Stripes and Bandages

"Close one."

Pigtails said as she flashed her dimpled smile after falling down.

My middle child runs into walls, tumbles off chairs, hits her head on tables.

She always has bruises, bumps and scrapes.

Sometimes I wish she had a tad more fear.

But at least she always picks herself up and continues on her way.

YELLOW SKINNY JEANS - Fire Colored Denim Skinny Leg Jeans
GREEN AND WHITE STRIPED TANK - American Eagle
WHITE CORDOUROY JACKET - Rubbish
NECKLACE, RING, EARRINGS - Cynde Daniels
SARAH STRIPE WEDGE - Payless Shoes

I'm finishing off "Super Stripes Week," the fashion challenge from Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki with a striped green tank and my new striped wedges.  I had seen some wedges like this for $75 and wanted them.  Then I found the Payless ones that were on sale for $20!  I had to snatch them up.  They even have some cute dark pink ones online.  The yellow skinny jeans I got from Nordstrom Rack (not Target, can you believe it?).

Pigtails models her stripes and bandaged chin

I'm obviously obsessed with skinny jeans.  These ones were actually the first pair I bought (this year, at least), but I will say I have to be really careful what panties I wear.  Today I wore polka dot ones and I realized I could totally see them through my jeans.  Luckily I caught it before I left.  Phew.  Close one.

Colorful Tights, a Moto Vest and $10 Boots

BLACK DRESS - Thrifted from another mom's garage FREE!
GRAY MOTO VEST - My Beloved, $15
PLAID INFINITY SCARF - Made by my mom
EARRINGS - T&J Designs (from Monday Mingle giveaway)
AQUA TIGHTS - Nordstrom
RED PURSE - B Makowsky, $85
BLACK BOOTS - Old Navy, $10

My $10 boots from Old Navy!!!

"Mommy, [Pigtails] threw a pebble into the toilet!"  I went over to check and indeed she had.  I would've fished it out but Sparkles likes to pee and often forgets to flush and I wasn't digging my hand in yellow water to get that little thing so I flushed it down. Hope it doesn't mess up our pipes...

When I first found out I was pregnant I checked out craigslist and bought a few pieces from a mom in her garage.  She threw in some freebies and this dress was one of them.  It has chiffon sleeves which I like.  I wore a scarf so I could link up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through The Decades" But sadly I missed out :(  I also wore tights so I could do Everybody Everywear.  Again, too late.  The upside is I'm wearing these cute black boots I got at Old Navy for $10!  They were on clearance AND I had a coupon.  My mom, Fair Isle, told me she could even put faux fur on them, so I'm excited about that!!!

I'm so lucky to have a talented mom like Fair Isle who can sew and make me some really great things (like my scarf and some cool cuffs!).  Unlike her daughter, who's not so good at being meticulous (okay, it's kinda an excuse).  Just feel like I often mess things up - like missing out on some really cool link ups - though hopefully I did NOT mess up our toilet!

***I am going to link up to "Thursdays Are for Thrifters" from Spunky Chateau!

Black Dress with Pops of Color and a Blogger Meet Up

BLACK AND WHITE FLOWER DRESS - Last Chance Boutique

CORAL CARDIGAN - Gap

WHITE WRAP BRACELET - Cara

ZEBRA EARRINGS - Heavenly Treasures

BLUE PURSE - Linea Pelle for Target

MULTI-COLORED WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target

Today I had my very first blogger meet up with Mary Jo from "Trust Your Style."  I was excited to finally meet my blog friend face to face and we had such a lovely time sipping coffee, eating quiche and joking about becoming closet hoarders (lately Camoflauge has been watching "Hoarders: Buried Alive" on TV and it scares me).  We also discussed our common dream of having an entire room turn into our personal closets with shelves to display our shoes and handbags, with rows of color coordinated clothes.

