Winter Wishes Part Two: Mister J

>> a new jogging stroller (you think this should me on MY list, but mister J loves jogs!)
>> little jumpers trampoline
>> old navy fleece hoodie
>> old navy dc comics batman hoodie
>> blue striped kids chair
>> high tops
>> osh kosh plaid pj set

Winter Wishes Part One: Meg

>> h&m sweater
>> vintage seven-up crates
>> old navy slouchy beanie
>> vs pink body spray
>> pier one hot chocolate mug
>> forever 21 pj set
>> bareminerals intensive glow pads

Manic Monday - Rockstar Skinny Jeans

warning: this post looks as though I was paid to write it. *I promise* I wasn't! But I would make a good sales lady, yes? If old navy stumbles upon this, feel free to cut me a check...

Guys, I have a confession.

As I usually do...

So the thing is, I love skinny jeans. And really, I used to hate them. Yeah, really, I did! When they first came out I remember thinking how horribly ugly and unflattering they were. But then I tried a pair on in the store. And oh, I loved them! Boots slip right over them, with no bunching? Fabulous. And I can wear high heels and feel tall and slender? Ohh yes please!

But then here's the other thing. I had a kid. And now I have a one and half year old boy. A BOY, you guys. Can you imagine running around chasing a sweet little independent and very active little boy while wearing skinny jeans? Not ideal.

Well, since I discovered the rockstar skinny jeans at old navy, my life has gotten ten times easier then it used to be. I can look stylish, but feel like I'm wearing pj's! I kid you not, they are the comfiest things I ever did wear. You would never guess you were wearing jeans!

And here's the REAL kicker... they are a whopping $30. Or, if you're clever like me, you can clip a coupon while shopping during a sale-and BAM, $19 a pair. Cha-ching!



You can find them online here.

Or just go to your old navy store.

And really, you can thank me later.

Manic Monday - Ankle Booties

{boots-windsor}{fitted t-dillards}{circle scarf-bohme boutique}{sweater vest-downeast basics}
{jeans-7 for all mankind, refashioned}{watch-windsor}{earrings-rue 21}

Just don't mind that I took these pictures last night, after a big steak and shrimp dinner with cheesecake for dessert. I felt like plopping my butt down on that road and taking a nap, really. After unbuttoning my suddenly-too-tight-jeans. But I smiled a little for the camera first. I'm going to say that's why these pictures didn't turn out...well, fabulous or anything...

On to my current obsession...I might or might not wear these ankle booties everyday. They are so versatile that it's kind of ridiculous! They go with everything!

I really do just l-o-v-e the ankle booties trend. What's that, you say? You want to see some more cute ones I found online? Well ohhkay...  

{heels.com}
{steve madden - slouchy cowboy}
{steve madden -throne bootie}
{ruche}
{wet seal}

Oh, and happy Monday you guysss!

Put a little Fall in my closet...

This morning I got out of bed early, put the kettle on the stove, made a mug of cinnamon spice tea and sat on the back patio while watching the sunrise from behind the mountains in my backyard. (Yep, I have mountains basically in my backyard! I know, luucckkyy.) And you know what I was thinking about the whole time that beautiful sun was creeping out into the sky? Was I thinking about the soon to be 90 degree weather that would follow that sun today? No sirree. I was thinking about some Fall essentials that I need to get in my closet. It's true, I think about Fall a lot lately... Doesn't everyone?

-FLAT BOOTS-
Last year I got my very first ever pair of flat boots. I love me some heels, but I tell ya what...I am officially SOLD on flat boots! SOLD, I tell ya. They are not only super cute, but who wants to walk around snow and ice in traction-less heels??! Why I ever did, I might never know. Ohhh but let's not talk about snow and ice yet, we're just thinking of fall. Remember?? Here are some flat boots I'm loving. Urbanog.com is a fabulous site for boots, I've bought three pairs already! Cute AND affordable.

-CARDIGANS-
I have GOT to get more cute cardi's in my closet. The epitome of essentials for Fall! And I know that Hollister brings back memories from the 8th grade, but...we can all agree, if you get over the brand name, they have super cute cardigans. We all agree, right??

-SCARVES-
Don't even get me started. I could add a million of these babies to my wardrobe. Here are some cute ones I found so far... and I'm just diggin the tassels this year!

-OVER SIZED SWEATERS-
Yesssss please!! I am pretty much head over heels in love with this free people hooded poncho. And it's on sale for $80 at Macys! Say it with me: Woo woo!!

Guysss...I am just so glad my birthday is a month away. What a perfect excuse to ask for a few new fall essentials! Or, just for a big ol' shopping trip. Yes, that will do just fine.

