my outfit: copy cat!

First things first... I have to admit that this outfit is a dead-on copy cat of Kendi's recent maxi dress outfit. Sorry Kendi! Or you're welcome... I'm not sure which one, since imitation is the most sincere (albeit unoriginal) form of flattery.

It's true... she came up with the outfit. I just followed in suit. In my own clothes, of course... these clothes aren't Kendi's. Promise.

If you want an outfit you can feel completely lazy in but still look decent, a maxi dress is the way to go. It's almost cozier than pajamas. And for a Monday morning (you know I'm always behind in posting, right?) it was just what the doctor ordered.

We had a little Indian Summer - I know you're not supposed to call it that, but I don't know what else Indian Summer means besides it gets cold and then warm again and the warm part is the Indian Summer. Don't kill me here peeps. Any way the dress + the scarf + the jacket was perfect because parts of the day were jacket + dress, other parts were dress + scarf and even still other parts were only dress or all three, jacket + dress + scarf. Whew, did you catch that?


What I MEAN to say, is that it was a versatile outfit for the weather. There.


I have a question though... what the heck do you do with your hair once you have been growing it out forever? It's been over a year I have been growing it, with little trims here and there to keep it healthy. But then, it's just... hair. And lots of it. Stuck to my clothes and all over my bathroom floor and just every where. So it's getting pulled back a lot more, because frankly I can stand to cut it and I don't have the time to do it all the time. This is a predicament folks! Please tell, are pony tails (like this one) acceptable? I sure hope so!

Details:

Jacket, courtesy of Tulle

Dress, Old Navy (similar)

Scarf, Limited (similar)

Earrings, Wendy Mink (I got mine cheaper from GILT!)

Wedges, Cynthia Vincent for Target (similar)

my outfit: go for the bold!

This outfit is totally out of my norm... but I loved it! I was feeling daring and bold and it definitely came through. I know some of you will dislike the denim jacket with jeans but save your comments - ha! - I liked it!


Doesn't it feel good to go out of your comfort zone sometimes??


A lot of people ask me if TOMS are comfortable. I practically go accosted at the Las Vegas airport by two "mature" women wanting details on where to find TOMS and more importantly if they had "arch support" - apparently it's key as you age. I said "oh, yes of course" - but then I realized I don't really have problems with my arches - so maybe not. errr... it's hard to say.


What I WILL say though is that I ran, yes RAN (!!!!!) through pretty much the entire Minneapolis airport in these bad boys last night (damn you Delta!) and my feet were about the only things not hurting (my lungs and calves were another story... my temper and nerves, yet another one entirely). But my feet? Sparkly and happy!

Details:

Sarong as a Scarf, Gap (similar)

Denim Jacket, Gap (similar)

Striped Top, Forever 21 (similar)

Pink Top, Old Navy (similar)

Jeans, Gap (similar)

Shoes, TOMS

Handbag, Kate Spade (similar, I got mine at GILT for cheaper!)

my outfit: easy does it!

I wore a variation of this outfit (read: pretty much the same exact outfit) to church on Sunday and after a night of literally no sleep (thanks kids!) - this was the first thing I found (on the floor) on Monday morning. I wasn't going to be picky. I swapped a necklace (wore that to church) for this scarf because Monday morning was like 30 degrees (BRRR!!!) and if you haven't slept at all the night before, the last thing you want to do is freeze your tail off at the bus stop with the kids. On second thought, the last you want to do is ANYTHING. So at least I had a scarf to "hug" me.

But Monday is my "work" morning... so I like to look decent to feel more inspired and I do really love this outfit. Note, I DID take a shower... just didn't do my hair. Thank you hair for being long and for liking to be in a bun, really, thank you. Un-Thank you make-up for not putting yourself on my face and making all signs of no sleep disappear. Better luck next time.


