Spring Florals and A Giveaway

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It’s so ironic. Over the past 36 weeks, my body has done one of the most feminine acts possible, growing a child, though I for most of the time, I have not felt very feminine. As I began my pregnancy, I spent time reading multiple books, blogs and perusing baby apps. Every single one promised me the same thing – an incredible pregnancy glow. While my face has enjoyed a bit of a glow and tan thanks to chloasma, this glow and artificial tan has not left me feeling pretty.

There comes a point in pregnancy when nothing starts to fit and getting dressed, even for a work from home job, becomes a battle and teary-eyed breakdown just waiting to happen. I’ve experienced this during three different points in pregnancy:

  • Week 15 or so, when I felt bloated and as if I’d had a giant burrito for lunch that kept my pants from buttoning.
  • Week 26 or so, just when Spring and multiple trips and celebrations were about to take place.
  • Week 35 when I started retaining water and even my maternity clothes started to feel uncomortable.

These days, I find myself only wanting to wear my 25 year old XL boxer shorts (Yes, I typed the number 25 next to years and it’s true, I’ve had these Jockey boxer shorts for 25 years. I realize that in itself is a topic for an entirely separate post.) and an oversized long-sleeved t-shirt because these are the two most comfortable articles of clothing I own. Even though I have built a wardrobe of 10-15 different maternity pieces, at this point in pregnancy, many of them no longer feel comfortable. The t-shirts are getting a bit too small, the dresses a bit too short and the leggings a bit too tight, especially in my calves.

Since the pregnancy weight gain has made me revert back to some of my high school and college fashion tendancies, when I was over 200 pounds, I realize now that I spent much of my pregnancy trying to camoflauge my body. Part of this was due to being pregnant in Winter when almost all New York Women dress in head to toe black. But, even beyond that, I’ve done little to draw attention to my bump or new, round shape.

It wasn’t until Pink Blush reached out to me, offering to send me a dress for my upcoming bridal shower, that I realized many pregnant women opt for vibrant colors and prints even during their third trimester. The pictures I saw of real women on their site gave me hope that there was a place for Spring florals in my wardrobe.

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For those of you who haven’t heard of Pink Blush previously, it is not only a maternity brand. In fact, their site is filled with Women’s, Women’s Plus and Maternity clothing ranging from their famous dresses and tops to shoes, active wear and even accesories. Their large selection of reasonably priced maternity dresses and tops have made them famous within the maternity clothing scene as their quality, selection and price point is beyond your imagination! Their variety of styles, patterns and prints allow any woman, regardless their shape or size, to find something that will make them feel feminine and pretty.

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I fell so in love with the Pink Blush Mint Floral Sash Tie Dress that I have worn it for multiple occasions over the past six weeks.  The v-neckline flatters while also allowing for this dress to transition into a nursing-friendly dress after pregnancy. Even with my growing bump, the long length allows the dress to skim my ankles. But, my favorite part of the dress was the way the vibrant aqua and pink colors finally helped me find that elusive pregnancy glow.

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Inspired by their 25% of Memorial Day Sale email, this week I ordered a few things to enjoy in the coming weeks and months:

Your Turn –  CONTEST OVER – WINNER IS #27 – Sarah. Want to enter the giveaway for a $75 PinkBlush gift card?  Leave a comment letting me know what ONE topic you’d like to see more of on the blog. The giveaway will end Monday at 10pm EST. 

Thank you to Pink Blush for sponsoring this giveaway and for the gorgeous dress. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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46 Comments

  1. Carol May 25, 2017 / 8:28 pm

    I’d love to see more of your NYC tips!

  2. Gladys May 25, 2017 / 8:37 pm

    I’d like to see more of your experiences within NYC – I am a NYC resident as well.

  3. Therese May 25, 2017 / 8:38 pm

    I would LOVE to have a Pink Blush maternity dress! I’m 29 weeks with baby #2 now, so I’m always up for hearing more about how other moms experience pregnancy and the newborn stage 🙂

  4. Molly L. May 25, 2017 / 8:55 pm

    Ahhh I love this! I am now 8 weeks pregnant after 2 losses in 2017 and I am so excited to hopefully get to buy maternity clothes soon. I am just now starting to understand the weirdness and not feeling quite like myself, in my own body.

