I like all your outfits. The poo dress kinda looked like Doritos to me. Sorry that you are feeling out of sorts.

Natalie, I hear you loud and clear and share your feelings about recent developments. Channelling them into protest and humour and family love is a brilliant way to go and you look gorgeous as always! #1 is so fabulous I had to go PLONK!! Just beautiful. I really love all the outfits, though, and your family is adorable as always.

You are still one of my fave style icons and look better in all these pics than I do on a good day! You just have a gift for style. Always such deftvuse if color and pattern to make a fab result.
I am recovering very slowly from an injury and also had weight gain and " shape shifting." It is easy to get discouraged. Am trying to keep up PT and home exercise and I moved all the tight pinchy stuff out.

Natalie, you look beautiful in all of your outfits. And I cannot believe the baby is no longer a baby.

You look great! I had a dress with a pattern of crawfish and no one ever noticed unless I pointed it out either.

Do you have someone clean your house? We have a house cleaner come every 2 weeks to clean and it's fabulous. It really takes a lot of stress out of house work. Also, I got a kick out of your daughter's list. My older boys share a room and the oldest occasionally mentions that he wants his own room. However, the middle son, that he shares the room with, loves sharing.

I'd never know there was a food baby -- you look fantastic to me. But I hear you on not wanting to try stuff on that will pinch or make you feel bad about yourself.

It's very difficult as a professional woman with children to keep all the balls in the air at the same time. I found it very difficult with just one, working from home and building my law practice, even with a nanny some afternoons. Feeling like your time and sometimes even your body (if you have a kid who likes constant physical contact) are not your own can be very challenging.

I congratulate you for finding the time to publicly make your voice known on important issues.

HI Natalie,

I just wanted to say you really look fabulous in all your outfits, I especially love the red on you, #4 darkness and the great textures in #17. Whenever I log on and see your posts, I always click on them to see your fantastic sense of style and how well your channel your creative and fun side through fashion! So know that even though I don't ever (well rarely) post & am not very active on the forum, I really do appreciate the effort you have to put yourself out there! bravo!

I understand feeling low, and that dreaded weight gain--i'm also up to my highest weight ever (ugh) and between not fitting into my wardrobe and distress from the state of the us, there are some seriously depressing days! The poo dress is the best thing Ive seen all day......!
And Congratulations on your political activism, as a teacher I encourage students to stand up for what they believe in, or no one else will!

You look great in all your outfits. I love the poo dress, and I suspect I would be one who didn't notice what that print looks like.

Adorable family photos. I love the colorful entire family together--even the kitties.

I was in a similar funk after the 2012 election and it lasted only until I would say, February, and then it kind of faded away as I accepted the inevitable. So this too shall pass-however it may take longer because of the huge rule that the media still plays.

I think you look great though and the extra weight is not noticeable.

I SO FEEL YOU on the political stuff. I've been protesting, writing, talking to people, planning a trip to the capitol next month to participate in protests there, trying to channel all my frustration into something constructive. It's a depressing situation, but I'm confident that all of us who are resisting will triumph in the end. Love and kindness will always win. Humans' drive to help each other is incredibly powerful. <3

Your outfits and family make me smile:)

Your poo dress is hilarious and very witty....and I hope your protesting and action helps both yourself and others. I still wake up and feel stunned that about the decision that was made....

That dress is everything and I really enjoy all the detailed extras you add in with accessories. Great outfits.

Sorry to hear your feeling low, but your never-failing style sure looks wonderful as always. What a great thing to wear a pile of poo dress when that's how you are feeling...and it's really a nice dress!

You look great! I wouldn't have known you were in a funk from looking at these photos! Love the poo dress.

Your daughter totally reminds me of myself at that age.

You look great! I've always admired your style. Lol@ the poop emoji dress. I almost bought a sweater w the poop emoji just the other day. But the poo was furry. :p It was a bit much. Lol.

I can empathize with you on the slow weight creep. Ugh. I did finally take a stand and cleaned up my eating. All things remain unchanged but I've lost a good number of pounds. I haven't been as focused since the election and most days I'm over my calorie alottment (MyFitnessPall) and now here are the holidays. :o. Do what you can. Perhaps focus on your eating. They say weight is lost in the kitchen. My experience this year confirms that. As mentioned before, give yourself grace!

With you, GP -- I have to believe that the people who thought the political outcome was the right one are bothered by all the hate crimes going on.

Very alarming to feel that this could be happening in our country, in our era.

