Feelin' 32

My birthday was a few weeks ago, and this is what I wore for family dinner and celebration.  We just went to my favorite restaurant, and then back to our house for cake and presents.  The toddler refused to nap that day, but fell asleep in the car and took a little nap on my lap at the restaurant.  He's so busy these days, it was kind of the perfect birthday present to get some snuggles.  I'm such a mom now.

Cardigan & Skirt: Old Navy
Top: Gap factory
Shoes: JCrew Factory

Goodbye Shorts

Shorts season is coming to an end, so I better get more pants that fit soon!  I've been wearing these shorts a lot this whole summer and really thanking past self for buying a few pairs of shorts when I was pregnant in the winter the first time around.  These shorts were less than $5 and I've worn them roughly a million times.  Okay, that might be an exaggeration.  But probably 50-100 times is accurate.  That's a pretty great cost per wear, especially for a maternity item!

I wore this a couple weeks ago when my sister was in town.  John had a conference, and my sister was planning to visit sometime this fall, so I was super excited that it worked out for her to come while he was gone.  I'm sure I would have managed on my own with the baby and the toddler, but having my sister here made it SO MUCH EASIER!  We had a lot of fun while she was here, going to the zoo and the outlet mall, and the boys loved her.  I was actually a little mad, because Baby2 was smiling at her so much more than he smiles at me!  Not cool, baby!

Tee: Guster concert
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shorts: Loft maternity
Shoes: Sperry

Sunday Best

This is my new dress.  I wore it to church on Sunday, and unbelievably got to sit through the whole service and all of Sunday School!  Baby2 was awake but happy and smiling at me for most of the sermon, so I'm not entirely sure I heard much of it, but hey, it's better than sitting back in the nursery!
Dress & Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Madden
Shoes: Target

Playdate

It's really fun to have a baby close in age to your best friend's baby.  Our boys are about 2 months apart, so we are making them be bffs, even though they currently have no idea what is going on (like at their first meeting when they were both just confused). Anyway, after both babies were sick a lot in the first 6 weeks of the year, we finally were all healthy enough to get together last week.  This is what I wore.  

Let me tell you, it was a lot easier to let the boys "play" while we talked back before Mr. Baby was crawling all over the place.  Now I'm like "so, how are things going?  MR BABY!  Don't go over there!  Stop stealing toys from your bff!  You cannot eat their tv remote!"   I'm sure it will be even more crazy when both of them are crawling, which I suspect will be any day now.  

My kid just stole that ball from his best friend.  And he's proud of himself!

I also realized while putting this post together that I'm almost entirely wearing Old Navy.  My shoes are from Gap, but everything else is ON.  This is my new $1 shirt, and I really like it!  My hair and cardigan is blocking the lace yoke, which is pretty cute.  I think it would have been a good purchase even if it had cost $8 like the tag said!

Cardigan: ON
Tee: ON Maternity
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Gap outlet

Mom Style

I've been a mom for almost 4 weeks now!  Man, it goes by quickly.  So, this is what I look like as a mom.  Or actually, I usually look like this:

Things are going pretty well, I think.  John was off work for 2 weeks, and those were my favorite days, just being the three of us.  Then my parents came to meet baby, and my mom was able to stay for about a week.  Then my sister showed up, and she is here now for a few days.  And of course, my in-laws are in town, so we've seen them a decent amount.  Everyone agrees - this kid is pretty great!  I'm fairly obsessed with him, at least.

Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Loft
Shorts: Loft Maternity (let's be real, maternity shorts are going to be my favorite for awhile still)
Shoes: Sperry

Twofer Tuesday - Gray Cardigan

Here are 2 recent outfits I wore featuring my gray cardigan.  Super exciting, I know!  But this is what happens when you are 9 months pregnant.  Comfortable skirts and tops are just about the only thing I want to wear.

I wore outfit #1 to meet a friend for lunch, and I wore outfit #2 over to a friend's house.  Have I mentioned how much I love past me for buying skirts with stretchy waistbands??  Seriously, smart move, 2014 Andi!


