New Normal

There's not much about my life that hasn't changed since having a baby. Days are structured around Piper's feed-wake-sleep routine, which leaves me alternating between margins of time in which I'm incredibly productive [laundry! cleaning! errands! scrapbooking! reading! organizing! working out!] and margins in which all I accomplish is smiling and laughing with my daughter while she practices rolling over and batting at her toys [I am equally--if not more so-- satisfied with these margins as with the "hyper productive" ones]. 
Inevitably, my wardrobe has followed suit and made necessary adjustments according to my new priorities. Case in point, I carry a diaper bag instead of a purse. I'd hardly call this a sacrifice, though, because I chose I bag I knew I'd enjoy carrying: it's colorful, bright, & practical in space value and organizational layout. It even came with a changing pad that proves enormously useful while out & about. 
Part of me does miss my purses, but a much larger part is fine with them staying in the closet, on reserve for a date night while Piper's with a sitter or even later when I don't need a diaper bag anymore. I know my purses will be waiting for me, but these times with my baby girl won't. 

The principle here is this: depending on your stage of life, your clothing & accessory needs will change. Wherever you find yourself, commit to that place and embrace it wholeheartedly. There are ways to make any outfit fun, and limitations will only be as imposing as you let them! Be it kids, job, body image, weather, or occasion, don't settle for just being "okay" with your look...learn to LOVE it!

Jewelry With a Story: Part 1

I love jewelry with a story. So here's part one of a new installment on this blog: the details behind some of my most favorite accessories. Over time, expect to see pieces I snagged from my mom, Pandora bracelets, and special-occasion milestone gifts. 

The necklace below was a gift from my parents after Piper was born. My mom and I went to Jillie Jacks, one of my favorite shops in Old Elk Grove, just two days after I gave birth to create this little treasure. We had a great time picking out each of the little charms to signify my little girl's birthday:

• tiny pink footprints
• tiny pink handprints
• a heart that says "daughter"
• a gold heart with the November birthstone, Topaz
• a little girl with a topaz dress
• a pink purse because that's the first toy she received
• and Piper Jade's initials

Each time I wear this necklace I receive compliments on it...I enjoy sharing its significance with everyone from the bagger at the grocery store to everyone in our pediatrician's office!

Charmed, I'm sure.

Mix It Up Monday: Shirt Dress

This shirt dress [now on sale at Gap!] presents a myriad of wardrobe possibilities. Its material is a thin flannel, so it transitions well from fall right through till spring. The lightweight fabric lends itself well to layering for colder days, yet will hold warmth well enough for an outing on a cool fall day. I love the charcoal grey tone for the mileage it gets as a neutral and for something softer than your "basic black." 

The dress comes with a matching belt to tie at the waist. I prefer to avoid too much tone-on-tone, but it can be nice [and non-distracting] if you decide to go all out with jewelry.

A casual weekend look: hooded puffy vest for an outdoorsy touch, scarf for color.

A wide belt with butterfly clasp and coordinating teal tights make for a fun punch; the buttons on the dress are marbled with the same brown tone as the boots. 

Keep warm by layering a cashmere sweater over it--keep it solid so you can wear a major necklace!

Go with the "work shirt" idea by adding a patterned sweater vest.

Touches of silver add sparkle to this basic canvas. Because the scarf takes the place of a necklace, get big jewelry in with a chunky bracelet or cocktail ring. 

New Beginnings

A few things have changed since my last post. I had one of the busiest travel-filled summers of my life, my husband and I moved from our apartment into a house, and just over 2 months later, I gave birth to our beautiful baby girl, Piper Jade.
Needless to say, my style shifted significantly over the past several months, as well. I truly enjoyed my maternity wardrobe, and just 4 days after my baby arrived, I was back into pre-pregnancy clothes. My pregnancy was a wonderful experience, and I embraced my empire-waist dresses and ruched tops for those months, yet being back in my own clothes, sans-elastic waist bands and ample fabric for my baby bump, is a wonderful feeling! [Pictures to come featuring some of my maternity items.] 
For now, I'll just say, I'm back and excited to re-enter the blogging world. As everything else in my life, it's bound to have a slightly different focus now that my little girl is here. Bear with me as I figure out what that means! One thing you can count on is gratuitous photos of Miss Piper...with descriptions of her clothing, of course. 

This onesie has significance:
the night Derek and I got engaged, he took me on a horse &
carriage ride through downtown Chicago. This outfit was
purchased for Piper in downtown Chicago! A little piece
of family history in an adorable format. Win.