fashion

Playgroup Week 4: Shake Off The Mom Frump
ParenthoodPlaygroupVideos

Playgroup Week 4: Shake Off The Mom Frump

by Jill
written by Jill

That Facebook Live Playgroup thing I wanted to do? Well, I’m doing it! And I’ve been doing it for the last 3 weeks, which is about 2 weeks more than I ever commit to most things. 2017 is looking like The Year Of Adulting for me.

If you haven’t had a chance to pop in, you can always catch up by watching the FB live episodes on my FB page.

I’m also going to embed the last few at the bottom of this post and will have a post go up here every week going forward with the previous week’s episode embedded in it. 

This week’s episode is all about shaking off the mom frump with my lovely, talented, gorgeous friend Tiffany Reese of Lookieboo. She’s a bad ass at body positivity and a makeup and hair goddess who also has 3 children and some great tricks for looking and feeling our best while managing parent life.

I try to bring you some awesome giveaways every week, and this week is no exception. I’ve got 3 of my favorite fashion staples lined up to gift to 6 winners.

1
2 pair of BLANQI leggings (winners’ choice of maternity or high waist/nursing)
3 $30 credits to Nickel & Suede

Baby Rabies Playgroup Week 4 | BabyRabies.com

Playgroup #4 Giveaway

Catch up on the first few Playgroup episodes below!

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The Picture Is A Lie, But The Clothes Are Legit
Fashion & FitnessParenthoodPhotographyReviewsSchool Age Days

The Picture Is A Lie, But The Clothes Are Legit

by Jill
written by Jill

This is the homepage of MYHABIT today.

Screen Shot 2015-04-26 at 10.55.43 AM

Don’t you want to hate me right now? I want to hate me right now. Posing in our matching outfits with my adorably compliant daughter in my pristine home.

IT’S A LIE.

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This was the scene of the photo shoot literally minutes before that picture was taken.

I already told y’all that Leyna is the least compliant model of mine, and that I paid her for her work that day. But, she totally earned the $20 shopping spree to Target with that grin.

Even if this was what 90% of the shoot was really  like.

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What’s not a lie, though, is how much we LOVE our clothes from MyHabit. Soooo many people have asked where we got that gorgeous yellow dress that Leyna wore in the bluebonnets…

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And the ridiculously cute striped one she wore to Day Out With Thomas…

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They are all a part of our curated Mom & Me event today on MYHABIT! Along with the dresses she and I wore in the picture on their homepage and a lot more adorable, beautiful pieces at a variety of price points. The event ends next Sunday, May 3rd.

Also, you can read a little Q&A I did with MYHABIT theFix writer Ranya Barrett here, full of very useful advice… ish.

And remember! Never believe everything you see on the internet. #SliceofPerfect #MessyReality

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Stitchfix August Box- What I Love, What I Don’t
Fashion & FitnessReviews

Stitchfix August Box- What I Love, What I Don’t

by Jill
written by Jill

I got another box from Stitch Fix last week, and it was so much better than last month’s. Quite a few people requested I share what they send me again, so here ya go:

(No, I’m not totally obsessed with my phone. I have an app on it that lets me use it as a remote for my camera. I do these things when I have the house to myself because 3 kids. Hence the posing with the phone in less than stellar lighting.)

stitch fix pieces for august

I loved this navy/red top before I even put it on. It was one of those where I was like, “Please fit, please fit, please fit,” as I pulled it over my head. It will be easy to take this into cooler months with a cardigan and jeans. I paired it here with a skirt I already had in my closet.

41Hawthorn Flynn Colorblock Sleeveless Blouse- $58- KEEP

stitch fix pieces for august

I liked the idea of this top, and was on the verge of keeping it, but it just didn’t flatter me enough to justify the price tag. I don’t really need long ties drawing attention to and adding to my already big boobs. I don’t know. If I’d liked everything else enough to keep, I would have kept this one just because it would have been discounted, and I would have worn this with a cardigan or maybe a belt.*

41Hawthorn Bell Chevron Textured Tie-Neck Blouse- $68- SEND BACK

stitch fix pieces for august

Oh dear God. Yeah, let me put this super stretchy clingy dress with horizontal stripes on. That will look great on my not-toned tummy and huge boobs. NOPE. I didn’t even have to try this on to know it wouldn’t work, so you’re welcome for the extra effort I took for this pic.

