Tanned, Mobile and An eShakti Giveaway

"Baby, you did it!"

Princess Sparkles enthused as Bucket army crawled.

Camouflage loves to put the TV remote in front of Bucket

(and like most men, he loves to reach for said remote).

However, I have reservations.  He's only 5 months. 

And I like the fact that 1 of my 3 kids can't go anywhere.

IKAT TOP - Old Navy, $6
ORANGE CUT-OFFS - Forever 21, $12.50
BRACELET - T & J Designs
LEOPARD RING - Forever 21
FRINGE NECKLACE - Made by my mom
FRINGE STILETTOS - Qupid

The Payless wedges I ended up changing in to :)

Yesterday I got a spray tan from my good friend, Bronzer.  I only had one done before my wedding, so it was fun to try it again.  I was originally wearing gray and white, and realized, it did nothing for my newly tanned self.  So I decided to go with some bright F21 cut-offs and a brown ikat top that sorta matched my new skin tone.  I started out wearing these awesome fringe stilettos, but in the end realized that I would probably not be able to wear these out all day.


The GIVEAWAY!!!

Remember this dress? Well, eShakti inadvertently sent me a second one. So they said I could give it away! It's a great one shoulder maxi, size Medium (or an 8). It was a tad looser than the measurements said but I was able to belt it. It's pretty long, I'm 5'2 but wearing 5 inch heels!!!

Here's what you have to do to enter:

- FOLLOW Spinning Threads via GFC

- Leave me a comment telling me where you'd wear this dress :)

 

***for a BONUS ENTRY, "like" Spinning Threads on facebook

(if you already like Spinning Threads than you can have another entry as well)

 

This giveaway is open internationally.  Good luck and I'll announce the winner July 30th!  And if you're checking out eShakti and find something you like, use the code "SP25ZRE" to get an additional 10% off the already 40% off that's going on right now!!!  It's good until the end of the month.

 

Bucket army crawls to the TV remote

 

I love to wear sky high heels, but I'll admit, while they look good on, they don't always feel good.  And while I'm all for suffering for fashion, I unfortunately have to be practical at times, especially now that I'll be chasing 3 mobile kiddos!

Patterned Leggings and a Junk Bed

Princess Sparkles loves her new bunk bed.

She now goes to sleep at night willingly.  Yay!

She likes to "protect" her bed with lots of dolls and animals.

It actually looks more like a junk bed than a bunk bed :)

Monday's Inspiration - Taylor Swift

PATTERNED LEGGINGS - Mix It (JC Penney), $5
BLACK TOP - Gap Maternity (hand-me-down)
CREAM CARDIGAN - Old Navy
BRACELETS - Forever 21, Cynde Daniels
PURSE, CUFF - Heavenly Treasures
HAT - Made by my mom
BOOTS - Frye (gifted)



I'm back in leggings, boots and a sweater thanks to "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds.  I went with a cardigan because it's warm here.  This 20's style hat a favorite my mom, Fair Isle, knitted for me.  And these Frye boots are so comfy.  I'm so thankful my sister-in-law, Argyle, gifted me with them!  The Heavenly Treasures purse is from Thailand, and it's been so versatile for me since so many of my maternity outfits have been neutrals!

The new bunk bed (after limiting Sparkles to 10 "friends" to slumber with)



Both girls were born on Saturdays so Camouflage and I thought it was possible the baby might come over the weekend. But baby stayed put for now.  It could be any day now which is good since even my maternity clothes are starting to NOT fit.  Once the third arrives Camo and I too are going to need to limit the number of guests in our bed, otherwise no one's going to get good sleep!!!

BP Ginger Over-the-Knee Boots and a Wedding

This morning I heard humming coming from the other room. 

I found Princess Sparkles "dancing" with our giant Nutcracker (the one she didn't break in half).  She smiled and told me, "I'm going to marry the Nutcracker."

BROWN CARDIGAN - Forever 21
NAVY TANK - 369 (thrifted)
GRAY LEGGINGS - Forever 21
BLACK FEATHER HAT - Forever 21
OVER THE KNEE BOOTS - Nordstrom

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme in Posh Plum

I almost missed "Fashion Challenge: Neutrals Week," hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  I've just been so distracted with the holidays (hosted a "Naughty or Nice" Bunco party last night).  So today I decided I would wear every neutral they did this week in one outfit.  The black feather hat (Monday), the gray leggings (Tuesday) and the brown sweater (Wednesday) are all from Forever 21.  The cognac OTK boots (Thursday) are the ones I'm keeping since they're real leather and I love the color and style (it was between these and some faux leather ones from F21).  Finally, the navy tank (Friday) is thrifted from another mom's garage via craigslist!  Tomorrow's challenge is color, so I guess I could say my nails are purple!

