JEAN QUEEN - GAP Patch Pocket Shorts, Modern Trousers & Overalls

TOP - Zara

PATCH POCKET SHORTS - GAP (similar in white)

DAISY STUD HEELED CLOGS - Forever 21

 TOP - Zara

MODERN TROUSER JEANS - GAP (similar)

MULTI-COLORED STRETCH BELT - Local Boutique

OVERALLS - GAP

RED TANK TOP - Old Navy

Princess Sparkles' favorite outfit usually consists of a poofy dress, glitter shoes, necklaces, bracelets and 2-3 headbands.  However, when I send her to preschool I usually dress her in jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers, so she can play hard and not get all scratched up.  AND I don't let her wear accessories.  This, of course, has caused a few meltdowns before school, because she doesn't like to go places without her added flair.  Sometimes, if I'm running late (which is pretty much always), I let Princess Sparkles wear her accessories in the car and have her take them off at the door when I say goodbye.  Luckily she doesn't usually throw tantrums in public.  Phew! 

Today while Sparkles was in preschool, Pigtails and I went for our morning run and then a quick field trip to the mall where I made a little visit to the GAP.  I wasn't planning on buying anything until...the woman handed me a 30% off coupon for Mother's Day (you can get 30% off too online by using the code GAPMOM).  Suddenly, everything looked THAT much better.  I had about 15 minutes before having to get Princess Sparkles so I quickly grabbed a bunch of things I liked, paid for them and headed out.  

So here you have it.  The purchases I made from the GAP:  A pair of PATCH POCKET SHORTS, which I like a lot, though need to get a smaller size since the waist is unusually large (similar in white), some MODERN TROUSER JEANS, which were on sale already and have great flare...though need to be hemmed badly (similar), and some cool new OVERALLS (which I'm in love with but sort of think they belong on a really tall skinny person...which, unfortunately, is not me). 

The great thing about these pieces is they're not only cute but they're extremely functional (oh, and they're 30% off)!  Too bad they don't have these items for toddlers, because maybe, just maybe, they would save me from pre-preschool morning tantrums. 

Rainy Day Wish List

Rain gear is so last week...then again it's supposed to rain Friday so maybe I'm really avant.  Let's go with the latter.  In honor of my great love for trench coats...and boots, I thought I'd do a list of my favorite "rain" songs...just kidding.  Now here's my rainy day wish list!



Trench Coat
My Michelle, $51 (exact)



1. THE POLKA DOT TRENCH COAT



Why polka dots, you ask?  My response is...why not polka dots?  Not like anyone can see what you're wearing underneath the coat anyway.  You could be wearing your skivvies for all anyone knows (okay, don't do that in public, kinda creepy...but your significant other might like it!).  And it'll go with almost any color pants, though I would stick with the solids (but hey, if you wanna pair it with more polka dots or something like that, and you can rock it, then more power to ya!)



RED RAIN BOOTS
Zetta, Target $24.99 (exact)

2. RED RAIN BOOTS

I went to Princess Sparkles ballet class last week and a mom was wearing these with jeans and a sweatshirt... She looked fabulous!!!  I couldn't stop staring.  She told me she got 'em on clearance at Target for $3.  This of course made them even better.  Unfortunately, they're not on clearance now, but for $24.99, it's worth it since I could wear 'em on Friday, and I'm all about immediate gratification.



WHITE DAISY UMBRELLA
Galleria, $26.25 (exact)



3. WHITE DAISY UMBRELLA

Everyone loves getting flowers and this umbrella is like getting some everytime it rains.  And who doesn't like to see drops of water cascading down the petals?  I just think it would be a lot of fun to carry around.  

Stay dry...or if you're gonna get wet, look cute doing it!

My Superbowl Sunday

Today I woke up sore. I could barely move. My knees and forearms were bruised and battered. My back, calves, abs, and neck (yes, my neck) ached. How could this happen? Did I run a marathon? Was it a car accident? Did I "fall down the stairs?"

No.  I played a volleyball tournament.  You see, yesterday I put aside my boots and dresses to wear a t-shirt and shorts all day long (without make-up!!!). As my best friend, Plaid, says, I like to wear cute clothes EXCEPT when I exercise (she wears Lululemon).  But why would I spend money on workout clothes when I could buy a new handbag? Or some BOOTS?!!!

Anyway, today our family went to Plaid's house for the Superbowl. Of course, I didn't watch more than 5 minutes of the game. Why? Because I have kids and they don't like to sit around watching football and drinking beer (like my husband). But I did get to try Plaid's Lululemon jacket because it was cold and the kids went outside to play. And NOW I can see why she likes it!  Not only was it cute but comfy too.  Maybe I'll have to get one, because as my sister, Polka Dots, claims, “if you wear cuter workout clothes maybe you'll actually workout more.” 

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!

Happy New Year!

Today begins the year of the Rabbit, which supposedly means it'll be a calmer year than 2010 (thank goodness, because after having a newborn AND a toddler in her terribles, I'm exhausted!).

I also read somewhere that it's a good year for wishes (whatever that means), so in honor of the Lunar New Year of the Metal Rabbit, and since I AM half Chinese, I thought I'd celebrate by posting my New Year's Wish List (just in case my husband is reading this and wants to get me something for V-day).

1.  La Mer Snakeskin Wrap Watch ($90, La Mer Collections)
2.  Divine Rights of Denim Bell Bottom Jeans ($24.80, Forever 21)
3.  TOMS 'Classic Camo' Slip On ($53.95, Nordstrom)
4.  Ruched T-Back Top in a bright color ($6.50, Forever 21)
5.  Zella 'Live In' Capri Pants ($42, Nordstrom)

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.

Why I Need a $25 Foot Massage

When I was in my early 20's I used to LOVE wearing heels to work. I always felt one must suffer for fashion (okay, maybe not that dramatic, but I really did like being taller). A couple of my co-workers, whom I'll call Cashmere and Lace, told me that when I got older I'd realize the importance of comfort. I didn't believe them.

Today I decided to wear these adorable heeled “work boots” (I know, total oxymoron), because I thought, they looked cute, they seemed comfortable enough, and...they looked cute (did I mention that already?). 

Anyway, I was only going to Princess Sparkles' ballet class (or so I thought). So after class, Polka Dots and I decided to take Princess Sparkles (my older daughter) and Pigtails (the baby) to TJ Maxx to find desk organizers. We got there, found what I needed (love TJ Maxx, they have great home goods for cheap), then turned around and both girls had fallen asleep.

Would someone please tell me why when you want your kids to fall asleep, it seems like you're asking the impossible but when you really would like them to stay up just for a quick shopping trip they pass out?

So I have Pigtails in an Ergo carrier, walking around in my cute, seemingly comfortable, heeled "work boots." Polka Dots and I decide it's better if we just stay in TJ Maxx and “walk around” the downstairs clothing and accessories section (I know, we're so sacrificial) while we wait for Pigtails to take her usual 30 minute nap.

CUT TO: 60 minutes later (or maybe longer since we didn't really check our watches)...

Polka Dots is still pushing Princess Sparkles around in the cart (her face pressed against the side) and I'm still carrying Pigtails. Can I tell you walking around in heeled "work boots" is NOT so comfy after more than an hour and carrying 20 extra pounds (or 30 lbs if you count the extra baby weight I still haven't lost)?  My seemed-comfortable "work boots" were anything but.

When I got home I had to put on some slippers. My feet were dying. Now I get what Cashmere and Lace were talking about. So I guess that means I'm "older," huh?

Say Cheese

I'm excited about "cataloging" my closet.  I just spent 3+ hours in there putting together outfits.  Yes, you heard right.  THREE HOURS (no wonder my husband goes crazy everytime I get dressed to go out).  I enjoyed every minute of it!  Combining dresses, with belts and jackets and shoes...man, I can see why celebrities have stylists. 

Polka Dots and I went shopping today at our favorite store, LAST CHANCE BOUTIQUE.  They were having a sale.  I, of course, could NOT help myself and bought three dresses (all for $50 total!!!).  Oh, and a fringe purse (because who can resist one of those?). 

My purse looks like this JJ Winters one except mine was $35 and this one is $385!!!

I also took my first photos today (which I'll post soon).  I had Polka Dots do it.  What would I do without my sister?  I mean who else would tell me "yeah, those stripes make you look wide" and "your legs look much fatter in the picture?" 

It's kind of embarrassing posing for these pictures.  I don't know whether to smile, turn to the side, put my hands on my hips (and it's even harder when my sister is behind the camera laughing and telling me to put my hand on the wall in a half twist, lean back and make the "magnum" face).  I feel like a dork (and not a tall/skinny one either!).  Maybe when they said, "say cheese," they were talking about how I feel when I take these pictures.