Exciting News

 Polka dot dress: Ross (c/o), Heels: Prabal Gurung x Target (old), Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace, ily couture pave bracelet, Jimmy Choo x H&M bracelet (similar)

I have some exciting news in my camp (and it's NOT about the baby!). Throughout this blog, I've collaborated with Ross on several campaigns that allowed me to showcase my style with them and with all of you. The variety of designer goods mixed with affordable pieces available at Ross really mirrors my personal aesthetic. I always want to look stylish but, I don't want to it to be at sacrifice to my budget. 

With this in mind, Ross reached out to me to collaborate with them on a special project that I'll get to reveal more details about shortly. I'm pretty stoked, to say the least. This will be a fun adventure that I'll get to go on with all of you!

To help celebrate this new collaboration, I couldn't help but pick up a new designer piece from Ross. This polka dot dress. For half the original designer price, I've got something classic I can wear over and over (since it's not even a maternity dress!). This dress makes me feel more feminine and sophisticated than my usual urban vibe but I love the change-up. I can envision this dress transforming with me whenever I want it to be seen as something else. That's the best thing about re-using classic pieces.

And so my dear readers, please stay tuned for the exciting announcement of this collaboration with Ross. In the meantime, you can hop over to Ross's Facebook page and get a chance to win a $200 git card by voting on spring shoe styles. Pretty awesome, right?

UPDATE:  Annoucement here! =)

#HappyGirlHappyBag

 T-shirt: Forever 21, Camo jacket: Ross (c/o), Denim: Asos, Leopard sneakers: H&M, Accessories: Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace, Marc x Marc Jacobs watch, Lionette bracelet, Mansur Gavriel bag

Well, I became part of the Mansur Gavriel club. I've long debated acquiring the ultimate #ITbag. But, the real question became which style did I want? Bucket or tote? Bucket or tote? For now, I'm team tote. The classic shape and practicality of the tote convinced me. I'm in love with the caramel color and the smooth leather. It's a leather you can tell will grow finer as it ages. The straps are at that "perfect" length where you can still access the interior whether you're wearing the bag on your shoulder or just toting it along. 

I'm still debating whether I'll end up with the bucket bag. I've tried it on several different occasions and I always fall in love with the concept of the bag each time. So, who knows what might be in my future (hint, hint).

I don't take this lightly, my friends. This #HappyGirlHappyBag thing is forreal.

i-Lately

images via Instagram (enjoying some Juice Shop after chowing down on cheeseburger and fries!)

As you can imagine, my focus has been all about baby lately. As the months wind down to weeks and the inevitable arrival of my baby comes, I can't help but get my mind and body prepared for the indescribable change in life. Until then, I am still trying to maintain aspects of my life that aren't all about baby - going out with girlfriends, sipping on (no gin) and juice, and eating at restaurants while I'm still "sans baby." 

I know life will seriously change (mostly for the better, right?) but I can still enjoy living life being blissfully ignorant about all the unknowns I'll encounter.

Experimenting with Rocksbox

Have you tried Rocksbox, yet? In case you haven't heard, it's a box of jewels you can "rent" based on a style survey you fill out. You can wear the jewelry for as long you want until you decide to return the jewels or keep the ones you want at a discounted price. 

You can try a FREE box for yourself if you use this code:  nancybff101

I'd like to call this round up - baby food.

Top left: Pizza at Cheese Board Collective - Friday special:  crushed tomatoes, fennel, mozzarella, crispy garlic chips and parsley

Top right: Scrumptious pastries and dessert at B. Pattiserie. 'Nuff said...

Bottom left: Afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton - San Francisco. Did you know we all have Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, to thank for "inventing" afternoon tea?

Bottom right:  Casual brunching at local favorite, Cassava

Brightening up Monday with a cute floral bouquet that includes daisies

Doing what every Instagrammer does - stopping mid-crosswalk to capture this view in Nob Hill

Wednesday Whim - Floating Flower Garden

all images via teamLab

Talk about a floral wonderland. Over 2,300 floating flowers encompass a massive white room inside the Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. The floral installation was created by teamLab and invites visitors to explore a tranquil, beautiful and interactive environment. As a person walks through the floral maze, the flowers closest to the visitor slowly rises. As the person continues to move, the vast amount of flowers moves with them and forms a hemisphere shape with the person in the middle. If several people are nearby then the dome spaces link up to form a single space.

These photos are incredible but check out the video below to really get a sensation of the space!

Maternity Stripes

Stripe dress: Madeleine Maternity, Boots: Ross (c/o), Accessories: Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace, Alexis Bittar bracelet, Marc x Marc Jacobs watch, Coach Willis (thrifted)

The ease of this dress is something I couldn't pass up. I love that I can just throw it on and not fuss over belly bands or comfort. Sure, it's another striped item in my closet but, that ain't a bad thing.

Knit Blue Resources

 Tank: Target, Knit blue skirt: Derek Lam x Kohl's (old), Sneakers: Nike Free, Karen Walker sunglasses, Lionette necklace

The weather in SF has been (uncharacteristically) warmer than usual this time of the year. Combine that with my higher-than-usual-body-temperatures and you get a person who runs hot all the time. 

As I've chronicled my pregnancy style on this blog, you likely noticed I'm all about being resourceful. This Derek Lam x Kohl's knit skirt has been on the verge of being retired with every closet purge but somehow, it stays active. It's never quite fit "right' on me (a bit loose all around to be incredibly flattering) but at this stage of pregnancy, I can hike it up and make it work. Who knows how long this skirt will stay in my closet but, I'm definitely appreciating it right now.

Wednesday Whim - UP Balloon Table

 images via DesignBoom via Duffy London

Balloons. They're inherently whimsical and playful with their shape and how they float. It's why kids love them and adults feel so nostalgic seeing them. So, Duffy London took the whimsy of the balloons and created something magical with them. Enter the UP Balloon Coffee Table (the 2015 edition). The details are impeccable - down to the knots and strings of the balloons integrated together to "hold" the glass table up. 

If your pocketbook is so inclined, you can purchase the table for yourself (in red, gold, silver or mixed). A special table made from toughened glass, metal resin composite and toughened steel rods is indeed meant for a special buyer.

Comfy, Boho Day

 Embroidered jacket: Urban Outfitters, T-shirt: Target, Denim: Pea in the Pod Maternity, Sandals: Birkenstock Arizona, Accessories: mirrored aviator sunglasses, Lionette necklace, H&M bag (old)

With my final months of pregnancy upon me, I'm taking things more easily than ever. This combination of my embroidered jacket and a pair of Birkenstock sandals felt just right to me. Although some still question the style evolution of the Birkenstock sandals I don't doubt the comfort and ease of wearing them throughout the day. As the baby gets bigger (and moves around a lot more) I just want to make sure I feel as comfortable as I can. And who can blame me for that, right?