    I would love to see more posts about navigating relationships between friends and family (especially different friend groups) when big life things happen – new jobs, moves, new baby, marriage, etc.

    Also – I would love to read posts eventually about transitioning to new motherhood and then back to getting into work because work/life/motherhood is something that I’m starting to think about into the future.

  5. Ashley May 25, 2017 / 9:13 pm

    That dress is so springy and absolutely gorgeous! I also love the robe you ordered 🙂

    I would like to see easy/healthy recipe ideas as I’ve been in a rut recently. I’m also looking forward to seeing your transition to motherhood. I’m still a few years away from wanting kids, but I still like reading about pregnancy and thereafter! 🙂

  6. Alli Anderson May 25, 2017 / 9:25 pm

    I can’t wait to get tips for staying healthy while balancing a newborn, breastfeeding etc! I’m on baby #2 and it’s so hard to try to be healthy when you’re sleep deprived and nursing! I never had many pregnancy cravings, but both times my nursing cravings have been intense!

  7. Hannah May 25, 2017 / 9:26 pm

    Love to hear about life after baby. My friend hadn’t a rough birthing experience and finding it hard to transition back to work.

  8. Jade May 25, 2017 / 9:40 pm

    Healthy easy to make recipes as your transition into a different kind of busy lifestyle 🙂 so excited for y’all!

  9. Sarah Lindsey May 25, 2017 / 9:57 pm

    I would love to see more Day in the life posts! I’m so curious about your life in NYC!

  10. Kristin miller May 25, 2017 / 10:06 pm

    I love that dress!!! I have to check out this company. I’d love to see having a babe in nyc I think it’s a cute topics and you guys will do such fun things!

  11. Laura May 25, 2017 / 10:10 pm

    I am OBSESSED with pink blush and I’ve already purchased 5 dresses from their site alone! (I’m 20 weeks pregnant right now). I’d love to see more about your plans for after baby and how you’re planning to adjust your work life/relationship with friends and family/your working out schedule after the baby is born. When I look into the future past our due date all I see is a blank page so I’d love to know more about your thoughts on this!

  12. noel May 25, 2017 / 10:39 pm

    Definitely like to hear your perspective as a working mom to be

  13. Krystal May 25, 2017 / 10:56 pm

    I’d love seeing when you talk about balancing work with maintain a strong home life.

  14. Kait May 25, 2017 / 11:09 pm

    I’m expecting my second baby in September and appreciate you letting us know about this site ! I can’t wait to read more about your transition to motherhood.

  15. Michelle May 25, 2017 / 11:17 pm

    Love the dress. I am interested in reading about your new life as a mom!

  16. Rebekah Richardson May 25, 2017 / 11:53 pm

    I love this dress on you! I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant and am feeling all the same feelings. Thanks for the discount heads up. I’m needing a swimming suit to make it through summer.

    I’d love to hear about products you registered for for baby and which ones you end up loving.

  17. Natalie Cooper May 26, 2017 / 12:14 am

    Have you ever done PiYo? Also, want to compare/contrast some of the different cardio you do (orangetheory vs. spin for instance)
    Oh, and I’m pregnant. 😉 15 weeks and totally at that “I have a belly and my pants are barely buttoning” stage.

  18. Kristen G. May 26, 2017 / 12:34 am

    I’d love to hear more about your plans to transition to being a working mom. I’m 23 weeks and would love to put this towards a dress for my baby shower in july!

  19. Sari May 26, 2017 / 1:14 am

    would love more of your favorite things posts! those are the best!

  20. carol clark May 26, 2017 / 1:21 am

    some of your favorite things id like to see more of

  21. Jenn May 26, 2017 / 1:49 am

    Love the pregnancy, new baby, birth story, daily eat examples and your journey back into fitness after the baby comes posts!

  22. Caryn May 26, 2017 / 2:31 am

    You look beautiful!! I love your posts about quick healthy and easy meals, especially breakfasts because that’s something I always struggle with –
    Especially things I can make ahead and bring to work! Also I can’t wait to see more posts from you on life as a new mama 🙂

  23. Eve May 26, 2017 / 5:49 am

    I’d like to hear about balancing life as a mom who works full time from home!

