Planning a Zoo Outfit

I think I made the cutoff for the rides.

Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Target
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Flats: Steve Madden

Not a lot to see here. Just a 5'11" woman casually hanging out in a casual outfit with a cartoon giraffe. You know, your basic Sunday at the zoo.

I find myself at the zoo a lot lately. Giraffes, elephants, zebras and monkeys are a constant part of my two-year-old son's conversation. We went to the Oakland Zoo, which is light years better in terms of space for the animals in comparison to the San Francisco Zoo, on a little adventure outside of the city. When I dress for the zoo, a few questions must be answered affirmatively before I decide on an outfit:

1) Are my shoes comfortable ?

2) Can I chase around after my son without fear of things peeking or poking out in appropriately when I bend over to pick him up?

3) Do I have pockets for Kleenex?

4) Am I animal-print free? (Because I feel like that might be highly offensive to some of the animals. How would you feel if someone came to visit you wearing a human-skin jacket? Gross, right?)

5) Will I be OK if this gets covered in dirt/crumbs/sticky unnamed stuff? That is a pretty standard question for most outfits these days, but especially applicable to zoo excitement.

If I have a solid five out of five, then we have a winner.

Multiple Exposures

I jumped to new levels of bravery in taking these photos.

Jacket: Banana Republic (similar)
Sweater: MNGO (similar)
Jeans: GAP
Bag: H&M
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Boots: Kenneth Cole Reaction (similar)

It has always been a little bit uncomfortable for me to share that I have a blog with people that I meet in real life. To actually verbalize, "Yes, I have a blog in which I share pictures of myself" has always struck me as, well, vain. And truthfully, there is a certain amount of vanity involved in the creation of a lifestyle blog. You want to make it aesthetically pleasing and you post shots where you are at your visual best. To lend to this, I'm currently taking a photography class. I want my camera to be more than a point and shoot, to actually understand what aperture means.

My photography class took a field trip to Golden Gate Park to tinker with our cameras. In this session, I admitted to my classmates that I own a blog. Since my little secret was out, I decided to lose all inhibition and take my tripod-posed photos in front of them. My teacher saw me going back and forth from the tripod to the stairs, running and posing in between a 10 second timer. "Oh, is this Teal In Motion?" he said, smiling. I turned bright red, mumbled something about over exposure and said yep, this is pretty much it.

Simple Styling

Sometimes it is the simplest outfit in which I feel the absolute best.

Chambray shirt: Target (similar)
Tee: Gap
Jeans: Gap
Necklace: Anthropologie
Watch: Michael Kors (similar)
Boots: Kenneth Cole (similar)

 I had such aspirations this past weekend. Dinner with friends. A trip to the zoo. Grocery shopping. I only accomplished the least fun one (take a guess) of these plans since I came down with a wicked cold. I didn't have energy for anything more than jeans and a tee - my best Gap basics. Yet, I felt good. Dare I say, I felt put together. I'm at my best with simple combinations. Black, gray and denim - it pairs nicely with my yellow cabinet I found on Craigslist for $50, doesn't it? When I'm sick, I like to accessorize with my house.

Outfoxed

Whether a trend is still in or on its way out, if it is on sale, I'm sold.

Sweater: Old Navy
Button Up: Express
Pants: Target
Heels: Urban Outfitters
Glasses: Warby Parker

I've been wanting to get an animal sweater for quite some time - as far back as September. As time passed, I never felt inclined to spend $30+ for a sweater that would surely be a fading trend. I prefer to purchase staples with staying power. When I saw this sweater on sale at Old Navy for $12, I couldn't resist. Is this trend over? Perhaps. But when my son gives it his seal of approval ("Oooh! Fox!") and I spent the equivalent of a what a fancy salad might cost me at lunch to get it, I feel like I made a wise choice.

Then, I did some light Googling to provide you with a link so you can get your own sweater on sale. Guess what? You can't. It is sold out and it is going for $69 or more on eBay! Are you kidding me? Maybe I really did outfox the fashion competition by digging through the sale racks. And maybe that is my last pun of the day. Maybe.

