Clothes on Display: Tips & Storage Solutions for Small Closets

What's a gal to do when she moves into a place with little to no closet space? Every girl dreams of a house with a spacious walk-in closet, but not every home comes with one. I'm realizing now that I'm pretty lucky to have a townhouse with a walk-in closet. I do realize that I might not be so lucky in our next home. Currently all of my clothes (with the exception of socks and undies) are stored in the walk-in closet in our master bedroom. Jordan uses the dresser along with the large closet in our upstairs hallways for his clothes.

If you don't have a walk-in closet, there are great, unique alternatives to clothing storage. I've really been liking look of the garment rack lately. This type of storage needs to be used wisely to avoid looking cluttered. Pick some staple pieces, or pretty dresses. Keep the hangers clean and uniform. Get rid of those dreaded bright plastic hangers and invest in nice wooden or velvet hangers. You'll be glad you did.

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Use brightly colored clothing choices. You don't just have storage, but also pop of color to brighten up a white bedroom. Using the garment rack behind the bed like this doubles as a pretty headboard and a smart use of space.

 

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Select a handful of staple pieces if you prefer to keep the display minimal.

 

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A large mirror helps the garment rack to blend in with your room decor and it won't look like you're just junking up a corner of your bedroom.

 

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If you have the space add a smaller rack for your favorite shoes. This chair works great to display jewels or magazines for when you need a quick outfit inspiration.

 

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Have a neutral color pallete in your bedroom? Easy to keep the flow. Pick neutral pieces to blend into the decor of the space. The white, gray and black pieces in this picture look like they are just another decorative accent in this bright, clean space.

 

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If you prefer not to have your clothes showcased in your bedroom, a spare room or office can double as a dressing space. If you choose to dedicate an entire room you can really have fun with the space like with these framed shopping bags.

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Don't like the look of a garment rack or don't want your clothes completely on display? How about finding an old armoir and fixing it up as an in-the-bedroom closet? Glass doors give a tiny peek into the display of pretty garments without looking too cluttered. If you have the space in your bedroom this is a great, clean alternative to the standard dresser. Plus you can pick your prettiest pieces to showcase and tuck the everyday garments into your smaller closet. A shelf at the bottom helps for smaller items like camis or tees.

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Do you have a small closet? How do you store your clothes?

Inspiration: Packing for Vacation

What do you pack for vacation when you have no clue where you're going? Friday morning at 8:00am Jordan and I are boarding a plane to fly off to... where?? It have no idea, it's a surprise. Over the past few months Jordan has been planning a secret vacation for us - a three day weekend just the two of us (no baby!). I've been given very limited details, but Jordan was sure to give me a brief itinerary so I would know what to pack. What I do know is that I need to pack for two nice dinners, dancing, some pool time, a hiking-type adventure, and some yummy brunch. He has each day fully planned out, I love it.

 

My other problem? I foolishly agreed to fit everything I'm packing into a carry-on. What was I thinking? I am trying to pack just what I need and ditch my usual over-packing those 'just in case' items I will never touch.

 

Feeling a little lost at what to pack I did what I always do when I need some fashion inspiration. Logged into my Pinterest and starting scrolling through the dozens and dozens of outfits I've been pinning. I snagged a few ideas and started packing last night. (Check out my Instagram account 'jessicademaio' for a peek at some of the things I'm bringing.)

 

All images above can be found on my Pinterest board 'Dress Me Up'

See link in right side bar to check it out.

 

1. I'm definitely wearing something comfortable on the plane. I love how something as simple as a t shirt and shorts looks so pretty when the shorts are pink and it's worn with a great ballerina bun.

 

2. One of the few things Jordan told me is that it's going to be hot where we are going. That being said, I plan to wear minimal clothing. Shorts, tanks/crop tops and lots of skin (and sunscreen!).  

 

3. If you skim my wardrobe and even my selections above I tend to gravitate towards neutrals - blacks, grays and whites. I'm making sure to pack some punches of color for this vacation.

 

4. Braids, braids, braids. I'm not sure what's going on with my hair lately, but before I decided to do something drastic like cut it (and immediately regret that decision), I'm relying on braids to keep me cool not just for vacation, but all summer long. The loose, messy fishtail has always been a favorite of mine.

 

5. Buns, florals and showing some skin. I just love this look and think it would be the perfect brunch outfit before a day of exploring.

