Life After I "Dew": challenge your closet

Showing posts with label challenge your closet. Show all posts

January 17, 2013

Dressing Your Bump: 1st Trimester

If you are pregnant and struggling with how to dress your bump, this post is for you.

Let's face it, the first trimester of pregnancy is a tricky little lady. She's full of hormones that makes your skin do crazy things. She makes your boobs swell up to the size of Texas. If it's your second time in the rodeo you will have a belly as soon as you pee on that stick. It's awkward. You don't have a real baby belly, not one that will fit into maternity clothes yet anyway. So what do you do?

You try to rock what you've got, boobs and all. This means getting creative with your existing wardrobe. Scarves are your best friend. Belts are good. Layering is essential. Leggings are awesome.

When I was pregnant with Kendall I could not wait to wear maternity clothes. I'm pretty sure 8 weeks into the pregnancy I was shopping in the maternity department. Totally unnecessary but I was excited, so sue me. This time? Totally different story. I am steering clear of the maternity department as much as possible, determined to make due with a lot of my "regular" clothes. With that being said I have bought two belly bands {white & black} and a few basic tees & tanks {that should hopefully get me through to the very end}.

Outfit #1

Scarf- NY&Co.

Tee- Target

Jeans- Old Navy

Shoes- TOMS

Jeans & tee shirt kinda girl? Well just go stock up on a few basic tees in a size {or two} bigger than you'd normally wear like I did. I got a few of these tees from Target {$8} and am hoping they'll get me through my whole pregnancy. These jeans are pre-pregnancy/non-maternity but thanks to a cheap belly band I can rock them for just a little longer. See that scarf? It helps to conceal the milk makers because lord knows they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

Outfit #2

Cardigan- Francesca's Collection

Dress- Kohl's

Leggings- Target

Shoes- Target

Have a dress that you love but think that the bump will make it too short? It probably will! But? Have no fear. Pair that dress with some leggings and it makes a great tunic! If it were warm enough I'd be wearing this type of outfit daily. Very comfortable, very forgiving and still stylish. Have some summer dresses? Throw it on with a cardigan, leggings and boots and you've got a great fall/winter look. This is also a great way to hide the bump if you just aren't ready to spill the baby beans yet.

Outfit #3

Scarf- Target

Tee- Target

Cardigan- Target

Jeans- Old Navy

Boots- Target

I love Target, what can I say. But the key to this look is layering. Even my doctor said it, "the first trimester is all about layering". This is basically outfit #1 but way more put together/layered and more suitable for the now frigid temperatures we're having. I have enough cardigans to start a club so this is my staple look. You can mix and match the scarves to make a new outfit every time, if you want.

Outfit #4

Sweater/Vest- Old Navy

Tee- Old Navy

Belt- Target

Leggings- Target

Boots- Target

This outfit was always one of my favorites, pre-pregnancy. It's very comfortable but the mix of brown and black is "edgy" and well, I just like it. Before I was pregnant I wore it without the belt but I just feel like that looks sloppy now and anything to help create a waist is good. I'm fairly certain I'll be belting everything this pregnancy. Accentuate the smallest part, right? I know come months 8 and 9 this won't really work but in the beginning it totally helps. The belt trick also helps for those not ready to tell yet too.

So there you have it, tips and tricks for dressing your not quite a baby bump but more like I ate too much dinner bump aka the first trimester bump. I know there are lots of new belly buddies out there so hopefully this helps during the awkward, "is she pregnant?" phase. I know I've been scouring Pinterest for all sorts of ideas and that's what helped inspire this post.

November 1, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 6

Today is all about Pinterest. I think one of my biggest boards is my 'My Style' board. It has come in really handy when I have somewhere to go and I want to look cute but I'm dying in the creativity department and I'm too cheap to go buy something new. I simply flip through some of my favorite looks and decide what I can recreate with my own pieces from my own closet. Sometimes it's a big fat fail and other times its a total home-run. The fun thing about it is you don't have to have the EXACT items to make it work. Sometimes the fun of it is putting your own spin on something that's inspired you. Today I'd like to share some of my home-runs {at least in my book} in recreating Pinterest outfits.

