Mommy Vs. Wifey

In all three of this week's posts (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I am going to show you how to  style basic items in your closet for extended wearability and a more versatile wardrobe. Today's styling edition will focus on transforming a simple dress from "mommy - on - the - go" to a "hot mama" ready for date night with a few basic swaps. So let's get started shall we?

THE BASIC

Today's basic is a simple tank dress I scored from H&M in my favorite color at the moment, army green. The dress is simple enough to dress up or down depending on your itinerary. 

DRESS//via H&M (very similar), (long - sleeved version)

MOMMY

While I'm in mommy - mode the most important thing for me is comfort and practical usage out of my wardrobe. I have to be able to move quickly, carry a growing infant (who is upwards of 17+ lbs), a car seat, and/or maneuver a huge stroller...all while tugging a gigantic diaper bag. Needless to say, I don't need a restrictive or impractical outfit to slow me down. While I still love to dress up when I go out (as mentioned in my last post), I have to think more about what the day calls for. Flats are definitely the real MVPs these days (sneakers, boots, ballet flats, sandals etc.) as I have not been able to really rock stiletto heels as much or for extensive periods of time since giving birth to Grayson. Comfort is KING! That is why this simple army - green colored tank dress is the perfect item for any mommy - on - the - go to have in her closet. This dress is a must have because it can be easily paired with an array of items in your closet, but most of all, it is easy to throw on and is a great foundational piece. 

To achieve my mommy look, I opted to wear this simple dress and pair it with my camouflage jacket, Superstar Adidas, gold - rimmed glasses, and a red lip. This look is super simple, but fool - proof to create (jacket + dress + sneakers = simple outfit)!

DRESS//via H&M (very similar) - CAMOUFLAGE JACKET//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - SUPERSTAR ADIDAS//via Footlocker - GOLD - RIMMED GLASSES//via Charlotte Russe (similar) - BAWSE LADY LIQUID MATTE LIPSTICK// via The Lip Bar

WIFEY

While I love being a mom I have to constantly remember that before I was called mommy I was crowned with the title wifey aka Mrs. Anderson! My hubby put a ring on it (shout out to Queen Bey) 5 years ago, so I try to keep things right and tight to keep our marriage spicy! He knows I love to dress up and go on dates (which are a little harder to come by, since we don't have an official babysitter for Grayson at the moment). So when I get a chance to get fully glammed up, I jump at the opportunity!

To achieve the ultimate swap from mommy to wifey in a flash I kept the same tank dress as my foundational piece but I traded my camouflage jacket for my fuzzy blush coat, my Superstar Adidas for my fringe booties, my gold - rimmed frames with a dope pair of sunnies, and my red lip for a nude softer pout! 

DRESS//via H&M (very similar) - FUZZY BLUSH COAT//via Forever 21 (similar) or (also similar) - FRINGE BOOTIES //via Charlotte Russe (similar) - SUNNIES //old (similar) - PERSISTENCE MATTE LIPSTICK// via (M.A.C)

With a few simple tweaks to your outfit, you can go from day to night in a flash, and turn heads in the process. *Cue Beyonce's "I'm Feeling Myself!"* You don't have to make styling items in your closet rocket science. All you have to do is find simple complimentary items that can be used to dress your basics up or down...and wallah, you have the perfect outfit no matter if you're having a mommy and me play date in the park or going on a hot date with your partner!

I hope you slay your day! Happy Monday luvs!

-Ali

Twinning with Mommy

When I discovered Grayson's gender the fantasy of having my little mini me, a baby girl, flew out the window.  At that very moment I honestly thought I was striped of the potential to dress alike, teach my daughter about fashion, and play dress up. While I really wasn't caught up on the gender of the baby (I really just wanted a HEALTHY, LIVING, BREATHING child) I would be lying if I didn't say the possibility of having a girl made my heart smile at the very beginning stages of my pregnancy. 

When Grayson arrived all my thoughts for a girl melted away the moment I saw his face! Grayson was perfect! I traded in bows and tulle skirts for dinosaurs, trains, and harem pants (Side note: Somebody PLEASE put some valid effort into improving little boy's clothing options, our few little racks with limited inventory is pretty drab in comparison to the vast little girls section - I'd be willing to offer my suggestions for a fee...but I digress). 

So lets rewind to last week. Grayson and I go to the library every Wednesday for story time. Tip: If you are a parent searching for something to do with your baby or child, hit up your local library. Besides the array of books you can read with your child you can also find some amazing story times for babies and toddlers, and even free or cost effective activities and events. I wanted to put Grayson in a long sleeve outfit because morning temperatures have been a bit cooler (faux - fall...by 12PM it is burning up, which makes it very hard to figure out what to wear). I purchased this denim button up and army fatigue cargo pant set from the Carter's outlet back when I visited St. Augustine, FL about a month ago. I love the outfit because it pairs denim (with a tiny pop of color - orange) and army fatigue - which could be used as a neutral. *Please pardon my sons drool spots, he's teething. Parents know trying to keep your children clean is almost next to impossible!*

CARTER'S SET// via Carter's (similar) - MOCCASINS// via Amazon.com (similar) - WOODGRAIN SUNGLASSES// via Carter's (similar)

Once Grayson was dressed it was my turn to get ready. I drew inspiration from his outfit. I knew I had denim and army fatigue  in my closet, so I grabbed my Canadian tuxedo (denim from head to toe) then paired my army fatigue jacket on top to pull the look together. For my accessories I used my orange necklace as a pop of color (to match Grayson) and added a broach to ramp up the dramatics. I finished off the look with my tan fedora, lace - up booties I snagged from Charlotte Russe, and my green - tinted sunnies I scored from H&M. 

DENIM BUTTON UP// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - DENIM FLARES// via New York & Co. (similar) - ARMY FATIGUE JACKET// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - BROACH// via Hobby Lobby (similar) - NECKLACE// via Forever 21 (old) - BOOTIES// via Charlotte Russe (similar) - AVIATORS// via H&M (similar)

The outfit turned out great and I finally got my wish, I was about to twin with my little munchkin. I must admit, we look good as a unit! Don't you think so? As a mommy of a little boy, you are not totally striped of your ability to twin with your mini - me if you so choose. It just takes a bit more creativity and planning. 

Happy Monday Luvs, lets go out and conquer the day!!! I'll see you back here bright and early Wednesday morning! 

-Ali