wearing lately: holiday ready - just add a scarf (+ linkup)

I've already discussed how I love a scarf for making an outfit more versatile. Now a particular case-in-point: the plaid blanket scarf for making any outfit holiday appropriate.

My new favorite Sam Edelman booties + my Paris souvenir Petit Bateau striped tee is a fall/winter staple kind of look, but to make it feel like just the thing in December, all I needed to do was add this plaid scarf! (And standing in front of some Christmas garlands doesn't hurt, I suppose.)

This particular scarf has been a highlight of my December wardrobe for years now. It adds a holiday vibe to everything from parties to errands to casual wear... Some other renditions I've particularly loved:

1 | 2 | 3 

Thanks to all of you who joined in the remix linkup this year - Jenn and I had fun putting together a lineup of wardrobe essentials, and seeing how you put your spin (and re-spin!) on them in ways suited to your personal style and lifestyle. Real-life clothes wearing is such an inspiration to see as we all try to figure out our own lives, don't you think?

So we're looking forward to seeing your remixes one last time - what's your scarf season look like?

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on What I Wore to Work, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday.

five things Friday: scarf season edition

Things I love about wearing scarves: (1) Making the same-old outfit into something totally new by just simply adding one on top - they up closet versatility big time! (2) Staying warm - aka socially acceptable blanket wearing. Five scarved looks I love for this season:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

I like 'em looped, I like 'em worn loose, I like 'em furry. You name it. But you especially can't go wrong with a plaid scarf in December - that's definitely the one I'll be remixing for next Tuesday's scarf-themed #momstyleremix linkup! Join Jenn and me to share yours then.

And have a warm and cozy weekend in the meantime!

#momstyleremix linkup: tote bags

Today we have an ode to my favorite tote: this guy has carried (ha!) me through the whole range of seasons and events, from traveling to the coffee shop (or cross-country) for work, to taking a toddler in tow on an outing around town or dinner out. The go-with-everything yet slightly unexpected gray color, along with the oh-so-fancy monogram help contribute to not getting even close to sick of this one yet - these are just a few of the many ways I've shown it in previously blogged looks, dressed up, down, and in between:

For a little peek inside. check out this in the bag post - most of what I carry remains the same, except with my new Rifle Paper Co iPhone 7 case and updated laptop. Unfortunately diaper inclusion is still required... Key tip for totes: base shapers, which I learned about from Audrey. This inexpensive addition has helped my bag continue going strong after tons of heavy use.

Much as I love this particular bag, I must admit, though, that sometimes after a full day of lugging around kid or work gear, I sometimes rebel and carry as little as possible when running my errands solo, just my clutch wallet with phone tucked inside... And when it comes to date night I definitely opt for a cute cross-body, just because I can!

It's been a fun (almost) year of showing off how we share our mom style essentials - and after you share your favorite tote below, there's just one left, and it's a seasonally appropriate one for December 13: scarves!

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Hello Monday.

five things Friday: tote-ally great edition

When Jenn and I were coming up with categories of mom style essentials for our remix linkup, we couldn't leave out one of the most essential mom accessories: a honkin' tote bag for lugging around all the necessaries. So for next week's linkup we're showing off how we style our totes - and perhaps even what's inside!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Though there are plenty of great actual diaper bags - which I left behind when we stopped needing baby gear (never mind that we're still carrying diapers...gah) - I think a stylish tote is kind of the way to go. If I'm going to spend money on a bag, I want it to be something I want to carry, plus something that makes me feel like an adult, never mind all the kid stuff I'm toting. And that I can use for grown-up purposes, like laptop carrying, when necessary! There are lots of great stylish backpack options too, even better for hands-free carrying + toddler wrangling. I still love my leather Madewell backpack for that!

I like real bag options that aren't overly expensive but still look it - one of these is even a Target option, can you spot it?! That gray Sole Society tote is a great look for less of the Madewell transport tote (or J.Crew version I have and love), and I think the nylon tote is great for being wipeable and lightweight on its own.