(And check out that bruise on my shoulder from my vicious baby!)

Under Skies Connor Racerback Mixed Striped Maxi Dress- $58- SEND BACK

stitch fix pieces for august

Okay, these pants? They’re like pajama pants. But socially acceptable to wear in public ones! So, like, OBVIOUSLY keeping those. And the shirt is a great staple for cooler weather, but not so hot I can’t wear it with shorts as the summer comes to an end. And the price of both of these was too good not to say yes. I was shocked at the price of the pants!

41Hawthorn Aspen Boat Neck Striped Cotton Tee- $48- KEEP
Kut From The Kloth Tivola Wide Leg Chambray Pant- $48- KEEP

*The thing to remember is if you do keep all 5 pieces, you get a 25% discount. So sometimes, if there’s just one piece you don’t like, it almost doesn’t make sense to send it back. I know friends who will keep the 5th piece and save it for a gift.

Have any of you started to receive Stitch Fix shipments? How did your last box work out for you? Do you have a Pinterest board for your stylist? I just started one. Hoping I can get them to send me some more… bohemian-inspired pieces? But nothing too crazy. And some more bright colors and patterns.

**All Stitch Fix links are affiliate links, this is not a sponsored post.

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Stitch Fix, Fix My Sad Closet
Fashion & FitnessReviews

Stitch Fix, Fix My Sad Closet

by Jill
written by Jill

Last year I got an invite to a fashion blogger thing in L.A. I laughed from inside the warmth of my hoodie, and pushed my greasy hair back from my face before I deleted it.

I am not good with the dressing myself thing. I mean, I can get dressed. I don’t typically go out in public naked. I just… it’s nothing special, the stuff I’m wearing. It’s mostly ill fitting and probably wrinkled, maybe even a little dirty.

I don’t think I’m inherently fashion challenged. If I had the time and the money, I think I could put together a pretty nice wardrobe for myself.

These days, though, those are both a limited resource. Even as I’ve come to the place where I have a little bit more of a budget for clothes than I did in those early days of my stay-at-home-mom career, I actually have far less time now.

I imagine a lot of you have heard other bloggers and maybe some of your friends talk about Stitch Fix. If you haven’t, or aren’t clear on what it is, it’s basically an online personal styling service for women (up to a size 14 at this point). You fill out a pretty detailed fashion profile, and you can even create a Pinterest board for your fashion inspiration. You schedule a box, then pay a $20 styling fee and a stylist puts together 5 pieces based on your budget preferences and profile. They ship it to you, you try stuff on, keep what you want, and send the rest back (in a postage-paid bag they provide you) within 3 days.

It’s the closest I’ve ever come to having a personal shopper and/or stylist. I’ve done a few boxes since the beginning of the year, and finally signed up for the monthly shipment option since I’ve always found at least one item per box that I love.  (If you don’t keep anything in the box, you lose your $20 styling fee. If you do keep at least one thing, it’s applied to the cost of that.) I planned on doing this review-ish post about it for y’all before I even got this month’s box, so naturally this was my least favorite shipment. I only kept one piece. In the past, I’ve kept anywhere from the whole dang thing (and you get a discount if you keep all the pieces), to 3 pieces.

Here’s what they sent me this time:

IMG_4607 They are very thoughtful when it comes to my “breastfeeding friendly” requests. In theory, this maxi-dress ($78) should be perfect. It’s super soft, and has a snap at the chest that allows for easy access. Unfortunately, I have no natural waist line (yay apple shape!), and could not figure out where to put the elastic on this. Also, despite being tall, maxis look horrible on me. And they hide my best feature- my legs. No likey. It went back. IMG_4634 This sweater ($78) was simply baffling. I wondered if I even knew how it should work. On the picture that came with it, it looked a lot more drapey than this. So it’s very possible it was just too small for my lactating boobs. IMG_4641 I don’t think the stylist gets that even if this did fit, I literally wouldn’t be able to wear it until at least late October here in Texas. It also went back. (Also because no way could I spend nearly $80 on this.) IMG_4630 This jean jacket ($118) was, again, small for my chest size currently, but I would have considered keeping it if I didn’t already have one nearly identical to it. IMG_4623 My 2 very favorite pieces were this navy tie-top, button up blouse ($68), and these jean shorts ($88). I was on the verge of keeping the shorts, but they are a smidge too big, which will mean they’ll be hanging off my butt after 6 hours. And also? $88 for cutoffs? I just can’t. I can’t.

The blouse is very forgiving and flattering, and can easily be dressed up or down. It’s a quality piece that I feel will wear and wash well. Ultimately, it’s the only thing I kept, and I’ve already packed it for Blogher this week. But hey, I consider this whole thing a win if there is at least one thing in each box that I genuinely want. So I’m not displeased.

I know a lot of you might be balking at the prices right now. I’ll be honest, this is not a service for people who are die-hard bargain shoppers. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a sale, and I definitely can’t afford to fill my closet entirely with pieces at these prices.

That said, I realize I’m paying for 1. convenience (time is money, and I don’t have the time to go shopping) and 2. professional styling advice. The pieces they send me are not always what I would pick out for myself. I would have looked at that blue blouse on a hanger or on a website and  passed it up. When I pulled it out of the box, it was actually what I was least excited to try on.

So, for now, the monthly Stitch Fix box is a fun treat for myself. And even if I’m only adding one quality piece to my wardrobe a month, I feel like it’s worth it.

**Disclosure- all SF links are affiliate links in this post. After you sign up, make sure you share your affiliate link with your friends so you can earn credits! stitchfixreview1

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PhotographyReviews

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things- And I’m Giving One Away!

by Jill
written by Jill

I know it’s really late for gift guides and all that, but maybe not. I mean, I’m pretty sure my husband hasn’t bought me anything yet.

So I thought I’d share some of my absolute favorite things with you all, in case you’re looking for some last minute gift ideas for yourself or someone else.

Also, if you stick around until the end, I’m giving away one of my favorite things!

Because I’m a Priss

Smashbox Brow Tech – I can have trucker hair, furry legs, and spit up on my shirt, but if I have a clean, moisturized face and groomed eyebrows, I feel somewhat put together. I’ve worn this stuff every day for the last 4 years. It is my absolute favorite thing in my makeup bag.

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer – I got this at Blogher this year, and I love it as a light foundation. I put this on and top with some pressed powder (and my Brow Tech, of course), and I’m ready for school drop off.

Mama Mio– I’ve had the opportunity to do some local brand rep work for Mama Mio and I am in love with their stuff. Their products are free of all “nasties” and smell amazing. Their “Lucky Legs” lotion feels great, especially after a long day chasing children. I used their OMega Super Rich Body Cream as a moisturizer for my face, and this bottle lasts FOREVER.

Mac Lipglass- I’m not much of a lipstick gal, but I love me a good gloss. Mac Lipglass has been my absolute fave since college. I love it in Nymphette. 

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable hairspray – A product of Texas, I’m a believer in the can of hairspray, but I can do without the sticky stiffness of the old school stuff. Soy Touchable, which I got at Blogher, is different. It holds back my fly-aways and helps me give some extra fullness to my hair, but it just doesn’t… feel like hairspray.

Vigoss Jeans from Nordstrom Rack – I thought I was destined to a life of ho-hum jeans since I really can’t bring myself to shell out $200 on a pair. Then my friend told me about the “cheap” jeans at Nordstrom Rack, which is basically Nordstrom’s outlet store. Every pair of Vigoss jeans I tried on looked awesome on my butt, was long enough for my lanky legs, and I’d say they run big since I fit in a size I haven’t worn since high school (vanity sizing, FTW!). The best part? TWENTY EIGHT DOLLARS.

