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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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Blue

popover and flats/ Target | pants/ Post Exchange | necklace/ Caroline G.

I titled this post "blue" for a couple of reasons. 1) I'm wearing a lot of blue today. 2) Yesterday I was suffering from a random bout of ennui, and did literally nothing on my to-do list. Including but not limited to: working out, running errands, making dinner, and of course blogging. I'm sorry that I missed a post (for the first time since I started!), but I'll make it up to you by posting a recipe tomorrow, so make sure you check back for that!

On to the outfit: I really like that it's simple, but the blue pants keep it interesting. (I feel like I always say that about my blue pants.) I'm in the market for a maroon pair, so if anyone knows of any good brands for ladies with wide hips and thighs, but a narrow waist, that don't show panty lines, let me know! Also, this popover is another purchase with this month's budget. I love it so much. It's comfy and soft, and loose without being shapeless. I keep reaching for it because of closet amnesia, of course, but also because it's seriously that comfy and a perfect fall piece, in my opinion. And I think it would go perfectly with maroon pants, too! Remind me to get a new coral necklace while I'm at it, because I'm always reaching for this one (coral goes with everything!).

Happy Friday the 13th, errbody!

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: The Things You Learn

dress and flats/ Target | belt/ Nine West via Ross | necklace/ Caroline G.

This is the outfit I wore to E's birthday party this past Saturday. After seeing how versatile my blue and white striped dress could be, I started hunting for another jersey knit dress that was just as flattering, but in a more neutral color palette. This dress is made of a bit thicker material than the other one, making it perfect for the fall/winter months, but still super comfy. I had no trouble at all running around at the birthday party chasing little ones and making sure everyone had cake.

This dress also made me realize something. As I was trying it on in the dressing room, there was something about it that I just didn't quite like. It turned out to be the fabric belt that came with it. The way it hit me across the waist was not flattering for my shape, plus it was thin and just sort of blended into the rest of the dress (being made of the same material and all). It just was not a good look for my body type. Exhibit A:

This is probably a little sad, but before I started following style blogs, it never occurred to me that I didn't have to just take things as they came off the rack. That there might be some small change I could make that could turn it into exactly the garment I was looking for. (My military vest is a perfect example of me finally learning this lesson.) If I had found this dress before I started reading style blogs, there would be two possible scenarios. 1) I would simply not buy the dress. 2) More likely, I'd go ahead and buy it because it was almost what I wanted, then I would end up not wearing it much because I felt uncomfortable in it.

Thankfully, I knew just what to do to make it more flattering on my body: add a thicker belt at the optimal spot on my waist!

With that small change, I felt fantastic in this dress, and one of the guests even asked if I'd lost weight! Consider that lesson good and learned.

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Momsentials

cardigan/ thrifted | necklace/ Caroline G. | shirt and booties/ Target | jeans/ Old Navy

I've been thinking a lot about my style lately, and how it's probably boring to a lot of people, and I think I've figured out why. My closet and style are all about the staples, the essentials, of the "everywoman" 's closet. 

As a stay-at-home mom, I feel like I'm automatically opted out of a lot of trends (such as the crop top). I feel like I can't participate in any trends that make me look really young, lest I be mistaken for my daughter's nanny and not her mom. Aside from the ones that are just plain impractical for me, there are also a lot of others that just don't make sense in my closet. The trendiest item I own is my pair of cobalt skinny jeans. (But I can definitely see the benefits of colored jeans, and how much more interesting and remixable they can make your closet, so I hope they stay around for awhile.)

So I stick to the staples. Maybe I just need to push myself to be more adventurous, and play around with more trends? My style really isn't about being trendy, though. It's about looking put together and not falling into the trap of sweats or yoga pants all day every day in a lifestyle that really makes it easy to fall into that trap. In my mind, as long as I feel like my outfit says that I put some thought into it, then it's a good outfit.

I don't really know where I'm going with this, I just wanted to put all of this out there. Maybe eventually I'll figure this whole thing out. 

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Stay-At-Home Mom Style: Ready For Fall

Necklace/ Caroline G. | Sweater/ Gap (gifted forever ago) | cargo pants/ Post Exchange | flats/ Target

I love the colors in this outfit. I love coral with purple, purple with olive, and coral with olive, so it was a no-brainer to use all three in one outfit. Sorry for wearing a sweater, as I know it's still hothothot where some of you live, but it's definitely cooling off here in the bay! Then of course I added my leopard flats for that extra oomph (because you know I can't put together an outfit without at least some pattern). Can you tell I'm ready for fall?

And if you haven't yet, make sure to check out my guest post on My New Favorite Outfit for a little bit more about me and my style, and also a giveaway!

Linking up with Fashion & Beauty Finds for Keeping It Casual Wednesday!

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