3 Ways to Wear Pastel Blue Linen Sailor Pants

"MONOCHROMATIC"
PASTEL BLUE LINEN SAILOR PANTS - Derek Heart
BLUE SHEER COTTON SWEATER - Rogan for Target
PINK CUFF - Made by my Mom!
WHITE WATCH - Sprout

"PREPPY"
STRIPED CORAL SHIRT - Old Navy

"RELAXED"
LAVENDER COTTON TANK - Banana Republic
CREAM PASHMINA - JC Penney

Princess Sparkles recently learned how to do "butterfly kisses" and "eskimo kisses," and now her new thing is to make up other ways to give kisses.  She's very creative and has given "chin kisses," "eyebrow kisses," even "hand kisses."  I just enjoy kisses.

I decided to do a "3 WAYS TO WEAR" post on my BLUE LINEN PANTS because I wasn't sure what to wear them with.  I did a "monochromatic" version with a loose sweater.  Then I did a "preppy" version with a lightweight button down.  Finally I did a "relaxed" version with a semi-sheer lavender tank (found it in Polka Dot's closet!).  I found that what works best with these linen pants is to wear something sheer, lightweight and similar toned (pastels).

The thing I like about these linen pants is they remind me of being on vacation.  Unfortunately we're not going anywhere for Memorial Day Weekend.  So no "goodbye kisses" for us!  But if I'm going to be home on a holiday, then by golly, at least I'm going to dress like I'm on vacation!

3 Ways to Wear a Poncho and Artichoke Rice Salad Recipe

STRIPED PONCHO - Cejon Accessories (Thrifted)
FLARED JEANS - J Brand
WHITE TANK TOP - Old Navy
STRETCH BELT - gifted from White Elephant exchange
NAVY/RED/PINK HEELS - Charlotte Russe

Thursday is always trash day in our neighborhood and one of Princess Sparkles' favorite things is to wave at the garbage man and watch him dump our bins into the back of his truck.  She even told me, "I want to be a garbage man when I grow up." 

I decided to wear my thrifted poncho today since it's "Thursdays Are for Thrifters" over at Spunky Chateau.  I saw the colors and the fringe on this and knew I had to have it.  I wasn't exactly sure how I'm supposed to wear it, so I tried it a few different ways.  The only bad thing about this is it's not easy to clean.  I hand washed it and so much red dye came out that I probably could've dyed an entire dress with the leftover water!

I love going thrifting.  Not only is it an inexpensive way to get my shopping fix, but you can actually get some really unique pieces!  And although someone else might consider an item of clothing "trash," to you it could be the best thing ever!

*** DISCOUNTS:  GAP has 40% off everything in store for Memorial Day weekend.  Nordstrom's semi-annual sale for women and kids is going on now.

I also wanted to share a recipe.  I made a quick and easy one dish dinner that looks fancy but is so simple! 

ARTICHOKE RICE SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

1-16oz can of marinated artichoke hearts (save liquid)
1 lemon (medium size, juiced)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

3 cups cooked white rice (I use calrose/japanese short grain)
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (you can use fresh tomatoes too but seed them)
1 cup green onion, chopped (or red onion if you like it strong)
1-6oz can of black olives (I mixed with green spanish olives too)
1-7oz can of tuna, drained (or you can replace with chicken if you don't like tuna)
1/4 cup nuts (I used slivered almonds which I roasted, but you can also use pine nuts)

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl mix together artichoke liquid, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.  Add in the remaining ingredients and gently mix.  Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature, then cover and chill in refrigerator until serving.

