Fashion Basic: The Flannel Shirt

A great wardrobe is built around basics. It seems simple and boring, but it works. If your closet is full of trendy, fun pieces you will never have anything to wear. If you build your wardrobe on a few basics, you will have a foundation to not only wear on their own, but to wear WITH those fun, trendy pieces, extending your outfit options even more.

What to Wear: Weddings, Cocktail Parties and Events

It's been years since I've had to get "dressed up." Don't get me wrong, I've worn dresses and gone to events and parties, but nothing that really required a new purchase, serious thought to accessories and just the right fancy heels. But all that changed when I had a Cocktail Attire dinner in NYC and a Family Wedding, both in the same week. Shopping Powers - activate!

I must have picked the worst week of the year to shop, because while I looked at a TON of dresses, everything was WRONG: too dressy, too "young", too "old" or just plain old too ugly! Can you feel me? As desperation began to set in, I made a last ditch trip to the mall, dragging both boys with me (I KNOW - crazy!) I went into the dress shop at Bloomingdales and my heart started to sink. Everything looked like a boring work dress or a dress fit for a beauty pageant (I like a little bling, but come on!) WHERE were all the dresses "normal" people wear?

Black T-Shirt and Jeans, Perfect for Fall

There is nothing easier than a t-shirt and jeans. It is my go-to "uniform" of choice. Depending on the t-shirt, jeans and the way you accessorize, this basic outfit can take you from coffee with a friend to a night out. Today, let's talk about a simple fall look: a black t-shirt and jeans.

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny | Top - Aventura Clothing Zoe Top | Shoes - Clarks | Necklace - Studio Jewel | Earrings - Stella and Dot | Bracelets - Alex and Ani and Tiffany

5 Fall Fashion Must Haves

Unfortunately, it feels more like summer around here than fall this week. But that doesn't stop my love of fall fashion. Ever since my mom took me back to school shopping when I was little, I have had a mad love affair with fall fashion: boots, jackets, sweaters - BRING IT. I would bring my haul home, rip off the tags and try everything on, spending time creating different outfits and matching the new with the old to make even MORE outfits.

Based on my recent trip to the mall, little has changed. I still love fall fashion - it's my favorite season because you can really wear piratically anything. And while that may seem overwhelming, there are a few key pieces that you should have in your wardrobe. These pieces will work with things you already own, to expand your options and carry you into winter. What are these magical fall fashion pieces? I'm so glad you asked . . .

Wardrobe Staple: A Demin Shirt

Welcome back for What I Wore. If this is your first visit, this is a weekly fashion post where I share real clothes for real women (along with what I wore). We talk about styling what you already have in your closet, and updating some of your favorite pieces for new and exciting looks. This week we are discussing a classic piece. . .the denim shirt.


Back in the 80s I had my first denim shirt. It had 2 patch pockets was really too thick to tuck into my jeans and sort of "hung" off the edge of my chest (can you picture a stiff shirt and a large chest?) But it was stylish, so I wore it.

These days, denim shirts come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics. You can still find the thicker classic western cut, but there are a ton of modern thinner denim shirts on the market. Recently, I got an email for a big sale at Ann Taylor - one of my favorites for classic pieces. So I started perusing their options for shirts - two of mine had recently become too snug across the chest and had to go.

They had what looked like the prefect one! Confession time - I am more of an in-person shopper. I like to touch it and see how it drapes. I like to see how a piece of clothing is going to fit - boxy, fitted, etc. You can't always tell that from Photoshopped images and online descriptions. Since it was 40% off, I figured I'd try it.

It fits great, although a little long in the sleeve. I love the weight - thin enough to tuck without being too thin. The color is a bit lighter than I thought it looked online, but it will do for the looks I have in mind.

Denim Shirt - Ann Taylor (current season)

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny Jeans (currently available)

Boots - Clarks

Necklace - Premiere Designs

To meet a friend for lunch on a cold day, I added a sweater and changed boots for this look:

Denim Shirt - Ann Taylor (Current Season)

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny Jean (currently available)

Sweater - Ann Taylor (old but similar style available now)

Boots - Aerosoles

Necklace - Premiere Designs

Earrings - Kate Spade

Both of these looks would be great with a backpack or a nice tote along with a scarf. I have a million ideas for adding this to outfits I already have in my closet.

