What I wore back to campus

My first visit back required that I look somewhat pulled together while remaining breastfeeding friendly. I went with a stretchy dress layered over a full-coverage Rumina pump and nursing tank (review and giveaway to come!). I was comfortable even though the dress is a little body conscious. But by the middle of the day I was the wrong kind of overdressed. Definitely didn't need the trench coat!

Tomorrow I will be launching a Mother's Day giveaway from Rumina and can't wait to tell you about these nursing tanks. I like them even more than the ones from Bravado.

Outfit details:
Rumina nursing tank (c/o... giveaway and review coming this weekend!)
Random stretchy nursing/pumping-friendly dress
Tory Burch Warren ruffle trench
Marc Jacobs Mercer Tote
Marc by Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats (in black here)
Michael Kors horn watch (also here)
Spanx tights
Amber pendant; Anjolee eternity band (c/o), misc. jewelry

Date Night Outfit

Last weekend was Chris's birthday so we spent a lot of time celebrating. And thanks to my parents who babysat, we went out to dinner alone for the first time since Emilia was born. It was kind of great to wear something that didn't need to be breastfeeding-friendly! I contemplated wearing an old favorite but immediately became overwhelmed by indecision. Which of my dresses was the most deserving? I couldn't pick. I know that sounds a little nuts but ... that's where I am right now. haha

I opted for the above new-to-me number instead. I bought this MBMJ dress off ebay, thinking that the button panel would offer nursing access. Sadly, it doesn't go down low enough. But I like the dress anyway!

We went to Salt of the Earth which is one of our favorite spots in town. We had gone to brunch at Meat and Potatoes and Kaya the night before so it was a very decadent weekend.

Outfit details:
Marc by Marc Jacobs dress
Spanx tights
Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats
Marc Jacobs Mercer East West Tote
Kate Spade bangle; Michael Kors watch

Consolation Date Night

The Friday before Labor Day, Chris and I decided to make the best out of a long weekend with canceled plans. We were originally headed to New Orleans for a conference and for one last hurrah. The trip would have functioned as our babymoon as well as the last scheduled flight prior to the point when I become too big to fly comfortably. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. The conference was canceled and thankfully, we were able to be refunded for every aspect of the trip. I am glad we didn't try to go despite the weather because I would have hated to be a strain on the already-strained city resources during recovery.

Instead we made use of the time at home. And Chris suggested we go on a fancy date, Pittsburgh style. As a consolation for canceled reservations at Herbsaint, we went to Cure in Lawrenceville and ate like kings. I decided to debut a dress from an indie designer, Madeleine Maternity. Sadly, it was just too dark to get good outdoor photos so I snapped some from indoors. But this stylish frock promises to be all over my fall wardrobe.

I love the knot at the bust, as it can be flattering to many shapes. The fabric is functional, wrinkle resistant, and has just enough stretch to allow room to grow. For reference, I am wearing a size 3. The body conscious silhouette made me feel sexy and stylish and proud to be visibly pregnant. But the design is also beautifully modest, elegant, and professionally appropriate. I know this dress will be great for the classroom, the faculty meeting, the back-to-school soirée, or the fancy dinner date.

Madeleine Maternity is a brand based in California and designed by an extremely glamorous Swedish woman named Madeleine Simon. The dress I'm wearing is called the Adina and it is currently on sale! I also am in love with the Capri, the Jackie, and well... everything on the website! It's been great to discover new lines that offer options that are off the beaten path from mass maternity retail. As a lover of clothes with unique, feminine details these designs are right up my alley.

Shop Madeleine Maternity with an extra 10% off coupon code: ILOVEPARIS 

Outfit details:
Madeleine Maternity Adina dress (c/o)
Marc Jacobs Stam Hobo bag (similar)
Bracelets: KJL, Target
Vintage necklace
Nine West pumps; tights

Tiered Stripes Top

I was excited to find a Bailey 44 tiered piece at the Mission Valley Nordstrom Rack while I was in San Diego. I grabbed it and immediately worked it into my wardrobe rotation. I wore it for a day of informal meetings and campus business.

It was cold that day so I had a few layers that worked with the outfit for interoffice/interbuilding travels.

The entire outfit is pretty dark and fall-like but I prefer fall colors anyway so I'll risk seasonal inappropriateness.

Details:
Bailey 44 tiered stripe/pieced column top (summery tank versions here and here)
J. Crew matchstick cords (on sale for $19.99 before coupon codes!)
Romeo and Juliet cardi
Stuart Weitzman flats (similar here and here)
Marc by Marc Jacobs bag
Kors watch (15% off watches on saks with coupon code "friends"; 20% off clothes!)

Faculty Event Outfit: Back to School

Babergh dress (Anthro 2010)

Marc Jacobs Stam Hobo

Chie Mihara t-strap pumps

Starfish cuff and bag detail shot

Every year the campus hosts an annual dinner to usher in the new semester. All the faculty and staff are invited and it is a great occasion for dressing up. I wanted to wear something special and something I hadn't recently worn so I pulled out my Babergh Dress from last year. It had just the right amount of sparkle mixed with an uncommonly figure-hugging silhouette. I was inspired by how I felt wearing a pencil shape the other week (blogged here). Branching out is fun! I gave and received many compliments that night. It was novel and great to see everyone wearing fancy clothes! We clean up well. I only wish I had some shots of me with my colleagues or Chris who was my very dapper date. Sadly I forgot to bring out my camera til the very end of the night after I got home.

Which one would you keep?

If you only wanted to keep one...

Marc Jacobs Stam Hobo in Mouse Gray

Pros:

big

neutral

strap fits over shoulders

cool

chain is removable

rare style and color

Cons: 

chain is heavy so I don't bring it out of town

I already have a bag in this color
kind of a black hole (too big to be organized)
not iconic like the regular stam (though I sold my regular stam)

Marc Jacobs Quilted Blake in Mouse Gray

Pros:

easy to stay organized with the divisions

straps fit over shoulders 

pretty

neutral
rare color/quilted combo

Cons: 

kind of small for work

I forget which compartment I put my stuff in cause I am forgetful

I already have a bag in this color
common style

I only have so many wool dresses...

Marc by Marc Jacobs Paisley dress (fall 2009)

J.Crew cardigan

Marc Jacobs Stam Hobo (similar MJ bag here, similar from Burberry here)

Chloé lock flats

Wolford tights

So I have repeated the wool dresses I own like mad. They're among the warmest dressy things I own and until heading south I bundled fervently to deal with the cold. I wore what has become an old winter standby, my MBMJ Paisley dress with a J Crew ruffle cardigan to Ross Park Mall to do some holiday shopping with a friend.

*While I'm away I might not respond swiftly to emails or comments but I promise to catch up when I return.

Recent outfits: Nanette Lepore, Theory, Mike and Chris, Burberry

I wore this to teach on Monday. It was chilly!
Floral pixel print dress from Nanette Lepore (similar here)
Black ruffle trim v-neck cardigan by Aqua (similar here)
Hue tights
Chloé flats (similar here)
Swatch Irony watch
Detail:

I wore this to teach last Friday:

It was not this wrinkly when I put it on. I am going to have to steam this before I wear it again, for sure! It was a day when I only seemed to grab black and gray garments so without a forecast of rain, I decided to grab the teal suede ebay score Chloé flats to brighten up the palette.
Black tie waist dress by Theory (similar here, here, and here)
White House Black Market short sleeve sweater cardigan (similar here)
Hue tights
Chloé double strap mary jane flats in teal green suede (similar here, here, and here)
Vintage cameo necklace and Swatch watch

This dress would likely photograph poorly even if I took better photos than those produced through iphone and mirror. But I promise its details are really cool. I wore this out on a rainy night to a few bars/clubs. I left my jacket in the car so the combo of silk dress and suede shoes was not a bright one.
Green silk dress by Mike and Chris (similar here)
Hue Tights
Marc by Marc Jacobs captoe mary jane pumps in teal suede with burgundy leather trim. (similar here and here)
Marc Jacobs Stam hobo in mouse gray (similar here and here)
Swatch watch and shell bracelet

The rainy forecast of April showers gave me the chance to throw my black patent Burberry trench coat with a hood over most of the above.

