Book report.

"I blush."

-Anastasia Steele

Tulip Apron skirt, Anthropologie
Cotton tank, Loft
Beaded single strand necklace, Francesca's
T-strap wedges, Clarks 

How sweet of my my mom to invite me to her Book Club.  Today's discussion:  Fifty Shades of Grey.

Yikes.  

You heard right... my good-Catholic-girl, church-every-Sunday mom GAVE ME the books to read!  I kinda wanted to read it to see what all the hype was about.  I like to know what's going on in pop culture.  And who wouldn't say, "no" to this year's salacious Summer read.  However, frankly, I would re-name it Fifty Shades of Overrated. 

 Little Miss Party Planner, my mom, always gives favors.

Gray m&m's and silver gum (eh-hem) balls.

Vulnerability.

After Plaited tank, Anthropologie
Darlene Dobby skirt [petite], Anthropologie
T-strap wedges, Clarks
Dalton Posts earrings, Anthropologie (*Thanks Abby!)
Say yes "Cheers" necklace, Kate Spade
Decker watch, Fossil
Sephora lipstick in "It girl"

-back-

This blog has been liberating for me.  It is giving me a creative outlet and an escape from the everyday humdrum of a stay-at-home mom.

I like to debate serious issues, but also enjoy a healthy dose of all things frivolous.  I watch the Today show to keep up on world news and current events, then cheers with Kathie Lee and Hoda the fourth hour while they gab about Miley Cyrus's engagement.  It's all about balance.  And Miley is way too young.  But Liam is a total dreamboat (read: jailbait), so I get it.

Blogging can be validating, yet on the other hand, it can make me feel completely vulnerable.  I am having fun while I'm writing and editing photos.  Then as soon as I click PUBLISH, the negative thoughts seem to always surface:

I don't look skinny enough in those pictures.  People probably think, "She really let herself go."  Ugh, my thighs!  Do people think I'm full of myself because I'm posting my outfits?  I wish I had something new to wear.

Then I remind myself why I'm blogging:  it's just for FUN, Mollie!

Nope, I'm not tall and skinny... I'm short and I like to eat spaghetti.  Sure, I let myself go... but those two kiddos were totally worth it, and the spaghetti was too.  I will never have stick straight legs.  My thighs touched when I weighed 111 lbs... but my legs are strong and athletic.  I look totally cute today... and this IS a personal style blog, after all.  No, I don't have sponsors giving me new shoes and bags and jewelry to blog about...  (Wait.  Why don't I have sponsors?  Whatevs.)  I wear what I love.  And what would Jeff and I have to fight about if I didn't go shopping?

So I guess a little vulnerability is a good thing.  It forces you to grow, to reflect, to learn about yourself.  And gives you something to blog about.

Long lost post.

blouse, Anthropologie

Raquette Culottes, Anthropologie

T-strap wedges, Clarks
bangles, Aldo

sunnies, Brighton

I wore this outfit a while ago, but for some reason this post got lost in blog purgatory.  I am in full on Spring cleaning mode after finding a Christmas decoration that I have yet to pack away.  So I thought I should clean up the blog as well as the house.  You can pretend I wore this today, but admittedly I am in my cleaning clothes...  a house dress, apron, pearls and kitten heels.

All day long.

top, Loft
Smocked Button-front Denim skirt, Old Navy
T-strap wedges, Clarks
earrings, Anthropologie
Charm bracelet, Juicy Couture
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

I wore this outfit all day long (you may congratulate me).  It's unusual that I wear an "out of the house" outfit the entire day (unless it's a stay-in-your-pj's day, of course).  Typically I would swap out this skirt and top for a pair of old cheerleading shorts and holey tank as soon as I got home from the grocery store and picking up Noah from school.  

But the kids wanted to play in the backyard beach (i.e. play in the sandbox and swim in the baby pool) and I got sidetracked digging my toes in the sand and chasing bubbles.  I was talking to my mom on the phone and, SURPRISE... Noah had a T-ball game we totally forgot about.

Between rinsing out Noah's uniform, packing up snacks for the game, getting everyone dressed, fed and ready to go to the ball park, I forgot to change.  I thought to myself, "Can I wear this to T-ball?"    

Sidenote:  Good thing I talked to my mom... Coach pitched a few balls to the kids during the game and Noah had his first big hit of the season!  Woo hoo!

And yes, I did, indeed, wear the same skirt two days in a row.  That is why Downy fabric refresher was invented.

Old lady shoes.

Ping pong tank, Anthropologie
Marissa Cotton Twill shorts, Loft
Lexi Elm sandals, Clarks
Gum Drop earrings, Kate Spade
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans 

Hi.  My name is Mollie, and I am wearing old lady sandals.  

I know you are supposed to suffer for beauty, but my tootsies have suffered enough.  Years of gymnastics, dance and cheerleading caused some super cute juvenile bunions.  You might think my sandals look a bit orthopedic, but hell if I cared today while we walked all over the university campus.  I was banking on my traffic cone orange shorts to divert the fashion-conscious students' attention.

Little bit mini.

Mason Crew tee, Gap
Pintuck skirt, Loft
belt, Anthropologie
T-strap wedges, Clarks
Decker Plaited Stainless Steel watch, Fossil
 sunnies, Anthropologie

My mom and dad got a sewing machine for me and it has paid for itself with all of the alterations I make on my clothes.  Pants and shorts inevitably need taken in at the waist.  And because I am 5' 2" on a good day, I need to shorten all of my skirts in order to avoid looking Amish.

I loved this skirt from Loft, but it was way too long for me.  The pin tucks scared me, so I took it to my seamstress.  She chopped off about five inches and now it's perfect.  I just wish I would have asked her to put in some side pockets with all that leftover fabric.

Color!

Mossimo top, Target

Marissa Cotton Twill shorts, Loft

T-Strap wedges, Clarks

Little Bit Mini bag, Anthropologie

Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

Whistle Charm necklace, Anthropologie

Decker watch, Fossil

Charm bracelet, Juicy Couture

I realized the last two outfit posts were simple white tops and jeans.  Translation: boring.  So here is a nice obnoxious color and pattern combo for ya.  

No worries, girls.  There is more where that came from.  I just got a pair of electric blue capris.

Sweaty Betty.

It's only April and I'm already complaining about the heat.  90% of my outfit options March through November look a little something like this:

Cotton sleeveless blouse.

Shorts.

Wedgie sandals.

Staple of Summer shorts, Anthropologie
Flared Ancora blouse, Anthropologie
T-strap wedge sandals, Clarks

The other 3 months I add a cardigan.

Abuzz cardi, Anthropologie (circa 2010)

Goodbye, denim.  Until November.

White.

top, Urban Outfitters
skirt, Anthropologie
sandals, Clarks
sunnies, Brighton

 

 I know what you're thinking... "Why is she wearing white?  She is a mom with two little boys!"

That's right.  I live life on the edge.

The single greatest invention.

Packing List: So Cal wedding weekend edition

Outfit 1:

Rehearsal

Drop Waist dress, Anthropologie

Idiom bangle, kate spade

Leoma bangles, Chico's

Leoma necklace, Chico's

Chardae earrings, Chico's

Elise, Indigo by Clarks

black opaque tights, Hue

Holy awkward.  My first attempt at an outfit pic.  I am really digging the Beverly Hills Hotel-esque wallpaper.

Outfit 2:

The Wedding

Sumana dress, Anthropologie

Leoma bangles, Chico's

Envelope clutch, Aldo (similar)

Chardae earrings, Chico's

Fiddle Bridge sandals, Indigo by Clarks

Leoma Pendant necklace, Chico's

This is my fake walking up the stairs pose.  Tyra would call it "fierce."  I call it my "senior picture" pose.  I just hope I ordered enough wallet pics for my friends.