Playdate Casual

I find that dressing for a playdate with other mom's can sometimes be kind of stressful.  You want to look cute, because, obviously, there are other moms there and you don't want to be the shlub, but you also have to have something that moves, doesn't show boobs when you are bending down, pants that are not low rise so when you are getting down to kid level to discipline them your arse crack isn't showing, and shoes that you can run in.  My go to's are definitely solid basics (and black is always good in case of spills...including coffee....it happens to me nearly on a daily basis) with pops of bright and fun accessories.  And although my hair is super crazy long for me and I'm totally jonesing to get in chopped off, I started experimenting with a few ways to liven up my basic ponytail.

Oh and side note...I just got the remote for my camera and this was my first attempt at using it...and of course the little dude was super curious.  I let him hold it....so I can officially say that HE took this picture of us.  Proud  mama...

Workout Wear

I've kind of constantly been in workout clothes lately because I am training for a marathon.  Yeah...I know...I'm totally insane.  No I've never run a half,a 10k, a 5k, or even a 1 mile fun run.  I've never ran more than 2 miles at one time before training for this...but I'm just an all or nothing, dive head first into a pit of broken glass kind of girl.  So I'm going for it!  But I thought I'd show you just some of my go to workout gear for these cold winter days (because I do run outside). Oh...and I should say...that I treated myself to this Nike hooded sweatshirt after I ran my 9 mile training run...because now I feel legit!

The Deets:
Sweatshirt: Nike
Pants: Old Navy, Christmas present from my husband (seriously....so great...my legs stay warm...even in 20 degree weather which is what I ran in this day)
Headband: Target (a knit headband is a must for freezing ears)
Sunnies: Mossimo from Target

My weekend spending spree!

Alright...yes, yes...I said I was on a spending freeze....but I had some Christmas money...and I couldn't pass up some good deals...so that's still following the freeze rules right?  I'll just tell myself that because it makes me feel better!  Today we are seeing what I found at Kohl's and Target.  I don't normally shop at Kohl's....but the hubs wanted to try it out, and not only did we get killer deals (aka...bigger bang for our buck!), we also got Kohl's cash to spend later (which I did, already!) and they even honored a 15% off coupon that I didn't have at the time of purchase..but brought it back and they said OK!  I will definitely be going back there.  I saw some LC by Lauren Conrad pieces that would be fantastic for spring...but since it snowed here on Saturday...I was realistic and did not invest in those yet!

First things first....the boots that would have worked last week for Pinterest challenge day #2:

These are LC by Lauren Conrad boots from Kohl's...originally $99...on sale for $34.99 plus an additional 15% off.  Genius!  I said this last week, but one of the great things about doing the Pinterest Challenge was that I really got to see what I had and what was NEEDED in my closet..and tall, reasonably heeled brown boots was definitively one of them!  As were black booties that I could wear under bootcut jeans and also look good with skinnies....look what I found at Target:

Don't even get me started on the price of these.  $8. I almost died. Next up...using the Kohl's cash I got this awesome tweed bag (perfect mom over the shoulder so your hands are free to wrangle crazy kid bag) and 2 belts...one being a nice bright yellow! Yay spring!

From Kohl's on the 80% Off clearance rack, a totally adorable leopard print cashmere cardigan.  I debated over this...but the hubs really liked it...and he's not a fashion or shopping dude...so a nabbed it!

And then from Old Navy...this was practically free after a coupon and some rewards points I had...a bright "grellow" (to quote YHL and their take on this color) sweater for spring!  Another thing I definitely needed after the challenge is a variety of color!  My closet seriously lacks it!

I cannot wait to wear all these new pieces and incorporate them into my closet!  And then...in just 2-3 short months...spring should be here and I can hopefully un-freeze my spending freeze again!

Pinterest Challenge day #5: Bundle Up!

Uhh...snow is coming.  Tonight.  I'm not that excited.  But what I was excited about was me getting to run out to Target to get the boys snow boots in my last challenge outfit!  Mainly because it's the most mom friendly of them all! Here's the inspiration outfit:



And here's my take on it!

I'll be perfectly honest...I totally like the inspiration pic better.  I just LOVE that green vest...it's totally what makes the outfit.  And I'll be honest again...the only thing I bought out of this whole challenge was this vest!  Which I find as a win overall.  And I just can't believe the lack of puffer vests that are out there in January!  Like none!  But bikinis? Sure...found tons of those.  W.T.F.  We're in New Jersey people...merchandise your stores according to area...

Regardless... I now have a fun vest with a great hood...and realize that I need to get a few more colors in my wardrobe.  All my striped shirts are blue stripes, along with blue cardis, blue jeans....see a theme going on here?  One of the great things about this challenge is I can not only see how to wear what I have in different ways...but also HOW MUCH I have of the same thing!  It's great because I've compiled a new list of "what to get's."  But in the meantime...my added color can come from the lining of this vest...TA DA!

