Let’s Talk Maternity Clothes: How to Get Through Nine Months of Changes on a Budget

Hello again blog!!!  I have been a busy bee lately.  In my final trimester, I have been busily nesting away, organizing and re-organizing, and enjoying my freedom to run around town or go nowhere at all, have a quiet coffee with a stack of magazines at Barnes & Noble and just really soak in this time before my life changes forever.  Oh, and my mom and sis threw me an incredible baby shower a couple Sundays ago!  Despite the snow the night before, it turned out to be a gorgeous day filled with beautiful people who came out to spoil this babe.

I have been meaning to do a post on the subject of maternity clothing for a while.  So last night, I pulled out every single item I have purchased since I got pregnant, and snapped away with my phone.  The quality is not super great, but I knew I had to do it or it might never happen!  Plus, I have a little bit to say on the subject and wanted to share with you all who might be expecting or thinking of having a baby in the future.  After putting this post together I missed a couple of dresses I had purchased, but the rest is all here.

Sure it’s fun to see all these celebs and their fashionable bumps splashing the pages of People, (except Kim, what is up with her maternity style, and her looks can NOT be comfortable), but not all of us have the lavish wardrobe budgets to go out and buy a closet full of Pea in the Pod.  At least I didn’t.  Plus, even if you do have a larger budget, let’s face it, who wants to spend a lot of money on temporary clothes that they will probably hate after the birth of their babe and either give them away to a friend, donate or stow away in a Tupperware for next time.  I knew I didn’t!  I was determined, and still am, to creatively maximize the articles of clothing I already own, repeat looks and pieces, and only ONLY purchase necessities when I absolutely had/have to.  You would be surprised at how many things you can still wear from your pre-bump days well into maternity!  If you are trying to conceive, think ahead and purchase items with a bump in mind.

Here are some things you may already own, or you should plan on investing in leading up to conception:

1. The maxi dress!  Not only a closet staple for summer, these forgiving jersey floor skimmers are great for pregnancy too!  Just top them off with a denim jacket, open and long cardigan or a blazer.  Wear with flats, or dress up with heels.  Purchase in thicker fabrics or different colors and textures depending on the season.  You definitely don’t want to be wearing a super light weight, cotton white maxi in the dead of winter, but you can (and I did) pull of a black and white striped tank maxi during my fall/winter maternity with a jacket and cute scarf.

Left to Right: forest green maxi from American Apparel (purchased in February), olive green tank maxi from American Apparel (purchased in February),

navy jumpsuit from Ross $12.99 (purchased in March for my baby shower)

Left to Right: Striped jersey dress and chambray dress/top purchased in second trimester at a sale at Dillard’s, polka dot skirt from Target, purchased in second trimester, and gray knit maxi by Heidi Klum maternity from Destination Maternity purchased in second trimester.

2. Long open cardi!  I fortunately already had two gray versions in my closet pre-pregnancy, but I cannot tell you how many times I wore them!  Cozy, and the length is key!  Something about the bump growth in front and needing to sometimes balance out the kidney bean shaped profile out back with a longer cardi or blazer.  It helps, promise.  Also, at home, I wore them constantly with workout pants or velour sweats and a tank or tee.  You NEED cozy clothes because by the time you get home, with all that extra heat pumpin’ through you, all you want to do is strip that damn bra off and get in stretchies!  EVEN fashion peeps.  I found my gray cardis at Ross (left) and the Chico’s cashmere belted version (right) was a thrift store score!

Heart sweater from Madewell, purchased on sale (plus additional 30% off) in second trimester, and red stretchy tunic from a boutique purchased in second trimester.

3. Long, loose tunic tops!  These tops are luckily in style, preggo or not.  You can find these ANYWHERE!  I wore several I already had including a white one from H&M, a bright pink silky one from the thrift store, a black one from H&M and the two I purchased below.  The tan one was from Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom label, and the maroon one was from Soft Surroundings in Park Meadows.  Both were purchase in my first trimester (Aug/Sep/Oct).  I have not worn these two since the first trimester honestly.  In the beginning these tops are great because you can hide the “awkward” stage, before your belly pops.  A lot of people didn’t even know I was expecting.  You don’t need a slew of them, just choose a couple in a color palette that flatter your skin tone, and again, think of the season.  I was pregnant during a colder season, which I am thankful for.  I got away with not having to purchase a winter coat (mine still fit) and I went without one most of the time with layers, if you are just going in and out of your car and indoors.

