Erin Akin Carroll

So I decided to start doing Mom-Style Monday because 1.) I love clothes. A lot.  And 2.) I wanted you to see the different outfits that work for me in my new stay-at-home-mom job. Some days I stay in yoga pants. But if I am wearing yoga pants, I’m wearing a J.Crew. ruffle tee on top and a pair of Bernardos.

In this job, comfort is of utmost importance. When the baby is really little you’re not leaving the house much– at least I’m not. But it’s likely that you’re going to have a few visitors, so it’s important to get dressed and look as good as you possibly can. The challenge is finding the time between feeding, burping, changing, crying, and napping to squeak in enough time to make yourself look presentable.

My closet used to be organized by color and I loved that. Now my closet is organized by activity. I have my Monday-Friday outfits that range from casual at home, casual shopping, professional (now just for Todd’s work events), church, and date nights. It’s easiest for me to pull from the area with the category that fits my mood rather than sort through all of my black shirts looking for the one that’s going to work for me on that day.

Each week, I’m going to show you my favorite outfit in my online shopping cart. This week I’m focusing on pretty layers and manageable style.

Layers are crucial because, at any given moment, that precious baby boy could spit up all over my shoulder and I need to be able to take off a cardigan and be good to go without having to go home and find something else to wear. So here’s what I’m loving this week– all from J.Crew, of course.

the Jackie Cardigan

I like the Jackie Cardigan because it’s cotton and can be worn with everything. I have it in four different colors and J.Crew has the Jackie in their collection every year. It never goes out of style. For this outfit, I like it in white or navy.

the Ruffle Tuxedo Shirt

This shirt comes in four different solid colors and I already own the white one, but I love the stripe for my mom-style. It’s a little bit more casual, but has just enough flare to make a really beautiful outfit that appears to be low fuss. If I get hot, I can take off the Jackie Cardigan and if Hudson spits up on the Jackie Cardigan, I’m already wearing something beautiful underneath it with this tuxedo shirt.

Stretch Bootcut Cord

Stretch is key here. I’ve got to be able to get down on the floor and lie down, then get back up while holding a 15 pound baby. There’s lots of movement all day at the house, so I need something durable that can move with me. The Matchstick Cord is my favorite, but they’re not all that flattering on me, so I get the bootcut version. I like this color because it’s not going to show any dog hair and can be worn with lots of tops.

Colleen Rose Flats

Gorgeous. With two dogs and a baby, however, I wear my brown Danskos in the fall more than anything else. I’ve got to be able to get out with the dogs and not worry about messing up any shoes. If we are leaving the house to go shopping or to lunch, though, I would wear these Colleen Rose Flats with the above outfit.

Gilded Tulip Earrings

My hair ends up in a ponytail on most days. It’s so long and when I’m holding Hudson he always seems to wrap his little fingers around my hair and hold on tight. Ouch! So I just pull it into a loose ponytail. I cannot wear a ponytail without wearing earrings, but I can’t wear dangly earrings for obvious reasons. The shorter the better so they don’t get ripped out of my ears! I think these are adorable.

Next week I’ll show you what I look like on a day where I can’t find any time to get myself put together and show you some good options for loungewear that you wouldn’t mind your neighbor seeing you in!