Out Takes: Remote Stops Working

 I tried to put up a real post today, I swear. Instead, this happened:

I have been working with a remote shutter release over the last few weeks, and it's been awesome. I feel like each time I use it the pictures improve.

But lately I have been having a hard time getting it to take pictures, that is unless I am making this face and chanting work work work while walking towards the camera.

Let's hope a new battery remedies the situation because it's driving me completely crazy.

If you have any tips on getting a remote shutter release to work, I'd love to hear them.

Spied: Sheer Striped Dress and Belt

It's not often I can pair the word modest with a dress found at Forever 21, but today I am happy to share an unusual find. This sweet striped shirt dress would be so cute for spring:

 

Sheer Striped Dress w/ Belt - Forever 21 - $24.90

When they say sheer, they aren't kidding - a slip is absolutely necessary. But in every other way this dress is incredibly modest (and cute!)

What do you think? Is this something you would wear?

Jem Apparel Pop Up Store

Jenny is extending a special invitation to all my readers in Pennsylvania.

: What :

The very first j.e.m. apparel pop-up store

(an event where I set up a mini version of my “store” at a temporary location)

: Where :

Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore,

400 Market Street,

Lewisburg, PA 17837

: When :

Monday, March 5th & Tuesday, March 6th

: Hours :

11am – 6pm

She will have over 40 new items, and will be introducing 2 new lines as well, so it’s going to be really exciting. If the event is a success, she hopes to start doing them all over the country at various campus bookstores.

And if you mention this blog at the event, you will receive 10% off your purchase. 

If you aren't lucky enough to attend the pop up store event, make sure to check out j.e.m.'s charming prints:

 

{dot tie blouse | gathered pocket skirt | scoop back blouse | buds & blossoms skirt | floral print trench}

{modern plaid skirt | ruched cap sleeve dress | floral sash skirt}

Hair Inspiration: Double Braid Gibson Tuck Tutorial

I am growing out my bangs and it's getting awkward. No matter what I do with my hair, I have to work in a good way to sweep too-long bangs out of my face. After last week's hair inspiration post, I started playing around with a few styles. I came up with this look, which ingeniously pulls my bangs back while looking pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself.

Click through to see the full tutorial.

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Baby's First Year. Here are my recent posts:

Tate has reached my very favorite milestone yet. Check out this video of him giving kisses.

Having a baby means laying around in spit up stained PJs, right? Not necessarily. Check out 10 easy ways to inject style into postpartum recovery.

Tate's crawling has made it's way into his bedtime routine.

Sale: J.Crew

My favorite J.Crew sales picks this week:

1 - Smocked Box Tee - $19.99 (Orig. $48.00)
      *I really, really like this tee. Somebody buy it and enjoy it for me, mmkay?
2 - Tissue Pintuck Tee - $29.99 (Orig. $39.50)
3 - Linen Cowlneck Tee - $29.50 (Orig. $39.50)
      *Available in a lot of great colors.
4 - Ringspun Stripe Henley - $34.99 (Orig. $49.50)
5 - Lana Cami -$19.99 (Orig. $88.00)
6 - Surplus Pant - $19.99 (Orig. $74.00)

Anything you would take the plunge on? Leave your thoughts below.

Spied: Sailboat-Print Blouse

Old Navy continues to kill me with their adorable prints for spring. I am head over heels for this sweet nautical pattern.

Sailboat-Print 3/4-Sleeve Top - Old Bavy - $29.94

I like both versions, but would maybe choose the navy/pink combo. Which color do you like best?

Thrift: Oversized Floral top.

I snagged this top at the closest Goodwill a few weeks ago. I loved the light weight, and uber-feminine floral pattern. Here' a "before" pic.

I followed similar steps as the refashion I did on the striped tee. The shoulders were really over-sized and the body was larger than I wanted, so I fixed it.

It still has a bit of a grandma-vibe, but that only makes me like it more. It's going to be something sweet and feminine that I can still wear when the heat really hits.

Have you thrifted anything good lately?

Hair Inspiration: Elegant Low Buns

As much as I love the high bun, I have a soft spot for a low slung style. I think a little more finesse is required to make it look polished, but when done right, they are super chic.

{fishtail braid chignon tutorial | elegant messy up do | pin tucked braid | gibson tuck tutorial}

What do you think? Where are you looking for hair inspiration lately?

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Baby's First Year. Here are my recent posts:

I am super stoked because I fit back in my favorite skinny jeans.

Since having a baby, I have a lot of really awkward conversations with strangers. Here are my top 10 things strangers say that drive me crazy.

Tate went from having two teeth to having four and his sleeping schedule took a real beating.

I am thinking about getting a sling to carry Tate in. Have any recommendations?

Refashion: Making Maxi Modest

Last week I posted about this wonderful maxi dress that Jenny at jem apparel was kind enough to send me. You may remember me mentioning my plans to refashion it so no layering was required.

I am pretty stoked with how it turned out.

I tried to take pictures as I went, but they didn't turn out as well as I would like. So, a verbal discription will have to suffice.

First, I used a seam ripper to remove the tag at the back of the dress. Then, I took scissors and cut the lining of the bodice just above it's seam with the skirt. Then, I cut the straps along the seam that faces the collarbone to open it up to a cap sleeve. I folded the lining up at the back, did a rolled hem and secure it to the strap. Repeat in the front. Then I had to secure the loose part of fabric from the strap that was becoming the new sleeve. If you can follow any of that you deserve some sort of medal. Because it sounds really confusing. I should hire someone to take pictures while I am working because I stink at taking meaningful photos as I go. Feel free to write me an email if you have questions.