3 Ways to Wear a Lace Jacket

LACE JACKET - Forever 21
BLACK FLOWER DRESS - Last Chance Boutique
COMBAT BOOTS - Trouve (Nordstrom)
BLACK CUFF - Express
BROWN BELT - Forever 21

CORAL BURNOUT TANK - Kersh (Loehmanns)
SKINNY JEANS - Yaso (Macy's)
GOLD WEDGES - Charles David

TURQUOISE SILK TANK - Banana Republic
FAUX LEATHER SHORTS - Forever 21
BROWN/SILVER BELT - Vintage
MULTI-COLORED WEDGES - Cynthia Vincent for Target

I love that Princess Sparkles and Pigtails both can be so girly with their dresses, accessories and glitter shoes, and yet so rough and tumble.  It's such a juxtaposition.  The other day they were playing around and I came out to find Princess Sparkles with a bloody nose.  Pigtails had accidentally head butted her.  I freaked internally (I've somehow trained myself NOT to scream because it just makes them more upset) and I quickly cleaned her up.  It helped that Camo told her he gets bloody noses too (though not for the same reasons).

Today I decided to try out this lace jacket from Forever 21.  I'm not sure I'm going to keep it, because I also bought a white linen blazer and it's very hard to justify two jackets.  But then I decided to do another "3 Ways to Wear" it post and I suddenly realized, wow, this is so versatile.  I can dress up a pair of jeans, girly up a pair of faux leather shorts or even wear it with a dress and some bad-ass boots.

Anyway, kind of loving this jacket.  Darn!  It has some really great details and it's a lot of fun.  It's so girly, but when paired with the right piece of rockin' leather wear or ripped up jeans, it makes for a great juxtaposition!

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!

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...

Vacation From My Vacation

Driving out to Palm Desert...

The funny thing about vacations is upon returning home I always feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.  It's not that it wasn't relaxing, it's just that I seemed to "do" a lot (which didn't really include naps).  And because I'm so used to waking up early (Thanks, Pigtails!) I can't seem to sleep in.

I really had a good time going out with the girls.  Fierce and Fedora are so much fun, although getting ready to go out was always quite the process.  Fierce (my most fashionable friend) brought an entire wardrobe of clothing.  She says she's never sure what she'll feel like wearing so she brings it all (just in case).  She usually changes about 5 times before going out. 

Fedora (my singer ex-model friend), who decided to borrow clothes from Fierce (who's only 7 inches shorter than she is), debuted like 8 different outfits before deciding on what to wear.  First, it's difficult to convince Fedora the clothes actually fit (they do!).  Then it's difficult to convince her she looks good (she does!).  It didn't help that she only brought one pair of shoes (brown clogs) to go out in.  But eventually we'd get out (even if it meant eating a steak dinner at 10:30pm!).

And me?  I changed twice.  Normally I change more, but it's not so hard when you're on a 30 for 30 remix.  But I'll tell you what is hard.  NOT SHOPPING.  We went to the mall and I saw all sorts of fabulous shoes at Charlotte Russe.  I wanted them all.  But I settled for watching Fierce buy some (She wears the same size as I do!) and got some fluorescent yellow nail polish!

#27 - SEDONA
MADRAS SKIRT - CAbi
PURPLE TANK TOP - Bebe
BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood
BLACK STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21
NECKLACE - my Grandmother's collection
WHITE WATCH - Sprout

#28 - PORTLAND
CHAMBRAY SHIRT - American Eagle
DENIM SHORTS - Forever 21
BLACK VEST - CAbi
OPEN TOE BOOTS - Charlotte Russe
FLOWER PIN - Made by my Mom

Overall it was a fantastic getaway.  But I did really miss Princess Sparkles, Pigtails and Camouflage.  I came home to lots of hugs and snuggles with the girls.  I also took a nap.  Camo set up our new king bed!  So now it's like a vacation in our own bedroom!  Guess I can have that vacation from my vacation after all.

Claire

p.s. if you get a chance will you please check out my guest post on After Nine to Five?  I'd really appreciate it.  It's a recipe post.
http://www.afterninetofive.net/guest-recipe-ramen-cabbage-salad/#idc-container

3 Ways to Wear a Chambray Shirt

This past weekend we visited Camouflage's parents, who offered to babysit Pigtails and Princess Sparkles. OF COURSE, we took them up on it since we hadn't seen a movie in... can't even remember (NOTE TO THOSE SANS CHILDREN: enjoy the small things in life like going out to dinner, seeing movies, or sleeping through the night without interruptions like crying or asking you to clean up their poop, because if and when you ever have kids, your life will be changed forever...and not always in good ways).

