Let me be clear: I am NOT a proponent of leggings.  I think that if you’re over a certain age (like 18) and plan to wear leggings you should have a top long enough to cover parts that are better off covered.  I was really skeptical about these at first but I think that’s what I love so much about these denim leggings; they have enough structure and they have real pockets so I think they look more like jeans than leggings.  They feel like wearing fitted pajamas however!!! Don’t worry, I still wear them with tops long enough to cover everything that needs to be covered. 

What more could you want when you’re pregnant and essentially have a bowling ball attached to your abdomen??  I’ve been wearing these leggings all the time.  If it’s Sunday, I’m wearing them.  If we’re going out to dinner, I’m wearing them with a cute top and booties.  If I’m running errands and it’s a snowy day in Chicago (um, every day lately) I’m wearing them with my winter boots pulled up.  Pretty much if they’re clean and I don’t have work, I’m wearing them.

Only downer: cost.  I had an unused Sak’s gift card though and bought the leggings the weekend of Sak’s Friends & Family weekend (extra 20% off) so with those two things considered I only paid $33 for these jeans.  I have the Olympia color and love it.  Have I suitably said enough about how much I love these??  OK, I’ll stop now.  Just get a pair if you can.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446252175

Here is a pic of my BFF Kristen and me tailgating this fall.  We’re due two days apart– so exciting.  You can’t see the jeans very clearly but I’m wearing them and loving them.

Anyway, I am a subscriber to Lucky magazine and that is how I came across the blog Cupcakes and Cashmere.  Emily, the creator, is obviously way cooler than I am and I am in awe.  She gets items and trips gifted to her so that she will review them.  She created a bag for Coach.  I mean, seriously people.  Her style is sometimes way too out there for me.  In my ripe old age of 29 I’ve realized I’m mostly preppy and not that edgy.  It’s sometimes a bit disappointing but why not stick with what works right??  Her style is ecclectic and there are many looks she rocks that I could never hope to pull off.  For example: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/studies-in-sequins/  I would just look ridiculous if I tried to wear that to the elementary school I worked in.  She makes it look effortless and cool.  Sigh. 

Other than taking really cool photos of her really cool outfits she also posts recipes, (where I came across the chocolate chocolate chip cookies) and she gives hair and make up tips.  My favorite of all-time is the smoky eye how-to.   I was clueless how to achieve a not-trying-too-hard smoky eye until I found her easy to follow instructions.  I’ve definitely worked that a time or two when going out on the town.  It’s just an awesome site and gives me a little inspiration to maybe throw on an extra accessory or something when normally I’d skip it.  Or put a little braid in my hair rather than just a plain pony-tail.  Come on, it’s rough sometimes being a working mom!  I bet she’d cut me a little slack.    Hope you enjoy cruising the site as much as I do.

One of my favorite things about living in Chicago is that I am often surrounded by these people.  I can be driving downtown and see someone with the coolest punk hair, scarf, jacket, perfectly torn jeans.  Rocker chic.  Not my style but cool.  Then the next person has sleek long hair, impeccable jeans, long-ish cardigan, gorgeous bag, and the perfect boots.  Kind of urban preppy.  Then there’s the person in the killer pencil skirt, jewel-tone printed blouse, gorgeous, classic-y heels.  Office-appropriate hot.   I take mental notes while observing these stylish folks wherever I may be.  I scour magazines and yes, am a die-hard fan of What Not to Wear.  I have to study up to practice style.  It doesn’t come effortlessly!

That was quite the lengthy intro to my new favorite dress.  Probably my favorite aspect of the dress is that it’s so easy (one piece!) but makes me look like I put thought into it.  I hope.   I love pretty much anything BCBG but especially this new dress.  David and I were going out to dinner at a great spot in our neighborhood (potential future post) where many cool Chicago-ans congregate.  It’s not stuffy but more like eclectic and I feel way too preppy sometimes to go there.   I don’t have any tattoos.  I’m not artsy, you know- that type of place.  The food is freaking delicious though so it is worth my few moments of anxiety about what I’m going to wear.  Thankfully the dress I had just ordered from Bloomingdale’s came two days prior and POOF- I had the perfect outfit.

I like the coverage on top because strapless is not a good look for me!!  The belt is also attached so, seriously,  this is a no-brainer outfit.  The waist was a little more empire on me than appears in the picture and I liked that a lot.   I threw on some flats since I felt the hot open-toe black booties I have were a little aggressive for the venue and I was ready to go out the door.   It’s on clearance right now at www.bloomingdales.com (I had been eye-ing it since it first came out and bonus that I got it at such a good deal.)  Or they have some similar ones at www.bcbg.com I had a great date night with my hubby, an amazing meal, and the perfect outfit.  Man do I love weekends in Chicago when it’s warm.

