A lesson on Fit, Flattery, and Forbearance...

Happy Leap Day, y'all!  Anyone watch the leap day 30 Rock?  It was hilarious.  The gist was that leap day was an actual holiday, complete with a patron saint and official colors

Damn my embedded video isn't working.....anyway.....

So, because it's leap day, I wanted to dress in full holiday regalia...blue and yellow, blue and yellow.  Yeah-yah!  So here's where the lessons come in.  First...FIT.  This is the outfit I initially went with today, having full intention of wearing this today when I took the pictures

I thought I looked pretty good in the mirror...but then I took these pics.  First of all...don't I look terribly uncomfortable?  That's because I am.  And I wanted to wear my hair down...and because it's so long it's just not happening.  But that's under the lesson of flattery...let's get back to fit.  These pants were ones I bought when I was (unknowingly) 3 months pregnant with Jagger....my second little nugget of love.  So that means I had lost the baby weight with Hunter and was again 3 months pregnant.  They fit...just not well.  They are still just that LITTLE bit of tight that makes your back hurt a little.  Anyone else know what I'm talking about?  Anyone?  So the lesson here is no matter how much you WANT to where something...make sure the fit is correct or else your going to show it ALL OVER your face all day that you are completely uncomfortable.  And no matter how much makeup you put on, you can't cover up a constipated look because your pants are pinching just a little.

Anway,  I had to change...which brings me to flattery...and to this outfit (I just noticed my puppy Pepper photo bombed my picture)

Do I not look about 20 pounds thinner...no joke.  And not that I am like "oh look at me I'm so skinny!" because I'm pretty far from that point...but this picture is more true to form (or at least what I see in the mirror) than the before pic.  Let me break it down on why I think this outfit is WAY more flattering.  Right away would be the pants.  They fit.  I do not have to suck in to button them, or worry about anything twisting, turning, bunching or falling.   Then, the cardigan.  I think it perfectly skims my body to create a leaner line..and I'll be real, it's still way to cold to have my arms exposed. And lastly, the hair.  My face does not do well with extremely long, non-layered hair.  I say non-layered because I've had long hair before that had great layers and I loved it...but right now my hair is blllllaaaahhhhhh. So off my face is best right now.

I mean...look how much HAPPIER I look!  Because I feel good in what I'm wearing...not trying to feel good in pants I really really want to wear.

So my last lesson.  Forbearance (which is a synonym for patience...but I need another "F" word...ooooooo....."F" word......).

I really wanted to wear those striped pants.  SO badly that I picked an extremely poor outfit to wear.  So poor that my posture was bad, my hair was bad, and I just looked....bad.  My whole personality changed when I changed my clothes.  I am more confident, and happy, which in turn changes how I look completely. I often get hung up on the fact that I am not losing weight as rapidly as I did with my first child as I am with my second.  By Hunter's first birthday, I was already down to my pre-pregnancy weight, and 3 months later (when I found out I was pregnant with Jagger) I was still there!  With Jagger...we're approaching his SECOND birthday and the weight just isn't coming off as easy, despite the fact that I'm training for a marathon.  Don't even get me started on diet.  

The point is patience.  Things don't ever happen the way that you think they will, and it's hard to come to a realization that  you can't compare your situations with anyone else...or with your own!  What happened with Hunter unfortunately didn't happen with Jagger, but I'm on my way.  I've lost 6 pounds and have about 10 more to go...and its taken about 3 months....but it's going.  Just not as fast as I'd like.  And in this fashion blogging world, it's terribly difficult not to compare yourself to others.  You wonder how the heck girls have fit back into their skinny jeans and you're still rockin' your "big jeans."  But, it's important to realize that you are not like those girls (um...rock on to you ladies that do that BTW....I'm jealous...but applaud you) and that you are just YOU.  And, if you dress for how you fit NOW and not how you want things to fit...you will look your best for sure!  I'm so glad I took pics of myself and saw what I was doing....I just FEEL happier!

Target Boodle!

