Rock Shic: Six Months

Six Months

11/17/2016

#768 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 27 – Graffiti Park

Okay okay – so I’m **totally** behind on my preggo-style series, though it’s always fascinating to look back and see how different things were back then. I remember feeling super uncomfortable and “big” at this stage (boy did I have no idea what was in store!!!). This likely marked the last "chapter" of my pregnancy where I could fool myself into thinkilng that I could fly under the radar when it comes to looking pregnant. Don't get me wrong, it's still not a guarantee that I'd get a seat on the subway, and to be fair this was also the weekend where I helped host my bestie her baby shower and half the people there expressed surprise that I was pregnant. Looking back, I realize that they were probably just being nice. More on that another time.

Speaking of the baby shower... all I can remember was thinking -- man!! I'm so big and unruly, and God it's hard to walk in these heels. It was so hot outside (or so I thought) and I hated walking in heels. Thank goodness for my Tieks, which I'm wearing at the Graffiti park here and which I wore on most days throughout my second trimester. I don’t wear my Tieks much these days now that I'm well into my third (largely also due to the weather change), but this dress I still don every once in a while. Back then I looked like a swallowed a bowling ball, but these days, well these days… it’s more like a gigantic Jack O’Latern pumpkin that's just hanging out inside of my belly.

The best part of the day was welcoming Fall with my delectable munchie. We went to the First Street Green Art Park on the corner of Houston and 1^st street. We loved gazing at wall art (you know how I obsessed I am with graffiti), munchkin was digging his Orange Pumpkin sunnies, and best of all, they were handing out free apple cider in the classic/traditional NY coffee cups! Truly the perfect Autumn in New York experience...

Incidentally, this also marked the end of my SIXTH months of pregnancy (yet another milestone as it also coincided with the finish of the second trimester). Now it is onwards and upwards to my third trimester! Whoo-hoo! #thefinalpush

Elegant Expecting Part I -- Week 27 -- Barbados Part II (Life Aquatic)

Elegant Expecting Part I -- Week 27 -- Barbvardos Part III (Retro Beachy Glam)

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 26 -- A Piece of Oasis at Riverpark

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 25 -- Graffiti Styling on Allen

A graffiti lovers' dream

My boys, my loves. Are they not the cutest? #rockshicbaby

Posted on 11/17/2016 at 09:36 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/19/2016

#762 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 26 – A Piece of Oasis at Riverpark

Who said you can’t wear white after Labor Day weekend?

This outfit has been by far one of my favorite go-to pieces throughout my second trimester. In fact, both of my Phillip Lim shirts (white and navy) have been staple pieces, see feature here on Phillip Lim for Target and why it basically rocked my world. It got to a point where I was literally seeking the same cut from other designers and/or seeking additional colors from the same designer. Alas, no luck.

For the record, what works during the second trimester no longer works as I'm entering into my third trimester, as I've recently discovered. I think that even here I am stretching the utility of my Phillip Lim shirts (no pun intended), since I was just shy of hitting the third trimester mark (for the record, your sixth month of pregnancy is supposed to end by Week 27). Thank you "What to Expect When you're expecting!!!"

Same kudos go to my trusty Rachel Roy silk-knit shawl. All jokes about “Becky with the good hair” aside, the silhouette of this piece is absolutely genius, and I could not imagine my (early) pregnancy wardrobe without it. Sometimes when you need that extra coverage (but nothing too stuffy or hot given that you’ve got a bun in the oven), this is the right piece of garment for you.

These photos were taken at Riverpark, which is a bit of an oasis right by the East River of Manhattan in the Murray Hill neighborhood. It’s a Tom Colicchio restaurant with lovely water views and even a little locally-grown farm. If you haven’t been, I would highly recommend it (coming soon to my "Eat Drink Love" series), as it truly feels like a slice of heaven that makes you forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. Plus, it’s a great dining spot for kiddos, so it’s a true win-win!

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 25 -- Graffiti Styling on Allen

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 24 -- Double Date Night at Marta

Little man brought his props from his 3rd birthday party from the Brooklyn Zoo! See here and here for more on the day's festivities. #Rockshicbaby #TurningThree

Posted on 10/19/2016 at 06:40 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/09/2016

#758 Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 25 -- Graffiti Styling on Allen

Combining my favorite things!!! Street Art (for more check me out at Jetset Graffiti), Maternity Fashion, and of course... my beloved munchkin #RockshicBaby #momlife

Another week, another bump style! Belated, of course... with one of my favorite Rebecca Taylor silk pieces that I wish I had the occasion to wear more often.