Hoping to see "THE KING'S SPEECH," we drove to the theater (okay, rushed, because anytime anyone offers to babysit and we want to see a movie, we have to either time it right so they don't end up watching our kids for HOURS, or we have to see whatever movie is playing at that time, even if it's a movie about Justin Bieber).  But on our way there, Camo and I decided we were both exhausted and didn't want to pass out in the theater. In the end we went to the mall and shopped (I know this sounds boring, but believe me, when you have kids, the simple things in life are "special" when you can do them in peace).

CHAMBRAY SHIRT - American Eagle (similar)

BLACK CARDIGAN - Motherhood, JEANS - Goldsign,  FOREVER 21 DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS (exact)

FUR VEST - Made by My Mom, BLACK LEGGINGS - Old Navy, BOOTS - Jessica Simpson (similar)

DRESS - Gap (similar), BELT - Forever 21 (similar), FOREVER 21 SUEDETTE WORK BOOT (exact)

Later that night we got home and Camo's brother, Slacks, called.  Ironically, he and Argyle offered to babysit.  Uh, yeah... we said YES (don't worry, we admitted to them we had already had a "date" earlier).  Rushing to see "THE KING'S SPEECH" yet again, we decided it would probably be better if we went to dinner. In the end, after not being able to make a decision (and a few other mishaps) we decided on a hot dog truck. We sat outside on a nearby wall, ate fancy hot dogs with cheesy tater tots, and chatted away.

It was simple, good, and relaxing.  Kind of like the CHAMBRAY DENIM SHIRT I styled three ways!

3 Ways to Wear A Green Leather Skirt

Watch out world, my 1-year old, Pigtails, is walking!  A month ago she was only taking 2 steps, then suddenly last week after much practice and quite a few falls, she was able to walk around the entire house.  Actually it's more like parading around with a big proud grin on her face!  In fact, she doesn't crawl at all.  I mean, why would she?  That's only for babies (and she definitely doesn't see herself as one!).

So I have to preface this "3 Ways To Wear It" by saying I kept the same white tank and green leather skirt on, and just changed up jackets/sweater, belts and shoes.  So it almost feels like cheating.  But I really wanted to document these looks so I would remember what to wear later.

GREEN LEATHER SKIRT - Thrifted (similar color skirt)

DENIM MOTO JACKET (similar), FOREVER 21 PEEP TOE CLOGS in black (exact) 

NEUTRAL CARDIGAN (similar), FOREVER 21 DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS (exact)

WHITE CORDUROY JACKET (similar), CHARLES DAVID CLOG HEELS (similar)

Can you believe this skirt was only $6?  My mom, Fair Isle, thrifted it. She was actually going to make cuffs out of it but I saw that it was my size and I hinted to her (okay, I just flat out asked her) to let me have it.  And I love it.  It's such a great color and so much fun!

I'm really enjoying the challenge of wearing different pieces 3 ways.  Like Pigtails and her walking, I just need to practice doing it, fall a few times, and someday maybe I'll perfect it.  Then I can wear that big proud grin while parading around the house in my outfits!

Sequin Dress 3 Ways



SEQUIN DRESS #1
SEQUIN DRESS, MM Couture (similar)
SWEATER, Forever 21 (exact)
BELT, Express (similar)
BRACELETS, Cara (similar)
WATCH, Sprout (exact)
BOOTS, Charlotte Russe (similar)
NECKLACE, gifted (similar)



My friend, Sequins, is a self-proclaimed clothing mismatcher (is that even a word?).  She's also really good at keeping things so long that eventually they come back in style (aka "Vintage").  But rather than storing them in her closet, she actually wears them.  The other day she joked about how she used to (and still does) wear sequins on stage.  And I said to her, “You do realize sequins are back in, right?” She was super excited (yes, I said super. My daughter watches Ni-Hao Kai-lan, all right?)

