Sincerely thank you all for your suggestions and responses to my cry for help. I am still working with my Brunschwig rep to see if they can find it for me, but if not I now feel much better about the situation with so many wonderful suggestions. Just your mere helpfulness and kindness temporarily squelched the angry rage hormones, so if nothing else, thank you for that.
When I started this blog I always dreamed I would have a community of helpful readers who would save me from myself as is often necessary, and I’d say y’all have pretty much made that a reality.
But now I need y’all again.
I am going to LA on Wednesday to
a) escape this miserable Chicago weather
b) give my darling husband some space while he studies for law school exams/the mpre
c) see friends
d) make my skin less green and more brown.
Also while I am there I hope to achieve a few shopping goals.
Also, I am to be photographed soon for something lots of people will see and I am super awkwardly pregnant. I finally look legit pregs and not fat, but my uniform of maternity jeans, t-shirt, and cardigan will not cut it.
I need to look adorable and stylish and pregnant. Like Gwyneth Paltrow did. 
Or Nicole Richie. 
Except I am not wee like Nicole, but I figure if anywhere in the world is going to have legit stylish preggo clothes, its LA.
Don’t you dare tell me to check out the celeb lines for Pea in the Pod. They are a joke and are heinous. I want the real hookup. Where the celebs and pretty people go for maternity, baby, and just everything in general.
So…SPILL IT!
mmmm no idea, but I know Zara has very cute maternity line. maybe there?
you’re really lucky the weather is warming up. Its supposed to be in the 70s.
FYI to Helena’s post..no zara here carries the maternity. but go online and order from ASOS..theyre stuff is wa cuter and cheaper from topshop.
and the BIG forever 21 on third street carries alot of the maternity
email me if you want more shopping suggestions-is it wierd I know so much about preggo clothes?Theres a really cute boutique on Melrose..god I cant think of te name..but its right next to Fred Segal..
If you are in Santa Monica during your visit, I highly suggest you spend an afternoon on Montana Avenue. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, not at all touristy, and a definite hot spot for young, hip, latte-toting, stroller-pushing yoga moms and moms-to-be. The boutique shopping is fabulous, and there are a few maternity wear shops to boot (2 Chix, Baby Style, Michael Stars…), not to mention a few great little shops with fab interior design offerings.
And be sure to bring some snuggly sweaters and jackets with you… It’s not as cold as Chicago by any stretch if the imagination, but it did actually snow here this weekend!
You are going to look great- my advice is to wear something fitted and show it off!
Also- I saw the Paule Marrot original art for the floral (actually I’m not sure if it was original and it might have had a yellow ground) framed in a window at a home shop on my block. I will go in and investigate…
If you have time for a quick shopping stop before you leave, check out Krista K’s maternity store on Southport (just north of the regular Krista K store). I walk by there often and they usually have really cute stuff in the window.
I agree with Bre – definitely check out Montana Ave. My favorite store there is Anat B and Francesca’s (They are neighbors). Both very reasonably priced + of the minute items you will gladly add to your wardrobe
Check out Hot Mama (shopmama.com) and definitley use pregnancy as an excuse to wear tight things you wouldn’t otherwise!
okay, i don’t have much experience with maternity clothes (thank god – must graduate before having babies). but i THINK when i’m in your shoes i will mostly go for bigger sizes of things i already wear. lots of empire waist tops/dresses and the like. something like this dress on topshop (stripes – so trendy, yet so timeless. or something like that): http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2261793&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208523&parent_categoryId=203984&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20
Ooh, can’t help you with the preggo department, but I can tell you where to eat.
If you’re gonna be on Montana, like others recommended, try Blue Plate. Casual lunch spot. Or Father’s Office for a mean burger.
There’s this little place called (not sure if you’ve heard of it) Target. I SWEAR they have good stuff 50% of the time. The other 50% I feel awkward, like I’m not sure why I ever liked anything there before in my life. But when I like their stuff I get excited, because turns out it’s cheap too. Double bonus. And i can throw it away (I mean give to charity) when I’m done.
The last picture of Nicole Richie…I think she’s wearing a MK dress. My best friend has the same dress, and the lucky gal works for MK and is the assistant store manager in LA. GRRR if only she and I wear the same size.
Anyway, I’m sure you will look FAB! Good luck on buying maternity clothes!
Cheers!
Reyna
http://www.arcadianhomedecor.com
The last picture of Nicole Richie…I think she’s wearing a MK dress. My best friend has the same dress, and the lucky gal works for MK and is the assistant store manager in LA. GRRR if only she and I wear the same size.
Anyway, I’m sure you will look FAB! Good luck on buying maternity clothes!
Cheers!
Reyna
ArcadianHomeDecor