Pink and Grey

Top: Nordstrom BP
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Skirt: c/o Oasap
Belt: Target
Boots: Frye Jane 14L Stitch

As the temperatures drop, I've been favoring darker colors and heavier fabrics, but since I don't have enough clothes to have separate winter/summer wardrobes, I try to stretch my closet as much as I can. I wanted to find ways to incorporate my favorite warm-weather pieces into the winter months, and this blush pink skirt is no exception. I probably would have put this light-weight skirt aside on the color alone, but the fact that it was fully lined (thus being tights-friendly) made me reconsider. Paired with grey and brown, the skirt easily transitioned for a crisp fall day.

You don't know how much I hate unlined skirts with tights because no matter how many "anti-static" tricks I try, my skirts always bunch up when I walk. I've tried slips, but it's just an extra layer to worry about peeking underneath, so I went and bought a bunch of lining fabric the other day and I'm planning on adding an inner lining layer to all my favorite unlined skirts. Should be easy enough, but I haven't actually attempted it yet so we'll see how it goes.

Rockstar

Top: Target
Blazer: Radcliffe (from Tiffany)
Jeans: Old Navy Rockstar Jeans in Plum
Boots: Steve Madden
Back when I first heard about the Old Navy Rockstar colored jeans, a lot of people were saying that the sizing was inconsistent with Old Navy's regular pants, and that you should size up one or two sizes from your normal size in order to get a good fit.

I went one size up with this plum pair, and while they fit fine at the store, they've become all stretched out and saggy-kneed after a few hours of wear. So much for "skinny" jeans. The other pair that I bought (in olive) was my regular size (an online return), and while they barely zipped up at the store, now they fit perfectly. I'm not sure if that shopping day was just a fat day or something, but I do not recommend sizing up... or at the least, buy a pair that fits snug to account for the stretching.

I'll probably try shrinking them in the wash, something that I've never attempted because it slightly terrifies me. Anyone have any tips for a clothes-shrinking first-timer?

30

My sister made me awesome birthday hats with my most awkward pictures.
See the yellow fanny pack in the bottom left? FASHUN.

I always thought 30 was so OLD.

I remember watching '13 going on 30' (one of my all-time favorite movies), and thinking, why did Jenna want to be 30? Why didn't she pick something like 24 or 25? Those are the prime years in a person's life. But then, here I am, now 30 years old. It doesn't really feel any different than the twenties. I don't feel any more mature or wiser, though I can tell that my metabolism is slowing and I'm starting to get grey hairs, and that kind of sucks.

I had an awesome birthday weekend, spending time with my closest friends and family and cuddling with my little ones. I remember back in the day, I felt birthdays were so OMGIMPORTANT and even cried once when no one at work acknowledged it (mostly because at the time I was the designated birthday-cake-buyer and bought everyone in the office birthday cakes for their birthdays but no one remembered when it was my turn). Now I'm starting to understand that birthdays are not so everyone can congratulate the fact that you indeed lived another year, but rather it's just a chance to spend time and eat delicious cake with those that matter the most. Maybe that's what growing up is all about.

I can say though, that I've been super blessed this year, with adorable kids and a wonderful husband. Life is challenging with two kids, but so rewarding and I would not trade it for anything in the world. I'm pretty sure 30 is going to be the prime year of my life.

PS. As for a follow-up of my winter coat shopping post, I ended up picking a birthday coat that wasn't even on my original list. I really liked the J.Crew coat with the belt, but the notion of having to tie a belt every time I put on my coat sounded too troublesome, so I ended up getting the J.Crew Lady Day coat in black. It may not be the most exciting of coats or colors, but it's a classic and I'm sure will last me years and years down the road.

Belated Halloween

On the day of Halloween, P was misbehaving and cranky ALL DAY LONG, so we felt it wasn't a good idea to take him trick-or-treating and rewarding him with candy. He only wore his costume in the morning for preschool, and later refused to put it back on in the evening after his non-nap. We ended up going to bed early and I was a little sad that the $45 I spent on the two flimsy costumes was just a big waste of money when I couldn't even get any cute pictures. I mean, dressing up kids this young is solely for photo ops, right?

Over the weekend, I decided to have them put back on their costumes just for a few photos. Yes, he was in the middle of watching TV, which explains why he was refusing to look at the camera. If I had turned it off, he'd be running all over the place, pretending he was an Angry Bird or a Kung Fu Panda. It was a choice between having blurry-kid-running-around pictures or sitting-still-but-not-looking-at-the-camera pictures. SIGH. I applaud any parents that can keep their three year olds entertained without TVs.

And yes, that's his "murse" of plastic animals that he carries EVERYWHERE. and pajama pants because weekends do not require real clothes.

Matching the Needle

Top: Old Navy Maternity

Jeans: J. Brand

Boots: Frye Carson pull-on

Yep, I'm still wearing maternity clothes. BUT!!! These Old Navy shirts are probably the worst designed maternity shirts ever. The front of the shirt has a rounded hem to account for a larger belly, but that's it. No side ruching, no extra length, no super baggy fit typical of maternity clothes. I bought it pretty early on in my pregnancy* last winter and only wore it a handful of times before I outgrew it. It was just too tight and short, even after sizing up.

Now, I hate that I had to spend money on maternity clothes that I only wore like 5 times, so when I was putting all that stuff away a few months ago, I realized that I could continue to wear this shirt, only with the front half-tucked to hide the curved hem. Even now, it's still kind of tight. Oh well. I just wanted to show off my boots. I love them.

*I feel like I bring up my previous pregnancy and budget in every other post... SORRY.

October Budget Recap

1. Fleece lined tights: $7 + tax = $8
2. Dress from Goodwill: $8 - 20% discount + tax = $7

October total: $15*


Fleece lined tights are my absolute FAVORITE. They're so cozy and warm without adding any bulk, and I highly recommend them for the winter-time when it's too cold for normal tights. I already have two pairs in black that I wore all last winter, so when I found them in grey the other day, I had to pick them up. I get the Legale brand from Nordstrom Rack, and they have both plush lined leggings and tights, in black, grey, and brown for $7/pair.

The dress on the other hand, I totally bought it on a whim the other day when I stopped by Goodwill. I can't tell you how long I've been wanting to go to Goodwill to browse, but it's almost impossible with a baby and a toddler... mostly because I wouldn't want them touching everything so I would have to go on a day when I didn't have either kid. I jumped at the chance one day after I dropped my preschooler off and my husband had the baby, and found this dress. I didn't want to waste my rare alone/Goodwill time by going home empty handed, so I brought it home. Not entirely sure if I need it or not, but I have a week (now only a few days) left to decide if I want to return it.

In addition to these two things, I did buy a Kate Spade wallet (to replace my Coach wristlet... yes, I'm stuck in 2005) and a leather motorcycle jacket this month, but they are my anniversary (August) and birthday (November) presents from my husband, so they won't be going on the budget.

Linking up with Franishh for her Budgeting Bloggers.

*11/5 Update: I decided I didn't really need the dress. It's a bit too youthful with the bubble hem and short length. Plus, I wouldn't be able to wear it for awhile due to nursing/pumping, so I returned it over the weekend. Updated October total is $8

Behind the Blog

Hey guys! Fran over at Franishh has featured me in her Behind The Blog series today. Want to know what my daily reads are? What I think of trends? Who takes my photos? What the best thing is to come out of blogging? Click on over! :)