Peplum Leather Jacket, Anorak with Leather Sleeves and A New Year's Resolution

"What's a resolution?"

Princess Sparkles wondered after I asked her if she had one for New Year's.

I explained it was kind of like a goal -- something she wanted to do or learn.

She thought for a little bit then smiled,

"I'd like to learn the password to your phone."

Ha!  Good luck with that one, kid.

GRAY PEPLUM JACKET - Bernardo via Loehmanns, $25
BLUE PRINTED TOP - Target, $10
BLACK MULLET SKIRT - Alternative Apparel
NAVY BOOTS - Rag and Bone via American Rag

OLIVE ANORAK WITH LEATHER SLEEVES - Charlotte Russe, $20
BLACK SWEATER - Gap (thrifted)
PLAID LEGGINGS - Hue
OLIVE LACE UP BOOTS - Qupid

I know, I always have my obsessions.  My winter one has been jackets -- kinda impractical since I live in 70 degree weather, but oh so adorable.  The first gray leather jacket is a peplum and I got it at Loehmanns on Black Friday.  I just really liked it.  I paired it with a Target top I forgot to return, an Alternative Apparel mullet skirt and my navy Rag and Bone booties.  The second jacket I got from Charlotte Russe for $20!  It has shearling in it so it's nice and warm.  And the leather sleeves stole my heart.

Sparkles celebrates New Year's with a glass of bubbly... Sparkling Cider.

There's something about a jacket that really pulls together an outfit.  Because let's be honest, you can wear sweats and throw on a cute coat and all people will really notice is that fabulous jacket you're wearing.  So, my New Year's Resolution is going to be looking put together (i.e. wearing the new coats I bought!).  Oh, and not letting my kids find out the password to my cell phone.

Thrifted Kilt, Leather Bracelet Watch and a Christmas List

"Why can't Santa give me everything on my list?"

Princess Sparkles asked when I informed her Santa only gives one gift.

I told her there were a lot of children in the world.

"Well, Mommy, you get everything you want!"

Camouflage interjected from the kitchen,

"No we don't.  Sometimes we want peace and quiet, but we don't get that."

GRAY JACKET - thrifted
BROWN SWEATER - swapped
BURGUNDY LEGGINGS - Forever 21
PURPLE HANDBAG - B Makowsky (thrifted)
BLACK BOOTS - Frye

PLAID PLEATED SKIRT - thrifted
WHITE SWEATER - Target
CROCODILE HANDBAG - Badgley Mischka (thrifted)
SHOES - thrifted

Here are a few holiday outfits I wore.  The first are some F21 faux leather leggings I paired with a thrifted jacket and purse (B Makowsky!), a hand-me-down sweater, and the fabulous Frye boots my sis-in-law gave me for Christmas a few years back.  The second outfit is a plaid skirt, shoes and Bagdley Mischka purse, all thrifted!  My mom found the latter two.  

WOMEN'S BRACELET WATCH - Born Pretty

I recently received a women's watch from Born Pretty to review.  I have to say I was skeptical at first, seeing that the bracelet watch was less than $10.  But when I tried it on, I couldn't believe how amazing it was!  Not only was it stylish, but easy to wear with strings you pull to tighten.  It's made out of real leather with wooden beads, and looks way more expensive then it is!  Definitely check out their site, there are so many watches to choose from and Spinning Threads readers can get an extra 10% off by using the code CLAIRELC10.

I love the holiday season.  It's filled with so many fun and funny moments --

- Princess Sparkles' 5 page Christmas list

- Pigtails handing me ads she cut out to practice using scissors 

(and tell me what she wants for Christmas) 

- Princess Sparkles telling my sister her friend at school told her Santa is 

just your parents putting presents in your stocking but she doesn't believe that.

- Bucket finally getting some "boy" toys.

But most of all I appreciate being at home with the family, even though I don't always get peace and quiet.  Santa might only dish out one gift but there are fantastic after-Christmas sales and sometimes I even get cool things in the mail, like leather bracelet watches!

Purple Leather Skirt, Contrast Sleeve Jacket and No Internet

"Momma, when you were born were there cars there?"

Princess Sparkles asked me as we drove off from church.

How old does the kid think I am?

I told her yes, there were cars.

"Because when you were born, there had to be something not there."

She had a point, we didn't have GPS, cell phones or the internet!

