Stay-At-Home Mom Style: The Cardigan Uncertainty

cardigan, tee/ Target | necklace/ laurenelainemoore | jeans/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab

I am seriously loving cognac and black looks right now. This cardigan is the last of my Target haul. I grabbed it because the color is PERFECT (I've been looking for more of a camel than tan), and the length is about where I want it. But now looking at the pictures, I think the fit might be off. Ideally, I'd like something with a v-neck, and something that doesn't look so baggy and sloppy (but still has room to layer). This has plenty of room to layer, but it looks like there might be a bit TOO much room. Thoughts? Help a girl out.

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Maroon and Olive

sweater/ Old Navy | jeans, necklace/ Target | boots/ JustFab

These are the first outfit photos I took with my fancy new DSLR camera, tripod and remote. Obviously I have a long way to go before I can actually take a decent photo with it, so just bear with me, k? I'm pretty excited about learning to use this thing.

On to the outfit: here we have another vaguely Christmas-y outfit, without being too "look at me I'm a Christmas tree!" The maroon and olive are nice nods to traditional Christmas colors, but not overboard. These olive jeans are another item I grabbed during my Target run the other day, and I looooove them. I'm so excited about having a pair of olive skinny jeans, they really should have been on my fall wish list. I feel so seasonal in this outfit. :) I plan on wearing it tonight to the Holiday Parade of Lights our town is having!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Cognac and Black

necklace, sweater/ Target | jeans/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab | jacket/ Kohl's

I love the look of cognac brown and black together. Maybe because I grew up with that "black and brown make a frown" rule, and that one seems to have gone out the window. I'm glad, too, because that one was about as ridiculous as "no white after Labor Day." (However, I still don't think chocolate brown and black go together. Probably because they're a lot closer in color.) 

This is what I wore yesterday when J and I went to see Catching Fire. I thought it was good, but I usually spend the first time watching a movie from a book comparing it to the book. So I'd like to see it again and just enjoy it. I'm usually pretty lenient with changes they make for the movie if I can justify that it makes sense in movie format and would be too hard to do exactly as it was in the book, as long as it doesn't change the essence or important parts of the story. There's only been one thing so far with the first two movies that makes me mad that they changed it. I don't want to give anything away here for people who haven't read the books, but let's just say it has to do with the origin of the Mockingjay pin. Otherwise, I think the movies have been pretty spot-on. 

Anyway, I'll be back on Friday with something special, and until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Vested

vest, jeans/ Old Navy | shirt/ JCPenney | boots/ JustFab

Hey guys! I know it's been awhile since I've posted. I've been really sick for the last week or so, and trust me, nobody wanted to see pictures of that. But now that I'm finally feeling better, I'm excited to show you my newest purchase!

I snagged this vest during one of Old Navy's crazy online sales. I've been seeing so many cute puffy vests around this fall that I just had to try one out for myself. And I think I'm in love! I love the texture and the color, and this sucker is so warm and comfy! It's weird that something that doesn't have arms can keep you so warm. It's just cool enough today for the vest, but not a proper jacket (I know, it's okay to be jealous, I'm jealous of your snow). Also, I think I officially have more blue than any other color in my closet now. 

I'm gonna go finish getting caught up on all you lovely ladies' blogs now, so if you get a slew of comments from me, well, #sorrynotsorry. Happy Tuesday!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Lucky

scarf, jacket/ Kohl's | shirt/ Target | jeans/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab

You guys know that I've had a couple items on my fall wish list for... pretty much all of fall: a leopard scarf, and a brown (p)leather jacket. I was having the hardest time finding either of these items that were both 1) my style and 2) my price point. Just the other day, I bemoaned on Twitter how fruitless my hunt for a leopard scarf was, to the point of being convinced that leopard was no longer in style. (Dramatic, much?)

Well, my (sort-of) patience finally paid off. Yesterday, I made a run to Michael's for a couple of craft supplies (more on that tomorrow). Michael's just happens to be next door to Kohl's, so of course I accidentally found myself there. As luck would have it, they were having an awesome sale, and this scarf and jacket just sort of jumped into my arms. It was an out-of-body shopping experience if ever I've had one. 

Moral of the story: two more things checked off my wishlist! Wooo!

Linking up with Just Another Smith for her leopard print link-up!

