Tribal Print Blazer and a Birthday!

"Cool!  Aw-sum!"

That's what Pigtails says when she likes things.  

Pigtails turned 2 on Tuesday and she was thrilled.

She liked her cake, the attention, having family and friends around.

But what she really thought was "cool, aw-sum" were the gifts.

Everytime she'd unwrap one, it needed to be opened immediately for play.

In fact, we had to force her to open the next one.

Then that one had to be opened immediately.

Pigtails isn't used to being the center of attention, and she appreciated it!

TRIBAL PRINT JACKET - Forever 21, $10
BLACK NURSING TANK - Glamourmom
WHITE MATERNITY JEANS - James
CUFF - Heavenly Treasures
NECKLACE - Cynde Daniels
WEDGES - Bamboo (Thrifted)

Here's another tribal print, this time it's a jacket from Forever 21 I took a chance on and ordered online during a BOGO sale.  I'm so glad I did, because I love it.  The wedges are another thrifted GW find, they were new and just too cute to pass up.  I seriously buy a new pair of shoes every week.  But for less than $10, how can I not?!  While I was snapping a photo of my shoes, Pigtails decided her shoes needed to have their close-up as well :) 

Pigtails waits for her 3 friends to arrive for her birthday party.

I know I've said it before, but I'm obsessed with tribal prints.  I can't help it.  They're just so fun!  I'll tell you what else I'm obsessed with, my maternity jeans.  Who would've known that the stretchy stuff that holds them over a pregnant belly would be great for holding in a post-natal flabby one!!!  How "cool, aw-sum" is that?!!!



Pink Chambray and Nap Time

"Do you want to take a nap?"

Camo asked Pigtails since everyone else in the house was sleeping.

Pigtails smiled and said "No!"

Yet on Tuesdays when I have to pick up Princess Sparkles from preschool,

Pigtails always falls asleep just before I get to the parking lot
and I have to carry her and Bucket.

 It's difficult -- no, make that impossible -- to schedule nap time.

PINK CHAMBRAY SHIRT - Parasuco (via Loemanns), $7
MATERNITY JEANS - Citizens for Humanity (thrifted), $.50
NURSING TANK - Target
SCARF - Heavenly Treasures
SHOES - Forever 21
CUFF - GS Lillian

Today I attempted to wear jeans, albeit maternity ones.  However they are super long and kinda small.  I actually didn't fit them when I was pregnant (sad, but true).  But my mom, Fair Isle, thrifted them for 50 cents!!!  And they make the perfect post-pregnancy jeans.  For a while I was slightly obsessed with the Loehmanns clearance racks (there's something about getting an additional 30-70% off already reduced prices that gets me everytime!) and I found this pink chambray shirt for $7.

Princess Sparkles takes a nap...

Pigtails doesn't :(
(Camo's pic of Pigtails after asking her to take a nap)

This time around I'm definitely fine with wearing maternity clothes after having the baby.  In fact, I still want to wear my maternity clothes, because this is probably -- no definitely...I think -- the last time I'm ever going to be wearing them.  And like trying to schedule a nap, I know me getting my old body back within a few weeks by just breastfeeding is not going to happen.  Because only celebrities can do that.

DIY Fur Boots and Maternity Wrap Dress

"This is me when I was a baby.  Isn't that cool?"

Princess Sparkles loves being a big sister and tries to "babysit" Bucket when he's in his crib trying to sleep.  The other day I came out of the bathroom to find Princess Sparkles waving her baby picture in Bucket's face, telling him all about when she was his age.

WRAP DRESS - Motherhood Maternity (hand-me-down)
FUR BOOTS - Old Navy (with DIY fur by my mom)

Old Navy Boots, $9

I think the hardest thing about staying home for two weeks with the baby is I have absolutely no motivation to get dressed.  Since doing this blog I have always enjoyed putting together outfits, but suddenly I find myself in pajamas, or if I'm lucky, sweats.  And so I decided I'd post the last few maternity outfits I took pictures of.

These are the boots I got for $9 on clearance at Old Navy.  I wanted some fur boots and I thought my mom, Fair Isle, could make it happen.  She found these coyote tails my dad had given her over 20 years ago when he had gone hunting so she put them on my boots.  I thought they looked uniquely cute, though I will say the tails kinda creeped me out.  But at least they're being used.

"This is me when I was a baby.  Isn't that cool?"

I have to say I'm so lucky to have Fair Isle.  Not only does she make me feel better when I'm having contractions and about to give birth, but she also goes thrifting for me when I'm stuck at home and makes me things like fur boots.  Isn't that cool?





My Super Bowl Sunday

I've spent the last few days in a gown...

No, not a ball gown, a hospital one.

It was like a vacation having one baby, lying in bed and eating meals,

but it was also a little like being in prison (since I couldn't leave the 3rd floor).

SHEARLING VEST - Bernardo (via Loehmanns)
BLUE MATERNITY SHIRT - Pea in the Pod
BLACK DENIM LEGGINGS - Hue
BLACK BOOTS - BCBGeneration

Here's the "Inspiration Monday" outfit I wore on Saturday (my last "maternity" one maybe ever!). We went to Target, I cleaned up the spare bedroom, then ate a huge bowl of frozen yogurt. Afterwards I felt a little guilty so I did some push-ups, light weights and squats. Camouflage teased me that I was going to make the baby come out.  Oops...

It's a BOY!!!

Baby "Bucket" (nickname c/o Princess Sparkles)

Born at 5:22am on February 5, 2012

(sorry Frannie, he didn't quite make it to your birthday)

I'm going to be a little busy but I promise I'll be back soon to check out what everyone else is up to!  Hope you all had an exciting Super Bowl Sunday too!!!

