March 12, Hunter Boots

Living in Seattle, it’s essential that I have some good rain boots! So when Hunter boots first became popular I HAD to have a pair. Before that, I was wearing rain boots from Fred Meyer- and they looked like this photo from when I started blogging back in 2012! A lot has changed since then, but I still love my Hunter Boots!

In my before photo, I am wearing a golf shirt with black leggings and my Hunter Boots. I think a collared shirt looks odd with leggings. Something just seems off with this. I also think the length is bad, it’s too short.

So I kept to the black and white theme (I really love that color combo, obviously) but ditched the weird golf shirt for this cute striped shirt. I like the way this shirt gathers around the tummy area- hiding my food baby. Then, to cover my behind, and add a little color, I threw on this fabulous pink lightweight cardigan from Nordstrom. You may recognize this sweater from this outfit. Ok, now I’m ready for you rain!

When wearing leggings (if you’re over 40), please cover your butt. Unless you are super fit- then you go girl! Me, I like mine covered.

Leggings- Athleta

Shirt- OC Style (my favorite local in home boutique! but she ships anywhere!!) Check her out on Instagram. @shopocstyle

Sweater- Nordstrom (similar)

Boots- Hunter, Nordstrom

Jan 7th, Doing the Polka!

 Another lame title by me- but surely by now you’ve come to expect a lame title, right?

I’m actually showing what I wore on Saturday, since today I have to go to Physical Therapy for a little sciatic nerve problem I’m suffering from. So, if you see me out and about today in sweats, you’ll know why!

On Saturday I went to my daughter’s indoor soccer game- so technically, this is a soccer mom outfit!

I wore my dark skinny jeans, a cute polka dot blouse and a bright pink (or is this purple?) cardigan. I liked the bright cardigan over the neutral blouse- it’s a good contrast, and so much better than the outfit on the right (do you notice that you can see right through this blouse? Yikes! Hello belly button!  I need to add a tank underneath!).

I decided that since the blouse has so much going on (between the polka dots and the ties) that I should skip a necklace. What do you think? Should I have added a necklace?

Jeans: Anthropologie (James jeans) old, Blouse: Target, Cardigan: Target, Flats: Cole Haan

If you haven’t already, please hop over to Facebook and ‘like’ me! It’s an ego thing… silly, I know!

Nov 28th, You Again?

 You again?

I know, I’ve worn this dress so many times you all are probably sick of it. But, since I only show my own clothes from my own closet you will have to bear with me as I wear one of my favorite dresses again!

This time I decided I needed to add a little color so I paired it with a bright pink cardigan, black tights and black boots. I originally thought I’d skip the tights, but the dress looks too short with just my bare legs (I think I might have shrunk it on accident! Darn it!). Since the dress is so short, adding the tights (or leggings) makes it more appropriate for work.

Let me share with you a little lesson I have learned here- when you are out shopping, if you find a great, versatile day dress- buy it!

You will be amazed at how many different ways you can wear it- and it’s so nice to have a ‘go to’ day dress in my closet! Look for something somewhat neutral- so that you can change the look of it easily. A bold print is great- but not nearly as versatile.

Don’t let the price scare you off, this dress was well over $150, but for the amount of times I’ve worn it- it has paid off. Another great hint is that I have found fabulous dresses at TJ Maxx and Marshalls- so go check them out! Just be very critical in your decision making- just because something is a great deal- doesn’t mean it’s great. Also, just because something is ‘designer’ doesn’t mean it is fabulous for your personal style. I bought a Calvin Klein maxi dress at TJ Maxx that looks like a nightgown (as seen here). Big mistake- even if it was only $39… I would suggest having something pretty specific in mind when shopping, so you don’t end up with an impulse purchase you will regret.

Dress: Nordstrom (Michael Kors), Cardigan: J Crew, Boots: Frye

May 24th, Reader’s Request- Lab Wear

I’ve decided to start a new thing on Thursdays- where I ask you all to weigh in on a reader’s request. Since I realize that I am by no means an expert- I figure this is a great way to get other people’s opinions on style questions.

So- here we go!

Today’s question comes from Jenny. She has a friend who will be starting dental school in the fall and is concerned with what to wear.  She needs to go straight from class into the lab- where she needs to look professional.

It’s been a LONG time since I was in school (could it really have been 20 years ago? God, I’m old!) and I have never been in a lab- so I’m hoping that some of you lovely readers can chime in.

My suggestion is to wear nice, cropped dress pants paired with a cute top, a cardigan and some comfortable shoes. However, you don’t want to look like Barbie, so be sure to get a coat that fits! LOL!

This would be cute in class, and then for the lab- remove the cardigan and throw the lab coat over the cute shirt.

I pulled this from Pininterst- love the skirt and top with the lab coat! This is darling. Wonder what shoes she is wearing? Hopefully something comfy since she’ll be on her feet all day!

Here is another great example from Pinterest. I like the way this outfit is all about the necklace! While I love the coral color of the blouse, the style is a little matronly, a tank would be so much cuter!

Ok readers, now it’s your turn! Please help Jenny and comment on what you would suggest wearing to class and then to the lab!

On me: Pants: Nordstrom (Vince Camuto), Tank: French Connection, Cardigan: J Crew, Shoes: DSW, Necklace: Stella and Dot

May 10th, Black Patent Birks

Thanks to everyone for their comments yesterday. I really appreciate hearing all the suggestions of comfortable shoes and brands! I’m excited to have learned of so many new options and it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my foot issues.

I will admit though- finding a way to wear supportive shoes combined with an outfit for work is a challenge!

I decided to go with my patent leather Birks- these aren’t the cutest shoe out there- but they aren’t the ugliest either. They are vey comfortable and offer the arch support I need to help with my planter fasciitis.

Today I’m wearing white skinny jeans paired with a black and white checked shirt. Alone, this looks a little plain and needed a little something to make it more stylish.

The outfit on the left is a major improvement.  Here I’ve tucked in the shirt, unbuttoned a few buttons (I have a white tank on underneath) and added a pink braided belt & this bright pink cardigan. Now it looks cute- and no one will even notice my shoes!

Sorry these pictures are so blurry, not sure what the problem is.

The black Birks are comfy- and offer the arch support I need.

Sweater: Nordstrom, Jeans: J Crew, Shirt: J Crew, Belt: Target, Shoes: Birkenstock

April 8th, Happy Easter

Good morning and Happy Easter!

No time to write this morning… the Easter Bunny overslept! (gasp!)

I’m wearing my maxi dress, paired with a pink cardigan and pearls. It’s on trend, colorful and perfect for today.

Dress: Gap, Sweater: Nordstrom, Necklace: Forever 21, Shoes: DSW

Jan 26th, Preppy Mom

I know I keep showing this ‘before’ pic on the right, but it’s just so bad and so easy to fix- that I can’t help myself!

I apologize to those of you who have already seen it!

Today’s outfit is yet another plaid shirt paired with a sweater (this seems to be my favorite new outfit!).

As you can see though, this combo does not always guarantee a great look. On the right my buttoned cardigan looks awkward and dated, the faded jeans are also dated and the tennis shoes. Need I say more?

On the left I have replaced the mom jeans with dark skinny jeans and then replaced the tennis shoes with red flats. I’m wearing a colorful plaid shirt and topped it with a bright pink cardigan.

Yes- I am wearing red shoes and a pink cardigan. Seriously?!

This is the new color pairing trend of this season- and while I’m not quite ready to wear it in large doses (like red pants with a pink top), this small touch reflects the style- without me appearing overly ‘trendy’. 

I really like this bright, colorful outfit. Such a change from my normally neutral colors! My arms look very bare. I think I need some bracelets… 

Jeans: Anthropolgie, Shirt: Land’s End, Cardigan: Nordstrom, Shoes: Target

Dec 21st, 30 for 30 Day 21

I call this my Martha Stewart outfit- partly because I plan on spending the day working around the house, cooking, cleaning, wrapping presents… you know the drill!

Another reason I call this Martha Stewart is because before I started this style experiment I remember watching her show  and noticing she would wear a blouse while cooking. I remember thinking, weird! It looks so uncomfortable and stiff- and personally, I’d rather wear sweats!

However, all that has changed with this blog. Even working around the house, I am forcing myself to dress up a bit-  not that this is dressy, but at least I’ve put a little effort into my look because you never know who will ring your doorbell, right?!

Today I’m participating in Work it Wednesday only to the degree that I’m showing 3 different shoes with this very simple outfit. I’ve got on casual tennis shoes, my desert booties and leopard flats. Which are your favorite?

These casual slip on tennis shoes are a great alternative to regular tennis shoes!

I'm always a fan of the leopard flat. It brings an unexpected flair to my outfit!

I’m also linking up with The Pleated Poppy– check it out for hundreds of great style ideas!

Jeans: Nordstrom, Blouse: Target, Cardigan: Nordstrom, Shoes: Boots- Kohls, Tennis Shoes- Macys, Flats- Target

Dec 10th, 30 for 30- Day 10

 I can just hear you now, ‘Hey, didn’t you wear those jeans yesterday?’,

‘Why- yes, I did! Thanks for noticing!’ When you only have 30 items to chose from and only 5 of them are pants (or jeans) I’m a bit limited…

I really like this outfit today- it’s super warm, super comfy and oh so me!

On the right I am showing how it just doesn’t quite look right. The mom jeans are a bit dorky, the white crew neck shirt is dated, the long sleeves peeking out under the 3/4 sleeves… the whole thing is just off.

On the left I’ve switched to my more modern cute jeans, replaced the white shirt for my striped shirt, added this great colored scarf and then switched the shoes for boots. I’m trying something that I’ve been seeing a lot of lately- the high socks peaking out above the boots. I like this trend, not only do the socks keep my jeans tucked into the boots, but they also keep my toes toasty!

Off to my son’s basketball game. Wish him luck! He needs it! They got slaughtered last night 71-40. Ouch!

Oct 20, Burst of Color