Category Archives: Mom Style

Shades of grey….not 50, just two :)

I got a box from Shopbop yesterday that had a bunch of goodies from their 25% off friends and family sale.  Most of the stuff I got was already marked down 70% off, so SCORE!  One of those was this Lady and the Sailor top.  I love it!  It’s basically a dressy T shirt/sweatshirt-so comfy!!  Total score that it matches a scarf that my mom passed down to me.  Perfect for the changing temps we’ve been having!blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-1 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-2 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-3 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-4 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-5 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-6 blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-7She’s definitely lost the love for the self timer… ;( blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-8The fog was amazing today.  It only went away for about an hour!  Maya loved all the foghorns that kept going off in the Sound. blog Lady and the Sailor Scarf 7 For All Mankind Roxanne-9On me…

Top- The Lady and the Sailor (70% off at Shopbop!)
Jeans-7 For all Mankind (similar) 30% off sitewide sale!
Shoes Report (thrifted).  Love these!
Scarf- My mom’s from the 70’s (??) Similar here, and I love this red one here.
On Maya…
Sweater- Thrifted (similar and on sale here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Having fun with plaid…

Or…just having fun 🙂

Plaid is everywhere now.  It reminds me of the early 90’s when I was slightly obsessed with Eddie Vedder 🙂  Well, instead of just pulling out my old flannel shirts (I know I stored them away somewhere!), I thought I’d try and different twist on the trend…Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-1 Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-2 Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-3Maya wasn’t feeling the “self timer game” so much this day… 🙂 Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-4 Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-5 Blog Plaid Patterson Kincaid Joes Jeggings-6

On me…

Long Sleeve Shirt- Target Tissue Tee
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (sold out)  Similar and less expensive here)
Boots- Report (sold out).  Similar here.
On Maya…
Top- C&C California (thrifted)
Sweater- Gap (thrifted)
Shoes- Zulily

dit-elle-Lauren

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a cool leather jacket…

I got this vintage leather jacket at Funky Janes for $25!!  I LOVE IT!  It totally looks like a $500 jacket, yet I know that nobody else is wearing it 🙂Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-1 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-2 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-3 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-4Then when I got home from the shoot a few hours later, it was SUNNY!  It was a little chilly, so I kept the scarf on that I had thrown on (but forgot to photograph!) as I left. Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-5 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-6Since I forgot to photograph the before outfit with the scarf, here it is 🙂 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-7 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket Black Blank Denim Frye Boots-8Maya’s outfit was all about “This might be the last sunny day we have, I’m going to put the things I love that she’s growing out of on” haha

Am I the only one that gets sad every time their kid moves up a size?  It’s quickly replaced by excitement over the new bigger sized clothes, but still…a little mourning goes on 🙂1Maya104 weeks Janie Jack Old Navy

On me…

Leather Jacket- Vintage (similar here and less expensive faux leather here)
Jeans- Blank NYC
Top- H&M (on sale!)
Boots- Frye (less expensive version here)
On Maya…
Jeans- Old Navy (Scored from ThredUp, but same here)
Top- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar in different color here)
Shoes- Kids Korner (thrifted, but these are super cute and on sale for $6! :))
Super Mom Tip-
I could talk all day long about my love of thrifting.  The thrill of the hunt.  The excitement over finding things at 90-95% off!  You do NOT have to spend a kazillion dollars to look good or even wear designer items.  If you get overwhelmed at Thrift stores like Value Village/Goodwill or don’t have the patience for eBay, find a local consignment store.  Or not so local.  It might be worth a drive to score a vintage leather jacket for $25 🙂  PLUS, if you drop your clothes off there, you get $$ back which means the jacket could be FREE!!   ThredUp is also a great online source for both gently used clothing for children and women!  Their customer service is amazing, and the quality of clothing is outstanding.
dit-elle-Lauren

Fringe sweater + Cowboy boots

Yup, sweater, jeans, and boots again.  Sorry, you will be seeing a lot of this combo over the winter months!  I wore this on a photo shoot, so forgive the totally scuffed boots.  I never know when I’m going to be traipsing through fields, and these are one of my favorite pairs (I bought them at a vintage store about 20 years ago!) Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater J Brand Skinny Cowboy Boots-1LOVING this top I got from H&M!!  It works for all body types, and would be the perfect top to hide a not yet disclosed baby bump (NO, I don’t have one!!), or even those months right after you had a baby!  Ok, or NOW! 🙂 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater J Brand Skinny Cowboy Boots-2 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater J Brand Skinny Cowboy Boots-3 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater J Brand Skinny Cowboy Boots-4This isn’t fringe or boots, but omg, I love this picture from this summer…. Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater J Brand Skinny Cowboy Boots-6

On me…

Jeans- J Brand
Top- H&M
Sweater- Jamison (sold out, but similar here)

Boots- Tony Lama (old, but similar here and less expensive here)

On Maya…
Jeans-Gap. (old, but similar on sale here ).
Top- Crewcuts (thrifted)
Shoes- Zulily (search for Mariposa)
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

This weather feeds my outfit indecision…

I’m not saying I’m complaining about the weather lately.  That would be stupid.  It’s not raining!!  However, the freezing cold mornings, followed by total sunshine, then rapidly dropping temps again makes it hard to dress accordingly.  So…sometimes there’s a midday outfit change!

Started off wearing this…

(Don’t mind the silly grin.  This was another self timer day, and Maya was singing to a frog sculpture haha.)Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-1Then of course she wanted to get in a few 🙂 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-2These shoes are beyond comfortable!  I have a black pair that I wear when I’m on my feet 8+ hours shooting a wedding.  Ok, I have two black pairs 🙂 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-3 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-4It hit me that I don’t do any close ups of Maya’s clothes.  These boots are one of my favorites!  Hers too!  I love that they can be worn up or down… Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-5 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-6THEN…I had a shoot later in the day.  I knew I would be too hot in that sweater, so I changed. Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-7 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-8 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-9 Blog Black Orchid Tie Dye Doma Leather Jacket J Crew Sweater-10On me…

Look 1…

Jeans- Black Orchid  (similar less expensive on sale here)
Sweater- J Crew (Old, but similar here and less expensive here)

Shoes- Soho Lab (Sold out (boo!!).  Similar here and if $ were no object *sigh* here.)

Leather Jacket- Doma (similar here and less expensive faux leather here)
Jeans- Black Orchid  (similar less expensive on sale here)
T shirt- Free Press (bought at Nordstrom Rack.  Similar here)
Shoes- Converse
On Maya…
Jeans- Gap (eBay, but similar here)
Top- Gap
Vest- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here)
dit-elle-Lauren

Red, white, blue and.. yellow!

We had an unseasonably warm day in October and I finally got some shots of this dress – one of my fav “mom uniforms” this summer. I wore it often with a sports bra or as a bathing suit cover-up during the day, with a necklace and some fun shoes at night. You know.. on all those date-nights enjoying good food and quiet conversation at our favorite local Italian restaurant with outdoor seating. And by date-night I mean tag-teaming on feeding the kids, and by Italian restaurant I mean preparing spaghetti-Os in the microwave.. and by conversation, I mean trying to remember what it was like to actually finish a meal.. We’ve been adjusting to life with two, and it’s been a wild but incredible summer! 🙂

1Blog Blue Striped Dress-11Blog Blue Striped Dress-2

1Blog Blue Striped Dress-3

This sweater is one of those incredibly light-weight merino wool sweaters that wraps you in warm & cosy the second you put it on!

1Blog Blue Striped Dress-51Blog Blue Striped Dress-61Blog Blue Striped Dress-81Blog Blue Striped Dress-91Blog Blue Striped Dress-101Blog Blue Striped Dress-111Blog Blue Striped Dress-12blog Blue Striped Dress-37On me…

Dress- this is a soft jersey summer 2013 dress from GAP, similar on eBay by JCREW here
Necklace- Vintage plastic beads from my Grandma 🙂
Sweater – Banana Republic, similar from JCREW on eBay here
Shoes- Enzo Angiolini, many cute red sandals here
On Ava…
Dress- Summer 2013 collection from Tea
Shoes – Rachel Shoes “Lil Giselle” Found at Nordstrom Rack or on Amazon.com
dit-elle-Esther

Coated denim…day to night.

You know all those weekends where you play with your kids during the day and then get to go out with your husband at night?  Yeah…me either.  However, it does happen on occasion, and a lot of times it’s a short notice offer from my parents that we jump on.  Here’s an outfit that lets you run around during the day, then swap out the shoes for night.Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-1 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-2These are so comfy, and I love the added bling of the glitter.  So not me, but fun!  I think Maya is rubbing off on me haha. Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-3 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-4 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-5 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-6 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-7Then a little bootie for night!  Haha, just reread that.  And, yes to that too 😉 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-8 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-9Funny story.  I’ve had these boots for probably 10 years!  That is the upside to buying quality leather… I used to wear them under my long bootcut jeans.  You never even saw how cute they were.  Love that it’s in fashion to let them show now!  Remember-hoarding, I mean holding onto quality classics, is good 🙂 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-10 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-11These were all done with the self timer again.  Maya was a little sad she wasn’t in them all! Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-12 Blog J Brand Agnes Coated HM Chunky Sweater-13

On me…

Sweater- H&M (On sale for $15!)
Shoes (1) – Shoes- Superga (on sale!).
Booties (2) – Paul and Joe (From Shopbop old, but fun different color here here, similar here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Jeans-Old Navy striped skinny jeans (thrifted, but similar idea here)
Top- Children’s Place (thrifted)
Sweater- H&M (thrifted, but similar non cardigan here)
Shoes- Zulily
dit-elle-Lauren

Comfy cozy sweater + Boots = My winter uniform

During the fall and winter, my uniform changes from jeans, t-shirt, and flip flops to jeans, boots, and sweaters.  I’m pretty simple like that 🙂 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-1 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-2 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-3Maya likes cozy sweaters and boots too!1MayaEliseSept2013-2c

On me…

Jeans- Community Denim (Old, but similar here, and less expensive here.)
Tank Top- Fresh Laundry (similar here, less expensive here.)
Sweater- Theory (Old)

Boots- Frye (ebay!) old, but similar here.

On Maya…
Jeans- Gap.
Top- Children’s Place (thrifted)
Sweater- vintage
dit-elle-Lauren