BLACK LEATHER PEPLUM - NY&Co
PURPLE LEATHER SKIRT - Hand-me-down from my mom
ZEBRA BELT - thrifted
HEELS - Michael Kors, thrifted

FAUX LEATHER JACKET - Foreign Exchange
STRIPED SHIRT - TJ Maxi
LEGGINGS - Old Navy
ANIMAL PRINT RING - Forever 21
BROWN LEATHER BOOTS - White Mountain, thrifted

HIGH STYLE SIENNA - Maybelline Color Show
24 CARATS - Old Navy 

Here are a few outfits from the week.  The first is a NY&Co peplum paired with a vintage purple leather skirt.  My mom, Fair Isle, wore the skirt in the 80s.  The Kenneth Cole heels and zebra belt are both thrifted.  The second outfit I'm linking up with "Inspiration Monday."  The jacket I picked up on sale at Foreign Exchange, along with a shirt (it has faux leather on the pocket and sleeves!) I got on clearance at TJ Maxx and some thrifted boots.

Someone who didn't exist in the 80s enjoys a marionette show 

I wore a lot of leather (faux and real) this past week.  I love how timeless it can be.  Because even though the internet didn't exist when I was a kid, this awesome purple leather skirt did, and Fair Isle was rockin' it!

Leopard, Stripes, Faux Leather and a Flower Girl

"I held somebody's hand,"

Pigtails exclaimed when asked what she did in New Jersey.

She got to be a flower girl -- for the first time

(since last year she ran off just as she was supposed to walk down the aisle).

Then Pigtails flashed a big smile,

"I had to have a boyfriends."

LEOPARD PRINT SKATER SKIRT - Nordstrom Rack
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood Maternity
STRIPED TANK - Foreign Exchange
BLACK WEDGE BOOTIES - Target
BRACELET - J Crew

DENIM LEATHER MOTO JACKET - Forever 21
SWEATER TOP - Irene's Story (swapped)
JEGGINGS - Kohls
CHEVRON NECKLACE - iSanctuary
BOOTIES - Rag and Bone (gifted)

Here's what I wore this weekend.  I found the leopard print skater skirt on clearance at the Rack for $12.  I really liked that it had faux leather accents.  I decided to pair it with stripes and some wedge booties for church.  The other outfit I wore to see a play.  The denim and leather moto jacket I found at F21 for $8 when they had a crazy sale.  The v-neck top I got in a swap with my friends.

Flower Girl

I love a hint of faux leather, it really makes an edgy piece even more fabulous.  I especially can't help myself when I find that piece on clearance.  Unlike last year's flower girl, it's impossible to run away -- I just have to buy it!!!

Leather Peplum, Green Stripes and a Preschooler

"Don't worry, Mommy, I'll come back for you."

Pigtails let me know.

I've been getting sentimental with Pigtails starting preschool soon.

"It's okay, Mommy.  It's okay."

Then Pigtails held out her hand.

"Here, kiss my hand."

BLACK PEPLUM - New York and Co.
ZEBRA PRINT PLEATED SKIRT - Anonymous LA
BRACELET - iSanctuary
BROWN WEDGES - Target

GREEN STRIPED SHIRT - Forever 21 (swapped)
GREEN IKAT SHORTS - Target
BRACELET - Carpe Diem
TURQUOISE MOCCASINS - Target

I wore this black peplum with the pleated zebra skirt to church.  I bought this peplum a while back before they had so many inexpensive choices.  I like that it has pleather and fabric so it's stretchy and comfy.  The green outfit was kinda a fun experiment, pairing stripes with ikat.  I got the shorts and the Minnetonka knock-offs both from Target for less than $10 each.

Pigtails and her unique way of wearing sunglasses

I changed up my uniform a little this week, forgoing the booties, cut offs and cardigans.  I like mixing it up with a skirt and peplum, or some ikat and stripes.  But don't worry, ankle booties, I'll come back for you...

Mustard Leather Jacket, Neon Tassel Loafers and Panty Wear

"Look, Mommy, panty wear!"

Pigtails exclaimed.

She's potty training and very proud of her new "training panties."

What I didn't realize is she also calls "pull-ups" panty wear.

And when she gets distracted she doesn't like to stop and pee.

Unfortunately, this happened on Camo and my bed last night.  Sigh.

 

EGGPLANT DRESS - Last Chance Boutique
MUSTARD LEATHER JACKET - Papaya
BRACELET - iSanctuary
BOOTIES - Jeffrey Campbell

ANIMAL PRINT SKINNIES - Target
BURGUNDY T-SHIRT - Target
NEON YELLOW CARDIGAN - Old Navy
NECKLACE - Hand-me-down
TASSLE LOAFERS - Target

Here are two outfits from the week.  I didn't realize I wore two very similar color combinations, but I guess I was feeling the purple-ish with the yellow-ish.  The first outfit is what I wore to church on Sunday and what I'm linking up with "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds.  The second is just something I wore during the week.  The loafers I recently found on clearance at Target for $12.  I love the tassels and neon on them (and they're so comfy!).

Pigtails poses with the "panada" she chose for her upcoming birthday.

Pigtails at her first swim lesson, which she loved!

Obviously I shop at Target.  A lot.  I can't help but browse those clearance racks everytime I go in there for, say, milk.  And why I am shopping for milk at Target?  So I can check out those clearance racks, of course!!!  They're just so darn fabulous.  So fabulous that I'd even forgo peeing just to have more shopping time!!!

 

Burgundy Leather Skirt and a Linguist

"I know lots of languages,"

Princess Sparkles informed me.

She's attends Japanese immersion school, so I figured she was talking about that.

"Like tiger.  Roar!  I also speak penguin, hummingbird, dog and baby too!"

I asked her if she knew what the animals/baby were saying.

"I can speak it but I don't understand. 

I know what I'm saying but I don't know what they're saying."

BURGUNDY FAUX LEATHER SKIRT - Foreign Xchange
RUCHED KHAKI JACKET - William Rast for Target
EARRINGS - Heavenly Treasures (Shop With a Mission)
BRACELET - iSanctuary
OPEN TOE ANKLE BOOTIES - Thrifted (thanks, Mom!)

DENIM AND LEATHER MOTO JACKET - Forever 21
BURGUNDY LEATHER SKIRT - Foreign Xchange
TRIBAL PRINT KNEE HIGH SOCKS - Forever 21
T-SHIRT, BLACK WEDGE BOOTIES - Target
SEQUIN SCARF - Charlotte Russe

BLUE LEGGINGS, SWEATER - Forever 21
FAUX LEATHER JACKET - Loehmanns
PLAID SCARF - Hand-me-down
MOTO BOOTS - BCBGeneration

I'd been searching for a leather skirt when I came across this burgundy one at Foreign Xchange for 50% off the sale price!  It was $17!  I wore it first to church with a William Rast for Target jacket, then decided to change it up later in the day for a night out with friends.  Because we were going to be outside, I put on my F21 moto jacket I got for $8 (also 50% off sale price) and knee high socks.  The third outfit I'm linking up to Two Bird's "Inspiration Monday."  These are actually my workout clothes, but I dressed them up with boots and a jacket.

Princess Sparkles talks to her pet fly (eww!) in her "bug home."

I'm amazed how real faux leather looks and feels nowadays.  I'm also amazed I found such a cute skirt for such a good deal!  It's always a thrill when you find something on sale of the sale price.  Now that's what I call speaking my language! 

Cashmere, Leather and a Birthday Boy

Bucket may not be able to talk yet but he knows how to cause trouble.

He looooves to hide things.  He thinks it's funny.

Like when he goes to the YMCA, takes off his shoes and puts them with the toys.

Or when he gets a hold of the TV remote, and I'll find it in the girl's play kitchen.

I can't believe my little trouble maker turns 1 this week.

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

 

CASHMERE PONCHO - Chelsea & Theodore (via Loehmanns)
BLACK FAUX LEATHER PANTS - Forever 21, $25
BLACK WEDGE BOOTIES - Target
BRACELET - iSanctuary

 For "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds, I decided to go with these faux leather skinnies.  I found them at F21 during the summer when it was 90 degrees outside.  I almost didn't buy them because 1) I was hot just thinking about it, and 2) the line was so long I actually had to ask my friend, Gingham, to sign Pigtails out of class.  But I'm so glad I did!

Bucket finds the liquor cabinet

I really love pairing an edgy piece (faux leather) with a more conservative one (cashmere!).  It's such a fun juxtaposition.  And these leather skinnies match with so much.  I just have to make sure I wear them when it's cold.  Because if it gets warm all of a sudden, Bucket won't be the only one getting into trouble!