A New Maternity Dress, Booties and an Award

COWL NECK MATERNITY DRESS - Liz Lange for Target
DENIM BELT - Style Xpress
BRACELETS - Cara, Jewelry Party
EARRINGS - Downtown LA Fashion District
WEDGE BOOTIES - Jeffrey Campbell

Today was Pigtails' first day at Moms Day Out without her sister.  It went smoothly.  Perhaps it's a 2nd child thing, though I think she didn't realize I was actually leaving her there.  We'll see what happens next week when she knows what to expect.  The only crying incident was when another Asian American mom came to pick up her daughter.  Pigtails also did this at another class with a different Asian American mom.  I'm not sure if Asian American moms remind Pigtails of me or she actually thinks these women are me (I'm hoping for the former).

I'm so glad I've finally shared with you all about my pregnancy because I can actually wear and post maternity clothes pictures.  I found this dress at Target a few weeks back in the clearance section.  I'm trying to be good about NOT buying maternity stuff (yeah, right) but this was only $7 so I couldn't help myself. 

I also wanted to thank a few bloggers who awarded me the "One Lovely Blog Award" a few weeks back.  Jess at Avant-Garde Living, Aki at 7% Solution and Florence from Fantail Flo have so kindly thought of me.  I decided I'd use the opportunity to finally give you all 7 FACTS ABOUT MY PREGNANCY...

1.  I'm in my 18th week of pregnancy. 
2.  The baby is due February 10, 2012 (The girls will be almost 2 and 4-1/2)
3.  I discovered I was pregnant because my clothes felt tight, food I liked grossed me out and I was so tired.
4.  I took 3 pregnancy tests.  The 1st was expired.  The 2nd seemed "light."  The 3rd was in the morning.
5.  I've always wanted 3 kids though this one wasn't exactly "planned."
6.  I'm carrying lower than I did with the other two (possibly because I've lost all muscles in my abs)
7.  I told Camouflage in June by saying, "Happy Father's Day.  You're gonna be a father...again."

Anyway, it's so nice to be recognized by other bloggers.  I really appreciate everyone for reading, commenting and encouraging me on my blog, especially about this new baby!  It makes me feel special, unlike when my daugher gets me confused with other moms :)

Best Blog Award and Our Trip to Rhode Island

I was recently awarded the very sweet "Best Blog Award" from some of my favorite blog friends, Roxy Heart of "Fash-uh-nee-stah," Tiffany of "Breakfast with Tiffany," H from "H & K Style Journey," and Sophie from "Country Girl Does Norfolk."  Thank you all so much for the honor!  I really appreciate it!

7 RANDOM FACTS:  Here are 7 things I loved about our trip to Newport, Rhode Island

2. Blue Hydrangeas (I normally see only pink!)



1. Historical Mansions



3. Delicious lobster rolls!

4. The moon rising over the ocean at the wedding site (where they filmed "The Great Gatsby")

5. A clambake with a view - sunset from Goat Island

 

 

6. A Dancing Princess Sparkles

 

7. A Chowhound Pigtails

ANSWER QUESTIONS:

Favorite Color - purple

 

Favorite Song - lately i only listen to kids music :(  Sparkles likes "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Favorite Dessert - warm chocolate cake...with ice cream

What's pissing you off - nothing...though i have a stomach ache which is a bummer.

When I'm upset - i cry.  i also try to talk it out with the person if it has to do with them.

Favorite Pet - Biscuit!  she was my yellow lab while i was growing up.

Black or White - white.  i love white pants especially.

Biggest Fear - something happening to one of my loved ones.

Best Feature - my teeth.  my dad's an orthodontist.

Everyday Attitude - happy though lately a little tired.  and i try to do too much.

What is Perfection - watching my two girls sleeping in bed next to me

Guilty Pleasure - Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars

THE BLOGS I AWARD:

Don't Call Me a Fashion Blogger - Francesca R

She always looks glamorous and has the best shoes and handbags!

Fashion for Giants - Gracey

She has the best pleated skirts ever.  Ever.

The Suburb Experiment - Jenn

She appreciates the art in shoes (like Jeffrey Campbells) and has the most stylish comfy shoes too!

Bon Chic Bon Garstronomique - Shea

Comfy, classic, fresh style...and food, she makes delicious food!

a Bug and Bird - Bug

It's so much fun to follow her life down under!

