I have found a gem, friends- a boutique with a cause. Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry & Baby Fish. They bring hope and opportunity to the poor of the world by  purchasing handmade goods from the people that actually make them. I love that. Their clothing is also absolutely beautiful and made with such attention to detail. Moo & I will be wearing these pieces for years and years to come...with pleasure! 

So my brothers were both in town this past weekend...which was awesome. We don't live near my fam, so time with any them is always appreciated. We were trying to picnic in the park on Sunday. I say 'trying' because Mads was a total wreck that day. It was one of those days when everything resulted in a melt down. Yeh, those fun days. We still managed to get her to dance around and have a little fun in between tantrums...and that's how my bro got these shots. Hey, whatever works! Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches...and it helps when you look good doing it ;). 

Btw, thanks for all of your encouragement on IG and Fbook that day. You da best.

THE LOOK:

On Holiday Tunic | c/o Go Fish

Josephine Dress (on Moo) | c/o Baby Fish 

7 for all Mankind wide-leg denim | Summerbird

Jack Rogers Navajo sandal 

hippie. just a tad.

There's not much that I love more than being back with the fam in MD (where I am now)...aside from a good thrift store find ;). I found this striped poncho-y top at a local thrift shop. I'm not usually one to try the whole Free People look, but recently I have been so drawn to it. I guess it's just the the boho, care free and easy feel of it...it's drawing me in. 
Laura of Ascot Friday does a superb job at pulling off vintage. In fact, she has sold me on these sandals. A couple of years ago I would have said NO to them, but I don't know...as time goes on....I suppose personal style changes and evolves...as does everything in life, eh? Hence, Life in Mod's name...life in modification, life in change. :)
While I doubt I will ever reach Laura's level, I don't mind adding a little hippie to my day-to-day. 
Have a loverly day, LiM-ers! 
THE OUTFIT: Billabong striped poncho top, thrifted 7 for all Mankind wide-leg jeans, Summerbird Consignment bracelets, c/o PuraVida Jack Rogers Navajo sandal
 

5 Summer Style Staples

So...I started to think about what I actually pulled out of my closet to wear on the regular last summer- it surprised me how many times I wore the same things. It wasn't because I had severe style block or disliked my options...I just felt really good in those particular staples, so naturally I kept putting them back on day after day (I would just try to mix it up a bit by adding a different top, accessory or shoe).
Having those go-to items in your closet is like having a solid foundation- you can work your style up from them. Yeh, you're wearing the same chino shorts from yesterday, but today you wore them differently by adding a statement bauble and wedges. Ya catchin' my drift? I've put together my own little list of Summer Style Staples- they're the things I have realized I can't style without during those hot summer months. Maybe it'll help you to get more bang out of your summer wardrobe!

1. Yeh, those long-ish (not to be confused with mom shorts) shorts- comfy, forgiving and let's not forget cooooool. I found some at J.Crew (duh), Old Navy and  ASOS. You can even try cuffing them...if you're feeling a bit more dangerous than usual. 
2. Oh, Jack Rogers. I was skeptical at first, but you quickly made me believe. Ha. I do love them. I've found that they really are versatile- whether you're wearing shorts and tee or dressing it up a bit more with a  dress or skirt...Jacks do not disappoint. Yeh, you do spend a little bit of change on them, but it's worth it. They're comfy and sturdy. Mine are a year old and still going strong.
3. Maxi dresses. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles...which is awesome. It means no matter what body type or style you are, you are sure to find one that fits you well. FYI: the dress above...I have been stalking it for months waiting for it to be re-stocked. I must have eeeet. ps. this style would work on a mama-to-be! Here are some other options as well- Piperlime, GAP & ASOS.
4. A cross body bag is a lifesaver- for mamas and anyone on-the-go really. You'll want one that has a bit of room for all of the essentials...the teeny cell-phone size ones don't work (for me anyways). I still use the Target one I got about 3 years ago...love it. You'll find some here, here & here. 
5. My obsession with stripes may be why a striped top is included on this list. Maybe. They are that perfect summer top though! You can pair it with floral, dotted and even striped bottoms. I've worn mine with jean shorts, chinos, skirts and...I mean...anything. It's an essential. Found at: J.Crew, GAP and LOFT.
..& there you have it. If you have any other Summer staples, please do share! I'd like to hear...and I'm sure others would as well :). 
* don't miss out on the Lily Dawson Designs giveaway. Ends today.

Partying it up with Henri Lou Jewelry + giveaway

Henri Lou, I love you. I really, really dooo.

When I start rhyming you know I must be excited about something.  ;) So...here's the scoop, gals. Henri Lou is a fantastic line of "must have" jewelry and handbags- all made with fine quality leather, suede, chains and stones. The signature leather Henri bracelets have been seen on Julia Roberts & Terri Hatcher- that's just the short list. Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus and Kristen Bell are also fans. You can now add 'Cams DiPaola' to that list. Ha. J slash K.

I totally get why the brand has such a solid fan base- the designs are classic, timeless and so well made...all with a splash of boho chic thrown in. We had Moo's 2nd (going on 16) birthday party this past weekend and my otherwise oober casual outfit got a major style boost when I added my Henri bracelet...& the timeless quality of it's design means it will be seeing many more birthdays and other such occasions to come. :)

WHAT I WORE:
'Henri' bracelet, c/o of Henri Lou Jewelry
Target floral print microrib tank
GAP 1969 original fit  jeans
Jack Rogers Navajo sandal 

*Henri Lou Jewelry was kind enough to offer two of their Henri bracelets to two Life in Mod readers! - you can enter below...

a Rafflecopter giveaway (the 1st winner chosen will be able to pick which bracelet that would like between the two shown above)

Maternityshmernity: J.Crew Edition

You know you really hit a nerve when VOGUE suddenly starts showcasing a few articles echoing your own "maternity wardrobe epiphany". Anna Wintour & Co still manage to stay relevantly aware of all grassroots trends, fashion and culturewise. This article was great, minus the caszh references to chokingly expensive designer labels. This other article  caused me to actually laugh out loud while reading, and then left me wanting to vomit. 
VOGUE's idea of "saving money" for your pregnancy wardrobe is, naturally, to spend $221 on non-maternity pants. And $4,000 on the handbag. Aware that I sound like a superbly arrogant ass, I have to say - I was unimpressed with their outfit ideas. 
I could do better. I did do better.
The next few posts in the series will showcase a few of my all-time favorite labels and how I am wearing them/making it work preggas. Starting with.... J.CREW!

(grey vintage cotton tank)
Why I Love J.Crew for Maternityshmernity Outfits:
1) Quality of the Fabric. This is key! Let's start with their Jersey. Shana over at Ain't No Mom Jeans perfectly shows the importance of quality fabric - its all in the drape! A really good Jersey Cotton will stretch beautifully, giving you ample room for comfort over your pregnant curves, but it will also drape well so that you don't look dumpy or figure-less. 

Black Kimono-sleeve Maxi  Green strapless (old-  it was an "Amie" dress, this is the only one available this year. Mine doesn't have a drawstring waist, so don't know if that would work) These two dresses I have included in my J.Crew lookbook here are both size Medium - but it works, not because I have some unrealistically perfect bod [I don't] but because they were not made cheaply. 
2) The Regularity of the Sales. The best part about both these dresses is I bought them on Final Sale. The green one I actually got two years ago (it looks nicer than clothes I get from Target after only two weeks) and it was around $20. It looks so much like a Hatch Collection dress, its just way way way way wayyyyy cheaper! And has the same amount of quality!
In fact, every item I have that I am using right now for my non-maternity-maternity closet was bought on super clearance. I haven't paid more than $20 for a top or $50 for a dress (and most of the normally $90 dresses were bought in the $20 range too!). Things just don't go on clearance like this if they have maternity labels. 
Yes, on sale they are the cost of full-price Target, but I find it to be worth every penny for how long they stay in my closet as favorites and staples. And withstand all the wear! (See point 1).

3) The Style. Oh the style! The most compliments I have gotten over what I'm wearing this pregnancy have been, predictably, when I'm in J.Crew. They are always so ahead of everyone else with their styles, and yet so timelessly classic, that you can wear things that are YEARS old and people will still ask you "Where did you get that?!"

My particular faves at the moment are the highlighter pink Vintage Cotton V-neck and the Graphic tee.  Covering my pregnant butt are the maternity essentials - shorts. I cut up an old pair of bootcut maternity jeans (think they were from Target) for the denim shorts, and bought the white and black shorts from Old Navy during a promotion. I have my eye on a few GAP pairs too - those will probably be my next Maternity purchase! :)
Thanks to my ingenuity with these outfits, I've been able to stash aside a little extra for shoes. I am a shoe-fetish girl, so this is an instant happy boost for this preggas. 
the shoes: Jack Roger's Navajo's TOMS BR Wedges, similar
-Kallah at Being Open to Life

I love a pair of JRs.

the outfit:

1. minty green necklace (made by me)

2. target green cardigan (on sale for $10)

3. target skinny belt 

4. animal print romper (e-bay steal)

5. Rampage striped bag

6. *Jack Rogers Navajo sandal* (giveaway win!)

ps. this is my hair unwashed for two days- we just moved. That's my excuse.

I am in love with my new JRs. They came in the mail yesterday and my day was made.

If you own a pair, you understand.

They are incredibly versatile, comfortable and sturdy. 

There is no doubt in my mind that this will be my go-to shoe this Summer (Fall & next Spring).

...............

A NEW VENTURE:

(pay attention!;)

I feel that a lot of outfit blog posts make me feel like I "NEED" to go out and buy a lot of stuff in order to put together a chic outfit.

I know it's not true and a lot of bloggers use what they have or find good deals, etc.

Still.

I'd like to curb those materialistic feelings and attempt to shop for gems at our local Goodwill or find cri-zazy sales from here on out.

I believe it is very possible to be fashionable & thrifty.

I plan on proving that in my new

Thrifty Threads 

outfit posts.

I hope that they can serve as inspiration to you.

...............

&

You may have missed it:

breaking out my Ellen moves 

the mod mamas: meet Kallah

{guest post} how-to pack for Summer travel

Happy weekend, lovies!