what I wear when I don't want to get dressed

Disclaimer: I almost didn't get dressed today at all. We're talking about my being that weird-flannel-pants-lady headed out to the mailbox at 3 p.m. You know the type; surely your neighborhood has one. And why was I so close to that abysmal mentality? Because I didn't want to get "dressed" for this blog.

 shoes: thrifted. jeans: vintage (american eagle). shirt: utah state university. cardigan: gap. necklace: forever21. watch: target. earrings: hawaii.

 THEN I remembered that this blog is to document what I wear in my, a stay-at-home-mom's, normal everyday life. So here you have it. Alma mater tee, unmatched cardigan, some camo wedges, and hardly any accessorization or makeup. Judge me. But man I'm comfortable. And it's a step up from flannel pants. A 2" step, sure, but a step nonetheless...

 And also, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: What I pack to take on vacation. Having just come back from such a trip, these questions were easy-peasy for me.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra? Less is more. And also: Be prepared. Those two are kinda hard to combine, especially when packing for a family of 5. But still. I try.

2. What are your must packs? Toothpaste, diapers & wipes (welcome to the life of a mother), and at least 1 pair of jeans, no matter where I'm headed. I should probably say "deodorant" or something reassuring here, too, in case any of you want to vacation with me sometime. Unfortunately, I make no guarantees about that...

3. What are you happy to leave behind? The computer, oddly enough. And a clean house to come home to. I think I get that from my mom--the house has to be tidy before I can leave.

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase? I choose layering pieces that can go either warm- or cold-weather. Like lightweight cardigans, jeans (that can be cuffed), short sleeves. I don't skimp on clean underwear, though. I'll gladly wear a dirty tee twice before I double-dip on the undies.

5. Beach reading… what are you taking with you to read in the sand? Whatever light reading I'm into. "Mental bubble gum" books that I don't have to think too hard to read and that I can easily hold up with one hand. Hello, convenience of the Kindle.

Happy Friday!

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More Topshop...

twists and turns

Apparently there was something super interesting outside my window. Like the garbage truck.

 shoes, jeans, & slouchy tee: american eagle outfitters. striped tunic & wide belt: forever21. cardigan: don't recall. earrings: hawaii. watch: target. bracelet: burntsiena designs.

Allow me to totally geek out on you all for a minute...please? (You hesitate, probably because you're baffled as to how this would be any different from any other post on here...) So. Geek Central: I love the balance of circles-and-stripes in this outfit. Belt clasp, watch face, earrings, necklace = all circles. Tunic and the line of the sash on my head = stripes. Unexpected and maybe awesome for me here.

And I didn't even plan it, really. Which makes me think today is going to be a normal day with pops o' fabulousness. Probably dinner will taste okay tonight. My kids won't hit each other when they argue. And my sore throat won't progress into a full-fledged cold. How could I not love a day like today?

Which makes me also think that my future's looking pretty stinking bright as a psychic or fortune cookie author. "You will do great things when you take your kids to the playground and offer a crying stranger a slice of your gala apple." "You will meet someone new who has purple hair and a garage band." Sure, they're a touch specific, but that doesn't mean they won't happen...and if when they do, think how disturbing crazy-awesome that would be!!!

Happy Tuesday.

p.s. I wore my slouchy tee backwards under the tunic today. Thoughts on that little rule-breakage?

Want this look? You don't have to answer that. I already know. (Remember? I'm psychic now.) Shop below...

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to wear clothes or to let them wear me...THAT is the question.

sandals: don't recall (old as the hills). jeans: american eagle. denim shirt: thrifted (gap). vest: old navy. bracelet: burntsiena designs. necklace: forever21. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: open jewelry market in hawaii.

A few years ago, I bought a puffy vest with a removable faux-fur-lined hood on it. I never removed the hood, despite its sometimes interfering with that day's ensemble, because I figured, "If the designers put it here, they know best...who am I to say their idea's no good?" Same for shirtsleeves--if they were buttoned at the wrist, then, by jove, I'd keep them buttoned.

(Did I just say "by jove"? I did? Crap. My secret's out...I'm really a 72-year-old man posing as a young mommy style blogger.)

Collars? Belts? Cardigan-shirt sets? Same thing. I assumed that clothing was designed a certain way for a reason, and as a Joe-Schmoe (or, rather, Joe's sister, Jane-Schmane), I certainly couldn't claim expertise above a designer's vision. I think this narrow mindset put me on the fast-track to several style pitfalls:

(1) With limited stylability options of my existing wardrobe, I had to either purchase more stuff or sit on the sidelines and watch others waltz freshly and fashionably (dare I say glibly? yes, I dare) and glibly by. Which is an awesome feeling. Ohp. Wait. No it's not.

(2) Becaues they had few uses (in my wear-it-as-it-comes-and-ONLY-as-it-comes mindset), my clothing purchases were usually cheap...on all counts.

(3) My creativity was stinted, as I couldn't (wouldn't?) let myself look outside the box to mix and match, modify, tuck, switch out, etc. Unless, of course, said box had dumped out a pair of jeans and a tee and they happened to be lying by the side of the box when I got up in the morning. Thanks, Box. I'll wear these today.

