Caroline had class pictures at school on Thursday so I felt like we should up our wardrobe game for posterity’s sake. I had mistakenly thought we’d decided on an outfit a few days ago, but she informed me at 7:35 a.m. that she didn’t want to wear that particular outfit. I find that to be a confusing set of circumstances because she pledged her undying love and devotion to the aforementioned outfit when I brought it home from the Gap a month ago and asked her if she liked it. Apparently she is suffering from fashion schizophrenia.
There is nothing quite as enjoyable as a last minute scramble to get ready, so I was understandably totally relaxed and calm as I pulled out the rest of her fall clothing to find something suitable for her to wear in the picture. I laid four pretty outfits on the bed for her to choose from and she responded by wailing “WHY DON’T I HAVE ANY BEAUTIFUL DRESSES TO WEAR?”
“You do. They are right here on your bed.”
“NO. I MEAN BEAUTIFUL DRESSES.”
And by beautiful she means the six sundresses that she refused to wear all summer long in spite of the many bribes I offered in exchange for her agreement to wear just one of them. JUST ONE. FOR MAMA. PLEASE.
But, oh no, she didn’t want to wear them during the summer because she was saving them for school picture day in October on a morning when a pretty significant cold front had blown through the area.
She finally deemed one of the outfits I’d selected as worthy to be worn, but only because I threatened that I was about to make the final decision if she didn’t make a choice. Basically, the morning served as a catalyst for a new rule, if I buy it and you tell me you like it, then you’re wearing it whether you want to or not. Choose carefully because once it’s in your closet, it’s yours for better or worse.
As a bonus, think how well that rule will serve her once she’s married.
Be careful what you put in your closet, ladies. You can’t just cart him off to Goodwill when he begins to show a little wear.
You will probably notice that I’m just listing ten things again this week. I’ve decided that, at least for now, this format works better than trying to answer individual questions. It’s just too hard to pick and choose, plus so many of them are so specific and I get totally stressed out and might as well be trying to make one of Christopher Columbus’s ships out of thin air.
So I’m going with a list of ten things indefinitely. Of course it won’t always be ten things. Some weeks it may just be five or six things. Some weeks it might include some beauty products. There’s just no telling because I am flying by the seat of my pants and making it up as I go along.
1. Denim skirt
I have been on a quest to find the perfect denim skirt for many a year, only to find myself disappointed time and time again. However, I saw this one at Gap yesterday and knew immediately that we were meant to be together forever. It’s the perfect length, the perfect wash, the perfect fit. Plus it had a cute cousin skirt in a darling plaid material, perfect for pairing with a denim jacket, tights and tall boots.
It called out to me from the rack and I said, “Shut up, denim skirt. Just shut up. You had me at hello.”
I’m a huge fan of the plaid shirt this season. In fact, I have always loved a good plaid shirt even when they weren’t cool anymore. Which is why I bought an old plaid flannel shirt of Gulley’s from a garage sale she had a few years ago. She’d totally forgotten about it until I reminded her the other day and then she was more astonished by the fact that she actually charged me $2.00 for the shirt than at my fashion foresight in knowing that $2.00 was a DEAL for a shirt that I’d be able to pair with skinny jeans and boots three years later.
I think a plaid shirt looks especially cute this season when paired with a tank or tee underneath and with a coordinating scarf wrapped around your neck for a little extra flair.
Unless you don’t like talking about your flair.
I don’t know where I’d wear this dress but I think it is totally and completely adorable. Love the ruffles, love the jersey, love the whole look. Adorable.
4. Maternity pleated ruffle jacket
See? This is how rumors get started and grandparents get excited.
I am not pregnant. I repeat, I am not pregnant. But I saw this jacket at Target the other day and nearly grabbed it to try it on before I realized it was maternity. And then I still thought about trying it on, but that would be a little thing I call tempting fate.
But it is just so cute and would be the perfect piece for any maternity wardrobe because you could dress it up or down depending on the occasion.
5. Patron party coat
How cute is this coat with it’s three quartered sleeves and button detail? It would look adorable paired with some black leggings and boots or even with some jeans.
You could even add a fun scarf for a little pop of color.
I have a thing for jackets. My closet is full of them even though I live in South Texas and I rarely get to wear them. I can’t help myself.
6. Leggings
Okay, I know this is boring because it’s just a pair of leggings. But it’s a pair of leggings for only $10.00. And they are comfortable and well made and not so thin that your legs show through them when you sit down.
What more could you ask for in a pair of leggings? Other than maybe control top and built in Spanx material?
7. Faux leather jacket with ruffle
I realize a faux leather jacket doesn’t sound all that great, but this one is really cute AND it has a ruffle. How can you turn away from a jacket that has a ruffle, yet all the toughness required to be part of a motorcycle gang?
Actually, I feel fairly certain Harley Davidson would turn over in his grave at the thought of a motorcycle jacket with a ruffle, but let’s pretend otherwise because LOOK! A RUFFLE! ON A LEATHER JACKET!
Even P just looked at this and said, “Cool”. And with some jeans and boots, it totally would be.
9. Ruffled open front cardigan
I told Gulley the other day that I cannot escape the ruffled front cardigan. It has stolen my heart because I am a fan of the sweater in any form, but especially when it’s extra comfortable and looks stylish to boot.
I’m not sure how I feel about these boots being gray since I haven’t seen them in person. But I love the style and the look. Plus, they’re only $39.99 which is a total steal for a great pair of boots.
And there you have it. Ten things.
I can’t commit to coming up with ten things every week because it’s a lot of work. Not to mention that Thursday is an unusually busy T.V. night and I hate to get behind on my T.V. Although I think I’m about ready to quit Grey’s Anatomy. There was a day that I would stay up until all hours to watch it and now I can hardly be bothered. I’m not sure what went wrong, but I think it all went wrong for me somewhere around the whole Private Practice spin-off nonsense.
I realize that without the concept of the spin-off we never would have had the television greatness that was The Jeffersons, but Addison Montgomery isn’t Weezie Jefferson. Or even Mr. Bentley for that matter.
Here’s an idea. Why don’t I go take some more cold medicine and quit typing?
Y’all have a great Friday.
Here’s to movin’ on up.
I have all the Grey’s Anatomy episodes recorded on Tivo. I have not had time, but maybe I won’t bother watching them. Time is precious. I think I’ll go shopping instead! I love all your fashion picks.
I’m in love with that ruffle front cardigan too. Conveniently I am off to Macys today and so it very may well be in my closet by tonite…and I live in the Northeast which is for sure already sweater weather…have a great weekend…feel better.
Hope the pictures went well. As always, thanks for the fashion advice!
I just have to address the new rule in your house. I’m not very fashionable, so I do enjoy your fashion updates, but I stick with my matronly overweight mom looks most days! The beginning of the entry hit a nerve with me!
Anyway.. my two are teenagers now, and I AM SICK TO DEATH of paying for things that they never bother to wear or use!! My son ordered his class ring last year, and since it was FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS (for the one that is not even real gold!!) I made him promise that he would wear it this year, because as we all know, once he goes to college next year he will never slip it on his finger again. It is now the end of October and it has not been out of the box ONE TIME. I told him earlier this week that if he didn’t start wearing it he could start making payments of forty dollars per month for the next ten months. I think he thinks I’m kidding. I’m not. Might be an ugly weekend around here!!
Please, take this advice. I don’t usually give advice, but I really wish I had started this rule when mine were young. Stick with that statement that if you buy it and they say they’ll wear it, they will wear it. I wish I had done that when mine were alot younger, because changing the game when they are in their teens is not an easy thing to do!!
Love your blog, but you know that.. I tell you all the time. You are the first thing I read every day. Thanks for always brightening my mornings.
Awww, thanks for the fashion advice. I always enjoy (and get a lot of ideas!) even though I don’t comment often.
I too have been looking for a great denim skirt, but haven’t found one I love yet – and I usually stick to thrift stores because of my recent history of pregnant (not now!) and then not!
I don’t know if I can get back into plaid shirts, jackets, etc. Of course, I had several plaid shirts in high school and college and they were much baggier than anything I wear now! And one I’m still saving was one of the first Christmas presents I ever got from my hubby!
Also, it’s too bad you couldn’t tempt fate buying a maternity jacket – it really is too cute!
And finally, when I was a teenager (this is for Rosemary) and my fashion ideas parted ways with my mom’s, I started buying my own clothes – I made much more careful choices when I had to spend MY money on something!
Could you link to the denim skirt? I am looking for the perfect one as well.
I really enjoy your Fashion Friday posts, even though I’m not a big shopper normally. However, I am pregnant–and if you have any suggestions on where to find cute maternity clothes beyond the obvious maternity chains, I’d love to know!
Hi. Just wanted to share my recent fashion find for my girls. At K-MART they have boots that look a lot like the suede lug boots that you linked, except for kids. I swear they are the cutest things with a skirt and some bright colored tights. I would have bought them for me if they would have had bigger sizes. I bought them for my 9 yr. old and 6 yr old and they are adorable. Just thought you might want to check them out for Caroline. And they are only $24.99…but I would have paid $75 for them in a boutique!
This post makes me all the more thrilled that my daughter wears uniforms at school. Our choice is really between plaid skirt or khaki pants/shorts and a purple, black or white shirt. Not to many combinations there! Whew!
