Fashion

***TARGET SHOPPER ALERT***

I found the cutest line of clothes at Target. I think it just launched — like, literally just rolled out! — because when I walked into the store this week, the sales associates were pulling these huge racks of clothes, and they were stocking the displays and ooh-ing and ah-ing as they hung the shirts, dresses and sweaters, which, of course, stopped me in my tracks.

The line is called Universal Thread. It’s very J.Crew-meets-Levi’s, with a sprinkle of Ann Taylor on top. There’s lots of denim and prices mostly around $25, with different cuts of jeans, different washes and — get this — different lengths. I saw short, regular and long. And some cute mid- and high-rise styles, too.

Buuuuuuut I didn’t get any jeans, LOL! I grabbed a few tops instead because 1) they were adorable (hi), and 2) I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find my size if I hesitated, so I just went for it.

I’m head-over-heels for this light blue denim button-up shirt.

It’s comfy heavyweight 100% cotton and has two pockets on the front (also seems well made). The fit’s on the looser side, too, so it fits like a boyfriend shirt, but it isn’t over-sized or anything.

I’ve been wanting something like this for ages to layer on top of dresses and tank tops. It’s perfect! And I have a feeling it’s going to last a long time.

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An awesome and affordable $40 $30 (!) raincoat

OK, so I mentioned wanting a new raincoat, right? I wanted on that was affordable. Well…I bought one!

Turns out that the Target down the street had this olive-colored one by A New Day on sale for $30! So I tried it on, and…now it’s my new raincoat. 🙂

Even for $39.99, it’s pretty boss. It’s a thinner coat, so I don’t expect to go traipsing around the Alps in it, but it’s lined and cozy. It should be enough for the 60s and 50s, and maybe the 40s if you’re made of stronger stuff than I am. If it dips much lower than that, though, you’ll probably need a warm and toasty layer underneath.

The sleeves are long enough to cover my wrists (THANK GOD), but they aren’t too long, and I like the length (long but not too long) and how the waist hits exactly where it should. I also love the olive color and that the hood completely covers my head.

Olive works as a neutral, so I think it’ll go with just about anything.

I do have to say that the shoulders are kinda tight…so if you’ve got a swimmer or water polo player’s shoulders, first of all, I’m jealous! Second, try the coat on first to make sure it fits.

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Nordstrom, also known as “the happiest place on earth!” — even though El Hub would disagree with me. 🙂

Whenever we go, I park him on the nearest tufted couch, hand him an iPhone charger and say, “I’ll be back in an hour! Or two!” He’s never too thrilled about it, LOL! But thank goodness for smartphones, amirite? Best husband-sitters EVER.

I’ve had my eye on a few things at Nordies lately. These have all been burning a hole in my shopping cart, and — WHOOP-WHOOP! — several of them have gone on sale. I’m thinking that if I think they’re cute, hey, you might think they’re cute, too.

Starting with…

1. BLANKNYC Faux Leather Jacket

So, I have this same exact jacket in black, and I’ve worn it pretty much every season for the last, oh, three or four (or maybe five) years! It’s a style that shows up annually at Nordstrom, and I recently noticed that they have it in a beautiful camel color and a dark brown now. And bonus! — right now it’s marked down to $64.90 (originally $98).

It’s faux leather, but it doesn’t look fake. And it feels real, too! The material is soft and buttery, not stiff and crunchy.

Oh, this jacket does run small, so I’d suggest sizing up…

Ugh, the more I think about it, the more I keep telling myself that I gotta get that camel-colored one, huh?

This is a great little jacket, you guys, and I can’t recommend it enough. I wear my black one all the time… Wore it just the other day to take Connor to story time. I dressed down with a long white tee, black high-waisted Zella leggings and my black and white Nike’s. I’ve also worn it dressed up with a black and gold Anthropologie dress in the fall and winter. I really like to wear it in the winter layered over a hoodie, but I wear it everywhere all year round.

2. Bobeau One-Button Fleece Wrap Cardigan

I realize this sweater looks like it might be potentially dowdy, but it’s one of those things that you have to try on to appreciate. Once it’s on, it’s really cute.

I have a red one that I got a few seasons ago made from the fleece material, and seriously, I wear it all the time.

Um, I may or may not have even worn it to bed last night, haha!

The fleece is super soft, and it looks luxurious (not cheesy or cheap). I like how it drapes in the front, too. It has this sort of ruffled effect when you have it open, and when you button it up, it’s also cute.

Bonus: if you’re petite, it also comes in petite sizes, and the length on the arms is perfect!

They’re usually $58 each but currently on sale for $39.90.

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Accessorize Me! is a new series featuring roundups and single product features of shoes, bags, jewelry and other accessories that catch my eye.

Me: You don’t need another pair of shoes, Karen.
Also Me: OMG, that pale pink suede pair of Nikes is a totally good idea.
Me: Oh, no, those will totally get dirty, you know it, within 2.5 seconds.
Also Me: Who the heck cares?!

Girl… I strolled into DSW yesterday and was floored by all the cute tennis shoes. Yeah, I’ve finally become that person who wears tennis shoes all the time because, well, chasing after a high-energy child while wearing heels is a death wish for your ankles.

So, if you’ve read MBB for any length of time, you probably know that, once upon a time, I lived in heels. I loved them so much that I wore them everywhere, even to the airport, because I was that serious about having an extra three inches of height on me, LOL!

Ah, good times…

But now? Now I’m all about cute tennies. 🙂

It started when Connor (who’s officially a toddler now, wah!) became “that kid” (air quotes) — you know, the child shooting across Costco at the speed of light and screaming like a banshee. I swear, that girl has two speeds. She’s either standing still or sprinting for Olympic gold.

So I started wearing tennis shoes all the time because it’s easier to catch her in flats, but I’ve also realized — OH, SNAP! — that I actually LOVE wearing tennis shoes. My back, shoulders, feet and calves no longer ache as much as they did when I wore heels 24/7 (go figure!). Plus, there are so many cute styles and colors to choose from.

Which leads us here, to these 13 pairs of pink shoes from DSW…

1. Nike Court Royal Suede, $59.99

My rational side keeps telling me that I’m cray for wanting a pale pink pair of suede Nikes, because I know they’ll be covered in dirt in less than a day, but I love how the shoe is monochromatic with the pale pink shoelaces and pale pink swoosh.

UGH! SOOOOO CUTE! Maybe if I coat the living heck out of them with a suede fabric protector spray? Or make them my “fancy occasion” tennies?

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