This was taken on the very momentous week (I was nearly 26 weeks at that stage), right before munchkin started school, eeks! This year he's doing the 3's program (aka what they call "Nursery" at his school). See here for all of our Preschool related posts.

It was our last "carefree" days together, the calm before the storm, if you will -- and right before the madness of his Birthday Bonanza party at the Zoo!

Here I was feeling pretty good about myself and my body. On that very same day, my neighbor texted me and asked, "was that YOU on the roof? I thought it might have been with your son, but you didn't look pregnant."

Awww -- flattery will get you everywhere in life.

Incidentally, it was also this very weekend that I had quite the awakening, where, just a day before -- I was with munchkin at our local bookstore (see here where we used to go for "mommy and me reading class") and literally felt sick. I don't know what came over me, but suffice to say it ain't good. Perhaps it was something I ate, or the heat, or the fact that I was dehydrated, but the bottom line was, I was NOT well and I was all the worse and stressed because I had my Nuke baby with me. Thank goodness the patrons and staff at McNally took care of both of us... hubs rushed over in no-time, and just before EMT got there (yes!!! They called EMT!). One of the shop clerks even asked me whether my "water had broke." Isn't that nuts?

It just goes to show -- sometimes you have to take things easy, and acknowledge your own limitations. This certainly marked my awakening, and a real turning point for me during my pregnancy.

Related:

Elegant Expecting Part I -- Week 25

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 24 -- Double Date Night at Marta

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 23 -- Lake-Side Love

How cute is this! #Bumpin #25weekspregnant #sixmonths #Junglevibes #animals

Posted on 10/09/2016 at 09:36 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

10/02/2016

#756 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 24 – Double Date Night at Marta

Dress: Nu New York | Bag: Calypso St. Barth (last seen here) | Sunglasses: Gucci from Italy | Shoes: Kenneth Cole (last featured here)

I’m a bit behind on the second rendition of my Elegant Expecting series, but better late than never!

This look was from a recent date-night that hubby and I had with another couple/friend of ours. I must say, these occasions are becoming quite rare!!! Yet another thing to work...

It’s quite interesting for me to look back at myself from just a few weeks ago, it’s truly like night and day!! I thought I was so huge back then… and yet this is NOTHING compared to the size of my growing belly now. In fact, last night my little guy pointed at me and said, “why is your belly so big?” (As hubs made a “I’m not going to say a word” look whilst standing next to our three year old son).

Sigh – toddlers, you gotta hand it to them for being honest.

While this dress is not a maternity dress, per se – it’s definitely a look I recommend for ladies at the height of their second trimester for sure (in fact, I wore the same label during my Week 22 look here at the Chuang Yen Monastery). It’s got a fun pattern, but still streamlined enough to give you a clean silhouette even at 6 months pregnant (I highly discourage against fringes and other unnecessary details at this stage). I actually wore a similar dress during an outing last year at the Heckscher farm (see post here).

Jazz it up with some fun accessories (shoes last seen here, and clutch here) – and I was good to go!!! Definitely felt like a “special” night for this mamma.

P.S. We went full out for high-style pizza at Marta. Shockingly, Marta is also one of those places that don’t take tips, much like my recent experience at Sushi Yasuda. Is this fast becoming a trend in NYC dining? Stay tuned.

Elegant Expecting Part II -- Week 23 -- Lake-style Love

Labor Day weekend at Heckscher Farm

Posted on 10/02/2016 at 08:04 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/21/2016

#752 Elegant Expecting Part II – Week 23 – Lake-side Love

Okay okay, so I’m a tad bit late in my #bumpposts. Truth be told the bump is getting a little bit out of control!!! For a split moment there I had the wishful thinking that I would somehow carry “smaller” relative to last time (where the Nuke baby was born a whopping 9 pound 8 ounces). However, I was just told at my most recent check-up that “it’s going to be another big baby.” What exactly that entails I’m not so sure, but call it my “maternal instincts.”

In fact, I even suggested to hubs that perhaps baby #2 will be bigger than baby #1, to which he answered, “that’s just not possible.”

These photos were taken right around our family holiday where we spent a few days celebrating the little man’s birthday on the Lake. Looking back, especially after the big group party we had organized just recently at the Prospect Park Zoo, I’m rather glad that we got to do some one-on-one time with our little man (what can I say, I’m just greedy like that!). I’ve a feeling that very soon, I won’t be able to spend as much Nuke and mummy time, especially right after the baby arrives… so I want to cherish these moments now as much as human feasibly.

