Step and Repeat...

It is not quite "officially" winter here yet in Chicago, but mother nature is sure doing a good job pretending.  -8 with the windchill today...I knew it was going to be a multiple layer day when my car clock said 2 degrees when I went to warm it up for carpool at 8am...

Sweater, scarf, denim shirt-Old Navy/Leggings-Vince Camuto/Jewelry-Old Navy, Top Shop, /Boots Kenneth Cole

Many layers is really the only way to brave the blistering cold...

My favorite leggings again... I just realized, since I bought these leggings, I have not worn jeans... I spend my days in either comfy, baggy scrubs, these amazing leggings or flannel pajama pants (only at night, never out of the house)  I think it is a combo of laziness and ease of just throwing them on in the morning, comfort since I am used to wearing very forgiving and comfy scrubs most of the week and not wanted to see if my jeans are tight since I have not adjusted my gym schedule to my work schedule quite yet...  After the leggings come a tank top and long t-shirt, a denim shirt of some sort (I was feeling all the pattern mixing today), a big cozy sweater (this aztec print one from Old Navy is all sorts of perfect) and a long scarf (again Old Navy hitting a home run with this one).  These wellies anchor my braving the cold look perfectly.  I purchased these about 6 years ago.  They were part of a Kenneth Cole Put A Rubber On It Collection...besides loving what it symbolized and that the profits went to AIDS, they have a fun texture, making them a bit more exciting than the traditional wellies. 

I pretty much have been and will be wearing a variation of this outfit, on my days away from the hospital, all winter long...

Alex was so excited that I decided to take photos outside...he has been dying to shovel and play in the snow...

Stay warm my friends...

The Anatomy Of A 12 Hour Day...

Enough said...I need a nap...

The Invisible Planet Is Seen Again...

Wow...I did not realize how long it had actually been since I posted.  First off, work is utterly exhausting.  12 hour days are really long and some days it is so busy on my floor that I rarely sit down all day, except for lunch, and don't even start charting until 7:30!  Also, my style lately has been way casual... You can find me in dark grey scrubs 3 or 4 days per week...not very flattering and pretty blah.  Also, we cannot wear much jewelry, I just wear small earrings...no rings since I wash my hands approximately 20 times per day (not kidding), so I just feel so not put together at work.  Then, when I am not working, I have just had no motivation to put myself together...hence that lack of blogging!
But today, the love of my casual, but stylish outfit, made me realize how much I missed sharing my style and life rants with the small community that come visit my corner of the internet...I thank you all so much....

On to what I wore today for errands and lunch with a girlfriend...

Leggings-Vince Camuto/Sweater-Target/Jewelry-Old Navy, H&M, Black Sheep

Lately, I am learning that quality over quantity is the way to shop.  I used to buy the cheapest, but now I am noticing the quality of the fabrics and longevity of the items.  At this stage of my life, I have started realizing how important the quality of an item is, even if it is more expensive.  These leggings are the perfect example.  In prior seasons, I have rotated between three pairs of cheap leggings...the  cotton material wore thin, got nubby and lost it's shape.  The leggings in this outfit are Vince Camuto from Nordstrom's.  I was weary about forking over $50 for leggings, but once I tried them on, I started dancing around the dressing room like a loon! They are a mixture of cotton, nylon and spandex with a slight sheen (making them feel a bit dressier)...tight but not so tight I feel naked and a pants-like wide waistband, holding me in and smoothing me in all the right places.  Since I plan to wear them often, I think are definitely worth the money.  So, future purchases are definitely going to sway towards quality over price and quantity.

Since I know leggings are not pants, I plan to wear them with button ups shirts, tunics and longer sweaters.  This sweater I am styling here is a Target goodie...Bright color, patterned knit, cozy and fabulous faux... leather panels on the side...love, love, love it!!!

I am back to blogging...the break gave me time to realize what I enjoy about it and how much I missed it.  Me and my dark gray scrubs will see you soon!

All Business Here...

