Jaclyn Day

Swimsuit Cover-Ups

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:28:03 -0500

There’s a chance that I may need to be in a swimsuit in public by the end of March. That thought terrifies me. I am not (definitely NOT) going to be bikini-ready at two months postpartum. Sorry, no, it’s not going to happen. I’ve been reassured by Brandon that all will be well, but that’s easy for him to say when he doesn’t have stretch marks and all sorts of other goodies going on in the midsection area.

Enter the swimsuit cover-up, or as I like to refer to them—The Best Clothing Invention Ever.

Topshop Cocoon Tie-Dye Cover-Up, $56

ECHO Ikat Cover-Up, $48

Jones New York Cover-Up, $60

ASOS River Island Crochet Cover-Up, $49

Roxy Beach Blanket Cover-Up, $48

Which ones do you like?

This is pretty much how I feel about Valentine’s Day, so...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:56:00 -0500

This is pretty much how I feel about Valentine’s Day, so I’m glad somebody reads my blog. :)

File under: to wear with a bit of a tan (fake?), wavy hair,...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:50:00 -0500

File under: to wear with a bit of a tan (fake?), wavy hair, bright nails and a loose, flowy dress like this.

Nine West “Look Global” Sandals, $89

What I’ve Read: Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:04:11 -0500

What I’ve Read: Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss & Love by Matthew Logelin

You probably know of Matthew Logelin from his blog. He continued to blog after his wife, Liz, died shortly after giving birth to their daughter Madeline and the blog has continued to grow in the years since. Matt writes the most beautiful, heart-wrenching posts about love and loss and the pain he feels over losing Liz is always a palpable presence when browsing through his blog.

It’s no wonder his story was turned into a book. His wife’s loss was a freak tragedy, and was—as he notes—the kind of circumstance that make people turn to one another and say, “I’m glad it wasn’t us.” Where Matt’s blog posts are sometimes written in a poetry-like style, the book is straight prose with snippets of his posts inserted at the top of each chapter. This is no sugar-coated, come-to-Jesus account of loss, either. He eschews overwrought language and introspection for an honest depiction of his varying and overwhelming emotions, complete with cursing, anger and depression. There is no attempt to sugarcoat any of his experiences into a teachable moment for readers: he just tells his story.

Have you read this book or Matt’s blog?

Yep.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:05:25 -0500

When you think of something you need to buy but don’t write it down because “you’ll remember it.” And then you don’t.

A dream t-shirt dress. When you’re shopping, you...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:15:03 -0500

A dream t-shirt dress.

When you’re shopping, you occasionally stumble upon certain things you just know you’d wear all the time and that you’d be able to incorporate with dozens of items you already own. This is one of those things for me.

T by Alexander Wang Boatneck Dress Mini Pocket, $81

These oversized clutches aren’t too big or cumbersome and...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:56:53 -0500

These oversized clutches aren’t too big or cumbersome and the neon piping is on-trend for spring.

Poppie Jones Neon Pop Tassel Clutch, $30

The Truth (About Hair)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:12:00 -0500

I’m seriously considering giving the old chop-chop to a few inches of my hair. The problem is that this is the idea I have in my head:

Andddd, I’m pretty sure I’d end up looking like this:

In the hierarchy of my jewelry expenditures, I usually go first...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:16:00 -0500

In the hierarchy of my jewelry expenditures, I usually go first for rings, then bracelets, then necklaces and finally — earrings. But, these two chevron-themed earrings caught my eye right off the bat…and their prices aren’t too shabby either.

Left: Gorjana Chevron Earrings, $55

Right: House of Harlow 1960 Chevron Earrings, $59

I think I’ve lost my mind, but I’m taking the...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:56:00 -0500

I think I’ve lost my mind, but I’m taking the colored denim plunge with these two pairs of jeggings. They’re on sale for a steal and I’m crossing my fingers I can make them work. (I need an image that says FOREVER NEUTRAL.)

P.S. There are more sizes available in emerald than fuchsia. Be sure you check the size chart as Delia’s is a juniors retailer and sizes accordingly.

Delia’s Olivia Low-Rise Colored Jegging in Fuchsia and Emerald, $19.99 each (from $44.50)

I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of flat black boots...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:47:11 -0500

I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of flat black boots to wear with my black skinny jeans…and found these for a whopping $10.48.

Done.

Target Mossimo “Karsten” Buckle Boots, $10.48

A pretty dress for spring, especially when paired with nude...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:04 -0500

A pretty dress for spring, especially when paired with nude ballet flats.

ASOS Shift Dress, $98

It's time

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:09:00 -0500

I know it’s time to get my hair done because it’s starting to take on a reddish tone that signals it’s been far too long since my last color. I’ve been toying with the idea of chopping off a few inches and doing a long bob sorta thing, but I just know I’ll chicken out when I see the scissors.

Street Vendor Scarf (Similar by Jones New York)
Target Jacket (Similar from ModCloth)
Forever21 Bracelets
H&M Dress (Similar by Volcom)
Target Tights
Target Booties (Similar by Franco Sarto)

See a few more snaps after the jump!

Doing it all...ish

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36:00 -0500

I was never naive enough to be one of those people that said, “I am determined not to let this baby change my life.” Instead, I said something more stupid: “I am determined to fit my life around the baby and make everything work perfectly.”

The past few weeks have been a big adjustment in a lot of the expected ways. I knew about the sleep deprivation, the changes in routine, the breastfeeding, the living-in-pajamas, etc. I knew those things were coming down the pike for me and had appropriate expectations of how difficult it might be.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have appropriate expectations when it came to another aspect of my life: my work. I work from home and so I thought I might be able to get back to work (at least for a few hours a day) as soon as a week after. (“Hey Brandon, watch Isobel while I sit on this conference call!”)

Those of you who have children are probably face-palming to infinity right now, but wait! It gets worse. I actually did that. I’ve been squeezing in work all over the place. You know the saying “sleep when the baby sleeps”? I work when the baby sleeps.

Before you label me a full-on crazy, know that there are a few reasons I’ve been trying to acclimate myself back into my old work routine so quickly:

My maternity leave is unpaid.
Many of my work responsibilities require immediate attention. (Several people were shouldering different aspects of my work to cover for me, but that didn’t provide coverage for everything.)

So, the full scope of my situation becomes clear! With savings and a modified budget, an unpaid maternity leave is not crippling. But, thanks to a workaholic streak and a total aversion to financial stress, I have placed immense pressure on myself to keep one foot in the door. I should note that my work stressed to me that I should take as much time as I needed, that my responsibilities would be covered, etc. I love my job and they are extraordinarily understanding. So…the “immense pressure” in this situation has come from me and from my own expectations.

However, the reason I’m writing this post is not to give you a detailed play-by-play of how I arrange Isobel in my lap or in her sling and crank out as many emails as I can in between feedings. (Although I guess I just gave you a play-by-play, so there’s that!)

The reason I’m writing this is because I know I’m not the only one trying to juggle a work/life balance. Many women have maternity leave, find a nanny or childcare and then go back to work. I have a maternity leave I’ve halfheartedly taken, will be the primary childcare for my child and when I go back to work full-time, it will be while I’m acting as that primary childcare…in our home. If you’re confused, imagine my trepidation! I have no idea how I’m going to do this.

Yet, I have to! And I will (to the best of my ability). I’m sure it’s going to be hell some of the time, but—

(just now I jumped up to reinsert a dropped pacifier)

—whenever I feel discouraged or that I’m not up to the task, I take things back to basics: I have a daughter and a job! I am immeasurably lucky for both. As long as I keep sight of that, perhaps the bad & tough days—because they will come—will not seem so bad or tough.

(It’s not easy breastfeeding on a conference call, but someone’s got to do it…on mute, FYI.)

I’ll admit it: I think “mullet skirt” every...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:18:00 -0500

I’ll admit it: I think “mullet skirt” every time I see one of these, but they’ll be a big trend this spring. (Or so I hear.) I highly recommend getting your fix with one of these bright, pretty options from Forever21 since you won’t regret spending only $30 when the trend wears off again.

(P.S. Just noticed these skirts match the colors of my blog theme almost exactly. I feel like I should buy them on that premise alone.)

Forever21 Tulip Tail Skirt, $27.80

I love the green in this leopard-print scarf. Staring at Stars...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:12:07 -0500

I love the green in this leopard-print scarf.

Staring at Stars Leopard Chenille Eternity Scarf, $17 (from $34)

We just can’t get enough leopard over here:

I’m not at all anxious for summer to appear (after last...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:42:36 -0500

I’m not at all anxious for summer to appear (after last year’s 4 months of furnace-like heat and humidity), but I am looking forward to wearing bright, pretty sandals like this.

Madden Girl “Anzwer” Sandals, $40

Looking for a new watch?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:10:29 -0500

Here are a few I’ve spotted for under $100:

I love how clean and minimal this is.

Nixon Oversized Time Teller Watch, $100

Fun and bright with an easy-to-read white face.

Anne Klein Leather Strap Watch, $55

Completely impractical, but I like it anyway.

Vestal Alpha White Bravo Watch, $65

Can’t beat the price!

American Eagle Sparkle Chrono Watch, $29.50

It’s pink, but not overly girly.

ASOS Pink Boyfriend Watch, $54

Maybe my favorite of the bunch.

La Mer Oversized Vintage Watch, $85

Which is your favorite?

I rarely post items over $100, but I had to make an exception...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:41:22 -0500

I rarely post items over $100, but I had to make an exception for this leather-trim and wool dress. I’d wear it with black tights, wedge booties and a bright scarf—maybe pink?

Madewell Leather Trim Attache Dress, $158

In today’s edition of Valentine’s Day-appropriate...

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:55:13 -0500

In today’s edition of Valentine’s Day-appropriate jewelry that doesn’t suck, I present this pretty necklace. (See previous editions here and here.)

rossmore Hand Wire Heart Necklace, $46 (from $92)