Pattern Mixing Florals with Zebra and A Secret

"Hey secret guy, what are you doing?"

Princess Sparkles asked her daddy, Camouflage,

as he attempted to sneak in some kid DVDs.

Kids notice everything...

unless you want them to notice something

(like a messy room they need to clean),

then they don't pay attention at all.

FLORAL TOP - H&M, $10
ZEBRA PLEATED SKIRT - Anonymous (gifted)
PINK TIE UP WEDGES - Old Navy, $14
BLUE RAFFIA TOTE - Heavenly Treasures (raffle win!)

I've been inspired by pattern mixing of other bloggers so I thought I'd try doing florals and animal print.  I liked it though have to admit my outfit reflects how I've been feeling lately... busy.  I have to say, this floral top seems to match everything (or in this case, not match) and I'm loving the many wedges I bought on clearance at Old Navy.  The blue raffia bag is one of a kind!  It's from Africa and I won it at the Heavenly Treasures Tea during the raffle!

Princess Sparkles and the "Secret Guy"

The thing about pattern mixing is I don't have any idea what I'm doing whatsoever.  I just try and mask my ignorance with confidence.  Most of the time I just put it together and hope that it works.  So sshhhh, don't tell anyone, it'll be our little secret!

***Don't forget about the $50 Shabby Apple gift card giveaway! Go here to enter.

Floral Top, Blue Cut-Offs and Jokes

"Do your jokes again, baby!"

Bucket just started laughing this week.

It's always one of my favorite new things they learn.

Princess Sparkles was the first to hear it.

And now everytime she sees him she tells him to do his "jokes."

FLORAL TOP - H&M, $13
BLUE CUT-OFFS - Nordstrom Rack, $7
PINK LEATHER CUFF - Made by my mom
LEATHER HANDBAG - Cynthia Rowley (thrifted), $10
BLACK STUDDED HEELS - Forever 21 (thrifted and gifted)

Here's what I wore on Mother's Day.  I actually started out with bright green skinny jeans, but it got hot and I changed into these blue cut-offs I got from Nordstrom Rack for $7!  I paired it with some studded black heels my mom, Fair Isle, thrifted for me and this Cynthia Rowley bag I thrifted for myself for $10 (Happy Mother's Day to me!!!).  The floral shirt is from H&M.  I actually wanted the floral pants that every other blogger has been rockin' but they didn't have them so I settled for the shirt.  I have to admit, it matches with everything.

Bucket entertains his sisters with "jokes" and costumes

I celebrated Mother's Day early last week with a day of thrifting.  Pigtails and Princess Sparkles went to Disneyland with my cousin, Animal Print, and her girlfriend.  It was like the pre-kid days and Fair Isle and I went from Goodwill to Goodwill.  We didn't even stop to eat, because as much as I love to eat, I love shopping even more.  I got a pair of boots, that Cynthia Rowley bag, and a few pairs of shorts.  It brought true laughter to my day!

***Linking up to "Thursdays are for Thrifters" from Brass in Pocket.

Sequins, Sparkles and Creative Decorating

Princess Sparkles and Pigtails love decorating for Christmas.

At Fair Isle's house they had special plastic ornaments to decorate the tree.  

Let's just say they were very creative with where they put their ornaments.

SHEARLING JACKET - Buffalo
OLIVE SEQUIN MATERNITY TOP - Motherhood Maternity (hand-me-down)
MATERNITY JEANS - Paige Premium Denim (thrifted)
PIRATE HANDBAG - Siren (c/o Cat Hag giveaway)
BRONZE LOAFER WEDGES - Steve Madden (thrifted)
SEQUIN BERET - D&Y

The Siren bag I won from the Cat Hag giveaway

Since "Everybody, Everywear" was doing Sequins and Sparkles I decided to stick with accessories.  It gave me a chance to wear this fabulous hat I picked up last year at a Shecky's Girls' Night Out event, as well as display my edgy new Siren bowling bag I won from the Cat Hag.  I'm wearing a shearling jacket I bought last time it was trendy.  I LOVE when I keep something and it comes back in style!!!

Ornaments on my mom's artwork and a pirate ship...

Yes that's a softball and yes that's an ornament hanging from the top.

Princess Sparkles' "groom" wears a basket for a hat

His friend gets a sparkley headband and carebear sticker.

Sequins and sparkles are perfect for the holidays.  I love them as day wear, but they're also great to dress up a party dress!  Basically they're ornaments for an outfit!

Maxi Dress & Purple Jacket - Inspiration Monday

MAXI DRESS - Charlotte Russe
PURPLE JACKET - Loft
EARRINGS, BRACELET - Jewelry Party
METALLIC PURSE - Downtown LA Fashion District
BROWN SUEDE WEDGES - Steve Madden

Monday's Inspiration - Maggie Gyllenhaal

The other night while Princess Sparkles was cleaning up her toys she asked Camouflage, "Daddy, why do I have to clean up Pigtails' stuff too?"  And he told her because when she was little mommy and daddy had to clean up after her.  Sparkles shrugged and finished cleaning.  We're lucky because even though we have to threaten to throw away her stuff and she complains the entire time, Princess Sparkles actually cleans up her toys!  It makes me so proud.

Today's "Inspiration Monday" from the ladies over at Two Birds is Maggie Gyllenhaal.  I love Maggie's floral maxi dress and black blazer.  It's simple, dressy and fun.  I decided to wear my $15 maxi from Charlotte Russe and my surprisingly versatile purple jacket I bought on clearance at the Loft (here is how I wore it in June with a plaid dress). 

