Pinterest Pinspiration: Bright is alright

It would be difficult not to notice all the bright hues of denim in stores right now.   My first instinct was to steer clear of putting any colored denim on my derriere.  My second instinct arrived about 15 seconds later and screamed, "you need to get your hands on some of those!  pronto!"  And while I intended to go with a safe color like blue, well, you can see below how that turned out.  The yellow was calling to me and the nice boy at the Gap assured me that they were cool.  And nice boys at the Gap don't lie, right?

Be aware that most brands are using a skinny legging jean style for their colored denim looks.  The bad news?  That isn't everyone's best look.  The good news is they have so much stretch in them that it doesn't matter.  They are actually quite comfortable and all it took for me was finding a rise that works for my, ahem, mom body. 

Since this was my first foray since sixth grade wearing neon pants, I decided to play it safe and pair it with a denim dress tunic.  Again the nice boy at the Gap assured me it wasn't maternity, it didn't look maternity, and there was no way anyone would mistake it as such.  Cuz, you know I don't want to throw anyone into a tizzy thinking that baby #3 is on the way.  It isn't.   Just to emphasize the point, I paired it with a wide belt.  Cuz I can.  Topped off (or bottomed off?) with some leopard print shoes and the outfit was complete in my book.  If you are ever in doubt, finish an outfit off with some animal print and you'll be good to go.  Works every time.

Here's my Pinterest Pinspiration for today:

 

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Yellow pants + dark denim + flats + brown accessories

Daily Style File
Dress:  Gap
Jeans:  Gap
Belt:  Gap (old)
Shoes:  Calvin Klein

Pinterest Pinspiration: jeans, tweed + neon

Apparently I have a thing for jeans and blazers.   I only know this because I have an awful lot of pins with this look and an equal amount of jeans and blazers in my closet.  However, I often feel like wearing a blazer looks too formal for my normal running around activities.  Which doesn't make sense since I wear skirts and dresses often enough. 

Boyfriend jeans are always a classic look.  As are tweed jackets (a la Chanel).  And throw a white tee in the mix and voila, you have a totally perfectly put together look.  Why the heck is it that I needed to have Pinterest remind me of this?  That I am not sure.  So let's just cut to the chase. 

Here's my Pinterest Pinspiration for today. 

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Boyfriend jeans + tweed jacket + tshirt = done.  You've certainly seen that neon is HOT right now but added to a tweed jacket.  Shut. up.  See the subtle neon goodness below.  The best part?  This jacket was already in my closet.  For a couple of years.  Glad it is finally getting some wear.

 

PS.  Oh, and did you know the latest accessory is the white finger wrap?  Let's just say this morning I learned that a knife + an unruly avocado pit = 5 stitches in my finger.  Whoops.

Daily Style File
Tshirt:  Gap
Jacket:  Cynthia Steffe
Jeans:  Express
Shoes:  All Black via Anthropologie

Introducing....Pinterest Pinspiration Challenge

I've been pretty bored with my wardrobe lately.  Ridiculous, right?   I have an entire closet full of clothes.  But, I get bored easily and haven't been shopping lately to infuse anything new and exciting into the mix.  Recently I have found myself searching Pinterest for outfit ideas when I normally would be blogging.


Which got me thinking.......




(don't be skerred - but imagine smoke coming out of ears from thinking so hard)




......what if I actually looked at the items I pinned and used them as inspiration for getting dressed?




SAY WHAT?!?!?!  Is this what Oprah calls an 'AHA' moment?!

It seems surprisingly simple but I can't be the only one to find myself pinning all these amazing ideas and then never looking at them again. Right?  

Starting today and continuing until I am bored (a week? a month?), I have decided to use my Pinterest boards as pinspiration for my own dressing.  Any major event like this needs some preparation.  And preparation = shopping.   And pinning.  And research.  And research = more pinning.

My goal is to mainly use items I already own and wear them in a new to me pinspiring way.  I am also going to purchase a few new pieces that will help infuse some excitement into my wardrobe.  WAHOOOO, right?!  Now THIS is what gets me out of bed in the morning!!  (Either that or it is my kids waking me up and telling me they are hungry, but you get the idea.)

So, amuse me and amuse yourself and check back daily to see what new must have Spring items I added to my closet, what I am wearing and what pinspired it.  Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest.   

PS. What pinspires you?  If you have any pins that you have been crushing on but aren't sure how to make work, let's chat.

