Tank Top: Target | Zip Up Hoodie: JC Penney | Skirt Leggings: Yesstyle | Boots: Gap | Necklace: Melody Joy 1983 | Baby Onesie & Hat: Target

Being on maternity leave and all, there’s some days when I don’t even leave the house.  And on those days, I surely do not get dressed up in colored jeans, pumps, or any of those other outfits you’ve seen me wear.  But rather, I wear my “chill clothes” (term coined by moi), ya know, the clothes you wear for “chillaxing”.  Really?  Did I just say “chillaxing”?  Oh yes, I did.  They kind of have their own genre of fashion and I’ve discovered the latest trend for them – skirt leggings!  Say what?  How many times have you seen girls on the street wear leggings with a shirt that barely covers their bottom and all you want to say to them is that leggings are not a substitute for pants.  Well, their solution lies in skirt leggings, that’s right, it’s a skirt (that covers your bottom, duh) that’s attached to leggings.  I first saw this trend on Yesstyle and totally bought into it.  Or I guess you could just wear a skirt over your leggings… but hey, it’s faster to put on if it’s just one item.

What do you wear for chilling around the house?

P.S. The winner of two prints from The Little Illustrator is Chantilly from Chantilly Songs!  Congrats!  Please email me at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and two prints of choice and we’ll hook you up! 

P.P.S. Don’t forget to enter the $35 credit aPearantly Sew giveaway!!

Top: Yesstyle | Scarf: Gift | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Gift | Hello Kitty Watch: Gift | Clutch c/o Glow Kouture

Well, who cares what the Groundhog said, the weather is still warm and I’m loving it.  It just makes me long for Spring that much more and allows me to keep my winter clothes in the spare closet right wear they belong.  Yes, even though we moved to a bigger house with a bigger closet, I still have an overflow closet for all my clothes, can you blame a girl?  And another closet for shoes.  Don’t judge, I’m sure your situation is similar, I see you nodding your head.  And especially now with this new colored denim trend and me wanting to get some in every color under the sun, that spare closet is key.  I am totally LOVING this grey pair as it’s subtle, goes with a lot, is one of my all-time fave colors, and is probably the closest I’ll ever get to owning a pair of white denim/pants (which I’m kind of afraid of).  By the way, did you notice the pattern mixing here?  It’s polka dots (Glow Kouture is having a 30% off sale with code PRESIDENT30 through the end of 2/20 – go get an amazing clutch for yourself so we can be twinsies) and florals!  I was paying attention to your comments in this post, I’m a great listener (errrr reader).  OK, let’s hope I didn’t jinx anything weather-wise because of this post.

How many closets do your clothes/shoes/bags take up?

P.S. Have you entered The Little Illustrator giveaway yet?  You can win TWO PRINTS for your lovely home… or one of you and one for a friend!!

P.P.S. Have you voted for me today for the Circle of Moms Top Fashion and Beauty Mom blogs?  I’d love it if you could vote once a day! 

Blouse c/o Karen Kane | Tank Top: Maurice’s | Cardigan: Kohl’s | Pants: TJ Maxx | Shoes: Target | Necklace: Angel Face Designs

I’m running out of blog titles, can you tell?  No, but really, I think I’m stepping a bit out of my comfort zone on this one, especially when my husband goes “leopard and polka dots? interesting…” and “blue pants… are you an avatar?”  Typically when I put an outfit together to be photographed, I’ll get the thumbs up from Marvin before actually having him photograph it, but this time it was a thumbs sideways.  You see, ever since Austin was born, we don’t get out much, hence, he isn’t out there noticing that pattern mixing and colored denim are what the cool kids are wearing.  And me?  I pretty much can only stay on top of fashion by my daily blog reading.  By the way, necktie blouses are also one of my faves.

So I’d like you all to help me out and leave a comment letting me know:

1) What are you favorite patterns to mix (polka dots + leopard, stripes + florals, etc.)?

2) What are your favorite colors in colored denim (errr which colors should I buy next)?

