Category Archives: Date Night

What we wore for Thanksgiving…

 This is what we wore for Thanksgiving.  I don’t know why, but for me, Thanksgiving usually means brown and big shocker-COMFY!  😉  No idea why on the brown, but the comfy is a no brainer.  Anyway…this is waht we wore.  For me-minus the shoes.  We hosted, which means no shoes required 🙂Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-1 Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-2I’ve mentioned it before, but these DL1961 jeans are beyond comfortable.  They have a 4 way stretch fabric that moves with you and then bounces back without sagging! Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-3 Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-4 Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-5Ok, truth be told.  I didn’t have time to photograph what I was wearing on the actual day, so I redressed and photographed it the other day haha.  I was too busy making pies!!  Oh, and photographing the Peanut 🙂  THIS (below) was actually on Thanksgiving.  It was totally foggy.  My favorite to shoot in! Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-6And it was chilly!  I had to get ONE picture of her dress before layering her up! Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-7I got these Gap boots for $2.75 at a thrift store last week.  I was worried that they wouldn’t go with much, but they go with everything!  You will see these A LOT in the next week or so :). Blog StyleMint DL1961 Emma Coated Leopard flats-8On me…

Sweater- StyleMint (sold out, but love this sheer look here)
Shoes- (thrifted) but similar here and cheaper here.
On Maya…
Jeans- Gap
Dress- Old Navy (thrifted)
Vest- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Tis the season…for holiday parties!

 I’ll admit.  I didn’t wear this to a holiday party….yet!  I thought it might be fun to do a few posts a week this month on “fancier” clothes, because this is the season when a parties/get togethers could be sprung on you last minute!  I like to be prepared.  That is why I have a ridiculous amount of party dresses on hand “just in case” haha.  I snap up timeless dresses (or not so timeless if the price is right) all the time, because you KNOW that when you are in a bind and looking…there’s nothing to be found.  Funny thing is.  I’m not inherently a dress girl.  My comfort zone is pants.  For some reason, dresses make me feel…vulnerable?  Something I don’t like to be.  Anywho…here’s dress #1 with two shoe options.  I couldn’t decide which one I liked better.

Oddly enough, the Huz readily agreed to take these pictures.  Hmmm, shocking 🙂

Please forgive the ghostly pale legs.  I do live in Seattle…Blog Joie Silk Dress-1I love this dress, because the black and white print is pretty timeless.  You can mix in any number of pops of color, or just stay with classic black. Blog Joie Silk Dress-2 Blog Joie Silk Dress-3 Blog Joie Silk Dress-4Or boots??  This is for sure what I feel more comfortable in, although I LOVE green… Blog Joie Silk Dress-5 Blog Joie Silk Dress-6 Blog Joie Silk Dress-7So, which do you like better?  Heels or boots?Blog Joie Dress-x2Then, like I could leave Maya out!  She had a friend over for a playdate the other day and we got them all dressed up for pictures, because…why not 🙂 Blog Joie Silk Dress-8 Blog Joie Silk Dress-9 Blog Joie Silk Dress-10LOVE these of them doing “ring around the rosie”  SO CUTE!!! Blog Joie Silk Dress-11On me…

Dress- Joie (old, but similar here, here , here and less expensive here)
Shoes 1- Charlotte Ronson (old, but similar here and less expensive here)
Boots2- Faconnable (old, but similar here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Dress- Gap (thrifted and gifted to me by a friend!) similar here or here.
Boots- Nordstrom (thrifted, but similar here)
Jacket- George (thrifted)

dit-elle-Lauren

Boho Tops…come in handy when you go out :)

 It was my friend’s birthday the other night, so we went to someplace special.  He’s a total foodie, so we let him pick the spot.  When I looked at the menu, I knew I needed a top that had “room to grow” haha.  That is one of the things I love so much about “boho” tops.  They are loose and flow so you can’t see the “after food and wine belly” 🙂

Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-1 Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-2I love stacking jewelry.  Even before it was the thing to do.  Mainly because I’m too lazy to take anything off and rotate, so I just keep everything on haha.  This time I mixed $4 bangles from H&M with…a not $4 bracelet 🙂 Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-3 Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-4 Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-5 Blog Winter Kate Top DL1961 Coated Jeans-6And because it was a “going out” night, I didn’t get mixed pics of me and Maya, but I took these a few weeks ago and never blogged them.  I have a small obsession with Osh Kosh overalls.  Call it a generational thing 🙂Blog Maya 105 weeks Green Striped Osh Kosh Overalls-1 Blog Maya 105 weeks Green Striped Osh Kosh Overalls-2 Blog Maya 105 weeks Green Striped Osh Kosh Overalls-3On me…

