It's not easy being green.....

.....well maybe not for Kermit but I have always loved wearing green. With all the new colors out this year I have found that my old favorite green was pushed aside for bright purple and yellow, gray and stoney pink. Well, I am bringing green back today if only in the form of a cardigan! What colors have you missed from your closet?

Oh, and be sure to look here for a discount code for ATL

top from Ann Taylor Loft

cardigan from Ann Taylor Loft

Weekend Jeans from Old Navy

gold Anne Klein flats

Ann Taylor Loft Trip

I love "The Loft" it is no big secret. What is also no big secret is that you will see a lot of J Crew influences in there. Here are some of my favorites that I took home(the pictures should link):

The Leaf Trim V-Neck tee. First off, this is not a v-neck but it is a perfect simple little layering piece and for $12.99 who could resist?Some of the ruffle cami's this year are beautiful but have a little too much ruffle at times. I liked the simplicity of the Split Neck Ruffle Shell but I was afraid that the extra ruffling around the shoulders would bunch and add bulk with a cardigan. I didn't find that to be the case at all (thankfully) and the fabric was soft enough that the boxy shape didn't "poof" up a cardigan and allowed it to taper in arounf the waidt. The size small looked good but was a little tight on the chest (and I am flat chested) so I stayed with the medium which felt more comfortable.The SA talked me into trying the Corduroy Modern Bootleg Pants in inkblot. This blue is really deep and rich, absolutely gorgeous. I can usually wear a 6 or 8 in pants but typically opt for the 8. In these, the 6 was not happening at all but the 8's were perfect! Take note, the inseam on the Regular is 33 1/2 so these definitely run long (which is great when you are taller like me).I quickly grabbed up this shirred v-neck cardigan that they just got in. It is very lightweight and soft even though it is 69% wool. I just loved the rosette color (which is in between a camel and an oatmeal) with the ruching. I loved it so much, in fact, that I was able to ignore that the other 31% was polyester. This is a very thin cardigan.The Ruffle Trim Waist Blouse w/tie. I have been eyeing this top but had never tried it on but today I did and there is a lot of charm in this blouse. I usually wear a M or size 6 in tops. I knew I would want to wear this with a cardigan and the medium was a little too blousy and seemed to hang low due to the weight of the fabric so I sized down to a small and that was perfect!This one got away, but only for now! The store only had size Small in stock and the fabric is thin, clingy and unforgiving so I wasn't comfortable sizing down. All that aside, this dress is beautiful on, much more so then you would imagine just looking at it. It was longer then it appears on the model and will look really great with a belt and tights (like in this pic). I see my size online.....don't know how long I will be able to resist....

Can you say Victoria? ATL's version, the Striped Pleated Collar Button Front, is amazing on! The collar is not too much but definitely makes its own statement. The shirt felt very tailored and tapered nicely

These are most of the things that made it home with me. That is a lot of trying on with two toddlers screaming in a stroller. Now that I am browsing, much calmer, online, I see a lot of styles that weren't in the store yet that I will have to go back to try on like this, this and this

Out for little retail therapy........

So let me put a disclaimer out there....this outfit didn't photograph very well. Either that or it didn't look as good as I thought when I headed out for a little (okay, a LOT) of retail therapy at Ann Taylor Loft. They just reduced the prices on a lot of their items and as fast as things go there, I had to grab some goodies I had my eye on (I'll post those later today).

white tunic from Downeast Basics

Cardigan from Ann Taylor

Vera Wang Black Jeans from Kohls

J Crew belt

Mossimo MaryJanes

Sorry, just have to brag

Could my boys be any more handsome? Okay, I'll spare you any more mommy gushing!

Today Was About Comfort

I have never understood why so many of us associate comfort with jeans and a baggy t-shirt when a knit dress with a cozy sweater can be even more comfy and looks twice as nice.

I woke up tired today and knew I would be folding laundry and packaging orders most of the day so there would be a lot of floor time. If no one were to see me all day, I probably would have stayed in my jammies but walking Chase to and from school and the inevitable dash to the store make pj days impossible unless I want to end up being nominated for "What Not To Wear". So I chose my favorite go to outfit, a knit dress with a cardigan. Since it was finally chilly out, I was able to finally wear my new cashmere sweater (fits TTS) and the dress (on sale now) I bought when visiting my BFF in Idaho.


p.s. Did you get the email on J Crew's insider sale? There is a copy of it here. I have to decide between a trip to Anthro or online shopping a J Crew......decisions....decisions......

p.s.s. Don't you love how the flash made a lovely circle on my belly, just what I need!

