Never Will I Ever

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top: Splendid, Jeans:  H&M Maternity (similar non-maternity style here), Bag:  Mansur Gavriel (also pre-order here), Boots:  Givenchy, Necklace:  Ona Chan c/o

Before becoming pregnant, I had many ideas about what my pregnancy style would look like. 

As I now embark on my 6th month of pregnancy, all I can do is sit back and laugh at my naive pre-pregnancy self.

So today I thought I would share with you a few of my pre-pregncy thoughts that went out the window once my belly began to pop.

 

#1 - I will never wear maternity jeans. Why the heck not? Did I think I was going to suck it in or do the hair-tie trick for 9 months? This was the first notion that was debunked. By 16 weeks I was dying for some relief. I dragged my mother to Destination Maternity with me, tried on about 15 pairs, and finally settled on my first pair of maternity jeans. Since then, I have purchased about 4 more pairs from H&M. I love the fit of their maternity jeans and you can't beat the price.

#2 - Leggings should never be worn as pants. I now prefer leggings over jeans/pants, and happily wear them to the office very often. After trying several pairs, I found this Gap pair to be the best. They go under the belly {sometimes I find the full panel can be a bit itchy} and are super soft.

#3 - I'm going to be pregnant in heels! I traded in my four inches for flats as soon as the lower back pain flared up. Once in a while I will wear a pair of heels at work, but I always bring my flats along. Also, there has been so much snow and ice that heels outside are just not a smart choice these days.

#4 - I'll probably be able to wear my regular clothes up until the very end. At about 5 months most of my tops started to become crop tops. I now have two options - buy a lot of oversized tunics, or buy some maternity tops. I did a bit of both, but for my basics I find that these Old Navy tees fit the bill.

And so, as my body changes my style does too. Lucky for me, accessories ~ like this amazing Ona Chan necklace ~ fit no matter how big your belly gets!

Happy Monday everyone!

Quickie

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Tee:  Splendid, Skirt:  H&M (old, love this similar option), Bag:  French Connection, Shoes:  Zara (old, obsessed with these), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

A super-quick hello and happy hump day today. This photo was taken last week. The temperature has significantly dropped since and I think the days of bare legs are over until the spring.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!

Bachelorette Bash

Blazer:  Helmut Lang ~ on sale! (more sizes here), Tee:  Splendid, Shorts:  Zara (old, similar here), Clutch:  unknown (similar here, also here), Sandals:  J.Crew, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (similar here)

{Photography by Madison Royle}

I am running on very little sleep this weekend ~ thanks to my cousin's bachelorette bash ~ so I'm keeping this one short and sweet.

This is one of the many weekends where I could have REALLY used a day between Saturday and Sunday.

Happy Monday!

It's All About the Presentation

Blazer:  Helmut Lang (budget-friendly version here), Top:  Tibi, Pants:  J.Crew (old, LOVING this pair), Bag:  Target, Shoes:  Christian Louboutin (less expensive option here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

As most of you know {if you have been following me through the crazy/fun journey that is my career} I was promoted about three months ago. 

I am now part of the training and development team at my company, and my main focus is new hire training. While I have already trained my first group of new hires, today I will be presenting my first sales training workshop that I developed myself. 

So in the words of Cher, I had to find my most responsible-looking ensemble.

A perfectly-tailored blazer does the trick every time.

Wish me luck!

Happy Monday!

Leather Drawstring Shorts

Blazer:  Helmut Lang ~ best purchase of the summer ~ on sale here, Shorts:  Bec&Bridge ~ also on sale!, Top:  Aritzia (old, similar here, LOVE this one), Shoes:  c/o Marc Fisher, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Two things that I had been searching for for quite some time: 

1. leather shorts that are not too short, not too tight {shorts I can wear to work with tights in the fall/winter}

2. drawstring shorts

Imagine my delight when I came across the perfect combination of the two. In addition to meeting my above requirements the shorts are croc embossed {major bonus} and they were on sale! I call that a win, win, win, win!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Rehearsal

Blazer:  Helmut Lang ~ on sale!, Dress:  Anthropologie (old, LOVE this similar option, this one too!), Bag:  3.1 Phillip Lim, Shoes:  Loeffler Randall, Sunnies:  LeSpecs c/o SunglassesShop

This Helmut Lang blazer ~ another one of my sale finds. 

