Pregnancy Style Icon : Olivia Wilde

Well, I am at it again, but I should make an announcement first. I am nearly 17 weeks along in my pregnancy. After the disastrous end to my last pregnancy I have been super hesitant to share the news, as might be expected after the "M" word. So there it is, I'm pregnant! The secret is out. 

Anyways, back to 17 weeks, aka the just-looking-pudgy-in-the-belly stage. I have been seriously struggling with outfits lately. Most things feel too tight, reveal too much of my currently chubby state, and are downright itching me to death. So I went searching for some more pregnancy style inspiration. Surprisingly Pinterest could only help me in a very small way. I'm not quite to the full pregnancy belly, so "maternity style" isn't quite what I am looking for. Moving on, I resorted to the same tactics from when I was pregnant with K.B; relying on paparazzi photos of currently pregnant celebrities. Guess who my muse is this time around. Yup, Olivia Wilde!

Her style is edgy, a bit gender-neutral, and really laid back for the most part. I saw a number of workout clothes on the Zimbio feed (which is where these photos came from btw) and am totally on board with that. Olivia Wilde is staying healthy during her pregnancy and that is always inspiring. However, I also found several out and about outfits that are are giving me some good ideas on how to cover the bump for now. She uses neutrals to the max with a few accessories that really count, which I love. Bring on the loose fitting clothing! I am beyond ready for this. 

This black and white combo, edged with leather, is just the kind of stylish inspiration I have needed. Loose blouses are extremely high on my list of things to wear, along with a good pair of stretchy, yet skinny black pants. Also make note of the handbag! It is too small for me to get away with toting it around, but man oh man I really like the simplicity of it. 

There is a definite sweatshirt trend going on right now, but I usually see grey. I have grey and I wear it all the time, but I am completely smitten with this green beauty. This style says it is still a little cool out, but I am looking forward to the green of spring. When paired with comfy jeans this is totally something I will be wearing in the near future. 

There it is, another leather jacket, but this time being paired with a more casual look. I need a good leather jacket, the end! Also, stripes are usually out for hiding curves, but with loose fitting stripes I can see how the bulge is camouflaged. Add a wham-bam lovely leather bag and some aviators and you have yourself an outfit worthy of a solid day of errands. Gimme!

I can totally see myself in this slouchy white, tunic style shirt. I have one and will surely be putting it to good use during this trimester. When paired with the chunky sweater and grey khakis, this translates to the most comfortable pregnancy outfit of all time. Also, despite the fact that I have sworn my loyalty to Converse, her kicks are pretty cool too. 

Last, but not least, with the bump in plain view. Olivia Wilde looks fantastic right here. The light sweater and skinny jeans are right on target with a lovely, little bump. The boots are stellar. The scarf is perfection. I will be using the scarf tactic during these early spring months, for sure. 

Rainy Day Remedy

I am happy it is raining so I can finally put the Christmas present from my mother to good use. I mean, these boots!!! I love them so much, but have yet to encounter any real occasion to wear them until very recently. It has been too cold and thus they have been stashed away in their lovely little box waiting for the perfect weather. You can't even imagine my excitement when I checked the weather today. Immediately I scampered downstairs and started unwrapping them from their tissue. Granted, their debut was merely wandering to and from the mail box, but still a totally incredible stroll. I love these boots!

These last few days have been nothing but low hanging clouds dripping constantly throughout the day. The best kind of weather, if you ask me. This weather means blankets, sweaters, books, movies, and lots of extra cuddles from my boys. Heaven! Just the other day I poked my nose, yes just my nose because I was wandering around in my pajamas still, and took a whiff. It smelled like Spring. I am not even kidding. The familiar tickle in my nose was a hint toward warmer days, singing birds, and green, green, green. Needless to say, I am looking forward to those days. Those wet, drizzling days especially made for wellies.

But Pepper doesn't agree. She dashes outside under duress in the mornings and immediately wants back in. She sits on the back steps looking entirely pathetic and betrayed. I let her back in the house, shaking my head at her poor, unfortunate situation as a dog. What a rough life for her. All cozy indoors while most mutts are cast out and left to fend for themselves. Not this little princess. I am such a soft doggy mommy. She obviously doesn't grasp the joy of wellies weather.

