A New Way to Be, Nothing to See, Just a Geriatric Pregnancy

Coat: Nine West, Kohl's

Bag: Isaac Mizrahi, Marshalls; Scrunchie: Ella and Elly, Zulily

Sweater: So, Kohls; Skirt (a dress!): Three Hearts, Kohl's

Jewelry: Macy's

Top: Candie's, Kohl's; Boots: Mossimo, Target

Bag: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Here I am looking downright rural.  So, evidence that this bump is turning me into a country bumpkin.  I'm not mad at it, though.  It feels cozy and simple and safe at a time when life is anything but.  

Today I went for my 24-week checkup, where I was informed that I can register for my June hospital stay now if I do so desire.  Yikes!  I mean, the crib is still in the box.  Also, in slightly more serious but let's-not-freak-out news, I may have gestational diabetes.  My test results were just a wee bit elevated, which means -- yes, you guessed it -- more testing and more needles.  But I'm getting good at getting bloodwork (yesterday at LabCorp, I didn't even flinch), an activity that, as you know, used to nearly make me faint.  So, progress.    

But back to the outfits.  Full disclosure: The pink dress and jean skirt pics were taken last month.  There's no way I could wear a jean skirt -- or anything else with a zipper -- now.  But the pink sweater pic was taken yesterday.  Yep, I got gussied up for LabCorp.  

So now to up my diet and exercise game just a tiny bit for this tiny one.  

Because as ever I have hope that all things great and small are always possible.

Center Stage at any Age: All's Fair in Fall Footwear

Bag: Violet Ray, Kohl's; Shoes: Nine West, Kohl's

Top: Nine West, Kohl's

Southwestern Stranger Necklace

Sunglasses: (the long defunct) Cloud Nine, Ocean City boardwalk

Skirt: So, Kohl's

Skirt: Mossimo, Target; Shoes: Worthington, JCPenney

Bag: Isaac Mizrahi, Marshalls

Barrettes: SHEIN

Pastel Owl Necklace

Top: So, Kohl's

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Skirt: Vylette, Kohl's; Bag: Current Mood, Dolls Kill

Great Agate Necklace

Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target

Shoes: Madden Girl, Kohl's

I can hardly believe it, but the sun is beginning to set on sandals.  Which means that the first, ahem, official step into fall fashion is closed-toe footwear.  Now, this can be a little depressing.  So I decided  to turn that frown upside down and bust out a new pair while finishing up my fall jewelry (more on that later).  And with that I present my chunky black Madden Girl T-straps!  

A soon as I saw them, I was transported back to high school, a time when fashion (if not life) was fun.  Still, I hemmed and hawed before getting them.  Was I maybe a little too old for kicks last cool back when I needed a hall pass?

I hope you're laughing because I certainly was as soon as that ridiculous thought crossed my mind.

That said, I'm now the proud owner of these "back-to-school" shoes -- minus gym and geometry.  As they say, getting older has its perks.

Like creating kooky necklaces instead of moldy old still lifes and calling it art class: 

So if the shoe fits your foot but not your age (whatever that means), I say wear it! 

Also, stay in school -- and in school clothes. 😏

Big Puns and Bigger Pants: Patchwork Quirk

Jeans: So, Kohl's

Bag: SHEIN

Loop De Lou Necklace

Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection, DSW

Hairclips: So and LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Top: Billabong, Macy's

Bag: Elizabeth and James, Kohl's; Skirt: Ross

Rug: Michaels; Shoes: Wanted, Modcloth

Top: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Bag: Delia's, Dolls Kill; Skirt: Mossimo, Target

Sunshine State of Rind Necklace

Top: So, Kohl's

Blue Butterfly Necklace

Skirt: POPSUGAR, Kohl's; Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman, Zulily; Bag: Circus by Sam Edelman, Kohl's

You know how when you look out an airplane window and the land below looks like a patchwork quilt, all brown and green but in miniature?  And how it's such a beautiful and strangely calming sight when you're up there in the air, like the universe made a blanket just for you?  Well, that's kind of sort of how I felt when I started putting together these outfits.  You know, if my life was a 747 and the universe was saying "there, there" with an endless supply of therapy-dog-threads.  Anyway, I didn't even realize how many patchwork-style things I own until I started looking; there are more than you see here, but I got lax in the hauling-out-and-photographing department.  Still, I made sure to include the most patch-tastic item of all, the one that doesn't have a patch on anything else.  

Yep, it's my prized pair of "dad" jeans!  You may remember when I busted them out two falls ago, floor-dusting bells and all.  This time I got clever and "cuffed" them -- heading not for the big house, but for big style (insert groan).  (Also, maybe House of Style, if only as a  '90s shoutout.  No?  Okay, I'll stop.)   And I do mean "big".  Because I had to roll them up like six times!  Sometimes I forget how short I am until I put on pants.

There's a metaphor in there somewhere, but as with the photography, I'm too lazy to find it.   

So This Was Christmas

Sweater: Mossimo (for men!), Target; Hat: Nine West, Boscov's

Christmas Eve in my tropical snowman sweater.

The half-frozen river in front of the seafood market where we caught (okay, bought) Christmas Eve dinner.

Dress: Who What Wear, Target; Bag: Violet Ray, Kohl's

Maxi-ing out on leopard for Christmas Day at my sister's.  

Two of my PinkBopp rings.  I wear the Christmas one every December, but this year I thought why not wear the rose one too?  It was perfect for the neon Noel vibe I had going, and my three-year-old niece got a kick out of it. 

Sweater: Bar III, Macy's; Jeans: LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's; Bag: Gap

And, finally, my day-after-Christmas bargain from Michaels.  (And yes, for some reason, more red leopard.)  

Because every house needs a Santa head with candy canes coming out of it.

Just as every winter-averse woman needs to keep the holiday magic going as long as she can.  

Santa's sleigh may be sleeping 'til next year, but here at The Tote Trove, Christmas is just getting started. 😀🎄🍬

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.🍨