Baby Photo Bomb

It's hard to take yourself seriously as a style blogger. Thank goodness.

Sweater: LOFT
Skirt: Banana Republic
Necklace: H&M
Tights: Macy's
Wedges: Payless

There I am, taking quick pictures before work from the comfortable confines of my hallway, trying to give my best blogger poses. Then I hear the pit-pat of footie pajamas, followed by a sweet little "hi!"

 Boom! Baby photo bomb.

Static Cling and Cringe

 

Outside of the static, I also was clinging to my dignity all day long.

Blazer: The Limited
Tank: H&M
Belt: Forever 21
Skirt: H&M
Wedges: Payless

I fell in love with this skirt the minute I tried it on. It was not only because of my affection for Portlandia, but because a) it has a unique shape, b) the colors are extremely versatile and c) it has pockets, perfect for a girl who frequently misplaces things on the go.

What I didn't calculate in was the tights factor. The static cling crackled against my legs and the skirt rose a few centimeters with each step forward. I found myself walking in tiny steps like Morticia Adams to keep the rise at bay. Five steps, tug downward. Five steps more, shimmy shake the static loose. All I could think of was how mortified I would be in front of coworkers if I ended up wearing it like a belt when scurrying across the office. The skirt may not make a repeat appearance at work, but I can't wait to wear it this summer, sans tights.

Hitting the Town

Here is a true confession...

Blouse: brand unknown, bought at y&i
Jeans: Joe's
Necklace: gift
Bag: Old Navy
Heels: Urban Outfitters

I've been in a real frump. Motherhood changes your lifestyle, albeit in the absolute best way possible. Things become more sedate, more routine. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have the urge every now and then to cut loose at trendy restaurants and bars like I did through my twenties. Single friends will tell me of their weekend debauchery and I get a bit nostalgic. I don't think that makes me a bad mother - in fact, because I choose and overwhelmingly enjoy my time home with my family, I think it makes me a pretty great mom. But even the best moms need to get out, hit the town with girlfriends and live it up in outfits that aren't covered with baby food and drool.

When a night out with the girls presented itself, I felt out of sorts. Out of practice, even. What do I wear? Why don't these jeans fit? If I wear a dress, will I blind people with pale legs that haven't seen the sun in a century? After creating a tornado of tried-on and rejected clothes, I ran to one of my favorite local boutiques, found this blouse and threw on some jeans and heels. Done. The rush to get out the door due to my hemming and hawing prevented me from taking pictures and I resorted to asking my friends to whip out their iPhones while I posed awkwardly in the street.

Like riding a bike, I didn't forget how it works. The night was a whirlwind of laughter, delicious food and drinks and dancing. I could put the guilt of being away from my family aside for one night with the knowledge that the next day, there was the park and sunshine to enjoy.

One Style, Two Ways

 

I find that once I wear an outfit I really like, I want to wear it over and over again.  Such is the case with the first picture. The combination of bold black and white stripes against mustard worked for me. However, while I have no problem wearing the same pair of yoga pants two days in a row on the weekend (don't judge me), I will chide myself when repeating the exact same combination within a few days later. 

Above is my re-interpretation of a recent favorite outfit. The stripes are extended through a dress and tights take the place of jeans. Throw on a big belt for some shape and voila - a new outfit is born.

1st outfit: see here

2nd outfit:

Cardigan: LOFT

Dress: Old Navy

Belt: Macy's

Tights: Macy's

Sunglasses: H&M

Wedges: Payless

Pencils and Patterns

 

Embracing my curves with one of my favorite patterns.

Skirt: H&M

Blazer: The Limited

Turtleneck: Club Monaco

Tights: H&M

iPad case: roocase

Heels: Ralph Lauren

Like most new moms, I'm still holding tight to that last extra ten pounds of baby weight. I'm a bit curvier, a little wider in the caboose and outside of chasing a toddler, I'm not doing much to drop the rest. And as much as I've embraced my new body shape, I've had my share of frustrations when scraping through my closet. Jeans still don't fit, waistbands are still too tight and I find myself gravitating to wide legs and loose styles. When I went shopping this past weekend, this skirt called to me. Houndstooth is a favorite pattern of mine, it has an elastic waistband and I can't pass up a pencil skirt that actually hits below the knee. At $17.99, I was sold before I tried it on. It is pretty slinky and it took me right out of my frump zone. I'm not gonna lie - I was feeling pretty hot mama today and I haven't felt that way in a while. 

Oscar Favorite

Besides the fact that I have a massive girl crush on her, Emma Stone's dress was my absolute favorite of the night. The color was inspired and the shape was unique. Plus, the peep hole in the front was subtle enough to be sexy without verging on tacky.

I have a gala event coming up and I have no idea what to wear, but this shape gave me some inspiration. If anyone can find a knock-off version of this dress, in red or black, you will be my forever hero.

Tell everyone in the comments about your favorite dress of the night!

(Photo credit: Getty Images via Tom and Lorenzo)

Not Faux Nothing

 

Sorry for that title. I get really punny when I don't feel well.

Cardigan: LOFT
Pants: LOFT (similar)
Belt: H&M
Bag: H&M
Flats: Steve Madden

I woke up this morning with a slight cold, feeling like the world was weighing on my head. Staying home sick was not an option, so I decided to dress myself up. Call it a sartorial boost, if you will. As I luxuriated in my faux-fur cardigan, I pretended that I was a lady of leisure who was popping out the door to meet up with neighbors for morning mimosas. I struck regal poses and laughed in high pitched giggles, as though I had not a care in the world.

Then I coughed in a horrible throaty growl, looked down and saw a raspberry jam-smeared fingerprint on my purse and realized that I was taking pictures in front of a hallway strewn with toys. In other words, I was totally faking it.