wardrobe wednesday

For the Love of Leopard.

I've added more leopard patterned items to my wardrobe in the past six months that I ever thought I'd need (or want) and I'm pretty sure my 13 year-old self is dying in humiliation at the grown-up I've become, because who wears leopard except little old ladies? Well, my dear pre-teen self, this old lady is proudly rocking the leopard in 2020.  Who knows what's next - orange lipstick and a beehive, maybe?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Crew Parke Blazer (on ebay; similar)
A New Day Turtleneck
AE Jeggings
Steve Madden "Holly" Boots
XIIX Crossbody Bag (similar)
Madewell Necklace

 

 

My newest leopard piece is this amazing blazer from J. Crew. When it first released, I was stubborn and refused to fork over the $178, waiting because I was certain it would go on sale. But instead, it sold out. And I cried. Then a few weeks later I happened to be perusing my local Nordstrom Rack and I stumbled upon one IN MY SIZE. MARKED DOWN TO $65. AND YES I (NOT SO SILENTLY) SQUEALED IN ALL CAPS.

It was a happy day indeed! And proof that patience sometimes does pay off - an adage that, in repeating, makes me sound like the little old lady I am apparently becoming. So with that, I'm off to send a fax and clean out my pocketbook. Have a great Friday! 

Whining about Wine.

One of my 2020 goals for myself was to stop drinking alcohol on weeknights. Mostly because my nightly “glass” of wine was becoming “glasses” (and when you buy your wine in a box how the hell can you really tell how much you’re drinking??) Numbers have never been my strong suit. But since my new year’s focus was on healthy habits and routines, I’ve replaced my wine with water (and this kombucha, which almost passes for a nice rosé, without the morning hangover!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universal Thread Jacket (Poshmark; similar)
J. Crew Tee (Poshmark; eBay)
Pilcro Jeans (Poshmark; Mercari)
Golden Goose Sneaks
Sunglasses
Wrap Bracelet

 

But just because I’ve given up weekday wine doesn’t mean I can’t wear it on my favorite tee  - with a nice rose-colored jacket, nonetheless! Paired with wide leg jeans and sneakers, it’s a comfy, cool & casual outfit. And it helps remind me that wine ON my body is better than wine IN my body. Until Friday rolls around, that is! 

 

Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

Mo Monday, Mo Camo

I seem to be sensing a theme with my Monday outfits...and that theme is camouflage. (Though technically, it’s very hard to spot, because you know, it’s CAMOUFLAGED.) But despite being known for blending into the background, camo is making a strong presentation in my outfits lately - and this cute jacket is one of the reasons why.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knox Rose Jacket
A New Day Turtleneck
Old Navy Jeans 
Freebird Bootie (similar, similar)
XIIX Crossbody Bag (similar)

 

 

I love this light coat and it just might be more versatile than my beloved jean jacket because you can actually wear it with jeans. Yes, I know you can wear denim-on-denim, but let’s just be honest - most people sporting this trend end up looking like a tool. Case in point.

 

The camo adds a neutral pattern that nicely tops a solid or graphic tee, or in this case, a cozy black turtleneck. And I love the feminine touches like the nipped in waist & gathered peplum. (But it’s ready for any battle an angst-filled teen might throw your way, too. Speaking from experience.)

 

So there you have it...another Monday, another camo outfit. Battle on my friends!

Spotted Spanx

If you follow any fashion blogger on social media, you've heard them rave about the Spanx faux leather leggings. And while I am not a fashion blogger (nor do I play one on television), I am a mom with the desire to suck and tuck all the saggy body parts, so I feel I've earned my right to rave about them too. I've owned the black faux leather Spanx for almost two years now and they are, without a doubt, a well-loved and well-worn item in my closet. They score high points for versatility (you can see how I've styled them here, here, here, here, here and here); comfort (holding it ALL in without making you feel like a stuffed sausage) and style (waaaaay more chic than mere yoga pants!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&M Sweater
Old Navy Tee in Tall
Spanx Faux Leather Leopard
Adidas Cloudfoam Sneakers
Wrap Bracelet

 

 

Because of my love for my original black Spanx, the investment in a patterned pair was a no-brainer. I opted for the leopard (but the camo was a close runner-up!) and I'm already imagining countless ways to style these babies. Here I paired them with a camel oversized sweater and sneakers for a comfy casual look, but they can be dressed up as well. I wore them with a lace cami, black blazer and heels for New Year's Eve, but all photographic evidence of that evening was destroyed for the sake of the reputation of everyone involved. Ahem.

And with that, I'm off to enjoy my Friday (and possibly indulge in something FRIED with my happy hour wine, because. . . SPANX!)

The best $4 I ever spent.

Have I mentioned before that I love my Madewell overalls? Yes, yes I have because they are undoubtedly my most-worn item in the cold winter months. I struggled with the initial investment in these babies, but when I calculated the “price per wear” over the last year, it worked out to about $4. I regularly fork over more than that for a latte that doesn’t even make my butt look good, so I’ve concluded this denim is definitely worth the investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madewell Overalls
H&M Shirt (similar)
Pom Pom Beanie
Doc Martin Boots

 

 

 

 

They are so easy to layer with favorite flannels, toasty turtlenecks or long cardigans & kimonos. And even better, they are a high-waisted style and keep the entire Mom Midsection securely covered from winter breezes. (Because nobody got time for frost-bitten muffin top!)

 

Today I paired them with a flannel shirt, boots & an oversized hat to cover up hair that really, really needs to be washed. Pom pom beanies are the new dry shampoo - you heard it here first. Later on when the temps dropped, I threw on a long hooded cardigan. And went a bought a latte.

 

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

Long Live Crazy Pants.

My closet always seems to contain a few pairs of what I’ve dubbed “crazy pants” - those pieces that add a nice little wallop of fun amid the sea of plain denim and otherwise neutral trousers. I can trace my affinity for eccentric pants back to my sophomore year in high school, when I purchased a pair of teal green haram - aka MC Hammer - pants and proudly wore them (with perfectly matching mock turtleneck) to school. And while I may have looked like complete jackass, I felt incredibly fashion-forward. Never mind that I could have toted a complete turkey dinner around in the crotch of those pants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H&M Sweater
H&M Plaid Pants
Marc Fischer booties
Thrifted purse from @thriftstyleboutique
Bracelet

 

 

 

Fast forward to today, and I’m still game to try out peculiar pants (see here, here, and here for proof!) I actually set out to buy the matching plaid blazer to these pants, but after coming up empty handed, I settled for the pants instead. They are a great piece for spicing up a simple ivory or tan sweater, and if the local clown college needs a substitute teacher, I have the perfect ensemble ready to go.

 

(In all seriousness, though, these pants are super comfy with a high rise, pull-on styling, and lots of stretch. And HELLO they are only $18 bucks!)

 

So while you may not admire my taste in crazy leg ware, hopefully you can appreciate my commitment to the trend. Long live crazy pants!

Blazing Trails

I have an ardent love of blazers - give me all the classic tweed, elbow patch, preppy goodness - but working from home doesn’t often provide the corporate atmosphere where a blazer ensemble is really appropriate. And yes, I choose to remain blissfully ignorant to this fact, because otherwise I'd have to - god forbid - stop BUYING said jackets.

So instead of cramping my shopping style, I’m constantly trying to find ways to dress them down and make them a bit less formal (and more fun!). Layering them with graphic tees is something I’ve done repeatedly, but adding another casual layer in the form of a comfy hoodie definitely takes the blazer from conventional to casual!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. Crew Sweater Blazer
J. Crew Hoodie
Stones Tee
AE Jeggings
GGDB Sneakers

 

This staple J. Crew sweater blazer is slightly more relaxed than a traditional jacket, but it gives a polished look to even the most laid-back outfits. I layered it here over a typical Mom-iform of tee, hoodie, jeans & sneakers. It’s more cool mom than CEO, but that’s the only title I’m chasing these days!

The Magic of Camo

Whenever I know there’s one of “those days” on the agenda (you know the kind where your to-do list couldn’t possibly be completed in 32 hours, let alone 16?) then I always reach for my camo jeans to attack the day. I firmly believe they possess magic powers to help get stuff done (or at least look like a badass while you do!) And the fact that they hide dog hair and coffee stains is just one more reason to love them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Sweatshirt
Amazon Striped Shirt

Old Navy Camo Jeans (similar, similar)
Nike Sneakers

 

 

On crazy busy days, there’s no time to overthink outfits, so pairing camo with denim or white is a no-brainer. I topped a gray striped shirt with a cozy sweatshirt that feels almost like pjs (seriously soft!) and sneakers for all the running the day requires.

 

And now I’m off to tackle the day in my magic pants! Wish me luck!