See you on Tuesday for some more tote bag talk and #momstyleremix linkup!

wearing lately: jackets + #momstyleremix linkup

I perhaps pine for fall less than your average blogger (because I know the Michigan winter that follows it), but I can't deny that I welcome it with open and ready to be jacketed arms for the reason that I get to dive into this part of my closet again. So the timing of this month's mom style remix theme is no accident!

Things I love about jackets: they make outfits infinitely more interesting. And things I love about them for mom outfits? They make outfits versatile for all parts of your life - work-appropriate blazers can dress up jeans for date night, and cargo or denim jackets can dress down church-appropriate dresses for the everyday. Given that I work from home and I have a toddler - but I still have other things like dinners out, work conferences, and church to dress up for - I really appreciate when items in my closet can serve multiple purposes. Jackets most definitely help add to that versatility for things like dresses and blouses, which means I can wear the stuff I love all day long.

Then of course there's the versatility aspect to love about this item in and of itself: in the main look, it goes almost professional with black ankle pants and a printed blouse, but it has also gone with a crisp white blouse and peep toes for date night, with chambray and lace-up flats for running errands, and even over a maxi dress for a ladies night.

And now I can't wait to see what jacket you picked to share - chances are, I have a similar one in my closet, given the collection of them I have accumulated, so I'm excited to see some inspiration here!

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on What I Wore to Work, Hello Monday, Mix It Mondays.

five things Friday: jacket season edition

Next week comes a #momstyleremix item I'm very excited about - partly because I looove to wear (and collect!) these, and partly because getting to wear them coincides with some lovely fall weather. It's jacket season!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

I have a version of all five of these different jacket types in my wardrobe and love them all - as well as these great inspirations for how to wear them (in totally mom life appropriate ways) for fall. (Lots more inspiration on our #momstyleremix Pinterest board if you're interested, and of course plenty of ideas for where to buy these favorites below!)

It's going to be hard to decide which one of them to showcase for the linkup on Tuesday... the utility jacket and denim jacket have long been a favorite for mom style because of their versatility and comfort, but the leather jacket is creeping up there in the rankings for sure. And also loving all of the bomber jacket options I've seen lately. Looking forward to seeing what you share next week!

wearing lately: chambray shirt + #momstyleremix linkup

Despite its closet staple status, my chambray shirt just hasn't gotten as much wear in the last year - so this #momstyleremix linkup is perfectly timed for an item that's often just the right thing for fall transition weather outfits, getting me to look back on favorite ways I've worn it in the past (and of course gathering great new ideas from other people!).

Here's a way of styling chambray - black pants + army jacket + flats - that I've been wearing for years (and I mean years: the first posting of it is from 2012!), as it's easy, comfortable, stylish, season-appropriate, and easy to update with the "current" versions of jacket, on-trend flats, and my new favorite black jeans. (I'm a big fan of the Paige Verdugo style and finally got it in black - I'm going to be wearing these babies a ton this fall!)

And here are some other tried-and-true chambray looks for fall that I'm excited to pull back out again soon: the denim + denim look, layered under stripes, and even layered under dresses.

Now you get to show off your chambray, and give me some new ideas... Link up remix posts below, and then do join us again October 11 for the one I've been most excited for all summer while these have been beckoning from the back of my closet: jackets!

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Hello Monday.

five things Friday: calling all chambray edition

This month's #momstyleremix item, which we'll be linking up next week Tuesday, is an essential one for any mom's closet: chambray. It's hard to beat the seasonal and dress up/dress down versatility of a chambray shirt. Case in point:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Here we have chambray for all occasions: with a flirty skirt for date night, worn open with white jeans and stripes for running errands, paired with colored trousers for work, tied on at the waist for a fall-ish twist on a dress when it's too hot to do full-on fall, and with leggings and sneakers for the weekend! All stylish and all totally attainable, appropriate for a mom, and still comfortable to boot.

