Tag: style

Style: Sundial Skirt
I love this Sundial Skirt. Love it. I’m sorely tempted to buy it now and save it away for wear a year from now, when I ought to have a waist again after baby number three, but who knows what size I’ll end up at. (Smaller, right? Ha. Hahahaha.) So instead, I’m creating an outfit around it.

I’d wear it as shown, necklace and striped belt included, but I wanted to put together a different take on it here.
1. Strike it Lucky Top, ModCloth
  My favorite blouse shape. Easy to wear, with a little detail at the neckline and sleeves.
2. Ms. G Glasses, Rivet & Sway
  Such a good color, and a flattering shape.
3. Givenchy Dahlia Noire Eau de Parfum, Sephora
  A new favorite. The notes as listed: pink pepper, mandarin, cedrat, rose, peach, cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, and amber.
4. Say Yes “Yes” Necklace”, Kate Spade
  A small but positive statement to keep with you through the day.
5. Daniela Bustos Maya Single Coin Necklace, Madewell
  A good layering necklace to go with the other.
6. The Holepunch Transport Tote, Madewell
  A basic tote, punched up (literally) with a little detail.
7. Sundial Skirt, Anthropologie
  Pretty pretty.
8. Fores Bracelet, Tiro Tiro
  A delicate form that still carries some impact (and a bit of color).
9. Nude Shot Vanilla Beige Nail Polish, Sephora
  The perfect done but not overdone color.
10. Golden Hour Sling-Back Shoes, BHLDN
  Simple, with a nice manageable 2.5″ heel.
April 14, 2014
Maternity Style
Sponsored by The Prowl

A saleslady told me yesterday that I looked like I “stepped out of a J.Crew magazine.” I’m pretty sure that she a.) meant ‘catalog’ and b.) was trying to upsell me on some scented plastic* kids’ kitty shoes, but I’ll take it. The compliment and the shoes.

* Are plastic shoes a bad choice for daily wear? I usually only keep two pairs of shoes that fit each kid in rotation, and now those kitty shoes are one of them for E. Maybe I’m channeling my mother’s distaste for those jelly shoes I loved way back when, so serves me right I guess.

Anyway. I unpacked all of my maternity clothes a few weeks ago. I’m pretty sure normal people can wait until they’re a little further along, but with baby number three my body was all, “oh, pregnancy? I remember that!” And I puffed up so nicely that I looked about the same weeks 5-12, the bloating diminishing and subsiding just in time for the beginnings of a real baby bump. Since my clothes were getting too tight, I thought that maybe revisiting all of my old maternity options might be fun — like getting a whole new insta-wardrobe! There were a few pieces that I was happy to see again (long tanks, a couple of long-sleeve tees, a pair of stretchy skinny jeans, and a dress or two), but a lot of the clothes aren’t going to work this time around. Much of it is too big or for the wrong seasons, so I started pulling together a few things I might like to add to my wardrobe over on The Prowl. There’s an interesting crowdsource angle to it where you can ask or answer people’s style questions, or use it to create style boards like the one I made for maternity clothes.

Here are a few things I’ve had my eye on.
1. Striped Raglan Sweater and Skinny Mini Khakis
  This look is really all about the scarf, isn’t it? Note to self: scarves are your friend when working with a limited wardrobe.
2. The Bateau Top
  I love stripes on a round belly, and this top would get a lot of use by me.
3. The Jumper
  I chose this with a “why not?” attitude, and was quickly reminded of how often pregnant women need to use the bathroom. That’s probably the reason not, but it’s still pretty adorable.
4. Beach Mixed Stripe Maxi Dress
  I’m too busty for something with spaghetti straps, but I’m awfully fond of the neckline on this maxi dress. The colorblocked stripes are nice, too.
5. Attesa Empire Kimono Dress
  It’s nice to have one gorgeous maternity dress for dates and special occasions.
6. MAMA V-neck Blouse
  A pretty peachy color, sweet detail on the hem, and a flattering neckline and sleeve length. Perfect.
7. The Pixie Maternity Ankle Pants
  These are the best pants! Cheap, cute, and comfortable, and in a trendy ankle length.
8. 3/4-Sleeve Top
  I can’t get enough of simple, silky shirts these days, and this green is a great color.
9. 3/4-Sleeve Shift Dress
  More casual than the other dress, this is a cute everyday option (especially over leggings and with a statement necklace).
10. The Pixie Maternity Printed Skinny Ankle Pants
  The same as the black pants, but a slightly skinnier cut, and in a great pattern. I have both pants, but these are the ones I’m wearing more often.
11. Bombshell Maternity T Shirt
  I love this cheeky shirt, but I think the medium wouldn’t fit for too much longer (larger sizes are sold out). Bummer.
I show early and my first two babies were both big, so I’m always a little jealous of the ladies who can get away with wearing their normal clothes, just a little lower or unbuttoned. I have a lot of what I need already, but I was glad to pick up those two pants, and I’ll probably grab a couple of those shirts above and maybe the shift dress too. What about you? Do you stretch (literally) what you’ve got for as long as you can, go out and buy a whole new maternity wardrobe, or somewhere in between?
March 31, 2014
Style: My Everyday Look
This is my go-to look these days. My favorite cropped skinny pants (they’re on sale, 35% off today), a silk (er, polyester) top, and a cardigan if I get cold. Short, boyish hair, boyish shoes, and big glasses, offset by some serious jewelry and simple but feminine makeup. I’ll probably be packing some variation on this for Alt Summit next week, but I’m undecided about what to wear on my panel. It’s about dealing with negativity, so should probably wear something wildly unflattering on me that will be sure to have people guessing when a pregnancy announcement will be imminent! So… short bodycon dress, yes? Something with a peplum?
1. Ultra Skinny Stretch Pants, Gap
  I’ve linked to these before, but that’s because I love them and wear mine often. I’d hate to send you over to a similar looking pair from somewhere else, for variety’s sake, only to find out that they’re terrible!
2. Plus One Glasses in Maraschino Cherry, Rivet & Sway
  Those mottled tortoiseshell glasses always get me.
3. Pavé Arrowtip Ring, Madewell
  A little something to work with that bananas necklace.
4. Ursa Necklace, Loren Hope
  BAM. Now that’s a necklace.
5. The Kensington Satchel, Madewell
  I carried this around the store with me when I did an event there. It’s the perfect size and shape.
6. Fidji L061 Shoes, Zappos
  Smart, boyish oxfords, how I do love thee.
7. Pim + Larkin Bow Sleeve Blouse in Ballet Pink, Piperlime
  Inexpensive little tops like these are a staple of mine. They dress up nicely, tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt, too!
8. Charter School Cardigan in Gold, ModCloth
  One of my favorite colors to wear. (Maybe because it nearly matches my eyes?)
9. Écriture de Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner, Nordstrom
  The best liquid liner.
10. Benefit — They’re Real! Mascara, Sephora
  I tried this on the advice of some mascara-loving friends, and yeah. It’s awesome.
11. KORRES Pomegranate Lip Butter, Sephora
  Sheer, but still colorful, and good for your lips. Less intense than a full-on lipstick.
p.s. I’m trying something new here. My affiliate program has a ‘shop the post’ widget that I’m embedding below. I included an alternative pair of shoes and another bag that almost made the post. Helpful?
January 13, 2014
Style: Pink. Always.
Brought to you by Motorola Moto X: Thousands of combinations. Design yours.

I always return to pink.

I wrote, a couple of weeks ago, about needing a new winter coat. I did consider tailoring my old coat so that it would fit again, but the proportion of the pockets and lapels would look wrong on me now. So I ordered the pink coat I’d featured and even though it’s not my usual favorite shape, I love it! I suspect the color may be clouding my vision — my rose-colored vision — but I’m fine with that.

