Oct 29, Mom Jeans

I’ve been wanting a pair of straight leg mom jeans for a while now- and I actually bought a pair at Target about a month ago, but never really felt comfortable wearing them. Something was just off. Then I decided to splurge and get the Madewell ones that I kept seeing on Instagram. So today I am showing you the difference between the two.

As you can see, the Madewell ones are a tad longer on me- which actually makes big difference. The legs are also straighter- there is some weird bunching going on in the Target ones. The Madewell ones also are VERY high waisted- I mean above my belly button high, which may take some getting used to! One thing to keep in mind is that the sizing is way off! I am normally a 28 in most brands, in these I am in a 26, which makes me think what size are the skinny girls wearing?!

I’ve paired my mom jeans with a cute J Crew button down blouse that I tied at the waist and then for warmth added a green jacket. The pointy booties are more current than the worn out loafers.

Oct 23, Jogger Inspiration

No time for a before and after post this morning, I am running late and need to get out the door- but I wanted to quickly show my outfit that was inspired by @CBStyled over on Instagram. She did a cute post yesterday showing how to wear joggers 13 different ways- and they were all adorable! As you know, I love my joggers- they are seriously the most comfortable pant on earth, so I was excited to see her post and find some cute ideas. Below is my quick take on building an outfit around my grey joggers from Target. I added a cropped knit sweater (Vince) and then threw on a scarf to tie the colors together. For my feet I am wearing wedge heel booties from J Crew that I have had for years. Gotta run, sorry for the quickie!

Oct 10, Denim Shirt

Today’s OOTD is another Nordstrom inspired look from the email marketing campaign I received over the weekend.

The advice for today was to build a look around a classic accessory like a wool felt hat, which is adorable on some people, but not me! Instead I decided to build my outfit around a classic piece- my denim shirt.

I’ve had a denim shirt for years now, and if you don’t own one- I highly suggest you buy one asap. Either that or a denim jacket, which may be my all time favorite! A denim shirt (or jacket) is so versatile, it literally goes with everything. I always pack one when I travel, as it is the perfect layering piece. The one I’m wearing today is from American Eagle, but I also have one from J Crew that is more fitted.

Today I have paired my shirt with joggers. I like the casual, loose fit, but I don’t want to look messy, so I needed to tuck it in and roll the sleeves. To really add some style I have chosen snakeskin slides. While it’s tempting to just wear my comfy slip on sneakers, these shoes are a statement piece and truly complete the look.

Joggers- Marshalls

Shoes- Nordstrom Rack

Shirt- American Eagle

Oct 1, Back to Basics

Whenever I can’t figure out what to wear, I go for basics. Nothing is more basic or classic than blue and white stripes. This look will always be in style!

However, even the most basic look needs a little styling. In my before look I have a long sleeve t shirt from J Crew, which I actually really like a lot, but paired with the white jeans I think the sweater on the right is cuter. The sweater is linen, which I like better than the cotton t shirt (it’s a bit dressier), plus, the white stripes on the sweater are smaller than the blue stripes- which makes the blue really pop, adding a nice contrast to the jeans. I also like the neckline on the sweater better as well as the detail on the sleeve (see how the stripes change direction?). All of these little details really add up.

Rolling the sleeves and adding bracelets complete the look.

I’ve also rolled the hems of the jeans to reveal a little skin and changed out the slip on tennis shoes (which I also love by the way) but thought these cute leopard flats would add some instant fun to the otherwise simple outfit.

Sweater- Vince

Jeans- J Brand

Shoes- Franco Sarto

June 23, Swiss Dot Blouse

All my house guests have left (sniff) and I am spending the day in my grubby clothes cleaning and doing laundry. Instead of showing you that, I am showing what I wore last night to a friend’s grad party.

I decided to go with a classic, simple look of black and white. I chose my white jeans, this time I went with the un-distressed pair (is that even a word?) and a black sleeveless top. On the left I show a tank- which I really love, but it’s very simple and plain. To make my outfit a little more dressy I wore a cute J Crew Swiss dot blouse with a ruffle collar- see below.

To complete the look, I added a blue and black necklace and wore peep toe block heel shoes instead of my black Birkenstocks. I was actually a little chilly, so I threw on my denim jacket- (not pictured). A denim jacket is probably my #1 staple item- it goes with everything! If you don’t have one, I suggest buying one. Mine is from Target!

Jeans- Gap

Blouse- J Crew (but found at Nordstrom Rack!)

Shoes- TJ Maxx

June 19, Striped Top

I don’t have much time to write today (my family is still in town and we are heading out the door), but I wanted to post a quick This or That with this cute striped top.

Originally I was planning on wearing this J Crew striped top with dark skinny jeans and leopard shoes- which I think looks cute- but then I decided I would try wide leg cropped jeans and see how that worked. I love leopard with stripes, so I added a leopard belt instead of shoes- and then finished the outfit with white slip on sandals. These jeans are so comfy (and I have been eating and drinking too much this past week with all my visitors) that I think I’ll opt for the wide leg look today.

June 4, Just Peachy

Ok, I’ll admit it- this is the lamest title ever, but I was stuck and the top I’m wearing today is a peachy color… and I made a delicious peach salad last night that I just have to share. I know I promised I would not give cooking advice on the blog- but this salad is so yummy, and so easy that I just have to share… more on that later.

I’ve had this cute silk top with a ruffle collar from J Crew for years- and yet I rarely wear it, so today I tried it with my wide leg jeans. Since it’s still chilly in the mornings, I threw on this cardigan and then decided my leopard flats would complete the look. Then I took my photo- and I did not like what I saw! The wide leg jeans and this loose fitting top are not flattering together.

I feel like I look like a middle aged woman. Wait, I am a middle aged woman! But I don’t have to dress frumpy- and this look to me is a bit on the frumpy side. So… I swapped out the wide leg jeans for skinny jeans. Replaced the dark cardigan with this cream duster and changed the shoes to my pointy toed snakeskin. Much better, don’t you think?!

When it warms up this afternoon I can remove the cardigan.

Ok, now for my salad recipe (sorry, I don’t have photos because I honestly didn’t think I would be sharing this) but it’s too good not to share!

Take 2-3 peaches, remove skin and chop up into pieces

slice 1 English cucumber into tiny pieces

slice 1/2 jalapeno into little pieces (remove the seeds)

add juice of 1 lime

throw in some chopped cilantro

add salt and pepper

Mix all together in a bowl and serve. So yummy! Weird, colorful and delicious. Let me know if you try it!

Jeans- Gap

Blouse- J Crew

Sweater- Target

Shoes- Franco Sarto, Nordstrom Rack

May 12, Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you amazing moms out there! I hope your family is spoiling you today. Mine sure is! We started the day with breakfast in bed- and later this afternoon we are going on a boat ride around Elliot Bay.

For my boating adventure I have chosen my cropped white jeans and my blue and white gingham J Crew blouse. On the left it’s a little to buttoned up and boring, so I changed things up a bit by swapping out my black Birkenstocks for my cute leopard flats. I also unbuttoned the blouse to show my tank underneath, did the half tuck and added a bright sweatshirt draped over my shoulders. If it’s cold on the boat, I can throw it on over my blouse- see below. you’ll notice I untucked the blouse to let the tails hang out underneath the sweatshirt. Enjoy your day!

Shirt- J Crew

Sweatshirt- Target

Jeans- Gap

Shoes- Franco Sarto, Nordstrom Rack

April 25, Yellow Skirt

I think one of my favorite color combinations is sunny yellow and navy blue. It’s just so cheery and fun. Today I am showing a spring outfit of a bright yellow skirt paired with a blue and white gingham blouse.

In my before picture I have paired the skirt with a plain white sweater and black ballet flats. I honestly think this looks fine- but I think the outfit on the right is a little more fun! A few key details to point out.

1. I tied the blouse at the waist. I’ve been seeing a lot of this online- so thought I’d give it a try today.
2. I rolled the sleeves and unbuttoned the blouse to show my white tank underneath.
3. The white tennis shoes are a sporty and fun change from ballet flats.

This cute skirt is from Old Navy. The name on the tag is Sunny Disposition. I love that! Unfortunately, mine is old, but Here is a similar one! Cute and comfy! The blouse is from J Crew. Tennis shoes are Superega.

*In the effort of full disclosure (and because my teenage daughter threatens to start her own blog called “Everyday Mom Revealed” for days when I am not wearing the outfit I show on the blog), I am not actually wearing this today, but thought this would be a cuter ootd than what I’m really wearing (my tennis clothes). I want you to know that most days I actually am wearing what I show, but some days I may start in my blog outfit and end the day in my yoga clothes, or pj’s! Keeping it real here folks! 🙂

Feb 27, J Crew

I’ve always been a fan of J Crew. Their clothes are well made, classic- and totally my style.

Today’s outfit started with blue jeans and this checkered blue and white shirt from J Crew. Untucked and buttoned up, it looks boring- and the bulky Uggs aren’t adding any style.

To add some interest to this outfit (and because I am always cold!) I threw on this cute blue sweater over my shirt. I love the tails peeking out underneath. To top it off, I added this cute military inspired jacket and rolled up the sleeves. This style of jacket is very popular right now- and let me tell you a little secret, mine is from Ross, I think I paid about $30 for it. What a steal!

To complete my outfit I swapped out the Uggs for my favorite boots- my Paul Green grey suede booties. These are almost as comfy as my Uggs, and much cuter!

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If I get too warm, I can take off my jacket and still have a cute outfit.

The school I’m teaching at today is having a ‘Wear Blue for Kindness’ day today! I love that elementary schools are teaching kindness! We could all stand to be a little kinder!

I wanted to show how this cute sweater dips down in the back.

Shirt- J Crew

Sweater- J Crew

Jeans- Joe’s, Nordstrom

Boots- Paul Green, Nordstrom

Jacket- Ross