Remember after Christmas when I asked y’all for fashion tips?  I was 35 lbs heavier, 3 months postpartum, & about to head back to work.  & I hadn’t discovered shapewear yet (more on that later).  I can’t lie – it was rough.  Some people were brutal, although I know they meant it with the best of intentions.  & I took the constructive criticism very, very seriously.

For awhile, you couldn’t tell.  I still looked shabby & unmatched & ill-fitting for quite awhile:

Because I was dropping L-B’s faster than Sherman went through Atlanta.  & there was zero point in buying or altering clothes when they wouldn’t fit a week later.  But yeah.  I showed up to work looking LIKE THAT.  & that was the day those pants officially made the Clothes Closet Charity pile.

But I promised you that I would get back to you on how the Stacy & Clinton-esque post was received.  & a promise is a promise.  I just hope you are proud at the end

I started subscribing to fashion blogs, started perusing websites, & even watching what inspired me on other people.  I realized that I LOVE girly.  I LOVE ruffles.  I love flower prints.  I love Mary-Jane shoes even if the strap shortens my legs.  I love neutrals & pearls & black pumps.  I also fell in love with teal & orange & declared bright yellow as THE COLOR of the summer.

& when my weight hit the point that I was wearing clothing two sizes too big, I went shopping with my new-found knowledge & discovery of myself.  Also looking at things that can be altered easily or replaced at no high cost once they became too big.

First Dress: LOVE this one.  It fits every curve & has coral lining, so I pair it with coral shoes & a coral, brown, & pearl beaded necklace. This was a Marshall’s find for $29.99.

Second Dress: Shabby Apple.  They sell both woman’s dresses and little girl dresses.  ADORE.  I could buy everything from their store & die of happiness.  Many will attest that this dress looks far better on in person than in pictures.

It’s-Friday-&-I-Don’t-Give-A-Damn Outfit: Because EVERY WORKING MOTHER NEEDS ONE.  You know those days where you don’t want to speak to anyone in the office, play the rebel, & push the dress code?  That is this outfit for me.  I don’t meet clients wearing this – this outfit is for the days when I sit behind my desk all day doing paperwork.  The yellow may not be the absolute best color on me, but it makes me feel cheerful (Target, super-cheap).  The capris are for an eyebrow raise from the boss man.  & I know, I know…wearing capris & ankle straps are probably a cardinal sin, but I don’t care.

My favorite details of the things I’m wearing.  Ruffles, sparkles, roses.  Those bow earrings?  Those came in a pretty robins-egg blue box from Harrison for my first Mother’s Day.  & the shoes.  Ohhh, the shoes.  Sister has a pair of plum ones that are exactly the same & even more TO-DIE FOR.

The most important thing?  ALL OF MY CLOTHES CAN BE WASHED AT HOME.  I cannot tell you how important that is as a working mother.  I barely have time to finish folding laundry, much less a drop-off & pick-up at the dry cleaner.  Every single thing I’m wearing can easily be worn on the floor with Harrison & if he pukes on me, then so be it.  I toss it in the wash!

& there you have it.  Critique away, or pat me on my back for taking some advice!  I’ll be sharing more of my wardrobe over the next few weeks, asking for more advice.  Being a working mom is tough, but I want to at least look good trying!

In celebration of my Working Mom Series, Shabby Apple is giving y’all a 15% off code:  SAheirtoblair15off It expires on May 15th!