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.

Welders Don't Wear Pink

Ever since I received my contingency job assignment, people have gotten quite the kick out of the fact that I'm going to be a welder. First of all there's not many women welders, second I work in HR and third, people definitely have a hard time picturing me in something other than my heels.

Well there's no need to try to picture it anymore, the people I work with have seen me all week in my factory attire. It's quite fashionable. Huge steel-toe boots, dirty jeans, t-shirt and my weld cap are what I'm sporting around the office after I'm done with my shift (surprisingly the weld cap is kind of cute - - it's what I wear under my weld helmet).


In the shop I'm covered in a large green weld jacket, weld apron, helmet, etc.

But when I went into work last night, one of the salvage welders came up and told me, "Welders don't wear pink,” which I replied, "We'll see about that."


Besides what I'm wearing, the training's actually going pretty well. I'm definitely tired, but I'm proud of myself. So if you see one of these out in your travels, just think I may have welded the frame it sits on all together!

Just add leggings

Soon enough I'll be enjoying fine wine and stinky cheese in the fashion capital of the world!

I've got a lot of work to do to finalize details (and figure out how in the world I'm supposed to pack light...for Paris...in winter!)

But I've got my priorities straight. My NYE outfit is coming along.

But in 30 degree weather, I might need to add some leggings...or at least tights!

My first flats

Besides my gym shoes, I can't say I remember the last time (or a time) I've bought a pair of flat shoes. Hence the name of this blog, "HEEL, ball-change".

But when you know you're going to be walking around all of Paris and Spain for vacation, it's time to suck it up. Since we'll be going over winter I decided to check out some cute flat boots. After trying on one pair after the other, I finally found one I liked on me (plenty of them looked great on the stand, but just weren't working on me).

I decided to start breaking them in this weekend.

As much as I have fallen for these, 2 weeks and no heels doesn't seem doable for me. So, I splurged and have these cute Hunter rainboot wedges on order! I figure it'll be a bit chilly & wet in Paris, so they're definitely a necessity.

With a name like Stuart

Last year, I bought these shoes for my birthday. In terms of style - I absolutely adore them. In terms of price - they're the most expensive shoes I've ever purchased (and they were 60% off the original price when I did buy them). In terms of comfort - they may be the most uncomfortable shoes I own.

Seems a little ridiculous. The most expensive shoe is one of the most uncomfortable??? Well, I did purchase them online and it was a final sale, so couldn't do much about it. Fortunately, I still love the look so I wear them out or to work when I know I'll be sitting most of the time. Today, was one of those days.

Party like a (80s) Rock Star

For the 10th, yes 10th, year in a row we went to see TranSiberian Orchestra's Christmas show. It's become a Christmas tradition.

And for the 10th time (actually 11th - we went to 2 shows last Christmas) it was awesome!

In case you don't know TSO, they're a bunch of 80s rock stars gone classical. (Think The Nutcracker meets  80s rock, lasers, fire and 20+ semis worth of lights!!!)

During last year's Chicago show, we sat right behind an old groupie who head-banged and threw up his rock star hands throughout the show. It was awesome. So, I decided this year, I'd style myself a little 80s rock as well. No, not a faded black concert shirt - 80s glam rock with a modern twist.

 

Gray lace dress - Forever 21

Buckle boots - lulu.com

Necklace - Apricot Lane (note it completely fell apart...wouldn't recommend)

Belt - from another coat I own

Bomber jacket - Express

Here are a couple shots from the show as well. Now that we've been to so many, we change up where we sit each year so we get a different view.

Fash'nspired: Girls Night!

My friend Steph helped us start a monthly Girls Night Out with a few of us that hang out from work and a couple other friends she knows. Last week was our 3rd one and the first one I actually made it out all night for.

Quick recap:
1st Girls Night - I came home from work ready to get myself together and go meet everyone. Robert's car was in the garage, but there was no Robert. I immediately assumed he was hiding somewhere and was waiting for him to jump out of a closet or something (note this is a regular event). But after 15 minutes or so, nothing. I called his name, searched the house and he wasn't anywhere to be found. Bella was home so he hadn't taken her for a walk. So I called his cell - no answer. I called again (and within the next hour probably close to 10 times). My husband was missing. Because I worry (a lot) - I get this from my mom - scenario after scenario went through my head. After missing the first hour of girls night and not knowing where Robert was, I figured it was best to go out and get my mind off this. I knew I was overreacting. I was right - he had gone on a bike ride with some friends. Whoops.

2nd Girls Night - It was going to rain so Robert and I had to move in some donations for the Salvation Army that were sitting out on the driveway. Almost everything was moved in and we started to move the last piece of furniture. As I went to set down the desk, Robert must have still been moving it and the next thing I knew my toe was bleeding all over and my nail was hanging off. Didn't make it to girls night - spent the night at Prompt Care.

3rd Girls Night - I had been out of town for work the last 2 nights. When I got home Robert had bought me flowers and was excited to spend the night with me. I quickly reminded him that it was girls night...and I wasn't letting him get in the way this time. (Ok, I said it a bit nicer than that and I did feel really bad but I wasn't missing another night out).

This night was a success! Jenny set us up to go to Free to Bead in the Heights before hitting the bar. We had to pick out our beads to make a necklace. It took a little while for me to get fash'nspired, but eventually I found my inspiration piece and got to work.

Red, White & Blue

If I've learned anything about politics since I've been old enough to vote it's that I'm no republican, and I'm no democrat. Needless to say my ballot is typically a good mix.

So therefore, for midterm elections so was my outfit.

Bring it on Windy City!

What is up with this weather? Trust me, I'm not complaining mid 70s...in late October...in the Midwest...in Chicago???....is awesome!

But I have to say I love the fall, so I do somewhat wish (don't kill me for writing this) it was a little chillier out. On Saturday, I headed to Chicago to meet up with some of my sorority sisters. It's been way too long since we've done something like this, and it was a blast! A photo of 4 of us before partying it up on Rush & Division. We had a great time dancing the entire night. I didn't even notice how much my feet hurt until around 3:30 when I finally stopped moving.

Back to the weather, as you can see no one is shivering in this photo. Chicago was gorgeous, even though it was supposed to rain and storm all day and night. When we were out shopping during the day, I even had to take off my light fleece because I was so hot. The problem is this weather doesn't do much for my LOVE of cute coats. My coat problem may even be worse than shoes. Because not only do you wear them during certain times of the year only, but they're not actually an outfit - although I wish they could be. Since Fall 2010 has come along, I've bought 3 new coats (I won't even mention how many are already hanging in the front closet).

Here's a look:
1. H&M

2. Anthropologie

3. XXI

Like I said, bring it cold weather, bring it!

Fash'nspired: Charming Charlie

About a month ago, a couple of friends from Chicago were visiting us. When we drove by the mall, Lauren was super excited that we were getting a Charming Charlie's. I had no idea what it was, but turns out it's all things accessories!

And it really is great. For an accessory store it's huge. On my first trip, I found a few cute things - a gift for someone, a cute flower ring and this. Rather than buying it, I decided to use it as my next fash'nspired piece.

Necklace at Charming Charlie (top); My creation (bottom; satin beaded belt intertwined with a flat silver necklace and some black beads)