Scarf and Jeans

Top - Kohl's - similar here (I got mine on clearance for $3)

Jeans - Banana Republic via Goodwill - similar here

Scarf - c/o More Than Alive

Shoes - Michael Antonio



Four Weeks Postpartum

Checking in at four weeks postpartum now. Time is going by too fast! And yes, I need to hem these jeans - my short legs are still too short with 4 inch heels.

 

Sweater - Gap thrifted for $2

Jeans - Banana Republic thrifted for $5

Clogs - Kohl's - $11

Thinking About Jeans

 

 

It seems ages ago that I've been able to wear a normal pair of jeans. With Fall coming sooner than I expected (we've had a cold front come in this past weekend), I've found myself window shopping for Fall's latest jean styles from Simons and wishing I was my normal size again. Until then, I'll rock these summer jeans (that are about 5 sizes larger than my pre-pregnancy size) and hope that the pregnancy weight comes off fast enough for me to buy a new pair of jeans in maybe . . . March? (fingers crossed).

 

Chambray shirt - Goodwill - $3

Jeans - Gap - hand-me-down

Espadrilles - Target - $8

Necklace - gifted

Watch - Bulova - gifted

New Jacket

 

Went to a Goodwill in Grand Rapids with a friend, Mom, and my sister. My friend found this jacket for me while we were there. Such a great find! The jacket fits perfect and will be great for this fall.

 

Jacket - Gap - Goodwill for $5

Top - Banan Republic - Goodwill for $1.50

Jeans - Ann Taylor LOFT - hand-me-downs from my sister

Clogs - Kohl's - $11
Belt - Gap - $24.50
Hat - Goodwill - $1

Crushing on Summer Bell Bottoms

At the end of winter I couldn't wait to start adding to my collection of colored jeans. Everything cropped and bright was what I was dreaming of for spring and summer. But now that summer is almost here, I'm starting to daydream about another look for denim: bell bottoms. They just have such a great Bohemian summer vibe to them.

Here are a few I found that I like:

J.Brand

 An outfit by Maegan.

 Outfit inspiration from Mint A La Mode.

A perfect wash for summer by Madewell.

A great flare by Buffalo Jeans.

Outfit Post: Silk Shirts

I don't know if anyone really took any notice to my background walls in my previous photos, but most of them were taken in this very room (my office), and the walls in the previous photos were very brown. Notice that it is a mauvy beige (yes, I made that color up myself) now? So much more feminine. So much more *me*! I like my office so much now, I moved the daybed in here so I could sit in here and stare at my lovely walls comfortably in between working. The color is just that good.

And speaking of working...my hours are more sporadic now, giving me more time to blog if I feel like it. I barely worked this week, and had the itch to blog all week. So now I am. Next week I work full days until Thanksgiving. I probably won't blog that day because nothing will fit, I'll be so full of turkey just thinking about it.

Have you noticed that red lips are now EVERYWHERE. It's like almost every fashion spread in every magazine is featuring a bright lip. Every time I see it, I think, "oh that's so fun, why don't I wear my red lipstick more?!" In theory, I love my red lipstick, but in practice, it just doesn't work for me. I can't kiss my babies, I get lipstick on my teeth, I stain every glass in my house, and my husband won't kiss me for fear of getting lipstick on his shirt or face. Are my red lips really worth depriving myself from husband and baby kisses? I don't think so. Nevertheless, I will try to keep imagining that I love it just because sometimes you can't help but want to look trendy sometimes. Ok, maybe I just want to fit in.

Another thing I've noticed in so many of the fashion spreads are boxy silk shirts. You see them tucked into high waisted pants or pencil skirts, or worn over tight jeans or layered underneath sweaters. While it reminds me of some of the blouses my mom passed down to me during my adolescence when nothing else fit me at the time (and at that time, the boxy silk shirt tucked into high waisted pants or skirts or even untucked over leggings was completely outdated), I also like how it also reminds me a tad of the 1940's because of it's strong shoulder line. If I were to wear this red silk blouse tucked in, I would feel totally retro, especially with my red lips. Tucked out, I feel "laid back cool." Do I look "laid back cool?" Probably not. I probably look like I'm trying too hard. But that's ok. Because I am.

