Hello? Is this thing on?

Don't even get me started on where I've been .  Let's do a quick synopsis: Economy bad, husband going back to school, lucky enough to have been able to be a stay at home mom for 4 years....but now it's time to go back to work.   I START MONDAY Y'ALL!!!!  Hopefully that means that I'll get to post a few cute work outfits now!!  Or it will go the opposite way and I'll drop of the face of the blogosphere...

In any case!  Marion is having one of her outstanding style challenges and I happened to be reading and wearing what she's challenging!  Mixing prints!  This is one of my favorite shirts, but it's getting to a point where it's seen it's day!  It literally has gotten worn with EVERYTHING in my closet, and today we went a little nautical with this blue and white striped skirt.  So snap a quick pic...and get back on the blogging train with a party!!

I'm going to miss this  little guy during the day ..... :(

Sweet and Simple

Oh the joys/pains of being on a budget!!  I am determined to lower our credit card debt...and the best way to do that is work what you got.  I paired this striped shirt with this pink skirt for a sweet little outfit to take the kiddos to the library.  I thought it made me look smart, young, and yet still conservative enough for being a mom.  I mean...you don't want to be wearing your sexy outfit to the library, right?  Lots of disapproving eyes from behind horned rimmed glasses if you know what I mean. And I desperately need to get a new pair of gold flats....any suggestions peeps?

Colorful Casual

It's officially summer here in my household!  All the kids school and activities are done for the year, and the only thing between here and September is the beach, the pool, and swimming lessons!  Wahoo!  So how do I entertain the kiddos during the day now that they are home with me all day everyday?  By taking self portraits and giving them the remote of course....

Leopard and Lace

There were a couple cool days a few weeks back (yes....I'm that behind on posting.  Don't judge!) and I had to dig through my closet to find a cardigan.  Even after 7 years here, I still haven't gotten the hang of putting clothes away for the season...I always seem to do it too early or forget about it entirely.  I think this was actually just a lazy day...but I felt like getting a little fancied up.  Fancied up for a lazy day....not like prom dress fancy.  The leopard cardigan did just the trick, and kept me warm!

Don't blink....you might miss me...

Maxed Out

Oh wow have things been busy this week!  So unexpected!!  My shop has started this month off with a bang and my recent vacation has really gotten me super motivated!  So it's no wonder I'm a little tired every night (that and I've moved into night time training my son...that's potty training for all you non moms....not fun)...but I'm proud of myself that I've really managed to get myself dressed and pressed each day despite it being so hectic.  No lazing out here!  I actually can't wait to keep up this pace...it's invigorating to be busy and it makes "lazy days" that much sweeter!

Obligatory little man pic...

Deets:

Shirt: Old Navy

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Target

Let's Get Fancy

Don't you love wedding season?  I DO!!!  I love getting dressed up and lookin' fly (that's right...I said fly.  Early 90's yo.  Word.), and the great thing about the East Coast is there seem to be a plethora of black tie weddings here.  People like to do it up right!  I found this dress at Marshalls and was a bit worried about the color because it's not quite red, not quite pink....but it turned out to be juuuuuuust right.  Easy top knot on the hair and some ultra simple accessories...I was ready to get my champagne on!

And let's all agree that Craigy looks just fabulous in a bow tie.  I made fun of him at first....but I love it!  It suits him!

Mellow Yello

You know that post title has been used a gazillion times.

AHHH.....what a week (or 2) off won't do for the soul right?  Craig and I just had the best weekend away and we came back all rejuvinated and motivated and ready to rock!  It probably helped that we went without the kids to end up in that position.  Vacations with kids are just doing the same thing you do everyday but in a different location.

So...here I am...back to reality...participating in a yellow trend challenge put on by my girl Marion, and trying to wrangle kids while having a productive day.  Should I say something about yellow? Hm...besides the fact that it's one of my favorite colors and I always seem to gravitate towards it.  It seems my boys seem to gravitate towards it too, based on this photo shoot.  Is there a color that repels children?  I'd do that color challenge everyday, Ms. Marion!  Well every other day....maybe just on the days that they are climbing on me. Oh and I was trying to do a natural, beachy, thing with my hair and makeup...but this is kinda what I look like just waking up.  #hairmakeupfail.

Happy hump day, y'all!

Ehhhhh....

Sometimes I put on clothes in my room and think "this looks so cute!"  Then I take pictures, or come home and take a second look and think "what in the hell was I thinking???"  This may have been one of those days.  Ok I don't look HORRID...but it's not my favorite.  I think its the skirt.  I'm not sure...it's just one of those outfits that you go "Eeeeeehhhh...."






 

PS:  my boobs look huge...they are not this huge.....

The Deets:
Tank and Skirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: Forever 21
Shoes: Macys
Necklace: Target
Watch: D&G

Mom's Day FUN!!!