My Thrifty Closet - Mongs

So talented with the sewing machine and great at finding thrifty deals.

Avant-Garde Living - Jess

She always reminds me how fun life can be with her travels and inspirational words!

This Life, Redefined... - Tara

My fashion twin, we always buy the exact same outfits (from Target, nonetheless).

MinnChic - Rebecca

I love her casual, classic style (and the fact that she loves NKOTB!).

Silverstyle - Tammy

A great thrifter and proof that you can look fabulous at any age.  A true inspiration!

Watch Me Dress - Mrs. J

Colorful thrifty style and always wearing the best jewelry!

Working Mom's Closet - Mel

Fun outfits that are perfect for work, she literally does it all!

Uphill and Smiling - Lacy

A "super mom" (even though she'd never admit it), she's always real and greatly inspires me!

Baby Budget Blog - Amy

Amazing fashion sense and the most clever beautiful fashion photos!

Heavenly Treasures Goodies and Some Awards

ZEBRA EARRINGS (similar) - Heavenly Treasures (Kenya)
7-IN-1 (worn as bracelet above, necklace below) - Heavenly Treasures (Thailand)
BLACK AND GOLD TOTE - Heavenly Treasures (Cambodia)
STRIPED SCARF - Heavenly Treasures (Kenya)

Heavenly Treasures even has purses for little girls

(Princess Sparkles is modeling a $5 sequin purse from Thailand)

Below is the 7-in-1, a lariat you can wear at least 7 ways

I had such an amazing weekend.  I got to hang out with a bunch of really neat women and hear a phenomenal speaker from a project called "Zoe" share about God and her work saving children from human trafficking.  All I can say is, "Wow."

I wanted to display some cool things I got from Heavenly Treasures (who helped sponsor the women's retreat).  Most of the things I even got as giveaways!  Like I mentioned before, all the money you spend gets reinvested into these artisans from third world countries and are donated to organizations like "Zoe."  So go online or call their store (for even more products) and do a little shopping to help someone out!

 

Also, I've recently received some cool awards and wanted to thank those blog friends for thinking of me.  I received a Sunshine Award (see a previous post for this award) from Debbie at "Thrifty Girl Vintage."   She's an amazing thrifter and has a very fun sense of style!  I also owe a HUGE thank you to Alex at "Of Mice and Minutiae" who gave me the really cool One Lovely Blog Award in April (previous post for this award).  Alex has a refreshingly quirky style that oozes cool (and she's a fantastic writer!).  Finally, Sophie at Country Girl Does Norfolk gave me the Blog Mas Divertido Award.  Sophie has a fabulous eclectic style and can mix clothes flawlessly!

So here's what I have to do:  Thank the person who gave it to me, answer questions, and pick 3 bloggers to pass the award on to (and contact them)...

If you did another blog, what would it be about? 
I'd sell my old clothes.

If you could change your name, what would it be? 
Something unisex like "Alex" or "Ryan"

If you could be born again, would you like to be a man or a woman? 
Woman.  I think it's amazing what we can do!

If you could realize one wish, what would it be? 
Own a pair of Louboutins

If you had a power, which one would you like to have? 
I'd love to be able to fly.

If you had to buy a lot of perfumes from one specific brand, which one would it be? 
Marc Jacobs or those Harajuku Lovers ones cuz they got those cute little dolls.

If you had won a holiday, which place would you like to go to? 
Some cool African safari trip or a shopping trip to Asia!!!

And here are the 3 very different bloggers I'd like to share this award with:

Meagan at Spunky Chateau (creative thrifter who makes vintage feel so fresh!)
Taylor at It's My Cardi (a down to earth mom with a beautifully classic sense of style)
Lexy at Quirky Explosion (wild, fun, eccentric and can pull off patterns and colors like you couldn't imagine!)

"One Lovely Blog" Award

Today I got up early and rushed to get the girls out the door  for preschool when suddenly I realized... Princess Sparkles is on spring break (okay, it wasn't suddenly but THREE people had texted me that morning to see if we wanted to hang out and all mentioned spring break and then a light bulb finally went on in my head). 

