Rocked it & Swapped it

One of my favorite brands that we had the honor of working with this past year was cabi Clothing. I first began working with them last Fall on my personal blog, but in Spring of this year Kaitlyn joined in all the fashion fun. This is a brand that I support for so many reasons, and one that we make no money off if you end up shopping. So why do we love cabi so much? They not only have amazing fashion, outstanding quality to their pieces, timeless and trend items that can be worn year after year, but from a company standpoint, they give back in such wonderful ways (both nationally and globally). Now that is something we are both proud to stand behind! 

This is the Pirouette Dress and an item that Kaitlyn picked up from the line this Fall. I love how she paired this outfit! She is wearing head to toe cabi Clothing and the "In the Band" jacket is just the right amount of structure to this girly floral dress. When I got this beauty in my swap bag, I couldn't wait to wear it to my second Thanksgiving party. I used the tie and belted the waist to shorten the dress a bit and added a shiny gold heel to dress it up. In the end, it was probably one of my favorite dresses to wear! Seriously. 

Have you shopped the cabi Clothing Fall line? What do you think of how we styled the dress? Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today, I hope you make it a great day! xo

Rocked it & Swapped it

This swap post is one of my favorites because it's a two item Rocked it & Swapped it. By now you all know of our love for cabi Clothing, but this bow neck blouse and plaid coat are next level. If you love either of these items as much as we do, contact a cabi Clothing stylist stat! They will be your all time favorites for years to come, the quality of both are amazing, and the print and color on the jacket is absolutely stunning. You will not be disappointed, I promise!

OK, now onto our styling. When I wore my blouse and jacket back in August, I paired it with a super chic faux leather trimmed skirt and two-tone boots. I finished my look off with gold jewelry and a bold lip color. When Kaitlyn styled her blouse and jacket in November, she went a more casual pairing. By adding color denim and floral print flats her top and jacket took on a new look. I love just how versatile these pieces are! This would also be a great example of how to style these items from day to night, don't you think?

What do you think of our pairings? Are you a fan of the blouse and jacket? Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today, I hope you make it a great day! xo

Stepping Out in Floral Style

I love when a fresh wardrobe piece inspires me to step outside of my comfort zone and mix up my personal style. I’m typically more classic with a twist than boho chic, but when I tried on the “In the Band Jacket,” it felt like the two styles had come together in sweet harmony. The juxtaposition of the feminine floral dress with a menswear-inspired coat seemed like the perfect storm. The military-inspired jacket is a fresh alternative to one of my regular Fall uniforms—jeans, tee, and moto jacket combo—so it’s a welcome change. This structured jacket adds a bit of edge to any look, yet seems effortless at the same time.

Obviously these photos were taken a few weeks ago when bare legs were still an option - Oh, how I already miss those days! But that said, how CUTE would this look with tights? I actually have them in gray and navy and I'm thinking either would be a nice touch and now that I think about it, it would make a perfect Thanksgiving outfit since this shift dress offers plenty of room for seconds and even thirds. Hmm, I'm off to re-evaluate...

How do you step out of your style comfort zone?

Thanks for reading! Xo

Wearing:

Jacket, Dress, Booties, Earrings: c/o Cabi Clothing

Bag: Target

Hat: Sole Society (similar)

Glasses: Old Navy

XoXo, Gossip Girl

I am officially naming this look "Gossip Girl meets Girl Boss." I am a sucker for anything with a bow, so I jumped at the chance to channel my inner Blair Waldorf with this feminine tuxedo blouse and and my absolute FAVORITE coat of the season, this beautiful plaid trench. (Not to mention, an ivy covered wall? I was pretty much living out an entire day at Constance Billard on the Upper East Side). To keep things modern, I paired my top with jewel-tone corduroys which are my go-to Fall color and SO comfortable. 

Let's not forget to draw attention to the best velvet loafer/flats I have probably ever owned to date...We have already boasted about them various times but it's only because they're the kind of shoe you want to wear everyday and that means you guys NEED to know about them.

Basically, there's nothing about any of this 👆 that I don't love.

With Gossip Girl on the mind, answer me this: Were you team Blair or Serena? I loved them both for different reasons (Blair, her attitude and Serena, her perfect hair) but I'm a huge Blake Lively fan in general so she generally won out. Does that girl EVER have a style fail? Sigh, I miss the good old days of teen dramas on the CW. 