Blazer + scarf + t-shirt + skinnies + flats. I could live in a variation of this outfit for the rest of my life. It's so easy and comes together quickly. I added some simple little earrings to dress it up a bit. I happen to love Swarovski's studs. If you are "into" studs... Swarovski makes gorgeous crystal ones that glow like the real "stuff" and are really high quality. My ears are super sensitive so I need really high quality earrings. And these I could wear everyday (and did for a while... and come to think of it... I could use a new pair!).

Details:

Scarf, Macy's (similar)

Jacket, LOFT (similar)

T-shirt, Target (similar)

Skinnies, Forever 21 (similar)

Flats, Sam Edelman

Purse, Kate Spade via GILT - (similar)

my outfit: oldest trick in the book!

all black. What can I say? It was just one of those days! I love wearing all black, you don't have to worry about matching and you can pretty much put any accessories on and they just "work."

Since there isn't much to say about this outfit... or in general (words escape me I guess), I figured I would turn the tables and let you gals do the talking. Every once in a while I like to make sure I am in tune with what my readers love/like or otherwise (by the way, if you have mean words - forget about it.)



So send it my way, is there a feature you absolutely love and want more of? Is there a feature you like but you have a suggestion on how it could be more helpful to you? Is there something I am missing... something that would make your trip here more helpful or memorable? Remember, this is should be constructive and helpful for all of us... I'll reiterate: mean words or slander WILL be deleted. So don't waste your time or mine, I'm not fishing for compliments... just your helpful opinions.

Have at it!

Details:

Scarf, F21 (similar)

Top, Gap

Black Skinnies, Courtesy of Tulle

Flats, Sam Edelman

Handbag, Kate Spade (via GILT)

my outfit: fall chic!

Last week I had to turn the A/C back on for a little heat wave and this week it's back to my favorite chilly fall temps where I almost need to turn the furnace on. 50's in the morning and 60's and 70's in the afternoon - bold blue skies and bright sun - albeit getting lower in the sky. The tricky part is having an outfit that can do all the variances of one day like that... a 20 degree swing is no easy feat.

I was at the bus stop at 8:15am and then volunteering in my son's class that morning and then errands in the afternoon... whew. All in a day's work!


This outfit was perfect for all that they day brought... there is nothing like an outfit of basics pulled together thoughtfully to deliver a stylish and practical outfit. Then for a bit of glamour I added my new Kate Spade bag. I am SO in love with this bag. I have many unstructured bags - so that makes the ultra-structured-ness of this bag so appealing.


It's perfect for all the basics, maybe even a magazine or two and even my laptop slips in nicely too! Bonus! Especially since I seem to be carrying it to coffee shops, etc more and I've got a trip coming in a few weekends that this will make the perfect carry on. win-win-win!


Details:

Scarf, NYC street vendor (similar)

Jacket, Gap (similar)

T-shirt, JCrew (similar)

Pants, Old Navy (similar)

Clogs, UGG

Purse, Kate Spade (from GILT)

my outfit: blazer & tennies!

I am endlessly inspired by JCrew - and although that seems so cliche these days it doesn't make it less true. JCrew is just very inspiring lately... especially for refined casual wear. Which is right up my alley. I love to spend time perusing their catalogs and inspirations online. The gal on their landing page had-me-at-hello with this outfit. Blazer + tennies? Sure!


So I thought I would recreate something similar from what I already owned...


Do you think that JCrew would mind being called the number one knocked off looks of 2010? Because I glean a lot of inspiration from them. It's likely better than "most knocked off watch" or "most knocked off purse." Inspiration is much better knocked off than real brand names. No?



I digress... any way, on first glance it seemed like the sweet JCrew lady above was leaping. So I tried to "knock" that off as well. Turns out one should look before they leap, err, knock off. On second glance I think she is just standing on her super tippy toes and on first glance I think I look crazy. Pretty sure.

But who doesn't love a little crazy now and then?

Details:

Blazer, Gap (similar)

Scarf, Cost Plus World Market (similar)

Tee, Target (similar)

Jeans, F21 (similar)

Belt, Gap

Tennies, Superga (I got mine at GILT for cheaper!)

my outfit: event!

