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!
You make me want to be more girly. Just without the ruffles. I'm not *that* girly.
Yes, where are those floral shoes from!?
The shoes are from TJ Maxx! $24.99, baby!
and thank you! I'm a sucker for peep-toe & Mary Jane, so when you combine the two it's like a clothing-gasm for me.
You look GREAT! that bright yellow on you looks awesome, and who cares about the capris with the strap, you're tall aren't you? so what if it makes you look a little shorter, its cute as hell! good job! nothing can turn my mood around like a well thought out and put together outfit!
You seriously look amazing! I love ruffles and bows, too! I actually have that yellow target shirt, but in black.
I also must know, where are the floral shoes from? They are obscenely adorable!
What a transformation!! Those outfits and accessories are beautiful!! Can I ask you – what fashion blogs do you subscribe to? I've tried that in the past and must have found lowsy ones because they didn't inspire me at all. I'm currently 9 month pregnant but looking forward to a new wardrobe when I'm back to work!
I attest! I saw the green dress in person: and I LOVE IT!! + now i know where you got it from :O)
YAY!!!
Thanks for posting this. Love the outfits! I'm in the same boat. I find myself wearing the same baggy black work pants look to work every day. I found that once I had a baby and went back to work, all my money is going to daycare and cute clothes and toys for my little one. My closet has been seriously neglected. And I haven't really bought new clothes for myself in over a year considering last year, all I bought was maternity outfits!
You've inspired me to check out some new spring dresses.
You look great!! I just love wearing new clothes for the first time…. it's like a burst of energy for your wardrobe, and you walk around feeling all great about yourself… i wish I could buy new clothes all the time. This baby thing is getting kind of expensive though and we need a crib more than I need new clothes
I MUST get those shoes. Seriously.
I love, love, love the first dress. REALLY flattering cut for you.
My only constructive criticism is with the yellow shirt. I do like the color and I love the detail at the neckline. I'm not crazy about the sleeves though. That being said, a short sleeve or 3/4 sleeve cardigan would be AWESOME and totally complete the outfit.
You look great! Keep up the good work.
love. LOVE. that's all I can say. You look so FAB! I love Shabby Apple….swoon. Love the bow earings. Robin egg blue box?? hmmm……tiffany perhaps??
You look great! Thanks for the tip about Shabby Apple! I definitely just went and ordered a few things. Love that discount code – many thanks!!
You might also like Ruche (www.shopruche.com). It's very feminine clothing, too.
You've just inspired me to hit Target with a budget and a mission. The clothes this summer look so cute and I could use a little wardrobe refresh. Thanks!
Cute. I want to know what kind of shapewear you have on! Because you can't see it, but you mentioned it in the post.
Looking good girl!
LOVE the clothes, jewelry and shoes!! LOVE the feminine girliness of it all.
It's a challenge to keep changing and re-evaluating clothes as your body keeps changing over the course of pregnancy and after – especially when you have to look good & professional for an office with a dress code.
I have no suggestions because I like everything I see! I agree that (if you are brave enough) asking for constructive criticism is a good way to improve your look – have to be prepared for whatever feedback you might get and be careful not to ask people who might just rip on you unfairly, but if you ask the right people it can be quite helpful.
When you look good, you feel good. Pretty things can cheer a girl up
I don't have a baby yet but OMG, I'm glad I don't need to stress about this with work. I work for a police department where I am giving a clothing allowance each June and have to wear a uniform of slacks and specific shirts embroidered with the city's name and PD on them. There is little room left for fashion at the end of my day, which is probably best because I sure couldn't pick out cute things like you seem to be doing. Looking good Blair!
Awesome stuff. I too am trying to find my mom style. I didn't return to work, but still struggle with knowing what to wear. Looks like you are finding your style!! Good work,
I love love love the green dress! Its really slimming and simple – looks like something you can dress up or dress down!
Everything else looks great too. Gotta love Marshalls and Target! Perfect items that are inexpensive!
I'm definitely going to have to check out Shabby Apple. Great items!
I'm swooning over the shoes!!!! LOVE!
Love the shoes, love the first dress, overall I love it! And Marshalls and TJ Maxx are my favorite places! you look great, thanks for the coupon.
I LOVE fashion blogs. And isn't it amazing how a cute outfit can make you the most confident woman in the room?
*Sigh* For your next trick will you get advice for me??? I am a trainwreck.
You look adorable. I covet your clothes and accessories. Don't ever let me near your closet or there WILL be things missing…
So cute, B! And the best thing about these outfits is how happy you look wearing them! Confidence is always the best accessory.
Oh my word, how cheesy did that sound?? I am turning into a Hallmark card. But seriously, I am glad you're feeling good about yourself, you have done an amazing job losing weight. You look wonderful!
Love love LOVE the shoes!! I also like that you found and wrote about real women clothes that are affordable!! You need to come to Iowa and help me shop
love love love your new look! the green dress is by far my favorite & i am loving shabby apple!
I am LOLing about you justifying your Friday outfit. Because for me, that would be totally dressing it up!
And I would have worn it to court in a heartbeat back when I was still working!
First, I am so not a fashion person. I own maybe two or three pairs of heels that I never wear.
But I LOVE those shoes! I would never have anything to wear them with, but they are gorgeous!
And I've been noticing lately that you seem very well-dressed in your photos. They ruffles look great on you, and they seem to fit your personality so well. That anthro shirt was adorable, and everything on this page looks super cute on you.
So, yeah…I think Stacy and Clinton would be proud of you
you look fabulous!! Love all the outfits…especially the 2nd one!
I LOVE the shoes!!!!!!! where did you get them?
LOVE the first dress, and I think the yellow looks great on you! I'm in the minority on the green dress, though. I think I would like it better on you if it had a lower neckline (bow chicka bow wowwww). Seriously though, as a fellow larger chested woman, I've come to learn higher necklines just aren't as flattering. Other than the neckline though, I like it!
Ha hahaha I'm such a fashion fail. Sometimes I get a wild hair up my butt and am like I'M GOING TO BE FASHIONABLE LETS GO SHOPPING and then I come home with jeans and t-shirts/tank tops. Oy.
Cute cute cute! I love all of it. I'm struggling to bust out of the cargo pants and tee rut at the moment. I'm not close to my pre-preg size and don't want to buy a bunch of new stuff yet- but I'm sick of looking sloppy. Thanks for the inspiration! Any suggestions on fashion blogs to check out?
I think you did a great job!
However, I am now spending my paycheck over at Shabby Apple, they have such cute stuff!
You like gorgeous and the weight loss really shows! Such an inspiration. I'm lovin' all the outfits and how they look on you EXCEPT for the green, that is. SUPER pretty dress but IMHO the neckline is not too flattering on you. Eep! Hope that didn't come across rude! Other than that — you are lookin' FAB sister!
*look*
oh goodness! I LURVE RUFFLES. Like, maybe more than I should!
and those shoes? need a pair!
Eeeeek I LOVE the shoes! And yes to the bright yellow!
so funny that I KNEW the green dress was from Shabby Apple before I read further. I love Shabby Apple and am an owner of their cute dresses. I just might have to take advantage of the coupon code. Girl can always use another dress. I love being girly and you do such a good job at it! Love your outfits!!
Amazing outfits, love them all! And I swear that when you're wearing something you love and feel good in, it just makes the day so much better!
You look fabulous and I'm drooling over those floral shoes!
I think you're adorable. & I have those flower print pumps too. I got them for my birthday. They're the new thing in my closet that I try to make everything match so I always have an excuse to wear them. Love!
I read your blog all the time, I rarely every comment. But Oh my gosh! Where did you get those shoes!? I love them.
Love the first two. I like the pieces of the third (especially the shoes), just not crazy about them together but I appreciate the need for an "i don't care outfit" I have one of those as well and its not nearly as fashionable! LOL
Good job!
You're totally adorable. NFT.
You look pretty fly. =P
Love the green dress and salivating over the shoes. You look fab!
The only thing I don't LOVE is that green dress. I do LIKE it, but I'd like it even more if it wasn't so high necked. Not like I want your ladies swingin' from the branches and causing physical harm? But you have a lovely neck/collerbone area.
PS I'm super proud of you! I'm sweatin' and grunting right along with you.
I like it all. But I think the Yellow shirt and capri's are actually really cute on you!
Awesome Blair! It is hard to be a working mom and dress for work! Love that green dress!
Blair, you look AWESOME. I love your style, and especially those SHOES!
Girl you got it going on – GREAT job!!!! The bow earrings and floral shoes – L-O-V-E them!!!
I’d love it if you could share some of your fav style blogs – are there any geared towards moms on a realistic budget?
I so wish those looks were practical for my work environment.
I am loving the green dress. Also I wish I was brave enough for capris but I’m so scared people are going to point and laugh at my little matchstick legs poking out the bottom.
You’re so purty.
You look great! I love it all. I would wear everything. I love how you shop on a budget too, because thats how I am. Also, LOVE shabby apple! I can't remember which blog did a giveaway from there but I was all over it (hint hint
.
LOVE the yellow!
If that Shabby Apple dress looks better in person, then DAYUM GIRL! Because I think it looks hottt in the picture!!
adore the first dress. Makes you look long and lean and fierce!
Love, love, love your blog. You really are a very talented writer. Your writing reminds me very much of Jen Lancaster! Great steal on the shoes, gotta love TJ's!
I am a fashion nightmare at work. Something about being at a Zoo makes you not want to be all fancy-pants. But, on the weekend, I totally rock it. LOL
Great post- love the clothes! I'm in serious frump-mode because I've got major baby belly left (can't wait for the shapewear post I'm beginning to research those lovely garments myself now). And I'm going back to work in August so I really need to get my fashion act together.
What fashion blogs do you read? (Could you email them to me if you don't want to post them publicly?)
I am so ashamed to be still in the frump mode, because I'm convinced now that I lost the baby weight I'm going to tone up and have to buy all new clothes. Right. I've gotta go shopping… You look fan-friggin-tastic darlin'!
You look fabulous! Great job!
I had to go shopping at Shabby Apple. A dress is on it's way! You look great in the pictures. I really like the first dress a lot. I just ordered the 2nd dress in black for myself.
i LOVE your dresses and bright yellow outfit! and oh my word, that before outfit is just too much.
i think Stacy and Clinton would've enjoyed you as a client, but i doubt they could've done better than you have already done on your own! i love your new style! and i love girly things too!
remember the time we borrowed each other's maternity clothes? um, yeah. time to also be regular-clothes borrowing friends. LOVE those shoes, esp. with the yellow. i'm right there with you on the wardrobe re-do… 30 lbs after baby it's a must! i've been finding pictures of super expensive outfits i love & shamelessly copying them on the cheap.
I tried on that Marshall's dress to wear for a work event. I was in between sizes so it didn't work for me, but I love it on you!! I agree that bright yellow is your color!!
Love the shoes!!
I've found that ruffles and girliness have creeped into my wardrobe since becoming a mom too. I like it!
You look freakin fabulous!!! I am in the same boat you were at Christmas. Three month old little booger and packin 25 lbs like its in style… umm no it's not. I have tried everything and the weight WILL NOT BUDGE!! What do you do besides NutriSystem? And are you starving on this program?!
Nothing but Nutrisystem, Jenn! & so not starving. I had a lime creamsicle for dessert & it was FOODGASMIC. For serious.
what fashion blogs do you read? i feel like good ones have been SO hard to find!!! lookin' good mama!
P.S. I am STILL really, really glad those brown pants aren't the brown pants you had just bought in a post about a month or so ago. I was really worried about you for a moment hahaha.
You look great. Seriously, amazing. I LOVE the yellow outfit. I even love the ankle straps with it. You look super slim!
you look beautiful! if i were you i would belt the green dress with a wide leather belt. show off those curves, girl!
I wish I could pull off that green dress. I love it. You look great! And those shoes, omg!
What a great series, I love this! Please do more! I am also a working Mom, only been back from maternity leave for a month, and have had some serious challenges in the back to work clothing department. I have also been sitting here debating on going to aerobics class on my lunch hour (we have a gym here at work) and you have inspired me to go.
Karen
Hi Blair,
I have no fashion sense at all, so I read every comment on your original clothing post. I really like everything you got. You look great!
Do you mind sharing some of the fashion blogs you read? I would love to read some good ones!
LOVE IT! And I don't know what kind of work you do or what kind of clients you meet, but the fact that the capri outfit gets an eyebrow raise from your boss is strange to me. Capri's can be just as professional as a skirt or pants.
And I think a big white/cream/black belt would look awesome with the green dress. And because you continue to drop the lbs. so fast a belt will give you a waist and let you show off all your hard work.
Totally looked up NutriSystem & am convinced I NEED this, but 2 months would be mucho dinero ;(. I think losing 25 lbs in 1 month is completely unrealistic. How much have you lost?!
You look SO cute! LOVE your style.
You. Look. Amazing.
I love ruffles, but I'm always afraid that I look silly in them.
Absolutely fabulous, gorgeous, much-deserved!!!
I am in such a mommy rut and my little guy is older then Harry, blah.
I actually LOVE the yellow outfit its really cute.
I want to be more girly now hehe i.must.get.that.yellow.shirt Love it!!
OMG – I am loving your new looks! Oh how I wish a fairy godmother could swoop into my life and update my wardrobe. Can you come to San Diego to help me out?
My faves are dress #1 and the top/shoes from outfit #3! Love love love them!