Outfit #1

Chambray top- H&M
White shorts- Old Navy
Necklace- Shabby Apple
Bag- Aldo
Sunglasses- Juicy Couture

I shared this outfit earlier in the summer but it was one of my favorite recreations. There's just something about a chambray top against crisp white that I just love. Add in some gold accessories and you had me at hello. This outfit is the epitome of summer and I love everything about it. I wore this on a girls night out {to see Magic Mike} and I felt stylish but I was still comfortable. I felt hot but I still felt like I could wear this to the park with Kendall too. Definite win in my book! Side note: I miss my tan!

Outfit #2

Top- Target
Belt- JCrew
Shorts- Old Navy
Sandals- Target
Bag- Aldo

I had this outfit pinned for quite some time but a collared shirt isn't really my thing {minus the chambray top, of course} so I had trouble recreating it. But then I went through an old box of clothes and found this black top and figured what the heck! I wore this to the Memorial Golf Tournament in the spring and minus it being COLD and rainy I felt like it fit the occasion pretty well. Jimmy may have told me that I looked like a golfer's wife {minus the stash of mini rum bottles that were hiding in my bag}. I do think this would have been cuter with a different length short though, or maybe it's just because I'm short, because I don't dig the Bermuda length.

Outfit #3

Sweater- NY&Co
Tee- Old Navy
Scarf- Grace Adele
Jeans- Old Navy
Flats- Old Navy

I wore this outfit to get my hair done this week. I just recently pinned this outfit and I couldn't wait to recreate it because I knew I had all of the pieces. I had the nude flats but for some reason I just couldn't get on board with them, the black seemed to make much more sense. I loved this look even if I don't love myself in the color mustard so much. I don't usually roll my jeans at the cuff but since the picture showed it I thought I'd give it a chance and I really liked the way it looked! YAY for trying new things! By the way, LOVE that scarf! Seriously so versatile and adds such a fun element to any outfit.

Outfit #4

Sweater- Old Navy
Scarf- H&M
Jeans- Old Navy
Flats- Target

Boy this one is from the archives! I recreated this outfit last winter but I still love it enough to share {and wear} again. This outfit was/is so comfy. I love nothing more than a sweater jacket in the cold months, don't you? I would pair this with boots for when it's colder or raining/snowing {ew snow} outside. Actually I kind of want to go put this on NOW. Thank God for Statigram for keeping all my old Instagram pics for me because I would have forgotten all about this look otherwise.

So, what do you think? Have you successfully recreated any Pinterest looks? I'd love to hear from you, do you have any looks that you'd like to see me recreate? Leave a comment with the link and I'll do my best in coming weeks!

October 15, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 5

Welcome to week 5 of CYC. I took last week off and I almost took this week off {due to no cute outfit wearing} but thanks to a fabulous anniversary/date night I got dressed up and tried on one too many outfits trying to pick the perfect one. Of course I couldn't decide on what to wear so I turned it over to my favorite app, Instagram. I swear, without that program I would have no photos, like ever.

This week it's all about the red jeans. I bought these before I started this challenge, in my attempt to be trendy and step out of my comfort zone, and I knew that our anniversary was the perfect opportunity to ~~rock~~ wear them. I mean nothing says sexy and sassy like some deep red jeans. And red is the color of love, after all. Jimmy told me my butt looked great in them too so I was sold. Side note: I need a new full-length mirror in a bad, bad way.

Outfit 1

Feather top- Target
Tank- Old Navy
Jeans- Macy's
Wedges- Go Jane

This was definitely a more casual look. I love this feather top that I got last year and I have yet to wear it because I just can't find the perfect pair of pants {for some reason I don't think it looks good with plain jeans}, I think it's safe to say I love the red jeans with it. Like I can't wait to wear this outfit somewhere, really soon. This outfit was very comfy, minus those damn wedges. They are cute but dang they aren't walking shoes, that's for sure. If I was going to wear this for an every day outfit I'd definitely pair it with some black flats. This look didn't get many votes on the ole Instagram machine so it was on to outfit #2.

