Guest Post *i heart this blog*

I love when I come across a blog that completely inspires me and makes me want to work on areas in my life where I may be slacking a bit..ahem the style department. Natalie has motivated me to go through my closet and actually put together complete outfits. She is a Mom who is rockin it and I want to dress just like her...but with my own little twist of course!

Without further Ado (according to Mr. Webster its Ado not Adieu. I learn something new every day) let me introduce you to today's guest...

Hello Lovelies! I'm Natalie (you can call me Nat), of i heart this blog. Let me kick things off by telling you how excited I am to be here! I was thrilled when Lindsay asked me to guest post because, well, she is totally amazing! Not that I have to tell you that. You're here aren't ya?!

This is actually my first crack at being a GP'er, so *fingers crossed* I hope that I make Delighted Momma proud. She kindly suggested that I talk about my style ...which is basically the equivalent of asking me to eat a ridiculous amount of chocolate! I'm more than happy to oblige.

Like Lindsay, I have a wee one. A girl who is 14 months old. And since taking on mommy-hood, I've taken on de-puzzling the puzzle of how to dress fashionably and yet functionally. Gone are the days of my 'standing only' jeans and my 'can't raise my arms above my head' jackets. So what are my current, mommy-friendly wardrobe essentials? Let's explore, shall we...

1. Flat Shoes

Now, if you're like me and read a lot of fashion blogs it's easy to be seduced by sky high heels and begin to feel like flats are for fuddy-duddies. Fight these feelings. Most of these chicadee's are not mommas. Flats are comfortable, come in a million styles and colours and enable you to slip them on with no hands (a necessity when carrying a child, a gianormous purse, a coffee and keys). I usually opt for various black and nude pairs, but lately, I'm totally loving loafers. Other than being comfy and very now, these treads are readily available at thrift stores.

2. Silk Blouses

I blogged about my love of this staple recently. You can hit up any retail store for a large selection of blouses in a range of prices OR you can try a thrift shop and spend pennies for a one-of-a-kind find. Button ups, tees, tanks – bold and bright, or soft and ladylike – the options are endless. Silk is chic and adds a polished touch to any outfit. I can play in the dirt wearing jeans or destroyed cut-offs (another Natty-Nat staple) and then stop at the grocery store on my way home and not feel like a hobo. And spillage? (Because you will be spilled on, cried on, thrown up on, etc). It's no big thing when your top only cost a few dollars.

3. Accessories & Nail Polish

I've always been an accessories girl. Vintage, thrifted, cheapies or gifted, accessories help fuel my sense of self (which is important when discovering a new 'mom' identity). My go to pieces are long necklaces, big chunky rings, large watches and bracelets. I avoid dangly (and enticing to pull) earrings and anything sharp or scratchy.

On to nail polish. I'm possibly the only girl (please tell me I'm not), who put a considerable amount of thought into what nail polish I would be wearing while giving birth. Afterall, there generally are a number of people down by your feet during the process and then there are all those cradling-your-new-baby photos. No matter what shape or stage of life you bod is in, nail polish seems to be the one thing always fits. I love dark-darks, reds and neutrals...with a dash of metallics.

I could ramble on about my love of jeggings (the perfect crawling-on-the-floor pant), large purses (no diaper bags for this girl!) and cardigans (they can a. add warmth, b. cover a spill, c. be used as a blanket), but I think I've used up my GP'er real estate.

What are your wardrobe essentials (mommy-friendly or otherwise)? How did I do with my first crack at guest posting? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading and big thanks to Lindsay for having me! OXO Nat