Eye candy

I got new glasses yesterday.  I decided to follow the old adage:  go big or go home.  Usually playing it safe and going for smaller glasses appeals to me.  This time, however, I went with the chunkier style frame and lenses I have been eyeing.  (no pun intended.  seriously.)  Chunky is good, especially when you are talking about accessories and babies. Plus, I like having multiple pairs of glasses to wear since contacts and my eyes don't mix well and I like to have options.

This top is a summer purchase.  I've been wanting to wear it, but because of where it blouses over and hits my waistline, it's not super versatile.  Problem solved by pairing it with a slightly longer, fitted tee and some higher-waisted boyfriend jeans.

Daily Style File
3/4 Tee:  Old Navy  (Fall 2011)
Blouse: Gap (Summer 2011)
Jeans: Anoname via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2008)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Summer 2011)
Glasses:  Gucci (Fall 2011)
Shoes:  Decree via JCPenney (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, kindermusik, errands

Tied in a bow

I've got to hand it to J.Crew because I put this outfit to the test today.  Well, really just the post office, but that is better than any wear test I have ever seen.  Post office + week before holidays + 15 month old - stroller = epic fail.  Let me be blunt, 40 minutes in the post office while carrying a 25 pound child is like entering a boxing ring with no training.  Yes, that bad.  I walked in totally put together and walked out disheveled, undone and whimpering The Wheels on the Bus for the 100th time.  I looked and felt like I had been in a fight.  And lost.  So learn from my mistakes, folks.  snacks. stroller. toys. These are the minimum essentials if you are to brave the post office in the next week or so.  This goes for you all without kids too. Trust me.  You'll be happy you did.

Daily Style File
Shirt:  J.Crew via J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Vest:  J.Crew via J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Pants:  J.Crew via J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Shoes:  Calvin Klein via Nordstrom (Spring 2010)

I Wore It Where?
Preschool, errands, storytime, dinner   

Day 12: Twelve Days of Turtlenecks

I've been wanting to try the colorblocking trend for a while now.  It's all over the fashion world but I hadn't felt like I had anything to make it work well.  Until now.   Remember my post from here when I said a shopping trip was in order?  Since I always keep the promises I make, I stopped at some outlets on the way home from our Ikea adventure.  Twist my arm. 

Enter Forever 21.  It was the first and only store we went into.  Seriously.  It may have been divine intervention that the parking spot we snagged put us into the mall right by Forever 21. Turtlenecks were a little sparse but this one jumped out at me.  Literally.  I walked straight into the rack.  Lucky for me, the color is vibrant and exciting and I love the texture.  The skirt is another find from the day and when I saw the $7.80 price tag I bought it in multiple colors.  should. have. bought. more. 

That wraps up the Twelve Days of Turtlenecks.  My neck is excited to make its debut again tomorrow.

P.S. colorblocking = wearing 2 or more solid blocks of vibrant color
 

 

 Daily Style File
Turtleneck Sweater:  Forever 21 (Fall 2011)
Turtleneck:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Skirt:  Forever 21 (Fall 2011)
Tights:  Spanx
Boots:  Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
grocery store, preschool meeting

Day 11: Twelve Days of Turtlenecks

'Tis the season for the Nutcracker.  Well, kind of.  A full performance with a three year old doesn't quite sound too jolly to me.  So, we found an alternative. Our  local Pottery Barn Kids hosted a charity Nutcracker performance at the store.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Pottery Barn Kids.  For a donation to St. Jude's our little girl got to get up close to some ballerina's from a local ballet school and then have pictures and tea with them after the 20 minute performance.  She was beyond excited and I was happy to have somewhere to wear my furry snazzy jacket.  I mean, nothing says the Nutcracker like a faux fur leopard print jacket, right?

P.S. If you aren't aware, PBK does a weekly storytime and every 5 you attend you get a free $10 gift card to the store. Shopping + Storytime = Marketing Genius.

