I was so profoundly disappointed by Heidi Klum’s new maternity collections that I had to take a few days off from blogging. I’m feeling better largely because it has been about 80 degrees here in Israel every day for the past week and we are spending a lot of time at the beach. Even the most boring maternity fashion seems manageable when you are sitting on a Mediterranean beach in mid-February. I am about to start the “100-Day Countdown” toward our departure from Jerusalem and I could not possibly be happier about leaving…but the weather here is truly amazing. Here is a photo of three of the boys on the beach at sunset last night. We aren’t going to be taking pictures like that in Washington next winter.

Lost amidst last week’s Heidi Klum-related fanfare was well-known maternity designer Chiarakruza’s launch of a new maternity line in collaboration with Target.  The new line is lower-priced than Chiarakruza’s primary line, with everything priced below USD $35. Chiarakruza was nice enough to send me a sample of its Olivia Sleeveless Dress, which is available in both purple and gray/purple  here for USD $29.99.  I will be the first to admit that a bargain shopper I am not and I am immediately skeptical of bargains, especially when it comes to maternity clothing.  But I do like this dress and I do think it is a good buy if you are going to be pregnant during a hot summer.  It is a perfectly lovely-looking maternity dress, made from very soft, comfortable jersey and falling to about knee-length.  There is no doubt that this is a supremely comfortable dress, but it has no lining or support, which always terrifies me come the third trimester.  But if you are wearing a supportive bra and a maternity slip underneath, you could certainly wear this dress easily during those last few weeks.  I machine washed it and it came out quite nicely (I didn’t put in in the dryer although the care instructions say the dryer is fine). For $29.99, this dress could very inexpensively get you through those upcoming hot summer days and maybe even a casual summer barbecue or two.

Be sure to check out the entire collection in Target’s online maternity boutique here, there are a few good, hot-weather-appropriate pieces, like these lightweight cotton cargo pants at right, and a few jersey maxi maternity sundresses.  And you just cannot argue with these prices.

And don’t forget to send me your email to be included in tomorrow’s drawing to win one of two pairs of brand new pediped Originals shoes.  I’ve already received a good number of entries.  Just email me at caroline@pregnantfashionista.com if you want to enter.