Lace Jacket, Abstract Romper and Loafer Wedges

#2 - "Arsenic and Old Lace"
LACE JACKET - Forever 21
ABSTRACT FLORAL ROMPER - Target (exact)
BROWN BELT - Forever 21
7-IN-1 - Heavenly Treasures (exact)
WOODEN BRACELET - Heavenly Treasures
ZEBRA EARRINGS - Heavenly Treasures
BRONZE LOAFER WEDGES - Steve Madden (Thrifted)

Yesterday Polka Dots took Princess Sparkles to see "Kung Fu Panda 2."  That evening, the normally "girly" Sparkles suddenly turned into a kicking, punching, fighting machine.  She was going around saying "a-ya" as she threw herself all over the place.  She also had serious attitude to match her moves. 

Princess Sparkles fighting

Today is "Everybody Everywear" and since the theme was "lace," I decided to wear my lace jacket which I paired with an abstract/floral romper I got in the clearance section of Target for $10!  I know, I'm ridiculous about my Target purchases, but I can't help myself.  I love their clearance section!!!  I'm also wearing these cute Steve Madden loafer wedges I got at the thrift store for $8 as well as some Heavenly Treasures accessories.

I love lace.  It's so much fun and it looks great with not-so-girly pieces like ripped jeans, leather and menswear.  I also love a romper because while it's girly like a dress, it's actually shorts.  So if you feel like it, you can kick and punch in it and no one will see your goodies! 

High Waisted Shorts and Animal Print Top - Inspiration Monday

#1 - "Out of Africa"
ANIMAL PRINT TOP - Bella D (TJ Maxx)
HIGH WAISTED SHORTS - American Eagle Outfitters
WEDGE SANDALS - Payless Shoes

"Inspiration Monday" - Liv Tyler

Recently, I've been finding these little wadded up tissues around the house.  Usually Pigtails likes to pull all the tissues out of the box and just leave them there in a pile (and I hate wasting them so I shove them back in the box and make Camouflage and I use them!).  So I'm walking around the corner and see my sister, Polka Dots, laughing.  She tells me that Pigtails has learned how to "blow her nose" (which really means making the sound of blowing her nose because the tissues were dry).

Today's challenge was to find something that I could wear for "Inspiration Monday."  I went with some high waisted shorts, though didn't stick with Liv Tyler's nautical theme and wore jungle print (don't forget "Everybody Everywear" tomorrow!).

Anyway, I finally got to picking my 30 pieces for my "30 Day Remix" (if you don't know what that is, check out Kendi's description here).  I decided to name these outfits after movies (last time I did places).  I'm excited to stop shopping (not really, but I need to) and start appreciating my closet!  This is my second remix, and I've noticed I'm getting a little more bold.  Instead of picking solids that can be paired in all sorts of ways together, I've chosen lots of prints and crazy colors.  Hopefully I won't be sorry.

I'm excited about my remix (but of course it's only day 1, so let's just see what happens around day 10 or so).  I'll miss shopping but luckily the girls and I will be busy with summer time activities.  I'm hoping these 30 pieces can easily carry me through the next 30 days, otherwise I'm the one who's going to be blowing my nose into tissues!

A Real African Tribal Print Dress

TRIBAL PRINT DRESS - $30, Heavenly Treasures (call to order)
MULTI-COLORED BELT - Style Xpress
YELLOW CUFF - Made by My Mom
ZEBRA WOOD EARRINGS - $10, Heavenly Treasures (call to order)
GLADIATOR WEDGES - Dolce Vita for Target

My sister, Polka Dots, arrived today from Hawaii (at 5am!) and Princess Sparkles was super excited to see her.  Not only does Polka Dots give her complete devoted attention, but she also brings presents.  When Princess Sparkles saw my sister for the first time she yelled, "Auntie," and ran up to hug her. Then she got a huge smile on her face and said, "presents?"

Princess Sparkles wearing her "present"

However, Princess Sparkles doesn't just like to get, she also likes to give, so she had prepared a "present" for her Auntie as well.  She ran into her bedroom and handed Polka Dots a backpack filled with various goodies including a size 3T sweater, a playing card from a game, an empty plastic bag, a sushi toy, a bathtub net and a book, "Too Big For Diapers."


Pigtails wearing her "presents"

The 30 Day Remix starts on Monday and I really need to figure out my 30 pieces!!!  But I wanted to wear something I wasn't going to choose, so I decided on this tribal print dress.  The great thing about this dress is it's completely legit.  I got it from a non-profit, Heavenly Treasures, who purchased it from a village in Kenya.  It's super comfortable and I don't have to worry about anyone wearing this exact same dress (though you can get a similar one by calling the Heavenly Treasures store...they're only $30 and you'll be helping someone out in another country!!!).

Anyway, I'm really excited to spend time with Polka Dots.  We're planning on going thrifting today at some of Fair Isle's fave thrift stores.  Hopefully I'll get something vintage, inexpensive and super fabulous.  Getting a really good deal on a thrifted treasure is even better than getting a present (unless you're Princess Sparkles, then maybe you'd rather have the present).