Perfect lightweight cashmere cardigan from Ann Taylor

Leading Lady Dress from Downeast Basics

Today's Forecast......hot

I was hoping to wear one of my new J Crew or Ann Taylor Cardigans today but the hot sun had something else in mind. Darn you, sunny San Diego, how am I supposed to rock my new Fall clothes?

At least I was able to sneak in my new patent leather skinny belt that I received on final sale from J Crew. Speaking of which, did you buy anything from the final sale today that you were on the fence about after they released the 20% off final sale items code you can find here ? I did. I shouldn't have since I spent my "clothing allowance" allready but I finally broke down and got this top that I was coveting but couldn't justify since I already have the rolling ruffles tank.

Cardigan from Anthropologie

Placed Petals Tee from Ann Taylor Loft

Gap Linen Skirt from eBay

Skinny Belt from J Crew

p.s. yes, my hair is accidentally darker got to lighten back up for tomorrow's pictures

I'm Not a Stylist.....

.....but I watch them on TV. This year I was inspired by this post to step up our family picture game! Our photo last year (and first family portrait) had us all wearing jeans and tops that coordinated (not to be confused with matchy matched) and it turned out to be a great, but typical, family photo.

I have been drawing inspiration from the "crew cuts" palate lately and this look book . So, for the last few months I have been putting together layered looks full of "meadowy" tones. So why the stylist reference? That is due to the relentless teasing I have gotten from my husband regarding the outfits hanging assembled (as below) in the garage on a clothing rack. I picked up a few pointers from The Hills and the Rachel Zoe Project and in a house full of boys that likes to swallow things, I needed to everything (down to the socks) kept together. Here is a sneak peek:

for me: Gap Ruffle Tiered Dress, ATL linen jacket, Mootsies Shoes and earrings I found in my jewelry box
For Daddy, a half zip pullover and pants from Costco, J Crew Tie, button up shirt from his closet

For Jonas (13) we have Old Navy straight leg Cords, gray longsleeve tee and Twill Button Pocket Shirt, Vest from The Gap and Converse shoes

For "Cool Guy" Chase (6) we have a seersucker sports coat from Crew Cuts, and a long sleeve polo and straight leg cords from Old Navy

And for our mini Cooper (2) we have a button up and gray jeans from Target with this adorable ribbed pullover sweater from Gymboree

And for those of you doing the math saying how does this add up to four kids, our other little 2 year-old is our foster son and has been with us for over a year. We love him very much but for his privacy, he isn't allowed to be pictured in any public shots or group pictures that will be used for cards, etc. until he is adopted. But trust me, he is adorable and handsome as can be!

Ode to Madge

...or Madonna as we used to know her! I fell in love with this lace 80's throwback jacket from here . I need a chunky necklace to accessorize this outfit but I just couldn't wait to put it on and I am wearing boring flats because I am going to a dinner soiree tonight that requires walking from house to house for each of the courses.
on a side note: I promise I wore a completely different outfit earlier without the weekend jeans.....I promise I don't wear them everyday, it just seems like it!

San Remo Print Tunic

I got this fabulous San Remo Tunic the other day on eBay and I love the way it fits. Simple to wear with a great bold pattern. Perfect for a day of running errands and a late afternoon birthday party!

J Crew Tunic from eBay

Wonder Tee from DownEast Basics

Buffalo Jeans

Gold Flats from Anne Klein

Yesterday-Part 2

I decided a LBD was too much for the movies(especially when I couldn't find my tights) so I just glammed up my boyfriend jeans a little while staying comfy

Whisper Millie Lame Tank from J. Crew

Jacket from Anthropologie through eBay

Soft Violet Bubble Necklace from J. Crew

Weekend Jeans from Old Navy

Gray Pumps from Target

Today-Part 1

The first part of today will consist of errands, sewing, and chasing the toddlers around the yard. So, comfy wins out but tonight is a LONG overdue girls night out, I am thinking of wearing the little black dress I picked up after reading Gigi's post. I love checking out her dressing room pics, I would love to be able to try on clothes without my little weeble wobbles trying to escape under the door!

Extra Note: I really don't care for these jeans but they are comfy so I rolled them. They need to be cut off but I just haven't gotten around to it.

Rolling Ruffles Tank in Blush from J. Crew

Cropped Cardigan by Elle from Kohl's

Lucky Brand Jeans

Mossimo Flats

Custom Necklace by Birth Designs

Layers Sale

Had to do a quick post to let you know that Layers Clothing is having their 50% summer clearance sale to make room for their Fall arrivals next week. This is a great opportunity to get some great and easy pieces. I can't wait to see their fall line! Last year was full of beautiful ruffled pencil skirts and tailored dresses....

The Erica Blouse is only $17.99 and reminds me of this one from J Crew The Hayden Dress is a great layering piece, so many potential looks and for only $20, who can resist?

