it may be real boring, but at least it's real

In my former life on this blog (as in, prior to my recent 2-year hiatus), I found myself altering my true style for the blog.

 

 boots: Target
jeans: American Eagle
shirtdress: hand-me-down
floral coat: Old Navy
 

I used to (subconsciously, I think, but still) add in all sorts of accessories and stuff just to make an outfit more photographically interesting than what I really wanted to wear.

 

 I think it's a combination of old age, self-discovery, integrity, and sheer laziness that helped me learn what my true style is now. In a word, it's simple.

 

 

Like it or not, what you see here now is completely what you get. Even if it's an outfit full of solid neutral chunks and wet shower-hair.

 

 

But this Mary Poppins carpet-bag of a canvas trench coat? This baby is real. I adore it.

 

 

Happy Monday.

 

 

Shop for similar styles below:

 

Halston Day Dresses · American Eagle Teen Girls' Denim · Dorothy Perkins Boots

post is not in 3D. you're welcs.

boots: target. jeans: old navy (on loan). sweater: motherhood maternity. earrings: gift from here.

Take a good look, friends. Or don't. But these items were banished to the laundry room after my very sick little chickie of a toddler threw up all over me in the bathroom at InstaCare.

Pity me. Please. Then pity yourselves because you're seeing me in, yet again, the same 3 articles of clothing every time I do an outfit post. In fact, I've probably already posted this exact get-up already. Awesome. But here's the thing: my go-to outfits are not glamorous, they're not mind-bendingly inspiring, they're not particularly clever, they're probably not even be clean. (Wanna still be friends? No? Understandable...) Still, they're my bread-and-butter as a comfort-seeking pregnant mom.

(Mmmmm. Butter...)

I love wearing stuff that makes me feel pretty and feminine. But I also love wearing stuff that aids in, rather than competes with, the functions of my life. Like laundry and dishes and dusting (wait, that's a lie. I never dust.) and the occasional throw-up of a little girl who, at the moment, needs her mom's comfy lap and love more than her wearing of pretty heels and lace.

So. What do we all learn from this? Wear stuff that's vomit-proof. The end.

Happy Friday.

a zigzag scarf and a brush with death...or at least some squooshy mud

 boots: target. jeans: old navy. shirt: duo maternity. scarf: forever 21. earrings: etsy.

I know, I know...the boots-and-knee-high-socks thing has been done to death. But it's comfy and warm and covers up some of my water-retaining legs. So we'll just have to agree to agree-but-let-the-pregnant-lady-have-her-way for another month or two, mmmmkay? Thanks a mil.

I took my 3-year-old daughter for a walk this morning. She's adorable but has a stubborn streak that comes to a very vocal head when she's asked to do something outlandish. Like walk. So she rode in the stroller.

Our route led us up a small hill and then back down. Wanting to change things up on the way home, at the bottom of the hill I took a scenic route (read: death-defying brush with nature) along the canal. It was muddy, snowy, slushy, puddley (yep. real word. maybe.), slippery, bumpy and all things "-y" that would potentially cause one well-meaning but off-balanced soul wearing zero-traction boots to careen into the nearby waterway.

You'll all breathe an enormous sigh of relief, as I did, when our squeal-worthy rugged-terrain journey ended with zero fatalities and only one really muddy boot. Which, frankly, is a happy albeit fairly anticlimatic ending to this tale.

I know what you're all thinking: Why would she share such a pointless Story of Meh? What a waste of my time. Doesn't she know Nate Berkus is almost on? Fair enough, but in my defense, the alternative was a riveting story about how I chewed a hangnail on my super-dry thumb until it bled and now the bandaid keeps coming off. So.

You're welcome, and I accept your apology.

Happy Tuesday.

similar stuff (maternity & regular):

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get dressed quick

 boots: target. jeans: kohls. sweater: old navy. belt: thrifted (american eagle outfitters). trench coat: forever21. watch: target. flower clips: gift.