Do you have a denim shirt in your wardrobe? How would you style it?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Both are great sites for additional outfit ideas and inspiration!

I Am Mad About Plaid - Styling Plaid Pieces

Welcome to a new year of weekly fashion posts. Last year we explored ways to shop the clothes you own right now to create fun and stylish outfits. I'm planning to continue in the new year, with all new outfit ideas for real women. Lots of things in life are hard - getting dressed shouldn't be one of them.

Let's kick off the new year with plaid. Plaid  has been around for a while - it's nothing new. But if you're browsing winter catalogs or hanging out on Polyvore, you may see a lot of plaid lately. Personally, I can't get enough of it right now. Plaid is my new Chevron.

My mom bought me this adorable plaid tunic from Lands End for Christmas. I am gaga over the color, and while I wasn't sure about the shape at first, I'm loving it. It works under a sweater or on it's own. Here it is on it's own, a very simple, casual outfit. The weather had warmed up and was rainy.

Shirt - Lands End - NEW this season!

Pants - Ann Taylor Black Modern Skinny Jeans

Boots - Hunter Wellies

Necklace - Ann Taylor

Earrings - Kate Spade

Then I also paired it with my fave J Jill Sweater for a cooler day, casual look.

Sweater - J Jill

Shirt - Lands End

Jeans - Ann Taylor Dark Modern Skinny Jeans

Boots - Ann Klein

Bracelets - Alex and Ani, Kate Spade and Tiffany

Earrings - Kate Spade

I really like the way the ivory colored sweater sets off the red of the shirt.

I plan to try it with a black skirt, tights and boots too and maybe with my winter white cords. . .the possibilities are endless. On a thinner, less curvy woman, this shirt would look great belted over leggings. Maybe with a air of knee-high boots or booties.

Are you wearing plaid this season? How are you styling it?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more fashion tips and outfit inspiration.

 

Holiday Party Style | What I Wore

This week's post for What I Wore is all about Holiday Party Style. Nothing (except perhaps a wedding) can cause as much fashion angst, as a holiday party. I blame all those TV movies and magazine spreads of glamorous fancy parties, for our stress. But there's no need to stress, you've got the perfect thing to wear!

Years ago, John's office used to put on one of those very glamorous and fancy holiday parties (remember when the economy was great?) and I would start thinking about what to wear in August. Scour Nordstrom and Ann Taylor for just the right LBD. A LBD because it was versatile and I could style it differently a month later when we went to the Black Tie Tailgate . . .then we had kids. Sometimes the dress was long, sometimes short. . .but almost always black.

These days, my holiday parties are much more casual, so a great pair of dark denims or black ankle pants with a great top or sweater fits the bill. Last week I attended a Holiday Party just down the street and it was raining. After a quick perusal of Pinterest for inspiration, I started shopping my closet. I had already decided I was going to go "rustic chic" and wear my Hunter Wellies with a skirt. Here's what I pulled together:

Skirt - Eddie Bauer (old)

Sweater - Lord and Taylor Cashmere (last year - similar styles available NOW)

Tights - SPANX Tight End Footless Tights (my favorite!!)

Socks - Hue

Boots - Hunter Wellies (classic)

Necklace - Tiffany

I added a chunky dark grey sweater too. Before deciding on the black sweater, I had on a white button-down shirt and a merlot cardigan. That looked a little dressier, but still great with the plaid skirt and wellies.

Some other great Holiday Party ideas:

• For black tie, consider a Ball Skirt and Wrap Blouse or sparkly top.
• For something more casual, or cocktail attire, try a black skirt and jewel-toned jacket or twin set.

Chances are good you already have at least part of the perfect outfit in your closet already.

What are you wearing to Holiday Parties this year?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for outfit and style inspiration.

Outfit Inspiration | What I Wore

Welcome back to another weekly fashion post. Getting dressed in the mornings can be hard, right? Workplaces have become more casual, many of us work from home or stay at home throughout the day with kids, so the question becomes, if we aren't leaving our house, do we bother getting dressed?

