outfit post: dot blouse, black pants, black wedges

Inspiration - Alicia Keys

I'm super tired of trying to find new ways to wear untucked shirts professionally. I miss the days of putting on a pencil skirt and tucking in a pretty blouse or button down shirt. But these days all my outfits are chosen to try to camouflage my postpartum mid-section. I don't like being limited to wearing a certain style every single day. It gets boring. So on that note...

Goals - Week 8 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier & exercising: I find that when I start trying to be consistent about eating healthy & working out - I do really great for about three weeks and then my motivation gets tired and I start to slack off. The times in my life that I've been most successful at getting fit has been when I've accepted the fourth week fatigue, eaten what I wanted and took it easy on the exercise for a few days. But then after the mental break recommitted myself to whatever plan I was following and dug back in for another three weeks. 
• This week was a slide back week. I had pizza and barbeque and ice cream and took it easy on the workouts. But after four days of slacking off - I was ready to get back to it on Monday. The past few days have been on point again. So for the week my weight change was basically a wash - didn't gain but didn't lose either. 
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - loss 0.2 lb
• Total weight lost - 9.6 lbs 
• 23.4 to go!
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Success!

Top: Cap-sleeved dot blouse - H&M shop same, similar, similar Bottom: Black pants - Target similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Black wedges - J.Crew outlet similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Navy beaded necklace - LOFT similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: white cardigan, floral blouse, grey pants, nude wedges

Inspiration - What Not to Wear

I am totally in love with this Target crepe shell I got a few weeks ago. (I want to go back and get the mint green patterned one too.) It's especially great because it has so many pretty colors in the floral pattern that it pairs with a ton of different cardigans. And since currently I'm in a limited section of my wardrobe, wearing it with lots of different cardigans stretches a blouse I can fit into more outfits. Only issue now is finding more inspiration pictures of similar tops so I can keep posting it here on the blog. :)

Top: White cardigan - Target shop same, similar, similar Floral crepe shell - Target shop same similar, similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Grey pants - Target similar, similar, similar Shoes: Nude wedges - Nordstrom Via Spiga 'Farley' shop same, similar, similar Accessories: Silver station necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: teal tunic, white shorts, brown sandals

Inspiration - Lilly Pulitzer

One last straggler of a vacation post! I mentioned this tunic in my maxi dress post last Tuesday and here is the main way I wore it on vacation. Light fabric and white shorts were the perfect combination for just about every day we were there. I felt very vacation-y wearing a bright teal shirt covered in a fish pattern. Other ways I wore it was alone as a bathing suit coverup and with white jeans in the evenings.

And when I was shopping I couldn't help myself but buy a mini Lilly dress for Skylar. It was just so tiny and so super cute. I took the picture below of her by the pool in the dress with these tiny Wayfarer glasses I got on Amazon. DYING OF CUTENESS.

(Thanks for all the feedback on liking the weekly weigh-ins. Looks like I'll be keeping them up! Glad you enjoy them because having to write them will keep me accountable. And so far this week is off to a rocky start...)

Top: Teal tunic - Lilly Pulitzer shop same, similar, similar, similar Bottom: White shorts - Banana Republic shop same, similar, similar Shoes: Miller sandal - Tory Burch shop same, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Fruit slice necklace - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar Animal bangles - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar

Wore this outfit site-seeing around the island. The wind caught the shirt so it looks a little poofy but I loved wearing this tunic over and over the whole trip.


My little vacation pro:


Skylar outfit details:

• Green shift dress - Lilly Pulitzer
• shop same
• Wayfarer glasses - Amazon
• shop same

outfit post: white blouse, striped jersey pencil skirt, nude wedges

Inspiration - Kelly Ripa

Love this stretchy jersey pencil skirt I bought from Old Navy last year. I still don't fit into any of my other pencil skirts so it's nice to have at least one option for work that isn't a dress or pant. (Last summer I did 7 outfits with 7 pieces using this skirt.)

On another note - my super smart & career savvy long time friend Josh is launching a free email course called, "How to get promoted in 7 days." I got a preview of the material and I think it's pretty great advice. If you'd be interested in receiving the course by email you can click here to register for free! (It starts on May 14th.)

