It's Electric

Top: Rebecca Taylor (similar); Jeans: Ann Taylor (similar);

Shoes: Jessica Simpson (similar); Bracelet: Kate Spade;

Earrings: Made by Me

Yesterday was my fifth consecutive day of a fever, and yes I went to work, but I just wasn't feeling it! Hence the cropped, colored jeans and basic black tee. However, this tee is anything but basic. Purchased during a girls trip to NY in 2007, which was a whirlwind trip, it is so on trendy with the delicate lace but so comfy because its a t-shirt! 

Keep reading to check out a little gem that every woman should have in her makeup bag!

 

How I've worn these jeans before:

 

 I've had this tin of Rosebud Salve since the early 80s! It was given to me by my great grandmother who used this product for years prior. Good for a little hint of color, chapped lips, burns, rashes and more and immensely popular among makeup artists of late. Funny, a product that's been around since the late 1800s returns to the masses! Again, I'm a trend setter, or at least my great grandmother was! 

This a four generation photo and my sweet great grandmother is holding me!

 

 

Eyelet Hippie

Top: Anthropologie (similar); Jeans: Loft (similar);

Belt: Target; Bangles: gift and Target set; 

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (gift); Sunnies: Prada (gift)

Watch: Emporio Armani (gift)

I felt a little 70s in my approach last Friday which is just fine by me! One of my favorite clothing eras for sure! The eyelet, belt and wood bracelets were my homage, but I kept everything in check by adding modern boyfriend jeans and espadrille wedges. A little hippie inspiration never hurt anyone! If only I had a flower wreath for my head and cool patches for my jeans! Don't think I can't make that happen!

How I've worn this top before:

 

Chatter Box

For the past several weeks, McKinley has started "talking" more and more. I haven't a clue what he's actually saying, but he knows. I listen, answer when I think its a question, nod enthusiastically and provide banter when I think it's necessary. Then there are the words we truly understand. 

"Car-car". This word is as early as getting him out of his crib in the morning. And, it's said with a Bostonian accent. I'm not sure if its a mix of our Midwestern accent and my parents Southern accent. But, it is for sure a distinct accent and only used for car-car. "Hi" is used most often and with a high pitch. Not like a shrill high pitch, but when you're excited to see someone. He tells everyone hi. And when they don't answer back, I say out loud, its only because they didn't hear you to ensure they heard me! How do you not say hi back to a 16 month old? Rude!

His big word is "momower". Translated, lawnmower. I have to admit, sometimes I think he's saying mama and then I realize he's pointing at his own lawnmower. And, he says it with vigor. Upon walking into a Home Depot several weeks ago, he literally yelled momower as soon as he saw them. The other day, he say dada's lawnmower in the yard and he literally threw his arms in the air and yelled out the door. He loves momowers!

Memow and Tica are Elmo and Chica. Everyone knows who Elmo is but you may not be as familiar with Chica. Chica is a chicken from the Spout Networks Sunny Side Up Show. Actually, Tica was one of his first words. And this isn't really a word, but he snickers every time he sees Cookie Monster. He knows other Sesame Street characters from the books we read. We just have to say "where is Grover" and he can point right to him. Memow and Tica are his favorites.

Let's see....of course there's the traditional mama and dada. There's "pow-wow" for dog, "awing" for swing and the general use of wow and uh-oh. There is also the non-traditional verbiage such as "cockal", "boppie" and "dita". We haven't a clue what any of those mean but he uses them all the time! And, he continues to grunt, whine and point for the things that he can't say. I've loved all the phases so far, but the talking is by far my favorite, except maybe the whining...

Fall Obsession - Navy Handbags

You know me! There is always at least one item that I am obsessed with at some point in the year, and for fall it's a navy handbag. Flipping through this months edition of People Style Watch, I spotted a darling shopper tote from Zara. And while researching navy handbags for this post, I have how discovered that said bag is SOLD OUT! What? Now I'm obsessed with something that's sold out! However, remember that post about the Gap sequined belts.... I always get my item!

What will I do if I can't get my hands on this super cute bag? I guess I will have to go out in search of reinforcements! Good thing there is online browsing available for me to stalk other cute bags. Here are some that I have my eye on just in case I can't get the original.

This bowling ball-esque satchel is so lady like. And roomy! It has three compartments to hold all of my essentials. And when I say essentials, these days I mean McKinley's essentials. Stuffed animals, spoons when on the go, shoes, snacks and then whatever I need to get through the day!

 

I love the shape of this Rebecca Minkoff "MAB" bag. She is all about the zipper detail, which is one reason why I love my crossbody bag. But this satchel is so cool in its design. Definitely different than anything I currently own!

And, if we are going off of obsessions, and dreams, then I'm obsessed with dreaming that one day I will own a Chloe bag. They are so out of my price range, but that's why they call them dreams, right? And, what a classic, chic bag to add to my collection. 

 

 Would you splurge on a navy bag? Do you think the color is timeless or trendy?

Where Do I Fit In?

 
This is supposed to be a lifestyle blog so I thought I would take a minute to talk about just that, life. As I type this, I'm struggling to find my place in life. I've never been the popular girl, the girl next door, a sorority girl or the "It" girl. I've always been status quo girl and I've always been okay with that. I'm under the radar. Just one of the guys. I don't have to live up to a certain standard of girlhood.

So with all of that said, where in life do I truly fit in? Lately, I haven't felt like I fit in anywhere. I'm not comfortable in my own skin. I don't really fit into a certain mold at work. I'm one of two friends that has a child so I don't feel like I fit into my circle of friends anymore. I'm the mother of McKinley, a role I cherish, but I can't seem to find my footing among my family. And, I'm struggling to find where I fit in the blogging world. Blogging, like life, is all about popularity, and I find that I'm not a part of that popular group either.

 Sure, I do the whole social networking thing. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, rewardStyle and Currently Obsessed but I still can't reach a broader audience. I've partnered with Ann Taylor on a giveway, something I strive to do more of in the coming months, but that didn't amount to much readership. I was featured on Kmart's style blog, which was a huge honor, and I hoped that would lead to another partnership. Didn't happen. So what does this girl need to do get this blog off the ground?

I've changed direction at least five times and my voice is still a little hoarse. I've said this before. I can blog about my personal style, but does anyone out there truly care what I'm wearing on a somewhat daily basis? I mean, I do, but do you? I can blog about my child and how amazing he is, but do you really care about what color his latest poop was? I can blog about the tomatoes I've grown, the desserts I've made and decorated or how my rooms are transformed as I redecorate, but do you really want to see all of that transpire? And, do I really need to worry about it and just continue to blog about what I care about most?

As I continue to find my way in life, I will continue to blog about my fashion, my son, my husband, my tomatoes, my home and anything in between. Will that bring more readers, probably not? Will that get me sponsorships? Hasn't yet. Will it get me an invite to Fashion Week so I can sit along side some of the bloggers I follow who do? Nope, but I will get there one day. And, will it help me find my place in life? That's only for me to decide, but you can witness the journey if you desire.

Game Over

Top: Ann Taylor (similar); Skirt: Loft (similar);

 Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Belt: Ann Taylor;

 Necklace: Tori Spelling via HSN; Sunnies: Prada (gift);

 Watch: Emporio Armani (gift)

As I was reading Kendi Everyday earlier this week, she blogged about her "no-brainer" long black skirt. And I felt the same way when I purchased this skirt earlier in the summer. A black skirt. So simple to style, right? Wrong! I've only worn this skirt twice, this being the second time, because its super hard to style! I hated the first attempt which is why you never saw it!

I had some time to myself to play "fashion show", a game my husband just loves to play. Here are the rules. Rule Number One:  I try on clothes to see what outfits look good together. Rule Number Two: My husband waits while I put together the outfit and then he tells me what he thinks. Rule Number Three: I wear the outfits I've put together. Pretty simple game don't you think? This time, I was alone for fashion show and this was the only outfit that came of my time alone. Game over!

 

Here is how I've worn the top before:

Practicing my runway walk. Strutting face is on!

 

 

Maine Event

Top: Ann Taylor; Pants: Ann Taylor; Shoes: Tory Burch;

Long Necklace/Bangles: Silpada; M Pendant: Tiffany & Co.;

Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Earrings: Gift

Upon getting dressed every morning, I take one last look in my full length mirror, hidden in my closet, to make sure I like what I see. When I looked in the mirror this morning I immediately thought of Kennebunkport! For whatever reason, this whole looks reminds me of something you would wear to a clam bake. And if you don't believe me, see the photo of Jackie Onassis below. If I ever make it back, my first and only visit was at the age of four, I'm pretty sure I will pack said look!

 

 

How I've worn these pants before:

Photo of Jackie Kennedy Onassis courtesy of Style Refine.

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