Must Have Bottoms for Fall

This is one of those posts that I really would have preferred to have two-three hours completely by myself to go to a store, try things on, switch sizes, wander... 

That is my fantasy life though and my real life involves a very busy 19-month-old and a stroller and snacks and being as fast as possible before she loses her mind! 

So we ventured to Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue and originally, I had planned to take the van because to me, it was just easier than taking the train. But then I saw how much it would be to park, and the train became the more logical option! On the train we went.

And I'm giving you not only five must-have pants for Fall, but I"m giving you life lessons here, people. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT pay so close attention to your phone and get invested in your InstaStories or you WILL forget to pay attention to when it is time to get off the train and miss your stop and get off the train being absolutely clueless as to where you were! 

Luckily when I walked out of the station, I did know where I was, but we had missed our stop by one so we had to backtrack. And the backtrack took us way too long! So in the end, I would have paid the money to park! :) 

Memories, right?!

Anyway... the real point of this post.

I wanted to venture out to Nordstrom to find five pairs of bottoms that everyone needs to have for the Fall (and the winter, too)! The pants are not going to be from JUST Nordstrom, but I knew I'd find quality selection there, so that's where we started. 

Comfy/Dressy

These Trouve High Waist Pleat Front Crop Pants were a bit of a surprise to me. I picked them up not knowing if they'd make the cut or not and surpringly, they did! 

I walked around the dressing room (and around Tess) to get a feel for them. And really, really liked them! I have larger thighs so I loved how they weren't too tight in that area, but then were more fitted past the knee. There are also zippers at each ankle so to be a little less dressy, unzip and voila! 

These get high marks for me and ran true to size! 

Other options: Winnie Pant - Skinny Ankle Pants - Pixie Mid-Rise Ankle Pant

Leggings

Not a baby bump. Just a non-beer belly belly. 

I don't know how you all feel about leggings. But I feel like they are a staple in the fall and winter. And I'm here to tell you that it is OK.

It's OK to wear an extremely comfortable pant and not be ashamed of it. 

BUT I will also tell you that there is a rule to leggings to make all of the above true.

Your bum must be covered. 

That's all there is to it! 

If you aren't wearing a long tunic or sweater and your rear can be seen, then you need to put on a different pair of pants! That's all there is to it! 

Now... I put on these leggings from Madewell and let me tell you what was great about them.

     *Thick material

     *High-waisted 

     *Long, but not too long

All things that I 100 percent need in a legging! And at $34.50, I expect them to last me awhile! 

Options: High-Waisted Fleece Legging - Hue Leggings - Rachel High Waist Leggings

Denim

Though I will highly recommend going and trying things on, I realize that it hard to get to places. For many reasons. Like maybe you want to go alone .... and that's just not an option (see: all of my pics from this blog - thanks, Tess). 

With that in mind, I am 100 percent vouching of these 10" High Rise Skinny Jeans by Madwell. I blogged a few weeks ago about how hard it is to spend so much on clothing, but that when it comes to good jeans, you have to cut yourself some slack. Jeans are something that you ALWAYS have to have. The one item in your closet that doesn't go to the Goodwill pile in a year. So you're allowed to spend more for a quality pair of jeans. 

When I tried these on, I was so surprised how much I was in love with them. They were super comfortable, had the perfect amount of stretch in them (but not so much that they would be falling down your backside half-way through the day) and the high-waist is amazing! 

So if you can find time to go try on some nice jeans, find a Nordstrom and just go try on. Try on MANY pairs so you can spend your chunk of change wisely! But make sure you try these on. You will surprise yourself! 

Options: Vigoss Skinny Jeans - Boyfriend Jean

Jogger Pants

Thanks to yet another wonderful blogger that I follow, I was introduced the Make + Model brand at Nordstrom and ordered a pair of the 'All About it Pants' in black. And I have worn them so many times, I can't even count! The blogger mentioned that they could be pajama pants, but... I can't tell if they are, and I'm pretty sure no one else can tell if they are either. 

So we are going with it! :) 

Of course that exact pant that I love is on markdown right now, which is fantastic, but the only color available is a light grey. So I found a few other options, including the one above that would be great to try (Good Vibes Jogger Pants).

Joggers are so great because I feel like they are the updated, fashionable version of sweatpants. You can wear them with a sweatshirt, you can wear them with a tee. They can be worn on a date night, to a movie, to a football game, to the grocery store. I own quite a few pairs of joggers and honestly love them all! 

Options: Lounge Around Pants - French Terry Fleece Joggers - Piece Dyed Slouchy Sweatpants

Corduroy

I don't know why, but when I think of Fall attire, corduroy is what I think of! So ofcourse, it has to be in the five must-have's! 