P.S. If you name is Jessica and you blog over at Fifteen Evergreen… CONGRATS!  You won the Vintage Wanna Bee giveaway!  Send me an email at sandyalamode(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll get you in touch with Nichelle!

P.P.S. Please keep voting for my blog on the Circle of Moms Top 25 Fashion and Beauty Moms – 2012 daily!  Click HERE!

Blouse: ModCloth | Cardigan: Urban Outfitters | Pants: Forever 21 | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: Oh, Hello Friend | Bracelets: INPink | Bag: Kate Spade

Thanks to my best friend Ting (owner of Neat Weddings – a personalized step-by-step tool that guides you through the complexities of planning your dream wedding. Launching soon!), I can change diapers while being the most stylish mama on the block.  Did you realize I was holding a diaper bag, oh yes, looks can be deceiving.    We’ve only taken Austin out a handful of times and I’m sure all you mamas know, you must be prepared with a bag full of stuff for the “just in case”.  Our diaper bag comes with a gold changing pad (woot!) and it’s always stocked with diapers, wipes, an outfit, swaddle blankets, and formula for baby needs… with plenty of leftover room for my wallet, cell phone, keys, lip gloss, etc.  Thank goodness my little boy hasn’t given me a “show” while wearing something nice, but I’m sure it’s bound to happen in public sometime.  So I guess I better add a change of clothes for myself to that bag as well!

Anything else I’m forgetting to add to my diaper bag?

P.S. I’m still living in Fall since Winter hasn’t decided to make its appearance yet.  And I’m perfectly OK with that!

Sweater: Tea and Tulips  | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: Night Market in Taiwan | Earrings: Poshlocket giveaway on Beautiful Blendings | Bracelets: Forever 21

Growing up, I was in a family of four, my parents, brother and myself.  My brother was 8 years older than me and all his little life he had wished for a sister.  He’d throw pennies in the wishing well asking for one (too cute) and his wish came true!  My mom dressed me up in all sorts of pink, purple, dresses, bows, anything girly… you name it, I wore it.  It’s no wonder that my favorite color is pink and I’m obsessed with bows (case in my point, my former etsy shop).

In my junior year of college, I was known to have lived with two other girls in what was called the “Pink and Purple Palace”.  Yes, our pad had a name and yes, we believe we lived in a palace.  Our place had a pink Christmas tree, purple couch, pink pillows, purple decor, etc.  The alternate name for this place was also the “Jello Shot Factory”, but we’ll keep this blog post PG for now.  Anyhow, this vintage sweater brings me back… way back… to all sorts of memories from my childhood/collegehood.

Do you have any clothes that you are still wearing from years ago? 

Or pieces that bring your back many years ago?

Blouse: Shopkempt | Cardigan: Old Navy | Pants: Banana Republic | Flats: Target | Necklace: Oh, Hello Friend | Belt: Forever 21

I did it guys!  You see those cropped pants there?  Pre-pregnancy, these were my favorite pair of pants.  And I am proud to say that my belly is back to the point where I can squeeze fit into them again, hooray!  We still have 10 pounds to go until I get to pre-pregnancy weight and many inches around the waist to go before I get to pre-pregnancy size (I’m told this can take MANY months if it ever does fully go back to normal), but now that my one month of postpartum confinement is over, I’m able to be a bit more active and finally leave the house.  Add to that the fact that the weather is still unseasonably warm outside for end of January/beginning of February.  If you need to get a hold of me, I’ll probably be shopping at Target (and wearing these pants), since that’s probably as far as I’ll make it before needing to head home for the next feeding.

Hi there, Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls here. I’m elated to be guest posting on Sandy’s lovely blog while she’s enjoying the bliss that comes with being a new mama!

I thought I would share with you a trend that I’m really looking forward to rockin’ this spring. I know…I know…Most of you are firmly entrenched in frigid winter weather and can’t even think about what you’re going to wear come spring. Think of this post as a mini vacay. Forget about the snow outside and imagine yourself in warmer weather…And if you’re really adventurous, consider sporting this spring trend NOW! Which spring trend am I talking about? Pastels of course!

I just love a beautifully feminine sorbet hue, especially when we’re talking about footwear. This pair of Steve Maddens comes in a fabulous array of pastels. Whether coral, mint or lavender is your poison, the Steve Madden Dynamite Sandel has you covered!

So, which color would you go for lovelies?

- Kristin from BonBon Rose Girls

Nursing Tank: Target | Poncho: Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s | Jeggings: TJMaxx | Boots: Famous Footwear | Necklace: Francesca’s

If you are nursing and want to be stylish at the same time, then ponchos paired with a nursing tank is the way to go, I tell ya.  Ponchos are the perfect nursing cover and better yet, they hide post partum bellies, score.  Add in a statement necklace and instant glam!    But don’t be fooled guys, I don’t dress up every day… only when we have visitors or are going out to the doctor’s office, which is like twice a week.  Every other day of the week I live in sweats, PJ pants, button downs, zip up hoodies, and robes, but I’ll spare you the outfit pictures on those.

I’m so excited to welcome Sandy to the wonderful world of motherhood! Bring on the sleepless nights, the bloodshot eyes, and the oh-so-uncomfortable nursing bra… I’m kidding.  There is so much joy and happiness that fills you up when you become a mother. Having a baby is an unconditional love like nothing else, and when you experience it for the first time, the fact that your hair is greasy and you haven’t brushed your teeth all day doesn’t even cross your mind.

I know that Sandy is very fashion-forward and trendy, but the surprises of motherhood may leave her feeling unprepared or clueless about how to dress as a new mother. So, I thought I’d help her out a bit. Sandy, It’s time to trade in the red heels, the leopard mini skirt, and the low-cut silk blouse for a pair of these:

Trust me, you’ll feel much more comfortable chasing the baby around in a pair of your very own “mom jeans.”

Could you sense my sarcasm? Okay, good. Because, if you couldn’t, then I do apologize. However, there is some truth to this. Motherhood brings on many new challenges that you never faced before having a child. If you are a parent, then you’ve got to agree with that statement! Unless you are pretty comfortable lifting up your shirt in public and pulling out your hoo-hoos, or bending over 100x a day to pick up Legos, or if you regularly carry around 30 lbs. of who-knows-what on your hip… these tasks are pretty hard to handle unless you have the appropriate wardrobe. That’s why I am here to help. Aside from the nursing bra and body shaper, let me give you the low-down on Mom Fashion with the help of my trusty friend, Pinterest:

Flats. Flats are your friend, Mama. They are going to take good care of you and your heavy baby.

A Turban Headband. For the early stages of motherhood, this will be your favorite hair accessory. There is no time or energy to style your hair when you’ve been awake every 2-3 hours of night and day feeding a newborn. Put your hair in a bun and slip on one of these to keep your hair out of your face. Focus on your baby and still look stylish! Then go take a nap.

Loose-fitting blouses are going to hide the left-over dough from your pregnancy (your stomach… that’s what it looks like, okay?) until you’re comfortable in your fitted blouses again. I lived in these for several months, then got pregnant again, and then wore them again! Hah.

A big, chunky, cardigan will help you feel like you got dressed for the day more than your bath robe will… just get one. They also work great as a burp cloth.

I shouldn’t say that you will no longer, never in a million bajillion years be able to wear your old clothes again. There will be a time and place for those pumps in the near future, just not right now with your newborn. Give it a couple of months, plan your first date out with the hubs when the time comes, and bust out those heels once again for a night on the town. You will deserve it.

Thanks for having me share a little bit of my fashion sense with you Sandy A La Mode readers! After becoming a mother, you quickly learn what will and will not work when nursing, changing explosive diapers, bending over to pick up a 25 lb. baby, etc. I don’t know if I am capable of giving much fashion advice. But, I guess from my perspective as both a mother and shopaholic, I think it is safe to say that you need to find what makes you most comfortable. There’s nothing more flattering and beautiful than a women who radiates confidence, high self-esteem, and love for her children… even if she is covered in snot and breast milk. At least that’s what my husband tells me.