hey pretty mama: date night style

 

Last week things were CRAZY.  Teething baby!  Restructuring childcare!  A bevy of other things!  Admittedly, life has just been crazy like that a lot lately, enough that Darrell & I hadn't had a date night in as long as I could remember.  That needed remedied in a major way, so when he asked if I wanted to get a sitter and go to dinner Saturday night I was immediately excited (and immediately started outfit planning in my head to accomodate something new and decidedly not baby friendly.)  We may have been home by 11, but vegan sushi, conversation, and some yummy wine made for the perfect date and reminded us that we really need to make it happen more often.  

Also needs to happen more often?  Outfit photos, preferably when it isn't raining and almost dark out.  Still, you can see how cute this romper is, and it was NINE DOLLARS.  From one of those funky "ordered from China" websites that takes a month to deliver, but frankly the quality is pretty even with a "Show me Your MuMu" romper or something comparable from Nasty Gal Vintage, so I'm allllll about it.  CNDirect may just be a fashion gold mine. 

five spring styles

Doing a complete 180 from this blog's usual stream of baby-centric posts, I thought I'd bring back a little bit of style this week.  

To be totally frank, I've been uninspired on the style front for the past year or so.  I had so much fun getting dressed while I was pregnant - really!  look! - but after the baby was born, well things got awkward.  Nursing boobs, that post-baby bump, the utter lack of clothing that fit.  Not fun!  And then all of a sudden it was winter, and leggings + a hoodie became my uniform.  

Finally, I'm back in my pre-baby size in almost every type of clothing and just in time for spring, I'm more excited than ever for this upcoming season.  I thought I would highlight a few of the trends I'm excited about for the next few months....

(Psst - these are "trends" I've found on Pinterest that will work for my life!  I'm not paying much attention to runway trends any more.) 

1) Cloth pom shorts!!! I think these are so stinking cute, not to mention extremely practical for my life - they look like the perfect thing for playing with Claire, no fuss, cute with a t shirt and the hot St. Louis summers.  I could dress them up with a blouse & some wedges for date night - easy peasy.  

 

2) Off the shoulder tops.  You might think that sounds impractical, but there's a certain amount of obvious convenient here with them being implicitly breastfeeding friendly!  Plus, so pretty.  

 

3) Straw hats!  It's been well documented that I love a good hat, and I have a pretty solid collection I look forward to breaking out - if only for the overly frequent days when I haven't gotten around to doing my hair because my tiny human required a bit too much attention.  

 

4) Midi dresses and skirts!  As someone with only 5 feet four inches south of my hair, I haven't traditionally been that drawn to midi length dresses, but when a baby is on your hip you run the risk of a mini becoming a non-existent covering at any moment, so I figure some extra length won't hurt!  I love the look of these styles, as well.  

 

5)  Clogs!  Truly, I wouldn't call this a trend, but rather a shoe I just love love love every spring and summer.  

 

(I'd also gladly take everything she's wearing in the above photo, thank you!)  

What are some things you're looking forward to wearing this spring?  

 

 

 

capsule outfits/2

I know, it's kinda of a picture overload, but how could I pick when my friend Riann did such a beautiful job on these shots?!  I think that last one is a framer, those little eyes, and the always furrowed brow!  This has sort of been my fall uniform lately, it's such an easy combo and perfect for hanging out with Claire and running errands.  This sling has been a favorite lately, it was the perfect anniversary gift from Darrell (year 2 is cotton!)  

wearing: 

sweater from gap

leggings from zella

boots from frye

sling from sakura bloom, maple ginger hana

Well Dressed Midwest VIP Blogger Lounge/#stlfw

If last week's Blogger Lounge is any indication of how #stlfw is going to go, I am in for an amazing week!  Held at Scape American Bistro, one of the prettiest restaurants in the Central West End, we were treated to cocktails, amazing food, flash tattoos (obsessed), and of course amazing company!  I've been out of the St. Louis social scene for so long (thanks to a tiny human who likes to be at home) so I was so excited to see these girls again; you've never met such a stylish and vivacious group.  Brands who attended got to network with an amazing group of bloggers - myself notwithstanding - all brought together by Well Dressed Midwest founder and host of the event, Lindsay Pattan.  I can't wait to see and hear more about what this new organization does for the bloggers and businesses in our region!  