Anyway, it was a little rude going back after two weeks off for Winter Vacation also but this time I was prepared.  I knew my first day back to work would entail leaving the house when it’s black outside with the frigid Chicago temperature hovering around 20 and not getting enough sleep.  So I planned.  I brought a yummy take-out salad for lunch that I had ordered the night before.  I brought a yummy cookie from one of my favorite bakeries (will def. post this one later) and I wore one of my very favorite Christmas gifts: The Bubbling Up Sweater.

I got this Anthropologie sweater as a gift from my wonderful husband and I knew it would make my first day back to work more bearable.  It is so cozy, long, warm and not itchy like some sweaters.  I tell you… put me in a cozy, long sweater and I am a pretty happy camper.  I got lots of compliments, which always makes my day, so the sweater shielded me from what could’ve been an awful Monday.  I mean, if an article of clothing can really make you feel happier… worth a little splurge every now and then right?!  It’s my new personal fave.

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS-CARDIGANS&id=913696&catId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&pushId=CLOTHES-SWEATERS&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=85&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=011&colorName=IVORY&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=

I love the pants because they are a cool length, comfy, and stretchy.  I hadn’t even thought of this but the woman at J. Crew said that when it gets colder you can wear them tucked into boots.  Since they’re cropped they won’t do that horrible bunchy thing that most of my jeans do when I try to tuck them into boots.   The woman at J. Crew recommended flats with the pants but I also plan to wear them with heels once I get some cute open toe booties I’ve been drooling over at Nordstrom.  [maybe I'll post those if I ever splurge on them.]   So I think the pants can be appropriate for work , casual outings, or evening.  That’s what I need when I’m trying to do recession-shopping! The final reason I love them is that they are like leggings for people my age.  A lot of people at various stores try to sell me leggings for fall.  I say I feel too old for leggings.  Minnie Twill Pant to the rescue!

Anyway, here’s a pic of me heading to work with the Stretch Twill Minnie Pant from J. Crew.  Ignore the wet hair… when you have to be at work at 7:30 a.m. the blow dryer doesn’t always get used.  I wore my new favorite pants with a long sweater but my friend Caitlin was rocking a similar pair of pants with a v-neck tee and a vest.  I just love the cropped length and slim fit.   Happy shopping.

love my new pants

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/skinnypants/PRDOVR~18850/18850.jsp

Caitlin’s pair:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=920096&catId=CLOTHES-PANTS-CROPS&pushId=CLOTHES-PANTS-CROPS&popId=CLOTHES-PANTS&sortProperties=&navCount=30&navAction=middle&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=041&colorName=NAVY&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true

They are freaking great.  They come in all colors and cuts and just fit really well.  Supposedly the designer of Paige jeans used to be a fit model.  I think that means other designers used her to help them figure out how to size their own clothes.  Whatever her background, I love these jeans.  They don’t do that weird gappy thing at the top.  They have just enough stretch to fit but not be risque.  They have some kind of lift technology to make the butt look great.  Side bonus: she does these cute little hidden credit card pockets in the back that will fit your ID and/or credit card if you’re going sans purse.  Check them out!  Since I recently had a baby I haven’t bought new jeans in awhile that weren’t maternity.  Send me a comment about which new style you like so I can check some out.  They are costly but come on… with the amount of times you wear a pair of jeans… totally worth it.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6012080/0~2376780~6009391~6011514~6011517~6012080?cm_ven=google&cm_cat=denim_brand&cm_pla=paige&cm_ite=paige%20jeans_exact

You can search from THOUSANDS of shoes and narrow it down by color, size, and a million different types.  I was even able to search for “birdcage” sandals the other day.  You know, the cagey style that is really in right now.

The beauty of Zappos is this: free shipping both ways.  If it doesn’t fit: no biggie, just send it back.  Free.  It’s like your living room is the dressing room of a store.  I’ve found out that one of my favorite pastimes, shopping, has been made so much more difficult with the little guy around!  I love him but who really wants to breastfeed, change diapers, and hope the baby sleeps in the stroller while trying to shop?  Any online store that has free shipping both ways is totally a personal fave.

The other seriously great thing about Zappos is they just go out of their way to please the customer.  The last two times I’ve ordered shoes from there I chose the free standard shipping which is like 3-5 business days or whatever.  Then, magically, I got an email saying that they upgraded my shipping to overnight… just because.  Seriously, how great is that?  Who does that kind of stuff anymore?  I just saw these sandals in Lucky magazine today and got them at Zappos.  They’re being shipped as we speak!  Gotta love Zappos.  Not good for the wallet.  Good for the closet.

found these in Lucky magazine and then bought them from Zappos!

www.zappos.com

p.s. since I wrote this post a couple weeks ago I found out I didn’t love the sandals as much as I thought  and guess what… sent them back for FREE!!  Still love zappos.