Pretty Casual

Top: LC Lauren Conrad; Shorts: Rachel Zoe via Gilt (similar); Sandals: Tory Burch (similar);

Handbag: MbjMJ (similar); Shades: MbyMJ (similar); Bracelets: Gift/David Yurman; 

Lip Color: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Balm in Lovesick

A while ago, I mentioned to my mom that my summer wardrobe was lacking in casual pieces. Sure, I have some t-shirts and some shorts, but I didn't have a cute tops that went with shorts and jeans. I also didn't have any cotton dresses to just throw on and go. Yes, I'm a currently a stay-at-home mom that doesn't really dress up anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't want to look nice when heading to the zoo or the Deanna Rose Farmstead. At the heart of everything, I'm still a girl who likes pretty things and wants to look put together 95% of the time. Do I have days where I don't shower, yes! Are there days when put on something that isn't blog worthy, absolutely! I'm only human!

So on a trip to Kohl's to get a t-shirt for my dad, a super cool one I might add, she remembered that I mentioned my need/want for some cute summer pieces. She did a little shopping while there and boy did I luck out! Remember this dress? That's one of them. And this top is another. I love how feminine it is with the sweet neckline, bow-tie at the back, and delicate print. The perfect little top! I especially love it paired with super casual cut-offs. A pretty casual summer look!

I am not one to constantly wear my hair up, but this summer I've just been lazy! It has been super hot and it's just easy to throw up my hair straight out of the shower. One thing I like to do is add a little twist for volume. Then I just pile the rest in a ponytail and place bobby-pins to create a messy bun.

Cut-Offs Before and After:

    

 

 

Top: LC Lauren Conrad; Shorts: Rachel Zoe via Gilt (similar); Sandals: Tory Burch (similar);

Handbag: MbjMJ (similar); Shades: MbyMJ (similar); Bracelets: Gift/David Yurman; 

Lip Color: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Balm in Lovesick 

 It appears we are still in the throes of a hot summer. It's August, and in the upper 90s, which makes heading out doors a daunting task. But, now that I'm armed with some really cute pieces, I'm ready to face the heat in style! 

Here's hoping your Monday kicked off in style! 

Wednesday Wants: Non Jean Pieces

Yesterday I admitted to being tired of wearing jeans. A crazy confession I know, but I am. I love them, but I'm ready to take on new styling challenges with cute pieces that are just as chic. And it turns out that Loft and J.Crew Factory have me covered! I've found pants, rompers, and dresses that would get me through summer and even into early fall. They would be great on our vacation in July and perfect for the beach later this summer. Versatile pieces that will go with tees, tanks, cardigans, and my trust denim jacket.

I've compiled a little collage of my eight favorite summery finds. Check them out!

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

What casual summer pieces are on your radar this season? I'm honestly loving every piece I found. If I had to pick, I like the striped romper and zebra print palazzo pants!

Side note, some of the pieces from Loft are on sale (under $40) and J.Crew Factory is having a big sale! You're welcome!!

Casual Dress

Dress: Jacqueline Smith for Kmart (similar); Jacket: My Mom's (similar); Belt: Target;

Sandal: Tory Burch; Handbag: Pour la Victoire (similar); Shades: Ulta (similar);

Necklace: My Mom's

As I typed last Friday's post regarding being on the hunt for casual dresses, I decided to pull this one out. I feel like it's harder to re-style because it's black and white and a maxi dress. Not much that can be mixed up here. 

This time around I ditched the self-belt and added my neon yellow version and I think it helped brighten it up. I reached for my cropped denim jacket and leather flip flops for a more casual look. I definitely will keep this dress in the rotation for summer!

The Dress: Before and After

 

On the Hunt - Casual Dresses

As I've spent my earlier summer months in shorts, I've been looking at other stylish mom's who've been rocking maxi dresses at all the same kid/family friendly hot spots around town. I have a few cotton maxi's in my wardrobe, seen here and here, but nothing like the ones I've recently seen. But it's not just the maxi dresses. I've seen some super cute short ones as well. So I've decided that while I'm loving my stylish shorts summer, it's time to add a few dresses to the mix. And, I've found some super cute ones! Here are a couple few of my favs!