  24. Rose May 26, 2017 / 11:52 am

    I’m not pregnant but one of my best running friend is so I would love to win this giftcard for her! Looking forward to reading about your life as a new mom.

  25. Sarah K. May 26, 2017 / 12:57 pm

    I would love to hear more tips about working from home!

    • ashleyd June 16, 2017 / 1:44 pm

      I hope you saw Wednesday’s post as it is all about working more efficiently, especially from home!

  26. Alison Gibson May 26, 2017 / 12:59 pm

    Honestly I feel like I’ve transitioned into this new phase right after you. I’m due with my first in August and going through the struggles of not running, and new things happening. So the current mish-mash of your current life has really applied to me and its refreshing!

  27. Paige May 26, 2017 / 1:12 pm

    Would love to hear more about your favorite things to do in New York!

  28. anna k May 26, 2017 / 1:14 pm

    i am excited for baby posts after your little one arrives!

  29. Colleen May 26, 2017 / 2:22 pm

    I’m 25 weeks and have perused pink blush often- would love to pull the trigger on a dress for my baby shower!

  30. Jennifer May 26, 2017 / 3:22 pm

    I am 32 weeks pregnant and am very interested in postpartum fitness!

  31. Sarah May 26, 2017 / 3:22 pm

    I love Pink Blush! I’m 30 weeks pregnant and the two dresses I own from them are my favorites!

    I would love to see a post about your nursery. Must have items and how you’ve decorated it.

    • ashleyd May 30, 2017 / 1:00 pm

      Congratulations Sarah! You were the winner in the random integer drawing! I will send your information to Pink Blush today and yes, I will share more details about the nursery this week or next!

  32. Shelley May 26, 2017 / 5:35 pm

    I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been enjoing your honest take on the many ups and few downs of pregnancy. I’d love to see more posts about life with baby — fitness, meals, and finding your new version of healthy and happy.

  33. Shelley May 26, 2017 / 5:35 pm

    I am 29 weeks pregnant and have been enjoying your honest take on the many ups and few downs of pregnancy. I’d love to see more posts about life with baby — fitness, meals, and finding your new version of healthy and happy.

  34. Kirsten @ little bites of my life May 26, 2017 / 5:38 pm

    I love that you compared week 15 to eating a giant burrito. I have never been pregnant before but I know what a belly with a giant burrito feels like! As I type that I know what I want for lunch!!!!

  35. alex May 26, 2017 / 7:31 pm

    I’ve been following along with your pregnancy and am a few weeks behind you. So selfishly I’d like to see more about you with your new baby! Also I saw Pink Blush was having a sale today so I was going to finally place an order!

  36. Lauren May 27, 2017 / 1:59 am

    I work from home so that lifestyle with a baby is relevant and I’d like to hear about it.

  37. Laura May 27, 2017 / 1:05 pm

    I’d love to read about the transition to life as a new mom! You keep things real and honest, and I think all of us pregnant ladies could appreciate a perspective on what to expect!

  38. Amy May 27, 2017 / 5:41 pm

    I’m 25 weeks pregnant with my second baby, so I am all about the motherhood posts!!

  39. Hannah May 27, 2017 / 6:43 pm

    Love day in the life posts!

  40. Lindsay May 28, 2017 / 1:53 am

    I feel like this is asking a lot with all you’ve got going on, but I’d love to see recipes! You guys always seem to be cooking fun things!

  41. Tracie Cooper May 28, 2017 / 2:13 am

    I would love to see more recipes. I am in the process of buying a pressure cooker and would love to see some pressure cooker recipes.

    • ashleyd May 29, 2017 / 12:49 pm

      Tracie, unfortunately, you won’t find any Pressure Cooker recipes on here as we do not have a Pressure Cooker and therefore won’t be creating any recipes. Sorry!

  42. Lauren May 29, 2017 / 11:46 pm

    I love that dress on you! I’m actually looking forward to some mom posts once baby girl is here. I’m currently pregnant with my 1st kiddo after 4.5 years of infertility. I’m excited to embrace being pregnant and start day dreaming about when my kiddo gets here in November!

  43. Jennai May 30, 2017 / 6:18 am

    You cover most everything, but I guess if I had to say one thing I’d like to sere more of (besides contests, of course) is recipes! I’m a recipe junkie!

Comments are closed.