Summer Layers - A Styling Session

Sometimes I get stumped on what to blog about and today was no exception. I know you have to get tired of seeing daily outfits that mean nothing to you so I try to mix things up from time to time like blogging about other things. Today's topic was brought to me by my good friend Christina. Stumped by how to layer in warmer temps she said "I am so excited for summer, but sometimes I think it's hard to not ruin my warm weather looks when I'm in an air-conditioned place. I try cardigans, jackets etc...but sometimes I feel like when I do that, I mess up the cute summer look."

I have the same issue. I'm cold all year long! It can be 90 outside, and if there is a slight breeze that hits me the wrong way, I'm cold. Crazy I know, but it's true. Just ask my husband. Layering for warmer temps can be tricky. Like Christina said, it can mess up a cute summer look. But it doesn't have to! Here are some tried and true layering tips from Style My Way that will help you stay warm, and stylish, all spring and summer long!

The Denim Jacket

I am a huge fan of the denim jacket! A long time staple in my closet and the ultimate layering piece. It isn't terribly bulky, won't overheat you and adds a finishing touch. And, they come in so many washes and lengths. I am a firm believer that you need one in a light and dark wash, as well as varying lengths.  

Another version of the denim jacket is white. I know, kind of 90s in reference, but it really does pop against the bright fabrics of summer! 

  I would pair a denim jacket with just about anything and I think I have! Here are just a few ways I've styled mine.

 

 

The Cardigan

I love a good cardigan but they can be tricky. As Kendi, from Kendi Everyday wrote, longer ones are better as a shorter version can make you look a little matronly. (I'm paraphrasing, but you can see the whole post here.) I have to agree. What's great about longer cardigans is the fact that you can belt them, button a couple of the middle buttons or simply leave them open. I prefer lighter weight fabrics for summer, for obvious reasons, and I would stick with a solid. 

Style a long cardigan over dresses, with jeans, a tee and fun belt or with colorful shorts, a tee and chunky necklace.

 

Here are ways I've worn mine in the past. 

 

The Military Jacket

I was apprehensive when I first purchased mine but it turns out it was one of my best investments! The thing about a military jacket is that it's super light weight and the khaki/green color is such a great neutral! And with camouflage being such a big trend right now, a camo version would be darling as well. 

  

I personally have only worn mine with jeans and different tops, but I've seen fellow bloggers wear theirs over dresses and paired with skirts. I don't know why I'm so scared to try it that way, but they always make it look super cute. I think I need to break out it this spring to see how I can make it my own. Until then, here is how I've worn mine.

 

 Are you feeling better about layering for warmer weather? For me, I have a few new ideas that I can't wait to try styling in the coming weeks, if spring ever decides to surface! I definitely get a lot of my inspiration from bloggers I follow, as well as from fashion mags and retailers websites. Don't be afraid to borrow a look that you like! Just add a little something here or there to make it more you! And share you stylings. I love to see what you guys wear! 

Happy Thursday!       

 

The New Fanny Pack

In the 80s we called it a Fanny Pack and it was the number one accessory among tourists, other than a camera. It was the way to go hands-free during your trip and it came in a large array of cotton and nylon designs. In a word, ugly! 

Today, designers are updating the "fanny pack" to a be a more sleek and stylish way of going hands-free and it is the must-have item for spring. As an on-the-go mom, I rarely carry a handbag when I have McKinley with me. If it doesn't fit in the diaper bag, or the cross-body bag I carry when I want something a little smaller, I don't pack it. I'm seriously considering investing in this trendy bag. And, anything that doubles as a cool belt can't be all bad, right? 

Here are just a few that I like!

The Rachel Zoe Belt Bag is the epitome of chic! I love the brass hardware and tough black leather. Definitely a front runner.

Michael Kors seems to have the market on a belt bag! Just look at the leather, details and funky designs! Something for everyone. I personally love the brown pouch on the bottom right corner!

Lastly is the Gucci belt bag. If you go designer, go Gucci! And it's chocked full of original details like the brown double G's and their red and green signature stripe. I also love that it has a zipper on one side and a flap on the other. Double the stuff you take along!

 What do you think of the new trend? Would you wear the new and improved Fanny Pack? Based on the style above, the Belt Bag just might make its way into my closet among all the other handbags I own!

Check out ShopStyle for the Rachel Zoe and Michael Kors bags. Nieman Marcus for the Gucci!

The Rachel Zoe bag photo courtesy of Bravo TV.