Top- Winter Kate (old, but similar here)
Shoes- Report (similar)
On Maya…
Overalls- Osh Kosh (thrifted/vintage?)  skirt version in red here.
Leg Warmers- Baby Legs (similar)
Super Mom Tip
These tops are great for so many occasions/times in your life.  Wear them in the first trimester when you are trying to “hide the bump”.  Then wear them after the baby comes to…well, “hide the bump” :{  Then, wear them when you have a two year old to hide the food baby 🙂  That said.  It’s best to wear loose flowing tops with tighter bottoms to even things out. 🙂

dit-elle-Lauren

My favorite leather jacket… in GREEN!

 I have this exact jacket it a bright orange (worn last here), and I love it!  I get compliments every time I wear it, and even let a senior wear it for her senior portraits.  When I saw it on eBay a while back in green (my favorite color), I sooooo wanted it!!  I let it go (did I really need another leather jacket???!)  Then, I saw it again a few weeks ago at a screaming deal (aka FATE haha), so I snatched it up!  I have a few Doma Leather jackets.  Obviously, the quality is amazing, but they also all have such unique details to them.  I love that!!Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-1 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-2Scored these suede booties at a thrift store last week for $7!!  They are super comfy too! Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-3 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-4 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-5 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-6 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-7 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-8 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-9 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-10 Blog Green Doma Leather Jacket Blankn NYC Pants Suede Booties-11On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, but similar here and super cool bright blue here)
Top- Joie
Jeans- Blank NYC
Boots- Ann Taylor (thrifted, but similar on sale here)
On Maya…
Overalls- Old Navy overalls.  Thrifted, but similar here.
Scarf- Mine 🙂  thrifted

dit-elle-Lauren

Weekend getaway-Date Night…take 2 (faux leather :))!

 So for our first date night on our getaway, I wore my new suede pants.  The 2nd night it was a faux leather!  I love this faux leather top from ASTR.  I’ve been dying to wear it, but it’s been too cold in Seattle.  Perfect for a sunny California getaway 🙂Blog White Hudson Skinny ASTR Faux Leather top Paul Joe Booties-1 Blog White Hudson Skinny ASTR Faux Leather top Paul Joe Booties-2Such fun details… Blog White Hudson Skinny ASTR Faux Leather top Paul Joe Booties-3 Blog White Hudson Skinny ASTR Faux Leather top Paul Joe Booties-4Then, not to leave Maya out… I took these a little while ago on a “sweats day” haha.  She’s obsessed with these snowboots!  And…her duck 🙂Blog Maya 105 weeks pink sweater joes pink boots-1 Blog Maya 105 weeks pink sweater joes pink boots-2 Blog Maya 105 weeks pink sweater joes pink boots-3

On me…

Top-  ASTR (Nordstrom Rack) Similar here.
Jeans- Hudson
Boots- Paul and Joe (From Shopbop old, but fun different color here here, similar here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (similar)
Top- Old Navy (thrifted, but love this option here)
Sweater- H&M (last year, but similar here)
Boots- Champion (thrifted, but similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Weekend getaway-Date Night | Suede Pants :)!

So, weekend getaways mean a lot of things.  Relaxation (i.e.-no cooking, no cleaning, no WORKING!!).  They also usually mean-date nights!  I get to wear things I’ve been saving for a special occasion.  This time?  SUEDE PANTS!  I had so many doubts about these.  Mainly, am I too old to wear suede pants??  Well, I figured vacation was the perfect place to try them out, and I LOVE them!  I’m just going to pretend that 39 really is the new 29 and 29 is totally acceptable for suede pants haha 😉

Oh, and by the time we had gotten ready for dinner, it was dark outside.  So…classy hallway shots it was :{.blog True Religion Casey Suede Geren Ford Corso Como Flats-Blog True Religion Casey Suede Geren Ford Corso Como Flats-1 Blog True Religion Casey Suede Geren Ford Corso Como Flats-2Blog True Religion Casey Suede Geren Ford Corso Como Flats-3 Blog True Religion Casey Suede Geren Ford Corso Como Flats-4 These next pics I took of Maya were from yesterday.  A day where I stayed unshowered and in my workout clothes til about 5-which means total darkness now…  Hey, it happens 🙂Blog 110 weeks Maya Sweater Jack Lily Boots-18My favorite thing to say is “Maya, can I have a hug?”  And she runs crazy into my arms.  LOVE IT! 🙂 blog 110 weeks Maya Sweater Jack Lily Boots-19