A polka dotted bride, Princess Sparkles, with her Nutcracker groom and maid of honor, Pigtails 

Some naughty and nice treats (cupcakes and angel food cake) at my Bunco party

It was a major life decision, but I'm glad I finally chose a pair of OTK boots.  The F21 ones weren't that comfortable since they were the last pair left and a size too small.  The BP ones were leather, on sale for less than $100 and my friends wanted them (which of course makes them that much more desireable).  It's not quite as important as choosing a husband (aka Nutcracker), but pretty darn close...

***Linking up to: "What We Wore Wednesday" and...

Asymmetric Maternity Dress, Black Leather Jacket and Leopard Heels

OLIVE DRESS - Gap Maternity
BLACK FAUX LEATHER JACKET - Loehmanns
NECKLACE - GS Lillian
LEOPARD HEELS - GoJane

COPPER GLITTER NAIL POLISH - Lippman Collection

For me, Halloween kicks off the holiday season, which means Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is right around the corner (and this year, an upcoming baby!).  It also means I need to start my Christmas shopping.  I really enjoy shopping for others and figuring out the perfect gift for them.  I make lists and sometimes get obsessive, buying and returning a few things first before settling on one gift!  The bad thing about Christmas shopping... I always find things I "need."

Here's the outfit I wore Saturday night to a dinner for a friend's film.  I wore this Gap maternity dress I found on clearance for $8.  I loved that it was asymmetric.  I decided to pair it with the versatile leather jacket and my leopard heels (which I got some compliments on but also some "be careful pregnant lady" comments as well).  I also wore this amazing glitter nail polish that I won from a magazine!!!

How Princess Sparkles decorates my dresser


Anyway, the holidays are so fun with the kids.  Watching them light up when they see a house with lights or a tree with ornaments makes me happy.  And buying them presents is almost better than getting myself a pair of shoes!

***Today's the last day to enter the $50 Giveaway from ZOE CLOTHING. 

Red and White Polka Dot Cardigan and GS Lillian Statement Necklace

POLKA DOT CARDIGAN - Anonymous Venice (exact)
RED TANK TOP - Target
OLIVE SKIRT - Forever 21
WORKMAN BOOTS - Forever 21
STATEMENT NECKLACE - GS Lillian

Almost 20 weeks pregnant!

My fabulous GS Lillian necklace (THANK YOU, SHELLY!!!)

Pigtails hands me a rock.

"Snuggle!"  It's something my girls say to me daily.  It means they want to cuddle on my bed and I love it (though sometimes it gets complicated when one asks to snuggle and the other one tries to get in on the action).  They each have different reasons for saying it to me.  For Pigtails, she says it because she wants my attention (translation: "Momma, stop blogging and hold me!").  For Princess Sparkles, it's her way of trying to get out of going to bed.  I'll tell her, "time for sleep" and she'll say, "but I want to snuggle with you!"  Of course, it works everytime.

Today I'm wearing my new polka dot cardi from Anonymous Venice.  My girlfriend, Fierce, gifted me with it (I love my friends!).  Whenever I wear red I seem to gravitate towards olive.  I know it's kinda  "Christmas-y" but I like it.  I'm also wearing a gorgeous necklace designed by Shelly at GS Lillian.  I'm obsessed with her pieces and bought a necklace and cuff.  When she accidentally sent me the wrong necklace (this turquoise and red one) she sent me the right piece and let me keep this one!  I couldn't believe her generosity and I'm loving this colorful piece! 

Also, I'm linking up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through The Decades: Polka Dots."  It's a really fun way to check out how people of different ages style this fabulous trend!  So if you have some polka dots you're dying to wear (or if you just wanna check out how others are styling them) then check out Silverstyle!

Anyway, I'm really trying to accessorize more.  There's something about a statement necklace that really makes an outfit and GS Lillian has some of the most beautiful stuff.  Shelly even has a "sample sale" where you can get some of her pieces for a serious steal ($20!).  Everytime I go there, I want to buy something.  It's kinda like when Princess Sparkles or Pigtails ask me to snuggle, I just can't help myself!

Happy 4th Birthday, Princess Sparkles!

