The Adventure Starts Here: Mommy style

Showing posts with label Mommy style. Show all posts

Thursday, March 16, 2017

What I've Been Wearing | Mommy Style

I've been making an effort to wear more of my closet. I found that there are a few pieces that I tend to grab for more often while leaving other pieces virtually unworn. It's not that I don't like them, I just gravitated towards my newer pieces. By taking photos of my daily outfits, I had physical proof of what I wear most. This past month, I separated my closet by things I had already worn (and photographed and shared) from the tops I had yet to wear this winter. I then made an effort to reach for those neglected pieces first. It was rather refreshing and felt like I had a new wardrobe! Just goes to show you that it's nice to wear some of your oldies but goodies! And if you still don't want to wear them, then it's probably time to donate it.

Here's what I've been wearing the last few weeks...

School drop off/pick up followed by taking Noah for a hair cut.

chambray shirt | black jeans | leopard sneakers (old Gap, but these are similar)

Book Club - I love getting a little dressed up, even if it's just a casual book club at someone's house :) This random February evening was so warm (relatively) and I was able to go out without a coat! I took advantage of the warmth and swapped my usual boots for my favorite lace up flats!

blouse (old Loft, but this is pretty print for spring) | jeans | lace up flats | necklace (with tassel)

I dropped Noah off at school and then ran some errands at Target, Costco, and Old Navy! I was shocked we were blessed with another warm day in February. Since the temps hit 70, I jumped at the chance to wear short sleeves!

jeans (only $29!!!) | shirt (Gray Monroe) | sneakers (old Loft) | necklace (with tassel)

4 year old birthday party - The warm weather was short lived and we were back to cold and windy! I shared this outfit here as well as what it looks like with a mustard scarf perfect for Spring!

jeans | striped shirt (other colors, but love this option)

boots (similar) | earrings (similar) | scarf (old Loft)

Other than bringing Noah to school, we spent the day at home. And since the temps were still low, I love how this sweatshirt keeps me warm but makes me feel ready for Spring!

sweatshirt | jeans | slippers

Another day of school drop off. While we didn't really have any plans, I did go to chapel at Noah's school.

top (similar) | jeans | necklace (similar)

Swim school, grocery shopping, and then home to do laundry. I used to wear these Express shirts all the time and was surprised that I hadn't reached for them recently. I also realize I need to clean my mirror!

shirt (old Express) | jeans

My 33rd Birthday! After dropping Noah off at school, Chris and I went out for breakfast and then to the mall. That evening we went out to dinner with my parents and enjoyed some cupcakes for dessert.

sweater (old Limited) | jeans | boots (similar) | necklace (old, but I love this one for spring!)

I kept it super casual in the morning since we were just heading to the mall for another appointment with the Apple Genius Bar.

shirt (old Express) | jeans

I changed my outfit for a special birthday dinner out with Chris. Here's another sweater that I've had for years but haven't worn recently.

sweater (old Limited) | black jeans | booties (old Banana)

After Noah had school, lunch bunch, and art enrichment, we went to do some outlet shopping with my mom. Back in the fall I shared three ways to style this red gingham shirt.

plaid shirt | black jeans

Noah was gone the whole morning at school. Since I was spending the day working on my computer and doing tons of laundry (which you see behind me), I decided to stay comfortable with a tunic and leggings.

Lou & Grey tunic (current colors, I'm very tempted to get a few more) | ponte leggings

*affiliate links may be used, please see my disclosure.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Kiss Me I'm Irish | A St. Patrick's Day Parade

I am a fan of holidays. Some we make bigger deals out of than others, but at the very least I like to acknowledge and celebrate them with some festive food or outfit. Friday is St. Patrick's Day, and since we are actually Irish, I figure we should do something for it. I personally am not a fan of corned beef and cabbage, but I do like leprechauns, rainbows, and the color green... so we do what we can ;)

This past weekend, we went back to our old town for the Morristown St. Patrick's Day parade. I had been searching for a while for something green to wear. While I love all shades of green, I usually think of a bright kelly green when it comes to St. Patrick's Day. In the past I've always bought Noah one of those cute St. Patty's Day shirts, but he really only gets to wear them once or twice, and they are always short sleeve (so not good for this area in March!). But this year I found him a green sweatshirt at Hanna Andersson and knew it was perfect not only for the holiday, but could also be worn any other day of the year! As for me, I was having trouble finding much in kelly green... I guess it's not a hot color this year. So when I saw this green sweater in JCrew, I knew I had to have it! I love light weight sweaters that don't add extra bulk, and the ties on the side are a nice addition to make it something special and different. (I also love the royal blue color... I was very tempted to get both!)

green sweater (now on sale!) | jeans | riding boots (similar)

While I plan to wear this outfit again on actual St. Patrick's Day, I knew that it would most likely be cold at the parade and I would end up covering this sweater with my winter coat. So I grabbed my green tote that Chris got me a few years ago so that I'd have something green that would actually be seen ;). While I don't use this bag a ton, I always grab it on St. Patrick's Day as well as occasionally throughout the summer. I love the pop of color it adds and it's the perfect size to hold my essentials as well as my DSLR.

bag (old Tommy Hilfiger, but this is a cute green option!) | watch (similar)

But I wasn't the only one who wore some green for the parade! It's a shame that it wasn't warmer, cause no one really knew that we were even wearing green once we added our winter coats, hats, and gloves! But underneath it all we were showing our Irish pride!