Wanting to not "mess up" my routine (which basically consists of a morning run), I decided to pull out the double stroller and go for a run with my cousin, Leopard, who I hadn't seen in quite a while.  Leopard had offered to push one stroller, but unfortunately I only had an umbrella stroller and that would so be a mistake to jog with.

But let me tell you about another mistake.  Pushing a double stroller (NOT a jogging one, despite the brand being "Baby Jogger") with two girls, stuff (including LOTS of snacks and waters) and plenty of stuffed animals.  It only weighed about, I don't know, 80 lbs!!!  Somehow I managed to finish the 4-1/2 mile jog but I must've been burning more calories than usual since the entire way back all I could think about was eating a huge cheeseburger!

Anyway, GretchTM awarded me the "One Lovely Blog" Award, which I am so very honored to receive.  Her blog is fantastic, she has such a classic, simple style that I wish I could replicate.  Thank you so much, Gretch!

I have to post 7 random things about myself, so to keep it interesting and in the fashion theme, I decided to tell you what I love about each of these dresses I bought today (YES I BOUGHT 7, but I had to entertain the girls somehow, so OF COURSE I took them to TARGET!!!  And since they won't let me try stuff on without going nuts, I decided to buy ALL these dresses, try them on at home, then return the ones I don't want).  So do me a favor and let me know which are your favorites, okay?

1. I love to wear black, especially in family photos, because it's always flattering even when I forget to suck in my stomach!



Alice Temperley for Target



2. I have an obsession with stripes and would pretty much buy anything (yes, anything) in this pattern.



Libertine for Target



3. My sister, Polka Dots, didn't realize she had so many polka dot clothes until I gave her the blog nickname.



Zac Posen for Target



4.  A skinny red belt is one of my favorite accessories (I have 2!) because it gives just the right pop of color.



Jonathan Saunders for Target



 5. I love animal print and own a pair of cow boots (not to be confused with cowboy boots - hope they make a comeback!)



Rogan for Target



6. If I had to pick a favorite "uniform," it would be a plaid shirt and jeans (followed closely by shorts and boots).




Luella Bartley for Target



7. I always love the bohemian look.  It's probably my favorite style in the magazines and I wish I wore it more.



Jovovich-Hawk for Target



So here are the blogs I'd LOVE to pass this award along to:

Tara at This Life, Redefined, Lei at White Sky Project, Mrs. J at Watch Me Dress, Rosy of Raindrops on Rosy, Claire of My Little Life, Sunny Days and Starry Nights, Andrea Grace of Always Say Grace, Jane of Love Makes the Girl, Emily of Tinfoils Tiaras, Sophie at Country Girl Does Norfolk, Ashley at Free Honey, Jenn of The Suburb Experiment, Khla at Next Happiness, Heidi at Heidi-and-Seek,  and Lacy at Uphill & Smiling.

3 Ways To Wear a Yellow Lace Skirt and a Sunshine Award

YELLOW LACE SKIRT - Chetta B (Thrifted - Thanks, Mom!)

ARGYLE SWEATER - Old Navy

WHITE TANK - Bebe

SHOES - Korea

BLACK/GRAY STRIPED SHIRT - Thakoon for Target

GRAY BELT - Forever 21

BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart

RUST/GOLD SILK TOP - Ella Moss (Thanks, Fierce!)

CREAM/GOLD/GREEN WEDGES - G-Series

Today I'm feeling like a fashion bad-ass.  I dunno why, maybe it's the neon yellow lace skirt (I know, doesn't really look neon in the pictures!) and matching nail polish.  Or the 2 sunshine awards (Thank YOU, Fash-uh-nee-stah and GretchTM!).  Or the lashes (I put on some fake ones and they always make me feel glamorous!).  Whatever it is, it totally affected the clothing I chose and the poses I did.

RULES FOR THE AWARD:
Thank the person who gave it
Write a post about it
Pass it on to 12 bloggers

I decided to do this "3 Ways To Wear a Yellow Lace Skirt" in honor of the SUNSHINE AWARD bestowed on me by the always fabulous Fash-uh-nee-stah and the extremely stylish GretchTM!  Thank you, girls, for the honor!  