GRAY MAXI SKIRT - DKNY Thrifted
BROWN TANK TOP - Gap
WHITE BUG SWEATER - Purp7e
BROWN HEELS - Forever 21

NECKLACE - GS Lillian

"Don't worry, Mommy, I'll still be your baby.  Even when I go to kindergarten."  Princess Sparkles likes to reassure me that even though she's "almost grown-up" (she says she'll be a kid for one more year but when she's 5 she'll be a grown-up), that she'll still be my baby.  I can't believe baby's already 4-years old.  Time really does fly by when you have kids to gauge the time!

Yesterday I decided to wear a maxi skirt, a brown tank and a light weight white sweater with a little "bling" on the back.  Normally I'm terrified of bugs, but for some reason I gravitate towards sequin-y bugs if they're designs on my clothes.  I wanted to link up to Spunky Chateau's "Thursdays are for Thrifters" so I wore my thrifted maxi.  And I was thrilled to dress up my (once again) neutral casual outfit with another GS Lillian piece I just got in the mail yesterday!  Isn't this statement necklace gorgeous!!! (p.s. I just went to Shelly's blog so I could link to it and was surprised to see a picture of myself!  She so kindly posted my pic from yesterday since I wore her beautiful cuff!  Thanks, Shelly!).

Sparkles smells the roses

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to making today really special for Princess Sparkles.  My sister, Polka Dots, flew in from Hawaii to help celebrate.  We're going to go to visit my mom, Fair Isle, and stepdad, Henley (since they're Sparkles' favorite people ever).  We're going to take Sparkles for her favorite dim sum (she only likes eating the shu-mai and egg tarts), let her open presents, swim in the pool and have her favorite chocolate cake with plenty of frosting.

I can't believe my little girl is "almost a grown-up."  At least she still wants to be my baby.  Happy Birthday, Princess Sparkles!  Hope it's the best birthday ever! 

***Also linking up to "Monday Mingle" at Glamamom!

Statement Necklace and Beaded Cuff - Dressing Up Shorts and a Tank

BLACK VEST - Loehmanns
BROWN TANK - Gap
BROWN SHORTS - Gap

BLACK PATENT STRAPPY WEDGES - Victoria's Secret

AFRICAN BEADED NECKLACE - Heavenly Treasures

BEADED LEATHER CUFF - Heavenly Treasures

I really appreciate how Pigtails can make herself comfortable wherever we go (maybe this is one of those survival skills learned by 2nd children).  Today we went to my friend Shiny's house.  Shiny recently had a baby (her 4th!!!) and we brought her family some lunch and other goodies.  Pigtails immediately made herself comfortable, grabbing a car to push around on the racetrack, picking the "tall chair" to eat her lunch in, and making herself comfortable on the kiddy couch with her sippy cup of milk.  She just made herself part of the family.

Pigtails gets comfortable

Because we were hanging out at Shiny's house, I decided to keep with something comfy.  It was a pretty hot day and I wasn't in the mood to really get dressed up.  I decided on neutrals and threw a vest on (because I'm obsessed with them).  I also wore a statement necklace, just to add a little fanciness to my shorts and tank ensemble.

Anyway, it ended up being a nice relaxing day (Thanks, Shiny!).  It helped that I could wear my casual "mommy outfit."  I guess Pigtails wasn't the only one getting comfortable today!

***Linking up to Pleated Poppy's "What I Wore Wednesday"

Lace Jacket, Jeffrey Campbell Boots and Lots of Bracelets

LACE JACKET - Forever 21

GRAY DRESS - Gifted

DENIM BELT - Style Xpress

LEATHER CROSSBODY BAG - Thrifted

EASE-UP ESPADRILLE BOOTS - Jeffrey Campbell

BRACELETS - see below

ARM PARTY

Right:

PEARL BRACELETS - made by a friend

WATCH - Michael Kors

GOLD LEATHER STUD BRACELET - Cara

WHITE LEATHER STUD BRACELET - Cara

Left:

BEADED BRACLETS - Forever 21

BROWN LEATHER GOLD CUFF - made by my mom

CREAM/GOLD MULTI STRAND BRACELET - H&M

"Mommy, you're wearing skates!"  That's what Princess Sparkles said to me when she saw me wearing my new pair of Jeffrey Campbell wedge booties (thanks to my sister, Polka Dots, for the belated birthday gift!).  I had to laugh because it actually didn't occur to me that they looked like skates but once she said it I realized she was right. 



My "Skates" - Jeffrey Campbell



Today's theme is "arm party," thanks to Pretty Shiny Sparkly's "Bloggers Do It Better" challenge.  I'm really excited to be trying my hand at bangles galore (speaking of Bangles, in elementary school I did a dance to "Walk Like an Egyptian" for a talent show...but anyway).  I've always wished I was a better accessorizer, but find myself usually keeping it simple.  So this was a lot of fun for me to try!

