My Post-Partum Body: Clothing Woes

So here's the deal.

I got this super cute heart-print skirt from eShakti over a year ago before Nicole got big enough to make my tummy expand. The cool thing about the skirt is that it was made to my measurements... buuuuuut that means it fit my pre-baby waist.



 

I had come to accept that my body is shaped differently now than it was before. After trying this skirt on around 3 months post-partum, I was discouraged that it still didn't fit while other women were saying that they were already back in their pre-pregnancy jeans. I never thought I'd be able to wear this skirt again.

Well, look at me now! It was so satisfying to be able to pull that zipper all the way up.

 

Pants are another story though. My waistline may be shrinking, but my hips are not. None of my pants fit, and I'm not sure they ever will. I have avoided trying on a single pair of pants at stores because I don't want to see how many sizes I've gone up, and I have a feeling I'll have difficulty finding pants that fit right anyways. I have weird proportions.

Then I found out that good ol' eShakti is offering pants, shorts, and jumpsuits now.

Hallelujah, eShakti. Custom-sizing sounds pretty alluring when you don't want to go through the hassle of trying on tons of pants at a store just to figure out your new pants size. (I get frustrated just thinking about it!)

I don't think I could ever pull off a jumpsuit, and it's too hot for pants... so the shorts sing to me the most right now. I LOVE these Bermuda shorts. Gah, the polka dots, I can't even. Let's get some more Bermuda shorts on the line, eShakti! They're by far my favorite style out of all the shorts options.

Okay. Back to my wardrobe for a second.

Shirts.

Don't get me started on shirts.

You see, I have a 6-month-old baby who really, really likes to eat. I feed her 100% naturally. We've tried the pumping/bottles method. She doesn't buy it. Either it comes directly from the source or she won't take it. This means that I either have to carefully plan the timing of my outings, and/or I need to make sure that the shirt I'm wearing is nursing friendly.

Nursing friendly = stretchy neck, button-up, or layers.

The shirt I'm wearing in these pictures = NOT nursing friendly.

It's trickier to find shirts than you might think. Once again, eShakti provides what I'm looking for with some super cute button-up options from their new Contemporary and Bohemian lines. This top is adorable (what is it with me and dots?!) and I would love to layer this top with a light cardi.

If you see things you like on their site (I absolutely ADORE their skirts, they all have pockets!!!!!) then I have good news for you! Use this gift code and you'll get $35 dollars to use on your order! You're welcome ;)

GC CODE: ASHLEYPEASEValid till 06/21/2015 Enter this code in the 'Gift Coupon / Referral Code' box at checkout
Only one gift coupon can be used in an order
Not valid on previous purchases / purchase of gift cards.
This gift coupon cannot be transferred, re-issued or exchanged for cash

 

Yes, that is my maiden name, for those of you who know me only as a Kelly.

But anyways... I dug up this picture from when I was 14 weeks pregnant... it's the only one I could find of me wearing that skirt. Look! The skirt fits so nice and low on my waist! I was so thin! I had a jawline! (Ha.) Getting back to that point is a work in progress.

 

I would still love to fit in my old pants... but it's great to know that I have back-up options in case I discover at the end of my weight-loss process that my hip bones are just too wide now. The eShakti pants options would be especially handy if I ever enter the workforce again, since many of them have that nice, tailored look. And one can never have enough nursing-friendly shirts. Never. Especially when your child stains more than one of your shirts with some sort of bodily fluid in a less-than-24-hour period (yep, that's happened).

 

Ah, Nicole. You certainly have flipped many aspects of my life upside down.

And I love, love, love you so much.

I can't believe that a year ago you were only as big as the peach in that picture!

I'm being compensated for this post, but any and all opinions are completely my own!

Deviant Spawn of Mother Nature

Let's face it... Provo weather is bi-polar. And as I said in my post title, I like to call it "the deviant spawn of mother nature".

Really though. Only a week and a half ago we were well on our way to summer and I had broken out my capris and flip-flops. Now it's snowing. SNOWING! And it's almost MAY! I'm back in boots and a jacket. I shake my fist at you, Provo.




Since it IS a little colder though, it means I was able get more use out of this cute spring jacket yesterday while Provo was still snow-free, and who can complain about that?!

Jacket: c/o eShakti   //   Dress: Kohl's   //  Boots: Forever Young Shoes   //   Necklace: Gifted

Warning: shameless plug moment. And my opinions are all my own!

Usually when I think of eShakti, I think of dresses and skirts, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this jacket among their spring collection items. There are some other cute color options here and here, but I went with this lovely tan option for a more practical look.

The fun thing about eShakti is that you have the option to use custom measurements! I gave the custom sizing a try, and the result = this jacket fits like a glove! I even got choose the length of the jacket, as well as the length of the sleeves. Basically, it's a jacket that consists of everything I love: longer in length, sleeves that go to the wrist, and it's fitted to my body shape instead of hiding me like a trash bag. I love it!

