Summer Uniform

If I have worn this once this summer, I have worn it 17.5 times. Comfy and pretty forgiving after a hot dog cookout with beers. Washable. And cheap! Wore it to my son's third birthday party, even took this dress for a jump or twenty with my sis on our new  my son's new trampoline!

Dress: Libertine for Target

Sandals: Forever 21

A New Pose

As my husband was taking these photos, he said, "Do something different!" Like what, I asked. "Pretend you're holding a tray." Okay then!

I wore this when I was in Vegas last month. If ever a time to try out a jumpsuit, I thought Vegas must be it! It was little baggy, but the small was too tight in the rear, and this one is too big up top. 

Jumpsuit: Forever 21

Cardigan: Forever 21 last year or the year before (can you believe it hasn't unraveled yet?? And I wear it ALL the time! Sometimes I really hit the jackpot with F21)

Shoes: Gianni Bini from Dillards

Watch: TAG Heuer

Earrings: Anthropologie

Movie After Work

It's been just a day or two since my last post... whoops, over a month... perhaps just a tiny bit of catching up to do?  Last week (or maybe the week before? Two weeks ago?? Hmm...), I had dinner with my mom and sister and then we went to see Water for Elephants. I liked the book, so I was *pretty sure* I would hate the movie, since I tend to be one of those annoying people who gets pissed when the movie doesn't follow the book exactly. But, I actually really liked the movie!! Besides having a small crush on Edwa Robert Pattinson, it actually really keeps to the story line and characters from the novel. 

Exhibit A: Work outfit. Keep in mind I wear a lab coat everyday of the world, so tucking in shirts is optional. As is a belt. Plus I hate wearing anything I really like to work, since I am probably just going to get something on it anyway. Wearing a shirt is probably optional; no one would know underneath the ginormous paper lab jacket anyway. Note: I actually always wear a shirt :)

 Exhibit B: Add jacket, roll up pants, change shoes.

Top: J.Crew

Chinos: J.Crew

Jacket: Lucky Brand (no longer on website)

Flats: Old Target

Sandals: Target Mossimo Paz Strappy Heeled Sandals actually pretty comfy too!

Last Week

Two outfits from last week:

The first is from meeting friends for dinner with the kiddos. We drove about an hour or so out of town to meet some grad school friends that we don't get to see all that often. Makes me miss school! Together we three couples have three little kiddos and it was nice to get them all together.

Earrings: Anthropologie

Blazer: Forever 21

Top: Forever 21

Tank: Target

Jeans: Anthropologie Daughters of the Liberation

Shoes: Target

The next is what I wore to my friend's rehearsal dinner. Again, great to catch up with friends I used to see every day and don't get to see all that often anymore :( We had a blast on this trip!! Sorry for the blurry picture, it's one of two that I got of us. And the other was blurry too :)

Dress: Anthropologie Silken Stitches
Jacket: Lucky Brand Shrunken Military Jacket
Earrings: Anthropologie
Feather Necklace: Forever 21

Anthropologie Fitting Room Reviews

Weekend trip for a good friend's wedding. Right now my husband and I are huddled in the kitchen area of our hotel so our son can take a nap without us in the same room because he sleeps better that way. It seems ridiculous to write it, but its totally worth it. He's playing on his new bday iPad 2!

Stopped and did some shopping on the way. Decided to do a few Anthropologie fitting room reviews. I only tried on a few things. I didn't really see too many things that interested me.  Here we go:

Calm Seas Skirt $88

I really liked the look of this skirt online. It didn't get great reviews and I can see why. It looks like seersucker but its not. Its kind of a thicker linen blend with stripes. I like the material a lot. The fit, however, is terrible. I think this skirt would add weight to anyone, even someone 20lbs lighter than me. I think its the narrow at the waist, then flare at the hips, then narrows again toward the hem again combo. Husband votes also for "accentuates the wrong things." I wouldn't even buy this on sale.

Silken Stitches Dress $168
I hadn't noticed this dress online and I haven't seen it reviewed by any other bloggers. I love blue and green. This dress fits well and and is made silk and lined, and it has pockets. I normally wear a 2 in Anthropologie dresses and this is a 2. I would have tried on a 0 if they had one, but they didn't. I like everything about this dress and I grabbed this one. This got great reviews online, with the recommendation of going down a size.

Dividing Line Tank Says $58 online but I paid $48 at the store I think
The whole key to this tank is the back, which has a keyhole and a tie. It was almost impossible to take a picture of the back by myself. This is a small. The bottom layer is a bit snug, but not too much so. It kind of looks bunched out here in the profile shot, but those jeans are a bit high waisted and I wouldn't wear this top with those jeans. I love navy, and I have some white pants I'd wear with this, or a pair of light blue seersucker pants I got at Anthropologie last year. Bought this one too. Spent the last of my gift card the girls at work got me for my birthday, which was in January. Sales associate also let me know my Antho card had no name or address attached to it. Maybe that's why I never get a birthday discount??? They've told me before that birthday discounts are random, but it seems most major bloggers always get one. Anyone know why this is?

