keaton row

So I recently launched an online personal styling business with Keaton Row. I am so thrilled for this opportunity! What I like best about the service is that it is 100% complimentary- I create a Lookbook for my clients featuring clothes from Keaton Row's retail partners and they can choose to buy the entire look, just one piece, or to hold off and let me create a Lookbook for another occasion. 

One huge bonus is that shipping is free both ways. Lets say that you are about to undertake one of my least favorite activities- bathing suit shopping (I didn't even like swimsuit shopping when I was 15 with nary a stretch mark or patch of cellulite... and don't even get me started on those cramped fitting rooms and horrible lighting). I can create a Lookbook for you complete with a few swimwear options and any cover-ups or accessories you might need. The advantage to this is I pick out the options that I think are going to be the most figure flattering, and you get to try them on in the privacy and comfort of your own home- the only thing your out is a trip to the post office to return anything that doesn't work.

Keaton Row Stylists thrive on referrals, so I would love the opportunity to put together a Lookbook for any of my readers! You are never under any obligation to buy (trust me, there are no awkward moments like at those direct sales parties where the host takes you into a separate room for you to submit your order, and lets face it- you went to the party for the food and wine... umm, maybe I'll take one of those $5 orange peelers please?). Anyways- if any of you have the slightest urge to see what personal styling can do for you, visit my website.

I would love to talk about the next steps in working together to revamp your wardrobe and refresh your look!

tuesday shoesday: boat shoes

No, this isn't a post about sperrys (although they will be featured in a future post). This is the story about how my husband bought a boat and I got new shoes.

My cousin posted the most perfect wedges ever on facebook- she was on vacation (Seattle maybe?) and I decided that those shoes must.be.mine. It took a bit of google prowess (this was before I had texting, and I felt like a super creeper calling to ask the details on her shoes) but I found them. The only problem is that they were a bit on the pricey side.

In case you really need these shoes and don't want to feel like a creeper, they are DV Jude. I believe they are sold out in stores, but you can find them on ebay.

I was determined to make them mine though. It was around the time of my birthday, but I think we had already planned on going to the mall to pick up a few things (they didn't sell these shoes locally). Then one day the stars aligned. Justin found the boat he wanted to buy (he had been researching boats for over a year, so its not like it was an impulse purchase) and called me at work. With the shoes in the back of my mind, I swiftly agreed that yes, this would be a good decision and that he should move ahead on the boat. I mean seriously, who can argue with a measly little pair of shoes when he just dropped 100 times more on something we can only use 4 months out of the year?

In hindsight, I probably should have went for the Louis Vuitton Alma bag I've been coveting since I was 19.

wish list

I'm trying to be a smarter shopper and come up with a plan of what I really what vs. randomly buying stuff because its a good deal. The following items have been on my radar:

1. Pave studs These are a bit on the pricier side, but they are dipped in platinum, so they shouldn't give me a reaction like other earrings do. Nordstrom has sales coming up in May and July, so I'll keep my eyes open for a deal.

2. Classic trench I am obsessed with this trench- as a bonus it comes in petite! I'll be visiting the rack in May, so we'll see if I can find something there. Otherwise I'll see what sort of discount is available during the annual sale in July.

3. Overnight bag. I am obsessed with the lo & sons og bag, but at almost $300, I would need someone who really wanted to spoil me to gift it to me. I also like the lo & sons catalina, which has a more palatable price tag. Other options are the lands ends extra large long handle boat and tote or lesportsac polka dot extra large weekender.

Other items on my list include the ever elusive perfect nude flats, toms, sperrys, and louis vuitton alma. True story. The alma has double in price since I first lusted over it in 2003.

personal shopper

I was able to put my personal shopping services to work last weekend when Justin's parents came to visit. 

His mom and I had a chance to get some shopping in- we had such great success! Pretty much everything that went into the fitting room came home with is. I wasn't even focusing on my 20 key pieces rule, but she ended up coming home with about half of those items.

The girls have been busy lately! They absolutely love bath time- especially Claire! Audrey has been babbling up a storm lately- she seems to have a language all her own.

outings

Getting out of the house is a key piece of maintaining your sanity when watching two active toddlers. Yesterday I had quite the outing planned- we were going to go to target, the library, and the grocery store.

I love going to target without Justin- I like to wander around and check out every nook and cranny of the store while he likes to get down to business and head towards the produce and paper products. Seriously, who needs a vacation when you can be at your local target in under 5 minutes? 

Audrey did not get the memo that target is our happy place. Claire was smiling and looking around the store, but Audrey started crying straight away. I dug through my purse to find receipts, a cosmetic bag, and mirror. I gave her those objects which held her attention for all of 30 seconds. I should have just called it a day and grabbed the 2 things I needed, but I was on a mission dangit. I decided to try let her walk- she helped me push the stroller. She was doing great until someone had the audacity to say hello to her. Bring on the tantrum. I still was not ready to give up my mission, so I strapped her back in the stroller and let her sniffle. 

Through her screams I was able to grab an awesome chandelier wall decal for $5. At that point I figured I scored at least one great deal and it was time to abort the mission.

We made it through target relatively unscathed and with more sympathetic looks than glares, so I decided to forge on and go to the library. I had a book on hold and knew I could get in an out in a minute if need be. Audrey was doing ok, but became upset when she realized she was not allowed to rip out the pages or chew on any of the books. 

I made my way to checkout where a sweet little boy commented on how Audrey was a sad baby.

I was met with protest when she was put into the car seat, but she perked up once the car started moving. We skipped the grocery store and she was a perfect angel baby once we got home. Apparently she just wanted to play with her barn.

tuesday shoesday: classic pump

I picked these gems up at tj maxx a few years ago. Whenever I get birthday money from my grandma, I like to buy shoes. It just seems like the right thing to do. 

