When my kids were toddlers, I found that getting myself ready to go out for a night seemed like a gargantuan task. I actually preferred to just stay home.
Sometimes I wished I was like Gwyneth Paltrow, with hair and makeup people to prepare me, so I could just sit and rest while the work was done. Actually, I still wish that.
But I'm no celebrity, and this ain't goop.
Fortunately, I have now regained enough energy to prepare myself (somewhat) suitably for an event. The kids are seven and 10, after all.
I am also making an effort to try harder to dress nicely, and even possibly accessorize, on regular days.
So, as much as I hate photos of myself, today I am linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy. She started What I Wore Wednesday as a way of keeping herself accountable to getting dressed each day, which, as she points out, can be really difficult for a stay-at-home or work-at-home mom.
After many years of selecting outfits for work, day after day after day, it is tempting to wear jeans every day now that I am working from home.
I have also spent more than a few days in my pyjamas, thinking that I would change once all my tasks were done. Guess what? They are never done.
On Saturday, we went to my sister-in-law's house to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday. Okay, this isn't an everyday thing, but still, I almost wore my usual jeans and t-shirt. Then I realized that there are very few occasions to dress myself up.
My friend and former co-worker and I used to hit the Banana Republic sales at lunch time. She convinced me to buy this pink dress over a year ago. It was about $30, marked down from $110. I didn't think I would ever wear something so pink. And I didn't...until Saturday. I thought I would try it out at an event where the attendees were mostly family.
Owl necklace, Forever 21.
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Sandals from Payless, where they actually sell size 11. And the shoes are on display, so I don't have to ask the salesperson for size 11 and watch the resulting look of dismay.
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I don't do much with my hair, but my daughter and I decided to pick up some flower hair clips at Forever 21 recently.
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On Tuesday, for my 13th wedding anniversary sushi lunch, I wore another owl necklace from Forever 21, a Buffalo skirt that I picked up cheap at Liquidation World, and a tank top from Dynamite.
Purse, Winners.
Do you find it difficult to get dressed every day?
Linking up with:
You look Stunning Miss J!!!1
ReplyDeleteThe dress is beautiful - you look great in pink!
I love all the details and the owls of course ;)
and the skirt and pink tank make you look so hip!
and how cute that your daughter gives you styling tips ;)
Sweet!
xoxoxo
Thanks Ella! You are so kind! Yes, it's fun to have a daughter, isn't it? And I know we are both owl lovers. Did you ever get the owl mug?
DeleteLove the pink dress! I wear jeans a lot too when it's cooler but in the summer I pretty much live in dresses and skirts. It's just more comfortable and I actually dont feel dressed up- I get covered in dirt and food and just throw them in the wash :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love jeans but I agree dresses and skirts are better for summer. Even shorts can be uncomfortable, I find. And they are often VERY short.
DeleteLove both outfits {so cute} & your eyes are such a pretty color!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tabetha! You are a doll!
DeleteLove your pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI think my daughter has the same necklace!!
Thanks Jill. Is she a Forever 21 fan too? They have great (cheap) jewellery.
DeleteNot just Forever 21 - any jewellery at all - modern, antique, it doesn't matter to her!!!
DeleteI have never been a big jewellery person - that was my sister - but I am starting to appreciate it more!
DeleteYou look so pretty Jo! Great job!Both outfits are fabulous! I have been a stay-at-home mom for 7 years now and I make a point of making sure I dress in a nice top and necklace and earrings everyday! However, I still have days in my pj's too! Angie xo ps-how did you get to partner with Anthropologie..do tell!
ReplyDeleteHi Angie, Thanks! You are good to dress yourself up every day. It is so tempting not to. But, getting ready actually picks up your energy a bit, doesn't it? I will send you the Anthropologie details and you can see if it works for you.
DeleteYou look great! Love that pink dress. I am always wearing yoga pants at home but I do try to force myself to wear a dress/skirt when I leave the house. It happens sometimes!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthie! Yoga pants are a big step up from my pjs! :)
DeleteJoann: my jaw dropped when I saw the first owl necklace. I "loaned: mine to your sister and I thought she passed it on. Is yours as heavy as mine? I paid $1.00 at a garage sale over 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteLove
MOM
Mom, I sort of remember that necklace now that you are saying it. Maybe that's what drew me to this one. No, this one isn't heavy. It's not exactly quality jewellery! ;) More for fun.
DeleteI ALSO MEANT TO SAY YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL, AS USUAL, ESPECIALLY IN RED ( AS i'VE ALWAYS SAID THAT!!!!!)
ReplyDeletelOVE
MOM
Thanks mom. It's pink, but okay!
DeleteLovely pics! The pink dress is fab. Pink is a colour I've never worn much, but I'm 38 now and my thinking is "it's a gorgeous colour, why haven't I worn it all my adult life???" So I have a lot of pink now and recently bought some pink shoes (which I call my Barbie shoes) and a lolly pink vintage coat.
ReplyDeleteMust be something we go through at this stage of life. I have mostly always worn black, brown, grey, etc. but now I guess I want to liven things up a bit! Let's do it!
DeleteI love your outfits and you are --beautiful--!!! (I totally hear you on trying to find the energy to get dressed up... oy).
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! That is very kind of you to say! :)
DeleteI love BOTH outfits! So cute!!! You look great!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks! You are sweet!
Deleteawesome finds, and i'm so in love with the owl necklace! gosh, you are just lovely inside and out :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thing to say, Caitlin. Thank you so much! :)
DeleteSize 11! *high five* Me too! I love both outfits, especially the top because it was such a bargain :)
ReplyDeleteIf you want more inspiration you could check out the #littlefashiondiaries hash tag on Instagram. A friend of mine started this whole crazy revolution where people document their outfits. I rarely participate (I pretty much hate everything in my closet) but I like to see what outfits people come up with :)
Right back at ya! We size 11s have to stick together!
DeleteI will check out the hash tag you recommended. Sounds like fun!
I know what you mean about hating the stuff in your closet. I often feel the same. I need a stylist! ;)
So cute! You look great and should not hate having your photo taken!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Lynette!
DeleteIt took you a whole year to wear that great dress??? Girl! I hope it gets more wear now that you've broken it in. :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly broke it in Julee...I dropped a bunch of oily food on it! I'm always doing that! I will have to find somewhere to wear it again...once I get it cleaned off!
DeleteOMG! i have the same owl necklace! ehehehe seriously though, u should wear dresses more, it shows off ur great legs :) and pink totally complements ur skin tone :)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny that you have the same one! Owls are big now, huh? Thanks for the lovely compliments! I could get a big head with all of you wonderful ladies around!
DeleteI love a simple dress with a belt - so chic! You look wayyyyy to young to be a mamma =]
ReplyDeleteOh, you know just what to say to an aging mamma like me, honey! You are sweet! :)
DeleteYou look fabulous!!! I also love shopping at Payless because I don't have any problems finding shoes I love in size 10. Their prices are also great. I love it when they have buy one pair and get a second pair for half price.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love BOGO too!
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