I ran my Instagram top 9 (of course) for 2018 and what came up didn’t surprise me at all. With the exception of one, they are all maternity Disneybounds from the March Disneybound Challenge. The exception is a #shoefie of myself and my daughter wearing our matching Cinderella shoes for the Fall into Disney Style Challenge. Since I always get more likes during challenges (more people looking at the hashtags, etc), and everyone was loving my maternity Disneybounds, it all made sense. That being said, I thought I’d discuss what they were, my decisions behind them, and why I think they fared so well.
My 2018 Top 9
9. Slinky Dog (143)
Ringing in at #9 with 143 likes is Slinky Dog! The prompt for this Disneybound was “Disney Dogs” and I thought it would be fun to be Slinky Dog from Toy Story. I wore a golden-brown colored dress with brown tights and my brown jacket. I then braided my hair for his ears, added a green headband for his collar, and bangle bracelets to represent his slinky middle. I was particularly proud of this because the whole outfit stemmed from the idea to wear the bangle bracelets. I think choosing an out-of-the-box (literally) character for dog day is what made this Disneybound so popular but I agree that it wasn’t as good as the rest of my top 9.
8. Pluto (144)
Entering the top 9 at #8 with 144 likes is Mickey’s pal Pluto! I chose Pluto for Fab Five day because he’s one of the only ones I hadn’t done yet at the time. It was actually a really simple Disneybound and I was so happy with how it turned out. We were traveling that first week in March so I wasn’t sure how many days I’d be participating in but I actually did not miss a day. This Pluto Disneybound really only consisted of my golden-yellow shirt, green scarf for his collar, and pony tails for his ears. I also found this really pretty green wall for the background in the guest bathroom of our friends’ house where we were staying. In my opinion, that kicked this basic Disneybound up a notch.
7. Cinderella Shoes (146)
At #7, with 146 likes, is Cinderella Shoes! Historically I get more likes for the March Disneybound Challenge than the Fall Into Disney Style Challenge and I think that is because my followers enjoy my Disneybounds and aren’t as interested in random fall decor, etc. But this exception is probably because of how stinking cute the picture is. Even I look at it and think it’s adorable because who can dislike baby feet? My sister bought my daughter and I matching Cinderella Toms (for when she eventually starts walking) so I had mine on with the legs double cuffed so I put her in her jeggings and double cuffed the bottoms and slipped her shoes on. I then posed our feet around one of my fall pumpkin decorations (because it’s Cinderella and fall so you have to do pumpkins) and it made the most adorable #shoefie (which was the prompt that day). I honestly love every picture with my daughter in it because she’s the cutest and her little legs and feet are just so adorable I give her all the credit for this one.
6. Marie (147)
Bounding into 6th place (see what I did there?) with 147 likes is Marie of The Aristocats. Here I am, 6 months pregnant, trying to find something vintage-y without posting a throwback and I remember this white dress I bought to wear on my honeymoon. It was a little big at the time and A Line so it fit my pregnant belly and a halter so it fit up top, too. The problem with this dress is that it wrinkles so easily and the pictures of me standing in it came out so wrinkled that I didn’t know what to do. Then I thought maybe spinning and giving it motion would help it look not as bad and it worked. I also paired it with my Pink Ladies jacket and neck scarf to give it more of a vintage vibe and it was purr-fect for Marie. I used her quote with a spin on it to tie it all together and I think that gave this Disneybound the extra push it needed to make the charts: “Because I’m a [pink] lady, that’s why.”
5. Hei Hei (161)
Pecking it’s way into the #5 spot is Hei Hei from Moana! The prompt for this day was “Moana Characters”. It was snowing out, I wanted something comfortable, I picked Hei Hei. I love this yellow shirt because it’s pretty flattering (even though I didn’t need that since I was pregnant) and the ruffles sort of represented his feathers. I used a red scarf for the feathers on his head, and wore jeans and a sweatshirt around my waist for the feathers on his bottom. It was such a casual outfit that I really didn’t expect much feedback which is probably why this is the most surprising top 9 post of the year.
4. Baymax (167)
Coming in at #4 with 167 likes is Baymax! The first day of the challenge was Big Hero 6 and my first actual belly ‘bound while I was pregnant. I was really excited about this one as I was inspired by a previous post like it. I wore a white shirt with my red/orange jacket and red/brown pants and put the image of Hiro trying to fit Baymax into his suit next to it. Anyway it sounds lame but looks hilarious and I was extremely proud of it. That’s why I was pretty glad it made the list because I love belly ‘bounds.
3. Prince Eric (199)
Swimming to #3 is Prince Eric! This prompt was Disney Princes and I was completely at a loss for this one. First off, all the Disney princes are in good shape and having a belly would look so silly and then there’s the fact that most of my clothes were barely fitting at this point. I ended up wearing a pair of navy yoga pants (that I think are maternity) with my white maternity shirt (the same one I wore for Baymax) and my red belt and voila! Prince Eric! Since there was no hiding my belly at this point, I think everyone loved it because of how funny it was to picture Prince Eric with a belly.
2. Chicha (232)
Second place, and the only Disneybound other than number one to break 200 likes is Chicha at 232 likes! The prompt for the last day of the challenge was “A character you’ve never bounded” and I was overwhelmed with possibilities. A fellow Disneybounder was celebrating her birthday so I decided to ask her for suggestions. She said to “be the youest you that you could be” which didn’t help much at first, but then I decided to see if there were any pregnant Disney characters since that was pretty much all I was about at that point. I found Chicha from The Emperor’s New Groove and decided I could Disneybound as her! She’s a character you don’t frequently see and it was fun to do her and show off my pregnant belly. I think a lot of people felt it was unique as well and that was why it did so well.
1. Gus Gus (262)
And the #1 post for 2018 with 262 likes is… Gus! This lovable rodent from Cinderella was my top post to date and also the most difficult for me to post. I was super self-concious about showing my bare pregnant belly that I almost posted a different picture. I was wearing my favorite yellow shirt at the time and maternity jeans and my green winter hat. I had my belly out and basically put my whole self out there, unappologetically, for everyone to see. And my followers responded. I was blown away with the response I got for this Disneybound and I still am. I’ve learned that many times when I take a big risk, it pays off in a big way.
I’m so happy about my Top 9 for 2018 and I can’t wait to put together even better outfits for 2019! Happy New Year everyone!! See you next year 🙂
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