I love that they have an almond toe. The heel height is about 3.5 inches , which makes them wearable for everyday. These are my go to shoes for tailored skirts and dresses. I also wear them with colored ankle length pants.

20 key pieces

Today I'm reviewing a list of key pieces that belong in most women's wardrobes. Keep in mind I work (part time) in a business casual environment. Most of my work with clients is via phone, so I have a fair amount of creative license with my wardrobe.  Before I had the girls, my job included meeting with families at least once a week or so (oftentimes standing at the front of the room) so I erred on the side of being conservative. But these days I spend most of my time in my little corner, so pile on the chambray, statement necklaces, and colored skinnies.

In the next few weeks, I will give more in depth descriptions and examples of my favorite pieces, but for now here is the overview:

1. Cognac bag- it goes with everything. Black piled on top of black can look a bit heavy, but cognac gives it a pop of color. Don't tell my husband, but a cognac bag is probably the only purse you really need.

2. Button down shirt- I prefer the portofino shirts from Express.

3. Skinny jeans- equally chic tucked into riding boots or rolled and paired with flats.

4. Colored pants- I prefer skinny to bootleg.

5. Black skirt- choose a shape that flatters your body type.

6. Wear anywhere dress- pick something that can be dressed up or down.

7. Boyfriend sweater- as comfy as a sweatshirt and much more chic (I recently saw something on Pinterest along the lines of "I would hate for someone to say my shoes look really comfortable" I think that statement could be applied to most of your wardrobe.

8. Chambray shirt- bonus points if it has polka dots.

9. Blazer- colored, knit- I don't care. You just need one. I never wear mine as part of a suit- I pair it with colored skinny pants or jeans.

10. Black or nude pumps- almond toe is my favorite.

11. Flats- has the comfort of the tennis shoe minus the clunkiness. Go for studded black, cognac, or leopard.

12. Cognac riding boots- flat and to the knee.

13. Statement heel- use to elevate a simple dress.

14. Scarves- can be picked up for around $10 at your local big box store. A super inexpensive way to add interest to basics.

15. Patterned shirt- I prefer polka dots.

16. Something leopard- ideally shoes and a scarf.

17. Leggings- no need to travel in sweats.

18. Statement necklace

19. Simple earrings- diamond studs or pearls are a good starting point.

20. Oversized sunglasses.

14 months

Claire and Audrey are now 14 months old and are busier than ever! They love running around and exploring everything. They are becoming quite adventurous eaters- they will eat everything we eat (and even a few things that we don't care for!). 

Last night we went out to eat with the girls to a casual dining restaurant- it was quite strange, as the hostess was figuring out where to seat us she said that she would put us in a certain server's section because she "really loves her job". We have yet to be wild and obnoxious patrons- in fact there was a group of middle aged ladies seated next to us that appeared to be quite a bit more troublesome than we were. Sure, the girls might throw a few things on the floor, but I am sure to pick things up prior to leaving. 

Audrey and Claire both love getting their teeth brushed! Audrey is quite attached to her banana- at times she cries when it is taken away. 

We are still working on transitioning to the sippy cups 100% of the time- they are particular and only like the sippy cups with straws. Lately it has been a bit of a struggle to make sure they get their minimum of 24 ounces of milk per day- they just don't want to slow down to drink it.

They have been more consistent in sleeping through the night- especially Audrey. Claire still has a tendency to wake up once per night- we'll have to work on getting her to have more milk before bed... lately the little stinker has only been willing to drink a couple of ounces.

I have finally started to lose the baby weight at about the same rate I acquired it during pregnancy. All I have done is be more mindful of what I eat- trust me, I still make room for plenty of treats! I aim for about 1200 net calories per day, which doesn't always happen (I like to splurge a bit on the weekends) but I am pretty consistent with it. The main change is that I am once again working out 6 days per week. I am loving the xhit daily and fitness blender you tube channels! I honestly barely even miss my gym membership. Most days I do about 30 minutes of HIIT/circuit training- although the other day I did a brutal 84 minute workout from fitness blender- I'll have to try do that once a week or so, it claims to torch between 700-1000 calories (zumba always claimed to burn that many calories in a 60 minute workout, but I never believed it... but I could certainly see how this workout would be capable of that- and the end of the workout I was a hot mess, and usually exercise simply makes me glow :)).  Days when I want to take it easy I do barre fitness or ab-specific work.

tuesday shoesday and arm candy

These are the boots that helped fuel my obsession with skinny jeans, leggings, and cognac. Quite an accomplishment for these $79 beauties I snagged in 2009ish. Ignore the fact that they need to be cleaned/polished- I wore them in the snow today and was too lazy to spiff them up for the picture.

Ignore the scratch in our flooring... it was a casualty of our basement finishing process. Darn 700 pound bathtub.

I actually bought these boots prior to even owning skinny jeans or leggings. It took me a while to start wearing them on a regular basis. They helped my foray into the world of skinny jeans though- at first I would only wear skinnies with these knee boots, but soon became brave enough to wear them with heels, flats, you name it. It was also with these boots that I realized that cognac pairs nicely with black- back in my formative years, I was taught that under no circumstances should you mix black and brown. Well, I am still not a fan of black and chocolate brown, but black looks great with cognac!

And now for the arm candy. I had been craving a la mer watch for the past few years, but they were a bit pricey, and I wasn't sure how often I would actually wear a watch. There was recently a line for Target, but I missed the boat on that. Well, over the weekend I went shopping at Clothes Mentor and picked this bad boy up for around $10 (it is from the Target line, but was still heavily discounted).

Note that it features one of my favorite colors, cognac. I am also obsessed with gold accessories.