I notice a lot of girls use the word "Haul" to describe their shopping sprees.  Oh don't get me wrong...I love it and I love hearing about it.  I just wanted to use a different word.  So yes...I did a thesaurus search.  The thesaurus is seriously one of the most underutilized tools out there.  So this is what it came up with

• load
• loot
• gain
• goods
• spoils
• swag
• boodle
• booty
• plunder

Most of these sound like I'm a pirate if I use any of them.  I guess it's appropriate since whenever I find myself getting a good deal I run to the checkout waving my arms yelling ARRRRGGHHH!!!!!  With happiness of course.  Argh with happiness.  

So imagine me picking up a prescription at Target (sigh...for my little boo boo's....2 ear infections, 2 kids, 2 weeks...it's been a tough month) and casually walking over to the clearance section in the beauty department.  Do you guys skeeve clearance makeup?  I totally DO NOT.  It's AWESOME!!!  Check out my loot!  Or swag...whatev....

Nothing you see here was over $4.00.  AMAZING!

The first thing I picked up was the mascara, mainly because I desperately needed mascara.  It's Almay and it has a 3 click system...one of full, fuller, and fullest.  I have only used full...and it does the job.  I am going out this weekend to a party so I'll turn it to fullest to let you guys know what the deal is there.

Then I saw this overnight foot cream.  Hey why not.  I just did a bunch of shoe perusing and since spring is coming up, my feet could sure use some sprucing up.  Training for this marathon certainly has done a number on my tootsies and I want them to look excellent for the sun when it decided to peek out!  So far it's been great!  I feel a slight little tingle and my feet definitely feel softer after a couple days use.

Then, as any girl should have this as a basic in their makeup routine, I picked up this Neutrogena sunscreen. However...this claims to have a "matte" finish...and it does!  I would say that this could almost double as a primer!  It's moisturizing and protection and doesn't leave my skin at all greasy.  It creates a nice matte base for foundation!  I think I love it!

This is from the Boots line and it's a lovely shade of sheer red.  Love the polka dots on the cap too!

I got this Burts Bee's hair conditioning treatment.  I have been DYING to get my hair cut since, like, November...and can never find the time and the babysitter's and my hair girl's time to coincide.  So...if I'm going to look like Morticia Adams...at least my hair can be healthy.  Only 2 bucks people...

I picked up this Rimmel foundation...mainly because it came with this free primer, and because I had a coupon.  Ha!  I'm so cheap.  I'm not partial to foundation, and I guess I only attribute that to not coming across one that I'm like "ohmygodthishaschangedmylifeidon'tknowwhati'ddowithoutthis."  Much like Italian food.  Most restaurants taste great to me...but if you ask me to tell you which is best...I really don't know...it's hard to mess up lasagna....

So that's my boodle, my swag, my haul, my bounty!  You gals score any great deals lately?

Eyein' but not buyin'....shoe edition

In continuing to make my list for my annual spring shopping trip...I'm now focusing on shoes!  YAY!  I definitely want a couple of heels, a couple of flats, and a couple of sandals that can work from spring to summer to fall.  I don't really have a "type" of shoe that I NEED...except a pair of nude heels and black pumps...which are on the top of the list.  The rest are just for fun-sies!  Enjoy!

F21

I just love these...I can't get enough.  There's just something about them that makes me happy!

Macy's

Aldo

Macy's

SUPER FUN!

F21

Feeding my obsessive stripes collection

Payless

Uh...these are seriously great

Payless

BOGO baby!  Ha!

Gut feeling

This outfit started the day of with no leggings.  I threw them on at the last minute while the kids were waiting for me in the car and I'm SO glad I did!  I severely misjudged the weather (yes its 65...but WINDY...), and upon taking the kids out of the car at school...somebody decided to have a mini meltdown which required me to hunch and squat while picking him up.  Would not have been so good sans leggings.  Which leads me to firmly believe that you should ALWAYS go with your gut feeling!

The Deets:
Dress: Old Navy
Vest: F21
Leggings: Target
Boots: Target
Watch: Gifted
Bead Bracelet: Gifted
Leather stud Bracelet: Target
Belt: Kohls

Cheer up, Chawlie...