Outfit 2

Top- Express
Jacket- Gap
Jeans- Macy's
Heels- Target

This was my favorite look. You know I am a sucker for a jean jacket any day. Love them. I always have such a hard time wearing them in the fall because I wear jeans 99.9% off the time and I risk looking like Britney Spears circa the 2001 American Music Awards. No bueno. But, with colored denim, it's a total 'do', in my book anyway. I loved the girly, lace details of the top and patent heels mixed with the rougher mix of denim. This outfit was a close 2nd {but was #1 in my eyes} but still didn't take the cake like outfit #3.

Outfit 3

Top- Old Navy
Belt- Macy's
Jeans- Macy's
Heels- Target

This outfit hit it out of the ball park. You all loved the mix of the leopard and red and and patent and said it was every thing from sexy to hot to baby- making material. You loved this look. I was indifferent, I mean I loved the look but I wasn't sure it was right for date night. The top seemed a little mom-ish for date night but I trusted my Instagram lovers and went with it even though I was definitely leaning towards outfit #2. What can I say, I'm a sucker. I thought with some arm candy I could make it work and not look like a mom outfit. I mean mom's don't wear 3 inch patent heels {normally}, right?

I must say I was pretty comfortable all night but that damn top is so slinky against the patent belt that I was adjusting it all night long, annoying. I did feel pretty sassy and stylish though, I must say. If you've been contemplating buying a pair of colored jeans I highly recommend it. These, from Macy's, have a bit of stretch in them but they don't stretch out. They're basically perfect and if I could I'd buy a pair in every color they offer.

I wished I would have worn outfit #2 but that's OK because it just gives me an excuse to wear it again, hopefully soon. It was just more "me" and I think I would have been more comfortable.

I think Jimmy would have liked outfit 1 or 2 better because when I put on the leopard top he was like, "oh...you're wearing that one?". I get it though, it's a blousey top and, let's face it, guys don't like blousey. But, all night he kept telling me how good I looked and I believed him.

The best part about doing this challenge, for me, is that I get to try on all of these outfit combos but since I don't get dressed up as many days as there are outfits I have cute outfits stock piled for any future events or outings.

October 1, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 4

This week of CYC is brought to you by Team Leggings As Pants. Are you a member? I used to think that leggings as pants was fashion suicide, it's true, until I became a mom. And until Pinterest showed me how to wear them properly. The key here is to make sure your bum is covered, the bum must be covered at all times! It looks more put together than sporting yoga pants and yet is still as comfortable! Win, win!
This post could have alternately been titled I Love My Target Boots.

Outfit #1
Necklace: Target
Cardigan: Target
Tank: Old Navy
Leggings: Target
Boots: Target

This outfit comes straight from Pinterest. I saw this last year and loved it but never got the chance to recreate it. I must say, I haven't had a chance to wear this anywhere but I can tell you I'm totally wearing this some day soon. It's comfy and, I think, it's cute. I feel put together but still very comfortable. And, leopard is always a win in my book. As you already know from week 2. The green + leopard combo gives visual interest because that's not a common combination. I added a pink-ish stone/metal necklace and viola!

Outfit #2

Scarf: American Eagle

Chambray top: H&M

Tank: Target

Leggings: Target

Boots: Target

OK I know you have all seen this outfit floating around Pinterest, there are multiple variations but the gist of it is simple. It's the classic chambray + leggings look and I love it. I wore it to a play date last fall/winter and I felt like I had it going on. I loved it even if my bum was just barely covered, hence the longer tank underneath. I told you this chambray top would make a reappearance and I do not like to disappoint. I wear this thing more now than I did the day I bought it. I just love coming up with different ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Stay tuned for more outfit combinations including it.

Outfit #3

Sweater: Theory

Leggings: Target

Boots: Target

OK so this sweater cost as much as my electric bill, that's besides the point {don't Google it}. I saw it on an episode of Newlyweds {Jess had a green one} and knew I had to have it. So, I have had this since college and I think I have gotten my moneys worth out of it. I even have a cheaper version of it in black. I love how cozy it is and sure it looks a tad bit sloppy but if you wear it with a more fitted bottom {leggings} it looks a little less slob-like. I can say that throwing this sweater on makes me instantly want to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate. I'm wearing it while I'm typing this and I have no intentions of taking it off, until I go to bed, maybe.

This week is also a good example of how you can mix brown with black too. Didn't that used to be a fashion no-no? Not anymore, not in my book anyway. I love the combo if I do say so myself. Love it! So, are you on Team Leggings As Pants? Do you have any go-to comfy looks? I can say I haven't bought an article of clothing for myself since August 18th and I am super-dee-duper proud of that! I mean that's over a month of no clothes for me! Kendall is definitely benefiting from this no-shopping thing though, let me tell you! Next week I'm thinking we'll be featuring more Pin-spired looks because, let's face it, there are tons of them out there! Stay tuned!

September 18, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 3

This week it's all about the maxi. I love maxi dresses and skirts and I think they are the perfect fall "look". They're a great transition piece because when it's chilly in the mornings and evenings you can throw a jacket or cardigan over it but then wear it without when it still gets up into the high 70s/low 80s during the day time. I love the simplicity of a maxi too. I mean there's really nothing easier than throwing one on and walking out the door. I find they require minimal accessories and just flip flops work most of the time {unless it's a fancier dress/occasion}. And, let's not forget, they are pretty much the next best thing to pajamas when it comes to comfort. The best part of this week, for me, was finding outfits I'm really excited to wear this fall. I've had most of these pieces in my wardrobe for a long time {some even from high school} but never thought about mixing and matching a lot of them. Now I've come up with 4 new outfits that I can't wait to wear. Now, if I could only come up with a reason to get dressed 4 days this week...does Story Time count? Maybe not but we have a couple of birthday parties coming up.
Outfit 1

Top: H&M Belt: Target Skirt: Target I think this is my favorite of all the looks. You've seen this top in week 2 with the red skinnies and I can assure you it will probably make an appearance once a week. I just love denim and I love how versatile this shirt is. I know when I first got it I wasn't sure I'd wear it much {because I didn't know how to wear it} but I've definitely gotten my $20 out of it. I've got a lot of outfits pinned to Pinterest with chambray tops as the star so expect a lot more chambray top outfits in future weeks on CYC. The skinny belt is the same way. It came with another dress {also from Target} and I mix it with almost everything. I love it. I need to find a black one just like it. I had flip-flops on {not pictured}but I can totally see wearing this outfit with boots once it gets a tad bit cooler outside. Yes, I love this look.

Outfit 2 Jacket: Old Navy Dress: Kohl's Jean jackets are pretty much a staple in my fall, heck all seasons, wardrobe. They are like my version of a cardigan. I love love love them and I currently own three, one dating all the way back to high school {one being maternity, see how much I love them? I even needed a maternity version for the 2.5 seconds I wore it when I was pregnant}. Wearing them with a dress is pretty much my favorite. This dress is a strapless little number that I got last summer and I know they say horizontal stripes aren't flattering {especially when you have curves, like me} but I think this dress is one of the most flattering I own. They had it in navy too and now I'm kicking myself for not getting it too. I'd even like this outfit with a pop of color in the accessories. Must get fun, bright, colorful accessories, one day. In the meantime, you get the idea.
Outfit 3

Dress: Target Cardigan: Francesca's Collection Necklace: NY & Co. I love this navy and coral combo. But, do people still wear cardigans like this? I mean I feel a little silly/1990s {anyone remember shrugs?} with it tied up like this but at the same time it looked sloppy untied. I actually wore this to my best friends baby shower back in early spring and I got loads of compliments on it. Only then I wore sky-high wedges and nearly broke my leg because this maxi dress is too long for my 5'3" frame. Does anyone else have that problem when it comes to maxi dresses/skirts? Maybe I am just too damn short. Does this necklace look familiar? It should, I wore it in week 1 with another navy dress. See how this whole challenge is coming full circle already? This is exactly the kind of revelation I hoped to have when I started this challenge.

Outfit 4 Dress: Old Navy Cardigan: NY & Co. Earrings: American Eagle OK, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret, this dress is maternity. I know, the horror. I actually wore this dress to MY baby shower, it looks much different now. I cringe every time I wear it but then I think it's a really pretty dress and I love the pattern and so I'm ok with it. It doesn't look maternity anyway. It is the one piece of maternity clothing I still own {this and the maternity jean jacket}. I gave everything else away, dumb move considering we're trying for Baby Dew #2 now. This dress is actually the perfect length for me too, imagine that. I know one thing is for sure, maternity or not, I love this dress and I'm going to wear it for a long time. At least until the print is out of style. Or maybe it already is.

Sorry you can't see my shoes in any of these pics but the good news is, I'm just wearing cheap, rubber, silver, Old Navy flip flops with all of these looks. But that's kinda the great thing about maxi dresses, you don't really see your feet so flip flops are totally acceptable. Am I right?

Like I said, this week has been my favorite, so far. I really love each of these outfits and cannot wait to find a place {besides playgroups} to wear them. Bonus, they are all super comfortable! I'm starting to get a little bit more comfortable taking these pictures even if I don't look like it {hand on the hip= skinny arms}. How are you doing with the challenge? Do you like it? Have you caved and bought something new? Next week I'll be doing a couple of my favorite {p}inspired looks. Stay tuned.

September 10, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of the challenge! I hope you are all loving this as much as me! I'm finding so many outfit combinations that I never would have come up with had I not had to get creative with my style. Today's theme is leopard. I have had a love of leopard that can be traced back to high school. I had {still have} a leopard overnight suitcase that I packed with my leopard print PJs to all of my slumber parties. My friends teased me, still do, over my love of this animal print. It's something that I consider a neutral, a fun way to add some pizzazz to your outfit, and it's the only animal print I like. This scarf is courtesy of my blog friend and Scentsy/ Grace Adele director, Laura. She sent me this scarf last week and I could not wait to get my hands on it. I immediately started pinning outfits with leopard scarfs and had visions of my own creations cooking in my head, long before it arrived. It's SO soft, it's HUGE, and it's now my must-have fall accessory. Outfit 1

This would be my in between seasons approach to the scarf. Maxi dress=summer but jean jacket & scarf=fall. Perfect for the hot days that turn into cool nights. Dress- Old Navy, Jacket- Old Navy, Scarf- Grace Adele.
Outfit 2

These are my new red jeans, what do we think? I think I'm in love. These were one of my new purchases for the fall and I'm glad I indulged. I have big, big plans for these jeans this year. Chambray top- H&M, jeans- Macys, black flats- Target.
Outfit 3

This outfit was pin-spired. I have owned this sweater for a million years. Seriously, I think I got it in college. It's cozy, it's comfy, it screams cooler weather. Sweater- JCrew, tank, leggings, boots- Target.
And that's just the beginning of my leopard escapades.

There is a printed blouse, flats, a cardi and a cute tank where that came from. Stay tuned. How are you doing with the challenge? Are you coming up with any fun outfits? Recreated anything you've seen here or elsewhere? Let's see it!

September 3, 2012

Challenge Your Closet- Week 1

Welcome to week one of the Challenge Your Closet link-up/party/challenge.

Like I said, this is going to be a weekly post where I show you outfits that I've created from my closet, forcing me to use what I have and not buy new. Some weeks I may recreate something I've seen on Pinterest or make an upscale look my own. The point is, no matter what, I'll use items from my own closet. This week I wanted to take one dress and show you how to style it 3 different ways. Groundbreaking, I know. This dress is just a navy shirt dress from H&M. I got it last summer and it was well worth it's $12 price tag. I'm kicking myself for not buying it in more colors when I had the chance. It's simple, comfortable, and very easy to style.

Look 1

This look is a casual one. I would wear this out running around at the mall with KP or just to go to the grocery store. I added a white leather/studded belt from American Eagle, white leather/studded flip flops from Kohls and the necklace and earrings are from Premier Jewelry.

Look 2

This one is a bit more "dressy". Maybe for an afternoon girls lunch date or something of the sort. This time the belt is from Forever21 and actually came with another dress. The necklace and wedges are from New York & Co.

Look 3

With fall right around the corner I wanted to have a fall option. I added a mustard cardigan from NY&Co, boots from Target {I've blogged about them here}, belt that came with another dress from Target and the necklace was given to me by my grandma.

See how easy that was? Now I'm no fashion blogger and these pictures were totally awkward for me to take. Where do I look? Do I smile? Thank God I live in the country and no neighbors had to be witness to this embarrassing series of pics!

So I think this might be easier than I had originally thought. When I was going through my closet I was actually getting excited for this challenge. I have some good things up my sleeve {no pun intended}. Of course that's easy to say on week 1 I suppose. Nothing feels like I've wore it 100 times and I'm not tired of trying to come up with a new way to wear, essentially, the same outfit.
So what'd you come up with? Are you committed to this challenge?

August 30, 2012

Challenge Your Closet

Time for another challenge, L.A.I.D.style.
You all know I love a good challenge. It's kind of like a new years resolution only not. If I just make the promise to myself I usually don't stick to the plan. BUT if I put it out here, on the internet, and even offer a link up of sorts? I can stick to that like white on rice.
So, the latest challenge was inspired by Kate from The Small Things Blog. She and her sister recently did a 30 With 30 challenge. They basically took 30 items from their closets {accessories and shoes included} and made 30 outfits with those pieces for 30 days.
Instead of doing 30 With 30, because I think I'd get really bored with just the same 5 tops and I'm not that creative, I want to just challenge myself to actually wear what's in my closet. Sounds simple right?
I am so easily influenced by other bloggers, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and, the devil, Pinterest. If I see something, or even worse when LOTS of people are sporting something {I'm looking at you bib necklace trend}, I am like, "well I need that too, I must get one". When in reality I don't really like them and I'd probably never wear one because it's just not practical for me and my lifestyle. There I said it.
So yeah. I have a lot of clothes. I really don't need anything, really. A few people said they wanted to see more "what I'm wearing" type posts so I thought this would be the best way for me to deliver on that demand. And without breaking the bank.
So without further ado, I give you the Challenge Your Closet {challenge}.

I figure I'll make this a weekly post? Every week I'll showcase like 3-4 outfits that I created from my closet, without buying anything new, for I don't know how long. I should mention that prior to coming up with this challenge I did buy a few pieces for fall. But I should also mention that they were all cheap {from Target}. I got a flannel shirt, a camisole/tank, my first pair of colored denim {in crimson to be exact} and a charcoal grey crossbody purse. So that will be it, no more shopping for this girl. Jimmy will be happy and I'm up for the challenge.
Feel free to grab that button and I'll post the link up every Monday. I typically get dressed in presentable clothes on the weekends so I think come Monday I should have at least 2 outfits to share for the week.
I'm really looking forward to this challenge for a number of reasons. For one it will force me to get creative with what I already have, let's face it I have A LOT of clothes even I if I like to think otherwise. And it is going to save money, a lot of it. Every time a new season rolls around I think, "OMG I have nothing to wear!!" but come the end of that season I always feel like I have SO MUCH that I'll never have to wear an outfit more than once. So yeah, that's a problem.
The exception to this rule is that if/when I get pregnant I'll obviously have to buy a few things, right? But hopefully, unlike last time, I will get to wear a lot of my regular clothes for a lot longer. Hopefully. So yeah unless or until I actually need clothes, I'm working with what I've got.
This Monday I'll show you how I styled one simple dress 3 different ways. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Life After I "Dew"

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