Outfit #1
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tank: Old Navy maternity (top 10 remix item)
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Target

Outfit #2
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tank: Target Maternity
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Sperry (top 10 remix item)

Remix Kickoff - Two Favorites

Okay, kicking off the Top 10 Remix with 2 items:  navy dress and mint scarf!  

I have to make fun of myself a little bit.  I recently mentioned on Brynn's blog that I don't really like infinity scarves, and then I turn around and tie this long scarf into one.  The hypocrisy is great.  But something about this outfit on this day just looked better with a scarf/necklace than with a hangy-down scarf.  

Pay no attention to the sun/dust spots all over these pictures.  I tried to clean them up in editing, but I obviously don't know how to photoshop very well, so I gave up and left them as is.  It's artistic, okay?  SO FANCY!  

Scarf: JCF

Dress: Loft Maternity

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: NY&Co

Shoes: Old Navy

Matchy Red

Sometimes, it's just fun to be a little matchy.  When I imagined this outfit, I was going to wear black boots, or maybe black flats if the weather was cooperating.  When I was getting dressed, I saw my red shoes and decided they would be a more interesting option.

Scarf: Christopher & Banks
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Loft Maternity
Pants: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target

This is another example of an outfit that started out in my head a certain way and then ended up completely different.  It all started because Kate commented on this post that I should try wearing that blue/orange-ish skirt with something purple.  I immediately thought of this scarf with orange and purple on it.  It didn't look quite right with this tee and scarf, so I added the gray cardigan for some neutral hoping the neutral would subdue the situation.  I still felt weird, so I just grabbed my black skirt and called it a day. 

I still think purple is an idea I need to figure out with that other skirt.  I'll just have to try again some other day! 

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Scarf: F21 (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact in other colors)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Third Thursday - Wear Pink

Well, October is flying by and it's the Third Thursday already, so I'm linking up with Bri again.  The theme this month is all about wearing pink for breast cancer awareness month.  Perfect time to debut my new pink skirt from Old Navy. 

I think most of us probably have women in our lives who have fought this fight.  Both my mom and my aunt have battled breast cancer in the last decade.  If I think about it too much, odds are that I or my sisters will also end up dealing with it.  I'm so grateful for the medical advancements of the past several years and hope progress will continue so eventually cancer will not be such a scary diagnosis.  In the meantime, make sure you take care of yourselves and go to the doctor regularly!

That's a serious topic for a not very serious outfit.  This is one of those outfits that I felt great in all day, but then when editing photos, I don't think it's doing my figure any favors.  Heels probably would have helped.  

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Tee: H&M
Necklace: F21(exact, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (this style in this color)
Shoes: Gap Factory

Happy Birthday, Husband

You guys, I get so sentimental around milestone days, like my husband's birthday (hint - that's today).  I've already shared my first memory of John.  My second specific memory is of his birthday that year.  I don't think we were super close friends on his birthday in 2004, but a group of people from the dorms was playing volleyball on the evening of the 6th, and the rec closed at midnight.  As we were walking back to the dorms, I decided that we had to celebrate John's birthday right that minute.  So I dragged him and another friend to IHOP for midnight birthday festivities (because we were really classy in college).  And then we got back to the dorms and stayed up way too late listening to music and making CDs (oh, 2004...).  No idea where my roommate was.  The next day, a group of us surprised him with ice cream cake from DQ.  I later learned that he doesn't really like ice cream cake all that much, but whatever.  It's the thought that counts.

Anyway, happy birthday to my favorite guy.  Here's to many more decades of birthdays together.  

And it's Tuesday, so you should also link up with Laura for Confident Twosday! 


Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Top: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Skirt: NY&Co (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Radiant Orchid

 

So, um... what day is it anyway?  The last 9 days have been a whirlwind and I haven't had any of my normally scheduled activities to act as day markers.  Rumor has it that today is Monday and I have to go back to work (boo!).  Anyway, I had a blast with my sister and nieces and already miss them like crazy.

