For most of us, the daily routine of being a mom is pretty mundane: get up, get dressed, get ready for the day. We shuttle kids and juggle projects and run errands. We start the laundry and start dinner and start homework. Occasionally, we go to soccer practice or dance class.

So why is it so hard to get dressed for all of this?

What you need is a basic outfit -- okay, sure, a uniform -- that works for you every day. But instead of defaulting to the Mom Uniform (capris and a t-shirt), try dressing your mom uniform up a little.

Here are five pieces you can pull together for those days when you're on the go from dusk till dawn. They are practical and pretty and -- best of all -- not terribly expensive. And they look great together.