pattern mixing

Before blogging I would never have thought to pair floral with stripes. I didn't see anyone I knew in real-life doing it, and even if I had thought of it, I wouldn't have been brave enough to try it. Fast forward three years, and I didn't even think twice about throwing these two prints together. The black and white flowers tie nicely with the black and white stripes and the green is such a fun pop of color. I stuck to a neutral shoe to keep the outfit from looking too crazy - and voilà outfit complete. 

Speaking of other things blogger/Pinterest inspired is the half-tucked shirt. I was quite proud of how I had oh so strategically tucked my top in, but my husband thought I had caught my shirt in my pants. While taking these photos, he was all "Hey, your shirt's messed up. Let me fix it for you." So maybe my half-tuck wasn't as smooth as I thought it was. :)

Post-baby I'm definitely feeling a bit on the top-heavy thanks to putting on some weight and nursing tatas. So knit blazers like this one have seriously become my jam. They're less constricting than a regular blazer and I think they look a little less bulky. So when I saw this one on sale at my local Old Navy, I had to grab it. I've worn it several times since returning to work, but this was the first time I managed to take photos with it. It comes in this fun stripe pattern, as well as a solid black. Brittany from Loverly Grey has come up with several awesome outfits with this blazer, and I'll confess, I'm dying to straight up copy them all. Seriously, how did we get dressed before the Internet?
 

blazer: Old Navy (exact)  |  top: Target (exact)  |  pants: Loft (exact) last worn here  |  shoes: J. Crew Factory (exact)  |  necklace: Kendra Scott (exact)  |  bracelet: Bourbon and Boweties (exact)  |  watch: Fossil (similar)  |  earrings: Kate Spade (exact on eBay, similar)

//  Sharing on What I Wore.  //

business casual

This is one of my favorite types of outfits for work: simple tee with a pair of black pencil pants, long cardigan and flats. Easy peasy, comfortable and still polished enough for the office. It's my no-brainer, don't even have to think about it, throw on and go outfit. And it's definitely not the first time I've worn something like it on the blog (see here and here). I think the cardigan helps keep it from looking too boring - the pretty lilac hue just screams spring to me.

I snagged the tan version as a replacement for my favorite cardigan that died last summer and loved it so much I got it in pink lily as well. While this look is more business casual, I think this cardi would also look pretty dressed up with a pencil skirt or dressed down with a gray tee and jeans. I'm kind of obsessed with the idea of pairing it with a pretty floral - something like this top from Dorothy Perkins. It's already hitting temps the 80s here in Florida (crazy, amright?!?), but I'm not quite ready to embrace the warmer weather, so this outfit felt like a good compromise.

cardigan: Banana Republic (exact)  |  tee: Target (similar, plus option) last worn here  |  pants: Loft (exact) last worn here  |  shoes: J. Crew Factory (exact)  |  necklace: Target (similar)   |  earrings: The Pearl Shop (similar)  |  watch: Michael Kors (two-tone version)

//  Sharing on Mix it Monday.  //

thoughts and whatnots 2.25.18

light tan cardi:  one  |  two  |  three

blog love: 

• Loved Kendi's motherhood at 6-months post. Seriously, her little girl Gemma is the cutest.
• Obsessed wth McKenna's pale pink jacket - how she styled it with a knotted tee, distressed jeans and slip on sneakers is so on point.
• Sarah's gorgeous winter look is kinda making me wish it was still cool here in Florida, but hey at least it's now warm enough for sandals! I'd say it’s a more than fair trade off. :)

on teal and polka dots:

• on the blog: Sharing what I've learned for postpartum dressing.
• on instagram: An outfit of all kinds of camel, pinks and leopard print.
• on pinterest: Oh how I wish Fiestware still carried Sea Mist. My kitchen needs this...

favorite sales:

• 50% off sale at Loft (no code needed)
• My picks are: this relaxed long sleeve tee that looks like it would be so soft and cozy, 
• this mix striped navy and white sweater made to feel like luxe cashmere, and
• these brushed corduroy pants in either alley grey or nostalgia rose.
• Up to 40% off during Nordstrom's winter sale
•  The perfect neutral bootie - love the V-shaft cutouts. 
• This long sleeve side slit tee comes in a bunch of great colors and stripe options. 
• A simple faux leather shoulder bag that will transition beautifully into spring.
• 40% off four items at J. Crew with code ZMTWKIP
• Here's what's sitting in my cart: The perfect navy stripe elbow sleeve tee, 
• a tippi sweater in heather mint,
• the prettiest floral sleeveless top and
• these fun pink and blue cluster earrings.

whatnots:

• what I'm watching: Netflix binging “Hart of Dixie.”
• what I'm listening to: Jazz musician Bria Skonberg in concert last night.
• what I'm crushing on: Statement earrings - like these fun oversize black fan earrings and these red sequin and bead ball-drop earrings. 

dressing the bump: postpartum

original posts: one  |  two  |  three  |  four

five  |  six  |  seven  |  eight

Originally I intended to finish the "Dressing the Bump" series with the third trimester, but realized I've been remiss in not addressing how to dress postpartum.

I'll be the first to admit that I've been having a bit of struggle figuring out what to wear post-baby. While on maternity leave I wore leggings and big tees every day, so it didn't really matter, but that doesn't fly now that I'm back at work. My baby weight has been clinging like a bad ex-boyfriend, my stomach is still soft and poochy and my boobs are freaking ginormous. I'm not saying this to complain - I just know there are other women like me, trying to figure out how to dress their new body type and I thought I'd share what I've learned over the past few months:

DO: Buy a few staples that fit now, not what you think *might* fit in a few weeks or months, because uncomfortable, digging waistbands are.the.worst. Trust me, I've done this. And I don't recommend it. I'm not saying to go nuts buying stuff, just get a few staples to help make you feel more comfortable.

SKIP: Try to squeeze yourself into clothes that don't fit. Just because you can make it button, doesn't mean it's flattering. Been there, done that, and was uncomfortable all day. Plus too tight clothes have the tendency to make you look larger.

DO: Embrace a flowy top. A loose-fit top can help camouflage lingering tummy bulge. My trick to make a looser shirt look more streamlined and polished is to add a longer cardigan or jacket.

SKIP: Wearing clingy tops. There's nothing flattering about skin-tight clothes that show off all your lumps and bumps.

DO: Wear longer layers. Similar to dressing while pregnant, a long cardigan or knit blazer goes a long way toward pulling an outfit together and helping slim curves. 

SKIP: Wear layers that hit above the hip. At least on me, they made everything look more squatty and round.

DO: Wear dresses with an empire waist or swing fit. The goal is to skim over the belly. Empire waists are great because they hit at the smallest part of the waist and swing dresses are like flowy tops - they skim over problem areas.

SKIP: Bodycon dresses. Unless you have shapewear of steel. But who wants to be that uncomfortable all day?

DO: Invest in shapewear. If you haven't already, I highly recommend investing in some mild shapewear. It makes everything a little smoother under dresses and skirts and helps with fit. I know a lot of women love, and have had a lot of success with Spanx, but I find them to be a bit too much for everyday wear. My favorite is Maidenform's body con boyshorts. They're seamless - hooray for no panty lines!

SKIP: An ill-fitting bra. Especially if you're breastfeeding, chances are you've gone up a cup or band size. Having a bra that fits goes a long way toward feeling comfortable.

DO: Invest in shoes that fit. During my first pregnancy, as well as this one, my feet grew a half a size! I went back to my original size 9 after loosing the baby weight the first time around, but since that hasn't happened yet, comfortable shoes are a must. If, like me, you're not much of a heel wearer, I recommend shoes with a pointed-toe to help elongate the leg. 

Most importantly, pick pieces that make you feel happy and confident. Take a deep breath and realize that this isn't forever. While your body will probably never be quite the same as it was pre-baby, it will go back to a more normal state. My plan is to embrace the shape I am and keeping finding new, fun ways to dress it!

For more maternity outfit inspiration, check out my dressing the bump: third trimester, second trimester and third trimester posts.  

my new favorite dress

Ya'll - can I tell you how much I love this dress? It's comfortable, the perfect length, figure-flattering AND I scored it for $20 this weekend. Other pluses: the skirt is lined, though the top is not (but I didn't find it to be see-through) and the ruffle sleeves are so dang fun. The only thing that would have made it even more perfect would be if it had pockets.
 
I mentioned on Instgram that the top was pulling a little bit when I tried it on due to my huge breastfeeding tatas, but I fixed it with a small safety pin. If you don't want to poke a hole in your top, I found a few fixes on BuzzFeed.

It's 100% cotton, which sometimes can wrinkle, but these photos were taken during my lunch break, and you can see while there's a little bit of wrinkling, overall the dress stayed nice-looking. It's on sale for $35 + an additional 20% off online (no code required), if you're interested. There's also a really pretty navy floral version that I might just have to add to my closet.

I swear I'm not trying to sell you my dress, I just love it so much that I wanted to share. I think it's the perfect postpartum dress - forgiving in the tummy, a flattering fit, feminine and made me feel confident and pretty. What's not to love about that? :)

dress: Old Navy (exact)  |  shoes: J. Crew Factory (exact) last worn here  |  watch: Fossil (cute alternative)  |  earrings: The Pearl Shop (similar)

//  Sharing on What I Wore.  //

ocean hues

I'm not really sure this this light aqua/mint/pool drapey tank is considered a true neutral, but for me this outfit has a soft, neutral - almost oceany- feel. Fitting for a Florida coastal winter. :) To add a little bit of edge to an otherwise soft look, I threw on a pair of cognac booties to anchor the outfit. I'm not 100% sure this outfit feels like "me" but for a girl who resisted the white jean trend, I sure have fully embraced them in the past year and a half.

As an alternative to white jeans, I think this drapey tank would also look super cute tucked into a skirt (obsessed with this scalloped mini) and paired with a cardigan or blazer or worn by itself with white jeans and sandals come summertime. If you can't already tell, I'm a big fan of this top and may just have my eye on the bright pink and lilac. A girl can never have too many tops, right? Though my husband (and groaning closet) might beg to differ. :)

top: Banana Republic (exact)  |  cardigan: Banana Republic (exact)  |  jeans: J. Crew Factory (exact) last worn here  |  booties: Vince Camuto (similar) last worn here |  necklace: Stella and Dot (exact) last worn here  |  bracelets: Bourbon and Boweties (exact pearl, similar aqau)  |  watch: Michael Kors (two-tone version)  |  earrings: The Pearl Shop (similar)

//  Sharing on Hello Monday, Mix it Monday and The Style File.  //

thoughts and whatnots 2.18.18

pink duster cardigan: one  |  two  |  three

blog love:

• Self-confessed clutterbug here, though there's a part of me that desperately wants to be organized. Loved Lauren's simple Dollar Store makeup drawer organization DIY - $5 for clean drawers - what's not to love?
• Seriously obsessed with Rachelle's plaid blazer/striped top combo. 
• So excited that Fran's blogging again!

on teal and polka dots:

• on the blog: All about the color pink this week, with a midi dress post, and duster cardigan two ways - with a dress and with pencil pants.
• on instagram: The cutest little Valentine. ♥
• on pinterest: While my daughter's birthday isn't until May, I've been searching for party ideas - my favorite is all the adorable unicorn things - just look at this darling cake!
• I bit the bullet so to speak I got a proper, grown up .com! Teal and Polka Dots feels so official. :) I figured it was about time already since I’ve been on here for about three and a half years - how time flies! 

favorite sales:

• 40% off at Banana Republic (no code required) + free shipping on 75+ with code BRSHIP
• This navy, elbow-length sleeve medallion lace shift dress would be great in the office or for a wedding with a bright heel. 
• OBSESSED with this chambray dot trench coat. 
• My favorite boyfriend cardigan died last year (it didn't survive an accidental trip in the dryer) so I'm super excited to see it back and machine-washable this time around. Purchased and love it!
• Extra 50% off clearance at J. Crew Factory with code EVENBETTER
• My picks are this black and white striped bell-sleeve dress, 
• this fun necklace embellished gray sweater, and 
• these gold sequin stack heel pumps.
• 40% of winter sale at Nordstrom
•  How fun are these lacy cutout split shaft booties?  
• Love the wash and frayed hem detail on these skinny jeans. 
• This navy lace fit and flare dress is so darn pretty.

whatnots:

• what I'm reading: "Coming Home" by Rosamunde Pilcher.
• what I'm watching: Still all about watching cookie decorating videos on YouTube. I've gotten my daughter completely obsessed with it as well! :)
• what I'm crushing on: All the pretty lilac things - like this stunning lace midi dress, these jacquard stain tassel loafers and this insanely expensive - but on so pretty - wingtip bag.
• what I'm looking forward to: All the spring-like weather we're having right now!

same cardigan, different day

Today I'm showing a different way to wear Wednesday's pink duster cardigan with a loose fit top and pencil pants. This is actually, kind of, an outfit of accidents: I started with the top, then added the cardigan because it matched the stamen in the top, then threw on some pants (because I didn't feel like wearing a skirt) and added the teal shoes...because, well they were one of the few pairs that still fit me.

I'm I the only one who has chub scout feet post-pregnancy? My feet have grown a half size after baby. Same thing happened after I had my daughter, I went up a half shoe size, then about a year later I (finally) lost the baby weight and my foot went back down to my pre-pregnancy size. So I realize my shoes don't exactly match, but I actually ended up kinda of liking how they looked anyway. A happy accident. :)

cardigan: Forever21 (similar)  |  top: Modcloth (exact in other patterns)  |  pants: Loft (exact)  |  shoes: J. Crew (exact in other colors, similar)  |  necklace: Loft (cute alternative)  |  watch: Michael Kors (two-tone version)

//  Sharing on Fabulous Friday.  //

happy valentine's day

Happy Valentine's Day friends! Are you doing something special to celebrate the day? Valentine's isn't really the biggest deal for me - Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are more my jam - however, I do love any excuse to wear pink and eat chocolate. :) So no big plans here, just lunch with my husband and hanging out with my little Valentines tonight.

A few posts back, I mentioned how much I loved wearing this dress while pregnant and that I fully intended to wear it post maternity. Well, here it is, and I love it now just as much now as I did then! I originally wore it on its own with a pair of sandals, but I like how a long cardi and a pair of booties transition it for cooler weather. It's still available in limited sizes, and I also found a non-maternity option.

cardigan: Forever 21 (similar) last worn here  |  dress: GAP maternity (exact, non-maternity option) last worn here  |  booties: Vince Camuto (exact) last worn here  |  necklace: Kendra Scott (exact)   |  watch: Michael Kors (two-tone version)  |  bracelet: Kendra Scott (similar)

In honor of Valentine's Day, here a look back at some of my favorite pink looks:

original posts: one  |  two  |  three  |  four

five  |  six  |  seven  |  eight

//  Sharing on What I Wore.  //

pink midi dress

I've been all about comfy jersey dresses lately, and this blush pink one is no exception. Leading up to Valentine's Day, I've been all about wearing pink, and I kinda doubt that's going to change after tomorrow. It's such a fun pre-spring color - though it's definitely spring weather here in Florida. 

While this was a comfy outfit, I can't say it's one of my favorite looks. Though this isn't my first go-around, it's been challenging figuring out how to dress postpartum. Things I do love about this outfit: the pretty pink color, the soft coziness of the jersey dress and my delicate gold layered necklace. I'm thinking if I had ditched the cardigan or maybe worn a heel I would have liked the execution of this outfit a lot better! But let's be real, cardigans are my jam and I very rarely wear heels these days, so at least this outfit is true to me. :)

cardigan: Loft (exact in navy, similar)   |   dress: Journey Five via Jane  (exact)   |   shoes: J. Crew Factory (exact)  |  necklace: Stella & Dot (exact)  |  watch: Michael Kors (two-tone version)