Style Inspiration: Artist Mamas

Wangechi Mutu in Vogue, 2009

Rachel Feinstein hanging out with Marc Jacobs, 2009

Tove Mauritzson at home, 2011

Aren't these pictures of fantastic? I want Wangechi's entire outfit, Rachel's lipstick, and Tove's hair, please. Oh, and perhaps just a smidgeon of their talent.

(Images: 1. Annie Liebovitz for Vogue via LambLegs 2. Rachel Chandler for Purple Diary 3. Sara Svenningrud for Residence via Solid Frog.)

The Friday Find: Chevron Silk Blouse

Polka dots that create a chevron pattern? That, my friends, is two lovely trends in one. And this silk blouse from Lawrence would look excellent with everything from leggings to skirts.

Then & Now: Lace Cocktail Dress

First, let us marvel at Cindy Crawford's pregnancy skin. It's amazing — she looks like a skincare ad and it's just a candid from her pregnancy in 1999. Second, let's marvel at how awesome she looks in her black lace dress. Third, let us try to emulate her with this dress,  since lace is back in style, lo these 13 years later.

(Images: FashionFile, A Pea in the Pod)

Isalou's Low-Key Updo

Every few years, I try to grow my hair out and remember why I always shorten it again —my freakishly small head just isn't cut out for flowing locks. This video from Cut by Fred, however, almost has me convinced to try again. Isalou's updo is just so relaxed and pretty — perfect for those mornings when you're exhausted, but still need to look nice.

(Video: Isalou from Cut by Fred on Vimeo.)

Bed Rest in Style

Rolling your eyes at me yet? Who cares if bed rest is stylish, right? It's a time to keep the baby safe and don sweatpants, not to care about looking good when you'll be spending the day with your dog and some cable reruns. Fair enough.

But my friend's sister was recently told she needs to stay on bed rest from now until her due date in June. That's five straight months of laying low, and she's not exactly a homebody. Another friend of ours — whose career is fairly intense — had to be on bedrest for two months around the holidays. And when you're on bed rest for that long, treating it like the new normal instead of like a perpetual sick day goes a long way toward a happier pregnancy.

The Friday Find: Gold Lamé!

On the outside, this Built By Wendy coat is well-cut, a little hip, and just plain cool. On the inside? It's a little bit Ziggy Stardust.

Perfect for all sorts of things, but I especially like it for meeting girlfriends out for a drink. (Why not order that club soda in style?) 

Nesting: Varpunen Baskets

These patterned baskets from Varpunen would look so sweet in a nursery, but they're also stylish enough for your living room. Perfect for containing the blankets, burp rags, cloth diapers, toys, and other gear you received at your shower and need to store.  Plus, babies love black-and-white patterns, which is a nice bonus.


(Image: Varpunen)

Athletic Style: Ashley Albrand

I just love this gorgeous picture of pregnant yogi Ashley Albrand. It's from an insightful article from Mind Body Green in which she discusses the ways in which her pregnancy has altered her practice. Her reflections are both spiritual and empowering — for example, she notes the wonder of breathing in and nurturing her unborn baby during meditation as well as her surprise at finding her body even stronger than she thought. It's well worth a read if you practice yoga, or even if you're making prenatal adjustments for another athletic activity.

(Image: Kristin Burns for Mind Body Green)

Matt Bernson Boots

I may be mildly obsessed with these gray boots. I don't own a pair (yet?), but they're cool and low-key, like all of Matt Bernson's shoes. And they look insanely comfortable, without having to resort to UGGS. These boots are pretty sweet too —

They may not be as comfy, but they still have stacked/wedge heels, which are a bit more wearable when pregnant. And apropos of nothing, the Matt Bernson website had this picture of Giselle wearing their boots while walking with Benjamin. He is just too sweet. Those cheeks! He's not phased by a busy street, thank you very much.

