outfit post: jean jacket, white tank, black cropped pants, teal flats

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

So my Reese Witherspoon inspiration streak is continuing...

I love this outfit because is made up entirely of the most basic of basics closet staples. Black pants, white top and jean jacket... you can't get more core wardrobe staples then those. But these pieces together with fun bright colored shoes and a matching necklace - it changes from a snoozefest into a cute outfit. Love!

Top: Jean Jacket - Target  similar, similar, similar, similar White Cami - Old Navy shop same, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Black ankle pants - Target similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Teal/mint/green perforated flat - Old Navy similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: floral blouse, skinny jeans, teal pointed toe flats

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

So I'm totally obsessed with Reese Witherspoon's casual wardrobe. I went on a Reese outfit pinning spree. I think this whole week might be outfits inspired by clothes she has worn. (Also just finished reading Wild - haven't seen the movie yet - and the whole time I kept picturing her as the main character of the book.)

I love her floral blouse and how she highlighted the pretty pink/purple/violet color in the flower print by matching both her shoes and her bag to it. I tried to do the same thing by picking up on the teal in my blouse with my flats and my pendant necklace. Yay for matchy matchy!

*Update - Found the exact Target top! Love love love!

Top: Floral top - Target shop same similar, similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Skinny jeans - Denizen Target shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Teal/mint/green perforated flat - Old Navy similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: white jeans, print top, jean jacket, black patent wedges

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

My new white jeans from Target! (Another addition supplementing my 'normal' wardrobe with bigger sized clothes while I work on the baby weight.) I like the Denizen brand at Target because the denim is heavier and feels better quality then other pairs of cheap-y jeans I get from Target or Old Navy. And especially with white jeans - I don't want them being too thin and showing off any lumps or bumps that they shouldn't!

Looking for inspiration for the white jeans - I pinned like twenty Reese Witherspoon outfits. She is definitely the celebrity I emulate the most. She has such cute & relatable style.

Blouse worn previously:

• Coral jacket & black pants
• Pink drapey cardigan & black pants

Also - from December: 23 ways to wear a jean jacket.

Top: Jean Jacket - Target  similar, similar, similar, similar Black and white print blouse - Ann Taylor Outlet similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: White jeans (cropped leg)  - Denizen from Target shop same, similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Black wedges - J.Crew outlet similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Yellow drop necklace - Target similar, bead cluster, gemstone cluster

outfit post: patterned shift dress, black patent wedges

Inspiration - Oscar de la Renta

I wore this for date night with hubby to our favorite sushi restaurant. Florida weather decided to skip spring and just jump into summer so a lightweight sleeveless dress was necessary. I couldn't find a dress I felt good in from my regular closet (everything was sooo tight) so I decided to wear this maternity dress pretend it is a regular shift dress. Think it worked out pretty well. :)

Goals - Week 3 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier: Couple of setbacks. Wandered a little off track last week - including (but not limited to) deep dish supreme pizza order one night and another afternoon included cookie shake and onion rings for lunch... stocked up on some good groceries yesterday so hopefully next week will be better.
• Walking lots: Not as good as past few weeks. Walked 10K steps only 3/7 days. Will be better next week!
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - 2.3 lb
• Total weight lost - 3.8 lb 
• Yay. 29.2 to go. :)
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Fail. Only 2 posts last week. Will be better next week! (Just bought a pair of white jeans from Target - lots of outfit ideas to come!)
  

Dress: Patterned shift dress - Asos Maternity Maternity: shop same Non-Maternity: similar, similar, similar, similar Inspiration ($$$) Shoes: Black wedges - J.Crew outlet similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: taupe silk blouse, red midi skirt, brown loafer heels

Inspiration - Refinery29

I really love this length and cut of skirt. I feel like it is universally flattering to have a skirt accentuate your waist and flow away at the hips. (Or at least that's what TLC's What Not to Wear always tells me!) I like that it has a ladylike and slightly retro feel. But the bright fun color keeps it feeling current. I'm loving this!

