What I Love Wednesday: Fall Mom Fashion Edition
As a mom and self-proclaimed lover of all things fall, I feel that it's a good day to round up some of my Fall Fashion Faves and share them with you for today's What I Love Wednesday (you can find my first What I Love Wednesday here). I know I've said it before, so apologies if I sound like a broken record, but with a tornado-like toddler and a small baby, free time is in short supply so my fashion tends to fall to the wayside. I do, however, have a few go-to things that help me feel a bit more on trend. Some items are clothing, some make-up, some are just fun, but all of them make me feel a little more pulled together. Hopefully sharing this with some other mamas out there will help them feel the same! Almost everything on this list you can find on Amazon (I LOVE Prime!), so I've taken the legwork of searching out for you and linked everything directly.
For the love of all things mustard, which I actually never thought I could pull off (yellow is not my color), go get this scarf! At $12.99, it won't break the bank. I LOVE it. I was hesitant to try mustard, but I'm so glad I did. This scarf is so soft, and since it's an infinity scarf, it easily loops around so you don't have to spend time figuring out out to wear it. It's got a subtle cable knit pattern, which gives it a bit of dimension. It goes with so many colors too, especially browns, burgundies, creams, navies...you get the drift. I can throw this on with jeans, a casual T and messy bun and still feel like I'm trendy.
I will admit, I don't have this exact poncho sweater, but I still love it and it's on my wish list. However, I DO own a poncho sweater that I received in one of my Stitch Fix shipments last year and I love it, so that's why I'm including it today. The one I own is very similar - it has the long sleeves and a cowl neck, but it's grey instead of cream. I love that it has sleeves, because the whole point of wearing a sweater is to stay warm, right? I can throw either a long sleeved shirt OR a layering cami underneath, depending on if I'm going to work or going to be outside, so it's really versatile. I love the cowl neck with the buttons on this one and wish mine had that, as I think it's a really nice embellishment. As a mom, I like that the poncho sweater is stylish, yet covers some of the areas I'd rather not flaunt. When I got it in my Stitch Fix last year, I had asked for something that would cover my barely-perceptible baby bump, because at the time we weren't quite ready to announce our pregnancy with Eloise, but I was starting to show. So this is a perfect sweater whether you're a new mom, a mom-to-be, or not even a mom at all!
Again, I don't have these exact boots, since mine are 3 years old and for the life of me, I cannot remember where I got them. As you can tell from the photos though, they are pretty darn close (the color in mine is a bit lighter than they actually are - in real life they are much closer in color to the 2nd photo). My boots are on their last leg, so the linked ones will be what I order when it's time. I consider these a MAJOR staple in my wardrobe because they go with EVERYTHING. Jeans, leggings, dresses, you name it. I mean, I wouldn't wear them to a dinner party or anything super fancy, but how often do I go to a dinner party? Maybe once every 6 months. I wear these boots almost every day. The buckles and straps give them just enough character without being too flashy. You know how they say a good neutral is essential to any wardrobe? Well, I consider a good brown riding boot one of those neutrals. ESPECIALLY in the fall. As a busy mom, I can slip them on when I'm ready to walk out the door and easily slip them off when I get home. It's all about saving time, people!
I first came across fleece-lined leggings about 4 years ago when we were living in Amsterdam, and I've loved them ever since. These are AH-MAZING, and you can get them in all sorts of different colors. You'd think something like this would be pricey, but they're not! This 3-pack is only $17.50, which is music to my ears. The office where I work is pretty cold, so I love having these because they keep me nice and cozy during the 8 hours of my day that I sit in an icebox. They are also great for running errands or just snuggling up on a cold weekend afternoon. So stock up! You'll want these in your closet, I promise!
This was one of the Thirty-one bags I reviewed a few months back (you can find the full review here), and I loved it so much I got one for myself with my initials monogrammed on it. It's a great size and stylish enough to take to work, but I can also easily throw snacks, diapers and wipes in it for the girls if we're running around town or out for a few hours. It's super roomy, but not too big and bulky. There are lots of different prints available, but this one was my favorite, because to me it makes the bag look less like a tote and more like a purse. The monogram makes me feel a bit more fancy, too!
I seem to have a newly-formed love affair with all things monogrammed. It might have stemmed from when we visited my Aunt Mel a while back and I was oogling all of her monogrammed hand towels, handbags, etc. Or maybe it's because it makes me feel a bit more grown up? I don't really know, but I love it. The first photo is of a monogrammed mug I got from my team on my last day at my previous job and I use it every day at work still. I don't know where they found it, but I love it! I decided to search on Amazon for something similar to share with you and that I might get for myself as well, so that is what the 2nd picture is, and is also where the link will take you. If you love all things coffee/tea/hot cocoa, I'd suggest getting the 15-oz mug. I have that and I love it for the "Big Coffee" kind of mornings, but I can also use it for soup as well!
I mentioned in yesterday's October Birchbox Review how I love this lip color, and I'm not kidding! I have this in 4 different colors - my 2 favorites are Unlimited Raisin (for a deeper color) and Timeless Toffee (a bit more neutral). Some days, I'm just not feeling the whole putting on makeup routine, but I still want to look like I tried, so I swipe on some mascara and a pop of color on my lips and I'm good to go. Maybelline Superstay is awesome. I apply the 1st step (color) when my lips are clean and dry and let it fully dry, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Then I seal it with the 2nd step, which is basically a clear lip balm - almost like a chapstick - that keeps my lips moist. I don't have to re-apply the color AT ALL during the day, I really only add some of the balm if it wears off from eating. I love the price on this too - at around $7, you can stock up on a few different colors and they'll last a long time.
I know, I know, this is one of the more pricey items on my list today. I got this as a sample in one of my Birchboxes, which is why I own it, because I'm not really a girl who spends $35 on mascara. But I'm seriously debating doing it for this mascara when my sample is out. The brush is fantastic and separates my lashes really well. It doesn't run, and it doesn't clump. Like I said above, on days where I know I'll be in public but just don't have the energy, the will, or the time to fully "get ready," a few swipes of a good mascara and some fun lip color makes it seem like I put in more effort than I actually did.
We've all been there. Yes, even the most super mom of all super moms has been there. Heck, you don't even have to be a mom to have been there. I'm talking about not showering every day. As gross as it sounds, it happens. It's real life. Enter the savior of all things dirty hair: dry shampoo. Amika is my personal favorite because it doesn't make your hair look powdery, and the smell is awesome, but there are tons of other brands out there. Whether you didn't shower, went to the gym before going out in public, or are just trying not to look like you haven't put any effort into your hair for weeks (totally me), dry shampoo should be your BFF if it's not already.
That's all for What I Love this Wednesday! Do you own any of these? What are your Fall Fashion must haves? I'd love to hear!