K.B. however is in full support of rain boots. In fact, he usually wears his around the house. He wears them with his sweats, with his skinnies, and even with his pajamas while brushing his teeth. Just the other day I saw him trying to shove his slipper clad feet inside his rain boots, on the wrong feet too. I just sat there smiling while he balanced on one foot while trying to stuff the other inside his boot. His determination is something I envy. Then, just before his frustration got the better of him I stepped in and tugged of his slippers. He tried once more on his own and was finally met with success. Go rain boots! We love you.



     

PS. It has been an age since I last took outfit pictures and I completely forgot how AWKWARD it is. Yeesh!

{Sweater :: Gap Men's

{Pants :: TJ Maxx

{Coat :: TJ Maxx

{Shades :: TJ Maxx

{Boots :: Hunter

{Hat :: American Eagle

Bang, Bang

 

I am suffering from the woes of bangs--long, uncontrollable, trying-to-grow-them-out bangs. They hang in my eyes, refuse to romantically swoop, and are always falling flat. There are only so many things I know how to do to cope with this longish fringe and most of them involve unattractively just pinning them back. With each passing day I find them, these bangs of mine, more and more annoying. So I decided to commit a Pinterest/blog/internet search and find out some tips and tricks. I mean, people have survived growing out bangs before. I simply haven't appreciated the information as much as I do now.

I am not saying cutting bangs was a mistake. Truly I have loved them. It was a risk I took back in November. It was a reinvention of myself. It was a fun change and just what I needed to keep from simply chopping all of my hair off. It is the seven month hair itch. That feeling you get every few months, for me it is seven, to do something new with your hair. Last time, I did bangs. But now, I am getting it again--that little itch to do something completely refreshing and new with my hair.

The only thing holding me back? I have worked hard to grow out my hair for over two years now. It is finally "long" by my standards and I know my husband prefers the longer styles on me. BAH! So, instead of going under the proverbial knife, and chopping off a considerable amount of hair, I am committing to at least three more months of growing out my bangs. And here are the tips I have found to help me accomplish this.

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1. Let them Hang. Sometimes you just have to face the music and let your hair hang in your eyes. This is something I am no good at, especially when I have to wear my glasses.

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2. Trim and Shape. Seems counter intuitive, but it is important to trim your bangs while they grow. Sadly though, I have seen two different methods to help while growing out bangs. One is to keep your bangs all the same length with an even trim. The other is to shape your bangs at every trim, ie let the sides grow longer while micro-trimming the middle. I am listing more towards the second option.

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3. Part and Pin. I never, ever, ever part my hair down the middle, but these bangs are making me desperate. Here are two ways to part your hair and pin back your bangs. One, Jessica B. pins them down under the rest of her hair while Jessica A. pins them back over the top of her hair. Both look totally fab on them. On me? Maybe not so much, but I will still give it a try.

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4. Baby Braid. This is something I am completely on board with and have adopted on several occasions. I love the side part and then braiding my fringe out of the way. I usually do a baby french braid and eagerly await the day when i can simply do a single braid instead. *hint* pomade can really help keep the loose ends in tight.

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5. Pull Back in a Top Knot. Another thing I have already tried is pinning my bangs back and then pulling the rest of my hair in a top knot. It is so easy, so fresh, and keeps sticky hair off my neck. I like this because I can pretend I don't have bangs at all. 

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6. Accessorize. If all else fails you can always throw on a scarf or a hat. They can so easily hide anything hideous your hair is doing for the day.

I also have endless more ideas on my Pinterest board. I cannot wait to give some of these a real effort to try.  

Sunday Best

I love getting dressed up for Sunday, but after three hours of wrestling an active sixteen month old I am so ready to get out of my nice things and return to my grunge wear. It is so much easier to make my boy happy when I don't have to worry if my skirt is riding up too high or if all the buttons on my shirt are still done up. 

This is what I have to remind myself of every time I go shopping. I will drool over blazers and silk blouses. I will try on skirt after knee length skirt. I covet the spike heels. Then I stop, take in a deep, cleansing breath and remember I no longer have as many places to wear these fancy things. I have plenty of business attire from my working girl days and am lucky if I have occasion to wear them even thrice a month. Sometimes I really wish I were more conscious of the things I wear. Once in a while I wish I could be a cool, stylish, European styled dame. Alas those thoughts fizzle as soon as I go a couple of rounds with our convertible car seat. After I get all sweaty and frustrated I am thankful for my momiform of jeans and tees. 

Alas, fancy things are mostly reserved for Sunday. That is the life I lead and love. On the seventh day I primp and curl. I lay out my outfit like its the first day of school. I add lipstick, which never happens. Then, three hours later, I turn back into a pumpkin and am happier for it. 

Snow Day Style

Thank goodness there are only a couple days in January left and maybe we will be able to leave this freezing, icky month behind us. Did you know, that despite my best efforts and an almost gleaming track record, I am now sick? I made it through November and December and most of January without a hitch and then wham, bulldozer of a sore throat and runny nose. Thank goodness the Littleman seems to be feeling fine. And thank goodness to the power of two for a light at the end of this frigid tunnel.

Now on to the Mum's Threads inspired by Small Fry. On their sweet little post they talked about winter staples. For me it is all about the footwear. I love hats, coats, and scarves just like the next person. Mittens are probably good too, but give me a nice pair of warm OTK socks and leather knee high boots to combat the winter weather and I am all set. This is a trend I have been fully invested in ever since my days trecking across winter campus. I remember winter semester was always the worst, and I am not feeling much better about these early months in the year. Cabin fever, real fevers, and icy sidewalks--no thanks. The things that get me through? My boots.

I have a growing collection, but my favorite pair are these Ann Taylor Loft Peter Boots. They are leather, they are tall, and they kick winter butt. These boots go great over my skinnies or beneath a feminine skirt. I love them with colored tights or woolen socks. I was lusting after these OTK boots for a year before cracking down and spending the $180 even on sale, which was huge funds to a college girl. Needless to say, so glad I did. Totally worth it. 

Coat//TJ Maxx

Cardigan//Hollister

Shirt//Hanes

Pants//Nine West

Socks//Target

Boots//Ann Taylor Loft

Scarf & Suspenders//Thrifted

Sister Time :: Let the Spring Begin

Yesterday we said hello to the Spring Equinox. I did so with a neon blazer (colors in the photos do not do it justice) stolen from my mum's closet and K.K. added Cassette shades and chucks to her teal ribbon. Dear Spring, welcome! We are so glad you have arrived safely and we hope you stay for a nice long visit. Now just be obliging and turn some grass green and we will be thrilled. No? Not yet? You are killing me!

Many of the bloggers I follow, namely here, here, and here, are all glorifying and reveling in the cherry blossom. Darn you east coasters and all your flowery jubilee! The tree at my parents house is a poisonous plum and yes, the blossoms are beautiful, but our Spring weather has yet to catch up with your luxury just yet. However, when our hot, hot, hot summer arrives I will be soaking up the 100+ degrees with joy and remembering this heat is one of the reasons I love to live in dried out Utah. I know, it is strange. Superman hates the hot, but there is nothing I love more than UV rays, sunscreen, magazines, books, iPod, and poolside afternoons. Well, almost nothing. Throw in a snow cone and call it paradise. 

Lunch happened with our mom and aunt at noon. We gathered at JCW's where I enjoyed a side salad. I know, such a healthy girl! But then I added a raspberry cheesecake shake, fries, and fry sauce because no one is perfect. K.K. would be happy to tell you all about her loaded down burger, but her mouth was full most of the time. After lunch she and I spent some of the afternoon outside while The Bachelor Brother kicked around a soccer ball, showing off to nobody who cared. Ah life! 

