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!

Style Dilemma Solved: Tar-ZHAY run

Last Thursday, I was working hard on a proposal with a Friday deadline. I was taking Friday off. You know, Good Friday and all. I was also, therefore, staring at a screen, editing my eyeballs off. Almost literally.

So about 1:30, while I was waiting for someone else to edit a piece or review it or track down missing information, I decided to take a treat break.

Yes, yes, I'm doing #healthyme, big time. And yes, I looked up my options at Starbucks before I went. I was a good #healthyme-er. Planning ahead, as in "I looked at the points values (or calories or fat or whatever else you're tracking) for all of the mini-treats at Starbucks, and the mini pink donut is my best choice and won't blow it for the day." Coffee and a donut would be the perfect antidote to my proposal eyes.

But I was tired, and I accidentally pulled into the left-hand turn lane at the light, which would take me past Target first, then Starbucks.

I'm sure I need toothpaste for the beans. And those Easter baskets. And looooove those dollar bins for their socks (seriously, the best source of socks for the beans).

And, well, hey! there's a Starbucks right there.

But wouldn't you know it, they didn't have any pink mini-donuts. All they had in "mini" was the red velvet whoopie pie, which, though delicious, I'm quite certain is not as good a choice as the pink mini-donut (cream cheese icing as filling, anyone?). So I got a tall bold (I'm a stick-your-spoon-up-straight-in-the-coffee kind of girl), and passed on the treat.

And then I compensated with a basketful of Tar-ZHAY purchases.

I did buy socks and Easter dollar toys for the beans. I also bought socks for myself. Neon argyle ones. They're awesome.

If only Tar-ZHAY would show everything online, you could see their awesomeness.

I browsed the belts and hats, not finding anything in the purses. Big floppy navy hat that can double as an Easter bonnet and a beach hat? Jump in my cart, please! Mr. jute and leather loopy-type belt that can replace the wide brown belt Bean No. 2 seems to have confiscated and hidden (he loves, loves, loves my belt drawer)? Join that floppy hat, please! 3 pair of less than $15 sunglasses I can afford to lose or have snapped by teeny hands? Yup.

I also, despite my ban on buying anything until I get to goal weight, splurged (emotionally, more than anything else) and grabbed a purple-on-purple striped henley in...ta-dah! Medium! There was also a bold print dress I grabbed in a Large (bodycon + juniors department = Large, thankyouverymuch). No, I didn't try them on. I didn't even try them on until the next morning.

But guess what? They fit! Both of them! I ended up wearing the henley (it has those great buttoned up half-sleeves) with a pair of tobacco cords on my crazy-long solo drive down tha shore. I could wear it every day, I love it's fitted comfortable casual sleekness so much.

The dress, you ask? Well, it fits. It fits nicely. It fits so nicely that I wore it out on Saturday's date to the new Robert Wiedmaier outpost, Mussel Bar Revel. With my new lillybee (yes, I have another pair) Kristins and their soft, supple neutral leather, I felt hot. Really hot.

Oh...and the pink mini-donut? Gone. Unfortunately replaced by a peep and some jelly beans, but gone from my mind. Treat v. style dilemma conquered.

Tar-ZHAY run by dcceline

Style Dilemma: "Style Me," She Says

31204ever has a weeks-old baby boy, and after hanging out extra long with Mommy, he finally arrived (on his on time), and he's now quite vocal, this child. She pleads:

One of these days The Boy is going to stop screaming long enough for us to get to the mall and buy Mommy some new clothes. I haven't bought anything but maternity since last June (except one pair of shoes) and it's about to kill me.

So given that I've got five more months of warm-to-hot weather maternity leave ahead of me, what pieces should I buy that don't scream "I spend all day cleaning up poo and spitup while a little one wails inconsolably in my ear?"

I have a few pairs of capris that I'm hoping I can fit into still, as well as a few pairs of bermuda-length shorts (are those still in at all?). Plus the usual array of t-shirts and tops.

Would like a few tops but mostly focusing on the bottoms. Don't want to spend a ton of money, either. You know where I shop: Ann Taylor Loft, Target, Old Navy, Gap, NY&Co.

Any ideas?

Dear 31204ever:

Yup, absolutely. First thing: get thee to Target. It's one-stop shopping, and you won't feel guilty about buying something that you might wear for 2 months because your body's changing.

Second thing: buy a pair of cargo pants. Unfortunately, the fabulous pair I found at The Gap last summer aren't there anymore (Murphy's out to get us), but there's a decent pair at Target - choice of colors. I love my Army green version - goes with everything - but you might want to cheer yourself with a fun tangerine pair. Or if you're up for it, try online at one of the outdoor stores - you'll get a really functional pair - lots of pockets for binkies, bottles, and your cell phone.

#3: I'm not a huge personal fan of capris, though they're cool and functional. But that's just me. As an alternative, I'd steer towards skirts. They're breezy, can be dressed up or down, and you certainly won't project "I just changed a poopy diaper." A-line, denim, or, if you're feeling flirty, try a ruffly one. Isaac's eyelet skirt looks dressy, but would be cool, and with a simple top, you'l be the chicest mommy on the block. Pair with a super easy t-shirt - my favorite last summer (much to H's chagrin, apparently) was a pretty cap sleeved scoop necked version. Look for details or unique colors like the Mossimo "grenadine" one here (and at $8.99, hello!) or the Go International pleated tank (pleats are ever so flattering) to make them non-boring.

These won't work? Give me more, and I'll keep looking!

Must. Buy. Clothes.

Apparently I had nothing to wear before I got pregnant.


Or at least had nothing to wear on weekends. All that's in my closet that fits (hip-slung jeans cut right in icky incision place right now) are suits and work clothes. Not exactly the gear for hoofing it to the next Starbucks pushing a stroller.


So I'm debating.


BabySis is hanging with The Bean and me tomorrow, and we could a) be very responsible and run a big errand that we really need to, or b) run to Target. We can really only manage one big "event" a day with The Bean's only being 6 weeks old.


ummmmmmmmmmmm...


I'm pretty sure decision's been made, but...just in case...here's more rationalization you can support and tell me I'll keep my sanity if I go shopping.


When I hit Target a couple of weeks ago for baby things, I swung through the, uh, fashion. I was really, really impressed. Lots of solid, tailored basics like Ts and jeans. Fun bags. Great hats. Yes. Hats. (I snapped up a brown "straw" J Lo/Michael Kors-esqe floppy for the beach - looks fab with the stroller pushing.) The Libertine line is adorable (though doubt any of it will suit me) and sophisticated all at once. Can't wait for the next installment of Big Fashion Goes Box Store. Some favorites:

Xhilaration Charmeuse Tunic

Mossimo Black: Mini-check short sleeve swing jacket