But wait...I just finished the first season of Riverdale so I guess my taste hasn't changed all that much... 😂

How do you feel about this super prepster style?  Thanks for reading!
Wearing: 
Top, Pants, Jacket, Shoes, Bracelet: c/o Cabi Clothing Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (similar) Sunnies: Old Navy Lipstick: Glo Skin Minerals

Rocked it & Swapped it: Military Jacket

It's true: We LOVE a menswear-inspired jacket, especially when mixing it with feminine pieces. This year, the the military-inspired jacket is a big trend and a fresh alternative to one of our regular Fall favorites, the moto jacket, so it’s a welcome change. This structured jacket from Cabi is an obsession for us this season! It features bands across the chest accented by decorative metal dome buttons, hidden hook-and-eye closures, and ponte twill fabric that's SUPER comfy. It's a great way to add a little bit of "fierce" to any look, yet makes your outfit seem effortless at the same time.
Lisa layered her jacket over a classic jeans & turtleneck look which took her style from everyday to edgy while I chose to double up on the menswear look with a tuxedo blouse underneath. Stay tuned... I'll be sharing another fun way I styled this jacket on the blog soon!

SHOP MILITARY JACKETS:

What do you think of this trend? 

How would you wear it?

Do Something DIfferent Today

I got dressed in this look the other day and all I heard in my head as I glanced in the mirror was Leslie Knope Amy Pohler, decked out in a velour sweat suit, reminding her teenage daughter that she's anything but a "regular Mom." It's one of my (and most everyone's) favorite lines from the movie and even more appropriate in my life now a days. Luckily, I still have a decent amount of "cool" years left with my son before he gets embarrassed by how many times I kiss him on the cheek. I literally give him hundreds a day and he gives me the biggest smiles in return. If only I could bottle up these moments for some of those rejection days in the future! ;)

My shirt serves as a great reminder these days, as I have embraced so much "different" already... I've been having a hard time adjusting to the thought of returning to work soon and not being by my little man's side every moment. Over the past 3 months, we have developed a nice routine that keeps the both of us happy (most days!) so of course, it's going to be a little difficult to change it again. It hurts my heart to think of him missing me, wondering where I am. It's just so hard for Mom's (and Dad's) to figure out the best solutions for their Family. There is a lot of stress that comes with delving into decisions regarding daycare, nanny-shares, staying at home, and so on. Between the financial worries and guilt (which inevitably happens no matter what decision you make), it can make you feel like you lose either way.
BUT --  I think about how many times I've worked myself up since he's been born, thinking how different and challenging everything was going to be and so far, it's all turned out just fine.
Before he came into the world, I was so worried about labor -- but I did it.
When I started breastfeeding, I was worried it would never get easier -- It has.
When I could hardly function because he was barely sleeping during the first few weeks -- I somehow still did.
When my husband went back to work after a few weeks, I was worried about being alone with the baby -- And we've done great.

So while it will another adjustment for us, I am confident that our new schedule will not change the wonderful bond and routines we have already created. I'm so lucky to have a supportive team who is allowing me to work from home a few days a week and Family who is kind enough to watch Ro while I'm at the office. That way, I still get to be present, both at work and for my sweet little boy, creating a good balance for everyone. As a Mom who has handled many challenges already, I feel empowered to climb yet another "mountain." I'm starting to think there's nothing we women can't do ;)

SHOP MY LOOK:

Mom's...How have you handled similar struggles?  What has worked best for you?
Thanks for reading! Xo
Wearing:
Shirt: c/o Mixology Pants: c/o Cabi Clothing Blazer: Old, similar here Booties: c/o Cabi Clothing Purse: Old, similar here Necklace: Park Lane Jewelry Bow: Forever 21

Rocked it & Swapped it: Cabi Velvet Loafers

Everyone needs a great pair of loafers (or ten pair for that matter), and these velvet floral beauties from cabi Clothing are our favorites! They can easily be dressed up or dressed down, and can be styled and paired with literally any outfit. We both opted to style ours with everyday wear, giving a great pop of print to each of our looks. When Kaitlyn styled hers, she wore a classic t-shirt paired with a skirt for a  mid-day coffee date. I later styled mine with a cozy knit and denim cut-offs for a day of errands and a quick trip to the kids school.

Do you own a pair of loafers? Admittedly, I own seven pair, some for the summer months, some for the fall and winter months, some solid colored, and some print. I mean, it really is the perfect style shoe and did I mention how comfortable they are? As a mother-of-two, I am literally always running around. I love me a great heel, but flats are so key for keeping up and playing with the kiddos. Here are a few of my favorites currently selling.

SHOP THE LOOK:

How many pairs of loafers do you own? If you can only get one pair, we highly recommend these beauties cabi put out this season! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today, I hope you make it a great day! xo

Having a Moment with Uneven Hem Denim

Focus on the fit, not the size...easier said than done, right?

