Capsule wardrobe trial run (Thanksgiving packing)

I mentioned somewhere along the line that I would love to put together a capsule wardrobe, but it doesn't really mesh (ha ha) with the season of life that I'm in at the moment. I love the idea, though, of having mostly pieces that are timeless, comfortable, and versatile. As few pieces as possible, as many outfits as possible. Our trip to visit Joel's family for Thanksgiving only lasted 11 days (counting travel days), but I like to have my options for putting things together in the moment. Also, it doesn't hurt to account for messy kid mishaps.

So the final count: 19 pieces, 20 outfits (probably more outfits, I was running out of ideas/time putting them together electronically... also I think I forgot to same three. I'm new to Polyvore. If I'm doing it wrong, someone please tell me). This was a capsule wardrobe trial run, as my goal is to slim down my wardrobe once I settle in to a little more of a slimmer self (baby weight loss and all). I tried to keep my options somewhat limited and in the same color palette, to make them a little easier to shuffle.

We had a pretty loose schedule, so there was plenty of room to mix up casual (hanging out around the house, maybe leaving for coffee) and occasions that required at least a tad more effort (dinner at a restaurant, Thanksgiving itself). I made sure to pack versatile mix & match pieces that were still comfortable for my super preggo self.

**Note: The polypore pieces are not specifically maternity, as most of the pieces I actually packed are not. However, especially with the bottoms, I do have their equivalents in maternity and regular sizes, so this is still counting as a little bit of a test run.

I included tops, bottoms, a couple layering pieces, two scarves, and three pairs of shoes. And I am literally JUST realizing right now that I FORGOT to include a black and white plaid 3/4 sleeve top on this whole thing... but that's ok, it doesn't button over my tummy, so it probably won't get used on this trip But now that I think about it, I have some ideas... if I remember I'll update this later. That being said... here we go!

I did not count jewelry (it's super small to pack anyways and it would have added WAY more options) or pajamas (because no one cares or would see them anyways). I also left out maternity support tanks (they won't really apply to the capsule wardrobe in a couple of months and they're hidden under all of the other outfits anyways).

Also I should note that if you follow the links through to Polyvore, the specific items I pictured do not exactly match the items in my closet. I went with as close as I could find. If anyone is interested in specific links, I'll be sure to add them in or let you know one way or another.

Happy outfitting!

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A season of chaos: the beautiful mess of parenting littles

I am a 7-months-pregnant mother of two under two. I love my little girls with all of my heart and soul. We can't wait to welcome our son into the world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

But that doesn't make it any less frustrating sometimes.

Sure, the kids misbehave and test boundaries, but all of that is quickly balanced out (and then some) by their kisses, snuggles, "I love you Mommy"s, and bright faces when they see me coming to get them in the morning.

Parenthood is always full of sacrifices. It starts with sacrificing our bodies to bring these little ones into the world, then our physical and emotional stamina during the postpartum/newborn months, our and progressive restrictions on our social lives as they enter toddlerdom (especially when they're on different nap schedules). Time away at the bookstore becomes a trip to the doctor's office for a checkup (for at least one of them), romantic candlelit dinners become a panic of prepping enough food fast enough, a frenzy when it's quickly shoveled into their precious little mouths (and then onto the floor), and mornings evolve from a quiet cup of coffee and a shave-your-legs length shower to prepping a pot of coffee before changing stinky/wet/leaking diapers and quickly dumping Cheerios on the coffee table.

I promise she has more shirts than this.

Of course I knew what I signed up for when I became a parent. I knew it would be hard, taxing, exhausting, but at the same time oh so worth it. And it is, every moment of it. I am doing my best to cherish these moments while they're small because I'll just blink and they'll be picking out prom dresses. I know there are many seasons of parenthood, each with its own different triumphs and struggles.

But it's ok not to have it all together sometimes.

It's ok to drink more than the recommended amount of caffeine. It's ok to max out on your carefully-determined max of TV time for your little cherubs and then go over some, just because Mommy needs a minute.

It's ok to be a little dejected not to have any updates when asked "What's new with you?" at family gatherings and have nothing but updates on your kids' milestones. It's ok to be frustrated at declining drinks with friends because you're pregnant (again) or you know you'll have to nurse sometime in the next 1-5 hours (because the baby is unpredictable).

It's ok to be human. It's ok to have feelings. It's ok not to be the super parent. 

Because we still do love our children. We have this life now, and we're making the best of it, for all of our sakes. Because sometimes survival mode is what it takes to get to bedtime and there's nothing wrong with that. Because we can ask for help. Because we know we're not alone in this.

And most of all, because of these little faces.

I'm all right with being behind the iPhone lens most of the time, making sure they're taken care of behind the scenes and before and after they wake, etc. I don't mean for this post to be a complaint or a rant by any means. This has become a safe space with like-minded people (or, at least, I'm assuming so if you've kept up this far). I want this to be a safe place for you, too, to acknowledge that life is not always Pinterest-worthy, but the beautiful is often hidden in the coffee/spitup/juice/mac and cheese stains, covered in sticky hands, and wet from sloppy kisses (and drool). It's frustrating sometimes to make the sacrifices, but my heart has never been so full.