The funny thing is, I thought that I was sooooooo massive in this photo! And in reality, it wasn’t so bad! Hindsight is always 20-20 isn’t it. I quite like this little easy-breezey tee-shirt dress (American Vintage). Despite the fact that it’s not a maternity dress at all, the cotton is so soft and stretchy, I just couldn’t resist! In fact – I wore it during my last pregnancy as well! See here at a whopping 37 weeks!

P.S. I love these fun pregnancy-fashion poses with my little guy. It doesn’t always work out (and most of the time it exasperates the heck out of hubs, but they are generally just too adorable for words!).

Happy Hump Day my loves. No pun intended.

Elegant expecting -- Week 23 -- Easy Draping

Beauty Nursing Essentials

The Ultimate Shopping Event with Isabella Oliver

Posted on 09/21/2016 at 01:35 PM in Elegant Expecting, Elegant Expecting Part II, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/26/2013

#361 Elegant Expecting – Week 27 – Retro Beachy Glam in Barbados

Okay – so technically I’m well into my 28^th week now, but I can’t help but post one more look taken from our trip to Barbados last week. (Marking the end of the sixth month, aka bye bye second trimester!).

Here we are in Bathsheba, the island’s surfing mecca, along the rugged Atlantic coast of the island. Flanked by gigantic boulders and golden sand, it is a quiet and sleepy fishing village favored by the locals, making it a nice change of scenery and pace for hubby and I.

We took a leisurely afternoon stroll along the untouched, windswept sand, and admired the enormous, mushroom-shaped boulders just below Tent Bay. It was a lovely afternoon, quiet and tranquil – and I smile now even as I write, sitting on my bed and listening to those NY sirens whirl by. How I wish they were the sound of the sea breeze instead!!

Really digging this buttoned-down, shirt dress by NU New York! Even wore it to the office the following week! Versatile indeed.

This Pink Opal Yellow Thread Pendant by Didi makes the perfect beach accessory! Easy to wear with bold, bright colors.

A local surfer in action!

One of the giant, mushroom-like boulders of beautiful Bathsheba!

A message for Nukie!

Posted on 05/26/2013 at 10:44 AM in Beach Style, Elegant Expecting, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/22/2013

#359 Elegant Expecting – Week 27 – (Barbados, the Life Aquatic)

We are almost at Week 28, which would kick off the official start of my seventh month (aka Third trimester!). Today we met with my OB, who told me that I’ve been “doing much better" weight-wise (whew!)…. I guess all that swimming and fluttering in the ocean really paid off! He also told me that Nukie is a “sizable baby.” I ventured to guess that the Nuke’s probably about two pounds by now (at least that’s what the books all say). “Probably a bit more than that,” responded my reticent Japanese OB. You have to appreciate the man’s tenacity and honesty. “Maybe he’s tall like you,” I turned to hubby – who more or less just shrugged.

Well, as long as the baby is healthy, everything else is pretty much immaterial!

We took these photos on the beaches of Barbados last week. It was nice to have a car so that we could leave our resort and go explore... particularly on the East Coast, where it is much less developed and far more favored by the locals. Here I am at Foul Bay, which was literally empty apart from hubs and myself. I decided to go with my personal interpretation of “Gypsy Chic.” I bought this dress from Pinkyotto on 49 Prince Street some time ago, with the intention of wearing it to Miami (it had that vibe about it). Of course, back then I would need a belt to cinch everything in, as the dress was quite flowy and baggy – but not anymore!!!

Given that the waves on this side of the island, which faces the Atlantic, is far more intense than those on the West Coast, I knew there was no way I’d go into the waters. Hence, I figured it was the perfect occasion to bring on the beach accessories!

Yes, that ever famous "line" down your belly that pregnant women get! Mine is a bit crooked for some reason ;)

Couldn't resist bringing these Bonnie Marcus mummy-to-be sandals with me! Last featured here.

Beach mama!

#348 Elegant Expecting - Week 25

#342 Elegant Expecting - Week 24 (Portugal #2)

#356 Elegant Expecting - Week 27 - (Barbados: Nautical Stripes)

#353 Elegant Expecting - Week 26 (City Chic)

#330 Elegant Expecting - Week 21 - Construction Statement

Posted on 05/22/2013 at 05:37 PM in Barbados, Beach Style, Elegant Expecting, Second Trimester, Six Months, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (1)

05/20/2013

#356 Elegant Expecting – Week 27 – (Nautical Stripes in Barbados)

Dress: Old Navy | Bracelets: From Dekalb Market (Brooklyn), featured here | Ring: Nolan (boutique in Nolita) | Hat: H&M | Sunglasses: Cole Haan

This look was the first outfit I threw on after our arrival in Barbados. Nothing beats that very moment when you change from your travel ensemble in order to fully embrace the start of your holiday!

