Embroidered Jeans, Joe's Erin Open Toe Booties and a "Cough"

"Daddy, I'm coughing all the time, I need to go to the dentist,"
Pigtails said to Camouflage very seriously.

"Well you weren't coughing before I told you to go to bed,"
Camouflage replied, shuffling her back to her room.

She stopped to look at him,"Yes I was."

Then she added two fake coughs.

*Cough* *Cough*

EMBROIDERED JEANS - BDG via Urban Outfitters
T-SHIRT - Alternative Apparel via Anonymous
MILITARY JACKET - Nordstrom
ANNIVERSARY RING - c/o Anjolee
BRACELETS - iSanctuary
RED WEDGES - Target 

CROCHET DRESS - Jovovich Hawk for Target
BRACELET - iSanctuary
ERIN BOOTIES - Joe's Jeans

 

The embroidered jeans I recently picked up at Urban Outfitters on the sale racks.  I was excited that they were only $20 and were ankle length.  I went with a plain white tee and added red wedges I got on clearance from Target.  The jacket is an oldie but goodie.  The dress is another oldie but goodie I picked up a few years back from the Jovovich Hawk collection at Target.  I paired it with some fun open toe booties I got at Loehmanns (on clearance of course).  I'm linking the first outfit up with "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds.

The Pirate Princess in her signature rainbow leggings pre-"cough."

Jeans and t-shirts are one of my favorite go-to outfits.  And with the endless choices - printed, colorful, embroidered, skinny, high waist - you can really add a creative touch.  In fact, I could really use a cute pair of striped skinny jeans.  *Cough* *Cough*

 

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!"

Thrifted Goods, Blog Wins and Stretch Marks

PATTERNED DRESS - Bisou Bisou (Thrifted)
OLIVE MILITARY JACKET - Nordstrom
WOODEN BRACELET - Heavenly Treasures
BROWN WEDGES - Steve Madden
BRONZE PURSE - B Makowsky

A funny picture of my belly modeling my thrifted purse!

"This is my baby.  Want to see?"  Princess Sparkles loves to show everyone the baby.  It would be fine except that she loves to lift my shirt up so they can literally see my belly - stretch marks, and all.  I wouldn't even want people checking out my belly if I had rock hard tanned abs!  And after having two kids already, it's like a balloon that keeps getting stretched!

This is the outfit I wore to Cardigan's tea party baby shower on Sunday. The dress is thrifted, thanks to my my mom, Fair Isle and I found the bronze B Makowsky purse at GW for $8!!! I couldn't believe it. It normally retails for $150. I couldn't believe what a steal it was! The military jacket is like a glorified sweatshirt. I got it at Nordstrom a few years ago, and it's very comfortable.

Princess Sparkles: "Want to see the baby?" 

I wanted to give a couple big THANK YOUs to a few blog friends who have recently (and randomly) chosen me as a winner of their giveaways!  I won a fun funky purple skull purse from Siren via the Cat Hag, a $50 gift card to the Limited from H&K Style Journey, and a scrapbooking kit from Unladylike.  Seriously, I never win anything, but I'm super lucky when it comes to some of these blog giveaways (and I'm extremely thankful too!).

Finding some great deals (either on the clearance racks of Target and Old Navy, or at the local thrift store) really makes my week enjoyable.  But still, nothing beats winning a blog giveaway (except winning 3!).  It almost makes me forget about all those stretch marks!  Almost...

***Would really appreciate it if you "like" my Spinning Threads facebook page. 
***Linking up to Pleated Poppy's "What I Wore Wednesday," Momma Go Round's "Real Momma, Real Style," Spunky Chateau's "Thursdays are for Thrifters"

Red Plaid Shirt and Skinny Military Cargos - Inspiration Monday

PLAID SHIRT - Forever 21

BLACK T-SHIRT - Gap

OLIVE SKINNY CARGOS - Old Navy

BLACK AND GOLD EARRINGS - Amrita Singh

BRONZE LOAFER WEDGES - Steve Madden (Thrifted)

Today's Inspiration: Karolina Kurkova

Lately, Princess Sparkles has been obsessed with Hawaii...but not for the reasons I'm obsessed with the gorgeous paradise!  She's been wanting to wear her Hawaiian dresses everyday and talks about taking hula classes (in fact, she talks about it so much that a few different moms have actually come up to me to ask me if their kids could join the class... I inform them that we don't actually take classes). 

