Stuck in work or workout clothes?

Do you ever have a few days go by and think, I haven't really gotten dressed in days! You start by putting on workout clothes hoping you will find some time to go to the gym, and if you do, you fully intend to change after you go to the grocery store, after you pick up the dry cleaning, after you pick up the kids, after you get dinner started, after you put the kids to bed.... and on and on. OR do you wear the same thing over and over to work even though you have a closet full of clothes?  It can be easy to get stuck in a rut.

I had a few days living in my gym clothes and I was dying to put on some real clothes today. I am by no means passing judgement on wearing lounge clothes or workout clothes for days in a row - it happens and sometimes it is really the most practical thing you can do (and they keep getting cuter). For me, getting dressed helps me feel better. Now I am not talking about anything that takes a ton of effort OR is super time consuming. I needed a pick me up today, so I threw on the outfit below to go nowhere in particular.  

And yes I had a super photographer - my 6 year old, and yes we were at the playground. And no, I don't normally dress like this to go to the playground. We were killing time while Sam was at piano. Anyway it is really just a T-Shirt, skirt, and necklace - not a ton of effort. But it is a put together look. This is a box pleat skirt in cream with light blue stripes from the Limited with an orange T - I treat this skirt like a neutral that can be worn with almost anything. The shoes are my 'everyday wedges'. I struggled to find a neutral wedge of low/med height that was really wearable for daily use and that didn't look frumpy. You know by now I am short, so I like a little height, but all of my other wedges are too high to comfortably run errands. So these are from Born - purchased at DSW. They are super soft, BUT if I were to do it again, I would buy something with a strap on the back. 

And just to show that this is really not that fancy, I changed up the look with a relaxed denim shirt and flat sandals. This is totally wearable for women on the go. Again stellar photography by my children - and I didn't mean to look sad. 

So if you feel like you are in a rut with work clothes or workout clothes - peruse your closet and pick an item you haven't worn in awhile or that maybe an item that you are 'saving' for something - and wear it today! I find myself saving clothes for occasions that never happen. Have fun with it - you might find it makes you feel better!

Jumpsuits & Rompers

Whew it has been awhile! Crazy summer life happening over here but I am enjoying it. On with the post.  

At first when you saw the title, you might think I was going to talk about baby clothes. But no - there are rompers and jumpsuits for grown women. I have been casually looking for a jumpsuit all summer. I say casually because of course I don't really 'need' one, but I think it is such a fun piece to have in your wardrobe, especially in the summer months. My younger self dared to wear a beige, strapless jumpsuit - and while I don't have the body for that gem anymore, I LOVED it. So I have seen them resurface a bit here an there and was just waiting for the perfect one to find me. 

My first internet search brought me to several graphic print jumpsuits. These are adorable and very on trend right now, but I would choose a more classic styling for this kind of unique piece - black, navy or white. That way you can change your look with a jacket or jewelry and make it last a little bit longer. If I had some extra cash, I would buy this one - it even comes with straps you can attach! (Macy's)

My obsession is this one Beyonce rocked - but I believe it is Gucci and I don't have Beyonce's budget. (I saw this in Us Weekly online  - I feel obligated to cite)

Others that I found have the same bottom style pant as the 'track pant' that I talked about here. I would have to try that on and see how it looked. If someone is reading this has - let me know. I feel like it would look cute as long as it was draped close to the body. Several versions featured a wide leg, like this one from Macy's (NY Collection), and I think this would be very chic and very wearable. 

I love the belt feature of this one - also from Macy's AGB. The belt help break up that "column of fabric" look that I fear when putting something on that covers head to toe. And I love that it is in NAVY!

Now onto Rompers. This is an item I first scoffed at. But the more I see them, the more I want one! The biggest problem I see - besides the fact that there is no easy way to use the facilities while wearing - is that they are all SO short. And the fact that when I was searching for them, the first site that came up was Forever 21 - and I am Almost 35 - so I have to really make sure I am being smart when I am drawn to things I see in there. I mean I am not the only one holding onto a bit of my youth through clothes, am I? Don't get me wrong - it is a great place to get a deal on a trendy piece you don't want to spend too much money on, but I know myself and I have to tread lightly. 

So here is an adorable one from Forever 21 - I like the long sleeves, I think it makes up for the short shorts part (although I would ditch the lace trim). I believe it was the wise Jessica Simpson who said that you can't show boobs and legs - pick one or the other. 

Here is a nice one that could be for a nice night out to dinner - also from Forever 21 - and a bit longer length - very nice.

I searched and searched for more - and I think so many of them are so cute, but the voice in my head is going "hmmmmmmm I don't know" - that one looks like lingerie, that one looks like it belongs on a child, etc.... I can't decide. Interested to know what you all think. I bought one from Target and am telling myself I will just wear it as a swimsuit cover- up. Maybe that is a good compromise.

Must Love Dresses

I know, I know, more about dresses. But last weekends WSJ style section validated my feeling that summer is the perfect time for dresses. (in the fall I will drone on about jeans and blazers/jackets). The article was titled "Summertime and the Dresses are Easy." Exactly. When it is 90+ degrees outside you don't want your outfit to be too 'fussy' - too many pieces, too many accessories, etc... The right dress can solve everything.  

Now I could only afford 1 of the dresses they featured in the WSJ, so I thought I would just post some of my favorite styles and shapes AND highlight some sales.

Gap featured this adorable fit & flare in their email blast today - noted 40% off some dresses. It can be easily dressed up or down. 

This is one of the best shaped, sheaths I found - love the half-cap shoulder and shapely fit. Some sheaths can look too formal or stiff. This one is from Banana Republic - called the Sloan Fit. They have some things 25% off. 

I love a shift as much as a sheath. A shift hangs almost straight down from your shoulders and has a looser fit - kind of a 70s vibe. You can wear a shift a bit shorter than normal since it isn't curve hugging. I found this cool printed one at Zappos on sale for $50.99. I have never ordered clothes from there but I have had success with shoes.

Nordstrom has a ton of dresses - quite a few in my 'affordable' range. I love this one - doesn't it just scream relaxed summer? only $78 - and you gotta love the free shipping and free returns.

Limited has BOGO 50% full price. Here is a great statement dress - work or party. They have lots of cute strapless ones as well - but I know that is not super wearable for everyone. And they had a navy and white eyelet sheath - be still my Charlotte York heart. 

This is a sweet dress from H&M  - I mean like cute, sweet - not "saweeeet". Only $35.00 - that is saweeet. They have a quite a few jerseys dresses that could be great casual dresses, but sometimes the jersey is too thin, then you have to wear a slip, and that can be too much fuss. But I will say when in doubt - wear a slip. 

I would always recommend TJMaxx and Marshalls - and of course your local boutiques. Sometimes they have just the thing that is different enough, but perfect for you. 

And I will just through this out there - I am not sponsored or linked or anything to any of these stores. If I'm lucky enough to get to that place eventually, I will let you know. 

Go Dress and be merry!

Graphic Pants

If you have been shopping lately, you probably noticed all of the graphic pants out there - some of the prints are really out there. I have been dying to try and find a way to wear them. Some of them look like pajama pants, or 'Hammer Pants' and I struggle to think what I have in my wardrobe that I could wear with them. Then last week at the Cardinals game, I saw someone who found a prefect pair. I'm not ready to ask strangers if I can take their photo and post to my blog, so I tried to re-create the outfit here. They were royal and white, diamond patterned pants (trust me I have scoured the internet looking for them - no luck), paired with a white T and red/orange cardigan. I mean red/orange just like the crayon - or maybe it is orange/red - either would work. Any gold jewelry and a gold sandal rounds this out perfectly. Kudos to you stranger at the Cards game!

The other tricky part about these crazy pants is the shape. I have seen wide legged, skinny, tapered, cropped, slouchy and more.  It seems the shape of the pants I like are called a 'track pant' by most designers. Kate Spade called some a 'lounge pant'. Most have an elastic waist and drawstring - which really I can't believe this is not the first time I'm endorsing an elastic waist in my short tenure as a style blogger. They are relaxed through the hip and thigh but still fit close to the body, and are tapered at the bottom - no droopy crotch. The material is usually silk, polyester or rayon blend so that it has a light, drapey fit. Here is another pair from Nordstorm I thought were super cute and pretty wearable.

I definitely would consider this style of pant a quick, passing trend. I wouldn't invest a ton of money on a pair as you might be tired of them in a year or two. But I think it is a great opportunity to have some FUN! 

Another alternative to this trend would be to pick a printed pant with a more traditional cut. I like the Pixie Pant at Old Navy. These have kind of a sweet, retro feel or you could go preppy like 2nd pair below from J.Crew. 

OR - just feed your craving for crazy pants with work out pants - those are everywhere with lots of price points!