What I Wore To Church - Happy Independence Day!

My Outfit

Tank Top: H&M Lace Trim Tank Top
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Navy
Skirt: eShakti Gold Buttoned High Waist Skirt
Shoes: ShoeDazzle Marva

Crystal's Outfit

Tank Top: Gap Essential Rib Tank
Cardigan: Tilly's Essential Elbow Sleeve Cardigan
Skirt: Navy Exchange
Shoes: JustFab Lainey
Scarf: Jersey Loop Scarf

Happy 4th of July! In honor of our nation's birthday, I decided to attempt a pin-up look by featuring yet another eShakti skirt that I got in their overstock section. I loved the high waist and the gold buttons, and of course I appreciated the fact that it had pockets. While dealing with an infant at church, I've realized that pockets are practically essential. Where else am I going to put her pacifier when she decides she doesn't want it? If I put it in my bag, it'll get lost in the bottom buried, under burp cloths and diapers. Clearly that's an item that you need within arms reach, but I digress.

You know none of my outfits are complete without the perfect cardigan to pull it together, and I'm so happy I snagged the navy Charter School Cardigan in their last sale. My other one (not ModCloth) developed a hole, and I was devastated. Everyone needs a navy cardigan, and this one is perfect. These cardigans are so soft and super good quality.

I'm not sure if I totally pulled off the pin-up look but it was fun to try. I may need some work on my pin-up posing. Does anyone have an airplane or a classic jeep that I can borrow to practice?

It was super exciting to have my sister in town this weekend, and our outfits complemented each other perfectly. PS. That was totally a coincidence. We share a brain.

I hope you and your families had a fantastic Independence Day and that you found a good sale or two to take advantage of.

Happy Shopping!

What I Wore To Church - Blue Dress and Oxfords

Dress: Old Navy (last season)
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Magenta
Shoes: JustFab Hall

It's no mystery that I love stripes, and since I bought this dress last year from Old Navy, it has been one of my faves because it's crazy comfortable (I've never met a jersey dress I didn't like). Usually I save it for 4th of July weekend and pair it with a red belt and red shoes, but I have something else in mind for next week. So, I decided to wear it this weekend and change it up with this awesome magenta cardigan from ModCloth. The look still feels mildly patriotic without being outright red, white, and blue.

Pink and blue is not something that I usually pair together but I thought it worked well. I'm going to let you in on my secret of how I decide what colors look good together. Sometimes I know there's a color combination that's hot so I'll try and figure out what I have in my closet in those colors. Most of the time though, I decide on what dress, or skirt, or shirt I have that seems fun, and then I hold it up against the cardigan section of my closet until I find a cardigan in a color that I think works.  I have the luxury of a very extensive cardigan collection (most of them Charter School Cardigans) but it's really helped me put some color combinations together that have become my favorite (navy and mustard, pink and orchid, sage and yellow, etc.). I know there are all kinds of charts out there that tell you what color families compliment each other, but really I just keep trying until I find a combo I like.

I tried something new with the shoes today too. I love these crocheted oxfords from JustFab, and I kept trying to wear them with skirts and dresses, but I just never felt like they were quite the right look. Today, I took the leap and went with it. Not only were the flats super comfortable and I wasn't worried about tripping with the baby, but I thought they looked pretty cute. My husband isn't a fan of them. He thinks they look like something you'd find in a grandma's attic. I however, love the vintage feel of them. So he can deal.

If you’re interested in trying JustFab, use my link here and get your first pair for $20. They are also doing a site wide BOGO right now so it’s worth a look-see. Standard warning applies that it is a shoe club membership so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Also Old Navy is doing 30% off online right now. Never hurts to look. You might find your next favorite dress.

Happy Shopping!

What I Wore To Church - Chambray Skirt with Mint-ish

Shirt: LOFT (last season)
Skirt: eShakti Pintuck PleatChambray Skirt
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Jade
Shoes: ShoeDazzle Byrdie

Happy Summertime! Is that a thing people say? I'm saying it anyway. In honor of summertime, I decided to get a little matchy matchy and wear this awesome shade of minty green. It's not quite mint, but it's not a typical green. I'm sure someone will correct me on the actual shade according to the Pantone color wheel.

I don't normally wear the same color all over for 2 reasons. First, I have a hard time matching shades, and it's easier to wear complimentary colors rather than trying to match colors. Second, I think the styling of it is almost too easy (if you can get the colors right), and I usually like to get a little more creative. Obviously today I broke that rule.

I finally pulled out my non-maternity clothes in the closet and found this awesome linen shirt that I got last year from LOFT. I completely forgot I had it and immediately fell in love with it all over again. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to style my outfit around it.