I got this jacket at an outlet mall in Florida last Labor Day weekend, when I vacationed in Ft. Lauderdale. I need to have it tailored a bit up top and I have to cinch the waist tighter than shown. But I am happy to be able to wear this again.

Similar here, here, and here.

I still have to wrap my reviews up but am busy with grading. So I should be able to finish on Thursday.

More reviews and new Anthropologie markdowns; OOTD with Chris

I grabbed this Sketched Danios dress from a mishmoshed rack of garments that seemed to be nearly sold out. I do see that this particular item is backordered so if anyone is looking for a size 8, the Mt. Lebanon store has one. It is very cute in person and nicely made. It would be fun for brunches or baby/wedding showers. Because there was only one of them in my store, I am guessing it was perhaps a website return? Because of the shape it was snug in the hips as I expected so I would describe it as tts.

I also tried on the Silver Lining Dress.

I loved it on the rack. The silver threading was very subtle and pretty. This is a size medium. The dress is a bit longer than I would want but that can be fixed easily. It is too casual to be an occasion dress because the knit is sort of a thicker jersey style. But I think it can be dressed up a bit with a cardigan or jacket for work. Roxy from Effortless Anthropologie has a comprehensive list of new markdowns so be sure to check them out.

I went to the Carnegie Art Museum this weekend and was complimented extensively on the Two Paths Trench. Here is a photo I snapped in an installation.

Shown with Marc Jacobs Blake quilted handbag (similar here; cute budget option here)

Chloe crackled silver flats (similarly cute and only $10 here)

And as much as he hates public photos, I snapped one of Chris exiting the exhibit.

Chris is wearing:
Prada wool coat with unfinished seaming (similar here)
Burberry plaid shirt (similar here)
Earnest Sewn jeans (similar here)
Norman Childs eyeglasses

Rosettes for Easter: The Bold Boutonnière

My Easter outfit did not come from the pieces I coveted here. Instead I went with a dress I bought on sale from Anthropologie back in the fall: the Bold Boutonnière. Inspired by Rosa of Love at First Shop, I paired it with a jewel toned cardigan in a spring-friendly hue. I chose violet to match the hyacinth flowers my mother gifts to me every Easter.

After they've given off all the lovely scent they can, and after they've begun to sag from the weight of the tall heavy stems, I tuck them into a corner of my back yard until the plant parts can easily be removed from their bulbs. I plant the bulbs into the ground in late summer/early fall and the flowers return the following spring!

I have only spent one easter so far in my current home, so I only have three hyacinths this year. But next year I'll have three more. My previous place (where I rented, previous to buying my house) had four years worth of these floral presents. I was so sad to leave them behind.

I also wore the above outfit to try on wedding dresses with my mom and sister. We had fun although the things we found were not really up my alley. We went to honor the ritual aspects of wedding planning and to make sure I was certain I didn't want a traditional gown.  I'm still kind of ambivalent about the wedding clothing aspect of this ordeal. The women at the local boutique, Checkers Bridal and Prom, were exceptionally nice and friendly.  And their current 75% off dress sale meant that I could have scored a dress for well under my price ceiling. But I came away empty handed. I do now have many photographs of me in poofy frocks, looking uncomfortable and "overdressed," even for a "bride-to-be."

The Bold Boutonnière was a big hit on the wedding dress store circuit. Many shop assistants asked where I found such a lovely piece.

The details:
Dress: Anthropologie, similar here and here. Top here.
Cardigan: TJ Maxx
Shoes: On left, Marc by Marc Jacobs simple pumps. On right, Chloé zipper flats. (similar to the mbmj, but with a higher heel here.) In fact, I think mine might be knock offs of the iconic Louboutins.