For me, this nautical-themed maxi (a total steal from Old Navy Maternity!) was just the perfect garb to make me feel “beach-ready.” I wasn’t ready to put on my bikinis yet (tough later I was practically living in them), but I knew I wanted something easy, breezy, and completely different from office-wear.

Feeling the powder soft sand beneath my feet was a complete hallelujah moment for me. My puffy feet have been extremely swollen of late (they’ve been getting worse and worse since my return from Lisbon), though a couple of days of swimming in the ocean and wearing nothing but flip flops have done them some good!

Note: I plan on getting a lot of mileage out of this maxi dress this summer. It would look super cute with a little biker jacket or a mustard yellow wrap – don’t you think? Though you can’t see it too well from the photos, the halter neckline is also extremely flattering, not to mention uber comfortable. Seriously, how could you go wrong?

Posted on 05/20/2013 at 07:22 PM in Barbados, Elegant Expecting, Second Trimester, Six Months, Travel Inspirations | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/16/2013

#353 Elegant Expecting – Week 26 (City Chic)

My last post for week 26! (By all accounts it’s already Week 27, but who’s counting).

I wanted to sneeze in one of my quintessential go-to looks for the work-week. Structured blazer, slim-fit pants (e.g., leggings), heels, and flowy top. Although admittedly, the “flowiness” is dissipating by the day! On other days, I would rotate this look with a billowy shift dress and some tights, but overall – you get the picture.

The accessories, I jazzed up for the occasion (pining for something edgier to go with my jacket – who could resist the black leather collar detail?). It was the perfect mix for a night out with friends. Of course, were I in the office I would definitely tone it down! (Maybe skip the ring… as much as I love it. Can you believe that I actually had trouble with airport security at SFO because of this little thing? Nuts).

My nukie is kicking now more than ever, and his papa has been enjoying feeling him kick as well. Apart from shopping for baby basics, we’re also scoping out pediatricians (a must for the little guy, both at the hospital and beyond). We’re leaning towards Soho Pediatrics on 552 Broadway, but still need to do some more further digging and research – the key is to have somebody close by, preferably within walking distance. We also met with our doula this week for the second time to go over logistics. Now I just need to come up with my very own birth plan! That’s right, birth plan!!! On my to-do – create a playlist for the hospital, procure packing essentials (outfit change?), yummy snacks to boost morale (Percy Pigs a must!), and oh yes – per the advice of the NYU hospital folks, a bottle of bubbly for the tired mamma!

Posted on 05/16/2013 at 12:45 AM in Elegant Expecting, Helmut Lang, Second Trimester, Six Months | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/12/2013

#351 Elegant Expecting – Week 26 (Mother’s Day Weekend)

Happy Mother’s Day! A day that used to spell flowers and cards for my own mom suddenly bodes all the more meaning for me, for obvious reasons. We had a lovely Mother’s day brunch with my folks yesterday at Tartinery in Nolita. Then today was a full immersion baby-prep day. It dawned on me recently that since we only have about three more months to go, it was high-time to focus on some baby basics, such as crib, stroller, nursery, the works. Project nursery, here we come!

So off we went – to Little Folks on 23^rd and Park, followed by the all encompassing experience at Buy Buy Baby in Chelsea (I don’t love Buy Buy Baby personally, but it does have all of the basics, so makes for good foundation-building). We then tried Schneiders (which unfortunately was shut on Sundays), then decided to head down to Tribeca for Babesta (which is also conveniently located across the road from Rosie Pope Maternity). Whew!

See here for our complete baby-shopping list, mapped out in accordance to geography. Mind you, we probably accomplished 40% of the list, which was good enough for me!

Of course, with all of that walking I knew it was a good time to slip on my Charles Philip Shanghai flats (these hot pink babies give me just the pop of color I needed). We ended the day at Greenwood Park for some bocce ball, food and cheers (beer for hubby and his friends). For those of you not familiar with this hipster-craft brew beer garden in Brooklyn (myself included), it is basically a haven for parents and their babies… as quoted by one commentator on Foursqure, “if you like day-drinking next to toddlers, this place is your jam.”

Well, by that definition – I suppose it will be my jam soon enough!

In Madison Square Park, new art installation "Red, Yellow, and Blue" by Orly Genger

Picking up some goodies from Babesta in Tribeca! Which, of course, happens to be right around the corner from Rosie Pope Maternity

En route from Little Folks in Gramercy to Buy Buy Baby in Chelsea, stopping for a couples selfie in front of the Flatiron Building. Of course, hubby took "goofing around" to a whole new level!