shorts and tights

I tried something I've never done before...wearing shorts with tights. It seemed...almost too bad-girl bold and unusual and scary for my conservative, good-girl Midwestern sensibilities. But..I'm trying to find fresh ways to style things I already have, and I'm kind of bored with my usual boots-tucked-into-jeans fall and winter uniform. After a  bunch of  obsessive searching on Pinterest for ideas, I think I came up with the basic elements needed to nail this look: 

1.) bottoms of similar shade; like navy with gray or black with gray, or denim with gray...ect. I think the idea behind this is to not chop off your legs. 

2). simple accessories: so the outfit dosen't look too 'fashiony' and over-the-top, (a pendant necklace would work equally well and 

3.) a tucked-in, neutral top. 

I wore this to a play date and found this outfit extremely comfortable and mom-friendly... no worries about exposing yourself while sitting cross-legged on the floor with toddlers and babies crawling all over you!

 What I'm wearing: ancient navy twill shorts with ancient gray ribbed tights, very old navy striped sweater...and I later swapped the ancient flats with ancient black suede and leather boots, all circa 2009. Everything I'm wearing (except the scarf and tee) is at least 4 years old. 

American Eagle Jeggings: jeans for moms?

 So. These are mom jeans. Except they are not the horrible awful kind of mom jeans. These are sexy mom jeans. Stretchy, with a higher rise--oh my goodness. And the price. they were $30. Where have you been all my (postpartum) life? Recently my 18-year old sister reacquainted me with American Eagle after about a 10-year break.  And I was actually impressed. They have really cute, decently priced basics with a twist, like this adorable polka dot sweater or this cool moto jacket. I think I'm going to buy these really comfy-looking pants next week.

these jeans stay up. yesfinally

aiming for a sexy librarian look. failed.

The men's shirt I'm wearing is thrifted from Goodwill in Minneapolis while visiting family. I wore this ad nauseum during the last two weeks of my pregnancy when NOTHING FIT. With horrible, bright pink yoga pants.Yikes. Yiikes.

Friday fun...

crazytown pic. yesiknow. i'm still learning.

I cut off my head. oops.

I'm trying to make an effort to dress up a little. After a pity-party last night, ending with me sobbing "I'm so lonely and isolated and bored...I want to go back to work!!" and my poor husband trying to keep me from jumping off the deck (figuratively), I've decided to be proactive today and beat loneliness away with a stick.

For me, that includes wearing some makeup, a skirt and heels. Yes, I'm home with baby today. No, it's not practical. But I DON'T CARE!! My little apartment is becoming a prison...I almost literally haven't left the house for two weeks due to shots, then a lovely round of colds for all of us.

What I'm wearing: a thrifted corduroy skirt (I hacked the hem), thifted brown heels, and my white t-neck Everlane tee.

I'm learning how to take selfies with my little dinky point-and-shoot canon camera sitting on an end table, hence the crazy picss--first cutting me off at the ankle, then cutting off my head. Fun times. Maybe someday I'll get a nice camera and figure out how to use Photoshop. 

Makeover...with a scarf

Up with the baby all night? Spit up all over your shirt? You are out shopping and forgot a nursing cover? No problem! A scarf is the best mommy accessory EVER. The babe can claw on it, stuff it in his mouth, drool all over it and you don't  have to worry about an earlobe getting ripped out or a favorite necklace ruined.

Plus it adds so much style to an outfit.

Me, sans scarf with some sleep-deprivation induced acne. At least I took 5 seconds to twist my hair up today. And I brushed my teeth this morning. Sorry. TMI.

Me, with scarf and sleep-deprivation induced acne. 

Doesn't it just make everything look better and put together? I'm loving this plaid infinity scarf paired with everything right now. Here's a similar one...and here's a brown leopard print option. These days, I make all my scarves into infinity scarves by tying the ends together and leaving a charming little knot to the side.

I found it!!

I found it!! Little man and I went window shopping in Old Town last week.

There's an Anthropologie. sigh. I went in. I'm drooling as much as my teething baby.

Lo and behold, while 'window shopping', I found it. The perfect utility jacket. Enough feminine detailing, but not overly sweet...slightly distressed...cinched waist...heavier weight. Only drawback is it's pretty pricey (bye bye birthday cash) but I'm in loooove...quality is better than quantity...right? right?

I can't wait for it to get a little cooler so I can style this baby! Yes, I live in Virginia where it's 85 degress in October...do I miss Midwest winter? Not a bit.

Marrakech Cambria Anorak (clipped to polyvore.com)

Leopard and gray to play!

I ordered a Ryan tee from Everlane last week. Here it is in gray--in all its drapey, large chest-hiding, pooch forgiving fabulousness! Baby and I are heading out to Monday story time at the library...

Stripes and story time!

Baby and I are heading to the Alexandria Duncan branch library for story time! I'm wearing my Loft boyfriend jeans and a cropped top layered over a cami. The wreckage of my once-toned tummy needs to stay covered. Plus it's 73 degrees and raining today...