Sweater - Loft / Jeans - J.Crew / Mules - Sam Edelman / Bag - Tory Burch / Earrings - gifted so I'm not sure where they're from, but here are a few with a similar vibe: one, two, three, four
What, an outfit post? Did I ::gasp:: GO OUTSIDE?!??!
Lol these pictures are actually from the last weekend before quarantine (BQ) when we went out to brunch with a bunch of friends as a late birthday celebration for me. I was sitting on the pictures, thinking it was weird to post them in quarantine, but as that was now FIVE WEEKS ago I'm feeling like it's now or never. How long until it's cool to go outside again?
This sweater though. This sweater! It just makes me feel cool. I love the puff sleeves. I love the pointelle pattern. I love it so much I bought it in white too (worn here)! It's just a sweater that feels very now. I actually couldn't find the jeans I wanted to pair it with here (they were hiding in my workout clothes drawer for two weeks, if that gives you any idea of how much I work out), but dark wash skinnies really go with everything, am I right? A washed black jean though feels super fresh with them. I'm thinking this style of sweater will be fun moving into spring too paired with distressed shorts.
Just a note that this sweater is completely see through, in case you couldn't tell. I'm wearing a nude cami underneath it. I would actually recommend a tank with a higher neckline after seeing these pictures!
That's all I've got for you for today - stay healthy out there!!
Sweater - Loft / Jeans - J.Crew / Mules - Sam Edelman / Bag - Tory Burch / Earrings - gifted so I'm not sure where they're from, but here are a few with a similar vibe: one, two, three, four
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Like many of you I'm sure, we had our daycare announce on Friday that they'd be closed through the end of the month. Jeff and I are both working from home, so we're trying to balance watching Mia and staying on top of our jobs. Luckily I work for the best company ever, so instead of focusing on how many hours I'm working, they've been encouraging me to take the time I need with Mia and still take breaks for my mental health.
I'm also very grateful that Mia is still at an age where we don't have to plan activities or worry about being bored. The only games we need to play are "chase" and "hand things back and forth," and Mia is perfectly happy to walk in circles around the couch for half an hour straight. To stay sane, we've also been going for walks every day for some fresh air and a change in scenery.
Okay okay, enough rambling about our current situation - I know you've been hearing about it enough!
Let's talk about the outfit.
The sweater
I had been really wanting to try the whole "cardigan as a sweater" trend (groundbreaking I know) and decided to hop in with this inexpensive version from Old Navy. I've seen a ton of these sweaters around, but a lot of them are super cropped or really low cut, neither of which really flies with my body type. I ordered this twice to get the right size, and ended up in a tall large. It fit perfectly, that is, until I accidentally put it in the dryer. Noooo! Now I would say it fits more like a regular large. So my suggestion would be to get the tall size even if you don't usually wear talls, because it will likely shrink.
The jeans
I'm back on a light-wash jean kick now that spring is peaking its head out! I bought this pair last year and am still very in on them. They are a slightly higher rise than I usually prefer, so these are definitely not a "comfy lounge" kind of jean, more of a "change into sweatpants as soon as you walk in the door" jean. This pair is obviously old, but here's a similar one. It had bothered me all last year that this pair was a little too wide and long at the ankle, so I actually took some scissors to them and now am much happier with them! If you want to cut the ankles of your jeans, I suggest looking in a mirror and marking the length you want.
The jacket
I'm still so excited every year when it warms up enough to put this jacket back in rotation. You may remember that I specifically classify my jackets by temperature, and I would say this one works from about 50 degrees to 65. J.Crew has been really going in on sales this past year, so definitely don't pay full price. I'd wait until you see it at least 40% off. I got a tall xl in this coat, and it's slightly oversized but in a good way - I love that the sleeves are long enough for me to give a little roll! Touches like rolling your sleeves (or a front tuck on your top) make your outfit look more intentional.
The sneakers
These are, by far, my favorite sneakers that I've owned as an adult. My feet just keep getting pickier and pickier in terms of what they find comfortable, and a lot of sneakers end up rubbing my ankles weird or the tongue is uncomfortable. Not these! The whole shoe is like a sock, with a stretchy, soft piece that goes all around your foot and laces on the outside. No tongue! I also love the little leather details, it makes them look slightly elevated over your average sneaker.
I hope you have a great Wednesday, enjoy your social distancing and stay healthy!!
I don't know if it's the cooler than average temperatures in Chicago or being home with a baby all day (hint: it's that), but lately I have been LIVING for a good sweatshirt. The sweatshirt part of my closet is exploding. Seriously, someone send help. It's almost as bad as the shoes.