Because I was heavily accessorized, I decided to keep the outfit simple with neutral colors.  I was thrilled to wear my lace jacket again and finally got to wear a french dress (literally from France) my good friend, Fedora, gave me in a pile of hand-me-downs.  The purse was thrifted by my mom, Fair Isle, and the belt was only $.50 at a local store!!! 

Thrifted Crossbody Bag

Anyway, this summer has been a whirlwind.  Can't believe it's already August!  We've definitely been keeping busy with lots of activities.  Too bad my Jeffrey Campbell's don't have wheels on them, it'd make keeping up with my girls a heck of a lot easier!

***Linking up to Pleated Poppy's "What I Wore Wednesday," "Bloggers Do It Better" and "Thursdays are for Thrifters" at Spunky Chateau

Floral Romper, Military Jacket and TOMS - Inspiration Monday

FLORAL ROMPER - Forever 21
MILITARY JACKET - Mossimo

CORAL SHOES - Toms

BLUE NECKLACE - Jaclyn1423

Monday's Inspiration:
Alexa Chung

BLUE NECKLACE - Jaclyn1423

"Mommy, I know everything."  That's what Princess Sparkles told me on the way back from the Aquarium today.  She caught me a little off guard with her confidence.  She told me she knew people, places, etc.  I asked her if she knew math and she said yes.  I asked her what "1 + 1" was and she actually got it right.  Not bad.  But then I asked her another math question and she didn't know it.  Even still, she's convinced she knows it all!

  

Sparkles checks out Nemo



Pigtails admires the turtle

Today's "Inspiration Monday" from the ladies at Two Birds is Alexa Chung.  I find Alexa's style so charming.  She looks lovely in her vintage outfits but equally fabulous in casual clothes, like in today's inspiration picture! 



  I decided to go with a floral romper (AKA adult onesie), a military jacket and my coral TOMS.  This was the perfect outfit to take the girls to the aquarium in, since my TOMS are so very comfortable.  Also, because the romper is strapless, it's quite easy to do the quick pull down when using the restroom.  My jacket also made the perfect "picnic blanket" since Princess Sparkles didn't want to sit on the grass during our lunch fearing there could be bugs that might bite her.

Thank goodness for inspiration outfits.  They definitely make dressing a lot easier and a lot of fun.  Now what to wear tomorrow?  Good thing I have my own know-it-all in the house.  Maybe she can give me some sagely advice on an outfit! 

Wearing Brown, Black and Bronze Together

WHITE CAPRIS - Express
RUST/GOLD TANK - Ella Moss
BELT - Vintage (my mom's)
BRONZE LOAFER WEDGES - Steve Madden (Thrifted)
CROC WOVEN LEATHER PURSE - Thrifted
BROWN/GOLD CUFF - Made by my mom
TAIWANESE TURQUOISE NECKLACE - Jaclyn1423

HOW I WORE THIS TOP IN APRIL:
RUST/GOLD TANK - Ella Moss
YELLOW LACE SKIRT - Thrifted
WEDGES - Cole Haan

Today I decided I needed to go for a run (and really I needed to get out of the house since our wonderful housekeeper was here - dunno what I'd do without her!).  Anyway, I packed up a bazillion snacks for the girls and attempted to drive down to the beach and push the 80+ lbs. of fun.

I know I mentioned this before but Princess Sparkles just kept asking me so many questions.  And there I was, huffing and puffing, trying to keep running.  I kept trying to feed her snacks to get her to stop talking, but it was no use.  So I tried my best to give her relatively quick but detailed answers but she just kept coming at me with more.  She was like a machine gun of curiosity!

I decided to try and do another "2 Way Tuesday" and remix something I wore before.  So here's a top I wore a few months back.  I also wanted to show you some really great jewelry pieces from my sponsor, Jaclyn1423, that I would totally wear with this if I had her entire collection (and I soooo wish I did).  So if you haven't already, definitely go check her out her shop!!!


Upcycled Vintage Brown and Gold Splattered Necklace - $16

Upcycled Vintage Gold and Topaz Floral Earrings - $12

Amber Beaded Gold Necklace - $24


Anyway, I'm excited to try and keep up with this "2 Way Tuesday" while I'm still doing my 30 Day Remix.  It's sort of like a remix within a remix.  I know it's going to be a challenge, but honestly, nothing is as tough as pushing two kids in a non-jogging stroller on the beach while trying to answer lots of questions!