You know how when you go to college and your parents turn your room into a gym or an office?  Well, I decided the only way I'd get my "dream closet" would be when my girls grow up and move out.  Then I can turn their room into my closet :)  I haven't checked with Camo on this, but I did ask Princess Sparkles.  She said, "yes" AND nodded.  I assured her she could still visit and sleep in my closet.  I'll even have a special chaise lounger for her and a pull out for Pigtails (Mary Jo helped me come up with that one!).

Mary Jo and I

Anyway, for my meet up I wore this black dress and added color with a coral cardi, my Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges and a bright blue purse.  Mary Jo looked fab in a light blue top, a skirt, ballet flats and an amazing bright green bag (which I was totally coveting!!!).  Check out Mary Jo's blog, "Trust Your Style" if you haven't already.  She's so creative and often mixes art with clothes and accessories. 

I had such a lovely day.  It was nice to have a relaxing brunch sans kiddos (though nice to see their smiling faces when I picked them up!).  And to think, I'm only 2 decades away from having my dream (closet) come true!!!

Calypso St. Bart for Target Maxi Dress, Yellow Cardigan and Turquoise

MAXI DRESS - Calypso St. Bart for Target (Thrifted)
YELLOW CARDIGAN - Gap Outlet
TURQUOISE NECKLACE - Gifted from Hawaii

Sparkles and her "belt"

Princess Sparkles is obsessed with belts.  But not always the way you're thinking.  Yesterday she took my vintage red belt that I wore on my high waisted jeans and used it as a "leash" for her stuffed animal (this will teach me to put my things away immediately after wearing).  Today she took a musical instrument and creatively turned it into a "belt."  

Today I decided to whip out the Calypso St. Bart for Target maxi dress I got at the Goodwill by my mom's house for $4.  Seriously, it was such a find because it was brand new, the only one there and it just happened to be my size.  Oh, and it was 50% off!!!

I wanted to show you all some more beautiful lovelies from my favorite sponsor, Jaclyn1423.  Be sure to keep an eye out next week for a giveaway she'll be doing on my blog.  My first!  I'm so excited!

Bronze and Teal Rose Ribbon Necklace - $9.50

Ivory Rose and Pink Dangle Earrings - $9.00

Anyway, I've been really into the bright color combos which just feel so summery to me.  But I did realize I wore a similar color combo on Sunday.  Oops!  Oh well.  But I guess I need to get more creative and do artistic stuff like use musical instruments as accessories!

***Linking this post up to Pleated Poppy's "What I Wore Wednesday," Cute and Little's "Color Brigade," and Spunky Chateau's "Thursdays are for Thrifters!"

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?   

3 Ways to Wear Red Jeans

RED SKINNY JEANS - Little Big
WHITE TANK - Loveappella
YELLOW CARDIGAN - Gap Outlet
DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21

NAVY/WHITE GINGHAM SHIRT - Old Navy
NAVY/RED/PINK HEELS - Charlotte Russe

OLIVE JACKET - Old Navy
BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart

Today is a rainy day.  In fact, it made me NOT want to get out of bed but just snuggle with the girls and watch TV.  I actually think Princess Sparkles would've gone for that (though we would've had to watch her cartoons), but Pigtails would've wanted to run around so that probably wouldn't have worked anyway.   

Obviously these pictures were not taken today.  I took them over the weekend in preparation for my "3 Ways to Wear" post.  I love my skinny red jeans, but I will say I was intimidated by them.  What do you wear with them?  Surprisingly I found that they're actually quite versatile.  Here are some things I tried...

BRIGHT COLORS

- you can wear a bright cardigan like this sunny yellow one.  Or I'm thinking even aqua or purple might pair nicely with it.  If that's too intimidating, you can always just use an accent piece like a purse or statement necklace (turquoise would be lovely!).

PATTERNS

- I wore a blue and white gingham shirt from Old Navy.  But in the past I also paired a black and white polka dot shirt, a navy/white striped shirt and a striped tan and black shirt with some red pants (check those out here and here).

