SAHM Style: How to.....

I'm far from what most would consider fashionable. I live in a teeny tiny farming town (which I love) and trends are slow to reach here.

I'm also a firm believer in 'Classics'. I tend to shy away from the latest trends (skinny jeans, for example. I'm just now considering buying a pair...and, from what I read on the internets, they may very well be on their way "out". Shrug) In "How to Have Style" Isaac Mizrahi said in how to have style "Sometimes a desired look is just wrong, especially when it comes to the trendy look of the season. Know when a particular style doesn't work for you & pass on it. Confidence & knowing what is right for you is 95% of style."

I also came across this little gem: "Fashion is in the clothes. Style is in the wearer." What I want is style. So, for the most part, I disregarded current trends and focused on what I will look good in. And more importantly, feel good in.

First things first: Basics. Tops, pants, shoes. I started by shopping tops that I liked. Basic, colorful tops.  When I buy new clothes, I really try to buy what will match something I already own. Which means that I own a lot of black, white & brown. Boring. I found myself drawn to jewel tones, so that's what I went with.  You could do the same for bold, pastels, warm or cool colors.

Next up: Pants. I have a few pairs of jeans already. Capris (which won't be used for fall, obviously), flares & bootcut. So I added trouser cuts, leggings (though I'm still not sure if they qualify as pants or not LOL), and, yep. Skinny jeans.

Shoes: I feel like I needed some more ballet flats (I only own a black pair) and a couple pairs of boots. So that was easy.The sequined purple flats? I'd probably never buy a pair, but I sure do love them!

Cardigans! Love them! They instantly upgrade jeans & a t-shirt. Not to mention, I am always cold.

Now comes the fun part. Accessories!! I'm sticking mostly with necklaces & scarves. I probably won't wear scarves around the house; they'd probably just get in the way, but putting on a necklace always makes me feel put together.

Now, this wardrobe won't be accomplished in a single shopping trip. And I won't be trying to get the exact tops, cardigans or accessories that I've found. But it does give me a direction. Now, if I happen to be at Target, I can buy a top or two & I know that if I stay within Jewel tones, it will coordinate with my other buys.

I'm compiling a list of style resources that I'll share in the next day or two! Thanks for reading!

Stay at Home Mom Style: On My Way

I've always been a jeans & t-shirt kinda gal. I was never bothered by skirts, I just...well, how do you improve on blue jeans??

When I was pregnant with my son, with plans of quitting my job when he was born, I promised myself that I would not let myself wear pajamas all day or go without doing my hair. It wasn't so much about vanity (ok, maybe a little) or lookin' good for my man (though that is a perk). It was about how I felt about myself.

Becoming a mother means losing yourself to a more worthy cause. All of a sudden, you are not your priority any more. You eat when the baby is sleeping, you clean with when the baby is sleeping, you wear clothes that make it easier to nurse. You carry a different bag. Function becomes more important than fashion. And I'm a firm believer that that's the way it should be. But it's about balance. I've learned--the hard way--that you can't take care of anyone else unless you're taking care of yourself.

For me, if I'm in lounge pants, I don't get anything done at all. I lounge. All day. I'm lazy. And then I feel gulty for being lazy.

So I get dressed. I do my hair. I put on makeup (some days it's minimal). And I recognize myself when I look in the mirror. It reminds me that I'm still me. Jenna. Not "just" Mommy to Shawn & Laila. The spit up on my shirt will tell you that I'm Mommy. The chocolate smeared across my thighs will tell you I'm Mommy. But from the shoulders up...it's all me. :)

I'm finding though, that my basic jeans & t-shirt uniform is starting to feel a lot like lounge pants to me.  So I'm looking to up my game, so to speak.  I created a basic fall wardrobe using Polyvore. (That's it in the beginning of this post). You'll notice it's still jeans & t-shirts. But accessories & layering take it to the next level. An easily attainable level.

This post took a totally different direction than I had originally intended, so we'll make this Part 1.  Next week, I'll post some great style resources, and share how I came up with my very own "wardrobe".

Don't forget to vote!

Voting in the Sewing for Children Contest is now open! If you are a member of PR, go here vote. There are a ton of fabulous entries...but the lovely Laila & I...well, we would be ever so grateful for each & every vote :)

You have until September 10 to peruse the entries & place your vote!

Some exciting updates are on their way :) Stay tuned!