Chunky Sweaters

Nope. Not pregnant. But this sweater seems to think otherwise.

Sweater: Urban Outfitters
Button-up: Target
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Frye
Wayfarers: Ray-Ban (similar)

Chunky sweaters can be deceiving. When my husband gave me this sweater for Christmas, I was thrilled because chunky sweaters have been my thing lately. I love the patchwork elbows and the toffee color. I wanted to wear it so badly on our date night during our holiday vacation in wine country that I paired it with the only jeans and boots I had on hand, the ability to match completely disregarded. Subbing in black boots or indigo denim would have been the right move here, but I was without. Despite all of this, I was feeling pretty cute.

You know how they say the camera adds 10 lbs? Well, apparently, this sweater adds another twenty. Kevin swore up and down that in person the sweater didn't make me look wide, but I think a picture is worth a thousand of my husband's lies sweet words.  He offered to take the sweater back but I opted to keep it because a) I totally love it and him for knowing what I love, and b) if I get pregnant again anytime in the near future, I've got a sweater on hand to cover it.

Breaking and Keeping New Year's Resolutions

My New Year's resolution is to post my pictures to the blog in a timely manner.

Vest: Old Navy
Chambray button-up: Target
Scarf: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Target
Hat: H&M (similar)
Boots: Nine West (similar)

Oops, already broke a resolution. I also resolved to eat less aged cheese, but I think we all know how that one will turn out as well.

The weather was pretty chilly during the holidays. In the days before the new year, I started to get claustrophobic in the house. As much as I like a long break, I can't sit still for long. This is a trait my son has inherited as well, so we bundled up and headed to the zoo. It is fair to say that I am obsessed with this puffer vest from Old Navy (which I purchased in size Tall because I learned things in 2012). I wore it no less than five days in a row over Christmas. Considering it was only $15, I'm thinking I might need one in every color and I'll rename the blog "Expecting Puffers" because that is all I will wear from now on. Staying as warm and cozy as possible - that's a New Year's resolution I can keep.

Peacoat Perfection

'Tis the season to find the perfect winter coat.

Coat: c/o GigaSavvy
Shirt: Target
Jeans: Target (similar)
Necklace: H&M
Boots: Frye

I was offered a dream opportunity - pick a coat, any coat.  Have you ever heard the phrase like a kid in a candy store? Just call me Violet Beauregard because I felt like a glutton when scrolling through their selections. I've been on the hunt for an all-purpose peacoat. When it comes to wardrobe staples, I look for three things: versatility, quality and affordability. I think I found all three with this navy wool Tommy Hilfilger coat.

During this holiday season, I have visions of new coat combinations dancing in my head. Not only do I love the deep navy color that will go with nearly everything, but I also love the lining, as demonstrated by my flasher-like pose. Surprise! The coat is awesome inside AND out. Plus, it is on sale in a huge way right now. It may be a bit of a budget stretch, but from a cost-per-wear perspective, you can't beat this price for the level of quality. This is a coat I will have for years. I highly recommend you check out the online sales and find the coat that works for you!

Disclosure: My coat was supplied by GigaSavvy but the opinions expressed here are solely my own. I fully dig that coat lining and I'm not afraid to show it.

IKEA Logo, Realized

It's that moment when you are shopping at IKEA and you realize that you are wearing the exact colors of the logo of IKEA. You will notice that even my son is too embarrassed to look at me.

Fall In Full Effect

A little glimpse at some fall colors I don't usually see in the city these days.

Sweater: MNG
Button-up shirt: Free People
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Frye
Keagan's outfit: Carter's (similar)

It was nearing freezing temperatures during my trip back to my small little Northern California hometown this past weekend. I took my little guy to visit my mom and stepdad to give them some special bonding time with their grandson. The fall colors were gorgeous, acting as eye candy during my six hour drive. I bundled up in my favorite new sweater as we took Keagan on an exploratory trip around the property. We both ooh'd and aaah'd as we took in the view - me over the skyline and Keagan over the cows.

Hotel Wallpaper

I had a brief love affair with this wallpaper during my trip to Chicago.