HIP-HIP for Birthdays, HOORAY for Fall!

PS All this talk about Fall is exciting, but let's not forget to soak up what summer we have left. Because it's here, so we might as well, yes??

PSS Happy Friday loves!

It will be a neon August!

{blouse: tjmaxx, jeans: 7 for all mankind (refashioned), shoes & earrings: maurices, watch: windsor, bracelets: F21 & gifted}
Let's dedicate August as Neon month. The last real month of summer should be filled with bright colors, am I right?? Here are some fantastic bright colors that I'd love to put in my closet:

{1}{2}{3}{4}

Yes, I really would wear those tye dye skinny jeans. Wouldn't you?? In fact, I'm debating making my own. If it works out, I'll let you know...

Happy Friday!

Birthday Wish List

Today starts the two month countdown until my birthday. If you know me, you know how much I looooovveee Birthdays! Nothing beats 'em, really. A day dedicated to mu-ah? Filled with presents and Birthday cake? Yes please!

So here it is, time to start the wishlists. I hope husband is writing this down! I'm currently falling in love with clutches, Jessica Simpson shoes, and Gold Jewelry. And those red flares?? They are a MUST for this Fall!

Let the countdown begin!

oh, and happy friday you crazies. I hope you have a fun filled weekend! Don't forget the bachelorette season finale is on Sunday, wooooo-wooooo! TEAM JEF *with one f*!!

Color Combo: Blue and Coral

{blue top: old navy, coral jeans: american eagle outfitters}
My current favorite color is coral, and I'm loving it paired with blue hues! Not only in my closet, but I have decided this would make the perfect master bedroom color scheme. And since our bedroom is yet to be finished, I'm thinking it's the perfect time to fall in love with these colors!





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Red, White & Blue

You guyyss! My all time favorite holiday is almost here! I seriously can't get over how fast it sneaks up on me every year. This year will be extra fun, since it's in the middle of the week and we get to spend the whole week & weekend celebrating!
Random side note, the 4th also marks 1 year living in our new home. Happy home-buying anniversary to us!
But seriously, don't be surprised if every blog post for the next week (or more...) is about the 4th of July. Mmmmkay??
Here I put together some inspirational "give-me-that's" for the 4th this year. I sure love me some red,white&blue.

Also, check out my pinterest board dedicated to the 4th of July here.

Maternity turned non-maternity

{top: refashion / white skinnies: rue 21 / shoes & earrings: Maurices / watch: Windsor / bracelet & nail polish: F21}

I was up past 4 in the AM with an upset stomach, so smiling for pictures this morning wasn't coming very naturally. {This also explains my nappy, just-woke-up hair...} But I wanted to show you how my project turned out, so I bucked it up and avoided eye contact with the camera as much as possible!

I happened to have some grey jersey knit fabric that matched the top of this maternity shirt perfectly. So I cut off the old material, did some tedious seam ripping, and sewed on my own grey fabric to transform a maternity shirt into a non-maternity shirt!

One project down, a million more to go!

But seriously, let's not let a little stomach bug get us down yeah? Because I don't know if you know this, but...IT'S FRIDAY! We've got a lot of weekend Summer celebrating to do! As for us, we're planning on relaxing at a concert in the park, maybe celebrating the longest day of the year with some burgers, and *hopefully* hitting the lake or the pool for some swimming.

Hope you all have a fabulous, sunny weekend!

Color Combo: Mint & Yellow

In honor of my new neon mint skinnies, I put together an outfit with the color combo that I'm currently falling in love with.

{jersey t-shirt - $8 - fashionunion.com}{CIMMARON slim jeans - $79 - placedestendances.com}
{wedge shoes - $33 - Forever21}{clutch handbag - $30 - riverisland.com}
{ex boyfriend gold watch - $30 - macys.com}{gold earrings - $3.99 - h&m}
{fedora hat - $13 - Forever21}{yellow nail polish - $2.80 - Forever21}

The fedora is optional, depending on my mood...

I'm not gonna lie, I normally don't go crazy for bright yellow. But mint is my favorite color right now, and apparently I love it paired with yellow pops. Just lovely!
Here are some more inspirational photos I found of mint & yellow combined...

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DIY Maxi Skirt

Good news guys...my husband is a genius, and my sewing machine is fixed!
Apparently there are different sized bobbins for different machines.
Who knew?!
Rookie mistake...

