Winter Proof Mom Uniform

I have really struggled with finding time to get myself together in the mornings, especially after having Margot. It always feels rushed, getting ready while they’re both already awake, trying to navigate something to wear while also thinking of all the different things we have that day, and what I can wear that will work for all of it. So, I have been working to try and create a simple winter wardrobe/uniform that I don’t need to think about, is comfortable, yet feels put together so I can start and end my day right. I wear combinations of these pieces, all day, every day, and I feel great whether it’s at preschool drop off, running errands, or playing outside in the snow for hours.

I have realized it’s all about the bases. Every single morning I put on a pair of black/olive green/navy blue leggings, a slim long sleeve shirt, cozy socks, and vest. As much as I love my cozy sweaters, I have found them to be more and more annoying while we are inside. They feel bulky, and I don’t feel like I can be as productive in them. Also, a lot of them are hard to wash/dry clean only and if you have two toddlers, you know you are washing your clothes… daily. Not many things can be worn more than one day that aren’t covered in food or dirt or… blood… Everything I wear I need to be able to wash over, and over, and over again and still look crisp.

So anyways, I thought I would put this together in case you’re also struggling with a similar situation.

  1. Ultra Slim Down Vest - I have two, one in cream and one in black - both from Uniqlo - and go with everything. They wash amazing, are super lightweight, but warm. I wear under my coats and jackets for a warmer layer in place of a bulky sweater.

  2. Long Sleeve Ribbed Shirt - I have in three colors from Everlane and constantly switch out. They keep their stretch even after all the washes, and I have yet to find a better version.

  3. Camel Overcoat - For when I want to “dress up” this weekday uniform. It instantly makes it feel more polished. Mine is super old from Zara - here’s a similar version.

  4. Cashmere Beanie - Mine is again, old, and no longer available from And Other Stories - but very similar version here from Naadam.

  5. Lululemon Align Leggings - the classics and my favorites. For colder days I wear my wool version!

  6. Bombas wool socks for cold/days we’re outside, and my favorite Target version in between.

  7. I bought these Doc Maartens when I was pregnant with Harrison, and bopping all around Boston from job site to job site. I wanted to still look professional, but also, comfort was key, and I needed them to have some traction for the snow at 8-9 months pregnant. They are going on their 4th winter, and still amazing. It doesn’t look like they make the crocodile texture anymore, but here’s the smooth leather version.

  8. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m obsessed with this Cordova silver metallic ski jacket that I was lucky enough to snag as an early birthday present. It takes these everyday looks up a notch ;)

  9. Another “pregnant with Harrison” purchase, I bought these Sorel snow boots after falling on ice while pregnant... Super warm, comfortable, and most importantly lightweight. I don’t feel like I’m in clunky snowboots.

  10. The warmest parka I’ve ever owned. Long enough to keep you super warm, but still easy to move around in and not bulky to drive in. I’ve had mine for going on 5 winters now, and still holding up great.

  11. Hestra leather gloves - keep me warm outside in the snow with the kids, but also have the polish for when I’m out and about.

  12. Studio Noos Chunky Teddy Mom Bag - the winter carry-all. I throw EVERYTHING in it. Machine washable. Enough said.

This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases via these links, but these products are being shared on my own accord. These are not sponsored products. I only share what I love!

Quarantine Mom Capsule - House Dress Edition

It’s been a very, very long quarantine, and while there is a light at the end of the tunnel with this vaccine — I fear we are still many months away from leaving the house in any sort of normal capacity.

I feel like I spent the majority of the last year pregnant and in flowy dresses. I felt really great pregnant with Margot, and feel it was a lot easier to be pregnant winter into summer than summer into winter as I was with Harry. But, postpartum has been a completely different story. Since we don’t leave the house/our street at all I have gotten very comfortable in joggers and leggings — and while I do try and jazz them up as best I can, I am SO. OVER. IT.

