Micro-Pedi with Emjoi

With Memorial Day approaching, there's no denying that it's open-toed shoe season. Unfortunately, I am at the point in my third trimester of pregnancy when seeing, let alone reaching my feet is a challenge. I am also reluctant to spend time in a nail salon due to fumes. So I haven't felt ready for the days of having my feet in public view until I was sent the Micro-Pedi by Emjoi!

It is a compact but powerful home pedicure tool that helps smooth out rough patches and callouses to allow softer skin to emerge. It requires two double-A batteries in order to work but once those are in, it is pretty powerful. It didn't hurt at all to use it. In fact I had more difficulty getting it out of the plastic package than I did giving myself a home-pedicure, despite the interference of the pregnant belly. It has a large button that pushes up to turn it on and it features helpful grips on the sides. It also has a little release button at the top for easy cleaning. While I will spare you the foot photos, I am really pleased with the results from using this! We aren't taking any big trips before baby comes but we are going away for a weekend here and there, and I will feel better prepared because of this small tool. Emjoi sent me this product to review at the perfect time of year so thank you to them! It retails for $39.95 (which is about what I pay for a pedicure in Pittsburgh). It is available for purchase directly from their website here.

Interviewing OOTD

For understandable reasons, the bulk of blog advice and consideration surrounding interview outfits is focused on what candidates should (and shouldn't) wear. From having been on the other side of interviewing a few times at this point, I can say that even the process of dressing to be an interviewer can be difficult.

When I know I will be interviewing candidates, I consider carefully what I will wear. Since the interview process is daunting and lengthy for all involved parties, I try to focus on comfort and avoid anything that could be distracting or fussy. Academia in general and the humanities in particular can vary greatly in codes of dress. Couple this sartorial uncertainty with the variability of summer weather and the knowledge that I would be headed out for a date with Chris right after and my outfit conundrum became even more baffling.

But any time I find myself in uncertain dress code situations, I err on the sides of neutrals and basics. This dress and cardigan combo felt a bit casual for conducting interviews but my other breathable summer dresses uniformly are vibrant prints. For this kind of occasion, plain seemed preferable to print. I was seated for the bulk of the day so my outfit was barely visible but I remained comfortable throughout the process. I don't think I would teach in this ensemble because that is a situation where attention gets centralized onto me. But I would wear it again for committee meetings or to do consulting during the summer months.

The shoes are some of the most comfortable wedges I've encountered. Whenever Nike Air technology gets wedded with office-friendly pumps, feet have cause to rejoice. The bag is comprised of incredibly light and durable leather, in a color that seems to match everything and I got it for a song on Ebay. All in all, I am happy with how this outfit turned out. 

Details:
Old Navy Swing Dress
Banana Republic Factory Cardigan
Cole Haan Air Tali wedges (on sale and bought with a gift card- Narrow at the toe so I took an 8 instead of a 7.5 but needed the Nordstrom shoe associate to add a heel grip which he did on site. Their strong customer service reputation continues to be deserved! And early access to the Anniversary Sale has just begun!)
Longchamp Quadri Hobo in Pebble
Both necklaces were gifts from loved ones

Anila Shirtdress Summer OOTD

I have a problem with clothing trends right now. I should disclose that it is my conscious decision to have a problem with clothes rather than with my own body shape (and its apparent incompatibility with the clothes). At the moment, the clothes "on trend" are fads that I lived through the first time around as a teenager (and therefore feel too old to revisit), "comfort" chic styles that feel too much like pajamas to wear in public,  or billowy sacks designed presumably to make one marvel over the juxtaposition of the wearer's litheness when compared to said billowy sack. I can't wear any of it to work. And I can't really wear any of it outside of work... at least not without feeling foolish due to the trifecta of my age, my body type, and my status as a mom.

But dressing in the summer has always confounded me, especially when it comes to work. We're in the beginning of summer so I have no sense of outfit rhythm and still feel terribly exposed without tights and layers. Every day I cycle through outfit options, disapproving of choice after choice. It's even worse on the days when I have to go to campus.

I am fortunate in that my job is not rigid in dress code and my summer work can often be done from home. But I am still serving on committees. I am still part of the campus community which doesn't halt during the summer. So there are plenty of occasions to go to work on campus. I just never know what to wear. It would be easier if all my summer clothes fit but I am carrying extra weight due to stress.

Social media are abuzz singing the praises of summer and I am glad for the vitamin D but this is my least favorite season for dressing. Thank goodness life is about more than clothes!

Outfit details:
Anila shirtdress from Anthropologie (old)
Spanx tights (probably one of my last days to wear until fall)
MBMJ punk mouse flats (on sale in black)

Beachy Themed OOTD

Both Emilia and I wore thematic dresses to an Under the Sea themed wedding shower for my sister-in-law last weekend. Mine is from Boden and majorly on sale now! They were big hits and both of us received many compliments. I actually like Emilia's dress even more so than my own but Ralph Lauren didn't make any dresses with the same fabric for adults.

Outfit details:
Boden Nancy dress (on sale now!)
Gap cardigan
Campers sandals
Michael Kors watch; Gift necklace from Chris who bought it from a market in Benin

On Emilia:
Ralph Lauren dress
Saltwater sandals
On Chris:
J Crew shirt and pants

Some outfits from the summer

With Labor Day behind us, I wanted to share a few outfits I never got around to posting. Both are from earlier in my second trimester so in both I look smaller than I do today. But with the temperatures still swelling, I expect I will be recycling these looks for a few more weeks. Thank goodness for elastic waistbands.

A surprising plus of this pregnancy has been last summer's clutch purchase of the Ancient Myths maxi skirt from Anthropologie. I didn't anticipate how useful its stretchy ruched waist would become. I've worn it often and the print is just distracting enough to feel like a decent belly mask.

Less adept at masking was this Max Studio foldover waist skirt with Bailey 44 column-esque stripes. Although the stripes trick the eye, because I didn't tuck my tee, the belly is pretty obvious.

Outfit 1:
Ancient Myths Maxi Skirt from Anthro, summer 2011 (similar)
Gap tee
BP sandals from Nordstrom

Outfit 2:
MaxStudio maxi skirt from Marshalls (similar)
Gap tee
Kate Spade Daycation tote (recent version on sale here)
Etro sunglasses

End of summer wedding

The other week Chris and I attended the wedding of two friends. We bonded with Katie and Rob years ago over our love for local sports teams (specifically the Buccos and Pitt Panthers). And we've been hanging around each other since. They had a really beautiful soirée in a rustic barn space they secured in North Park. The content of their ceremony was so moving, as it emphasized the significance of their dedication and commitment to one another even before they became engaged. The officiant talked about how for them, marriage would not change things drastically. At least not in their day to day.

This was something with which I really identified. In so many ways* being married didn't/doesn't feel that different. While they were exchanging their vows (both of which included references to their beloved Pittsburgh Pirates) Chris squeezed my hand while tears of joy for the happy couple streamed down my face. Thank goodness for waterproof mascara! We had a great time on an exceptionally beautiful summer evening. And we wish Katie and Rob a lifetime of happiness!

I wore the purple Bold Boutonnière. And while I was there, I ran into Tara who was also sporting an  Anthro dress. If you squint a little you can almost see it through the horrific blur. Photography is not a strong suit of me or my partner.

Tara runs an etsy shop called Daffodil Vintage. Be sure to check it out!

I hope your last weekend of Summer is fantastic!


*A caveat to clarify that this statement does not intend to minimize the value of the tax policies and laws (not to mention potential rights to spousal benefits) afforded only to heterosexual married couples at the federal level and within the state of PA. Those benefits do produce beneficial change for couples and they're nothing to sneeze at. I look forward to the day when marriage equality is a reality in this nation.

End of summer jewelry buy

Rosa from Love at First Shop posted on Fashionism about these interesting starfish bracelets for sale at a website called Shop Suey. I was unfamiliar with the site. And the gold color I preferred was on backorder. Still I decided to make a request for one of each. Both the gold and silver arrived yesterday and I think they're pretty cool!

Rosa is wearing hers in today's outfit post. Because I just got mine I only managed to snap an iphone photo of how they look when layered together. Now I have to decide if I can I get away with wearing these after labor day.

Live Colorfully; Live Brasilian

Make up pouches by Kate Spade (thank you, outlet sales!)

Praia Ipanema Kanga from Brazil

During my time visiting the Delaware shore, I also managed to hit up some outlets, which are right along the coastal highway. When I returned home, I noticed that my new make up bag purchases comprise the colors of my favorite Brazilian kanga. This was not on purpose. It just sort of happened. But I love the colors. Live colorfully, indeed. :)

Vintage Grand Prix

Speaking of math being hard, Elaina and I referred to this as the Barbie car.

