Wishful Thinking

I have reached the point in this pregnancy where I don't mind looking at myself from the front, but I have looooong since given up on trying to make myself look ok from the side. Especially when wearing a dress, my butt and my stomach kind of combine into one, large, round mass that more or less makes me look like I should be giving birth tomorrow instead of 4-ish months from now.

You know how there are some people who do the cute, belly-only pregnancy?

(Like the very, very skinny pregnant girl I was with in the elevator yesterday? The one who looked like I could eat her in one sitting?)

Yeah, I am not one of those people.

But the end result is worth it, so it is what it is. And in the meantime, I will make myself content with pinning adorable fall outfits on Pinterest that I won't be able to wear until next fall, since I won't be fitting into any of my cute sweaters this year.

It's a good thing I'm resourceful, y'all.

 

Dress: Motherhood Maternity

Tank (which is actually mustard yellow, but looks nothing like that in my lovely iPhone pictures): Target

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

Bracelet: Target

Necklace: Old Navy

Human Valentine

I'm pretty sure that when I was growing up, the 'don't ever wear pink and red together' rule was right up there with not mixing black and brown as a fashion requirement, to be followed at all times.

My inner child is weeping for me, right now.

(Then again, my inner child wore a school uniform until she was 12, so we don't necessarily trust her style judgment, anyway. PINK AND RED, FOREVER!)

Sweater: Gap

Cardigan: Banana Republic (outlet)

Skirt: Banana Republic (outlet)

Necklace: Old Navy

Shoes: Missoni for Target

So THIS is what February feels like...

It was cold this weekend. Colder than it has been since, I don't know, last winter or something. You know, when it was ACTUALLY WINTER, and not this bizarre will-it-won't-it winter tease we've had so far this year.

(Not that I'm complaining, or anything, because I like the warmer weather, but seriously...MAKE UP YOUR MIND, ALREADY, GEORGIA!!)

So, because it was cold, I figured it was as good a time as any to counteract the winter temperatures with spring colors. Flawed logic...it works for me, every time.

(Do you know what else works for me, every time? Totally copying my outfit from Kendi...)

 Tank Top: Old Navy

Cardigan: Gap (outlet)

Jeans: Levis (from TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Cole Haan

Scarf: Land's End Canvas

My lady-crush...

So, I have a confession to make. I absolutely adore Emily Blunt. She seems lovely, in a normal kind of way. Her interviews are always funny, she's ridiculously pretty, and I am apparently a sucker for an English accent, no matter who is speaking. Her character in The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favorite characters, ever.

And she's married to John Krasinksi. Enough said, right?

(And as much as I love Michael Buble's voice, I've lost a lot of love for the rest of him, since he chose to marry a model, 10 years-ish younger than him, over the fabulous Ms. Blunt. But then again, she rebounded with John. So...point, Emily.)

Anyway, can you imagine how excited I was when the ladies over at Two Birds picked my lady-crush for this week's Inspiration Monday?

Hint: I was pretty freaking excited...

T-shirt: Gap

Button-up: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Converse

Happy Monday!

Crunch Time

You guys! Christmas is, like, a week away! Seriously!

How did this happen?!?!

Any chance we can all get together and agree to push it back for a couple of weeks? I know that would really help me out, right about now...

Thanks.

PS: Can't you feel the tension in these pictures? Rudy Cat (as Brigid calls him, anyway...he used to be plain old Rudy, but he's been renamed by the two-year old...and it's kind of ridiculously adorable) really, really, REALLY wanted to get his hands (paws) on that darn necklace I was wearing. I'm lucky there are no holes in my sweater after this attempt.

Sweater: Loft (outlet)

Skirt: Loft (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West

Tights: Hue (from DSW)

Bracelet: Kohls

Necklace: Old Navy 

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.

Even I have my limits...

Well, I didn't really intend to take an internet break over the holidays like that, but sometimes it's just needed, I guess. After an abundance of family time, a trip out at midnight for Black Friday (to people watch, mostly, not to shop...I don't do well shopping in crowds*), a drive through some Christmas lights, and a sick baby to wrap up the weekend, getting back into our routine this week might not be such a bad thing.

I hope you all had a lovely long weekend!

*Our Black Friday outing included a trip to Wal-Mart, mostly to get cheeseburgers at McDonald's, and then a walk through the outlet mall, where there were ridiculously long lines outside of several stores that had already opened, but were already full. The only one I even CONSIDERED waiting in was for Kate Spade, because 50% off was waiting inside. But then my sense took over, and I moved on. We did get a $100+ serving set from Pottery Barn for $20, but that was the extent of my Black Friday deal hunting. The longest line was outside of the Ralph Lauren outlet, and it stretched around the front of the building. Unless Ralph himself was inside handing out free jeans, I have NO IDEA what kind of deal could have enticed me to stand in a line like that...

