Raiding My Sister's Closet: Transitioning to Fall

Last weekend, my mom, my sisters and I spent the weekend doing fun things around SLC, and it was just the best!  Earlier this year, I had seen super cheap plane tickets for Amsterdam, and jokingly sent them on to my sisters, asking them who wanted to come (this was before I found out I was pregnant with twins).  None of us could actually do it, but it did plant a seed for a sisters weekend somewhere, sometime. I thought it might be off the table when I found out I was having twins, but my lovely mom and sisters accommodated me, and came to Utah to see me! They really are the best!  

We ate lots of delicious food, talked a ton, visited our alma mater (we all graduated from the same college), went to a fantastic play, and then they threw me a surprise baby shower.  If you saw Merrick's Insta story about it, I was thoroughly and completely shocked.  

It was basically a dream weekend made even better when Adam told me that he and Fox had the best time playing together.  

This trip happened to coincide with some very cold temperatures, and all the Fall sweaters and coats had to come out (actually, neither of my sisters had brought a warm enough coat, so there was some literal 'raiding my sister's closet,' for coats this past weekend.  I was grateful that my Texan closet could accommodate).

I was thrilled to pull out my favorite fall scarves and boots, and find that layering a sweater under my coat is a great way to adapt to potential weather changes.  It was nice and warm during the nippy day, but when we went to dinner, I could pull off the coat, and still stay cozy.  Then, I took off the sweater later in the evening at the baby shower when I got sort of hot, and was still wearing a perfectly acceptable outfit.  It was great.  Layering FTW!

Also, check out my giant bump!  30 weeks in a twin pregnancy is no joke! 

dress: target// leggings: h&m// scarf: can't remember... Loft?// boots: DSW(similar)// sunglasses: permanently borrowed from Adam (similar)// watch: Mido (gift from Adam)// bag: Kate Spade

Check out how Merrick and Janssen are Transitioning to Fall

        

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Raiding My Sister's Closet: Meadow Lush for Fall

There is nothing quite as nice as finding out that a color that already appears several times in your closet is a trendy color.  When we were planning this post a few months ago, I voted to wear Meadow Lush from the Fall 2016 Pantone Colors, because I already owned a shirt in that color.  Then, just a few weeks ago, a friend gave me another shirt in the same color.  Suddenly I went from never having heard of Meadow Lush, to being completely on-trend. Way to go, me! Totally on accident.

This shirt is on repeat right now in my closet.  It is almost always the first shirt I wear after laundry day, and I wish I was wearing it just about every other day of the week.  It is soft, and the color is just gorgeous!  One day, I will find a shirt I like and just buy enough to wear them every day of the week. For now, I will just have to do laundry more often.

Also, I made my very first GIF! It is at the bottom of this post, so make sure you check it out!  Fox's hands in the air at the end is my favorite.  

(what parenting really looks like)

shirt: target//cardigan: old navy// scarf: anthropology (similar)// shoes: mint julep boutique (back in stock!!)// pants: old navy// earrings: forever 21

Check out how Janssen and Merrick are wearing Meadow Lush this fall! 

  

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Raiding My Sister's Closet: Trying out the Velvet Trend

(dress: ASOS//shoes: old (similar and similar)//necklace: francesca's but old (similar)

Merrick is always the person who keeps me up to date on my style trends, so naturally, she picked the velvet trend for Raiding My Sister's Closet this month.

I used to have a number of velvet clothing items, so I figured it would be a piece of cake to find something gorgeous and reasonably priced.  Then I spent the next month scouring the internet for anything less than $400.  And couldn't find a thing.  Everything was hideous or a ball gown for $1,000.  Or it looked like it would fall apart in 3 days.  For someone who is trying to buy more quality items, this didn't appeal to me at all.  

Finally, I told Merrick and Janssen that we needed to pick a different trend, because I was completely failing at finding something that I actually liked in velvet.  Then the next day, I headed over to ASOS (per Merrick's suggestion, although I had actually checked their stock before), and they had updated their fall stock to include a bunch of lovely velvet items including this beautiful green dress. Good thing I checked again.  

So, I had to send that embarrassing "sorry I told you I couldn't, but now I can" email, and I ordered the dress.  And it is gorgeous!  Such a stunning color, and not so sexy that you couldn't wear it to the White House.  Actually, I felt a little like a first lady in it (maybe it was the pumps and the gold necklace?).  Oh so classy, but in a contemporary way!  

It really would be perfect for just about every occasion you can think of going to this Fall (except maybe the pumpkin patch).  Thanksgiving dinner?  Stunning.  Christmas party? So appropriate.  Date night?  You will be the best dressed one there.  It really is the perfect fall to winter dress.  

Check out what velvet items Janssen and Merrick are wearing!  

    

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Raiding My Sister's Closet: Everyday Jewelry

Since going to France my style has evolved a lot (beating a dead horse, anyone? Sorry I keep mentioning this! Our trip really affected the way I see myself and style).  I used to feel like suffering for fashion was a worthy cause.  Blisters and constant tugging were a sign of bravery.  A mark that you were willing to do whatever it took to look great.  Dozens of blisters later, I no longer feel like that.  If my outfit isn't at least semi-comfortable, particularly for the situation I will be in, it won't be worth wearing, no matter how trendy, sexy or awesome it is.  There is nothing more terrible than wearing a skirt that you are constantly pulling down, a shirt that you are adjusting every other minute, or shoes that hurt with every step.

Being a mom has changed the way I dress, too.  I sit on the floor a lot playing blocks, reading books and changing diapers.  Wearing clothes that make sitting on the floor hard are impractical for every-day wear.  I still make a big effort to look good. I do my hair, wear make-up, and try to pick out a cute outfit every single day.  I don't want to look like a slob, or someone who has given-up, because I haven't.  I am turning over a new leaf in fashion.  Simple, attractive and classic.

Beyond just my clothes, my jewelry habits have had to change, too.  I absolutely love earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces, and have for years!  In high school, I was a big jewelry junkie.  The bigger the earrings the better. Now, they feel out of place when I wear them.  Instead, I have been choosing small, delicate jewelry, and I love how simple and classic they feel (can you sense a theme?). Also, I spend lots of time with a tiny person who thinks earrings are the coolest toys and is constantly trying to pull them out of my ears.  I have switched to smaller less-breakable jewelry that is harder to grab.  Fox is learning fine motor skills and I am decreasing the likelihood of my needing ear surgery.

These tiny hammered square earrings with this thin bracelet are just about perfect.  Simple, understated and hard for the baby to grab.  Just the way I like it. Plus, they will never go out of style.

 Photo Credit: Janssen

 shirt: target (similar); sweater: old navy, via a friend// shoes: dsw(similar here and here)// jeans: Guess outlet// tote: made by me (based on this tote.  I was super proud of how mine turned out!)//earrings: from a friend (similar here)//bracelet: a gift// glasses: firm (ps - these are prescription glasses)// scarf: loft(similar)// ring: wedding ring from Adam (similar)

Check out Janssen and Merrick's Jewelry Situation.  I can almost guarantee it is cooler than mine!

 

Do you need a few fun fall recipes?  Check out my beet ice cream, the bacon, leek jumble, or the brie and arugula hamburger!  

It is always a pleasure to have you stop by!  

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Green Blazer and Kate Spade

Oh, this jacket.  I could talk about it all day long.  I think it is the most gorgeous piece in my closet right now.  Wool, dark green and a perfect fit.  I am obsessed.  I honestly love J. Crew, so it should come as no shock that my favorite piece of clothing currently is from there.  Also, I have been thinking a lot about filling my closet with high quality clothing that will last a long time and still be stylish.  This jacket has just about made me decide to do it.  I will keep you posted on if I actually do it or not.  I am hoping I will be able to convince myself to do it. Have any of you done something similar?  I have seen a few people in the blogging world paring down their closets to their favorite items and people say great things about it, but somehow, I am scared.  

shirt: Old Navy// scarf: Old Navy(similar)// jacket: J. Crew Factory(Tan Color)// Bag: Kate Spade (similar)// jeans: Old Navy// boots: DSW(similar)// Earrings: Ruche(similar)// Sunglasses: Ross (similar)

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