Plus, it's a spring jacket, which means that I can wear it when there's just a slight chill to the air without getting too hot. It's a warm look without making me feel too warm, and it's perfect for when this crazy Provo weather decides to switch to the colder side of spring. It even holds up in this dang snow, as long as I wear something cozy underneath and pile on the scarves and hats!




In other news, I make some weird faces when Doug takes pictures of me.

Let me prove it.

Okay, those aren't too weird. Those are just the ones that are acceptable to put on this blog, folks. Don't even get me started on double chins and a mouth that keeps gaping open awkwardly.

Of course, my simple little point-and-shoot doesn't help matters (DSLR, someday... *sigh...) and I really ought to find a camera-savvy blogger buddy and we can do photo shoots of each other or something. Until then, though, I'll keep forcing my poor hubby to take pictures of me. I know it's not his favorite thing, but at least he hasn't started openly protesting yet, right?! (Love you, hun)

Putting aside the statement necklaces and chevron for a moment...

There are plenty of great, cute American boutiques out there, and I feel like they all sell the same things: maxi skirts, chambray tops, chevron patterns, and chunky statement jewelry. Don't get me wrong, those things are great! I love a good statement necklace... I've got 50-zillion hanging up in my room right now. But sometimes, you've just got to change things up.

Have you considered fashion from other cultures? There are some great places and websites out there to help your broaden the variety in your closet, and I recently came across one called Coco Fashion. They sell Korean-style clothing for women, along with a selection of purses and shoes fitting up to size 7 feet in American sizes.

I have never taken a close look at Korean fashion before now, but as I've browsed Coco's website, I've noticed more than once piece that I would love to wear.

Take this super cute dress for example! Give me a sunhat and some fun shoes, and I would wear this dress all the time! It makes me think of having tea in a rose garden or something like that.

And the great thing about Coco Fashion is that the clothing items often come with more than one color choice. I can't decide if I like the color scheme of the dress above or the color scheme of this dress better.

And if you still want some great maxi skirts or dresses, Coco's got that covered too. Look at this gorgeous maxi... it's only $12! It would look gorgeous paired with a cardigan, elegant necklace, and some heels.

Not wanting to see more maxi dresses? That's fine... go take a look at their other items. Cardigans and trench coats and blouses, oh my! Not to mention skinnies, tunics, jumpsuits, and plenty of other choices.

That blue top would look so cute with a belt around it, don't you think? I feel like there are many creative things you can do with these Korean clothing pieces.

There are plenty of items that come in S/M/L, but you must take note that many of the pieces are one-size-only. Coco always makes sure to give you the measurements of each item so that you can figure out if it would fit you or not. The measurements are in centimeters, and the website gives you a nice centimeters-to-inches converter (for those of you who are like me and measure with inches). So if you do not know your chest/waist/hip measurements, now would be a good time to learn them!

Go click the little ad on my sidebar and check them out! They come out with new items every day (just check the "Daily New" section) and there are already hundreds of items you can look through. If you get anything from Coco, let me know about it and tell me what you think! And you must admit... their prices are wonderful.

Are there any non-American fashions that you love?

Don't you think that blue maxi is gorgeous?! Because I sure do!

All pictures were used with permission from coco-fashion.com

Easter Dress

Dress: c/o eShakti // Shoes: Designer Footwear // Belt: Kohl's // Hair-flower: "borrowed" from my sister

I'm definitely loving my new dress that I got just in time for Easter. I just had to whip out my non-DSLR camera and get the Hubs to snap a few pics.

It's pretty cute, wouldn't you agree? I don't usually go out of my way to get dresses that are floral print, but this one was just too cute-looking to pass up, so I went for it. And yes, it has pockets. Pockets!!!!!

I actually got the dress from a website called eShakti. Have you guys heard of it? The website is pretty cool... you can customize your orders! They allow you to submit your own measurements so that the dress/shirt/skirt fits you just right, and you can change the length on the dresses/skirts and even change the sleeve length and neckline on some of the dresses and shirts.

My dress is below knee-length and I changed the sleeves from cap-sleeve to short sleeve. I love how it looks on me, and the floral pattern is perfect for spring. My only qualm is that the dress is hard to get off because the arms are a little tight. Maybe that's just me... but I think it's because the zipper is on the side of the dress. If the zipper were on the back of the dress, the problem would be solved! So... other than the fact that it takes me a little longer than usual to get the dress off, I really love it. Really truly :)

I wore it all day today and got multiple compliments on it. One girl even thought I made it myself... well, I'm not quite that talented, although I have made a dress before. I should show you guys sometime.

There's a couple eShakti skirts that I have my eyes on... you guys should go check out their spring line and see if you can find anything you like. Their clothing is all vintage style, inspired by the 50's and 60's with a retro modern twist. Some of those 50s sundresses... GAH, I die! Too cute.

In other news, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I got to spend mine with my in-laws for an Easter dinner AND a celebration of 3 birthdays that happen during this next week. One of which is mine. Oh Easter.

I'm thankful for this opportunity I have each year to step back and really think about my Savior.

His Atonement means everything to me

And I know

that He

LIVES.

On that note... I hope that everyone has a wonderful week.

Spring is in the air... Let yourself be a little silly!