Ingrid & Isabel black long sleeve maternity tee purchased in first trimester and still wearing, maroon blouse from Soft Surroundings purchased in  first trimester, and tan blouse from Nordstrom Rack purchased in first trimester (no longer wearing the blouses but I have them for post baby).

 

Black and white short sleeve sweater (Kirna Zabete for Target) purchased in first trimester, still wearing, Love sweater from Target, purchased in second trimester and still wearing and coral striped blouse from old Navy, purchased in second trimester and still wearing.  All can be worn post baby.

Sheer black tank vest and wide leg cotton pants with elastic waist (both from Pacific Sunwear and purchased in first trimester)

4. Bras!  I bought these pretty EARLY on in the pregnancy as they were the FIRST thing to bloom!  Be prepared to purchase them again post-birth.  I lucked out with a New Years Day sale at Dillard’s this year and purchased three.  Definitely purchase a nude.  I wish I had bought a strapless for tanks and special occasion dresses, and am headed out to get an affordable one this week as the temps are warming up.  don’t spend a lot, because you will most likely grow when your milk comes in for nursing, and then (sadly) from what I hear, shrink down.  No use in spending lots of dough at Sol Lingerie or even Victoria’s Secret, when you are just going to be this size temporarily.  Just be sure to get one that is supportive, and COMFORTABLE!  You can find GREAT brands at department stores, Maidenform and Wacoal, and even check discounters like Ross at TJ Maxx.  Try to get them on sale!

5. Long sleeve jersey tees, tees and tanks that run long in the body!  Sounds basic, and they are!  I had some great basics in my closet already that got MAJOR wear.  I found the best brands that were  long enough to cover the belly, nothing is more annoying then air hitting your belly because your tops are cropping up, and stretchy, and SOFT, were C&C California, Michael Stars, even a top I had from Forever 21, and Nordstrom brand Halogen.  Look for these on sale and try to get a black, white, and navy or a solid color that flatters.  Stripes are still on trend, so a navy blue and white striped one is great too.  I did invest in one long sleeve black jersey tee by maternity line, Isabel and Ingrid back in my first trimester.  it was a little pricier, I purchased it at my pre-natal yoga studio, but I have worn it the ENTIRE pregnancy and can wear it afterwards.

Left to Right: Brown long sleeve/hooded tee by Michael Stars (several years old and not a single hole or snag), coral long sleeve scoop neck tee by C &C California (purchased several years ago, both from Nordstrom).  Good wear and wash…

Left to Right: Gray waffle long sleeve tee by Bump in the Night, purchased at Macy’s on sale $7.99 (Monday/third trimester for the growing belly), and the black knit sweater was just purchased from Gap Maternity on Monday, on sale, for $7.97!!!)  So soft, and the length covers the bum!  Plan to wear this one well after pregnancy!

6. Wrap dress!  I wore MANY of the dresses I already had in my closet, but I did purchase a red wrap dress from Nordstrom rack in my second trimester.  Fabric is stretchy and the tie looks cute tied above the bump.  Plus, I can/will most likely be able to wear it post-pregnancy.  That’s another major point, IF you purchase anything, try to purchase things you like well enough that you can and would wear post pregnancy too.  Use your noggin!

