Casual Spring Style Staples featuring Amazon + A Note On Body Image & Self Love

I recently spent a hour or so alone and rediscovered my LOVE for all things clothes and fashion. I was a darn fashionista once upon a time and mama is feeling it again.

The height of my fashion game was the summer of 2013, spent in Manhattan. I was all about clothes, shoes and fashion because I was in one of the fashion capitals of the world. And man, sometimes I miss it. I miss the hustle and bustle of city life and I miss heels that made my legs look a mile long.

Holding a 20 pound seven month old, however, does not go well with heels.

But being a mom doesn’t mean I can’t look amazing in some adorable (and affordable) clothes. Right?

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So I decided, my spring wardrobe needs an overhaul and now I am sharing the pieces I purchased with you! And don’t worry, this will be the first of many.

Check my Instagram stories for each piece on me!

Pant Staples for Spring

Spring is such a hard time. One day it will be 80 and the next it will be 45. Especially here in Cincy. Since I have been wearing the shorts I bought while pregnant, I figured it was high time for a new pair of jean shorts and a pair of jeans.

These jeans might just be the stretchiest jeans I have ever worn. I am typically somewhere between a 10 & 12 but I have been bloated a lot lately so I went with a 14. The 14 is definitely too big, and the amount of stretch in them makes it so they fall quickly if I am not wearing a belt. The fit is very true to size!

I would classify these as a high waisted boyfriend and it is SO flattering. I have worn them 5 out of the last seven days and they’re perfect for everything. Comfortable enough to lounge around in but nice enough that you can dress up and feel fine af.

They are on the longer side, I have to roll them up twice, so keep that in mind.

The jean shorts I got are Signature by Levi and again, they are so stretchy! Why get anything not stretchy, that’s the real question.

These jeans are on the longer side so that nothing rides up, but they fold nice if you’re going for something a little shorter. The high waist hits at the perfect spot for tucking shirts in and emphasizing the waist. However, if you have a longer torso they will be a little low.

My favorite part about these is how clean and classic they look. No bells and whistles here, these are just the go-to jean short you need at your disposal.

I also just had to get these paper bag shorts in army green. They are so comfy but can pass for being dressed up this summer. IN LOVE.

These shorts pair well with a stripped t-shirt and would also look great with a blazer!

I want a pair in yellow as well so please, stay tuned.

Spring Top Staples

There is nothing better than a good t-shirt and ” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>this one is it. Soft and lightweight but also so cute. The thick block of stripes around the midsection really draws in the waist. I also loved how well ” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>this shirt tucks in and falls around my hips!

I got a size XL because I wanted a looser fit and it looks great! Not too baggy but enough give to move around and even tie in front if I wanted! I have already worn this two times!

The other t-shirt I am sadly returning. This one was the softest of the bunch and was super lightweight. However, it had a spandex quality to it and really suctioned against my skin. I need a pair of full body spanks for that. This would make a great piece to tuck in all the way around and show off that Gucci belt dupe 😉

At first, I wasn’t as into this shirt. I had put it on with a pair of leggings and something just wasn’t right. However, I loved it with my jeans! It is very casual but the front flips into itself giving a faux front-tuck look for those of us who really struggle with keeping our outfit put together correctly for more than a two-second photo 🙂 *raises hand*

I also really liked the longer sleeves!

Okay, this mesh t-shirt is amazing. I flipping loved it! I ordered a 2x and I am not really sure why, definitely two sizes too big for me. I am returning and getting an L because I seriously can’t wait to throw this on over my bathing suit for some beach style while on vacation!

The mesh is so breathable but, surprisingly, not see-through! Which is a win if I’ve ever known one. I ordered the pink one, which wasn’t the best pick for my skin tone, but there are other colors if you’re not a pink gal.

Going with the mesh t, I also grabbed this tank. Again, love the breathable mesh and the Hampton’s vibe I get while wearing this. This one IS see-through and would need a tank or bathing suit under it. It also comes in black so…that one has been ordered now as well.

Buttons are also my favorite thing of this season, but make sure you’re bra is holding everything in because the mesh + buttons are just going to follow your curves. For me this means it’s almost impossible to not have some peek-a-boo cleavage going on.

The last item I grabbed is a pair of black linen overalls. I ordered an 2XL by mistake. Based on their sizing chart I should have grabbed the L (US 12) so oops. We will blame that on Mommy Brain 🙂 What I did like about them though is how light weight they are, perfect for those days that get hotter.

Definitely a piece that you can wear for an everyday look that transitions to girls night very well!

To Sum Up

I think spring and fall are by far my favorite seasons for fashion. The range in temperatures really make anything possible. One day you can be in jeans and the next you are in shorts and a tank. Plus, I am a big fan of mid range temperatures. I absolutely hate being hot so those sweatshirt and shorts nights are my happy place.

Spring is also an excellent time to do a wardrobe cleanse. Go through everything, Spark some Joy Marie Kondo style, and get rid of anything you haven’t pulled out in the last year. This is the time of year that is great for getting year round staples like transitional t-shirts and jeans.

And of course…get ready for the beach 🙂

Before I sign off here tonight I want to wrap up with a short note on body image and self-love. Last week I posted on Instagram about a low point in my body-image. For about two weeks I was feeling really crappy about my mom body. I made the mistake of looking at pictures of me from three years ago and marveling at my flat stomach and lack of stretch marks.

Then Ben took a picture of me holding Isaac in the shower. It isn’t a graphic photo but I can see just enough to make my nose crinkle at the sight of my own body.

I was so down about this picture because I wanted, more than anything, to love it. My son is looking at me and we are smiling at each other. But I cannot get passed the visible stretch marks and loose skin. How CRAPPY is that?

Long story short, I starting working out after seeing that photo of myself.

I think that this is something really prevalent in our society today. And I am not just talking about us size 10/12 and up, I am talking about everyone. My BFF is a size 2 on a bloated day and even she see’s others on Instagram and gets down about her body. It is insanity!

If you find yourself in one of these funks, I have a dose of medicine that TRULY helps. Pick out your favorite outfit and put on your BEST makeup look, even if you aren’t leaving the house. Just doing my makeup and putting on jeans and a nice shirt made my confidence soar.

Sometimes we need that.

And you know what, it is okay to be a size 2, 6, 10, 16, 22, etc. At the end of the day, the numbers don’t matter. Your health and how you feel about you is what matters.

The best part is, we are always evolving into better versions of our self. Maybe we need to work on our self image, maybe we need to fit exercise into our schedule, and maybe we just need a need a new lipstick to feel fresh. Whatever it is for you this week, take care of YOU. Take care of your mind and body, the self-love is quick to catch up 🙂

P.S Check out my Instagram Stories for each piece on me + my commentary 🙂