Valentine Time: Pink With a Wink of Maroon

Coat and dress: LC Lauren Conrad; Boots: Jessica Simpson, DSW

Bag: Betsey Johnson

Brooch: Napier, Kohl's; Hot pink necklace: Nine West, Kohl's

Jacket: Candie's, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's, Shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Hooks: Michaels

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Dress: ELLE, Kohl's

Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill

Red may have been all the rage yesterday when Kansas City took on San Francisco, but here at the Trove, I'm thinking pink.  Also, maroon.  Or, to be more accurate, rust.  But maroon sounds more refined than a color usually used to describe a decaying Chrysler.

For the office, the family Valentine's bash, and the ever-popular I-put-this-on-just-to-take-a-pic op, I donned the colors of Cupid.  Each outfit includes maternity leggings, which are now a staple, and whatever regular clothes I can still squeeze into.  The polka dot dress is a swing style with no waist -- so, ideal for an ever-expanding midsection.  The surplice top is roomy, and the black skirt has a big, stretchy waistband that I positioned below my bump.  Finally, the pink sheath was always big.  No need to belt that baby now -- or for the foreseeable future!

And so that's my kind of Hail Mary, something else football, two-point-conversion, something else football, field goal, never mind, let's just go with the generic, gets-the-job-done wardrobe win.

As if you didn't know sports aren't my strong suit. 😏🚫🏈

Summertime Blues if You so Choose; Otherwise, Onward to Autumn

Dress: So, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Modcloth; Shoes: Jessica Simpson, DSW

Strawberry Cherry Necklace

Top, skirt, bag, shoes: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Berry Blossom Necklace

Dress: ELLE, Kohl's; Bag: Simply Vera, Kohl's: Shoes: Katy Perry Collections, Nordstrom Rack

Bright Howlite Necklace

Usually, Labor Day bums me out.  It means the end of summer and sunshine and custard stands, and who wants that in her life?  So I'd hang on as long as I could, refusing to wear fall clothes or put up fall decorations, using the defense that it was still in the eighties.

Until now.

I don't know if it's because I did so much this summer -- I even went to the beach! -- but I'm okay with it being over.  I want to take the time to enjoy fall instead of scrambling to jump on the bandwagon right before Halloween.  So I'm going to collect spooky décor (just today I bought a Poe print) and mix black and gold in with my warm-weather wardrobe.  I think it'll be a whole new fun thing to look forward to.  And anyway, if what I saw today is any indication, then fall has already arrived:

So yes, folks, it's happened.  I've fallen for fall.

In the eternally wise words of Blink-182, I guess this is growing up.        

Setting Sail on the S.S. Smiley: Happy Face Place

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's; Bag: Marshalls

Top: Bisou Bisou, JCPenney

Don't Worry Be Crafty Necklace

Shoes: Unisa, DSW

Bag: Nine West, Marshalls

Smiley Sailor Necklace

Tunic (really a bathing suit coverup!): Miken, Macy's

Fabulous Felt Yellow Dice Barrette; Yellow rose ring: Making Waves, Ocean City; Gray ring: Old Navy; Lemon wedge clip: Wild Fable, Target; Whole lemon clip: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Shoes: New York & Company

Dress: B Smart, Kohls; Bag: Xhilaration, Target; Shoes: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Smiley Swan Necklace

Little bow: Carole, JCPenney; Big bow: INC, Macy's 

Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Olivia Miller, Amazon

Top: Just Polly, Macy's

Black Cutie Necklace

Love bangle: Boscov's; First yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Both black bangles and black and white bracelet: Mixit, JCPenney; Second yellow bangle: B Fabulous

Skirt: ELLE, Kohl's

Top: Nine West, Kohl's

Affable Anchor Necklace

Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson, Zulily

Bag: Betsey Johnson, Macy's

Black and yellow are an undeniable duo.  They're equal parts dramatic and mellow, making bees, cabs, and caution tape pop.  And also, of course, smiley faces!  I was excited to make necklaces with these happy face beads and build black and yellow outfits around them.  I also had some black and white anchors, which explains the necklaces' nautical bent.  You might think I'm some sort of sailing enthusiast considering how often anchors come up in my projects.  But no, I just like the way they look and the retro feels they represent.  In reality, I steer clear of boats because I get seasick.  Kind of like how I'm crazy for cacti but have no desire to visit the desert.  Or how I'm into unicorns but not horses.  Also, if by some miracle I met a unicorn, then I'd probably run screaming in the other direction.  

Ah, crafting.  You let me soar while keeping me grounded.  

And that's why you're my happy place.  

Easter Dresses and Tresses: Not a Hare Out of Place

Wreath: Michaels

Dress: ELLE, Kohl's; Hat: Amazon

Bunny: A gift from the husband the Easter after we met

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Amazon

Card: Target

Dress: Rewind, Kohl's; Hat: Amazon

This title is a lie.  There are many hares -- and hairs -- out of place in this post, starting with my messy mop peering through that tulip wreath.  But then, imperfection counts as its own kind of theme.  Speaking of which, you know how Minnie Pearl wore her hats with the tags on?  Well, I kept the tags on, not my hats, but my bunnies.  Because they're not my bunnies after all, but Easter gifts for my nieces.  

So, it's not a shoot worthy of Vogue or Good Housekeeping.  But that's okay, because, as you know, we're all a little mad here at The Tote Trove.

And I wouldn't hat have it any other way.

The Face That Launched a Thousand Quips

Flannel, tee, and skirt: So, Kohl's; Barrettes and bag: Dolls Kill; Belt: Izod, Marshalls; Tights: Isadora, Zulily; Boots: Simply Vera, Kohl's

Top: ELLE, Kohl's; Skirt: Dolls Kill; Bag: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's; Tights: Mixit, JCPenney; Shoes: Nine West, Kohl's

Sweater: Nine West, Kohl's; Skirt: Wild Fable, Target; Tights: HUE, Amazon; Boots: JustFab, Zulily; Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Headband: Zulily; Sweater: JCPenney; Skirt and tights: Xhilaration, Target; Shoes: Nine West, Kohl's

Sweater: Modcloth; Skirt: Mossimo, Target; Tights: HUE, Amazon; Boots: Betsey Johnson, Zulily; Bag: Amazon

As you know, when I'm in between new outfit pics -- or just need a laugh -- I like to post old B roll.  Today is one of those days.  So enjoy this quintet of quirky facial expressions from falls and winters past.  Because I may not be Helen of Troy -- but if I float one boat, then I've earned by Greek yogurt. 

By which, of course, I mean ice cream.🍨