Sorry I haven't been posting many WIWs lately. Not only has it been very busy lately (also DH and I went to Australia for 11 days sans kids for a diving trip! and we were on a boat with no internet/cell service), but I also have been pretty annoyed at my body lately. Over the past year, and especially since weaning DS2 in the spring, my metabolism has slowed way down and I have gained about 15 lb. And it's all in one place--my apple belly which was already large, has now become huge. I look like I'm 20 weeks pregnant. It's worse because the rest of my body is slim except for my belly. It's super embarrassing and I'm angry that I let it get so bad. I've been either pregnant or nursing for the past 8 years, and didn't realize how many calories that burned! Now my waist and hips are exactly the same measurements! I signed up for PN in January, but totally slacked off for the past 8 months. Now I'm trying to get back into it and exercising, but it seems overwhelming to try to find the time to exercise and eat right on top of my work and busy schedule with the three kids. Ugh. A lot of my wardrobe doesn't fit anymore, including most of my jeans. And NAS just compounded that frustration because I ended up having to order stuff mostly online. So far I've had to return everything but a couple of items because nothing looked right on me...anything with a hint of cling, or conversely anything that was loose and flared, made me look like I was pregnant and wearing maternity clothes. All the pants gave me muffin top. I ordered two sizes in everything yet they still didn't fit right. I'm still waiting for a few pieces to arrive, but feeling very discouraged overall. I do know some apple tricks given that I've been an apple for a long time and used a lot of my wardrobe while I was pregnant, but this time it feels different because there's no baby to look forward to and it's permanent. Here are a few outfits that hid the belly and I still felt OK in--the trick is I need slightly loose tops that hang straight down over the abdomen instead of flaring. And pants and skirts with elastic waists. Sheesh. I'm including some "food baby" poses so you can see I'm not joking...the right cut does make a difference!

1-7. NAS Vince chevron top, NAS Zella black Inspire capris. Topshop peeptoe booties. Spiegel jacket (I really like how this echoes the angles of the shirt), Michael Kors black satchel, Banana Republic outlet necklace.

8-12. NAS Caslon long sleeve buttoned down shirt, Halogen pencil skirt in mustard, Dooney & Bourke mustard purse, Stella and Dot necklace, WHBM circle bracelet, Ugg blue Izabel Mar.

13-15. Pleione blouse, VC striped midi, Ugg black Izabel Mar, Brahmin striped satchel. Bonus kid photo bombs.