Striped Blazer, White Denim Capris and Red Gingham Wedges

STRIPED BLAZER - Loft
WHITE DENIM CAPRIS - Express
NAVY TANK TOP - Old Navy
RED BELT - Thrifted (Thanks, Mom!)
GINGHAM WEDGES - Payless
SUNGLASSES - Fierce left them in my car :)

Today I went shopping with my best friend, Plaid, to celebrate her birthday.  I always find it amusing how we get along so well yet are so completely different.  We're in a store and Plaid is looking at neutral colored cardigans, flannels, and white tank tops, while I'm pulling out tribal print shorts, feather earrings and lacy dresses!  But regardless, we always have a fun time, and the good thing is we never have to worry about showing up somewhere in the same outfit.

I decided to wear my striped blazer because, well, I haven't worn it in a while and it was overcast.  I originally paired it with light blue rolled up jeans, but later decided it looked better with white capri ones.  I also decided to mix prints by pairing the stripes with my new gingham wedges from Payless.  Payless was having a BOGO 1/2 off sale so I couldn't help myself and had to buy 2 pairs of wedges.  These were the 1/2 off ones and ended up being only $7.50!!!

Obviously I have a shoe obsession.  Or addiction.  Whatever.  There are probably worse things, right? (just nod your head)  And while I'm at it I'll leave you with one more pair of shoes I've been scoping out (in case Camouflage wants to give me an "I love you" gift).  They're on sale and they look almost identical to the Jeffrey Campbell ones which are almost $100 more!  And if you end up buying them too?  Let's just try not to wear them at the same place at the same time, deal? 

FLORAL WEDGES - $22.50


 

2 Way Tuesday - Wearing Red and Pink Together

RED PANTS - INC (c/o Fashion Bargainista)
PINK TANK TOP - Express
CREAM CARDIGAN - Old Navy
RED/PINK/NAVY HEELS - Charlotte Russe

Here is the outfit I got from Fashion Bargainista

Princess Sparkles loves to try new things (unless it's food that I cooked).  She loves making up new games like "pinch the heart and throw the ball," finding new ways to play with her toys (like wrapping up her duck in a towel in order "to keep him warm")  and collect new "friends" like her pet rock, "Golden Rock."  She never seems to get bored and I'm amazed at her ability to make old things new again. 

For "2 Way Tuesday" (where I remix something I already wore before) I decided to rewear a pair of red pants my blog friend, Amber Lena, gave me from her shop "Fashion Bargainista."  She was so sweet to gift them to me and I really love them!  I've been meaning to try mixing up new colors, and have been fascinated by the combination of red and pink together.  I used to think red and pink were only for Valentine's Day, but not anymore!

Anyway, I think the fun thing about spring and summer is that you get to try different color combinations.  The brighter, the better.  And the great thing about this year is not only can you mix patterns but you can mix colors.  And the more they clash, the more they actually go together!  It's an exciting way to make old things new again!

***linking this post to "What I Wear Wednesday" and "Thursdays are for Thrifters."

The "Safari" Look - Inspiration Monday

BEIGE BUTTON UP - Old Navy
OLIVE SKIRT - Forever 21
MULTI-COLORED BELT - Style Xpress
RED EARRINGS - Forever 21
RED PATENT LEATHER SLINGBACKS - Enzo Angiolini

"Vrooommm!!!"  That's what Pigtails said as she sat on a Glamour Girls doll bed (yes, a bed) and pretended it was a car.  It's funny how a 15-month old can't really talk but knows exactly the sound a car makes.  Although Princess Sparkles and Pigtails like toy cars and trains, they tend to have more dolls and cooking stuff since that's what people give you when you have 2 little girls.  And so they have to use their imaginations and turn doll beds into race cars!

"Vrrrooommm!!!"

Today's Inspiration Monday from the ladies at Two Birds is simple yet classic.  I decided to change it up a bit since I just wore my chambray shirt last week and turned it into a "safari" look.  Okay, let's be honest, the only things "safari" about this look are the colors, and maybe the shirt.  Maybe.  Because we all know that no one in their right mind would go on a safari in an olive mini, a hip belt and red patent leather slingbacks. 

Anyway, I love doing Inspiration Monday because not only do I get to see what others are wearing but it allows me to reimagine an outfit.  That's what's fun about fashion, there are so many ways to do the same thing.  Just like you can turn a doll bed into a car, you can also turn a chambray shirt and metallic skirt into a "safari" look! 

70's Inspired - High Waist Bell Bottom Jeans and a Purple Polyester Tie Top

HIGH WAIST BELL BOTTOM JEANS - iT Jeans
PURPLE POLYESTER TIE TOP - Hot and Delicious (hee hee)
RED SKINNY BELT - Thrifted (Thanks, Mom!)
RED/BLUE/PINK PLATFORM HEELS - Charlotte Russe

Pigtails is a voracious eater.  When she likes something she will shove the entire thing in her mouth so she can immediately ask for more via sign language (since she can't talk with her mouth that full).  She also likes to double fist.  One is never enough for her.  She needs to have one in each hand.  Pigtails also is a very messy eater.  Things tend to fall out of her mouth and into her hair, her lap, the floor, her face, my shirt.  I don't know how she does it but she can make a mess out of anything and everything.

