The Space Between

Made in USA: Tshirt : old Les Femmes Velours // Jeans : James Jeans / Flats: Oka-B (on sale) // Bag: Clare V Messenger (other colors 25% off with code 'SPRING25')

I'm officially in that somewhat awkward space where all of my friends and family are exclaiming "Hello belly!" and yet to a complete stranger I don't look quite pregnant yet. It just looks like I could afford to hit the gym and that I haven't done any core work in a few months (totally true!). Or at least I didn't look pregnant to a kind waitress Saturday night and after her fourth inquiry if I wanted a beer I just blurted out, "nope, pregnant and the designated driver!" Maybe she just thought my pudgy waist was a beer gut.

I'm totally sticking out my belly in the photo above in order to make it look like I've got a belly going on.

But I digress. My days of wearing non-maternity pants are quickly slipping by me and these well-loved boyfriend jeans are my go-to pants as soon as I'm out of work.  I think my husband might burn them soon.

One thing he won't be burning any time soon is the Clare V Messenger bag he bought me for my birthday in February. I don't where he found the sold out and discontinued purple color, but I'm absolutely smitten with it. I'm fairly certain it has been the only bag I've carried since my birthday. It's been an absolute gem with the assortment of snacks, water bottles, belly band (just in case I decide my pants are not working at the moment), Tums, planner, etc. that are new additions to my bag stash. Sure I might have a Mary Poppins moment from time to time digging through it to find something, but I'm place in life where I'd rather have everything I need with me rather than panic and have to make a pit stop. That happened one time when I didn't have a bottle of Tums on me (heartburn hell) and I was absolutely miserable.

What's your carry-everything-in-your-life bag at the moment?

A Blessing in Disguise

Made in USA: Coat: Fleurette (similar) // Shirt: Steven Alan (similar) // Tshirt: American Apparel // Hat: Brixton // Clutch: Clare V // Jeans: James Jeans // Nails: Zoya 'Gwyneth' // Lips: Mineral Fusion 

I was a proverbial homebody on Tuesday and didn't leave the house until close to 5pm when the hubs just about dragged me out of the house. Granted it didn't take too much convincing, but "hey, you've been home all day, let's go get fried chicken" sadly worked like a charm.

My poor Jax has a cold and it was very unlike him to not want to spend all day playing in the snow. Thankfully my brother still lives with us and was happy to be on puppy duty while the hubs and I enjoyed a much needed dinner out. Plus, I wanted someone home with the pups in case of an emergency.

I don't know if it was the fried chicken or the sight of the world covered in a fresh blanket of snow that elevated my dumpy mood. I'm a worrier by nature and on Monday afternoon my next door neighbor's house caught on fire.  I don't know about you, but when a fire engine is parked halfway in my driveway and I saw flames shooting out of someone's house I tend to go into worry mode. Thank goodness everyone is safe and sound. My neighbor's have recently retired to Georgia and they had contractors in the house getting it ready for sale. I'm sure that complicates the sale process immensely, but at the end of the day there was a house fire and not a single person was harmed. That's a blessing of sorts because it could have been a lot worse.

Also, thank goodness for first responders. Those guys were amazing. They even checked on me, asked how many people and pets were in my home, and asked that I check in with them if I left.

Please do me a favor: hug your loved ones and review your fire safety procedures. If you didn't check your smoke detector batteries in the fall when you changed your clocks, please do it now. Make a fire exit plan and make sure every single person in the house knows the meeting place outside.  We're purchasing two separate fire extinguishers just because my first reaction when I saw that fire yesterday was to grab a fire extinguisher. My second reaction was to put harnesses on the dogs so they were ready to roll out if needed.

Here's a great checklist to get you started thinking about your own fire safety plan. I know these plans look like common sense and people tend to think they'll know what to do when the time comes, but you never really know how many seconds mean the difference between being safe and not being safe.
That's just my little PSA for the day. Thanks putting up with my worrier side.

Black and Tan

Made in USA: Turtleneck: old Theory (similar on super sale for $23!) // Skirt: super old & unknown (similar) // Purse: vintage Coach (similar) // Tights: Hue // Lip Gloss: Mineral Fusion

Imported: old Pour La Victoire 

I am alive. I know that I kind of dropped off the face of the earth for about a month. Honestly, ever since the new year started I've had one version of the same cold on and off for three-plus weeks. It hasn't been pretty.

But on the plus side I'm even more pale now and I expect to be cast as a vampire in some CW-type tv show any second. On the down side I'm one of the few women in the world complaining about losing weight to start the new year. I'd love to say it's because I've been busting my butt at the gym, but really it's because of the stupid cold.

How bad was it? Have you ever bought more underwear just so you didn't have to do laundry? Welcome to my life. So please forgive me while I unearth my head from the sand and regather my bearings.

Apparently suede and leather is a thing! Linking up with other bloggers via

Office Holiday Party

I'm almost done with this year's round of holiday parties. Well if you don't consider "almost done" as still having the hub's office party tonight, a luncheon on Sunday, a dinner Monday night, and then you know the feast on actual Christmas day.  Oh I just got tired thinking about all of this again.

But last week we had my office's holiday party. So the hubs wore a navy blue suit with a pink tie and pink shirt. And I clashed by wearing black and white. Our cheeks were a little rosy by the end of the night and I wouldn't have had it any other way. The very best part - my best friend scored a coveted client invite.  It's always fun when people ask, "how often do you two work together?" And we really don't. We work with the same federal programs, but on different pieces of the proverbial pie. But it's fun to respond to people, "oh we've been friends since college."

Maybe we'll get a few better photos at the hubs party tonight, but I don't think that's the point of holiday parties :)

How many parties do you have left this holiday season?

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

Made in USA: Buffalo Check Shirt: Steven Alan (on super sale!)  // Jeans: Paige Denim // Shoes: Oka-B // Lip gloss: Mineral Fusion // Nails: Zoya 'Avery' 

'Twas the week before Christmas and my to-do list was still a nerve wracking mile long. It was daunting. Then, I got a cold and that knocked me out of commission for 36 hours. A whole day lost and there were still gifts to be purchased and even more gifts to be wrapped. Most importantly, I missed a beer festival! 

Thankfully, I was able to check one thing off the list this weekend: Jax's new sweater does fit him! Ohthankgoodness. At least someone in the family is ready for Christmas morning. Jewels has numerous outfits because she gets cold so easily - we'll just have to figure out which one she wears this year. 

I kept telling myself over the weekend that I'd get everything done this week. Yeah, everyone else in the family laughed aloud right there with me. 

What's still left on your Christmas to-do list? Anyone else panicking?

If you needed a last minute gift you should check out that Steven Alan shirt because it's pretty much been my casual Friday and weekend errands shirt for the past month.

Rugby Stripes

Made in USA: Striped Shirt: Bailey 44 // Jeans: James Jeans // Purse: vintage Coach 

Imported: Boots: super old! Bandolino

My love of stripes knows no bounds. There isn't a need to own as many striped shirts as I do, especially the classic black and white combination. Is it a black shirt with white stripes or is it a white shirt with black stripes? I have shirts that clearly swing both ways on the subject. 

You know what separates a great striped shirt from a bad striped shirt - whether or not the stripes line up at the seams. Seriously, there is nothing more annoying, to me, than when a striped shirt doesn't match at the seams. You know what I'm talking about. You turn to the side and your profile just looks like a brick pattern of stripes. 

That's why I'm in love with this Bailey 44 striped shirt. Not only do the stripes match up at the seams, but the quality goes a step further, and the stripes line up on the arms. That almost never happens! The pocket is clearly designed to mismatch :) 

I'm slowly getting rid of all the striped shirts I own that don't match up at the seams. And also the large stockpile of random color combination striped shirts I used to wear to my brother's college rugby games and upgrading them with better shirts. 

I definitely would have loved having this shirt back when he played rugby, but for now it's perfect from emerging from the house after a Walking Dead marathon (holy hell the living people are scarier than the walkers!). 

So stripes - do you care if the stripes match up at the seams? Or am I just that crazy?

More perfectly lined up stripe seams below from Bailey 44 (striped shirts made in the USA, yes please!)

Fall Essentials: Gingham and Leather

Made in USA: Gingham top: Tradlands // Skirt: vintage, thrifted // Necklace: Loren Hope // Suede Pumps: Julie Bee's // Nails: Essie 'Twin Sweater Set' 

Finally! The temperatures have dipped low enough that I can wear my beloved leather pencil skirt. Because nothing is worse than summer leather and the uncomfortable swamp ass situation that accompanies it. I wore faux leather shorts once this summer and immediately regretted my decision and have vowed to never wear leather again when it is above 60 degrees.

Some fashion rules are much more practical than "you can't wear white after Labor Day." There's nothing attractive about sweating to death while wearing leather in the wrong season. Yes, I said "sweat" and not "glow." I am not that type of girl who can pull off leather while warm.

But in my excitement for cooler temperatures and I forgot the only two things I absolutely dread about fall: the earlier sunsets (hello walking to the train station in the dark!) and the fallen leaves. My backyard is blanketed in leaves and it's my turn to bag them. So much for an equal distribution of household chores.

I'm going to go distract myself from the shortened days and the leaf piles by pulling out all of my favorite sweaters and blouses to pair with my second favorite consignment store find of all time (first favorite here). I was a bit clueless how to wear this gingham shirt when I first purchased it, but I'm glad to see that when in doubt pair it with black!

More of my favorite leather and gingham pieces that are made in the USA are below:

Adult Pajamas

Made in USA: Tee : Toggery // Jeans: Paige Denim // Watch: La Mer Collections // Bag: vintage Coach (similar) // Rain Flats : Oka-B

Raise your hand if you've ever been so tired when you get home from work that the thought of making dinner or getting dressed to go out to dinner makes you even more exhausted.  Welcome to my life this week. I'm not going to lie, but I ate Chick-fil-A for dinner after 9pm earlier this week because that's just what time I got home and that shit happens. 

I was thisclose to ordering delivery last night, but then I realized that I still had a tiny bit of Chinese food leftovers in my fridge. And by leftovers I mean just enough white rice to make me feel guilty about ordering more Chinese food, but not enough rice to quiet the hunger pains in my stomach. Delivery food still left in the fridge and I had already consumed CFA once this week. Damn, and it was only Wednesday. 

That meant running out for dinner. Which meant getting dressed since I de-pencil-skirted about 45 seconds after dragging myself through the front door.  And gosh darnit, it's really hard to get dressed again when all you want to do is put on fuzzy PJs, silly slippers, and consume copious amounts of wine while Netflixing (is that a word?) old episodes of Scandal. But my hubs doesn't consider wine and popcorn to be a proper meal! 

But I needed food and the hubs knew a bacon burger (with avocado!) and beer with cheer me up. That meant pants and a bra. So many rules! So yes, world, please consider this my version of adult PJs - the comfiest flats known to womankind (seriously, haven't had a blister from them yet!),  black jeans that will probably turn gray here soon from how often I wear them, and my latest OBSESSION the softest tee known to the world. 

Take that "no shoes, no shirt, no service" sign. I'm ready for you! 

Who else is tired with me? I'm usually not a fan of the "but I'm so tired" proclamations and complaining because everyone's busy these days, but every once in a while the lack of sleep really brings out the worst in me.

Finally, this is in no way, shape, or form a sponsored post (because I'm definitely not that cool), but if you wanted a pair of Oka-B flats you're in luck because I have a $15 off code for you. The color possibilities are endless! 

Quick Change

Made in USA: Blazer: Helmut Lang // Jeans: James Jeans // 

Imported/Unknown: Clutch: old Rebecca Minkoff // Boots: old Pour La Victoire (Brazil) // 

Last night I came home from work, tossed my trousers and sensible work pumps aside, and threw on jeans, boots (sensible wedges!), and two coats of mascara. Grabbed a clutch, kissed the pups goodnight, badgered the hubs about how he was feeling (man cold), and then headed down to Annapolis to do some shopping at the Here A Pop Up Shop. 

Nothing makes me happier than supporting local businesses. Now if only I could have partaken in the alcohol consumption part, but I'm racing the Baltimore Half Marathon on Saturday and needed to cut back on the booze a bit. Hence the sensible wedge boots! I'm still cursing myself for not giving the clothes a better look earlier in the night because by time I got through all the racks an amazing pair of Nanette Lepore trousers had sold out in my size at the WRABYN Boutique. I did come home some amazing embossed stationary and an intent to buy more artwork at the next event. Gotta get the hubs on board with some fashion illustrations :)

Shop a few of my favorite quick change pieces that let you go from day to night by swamping out trousers for jeans. All items below are made in the USA. 

Jeter's Farewell Tour

Made in USA: Jacket: James Jeans // Jeans: Paige Denim // Tee: U.S. of Awesomeness // Necklace: c/o Kris Nations // Bag: vintage Coach (similar)

I begged, pleaded, and then begged some more with my husband that we should go to Derek Jeter's last game at Camden Yards. Over the past seven past years of living in Baltimore I can't even count how many O's games we've gone to, but I know we've only gone to a handful of Yankee games when they're in town. Although we did go to both Orioles v Yankees playoff games in 2012 (Game 1, Game 2)

Two major reasons:
1. I'm a NY Yankees fan :)
2. Oriole Park at Camden Yards gets overrun with fellow Yankee fans when the Yanks are in town. Especially during a weekend series - forget about it!

Thankfully, my persuasion won the hubs over and we were able to go to Jeter's last game in Baltimore. There was a pre-game celebration honoring the 200th anniversary of when the Star Spangled Banner was written in Baltimore. Then, the Orioles gave Jeter crabs. Yes, that happened. They also gave him other gifts that were perfect for the occasion - including an official Navy Captain's hat. A captain's hat for the Captain!

That Sunday night was a sad affair. Derek Jeter has gone off to retirement and he's officially the last of the good guys I grew up with as a kid. I sincerely hope that this generation of young baseball fans finds their Cal Ripken Jr., their Ken Griffey Jr., and their Derek Jeter. Those guys don't come around too often and I'm so happy to have seen them all play.

I think this means I'm also officially no longer a kid anymore because the guys I grew up watching as a kid are now all retired. I'm calling it, at 31 years old I am officially no longer a kid.

Womp. Womp.

After the Gray

Made in USA: Chambray top: AG Jeans (similar) // Jeans: James Jeans // Sneakers: New Balance 

Not to get too melancholy, but is there anything worse than rain during a BBQ? This past weekend my sister planned a great family BBQ to celebrate the end of the summer season. The weather was cool this past weekend up in the NY mountains and everything was perfect - until the skies blackened and the rain came pouring down. 

But you know what - life isn't perfect. You have got to roll with the clouds. And sometimes after a downpour the sun peaks out just enough to deliver a great sunset. It's nature's reminder that tomorrow will be a new day and a new start.

How was your Labor Day weekend? I spent mine with almost all of my nearest and dearest and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Farewell Summer

Made in USA: Maxi Dress: Trina Turk (similar) // Bag: J.W. Hulme 

Made in Italy: Shades: old Ray Ban // Shoes:  old Tod's (similar)

I know summer doesn't technically end until later in September, but in my mind summer is over now. I'm sure there will be a few more days of 80+ degree running (I'm looking at you Thursday forecast), but this weekend when I head back up to the lake and mountains I'm breaking out the plaid and boots. Fine, perhaps leather shorts will be a bit of a compromise.

My husband laments my sartorial choices because it's usually an endless supply of black, black, and shades of white thrown in with more black. He never once complained this summer when I slipped on this black maxi dress - I guess the low slit, exposed sides, and open back proved to be too deadly of a combination for him. I can't believe I didn't post photos of this dress earlier this summer. You know, before I drank my weight in booze over the course of the summer and somehow managed to gain 10lbs! No, seriously, that happened and I about fell off the scale the other morning.

This was a great summer. Lots of weddings, plenty of date nights, good cheers with even better friends and family. We have a beer release party for one of our favorite fall seasonal brews later this week. I'm looking forward to fall - buckling down and getting serious with running, football games, October baseball in Birdland, hot lattes, apple picking, crisp air, and baking pumpkin rolls. I jokingly told the hubs that I was going to give up booze for a month before my next marathon :)

Just because fall is rolling into town doesn't mean it's time to pack away your favorite black maxi dress. I'll be adding a jacket over mine to get me through fall. Here's a few more amazing made in USA black maxi dresses