Yummie Tummie Tank & Leggings- Last year at Blogher I was introduced to Yummie Tummie and I’ve been a believer ever since. This year, I’ve loved rocking my leggings, my nursing tank, and I just added a lace tank top to my collection, which looks great under a long cardigan, paired with my skinny Vigoss jeans. These are definitely a splurge, but keep an eye on sales and sites like Zulily for great deals.

Because I Like To Drink Things

Wine Soiree – Another awesome gift from a Blogher party (thanks Romy!). This thing makes the cheapest bottle of wine taste amazing. And since I’m all for stocking up on the cheap stuff, I can really appreciate it’s powers.

Mr. Coffee Keurig – I’ve been wanting a Keurig for so, so long. I just couldn’t ever justify the cost since we have a perfectly fine coffee maker- a very nice one, in fact. Well, this was on sale at our grocery store, of all places, for only $60 last week. Merry Christmas to me! I’ve only had it a week and I could French kiss it. If anything, I can use it to make myself some coffee so I’m awake enough to use the fancy coffee machine to make more coffee. It’s very basic, but does exactly what I need it to do- make me one cup of coffee with minimal effort on my part.

Because My New Obsession Is Photography

Pixelmator– I got this photo editing software for Mac last Christmas on Cyber Monday for super cheap. I had planned on getting Photoshop Elements, but for only $12, I figured I’d give this editing software a try first. It’s very similar to Photoshop in that it uses layers and brushes. I’m able to do basic things like smoothing out skin blemishes and cloning backgrounds. You can get the old version (the version I have) for $15 on Amazon. Since I have Lightroom 3 now, I have no plans of getting Photoshop or PSE anytime soon, especially since Pixelmator seems to do all the basic functions I need outside of Lightroom.

Image straight out of camera

Edited with Pixelmator and Clickin Moms Film Art Preset Platinum in Lightroom 3

Clickin Moms Film Art presets for Lightroom- These were an early Christmas gift to myself. They’re my first set of presets, and I love what they do to my pictures. They won’t make a terrible picture look perfect. I still need to work on my own clean edits in Lightroom first, but they are lovely, subtle changes to already good pictures.

Clickin Moms membership– Over the last couple years I’ve developed an aversion to online forums. (A few internet friends and I like to attribute this to “Post Traumatic Nest Syndrome”… many of you will totally relate and understand that.) So I was hesitant to sign up for another “mom” message board. Clickin Moms, however, has been nothing but incredibly insightful, educational, and supportive. It’s 95% photography talk, but in a language I understand and am not intimidated by. There are tutorials for weeks. I’ve been teaching myself Lightroom simply by reading through all the Lightroom tutorials. Half the time, I’m reading threads from my phone in bed with the help of their super simple to use iPhone app (.99 in the app store). It’s where I got the ideas and inspiration for our Christmas Twinkle Light pictures.

www.ClickinMoms.com

To finish off this post, I’m excited to say Clickin Moms is offering up a $120 gift pack for one reader that kicks a lot of ass. It includes:

1 year membership to Clickin Moms
One copy of their newest photo book Laughter
The ebook Blast Into The Blogosphere
& a Mom’s Gonna Snap t-shirt

To enter, leave a comment telling me where you’re at with photography. Are you a beginner? Hoping to get a new camera for the holidays? Have you been taking pictures for years?

You can get an extra entry if you do any or all of the following:

Like BabyRabies on Facebook
Like Clickin Moms on Facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner next Thursday, December 22nd.

Disclosure- Some of these things were given to me at no cost at Blogher and other blogging events, but I was never asked to write about them. They truly are my favorite things now. Some links may be affiliate links.

**Contest Is Closed. Congrats to Leah, commenter #118, as chosen by Random.org!

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Fashion & FitnessParenthoodStuff

A Little Christmas List Help?

by Jill
written by Jill

It’s really no secret that I’m not a huge fashionista. And since I’ve submerged myself in my bubble of maternity wear the last 6 months, I haven’t even allowed myself to glance at all the cute new styles, which makes me very sad because fall fashion is where it’s at for me. I LOVE ME SOME SWEATERS AND SCARVES IN JEWEL TONES.