Sweater: MNGO
Pants: H&M
Loafers: Target

I always take an initial sweep through a new hotel room to check out the decor and the perks. The biggest up-sell for me was this fantastic wallpaper. I love a good black and white print design. I also love a good opportunity for a fun photo background, so what I'm telling you is that this was the best hotel ever.

Speaking of love affairs, check out my new sweater. At the airport in San Francisco, I realized that I didn't pack enough warm clothes for the blustery Chicago weather. When I spotted MNGO in the midst of a Sunglasses Hut, a food court and a magazine shop, I realized that despite delays and horrendous fast food, sometimes airports do get it right. This is the first time I can say "I bought this at the airport" and not feel awash in tacky guilt.

Boo At The Zoo

No, that is not a fancy new wrist accessory on my left hand. That is a peacock.

Top: Gap
Tank: Gap
Jeans: Current/Elliot, thrifted (similar)
Loafers: Target (similar)

I'm always amazed when I see peacocks strutting around the zoo with the seagulls out in the open, like they own the place. But, I digress. On to the clothes. There is truly nothing exciting about this outfit. It's your basic weekend wear. But it does have a strategy behind it.

1) Leopard loafers at the zoo because, duh.
2) Comfy boyfriend jeans carry me through the fall and probably won't last me through the whipping winds of winter, so I may as well get my use now. Plus, when you attend Boo at the Zoo with a running toddler, you know that you are going to have to dodge and duck around thousands of candy-crazed Spidermans, Hulks, princesses and furry animals. No time for muss and fuss.
3) Neutral tones, so I can be the backdrop to this guy's shining day:

My little Buzz Lightyear. I love him to infinity and beyond.

Pumpkin Patch Attire

Pardon me while I hitch up my wagon pullin' pants.

Cardigan: H&M
Scarf: gift
Jeans: Joe's
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden

I made a grave parenting mistake last year. We didn't go to a pumpkin patch. OK, maybe on the grand scheme of parenting mistakes, broken limbs are a bit higher up than a lack of pumpkin patch pictures, but still. I have been regretting it since 2011.

We headed to the headquarters of all things pumpkin and patches: Half Moon Bay. We first went to the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival. For some reason, in our mind, we were heading to a glorious destination - a wide open field with rows of colorful pumpkins in all shapes and sizes with food stands and hay rides all around us. Instead, we found ourselves in the middle of a street festival full of loud, oompa-sounding music and people getting sauced on pumpkin wine at 9:00 AM. It wasn't the backdrop I had envisioned for all the adorable pictures of my little pumpkin.

Fortunately, we found this sweet little roadside pumpkin patch with red wagons and giant tractors. I dragged Keagan, who's little leg was still healing up, all over the place as he shouted, "Punkin! PUN-KIN!" In between snapping quick outfit shots, I went total mom-arrazzi on my little guy and now I have enough pumpkin patch photos to last me until 2013.

My Happy Place

Just a girl, surrounded by vintage finds and food trucks, happy as can be.

Tank: Old Navy
Pants: H&M
Necklace: H&M
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Loafers: Target

The beauty of a San Francisco fall is that it gets unseasonably warm. It was pushing 85 degrees on Sunday when we headed over to the Treasure Island Flea. We've been once a month for the past few months. Not only can you take in the gorgeous views of a San Francisco skyline, you can haggle over vintage prints and homemade goods, all while sampling the best that food trucks have to offer. Between that and sunshine on my shoulders, I had a grin that wouldn't quit.

The downfall of a San Francisco fall is that you are unprepared for the heat. When the weather rarely climbs above 65 degrees for the rest of the year, I forget about the existence of shorts. Just as the sun appears and I remember they exist, I'm blinded by my pale legs and dive into my khaki pants to protect those that surround me. It's a vicious cycle from which my vanity will never let me escape.

A Pants' Identity Crisis

Sigh...these pants. I don't know.