Most days, my answer is yes. I do my 8 minute face no matter what. And even if I keep my yoga pants on all day, I try to have a clean, neat pair with a decent shirt. There's something about looking "pulled together" that makes me more productive. (I save pajama days for the weekends and holidays)

Now that's all well and good until it's cold and dark and rainy - right? The weather has been less than ideal around here, and that makes getting up and pulled together even more difficult. That's when I reach for easy pieces that we've talked about before. But sometimes you need inspiration.

Inspiration can come from Pinterest or Instagram. From a magazine or catalog. Inspiration can (and I hope it does) come from reading blogs like mine, about women just like you. When I write my weekly posts, I want you to find inspiration in what you already own - not go buy new pieces. Sometimes we find something that needs to be added to our "want" list for a future shopping trip, and that's great. But basically, I want to inspire you to reach into your closet and pull out something great.

Leggings - Hue Brand (they have a 5-pocket look that makes them more like "pants")

T-Shirt - Lord and Taylor (stretchy layer for smoothness and warmth)

Sweater - Ann Taylor Loft (old)

Boots - Hunter Wellies (last year)

Bag - Kate Spade (last year)

Vest - Lands End (old - get style ideas here)

Scarf - Lord and Taylor (old)

The funny story behind how this outfit got started is that I'm really digging the "blanket scarf" trend lately. I don't have many, only this pink one and a classic Burberry one, so I had to make due with this one. That was my "inspiration" piece, and I built the rest of the outfit around wearing that particular scarf. I guess we have to start somewhere - right?

What's your outfit inspiration piece right now?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration.

How to Style a Vest | What I Wore

Do you have a vest? Do you wear it? Not only can it provide a warm layer on chilly days, but it can also be a real fashion statement. What's also great about vests? They have no age limit.

A few years ago, I received a down vest from Lands End as a gift. It has become one of my favorite wardrobe staples.While it isn't very dressy, I can wear it on walks on colder days with yoga pants and a t shirt and then pair it with casual outfits for lunches, outings and trips. It's such a practical piece, and when you add accessories, it's also very stylish.

Recently, I wore my tried and true with a simple cashmere pullover and boot cut jeans.I added a scarf for extra warmth too.

Vest - Lands End (similar styles available)

Jeans - Lee Jeans

Shirt - Eddie Bauer white Button-Down

Sweater - Lord & Taylor Cashmere

Scarf - Boutique 

Confession time - I totally covet a fury Rachel Zoe vest. I just love te idea of a night our outfit styled like the one above. Also, that red sweater outfit - I may need that entire look . . .

How do you rock the vest?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration. 

Cold Weather Style | What I Wore

Welcome back to another week of fashion and style ideas and tips. It's been downright chilly around here lately, in fact today, it's supposed to snow. And while layers are a great idea, they can add bulk and make us look larger than we are. So how can we dress warmly, stay stylish and not look like the Michelin Man??

First of all, use a slim base layer. Many companies like Lands End, Athleta, and others offer "t-shirts" in a warming and moisture wicking fabric. Typically these are slimmer than a regular cotton t- shirt. They also tend to be smoother, allowing your second layer to flow better, without making "lumps".

Secondly, wear socks. Knee socks to be precise. Boots are lovely, but a regular pair of leather boots are not going to do much to keep your feet warm on a chilly day of shopping. The bonus of knee socks, is they keep your legs warmer as well.

My third tip will come as no surprise, add a great scarf. Not only can the color and/or patter brighten up your outfit, but the added layer adds warmth.

Here's how I recently applied those tips to an outfit for a day of errands with my family:

Jeans - Modern Skinny - this season from Ann Taylor

T-shirt - Lord and Taylor

Sweater - Pure Jill from J Jill

Scarf - Pure Jill from J Jill

Sneakers - Fall Season from Target

Bag - Kate Spade

Since I had on a scarf, I didn't wear a necklace. I did pull out these older earrings form Stella and Dot to bling it up a little.

Typically I would have worn boots with this outfit, but I was trying to give my feet a rest and pulled out these sneakers I got at Target a couple months ago. (paired with classic black knee socks of course!)

Another great idea is to pair a classic cashmere turtleneck with a warm jacket or blazer. There's a look that's never out of style. Pair them with your favorite skinnies and riding boots, or with a great pair of boot cut jeans.

