Rock Shic: Seven Months

Seven Months

11/30/2016

#775 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 31 – The Little Princes

Right around this time, I remember thinking… this isn’t half bad, I can still put on my old tee-shirts (stretch the heck our of them), a pair of my trusty maternal leggings, and call it a day. These days, I wouldn’t even do that to said shirts, as it would be considered a new form of cruel and unusual punishment.

While we were out and about on our excursion last week (see here on Week 30), I had come across a “little prince” shirt (I think I bought monster boy something for 5/6 year olds since that’s basically what he wears nowdays) plus a onesie. A onesie!!! Both were sold at Strand – who knew they carried such an awesome line of tees?

There you have it, it marked our very first purchase for the little guy, right at the very last week of my seven months stretch... thus is plight of the second child! If I told you how early it was that I started buying outfits for our first, it would become rapidly embarrassing (in fact, you can read all about it here at week 16!).

Worry not however, I more than made up for it during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping extravaganza – call it hormonal or a bout of delayed “nesting syndrome” but our little #2 guy is definitely SET as far as his 0-3 months wardrobe goes.

Elegant Expecting Part I -- Week 31 -- In Chicago

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 30 -- Capes and Costumes

Posted on 11/30/2016 at 11:39 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/28/2016

#772 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 30 – Capes and Costumes

Okay kids!

We are getting closer on our catch-up phase. Still the seventh months, but at least we’re now in the “thirties” phase. Technically I’m more approaching 31 weeks than 30 here (note that 31 weeks also marks the end of the seven months of pregnancy), but it kind of all blends in at this stage as I basically became married to my cape/poncho look. Here I’m donning my Isabella Oliver Camrose Maternity Poncho – yours truly has long been a fan of the brand (see here), and this piece and I have largely been inseparable for the better part of my third trimester.

Somehow, I feel like my second “Elegant Expecting” series has been as much about the chronicles of munchkin as it’s been about me. It’s been quite the journey, particularly as we prep our little man on his future of becoming a BIG BROTHER. This particular series is all about mommy, munchkin, poncho, and costumes. That’s right costumes! We were just approaching the Halloween spirit… and we took the little one to the Halloween store in Union Square, coupled with a visit to the Strand Bookstore, Zumiez, (our neighborhood skater store), plus a Superhero-themed birthday store. Life is good for our Rockshicbaby, especially when dressed in his favorite Skeleton hoodie.

Elegant Expecting Part I -- Week 30 -- Napa Valley

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 29 -- Wedding Anniversary at Per Se

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 31 -- The Little Princes

Posted on 11/28/2016 at 11:43 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

11/20/2016

#770 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 29 – Eight Year Wedding Anniversary

The 29^th (nearly 30^th week) of my pregnancy was wrought with lots of ups and downs. I was going through a ton of reorganization crisis at work, stressed beyond comprehension, and yet… well, something wonderful also happened. By sheer happenstance I was able to take a mini break from work (a much needed salvation), and it also allowed me to plan a last minute, impromptu anniversary dinner at Per Se, featured here.

We had initially intended to go away to Rhinebeck in celebration of our anniversary. Though when that fell through (and I wasn’t disappointed that it did, given all of the stress from work and given that munchkin was under the weather), I was almost despondent that we were just going to let the whole affair slide. Though never fear! What is life without a little streak of adventure, I say. Thanks to a last minute strike of luck on Opentable, coupled with a back-up sitter, we were able to sneak in for an early-ish sit down at Per Se. The rest was history.

I put on my favorite navy dress (a seven months pregnancy staple), last seen here at 27 weeks, coupled with this lightweight floral sheath that I purchased recently (more of a hippie child look but I am kind of loving it for pregnancy). The only thing that was missing was a nice fedora to go with, though I suppose that wouldn’t have fitted in very well for Per Se! You can’t quite see it, but I was wearing this peacock hair piece that I purchased from my recent trip to Salem… a little bit of art & period piece to accompany our fine dining experience!

P.S. Would you believe... EIGHT YEARS OF MARRIAGE! We have a beautiful little three year old at home -- who drives us bonkers half the time but we love him to pieces... and another little man on the way!!! Time truly flies when you're doing so much together.

Posted on 11/20/2016 at 09:47 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

#769 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 28 – Tea Styling in Salem

Happy weekend! Mamma’s still playing catch-up, but we are definitely getting closer!!!

