Lovin' Me Some Target... Plus a Soma maxi

As many of you may know already, I'm a big fan of the Target/Designer collaborations. So in case you didn't know, the Calypso stuff will be in stores on Sunday, May 1st!  Go check it out at Target.com/calypso...  I can't wait!

On a similar topic, I have been noticing a TON of look-alike clothing at Target in the last few months - like more than usual.  Which is great! 

Do you like CAbi?  This is just like the green tissue tee they are selling right now!  I don't know what it is about this tee, but I freakin' love it!  Size Small here.  Around $10.

Faded red sweatshirt with J.Crew's Haya-like softness.  FABULOUS!  Wish is came in a nice blue, too ... but I'll take it!  Size XS here.  About $16.

Love me a plaid shirt - especially with pinks.  Size XS. About $20 I think.

A short-sleeved, striped, open knit cardigan?  Yes please!  Love this - and it sold out quickly in the stores.  Came in some other colored stripes, as well!  Size Small.  About $24.

Hot pink, faux-leather belt. About $10.  Size S/M.

Knotted silver multi-strand necklace. About $16.

Mixed metal (silver and gold) feather necklace.  This is awesome!  My sister is so jealous I scored this! :) About $16.

This is from SOMA.  I didn't give the brand much thought until recently, but they have very comfy bras and some comfy and unique clothing and sleepwear that goes on sale often!  This is a maxi my mom got me for my birthday!  I love that the neckline isn't too plunging an I don't need to have it hemmed.  And the quality is such that it isn't see-thru! 

And a loser in the maxi-dress arena...

J.Crew's Siren Dress - I really wanted to love this, but I just really don't get it.. BAD fit!

I did, however, love the Amie maxi dress and will post pics soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

J.Crew - Recent Keepers (sale)

Buffalo Check Boy Shirt - Size 2 in Black

Double Serge Pencil Skirt - Size 2 in Pearl Gray

Buffalo Check shirt with Lolli Pants

Cotton Stripe Tank - Size Small

I don't see this online right now, but I bought it in-store for $19.  This will be a nice throw-on-and-go top for the hot summer!

Striped Button-Back Tee - Size XS in Neon Pink

Love the button detail on this shirt.  I really want all 4 colors, but I went with the pink stripe since I have sooo many of all the other stripe colors!

Stripe Drawstring Dress - Size XS in Navy

This dress was less-than-impressive online, and on the rack in the store.  However, once I put it on I fell in love!  And for $29 - hell yeah!  You really need to give this one a try if you haven't already!

Pockets!  Woo hoo!  And it drapes really nicely!

IMO, all these items run about normal for JC.  The striped shirt is a bit boxy, but that's the look!  I'm so excited to start wearing these styles if it will EVER get warm!  :)  Thanks for stopping by!

{Exciting Announcement} and Slight Shift in Topix... maybe?!

As some of you may already know (who read my other mommy-related blog) I am expecting our second baby August 1st!  And since I post many IRL pics of clothing, I figured I better go ahead and let the cat out of the bag before it becomes... shall we say, obvious!

I was 15 weeks on Sunday and surprisingly I'm still wearing most of my regular clothing (just with pants unbuttoned and fastened with a ponytail holder) ... which is much different than my experience with Connor since my butt and hips spread so quickly that by 6 weeks I HAD to wear maternity pants just to get them above my knees!  ahhh!

Tummy at 13 weeks... and my new favorite Juicy PJ's I got from my mom for Christmas!

I mention that there {might} be a shift in topics only because it seems that fashion might not be on the top of my priority list for the next few months.  However, I've found that old habits die hard and even yesterday I was in the JC dressing room trying to figure out what (if any) of the new items I can size-up in and wear through early spring.

So, with that said, I have a feeling there won't be much of a change in the blog, but I'll be highlighting some of the more versatile pieces I find, as well as cute maternity gear!  Just as with the first time I was pregnant (3 years ago) it's difficult for me to find cute, non-tent-like maternity clothing in a decent price range. 

Example: Old Navy has some cute stuff for cheap, but the quality isn't ALWAYS great (althought I love their preggo swimwear)  A Pea in the Pod is pricey and doesn't have a store anywhere in my area.  LOFT is online only in my area and mostly has just work-looking-stuff.  Motherhood Maternity, Sears, JCPenney is cheap but BLAH!  etc....

During my previous pregnancy, I purchased most of my everyday and work clothing at Target from their Liz Lange line and from Old Navy.  Unfortunately, all the ON's in my area have phased out all their maternity sizes from the store, so now you have to buy AND return by mail. BUMMER!  So, this time around I anticipate focusing on Target.  As for the items where quality and fit is a bit more important (aka: jeans) I definitely threw down more dough (and it's totally worth it!)

So, for now I plan on staying my my regular clothing for as long as possible (meaning I can still shop JC, AT, LOFT, etc... for now!) and then trying to get as much use out of my old maternity clothes as I can!  Luckily, as far as JC goes, I can still focus on jewelry, shoes, handbags, etc.... plus, it will still be HOT in August after I have the baby, so I can wear some spring/summer stuff than, too!

Have any great ideas on where to shop cute maternity dresses, workout gear, etc...?  Please comment here!

Donegal Pocket V-Neck Sweater and Ruffle Front Tank: J. Crew

Inspired by the salt-and-pepper flecks of the centuries-old traditional Irish tweed, our designers were delighted when they found a beautiful heathered yarn to recreate this classic piece. We made it modern with a slightly slouchy, longer silhouette and a deep V, then added special details like a pouch pocket. Wool/mohair/angora in a 5-gauge knit. V-neck. Long sleeves. Pouch pocket. Hits at low hip. Import. Dry clean.

Item # 18999 $88.00

I fell in love with the silhouette of this sweater when I first saw it! You can make it sexier by not layering it over a cami or tee, or wear it as the JC model above is, giving it a more sophisticated appearance. Full length sleeves and the kangaroo pockets in the front make it wonderful for winter ... plus it's not too thick to still wear under a coat when it's really cold out!

This sweater fits TTS for most clothing companies, but maybe a little on the smaller size for JC. The cut is supposed to be a little loose, and in order to get that look, I had to get a size small. For a more fitted look, you could definitely go with your regular size.

Something entirely unexpected that I picked up was the Chiffon Ruffle Front Perfect Tank in Ivory. I only took it into the fitting room so I could put outfits together, but I loved it with everything I put it with... so I got it! Just so happens, there are similar tanks in other colors in the Final Sale section online here (falling ruffles tank), so I ordered a couple of the colors, as well!

I purchased a medium in this because I really hate tight and clingy tops, especially in a light color. Otherwise, this tank runs TTS. I don't see this online yet.... but I only did a quick search.

More to come!

How Did I Get on *THIS* List?

As most people know, Tuesday is junk mail day (unless you are expecting a delivery from your UPS or FedEx boyfriend, in which case, it's anything but junk, but anyway...) so when I went to the mailbox today I was expecting just the mundane fliers from landscapers and cereal coupons. To my delight, there was a mysterious and thick white envelope and, alas, it was addressed to me. (In all honestly, had it been addressed to my DH, I would have opened it anyway, so it really didn't matter)

I instantly began hoping it was a fall look-book from JC for being a cardholder, but good thing I wasn't holding my breath because it was no such thing. I was shocked to see that it was from Ralph Lauren... but then I remembered I buy nearly ALL my son's clothing from RalphLauren.com, so it kind of made sense.

Until I opened it.

This is - by far - the nicest and most impressive mailer I've ever received from a store (I don't shop a lot of upscale stores, though, so what do I know?) I even had to take pictures it was so nice! They are promoting their 2009 Fall Collection Accessories line. Within a fabulous cardboard alligator-skin-looking briefcase thingy, there are about 30 glossy color picture cards featuring accessories, and on the back is a name, description, and price.

Ahh yes, the price. This is why I SERIOUSLY do not understand why I received this bit of loveliness in my mailbox... the first card features a handbag of some sort and the price is $16,000 + (no, I didn't add too many zeros - sixteen thousand dollars!!) ... so I proceeded to put the cards back in the fantastic case they came in and sat it aside! Gosh, I wonder if you get free shipping on that.... well, anyway...

HA! How did I get my name on this list? LOL! But really, way to go Ralph Lauren.... this was a very impressive marketing investment!!!

PS - If anyone would like this, I'll mail it to the first person who responds in the comment section. Leave me your email so I can get your address.

Coming up... I went a little crazy a JC today with the fall stuff, I'm adding a new coat to my must-have wish list, and I got a fabulous North Face rain parka that you should seriously check out (especially if you live on the east coast!) So check back later this week!