I was in desperate need of a new white blazer, and after purchasing this leather-sleeved number for my birthday, I would settle for nothing less than Helmut Lang. 

There is something about a perfectly tailored blazer ~ a wardrobe essential.

Tonight we celebrate my sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner. Our yard has been transformed into the most enchanting wedding venue I have ever seen {complete with a custom altar that my husband built}. And along with a fabulous weather forecast, I'm sure the day is going to be absolutely perfect!

Tropical Leather

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Dress:  Topshop, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (old, similar here)

While I've started to transition my wardrobe over to more springy pieces, I'm not quite ready to retire my winter faves just yet. Which is why I've paired this tropical dress with my leather and wool blazer. The piles of dirty snow that remain are a constant reminder that at any moment we could go back to the polar vortex. 

In the meantime, I'm totally enjoying some outdoor activities and fresh air.

Happy hump day!

Black + White + Red

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (similar here), Shoes:  Zara (old, great option here), Scarf:  Alexander McQueen, Bag:  French Connection, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban 

You may have seen me wearing several variations of this outfit on my Instagram lately. The end of the season has me wearing my favorites on repeat:

1. Classic black blazer 2. Striped tee 3. Black skinny jeans 4. Pointy-toe pumps. 

I can mix and match any of these basic pieces with almost anything in my closet. Best part, each piece can be deconstructed and reworked in to transition-to-spring outfits.

Winter Wedding

Dress:  Tibi via THE OUTNET, Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Tights:  Hue, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 I wore this dress on Saturday for a winter wedding. I had promised myself that I was not buying any more winter clothes ~ period. However, when I saw this sassy silhouette on THE OUTNET, I just couldn't help myself. 

Since it was super last minute, I chose their same day Premier delivery option. A mere five hours after placing my order a van pulled up in front of my house, and my order was delivered to my door ~ not in a boring brown box, but in a shiny new shopping bag. First class service that THE OUTNET offers to their customers in parts of NY and NJ.

The dress was the perfect pick and I plan on wearing it into spring for a few other events I have coming up.

Skull and Crossbones

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Scarf:  Alexander McQueen, Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Bag:  French Connection, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Minus the crossbones, just this fabulous silky scull scarf. It may not be warm, but it sure heats up an otherwise simple outfit.

We're half way there!

Pashli

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top:  Gap, Skirt:  TopShop (sold out - great option HERE for under $20!), Bag:  3.1 Phillip Lim LARGE Pashli ~ on major sale!, Shoes:  Zara, Tights:  Hue, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Necklace:  J.Crew Factory (great alternative here)

After drooling over this bag for more than a year now, I finally decided to make this blue beauty mine. I was hesitant to spend so much money on such a colorful selection, but after purchasing I've discovered that cobalt is the new black. 

This bag goes with EVERYTHING! I played it safe here, pairing it with all-black, but stay tuned for some more exciting colorful combinations to come.

Black + White

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Dress:  Madewell (old, similar here under $40!), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Tights:  Express, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

No matter the season, no matter the weather, you're always alright in black and white.

Happy Monday!

Fall Layers

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Sweater:  H&M (cute option here, similar here for $22!), Top:  J.Crew (last year, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (similar here under $20!), Shoes:  Christian Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, newer version here)

As I've been working in the corporate world for 4+ months now, I find myself straying away from the preppy classroom style that I had donned for years. This wardrobe evolution is definitely bittersweet for me, but I always try to stick with the mantra 'change is good'. And as more and more elements of glam creep into my closet, there will always be room for preppy plaids and cable-knit cardis.

Oblivious

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Tee:  Forever 21, Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Christian Louboutin, Bag:  c/o GiGi New York, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I wish it weren't so, but I'm definitely one of those people who isn't always completely aware of their surroundings. For example, this enormous American flag mural is painted on the side of a convenience store that I pass almost every day. I was none the wiser until my husband pointed it out to me recently.

Kinda makes me want to get out there and do some exploring this weekend.

My Birthday Suit

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Pants:  Gap, Shoes:  Valentino Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I wore this outfit to celebrate my birthday over the weekend. No over the top celebration this year but my husband took me out to our favorite restaurant for a quiet romantic dinner. 

I had been lusting over this Helmut Lang blazer for a very long time and finally treated myself to it as it was included in the Saks friends and family sale last month. 

Happy birthday to me!

Don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway HERE!