The Calm Before The Storm

 

 

This will likely be the last post I do for a few weeks.

I will be actually delivering a few weeks early (which is finnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee by me!)

I'm sure I'll be able to catch you guys up on Instagram and Facebook so make sure you follow me there! (There are also outfits on Instagram that never make it to the blog)

Wish me luck!

I am so ready to be un-pregnant!

 



Skirt: GarnerStyle for Rebdolls

Tank Dress worn as Shirt: H&M

Shoes: Nine West

 

As far as the outfit, I have to shout out Chastity of Garner Style because it is from her limited capsule collection with Rebdolls! When a buddy launches a collection, you find something to buy!

Everything sold out so fast that I was only able to grab this skirt. I hope they restock soon!

I intended to save this for post-pregnancy but I was too impatient...plus it has an ecstatic waist!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

The material is fabulous, the color is vibrant and it has pockets!

It will most certainly be in rotation!

Congratulations Chastity on a job well done!

GFS Presents...

Dress from Urban Outfitters (Here)

Lace dress worn as Jacket: Forever 21

Heels: Aldo (here)

Clutch Cover: Clutched and Covered

7 More weeks to go!

Feeling a little Kim Kardashian-y in this look. 

Except my dress is not smushing the top of my baby's head. 

Just saying....

Also, If you're in Houston, I'm hosting a Networking Social. 

It's really small since this is my first time at it. 

I found that as I began to become involved with all things "entrepreneurship" that I didn't find a lot of  opportunities to mingle, network and learn from like minded women. 

And let's be honest, that's exactly how my business, God's Favorite Surprises was born. 

So, I have space for about 13 more people to attend. 

If you have a business or you are on the verge of starting a business, this could be the perfect event to hang out, nibble on bites, share and hear stories to encourage you. 

Which is the whole point really. 

If you are interested, please go to this Facebook Post and leave your email address. 

I will then send you an exclusive Eventbrite invitation to confirm your space. 

It should be fun!! 

P.S. Thank you all for the kind words of support about me launching my business! 

Be sure to check out the site and order something! 

Someone will love to receive your gift of kindness! 

Also, a special shout out to my Career Coach Lisa Lucario! 

When I had the itch to change careers, she literally was the first person I contacted and said, "I need to be a paying client. I need accountability." 

I still meet with her twice a month. It helps me stay focused and keeps me on task. 

You can find her here...and she does sessions via Facetime/Skype. 

It's worth it! 

Well, Hello There!

 

I'm just going to get right to it! I just realized that I mentioned this news on Facebook and Instagram weeks ago...(Do you follow me?) but I just realized that I didn't share it with you guys!

 

 

I am pregnant again!

17 weeks today!

And it's a boy!

Chile.............

The first trimester was TERRIBLE! I hated it so much! But the second trimester is allowing me to be productive. I have been SUPER stressed out about my job and other things so I've been trying to keep myself in check.

 

 

I'm a lot more laid back this time around when it comes to getting prepared. No rush. I've been here before. The baby is due in August. In TEXAS. That means HEAT. HOT! SAUNA!

Ugh.

 

Just thought I would let you know!

By the way, Zara is doing great! She will be 2 in May and we decided to not have a party this  year.  Minnie Mouse cupcakes at home should do the trick.

 

And if you would do me a solid...could you please click this link to answer a quiz survey for me!

It is SUPER QUICK!

(Feel free to share the link to any of your working friends/associates between the ages 25-55)

Here is the link again....

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/32NR3LN

 

 

And thanks to Shanda Ferguson ( @_shandart on Instagram) for this beautiful illustration!!!! I just love her! (The pic and Shanda!)

 

 

People Say The Darndest Things

I remember in my 20's I would meet guys or even friends that I haven't seen in a while and the first question would be "How many kids you got?"

I would say none and then watch as my answer slowly registered in their brain. 

The concept of not having a kid at an early age was/is so foreign to most people.

Note, that no one ever asked,

"Are you married?"

No one ever asked that. 

(Dress from H&M, Steve Madden Sandals, Thrifted clutch/belt, Aldo earrings) 

Well now that I'm 37 and pregnant, I'm getting the opposite end of that questioning. 

A few weeks ago I ran into a family friend. 

I mean she literally remembers when I was born. 

She sees me.

Notices my belly and says, "Girl! You pregnant at your age?"

Ummm. I just looked and stared. 

What the hell kind of question is that?!?

So, I play nice and kind of give her the old "ha ha he he" giggle with no smile. 

That doesn't stop her. 

She goes on to say "Girl, why you wait so late!?! Shoot, you supposed to be over that point."
(I'm thinking, "Umm aren't 3 of your grandkids in jail?")

Now, at this point I have cocked my head to the side. 

I have a choice. 

I can just half ass giggle or I can let her have it. 

