Blue Hues

Going back to work has given me the chance to dust off all the clothes I couldn't wear while pregnant, and to rip the tags off new ones I bought when I literally couldn't see my feet.

But now that I have a view of what's beneath me, I'm back in my heels and feeling like I'm regaining my pre-pregnancy appearance. It's been 4 months, and for the most part I think I look pretty much the same. Okay... I'm just going to say it: I look like I didn't have two babies. And I know how lucky I am to have good genes in the sense that I was able to bounce back to my pre-baby size. But, I do have some work to do and while it may not be visible to everyone, I know what I want to achieve and that I'm not 100% there yet. It is a struggle to come to terms that your body really isn't your body anymore after you have a baby, let a lone two. Yet, what it all comes down to is any woman who has had a child would probably say they would sacrfice the appearance of their body for the sake of their children. And I'm no exception. 

Dresses have always been a staple for me, and especially for summer. Expanding my color palette, this blue geo print dress in blue is one of my current favs. I've worn it both casual and dressy, as is evident by the heels in today's #ootd. I wore this outfit on a Sunday for lunch in my town with the boys, and for some mommy time getting my hair blown out in the morning. Simple pleasures, people. I'll take free time when I can get it... but I don't mind sacrificing my personal me time for the boys. 

Unless we're shopping (just kidding!).

Outfits:

Dress - Forever 21 / Ankle Strap Metallic Heel Heels - Spring.com (shop a similar shoe style here) / Stitched Leather Camera Bag - Henri Bendel / Bracelets - Alex and Ani / Sunglasses / ZeroUV

#momlife: Style for You and Your Little

Even though I am a mother to twins, I am not really a fan of dressing my sons alike. I think it's important for them to have their own personality. And besides, being as obsessed as I am about my own clothes, do you think I would miss an opportunity to style my boys individually?

However, my stance on this does have a loophole. While I wouldn't dress Landon and Nathan alike, I WOULD rock a t-shirt that matches theirs. The #momlife movement is huge right now, and it's made its way into fashion. Moms want to show off their proud mommy pride, and while their children represent that love, some are taking it a step further by opting for slogan tees that put that sentiment in writing. I love that I can dress the boys in something fun that makes me feel a part of their twin vibe. And even if you are a mother to one, it's equally adorable!

I have started to grow my mommy t-shirt collection already. Plus, my kids get to play dress up with me as I dress them in bodysuits that mimic my quirky sense of pride. The best place I've found mom slogan tees - Instagram! Some of my favorite shops include:

lovedbyhannahandeli.com - ADORABLE Mama Bear tees!
slyfoxthreads.com - "We Never Sleep" tee
hellomerch.com - "I'm not tired" and "I'm so tired" tee.
oliveandcheeks.com - Cute slogan tees for littles!
leethreeembroidery on Etsy - A family of bear tees including mom, baby, papa, auntie and more!

Cyber Monday Steals

Cyber Monday Steals by houseofjeffers featuring kate spade handbags

Bodice dress
modcloth.com

Jeffrey Campbell metallic pumps
shopbop.com

Kate spade handbag
katespade.com

Bracelets bangle
threadsence.com

Cross your Heart and Hope To Shine Necklace in Rhapsody - Sorrelli
sorrelli.com

The Labyrinth Square Ring - Silver - Rings | Vanessa Mooney Jewelry
vanessamooney.com

Fashion.Music.Style.

Outfit:

Cable knit cardigan - Forever 21

Floral button front blouse - Urban Outfitters

Striped skirt - Forever 21

Tights - Mandee

Mary Janes - Office (UK)

Double-Breasted Jacket - The Gap

You may have noticed my new banner... Figured the place could use a little sprucing up. You like?

Aside from fashion, the other huge passion of mine is music. Since I was 13, I always clung to a music scene - which I give much credit for my love of writing as I used to read and dissect lyrics. I hold a huge admiration for song writers and musicians as I'm neither of the two... except for a short stint with piano lessons when I was 11. That didn't last long - my teacher would force me to play "Yellow Rose Of Texas", and I was more of a Green Day gal at the time.

Music and fashion go hand in hand. They are constantly changing, not everyone agrees with your taste or gets your opinion on why you like it, and both are an uber creative outfit of expression. And sometimes they don't conform to what everyone else likes... My taste in music is all over the place. Good fashion and music are the most similar because when you find a band/clothing you really love, you wear them out to the point that you'll eventually need a new one, but you'll still hold on to the old one.

My playlist of current favs includes:

Cake - Showroom of Compassion
The Black Keys - Brothers
Fiona Apple - When The Pawn
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Local Natives - Gorilla Mansion

Today, I was in a Two Door Cinema Club type of mood. I guess this meant that I'd go to the park and make an ass out of myself while jumping.

I did catch some good air, though.

Freud would approve

Outfit:

Floral Tunic - Urban Outfitters

Tights - Forever21

Cardigan - Express

Boots - ModCloth.com

Necklace - Mandee

When I started my blog, my main motivation was to someday, hopefully, turn it into a career. Writing and fashion are two huge influences in my life and the idea that people visit my blog and read my words is inspiring.

So what about other fashion bloggers? Everyone has their own reasons for vogueing in the (sometimes) cold and taking pics of themselves. Career, entrepreneurship, attention, a need for approval... The motivation is different. I started to think about how readers view bloggers, and it made me question:

"Are fashion bloggers narcissists?"

Yes and no. There is a slight narcissistic element in taking photos of yourself because you think you look good, or want to show off your style. And I'm cool with that. Besides, that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's such a thing as healthy narcissism, and having self confidence, which is where I feel many fashion bloggers fall. However, to each is own and the answer varies among bloggers.

I can only speak for myself when I say I don't think I'm the bomb, and I'm certainly not breaking any barriers by wearing floral printed skirts with striped lurex tights. But in my eyes, and the eyes of others around me, I've always been one who was really into fashion and my own view of what's cool and what I'd wear as opposed to someone else has been slightly more adventurous. My view may be bias, but by healthy narcissism standards, I'm getting a rush out of doing something I have confidence in and feel I'm good at. Don't believe me? Blame Freud... Afterall, he did say that narcissism was a phase of development, where people turn their love for themselves toward another object. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthy_narcissism)

In this case, it's having good bangs and the ability to pair skinny jeans with killer shoes.

So, if that classifies fashion bloggers as people with self confidence, then we're just fashionably dressed, practicing narcissists.

Be prepared!

At a certain point during the colder months, I get tired of buying winter clothes. I have a tendency to dislike much of what I've purchased from the year before, which results in purging a lot of my older clothes and replacing them with new lovies to don this year. But it's February, and I'm over the snow, sleet and miserable weather that's been hitting NJ.

Many of my most recent purchases have been shoes - platforms, flats and mary janes, oh my! My main stem wear inspiration comes from Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.

I've always been a fan of her style, and in her collection, I think the Platform Mary Jane really make sense because they go with pretty much everything... and they are just all around uber amazing. Need, and want, these shoes!

Photo via OpeningCeremony.com

The outfit possibilities are limitless with these platforms!

Currently, two pairs of shoes, both from Forever21 are sitting in my closet, and are on deck for Spring! The leather mary janes have an ultra lightweight heel, and the floral slingbacks add a splash of color and go well with black and denim.

Plus, I'll be reviving my patent leather peep toe platform wedges from last season...

With my new shoes waiting to be worn, I'll just have to come up with some winter ways to sport these beauties... Spring - get here soon!