wardrobe wednesday

Cool in Camo

H&M Moto Jacket (similar) + Rock & Republic shirt (similar) + Madewell Jeans + Fluevog shoes

 

For several months now, my arms have been breaking out in unexplained hives and while I may love polka dots on my shirts, having red, itchy ones on my arms is not my idea of high fashion. After several trips to the allergist, cats, dogs, pollen and my deodorant were eliminated as possible suspects...but the dang hives just kept coming. So this morning, I got to experience the patch test - 80 different substances tested on my back  - in the hopes that we can narrow down this pesky allergen. (Results to come on Friday.) I'm just praying to the hair gods it's not my favorite dry shampoo. I can live without just about any lotion, perfume or other product, but PUHLEESE don't take away this girl's dry shampoo!

What does all this have to do with my outfit? Well, truthfully not a lot. Except I wore it to the doctor's office. Something about donning camouflage and a fierce pair of shoes makes you feel like you can take on the world. And if an outfit can make you look cool and collected when you're really wanting to hide under a blanket and scratch the ever-loving crap out of your arms, then it's one heck of a good outfit, amiright?!

Spring Pandemonium

The arrival of spring has brought with it a ramping up of kids' activities – track, golf, choir, student council, oh my! –  an increase in freelance projects for me, and a general chaos around the Dickinson house as we prepare for numerous trips over the next few weeks. Mike is traveling a lot for work, Hayden is going on a class trip to Washington DC, and we are making our annual pilgrimage to Mexico for a little quality time in the sea and sand. 

All of which has little to do with today's post, but I feel like I need to present an excuse for neglecting the blog. My new role as Uber driver for the littles (without the cool app - they merely text WHERE ARE YOU?!? when they require wheels) and all the pre-travel prep have sucked up most of my available minutes. Because nothing helps you enjoy a vacation more than spending the two weeks leading up to it packing in everything you're supposed to be doing while on said vacation. 

Last weekend was all about getting new shorts and swimsuits for the kids (um, who told them they could GROW over the winter?!?) So while re-stocking their summer staples, I snagged this new striped blazer for myself. And since pandemonium seems to be my middle name these days, it seemed fitting to throw stripes and plaid together for today's outfit. The only thing missing is the caffeine that's fueling these next few weeks. Better make a run through Starbucks on the way to my next Uber pick up!

 

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Merona Striped Tailored Blazer
Old Navy Happy Coral Plaid Shirt
Kut from the Kloth Catherine jeans
Dollhouse D'Orsay FLats (old) | similar
Wrist Soiree Amelia Bracelet
clutch (thrifted)

 

For the Love of Orange.

 

I thought I might have a really good reason to be sporting a little orange this week in celebration of a certain Superbowl victory.  Turns out, notsomuch. Ahem. And while I'd love to be wearing my neon yellow heels in honor of the Seahawks, they just don't work with all this damn snow.

So in order to brighten up these dreary winter days, I'm calling on my happy coral blazer to do a little mood boosting.  I've thrown it over what Riely calls my 101 Dalmations shirt (even though technically - sssh! -  I think it's actually cheetah).  A chunky necklace, sparkly earrings and my favorite Fluevog boots are also helping to lift my spirits. As does gazing wistfully off into the great beyond while I snap these photos. And therein may lie the secrets to a good Wardrobe Wednesday: (1) Never look directly into the camera; and (2) Never underestimate the power of good accessories!

Ciao for now, lovelies!

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Target blazer (old) | similar, similar
J. Crew Factory blouse (old) | on ebay
Joe's Jeans
Fluevog Desire boots (unavailable) | similar
Forever 21 calf hair belt | similar
Target necklace | similar
Fossil earrings
Cynthia Rowley clutch (Marshalls) | similar

Wardrobe Wednesday | Out Standing in the Field (Jacket)

I hate to break it you dear readers, but that post title? That's as cleverly witty as I'm gonna get today. I have about 6,305,689,145 things due on Friday, a fact which makes me: (a) suck down Dove chocolates at an alarming rate while intermittedly hyperventilating; (b) a crabby, crabby person; (c) unable to compose an entertaining blog post; (d) a big whiner (and possibly wino); or (e) all of the above.

Yes, it's e. The answer is e, Alec!  Now suck it, Trebek!

But despite my propensity to complain about #firstworldproblems, I do have these photos from a few days ago to show you my current wardrobe obsession: my field jacket. I love its color, its length, its versatility, but most of all, its rhinestone-encrusted cuffs. Holla! And there's nothing I'd rather wear while out standing in a field (or in this case, the backyard).

The only thing I really don't like about it? The damn Hollister eagle logo embroidered on the chest. Because nothing says I'm a mature, fashionable 40-something like a teeny-bopper store logo emblazened on your left boob.

Hope your Wednesday is full of Dove chocolate (sans hyperventilating!) Mwah!

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Hollister Show's Cove field jacket
J. Crew Factory striped tee | similar (Boden); similar (H&M)
Pilcro Stet Slim Ankle Jean
Hot Mama chiffon scarf | similar (Forever 21); similar (Target)
Nicole bootie | similar (save); similar (splurge)
Mossimo bow purse | similar (etsy)

 

Wardrobe Wednesday | All That Glitters

Do you know what's a total bummer?

When a new J. Crew catalog arrives in the mail and you just happen to find the perfect fall layering piece - a heather grey sweatshirt adorned with sparkly, sparkly rhinestones. And you emphatically state to your rather skeptical husband that you NEED THIS SWEATSHIRT. BECAUSE IT WOULD GO WITH EVERYTHING. (He might have heard this statement before. And most likely knows the real reason you want it: Because, duh! It's sparkly!)

The only catch? It's $98. For [gulp!] a sweatshirt. A glittery, glimmery sweatshirt, but a sweatshirt nonetheless. So even though you want it more than a cold glass of sauvignon blanc at 5 o'clock on Friday, you patiently wait several weeks for a 30% off sale before purchasing it. When it arrives (and is just as dazzling as you'd imagined!), you spend a whole evening planning outfits centered around it, amazing yourself with its versatility, comfort, and plain ol' cutenesss.

And when you don it for the first time with a denim shirt and red skinnies, you're feeling pretty dang sharp (but totally comfy, too!) and that's when you realize it. Those sparkly rhinestone accents on the sleeves, while definitely fun and feminine, are also sharp and pokey. And snag the fabric every time you move your arms. So by the end of the day, the sides of your beloved sweatshirt resemble a cat's scratching post more than a stylish, chic top.

Boo. (to the hoo).

So yeah. You - and by you, I totally mean ME - may be forced to admit that despite its glittery goodness, this sweatshirt is just not all that practical. Being that you can't really move your arms and all while wearing it. (Though don't think I didn't try to continue to wear it while holding my arms very, very still. Unfortunately, this makes things like driving, using a mouse, and lifting a wine glass very difficult indeed). Lucky for me, J. Crew's return policy is as good as their ability to blind me with glitzy jewels, and they let me return it when I tearfully explained it's downfall.

Lesson learned. Well, at least until the next catalog arrives with glittery holiday attire.

Happy Wednesday!

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J. Crew jeweled sweatshirt| and the sweater i exchanged it for
H&M denim shirt | similar
Mossimo skinny jeans | similar (on clearance!)
Paprika leopard kitten heels
Mossimo purse | similar
Ray Ban wayfarers

Wardrobe Wednesday | Feminine Fatigues

I love my army green pants almost as much as I love my favorite pair of jeans - they're soft, comfortable, and go with just about anything I feel like throwing on. Like a rhinestone necklace and pink pumps. Word.

 

Maybe it's because they're closely related to camo, or maybe it's the word "army" in their title, but whenever I wear these pants, I feel the need to offset them with definitively girly accessories. Because, you know....if I didn't add the bright heels and sparkly necklace, there's a chance I might be mistaken for a man. That, and the fact that I haven't shaved my legs for two weeks. (It's been raining for DAYS, people!)

And despite my lack of decorum by publicly admitting I have hairy legs, I did show some retraint by not donning my tiara with this outfit. Because, you know, THAT would've been ridiculous.

Happy Wednesday!

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Old Navy Graphic Crew Tee
Sanctuary Fatigue Pants | similar: splurge; save
Chinese Laundry heels | similar; similar
Charming Charlie necklace | similar:  splurge; save

Wardrobe Wednesday | Pencil Skirt, 3 Ways

One might assume that a work-from-home mom doesn't really need a professional wardrobe. And one would be mostly right. Except for those days when all your yoga pants are dirty and starting a load of laundry is about as appealing as poking a dull pencil in your eye. Then it's nice to have a cute floral pencil skirt to style up. Nothing too fancy or corporate, mind you. Just a few casual alternatives to yoga pants and pencils jutting from your eyesockets. Here's three ways I love to wear this closet staple:

pencil skirt + Avett Brothers concert tee + Old Navy jean jacket + Sam & Libby for Target sandals + Eddie Bauer briefcase

 

 

pencil skirt + peter pan polkie blouse + A Slip Shop slip extender + Anthropologie purse + Pink Studio shoes

 

pencil skirt + Old Navy tee + Hollister cardigan + Paprika leopard kitten heels + Guess flower ball necklace

 

I got my skirt on clearance at Target last summer, but here's some other cute options:

1. Merona Doubleweave pencil skirt (Target) $18.00

2. Printed pencil skirt in stretch cotton (J. Crew Factory) $64.50

3. Floral Print pencil skirt (ASOS) $30.38

 

Hope you all have a great Wednesday! Judging from that mountain of dirty clothes that's threatening to bury me, I'm gonna have to suck it up and tackle this damn laundry. But I'll least I'll look cute doing it.

Wardrobe Wednesday | Popcorn, Anyone?

It definitely feels like summer is slipping away. The cool mornings and the rainy afternoons are making me think that my shorts and tank tops will soon be pushed to the back of the closet to make room for the jeans, boots and sweaters of fall. But in the meantime, I'm grabbing my favorite cropped jeans and a lightweight scarf to enjoy the lingering days of the summer season!

The fact that summer is almost over is also reiterated by the fact that both my kiddos go back to school at the end of this week. It's making us all a bit melancholy to say goodbye to the season. So yesterday I decided we needed a little comedic relief in the form of Despicable Me 2. Because there's nothing like minions covering 98 Degrees and Village People to help you shake those end-of-summer blues.

All of which has nothing to do with this week's Wardrobe Wednesday outfit. Except for the fact that this is what I wore to the movie. And if you happen to be sitting in a movie on a summer afternoon and need to wipe your greasy, popcorn-covered fingers on something, I'd highly recommend wearing a scarf.

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Scoop-neck tee - Gap (on sale now!)
Cynthia Rowley scarf
Mossimo Cropped Skinny jeans - Target
Merona pink belt - Target
Sam & Libby gladiator sandals - Target (on sale!)
Halogen bag - Nordstrom
Ray Ban New Wayfarers

The hidden dangers of wearing high heels.

See that nice little piece of white molding above?  It adorns a column at the entry of my home office.  You could likely pass by it (as I do on a daily basis) with nary a sideways glance.  However, if you happen to be wearing new heels (see post below) which make you a towering 6"1", then the height of this molding is approximately eye level. So if you attempt to run quickly by it, in hopes of making it to the ringing phone in the next room, you will very likely impale your skull on said molding, fall on the floor in a screaming heap, simultaneously cursing yourself for being so spastically clumsy, and the ignorant contractor who thought it would be a good idea to install sharp-pointed molding in the abode of an accident-prone nit wit wearing high heels.

Ouch.

I suppose that's what I get for ignoring the "no shoes in the house" rule.

At any rate, I'm not feeling too good today.  It could be because of the run-in with the molding, consuming too much wine with our houseguests this weekend, or the giant ball of snot that had lodged itself in my left sinus cavity and refuses to be affected by repeated doses of Sudafed.  Take your pick. And please forgive me as that's all I can muster for the blog today.

Have a good Monday, my friends.

Proof that fabulous shoes can make any day better.

On Thursday, my week started looking up.  First off, I received news that Jenn-Air will replace the defunct parts on our refrigerator free of charge, we just have to pay for the labor. Excellent news, right?  And on that same day, one of my recent purchases from ebay arrived in the mail - a fierce pair of Frye wedges, never been worn, that I scored for the smokin' price of $26:

Coincidence?  I think not. 

Mike has affectionately dubbed these my stripper shoes.  I prefer to call them my kickin'-some-Jenn-Air-ass-and-takin'-names shoes.  Tomato, tomahto.

So yeah, things are happy in my world.  Tomorrow, our friends Dave & Alison arrive and they'll be staying with us through the weekend until they close on their new house Monday.  I am so excited to have them as official Colorado residents (and getting my running partner back will be good for my expanding butt!)  The only bad thing about them coming is that I will have to return their margarita machine, which I've been "babysitting" for the past few months.  I will miss it dearly. Any guesses as to what I will be serving at cocktail hour tonight?!?

In celebration of the good things yesterday, I set aside a bit of time to scrap a page for the Scrapbooks Etc.'s Make It Yours Challenge.  I used Kim Moreno's page as my inspiration and came up with this:

glitter lace, patterned paper, tag, brads, metal sticker (KI Memories)
chipboard letters (American Crafts)
ribbon (Offray)
font (Traveling Typewriter)

And, hey - have a great weekend!