Week 28 officially marks the beginning of the seven months, and the start of the third trimester. It was also the last “alone” trip that hubs and I took as a couple, as we drove to Salem, Massachusetts for a friend’s wedding (featured here). It was a beautiful affair, and also one of the more gorgeous Fall weekends that I’ve got to enjoy.

I kept telling myself then that I was “almost there” (ha!), though I did absolutely love my body at that stage. I wasn’t so uncomfortable that it was difficult to move around, and yet I was confident enough in my bump that I was ready to flaunt it everywhere. If I had to make a marker, I would say that this was the point where I officially recognized that the bump was HERE, and it was here to stay!!! Therefore, instead of trying to “hide it,” I was absolutely ready to embrace it.

Plus, who can resist bringing a little bit of downtown NY sass to a New England wedding? This was the outfit I wore to the wedding ceremony held at the Immaculate Conception, afterwards hubs and I went and grabbed a cup of tea at our favorite tea shop in town, called “Jolie Tea Company.” If I lived in Salem, I basically envision myself coming here like, every single day. It’s just so darn irresistible!

Posted on 11/20/2016 at 07:37 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/24/2013

#375 Elegant Expecting – Week 31 (Chicago)

Even though I didn’t get a chance to do a full shoot while in Chicago, I did manage to capture a couple of nice shots last Monday, when my friend and I took a nice stroll over the riverwalk (he was a gentlemen and ended up with all of my bags! Though in my defense it was a HOT day).

This was one of my favorite preggy outfits that I packed for the trip. I am loving the Sugar Cropped Helmut Lang jacket that I scored at a recent sample sale (I even wore it to my recent baby shower!). It’s cunningly fitted and slimming and goes with practically everything. I actually bought this brown and green Free People dress back in 2010, thinking that it would be a perfect cover-up for the beach. As it turns out, it’s actually also a genius layering piece – even for my maternity wardrobe. I credit the asymmetrical pattern divide in the front!

Nothing beats the beautiful Chicago riverwalk on a sunny Summer day!

Finally! After a long walk, we rewarded ourselves with a nice cold drink on the rooftop of the Dana Hotel and Spa, where I was staying. More on that later!

Breaking for lunch at the W City Center. The in-house restaurant, IPO, serves up some yummy contemporary American cuisine!

Posted on 06/24/2013 at 10:38 PM in Chicago, Elegant Expecting, Helmut Lang, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/19/2013

#373 Elegant Expecting – Week 31 (Baby Shower Twirl)

Shirt Dress: Marlowe Tie-Dye Maternity by Donna Morgan c/o | Shoes: Bandolino | Bag: Louis Vuitton | Sunglasses: Kate Spade | Bracelets: Calypso St. Barth

Good morning from Chicago! I’ve been here since Sunday evening, right in the aftermath of my baby shower on Saturday and Father’s day on Sunday. I'm 31 weeks now, about to be 32 weeks tomorrow, and ready to kick off my eighth month of pregnancy!

Here are some photos we took on the day of my shower. I donned my beautiful Donna Morgan maternity sheath for the occasion, which garnered tons of compliments (both the cut and coloring were super fun and flattering!). What's more, it can be worn as a non-maternity dress too! (See here). The balloons were courtesy of my mom (can you tell that it’s a boy? Ha). They’re probably all deflated by now, but they were lovely and really made the occasion. I’m still vain enough that I wear heels (or wedges) every now and then, in spite of my swollen feet (which you can clearly see from the photos). Although for long-standing periods, I opt for my trusty Tieks.

Would you believe, this is my seventh trip to Chicago, and I’m trying to make the most of the city (though it is difficult with all of my meetings). It is a lovely city, particularly this time of the year. More to come soon!! You can also find updates on my Chicago escapes via instagram, @rockshic!

Photos taken from our roof terrace, with a nice view of downtown Manhattan.

A close-up of baby bump and Freedom Tower in the background!

Posted on 06/19/2013 at 09:46 AM in Baby Showers, Collaborations, Elegant Expecting, Seven Months, Third Trimester | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/12/2013

#370 Elegant Expecting – Week 30 (Muir Woods)

One more look of my 30^th week before I kick off the eighth month! This one from our recent excursion to Muir Woods, which we did with the excellent folks at Extranomical Tours. (For some additional vignettes of our quick jaunt to San Francisco, find me on Instagram, @rockshic!).

