THE PERFECT SHIRT

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope all the moms out there had the best weekend! I was going to save this little blurb for a combined post of our travels to Houston (this was at the Butterfly Museum), but I decided to put it up separately as a quick post because some of you might want this "perfect shirt" that just arrived back in stock in all sizes. I get frustrated when things sell out so quickly!

It's no surprise I'm wearing stripes. I'm a little obsessed lately (see this post HERE). I love the classic and sophisticated look of stripes that offers a collegiate, preppy vibe. It's fun changing things up a bit with one piece. For instance, the knit cardigan I wore in THIS POST offers a completely different vibe, while this striped shirt gives a "casually put together" timeless look. And it's so soft and comfy! I borrowed it from my sister's closet when I was in Texas (thanks, J;) and instantly loved the fit and feel, as do many others if you check out the reviews. (She is a bit smaller than I; this shirt is an extra small. I'm going up to a normal SMALL for my build.) It's tailored, so if you like a roomier feel, go up a size. 

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The shirt would also look a tad more professional with a boyfriend blazer. Or dress it down with shorts and converse? Ideas....??

Hoping you are all having a productive week so far... got more posts coming, so thank you for checking in!! 

xoxo

AAJ

PRE AND POST BABY FAVORITES!

It's #throwbackthursday and I'm already feeling like time is going by too fast with the little man. I started looking at pictures while I was still pregnant. Once I got over the fact that 9 days ago Hayden was still inside me, I realized how these NON maternity dresses and tops are going to be fun to continue to wear all summer. And some are on sale---Like the purple dress I love-- 40% off for $30!! Click on photo to shop the outfit, or shop the post at bottom.

Showered with LOVE!

ClaudiaCraig.com Photographer

ClaudiaCraig.com Photographer

It seems so surreal that this is my life. You know the saying 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride'... well, I felt like I was always the 'auntie,' never the mom. But, here we are... and a very special thank you to the hostesses Kaley Cuoco and Marisa Coughlan. More details to come, but in the meantime, read a bit about the weekend here!

BABIES, BABIES, BABIES!! A weekend of #babybump #babylove

If I ever worried starting a family later in life would be lonely, last weekend took those thoughts away completely. On Saturday, my sweet girlfriends, Kaley Cuoco and Marisa Coughlan, hosted a safari- themed high tea baby shower for me. (It was a wonderland!) I'll be writing and posting later about not only what an emotionally charged, memorable day it was, but also how this past weekend transformed me. 

Then, on Sunday, we celebrated Ali Fedotowsky's little BabyManno in an ethereal, mid-spring day's floral setting.  As you can tell in the picture we had fun--and I'm really embracing the bump now in this dress (it comes in many colors, too and is on the lowest sale I have ever seen!) Read more about the baby boom surrounding me HERE.

FEELING SPRING-Y... what to wear, how to feel it.

I have basically been waking up every night around 3am for a while now. If you follow me on twitter (HERE), you may have seen me tweet during these times. Is this my body preparing me for night feedings once the baby arrives? I also get these crazy leg cramps. I know it's normal, but it doesn't seem normal in the middle of the night when the pain wakes you up.  It's like a charlie horse on crack. I'm keeping active during the day and trying to remember to stretch, but they still sneak up on me! Needless to say, the lack of sleep and leg pain can leave you feeling sluggish the next day. Unmotivated. Slightly depressed.  It's nice to have something easy and bright to wear like this WRAP DRESS HERE.  I am obsessed with wrap dresses in general (thanks to DVF), and this one shows a little leg with a slightly higher cut in the front and lower in the back. It elongates the silhouette nicely. And it's under $75. It's not maternity, so I can wear it throughout the summer.  If you click on the picture OR HERE and see the model wearing the dress, it looks so effortlessly chic on her.  Seriously thinking of wearing this to my shower Saturday and calling it a day. I'll pair it with these heels HERE on sale that I'm wearing in the picture below (and bring THIS pair of flats that have been my go-to so far).

And I feel girlie and alive and ready to face the day. What are your tips for feeling and looking fresh? I hear this only gets harder, not easier, with kids. Especially newborns. Do you have your own tricks to share?  I know it's always good to remember gratitude. Grateful people are joyful people. 

xo

shop the post:

WINTER WHITE?

I've always been a fan of white in winter.  Living in LA, I have to make myself feel like there's a winter (today it's below 80, we're excited!). So, snow white colors read clean, fresh and wintery to me.  This particular layering blouse comes in three colors, all of which I would wear. And scroll down to see pictures below--- this top covers my tush! Which can be nice sometimes!!

NOT SHOWN IN PICTURE, THE SIDE SLEEVES ALSO HAVE LACE CUT-OUTS DOWN THEM. I LOVE THE ELEGANT TOUCH.

NOT SHOWN IN PICTURE, THE SIDE SLEEVES ALSO HAVE LACE CUT-OUTS DOWN THEM. I LOVE THE ELEGANT TOUCH.

TRANSITIONAL PIECES...from summer to fall to winter. #BeanieBaby

This is classic California winter attire. We keep parts of our bodies warm, not necessarily our whole body! I love a soft, comfortable beanie or hat. It's the best way to hide a bad hair day, keep cozy, look put together, but not like you're trying to hard. This one from FreePeople is like butter. And it works with browns and blacks and the "in" colors of the season: olive green and ivory.  And the Free People Top is on sale!!

Comments? Idea? Let us know!

CASUAL ELEGANCE