On me…

Top-  Geren Ford (sold out, but similar here and less expensive option here)
Shoes- Corso Como
Necklace- Gorjana & Griffin Infinity Lariat (sold out, but similar here)
Bracelets- Cartier and H&M
 
On Maya…
 
Jeans- Gap (similar and on sale here!)
Top- C&C California (thrifted)
Sweater- Empress Baby (thrifted)

dit-elle-Lauren

I love an interesting back…

I don’t know why, but I’ve always been drawn to clothes that look fairly simple from the front, but then have interesting features on the back.  Mullet clothing if you will 🙂  Low back dresses get me every time.  Cut outs, embellishments, and little surprise when you turn around.  Love it!

Ps-can we all just imagine that I didn’t mess up the focus with the self timer on the full length shots?  Ok, thanks 🙂Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-1I have had these vintage Frye boots for a long time (don’t even remember how long!)  They are a little banged up, but I like the dichotomy of the cashmere sweater, gold jewelry and then worn in boots 🙂 Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-2I already wore this lariat I scored from Gorjana-Griffin last week, and I think it’s safe to say that you will be seeing it a lot more.  Love it! Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-3 Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-4The only bad thing about low backs or cut out backs.  What to wear under it?  I’ve dared to wear this with nothing and just a bra, but most times I put a cami or a long sleeve t-shirt under it. Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-5 Completely unrelated, but I tried ALL summer to get Maya to wear this hat-no go!  Suddenly in the last month, she’s become obsessed with it…  OK! Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-7 Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-8Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-6And then….I remembered that the last time I wore this EXACT OUTFIT, I was a little more than 8 months pregnant!  I mentioned before how comfortable these jeans are.  SO wish they still made them!!  I wore them throughout my entire pregnancy and still wear them now-obviously 🙂

So…here’s a little flashback for you.  I promise, I’m wearing the boots too 🙂Blog Rachel Pally Cashmere Cape AG the Tights Vintage Frye Boots-9On me… (both now and when I was pregnant :))

Sweater- Rachel Pally Cashmere (old, but love this herehere, less expensive option here, and similar color/fabric here)
Jeans- AG by Adriano Goldschmied “The Tights”  Sold out, but similar here.
Boots- Vintage Frye (similar here, less expensive here)
On Maya…
Jeans- Gap (similar here)
Sweater- DKNY (thrifted, but similar here)
Jacket- Gap (similar here)
Boots- Zulily
Hat- Target (from this summer.  Similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Wide leg jeans + HEELS + Leather Jacket…must be date night! :)

We were having dinner with my parents over the weekend and they offered to babysit Maya Tuesday so we could go on a date night.  I think it took us all of about .000003 seconds to say “YES!”

They were also nice enough to give me a break from the self timer and took some pics before we left 🙂Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-5 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-8 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-7 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-6The sales places are having are killing me!  haha.  I scooped this top up when Shopbop announced a 25% off friends and family discount on Facebook.  It was already marked down 70% off, so I scored!Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-1 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-2I had been eyeing this little lariat necklace from Gorjana-Griffin for a while.  When they announced having an extra 40% off their sale items, and I couldn’t resist (it’s 50% now!!)  I may have gotten the earrings and a few other things too! 😉  I love how classic and timeless all their pieces are.  I’m still mourning the bee pendant I lost from them… 😦Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-3 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-4 “Wait, no self timer??” haha Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-9 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-10 Blog DL1961 Enza Costa Doma GorjanaGriffin-11On me…

Top- Enza Costa (70% off at Shopbop!)
Jeans-DL1961 (SCORED at Funky Janes for $19) Similar here
Shoes Seychelles (old)  Love these!
Necklace and Earrings- Gorjana-Griffin and Helen Ficalora

Jacket- Doma (old) Similar color here and here.