I mentioned this along time ago in a post...but Mother's Day is one of my favorite "me" holidays.  It's become an annual tradition for Craig to take the boys, and for me to head to the mall.....alone....for as long as I want.  This year was probably the best ever...because instead of a dinner that I had to cut my time short, Craig made a full on brunch for myself, his sister, and his mom.  So with belly full and the mall free at my disposal until closing....I have to say this was the greatest day to myself I've had in a long time!  And of course I can't wait to show you guys my boodle!!!!

The Deets:
Dress (worn as a top): A gift from mom from her trip to Malaysia
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Dolce Vita (gift from Mom as well!)
Necklace: Betsey Johnson (gift for Mother's day)

Purple Fever

Warning...these are the most inconsistent in quality pics ever.  Just so you know.  It was a rush out the door...  

...but I've got a case of the Purps…

Ew…doesn’t that sound like a horrible disease?  It is in a way….because I have a fever…and the only prescription…is more colored denim.

Blouse: BP at Nordstroms; Cardigan: Forever 21; Jeans: Target; Shoes: Steve Madden (Gifted); Watch: D&G; Necklace: Forever 21

YES!!! I know!!! I’m late to the band wagon!!!  But it stopped, and I jumped on.  So what.  I have been eyeing the denim at Target for awhile now, but I’ll be honest…when I held up my usual size 6 I thought “Oh no way in hell.”  Remember now, I ran a marathon about 6 weeks ago…which means my butt and my thighs are not skinny and wee.  They are thick and athletic.  So “skinny jeans” that are truly SKINNY do not work so well.  But when these babies went on clearance…I just had to try them on.  I got over the number conundrum and went up to a size 11.  Yup…11.  And guess what?  I didn’t stop there!!  I grabbed a 13 too.  And you know what?  I like the 13’s.  THAT’S RIGHT PEOPLE!!!  I SAID 13!!!!  Let me tell you why:

1) My legs can fit into them.  Yes they need to desperately be hemmed because my 5’2” frame does not support a size 13 length in leg….but my legs fit into the skinny of the skinny jeans.

2) The rise is higher.  Although I fit into the 11’s, the 13’s kinda came up a little higher to make me feel not so self conscious about muffin top and baby belly pooch.  Remember my post of fit and flattery?  I wasn’t proud of the NUMBER, per se…but I enjoyed the way they fit better. And they are a bit loose, but it’s nothing a little nip and tuck and belt won’t fix.  On the jeans…not….me.

3) They were purple.  They make me feel fabulous.  I. LOVE. THEM.  So no matter what the tag says…when I put them on I feel great!  And besides…I tried on a 6 in a different pair of jeans and they fit too….it’s just what you get from a less expensive (I don’t want to say cheap…oops…just did….) brand: inconsistency.

So I’m fully onboard with the colored  jeans.  Bring me some cobalt, peach, and maybe a hint of pink.  I love ‘em all!

Mama's Night Out

Dress: Marshalls; Bracelet: vintage; Shoes: Gifted

Craig and I got to go out last Saturday night.  No not movies, not dinner….like…OUT, out.  My sister in law (Craig’s sister) turned 40 and we tried to partied like rock stars!  Uh huh…oh yeah.  We went down to Atlantic City, had a lovely and filling dinner at the Continental (I love this place), and went to a club.  Holy lord I haven’t been to a club in years and I felt so old and out of place.  I know 32 isn’t that old…but I guess as my tastes have “matured” I realize I’m way more of a bar person…or at least a “place with tables that don’t cost $300 per person” person.  

And let’s talk clothes. I had the hardest time figuring out what to wear. I wanted to go sexy and sassy, without flashing the bubbies or booties.  And I haven’t bought a “going out” dress since PRE WEDDING.  How long ago is that, you ask?  Or maybe not cuz you don’t really care…but it was 5 years ago my friends.  My first born was a honeymoon baby…so there was really no newlywed period.  And then the whole next year was losing the baby weight…and then we started the whole cycle over again with my second kid. And that’s taken me twice as long to lose that weight.  So…I’ve now started to accept my body and get my groove on and I feel like this dress does me just fine!  I also think it brought me a bit of luck because I randomly saw one lone Casion War table on our way out and won $50!!  That’s right!!!  If you all have never played Casion War….play.  It is mindless.  Remember the game war?  High card wins?  That’s it…..genius….

Birds of a Feather

 

I've seen this shirt circling the blogosphere a couple times around...but when I saw it for $4.99 (what? Hollllaaaaahhh) at Old Navy I couldn't resist picking it up for myself.  I wore this when the hubs took me to go see the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Immortal show.  It was good....not STELLAR...but good.  I may be the most cold-hearted person on earth when I tell you all this...but overly emotional..things (people, circumstances, songs, movies) make me super uncomfortable.  I turn into a tween learning the word penis...I start squirming and giggling and cracking stupid jokes to break up the heaviness.  I don't know why.  It was the same with Titanic.  Didn't help that I went with my best GUY friend so we were super weirded out that it was a love story.   Awk-Ward..........So being that Michael was a very emotional person, and his fans are as well....I fully turned 13 again during the show.  But the music was great!  Woot!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

The Deets:
Shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Forever 21
Bracelets: Target, Nordstrom, Vintage