I was able to get out of the house recently for a really cool event in downtown Grand Rapids. It was urban-y and fashion-y and all around inspiring. I hope to bring more details about it to you soon... in the meantime, here's what I wore.

I will say right off the bat that this was NOT what I had planned... I had a last minute wardrobe malfunction with the outfit I WAS going to wear, don't you hate that? So this was definitely a "safe" alternative. A black top and big earrings, duh!



As a mom do you ever feel like you are a blur just running around like crazy? I served dinner at 5:15 and we had to be dressed and downtown by 6:15... I was flying through the house, the kids were screaming, my husband was trying to take my picture and general craziness was happening.



Thus, blurry pictures.



I took some iphone photos and there was also a professional photog there (I'm secretly hoping he posts some stuff to FB so I can "borrow" them). But I will have details soon!

Details:

Top, Gap

Earrings, Amrita Singh (similar... I got mine at GILT)

Jeans, Seven for all Mankind (similar)

Wedges, Cynthia Vincent for Target (similar)

Clutch, Target (similar)

my outfit: 26/30!

For a long time there was a pizza-shaped hole in my heart... being from Chicago there were always great pizza places around the corner to meet with friends and family on the week nights, weekends or Sunday after church. I loved their checkered print vinyl table cloths and red plastic drinking cups. And of course thin crust, deep dish and everywhere in between was always within reach... and the sauce... oh, the sauce!

We have finally found a local pizza place that we love... it's not Chicago pizza. But it's good!!! Usually when I can't put together a decent meal with what we have in the house, we head on over to our favorite pizza place. It's loud enough where our kids don't create a scene and everyone in the family can find something they love on the menu.

Here is my pizza party outfit. We had had a day of fun in the sun and I just pulled on a fresh outfit, pulled back my hair and voila!



Do you have a stand-by for dinners out?



Details:
Scarf, Thrifted (similar)
Top/Dress, American Apparel (I got mine on GILT!)
Belt, Local Boutique (similar)
Jeans, F21 (similar - love these!)
Wedges, Target (similar)

my outfit: 7/30!

Today I get to feature another really fun piece that TULLE sent over recently. It was LOVE at first sight with this dress. I am not a huge dress person, so for me it was a little short on it's own. Although if I had a day with no kids, that might be another story. Pairing it with jeans was the perfect match for me for running some errands and then hoping in the car for a road trip.



This dress is perfect for "pre-fall" - it's light enough to be comfortable on warm days, but paired with jeans and knee-high boots and a great jacket for fall (which I will definitely be doing!) will work just as well! I also just had a look-see and noticed that TULLE has some more new pre-fall pieces out... check it out!



Some of you have asked how I can wear jeans in the hot summer days. The fact is: I could go the rest of my life never wearing shorts. I just feel most comfy in jeans. It gets pretty hot here... mid 80's with lots of humidity. I don't wear jeans to the beach or pool obviously, but I do love to wear them. That's just crazy old me. Plus, I just HATE to be cold in the A/C - that's the other reason!

psst... stay tuned for tomorrow's post, I took the pictures at a fun Chicago location!


Details:
Dress, courtesy of TULLE
Jeans, Forever 21 (similar)
Sandals, Forever 21 (similar)
Bracelet, can't remember brand... got it on GILT though!
Purse, Rafe for Target (similar)

my outfit: 2/30!

Today is day 2 of the 30/30 challenge... (check out the details here...)

Also today I am featuring these great skinny pants from TULLE. I would say they are the perfect mix between a trouser and jean. A little of both. And they have adorable little zippers at the inside of the ankles. Sweet! I love that these pants are casual enough for a day hanging with the kiddos, but still look chic and sophisticated.



For a little dash of color I added this scarf as a belt. I'm feeling very "Holly-Go-Lightly" today... the pants definitely help my cause.



What about you? Do you like black pants for everyday wear? They are so versatile... I have about a million outfits running through my head with these pants included in each one. I am in love.