So I set up a nice little sewing nook for myself and spent my Sunday morning making a maxi skirt.
I decided to hold off on the striped maxi until I tried a basic one. And I'm sooo glad I did, because this was quite the learning experience! I'm such an amateur, it's kind of ridiculous. So believe me guys, if I can do any of this...you can do it too!

So what did I learn, you ask? The two things I learned from this skirt was:
Don't be cheap and try to make a maxi skirt with just 1 yard of fabric. You need 2 yards!
Make it a little wider at the feet, so you don't waddle like a penguin.

Otherwise, I'm glad for the learning experience that was my first maxi, and I love the results.

I found this jet green polyester fabric at Joann's for $6/yard. Because I didn't quite have enough fabric, I cut some excess and sewed it to the top of the skirt to make it longer.
Sloppy, I know...But it worked!

As you can see, I used the top excess fabric part to loop over and string my elastic through.
Then I sewed the skirt together, and hemmed the bottom.

It was super duper easy. Sloppy maybe, but easy!

I'm glad I got my practice out of the way so I can get to sewing some really cute maxi's. I need at least ten in my closet, since I plan on living in them this summer!

{top: Kohl's, skirt: me, shoes: gifted, watch: windsor, bracelet: old}

Five things and a photo shoot

This week I am loving COLOR!

1 - Salmon colored blazer from Forever 21

2 - Mint Green nail polish

3 - Pink Turban Headwrap I made from an old t-shirt

4 - Pops of Turquoise Bracelet

5 - My new Baby blue running shoes that just came in this week


I love me some color!

Here are a few more pictures from my salmon blazer inspired photo shoot:

{Jacket: F21 , Fitted T-shirt: Dillards , Blue Skinnies: Rue 21 , Sandals: Old Navy , Gold necklace&bracelet: F21 , Cream Rose studs: Rue 21}

And last but not least, to wish you a happy weekend I'll leave you with this little gem...

That's my way of saying,
HAPPY FRIDAY!

Color

First of all, I was sure I had put my boots and sweaters away for the year. And then mother nature decided she was mad at me for making a decision that was up to her, and to show me who's boss she sent us winter today. I'm pretty sure when I woke up this morning to snow on the rooftops she had herself a good laugh at my reaction...

Come on Spring, quit playing with my heart.

Okay but really, this weather is straight up trippin yo. {Yeah, I'm cool.} My real dilema today is COLOR.

I love getting out of my comfort zone when new clothes are in style. For example, I love the colored skinny jeans trend! I have a few and I love them all. But I'm still gathering the courage to go bold with color on top AND on bottom. I always default to neutral colored shirts when I wear colored pants. Shirts that are tan, white, brown or black.

Today I branched out and tried a mustard yellow with my teal skinnies.

DO or DON'T?

And any other great suggestions on colored tops that go well with colored jeans would be much appreciated. In particular: teal, red, and mint green colored jeans.

PS Stay tuned for some awesome DIY colored skinny jeans that I'm working on, as well as some stylish new shirts I'm making out of some old t-shirts. And when I say "working on" I mean "dreaming of working on when I get the time and money". But I have a feeling it will be very soon...

Spring Wishlist {Part Two}

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7} {8} {9} {10}

Summer Lovin

I am always dreaming of summer. Even when it's here, I still dream about it. That's how much I love it.

It's true that I live in a hemisphere where Summer generally gets to brighten my life only 2, maybe 3 months of the year. (Why do I live here? I ask myself for 9 months of the year...) I am a summer girl all the way. I love it, I need it, I live for it.

Here are nine of the bazillion reasons I am dreaming of Summer today.


One - My new chevron bikini I just purchased from Old Navy. (Which also scored me an awesome coupon that ensures I will be returning to the store soon to stock up on sundresses and preppy little boy clothes!)

Two - Short shorts! What can I say, I have great legs.

Three - Sundresses. I will be spending my summer in either a swimsuit, shorts, or a sundress.

Four - Flat sandals. I love them for their comfiness, but now days they make them super stylish to boot!

Five - Fairs, rodeos and demolition derbies, oh my!

Six - Snow cones and slushies! Perfect right in the heat of the day. Everyday.

Seven - Less makeup is better. I love wearing little makeup all summer long. (And I only pretend to look as good as this chick. I just avoid the mirror...)

Eight - Ponytails! Ahhh yes, my summer favorite. As soon as the weather hits 80 degrees, you will likely not see me with my hair down again until Fall rolls around.

Nine - Summer nights and weekends spent at the lake. The best.

...only a couple more months, if mother nature decides to be kind to us this year...

{SIGH}

My {Spring} Wishlist - Part One

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7} {8} {9} {10} {11} {12} {13} {14}