But there’s a light at the tunnel, yo. This kid exits in 5ish weeks.

So when my husband whined at me- AGAIN- that he doesn’t know what to get me for Christmas, instead of rolling my eyes and lecturing him all about the glorious Sephora and DKNY Cozy Wrap– AGAIN- I took it upon myself to set up a Wishpot.com account. I will fill it with a plethora of sparkly, pretty, superfluous, superficial, mostly non-practical items for him to choose from. Because left to his own devices, I will end up with another panini grill. <<What? It’s practical.

I would also like to a few fashion-y things, like maybe a new scarf because a cold neck is a sad neck. And maybe some *gasp* leggings and tunics (breastfeeding friendly and tummy pouch concealing, of course). And shoes. I need new winter shoes.

But what shoes? I don’t really anticipate wearing anything with much of a heel as I balance a newborn on my hip while chasing a toddler. My flats are all a little thin and chilly, though. Everything I find that’s a compromise of the two looks a lot like an Ugg, and well, I just don’t think I can go there. I already caved to the Crocs this year, people (for the toddler… only for the toddler!). I’m trying to maintain a shred of dignity in the eyes of my sister and friends.

I would love suggestions. Also, if you have any suggestions for tops that make great, warm, breastfeeding friendly transition pieces, that would be spectacular. Of course, this could all be for naught. My husband could look past all my impractical and stylish requests and get me some steel toe boots and coveralls from his favorite store- Lowes.

And tell me, what is on your Christmas list? Now what do you think your significant other will get you?

Kendall is 2.5 and I’m 35.5 weeks pregnant… and the size of a house. The stretchmarks are out of control. There are NEW ones. Apparently I didn’t produce enough the first time around to accommodate the canon ball growing inside me now.

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Fashion & FitnessStuffThe Story

Is this age related? Or are clothes actually terrible right now?

by Jill
written by Jill

So… I turned 29 over the weekend. I still can’t believe it. One year left of my twenties, that’s it! I spent a little time reflecting on where I’m at in life, and wondering if the 19 year old me would approve, but then I quit that when I remembered that the 19 year old me had a deep love for Kid Rock and the Dixie Chicks and wore an orange cowgirl hat anytime she went out to party, which was quite often.

Sure, I may not be as “successful”, career-wise, as the 19 year old me would have hoped, but I can honestly sit here and tell you all I am HAPPY, 110% happy, and that’s not something that even the 25 year old, career-driven me, who had quite the quarter-life crisis, could say.

But, let me not digress and turn this into a post all about how far I’ve come in 29 years or how I’m a little anxious about this next year coming and going, leaving me no choice but to turn 30. No, what I really want to talk about is how HORRIFIED and confused I am by clothes right now.

I can’t say that I’ve ever been super stylish, but I like to think I’ve been able to pull off some snazzy looks in my lifetime. The orange cowgirl hat, after all, was quite the eye-catcher and very “Coyote Ugly” back in 2000. Since becoming a stay at home mom, I’ve obviously had to ditch the pretty numbers from Banana Republic and Ann Taylor, which took me through my days full of  meetings and happy hours, in favor of more toddler and budget friendly apparel. That usually means I spend my days in jeans, a fitted shirt, some flats (or sometimes my good ol’ Skechers slip ons), and a fun accessory, like a scarf. Yup. That’s pretty much my SAHM uniform.

Well, my incredibly sweet husband, who happens to be equal parts frugal and fashion clueless, bought me some clothes for my birthday. It was such a sweet gesture, and luckily he understood when I told him I’d have to take it all back and try to find some stuff that would be more “practical” for me to wear (read- fit me, not show my bra straps, not covered in sequins). I returned to New York & Company the next day, ready to hunt down some new, trendy clothes. I searched and searched, picked and pulled from the racks, turned my head to the side, then back, squinched my eyes and tried to figure out what I was looking at.

