sweater dresses {frocktober, day 7}

Leggings: Pink Blush Maternity

I've been living in leggings and stretchy dresses. While I'm technically participating in this "challenge" called Frocktober, I actually think it's much easier to wear dresses at this point. 

I'm borrowing an extravagant amount of maternity clothing from my sister-in-law, and she included a few tank top dresses/stretchy bodycon dresses from Forever 21 (one of which I wore last week). They're amazing. I would have never tried wearing them before, because they're so fitted and would hug me in all the wrong places. But when you've got a belly goin' on and just want to be covered from head to toe in comfy elastic fabrics, they're the best. You can layer them over leggings or wear them with jeans like a long tank top. They're the greatest non-maternity item I have at my disposal. They're so comfortable, and so inexpensive. 

So there ya go. Some maternity tips from yours truly. Cozy sweater dresses, maternity leggings and stretchy bodycon dresses are what dreams are made of.

grown ups {frocktober, day 5 + 6}

Outfit 1:

Dress (remixed 1, 2): gifted // Leggings (shop!): Pink Blush Maternity

Outfit 2:

Dress (remixed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5): Ruche // Sweater (similar): LOFT

I think I've worn this aztec dress more than anything else in my wardrobe. It has become more of a long tank top in my current ballooned state, but it's still my go-to for a bright, comfortable dress. The 6th was rainy and cool, and it finally felt a little like Fall. I immediately brought out this grey knit sweater, which I bought this past summer in anticipation of a winter pregnancy. I got it for $10 at LOFT on super sale, and it has been sitting with its tags on just waiting for a day like this. I was so thrilled to finally put it on. The day I picked that sweater out does not seem that long ago, and I'm a little bit shocked at how the time has flown by. Here I am, wearing this time capsule sweater, 28 weeks pregnant and dreaming about that wintery breeze in the air.

This week has definitely been a reminder that I am a grown up. Sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Sometimes, while living with my parents and playing with kittens and planning weekend shenanigans, it completely escapes my notice that I'm in my late twenties and am about to move into a real house and have a baby. 

I turned 27 on Monday and the day just kind of whispered by. I kept shocking myself by being so calm about it. I've always loved birthdays a little too much - last year we had a fantastic s'mores bar bonfire party. This year snuck up on me, and I didn't plan a single thing. I remember being in a bit of a funk last year, too, and I think it's because I'm realizing that I can't quite accomplish the exuberance I've always reserved for birthday month anymore. It seems like something I should grow out of. Truthfully, I don't want to grow out of it - the thought makes me quite sad. But this year, it felt okay to be a grown up. To pay attention to more important things, and refrain from forcing focus on myself. My birthday was simple and lovely - I went to work, had lunch at my favorite cafe, gathered with my family for a delicious Chinese take-out dinner, and ended with my grandma's blueberry bread pudding for dessert. 

As this month progresses (I'm still quietly celebrating birthday month), the greatest birthday gift I can possibly imagine would be to finally move in to our house. We're also going to visit our besties in North Carolina on the 29th, which will be the perfect way to end this October. There are so many things to look forward to. Each day brings us closer to house, travel, holidays, and baby! Yes. Being a grown up is pretty grand.

hooked on a feeling

Sweater (remixed 1 / 2): Francesca's, Lace Top (shop!) (similar 1 / 2 / 3): Ruche, 

Leggings (similar!) (remixed 1 / 2 / 3): Vera Wang (from Kohl's) 

I've become a really big fan of big, comfy sweaters lined with lace. I've been eyeing a few sweaters that fit the bill, but when I saw this really fluffy lace-trimmed tank top on sale over at Ruche last month I decided that perhaps I could create the look for a bit cheaper! I can also now apply this frilly layer to multiple sweaters in my closet.

This fun layering couldn't come at a better time, because we finally had our first supremely gorgeous Fall day yesterday. It was crystal clear and glorious, bright-aired and stunning. It was a high of 72 degrees which is straight-up cold for us Arizonans.
My mom was hosting a horse clinic this whole weekend, so the stables were swarming with happy horse riders, learning and laughing and socializing. Dustin and I brought our coffee out to the barn house porch to watch for a little while, and we were all shivering in the breeze! It was such a wonderful sensation. There's something in the air, a certain scent of chill. I'm hooked on that feeling of Fall.

To really up the ante, Starbucks released their red cups this weekend! Most states have already been enjoying cold weather for a while (even snow, which is mind-boggling), but these festive red cups which signify so much holly jolly could not have come at a better time here in Arizona. It's time for sweaters and sandals, which is the Arizona way.
Dustin and I made our first voyage to the red-cupped Starbucks in town and took celebratory photos as part of their #redcupcontest to win a sterling silver Starbucks card. It seems like a pretty absurd thing, to have a sterling silver Starbucks card, but now I need one. 

November is a thrilling time. I wish I could be spending my entire day outside on the porch, sipping from hot mugs and reading a good book. (Jane Austen's Emma, to be precise, which is my book club's selection this month!).

cowgirls and vera wang

I have found them, guys.
The most comfortable leg coverings of all time.
Actually, to be fair, my mother found them and sent them to me as a rather delightful gift.
And they're Vera Wang, so, you know what they say.

You don't alter Vera to fit you,
you alter yourself to fit Vera!

But in this case, it doesn't matter, because these are stretchy and form fitting on purpose!

Dress: Ruche, Jacket: LOFT, Pants: Kohl's, Vera Wang (shop!)
Boots: DSW, Scarf: Gifted

Since the riding boot style has become so wildly popular, it was only a matter of time before riding pants became fashionable. They're delightful, in every way. Grab yourself a pair and thank me later.
(Plus they're crazy on sale!)

I can't remember the last time I was that comfortable throughout my desk-job day.
The dress is one of my first Ruce purchases, and one of my favorites. I've often worn it as a long blouse, with my light yellow skinny jeans or with tights and flats.
(See remixes here and here on my other blog!).

I also love the gold flecks in this Christmas-gift scarf, from my mother-in-law. It's one of my favorite scarves this winter! The infinity scarf trend is a total treasure.

Enjoy your Tuesday!
Cait

pink challenge

Due to my last post involving a monochromatic outfit featuring the brilliant color pink (where I jokingly mentioned needing pink tights to actually complete the look), a friend of mine has challenged me to try and make pink tights work.
It's going to be tricky, I think. I actually have a pair of bright yellow/mustard tights which I've only worn once - I tend to view tights as a neutral warming accessory, rather than a statement color.
I'm currently wearing a dark purple tight and I'm feeling wild. 

But here are some of my ideas.
I'm going to accept the pink tights challenge, because what better week to try them out than Valentine's Week?

Besides. Let's be honest. Anything that Zooey Deschanel does, I'm bound to want to do.

Pink tights have totally been done before. Really badly, most of the time.
What I need to do is avoid this:

And I think we'll all be better for it.

Other pink-tighted celebrities:

No, no, Paris.

I went around and peeked in on some other bloggers, trying to find inspiration. I needed to know if there was a look I could love from the various attempts at climbing the perilous slope of pink stretchy leg covers.

Slanelle Style

What I Wore

Fi and Me

The Sun Was High.
Orange tights, but the spirit remains.

The Styling Dutchman

I gotta say I was pleasantly surprised.
I think #2 is my favorite, because black/white/hot pink is fierce. And always fun to look at.

Overall, I think this research was fruitful. We'll see how this story ends later this week, when my own outfit is revealed to you all.

Wish me luck! (Any advice?)

Until then,
Cait