dress up files - a chicago fashion blog: June 2011

Dressy Bump Style

I received the dress I rented from Rent The Runway the day before the wedding. It was risky so I bought a back up dress just in case it wouldn't fit. The package arrived with a garment bag containing both dresses in plastic dry clean bags. There were 2 dresses because Rent The Runway sends you a second size at no additional cost to help with sizing issues.

After reading reviews, I rented sizes 1 and 2 of this Yigal Azrouel dress. Size 1 ended up being a good fit as it runs quite large.

I kept the accessories simple with hoop earrings, 2 crystal bangles and the flap bag. My orange nails did not really go with the look but am loving this fun color for the season!

Have not been able to stop eating as of late and got scolded at my last doctor's appointment for putting on too much weight. Any tips for eating less and healthier during pregnancy when you're constantly starving?

Big holiday weekend coming up! Any big plans? I have several friends coming into town so it will be busy but I'm definitely looking forward to it.

Now Reading...

Kyung-Sook Shin is a popular novelist in Korea and this is her first book to be translated into English. I started reading it on the flight to Maui last month and hubbie woke up to me sobbing heavily into the kindle. I will say, in true Korean fashion (you'll know what I mean if you follow Korean dramas), it is very melodramatic and over the top. Nevertheless, I got into the story and the characters and laughed and cried along with them.

I'm currently reading "Dreams of Joy" by Lisa See. It's the sequel to her novel "Shanghai Girls" that I blogged about here. I'm about a quarter through and so far, it's been intriguing reading about Joy's journey to Communist China in the 1950's.

Have you read any good books lately? I have nothing lined up for when I'm done with this book and I'm always looking for the next good read! Help!

Oh and we found out we're expecting another girl! I'm excited because I'm really close to my sister and always wanted A to have a sister as well. And I don't need to buy new clothes!

Wedding Season

I normally love getting dolled up for weddings but it's hard to get excited about dressing up when you're carrying an extra 20 lbs around. We have a wedding coming up this weekend and I'm still not sure what to wear!

I bought a Groupon to Rent The Runway (an online dress rental company) last year and used it to rent something for this upcoming wedding. It was hard to find something that could work with a huge bump. I ended up renting this Yigal Azrouel dress. I really wanted the teal version but they didn't have my size.

The thing is...I don't get the dress until the day before the wedding and there's a good chance it won't fit right, especially with my huge bump!

I might have to run out and get a back up dress just in case the Yigal doesn't work out. Can anyone recommend any good dresses that are still cute and don't scream maternity?

Summertime

On Mommy: Splendid top, Target denim maternity shorts that I made into cutoffs, Cynthia Vincent sandals (a warehouse sale find!), Goyard bag, J.Crew and Hermes bracelets

On A: Gingersnaps top, Gymboree shorts, Crocs

I live in cut off shorts all summer long. I was excited to find these denim maternity shorts at Target. To make cut off shorts, just cut to length and throw in the washing machine. Trim the excess fray and you're good to go. For a more distressed look, rub sandpaper on the denim. I've read you should stitch above the fray to make sure it doesn't keep fraying and get shorter and shorter but I haven't had issues with my other cut off shorts yet!

One of my go-to summer meals is a grilled chicken and veggie kabob served with couscous. I found this recipe here and it is about as easy as they come. All the ingredients for the marinade are things that I always have on hand so all I have to do is pick up some chicken, veggies and couscous mix (yes, I use a boxed mix!) and I'm set for dinner! I took this picture with 2 kabobs to make it look visually appealing but I'll admit, I had 7 of these bad boys. I've been eating equal or more than hubbie as of late. Take an already hearty appetite and add pregnancy to the mix and I'm unstoppable.

What are your go to summertime looks and eats? Please share~

Field trip to Madewell

I squealed when I caught sight of the Madewell store at South Coast Plaza. I've ordered here and there from their website but always wanted to visit a store.

I seriously fell in love with so many pieces and stared longingly at all the cinched waist looks that I would have to wait till post-pregnancy to wear. Loved all the prints and the pops of color (yellow and jewel tones!). They had really cute shoes and jewelry as well! Between my mom, sister and I, I think we tried on everything in the store crammed into the big changing room.

A knew how much mommy wanted to browse and fell asleep in her stroller for over an hour right when we got to Madewell.

Big news Chicagoans!! I just heard today that Madewell is finally making it's ways to our windy city! They're taking over the Starbucks on Rush Street. Yay!!!

Question: If you had to choose one, J.Crew or Madewell? I love them both but if I had to choose, I would say Madewell!

Recent Look: Silk Shorts

On Mommy: Gap t-shirt & blazer, Madewell shorts & sandals, J.Crew and Hermes bracelets, Goyard bag
On A: Gingersnaps top, Target leggings, Salt-water sandals

I had the chance to check out a Madewell store when I was out in LA. Visiting the store (instead of just shopping online) made me love the brand even more! I ended up buying stuff for next summer too, in the hopes that I'll lose all the baby weight by then.

Do you ever buy clothes that are too small to force yourself to lose weight?

Happy Birthday Appa!

My dad turned 60 in April and none of us kids were there to celebrate with him. My brother and I live in Chicago, my sister lives in Singapore and my parents in the Philippines. We promised him a celebration when we all gathered in Maui in May. This is how we celebrated his birthday...

We had a limo pick them up from our resort and take them to the airport for a helicopter ride around Maui.

The limo then dropped them off at Sarrento's on the Beach, where we were waiting at a private table overlooking the beach. My dad really appreciates a good view and eating outdoors so it was perfect!

The entire group! My bro-in-law couldn't make the trip due to work obligations and he was definitely missed!

Just as we were finishing up our dinner, the sun began to set. So beautiful!

Singing happy birthday! Too bad A blew out his candles before he could get to them!

After months of wondering what to get our dad, he actually helped us out and said he could use a casual watch. We got him the Cartier Santos with carbon strap and he loved it! Yay!

One last surprise at the end of the night: a slideshow. I think there were almost tears! Almost!

Watch the slideshow here!

A few months before my dad's birthday, a friend of mine mentioned that she and her sister got their mom a Mercedes Benz for her 60th birthday. I felt so defeated. Was that what his friends were getting from their kids? Would whatever we planned be a huge letdown? Could we come up with a night that was meaningful and memorable?

In the end, we just thought of the things my dad really loves...spending time with my mom, our family, reliving old memories (slideshow), adventure (helicopter ride), amazing views (dinner on the beach) and put together a night involving all of those elements. I think he really had a memorable night and we were so happy to see him take it all in. Happy Birthday Appa!

Have you had to plan a milestone birthday for anyone special? Any ideas? My mom's is coming up in a few years...

Maui Memories...

lunch at Mama's Fish House

lots of pretty photo ops!

fun times at the pool!

sisters & cousins spending time~

playing in the sand

cousins reunited!

A made it up onstage during the luau but froze once up there!

the view from our condo (Honua Kai Resort and Spa)

Ululani shaved ice....sooo good!

The Maui leg of our trip was so relaxing. We spent our time playing in the beach/pools, eating at all the restaurants on my google doc (Yes, I make spreadsheets for my trips!) and just spending time with the family. We all agreed that we would love to come back sometime soon! Where's a place you could go back to year after year?