Review: Soft wash gingham shirt by Banana Republic

Soft wash gingham shirt in pink strawberry (size small): Banana Republic, here
Green shorts (size 6): Banana Republic, summer 2012, check in stores for this year's version
Hamptons Navajo high wedge in gold: Jack Rogers, silver here
Belt: J.Crew

It's ok, you can be honest...I kind of look like a picnic table cloth in this shirt.  I even said that to one of the SA's when I purchased it.  Her response?  "Yeah but if anyone can get away with it, it's you." Hmmmm.  Not sure how to take that comment other than the fact that the entire retail world in Cincinnati knows I unabashedly like all things pink and colorful. So sue me, right?  I love this shirt, picnic table appeal and all.

This shirt also comes in a pretty lavendar gingham and a navy gingham.  Both are also lovely.  The shirt is TTS, so soft and comfy.  I can see myself living in it all summer, with shorts, white jeans, and even over my bathing suit. 

I like posting casual outfits on my blog.  I wore this out to a quite dinner with the family and my dad and his wife.  Trust me, you would have fallen asleep if I would have posted a picture of the boring suit I wore to work today.  This outfit may not be screaming with excitment either, but at least you'll get an idea about how this shirt looks and fits IRL if you are scanning Banana Republic's webiste and are curious. 

I've lost weight lately, mainly because of stress, and it shows... unattactively in the baggy fit of my shorts, pants and skirts.  Not planned, and not good.   Life, you can ease up on me any time now.  I'm waiting.

Thanks for reading!

Lilly Pulitzer's silk Elsa top + tweed

Silk Elsa top with floral cutouts (size small):  Lilly Pulitzer, similar here
Multi-color tweed skirt (size 6): Ann Taylor, spring 2013
Nude Colette pumps:  Tahari
Necklace:  Banana Republic, 2012

The past few days have been long and gut-wrenching as I witnessed a dear friend go through the most profound loss a parent could go through.  I'm not going to talk about it on here, as it's not my story to tell and honestly, it is too terribly sad. But if my face looks worn out in this picture, there is  definitely a good reason.  It's been an emotional few days and my friend's loss made me realize that my son being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD is a mere blip on the radar compared to what some parents go through.  If you have children, go hug them right now.  Seriously.  Stop reading this, go hug your kids, and come back.  I'll wait.

I wanted something easy and breezy for the humid weather today, so I pulled out this Lilly Pulitzer top I bought a few months ago on clearance but never got around to wearing.  I have a weakness for bright silk tops, and I thought the floral cutouts on the sleeve were something different.  I wasn't sure this top was going to work professionally, but paired with a tweed pencil skirt, I thought it worked out just fine.  I love the color...it reminds me of a summer pool, which I have been craving lately.  A pool, some sunshine, and a margarita.  I'm not sure how my train of thought went from a silk top to a poolside margarita, but whatever.  That's how my mind is working these days. 

Thanks for reading.  I appreciate it so much.

J.Crew's pinwheel eyelet shorts: Breaking my own rules

Pinwheel eyelet shorts (size 6): J.Crew, here
Merino tippi sweater in stripe monach (size small): J.Crew, here
Coral wedges:  Banana Republic, summer 2012

For several years now I staunchly lived under my own made-up rule of "no short-shorts."  I scoffed at women my age who wore them.  "Ridiculous" I thought.  "You're a mother now.  You're in your 30's.  You are too old for short-shorts!"  You know what I have decided for this summer, from this point forward until my legs are old and withered?  Screw that rule!  Why shouldn't I wear short shorts?  When I tried these on, the sweet sales associate told me I had to get them.  That I looked great in them, that my legs looked pretty.  It made me feel really good.  So I bought them.  I am wearing them tonight to a party, and I feel confident in them. Why did I decide years ago that I was too old for shorter shorts? Who knows...I am always very conscious about dressing my age, and not trying to look like I'm still chasing the good old high school and college days.  In any case, I am happy I broke my own silly rule.  Oh, and my husband likes them too.

For sizing reference, these shorts are TTS to a tiny bit on the small size.  Usually a size 6 short at J.Crew are very big on me, and these are fitted...but in a good way.  The sweater is TTS to slightly big.  The material seems thicker than the regular plain tippis, which is surprising considering this is summer sweater.  But I love it.  The butterflies are very nicely done. 

Side note: Both of these items are still full-price online, but they are on sale in-store and an additional 30% off! 

Have a good weekend! 