The skirt was one I bought in the overstock section at eShakti last year with intentions to wear it as a maternity skirt (it has elastic smocking in the back), but by the time I decided to wear it, I was a bit too round to pull it off. But yay for it fitting now (and the elastic is still awesome). Also, POCKETS! I used to LOVE wearing denim skirts as a teenager because of the comfort factor, but they have since fallen out of style. The chambray trend has brought them back in a fun, new way. It's a lot lighter than denim so it flows better but it has the same neutral styling potential and is still really comfy!

I recently took advantage of a 30% off sale at ModCloth and picked up my favorite cardigan in a few more colors. When I bought this one, I was hoping it was going to be a good replacement for my Tilly's mint cardigan that has a hole in it, but unfortunately it's a bit darker. Still a great color though, and I was super pleased when I noticed how well it matched my stripes.

The shoes are another buy from a couple months ago that I could never find anything I was happy matching with them, but again I was thrilled with how well they worked.

Seriously, this outfit was the perfect storm of things I could never find the right styling for, but they fit together so perfectly. I have a feeling I'm going to be pleased with all of the possibilities that will emerge as I'm reorganizing my closet. I will have to get creative with a lot of it to style it on my new shape, but I bet I can come up with some fun stuff in the upcoming months. Stay tuned!

Happy Shopping!

What I Wore To Church - Animal Print Skirt

Shirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Orchid
Skirt: LOFT via ThredUp
Shoes: JustFab Cecily

For church today I decided it was time to go back to my signature style of a blouse and pencil skirt. Thanks again to ThredUp, I was able to get this awesome pencil skirt from LOFT for $15. I took a gamble on the size since I wasn't sure where I'm sitting post-baby. Turns out I guessed right and it fit perfectly. The print is a stylish animal print (although you've got me on what animal, maybe a snake of some sort?), without being tacky. Also, SURPRISE! It has pockets! Seriously the perfect skirt.

I wasn't going to wear the cardigan, but I felt like the outfit needed just a bit of color and what better color than orchid? If you've read more than 2 of my posts, you know how much I love my Charter School cardigans. Right now ModCloth has 2 deals going on. They have a one time use 20% off your order deal, and a Charter School cardigan specific code. The 20% off can be found as a side banner on the site. Click it to take the 20% off your order. The cardigan code is CARDI and it takes $10 off your order if you buy 2 or more Charter School Cardigans. I'm assuming they can't be used together.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd been stocking up on lower heels and wedges. These shoes were part of that. I was so happy when JustFab released these because they are quite unlike their usual 6" platform heels. They were quite comfortable, and I didn't feel like I was going to trip and drop my baby.

It was nice to get back into a pencil skirt (that wasn't maternity), and the price I paid for it made it even better. I'm telling you, ThredUp is addicting!

If you’re interested in trying ThredUp, use my link here and get $10 off your first order.
If you’re interested in trying JustFab, use my link here and get your first pair for $20. They are also doing a site wide BOGO right now so it’s worth a look-see. Standard warning applies that it is a shoe club membership so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Happy Shopping!

Trying Out ThredUp

Top: LOFT via ThredUp
Cardigan: Tilly's Essential Elbow Sleeve Cardigan
Jeans: H&M MAMA Skinny Jeans
Shoes: JustFab Tory

I decided to actually get dressed today instead of my usual yoga pants and v-neck because I tried a new website and couldn't wait to wear my purchases. My friend convinced me (it didn't take a lot) to try the site ThredUp, and I was immediately hooked. It's an online consignment store. People send in their gently used or new clothes and get a cut of the profit. Customers get to purchase those gently used clothes at a fraction of the price. I just ordered my first bag to send them a bunch of my used clothes. I plan on getting the money in store credit so I can continue the cycle of good deals.

You all know my love for all things LOFT so I was excited to find this super summery blouse for $10. I love the flowiness of it because it hides the tummy, and the colors were so pretty. Plus, I'm a sucker for all things floral. I added the cardigan because while flowy is good at disguising, it can make you seem wider if you don't wear something to bring in your waist. A belt would've worked too, but I'm still at the point where adding a belt can make me look like I'm still pregnant.

The wedges were part of JustFab's wedge sale, so I picked them up for $15. I was unsure if the yellow with the coral was going to be too much color, but I liked the way it turned out.