Every year Chris tries to convince me to attend the Vintage Grand Prix with him in Schenley Park. And every year it is held on a sweltering weekend in July during which I cannot muster enthusiasm for anything other than the Polish Hill Pool (and maybe some popsicles). Not to be some "math is hard" lady stereotype but I don't know anything about cars and I don't really plan to change that in the near future. So I have managed to avoid Pittsburgh's Vintage Grand Prix for the entire duration of my relationship and my life before it.

This year that changed because my friend Elaina invited me to go. Her parents show their MG with the British cars in the show. Chris was so excited to finally attend this event with me AND to hang out with people who actually show a car in the event. The MG happens to be his favorite classic car but in general, he just likes anything that involves nerding out with a dad. It seems that dads everywhere adore Chris because of his nerdy enthusiasm for a broad array of dad-friendly subjects.

Even though it was hot, I actually had fun at the Vintage Grand Prix. Elaina's mom was kind enough to pack a picnic full of snacks that she set up underneath a big tree. And Elaina's dad was happy to walk around with Chris, discussing car things. I might even agree to go again next summer when Chris inevitably asks if I want to.

Scalloped hem dress OOTD

I wore this to dinner on Sunday at Chris's mom and stepdad's house. The dress is something I picked up in St. Barths when we went for Thanksgiving in 2007. The belt is from Anthropologie. The shoes are just flea market finds. I hadn't worn the dress in a long time but the scalloped hem and trim reminded me of a lot of recent skirts and dresses from Anthropologie. I am trying to squeeze in as much summer clothing as possible before Labor Day.

BTW, there is a HUGE list of sale items and second/third cuts over at Effortless Anthropologie. Be sure to check it out if you are looking for deals this fine Tuesday! I'm sitting this one out but I'd love to know what others are getting.

Seaglass Garden Cover-up Review

The second cut sale of this beaded, beachy "Seaglass Garden" cover up from Anthropologie (ID 053188) was tempting. Although my typical size medium was sold out on the website, small and large remained. I ended up going against my gut and trying the small. I figured that a stretchy material meant to be worn over a bathing suit was better off being snug than overly billowing. Besides, a coverup will get wet and wet fabrics stretch out. I think I made the right decision but honestly, it seemed like a large would have been fine too. With a matching fabric tie belt and a gathered elastic waist, it seems like the fit of this would only change significantly in length.

The beading is very nice and substantial. The waist tie is trimmed with more beads at the ends. And although it is somewhat sheer as one would expect from a cover up, I wore it as a regular dress (with a slip underneath) to dinner on Friday, following a late afternoon swim at one of the city pools (Polish Hill aka hipster beach, aka Polish Hill Country Club, aka the most serene of any public pool I've ever visited!).

Although I would have never purchased this cover up at asking retail, I think it is a great value for the quality at the second cut sale price point so if you are thinking of tracking one down, don't wait! I plan to keep this for many years of swimming to cover up chicly afterwards. And I will definitely be packing it for Rio in December (aka honeymoon leg 2).

Uncovering a cute coverup

I try to find plenty of reasons and places to swim during warmer months. City of Pittsburgh pools just opened this week and I got a season pass! I have a few bathing suits (bikinis, tankinis, and one pieces) that are surprisingly supportive. Thank goodness for figleaves.com, at least prior to their changes in the return policy. I found many suits complete with underwire, ample selection, and sizing that mimic perfectly that of brassieres.

So the difficult part of locating suits in which I can comfortably and functionally swim is tackled. The thing I am always on the lookout for is a cute coverup. I am a fairly modest person so I feel uncomfortable showing a lot of skin even in scenarios where it is appropriate (i.e. at a beach or around a public pool). Cute coverups are integral to my summer swimming exit strategy. I throw one on after a swim to read, chat, snack, or bask.  And I often find them in the women's intimates section, where pretty printed night dresses are plentiful. The key is finding pieces that are not obviously negligees. I did just that this week at Marshalls. This one by the pajama brand, Munki Munki was clearanced and too cute to pass up.

The roller skate print borders on being too twee, but I figure arbitrary limitations regarding age and fashion don't necessarily apply, poolside. Marshalls had little short and pant pj sets in this print in addition to an elephant print that I might go snag. I had no idea how pricey the stuff was supposed to be until I got home and scoped their website.

What do you wear when you're feeling modest by the pool?