A few nights ago I had a closet meltdown — what I do have in there for winter I’m not comfortable wearing without losing more baby weight (tight, high-waisted jeans and shorter tops/sweaters..) — and what is flattering is not comfortable home all day playing with the kids (and covered in spit up 98% of the time..)

So, I needed a refresh, and thought I’d share some lounge/home dresses I already have, some I have on the way, and others I love — to inspire or freshen up your quarantine closet. I plan on layering long sleeves underneath, and sweaters over on cold days — and of course I will still be found in jogger/sweaters/snowpants when we’re playing outside, BUT I think these couple pieces will really put the pep I truly need back in my step.

My requirements: must be machine washable (which I consider everything except dry clean only — I just use the delicate/hand wash setting on our washer), comfy, but also flattering and makes me feel good! Most time paired with thick wool socks or slippers, because balance… The majority of these are also nursing friendly! I also love that all of these options, while worn inside for the most part now, are great transition dresses into spring and summer so they’ll get a ton of wear.

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1. Aritzia Wilfred Spa Dress

2. Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress

3. The Sleeper Floral Lounge Dress

4. Treasure & Bond Sweater Dress

5. Christy Dawn - The Finley Dress

6. Aritzia Henley Sweater Dress

7. Baybala Jolene Dress

8. Doen Edlynne Dress

This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases via these links, but these products are being shared on my own accord. These are not sponsored products. I only share what I love!

Summer Pregnancy Style

When I was first pregnant with Harry, I had big plans. I had adorable maternity outfits pinned and planned, and then realized a) we live in Boston, where winter begins in October and b) I was going to be at my largest in the dead of winter. I made some mistakes — like I kept cutting my hair really short… and also ended up gaining more weight than I should have and was just over any sort of “style”. I was in maternity jeans I hated everyday, and uggs, and large sweaters. I hated it.

This time around, I’m pregnant at a totally different time of year - so I luckily got to have a fresh start with my wardrobe. I wanted to share some tips and things I learned from last time to this time, in case another soon-to-be-mom out there is also feeling a bit lost, especially if she considered herself pretty fashion savvy prior to becoming pregnant.

For starters, it DEFINITELY helps that I’m pregnant mainly in the summer — throwing on a dress beats jeans/sweaters/socks/boots/parka any.day. But at the same time, everything needs to be comfortable, and easy — since I’m chasing around a toddler 95% of the day and we’re in and out of the house playing.

But anyways, here’s what I’ve been loving this pregnancy (due August 13th):

Rent the Runway

I re-joined RTR (fun fact: I worked in marketing at the HQ when we lived in New York) and it is a GAME changer. Their maternity selection is incredible, and you can try out more expensive brands that you would otherwise shy away from — especially for maternity that you’ll only wear for a couple months if that. I am subscribed to the Unlimited membership, and I personally think it’s worth every penny. I usually swap out every week, and have had amazing picks of dresses and jumpsuits that I am living in. Some of my favorite rentals so far:

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  1. Hatch - The Kacey Jumpsuit

  2. Alexis - Auja Dress

  3. Rachel Pally - Linen Bias Dress

  4. Rachel Pally - Gingham Darcy Jumpsuit

  5. Hatch - The Noelle Jumpsuit

  6. Sweet Baby Jamie - Floral Smocked Dress

Storq

In between rentals, I am living in Storq’s Maternity Tank Dress and Anytime Overalls — they’re the perfect neutrals to ground my summer wardrobe, and the quality is amazing. Special thank you to Lindsey Trapp for introducing me to the tank dress.

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Capsule Dresses

Luckily, my summer wardrobe already included lots of oversized linen and light denim dresses, so going to make the best use of ones I can. I’ve tried to find some of my favorites, but the favorites have been in my closet for many summers and aren’t easily available (of course!)":

Anthropologie Cloth & Stone Denim Dress

Cynthia Rowley Linen Floral Dress

Anthropologie Linen Striped Dress

Eileen Fisher Tank Dress

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Slip-on Sneakers & Birkenstocks

Thanks to Stephanie Trotta, I finally found the perfect summer sneaker that I have been longing for. I am constantly in and out of the house grabbing drinks and snacks and this toy and that — and since we have a very strict no shoe policy, I was going nuts lacing and unlacing my sneakers. When I’m not in those, I’m in my trusty Birkenstocks. I also just ordered a pair of Freedom Moses which I’m hoping can replace my lame flip flops for when our deck turns into a water park (every afternoon…).