How do you like to wear your chambray? Jenn and I look forward to seeing the 2+ ways you style it next Tuesday; in the meantime, check out our Pinterest board for lots more inspiration and shop chambrays below if you're in the market.

wearing lately: stripes + #momstyleremix linkup

Stripes are most definitely my favorite pattern to wear, and the thing I reach for when I just don't know what to wear. They're so easily stylish, make an outfit way more interesting, and can dress up or down. I don't discriminate on where to wear them (top, bottom, or all over!) or in what color (black, blue, or gold!), but the black & white striped tee is my favorite. So in honor of the #momstyleremix occasion, I've rounded up 7 ways to wear one, suitable for the whole range of occasions in mom life.

with an edge: I love it with a leather moto jacket for a date night | like a Parisian: black jeans, black flats, and red lips is tres chic, I think | at the beach: white jeans feel summery at the shore | in the summer: half-tucked into some patterned shorts makes for a fun warm weather look | in the fall: layer with a chambray under and a vest over for a stylish look on a chilly day | with florals: the easiest way to pattern mix with stripes; just choose a floral that has a similar base color to your stripe color | for work: tucking in to a skirt turns it professional

And I could have kept going! On vacation, with colored bottoms, all winter long, or even over a giant baby bump. I love wearing striped shirts so much that I have them in multiple styles - short sleeved, long sleeved, three-quarters sleeved... My favorite striped tee right now is actually kind of an elbow length. Clearly I need more stripes in my closet like I need a hole in the head, but I still am eyeing the brand Petit Bateau for some classic sailor stripe options, and I might also need the dotted striped tee from J.Crew (or Boden) - that would really fit my "basics with a twist" style goal, right?

Now Jenn and I want to see how you remix your stripes for everyday wear. Link up your posts below, and then come on back September 13 for chambray, something almost as ubiquitous in my wardrobe...

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Mix It Mondays, Hello Monday.

five things Friday: show your stripes edition

I think a staple of many a modern lady's wardrobe is stripes - but stripes are especially awesome for a mom because they make an outfit instantly more interesting without sacrificing ease or comfort, or requiring any extra effort or time. So stripes were of course a must in the #momstyleremix lineup - and they get their time to shine on Tuesday. For your inspiration, here are five great black and white options, from the classic tee to the slightly more unexpected, like a jacket or shoes.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

I love these examples of how to wear stripes by way of Shopbop - a striped midi skirt is stylish and also perfect for mom (or weekend) style with a denim jacket and sneakers. And of course jeans + a classic striped tee is always a perfect way to go. We've got lots more stripey outfit ideas on our #momstyleremix Pinterest board and on Tuesday I'll share 7 of my own ideas for how to wear a striped tee. I hope you'll join Jenn and me then to show off how you wear (and re-wear) your stripes too!

mom style remix: colored bottoms + linkup

Colored bottoms are an awesome option for chic mom style AND for steamy summer weather style, since they are such an easy way to make an outfit more interesting when you're too busy or too hot to do anything more with layers or accessories. This season my favorite option in this category is this coral-y red number, which works perfectly in my July mix & match weekend suitcase.

I think it's perfect with a striped blouse and metallic gladiator sandals for a hot and sunny day. Keeps me cool and comfortable but still feeling a little fancy.

Here are some other ways I've worn this one (or its similar predecessor). Hard to go wrong with the skirt + chambray combo, in my opinion, and then I like how it can be dressed way down with some birks and a white tank, or dressed up with fancy flats and a ponte knit top.

Now Jenn and I want to see how you remix your colored bottoms for everyday wear. Link up your posts below, and then come on back August 9 to show your stripes - an essential part of a chic wardrobe in my opinion (as you can already see...).

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Mix It Mondays, Hello Monday, Summer Style.

five things Friday: colored bottoms edition

Colored jeans don't seem to be quite as much "in" as they were a couple of years ago, based on my perusing of the online options, which is a shame, as they made for perfect mom style: super easy to throw on with a white tee or a chambray, but a far more interesting outfit than when paired with your standard jeans. Though the colored jeans aren't so easy to come by anymore, there are still tons of great colored bottoms that can play the same role, especially for easy casual-but-cute summer wear:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

If I had to do more work style, I'd definitely go for a pair of blue ankle pants like these, paired with a simple white sleeveless blouse for a perfect summer office outfit. Since the work-from-home lifestyle is a bit more casual (and less air-conditioned), I'm way into colored shorts or skirts + white tees like these - and this lace skirt would be the perfect candidate for a fancy/casual mix with a chambray shirt.