 

6. Even though Jordan usually teases me when I wear them, I'm definitely bringing a hat similar to this one but in black. Not only will it help cover my sleepy eyes when we get to the airport at 6:30 in the morning, and will double to block some of the sun when we arrive.

 

7. This dress just screams vacation to me. Along with an easy to carry bag and some fab sunnies.

 

8. I love basics dressed up. You will often find me wearing some sort of basic t-shirt and pairing it with anything from leggings to jeans to a skirt. This is a great look for going out to dinner.

 

9. Lace dresses and sun kissed skin. I also will also definitely be bringing a type of cross body bag. No one needs to be bothered with trying to lug a huge purse on their shoulder. Just the essentials when on vacation. 

 

10. This is how I'm imagining I'll look bringing my camera around our mystery destination. Chances are I'll look more like an out-of-place tourist and less like her, but at least I hope to have some great shots to bring home.

Since it's vacation I'm going for comfort over anything. I'm leaving the heels at home in favor of some sandals (and sneakers to hike). Comfy, loose clothes, and maybe a few fun jewels to dress things up.

What do you think? Am I missing anything? Any words of advice?

Kilim and Patterns and Over Dyes, Oh My!

 

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I'm starting to see this trend of bright colors, geometric patterns and over dyes everywhere and I can't get enough. I've purchased a rug and two pillows over the past week and I'm already scouting out what else I can add. While the colors may seem feminine on some, the geometric patterns and textures are enough to get the hubs on board with this trend.

 

I'll admit I was seeing the word 'Kilim' everywhere but wasn't even sure what it meant. So I checked out Wiki (one fact about me, I Google everything). Kilims are flat tapestry-woven carpets or rugs produced from the Balkans to Pakistan, but these patterns and over dyes are popping up on more places than the floor. This Kilim trend goes hand in hand with the Moroccan and Aztec prints everyone seems to be sporting these days. I've selected a few of my personal favorites that I'm eyeing up.

 

What are some of your favorite Kilim pieces?

Emerald: Pantone Color of 2013

Have you all heard by now? Emerald is the Pantone choice for the color of 2013. This announcement crept up on me as I've still been in coral/tangerine mode from 2012. I have to admit I am thrilled with this color choice. Emerald is such a gorgeous, rich color and I am really looking forward to incorporating it in both my personal style and in our home. I've already taken a slight spin in a few plans I've been putting together for our house, hoping to add a little green into the mix. I've been on such a gold kick lately and emerald compliments that color so well. Plus I'm lucking out that emerald looks great with dark locks as shown in the below photo. (Hint, hint to anyone Christmas shopping for me. Emerald all the way!)

Here are my top 10 favorite emerald pieces I've been seeing around the web.

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Holiday Gift Guide: The Ladies

Now it's time for my gift guide for the ladies. I tried to choose items that could come from both a husband/boyfriend or just a gal pal. Pretty and practical is the name of the game. If you follow me in Pinterest, you may have seen a few of these on my wish list.

 

1. Gold Polka Dot Pajamas, Target $24.99

2. Herringbone Painting, Lucy+James (Etsy), $55-83.00

3. Stephanie Johnson Sumatra Cosmetic Bag, Urban Outfitters, $34.00

4. Daushund Letter Holder, Anthropologie $32.00

5. Sequined Camera Strap, Bloom Theory $130.00

6. Voluspa Candle, Amazon $8-24.00

7. Lodge Moccasins, J. Crew $39.50

8. Rose Gold Stud Earrings, Shayan Afshar $98.00

9. Gold Bar Necklace, MomentusNY (Etsy) $43.00

10. Backup iPhone Charger, J.Crew $39.50

11. Goldie Hill Necklace, Mildred & Bernice (Etsy) $60.00

 

What are your top gift picks?

Holiday Gift Guide: The Gents

In honor of 'Cyber Monday' I thought it fitting this week to give a a few suggestions when it comes to some good online shopping. Today I wanted to start with the guys. Maybe because I'm doing a little Cyber Monday shopping myself and needed some guidance for what to get Jordan. I personally think my man has some good style and taste. I appreciate that he puts some thought into how he dresses and in turn is willing to offer an honest opinion when I'm buying for myself.

Jess asked me to write a guest holiday blog for her.  She asked that it be a guide to gifts for guys.  I consider myself someone who is pretty good at buying things, usually for myself, so this post is right up my alley.  Here are a few ideas for some holiday gifts for the guys. 

