Happy Birthday to...ARE YOU JOKING?

I recently went to a baby boutique because I had credit to spend.  I was on the hunt for a 1st birthday outfit for L.  I knew it is a couple months away, but I thought I would get her something super cute with the credit.  I found one of those HUMONGO pettiskirts and a cute top with a cupcake on it to match...I fell in love with it and had to have it.  Well, until I saw the price tag..It was pretty similar to the one below.  How much would you think this outfit costs?

La Bella Flora

I am walking through the store with the outfit in hand picturing L running around it while we sing Happy Birthday to her....Then, I see the price tag...$75...Wrong!  $125...Wrong!  $175...DING, DING, DING!  We have a winner!  It seriously made my jaw drop in the middle of the store.  I am sure the sales lady saw me since I was the only one in there at the time.  I have trouble spending that much money on a pair of jeans I will wear every day for two years.  I am still in shock over it.  Even with store credit, I just could not justify it.  I have been searching for a replica of it for less.  Any ideas?

I found one almost exactly like it at Zulily, but it was sold out!  What is Zulily, you may be asking?  If you are a expecting or new mom, you MUST know about Zulily. 

It is similar to Gilt that I posted about a few weeks ago, but it is ALL about babies, kids, and maternity products.  They post weekly deals from various companies.  Subscribe immediately for some super cute things with fantastic prices.  Here is the Bella Daniella skirt ($24.99) and top ($24.99) I found for a much better deal than the whopping $175.  I am sick I missed it!

Let me know if you find anything similar for a good price or any other preshrunken birthday outfits for that matter.

Football Friday

I am so thrilled about today's guest post!  An old camp friend of mine, Merritt, has a fantastic fashion blog called Manolos and Martinis.  Definitely bookmark her for a daily read! 

She has recently been voted Best Twitterer in Houston by the Houston Press and has launched her own marketing and design firm, Merritt Beck Media. 

She is oh-so talented and accomplished! Not to mention her amazing style!  Here is a pic of her the night she accepted her Best Twitterer award.  As the Harvard Sailing Team would say, "Supe cute outfit!"

Merritt posted a popular series recently called Football Fridays.  I invited her to create a Maternity Edition of Football Friday for Keeping it Simple to kickoff the beginning of the college football season this weekend!  She found some fab outfits for you TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and University of Texas fans!  Can you guess which on is my favorite?  Click here for a hint.

TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, A&M, Texas

Thank you Merritt for your fashion expertise! 

Happy Labor Day!  I wish I had a rocking outfit for the weekend like this little gal!

Image from kaboodle.com

Fear of the Belly Button

I know everyone has different fears about how pregnancy will affect their body.  My biggest fear: the belly button.  I thought one day it was going to make a "bing" sound and pop out like "turkey is done."  The very thought of it gave me the heebie jeebies.

Thankfully, there was no "turkey is done" moment, but it did gradually make its way out.  I tried to ignore it, but every time I got dressed it was hard to find outfits that would press it down.  Then, I found them!  SPANX has a maternity line! 

For the very few men that read this blog, you can put your tongues back in your mouth and stop drooling.  I know they are some super sexy drawers!  Come on, get focused now!

I know Spanx are typically for slimming and it sounds silly to use them when you are pregnant.  However, they had two great features:  flattening my belly button and providing stomach support.  I HIGHLY suggest investing in these ($32).  They really helped my maternity wardrobe last through my third trimester months at work. 

Keeping it Simple sidenote: Miss Oops Popper Stoppers makes pads for the belly button issue.

They seem like a good option if your outfit is not Spanx friendly. I did not use them, so I am not sure if you can see them through your clothes.  Please let me know if you gave these a try and if you liked them?

COUPON ALERT: 25% off entire purchase at The Loft

Start planning your maternity wardrobe for fall, shop now thru Sunday at the Loft and get 25% off your entire purchase.  No coupon  needed.

PS - I am so happy today because I not only get to meet one precious baby at lunch, but two!  Two of my great friends are at the same hospital and delivered 12 hours apart.  New friends for L!!!!

Luella and June Inspired: Copper

I saw this precious maternity top inspired by Luella and June's Copper post.



SALE ALERT: Gilt Groupe

Gilt is having a sale on maternity and nursing items featuring Boppy, Mayreau, and Elle Macpherson starting today at 11AM CST.  If you don't know about Gilt, you must join.  Maternity products are only a tiny part of their inventory, so check it out if you are prego or not.  They provide member-only shopping and it is free to join.  Here is a little blurb from their website:

Gilt Groupe provides instant insider access to today’s top designer labels, at up to 60% off retail. Become a member and find something new every day for women, men, kids and home as well as exclusive local services and experiences, and one-of-a-kind travel packages. Sign in and see what inspires you today.