Sister Stroll :: A Lunch Date

Today we took a lunch break and headed to the local Five Guys to enjoy some delectable burgers and fries. I love their stuff there. The loud boisterous atmosphere, the peanuts, and do not get me started on the fries. Hamburger heaven, right there. We also let our little brother, The Bachelor, tag along because he is finished with classes early three days of the week. Early being 9 o'clock in the morning, I know. He is one of those early to rise sorts who wants everything accomplished by noon so he can take a siesta and spend the rest of the day playing with neighborhood munchkins who still worship him. The boy is 23, yet they still knock on the door as ask my parents if he can come play. Again, I know! We try to tell him, but to no avail. Hence: The Bachelor, just minus all the girls and the roses. He does like to wear suits though, so that is at least something. 

K.K. is doing wonderful, as always. Lately she is keeping my parents' house clean, keeping herself busy, and trying to keep our brother in line. She does an excellent job at all three. She also keeps my auntie company on the weekends. Needless to say the arrival and Spring followed by Summer will be a big bump in morale around here. Even today it was a bit chill with the wind blustering around us. So we huddled in to Deseret Book for a respite. We browsed while K.K. maneuvered the stroller and The Bachelor again tried to convince us that baby K.B. will learn all the inflections of Argentine Spanish, the language to be spoken in heaven. Also he will be the next Leo Messi if my brother has his way. We have all heard this speech many a time and can only roll our eyes. 

 

 

Sister Time :: A Fine Day for Photos

The weather was inexplicably fine yesterday. The sun was glorious, the temps fantastic. It has me yearning for Spring. Our March weather is always unpredictable. One day you will be frolicking in the freshly fallen snow with your mutt, and the next day sun bathing, or at least walking out without a coat on. Planting flowers and gardening is something I look forward to with delight. I may not have a green thumb, but a salsa garden is something I excel at. Turns out I cannot kill tomato plants, jalapeno plants, or green onions so those are what I grow. Oh, and some herbs. I cannot wait for Spring to become a permanent fixture in my everyday adventures. 

To me Spring used to mean cruising around town in my convertible, clearance sunnies from Old Navy, and daffodils popping out of the snow. This year it specifically means finding cute clothes in pastel hues for my little man, DIY projects that require spray paint, and cleaning out every inch of my home for a fresh start. Big plans are in the works, let me just say. This Spring I also plan to get my days better under control now that the little'un is on a more settled schedule of sleeping and eating. That means more books and library excursions, something I am indeed excited about! I know, nerdy alert. It is a moniker I wear with honor. 

Kelsey is doing extraordinarily fine as well. Warm weather had her wearing flip flops in the yard while she helped my mother pull weeds from the front flower beds. She is so used to spending time indoors and any excuse to get out has her lighting up. She was thrilled to go out today and take more photos. When she is behind the camera she has a very particular rhythm. "1, 2, 3" click. "1,2,3" click. It is much like a waltz. She starts by holding the camera horizontal and takes three shots, then she switches to vertical and takes three shots. I love listening to her count. Half the time I do not know if she can even see through the viewfinder, but lo and behold I upload the pictures and there I am, lined up and in the shot. Spectacular!

Pinsperation :: Style

I've been thinking a little bit about my style lately, especially after a bloggy open house and so many pin up women looking smashing. I was thinking, if someone asked me to define my style what would I say? My first response to myself was: if you are trying to define your style with words, then perhaps you are doing it wrong. Shouldn't the clothes do the talking? The inner dialogue continued, well then, what do you want your clothes to say?  I am a classy, fun, mommy of one who likes to get dressed up and still kick trash. I want my clothes to say that. Well, guess what, don't. Don't be a meanie. Look at this mess (gesture to disarrayed closet). What does that say to you? I need a pair of goldenrod trousers? No, nice try. It says you don't use me properly. Sniff, sniff. You are so right! So, now what? 

End of internal dialogue. 

The downright truth is I do not really have style, or fashion, or whatever you want to call it. I am not trendy or hip. I do not follow fads (too often) and I have no clue how to use my closet. Hence the pinsperation spree lately. I skim pages, pin from blogs, and stare into the abyss while pondering the meaning of life and linen. As I look over many of these photos I finally know how to define what I want my style to be. 

I am a tomboy-librarian with hippie, feminine vibes who might, on occasion and in fact, just be a swashbuckling pirate queen on safari. So there!