How Are You Feeling?

Adventure, Surprise, and Delight 👼

The answer to the question, "How do you feel?” Has sounded wildly different from me over the last six months. We have been on quite the journey and I wouldn’t want to it any other way. Ups, downs, all-arounds... I love choosing a life of adventure, surprise, and delight. It feels like a complete piece of art.

Well this checks all the boxes: adventure, surprise, and delight: We’re expecting a baby girl.

When we summited Mont Blanc as a family last summer, I was still processing my grief from losing the last pregnancy. On the summit, I accepted our miscarriage and opened my heart to receiving new life, if it was meant to be. Lo and behold, our baby was already with us. 👼I take it as a great sign already that she likes to climb mountains, and chose France as her origin point, although arguably Megève and Chamonix are more Swiss than anything.

During the first trimester, I prayed for a healthy baby (so far, so good) and desperately prayed to feel better. But now that I’m over the first trimester hump (too early for a joke?) and know that we’re having a girl, my prayers drift away with thought bubbles of a classic baby capsule collection and smart nursery design.

I’m also thinking about a themed Mrs. Claus Christmas Costume Contest and hosting a high tea party with fascinators required. So it’s not all baby thought bubbles. I’m still me.

As brutal as it may feel to be pregnant, especially early on, there have been some saving graces that have helped—and may help you, with or without baby, man or woman…

In America, we are drilled about how important diet, lifestyle, and exercise are. There’s something else I like to add to this: Style.

Style hugely impacts my self-confidence and the way I feel. From my signature wardrobe style to the design of my home, as a Taurus, aesthetic makes a difference on how I feel.

To me, style is somatic. I can feel how a wool coat performs beautifully against the winter chill. Each piece of jewelry has a story—this ring was a gift the Christmas after Ollie was born, this watch was a gift after our marriage, these earrings my husband found in Belgium on a stylist I love…

No one likes to feel out of sorts and out of shape in his or her body, as one may when growing a baby, or eating too many holiday biscuits. So I’m sharing a few simple personal wardrobe styling tricks I like to use to feel better. And yes, I’m feeling better!

• Dress and layer in shades of the same or complimenting colors.

• I accept my body as it is, and I keep in mind my best assets so I can style and flatter my figure accordingly. There’s nothing wrong with knowing the parts you love most about yourself and flattering other parts.

• It’s really not about size. It’s about knowing your body and what looks best on you.

• Focus on classic cuts, classic colors, comfort, and material. This will extend your clothes for years and years, with lots of wear.

• Stripes go with everything classic. You can achieve more looks, and less “You’re wearing that again?” comments when you choose stripes as your pattern. I have 12 navy and white striped shirts in my closet. They all serve their purpose.

• I have to love it. If my heart doesn’t excite with the piece (this goes for art and home design, too), it’s simply not a keeper.

• Accessorise with pieces—hats, jewellery, scarves, socks—that span time and trends.

• Before I buy something new or conclude that a pant doesn’t work with my outfit, for example, I try rolling the cuffs with a nice pair of socks under it or tucking my shirt in on the front left side and behind me on the right, then blouse it out a little.

• If want to add color pops, I usually do so in scarves and socks. I love red or black solid colored Falke socks and classic silk scarves (check out Le Scarf).

• Classic, easy, natural makeup as needed. It’s worth going to get an updated consult from a reputable place.

Thanks for your excitement and love. I’m doing well enjoying this little bubble of time as much as possible…and I really can’t wait to tell my friends I’ve committed (in my head) to a themed Mrs. Claus costume party. I wonder who will come? 😂

I’ll be in touch next week, with a how-to on a precious ‘Thank you for helping us grow’ Dutch tulip project I’ve been working on with the preschool students. It can be a Teacher Appreciation Day gift, holiday gift, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift…