I recently learned that Amazon collaborates with bloggers and influencers from around the world to create a clothing collection that represents them and their current trend. Its pretty intense because you have 30 hours to shop the collection and once it sells out, its gone.
Recently I had the pleasure of picking a piece from the @SignedBlake collection that was completely out of my comfort zone and decided to style it out of my normal style. Blake is the first black influencer I noticed to have a collection, and not only do I follow her, she is quite the badass. Most of the collections within The Drop are not plus size friendly, so it is definitely enlightening to see she thought of us.
Wanna know what’s funny? I didn’t originally order this piece. I wanted the floral ruffle maxi dress, so im not sure how my order was mixed up. At the time I couldn’t return it because the piece I wanted sold out in my size. After a couple weeks I decided to take it out for a spin and go grunge chic. Yeah, that’s what I’m calling it. I decided to pair it with some combat boots that’s high on trend this season and I belted the dress to give it more shape. Also rolling up the sleeves helps frame the look as well.
I’m so glad I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try something different! Stay tuned for my next Amazon The Drop review!
Even though quarantine didn’t give us much of a summer, I’m still trying to hold on a little bit longer and this fun, colorful dress from the Eva Mendes line at New York and Company is helping me pretty great! This is probably my favorite dress of the season and I am definitely going to hold on to it to really take it for a spin in 2021.
Click on the dress here, and use the code NYCOFANS for $15 off of your purchase of $30 or more!
We’re 19 weeks into this pregnancy and I can honestly say that I haven’t had any weird pregnancy cravings! You know, like the peanut butter and sardine combination or anything weird, I would say. Things you don’t normally eat if you’re not pregnant.
Spaghetti pasta salad
I tend to crave things I haven’t eaten in a long time or I need an excess of one particular thing. One thing I can say, is I’ve been really good at balancing healthy things with some “not so healthy things” which my doctor noticed because the baby is doing very healthy!
Seafood platter from The Midnight Diner
Healthy Cravings
Watermelon! I have to have it. I remember when it wasn’t quite watermelon season and I would go to every store to see if they had any decent looking watermelon slices or the ones that came in a cup. Sometimes, it was a success. Now we’re in season and my brother bought me those giant ones and I finished it in two days. Here are a few more of some healthy cravings.
Salads//Green Olives//fresh cucumbers//Superfruit Smoothie from Panera//Bahama Mama Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe//Dill Pickles//
Not so Healthy Cravings
Infamous Shrimp & Grits from The Midnight Diner in Charlotte, NC
Those Filet-O-Fish from McDonald’s with extra Tarter is the key to my soul! LOL! I remember I wanted some at midnight one night and I rode with my husband to get it! You have to get extra tarter though! I will say, my not so healthy cravings might outweigh the healthy ones but I can eat salad and watermelon all day. Check out these out.
Beef Flavor Ramen Noodles w/Hotdogs//Chips//Butterfinger Sonic Blast from Sonic’s//Original Chicken Sandwich w/cheese from Burgr King//Sonic Burger from Sonic//McDonald’s Fries
I’ve talked to so many mothers since I was pregnant and I realized I’ve been blessed in my pregnancy. Although we’re still early, I’m sure there will be more changes coming and I’m going to embrace them. Pregnancy is a journey that unfortunately not all can go through, especially the ones who want it. So the only thing I can do is be thankful for each chapter and each craving!
I talk to my auntie pretty much every week and she’s always making sure that I am taking care of my self. No stress. Don’t get upset. Don’t watch scary movies. Talk to the baby. Play classical music. Get some exercise in. Like a drill mom.
I didn’t have much questions. Actually, I didn’t have any questions. My doctors looked at me like I was the “perfect patient.” No crazy questions. Only the basics. What can’t I eat anymore? What medicines should I leave alone for the next 8 or 9 months? Can I travel? Get on a plane? They would stare at me for minutes on end because I was a “good patient.” Whatever that malarky was.
Any symptoms?
Thank God, I did not experience morning sickness. No vomiting. However, I was extremely tired. No energy. Slept a lot. Missed work a lot because the idea of sitting at a desk for 8 hours getting yelled out was very tiring. It got to a point where I did not feel like me because I am always on the go. On my off days, I’m running errands, cooking, doing my hair, working on my blog. But I really had to take a step back and sit down. My husband likes to tell me, “hunbun you’re growing a human. Relax.” I felt weird knowing I can’t move like i normally can. For a couple weeks, I lost my appetite and it showed in my next appointment because I lost weight. And dehydrated.
