1. NECKLACE | 2. SCARF | 3. WHITE TOP | 4. JEANS | 5. BLUSH FLATS | 6. TRAVEL BAG

Anyway, I really want to share today’s look with you guys because I think it’s really easy to throw on if you want to look somewhat put together, comfortable and practical. And it all starts with a good base.

Let me start by telling you about this top! I am so obsessed! I’ve recommended it to every single one of my girlfriends and they all bought it too. It’s great for layering during fall. You can wear a jean jacket or chambray shirt over it, or a pretty scarf like I did today. And the fit of it is really flattering. But the best part of this top is how long it is! It’s perfect for wearing with leggings because it will cover your booty. I wish I had a better picture when we took these to show it to you guys more, but I’ll show it to you in Instagram stories today at the farmers market so you can see it better. It is my absolute favorite clothing purchase for fall! A must have for sure!

And jeans that are flattering are essential for me right now. As you guys know, I am not at my pre-pregnancy weight yet. And I might never be! So it’s important for me to have jeans that are not only comfortable and stretchy, but flattering. I absolutely love these Mott & Bow jeans. I’ve had them forever and I love the fit of them. Plus I like that the waistline is mid rise because it covers that pouch of fat in my lower belly.

1. NECKLACE | 2. SCARF | 3. WHITE TOP | 4. JEANS | 5. BLUSH FLATS | 6. TRAVEL BAG

So after I throw on the base which is just this top and jeans, it’s all about accessories. My scarf, necklace, bag and shoes are all from Sole Society! I’m obsessed with the brand and buy almost all my accessories there. They’ve just got great quality stuff at great prices. The scarf is really pretty and light weight. It’s still pretty warm in LA so I can’t wear heavy scarves just yet. Unless it’s early in the morning. And my necklace has a vintage feel that I think looks really expensive.

I bring this travel bag with me when we go to the farmers market because it holds a lot of stuff and saves me from using plastic bags from the vendors. Always trying to help reduce waste! But as a travel bag in general it’s so awesome. I use it to take all my stuff to work in the morning too. I love that it has the bottom compartment to put your shoes in so they aren’t in with all of your clothes. It’s kind of gross when you think about throwing your shoes in a bag or suitcase with all of your clothes. Considering all the stuff that collects on the bottom of our shoes when we wear them walking around everywhere.

1. NECKLACE | 2. SCARF | 3. WHITE TOP | 4. JEANS | 5. BLUSH FLATS | 6. TRAVEL BAG

Speaking of shoes, how gorgeous are these flats! I wear them to work all the time and wear them on the show I work on all the time! I love that they’re comfortable enough to wear on my way to work but pretty enough to wear on the TV show! This color is low in stock but Sole Society has another shoe in a similar color with a tassel on the top that’s really pretty as well! And I’m not gonna lie, I just got them so you’ll see them on my blog soon.

Anyway, I hope you all are having a wonderful Sunday! Let me know if you have any questions about this look in the comments below! Or just leave me some love! I love hearing from you guys and I will do my best to respond to EVERY comment on this blog post! xoxo

The post Sundays Cozies appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).

There is hope my fellow mamas! I almost changed the title of this blog because “hope for new parents” almost seemed like I was saying having kids is a negative thing. But after thinking about it, I left the title because I do think sometimes as parents we feel a bit down in the dumps because we can lose some of ourselves after we have kids. And some days can be so challenging that we feel like it’s never going to get easier. But it does! Up until this point in Molly’s life, I didn’t really know if I would ever get a lot of “me” back. But right now, even with my infant Riley in the mix, I can confidently say that it gets better and it gets easier! So I wanted to do this post today for any other parents that are in the first two years of their first child’s life that may be looking for a  bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Because let’s face it, those first two years can be challenging to say the least.

As many of you know, Molly started school last week. She’s not going every day. She only goes two days a week for three hours a day. So really it’s like a long play date that mommy doesn’t stay for. I knew school was going to be a big deal for her and I was excited for her to get to regularly socialize with other kids. But what I never realized was how much her going to school for a few short hours, 2 days a week would be such a big deal for me!

