earlier today i tweeted about being 8 months pregnant and finding some great non-maternity clothes at j.crew and old navy that fit really well. better than maternity clothes actually. i got quite a few responses and questions wondering if j.crew made maternity clothes [i don't think they do, but wouldn't that be great?!] and what i was able to find specifically. so, i wanted to share with you the goodies i went home with.

first, i must say that i didn’t go to the regular j.crew store since i live really close to a j.crew outlet. so, what i pulled from their site is as close to what i bought as i could find. however, earlier in my pregnancy, i did go to the regular j.crew store and scooped up a few things including these cords. and they still fit. i wore them today with my tummy tube.

but, back to my most recent finds. the v-neck gray shirt is similar to this. the pink shirt i bought has a higher scooped neck and has less rosettes, but it’s similar to this shirt from j.crew.

the black skirt is this one from old navy. i also bought it in white and brown since it’s so comfortable. much more so than restrictive maternity jeans. my tummy can breathe! the cardigan is also from old navy and can be found here.

it was actually on a whim that i found out j.crew fits my baby bump. i realized that most maternity clothes are super long and a bit more loose in order to accommodate an expanding belly. after many frustrating trips to maternity stores only to figure out most maternity clothes fit me like tents, i thought about j.crew. i love their clothes. however, i’m really short and prior to pregnancy, i always had problems fitting into them mainly because their clothes are too long and loose for my short torso. so i thought hum, maybe, just maybe j.crew would work for me now. and they do.

i realized regular old navy may work because i tried on a non-maternity short tiered skirt that i already owned. it has a stretchy waist so it fits. i just wear it below my belly. i went online to see if they happened to carry something similar this year and sure enough they do! and they are on sale! so, i went to the store to check them out. and like the j.crew shirts, the old navy cardigan fits because it’s also long. instead of tying the belt around my belly, i just tie it behind my back. this gives me a nicely defined waist. bonus!

so, there you go. my little guide to non-maternity maternity clothes. happy shopping!

i’m loving the orla kiely stationery on gilt today! i’m trying desperately hard to talk myself out of the oatmeal address book. especially since i just bought the lovely design file box. certainly i don’t need two… or do i :]

30 cute + clever cakes and step-by-step guides on how to create them.  |  via kirtsy

lovely photos from another beautiful food blog i just discovered.

have you seen these cupcake kits from meri meri? such an easy + super cute way to pull together an instant party.  |  via at home with kim vallée

i think these polka dot dresses from kate spade are perfection. absolute perfection.

loving the circus theme in the upcoming anthropologie catalog. not your typical bright and bold circus, but a more subdued + vintage carnival theme.

i’m thinking about adding these pretty boxes to my desk, too. simple + nicely priced.

have you heard about wall blank? each weekday a new piece of art is available for sale, and it’s available for one week unless the piece sells out. the prices are pretty fantastic.

the prints featured above are from their vintage collection. they are releasing a different vintage print each day during the day of january. i’m looking forward to seeing the rest of their offerings.  |  via @kim_michelle

recently, i came across the the cupcake bar, and i just had to share it with you guys. it’s such a fabulous idea for a party. prior to the event, the host selects a cupcake menu and they can customize it to match their particular party theme or color scheme. at the event, guests choose the cupcake flavor, filing, icing + topping of their choice and the cupcake bartenders put it together on the spot. plus, they handle all the set-up and clean up!

oh, and yes those are cupcakes topped with nerds + pop rocks. fun, right?

have you seen this gorgeous dessert cheese table display put together by sunday suppers? i love the white pedestals and glass cloches and the ethereal cheese cloth tablecloth draped over the rustic table. it’s simply beautiful.

it looks so scrumptious, too. oh, man how i miss soft cheese. i’m really looking forward to nibbling on some post baby!

pretty lace paper from kate’s paperie would be lovely wrappings for valentine’s day gifts.