Bouncin' around

I brought the kids to a bounce house with some friends today. My hair was pulled back in an attempt to look effortlessly chic.  Somehow by the end of our morning I looked more effort-less than chic.   Kind of like I had been bouncing around a wind tunnel instead of purely watching the lil' ones from the sidelines. This is why I prefer short hair, because it just gets pulled into a ponytail anyways. However, I awoke this morning to my daughter carefully stroking my hair and telling me how long and beautiful it is.  That, my friends, is the only reason I am growing it out - because my four year old is just so darn excited about it.  If I cut it now, I may scar her for life.

There was no bouncing to be had myself since I have enough of my own natural bounce going on.  There isn't a need to exasperate it by flailing myself around a giant inflatable. Plus, you'll notice I'm not wearing socks and you never want to find yourself walking around a giant kids bounce house with no socks.  Just sayin'. 

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Old Navy
Overcoat:  Urban Outfitters
Jeans:  Lucky Brand
Necklace:  Old Navy
Shoes:  JCPenney

I Wore It Where?
breakfast, bounce house

Sporty-ish

Today was one of those days that I was fully dressed and then decided to change.  Because I felt like wearing sneakers.  I'm not really sure what came over me.  I guess you could say I took my "running around" pretty seriously today.  Teeheehee. 

I recently found a little tear in my yoga pants that makes them unwearable (in the butt, no less.  And yes, I was in a public place when the tear was first discovered which is my lesson learned for wearing them in public).  Since those weren't an option for my sneaker day, leggings and a comfy skirt were the next best thing.  It's kind of sporty-ish.  Plus, my lack of hairstyle gave me a "just exercised" look to accompany my outfit.  

Daily Style File
T-shirt:  Old Navy
Vest:  Kensie via T.J.Maxx
Skirt:  Mossimo via Target
Leggings:  Mossimo via Target
Sneakers:  Puma

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands

Dressed down

I have an affinity for dresses.  Especially when they are tulip shaped like this one. Maybe because it accentuates the curves and hides the flaws.  In the past I have worn this dress with heels, but since being a stay at home mom doesn't afford me too many options to wear stilettos, I decided to dress it down.  There's no use having it sit in my closet unworn.  Enter my boots and the jean jacket which is already making a reappearance from yesterday.  I'm telling you, I am totally serious about this Spring thing.  It needs to be here.  Now.  Or yesterday.

This dress is so comfy and versatile that not only did I do my usual routine but I also went on a late afternoon/early evening trail walk in it.  Like an in the woods trail.  Unpaved and everything.  I felt so outdoorsy.  Until I looked down and realized I was in a dress and boots.  And wearing a necklace and carrying my purse.  But, hey, everyone's idea of outdoorsy is different.  My daughter went on a last minute playdate before dinner so the hubs and I decided to embrace it and take our son on a little outdoor hike.  Or something like that.  Maybe next time I'll really let loose and leave my purse in the car.  At least I left my Starbucks there.

Daily Style File
Dress:  Iisli via T.J.Maxx Rent the Runway (Fall 2009)
Jacket:  INC (Winter 2005)
Necklace:  Gifted
Belt:  Anthropologie (Holiday 2011)
Boots:  One of 2 via Nordstrom


I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands, a hike (!!)
 

Snow day

It snowed here in North Carolina last night.  Now for many places, that isn't a big deal.  But, here, well here it meant my daughter woke up in total shock, amazement and delight that there was 1/4" of snow.  You read that correct:  a whopping 1/4", if even.  That didn't stop us from making a snowman, with what snow we could rake, yes - rake, and sweep, yup - sweep, into a pile to roll around some snowballs.  Seriously.  And you would have thought we built the Taj Mahal.  We topped the snowman off with blueberry eyes, a cherry tomato nose and a skittles mouth.  His arms were an old bubble wand and a skewer from her playhouse grill. That, my friends, was one wonky looking snowman.

Anyways, if you have already peeked at my outfit, you are probably wondering why I am wearing a jean jacket on a snowy day.  Well, that is because by the time I got dressed (mid-afternoon since weather advisories were in effect all morning and I made sure to abide the warnings and be lazy as long as possible), the snow had melted and it was 50 degrees outside.  And tomorrow and the rest of the week it is supposed to be high 50's - low 70's.  That is springtime in my mind, hence the jean jacket.  The scarf was thrown on to remind me it snowed in the morning.  And also to cover the black bra I mistakenly put on under my white t-shirt but was too lazy to change.  Hooray for lazy, snowy days!