It was up until just a short time ago that I realized this: (Are you ready? Super-huge epiphany forthcoming. You'll probably never be the same person after reading this, so say your goodbyes to the life you once knew. Embarking on unchartered waters here.)

(ahem) Clothing in and of itself is a mere jumping-off point. Anyone can go buy Dress X at the store and wear it. It's not the dress itself, per se, that embodies one's style, although some clothing items do indeed indicate one's style preferences. Rather, it's what one does with a particular garment, how s/he makes it her/his own, that is the shaping and molding of what will come to be personal style.

Why oh why did I waste decades not knowing this? It's so liberating! I can do whatever I want with my clothes because they're mine all mine! They don't own me...I own them! Muuhahahahahaaaaaa!!!

(Ew. Weird. And creepy. But mostly just weird.)

So. Here's to us all. May we find the courage and desire to roll up a long sleeve, belt a jacket, cut off a pair of jeans, sew buttons on a wrap, turn scarf into skirt and skirt into shirt, pop a collar, break up a suit. The possibilities are virtually limitless.

See what I'm wearing above? Denim on denim? One of my #1 Fashion Faux Pas. And the shirt's sleeves are supposed to be long--the double snaps at the wrist prove it. And a sweater vest shouldn't go with denim. And the necklace was "meant" to be doubled around, not worn long to my navel.

I'd continue listing the rules I'm breaking, but I have to stop typing because I need a hand to pat myself on the back.

Happy HAPPY Monday!

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More Express...

cookies bring Inception to life...

Baby steps for three more days of doing those numbers... Will someone remind me next time that I'm just too old and creaky? Pretty please?

booties: steve madden. jeans: american eagle. polka dot top & blazer: thrifted (but...old navy & the limited). belt: forever21. flower pin: downeast outfitters. watch: target.

Sometimes my world moves verrrrry slooooowly. Like right now. I'm sitting here in the kitchen, listening to my puppy snore, my 2-year-old talk about how pretty she'll look at her wedding (??? and again I say ???), and my 4-year-old and her BFF giggling adorably over their newly created play-doh Ice Cream Flower Garden. It's like time has stopped for a few minutes, because I'm fully invested in the moment called Now.

Of course, one can always take that time-stand-still mindset to an uncomfortable extreme. Like I did, when I (again) thought I could pull off double braids. C'mon, though. A blazer totally cancels out the juvenility (yep, made that one up...I think...), and then I've still got on heels, so I figure I'm 1 point in the positive for dressing my age. Two points if you count the watch, which means I could've actually tied ribbons around the braids, too. Next time.

Speaking of Now, there are some leftover snickerdoodles sitting on the counter that won't be here Later. And if that kind of time-manipulation speak confuses you, I don't recommend watching Inception. Or riding in elevators. Just in case.

Happy Monday.

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More Steve Madden...

Saturday brevity

shoes: union bay brand. jeans: american eagle outfitters. shirt & belt: forever21. jacket: kohl's. necklace & flower clip: gifted. bracelet: don't recall. earrings: hawaii.

I love it when Pocket goes shopping. He gets stuff like oranges and pnut m&ms and a kinect for the xbox 360. Which is why today's post is so short. I'm off to make my body into the controller and exhibit the reflexes of a cat. A nearly-dead bedraggled on-its-8th-life alleycat feline. But a cat nonetheless.

Happy Saturday!

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More Jessica Simpson...

0 to 60 in a belted cardigan? done.

 It's not cheating to use two people as digits if one's daughter begs to be part of the photo shoot. I checked the official rules of body-numeralcy. Written by me for me.  

flats & jeans: american eagle outfitters. shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. belt: f21. bracelet & flower hairclip: downeast outfitters.

This is what I'm wearing today. Because it's comfy and easy. Because I like the neutral(ish) colors. And because it facilitates sprinting to the bathroom. A necessity for today.

Did she really just type that? you ask. Gross. Why would she say that?

Never fear, my friends. The reason I'd say that is because today's itinerary is filled with nothing but making this happen successfully:

Ah potty training. Wanna trade lives with me for the next 3 months?

How 'bout if I throw in an adorable 4-year-old to sweeten the deal? She appears to be a chip off the ol' block when it comes to cheesy awesome original poses and oversized accessories.

Happy Friday.

Want to look like Layla? I know. Me too. Alas, I could only find this stuff...

More Topshop...

a barbie by any other name (not even 2nd cousin "barb") wouldn't smell as sweet.

Contrary to popular belief, the number two isn't as easy to replicate as it might seem. Don't tell me you haven't discussed this with at least three of your closest friends, either.

shoes: steve madden. jeans & striped sweater: american eagle outfitters. shirt: j.crew. watch: target. earrings: hawaii. flower barrette: forever 21.

A few days ago I was playing barbies with my 4-year-old, and the pillow was Mermaid Rock, and the barbies were going to have a party there. My barbie tried to get the party started by getting her groove on (she has some sweet dance moves. like me. I could rock a dance floor. and have. and will again.) [Editor's note: Which would all be absolutely true if I wasn't lying...]