 

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Forever 21 (Fall 2007)
Jacket:  Live a Little via T.J.Maxx (Winter 2009)
Jeans:  True Religion via T.J.Maxx (Fall 2008)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Winter 2010)
Booties:  Me Too  via DSW (Spring 2011) similar linked

I Wore It Where?
Mall 

Day 10: Twelve Days of Turtlenecks

The hubs woke up with the grand idea of driving 2 hours to the closest Ikea on Saturday.  It is one of the very few times that a shopping trip wasn't my idea.  Since I am always game for any kind of shopping, onwards we went.  Having been there before, I knew comfort would be key.  This is the kind of outfit you want to wear when you are headed into 356,000 square feet of shopping space with two small children.

P.S. The photo quality is poor because this is what one looks like at 9pm at night after driving in the car with 2 kids for 4+ hours and walking around all day.  Considering the circumstances, I think the lack of lighting is actually working in my favor here. 

PPS. My pants are the black version of the ones I blogged about here and although it is hard to tell, my shirt is actually a dress.  I am just happy to have another turtleneck outfit count towards my 12 days.  Only 2 to go!

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Forever 21 (Fall 2008)
Pants: aftershowershop via Etsy (Spring 2011)
Belt: Anthropologie (Spring 2011)
Boots:  Steven by Steve Madden (Fall 2008)

I Wore It Where?
Ikea, outlets

Day 9: Twelve Days of Turtlenecks

Here we are friends, Day 9.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to Day 13.  It doesn't damper my love of turtlenecks, just makes me realize that perhaps I need a little more turtleneck variety.  Seems like a shopping trip is in order.  Ah, yes, my kind of problem solving:  shopping.

I love mixing cream and white and nothing says winter better than a cream cable knit sweater.  It's classic but not boring.  It's hard to see in the pictures, but my pants are a wide wale corduroy, perfect for pairing with a chunky knit sweater.  Cropped pants and boots are always a cool look to me, even though trends right now are long and wide or short and skinny.  Guess I am just combining the two trends into one: short and wide.

The headband is my alternative to jewelry today.  Although my almost 4 year old told me it doesn't look good with my glasses.  Gee, thanks, kiddo.  Maybe she wants to wear it herself or she is a fashion critic in the making.  Either way, I am not easily deterred so on my head it stays.  I'm looking for some new headbands, so if you have any inexpensive suggestions, I'd love to hear it!

Daily Style File
Sweater:  Caslon via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)
3/4 Tee: Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Pants: Theory via Off Saks Fifth Avenue (2004-ish)
Headband:  Tasha via Nordstrom (Spring 2011)
Bracelets: Gifted
Boots:  Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, eye doctor, errands, out to eat
 

Day 8: Twelve Days of Turtlenecks

My son had a regular check-up with the pediatrician today.  While most days I try to make myself presentable, on pediatrician visit days I really try.  You see, I am a hot mess after giving birth (and not Kim Kardashian hot, mind you).  I am talking tired, swollen, sweaty, emotional, sore, and scared to death - with a newborn in my arms, milk stains on my shirt, tears in my eyes, and just a total feeling of what the heck just happened.  Once I finally get myself back together, I make it a point to look like I am not rocking in a corner all day since I am quite certain that is what I look like in the first year months after giving birth.  Seriously moms, it takes time and lots of it to get back to "normal".  Well, either that or plastic surgery. 

As the doc was checking my son's teeth, I got concerned I hadn't gotten all the blue crayon off his teeth since I found him chewing on one earlier in the morning during preschool drop-off.  Deciding honesty was best, I mentioned it to her.  Lucky for me, she laughed (instead of reprimanding me) and told me she wants to make sure I include that tidbit in my blog post today.  So, Dr. L., there you go.  I have now divulged that my son has an affinity for crayons.

P.S. I know there are rules of wearing white after Labor Day.  If you are one of those believers, think of my dress as winter white.  The Spring/Summer 2011 fashion trends said a white summer dress was essential.  I was thrilled when I found this for under $9 at Target and even though we are long past Summer, I am still getting use out of it thanks to - you guessed it - my handy black turtleneck!

 

Daily Style File
Turtleneck: Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Dress:  Tracy Feith for Target (Spring 2011)
Cardigan:  Express (Fall 2008)
Necklace:  Bebe (Spring 2011)
Belt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Tights: Spanx
Boots:  Steven by Steve Madden via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, pediatrician's office, errands