How are you keeping warm without the bulk?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration.  

 

Boot Cut Jeans | What I Wore

Everywhere you look, there are skinny jeans and straight leg jeans. Is the boot cut jean out of style? I certainly hope not, as they are a curvy girl's best fashion friend. A great pair of boot cut jeans, worn with a heel, can add height and length to almost any figure.

I have a few pairs of Boot Cut Jeans in my dresser, and I really do love the way they look with a pair of ankle boots, high heel or stacked heel shoe. So much more sophisticated than a skinny jean or straight leg.

Recently, I pulled on a favorite pair of boot cut jeans with some classic pieces in my closet, for a dressed-up casual look. I was attending an in-store event and wanted to be comfortable but still professional and fashionable.

Jeans - Ann Taylor (old)

Shirt - Coldwater Creek (old)

Cardigan - Ann Taylor (2014 Fall Season)

Boots - Aerosoles (old)

I dressed up the look with a sparkly necklace from Aeropostle and my favorite Kate Spade earrings.

So I really liked how this outfit came together plus it was really comfortable. I have a feeling it will be making the rounds, so if you see me out for GNO or lunch with friends, you'll probably see this outfit again!

What's your favorite style jean these days?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for outfit and fashion ideas and inspiration.

Styling a Denim Skirt | What I Wore

Are denim skirts still in style? I have a couple (one pencil and 2 a-lines) that I hold onto and wear periodically. A simple denim skirt can be a wardrobe staple and is almost always in fashion. The key to it's longevity are simple lines and classic shapes. Otherwise it becomes trendy and fades out of style.

A quick Google search brings up denim pencil skirts available at J Crew, H & M and Old Navy, so I think I'm safe in it being currently fashionable. My inspiration came from passing another mom on my daily walk. She was loading up the car and had on a simple denim skirt, leggings and some sort of top. She looked casual and stylish, so it got my fashion radar spinning. . .what did I have in my closet?

I came home, showered and threw an outfit together. Let me preface by saying that booties and a skirt are not my look. In most cases, I think a vast majority of women do not have the correct proportions to carry this look off gracefully (myself included). What balanced them out for me, was the boot socks. (it's hard to see the contrast, the day was very overcast)

Ok, boot socks are another issue I struggle with. I love the look, but my boots are too tight around the calf to fit a pair of bulky socks in there. Also, being curvy, I try not to add bulk. But since I had on tights, and they were looser ankle boots, they worked.

This is not a typical "me" outfit. I stretched my imagination and daring with this one, but I like the way it turned out. I got several compliments and I also think it was age-appropriate, well still having a little kick and being fun.

Skirt - OLD from Lord and Taylor

T-shirt - Fall Collection from Ann Taylor

Cardigan - Fall Cashmere Collection from Lord and Taylor

Tights - Spanx, Footless Tightend Tights (my favorite!!)

Socks - Target

Boots - Aerosoles

Necklace - Ann Taylor

Bag - Kate Spade

Do you have a denim skirt? When was the last time you wore it?

catch you soon -

This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. Check them out for more style and outfit ideas and inspiration.

Creating a Casual Look | What I Wore

This week for what I wore, let's talk about casual options for the MidLife Mom. Yoga pants are great, don't get me wrong, but some days we want to feel a little more fashionable and take it to the next level. For me, that typically means jeans or leggings. Nothing fancy, just a step up from yoga pants.

I shared a few weeks ago about my awesome trip to J Jill and their Pure Jill line. The pieces in that line are a great option for casual and comfortable outfits that work for any age. In fact the shirt I'm sharing today is from that line as well (that was part of a sponsored post - just to be completely transparent with you).

This shirt is quickly becoming a favorite. It's effortless, and that's key in our busy lives. I've washed it, and it turned out great. It looks great with a pair of black leggings - my favorite pair are a 5-pocket pair from White House Black Market; and also with skinnies, like I wore it here:

Top - J Jill - The Crinkle Tunic from the current Pure Jill Collection

Scarf - J Jill - Infinity Scarf from the current Pure Jill Collection

Jeans - Ann Taylor - Modern Skinny in black, this year

Boots - Bandolino, very old

Bag - Kate Spade (my favorite), last year

Necklace - Tiffany

Earrings - Stella and Dot, several years old

So here's a simple and comfortable outfit that's great for volunteering at school, running errands or having lunch with a friend. It's age appropriate, yet still on-trend. You could switch out the scarf and boots to vary up the look too.