Mitch STL

So full disclosure: I almost always feel like I must be the MOST boring person to any hairstylist.  I don't color, mostly just get trims, and I like a standard blowout.  I would've done my usual wash, air dry, curl for the Well-Dressed Midwest Blogger Lounge this week, but then the perfect collaboration fell into my lap!  Jack at Mitch STL contacted me about coming in for something fresh, and I was so grateful.  Fashion Week is upon us and my hair needed some help.  I love the Grove (maybe the coolest neighborhood in St. Louis?) and I knew it was a match made in heaven when I pulled up next to this red door - don't you just LOVE a red door? My future dream home has a cherry red front door just like this.  

photo courtesy of mitch stl

The salon itself is gorgeous, set in the main floor of a renovated south city home.  The floor to ceiling windows in the main room make for some amazing light, even on the rainy day I visited them. 

photo courtesy of the stylist

I came in, took a look around, and Jack offered me water, wine, or beer.  I picked water because it was 12:30, but could absolutely see myself coming back another afternoon and having a glass of wine because Jack is exactly the kind of person you want to have a drink with - he was interesting, engaging, and funny; what more could you want in a hairstylist?  I think my favorite part of visiting Mitch was getting to chat with him for a bit!  (Okay, and the scalp massage - isn't the best part of any hair appointment the scalp massage?)  

After we talked a bit about my usual routine & my lifestyle, we ended up just freshening up what I already had - then Jack teased the heck out of it for the big blogger bash that evening!  It fell a bit in the rain, but I was so happy with it when I saw this promo shot from the party the next day: 

photo courtesy of alive magazine - bloggers Julia of Oh, Julia Ann, Rachel of Style Everyday, myself, and Marisa of Vogue Rhythm.  

Shinier and bouncier than it's been in MONTHS.  He also gave me a nice little mom hack: velcro rollers do wonders for the haircut he gave me!  No heat means I can wear the baby while they do their work - game changer.  I will definitely be back, and I highly suggest you do yourself a favor and book an appointment with Jack!  

PS - The lovely redhead on the left is Oh, Julia Ann of lifestyle blogger fame, and Jack is responsible for her pretty locks as well.  We've both let the secret that he's in town out now, and I have no doubt that within a few weeks getting in with him will be easier said than done!  

fashion week wardrobe/well dressed midwest blogger lounge

Let's just call this the inaugural "Mary fits back into pre-pregnancy clothes!" post.  I missed this dress!  I love how a simple black sheath gets bumped up a notch in a leather fabrication. I have a goal of buying nothing new for Fashion Week this year (in the spirit of my capsule wardrobe challenge) and I think it's going to be doable.  

I'm wearing: 

Jean jacket & clutch from J. Crew

Dress from Express

Shoe booties from Target

Watch from Marc Jacobs

ps - My hair was done by Jack @ Mitch STL.  I can't wait to share more about this awesome new salon tomorrow!  

capsule outfits/1

Okay, getting this show on the road!  

Outfit # 1: Striped dolman sleeve Forever 21 top & scarf, American Eagle cutoff denim shorts, Sam Edelman fringe booties, Ray Ban aviators.  

my capsule wardrobe pieces

Okay, finally the actual capsule wardrobe!  These are the superstars, the things in my closet I reach for over and over.  Some things I've had for years, very little is new, and almost everything here mixes & matches.  I chose to leave out basics (like plain tees & tanks) and include jackets & shoes.  I didn't include bags, because I honestly am usually carrying a diaper bag!  

Okay, my picks: 

I am JUST now fitting into some of my pre-pregnancy jeans again, so that would be the Gap pair & those American Eagle shorts (they make the BEST shorts.)  I bought the black jeans at Target to fill-in, and they were a seriously solid $25 purchase.  The black leggings are Zella from Nordstrom.  

Seeing a theme with the shirts?  Stripes are a major factor in my capsule, of course.  From left to right: 

Love Tee from jane.com, stripes & striped raglan from Forever 21, peasant blouse from Nordstrom, Striped faux-layered blouse from Loft, lace raglan & striped dolman tee from Forever 21.  I actually purchased almost all of these since Claire was born, the girls are a whole lot differently sized while I'm nursing and very few of my shirts from pre-pregnancy (which were mostly size XS & S) fit now.  

