Travelogue: Dressed for Comfort & Good Eats

Inspired by Cee's and Jean's recent travel posts, I thought I'd share my recent trip to Toronto through the lens of a decidedly anti-glam traveler (fascinating, I know.  Because who doesn't want to know how travel like a slob??).  Not because I wouldn't love to look good in travel pics, but because traveling equals eating and lots of it.  Hubby and I are gluttons on the road.  We plot for weeks on Yelp looking up different eateries and mapping out every meal including snacks.

 

Me being ridiculously happy with my food & our eating itinerary (click to enlarge)

Satay Beef Noodles at New City Restaurant, Toronto

I can be really bad about taking photos of my food because I usually dig right in, but I showed a modicum of restraint for these:

Shanghai Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) from Ding Tai Fung

Sooooo yummy with ridiculously thin skin and amazing broth.

Japanese-Italian fusion from Shiso Tree Cafe

Soup, salad, and matcha green tea sundae w/ red beans were delicious, but the pasta didn't strike my fancy.

Green Tea Ice Cream Sandwich from Pacific Mall

Different Egg Tart Variants - Milk, Portuguese, and Green Tea from T&T

And my eating uniform: leggings, tunic, scarf, blazer, and boots.  Stretchy leggings and tunic allow for food belly expansion while remaining comfortable :)

Old Navy Tunic

Black Leggings

Born Boots

Michael Kors Tortoiseshell Watch

Banana Republic Pearls / Chain Bracelet

Tinley Road Olive Blazer, Piperlime (left)

Leopard Scarf, eBay (left)

H&M Red Blazer (right)

Horsebit Scarf, eBay (right, a Cee find)

Are you a glam or anti-glam type of traveler?

Chain, Chain, Chain Blouse DIY

Despite not being much of an AI watcher, I do watch The Voice and they recently sang Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools."  It's been stuck in my head ever since and given the print of today's DIY blouse, well, you get the idea.

I saw this gorgeous sheer navy blue (looks black in the photos but a deep blue in sunlight) fabric with gold chain print in the sale section of Hancock Fabrics and instantly thought of different blouse ideas to try.  Though I initially thought sleeveless, I decided to go with 3/4 sleeves to be more office-friendly.  My favorite part of the DIY was being able to use gold buttons.  I don't know why, but I find gold buttons delightful - just a weird quirk of mine.

DIY Chain Blouse

LOFT Wide-legged White Trousers

Banana Republic Pearls / Chain Bracelet

F21 Pearls / Chain Necklace

Michael Kors Tortoiseshell Watch

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

Over the weekend, I decided to try for a more relaxed look.  Why?  We were going to a dim sum buffet and I can't feel restricted whilst indulging in so much food.  Total glutton, I know.

Old Navy White Maxi Dress

Talbots Yellow Suede Sandals

H&M Gold Braided Belt

Close-up view of the chain print

That's a wordy post for me - must be feeling chatty today.  It's probably all the Thai iced tea I've been drinking.

H&M Fitting Room Reviews

We took a mini-trip to Chicago to visit family and I got to visit a huge H&M store with 2 stories.  The selection in this store was amazing!  Makes me so envious of all the ladies who get to frequent larger, metro-area H&M stores.

Striped Dress, Sz 6, $49.95

I've been on the lookout for items that mix blue with green lately and this dress looked absolutely gorgeous on the hanger.  The color combination was exactly what I was looking for but the top portion was too puffy for me and the skirt really emphasized my hips.  I think this dress would look much better on gals with a slimmer silhouette.

Verdict: No, makes me look big on top and bottom - yikes

Striped Top, Sz 4, $29.95

After the dress fail, I picked up this top hoping I could just recreate a similar look with it.  It runs a little big since I've been wearing size 6 in H&M post-pregnancy and this size 4 fits with room to spare.  I think I could have made this work by tucking it in but the only green it had was one tiny stripe by the belly button.

Verdict: No, but second-guessing myself

Striped Blazer, Sz 6 $49.95

This blazer looked so good on Kelly that I wanted to try it.  It definitely runs small - I could barely button it and when I did, I looked like I was about to Incredible-Hulk out of it.  The thought of sizing up hurts my ego which is admittedly more fragile post-partum :P

Verdict: No, but it is lovely on smaller gals

Blue Paisley Dress, Sz 4, $29.95

After seeing Jean (review post here) tweet about this dress, I fell in love with the paisley print and was determined to find it.  I thought the print looked lovely in person but I felt like the dress made my top look too wide (this whole nursing thing makes me hyper-conscious because I'm so used to being completely flat).  At least it did not call attention to my hips :)

Verdict: No

My shopping outfit to keep warm in the brisk Chicago weather:

Old Navy Plaid Shirt

Banana Republic Cowl Neck Sweater

Burberry Scarf

New York & Co Red Pants (slimmed, alteration post here)

Clarks Camel Flats

Another shopping trip without any purchases.  I am doing so well on a shopping resolution that I didn't even make!

After shopping, we stopped by Mitsuwa, a Japanese supermarket with an amazing food court.  Don't let the grocery-store looking sushi fool you, the fish was super fresh and everything tasted restaurant-quality.

Shoyu Ramen, Sushi, and Green Tea-ccino (sooo yummy!)

And so my search for the perfect paisley dress continues (holy grail being Jean's J. Crew here).  I've also been trying to look for the perfect fabric to try a DIY version but so far only these sheets (from my uncle's house) have caught my eye.  I will now be stalking paisley bedding as well :)

Alteration: The Red Pants Experiment

Argh, I had this post all ready to go for Sunday evening and then, inexplicably, all the content was deleted when I hit "publish."

Let me reconstruct this darn thing and try again...

Armed with a coupon for $10 pants (from this post), it was unlikely I would be walking out of the store empty-handed.  I found these red pants and loved the color but the fit left something to be desired.  Size 4 fit my tummy well but then the legs were a bit baggy.  The unfortunate effect of baggy pants plus tapered legs was a pear-shaped nightmare.  I decided to take them home for some DIY slimming to "fix" the silhouette.  Aside from hemming, I've never really worked with pants so I was a little nervous about it.  Thankfully, simply slimming it along the inseam gave it the straighter, more-slender shape I wanted.

New York & Company 7th Avenue Sateen Slim Crop, Yelling Red, $10, orig. $43 (buy here)

I wasn't quite sure what to wear with them so I first tried my trusty stripes.

Top 1: Old Navy Tee (old)

Necklace 1: H&M Turquoise Necklace (old)

Top 2: Ann Taylor Starlight Stripe Sweater, XS (buy here)

Necklace 2: J. Crew Resin & Chain (old)

Belt:  Lands' End Canvas Rope Belt (old)

Shoes:  Gucci d'Orsay Pump, Camel (old)

Watch:  Timex face + J. Crew strap (original post here)

Then thought maybe an analogous color combination?  I wanted to try orange with it but the only oranges I had were too close to this shade of red and ultimately made me look like one giant fireball.  I decided to try peach instead. 

And added a deep purple inspired by this J. Crew image I pinned.

Shirt & Cardigan: LOFT (old)

Closer view of accessories

Horsebit Bracelet (purchased here but no longer see online)

Target Chain / Rhinestone Bracelet, $17 - reminds me a little of the J. Crew pave link bracelet

Amrita Singh Cannes Ring (buy here)

How would you wear red pants?

PFC #13: Stylish for Under $100

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by the lovely Annie of Really Petite.  Don't forget to check out Annie's page to see all the other entries!

The Challenge
Stylish for under $100: Put together a professional outfit (excluding shoes and accessories) for under $100. 
If you can, please break down the price of each piece to your outfit. The lower the price of the completed outfit - the better! Bonus points if you can put together a completed outfit including shoes and accessories for under $100.

The clothing portion of this outfit (blouse, cardigan, skirt) amounted to $34 while the accessories portion (watch, bracelets, cardigan clips) cost $29.  I almost got the whole outfit including accessories under $100 but the shoes (Gucci, $99) did me in.  Partial credit?  :)

 

A closer view of the cardigan beading, ruffle top and bracelets.

I know this is a little boring but I do tend to dress pretty toned down for the office.  I'm excited to see everyone else's entries!

Past PFC Entries:

  PFC #12: From Night to Day

  PFC #11: Vacation Vogue

  PFC #10: Summer to Fall

  PFC #9: Heat Wave Appropriate

  PFC #7: Little Black Dress

  PFC #6: Dress Up Your Basics

  PFC #4: Holiday Party

  PFC #3: The Look for Less

  PFC #2: Wear it Now, Wear it Later  

Reviews: Horsebit Bracelets, ON Red Blazer & More

Despite a few "successful" shopping trips to the mall wherein I purchased only a few bracelets here and there, I have amassed quite a few items from online shopping.  Thank goodness I didn't make a shopping resolution this year!

During one of their promos last week, I got 30% off my Old Navy purchase and didn't hesitate to peruse the new arrivals.  When I spotted a red blazer (was originally thinking of getting the J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer here, but maybe this will do?), I ordered it to see how it would compare.

Old Navy Linen Blend Blazer, Red Chili, XS (buy here)

The first thing I noticed was the length - this is a longer boyfriend-styled blazer than the J. Crew cropped blazer.  The color IRL is more of a reddish-orange with a little bit of a faded effect.  The sleeves are rather long but since I usually scrunch them up anyway, it doesn't matter to me.  The torso fit is pretty decent for me.  Overall, I still prefer the J. Crew version - it just seems more crisp and classic.  The decision at hand now is to figure out if this is good enough.

Verdict:  Undecided - what do you think?  Keep or hold out for J. Crew?

Old Navy Utility-Pocket Chambray Shirt, XS, (buy here)

After seeing Ping rock her ON chambray shirt, I decided to order one and see how I liked it on me.  The fit is a little loose in the torso and a little tight at the bust (I'm wearing a sports bra to prevent the gaping which is more representative of my typical size after I stop nursing Baby E).  I think this shirt is cute but not necessarily "me"

Verdict:  Hmm, I think this is a return

Old Navy Hooded Button-Jersey Pullover, XS (buy here)

I saw this in store in the lounge section and fell in love.  I don't think I've worn a hoodie since college and I know I can't wear this to work, but I think this is perfect for those play-dates in the park with the kiddos.

Verdict:  Keep

Curb Link "necklace" and Horsebit Bracelet (buy here)

I found this curb-link chain (made of plastic) in the trim section of my Joann store and bought 18" to fashion into a necklace.  For $6, it gives you the look of a real necklace which is good enough for me!

The Horsebit Bracelet was a random find late one night (courtesy of Baby E) from an Amish website.  The leather is nice and thick featuring an adjustable strap with 2 settings.  The tightest setting is approximately 7" and the loosest setting is 8".  I purchased 2 - one in orange and one in navy blue.

You can also choose from brass or silver hardware.  I love these bracelets and they were such a good deal!  Like Jean was saying, I love how these bracelets evoke a Gucci-esque feel.

Verdict:  Definite keepers

Talbots Driving Gloves, Luggage, Sz 6.5 (no longer available online)

Thanks to Jean of Extra Petite, these leather gloves were only $15 with free shipping!  Thank you Jean for tweeting about the discount!  The 6.5 fit pretty well but of course there is still room in the fingers.  See Olyvia's review here.

Verdict:  Keep - what a great deal!

Any fun purchases lately?  Yay or nay on the red blazer?

Dots and Happy Holidays

It's a nice, balmy 50 degrees here and I am happy to wear my new ON polka dot sweater.  I first fell in love with the Madewell polka dot sweater on Blair of Atlantic Pacific and Kelly of Alterations Needed.  When I saw this version at Old Navy for only $15 (also used 30% F&F so was only ~$11) this past weekend, I snapped it up.  Other people in the store must have had the same idea because when I got there, there was a lone Sm and all the other sweaters were XXL (there are plenty of sizes online now though!).  The Small is a little roomy in the torso for me but I don't mind.

Whilst I was digging in my closet to find something to wear with it, I found this great ivory-colored, corduroy blazer from almost 10 years ago in perfect condition.  It was like finding treasure :)

Blazer:  Banana Republic, Sz 0, (old)

Sweater:  Old Navy Printed Crew-Neck Pullover, Sm, (buy here)

Shirt:  Banana Republic Button Down, Sz 0 (old)

Skirt:  Gap, Sz 4 (outlet find for $6!)

Watch:  Timex + J. Crew band

Shoes:  Gucci Magenta Wedges

Happy Holidays to everyone!!  The kiddos here don't seem to love being held by Santa Claus but they are indeed excited about Christmas :)

Comfy New Fave: Poncho Sweater

I have a love-hate relationship with sweaters.  I find it difficult to flatter someone like me who has a tummy because the knit usually clings to it.  Going up a size usually makes me look like I'm swimming in it because the shoulders and chest area gets too loose.

This sweater strikes a delicate balance of a fitted poncho.  Sounds a bit like an oxymoron but the slim fit of the shoulders and sleeves (my favorite feature because I can wear a coat over it for cold Ohio winters) in combination with the drape of the torso creates the effect of a slouchy look rather than a baggy one.  I loved this so much that I bought it in 2 colors - Olive Heather (which looks brown) and Marshmallow White (looks ivory).

Sweater:  Old Navy Cowl Neck Poncho Sweater, XS, (buy here)

Top:  J. Crew Sommers Perfect Plaid Shirt, Sz 0

Jeans:  Gap Always Skinny, Sz 4 (I can finally button my jeans after having Baby Girl!)

Booties:  Born BOC

Necklace:  Express (old)

Bracelets:  Leather Cuff from Michael's craft store, Gold Bangles

I've been a little wrist-wear obsessed lately and have been acquiring bracelets etc. at an alarming rate.  On a routine trip to Michael's, I unexpectedly found this leather cuff (sold as a bracelet "kit" in the leather working section) and loved that you could get genuine leather for $4 after using one of their weekly 40% off coupons.  I love how wide this is and how it gives this Mommy a teensy bit of "edge." 

And big thank you to everyone who has entered my Hand-Knit Chunky Scarf Giveaway.   I had no idea this would generate so much interest - you all really know how to make a gal feel special :)

Mixing it Up with a Colored Blazer

I wear the heck out of my various black / gray / blue blazers so when I saw this rust-colored blazer at Gap a few months ago, I jumped on it.  When I got it home, I had a hard time thinking of what to wear with it.  Then I saw Sydney wear a similarly colored blazer and I decided that I needed to at least try something or it would just be a big waste of money.  (Thank you for inspiring me to wear this, Sydney!)

Can you believe it was 70 degrees today?!

Blazer:  Gap Tie Lapel Blazer, Sz 0

Top:  Old Navy Striped Tank, Sz M 

(I always size up at least 2 sizes for ribbed knits otherwise it makes my tummy pouch very conspicuous)

Skirt:  J. Crew Bell Skirt, Sz 2

Necklace:  Banana Republic

Ring:  Amrita Singh Shelter Island Ring (I HEART this ring!)

Bracelets:  Variety of gold bangles

Shoes:  Frye Joy Vintage Slide

How would you wear this blazer?

Don't forget to enter my Allison Izu Premium Denim Giveaway for a chance to win a pair of jeans in your choice of style / size!

Preppy Layers OOTD

DIY posts are slowing down a little bit since my hands are now literally full with DD and DS so bear with me as I inundate you with reviews and closet remixes instead :)  While I'm on the kiddo topic, I'm behind on comments and responses but if you have a question, please feel free to email or find me on Twitter.  I'm much more "reachable" for things I can respond to using my phone rather than my laptop.

Now back to the OOTD.  As soon as I bought the ON plaid shirt, I wanted to do a preppy layered look with a blazer.  To make it a little less run of the mill, I layered on the wrist wear.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the colors in this plaid!

What kinds of ensembles would you put together with this plaid shirt?

 

Blazer:  J. Crew Twill Blazer, Sz 0

Shirt:  Old Navy Plaid Flannel, Purple / Teal, Sz S (buy here)

Sweater:  Gray Cashmere V-Neck, Dillards, Sz S

Denim:  LOFT Bootcut Jeans, Sz 4

Shoes:  Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps

Watch:  Timex + J. Crew Strap

Necklace:  Ann Taylor Pearls and Chain

Bracelets:  DIY Leather Wrap Bracelet (tutorial here), DIY Pearl Bracelet, Tiffany & Co. RTT Heart Lock 

Old Navy Promo Haul and Reviews

Old Navy was having an amazing promo on Friday (will have 30% off the rest of the weekend) wherein the whole store was an additional 40% off AND for every $20 spent, you got $10 in Super Cash.  I went to check out the Smocked Chiffon Top in person since I'd been web-stalking it in size XS for weeks to no avail.  I wound up finding other items that looked much better in real life than on the website.

 

Plaid Flannel Shirt, $16 in store, (buy here)

Purple / Teal Plaid (Sz S) and Yellow Plaid (Sz XS)

The colors of these shirts were so much prettier when I saw it in the store!  I think these will make great layering pieces.  The XS in general fits me better all over except the chest area.  Notice the gap between buttons?  

Verdict:  Buy both in Sz S

Ruffle Tiered Chiffon Maxi Dress, Sz XS, $18 in store, (buy here)

This dress wound up making me look a little shapeless but I really like the print and the dress itself is comfortable and lightweight.

Verdict:  Buy and "fix" with a belt and some layers

Chevron Stripe Top, Sz XS, $15 in store, (buy here)

I like the chevron pattern but there was just wasn't anything about the tee that screamed "must have."

Verdict:  No

Smocked Printed Chiffon Top, Sz XS, $25 in store (buy here)

Holy big shirt!  This was a very large and boxy shirt on me.  I wish it would have worked out because I adore the print.

Verdict: No

Sweater:  Banana Republic

Shirt:  LOFT

Today's shopping outfit is another shot at mixing patterns.  This time a navy and white polka dot shirt with a green striped sweater.

Will you be taking advantage of this ON sale?