color me.

Sweater: J. Crew | Similar

Scarf: Target | Similar

Shirt: LOFT

Belt: Gap | Similar

Jeans: Gap

Bag: Rachel Zoe

Shoes: Madewell

I'm busy burning the midnight oil because my baby is in no mood to sleep. So instead of trying to unsuccessfully catch a few zzz's, I decided to blog. Sleepless baby means more productivity. That's an exhausted mom looking at the glass half full.

Every day I draw my blinds, the sky is gray and the ground is white. I am completely over this colorless, cold, brutal winter. And I'm starting to crave color so my days don't all look the same. It's funny. At the beginning of winter all I wanted was grays, whites, blacks and blues. 

Now those colors are taking a backseat (or being shoved to the back of my closet). Now is the time for color, pattern and punch.

What about you? Are you keeping the winter blues at bay with a good dose of color? Or are you still sticking with your neutrals?

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

*I'm still working on finding a groove with my blogging so please bear with me! I'm hoping to get back on a somewhat regular schedule as soon as possible, Thanks for continuing to read!

can you hear the kids screaming in the background?

{Blazer: Gap | Shirt: Similar | Jeans: Similar | Shoes: Similar}

Folks, we are getting to the point where taking outfit photos is starting to get real embarrassing. I mean I"m fine with it. I'm totally cool with looking like an idiot. It's my husband who doesn't like looking like one.

Take these photos. We were going to a circus event (in a rush as usual because we can never seem to leave on time EVER.) And so we had to hurriedly take these photos in front of all the other families heading to the event. But the real kicker is we leave the kids in the car (don't worry we don't abandon them...we take the photos right outside the vehicle). And we put the windows down so we can talk to them. Well, during this particular shoot (and let's be honest many of them), T was kicking the seat screaming at the top of his lungs because well, we are taking photos and he is sitting in the car. Meanwhile everyone is staring at us because I am vainly having my husband take my photos while my children are clearly not having it. And of course he's done and I"m like, "Take one more like this. Oooh how about this. How's this look?" And so on and so on.

I think the real solution to this problem is buying a house where we have a YARD so that we don't have to cart our kids on EVERY single photo shoot. (Hence maybe another reason why we've been lacking on the outfit photo front). Don't you wish there was video accompanying these photos? The things I do for this blog.

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

colorblock cardi.

{Sweater: Similar | Scarf: Similar | Shirt: Gap | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Similar}

So several years ago, I used to be all about designer duds. It's not something I am proud of and it's definitely not s a course that I recommend. But there are few (read: very few) items that I acquired during this time that I believe will be in my wardrobe for a very long time to come. This cardigan is one of those pieces. I used to wear it all the time when I was working; it's a great piece that has a little bit of pizzazz for my mom days; it works perfectly while I'm pregnant; and I truly believe it will last me until I am much older. There are not very many pieces that can be that versatile or that timeless.

I definitely don't encourage buying designer labels but if you come across a piece that might be more than you would normally spend and you can see it working in every stage of your life, then I think that's a pretty good investment.

kelly green and cobalt.

{Scarf: Similar | Vest: Target | Belt: Target | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Forever 21 Purse: Coach}

And because I just can't help myself, what he wore:

{Hat: Oshkosh | Vest: Carters | Jacket: Carters | Shirt: Zara | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Zara}

This is one of my favorite color combos ever (mine...not his). There's just something about these two colors that pop and together they seem so fitting for fall and winter weather. 

And because I am a proud mama, I just can't help but show off my son's style. I adore this whole look from top to bottom. And guess what?!? I didn't even dress him! This was my husband's doing. Sometimes that man really knows what to put T in....and sometimes he's way off!

You guys I leave for Thanksgiving vacay on Thursday. And I have no motivation to do anything. I need to do laundry, pack, and put up Christmas decorations all while entertaining a toddler. I need to get my act together! Wish me luck that today goes better than yesterday!

saturday style!

{Sweater | Pants| Scarf | Sunglasses | Tennis Shoes | Earrings | Lipstick}

A little style inspiration to kick off your weekend! My Saturday mornings are usually pretty rushed (thanks to my impatient hubby, son and dog!) so I rarely have time to shower. Here's an easy, chic outfit that is just perfect for grabbing breakfast at the coffee shop, cruising around the farmer's market, or biking to the zoo. I thought about amping the look up with some fancier shoes, but let's face it due to some poor shoe choices this week my tootsies are sorely in need of some comfort.  And can we talk about that sweater? Can it just get in my closet already?  Oh and that lipstick is my go-to lip color pretty much every...single...day. I love it! It's instant glam!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! See all you lovelies on Monday!

UPDATE: Apparently I was the worst blogger EVER last night. The links are now up to date. Sorry to those of you who clicked on the earrings and ended up with a Sesame Street video blaring in your face. They are all correct now! Bad blogger...bad blogger!

weekend wear.

{Hat: J. Crew | Top: Similar | Scarf: Target | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: Sperry}

This outfit just reads weekend-wear to me.  Comfy and casual with a bit of style.  I wear these Sperry's more than I would like to admit.  They are what I throw on every morning to walk the dog and the number one choice after a long run.  I never thought I would be that woman (read: my mother) who chose comfort over style.  Pretty soon I'll be wearing moo-moos and buying old lady bags because they are more practical.  Then this will no longer be a style blog...more like a what not to wear blog.  For now, I'll just sneak my Sperrys in every once in awhile. 

(Disclaimer: My mom doesn't actually wear moo-moos but the jury is still out on the bag.  And don't worry this blog has been mom-approved. She has a pretty good sense of humor.  And she has no idea where I got my affinity for (or addiction to) fashion.)

Just call me fancy...

{Shirt: J. Crew, Shorts: Similar, Shoes: Similar, Necklace: Target, Purse: Louis Vuitton}

This is my Memorial Day outfit.  We had big plans to go to a festival but then silly us realized that the festival was only Saturday and Sunday, not Monday.  Clearly three day weekends throw us for a loop.  So I got all dressed up and we went to Five Guys and wait for it...the playground, where a little girl totally singled me out.  She looked me up and down and turned to her mom and said: "She's fancy."  Umm...yeah...a little fancy for the playground.  Then she proceeded to point out my lipstick, necklace, shoes and sunglasses.  At least she has good taste right?

As you can tell from the photos above, I'm playing around with my photos.  I think they look a lot better!  Are they too big though?  Let me know what you think.  I think I'm slowly but surely figuring out this whole blogging thing.  One day I'll get there....one day.  Hope you lovely ladies had a wonderful weekend too!

Head to Toe: Going Bold!

This outfit was a little out of the box for me.  I couldn't decide if I felt like a glamorous movie star or a seventy-year old lady in my moth-ball smelling fur coat (my coat doesn't really smell like moth balls but this is a very specific type of Chicagoan that lives in my neighborhood.)

{Lipstick: NARS Heat Wave, Jacket: Similar, Necklace: Similar, Shirt: Similar, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: J. Crew}

I will also mention that the odd looks I was getting didn't help my confidence any.  Granted, I was wearing a leopard coat, a fancy necklace and a bold red lipstick at 6 p.m. while walking my dog and my baby.  But I like to do things fancy!

I ended up wearing this outfit out to drinks with a friend.  And my doorman was the one who gave me the confidence to just do it.  He said: I love your coat and not just because my apartment is furnished in floor to ceiling leopard!