SEQUIN DRESS #2
SEQUIN DRESS, MM Couture (similar)
MOTORCYCLE VEST, My Beloved (similar)
BLACK TIGHTS, Brass Plum (similar)
WATCH, La Mer (similar)
TORQUOISE NECKLACE, gifted (similar)

I'm obsessed with sequins (the clothing, not my friend).  There's something about their shininess and symmetry.  They're fabulous.  I bought this SEQUIN DRESS for $15 at Macys when they were having a sale.  It's actually much more versatile than I thought. 

SEQUIN DRESS #3
SEQUIN DRESS - MM Couture (similar)
RUFFLE TOP - Bizz (similar)
BELT - Forever 21 (similar)
WATCH - La Mer (similar)
BOOTS, Forever 21 (exact)

I decided to do "3 Ways to Wear It" Thursday.  And I wanted to post all 3 outfits at one time so you can see them side by side.  That way, if one of them sucks worse than the others, hopefully you won't notice.  Or maybe I'll get lucky and you'll think all my outfits are just like sequins, shiny and symmetrical.

Khaki Twill Jacket #3

JACKET - William Rast for Target (exact)
PLAID INFINITY SCARF - made by Mom (similar)
COMFY BLACK SHIRT - (similar)
SUNGLASSES - Ralph Lauren (similar)
SKINNY JEANS - Yaso (similar)
MOTORCYCLE BOOTS - BCBGeneration (similar)
BLACK ON BLACK WATCH - Zodiac (exact)
CUFF - Heavenly Treasures

 Are you ever so full that you feel like a sausage?  Unfortunately for me it's much too often (hmm... wonder why I'm not losing all that post-baby weight).  We had some people over to celebrate Pigtails' 1st Birthday and anytime I have a party I like to have an abundance of food (Camo says I "cook for an army," and that's on regular nights NOT party ones).  But food is just one of those things that brings me great happiness... especially a brunch buffet or an 8 course Chinese meal!

Anyway, that has nothing to do with this final outfit (except maybe I shouldn't wear these skinny jeans while overeating...unless I wear a comfy black shirt like this one!).  I think I'm channeling a bit of Gwen Stefani here (a smaller, Asian version... just wish I could have her abs...or maybe I do but you can't tell because of the comfy black shirt!)

Khaki Twill Jacket #2

JACKET - William Rast for Target, $15.74 (exact)
HOODED SHIRT - Target (similar)
CORDUROY SKIRT - American Eagle (similar)
EARRINGS - Forever 21, $7.80 (similar)
CUFF - Heavenly Treasures, $15
SUNGLASSES - Jessica Simpson, $24 (similar)
BOOTS - Trouve, $99.90 (similar)

Here is the second outfit with this jacket.  I mixed it with some "old" clothes from my closet (meaning, I bought it more than a few years ago).  Isn't it funny how people like to call their old clothes, "vintage?"  This one time I was going to an event and my actress girlfriend told me she was wearing "vintage," which I figured was sort of like "antique" (meaning at least 25 years old).  But the designer she mentioned hadn't even been around 25 years, so I'm thinking it was just a dress she bought a few years back and it sounded more stylish to call it "vintage."











This extremely versatile jacket is William Rast for Target.  I'm a huge fan of Target's designer collections because it allows some of us with smaller budgets to buy brands we normally wouldn't be able to.  It has great details like ruching on the sides (for those of us with the "mommy belly") and it's 100% cotton, so even people like my friend, Fierce, can wear it.  The only thing I don't like about this jacket is I bought it for $44.99 and now it's on clearance for $15.74.  So I hope someone goes out and buys it at 65% off so I can at least be happy for you!

Anyway, I better finish this up now because this "vintage" mommy better get her kiddos (and herself) ready for bed.  Goodnight!

Khaki Twill Jacket #1




JACKET - William Rast for Target, $15.74 (exact)
RUFFLE TOP - Song of Love (similar)
BLACK SKINNY JEANS - CAbi (similar)
RED PATENT HEELS - Enzo Angiolini (similar)

 Today, in between preschool and dance lessons I took Polka Dots, Princess Sparkles and Pigtails to McD's for lunch where they had a huge indoor play structure.  Princess Sparkles was, of course, over the moon to see this play area. 