Alright...I'm back.  And ready to rock.  I don't know what the heck was wrong with me yesterday...but you guys were so great in cheering up a whiny little self pitier like myself.  I DO NOT know why a couple of raised brows got under my skin (raised brows about fabulous boots no less)...but they did.  I do not typically care what others think of me...really I don't.  And even less about what people's opinions are about what I'm wearing as long as I love it and am comfortable.  But ever since I became a mom...it's like a whole different level of the typical girl jealousy, behind the back talking, and cattiness.   Not only does it involve YOUR personal character...but you feel like it involves your children too!  Like if they think A, B, or C of me....am I projecting that onto my kids so THEIR friends think of them in a different way?  BUT NO MORE, folks.  NO MORE.  I'm totally over it.  Yes in a day.  I was so pissed at myself for letting others get to me that I just put my foot down and in not such nice words said "forget you!"  So this is for all the raised eyebrow peeps who jusdge me by my BOOTS (so stupid...so stupid by the way)

"Screw you haters...I am totally over you"

"Yes you managed to pull me down into your spiral of insecurities...and I'm totally ashamed to say that you succeeded.  Applause, applause for your ability to make me feel low...you're super talented like that"

"But I'm turning away from you now because I am totally beyond that.  I wear heels to drop my kids off.  I wear patent flats to play with them outside.  I wear nice clothes to the grocery store and Target.  And I even wear pearls with flannel....so freakin' what"

"I am a rockstar no matter what because I AM ME.  You?  You have your hatred to keep you warm.  Congrats.  I do not envy you."

"Are you still there?  I definitely can't hear you...and can barely see you.  If you are still there....thank you for supporting my blog.  But you shall be mentioned here no more."

"And this is my 'small butt' pose....jealous?"

"So...now I'm done with you and going back to my happy self.  Goodbye negativity.  You will no longer be apart of me and there will be ABSOLUTELY no more self pity on this blog.  Peace out"

P.S.: I seriously did not set up the photos to write this....i just captioned the ones I took and it all kinda worked out.  That...my friends...is positively fantastic!

The Deets:

Flannel shirt: Hand me down from friend 

Tank: Target

Sweater: Express

Jeans: Old Navy

Flats: Target

Necklace: Coach

Earrings: Gifted

Typical Day

There's is nothing fancy about a sweatshirt and jeans...but sometimes it's just what you need to get out the door.  I've been having a little bit of trouble lately with personal style.  My birthday is approaching and I'm going to be (gulp) 32.  For some reason...32 is hitting me.  30 didn't feel like much, perhaps because I was pregnant and didn't really get to enjoy it, but 32 is getting to me.  I know there are things that I should be doing to "improve myself"...I don't mean plastic surgery or anything...just taking better care of my skin/hair/clothes/etc...yet it's hard to find the time.  I want to dress "my age" without compromising who I am.  So...I guess I'm in a bit of an identity crisis.  To add fuel to the fire...for some reason...these boots got the eye from a couple mom's when I went to drop Hunter off from school...and I just don't get that.  I like platforms, and heels, and I really don't like wearing running shoes unless I'm, well, running!  I feel like in the environment that I'm in (the mom world) the plainerI look, the more accepted I am.  And I'm just not a jeans and tee kind of gall.  See my crisis?  Any advice would totally be helpful!  So for today...I wore my sweatshirt, fishtailed my hair...but wore my new favorite boots.  So PLEH!

I like this picture...it makes my butt look small....be prepared for many more poses like this :)

Aqua Adoration!

This weekend was full of projects and painting and sneaking out to garage sales and marathon training.  It really was quite a jam packed week.  Craig and I are in the midst of remodeling our bedroom, and we are painting it a glorious teal color...much like this photo that I showed you before:

Ooo...I just love that aqua!!  Anyway...so after a full night of painting, and then training for my marathon the next day...I could barely MOVE Sunday night.  I decided to take a cue from my adorable aqua color and give my tired hands a little pampering.  I totally would have done my toes, too...but I couldn't reach them.  Too sore.  I had picked up this color not to long ago...probably around the same time I found this picture.