Anyway. Layla's barbie politely informed mine that, "Sorry, we don't dance at this party."
Mine: "Oh. Okay." [Long, awkward barbie pause.] "Soooo...what do we do?"
Layla: "Um, I dunno. Talk about gowns?"

So that's exactly how our barbies partied. In fake high-pitched southern drawls that, coincidentally, my daughter and I both naturally use for barbie's default voice-over.

Fast-forward to my hot date with late-night TV last night (sure missing Pocket around here. Especially when I remembered, too late, that today's garbage day and I didn't take the trash out.) and an old episode of What Not To Wear, when someone quoted Coco Chanel as saying something to the effect of, "When you get dressed, put everything on, then take one thing off."

I have no idea if this is true or not. But I will say this: I almost busted out a necklace with today's ensemble, but then I didn't. I think Coco would be proud. In fact, her people totally called my people today to express just such a sentiment. FINE, they didn't. But they wanted to, I just know it. Regardless, you all can start calling me Brittbritt. In high-pitched accents. Obviously.

Happy Wednesday!

How I last wore these pieces: boyfriend jeans, striped sweater, mustard shirt.

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More LOFT...

on husbands and boyfriends (and stealing their clothes...)

 shoes: steve madden. jeans: american eagle outfitters. shirt: Pocket's. bracelets: f21, target, kohls. necklace: gifted.

Brittany asked me to participate in a style-a-basic-white-tee thing (which is absolutely the technical title of the event, if you're wondering), upcoming on her blog. (Ohp! Spoiler Alert. TOTally forgot to prep you all...sorry. But, really, now you know how I felt when my sister spilled the beans about what happened in the last Twilight book. Actually, that's not a good comparison at all, because I probably spent 14 hours of my life begging her TO spoil it because I was too lazy to read it. Not like she busted out-of-thin-air the inside info about the baby...I had to WORK for that, guys.)

ANYways. I'm always usually on-rare-occasions-and-involving-bribes up for a challenge, so I told her I'd be happy to do it. But my brain is too tired to come up with three separate outfit ideas starring a white tee AND another outfit for today. So, even though you all get a sneak peek at one of the white tee outfits (lucky dogs), there are still two more secret and awesome looks coming up on her blog next week. So. This totally isn't cheating. I'm pretty sure. Hopefully.

Also not cheating (right?) is the fact that I stole Pocket's basic white tee because I own none of my own. And, bonus!, his was fairly new and therefore didn't have the sweat stains that inevitably befall his t-shirts. [Editor's note: Not that my husband is sweaty or gross. He's absolutely not. He is athletic and active, though, so over the course of time and thousands of bball games, his tees tend to get...ummm...well-used.] 

So, since I was using his tee anyway, I thought I'd strike up a theme here and pair it with some boyfriendish jeans. Check-check on the masculine components. Now I just needed to girlify a bit. Knot the tee, cuff the sleeves, add some enormous bright chunky jewelry, and don the infamous heeled booties of which my entire shoe collection are currently jealous. At first I was going to just pull back my hair to pretend I'm athletic, too ("pretend" being the optimum word), but with the tee's crew neck, that wasn't going to work. Crew necklines aren't the most flattering on a girl with broad shoulders. And I'm just such a girl.

So, with the hair: curl it up buttercup. Done and done. I'm liking the balanced juxtaposition of this ensemble. Yin and yang. Salt and pepper. Knock-knock jokes and something actually funny. Mullets and all other hairstyles. You get the idea...

Happy Wednesday!

Want this look? boyfriend jeans  white tee  boyfriend watch  booties  crochet necklace

More Newport News...

get out your tiny violins...

 shoes & jeans: american eagle outfitters. long-sleeved tee & hoodie: old navy. scarf: smith's marketplace. watch: citizen brand. belt: thrifted. hairthings: don't recall.  

Ever wondered what a girl with strep throat looks like? Wonder no more. [Editor's note: Not to pat myself on the back too hard, here, but...did I call it? Strep, I mean? Yesterday? Yes, my friends. I called it. Anyone out there need a medical diagnosis? Because I *think* I might be your woman...]

Yesterday was baaaad. Like, deathbed bad. Today is bad but slightly better, thanks to the inventor-o'-penicillin. And my dr who prescribed it for me. I needed another scarf today (I even slept with my O scarf on last night because it felt so good on my neck. I know. Weird.), so I guess you could say this houndstooth number was my jumping-off point. And, if you'll recall, it's "softer than cashmere?" Haha. Yep. Still funny.

There's something refreshing and earthy about green-and-b&w as a color combo. So I chose my top(s), paired them with some aging almost-holes-in-the-knees jeans (which are super old but a fresh light blue...I'll be sad to bid them adieu when they die), and slipped on my go-to metallic flats.

Know how belts are often a style statement? This one is an exception. I'm wearing it simply to hold up my pants. It's even brown. Paired with b&w. I know. Rebel. But I kind of like how it "grounds" the look overall.

Um, my brain is actually starting to get a little fuzzy. Better sign out before I start rambling like an old man.

Happy Saturday.

Want this look? jeans   scarf   flats   zip-cardigan

womens green zip cardigan