Cozy Stripes

Outfit Notes: Sweatshirt-Target // Leggings-Kohls // Necklace-Target clearance // Boots-old

Recently, Simon got some new fall/winter clothes. When I dress him on chilly mornings, I find myself jealous of his selection of baggy, cozy sweatshirts. I kept wishing they were in my size so I could borrow them. Is it wrong to borrow clothes from your child? I think it is supposed to go the other way around. (In middle school I lived in my Dad’s big, baggy flannels, which I wore with my intentionally ripped up jeans.) Thank goodness Simon wears a 3T, so I don;t have to wrestle with that temptation.

Anyway, when I was at Target the other day I spotted this cozy striped top, and I intentionally bought it in a too-big size. I have been living in it ever since. It is so comforting to be completely enveloped in a warm, loose sweatshirt. I am addicted and may be reverting back to my middle-school baggy clothes ways.

Mother and Son Style: Fall Plaid

Plaid on me
Plaid on Simon

Long time no post! If you also follow my life blog, you know that we bought a house and moved. Life has been crazy for a little while, but I hope to be here again more frequently.

Fall is in full swing now, and this weekend, Jeramy and I are going away for the weekend to Oktoberfest. Since New England Autumns are fairly unpredictable weather-wise, layering is going to be absolutely necessary. I bought this yellow plaid flannel shirt this week specifically planning to pack it for my trip into the New Hampshire mountains.

Simon acquired his plaid shirt as a gift from his Nana, and we just happened to be both wearing them on the same day when this photo was taken. With his reds and my yellow, we were definitely Autumn appropriate.

It is too bad I didn’t save all of my oversize, plaid, flannel tops from the 90’s!

Playground Chic

Outfit Notes: Top-Forever 21 // Cargos-old, from target // Bracelet-a gift // Sandals-Target

Being a mostly stay-at-home Mom means my casual clothes usually get more wear than my dressier stuff. I find myself always looking for fun and still stylish ways to remix my wardrobe, even when I am going to the playground. I saw this outfit on Anthroplogie’s website and decided to re-create it:

Now, my cargos are not skinnies, so there was a lot more bunching when I rolled them, and I wore a sequined top instead of one more bohemian. however, I liked the mix of utilitarian and pretty here. I also forgot to add a bold necklace for a pop of contrast on top, but since I was climbing monkey bars and going down slides it might have just gotten in the way anyway.

Movement Monday: Getting Out More

As a stay-at-home-parent, getting out of the house is absolutely crucial for my physical and mental well-being. Because so much of my responsibility takes place within the home, it is easy to forget this, and become lazy about it. However, I have to make it a priority for my little one and myself, because we feel better and are healthier when we regularly enjoy the outdoors.

Spring has finally arrived in my neck of the woods, and though the air is still chilly, the desire and ability to be outside have increased. Yesterday, as a family, we all went hiking to celebrate Easter/Ostara. Walking on the trail, breathing the fresh air, exploring our surroundings…it felt wonderful.

Currently, we live in the middle of the city. Our house has no yard. Well, it has a little strip of grass and a dirt driveway and walkway that Simon sometimes plays in, but really,                   we have to go elsewhere if we want to be in nature. Thankfully, we live near several parks and playgrounds, and a big nature preserve of hiking trails open to the public. In the not-too-distant future we are planning to buy our first home, and our number one requirement is a big yard for gardening and for play.

I have never been the type of person who liked going to the gym, but give me a trail through the woods, or some snowshoes in the winter, or a lake to swim in, and I am happy. I am so busy enjoying the beauty of nature that I forget I am getting a workout in the process. Getting outside is one of the easiest ways to accomplish my goal of moving my body more. I am already excited for our next hike in the woods!

What physical activity do you enjoy doing outside?

Technical Difficulties

(Outift Notes: Earrings-a gift // Embellished tank-Target clearance // Green Cardigan-Kohls clearance // Jeans-Old Navy // Boots-Target clearance)

I took a bunch more photos of this outfit today, including a few with a blazer, but my camera and tripod were not cooperating with me. I suppose that is bound to happen once in a while when you take your own pics.

Here I am again in my “Mumma Uniform“. My standard weekday wear when I am home with my little guy.  Very casual, but (I hope) still stylish.

Cozy in Green

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-too old to remember //Sweater-Thrifted // Tank-Sears clearance years ago // Belt-Target last year // Leggings-Kohls // Boots, Target clearance last year //  Scarf-too old to remember)

Today I spent most of my day cleaning up messes around the house that my toddler made. I didn’t even get dressed until he went down for his nap at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. By then, I was cranky and already exhausted, but I had to get ready for work. I wanted to wear something comfy and cozy, but still work appropriate, so I grabbed this big, snuggly sweater that was a recent thrift find. It is 100% alpaca wool, from Eileen Fisher, and probably would have originally cost 200 bucks (or more). I got it for a mere 7 dollars! I usually stay away from things that I have to hand wash, but since it was so affordable, I felt it was worth it. Plus, green is my favorite color.

