worn{07.13.16}

early(ish) 40s is an odd age. it's very similar to those sometimes awkward tween years. i don't feel as old as the calendar likes to remind i am. i would rather spend a friday with a glass of wine and keith morrison (i'm a true crime addict!) than going out because no pants are the best pants! however, i'm blessedly old enough that i give zero damns about the judgement of strangers. 

women's bodies have always been heavily policed but once i hit 40 i noticed in spades. magazines and websites are constantly blasting us with what is appropriate- hair color, swimsuits, lipsticks, skirt lengths. i'm certain that these shorts would most likely put me on someone's worst dressed list. to some, they are probably scandalously short! but i love them! seriously, navy lace! what's not to love? and, most importantly, i felt good in this outfit! i'm excited to dress them up and wear them for a night out with my husband!

details: shorts-forever21 // top-anthropologie(old)similar here // sandals-similar here

worn {07.06.16}

summer has officially arrived in all of her hazy, hot, and humid glory! these days the requirements for getting dressed are simple. it must be comfortable. it must be cool. it must be toddler friendly.

this dress is a resounding yes for all three! bonus, it's super affordable! it comes in three different patterns. i bought all three and i've basically been living in them.

i don't even know if this counts as an outfit because it feels like i'm wearing pjs! i've dressed it up with heels, a belt and accessories. i've thrown it over a swimsuit to run to the store. i've worn it with flat sandals. these dresses have become a wardrobe staple! fingers crossed they make a similar version for fall!

details: dress-h&m// sandals- (similar here) 

worn {05.17.16}

this dress, you guys. it is a favorite from my anthropologie #alldayeryday life. sigh. i miss the days when i wore a dress and heels because i could!  

it also feels really, really good to be able to fit into some of my old favorites again. true story. i mean that top button may be on the struggle bus but the side zipper went up without any trouble or assistance from my husband!  

worn{toddler style}

this post is sponsored by OshKosh B'Gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

 

i'll let you in on a little secret, i love dressing my little guy! i know girls have so many options but together outfits for a little boy can be so much fun! i decided early on that i would approach his wardrobe the same way i approach mine- color, pattern and print. i look for good quality basics with fun touches to give his outfits a whimsical twist. i can always find something for him at osh kosh!  

i brought my oldest home from the hospital in an osh kosh outfit! who could have guessed almost 25 years later i would still be shopping for kids clothes! 

i'm in love with the modern mix of colors and the quirky twist on a preppy staple, the embroidered shorts. his have dinosaurs!! 

he looks absolutely adorable but can still run and play! toddlers are mess magnets! #truestory his things from osh kosh hold up like a dream so i never worry that he may be jumping in mud puddles in his adorable easter outfit!!

this outfit is perfect for easter sunday but also hanging out with mom on a monday afternoon running errands and eating easter cookies!

head on over to osh kosh and check out all of the great new spring stuff. use Spring16 to save 25%

worn{3.8.16}

ditsy floral, ankle boots, distressed denim and a pop of neon- this outfit feels a little early 90s in the best way! also, shifts are my new favorite. they are forgiving and easy to wear. i need more of these in my life. i added some blue to my hair. i may be going thru some kind of mid-life crisis but i'm in love with it!  

 

 

  

worn{2.2.16}

another lovely spring day...in february!  i'm kind of okay with light layers and sunglasses this time of year. 

this isn't fancy despite the sparkly sneakers. but, it's the perfect mix of casual and comfortable necessary for wrangling my super active toddler! i think i got this t-shirt at target. it has a little chiffon trim along the neckline and it's the softest cotton!  i'm now kicking myself for not buying it in more colors. #rookiemistake   

worn{1.25.16}

yesterday we headed to the cincinnati art museum. it was the final day for the high style: twentieth-century masterworks from the brooklyn museum costume collection. the dresses in the collection were beyond gorgeous! however, the crowd was a little intense. note to self: do not wait for the final day to see an exhibit.  despite that one tiny quibble,  it was a perfect sunday afternoon outing.

these thrifted jeans continue to be a wardrobe mvp! last week i scored these cute little boots on sale at target. oh, target, why can't i quit you?!     

worn{1.7.16}

sometimes i wonder if people who have met me in the past few years would recognize the old me.  there are so many things in my life that have changed in the last five or six years. some are much better. some are just different. and some. well, i long for those days. i've mentioned before that my style and self esteem have taken a major hit. i miss the days where i wore fancy dresses and heels just because it felt good! i'm challenging myself to get a little bit of that back this year. this means that i'm forcing myself to let go of my daily mom uniform and "dress up" at least one day a week. of course dress up is a relative term but i'm holding myself to no yoga pants, leggings or uggs on those days.

it's been a fairly mild winter in ohio. i only had a few errands to run with the little and none of them included sitting/playing/crawling around on the floor so i threw caution to the wind and wore a dress!

i love that this dress has enough weight to it that i can pair with tights and sweaters when it's cool but it's light enough that i can wear it with sandals in the warmer months.  i tend to layer over things and it never really occurred to me to use the dress as a top layer over this plaid shirt. don't know why i needed to see it on pinterest to make it click but thanks pinterest! here's to banishing the wardrobe blues in 2016!