Green Leather, Varsity Jacket and a Flying Fish

"I'm a flying fish!"

Pigtails growled as she climbed out of the pool after swim lessons.

She may not know many strokes yet but she has perfected the belly flop.

Pigtails loves swimming and can't stop smiling during her entire lesson.

I have to admit, when watching her, I can't stop smiling either.

GREEN LEATHER SKIRT - thrifted
BLACK SHIRT - Alternative Apparel
NECKLACE - c/o GS Lillian
BRACELET - Shop with a Mission
CAGE HEELS - Kelsey Dagger (via Loehmanns)

LEOPARD SKATER SKIRT - Nordstrom Rack
VARSITY JACKET - Forever 21
NECKLACE - iSanctuary
WORK BOOTIES - Forever 21

Here are a few outfits from the last few weeks.  The first outfit I wore in preparation for St. Patty's Day.  My mom, Fair Isle, thrifted that amazing green leather skirt for me which I paired with the amazing necklace made by my blog friend, Shelly of GS Lillian.  The varsity jacket is my new fave.  It seems to go with everything.  I'm also in love with skater skirts, and got this leopard one on clearance at Nordstrom Rack.

The 4-year old flying fish 

You're never too old (or too young) to try something new.  Pigtails just had her 4th birthday and decided she can now do things on her own like peel a tangerine and buckle her seatbelt.  As you can see in the pics, I decided to try something new too - a shorter haircut!

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!

Camouflage Cut-Out Sweater, Black Pony Boots and Prayers

"Thank you, God, for my mommy and daddy... And unicorns,"

Pigtails said as we prayed before bed.

I tried not to laugh, then told her to close her eyes.

"Thank you, God, for not letting bugs crawl in our ears and lay eggs,"

prayed Sparkles.  Then Pigtails jumped back in and added,  

"Oh, and thank you for sushi."

CAMOUFLAGE CUT-OUT SWEATER - Forever 21
GOLD SKIRT - H&M
OPEN TOE BOOTIES - Thrifted

FAIR ISLE SWEATER - Romeo and Juliet via Loehmanns
BLACK PONY BOOTS - Steven by Steve Madden (thrifted)

This camouflage sweater is my newest obsession - not only for the print but for the cut-outs.  I got it at Forever 21.  I decided to pair it with something girly, a $6 gold skirt from H&M and some thrifted open toe heeled booties.  The second outfit is something comfy and casual.  The Romeo & Juliet sweater came from Loehmanns and those amazing boots with pony hair and studded buckles I got with Mary Jo from Trust Your Style when we met up and went on a fun thrifting trip to GW!

Silly prayer warriors in their hats made by Fair Isle

Since Princess Sparkles started elementary school I haven't had a chance to thrift very often, so going with Mary Jo was an extra special treat.  She saw those Steven boots first and lucky for me, we don't wear the same size.  Thank you, God, for fellow bloggers, thrifting... And black pony boots!

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...

White Blazer, Tribal Print and a Sweetie

"Daddy is really sweet to you,"

Princess Sparkles said to me in the kitchen.

I smiled and asked her why she said that.

"Because he does stuff for you."

It's true.

BEADED TRIBAL TOP - Macys (gifted)
CROCODILE PRINTED SHORTS - Rich and Skinny (via Nordstrom Rack)
HARROW BOOTIES - Rag and Bone (gifted)
WOOD BRACELET - Shop with a Mission
ANNIVERSARY RING - c/o Anjolee
PURSE - Downtown LA, $10!!!

V-NECK, STRIPED MULLET SKIRT - Target
BRACELET - iSanctuary
BOOTIES - Jeffrey Campbell

The tribal print top was a gift.  It has it's own beading on it so I don't need a necklace.  The Rich and Skinny shorts are crocodile print and I found them on clearance at the Rack.  To add a summer touch (and to participate with "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds) I wore a white linen blazer.  The second outfit came from Target -- the skirt and v-neck -- which I wore with Jeffrey Campbells.

Camouflage models the tie Sparkles made him for Father's Day

I'm wearing a lot of "fall" stuff lately.  Maybe it's the weather (it hasn't been blazing hot like usual) or cuz my fave clothing season is fall.  Either way I'm obsessed with booties and sweaters paired with shorts.  Our anniversary is coming up, maybe Camouflage will be extra sweet and buy me those amazing Newbury boots I've been eyeing (or their equally fabulous knock off - the Hadley).  I wear a size 7 :)

Vintage 70's Dress and a Hat Obsession

Bucket has a serious hat obsession.

Or maybe it's just wearing things on his head.

He loves his sisters' headbands, a tiara, or even his pajama pants.

He also wore my bra the other day.

But let's not talk about that...

70'S DRESS - Hand-me-down (made by my cousin)
KUKUI NUTS - borrowed from my mom
GOLD BRACELET - iSanctuary
BROWN HEELS - Forever 21

GRAY AND BLACK STRIPED SHIRT - Thakoon for Target
PINK SKINNY JEANS - Target
BRACELET - iSanctuary
BLACK SANDALS - Urban Outfitters

Here are some outfits from the week.  The dress is a hand-me-down from my great aunt.  Her daughter (my 2nd cousin) made it for her in the 1970's.  I was thrilled to receive a vintage piece like this and wore it to a family event.  They immediately recognized the dress and were excited to see it passed down.  The second outfit is a Target one.  The pink jeans and striped shirt both are from Target and the black shoes I got online from Urban Outfitters for $10!!! 

Bucket wearing my hat.

Bucket wearing his sisters' headband.

Bucket modeling a princess tiara.

Bucket being creative with his pajama pants.

There's something special about wearing a real vintage piece, especially when it has family history behind it.  It's definitely a one of a kind.  Kinda like a little hat loving boy I know.