What's your go-to comfortable outfit right now?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up to The Pleated Poppy and to Get Your Pretty On - check them out for more outfit ideas and inspiration

 

Dressing for Work - Mid-Life Mom Style | What I Wore #ootd

Getting dressed in the morning can be hard, no matter how great your sense of style is or how extensive your closet. But keeping things simple can help. Choosing great classic pieces paired in an updated way, can keep you office-ready, but still stylish.

Dressing for work can be a real challenge. What they show in the magazines may not be appropriate for your office. Think short skirts, open-toes shoes and sleeveless tops. Unless you work in the most casual of businesses (or from home) those are generally not office approved. And even if some people wear them, what do the "bosses" think - the people that make the promotion decisions. As unfair as it seems, we don't always get ahead based on our skills alone.

I've done my share of hiring and interviewing in my former life. Your first-impression is important, so why not look your best? I remember in college, when everyone wore a dark blue suit to interviews. Not wanting to look like everyone else, I chose a lighter, dusty blue conservative dress (these were interviews with financial people). The dress was not too tight, nor was it too short. I paired it with some simple silver jewelry and basic pumps and I pulled my long hair back into a chignon. My accounting professor had a fit that I did not wear the "uniform" - she was sure I would never get hired. I did in fact get hired, but it wasn't with one of the more conservative accounting firms. Was it the dress? We may never know.

I recently attended a conference with a client of mine. We were both working, the conference attire was casual, but for us, that meant business casual. I always love the opportunity to dress up a little, since I work from home in jeans and yoga pants most days.

I took a few business casual liberties after researching the conference audience, and decided that leopard shoes and a shirt that hung below my jacket would be okay for this event. I could also wear my bracelet stacks,

None of those things would be appropriate for a job interview or a work environment was that business attire only. Perhaps the shoes, in a creative field with a black suit. PERHAPS. Here's how it ended up (sorry about the blurry picture - my 8 year old took it for me):

Jacket - Ann Taylor - Fall steal from the sale rack

Top - Ann Taylor - Early Fall Collection

Pants - Ann Taylor - Early Fall Collection

Shoes - Target - a few seasons ago

Bag - Vintage Kate Spade

Bracelets - Tiffany, Alex and Ani

I even added a string of classic pearls after seeing a picture on Instagram. They added just the right touch.

Keep in mind, when dressing for work, unless you're a fashion model, there are expectations about how you "should" look. Right or wrong, it's the way the world and people work, so use that to your advantage. Keep the short skirts, strappy sandals and sleevless blouse for date night! It may seem old fashion, but many fashion "rules" are.

What's your work uniform?

catch you soon - 
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On - check them out for outfit ideas and inspiration.

Fall Fashion - MidLife Mom Style | What I Wore #ootd

Welcome to another MidLife Mom What I Wore post. Getting dressed is hard, even on the best day, and when a fashionable woman (like you and me) turn a "certain age," great clothes can be a real challenge. We don't want to dress too young and we certainly don't want to dress too old.

So that's where this post series comes in. I share with you, my outfit choices and how you can adapt them for yourself, based on your own body, style and budget. I strongly suggest shopping your own closet to create fun new outfits.

This week I'm sharing two versions of my fall "uniform." Basically my favorite jeans and t-shirts, styled with cardis, jackets and scarves. Unless I'm heading to a work meeting or event, that's pretty much what I put on (if I take off my yoga pants).

In this first outfit, I'm wearing 2 of my favorite pieces: a cashmere swinging cardigan and my black booties. I have this same style cardigan in a dark grey and I wear it all the time. It's warm, fashionable and comfortable. Total win - right? And the black booties are perfect, so last year I had to get them resoled. I'm not one for the current buckles and "junk" on boots. I prefer classics.

Cardigan - Lord and Taylor (my favorite place to splurge on cashmere!)

