It's All In The Jeans

I'm a total jeans girl- I wear them everyday.  And while I do like to splurge on designer jeans- I like a great pair for cheap too.  Years ago a girlfriend of mine turned me on to American Eagle Jeans.  Great fit- they wear well and are under $50 (easy to find them as low at $29.50) Here are a few of my favs

Original Boot Cut $49.50

Straight Leg $39.50

Trouser Jean $49.50 (I adore them in white!)











Here's a tip- join the AERewards club, and get some great perks- I got a free t-shirt of my choice the month of my birthday- but thats not on the list...

 

• 15% off the month of your birthday at AE, Aerie and 77kids when you share your e-mail.
• Kids score a gift in any 77kids store on their birthday.
• Free Aerie Bras: Buy 5 Bras Get the 6th Free. Every time.
• Members-Only Sales and Events

Plus 15% off for every $100 you spend. 

Spring Accessories

To temper yesterdays encouragement to spend- here are a few great spring accessories for pocket change.  A quick wardrobe update- $10 or less.

Way to rock your inner eight year old- Daisy Chain Headband $4.95 at H&M

The thing about wayfarers is that I already wore them the first time around- but these in blush pink seem fresh and new.  I hear my inner hipster calling...
$7.50 WetSeal

I love a brooch added to a cardigan or blazer- and this mint color is totally on trend for spring. 
$9.90 from Zara

I saved the best for last- I LOVE this filigree bracelet from Forever21.   It screams "hooray, the sun is out!"  $4.50.  Yep- enough left over for an ice cream cone.

Start the week with a splurge.

Uusally I like to find deals under $100 (under $50- even better!!) but there are some amazing splurge items today, at higher prices than I usually conscider.

Bruno Magli "Kelsey" Mary Jane on My Habit $175, regular price $350.  Shoes are an easy call for a splurge- especially a shoe like this that is NEVER going out of style.  Spending a little more on a shoe means it will be more comfortable and will wear longer.

A white dress is a summer essential- my lovely husband shrunk my go-to white dress, so I am in the market for a new one.  I love the neckline on this one, and the nipped in waist/ shorter hem line combo is really flattering. Shoshonna Pleated Cotton Ruffle Sheath on Gilt.com $149 regular price $340

Color blocking is a huge trend- we have all heard it.  I love this top because it is "on trend" without being "trendy"

Sarah Block Silk Top by French Connection, $118 on Amazon- this is not really a sale price, BUT- sign up for fashion news from Amazon and you get 20% off.













Enjoy your monday splurges.  Just think of all the money you save the rest of the week!

Spring Dress Round-up

They're here!  They're here!  It's Spring dress time and even though Winter just hit Northern California- I am so ready.  True, I am still an incubator, but with any luck (and a little help from the Stork and the Spanx Fairy) I'll be wearing some of these by Easter!

This year, with the new baby and the time off etc. budget for a Spring wardrobe is extra tight, so I'm forgoing Anthropologie *sniff* and sticking with some more economical options.  Frankly- Old Navy and Target have really stepped it up the last few seasons... and I already sang the praises of the Jason Wu for Target collection.

So, without further ado- some of my fave Spring dresses.  Chic, easy to wear, (ahem) slimming and under $40

Navy striped dress with lemon yellow belt: $24.99 at Target

 
Navy Surpliced Linen Dress: $29.80  Forever 21

Navy (seeing a trend?) Flower Printed Tie Waist Dress: $34.94 Old Navy

Ruffle Front Jersey Dress: $19.50 on sale now at Old Navy

Kimono Style Chiffon Dress: $34.95 from H&M

So much to love!

...better than yesterday

As promised, I went home yesterday scrapped most of what I was wearing.  This morning, I an feeling a little better about myself.  Please forgive the quality of the camera phone pics... I leave for work at 6 am, and just couldn't deal with downloading from my camera this morning, as you can see- the bed isn't even made yet.

The biggest impact, I actually did my hair- a little curl with a 1" iron does wonders for my spirit and hides the kinks from yesterdays bun.  I stuck with black and white (a preggers's best friend...) and jeans, just with better detail.