Fur Vest Over a Military Jacket and George Washington

 "Looks like George Washington,"

Princess Sparkles said as she looked at a picture she drew.

Camouflage and I turned to each other, impressed with Sparkles.

Must be preschool... or TV. 

Then Camo asked, "Do you know who George Washington is?"

Then Sparkles replied, "He's on the money."

BLACK EMBROIDERED DRESS - JWLA (thrifted)
OLIVE MILITARY JACKET - Old Navy
FUR VEST, EARRINGS, RING - Forever 21
BROWN MOTO BOOTS - Lucky via Macys

RIMMEL - Midnight Blue
OPI - Turquoise Shatter

I'm participating in "Fashion Challenge: Layers" from Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  Thursday's challenge is vest over jacket.  It took me a few tries but I finally found a look I liked...a military jacket and fur vest (I also did "layered nails" for extra credit!).  The black dress is "thrifted" from another mom's garage and I went with the brown Lucky boots (which I got on sale for $40 at Macy's) because Princess Sparkles told me to!

George Washington, "the money guy"

I have to say I get a serious thrill out of getting a good deal...thrifting, clearance racks, coupons, buying from another mom's garage!  Even if we were super rich I'd still shop at the same places.  Hopefully Sparkles and Pigtails will feel the same way and have an appreciation for "the guy on the money!"

Layers: Long Over Long and "Quiet" TV Time

"Does anyone know where the TV remote is?"

I asked but didn't expect the girls to know.

"Momma, come he-ya, come he-ya,"

Pigtails shouted as she ran to my bedroom.

Guess the girl was desperate to watch a show...

(please don't judge, my girls have actually learned stuff

AND it's kept me from going completely insane).

STRIPED SKIRT - Old Navy, $15
BROWN TOP - Gap Maternity (hand-me-down)
NAVY CARDIGAN - Express, $15
ANIMAL PRINT NECKLACE - Cynde Daniels
NUDE BALLET FLATS - Me Too, $8 (thrifted)

Today I'm linking up to "Fashion Challenge: Layer Up," hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  They always come up with something really creative!  This is actually tomorrow's challenge, "long over long" (today was "cropped over long" but the cropped wasn't looking great with my pregnant belly hanging out), so I decided to go with a maxi skirt from Old Navy and a long cardigan.  I also wore a long necklace for extra credit.  The Me Too flats are leather and a thrifted treasure I got from GW!

My TV junkies having some "quiet time" at Fair Isle's house

I've had a long day and it's still early!  Princess Sparkles had a dentist appointment that didn't go so well (and I cried in front of everyone - seriously embarrassing).  Then Pigtails decided to take off her own poopy diaper...again.  Maybe I'm just pregnant and tired.  Really tired.  I think I need to throw on some sweats, turn on the TV and veg myself!

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!!!

Flower Head Bands and My Blog Turns 1!

Pigtails loves a head band.

Mostly because her sister loves a head band.

Sometimes she'll wear it in her hair, just like Princess Sparkles.

But other times she'll do her own thing and wear it...differently.

She's always surprising me with her creativity.

I think she might be a fashion genius.
(I'm not biased or anything)

BLACK AND WHITE DRESS - Motherhood Maternity (thrifted), $2.50
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood Maternity, $15
BOW EARRINGS - Gifted from Polly (a blog friend from Bulgaria)
BLACK BOOTIES - Madden Girl (thrifted), $10

Today began my 38th week of pregnancy.  I can't believe it!  I'm also proud to say after I wore this black and white one, I've now worn every single maternity dress I own (and I have a lot of them!).  There are a few pants and skirts I haven't worn yet, but hey, I have two more weeks...maybe.  I also wore these cute bow earrings that I received from my "Secret Santa," Polly, who lives in Bulgaria and has a wonderfully stylish blog, Polly's Boudoir!

My "fashion genius" models a tutu of flower head bands.

A few days ago my blog turned 1!  I can't believe it's been a year since I started.  So much has happened over the last year.  Not only has my style evolved but I've gotten pregnant and figured out what I like to blog about (fashion and my kids!).  I've also made some amazing blog friends!  Thank you for being part of the journey!  I may not be a "fashion genius" but I have really enjoyed doing this blog!

A Pirate, A Doctor and A Dentist

"Look, Momma, I'm a pirate!"

Princess Sparkles said with a headband across her eye like a patch. 

I giggled and told her she was very clever.

"Now I'm a doctor, see?"

Sparkles had moved her headband over her forehead.

Then she put it over her mouth.  I asked her what she was.

"Moooommmma, I'm a dentist!"  Obviously.

ORANGE CARDIGAN, BOOTIES - Old Navy
AQUA SHIRT - Gap Maternity (hand-me-down)
BROWN MATERNITY SKIRT - In Due Time (hand-me-down)
NECKLACE, CUFF, PURSE - Heavenly Treasures

Here is my attempt at wearing more color.  I usually have a very bright closet but my maternity clothes are mostly neutral.  Being almost 38 weeks, I needed the colorful pick me up.  Also, my camera broke so I'm stuck using my iPhone and only taking photos when I can find someone to do it for me.  Good thing I have my poses down.

"Arrrr!"

Dr. Sparkles

"Open wide so I can check your teeth!"

I'm really looking forward to wearing my regular clothes again.  It'll be like having a whole new wardrobe!  But until then I have to be creative, like Princess Sparkles, and find multiple ways to wear my maternity pieces!!!