Closet crisis

I dropped down to my pre pregnancy weight pretty quickly which certainly makes me happy.   But I'm definitely not even close to being back to my pre pregnancy shape, and combined with the warmer weather it is providing some wardrobe issues. 

My boobs are huge which makes most of my shirts fit weird and I need to get back into a workout routine, get a butt back and flatten this jelly belly again to please the bottoms half of my closet.  I also realize that much of what I use to wear is either not practical, not appropriate for the activities associated with motherhood, or not nursing friendly. 

So I'm on a mission to update my closet without breaking the bank.  I feel like I need to chose each item carefully and try to mix new stuff in with the old stuff that still works.  I also need to shop quickly because we all know time is a precious gift these days.  So help me out fellow moms....

What are your favorite items for day to day? 
What stores are your favorite?
What are the things in your closet you couldn't live without?

Spring Fashion

I didn't buy a maternity coat, so I recently had to switch over to a ridiculous over sized tent version of a jacket called my hubby's fleece. I can squeeze into my ski coat, but it requires a second person to zip me in. And it's snug. And hard to breath. So I try to limit time spent in the ski coat to the coldest of family walk time with Jim and Sofee. Yesterday it was just too cold for me during the day for an outside walk with only the fleece so I decided on some mall walking instead.

I'm loving all the bold colors for spring.
Especially the pinks and fushias.
Lots of stripes and bright bottoms.
And straight legs, cuffed with cute oxfords.

here

What I find a little disturbing is the neon. Why I understand the fashion trends tend to be cyclical, there are just somethings that we should leave in the 80s. While a little neon yellow belt or bracelet might be a cute add on I'm really hesitant to go full out fluorescent again, plus I spotted several off the shoulder tops and cut off sweatshirts in the more junior-ish stores. Good lord help us if the foot high, feathered AquaNet bangs come back.....

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Lists & Links

I made these "breakfast cookies" last night and they are completely gone already! Just sweet enough but not the guilty kind of sweet. Kind of like a bowl of oatmeal in cookie form. We've also really been enjoying a juicy tart morning grapefruit together.

I love this color combo with the soft peach peaking out of the bright yellow. I'm been checking out more fashiony blogs lately including here, here, and here. Maybe because I'm stuck in a a crappy, blah maternity wardrobe.

I also have really been into this blog. Lots of quick posts ranging from motherhood to fashion to NYC life.

I'm heading to Ohio tomorrow on a little solo road trip. To battle my loneliness I picked up 5 different audio books and about a dozen new CDs at the library. I've got everything from Fahrenheit 451, Barbara Walters, some David Sedaris, and a bit of little crappy girly fiction.

I'm hoping this beautiful fall weather lasts through my weekend roadtrip. Any fun plans before the frigid temps set in?

Me and the Sofee dog enjoying a crisp fall camping trip (2009)

Mad Men Collection

Have you seen the Mad Men inspired collection at Banana Republic?

The limited men's collection includes slim tailored suit pants & vest, as well as a collection of kickass fedoras. For the ladies they're featuring a killer pair of cigarette pants, tie neck tops, cardigans, and the classic pump.

I can't believe I missed the 60's. sigh

I'm ready for Spring...

Tons of fun, colorful prints: Boden

Cute, casual everyday stuff: Lands' End Canvas

As always, really cute dresses: Anthropologie

Awesome orange wedges: Urban Outfitters

Tangerine and Peach : JCrew

Now I just need sun and 60 degree temperatures.

Winter you are oh so long.

I blame this on you.

I bought this headband on clearance way back in the summer. You know. When there is sun. I really like the metallic color and the big flowers that are kinda flat so not too obnoxious. I wore it to work and had a killer headache by the end of the day. Sad. It's been sitting on top of my dresser ever since.

Fast forward to the cold, dark, and desolate snow of winter....

Sunday I was up early finishing Jim's birthday cake, then to spin class, a quick shower, and straight to preparing food for birthday lunch with Jim's family. I got so wrapped up in things that I forgot to do something with my crazy hair. So, at the last minute I decided I could endure the pain of the headband for a few hours.


Surprisingly, I wore it all day into the evening and no headache. And I was so cozy in my favorite scarf and boyfriend cardigan from Target. Happy.

Conclusions....

Either my head is smaller.
The headband is bigger.
Or work was/ is the true cause of my headache.