And, if you haven't guessed, I take pics with the self timer.  I know it's amateur...but guess what?  I'm an  amateur!  But no worries I have ordered my remote timer and it should actually be coming today!  Yay!  But this is what happens when you are taking portraits as a mama....

One might initially think that I'm doing one of those "look off camera" shots or a "stare longingly into nothing space" shots....

....when really this little guy wanted to be in the picture.  He gets a major kick out of the camera taking my picture by itself.  This is actually the best way I've gotten him to take pictures with me is to turn on the self timer!

And then somebody else came to join the party!  It was family picture taking fun!  

Happy weekend everybody!  This has been a fun week!

The Deets:
Shirt: Old Navy
Vest: Aeropostale
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Ugg

Pinterest Challenge Day 4: Cuddle up!

Throughout this week I've been showing you guys images I picked off of Pinterest and also showing you the outfits that those images have inspired.  I've also been saying how I've been discovering items that I either forgot I had, or have re-discovered them in a whole new way.  Which is way I literally squealed when I was determining how to be inspired by this image:

The coziness of all the knits, the softness of the pinks and grays...I was in love.  And as I said last week, I didn't even know if I owned anything in these colors.  So I was going to focus on the textures instead.  And as I was digging through my closet I found this...which is when squeals erupted:

UHHH....HELLO!  Could this BE any more perfect?  

It's been cold and super unfriendly around here...and I loved all the softness going on in the inspiration pic, which is why I threw on this super chunky scarf too.  SO cozy!  And the colors on this sweater are just the right amount of softness.  I wore this to a little children's museum so I paired it with my Uggs to be able to run around after 2 crazies in comfort...but you can't beat Uggs when it comes to being cozy as well!

 Ha!  I didn't realize in this pic that the timer had one more left!  so CHEESE!

I am so enjoying finding "new" pieces in my closet that I am thinking that this week of Pinterest might be a monthly challenge for me!  Feel free to submit any inspiration pics for me to have...that way you know for sure that I'm not just pulling pics based on what I already have in my closet.  I want challenges!  :)  Maybe you guys will join in the fun next month!

The Deets:
Turtleneck sweater: Old Navy
Chevron sweater: Forever 21
Chunky scarf: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Ugg
Earring: gifted

Pinterest Challenge day 3: Color inspired

Oh this one was a tough one...but I actually found alot of clothes that totally worked!  I actually had a different skirt/heels/top combo all set out, but being that I woke up to POURING rain and I had to take the little to school..I had to go with my back up plan.  Here's the inspiration pic (which is actually an inspiration pic for our master bedroom too):

And here's my outfit take on it!

I definitely had to go with my Hunter boots today because, seriously, if it wasn't unseasonably warm, it would have been a blizzard today.  All these items were right in my closet front and center, I just never thought of combining them before!  The gold/cream sweater was actually slated to be donated and I grabbed it to add my little pop of gold!  Isn't that nuts!  It's going back in the sweater pile now!  I truly love this challenge because I am totally seeing my clothes in a brand new light, and realizing different ways to stretch my wardrobe!

The Deets:

Black Turtleneck: Old Navy

Sweater: Express

Carigan: New York and Company

Scarf: Gifted

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Hunter from Nordstroms

Necklace (worn as a bracelet): New York and Company

Pinterest Challenge: Day #2

I'm only on day 2 of this little challenge and I have to say...I'm having so much fun!  I'm finding things in my closet that I never knew I had, just by seeing them in a new light!  I took inspiration from the totally cute fashion blogger Kendi (from Kendi Everyday) wearing this outfit

After searching through my racks...I think I was pretty successful!  I totally forgot that I had this striped dress (it was from pre pregnancy with Jagger so I really hadn't thought about it) and it worked perfectly for this outfit!  I nixed the scarf because the dress had a pretty cute cowl  that I liked.  The boots would be better if they were higher for me, but I still liked my little ones.  And I had to do tights...there was no way around it.  I don't know if you can tell...but it was 19 degrees out when my husband took this picture.  I threw off my jacket and he snapped a few pics before my cheeks turned too red.  Even though I'm looking super cute...he couldn't help but curse the blog for making me make him stand in the cold!  :)

The Deets: 

Blazer: Target

Dress: Express (old)

Boots: Madden Girl

Belt: Target

Bag: Coach

My Pinterest Challenge: Starting off Sweet and Simple

Welcome to my Pinterest Challenge!  Oh yeah...I'm starting slow, y'all.  Throw me some black and gray! This one I took pretty literally, as I'm just beginning and had pretty much all the elements in my closet at the ready!

 So here's the inspiration:


And here's my take!