I have a coral skirt and cobalt shorts that have been getting plenty of wear this summer - what colors have you been reaching for on bottom? Come and share next Tuesday in the next #momstyleremix linkup!

mom style remix: graphic tees + linkup

In the summer we do a lot of beach weekends at my parents' cottage, and to maximize the fun in the sun, I've decided to take some 3-day blogging weekends, so here I am, back at it on Tuesday... Also to maximize the fun? Minimizing packing by having one packing list per month. Last weekend I just repacked the June lineup, and off we went to a lovely weekend on the lake.

To showcase for this month's #momstyleremix, last weekend I remixed the graphic tee with the items in my weekend bag in two outfits that are perfect for the cottage: paired with graphic shorts and a hat, and with white jeans and a denim jacket (below), for overall easy, beachy, layer-able when necessary if the breeze is cool, and also cute (if I may say so myself) style.

I love graphic tees for stylish mom-wear because (a) they're t-shirts, but (b) they can show off personality and make an outfit a little more interesting than just a plain ol' t-shirt. This particular one has been a favorite for a while as the gray shades have made it great for remixing/layering in all different seasons, and because I've traveled to two of the three cities listed and have always aspired to the third - which is where we just booked our next vacation! Bonjour, Paris... wheeee!

Can't wait for that, and can't wait to see some more graphic tee styling inspiration from you - linkp up below!

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Summer Style, Hello Monday, Mix It Mondays.

five things Friday: summer tee-time edition

Summer weather is t-shirt weather, and for me it's all about the graphic tee. So many fun ones available right now, and so many great uses for them, from jazzing up the basic jeans + tee combo to giving a pencil skirt an unexpected twist. In time for next week's #momstyleremix, here's a roundup of 5 that proclaim my cool mom style and my love for summer:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

With as much as I love my pineapple embroidered Soludos, the pineapple tee just calls to me, and I love the #nofilter option for these blue sky days. Also found tons of beachy/summery graphic tees on Shopbop that I love too - let's go to the beach, indeed.

Join Jenn and me for the June #momstyleremix linkup next Tuesday and share how you wear + rewear your graphic tees for summer! (Need inspiration? Check out our Pinterest board.)

wearing lately: mom style remix cardigans

I mentioned last week that cardigans don't get as much wear in my current style as they once did - but still, my cardigans are some of the items I've had in my closet the longest. They just always seem to come in handy enough that they make the cut in all my closet cleanouts. This one, for instance, I've had for a good 3 years, and with the classic shape and happy color, it quietly rides out my new one-season favorites and is always there for me when I'm just looking for some classic polish.

Things I like about cardigans for mom style: They're just plain easy to wear as you can pull them on over anything for a quick outfit made more interesting and stylish by way of layering. Also they're easy to dress up or down, especially a fine knit one like this, so they're useful for the everyday (I'm partial to a fancy/casual mix, like with distressed jeans), or for work/church - always nice to hit all the mom roles in one piece. Bonus: if your kid spits up or spills on you, you can just take it off! Ha.

Things I like about cardigans for remixing: The obvious! Their layering nature means they can be worn with a whole range of outfits, over top of shirts or dresses, and they can be worn in multiple seasons. That's a lotta outfit possibilities.

Here are some examples of all of the above with this particular favorite...

1 | 2 | 3 

How do you remix your cardigans? Link up and share!

Mom Style Remix guidelines

1. please link back to Jenn and to me in your posts.
2. link up only posts on the theme that show an item remixed 2-3 ways
3. use the hashtag #momstyleremix if you share on social media (though you most certainly don't have to be a mom to participate!) 
4. visit/comment on some other posts for inspiration and encouragement

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing on Mix It Monday, Hello Monday.