T-shirt - Lord and Taylor

Jeans - Ann Taylor Modern Skinny Jeans

Scarf - Talbot's

 Boots -  Old - black booties

This second outfit, I picked out to be a little fallish for Pumpkin Math in second grade. I also didn't want to worry about getting pumpkin all over myself =). Again, simple pieces from my closet, thrown together for a cohesive look. The t-shirt has 3/4 length sleeves, which can be difficult to wear sometimes, but under a cardigan, it doesn't matter.

Cardigan - Lord and Taylor Cashmere (look for sales and coupons for the best deal!)

T-Shirt - Ralph Lauren

Jeans - Lee Jeans

Boots - very old brown booties

Necklace - Tiffany

So there you have it - a couple of basic fall outfits that will take you just about anywhere (no black tie or fancy dinner please!). Easy pieces that you probably have in your closet right now!

So, what are you wearing this week?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On - both great sites for outfit ideas.

Fall Dresses | What I Wore #ootd

Confession time: I'm not a huge dress person - not a fan of my upper arms, nor bare legs. But Fall Dresses are the BEST dresses (they generally cover my upper arms AND can be worn with tights!) And it seems like the last few seasons, I've been adding some great dress options to my wardrobe.

We all know that we need to have a LBD in our closets. But it doesn't hurt to have an OGD (One Great Dress) either. A OGD is a dress that can be styled a few different ways and fits you to a T. A dress that makes you feel great AND look great.

I wore two such dresses last week. The first one is casual and comfortable. I wore it with a pair of footless tights from SPANX. This cute grey dress is from Aventura. I recently discovered this brand through some friends, and am loving their casual and comfortable approach to style.

Dress - Aventura - Current Season

Tights - SPANX

Shoes - Aerosoles (old)

Necklace - Ann Taylor

Earrings - Kate Spade

The second one, I wore to my friend's Book Launch. I found it on the sale rack at White House| Black Market in early spring, and I needed to have it. The simple cut hangs just right because of the weight of the fabric. That can be an important part of finding a well-fitting dress. If the material is too flimsy, it can get "caught" on your curves, making it look not so nice. It's a simple dress that can be dressed up or down. I went middle of the road with boots and chunky silver jewelry. (Please excuse the older picture - but I promise it's the same outfit)

Dress - White House|Black Market (last spring)

Boots - Ann Klien (old and need replacing)

Bag - Kate Spade

Necklace - Ann Taylor

Both dresses are easy to wear and comfortable, making them both winners in my fashion book.

Are you wearing any great dresses this fall?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy, Jo-LynneShane and at Get Your Pretty On - check them out for more style ideas!

When Style Meets Comfort | What I Wore #ootd

I love fashion and I think I have a decent sense of style. But I also love comfort. Over the years, I have taken my love of fashion and style and tried to combine it with my yearning for comfort. The result is a casual and simple wardrobe that both looks good and feels great. It takes time to find stylish pieces that fit you well AND feel good to wear (let's not even mention age-appropriate).

It's been a while since I've shopped at J Jill, so when The Motherhood asked if I was interested in working on a J Jill campaign with them, I said of course! J Jill is known for clothing that is both stylish and comfortable, as well as having great choices for a Mid-Life Mom to look on-trend without trying "too hard".  J. Jill is easy, relaxed and inspired style - and that is perfect for your fall wardrobe! (Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for savings on your own piece from the Pure Jill collection!)

Are you a J Jill shopper? Have you heard of the Pure Jill line? The Pure Jill line is clean, simple and timeless, all qualities that I look for in adding pieces to my wardrobe. The Pure Jill Collection provides an uncomplicated way of dressing - because, really, who needs complicated? I pulled out several great pieces from the collection to try on:

This season, straight off the runways, the Pure Jill Plush Collection is featuring an ultra soft new boucle texture. You can wear this texture in a fabulous infinity scarf, comfy pullover or even a cardigan or coat! There's a piece for every sense of style.

I loved the relaxed Cascading Hoodie with an open front knit style. This piece would look great with jeans or cords for running errands, school events or lunch with friends! It looked great on too, you can see the great drape, despite the not so lovely dressing room picture!

I spied these V-Neck Crinkle Tunics and scarves too. I love the combination of Navy and Grey. These tunics would work great with leggings and flats or boots. Add a scarf and you're all set! Did I mention J Jill has a great selection of jewelry and scarves?