(Images: Matt Bernson)

The Friday Find: Oversized Henley

I just discovered the delightful shop Anaïse through Chelsea's blog Frolic!. It's full of flowing, artsy pieces, but I'm especially drawn to this henley shirt by Tom Scott. The neckline is so simple and pretty.

(Image: Anaïse )

Gray & Gold

I'm excited that winter may finally arrive in Chicago today. Frankly, 50 degree weather in January has started to freak me out. I'm ready for snow-covered trees and cuddling by the fire. The promise of snow reminds me of one of favorite winter color combinations, gray and gold. It's neutral with a flash of sparkle — much like snow-covered city streets. 

1. Bows wallpaper,  Hygge & West (so sweet for one wall of a little girl's room, yes?)
2. Rose Cut Gray Diamond, Kyle Anne Metals. 
3. Maternity Tie Back Sweater, Topshop.
4. Briolette Bundle Hoops, Anthropologie. 
5. Alexis Bittar Otto Chain Necklace, Nordstrom

Strollin' Style: French Diaper Bags

Most of the stylish moms I know ditched their diaper bags early on and moved to oversized purses. Diaper bags can often be unwieldy, poorly made for the price, or just not very attractive. Not so these clever and gorgeous bags from French company The Magic Stroller Bag. They look like what you would carry pre-kiddo, and they hook easily onto your stroller so you can access whatever you need.

You can't buy the bags directly off their website, but they do have some web stores listed that may be worth the search. 

The Magic Stroller Bag, prices range from $150 to $400.  

Via Savor Home via All This Grace and Charm

The Friday Find: Sleeveless Shirtdress

Yet another Friday Find aimed at the earlier stages of pregnancy — but it was too perfect to pass up, especially at $40. I found it about twenty minutes after a mini-argument with Alex over how awesome Courtney Love was in her heyday (I saw Hole live more than once and I tell you, she was amazing. He thinks I'm nuts). The combination of 90's dress and Hole recollections made me wistful for my teen years.

Nostalgia aside, this dress is sweet and versatile — it will work quite nicely from the hiding-the-pregnancy stage to the can't-hide-it-anymore stage.

Black Sleeveless Shirt Dress $40 at And Vintage Clothing

Instant Update: Hot Pink Details

The pops of fuschia running through this outfit from makeup and style maven Keiko Lynn are gorgeous — just the thing to perk you up in those last, seemingly endless weeks of pregnancy. Or any time other time really, but it seems like the end of the third trimester is where small details can be the most uplifting. After all, you're sick of your clothes and eager to meet your baby. You may as well swipe on some hot pink lipstick and enjoy those constant kicks and hiccups in style.

(Images: Keiko Lynn)

Shop the Sale: Madewell

These versatile pieces from Madewell are perfect for maternity (and beyond). The cardigans are especially great — they can update clothes from your last pregnancy and become part of your nursing wardrobe in a few months. Plus, they're chic and on sale — a maternity double whammy.

1. Rowboat Sweater, now $69.99
2. Warmnote Cardigan, now $79.99
3. First Frost Cardigan, now $79.99
4. Fireplace Booties,  now $179.99
5. Matchbook Sweatercoat, $129.99

Check out the full sale at Madewell.

Nesting: Make Your Own Household Cleaners

Is your nesting instinct kicking in along with the New Year? As I was writing an Apartment Therapy post over the weekend, I realized my topic would be ideal for this blog too — the five products you need to make your own eco-friendly cleaners, along with a few basic cleaning recipes. It may not be the sexiest post to kick off the year, but decreasing your family's exposure to chemicals and taking care of your sensitive pregnancy nose is always a good thing, right?

I started making my own cleaners last year and wish I'd made the change years earlier. It's ridiculously easy and inexpensive, and much, much healthier for you and your family. I swear it's worth it, even you've always assumed this sort of thing is for eco-crusaders and people with too much free time.

Check out my full post over at Apartment Therapy. 

(Image: Kathleen Luttschyn)