Dressing for two OOTD

Lately I really find myself dressing for two: myself and my little one. As my body continues to adjust postpartum, my wardrobe options remain limited. Not only do a lot of things fit differently but much of my clothing is breastfeeding unfriendly. The hit of my closet has been a Missoni for Target spacedye dress with stretchy fabric and front button panel. Carol of In Pursuit of Pretty Things gave me the sage advice a while back that drapey cardigans would become really important to my nursing ensembles. She was totally right! not only do they help keep me warm but they offer some potential for additional modesty when I'm wrangling my cover, the baby, and my clothes on the fly.

Speaking of covers, I have two (from Udder Covers... one was handed down to me and the other was bought with a code where I paid only --admittedly exorbitant-- shipping) that are incredibly useful in helping me feel confident leaving my house knowing I can feed her whenever she gets hungry. You can see one of them below:

Here we are at a museum (notice the tiny legs draped on my lap). As an aside, I need to give a shout out to Nordstrom who has the most cushy, lovely set up for breastfeeding shoppers! I knew about their "Women's Lounges" from seeing them on my way to the regular ladies rooms but didn't realize how rare and useful they were until now. It's shocking how many public restrooms lack changing tables! So Nordstrom's plush couches, pillows, separate rooms for diaper changes, and quiet, private spaces make me want to give them my entire shopping budget! I guess some Macys stores also have separate nursing areas so I was really surprised to find nothing at Bloomingdales (who is owned by the same company that owns Macys). Maybe it was just that location? Although you don't always need an entire designated room, sometimes you want that separate space!

Pittsburgh Saks Closing Haul

It's officially over. Unless you're planning to stock up on fur coats, Saks Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh no longer exists as an option for eager consumers. The loss of this store is a brutal blow to the retail landscape of Downtown, removing yet another destination from the neighborhood. I worry about how this will effect the downtown Larrimor's outpost. And Brooks Brothers or even Macys, for example. When there is one less destination available within a cluster of proximate stores, the suburban malls with their free parking and climate control increase their appeal. Of course plenty of downtown workers provide a customer base for what remains.

The silver lining of all of this was the consolidation sale which saw Saks stocked with brands never previously carried and prices difficult to beat in their final days. Even outlet discounts like those found at the nearby Off Fifth were stingy in comparison to the additional 70-90% off.

Since my last update, a few people have emailed and commented asking what I bought. So I figured I would share my closing haul as a part of this epilogue. A proper eulogy would likely include a retrospective of my buys over the years of visits. And while that would fit neatly with the initial intention of this blog (to archive, unpack, and think through my consumer habits), I will spare you. Instead here are my most recent finds.

Three silk blouses from Parker, Nanette Lepore, and Akris. A few T by Alexander Wang shirts from the men's section that were $9 marked down from $74. Also in men's a Rag and Bone pullover for Chris that was $17 marked down from $250. Two holiday ornaments marked $2.50, down from $75/each (who would spend the full retail amount on a single bulb, I do not know). Three Wacoal brassieres that were 70% off plus an additional 10% for buying multiples.

And these two dresses by M Missoni and DKNY, respectively. It seems like a lot of stuff when I put it all together but Chris paid for his own things as well as the above M Missoni wave sweater dress which will be a birthday gift to me (at Missoni for Target prices, no less!). I bought far less than I would have if I was still in the same (admittedly ridiculous) consumer pattern exhibited during the recession clearances of 2008 and 2009.

But I still feel indulgent and even a little gluttonous. I have long needed to beef up my sleeved blouse arsenal for both casual and professional ensembles. Although the DKNY dress is not necessarily my usual style, it was such a soft wool, it looks quite flattering on, it was marked down to $24, and seems perfect for more conservative professional occasions. I think its career functionality will prove itself swiftly as I will treat it as a suit alternative. My shopping in the coming months will slow as I tend to buy less from spring and summer collections. And thanks to Anthropologie's new directions, none of my pennies have gone there in 2012. All of this is to say that I am certain my shopping habits will recalibrate accordingly after the above (albeit discount) splurges. Thanks for reading! If you are local, I'd love to head about your purchases!

If it was socially acceptable...

Sweater dress from Bluefly (similar here, here, and here)

Missoni for Target tights

Aquatalia boots (zip version here)

Kate Spade tote (this season's equiv: here, here, and on sale here)

MBMJ jacket

(If money was no object) I would swath myself in cashmere knits on every chilly day. And not just cashmere sweater dresses like the one above. If the price was right I would totally buy some lounging pants and a zip hoodie. I'd wear a soft, drapey swobe. As I get older I notice that when I'm relaxing at home or in recovery mode I just want to be comfortable. And when I wore the above outfit to campus, I chose it because I was recovering from the flu. A 24 hour bug hit me like a ton of bricks over the weekend. My immune system is usually pretty strong. I don't get sick that often. And this is a good thing.

Although there are many benefits to working as a professor, I rarely find myself willing to cancel committee meetings, classes, or (as was the case on this day) interviews unless I am so ill I cannot move. If I can get out of bed, if I have (enough of) a voice, if I am not grossly contagious, and if I can drive to campus without putting anyone in danger, I will usually power through. I was feeling pretty exhausted on this day, as I was still in recovery mode. I was confident that I wouldn't be getting anyone else ill. I kept a safe distance, used a lot of anti-bacterial gel, and opened windows to ventilate when I was in closed quarters. I simply could not reschedule my agenda for that day. So I needed to be comfortable but look passably professional. I think it worked out well enough.

Don't forget to enter the Redraven Studios giveaway! You have until tonight.

Snowy Shopping OOTD

See by Chloe coat and dress

Missoni scarf

Aquatalia boots

Spanx tights

I headed to the Pittsburgh Saks liquidation yesterday before going to the grocery store to grab the components needed for dinner. This is what I wore. For curious Pittsburgh shoppers/readers, I'll have an update about the sale tomorrow.

Valentine's Day is approaching and I need to decide if I want to be a ham and wear red or not. I am leaning toward being festive. Chris and I don't really celebrate but as the daughter of a schoolteacher, I tend to enjoy dressing the part for holidays. What about you? Will you be wearing red or pink on Tuesday?

Dive Bar Show

Missoni for Target spacedye polo dress

Drapey CK cardigan from TJ Maxx (similar)

Spanx tights

Steven by Steven Madden boots

Misc. bracelets

I tend to avoid bar shows in the bars here that still allow smoking* but every now and then it's worth the smelly hair and clothes. Last weekend, my friend Craig was celebrating a birthday AND Chris's band (called False Madrid) was playing their second show ever. And both events were held in a beloved but somewhat dank bar in Polish Hill, Gooskis. I don't go to Gooskis that often anymore but they have delicious pierogies, very cheap beers, and attentive bartenders. Everyone I know who goes there jokes about how some clothes are "Gooskis" clothes. For me the main requirement for Gooskis clothes is that they have to be machine-washable and relatively inexpensive. The above fit the bill! Do you have divey bar clothes?

*In the state of PA, if you derive less than 20% of your tavern income from food sales, you are exempt from the ban. Citation here.

Dark Days

Black version of D'Armee dress

To a Tee blazer

Missoni for Target spacedye tights

Rachel Comey barbaro boots

Misc. jewelry (kate spade, vintage, john hardy, swatch)

I wore this outfit back in November to teach then again recently for some meetings. I thought the tights would add some dimension and visual interest to what is otherwise pretty dull. Unfortunately, I learned that these tights are a little too long (and perhaps a bit too big or at least not fitted enough) so I was fighting gravity all day. Now that I see it, I wish I had scrunched up the dress sleeves since the jacket's cropped ones look a bit funny together. Next time!

Wearing the pants

J Crew matchstick cords

J Crew cocoon merino cardigan

Anthro top

Missoni wool scarf (scored from DSW for $20 years back!)

Reva flats
Misc bracelets and necklaces

Lately as the temperatures have cooled, I've gravitated toward layers and pants. I don't think I wore pants to campus much last year (if at all). That will not hold true for this coming year.