Here is the link for those boots from K-mart. They really look better in person. Too cute!
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_035B439495480001P?keyword=expressions+shoes
I’m sure my 6 year old can repeat my “I paid good money for that/what a waste of money” speech she hears often about her clothes. She decided this year that she will ONLY wear yoga pants. No cute jeans, no khakis, not even pants that tie at the waist. I decided it was easier not to fight her, so I bought 5 pair of yoga pants when they were $5 each at Old Navy and she is happy as a clam. When I went school shopping for her (aka got a big bag in the mail from Gap/Old Navy) we tried everything on and I asked if she would wear it. If she said no, it went back even though those brown cargo pants were adorable.
Thankfully I still have a 4 year old who will wear whatever I pull out for her, although most days she requests a dress.
You.Me.We’re.Going.Shopping.Together.Pronto
I think we would all aggree that we would love to see your actual wardrobe. Maybe when you get a cute outfit together you could get your daughter to take your pic and put it on the blog!
I’m having a hard time embracing the plaid. I’m sure I’ll come around.
Ava (7) has been wearing her sundresses with long-sleeved t-shirts under them and jeans. Would Caroline go for that?
Just wait until Caroline is in junior high. Ugh. We have some of THE worst school pictures in the history of school pictures, but probably because I’m just too worn out to make a big deal about it at that point. This year my 6th grader came home and announced that her school picture was her “best ever.” When I looked at it I realized that she was a walking advertisement for Aeropostale. Oh good grief.
I am cmpletely with you on the quitting Grey’s issue….so over that show this season! And who gets married on a POST-IT??!!
I bought those boots yesterday and they are a dark charcoal color! LOVE!
Those 10 ten things were awesome. Thanks! I just may have to break down and buy a plaid shirt, you’ve talked me into it.
p.s. I told my 7 year old daughter exactly the same words last week. : )
Oh my gosh! The Gap cousin skirt was a trip back in time. I sewed that same skirt and wore it with black boots in the 1960′s in the eighth grade. Carnaby street and Yardley Of London make-up were big influences!
Love the dress from Anthropologie.
Here’s a link to one that I tried on at White House/Black Market the other day that is similar but is only $98!
Didn’t buy it ’cause I didn’t anywhere it…still have it on my mind!
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=45&pageId=1&productId=300114376&viewAll=true&prd=Flutter+Tier+Ruffle+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=33&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
“Unless you do’nt like talk about your flair.”
Didn’t see that coming but it made me snort!
When I read “Cap Sleeve plaid coat” I was a little worried. A cap sleeve coat, really? Really? But in fact when I clicked on the link and discovered that it was a cape sleeve coat, I immediately felt better. I do in fact love the coat. Ha!
You are a hoot!
I did tempt fate and tried that maternity jacket on at Target (in magenta). It is so cute! Fortunately – or unfortunately depends on your vantage point – I am not pregnant and the jacket does look maternity-ish when on. So I left it on the rack and apologized to my uterus for even perusing the maternity section.
I’m on the hunt for the perfect plaid shirt. Christy Nockels had a few that she wore to peform in at the MOPS convention, and she looked so stinking cute.
Love that ruffled open front sweater from Macy’s…I’d wear that.
I haven’t seen this week’s Grey’s Anatomy yet. Thanks for not spoiling the plot. I am holding on by a thin thread. George is gone and now Izzy, and Addison is on a boring show in California. I don’t know how much more I can take. Thank God for The Office!
Hope you’ll share Caroline’s school picture with us…I want to see what she ended up in!
My 13 yo daughter is in love with the plaid shirt, too. In fact, I see it as many times a week as she can get away with. I told her last Sunday, when she came out wearing it yet again, that from now on I’m only going to buy her 2 shirts! B/c, really, I never see her wearing the other 50 in her closet. Just.the.same.2.shirts. And, oh, she did NOT sport the plaid shirt to Church. I was a mean Mom and made her change it!
Stick to your guns. Before you know it, Carolyn will be a teenager.
So happy you are back on the Fashion Friday mercy mission….you have pulled me back from the precipice of soccer mom-ness more times than I can count. And the sense of humor you dose it with is like a spoonful of sugar!
One thing I just cannot make the leap into: holey jeans (a la jean skirt). I guess the psycho-logical sales pitch is ‘deconstructed’. My brain will not allow me to buy brand new anything that is already snagged, stained, or otherwise identified with marks that are legitimate grounds for Goodwill donation.
Even my husband looked all shiny and new when I got him. Evidence that really good choices get better with age. (why does salt and pepper hair look distinguished on men but makes women look faded? not. fair.)