Motorola has just come out with the Moto X, which can be customized in 2000+ ways to match your unique style. So what color did I choose to inspire me as I put together a style post? If you didn’t shout PINK!, you must be new here. Hello!
1. Pink/Gold Triangle Earrings, Hive & Honey
  On sale, so go grab ’em quick!
2. Layer Cake Glasses, Rivet & Sway
  Perhaps the cutest glasses ever.
3. Merino Tippi Sweater, J. Crew
  This is the sweater style I wore when I interviewed Martha Stewart, and I shall henceforth call it The Martha Sweater.
4. Samira Wool Calf Hair Coat, Club Monaco
  Pale pink wool, with matching pink leather details.
5. Ultra Skinny Pants, Gap
  These pants are the best! I have them in black, and in this bright red.
6. Hamilton Heights Sloan, Kate Spade
  Ladylike pretty.
7. Reese Brogues, Anthropologie
  I got very excited when I saw these, which is kind of a silly thing to say about shoes.
8. Moto X, Motorola
  The perfect pink, with red for some kapow.
Someone noted that I seem to be wearing pants a lot more lately, which is true. I still rock a skirt or a dress pretty often, but now instead of only breaking out the pants a handful of times per year, it’s a more even mix. Pink though, is still ever-present in my wardrobe. Do you have a color that you always return to like that?
October 14, 2013
Madewell’s Oakbrook Anniversary Event

We had macaroons and lavender-infused lemonade at the Oakbrook Madewell last Thursday, and spent the evening celebrating the store’s one-year anniversary. I was a special guest of the store, and I had a lot of fun dressing up the mannequins in my favorite looks.

Look #1: Dotted Scarf • Linebreak Dress • Everyday Clutch • I restrained myself from adding this dotted umbrella to the mix
Look #2: Silk Drop-Waist Dress • Journal Cardigan • Arrowstack Necklace • Camden Tote • Bug Scarf (in store)
Look #3: Heartdot Boyshirt • Softstripe Sweater • Drifter Shades • Skinny Skinny Ankle-Zip Jeans • The Kensington Satchel

Oh, man. Dressing up those mannequins was fun. HEY… future style post opportunity! (Just kidding. I won’t do that to you.)

I also pulled a rack of my favorites. You know, what I wish would magically appear in my closet.

And I have a new favorite pair of jeans! Skinny, ankle-length, without the low-rise fit, and super-flattering. YES. Madewell just redesigned all of their denim so that it doesn’t stretch out or bag, and the store let me choose a pair a couple of weeks ago to wear to the event. (Everything else you see me wearing was mine, except for the bag which I carried around the store with the tags on, like a weirdo.) I’ve been wearing those jeans a lot lately, and they still fit like new, so A+.

My outfit: Black and White Shirt (similar) • Leafstitch Sweater • High Riser Skinny Skinny Ankle Jeans • Frankie Suede Pump • Mallory Glasses • Hexagon Earrings (similar, but smaller) • Braided Friendship Bracelet • On the Dot Scatter Bracelet (seen here) • Botanical Rose iPhone Case • Crossbody Bag (in store)

Thank you to Madewell for having me, and a big thank you to all who came out for the event!

October 7, 2013
My Summer Uniform
A loose, easy dress, comfy shoes, a roomy tote, and sunglasses: that’s my standard summer look. Throw in a little color via nail polish and small accessories, and some amazing earrings, and done. Easy, but pulled together.
I bought those shoes last week, and while they’re a little old lady-ish, I love them. I’ll be wearing them nonstop now through fall. I go in cycles where I buy a lot for my wardrobe, and then I buy nothing for months (hence the lack of style posts lately). I’m kinda thinking I should get that dress and earrings now though. Aren’t they fantastic? Not the cheapest, but I can see them becoming a couple of go-to favorites.
June 18, 2013