1. Jeans. Don’t be afraid to buy jeans for your guy.  As long as you know the size, it’s usually a can’t-miss purchase.  Right now, Levi’s are pretty much the only brand of jeans I’m wearing and I can’t say enough about their 511 fit.  It’s called their “skinny” fit, but I find that these won’t make your legs look like two pool cues with shoes at the end.  There is some room in the leg and besides being comfortable they are affordable and durable.  These jeans come in countless washes and there are other fits available outside of the skinny fit so feel free to explore. 

2. Basic T. I wear a button down shirt and dress pants to work every day so I take advantage of any opportunity to dress down and comfort is the name of the game.  You can usually find me in simple cotton t-shirts (both v-neck and crew neck).  I have to say that in terms of comfort and fit, the t-shirts from Gap are number one in my book.  Any t-shirt from their “Essential” collection is a hit.  These shirts are great to layer or wear on their own.  They come in every color under the sun and are also available in some patterns, too.  I highly recommend the v-neck t-shirts, but also love the crew necks as well. 

3. Key Chain. Most people don’t think about it, but a key chain is a great, easy accessory that can have a personal or sentimental touch.  Guys will want it to have some functionality or some sort of uniqueness.  I would recommend the KeySquare by Machine Era Co.  It’s set up as a Kickstarter at the moment, but $36 will get you this key chain that is both unique and functional. 

4. Beer Club. A few years ago Jess signed me up to receive monthly shipments of various microbrewed beers (this one).  As an employee of a brewery, this gift was right in my wheelhouse.  As a beer lover, it was perfect.  Every other month, 12 bottles (4 styles, 3 bottles of each style) show up on my doorstep.  Keep in mind that some states have different laws regarding the shipment of alcohol, but if your state is on board (like Delaware is) then by all means, drink up.  Cheers! 

5. Wallet or Money Clip. Unless you are George Costanza, carrying a large, bulky, tri-fold wallet should not be something you participate in.  A slim fold wallet or money clip is absolutely the way to go.  These wallets encourage you to only carry what you really need when heading out while keeping a low profile on your person.  This comes in handy when wearing a suit or tuxedo especially to help maintain a slim and classic silhouette.  For a slim fold wallet (with a money clip already incorporated into it) I recommend the Boconi Bifold Money Clip which is available at Nordstroms.  It’s slim, genuine leather and functional.  Everything you could ask for. 

If a money clip is what you’re seeking, any option will be a hit.  I do recommend one with a spring-loaded closure that will adjust to the waves of cash flow that we experience.  Ones without a spring-loaded closure will tend to “stretch” when they carry more cash or cards and when less cash is present, it does not hold it as tightly.  Here’s a classic look money clip available at Nordstroms. 

6. Shoes/Boots. In the same vein as taking an opportunity to dress down, a pair of classic sneakers can’t be beat.  While Converse All Stars may be the ultimate classic sneaker look, if you want something that is just slightly out of left field while still maintaining a understated tone I recommend Vans Authentic Sneaker.  I love my pair for their comfort and look.  Get them from Zappos with free shipping. 

You can’t go wrong with a great pair of boots either.  I recommend the combat boots from Bed Stu.  They are made of high quality leather and give the classic combat boot look without the bulkiness of a Doc Martin style.  I practically live in this pair. 

7. Weekender Bag. Whether you’re just heading out for a quick overnight trip or looking for something to use as a carry-on when flying, a durable yet fashionable bag is important.  The folks at Herschel Supply Co. have hit the mark with their Novel bag.  It’s a great way to pack your guy stuff.  It even has a separate compartment for shoes to keep your kicks off of your clean t-shirts.  It can also double as a dirty laundry compartment to keep you worn clothes separate from your clean ones. 

8. Books. Recently, I’ve started buying books that match my interests.  I’m admittedly not a big reader, but I’m all for it when the topic truly interests me.  For example, I’m a big music fan so I am drawn to books about my favorite bands.  What is even more appealing is when these books a full of more interesting, rare and intimate photos of my favorite rock stars.  One that I flip through frequently is called “Midnight Miles” and it follows Maroon 5 around the world via photos and short entries from the band members. 

A great book for the dog-lover is called “Underwater Dogs”  This book truly shows another side of man’s best friend.  It’s a great coffee table book and a great conversation piece. 

With the recent surge in tattoos and their influence in mainstream culture and media, I picked up this great book that features several artists and delves into their impact on what is becoming the new tattoo society.  It’s full of amazing artwork and photos too. Forever: The New Tattoo.