Details:
Skinny Black Pants, courtesy of TULLE
Chambray Top, Old Navy (similar)
Scarf/Belt, Thrifted (similar, similar)
Necklace, LOFT (similar)
Sandals, Forever 21 (similar)
Purse, Matt & Nat (same style in grey, I got mine on GILT for way cheaper!)

my outfit: 30/30 FINALLY!

If you have clicked over here from Kendi Everyday's blog for the 30/30 challenge... first off - THANK YOU and second off - SORRY! I am a little over a week late in joining in on the fun. I was waiting for some stuff to arrive and it's here, it's here, it's here. (Happy Dance).

I got a nice package in the mail from Tulle, which I mentioned earlier is sponsoring some posts here on the blog and I for sure wanted to include these pieces.

So here is the deal with the 30/30 project: I pick out thirty wardrobe pieces (clothing and shoes... from what I understand, accessories are fair game) and mix and match them for thirty days. Easy enough, no? I'm super excited, although the next month is VERY busy for me - I can do it! This also requires me taking pictures of myself EVERYDAY, which I am totally not used to. So, it will be a challenge, but you know me - always up for a challenge!



I am assuming the outfits will be easy at first... and then get progressively more challenging to mix and match them towards the end. Later today I will outline each item I am including... so stay tuned for that!



Um, we need to talk about this shirt. Hello LOVE! It's perfect with shorts because it's super light weight and breezy and it's just enough "refined" to go with my distressed shorts (you know I love a good juxtaposition!). That is what I love most about TULLE's clothing... it's very chic and refined, but easy enough for a busy mom like me to be sporting.



This top would be perfect for the office as well... with a suit or a nice pencil skirt - perfect. Did I mention I am loving orange for fall. There will be more orange to come. PROMISE! Bottom line, I feel like a million bucks in this top and am counting the days to wear it again.

Details:

Top, courtesy of Tulle
Shorts, DIY (similar)
Wedges, Target (similar if Target is sold out...)
Purse, Matt & Nat (same style in grey, I got mine on GILT for way cheaper!)

my outfit: cargos & repeats!

Oh, ha... this scarf again!?!? In the middle of July??? It really is lightweight, but the A/C has been getting to me lately... so, never mind that it's 500% humidity outside. I donned a scarf. The same one I have been wearing for a few outfit photos now. Oh well, this is reality peeps.

I've had people ask if there is a method to how I get dressed or how many combos I try before I get it right. I have no method or secrets. I shoot from the hip and then go with it. I've said it before, but usually I wear a combo of something I just wore (see: repeat of zebra scarf) and something that I know I will feel great in (see: white t-shirt). Clothing selections seem to be more emotional than anything else. I want to feel good inside my skin and look good outside. That's my method I suppose.



I love these cargo pants... the unfortunate part is that I bought this pair that is more wide leg or boot cut like 2.5 milliseconds before cargos went all "skinny". Rats. I'm seriously contemplating bringing them to the tailor to have them "skinnied" up a bit. It would also be cool to have zippers put at the ankle, no? Hmmm... maybe it's worth just buying a new pair. I'll have to further contemplate this.



This next photo is for Karen, she said she wouldn't mind seeing the chaos behind my photos... of course, after I was done taking my outfit photos, the kids wanted in on the action...



There you have it... my little blonde bed-headed lovers with chiclet teeth.

[ps, some of you may be stopping by from Kendi Everyday's blog for the 30/30 challenge... I keep meaning to get on that. I feel bad! I DO have intentions in doing the challenge... soon!]

Details:
Scarf, Cost Plus World Market (similar)
T-Shirt, Target
Cargos, Old Navy (I wish mine were THESE)
Sandals, Target (similar, similar, LOVE THESE!)
Purse, Matt & Nat (same style in grey, I got mine on GILT for way cheaper!)

my outfit: white hot!

Oh my white pants... how do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

1. You always look good with a variety of tops...
2. You always make me feel so spiffy...
3. You don't hold a grudge (errr, a stain)...
4. There are more, but I can't think of them now...