Last week I started my new job as a PCT...patient care tech.  The first week was training at corporate.  All the new hires for all the hospitals in the ownership group were there...from HR to billing to nurses to hospital registration.  So, it was very fascinating to learn about all different aspects of the hospitals, not just nursing.  It is amazing how little profit the hospital actually makes.  The rest of the week was filled with emergency procedure training...schooling on the new vital machines...learning the extremely confusing computer charting system.  8 hours of training per day requires multiple cups of coffee...business casual attire required...

 This is one of my favorite summer blazers...a Target special!  I kind of consider it good luck...I wore it on my first ever nursing info seminar, so I had to wear it on my first day of work.  The style the blazer for fall, I paired it with a darker color and ankle boots.  I love how the maroon color grounded the bright pattern of the blazer. 

Since it was cool and rainy on day 2, I decided it was time to break out the boots and tights.  I knew it would be one of the last few times that I would have a reason to wear dresses or skirts, so I styled up my favorite dress from last winter...love the silver spread woven in the knit.  I almost forgot how much I love wearing skirts and dresses every day...I will definitely miss it while I spend my day in scrubs...

Tomorrow is the big day...my first day donning scrubs  with a 12 hour shift on the med/surg floor.  Of course, I will be shadowing another PCT for a few shifts...you didn't think they were going to let he round on patients by myself right off the bat...did you...??

Happy Birthday Party Styling...

Last Saturday was a day full of birthday party goodness...

To start the day, Alex had his final birthday party celebration...he ended up having multiple little parties during October, culminating in his kids party.  It was nice to meet some of the moms from his new school, while also being able to catch up with moms I miss from his old school. 
I wanted to be comfortable for running around after the boys, but still look like the cool stylish mom...

Jeans-NYDJ/Top-H&M/Jewelry-Black Sheep, JCrew, Target/Shoes-Dolce Vita

 

This green lace top from H&M has been a wardrobe workhorse... It was a steal $7 last spring and I have definitely gotten my money's worth!! Again with my favorite jeans and leopard booties...

 

After a day of kids, I was ready for an evening of adults...conversations that did not revolve around pre-school, Star Wars and little boys...It was my friend's 30th birthday...she is pregnant, so no crazy girls night out free for all, but drinks, college football and adult conversation was just a perfect night.

 

It was pretty easy and quick to transition my outfit from day to night...

 

 Skirt-Old navy/Booties-Steve Madden via Gilt/Necklace-Bauble Bar

 

I traded my jeans for a black denim skirt, added tights, high heel booties and topped of the lace with my favorite chunky Bauble Bar necklace...I so miss having a reason to throw on skirts and tights.

I had a great time...talking about my new job, due dates for baby boys, the Bears and eating cheesy nachos and beer and welcoming Sarah to her 30's (she is so young, or maybe I am just so old) and pending motherhood.

 

 Well, I started work this week...training...overwhelming, but in such a great way!  I cannot wait to share my  business casual stylings from the week at corporate headquarters...coming soon.

Circle Makes The Square...

Jeans-NYDJ/Top-LOFT/Sweater-Old Navy/Jewelry-F21, Shopbop, JCrew/Boots-OTBT

This outfit was styled up to spend the day at Starbuck interviewing babysitters...one of my least favorite things to do, but a necessary evil.  Trying to find someone to get my kids ready and to school in the morning...making sure Jack remembers his glasses...Alex wear a coat...everyone actually eats breakfast...such a difficult and awkward thing.  I always find myself talking for that listening...yammering on about me and my family...ahhhh!!  So, Alex, with his backpack full of crayons, army men and his video game...me with my large coffee, ipad and notebook took over a corner of the local Starbucks for a few hours this morning.  I wanted to be comfy, but still look like a cool stylish mom...I layered this open weave cardigan over lace shirt, accessorized my my moto boots...I love how this outfit turned out.  I seem to be gravitating towards darker colors lately...lots of black, navy and brown... I think the cooler temps bring out the moodier colors in me...

 And now for a bonus mom style...

So, I start work on Monday...I am a messy mixture of excited and nervous!!

The adventure begins!

PCT...Oh You Know Me...

I GOT A JOB.... I GOT A JOB....I GOT A JOB!!!

Sorry for the all caps, exclamation point screaming, but I am so damn excited I got a job...PCT Med/Surg at a local hospital!! I has not even been a year since I made the decision to begin this new journey in my life and I feel like I am firmly on the way.  I know it is the bottom rung of the nursing totem pole, but I am proud of myself.   So, I begin training in a week, and until then I will be spending my days doing pre-employment paperwork and vaccinations, trying to understand benefit packages and neurotically trying to find childcare for my boys.  I am not sure of my set schedule yet, so I am not sure what days I will need someone to wrangle the beasts, I am trying not to panic about it...easier said than done...deep breath...

It is getting pretty chilly here in suburban Chicago...fall has decided to cancel its appearance this year, opening an invitation for winter to rear its frigid face early...we even had frost and snow this week!! I am not ready to dig out my heavy winter coat yet, so some incarnation of the cammo jacket, puffer vest or long sweater will be my layer topper of choice...

Vest, Sweater-Gap/Booties, Scarf-Target/Jewelry-Bauble Bar, Black Sheep/F21

Sweater-Renee C/Jeans-Nordstrom's/Jewelry-F21, Old Navy, Target

Diary of An Anglophile...

If you hang out in my corner of the internet long enough, you will discover am an anglophile...lover of all things London, English anywhere across the pond...including Cardiff.

In college, I studied in London and that is when my love affair began.  The culture, architecture and the accent.  I knew my husband would love the beauty and architecture of the city, so we travelled there for our honeymoon.  I cannot wait for the day my boys are old enough to appreciate a trip to see the sights London has to offer.

I have to admit, I am a bit obsessed with British television...the crime dramas, spy serials.  But the biggest love of my life (besides my boys of course) is Doctor Who and Torchwood.  I love to go Comic Con conventions...geek out with other Whovians that understand my love of The Doctor.

I had way too much fun at the Wizard World Convention this summer. I am not one of those people who like to dress up "cosplay"  but I did make myself a Tardis shirt this year...

I even splurged on a photo op and a meet and greet with Captain Jack...John Barrowman...he was awesome!!! He brought his husband, mom and dad up on the stage and told some amazing stories about the days with The Doctor and Torchwood. 

I even display my love for Doctor Who on my phone.  You would be amazed by how many people notice it and comment about their love of The Doctor too!

I also fancy clothes that sport the British flag.  When I saw this sweater at the Nordstrom's sale this summer, I knew I had to have it...

Of course I had to style up this cozy sweater with my Target booties.  Saved 20% with Target Cartwheel App (best app ever) and a $10 Shop Kick gift card, so they were a steal.  Love the mix of black and brown and the subtle heel is really comfortable.

If you ever get a chance to visit London, take it!  The final reason to love it...since it is already across the pond, it is just a quick trip to so many other destinations...especially Paris!

Soccer Saturday Stylings...

 

Jeans-Nordstrom's/Shoes, Jacket-Gap/T-shirt-Jcrew FactoryJewelry-Target, Bass

This fall, I have spent my Saturdays posing as a soccer mom...day are spent driving back and forth between soccer games, sitting on the sidelines, cheering on my boys.  Their games always seem to overlap, but they play at two different parks, so it is a pretty crazy day.  

This is a typical Saturday outfit...worn this last Saturday to two rainy soccer games.  Boyfriend jeans are just a must..so comfy.  I usually top them with a t-shirt or tank and cardigan.  This week it was a Jcrew Factory find...love the girlie pink faux bow.  Good thing I also wore my new Gap cammo jacket...the temps dropped when the rain fell.  Love the cut of this jacket, hits at mid hip, fitted a little more like a blazer  and snaps up. Of course I always wear my favorite Gap slip ons...I have waxed poetically about them many times before!  I always like to throw on some jewelry to fancy up my soccer stylings. 

On Thursday, I was considering taking a hitting up the outlet mall while the little on was at school.  I knew I made the right decision to go when I checked my email that morning and there was a jcrew Factory 50% off sale...it was shopping fate...ha!!! I picked up this bow t-shirt and a striped long sleeve t with zipper detailing at the shoulders...my total ended up being $35...cannot do better than that.  Surprisingly, I recently discovered that that Bass makes more than just shoes.  The outlet has some cute sweaters and fabulous jewelry...all 70% off.  I scored the necklace above for $5!!