What I Wore | Grayscale

WhatIWore: Guys. I’m on my 25th try at writing something for this post and just giving up at this point. My heart is not really into it now, but we’ve all gotta get up and out of bed and get dressed, right? So I’m going to talk about my outfit, which I actually really like, instead of addressing the current state of our union, which is more like an episode of Black Mirror than I ever imagined possible. I won’t ignore that things are really screwed up right now, but I’m working on my stress levels for my health and that of my daughter. Phew! 

Ok! Let’s start with something easy - the weather! Thank goodness for clear blue skies and crisp mornings! It’s actually starting to feel like it’s the right time to bring out the warmer winter gear and I love that! I was at Old Navy yesterday for a separate project when I saw this hat and jacket (both 50% off in store) and turtleneck, which is long enough to easily cover my belly (and under $20). I’ve been pinning a lot similar outfits lately, and it all came together quite easily this morning. I think one of the things that has made me more confident in wearing maternity clothes has been wearing trend forward accessories, jackets and non maternity tops when they work. In short - I just feel like myself. Way more than I did with my first pregnancy. I don’t feel dumpy like I did last time (and truthfully, fall is much more fun to get dressed than the height of summer heat!)

When: November 14, 2016

What:
Hat: Old Navy
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Turtleneck (regular sizes): Old Navy
Jeans: Jeans: AG ‘Stilt’, (non maternity here)
Coat: Old Navy
Boots: gift of Rockport, from last fall (similar under $100)

Where: Coffee Shop and errands

What I Wore | Summer Friday

WhatIWore: Hellloooooooo!! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Over the past few weeks someone in my house has been throwing up, stuffed up or running a fever (myself included!) We are finally getting back to normal, which means we can get out of the house. Phew! 

Luckily by the end of last week, we were up and at ‘em, so I thought why not celebrate summer Friday with a mommy-son adventure?!? We’ve got a bucket list of fun things we want to experience this summer, and I’ve realized with a toddler, we’re on a one-at-a-time activity pace. So for us, that meant starting the day with donuts! (It was National Donut Day, after all!)

Outfit wise, I went with summer staples like a straw hat, gauzy white top, cut off jean shorts and a comfortable pair of sandals (these are from Rockport, today’s post sponsor!) This summer I’ve been so much more relaxed - just throwing on what’s comfortable for the day versus wearing something that looks good for the blog. It’s been really liberating! 

Like all of the Rockport shoes in my collection, these slide on sandals are incredibly comfortable - perfect for both chasing around my son at the playground or for long walks pushing a stroller. 

When: June 3, 2016

What:
Hat: Self Made
Blouse: Goodwill
Short: J.Crew
Sandals: gift courtesy of Rockport (on sale!)

Where: Donuts! 

Felix was so funny while we took these photos. We asked him if he wanted his picture taken, and I planned on holding him, which he firmly refused. Instead, we asked him to pose by mommy, which is when he did the squat thing you see above. And he’s been doing it for every photo sessions we’ve had since! That little squat and “cheeeeeese.” We love seeing his personality come out more and more each day. 

Then - to the donut shop! It was packed, so we made our choices quickly. Felix asked for blue tic tacs (sprinkles) and I got my classic long john. With a carton of milk in tow, we popped the trunk and ate our snacks in the shade of the parking lot. Afterwards, we picked out a few new playground toys at the store and made our way to the park. We played hard for a while and then… tuckered out! 

Heads up! This post has been sponsored by my long time partners at Rockport, a brand that offers both comfort and style. Thanks for supporting the brands that make What I Wore possible! 

What I Wore | Realistic

WhatIWore: Recognize this dress? It’s one of my long time favorite vintage pieces! It’s nothing high quality or designer or anything - just a dress that has become a classic in my closet. I originally chopped off a foot or so of length from the hem and I’ve worn it for all seasons. It was actually the photos I linked to in my Younger post that reminded me of wearing it with boots, tights and layered over a turtleneck. 

When: January 28, 2015

What:
Hat: Nordstrom Rack
Shades: Karen Walker
Lipstick: Tom Ford ‘Black Dahila’
Turtleneck: J.Crew (similar)
Dress: Vintage
White Moto Jacket: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar)
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Rockport, gift

Where: Coffee Shop! 

One word that’s been repeating itself over and over in my head is realistic. When I wrote about how fashion bloggers have lost touch, it meant different things to different people. Some women think I’d never wear lipstick that dark on a Thursday morning! Others might look at a fashion blog and think of the ways she could spend $2000 better than on a handbag. For me, being realistic is photographing the outfit I’m actually wearing on any given day. It’s being true to my creative intuition, which might mean bold lipstick or crazy pattern mixing. It’s wearing the same basic piece more than once a week or wearing a favorite flashier piece just as often. Sometimes I’m going to splurge on something that’s more pricey - and for me, it’s a very real possibility that I’ll buy another nice pair or jeans or a designer bag or fancy lipstick.  Realistic is different for everyone and this is what realistic looks like to me. 

What I Wore | Christmas Plaid

         

WhatIWore: I really can’t get enough of wearing this scarf this season (see other OOTDs here, here and here)! It’s soft and cozy, but what I really love is the traditional buffalo check plaid. I was just thinking today if I could buy up loads of these on clearance at the end of the season, I’d make a bunch of throw pillows to decorate with from December-February (let me know if you spot an amazing deal!)

Every time I go to wear this boots, I make a point of pairing them with something on the conservative side. I’ve played around with skirts and I think it’d work in the evening with an oversized sweater, but not a daytime mommy kind of outfit in my small Midwestern town. Worn here with a longer sweater (for a little more tush coverage) and plaid button down here, I think they look great! 

When: December 16, 2015

What:
Hat: Self Made
Lips: NARS Red Lizard
Scarf: J.Crew Factory
Button Down: J.Crew Factory (last year, but similar here)
Sweater: J.Crew Factory (love it, have it in two colors)
Pants: J.Crew Pixie (similar)
Boots: Rockport, gift

Where: Christmas Shopping with Felix