Florida

{shirt: Pink Rose via Loehmann's // skirt: Loft // shoes: Mattiko via DSW // jacket: Calvin Klein Denim via Century 21 // lace earrings: gift from hubs }

Usual disclaimer: I started off way less wrinkled than these pictures would indicate. A few weeks ago a kosher pop-up BBQ truck visited our 'hood, and we ate our fill of applewood smoked brisket sandwiches before heading home for the bub's bedtime. I wore my new button down blouse, which makes me feel like a 70-something retiree in South Florida. In a good way.

In other news, I finally uploaded pictures from my too-fancy-for-me camera to the computer. Here is a 4-month beauty shot, 3 weeks late.  Now that his naps have gotten a bit longer and more regular, it is back to the grindstone for me. I'm hoping to churn out a paper this week and then another over the next month, getting back in mental shape for school to start up again. Maybe he'll even sleep through the night by then! Hey, a girl can dream.

Save it for a Rainy Day

{cardigan: J. Crew Outlet // striped tee: UO // jean skirt: Loft // rainbooties: Melissa // necklace: Filene's }

Oh hi there. We've hit 4 months postpartum and baby boy is belly laughing, rolling and squawking up a storm. I'm losing hair by the handful (gah), so got my first haircut in nearly a year with some volumizing all-over layers and side bangs to make me feel like I have a style on bun days (yknow, every day). I'm still getting dressed but finding time to take semi-decent shots lacking. On the above day, despite the general drizzly gloom, I got a blissful 3 hours of nap. Hello, outfit pictures (and laundry. The neverending laundry.)

Transitioning

{sweater: J. Crew Factory // skirt: Max Studio Jeans // booties: Bamboo // earrings: craft fair in Tel Aviv }

My life right now consists of a lot of floor time, giggling and cooing with our nearly 4-month-old bub. I think I need to just accept wrinkles as an occupational hazard. We're still transitioning to warm weather here, hence the sweater + booties + bare legs (!) combination.

And here you have my favorite hair-do of late. I often shower at night after baby is asleep, and wake up with crazy hair that needs taming. This look has been my salvation: french-braid and pin back the front, pull out a strand or two, and stick the rest of it in a bun. Takes about 30 seconds, stays all day, and I don't look like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. Win.

Spring. Maybe.

 {striped dress: BCBG via Ross // sandals: Lucky Brand // jacket: Calvin Klein Jeans // necklace: Banana Republic via hubs }

Yesterday certainly felt like spring, but I've been fooled several times now over the past month. Holding my horses over here. I've been loving the maxi dress now that btd is playing on the floor, and this stripey number actually has sleeves long enough to wear on its own. Since it was still a bit chilly I paired it with the jean jacket (not my first choice, but I couldn't find the one I wanted to wear. It was on the couch. My brain and I need to have a little chat).

Wearing this dress felt like celebrating the body I currently have, flabby bits and all. No hiding behind stiff fabric or a smoothing tank top, just me and the softly flowing jersey. Coming to terms with my postpartum figure, with its wider hips, larger bust and doughy stomach is taking time, but it felt rather freeing to embrace it in this body-conscious look. My body has done some pretty fantastic things over the past year and I'm learning to embrace it.

Behind the Camera: Or, Ode to a Chambray Shirt

These days, I find myself behind the lens far more frequently than in front of it. Lots of outfits worn, few documented. So here are a few shots of what I've been wearing from Instagram, because taking a shot in a mirror is about what I'm capable of at the mo.

{Old Navy star chambray shirt // American Apparel skirt // French Connection sweater // Corso Como boots}

An oldie but this was one of my first solo jaunts with babytumbledown, and my first wear of what has become a closet staple, the Old Navy star print chambray. I've been wearing button-down tops nonstop while breastfeeding, but most of mine just.wouldn't.close over my impressive new bust.  Yup, I currently rock a size that I didn't even know existed prior. Thanks to Old Navy, I have a few inexpensive button downs that do indeed button (ok, I sewed a snap in between a few buttons for extra coverage). The fit on the rest of me isn't the best, but with a sweater and rolled up sleeves nobody is the wiser.

{F21 chambray // J. Crew pencil skirt // Hue tights // Target booties // baby}

Bring baby to work (school) day, as I prepared for my second-year meeting with the members of my orals committee. The above was taken after I successfully located the lactation room on campus AND a bathroom with a changing table (and, yknow, wrote a progress report and filed my first-year thesis in my portfolio). Felt rather accomplished that day.

{F21 chambray shirt // grey H&M grandpa cardigan // J Crew Outlet pencil skirt}

Continuing the theme of chambray skirt + colored pencil skirt above, I wore this to coffee with friends and out to pick up some more baby socks (where do they go?!? Actually, I know the answer to that question: inside all the other items in the laundry. Discovered this when I got dressed the other day and found a baby sock inside my sleeve.) I was considerably less wrinkled when I got dressed.

So, in a word: chambray.

Leopard Stripe

{striped tee: Target // jean jacket: Calvin Klein Denim // skirt: American Apparel // tights: Hue // leopard booties: Target // scarf: Filene's}

We're almost at 3 months postpartum here, folks, and I have finally laid my maternity clothes to rest. Except for one item-- my much-worn denim pencil skirt, because I don't have one in my wardrobe and I just love it to pieces. Wearing it now, however, entails doing the hike-up dance every few feet if I walk too far, a pretty good reminder that it should be in the box with the rest of its compatriots.

The outfit above was hopefully the last tights day of the season. I do love jean jacket weather, which seems to last but a moment each spring/fall, so I'm not complaining about the temps any time soon. 68 and sunny, bring it on.

Leather Pencil

 {purple leather pencil skirt: DKNY via ebay // cream blouse: Lohemann's // grey cardigan: H&M // black tights: Hue // black flats: Nine West }

Our first Saturday back in synagogue with the baby, and out to lunch at friends afterward. It has been so nice to settle back into our social life with baby in tow! He loves crowds, and is generally well-behaved (and super sleepy) when we're out. I may just need to invite 30 people every night at bedtime.