Moody Style: Wearing My Black Heart on My Sleeve

It's A Monday. If you saw my tweets, we were awake at 5am because of the time change, changed outfits twice, had meltdowns by 7am because of time change, I dropped my 1000 bags all over the hallway (apples everywhere), forgot my wallet, and now unannounced IT changes at work have left me recreating some simple work that I shouldn't have to recreate.

Happy Freakin' Monday.

But...

I am grateful for some recent Target finds that let me throw on a Very Put-Together Look without any fuss. I added a vintage monogram brooch that was my Mom-Mom's, the pearl studs my mommy had made for me to wear in Baby Sis' wedding, black tights, and a favorite pair of black patent Lillybee maryjanes, and I can at least be satisfied that I don't look the hot mess that I feel this morning.

Clockwise, from top left: Merona Boucle Jacket, Mossimo Ultra Soft Scoop Neck Sweater, Xhilaration Ponte Knit Mini Skirt (not at all mini, quite frankly, especially with black tights), and Mom-Mom's brooch on the jacket.

I'd hurredly bought the sweater and skirt last week to finish off my decreed witch's costume, and some of you saw the debate over the two boucle jackets one night. Hats off to you, as usual, Target, for making some easy, interchangable pieces that make a girl feel chic when the world is conspiring against her.

We won't talk about the fact that the black tights I'm wearing are maternity tights. We won't.

Swim in Style: Taking the Plunge

This is my own Style Dilemma. I also know that it’s Every Woman’s Style Dilemma.

If it isn’t, you’re a freak-of-...you’re exceptionally well-adjusted. Congratulations.

While I’m not going to buy The Real Beach Swimsuit until June (got less than 10lbs to get to my goal weight - and I’m going to flaunt it when I get there), H and I really want to get The Beans into the indoor pool now. This weekend, perhaps.

So when The Bean and I made our shopping list for a Target jaunt last weekend, right after the Bike for The Bean and Barbie for The Bean (long story, but Mama & Papa bought the Barbie - duh - bike and The Bean paid for the Barbie out of her very own piggybank), we listed bathing suit for Bean No. 1 and bathing suit for Mama.

I just needed something I could get in the pool in and not have it fall off because it’s 300 years old and stretched through pregnancies. Seriously. I figured Target could help with that.

Target doesn’t have many one pieces - maillots, if you will, oh, Fancy Fashion People, but they do run to the Esther-Williams-like retro styles that have been catching my eye. (Full “selection” over on my SeasidePoolside pinterest board.) We were at the end of our Target jaunt, so patience was low for both Beans. I dashed through the racks, and picked up a ruby-grape rouched halter, size M.

Merona Womens Purple 1-Piece Halter with Twist Mesh Front

Size M, people.

It was wishful thinking.

Oh.

And it worked. When I tried it on, the legs are a little tight, and the halter squeezes the girls just a tad too much (I hate when my halters are too loose, so it could be me), but it FITS. It won’t get me through 1000 yards in the lap pool (that’s another, non-Target swimsuit purchase on the horizon), but it’ll work. I’ll look presentable in the pool.

Mission accomplished.

Target has an almost overwhelming swim section. Racks and racks of bikinis. Some trashy, but most threateningly cute. I was hoping to include a few for your viewing pleasure, but I'm either completely internet unsavvy, or the interwebs have issues today. So instead, you'll see me - most likely - in crochet, Missoni-like zigzags, or old fashioned red, white, and blue stripes. And hopefully, all 3!

Rapid Returns...continued

And this one...Merona chenille (did I really buy chenille?)...but in a deep teal. And again, not nearly as slouchy chic as I wanted, but it'll serve well as weekend wear - and with trousers or a skirt at work on a chilly day (I'm blessed with an office that stays relatively cool, so I can wear sweaters.

Style Dilemma: Designer Prints for a SAHM

DesigningMom and I emailed this weekend:

DC Celine:

I recently bought this dress from Target's website.

When it arrived, I was a bit underwhelmed. I think it's OK, I just don't know what to do with it. Since I'm a SAHM*, I feel a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to fashion. Do you feel like giving me some advice?

It has 3/4 sleeves, and now that it's fall, I think maybe I need to wear it with a jacket or a cardigan? Also, I like animal prints, but the whole dress is a (maybe) bit much and the jacket/cardigan will be useful in covering some of it? What about shoes? Boots? Flats? I don't like bare legs in the winter, so I probably want to wear tights...or not? It comes with a little fabric belt. Should I replace it with something more substatial? If so...what? How about jewelry? I have a free-lance interior design client now and will occasionally have some meetings with them in their fabulous house, along with some buying trips to the Washington Design Center, so I need to look somewhat business-casual-chic (is that a category?).

Dear DesigningMom:

first thoughts...more later...

like the animal print.

love the concept of the shirtdress, but yes, they can be underwhelming.


yes, your instinct on a "more substantial" belt is a good one. big 80s style wide belt would work well - or if you can't stomach that, a skinny belt would be fine, too - solid color - as fun or as neutral as you can handle. might sound weird, but think of the print as a sort of neutral.


on jacket - no, don't think you need a jacket or sweater. 3/4 sleeves are 4 season - and the best. i love them. find some plain gold (no chains) bangles - wide ones - or some plain bakelite or lucite bangles - clear or a color - and that should do for accessories. if you are chilly, i'd say a 3/4 sleeve cardi, but you'd need to belt that, too, to withstand the tendency towards boring.


and on shoes - whatever you want - all of those would work, though i'd lean to pumps, and boots (though dear to my heart) would be my last choice.

Dear DC Celine:

This is fun. Love it! How about a camel-colored belt (the lighter color in the print) and then chocolte brown tights and shoes? I love the idea of a bunch of bangles. If only I had some.


Dear DesigningMom:
 
i'd actually go with something not in the print - a black patent, or even a yellow or green.** camel would blend, and you want it to pop. yes, you could do brown tights and shoes - monochrome legs/feet = length/height. for the bangles, hit a claire's. or a thrift store. and i'd say go for wide ones, big chunky things instead of little clanky ones. something bout those and the leopard rings "jersey" to me. or you could do that to be cheeky...in which case, go as high as you dare with shoes. wedges would be a good option, too, as they just are.



it is fun. i'd say use your design aesthetic...think about how you'd accessorize a room, and you're probably good.

I happened to see DesigningMom at her daughter's birthday party Sunday, and she gave me an update. She's excited about the idea of a boldly colored belt. Now, if she could just find the time to get one (more online shopping, dear?). The thing is, she has a great sense of style. She's the one I always admire for being together, and her home? Well, she and I apparently have the same taste. I pretty much want her kitchen. And dining room...and...

*Stay at Home Mom

**Alright, folks. Apparently the way to go here is pushing the Jersey envelope. Exhaustive web search and the only wide bold colors I could find in belts were black patent, gold or red. Black is mildly predictable, but fine. Gold - well, that fits into the camel category - would work, but would blend too much. And red, well, I'm always a fan of red, but you'd just have to have fun with it. In that case, maybe finding a sweet little cardigan (emphasis on the word "sweet") would be in order, to temper the tendency to get your nails airbrushed and tease your hair. Belt sources (having posting issues, sorry!) are JC Penny & Kohl's. Yup.