Sometimes the best maternity dresses are not maternity. In fact, that's usually the case. I recently found this incredibly beautiful blush, pleated maxi dress with a trapeze silhouette from Target for only $29.99, and it has quickly become the most comfortable and fashionable piece of clothing I own. Even if I wasn't pregnant I would wear this dress.

You can switch out the string belt to add a leather one if you would like, or you can opt to not wear a belt at all. I especially love that this dress is lined. Lately, it seems that all of these maxi dresses I try on in stores are totally see-through. WTF?! The last thing I want to do is wear a slip in this terrible heat.

I like to embrace the Greecian vibe of the dress by sporting my wrap metallic sandals from Lulu*s, and my white leather clutch from T. Madison.

If you wanted to dress up this dress for an evening event like I did recently for Alt Summit, I would wear long, shoulder duster earrings, bangles, rings and a pink pouty lipstick.

Photos by Gina Meola

There's something about being close to water that makes you feel free and relaxed. I live in a desert, so Tempe Town Lake is as close as I can get without driving several hours to California. When I hear the sound of the water and the wind blowing it makes all of life's stresses melt away.

I went and visited last week to take some fashion photos of my new favorite maxi dress from Bar III. This dress is the perfect shade of green, and it's so comfortable. I feel like it was designed for an elegant night on the waterfront. I accessorized it with lavender wedges from Shoe Dazzle, as well as metallic fringe bag, silver necklace and Tom Ford shades from Alixandra Collections.

Though it will be several months before I get to spend time on the Atlantic Ocean, my stylish time on the lake was enough to satisfy my cravings for the water.