the coatigan

{Coatigan: Target | Chambray: Gap | Jeans: Old Navy | Shoes: Anthropologie | Bag: Similar}

As usual I was shopping the aisles of Target for necessities when of course I got distracted by the pretty baubles and eye-catching fabrics NOT in the necessity aisle. I had recently put a "coatigan" (part cardigan, part coat) on my "want-to-buy" list and lo behold, look at what I found at Target...a coatigan. And to be honest, I love it so much more than the ones on my list. I love the drape, I love the colors and I love the belt. Throw on a chambray shirt, some jeans, the standard red lip and some pretty, patterned loafers and what do you know, you have a picture perfect outfit. 

Gotta love that Target or should I say, women love it, husbands hate it. If that's not an rousing endorsement I don't know what is.

Linking up with Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So.

layered.

{Necklace: Similar | Jacket: Similar | Button-up; Similar | Tee: Similar | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Sole Society | Bag: Madewell}

There's a part of me that's ready for summer (a crazy part of me that apparently has no idea how 80 plus temps will affect this already tired, slow preggo). But if I deny that (tiny) part of myself, I'm really quite happy with spring temps because spring and fall are always my favorite seasons to dress for. 

I love shedding bulky winter pieces and being able to play with lighter layers. And summer dressing doesn't really challenge me because I tend to grab shorts and a tee (there's not much creativity there). I also really love using the pieces from my winter wardrobe with my summer wardrobe like pairing a light-weight sweater with a maxi skirt. It definitely makes for more interesting outfits. So all this to say, I am really loving playing right now and I don't mind if summer waits a little longer before she makes a full appearance.

bright white.

{Jacket: Similar | Sweater: Gap | Shirt: Similar | Jeans: Gap | Flats: Similar}

This is the cardigan that I wasn't too sure about, but now I've decided I love it. I love the bright pop of neon against white pants. But white pants are dangerous...dangerous around these parts. 

Not only do I spill food on myself on a regular basis (the good news is that my belly is so large at this point that it usually catches most of the runaway food), but I also have a two-year-old.

We went to Starbucks for breakfast one morning and I was wearing these adorable new white pants when my son decided it would be fun to put his shoes on them. Now there are faint pint-sized dust marks on them. Of course, once I said no, it was the most fun game ever invented. So it just looks like a toddler ran all over the lower portion of my body. Fun. Very fun.

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Because Shanna Said So.

chambray and necklaces.

{Cardi: Similar | Shirt: Similar | Jeans: Similar | Necklace: J. Crew | Purse: Similar | Shoes: J. Crew Factory}

It's completely okay to style an outfit around a necklace, right? Because that's exactly what I did. My mother-in-law got me my very first J. Crew statement necklace. And surprise, surprise I love it. I loved it so much that the very next day I styled a whole outfit around it. I know...I may be a little overzealous.

This chambray shirt was my first maternity purchase. As soon as my old one wouldn't button anymore (read: catastrophe), it was necessary that I find one as soon as possible. I know everyone has said it a million times before but chambray is wonderful. In fact, it could be detrimental when cleaning out your closet. I ended up keeping a few items because I realized they would look great paired with my chambray shirt. 

The moral of the story, chambray is a miracle worker. Maybe too good of a miracle worker. It might make you keep clothes you probably don't need.

polka dot leggings.

{Jacket: Similar | Sweater: Similar | Tunic: Similar | Scarf: Similar | Leggings: Similar | Boots: Steve Madden}

Polka dot leggings just sound like a really big miss, right? In fact, these were in my closet for longer than I would like to admit collecting dust. I was terrified of what kind of failure I had invested in this time. I mean who in their right mind can pull off polka dot leggings?

Well, I am so happily and pleasantly surprised. There's just something about these guys that WORKS and works WELL. They aren't crazy loud...well, I mean they are polka dot leggings so maybe just the right amount of loud. 