Monarch Skirt $78
This skirt looked very versatile, so that's why I picked it up. As I've mentioned before, I'm not much of a skirt person. I've tried on other Anthropologie skirts that have the same idea as the Field Skirt or the Circle the Globe skirt, and they just don't do anything for my figure. Neither did this one. It adds weight and accentuates the wrong features. These styles look great on some bloggers, but they just aren't for me.

 Lastly, my outfit for shopping:

Earrings: Forever 21

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Ruffled Tank: Forever21

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity

Sandals: Target Emaline Merona Braided in Pewter. Also got them in orange and they are super comfy.

Slouchy

Changed after work today to go have dinner, and I asked my husband, "The pants are slouchy. Should I wear something tighter on the top to balance it out?" He takes a look and says assuredly, "No, you look West Coast, laid back." That is a huge compliment in his book! But looking at these pics... slouchy! It was almost 80 here today. Definitely overdue for Springy weather!

There is some weirdo green shadow around my ears in these pictures. My camera is seriously on the fritz. Tax return time so definitely due for something to break! Does this happen to you? We have some big expense (camera breaking just isn't expensive enough to qualify as a disaster) 4 months after we get back our tax return. I know it's coming and just have wait for it. :( 

Top: Forever 21

Cardigan: VeronicaM. from a local boutique

Pants: Anthropologie this time last year

Earrings: Anthropologie

Sandals: Target

My first fitting room review!

Perhaps the exclamation point is a bit premature. Living in moderately-small town USA, we have a scarcity of interesting stores. My town is too small to boast Aldo, Macy's, Nordstrom, H&M, Club Monaco, Madewell, a decent sized J.Crew, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters... the list could go on and on. Therefore, my fitting room review comes to you from... wait for it.... Old Navy! I ran over there today on my lunch break hoping to scope out some new skirts featured on the website (since I am trying to let go of my 10 year old Abercrombie shorts this Summer) and what do you know? They only have 3 styles. None of which I really loved. One was ok, but I didn't snap a picture. Here is a linen dress that I thought looked cute. I do like it. However, my lack of confidence in belting dresses puts me at a distinct disadvantage here. Its a nice dress for Old Navy, but looks like a potato sack without a belt. So its a pass for me. I have on a small here. Also comes in olive and khaki.  About $30. My green loafers are purely in St. Patty's Day spirit.

My Sunday

Earrings: Anthropologie

Cardigan: J.Crew (old)

Top: Old Navy

Belt: Forever 21

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity from Anthropologie

Shoes: Target

Since I am off Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Monday ends up playing out more like a Sunday- grocery shopping while the boys repaired a lawnmower tire and mowed, a little cleaning, lunch, relaxing, cooking dinner, ice cream with my boys (in which the little one threw his ice cream in the trash because he didn't get a cool cone, after I warned him there would be no more ice cream afterwards if he did such a thing- and I drug him out of there kicking and screaming immediately afterward) and a very early night. I should add that we found the ice cream incident pretty funny. He didn't even regret tossing it; he just really wanted a cone! This top is a bit low cut and I wish I would've gotten an XS instead of a S. Didn't shrink at all. Not a darn thing I wanted on the Anthropologie sale. I need to post my Target Go International Purchases- still awaiting one in the mail!

Sunny Days

Earrings: Forever 21

Top: Forever 21

Cardigan: Anthropologie Whipped Woolens

Jeans: AG from Anthropologie

Boots: Bow-Tied Beauty from Anthropologie

Belt: Forever 21 (real leather and only $4.50!)

Yesterday was beautiful... finally!! And its gorgeous again today! We went downtown yesterday with friends. Did some chalk street drawing, dog petting, listening to musicians playing... even saw a protest! Then had a fun dinner. I did this really cool thing with my hair from What Would a Nerd Wear that I loved (and she got it from someone else, too), but the wind and me running to keep up with the kiddo left me with a handful of bobby pins. I will have to try it again.

And finally a dress...

Earrings: Forever 21

Dress: Tucker for Target

Herringbone Tights: Forever 21

Belt: J.Crew (2003ish?)

Bangles: Forever 21

Boots: Anthropologie Bow-Tied Beauty

Anybody else heading over to Target Sunday for the Go International dress thing? This is one event I never would have known about beyond the blog world. So I am going to check it out and see if I can add a few more dresses to my collection!

