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!

Printed Skinny Jeans and Big Sisters

"You'll see when you're a big sister,"

Princess Sparkles told Pigtails.

"When baby is tall but still a baby, like when I'm 7 and you're 5,

you will be tired.  Big sisters are always tired."

 

SPOTTED SKINNY JEANS - Romeo and Juliet Couture (Loehmanns), $30
PLAID JACKET - Sashimi (hand-me-down)
BROWN BOOTIES - Jessica Simpson (thrifted), $14

PRINTED SKINNY JEANS - Target, $24
GREEN CARDIGAN - Forever 21
GRAY T-SHIRT - Target, $5
WEDGE SNEAKERS - Target, $30

Lately I've been wearing a lot of printed skinny jeans and t-shirts.  Last week I wore some burgundy spotted ones with a plaid jacket, a hand-me-down from my friend, Fierce.  The Jessica Simpson boots were thrifted from GW.  In the second outfit I wore printed jeans and wedged sneakers from Target.  At first I wasn't crazy about the wedge sneaker trend but the more I saw them the more I liked them.  They're just so comfy!

Big sister Sparkles teaches Pigtails and Bucket the piano

I barely have time to get everyone ready in the morning, especially myself, so it's just easy to throw on the jeans and a t-shirt.  I love being a mother of three, but let me tell you, it's even more tiring than being a big sister!

 

Flannel Shirt, Animal Print Skirt and a Dirty Car

"People are looking at me in the car,"

Princess Sparkles said proudly, wearing a green dress and her hair in braids.

"They probably think I'm a princess."

I didn't want to tell her that people can't see into our car... It's too dirty.

ANIMAL PRINT SKIRT - H&M (thrifted), $3.50
FLANNEL SHIRT - ARTINE via Anonymous (gifted)
PURSE - Cynthia Rowley (thrifted), $9
BOOTIES - Madden Girl (thrifted), $10

I wore this last week.  My mom, Fair Isle, thrifted the animal print H&M skirt for me and I paired it with a layered flannel shirt I got from Anonymous.  The booties are Madden Girl and the purse is Cynthia Rowley, both also thrifted from GW.

Princess Sparkles in her green gown and many braids

I love throwing on a flannel shirt, it always gives an outfit a little edge.  Whether you're a princess in a dress or a mommy in cut-offs and a tee that needs to wash her car, it's the perfect go-to piece!

Plaid Blazer and a Precious Boy

"He's so cute, my precious boy."

That's what Princess Sparkles says in baby talk to Bucket.

Sparkles really loves her baby brother. 

She holds him, pats him and gives him his pacifier.

She's a really good big sister.

Now only if she could teach him to sleep more and cry less!

PLAID BLAZER - Merona (thrifted)
BLUE SKINNY JEANS - Yaso (via Macys)
SHOES - Naturalizer (thrifted)

Thank goodness for "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds.  It gave me the perfect excuse to wear my thrifted blazer.  I found both the blazer and the shoes at the Goodwill by Fair Isle's house.  I liked the blazer so much I even paid full thrift store price ($10) for it, then had Fair Isle add some elbow patches!  I've never had Naturalizer shoes before but the criss-cross top caught my eye and after wearing them I have to say they are very comfortable!

The proud big sister!

It's definitely not as easy to do things like thrifting or going out to dinner (or heck, eat dinner at home in peace) with three kids.  But hopefully someday soon (okay, not that soon) Princess Sparkles will be old enough to take care of the other two and I'll have more free time! 



Plaid Leggings, Sally Hansen Salon Effects and a Few Reminders

"Momma, I hungee!" 

Yesterday we had eaten but forgot to feed Pigtails since she was napping. 

Being the 2nd child is tough.  And it's not getting easier when baby arrives.

"Momma, change pants!"

She often tells me when she needs a diaper change too.  Bad mommy.

PLAID LEGGINGS - Hue (thrifted)
BROWN TANK - Gap Maternity
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood Maternity
FEDORA - Forever 21
BOOTS - Frye

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Thank goodness for leggings.  My legs are probably the thinnest part of me (though maybe not my ankles) so it's something I like to wear.  These fun leggings were a Christmas gift from my mom, Fair Isle, who thrifted them new!  And the boots are my Christmas gift from my sister-in-law, Argyle. 

I also decided to try out Sally Hansen Salon Effects.  This plaid one was on clearance at Target (since it's "Christmas-y").  Even though it comes with one set for each hand, if you have short nails like me you can cut them and get two sets out of them!  They were easier than I imagined, though I definitely had some trial and error this first time.

Pigtails "cooks" since her mommy forgets to feed her :(

Speaking of cooking, this little baby is almost ready to come out.  I'll be full term (37 weeks) on Friday.  Good thing Pigtails learned to speak early because once the new baby arrives I'll really be in need of reminders... 

