Guest Post: A Working Mom's Closet

While I am off on vacation this week, I asked a couple of my favorite bloggers from around the country to share how where they live might affect what they wear. Mostly because I want to know, and this was the easiest way to get them to tell me...

Today, it's Melissa from Florida, who always finds a way to express her own fabulous style, even while dealing with a pretty strict dress code, over at A Working Mom's Closet.

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Hi everyone! My name is Melissa and I blog over at A Working Mom's Closet. While the fabulous Tara is out gallivanting and having a fabulous time visiting MY state on her vacation (and I don't even get to see her!), I'm here to make a grand attempt at keeping you all entertained for a day.

Since she's visiting Florida, and I live here, she asked me to share a little bit about how my location and climate might affect the way I dress and how I put outfits together.

Now, the thing about Florida is that while it is unbearably hot a lot of the time, the AC is usually pumping, so it's helpful to stay at least moderately covered. Especially if, you know, you have a JOB and want to dress appropriately. I'd like to remain employed, so I choose to do just that.

When I dress for the office, I try to choose lightweight pieces that I can layer over. I stick with dresses and skirts for the most part, and although last year I was infatuated with cardigans, it seems this year my obsession is blazers and jackets.

Typically I start with a dress. And then I find a way to style it differently from the last time I wore it, whether that means layering a blouse underneath or a jacket on top, switching the belt, or wearing different shoes. Sometimes all it takes is a lightweight scarf to transform the dress into an entirely different outfit! At the same time, it keeps it appropriate and functional in the heat. Another factor is what the schedule is at work, whether we're having a board meeting or staff meeting or anything else going on. My supervisor allows us some deviations from the corporate dress code, but we have to ensure that when we meet with anyone else, we're in code.

There are weekends, though. Weekends that involve theme parks. Outside. In the heat. And yet, I still end up wearing dresses most of the time. I do own a pair of shorts that I'll throw on occasionally, but not often. A dress and flip flops (oh, and a BELT!), and I'm set for Disney. Or Universal. Or whatever.

I have a dress I love so much that I bought it in four different colors: black, gray, purple, and brown. It's a cotton tank dress with a ruffled neckline and an elastic empire waist.  I've worn it to work with collared shirts layered underneath, I've worn it to Disney with a belt and flip flops...and I've worn it to bed. Those dresses are SO comfortable and easily changed with accessories to create different color combinations or layered to match the season. I love them.

I can't wait to see how Tara picks outfits for her vacation in this weather. How do YOU dress for warmer climates?

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Thanks for sharing, Mel! 

And while I'm sorry to disappoint with my vacation-wear this week, I'm pretty much wearing nothing but a swimsuit. Don't worry, I'll spare you the pictures...

Guest Post: Spinning Threads

While I am off on vacation this week, I asked a couple of my favorite bloggers from around the country to share how where they live might affect what they wear. Mostly because I want to know, and this was the easiest way to get them to tell me...

First up, Claire from California, who posts some of the best stories about her adorable daughters (along with her fantastic outfits) over at Spinning Threads.

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When I think of Southern California style, I automatically think “laid-back.”  Maybe it's our almost year-round warm weather, or the fact that we live in the heart of the entertainment industry.  Sometimes I think the further west you go the more casual the attire.  My sister, Polka Dots, lives in Hawaii and I think that just might be the only state that actually dresses more casual than we do!

Here are 3 go-to pieces I love and think represent Southern California.

1. JEANS

The ultimate California staple.  From a casual day at the office to a night out on the town, I wear jeans everywhere...skinny ones, wide-leg ones, highwaisted ones, colorful ones.  I even had a few friends wearing jeans to my wedding (though I actually think that might be one of the few places jeans aren't actually appropriate for).

2. SHORTS

Whether it's cut-offs and a t-shirt at the beach or a nice pair of trouser shorts paired with a blazer for Sunday brunch, I think shorts are a definite must in California.  Even in the winter when we get to our “cold” 60 degree weather, I'll wear shorts with some colorful tights and/or knee high boots for one of my favorite looks!

3. COLORFUL DRESSES

When I think of New York City I think of black.  California is not only on the opposite side of the country, but the opposite side of the color spectrum.  Maybe it's a reflection of our outdoorsy lifestyles, with our mountains and beaches, or our almost always sunny weather, but something I always seem to gravitate towards, whether it's a short one or a long one is a colorful dress.

The great thing about these pieces is that they're extremely versatile.  I definitely think my choice of attire is affected by our weather and the activities that we do because of it.  But most of all, I think what really drives my style choice (besides my blog, of course) are my two little girls, Princess Sparkles and Pigtails.  Being a mommy of two toddlers, it's important for me to wear something comfortable and that can be thrown in the wash (because my girls LOVE to touch me with their dirty hands!).  Thank goodness for California's laid-back style, because it's definitely perfect for a busy mommy like me!

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Thank you so much for sharing, Claire!

From Florida...

Hello all! I am here:



And I won't be posting outfit pictures this week, because while I packed all of this:



And all of this:


I don't plan on wearing much more than this:



And maybe this:



But I promise, I've left you in good hands this week. So, have a lovely few days and a fantastic Labor Day weekend, and I'll see you all next Tuesday!

Dog Days...

Random story of the day: My little* dog, Peyton, is such a neurotic mess that she can't stand being separated from us for longer than five minutes at a time, especially if she thinks we may be having fun without her. And while I usually find it funny that she has to be right on top of us, this has started to become a problem when Brigid's bedtime rolls around.

See, we always keep B's door closed because we don't want the cats to get in there and make themselves comfortable in the poor kid's crib. Cats shed, and it's kind of gross. And if we leave the door open for any period of time, they will come in and hide under the crib, until they can make their move.

They are sneaky little things, my cats.

So, at night, Steve and I head upstairs, with Brigid in tow, and confine ourselves to her bedroom for a good hour at a time, while B gets a bath, and we all dance to Gaga for awhile. And Peyton CAN'T STAND IT!

But...well...she's found a way around all of this, because, it turns out, Peyton can open the door. Granted, it's a lever knob, and B's door does open into the room, so all the dog is doing is doing is pulling down on the lever and leaning, but still...

My dog can open doors. And she's gotten really good at it, too.

They're readying themselves for a takeover, I can feel it. We're outnumbered by the animals, and they're going to win. If I disappear from this space any time in the future, at least you'll all know what happened to me.

Unless she also knows how to type, too. Then you'll never even know that I am gone...

*It should be noted that 'little' is a relative term here. Yes, she's smaller than our 50lb dog, but she's getting pretty close to the 30lb mark, herself, so she's a little tubby. Someone needs to stop eating two different dinners every night, I guess...

Tank: Target

Cardigan: Macy's

Jeans: Michael Kors

Shoes: Cole Haan

In the Mood

I've spent the last couple of mornings listening to a combination of wave sounds on my phone and beach music on my radio.

I think It's safe to say that I'm ready for vacation.

I don't think I can be held responsible for my actions if I show up at work tomorrow in my bathing suit...

Dress: Loft

Shoes: Steve Madden