mama style - 3.1 phillip lim for target

i wanted to start doing some "mama style" posts- posts that will show you that becoming a mom doesn't mean you get to just wear yoga pants and a tshirt forever.  i won't front- i do wear yoga pants and a tshirt- at home.  moms- get cute, and get out of yo house! 

so, like most people in the world- i love designer collaborations.  the chance to own designer goods for a minimal amount of money is something that i think anyone can get behind.  i believe target started it all with their go international collection- which i owned a few pieces from long ago, but now they're everywhere it seems.

everyone on the interwebs seemed to be freaking out over the 3.1 phillip lim collection- me, not being able to pass up a good bargain went down to check it out.  let's say i no longer share that enthusiasm.  maybe it's because i just had a baby, and i've still got a little bit of baby weight.  maybe it's because i'm short- and i can't afford to carry extra weight.  i don't know- but i'm beginning to think these collections are made for skinny people only.  this one was certainly a punch in the proverbial crotch of my self-esteem.  i don't know what it is, but the sizing is ALL OVER THE PLACE for these collections- at least on me.  i tried on nearly everything my store had - my thoughts follow!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Sweater...

Price: 39.99

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Silky Skirt -Animal Print

Price: 29.99

thoughts:  the sweater was super-thick and would be perfect for winters up here, but i felt like it just hung on me and made me look dumpy.  plus, you can tell the sleeves have extra length on my arms, but i wish the sweater itself had more length.  maybe the sleeves are supposed to be scrunched up though?  this sweater was a medium and i felt fit me just fine.  the skirt- i really liked, although i don't wear a lot of skirts b\c i never know how to style them and i don't like how they sit on my waist- i would go back and buy this skirt on clearance.  i needed a 14 in this skirt (yes) which is 2-3 sizes bigger than the jeans i am currently wearing.  i like the skirt though, so i wouldn't let the number sway my decision.  i really wanted to try on the leopard print dress- but they didn't have it in the store on opening day- however, they did have it when i went to target yesterday, but i didn't get the chance to try it!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Tank -Grey

Price: 24.99

 thoughts:  this tank was probably my favorite thing that i tried on, but i'm not paying $25 for one.  i'd definitely pick this up on clearance though! a medium worked for me in this style

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sparkle Dress - Blue

Price: 49.99

 thoughts:  this dress obviously didn't work for me.  on the left is a large, which hung on me like a potato sack.  on the right a medium- which was snug all over.  oh well.  a definite no.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Sweater Dress

Price: 44.99

thoughts:  this is the worst picture of me of all time to go on the interwebs.  the dress on me screamed "hey everyone, i just had a baby..."  ugh.  this was a medium.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Pullover -Navy/Emerald

Price: 34.99

thoughts:  i really liked this top, but i tried on a medium and a large and couldn't lift my arms up.  if anyone knows what that means- tell me, b\c even in my pre-baby days when i was much smaller i had the same issue with tops/jackets.  target had an xl when i was there yesterday, i might try that b\c this was my favorite thing from the look book. 

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Silky Skirt -Navy

Price: 29.99

thoughts:  this fit well.  was the same as the animal print skirt. 

thoughts:  cute floral shirt dress, but i tried a large AND an xl and couldn't lift my arms up over my head- seriously.  wtf.  i don't have broad shoulders... what is up?

so overall, this collection was unfortunately a bust for me.  did you give it a try?  buy anything?  maybe i'll have better luck next time- and by next time i mean- today!  catherine malandrino for kohls!

outfit transition- sunset glory dress

ever since i participated in the 30 for 30, er, 30 for 29 challenge, i've been looking for more creative ways to dress from my closet.  i have pulled 10 bags of clothes out of my closet to donate or attempt to sell in the last year (which is really sad, right?  but what's more sad- that i'm getting rid of 10 bags of clothes, or that i had 10 bags worth of clothes)...  clothes that will never again fit the body of one who had a baby, and clothes that fit the body of someone who just had a baby.  i am left with the in between.  i am resolving for the next month (or however long it takes) to wear the things in my closet that i haven't worn in a while.  try them out and see if they are worth keeping.  yesterday, i wore a cute purple plaid tunic & leggings.  i bought the tunic & wore it while i was pregnant.  the tunic is super cute, but one of the buttons kept gaping out- guess what melissa?  it doesn't fit, so you don't need it.  of course, if it was gaping open now, how did it look when i was pregnant... yikes!

