So...I have some big news to share!! I am pregnant!! Due July 27th! My husband and I couldn't be more excited. :) God is so good. It has always been a desire of my heart to be a mom and this has been such an answer to prayer. We are just really grateful and can't wait to meet Baby Perkins this summer! I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging in a while; I had terrible morning (noon and night) sickness during my first trimester. But I'm back and feeling so much better! Currently at 17.5 weeks. Here's my latest ultrasound picture from 12 weeks.

People have been asking me for pregnancy styling tips...so here we go! Of course, I hope that my outfits can still bring inspiration to those who are without a bump. :) I have to admit that I did not know the first thing about maternity style and had no idea how to dress my newly changing body. It was easy to think about fitted maxi dresses for the third trimester but what about all those months in between? I learned very quickly that my clothes were getting too tight. How was it possible that almost everything I owned was form fitting or showed off a waist?! Not what I was wanting to wear - I just didn't feel cute. And anything that pushed on my stomach made me sick. So I immediately began a search for all things loose and baggy, opting for chunky sweaters and blousy tops. One tip I'm so glad someone told me about was the rubber band trick. You can get away with wearing your current jeans so much longer by looping a rubber band through your top button, giving you an extra inch or two (trust me, I needed it!). I also used this belly band from Target that works wonders.

Dressing up for work quickly became a challenge for me. A lot of my old clothes just weren't fitting or just weren't flattering anymore. Either that or I had one too many bagels (you know it's bad when your intern tells you that you eat a lot of bagels! Or a co-worker says, I think you're having a footwear player!" - Note to self - things not to say to a pregnant woman). During my first trimester and into my second, all I wanted was to carbo-load. And lately, I've felt like this, "Lay off me man, I'm starving!" (Haha, I love that skit!) So I have been on the hunt for shift dresses - my new best friend. It was more difficult than I thought. But when I found this gem (on crazy, "you're practically losing money by not getting it" sale at Banana Republic - read $38!) I just had to get it. I honestly wish it was about 2-3 inches longer (oh the struggles of being tall) but the bell shape (and thicker material) made this a really flattering look. I wish I could have bought one in every color if it existed! Although I have a feeling this is soon going to become a shirt on me with my expanding belly! Hah, until then it's getting me through this awkward body stage of not quite "looking pregnant" and I can wear it with black tights on cold days.

Dress: Banana Republic  || Shoes: Marion Parke  ||  Earrings: E. Shaw Jewels — Dress: Banana Republic || Shoes: Marion Parke || Earrings: E. Shaw Jewels

Oh and these shoes!! They are designed by podiatrist Marion Parke, using her medical knowledge to create the most comfortable luxury fashion shoe on the planet! I don't want to take them off. The arch support (and the rest of the 4 part patent-pending insole) is incredible. I could wear these all day long and my feet feel amazing. Plus they are gorgeous! I'm obsessed with her entire collection and want every pair. Hey, a girl can dream! :) So yes, you better believe that I will be wearing heels all throughout my pregnancy - Marion Parke's!