It's one of those days, guys. Wanna hear about it? No? Good, 'cause I don't want to delve into the deets. Suffice it to say there are a billion things going on today, gloomy-cold weather, potential strep throat (3rd time in a year, and that means probable tonsillectomy. please no.), frustrating Internet issues, and a day where my closet has "nothing to wear."

Makes you wanna hang with me, doesn't it.

Remember how I vowed I was done with boots until Fall? Well, I actually did mean it when I said that. But then the weather turned nasty, my errand list exploded, and my boots jumped out and hijacked my feet before I could say anything. I'm okay with it, though. There's something comforting about a well-used pair of flat boots. And a gramma-made quilt. And some homemade mac & cheese and warm applesauce to slide down a sore throat.

So. Skinnies, boots, & a top: one of my favorite (albeit overused) go-to ensembles. Throw on a trench for warmth. Done and done. What are your go-to pieces when you just don't feel like getting dressed or when you have "nothing" to wear?

Happy Thursday.

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casual -- but not sloppy -- denim

boots & watch: target. knee-high socks: smith's marketplace. skirt: american eagle. shirt: gift (old navy?). shirt: gap. necklace: downeast basics. belt: don't recall. earrings: hawaii.

I like the mix of denim with the over-the-top bubble necklace here, but I think I'm done with boots for awhile...

...fortunately, my loss is her gain.

Hey everyone, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is shoes.

1. What is your go-to pair of shoes? In the spring, it's my metallic flats. Easy on, easy off, and they go with everything. Second-up are my Converse All-Stars, any time of the year.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions? Their similarity (or not) to other shoes I already own (a.k.a., Do I really need them?). And price. And cuteness.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color? Black or brown. If I were a betting girl, I'd say this is the case for 90% of humankind. 'Cept my daughters. Then it'd be pink.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why? I don't know a lot about shoe brands. I like most of the shoes Steve Madden designs. *awkward e-pause, as I search and come up with nothing to follow that statement up with*

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe? Honestly, I just don't know. See my answer to #4, to fill you in on my shoe ignorance. :)

Happy Friday!

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full skirt, bare legs, & boots

 boots: target. skirt: no idea, it's old as the hills. shirt: j.crew. belt: off a pencil skirt from kohl's. bracelets: forever21 and BurntSiena Designs. necklace: forever21.

I think my necklace needs to be chunkier. I think that, when "chunkiness" rang its dinnertime triangle and all the jewelry in my closet came a-runnin', these bracelets elbowed everyone else out and hogged it all. By "it," I'm referring still to the chunkiness, for those of you who aren't anthropomorphistic. Which, if you're not, you probably lead a saner life than me, but I defy you to say it's as exciting or entertaining.

Speaking of exciting, I gave my 2- and 5-year-olds squirt bottles to entertain themselves for the half-hour before dinnertime. They're currently squirting each other and bawling and screaming about being squirted. I guess it's a good "Plan B" for excitement, if the jewelry re-enactment didn't quite do it for you. Especially when the cops show up because the neighbor's phone got worried about all the screaming and dialed 9-1-1 on itself.

What can I say, I'm an adrenaline junkie and a neglectful "let-them-work-it-out" parent all rolled into one exciting ball o' fun.

Happy Thursday!

Want this look? Check out the stuff below for similar items...

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wet hair & red face, but I snapped the photos anyway. gold star.

boots: target. tights: gift. skirt: don't recall (self-modified). shirt: american eagle. belt: thrifted. jacket: gap. earrings: hawaii.

Hey.

It's Saturday, guys, and I've spent 5+ hours of this glorious weekend day in the car on the freeway. With three children. Hucking fruit snacks and capri suns back to them. Listening to KidzBop (or something) and questions about whether or not we're there yet. Both on repeat.

You'll forgive me, then, when I make this post record-short because I can't sit at my computer for another 2 seconds, as the lactic acid from my jog this morning continues to burn my legs. And my butt, but that's not ladylike to talk about. So, forgives? Pretty please? Thanks a mil.

Happy Saturday!

Want this look? Dive in...

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To tuck or not to tuck? Or to tuck halfway? These are the questions...