Now the trick is how many times and ways can a pregnant lady wear polka dot leggings without being over the top? Because this is the MOST comfortable outfit EVER. 

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy and the ladies below.

taking my own advice.

{Jacket: ASOS | Sweater: Similar | Shirt: J. Crew | Pants: Similar | Moccasins: Madewell}

I am trying to take a little bit of my own advice. I want to dress appropriately for winter but not be dragged down by the cold! Sometimes it's hard like today when the wind is bone chilling and I need two layers of pants, a big bulky jacket and five sweaters (sort of kidding). But there are other times like this weekend when it's easier to embrace color and fun.

I really love how this outfit came together....casual, comfort. The sweater is a little bulky and layering can be a bit of a dangerous move. But I think it really worked here.

Can I get an amen for my new moccasins? I am super stoked about them. Not my usual style. Just don't mind the fact that they are untied :).

Happy Tuesday friends!

denim on denim.

{Jacket: Similar | Shirt: Similar | Skirt: Similar | Shoes: Similar}

I am really lacking inspiration these days. Maybe it's the cold weather. Maybe it's the sunless sky. Maybe it's the long to-do list. But whenever I feel this way, I always turn to my trusty chambray. It never fails. And if you need a jacket, why not add a jean one? And then throw on a black skirt, some pretty flats and a smear of pink lipstick and call it a day.

That's what I do anyway.

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy and the ladies below.

mustard stripes.

I truly believe this might be the last of the fall-like photos. The temperatures just keep dropping and the leaves are steadily drifting to the ground.

And if I'm being completely honest with you, I would tell you that I haven't worn an actual outfit in the last week and a half (With the exception of the other day. Apparently it's not appropriate to wear an XXL Sammy Sosa shirt and pj pants to the airport. Who knew.) But since I don't really like being honest, we will pretend that I didn't just come clean with you guys. We'll just gloss over that fact and move on to this glorious sweater that it took me a year to figure out how to style. Yes, I am full of all sorts of admissions today.

And let's chat a moment about belts shall we? I buy all sorts of belts: wide ones, skinny ones, colored ones, leopard ones and sparkly ones and they are all comfortably hanging out in my closet where they stay pretty much all the time because I never wear them. I have a large bust so belts tend to accentuate that more than I'd like. I buy them because they are pretty but never wear them because I look too busty. Logical huh? This is an example of where a belt works for me. The chambray shirt is a looser fit and the cardigan is open so the belt adds another dimension but without accentuating my bust. So if you are like me, give this look a shot. I promise you will be pleased.

biker (ahem not the motorcycle kind) chic.

{Lipstick: Cover Girl Tempt Seduction | Sweater: Similar (love this one SO much!) | Chambray: Similar | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Similar}

Just because I'm the mother of a little boy who likes to play in the dirt doesn't mean I can't wear cute clothes while playing with him. Just because we are kicking the soccer ball doesn't mean I can't wear adorable, impractical shoes. Just because I spend my day picking up legos and wiping little handprints off the fridge doesn't mean I can't be fashionable while doing it. I'm a mom. And the most important thing in the whole world to me is that I'm a good mom. If Talinn wants to get down and dirty, I have to be able to get down and dirty with him.

But (and this is a big but) that doesn't mean I have to sacrifice myself. I can still wear clothes that make me feel good about me. I can still express my style. I can go on a bike ride and still be cute. I may not be able to wear four-inch stilettos but that's okay. If you break down every single one of my outfits, they are functional for my everyday life. Usually I have a very comfortable base that I wear when I am at home like a chambray shirt and jeans and then I add cute accessories to it like a chunky mustard yellow sweater and a fun colored pair of flats. Oh and let's not forget lipstick...yeah lipstick makes a big, big difference.

At the end of the day I feel great about myself and I can do whatever my day entails from running after a toddler to cooking dinner. And I really think that's what style is about...making clothing choices that work for you and your life.