Transitioning to Fall

Today was a nice break from the heat wave which is due back tomorrow. I thought I'd share one of my favorite transitional outfits as the seasons start to change (everywhere else at least). I love to combine summery skirts with long cardigans. As it gets colder you just add tights....

p.s. excuse the photo, this was all the way at the end of a busy day!

This skirt looks really cute with a military jacket and a belt or with a yellow cardigan but today I was in a "blending in" kind of mood

Perfect-fit falling ruffles tank from J. Crew (on sale now for $14.99)

Navy Wonder tee from DownEast Basics

Trusty gray cardigan from Banana Republic

J Crew Tiered Ruffle Skirt purchased on JCA's weekly thread

Love Me Some Cashmere

......but hate the price! I have been eyeing a few pieces at J Crew but was weary to purchase a cashmere piece at full price with all the complaints about the pilling. I checked Lord & Taylor but the colors just don't compare so I switched over to Ann Taylor just in time for their "Best Sale Ever" which is an additional 40% off on select items once you put it in the cart...........look what I scored
This hydrangea colored cashmere cardigan reminds me of this one I had been stalking. It sold out a few minutes after I purchased it and no surprise.....it was marked down to $53.99 from $185.00
Next, i got this adorable ruffled cashmere cardigan that is truly "swoon worthy" with its pearl buttons and vintage feel. It too was just $53.99 with an original price of $175.00.


$53.99 for high quality cashmere? You just can't beat that! I saved a total of $252.02, that is what I call a sale!

Ruffle Shirt Dress

My Ruffle Shirt Dress arrived and I could not wait to throw it over a pair of white straight leg jeans and some strappy nude sandals. I love the menswear stripe and that the ruffles are in a slightly different print then the dress. It is a fun, casual piece and for only $29.99, what a deal!

Right now in San Diego we are in the middle of a heat wave which has been not only uncomfortable, but incredibly frustrating when I have so many fall looks I am waiting to try out!

When it is 90 degrees out, it can be a challenge to try to look cute while staying cool (and modest) so my "go to" pieces are my knit dresses. I love that I can have the comfort of a tee shirt and still receive compliments on being nicely dressed. I thought I'd share a few dresses I have been wearing the last few days:

The Shift Dress from Shade ClothingGrey Pleated Dress from Shade ClothingLeading Lady Dress from DownEast BasicsLayla Dress from Layers Clothing

Merona Collection and Say Hello

Target is a dangerous place for me usually...okay....always. But today I found some truly beautiful pieces from the Merona Collection which is a higher end version of Merona.

I picked up this beautiful wool tweed pencil skirt in this gorgeous shade of plum with some grey blended in along with this v-neck cardigan in an "almost navy" with gorgeous buttons. I am sure I will wear it soon so you can get a better look at what quality pieces they are! It was hard to catch the color in the picture.

And, now to turn the camera on my little (well, not so little anymore) camera man. This is my handsome 13 year old that is forced to take photos of my outfits each week......say hello!

Loft Striped Shirtdess

I fell in love with this shirtdress a few months ago when I tried it on in the store. Being tall, it was a little too short to wear as a dress for me but they had it styled with skinny jeans.....adorable.

One little hitch though-I just couldn't justify spending $79 on it. Then a week ago it went on sale to $49 so it has been on my mind but I hadn't made it back to The Loft. Lucky for me because my trusty shopittome.com sale alert arrived in my email box yesterday with a new sale price $29.99 so I had to snatch it up online. It appears to be sold out of stores in my area but for that price, I was able to swallow the shipping costs! Can't wait until it arrives!

J Crew Scattered Petals Tank

I have had a little crush on this playful cami for awhile but as a stay at home mom, it was hard to justify paying $88 on a silk tank that I would have few occasions to wear. But, lucky for me....it went on sale and I couldn't resist. The fit is great, I purchased it in a size 6 and it worked perfectly. It fits close enough to the body that it will tuck in and stay in place while still having a enough "blouse" effect.

I just love it on, it is so "crewlicious" and adds a little sophisticated fun to an otherwise conservative outfit!
Here it is on for a wedding reception we went to last night....

Cardigan from Anthropologie purchased on eBay

Scattered Petals Cami from J. Crew

Apt. 9 pencil skirt from Kohls

Belt purchased at Target

Out and About

Today was a typical day of short bursts of errands, phone calls, knocks on the door and overall craziness. We are on a short hiatis from the heat wave (it is coming back by Friday) so I took full advantage with lighweight cords and a thin jacket!jacket by Mossimo purchased at Target last year

Banana Republic ruffled blouse bought on eBay

Pants from Old Navy