Outfits Not Just Clothes

 Hi Friends! It's been a while, what with the holidays, traveling, back to school, cold and snow weather. I hadn't planned a post today, but a Facebook memory popped up from way back in January 2016 and got me thinking... (warning I do mention mental health struggles and weight loss after both rounds of pics)  Original post  here . Look at her, at 35, about 8 weeks from having her first baby, on a January day freezing to get these outfit pics. Trying to hide how exhausted and out of touch with her body she was feeling. I'm wearing a wrap dress from Banana Republic and a velvet blazer from an Ines de la Fressange collab with Uniqlo .  She does not look happy here, and in heels in the grass to boot!  What an odd time it was for me that first maternity leave. We had moved a month before Charlotte was born, so new house, new neighborhood, new baby, parents and in-laws over every weekend to be around new baby. I struggled with breastfeeding and while the weekends h...

 On a warmish day here recently, I had some fun with a eclectic outfit for the daycare pickup run.  coatigan- Nordstrom Rack , sweater-Mango(similar here ), pants-Uniqlo(similar here ), combat boots-Nordstrom(similar here ), ring- Skelton Jewelry , lips- MAC nail- tenoverten I've never been one to shy away from an eclectic OOTD, as seen here and here . For this outfit I layered a cropped sweater top under a coatigan as a mid-layer then shed my overcoat for a few quick pics on the way to daycare pickup. These pull-on flannel pants are such a fun take on winter loungewear. The print suggests a more springtime vibe, but the dark colors and fabric are right in line with winterwear. The combat boots, dark lip, and darker nail give the overall look a bit of edge, while the ring is a subtle accessory, no need for any other jewelry. Was this a bit much for a school run? Do the teachers, kids, and other parents even notice?  Am I wearing elevated clown pants? Should I have stood...

 Turtleneck, Layers, & Pull-On Pinstripes coming at you! turtleneck-H&M(similar here ), coatigan-J.Jill(similar here ), pants-Banana Republic Factory(similar here ), coat-Asos(more options here ), boots-LL Bean(similar here ), ring- Mejuri , necklace-Thrifted, sunnies- DIFF Eyewear For this OOTD I layered my beloved coatigan (cardigan/coat hybrid) under a trench for a extra bit of warmth and texture. I always like to approach a mid-layer with the idea that it should bring another element to the overall look, and add sense of coziness.  Speaking of cozy, these pull-on pants are a dream. They have the appearance of a traditional trouser, but the feel of sweats without the worn-out slouch. Plus the pinstripes are a subtle way to work in a bit of print to break up all of the solids. With pull-on pants consider ordering a size down from you normal size to maintain a good fit without the droop.  As for this week's turtleneck, it actually kicked off this whole turtleneck...

  jacket-Nordstrom(similar here ), blouse-J.Crew(more options here ), pants-Gap(similarish here ), necklaces-Benevolence LA(more here ) & Mejuri , bracelet- Bayou With Love , rings-Mejuri( here & here ), flats- Dr. Scholl's Shoes I purchased this brushed jacket in the spring thinking about how wonderful it would be to don now in autumn, and I couldn't have been more right! This is comfy, yet sophisticated outwear that's perfect as a blazer/cardigan/jacket hybrid over both dressier fare (as above) and could totally work with casual looks any day of the week. For this OOTD I paired it with a floral, bee-printed blouse, picking up the hue of the jacket, and standard black cropped trousers.  Leopard print flats add a second print just for the fun of it, and I accessorized with my go-to jewelry here as of late for a lovely little date night with my husband. It was actually a date afternoon to grab a late lunch/early dinner at Dive near our neighborhood  I'm also th...