The pattern of the shirt helps down-play the bump.  (I LOVE my bump, but everyone who sees me knows its there, there's no reason to highlight it.)  The cardigan has a little ruffle detail to make it more interesting than most black cardigans.  The skinny jean is getting a little tough to pull off, but I'm down to 3 pairs of jeans- well, 2 after yesterday- so I have to do what I can.  Lastly, red croco pump- love this shoe to pieces- they dress up everything and are super comfortable.  Nine West Gwendle pump in red patent croco $59.95 at DSW   

here is yesterday and today side by side:

Any moms or moms to be with tips on how to dress without looking like you are wearing a tent?

Haul out the holly...

My husband just spent the better part of the evening schlepping all our Christmas decoration up the from the garage, and I was greeted with 32 years of holiday.  Hooray!

Although I never part with anything Christmas related, I have created some very specific rules around what goes on display- simply put, it has to be red or gold.  No silver bells and no green- unless its pine scented.  The only exceptions being our actual tree decorations- our tree is like a scrap book and I'd take the memories over the department store perfect tree anytime.

I was looking through the decorations and mulling over the dress your space philosophy.  I've mentioned it before, but I love the idea that thoughtful decor would reflect the same taste as a great outfit.  Well, consider this dressing your space in reverse... and check out these great holiday duds inspired by my fav decorations, and with an eye towards your budget, nothing over $100.

ps... can we have a moments pause for that red handbag from DSW?  $35- really?!  I'll race you to it.

Haul Out The Holly by substyle featuring a disco dress

Oasis crepe dress
$75 - oasis-stores.com

Moon Collection disco dress
$53 - modcloth.com

BKE top
$28 - buckle.com

Cropped jacket
£24 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Jersey pants
£19 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Nine West slip on shoes
$80 - zappos.com

La Regale metallic clutch
$30 - macys.com

Red handbag
$35 - dsw.com

Fur Real

... or more accurately faux fur real.  I am so in love with the fur trend that comes out in fall- it makes me feel like Doris Day sipping cocoa next to a fireplace.

But, from a practical standpoint fur creates some challenges.  The first is ahem financial- not only can I not justify coat that costs as much as my mortgage, but I always run the risk of anything from a sucker to spit-up getting ground into what I'm wearing.  Then, there is the issue of proportion- a curvy girl in a fur piece can tend to look a little... Sasquatch-y.  Lastly, I hate looking like I rushed out and bought a trend, and while fur (real or faux) is timeless- many of the styles I'm drawn to smack of this weeks fashion mags.

So I've gathered a collection of my fav, mostly faux, fur pieces.  Reasonably priced (under $200), body skimming (to avoid "bulk") and each with a touch of retro.  Eat your heart out daycare moms!

Fur Real by substyle featuring a faux fur trim coat

Fur dress
$75 - modcloth.com

ONLY fur cardigan
£48 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Faux fur trim coat
$170 - topshop.com

Fake fur vest
$105 - warehouse.co.uk

Helene berman
$46 - theoutnet.com

Zara fur heel boots
$159 - zara.com

Star by Julien Macdonald teal bag
£39 - debenhams.com

Abercrombie Fitch knitted shawl
$98 - abercrombie.com

Lipsy Snowflake Fur Earmuffs - Lipsy
£10 - lipsy.co.uk

The Big Purge

If you wonder where I've been lately, look in my closet.  Well, not my closet, but my guestroom closet.  In the four years we have lived in our house, we have had one room that has served as a catch-all.  Our guest room-cum office- soon to be a cotton candy pink paradise for a two year old.  That means getting rid of everything I'm not attached to, and finding a new home for all the keepers from photos to wrapping paper.

So... since I am currently obsessed with organizing my most precious possessions, here are a few of my top 5 space saving solutions.

1. Space Bags: I know, I know, right into the world of "as seen on TV" but I swear- I use these for everything- linens, baby clothes, sweaters... best of all they fit anywhere!

2. Wrapping paper storage: I dream of a wrapping paper station that looks like this

but in my mini house... I'm getting one that looks like this

 ...its actually a great solution with a spot for ribbon, tape and scissors as well as the bin space for the paper rolls.  Beats the heck out of propping the rolls up in the corner.

3. Bedroom office equipment: When my husband and I moved in together we agreed on a no TV in the bedroom rule.  I think TVs in the bedroom are the first step towards divorce...  But, with our spare room, we loose our home office which means all the bills and office equipment need a new home.  In the land of lap tops we don't need a n actual workspace, but we do need some equipment.  Enter the wireless printer- it communicates with my lap top in the living room and fits on a bedroom shelf without making me feel like I am sleeping in the office.

