6. Victoria's Secret PINK Ultimate Reversible Yoga Leggings. With a fold over waist band, these are great for pre, during and post pregnancy. They support your growing belly and in a pinch work as black pants. (Although I never actually used them as pants!) Watch the stores and online for sales, I got two pairs on sale and they are amazing!    7. Tory Burch Reva Flats in Pewter. I've had these a while, but they seriously came in handy during my pregnancy. Fancy enough for work, but comfy for everyday wear, I seriously put some miles on these. And in the pewter color, they go with just about everything! If you don't have a go-to pair of flats, these are worth the investment!    8. King Sized Pillows (Similar to what we have). Since I refeused to purchase one of those overpriced maternity pillows, we used what we had and two king sized pillows on either side of me at night seemed to do the trick. We call it a 'pillow taco' haha. Supports you on the belly and back side. Plus you can move them or shape them to whichever way is most comfortable to you!    9. EOS Lip Balm. Something about pregnancy makes your lips way chapped, and this is by far my fav lip balm I've ever used. With a ton of delish flavors and all natural ingredients, you can't go wrong. Plus it lasts forever. I will warm you, the dogs really love these and will literally fish them out of your purse to eat them!

My Thoughts on Pregnancy... Part 2

After so much controversy and lots of snarky comments on my first post on my thoughts on pregnancy, I figured today, the day I am exactly 9 months pregnant, i'd continue my thoughts on the subject. If you missed the first post, read it here!    i'll begin again the same way...  Now before anyone gets butt hurt about anything im about to say, these are my opinions and my thoughts on my pregnancy. I completely understand that no two pregnancies are the same and its very rare that anything i'm about to say will resonate with someone else, but thats ok. thats why this is my blog ;)

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 As I said, today (1-16-14) I am officially 9 months pregnant! That means in a perfect world, baby boy would arrive in exactly 28 days on February 13th, or his due date. But since the world isn't perfect, he can literally arrive any moment now. I'd prefer him to wait a couple weeks, so I can clean the house and vacuum and wash the dogs and.... Which the thought of him being here so soon is thrilling and scary and awesome all at the same time.   As I reflect back on my time being pregnant, it seriously hasn't been that bad. Pregnancy can be a really beautiful time in a woman's life and i've noticed thorough social media that more and more women are using pregnancy to blame things on their hormones, complain about getting fat, using the "im eating for 2" excuse in excess, complain about EVERYTHING and generally being lazy--- and i get that. There have been days I wish I would have done all those things, but I didn't.    I know that I've been EXTREMELY lucky to have had such an easy pregnancy. I know they are all not like that. I also know that I haven't had the world's easiest pregnancy. (There's a lot I choose not to share, and when the time comes, I will, but now isn't the time) But I also haven't complained about much.   People ask all the time, "How are you feeling?" and we always answer the same way, "Great! Just a little tired". Why? Because we don't know what else to tell them. I do feel great. I'm not really tired all the time. In fact, I still have quite a bit of energy, except for those days that I work 10+ hours and then come home and cook... Im still walking (almost) every evening and even still go on hikes. I obviously have the blessing of my dr, or I wouldn't be doing so. But why not? Last  time we went on the trail I literally had people going "GOOD FOR YOU!" as I was huffing hiking up to the top. It felt good. I was proud of myself. The baby liked it, or so I told myself. And I didn't go into labor. The human body is really capable of doing some incredible things, so why not try to see what you are capable of?

at 34weeks during our hike!