 
I Wore It Where?
Target, Mom's Night

Feelin' feathery

I may or may not have worn almost this same exact outfit earlier in the week.  I stress almost because I wore a different tank top and headband.  Since I only wore it to an evening parent workshop it kind of doesn't count as wearing it.  That is my justification for reprising it today.  Regardless of how many times I remind myself that capri pants are not flattering on a short girl with curvy hips, I can't quit them.  I have at least stopped buying them. However, these ones have been in my closet for years and haven't made their way out.

And, yes, those are feathers in my hair.  I'm not usually the type of person to wear fowl, but I've seen lots of pictures of fashionable ladies wearing them and wanted to give it a try.  It makes me feel like I should be going somewhere much more fancy than to the pediatrician's office. If I happen to start speaking in a British accent then you'll know it is just me pretending to be distinguished and we can blame it on my headdress.

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Tank:  Lily White via Nordstrom
Pants:  Theory via Off Saks Fifth Avenue
Shoes:  Mossimo via Target (Winter 2012)

I Wore It Where?
pediatrician's office    

Layers

Every time I wear this dress, something feels a little off about it.  It is proportionally more baggy in the waist than the hips.  (FYI - I am blaming it more on the design of the dress than the shape of my body.)  So, there is lots of adjusting going on.  That issue is now compounded by the fact that I recently shrunk it in the wash.  Oops.  It also lost the luster the fabric used to have.  Darn. Laundry just isn't my forte.  I get sidetracked and then end up shoving everything from the washer into the dryer and forgetting all the items I made a mental note to take special care of. 

Last time I wore it, I wore a belt to help flatten out some of the bagginess in the waist.  Today I decided to layer a sweater on top.  And necklaces.  There is not much I can do about the length and width that shrunk.  Grrr.  I hate it when I ruin perfectly good clothes.

Since I really like the royal blue color and don't have much else like it in my closet, I am trying to make it work.  This may be this dress's last hurrah though.  Or maybe there is an app Spanx for that.

Daily Style File
Dress:  Gap (Spring 2009)
Sweater:  Gap
Leggings:  Old Navy (Spring 2011)
Necklace:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohl's (Fall 2009) 
Boots:  Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)
 
I Wore It Where?
preschool, kindermusik

I heart hearts

I've been sick.  For over a week.  And not sic like cool.  Sick like no voice, no sleep, crazy headaches, and a major test of my patience.  And parenting skills.

It's Valentine's Day today and my voice is finally back.  The raspy-but-definitely-not-sexy sound is gone.  My energy is back too, but that could be due to the Valentine's chocolates Girl Scout cookies I made the mistake of buying.

I am not usually an advocate of theme dressing, unless you are under the age of 14.  However, once you have kids, you suddenly see some justification for wearing heart pins and holiday sweaters.  Okay, maybe not heart pins and holiday sweaters, but at least a heart blouse.  You also find justification for using a heart shaped cookie cutter to make themed lunches.  As you can imagine, my daughter's lunch was cut into hearts today.  Every. single. item.  Including the strawberries. I couldn't help myself.  So, I spread the love to my clothes as well and broke down and wore a subtle heart-emblazoned cami.  With a turtleneck, of course.  Because you all know I heart turtlenecks.  The rest of the outfit is pretty basic and not really romantic. But, neither is coughing up a lung for the past week, so let's take what we can get.  Progress is progress.

Have a lovely Valentine's day!

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Cami:  Happening in the Present via Nordstrom (Summer 2011)
Jeans:  True Religion
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Winter 2010)
Shoes:  Mossimo Supply Co. via Target (Winter 2012) 

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands 

Colorblocking

I had colorblocking on the brain today.  It seems to be a trend that just keeps going and everytime I think it is over, I see more colorblocked items pop up.  I received a catalog yesterday and all the cover models were wearing colorblocked outfits, so that makes it still ok to wear.  I can't tell if there are any particular rules for this trend, so I just went with what I felt like.  Once I took the pictures, however, I realized that perhaps my color combo could easily be confused with some collegiate colors.  Have no fear, the colors don't mean anything.  In fact, I am rarely correct on what sports are played in what season, so what colors are associated with what school is way way out of what my brain is capable of processing.

By the time I took this picture, I had cream cheese smeared across my skirt and something splattered on my boots (milk, maybe?).  However, I had finally removed the dry toothpaste that I found around my mouth - but only after I dropped my daughter at preschool and ran some errands that involved me getting assistance from the salespeople.  Ugh.  I have to remember to look more closely in the mirror before leaving the house.