Two in One

Dress: Calvin Klein (similar); Blazer: Ann Taylor (similar); Shoes: Ann Taylor; 

Sunnies: MARC by Marc Jacobs; Necklace: Ann Taylor (similar); Lip Color: NARS Shanghai Express

 

This is what I love about a wardrobe full of staples! You can take a dress, and a blazer from a suit, and make one streamlined look. It's two pieces in one look! Yesterday was a little more like spring and I dared to go bare legged! However, I was not ready to go sleeveless. That's where the blazer comes into play. A chunky necklace and lady like shoes complete the look. A bold lip makes it playful!

Check out how I've worn the suit in the past 1/2/3.

 

The Dress: Before and After:

 

I couldn't decide if I liked the look with the blazer buttoned or unbuttoned so I literally played around with it all day! I'm thinking, based on photos, that I like the look unbuttoned. You?

      

Fresh Picks - The Floral Suit

The floral suit. A trendy, whimsical option if you aren't into the stiff feel of what a traditional suit might offer. At first I thought I would totally invest in the trend, but now I'm really on the fence. Will this be something I can take from spring to fall? Will it be around next season? Will I care if it's not on-trend for next season and just embrace the fact that it's a lovely suit with tons of options?

While I'm still trying to make the decision, I've been browsing several different looks. One of my favorite looks is completely sold out so I'm thinking I might need to jump on the band wagon and soon. These pieces may not be around much longer!

This suit from Ann Taylor is an amazing pop of color in royal blue! The blazer would look amazing paired with white pants or shorts! Pair the pant with just about anything. Just make sure it's a solid!

I love this suit from ASOS. The only problem is that it's completely sold out! Too bad because this is the suit I would have invested in! I can tell you that Krystal Bick, over at This Time Tomorrow, looked fab when rocking said suit!

I love the soft lavender of this suit from Banana Republic and what make it so unique is that it's shorts! So many options with this one. I wouldn't wear it to work but would wear each piece in various ways. A shorts suit would be darling on the weekend for baby/wedding showers, dinner and cocktails.

Okay, okay, this might not be an actual floral design, but OMG! The detail and design is simply amazing! To me, this couture and it's from Anthropologie! Seriously need to own this exquisite piece!

Then there is just a piece of floral that can be worn multiple ways! A blazer is great with jeans, skirts, over a dress or with pants or shorts. I'm loving these below.

This jacket is from Forever21 and I would never have believed it! Coming in at under $30, this is an investment if you think this is just a 2013 spring trend!

This blazer, from Piperlime, is definitely whimsy in design and little on the dressy side. Still totally wearable for a casual look on the weekend but it definitely ups the wow factor!

What are your thoughts on the floral trend? Too much or just right? Would you wear it all or just one piece? Let's discuss! Happy Monday, trendsetters!

Keeping it Simple

Sweater: Ann Taylor (similar); Jeans: LOFT (similar); Boots: Hunter; Necklace: BaubleBar

For the past two weeks I've worked from home as we have our two bathrooms remodeled. Because of that, I've dressed pretty casually and have sort of missed getting dressed every morning to head into the office. I haven't missed going into the office but that is my motivation each day when putting my looks together.

That's what I love about today's look. Sometimes keeping it simple can result in a pretty cute look. It has been raining here for about a week and I'm so over it! You can tell by my hair that there is some moisture in the air! And even though I hate the rain, I love that I can still sport my Hunters! I love my tall boots but dying to get a shorter pair! I'm coveting these and I'm pretty sure I would get a color versus black. I mean, sometimes a girl needs color.

Other ways I've worn my Hunters.

 

 

What's in a name? I love my new nameplate from BaubleBar! Since I'm obsessed with my son, it's only natural that I'm obsessed with anything surrounding his name! I love the antique gold and the simplicity of the necklace. 

 

Style My Way is Dressing McKinley

I know this isn't a post about a daily outfit that I've worn recently. However, it is about daily outfits that my son wears, and in reality, isn't that an extension of me? I dress him so therefore I consider myself his stylist. I receive a lot of comments about how I dress my son. I hear things like, "How could he not be a stylish baby?" "He dresses better than I do." And, "Where do you get most of his clothes?" Dressing a boy, in my opinion, shouldn't be any different than a mother dressing up her little girl. He should be just as cute and stylish! This is the time where I can dress him how I want before he starts making those decisions on his own. Yes, I will "guide" him in some of his choice, but right now it's completely in my hands!

I get his clothes from a large variety of retailers. Target, Gymboree, Baby Gap, Carters and Nordstrom are my usual go-tos. My favorite lines are Mini Boden and Polo. I put him in Joe's Jeans for dressier occasions, but for every day wear, I'm loving these Oshkosh jeans carried by Target! And overalls! Don't get me started on how much I love seeing little boys in overalls! Again, Oshkosh is one of my favs! 

I love adding accessories to McKinley's looks! Like hats, for instance. I love putting McKinley in hats! Baseball hats, Fedoras, buckets and caps are all adorable and he owns one of each...if not more! My thought it is, if you can wear a hat, do it! This goes for adults too! Cute little jackets, Converse tennies and TOMS are just a few other items I add to his ever expanding wardrobe. I tend to go over board, at times, and I'm trying to be mindful of how much I purchase. However, he's not growing out of things as quickly as he did when he was a baby! Right now, I'm purchasing 2T and they are pretty roomy. He will have plenty of time to grow into them. 

Below you will find some of my favorite looks to date. I have to say, he is a pretty stylish two year old and why shouldn't he be!

This is one of my all time favorite looks! He wore this to Crown Center over the holidays for a lunch date with me and Meme. This is a one piece outfit and I loved that it was a cable knit sweater! He lived in this because 1) it's adorable and 2) it was warm! Normally, I would have paired this with his lace up brown shoes, but his foot out grew them so I opted for brown tennies. This type of hat is my favorite look for him. His Granddaddy has worn one for as long as I can remember and I think he's pretty stylish in his own right.

 Cable Knit One Piece: Gap; Hat: Janie and Jack; Shoes: Stride Rite

 Easter weekend was amazing! The weather was perfect! We hadn't had spring like temps in so long that we took full advantage of outdoor activities. Good Friday took McKinley, Meme and I to the Plaza for lunch and a stroll to see the "amals" along the streets. This is a yearly tradition on the Plaza and I can't wait to take McKinley down there every year. He loved all the animals, but the "bumby" was his favorite. 

Because it's finally spring, I was all about color for this particular outing. Real men wear pink! And, he looks amazing in this raspberry hue. I am a big fan of gray and pink together and this hat completes the look.

Sweater: Carters; Shirt: Target; Jeans: Target; Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders via Stride Rite;

Cap: Target

Easter Sunday was a little cooler than expected. I opted for a long sleeved button down in pastels paired with a cream cable knit sweater for warmth.

He started the day off with a seersucker cap, but with the wind, he ended up in a stocking cap to protect his ears. (Wind may or may not be responsible for ear infections, but I wasn't taking my chances!) I love that it looks like McKinley is showing off his new kicks, Sperry Top-Siders, but in actuality he's doing the Hokey Pokey. 

Sweater: Gap (last season); Shirt: Polo (no longer avail); Jeans: Carters;

 Shoes: Sperry Top-Siders via Stride Rite; Stocking Cap: Target (last season) Cap above: Target

 For his second birthday, I wanted him to look cute but still be comfortable. I knew he would play with the toys he received and you can't be confined by clothing when playing! I am big fan of sweater vests, my husband lives in them as well, and how cute does he look! A large check button down with matching navy sweater and jeans (the Oshkosh's mentioned above) is a perfect casual look that still has that dressy aspect for special occasions.

Sweater Vest: Gymboree; Shirt: Target; Jeans: Target; Shoes: Stride Rite

 

  These were taken over the weekend. The hooded pullover was a gift for his birthday and I love the cheery color! The Oshkosh jeans, I seriously need more than two, paired with a cute cap and sneaks is the epitome of little boy play wear.

 Shirt: Gap; Jeans: Target; Shoes: Stride Rite; Onesie: Gerber; Cap: Target

 If you're a mother of a little guy like me, do you dress him up? Do you plan his looks on a daily basis? I firmly believe there is no reason why little boys shouldn't look as cute as little girls of the same age. And mine will always look this cute! That's a fashion promise!

April Showers - Part One

Suit: Ann Taylor (similar/similar); Top: INC; Shoes: ShoeDazzle (similar); 

Necklace: Banana Republic (old); Sunnies: Prada (gift)

  

For this girl, April is bringing a month of baby showers! I would much rather have baby showers than actual rain showers, although we are having plenty of the latter as well. This past weekend's shower had a sweet theme. The couple isn't finding out the sex of the baby and I love that they are so retro. For the record, we didn't find out either. The theme was "Blue or Pink, what do you think?" Can you guess what I'm thinking?

I picked out this look the night before not knowing that we were to also dress in the color we thought. Subliminal thinking? No, I just really wanted to wear my new peplum top! I love the rich cobalt and the lace is so on-trend. A gift from my mom and she is so in the know! The suit is an age old suit from Ann Taylor that has truly stood the test of time. A definite investment, ladies! It's a crisp look for summer but the pieces have so many options alone. 

Stay tuned for next week's installment of April Showers Part Two!