Hunter had his first little school friends b-day party to go to and since it was at a Chick-fil-a and I got to bring Jagger...I knew I'd be running around a little bit.  Thank goodness for the flat boots! The one thing I'm pretty proud of is thinking to raid my husbands scarves to find this one!  The only other black scarf I have has a Mickey Mouse head on it...and I just didn't feel like rockin' that to the party.  Oh...and how clever am I to turn my necklace into a bracelet?  So clever...pat on the back from myself.  I love this outfit, however, because I truly love this dress and for some reason I don't wear enough!  It's super comfy cashmere that I got on extreme clearance from a store that was closing.  I almost forgot I had it!  Will definitely have to wear it more often and attempt to do a couple re-styles!

The Deets:
Sweater Dress: It's so old I don't even know what store it's from.  No tag either...
Leggings: Mossimo at Target
Boots: Mossimo at Target
Bag: Forever 21
Necklace (worn as a bracelet): Gifted from mom (can also me seen here)
Scarf: Husbands...I think from Kmart!
Nails: Sally Hansen "Red Carpet"
Earrings: Forever 21

Pinning and Planning

So I'm going to start a little challenge for myself for next week.  I have been pinning and pinning and pinning forever...and it's about dang time I do something about it...don't you think?  I've decided I'm going to take my top 5 pins and use them as inspiration for everyday next week!  It should be fun!  And I'm going to try my hardest to use everything I already own...but I do have a $50 giftcard to Macy's burning a hole in my wallet so we'll see!  Ok so here are the images:

1: I love the bold black and white with the brown going on here.  Plus Kendi is just amazingly gorgeous!  I fail to have brown boots in my wardrobe...so we'll see how this one pans out!

{Via Kendi Everyday}

2: This is such a cozy winter day outfit and perfect for errands or running the littles to school!

{Via Evoking You}

3: By far one of my favorites.  Perfect for this arctic blast we are having, perfect for running errands, and you can easily wrestle with an 18 month old to get him in his car seat in these shoes.

{Via Polyvore}

4: Mm hm, mm hm....I know what you're thinking.  Um...did you get you're DIY obsession mixed up with your fashion obsession?  Not at all friends...not. at. all.  I am a designer by trade...and totally believe that the colors and the styles that you are drawn to reflect both in your clothes and your home.  And since I am totally obsessed with our upcoming redesign of our bedroom...I wanted to try and incorporate one of my favorite images for that room into THIS challenge.  EXCITING STUFF PEOPLE!

{Via Decor Pad}

5: Ad lastly...again with the color.  This one will be tough as i don't know if I have ANY of these colors in my closet...but I love love love the coziness of the yarn. It just screams January to me.  And PS...if you all have not checked out the website Design Seeds yet then you totally need to.  The color inspiration on there is INSANE.

{Via Design Seeds}

 

OK!  So that's my challenge to myself for next week!  Not necessarily in the order presented...but it should be fun!  Hope you all stay tuned!

 

Fancy Shmancy

So I live in a townhouse in little ol' New Jersey...so that means I pretty much share a porch with our neighbors. And I love them.  Really...I do.  Our kids are all about the same age, they are totally cute, funny, warm, welcoming, quirky, and love our quirks too.  And...they are super chill.  They laugh at me because I find myself taking an electric hedger to our bushes in a sequined shirt, go to the pumpkin patch in heeled boots, or wear a gigantic pearls when running to Joann's. As we see here.  We happened to be leaving at the same time and Shaun says "Wow! Where are you going."  "Joann's..." I reply...to which Lia laughs.  "Why... do I look fancy?" "Always" Lia says.

Do any of you get a little dressed up for mundane tasks?  Or maybe throw on some diamonds or pearls just for a trip to the grocery store?  I'd love to hear it!

The Deets:
Sweater: Express
Tank: Old navy
Leggings: Mossimo at Target
Necklace: gifted from mom
Boots: Simply Vera, Vera Wang at Kohls

Getting into the swing of things

Oh these warm temps!!  I know everyone has been commenting on it all over the blogosphere...and for us style diary bloggers it's a true blessing as it expands our wardrobe tenfold, doesn't it?  I was so excited about all the sun that I searched the bowels (you heard me) of my closet and found this top from way back when.  It's a little bit swingy and loose and so comfortable, yet still has the weight for a brisk winter day.  And to brighten up the lot, I busted out my bright ankle boots to mimic the bright day and the even brighter mood I was in! Even though the temps probably still called for a sweater or a jacket, I fought it off.  It felt so good to have the sun do the warming!!

Oh...and the hubs...we like to call him Mr. Cheech...decided that since he is taking all these pics he wanted a little credit.  So here's the credit.  And he also decided that a little direction was in order...so he tells me to do random things...this would be one!

The Deets:
Blouse: H&M (Old)
Jeans: Old Navy
Ankle boots: Sigerson Morrison for Target (a few years old)
Sunnies: Mossimo at Target