Kork-Ease, Dansko, and Swedish Hasbeens

Oh, if I had all the money in the world, this would be a lot easier.  I am in search of a brown or neutral closed toe shoe/clog to span the time between early spring to summer.  I have been looking since last spring.  It is hard.

Here are some of the things I have found.  I like all of the following selections, but don't love or can't drop the money on the one I really like.  I present my first example:

Dansko Thea offered in the Brown Veg.  These are cute, kind of a fresh take on a clog, but a bit pricey for a shoe I am only going to wear for a few weeks in the spring.

The next shoe is the Kork-Ease Verna:

 

  The Verna is on sale on the Nordstrom site...but still around $100.00 and the reviews say the natural color is a bit "peachy".  I still might bite the bullet on these, especially if Nordstrom drops the price a bit.

The final shoe I found on Piperlime:

These are Swedish Hasbeen and are so pricey, they are basically out of my range, but I would snatch these up in a heart-beat if I had the funds.  They are exactly what I am looking for in a transition shoe, just not the price. 

So I am left with not buying anything, again. Maybe something will go on sale soon.  I am on stalking mode!

What Do You Wear on a Preschool Field Trip?

I wear this:

This is nothing fancy for our aquarium trip, but it will do.  I hate my shoes (more on that later).  The outfit is comfortable with the new Gap Broken in Straight Khakis in oak tree.  I just saw Gap has on back order the cobalt in these pants...I put them in my bag to order later.  I think a sale starts maybe tomorrow for Gap card holders, so I may get these.  I like them that much.  They easily dress up (or dress down) a SAHM wardrobe while still being comfortable and inexpensive, if you can get them on sale.  The shell under the cardigan is from Lands End last year.  I wear it a lot in the early spring as there is quite a bit of poly in it (I bought it before I got smart to look ALL of the time) and can be hot when the temperature or humidity get high.  The Cardigan is current Lands End Canvas Cafe Cardigan in Shocking Pink.  This one is mostly cotton with a bit of stretch, so it is perfect for this time of year.  Select colors are now on sale online.

On to the shoes.  I hate these shoes.  I bought them for when I was working retail and I just needed a flat nude shoe.  I hate how yellow they are and I HATE the bow on the front.  I am going to get rid of them asap.  Now I am in search of a natural/brown shoe with a covered toe for the spring.  I am going to see if I can find the time later today to start looking and see what I come up with as selections.  But for now I am off to the aquarium!! 

The weather turnned cold again...bring out yer boots!

Oh, fickle Ohio weather, you tease me so...We had 80 degree weather and now we were back into the 50's again with cloud cover.  Great time to break out my boots for a last hurrah!  I finally was able to wear my cute navy dress from Loft.

The dress is a non-petite cotton pullover.  I got it in the small and it fits really well, I am actually not sure how it would work on a regular size person, it might be too short!  But for me it is a perfect length to wear with and without tights.  It is no longer available online, but I was in the Loft store over the weekend and a few were still lingering at a great price to boot!  The infinity scarf is also a Loft offering, again no longer available, but there are many duplicates available for a striped scarf like this one.  My boots are the omni-present Steve Madden Intyce, a not very unique boot, but there is a reason why you still see it everywhere.  It's a great boot, super color, and doesn't run too high on my leg. 

I have my eye on my first maxi dress too.  It is from Loft, of course in their petite line:

I like this dress because it isn't too long, I feel like I could work with this length better on my frame.  Although, I just noticed it being sold down, so I better jump on it today if I want it...I just don't want to pay shipping!!!!

Midwest Color Blocking

I have been loving the color block trend, but it is a bit "much" for my Midwest SAHM friends.  I did try to incorporate it into a Friday afternoon.  I don't think it looks too over the top...

The crops are from Target last year, the boyfriend cropped jean.  I was very fortunate and picked up two pairs last year...they are my favorite and not quite the same this year.  The sweater and belt are Gap from a few years ago, if you poke around the web site, a couple similar should show up.  The tee is from Landsend Canvas and I need more.  Here is offering from Canvas

I am going to wait until they go on sale because I need a few more bright colors, like this yellow, bright blue, and a hot pink.  I think it is an easy way to add color blocking with a bright sweater.  Makes it easy!

Merona Jersey Knit Skirt from Target

It's been so warm i have been able to wear the things I have been picking up in March, instead of waiting until May to wear them...kind of fun.  I found this very inexpensive cotton knit skirt from Target that I am wearing today.

It is somewhat petite friendly as I don't have to shorten it, but it is folded over at the top...not perfect, but not bad for the ten dollars I spent on it.  I am almost wondering if I should have gotten it in the XS, but I am going to try to shrink it a bit in the wash.  That almost never works for me, but it's worth a try!

