Maternity shoots are a right of passage that I feel that all pregnant women should spend the time and money on. After everything your body does during these 9 months it’s important to embrace and celebrate all the changes by documenting it. Picking an outfit that makes you feel glamorous and comfortable is key to having a successful shoot.
This gown was created by the amazing team at Sew Trendy Accessories, a brand that specializes in handmade maternity gowns, formal gowns, boudoir clothing, gown accessories and newborn outfits ideal for photo shoots. I picked the timeless Krysten gown in white, because I loved the long sleeves and elegance of the cut.
When you order your gown and send in your measurement there are some options you can choose from to customize the dress. I chose the boat neck, rather than a droop back, to ensure I could wear a bra and picked to have a simple train instead of the exaggerated ones. If you are looking for maternity shoot inspiration, check out their Instagram account, as it served as a daily source of the most magical and beautiful images.
We shot this at 35 weeks pregnant on a freezing cold day at the Scarborough Bluffs. Other outfits that I’ve shot that could have worked for a maternity shoot are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and one of my favourites 6.
Dress & Headpiece: C/O Sew Trendy Accessories, Jewellery: Vintage
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As the second part of my home reveal (part one: the kitchen), I thought I’d share the room that I’ve been living in since I discovered I was pregnant. From the early stages of the first trimester, I felt quite sick, so I basically spent most of my time sleeping on the couch, and now as we are in the final countdown (two more months) I get so tired after any simple task that I’m back to napping on the couch.
With all this napping, it makes me happy that I invested in such a comfortable couch. We scored an amazing deal from on the Maxwell leather sectional from Restoration Hardware’s Outlet located in Toronto Premium Outlet. By signing up for their emails, I found out that their outlet had an additional 50% off on their already reduced prices during last year’s holiday sales (I think I got it on New Year’s Day – so stay tuned for their upcoming sales!).
We also did our research and chose to invest in quality window coverings that would allow lots of light in (I wanted to ensure our corner unit remained bright), while shading the mid-day sun we get. We picked Vision Shades from Mera Window Fashions, which would help keep our home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer, while keeping UV rays out of our home.
Trevor and I were fortunate enough to have inherited a vintage swing chair that was my grandparents. I fell in love with an ink spotted fabric from Ikea (they have amazing fabrics for great prices) and hired the talented Charlene Gilmour from The Big Stuff, who reupholstered our chair. She also created matching throw pillows which ties the room together perfectly.
The rest of our accessories and furniture we collected over time or have taken from our parents, who are always downsizing. We wanted our home to feel comfortable (lots of textiles and blankets) and have an eclectic vibe showcasing beautiful and whimsical decor.
Oh and Taco had just gotten neutered when we decided to shoot this room. His cone is basically an inflated pillow and we highly recommend it to any pet owner.
Couch: Restoration Hardware, Rug: Ikea, Coffee table: CDI from Hudson’s Bay, Media unit: Restoration Hardware, Taco’s (dog) bed: Ikea, Blanket ladder: Ikea (old), Picture frames: Ikea, Gold shelves: Vintage, Lighting: Target, Window coverings: Mera Window Fashions, Decor & accessories: Georg Jenson, Nambe, vintage, Saje and Kosta Boda
Barbara is wearing: Top: Ripe Maternity from Carry Maternity, Bottoms: Zara
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One of the unexpected fashion struggles I’ve recently been faced with, while growing this little nugget in my stomach, was planning for a formal event. Typically I shop early and plan ahead when attending a wedding, gala or something that requires a new gown. But when you are unsure of how big you’ll be at the time of the event, it creates an extra level of difficulty and stress.
For my cousin’s wedding a few weeks back, I began my search online, looking for local stores that would carry something formal and fun and that would fit a me at 25 weeks. I kept finding myself on ASOS browsing their huge selection of dresses. Having only shopped on their site once before, and not too pleased with the sizes (or duties) of the items I had purchased, I found myself hesitant to order, but I finally came around a few days later when I felt that there weren’t other affordable options that would really work. I picked out a handful of dresses with two in mind for this event. Two would provide me choice, given the inability to try it on, or knowledge of how big my bump would be at the time of the event. When the order arrived, this off-the-shoulder blue dress was the clear winner, as the other option could fit a bump double the size and a bust half the size.
I do love this dress and it had caught my eye on their site super early during my pregnancy, when I was researching flattering silhouettes. The body-con shape leaves nothing to the imagination and shows the world your beautiful growing bump.
The struggle is definitely real shopping online, especially on sites that you don’t often shop on. But the task is even harder when your body is going through daily changes. I still hope I can find an occasion to wear the other dress as it’s stunning, or at least fit into it to properly to share with you on the blog.
Dress: ASOS Maternity, Shoes: 424 Fifth, Bracelet: Swarovski, Necklace & Earrings: Vintage
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We are now mid-wedding season, and I found myself attracted to a classic shapes this season, that is totally new for me. For the last few years, it was all about gowns when it came to wedding-dressing (two examples of stunning gowns I’ve worn to some fabulous weddings: 1, 2). I loved how glamorous I felt in a floor sweeping gown while twirling on a dance floor. But this season, and it may be the humid temperatures, I’ve found myself tempted by shorter silhouette for formal engagements.
