temporary retirement

I thought I could eek out a few more wears from this lightweight hooded gray top and floral print tanktop underneath, but looking at these pictures has convinced me that they are headed for temporary retirement. Looking like you're about to bust out of your clothes is not a good look on anyone, my friends. Even pregnant women who might waddle...

*all items are part of my Maternity Capsule Wardrobe

new black pants

This is the first outing for some maternity pants I ordered from Pink Blush Maternity. My plan has never been to create an entire new wardrobe until our baby arrives - instead, I'm trying to stretch (literally & figuratively - ha!) the clothes I already had in my closet, with some thoughtful purchases to supplement.

First up: black pants. I knew I would get a lot of wear out of these, if my obsession with non-maternity black pants was any indication - they go with EVERYTHING. For real. And in the 2 weeks I've had these dark beauties, I've worn them at least twice a week to work, if not a few more times than that. I'm strategically planning laundry days.

I'm planning to write more about the "capsule wardrobe" approach I'm taking to my maternity style - stay tuned for some posts about my process, what I'm keeping, what I've tossed, and what I've already purchased / plan to purchase (not much on both fronts).

Don't worry, though, this is NOT going to become a maternity / mommy style only blog - pinky promise. However, that is something I'm having to dress around / dress up / consider when my pants don't fit, so there will be some of that. If that's not your cup of tea, I understand - maybe you'll stick around for my wit and charming personality? ;)

white sweater: (not maternity) borrowed from my Mama, Coldwater Creek

pants: (maternity) Pink Blush Maternity

black & white plaid scarf: thrifted

black flats: BCBG Generation, I think...

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

not a bruise

the moody teenager

Although this outfit is comprised of the colors that make up a bruise (black, purple, and mint counts as blue, right?), I did not intend to actually dress AS a bruise. So, sorry to disappoint if you thought that's where this was headed.

I can't say enough how much I love this black chambray, and these black pants, and, oh, those python print flats. What will I ever do when they've had their last wear and must retire? T'will be a sad day, indeed.

Anyways, I like this outfit. I like all the black, all the purple, all the stripes, the good hair day (few and far between, lately - chronic oversleeping syndrome, ya know), and the handsome (although moody & easily annoyed) bully pictured above.

I know this seems a bit dark for June and almost-but-not-quite-summer, but, the high today was only in the 60s-ish, and it was rainy and gloomy, so totally appropriate.

Me says yes.

purple striped v-neck: Target

black chambray: Old Navy

black skinnies: Target

python print flats: WalMart

linking up:

Fizz & Frosting // Fashionably Employed // Cha Cha // Rhea et Cetera

Style Nudge // Garay Treasures // The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So

Pumps & Pushups // The Mummy Chronicles // Sydney Fashion Hunter // Shopping My Closet

I do Declaire // Sincerely Jennie // Middle of Somewhere // Cappuccino and Fashion

Cassidy Lou

can’t stop. won’t stop.

And look-y here, more dark colors.

Can't stop.

Won't stop.

More black. More chambray. More boots. Oh, and my strawberry blonde hair that I’m obsessed with (I have a girl, and she’s aaaaaaAAAmAAAAzingggg!).

Again – can’t stop. Won’t stop.

chambray: thrifted

skinnies: c/o Aéropostale

boots: c/o Aéropostale

scarf: WalMart (more of my DIY blanket scarves here)

Mr. Picks Mondays: Black & Tan

This week the Mr. chose the top and the pants (hooray for him finally choosing skinnies!) and I added the sweater, and of course, the brown boots. So, here it is - neutral meets neutral meets neutral, all in a classy black and brown combination. Dig it?

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

shirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted) similar below

sweater: DayTrip (thrifted) similar below

pants: Aéropostale

boots: Rack Room Shoes similar below

Black&White Stripes&Dots

In looking at these pictures, I noticed two things:

1) this sweater is not as long as I always think it is. Instead of hanging past my hips and covering my rear end, it hits AT my hips, and does NOT cover my rear. Not that this is a bad thing, it's just different than how I always picture this cardigan in my head.

2) I look really tired in these pictures. And I know why. It's because...I've been really tired lately. We're talking exhausted. Can't-get-enough-sleep-even-though-I-go-to-bed-early-exhausted. The Mr. says I'm oversleeping, but to that I say "No way, Jose." So, here they are: tired eyes. Correction: tired face.

shirt: Old Navy [[similar below]]

cardigan: Ann Taylot [[similar below]]

scarf: Aéropostale

pants: Aéropostale

boots: SOREL [[exact below]]

SHOP THE LOOK...OR SOMETHING SIMILAR

Festive

This outfit is several weeks behind - it's what I wore Christmas Eve. I had to work (bummer, huh?), but we did get to go home early, so I was able to take outfit pictures outside during daylight! Woot woot! I figured if I had to work on Christmas Eve, I might as well wear something with a bow, something sparkly, and something red - it doesn't hurt that the item with the bow was in the form of my new bulldog tee. 

Christmas Eve started my 5 days in a row off. I'm going to be completely honest with you - it was aaaaamazing. I slept in, wore sweatpants, drank lots of coffee with Irish Cream, and spent lots of time with my favorite men & woman (husband, bulldog & bulldog). I had a huge list of things I wanted to get accomplished, but I hardly did any of them. Instead, I lounged, relaxed, soaked in the time with my sweetheart, and truly enjoyed my down time. We had no plans to go anywhere for Christmas, so the two of us stayed at home and laid low. Going back to work was TOUGH. OY. SO. TOUGH.

Now that Christmas is about three weeks behind us, do you think I'm the worst blogger ever? 

Or, are you thankful that I keep reminding you of the holidays & celebrating well into January?

We're having (belated) Christmas with both sets of parents this weekend - I'm a fan of drawing out the celebrating :)

linking up with:
Two Thirty Five Designs for Casual Friday
Simply Lulu Style for What I'm Loving Friday

shirt: J CREW Factory similar below

sweater: from a friend - Banana Republic similar below

pants: Aéropostale similar below

shoes: KMart similar below

30 for 30: Day 17

I know what you're thinking.

"WHAT WAS SHE thinking with this outfit? Tweed blazer, black, black, scarf? WHAT???"

However, I can explain. I typed

"pink tweed blazer"

into Pinterest (my Pinterest boards leave a lot to be desired, I know - I try to limit my time on there, as it's SO. ADDICTING.) And saw several images, specifically this pin that led me to theglamandglitter.com. Instead of dressing up the tweed blazer (like I had thought about), she dressed it down with distressed denim. I always saw other images that paired blacks & grays with the blazer, allowing the pink tweed to take center stage. So, that was my inspiration.

My execution might have been a little off, but the thought was there! I did need a scarf though, because 1) it was cold outside

2) I was wearing just a plain white tank under the blazer, so I needed to cover up a bit (did I mention that I'm wearing basic tanks under items that are need a little extra during this challenge? cause I am) 

So, fashion forward? Or fashion fail?

And for reference, here is the last time I wore this blazer on the blog...in May...when it snowed...grrr

30 for 30: Day 14

Day 14

Sadly, my Mr. had to work this evening, so I was only able to get some fuzzy mirror pics - sorry, friends. Bums me out when he has to work late! However, I did get some MAJOR blogging done, so it worked out ok, I think ;)

Hope your week is off to a great start!

30 for 30: Days 1 & 2

Day 1

Day 1 of my 30 for 30 challenge. I chose my 30 items late on the 31st of October, and threw this together in the morning - not too bad for the first day ;)

Day 2

 

my Dad took these pictures for me, right after we had dinner last weekend.
this is me asking "do I have anything in my teeth?"

I LOVE this necklace I got at a consignment shop #truelove

Last weekend we made a trip to visit both sets of parents. They live pretty close (I could make it home for curfew in about 13 minutes), so we get to see both sets of folks. And this trip, we really DID get to see everyone - we got to see our good friends, M & L, who just moved back to our beautiful state after having spent the last year and a half out east. We are SO glad they're back - we missed them so much!

More headed your way, including a post that lists my 30 items for the rest of this month. Hope your weekend is off to a great start!