What I Wore | The Little Things

WhatIWore: Confession: There’s no occasion too small to get dressed up. At least, that’s my logic when it comes to our weekly farmer’s market. I use it as a chance to play with some sort of outfit that’s casual, floral or earthy and wear it throughout the day each Saturday.

Truthfully though, sometimes I do sneak out in yoga pants, but I always feel so much better when I take 20-30 minutes to do my hair and makeup and pick out an outfit that makes me feel good about myself. 

When: April 26, 2014

What:
Hat: Self Made (more summer styles here)
Dress: Target (styled differently here)
Kimono: Nordstrom Rack
Bag: Coach (more options here)
Flats: Toms

Where: Farmer’s Market, Little 500 Bike Race, Picnic at the Park

Today’s post was inspired by festival style. I’ve actually never been to a music festival (huge crowds! anxiety! ugh!), but I do like playing with laid back, bohemian style looks (especially now that I’m pregnant! I love the Earth goddess kind of vibe!)

I took one of my very basic knit maternity dresses and styled it with a self made straw hat, chambray flat sandals and a new kimono style top I bought at the Nordstrom Rack in Chicago. I think it could also be really cute with a basic tank and some jean shorts this summer too. No matter how inexpensive, I always like to envision the multiple ways I can wear a piece before I buy it. This is what being a shopping genius means to me! 

Speaking of the Rack, tonight I’ll be attending a new store Private Shopping Event in Columbus, OH (the store officially opens on May 1st) To celebrate, I’m doing a real time instagram giveaway for TWO, $100 gift cards. To put this into perspective, on my last trip I bought not only this kimono top (under $20) but a marked down DvF dress for $48 which would still leave around $30 for something else on your wish list! 

Follow me on Instagram tonight (April 29th, 4-7pm EST) for details on how you can win!  In the meantime, I’d love to see your boho/festival style on instagram! Tag @NordstromRack and me in your comments plus #shopgenius for your chance to get featured (and followed!) by their 30K+ fans!) 

Heads up! As always, I’ve purchased everything featured in this post, which is a collaboration with Nordstrom Rack. Show how you’re a #shopgenius on instagram, by using the tag to feature your best buys from the Rack. Thank you for supporting the brands that make What I Wore possible.

What I Wore | Some Kind of Wonderful

WhatIWore: This weekend was some kind of wonderful. Around Friday at noon, just on schedule, the weather perked up and then it was gorgeous all weekend. We spent so much time outside - whether working from our laptops on the patio to watching the Little 500 race, to a picnic with friends or a hike at Lake Monroe. It’s the kind of weekend that makes you so grateful for spring! But let’s get to this dress, shall we…? 

When: April 25, 2014

What:
Scarf: Vintage Givenchy
Shades: Cactus Flower (local boutique)
Dress: DvF
Bag: Milly (similar)
Sandals: Target

Where: Dinner Date with Adam at Upland, and Chocolate Moose for dessert

This dress… well, this is a special one for me! On my trip to Chicago a couple weekends ago, I promised myself a splurge, as long as it would work with my pregnancy and after. And when it comes to a designer that never goes out of style - it’s Diane von Furstenberg.  This is my fourth addition to my wrap collection (fifth total DvF) and it’s definitely the kind of thing I see myself keeping and wearing forever… if only to maybe pass it on to a daughter in the future (wouldn’t you just flip if your mom passed down her 1970s DvF wraps to you?!?!)  When I saw this particular dress, I thought it looked like something I would have loved to see my own mom wearing while pregnant with me. I just love it. 

One other lil note: I added a little thread bar tack and metal hook to the top of the dress to help keep it a little more modest (great for pregnancy or any other time! Just carefully pin to mark!)

See my other DvF dresses ONE, TWO, THREE, & FOUR or how I’ve been getting dressed in my maternity style section. 

What I Wore | Free Flowing

WhatIWore: Once a month or so a group of my friends and I get together for book club. Sometimes we go with a theme, like the time we read Finding the Dragon Lady by Monique Brinson Demery, ate homemade Vietnamese food and then Skyped with the author. Last night’s book was The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais about a chef and culinary traditions in Indian and France. We ate French cheeses, samosas, a simple rustic dinner and I brought cream puffs with a cardamom pudding filling. Why not wear my new dress by an Indian designer too!? 

When: April 23, 2014

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Anytime Cat’s Eye’
Dress: Vineet Bahl via Anthropologie
Cuff: NYC street vendor
Shoes: Dolce Vita via Anthropologie (on sale, size up!)

Where: Studio, Book Club

This pretty flowy dress is another of my non maternity styles that I plan on wearing now and later (there’s a double elastic waistline so I hope it expands with me over the summer!) I can’t get enough of maxi dresses these days! I really love the embroidery and beading around the neckline, which is kind of like a built in necklace.

What I Wore | Now and Later

WhatIWore: This is one of those dresses I picked up in my early days of pregnancy, hoping it would work once my baby began to grow… and I think it does! For a chilly spring morning I added on a denim jacket and although my toes were a little chilly, I opted for sandals to keep it look more springy than wintery (see how I wore it in early February here) 

When: April 16, 2014

What:
Shades: Cactus Flower
Dress: Lulu*s (sold out, similar option)
Anchor Necklace: Elma Blint (similar)
Jean Jacket: Mavi (similar)
Sandals: Adrienne Vittadini vis DSW

I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of bitching and moaning about maternity clothes. The other night I was explaining it to Adam (although he always tells me there’s no need to explain - I feel how I feel), but it went something like this: I’ve spent the past 10 or so years getting to know what I like. Usually it’s bright, vintage or vintage inspired with a nipped in waist and a full skirt. All of a sudden, those shapes aren’t working for my changing silhouette so I’m basically trying to scramble to discover something else that DOES work. 

It’s a silly complaint, really, but I’m slowly finding some pieces that make me feel great and I’m so happy for that. Maxi dresses like this have been one of my favorite styles. While they definitely don’t scream hippy, they still make me feel earthy and beautiful like my own little version of Mother Nature. I like it. 

See more of my spring shopping HERE or my maternity style HERE.