Taupe blouse worn previously:

• Black pencil skirt & black pointed toe pumps
• Grey & white boyfriend cardigan & black mini-skirt
• Bootcut jeans & brown loafer heels
• White shorts & teal bubble necklace (sister post)

Red skirt previously worn:

• White t-shirt & brown peep toed-pumps
• Black jacket & leopard heels
• Grey cardigan & brown t-strap heels

Top: Peach/Taupe/Nude silk blouse - Gap similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Red midi skirt - JCrew similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Brown loafer pumps - Jessica Simpson similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: pink buttondown shirt, bootcut jeans, black ballet flats

Inspiration - Katie Holmes

I bought two versions of this Express Portofino shirt last year (white and teal) and then midway through my pregnancy I bought two more (pink and dark blue) in a larger size because it's such a great shirt and I get so much wear out of them. I love them for both work and casual. Here are two previous outfits with the teal version:

• Teal camp shirt & black cropped pants
• Teal camp shirt, striped a-line skirt & white heels

On a mommy topic - I've gotten a couple questions about what diaper bag I've been using. I decided that since I would be carrying the bag all the time along with the tiny human to treat myself a bit and buy a fun bag. After poking around the internet I bought two sizes of the Marc Jacob Preppy Nylon Bags in Dirty Martini color. I pack the smaller one with the main essentials and use it by itself for quick trips to the grocery store or out to dinner. And then I use the bigger bag on for longer days out with additional supplies and tuck the smaller bag inside. It's been a pretty good system thus far.

• Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Natasha Duffle Bag (Smaller)
• Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Elizababy Shoulder Bag (Larger)

Goals - Week 2 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier: Pretty good. Same as last week. I'm adding more fruits & veggies and trying to avoid fried junk food while still consciously making sure I have decent number of calories since I'm nursing.
• Walking lots: Pretty good. Made 10K steps 5/7 days. (Listening to Wild on audiobook for my bookclub this month)
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - 1 lb
• Total weight lost - 1.5 lb 
• Yay. 31.5 to go. :)
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Success!
  

Top: Pink portofino shirt - Express shop same, similar, similar Lots of variations Bottom: Bootcut jeans - Denizen Target shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Black 'Reva' flats - Tory Burch shop same, similar, toe bow - love Accessories: Nylon diaper bag - Marc Jacob shop same

outfit post: navy silk blouse, black dress pants, black pumps

Inspiration - Banana Republic

Right now I am wearing a pretty small number of outfits on repeat while I try to lose weight and work my way back into the non-maternity section of my closet. Since I still have a few pictures leftover from my 'body double' photo sessions that I'm going to share those with you guys when I don't have a new current outfit. :)

I love how this outfit feels no-nonsense professional and sophisticated. Sometimes a simple blouse in a strong color with basic black pants are all you need to look like a bad-ass worker bee.

Blouse worn previously:

• Polka-dot pencil skirt & black pumps
• Grey pencil skirt & leopard flats
• Mint cropped pants & leopard heels

Top: Navy silk blouse - Ann Taylor similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Black 'Editor' pants - Express shop same (on sale!), similar, similar, similar Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West shop same, similar, similar, similar

most popular clothing clicks - January & February

Because I use affiliate links on this site (I get a few cents each time you guys click a shopping link) I am able to see a dashboard of what items were the most clicked on each week/month. I think it's really interesting to see which clothing links you guys are engaged by and click a bunch. And then compare those to which ones you decide to pass over. Here's the most clicked items for January & February.

outfit post: peasant top, skinny jeans, ankle boots

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

This is another top I picked up recently from Target. I chose the blouse because it has a fun print in a cut that doesn't cling to my mid-section. And even though it has dark colors, I think with how lightweight the fabric is, it will still be fun to wear it this summer with shorts.