I'm determined to think that this blouse is vintage. It came with shoulder pads, and had a very old fashioned label. And by old fashioned, I mean, like something I would see in the stores when I was 5 years old. I guess I consider vintage to be only 16 years old, because I'm 21. heh. Anyhow, I cut out the shoulder pads, ironed it up, and now I have an on trend blouse for the season. My fashion magazines would be proud of me. You're welcome Marie Claire and Lucky.

Jacket - Goodwill (Jones New York) - $2

Blouse - Goodwill (Anna & Frank) $3

Chain link choker - thrifted - $2

Jeggings (gasp, I can't believe I fell for this trend) - Target - $5

Heels - Jessica Simpson -gifted

Bag - Coach - gifted

Outfit Post: Red and White Stripes

Striped sweater - Gap - $7
Jeans - Target - too long ago to remember the price
Wooden wedge sandals - Aerosoles - gifted
Hoop earrings - Premier Jewelry - $21
Scarf - Vintage (thrifted) - $.25

Outfit post

What to wear on a cold, windy, rainy, NW day?

boots, jeans and a sweater, of course!

Sweater ~ Gap $30

Tshirt ~ Old Navy $10

Jeans ~ Old Navy $19

Boots ~ $30 JCP

Outfit Post: TGIF!

Having friends and family over for chili tonight. It will be real casual and a fun way to kick off to the weekend!
Close-up of the cami since it's hard to tell unless from a distance. No, I do not wear plunging necklines without coverage!

And a close-up of these pumps, because I like the bow detail.

I'm halfway through this pregnancy already - I can't believe how quickly time has flown by!

Top - Ann Taylor - $5.88

Shrug - thrifted - $1

Jeans - Target - $?

Pumps - Target - $6

Hoop earrings - Premier Jewelry - $21

Cami - Dillards - $4.99

Outfit Post: Black, white, and red

My son and I are matching today! Aren't we cute?
I love how this belly band is curing my muffin top. I can still button these jeans, but now I've got some serious spillage going on. The belly band helps camoflouge all that. Or hopefully it does!

Hat - Target - $6

Top - Wal-Mart - $1

Belt - Target - $3

Red suede maryjane peeptoes - Aerosoles - $29

Belly band - A Pea in the Pod - $26

Outfit Post: Fall Wear

Sweater - H&M - $5

Hoop earrings - Premier Jewelry - $21

Corduroy blazer - H&M - $20

Jeans - Target - $?

Hat - gifted

Scarf - Target - $6

Bag - Eddie Bauer (thrifted) - $.25

Loafer wedges - thrifted - $4

Outfit Post: Pearls and Pink Preppy/Classic Style

My outfit yesterday caused everyone I saw to comment about my growing bump. Even my husband came home and said, "Wow, you look pregnant." I reminded him that I was, just in case he'd forgotten.
Today's outfit is doing a pretty good job of camoflouging my pregnancy, which makes me wonder...

Do I want to look pregnant, or do I want to hide it and just look like I've gained some extra weight? The comments yesterday were kind of fun and made me relieved that I no longer look "fat", but "pregnant." But maybe camoflouging the bump is more slimming or flattering?

If you were in my shoes, would you rather camoflouge or accentuate your bump? Just curious.

Button down shirt - J.Crew - thrifted - $1

Jeans - Target - ?

Loafer wedges - thrifted - $4

Pearl earrings and necklace - gifted

Pearl/chiffon sweater - Ann Taylor - $9.88

Outfit Post: More on Maternity Wear

I'm so excited about this top I just found at Target for only $4! It has a shaper underneath, so it gives my back and belly so much support...as well as smoothes out my now popped out belly button. It isn't maternity, and I got a small, so I don't know how long it will last, but it will work through my second trimester at least, I'm guessing...which is great!

And here's a shot of the belly band again so you can see how it hides unbuttoned pants. I love the fact that I don't have to wear maternity pants yet, although I know my time is coming soon!

And here's another shot of my baby, because I'm still so excited about him/her!

Top - Target - $4

Jeans - Banana Republic - $8

Clogs - Colin Stuart (thrifted) - $4

Earrings (not shown) - gifted

Silly bands...just because I have an almost 4 yr old who wanted me to wear them for him.