Top: White smocked crepe blouse - Old Navy  similar, similar, similar Bottom: Striped jersey pencil skirt - Old Navy similar, similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Nude wedges - Nordstrom Via Spiga 'Farley' shop same, similar, similar Accessories: Teal drop necklace - Target similar, similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: navy tunic, grey pants, leopard belt, leopard wedges

Inspiration - Lauren Conrad

Sometimes I find pictures on Pinterest that look like clothing that I already have in my closet and use those photos as my inspiration for a blog post. And sometimes (like today) it's the opposite - I wear an outfit and then reverse search for a somewhat similar picture. (I don't ever buy clothes to complete inspiration photos unless it was something that I would have already purchased if the blog didn't exist.) In this case I couldn't find anything close when I searched combinations of "navy tunic grey pants leopard" so inspiration picture isn't as exact of an outfit as I normally use. But the part that struck me as similar on Lauren is navy top with a belted waist. Close enough for me! :)

Second day in a row that I'm showered, hair blow-dried and I have makeup on! Plus I really like today's outfit. Look at me being a "normal functioning part of society*" instead of a hermit milk factory for a tiny human. :)

*UPDATE* - Oops. I didn't mean to infer in the above statement that stay at home moms aren't normal functioning parts of society. I really meant I am getting back to my own personal pre-baby "normal" - doing a job every day that I enjoy and feel contributes in some part to the world as a whole. I didn't mean to say that being at home raising very important tiny humans to be successful grown up humans doesn't also do that. It totally does. I was just trying to make light of how dramatically my life changed after baby and is now changing again as I go back to work and how many brain is trying to reconcile those two parts of who I am now. I'm sorry if it sounded derogatory or dismissive! I didn't mean for it to!

Goals - Week 7 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier & exercising: Started doing the 21 day fix plan with my bestie on Monday - we snapchat each other progress & support throughout the day. Giving myself extra portions on the meal plan to compensate for breastfeeding. Already noticing I was eating way too much sugar & cheese... 
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - loss 2.1 lb
• Total weight lost - 9.4 lbs 
• 23.6 to go!
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Success!

(Are you guys interested or bored with my weekly weigh-ins? I know this is an outfit blog - so it seems a little out of context to keep writing about it... thoughts?)

Top: Navy linen tunic - Old Navy shop same, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Grey pants - Target similar, similar, similar Shoes: Leopard wedges - Nine West similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Fruit slice necklace - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar Leopard belt - Target similar, similar, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar, similar, similar

outfit post: pink drapey cardigan, navy & pink jersey dress, black pumps

Inspiration - Zooey Deschanel

Monday was my first day back at the office after three months of maternity leave! I enjoyed getting back into the swing of things at work and feeling productive. But I did miss my cute little buddy and her sweet chubby cheeks.

I wore this outfit for my first day back which I also wore when I was nine months pregnant! It was the only non-maternity dress that made it through my whole pregnancy. I love this dress because of how stretchy and forgiving the jersey fabric is. It has a great faux wrap detail that adds some floaty layers around the mid-section right where I need it. Wish Land's End had more in stock so I could buy it in another pattern!

Top: Pink drapey  cardigan - Ann Taylor Outlet similar, similar, similar, similar Dress: Navy & pink jersey dress - Land's End shop same, similar, similar, similar, similar  same dress - plus sized Shoes: Black pumps - Nine West similar, similar, similar Accessories: Fruit slice necklace - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar Gold link watch - Michael Kors shop same,  similar, similar, similar

outfit post: purple boho dress, jean jacket, sandals

Inspiration - Jamie Chung

I have been living in this dress since I picked it up from Target a few weeks ago. I've seriously been wearing it 3-4 times a week. Eep. But it's been such great everyday dress for the hot Florida weather. I really like how it has a high enough neckline for my big chest and how the a-line layers float away from my body. Nice for mid-section camouflage.

And I wore it non-stop on vacation. Bathing suit cover up? Casual dinner outfit? Hanging out in the hotel room? Check check and check!

Dress: Purple print boho dress - Mossimo Target shop same, similar, similar, similar Top: Jean Jacket - Target  similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Miller sandal - Tory Burch shop same, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Gold sunburst necklace - House of Harlow shop same, similar, similar teal version

Atlantis vacation picture in front of crystal sculpture just outside of the casino.

outfit post: orange layered tank, white cropped jeans, brown wedges

Inspiration - Eva Longoria

In addition to the tunic and maxi dress I mentioned purchasing for vacation yesterday - I also bought this layered tank and double strand pendant necklace from Banana Republic. The tank is really flattering in how it flows away from the body with cool three panels layered in the back and draping long enough to cover my bum.

And I was surprised how much I liked the necklace and wore it as much as I could on our trip. It has a really nice weight to it so the layers don't get tangled and I really liked how the pendants have a geometric masculine feel.

