fall in an outfit.

{Sweater: Similar | Shirt: Similar | Pants: Similar | Boots: Tory Burch}

Okay let's talk about my no good, bad, horrible day yesterday. My husband's birthday is today (happy birthday honey). And it's kind of a big one, so I felt like I really needed to pull out all the stops. Yesterday I planned to make his favorite chocolate chip cookies and chocolate peanut butter muffins (yes he likes chocolate). Once I had made everything (yes AFTER I made everything), our oven decided not to work. Not to be thwarted though, I realized there is an oven downstairs in the meeting room, so no worries...that is until the muffins had been in the oven for over an hour because apparently it doesn't actually work. Awesome. So now I have muffin batter and cookie batter and no way of cooking it. Insert tantrum here. 

So then I came up with a great idea. Instead of throwing the batter away, I'll just microwave it. Bad idea. I literally started a fire in our microwave that my husband had to put out because I was just freaking out. Yeah happy birthday honey.  Oh and we live in a big building so everyone was trying to figure out where all the smoke was coming from. Yeah that would be us. Awesome.

I promise I can actually cook...maybe just not without an oven.  Here is to flying by the seat of my pants with this whole birthday thing. 

The good news is at least these outfit photos are cute...right? I mean there's a silver lining there somewhere...

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Rolled Up Pretty.

thinking outside the box.

{Blazer: Similar | Fur Collar: Similar (this one is amazing!) | Shirt: Target | Jeans: Old Navy}

So I thought this outfit was awesome. ingenious, amazing and then I saw the photos and it just kinda fell flat. One night when I was supposed to be going to sleep, I was thinking about how much I wanted a faux fur collar, scarf, snood, anything...just something faux fur that I could wear all the time. But because I can't spend money right now, I had to get creative. I remembered that I have a sweater with a detachable fur collar and so the brainstorming began. I don't think I nailed it on the first shot but I definitely want to give this idea another try.

The only logistical problem is that Chicago is kinda windy and sometimes my faux fur collar blew off. And unfortunately it had a striking resemblance to a dead rat. Not attractive. Gonna have to solve that next time.

polka dots!

{Lipstick: L'Oreal | Blazer: Similar | Shirt: Similar | Pants: Similar | Shoes: Similar}

I don't think I've ever made a bad purchase at J. Crew. Take these flats. When I purchased them a few years ago, I wasn't really into them. Fast forward to today and I'm in love. The metallic loafers I saw here, here and here inspired me to dust these babies off and don them. It's a win-win. My feet are happy and my wallet is even happier.

You all know I adore polka dots, right? It's possible that I may OD on this trend (if I haven't already). As far as I'm concerned, you can't have too many. But please don't let this be like the neon double socks in middle school. They seemed so cool at the time, but it just wasn't. I mean I'm not even sure how I managed to stuff my already oversized feet into shoes with two pairs of socks on. That can't have been comfortable. At least polka dots are comfortable...right?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today.

awe-inspiring.

{Top: Ann Taylor Loft | Jacket: Similar | Jeans: Old Navy}

{Left to right: Renegade Cluster Bracelet | Zebra bracelet | Watch}

Just the Aspens in all their loveliness.

I wish I could say that my outfit is what's awe-inspiring, but alas it is not.  Look at this beautiful Aspen grove.  Can you think of a cooler place to take photos?  I mean wow.  I couldn't resist sharing a few photos of the grove itself.  They were just too pretty to pass up.

I like that my outfit is not super colorful against this backdrop.  Tell me to dress like an Aspen and I will.

On a side note, we had another wildlife encounter.  At about 3:30 in the morning, we heard a loud crash.  In my sleepy stupor, I thought to myself, what's wrong with those crazy college kids.  Then I realized there are no crazy college kids...instead it had to be a hungry, bumbling bear.  And it was!  We peeked out the window and there he was munching on the remains of our fried chicken and barbecue ribs.  When he had finished picking through the garbage, he waddled away.  I say waddle because he was kinda fat from eating all that garbage.  Silly little bear.