Rump Roast

I spend my early mornings squatting, lunging, squeezing, and stretching my way to a perfectly sculpted buttock. My efforts have left with me with a toned (at least more toned) but significant less insultated booty. Seriously. I'm shivering just thinking about the walk thru the parking lot in my dress trousers or night walks with Jim and Sofee dog.

I have a really warm ski jacket that Jim got me for Christmas last year, but it stops at the waist. So my top half is toasty warm and thanks to good winter socks, boots, gloves, a scarf, and hat most of my body also fairs pretty well. But, my little hiney gets so freakin' cold! So, I've had my eye on the winter clearance sales for a 3/4 length winter coat to double for dress or casual. And luck would have, I finally stumbled upon a steal of a deal at Land End's Canvas on this beautifuldown coat.

It's super warm without being bulky; the hood easily fits over my favorite hat; and I can easily wear it for casual or dress. Because it was a clearance item color choice was limited in my size. I was/am a little concerned about the cream color getting dirty easily, but the fabric is water resistant and easily wipeable. And most of all the price was right.

Regular price $140.

My sale price $49!!

AND free shipping.

Makes for one happy lil caboose.

How many words can I use to describe my ass in one post...backside, fanney, tush, gluts....

These boots were made for walking.

All this lovely winter weather can be hard on the footsies... and footwear. I decided this year I needed to invest in a brown and black pair of non-heeled boots, which turned out to be harder than I expected. I didn't want something too casual or too granny.

I found these Steve Maddens for a steal at Famous Footwear and wear them constantly on the weekends. They are so comfy and the color goes well with pretty much anything. I love having my skinny jeans tucked into boots to avoid getting all the wet and muck on them.

I was a bit more challenged finding black ones. I already have a pair of heeled knee high boots to wear with skirts or dresses but the heel makes them inconvenient for casual. I finally settled on these. I was a bit hesitant at first because they seemed a bit too clunky, but the price was right (and I had a coupon!) so I decided to go for it.

I'm actually really happy I did. I've worn them a lot during snowy or rainy days and they keep my feet warm and dry. I typically wear them for casual but I did wear them to work last week during a snow storm with a knee length skirt and tights and got a lot of compliments. And last weekend I paired them with jeans, a long sleeve tee from Gap, and my black blazer for a casual Saturday morning at work.

The plaid flannel scarf is one of my favorites!

A vintage find amongst my mom's old stuff.

I wonder how many more months of winter I can survive on the excitement of these fun winter fashions...

Soup to nuts

Yesterday an older-than-me lady in the locker room muttered under her breath oh so subtly something along the lines of, "girls thinking they can expose themselves in front of everyone..." She was referencing me. I know this because I was the only other person in the locker room and she was gumbling at the exact moment I was exposing my breast between the time it takes me to take off my sports bra and close my robe, literally about 2 seconds. I was even still wearing pants and shoes.

Apparently she has never met Naked Lady!

Today commuting was back to normal. Leaving at 5:55 caused me to encounter about 15 minutes in traffic delays, resulting in a total loss of about 20-25 minutes from my normal workout time.
"No soup for you."
Actually only soup for me for lunch today.
Trader Joe's Organic, low sodium tomato and roasted red pepper soup to be exact.
I will consume about 10 gallons of this stuff before winter is over (and it's only their no gluten list!). It's so yummy.
And it was already packed for lunch today and has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of time I spent burning calories this morning. I'm not that psycho.

Although I did recently purchase these really cute skinny jeans from Gap and need to keep my girlish figure at least long enough to wear them once...and preferrably throughout fall and winter.

Footwear

My oh so lovely, AND bulky air-cast has required me to reevaluate my footwear choices this week. Especially since most, actually all, my work shoe are heels. I don't know when it happened, but I'm a definite heels gal, particularly for work attire. My choices were narrowed down to slippers, flip-flops, or flat sandals with an open back. Considering that the flip-flop is partially to blame for my current state, I've been leaning toward my dirty old moccasin slippers around the house or sandals when I'm going to be seen in public.

These mustard yellow Steve Madden's from last summer have been a favorite for not only casual paired with comfy jeans and a vintage tee....

or for work.....

with my favorite hip slung Gap khakis, polka dot top, and navy LOFT blazer...

I'm craving Fall.

Dress fantasy

I should remove myself from the Anthropologie email list.

Shirtdresses. sigh...It's just such a tease.

a little splash of lime for the summer

I love this red one. Classic but fun. Fall, spring, or summer. Work or play.

(Is that enough to justify the price tag?)

and this number....color, style, details. oh my.

I better get back to the Home Depot website where I belong.

Dress up

If I had three adorable little girls to play dress up with for Easter, these fun spring dresses from Target would definitely on be on my list.

I love the mix of bright, fun colors.
Aren't they so freakin' adorable?


And pink shoes! Little girl heaven.

My spring wardrobe definitely needs a makeover...Maybe Design Mom will adopt me.

More summer time wishes....

for lots of lovely peep-toes

& fun wedges

Summer time wishes

I usually restrict my Victoria Secrets purchases to unmentionables, clearance swimwear, and maybe PJ's or lounge wear. But, spotting these cute shorts in the new spring catalog last night may just change my mind! I wonder if the super flat abs and gorgeous legs are extra?!

Shabby Apple Shakespeare Garden Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Speaking of dresses...and curing the winter blues.

Check out the Shabby Apple Shakespeare Garden Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

More Snow!

It's snowing. Again. We piled up about 5 inches over night and are expecting another 8-12 today. It's kinda sleeting right now. Yuck. I'll be inside. Extra time for internet browsing, reading, and crappy Tv. Add a few hot beverages and I'm one happy lady.

Early morning finds...

4 Part Living room tour at Oh Happy Day. It's amazing what you can do in a small San Francisco apartment. I really enjoy the color choices. Shades of blues and yellow make me happy.

Cardigan Refashioned. Such a GREAT idea. I have a real soft spot for ruffles and feminine details. I just need to get snag some sewing skills!

Lots of lovely handmade pillows from Martha Stewart, plus a little fresh squeezed lemonade. Is it summer yet? Some others I really liked were made from silk scarfs and tea towels. I think I could even handle that level of sewing.

I've been eyeing these eco-friendly recycled glass countertops for a week now. My friend Sarah saw them at a home show and passed along the inspiration to me.

Now for a little shoveling...

Converse

If you're a women's size 4, 5, or 6 you need to rush over to famousfootwear.com and snag a pair of these sweet herringbone Chucks...

A few things...

I guess I've been busy. Not sure with what exactly. Certainly nothing that's very exciting. I guess I'm overall in hibernation mode. But I have spotted some good finds out there the blog world...

eally cool fonts by Jessica Hische.

A great black dress, perfect for any occasion (courtesy of Stephmodo)

More really great dresses at ShabbyApple.

Super cute hip bag (link courtesy of Design Mom)

LOVING this handmade button wreath (along with other really cute handmade gifts)

...and these sweet knit bracelets (spotted here)

Headbands are for Babies.

I decided on a gray cowl neck sweater and floral headband from LOFT instead of the plain black turtleneck I'd originally intended to wear. It made me feel a little better. I love the black flats with little ruffles I'm wearing today too.

One of my patients is a sweet little women, originally from India(try to imagine her accent). She's in her mid-thirties.

"Oh. you look like baby. " making reference to my headband
"It's good. It's good.....You like candy?"
She then hands me one strawberry candy and a lovely keychain.
"For you. It's good for keys."

White chocolate mocha & vintage

Tuesday night I decided to drudge through the mall for the last of my Christmas shopping. The most delightful part of it was indulging in a white chocolate mocha. The pick me up not only got me through the rest of my shopping but also had me wide awake when I arrived back home at nearly 9:00. It had been a long day for us both, so Jim and I decided to cozy up on the couch to watch The Pianist.

Excellent film adapted from the autobiography of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Jewish man from Warsaw, Poland who survived WWII. Need I say more. Anything regarding WWII tends to leave me teary eyed and feeling a strong sense of quilt for EVER complaining. But, I've always loved the stories.

This was the second time I'd seen the movie, but the first time I took note of the beautiful fabrics and decor of the early 1940s displayed in the beginning of the movie (this is quickly replaced with bare necessities as the families are taken from their homes and forced into ghettos). Lovely floral and paisley patterns, prestine china and vases, conservative knee length wrap dresses and pencil skirts. If you're in to sewing check out this website for lots of patterns for vintage dresses.

In summary.
White chocolate mochas.
The Pianist.
Vintage dresses.