***Linking up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through The Decades: Neutrals"

Favorite Maternity Wear: Tunic, Leggings, Boots

PLAID TUNIC - H&M Maternity
DENIM LEGGINGS - Macys
RING - Jewelry Party
WEDGE BOOTS - Steve Madden

I'd been dreading this day for a month now.  I had made a doctor's appointment for Princess Sparkles AND Pigtails.  Back then Princess Sparkles just overheard me mention the doctor and complained for days about seeing him.  But she had forgotten...until we pulled up to the office.  The two girls were asleep in the car and I was late.  I quickly woke them from their dreams and yanked them into my nightmare.  Princess Sparkles screamed, making a mad dash to the door for freedom.  I had to carry Pigtails who was freaked out by her sister while chasing Sparkles down. 

This was BEFORE they got shots...

Then they called us in and Princess Sparkles screamed even harder (it got even worse when she had to get her 4 shots!!!).  Pigtails was bawling too.  The nurses just looked at me with fear in their eyes (probably praying these weren't their patients) or maybe that was pity for the poor pregnant lady with the two hollering children.

This is my comfy "everyday" outfit, a maternity tunic I found at H&M for $15 on clearance, some jeggings and my favorite wedge booties.  Thank goodness for comfortable maternity wear!  Because when you're pregnant, carrying a screaming baby, chasing after an escaping toddler, and having to hold down your children as needles get poked into their bodies, you just hope you look cute doing it.  Haha, just kidding. That was the last thing on my mind. 

***Linking up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through The Decades: Boots"

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!

Wearing Neutrals - Maxi Skirt

MAXI SKIRT - Thrifted (Thanks, Fair Isle!)
TANK TOP - Made by my mom
INFINITY SCARF - Made by my mom
BROWN AND GOLD CUFF - Made by my mom
CREAM AND GOLD BRACELET - H&M
BELT - Furla (Vintage)
GLADIATOR WEDGES - Dolce Vita for Target

Recently, Princess Sparkles went with me to a gynecologist appointment.  Of course being almost 4, she's full of questions.  The first thing she sees when she walks in is a huge poster of all the female anatomy.  She immediately focuses on one body part in particular, points and asks, "Mommy, what is that?"  I tend to talk to Princess Sparkles as if she was an adult, so I responded, "that's a vagina."  She was very interested and proceeded to help the doctor do my check-up.  I think Princess Sparkles saw a lot more of her mommy than she's used to.

Anyway, I'll be in Rhode Island for a wedding when this post is published on Friday, but I just wanted to participate in "Bloggers Do It Better" from Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly, and the "Go Neutral" challenge from Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  I'm excited to combine the two challenges and I'm thrilled that my mom, Fair Isle, thrifted this maxi skirt for me and it's in a neutral color! 

I love maxi skirts!  Not only are they classy but they're also super comfortable.  And unlike a mini skirt, shorts, or a trip to the gynecologist, you don't have to worry about someone seeing more of you than they're used to!

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

Plaid Shirt Dress and Purple Jacket

PLAID DRESS - Project E Vintage
PURPLE JACKET - the Loft
CROCHET BELT - Forever 21
GREEN WEDGES - Seychelles

Today was Pigtails' first day at "Moms Day Out" (where they play, do art and have lunch for 4 hours).  I've been dropping off Princess Sparkles there for a few years, but this was the first time I was going to take Pigtails, so I had a bit of anxiety.  Would she be okay playing with all the bigger kids?  Would she cry when I left?  Would she cry the whole time?

The funny thing is, Pigtails had no anxiety whatsoever.  Just her mommy.  When I dropped her off and said goodbye, she just smiled, grabbed some toys and took them outside.  I mean, no fake tears just to make me feel good about myself.  Not even a wave.  Nothing.  She was having the time of her life.  She loved her independence!

Anyway, decided to wear a plaid shirt dress I wore when I first started blogging (it could be 2 Way Wednesday!!!) and a purple jacket I got during a big sale at the Loft.  I noticed on some other blogs they were doing "Fruits Week" hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  I decided to participate and wear some purple (today's fruit is grape)!  It's also "What I Wore Wednesday" at Pleated Poppy!

So I'm still feeling snubbed by little Pigtails, but happy she enjoyed herself.  I too enjoyed the day shopping (and didn't buy anything - yay!).  I also enjoyed riding an escalator (you always have to take elevators with the stroller), sitting on a bar stool eating lunch in peace, and browsing without anyone complaining.  It was fabulous.  I guess Pigtails wasn't the only one enjoying her independence!