Princess Sparkles

in one of her Hawaiian dresses

Our family has a lot of ties to Hawaii.  My mom, Fair Isle, was born in Honolulu (in fact, she's 4th generation from Hawaii) and my sister, Polka Dots, currently lives there.  I like to visit there and eat their food (Mmm...spam musubis, kalua pork, lau laus!). 

Anyway, today is "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds.  It's a casual one but I had trouble not copying the look exactly and coming up with my own version.  I finally decided on some olive skinnies (the ones from Old Navy that look like the J Brand ones at only a fraction of the price), my Forever 21 plaid button-up, and my thrifted Steve Madden bronze loafers.

If you get a chance, today I'm the "Meet a Friend Monday" guest over on Tiffany's blog, Breakfast with Tiffany.  If you haven't checked her out yet, definitely do so!  Aloha and Mahalo!

PLUMERIAS from Fair Isle's garden...

one of my favorite things about Hawaii!

Floral Romper, Military Jacket and TOMS - Inspiration Monday

FLORAL ROMPER - Forever 21
MILITARY JACKET - Mossimo

CORAL SHOES - Toms

BLUE NECKLACE - Jaclyn1423

Monday's Inspiration:
Alexa Chung

BLUE NECKLACE - Jaclyn1423

"Mommy, I know everything."  That's what Princess Sparkles told me on the way back from the Aquarium today.  She caught me a little off guard with her confidence.  She told me she knew people, places, etc.  I asked her if she knew math and she said yes.  I asked her what "1 + 1" was and she actually got it right.  Not bad.  But then I asked her another math question and she didn't know it.  Even still, she's convinced she knows it all!

  

Sparkles checks out Nemo



Pigtails admires the turtle

Today's "Inspiration Monday" from the ladies at Two Birds is Alexa Chung.  I find Alexa's style so charming.  She looks lovely in her vintage outfits but equally fabulous in casual clothes, like in today's inspiration picture! 



  I decided to go with a floral romper (AKA adult onesie), a military jacket and my coral TOMS.  This was the perfect outfit to take the girls to the aquarium in, since my TOMS are so very comfortable.  Also, because the romper is strapless, it's quite easy to do the quick pull down when using the restroom.  My jacket also made the perfect "picnic blanket" since Princess Sparkles didn't want to sit on the grass during our lunch fearing there could be bugs that might bite her.

Thank goodness for inspiration outfits.  They definitely make dressing a lot easier and a lot of fun.  Now what to wear tomorrow?  Good thing I have my own know-it-all in the house.  Maybe she can give me some sagely advice on an outfit! 

Military and Florals - A Remix and A Winner

MILITARY JACKET - Old Navy
FLORAL DRESS - Tracy Feith for Target
PINK BELT - Thrifted
PINK WEDGES - Seychelles 

How I Wore The Military Jacket in May:
RED SKINNY JEANS - Little Big
BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart

Yesterday we spent the day at the Santa Monica beach near the Annenberg Beach House.  It was so perfect for the girls.  You could park close, they had a cafe, a play area, a bathroom, a fountain and a pathway that went all the way out to the ocean!  The pathway was amazing because I could put the girls and all our stuff in the stroller and go all the way out to the water without getting stuck in the sand.

Pigtails enjoying the fountain

The girls had so much fun.  Princess Sparkles enjoyed collecting tiny little shells, while Pigtails ate tons of sandy food and loved putting her feet in the waves!  Another great part about this beach is after they enjoyed the beach and all it's sand, they could "rinse off" in the fountain.  The girls loved splashing around!

I was so inspired by last week's summer trends challenge from Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki that I decided to do "military" and "feminine" again with my Old Navy jacket and Tracy Feith for Target floral dress I got on the clearance rack for $10. 

Finding another Target designer dress on the clearance rack in my size was just about as cool as finding a pathway that leads all the way out to the beach (and it's probably just as rare too!).

4th of July Giveaway Winner - Florence of Fantail Flo!

***Florence, send me an email (spinningthreads@gmail.com) with all your information so we can send you your necklace!

 

p.s. thank you to all my new followers!  I really appreciate you visiting my blog.  Even if you came just for the giveaway, I really hope you'll stay for the blog as well! 