Mirror images. Smashing. And also? Apparently my body rounds itself out where it wants and when it wants, but it blatantly disregards my needs for forming daily numerals (i.e., the bottom part of a "5"). Stinking stubborn knees that only bend. What good are ya?

 boots: target. jeans: kohl's. shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. scarf: gift (old navy). belt: Poket's. earrings: hawaii.

In junior high (yes, I'm old enough that I went to junior high and not middle school. Maybe we did arithmetic on slate boards and fetched water from the town well and carried hot potatoes to school in our pails, too. What of it?) (Just kidding. My junior high was just like middle school now--scary cafeteria food and a geography teacher whose white spittle that formed between his top and bottom lip while he talked was absolutely mesmerizing.)

Wow. Better start over. (ahem) In junior high, I remember tucking the front of my shirts in but letting the back hang out. Did anyone else do this? And is it weird that I'm doing it here and now? I don't see it often, but I wanted my belt to be seen here, because to me it tied in the boots to the whole ensemble.

What's your vote--yay or nay to a front-only tuck? And also, sorry about the cuhrazy lighting in these photos. I figure we're all just lucky I got any photos at all. And when I say "we're" I of course mean "I'm"...because probably you all could have a perfectly happy Friday without photos of a girl slapping her knee like a hoedown-beat-keeper and one with hair like a lioness.

But now that you've seen these photos...it's hard to go back to the person you were before. There there, little one. Don't cry.

Happy Friday!

Want this look? First, stick your finger in the nearest electrical outlet. Then buy these clothes:

More Forever 21...

alexander has nothing on this terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day...

 In a perfect world, II + IIII = VI. But in my imperfect world, and on a fairly rotten day like today, II + IIII = XXIV. Feel free to disagree and/or flunk me in Roman Mathematics. But it won't change the photo.

 boots: target. leg warmers: amazon.com. tights: gift. skirt: gap. shirt: a.n.a. brand. scarf: sweden. bracelet: forever21. fake smile: discontinued.

This morning I shaved my legs for the first time in...a long time. Probably somewhere between 5 and 20 days. Give or take. (Preferably not "give," or whichever one makes it longer than 20...) And in doing so, I accidentally gave myself a minor cut (probably from being so out of practice) below my right knee. No biggie, it was small. I got out and got dressed. About 3 minutes later I glanced down and saw a little spot of blood on my tights right there.

Sweet.

Now, if I were a hygienic person or even an average specimen of human beingness, I probably would've changed my tights. Buuuuuut instead I simply threw on leg warmers and pulled 'em real high to cover the spot up. Which ended up being okay, because it's snowing. Again.

Without laying it on too thickly, my day has gone downhill from there. Which is why I posted 0.5 of a photo today, and why I'm making this as brief as possible. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

*cough*

See what I mean? But tomorrow's another day. And I bet it'll be a good one.

Happy Thursday.

Want this look? Sans negative attitude? You got it...check it out:

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no makeup? no problem...

boots: i think you all know by now. socks: Pocket's. jeans: kohl's. shirt: don't recall. cardigan: j.crew. hat: thrifted. watch: target.

Happy President's Day, guys. I'm all about America and our founding fathers and democracy and stuff...but to be honest, I've never really understood why we have this holiday...but to ALSO be honest, I've never really voiced that opinion because it's a free day for heaven's sake! Here's to you, George and Abe and all the rest. Thanks a mil. I slept in til 8:45 in your honor.

It snowed again last night. Not a ton, but enough to make me bust out the boots. Again. I kind of want to apologize--I really do have cute shoes in my 30x30, but the reality is they're just not practical for wearing in 10 inches of snow. Unless I'm part of the Matrix or Truman Show, in which my reality isn't real. But here's the deal: if that's the case, then let the Powers That Be send down a warm, caribbean-esque synthetic snow. Palm trees, too. And I wouldn't mind an oceanic beach in my backyard while they're at it. Hello. That's my kind of "snow."