Seriously though -- When it comes to denim, not all sizes are created equal and as women, this can be extremely frustrating. I've talked about it before and I'm telling you guys again because this is IMPORTANT STUFF in the world of women's clothing - If you're looking for a new pair of jeans that feels like they were custom made for you, there's no more need to cry in the dressing room or go on Kanye's workout plan because the pair is out there already. 

It DOES exist -- (Santa? M&M's? Anyone?) 👀

Fitcode is awesome because it helps you find jeans that will look and feel great based on fit instead of size. How many times does a size 4 fit you in one store but you're a size 8 in another? It's whacked out but luckily, there's an easy way to solve this problem -- A short quiz will reveal your personal "Fitcode," followed by a custom "denim boutique" which features a variety of brands, styles and price points, all matching your "fit number." 

This is the second pair of jeans I've gotten through Fitcode and both times, I have been more than pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Let's be honest, I need more jeans like a hole in the head (think I have 18ish pairs...it's a problem), but I'm having a big time moment with the uneven hem so I've had a little trouble holding back from this pair from Silver Jeans. This brand has been around for so long, blending modern and vintage details and most recently, they have made some beautiful updates to the brand which has led to some majorly cool denim looks. This I've always loved distressed denim because of its laid back, casual vibes so when I started seeing raw, frayed edges on the bottom of jeans, it was love at first sight. Even more so, I like that so many of them are cropped, ankle styles which is perfect for bootie season -- My favorite of all! I dread the day when we have to start wearing socks because there's snow on the ground...

Needless to say, I'm going to be living in this pair for quite some time (or until that first flakes fall, at least). This mid-rise style is equal parts supportive and stylish -- Just the right combo for a new Mom! They're super soft, have an above-ankle inseam and oh yes, are completely ripped in the back near the ankle. It adds just the right amount of edge to my Fall weekend style.

SHOP MY STYLE:

And side note -- One of the reasons I love this season so much is because we get the chance to play around with cozy layers because we're not (yet) required to stuff ourselves into thick, uncomfortable heavy jackets. To expand on that, I am definitely living my best coat life this year...I have a growing collection of lightweight coats, sweater jackets and dusters, all which offer an extra element of effortless style to a basic jeans and tee look. This textured sweater topper was a fast favorite of mine! It's a great alternative to a bulky coat, pairs with almost anything and best of all, I can file it under

"Grandpa chic," a section of my wardrobe which (I'm not joking, nor sad about), continues to grow. Both my Mom AND Lisa own it as well and we are all different heights, shapes, etc., so it may be safe to say it looks good on everyone!

How do you guys shop for jeans?  Let me know if you have any questions about finding your "Fitcode!"
Wearing:
Top: Old Navy Jacket: c/o J. Jill Jeans: Silver Jeans c/o Fitcode  Booties: c/o Cabi Clothing Hat: Sole Society, sold out (similar) Purse: Express, sold out (Love this style too!)

Breastfeeding in Style

Before I had the baby, my new Mom girlfriends were so helpful with offering advice on what to expect. One of them told me to stock up on nursing bras and tops because it would make breastfeeding so much more convenient, especially since it happens so often. I ordered a bra on Amazon and purchased a simple blank nursing tank thinking, I probably won't wear this often but it will be nice to have. 
WRONG -- I wore that tank top multiple days a week in the beginning because not only was it easier but early on, I couldn't even fathom looking like a real human and getting ready like I normally would. I was so tired and wanted to wear whatever made my life a little simpler but let me be clear...I really disliked that tank top. It was boring, basic and not something I would ever choose to wear. I felt so blah.
Luckily as time went on, I learned that a lot of my normal, stretchy tank tops worked just as well and because they were already a part of my regular wardrobe, I felt more like myself. I also realized that there are a lot of beautiful, on-trend tops and dresses that may not be specifically designed for nursing but still allow you to do it with ease. A wrap dress is a perfect example -- I wore a lot of Pink Blush maternity styles during my pregnancy because it was some of the cutest stuff I could find and gave me the most confidence but a lot of women don't realize, their non-maternity clothes are just as gorgeous and many of them still offer the support needed when you are tending to your little one.  

This maxi dress is very similar to the one I wore when I first announced my pregnancy and both of them are the most COMFORTABLE dresses I have ever put on. It is so soft, the wrap style is flattering across all body types and of course, the wrap makes it very easy to undo whenever it's feeding time. But more than anything, I love that it doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing something basic and frumpy. It's just another beautiful Fall dress and by adding a leather moto jacket and booties, it becomes much more a date night look than a day covered in spit-up look 😂
#MOMLIFE

SHOP THE LOOK:

Mom's...How do you stay stylish while breastfeeding?
Wearing:
Dress: c/o Pink Blush Jacket: Tobi (similar) Necklace: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Booties: c/o Cabi Clothing Sunnies: Raen Bag: Urban Expressions