Top: Peasant top - Mossimo from Target shop same (also sold in white), similar, similar, similar,  very similar to Reese's Bottom: Skinny jeans - Denizen Target shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Ankle boots - Mossimo from Target shop same,  similar (i also own these), similar, similar, similar  Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: floral blouse, green cardigan, bootcut jeans, black ballet flats

Inspiration - Poor Little It Girl

Love a great floral blouse that you can pull colors out with cardigans! Found this one at Target and I am excited by the pinks, yellows and greens that can be coordinated with it going forward. And while I'm currently loving the blouse because of the forgiving nature of the cut and how it skims my mid-section chub when I wear it with jeans on maternity leave, I think it will definitely transition to be a great work blouse tucked in with slacks or skirt. Yay.

The past week has flown by! Husband went out of town for the week and my two college roomies came to stay for a few days bringing an adorable 10 month old. (They left two more boys and a pair of twins with their respective spouses! Phew!) We spent the visit chatting during nursing sessions, chatting during lunches out, chatting while eating the delicious dinners they made to bring and chatting while watching movies once the kids were down... we like chatting with each other! :)

We reminisced our college days living together in our "little yellow house" and all the fun times we had together. We marveled how much easier it was getting things done (dinner, diapers, cleaning up) during their stay when we divvied them up between us. So we decided we should probably try to talk our husbands into us becoming sister wives - minus the husband swapping part - we just need to figure out how to not all live in different cities. Love them.

Two goals - Week 1 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier: Not too shabby. I consciously added more fruits and veggies to my daily routine. Didn't eat any food that could be purchased at a drive through or convenience store. But did enjoy a big BBQ dinner of ribs & pulled port the night hubby got back from traveling. Decent balance of good food with occasional treats.
• Walking lots: Did awesome. Hit or beat my 10K steps a day goal 6 out of 7 days with a 15K steps day. Helps that the little human loves the stroller so great motivation to go for a walk when she is fussy.
• Weight: Weight this week - loss 1/2 lb, Total weight change - loss 1/2 lb. Number change in the right direction. Slow & steady!
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Fail. One week later and this is my first post. Little human got gas after my friends left and it was a rough few nights of very short periods of sleep. Just when I felt like I was getting my newborn care feet under me - landed back in sleepless-unproductive-ville. Happy to report she is doing much better today.
  

Top: Floral top - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Bootcut jeans - Denizen Target shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Black 'Reva' flats - Tory Burch shop same, similar, toe bow - love Accessories: Yellow drop necklace - Target similar, bead cluster, gemstone cluster

outfit post: striped shirt, skinny jeans, black flats

Inspiration - Kate Middleton

I am definitely struggling with getting dressed everyday. I am 30 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight and carrying most of that in my thighs & middle section. I am trying to learn to dress a very different body shape then I had 9 months ago. I've picked up a few more things from Target to try to feel somewhat cute at this size while not breaking the bank on clothes I will only (hopefully) wear for a few months.

I bought this this particular striped shirt from Target because it has a heavier weight fabric which has enough structure so that it doesn't cling to the chub around my mid-section. And then because my full panel maternity jeans were getting a little ridiculous to still be wearing and not staying up right - I bought a pair of super stretchy skinny jeans to take their place. It was hard to buy a pair three sizes bigger then my 'normal' size but better then continuing to feel terrible about what I have on. (Also got them in bootcut.) And because what's a trip to Target without some unplanned purchases I got this fun necklace in both teal & yellow. (Yay for jewelry always fitting regardless of what the scale says!) :)

Since I'm six week post-partum today I am going to make two goals for myself for the next six weeks of my maternity leave:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - since I'm officially cleared for exercise I am going to start being much better about watching what I'm eating (sniff... good-bye Taco Bell) and taking long walks with the baby (she loves them and naps most of the time). I will do a weigh-in Wednesday and give you guys a +/- pounds progress report because I hear accountability keeps you motivated! Check back next Wednesday  for my first check-in. :)
2. Post at least 3x a week. I still have some body double posts saved up so between that and mixing and matching the few items I do fit into currently -  I should be able to cobble together enough time & thought to post a few times a week!

Top: Striped shirt - Merona Target similar (can't find exact), similar, similar, similar Bottom: Skinny jeans - Denizen Target shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Black 'Reva' flats - Tory Burch shop same, similar, toe bow - love Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar