Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Relax and Enjoy Yourself!


This was the fortune I received last month in my fortune cookie. At the time I was stressing out about life with a new baby and a toddler, so it was very appropriate. I stuck it in the side of the mirror in the bathroom, and I see it each morning.

I'm going to apply it to my new fashion venture this year. At first the task did seem a little daunting, but now I'm really having fun with the idea of dressing better and just being happier overall. It's going to be fun to explore new things and look great doing them!

Happy New Year everyone!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

I went shopping!!


Gap Outfit by Classic Redesign

After traveling for over 12 hours in the car today, I came home to finda wonderful Gap code in my inbox from a great friend. If you have ever traveled with two kids under the age of 3, you know that some retail therapy is needed!

I didn't buy the necklace, but I think the outfit needs a pop of color. I'm not sure how to accessorize though. After reading the new post on Inside Out Style tonight, I learned that color needs to come in 3s, so I'm a bit confused on how to accessorize? Maybe a silver necklace and earrings?

I picture myself wearing this for a casual night in with my husband and kids, a day of running errands with the kids, or lunch and shopping with girlfriends. What do you think?

A New Favorite


I bought this necklace at UrbanOutfitters.com a few weeks ago, but couldn't figure out how to put it with my wardrobe. I thought it was a great conversational piece and also so whimsical.

We traveled this Christmas, so I decided to pack it just in case. I put it on with a scoop neck top and it was instant love. I wore it today with a very casual waffle knit top and it looked great as well.

I think it was a steal for $24, and now I want to buy all of them!!

Friday, December 26, 2008

The Elusive Day Dress


On the show Tim Gunn's Guide to Style Tim has a list of 10 items that every wardrobe should contain. One of those items is a day dress. In my previous life as a teacher, I had a few dresses that I would wear to work, but mostly I would wear skirts or dress pants. I always wanted to incorporate more dresses, but being 5'3" tall, finding a dress is hard work.

Now that I am a stay-at-home Mom, I do not own one day dress. I have decided to add a dress to my shopping list in hopes of finding one that I can work into my life. I figure the trips to the mall, out with girlfriends, or out to a casual dinner with my husband would be a few places that I could wear this dress.

I found this dress at Nordstrom online. I like that it has a casual feel, but it is not sloppy. I would like to expand on the idea of a day dress, but I'm having a hard time finding them online. Any suggestions?
I picture myself wearing this with ballet flats or perhaps some type of heel. An espadrille?
What is your go-to day dress?

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Happy Holidays!

We leave today for a week long visit with both sides of the family. Wish us luck as this is the first "road trip" we have taken with both of our children! We have two 4-hour car rides ahead of us, so it could be a little stressful at times!

I will try to post my holiday outfits along the way, but if I can't, I'll be sure to do a mega-post when I return.

I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season!

The List

After my last post, I realized that I really need to keep myself organized as to what I need to add to my closet. As much as I would like to just donate all my clothes and start fresh, that isn't possible. :)

I know that if I just start shopping, I will feel so overwhelmed and call it quits. One of the reasons I started this blog was to make myself accountable so that I wouldn't call it quits. Also, I needed a group that would help me as I feel like such a novice at the moment.

I feel like if I have outfits in mind while shopping then I will actually know what to look for opposed to going and hoping to find something, anything that I like.

The list can be found at the right. Take a look. What basics do you have on your list?

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Product Review: Nature's Gate Shampoo/Conditioner

I've slowly started adding organics into my life. It has mostly been food up to this point, but I decided to try some organic shampoo. On the recommendation of a friend, I decided to try Nature's Gate Asian Pear & Red Tea Rejuvenating Shampoo & Conditioner for Damage, Chemicaly-Treated Hair.

I have been using this for about a week and it is really great. I have fine/thin hair, so I can't use anything that is too heavy or makes my hair too soft.

Both items smells wonderful! It has a very sweet smell but not over-powering. The shampoo lathers well and rinses out very easily. The conditioner works well, it isn't too heavy, but it makes my hair feel soft and it leaves it with a nice shine.

Overall, I really like it.

Five Pound Purgatory


Yesterday I was watching What Not to Wear with Mala. At first I didn't think we had anything in common. She is a 37 year old lawyer from Chicago. I'm a 31 year old Mom from Detroit. But, as they were looking in her closet, it could have been my closet. She had t-shirts, long and short all in solids. That is my closet! Then when she was trying on clothes she was worried about her Mommy belly, which I have also since I have a 3 month old.
Clinton stopped her and said "You are living in 5 lb. purgatory." It was one of those a-ha moments. That is me! I have a hard time buying new clothes because I always just want to lose 5 more pounds. Clinton then said, what if you don't lose the weight, then what. You are just going to keep wearing solid t-shirts?
I just need to get over it and if I do lose the weight, then have the clothes tailored. It was a break-through moment for me.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

For last year's words belong to last year's language...


and next year's words await another voice.
~T.S. Eliot

As 2009 approaches I have been thinking so much of my fresh start. I have so many plans for the upcoming year.

I love the idea of a new calendar to mark the new year. It is clean and unblemished with only holidays and special occasions marked inside. None of the mundane things have been marked inside or even the things that I dislike, like dental appointments.

I don't believe in resolutions because they are made to be broken, but I do have some promises to myself. In the upcoming year I promise to live a greener life, exercise to strengthen my body and soul, spend less time on the internet, and find my personal style.

That is a lot for a year, but I have an entire year, 365 days to accomplish it. It need not all be done in the first 31.

You can find the above calendar at a wonderful store on Etsy called Siska Studio.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Scoop


I used to look at all those other Moms and think, that will never be me. I'll never end up day in and day out in sweatshirts or t-shirts. Oh how I was wrong.
It was a quick slide. Unfortunate, but quick. I'm not even sure how it happened, one day I had a closet full of clothes that I loved and shoes to match, and the next I had two pair of shoes that I settled for and a closet full on t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts.
Since I had my second child earlier this year, and it is our last, I've decided to get "me" back. It's not going to be easy as I'll be on a strict budget, but I'm determined! I'm giving myself a year. Next Christmas, I'll have a closet that I love and an attitude to match.

Follow me on this journey. I'm going to need your encouragement and advice.