dressing for warmth

leon insists on being in all of my photos. he also insists on holding my hand.

as you can see, i've been wearing pretty much my regular clothing aside from my new jbrand mama j jeans and a primoeza cardigan. i'm one of those people who can't stand belly panels, so the jbrands work perfectly for me. i ordered them online, but i highly recommend trying them on because i think i probably could have gone down one size. i usually wear long underwear if it's colder than 30F, but the waistband isn't very comfortable for long periods of time.

one of the things i struggle with is footwear because my feet went up half a size after the first pregnancy--and never went back. i can still wear most of my shoes with thin socks because i always buy shoes that are too big for me. however, my No. 6 buckle ankle boots are the only things that comfortably fit with heavier wool socks, but as i get wobblier, they'll probably have to be replaced. thankfully there hasn't been much snow or ice, so far! if i weren't pregnant--or if i could be guaranteed an ice-free winter--i would order these No. 6 shearling lined lace-up boots in an instant.

work

madewell trouser jeans, steven alan boyfriend shirt, bensimons

same shirt, different jeans. i haven't cut my hair in 8 months!

this week:
so grateful that i was able to keep my teaching job in spite of low enrollment
exciting news and a giveaway!

arnold arboretum

jcrew + isabel marant

jcrew has really been inspired by isabel marant lately. the embroidered zafrina skirt reminded me of this dress. i found it on sale for $28 at one of the stores two weeks ago.

wiksten shop update today!

leon in his niconico harem shorts, which i wish they would make in my size.

green and navy

 

green tank from maryam nassir zadeh, acne skirt, sven clogs.

i washed the tank once on cold with dark items and then accidentally put two white tees in the wash the second time around. whoops. 

the clogs are still a little tough to wear, but i think i'm slowly breaking them in.

something's missing

i finally made cut-offs to wear with my mociun dress from last summer. but i still feel like something's missing from this outfit. maybe a necklace or two or three like this one from odette? i spend so much time focusing on the dress or sweater that i forget to accessorize. bags and jewelry (and sometimes shoes) are usually an afterthought.

hand-made love, elective affinities, and nyc

leon loves his dachshund, which was made by sian keegan. i'm pretty sure it isn't intended for all the love that he wants to give it, but he has chosen it as a lovey.

i dug out my pip-squeak chapeau dress, which i thought wouldn't work for nursing. turns out i was wrong, so now i can wear it as often as i'd like. the only thing is the armholes are so big that i have to layer it with a camisole. i've yet to find one that doesn't mar the dress' neckline.

along with pip-squeak, other children's clothing designers that make lovely things for adults include:
album di famiglia
le bouton
vestiare de cle (the older sister of vestiare de jeanne)
and makie.

i like the idea of wearing hand-made linen dresses, trousers, skirts, and tops in loose simple shapes. a good pair of warm-weather pants is probably at the top of my list. if you're in portland on friday, chelliswilson has new designs by lisa dorr of le bouton available.

also, leon and i will be in nyc from monday til thursday to visit friends, try on shoes and jumpsuits, and stuff ourselves silly. i'd love to hear of new or little-known places to visit while we're there!

spring time outfits (something old, something new)

it's hard finding the energy to shop now that our place is on the market. cleaning is a monumental task with a very active and curious toddler. while packing away clothing, i've rediscovered a few things that i had stopped wearing, including a twelfth street by cynthia vincent cotton-silk tunic in the most wonderful shade of purple.

two new purchases:
oxford blue shorts from jcrew ($30 with student discount)
j brand twill mid-rise skinny jeans ($158)

i've given up on my denim hunt for the time being. mainly i bought the j brands because i loved how soft the brushed twill was. i sized down to a 26 because people had told me that they do stretch out a bit. i had to shimmy to get them on the first time, but they're fine now. i don't think they're my favorite pair of pants. they crinkle around the thighs and calves rather than staying smooth, but the stretch and mid-rise is very comfortable.

as for my boy, i cannot believe how long his legs are. i call him a bruiser and a scamp. he is always up to no good.

two pieces by etoile isabel marant s/s 10

zita striped sweater in black and white. made of the softest cotton in a loose knit, cropped length and keyhole neckline. i've learned one can never have too many striped tops. from stuart and wright.
also available in various colorways at:
satine
creatures of comfort
metier

urias silk top in a star print. i bought this a month ago at alan bilzerian. i considered returning it, but they have a 5 day store credit only policy that i didn't know about until it was too late. every time i put this top on, i can't bring myself to wear it. i have visions of ketchup or worse ruining it. living with a toddler is a major hazard to my wardrobe. will probably end up selling it on LoGE since i envision the next 5-8 years of my life either pregnant, nursing, or chasing after toddlers.

gap chambray drop-waist dress

 

gap dress 

peter beaton striped shirt 

jcrew striped cardigan

humanoid pullover

no. 6 boots in fudge

saltwater sandals (i really want another pair in yellow, or maybe navy).

the dress is surprisingly nice, especially since i bought it on sale for $35. i went with the medium because the small was tight around the hips when i had both hands in the pockets. but really, i would say the dress fits true to size. 

it isn't much on its own, especially with the sleeves unrolled. it's definitely a good dress for layering, and my favorite look is with the humanoid pullover sweater. i was worried the no. 6 boots would look clunky without tights or jeans, but i think with a lighter color pair of socks, it'll be ok. and i cannot wait to wear sandals. after a soggy snowstorm on tuesday, the temperature has been in the low 40s. so nice!

lark has a similar dress by malene birger. i was thinking about a belt, too, and oxfords if i ever end up finding a pair.

boy

lyell kresse jacket

steven alan boyfriend shirt

R13 jeans

no. 6 buckle boots


i'm not really a jacket/blazer kind of person, but my lyell kresse jacket is so soft and snuggly that it's as good as my favorite cardigan. plus, the lining is gorgeous.

tom scott cardigan...spring forward

this cardigan is made for movement. the color looks forward to spring while simultaneously shaking the winter blues away.

other favorite tom scott pieces here, here, and here. (those old impulse/totokaelo blog photos make me wish i could find more pre-2008 images)

jenny gordy will be guest blogging for lucky next week (february 8-12). and look, she mentioned my blog! 

birthday wish list

for next tuesday....


mociun moonwalker skirt

jess brown + wovenplay rag doll

verre initial necklace in glass

repetto zizis in dark grey


makie wool cardigan

a haircut

the trench

i wasn't able to go to the steven alan sample sale last week, but a dear friend ameliorated the situation with a heddy shirt (and a book of fiendishly good stories...and a cashmere sweater...did i mention how awesome she is?).

it seems a lot of people are feeling the trench love. hopefully the weather will be mild enough that i can wear mine to the sale since it's roomy enough for both me and leon.

shopping in the oc

it's in the 80s here in south orange county, so i can't wear my No. 6 boots. leon's been sick with a nasty cold, and yesterday i came down with a 24 hour stomach bug. so, we haven't done much exploring, but hopefully next week will be more promising. i'm on the hunt for a diaper bag that doesn't look too babyish.

unfortunately shopping in the oc is less than exciting. i bought this plaid top at anthropologie, for lack of anywhere else to buy at the irvine spectrum. i did, however, find a shop, laguna supply, in downtown laguna beach. it carries steven alan and etoile isabel marant. i didn't try anything on because my mom was scandalized by the prices. maybe next week leon and i will make a quick visit there.

we'll be back in cambridge in about three weeks, and then it's off to nyc to visit friends!

autumn in california

yes, more stripes.

leon and i are off to southern california for a few weeks starting thursday. i have to give a paper at a conference in oakland, and then more research and writing in orange county. by the time we return, all the leaves will have fallen. we're hoping to go apple picking on wednesday since this will likely be our last fall in new england.

shoes that work (no. 6 clog boots)

i'm so happy with my new no. 6 boots. i'm glad i went with the dark brown, it's dark enough to go with everything in my closet. the 40s seem to fit perfectly, although only time will tell. so far, i think this has been my most successful shoe purchase in since my frye paige riding boots.

stripes

my love of stripes knows no bounds. i'm happy to see that i'm in good company....(merci nancy!)

apc sunday antique market

i wore my new apc chambray wrap dress to the Sowa (south end-ish) antique market on sunday. it's supposed to get into the 90s today. maybe i should fill the bathtub with cold water and sit there with leon all day.

also worn:
park vogel leggings on super sale
new necklace by simplyolive