a little bit of fit

This top is a recent addition to my maternity wardrobe – I’ve also got it in black & gray. I like the feel of these tops, but mostly I was looking at what I could comfortably wear as a tunic now, and as a shirt later, when my bump prevents any other top from meeting my pants. They’re nice and flowy, but I’m learning they need to be paired with some structure so I don’t look and feel like a blob. Something structured or more fitted somewhere in my outfit, is helping me to feel a lot more put together and human lately. While leggings and loose tops are great, something to define my legs or bump go a long way.

I added the vest so I wouldn’t be wearing leggings as pants, but instead as pants under a tunic-type layer. This scarf is a gift from my sister-in-law many Christmases ago and I’m always impressed that it manages to go with almost everything, especially since the gray can lean purple and the dots can lean highlighter yellow in the wrong light.

Happy Spring!!

cobalt v neck: Kohl's (maternity)

fringe vest: Aéropostale, 

black leggings: Old Navy (maternity)

scarf: gift (Old Navy)

cobalt flats: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx

casual fancy

What is the best way to remain comfortable in a pencil skirt? Wear a cotton t-shirt. And flats. ESSENTIAL. Don’t forget to wear a statement necklace to elevate your t-shirt to the level of your pencil skirt.

I find that lately, instead of wearing a really nice piece (or nice pieces), I find myself trying to dress up more casual pieces. For example: a t-shirt and a pencil skirt, instead of a button-up or blouse with the skirt. I do that when it comes to church, seeing my mama, work, or any occasion, really. What is it?? Why do I insist on dressing up casual pieces instead of just wearing nice and dressy pieces? Anybody know? Bueller?

striped shirt: GAP

black pencil skirt: Target

statement necklace: WalMart

leopard flats: c/o Aéropostale

if you were a lumberjack

When you wish to appear as a cute human traipsing through the woods during the fall, you should wear something like this: plaid, vest, olive green & boots.

Oh wait, if you’re ACTUALLY going traipsing through the woods, you are most likely: 1) hiking, 2) a lumberjack, or 3) a forest ranger. In any of those 3 cases, you would not wear something like this (cute, yes. practical, not quite).

However, if you want to look cute in a mountain town in the fall, you SHOULD definitely wear something like this. Which is exactly what I did. Be sure to pose in front of the scenery (trees, mountains, nature), or a really neat looking garage door, wear a fancy statement necklace, and be sure you’re having a great hair day like yours truly.

plaid shirt: American Eagle

white vest: Levi's (thrifted)

olive pants: c/o Aéropostale

booties: Old Navy

statement necklace: WalMart

hello, it's me

Oof, October was truly not my month for blogging. Chalk it up to still sharing a car (that’s now resolved – hallelujah!), something different after work most nights of the week for most of the weeks, being out of town for at least part of the weekend almost every weekend, a very slow laptop and a very ill desktop computer, and, most likely the real culprit, a lack of motivation.

I’m trying here, but I’m feeling quite uninspired lately: by my wardrobe, and to write. I’m not sure why – I’m purposely cutting back in some areas of my life, and perhaps that has translated its way to the screen/keyboard? Whatever the reason, even though my outfits have not been that great for the past month (months, let’s be real), I do have a few to share here. Perhaps I just need to ease off, throw away any “schedule” and let this be a place to come hang out when I’m inspired, instead of forcing it. That sounds quite deep, yes? We’ll see how that pans out for this schedule junkie...

And now, a monochromatic look to share with you, made interesting with the use of different textures, and a belt. Obviously, this picture is not TOO recent (late September, methinks) - it’s too cold for open toesies now. In an effort to not look like a black blob of clothing, I wrapped my sweater around me and belted it, almost creating a karate-style-type jacket, but not quite (the wrapping of the sweater was essential, because I tried it hanging open and belted, and be glad I’m sparing you those terrible scars on your eyeballs).

Bear with me, as it’s now dark at noon (exaggerating), and my pictures will be relegated to a quick weekend outfit shoot (not my favorite), if they happen at all. Still friends?

black sweater: Ann Taylor

black belt: thrifted

black pants: c/o Aéropostale

black sandals: Kohl's

shades of pink

We made it to (almost) the weekend - huzzah! And what is more perfect for a late summer weekend outfit than a fun party dress and shoes? A fun party dress and shoes with a denim jacket, is what.

I used to be so concerned about all of my accessories matching perfectly, but one of the things I love most about this look is that my shoes are a different shade of bright pink than my dress. And that my denim jacket dresses down my fancy Lilly dress and wedges, making it more wearable for even more occasions.