Cardigans are a major factor in my fall wardrobe.  Most of my pullovers & chunkier knits also feel a little small, but hopefully will fit normally by winter!  From left to right: 

Kimono from eBay, striped cardigan with elbow patches from jane.com, olive draped cardigan from Forever 21, red cardigan & aztec hooded cardigan from jane.com.  You're going to see a theme here, jane.com is awesome.  That olive cardi in the middle is a champ, it somehow seems to match just about anything and I've owned it for I believe like FIVE years!  

I wear dresses pretty frequently, although less often than I used to because all these clothes need to be nursing friendly.  Still, there is the odd dinner out or party where we don't take a baby so a few of these made the cut regardless.  From left to right: 

Aztec printed body con mini from ASOS, black leather shoulder mini from Forever 21, striped sheath, baseball tee dress, grey maxi, navy & white sheath, and army green baseball tee dress all from Sonnet James.  I should add (not to be a broken record) but Sonnet James dresses rock.  They're nursing friendly, pregnancy friendly, flattering to basically anyone, and I think really affordable for the quality.  Also, that leather shoulder mini will get worn with tights!  

I had so much trouble narrowing down the jackets (and honestly can't promise that I won't end up reaching for one of the eliminated pieces) but here are the all-stars, from left to right: 

Khaki trench from Gap, black leather moto jacket from Express, leopard trench from Banana Republic, navy field jacket from Old Navy, cognac leather biker jacket from Forever 21, denim jacket & herringbone blazer from J. Crew.  

Gap makes a really fab trench, and Forever 21 faux leather jackets are where it's AT.  I get oodles of compliments on the ones I own and no one ever suspects that they're fake leather.  

Here's a straggler I had forgotten in the car, but I had to throw it in because it's probably my favorite! Also from, where else, Forever 21.  

I was actually kind of impressed with my paring down of the shoes!  I actually ended up selling some pairs that I realized I don't often reach for.  

Boots from left to right: 

Grey booties with a glitter heel from Vince Camuto, cognac "Jane" boots from Frye, wine buckle flat boots from Steve Madden, fringe booties from Sam Edelman, green Hunter wellies, and the black faux "harrow" booties in the front are from Forever 21.  

I've had all of these shoes for over two years.  

And the flat shoes (plus one pair of stilettos, because you have to!)

Left to right back row then front: 

Pointed flats & leopard flats from Target, white Converse, oiled black Birkenstocks, burgundy New Balance, leopard sneakers from Sam Edelman, and studded black pumps from Macy's.  

So, 43 in total!  A little more than the original inspiration of 37, but like I said, no need for jackets in Austin TX!  It's going to get scary when I also need coats - I have a serious thing for coats.  Maybe I'll do a gradual trade out of the jackets for their coat counterparts?  I'll keep you posted!  

My additions that don't factor into the overall count will be: hats, tights, sunglasses, purses, scarves, jewelry, and layering basics like v neck tees & tanks.  

Have you created a capsule yet?  Started posting any outfits?  Tag your photos on Instagram with #lshdcapsule so I can see!  

capsule wardrobe: autumn edition

It's an undeniable fact: when you become a mom, your style just changes.  While I'd love to say that I still put on heels every day, lay out outfits the night before, and wear everything from strapless dresses to harem pants that would be a total lie.  I've pretty much resorted to uniform dressing, and that's been the most successful way for me to get out of the house looking decent most days.  

When I heard about this capsule wardrobe concept, it immediately appealed to me.  I'm still a size away from my pre-pregnancy size and not very motivated to spend much money on clothes, so following a guide that involves me downsizing my closet rather than adding to it sounded like a great solution.  I'm also currently sharing a closet with Claire in a one bedroom apartment, so having a wardrobe that takes up less SPACE was also a factor.  Coats take up SO MUCH ROOM.  

Here is the basic premise: you take your wardrobe down to 37 pieces.  That's it.  

You don't count accessories like scarves, tights, jewelry, or sunglasses, but shoes & handbags count!  Workout clothes also aren't part of the picture.  I'm still on the fence about coats & jackets - living in the midwest, we have some serious winters & a lot of variation in temperature.  The girl who came up with this concept lives in Austin, Texas so I think there's some wiggle room there.  

I started by thinking about what I do in my day to day life - do I get dressed up very often?  

No.  Maybe once a month for a wedding or event, so I only really need one party dress and fancy pair of shoes (still debating whether Fashion Week will play a part in this section.  I think borrowing clothes from friends for events is fair game.)    

Do my clothes need to have a certain function?  

Yes, they need to be mostly nursing friendly.  

What colors do I want to stick to?  