Natalie,
My first post to you got lost-- but I wanted to say I love your style; you're beautiful and your family is adorable. I totally get the charting ( and all that goes with it, ugh, it's exhausting) and the political scene. First, I don't think of you as someone who"let go"-- that's someone who doesn't care/makes no effort! This is the time for more self care-- get a massage, a facial, a pedicure! Find a house cleaner to take the pressure off.
I recently gained weight, too and the best thing I did/ am doing is a massive clearout and only allowing what looked and felt good. It was like letting go a bunch of frenemies standing in my closet silently judging me, lol! I don't miss them at all.
Big hug to you.
Linda

Wow! A couple of reactions:

You look incredibly stylish in the photos. You may be carrying more weight than in the past, but that's not what I see/ what comes to mind when I look at your photos.

I'm with you on struggling with current events. I realized this morning that I'm having nightmares nightly. I tend to read Facebook/news for a few minutes before going to bed, and each day's news seems to trigger more bad dreams. I'm feeling extremely afraid for all of us.

What I realized this morning is that I need to intensify my self-care. Not sure what that involves exactly, but things are out of balance. Sounds like you do too.

Are you part of the Pantsuit Nation on Facebook? That is a small source of comfort and hope...we're not alone.

Feel better.

We missed you! And if this is "letting yourself go" as far as dressing goes, then I need some major help! I think you look fab in all your pics, and I especially love the ones with you holding the sign. More people than you know are with you mentally and emotionally as far as that issue goes. I find that I also have a hard time being motivated and happy for the future. Four years can be a LONG time.

Please don't be too hard on yourself. If you are carrying extra weight, you disguise it than anyone I've seen! You're a mother (with an ADORABLE family) and a hard-working physician, and yet you manage to look really chic (That typewriter bag is fabulous) in every photo, so do remember to pat yourself on the back from time to time. Everyone I know is feeling the same about recent events; we've all decided to pay careful attention, do what we can for the most vulnerable, and refuse to let our lives become ugly. And about pants: as one who finally went to the Gap today to buy some comfortably loose jeans and immediately asked "WHY did I wait so long? I look and feel SO much better," I prescribe at least one more pair of jeans that don't pinch!

Natalie, I love your outfits. I can't see your "food baby", fwiw. You look very stylish.
As far as clothes, it helps to at least put what fits front and center in your closet, so you don't spend time considering clothes that don't work. If you try something on and it doesn't work, just move it to the hinterlands. A gradual way to achieve the goal as you are so busy with your family and work.
BTW, your protest pics are in my 'hood.

That poo dress is fantastic and you look beautiful. Sorry you are feeling down. It is a difficult time of the year and as Janet mentioned, the election results -are definitely a trigger. I have a crazy whacko haircut as a result of my post-election funk

I relate very well with both the weight gain and the depressive feelings brought on by events beyond our control. First of all you look great and encourage me to realize that what so bothers you is invisible to everyone else. Secondly, I know you are very active and busy, but nothing has helped me more than yoga - emotionally most importantly, but it flattens (relatively) my mid-section to boot.

You've already internalized your sense of style, and you've also done the work to create a fabulous wardrobe! These two factors allow you to "let your boat float downriver" for awhile without losing anything in fabness!

I'm also struggling with weight from menopause and my mood and new job are interfering with good exercise and eating habits. However, I'm determined to be kind to myself, and take little steps forward. Why not purge away items that are worn, or no longer bring you joy. Next, pack up items that no longer fit and store them elsewhere, or in the back of your closet. That leaves the things that work for your body right now front and center.

I see great style and beauty in your pics, Natalie. Rock on with the UWP greats!

You look gorgeous in your outfits. I don't see a food baby. I love the poo dress. Fabulous and just the thing to be wearing these days. I feel so much for my US friends. It is like a bad dream.
Your family is beyond cute.

2016 has been rough and you are not alone feeling the dismals. As you come across clothes that don't make you feel fab, put them in another closet. Revisit the idea of purging in the spring when you can come at it from a happier place.

I feel for you, Natalie. Even though I've had a wonderful year in my personal life, I have been despondent since the election, too. And my weight is up 10 lbs (I think the "newlywed 10" is just as much a thing as the "freshman 15"), which is driving me insane.

But you look beautiful and your family is adorable and the poop dress is the best thing ever! Stay strong, be brave, be of good cheer!

Natalie, you are looking as fabulous as ever. I'm serious! Had I not read your post and looked only at the photos, I would have no idea about weight gain or any of the rest. I am with you in spirit, struggling. We are not alone. I'm heartened by all your beautiful outfits with your characteristic spunky touches (fly bracelet and poo emoji dress are the ultimate!), your protest photos, and of course your adorable family photos. (Now I've got the "two front teeth" song in my head--thanks a lot.) Hang in there, and what Janet said.