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

12 things I learned today

1.  Long pants on a wet day = wet pants all day long.

2.  My days of wearing low-rise pants are over.  for real.

3.  My almost 4 year old wants blue hair so I tied a blue scarf to her head and that satisfied her.  I wonder if that will still work when she is 15.

4.  Old women don't like when you offer them money.  After watching an elderly woman in line spend many minutes searching for her wallet and saying, "You can never find it when you need it," I offered to pay for her purchases.  She snapped her head at me, told me she had plenty of money and didn't need mine and then proceeded to pay.  I, of course, felt horrible that I had a. offended her by implying she didn't have money and/or b. rushed her.  Despite the gesture gone awry, I'd do it again.

5.  Little boys like to push stuffed animals and dollies in baby doll strollers just as much as little girls.  I think it is totally awesome.

6.  My kids like the idea of Lunchables much more than they like eating the actual Lunchable.

7.  I really like Target's clearance sales, even if I am not buying, because seeing what a good deal people will get makes me giddy. FYI -  Toys and baby items will go 75% off this month and a lot has been marked to 30-50% already.

8.  Even grown men who wear hunting jackets and drive big SUV's get visibly shaken when they run their car off the road, through a ditch, and into a tree.  People are more fragile than you may think so take the 10 seconds to check and make sure they are okay (if it is safe to do so), even if you didn't witness it (man = okay, SUV = totaled).

9.  I wish I could sing like Adele but I really can't sing.  at all.

10.  I purposely drive by construction sites because I love the high pitched squealing sounds my 16 month old son makes whenever he sees a piece of heavy machinery or anything with wheels.

11.  Watching hair videos hasn't improved my hair styling abilities.  yet. 

12.  Wearing pants like Heidi Klum doesn't give you legs like Heidi Klum.

Daily Style File
Dress (worn as shirt): Xhilaration by Target (Summer 2011)
Sweater:  Trina Turk via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)
Pants: Miss Sixty (2004-ish)
Necklace: Anthropologie (Winter 2010)
Shoes:  Corso Como

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands 

Just peachy

We changed up our normal Sunday routine a bit (if you call doing nothing a routine) and had a family playdate with some friends.  It was so nice that the adults kids had a playmate.  That meant I had to get dressed, since it is not exactly welcoming to have people over when you are in your pajamas; unless you are sick, just gave birth or it is a pajama party. None of which applied here.

The weather is more Spring than Winter these past couple of days and I am embracing it.  So, yes, you are seeing bare arms and legs.  It's that nice out.  I find this weather to be just peachy - kind of like my top.

Daily Style File
Dress:  Xhilaration by Target (Spring 2011)
Shirt: Eyeshadow via T.J.Maxx (Spring 2011) last worn here
Leggings:  Old Navy (Spring 2011)
Necklace:  Arden B (Winter 2010)
Shoes: All Black via Anthropologie (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
playdate, errands, playground

Subtle stripes

One of my (very) few fashion rules is no horizontal stripes.  I'm a curvy mama and as much as I love the classic look of stripes, they never seem to translate well on me.  I've tried, time and time again, with no success.  Until recently.  I finally found a horizontal stripe that works for me.  Slimming, subtle, sophisticated. At Old Navy and on my derriere, no less. 

Old Navy is one of those stores that I shop at in waves.  Maternity clothes?  Check.  Postpartum clothes?  Check.  Inexpensive and trendy?  Check and check.  However, up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't been into an Old Navy in a couple of months.  Blame it on Old Navy overload when I am preggo.  My recent finds (combined with their recent promotions) have reminded me why it is good to remember to stop in once in a while.

This skirt has gotten me so many compliments and it was less than $20.  I love the subtlety of the color and the width of the stripes.  The fabric is thick and the cut is slimming.  It's a feminine skirt, but not in a flowery feminine way.  With the chill back in the air, I was also excited to break out my new moto jacket from Target clearance.  I think it looks so much more expensive than the $28 I paid for it.

Daily Style File
3/4 Tee:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Cropped Tee:  frenchi via Nordstrom (Summer 2011) 
Skirt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Jacket:  Xhilaration via Target (Fall 2011)
Necklace:  Brand unknown via Nordstrom (Summer 2011)
Scarf:  Source unknown
Tights:  Spanx
Boots:  Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands, shopping, birthday party

It's raining faux real

I felt like a giddy school girl today.  It was raining and that meant I finally had a chance to break out the rain boots I mentioned in this post.  Ahh, who knew the pitter patter of rain could be so sweet?

My excitement subsided a bit when I realized I wasn't really sure how to wear rain boots.  I don't recall ever owning a pair and didn't want to look like I had been waiting for a rainy day just to bust them out (even though I had...wink, wink).  That's where the "sister" dress to the one I mentioned here came into play.  You see, I don't just have the short sleeve version of the dress, I also have the sleeveless one.  She's just as much of a workhorse as her sister, in case you are wondering.

So, my tank dress layered with a long sleeve tee, a thick cowl neck sweater, and some leggings and I was ready for my rain boot debut.  I love how chic they look with the minimalistic faux croc print and I didn't once have to worry about standing in the rain or walking through puddles.  Now perhaps I'll have to find an equally chic trench coat to wear.

P.S. My son has taken to eating chalk, so the princess drawing on the chalkboard remains while the chalk is locked away.

Daily Style File
Dress:  Xhilaration by Target (Spring 2011) similar linked
Shirt:  Gap (Summer 2011)
Sweater:  Vince. via T.J.Maxx (Fall 2009)
Leggings:  Old Navy (Spring 2011)
Headband:  Source unknown
Rain boots:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)    

I Wore It Where?
preschool, errands

The dress that keeps on giving

Since Thanksgiving is fast approaching, let's discuss things clothes we are thankful for.  You know the holiday commercials about gifts that keep on giving?  Well, let me introduce you to a dress that does just that.  Seriously.  It gives and gives and gives.  It's a workhorse.  A wardrobe staple.  Oh, and did I mention it's affordable too?  Meet the black jersey dress.  I bought it this summer for $19.99 at Target and I have worn it countless times since.  Somedays I wear it as a shirt and others as a dress.  It hugs all the right places and stretches in them too.  And, despite all the wash and wear, the fabric still looks great.  Winner winner chicken turkey dinner.

Today I paired it with some trouser jeans in a classic dark wash, a neutral sweater vest and a fun necklace.  Easy as pumpkin pie.

P.S. The black dress isn't available online, but they do have red.  How festive.

Daily Style File
Dress:   Xhilaration via Target (Summer 2011) similar linked
Vest:  Gap (Spring 2011)
Jeans:  7 For All Mankind via T.J.Maxx (Fall 2008) similar linked
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Spring 2011)
Shoes:  Joe's Jeans via Nordstrom (Summer 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, kindermusik