Shearling Moto Vest, Liz Lange Maternity Dress and...It's Too Quiet!

SILENCE.  Usually a good thing...unless you have kids.

Today I was getting a lot done around the house when suddenly I realized...it was awfully quiet.  I walked by the girls' bedroom and heard giggling and whispering.  I went in and found Pigtails' crib full of toys, pillows and clothes with the strong scent of diaper rash cream waffling through the air.  They had been playing with it and there were greasy hand and footprints everywhere. 

But I have to admit, this time I got lucky.  Usually it's worse...

Here's what I found today.  Not too bad.

One of Pigtails' favorite "quiet" activities.

Today's silent "oops" by Princess Sparkles.

On a good day, this is what I'll find.

The dress I'm wearing is Liz Lange maternity thrifted by my sister, Polka Dots, in Hawaii.  I love the print and will probably keep it even after I'm no longer pregnant.  The shearling vest is from Loehmanns, an early Christmas gift from Polka Dots.  Loehmanns is the only place my sister and I went shopping on Black Friday and we got some really great buys!

SHEARLING VEST - Bernardo via Loehmanns (thanks, Polka Dots!)
MATERNITY DRESS - Liz Lange for Target (thrifted)
BRACELET - Downtown LA Fashion District
BOOTIES - Old Navy (on clearance for $6!)

My Thanksgiving Manicure:
OPI - Live From NY, It's OPI!
SALLY HANSEN - Strobe Light

Now that I'm a grown up, opening Christmas gifts is definitely not as big of a deal.  In fact, I think it's almost better to go shopping with the other person and buy you/them whatever you/they want.  It's fun and that way everyone is happy (no returns, no hassles, just no surprises). 

Now I just realized...it's awfully quiet.  I better go see what the girls are up to. 

Cross your fingers, hopefully it's nothing too bad...

Thrifted Treasures - Yee-haw!

PURPLE CARDIGAN - Cynthia Rowley (thrifted) - via my mom
BLUE MATERNITY JEANS - Paige Premium Denim (thrifted) - $25
POLKA DOT BOW TIE SHIRT - I Heart Ronson (thrifted) - $2
FUR VEST - Sanctuary via Nordstrom - $50
HAT - Albertus Swanepoel for Target - $20
BLACK MARY JANES - Dr. Scholl's

Monday's Inspiration - Jessica Alba

"Yee-haw!"  Pigtails loves to shout this as she rides her stuffed animals around the house.  The other day I laughed when I found her riding Nemo, wearing a straw hat and waving it around.  She's created her own amusement park to entertain herself!

"Yee-haw!"

This is the outfit I wore to a baby shower at my house last week.  It was cold and rainy that day so I wore lots of layers.  The outfit also works for "Inspiration Monday," hosted by Two Birds, which is Jessica Alba wearing a fur vest and jeans.  The polka dot top, maternity jeans and the purple sweater are all thrifted, and the fur vest is my "go to" from Nordstrom.

Lately I've been scoring at the thrift store, especially with shoes and handbags.  I think it helps I go every week with my mom, Fair Isle.  I love finding a good deal, it makes me want to wave my Albertus Swanepoel for Target hat in the air and yell "Yee-haw!" 

Silver Tunic, GS Lillian Necklace and Thrifted Kenneth Cole Heels

GRAY TUNIC - Sugar Lips (thrifted)
JEGGINGS - Macys
NECKLACE - GS Lillian
CROCODILE/SUEDE HEELS - Kenneth Cole (thrifted)

"F#@*!" said Pigtails as she tapped my arm in the kitchen.  She immediately caught my attention.  I turned to see her smiling face, "F#@*!"  I stared at her in shock (neither Camouflage nor I ever use the word), then I said hopefully, "Frog?"  Pigtails smiled and nodded emphatically.  Phew, I sighed as I realized she was talking about her new LeapFrog math movie.

I'm linking up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through the Decades: Tunics."  Tunics are a pregnancy staple in my closet, along with leggings.  They're comfy and practical!  I "thrifted" this gray tunic off craigslist from another mother.  I paired it with jeggings, a GS Lillian statement necklace and Kenneth Cole heels I thrifted for $10.  These shoes have never been worn and when I checked out a red sticker located on the bottom of the shoe I saw they were once on clearance for $199!!! 

I've really hit the jackpot at Goodwill lately, especially in the shoe department.  In fact, not only did I buy those Kenneth Coles and the orange patent Vince Camutos I wore in my last post, I also found some Michael Kors nude/rose gold heels.  With steals like this it almost makes me want to scream "F#@*!"  Just kidding.

P.S. tomorrow (Tuesday) I have a guest post on GS Lillian!  It's my holiday wishlist!

Fair Isle Poncho and Hide-and-Seek

FAIR ISLE PONCHO - Romeo & Juliet Couture, $25 at TJ Maxx
BLACK MATERNITY CORDS - Motherhood Maternity, hand-me-down
BRONZE PURSE - B Makowsky, $8 (thrifted)
ORANGE PATENT HEELS - Vince Camuto, $8 (thrifted)

Monday's Inspiration - Olivia Munn

"Momma, count to ten then come and find me."  Princess Sparkles loves to play hide-and-seek.  It's one of her favorite games (besides dress-up, of course).  She almost always hides in the same place...under our bed.  Though sometimes I get busy doing stuff and forget to go find her.  Oops!

Princess Sparkles emerges from the pantry: "You found me!"

Today's "Inspiration Monday" from the sisters at Two Birds is Olivia Munn in a loose striped top.  I considered going with stripes then decided to go with "loose" so I could wear a poncho (one of my fall obsessions!).  I loved the fair isle pattern (another fall obsession!).  This poncho would be perfect with black leggings and brown riding boots, but I decided to stick with something closer to the inspiration and wore black "tuxedo" maternity cords and patent orange Vince Camuto heels I thrifted (new!) at Goodwill for $8!!!

I love a poncho.  You just throw it on over whatever you're wearing and voila, instant cuteness (and warmness!).  It's like the fashionable version of hide-and-seek!!!

Dressing Up Overalls

MATERNITY OVERALLS - $10, Walmart
RED TANK TOP - $5, Target
BLACK CARDIGAN - $15, Motherhood Maternity
GRAY HAT - $20, Albertus Swanepoel for Target
GRAY WEDGE BOOTIES - $7, Old Navy

Last night Pigtails ran into my room wearing a diaper, t-shirt and two flower headbands around her waist.  I was quite impressed with her "accessorizing."  It almost looked like a tutu.  Usually it's Princess Sparkles who's decked out in fanciness, but her little sister definitely has her own sense of style!

These are the $10 maternity overalls I got from Walmart. I know, a lot of people don't like overalls but for some reason I find them comfy (though not the easiest for public bathroom usages). I paired them with my $7 Old Navy wedge booties and an Albertus Swanepoel for Target hat. I wanted to link up to Silverstyle's "Trending Through The Decades: Accessories." 

Pigtails "accessorizes" her diaper with her sister's flower headbands

My ultimate accessorizer, Princess Sparkles

I always admire other bloggers for their ability to accessorize multiple bracelets and statement necklaces.  I'm not the greatest at accessorizing, it's a lot of work for me and I never feel like I quite get it right.  I need an accessory rule book that shows me which pieces I can mix and match or I should just take a page from Princess Sparkles and Pigtails and just wear everything all together!!!

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"

Winter White and How NOT to Scare Your Child

WHITE BLAZER - Forever 21
GREEN TANK TOP - Gap
BLACK PANTS - Motherhood Maternity
GLADIATOR HEELS - Cynthia Vincent for Target
SILK SCARF - Missoni for Target

Monday's Inspiration - Kelly Ripa

"Boo!"  Pigtails exclaimed when she saw me wearing a facial mask in the bathroom.  At first I didn't realize what she was talking about and then I remembered how I jokingly said that to her the first time I was wearing some mask and she looked at me strangely.  She had seemed a tad frightened by my appearance ("Boo" is probably not the right thing to say when trying NOT to scare your 20-month old, but she found it amusing).  Later when I wiped off the mask she seemed relieved that it was indeed me.

"Boo!"

"Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds is Kelly Ripa.  I've been wanting to wear a white blazer in a fall appropriate way, so I paired it with a bright tank, black pants (something I find challenging to wear for some reason), a Missoni for Target scarf, and Cynthia Vincent for Target gladiator heels. 

I love winter white but it's intimidating to me.  However, I've seen some magazines pics that have inspired me to try it.  I guess the only real scary thing about white (or "Boo" as Pigtails calls it) is the possibility of getting touched by little dirty hands!!!

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!

Cashmere Maternity Sweater, Fur Vest and Albertus Swanepoel for Target Hat

GRAY CASHMERE SWEATER - Walter (Pea in the Pod)
BROWN FUR ZIP VEST - Sanctuary (Nordstrom)
BLACK LEGGINGS - Old Navy
PURPLE/BROWN HAT - Albertus Swanepoel for Target
BROWN WEDGE BOOTS - Steve Madden

The other night I asked Princess Sparkles why she's so cute (yes, I'm totally biased) and she told me, "because I have a cute hair style."  I smiled.  She does have naturally curly hair that people always think I curled!  Then today I saw her taking her rocket launcher and putting it in her face sans rocket.  I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I'm blow drying my hair."

Princess Sparkles blow dries her hair with a rocket launcher

Here's what I wore to church on Sunday.  It was really "wayning" hard, as Pigtails says, so I wanted to wear something warm.  This is one of my only nice maternity purchases I made while pregnant with Sparkles.  It's a Walter cashmere sweater from Pea in the Pod I found on sale.  I also wore my Albertus Swanepoel for Target hat and my favorite Sanctuary furry vest I got a deal on at Nordstrom.

It's always hard to get myself out of the house on a rainy day, I just want to snuggle up in bed with hot chocolate and my family.  I also was having a bad hair day, hence the hat.  Because unlike Princess Sparkles, I don't like "blow drying" my hair.

Zebra Accessories and a Thrifted Lush Dress

AQUA/BLACK DRESS - Lush (Thrifted) - $7
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood Maternity - $15
GRAY TIGHTS - Nordstrom
ZEBRA BELT - Thrifted (Thanks, Mom!)
ZEBRA EARRINGS - Heavenly Treasures
BRACELET - Jewelry Party
BLACK MOTO BOOTS - BCBGeneration

Monday's Inspiration - Pippa Middleton

Last night I went to another room to talk on the phone.  Pigtails followed me, "Mama, TV."  I told her I was on the phone, but she insisted, grabbing every remote and placing them on my lap.  I still didn't turn it on.  Finally, she got in my face, tapped my arm and said, "Calayer, Calayer." For a moment she stumped me then I realized she was calling me by my first name, Claire.  "Calayer, turn on TV." I laughed and turned on the TV.

Today's "Inspiration Monday" from Two Birds is Pippa Middleton.  I was excited to wear a newly thrifted Lush dress from Goodwill.  Lush is a great non-maternity brand you can wear as maternity!  Surprisingly my tights didn't feel too uncomfy.  I also got to wear the thrifted zebra belt my mom got me (though that was the first thing to take off since belts aren't so comfy while pregnant). 

Anyway, there's something about a dress with tights and boots that I love.  The tights always seem to make the boots stand out.  It's a real attention getter, kinda like a 20-month old calling her mommy by her first name!

THANK YOU everyone who entered the $50 Giveaway from Zoe Clothing Co. Really appreciate the support! I used random.org to pick a number and the winner is...

Amy from Amy Fashion Blog. Congratulations!!!

Monochromatic Brown and Family Rituals

BROWN MATERNITY DRESS - Motherhood Maternity
SNAKESKIN ENVELOPE CLUTCH - Downtown LA Fashion District
FEATHER HEADBAND - Downtown LA Fashion District
STRIPED KNEE HIGH SOCKS - Target
LEOPARD RING - Forever 21
RED NECKLACE - Thrifted

"Buckle!  Buckle!"  That's what Pigtails screams everytime I put her into her carseat.  Lately, she has this ritual where she has to enter in the same door as Princess Sparkles, climb into the car herself, then buckle her own seat belt.  If this doesn't happen she screams and arches her back, making it nearly impossible for me to get her in, then she's upset for the duration of our drive. 

I wore this monochromatic look to church a few weeks ago.  For a little color I added a red feather headband, the accessory I'm obsessed with after buying one in every color from the Fashion District in Downtown LA (also where I got the snakeskin envelope clutch for $10!) and a statement necklace thrifted by my mom, Fair Isle.

Pigtails swings at Fair Isle's house

I'm so happy it's Friday.  I get to go down to Fair Isle's house, which usually means a little thrifting, a bit of resting and a lot of eating.  It's our nice little end of the week ritual (unlike the one where I have to force Pigtails into the car seat.  Sigh).

Asymmetric Maternity Dress, Black Leather Jacket and Leopard Heels

OLIVE DRESS - Gap Maternity
BLACK FAUX LEATHER JACKET - Loehmanns
NECKLACE - GS Lillian
LEOPARD HEELS - GoJane

COPPER GLITTER NAIL POLISH - Lippman Collection

For me, Halloween kicks off the holiday season, which means Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is right around the corner (and this year, an upcoming baby!).  It also means I need to start my Christmas shopping.  I really enjoy shopping for others and figuring out the perfect gift for them.  I make lists and sometimes get obsessive, buying and returning a few things first before settling on one gift!  The bad thing about Christmas shopping... I always find things I "need."

Here's the outfit I wore Saturday night to a dinner for a friend's film.  I wore this Gap maternity dress I found on clearance for $8.  I loved that it was asymmetric.  I decided to pair it with the versatile leather jacket and my leopard heels (which I got some compliments on but also some "be careful pregnant lady" comments as well).  I also wore this amazing glitter nail polish that I won from a magazine!!!

How Princess Sparkles decorates my dresser


Anyway, the holidays are so fun with the kids.  Watching them light up when they see a house with lights or a tree with ornaments makes me happy.  And buying them presents is almost better than getting myself a pair of shoes!

***Today's the last day to enter the $50 Giveaway from ZOE CLOTHING.