Peoria Perks

It's definitely been awhile since I've posted to this site, but when you're not really in the market for new clothes it's hard to keep up a fashion blog!

Even though I still got my Elle magazine and checked out other fashion blogs the past several months, it's not as exciting when you don't get to participate in the new trends...and when you have no idea when you're going to fit back in those things!

Well, just like everyone else I've seen the recent commercial ads for Missoni for Target. Honestly, I dont know a lot about all the high end designers, but I do get a taste of each of them from my magazines and love when designers do things like this. I totally missed out years ago when Jimmy Choo did a line for H&M, so when I saw the Missoni special was running for three weeks, I figured I could wait a little after my baby arrived to see what I might want.

Turns out I was wrong. All over the news and fashion blog world, it sounded like the line sold out in a matter of hours. I missed my chance...or so I thought.

Yesterday morning, I ran a few errands, including a stop at Target to stock up on toiletries. When I walked in the door (8:30am) there were still a few items on the Missoni rack. While there were probably less than 10 things left in the women's line, I lucked out and found a few things I really liked (no knit dresses though)! Even though I'm sure our inventory was low for Peoria, the fact that there was anything left was definitely a perk!  Surely a better 2nd day selection than any store in the Chicago area.

 

 

 

 

 

hooded zip up, sweater and sweater tank

As I went to check out, I saw there were some Missoni girls items..."wonder if they did Missoni for baby."...they did! I've been a bit bummed that I haven't bought anything clothes-wise for my own daughter (because we've been so blessed by our friends and family! Seriously, her 5 drawer dresser is already full and there's plenty in the closet!) I think she's pretty set for the first 9-12 months, so I bought an18-24 mo jacket for her. Besides, what kind of mom would I be if I bought all these things for myself and nothing for my daughter?!

So here it is, her first designer purchase (and if they still had this in my size, we would have been a totally cute mother/daughter pair).

Pastels are out this Easter

And life size eggs are in! As promised, I was sporting my own Easter egg this weekend. A cute dress I got a T.J. Maxx turned out to be a great find to show off my bump while still staying fashionable.

Holiday Fashion

As you may have seen my outfit for Election Day, I'm a big fan of fashioning for the holiday. Here are a couple recent photos from Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. Pink and Green shoes included!

Now what to wear for Easter? I think I'll be fashioning my own egg (baby bump) by that time!

Maternity Style - I like!

http://www.thelook4less.net/2011/03/style-me-saturday-life-in-transition.html

Our trip...a couple months late

On our way back from our Europe vacation to France & Spain I had grandiose ideas on how many blog posts I could get out of our trip. Well now that it's been over a month since we've been back (and 2 months since I've blogged) clearly something else came up!

We're having a baby! I've spent the last 6 weeks feeling sick and sleeping A LOT! But since I'm still a big fan of fashion, I decided I'd keep up this blog even during the pregnancy. No, I'll keep the maternity fashion to a minimum (because I don't think much of it is that fashionable - - especially considering the fact that my heels are already starting to hurt as I finish the first trimester).

So, here's some photos I tried to take of some of my looks on vacation. Unfortunately, it was still winter, so most of my outfits are covered by my coat in photos. I should have known to pack a few shirts and bring all of my fun outerwear! But surely that would have put me over my 50 1b bag limit!

First day of the trip - casual in Paris - all black and a feathered scarf

Ready to take on NYE in Paris

One of our many Eiffel Tower shots

Another night on the town in Paris - now one of my favorite places!

Yes, I pulled out a hat one day! This is my Mona Lisa smile.

When your straighter and your curling iron don't work...you'll try anything to make your hair look somewhat decent.

My rain boots were a big hit and needed in rainy Spain.

Cute blue dress I bought in Spain

Another Spain purchase - sweater dress

Mixing it up for a night of Flamenco watching

I wore everything twice to pack light so tights and scarfs helped make things new!

Fash'nspired: Ketchup?

So after my super stylish mood last week, I decided to go simple today. I wore my pinstriped dark gray slacks with a light gray sweater over a white top.

Typically when I wear this outfit, the white top I wear is just a spaghetti strap tank top. But for whatever reason, I decided to wear my white cap sleeve sweater under it today (maybe for warmth?)

Turns out it was a good choice! This afternoon as I was sitting at my computer and just finished talking to someone who stopped by, I leaned over to pick up a pen I knocked on the floor. As soon as I did something red caught my eye. Was I bleeding? No, I had ketchup stains ALL OVER my shirt. Seriously, all over. I had been back from lunch for at least 45 minutes. How did I not notice this...worse, how did no one else notice (or not tell me???) Melissa?!?

Haha, well I quickly headed to the ladies room (with my notebook strategically held close by) to clean up. No luck. It was totally obvious I had stains all over myself. So fast on my feet, I decided to make my undershirt a sweater vest.  It turned out alright I guess. While I might not put this look together again, it did the job for this afternoon.

The Silver Lining

Yes, I'm a glass half full type person and someone who always sees the silver lining.

While I've been in freak out mode over getting everything done before the holidays & vacation, I've had to step back and remember that the whole reason I need to get these things done is so I can enjoy my time off without worry!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and taking time to sit back & relax, too!

And speaking of silver lining, I decided to share the outfit I wore to my husband's Christmas party earlier this week. This was my first week working back in the office, and I feel like I've been overcompensating my work outfits this week to make up for looking like such a slum last week. Haha. On Monday, I wore a cute dress with black sweater tights and some fun heels, whipped out my new pink burberry style scarf on Tuesday, etc., etc.

On Thursday, I decided to make an easy day to night outfit change. I wore the following dress & boots to work, but styled it with a gray belted blazer instead of this ruffled coat layover which I put on for the party. I have to say this may be one of my favorite new outfits.

Both the dress and the coat are from Forever 21. Boots are from lulus.com. The only recent purchase is the dress but I didn't have any luck finding it on their web site. Here's another cute one if you like the general look: Starry Night Dress.