Usually I'm hesitant to let her go in to those structures (due to "sick germs" and the aroma of toddler pee), however, I figured what the heck and told her 5 minutes.  After 10, I told Princess Sparkles we had to leave.  It looked like she was about to come out, then I kept seeing her in different parts of the structure.  Either she wasn't listening, didn't care, was lost, or all of the above.

20 minutes later...dance class is going to start soon and I'm still trying to talk Princess Sparkles down.  I'm starting to lose my cool.  I'm about to take off my boots and climb up after her (thank goodness I didn't wear a dress!).  Parents are staring.

Then by some miracle (aka "bribes"), Princess Sparkles emerges from the bottom of one of the tunnels.  I'm pretty frustrated though trying not to yell since I'm in public and don't want anyone to call children's services.  Really I'm just relieved I didn't have to climb in there.

Unfortunately, this probably won't be the last time something like this happens.  As parents, we can tell our kids where to go, what to do, and how to do it, but they're still going to do what they're going to do.  I'm sure we'll want to get in there and help them (unless of course it's kind of gross, too tight to fit, and smells like pee) but we won't always be able to.  And eventually they're going to have to figure things out themselves.

Anyway, it all worked out in the end and we made it to dance class just in time.  All I know is I won't be going to that McD's again...unless it's the drive-thru!





Nautical Dress #3




Dress - Forever 21, $10.80 (exact)
Jacket - Target, $29.99 (similar)
Leggings - Old Navy, $5 (similar)
Boots - Forever 21, $30.80 (exact)

 

















I went out tonight (to a CAbi party at a friend's house).  I went out last night (Bunco with the mommy mafia at another friend's house).  I'm not used to all this "going out" (yeah, I know, it's only to other peoples' houses, but still, I've left my house - and my TV - and I get home at...10ish.  I remember when my nights used to start at that time!).  Yawn.  Goodnight.

Nautical Dress #2




Dress - Forever 21, $10.80 (exact)
Hat, Forever 21, $3 (similar)
Cuff - Heavenly Treasures, $15
Sweater - Motherhood, $15 (similar)
Shoes - Target, $10 (similar)



I have this new rule.  We'll call it FASHION RULE #3 (#1 being "if you buy it, you should be able to wear it 3 ways" and #2...I'm sure I wrote another one in there somewhere).  So here it is...

"When buying a new article of clothing or pair of shoes I should wait at least 5 days before wearing it." 

That way I'll either find a bunch of things from my closet that will go with the new item OR I'll just be over it and can return it (and I'll still have that buyer's high from buying something that day, but it won't cost me anything!).  Either way it's a win-win.

Nautical Dress #1

Some Small Perks About Being Small

1.  Shopping in the kid section (things are always less expensive, though they don't always fit well in the chest area...even if you aren't well endowed, like myself)

2.  The ability to always hem jeans to your length (though bootleg jeans often end up straight leg ones - BUMMER)

3.  You live longer (or so they say...something about your heart not having to pump blood so far...pretty awesome, unless of course, your life sucks).

Here's the next "dress" from my closet.  It has NAUTICAL STRIPES.  I love them.  In fact, I think I'm becoming obsessed with them (like I was with fur and sequins in the fall, and fringe last month...okay, I'm still obsessed with fringe).  What's great about them is they never go out of style.  They always look fresh (and doesn't it look cool with a vest, belt, tights and brown clog sandals?  Got the idea from the mannequin at Forever 21!). 

And you know what's even cooler than that?  I got this "dress" from Forever 21 for $10.80 (YES!  That's exactly what I thought, $10.80?  Even if it doesn't fit, I'm buying it because I can't resist a deal!).  Luckily it fit. 

And that's my final perk of being small.  This "dress."  Because when I looked it up online to link it to this blog, I noticed, uh...it's a tunic.  So I guess for us petites (which I personally prefer over "short"), is that you can wear a tunic as a tunic or wear it as a dress.  That's already 2 ways!!! 