Typically I wouldn’t wear a short dress to a formal event, as it never really felt as elegant as I wanted to, until I laid eyes on this silk embroidered shift dress from Stella McCartney. It was love and first sight. From the colour to the floral details, not to mention the pockets, it truly was like nothing else I have in my wardrobe and knew I had to have it.
I paired this beauty with my favourite vintage choker and the matching earrings I picked up at The One of a Kind Craft Show a few seasons ago, and was absolutely in love with this ensemble.
Dress: Stella McCartney, Necklace: Vintage, Earrings: OOAK, Shoes: Nine West (old)
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One of my favourite accessories to invest in are earrings. Timeless, elegant, and statement pieces that can stand alone to add detail and glam to any outfit. I often tag @tnegin in jewellery posts on Instagram to inspire him for my next anniversary/birthday/just cause present. My theories regarding gifting include to know your audience – so never be afraid to give people hints.
Earlier this year, Trevor and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary of being together, which is really surreal and definitely has been feeling all sorts of old. To celebrate this special moment, I was spoiled after pointing out earrings by Michelle Ross while shopping at the One of a Kind show. I loved the distressed aesthetic of antique hammered gold mixed with the fresh water pearls.
Being my birthstone, pearls have always meant so much to me, and I have been collecting special pieces over the years. These reminded me of a pair of earrings that my mother used to wear of cluster drop-down pearls.This spring, statement earrings are all the rage and there are so many different versions, from natural stones like these, to colourful fringe to (my next purchase) gold hoops.
Dress: Ganni, Earrings: Francie by Michelle Ross Shoes: old (similar, similar, similar), Frames: Joseph Marc from Clearly.ca
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Coat Confessions: Part 3 Winter Formal Edition
Coat Confessions: Part 4 – The Denim Details
I’ve never been so happy to see the end of a year come. 2016 was rough, emotionally for me, and the last few weeks I’ve spent focused on my health and wellness, which will continue through into 2017 and hopefully make it my most successful year. Thank you for all of the love and support this past year!
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For the last few weeks, Fashion Magazine has asked their style panel to discuss this season’s top colour trends, Metallics and millennial pink. Without realizing it, I basically wore the same outfit twice. My love for these trends is real.
Read about Metallics
Read about millennial pink
Metallics: Sweatshirt: Skinny Sweats, Skirt: Pink Tartan, Boots: Zara, Frames: Clearly.ca, Earrings & Necklace: Catbird
Millennial pink: Blazer: Theory, Sweater: Halogen Cashmere, Pants: Topshop Canada, Earrings: Vintage, Glasses: Clearly.ca, Shoes: Carven x Robert Clergerie at The Room
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Once again, the dress-silhouette of the season, is the slip dress and with this spring’s weather being more humid than usual, it’s absolutely perfect. To update the trending dress for 2016, I’ve paired it with simple mules and a dainty choker, that I removed for some pictures as it was getting caught in my hair (that I’m beyond obsessed with btw).
Slip dresses are so easy to wear, and because they are so on trend, you can find them in literally every length and fabric. Some of my favourite slips that I’ve styled are; this simple denim maxi dress, this sexy slip for an evening out, and the one I wear the most, the classic striped one.
What are your favourite ways to style the slip dress?
Dress: Finder’s Keeper’s, mules: Zara, frames: Derek Cardigan
Photography by 2Boo Studio
Fashion Magazine asked their style panel to talk about their hat collections, and how to style this winter accessory, while still looking cute. This is what I said.
Sweaters: Halogen Cashmere (pink turtle neck) & Lafayette 148 New York (white)
Hats: Roots (Toronto Maple Leafs), Urban Outfitters (bear), H&M (wide-brim), vintage (trapper)
Glasses: Kam Dhillon (clear cat-eyes) Derek Cardigans all from Clearly.ca
Photography by Trevor Negin
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Getting ready for a wedding is one thing. It becomes a completely different story, when you’re injured. For those who don’t know, I tore my meniscus back in October (after Fashion Week, thankfully), and have been living in running shoes and oxfords for some times awaiting surgery. But when one of your best friends gets married, you know you have to still bring it.
Planning this outfit took more time than expected, as my main concern was my knee, and ensuring I could still walk by the end of the night. The dress, I knew had to be long, incase I woke up that day in pain and would need to wear my knee brace. The heel would have to be minimal which would be a first for me. And I would need to plan ahead with a pair of flats so that I could change at any point.
I found this dress, effortlessly during boxing week, at Hudson’s Bay. There were almost too many beautiful gowns to choose from, and ended up buying two. The studded straps sold me on this Halston Heritage gown though, as the bride, in my mind has always been a badass. The shoes, seemed to be more difficult because I procrastinated, and waited too long to go searching, and most places were sold out of my size. I found solid gold at Zara, with these laced-up-chunky-heels that lasted me the entire night! The coat was the easiest part, a vintage fur I found while vacation up north with family, perfect fir a cold winter night.
Check out Part 1 and 2 of this outerwear series.
Dress: Halston Heritage, Fur coat: vintage, Shoes: Zara, Earrings: Erickson Beamon
Photography by Trevor Negin