(My Dress | Shoes | Harper’s Dress | Shoes)

Happy Friday friends! Crazy to think that the next time I do this post I’ll be back to calling it “Champagne Chatting….” and with that, our plans for this weekend include lots of prep for the next several weeks. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Sharing my monthly Q+A below…..
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 1. How do you spin so far along in your pregnancy?? I’m only a few weeks behind you but feel like it would be so uncomfortable!

For me, the key to continuing spin is all in the placement of the seat and handle bars. To account for the bigger belly, I have the handle bars much higher than normal, have the seat a little higher so my legs can extend further down, and I have the seat moved up closer to the handle bars so I’m not leaning forward as much. I actually find this to be much more comfortable than running these days. If you take SoulCycle classes while pregnant they will also offer you an extender for the handle bars to ensure you’re comfortable.

2. Where are the best places to buy rugs? I need a rug for my little girl’s nursery and have seen all the rugs you’ve been sharing lately….

So many great places, but lately I’ve been finding some of my favorites from Urban Outfitters…. our white rug in the nursery, Harper’s new rug, our runner rug in the entryway, and bath rug are all from Urban.

3. I really need some cute ball caps. Do you have any favorite brands or specific ones?

Such great options in the warmer months to cover up dirty hair (not that I would know anything about dirty hair…. I’m only going on day 7 over here….). This faded denim cap (also comes in a white color) is super cute and I think this faux suede cap is pretty stylish too… and this leopard print cap is a great way to make any basic outfit not so basic anymore.

4. I’m going to a black tie wedding in May in Lodi. I have no idea where to start with that to wear. Any suggestions? It’s at a winery…. Looking to stay between $200-250 + I like bold colors.

SO fun!… then again, anything at a winery sounds pretty amazing to me at this point…. As far as dresses go I think a beautiful long dress in a fun design would be gorgeous in May….. Since you mentioned you like bold colors, I think this yellow gold wrap dress is absolutely beautiful….. I’ve also been obsessed (for months) with this gorgeous plum colored dress with beautiful waist cut-outs (it’s on major sale too)…. this one shoulder dress in a vivid orchid color is beautiful…. or this metallic dress would be beautiful too.

5. Do you have any recommendations for facial cleansers? I currently use TULA and really love it, just want to try something different.

I’ve been using Osea Malibu’s facial cleanser for the past 6 months and love it! I highly recommend.

6. I’m new to So. Cal and live more inland but a bunch of friends of mine are coming in June for a fitness convention. We are spending 3 nights out in OC and I’m wondering if you can send some good brunch + dinner recs… or must see hikes/beaches. We love sushi, so that’s a bonus.

For dinner I recommend Cannery Sushi or Sushi Nobu (both with views of the water), Driftwood Kitchen, Cucina Enoteca, Fig + Olive, + Javier’s…. for breakfast Malibu Farm, Babette’s, and KIT for great avocado toast. Hiking Crystal Cove or in the Laguna Wilderness Park is a great option… and we love the beaches in Laguna (Shaw’s Cove, Victoria Beach, or Diver’s Cove are three great options).

7. I just got the suede jacket in Fawn and adore it! I’m so frightened though that it’s very easy to stain. Any suggestions on keeping it nice and clean? Or tips to clean??

I’m so glad you’re loving this suede jacket!! I haven’t personally done anything to it to protect it (I probably should….) but here is a great article on how to protect it….

8. Any tips for trying to drop a few pounds before summer???

I think it’s all about a combination of hydrating your body so it can flush out toxins, eating clean + nutritious meals to properly fuel your body, and working out. I’ve always been a huge fan of Tone It Up and think that they offer such a good meal plan program, in conjunction with workouts that you can easily do at home.

9. Is it too early to ask you to post what you are going to wear/any suggestions for a newborn shoot? I’m assuming you are doing something of that nature… I felt so unprepared for my son’s newborn shoot (didn’t realize you still look 6 months pregnant a week after birth….) and want to be better prepared this time around.

Totally know what you mean…. we actually didn’t take newborn photos professionally, I took some of Harper by myself… I just couldn’t do the pressure of having to look that pulled together within a week…. we did take photos at 6 weeks though and we all went super casual. That being said, I think a beautiful loose and flowy dress, that you can belt would be such a great option. I didn’t wear this embroidered dress to my sprinkle lunch last week, but decided to keep it for post pregnancy because I thought it was so gorgeous and would help me to feel good, especially when I look 6 weeks pregnant…. but I’m not. I’ve also had my eye on this beautiful blue dress for a while and think it would be gorgeous in photos. Both aren’t cheap, but I think they’re great post pregnancy, as well as summer, dress options. I also love this multi-colored dress as well, and it’s under $100.

10. Have you taken Harper to Santa Barbara yet? I saw on the blog that you have with your husband but didn’t see any with Harper? Would you say those hotels are kid friendly? Joining my husband on a work trip and our 2 girls are going to join….

We have! We actually stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Goleta (formerly The Bacara Hotel)…. and it was super kiddo friendly…. big pool that Harper loved splashing around in…. I also recommend The Fess Parker Hotel… it’s right across from the beach so you can either hang by their pool, head to the beach, or ride bikes on the boardwalk. It’s also walking distance to the Santa Barbara Zoo which is such a great one! We haven’t stayed there as a family, but TJ and I stayed there several years ago and it was great!