And also Work Clothes, I Suppose for Third Thursday Threads!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style Remix: Sixteen

shirt/ Target | scarf, jeans, coat/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab

This outfit is, of course, not particularly creative or innovative, but I just love it. I think it's the maroon/navy color combo. Both are such great colors for fall. And I love the scarf, and the boots. Fall clothes are just the best, aren't they?

I also wanted to show you my new coat. I added it onto my Old Navy order (when I got my black skinnies, and a maroon sweater I can't wait to show you) because it was on sale, and it put me over $50 so I could get free shipping, figuring if I didn't like it I could just return it. 

Well, it came in the mail the same day that I got my hair cut, and I put it on, and my husband's reaction was "Oh my god that's adorable. It matches your new hair perfectly." So, I had to keep it. Because I agree. It's a pea coat, but unlike my other pea coat, it isn't wool but more of a trench coat type material, making it the perfect in-between outerwear when it's cold but not freezing.

Okay, back to watching the Nebraska game. Hope you are all having a fun and relaxing weekend!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style Remix: Weekender

necklace/ Old Navy | tee/ Gap | button up, jeans/ Target | boots/ Kohl's

This weekend was pretty crazy. J had the day off on Friday, and this is what I wore when we took E down to Fisherman's Wharf to look at the seals and otters and get some ice cream. It was our last day with her before we took her to her dad, and we had a lot of fun.

I'm happy to say that I have decided I love these grey jeans, and I love this outfit. Since we're no longer concerned about getting paid, I've been shopping again this month (can't wait to show you what I've gotten!), and one of the things I got was a pair of knee-high grey boots that look amazing with these jeans. So excited.

necklace/ Old Navy| cardigan/ Target (thrifted) | tee/ Gap | jeans/ Post Exchange | boots/ JustFab

Saturday we drove up north to take E to her dad. Living in the bay is weird, because you can drive as little as 30 minutes north (and inland), and the temperature difference can be like 30 degrees sometimes. So I wore layers knowing that while it was cold in Monterey, it wouldn't be up north where we met for lunch, then at the outlet mall that J and I went to after. I'm glad I layered because that cardigan had to come off. Then it went back on later that night once we got back and went bowling with friends. (I started the game with a turkey, but still managed to lose. That takes some special skillz.)

Now, I'm going to need your help. When I put together my 30 pieces, I included a lot of my favorites that I know are infinitely remixable. But I also included a few pieces (like my grey jeans) that I wasn't sure about, and wanted a chance to play around with before decided to keep or get rid of them. This cardigan is one of those pieces. I like it, but I'm just not sure how many ways I'll be able to style it. The color and the boldness of the polka dots make it difficult for me. So what do you say? Should it go or should it stay?

scarf/ gift | jacket/ Old Navy | dress/ Target | boots/ JustFab

Sunday was the first day in awhile that J and I had completely to ourselves. We had absolutely no idea what to do with ourselves, so we decided to go see a movie. I took advantage of the opportunity to wear my new favorite dress with my new favorite boots, and styled it for the cooler weather we've been having. My knees were still a little cold, so I see some tights in my future!

I hope you guys had a great weekend, and thank you for all the kind words about my new header!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style Remix: Subtle Changes

necklace/ laurenelainemoore | cardigan, jeans/ Old Navy | tee/ Target | boots/ JustFab

I wore this outfit on Friday for our trip to Coldstone and the park. I know it's the same as outfit number two, just with a different shirt and plus a necklace, but it still feels pretty different. I love the subtle changes you can make in an outfit to keep it fresh.

scarf/ gift | plaid shirt/ Old Navy | jeans, flats/ Target

And this is the outfit I wore to the pumpkin patch Saturday. This is another example of subtle changes. It's the same basic idea as this outfit, but with a different scarf, shirt partially tucked, boot cut jeans instead of skinny, and cognac flats instead of boots.

What ways do you change your favorite outfits to make new ones? 

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style Remix: Two and Three

cardigan, flannel shirt, jeans/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab

necklace, sweater, flats/ Target | pants/ Post Exchange

Here are outfits two and three of the remix. All I really have to say is 1) I LOVE cardigans over plaid shirts like that. I don't know why. 2) That flannel shirt and those blue skinnies really are workhorses in my closet. I wouldn't have predicted that for either piece, but I'm loving it! You never know what's going to become a staple for you. 

