I thought I would share an outfit I am planning to wear in Paris this summer… one that makes me feel feminine and ethereal, but is simple enough to also wear here in St. Louis- maybe out for drinks on a warm summer night with girlfriends? Plus, Oliver oohed and ahhhed me when I walked into the room, then said, “Mama, you look nice today!” That little guy notices things, yes sir.
Have a wonderful Wednesday! 
Please don’t get tired of my braided hair. The truth is, it is really simple. It keeps my long hair off my neck in the heat, half-grown-out bangs out of my eyes better than any other hairstyle I’ve found, and makes it easier to not wash my hair every day, which I’ve heard is better for hair… I don’t know, how often do you wash yours?
Plus, you know something funny? Everyone keeps coming up to me with a comment. I’ve had several older gentlemen and ladies say that it reminds them of how their parents used to do their hair (!), and younger women saying they love it and ask me how I learned. I’ve had little girls compliment it. And you know, it’s so hilarious, because I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to my hair, and this hairstyle is really ridiculously easy. Here’s how:
If you have medium-to-long hair, this should work for you.
Part hair however you usually do, but make sure to part the back down the middle. separate hair into two large sections, tying off one like a pigtail with a rubber band while you braid the other side. Braid hair like you would if you were doing braided pigtails on a little girl, only work the braid forward and up rather than just braiding down. If you have bangs, you can either leave them forward, or for longer bangs (like mine), braid them into the hair as you move up the hairline. This will also help hold your braid in place. Secure with a clear rubber band, and repeat on opposite side. You should have two ends that you can tuck over or under each other and secure with a couple of bobby pins.
That’s it!
Happy Wednesday!
Ah! The warm sun feels so good after being cooped up all winter (and most of spring)! And I found a dress that has quickly become my favorites: I wore it out to dinner on Friday night, I’ve worn it to breakfast and all morning Sunday, as well as to Milo and Oliver’s preschool Mother’s Day celebration. And I wore it yesterday (yes, I washed it in-between). It’s lightweight and has pockets without making it look bulky, and that somehow is all a dream come true. You know, for collecting small treasures from grubby little boy hands!
Dress: Anthropologie
Clogs: Rachel Comey
Have a lovely day!
P.s.- Milo “graduates” from preschool this Friday, and though it seems like not a very big deal, I may just cry.
Please excuse the crooked shot today, but I had to include it since Milo took the picture!
Lately I have been so drawn to the trend of geometric shapes: triangles (like the above necklace), rectangles, squares, etc. just catch my eye. But I don’t like it all crowded and fussy, just simple and easy to mix and match with other prints (like polka dots!). Here are a few geometric things I’ve been loving from around the web:
This simple but interesting tank top
This triangle ring is just so great and simple
These placemats, which I think could pair so nicely with these floral plates!
This colorful squares quilt
Any and all of the baby leggings sold on this website
This shirt!
The awesome bandana on this little dude
Yep. I’m obsessed. Happy May 1st! We are looking forward to having an old friend over for dinner tonight. We’ll be grilling out (surprise, surprise) since the weather is supposed to be awesome! Hope the day treats you well.
P.s.- I’m completely out of makeup now that the supply my sister gave me ran out (at least I still have lipstick!). I have pretty sensitive, somewhat dry skin. Any recommendations on a good skincare line that you love???? Help!
So, as with the last few Dress That Mama posts, this is what I wore out with friends over the weekend. Not a typical mama outfit, but I also ended up wearing the same pants the next day to run errands and garden in (minus nice shoes, add rain boots and a plain white tee shirt, plus hair in a bun instead of down!). I would also wear the pants rolled like this with my ankle boots, which I wear more often than these shoes. 
But just for fun, I got a little dressed up for the show. As all mamas should! It feels good to go out for a night on the town after the littles are asleep! 
Seen any good concerts lately?
Hello sunshines! I am seriously coming alive with this spring weather! I hate to admit, but my mood is so influenced by the weather, you may as well check the forecast before you stop by if you want to be sure I’m in a reasonably good mood! And with the sunshine, I have been working hard on living and enjoying my family.
This is what I wore last Sunday to our little gathering. We had a few friends over for some good food and drinks, and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Shirt: Anthropologie (on sale)
Jeans: Pilcro (also found at Anthropologie, also on sale )
Holepunch flats: Madewell
Circle necklace: Anthropologie, 3 years ago, and my most-warn necklace (I own exactly 4 necklaces, if you were wondering– not really a jewelry kind of gal, so I stick to what I really really love).
I hope you are finding happiness in whatever weather you have. Happy Wednesday!
If you recognize this dress, that is because I wore it all 9 months during my pregnancy with Emil (and during my pregnancy with Oliver, come to think of it!). And you know what? I’m still not tired of it! Also? It’s not a maternity dress, just a little more forgiving of the old waistline, so it stays.
My favorite part is the back, which is an interesting shape and open to the skirt part, while the rest of the dress is pretty modest. I will wear this thing until it is full of holes. Unfortunately, as you may imagine, I bought it many years ago while living in Baltimore when Milo was just a wee babe, so I’m pretty sure it’s long gone. However, if you like the brand, it’s Velvet. Here is a link to some of their more current styles, though sadly I don’t care for most of it.
Do you ever feel disappointed when a designer you love changes course to follow trends you would rather not? I think I may always love some sort of boots-and-dress combination, but lately I have been choosing a style that is far from “current.” Oh, well. If I keep finding vintage Frye boots, I will keep wearin’ em! 
P.s.- They’re really comfortable!
Yellow! Polka dots! It’s definitely spring. This is pretty much what I wore on Easter Sunday (minus the shoes, plus tights and rain boots because we were sloshing around in the mud a bit at our friends’ house). This is what I would wear to breakfast or lunch with a friend during the week. Which is something I am looking forward to…
The next two days I will be enjoying some much-needed friend time in Kansas City to see a concert (Sigur Ros- an amazing Icelandic band) and check out the arts scene (along with some good coffee shops, I hope!). I am beyond excited!Plus, Andrew has the boys all pumped up about this thing they are calling “Man Party,” which I assume is what they will be doing with no mama in the house. I believe it involves super hero costumes, root beer floats, a long hike in the woods, and a whole lot of playground time. And, of course, some top secret things that only men who attend “Man Party” will know about. Should I even ask?
It’s so deceiving, these outfit posts. Not because I don’t actually wear these outfits, but because by the time I post them (this one was taken on the one warm day last weekend, Saturday, before we received a ridiculous amount of snow the next day), the weather seems to be something completely different. And obviously, I wouldn’t be wearing these shoes in a foot of snow. So… add rain boots and a coat and hat, and that’s more like today!
Generally, I don’t dress in a lot of color. But when I do, it’s usually something subdued, like these yellow corduroy pants, or it’s bright red like a dress I’ve been dying to wear when it is warmer… maybe next week? We can hope???
Flower button-down in neutrals: Anthropologie several years ago- I had trouble finding a similar pattern, but similar color way here
Sweater: Anthropologie (my most-warn sweater this year by far!)
Yellow corduroys: Pilcro (find similar here)
Shoes: Rachel Comey
And my wise friend Mary once told me that people tend to dress the same way they decorate their homes– which would explain a lot! Our home is mainly various shades of neutrals and neutral patterns, with pops of color here and there (like our bright blue dining room!). And Mary, whose style I love, is all about color and brightness. I think it suits her personality. How about you? Do you dress the way you decorate?
Happy Wednesday, and happy spring!
Though it is technically still only in the 40′s, last Friday was the exception, and I found myself warmed by the sunshine for one day. It was just what I needed, and of course I was inspired by the hope of spring. So, although today I am probably actually wearing something super warm, like jeans and a sweater, or cords and a button-down AND a sweater, this is what I wore all day last Friday.
Nope, not wearing pale white tights… those are my plain old winter legs! 
Flower tee-shirt: JCrew (all normal sizes sold out, but find similar print and color here)
Skirt: Curator (won from a giveaway on Cup of Jo last spring!)
Boots: Hudson
Photo bomber: Old Proudie, getting gray in the face, but still as wily as ever!
Happy Wednesday. I hope your day goes well!