Fashion Finds – November 2016

In October, I did a Fashion Finds round up of the previous month and you guys asked for more clothing related posts.  I am back for just that!  Also – a reader had a great suggestion about putting down sizes that I ordered so that you can get an idea of the fit of items.  I will definitely do that but I gotta tell you, I always read reviews for each item when shopping online so that is a big recommendation.  It’s also really helpful to know what cut fits you well.  I personally can’t wear things that are tight in the waist….it’s just not a great look on my body type…so I wouldn’t order something that is questionable unless it had free returns.

Some of you may have seen some of these looks on my Instagram….so this is more of a recap of the things that I LOVED and highly recommend for each outfit.  The other items in the outfit are listed in the smaller photos below each outfit…just click on the little item (try to avoid clicking the Pinterest button) and you can get more details and shop till you drop 🙂

As far as sizing….I am normally a size 8-10 in pants and a medium in tops (sometimes a large) and I can’t fit into any hats (major sad face for my giant head).  I am 5’7″ and hold weight in my waist and hips.  Let’s get to it!

 

This scarf!  All day every day people!  Seriously it will be your go-to.  I found it at a cheaper price on that second scarf listed.  And I don’t know the quality of that cheaper one but I’m gonna order it and see if I prefer it with or without the toggle.  I am majorly on a blanket scarf kick and at least TWO more are on my Christmas list.  Also…that bracelet is amazing.  It’s stretchy, inexpensive and goes with everything.  It’s definitely a must-have if you are on a tight budget.

 

My Frye boots are still a favorite and there is a cheaper option at Target that has silver accents instead of gold.  I bought a first pair of mine at Target and they were very comfortable and I wore them till the heal wore out….so I think if you are into the gold – go for the look…if your budget can only handle the Target version…they are still really great looking.  Both are great pieces for any outfit and I get LOADS of compliments on them anytime I wear them out.

 

Here is the scarf and the boots with my new jacket.  It’s from North Face and it’s a LARGE.  It’s more of a sweatshirt type thickness but it’s super flattering in the back and warm enough to layer over sweaters.  I love the cut.  so freaking much.  I can bend over and not worry about crack-attacking my kid’s teammates parents.

 

The blanket scarf makes another appearance but this time with a staple in my wardrobe – a striped J.Crew tee…  I have it in a v-neck and a scoop neck and seriously the stripes are a must-have.  They go with anything.  I wear a LARGE there because I like it to be loose on my midsection. I listed the ones that are from Target because they are cheaper but I don’t know what kinda quality they are. I’ll let you know if I see the JCrew version pop up again 🙂

 

I also wanted to give a shout-out to my booties here.  I got them a couple months ago and basically they are my fall back for any outfit.  They are a slip-on and I just buy washable anti-bacterial cushions for inside so that I don’t have to wear socks.  I don’t tend to sweat….like at all…so this is my solution but I’ve heard that there are a lot of really great low-sock options at Target.

 

The booties have gotten muddy, had some queso dropped on them (not gonna name names – it rhymes with Taxi Blight) and been worn in the woods and I just wipe them down and they look great.

 

This necklace is a big time favorite right now (how come I’m doing all the accessories first?!) and it was really inexpensive.  I like that it is long with bling but doesn’t look too fancy.  It’s more textural and sparkly than sequins or jewel-themed.  It just looks more my style.  I’ve worn it a bunch and I think it breaks up tops in a way that makes things look casual.

 

I really prefer it with the high neck tops like this lace tank I got from Loft.  I am wearing a MEDIUM in the top.  The jacket is an old J.Crew find from when I had a job in insurance (oh like ten years ago!) and it is a SMALL but I don’t button it and I just roll up the sleeves.  I think this is a great work-at-home outfit that transitions perfectly for playing on the floor with kids 🙂

 

My other favorite scarf that I recently got was this infinity plaid girlfriend right here.  I LOVE the colors….it’s red white and blue but doesn’t scream fourth of july 😉  I think it’s pretty darn perfect for brunettes.

 

 

I wear it a lot with navy tops.  This polka dot one is five years old from Old Navy but I listed an alternative.  These jeans are my FAVORITE pair right now when it comes to the distressed look.  I splurged (yes they were on sale and I got them for $45 but that is a splurge to me for jeans!)…and I love the amount of distressing they have.  And I got to size down to a 29…which is like a freaking miracle so yay for vanity sizing…and yes they stretch 🙂

Here is another look at them….

 

They are super comfortable so I highly recommend those for you guys that like a more casual look.

 

Also – this purse is something I’ve been raving about on IG and I can’t tell you how many times this month it’s been the one I grabbed.

 

It’s big enough for all my necessities and I love how easy it is to carry PLUS, I don’t have to worry about zipping it up because it folds over….so my kids aren’t grabbing all the junk out when I’m in the store!  #momwin

 

I like pairing it with my Lucky booties…these are a couple years old so I listed the recent versions.  I have on that JCrew striped tee again 🙂

 

This leopard print purse is my early Christmas gift and I could not love it more.  It’s my fancy-bag.  Anytime I want to dress up, I literally plan my whole outfit around it 🙂  It makes me feel very HousewivesOfNewYork.  ok ok I pretend that I am friends with Bethenny…don’t we all?!  I got it at the Kate Spade secret sale….I try to let you guys know on IG when it’s happening because I am a KS bag fan…but only on sale 🙂  I listed a good alternative if you need a leopard bag now.

 

I paired it with this red dress….which I love but I gotta tell you…it’s more of a flirty date night dress with my height than a church dress….so I wear tights and hope that my kids don’t require a whole lot of lifting 🙂  I do think that the dress will transition well through the seasons though….it’s lightweight enough to wear in the summer.  It’s getting listed because it’s a great item for all the seasons and it’s really flattering for the midsection.

 

If you haven’t bought a little faux leather jacket yet, I highly recommend this little guy.  This guy is the perfect addition at the perfect price if you are looking to have something that toughens up the girly stuff.  I got it at full price right before our Chicago trip and even at $95 I think it was worth it.  It has a great cut with a little peplum in the back and still looks flattering while hiding the mom-tummy.

 

See how it flairs just a little bit?  Perfect for my waist-less figure 🙂

 

In September I recommended this dress to you guys and I still wear it all the time!  Recently it has become a favorite to pair with jeans as a long tunic.  I wanted to show that to you since a lot of you were more concerned about the length.

 

Two things about this outfit….first this cardigan is amazing.  I got it at Nordstrom and ordered a MEDIUM and it’s seriously amazingly soft on the inside.  I like the cut and detailing just fine…but the softness…it’s like loungewear.  I will sometimes change into my pajama pants and wear this with them because they are my softest stuff.  It’s ridiculously comfortable.

 

Also – if you haven’t ordered these jeggings yet, you are missing out.  I wear them a TON and they are flattering and comfortable and they are affordable and if you order ANY jeans this season….you will want these.  Trust me.

 

You guys already saw this outfit from my recent post about thredUP (did you enter the giveaway yet!?) but what I didn’t talk about were these boots.  Girls.  These boots are over-the-knee but I have long legs so they are more like at-the-knee boots for me…and they are SO flattering.  I instantly feel like a million bucks in them.  I always order a 1/2 size up in boots for a more comfortable fit.

 

I wore them during a walking-tour of Chicago and I LOVE them.  Mine are from DSW….but I listed an alternative that cost about the same and are slouchy too.  Think about adding a similar colored tall slouchy boot with a chunky heel…they can be just the thing to add a little something something to your look.  Also – be prepared to see more of that furry scarf as winter comes….I am in love with that thing.  I am ALL about comfort and that thing fits the bill.  (it’s 50% off right now!)

 

As most of you know….none of my shoes fit after I had Max (I thought my feet would go back to the normal size but NOPE.) and so now I am on a mission to rebuild my shoe-wardrobe.  My little black flats were one of the pairs that I could not live without and so I replaced them with these ballet-shoe inspired version.  They are elastic laces instead of tied ones and I think they are way more comfortable.

 

Surprise!  I’m also gonna list some dude stuff on here because Jeremy has a great wardrobe that he is constantly tweaking!

He is turning 40 this month and he is a STUD when it comes to fashion (he worked in retail for a long time…he even was the dude who told store managers how to put clothing displays together in the Gap stores across the southeast) so he knows how to work an outfit.  I thought it would be helpful after so many ladies have asked where they can buy their husbands and boyfriends the items he wears.

First up is the jean situation.  All of the jeans in these photos are from….wait for it….American Eagle.  Yes….my 40 year old husband is a big fan of their teenager stretchy man jeans.  He says (and I quote)….No wonder the guys can wear skinny jeans when they let things move like these 🙂

 

Let me assure you all though….my boyfriend has never worn true skinny jeans.  He just is a recent convert from bootcut and looser fit jeans and so every thing fits into the ‘skinny’ category.  These are technically more slim-cut 🙂

The striped shirt is also from AE….and I am a big fan.  He wears it alone and under sweaters and it always looks great.  Even when I get the boyfriend-side-eye 🙂

 

The other item you may notice is the boots.  They are some of the most affordable men’s boots we have seen.  We call these his ‘sexy dad boots’ because they a little bit of everything….just like he is 🙂  They are just dressy enough to wear to church and date night but he can also wear them into the woods.

 

Case in point….

 

I told him I needed these logs and he was laughing when I started to bring my camera 🙂

Jeans – again from AE – just a different color.  The shirt is old from Gap with elbow patches (!!!) and the shoes are the ones I mentioned above.  I think it’s a great look perfect for any guy!  Manly yet still put together.

And because I couldn’t mention looking good without throwing my little guys in there….here are the best looking models in our house 🙂  Most of their clothing is from Gap, Carters and The Childrens Place.  Smiles can not be bought 😉

So there you have it guys!  A fashion recap for the whole month!  Hope this is helpful to all you fellow mamas out there looking to tweak their own wardrobe and feel like a million bucks.  And for a peek into what’s to come….I did a little Black Friday shopping and scored these cute items so be on the lookout for reviews in January!

 

p.s.  This top and skirt are on sale at Loft – 40% off the sale price so if you are interested, it’s a great time!  Happy Monday!