Rock the Bump

Bringing out your fashionista attitude during your second trimester

There are many blessings during your second trimester: your energy returns, you start to feel the baby movement, any tummy issues you experienced vanish. Now its time to “show and tell” your pregnancy. However, some women think this is the time to spend a fortune on maternity clothes. Or worse, wear their husbands oversized T-shirts and sweat pants.

That is about to change! I am here to share a movement taking place: the chic mama-to-be, hot mama in the making and (my personal favorite) ladies who rock the bump! However, all the tips in the world will not help you if you don’t embrace your pregnancy. Your body is changing, and not every day will be sunshine and rainbows. Some days you will feel huge, uncomfortable and not yourself. My advice is on those days: DON’T GIVE UP! 

There are small things you can do, we will call them cheap thrills, which will make that ickyness go away and make people take notice. Hold your head up high and remember: This is temporary, and your body is changing because you are growing a person! There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who owns and embraces this change.

Now, on to the tips!

• Heels: Height helps everything, your posture, the tone of your legs and the lift of your seat. (Pure Barre girls know what I’m talking about!). Enjoy them now, because in your third trimester, your favorite heels may not fit.
• Go up a size: Let’s be honest; maternity clothes are ridiculous! Half of them are double the cost, and the other half don’t fit right. My advice: For the non-staple items (maternity jeans, shorts, a few chic dresses and pants) buy a bigger size. These days you can find a ton of empire wasted dresses, flowy tops and long tank tops with stretch. These will fit better, save your pocket book and who knows… maybe look good after your pregnancy!

• Thin belts: Placed under the bump, these have been my best friend. It tells the whole world, “Yes, I’m pregnant, and there’s a baby in there.”

• Bangles: My other new best friend, they draw attention away from your growing belly.  As my friend Emily Lang says, “You look put together, when you have a bracelet on.”

• Necklaces – long, short, big and small: If you are sad because your favorite store sent you a coupon that you can’t use because it doesn’t carry maternity clothes…buy a piece of cocktail jewelry! It’s a cheap thrill that will get you through days when you don’t feel so good.

• Spray tan: In case your doctor hasn’t told you, tanning beds are a BIG no no when you are pregnant. But really, is there any reason to do that to our skin these days? Instead, spring for a can of St. Tropez and lather on you new faux glow.
• Paws and Claws: You deserve a little pampering; why not go get a pedicure and to save money by doing the manicure yourself. My secret obsession is the Kiss or Broadway press on nails. Yes, I’m talking press-ons! Over the years, companies like Kiss have came out with amazing products that look just like the $45 shellac that takes hours.
• Scarves: These are a fun way to dress up a comfy T-shirt or a bland twinset. Adding a pop of color can do wonders!
• Capture your favorites: Sometimes it helps to offset baby brain by taking quick pics of your favorite outfits or spend sometime on Pinterest pining cute mama-to-be outfits. At first I had these ideas on my baby board, but after a few weeks I realized it needed its own category. 

Remember, on the days you feel your worst… try to look your best. It may feel pointless, but you never know where the day can take you. While some would say I have had an easy pregnancy, I think mind over matter has been my best friend.

Wishing all of you a happy and chic pregnancy!