Planning a New Year’s Eve outfit is usually a daunting task, having to take into account how you will be celebrating, what the weather will be like, and ensuring you’d be comfortable for what is typically a long night. I remember in my 20s, spending hours freezing while waiting for cabs to pick up my girlfriends and I, while wearing somewhat inappropriate outfits for winter in Canada. Times have most definitely changed.
This year, at 37 weeks pregnant, my night will be a bit different than years previous. Trevor and I will be keeping the evening plans simple and quiet, while visiting with some friends at their house. Now that we are in a new stage, with #babyNegin on-the-way, ensuring comfort will be the single most important thing for me when getting dressed for the evening out.
Like, I’ve said throughout my pregnancy, knits have been my go-to choice of fabric, (examples: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) as they are so easy and stretch well allowing for my bump to stay cozy. I quickly fell in love with this simple black midi dress from Tobi (which is on sale now), and it will likely be my NYE outfit paired with sparkly necklace or statement earrings. I am also obsessed with the fact that these stretchy knits will fit well postpartum, as I work to get my pre-baby body back.
Dress: C/O Tobi, Hat: Helene Berman (old), Frames: RayBan C/O Clearly, Boots: Dr. Martens, Tights: H&M Mama
]]>Now that we are into December and the holidays are right around the corner, I find myself drawn to comfortable and chunky sweaters. Probably the only real reason I like when the temperatures drop is that we are able to layer up and stay cozy in fabulous knits.
Being pregnant while in winter, sweaters have become my go-to, as their stretch allows for the bump to shine. When I came across the super trendy site, Tobi, I was drawn to their amazing selection of sweater dresses, and quickly picked up a few. This rose coloured one (now on sale!) has been my go-to, for it’s oversized nature and slight bell sleeves. Because Tobi, is not a maternity site, I did go up a size to allow for the growing bump and to ensure this chunky knit dress will still be cozy throughout the season.
Also wanted to remind you of Daniel Wellington’s Holiday Bundle, which makes an amazing gift for the upcoming holidays. With the purchase of any watch and cuff, you’ll get 10% off your order and get an additional 15% using my BARBARAANN promo code!
Sweater Dress: C/O Tobi, Boots: Zara (old), Glasses: C/O Main + Central from Clearly.ca, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington, Socks: American Apparel
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Strong and bold accessories will help glam up this look and add seasonally appropriate sparkle. These pink cat-eye Friday frames from the new Main + Central Tortoiseshell collection paired with beautiful earrings compliment the outfit perfectly. When choosing frames from my collection to wear, I always look for a shape and colour that add interest to an outfit.
Shopping for glasses online, you may find it hard to choose which shape works best for your face, but Clearly has an amazing part of their site which helps you pick the best frame for your shape. I’ve always been drawn to the cat-eye shape and haven’t taken this pair off since I got them, as I love feminine shape and perfect colour.
Don’t forget to shop at Clearly using the promo code BARBARAANN20 for 20% off frames and lenses (some exclusions apply).
Dress: C/O Ripe Maternity from Carry Maternity, Frames: C/O Friday Frames by Main & Central from Clearly, Earrings: Michelle Ross, Watch: C/O Daniel Wellington, Shoes: Zara (old)
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
]]>I feel like so many of us will be holding onto every last ounce of beautiful weather we get before the cold fall and what is expecting to be a brutal winter come charging into the city. With how our summer went (if you didn’t hear about it), Trevor and I are trying to make up for lost time by enjoying these beautiful early fall days filled with beautiful temperatures and the sun beaming down on us.
Last week, when we had some beautiful and unseasonably warm temperatures we ventured to Andrew’s Scenic Acres to pick some of their breathtaking dahlias, fresh corn and some delicious blueberries (which we later baked into a peach and blueberry pie). Upon driving up to the farm, located North-West of Toronto, in Milton I was initially excited for the fresh fruit but once I witnessed their flower fields I could not contain my excitement. I ran towards the gardens and was in complete awe. I spent close to 45 minutes just frolicking in the beautiful field, surrounded by thousands of these blooms, as I picked a beautiful bunch to bring home.
As we approach the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, Toronto is expecting another burst of warm weather. Do you have any plans for the long weekend?
Dress: Mendocino, Glasses: C/O Clearly.ca, Bracelet: C/O Swarovski
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At 21 weeks, my body is has changed drastically from what it was in early spring to where we are now, at the end of summer. My curves have become bumps and these bumps have and will continue to expand over the next 19 weeks, as baby Negin develops into a mini person.
The way that your body changes, during pregnancy, is really a lot to process and as your wardrobe comes smaller and more limited, it’s hard not to feel at times negative about your new body. It took me a while to realize that this body is now serving a different purpose for the first time. It’s no longer about me and my health, but rather about creating this new life in the healthiest way possible.
To help combat the negative feelings I was having, I stored away the clothing that no longer fit me, so each morning it wasn’t staring me in the face, tempting to be tried on. I found that styling the bump, in my current wardrobe, as I haven’t really gone maternity shopping yet, has been very difficult. One trend that I am loving is to show off my curves in tighter fitting dresses and pairing it with layers like blazers (fall’s hottest jacket), kimonos, duster coats and cardigans.
Dress: Lumiere Fashion (old), Blazer: Banana Republic (old), Boots: Zara (old), Eyewear: C/O Clearly, Watch: Daniel Wellington
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