NEUTRALS

- obviously white, black and tan are fabulous with red.  In fact, I kept gravitating toward my white shirt.  I decided to try olive, and despite my fear that it might be slightly "Christmas-y," I just went for it.

Anyway, red jeans are fun and I think everyone should at least try them!  Plus you can wear them in spring or fall, or rainy days in spring that seem like fall!

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).

Denim Romper - Inspiration Monday

DENIM ROMPER - Romeo and Juliet Couture
YELLOW CARDIGAN - GAP
MULTI-COLORED WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target
NECKLACE - Heavenly Treasures

Monday's Inspiration:
Nicole Richie out at the park.

"Baby Legs" are really popular in our household (if you don't know what they are, they're basicall like leg warmers for little ones).  Princess Sparkles likes to wear them on her arms as accessories, while Pigtails likes to wear them under dresses (or over her pajamas, though I'm thinking THAT might be a fashion statement).  I like 'em because they're functional, and they're way easier than tights, especially when it comes to changing diapers!  And they're cute, so if they had them for adults I'd probably have a stash of them!

For "Inspiration Monday" from the wonderful ladies at Two Birds, I decided to do denim in the romper rather than the jacket since, well, that's the romper I have.  Not to mention I better save up my florals for tomorrow so I can participate in Everybody Everywear.  These multi-colored wedges have become my new "go to" shoe.  I never would've thought they would match this many outfits!  Gawd, I love wedges...almost as much as boots!

Speaking of love, what I love about a romper...you can wear it to the park with flip flops, then throw on some heels and wear it out at night.  What I don't love about a romper?  Having to go to the restroom.  But they are so comfortable and so chic, you got to love 'em.  Unlike "baby legs" (which they don't have for adults), a romper is basically an adult onesie.  A cute one.  So now I can match my kiddos!

To Be a Princess

MY VACATION OUTFIT:
SKIRT - Kimchee & Blue
WHITE TANK - Old Navy
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood
MULTI WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target
PINK SCARF - Made by my Mom

"Mommy, I want to be a princess!"  That's what Princess Sparkles said while watching the Royal Wedding (on replay of course, I would've never made it until 3am - though maybe Sparkles woulda if given the chance).  I replied in the oh-so-cliche way, "You're my princess."  And she looked at me and said, "No mommy, I have to find a prince."  I chuckled and gave her a kiss.

Meanwhile, Pigtails fell asleep on a bathrug at the foot of the shower.  She was that wiped out from waking up earlier than usual (which meant Camo and I woke up early too).  Oh well, at least she's getting in her morning nap at 8am :)

Nothing could really dampen my mood.  I'm off on a one night vacation with Camo to celebrate my birthday.  We're going to go wine tasting, beer tasting, have a quiet meal where we don't have to take turns taking the kids out, and maybe I'll even get to read my book!  Yay!  I can't wait.

Anyway, better finish packing everything up for the girls' trip to see Fair Isle and Henley!  It's so nice to have family around so Camo and I can go away for a night to relax and have fun.  Makes me feel like a Princess!

My Birthday Suit

MINT GREEN JEGGINGS - Flying Monkey
BLACK TOP - Mimi Chica
BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart
AWESOME WHITE CUFF - Made by Mom for my bday!

Okay, it's not my real birthday suit, but what I decided to wear on my birthday.  These are my new Flying Monkey jeans that Fierce got me from Anonymous.  She somehow convinced me to go small, so they're pretty darn tight (hence the loose black top).  I'm still trying to figure out if I can wear these jeans with something else besides white and black.  Any ideas?

I've had a great day so far.  Got to go shopping with my bestie, Plaid.  Started off by returning most of the Target dresses (phew, glad that's off my credit card!), then checked out Forever 21, Old Navy and H&M but only got a floral dress for $5.99 and a navy gingham shirt from Old Navy!  Guess I must be out of practice with that shopping thing.