I wore this lil' outfit out to lunch with a friend. And while the scarf was perfectly perfect. In all honesty, it ended up getting tied to my handbag strap for lunch because it was like 100 degrees out. But I always like having a scarf along in case a restaurant is chilly. I hate to be so cold!



The absolute best thing about this outfit is that really all it is is a pair of white pants and simple tank. Add in some accessories (gold belt, gold earrings and a scarf) and that is that!



You've probably also noticed that I have been wearing my hair pulled back A LOT. How else can you beat the heat? And the frizz? Hair, I'll see you in September. Miss ya.

Details:
Scarf, Cost Plus World Market (similar)
Tank, Old Navy
Belt, Gap (similar)
White Pants, Gap (similar)
Sandals, F21 (similar)
Earrings, Charlotte Russe (similar)
Wrap Bracelet, F21 (similar)
Purse, Mat & Nat (in grey) (I got mine for way cheaper on GILT)

my outfit: how big is TOO big?

I happen to be dressing more like an adult lately... notice the earrings.. huh? huh? huh? Well I have a little confession... I am an adult. Not just a crazed mom. Ha!

My kids are with my dad for the week (hello, BLISS!) so I am doing all sorts of fun things like sleeping a full eight hours without interruptions (like, "I can't sleep" or "I can't find my blankie"), eating meals while the food is still hot and the beer is still cold (YES!), and making plans for going to the movie theatre with hubby (for Eclipse) and on my own (for SATC2) and (gasp!) dressing in outfits that make me feel like an adult again!

Take these earrings for instance... I can just galavant around the house in them without the fear of losing a lobe by an accidental yank.



Wearing one big bold accessory like these earrings put me in the mood for something simple and casual. I love a little ying and yang in my outfits. This oversized boyfriend shirt and cut off jeans felt just right.



I have a new "bag du jour"... my plum Mat & Nat has made a reappearance. I just LOVE this bag... the purple is the most perfect shade ever. It seems to just go with anything.



Can earrings be too big? The earrings are Amrita Singh. I have been wanting a piece of their jewelry forever. Very Slumdog-Millionaire-Chic. They were on GILT last week and I decided it was time...

Details:
Earrings, Amrita Singh (similar) (I got mine for way cheaper on GILT)
Top, courtesy of Design Six
Jeans, Old Navy - cut off by me! (similar)
Wedges, Target
Purse, Mat & Nat (in grey) (I got mine for way cheaper on GILT)

my outfit: pattern play!

Did you have a fabulous weekend? After a hot day at the pool with the kiddos and a little cat nap I was in need of a serious refresher to finish out the day. I hoped in the shower, put on this dress, some earrings and pulled my hair back and voila! I was ready for an evening of making dinner, taking the kids to ice cream and cocktails with my husband later. Ahhhh.... A perfect Saturday!



You have probably noticed by now, but I don't wear a lot of pattern. I love pattern, but have a hard time committing to one that I love. But this dress... I just LOVE it! I look forward to pulling it out each summer. I usually pull it out each year for my birthday (how cheesy is that?). My birthday is next month and I always feel great in this dress. So it's perfect!

Also, this purse is definitely the "bag du jour" - but I'm going to switch it up next week. New month, new purse (well, new purse from the closet!)... I think it's fun to include the purse, I take it everywhere. So really, isn't it part of the outfit?



I originally got this dress at Urban Outfitters when I was pregnant with my youngest. It was a perfect maternity top with jeans. But it really is a dress... although sometimes I still like to pair it with skinny jeans. That a great maternity tip though... buy dresses as tops and pair them with leggings or maternity jeans while pregnant and then you still can wear them post pregnancy as dresses!

Since this dress is long-gone from the stores... I picked out a few fun patterned dresses that would be just as fun and easy to wear this summer.

Day Dresses at ModCloth
Dresses by Forever 21

Details:

Dress, Lux, Urban Outfitters

Earrings, Charlotte Russe (similar)

Sandals, F21 (similar)

Purse, Deux Lux (I got mine on GILT) (in black, blue & red)