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy today.  Aspen grove and all.

And just an FYI, I have finally turned off that annoying Captcha thing on the comments so hopefully it  will be a lot easier to comment.

miss mix-a-lot!

{Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft | Pants: Ann Taylor Loft | Shoes: Target | Clutch: Similar}

Just call me little Miss Mix-A-Lot!  This is definitely my boldest pattern mixing venture to date.  Usually I try to go more subtle, but I threw that out the window.  

I wore this to dinner with some friends.  I asked my husband if he thought I looked cute.  And his response was a whopping "hmmmm."  Not exactly the reaction I was going for especially when I only get the opportunity to go out once every three months.  He didn't think the outfit matched.  I'm hoping that he doesn't know what the heck he's talking about.  I would hate to think that all those looks I got were people wondering if I got dressed in the dark.

Oh well, the truth is sometimes people can't handle bold trends.  As long as I can handle it, who cares?  But really, you do think this works...right? (That's my annoying self-conscious side showing through.  Just ignore her.)

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Marionberry Style for the trend of the month...pattern mixing!

put a knot in it.

{Shirt: Similar | Necklace: Anthro (courtesy of my brother and sister-in-law) | Skir: Similar | Shoes: J. Crew | Bag: Ann Taylor} 

Don't put a ring on it...put a knot in it.  That's my advice.  This is the best fashion trend for me right now.  You know those shirts that are just a tad too big, or a little awkward or just off (like this one unknotted)?  If you knot it, suddenly you have this perfectly fitted shirt with a little more interest.  And let's be honest I'm not ready to part with this funky little number.

This outfit changed with my day (that's my big thing!)  This is what I wore to church and then out to lunch Sunday and in the afternoon we headed to the pool and out to dinner.  I traded in the black maxi skirt for a simple pair of cuffed jean shorts.  Easy peasy.  That's my motto ya'll.

My mom is headed into town today (yay!) but I still have a lot of cleanup to do (eek!).  I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!

just call me dotty...

{Top: Similar | Shorts: J. Crew | Purse: Ann Taylor | Shoes: Madewell}

I pulled out this polka dot top and decided it just wasn't dotty enough so I added my shoes to the mix.  I mean can you really have enough polka dots?  Well maybe...if I threw in a pair of polka dot pants, a purse and a hat then it might (just might) be a tad too much.

This is another outfit that seemed to be a winner out on the street.  My theory: You just smile when you see polka dots.  It's just a knee jerk reaction.  Think about it...you can't hate someone wearing polka dots.  It's just not possible.  So the moral of the story is if you want people to like you, wear polka dots.

See how many things you learn by reading my blog?  I'm definitely living up to my quirky title this morning.

Hope you all have wonderful Wednesday!  I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde and Watch out for the Woestmans today.

Let's head to the beach!

{Suit: Boden | Shoes: Target | Lipstick: Revlon | Hat: J. Crew | Shirt: Target | Shorts: Gap | Sunglasses: J. Crew | Bag: Bondi Tote}

This is the perfect outfit for a day at the beach with friends or family.  And it easily transitions to a casual al fresco dinner...just retouch your lips with a pop of color and use a little bit of dry shampoo to primp your top knot.  Easy peasy.

Here's how I wore this combo.  We were biking so I skipped the beach bag and went for a smaller hat.

Now if only we could only get to the beach before 4 p.m., I might actually get a tan!  Unfortunately we have to wait until someone (meaning all of us) get up from our naps.  My husband and I are gonna be in big trouble once Talinn outgrows those daytime zzz's because we rely on them just as much as he does!  Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Tank Tops, Skirts and Sandals...Oh My!

{Top: Similar, Skirt: Similar, Shoes: Target}

My husband and I went out to an al fresco dinner a few nights ago and this is what I wore.  It was a beautiful day which warranted a summer outfit...I can't believe I'm saying that in May!  