I wore this outfit with wedges to the casino to play blackjack and with flats to walk around )with the hubby & baby in stroller) through all the really cool aquariums. Really loved the predator tunnel with sharks swimming overhead - pictured below!

Goals - Week 5 & 6 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier: Eating on Vacation was irregular - some really good healthy steamed fish or sushi type meals and other dripping with sauce BBQ sandwiches. Since we have been back I have been cooking a lot of super healthy meals so my eating has been really good.
  
• Walking lots: On vacation our room was at the furthest end of the property so it took 2,000 steps to go to a main area and back (thanks fitbit!) and because we did that multiple times a day - I broke 10K steps or much higher every day we were there. Since we've been back I've also made sure to beat 10K steps everyday. I want to make the most of this week because it is my last one of maternity leave - I don't know what my available time for long walks with the babe will be as of Monday...
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - loss 4.5 lb (over 2 weeks)
• Total weight lost - 7.3 lb 
• 25.7 to go. :)
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Success!
  

Top: Coral/orange layer back tank - Banana Republic  shop same, similar, similar Bottom: White jeans (cropped leg)  - Denizen from Target shop same, similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Wedges - ShoeMint similar, similar, similar love love love these  Accessories: Pendulum double pendant necklace - Banana Republic shop same, similar, similar, triangles

Predator tunnel!

outfit post: pink floral v-neck lilly maxi, wedges

Inspiration - Lilly Pulitzer

Last week our little family headed over to Atlantis in the Bahamas to take advantage of my second to last week of maternity leave. We had a wonderful time and the tiny human did great - both with her first time flying and with the new environment. This week I'm going to share some of the outfits I wore on vacation. I hope you enjoy!

Before the trip, as I attempted to pack, I tried on some of my favorite beachwear from my closet but frustratingly everything was uncomfortably or inappropriately tight because of the baby weight I'm still carrying. So annoying. I already knew I was going to be self-conscious in beach clothes and bathing suits at this higher weight so to counteract that feeling I decided to treat myself to a few 'nice' larger sized pieces before the trip that I knew that I would feel good wearing. Vacation is so much more relaxing and enjoyable when you are comfortable in your own skin!

I went to the Lilly Pulitzer store and bought this maxi and a blue tunic - both of which are bright and fun and most importantly actually fit! (Although my nursing boobs are so huge - they are a little ridiculous in everything I wear.) Mission success! I loved wearing my new purchases and think that I will be able to tailor them a touch when I get smaller so that they still fit.

One night while we were there we got a babysitter and I wore this dress with my highest wedges to go to dinner at Nobu (yum!) and then to watch a pretty funny comedy show. (I also carried a cream light knit cardigan because the a/c was frigid in some parts of the resort.)

Dress: Pink floral v-neck maxi - Lilly Pulitzer shop same, similar strapless (reminds me of a lilly pattern but half the price) Shoes: Wedges - ShoeMint similar, similar, similar love love love these  Accessories: Fruit slice necklace - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar Animal bangles - Lilly Pulitzer (free with purchase) similar, similar, similar

Baby girl's first plane ride!

And just for fun - here are affiliate links to her outfit:

• Striped nautical shirt - Carter's
• shop same
• Jean leggings - Carter's
• shop same
• Pink chevron pacifier clip - Bumkins
• shop same

outfit post: yellow cardigan, bootcut jeans, leopard wedges, leopard belt

Inspiration - Lily Style

**We're on vacation this next-to-last week of my maternity leave. So I thought I'd try and share a few of the remaining body double posts that I have sitting saved on my computer...**

Fun spring outfit. Loving the leopard accents with the dark outfit base and bright cardigan. Cute cute.

Top: Yellow print cardigan - Target similar (Tracy Reese $198 on sale for $31) similar, similar, similar Black camisole - Target similar, similar, similar Bottom: Trouser jeans - Old Navy similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Leopard wedges - Nine West similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Leopard belt - Target similar, similar, similar, similar

outfit post: chambray shirt, black pencil skirt, maroon heels

Inspiration - Hilary Duff

We're on vacation this next-to-last week of my maternity leave. So I thought I'd try and share a few of the remaining body double posts that I have sitting saved on my computer...

