Tara Colleen: April 2015

baby got bump

I swear it was just Friday, wasn't it?? i don't know how i even know what day or time it is anymore, my sleep deprivation has me a bit out of sorts. todays look goes back to a few weeks ago (obvi) when i had the privilege of co-hosting Moon & Lola's CFW Kick Off Party with the super fabulous Andrea Serrano aka Charleston Shop Curator. if you're looking for some serious high-fashion inspiration, her blog is serving it up on a daily dose!!

thank goodness for this Isabella Oliver dress, because it got me through the last few weeks of pregnancy. i layered it up with leather the first time around (seen HERE), but since the weather was finally heating up, there was no need for a jacket and even though the bump was beyond huge, i just love the way this body-con hugs every last curve and showed off my big ole belly. i mean, at this point, i felt like it was a medal of honor to carry around this babe so why not show it off?

"everything grows rounder and wider and weirder, and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be"

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

dress c/o Isabella Oliver // heels GoJane // wallet Olivia + Joy via Marshalls // sunnies Aldo //

"starlet" studs Moon & Lola // "love" c/o Towne & Reese // chain link c/o Towne & Reese // ampersand c/o Carrie Grace Shop //

"alex" cuff Loren Hope via Rocksbox (use code: TARAXOXO2 to receive your first month free)

LBB [little black bump]

Hip Hooray its FriYAY!!!!!

are any of you ladies headed out for a night on the town?? don't fret, im not either, lol, mommy duty calls. I think it'll be a while before i have a true night out sans baby, but right now he makes for a pretty cute date. and just a few weeks ago, he was a pretty sweet accessory. I never thought I would miss this little bump of mine, but I actually really got into the whole maternity style this time around, and truly embraced the extra curves (which is a big deal for me, because im totally vein). any other mommas struggle with this?? I mean, carrying around all that extra weight can get you down, and it definitely makes getting dressed every day a challenge, but isn't it incredible what our bodies are capable of?? so even though I love my skinny self, this big ole bump created a big ole beautiful boy and i would trade my waistline for this kid every time!

this LBD is the perfect "Friday Night Out" look. its a little sheer, a little edgy, and totally sexy; but aren't all lbds? why is that? is it the black?? whatever the factor may be, a girl can never go wrong and you should always have at least 1 LBD in your arsenal. i think simplicity is definitely a key factor to owning the look, because let's face it, the LBD was created for men. its simple and chic and should leave a little to the imagination and that's really all men need. save your neon pumps for girls night, think neutrals. i actually had a simpler single strap sandal picked out, but the hubs chose these rockstuds and i'm not mad about it. i kept my accessories pretty simple as well and pulled back my hair in a loose low pony. i suppose this belly isn't leaving much to the imagination, but after 9 years of marriage, i think the mystery is pretty dead, no?

have a fabulous Friday ladies!!!!

"one is never over-dressed or under-dressed with a little black dress"

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

dress c/o Retail Therapy // clutch Shiraleah c/o Retail Therapy // heels GoJane //

cuff Kate Spade // chain link c/o Towne & Reese // watch Michael Kors //

earrings House of Harlow via Rocksbox (use code: TARAXOXO2 to receive your first month free)

business and the bump

Monday has come and gone, but I've still got the blues. not the "weekends over, back to work" blues, more like the "take me back to fashion week" blues. seriously, i'm already counting down the days to next year. for the fashion, of course, but also for the fellowship. i can't tell you how many amazing people i have met and the friendships I've formed under the tents of CFW. plus getting to work with Charleston's finest brands and boutiques is a total perk.

its hard to say i had a favorite look during the week, because all of my outfits were so different, but i really fell in love with this Versace-esque suit from The Finicky Filly. my Friday started off with a brunch to discuss the business of blogging with the Belk executives, so i took this as my cue to show up looking uber profesh. i do consider myself a business woman, maybe not the suit wearing type, unless you consider the Canadian tuxedo a business suit, but a business minded woman just the same. so i committed to the role and slicked back my hair, donned my best red lip, and suited up. this blazer was everything!! giving me a little british mobster tuxedo vibe and the gold button detail gave me the excuse to layer on some seriously stunning accessories like this lion cuff that totally screams Versace Versace Versace!!! i contemplated pairing a white slip-style dress underneath for a girl meets boy vibe, but ultimately chose this black shift to keep the look more chic. my color-block sandals and 2-tone antler clutch added the perfect black & white combo to tie the whole look together and add a pop of intrigue. i think i might just have to play "boss-lady" more often, i really felt like i could rule the world in this look!

"act like lady, think like a boss"

ALL IMAGES MARIE RODRIGUEZ

dress Vince // blazer Smythe // cuff Julie Voss // necklace Julie Vos - c/o The Finicky Filly

sandals French Connection c/o Belk // aviators c/o SEE // "Monroe" studs c/o Moon & Lola //

antler box clutch c/o Taxidermy // lip "rouge allure" Chanel c/o Belk

peachy keen

yay, happy Friday!!!

I have to be honest, I am really struggling trying to keep a schedule with this new little addition. if he's not eating or pooping, he's sleeping and all I want to do is stare at him all day while trying to keep 2 crazy toddlers from jumping all over him. its a balance i have yet to master, so my posts will most likely be pretty sporadic the next few weeks, but I promise i will do my best to quickly get through the last of my maternity looks. its been so gloomy all week, so I though I would brighten it up a bit with this pretty little peach blouse. my bestie owns this amazing pop-up shop Synergy Style and lucky me, I get first dibs on all the goodies!! this blouse was oh so perfect to priss up this big boy bump (and ps, its totally not maternity, i just bumped up a size) so the moment i saw it, I knew it was a must have!! I always love peach/blush tones against my pale complexion and the lace trim is so feminine and flattering. I paired them with light wash skinnies (also non-maternity, but totally rockin the belly band to make them fit) and lots of white and pearl accessories to match the trim. thanks for hangin in there with me, i hope you all have a wonderful (hopefully dry) weekend!!!