Yesterday, I posted my guide to Maternity Style. Today I’m back with my guide for staying cute while nursing. You may return to your pre-pregnancy size (or not), but breastfeeding rules out a lot of your old clothes. I nursed for over a year the first time and I’m about to start again with baby number two, so it was fun for me to pull this together. And just like last time, please let me know if you have any questions or tips of your own in the comments!
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© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Nursing Fashion Guide | 72 comments

Maternity wear can throw even the cutest gals for a loop. It is possible to maintain your sense of style through pregnancy though, and below are my tips. Tomorrow I’ll post the companion guide: Nursing Style. Let me know if you have any questions or tips of your own in the comments!
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© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Maternity Fashion Guide | 73 comments

A few people have asked for some maternity and nursing fashion help, so I’m going to put together a little guide and I should have it ready next week. Oh, and here’s a nice side view for you. I love the stripes peeking out!

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Huge | 110 comments

Looks like Eleanor’s going to get a little brother!

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as We’re Having a Boy! | 161 comments

My sweet, colorful, lovely little studio is going to move into the scary basement. I’ll miss you, studio!

I’ll be honest. I’m pretty sensitive to my surroundings, so working in our unfinished basement is going to be a bit depressing. Plus I scare easily and I think my assistant Erika might too, and I can see us both being weirded out by spending time down there. It IS a little spooky, but we don’t have any other options.

Eventually Brandon and I would like to put up drywall and make the lower level feel like the rest of our home, but we don’t have the budget right now. We’ll clean it up and arrange things as best we can, but I fear it will still be icky.

*Update*
I mentioned the basement walls in a couple of the comments below, but here is a photo. Unpaintable, bizarre crackled tiles. No ceiling either, and wires everywhere. Here’s a link to view the photo in a larger size.

My studio will become Eleanor’s new room though, and that will make me happy. It’s going to be adorable! And the room (12×12) feels so much bigger than her current space (7×14 with sloped ceilings), so that will be nice for her. The nursery will stay a nursery since it works really well as such. I do plan to make at least a few changes though, regardless of gender. I want the new baby to have a look of his/her own.

Now all of this puts greater urgency on #9 of my 30 Before Thirty list: Clean out the basement. All of this shuffling of space hinges on getting it ready, and I am SO not looking forward to that task.

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Making Room for Baby | 129 comments

Also, I think our matching mother/daughter dresses are funny. ;)

This pregnancy has been less worrisome than the first, but I have been exhausted (and nauseous). I’m looking forward to getting a little energy back and feeling better as I head into the second trimester.

I’m due February 12 and Eleanor won’t turn two until April 29, so we’ll have two under two for a while. Sounds… challenging! But it also sounds fun.

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Another Baby | 413 comments

Thank you all for your sweet comments and support throughout the pregnancy! Today is Brandon’s birthday and we’ve just arrived home from the hospital after a slightly extended stay. There were a few complications throughout the inducing process and delivery, but I’m doing well and Eleanor is happy and healthy.

She has blue eyes, brown hair, and she’s just beautiful. We’re so in love with her.

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as Eleanor Ann Balch | 695 comments

So for now… fashion! Glorious frivolity!

I’m eager to wear normal clothes again, though I’m sure it will take me a while to get back to my pre-pregnancy size. Plus I know babies do lovely things like spit-up, so I’m trying to be practical and choose easy wash and wear clothing. A comfy stretchy skirt and a ruffled henley should fit the bill. And how awesome would Moop’s Fraulein Tote be as a diaper bag? I think it would work exceedingly well.

I saw the red t-strap shoes in the Urban Outfitters catalog about a month ago and I’ve been pining for them ever since. They’re pretty much perfect— the low heel looks like a good height to add some style but still be a very walking-friendly shoe. A kicky striped bangle would pick up the red nicely, and gold hoop earrings would be a nice touch too.

OK, that was fun. Didn’t really take my mind off things since I’m basing my wardrobe choices around my upcoming new lifestyle as a mom (!), but it was fun nonetheless. Now I’m off to worry about tomorrow…

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as Style: May ’09 | 145 comments

She’ll get here when she gets here, so we’re just waiting patiently…

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as One Week Past Due | 153 comments

But Brandon made breakfast for me this morning! Eggs, sausage, and French toast = YUM.

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as Due Date | 107 comments