Headbands

Before this pregnancy, I wasn’t a jumpsuit OR headband girl, but… here we are! I can’t get enough Lele Sadoughi headbands.

Modern Mom Jeans | Fall Essentials

As I've grown older, I have come to really learn and appreciate what works best for my body type and lifestyle. After becoming a mom, things shifted (haaaa...) but my wardrobe has stayed pretty consistent. These new mom days, it’s important for my daily wardrobe rotation to be easy, quick, yet look and feel put together day in and day out. For the most part, my days are spent at home in joggers/tee shirts/cardigans — but it’s nice to know all I have to do is throw on a polished coat or loafers and I’ll look and feel acceptable to run errands.

The inspiration for my daily style can be characterized as classic, simple, natural and clean. 

Each season, I take a good hard look at my closet, and rid of anything I haven't worn (there's always those items) that previous season, before packing up a few very seasonal items until the next year. For the most part, my wardrobe is the same year round -- besides these few seasonal items I rotate in and out. I have found the less I have in my closet, the easier I get dressed each morning and the happier I feel.

For Fall, here are some essentials I am working with from my capsule wardrobe, plus a few new additions…

Modern Mom Jeans | Postpartum Essentials

 
 
 

One of the hardest things about having a c-section was the pain of recovery. I had been looking forward to getting back into my jeans after birth (hahahahaha the things I thought then and things I know now), and that was just not the reality of the situation.

The reality is this -- everyone's body handles birth differently, of course, but the majority of moms leave the hospital looking about 6 months pregnant. 

This definitely threw a wrench in my expectations of myself postpartum. I quickly realized what was going to work and what was not, so I thought I would share my top essentials for the fourth trimester! These items have helped me feel put together (even if it's a day we weren't able to leave the house) which is something that is super important to me. To be honest, I'm 5 months PP now, and still rotating between these essential items on a daily basis. In general, I am a pretty simple dresser. Over the years I have found that I look my best and feel most comfortable in minimal, quality, casual pieces -- as you will come to learn!

Joggers

I wanted to be comfortable of course, but also wanted to look great for visitors and for my own sanity. I am obsessed with linen, knit and cashmere joggers, paired with a tee shirt/cardigan or linen button down. I even wear these out and about with slip on mules for a more finished look.

Linen Button Downs

For breastfeeding mamas, there is nothing better. I bought the Gap Oversized Boyfriend Linen Button Down in every single color they offer and never looked back.

Open Cardigans

Harrison was born in March, so it was still chilly and there was nothing better than being cozied up with him. Open cardigans with joggers is a relaxed, yet put together option while you're soaking up the first few months of motherhood. I picked up some great affordable options at Primark & Target, but there are also great options at J.Crew and Gap.

High Waisted Boyfriend Jeans

3 weeks postpartum I craved jeans but of course none of mine fit yet. I went into a local Madewell, and the sales team was so nice I almost cried. We tried on about 10 different pairs, all in 3-4 sizes above my pre-pregnancy size. Even still, it made me feel human again. I ended up going with a high waisted boyfriend fit. They were fitted then, but now hang loosely and I wear them almost every day. For the summer, I bought an additional pair in white to mix in to my rotation.

High Waisted Underwear

This goes out to all my c-section mamas. Isn't underwear postpartum super fun? Everything hits RIGHT at your incision, it's a real blast. A friend recommended the Kindred Bravely Postpartum Underwear & C-Section Recovery Panties, and I haven't looked back.

Slippers

Not only for comfort, but for much needed traction and support! I love the classic L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins.