I had about two minutes left to fly before potentially giving birth next to the drink cart, so Brad and I headed to Palm Springs. I took a carry on and a backpack, and this is what I packed for five days. Lots of this stuff I’ve had forever, so links are mostly to similar items.
• Tank Dress H&M | I’ve been living in non-maternity jersey stretch dresses so as to take full advantage of this nine-month period where a gut is adorable. Here’s a fancier one than mine.
• Saltwater Sandals | These are a million years old, impossible to destroy, and my go-to travel sandal.
• Romper PJs | I try to pack PJs I can wear out if I need to, and these are good by the pool. For romping.
The belly! See you soon, baby.
This is me just after we landed, I’d changed shoes, but otherwise this is a pretty typical travel outfit for me — stretchy and PJ-esque.
• H&M knit dress | Another stretchy non-maternity piece, the skirt was originally ankle length, but I stained the bottom, so I cut it off. Then I cut the sleeves off. Then I realized you can totally customize knit dresses just like you can T-shirts and why aren’t we all doing this constantly?
• Open Cardigan | I got this in Australia, and I’ve worn it a lot less than I anticipated because ironing. Pbbbbt.
• Maternity Swimsuit | I figured I’d wear this like twice, so I went with basic and cheap. I’d go bikini, but my belly button is a monstrosity. It’s like eight inches across, and I feel actual shame about it.
• Straw Hat, vintage | I got it in a consignment shop in San Louis Obispo, and it makes me feel all gaucho. That’s a bit of rosemary tucked in the band after a walk.
Normally, you could get away with packing two sundresses and a bikini to Palm Springs, but we’ve already discussed my belly button and it was February. It gets cold in the desert at night always, but in February? It actually rained all day the day I wore this.
• Black Maternity Pants | I’ll never live without black pants again. So much more versatile than jeans for me.
• Gap Body Long-sleeve T-shirt | Also not technically maternity, but I always pack it as an under layer when I travel.
• Metallic Pewter Tieks | This was the other pair of shoes I packed, and always pack, and may they never stop making them amen.
• Vintage Silk Scarf | Can you tell I’m falling asleep in this photo? This trip was 80 percent nap.
• Vintage embroidered Mexican shirt | You find these a lot in antique stores in California, but they’re all over eBay.
• Stretch jersey tube skirt | Not maternity, but if you don’t own one of these, get one. So crazy comfortable. The only problem is that they tend to turn inside out when you go to the bathroom and then you’re walking around with your tag out. Be ye forewarned.
I don’t normally wear purple, in part because that poem made me uncomfortable about it, but the embroidery on this was too beautiful to pass up, and it covers the yoke in back as well.
• Silk Scarf Top | I’d owned this lovely hand-painted silk scarf for years and never worn it. So I made it into a top by folding it into a triangle, cutting a slit for my head along the fold, and then hand-stitching a rolled hem. Took about half an hour, and it packs down to nothing. Makes a great suit coverup as well. Do this immediately.
• Black Tank Top
This is how I traveled home with pool hair.
• Vintage Silk Scarf
• Urban Outfitter Sunglasses
• American Apparel deep-V tee | My go-to for nursing.
• H&M Long Sweatshirt | Not a maternity piece, I think it was actually from the men’s department, but I wore this when I was pregnant with Hank, and kept right on wearing it until now. H&M men’s section has the best stuff. (Speaking of which, another option.)
• Muji Foldable Shoulder Bag | I bought this in France when I realized that I’d never make it all day on foot with a heavy leather purse. It’s nylon so it zips down to a little pouch I can throw in my luggage, and weighs nothing.
Not pictured:
• My backpack with camera and electronics.
• Undies
• My Dopp kit
• An extra, zip-down tote to carry home thrift store treasures.
And that’s it. You can do it! Thou shalt not check.
Mighty Girl 
I love the Packing Light series. A few more links to the clothes though – especially the top from Australia. Even though I gave birth over 6 years ago – I still have a rather large bump (kangaroo pouch if you will) that sometimes requires the maternity dressing route as I have long ago discovered comfort over rigidity with my dressing.
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Wooo! Palm Springs…I’m headed there this weekend with a new bikini, a good margarita recipe, and my running shoes for some early morning jogs through the desert washes. I’ve only been there once, but it’s magical. The DESERT. With POOLS.
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adorable. that is all.
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Thing I have been wondering about Tieks: how much do they do the “oh hey, here is the outline of my big toe. I hope you like it” thing?
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Dani, I added more links for you.
Kayjayoh, mine don’t do that, though they might if you ordered them half a size too small. The leather is thick, like a regular shoe with a hard sole.
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This is a great list! I love how your list is stuff you already had. I write a travel light series on my blog that is similar, and did a Palm Springs post last year: http://www.teamwiking.com/2014/10/02/10-days-in-palm-springs-california/
I Also did an LA babymoon travel/packing light post too (http://www.teamwiking.com/2014/03/14/travel-light-los-angeles-california/). 🙂
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Absolutely love the DIY scarf shirt. Any thoughts on posting how you did it with pictures?
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Maggie, I will forever be grateful for you for (at least) two things: “pushing feels like pooping” and introducing me to salt water sandals. They are so awesome and comfortable and versatile and easy and did I mention versatile?! I only pack 1 pair of sandals now for any summer trip cuz they’re great with casual dresses, shorts, capris, and can go in the water for my wimpy feet!
P.S. Best of luck with labor. I hear pushing feels like pooping. 🙂
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Damn! You look great! Are you doing any particular workouts?
And congrats. This baby sure is going to have a great, loving home. Glad you all found it 🙂
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The picture of you in the silk scarf top is stunningly gorgeous. Most beautiful ever of you and that’s saying something!
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Maggie, you are absolutely adorable!! In every way! That pic of you 3 in the mirror is priceless! Best wishes for the remainder of your pregnancy Xokh
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So pretty and chic, as always. I need more info on this whole cutting your clothes thing.
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I love your travel series!
I read that the salt water sandals don’t have a good tread — I wear the Teva Olowahu flip-flops/sandals whenever I’m not wearing boots and there’s no snow on the ground and they have kept me upright in sudden puddles and rivers and I have so many pairs — so do they have a decent grip?
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Jilly and Beth, yeah I do need to do a “cutting your clothes” post, noted.
Meg, Saltwater sandals have no tread at all, they’re made for beaches. But I wear them just for walking around, and for river swimming in rocky rivers. I would opt for old sneakers in a boulder river or anywhere I had to climb.
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You look so good, I’m tempted to say better than ever. Get that baby out! Let me at it.
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Wow – these photos of you are absolutely stunning. The one in the silk scarf is so beautiful. Agreed – best ever! And the post-flight pic is so cute, too. Love this post, great pieces.
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