Outfit Post: Stripes

Sweater - Gap - $6
Bag - Eddie Bauer (thrifted) - $.25
Scarf - Dominican Republic - gifted
Jeans - Target - ?? (bought too long ago to remember)
Hoop earrings - Premier Jewelry - $21

Outfit Post: Black and blue

Didn't even make it one mile on my jog today and ended up walking the whole rest of the way. Can't you see the fatigue in my eyes in these pictures?
Pulled out my "fat" jeans and am feeling a whole lot more comfortable. I am still determined to save my maternity clothes for when I truly need them, so I'm glad I have these jeans for my current in-between size.

Jacket - F21 - gifted
Tunic - Target - $3
Necklace - thrifted - $1
Silver hoop earrings - Target - $1
Black clogs - Colin Stuart (thrifted) - $4
Jeans - Target - I forget the price since I bought them 5 years ago

Birthday post

Yesterday was my 27th birthday!!! Hurray for me! I LOVE birthday's! The night before my birthday I had an excuse to dress up a bit, attending a work related dinner with my husband. Any excuse I have to put on heels and curl my hair I take!
The day of my birthday I had plans to meet a friend downtown for lunch at an adorable cafe called "The Bread Peddlers" Jade and I shared the ham and comte sandwich and almond croissant, with some lemon flavored San Pelligrino. So good!! if you are ever in Olympia and need a sweet little french bakery stop by there!
The scarf I am sporting was a gift from a dear friend. She drove over at 8am just to give it to me on my birthday!

Gray top with bejeweled shoulder embellishments ~ Ann Taylor loft $30

White Jeans ~ Gap $30

Nude strappy heels ~ Kohls ?

Clutch ~ gifted

White top ~ Old Navy $10

Jean skirt ~ Gap $30

Scarf ~ Gifted

T-strap sandals ~ Gap $5.50

Outfit Post: Forever 21

I went shopping last night with some friends, and I put together this little outfit. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time (store was closing) or money to buy it! Instead, I took a few pictures to remember it by, and thought I'd share! This is actually something I wouldn't be able to wear in Florida, but right now I'm on vacation in Massachusetts...it could work here! One thing I miss about cold weather - layering.

Floral Blouse - Forever 21 - $18

Sweater - Forever 21 - $18

Jacket - Forever 21 - $23

Jeans rolled as capris - Forever 21 - $28

Outfit Post: Back from Orlando

My last outfit post was actually my traveling outfit to Orlando last week, so I know it looks like all I've worn is these jeans for the past several days, but I was just trying to pack light. This is what I wore on the way home.

My husband had a business conference in Orlando, so my son and I joined him and spent the week at pools, beaches, and Disneyworld, of course. We had a blast, but it feels so good to be home!

White top - Gap - gifted
Black vest top - Charlotte Russe - gifted
Necklace - Target - gifted
Hoop earrings - Premier Jewelry - $21
Jeans - Banana Republic - $8
Black heels - BCBGirls (via Macys) - $21

Outfit Post

Jeans - Banana Republic - $8
Top - thrifted - $3
Open toed/heeled booties - Target - $7
Necklace - LuShae Jewelry

Outfit Post: Straightened hair, rebellious jeans, and trying-too-hard poses

I straightened my hair today. I've been growing it out for 8 months now, trying to achieve a long/straight/one-length look. My goal was to slowly start chopping off the layers to get it to one-length. But I already miss my wavy hair and am thinking I might go back to my old fuller hairstyle. What do you think?
I finally bought myself a pair of ripped jeans. They were forbidden to me all growing up while I lived with my parents, so I couldn't resist the temptation to buy them now just because I can. That, and they were only $8.

They are a classy pair of striaght leg ripped jeans I think--but I can already see my Mom rolling her eyes at me when she sees me tonight and finds out I actually paid for jeans she has in her trash can.

I get bored with posing for these outfit posts, and am always trying to figure out a more flattering pose that looks natural. This one below is a newest stance. Trust me, in my mind it looks way cooler. ha ha!

Look at all my bling!!

T-shirt - Gap - $3

Ripped jeans - Banana Republic - $8

Open toed/heeled leather booties - Target - $7

Silver hoop earrings - Target - $1

Bangles - thrifted - $2

Silver chain - antique store - $1

Three strand chain necklace - gifted

Chunky silver choker - thrifted - $2

Small silver chain - Kohll's - $.60