The Edge of Everything

Old Jess photo from 2009. 

You know when you can feel yourself on the cusp of a big change? That’s how I feel right now. There are some obvious changes of course - I have a new baby and I’m now the mom of two children. Over the past year my body has gone from not pregnant, to full and round, to recently giving birth and now nursing. The weather is changing. The light shines longer. My newborn is now a baby and my toddler is becoming a kid. Nothing is static.

What I’m feeling now is the same under current of a time from my past. When I’m feeling really good, I correlate it with what I call “old Jessica.”  The hey day of Old Jess was right when I met Adam, I quit my job, started doing WIW full time and got a book deal. Scroll back 830 pages and you’ll see what i mean. In short - the stars were all aligned and things just kept going right. 

This was also a point in my life of great confidence. It wasn’t just the way I looked (but of course that factors into it!) but gut feeling that I was moving in the right direction. Maybe you’ve felt that way before too? 

Everything is starting to synchronize. And it’s not just “surprise  - here’s a random good thing for you!”, it’s when you expect goodness. It’s bigger than a coincidence. And right now, I feel it! - whatever it is! I feel more whole as a person, I love my husband more deeply, I feel more connected to my children. I take pleasure in the smallest of moments - my daughter’s velvety skin, my son’s pudgy arm, splashing my face with water or laying down to bed under crisp cool sheets. I am awake to the beauty around me. I feel alive. 

With the internal changes I also feel like it’s time to shed some of my skin and by skin I mean the boxes and boxes of clothes I’ve been holding onto for years. I may feel the same energy from the Universe as I did when I was 26, but newsflash, I’m not 26 anymore. I favor jeans over dresses and flats over heels. It’s a mix of utility and comfort, but I’m also ready to reenvision how I see myself on the outside. Also, nothing fits. ;)

There’s a little piece in the back of my mind that says “wait! hold onto that for Bea!” If anything, I’ve got the photos of the clothes and the words that go with them. The garment isn’t the memory, it’s just what I wore when the memory was created. 

Drawer by drawer and hanger by hanger I’m washing and folding and passing things on to make literal new room for new Jess . And it feels pretty amazing.  

What I Wore | Stay at Home Mommin’ It

WhatIWore: Hi! Hello! Hope everyone had a nice weekend! We celebrated my parents’ retirement and Easter and got to see my siblings and aunts and uncles and it was a great time! Now we’re back to everyday life and here’s what I wore: this was absolutely a throw-one-whatever-works kind of morning. I’m wearing pieces from my core closet and a bit of a step up from my athleisure SAHM look. Olive jacket, white tee, black jeans and sneakers! These photos totally surprised me too! When you’ve got the right morning light + a pretty spring tree in the background (and those adorable little kiddos) you’ve got a recipe for what I lovingly call a framer.  

When: April 17, 2017

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Tee: LOFT (found at Goodwill)
Jacket: Old Navy (other option here)
Jeans: J.Crew
Sneakers: Adidas Gazelles

Where: Grocery, Park (x2), Mowing my lawn, typical SAHM kind of day

There’s something else I want to tell you guys, but can’t quite break the news on yet. In short - Adam and I are working on something big that we can share in about a month or so and it’s taking quite a bit of our time and energy which pushes taking outfit photos lower down on the priority list. If one or two posts a week aren’t cutting it for you, jump over to my instagram because I always seem to find time to chat when I can’t do anything else because I’m nursing or stuck in the car with sleeping kids, yada yada yada. It’s goofy and off the cuff and so much fun (be sure to watch the Instagram stories part!) 

What I Wore | Flower Children

WhatIWore: Ya know, I really should include this dress into my core closet posts - I’ve had it since I was pregnant with Felix and I still wear it all of the time! It’s great for nursing or maternity or anywhere in between! And a lot of other women must love it too because Free People keeps selling it season after season and in bunches of different colors (I also have it in pale blue and have been thinking of over dying it navy!)

When: April 9, 2017

What:
Shades: Karen Walker
Dress: Free People
Sandals: Clarks, older style (similar option here)

Where: Kids Birthday Party

This is what I wore to our friends’ daughter’s first birthday party over the weekend. It was a low key affair and this was perfect! It was warm and sunny so I put Bea in a romper I originally bought her for our Florida vacation. Can you believe she’s already three months old?! Press pause little girl - you’re growing up way too fast! Felix also wanted to get in the action “I want to be in photos too, mama!” and he sure is becoming a big boy! I just love these photos so much! I’m so proud to be their mama.

Below, Embroidered Fable dress styled with: green utility jacket and hat, boho accessories, with a flower crown, at 7 months pregnant

Extending Your Core Closet | Spring Selections

WhatIWore: Each season I like to start off my wardrobe with some core items that I know I’ll mix and match many ways. I’ve posted about my year round (see below) and winter core closets before, and today I’ll outline what I like on hand for spring! 

To quickly recap those core building blocks for your closet, they are:

Chambray Button Down |  Olive Green Utility Jacket  |  Denim Jacket  |  Classic Jeans  |  Striped Tee Shirt  |  Black Skirt  |  Black Pants (or Jeans)  |  Sunglasses  |  Leather Sandals  |  Leather Boots

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White Eyelet or Lace Top

I love the contrast of a delicate white top with destructed denim or skinny olive chinos. I’m so drawn to these kinds of tops that I’ve been adding a new one (or two!) each year. 

These are really on trend this year and available at all price points. I like looking for special versions at Anthropologie, but have also found cute options at Old Navy, Target and even thrift shopping. 

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Fashion Denim

I’m a stay at home mom and I wear jeans a lot - so it makes sense for me to spend more of my budget in updated styles and washes each year. I’m a denim girl! This spring I’ve really been into high waisted styles. They’re on trend and they give my lower tummy the support I need after recently having a baby. I’ve found I need to size up to accommodate my midsection. 

I also really like cropped styles this year - including wide leg and flared styles! My two favorite pairs are from J.Crew (bought last spring) and similar styles are all over the place like Nordstrom for premium denim or Old Navy for a bargain.

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Rain Jacket

Spring showers anyone? A waterproof layer is a good addition to any closet if you live in a region that gets a lot of rain this type of year. I love yellow to contrast cloudy skies and uplift my mood. This spring I’m favoring more sporty options (to go with aforementioned denim), but I also love a classic trench style. 

I’ve had my classic yellow LL Bean rain slicker for seven years and the styles below are from Nordstrom. 

Rainboots

If you’re gonna pop on a rain slicker, you’re probably interested in keeping your feet dry too, right? Rubber rain boots are so classic I consider then a one time investment. And there’s no age or personal style that doesn’t work with them. I’ve had my green pair for 12 years! I’d recommend a neutral black, navy or grey for your first pair (and to wear with a bold rain jacket). Once you have that covered, just pick your favorite color of the rainbow!

Nordstrom or Zappos are great places to pick these up - hello free shipping and returns!! 

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Skinny Utility Pants

Another basic bottom I really like are olive green skinnies - they go with all of the same tops as a pair of jeans would, but give you some variation. I recommend going for a cropped or ankle length style, worn without socks (so go with sandals, a heel or loafers).

Target, Nordstrom, J.Crew and J.Crew Factory are my go-to spots for pants like these! 

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Light Weight Sweater

For days when the sun is shining but there’s still a chill in the air, a lighter weight sweater is the perfect solution. I’m pushing myself to try to wear more color, but I’m really digging navy with my new(ish) blonde hair. I also feel like a v-neck is the most flattering cut for me right now, but pick a style that makes the best sense for your lifestyle.

Your favorite stores will definitely have some basic options - I’ll be looking at J.Crew Factory or Target.