Cozy in a Cable Knit

I have a growing collection of thick, white knits in my closet. Much like stripes, I feel like this is one thing you can never have enough of, especially living in the Midwest. Cable knit sweaters give me all of the, "sipping hot cocoa by a fire in the woods" feels. Though, let's be honest, my weekends no longer involve sipping...If I'm drinking anything, it's water (or iced coffee on occasion) and it's most likely being chugged so I can check off the next task on a very long list. Ah, the joys of Motherhood - Now I totally understand what Cat and Nat are always talking about ;) 
This sweater is so cozy and is pretty long in length with an a-line hem so I tucked it in a bit in the front for a casual feel but it would also be so cute untucked with leggings and snow boots. I'm also a huge fan of these color block touchscreen gloves - They're by Verloop Knits, a brand I discovered in one of our local stores a few years back and they make the cutest (and functional!) Winter accessories. I always enjoy a good pop of color against an otherwise neutral palette and their line(s) are always so bright. Merry and bright, that is...

Wearing: Sweater: c/o J. Jill Jacket: c/o J. Jill Jeans: Old Navy Booties: TOMS Necklace: c/o Evereve Hat: Old (similar)  Bag: Target Gloves: Verloop Knits

A Christmas Eve Look

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. All the excitement and anticipation of the big day without any of the letdown that it's all over which is pretty much always how I feel when I go to sleep on December 25th. I know, that sounds a little crazy but it's the truth. I feel like Christmas Day is similar to your wedding day -- It's something you wait for for SO long and when it's finally here, you spend all day trying to soak every piece of it in and just hope that it doesn't by too fast, but it always does. 

Can you tell I'm a girl who just loves the holidays too much? I attribute a lot of those to my wonderful Parents who always made Christmas such a magical experience for my brother and I. From the earliest ones I can remember, it was everything a child hopes for -- Half-eaten chocolate cookies and a note from Santa on the morning of, a plentiful stack of presents under the tree, holiday music all month long and a long list of traditions that are special to our Family. I have so many memories of going to pick out a real tree as a Family, driving through the Grand Geneva lights (which we still do each year), eating chocolate croissants on Christmas Eve after Grandpa's house, sleeping in a fort on the floor in my brother's room, helping my Dad put the angel on our tree each year and so on. 

Sometimes I miss being little, living at home and experiencing the festivities the way we used to but I'm so lucky to live so close to my Family so we can still share in so much together and I look forward to passing many of these traditions onto Ro as he grows up. I'm also excited to start our own and participate in things like Elf on the Shelf (yes, I know - it's a lot of pressure!) and watching Christmas movies in sleeping bags by the fire...that's one I can't wait for! We always spend Christmas Eve at my Grandpa's house with a lot of Family and so many of my cousins have young kids or new babies as well so it's going to be loud and chaotic but so much fun. Santa will make an appearance and now that I have baby, I get to reclaim my spot on his famous couch in front of the tree :) #kidperks

SHOP MY HOLIDAY STYLE:

And speaking of Christmas Eve, I'm thinking this outfit will be perfect. I want to LIVE in this dress -It's so comfortable (and leaves plenty of room for cookie snacking), a great length, very flattering AND most importantly, it's fa la la festive! It shows just the right amount of skin when paired with these OTK boots, which by the way -- THESE ARE UNDER $40. AND...They don't slouch! I was super skeptical since they were such a steal price wise and I figured I would be returning them a day later but so far, they have not disappointed. I really can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on the real thing so I'm glad to have found a stand-in that works with everything from dresses to jeans. Think these will be go-to this season, until it snows that is...

What are your favorite Christmas traditions? 

Thanks for stopping by! Xo

Wearing:

Dress: c/o J. Jill

Scarf: c/o J. Jill (similar)

Boots: Target (under $40!)

Hat: Old Navy (identical version!)

Purse: c/o Sole Society (old)

Lip color: Crush - Glo Skin Beauty

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!)

A Feel Good Fall Outfit

Wearing:

Plaid Top: c/o J. Jill (similar) | Jeans: Old Navy Booties: Target (old, similar) | Necklace: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Purse: Target (similar) | Sunnies: Raen Lipstick: Crush by Glo Skin Beauty

Sometimes on the blog, I'm looking to step out of my comfort zone and try something new or find inspiration in my current wardrobe to make things feel fresh again. But this look just felt quintessentially me -- A favorite pair of jeans, a classic plaid shirt with the perfect fit, a pop of fun with the leopard print bootie and two necessities in tow: A hazelnut iced coffee and a taupe bag that will never go out of style. OH...and my favorite red (dish) lip color, "crush" by Glo Skin Minerals. It's a little bit red, a little bit orange and screamingly bright which works out well for an otherwise muted color palette. 

This blouse has quickly made its way to the front of my closet. I'm very willing to admit I wore it multiple times this week (each time in front of different people, ok!) and it received numerous compliments. It's so soft and the a-line shape (with a peplum cut party in the back) keeps an otherwise masculine print looking a little more feminine. I love it with jeans but would certainly work well with a suede skirt for the office or under a shift dress with booties. Think I'm going to take my own advice and try wearing it differently next time...

SHOP THE LOOK:

What kind of outfit makes you feel your best? 
Happy Wednesday! Xo

Why Babies + Coffee Shops are a Great Mix

While on maternity leave, one of my favorite things to do with the little man has been visiting different coffee shops. True, I always enjoy making a java run (with OR without him) but as he's gotten older and we've established some semblance of a routine, it's been a nice way to break up our day and get him to (hopefully) nap at the same time. He loves the stroller and really responds well walks so if we're not walking around our neighborhood or the park nearby, a coffee stop is our other plan. That way, not only do I get some "Mommy fuel"... CAN I GET AN AMEN?

...but we also get out of the house and he tends to doze off while I sip. If I want to meet up with a girlfriend or a Family member during the day, I find that a coffee date is easier to plan - It's really hard to schedule anything at a certain time with an infant (like a lunch or dinner) because there are so many variables but because coffee is acceptable at all times of the day so with that in mind, you can always re-schedule for an afternoon date if your morning was a wash. Plus, coffee outings tend to be shorter, giving you a little more wiggle room if your baby tends to get fussy when you're out...this way, you're not committed to waiting for a meal. 

I'm just saying...I think babies + coffee are great in more ways than 1 :)

My mom joined us when we visited a coffee cafe nearby recently and it was such a nice afternoon. It's a tiny, locally owned shop with homemade muffins (baked fresh each day!) and an adorable menu with seasonal options. I love how different the muffin combinations are - zucchini and pineapple + peanut butter and coffee are two of my faves. The owner is so sweet and such a hard worker...She gets in a 3am every day to bake a fresh batch of muffins and believe me, they go quick! 

She explained to us that the shop is her entire life and it can be really tiring but she loves blending different flavors in her baking and coffee and seeing people respond to them is the best part. She learned different techniques from her Mom when they lived in Greece during her childhood and you can tell that this passion has lived within her since. It's stories like these that make local coffee shops (and any small shop, really) so unique and special. This is another one of the best coffee shops in the area -- You must visit! Their Fall menu is to die for. And if you're looking to try out any more, I shared some more of my favorites here. 

By the way, these Cabi loafers are my new go-to for Fall! Floral & suede = the cutest combo!  Expect to see a lot more of them on the blog in the coming weeks...
Have a great Tuesday!
Wearing:
Top: Urban Outfitters (old, similar) Skirt: Old navy (old, similar) Shoes: c/o Cabi Clothing  Necklaces: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Purse: Forever 21 Sunnies: H&M

A Lost Summer | Cabi Clothing Dress

This was not your typical Summer. Actually, if we're being honest, it didn't feel like much of a Summer at all, at least to me. I look forward to these 3 months all year long and at this point, I'm just ready to move on and begin a new season. That's not to say it was a bad Summer - After all, it gave us the most special experience and the love of our lives...but it certainly was different. 
I began the Summer 8 months pregnant (was getting hot and uncomfortable just about then, guys!) and kicked off the month of June with my husbands ACL+Meniscus repair surgery. This was a big undertaking (and would have been even if I wasn't preggo) and didn't allow him to do much, especially for those first 3-4 weeks -- Netflix bingeing was never so real. So between the two of us, we were a sad pair, with neither of us getting around very well and our regular Summer activities being out of the question (boating, swimming, running, wine tasting (RIP), biking,  movies in the park, etc.). It's quite a long recovery, as he is still going to physical therapy and will be working on returning to "normal" for a while but he has handled the whole process like such a champ. 
On top of that, my Aunt who is very special to me had major brain surgery and experienced many more complications than our Family anticipated so it put quite a bit of a strain and worry on everyone for a larger part of the Summer. Her conditions changed on a daily basis so we constantly felt on edge when the phone would ring or a text would come through. We are all very close and something like this easily has the power to disrupt our regular scheduled programming in many ways. However, I am very happy to report she is getting stronger every day and I am so proud of her perseverance.
And if I can just be selfish and honest for a second, I just had a large case of FOMO all the time. It was hard to watch everyone in their cute swimsuits spending days poolside or going out on a beautiful night for drinks while I was excluded from so many of these things, continuing to feel like I was in somebody else's body and watching the precious Summertime pass by. Social media didn't make this any easier...I mean, how many Swan float photos does it take to stir up a pregnant lady's emotions? 😂  Please understand - I don't want to sound like a bitter Betty because I am grateful for so much, especially over the last few weeks. I just wanted to acknowledge that everything isn't always picture perfect. Sometimes, we have to be patient and wait for the next car on thrill ride or in this case, Fall...

  Thanks for letting me vent a bit!  Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week Xo
Wearing:
Dress: Cabi Clothing Purse: Swap Party  Sunnies: Old Navy Bracelet & Earrings: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Shoes: c/o Just Fab Lipstick: Bite