I've hardly had any break downs or used my hormones as an excuse for any of my emotional behavior or freak outs. Yes, I have hormones and they are up and down,and i've overreacted less than a handful of times, but I don't blame my hormones. Not only is this a beautiful, exciting time in my life, but its also pretty stressful. We don't have any family out here (well a cousin and my bff). The cost of living in the Silicon Valley is astronomical. We live in a one bedroom apartment. Most of the stress and panic has come from the following 6 words.. 'HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK?!'   So far, we've been ok. We have both been working our asses off trying to save money and stock up for baby. I'll get maternity insurance from the state of California, so I'll still be getting checks while I take maternity leave and I'll have some work checks coming in as well, so maternity leave isn't a total loss. But babies cost a lot of money. Luckily we have amazing insurance and they cover everything and we can afford the out of pocket deductible when the time comes. We also have amazing family. My mom and momadear have been SUPER busy helping us order everything that we will need for the first couple weeks with baby. They are like fairy godmothers and santa combined but BETTER. We get packages almost every other day. This kid is hooked up with the best Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, ever.   I also haven't once blamed the baby for gaining weight. UM, hello! You are growing a human. You are supposed to gain some weight. I haven't gained much, a whopping 10lbs so far, but im more than okay with it. The baby needs it. You are going to get big. You are going to have a belly. It's full of a tiny human and you should let your body grow to fully support and embrace whats going on. That pudge? It'll come off. Just lay off the junk food. I haven't gained any new stretch marks. Just stuck with the ones I already had!   Im not worried about labor. im really looking forward to meeting our little guy. He even has a name! but we aren't telling anyone yet! im not in a constant state of panic or worry, even though im pretty sure CL would tell you differently! Im really just trying to enjoy these last moments with the baby and CL as just the two of us. Time has really flown by!   we had the carseat installed today (yes, installed) the hospital checks it after we install it so we know its good to go! LPCH is awesome!   Now for the 9 month update... Im still sleeping almost through the night.. I get up around 2am to go to the bathroom, then right back asleep until about 6 or 7 depending on whether or not I can hear the water in the shower when CL gets up. Not too bad if you ask me! I still don't know what heartburn feels like, and my back feels great. I do have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in my right hand. it's an inconvenience at most. The dr said its fine. Im not swollen yet and my shoes still fit. I don't know when this is supposed to get bad, but im still waiting. I hope this isn't a sign of a horribly painful labor, but if it is, im down!   I can still do all of the following: shave my legs paint my toes work full time work out climb stairs hair and makeup wear non-maternity clothes wear shoes and boots (im actually wearing non maternity pants and a non-maternity shirt as I'm writing this.) and wear my wedding bands and engagement ring    baby boy is exactly where he needs to be.. weight and height wise we are right on target. he's head down (bouncing on my bladder- thanks kiddo!) and feet under my ribs. Well technically according to the sonograms he's in a ball of sorts on the right side of my body. But he's in go position, so that's awesome.    Again, it's been pretty easy. And im just venting, but whatever. Im allowed. I'll be back with my 3rd and final thoughts after baby is born! any guesses as to his birthday?! we can't wait!!

Maternity Photos!

After some long deliberation, we decided that if we didn't take some maternity photos, we'd be sad that we didn't. So last weekend, we hit the beach in Santa Cruz with a great photographer and got some great shots! I love the way they came out. Not over posed, no props or baby accessories. Just me and my huge 35 week+ bump!

MY fav!

my second fav!

gotta love the outtakes! that water was COLD!

I even got CL to jump in a few! This was our fav. He just loves that bump!

  I love that they aren't touched up. Just natural light and us (me, baby and CL!)

Pantone Color of the Year: 2014 Radiant Orchid

Getting back to some design posts, I am LOVING Pantone's color of the year for 2014, Radiant Orchid. Always a fan of the color of the year, this one speaks to me for many reasons.. I've loved purple for as long as I can remember, I own a ton of amethyst jewelry, purple hues look good on everyone, and to make it even more special, it's the birthstone for February- which is when baby boy is due!

via Pantone

Purple is also the color of royalty and is confident, cool and creative! Here are a few of my fav radiant orchid items that i'm definitely going to integrate into my life this year- if I don't already own them!

1. Tiffany Sparklers Amethyst Cocktail Ring (I got this for my 21st birthday and LOVE IT!) 2. David Yurman Cable Classics Bracelet with Amethyst and Gold (one of my everyday wears!) 3. Brian Atwood Abell Sandals in Byzantinum Suede (I NEED THESE IN MY LIFE.. CL?!) 4. Kate Spade Small Square Studs (I have these in red and flo yellow and adore them!) 5. Armani Collezioni Print Scarf  in Iris (how chic is this?!) 6. Proenza Schouler PS1 Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag (perfect for all 4 seasons!) Have you gotten any radiant orchid in your life?