i’m feeling especially reflective this year, thanks in large part to all of the drastic changes that happened in my life in 2014. the biggest, most obvious being that i became a mother in january, and when it came to my wardrobe, i basically had to re-learn how to get dressed in the morning. looking back, i can remember those early days when adam was born, when i would rush to the bathroom and scramble to get the knots out of my hair and splash some water on my face before attempting to squeeze into an old pair of jeans that were too tight for my swollen body. back then, it felt like i would never be able to get ready in the morning again! but i’ve since learned how to streamline my routine with a quick and easy beauty regimen and a very simplified wardrobe.

i had no idea that having a baby would change my style so drastically, but i’m pretty happy that it did. i was getting bored with my old favorites. the super mini ’60s dresses and twee little collars were fun, but i’ve never really stuck to any one style for very long and i was way overdue for a change. now i feel much more comfortable and confident in a simple wardrobe with lots of neutral colors, wash and wear fabrics, and varied silhouettes. i’ve learned a lot about what makes sense for my lifestyle, and i’m pretty excited about all of the looks i have planned moving into 2015. so here’s to another year of ever-evolving style!

if you ask me, new year’s eve is a bit overrated. especially if you’ve got an 11-month old baby expecting to be tucked into bed by 9pm. but i still do have plans to enjoy the last day of the year eating hors d’oeuvre and sipping champagne. i’ve been saving this dress from loup nyc for just the occasion. it’s a simple little white dress, but upon closer inspection, you’ll see that the print is a series of tiny drawings of cigarettes, undies, baguettes, boobies, and champagne glasses. exactly the types of naughty things one would be up to while partying into the early hours of the morning. but since i’m not going to be up to quite so much debauchery, i opted to dress it down a bit with a flouncy little crop top, and only a few subtle hints of shine. though it’s certainly versatile enough to be worn on it’s own with a bright pink lip and strappy little heels. perhaps i’ll have to try that out on my birthday later this month…

wearing:
party icons liv dress courtesy of loup nyc
vintage crop top by scout la
double hoop necklace courtesy of giantlion
gold mary jane heels

hard to believe that we’re fast approaching winter and that christmas is less than two weeks away. this time of year always seems to speed up and pass me by before i even know what hit me! i don’t feel anywhere near prepared for christmas day, and i’m just barely keeping up with my normal responsibilities. but isn’t that the way it goes? this year has definitely been a lesson in efficiency for me. i’ve had to learn how to get ready in the morning with a fussy little baby who would much rather be held in my arms than watching me attempt to swipe some blush on my cheeks or mascara on my lashes. i’ve had to learn how to do virtually everything with a baby propped on my hip. and i certainly don’t have the luxury of staring wistfully into my closet, trying to think of what to wear every morning. my closet, much like the rest of my life, has been arranged into a foolproof arsenal of essential goods to help me get through the day. shirt dresses? check! easy jacket? check! flats and low heels? they’re all lined up in coordinating colors! and this is one of those outfits. it’s a trusty standby that gets me through the day feeling good. the primary function is to keep me comfortably clothed while taking care of a baby and going about my daily business, but it’s got just enough style that i feel pulled together and ready to embrace the day.

wearing:
vintage raw silk shirt dress
vintage denim jacket
asos wool fedora
rachel comey mars boots
clare v. messenger
the runwell watch courtesy of shinola