Looking to buy a maxi with sleeves? Here are a few good options (all under $50):

More WGACA...

Refashion: Embellished Cardigan

I was thinking about some of my favorite DIY projects and, of course, this cardigan comes to mind.

Click here for the tutorial in the archives.

Have you refashioned anything lately? Leave a link so we can all check it out!

Sale: J.Crew 30% Off Sale

J.Crew is offering an extra 30% off their discounted items. Perhaps you can get yourself a little Valentine's present. Here are my favorite things:

Finespun Blouse Tee - $20.99 (Orig. $39.50)
Jackie Cardigan - $27.99 (Orig. $62.00)
Lace Necklace Tee - $24.50 (Orig. $45.00)

Wish List: Heart Throb Skirt

It's Valentine's Day. It is making me wish I had a reason to get dressed up. And if I were getting dressed up, I'd want to wear this fabulous skirt.

Pleated Jardin Skirt in Heart Throb - J.Crew - $128.00

What are you wearing for Valentine's Day? Any big plans?

Makeup Inspiration: Cat Eye

I am not really a makeup person. I don't mean that I don't wear makeup, because I keep it as a general rule not to leave the house without it. I mean that I don't experiment much and I don't invest more than $5 or $10 at the grocery store.

Lately, I am completely smitten with cat eye liner.

{B+W | scarf | subtle | dramatic}

What do you think of cat eye liner? Tried it? Where are you looking for makeup inspiration this week?

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Baby's First Year. Here are my recent posts:

These hilarious safe baby handling diagrams had me laughing all week.

According to a new study, it looks like spoon-fed babies are more likely to be obese than self-fed babies.

Read my review of the all-natural Dr. Sears baby products.

White noise has become a sleep inducing miracle for Tate.

Are you waiting to find out if you are having a boy or girl? Check out these fabulous neutral baby items that would work for either.

New research indicates that C-Sections might be detrimental to small preemies early lung function.

Gender Neutral Baby Clothes

{knit elephant hat | printed footed one-piece | favorite seal hat}

Gender neutral baby items generally leave something to be desired. 

I am so over yellow and duckies and yellow duckies. 

Jump over to Babble to find my favorite picks for your surprise bundle of joy!

Thrift: Striped Boatneck Tee

Thrift stores in small towns are a whole different beast. They have their drawbacks to be sure. My local thrift store is open Wednesday through Saturday from the incredibly inconvenient hours of 9am-2pm. This has actually not really been a problem for me, but if I were still working it would drive me completely nuts. But let me tell you a secret about small town thrift stores, the prices are really good. Shirts are $1, skirts are $2, shoes are $1.50. This is the stuff budget dreams are made of.


I spotted this shirt before Christmas and was immediately drawn to it. I am, of course, a sucker for stripes. But I also really liked the boat neckline and shoulder detail. It was also clear that the shirt was well-made, didn't require an undershirt, and would never pill.

thrifted shirt - $1 | similar dress | similar shirt

forever 21 jeans - $10.50

payless pumps - $7 | similar here | and here

Unfortunately it fit me a little weird at the bust/armpits. So, I deconstructed the shirt, trimmed a few places, and put it back together again.

This shirt is a major player in my wardrobe these days.

Have you thrifted anything lately? What are the prices like at your local thrift store?

Leave your thoughts below.

Spied: Old Navy Animal Print Blouses

This is the post in which I proclaim Old Navy is killing it. First with the adorable dresses, and now these? I am totally into small scale animal prints (I'm talking animal shapes, not leopard spots here). Birds, kittens, and puppies, oh my!

Bird-Print Charmeuse Blouse - $36.94
Bow-Back Animal Print Top - $34.94

What do you think? Something you would wear? Leave your thoughts below.

Review: Jem Apparel Maxi Dress

Jem Apparel, a long time sponsor, sent me this beautiful cobalt blue wide-strap maxi dress a few weeks ago.

This is my first maxi dress, and after living 6 months in a hot humid climate, I can tell you it won't be my last.

The bust is a wee bit small for the enlarged size of my nursing bust, but other than that, I seriously adore it. Due to the hot and sticky nature of my climate, I will probably be altering the neckline and sleeves so layering is not necessary when the summer heat is upon me.

Are you a maxi fan? Any styling tips you want to share?

And make sure to check out all the goodies at Jem Apparel!

Happy Shopping.

Hair Inspiration: High Bun

As I mentioned, I am on the constant look out for new hair inspiration.

Today, let's talk about the bun. Is it the year of the bun? Maybe. All I know is that I wear my hair in a high bun several days a week. It's simple and makes me feel so much more put together than a low bun.

{top knot, sock bun tutorial, double headband messy bun}

I have been using Liz's sock bun trick on a high bun all week, and it's the easiest thing. Make sure to check out her tutorial.

What do you think of the high bun? Tried it? Where are you looking for hair inspiration this week?

DownEast Basics Giveaway Winner

I had a great time hosting the swimsuit giveaway from DownEast Basics last week. 

The winner is lucky number 59,

Mallory

Thanks to everyone for commenting!

Babble Posts

I write daily for Babble's Baby's First Year. Here are my recent posts:

Check out this super easy Cowboy Bib Tutorial!

I discussed the great rewards and frustrations that come with having a baby. 

Tate finally figured out how to crawl. Of course he was gunning for the trash can.

I received a totally free, totally hideous glider last week. I have big plans for it's transformation.

Check out this funny site that shows you what your kids might look like (and check out what my other kids might look like!)

I am trying to figured out how Tate's mobility will change our baby wearing relationship.

Tate is eight months old, see how he measures up.