My favorite part of my outfit today is the back of my shirt.  My only complaint is that I somehow hooked my purse on the strings while trying to get my son into the car - which invariably set off a chain of events that may or may not have involved me hopping around the parking lot with my purse hanging off of me while muttering curse words to myself and swatting the air like some lunatic.

Happy February, everyone!

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Lush via T.J.Maxx (Winter 2011)
Skirt:  Forever 21 (Fall 2011)
Boots:   Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, music class, errands 

Check out my Assets

I've had this skirt for a long time.  I think it is totally rad and kind of old-fashiony looking.  You know, if old-fashiony were an actual word. 

I do have one complaint and that is the major static cling I have been battling today.  It's so bad that I have been walking around with my skirt stuck to my legs all day.  I've tried all the de-static tricks I know, but the Static Cling Gods just aren't on my side.  They are probably up there laughing at me while I fumble, bend, pick, stick and rub to try and de-stick myself. 

I think it has something to do with my new Assets by Sara Blakely footless tights.  If you aren't familiar, Sara Blakely is the genius behind my dear friend, Spanx.  This is my first pair since I am a hardcore Spanx girl and usually like the real deal.  But you know what?  While those Static Cling Gods aren't on my side today, those Super-Sucker-Inner Gods are because these things are rocking my assets today!  My saddlebags are thanking them today, even if my skirt (and anyone who has had to watch me wiggle and jiggle) isn't. 

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Mossimo by Target (Winter 2011)
Skirt:  DLG (old)
Tights:  Assets by Sara Blakely via Target (Winter 2011)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Winter 2011)
Shoes:  Gap (Winter 2011) 

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands  

Friday

I have had a bit of a lack in posts this week.  Not because I haven't been getting dressed everyday.  But, rather because I have found how to put the quiet in quiet time (for this week, at least) and that is when I normally do my blog post.  I know.  It's a miracle.  Read on, my friends, read on.

During "quiet time" my daughter and I have been taking advantage of this amazing spring-like weather to do some yardwork.  Now, for anyone that knows me well, I think I just heard audible gasps through the computer.  I. did. yardwork.  Just writing those words is as shocking to me as it probably is for you to read them.  Let me explain.  We got a bumper crop of acorns this year.  Which is really too bad because we got one last year and they are only supposed to happen every 7 years or something like that.  So, thinking we were in the clear, we mulched our entire property (+1.25 acres) in September.  Unfortunately, the acorns starting dropping about 2 weeks later.  By the bucket loads.  Leaving us with acorn mulch and a lot of disappointment.

However, I discovered that by spending "quiet time" outside picking up sticks and acorns that my sweet, loud little girl will be so preoccupied with sitting in the wheelbarrow that she won't make a peep for 15+ minutes at a time, except for the occasional excitement squeal.  Seriously, it is like finding another wonder of the world.  In my own yard.  After about 15 minutes, she usually jumps out, spills whatever I have put in the wheelbarrow and runs off to play.  But, then she comes back, jumps back in and the cycle starts again.  She even had a tea party in there, on top of all the acorns.  All of this happens while I find myself not caring if I am raking or getting dirty because it is quiet. 

We are headed outside again in a bit, but since she is currently practicing dragon noises while sitting on the potty I thought I would take a couple moments to post today's outfit.  Happy weekend, friends.

PS. You'll see I even have some mud on my boots to show you just how outdoorsy I have been this week!

PPS.  Baggy black t-shirts aren't flattering. But, I was trying to make up for the skimp factor on my child's size jacket by adding an extra large t-shirt to the mix. 

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Mossimo by Target (Fall 2010)
Jacket:  Crewcuts by J.Crew (Fall 2011)
Skirt:  Xhilaration by Target (Spring 2011)
Leggings:  Old Navy (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands

Chubby's

I have no clue what I am wearing today.  My outfit was thrown on in less than 5 minutes (normal dressing = 15) while I tried to go for something more than pajamas yoga pants.  Of those 5 minutes, at least four were spent blankly thinking about what I should wear until I just starting grabbing things.

I'm blaming my delirium this morning on the fact that we ate at a place called Chubby's Tacos last night.  Note to self:  beware of any eatery that starts with the name chubby.  Delicious but dangerous.  The taco's have most certainly taken over my brain function this morning. 

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Top:  Forever 21 (Holiday 2011)
Skirt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Tights:  Spanx
Necklace:  Nordstrom
Scarf:  Old Navy (Holiday 2010)
Clogs: Anthropologie  (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands