Adventures in Shopping: To Maternity or Not to Maternity

I have a lot of mixed feelings on maternity wear. Not because there aren’t a ton of cool brands out there – see Fashion Mamas founder Natalie’s crowdsourced list in LAmag (I may or may not have contributed to the H&M & TopShop picks). I just have a hard time spending money on clothes that will be worn for maybe six months and then disappear in a box somewhere in the back of your closet/no-woman’s land. But on the other hand, shopping for your new-found bump is one of the short-lived perks to being pregnant. So, I made a compromise with myself: I will allow myself to shop for maternity clothes, if and only if they are affordable and fit in a way that makes me feel great about myself (cuz let’s face it – come 32 weeks in, we all need a little pick me up). Plus, there’s nothing like your best friend from college getting married to kick you into hyper-shopping mode.

Luckily I know some pretty awesome Houston mommy bloggers (see Uptown with Elly Brown, who happens to be due only a few days apart from me), and have snagged a ton of maternity style inspiration from them. One brand that I’m almost embarrassed to admit I’ve never shopped before (shame) is ASOS. So I took the plunge and found this super-classy floral printed dress from their maternity line and paired it with a nude blazer and heels (link to all below). Besides, what says spring wedding in the hill country more than head-to-toe floral? Nothing, I tell you. Nothing.

photo cred: Marlo Carroll Photography

Shop the Look:

Romwe (non-maternity), Apricot Roll Tab Sleeve Waterfall Collar Duster Coat

ASOS, Bluebelle Maternity Floral Printed Bodycon Dress (Sold out but similar here, here and here)

BCBGeneration from Nordstrom Rack, Nude Pumps (you can also find them here and here)

BCBG MAX AZRIA, Tan Leather Clutch (old no longer available, similar here and here)

Links à la Mode, April 6th

• Aesthetic Distance: Social Media Makes Us Better Feminists
• April Was Here: Bowknot Blouse and Ruffled Sleeves
• Beyond Her Curls: The Perfect Spring Jacket
• Cammeo Head to Toe: Adventures in Shopping: To Maternity or Not To Maternity
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: April Crush List
• Elements of Ellis: Embroidered Moto Jacket
• Fashionista Momma: Blush Jumpsuit
• Five Foot Nothing Shopping: Translate Runway to Everyday Fashion!
• Happy Pretty Sweet: How to Update Your Beauty Routine for Spring
• I’m a Norbyah: The Right Stripes
• It’s True Blog: How To Create New Content When You Don’t Have Any Inspiration
• Lil Miss JB Style: Loft Decor
• Middle of Somewhere: Flatform Sandals & The Weekly Style Edit Linkup
• Tales of Two: 7 Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor
• The Outfit Repeater: Behind the Scenes: The Making of an Outfit Post

SPONSOR: Amazon’s Shopbop SUNDRY, Free People Activewear, MONROW Sweatpants, Liana Clothing, ALALA, Champion Premium Reverse Weave, Straw Bags, Fringe Slides, Statement Jewelry, Men’s EA7 by Emporio Armani

Top 5 Pins of the Week: Bombs Away

This past week I found myself turning to Pinterest more often than usual grasping for a little style inspiration. You might recall from our recent moving debacle, that somewhere in West LA a woman (or man for that matter) is walking around wearing half my wardrobe. Hence, I’m having to come up with more creative ways to make what clothes I have left work overtime. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Pinterest is your friend. I personally find it to be the best place to get a quick dose of fashion inspo, and the best part is that I can do it at night after I put the little guy down and have all my new outfit ideas ready to reference the next morning. Bazinga. Warning though – I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me slightly more shopping obsessed than I already am. However, after working for years to clean my closet down to the bare essentials (with a little help from some thieves), I don’t just shop mindlessly like I used to in my twenties. My method is simple – I see an outfit like one of the ones below, and I imagine what from my own wardrobe can I use to recreate it. Then, I allow myself to purchase that one last article of clothing that’s needed to complete the outfit and make it on trend. This week, it was the bomber jacket. I mean, you can’t be on Instagram for more than five seconds before you see every blogger and her mom sporting some variation of it. And truth be told, I’m diggin’ it. I’ve included links to some of my faves below, as well as a shameless sneak peek plug for my next post, where I sport the bomber I scored at Target for under $30! You’re welcome (in my best “Stewie” voice)…