Regardless, today's a great day. On the itinerary is sledding and a long list of nothingness. Which, frankly, is a glorious way to spend a holiday. Playing kinect (LOVE!), taking naps, playing legos and dolls, watching the snow fall from trees out the window, popping pocorn, playing games, listening to pint-sized arguments...this is the life. What's your vote: sometimes good to have a staycation, or do you need to get out? Either way...

...happy Monday!

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Just another manic Sunday...

Roman numerals?! Brilliant! Why didn't I think of these before...like on Superbowl Sunday? Sheesh...

boots: target. tights: forever21, skirt: j. crew. shirt: gap. cardigan: rue21. necklace: downeast outfitters.

This week, I'm particularly grateful for...

- Date night. Especially when it involves my two favorite men: Pocket and Brian Regan. In that order, but it's gotta be close...

- Snow. Beautiful, deep, lovely, sparkly, fluffy stuff.

- Having a pair of boots in my 30x30. Which have totally overstayed their welcome this week (along with colored tights). But. Snow, guys. Snow.

- Having smart readers who correct me on my TOTally inaccurate spellings of foreign words. Like segway (segue) and capeche (capisce). Learn something new every day. (Like the fact that I shouldn't speak, read, or write anything remotely foreign...)

- Family time that involves jumping around the basement and laughter. Which happens a lot around here.

- Grocery carts and the fact that the handle side flips up so my kids can crawl like tigers into the cart themselves and I don't have to lift them up-and-over because, let's face it, they are growing and I am aging.

- Sharing accessories with my daughters, who are old enough to be responsible and put things away.

- Finding the accessories that my daughters have lost because, come to find out, they're actually NOT old enough to be responsible and put things away.

- My daughters. And my son. And everyone else whom I love.

- Quesadilla makers.

- Internet.

- A big-picture perspective.

- Being able to laugh at myself. And encouraging you all to do the same. For example:

(Reeeeeally not sure what I was going for in attempting the poses above...but I'm glad they're all equally lame. And by "lame" I of course mean "awesome.")

Happy Sunday.

Want this look? You got it...

More Steve Madden...

stuffy solids turn playful

 boots & watch: target. tights: giftedn. magic skirt: gap. shirt: j.crew. belt: don't recall.

Today's jumping-off point was this shirt. I adore everything about it--the color, the cowl neck, the sleeves, everything. But for some reason, I'm having a hard time styling it. So I decided that I'd put it on and see what else flew out of my closet and landed on my body, Mary Poppins cleanup-style.

[Editor's note: Maybe it's just me...it's probably just me...but has anyone else DREAMed of being able to snap your fingers and have results like that? Clean house, straightened appearance, birds singing outside the window? Hello. If I ever run into a genie-filled-lamp, the Magic Snap is TOTally in running. Along with an endless supply of calorie-free-yet-still-delicious pnut m&ms. I'd tell you my idea for the 3rd wish, but I haven't narrowed it down yet, and you just can't be too hasty in making these important life decisions. So.]

Ahem. Since I've worn pants the past couple of days, a skirt was in order. But no pencil skirt. (I definitely overestimated my desire to wear pencil skirts during this 30x30) Which leaves magic skirt. I almost wore the print side, but it's snowy and chilly and I wanted to be warmer with boots (for the four-thousandth time this week) and some colored tights.

Solid shirt, solid skirt, solid tights, and solid footwear. Normally I don't do this.much.solid.color. But today I left it alone. Simple belt, hairstyle, and a watch as my only other accessory. I think the color of the tights just ties in the whole look here. A bit Unexpected and Maybe Awesome.

Speaking of unexpected... *snap*

Nuts. Dishes are still dirty. Never hurts to try, though, right? *snap* Okay. I'll sto*snap*p. No really. Don*snap*e. I wanted to wash the dishes by hand anyways. So. Joke's on you, Poppins.

[Editor's note: Outtakes below. Legitimate pose attempts in all their magnificent embarrassingness. I have nothing to say for myself, 'cept that a Magic Snap would reeeeeally come in handy right about now. Clean these right off all our computers.]



Happy Friday.

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