Thank you for doing the Fashion Friday posts! I love them! Even if you only list 5 things it is great to be steered in the right fashion direction. Have a great weekend!
Greys was such a downer I should have stopped watching in the beginning when I was tempted to.
TJ Maxx/Marshalls has the same type of ruffled cardigans for 1/2 the price – in red! Didn’t go home with one though because it was actually not as flattering on me as it was on the size 2 model in the picture. Too bad too, because it looked like it could have covered all sorts of problem areas if cut right.
Lastly, my first born who is now 9 was like that early on, and I argued with her so much that my second child now overcompensates for her sister. She says, “whatever you want, mom!” Which makes me feel extremely guilty. But at least the clothes that didn’t get worn are now in decent shape for daughter #2!
Is it just me or are the shoes in Gap girl’s denim skirt ad a little reminiscent of the fashion selections amongst three women in the movie Hocus Pocus? Time for Halloween!
FYI, Spanx does make leggings. I haven’t tried them but can only imagine their greatness. I love reading your blog!
Love your fashion fridays but being a plus size girl the sizes don’t usually work. Ever considered doing a plus size fashion friday for those of us on the more plump side of life???
Love your fashion fridays but being a plus size girl the sizes don’t usually work. Ever considered doing a plus size fashion friday for those of us on the more plump side of life???
my daughter, while 2, is a super shopper! She loves what I pick out, and sometimes surprises me and picks out something that is stylish and not a tutu!
LOVE the cap sleeve jacket from Forever 21, too cute! Plaid and I are BFF’s this season too
Now if I could only find the perfect pair of boots…
Oh my!! That “patron party coat” makes me want to burst into “Yea Alabama”, drive to Tuscaloosa and put a bag of Golden Flake potato chips and Coke in front of Bear Bryant’s statue!!!! Or maybe just order the coat……
I’m totally with you about Grey’s. It is now completely uninteresting.
Love the ruffle sweater, but I know it looks best on girls who are a size 4… maybe a 6.
Oh, I LOVE so many of these! All great ideas. I especially love the plaid skirt.
And NO, I don’t like to talk about my flair.
I quit Grey’s Anatomy cold turkey, and I don’t even miss it!! The Mentalist, on the other hand, is high-quality television!
When did plaid go out of fashion to be back in? Oh wait, I live in Alaska. I feel so fashion forward today.
I would pledge my undying grateful fashion love to you if you would do a post about HOW TO ACCESSORIZE!! (That looks wrong but I am too lazy to actually check the spelling) I’m a stay at home mom and there is nothing dressier than jeans and khakis in my closet. How do you accessorize a wardrobe like THAT? I love a lot of the clothes you pick out but never look “put together”. Help!
I know you aren’t doing questions anymore but maybe an idea for a future post?
WHAT??!! not a fan of private practice? Oh man, I am addicted! Of course, I did not watch Grey’s until last year and I love it, but perhaps I did not experience its greatness?? hmm
Ooooh! Leggings with a control top & Spanx material would definitely change my mind about leggings… at least about the possibility of me ever wearing them again!
I saw that maternity jacket too and thought I should get it. But being 30 weeks pregnant, the thought of jackets and sweaters make me hot. Which living in South Alabama does not help. It’s still too warm for a sweater let alone a jacket!
I too am about to break up with Grey’s. Going to give a couple of more episodes just to make sure but I do not like all these new cast members!
~Meredith
I was just like Caroline, and my Mother would always say when we bought something, “This isn’t going to be a closet hanger is it?” Then in junior high when I couldn’t decide what to wear we would call those the “Junior High Crisis Days!” I still have JHC days!
Grey’s was so boring last night! I am disappointed with this season so far, but hope it gets better! I taped PP so I haven’t watched it. I am still mourning that next week Friday Night Lights will air on Direct TV! I miss that show so much!:(
I want those Target boots! Great Fashion Friday!
I am with you on “grey’s.” I stopped watching it right after all spin-off too. I think 1 thing that went wrong was:
Meredith dying and then coming back to life.
After that, I was finished with the show. It just got weird!
Love the ruffledy cardigan and the cape sleeved jacket. Really cute!!!
Oh.My.WORD, GIRL!! You have created a monster! I’ve always known I’m a shoe girl, but I’m more of a buy it-never wear it-return it, non-committal. Then I read your boots post and am obsessed with riding boots. Saving, saving, saving…and I love bags, too, but we’re kind of in-between diaper bag stage and everythingfinallyfitsinmypurse so I’m holding out for the perfect bag. But coats? NEVER did I think I would be a coat gal…but…let’s just say I better get to crafting, set up a shop on Etsy, and get to selling. And FAST! Haha!