Their sales are first come first serve.  Be ready at 11am! 

Luella and June Inspired: Lace it Up

Today's maternity pick was inspired by Luella and June's "Lace it Up."  It was always so hard to find things to wear to cocktail events when i was pregnant, but I love this lace option! 

Click here to purchase.

To see other maternity picks, click here.

COUPON ALERT: 40% off at Ann Taylor Loft

Stock up on maternity clothes at the Loft using code SHOP40!  Offer valid through July 4th online and in stores!

Don't forget to like Keeping it Simple on faceboook so you don't miss future Coupon Alerts

Luella and June Inspired: Red, White, and Blue

The 4th of July is upon us!  Check out Luella and June's Red White and Blue post for accessories for this coming holiday weekend!

Being pregnant doesn't mean you can't celebrate the country's independence in style...



Top red dress, Bottom red dress, top white tunic top, red and white striped dress, royal blue jeans (if you dare), blue maxi dress (yes, dorothy perkins is in london, but they ship to US for $7.50 in 5-7 days)



$ave $ome $crilla: Cinderella's Step Sister

The Bella Band was recommended to me to make my regular clothes last longer while I was pregnant.  People would go on and on about how wonderful these things were.  You could leave your pants unbuttoned or even unzipped and the magical band would cover up the bumps that showed through your shirts and hold up your pants. 

I immediately ordered a handful of them in different colors.  I thought the maternity angels were about to be delivered to my doorstep.  As UPS pulled away from the curb, I tore the bag open and immediately began trying them on with all of my pants.  At first, I was thrilled with them.  Tore off the tags, threw away the box, receipt and all!  But after the first outing, I realized I had been mistaken.

It could be that my rear sticks out further than Cinderella's evil step-sisters, but the bands kept riding up on me.



It made for some embarassing situations when my zipper was poking out underneath my shirt without me even realizing it.  I am sure people were utterly confused thinking how I could possibly be pregnant when it looked like I also had a boy part.

Just use the good ole rubber band trick.  It worked like a charm and save you some money on the bands ($26 a piece). 

The Bella Bands did come in handy to be used as cami's later in my pregnancy, but that was about it.

Luella and June Inspired: Tickled Pink

Inspired by today' post on Luella and June: Tickled Pink...check with L&J for pink accessories.

1. Short Sleeved Ruffled Top
2. Pink Ruffled-front dress
3. Strapless long dress
4  Sleeveless collared dress
5. Short Sleeved tie-front top - Luella and June fave
6. Hot Pink long-sleeved top

Ok, ok....I snuck some coral in :)

See other Luella and June Inspired posts here.

Luella and June Inspired

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT:  The "Pregnant ≠ Paisley" post has been the most popular post so far!  I hear ya!  The maternity options out there can be pretty depressing.  I am introducing a new series of posts thanks to my friends at Luella and June.  They are giving me a heads up on their trend alerts, so I can research to the end of the internet looking for maternity clothes that reflect the current trend. Just because you can't shop at your favorite stores, doesn't mean you can't be trendy!  Look for the "Luella and June Inspired" posts going forward.

Here is one for today!

Luella and June: FEELING FLORAL

1 Floral Dress

2 Strapless Floral

3 Floral Button Down - Luella and June's fave
4 Blue Floral Top

What do you think of this new idea?

If you would like to subscribe to this blog and get email updates, please see below.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Pregnant ≠ Paisley

Why is it that when you get pregnant your clothes options look more like Gap circa-1990 than anything remotely close to current trends?  Pregnant ≠ paisley, florals, and polka dots, but that seems to be your only option...Exhibit A and B

On top of that, they all seem to be more than anyone wants to spend on temporary clothes.  I became increasingly frustrated with my lack of options when I was pregnant with L.  Not only do you feel fat, but everyone tells you to get over it, "You are pregnant, you are supposed to get big."  We are all girls and no matter what stage of life we are in, we want to look and feel cute!

Well, hopefully, I can help you prego ladies out!  I was reading my go-to fashion blog, Luella and June, and got motivated by their "color pops" post to scour the internet for some cute, affordable maternity clothes.  I had some luck! Today's post is short and sweet, but crossing my fingers you find something that makes you look and feel cute that you may have not found otherwise!

Short-Sleeve Ruffled dress, Purple long-sleeved dress, Black shift dress, Pink top, Turquoise wrap dress,   Long-sleeved orange tunic, Red ruffled wrap dress

I am going to continue to post my favorite maternity fashion finds, so check back periodically.

PS - I would, also, definitely try Gap Maternity and Ann Taylor Maternity.  Gap even has a maternity section in some stores, so you can try it on instead of dealing with shipping and returns.  Call your local Gap and see.

If you would like to subscribe to this blog and get email updates, please see below.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner