Comfy + Casual

Old Navy has struck again.  I swear I haven't been back, but I am still deubting some of the fun things I found during my last trip.  My sweater, turtleneck and hat all together cost a total of $20.  Seriously, people, you need to swing by there once in a while.  You never know what you will find and it is a great place for inexpensive basics.   Plus, I love to do a high-low mix when I dress (I do the same in my house). 

I don't tend to wear a lot of hats since they don't usually look good with my glasses and I am not a good contacts wearer.  However, when I saw this hat for under $5, I decided to give the whole hat thing a try.  It looks pretty good...except that my eyes glasses look lopsided in some of the pictures.  Nothing says comfort like some crooked glasses and baggy-ish, cuffed jeans.

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Sweater:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Jeans:  True Religion (2005-ish)
Hat:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Belt:  Gap (Summer 2011)
Shoes:  Gap (Summer 2011)  

I Wore It Where?
preschool, kindermusik  
 

Turtle talk

It's no secret that I am a fan of turtlenecks - an adoration that goes way way back.  I have had short hair almost my entire life and I grew up loving how a turtleneck shows off a chic short haircut.  (Disclaimer:  I am currently growing my hair out which is why it looks like a hot mess most every day.  I have no idea what to do with long hair.  Seriously, just ask my three year old, who is currently trying to grow her hair to her bum.)  

While shopping with a friend recently, practically everything we put on we commented how awesome it would look with a turtleneck underneath.  Since turtlenecks are seasonal, I don't spend a lot of money on them.  So, when Old Navy had one of their recent sales + coupon promotions, I totally snagged a couple new colors for only $7 a piece.  Hooray!

Here's a burning question:  how do you wear your turtleneck?  Do you fold it down or let it bunch up?  I tend to leave them up, the higher the better.

Daily Style File
Dress:  J.Crew via the J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Turtleneck:  Old Navy  (Fall 2011)
Belt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Boots:  Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, storytime, mall, dinner

Belted

Black Friday is one of those days that calls for comfort clothes (for easy maneuverability through the store aisles) and also so your waistline can have some room to recover from the feast the day before.  Needless to say, I wasn't wearing anything blog-worthy.  Plus, I think of Black Friday shopping as a sport, so my active wear was totally appropriate.

The dress I am wearing today is something I wore a lot during both of my pregnancies so I always feel a little weird wearing it when I am not pregnant.  That being said, I decided to belt it and that worked pretty well since the only thing in my belly right now is Thanksgiving leftovers!

Daily Style File
Dress:  Tart via Nordstrom (Fall 2006)
Vest:  Dolce via Nordstrom (Fall 2008)
Pants:  J.Crew via the J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Necklace:  Source Unknown
Boots:  Franco Sarto via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2011)  

I Wore It Where?
playground, out to eat, airport, playdate

Gobble Gobble

My strategy for Thanksgiving this year was to wear something tight fitting in hopes that the scale won't betray me in the morning.  Last year I was 8 weeks post partum but still looked (and felt) like I had just given birth.  I thought I would make up for it this year and actually get dressed for the occasion.  Plus, there's nothing like adding a little Kardashian to your turkey day (via my very own round rump and thigh high boots).  Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Mossimo by Target (Fall 2011)
Skirt:  J.Crew via the J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Earrings:  Carole Inc. via Nordstrom (Fall 2009)
Boots:  Guess via DSW (Spring 2011)

I Wore It Where?
home for Thanksgiving dinner     

Leggings

Whenever I know I have an especially hectic day, I gravitate towards leggings.  Now I know there are widespread opinions about leggings and whether or not they should or shouldn't be worn and how exactly to do so if you do in fact choose to go the leggings route.  I even saw a Pinterest post recently about how leggings are not pants.  (Now I have seen some girls wear mistake their tights as leggings and that, my friends, is a major fashion faux pas and quite unfortunate - for both the wearer and the viewer.)

I am a leggings girl.  I almost always wear them as the base part of a layered ensemble (unless I am working out...which, to be honest, happens pretty much never).  They are easy, and in the case of today, helped bring my summer dress into fall.  I love it when I can wear things across seasons.

Daily Style File
Dress:  Gap (Spring 2009)
Leggings:  Old Navy (Spring 2011)
Necklace:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang for Kohl's (Fall 2009)  
Belt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011) 
Boots:  Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, airport, playground, walk, errands 

Jeans and a tee

It was a jeans and a tee kind of day around here.  With the holiday this week, I kind of feel like I am on vacation...which, as a mom, is rarely the case (feel is the operative word here).  We are readying for some Thanksgiving guests, trying to take advantage of this amazing weather, and keeping busy despite a very limited number of school days this week.

Of course, there is no reason to leave it with just the basics so a baggy open front sweater, cute necklace and some cool shoes made me ready for our day.  The sweater even has some metallic yarn knit in, so it adds a bit of sparkle, just the way I like it.  Perfect for playdates, climbing trees, jumping in leaves and running errands.

Daily Style File
Shirt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Sweater:  Gap (Spring 2011)
Jeans:  Express (Spring 2009)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Winter 2010)
Shoes:  Lucky Penny via Anthropologie (Spring 2011)  

I Wore It Where?
playdate, errands    

Easy breezy

I don't know what is going on with the weather here, it is hard to believe this is Thanksgiving week.  Today it is amazing.  Easy, breezy and warm.  To fully embrace the weather, I thought it was the perfect day to try out my equally easy and breezy kimono jacket.  When I bought it, I imagined wearing it with some knee high or taller boots.  However, since today doesn't feel like a boot kind of day this outfit kind of just came together.  I love mixing patterns so the animal print belt seemed like a perfect, unexpected match.

Daily Style File
Turtleneck:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Jacket:  Urban Outfitters  (Fall 2011)
Pants:  J.Crew via the J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011) similar linked
Belt:  Old Navy (Fall 2011)
Shoes:  All Black via Anthropologie (Spring 2011)
Necklace:  Source Unknown

I Wore It Where?
Family dinner party  

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

Wearing a muumuu is a cinch

Disclaimer:  the following is a recent excerpt from my facebook page.  The sale is now over so don't drop what you are doing and run over there.  Don't worry though, it will be back and so will I. My palms are sweating just thinking about it.

Dear J.Crew Warehouse Sale, 
You need to leave and go to another city. I can't quit you. 
Kristie xoxo

One of the coolest things about the J.Crew Warehouse Sale is the magnitude of salesman samples being sold, with some items never making it into the stores.  This muumuu dress is one of my sample finds and I have yet to see anything like it on the J.Crew website.  Without the belt it is a little too reminiscent of my maternity days.  But, cinched at the waist and suddenly it is perfect.

Plus, the weather today is more spring than fall.  Since I am an opportunist, I am taking advantage and wearing a muumuu something I had assumed would sit in my closet until the weather warmed.  Cue my sigh of relief when I realized I even had a pair of sandals handy (most of my spring/summer wardrobe is packed away).

Daily Style File
Dress:  J.Crew via the J.Crew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Necklace:  gifted
Shoes:  Frye's (2006-ish)

I Wore It Where?
preschool, grocery store, errands 

Mom jeans

I have always loved the look of a dress layered with pants.  Trendy or not.  It doesn't matter to me as long as I love what I am wearing. (Speaking of love, I was wearing a dress over pants when I met my husband, so that makes it a lucky look too.)  I don't follow many rules when it comes to fashion and tend to wear what appeals to me.  For better or worse.

So, that's why I am wearing my mom jeans.  You know, the same style Jessica Simpson wore when she got berated by the media.  That may scare most folks off.  But, I am not most folks.  Not only am I wearing them, but I decided it was okay to pair them with an orange dress and my pink/blue hued necklace and belt.  And, yes, you are seeing my black turtleneck again and you will be seeing it many more times over the course of the fall/winter.  It's one of the easiest ways to bring summer into fall.  Someday I will probably even wear my mom jeans so you can see them in all their belly button skimming glory.  That, my friends, will be a whole other blog post.

P.S.  A pair of wide leg jeans doesn't only scream retro and mom jeans.  It apparently also sets preschoolers into a tizzy wondering if I have any feet.  Just sayin.  And, yes.  I do have feet.  Bedecked in some awesome black booties, thank you very much.

Daily Style File
Jeans:  Gap (Spring 2011) similar style linked
Turtleneck:  Mossimo (Fall 2011)
Dress:  JCrew via JCrew Warehouse Sale (Fall 2011)
Necklace:  Anthropologie (Spring 2011)
Belt:  Anthropologie (Spring 2011)
Shoes:  Me Too via DSW (Spring 2011) similar style linked

I Wore It Wear?
preschool, errands

Do princesses wear jeggings?

I finally caved to the jeggings trend.  Or, maybe the word jeggings is already last year because the tag said Jean Leggings.  Either way, I caved.  I am happy I did.  I think.  They seem totally acceptable with tall boots and an oversized shirt.  I haven't tried enough different style tops with them to have a set opinion on shirt style but my instinct seems to guide me to bigger rather than smaller.

For my first foray into the world of jeggings, I decided the key was to layer and flow.  Black turtlenecks are one of my wardrobe staples and they never lead me astray.  So, I layered that with a flowy, oversized tank and a statement necklace.  The size of the tank helped me feel okay about the tightness of my pants, at least in my mind.  And, a necklace seems to make so much more of a statement when it is on top of a black turtleneck.

My daughter and I had Princess Day today (nails, shopping, Build-A-Bear, dress up) and although I haven't seen too many princesses following the jegging trend, I highly recommend it.

Have you ever worn jeggings?  If so, I'd love to hear your favorite way to wear them.

Daily Style File:
Jeggings:  Joe's Jeans via Nordstrom Rack (Fall 2011)
Turtleneck:  Mossimo via Target (Fall 2011)
Tank:  Old Navy (Summer 2007)
Necklace:  Source Unknown
Boots:  Nine West Vintage America via Belk (Fall 2011)

I Wore It Wear?
shopping, out to eat, nail salon, errands