Snippets of Pregnancy Outfits

It has been so hectic the past few weeks that I haven't been able to really take photos of how I've been dressing my belly as Xavi grows. So here are snippets instead, just to document my old reliables, i.e. the comfortable but still (hopefully) stylish clothes and shoes that still make me feel good, even as I get bigger throughout this pregnancy, hehe :)

Boyfriend denims from Current/Elliott, Boyfriend shirt from Equipment France, Lanvin flats

Denim boyfriend shirt from Old Navy, cut-off shorts from Current/Elliott, Gray TOMS

H&M dress

Red flats with snakeskin cap toe detail from Lupe Saenz

Mango tank, Lauren Conrad blush blazer, J Brand jeans, Lanvin flats

Men's striped shirt from A.P.C., Current/Elliott cut-offs, Play x CDG Converse sneakers

A.P.C. dress, Lanvin flats

Dada's old button down shirt, Topshop leggings, Repetto BBs

Yup, I am about to turn 36 weeks this week, and for those like me who don't want to spend on maternity clothes, it can be done. You can survive without shopping! I just use loose tops, dresses, leggings and boyfriend jeans and wear a lot of flats. 

But I have to admit, the story would be different if you work in a corporate setting. In that case, just wear wrap-around dresses, as well as blazers over maternity tops/tanks with trousers. Maybe best to wear kitten heel pumps. And don't forget to accessorize! 

Color Coordinated

Berry: Gingersnaps top from Aunt Ingrid, Baby Gap jeans, Salt-water sandals

Me: shirt from Uniqlo, Topshop trousers, adult Salt-Water sandals, FEED bag

Berry dresses herself now, she chooses her own outfits. And she wears them on her own, she refuses to let us help dress her up. She reminds me of Henry Kravis, the private equity guy who made his niche in leveraged buyouts. In an interview he shares that his mom's recollection of him as a kid was that he wanted to tie his shoes when he didn't even know how to tie his shoes. But he had to do it himself.

That's Berry. But her motor skills are so refined now that she can even put a belt on or buckle her sandals by herself. Very independent.

Anyway, just wanted to share with you our Sunday outfit. I actually took my cue from Berry when I saw that her red sandals looked cute with her blue top. Berry is my icon. Incidentally, I just had to also say I love my Salt-Water sandals. Its been raining here everyday and they're the perfect pair to wear because I don't have to worry about my sandals getting wet. My friends here in Singapore, like Janie, Sara and Vicky all love their Salt-Waters too! I really think these sandals are a winner.

UPDATE: Will keep you posted on which stores to buy adult Salt-Water sandals in Singapore! For now you may email naomi@thatchettsg.com to place an order! =)

PS - Thanks to all the readers who left comments in my "controversial" post. I have read and published each and every one's. I really appreciate all the support and I am sorry if I have disappointed some of you. It is not in my character to be arrogant or mayabang, and if I came across as such, my fault lies in not being able to write my thoughts out well and explain it within context as my words have been subject to misinterpretation. Well, hopefully I get to meet some of you to know me well enough that I am not like that.

Go for Gold

We were invited to visit Kuala Lumpur to attend Dada's graduate school classmate's wedding in their home two weeks ago. It was such a beautiful experience and one of the most gorgeous, intimate ceremonies I have been to ever. I thought I'd share with you glimpses from the wedding, and of course, what we wore!

Prior to the bride and groom's exchange of rings, the "exchange of vows" was actually between the groom, and the bride's father, as per tradition. So it is basically like a contract between the groom and his father-in-law.

Like the Chinese Ting Hun, the couples exchange gifts. But unlike the Chinese Ting Hun, this was done during the actual ceremony. The ones at the back are for the bride, from the groom's family. The gifts in the pretty carriages dripping with pearls and on gilded trays are from the bride's side, for the groom.

I spied wedding cakes, a Macbook Air, the Koran, clutches from Furla & Ferragamo, watches, perfumes, and fruit platters amongst a host of other gifts. But it was this unique, organic arrangement of fruits that caught my eye. I love the raspberries cradled on the "nest". How adorable!

The following day, we attended the formal wedding reception, held at a hotel in Bukit Bintang. I enjoyed watching what the guests wore, from silk batiks and baju melayus for the men to baju kurungs and Indian saris plus the random modern cocktail dress or gown.

I thought this buffet style of serving guests was brilliant!

Everything was laid out inside in front of us, so no need for guests to stand up and get food at the buffet table. I think this is the best alternative to a sit down dinner. Plus can I say, there was bottomless rice! OMG! I had two servings!

There was a mini wedding ceremony held on this stage...

Where the principal sponsors got to greet the couple, sprinkling potpourri over their heads, and lightly splashing their hands with oil. The principal sponsors read like a who's who of Malaysia - from a former Prime Minister to high ranking government officials and industrialists.

And of course, there was us, aka the friends who flew in, heehee.

For the wedding ceremony, which required proper attire, the bride suggested that Dada wear a baju melayu or a batik shirt and long pants. While I could wear a long sleeved blouse and a long skirt. After weeks of researching and scouring the shops here in Singapore for something appropriate to wear, we ended up wearing these:

Look at Dada's batik shirt, he looks "resplendent" as his friend put it. Prince Jefri is that you? Wear a songkok and I'd mistake you for President SBY!

Meanwhile, I found a long pleated skirt at River Island, and a long sleeved top from Zara. I just paired it with my Rebecca Minkoff MAC, a Fenton/Fallon cuff and the metallic peep toe slingbacks I wore to my own wedding.

This outfit would have been perfectly appropriate, if not for the Bio-Oil stain on my skirt! Buti na lang I had Grandma's to the rescue, and it washed off right away.

(Photos 6,7,9 were taken by Detania S.)

Shades of Neutral

Shirt from Equipment France, H&M shorts, Anthology shoes, J.Crew tote & bracelet, 

bangle from my friend Kaye

It looks like I have been dressing with a theme these days. This time, it's based on color - or rather, the lack of it. Everything here comes in a neutral shade of beige & brown.

Here's a better look at my tote. I'm too lazy to bring around leather bags these days. I like the casual nonchalance of a canvas tote.

Oh, and I just realized my outfit is also an amalgamation of sale finds and presents. I got lucky with the Equipment shirt which I snapped up at a deep discount at Madison Los Angeles, the shorts were marked down to $10 at H&M, my wooden bangle is a gift from my friend Kaye, and the oxfords are from Anthology shoes (thanks Karrots & Ivan!).

I am quite obsessed with Equipment shirts, and I would to buy a rainbow of it when I have the chance.

Carine Roitfeld's life partner started it back in 1976 (same year I was born! ha!) and Current/Elliot's Serge Azria revived the label a year ago. Now, it has become the hottest thing to have and I totally see why. The lineage of this cult brand is just impeccable! Read more about it, here.

J.Crew from Head to Toe

While getting ready to head out with the family, I just randomly pulled out a shirt, a pair of pants, and a belt from my closet. 

It was only when I was done did I realize I was dressed completely in J.Crew. (Well, technically Sperry Top-Siders are not J.Crew, but J.Crew sells it on their website. The glass bracelet that is part of my stack of bracelets is from J.Crew)

I know wearing one label from head to toe, is well, a no no. 

But when it's J.Crew, it doesn't seem so bad. Just perfectly casual and laid back.

Lazy Weekend

Me: Hon, did you know that for this week, my post on your outfit is the 2nd most popular post next to Cambridge Satchels?

Berry's Dada: Hon, I am not surprised.

Me: Bakit, how many times do you click on it a day?

LOL! Well, it's another weekend, and as usual, Dada was rocking another blog worthy outfit. We had just come from a fun, leisurely brunch at P.S. Cafe with our friends Tim & Sunny who had also just moved to Singapore from NY. Sunny (who grew up in Mexico until she moved to Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu) & I are on a quest for authentic Mexican food here in Singapore (which is sorely lacking), and we both miss La Esquina and Chipotle terribly. Sigh.

Anyhoo, when we got home, I told Dada, "Let's take another photo for a post!". 

Of course, he gamely posed for the camera, and downloaded the photos right away. He even titled the album "MFO Photoshoot". Here's Dada with his seaside prep look - all that is missing is the boat!

Berry, who had just awakened from her nap, was not in the mood to pose, but wanted to be with Dada...

She then ambled over to the play area and asked me to join her. After bouncing around a bit on this 4-seater bouncer...

She wanted me to peek into this "speaker" so that we could see each other from both sides. Turns out I was tricked!

As I peered into the opening, she was watching me from above! Look at that naughty smile!

Now, she's awake and ready for more mischief! Hahaha!

Meanwhile, here's what I wore: a 3 year old shirt dress (I love the pockets!) from H&M, tassled moccasins from Renegade Folk, and bangles from Vita Fede and Alexis Bittar. 

Seattle Premium Outlets

Because shopping in Canada is ridiculous, we go across the border to shop in Washington state. The nearest outlet mall is in Burlington, WA at The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington. I think the main drawing factor there is the Lululemon outlet, where they sell gym bags for just $75, apart from the usual yoga wear. Hate to disappoint you though, prices aren't that far off from the store. Like hoodies are $80 versus $98 retail. Other than that, it has the usual outlet staples, Carter's Gap, Van Heusen, Nike, etc. Then there's Nordstrom Rack in Lynnwood where I recall seeing these sick silver Sperry Top-siders back in 2005. If it's the Apple Store we have to go to, then we head out to Alderwood Mall.

A little farther off is Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, WA - from the same folks who brought us the Disneyland of outlet shopping: Woodbury Premium Outlets. It's not as huge, and the selection of stores? Not as impressive. But if you live in Washington or Vancouver where most people (not all, but most) dress up in North Face/Columbia jackets, hoodies & sweatshirts most of the time, I guess this is as good as it can get.

The photos make the place look dreary, but hey, this is Washington, land of Twilight, ahehehe:

Unlike Woodbury which is an outdoor outlet mall in the purest sense, Seattle Premium Outlets is canopied throughout...

It has the following stores that would suitably make the average shopper happy:

But none of the mind blowing ones that Woodbury has aka - Chanel, YSL, Marni, Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Frette, Loro Piana etc. Ah, there was a Burberry there, and they had this amazing army green raincoat for little boys that would fit me, about $200. But I have way too many military jackets already and at $200, nice, but no thanks.

I did buy a wallet for my sister at Kate Spade. A pretty leather one that was less than $75. Seriously. I think Kate Spade here has the best deals. Bags were on sale, and then up to an additional 60% off. I think you could already buy a bag for $100 or so. Canvas pouches starting at $30, nice pasalubong or you can hoard it to give as gifts when an occasion pops up.

Then there are the usual stores for the kiddos:

And the guys would have these:

Dada was disappointed with the Brooks Brothers here. He wanted to buy a couple of suits but they didn't have his size. I think Brooks Brothers at Jersey Gardens & Woodbury would still have the best selection of styles and sizes.

Dada and I only shopped here at J.Crew, we got a lot of shorts to gear up for Singapore's summer:

And of course, I had to take an outfit shot inside J.Crew, heeheehee:

Isabel Marant sweatshirt dress & scarf, Wolford tights, cardigan from Splendid, Hoss Intropia leather jacket, clog booties from No.6

Tres Chic 80s Revival

This is Berry's favorite shirt these days, one of the gifts she got from aunts Kaye & Florence. She just loves wearing it over and over. I don't blame her, the cotton is really soft and light and perfect for Singapore's humid weather. She is sort of bothered with the flower though and tries to take it out until she gets distracted with something else.

Love that the shirt has a longer back...

Joe Fresh top from Aunt Kaye & Aunt Florence, Gap leggings, 

See Kai Run silver mary janes, a birthday gift from Liam Palma

While Berry is tres chic, I am  stuck in the 80s:

There's something about my outfit that reminds me of the sort of look guys wore back in the 80s - I think it's the Sperry Top-Siders, rolled-up jeans, and Ray-Ban Clubmasters. Yeah, I think that's it.

Shirt from Rag & Bone, Cheap Monday jeans, Sperry Top-sider, Celine Luggage tote, 

Ray-Ban Clubmasters, bangles from Alexis Bittar & Vita Fede

There ya go, bus stop fashion, hehehe.