Outfits Not Just Clothes

I'm going out on a limb here to softly declare that #springhassprung (fingers crossed) and with it another season of transitional outfitting. Early-to-mid Spring aka Sprinter, is much like Mid-to-Late Fall when you have a mix of chilly mornings and warmish afternoons. When the day can be bright and sunny, or grey and rainy. it can be a challenge to find a functional yet still stylish outfit. That's where a good and versatile outerwear game becomes essential... coat-H&M(similar here ), cardigan-Zara(fun option here ), tunic- ModCloth , leggings-Old Navy Maternity(similar here ), boots-DSW(similar here ), necklace-Bauble Bar(similarish here ) For this OOTD I layered a drape-collared long cardi under a plaid overcoat for an unexpected take on outerwear. The cardigan provides some great options for the neckline, as well as a bit of extra warmth when the wind picks up. The tunic, leggings, and boots combo has been my standard casual unifor...

The weather is finally starting to break here in Pittsburgh, so OOTDs are coming soon! In the meantime I've started by my Shopping List of Must Haves for 2018. Carrier Bag This crossbody/shoulder bag hybrid from Moop is more than I usually spend on a day bag, but I'm ready to invest and upgrade! The neutral grey and waxed canvas makes this versatile and highly functional, both of which are must-have features for my Must-Haves of 2018, Momma ain't playin!  Waterproof Boot Speaking of functional and versatile, I'm in the market for a black, waterproof boot! This option from Nordstrom has tread and is nondescript is a good way, as in it doesn't look like a snowboot, just a neutral black boot, perfect for the office in winter. I'm very much over wearing a functional pair of shoes to get to work, then changing into a stylish pair for being at work. I want footwear that can serve me all day long. That's not asking too much, right? Vest Dre...

vest-Mango(similar here ), dress-Zara(similar here ), pants- Uniqlo , sneakers- LOGO by Lori Goldstein via QVC , watch- Wenger I was a late arrival to the " dress-over-pants " party, but once I tried it out earlier this year, it's been a fun and functional outfitting go-to, as seen here , here , and here . My approach has been to pair shorter, tunic-like dresses with straight, cropped trousers. For this autumn version, I've donned a leaf-motif dress with black bottoms, and an oversized sweater vest. Loving the pocket options with the vest and pants, and the color combinations of teal, grey, and black feel so fresh for this time of year. Plus, these tweedy sneakers are a mom-on-the-go's dream! Fun and functional all around! 

Okay my haircut may be a bit too "edgy" for the level of twee in this sweater...  sweater- Le Tote , shirt- Style Mint * , trousers-Banana Republic(very similar here ), loafers- G.H. Bass , ring-French Connection(similar here ) So... I'm not in love with this outfit... Why, you may ask? Well, I feel like this sweater and shirt pairing would have been better served by a more dynamic bottom, say a leather legging, or even a bright cropped trouser. And why didn't I go with either of those options for this look? Because a leather legging wouldn't fly at work, and it was way too cold yesterday morning for a cropped anything. I needed a full-length wool situation, and while normally I probably would have opted for a heeled boot, slip-on loafers are becoming my de facto shoe because of day care's "no shoes in classroom" policy.  Basically, this outfit is a combination of functional compromises made due to the fact that I...