recent favorites and buys
while 38 weeks pregnant and counting
It still feels like only a few months has passed since I got pregnant, and yet this last stretch late in my third trimester seems to have really slowed time down. I don’t know if it’s the anticipation of our baby’s arrival, or the flurry of “nesting” behavior that took over my evenings (mornings and afternoons are still tied up with work), but I am feeling all kinds of emotions; excitement, anticipation, uncertainty, and thoughts that go something like, “I’m going to miss being pregnant.”
I’m not kidding. I sure will miss this feeling of quite literally being with child. Yes, it’s been rough at times, and no, I was not one of those lucky women who experienced nausea and heightened sensitivity to smells only within the first trimester. For me the nausea weaved its way throughout the entire duration of my pregnancy, ebbing and flowing as my belly grew bigger. And that’s not all.
No one told me about the nosebleeds.
And muscle cramps.
And vivid dreams.
But also, no one told me how incredible of a feeling it is to have (and know) a tiny human developing with every passing week. Each punch and kick, a jab here and a poke there, is a constant reminder that every little moment matters, and on the day she is born, she will no longer be part of me in the same way she is now.
I’ve been behind with weekly posts on Substack, but not so much when it comes to tracking what I wore & what I read
One thing that hasn’t slowed down for me is work. I know it’s a terrible excuse, but I found it challenging to post weekly on a regular basis while prepping for the baby and getting through a work week. The icing on the cake is our growing puppy, Poppy, who is now seven months old and cuter (but definitely clingier) than ever (Note: if you are thinking of getting a puppy while also expecting your first child, don’t do it. I’m serious.)
Saturdays are when I write substack posts based off of notes I’ve written and pictures taken throughout that previous week. Once the draft is completed, I edit and then publish by Sunday at the latest. It is something that I look forward to, because I love oversharing what I wear and what I buy.
So here it is:
Maternity Underwear
I discovered Negative Underwear from Allison Bornstein on one of her IG stories, and I was sold when I saw that they have mesh bra and panties. My boobs got bigger by at least one cup size, and I needed something that was breathable and comfortable. One thing I hate about wearing bras is that the strap falls down my shoulder; I’ve never had that problem so far with this brand.
Skims is another brand that surprised me:
Honorable mention goes to Joah Brown:
Sleepwear/At Home/Footwear
Comfort and ease are two things I look for in a WFH outfit especially when I am starting to carry low. Something I can move around in easily without stepping on the hem, but it also has to be smart enough to warrant wearing when I have to hop on a Zoom call or sit at my desk. Since working 80% of the time remotely, I gravitated towards these pieces when looking for something that is chic and easy to style:
Perfect White Tee (Harley/Katy/Mary Pointelle Pant)
RLT Linen Pant (made from Japanese linen and locally fabricated in L.A.!)
When prepping my hospital bag, I found these thick, quarter length grip socks from doublesoul (of which Pete Davidson is the brand’s creative director, I found out).
Quarter 6 pack basics and grip socks
Spring/Summer Shoes
When I am not wearing sneakers or rubber clogs, I like wearing strappy sandals. Because of the nature of my work, I don’t like wearing anything that expose my toes, especially when I go into people’s homes. Since my maternity leave is right around the corner, I’ve started looking into more summer appropriate footwear:
Outerwear
Tibi returned to L.A. early May and I was giddy to get a sneak peek at the pre-fall collection, including this gorgeous asymmetrical pink skirt:
Spring isn’t complete without a good trenchcoat, so I bought this one:
Reversible Cuff Trench (can be worn four different ways, and it is the perfect slouchy, oversized silhouette)
And because I love wearing nylon I ended up buying this skirt because it is lightweight and great for all year round:
Stationery/Pens
I’ve gotten back on the Traveler’s Notebook train. I’ve used these gems before, but never fully committed to them. After years of using hard and soft cover notebooks with lined, gridded, dotted pages, tabbed and untabbed, I realized how much I missed the customizable feature of these little guys:
Traveler’s Notebook (Regular size)
I also bought a few new fountain pens to go with my new Traveler’s Notebook:
Pilot Prera Fountain Pen (Black/Clear with Fine Nib)
Pilot Iroshizuku Ink (Yama-Guri)
I also started keeping a pregnancy book:
My Pregnancy Journal (I bought mine from this Etsy shop)
What I Read
I recently made it a point to carry a book around to get back into the routine of reading consistently. So far it’s helped, and these are on rotation (in my bag and on my nightstand):
In Kind magazine (biannual subscription)
Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age by Amanda Hess
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
What I Put On My Face
My skincare and make up routine are incredibly simple. When I’m on the go (which is nearly everyday, it seems like), I opt for something quick and easy that doesn’t require a mirror, mainly what I can use for a quick swipe or touch up. I do have a makeup pouch I carry in my bag du jour, but these have been so great because they’re small, easy to apply, and natural:
For extra color (especially since summer is around the corner) but still something that offers what’s closer to MLBB lips, this Valentino LiquiRosso in 220A is nondrying and very flattering
Also, this lip oil has been my godsend and it always next to my laptop while I am working:
Ah the considerations of what to wear when you do home visits! I also shy away from open toed shoes and wear socks almost everyday. Some of my colleagues wear sandals and then put on socks in families’ homes, but I don’t trust myself to remember to bring them. Love the red nylon skirt!