Personal Faves » Women’s

J Brand Maternity Denim Legging

Sarah — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 03:01:22 +0000

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. We were until Graham came down with a terrible case of croup (a virus that narrows little airways) and then my vacation turned into a tour of hospitals across the Midwest. OK, probably a bit dramatic but we did go to one hospital in Iowa and another in Chicago. Finally he seems to be breathing easy and on the mend! Boy were we happy to come home this afternoon.
ANYWAY- I’m resuming vacation and determined to enjoy the last couple days I have off work, even if I had to cancel play dates and lunch dates due to Graham’s illness. What I fear is going to bring down the enjoyment of my day tomorrow: I have to do about four-five loads of laundry and I can’t wear my J Brand Maternity Denim Leggings (Jeggings if you prefer.)

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.

My New Favorite Dress

Sarah — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:26:34 +0000

I am in awe of those people who just seem to ooze style effortlessly. You are thinking of someone right now aren’t you? Someone who can put an outfit together without looking like they gave it a second thought, complete with perfect accessories, that isn’t too match-y but just goes. That person’s hair is probably perfect too. Bitch. No, I’m not really hating. Just jealous; I am the first to admit it. I am NOT one of those people.

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.

Bubbling Up Sweater

Sarah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:31:16 +0000

Going back to work after an almost seven month maternity leave sucked. [My husband is probably thinking, "Here we go again!"] Just when I thought I was getting the hang of this care for a child, manage the house, cook, bake, and play dates thing, I was thrust back into the working world. Yuck! Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful to have a job when there are so many who can’t find one and also grateful that I have wonderful co-workers who make the days easier and kids to work with who almost always bring a smile to my face. I know it could be worse and I remind myself of the positives daily.

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=

Paige Jeans

Sarah — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:34:36 +0000

Jean shopping can be one of the most frustrating experiences ever. Sometimes I feel like I have to try on a million pairs. If you like the fit in the legs, they seem to gap in the back at the waist. If they fit in the waist, sometimes they’re tight in the thighs. And, we all know what is of utmost importance is: how does your butt look? Well, maybe one of my personal faves will save you some time and possible screaming in the dressing room. Paige Jeans.

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