Jeans and a Half-Tuck



Navy Glittery Top - Gap
Navy/White Animal Print Scarf - Loft
Jeans- Old Navy
Sandals - Ann Marino (DSW)

So, these jeans.

I've had them for several years and hardly get any use out of them.

I love the length and the overall fit.  I love that Ican wear something fitted over it and not have to worry about lumps and bumps (because of the flat front).  And I love that they are unlike most of my other jeans.

The problem, however, is that because of the combination of the rise, flat front, and placement of the pockets, I am left with little choice but to wear a top either partially or totally untucked.

Otherwise, I will look like a block.  Or a brick. 

So, whenever I'm wearing something that doesn't accentuate my waistline, I find that (although seemingly counterintuitive) doing a semi-tuck actually does help to create some definition of my waistline. 

Maybe it doesn't really work, but it makes sense (and looks better) to me.

I mean, which would you choose?

Slimming silhouette or boxy brick?

Thought so.



Jeans Week, Day 2

Top - Banana Republic
Silver Belt - TJ Maxx
Jeans - Old Navy (old)
Shoes - Bandolino, from DSW (old) 

 Bonjour, bloggers!

Today was day two

of jeans week at school,

and I went with basic ease

in a button-down (bib front) and flared jeans.

Cool with me.

Now, it's outside time with P!

Wednesday Night Recipe

Blouse  - Old Navy (old)
Skirt - Talbot's
Belt - Thrifted from Goodwill
Shoes - Lauren Ralph Lauren via Ross

 Here's a great recipe to use after a long day at work (or a long three days that definitely feel longer than three days):

Ingredients:

1 bath of hot water.

2 soaked feet.

1 plate of spaghetti.

2 episodes of last night's What Not to Wear.

1 InStyle magazine.

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together.

Spread out on a soft bed.

Relax for several hours

and

Enjoy!

(I know I will....)

Meet My Alter Egos

Hat - old Old Navy
Dress - Gap
Belt - old Old Navy
Shoes - Michael Kors, Macy's
Flower Pin - Talbots

My husband went to lunch today with  a newspaper  boy wearing his hat, a prom teen and her corsage, and a bridesmaid still in her (short) dress and sash.
 
Random, huh?

Yep. 

Well, apparently, I have three alter egos.  And they all just randomly met each other today.

But I promise, I'm not as crazy as I look.  I promise, I'm not as crazy as I look.

Oh, and the blue handbag in the background?

Don't worry.  I did not throw that into the mix, too.

My alter egos and I didn't think it would match.

Yes, Your Madras-ty

Although it's officially Friday, this here is still going to be my Thursday post, 'k?

This must be my summer of shorts because I honestly think that I've worn shorts more times this summer than I have collectively over the past...ten years, maybe?  As a result, I feel a little insecure like a novice when it comes to putting together an outfit around a pair of shorts. 

This afternoon, I took P to our local mall to meet up with one of my sisters and her daughters (ages 17 and 19 and whom P adores).  I almost always make it a point to wear flats when I'm venturing out with P (high heels + active 30-plus pound child + nearly equally weighted purse = frustration/back pain), and I just wanted to be very casual.  Soooo...shorts, a shirt, and some shoes.  How hard could that be, right?

An hour-and-a-half-long-hard, I tell you.  An hour and a half.

That. is. ridiculous.

I mean, I could understand if I were getting ready to go somewhere important or special, but geez, I just wanted to take my kid to the mall and be comfortable, cool, and kinda cute.

I guess today was just an insecurity day.  I was whining complaining telling my husband earlier that if "it takes me this long" to put together a casually stylish outfit that just ends up looking like I spent a long time trying to put together a stylish outfit, then I must really not have any sense of style.  His response was actually a pretty good and uplifting one that should have completely obliterated my sour disposition, but too bad... I was not trying to hear it.  Misery was looking for company, and his invitation was quickly revoked

So, this outfit was the final result: 
Plaid madras Loft shorts (that I've already worn twice before, but obviously not well enough to post). 
An "unruly-necked" Gap tee (that kept shifting around...I think some poor soul at the mall was flashed). 
A flower pin from Talbots (that was awkardly placed and kept aiding the "unruly-necked tee" with the flashing).
And Old Navy flip flops (that I hardly ever wear).  

(Hmmm...and why was it again that was I skeptical/miserable/insecure to begin with???)

Seriously, I'm okay with the outfit, though. 

And I'm okay with myself, too.

Just so you know, I'm not going through some kind of crisis.

I'm just mad.

In plaid.

Go-To Sundress for Sunday

Today, it's just me and my little man.  We're gonna hit the neighborhood for a bike ride and then the playground...provided that the dark clouds battling with the sun don't open up and unleash a downpour.  But then again, we do need the rain.

This dress was purchased from Old Navy several years ago.  Last year, it was my summer go-to piece.  Go to the grocery store?  Wear this dress.  Go to the mall?  Wear this dress.  Go to the pool?  Wear this dress. 

You get the point.

So, when it's time to go, what summer piece do you go to?