Relax

I must admit that when I first started this blog, I tried way too hard.  I wore outfits just for the sake of the blog.  I've never shown something on here that I didn't wear in real life, as in put the clothes on, took pictures, then got into my real clothes to start the day.  No judgment for those who do that, I just don't have the time and energy for it since blogging is not my full time job.  I think I was too scared that no one would want to read if I wore simpler outfits.  That was three years ago and, now, although I have not made it rich off of the blog, I much more enjoy blogging and showing simpler things because not only is it more comfortable but I feel like I am being more honest.  If that doesn't translate in followers, analytics, moolah, that's okay but I like Dainty and Decadent and hope you do to. 

Shirt: Loft {Similar}  /  Pants: Old Navy {Similar}  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Tory Burch

Grayscale

I've posted three times this week!  YAY!  I'm so happy to be back to a blogging schedule and I've even indulged in a little shopping for myself this week.  I've mentioned this before but it's been two years since I've shopped for myself.  With the exception of buying items here and there, I haven't really bought myself clothes, accessories, etc since before I was pregnant.  I started working out, controlling my to-do list at work, and suddenly gained a new interest in taking care of myself.  I now know how important it is to take care of yourself as a key to happiness.  I have been so consumed with my beautiful boy and juggling motherhood with being a working mom that I have let myself go.  I am my own worst enemy but I am working towards eliminating negative thoughts.  By doing so, I can say I am in a happy place.  See, I can get deep here on Dainty and Decadent!

Sweater: Old Navy  /  Tee: Old Navy {Similar}  /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society {Similar}  /  Bag: Tory Burch  /  Accesories: Chanel Sunnies, Lorenzo Necklace, David Yurman bracelets

Working for the Weekend

It's been a great week..busy but great.  It's rare for me to call a work week great but whenever I am super busy, time flies and by the time I know it, it's the weekend!  We have some fun things planned this weekend and fingers crossed Lucas' little stomach bug goes away so he can have some fun.  Happy weekend!

Sweater: Loft  /  Shirt: Loft {Similar}  /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Tory Burch  /  Sunnies: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Uh ohs

Does anyone else ever think that wearing navy and black together feels like an uh oh?  I mostly do but because the blue was a little brighter than the dark slacks, I felt it was okay.  I've also uh oh'ed on my resolution to blog more but with good excuse.  It's trial week and mostly January is general going to be pretty chaotic but I'm trying to keep up with my resolutions.  Please tell me I'm not the only one slacking on resolutions...

Shirt: Loft  /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Tory Burch  /  Jewelry: Tiffany's Necklace, Kendra Scott Earrings

Mad Mad Monday

I wear your grandad's clothes...for those of you who recognize this, know that I had the song stuck in my head for a solid 4 hours.  Happy New Year's!  For the first day back in the office since the holidays, I stuck to comfortable attire since I knew that it would be a Mad Mad Monday.  I looked down at my outfit at some point in the day and I thought I looked kind of like a grandpa if grandpas shop of Loft, etc.  Oh well.  

One of resolutions this year was to make an extra effort to look nice in the morning which will help my other resolution which is to blog more.  I still make resolutions and instead of the ole "lose weight" resolution that I always had, I thought I'd be more specific this year which resulted in 7 resolutions.  SEVEN.  Let's hope I live up to them but I have a feeling 2015 is going to be a great year!

Cardigan: Lacoste {Similar}  /  Shirt: Loft   /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Tory Burch

Oversized

Happy New Years Eve!  I have big plans of warming up my favorite pjs and watching Bravo shows all night long.  Seriously.  Okay, I cannot tell a lie but I may just throw away all of the shirts in my closet and replace them with oversized shirts.  For reals.  The way I see it, I can continue eating Nutella out of the jar since my oversized shirts will conceal my growing mid section!  In all honesty, I'm feeling this oversized top and plan on purchasing many more.

Sweater: H&M {Similar}  /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Tory Burch  /  Necklace: Banana Republic (Similar)  /  Earrings: Kendra Scott

Details

We just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico to visit family and attend my cousin's wedding and now I'm trying to get back into the work groove.  Not willing to accept that my vacation is over, this pretty little necklace arrived just in time!  I snagged this goody during the black Friday sales (online, of course) and it arrived when I got home a couple of days ago.  I am already obsessed with tassels but I loved that this necklace also had a monogram charm.  I'm thinking of purchasing separate tassels and switching them out according to the outfit.  But, for now, I love the cobalt blue,which is fitting for the end of a lovely and tropical vacation.

