You know the feeling you get when you're sick of wearing sweaters and layers, so you start transitioning those spring wardrobe pieces that you have eagerly anticipating wearing for months? Welcome to my life. I refuse to wear chunky knits and heavy overcoats from this point on. Okay... so the shoes might be a stretch, but any sign of spring on a warm day means lacing up those new gladiator sandals and taking them for a walk. Sorry, but I'm over wearing black, over static in my hair and done trying to look pulled together on days where it's sleeting.
And while I'm saying no to heavy coats, I am still in favor of wearing plaid. This gorgeous swing coat from Chic Wish gives me just enough coverage on a chilly day, but is definitely feminine with the large bow at the high neck. The plaid reminds me of a kilt - very royal and regal (Hey, I'll never be queen but one can dream, ya know?) .I've also worn this coat as a dress with simple leggings and it looked just as pretty.
I'm beyond tired of boots, scarves and cold hands... I'm protesting against Mother Nature until she gets her act together. This year, I'm hoping to do something different in terms of my style aesthetic. I'm thinking more gypsy... still edgy, but mixing soft and hard pieces together for rocker chic look. Can't wait to make the investment in new pieces this year!
Now that New York Fashion Week has come to an end, it's time to take those outfits you can't get off your mind and wear them yourself. But, there's one problem - you can't afford the runway designs.
This is absolutely the story of my life - I fall in love with a head-to-toe outfit on the runway, and then take a moment of silence to mourn the outfit I'll never own... And then, I get over it and find the relatable alternative according to my budget. Since my style aesthetic is a little frenetic, I find that recreating looks on the cheap and cheerful isn't that hard. And if you love to save your pennies for handbags or that one killer accessory to take your outfit over the top, then you'll want to save where you can.
Check out these looks that killed it on the runway... and get the looks for yourself without breaking the bank!
LC Lauren Conrad
You watched her on The Hills, and pretty much still obsess her style and signature beach waves. OC darling Lauren Conrad's collaboration with Kohl's is a playful collection of ethereal pieces that range from whimsical floral prints, to high-waisted pants and lace crop tops. It's adorable, it's versatile... and best of all, it is ridiculously economical as you can purchase everything at Kohl's (which has sales frequently).
To create this look:
Lauren's outfit is part of her LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's collection, and was worn on the runway by a model, too, in grey. You can purchase the entire look, head to toe, for $96. I love it because it's work appropriate, and wide pants are THE item to own this fall. To shop all of Look 9 on Kohl's, follow this link. And, you're welcome.
RODARTE
The Mulleavy sisters did not disappoint delivering their Spring/Summer 2016 presentation. Some are calling it pirate inspired, others see a Victorian goddess, and I see 70s gypsy chic. Regardless of your view, all of it was gorgeous.
I
To recreate the look, the brown leather pants from Ann Taylor cost
$98, but you can use the code YESPLEASE for 40% off! Next, a white dress
shirt or even a cream colored one to layer under the yellow plaid
blazer completes the look. I found one that looks just like the model's plaid blazer on TheRealReal for $98. Finally, the black open toe booties from Missguided are a steal at $58!
Betsey Johnson
A New York Fashion Week icon, Betsey Johnson delivered her signature
eccentricity with sequins, tutus, houndstooth and of course, a little
bit of punk rock thrown in to represent her 50 years of fashion.
Representing numerous decades, Betsey paid homage to NYC landmarks and
her years of putting out style her way.
To create the look:
This mod outfit is super easy to recreate: Rock a Peter Pan collar dress with silver flats! The two I choose range in price from $58 to $98! This is the perfect look to try a winged eye look, too! And if you truly love Betsey, you can purchase the silver flats which are part of her line of shoes and accessories!
All this talk of summer being over is reminding me that I need to get in those outfits that I won't be able to enjoy in a few weeks. I'm talking crop tops, sandals and neons. I've always had this weird obsession with unicorns... Okay, I know that sounds incredibly strange and no, I'm not high. I just think there's something funny to be said about this mystical and mythical creature that makes me giggle. When I saw this unicorn crop top, I didn't care how I was going to wear it with anything in my closet... I just had to buy it.