All of that being said, enjoy your weekend - I'm not going anywhere where I'll wear this fun striped dress, but you know I'll document what I wear, and share it.

dress: Lilly Pulitzer

jacket: c/o Aéropostale

wedges: ALDO

statement necklace: Old Navy

 

 

linking up:

A Pocketful of Polka Dots // Living in Color Style and Styling in St. Louis

late bloomer

Do you remember all of the hype a few years ago over the Prabal Gurung for Target line? It was what alerted me to this "Target pairing up with designers" phenomenon that takes over fashion and style blogs whenever one occurs/is about to occur. I was too late to the Prabal Gurung party, as well as the Philip Lim purse soiree, but, in just a few short years, this multicolored  Prabal Gurung skirt found its way to me - I spotted it from several feet away (since this print is pretty memorable) at the thrift store with my girlfriend, Amanda (hi, friend!), and snagged it to try on.

It originally had 3 inches of black lace on the bottom that I took some scissors to once I got home, so you're seeing it in its altered and shortened state. I was pretty jazzedto end up with something that excited me from so long ago, and I've decided I'm going to try my hardest to pair it with tights and boots this fall and winter - won't it be such a nice pop of color on a cold winter day?

I'm easily envisioning it with black and/or gray, but with so many colors in the skirt, I'm sure I'll end up pairing it with something pretty bright, kind of like how I pulled in purple, coral, and red above. It felt a bit loud, but there's no way to tone down such a fun and swishy skirt - you've really got to live it up and pair it with as many colors as possible.

denim jacket: c/o Aéropostale

purple v-neck: Target

multicolored skirt: thrifted (Prabal Gurung for Target)

red wedges: thrifted

coral necklace: consignment

linking up:

The Pleated Poppy // Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles

Sydney Fashion Hunter // Color and Grace // Cappuccino & Fashion

Shopping My Closet // I do DeClaire

not a Tour de Fat outfit

I'm so excited to share this look with my beach cruiser today, becaussssssse

It's Tour de Fat!! We're dressed up all crazy, parading our bikes around town with several thousand other people. The drinks are flowing, the costumes are crazy, and the people watching is aaaaamazing.

This outfit is wayyy too tame for Tour de Fat, but I promise I've got something a little kooky on (follow me on Instagram to see us in real time).

I did, however, actually wear the above peplum top and black skinnies to dinner, and we rode our bikes. Mine has a sweet little basket on the front where I like to put my phone so it can play some tunes. I really love riding my bike - it's got one speed and back-pedal brakes, and a nifty little bell. The seat is wide and comfy, and I travel at about one speed (slow-ish). But I love it.

There's something so satisfying to me about riding my bike, and if I can wear a great ensemble comprised of favorites that are comfortable AND stylish, then I'm a huge fan. Bonus points for hanging with friends on their bikes, too.

peplum top: Ann Taylor Loft

black skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

black fringe sandals: Kohl's

necklace: WalMart

linking up:

Fashionista Momma // Jaymie Ashcraft

Rachel the Hat // The Red Closet Diary

trouser two-fer

I've got a two-fer for ya before this long weekend (don't worry - I've got posts coming 'atcha through the long weekend, though). This two-fer features the same pair of pants, but with different shirts each time. One shirt has polka dots, the other is a lace-detail chambray, but they're both button-ups. Points for me anyways?

Up first, polka dots on top, and light & subtle pinstripes on the bottom (tough to see in these pictures, I know). These pants are oldies, but they're the prettiest shade of light olive green with the most perfect little pinstripes. I'm so glad I've hung on to them since high school - aren't trousers making a comeback? Or something?

Secondly is something really similar to the first, but the shirt is different! It's chambray! *swoon* And no polka dots! And it has pretty lace detailing on the shoulders and back. Totally different look, right? RIGHT?

What's your favorite way to wear some trousers? Button ups? Blouses? Casual tees?

Spill.

polka dot button up: Old Navy

metallic sandals: Target

green trousers: GAP

lace detail chambray: c/o Aéropostale

beaded sandals: Kohl's

undone favorites

Mint. Navy. Floral. Skinnies. Sandals.

These are a few of my favorite things. (bonus points if you know the musical I'm referencing. 20 more bonus points if you have the soundtrack on your iPod...no? just me?)

These pictures look grainy on my teeny laptop screen, but you'll have to believe me that the execution of this look was pretty great. I've found that  when in doubt, pair some of your favorite things together and watch as magic unfolds.

A mint v-neck tee, favorite lightweight scarf, skinnies + sandals. Messy hair helps, too (isn't that the key to every look great? something slightly undone/messy), as does a fancy belt and a half-tuck (that says "I'm fancy, but I'm casual and only tuck in my shirt halfway, some of the time").

mint v-neck: Old Navy

scarf: Target

skinnies: Aéropostale

sandals: Target