Hope your Thursday is wonderful! 

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Five Things Friday

shirt/ Target | vest/ JC Penney | necklace/ laurenelainemoore | jeans/ Post Exchange | boots/ JustFab

 

1. It's official, I hate my grey skinny jeans. I initially tried them with this outfit, and hated how it looked. I opted for the blue ones instead, and am much happier with it. 

2. I love jewel tones. I think they're my favorite colors to wear.

3. I went from cardigan the other day to tee today because it warmed the heck up today. It's supposed to be 80 here tomorrow, which is warmer than it ever got this summer. Weird.

4. There was a brief moment, while writing this post, that I thought it was actually Thursday, and was like "well this isn't going to work." 

5. I just decorated my house for fall today, which is sad because I love fall and fall decorations.

 Hope you have a lovely weekend!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Card-again

I had to take pictures inside yesterday (sorry for the resulting grainy pictures) because my neighbors are moving, and they and the movers were in and out all day. I had no desire to have them ask me what on earth I was doing. I've never been "caught in action" and I'd like to keep it that way! Anyway, I wore this for general running-around, and then down to Cannery Row for dinner with my family, a family friend, and his parents. It made for a fun evening. 

I think cardigans are my favorite layering piece. I feel like blazers are too structured and formal for me about 97.5% of the time. The only trouble with cardigans is keeping them from looking too soccer-mom-y or librarian-y-- nothing wrong with that, just not what I'm going for. Also, I love the color of this cardigan, and have been looking to add more coral to my closet. But to keep this outfit feeling fall, I made sure the rest of the outfit consisted of fall essential pieces. I'm happy with the result!

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September Budget

Target

1. Ona flats in cognac- $16.99 ($0 with birthday money)

2. navy popover- $19.99 ($0 with gift card)

3. black and cream striped dress- $22.99 ($0 with gift card)

JustFab

4. Marika boots in chestnut- $59 retail, $19.95 JustFab price (as my first purchase)

Old Navy

5. scarf (maroon option)- $12.94 ($8 on website right now but they don't have maroon!) ($1.88 with gift card)

6. plaid flannel shirt- $26.94 ($0 with gift card)

7. crew neck cardi- $24.94 ($0 with gift card)

$144.74 before gift cards, $21.83 actually spent

This month was a weird month. On the one hand, I bought more things at full price than I ever do. But I went into the month knowing that I needed to beef up my fall wardrobe, and once I found what I was looking for, I was afraid that my size would sell out. On the other hand, it was my birthday month so I had a lot of money and gift cards to spend, so paying full price didn't hurt as much, I suppose. Overall, I was really successful at finding things on my fall wish list.

Fall Wish List

cognac flats

comfy fall shirt

fall dress

cognac boots

fall scarf

second plaid flannel shirt

colored cardigan

neutral cardigan
maroon/fall colored pants

brown leather (or fake leather) jacket

Next month should go back to normal (have to spend my own money again, after all), but we'll see. J will be gone for a few weeks for a work-related thing, and E will be with her dad for part of October (yay, her dad gets back soon!), so I'll have a lot of time on my hands. I have a lot of projects planned to keep me busy, but I'll admit, shopping is going to happen. 

Linking up with Franish for Budgeting Bloggers!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Farmer/Picnic Chic

scarf, shirt, jeans/ Old Navy | boots/ JustFab

I don't think this outfit could be any more "me" even if I tried. If you were to ask me what the epitome of my style was, I'd point you to this outfit. Do you know what I mean? A look that is just so "you" that you can hardly stand it? I know I look a little bit like a farmer wearing a picnic blanket, but I assure you that does not make me love this outfit any less.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago I won a gift card from Bri (!!!), and this shirt and scarf are two of the three things I got with it (I'm saving the last piece for another day). Since seeing just how versatile my first plaid flannel shirt was, I wanted to get another one. I've also been needing a fall scarf, and while I still may get a leopard print one, I think the color of this one is fantastic. 

Also, these boots are my new cognac pair, because I realized that my dark brown pair just wouldn't go with every outfit like these lighter colored ones will. Three things, checked off my fall wish list, all in one outfit! Woo!

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