For me, I'm in favor of two kinds of outfits: really minimalist in terms of colors - greys and blacks. And then quirky pieces with a lot of flair - hence, the Kate Spade bag. Combining the two is even better in my book since I'm wearing some of my favorite colors while toning down the bright bag with a simple black tulle skirt. Going back to work has let me wear a lot of the clothes I hadn't dug out in a while, and given me a chance to try out this whole working mom routine in the morning. While the top isn't work appropriate, I managed to save this outfit for a weekend of local fun in my town with the boys and my hubby.
August is flying by too fast! Before we know it, fall will be here. And yes, I've already started stocking up!
Outfit:
Uncorn Crop Top - Forever 21 / Black Tulle Midi Skirt - Boohoo.com / Coach Shoes / Kate Spade Bag
Shopping for myself now that I'm a mother has taken on a new kind of meaning since I love buying clothes for the boys versus for me. But when I select pieces now to add to my wardrobe, functionality and comfort are definitely a priority. I want to wear things I can move in while taking care of the boys, yet, have character and fit in with my style aesthetic. I think there's a stigma of being a mom and having to dress a certain way that can be viewed as negative. Or, being a mom means you have to forget about your sense of individuality and self. For me, I want to be that stylish lady that happens to be a mom. Hopefully, a cool one.
Let's ask my sons in a couple of years what they think of me and how I look... Should be interesting!
For our first outing, a trip to the park for a craft fair, I wore something gypsy inspired that I picked up from Urban Outfitters. This jersey tank dress was the perfect choice as it kept me cool, and had some wit to it. Each daily horoscope on the dress reads "The stars and planets will not affect your life at all." Paired with gladiator sandals and a fringed bag, this outfit is totally my Coachella mom look.
Looking forward to adding more tank dresses to my closet - easy to style, easy to wear!
Outfit
Tank Dress - Urban Outfitters / Gladiator Sandals - Target / Fringed Bag - Steve Madden / Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters
My style has absolutely changed since I've been pregnant. Now at 34 weeks, I cherish the time I have to pamper myself in the morning, or the moments where I can stand in my closet and mull over what to wear. But, I've come to realize that those times will be fleeting once the boys are here - and I'm completely ready for it!
My time will be devoted to tending to my little dudes - and to say that I'm excited to see their faces soon would be a gigantic understatement. As I prep for my new role as a mother, I've been looking for style that can be summed up as effortless.
That's where this West 57th Satchel from Henri Bendel comes into play. Not only is it a beautiful shade of blue, the shape is modern... and effortless! I love that I can still be a funky mom with a bold and vibrant bag that is the perfect carryall for all my necessities. It makes the perfect statement for me as an accessory that let's me celebrate my sense of style, while being fun, luxurious and practical.
Plus, as I warm up to the idea of there being more blue in my future, this gorgeous satchel will become my go-to for being a stylish mom that still loves fashion and eccentricity.
I'll be honest with you: I spend the majority of my free time lately upstairs in my bedroom. My pregnancy has absolutely started to catch up to me. I feel bigger, heavier and tired more often, and after a day of work, I usually head upstairs with a book or pop in a DVD and just straight up relax or fall asleep. So, the amount of snow New Jersey has been hit with, combined with the freezing cold, inspired me to take outfit shots in my current favorite indoor place.
But even on days when I'm feeling a little under the weather, one thing I always do is get dressed in something that makes me feel like I'm... me.
I couldn't feel more like myself in this "Preggo Is The New Black" Mesh Insert Sweatshirt that Preggo Leggings gifted to me, along with these ridiculously stretchy and comfortable red maternity leggings. The mesh panel has a "peek-a-boo" shoulder that allows me to dress it up with skinny jeans, or throw on a pair of leggings and heels for dinner with my husband.