Floral Week was fun, right?!  I still haven't had time to visit all the links, but I'll try to do that soon!  Thanks to everyone who joined in, and you still have until midnight to link up if you want!  

Speaking of link up challenges - Heidi and Marissa are back with another Pantone inspired challenge this week.  I thought I'd have to skip Monday, because my only "radiant orchid" item is a workout tank top, but then I found this blouse at Gap Outlet for (wait for it) $2.97.  It's a little bit too big, but I had to get it.  I think I can take it in to make it more reasonably sized.

And finally, a quick weather update.  Saturday was SUMMERTIME!  We went to the park and were quite warm.  Sunday was cold, windy, and rainy-turned-snowy.  Ridiculous!  I'm just glad it was nice last week, because we spent a fair amount of time outside.

Cardigan: Old Navy
Top: Gap
Necklace: InPink
Skirt: Express
Boots: Madden

Floral Week - Dresses (and a guest star)

So remember how I went to Minnesota over the weekend for my cousin's wedding?  I should be fired from blogging, because I took exactly 2 pictures at the wedding/reception.  Not of the bride and groom, or anything wedding-related, but of my dad and his brothers, posing by a tractor license plate.  They are so silly.

We got back to the hotel and I remembered that I was supposed to take pictures of this outfit for floral week.  So, we are stuck with grainy indoor pics and a hotel room background.  But there are some bonus items today to distract you from the picture quality!

First up - Who Wore It Best, featuring my niece in a dress that my mom made 23 years ago!  Delia has worn it quite a bit over the last few years and doesn't seem to mind that it is SO early 90s!  The turquoise tights really help modernize it!  

Me in 1991 and D in 2014

 Second bonus - a silly picture of us!

You still have a few days to link up your florals (after the jump below)!  It seems like spring has arrived in Nebraska, so I hope that is true wherever you all live!

Scarf & Shoes: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Gibson & Latimer
Tights: Target

Third Thursday - Beauty

When Bri announced that this month's theme was beauty, I was like "huh - I don't really do that!"  I mostly just look the way I look and then wear clothes!  My hair and make-up routine is pretty minimal.  In fact, I did a post about it back in 2012, if you are interested.  The only change for my hair is that I switched to using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and I use a deep-conditioner about once a week.  I also add some leave-in conditioner before I slather on the mousse.  I pretty much have 3 hairstyles - down, ponytail, and bun.  Sometimes, I will do a braid (or two).  But it's usually just down and curly!    

I don't paint my nails very often, because I am notorious for picking at any little bump.  So if the nails are perfect, I won't mess with them, but if there is even a tiny smudge, I will destroy the whole thing within a couple of days.  I should really exercise more self-control with that, because painted nails are pretty!

As you can see, I was sort of stumped, and then Bri mentioned lipstick.  Last summer, I bought some lip-stain and I really liked it, but I always forget to put it on.  So, I made sure to remember to paint my lips pink for this day!  I'm not a fan of actual lipstick, but I love the lip-stain, because the color goes on easily, and then you can add glossiness with the balm.

Anyway, maybe I'll pick up some tips from the other ladies who link up!            

Top: Gap
Cardigan, Skirt, Tights, Necklace: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Shoes: J.Crew Factory
Lip color: Revlon Just Bitten Lip-stain in Victorian

Valentine's Week - Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I decided to be crazy and try the bright red with bright pink look.  This skirt is actually "bohemian red," according to J.Crew.  Sometimes it looks a little bit orange, but I think that helps it look better with bright pink.

Anyway, John and I don't usually do anything too fancy for Valentine's Day.  All the restaurants are crowded, so we tend to celebrate a week later (if at all).  I mean, I do like an excuse to dress up and go to a nicer-than-usual dinner, but sometimes it seems like more fun to just be lazy.  Maybe we'll celebrate next weekend when the crowds aren't out!

This is my last "Valentine's Week" post, but the link-up is open until Monday, so you still have time to join in on all the fun.  Thanks to everyone who participated, especially my fabulous co-hosts!

Top & Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Boots: Steve Madden