Later I had lunch with my mom, Fair Isle and stepdad, Henley.  About to head over to see my friend Stripes.  Then gonna end the bday with a dinner date with Camo.  We're going to try a new Asian fusion restaurant.

Anyway, birthdays are always special, though I do find myself reflecting on my life and getting a little emotional.  But luckily, it's been a good year!

3 Ways To Wear a Yellow Lace Skirt and a Sunshine Award

YELLOW LACE SKIRT - Chetta B (Thrifted - Thanks, Mom!)

ARGYLE SWEATER - Old Navy

WHITE TANK - Bebe

SHOES - Korea

BLACK/GRAY STRIPED SHIRT - Thakoon for Target

GRAY BELT - Forever 21

BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart

RUST/GOLD SILK TOP - Ella Moss (Thanks, Fierce!)

CREAM/GOLD/GREEN WEDGES - G-Series

Today I'm feeling like a fashion bad-ass.  I dunno why, maybe it's the neon yellow lace skirt (I know, doesn't really look neon in the pictures!) and matching nail polish.  Or the 2 sunshine awards (Thank YOU, Fash-uh-nee-stah and GretchTM!).  Or the lashes (I put on some fake ones and they always make me feel glamorous!).  Whatever it is, it totally affected the clothing I chose and the poses I did.

RULES FOR THE AWARD:
Thank the person who gave it
Write a post about it
Pass it on to 12 bloggers

I decided to do this "3 Ways To Wear a Yellow Lace Skirt" in honor of the SUNSHINE AWARD bestowed on me by the always fabulous Fash-uh-nee-stah and the extremely stylish GretchTM!  Thank you, girls, for the honor!  

I would like to give this award to: Tiffany at BREAKFAST WITH TIFFANY, THE CAT HAG, Melissa at WRITE IT IN LIPSTICK, Bonnie at GLAM KITTENS LITTEBOX, Mary at STYLEFYLES, Gracey at FASHION FOR GIANTS, Vanessa at BIG GIRL. LITTLE BUDGET. TINY TOWN, Maya at SOCCER MOM STYLE, Nnena at STAR-CROSSED SMILE, Kimberlee at OUR LIFE. UNEDITED., Melyssa at BEAUTINIQUE, and DEAR GIRL.

I was reading in a magazine that Tim Gunn suggests wearing neon colors with gray or brown.  So I decided to try it.  The first look is one I copied from the magazine where the model was wearing an argyle sweater with a similar skirt.  I decided to pair it with the shoes I bought in Korea a few years back.  The second outfit I did was a striped black/gray shirt.  Yes, I decided to mix prints.  Told you I was feeling like a bad-ass!  Finally, my last outfit was a rust shirt so kindly given to me by Fierce (you can see more pieces she gave me here).  And the shoes are the ones I wore for my wedding 5-1/2 years ago!!!

So like I was saying, I had MAJOR FASHION ATTITUDE.  However, each time I finished shooting photos I would get a little FASHION BUZZ KILL when I'd come into my room and see Pigtails.  Unfortunately, I think maybe she too was feeling like a FASHION BAD-ASS...

The Versatile Blogger Award

#24 - SYDNEY
GREEN BUTTON UP SHIRT - Old Navy
PURPLE TANK - Bebe
BLACK PENCIL SKIRT - Jonathan Saunders for Target
BLACK STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21
WHITE NECKLACES - my Grandmother's collection
WHITE WATCH - Sprout

JEANS - Yaso
DENIM BALLET FLATS - Mossimo

Thank you so much to my fashionable new blog friend, Burning Skies, for thinking of me for this award.  Burning Skies just moved her blog so check her out!  It's always nice to get recognized (and this is much better than the trophy I got as a kid for participating in a talent contest on our family cruise where EVERYONE else got that same trophy just for showing up).  

