To close out this week, I thought I’d share with you five things I just can’t get enough of.

Old Navy The Flirt Skinny Jeans

Everyone has been talking about Old Navy’s Rockstar jeans, but I’m kind of obsessed with my Flirt pair. I definitely want to try out the Rockstars since they come in so many fab colors, but I love the fit of my Flirt jeans. Don’t tell anyone but I’ve pretty much been wearing the same pair all week. Well, not pretty much. I have absolutely been wearing the same pair all week.

Side note: what exactly does my jean style choice say about me, by the way? I’m a flirt but not quite rockstar level? Does that mean I’m subconsciously a big fat tease who is not quite ready for dirty backstage debauchery? I guess I’d rather be a Flirt than a Diva. Should my choice in jeans style result in such hardcore soul searching?

Simple Vital Night Cream

For awhile there I was having some serious skin issues. I have rosacea, which means aside from being rosy cheeked I can also end up with what looks like an explosion of adult acne. I went unmedicated while pregnant and breastfeeding the wee one, but I finally went back to the dermatologist and got all straightened out.

Anyway, my skin is insanely sensitive. Pretty much anything I use dries it out or makes it flair up. When I saw Simple night cream in the drugstore and all the promises of being sensitive skin experts and being kind to skin, I jumped.

The package tells me that it has vitamin goodness and “no dyes, no artificial perfumes, and no harsh irritants that can upset your skin.” What I can tell you is that it’s awesome. And they’re not paying me to say so (although if they’d like to, hollerrrrrr). I’m obsessed. I slather it on my face and neck every night and I still can’t get over how soft my skin feels in the morning.

I’ve yet to force the hubs to do a blind test, but I don’t think he’d be able to tell the difference between my soft, smooth face and Ellie’s butt. And not because I smell.

Kate Spade Idiom Bangle

I got this pretty from one of my best buddies. She knows I love Kate Spade and that I’m a big old word nerd. Add in the fact that we’re both huge, emotional saps and it’s pretty perfect.

Around the outside of the bracelet it says birds of a feather, two of a kind, perfect pair, partners in crime, peas in a pod, sidekicks. It’s perfect for bridesmaids and BFFs and it’s so pretty that this week I’ve been forgoing my beloved arm party for this single bangle. Some things are good enough on their own, you know?

Veggie Straws

For this obsession I have one thing to say (OK, maybe more than one thing): Thanks a lot, Meg. I go to your house for a play date and the girls and I leave as addicts, obsessing about our next fix of Veggie Straws.

Seriously though, they’re delicious. Better yet, I can pronounce each of the ingredients on the back of the bag, which makes me feel better about shoving them in our faces. And they’re most definitely a step up from regular potato chips. We just need to learn a little about moderation and we’ll be golden!

TOMS Classic Slip Ons

My TOMS sat in the closet for a few months while I favored flip flops. Now that the weather is slightly chillier, I don’t want to take them off. That says a lot for a girl who generally would rather be barefoot (I think I’ve discussed this before but my love of bare feet grosses out my husband, who apparently has an aversion to dirty feet. Who knew?).

My navy pair is perfect because it’s neutral and goes with everything. I don’t even have to think. I just pull them on and go without worrying about blisters or sore feet. I’m thinking I need a patterned pair next. I just can’t decide which!

What are your favorite things this week?

Aside from the fact that I can never, ever, ever get her song out of my head (get it? Because that’s how the song goes?…), I happen to seriously love Taylor Swift’s style. While she may not be anything like the typical mommy-on-the-go that I usually pull style inspiration from, her mix of femininity and comfort is something that I adore.

Taylor / Mossimo scoop neck sweater / Volcom bag / ASOS skirt / Sam & Libby flatss

I happen to think she’s adorable and she seems genuine and sweet. I was appalled to find out that my husband is less than impressed with her (seriously, who is he impressed with?). In fact, he wants to know who she hasn’t slept with since she writes songs about so many famous boys. But just because she hangs out with someone and has a little crush doesn’t mean she sleeps with him. Right? Right?! What kind of hussies does he hang out with anyway?

I digress. No matter what you think of the girl, you can’t argue that this is a really cute look. I’m a big fan of the mustard pleated skirt and the fact that she didn’t shy away from color. In fact, she embraced it. I wouldn’t have thought to pair mustard with red and blue–but now I will!

The other thing I love about this look? Each of the pieces are incredibly versatile (with the exception of maybe the mustard skirt. OK. Definitely the mustard skirt). A dark sweater and red flats are staples for a fall wardrobe–they can be mixed and matched with so many different things! And that cobalt bag? It’s a hot color at the moment and would add a pretty pop to just about any outfit.

I love it when celebrities wear outfits that are so doable for a real girl and her real girl budget. Now if only I could find the perfect red lipstick and get someone to make my curls look like that…

I’m a little bit of a fashion geek. I love flipping through big, fat fashion magazines. I love seeing what’s shown at Fashion Week (ummm, hello Kate Spade! Heeeeey Marc Jacobs!). And, much to my husband’s chagrin, I love watching red carpet coverage (hey, if I can sit through football of all things, he can listen to Giuliana Rancic a couple of times a year). The thing is, you wouldn’t know I’m well versed in fashion by taking a look at me.

Let’s be real. I’m a mother of two small children. We are not rolling in money. These two things shape my wardrobe more than anything else. My clothes need to be comfortable (I can’t deal with worrying about what may fall out if I bend a certain way) and they need to be affordable. The last thing I need is to be perpetually worried about getting a stain on something. I mean, you’ve seen the pictures of my monster baby!

In short: I’m no glamour puss. I’m a glamour wuss.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that the average woman is probably more like me than a lot of the other fashion bloggers out there. I try to draw inspiration from the fabulousness on the runways in a way that will work for my lifestyle and my budget. Hopefully this new series will help inspire other ladies who are lacking in the dollar bills department.

When I saw this Jason Wu dress on Pinterest (via W. Magazine) I’m pretty sure I sighed audibly. It’s so freakin’ pretty! I’m honestly madly in love with it (tulle + vintage-inspired sweetheart top? Yes, please!) but there is nowhere I would ever wear something like this. First of all, I don’t do hot pants. I’m not Lady Gaga. That doesn’t make it any less pretty. It just makes it a little inappropriate for my daily life.

I decided to create a more realistic version–you know, one that I might actually wear out into the world. I decided to take Jason Wu’s very fabulous high society lady and turn her into a former ballerina.

I found a reasonably priced sheer maxi, a scoop neck t-shirt (way more practical for everyday wear than the strappy top) and a pretty metallic belt for contrast. Throw a pair of leggings underneath, a pair of black ballet flats on your feet and add a top knot cherry on top. Perfection!

What do you think? Did I make it an everyday fashion do?

Summer: Forever21 shorts / Tinley Road chevron necklace / Old Navy tami (tank + cami) / Guess flip flops / Fall layers: Old Navy cardigan / Forever21 layered necklace / Forever21 striped knit tights / Steve Madden oxfords

One of my favorite things about fall is the layers that go along with it. As it slowly gets cooler, we pile on more and more pieces to stay warm–which means we really get to experiment with what’s inside our closets.

The look I put together here is the perfect example of what I mean. It’s a mish mash (which, I’ll have you know, is a seriously technical term) of some of the most versatile pieces you could own.

If you’re trying to save some money, there’s no reason to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe for fall. Instead, shop your closet and add fall colors and textures to your summer faves. Think chunky knits and jewel tones mixed with some of summer’s bright colors. Cobalt is one of the best transitional colors. It goes as well with summer’s carefree tropical palette as it does with fall’s deeper jewel tones.

I am seriously cheap and trying to get on a tight budget, so I will most definitely be using this little tip in the coming weeks. In fact, if I invest in anything this fall it will probably just be a pair of oxfords. I’m kind of obsessed.

How do you transition to cooler temperatures? Are there any pieces that are on your must-have list this fall?

Kate Beckinsale has been looking amazing on her Total Recall publicity tour. Seriously amazing. My absolute favorite look so far has been an H&M/Diane von Furstenberg combo that she wore for interviews in Dublin.

While the skirt is kind of a weird length, it’s my only complaint about this look. I love the top tucked in and loosely draping over the waist of the fitted skirt. It’s a gorgeous silhouette. But my favorite part about this look is the color combo. It’s bright and cheery and so incredibly summery. I want it in my closet!

office: H&M sleeveless blouse, ModCloth skirt | date: ModCloth dress, Michael Antonio heels | errands: Mossimo Supply Co. tank, Mossimo Supply Co. shorts

Are you as obsessed as I am?