Happy Friday!
I got back to Charlotte yesterday afternoon and stopped by Metro on my way into town to workout. I wanted to get some strength work in and grab groceries before heading home to settle in for the evening.
You can check out details on my workout over on Instagram. I remembered that I was overdue in sharing your March workout playlist on Spotify. I put one together for y’all this morning.
MARCH WORKOUT PLAYLIST
It’s about two and a half hours of music and features a little bit of everything. Here’s the direct link to the playlist on Spotify. Enjoy!
SETTLING BACK IN AT HOME
It was great to be reunited with the goldens when I got home.
I always miss them a little more than is probably normal when I’m away. I swear when I woke up in the hotel room yesterday morning I kept thinking, “I need to let the dogs out” and kept reminding myself they weren’t there. Haha.
I was craving something simple and comforting for dinner so I made a turkey meatloaf that was packed with veggies like onions, mushrooms, carrots and spinach and served it along with roasted yukon gold potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts and shallots. I’ve received so many requests for the recipe on Instagram but I think I’ll have to try it one more time before it’s share-worthy. 🙂
Sleep was the WORST last night. Pregnancy insomnia is so real. I read until I finished Just Between Us, which I would not recommend. It was okay but kind of dragged in places and somewhat predictable. I turned the light out at 11:45 and sleep did not come. I was wide awake until I finally got up at 2:30 a.m. to eat a banana and some sunflower seed butter. I think I finally fell asleep shortly after 3, woke up again at 5:30 and then fell back asleep from 6-7:15ish. Hopefully tonight is better.
It was 29 degrees outside when I woke up but a smoothie bowl was the only thing that sounded appetizing. This was a mix of baby spinach, collagen powder, fish oil, frozen bananas, frozen cherries, frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, a date, a big spoonful of peanut butter and almond milk.
I’ve received a lot of questions about collagen powder and pregnancy. I used it a good bit in the first trimester and then ran out and didn’t replace it for months so didn’t use it second trimester and early third. I just reintroduced it in hopes that it will help with my skin. We’ll see! Can’t hurt and from what I’ve read, it seems to be safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding. I’ll make sure to mention it to my doctor this week.
BABY SHOWER DRESSES
Finally, I’ve been searching for baby shower dresses this morning and Pinned a few. Not a ton of selection out there but I found a good number that I liked from Pink Blush Maternity. My baby board on Pinterest is private but you can click to enlarge this image a little bit. If you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it! I’ll probably order 4-5 and send back what doesn’t work. Also, has anyone had luck with just shopping for regular maxi-style dresses instead of maternity-specific? Does that work?
Quite the random Friday post for you. I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!
I bought “regular” clothes that worked even at the end of my pregnancy, just sized up a bit. Maxi dresses are particularly forgiving and they were great for post-baby when I didn’t want to wear maternity stuff any longer.
I ordered a couple maternity dresses but I’m also going to go try on some “regular” stuff this week as well. I think I can make it work!
I bought a maxi from anthropology for my shower in 2 weeks. It fits so far!
Go maxi and size up or do rent the runway! I hated spending money on maternity clothes!
Agreed! It seems like such a waste! I think I’m going to go try some regular stuff on this week.
Thanks for the playlist!
Also, I made your whole30 Shepherds Pie last night and it really is delicious! Thank you for that, too.
You’re very welcome on both counts! 🙂
When I was pregnant with my son, I bought 2 maxi dresses and 1 maternity dress. I wore all three of them (I was due in July and pants/shorts were just not happening anymore!).
I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant and totally feel you with the insomnia! When I really can’t sleep I find that getting up and eating something helps me go back to sleep. The food + change of scenery for a few minutes seems to help.
Hey Elaine – I’m definitely with you on the rewearing of the same maternity clothes. Definitely not something I want to spend a ton of money on to only wear for a couple of months!
Congrats on baby #2! I’m sorry you are also dealing with insomnia. I think that middle of the night banana and nut butter snack definitely helped me that night! 😛 So maybe there’s something to the snacking and change of scenery!
Re the insomnia I really love the deep sleep pillow spray from This Works. I also have a little roller ball calm/sleep oil from Mrs. B’s Necessities that that works a treat too. I’ve also heard of using just lavender oil on your palms and soles of your feet before bed
I’m a big fan of aromatherapy and oils so thanks for these suggestions!
Hi!!! Longtime reader, first time poster. You are an inspiration. On sooooo many levels!!!
I LOVE all things fashion, but can’t dress myself. So, I completely understand the struggle here. I love the V-neck Jersy Maxi dress in either the blue or the coral. Both would look amazing with your dark locks!! Thank you so much for being an inspiration, always!!
You got this.
Hi Abby! Thanks so much for reading and commenting! 🙂 I really appreciate your kind words AND your input on the baby shower outfits! Have an awesome weekend.
I feel you! Every time I travel, I sit up and feel a twinge of sadness when I go to put my feet down and the pups aren’t under my feet next to my side of the bed!
It’s truly so weird when you’re so used to having them around constantly!
I’m due a week after you and I got my baby shower dress from pink blush too. I love it. Fits true to size and the fabric is super soft! Happy shopping!
I had some bad pregnancy insomnia, too, particularly with my first pregnancy. What helped somewhat, especially in the later months, was sleeping on the couch. It was much better than sleeping in a bed. I could prop myself up better and there was something about having a wall of cushions to lean up against that felt more comforting, I hope it goes away soon! Good luck, Jen.
Please give an update on your Pink Blush orders! I’ve been looking there too for ideas for my showers and a May wedding I’m attending, but I’ve heard/read mixed reviews on quality so I’m hesitant to order anything. Spending money on maternity clothes is not fun… I ordered a lot of basics from Old Navy because they’re inexpensive.
I rented the prettiest floral Badgley Mischka dress from rent the runway when I was pregnant. They give you two sizes and you can call them and they are always willing to help answer questions on the dresses. I just ordered a size up from what I normally wore and it was perfect. I highly recommend it!
I got my baby shower dress from Francesca’s (not a maxi). I got one size up and it worked perfectly. Maternity dresses are so hard to find! And they have that “look” about them. 🙂 Good luck!!
Ahh! I did not buy many maternity clothes but the baby shower outfit was VERY important! I actually went with a maternity top and a skirt because I could not find a dress I liked. I think with the regular maxi your bump would push up the hem/fabric so it would be uneven in the front of the dress.