i also want to put together more creative ways to make clothes last for more than one season.  so here is my first attempt at taking a look from spring/summer into autumn/winter!

starring:  modcloth's sunset glory dress

 spring/summer:

dress: modcloth

jacket: loft

bag: vera bradley

shoes: seychelles

and.....

 autumn/winter:

dress: modcloth

cardigan: target

tights: target

booties: forever 21

i was able to cozy up my outfit just a bit by adding a 3/4-length cardigan and toasty tights in a gorgeous navy shade!  on my feet are the most painful shoes i've ever worn in my life- adorable booties from forever 21.  it was my first time wearing them... i really hope that's why they're so painful. 

so this was fun... can't wait to try it again soon once it gets cold.. again. 

i have a problem

earrings: forever 21

jacket: loft

top: loft

pants: loft

shoes: havaianas

seriously, i get that i have a major problem w\ this 30x30.  everything i own is from the freaking loft.  this used to not be a problem.  but there are several major contributing factors:  1.  they have a petites section.  2.  they always have a sale going on, or i always have a coupon.  3.  they are convenient to my home.  4.  their clothes consistently fit me.  there are plenty of other places that i like or would like to shop at but... target- not a great size selection for/don't like a lot of what they have/can't find what i want.  forever 21- closed the one closest to our house, the next one is at woodfield, and i hate going there.  h&m- same- also @ woodfield.  so i will accept any & all ideas to get me out of my "rut."  i seriously am thinking about just shopping @ goodwill b\c i can probably afford it + more variety... but i'll accept any ideas (or donations)...  

today i did this with my hair and it was super easy & pretty... only problem, it was hard to keep pins in w\ nothing to really pin it to, but i will try this again.  you get to see how this hair style looked after 6 hours and 2 pina coladas...  mmm.  by the time we snapped the photo, it was looking a little mullet-esque

mommy shops- GO international designer collective

so i was really excited to sneak over to target today and take a peek at the GO international collection.  target is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the collection by re-releasing the most popular dresses from the collection.  i remember when the collections first started debuting- i was a skinny 25 year old who had just moved into midtown.  i bought 4 pieces from the luella collection...  i have mostly been too poor or too pregnant since to partake.

so, i didn't get to target until around 4- 8 hours after the store had opened..  here's what they had left.

luella bartley- hot pink empire dress
richard chai- navy tuxedo dress
tara jarmon- colorblock dress
jovovich-hawk- mini dress, floral dress, dot dress
libertine- crepe dress, striped tunic
zac posen- pink wrap dress, polka dot dress,
proenza schouler- palm-print dress
rodarte- lace-print dress
rogan- leopard print dress
alice temperley- ruffle-front
thakoon- colorblock shift
tucker- ruffle-back dress, black floral, pink floral

that's out of 34 dresses total in the collection.


dresses i wish i could've tried on that weren't available:

tracy feith- hibiscus print dress, white eyelet dress
erin fetherston- bunny print dress
rodarte- peach slip dress (this was in stores right after i had ian- trying it then on probably would've damaged my self-esteem forever)
jonathan saunders- colorblock dress
thakoon- printed b/w dress


what i did try on with reviews (sorry, no pics of me wearing them b\c 1.  i had little time, 2.  it's better this way.

1.  Libertine Black Crepe Dress

this dress is super cute- would be perfect for work if i had a "real" job and i liked the thick material.  i grabbed a medium, which i could barely zip, and then had to jump around like a monkey to get off.  it looked nice in the front though.  also, i had to rip the tag off the belt to even get it on...  sorry, target.  i passed on this.

2.   Rodarte lace-print dress

this was the first dress that caught my eye while perusing the racks.  i tried this in a medium and it fit perfectly.  i love the print.  i think this would be a wonderful dress for easter, which is what i'll probably save it for.  the material is thin, but it didn't appear to be see-through, plus if we spend easter in atlanta, it will be perfect b\c i will think 80 degrees feels like 120 degrees after spending winter here.  i think this can be brightened up with a colorful cardigan or jacket, and i think my nude pumps would go perfectly with it.  took this one home.  boo ya.

3.  zac posen pink wrap dress

i wish i could say i tried this on all the way.  it's actually a wrap dress with a slip underneath.  the slip was attached to the dress, and i had an impossible time trying to figure out where to step and put my arms.  i managed to rip the string that kept the dress and slip together on one side, but couldn't get it on the other, and therefore, couldn't get into the dress.  needless to say, this one stayed at the store...

4.  zac posen polka dot dress

this dress is a little twee, but i seem to go for that, so i grabbed it.  i currently wear a 6 in jeans (8 if the fit is slim) and a 4-6 in dresses.  i picked a 9 (i think they had a 7, 9, and 13), and well, i should've grabbed the 13 if that tells you anything.  i got into the dress easily, but the zipper wouldn't even come up a millimeter.  i tend to stay away from clothes if i have to size up so far that it hurts my feelings, and this did the trick. 

5.  tucker signature floral-print dress

this picture doesn't do the dress as much justice as the picture from the actual link.  i tried on a medium, and really liked it, though i thought it was too poofy- so i decided to get it, but grab a small on my way out.  i haven't tried the small out yet.  i think the print is really pretty and springy.  and i need some spring in my life in a major way.  i hope it works out.

so, those are my reviews.  i would definitely encourage anyone who wants a designer label, but has no designer budget to give this collection a look.  there's something in it for everyone

oh, i yearn for you pre-baby body

i guess i expect giving birth to be some miracle- my body will heal quickly and i'll be in no pain, i'll lose 800 lbs and be thinner than i was before i got pregnant, and i'll be able to wear my "real" clothes again. riiiiiiiiiight. so, let's just say i'm more than tired of my maternity clothes- the pants with panels are too loose, and my non-maternity pants are way too tight. Just like my baby, when it comes to clothes, i'm stuck in "no man's land."

i gained 45 lbs while pregnant- yikes. let's just say that was all my fault- i craved pizza, pasta and candy while pregnant- not good. i weighed more than my husband- it was really sad. our scale doesn't work here at home, and they didn't weigh me in the hospital, so my best guess is that i've lost about 15-20 lbs. my face is definitely smaller, my belly- obviously. it seems other than the baby belly though that i'm carrying all my leftover weight between my knees and my hips- awesome. like all those years of dancing didn't give me big enough thighs... i'm also apparently carrying lots of weight in my fingers- as i have yet to get my wedding or engagement ring back on my hand. ::sigh::

so i've been shopping a few times- i don't fit into my former size pants currently, and i don't fit into the next size up either- i decided to stop there... tops though- oh, i can fit into tops all day long! squeeeeeee! so i have a closet full of new tops that are filling my heart with joy- and once i figure out how to successfully nurse wearing regular clothes- they will all be making an appearance on my body!

i'm always on the lookout for new things though- sometimes just looking is nice- even if you can't have it. prime example is the subscription i've had to Lucky for 5 years or so. the editors and staff at Lucky must think we can all afford designer wardrobes, and from the looks of it, most of them can. unfortunately i cannot pay $3,000 for a dress, let alone $300- heck, I can't pay $100 for a dress these days. woe is me... however i've become a darn good looker and an even better bargain shopper.

so i was thumbing through the pages of this month's Lucky when i saw this adorable cardigan in the front. i didn't get my hopes up, as most of what i like in there ends up being way out of my price range... BUT my faith in affordable, adorable clothing was restored when i saw that the cardigan was not only designer-made, but affordable and available at h&m!!


so cute!! i love that it's so springy with the pastels, and girly with the bows, and i might even say it's a touch parisian- it is made by a french designer after all! i can't wait until the line hits h&m next week- i will be figuring out how to take baby to the hellhole that is woodfield mall where i will make the cardigan mine, all mine.

now what do i wear with it?! i just don't have the knack for putting together outfits like you guys do. help!