(Linked at The Pleated Poppy)

Pink Pant-ther

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-Target // Grey Sweater-Target last year // Pink Jeans-Thrifted // Boots-Target Clearance)

Today I dressed for a day at home with my little guy. We ended up outside, having a snowball fight, and then I stood keeping warm in the sun, sipping coffee while he climbed “mountains” of snow. (Really though, they were piles that only went up to my waist, but mountains to him.)

These pink pants are cropped, so I haven’t figured out a way to wear them in cold weather without boots. Otherwise, it looks like I have a length problem. Hopefully soon, this snow mess will melt and I can pair them with cute flats or sandals again!

(Linked up with What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy)

Finally, A Little Color

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-a gift // Cardigan-a gift…Eddie Bauer brand  //  Blouse-JC Penney, several years old // Cords-Kohls, last year // Booties-TJ Maxx // Belt-came with a tunic from TJ Maxx)

Simon and I went for the first walk in the park of the year today. The sun was shining, but there also happened to be a few snowflakes flying in the air. Not totally Spring yet…but close. I should admit, I wore different boots to the park, because though these booties are cute, they are not comfy for walking, and would get all icky caked in mud. But the rest of the outfit was perfectly functional for a Mother-Son park date. I have to work at the Library later, so the booties will be worn then.

I finally got myself into a bit of color after a long string of monochrome and neutral outfits.  The cardigan is pastel though, and the pants are grey, so not the most colorful ensemble I have ever worn. However, just like this mix of snow and sun we had today, this outfit is a perfect hybrid of Winter warmth and Spring thinking.

My Mumma Uniform

 

(Outfit Notes: Scarf-very old, from TJ Maxx?// Sweater-Last year’s Kohls clearance// Black tank-TJ Maxx from the summer// Rust colored tank-H&M from spring// Jeans-Old Navy// Boots-Target clearance last year// Bracelet-a gift from a friend)

I have seen many different style bloggers who also happen to be Moms, share their version of “The Mommy Uniform”. From yoga pants to jeans, and from hoodies to t-shirts, the key seems to be a balance of comfort and versatility. I think this outfit is my fall version of my own “Mumma Uniform”. Most days lately, you will find me in some variation of this jeans/long-sleeved top/scarf/boots combo. Sometimes my wellies replace the brown boots, or the shirt is a crew neck instead of a cardigan. Sometimes the jeans are skinny, sometimes not. The scarf always changes to match the outfit.

Speaking of the scarf, this one was purchased years ago, long before motherhood, when Jeramy and I were dressing up as Bonnie and Clyde for Halloween. I got the scarf just for my costume, and then didn’t wear it again.

Trying to look bad-ass.

When Simon got to be a toddler, I was digging through some things, and found this scarf again. I tossed it into his dress-up bin without giving it any consideration. For many months, it stayed in there, being used in funny combinations with trucker hats, feather boas, and big beaded bracelets. That is, until last week, when I spotted it, and wondered why it was I had never given it a chance. I grabbed it back out of the bin and hung it up with my other scarves. Then, on the day I took the outfit pics above, I wore it again for the first time since that Halloween years ago.

On this day, we were headed as a family, for an autumn outing, with no sure destination in mind. I wanted to be ready for walking indoors or out, and with layers to remove in case it got warmer.

If you are a Mom, what is your standard “Mommy Uniform”?

Lion Tamer

 

I thought for fun I would do a style post about my Halloween costume this year. I absolutely love Halloween, and dressing up. I have never missed a year. Even when I was pregnant, I bought an XL white t-shirt at the craft store and drew a bright, orange pumpkin on the belly. I have always believed in making and putting together a costume, rather than buying one pre-made.

This year, my little guy really wanted to be a lion. We were lucky enough to have his music teacher loan us a lion costume in exactly his size. (See pics here at my life blog.) A few days before Halloween, the idea popped into my head to dress up as a lion tamer. I did a google search for inspiration, but a lot of the female lion tamer costumes I came across were not very appropriate for either being outdoors or taking a child trick-or-treating…too much exposed cleavage and bare legs. However, it seemed like the essentials were to have a top hat and a red jacket…so that is what I set out to find.

My jacket was found at Goodwill for a couple of dollars, but they were fresh out of bow-ties and top hats. I ended up buying those on Halloween day at the costume shop on sale. I normally don’t like to spend money at places like that, I’d much rather give new life to something old, but I was running out of time, and Simon was so excited to help me find a top hat. Also, these items now live in his dress-up trunk and he is already having a blast with them, just a day later.

For the rest of my outfit I raided my own closet, with the exception of the black shorts, which I borrowed from a friend. I chose shorts over a skirt because it would make bending down to help Simon with his trick-or-treating, as well as carrying him, so much easier. For warmth I layered the shorts over my black sweater tights, and I wore my comfy, well-worn, black flats for all the walking. Under my jacket I layered a stripey, black and white tunic over a plain black t-shirt to keep my core warm. The stripes seemed circus-appropriate.

The best part? Simon loved my costume as much as I did, and we had so much fun together.