There were so many great pieces and so many outfit ideas swirling in my head. In the end, I settled on three great pieces from all that I tried on: The Pure Jill Plush Pullover, Pure Jill Plush Infinity Scarf and the Pure Jill Crinkle V-Neck Tunic.

I fell in love with the pullover and the scarf. They just screamed "fall" to me, and I pictured them with skinnies and boots for a fall outing with my boys, and that's exactly what I did on Saturday! This outfit was perfect for a crisp fall day at an outdoor neighborhood market.

Jeans - Ann Taylor Black Skinnies

T-shirt - Lord and Taylor

Sweater - Pure Jill from J Jill

Scarf - Pure Jill from J Jill

Boots - Aerosoles (old and re-soled)

The three pieces that I bought from J Jill, fit perfectly in with the Fall staples I already have in my closet. The ladies working at my local J Jill were a big help in pulling sizes and putting outfits together. We had a lot of fun talking clothes and comfort.

You can get 30% off any full-priced item from the pure jill collection through November 30, 2014, with the code MOPJ30

What are you wearing this fall?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On. 

This was a sponsored post in cooperation with The Motherhood and J Jill. I was provided a clothing gift card and was also compensated for my time. As always, all opinions are my very own and I will never share something I don't believe.

Packing for a Trip Without Bringing Your Entire Closet | What I Wore #ootd

Last week, I traveled to Atlanta, GA for the Type-A Parent Conference. I do a fair amount of traveling (always looking for opportunities to do more) but most of it is by car. I rarely fly, so the idea of packing for four days, while keeping it light (under 50 lbs seems SO easy-but not so much) and versatile, can be a little overwhelming! My 2 biggest tips?

• Get Organized
• Keep it Simple

To get organized, I use a packing spreadsheet. Stay with me here. I sketch out a grid of the days of my trip, then divide the days by Daytime, Nighttime and Extra. I simply plug in the pieces I plan to wear at each time. This lets me see any gaps, duplicates or opportunities to pack less (or more) at a glance.

To keep it simple, I try to pack in a color-scheme. I find versatile, classic-style pieces work best in the Mid-Life Mom wardrobe.  For this trip, I went with a black, white and cranberry color-scheme. I added in a traditional leopard print (shoes) and also a black and white leopard print cardigan for variety (I never wore the cardigan).

What I Packed:
3 jeans (white, dark denim, black)
1 pants (black and white polka dot)
3 t-shirts (cranberry, white and black)
3 cardigans (black, black and white leopard and cranberry)
2 blouses (white shirt, black and white polka dot top)
2 tanks (black and white)
1 jacket (black)
1 scarf (cranberry)
2 bags (1 tote bag and 1 small bag for evening)

I only needed seven outfits for my trip, but I could have easily made several more with this combination. Here are some highlights from what I did wear during the conference.

I wore this for my trip to Atlanta:

Jeans - Coldwater Creek

T-shirt - Lands End

Cardigan - Ann Taylor (in stores now)

Shoes - Target (this season)

Bag - Vera Bradley

Necklace - Tiffany

For my first day at the Conference, I went casual and comfortable:

Jeans - Ann Taylor Black Skinny Jeans (in stores now)

Top - Ann Taylor (last year)

Cardigan - Ann Taylor (in stores now)

Shoes - Aerosoles

Necklace -Tiffany

The second day of the conference I stayed with my comfortable and casual style:

Jeans - Ann Taylor Dark Denim Super Skinny Jeans (now in stores)

Shirt - Ann Taylor (now in stores)

Shoes - Aerosoles

Bag - Vera Bradley

Scarf -Ann Taylor (now in stores)

Necklace - Tiffany

For an evening look, I went with basic black:

Jeans - Ann Taylor Black Skinny Jeans (now in stores)

Tank - Chico's

Jacket - Ann Taylor (clearance rack find)

Shoes - Life Stride/DSW

Necklace - Ann Taylor

So with a few basic pieces in mix and match colors, it's easy to create several outfits and looks to last through your whole trip.

What's your best fashion tip for traveling?

catch you soon -
This post is linked up at The Pleated Poppy and at Get Your Pretty On