There is nothing like a simple black dress and it's even better when it's a cotton shirt dress! This one from LOFT is literally a work-horse piece for your closet. It can be dressed or down and definitely a piece that will last for years.

How comfortable and easy does this dress from Zara look? I seriously can see myself wearing this for the rest of summer!

Then there is this super cute dress from Zara! I love the asymmetrical cut, the watercolor design, and how truly streamlined it is.

 I have been eyeing this top from J.Crew Factory for months now and just recently discovered the dress! I'm not sure which I like more, but I'm pretty sure I would be happy with either one. Or both!

This actually might be my favorite! This dress from J.Crew Factory is darling!! A little retro in design but modern in its cut. And you know what a huge black and white fan I am. Oh, and the enormous circles are the cutest!

What do you think of dresses versus shorts for a day at the zoo? I'm personally excited at the change in wardrobe! Now, which one to get? Stay tuned...

Happy Friday!

XOXO

On the Hunt - Casual Tops

Since there has been a huge change in my wardrobe, I've noticed that I'm lacking in the casual department. I've got some cute shorts that I've been sporting lately, and I've made a few pairs well. I have a couple of maxi dresses, but I wouldn't mind having a few shorter ones for play. But I'm really lacking in tops. Most of the ones I own are silk, or some kind of silk blend, but I can't really wear those to the zoo or the Deanna Rose Farmstead. What I really need are cotton or polyester styles. So I'm on the hunt for some casual pieces to get me through summer and here are some of my favs.

(In order from top to bottom)
Anthropologie (1/2)/Ann Taylor (3/4/5)

I am in love with cream, as you've seen from this top here/here/here/here. I'm thinking the three above would be perfect with shorts, jeans, and my drawstring pants. However, I'm on a navy high as well and these are lovely! Now, which one ones to chose....

Which ones are your favs?

A Mix of Pinks, Stripes, and Prints

  Coat: Ann Taylor (similar); Sweater: Ann Taylor (similar on major sale); 

Tank: Banana Republic; Jeans: LOFT; Flats: Tory Burch (similar); Scarf: Piperlime (similar); 

Shades: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Lip Gloss: Laura Geller Beauty Raspberry Roast

Last week we hit a cold snap and I thought spring was gone for good. Turns out, Mother Nature just got super confused and things are now back to normal. Even though I was a little irritated by the chilly temps, it gave me an opportunity to wear a couple of springs pieces in layers versus one at time.

 I went crazy with pinks wearing them in solids, stripes, and prints! I love it! Each piece totally stands on its own, but when paired together, they make quite an impact.  I will be experimenting with my more casual side in the coming weeks and I have to say I'm excited about the challenge. I've been in business mode for over 17 years so casual sounds pretty good right about now!

 

The Sweater: Before and After

 

Hope your Monday is finding you fashionable!

Super Easy Easter

Sweater: Target; T-Shirt: Gap; Shorts: LOFT; Sandals: Seychelles; Shades: Prada 

We are a very casual Easter family. The only one who really gets dressed for the occasion is McKinley, but that's only because I'm still picking out his clothes! This look started out with these jeans, but by mid afternoon, it was time for shorts. 

I really love this lemon-lime color combo. And the scarf adds some color and additional texture to the overall look. Oh, and excuse the ponytail. It was a warm day spent hiding eggs, playing in his new bouncy house, and loving the amazing spring day!

The Shorts: Before and After

 

What do you and your family typically wear on Easter Sunday?

Twice As Nice

 

Jacket: Banana Republic (old/similar); Sweater: Ann Taylor (on sale); Jeans: LOFT; 

Sneakers: Converse via DSW; Handbag: J.Crew (gift); Shades: Prada; Earrings: Silpada

I loved this look so much I wore it two days in a row! It was comfortable for starters, warm with the cashmere sweater and layered jacket, and chic enough to run errands while still feeling a little casual. I just threw on some comfy sneaks, shades to hide the mascara only eyes, and a little lipgloss for color. This is what I call an awesome weekend look!