I also recently rediscovered my old green JCrew sun washed hoodie you see in the picture.  Oh, I love it so much!  It is soft and lightweight, perfect for just barely cool spring mornings and then throwing back on as the evenings cool down.  I tried looking for maybe another one like it, but JCrew isn't making them like this any more.  Boo.  But, I did find this one that I liked

from Landsend Canvas.  It is a variation on what I like in hoodies.  I like how the stripes freshen it up a bit.  But it is still at the price point of $60.00, so I am going to wait and watch it for a while to see if it goes on sale soon...

The warm weather looks like it will be continuing another day or two, so I am looking forward to wearing something else new tomorrow!  Maybe my new Old Navy striped skirt....

L.L Bean's Workout Wear

I am finally getting back to the streets and taking the time to run again and it feels great.  What I didn't realize is how much junk workout wear I would have to sift through to find pieces that work.  I do love Target for some workout items, but I needed a bit more specialized equipment.  I found what I was looking for, of all places, at L.L. Bean. 

I am most comfortable running in a skort.  I am covered, but my legs are free with the tighter bike shorts underneath.  This skirt/skort also has the perfect sized pocket for my ipod and a zippered pocket for my key.  It's a really good fit in the size regular small.

The skort is called The Fitness Skort and it has been a great addition to my workout arsenal.  It is only $39.95 on L.L. Bean's online store and they now offer free shipping on everything.  SOLD!!Because I am 5 feet tall, the length is longer on me, it hangs about five inches above my knees.  Consider looking into this if you are in the market for a new piece of running gear.  I love these things.

I also really like L.L. Bean's BeanSport Tee Active Tank.  This tank is cool and really wicks away as you are going through a warm run. I have it in the pink, blue and white in the size small.  A steal at $19.95.

I am excited to get back to the streets and get my workouts back on track.  New workout clothes are always helpful to get me motivated too!  

Petite Curvy Cropped Jeans in Rinse Wash

We have had so much warm weather, I have been wearing many of my warm weather clothes early...glad I got some new ones.  For example, I recently bought these from LOFT.

I wasn't so sure about the length, until I saw the picture that I took of them of me wearing them.  Again, it was a day of stomping around the neighborhood.  I think I am going to try to get creative soon or I am going to bore myself to DEATH!  I feel like I wear the same thing everyday, just a variation on a theme.  I guess I know what works, huh?

The capris are from Loft, I got a size 6 petite and it is a good fit.  The sweater is a small petite from Lands End, from last spring.  It is such a soft cotton pullover, unfortunately there is nothing really available from LE like this.  Even Landsend is adding more synthetic fibers into their clothes.  I am really having a problem with this trend.  I have a gray and white striped tank from Lands End Canvas under the sweater and some cute wedges from Seychelles.

These are cute for running errands before I get the kids from school, but i did change into my Crocs (which are quickly becoming omni-present).  I find wedges great for giving me a bit of height, but still being comfortable. 

My challenge for this week is to stretch myself and try to find warm weather outfits that function in my busy days without looking silly or over done.  It really is quite a challenge, but I love it!

French Terry Tie Waist Dress from Loft 2.0

Loft had 30% off over the weekend and I was able to pick up my French Terry Tie Waist Dress.

I really like it, I think it is going to be a good work horse in my closet.  The color is a bit on the cooler brown side, not my favorite, but it makes it a nice neutral.  I did get the Medium Petite as it fit just a bit looser and I really don't want anything to be too restricting on my casual days.  I also don't want to have to worry about it if I want to throw it in the dryer after washing...I am not in the mood to baby one more article of clothing!! 

I paired it with sandals I got from JCPenneys last year.

The army green color is unavailable, but the natural color isn't too bad either.  JCP also has this offered in black and a metallic as well.  A good buy for 35 bucks!  These sandals also look good with capris too and even a longer short...

The wedge shape is very comfy and the way the straps are arranged, the sandal is held to my foot very securely, enough for fast walking while keeping up with the kids!  I am finding my wardrobe becoming highly specialized to accommodate the grade school years with the kids.  It is a tricky time.  I enjoy the challenge, but I am looking forward to dressing how I want to dress, not thinking about how I am going to be spending the afternoon hanging out in the neighborhood, running to pick up the kids from school or standing in the soccer field. 

Gap Broken-in Straight Capris

I ordered these pants from Gap, right before the 30% sale online...DOH!  but I love them.

