Mommy Monday: Maternity Splurge

Easter Sunday was just yesterday, and it seems like I know about five of us pregnant ladies who are all having our baby showers within the next three weeks. I mean, is it just me or is there just a massive baby boom going on right now?! Between Hollywood, acquaintances and close friends, I think I could easily name 50 women who are pregnant - and most of us are going to give birth before August. Craziness! 

Anyhow, with all these events comes a reason to dress up a bit. I have NOT gone crazy with the maternity wardrobe. In fact, I've only splurged on two pairs of designer jeans and one pair of designer shorts (I mean, I live in Dallas... It's hot already!) and then have picked up one tank top and three tee shirts. That's it. That's all. Needless to say, I had NOTHING nice to wear to any of these events. No skirts, no dresses, not even a nice top to wear!

I ventured out in what started as a pregnancy/parenting book buying binge, and wouldn't you know, a Pea in the Pod store was right there. So, I went in to see what I could find.

I've been searching for a maxi dress that I could dress up for nicer occasions and still wear out to the grocery store. The thing is, when you're 5'10, maxis just aren't cut out for you. Literally, they're built for someone who is only about 5'6! So they end up just looking a bit... Amish. You know, hitting mid shin and awkwardly hanging on your tall frame? If you're tall, you feel me.

What I love about Pea in the Pod is that they carry brands that dress women of my stature. What I don't love is the high price. Thus, my first look was this awesome grey and neon yellow stripped maxi from Nicole Miller. I loved it on the hanger, and I loved it on! She figured out a way to use darts and rouching creatively to hide any chub you may or may not have developed in your pregnancy. The colors were awesome and a size small was LONG ENOUGH FOR A 5'10 WOMAN! Whoohoo! Not "able to wear heels with it" long enough, but beggars can't be choosy, and I was beggin' for a long enough maxi.

Shot I sent my sister-in-law (mama of three) as I desperately tried to decide if this dress was worth $275... Oh, the things we do for fashion.

While I looooooooved the dress and how comfy it was, I just couldn't swallow THAT price tag. This is the first of what will hopefully be more than one pregnancy; so clearly, if I purchased the dress thinking I could wear it again, all my future babies will be winter babies. I decided to look on.

Except, I wasn't really finding anything. I picked up two shirts I can dress up or down and another pair of shorts (I mean, when you're this pregnant you have to sit with your legs separated a bit to make room... Add living in one of the hottest states in the Union, and shorts are the friggin' bees knees, y'all!). The sales associate must have sensed that I was preparing to leave without spending $2,384,129 so she pulled a few more maxi's for me to try on.

"Uggghhhh, she's so annoying!" I thought. "These dresses are NOT cute and I have to be at my birthing class in an hour. Boo."

And then: I tried this maxi from Tart on. The heavens opened up and angels started to sing, I swear! It is SO comfortable! Because of the print, I never would have chosen it off the rack for myself. But it's insanely flattering on, and will easily be dressed up or down. Also? A size small is LONG ENOUGH FOR A 5'10 WOMAN! Can I get a "hell yeah!" from all my other tall mamas struggling to find tall maternity clothes?! In addition, not seeing a "2" as the first number helped me swallow this price tag much easier than the Nicole Miller dress.

Otis Beaufort and myself on Easter Sunday in my Tart maxi. I kept it casual in sandals and my standard gold jewelry, but nicer shoes and heavier jewels will dress it up in a snap!

I've come to the conclusion that two things are worth a good splurge when you're pregnant: designer jeans and a good quality maxi! If you're not Jolly Green Giant tall like myself, you can get away with not selling an organ to afford one. If you are, trust me: Buy one! Just make your life easier and do it. I pretty much plan on living in this thing until baby comes. What you want to do with the rest of your maternity wardrobe is up to you, but these two items will make a world of difference for you, your self esteem (as you grow... and grow and grow and grow), and are flexible pieces to keep in your closet.