In the last few weeks, body pain was inevitable. Things like doing basic chores or walking around the mall was too strenuous. I remember I was taking a few days off work and I wanted to do some extra cleaning and make dinner for hunbun. After I was done, my body felt like someone hit me with a ton of bricks! I was in so much pain! And I can hear my aunt tell me to sit down!
Scary Movies
I think giving up horror movies was depressing for me. Hear me out! I’ve been watching scary movies since I was a little girl and I watch them like regular shows. They don’t bother me. However, my sister and aunt explained to me that the baby feels everything that I feel, knows what I’m watching and the last thing I want my unborn baby to know about is evil spirits, and devil worshippers, serial kills, slasher movies, etc. She said, “you don’t want to pass this on to the baby.” After I have the baby then I can continue. So its really funny for me to try to watch stuff. Many of you may not agree, but they haven’t failed me yet in the wisdom catergory. So all the good horror movies coming out this summer will be on hold until this winter. Anyone ever told y’all this?
Mental Health
It took a while to grasp the fact that I am adding a new role to….me. Mommy. I felt depressed and paranoid. I set some really high expectations for myself if I ever decided to be a mom. The ultimate perfect mom. Never let your kid see you sweat. Have ambition. Be super educated. Have lots of money. Discernment need to be on point. Make sure baby has all that you didn’t get. Lots of wisdom, knowledge, summer camp, learn how to swim. Guys I made a mental checklist of things I wanted for the baby. Thinking of all this made me depressed! There isn’t a manual for being the child I am getting. I can try to be prepared all I want, but life never goes as planned. I would stress myself out about the amount of money I need to save, the debt I need to kill, go back to school, start this business that I was working on, just prepare to be the perfect mom. Sometimes, I still feel that way, but the only thing I can do is prepare for what I can and allow God and Hubby to help with the rest.
Cravings?
Before I found out I was pregnant, I increased my water intake to a half gallon a day. The more I drank, the thirstier I became. My silly self thought that was a side effect of drinking more water! Key lime pie for dessert at all times, okay!? I had to have it. Now, in my defense, I like the pie anyway, but every night? But then I started to think I was crazy because I wanted buffalo chicken tenders, fries with seasoned salt ( I DON’T LIKE SEASON SALT ON MY FRIES) and a wedge salad with all the fixings from Red Robin. I remember eating that for almost two weeks straight. But again, in my defense, if I like something, I will run it out until I’m sick of it. Sour candy was a must have and I would snack on those in church along with a big bottle of water. Mommy’s cooking was at the top of the list and salads were REQUIRED! As the weeks progressed, I find myself not having an appetite at all. I would barely eat. I hated blueberry muffins and those sausage biscuits w/cheese from McDonald’s. These were things I loved at one point. Things became too sweet or too salty and I would barely eat. Sometimes, an apple was all I wanted.
Hubby + Mood Swings?
My husband is a trooper. He’s very supportive and he’s really on this journey with me. He downloaded this app that keeps track of baby growth, things to expect in pregnancy, and he’s looking forward to first time daddy classes. I don’t have mood swings, thank the Lord, but it all goes back to my mental state. I spent most of the first trimester sad and depressed and I kept to myself, so fussing was too much for me. I do remember crying! Before I stopped watching scary movies, I was watching the new Halloween movie on a “day off” and I remember crying because the people were getting killed! It was so funny to me because I was real invested in those people! I thought it was really funny. But all in all, and my husband can attest to it, but mood swings didn’t exist and even though I’m currently in my second trimester writing this, mood swings are not here and not welcomed.
Wardrobe?
It was still chilly in my first trimester, so leggings and over-sized sweaters was my wardrobe. And jeans until I can no longer button them. Now I understand why pregnant people don’t want to dress like much because, comfort is key. And that was me. Now that we’re entering warmer months, my wardrobe will definitely changing and I can bring out some maternity fashion. After all, this blog is part fashion.
Overall, the first trimester was very challenging for me. My body taught me to relax both mentally and physically. It also gave me time to really think about what I want for my little one and get in the mood of excitement. I’m getting the hang of it!
curlswithstyle.com 