Sweater: Land's End Canvas

Skirt: Old Navy

Boots: White Mountain (from DSW)


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.

Coffee Break

When I started my shopping detox, I searched the house for gift cards that I could stash away for days when nothing but spending money would make me feel better. That little search turned up several $5 Starbucks gift cards that my husband, who doesn't even drink coffee, had hidden away for no reason other than, I assume, to make me crazy.

Thank goodness he did, because I just may need to pull on of those bad boys out, today. It's just going to be one of those days, I think...

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Entirely unrelated, it seems that my general state of unwash from a couple of weeks ago did not, in fact, scare off the mom's group in my neighborhood, as I scored an invite to this month's dinner tomorrow night. Imagine how much more they're going to like me with clean hair?

Can't wait.

Blouse: Old Navy

Skirt: J Crew (outlet)

Shoes: Nine West


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.

Midi

I feel like a broken record these days, but once again, I'm up against a crazy week.

Today involves spending the morning at one office, meeting my mother-in-law at the pediatrician for B's two-year check-up, then spending the afternoon at the office on the other side of town. Wednesday is full of meetings. Thursday is another split office day, with an eye doctor appointment thrown in for good measure. And Friday, I'm flying to Omaha for a friend's wedding.

Am I exhausted just thinking about it? A little. But then again, I guess I'd rather be busy than bored, so there's that...

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Question: How do we feel about the mid-calf skirt length on someone who is all of 5'2? I really do love this skirt, which I've had for awhile now, and I know the length is supposedly very much on trend for this year, but I'm still torn. 

So, what do you think? Yes or no for me?

 

Sweater: Banana Republic (outlet)

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: Old Navy

This and That

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so expect to see a lot of pink over here in the next few weeks, as I am joining Melissa from A Working Mom's Closet in her second year of the Breast Cancer Awearness challenge:

It seems like very few people haven't been affected by this disease in some way, whether personally or through a family member or friend, so head over to Mel's site to learn more about the challenge and to read some of these personal stories.

Also, it's Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds!

Today's inspiration is...

Casual and comfortable? I'm in!

(Also, because I have a little trouble with the color in my pictures, I imagine I'm going to be spending a lot of time over the next month explaining that something is actually pink, not purple. Case in point? Today's purse. It's pink, I promise...)

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Levi's (TJ Maxx)

Purse: Kate Spade

Bracelet: Land's End

Shoes: Target

Neutrals

Nothing like a little monochromatic neutrality to offset a gray week...

Wait, that's not how it works, is it?

At least I added the flower...that counts as trying, right?

(I think it keeps throwing me off when I look out the window, see gray skies and rain, and expect it to be nice and cool, temperature-wise. Then I walk out, and it's actually kind of a drizzly sauna instead. It's throwing me off of my game, people!!)

Sweater: Gap

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Kenneth Cole (outlet)

Necklace: Old Navy

Family Outing

We took Brigid to the zoo on Saturday morning, and I was planning to do some on-the-spot outfit shots, but the outing went by a little quicker than I expected. So I was left with this...

 

That would be me trying to convince B that the big monkey statue wasn't as scary as she seemed to think it was. She totally wasn't buying it, though.

She was, however, perfectly ok with the mommy and baby monkeys on the other side of the patio...

Love that kid!

Tank Top: Gap (outlet)

Shorts: Ann Taylor (outlet)

Shoes: Old Navy

Purst: H&M

PS: I normally prefer to wear something a little more substantial, shoe-wise, on these outings, but last week's trip to the golf course kicked my butt, and I haven't really been able to wear shoes with backs since then. The blisters, they are there. 


It was totally worth it, though. My favorite golfer happened to be playing with one of Steve's favorite golfers, so we followed them for their first couple holes, took a break for breakfast at the hospitality tent (with complimentary bloody marys, of course), picked them back up for the rest of their round, then went back to the tent for lunch. After lunch, we parked ourselves at the green of one hole to watch all of the afternoon groups come through.


I kind of wanted to go back again...

Is it Fall, yet?

The lovely ladies at Two Birds actually picked a pretty good day to take us toward the Fall season for Inspiration Monday, as we have a cold front going through Atlanta this week.

Of course, an August cold front still consists of 85 degree weather, but at least we won't be hitting 90+ today. It's the small stuff that makes me happy...

The inspiration:

The outfit:

 Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Levi's (via TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Old Navy

And now, B and I are off to the dealership to get my car worked on for an hour or two. I'm on my second cup of coffee this morning, in anticipation for the fun that's just ahead of me...in a dealership waiting room with a toddler.