 

 

Links à la Mode, September 29th

• Al-Balsam Life: Milan Fashion Week: Bottega Veneta’s Leather & Absolute Wearability
• Anti.Muse: Anti.Musings: My Alternative Fashion Story
• Cammeo Head to Toe: Top 5 Pins of the Week: Bombs Away
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: August 2016 Empties!
• Cover Mum: Reveal Your Inner Wild Cat
• Distinguished Diva: Luxury Wood Watch Editorial plus Jord Watch Giveaway
• Elements of Ellis: White Jeans for Fall
• Everyday Starlet: How to Get Rid of Dark Circles with Eye Creams & Color Correcting
• Finite1: How To Wear A Dress From Day To Night
• Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Updating My Wardrobe for Fall With Stitch Fix
• Have Clothes, Will Travel: In the Land Down Under
• Lady Diana’s Pearls: Mod Henley Shirtdress
• Layers of Chic: Fall Staples: Cool Watch & Effortless Wool Dress
• Life in the Fash Lane: Fall Must-Have: Army Jacket + Style Tips
• Live Eco Chic: BonJOY a Subscription Box with Social Impact
• Middle of Somewhere: The Weekly Style Edit Link Up: Denim
• Modavracha: What Your Fall Outfits Are Missing: Velvet Shoes
• Mox and Socks: How to Scout the Perfect Spot for a Photo Shoot
• The Curious Portafoglio: Fashion Designer to Know: Ronald Van Der Kemp
• The House Blend: Fall Must-Have: Army Jacket + Style Tips

SPONSOR: Shopbop, Saylor, Salvatore Ferragamo Clothing, Petersyn Tops, Rime Arodaky, Army By Yves Salomon, Spencer Vladimir, Sleepwear, Thigh High Boots, Leather Jackets, Men’s Tomorrowland

Pink On Purpose: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Year after year, October rolls around and you start to see pink everywhere. I never thought much of it, other than another month and another way to draw people’s much needed attention to breast cancer awareness. I even used to run in the Race for the Cure every year in memory of my dad. But as my life got increasingly busy, my commitment to the cause waned. Until now.

CH2T Covets: Well Vested

I can’t recall exactly when my obsession with vests started, but it’s the real deal. You know when someone tells you something you’ve never heard about or seen before, and then all the sudden you start seeing it e-ver-y-where? Yah, it’s like that.

In fact, I never knew there were so many different styles of vests. My favorite are the structured suit type and long duster, that add a level of sophistication to even the most basic of outfits. Although, I feel like there’s still a stigma when you say “vest”, that invokes images of Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite. So I’m here to set the record straight with my top finds that I’ve been gathering for you fine folks. If you don’t see something you like here – I’ve partnered with the new Donde Fashion app, an icon-based platform that allows you to search more than 6,000 brands by simply selecting the clothing type, color, material, etc. Think of it as Pinterest, but even more addictive for major shopaholics. Check out my Style Council feature on their blog, and download the app for free in the App Store. Search and follow my feed (cammeomurray) to shop my Wishlist of vests, right meow.

Cammeo Head to Toe Turns One!

A year ago this April marked the one year anniversary of my other, slightly less demanding and not nearly as cute baby – my blog. Oddly enough, it took having a baby to get the courage to launch my own blog, as if I needed one more thing to tackle. I had just returned to work full-time, was still nursing a 6 month old baby through the night, and figured – “Hey, I’m up at 1am anyway, might as well write.” As crazy as it sounds, looking back at this year, I am so glad I did it. Becoming a mom truly does change the whole life game – it’s as if everything before now was just rehearsal for my “real life” to start. Everything I thought I knew about myself and what I wanted for my future, was turned upside down and inside out. Starting this blog awakened my true love for writing, something I always had a passion for growing up and somehow had pushed aside along the way. It also has given me a creative outlet I so desperately needed, not only to pursue my personal styling, but it served as a way for me to express myself in ways that are so crucial when deciphering your life as a new mom.