SO fun!  I'm really glad I could muster up the energy to slap this on.  Please don't mind my horrible cuticles...running in the cold and doing DIY projects really takes it out of your hands.  But...I'm totally inspired by this aqua...and it gets me even more in the mood for spring!  COME ON WARM WEATHER!!!

Eyein’….but not buyin’…yet

I’m seriously obsessed with spring right now.  SO much so that I’ve already booked a no kids allowed spring trip for my husband and me, started on my spring cleaning/spring refreshing list (painting the bedroom!!  Yeah!), and am already making lists for my annual spring shopping trip.  Every mother’s day since, well, I’ve been a mother, Craig has asked me what I want to do.  Um….shopping.  At the mall.  By myself. And I want to eat lunch at Nordi’s café. And be able to sift through racks with a coffee in my hand instead of 2 children.  Let me tell you that it is one of the highlights of my year.  Some people might say “don’t you want to be with your kids on Mother’s day?”  If that’s you’re logic than EVERYDAY is Mother’s day in this household!

Anyway…so the list is being compiled and I just thought I’d share with you a bit of what I’m craving for that trip!  The first thing is definitely pastels.  I need more color in my closet for one…but more soft color.  I have so many darks and navy’s and reds…but I need light colors and bright colors!  So here’s just a few things that I’ve been pinning!

Forever 21

Old Navy

H&M

Forever 21

Asos

Color from the Block

Well...I'll be honest.  This was the outfit I WANTED to wear last weekend...but after it dumped a little bit of snow and a lot of ice on us...big heavy boots were more called for.  So instead I just dressed up for the sake of dressing up during my kids nap time.  What.  You guys don't do that?  You should.  I believe in playing dress-up just as much as an adult as you did when you were a kid.  It's too fun not to!  This sweater I totally stole from my mom's closet when I was visiting California.  That place is like a thrift store** in itself...she keeps EVERYTHING.  I actually found a bright pink blazer that I loved...but the 80's Dallas style shoulder pads were not happenin'.  She's taking them out for me, though!  Hooray for free clothes!

This is also being featured on Marionberry Style today for her color blocking challenge!  I feel so honored!  Have you all read her blog yet?  She is one of the most funny, sweet, and genuine bloggers that I have come across in both my fashion and DIY home blog worlds.  And let us not forget she also has killer style!  Check it out here!

** Note: I want to clarify something....my mother's closet is not like a dirty, dingy, dusty, ugly thrift store.  It is more like a boutique of vintage treasures.  I like/love/want everything in there...and have stated so above...so CLEARLY I did not mean that in any negative way.  I just meant that there is a lot of cool stuff in her closet that is free for me.  I apologize if I have offended anyone or given anybody the wrong idea.  Again...it is a collection of wonderfully enchanting goods, a treasure trove of high quality pieces, a plethora of beautiful items.  Ok...I hope that is somewhat cleared up.**

The Deets:
Sweater: Vintage (My mom's closet)
Skirt: Target
Tights: Target
Shoes: Target (I think...they are old)
Ring: Vintage (mom's closet)
Neckalce: Gifted

i heart you

My darling husband took me to a wonderful brunch this weekend to celebrate Valentine's day.  I've never really been into this holiday at all, as I believe in expressing your love every single day of the year, not just a designated one.  That's just me, though.  But, I must say, Craig picked a WONDERFUL little place, we went without the kiddos, and he even spotted this wall and said "let me take pictures of you for your blog."  Awww...see...THAT'S showing love...you listen and you care about all my little pet projects.  However, being that it was in the teens with a wind chill in the single digits...we were both pretty eager to be snap a few and call it quits!   But I will say...yay for my new Jason Wu for Target shirt and my cute hair!

The Deets:

Blazer: Target

Shirt: Jason Wu for Target

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Hunter

Glasses: Target

Necklace: Vintage ("stolen" from my mom)  :)

Watch: Gifted