Back in September Paloma over at Nine Thirty to Five blog mentioned that she had been leery of wearing her chambray shirt to the office but once she did she was totally into it. I feel the same way - the material is basically denim which seems incredibly casual but the actual design of the shirt has buttons and a collar which is actually pretty office appropriate. After dressing my friend up in my chambray shirt with a black pencil skirt, I found that I really like the result! So I've decided, for casual days, I'm joining the wear your chambray to the office train too! :)

Goals - Week 5 update:

• Vacation week - no update. Back at it next week!

See previous updates:

• Goal Progress

Top: Chambray button down shirt - Old Navy similar, similar, similar, similar Bottom: Black suit skirt - Ann Taylor  similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Maroon heels - Nine West  similar, similar, similar, wedge Accessories: Rebel pendant necklace - Stella & Dot shop same, similar, similar, similar

*Body Double Post

outfit post: peasant top, white ankle jeans, black ballet flats

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

Final day of my Reese Witherspoon inspiration streak!

Again she is wearing a simple outfit of neutral colors and adds interest with a punch of color in her yellow bag. I followed suit but used my fun green bag instead of yellow.

Top: Peasant top - Mossimo from Target shop same (also sold in white), similar, similar, similar,  very similar to Reese's Bottom: White jeans (cropped leg)  - Denizen from Target shop same, similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Black 'Reva' flats - Tory Burch shop same, similar, toe bow - love Accessories: Green bag - Target similar, similar, similar, similar

most popular clothing clicks - march

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 March.

(The first Merona crepe top is the exact one from Target that I wore in my fun bright floral top posts recently. But I can't seem to get the widget to display that one - instead it keeps showing the grey polka-dot one... grrr.)

outfit post: patterned shift dress, jean jacket, black t-strap wedges

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

Day five of the Reese-inspiration-streak!

This is the same dress I posted a week ago when I wore it on date night with the hubby. Today I wore it for daytime errands. As I mentioned before I love taking a really basic outfit (neutral print dress & jean jacket) and adding fun accessories (NEON yellow bag and necklace) to make it interesting. Accessories tend to be a more inexpensive (at least mine are - thanks Target & Forever 21!) way to update/stretch the basics in your closet and make them seem different & interesting.

Top: Jean Jacket - Target  similar, similar, similar, similar Dress: Patterned shift dress - Asos Maternity Maternity: shop same Non-Maternity: similar, similar, similar, similar Inspiration ($$$) Shoes: Black t-strap wedges - Style & Co similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Yellow drop necklace - Target similar, bead cluster, gemstone cluster Neon yellow bag - Forever 21 shop same, tiny cute, chain strap, wristlet

outfit post: white ankle jeans, striped shirt, brown wedge sandal

Inspiration - Reese Witherspoon

My Reese streak continues! (And I still have two more inspired by Reese outfit idea still coming... hee hee.)

I don't often wear two light colored garments together. I always think light monochromatic outfits look so chic on other people but for some reason I rarely wear them myself. But being the Reese-streak and all - I thought I'd venture outside my comfort zone and give it a try. Especially since it has the fun color addition of the red bag. I'm pretty happy with the results. (Also taking advantage of the fact our tiny human doesn't do things like roll in the dirt or eat spaghetti or finger paint yet to wear my white jeans... who knows how long her sticky-free-ness that will last?)

Goals - Week 4 update:

1. Start eating healthier & walking lots - 
• Eating healthier: Early in the week we had a few poor nights of sleeping (And it was going so well! Maybe growth spurt?) and when I'm really low on sleep I lose my motivation to figure out healthy meals and just move to grab-what's-easiest mode. So last week wasn't great on the fruits & vegetable front... and next week we're squeezing in a vacation before my maternity leave is over (go back April 20th - so close!)... so I'm just going to give myself a pass for that week. But starting April 13th I should be able to establish a pretty good routine of shopping for good stuff and doing some meal prep for the week. That is always when I'm most successful!
• Walking lots: Over 10K steps 5/7 days last week. Finished All the Light We Cannot See and almost done with The Girl on the Train audio books. Yay for books & walking!
• Weight: 
• Weight lost this week - gain 1 lb
• Total weight lost - 2.8 lb 
• 30.2 to go. :)
2. Post at least 3x a week-
• Post 3x: Success! Thursday, Friday, Monday & Wednesday. Yay!
  

Top: Striped shirt - Merona Target similar (can't find exact), similar, similar, similar Bottom: White jeans (cropped leg)  - Denizen from Target shop same, similar, similar, similar, similar Shoes: Brown wedge sandals - Target similar, similar, similar, similar Accessories: Gold rope necklace - Loft  similar, similar, similar Red cross body bag - Stella & Dot similar, similar, similar, similar