7. A GOOD pair of maternity denim!  Good does not mean expensive, but if you have extra funds, or find yourself with a gift card, as I did, I say splurge on ONE good pair of jeans to get you through.  I love dresses, but I can tell you I LOVED wearing my AG dark blue skinny maternity jeans while being preggo!  Once your waistline grows and a lot of your dresses/skirts can’t be worn anymore, you will need a pair of slip-them-on-and-go pair of pants.  Mine were as pricey as a designer pair of denim, gulp $200, but I had a gift card and knew they would get maximum wear, and I will keep them for the next time as the quality is superb.  They won’t fall apart!  Go with a cut/color that you will most likely wear the most if you were not preggo.  When purchasing them, you actually purchase the size you are now (ask sales associate for fitting help).  I personally did not mind my belly being covered, tights and maternity pants could go above my belly and I felt fine; in fact, I felt it was like a built in Spanx.  But you might not prefer that.  They also make maternity pants that go below belly.  I purchased mine from Destination Maternity.  I did not need purchase them until my second trimester, early January.  I also purchase a couple “fun” pairs of maternity pants to feel like my self if I felt like being more fashionable.  I purchased the mint green and coral skinny pants from Ross believe it or not, and they were $12.99 each!  I JUST saw both of these colors in a similar cut pant at Gap maternity yesterday, but for a whole lot more.  Shop around and use your noggin!  The wild, patterned pair is from H&M, back in my first trimester.  I bought them before I needed them and I am glad I did.  I have worn them several times.  H&M downtown carries maternity clothing, but the one at Cherry Creek does not.  You can get colored skinnies here too.

Left to Right: Animal print stretch pants from Madewell, purchased in first trimester and still wearing (wore them tonight in third trimester!), H&M printed skinnies, purchased in first trimester and still wearing, mint and coral skinny pants from Ross purchased in second trimester and still wearing, and my AG maternity jeans purchased in second trimester and still wearing.

8. Wedge sneakers, Toms, or cute sneakers!  I am so NOT a flats person.  Never was.  I have a high arch and actually am more comfortable in heels.  I am still sporting heels, but if I am running around town all day, I am slipping on laceless Converse sneaks (from Ross), Toms on my yoga days, or wedge sneakers (from Love Culture) if I want to feel downtown cool.  All of my boots and what pairs of flats I already owned have also got use.  Depending on the season you are preggo in, you will definitely need some comfortable/supportive, flat soled shoe.  be it a sandal, a riding boot or the canvas Toms.  If nothing more than to slip them on and run to Target or walk the dog.

9. Bigger panties!  Obviously not pictured.  You get the point.  I was able to still purchase the style I wear now, just in a larger size, but as your pregnancy goes on, you may need more coverage in the nether region.  As your friends… Also, post pregnancy, you will need to purchase a full coverage brief or panty for the aftermath.  This is what I am reading and hearing anyway.  I will purchase a package of Jockeys from, Target as I get closer to my due date.

10. An LBD! Not a mandatory item, but it definitely depends on your lifestyle.  I am currently at home, but there were several holidays and special occasions that came up during my pregnancy that called for a dress including a wedding, an engagement party, New Year’s Eve, a fashion show and an upcoming dinner date in a couple days celebrating our anniversary.  I was able to wear a black sequin dress for New Year’s Eve as well as a friend’s engagement party at Strings because it was stretchy (both occasions in second trimester.)  The fashion show was a stretch, but I was able to squeeze into a vintage number that I wore to a wedding last summer, pre-preggo.  It had a side drape and zip, but I got into it (third trimester)!  for my baby shower, I purchased an affordable, and flattering navy spandex jumpsuit (photographed above) and accessorized.  I can wear it postpartum as well.  Just look at your calendar ahead for the next nine months and see what special o’s you might be attending and needing a gown or cocktail dress for.  Take a peek at what you have, try it on, pull it out to see if it might stretch over a bump, and when you spot a jersey or spandex or stretchy dress that might work dazzled up with accessories, snag it for when the time comes.  I JUSt found this LBD by Motherhood Maternity on the clearance rack at Macy’s on Monday for $14.99!  Velour skirt, body conscious and a slight cowl drape neck line!  So flattering!  I plan to wear it on our Babymoon in Aspen this week.

Photo does not do this dress justice, so I hope to get a photo actually in it.  Found on clearance at Macy’s, by Motherhood Maternity, $14.99 on sale.

11. For Birth and Postpartum: Nursing tanks/cute jammies for hospital and visitors (nursing friendly), robe for hospital/slippers or flip-flops for hospital!  Don’t forget to save a little budget for that final stretch and post birth!  I found these Anne Klein jammies at Nordstrom Rack ($28.97) back in my first trimester and bought them in a large size thinking ahead.  They have a drawstring waist cropped pant and a button down top (easy access for nursing) and the print is fun.  I just found the teal robe by Gilligan & O’Malley ($21.99) and fuzzy flip-flops by Xhileration ($12.99) at Target last week; both perfect for bathroom trips and strolling the hospital hallways.  I guess this color is a little hospitaly, but I like it anyway and the fabric is so soft, and nice big pockets and longer length to cover the tush.  On my maternity shopping trip this Monday, I ran into a sale at Gap!  30% off additionally on sale items and 40% off a ton of things, including their Pure Body tanks!  Originally $14.50 each, I got them for $8 each!  I purchased a classic black and heather gray (third trimester belly growth has all my tops cropping up).  The nursing tanks were found at Target last week, $19.99 each, both by this line called Gilligan & O’Malley.  I really liked the button detailing on the heather gray one and the navy/white stripes and lace detail on the other.  Sort of “trendy” as far as nursing tops go…

Robe and flip-flops from Target, jammies from Nordstrom Rack.

Maternity tanks on left from Gap Maternity, and the nursing tops from Target.

Take hand me downs with a happy heart!  My friend Tess gave me these three tops, and I have worn them!  The trapeze style printed tank was my favorite!  Thanks Tess!

Last thoughts:  Work your accessories!  Long necklaces, earrings, head wraps, scarves, even belts!  Also, I have managed to wear my blazers by leaving them open, obviously.  Finally, have fun with your changing body, and be sure to document here and there if not for a blog or Instagram posting, but for yourself and your future child to look back on fondly.  I have been fortunate enough to have had an AMAZING experience with pregnancy.  Nine months goes fast, so soak it all in and enjoy the ride!  I’ll admit that the first trimester is the most awkward.  You aren’t yet showing, and you just look really pudgy and you might feel like you have “side fat”, but don’t worry, your body has to gain a little weight in the middle first for it to fill out.  Consignment shops and mommy groups are also a great resource to tap for gently used maternity clothes, but honestly, I find that the most flattering clothing is non-maternity!  Why do they insist on adding awkward ties and thin, unflattering belts on tops?!  I will admit that I am a little anxious to get back to exercise and just FEELING like my physical self again, I mean I get winded just going up stairs and rolling over in bed at night or getting up to pee seems like a small workout, but there will be plenty of time to safely lose the weight later.  So if you have been pregnant what items could you not live without?  If you are planning to get pregnant, did you find this helpful?

Push Pin Your Town: A Unique “Thriftique” SecondLove in the Highlands

I love when friends give me tips!  Thanks Melissa!  I received a recommendation to check out a very well done  “thriftique” in the Highlands.  My friend suggested I check it out because she thought I’d be interested in seeing their gently worn children’s and maternity clothing considering my “condition.”  I found myself downtown on Wednesday so I thought I’d maximize the trip, gas is after all approaching $4 a gallon, and head across I-25 to the Highlands to scope the shop out.

Just two steps inside the door of this historic Victorian on 32nd Ave., and I knew immediately that SecondLove had that special something.  Don’t you just LOVE that chunky pyrite necklace on that mannequin up there?!  I was able to catch one of the owners in the shop that day, Katie, and she was such an easy conversationalist!  Aren’t all Katies just the nicest?  I’ve never met a mean Katie…She didn’t need to do much explaining or navigation around as it was impeccably merchandised and carried such a natural flow.  The clothing was organized by color scheme which I openly complimented.  This is much easier to shop rather than by style.  The racks weren’t bulging and the track lighting was the perfect hue of yellow and hit the clothes just right.  Plenty of natural light from windows in the dressing area.  “She must have a background in retail,” I thought.

Turns out, she and her co-owner and sister Angie both have robust retail backgrounds.  Katie worked for Betsey Johnson in NY and Housing Works, where she got the experience with high-end thrift, and sister Angie was a district manager for Abercrombie and Fitch for years and then moved on to working with a small, local boutique.  Did I mention they were both groomed for the biz?  They spent a lot of their youth hanging around antique stores with their mom.  This is evident in their interior decorating skills of the small, yet well organized and efficient use of the teeny space.  A DIY project Katie is working on perfecting, a lamp made from a vintage water bottle spray painted reflective silver, sits next to succulent plants and a few select candles and house ware items.  As put together and visually appealing the store is, you would never guess that it hasn’t even been around a year yet; their anniversary will be this coming July!

I love the old built in bookcase used as a jewelry  display case.  A fan of using vintage books as decor myself, I naturally gravitated to the baubles on tomes.  I just discovered and wrote about a jewelry line a couple weeks ago called Crow Jane, which is sold at Night & Day Vintage as well as SecondLove.  So shop the nearest location to you and get a piece of the local goodness either way!  Really cool, earthy stuff.  They also carry jewelry lines Hippo Kiss Collections (how cute is that name?)and Violetfly (you MUST see/buy this gold fill wire cuff!).

They had a little bit of vintage, (see that fur vest?  Yours for $50!) a little bit of designer (Really loved this floor length blanket jacket from Anna Sui!  And how adorable is that plaid summer dress by APC???!!!  Wish it fit!) a little bit for the style savvy gents (check out those Toms Shoes and vintage preppy sweater!)  Katie mentioned to me that they were just about to do a floor reset, moving the children’s to the back and moving the dressing rooms and men’s up to the middle of the shop in case you are confused when you visit!  As for the bulk, it is what the community brings in to sell!  The taste and editing from the buying stand point is superb and they know their shopper well so you’re bound to find a lot of the same lines carried at Anthropologie and Nordstrom, Free People, and others.  For the kiddos, expect the mid priced to higher end lines such as Baby Boden, Zutano, Tea Collection and Hanna Anderson.

 

Those adorable screen printed pillows up there are from an artist in Long Beach, called Sass and Peril!  Which one is your fave?  Angie has two children, Oliver and Adelaide, and they helped inspire the store’s child friendly vibe including their fun “Book Swap!”  Bring a book, take a book!

So what is a thriftique exactly? 

In Katie’s words, “SecondLove came about because we wanted to start something that mattered and felt important.  We put our years of fashion experience together with our passion for a sustainable future and thus the idea of a thriftique was born.  We believe in using what is already out there, we just make it special again, give it a new life.  Clothing is not disposable and the idea that it is – that one can buy a new cheap thing, is really taking a toll on our financial and environmental resources.  SecondLove stands firm against this idea.  We also love the styling potential most of our pieces have, we really look for versatility in our clothing so they lend themselves to a variety of styles, moods and tastes.”  This motto runs through the veins of the store from the reusable shopping bags they use, donated by their guests, to the book swap, and the DIY projects and furniture pieces they up-cycle (they have a crush on chalkboard painting little tables currently, which is great for kiddos rooms!)

What was the most memorable piece/s that you have seen come through the shop?

“Oh my, there have been many things that have been so hard to see leave the store! More recently, I have a customer that loves vintage Coach bags as much as I do, she left with the most amazing black vintage Coach briefcase….I still think about how beautiful it was.  A good customer brought her mom in, who performs around town and she left with an amazing cream, pleated Marc Jacobs dress…she was almost floating out of here, she was looked as good as she felt!  My sister and I will always remember the vintage blue velvet wing back chair and a 1920’s Steamer Trunk with vintage Japanese photos on the inside…..what life in these pieces.”

If that doesn’t inspire you to check it out…

The take away: “At SecondLove you will see our passion for clothes, experience in merchandising and or love for the community.  It has been such a treat to be part of the Highlands community and are continually in awe of how great our customers are.  I can speak for the both of us in saying that we love what we are doing and that it feels important.  We love owning a store because at the end of the day we get to say ‘this is who we are’.  We get to express ourselves honestly and be understood, we can’t think of anything more valuable than that in life.”         – Katie, Co-Owner of Secondlove

Next Buying Date:  Do you have well kept, gently used, well cared for threads you would love to sell or trade for store credit?  Katie and Angie hold buying days the first Sunday of every month, with the next session coming up on March 3rd from 11-5.  No appointment necessary, BUT, it is on a first come basis.  They purchase men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and offer cash or store credit.  They ONLY buy seasonally, so they are now looking for SPRING pieces (don’t bring in any heavy coats or knits.)

