cardigan: thrifted, refashioned | shirt: Target | jeans: Motherhood Maternity | shoes: Blowfish | scarf & belt: thrifted | anchor pin: made by me
Where to begin? Frankly, there is too much in the past three weeks to condense succinctly into a blog post, nor do I want to rehash everything that has gone on. Suffice to say there have been some lovely moments (Miss Blueberry’s kicks growing more energetic and even visible at times; SH coming home after weeks away, hosting Thanksgiving for a handful of sailors), and some moments that made me want to scream and cry all at once (pregnancy hormones seem to exacerbate stressful things…). I’ve been busy with a few creative things in the background, and I want to share all the baby knitting I’ve done over the course of the month with you! Let’s not forget Christmas either; my favorite time of year! I have a post in the works on some decorating things I’ve done around here, as well as my annual cookie baking. But first I wanted to show y’all how big this bump is getting! hehe!
Some days I’m a bit sad I can’t wear my favorite vintage dresses and skirts right now, but on the whole I’m fairly satisfied with the maternity wardrobe I’ve been piecing together and how I’m crafting outfits around my new figure. Accessories have become a big part of my daily dressing, and scarves have been in heavy rotation! I was so excited when I saw Tasha’s tutorial on how to create a backroll ‘do using a scarf (if you haven’t checked it out yet, you must!), because it just gives me another excuse to wear one of my colorful squares. It’s so easy and works well with my long, thick hair–a style I hope to keep in my hip pocket for those post-birth days I need to just get my locks out of the way!
I hope y’all have each had a lovely November! (And my American readers had a great Thanksgiving last week!) I shall be back shortly with some knitting updates!
Twenty weeks pregnant means I’m definitely moving from making regular clothes work into roomier garments (and yes, maternity clothes–I got desperate and acquired a few things recently!). This dress (which is not maternity–I bought it years ago) I knew would be perfect once the weather cooled down–and it has been so comfortable to wear! I know some people hate shift dresses on pregnant women (and I thought I’d shy away from this style), but let me tell you: this is perhaps the most comfortable I’ve been in a long while! lol. I think it really boils down to proportions though: since this is a shift shape, the shorter hemline works to counter balance the fullness.
Not much else to say about this outfit–so let’s talk about something exciting! A couple weeks ago I had the anatomical ultrasound, where we found out the baby’s gender! I was pretty convinced I was having a boy–but was I right?
Nope!!! To say we’re excited to welcome a little girl into our lives next year doesn’t quiet sum it up! Either would have been delightful and welcomed with open hearts, but I have to admit the idea of a “mini Casey” (as everyone keeps referring to her!) is more than a bit fun! There has been a lot of knitting of little girl things (including the sweater above; I plan on doing a knitting post in a couple weeks) and perhaps a few stops at thrift stores for cute girl clothes since we found out. I can’t help it: suddenly teeny tiny clothes are irresistible to me! Poor SH–he keeps coming home to the top drawer in the nursery dresser getting more and more full. At least we’re doing it on the cheap (thrift stores and hand-me-downs from kind friends–something we’re really thankful for!). hehe!
Now just 19 more weeks until we meet her! It can’t come soon enough…
As the halfway point of this pregnancy draws closer and closer (how did it sneak up on me like this?! lol.), I’ve been finding myself musing over teeny tiny clothes for the Blueberry. Hopefully, we’ll find out soon what the baby’s gender is, so I can really get started on planning a cute wardrobe! I have a real weakness for baby and toddler clothes from the 1920s through 40s, and these pages show some really adorable pieces I’d love to have in the nursery’s dresser drawers. Gingham! Rompers! Cute little sunbonnets! What’s not to love? I’ve decided, no matter what the Blueberry is (meaning boy or girl!) I need to make some little shorts overalls like the ones on the bottom of the last page for next summer. I suspect if this baby is anything like SH and I, it’ll be a scooter and have the proverbial “ants in it’s pants” even at an early age…
P.S. Thank you for the words of concern and good health for my mom in the previous post. She has been so touched and heartened by reading those!
tshirt: Anne Taylor | skirt: thrifted | hat: vintage, gift | bow: self made | shoes: Remix Vintage | handbag: vintage, estate sale | earrings: gift | charm bracelet: vintage, family heirloom
I think being pregnant is making my brain come up with crazy outfits like this one! We went on a little daytrip to Colonial Williamsburg, and somehow I just had to wear this hat. (SH, in good humor, refers to my vintage hats as “silly hats”–which is entirely the fault of the Thin Man movies.) It was a gift from my sister in law this year and dates to the 1930s. The hat reminds me a bit of the hats in The Women (particularly the beach wear during the fashion show), and of one in particular on the envelope illustration of a 1940s playsuit pattern I own. It was serendipity this one came to live with me!
We had such a lovely time at Williamsburg (I wish I had gotten more photos to share)–our first real “date day” in what seems like ages (but has really only been a couple of very long months). Not only did we enjoy walking around and getting dinner at one of the taverns (my first time), but I ran into two lovely blog readers! Not once, but twice–we kept bumping into each other. It was so lovely to meet them (hello, Rebecca and J. if you’re reading this!), and chat about sewing, mutual schooling experiences, and whatnot. Plus they were wearing gorgeous 18th century gowns while touring Williamsburg–so eyecatching. (And it gave me ideas as I have a 1780s gown that just needs new undergarments to be worn… Perhaps post-baby?)
On the baby front… I felt the Blueberry move for the first time! Fifteen weeks is really early, or so I’ve heard, but not entirely unusual. It was weird to realize that the little “popcorn popping” feelings I kept noticing when I was resting was the baby. So neat! I had a visit with my midwife this week, and not only did I get to hear the baby’s heartbeat, but I seem to be right on track for this pregnancy. It just seems weird to think that this time next month I shall pretty much have arrived at the halfway point–time is beginning to go by so quickly! We’re already at the point of starting to discuss things like a crib and the set-up for the baby after it’s born. Honestly, the months cannot go fast enough for me, since I’m eager to meet this little person!
And now for the winner of the pattern giveaway! Congratulations, Alli! I’ve contacted you via email already. Don’t despair if you didn’t win this time; I still have a few other giveaways for this fall up my sleeve!
dress: vintage, thrifted | sweater: vintage, estate sale | belt: thrifted | shoes: ASOS | earrings: Etsy | bracelets: thrifted
Needless to say, this is one of the last of my truly vintage dresses that fit (thankfully, most of my blouses and sweaters still do!). That little person in there has been busy growing the past week! Which of course means my belly is growing. I have been so hungry lately too (a welcome change from the previous 2 months), so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a little plumping-up going on. hehe!
But more on this 1940s dress: I thrifted it years ago and could never part with it despite that it’s always been too large. The fabric is so charming as is the handmade nature of the dress. It’s still a bit big pretty much everywhere except my belly, but because it “fits” it works! Belting helps a bit too since I have to hike it up over the bump. I think I may have gotten my seasons mixed up a bit with this dress though: it’s far more spring-like than autumn! But the weather is being finicky right now–low 70s one day and mid 80s the next. Frustrating with an already limited closet… (Thank goodness for lots of cute sweaters like this 1950s era beaded estate sale find.) Hilariously, not 15 minutes after I took these photos, I sneezed and broke the belt. Lesson learned: vintage belts that have seen better days are not the best choice when you’re wearing them over your ribcage atop the bump (and are prone to rather violent sneezes anyway). lol.
Oh, and the title of this post? Pistol Packin’ Mama has been going through my head (don’t try to understand why; things randomly come to me in the wee hours and stick for the next day!). lol. But it is one of my 1940s favorites.
