Before & After

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On Friday, I went to visit yet another pair of friends who just had a baby (yes, that makes 3 in one week), then I headed downtown for dinner with the in-laws, some shopping, and – most importantly – to Circle of Lights! Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis gets blocked off to traffic, and there’s a big show with various Christmas-themed performances. Lights are strung up to the top of the monument, and at the culmination of the show (after Santa shows up, of course), the lights turn on and it looks like a giant Christmas tree. It’s just a fun way to start off the holiday season, although it’s more fun when it’s not frigid outside. This just happened to be a frigid year (yay), so I had to prepare to bundle up. I thought I’d show you my basic look, along with the Arctic Tundra version.

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Here’s another side-by-side for ya: the Soldiers and Sailors Monument before and after the lights went on. I would have gotten closer, but as you can see, a couple other people were there. I’m working on getting a private show next year.

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Chambray: Madewell (similar)

Vest: LOFT

Jeans: The Limited

Boots: Matisse via DSW (similar)

Necklace: I.N.C. via Macy’s (similarsimilar)

Coat: J. Crew (25% off and free shipping w/ code COLOR25 thru 11/25)

Hat: handmade gift (similar)

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Baby Boom

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20121122-193557.jpgYou’re looking at me standing in the lobby of Union Hospital in Terre Haute, IN, where I went to visit two different friends who had babies this week! I got to see both moms and one baby (the other was in the NICU but is doing fine). I figured a great outfit was appropriate for the occasion since hospitals are pretty much the most fashion-starved places ever. Everyone’s in scrubs or hospital gowns. Normally, there are still regularly dressed people visiting, but the residents of Terre Haute are not exactly the best looking crowd (except for my friends, obviously). Actually, in Terre Haute, scrubs and hospital gowns might be an improvement over the norm.

Still, I’m happy to say that one little girl named Dylan got her first style lesson from me! (I also got her her first copy of Vogue, so she’s all set.) Congrats to all the parents! Better you than me!

Sweater: J. Crew Factory

Skirt: Anthropologie (on sale!)

Boots: Target (on sale!)

Bracelets: Forever 21 and Nordstrom

Tune in later today for the official announcement of the Gems & Jam Giveaway winner!