Happy Mardi Gras

Errands after work Tuesday, and I stuffed myself on Mexican food in true "Fat Tuesday" style. Please excuse our cheap camera that is on the verge of a slow camera death :)

Wrap sweater worn open: J.Crew last year

Top: Anthropologie Cavorting Flora by Fei

Tank: Target

Earrings: Anthropologie

Jeans: Anthropologie

Sandals: Target 

I love the details in these jeans, though this outfit doesn't really show them off. I felt the top and jeans had a 70s vibe, but not so evident here. And I got this top at full price, and didn't wear it until AFTER it went on sale. I hate that! But living 250 miles from the nearest Anthropologie, you take what you can get. I can't wait until warmer weather!!! I'm looking forward to summery dresses and I've put this one on the top my wishlist :) 

Light reading

So I'm sitting in the salon Sunday getting my 'hair did', and what do I come across in this month's Lucky? My faux-fur coat! I snapped this picture to send to my husband with this message... "See, I'm not the only one who likes this coat!!!" He defended himself by saying he DID like the coat. Hehe, boys. Anyway, I decided this might make a good excuse to post, seeing as how I've failed to post any outfit and/or inspiration photos in, like, 3 weeks.  

I also dig the feathers and the hats. The magazine also had an outfit feature that showed tons of ways to combine some purchases that totally reminded me of Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge. I really enjoyed this issue and contemplated subscribing. I can really appreciate the idea of styling clothes different ways to get more mileage out them; however, once I have a "favorite" way to wear something, I have a hard time changing it. Something to work on, huh?

Community Involvement

Today I headed over to a local pre-school/daycare to talk to the kids and do a little presentation. It was fun, and its always nice to hear their stories. It was beautiful and Springy here, and I spent a major portion of the day at the park.

Earrings: Gift from bro-in-law

Top: Anthropologie last year

Knit Cardigan: Anthropologie last year

Belt: Francesca's

Pants: Express (super old, 2005ish?)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction, also mid 2000s

Quick Trip

We made a quick little escape this weekend. It's always so nice to get a little adult time. You know, adult conversations, a little live music, a few adult beverages, out and about without the diaper bag and cooler full of snacks...  It's good for us to spend time together, and this (in my opinion) translates into being good for our child, too. He gets some independence from us and gets some quality time with family.

Coat: Forever 21 (not seen online, similar here)

Top: Forever 21 (never saw this online and it's 100% silk)

Pants: Wool J.Crew Minnie (very similar to these F21 jeans)

Shoes: Target

Necklace: I think Forever 21
Earrings: Forever 21

Today I wore this again. I wanted to wear the shirt (it packs well) and tried it on with other things. But you know what? I like it best the way I wore it the first time. So that's what I did, right down to the earrings.

I did get to run in Anthropologie on my trip. And I literally mean run. I parked 30 min prior to closing. Tried on a few things (they didn't have the skirt I wanted to try on). Ended up with a snug pair of Daughers of the Liberation trouser jeans with a 70s vibe. And only used half my giftcard!

Tired

I've been exhausted this week. Can't seen to get enough sleep. Perhaps it's the sitting-in-front-of-the-computer-rather-than-laying-in-bed habit I've had this week after 8pm. It's nice to just do something I like, even if it cuts out on some zzzz's.

I *may* be in a position to be very close to an Anthropologie in the near future and I really don't see too much online that catches my eye. I have a nice giftcard to use and an shirt I may return to find something I'd wear a little more. I did notice this skirt, and it looks like it'd fit well, but... I have a hard time with skirts. I like dresses in the summer (only because I am too old to wear my Abercrombie shorts from 10 years ago-- except that I still wear them to go to the zoo, the park, to play in the neighborhood... ay-yi-yi I really am too old to wear them- and the shorts themselves are too old to be worn out in public) but I don't even have any winter skirts. Except one. That still has the tags on it. I have a few dresses for winter but that's it. I must wear pants to work. And I do like the way other bloggers wear skirts, they just don't really feel like "me"- yet, at least.

I have no photos. If I was truly a rich mom, I'd be showing you the some photos of my new black Chanel flap, my large leather PS1 bag, and my new cute leather jacket. Sigh. I have really enjoyed my blog list here recently; I'm feeling pretty inspired. I definitely wear the same things over and over when I could be more creative. And I have PLENTY to wear in my own closet. And I really admire those doing the 30-for-30. Night-night.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ran some errands today, visited with my sister, played outside in almost 60 degree weather, had dinner with my parents. Got some very sweet valentines in the mail.  My wonderful 82 year old grandmother watched my little guy for me for a doctor's appointment, and she wore him out! I waited at her house almost 3 hours for him to wake up from his nap!! They both had a blast.

Sweater: Forever 21

Tank: Target

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes: Target

Earrings: Forever 21

Perfect Valentine's Day!