Dress: Old Navy  /  Heels: Sole Society  /  Sweater: Old Navy  /  Necklace: Swoozies  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton

Plaids

I am absolutely smitten with this sweater from Target.  I've had it in my closet for awhile but only just now wore it because I was waiting for these Sole Society shoes to arrive.  I'm weird and "save" outfits even though I swore I would not save outfits anymore.  Does anyone else do that or is it just me?

Sweater: Target  /  Dress: GAP  {Similar}  /  Bag: Coach Factory {Similar}  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Necklace: Anthropologie {Similar}

Shoe Lover

Sweater: Old Navy  /  Pants: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society 'Natalee'  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton  /  Necklace: C.Wonder {Similar}

For the first time in a LOOONG time, I bought myself new shoes.  I couldn't resist the 30% and free shipping that Sole Society was offering last week and picked up two pairs.  I was on the fence with these flats but I'm glad I ended up purchasing them along with a pair of heels.  These are so comfy and I think the bow makes them cute.  I sized up half a size based on the reviews and they are perfect!  I've never been much of a shoe shopper but I think I've unleashed a monster and want to buy all of the shoes, all of the time...but what's new...

Tropics

So I told my co-worker that I wouldn't be able to eat lunch at the office because I needed to make a quick Target run.  I had found out that Target had in stock hazelnut filled cookies and, obviously, this was an emergency.  Too much money later (doesn't that always happen at Target, or is it just me) I look in my bag and spy this cardigan with pineapples all over it.  PINEAPPLES people!  How stinkin' cute is it?!  At least it is in my opinion.  Because of what I do for a living, I spend a lot of time in the courtroom and who is going to be mean to an attorney wearing a pineapple print cardigan?  I mean really.  I should note that I did not wear this to court.  I'm not sure judges will have the same feeling as I do about pineapples on cardigans.  Crazy, I know.

Cardigan: Target  /  Dress: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Sole Society     

Necklace: J.Crew {Similar}  /  Handbag: Coach {Similar}

Outfits of Work Days Past

It's no secret that I've seriously slacked on outfit posts.  Some days we'll take pictures but I just don't find the outfit or pictures blog worthy.  I'm striving to be more inspired and dress up a little more because I do believe that if you feel like you look well, your attitude is better.  I'm starting to work out again and think I've gotten into a routine.  Hopefully, getting into a workout routine will help me in opening up the options in my closet as well.  Oh, and  yes, I am as pale as Casper and will definitely need some sun this summer...

First Outfit:  Shirt:  J.Crew Factory  /  Pants: Gap {similar}  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag:  Coach  /  Necklace: Banana Republic {similar}  /  Sunglasses: Chanel

Second Outfit:  Sweater: Old Navy  /  Shirt: Target  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton  /  

Fancy Tweed

Admittedly, I have not purchased very many pieces of clothes for myself in a reeeaalllyy long time.  I could probably count on one hand the things I have bought myself since probably May of this year.  Not to continue to complain about the baby weight, but I refuse to buy new clothes until I work the weight off.  Otherwise, I know myself, and will get too comfortable.  I digress.  Cyber Monday rolls around and the influx of sales emails roll into my inbox.  I caved and perused J.Crew Factory online when I spotted this most perfect tweed skirt.   Even though I said I would not buy any new clothes until I can fit in my old ones, I just. had. to.  I don't own any tweed skirts and, ugh, it makes me feel oh so fancy!  My next goal will be to find more fancy feeling clothes.  I'm not sure what that is yet but feeling fancy is just, well, fancy.

Shirt: Banana Republic  /  Skirt: J.Crew Factory  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Handbag: Coach  

Olive You

I bought this dress when I was pregnant and wore the heck out of it.  Now that my body is in that weird transition period between being nine months preggo to not having a clue of what's going on, I'm glad to have easy to wear dresses.  I was naive to think that after having Lucas, I could immediately start wearing my colorful skirts again.  Wrong.  

Since I had to start working after 8 weeks, my priority has not been working out.  As soon as I leave the office, my focus is on getting home and spending time with Lucas.  Maybe one I settle on a good routine, I'll start working out but it's just not on my radar.  I have cut out a lot of junk food that I indulged in while I was pregnant but now that I can't blame Lucas, operation eating healthy has begun.  Unfortunately, I'm cutting out junk during the holidays.  I just can't resist my mellowcreme pumpkins!

Sweater: Ann Taylor {similar}  /  Dress: Target {similar}  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Bag: Louis Vuitton  /  Jewelry: Gemmy Junky, Eve's Addiction, David Yurman, Alex and Ani

Statement Sweater

Is there such thing as a statement sweater?  If so, I think I now own one.  With the different patterns and colors going on in this sweater that I snagged on super sale from J.Crew, it's busy in a good way, I feel.  I love sweater season.  We, Floridians, don't have many days that we can wear jackets and coats but sweaters are the perfect in between.  In fact, it's very common for me to wear and see others wear sweaters and shorts together around here.  It's like we are fighting the warmth because we refuse to accept that we don't have normal seasons here... :-)

Sweater: J. Crew  /  Skirt: GAP  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Handbag: Target  /  Jewelry: VeryJane.com, David Yurman

A Blessed Day

Lucas was baptized on Sunday in the same church my husband and I were married in and by the same priest that married us!  He was so well behaved but I doubted my little man would do so well.  I think I brought along three bottles, every blankie and pacifier I could find, and musical toys even though the mass was only an hour long.  I'm still nervous about being that mom with crying child.  He proved me way wrong though and mostly slept through the entire mass.

Lucas was also dressed in style!  When we got to my mom's house for lunch, we changed Lucas into a romper that my aunt/godmother had made for him and it was adorable!  For the actual baptism, he wore a christening gown that is about 60 years old.  My grandmother had it handmade in Spain for my uncles and my dad to wear for their baptisms.  After they wore the gown, I was the first of the grandkids to wear it.  I wore the gown as did my sisters and cousins.  Now, Lucas is the first of the great-grandkids to wear the gown. For being 60 years old and worn by so many babies, the gown was in excellent condition.  It was amazing to see my son wearing a gown that has so much history.  Thankfully, there were no accidents from Lucas.  I didn't want to be the first to literally christen the gown.

It was truly a special and blessed day.

My dress: Target  /  Shoes: Sole Society via Nordstrom  /  Jewelry: J.Crew {similar} {similar}, Stella and Dot, Jane.com, David Yurman, Alex and Ani

Sequins, Stilettos, Oh my!

Sweater: Loft  /  Shirt: J Crew Factory  /  Jeans: American Eagle  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Handbag: Louis Vuitton

I'm guest posting on one of my favorite blogs today so I hope you come visit me over at Sequins and Stilettos!

Bump Style with DCinStyle

Words cannot express how excited I am about collaborating with Elena of DCinStyle today.  I've been an admirer of her art and blog for awhile.  She's so amazingly talented and created the art work above based on our photos.  This print is definitely going in my baby's nursery! 

Elena is also pregnant so we decided to both incorporate patterns and colors into our bump style for this collaboration!  I encourage you to visit Elena's blog so you can see how super talented she is and such a cute mommy to be!    

Dress: Old Navy  /  Sweater: Kohls  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Necklace: Forever 21

Here's Elena's Look:

Check out Elena's post here!

Changes and Changes

Sweater: J Crew  /  Dress: Motherhood Maternity  /  Shoes: Sole Society  /  Handbag: Coach

I have to laugh when I look at this photo because I literally look like I'm smuggling a beach ball and wearing three layers under my sleeves!  Maybe taking photos after work isn't the best idea.  I recently went through my archives and got a kick out of my expanding belly.  When I started blogging, it never occurred to me that I would soon be documenting my pregnancy.  I've lately been feeling better and better the further in pregnancy I get.  My husband said to me the other day, "you're pretty proud to be pregnant, aren't you."  He wasn't asking because he knows that I am.  If you asked me a year ago when I was planning to have children, I would have said not any time soon.  Now, I can't imagine not wanting to have this child.  It's a strange thing this pregnancy is but I'm loving every minute of it.

Warm Winters

Sweater: Gap  /  Skirt: Gap Maternity  /  Scarf: Target  /  Handbag: Louis Vuitton  /  Shoes: Sole Society 'Kelly'

The top part of this outfit was copied/inspired by an outfit from Outfit Posts (love her blog!).  My husband asked me if it was necessary for me to wear a scarf.  Well, even though I'm not wearing tights nor wearing a jacket, the scarf was completely necessary.  If it hits below 70 degrees, I consider that to be winter...the kind of winter where I can wear flip flops but still need a scarf.  Any other Floridians agree with me?  There's got to be someone that agrees with me...

Abstract

Dress: Old Navy  /  Sweater: J Crew  /  Shoes: Sole Society 'Kelly'  /  Handbag: J Crew

Dresses make me so happy.  They are easy and forgiving.  However, there was a time that I despised dresses.  Middle school Maria was NOT a fan of anything girly.  I didn't hit my girly peak until the summer between the 8th grade and 9th grade.  No matter what anyone said or did, I could not have cared less about what I looked like in middle school.  Looking back, I wish someone could have been like "hey, why don't you brush your hair" or "maybe your dad's t-shirts aren't the best things to wear" but, honestly, it wouldn't have mattered.  Dad's old t-shirts and ratty hair was my norm.  I cringe at those super awkward photos that now happen to be my husband's "favorite" of me...he's evil I tell you...