The old Reiko (I changed as of November 2012 when I went on a rampage of telling people how I felt but decided in the New Year to bite my tongue more) wanted to say, "Ummm ma'am, just because you had your first child at 12 and was a grandmother at the age of 24 doesn't mean that I'm abnormal."

But that's the old Reiko.
I'm not like that anymore. So I just giggled and cursed under my breath. 

She was a family friend after all.

I suppose she gets a pass because she's known me since birth.

But it really pisses me off that people feel a need to comment on age. 

Nobody was saying "OoOh girl," when I became a homeowner at the age of 25.

Nobody was asking questions when I completed my master's degree.

So people would have been happier if I was 17 and knocked up or had a baby out of wedlock. 

I'm not judging those who went that route but don't judge me because I did it my way.

People say the darndest things. 

But like I said...I'm different as of Nov. 2012:)

''P.S. My theme song is "I'm Different"by Two Chainz. That's been my mantra every time the Old Reiko wants to make an appearance. 

*7 more weeks to go until the baby is here!*

The Struggle!

Quite honestly, I struggled to even put this outfit together.
It's nothing earth shattering but I'm hellbent on not buying maternity clothes. 

I've been going through spastic stages this week.

I want to get rid of everything in my closet. 

I've decided that I don't have enough color in my wardrobe. 

Too much gray and black. 

So I believe I'm about to go on a "get rid of a lot of stuff spree."

Don't even get me started on my hair. 

Today I'm wearing a wig.
Tomorrow, I'm getting braids. 

I'm all over the place. LOL!

10 more weeks to go! 

 (I got a new camera for Valentine's day and still learning the settings. Sorry for the crazy lighting)

Top: From Zara

Maternity Jeans: From H&M (I bought two maternity items this whole pregnancy)

Converse Sneakers

Pregnancy Moment: Last week I was so sleepy when I woke up, when I got to work, I cried because I was still sleepy. Seriously. That's how serious the sleep is around these parts! I am even willing to skip meals to take naps.

Hey, They Didn't Say This Would Happen on MTV!

I've been holding off on writing this post because I didn't want to come off as not seeing pregnancy as a blessing. I also know that some people struggle to become pregnant (It took me a year or so to get preggy) and I didn't want to be insensitive to that.

But there's so much to pregnancy that just didn't happen on episodes of 15 and Pregnant (my only reference to pregnancy it seems lol).

 (Notice the new hair! Decided to do a sew-in because I just can't be bothered with my hair these days)

So this post will merely serve as a "Hey, nobody told me that!" kind of post.

1. Nobody told me that I would become an Avatar in my first trimester. You know the movie where the Navi's could be unplugged and they would just fall to the ground? Yeah that happend for about 8 straight weeks. I could NOT get enough sleep. I slept every single chance I could get. I even begged the doctor to give me something to make me not sleep. (imagine the eyeroll and teeth sucking I got from her).

(Just this summer, this was a dress on me. Not anymore!)

2. Nobody told me that my body would rebel against me in the form of pain. Ummm, have you EVER heard one of those girls on 15 and Pregnant say they are suffering from sciatica? HELL NO. Those fast tail girls are chasing the high school jocks and putting in job applications at the local barbecue hut in their 2nd trimester! Me...straight numbing pain from my hip to my knee for about 5 weeks straight. The dr kind of just took my hand and said "Yeah, welp...nothing much we can do about that." (Luckily it went away on its own.)

(You are catching a glimpse of the baby's room. It's not finished yet)

3. THE BACK PAIN! JESUS GOD ALMIGHTY! It comes in waves and makes me disorriented at times. NEVER have I seen those girls on 15 and Pregnant slow down from "mudding" with their baby daddy or having a fist fight with their own momma because they want to stay out all night instead of taking of their first baby. (Y'all remember that episode? LOL) Me? One Saturday, I was literally in the middle of cooking bacon when the pain hit. I tried to grimmace through it...you know...because I wanted the bacon but I couldn't. I had to scream for my husband to come take over while I nearly crawled to the sofa. (Notice I had him finish the bacon.)

(Sorry for the Iphone pics)

They don't tell you any of this on TV. Everybody is all happy and glowing and talking about how much their nails grew. Meanwhile, I'm limping around like I was trying out to be a backup dancer for Beyonce but didn't make the cut.

These are MY truths and I'm aware that I have it way easier than most. To be honest, these are really my only complaints. Other than walking a little slower, I've been pretty darn good.  Just some of these things I had no clue about. Now you're informed.

At any rate, I guess that's why the show is called 15 and Pregnant, not 37 and Pregnant, huh?

The Belly Grows

I had a lot to say in my head when I knew I was doing this post. 

But that was before Beyonce' rocked the Super Bowl Half Time show and then turned out the lights in the Super Dome. 