If you're interested in trying ThredUp, use my link here and get $10 off your first order.
If you're interested in trying JustFab, use my link here and get your first pair for $20. They are also doing a site wide BOGO right now so it's worth a look-see. Standard warning applies that it is a shoe club membership so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Date Night - Graphic Tee and Vans

Tee: LOFT Misty Floral Print Tee
Jeans: H&M MAMA Skinny Jeans
Shoes: Vans Canvas Authentic

Guise! I'm wearing a graphic tee. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but it's a big deal to me. My junior year of high school I called a guy out for staring at my boobs while wearing a graphic tee, and he told me that I was basically begging for guys to stare at my boobs because they had words on them (victim blaming is awesome, amirite?). Well it screwed up my fragile teenage self-esteem and I haven't worn a graphic tee since. I always wanted to wear them, but never felt comfortable in them again.

I decided when I saw this one on LOFT's website that I wouldn't let that guy from over 10 years ago control what I wear anymore, and I was going to buy a dang graphic tee! I liked this one because it was a cute print, but still subtle, and because the print extended down, it helped disguise the tummy. I went easy on the accessories so they didn't overwhelm the tee, and I chose the Vans because they are comfy, and they are my favorite type of sneakers EVER.

If you're asking yourself why I dressed so casual for a date night, it's because the weather was looking sketchy, and since our usual plan is to go to restaurants with outdoor seating so the baby can fuss without disturbing people, we didn't want to chance it. We decided to order in Thai food and spend the night watching "Orange is the New Black" instead.  Totally still a date.

What I Wore To Church - Navy Stripes

Dress: eShakti
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Honey
Shoes: Zulily

Thank you so much for the warm response to my post yesterday. I appreciate your kind words, and it helped me feel more comfortable posting more post-baby looks. Since we were able to get a bit of sleep last night, we were able to get to church today and I was even able to take a picture or two before the baby started fussing.

I was a little sad when I thought I wasn't going to be able to wear dresses while I was nursing, but I was super excited when I remembered I bought this dress from the overstock section of eShakti (are you surprised?) a few months ago. Because of the neckline, I can wear it and still feed the baby! It's super comfortable because it's knit and the stripes do a pretty good job of disguising the tummy. It's a win all around. Since I got it in the overstock section, I'm pretty sure I got it for a steal too.

I nabbed the shoes on Zulily a couple weeks ago. I've realized that carrying an infant around means that I'm less comfortable in heels. I don't want to risk tripping and dropping her. So, I've been on the hunt for a few good pairs of flats and wedges. These weren't too tall, and featured the cut-out trend which I'm loving. I had to resist the urge to not get them in the other colors too. If they show up on the site again, I may not be able to let the pink pair slip away again.

If you're not signed up with Zulily, I highly recommend signing up (you can use my link here). There's no obligation to buy and they have a ton of women's clothes, maternity, kids clothes, and home goods at great prices with new stuff added daily.

Happy Shopping!

Date Night - The White Trend

Top: LOFT Pleated Lace Front Cotton Tee
Jeans: H&M MAMA Skinny Jeans
Shoes: ShoeDazzle Marva
Bag: c/o JustFab Fairmont
Jewelry: Monica's Fantabulous Fashions

Kyle and I are still going to try to do date night every Friday with the baby, and even though we were just going to Mellow Mushroom, I used it as an excuse to dress up a bit a feel a more human.

White accessories are huge right now, so I was super exited to receive this bag from JustFab as my birthday present, one of the perks for being a Brand Ambassador for them. I love the cut out detailing on the side as well as the option of straps. It's a classy, on-trend bag and was the perfect size for all my stuff, as well as the baby essentials.

I bought the shirt at LOFT on sale last week, but unfortunately it sold out between then and now. I picked it specifically because it had detailing down the front. It worked pretty well to disguise the tummy.

You may have noticed, I'm still wearing maternity pants. My weight still hasn't stabilized so I haven't bought any pants yet, but there's no shame in enjoying the comfort of a stretchy waistband a little while longer.

I was going to wear some flat sandals but opted for these adorable wedges instead to dress up the outfit. They give the fancy factor of heels while still having the comfort of sandals (plus the bows are SUPAH CAYOOT).

I've discovered it can be pretty intimidating to show you my post-baby looks. It's not as easy to dress myself these days as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong. I knew that my body would be completely different, but just finding things that fit, and that I feel comfortable in has been difficult.  The biggest thing I've had to learn is not to worry about what size things are. Focus on how clothes fit, not the size listed on the tag. I recently had to buy something at Target in a size 2 sizes bigger than I've ever worn, but it fit, and it looked pretty good. It's not an easy transition to make, but feeling comfortable in what you're wearing, makes you more confident regardless of size.





If you're interested in signing up for JustFab, use this referral link.
If you're interested in signing up for ShoeDazzle, use this referral link.
I'll give you my usual warning that both of these are shoe clubs, so be sure to read the terms and conditions prior to signing up.