Getting By

Oh, you guys. Today...

Today has been a day.

All I can say is that it's a good thing it's Friday.

(Oh, and entirely unrelated to my day and a half that I'm having, could you all do a NO RAIN dance for me for this weekend? I'm going to see Jason Mraz tomorrow night, and you should know that if I'm willing to brave an outdoor concert in the middle of August, at 5+ months pregnant, then that concert is kind of a big deal to me. If it rains, I might cry. And you don't want that on your hands, now do you?)

Dress: Motherhood Maternity

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Belt: Express

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

He's just lucky I love him...

My husband's comment when he saw me getting dressed this morning?

You look like the 1980s. Or maybe early 90s. I swear, I had a windsuit with those colors in it. But I mean that in a good way!

And this is why my husband should stick to 'you look nice' in the mornings, and leave it at that.

 

Blouse: Motherhood Maternity (outlet)

Sweater: Express

Skirt: Motherhood Maternity

Shoes: Nine West

Belt: Came off of a different maternity dress

It's kind of a big deal...

Ok, it's actually not a big deal at all to anyone but me, but I was excited about it, so it totally counts.

Anyway, I've never really been a thrift store kind of gal because I just don't have the patience for it. I have a hard time combing through racks and racks of clothes, looking for the next great deal, with no other plan of action. The same feelings apply to really big sales, TJ Maxx, and anywhere else where I have to dig to buy.

(Not that this has ever stopped me from shopping really big sales or TJ Maxx, but that doesn't mean I was enjoying myself!)

(Ok, I actually mostly love it. Moving on...)

But I also know thrift stores can be a goldmine of clothing opportunities, at really great prices, and I'm always so jealous when I see other people's finds, so I figured I was just going to have to suck it up and try again.

And a couple of weeks ago, I finally found success,with this skirt, among other items. And then I stopped shopping, for my own good.

But once I lift my self-imposed ban? I am definitely going back...

Sweater: Gap

Cardigan: Express

Skirt: Talbot's (thrifted)

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: Charming Charlie


Don't forget, eShakti is offering $20 off of any order through the end of the year, when you use the promotional code NOTAHOBBY0811.

The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be combined with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period.


Also, you can find my post about the skirt the company sent me to review here.

Flattery

I wore this outfit to work last week, on the day that I happened to have a dentist appointment in the afternoon. In addition to telling me that I looked 24 (which, I don't) and that she could tell I flossed every day (which, again, I don't, unless she meant flossing every day in the week leading up to a dentist appointment, which I totally do...), the hygienist asked me if I worked in fashion. Because she'd never think of pairing polka dots with a red skirt, so she was really impressed that I had.

And all I could think, in addition to thinking this might be the nicest, most over-the-top-enthusiastic dental hygienist I'd ever encountered (which I think might be saying a lot, because I've met some really enthusiastic dental hygienists in my day...but this one gave me TWO tubes of travel toothpaste AND a small sample bottle of Lysterine, in addition to the typical toothbrush/floss combination, so she totally wins), was that I needed to introduce this poor woman to some fashion blogs. Because pairing red/black/white/one pattern is nothing compared to some of the amazingly awesome ensembles I've seen across the internet.

But hey, a compliment is a compliment, and I'll take it. I just need to make sure I'm on my game when I head back in six months...

I don't want to disappoint her, after all.

Blouse: H&M

Cardigan: Express

Skirt: Banana Republic (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West

Bracelet: Francesca's

Don't forget, eShakti is offering $20 off of any order through the end of the year, when you use the promotional code NOTAHOBBY0811.

The discount code is not case sensitive. Only one gift certificate can be used per order. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. This cannot be combined with any other offer / discount that may be active during this period.


Also, you can find my post about the skirt the company sent me to review here.

Lazy Days

This weekend was exhausting, and today we have rain for the first time in weeks, so Brigid and I have decided to do nothing but sit around the house all day in our scrubby clothes (Little Mermaid shorts for B, by request, of course...), watching movies and eating kettle corn that we picked up at the county fair on Saturday.

Sometimes, that's just what you have to do...

Obviously,  not being worn today...this was from work one day last week.
Dress: Banana Republic (outlet)

Cardigan: Express

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Nine West

All Clear

Just a quick post today, to share my Two Birds Inspiration Monday inspired outfit, before Brigid and I head outside to run around the yard in celebration of her clean bill of health from the cardiologist.

(Well, as clean of a bill as you can get when the diagnosis is that there's still a hole, but it isn't causing any problems, which is about all we were looking for today...)

So, the inspiration:

And the outfit:

Happy Monday!

Blouse: White House Black Market

Cardigan: Express

Shorts: Ann Taylor (outlet)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet) 

Out on the Town

I love going out with friends for a few drinks on a Friday night. I do not love staying out much later than I should and having to get up the next morning to tend to a toddler. One of these days, I will remember that I am over 30, and late nights are not my friend anymore.

