Late Summer Date Night #fashion

With a newborn and preschooler at home, I think it's safe to say that we deserve a date night. Late summer date nights are some of my favorites as it is still warm enough to wear sandals and head to a patio for a night outdoor dinner {with patio heaters preferably!}, yet it gets cool enough to require a really awesome jacket.

Moto Summer by sweetstellas featuring silver sandals

This whole outfit fits my style and life to a T.

A flowy, yet structured dress with great detailing. The gladiator sandals. Dark berry nails that are a great transition into fall. The arrow earrings.

I love the addition of the cropped motorcycle jacket with this outfit, and find it is a really amazing unexpected detail. The juxtaposition of the badass motorcycle vibe with the flowy, girly dress is a great pairing.

Now...where should I have him take me!?

Relax Mama! #stress #relief

Remember who you were before you had children? Laughable, right?

Well it doesn't have to be. You may have changed over the years. Your body may have war wounds and lovely silvery stripes, but at the core of who you are, you are still the same.

 

First and foremost, make a list of your favorite things. Here's mine:

Running
Going for Coffee
Sketching
Writing
Painting
Sculpting
Shopping
Date Nights
Spa Trips

After you have your list, schedule appointments for yourself. For big things like trips to the spa or date nights, be realistic about your time and expectations. Getting an express manicure might fit better with your schedule than a body scrub and massage, so schedule accordingly.

Other things like going for coffee, shopping, running or something artistic can be fit in once a week... and should be! We made a rule when our first was about 5ish months and my postpartum depression was pretty bad that I would get one night out a week. Admittedly, I didn't always take them and sometimes would just sit and cry at Starbucks counting down the minutes until I could go back home.

This time will be different. I am so looking forward to the moments to regroup, even if it just means locking myself in the bathroom for a bubble bath.

Remember that you are still you, and that's a wonderful person to be.

Postnatal Summer Fashion #pregnancy #postnatal

When I had our first son, it was mid June. It wasn't super crazy hot yet, but the warm weather was definitely on its way. I learned very quickly that soft flowy fabrics, a good pair of sandals and simple accessories will become your best friend.

Postnatal Summer Fashion by sweetstellas showing how to wear sun dresses

Dresses were my favorite when I was in that first postnatal phase after having Owen, and they are this time around as well. Look for empire waisted, soft fabrics that don't cling to your tummy. Bonus points if you can find dresses with detail like the ruched neckline of the one above. A little detail can add just enough visual interest to make even the simplest summer dress special.

Gladiator sandals are still my favorite type of footwear for summer, and unless you're dealing with postnatal edema and swelling, they'll likely become yours too.

For accessories, think big floppy beach hat, structured fedora, or open weave cuff and long necklace like the ones pictured above.

Ultimately, you want to be comfortable, but feel human again!