On Maya…
Sweater- Thrifted

dit-elle-Lauren

Are we sick of leopard flats? I’m not… :)

I may have already worn these flats a few times, but I love how they add fun to a pretty simple outfit.  Blog Ivory 360 Cashmere Dylan George Coated Leopard Flats-1And…”super mom tip gone bad”  I mentioned before my dislike of taking things to the drycleaner (who has time?!), and my frequent tossing of “dry clean only” items in the wash.  Well, this sweater is 100% cashmere.  I’d washed it on gentle before and it came out great!  Then…it accidentally went into the dryer.  Wah wah wah 😦  I’m actually ok with the length, but am totally bummed that it’s more of a traditional turtleneck than the cowl neck it was before… Oh, well.  I got it on the cheap off eBay (about 90% off!), so I guess I can’t cry over it too much…

All that said.  I layered a little boho tank underneath so it wasn’t too short with these very tight skinny jeans.Blog Ivory 360 Cashmere Dylan George Coated Leopard Flats-2 Blog Ivory 360 Cashmere Dylan George Coated Leopard Flats-3I am SO buying the size up on these when Maya finally grows out of them!!  For $6, I LOVE THEM! Blog Ivory 360 Cashmere Dylan George Coated Leopard Flats-4

On me…

Jeans- Dylan George (sold out at Nordstrom but a few sizes available here Less expensive here)
Tank Top- Target old (similar here and here)
Sweater- 360 Cashmere (in grey here, otherwise similar here and less expensive here)

Shoes- (thrifted) but similar here and cheaper here.

On Maya…
Jeans- Old Navy Similar (purchased mine via ThredUp)
Top- Genuine Kids by OshKosh (purchased on sale at Target similar here.
Sweater- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here )
Shoes- Zulily (enter Mariposa)
Super Mom tip *edited*
For the most part, I wash my cashmere sweaters in the wash on “wool delicate”, but make sure you keep an eagle eye out for when the load is done.  Someone might help and throw it in the dryer 😉  This does NOT work well with regular wool or cashmere blends.  That will fit your child when you are done, which I guess could be a super mom tip on how to find sweaters for you child 🙂

dit-elle-Lauren

What to wear for family pictures?

This is family picture season.  I’m in the thick of it at work, and families always ask…

“What should we wear??”

My answer is always, first and foremost, wear what you feel good in!  It doesn’t matter if you are wearing the latest trend, all look good together, etc… If you don’t feel good-you won’t like the pictures!  Now, that aside, here are some tips-

*Wear complimentary colors, but try not to be too matchy matchy.  I love when a kid/children wear a print and then older siblings and parents pick up a solid color in that print.  Or, you can have everyone wear neutral colors (creams, browns, grays) and then have a pop of color here and there (scarf, shoes, hair accessories, ties, belts) that match.

*Try to stay away from large logo’s or pictures on clothing.  It tends to draw the focus away from the most important thing….you and your family!

*Don’t wear all black.  Yes, we all feel good in black.  However, when you are all cuddling together (those are my favorite pics!), you will look like a big blog of black with floating heads.

*When in doubt, do a dress rehearsal really quick one night and snap a pic with your phone.  You will see if it all meshes well or clashes 🙂

Here’s what we wore last Mother’s Day.  Every year, that’s what I ask for as a present.  My parents take the pictures 🙂  We don’t have the boys for Mother’s Day (obviously), so this just gives you an idea for a smaller family…

I started off with Maya’s print top…Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-1Then I picked up a color in her top with my solid top. Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-2 Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-3Same with my husband. Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-4I made sure his shirt picked up another color and also went well with my top.  That’s usually not a problem if you chose different colors in your child’s top. The colors usually are meant to go together 🙂 Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-5Then for Father’s Day, I did a little shoot with all the kids and made a book with the images. Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-6Blog What to Wear for Family Pictures-7 On me…

Jeans- Genentic Denim (on sale here! )
Top- Sanctuary (Sold out, but similar color here)

Shoes- (thrifted) but similar here and cheaper here.

On Maya…
Jeans- Gap.
Top- Gap (thrifted, loving this long sleeve one here)
Boots- Children’s Place (Thrifted, but similar here.
and
Jeans- Old Navy (from ThredUp, but same on sale here)
Top- Gap (from ThredUp, but similar here)

Shoes- Zulily

Super Mom Tip-

You do NOT have to break the bank and go crazy buying clothes for pictures.  Having a color scheme in mind is the best time to hit the thrift stores!  Both boys are wearing thrifted Ralph Lauren Polo shirts- $5 each 😉  You can pick up a fun colored scarf for $1.50 or a pair of fun shoes for $10 that will MAKE your outfit!  Also, check out Pinterest!  There’s a TON of ideas on there.  Here’s a board I started with a few more ideas.

dit-elle-Lauren