(p.s. and for you tall girls, sorry, but we gotta have something since we don't have your long legs)

Romeo and Juliet Dress #3

Here is the final outfit for the week.  I think it looks kind of bohemian (check out a similar dress).  And these are my favorite boots (at least for the time being).  I got them at Forever 21.  I actually had gone to the store to purchase a different pair of fringe boots, saw these and fell in love (also didn't hurt that the lady next to me saw me trying them on, nodded and said, "cute").   

Anyway, I was slightly nervous about getting fringe, I mean, it's so, well...fringy.  So I texted my girlfriend, Fierce, the most fashion-forward friend I have, and she texted back, "I already got them."  I bought them immediately. 

Lemme tell you something, if it's "in," Fierce already wore it last year.  And if it's "out," it's soooo out of her closet.  It's what she calls "editing," which not only involves organizing her closet, but something I have difficulty doing (thanks to the “hoarding” gene passed down through my maternal grandmother), giving things away! 

The best part is I often become her charity!!!  Like the vest I'm wearing (she calls it the "itchy" vest because it's made of polyester and she usually wears cotton), Fierce gave it to me after she got tired of it.  She got it a few seasons ago at a CAbi party.

Speaking of charity, I'm wearing accessories (the cuff and the earrings) from one of my favorite organizations, HEAVENLY TREASURES.  They change lives by helping people in other countries build up businesses.  They have a lot of great stuff and I can feel good about myself by buying it.  It's like I'm a shopping hero, "saving the world" one purchase at a time!

***NOTE, here's another cute pair of FRINGE BOOTS I like.  I hear they're comfy too!

Romeo and Juliet Dress #2

Today while I was dropping off Princess Sparkles at Moms Day Out (in my ugly workout clothes, but really, what workout clothes look chic anyway?), I ran into my friend, Fedora.  Fedora is an ex-model slash actress slash singer (doesn't that sound so LA?), who has become one of my besties in what another friend of mine calls, "The Mommy Mafia."

I told Fedora how uncomfortable I've been taking photos in clothes and she gave me a couple of tips which I will now share with you.  When taking photos one should:

-  Stand up straight, thrust chest out (makes boobs appear bigger...okay, she didn't say that boob part)
-  Turn to one side (makes everything look thinner)
-  Put one foot in front of the other (see last paranthetical)
-  And for that extra little vavoom, push front hip up in the air (not the back one - which I did - because that just gives you, as Fedora said, "the crotch shot").  This makes your waist look smaller, and who wouldn't want that? 

Anyway, I didn't do any of that in this picture.  However, I did wear my dress (here's a Similar One) with these cute over the knee boots, which I love (though they do remind me slightly of the ones that Julia Roberts wore in "Pretty Woman," so just be careful not to wear them with anything too hooker-ish).  I also wore my favorite "blacksessories" - a watch and a belt (which cinches the waist better than Spanx!!!).  As for the blazer, it's old.  So here's the closest thing I could find to it.

Romeo and Juliet Dress #1

So here it is, my first outfit.  It's a dress (couldn't find the exact same one but here's a Similar One) I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law, Argyle (and my brother-in-law, Slacks - THANKS!).  This year Argyle asked me if I wanted to buy my own Christmas gift, and I said YES!  I love shopping (obviously) and what's better than shopping for yourself with someone else's money? 

The sweater came from Motherhood Maternity (but here's non-maternity sweater just like it).  Normally I try to put away all maternity clothes after giving birth...first, because I've worn them for the last 9 months and really, I'm ready for a "new" wardrobe.  And second, because they remind me that I have this belly blob and no baby inside.  (Why don't people tell you that your uterus is huge after giving birth and you still look pregnant, except your belly now jiggles?!!!)

SHOPPING TIP: The Combat Boots are from Nordstrom.  I got $50 off because they ran out of them during their sale, so when I saw them available online later, I just asked if I could get the sale price and they agreed.  It never hurts to ask and Nordstrom is often quite accomodating.  Nothing better than getting a good deal.  Except getting a good deal while shopping for yourself with someone else's money!