Valentine's Day

It feels like we took these photos a lifetime ago, but really, it was only a few weeks. Adam and I took Valentine's Day off from work. I can't remember why now; probably because the boys's school was closed the following Monday, and maybe we thought we would get away for a longer weekend as a family. Spoiler alert: we didn't get away. We stayed home and cleaned. Must have been a foreshadow to how we have and are going to continue to spend the next few weeks. The current situation/climate only seems the tiniest bit dire, but that's probably because we recently watched "Resident Evil" (terrible idea).

Quality family time: not cancelled. Creating Content: not cancelled. We're all in this together. 

Jacket: Thrifted, Top: Northside Cellar, Jeans: Zara,
Boots: DR Marten 1460 Stud, Sunglasses: H&M

Notes on this outfit: not a ton, actually. I had a whole pink and red scheme #ootd planned for the day, but got a late start getting ready so ended up with this. I am in love with this top, but it's not exactly the most practical item of clothing I own. So I paired it with some jeans I got recently from Zara, and some new Docs to "normalize" it. Re: buying too many Docs, yes, that's me. Once I settled on the first pair (my vegan Jadon IIs), it was easy to get another pair. I was browsing the SALE page, and found the 1460 STUD. They are a classic Doc, but with a twist. And since they were on sale, it was easier for me to justify the purchase. Weirdly, I'm still the most in love with my Jadons, but these are pretty sweet, too. Did it only take me two pairs of Docs to hit the point of diminishing return (of joy)? Maybe. 

Overall, I'm obsessed with the juxtaposition of tough, girly and casual with this outfit. 

What are some ways you are taking advantage of the extra time at home? 

Tough Suit

I think I've said this before, but it turns out, taking blog photos is NOT like riding a bike. Add a VERY windy day, and it's amazing we captured ANY usable photos. 

Be sure to scroll down for some of the best of the worst! 

Blazer: Wildfang, Button-Down: Secondhand (Conneaut Garage Sale), Trousers: H&M,
Boots: Dr. Marten's Jadon

There were two things I wanted to share about this lewk, and here they are:

1. I was planning content for Eleanor's Boots 2020 the other night and came across a prompt I had saved from the Coveteur - "What to wear when you are running late". While I don't think I agree with any of the tips, I did start thinking about what my response to this prompt would be. Well, fast forward to the day I wore this outfit to work, but hadn't planned an outfit ahead of time, and this is what I landed on. But the bigger/more difficult question, is how would I describe this lewk to someone if they asked what my "Go-To" lewk is, and here is how: Before I started there, the company I work at used to have "Suit Mondays" where everyone had to wear a suit (pretty self-explanatory). Our dress code has since relaxed, but some times, when I'm in a pinch, I like to channel this old rule. Of course, this version of a suit: separates, (untucked) chambray and Dr. Marten's would DEFINITELY not have passed back in the day, but technically, it's still a suit, and it makes me feel a bit more put together, when I didn't plan anything in advance.

2. I finally bit the bullet and bought a pair of Dr. Marten's. Of course, none of you know what I'm talking about, but I spent the better part of (at least) the past two years deciding which Dr. Marten's to invest in, and the Vegan Jadon II were the winners. To say I'm obsessed would be an understatement. I'd like to say the garnet color wasn't the deciding factor (Once a 'nole, always a 'nole), but I'd be lying.

Well, that was all - just wanted to share those two things.  

Now, as promised, here are some out-takes - happy new year!

PS Postpartum acne is still a b*tch - do any of you have any tips on how to get rid of it (besides time and this stuff, since I can't find it anywhere)? 

Everyday Beetlejuice

When it's trick or treat, but not yet Halloween, channel Beetlejuice! 

Blazer: Forever21, Top: Express, Trousers: Zara, Headband/Boots: Nasty Gal

Holy moly did someone fall off the blogging boat in 2019. Just looked, and my last post was in May *Insert shocked face emoji here*. It's not to say that I didn't want to blog last year. I definitely logged on Blogger a few times and brainstormed ideas, but I just never got around to posting anything. I mean these photos were taken in October before our neighborhood trick or treat. 

Well, good news for you all, I think I've finally got this "working mom of two" thing down, so time to get back to me (Side note: I told Adam we need to take more outfit photos in 2020, and he was on board, so that's good). 

It hit me near the end of the year that I really missed creating content. I style a million outfits that I never share (or only share via daily #ootd instagram stories), and I want to change that. Who cares if only a handful of people see those outfits; styling them brings me joy, and I want to share that. 

So with all that said, 2020 is the year we get back to basics, and that includes fun, creative projects for me. 

Happy New Year, y'all! 

Put a Bow on It

Not sure if you've been paying attention, but Urban Outfitters has been having a 50% off sale sale about every other week now. I used to only take advantage of these sales on Memorial Day weekend or Labor Day weekend, before online shopping was a big thing, and a trip to the Crocker Park UO was a reward. NOW it seems like they are always running one of these sales, so I guess it's not as special. 

In any case, during a more recent sale, I picked out this jumpsuit (#notsponsored). I didn't have super high hopes for it 1) because I'm pregnant and 2) I'm never really sure sizing (ESPECIALLY with jumpsuits). But, dang, did this jumpsuit deliver. It's super comfortable (even pregnant), and the stripes are a subtle chambray.

I layered it over a chambray button-down and under a vintage jacket for a recent workshop with Goodwill Akron, and I was as comfortable as two comfortable things in a comfortable place. The only downfall was wearing white to a teacup garden workshop, as well as a rainy day egg hunt beforehand. Oh well.  

Denim Button-Down, Jacket: Thrifted, Jumpsuit: Urban Outfitters, Flats: A New Day

But back to the UO sale: as I was trying on all of my purchases as they were delivered, I challenged myself to think of multiple ways to style the pieces I wanted to keep (I actually started this exercise before my pieces arrived and was a little disappointed when I had to return about half of what I picked out for various reasons because I'd already come up with a bunch of fun ways to style them). 

For this jumpsuit, I'm excited to style it in the following ways:

• With a Blazer and high tops 

• Layered over a T-shirt with flats/high tops

• By itself

• Winterized: similar to the above, or with ankle boots, a turtleneck and a wool blazer

How do you decide if something is worth it?