Back from Greece - Full Report Coming Soon

I'm back.

Exhausted.

Waking up at 4am and not going back to sleep. (That's fun, let me tell you.)

I've met every relative H has (very nearly). My Romanian is better, and I can count to 10 in Greek, courtesy of a lovely diva of a 10 year old.

Short version of the trip...

Athens is full of great fashion - shoes especially - I wish I'd found some that fit. I tried, unlike on our trip to Italy, but nothing fit just right.

As a tall, Germanic-boned woman, I felt totally comfortable walking the streets of the ancient modern city. It was delightful, after our two last European trips were to Romania, land of the Skinny Minnie. Greek women have curves, and wear them proudly and stylishly (though the full-length winter coats on a 50-degree day were rather amusing. I suppose it's all relative.). I'll go back any time.

Chania, the second largest city on Crete, was quietly touristy. Our hotel, with views out on to the Old Venetian Harbor, was delightful (love those real continental breakfasts). Walking through the old city and through the local hills and seashores with newly met family members was amazing. Fashion and style were less obvious, more touristy. But I do feel like we were in on a secret that no one else knew, really - it was so quiet.

More to come - pictures and style discussion. And, of course, the list of what I really took to and wore in Greece (let's just say a joyful thank you for the Tummy Sleeves, flats, and ancient Citizen jeans).

I Did It. I Gave in to Maternity.

A long, long time ago, when I first came out about The Bean, I said I was going to try not to buy any M clothes.

Yeah, that idea didn't work. Made the first Official Maternity Purchase yesterday.

And I'm more than pleased.

Determined not to spend huge amounts of money on the M clothes that are out there, I hit Motherhood Maternity. (Isn't it amazing how lovely some of the M clothes are? I'm always walking by A Pea in the Pod and stopping in the window before I realize what store it is. It's so good to know.)

In & out, I was gonna be. With H and friend BlueSuitGirl in tow, I was determined to buy one outfit and an accessory that I'd seen on a friend - a tube top for your waist. It's designed so that you can still wear your regular pants, but don't have to do the Rubber Band Thing, and it looks just like you're wearing another cami underneath.

We ran around the store going "how cute! how cute!"

After about 8 dresses and just as many tops (I just couldn't bring myself to hit the pants yet), I walked out with one dress (top right) and two Tummy Sleeves. I would've bought another dress or two (one, bottom right), but they didn't have my size. I was thrilled, and can't wait to wear it.

The best part? $30 a dress.

My only beef with the selection was that, oddly enough, there wasn't enough room for my boobs. I know they've grown, but all of the tops I tried on were, of course, empire-style, and the bustline ran right across the middle of mine. Not attractive. Oh well. On to the next store. Just need to find another top or two (and a few camis or tanks) to wear, and I'll be set.