A Fashion Emergency

"TOO SMALL FOR ME" DRESS - Luella Bartley for Target
WHITE HENLEY SHIRT - Old Navy
BLACK T-BACK VEST - CAbi
RED SLINGBACK HEELS - Enzo Angiolini

Help!  I'm having a fashion emergency.  No, it's not that I don't have shoes to match a dress or my favorite white top is now pink.  But I'M STUCK IN A DRESS!!!  Literally.  I cannot pull myself out of it.  In fact, I'm going to have to wear it over to a friends house to have her pull it off of me.  And I still fear that it might not be possible.

FLASHBACK.  2 Hours Ago...

I pick up Princess Sparkles and ask her where she wants to food shop.  Trader Joe's?  She can get a balloon.  Of course she chooses Target (a girl after my own heart) and of course I peruse the clearance section and find those darn designer dresses for $10!  Of course buy up all the ones I returned.  Of course they weren't all my size.

Now herein lies the problem.  NEVER SQUEEZE YOURSELF INTO A DRESS THAT IS TOO SMALL FOR YOU.  NEVER.  I somehow managed to wiggle myself into this cute one.  And for a second I thought it actually looked pretty good.  Then I went to take it off.  I can't get the right grip to pull it over my linebacker shoulders.  And it definitely won't be sliding over my momma hips.

CUT TO:  Now. 

I had a cute outfit but this dress isn't coming off, so I had to work with it.  I'd really prefer not to cut the dress.  But we'll have to see.  I'm heading over to my friend, Stripes, house soon for a playdate slash "please help me yank this dress off my body" date.  You'll have to wait to see how it turns out.  But you might be seeing a "3 Ways to Wear a Dress that doesn't fit you" post.

TO BE CONTINUED...

p.s. despite the Fashion Emergency, I did link up to the Pleated Poppy and "What I Wore Wednesday!"

"One Lovely Blog" Award

Today I got up early and rushed to get the girls out the door  for preschool when suddenly I realized... Princess Sparkles is on spring break (okay, it wasn't suddenly but THREE people had texted me that morning to see if we wanted to hang out and all mentioned spring break and then a light bulb finally went on in my head). 

Wanting to not "mess up" my routine (which basically consists of a morning run), I decided to pull out the double stroller and go for a run with my cousin, Leopard, who I hadn't seen in quite a while.  Leopard had offered to push one stroller, but unfortunately I only had an umbrella stroller and that would so be a mistake to jog with.

But let me tell you about another mistake.  Pushing a double stroller (NOT a jogging one, despite the brand being "Baby Jogger") with two girls, stuff (including LOTS of snacks and waters) and plenty of stuffed animals.  It only weighed about, I don't know, 80 lbs!!!  Somehow I managed to finish the 4-1/2 mile jog but I must've been burning more calories than usual since the entire way back all I could think about was eating a huge cheeseburger!

Anyway, GretchTM awarded me the "One Lovely Blog" Award, which I am so very honored to receive.  Her blog is fantastic, she has such a classic, simple style that I wish I could replicate.  Thank you so much, Gretch!

I have to post 7 random things about myself, so to keep it interesting and in the fashion theme, I decided to tell you what I love about each of these dresses I bought today (YES I BOUGHT 7, but I had to entertain the girls somehow, so OF COURSE I took them to TARGET!!!  And since they won't let me try stuff on without going nuts, I decided to buy ALL these dresses, try them on at home, then return the ones I don't want).  So do me a favor and let me know which are your favorites, okay?

1. I love to wear black, especially in family photos, because it's always flattering even when I forget to suck in my stomach!



Alice Temperley for Target



2. I have an obsession with stripes and would pretty much buy anything (yes, anything) in this pattern.



Libertine for Target



3. My sister, Polka Dots, didn't realize she had so many polka dot clothes until I gave her the blog nickname.



Zac Posen for Target



4.  A skinny red belt is one of my favorite accessories (I have 2!) because it gives just the right pop of color.



Jonathan Saunders for Target



 5. I love animal print and own a pair of cow boots (not to be confused with cowboy boots - hope they make a comeback!)



Rogan for Target



6. If I had to pick a favorite "uniform," it would be a plaid shirt and jeans (followed closely by shorts and boots).




Luella Bartley for Target



7. I always love the bohemian look.  It's probably my favorite style in the magazines and I wish I wore it more.



Jovovich-Hawk for Target



So here are the blogs I'd LOVE to pass this award along to:

Tara at This Life, Redefined, Lei at White Sky Project, Mrs. J at Watch Me Dress, Rosy of Raindrops on Rosy, Claire of My Little Life, Sunny Days and Starry Nights, Andrea Grace of Always Say Grace, Jane of Love Makes the Girl, Emily of Tinfoils Tiaras, Sophie at Country Girl Does Norfolk, Ashley at Free Honey, Jenn of The Suburb Experiment, Khla at Next Happiness, Heidi at Heidi-and-Seek,  and Lacy at Uphill & Smiling.