Newsroom Fashion: Floral + Stripes

This has not been a good week for blogging. For some reason, I haven't been sleeping well, and Wednesday night I got strep throat. Despite how I feel, I still dress well, especially for work. Flowers and stripes are always a spring-time win in the fashion department, and since this week has been decidedly overcast I wanted to dress brightly, as well.

My husband actually ordered this dress for me. He said it looked like me. He knows me too well! Since the dress came from China, I sized up to a large. I probably could have worn the medium, but it would have been extremely form-fitting. This dress is very light without being see-through. The fact that it wasn't skin-tight make it so much more comfortable, and in my opinion flattering. I'm also getting it in the teal version.

Details:
Dress: ebay
Shoes: ShoeDazzle

Man, do I love a white t-shirt, especially this one from Aeropostale (it's on sale for less than $10 right now!). It's perfectly loose without looking slouchy; the pocket-tee keeps it just the right amount of casual; and it's so soft! This is the first time I've paired it with something dressier, but I love the results! This skirt is several years old (ordered it on clearance) but I linked to a couple of similar options below.

Details:
Shirt: Aeropostale
Skirt old Old Navy (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target

Monday Motivation

Don't give up. Even when it seems like you'll never succeed, keep going. You'll fail every time you give up.

Happy Monday!

Newsroom Fashion: Easy Peasy

Sometimes I want to feel put together without putting a lot of effort into getting dressed. This has been one of those weeks for various reasons. These outfits are perfect for days when I feel like that, taking little to no effort and minimal time.

Stripes are such a classic for Spring - and the rest of the year, if you ask me! I love that I can throw on this dress and feel appropriate for nearly any occasion. On cooler days, I throw on a blazer or my black leather mixed-media jacket. For the winter/fall, I pair it with my black wedge pumps.

Details
Dress: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar)

Some days you just have to go back to the basics. This outfit was a result of not knowing what I wanted to wear that day. The classic color combination is always a win, no matter the season. For winter/fall, I'd swap the shirt for a sweater and the sandals for boots.

Details
Shirt: The Limited
Skirt: H&M (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target

What I'm Watching: Disney Junior (As Ranked by Alexis)

We watch a lot of Disney Junior these days. In fact, there have been times I've put Alexis down for a nap and never changed the channel to a more adult show. We have Mickey Mouse and Sophia constantly recording new episodes so that we'll always have something to put on for Alexis. Trust me, when it's the middle of the night and the only thing that calms your sick, fussy baby down is Mickey Mouse, you make sure there's always one available. So without further ado -- here are our 5 most-watched Disney Junior shows as ranked by Alexis.



1. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
This isn't the Mickey Mouse you and I grew up watching. It's all computer animated and not a hint of cartoon-violence anywhere. Every day, Mickey and his pals (Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy & Pluto) team up to solve a problem. They always have Mouskatools to help them along the way, although the form changes from time to time - we recently watched one where all of the tools were mystery Mouskatools. Alexis' favorite character is hands-down Mickey. She doesn't watch full episodes for the most part; her attention span isn't that long yet. She comes back for the songs, especially the Hot Dog Dance. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse may be Alexis' favorite show, but it's my least favorite because of the interactive nature of the episodes. And I absolutely can't stand Donald - he has a terrible attitude!


2. Sophia the First
Princess Sophia is about an ordinary village girl who becomes a princess overnight when her mom marries the king. The show is about her journey learning how to be a princess. She has a special amulet that lets her talk to animals, transform into a mermaid and summon other Disney princesses in times of trouble. There's always a lesson to learn, and the best part (in my opinion) is that isn't interactive! There's a lot of singing and it's very colorful, both of which are attractive to Alexis.


3. Doc McStuffins
Dottie, a.k.a Doc, has a magical stethoscope that brings her toys to life. There's always something that goes wrong with a toy that Doc has to fix. The show is broken down into 15 minute segments, which is about the limit of Alexis' attention span. Again, there's lots of singing and dancing, which is what catches her attention right now. This is actually the only show that Alexis has sat still for an entire segment.


4. The Lion Guard
I'm not gonna lie - as a kid who grew up when The Lion King was king, this series is right up my alley. It's about Simba's son, Kion, and his friends who make up the lion guard. Their job is to protect the pridelands. It pretty much picks up right where The Lion King left off. Right now, Alexis really only responds to the singing, but I can't wait until we can sit and watch entire episodes together!

5. PJ Masks

This show is a little over Alexis' head right now, but she'll actually sit still and watch it for a few minutes. I think it's because of the bright colors. Anyway, PJ Masks is about three friends - Greg (Gekko), Connor (Catboy) and Amaya (Owlette) -  who turn into superheroes at night, because "bedtime is the right time to fight crime!" They face aptly-named night villains to solve crimes that affect kids during the day, all while conquering personal issues of their own.