I love this skirt.  I got it at Target when they had the Missoni collaboration.  I mean who buys a black skirt from a Missoni collaboration?!?  Me!  And guess what...I love it!  You can tell better in the first few photos but the pleating changes into a chevron pattern at the bottom and I think that's one of those small details that can elevate a simple piece of clothing and add interest.  

Sorry for the change of location in the last photo.  I always second guess my photos and so we shoot pretty much every outfit twice...but more often than not the second shoot always stinks!  This gem was the only one from that batch.

Have a happy Wednesday...only two more days until the holiday weekend!  Do you guys have any good plans?

Polka Dots and Paisley

{Jacket: Forever 21, Scarf: Similar, Tee: Similar, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Sperry}

Happy Wednesday ladies!  How is your week going?  The weather has finally (finally!) changed in Chicago.  It's been absolutely gorgeous and we've been at the park every day.  Days like that make me happy to be a stay-at-home mom!

My polka dot jacket is new and I love it.  I wanted to spice it up a bit so I added some paisley to the mix.  And this scarf is one of my go-to's.  Because of the colors, it's so easy to pair with just about anything!

Funny story, this outfit was too good to pass up on the photo taking front, but it was just one of those days where we ran out of time and had to get Talinn to bed.  So we literally jumped out of the car and snapped off a few shots in our...parking garage.  Yeah, that's our parking garage.  Classy...I know.

Head to Toe: Cloudy Skies, Sunny Pants

Because I live in Chicago, cloudy days are more frequent than I would like.  So sometimes you have to make your own sunshine.  And that's just what I did!

The photos do not do these pants justice at all.  They are in an in-your-face bright, almost neon yellow. I was almost shy wearing them because they just scream: "Look at me!"  

{Jacket: Similar, Shirt: J. Crew, Pants: Gap, Shoes: J. Crew}

I paired the pants with a neutral black checked shirt and jacket to tone it down a little, but it would also be fun to just go there with these pants and wear a bold, colorful printed shirt with them.  Next time, I will go there!

Sometimes I'm bothered by pairing black and yellow together because I feel a little like a bumblebee but at least I'm a well dressed bumblebee...right?

Other ways to wear black and yellow.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Hope you have a wonderful sunshine filled weekend!

What We Wore: A Day at the Zoo!

So this is a double outfit post: what I wore and what Talinn wore to the zoo.  This is my typical mom uniform.  I wear it at least once every weekend.  I just switch out the scarf and voila I have a new outfit!

I originally saw these scarves on Good Life for Less and immediately was smitten.  I love the floral print and the pop of colors.  The price was right so of course I bought two.  But if truth be told I could buy...every...single...one!

On a side note, I used to hate TOMS.  I saw them everywhere on style blogs and I was like BLAH why are people wearing those?!?  They look like bandaged feet!  But then I caved and bought a pair...and I LOVE them.  They are so comfortable and cute. Clearly, everyone knows better than I do!

{Jacket: Similar, Sweater: Similar, Tee: Similar, Scarf: Forever 21, Jeans: Similar, Shoes: TOMS}

I've also decided to share some of the outfits that my son wears because I love dressing him!  When I was pregnant, I thought about how fun it would be to dress a little girl if I had one (enter: visions of pink, ruffly tutus).  But then I found out I was having a boy and I had to get creative.  I think having a little boy requires you to shop a little harder and mix and match more.  You don't just walk into a store and see a head-to-toe baby blue outfit and think: that's adorable (like you do when you see a pink one).  And of course I've had to find my own baby boy accessories like bow-ties and suspenders to replace the ribbons and bows!

{Hat: Boden, Shirt: Carter's, Sweater: Gap, Jeans: Similar, Socks: Boden}

This hat is my favorite.  We have certainly got our money's worth out of it this winter.  I love the combination of colors: the orange pompom, the grey and navy stripes and the red applique car.  It's so boy but also super cute.

We got the shirt at Carter's during a buy one, get one sale.  We bought a TON of stuff because it was such a good deal!

So there you have it.  Dressing a little boy can be fun!