There is nothing more prideful for me than celebrating my growing belly when it comes to putting together an outfit. Maternity clothing tends to have a stereotype that it's dowdy and bland. Totally not the case! Even if I wasn't a fashion blogger, being stylish while pregnant was important to me because I always wanted to maintain my sense of self - but just a different part of myself in a different stage of my life.
Thank goodness for denim chambray shirts. Up until I become pregnant, I actually never owned a denim shirt. The look of pairing it with skirts and prints was always something I loved, but for some reason, I think I was afraid it would look too plain.
Boy was I wrong.
I found this super soft denim chambray shirt at Gap Maternity, and I immediately knew I wanted to wear it with my favorite fuzzy vest for extra coziness. At 7 months pregnant, I continue to grow bigger and bigger, and lucky, this shirt covers my tummy in warmthness as New Jersey continues to be pelted with snow week after week... after week.
Also, I finally filfulled one of my dreams - I am now the proud owner of this amazing 440 Courier Rail Quilted Bag from one of my favorite designers, Diane von Furstenberg. Long have I admired her work, and I've always wanted to purchase a bag of hers. I couldn't resist this beauty in black, and the luggage tag is just over the top adorable with her signature DVF lips logo. I'm considering it a preemptive push present to myself.
I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant, and I can say that it's starting to get harder for me to feel like myself. I'm tired more, I feel heavy and sleep is non-existant. I do my best to cope with it all because I know that it's just part of being pregnant. I don't mind the pain because I know when I see my two boys I'm going to forget any aches and pains I once had.
This winter is making it brutal to dress my bump in things other than cardigans. While I can still squeeze myself into some of my pre-maternity clothing, at 7 months pregnant, I've reached the point where being creative with outfits is getting harder. The shirts I wore for the past 4 months are starting to rise up higher and higher, and the bottom of my belly goes uncovered. Thank God for my collection of wrap sweaters like this gold Aztec print number. It's got enough going on to be interesting and make me feel like I'm putting an effort into my outfit.
But I really miss wearing skirts.
And ladies, catching a gust of wind up your belly when it's literally 4 degrees out - it's torturous.
While a view of me from the front definately reveals I'm pregnant, I often hear from people that from the back, I look like my normal, pre-pregnancy self.
What do you think?
As for an update on the babies - they are both doing extremely well. I have been very blessed that my pregnancy has gone smooth. But when you're pregnant, you worry a lot about what you eat, how much sleep your getting and if you're doing everything in your power to take care of yourself so it doesn't affect your baby, or, in my case, babies. I try to watch what I eat, but my sweet tooth gets the best of me at times. I've now limited myself to letting myself have one dessert/sweet treat every other day so I don't overdo it.
I guess the worrying I'm doing now is practice for when the twins are here. Practice makes perfect!
Outfit:
Gold Aztec Cardigan - Forever 21 / Black Tee - Old Navy Maternity / Jeans - Destination Maternity / Quilted Shoulder Bag - Forever 21 / Gold Lurex Hat - Zara / Shoes - Chinese Laundry
Valentine's Day is the perfect holiday to get a little over the top with your outfit. The unofficial official celebration of wearing pink and red, I have a penchant for taking things a bit literal for my V-Day outfit whether it be a printed heart sweater, signature red shoes or a pink neon lip.
Yet while the holiday is all about love, there's one thing about it that makes me a little sad - the weather. Currently, with piles of snow on the ground and freezing temperatures, it can be challenging to style yourself in a look that you love, but the weather won't let you get away with. Are you really going to wear platforms as you traipse over salty sidewalks?You can... I'll get to that in a minute...*
However, you can still wear your favorite love-inspired pieces by adding layers. Pair that Pop Champagne graphic tee with a red plaid skirt and a leather jacket that's light enough to wear indoors, but warm enough to keep you from freezing. *And those red pumps - just change your shoes after you've sat down for dinner.
Or, opt to go warm and cozy with your favorite skinny jeans, a layered lace shirt and an ultra bright pink jacket. If you feel like you're too bundled up, let your accessories be the standout, like this Shut Up and Kiss Me Clutch from Express, or put on your best red lipstick!