#shutdownmode

Also, ummm...why did I laugh at myself in these pictures!

It sounds weird, especially considering that I'm a "style"blogger but I am not one of those people who looks in the mirror constantly during the course of a day. 

So when I saw the pictures and that belly, I had to do some double takes!

When did that happen! 

Geesh!

3 months to go!

Cap: H&M (Men's Department)

Skirt worn as dress: Zara

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Zara
Jacket: Target

C

I'm Half Way There!

Happy New Year!

You see what happens when I don't blog for a while! 

The hair has grown out and the belly has gotten bigger. 

This is what 21 weeks of pregnancy looks like:)

I'm just beyond the half way point already! 

This coat....I love her so much!

I got it from the thrift store last week and I may have tinkled on myself from unexpected giggles. 

(I'm just kidding...maybe)

It seems to be handmade and just perfect.

I have about 2.2 weeks before I can't button it anymore.

So, I'm going to wear it everyday to get my use out of it. 

Vintage Thrifted Hand Made Coat: Thrift Store

Dress: Old Navy ($8 in the clearance section after Christmas)

Earrings: Aldo

Pour La Victoire Irina Heels

P.S....I'm having a GIRL!

My Womb Harbors a Stripper

My doctor recently prescribed me some prenatal vitamins. The cost came to $94 WITH insurance!

I let the vitamins stay at the pharmacy.

I later called the doctor's office to see if they had a cheaper an affordable option. I was given a prescription for $11.99.

(Iphone pics strike again)

So now I'm wondering if my baby is predestined to be a an exotic dancer because I chose the cheaper prenatal vitamins! What do the $100 vitamins have that the $12 vitamins don't?

(Worn to a Holiday party: Super Old BeBe sweater, Zara pants, cover by Clutched and Covered, thrifted chain belt worn as bracelet, Nine West heels.)

Am I gambling with my baby's future?
Based on my decision for vitamins, my baby could be the next President of the United States, or the next Anna Wintour (Vogue editor High Priestess) or the next Josselyn from Love And Hip Hop Atlanta!?!?

The pressure of motherhood is real!

This Baby Makes Me Hate Leopard Print!

I'm trying to pull it together to blog regularly.

The truth is I find everything else to do but take outfit pics.

Mainly because I'm struggling with the in between stages of pregnancy.

I'm just past the bloated "she looks like she ate a dozen donuts" for breakfast stage and now into the "I gotta get creative stage."

(Gotta find the battery charger to my camera so Iphone pics will have to do)

(2nd trimester is much kinder to me than the 1st so I've stepped out of pajamas lately

(and yes those are MATERNITY jeans from H&M...I broke down and boought two pair! HA)

So, once I figure out a good formula to work around the belly, I think consistent blogging will happen.

In the mean time, while most pregnant women have food aversions (and I have them too)...I also notice that I have some style aversions that I'm going to charge to being preggers.

Pregnancy Aversions (1st trimester)

1. NO Leopard print!  I CAN'T BELIVE I AM TYPING THIS. I haven't worn one lick of leopard print anything in about 2 months. I really think it's because I saw a lady at work who over did it with leopard print in one outfit and right at that moment, I swore leopard print off. LOL! I'm charging it to the pregnancy. I refuse to even wear my favorite leopard scarf! HA! I'm sure it's just a phase.

2. NO Bracelets! I KNOW !!  I can not be bothered with bracelets. And you guys know I love a good armful of bracelets. Something about the fussiness of it all gets on my nerves these days.

3. NO Big Earrings. It might be because of my new haircut that I prefer small studs lately.

So, while most pregnant women are puking their brains out(I'm lucky I'm not one of them),  I'm having major style side effects! Of course, I am! LOL

P.S....I'm a cliche'. I don't know what it is about pickles and pregnancy but I will rip somebody's face off if I don't eat atleast 3 dill pickles a day!

What are some things that you noticed during your "gut full of human" stages?

Changes Coming to God's Favorite Shoes

Wondering where I've been???

Pregnant!

I'm 4 months:)

#blankstare

#excited

#nervous

#blankstare

This explains why I haven't blogged much in the last few months.

My first trimester wouldn't let me be great.

Then I had to wait until Thanksgiving so that my whole family was informed.

(P.S...Hi Lindsay and Staci!!!)

I promise not to turn this into a mommy blog but I will share my struggles of trying to dress a new body. It's already a #thugstruggle.

And I will share doses of the truth because I've found that everybody has been telling me LIES about being pregnant. LIES! LOL

And to think...I was so close to getting a six pack this summer with my Insanity workouts! HA!

A real post coming soon:)

Also, the illustrating genius Shanda Ferguson surprised me with a new fall illustration for my blog highlighting my new haircut! She is such a treasure! Thank you Shanda