P.S. – Always buy the hardcover. 

Hopefully these ideas will make your holiday shopping easier or will at least get the creative juices flowing and put you on the path to finding what to get for the guy who is just impossible to shop for.  I’m sure that Jess’s shopping will be easier this year because I’m pretty sure that asking me to write this guest post was just a way of tricking me into giving her a list of what I want for Christmas.  We’ll see what happens on the 25^th.  Happy Holidays!

 

I wanted to add a few gift ideas myself that I've used over the years for my hubby.

 

9. Bar accessories. Men like beer. And gadgets that go with beer are always a winner in our home. Jordan bought himself this Mermaid Bottle Opener from this really cool online shop (that neither of us can remember the name of). I found the same one at Pottery Barn for $6.50. I also purchased him this Bulldog bottle opener for $12.00 from PB for our anniversary last Spring. I'm not sure if he was more excited about the bottle opener or the fact that I left him put it on the wall in our kitchen.

 

10. Watch. You can't go wrong with a classic gift like a watch. Last Christmas I purchased Jordan a black metal Invicta watch that I found for a steal on Amazon. This season, I'm digging the look of the leather band, like this retro Skagen watch for $54.99 on Amazon. Jordan prefers this Diesel version for $94.15.

11. Personalized stationary. No one ever asks for stationary, but everyone needs it. One thing I've found is that the older you get, the more thank you notes you seem to write. Personalized stationary adds a nice touch when you need to write a quick note to someone and it's nice to have on hand at all times. For Father's Day last year I purchased stationary from Pinhole Press and had Jordan's name imprinted on it.

12. Robe. One last gift (sorry for no photo!). I bought Jordan a robe last Spring for our 2nd wedding anniversary (cotton tradition). A robe is something I don't think any man would buy for himself, but once they have one, they love it. Robes come in handy for those cold winter mornings or when your guy just gets out of the shower but isn't ready to put on the full suit. Pottery Barn has a great selection of unisex robes with the additional option for monogramming.

What are your top gift picks for the men?

Girl Crush: Carole Radziwill

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I should start this post by admitting that sometimes I watch trashy tv. Yup, I've been known to catch a few episodes of Kardashians, Giuliana and Bill, Bethenney, and really any season of Housewives. It's my guilty pleasure. I'm not necessarily proud of it, but recently I've found myself catching up on tons of episodes of Real Housewives of NY on demand - not to watch the awkward, catty fights, but to see what Carole Radziwill is wearing. Who is Carole Radziwill? My new girl crush.

Carole can pull off the effortless, chic Jennifer Aniston jeans and leather jacket look paired with the bold, Carrie Bradshaw-esque sense of style and sex appeal - the perfect combination in my opinion and pretty much the look I've been desperately trying to pull off (probably unsuccessfully I'll admit). Who else can wear the lace dress below with what looks like underwear underneath? And she's rocking it flawlessly at 48. Even in just a tank and jeans Carole looks so put together without even trying. I only wish I can look that great at her age. Also, her hair is AMAZING. Seriously, the cut, the color, the style. I have major hair envy. 

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Who is your current girl crush?

 

Friday "What I Wore" Roundup

Ok, this might actually be two weeks worth of scattered outfits crammed together. Obviously I haven't taken a picture everyday, but most days I attempt to snap a shot on my way out the door for work or dinner. Here is my weekly 'What I Wore' roundup, starting with today's outfit.

 

 

Left: top, Urban Outfitters | pants, H&M | shoes, Madden Girl

Right: necklace, Forever21

 

 

Left: top, Urban Outfitters | jeans, Abercrombie | shoes, Madden Girl | necklaces, Forever21 & Lia Sophia

Right: dress, Urban Outfitters | watch, Michael Kors

 

Left: top, H&M | pants, H&M | shoes, Jessica Simpson (at TJMaxx)

Right: top, Forever21 | pants, Gap | shoes, Target | necklace, Anthropologie | watch, Michael Kors

 

Left: dress, Urban Outfitters | bracelet, Forever21 | watch, Michael Kors

Right: tank, Forever21 | feather jacket, Forever21

 

Left: sweater, ShopBop | tank, Urban Outfitters | skirt, Urban Outfitters

Right: top, H&M | jeans, Abercrombie | shoes, Target

 

The sweater from ShopBop in the above picture was actually one that I found on Pinterest. I'm sure you can tell that the left photo isn't me. Within about 5 minutes of me pinning that photo, Jordan snuck online and bought the sweater for me. Bonus points to the hubby for paying attention!