A retail treasure found at J.Crew Factory

J.Crew Collection silk kerchief paisley skirt (size 6): J.Crew Factory
Pleated blouse (size small): Banana Republic, old
Belt: Nordstrom, 2012
Heels: Sam Edelman, 2012 

Hello Friday, you evasive lovely thing you.  It's wonderful to see you again.  Lately I've found myself working in close proximity to our closest J.Crew Factory.  Which is good and bad.  Good because I can sneak there during lunch and peruse the racks.  Bad because I am very vulnerable to making impulse buys, like this gorgeous skirt I found hanging alone on a clearance rack.  "Is this a Factory item?"  I asked a sales associate.  She said no, that once in a blue moon Factory will receive a random retail item.  "It's been here for a couple days, I can't believe it hasn't sold yet," she said.  "I would buy it immediately if it was my size!"  Of course that peer pressure was all it took for me to try it on and fall in love.  It's a Collection piece with an original price tag of $398.  Say whaaaa?  J.Crew, I love you but sometimes your prices are completely outlandish!  Fortunately the price I paid was more than 75% off that retail price.  I did a quick Google search and not much came up, I'm not even sure what season this is from. But I adore the bright colors, paisley pattern, and thick silk twill material. It's fun to twirl in too.  Come on, you know you twirl around too when you wear a full skirt!

Now my challenge is finding something to wear with it.  I've had the skirt for several weeks but have had trouble styling it.  I always think full skirts look so pretty on other girls, but I struggle a bit with them.  Any top you pair with a full skirt has to be really fitted.  Really, one wrong move with a full skirt and you land sqarely in frumpville, right?  I liked this old coral top I found in my closet, but next time I want to pair it with a fitted black tank.  I barely have any black tops in my closet. 

Have you ever scored a retail piece at a J.Crew Factory?  Thanks for reading, hope your Friday is fantastic!

Don't be Koi

Lulu dress in "don't be koi" (size 6): Lilly Pulitzer, 2010
Heels: Audrey Brooke (DSW)
Aviators:  Anthropologie

One thing I love about Lilly Pulitzer is the clever names of her patterns.  If you look closely this dress pattern is koi fish...hence the pattern name, "don't be koi."  I think clever names for articles of clothing draws us in, that's obviously part of Anthro's charm too, right?  I'm not sure why...probably because as women we are drawn to the cute and the clever. 

If you work, what do you do when you get home as far as clothing goes?  Do you stay in your work clothes all night?  I cannot even imagine!  I get home and literally run upstairs to change that very minute.  Shorts and a Lacoste polo usually in the warmer months, with Jack Rogers navajos.  In the winter I'm even lazier... sweats or jeans and slippers.  Which makes me think if I were a stay at home mom, I'd be a slovenly slob admiring fashion blogs in my stained fleece and flannel jammie pants.  Hey I'm just trying to be transparent here...I dress up for work every day but definitely enjoy my comfort too!  What about you?

Thanks for reading!

Factory boatneck blouse + sunshine peony

Boatneck blouse in pink (size small): J.Crew Factory, spring 2013
Sunshine peony pencil skirt (size 6): J.Crew, spring 2010
Double strand enamel giraffe necklace:  J.Crew, summer 2012
Heels: Joan & David

Sorry for this craaaaazy picture.  My 8 year old son took it and I think he was literally hopping off one of the porch steps as he was taking it.  But I didn't want to not share this OOTD, so here it is, blurry shot and all.  I totally broke my no-polyester pledge by buying this top from Factory.  But it was inexpensive enough that I didn't mind, I love the color, and I've already worn it 2 or 3 times. So I think it was worth the low cost.  And you know what?  I realize I don't worry about it as much as I do my silk blouses, because I know I can just throw it in the washer on gentle/cold.  So I guess maybe, just maybe there can be a tiny space in my wardrobe for poly.  Who would have thought?

I saw this pencil skirt on Apples and Pencil Skirts and then reached for it in my own closet.  It really is such a pretty pattern for spring!

Thanks for visiting and I hope your week is off to a great start!

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my mom

Happy Mother's Day to all of you hardworking, amazing beautiful mothers out there.  Life is short.  And precious.  And painful sometimes.  Hug your kids, hug your mom today.  If you don't have a mom or kids hug someone else.  I'm so thankful to still have my mom.  I'm thankful to have three healthy kids.   I'm the youngest of 4 children.  My mom always wanted 6 but had to stop at 4...I like to tease her and say she stopped once she had the perfect child.  She laughs at me.

Thanks for reading!