2 Way Tuesday - Yellow Cardigan

WHITE DRESS - Lucca
YELLOW CARDIGAN - Gap Outlet
BLACK BELT - New York and Co.
NUDE COMBAT BOOTS - Trouve

  


Here's how I wore it 2 weeks ago:
MAXI DRESS - Calypso St. Bart for Target (thrifted)
TURQUOISE NECKLACE - Gifted from Hawaii

  Today I dropped Princess Sparkles off at gymnastics and went with Pigtails to get my eyebrows threaded.  We are all flying to Rhode Island on Thursday for a wedding and I wanted to get them done.  Pigtails, having been left lately (Sunday school, Moms Day Out, with grandparents) has been clingy with me and feared that I once again was leaving her at the eyebrow place so she cried.  Anyway, she ended up sitting on my lap as the lady quickly maneuvered around my bushy mess I call eyebrows.

"Eyebrow Threading Export"
I guess they could be exports since the women there are from Nepal!

 I originally came up with another outfit for today's "military and feminine" challenge, thanks to the ladies over at Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki, but because it was also "Everybody Everywear," I had to change up my outfit idea.  I decided to go with a white dress with black and eyelet details, a yellow cardigan and my nude combat boots that I adore.  I've been meaning to try the color combo after I saw Tara from This Life, Redefined... rocking it!

Anyway, this week of fashion challenges is exciting.  Today I'm doing 3 different ones.  But I'll tell you what's not so exciting... the upcoming flight to Rhode Island that Camo and I are taking with the girls.  I know I shouldn't let it stress me out, but it does really bug me when parents who can't remember their kids used to do the same thing on a plane give me the evil eye (even when the kids haven't done anything yet!).  The flight is a challenge I'm NOT looking forward to!

***Enter my giveaway and get 15% off when you shop at Jaclyn1423 with code 14spinningthreads23!

Mixed Print Scrapbook Dress, Military Jacket and Fringe Purse - Inspiration Monday

MIXED PATTERN DRESS - Scrapbook
MILITARY JACKET - Nick & Mo (similar)
LEATHER CUFF - Made by my Mom
SUNGLASSES - Ralph Lauren (similar)
OPEN TOE BOOTIES - Charlotte Russe
FRINGE PURSE - Last Chance Boutique (similar)

THE INSPIRATION:

Emma Stone in Joie Dress



Princess Sparkles wants a pet.  Unfortunately her mommy is allergic to almost every kind of animal with fur, feathers or scales (okay, not scales, but I don't really love snakes unless they're a pattern on my shoes...or belt...or handbag).  So Princess Sparkles improvises by taking a stuffed animal and carrying it around in it's "pet box."  It makes her happy and it makes me happy to know she can work with something she already has.

Princess Sparkles' "Pet Box"

Today's "Monday Inspiration" from the ladies at Two Birds is Emma Stone.  I liked the dress, though didn't have anything like it with geometric shapes (how can that be?  Maybe I need to go shopping!).  So instead I wore this semi-floral/semi-tribal print dress.  And because it didn't really look great with the motorcycle jacket I have, I decided to go with a military one.  Okay, so maybe it's not at all like Emma Stone's outfit.  But I did wear boots!

Anyway, I really was inspired by the picture.  It got me thinking.  And so I improvised, coming up with an outfit I might've not thought of otherwise.  I guess I too am quite capable of working with what I got!

Skinny Cargo Pants, Sequin Tank and Striped Cardigan - Inspiration Monday

OLIVE SKINNY CARGO PANTS - Old Navy
STRIPED CARDIGAN - Pretty Good
SEQUIN TANK TOP - Old Navy
FEDORA - Eugenia Kim for Target
DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21

Yesterday at Fedora's house, I found Princess Sparkles and her friends applying make-up on each other.  It was funny to hear them tell each other, "close your eyes" as they smeared lipstick all over each other's faces.  They looked like they belonged in the movie, "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" or clones of Robert Smith from the Cure.

Today's "Inspiration Monday" comes from Drew Barrymore.  Thanks to Two Birds for the link!  At first I was trying too hard to copy Drew's look, then I finally let go and did my own thing.  I decided to make my military piece be the skinny pants and did the stripes in the sweater.  And I went with a sequin tank (because everything needs a little bling!). 

Anyway, today I'm a little tired...as is Princess Sparkles and Pigtails.  Maybe too many activities over the weekend.  I better do as Princess Sparkles and her buddies do and apply some make-up (though not quite as heavy handed) so at least I look awake in Pigtail's baby class!