Let's be real though, nothing will ever be as bad as the shoes ;)
I had my eye on this sweatshirt for weeks hoping it would go on sale (and crying silent, internal tears when it went out of stock in pink) and when it finally did go on sale you know I immediately snapped it up. I wore it here with jeans (see: Chicago's current weather forecast) but I've been mainly wearing it with dark or white denim shorts. Long sleeves and shorts always feels unexpected and fresh, and keeps you warm(ish) and cool(ish) when the weather is unpredictable. As far as sizing goes, you want to go up at least one size. I went up one size and could have still gone up another for a good, oversized fit.
If you've been following me on Instagram lately (omg I just typed "fallowing" I think I need to go back to work!) then you know that I've been spending a lot of my maternity leave days going for long walks through Chicago. On this particular day Jeff had to run some errands in Lincoln Park, so Mia and I decided to tag along and take a Lincoln Park walk instead of a Lincoln Square walk. Somehow (somehow!) we ended up at Sweet Mandy B's when Jeff finally caught up with us so we got a cookie and a cupcake out of the deal ;) We then wandered into Floriole to grab a bite for lunch. I'm still never sure whether Mia will behave herself at a restaurant or will scream, so we ordered some sandwiches to go. Mia decided it was the perfect time for a stroller nap though, so we ended up enjoying sandwiches and some rose hibiscus lemonades (which sound pretentious but were so good) out on their patio. The perfect little afternoon!
Every year like clockwork once the temps start to rise, I start to shop for little white tops. They're so quintessentially summer. They just make me think of fireflies, trips to the beach, barbecuing, and bonfires. Of course, have I ever told you I don't really like bonfires? It's not the fire itself, I like that. I just don't like the idea of sitting outside at night staring at a fire because it makes me think someone or something is going to sneak up behind us. I usually casually disappear inside after a few minutes. Yay, irrational fears!
I love a pretty white top because they're so versatile. Here I'm pairing one with light wash jeans (which also feel so much more summer-y than dark wash - try switching yours out for warm weather!) but I also love them with shorts and skirts too. Or, if you're feeling really spicy, pair a white top with your white jeans, add in some bright accessories, and spend your day trying not to spill!
While my top is old (insert crying face emoji), I went and rounded up my top ten wishlist of pretty white tops for summer:
Tee (similar here and here) - J.Crew Factory / Jacket (currently on sale!) - J.Crew / Jeans - Old Navy / Bag - Madewell / Sneakers - New Balance / Sunglasses - Amazon
My "mom style" so far has leaned towards the very casual haha. Not that I expected anything less, I think I wore leggings for about 97 days straight when I was pregnant. So for me, dressing up a little for running around the neighborhood with the family means putting on an actual pair of jeans with my sneakers and wearing a fun tee shirt instead of one of the three tee shirts I rotate through at home that are nursing and allergic reaction-friendly.
(Have I mentioned my crazy allergic reaction to you here or just on Instagram? Basically since having Mia I've been having an allergic reaction to something, and while it's much better than it was it's currently making my arms and feet itchy. Fingers crossed I'm not just allergic to having a baby.)
It's so funny living in Chicago in the spring. In any other city, at 55 degrees people would be bundling up. In Chicago, it was a sunny and not windy 55 degrees so everyone got the eff outside. I mean, the park by our house was basically standing room only. I saw people walking around in shorts and sandals. Jeff and I decided to take the baby for a long walk through the park and around our neighborhood, and it made me so excited for the weather to actually warm up and for us to spend lots of time outside this summer. I'm even considering buying this totally necessaryleather blanket for laying in the park with Mia. (Did you see that part above about my skin? Yeah we so aren't touching grass here 😂)
Anyway, back to the outfit! I've loved the button-front jean trend from afar while I was preggo and then recovering from being preggo, and was really excited to try it out myself. Well, it turns out that to get all those buttons on the fly, your jeans basically have to be high waisted and as a short torso-ed person I am not here for that. Mid-rise jeans already manage to cover my belly button, and high rise jeans basically touch my bra. I tried on many pairs but basically chalked it up as something that would never work for me.
But then I found this pair from Old Navy that have just an 8" rise, not 10" or 11" and you guys, they totally work! They come up just to my belly button, and the button fly holds you in a little more than a zipper making them super comfy and flattering. I also am loving the lighter wash, which feels so fresh for spring. These are definitely a stiffer denim than most of my skinny jeans though and don't have much stretch, so while they're really flattering I probably am not wearing them all day. Which works for me, as we rarely are outside of the house for more than two hours at a time, and you and I both know I'm putting on cozies as soon as I walk in the door.
Add in a cute leather tote and my favorite jacket (which I somehow managed to cover in chai latte drips, can you tell in the photos??) and I'm basically a walking J.Crew model / basic b mom. And I am here. for. it.
Tee (similar here and here) - J.Crew Factory / Jacket (currently on sale!) - J.Crew / Jeans - Old Navy / Bag - Madewell / Sneakers - New Balance / Sunglasses - Amazon
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