Think happy thoughts for me, please. I'm going to need them!

Is it time for another vacation, yet?

I'm not entirely sure it's worth it to go on vacation anymore, because it's just so darn hard to get back into the swing of things when you get home. I'm still trying to recover my rhythm, trying to remind myself that going to bed at midnight doesn't work when your alarm goes off at 5:30am, and trying to uncover myself from the mess that is my email inbox.

Oh, who am I kidding. Vacations are awesome, even with the clean-up that ensues. But yeah...I'm totally ready for another one already.

(worn to story-time with Brigid on Monday)
Top: Forever 21

Shorts: Ann Taylor (outlet)

Belt: Target

Shoes: Old Navy

Tangent

So, this outfit was kind of boring, because I wore it to work during my pre-vacation week o' frenzied disaster, and I was kind of feeling less than inspired.

Dress + sweater + necklace = meh

So, can we talk about Harry Potter instead? Have you seen the last movie, yet? Because you really should see it. Like, maybe, yesterday. So good. So very, very good. But if you are invested in the series at all, I'd recommend taking along a couple of tissues, instead of trying to turn your over-cooled-theater-AC-fighting-cardigan into a hankie, because cardigans do very little to fight the effects of an ugly cry, you know?

Also, I'd kind of like to be a wizard. And I'd like to be friends with the Weasleys, because they seem like good people. Also, Luna.

I am really, really going to miss that series...

Dress: Banana Republic (outlet)

Sweater: Banana Republic

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: Old Navy

Bracelet: thrifted (if you count begging my mom to give it to me from her antique shop thrifting...)

Pretty, pretty colors...

I am not going to lie...this whole casual Friday thing is something I could really, really get used to.

Just in time for them to move me back to the main office, otherwise known as the land free of jeans, I'm sure.

I'm off to Cincinnati (and Indiana, of course) this afternoon. And I can't wait!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Gap

Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Bracelets: Alex&Ani/James Avery

Watch: Gilt.com

Shoes: Steve Madden

Out of Order

So, obviously, this isn't something I wore to work this week. I may be posting from a stored bank of outfits right now, because this week has been a little crazy, and I may not be extending myself much beyond already worn combinations of cardigans and pencil skirts.

Maybe.

I think I am just a touch stressed out right now. I definitely know that I am feeling much more crabby than I am comfortable feeling. I also know that I spent twenty minutes trying to figure out why my laptop wasn't starting up at work this morning, only to realize that my computer was fine, someone had just turned the monitor off on my docking station.

I am a technological genius, obviously.

Two more days, kids. Two more days...

(worn for the 4th of July barbecue at my in-laws' place)
Tank Top: Old Navy

Sweater: Target

Shorts: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Target

Earrings: H&M

PS: I didn't get a chance to mention this yesterday, but I have a guest post up for Kimmie at Blue Paper Lanterns while she's on vacation this week...so stop by and satisfy your burning desire to know just what I carry in my oversized purse every day. And why everyone always grunts with effort if they happen to pick up my bag by mistake...

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 

Inspiration Monday

Hey, look! I'm actually playing along today! I've been looking at the Inspiration Monday pictures posted by Two Birds for a couple of weeks now, but I never can remember that I'm supposed to post my inspired outfit on Monday. I really love the concept, though, so I'm pretty proud of myself for finally linking up this week.

This week's inspiration?

 

Of course, I used this to inspire my outfit for church on Sunday, so I had to go with a hemline that was just a touch longer than what Brooklyn Decker is wearing here (plus, I don't have Mrs. Andy Roddick's legs, either, so that kind of factored into my decision just a bit...), but I kind of like how it all turned out.

 

Worn to church and running errands on Sunday

Top: Old Navy

Skirt: Gap

Shoes: Target 

Summer Concert Series

And by concert series, I mean one concert. Well, one concert so far, anyway.


Let's just say I'm still holding out hope that my sister-in-law can come through with some NKOTB-BSB tickets before the boys make their Atlanta debut.

In the meantime, I'll make do with my yearly visit to the Jimmy Buffett show, which is always a good time, despite the fact that he keeps coming to Atlanta on a Tuesday, and I'm just too old to be going out on a school night. I will suffer through it for Jimmy.

Fins up!

PS: Flip flops seemed like the perfect footwear for a JB concert, until I spent several trips to the bathroom trying to avoid the flooded stalls that dotted the ladies' room. Lesson learned...my Hunters would have been a better option.

Worn to the Jimmy Buffett concert Tuesday 5/24

Tank Top: Old Navy

Sweater: Target

Shorts: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Old Navy