Disney Junior has a lot more shows to offer than just these five. My honorable mentions are Miles From Tomorrowland and The Octonauts, both of which we watch occasionally but not consistently enough for this list. There are also fun shorts like Minnie's Bow Toons, Whisker Haven and Molang, but those won't show up in your guide.

You can learn more about each show, as well as watch full episodes and play games with your little ones at disneyjunior.disney.com/

Monday Motivation

Your positive thought can be as simple as: "Today will be a good day." It could be as complex as: "Today I will have the courage to ask my boss for a promotion/raise." The important thing is to not start your day off on a negative note. We all know how quickly one negative thought can turn into a day-long negative mood.

Last week was a pretty rough one in this mommy's household. I missed two-and-a-half days of work (that I won't be getting paid for) to take care of a sick baby. It was our first experience with a super high fever (104). Combine that with a double-ear infection and sinus infection, and this mama didn't get much sleep for 5+ days. (And of course I couldn't escape getting the virus, too.)

I'm working on something fun for you guys this week. I'm ranking some Disney Junior shows according to the baby's preferences - with some of my own commentary thrown in, of course. You can definitely expect to see "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and "Sophia the First" on the list.

In case you missed it, you can check our last week's recap of Alexis' first birthday here and my roundup of five newsroom-approved spring looks here.

Happy Monday!

Weekend Wrap

It's been a rough week in the Wright household. On top of getting four shots on her birthday, Alexis also got some kind of virus which led to an ear and sinus infection...and of course, mommy got it all just in time for the weekend. As a result, I only worked Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. That means I didn't share a lot this week but did want to share what I found with you guys. Enjoy!

21 Reasons Why Being Bilingual is The Absolute Coolest

It finally happened - the world's first Pastafarian wedding

Blogging rules to break

Funny things sleep-deprived moms have done

Photos from Netflix's Gilmore Girls revival

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Newsroom Fashion: 5 Newsroom-Approved Spring Looks

I was inspired by Social Print Studio to put together a post of 5-8 outfits sharing my favorite styles

for a lookbook. Their photo books are a great way to bring your digital lookbooks to life. Since we're well into Spring in my neck of the woods, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to showcase five newsroom-approved looks that are perfect for Spring. Most of the items in each of these outfits are pieces that I've had for awhile, showing again the importance of smart shopping. What I love about all of these pieces is their versatility. Not only do the individual pieces work well with other items in my closest, but they all transition easily into Summer and beyond.

I've told you in previous posts that these are one of my favorite shoes to wear in warm weather. They're flattering on almost everyone and you can find them almost everywhere for a variety of prices (and in a variety of colors). Gray is a great neutral. I love this skirt because I can pair it with lighter colors and fun prints for Spring/Summer or throw on a solid, dark-colored sweater and tights for winter.

Details:
Shirt: old Worthington (similar)
Skirt: old The Limited (similar, similar)
Shoes: old Charlotte Russe (similar)

This outfit is all about the dress. I typically stay away from this much white but the fun, raised pattern gives this dress something special. It can easily be dressed up like I did here with the blazer or toughened up by throwing on a black leather jacket.

Details:

Dress: old Cato (similar)

Blazer: old The Limited (similar)

Shoes: old Shoe Station (similar)

When I came across these teal-colored pants in JCPenny, I couldn't say no. The Worthington ankle pant is so flattering and actually not too long (which is saying something for me considering I'm only 5'2"). What I love about these pants is that I can pair them with something busy like this top to ground the outfit or I can let them be the star by choosing a solid white button-up.

Details:

Shirt: The Limited (similar)

Pants: Worthington c/o JCPenny (lots of color options here)

Shoes: ShoeDazzle

I am in love with this top! Bright blues are always a win for me so this purchase was a no brainer, although it was a little pricier than I would normally splurge on at Target. The fact that they almost perfectly match the blue of these Pixie pants is a bonus! I always admire monochrome looks on other people but just can't ever seem to pull it off on myself, so for me to even pair these two items together was a big leap. But I love the results!

Details:

Shirt: Target

Pants: old Old Navy (check out their current Pixie selections)

Shoes: Target

This isn't your typical denim skirt. The button-up front gives it a cool '70s vibe, and the length makes it appropriate for a casual work day. I bought this shirt for the bell sleeves, which I wasn't sure I would like, but I'm glad I took the chance! The texture makes it all the more interesting. The tail, although tucked in here, is perfect for leaving untucked and still looking polished.

Details:

Shirt: The Limited

Skirt: H&M (similar, similar)

Shoes: Target

Alexis Turns 1

My baby isn't a baby anymore. Alexis is officially a toddler. It's crazy how fast this past year has gone by! To celebrate this huge milestone in our lives, we had a party with family on Sunday. On Alexis' actual birthday, we took her to feed the ducks at a little pond inside the city. She loved it. All in all, I'd say everything was a success. Enjoy pictures from our birthday adventures below!

With her great Granny Rita and  Paw Paw

With her great Granny Wright

Monday Motivation

It's so rewarding when you find your passion and then get to do it every day.

Here are some things you can look forward to this week - a recap of Alexis' first birthday and a special Newsroom Fashion post showcasing some office-approved Spring looks.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Newsroom Fashion: Details

Sometimes it's the little details that make an outfit special. Take this skirt, for example. It's a great basic but the visible gold zipper and the laser cut-outs around the hem give it just the right amount of personality. I paired it with this top I got on clearance last Spring. For me, it's important to match metals. With this outfit, I matched the gold zipper of the skirt to the gold clasp on my shirt and the gold buckles on my shoes. It's little touches like that that help me feel put together.

Details:
Shirt: old The Limited (similar, similar)
Skirt: old Worthington c/o JCPenny (similar, similar)
Shoes: Target

One Year as Mommy

I've been a mommy for one whole year.

There's been a lot of crying, laughing and love. I've been learning as we go, and I still don't know what I'm doing half the time.

I spend a good bit of my free time looking up things like "how to transition from formula to milk" and "why has my 11-month-old stopped sleeping through the night?"

My house never seems to be picked up; I'm always behind on the laundry; and I rarely get a full night's sleep.

I'm convinced that doing chores while the baby naps is a myth.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is my least favorite of Alexis' favorite shows; Donald is my least favorite character.

I'm still not a morning person, probably because I'm having to get up even earlier to make sure we're both ready on time.

I hit the snooze button on my alarm at least once every morning.

I think I'm in a near-constant state of functioning sleep deprivation.

Even on days that I feel like I'm at my wit's end and don't know what to do, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, except for maybe the not sleeping through the night thing.

Monday Motivation

In other words, stop bringing yourself down. There are plenty of others out there who will try to do that for you.

Here's what you can look forward to this week. Since my baby girl is turning one on Thursday, on Wednesday there will be a post about all the things I've learned about motherhood in the past year. I'm only working three days this week so my Newsroom Fashion post will be a little shorter than normal.
 

Happy Monday!

Weekend Wrap

The coolest kid around.

I didn't share a whole lot of non-work-related stuff this week. Truthfully, I didn't spend a lot of time browsing the internet, preferring to spend time with my almost one-year-old and husband instead. Plus, we're had terrible weather most of the week, which means unreliable internet in my neck of the woods. My family's big news for this week is that Alexis is walking on her own. See the clip below for proof!

Not the first steps, but the first ones we were able to get on video.

If you're looking for something to pass the time, here are three of my favorite finds from the World Wide Web this week.

The 25 Funniest Fails That Have Ever Happened on Twitter

Study: Bloggers Are Now More Influential Than Celebrities

Russian Beauty Pageant Celebrates Beauty of Pregnancy

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Newsroom Fashion: Spring Shoes

One of my favorite parts of dressing is the shoes. They're like the punctuation mark of any good outfit, and nothing ruins a perfectly good outfit faster than the wrong shoes. With Spring apparently finally here to stay, I'm busting out all my favorite open shoes!

I had these shoes in mind when getting dressed on Tuesday. In warmer weather, they're really my go-to heel for these white slacks. This particular pair came from Charlotte Russe, but you can really find this style of shoe everywhere. The heel on these is the perfect height for me, the strap across my toes doesn't rub, and there isn't too much pressure on the balls of my feet. I finished off the outfit with an abstract blue peplum top. If I were going to be on air, I'd add a black blazer.

Details:
Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Pants: JCPenny
Top: JCPenny on clearance (similar, similar)

I just got these cognac sandals and couldn't wait to wear them! I'm all about cognac shoes this Spring, as evidenced by my newly-acquired wedges and flats. This pair seems a little sleeker than the wedges. In addition to skirts and dresses, I can see myself pairing these with jeans and slacks. The heel is slightly chunky, making it super comfortable to walk on. The skirt and shirt are both old.

Details:
Shoes: Target
Skirt: The Limited (similar, similar)
Shirt: eBay (exact)

Who doesn't love a good denim-on-denim outfit? I've had this chambray shirt for several years now. It's definitely one of the most versatile pieces in my closet! I wear it so many different ways - with jeans like seen here, with skirts, and over dresses or tank tops. I decided to keep this outfit pretty simple, pairing it with a simple brown belt and my new go-to cognac wedges. I've had the wedges for about a month and let me tell you, I wear them ALL THE TIME. Definitely money well spent.

Details:
Shirt: Charlotte Russe old (similar, similar)
Jeans: Arizona c/o JCPenny
Shoes: ShoeDazzle (sold out but lots of options here)
Purse: ShoeDazzle (sold out)