None of it made any sense to me.

So leggings are in now, yes? And I’m to pair them with a clingy, long, what appears to be night shirt? And then what? I put a belt over it? Is it just me, or is this an outfit I would have put together at the age of 2 after ransacking my mom and dad’s closet?

And you want me to wear brown boots with my black leggings? This is going against every rule of fashion I’ve committed to memory.

Tie dye and acid wash are back? And tapered leg pants with pleated fronts? I mean, isn’t that exactly what we have all been mocking for the past 15 years? Are you telling me I need a mullet now? Or maybe just a rat tail? Big bangs?

I gave up, bought a plain purple shirt and some clearance flip flops (which I will most likely return because, as my husband said, “ANOTHER pair of flip flops?”), and headed to Target later that day. Not that Target is the Mecca of fashion, but I’ve scored some cute stuff there recently, mainly just more plain fitted tees. I meandered into the trendy Juniors section, hoping to step a bit out of my comfort zone, when my sister and I ran across this number.

Uhm, hi. Kelly Kapowski called, and she wants her dress back.

Is this just a sign that I’m getting old? Am I physically incapable of seeing clothes for what they are now and officially stuck in my comfortable, plain rut? Is this the first sign that I’m thisclose to giving up and turning into the cat shirt lady??

Kendall is nearly 22 months old and I’m 29 years old and 2 days.

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StuffThe Story

Inevitable fashion fate?

by Jill
written by Jill

Two Fridays ago I flew out from DFW to St. Louis with Kendall in tow. Man… to say I was stressed about it… understatement of the year. I thought for sure so much would go wrong that I would have tons of material for a hilarious blog post on the trials and tribulations of air travel with a toddler. Fortunately for my sanity, but unfortunately for my muse, the flight was surprisingly pretty smooth. I mean, I *did* have to hog tie him during the descent so he wouldn’t abuse other passengers whilst flailing about and it *was* an incredible workout hauling him in my Ergo and two full diaperbags through the airport, but really, it was all pretty mundane.

Looking back at our trip, searching for something to blog about, the image of another mom flashed through my head, a mom who was in front of us, a mom who was super nice, but who was wearing the most tragic outfit ever. I was reminded that I told myself at the time that I HAD to blog about said outfit.

Okay, so she was wearing pleated khaki shorts, belted, pulled up past her belly button and safely housing her entire belly, of course. Tucked into these shorts was a crisp t-shirt with a picture of cartoon cats wearing headphones on it. I’m thinking there was some sort of “cool cat” caption to go with it.

Listen, I’m not saying I’m a mommy fashionista. at. all. I have committed my fair share of fashion crimes. I just want to know this- At what point in mommyhood does a pair of pants pulled all the way up to your boobs begin to sound appealing? Because, honestly, I think I might be headed down that direction. I put on my low rise jeans yesterday and noticed the muffin top looked a little less extra fluffy if I just pulled them up a tiny bit, but this left me with highwaters and cameltoe, so I opted for an entirely different pair of jeans instead.

And at what milestone in your child’s life do you choose to pair those super comfy shorts with a shirt with cartoon cats on it? Is this inevitable? Does the fact that after my long run this weekend I chose to hang out in a shirt that says “SPIRIT” on it that I won in a Cheerleading contest when I was 14 mean I will suffer the same fate?

 I’m thinking/hoping it was the only shirt clean, that maybe she had something a little less… preteen-esque picked out, but had to switch to the cartoon cats when the tube of sunscreen exploded all over her while she was trying to zip the luggage shut, and since all her other non cartoon character shirts were packed she had to reach WAY back in the closet and pull out that beauty, obviously given to her in a white elephant Christmas exchange. Right….right?? 

Or is this one of those never say never things, and I will one day be sporting an LOL cat shirt in an airport with the entirety of my belly tucked securely away, so as not to leap out of my pants and accost passersby, under a belted pair of khaki shorts just because that’s what happens when you become a mom?

Kendall is almost 15 months old

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