Anyway, I better keep this short so I can sneak in a short nap while Pigtails' is screaming... I mean trying to fall asleep.  That way I can wake up and be a good example to Sparkles by cleaning up some of my stuff!

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!

Mixing Bright Colors, Prints and Everything You're NOT Supposed to Do




FUSCHIA JERSEY DRESS - Velvet
YELLOW CARDIGAN - Gap
BLUE HANDBAG - Linea Pelle for Target
MULTI-COLORED WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target

 

Pigtails loves to get into mischief.  This morning, she woke up before everyone else so I took her out to the living room and I lay down on the couch.  I was starting to fall asleep and realized it was much too quiet so I forced myself up and found Pigtails on Princess Sparkles' bed playing with all her Yo Gabba Gabba dolls.  Then this afternoon, Princess Sparkles, who NEVER naps, fell asleep in the car so I put her down on the rug.  I went to get some laundry and came out to find Pigtails, with a huge smile, leaning over Princess Sparkles whom she had "dressed up"  with a hat!

Today I was in a rush to get out so I threw on this dress I recently bought with a groupon (Thanks, Polka Dots!) at a local boutique.  I know, you're thinking I have way too many dresses, but the groupon was expiring so I had to use it!  The dress fit really well and was the EXACT price of the groupon so I didn't spend any extra money.  Yay! 

I was also feeling energized from my run this morning (wish I was still feeling that now!) so I decided to pair this outfit with lots of brights!  I know, the colors don't really match whatsoever.  But I liked the idea of wearing pink and yellow.  Then I thought why wear neutral shoes?  My favorite wedges have both these colors in it.  And finally, if I'm already wearing every bit of color from my wedges, why not carry a bright blue purse to finish off the superfecta?

Anyway, I know, I'm a rebel.  I'm breaking all the fashion rules, but I don't care.  Guess that makes me mischievous too, huh?   

Fashion Heimlich

TYE-DYED SKIRT - Thakoon for Target (Thrifted)
CORAL CARDIGAN - Gap Outlet
WHITE TANK - Bebe
BLUE PURSE - Linea Pelle for Target
MULTI-COLORED WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target
BEADED BLACK CUFF - Heavenly Treasures



"Help!  I've fallen and I can't get up."  Does anyone remember that Life Call commercial where a mature woman (will refrain from calling her "old" since she's probably not as old as I remember) falls to the ground and calls for help?  That's how I felt yesterday with that dress.

I wanted to ask Princess Sparkles to help me but I knew there was no way she had the strength to pull that dress off.  It was tight.  Real tight.  It was going to take someone taller and stronger to do the job.

Enter Stripes, my dear mommy friend whom I have a play date slash wine date with every Wednesday afternoon.  Thank goodness for her because she performed what she called the FASHION HEIMLICH on me in her garage.  My body was jerking everywhere and my feet were even off the ground at some points as she yanked at the dress, twisted, manuevered, jammed her hands in there and finally got me out unscathed (the dress too was miraculously intact!).  Yay for Stripes!  (check out her blog!)

Anyway, here is a skirt I thrifted (of course, it's Thakoon for Target...I don't know why I have such an obsession, it's becoming scary), and a $15 cardi I got from the GAP outlet.  I'm in love with the color.  I also mixed prints and wore my "go to" Cynthia Vincent for Target (of course) wedges.  I was excited to link up to "Thursdays are for Thrifters." 
Thank you all for your awesome comments!  And honestly, as Mrs. J mentioned, I did feel like Ross on "Friends."  Luckily the dress breathes better than leather pants (though not much since I wanna say it was polyester!  Yikes!).  I'm off to return that thing now and hopefully NOT buy anymore clothes from Target (at least for today).

A Mother's Day Without Kids

STRIPE DRESS - Libertine for Target
DENIM JACKET - GAP (similar)
STRAW CLOCHE - Eugenia Kim for Target
GLADIATOR WEDGES - Dolce Vida for Target (exact)
RED HANDBAG - B Makowsky



"Mommy, I love you this much!"  Princess Sparkles says as she reaches behind her back.  I think this means she loves me "circular," you know, sort of like infinity? 

I love Princess Sparkles and Pigtails too, but I have to admit that this Mother's Day was extra special because I was able to have a little break from the girls.  Saturday night Camouflage took me to dinner (I had the yummiest slab of prime rib!), then today I went to a Tea Party Fashion Show at Heavenly Treasures with my mom, Fair Isle, and grandmother, Socks.  It was so much fun and I did a lot of shopping (can't wait to show you all what I got!).

Here is an outfit I wore to a 1st Birthday party on Saturday.  It was a "Hat Party," so I wore a Eugenia Kim for Target cloche.  I'm also wearing my Libertine for Target dress and Dolce Vida for Target gladiator wedges that I'd been coveting, thanks to Daphne and Gretch.  Okay, I have to admit, lately I've been feeling a bit like a walking billboard for Target.  But I'm a mom and where else can you throw your two kids into one cart, feed them a $3 Mac n Cheese meal for lunch, and pick up a toy to entertain them, while shopping for groceries, clothes and shoes? 

Sometimes I really miss those days when all I had to do was spend my money on me, and I could buy whatever, whenever, wherever, eat out all the time without worrying about someone screaming and sleep through the night without interruption (those of you sans kiddos, ENJOY!).  But just when I think motherhood sucks, someone gives me a hug, lights up when I walk into the room, or tells me they love me infinity and my heart melts.  Maybe it's the hormones, but whatever it is, it feels good.  Real good.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!