 

Happy Friday!

Pint Sized Fall Fashion

The only way I can accept that fact that fall is creeping in is by doing some shopping! I recently did a little fall shopping, although it wasn't for myself. Lucy has been in need of some serious fall clothes since her current wardrobe consists of mainly rompers and sun dresses. Now that she's walking, I'm really excited to step up her wardrobe a bit. I'm over onesies and other 'baby' clothes and I'm ready to dress her in 'real' clothes. It helps that I'm fairly frugal and take advantage of sales, coupons and other discounts when I shop for her so I can dress her like me with out feeling like I'm paying an arm and a leg. I'm also trying to be smart about my choices and buy some staple pieces that can mix and match with each other. 

These are the great finds I picked up this past weekend.

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Everything above can be found at either Gap or Old Navy. Great, right? (Note: I don't have a link for the brown cord shorts. I had to take a picture of the ones I bought because they aren't on the website.) I've always been a loyal Baby Gap shopper, but was pleasantly surprised when I received a mailer the other day with a coupon and picture of the below bird print dress. I decided I needed to buy it for Lucy and made a trip to Old Navy that afternoon. That quick trip turned into a bit of a shopping spree.

For fall I'm excited for stripes, layers and lots of denim. Dresses and tights, jackets, belts and boots. Seriously, this is the only way I can accept that summer is ending. Lucy's skinny little butt still doesn't fit in a number of her 12 month shorts so I will be bringing them over to the fall and pairing them with knit tights and moccasins or booties. 

Have you started prepping for fall, yet?

Friday "What I Wore" Roundup

Let me begin this post by saying I am by no means a fashion blogger. I would never claim to be. I think the fact that I don't own one piece of designer clothing disqualifies me from ever claiming to be one. I do own one Michael Kors watch that was given to me as a gift from Jordan, and one Coach clutch that was a gift by my friend Allison. That's it. The most expensive article of clothing I can think of that I own (wedding dress excluded) is probably a $90 pair of jeans. And the only reason I paid that is because I know I will wear my jeans until they are falling off my legs. Funny enough, my own husband pays more for his own clothes than I do. He usually ends up buying me the pricy things I won't buy for myself. I primarily shop at Urban Outfitters, H&M, Forever 21 and Gap. I occasionally thrift for clutches, skirts and blazers. I peruse sale racks at places like Nordstroms or little boutiques. I score some of my best finds on the clearance racks of places like Marshalls and TJMaxx.

Don't get me wrong, I have a sick love for clothing and go shopping way more than I should. I probably buy new clothes every other week. Nothing excites me more than getting home from shopping and taking my new finds out of the shopping bag and putting them on my pretty felt hangers and adding them to my ever-growing collection of clothes in a closet that is so full I can no longer share it with my husband. (Don't worry, he's cool with it. He has his own closet down the hall.) I have a decent collection of shoes, but am not crazy about shoes like most girls my age. I have more clutches than I use (90% of which are vintage thrift finds), tons of scarfs, and just a handful of hats. I have a decent collection of jewely, although I force myself not to stick with the same staple pieces as I often want to do.

If you want to take a peek inside my closet, check this post when I did a mini makeover last year and replaced my ugly dry-cleaner hangers (I loathe those bright colored, plastic hangers) with pretty felt ones from Marshalls.

I love Pinterest. I use it every day and pin tons of inspirational clothing. I actually use what I pinned and reference them when packing for a trip or getting dressed for an event or even an everyday outfit. Rather than doing a whole outfit of the day post each day to tell you what I wear, I thought it would be fun to do a weekly roundup on Friday of what I wore that week. Since I'm a full time working mom, I just don't have the time to get someone to take pictures of me strolling the streets of my neighborhood each day**. Even though Jordan would totally be my photographer if I asked him. Ok I did ask him. 

Part of doing this is that I'm hoping to motivate myself to step out of the box a bit when deciding what to wear each day. I want to take full advantage of the pieces in my closet and wear them in different ways and be more creative and have fun with my fashion choices.

So I made a point to snap a photo every day this week to document what I wore each day.