Accessories details:
Anthropologie initial necklace. Similar here.
Swatch Irony watch. Similar here.
Marc Jacobs quilted Blake in Mouse. Similar here.
Antique art deco engagement ring.

BTW, I am 30 years old today!

Buying and Selling to facilitate buying

I got my wisdom teeth out the other week. When I got home, groggy, tired, and confused, I asked Chris for my laptop. He obliged, and I sat on the couch and basically shopped. I decided I needed to finally buy some Baggus for groceries. They were lightweight, brightly colored, and reasonably priced. I bought six of them.

I had also bought APC and 3.1 Phillip Lim dresses from the outnet.com clearance sale since both were over 85% off.

I had a code that amounted to only paying shipping for these Zoya nail polishes:

I was able to satisfy my desire to try matte finish polish.

And because I was going to Ft. Lauderdale for Labor Day weekend, I decided I needed a bathing suit other than the basic black that I have been wearing.

On sale from figleaves.com, this Triumph bikini has a LOT of support/coverage for larger cup sizes.

I eyed these Giuseppe Zanotti flats for a very long time and was thrilled to find them in my size.

It is telling that these same flats were among the items I posted to juxtapose my diatribe about fiscal austerity a few entries back. As soon as I have the chance to shop under the influence I buy them. But I found them for a very good price.

Technically, these were all reasonably-priced thrills, most of which were relatively practical (dresses notwithstanding). But I felt the guilt of indulgence and decided to purge my closet a bit.

I sold one of my multiple dresses that was still new with tags, in the plastic from when I bought it. And I sold two bags. I was sad to say goodbye to the black patchwork Stam but I really only wore it to fancy occasions where I wouldn't need to carry a lot because it is so ostentatious and already so heavy.

This sale alone more than covered all my new purchases. Though I did love the bag, and think it is gorgeous. It just didn't suit my lifestyle. The Stam Hobo makes way more sense for me.

Easier Said Than Done... Not buying til Fall

Since I made my last post I still haven't bought any clothes, shoes, or bags. I did stock up on some underwear and hosiery from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I justified it because if a key pair of tights developed a hole in the fall I'd kick myself for having to pay full price. And the foundation garments I prefer don't go on sale except for now. Basics are different from continuing the superfluous accumulation of STUFF.

But I haven't bought otherwise. I am trying my best to not buy until Fall, since I don't really like summer clothes anyway, save for one See By Chloé linen dress I bought two sale cycles ago.

It is so simple and I hope to wear it in summers for years.

I have also toyed with the idea of forgoing my usual fall gluttony (since it IS my favorite season) and indulging in just one dress.

This one in particular. I imagine I'd wear it with bittersweet chocolate tights, and burnt orange vintage inspired buckle pumps with a chunky square heel. But it is essentially the more expensive Chloé version of my See by Chloé Trail Print Dress in a different pattern/colorway.

The shape is the same. The sleeves are the same. The exaggerated peter pan seaming near the collar is the same. But the price tag on the Chloé (even seasons removed from its initial debut) is far more extravagant than its diffusion line sister dress. So I guess it isn't meant to be! But I am reminded again of why I need to review what I have before making impulse purchases. More often than not, in doing so I will remember owning something which approximates closely the desired new/new-to-me item.

One thrify way I've avoided shopping for bags is by trading with other fashionable ladies in need of a switch. A woman from The Purse Forum offered me her Marc Jacobs Collection quilted Mouse Gray Blake in exchange for my Marc by Marc Jacobs Elderberry Quinn.

Although my lifestyle is probably better suited for the more casual Quinn and Elderberry is one of my favorite Marc by Marc leather colors of all time, I have also long admired MJ collection Mouse gray. And although I really like the practicality of the MBMJ turnlock line, I am starting to tire of its ubuiquity (though I see far less bags in Pittsburgh than in larger cities). My MJ Venetia (which I sold a while ago) couldn't fit over the shoulders but the Blake can. The retail prices on these bags carry a pretty significant difference (hers cost more, though she got it second hand) but at the end of the trade both of us were happy campers.

How are you managing to avoid shopping? Or are you indulging in the sales?