Blissfully Domestic

Rockin' Your Maternity Jeans

Maternity fashions have come a long way and it's nice to know that while you're carrying a bundle of joy in your tummy, you can still look and feel fabulous. Denim is an important piece to have in your wardrobe while pregnant and during the post pregnancy months, so make sure you have a couple to rotate around. From left to right, we show you how your maternity denim can be worn any time of day.

Running Errands

When you're out looking for baby furniture or working on the baby shower registry, wear your stretch maternity denim and a soft jersey top. With its signature wrap detail and kimono sleeves, this top from Isabella Oliver is a perfect fit as the jersey fabric drapes over your curves. Sandals are huge this season, so throw on a flat metallic t-strap for maximum style and comfort.  Don't forget to accessorize with some cute silver bracelets.

Weekend Shopping

While you're out shopping at the mall or at your favorite baby boutique, throw on your denim and pair it with a stretch cami under a wrap cardigan. We love this multi-functional cardi by Isabella Oliver. It's soft and wispy style can be worn open or shoulder draped, for post pregnancy nursing. Stroll around in a fun and sassy peep-toe sandal by Sofft. This shoe is exactly that - soft with a padded foot bed, so you can walk in them for hours.  Add some color with a beaded necklace to complete the look.

Night Out

For dinner or a night out, wear your denim and a maternity halter top. This one by FEM by T-bags is sexy and comfortable.  You can adjust the braided halter straps that tie at the back of the neck for a lovely fit. Wear a padded, strappy sandal and accessorize with some feather earrings and your favorite clutch.

[article and photo courtesy of Wardrobe911]

Spring Fashion Cleaning

If you're pulling out your Spring/Summer clothes from the bins under your bed or from your hallway closet, you may find them in need of cleaning or pressing or realize that you don't like them anymore.  Now is the perfect time to do a bit of Spring cleaning on your winter clothing before you pack them up.

Pull out all your woolens and cold weather things and inspect every last inch of them.  Do they need repair or to be cleaned before you pack them away?  Sort all your boots, coats and leathers and put them them in four piles:

1. Dry Cleaning + Leather Cleaning
2. Shoe Repair
3. Donate
4. Box up

If you do this now, come August/September, you won't have to worry about whether they need to be cleaned or not.

~Guest post from Wardrobe 911

Image courtesy of Real Simple

If you're pulling out your Spring/Summer clothes from the bins under your bed or from your hallway closet, you may find them in need of cleaning or pressing or realize that you don't like them anymore.  Now is the perfect time to do a bit of Spring cleaning on your winter clothing before you pack them up.

Pull out all your woolens and cold weather things and inspect every last inch of them.  Do they need repair or to be cleaned before you pack them away?  Sort all your boots, coats and leathers and put them them in four piles:

1. Dry Cleaning + Leather Cleaning
2. Shoe Repair
3. Donate
4. Box up

If you do this now, come August/September, you won't have to worry about whether they need to be cleaned or not.

~Guest post from Wardrobe 911

Image courtesy of Real Simple

Top Ten Places to Buy Trendy Plus Sized Womens Clothing Online

Seriously. It is so hard to find trendy plus sized clothing. Forget looking in stores. It never fails that they have about five size 4's, and nothing beyond the 12+ sizes. Save a little time and check out these stores online.

Remember, ALWAYS check for coupon codes before ordering. RetailMeNot.com is a good place to start. Or just Google the name of the store + coupon code.

A few items I found and loved...the numbers correspond to the list below.

Image from Divine Domesticity

1. Avenue
2. Old Navy
3. b&lu
4. IGIGI - Casual Dresses
5. Missphit
6. Belle Avenue
7. Kiyonna
8. Lane Bryant
9. JCPenny
10. alight
11. Bonus: For bras, panties and body shapers, check out Spanx.