To show my versatility, I decided I would change things up by telling you 7 random things that make me versatile:

1.  I'm short (5'2) so I can wear tunics as dresses and can always shorten jeans...though I hate when I end up with straight leg ones that used to be bell bottoms!

2.  I'm part of the "Good Eaters Club" (as my friend, Birkin, would call it... Birkin is in fact part of the "Bad Eaters Club"), so I don't really care where we go to dinner... though this can be a problem when I'm with another person who is equally as laid back and we end up debating on where to go for like an hour.

3. I wear a medium in most clothes so I can either squeeze myself into a small or put a belt over a large in case of an incredible deal on the clearance rack that I gotta have even if it doesn't quite fit right.

4. I'm a jack of many trades but master of none...so I can do a little bit of everything just okay (like sports...I can basically be on your team if you're not competitive and in desperate need of a female to fill your roster).

5. If I don't wear make-up (or stroll around with my kiddos) I can usually get carded when buying alcohol at the grocery store (of course this totally sucked when I was a teenager).

6. I'm a mom so that basically means I can multi-task and do any job that includes but is not limited to cook, housekeeper, launderer, driver, entertainer, personal assistant, party planner, motivator, accountant and nurse.

7. I can shop anyway, anywhere, anyhow (except when I'm on my shopping fast like right now...oh, and I'm a poet!).

And here is a list of some really cool bloggers that I've discovered and greatly enjoy.  I know you'll enjoy them too, so check 'em out!

Albee at Albee Lucky

Jess at Avant-Garde Living

shealennon at Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique

Kimberly at City Style

Amber Lena at Fashion Bargain Shopper Extraordinaire

Roxy Heart at Fash-uh-nee-stah

Courtney Erin at Sartorial Sidelines

Finally, in honor of the Versatile Blogger Award (thanks again Burning Skies!) I decided I would do two versions of the same general outfit.  The first one is another example of color blocking.  The second is a casual version of the same top half ('cuz my friend Shiny said she'd actually wear this one).

Color Blocking

Color blocking is a fun way to build an outfit.  It can be a little intimidating, but luckily I have Princess Sparkles to help guide me with her toy inspirations...

"THE POPPING RICE BALL"
(aka green pom pom in Potty Elmo Toilet)

Sparkles asked me to put my mouth on this and then let it pop up in the air (not exactly sure what that means, but she finds it amusing)...

KAI LAN AND HER "CHAIR"
(aka Kai lan doll stuffed into kitchen mixer holder)

Princess Sparkles uses this special contraption to help Kai lan sit up so she can demonstrate to her how to do things such as wash her hands and eat food (she also scolds her for not doing these things). 

Princess Sparkles is fantastic at mixing colors!  But if you find it intimidating (like me), try mixing one or two bright colors with black or white (or both!).  Keep the pieces simple and structured, without too much texture (i.e. ruffles).  You can even do something as simple as adding bright colored tights to a black dress!

#22 - LUGANO
BLUE MILITARY JACKET - Forever 21
PINK TANK TOP - Express
WHITE JEANS - CAbi
ANIMAL PRINT SCARF - Nordstrom Rack
BLACK STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21

It's easy, fun, and can really look great (just like stuffing a doll into a kitchen mixer holder or a pom pom in a toilet)!

Rockin' The Red Pumps

In honor of Rock the Red Pump Day, to promote awareness of women fighting HIV/AIDS, I thought I would not only post their banner (check out their site here), but I would literally rock some red pumps!

RED PUMPS - Enzo Angiolini (similar)
JACKET - Ann Taylor Loft (different color)

You could basically wear a ratty old blanket with a hole cut out for the head and you'd still look amazing if you paired it with some red pumps.  Even Princess Sparkles wanted to rock her red glitter slippers.  It's the perfect way to add color to any outfit.  I'm telling you, everyone should have a pair!

PRINCESS SPARKLES
Circo Dedra Glitter Ballet Flat Shoes - Target