What they’re looking for:  Modern, current pieces in great quality.  It could be vintage if it’s the right silhouette, style or piece that can fit into a thoroughly modern closet.  They are highly selective, and for good reason, this is not the Arc, hence a boutique experience for gently worn clothes, so they ask that people bring NO MORE THAN TWO bags or bins at a time when selling.  If you have spring tops, dresses and skirts, great denim or cool cardigans, then bring ’em on by!  For kids, they are looking for quality and quantity.  The lines mentioned above, as well as Gap and other brands as long as there aren’t any stains, missing buttons or shrinkage!  Think a fashionista babe!  For boys, they love the skater/punk/hipster pieces.  For men, they are looking for “quality, stand-out pieces,” such as vintage button downs, unique t-shirts, a great fitting colored cord.  Basically, they want to check out everything you have, but the true gold they’re after on March 3rd is… maternity, boys clothes and high-end women’s athletic wear!!!  (Think Athleta, Lululemon, Merrell…)

So have you been in yet?  Doing a closet clean out soon?!

Flaaar-ih-da

Husband and I took a proper summer vaca over July 4th week. We packed our suitcase and headed to sunny Flaar-ih-da. You and I might pronounce it Floor-i-da, but if you’re Floridian it comes out more like Flar, like car. Anyhoo…we were unplugged- literally- dad doesn’t have television and most of my Instagrams became Latergrams. We got to see Bill Cunningham New York on Netflix one night which made me very happy. We visited my daddy who moved to a quaint, beach town called Indialantic about three years ago and we’ve been terrible and haven’t made it out to see his place until this year. By golly we were going to visit him this year, and we did! Now I want to move. Well, the thought crossed our minds, real estate is affordable, but what makes me hesitant to join the tanned juicers along the Atlantic coast is this, fur coats. That and boots, hot cocoa and snowflakes, knit caps and mittens, icicles and snowmen. I am truly a Colorado native through and through. Doesn’t mean I can’t get a beach house though…Sigh…

Indilantic, for those of you who had never heard of it until now, is an island off of Melbourne, which is about 40 minutes southeast, along the coast, from Orlando. Driving down, there were highways lined with thick, lush greenery. We pulled over and got pure honey, juicy peaches and watermelon. We passed through Melbourne, and the main street where the downtown historic district was bustling with live music, cafes, and boutiques. Across the bridge, over the Indian River, headed towards my daddy’s place, we arrived at a mini paradise on U.S. soil. A best kept secret. My dad lives three blocks from the beach. 1.2.3. We walked there with our chairs and umbrellas and walked back from a morning of paddle boarding on the ocean with sandy toes and salty hair, stopping along the way to admire the subtropical vegetation and landscaping growing wild in the yards.

We walked to a little crepe place owned by a French guy. We walked to a The Beachside Cafe one morning for breakfast where the locals as well as beach goers go to eat atop turquoise laminate table tops. We walked to Longboard Beach House where we rented paddle boards one day. I got up and on fairly easy and it was actually very relaxing. Until the oar began to feel like 100 pounds and we had to carry the huge boards, and paddles back up the beach and back to Longboards. Whew! What a workout! We biked to a pier one night, popped the kick stands and sat along the edge of the dock dangling our feet over the Indian River. We ate humongous burgers at a greasy Greek diner upon a recommendation, and we had coffee at a local shop, House of Joe (just missing open mic night that night). Here, there are surfboards on vans, people cruising around town on bikes in their bikinis and trunks, people pulled over on the bridge fishing in the Indian River, mini geckos blending in with the plant life on patios, palm trees galore, bare legs, exposed toes, tan skin, sun hats, and white beach sand dusts the tile floors of the Starbucks right on Indialantic Beach. It was like everyone was on permanent vacation! We ran across people who were born there, grew up there and were starting families there. We ran across high school kids who went to the private Catholic school in town, we met college students at FIT (when I first head them say where they attended school, I giddily asked, ‘Fashion Institute of Technology?!’) but it turns out it’s Florida Institute of Technology. Go figure.