They are the Gap Broken-in Straight Capris in oak tree in 6 petite.  These pants are so comfy, soft and cute, I may just have to get another pair.  They are the perfect combination of cute, but not too cute for wandering around the neighborhood, but not sloppy athletic wear that is heavily favored around here...oops, who said that?

There seems to be some question as if to go down a size or not with the reviews online.  For the petite sizing, I always find that Gap runs a bit smaller, so I opted for my normal size and they are perfect.  Not too small, but not too sloppy and big either. 

I have not washed the pants yet, but I am anticipating some shrinkage (fibers just aren't what they used to be) and I will probably need to break out the steamer.  That being said I am stalking the verveine color (it looks like a soft pink) online.  This time I will wait for a sale...what a dummy.

My New Moonstone Ring from Etsy

I had been looking for an everyday gold ring that wouldn't break the bank.  After a fair amount of time spent on etsy, I came across this ring:

White Moonstone Teardrop Ring



The seller is Oh Kuol and it is a lovely ring...and I got it for 20% off.  I have to be careful on etsy or it can become a very expensive habit!

I have no affiliation with this esty jeweler, I just really like it and wanted to share!  The photo is from the etsy seller as well.  My hands are a mess, but my ring looks just like that photograph!

Gap Lightweight Always Skinny Jeans

Here is my attempt with colored jeans:

I picked the Lightweight Always Skinny Skimmer Jean in lilac.  I got it in a 6 petite and I think that is a good choice, I believe these are going to stretch a bit.  I also got this Slub knit drop-shoulder sweater in antique white.  I really like it, but it is a little sheer, I do have to wear a tank underneath it.  Overall I am happy with the color jeans and I think I am ready to branch out to try some other looks.  I actually didn't wear this outfit out yesterday, I just wasn't going anywhere to "waste" wearing a cute outfit like this.  I was just running around the neighborhood on kid duty.

So I wore this:

The slim boyfriend jeans are from Loft last year, but the sweater is still available here, from Lands End Canvas but not in the purple/pick color I have, but it still is pretty cute.  What I like about this sweater (really, it is more like a dressed up sweatshirt) are the side buttons.

Too cute, something a little different, but nothing crazy. 

Ugg Skylair Boots

These are my favorite boots, Ugg Skylair boot that I haven't been able to wear because the winter has been so mild.

Mine are black and I love them.  I purchased mine from the Athleta"s website here.  I was able to get mine at a pretty good discount during a Black Friday sale, but haven't worn much since they are very warm and we have been having such a mild winter.  I wore them today at about 32 degrees and I was too hot, definitely a 30 and below kind of boot!  What I do like about them is that they are able to give me some height without sacrificing ease of movement and comfort.  I am seriously stalking a chestnut pair for next year. 

I like to flip down the top since my legs are on the short side and the back lace detail is cute and able me to adjust the fit if I am wearing jeans or thinner leggings.  If you do order be aware they are running about a size small.  I usually wear a 7 and was pleased with the fit of the 8 with a heavier sock.  Now if only the weather would cooperate and let me wear them before Spring takes hold.

French Terry Tie Waist Dress from Loft

I want this:



French Terry Tie Waist Dress is perfect for the transition between Spring and Summer.  It is cotton, hard to find these days, and looks like it can span between busy days running around and then hanging out in the neighborhood, to even out for a quick, casual bite to eat.  I am just waiting for some kind of discount because paying 50 bucks for it is just silly.

Dolce Vita Jax

There seems to be a theme in what I am wearing these days...skinnys with boots and a bit looser top.  Case in point:

The top is Ann Taylor size Petite Medium from earlier in the winter season.  I love it.  It is 100% merino wool (glad I went up a size since it did shrink a bit when I washed it).  I wish I would have bought all three colors in this sweater.   It is comfortable, looks good with my pants that I like to wear with it, and it is not piling, something to say now a days....oh well.  The pants are a knit cargo from Ann Taylor as well.  I got these in a petite size 6.  These are on sale on the AT web page, but only the size 12 is left.  If that is your size, check it out.

The boots are my suede boots, Dolce Vita Jax.  Love them.

They are just the correct size of heel for taking care of my daily business in style, without looking overdressed or completely damaging my feet!


I do have other things in my closet that I am waiting to wear once the weather breaks and it is the right occasion.  Here is something I am waiting to wear soon, maybe out with a friend for some light shopping or a quick bite with my husband.

It is a navy sweatshirt dress from Ann Taylor Loft, size regular small, gray leggings, a cream boyfriend sweater from Lands End Canvas line and an eternity scarf from AT Loft as well.  I think I will pair it with either boots or flats, depends on the weather.  I need something fun and non kid related to wear this too soon!