"After this I'm gonna touch my

mommy and stain her clothes"

I decided to wear a 70's inspired, berry-colored outfit to church today in honor of "berry" day (which technically was yesterday) to culminate fruit week from the ladies at Meagan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  These high-waist jeans are sort of awesome because they're basically Spanx in pant form.  The great thing about the top is that despite the belly having to spill out somewhere, the top bubbles just in the right place to obscure all of that.  It's perfect.  I can see why everyone looked so tall and thin in the 70's!!!

I will admit though, this outfit is not the most comfortable (surprised?  How we suffer for fashion...) and I had to come home and immediately change back into my pajamas.  And another thing I've found?  Polyester, despite looking cute and not wrinkling, has it's downfalls.  Not only does it not breathe (just don't sweat and you might be okay), but it stains really really easily.  So of course at snack time following church, I tried to push Pigtails and her foody hands away from me, but she still managed to get me good.  Sigh.  Guess that's motherhood. 

Color Blocking, Menswear Vest and 1970's Vintage Enamel Jewelry

GREEN/BLUE DRESS - Thakoon for Target
BLACK MENSWEAR VEST - CAbi
BLACK BELT - New York and Company
BLACK STRAPPY WEDGES - Colin Stuart
GREEN BELT (worn as necklace) - Vintage (my mom's)
BLUE ENAMEL CLIP EARRINGS - Vintage (my mom's)
YELLOW CUFF - Made by Mom

***PRINCESS SPARKLES - wearing a drawing of her face around her neck

Today Princess Sparkles rode around on her tricycle picking blackberries and eating them one at a time.  She had to ride around the corner to the other side of the house to pick the berry then ride all the way back around to wash and eat it.  It seemed a little inefficient and time consuming to do it one at a time, but my mom, Fair Isle, said she thought it was good for Princess Sparkles to appreciate each of the blackberries.

The "Fruit Week" inspiration for Friday from Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki is kiwi, so I decided to wear a little green.  This is one of the 10 dresses (yes, I'm exaggerating...a little) I got from Target when the designer dresses went on clearance for $10.  I almost returned it because I was feeling guilty for buying so many, but then it was so comfy and different than all the others! 

It was quite the challenge changing up the dress though.  So I decided to play with the color blocking by adding black accessories.  Fair Isle also had some fabulous enamel jewelry from the 1970's.  The earrings and the necklace (really a belt) are vintage pieces she owned way back when.  And the yellow cuff is something my mom made.

Anyway, I think it is important to appreciate things.  I'm sure the blackberries tasted extra special to Princess Sparkles after triking all the way around the house to get just one.  I sort of feel the same way about my designer Target dresses.  I had to wait to get them on sale, but finding them for $10 (and being able to get 5 for the price of 1) really made them extra special!

Going Bananas - Yellow Shorts and a Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffin Recipe

YELLOW SHORTS - Necessary Objects
CASHMERE SWEATER - Banana Republic (Thrifted)
TAUPE STRAPPY HEELS - Steven by Steve Madden
FAUX SNAKESKIN CLUTCH - Last Chance Boutique
NECKLACE - Heavenly Treasures
WOOD BRACELET - Heavenly Treasures

Princess Sparkles had her "Spring Sing" today.  Basically parents and their preschooler sit in a circle and sing songs.  I accidentally left the printed up words at home so we had to "wing it."  You know, how you sort of say the words slightly after everyone else and/or try to guess what the next words are going to be?  And forget the tune, you just go with something neutral (unless you get lucky and it's a tune you know).

I was having a little difficulty choosing today's outfit.  Partially because I was trying to accomodate two link ups ("Fruit Week" hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki, and "Thursdays are for Thrifters" hosted by Spunky Chateau) and because I just wanted to be comfortable.  I decided to go with shorts because they're comfy and I just got these cute things at Loehmanns a few weeks ago.

Anyway, in the end I was able to "wing it."  I took a little inspiration from some of the other participants, threw on a pair of yellow "banana" shorts, and a thrifted cashmere sweater (I know, not really spring/summer, but then again, isn't cashmere considered year-round?).  I also kept everything neutral.  Basically I found that putting this outfit together was kinda like singing songs you don't know!

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL MUFFINS

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups flour (I often do 1/2 wheat, 1/2 all purpose)
1 cup quick cook oats
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil (can substitute apple sauce for oil too)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 banana, mashed up
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  In another bowl beat egg, then add milk, oil and vanilla.  Add the mashed up banana.  Add the dry mixture in and stir until just combined.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Grease muffin pan and spoon batter in (should make 12 muffins).  Cook at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

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!