Anddddd it’s my first non-maternity blog post in 9 months! Woohoo! Not going to lie, I’ve been so excited to get back into my old favorite silhouettes and styles. It’s been a long (but wonderful) stretch of planning outfits around a big ol’ bump! Today I’m sharing details on this look (& this on sale black embroidered maxi dress.) I’m also chatting about why I think it’s important to carve out a moment or two for yourself in the early weeks with a newborn.
Knowing that non-maternity outfits were on my horizon, I ordered this embroidered maxi dress from French Connection in early December. It has been hanging in my closet just waiting to be worn ever since. Lucky for you all, it’s now 30% off with the code FLOV30! I have a thing for period films & historical fiction.
I have a thing for period films & historical fiction. Basically, anything that takes place before 1920 I’m going to automatically adore. I love that this dress evokes a turn-of-the-century/Downton Abbey-ish feel. But yet it also seems modern and a bit boho at the same time.
A fabulous pair of heels is a must when dressing up this ankle-length embroidered dress. My strappy Mary Janes are only $45 and are from ZOOSHOO, a new online shoe shop I recently stumbled upon. After a few days of unbuckling each buckle to take them on & off, I then realized that there was a handy zipper at the heel! (Which has certainly made life easier!)
&& Now: My Thoughts on Making Time for Yourself After Baby
I mentioned above that I think it’s important to make some time for YOU after having a newborn baby. Of course, my world now completely revolves around Annie. She takes priority over everything. (Especially sleep!) With my mom in town this last week, I thought that this would be a great opportunity to test the waters & do something on my own. (Having a trusted babysitter at home sure makes things easier!) Plus, all my mom friends had mentioned to me how important this was in the early days too.
I was invited to a few really fun blogger events that I was so glad I didn’t have to RSVP “no” to. I’ve really been laying low the past few months so it was fabulous to be able to get out and see old friends again! (Did yall catch my outings on insta-stories?!) When I left the house for the first time on Tuesday night, all dolled up and ready to see my gal pals, I couldn’t help but feeling emotional. I literally was gone for a total of 95 minutes, but it felt like I was leaving Annie to go on a week-long trip. I also found that I had strange feelings of guilt for leaving her for the evening, which I’m sure is normal for any new mom who hasn’t left her little one’s side since birth. I pushed those feelings aside, knowing they were a bit silly and perked up for my evening event.
Walking through The Galleria, I would catch glimpses of myself in store mirrors and kind of look at my reflection and think, “Wow….you’re a MOM!” It was like, why isn’t’ everyone looking at me!? Can’t they tell that the BIGGEST thing ever has just happened to me!?! My world has been shaken and completely turned upside down and being out and about in public, seeing everything just as normal as it was before I had a baby, was almost surreal. Slowly those feelings of shock went away and I adjusted to being out on my own.
When I came home, I could not put Annie down for hours! Turns out, she napped the entire time I was gone and probably didn’t even realize I had left her. The next morning I went out again for a brunch (seriously taking advantage of my babysitter you guys) and it was so much easier to leave. It was strange but also exciting to feel just like the “old me” after such a big change. It made me realize that yeah, I’m a mom and my life has a whole new meaning to it, but I’m still the same person with the same passions & interests. That doesn’t all have to go away just because my priorities & now my biggest passion have majorly shifted. My two outings this week were like a nice cup of coffee, and just the pick me up I needed!
Oh, and I promise I’ll be posting Annie’s birth story and a more in-depth look into our life with a little one too. There’s just so much to say! Once I have the time to sit down and write it all, it will be making its way to a post near you soon! And as always, thanks for your support and stopping by the blog!
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xo, alice
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photos by LA Photography