This town was not full of Q-tips as one might think. Retirement takes on a different meaning in Indialantic. People are certainly not caning around town and playing bridge. They are ACTIVE. They’re on boogie boards hitting those waves, eh em, Daddy. They’re taking pilates and running miles in the hot, Florida humidity, eh em, my step mother. On 4th of July the whole town comes out and lines the bridge over the Indian River and we watched an amazing fireworks display. The patriotism was refreshing. Kids held sparklers and store bought fireworks lit up the faces of families standing around them as they lit them off giving mini pre-shows all along the cosway. A gang of kids on skateboards, roller skates and bicycles would roll up to the top of the bridge and fly down waving the American flag. They repeated this throughout the fireworks show. I think I teared up several times. Indialantic is truly a gem.

Our first morning there we got up at the crack of dawn and drove to Satellite Beach, Cape Canaveral, to watch a rocket launch. There are bleachers set up and people come out with cameras and binoculars and wait…wait…wait to hear that boom….boom….BOOM!!!! After numerous delays we headed back to the house, but not before stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts first, and by the time we pulled into the driveway we saw the smoke tail in the sky in front of us! Oh man!!! We stood there, and heard the aftershock roar. That was emotional…sending a piece of machinery and craft into space! Pretty incredible…

Dad took us to dinner on the Indian River at a great place called Kattana’s and we had the best clam chowder! Turned out the owner was into soccer and owned another bar down the street that drew a futbol fandom. Husband went there a couple days later to watch the European soccer championship in good company. Dad was an amazing tour guide and also took us to Cape Canaveral another afternoon for an early meal and watch the cruise ships leave the dock. We waved and cheered like dorks to the people on the boats as they left the harbor and it felt good. We had ice cream at Moo’s and Mexican at Amigo’s. We poked around the local Ross when we wanted a retail fix a time or two, and I did end up finding a pair of Franco Sarto leather sandals for $15!

We took a drive up to St. Augustine and stayed for a night and happened to get a room at a lodge right on the water. We walked the historic town and I found a natural “black soap” from Ghana in the old drugstore, for my blasted acne prone skin, which seems to be working! Upon recommendations from folks in Indialantic, we found the famous popsicle joint they told us about, Hyppo, where we had strawberry-pepper flavored goodness. That night we had seafood in the dark on a twinkling light patio at old O.C. Whites and hit St. Augustine beach the next day. I even stumbled upon a vintage clothing store in downtown historic St. Augustine called They Way We Were. Hubby scored two vintage suits for $60 for both! A little tailoring and cleaning when we got back was all that was needed. I found an amazing pair of black and white pumps that were the owner’s and barely worn by Spanish label Totar. Don’t know much about the line but the shoes fit well and were so unique I had to have them. You know me, always scouring for vintage, thrift and treasure.

On the way back we stopped in Daytona. Not much to see here in my opinion. We did magically make our way inside the parking lot of the track and husband found an open gate somewhere. I waited in the car while he caught a glimpse inside of the famous track. Daytona Beach itself seemed EXTREMELY touristy, with an hour wait outside a Bubba Gump’s, and littered with hotels, arcades and bad pizza joints. It reminded me of the Vegas strip. Just bad. On our way back to the highway, I had spotted a Lebanese restaurant on the way in, so we stopped. We enjoyed really good gyro sandwiches and Mediterranean food. I LOVE finding ethnic food when we travel! Makes it seem like home.