I'm mostly focused on grey, cream, black, and cognac for fall, with accents of burgundy, green & navy.  

Next week I'll be sharing each and every piece I selected, and from then on outfit posts will become a sort of challenge as to how far I can stretch 37 pieces!  I'm hoping this project will be a liberating exercise in minimalism.  The photos in this post are from my collection of inspiration for this fall's capsule from Pinterest, which you can see in it's entirety here.  I know, you're shocked by the inclusion of jeans, flat sneakers, leather jackets, and stripes.  We're not reinventing the wheel here, this is about creating something that works perfectly every day.  

I'd love it if you wanted to take on this challenge with me.  Let's make this the fall of organized and streamlined closets.  Let's get dressed in the morning with a minimum of fuss and STILL look awesome.  If you want to share your outfits with me on Instagram or Twitter, you can hashtag them with #lshdcapsule.  I would LOVE to see what you come up with.  

Also, here are a few other bloggers doing capsule wardrobe series' this fall, Hey Natalie Jean & Kate from The Small Things blog with a maternity version!  

mama + baby style/2

i'm wearing: dress - juicy couture, shoes - target, bracelet - banana republic, all last season

claire is wearing: romper - janie & jack last season, headband - little crane headbands, barefoot sandals - similar

get me dressed/saturday night bbq

Saturday evening our friends decided to throw an impromptu bbq, which was awesome because Darrell & I had no sitter planned, and it's always easier for us to bring Claire with us to a friend's private home.  Not so easy?  Getting dressed for the night.  I think I spent 30 minutes tearing my closet apart, because so far summer has been really mild & I've been able to stay more covered up; Saturday it was over 100 degrees!  After convincing my husband I'd totally lost it, I managed to pull together this incredibly basic but comfy outfit, which is actually a dress I deemed too bare on top combined with a simple black tee.  On a side note, why do all the clothes you used to think were downright conservative suddenly seem too short, too tight, too revealing once you become a mom?  

Since this style post isn't too instructive, I thought I'd better tell you about the cocktail I'm drinking.  It's a super refreshing low calorie sipper that's perfect for this late summer heat wave.  

Strawberry Basil Prosecco

1 bottle prosecco

15-ish strawberries

10 basil leaves

In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries and basil until pureed.  Mix together the puree & prosecco, and add to the top several "smacked" basil leaves (clap the leaves between your hands to release the flavor!)  When pouring for guests, serve over ice.  

world breastfeeding week: nursing mama style

Ever since Claire's been born, I've been surprised by how many things I'm still limited by that were issues during pregnancy.  For example - you obviously can't drink while pregnant, but guess what?  You can't really drink if you're breastfeeding either.  Sure, there's the option to give a bottle, pump & dump, etc, but it's all so cumbersome & inconvenient that having more than a drink or two isn't really even fun anymore.  

Then during pregnancy, there's the challenge of dressing around the bump, and although it seems impossible at the time it's actually a piece of cake compared to the post-pregnancy challenge of dressing for nursing.  I'm not the kind of person who wants to seclude myself in the car every time Claire eats, #powertotheboobies, #normalizenursing, etc!, so finding outfits I can wear that provide easy & discreet access when she gets hungry has been a challenge I've tried to take on.  My uniform has been mostly jeans & a loose fitting top, with a baby wrapped on top of it all.  That way I can show as little as possible (like in the photo below.)  Not that it would matter if I didn't want to be discreet, because I think you should be able to feed your babies whenever, however you want to.

Fortunately these challenges don't feel like a struggle in the way that so many things during pregnancy do.  During pregnancy, you're just annoying with how limited your life is getting and oh-so-ready for that baby to arrive by the end.  Now, you have your babe's face to keep you going even when it seems really annoying that you're digging through your closet for a cocktail dress that works for networking and nursing (to which I say, get yourself a Sonnet James dress!)  

Then, you've got Pinterest to provide you with all the inspiration you could ever need for some great outfits that don't feel like a compromise at all. 

In conclusion, the magic equation for looking chic while nursing is: 

Drapey top + jeans + baby wrap + hat/sunglasses with: 

either birks, saltwater sandals, clogs, or ankle booties = 

The most perfect (and coolest) mom-ing outfit of all time.  

*ps - I'm going to do my best to bring back my own style posts (post baby body and all) for this purpose next week, so stay tuned!  

For more style inspiration (for mamas, or anyone!) you can follow me on Pinterest here.