Luckily, my toddler is the most awesome toddler ever, and she understands the joys of sleeping in on the weekends, so it really wasn't so bad. I actually had a harder time dealing with my dear husband, who is apparently not on board with the sleeping in trend we're trying to start around here, because he got up at the crack of dawn to do yard work, before waking Brigid and I both up so we could go to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.

I'm pretty sure he's trying to teach me a lesson or something...

Dress: Thakoon for Target

Cardigan: Express

Shoes: DV for Target

Casual Friday

I don't really do ruffles.

I'm not a  huge fan of  plaid.

And yet, when a ruffled and plaid shirt shows up on the clearance rack for a couple of dollars, I jump all over it. What is it about a good deal that makes an item of clothing that much more attractive?

Although, now that I think about it, the color may have had something to do with it, too...

Worn running errands with B last Friday

Shirt: Old Navy

Shorts: Ann Taylor (outlet)

Shoes: Express 

Classy

I'm not sure why I felt so lady-like in this dress. It has an interesting pattern and an odd shape to the bodice. And yet...

It has to be the length, I think (just slightly above the knee, when I'm walking). Or maybe it was the flowiness of the skirt (which, of course, you can't see in the stationary picture). Or the dress/cardigan combo (which I  do way too often for it to be a surprising look on me).

Whatever it is, I love this dress. And I guess that's all that counts.

Worn to work last week:

Dress: BCBG Max Azria (from TJ Maxx)

Sweater: Express

Shoes: Nine West

Belt: Target 

And remember...today is Friday the 13th, so stay away from ladders, black cats, and broken mirrors if you can, because nobody needs any additional bad luck!

Boring...

Ever have one of those days where you just don't feel like getting dressed in the morning? But you really don't have a choice? Because your office kind of frowns upon you showing up at work in sweatpants and a ratty old t-shirt?

Yeah, me neither.

Worn to work last week:

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Pants: Express

Weekend Shopping

I know this has been mentioned by me many times, but I gave up shopping for Lent, which prevented me from shopping for most of March/April. And before that, I had just completed Kendi's winter 30x30 challenge, which kept me from shopping for all of February. So, when Easter came and went, and my self-imposed shopping ban was lifted, I hit the stores a little hard.

Target, TJ Maxx, Macy's, H&M...I've been busy.

It all culminated this weekend with several hours (and several dollars) spent at the outlet mall a couple of miles away from my in-laws' house. In my defense, I needed some new shorts. The pretty dresses and brightly colored skirts that found their way home with me? Absolutely not my fault.

Needless to say, I'll be taking another small break from shopping for the next few weeks.

Unless something I absolutely needs pops up, of course.

 

Worn shopping on Saturday: 

Tank Top: Target

Cardigan: Express

Skirt: H&M

Sandals: Target

No Connection

Do you know the longest I've gone without internet connection of some sort since I got a Blackberry in 2007 (and subsequently replaced it with an iPhone a couple of years later...)?

Well, I think I've flown to Vegas/San Diego/Denver since then, so maybe three to four hours? At the most?

I'm not sure exactly, but I know it hasn't been long.

So, I was a little confused when Steve got tickets to the final round of the Masters for Sunday and said I could come along, but that my phone was not invited. No electronics allowed? WHAT?!?!?

It just doesn't seem natural not to have it on me. No contact with the outside world is just not right.

But it's kind of a big deal, so I guess I'll do what I have to do. Just don't talk about me while I'm away, ok?

(Also, does anyone have a Lilly Pulitzer dress they'd like to overnight to me for my trip? That seems to be the going rate of fashion at Augusta National these days, and I'm fresh out...)

 

Skirt: Banana Republic

T-Shirt: Express

Cardigan: J Crew

Shoes: Nine West

Just add pearls...

*Ahem*

Baby B helped me with my pictures today, so I blame her for the semi-action shot...

 

...which actually turned out better than any of the other photos I managed to take. She was messing with the tripod, and as I was running towards the camera, I hit the button on the remote. Apparently, the beeping freaked her out a little, and she stopped shaking the equipment long enough for me to freeze for the picture to be taken.

This may just have to be my go-to technique from now on.

Dress: Calvin Klein

Cardigan: Express

Necklace: Christmas gift from my MiL

Black and white and red all over...*

I posted about this on my family site yesterday, but if you don't follow me there, or if you just missed my little announcement, I will now be posting every Tuesday at Style Lush, one of my favorite blogs ever. The fantastic writers over there cover every topic, from make-up to clothing to kid's toys to household decorating ideas, and when I'm looking for gift ideas? For anyone? At all? It's the first place I go.

So, yeah. I'm just a little bit excited.

(Yesterday, I talked about B and her latest obsession, if you're interested....)

Sweater: Banana Republic

Pants: The Limited

Scarf: Express

*So, I totally ripped off Tiffany's blog title today, but I couldn't help it. It was just too obvious. And also? I'm too lazy to come up with one of my own...

Sorry, Tiffany!

Black and White

It seems like that title would work for two thirds of the outfits I post here, because to say that I'm in a color rut these days would be a bit of an understatement.

But I'm working on it, and that's all I can ask for, I guess...

Anyway, the story behind this dress?

For Christmas, this past year, we went to Steve's parents' house, and before we left, I asked my dear husband if I needed to pack anything in particular for the trip. Steve said no. I said I'm packing jeans and sweaters and that's it. Steve said that's fine. So that's what I packed.

Then, I found out that everyone was dressing up for Mass on Christmas Eve. And I had nothing to wear. Because my husband told me there would be no dressing up on the trip. And even though my in-laws only live an hour and a half away from us, I was not driving three-hours round trip to pick up a dress. So, I told Steve to drop me off at the Saks outlet five minutes away from his parents' because I was due for a shopping spree.

And I found a dress. Or three. Whatever.

I blame Steve.

 

Dress: Calvin Klein

Cardigan: Express

Boots: Something from DSW 

A brief break...

Yesterday marked the first day of Lent, and as I've done for the past several years, I've given up what I enjoy the most...shopping.* And since I'm just now coming off of the 30x30 no shopping rule, this year is going to be especially tough.

But since I cheated a little during the 30x30, maybe it won't actually be any different than normal...

Anyway, taking advantage of my brief break between self-imposed bans, I made an appearance at the Macy's one day sale last weekend and picked up this little dress on deep, deep discount. Hopefully, it can tide me over until Easter.

Dress: INC 

Cardigan: Express

Shoes: Nine West (via Shoe Woo)

*On a side note, I donate the money I'd normally spend on myself to various charities every couple of weeks until Easter, and while I have one or two in mind that I plan to give to this year, I'm also open to suggestions, if you have a favorite in mind.

Calling All Captains!

Apparently, I have a future in modeling...

...if by modeling you mean posing for Captain Morgan rum ads:

Seriously...what was that?

Anyway, I hope everyone had a lovely, lovely weekend. I spent Saturday day hanging out with a suddenly clingy-when-tired toddler (yeah, so, sleep regression? apparently not a myth at all...) and Saturday night at a small party with friends, where there was a bonfire, red velvet cake, and an owl balloon. Because that's how I roll on the weekend.

Outfit 19 of 30

Sweater: Lands End Canvas

Jeans: Gap

Boots: DSW

Scarf: Lands End Canvas 

Sunday? I did laundry. Good times, good times.

Sorry, uninspired outfits call for very, very small pictures...

Outfit 20 of 30

T-Shirt: J Crew

Sweatshirt: Michael Kors

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Nine West 

And now, my second installment of Fabulous in February, a month of positivity (brought to you by Melissa and Hope):

1) I don't take myself too seriously. I'm the first to laugh at myself when I do something dumb, and sometimes, I'm just the first to do something dumb, because life is too short to be too concerned about about how you look.

2) I can walk really, really well in heels. And since I love, love, love my high heels, that is a skill that I cherish.

3)  I am sometimes uncomfortable around new people or in awkward situations, but I don't think it shows. I have a great poker face, or so I tell myself, and I can talk to anyone, uncomfortable or not. It's definitely come in handy a time or two. (Like the time Steve and I flew to Denver for his college roommate's wedding, to a girl I'd only met briefly once before, and we went to the groom's parents' house for a 'casual little gathering' that turned out to be the bride's wedding shower. And involved all of the guys (the only people I knew at the party) hiding out in the basement for a couple of hours. Awkward. I made friends, it was fine, but I'm still not quite over that one. Thank goodness the bride is one of the sweetest people I've ever met...)

Just past halfway...

I was going to throw a big party when I hit the halfway point of the 30x30 challenge (well, I was at least going to mention it in my blog post or something), but then I apparently forgot that 15 was half of 30, so yeah...

Hooray for being just over halfway done with the challenge!

I think I'll be happy when this is over, because I miss the rest of my clothes.  It's been really warm this week, and it's put me in the mood to try some spring looks, but obviously, most of those looks aren't available to me in my current thirty items.  So I have something like two weeks worth of outfits planned for March...except that it will probably be 40 degrees again then, and none of my outfits will work. 

So I have something like two weeks worth of outfits planned for June, I guess.

Outfit 16 of 30

Dress: Gap

Sweater: Banana Republic

Belt: H&M

Boots: DSW

Bracelet: Express