Trick on Wearing a Non-Maternity Skirt as a Maternity Dress

Hello all! Today I wanted to show you the trick I used when I was pregnant to wear non-maternity skirt as a maternity dress. This is the skirt I scored for $6 at a thrift shop. Although I was 34 week pregnant, and the skirt would obviously not fit, I found this bright orange skirt with yellow and teal tulip print so cute, and I had to grab it.

The skirt waist measures out as 66cm. My trick is to make a loop with an elastic band, and attach it to the skirt using safety pin. I threw on a cardigan to hide the opening part in the back. I felt like I’m wearing a moo moo with just that, so I added a belt under bust. Now I have a baby doll style dress:)

~ Chie  {find me elsewhere: blog, shop, facebook, etsy, twitter}

Toddlers Say Funny Things

On our way home from seeing friends:

ME: “Harper, Anna is going to have a little brother just like you have Rex.”

HARPER: “Oh, she has a Rex too?”

ME: “Well, the baby is still in Anna’s mommy’s tummy so he doesn’t have a name yet.”

HARPER: “Oh, ok. Mom, is there a baby REX in my tummy too?”

10 Hook Ideas for Children’s Rooms

1. All Lovely Stuff Wooden Animal Hook. Oh, how I love this wall hook! $40

2. Shiny Peg Hooks via RK Design. Get a similar look by painting these Oak Screw-on Shaker Pegs An 8 pack is only $11.19!

3. This painted peg rack is one of my FAVES…it looks like it is DIY’d with a 2 X 4 and some painted/wooden knobs.

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photo of the day

Here is a 6 month photo of my son Rhys and dog Ed.  They had fun competing for the treat!

Our photographer is Susan Sabo at www.freshsimpletrue.com
Thank you,  Becky

To share your favorite photo on Spearmintbaby.com email it to spearmintbaby@gmail.com (subject: “Photo of the Day”)

Maternity Shoot – My Inspiration

So I’ve been paying attention to maternity photos since I first got pregnant, and collecting (ok I think it really qualifies as hoarding) those that inspire me most on my Pinterest.  For a long time, most of the shoots I was seeing on the blogs were pretty epic – set on the beach, in the ocean, or in a vast field – with really stylized outfits (perhaps a muslin cloth wrap for the ocean, or a really coordinated outfit with props for a field shot).

But more recently, I’ve been seeing a whole new genre of maternity photos crop up that just give me the warm fuzzies.  I think these relaxed, cozy, at home photos of mamas-to-be wearing simple, comfy clothes, bathed in natural light really capture something special about being pregnant – they kind of translate the nesting instinct to film!

So these are my current inspirations – I’m going to shoot photos with my talented photographer friend Lori of The Purple Tree Photography in 3 – 4 weeks, when I’ll be a full 8 months pregnant.  Here’s some of what I’m hoping to capture – I will share the finished photos down the line too for a little ‘inspiration to reality’!

I love this first set of images, all shot in bed.  Of course, to capture these in our house, I will have to hide my full body pillow, foam wedge, and ratty memory foam mini pillow that I use in a 10 step process to prop myself into the acceptable preggo sleeping configuration : ) LOVE that shot where the mom’s belly is on display and being grazed by that cool long necklace!

Credits / Sources: Top Left Page Reaux Photography, originally featured here.  Top right: Kelly Sauer Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom left: Kelly Hicks Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom right: Kristy Carlson Photography, originally featured here.

These are gorgeous too – sitting upright in a chair or on the couch.  I just love the simplicity- and I love the 2 piece PJ outfits on the top row!

Credits / Sources: Top Left Nat Windsor Photography, originally featured here.  Top right:Kelly Hicks Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom left: Kelly Sauer Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom right: Paige Smith Photography, originally featured here.

Hope to capture some cool backlit shots (I am a sucker for flare ; ) in front of a window, like these.  And how pretty is that white shirt / nightie?!

Credits / Sources: Top Left via Aura Joon.  Top right: Page Reaux Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom left: Charley Star Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom right: Paige Smith Photography, originally featured here.

And finally, of course want to get some with Mr. Floret Cadet! I love these poses:

Credits / Sources: Top Row: Alea Lovely Photography, originally featured here.  Bottom row: Page Reaux Photography, originally featured here.

Six Flags Wild Safari Park

On Saturday morning John & I were brainstorming activities that we could do with the kids. (He left for LA on Sunday, so I wanted to do something really fun!) We decided on the Six Flags Wild Safari Park. I remember going to a place like this when I was about 5 years old. The animals would come and stick their heads through your windows and you could pet & even feed them!

Well, things have changed since then. Nowadays you cannot even roll your windows down. There are signs everywhere saying that they will kick you out of the park and possibly prosecute if you break the rules. BOO! We still had a fabulous time. We packed lots of snacks and had some good quality time together. It actually kind of felt like a road trip with lots of good scenery.

The giraffes were by far my favorite part of the trip. The came right up to our windows so I was able to get some great pics.

P.S. After 40 years, the Animal Safari Park will be closing on Sept 30th and undergoing major renovations. Find out the plan for the new park HERE. It sounds pretty interesting!

photo of the day

My baby bump was featured a few months back. Since then our little girl, Mikah Leilani, has joined our family! Here she is at two weeks old. She is a sweet tiny little thing and we love her dearly!

To follow along, visit us over on my blog!

Thank you for your consideration! Love love Spearmint Baby! Dawnelle

To share your favorite photo on Spearmintbaby.com email it to spearmintbaby@gmail.com (subject: “Photo of the Day”)

Pinterest for a rainy day!

1. homemade/COLORFUL marshmallows

Pinterest is finally growing on me. It took awhile, but I think I finally caught the Pinterest bug. (I’ve been on it everyday for the past week!) Are you on it? Find me @ The Spearmint Blogs. & here are 3 pinteresting ideas for the next rainy day.  if you are in the northeast you’ve probably had a lot of them this August!

P.S. THE SPEARMINT BLOGS = a new project we are working on!

2. DIY chevron onesies

3. potato stamping