Oops! Once again, fell asleep early and didn’t get my post up until 2:30 p.m. ;) Ah, pregnancy… // Original post here
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about what my first trimester of pregnancy was like. (Back when I was trying my hardest to keep it a secret, but spending the majority of my days hugging the toilet.) So today, I thought I’d continue along and share the details of my second trimester.
Vineyard Vines Maxi c/o (Other VV maxis here; you can also shop Vineyard Vines at Nordstrom) / Jack Rogers Sandals (Also love these and these!) / Vera Bradley Backpack c/o (Also available at Zappos) / Moon and Lola Pearl Earrings c/o / Similar Sunglasses / Monica Vinader Bracelet c/o
Quick (and late) post today, as Mitch and I are celebrating Father’s Day weekend together, chore-free! Because of how much I’ve been traveling lately, and because of all the house-related drama, Mitch and I haven’t had a free weekend in… months? It’s been so nice and relaxing that I’ve been giddy. We’ve been wandering the city, hanging out on the beach, going out to eat way too much, enjoying the sunshine, and soaking up “twosome time.” (Crazy that in only a few short weeks, there will be three of us! And with Noodle, four, haha.)
While I talk about my family and friends on this blog all the time, I recently realized that I rarely hand the mic over to them, so to speak. Yes, there was this hilariously adorable Valentine’s Day post that Mitch wrote earlier this year. But that’s about it. So today, I’m giving Mitch the stage.
Because he’s a math teacher, a lot of people might assume that Mitch’s talents lie in that field. But he’s a ridiculously creative person, too. He’s amazingly good at making videos (One Second Every Day and Ireland are personal faves), inventing new products (he has TWO companies: Couch Clamp and Freezer Meter), graphic design (he’s a Photoshop and Illustrator master), and interior design (he’s the magic behind all of our home renovations). He’s also a great writer. :)
Anyway, the idea is that he’s going to write a column for Kelly in the City every once in a while. We both predict that running the blog and juggling freelance work with a newborn will be a challenge, so he’s stepping in to help. He’s even currently helping to organize a month’s worth of content so I can take “maternity leave.” The sweetest, right?
Love you, Mitch. And thank you. Take it away!
If you’re a Lilly Pulitzer fanatic like me, you’ll be absolutely delighted to hear that one of the company’s most popular prints–“You Gotta Regatta”–is back for a limited time. So exciting. If you also missed the boat (see what I did there?) on the print when it was originally released, now’s your time to pick up something special!
I decided to spring for the Elsa top, as you know how much I’m obsessed with Elsas, and I really can’t fit into anything else right now. ;) But I adore the shorts, short swing dress, and the shift dress. Shipping is free, and summer just started. Might as well treat yourself, #amiright?
Also, Lilly just released its new agendas, so don’t forget to grab one while they’re still available! I use the size large, and I’m definitely getting this one. (Jumbo is pretty massive, and I only recommend it if you don’t plan on taking it off your desk. Then it’s magical! The medium is great for students who are on-the-go more often than I am, and the small is perfect for purses.)
Happy shopping, Ladies! Let me know what you snagged!
Not “You Gotta Regatta,” but I can’t even tell you how excited I was to snag this dress on sale last year as “Red Light Return” is pretty similar! (Original post here.)
Anthropologie Top (I can’t tell you how much I love this shirt! See how it looks on a non-preggo here.) / Timex Watch c/o / J.Crew Jeans (Maternity version here) / GiGi New York Clutch c/o (Don’t forget to monogram it!) / Soludos Espadrille Wedges c/o (Also LOVE these!) / Similar Sunglasses / Helen Ficalora Necklace c/o (Similar here, and how cute is this?!) / Pearl Earrings
The Lilly Pulitzer “You Gotta Regatta” collection is back! Shop now before it sells out.
Guys! I went shopping. This is how it went down: I took the car in for an oil change, and Anthropologie just happened to be next store to the “oil change place.” (Clearly the technical term.) I loved everything, and I regret ever having stepped foot in that establishment. ;) Sorry, Mitch.
This post was sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS®, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!
Mitch and I spent the better part of our first year in Chicago learning the city’s neighborhoods and real estate market, as we desperately wanted to buy a home and end the crazy lifestyle we’d upheld for so long back in New York. Nine apartments in 10 years had taken its toll on us!
If you read Friday’s post, you have a good idea why I took the weekend off from blogging. ;) Guys, it feels SO good! We’re still very much in full-blown renovation mode, but the house is super clean and organized. Or, at least, the cleanest and most organized it’s been since September. And some amazing news: construction on the nursery starts this morning! I’ve been freaking out about this for months (#nesting), and it looks like it might actually get done in time for the baby. Happiness.
Another reason I took the weekend off: I had a scary little episode when I drove Mitch up to Wisconsin for Ragnar on Friday night.
It’s been a month since I really cleaned the house. Sure, I’ve kept up with “maintenance” stuff: wiping down the kitchen, sanitizing the bathroom, and tidying up every so often. And life has been crazy: I was away for the better part of May, and Mitch and I have been booked every single day since my return. But the reality of the situation is that things have gotten pretty out of control, and nearly every room is in need of a deep clean. (So must dust from renovations! Boxes all over the place! Construction tools and materials everywhere!)
When I first returned to Chicago from my travels, I was too overwhelmed to even think about dealing with it. I only had a couple of days to catch up on the most pressing work-related stuff, and then we were off on another weekend trip. But today is the DAY. The motivation? My dresser (on sale here) finally arrived! After nearly 10 months, I no longer have to live out of suitcases. Hallelujah!
Here’s the thing, though: Deep-cleaning and organizing an entire house is daunting. So I’ve rounded up some tips to help myself stay motivated and sane throughout the process. My hope is that the tips will help you, too, if you’re currently in a similar situation! :)
Anthropologie Top (Size down. Also picked up this one in blue! And be still, my heart.) / J.Crew Jeans (I’m wearing the maternity version) / Louis Vuitton Tote (Buy here, here or here. I have the “MM” size.) / Tommy Bahama Sandals c/o (Old, but I love this similar pair!) / Monica Vinader Bracelet c/o / Similar Sunglasses
Okay. I know I’m probably ridiculously full of hormones right now, but my heart is full. :) Yesterday, I went wedding dress shopping at Alice in Ivory and Glamour Closet with Jess, Blair and Shaheen, and it was so much fun. (Oh my goodness. I think things were so crazy during my travels on the East Coast that I think I neglected to share that JESS AND NEAL ARE ENGAGED! Cutest story ever. So happy for you guys! Love you both so much.)
I kind of knew I’d get emotional upon seeing Jess in a wedding gown, but holy tears. And sigh: we found some incredible dresses… one or two of which might be the dress. (I can’t show you actual photos of Jess in the dresses, because I obviously don’t want to ruin the surprise. But there are some great photos from our day at the bottom of this post!) Afterward, we celebrated at Summer House, and I ordered us ALL the food. Everyone got stomach aches except me, haha. (#ChampionEater) Sorrrrrry, guys. ;)
Top / Jeans / Espadrilles
Reunited with Noodle! I can’t even tell you how much I missed her. We ran circles around each other for a good 15 minutes.
Despite having a blog and several social media accounts, so many of the photos I take on my phone get lost in the shuffle. Selfishly, I love “Life, Lately” posts because they help me remember little moments… but I also love that they’re a better reflection of what my life is actually like. At less curated depiction, at least!
