Outfits – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Events October 8, 2014

Family Photo 101: Outfits, Poses, Photographers

As crazy as this sounds, it is time to start planning your holiday card photo. My family has taken an annual photo every year since we moved to America in 1996, and I plan on keeping the tradition alive with our new little family. After 18 years of practice, I have lots of tips to share for photos: what to wear, how to pose, and who to use! These things are all very important. If you’ve got additional help hints, please share them in the comments below!

Outfit Tips

Coordinate everyone’s outfit colors, but don’t be too matchy-matchy.
It is important to pick colors that complement each other, but are not all the exact same. Not sure of a color scheme? You can use Adobe Kuler for inspiration.
Observe your home decor before picking your outfits.
We recently put up a new gallery wall in our kitchen and are only using professional photos (wedding, engagement, newborn, sister’s wedding, etc.). I realized that in all of the photos, we are wearing pastels – there is a coral color in every photo. I’ll continue this trend in our family photos this year, as they will be added to the frames. Is your house full of burgundy? Wear browns or deep reds. Do you have pops of yellow? Incorporate that into your outfits.
Don’t wear all white or all black.
The detail of your outfits gets lost when someone is in all black or white – with the exception of a dress. Try to vary your color from head to toe.
Avoid too many patterns.
One plaid shirt is okay, but don’t have two, unless they are in a very similar color scheme. Try to avoid big, bold patterns and stick to solid colors.
Remember that textures and accessories are your friend.
Add textures to your outfits, like scarves, belts or jewelry. Avoid anything that makes a strong statement, unless it coordinates closely to other family member’s outfits. Another great texture is a chambray (denim) shirt. And it complements almost all colors.
Classic never goes out of style.
I love a good silk blouse and jeans. Add heels or solid flats and a pretty gold necklace and you’re set. Something that is overly trendy may have you groaning in ten years time.
Wear soft tones to complement skin tones.
I love pastels on kids – cream and tan also look incredibly good. I would strongly advise against a bright color, as those are much more difficult to pair together.
Put your baby in something simple.
Cute onesies and pants always look good in photos! I don’t recommend multiple outfit changes, but having your baby in a sweet formal outfit melts my heart (and others’, too!). Pick your outfits, then find a cute Carter’s, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Zara or J. Crew Cuts (or Factory!) outfit to match.

For Her

Shop These Looks

Personal August 13, 2014

Week 4 in Durango

We have almost been in Durango for a month, and time is literally flying by, which is giving me anxiety. I am not ready to return to Houston, although I would give anything to hug my friends and family. In the past week, we have seen multiple deer lingering in our yard and our neighbors, taken (almost) daily walks to the local handcrafted ice cream shop – Cream Bean Berry, gone on 2-mi. morning walks with the beautiful crisp air, finished Photo 101, started Floral Arranging 101, and learning so much in Illustrator 101. We also visited Sutcliffe Vineyards, ate at Carver’s Brewery (dying over their veggie burger), and Sasha’s mom, her friend, my sister, and her boyfriend all visited. It was a busy week, but we enjoyed every second of it. One of my best friends arrives next week with her baby, Lillian, who was born 26 days after Isla. I cannot wait!

Isla’s Baby Gap romper – love that bow at the waist (similar here)

Daily walks to the Animas River with the whole family are the highlight of my day

Jill is already one strike down on the babysitting tally (re: drinking and holding)! // Dinner at Grassburger happens far too often

This is the face she makes when she is gurgling – totally purses her little lips (more of this outfit here)

Isla loves to fist pump in her Gap Star Bubble Bodysuit (now on sale!)

My hair is now in constant pony tails because she loves to grab things – like her dad’s Serbian Orthodox chain necklace

Pattern play in her Carter’s top, Baby Gap striped pants and Trumpette socks

Hanging out on one of her Mimi’s colorful quilts

Belle is in heaven

Straight CHEESIN’ – in her J. Crew tank in flower patch and Baby Gap shorts

I couldn’t love her any more

Going on a walk in my J. Crew tank (I live in these), Nordstrom fedora (similar) and Chloe sunglasses (similar) – Isla’s Baby Gap hat looks like a mushroom here!

Ready to play fetch

Practicing standing with her Tata

One happy little patriotic sailor

I want this Janie and Jack romper for myself! I love the bow on the back

Baby July 1, 2014

Carter’s Footed Onesies

Isla has mixed feelings about bath time. We bathe her around 5:45pm, then feed her from 6-6:45 every night. She’s typically pretty fussy leading up to the bath, but when that diaper comes off, it’s wail time. Once she’s physically in the warm water, she’s happy as can be, but when she leaves the heat and is back in the air conditioned bathroom, she loses her marbles. I’ve learned that the fastest way to soothe her is to put her immediately in a warm, footed onesie – something we didn’t have many of when she was born. Her entire newborn-sized wardrobe went from about 4 onesies to nearly 14 outfits, and is expanding this week by a number of Carter’s “pjs,” as we’ll need them when we head to Durango in a few weeks (still cool at night!). She is growing quickly, and I imagine she won’t be in the newborn clothing for many more weeks, so I ordered some 0-3 month sizes too. I love Carter’s clothing – almost as much as Baby Gap! Her new outfits are below – my favorite is the floral footed onesie on the bottom left. Which do you like the most?

Top Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Middle Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Bottom Row: 1 // 2 // 3

Fashion May 20, 2014

Casual Summer Days and Nights

With my due date only 15 days away, I’m doing something I haven’t done in 265 days… looking at regular clothing! No more maternity shopping for me (hallelujah, seriously!). I spent far too long the other day browsing through every single item at J. Crew – their summer collection is so dreamy. I am in love with this chambray tunic and these eyelet shorts. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, I thought I’d put together two outfits – one for brunching outdoors with friends and one for eating on the patio at night. I am so anxious to get back into my old clothes – can you tell? I want to wear both these outfits tomorrow! Is your wardrobe ready for summer? One serious staple item to add to your cart are these shorts!

Casual Days

J. Crew Chambray Tunic // J. Crew Chino Shorts // Tory Burch Miller Sandals // Tory Burch Thea Cross Body Bag // Kendra Scott Stone Nest Link Bracelet // Kendra Scott Elisa Necklace

Casual Nights

J. Crew Silk Cami // J. Crew Eyelet Short // Tory Burch Adonis Wedges // J. Crew Flower Fan Necklace // Kate Spade Saturday Envelope Clutch // Kendra Scott Stone Nest Cocktail Ring

Fashion October 7, 2013

Military Glam

One of my favorite fall trends is “military glam.” I love the look of a pop of camouflage paired with a classy silk blouse and some high heels (especially these Valentinos). The key to wearing military-influenced clothing is to be minimalistic. The print is already very bold, so don’t try to “over green” yourself. Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies pulls of camouflage stunningly here. J. Crew has some of my favorite camo pieces (a few featured below – numbers 3, 4, and 7). What do you think about fall style?

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9