Pattern Play for Memorial Day: The Past and Present in Pictures

Dress: Sonoma, Kohl's; Top: Simply Vera, Kohl's

The old but still awesome (to me, anyway) Happy B-Day USA Barrette Brooch.  Because July is just a gelati away. 😏

Cherry barrettes: SHEIN; Bow: Carole, JCPenney

Bow bangle: Holiday Lane, Macy's; Red bracelet: Guess, Macy's; Ring: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Flag necklace: Michaels

Bag: Betsey Johnson

Sandals: Katy Perry Collection, Zulily

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Michaels

Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target

Cherries from another time on one of the husband's timeless cutting boards.

Dress: So, Kohl's; Bag: Simply Vera, Kohl's

More Michaels.

Anchor necklace: Charming Charlie

BAND-AIDS and case: Target

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Modcloth

Sneakers: So, Kohl's

Top: Amazon

When I got pregnant, I said that I would never wear a body-con, i.e. tight, maternity dress that ostentatiously showcased my bump.  For me, it would be tasteful A-lines all the way.  And for the first eight months, it was.  But then I saw a form-fitting, blue-and-white-striped maternity T-shirt dress in (where else?) Kohl's, and all my carefully constructed resolve went out the window.  What can I say?  My wardrobe options were dwindling, and it would be nice to have something new to wear for Memorial Day.  So I got it.  I topped it with a red floral blouse I already had (also from Kohl's) and wore it to yesterday's family BBQ.  And everyone was like, oh, you look pregnant now!  In a nice way.  Because I do.  No shame in this bump game.

Then today it was off to Michaels to buy a photo album for the hundred plus prints I ordered from Shutterfly.  During one of my baby prep classes, the instructor told us how one woman brought horse posters and horse-shaped string lights to the delivery room because she and her husband ran a ranch, and horses were it for them.  (She also told us to buy a birthing ball from Dick's because Dick's has the best balls; I'm still proud of myself for not laughing.)  Naturally, I thought about what might be comforting for me to see when my time comes, and the answer was obvious: color.  Lots and lots of color, as captured in the pics I took for this blog.  So last Sunday, I went back through the years, picked the best ones, and made my order.  They arrived Saturday, and I love them. 

Lastly, I guess I should mention the BAND-AIDS.  As in, what's a pic of them doing here?  I got the case for free at Target a couple of months ago while stocking up on bandages for my glucose monitoring.  The design had such a groovy, '70s lifeguard vibe that I took a pic to post for the unofficial first day of summer.

So that's Memorial Day -- the maternity way -- in a nutshell.  

Specifically an almond shell, as almonds now make up most of my diet.  

My Funky Valentine

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Two Hearts Barrette Brooch

Sweater: Bar III, Macy's

Tights: JCPenney

Blazer: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bow: Belt from LC Lauren Conrad dress, Kohl's

Sweet Sequins Necklace

Bag: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill

Jeans: Indigo Rein, Marshalls

Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target

Tee: Elle, Kohl's

Superstar Necklace

Shoes: Katy Perry Collection, Zulily

Dress: Macy's; Coat: So, Kohl's

Bag: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Fascinator: Gifted, Barrettes: Handmade by my sister

Shoes: Mix No. 6, DSW

Red and Pink Rampage Necklace

Skirt: Mudd, Kohl's

Sweater: So, Kohl's

Rainbow bag: Zulily; Phone bag: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill; Yellow bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's

Wild Hearts Barrette Brooch

That's me, my own "funky valentine."  Partly because I used "punny valentine" five years ago, partly because it's a fitting moniker for someone wearing everything from cutout sweaters to what the husband described as a "Valentine's funeral hat."  Still, maybe there's a connection in there somewhere.  "Cutout" makes me think of "Cut it out," which makes me think of Dave Coulier on Full House, which makes me think of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know."  And Alanis seems like the kind of woman who'd appreciate a Valentine's Day Massacre style topper. 

Not that I have any reason to be snarky about St. Valentine.  This lovely bouquet was waiting for me at my computer this morning:  

Oh, that husband.  As I type this, he's making us a seafood dinner!  Here we are at my parents' last weekend:

You'll notice that I swapped my hat for just the flower barrettes.  As fun as it was, it just wasn't conducive to scarfing down my mom's baked ziti, and I certainly wasn't going to let anything, fashion statement or not, get in the way of that.

So, whether you're in an Alanis or sweetheart state of mind this V-Day, I hope you had fun.  And that you ate lots of candy.

How a Not Great Review Told Me What to Do, Plus a New Look at an Old Skirt

Shoes: Guess, DSW

Bag: Worthington, JCPenney; Black bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Other bangles: B Fabulous: Butterfly ring: Mixit, JCPenney; Chartreuse ring: Claire's; Brown ring: Charlotte Russe; Purse charm: Michaels

Orange-Eyed Owl Necklace

Dress: Lula Roe

Bag: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's

Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse, Nordstrom Rack

Heart and Flowers Necklace

Sunglasses: JCPenney

Top: Jessica Simpson, Macy's

Tan Folksy Fringe Barrette

Skirt: Hollister, Marshalls

Desert Doodads Necklace

Top: Macy's

Bag: Olivia Miller, Amazon; Turquoise bangle: Mixit, JCPenney; Bows: Zulily; Fabric belt: Steve Madden, Zulily; Turquoise belt: Mixit, JCPenney; Turquoise ring: Michaels; Medallion and owl rings: Mixit, JCPenney

You already know that I love to shop.  But I also love reading (and writing!) product reviews.  Not only do they provide insight into what's on offer, they also let me peek inside shoppers' minds.  For example, I was perusing the Kohl's site (as I often am), when I got sucked into reading reviews for these strappy flip flops:

Sandals: So, Kohl's

They came in black, white, brown, pink, mustard, and multi.  One woman had purchased them in multi and was disappointed to find that they were "primary colored" and, in her opinion, "old-fashioned."  (Another shopper ordered a pair that arrived caked in dog poo, but that's neither here nor there.)  These "complaints" caught my attention -- in a good way.  Because if someone finds something too flashy or odd, then chances are I'll love it.  So I clicked add to cart and have been rocking the retro rainbow ever since.  As a bonus, they cost only $9.99 and are comfy. 

Then, in a not-so-seamless segue, there's this peasant skirt:

Skirt: ROSS

Although I didn't buy it after reading a rave (or grave!) review, making it mine made an impression on me.  I'm sure I've shared this story before, but that's not going to stop me from doing it again, maybe with a few extra details.  

I was twenty-five and on a business trip to San Francisco.  I was working as a medical editor, which could be exciting but stressful.  One day, when my duties were done, I took the scenic route back to my hotel.  And by scenic I mean the street with the stores.  Now, I know that when most people travel, they like to find off-the-beaten-path shops and restaurants that give them an experience they can't get at home.  Yet although I understand the appeal, no matter where I am, I'm drawn to the familiar.  So on that particular March day, after having been scolded for apologizing to a cabbie and saying nay to networking drinks, I was relieved to see the steadfast storefronts of H&M and ROSS.  Especially ROSS, because I had one at home.  And sure enough, that was where I found the peasant skirt.  It stood out from the staid blacks and whites that crowded the rack, as cool as a Caribbean sea.  In other words, just the post-convention palate cleanser I needed.  

Fifteen years later, this skirt is less vibrant than it used to be.  I've worn it with all kinds of tops in all sorts of prints and colors, to BBQs and, yes, to the office.  I even had to stitch a hole in it.  But I still love it.  It makes me as happy as it did on that West Coast day of retail therapy, worldly for having crossed the country and brave for having survived it. 

To that end, I'm still not sorry for saying sorry to that cabbie.  Anyone who can drive anyone anywhere will always get props from me.