We were flipping through “The Pregnancy Journal” tonight, and I can’t believe that as of tomorrow, we only have 69 days to go! (Doesn’t sound like very much when you break it down in terms of days, does it).

Of course, the first thing hubby said to me when I donned this ensemble was, “are you sure you want to wear a white blazer?”

Yes, yes, and yes!

At this stage in my pregnancy – I’m beginning to think that perhaps separates are the way to go. It is almost as if I went full circle since my first trimester. This Helmut Lang number is a new acquisition from the recent Clothingline Sample Sale (now is a particularly dangerous time for sample sales!), and I am in LOVE. See my collection of Helmut Lang maternity blazers here.

I am also digging my maternity tribal-print leggings from Asos. It’s a bit much for the office, but perfect for a day-trip to the forest!

Posted on 06/12/2013 at 10:04 PM in Elegant Expecting, Helmut Lang, San Francisco, Seven Months, Third Trimester, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/08/2013

#367 Elegant Expecting – Week 30 (Napa Valley)

Friday afternoon wine tour with Extranomical. #Perfection

Happy Saturday from San Francisco! We’ve been here since Thursday for a friend’s wedding – which will take place this afternoon at Kohl Mansion and I can’t wait.

Here are some photos from our little wine tour of Napa Valley and Sonoma yesterday (a little sip here and there was fine for me!). It was the perfect afternoon for the tour, which we did with the lovely folks at Extranomical. Here we are at the Madonna Estate in Napa, I like their no-frills approach to wine. “If you like it, you like it – cut out all pretenses to wine” said our knowledgeable guide.

As I’m progressively getting bigger, I’ve been digging these shirtdresses lately (see a similar polka-dot version here) – tied either with a thin belt or a pretty little bow (I borrowed this one from a previous outfit). Patterns a must… and I’ve fully learned to embrace the bump at this point!!!

Fore more glimpses of our San Francisco excursion, find me on instagram, @rockshic!

Afternoon dining at the Girl and the Fig in Sonoma

Polenta-crusted soft shell crab, from the Girl and the Fig

Posted on 06/08/2013 at 02:21 PM in Belted Maternity, Elegant Expecting, San Francisco, Seven Months, Third Trimester, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (0)

06/04/2013

#366 Elegant Expecting – Week 29 – Cambridge Reunion

This past weekend, hubby and I drove up to Boston for my 10 year college reunion. I wasn’t able to make it to my 5-year, as that coincided with wedding planning and other work-related stress (2008 was a killer for the banking industry as you might recall – Bear and Lehman oh my!). As a result, I consciously made an effort to come to my 10 year.

Was it worth it you ask? Yes! I am definitely happy I went. It was truly remarkable to see how some things have changed amongst my classmates (one of them is now a Dean?! Whoa...), and how some things, invariably, remain the same. My weekend long interaction was not at all what I had expected it to be (but then again, I think my expectations might have been fanciful at best), but the experience certainly taught me and inspired me all the same.

These photos were taken on a hot Saturday afternoon, as we headed to the afternoon clam bake in Radcliffe Yard. The entire weekend was BAKINGLY HOT, but this mamma survived! (Just barely…).

Currently obsessed with Snake accessories! I got this snake bracelet from the Met store during my recent viewing of "Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity."

With some of my girlfriends at reunion. You may recognize the one on the left from here, of Anarkh, and the one on the right here and here, from our excursion last September to Montauk!

Posted on 06/04/2013 at 02:48 PM in Belted Maternity, Boston, Elegant Expecting, Seven Months, Third Trimester, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/31/2013

#364 Elegant Expecting – Week 28 – Tied to a Tee

Happy Friday! As I type, we are making our way up to Boston for my college reunion (thank goodness for MIFI!). I’ve started my 29^th week this Thursday, but I wanted to sneak in at least one post for my 28^th week. 28th week!!! Officially the start of the seventh month and the beginning of the third (and final!) trimester.

I’ve been feeling the pregnancy bow look recently. Particularly something in a contrasting color (I love this little red belt so much I’m even pairing it with some of my other dresses). The other day, a colleague of mine, who’s due at the end of June, remarked, “at this stage, you’re far better to wear something fitted, rather than anything too baggy and loose.” I think she may just have a point there!

Recently, I even went ahead and invested in a few pairs of shoes one size up (yes, the swelling does get that bad!). Believe me when I say that it’s a very necessary luxury.