11. Do you have any suggestions on new bras that have padding and are comfortable? I’m getting into my second trimester and need some new options.

In full disclosure, I feel as if I had to re-enter the world of underwire + padded bras since becoming pregnant…. so I’ve found a few that I really like. I’ve been wearing this one and this one (which I actually owned pre-pregnancy too) throughout my pregnancy and they have been excellent options.

12. I am planning a trip to Hawaii (Maui or Kauai) for my honeymoon and see you visit often. Do you have any hotel recs?

As far as Kauai goes, we’ve only gone as a family and stayed at the Marriott Ocean Club… while it’s a beautiful property, not sure I’d recommend it for a honeymoon… unless you don’t mind all the families around! I do think that the Hyatt in Kauai is stunning though (we’ve been there for cocktails)…. Maui has so many beautiful options… if you want to stay in Kaanapali I recommend The Westin or The Hyatt…. if you’re ok staying a little further out and the rates don’t both you, The Montage in Kapalua is absolutely stunning. The Andaz + The Four Seasons in Wailea are also beautiful and romantic options! Enjoy and congrats!

13. Do you have any recommendations for comfy + supportive but cute sandals? I need some to get through this pregnancy!

This white slide is very padded, stylish, and perfect for summer (I own them and love them….)…. I also find this studded pair to be really comfortable as well (padded too)… I own them in black but they also come in this camel color too. And lastly, I’ve owned this pair for a couple of years now… well made, comfortable, and lots of color options.

14. Could you share your daily vitamins/supplements you taken? Whether your pregnant or not, which ones are best to take??

Before I was pregnant (or thinking about pregnancy) I actually didn’t take any supplements…. now that I’m pregnant I take these prenatal vitamins which are specifically designed for each trimester of pregnancy (and will continue to use them for the 4th trimester….), as well as a Vitamin D supplement (per doctor’s orders). Sorry, wish I could help more in that area.

15. Any good recommendations for cute and flowy dresses for summer? I’ll be 6-9 months pregnant during this time!

(all of these are non-maternity) I just bought this shirt dress for the end of pregnancy and post-pregnancy life… not super flowy, but nice and loose for a casual outfit. I also love this blue maxi dress (such a gorgeous shape), casual tunic dress, basic midi dress (such a cute option),  super comfortable sleeveless midi dress (I own in the mauve color), and this embroidered maxi dress (which I also mentioned above). Some other under $50 options include blue floral dress, white pin-tuck dress, black lace trim dress, and this blue and white stripe dress.

16. Have been wanting to know if you’ve done anything in particular now to make life easier when baby girl comes. I’m currently trying to make a “postpartum support plan” and working to come up with these kinds of ideas!

Trying! I’m attempting to pre-prep some healthy meals that can be frozen and then defrosted for a quick dinner or breakfast (an oatmeal bake, some healthy enchiladas, chicken + veggie soup, and looking for a lightened up casserole….)… we did put together a small home gym (invested in a bike and organized all of our weights) so that we could work out with some ease when we have two little ones.. I also plan on heavily relying on grocery delivery services in the first several weeks, and having certain essentials on auto-subscribe so I don’t even have to think about it when I’m sleep deprived. We’ve tried to put together a plan for how we will handle middle of the night feedings, and taking care of Harper, the following day (and confirming with our babysitter that she will still be available… hahaha) …. it’s all loose and I wish I could say we have a more concrete plan in place…. I am lucky that my parents live nearby so they will be able to help us out as well.

17. Love your maternity style. Do you have any suggestions for a baby shower dress? I’m having a girl, so maybe something blush or pink?

TY! Depending on what you’re looking for there are so many great options. If you want something more fitted, this is my favorite ribbed dress and it comes in so many great color options (pink available here). For a looser look, this maxi dress (in an antique rose or white) is beautiful, embroidered maxi dress, ruffled maxi dress, strapless ruffled dress (one of my favorite brands), and this shell colored ruffled tiered dress. This is a beautiful floral dress (that would likely fit nicely over the belly).

18. Do you plan on doing babywise and cry it out this time around? With Harper, did you start as soon as she was born? We’re starting sleep training with my 5 mo old next week and I’m anxious but also SO looking forward to more sleep for all of us!

Good luck momma! When we had Harper, I followed the Babywise feeding schedule from the beginning, as well as the eat-wake-sleep schedule, as I found it to be a very successful way for us to structure our day. I also love that it helped me to recognize her cues, and to make sure she was getting enough food to ensure that she could also sleep. It is very demanding in the beginning, with 9 nursing sessions in the first couple of weeks, but it tapers down based on the babies needs over the ensuing weeks. I think that a lot of people don’t like Babywise, for various reasons, but I found it really great for our family…. without having to really use cry it out as a technique (and Babywise never encourages crying it out from birth, or even within the first 3 months…. I personally don’t think any method would encourage that). I used Happiest Baby On The Block as a way to soothe Harper, and followed the Babywise feeding/wake/sleep schedule and felt that we had so much success, so I have every intention of following it this time around. The beauty of parenting is that you can pick and choose what methods are right for your family, and baby, since each time around is different. So while I saw this is what we plan on doing, I also know there is a little baby on the other side of that who we haven’t even met yet!