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...

coat-J.Crew(similar here ), blouse-Forever 21(more options here ), pants- Ines De La Fressange for Uniqlo (a less formal version here ), gloves-Neiman Marcus (more options here ), loafers-Nine West(similar here ) I love how the ties on this blouse, when left loose, mimic an undone bow tie for a whole after-hours tuxedo moment. These trousers, are in fact a tux-style pant from a collection by Ines de la Fressange for Uniqlo  from a number of years back. Other great features of this shirt are the polka dots and pleats. Note the pleated front AND pleats on the sleeves. This blouse is quite romantic when you take in the sheer fabric and dramatic sleeve, when paired with the menswear-inspired trousers and straight overcoat you get an interesting mix of feminine and androgynous style. The studded gloves throw an edgy vibe into the mix, for a surprisingly dynamic look!

blazer- Ines De La Fressange for Uniqlo (similar here ), turtleneck/necklace- J.Crew (similar necklace here ), jeans / sneakers -Old Navy, watch-Michael Kors(similar here ) Usually when you hear "velvet" and "tweed" you think of more formal, classic wear, but here it's a casual take in luxe material. True, this outfit is extremely similar to this post , which again, just goes to show, how you can take basic outfitting elements and mix things up for different looks. Last week's striped shirt, blazer, & jeans ensemble was bright and fun, this version is a bit more dark and moody, perfect as we head into Halloween. And, a velvet blazer, whether your pregs or not, it is great piece to add a bit of elegance/romance to a simple denim look.   Also, I FINALLY got a haircut, that was long overdue. My stylist, Kim, at Salon Cercone in Shadyside did me right with this buzzed do'. "I...

shirt-Ines de la Fressange for Uniqlo (similar here ), pants-Gap(sort of similar here ), necklace- Lucky Feather (gifted), bracelet- Jewel Mint , ring- Cookie Lee , sunnnies-Ralph Lauren(similar here ), loafers-DSW(similar here ) If you were to describe this outfit without the images it may seem a bit over the top. Striped pants and a patchwork shirt with multi-colored dots and geometric prints together sounds almost clownish in the wrong hues. The subtle white and shades of blue and tan in this look though make it appear almost serene. In keeping with that feeling I went with this delicate necklace, which was a gift from my dear friend Kat who lives in Denver and just had a baby and I cannot wait to see her in December when we're going out for Christmas(sorry I'm excited). Overall I was going for easy and breezy with this look and I love how menswear it feels even thought this shirt boasts somewhat dainty patterns.