I will have to say I haven't ventured far from what I found I loved. And that is Gap Mid Rise Skinny Corduroy Pants. They come in a skinny-style that hit at the ankle which works for me! I do wish they were a little more high-rise but that just shows my age... ;)

A few years ago, they really had a fun color selection, but this season are showing six or so color. This color above is one of my favorites. It goes with so much and is a nice color option for fall and winter! 

I will mention that Old Navy has a pair of cords in their Mid-Rise Rockstar and I have yet to try them but LOVE the Rockstar jeans from there. They are beyond comfortable and stretchy and a great inexpensive option! Color selection isn't great, but they have black which would be great for fall and winter! 

Options: Mid-Rise Rockstar Corduroy Jeans - Garment Dyed Cord

There you have it - what I have believe to be five must-have bottoms for the fall (and winter)! If you have any additions to the list, leave a comment that way everyone that reads can see it! 

XXOO,

Allyson

Friday Favorites

Ohhhh friends.... has it been a long, long week!

We caught the stomach bug and it passed to each one of us (except Tess, KNOCK ON WOOD)! And of course, Matt and I had it at the same time and still had to parent, which is the worst! The kids seemed to get over it much quicker, but he and I are both at the tail-end of it -- nothing sounds good to eat and I really haven't wanted a Coke all week (I tried it today and it just didn't taste good) so you KNOW I'm not 100 percent!

So when I wasn't carrying around a baby, I was trying to lay down and take it easy or nap (again, a clear sign I'm not feeling well) so the blog went to the side this week. But I wanted to try and knock out a few Friday Favorites to wrap the week up on a good note!

I've tried to down some water this week. It just tasted off. The only thing I've been able to drink is...

So strange. But it's the only thing that has tasted good. I had Matt get some 7-Up at the store so I'm switching to that tomorrow... but Sprite for the win this week!

I mentioned recently that I basically have no pants that fit (if I didn't mention that, I meant to... I have no pants that fit).

I blame Tess (because I tend to always point blame at my children). She's so darn cute though, it's hard to be mad at her for long.

But this one is tough! It is jean season and my cute JCrew jeans do not fit. I got really small after Reece and could wear these cute, small jeans. But now? I'm not fat per say... but I can't fit in the small jeans anymore.

I also am picky on my jeans and I like to be able to try them on. And there is no JCrew Factory here for me to do that, so I'm just going to complain about it.

ANYWAY... I have like three pairs of pants in my closet that I have to use in replace of jeans at the moment and this one pair of them. That I highly recommend to everyone!

These are Zip Pocket Joggers from Gap and they are SO comfortable! I wore them throughout my pregnancy (which means no one has an excuse to NOT wear them) and will continue to wear them until holes become visible to the outside world!

They have a good selection of similar options in other colors and different styles. They even have a pair in heather grey which very much resemble sweatpants, which I am against in public... UNLESS you pair them with the New Balance or Saucony sneakers ... right?! :)

I love this little one. Who is not really little anymore. Which makes me really, really sad.

Since my stomach bug kept me from blogging much this week, I wanted to at least get up one good Etsy Find of the Week!

Berry Red Pom Pom Headwrap

By: Lucy's Bows and Arrows
$10

I cannot for the life of me remember how I came across this shop, but I did and started following on Instagram and she is constantly posting adorable photos of little people headbands! And I want them all!

Seriously. Every single one of them.

She has a really cute collection of headbands in fun prints and then simple ones, like the one above, with an adorable addition of the pom poms!

I messaged her on Etsy not too long ago to ask if she did any shows in Kansas City since that is where she is based because I was hoping I could find her at one (Two Dots likes to do shows in November in KC in case you are wanting to come do some shopping)! She messaged me back and was so sweet.

She has great reviews and has a current deal: buy three headbands for $25. Make sure you follow her on Instagram to see her sales and giveaways: @lucysbowsandarrows

Ladies, we have SO many new arrivals coming to Two Dots - this week I was gut-punched so didn't get everything up that I wanted. BUT... I had to get this sneak peak out.

This adorable overlap sweater, that we have seen some of our favorite bloggers in (A Southern Drawl and Jillian Harris -- yes, sweet Jillian from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette) is in my hands and will be in stock next week! It's SO soft and cozy - you'll be needing this ASAP for the cooling temperatures!


That's all for this week, my friends! I hope to be back in tip-top shape next week... though it's Fall Break which means I have all three kiddos home with me for three days. I might be hiding under my bed by Tuesday at 3:22 pm!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

XXOO,
Allyson