Gray Outfit of the Day

With my photographer MIA today, I found it very difficult to get an outfit picture. If I see my fam today, I'll definitely have one of them snap a shot. I had a time trying to get at least HALF of me in a photo. I scrapped a bunch. See if you can piece it all together. The boy and I did some grocery shopping (FUN stuff, let me tell ya), I caved for one of those ridiculously expensive giant helium balloons that brought him exactly 27 seconds of happiness, and we may actually make it to the park this afternoon, after getting my car washed (hopefully) and dropping off at least 3 weeks of recycling. 

And now for the acrobatics:

Earrings: Francseca's 

Cardigan: Anthropologie Whipped Woolens

Tank: J.Crew

Jeans: Forever 21

Flats: Target

Necklace: Forever 21
Watch: Tag Heuer from hottie husband :)

As an aside, I wanted this sweater from the moment I saw it online. It got mixed reviews. Finally, on an out of town trip, I tried it on and bought it. And I have worn it so much less than I ever thought I would. Don't you just hate that? I love longer-ish cardigans that I can throw on over anything. I have a REALLY hard time throwing this on over anything. I kinda have to plan ahead for it, which I don't like. I haven't come up with anything to do with it other than basically what you see here. I don't find it itchy at all, but it is thin (for someone endlessly cold) and it does add some weight to the derriere, as seen in the profile shot. That being said, I do love this cardigan, it was relatively inexpensive, and I'm counting on someone to give some feedback on what to do with this thing before mid-March hits and wool is no longer an option!

BTW, I am looking forward to watching the Grammy's tonight! Yay for Mick Jagger!

Thrifting- Outfit of the Day

Today (after swim class) I went shopping with my mom and son. I was in the market for a vintage fur coat, and a vintage leather jacket if I could find one. 

Here's my first take at this outfit.

Hmm, something not quite right. There, better. Everything goes with these boots. I wear them so much. But I guess I should enjoy it while I can. Spring may be right around the corner.

Jacket: Forever 21

Earrings: Forever 21

Top: Old Navy ($9.99- I did actually buy three different prints of this shirt!)

Belt: Macy's (another something I wear 5 days a week)

Jeans: AG via Anthropologie

Boots: Anthropologie

Wingtip maryjanes in first pic: Target

After our shopping trip, I have decided: I am not a great thrifter. I really didn't find too much that caught my eye. Perhaps that's because I live in a smaller-ish town. I'm sure thrift stores in New York and San Fran have much better selections.  Maybe try, try again is the right approach?

Recent Acquisitions

Here are a few things I got from my quick shopping trip this weekend. 

Got these earrings at Forever 21. The top ones were maybe $5. The second pair?? $1.50!! They are similar to the Anthro pair I already have, but for $1.50??? I'll take 3, please :) I didn't really buy three. I probably should. My sister would love these also!

I tried on this cardigan, thinking it was the one I'd seen featured here, but turns out it isn't. However, it's SUPER soft, and pretty flattering. Maybe it's because I have a young child, but I really have a hard time wearing a hundred dollar cardigan to the park and have a picnic or paint. I need items that won't break my heart if they get imbedded with gummy snacks. See it here. It may run just a little big for Forever 21; I wore a small (some of their small stuff I can never squeeze into).

And now for a few items I'm on the fence about. I tried these jeans on at Anthropologie last month, and I really liked them, except the waist is really high and will not be very forgiving, if, say.... worn out to eat Mexican food or up to 2 days after! Even worse... now they are on SALE! And I have a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. So I know I better decide soon. Check them out here. 

The last item is a tuxedo jacket I purchased at Forever 21. It's a great "inspired by" version of one of my favorite sources of inspiration, Kate Moss. While I can't get away with or afford many of her looks (leather pants, anyone?), I could re-create these. Minus the over the knee boots. It has 3/4 sleeves and I can't find it anywhere on their website.

What do you think?

A little kinky~ Work Outfit of the Day

I just did a little bait and switch!! You thought this was going to be bad, didn't you?? 

And here I am fully clothed!!

Only talking about my hair! My husband mentioned yesterday that I never do my hair curly anymore. So I washed it and air dried it last night. I woke up this AM and did my best... and sadly this was it. I kind of let myself get past the point of no return-- just had to go with it! May try again in the summer when I have humidity on my side.

Had to crop this one- little guy wanted to get in the picture just like me, and Daddy and I couldn't say no.

 I've gotten a TON of use out of these. My mom cringes every time I tell her I get shoes at Target. "You can't buy cheap shoes!" But I swear they are just as comfortable as my higher priced ones. And I always seem to wear them more. If they get messed up, it's only $25 down the drain.

Coat: Anthropologie last Christmas

Shirt: Forever 21 (old)

Tank: J.Crew

Wool Pants: Banana Republic (2007?)

Shoes: Target

Earrings: gift from brother-in-law