1 . BACKPACK | 2. BAR NECKLACE | 3. JEAN JACKET | 4. BUTTON UP DRESS | 5. BROWN BOOTS

For her first day of school, I had to stay in class just in case she had trouble with separation. Luckily, she was a total rockstar and basically couldn’t have cared less that I was there. So the next time I brought her to school the teacher asked me to stay outside while they were inside, and then when they were coming outside she said I could leave because Molly was doing so well. I was beside myself! Leave?! REALLY?!?! Riley was with our nanny so I was free to do whatever I wanted! (I recently told you guys that we hired a nanny from The Nanny League and since I basically work full-time at home and have a part-time job it was super necessary!) Molly’s teacher telling me I could leave felt like she was my teacher giving me permission to play hookie. Permission to hang up my mom hat for a couple hours and just be Ali again. It’s almost like I needed someone to give me that permission because I wasn’t giving it to myself and haven’t truly given it to myself since Molly was born over two years ago. Sure I would go out here and there, but nothing consistent. And I need a consistent break.

1 . BACKPACK | 2. BAR NECKLACE | 3. JEAN JACKET | 4. BUTTON UP DRESS | 5. BROWN BOOTS

I thought I might be nervous leaving her or even shed a few tears, but I didn’t. Instead, I pulled out of the driveway of her school feeling like a teenager who just got their drivers license. Where would I go? What would I do?! I immediately drove to my favorite coffee shop, ordered a coffee and an avocado toast and sat outside in the sunshine and ate breakfast in complete silence. No crying baby, no toddler to feed, just silence. It was glorious!

I’ve only gotten breakfast by myself like this once since Molly was born. It was really special then but I knew it was sort of a one time thing since I was always in mom mode and didn’t really have any help. (Besides my amazing husband obviously. And I never like to say that he “helps” because we co-parent and it’s 50-50 all the way because we both work). But this time it was different because it dawned on me that every time Molly goes to school, when I don’t have to go into Home & Family to work, I’m going to have mornings like these. Yes, I’ll work on my blog most of those mornings, but the fact that I’ll get to take my laptop to a coffee shop to do it is thrilling to me! Maybe I can go to a workout class for the first time in OVER A YEAR! Owen can finally get more much needed walks (hence these photos). Btw, I will link all my outfit deets from these photos at the end of this post because I LOVE this look! The dress is so cute and the detail on the back of these boots is sooo good!

So basically in that moment it dawned on me that my life is changing. Parenting is finally starting to get a little bit easier – even if only for a couple hours once a week. And I really needed that reassurance in that moment. The last four months since Riley was born have been challenging to say the least. It puts stress on my marriage, sometimes on my relationship with Molly and a ton of stress on myself. There were times when I was chatting with my girlfriends who were considering trying for a second child and I would look at them with such a look of worry on my face almost as if I were warning them to turn back now! Don’t do it!  In my head I heard myself screaming those things even though I would never say it to them. But now I can confidently say, it gets easier. Everyone always told me it did, but I didn’t really believe them until now.

1 . BACKPACK | 2. BAR NECKLACE | 3. JEAN JACKET | 4. BUTTON UP DRESS | 5. BROWN BOOTS

And I’m celebrating over a couple hours to myself one day a week. She goes to school twice a week, but we only have our nanny 4 days a week and on the weekday she has off, Molly goes to school… so I will have Riley that day. But still, those 2 hours after dropping her off and picking her up will mean SOOO much to me every week. And I will need them, because the rest of the week is NON-STOP with a toddler and infant in tow. And I know that from here on out, things will continue to get a little easier month by month. Sure new challenges will arise, but those first few month with 2 under 2 were intense and I am so happy to see that light is coming!

So my point in writing all of this is that if any of you at home are feeling a little discouraged since having your baby, I want to say hang in there. Maybe you have a newborn, maybe your kiddo just turned one, or maybe you have a two-year-old who hasn’t started going to school or day care yet. If you’re in the thick of it anywhere in the first couple years know there is light at the end of the tunnel! You will get to do some things for you again! I do realize that I am very fortunate that we are able to hire someone to help us with Riley and able to send our daughter to preschool. Both of those things can be very costly and I’m not blinded by the fact that we are unbelievably lucky to be able to do both of those things. So maybe your break isn’t going to come at two years, maybe it will come at five years when your little one goes to public school. But whenever that time is, know you will get some of you back! You will get to go and sit at a coffee shop and slowly sip your coffee and eat your breakfast without having to shove it all in your mouth because a little one needs your attention. And whenever that day does come, it will be better than you even imagined!

I’d love for you guys to share your stories about when you started to feel a little bit more yourself after having kids. When was that ah-ha moment for you when you got to do something for yourself again?! Tell me everything in the comments below.

And last but not least outfit deets! My dress is so so cute! It feels very “farmhouse” to me but I can edge it up a little bit by adding the jean jacket. I wore this dress in the summer and it’s perfect to transition into fall with. So if you buy it, you can wear it spring, summer and fall! My jean jacket is by J Brand. I linked the exact jacket but the color is a little darker. My color isn’t available anymore. My backpack and boots are both from Sole Society. The detail on the back of the boot is really cool and it makes them unique. They have an equestrian feel to them. I wear them with leggings a lot too. Just wanted to share for those who are curious!

The post Getting Some of Me Back – Hope for New Parents! appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).

Shira Lowinger you won! Please see your comment below for how to claim our prize! xoxo

Remember last month when I did a giveaway for Sole Society products on my blog and I told you guys that if you enjoyed it I would do more? Well, the response to that giveaway was so great that I decided to definitely do another one this month, and next month too! When you’re happy, I’m happy!

There are a lot of things I considered giving away but there’s just something about shoes that every woman loves, so I figured shoes were the way to go! Today I’m not only giving away my boots in the below photo, but I’m also giving away my mustard scarf and red/berry bag! Fall is coming and these pieces are perfect additions to your fall wardrobe. So grab a coffee and keep reading to find out how you can enter for a chance to win them!

1. SCARF | 2. NAVY CREW NECK TOP | 3. PURSE | 4. BOOTS | 5. RING | 6. CUFF BRACELET

Let me start by talking about my scarf. There’s just something so cozy about an oversized scarf. Every fall I’m on the hunt for them in different colors, because not only are they super cozy like I just mentioned, but they are such a fun way to dress up an outfit. And this one’s a really great price! It also comes in a few other colors like rose and lilac. Both so pretty! I decided to go with the mustard color because it reminds me of the leaves changing in the fall. I think I just miss New England in the fall, so the color makes me happy. Oh and this particular scarf is soooo soft! I absolutely hate it when I buy a scarf online and it’s itchy. This one feel so good against my skin!

I got this bag because I thought it was cute to take with me when I need to go to meetings. It’s big enough that I can use it as an every day bag, but it also has a certain structure and professional look about it, it almost looks like a mini-briefcase. On the website it appears to be more of a red color but it’s actually much more of a berry color. It’s even more red in these photos than it looks in person. Just an FYI.

And last but not least, my boots! These boots are the bessssssst! I love that they have a slight wedge so it gives them the appearance of a heel, but the heel is so low that they’re just as comfortable as a flat boot. I think these boots are absolutely perfect for any gal that lives in the city and is doing a lot of walking, or really anyone who just wants to be comfortable.

1. SCARF | 2. NAVY CREW NECK TOP | 3. PURSE | 4. BOOTS | 5. RING | 6. CUFF BRACELET

And Even though I’m not giving away my top in these photos, I have to tell you guys about it because it’s one of my absolute favorite basics. And it’s only $25 so it’s super affordable! You can’t really see it because it’s under my scarf in these photos so I included another picture of it at the end of this post so you can see it without the scarf. The website says it runs small but I got my normal size, a medium, and it fits perfect. There’s something about the neckline of this top that makes it super flattering. It’s such a great basic to wear and layer this fall. It also comes in a navy stripe pattern that would look super cute with boots and a plaid scarf. Trust me when I tell you this is one top that you need in your wardrobe this fall! Just look at the over 450 reviews on the website and you will see that EVERYONE loves this top!

Now for the giveaway! I wish I could give the boots, scarf and bag to ALL of you and I will keep doing giveaways so you have more chances to win! But for now, I know that on Sole Society’s website you can get 15% off if you sign up for their emails. So definitely do that if you wanna buy any of these items. I for one feel like these boots will sell out fast because they are so great!

Here’s all you need to do to enter for a chance to win them!

1. Make sure you are following both me (@AliFedotowsky) and @SoleSociety on Instagram OR Facebook
2. Tag a friend in the comments of my Instagram post OR share my FB post that I post this morning with these accessories in it (I’ll post around 8/9am PST).
3. Comment on this blog post and tell me what color purse you would want (it comes in 3 colors!), what color scarf (it comes in 4 colors!), and what color boots along with your shoes size!

Good luck luvs! I’ll randomly pick a winner on Saturday! Hope you are all having a great hump day! And for more great Fall finds, check out solesociety.com

1. LIGHT PINK SCARF | 2. CREW NECK TOP | 3. CAMEL PURSE | 4. CUFF BRACELET | 5. CHAIN BRACELET | 6. STUDDED FLATS

The post GIVEAWAY! Sole Society Fall Essentials appeared first on Ali Manno (Fedotowsky).