Just Say No to Casual Friday Fug

When I entered the workforce back in 1992 I had to shop for a true work wardrobe highlighted by the three Ps: power suits, pantyhose, and pumps. For the past seven years I've worked in a casual office and my panty hose quotient has dwindled down to nearly nothing.

Recently when I was picking up my daughter from kindergarten, her teacher asked if I'd worked from home that day, knowing I telecommute several hours a week. I knew the glorified jogging suit I had worn to my office that morning had put me in that Casual Friday Fug category.

Here are my Top 10 Casual Dresscode Don'ts:

Mom jeans. You know better to avoid like the plague anything that's been the subject of a Saturday Night Live skit . You can pick up fashionable jeans anywhere from Target to JC Penney to Kohls or even thrift stores as trendy college students change out their denim
wardrobe faster than they can text. My big winter find at Goodwill was a pair of nearly new GAP bootcut jeans for less than $4!

Vacation t-shirts. I don't care if you bought it at the Ritz Carlton in Maui for $40, save the vacation t-shirts for the weekend or playground time with the kids.

Running shoes. I'm guilty as charged of wearing running shoes (more like walk really fast shoes for me) to the office on rainy days, but they are best left for home or the gym.

Diaper bags as workplace tote. Don't carry your important work papers in the same bag you keep butt wipes.

Tight, ill fitting clothing. Anything too tight is inappropriate for the office. Besides, you want to have breathing room for those mornings your co-worker brings in a box of steamy hot donuts.

Flip flops. Someone at my company may or may not have worn flip flops at the front desk last year. For the love of Jimmy Buffett, leave the toe thongs in your beach bag.

Anything wrinkled. I detest ironing, but wearing a wrinkled blouse gives the impression that you really don't care what you look like. You can always find something wrinkle free. How about a nice cardigan sweater set in a fun, vibrant color? I love wearing sweater sets in the spring and fall with nice tailored black pants or a black skirt because I never know if it will be too cool or too warm in my office.

Yoga pants and pimped out hoodies. Again, same as the running shoes, no one wants to see you slinking around the office looking like you just rolled out of bed. Save the super comfortable things for days you work from home and won't see anyone but the family dog.

Crocs. I know tons of people love them, but even my 5 ½ year old has enough fashion sense to not wear Crocs, so please save them for the weekends or running around with the kiddos.

Going commando on top. I worked with a woman years ago who bragged about how she was not wearing a bra to work, like it was some sort of cubicle truth or dare. Granted she had on a sleeveless halter top underneath a very conservative blazer, but unless you work at a strip club, your co-workers don't need to hear about your free and easy breasts while checking their e-mail.

Other great business casual tips:

What Not to Wear to Work this Summer via Styledash

Business Casual Tips for Summer via CareerBuilder

When the office is casual, casual, casual (and you are not) via The Working Closet blog at Work It, Mom! I highly recommend subscribing to this blog, written by Susan Wagner.

Head over to Blissfully Domestic's Forum to discuss your tips for looking fashionable (and casual) at work!

(images and outfits shown: Old Navy)

Fashion Forecast -Sandals for Spring/Summer 2008

  The fashionistas are all abuzz about the upcoming Sex in the City movie. Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie Bradshaw is known for her over the top style. Many trends from the HBO show have trickled down over the years.

The latest shoe inspiration are these abominations from Christian Dior Par John Galliano. You may wonder why we should even care. How will this have any affect on our shoe choices for Spring/Summer 2008?

These shoes, mark my words will be found in every 'affordable' market imaginable. From Macy's to Payless, we will see every imaginable and even more unflattering version of these style no-nos.

Stand strong frugal fashionistas. Do not fall prey to this fashion trend for spring. This style is only acceptable if you have the cache of a famous actress and have a BMI of less than 17. With thick dark straps that horizontally cut off the leg-line, these sandals will only make legs look short and unflatteringly thick.

We will find flattering, stylish and affordable shoes for Spring/Summer 2008 in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, pat yourself on the back for avoiding this fashion trap!