Noah's sweatshirt

We met our good friends for breakfast before going to the parade. It's funny cause we met these friends back when we both lived in Morristown and our boys were just 6 months and a year old. We became fast friends and then both moved to our new town within six months of each other. The kids always have so much fun together and it was fun going back to our old stomping ground together.

^^^ matching camo coats (Hanna Andersson, no longer online)

Boy was it cold this year. We went to our first Morristown St. Patty's Day parade back in 2013 when Noah was only 4 months old. It was so nice out that Chris and I wore long sleeve shirts and I just added a hoodie and hat for Noah. The following year (2014) it was just as nice, wearing just a light windbreaker. In 2015, we didn't end up going because it was raining, and last year we were away in Turks and Caicos. We were so excited to finally go back this year. Despite it being 26 degrees (felt colder with the wind), we bundled up and decided to let Noah decide how long we stay. I honestly think I would have given up sooner, but he was really enjoying the whole thing. I really don't think kids feel the cold like we do. I hope next year is warmer, otherwise I'll be tempted to get a coat like this, so I can be festive AND warm!

^^^ this cart came by SO MANY TIMES! I was shocked and relieved that Noah didn't ask to buy any of that crap!

^^^ boy did I feel bad for anyone in a kilt!

Noah told us that his favorite parts of the parade were seeing all the instruments... and of course getting all the candy ;) Chris told him how he used to play drums in his middle school marching band. Noah said that when he gets bigger, he wants to play the trumpet. I loved seeing all the bands, everything from bagpipes and drums, to traditional marching bands, to some country bands.

^^^ Noah did not want his photo taken with this leprechaun... and I can't say I blame him.

^^^ Noah told us that their costumes looked like half Joker/half the Riddler. We are definitely in the Superhero stage over here!

^^^ seeing eye dogs are trained in Morristown and they had a bunch of them walk in the parade. When we lived in Morristown, I would take Noah on many walks around town and I always loved seeing the dogs out. Most of the time we would see them being trained and occasionally we would see them with someone who was vision impaired. These seeing eye dogs are the most calm and loving animals, and it's amazing the service they are providing.

Despite the cold, we had a really great time! And for fun, I thought it would be funny to share this gem of a photo from St. Patrick's Day 2011. Oh how different our Morristown St. Patty's Days are now. Here I am having my first ever jager bomb...

*affiliate links may be used... see my disclosure for more information

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery | Mommy Style

Back in October, Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls, Whitney at Work It Mommy, and Becky at BYBMG and I started sharing different fashion themed posts. First it was how we styled our utility vests, then it was all about plaid, and our most recent was our winter accessories. We are back today, but this time we are mixing it up a bit. Since I am constantly getting inspiration from my fashionable friends, I loved Whitney's idea to do a little "copycat" fashion post. Between the four of us, we will be copying an outfit that each of us have posted in the past.

I was assigned Beth, and right away I knew the outfit I wanted to copy. When she posted this outfit, I loved her mix of patterns. While I own a few striped shirts and many plaid scarves, I don't think I've ever worn them together. I wouldn't describe myself as being scared of patterns, but maybe I am... or rather was.

Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls

The best part of this outfit is that I didn't feel the need to copy her exact pieces, it was more the idea of combining stripes and plaid that I loved! As I was going through my closet, I was surprised to find out that I don't really have any plaid scarves with black in them. And yet, all my striped shirts are black! So in addition to mixing patterns, I also went out of my comfort zone and mixed navy with black. Part of me felt like I was committing a fashion faux pas, but I actually like the look of it. I think the fact that this scarf has multiple shades of blue helps a lot!

Just like Beth's original outfit, I love how this is a casual outfit that is easily elevated with accessories. Dark denim, brown riding boots, and some sparkly earrings, and I had a comfortable outfit that was also stylish. Perfect for a weekend birthday party!

jeans | striped shirt (other colors, but love this option)

boots (similar) | earrings (similar) | scarf (old Loft)

As I was putting this outfit together on a cold and windy February day, I couldn't help but dream of Spring. Just the day before it was almost 70 degrees and I was running errands in short sleeves! While I can't count on that kind of weather (at least on a regular basis) for a few more months, I can make it feel like spring with my accessories. I've been eager to add something mustard to my wardrobe so I was thrilled to get this mustard scarf for my birthday. I couldn't wait to start styling it with different outfits! I simply swapped the navy plaid scarf for this mustard floral scarf, and it's amazing how one change could change the feel of an outfit. I went from winter to spring with the switch of a scarf!

mustard scarf

jeans | striped shirt (other colors, but love this option) | boots (similar)

So tell me, how did I do at copying Beth's outfit??? Do you like getting fashion inspiration from your friends?

I'm always excited to see what Becky, Beth, and Whitney came up with, but especially this time since one of them will be copying one of my past outfits!!!

*affiliate links may be used... see my disclosure for more information