 

Sunday: bandeau, Urban Outfitters | tank, Forever21 | pants, H&M | watch, Michal Kors

 

Monday: tank, Urban Outfitters | skirt, Urban Outfitters | oxford, H&M | neckace, Urban Outfitters | shoes, Target

 

Tuesday: dress, H&M | denim vest, Forever21 | scarf, H&M

 

Wednesday: dress, H&M | blazer, Urban Outfitters | belt, came from another dress | watch, Michael Kors

 

Thursday: tank, Urban Outfitters | blazer, Forever21 | jeans, Abercrombie & Fitch | necklace, Ebay | watch, Michal Kors

 

Friday: Shirt, H&M | skirt, Urban Outfitters | chambray shirt, Urban Outfitters | bracelet, Forever21 | shoes, Jessica Simpson (from TJMaxx) | watch, Michael Kors

 

I'd love some feedback to see if this is something people would actually care to see. Again, I'm not fashion blogger, but I do want to have a few more fashion/lifestyle topics to my blog. If you're all yawning right now out of boredom or mentally teasing me for taking photos of myself in the mirror each day, just tell me to stop and I'll stick to my arts and crafts. :)

 

**Disclaimer: I am in no way poking fun at fashion bloggers. I love, love fashion bloggers and follow many of them on Instagram for inspiraton. A few of my favorites include Cupcakes & Cashmere, Leopard & Lavender, Style By Kling, and many many more.  

 

Happy Friday! Hope you all enjoy your loooong holiday weekend. :)

The Hunt for the Perfect iPad Case Comes to an End

Two weeks ago I shared with you some of my top picks for iPad covers. I told you I was on the hunt to find the perfect cover and came across a number of cases in a variety of price ranges. I finally buckled down and purchased a case. Which one? Actually, none of the ones I shared with you. 

I remembered seeing this iPad case from JessLC a while back featured on MadeByGirl. Loving the combination of hot pink and gold, I pinned it to my Pinterest Wish List board, long before I had an iPad to use it with. I had completely forgotten about it until recently when I was scouring the internet for the perfect case. I went back to MBG and searched the website to find where I could purchase the case. While JessLC  didn't have the exact case I originally wanted, she offered other leather iPad cases in a range of great color choices.

I had a hard time deciding which case I liked best and was leaning toward the middle and right ones. In the end I decided on the cocoa colored leather case in the middle with the coral lining. The best part of this case is that it's not just a sleeve to put your iPad in, but it actually straps your iPad down so you can use it while in the case.

I'm loving this case and can't wait to use it everyday.

What do you think? Do you love JessLC's cases, too?

iPad Case Crush

I'm on the hunt for an iPad case. Jordan and I jumped on the iPad bandwagon and treated ourselves. Although Jordan went for the Apple brand case, I want something with some color or a pattern to the design. While on the hunt for the perfect case, I found so many great options at a variety of price points. I'm having a hard time deciding which case to get! One thing I definitely want is a case that the iPad can be in while in use. A lot of the cases I've found are simply sleeves and offer no protection while you are actually using the iPad.

Do you have an iPad case that you love? I'd love to hear more options.

1. DVF Print iPad Case - $136 Nordstrom
2. Alexander McQueen Ocelot-Print iPad Case - $360 Net-A-Porter
3. Tory Burch 'Robinson' Tablet Sleeve - $155 Nordstrom
4. J. Crew Chambray DODOCase - $79.95 J.Crew
5. Kate Spade Diagonal Stripe iPad sleeve - $50 Kate Spade
6. Stella McCartney Falabella faux leather iPad 2 sleeve - $415 Net-A-Porter
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Logo Neoprene Tablet Book - $98 ShopBop
8. Black & Brown Herringbone Tweed - $75 Etsy

Pinned It, Did It: Hair

I'm as addicted to Pinterest as I'm sure everyone is. I've been pinning everything from DIY projects, food, clothes for both myself and Lucy, hair styles, etc. I don't want to get in the habit of pinning a million things on my 'bucket list' or my list of things I'll do someday and never actually doing them. I'd like to take some of these ideas and implement them myself. So I'm going to make myself try something I've pinned on a regular basis.


I did this recently this past week with two hairstyles I pinned. I did my best to replicate. Neither of them are spot on, but I think with enough time and practice I'll be able to master these a bit better. I'm a big fan of messy, 'bed head'. It's rare that I'll run a brush through my hair trying to get perfect glossy straight hair. I'm usually tossing a few loose curls with the iron and out the door. I have naturally stick straight hair and would kill for some natural curl.