I would like to give this award to: Tiffany at BREAKFAST WITH TIFFANY, THE CAT HAG, Melissa at WRITE IT IN LIPSTICK, Bonnie at GLAM KITTENS LITTEBOX, Mary at STYLEFYLES, Gracey at FASHION FOR GIANTS, Vanessa at BIG GIRL. LITTLE BUDGET. TINY TOWN, Maya at SOCCER MOM STYLE, Nnena at STAR-CROSSED SMILE, Kimberlee at OUR LIFE. UNEDITED., Melyssa at BEAUTINIQUE, and DEAR GIRL.

I was reading in a magazine that Tim Gunn suggests wearing neon colors with gray or brown.  So I decided to try it.  The first look is one I copied from the magazine where the model was wearing an argyle sweater with a similar skirt.  I decided to pair it with the shoes I bought in Korea a few years back.  The second outfit I did was a striped black/gray shirt.  Yes, I decided to mix prints.  Told you I was feeling like a bad-ass!  Finally, my last outfit was a rust shirt so kindly given to me by Fierce (you can see more pieces she gave me here).  And the shoes are the ones I wore for my wedding 5-1/2 years ago!!!

So like I was saying, I had MAJOR FASHION ATTITUDE.  However, each time I finished shooting photos I would get a little FASHION BUZZ KILL when I'd come into my room and see Pigtails.  Unfortunately, I think maybe she too was feeling like a FASHION BAD-ASS...

The Versatile Blogger Award

#24 - SYDNEY
GREEN BUTTON UP SHIRT - Old Navy
PURPLE TANK - Bebe
BLACK PENCIL SKIRT - Jonathan Saunders for Target
BLACK STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21
WHITE NECKLACES - my Grandmother's collection
WHITE WATCH - Sprout

JEANS - Yaso
DENIM BALLET FLATS - Mossimo

Thank you so much to my fashionable new blog friend, Burning Skies, for thinking of me for this award.  Burning Skies just moved her blog so check her out!  It's always nice to get recognized (and this is much better than the trophy I got as a kid for participating in a talent contest on our family cruise where EVERYONE else got that same trophy just for showing up).  

To show my versatility, I decided I would change things up by telling you 7 random things that make me versatile:

1.  I'm short (5'2) so I can wear tunics as dresses and can always shorten jeans...though I hate when I end up with straight leg ones that used to be bell bottoms!

2.  I'm part of the "Good Eaters Club" (as my friend, Birkin, would call it... Birkin is in fact part of the "Bad Eaters Club"), so I don't really care where we go to dinner... though this can be a problem when I'm with another person who is equally as laid back and we end up debating on where to go for like an hour.

3. I wear a medium in most clothes so I can either squeeze myself into a small or put a belt over a large in case of an incredible deal on the clearance rack that I gotta have even if it doesn't quite fit right.

4. I'm a jack of many trades but master of none...so I can do a little bit of everything just okay (like sports...I can basically be on your team if you're not competitive and in desperate need of a female to fill your roster).

5. If I don't wear make-up (or stroll around with my kiddos) I can usually get carded when buying alcohol at the grocery store (of course this totally sucked when I was a teenager).

6. I'm a mom so that basically means I can multi-task and do any job that includes but is not limited to cook, housekeeper, launderer, driver, entertainer, personal assistant, party planner, motivator, accountant and nurse.

7. I can shop anyway, anywhere, anyhow (except when I'm on my shopping fast like right now...oh, and I'm a poet!).

And here is a list of some really cool bloggers that I've discovered and greatly enjoy.  I know you'll enjoy them too, so check 'em out!

Albee at Albee Lucky

Jess at Avant-Garde Living

shealennon at Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique

Kimberly at City Style

Amber Lena at Fashion Bargain Shopper Extraordinaire

Roxy Heart at Fash-uh-nee-stah

Courtney Erin at Sartorial Sidelines

Finally, in honor of the Versatile Blogger Award (thanks again Burning Skies!) I decided I would do two versions of the same general outfit.  The first one is another example of color blocking.  The second is a casual version of the same top half ('cuz my friend Shiny said she'd actually wear this one).

An Award, Some Yummies and 100 Followers!

#23 - BUENOS AIRES
NAVY ROSE TOP - Irene's Story
BLACK SKIRT - Jonathan Saunders for Target
NECKLACE - My grandmother's collection
CUFF - Made by my Mom
FLOWER BRACELET - Just Lovely Things
BOOTS - Charlotte Russe

Today my friend, Chambray, came to visit wearing a fabulous pink maxi dress with a denim jacket.  She proceeded to tell me how a man in the parking garage had asked her when her baby was due.  Chambray is NOT pregnant.  She said she was going to go home and burn her dress.