Well, back in Indialantic, I didn’t have to go far to find my treasure. My step mother had introduced me to The Cottage Rose. An adorable, victorian-esque consignment shop about six blocks from Dad’s house. You walk in and pungent rose perfume hits the nose, but somehow it’s extremely welcoming and homey, like my Great Aunt’s house. The owner Peggy, could pass as my grandma, and is elegantly dressed and polished. The dressing room is the bathroom of the tiny house and a cutout of Cher and the girls from Clueless were framed behind the pink toilet. The green, palm-tree-leave-printed wallpaper contrasted with the feminine counter top littered with silk flowers and bottles of potions and lotions. I visited Cottage Rose once when I first arrived, and again after a bad day of thrifting. Both times, I scored incredible things. My bad day of thrifting was not for lack of trying. Husband and I got up early and went to about half a dozen in and across town, but turned up empty handed, but a highlight was we stumbled upon a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. On the way back, disappointed, I had him drop me off at the Cottage Rose, hoping to find that trove I had hoped to find earlier that day. He went home and napped, I walked back with a bag full of goodies.

I didn’t realize how much I missed my father until I visited. I didn’t realize how much alike he and I are! Husband bonded with my dad and learned more of who I am because of that visit, I think. The night before we left, we had the magical blessing of witnessing sea turtles come ashore and lay their eggs and make their way back to the sea in the moonlight. If that sounds like a fairytale, it was. Nature is incredible! When I saw this creature do that, you really ask yourself, “How can people not believe in a creator of things?” How a sea turtle knows when and where to come ashore and plant life, and how that life, after birth, knows how to go back into the sea and live, mate, and come back and do it again- WOW! I am emotional just thinking about it! In fact, those sea turtles draw a lot of tourism to tiny Indilantic and hold celebritydom status all their own.

I can’t wait to go back. I can’t wait for my Dad to come visit me again, hopefully in December, when I’m donning my furs and boots. If this didn’t do a good job of convincing you that there are amazing blips of geography and slices of Americana out there and inspire you to visit them, count this as one of those annoying billboard ads you see for Wyoming, but insert Indialantic, and go!

I am happy to report that I wore 99% of what I packed! I also left enough room for the poundage in sequins and goodies we brought back. Well, it took a little rearranging coming back but it was good packing!

Here’s what I brought:

Shoes/
1. Franco Sarto Basket Weave Wedge Sandals (Had a pair before that I bought from Nordstrom Rack, did not wear these, could have done without)
2. Lavender slip-on Converse Sneakers (as light as Crocs, found at Ross before we left for $9.99)
3. Diesel flip flops for beach and around house
4. Colorful strappy sandals from True Love (cut my feet and wore once, could have done without)
5. Black Matt Bernson gladiator sandals from the Dress for Success Sale before I left for $5 (wore on plane and most of the trip, great buy)

Accessories/
1. Two silk scarves to tie around hair/head
2. Fedora Sun Hat from Target (Bought before trip for $15)
3. a tan belt
4. a leather belt with a hammered silver buckle (heavy and could have done without)
5. Many necklaces and earrings and bracelets…

Swimsuits/
1. Blue and White Stripe bikini from Target (purchased before trip)
2. American Apparel striped bikini (50’s style with high waist briefs in Barcelona Stripe- purchased before trip on sale from American Apparel Store)
3. Orange bikini from Victoria’s Secret from last year

Clothes/

1. Striped breton style top from Ross
2. pink and orange paisley printed shorts from Target (purchased before trip for $13)
3. boyfriend jeans by Current/Elliott (purchased before trip from Dress for Success sale)
4. gray woolen jersey dress from local designer Zoe Twitt (too nice to be worn to beach or as cover up, could have done, material snags easily and didn’t want to get ruined without)
5. hot pink and white printed drop waist dress from American Apparel a couple years ago
5. white thrifted nightgown
6. white slip from American Apparel
7. black ALC maxi dress purchased at Frock Shop Sale back in Spring
8. 2 lightweight sundresses from Urban Outfitters (purchased before trip, both on sale for $29 each)
9. lightweight sundress from Kohl’s
10. lightweight cream colored skirt
11. denim button down vest with knot from aeropastale
12. white and blue seersucker shorts from American Apparel
13. white tank
14. gray tank
15. hot pink tank
16. Light weight silky green pants

Here’s what I bought:

Lily Pulitzer overalls from Cottage Rose

Franco Sarto heels from Ross

And things that once belonged to my grandmother Georgiana, daddy’s mom, given to me by my stepmother:

I do not kid about the pounds of sequins brought back from Florida… Happy traveling and happy summer!