The first hairstyle was this adorable messy ponytail. I had curled my hair the day before so it still had some volume and texture to it already. I did one of the 'flip' ponytails, making sure not to pull it tight so the volume would stay. It doesn't look exactly like the example. I think I need to do a few more twists and pin a few pieces next time. 

The next 'do I pinned and did was a simple topknot finished with a braid up the back from the base of the neck. I'm not usually one to wear my hair all pulled back from my face or in a knot on top of my head (unless I'm home). Surprisingly enough I received a ton of compliments at work that day for having my hair pulled back. This is one do I'm going to replicate on a regular basis. It was super easy to do and stayed all day. The tricky part is being able to do a french braid up the back of your hair. I'm actually fairly good at doing french braids. I was the girl who had to braid everyone's hair in grade school for field day because I was the only one who knew how to french braid. 

Here are a few other styles I've pinned and plan to try:

I've actually done this one before. I love this girl and her style, both clothes and hair, have always been an inspiration to me. I pinned this as a reminder to try this 'do again sometime.

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I love this simple double knotted pony tail. I'm not exactly sure how the knot stays, but I'm going to give it a whirl.

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Finally, this is a picture I saved to my computers long before the days of Pinterest. I actually saved it a few years back when I was planning for our wedding and considered it for my hairstyle on the day. I'd love to perfect the messy bun. I always have trouble having enough volume while keeping my hair tight enough that the bun doesn't fall out. 

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Have you tried anything you've pinned?

2012 Swimwear

Can you believe it's time to start buying swimwear and gearing up for summer? It seems the warm weather is here to stay and I'm totally ok with that. We are planning a vacation for the end of April/beginning of May. Our first real vacation in almost two years unless you count our little rainy beach weekend getaway for our first anniversary. But I'm talking hopping a plane and heading down for some sunshine, and R&R.  Since I missed out on fun swimsuits last year due to being 10 month's pregnant in the midst of the summer, I decided to treat myself a little this year and buy some new swimwear. 

To prep for my shopping I did a little googling of some 2012 swimwear trends. I came across a website that hosted some of the top style shown at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week. These are my top three favorites.

Coral is such a great color. It makes anyone look tan which is a nice added bonus for the summer.

I'm a lover of all things boho. I have an inner hippie child side that likes to come out from time to time. The fifth swimsuit is my favorite of this bunch. That hat is pretty sassy, too. And I'm loving her hair.

I'm not usually a blue person, but I'm digging the cobalt I'm starting to see everywhere. I just purchased a cobalt blue dress the other day and I'm excited to implement that color into my wardrobe this summer. 

See these and more swimwear trends here.

I tend to follow most trends in my everyday clothing, but when it comes to swimsuits, I lean more towards classic styles that I can wear for many years. I also am big on mixing and matching tops and bottoms from different suits, which in turn doubles your swimwear wardrobe (win-win!). I love love the retro swimsuits with high waisted bottoms, cinched waistlines and thick halter straps. I wore a one piece pink polka dotted retro suit from UO last summer when we went to the shore for Labor Day. Not only are they super chic, but they are incredibly flattering for all body types and those a little more self conscious about their body which I was 6 weeks after giving birth. I think the retro looks are great for pool parties or BBQs, but I prefer something a little more traditional for the beach.

So while those were my top three favorite trends from MBFW, funny enough none of the suits I puchased followed any of those trends. I did a little online shopping and picked up these three suits from Victoria's Secret. And they arrived in less than a week!

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I'm a huge fan of bandeau style tops. I wear them both with everyday clothes and with my swimwear. They work really well for body types like mine (aka little boobs). I love layering bandeau bras under flowy or sheer tops. The middle, striped suit actually came with a removeable halter strap that I didn't realize until it was delivered, and I love that addition. It actually gives the suit that little retro look I mentioned above. I'm sort of over the whole 'string bikini' look, I usually like more of a 'hipster' bottom, but I loved the top on the first suit and couldn't turn it down.

I also really like the floral design on this one and I'm considering splurging and treating myself to one more suit. I've really been into florals lately if you remember from this post.

Since our little weed is growing day by day, Lucy needed a new swimsuit for vacation, too. I grabbed these summer goodies for our girl from Gap and Children's Place. I'm really excited to start implementing her spring and summer wardrobe. Goodbye layers, hello dresses!

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Are you getting your wardrobe ready for summer and shopping for any new swimwear?