***NOTE:  NEVER ask a woman when she's due, even if she's 9 months preggo and it's super obvious, unless you KNOW FOR SURE that she is indeed pregnant.   

Chambray also brought me some delicious baked goodies from the new company she started, SKINNY BATCHES.  Isn't that the best name ever?  And what's even better is her "Salted Janets," a brown sugar cookie sprinkled with salt.  DELICIOUS!!!  Oh, and her crumbies are to die for...and her oatmeal cookies...and I LOVE her gingerbread.  Yes I've had it all, and I love it all.  Good thing they're only 45 calories each! 

SKINNY BATCHES - Oatmeal cookies, Salted Janets, Pear and Mocha Crumbies

Today was a really nice day for my blog.  Not only did I hit 100 FOLLOWERS but I received the VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD from Burning Skies.  I feel so honored.  Thank you!  I really appreciate the blog world because everyone is so nice (which is not always how the real world is), and you can be connected to these people all the way across the world (or right down the street!).  Tomorrow I will write my 7 facts and pass along the award!

Anyway, here's the outfit of the day.  I thought I would attempt to change it up and wear something a little fancier.  I have to say I like this outfit because it's flattering (thanks to those nice dark colors!).  In fact, wearing it makes me feel like a skinny batch!

Stylish Blogger Award

Yesterday Jess at Avant-Garde Living told me she had given me the Stylish Blogger Award.  This was my first blog award and I was so excited.  Then this morning Albee Lucky gave me the same award!  I couldn't believe it!  2 people actually think I'm stylish!!! 

First of all I want to thank these girls and give them props because they are super stylish themselves and it means a lot to have them think of me.   I REALLY appreciate it.  Check them out and you'll see what I mean.

I'd also like to thank my parents for clothing me when I was a kid, my hubby, Camouflage, for letting me have our walk-in closet, and Princess Sparkles and Pigtails for teaching me humility while still wearing heels and a dress.

#16 - DUBLIN
FLORAL DRESS - Forever 21
GREEN BUTTON UP SHIRT - Old Navy
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood
CREAM KNEE HI SOCKS - Forever 21
DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21

8 THINGS ABOUT MYSELF:

1. Sometimes I like to have dessert before dinner (just to make sure I have room for it!)

2. Sometimes I let Princess Sparkles have dessert before dinner (because I'm a sucker)

3. I don't like anyone lying on my pillow (not even Camouflage)

4. Almost all of my underwear comes from free coupons I get from VICTORIA'S SECRET (and most of the time I don't even buy anything else when I get it)

5. I do most of my grocery shopping at TARGET because I can also look at other stuff (aka "clothes") at the same time

6. Before we got married, I actually asked Camouflage out first because my girlfriend's mom said in passing he'd make a good husband (she was right).

7. I used to make my little sister, Polka Dots, dress up in wigs and costumes then tell my mom, Fair Isle, I made a new friend (Then I'd make Polka Dots perform in my play)

8. I wear sunglasses in all my fashion pictures for my blog because I'm lazy and don't want to put on make-up

8 PEOPLE I'M GIVING THIS AWARD TO:

 

A Working Mom's Closet

(she doesn't conform, she's not afraid to take chances with her fashion!)

Confessions of a Fashion Mom

(playful and inspirational style, all while taking her kids to the park!)

Fashion for Giants

(she knows how to dress for her body, and it's alway fabulous!)

GretchTM

(her style is simple, fresh and wonderfully girly)

Hudson's Happenings

(seriously fashionable momma, and she's not even trying!)

Of Mice and Minuatiae

(bold and edgy, she rocks every look)

Suburb Experiment

(really great down-to-earth style)

Tinfoils Tiaras

(stylishly fun and always has the perfect statement piece)

***Rules for accepting the award: (Thank and link back to who gave you this award, Share 8 things about yourself, Pass it along to 8 blogs that you recently discovered and enjoy, Leave those bloggers a message telling them about their reward)

Thanks again to Avant-Garde Living and Albee Lucky for the award!!!