 4. Photo Storage: I have a million pre digital photos, and they aren't going anywhere.  So I love this 'Havana' platinum-grey medium photo box by Kolo - it's pretty enough to shelve (unlike the giant plastic bins I've been using) and made with archival paper to keep my treasures safe.

 

 5. Under the bed storage: This is my FAV- mostly because it make use of my vintage suitcase collection... currently taking up space in the garage.  And shamefully, I had never thought of it...  So much chicer than the plastic bins peeking out from under my bed now.  Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for the idea!

And bonus- if I had no budget... and was in the market for some bonus storage, I'd embrace my Alice in Wonderland fantasy with this amazing shelving unit from Dust Furniture... to die for...

The best dressed bump

I was wandering a bookstore this weekend, and found Bump It Up: Transform Your Pregnancy into the Ultimate Style Statement by Amy Tara Koch

It started out as something to read on the couch while my in-laws are in town, but it sort of hooked me.  With my first pregnancy, I didn't give pregnancy fashion much thought.  I was so thrilled to be pregnant I wanted to wear maternity clothes (hormones...)  After my daughter was born, I looked back an my pregnancy with the clarity that only time can bring.  It was pretty awful.  I gained over 40 pounds (OMG- did I just admit that?!) and lived in denim maternity capris and bulky tops.  That's not quite true... my mom took me shopping early in my pregnancy and got me a couple of really cute things to wear to work and some events I had.  But, when left to my own devices, I was a disaster!
This time, I am determined to rock the hot mama look.  (Frankly, the first step has been not rocking so many hot fudge sundaes.)  But, not as easy as I thought... this book had a couple of tips that I had already discovered, and a few I hadn't thought of.  Here are a few of my favs.

The Bella Band by Ingrid & Isabel
One of the thing I liked best about this book is that it encourages you to wear your own clothes, so this is the only product I''ll call out.  The Bella Band is a super stretchy tube of fabric thats fits over the waistband of your pants or skirts.  Thanks to an assortment of these darlings I'm almost halfway through my pregnancy and I am still wearing my own pants (so much cuter than anything with an elastic waist!) They come in a rainbow of colors so you can coordinate them to your outfits (they look like a layering tank) although in many cases they don't show at all.

Long "wife-beater" style tanks
My daughter was born in late summer, so I sadly went through a very hot pregnancy without these.  This time I can't get enough- I'm wearing them by themselves on warm Indian Summer days and under cardigans and blazers when it's cooler.  Most everyone has them, but if not, they are pretty cheap ($6 at Target right now) and come in great colors.  They show off the cute 2nd trimester bump, and if they are long enough stretch out my short round torso.

Accessorize:
Seems like a no brainer, but they call it "baby-brain" for a reason.  It frankly never occurred to me that a strategic accessory choice could distract from my size.  I at a point, I tried to shrink more than shine.  This time I am going the opposite route.  I put away my dainty jewelry, and moved my statement pieces to the front.  I got a fedora too.  Also belts- this has always confused me in pregnancy... belt above the bump?  below?  Turns out, both are right- but the book helped me figure out when.

Wear Heels:
This is one to do as long as possible.  36 weeks into growing a human, it's not always possible to wear heels.  Also, balance is a huge issue in pregnancy.  But a decent wedge, or kitten heel can go far to make a girl look a) smaller and b) pulled together. 

So far, it must be working.  Yesterday my husband said to me- "you are so much cuter this pregnancy" sweet! 

Statement jewelry at subtle prices

Handmade jewelry has a deliciously special feel to it, and finding a designer who hand-makes great jewelry at a reasonable price is the kind of secret you sort of want to share, and sort of don't.  But I will share- it's just the kind of girl I am!

Kris Nations is a Northern California jewelry designer and my go-to girl for unique gifts for the women in my life.  She designs great, easily wearable pieces ranging from simple to statement, most all pieces are available in gold or silver.  Affordable and from recycled metals too!  Here's a few pieces on my wish list:

 Arc Hoops

Blade Cuff

Blade Hoops

Dahlia Double Chain Necklace

 Geo Leaf Ring