Cardigan: Banana Republic
Tank: H&M
Pants: Forever 21 (similar)
Necklace: gift
Bag: street vendor in NYC
Flats: Target

These pants have an identity crisis. I bought them a while back when I was leaping on the colored jeans trend, but they don't seem to be what I want them to be. When I wore them once before, my husband called them "Smurf pants", much to my chagrin. When I wore them to a friend's baby shower this last weekend, I was greeted by a bunch of girls that were in my college sorority. This exact shade of blue was our sorority color (as is the exact shade of gold in the bag I'm holding). Suddenly, these pants became my "Theta pants." Why can't they just be my trendy pants? Maybe they aren't working for me.

Speaking of trendy, I love my new leopard flats from Target. If I could find more things to match with leopard, I'd wear them every day.

The Wedding Entertainment

Allow me to walk you through the awkward parts of posing for photos for a personal style blog.

Dress: Tahari, Macy's
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Heels: Ralph Lauren

Here I am, all dressed up and feeling cute for my friends' wedding, with a gorgeous Carmel backdrop. It dawns on me that I haven't taken blog photos yet, which is sheer blasphemy in the blog world. As my husband tells me to pose, my friends are all looking on, laughing at me. I'm embarrassed with the whole situation and it is only made worse as my heels sink deep into the grass. I teeter-totter back and forth as I pull myself free, apologizing to the gophers below who just got a stiletto in the forehead.

My equilibrium is completely off because of my horrid head cold and posing just so, with one leg in front of the other is impossible. I then realize that I'm posing in front of a flock of sheep while nearly toppling backwards and I say, "Forget it. I'm out." The whole thing couldn't get more ridiculous.

The realization that not only an entire wedding, but a full restaurant of people, saw this whole thing go down brings out this reaction. Time to hit the open bar.

My Inner Geek

The last of the conference outfit fun.

Dress: Target
Watch: Michael Kors
Heels: Madden Girl, DSW

Our conference group had a reception at the Planetarium in Chicago. Immediately, I thought of South Park and started loudly calling it the Plane-arium (see 50 seconds in on the video below). No one got my joke and despite being all dressed up pretty in a glossy dress, my nerd nature was revealed in all its glory to my coworkers. I love my work.

Roger Ebert Should Lay Off the Fatty Foods
Get More: SOUTH
PARKmore...

Red, White and Casual

Life, liberty and the pursuit of comfort.

Blouse: H&M
Boyfriend jeans: Current/Elliot, thrifted
Belt: thrifted
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Flip-flops: Locals

You know how it goes with us so-called style bloggers. You plan what you might wear on the 4th, plotting out your red, white and blue combos. A wavy skirt might be nice, or perhaps a fantastic sundress replicated stars and stripes.

Then I realized - I'm a mom on the move and these cute combos aren't practical. I'm chasing after a little wind-up toy I call my son. I didn't have time to do my hair before the parade. And I really, really love my new designer boyfriend jeans that I found at Crossroads for $28. Where else can I dress casual, wipe my food-covered fingers on my jeans and wave around a tiny flag? America, that's where. The place where I have the freedom to ignore my blog urges to look cute and dive into my impulse to simply look happy.

I'll try harder after the holiday...and after I've finished digesting all the food I ate.

Love Dress

My husband said to me this past weekend: "I bought you something. I saw it and I immediately thought of you."

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet
Belt: Forever 21
Boots: Steve Madden

That something was this dress. On his trip to the outlets in search of golf gear, he detoured into Banana Republic and did me a solid. Solid blue. And you know what? When I saw it, I immediately saw that my husband has excellent taste. Obviously. He married me, right? Badum-bum. Thanks, folks! You've been great. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

But seriously. I love that man beyond words. And I love this dress. And whenever I wear it, I will think of love.

Treasure The View

I was awestruck at the view of San Francisco from Treasure Island. Here's a little sneak peek at the dialogue that occurs during a blog shoot.

In the first picture: "Man, it is windy!"

"I'm freezing. Get me out of here. Wait - cars are coming."

"Oooh, I'm jaywalking!"

"Did my hair look like a mess in all of those shots?"

And the whole time, my husband laughs, shakes his head and keeps clicking. Let's just take in the view, instead.

Jacket: H&M
Scarf: H&M
Tank: Old Navy
Maxi skirt: Express
Sunglasses: H&M
Shoes: TOMS