 The Jacket and Sweater: Before and After

  

 

Try

 

I started this blog three years ago after attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity exhibit. I was inspired by the way women used to dress as opposed to how women dress today. And, after three years, the question still remains: How far have we as women removed ourselves from the ability to dress? We have become a society of throw something on, run out the door, casual. It reads lazy and creates a sense of lack of self-respect.

 

I look around at women of all ages, young girls in their mid teens to women in their 60s, and I'm shocked on almost a daily basis on what women are wearing. What do I see, you ask? The first one that drives me crazy is leggings! I own leggings and I'm not completely opposed to them when worn correctly. What I see are leggings worn with skimpy t-shirts, tank tops and workout tops. I honestly don't want to see leggings paired with any of these three tops. I don't care how fit you are, camel-toe is not at all flattering on anyone! And that's what you're showing when you wear leggings without anything longer than a tee. Want to wear leggings? Great! Pair them with a long tunic and sandals for summer. In the fall and winter, they look darling when paired with a heavy sweater and Equestrian style tall boots.

 

Pajama pants are meant for home. I don't need to see what you wear to bed when I'm at the grocery store, airport, mall or anywhere that's outside your home. Enough said!

 

In the office, casual has become a way of life. My mom has said that our demise in the workplace was the invention of "Casual Friday". I can tell you that my office has become extremely laid back. Jeans are no longer reserved for Friday's, but worn pretty much every day of the week. And they are generally paired with tees and tennis shoes. I occasionally sport a pair of jeans in the middle of the week, however I style them as if I were wearing pants or a skirt. My husband has always said that my jeans don't actually look like jeans. I take that as a huge compliment! I want to look my best on a daily basis even if I'm not feeling or acting my best. As my dad has always said, "try to be one click above". I take that as a general rule!
 

Is it really all that hard to try and look your best everyday? Is it hard to run a comb through your hair, apply a little makeup, iron the clothes you're wearing that day and not put on a shoe that's meant for the gym? I am honestly not the best dresser in the world, and would never claim to be, but I do try. I try every day to look pulled together. I try every day to challenge myself to not just throw my hair in a messy bun or ponytail but to try a new look that may take five extra minutes. Some days I don't feel like putting on stick a of makeup, but I do try to get by with the minimum so I don't look like the walking dead. Even on the weekends, after dressing up all week for work, I try to look my best for my family because I want my husband to look at me in a crowd and be proud to know I'm his wife. And, I've noticed over the last month or so he's the first to tell me how nice I look or that he likes a certain item that I'm wearing. I try to keep him interested because why should he only see me in shorts and tennies!

 

You may find this post superficial and that's fine with me. This is a blog about style after all, and my opinions on style, so take it for what it's worth. I have several female friends who are extremely intelligent, very career oriented and fashionable at the same time. I wouldn't call them superficial. I would say they are trying to be one click above! And what's so wrong with that? What would happen if we all tried being one click above? Try it!

And that's what I'm going to challenge all of you readers with this week. Try, for one week, to be one click above. Try a new hairstyle. Try a new makeup tip. Try to not wear "leggings as pants" as a sweet friend so adequately put it. Try to wear flats or cute sandals instead of your tennis shoes. Just simply try. For one week. I guarantee the results will be worth it. You may just feel better about yourself. You may get a random compliment from someone you don't know. Your husband or significant other may notice and comment. You never know what will happen unless you try! 



The Real Me

Top: Bitten by SJP; Jeans: Banana Republic; Flip Flops: Banana Republic; Sunnies: Prada

 

I have been home sick for the past couple of days, but even though I'm home, I'm still working. And, even though I haven't felt like doing anything but laying around in my pajamas, I still have to get up, get dressed and face the day. I've been very relaxed this week, living in boyfriend jeans and comfy tops. Yesterday, however was the turning point. I took a shower and tried to put together a look that was comfy but a little bit more pulled together.

 

This is the real me. Air dried hair (absolutely zero product applied), zero makeup with just a hint of gloss for photos, and an outfit that I truly wear all weekend long but never gets photographed.

 

 

Speaking of hair, I read an article the other about summer hair and apparently, the braid is back. So I gave it a whirl. I like it! 

 

 

Happy Friday Everyone! I hope the weekend brings you peace and the ability to be the real you!

 

XOXO