Plaid Charm

I ordered this dress a month ago so it was time I wore it. It is quite comfy, soft and lightweight. 

 The mustard tights were an unusual addition I know but I like it. I was still cold so added my old childhood chunky cardgian. The yellow in the flowers goes with the tights.

Added these orange and bunished gold earings...

plaid dress - Forever 21

Cardigan - very old from Turkey

mustard tights - we love colors

boots - Via Spiga

earings - Buffalo Exchange

Today's Activities - Another rough night this time due to running out of allergy medication. I am so exhausted. It was my daughter's first day of gymnastics class though so we got ready. My husband took my son for some tennis and beach outing while I took my daughter to her class. She did so good and loved it. She is obsessed with monkey bars and they had a whole circuit of 9 different monkey bars and she was in heaven. Afterwards we all met at the mall for lunch and after lunch I pretty much forced my husband to check out JCrew and Steve Madden. They didn't have size in the shoes and he hated to boots I liked for him so that was a dud. But he did like the coolest army jacket and the sweater and shirt at JCrew. They were at amazing prices. We of course could not leave without a visit to the disney store but he was good at understanding the promise that we were not going to buy anything. We came home for naps. In the afternoon my mom came and her and I took the kids to visit her old friends at their hotel for couple hours. Came home to watch the new blue ray ice age 2 movie my son and husband bought during their outing. And after baths and bedtime we finally watched the netflix that has been sitting on our cabinet: "Shutter Island". Creepy...

Menswear with Pearls

Day behind in posting. This is what I wore yesterday (Friday). The inspiration came from JCrew catalog again below:

This was a cool combination of menswear look all around except for the pearls and heels.

I also tried the look with my tweed coat but I think I like the khaki blazer better... Not sure why but I swear all my coat feel like a tent on me. Sucks because I really like my coats.

I didn't have a long enough pearl necklace to knot like she did in the photo so added these gold chain and pearl necklaces I had snatched from my mom last year. The combination looks even cooler I think...

My heels which I wore at night went great, the gold studs compliments the gold in the necklaces...

During the day I wore the same whole outfit just with brown suede flats instead of the heels...

I did not get bangs cut by the way. I just curled my hair in a way so it looks like I have bangs. Not sure I like it that much but it was different and I like trying different things...By the end of the day I was tired of the hair on my forehead and swept it aside...

Today is the first time in a long time I think where I am not wearing a single piece from Forever 21! That usually never happens...

Khaki Blazer - Thrifted Gap

Tweed Coat - Via Spiga

Vest - Thrifted Banana Republic

Wrap around blouse - Ann Taylor

Cargo Pants - J Crew

Suede Flats - Steve Madden

Heels - Michael Kors from TJ Maxx

Pearls - from mom and who knows?

Friday's Activities: Had a real rough night with my son waking up at 4 AM, then again at 5 then again at 6:30 Am. And I really couldn't fall a sleep after the 4 AM one until the last one. So was super exhausted and for first time never left the house and didn't do anything. Just to tire out the kids right before lunch and naps we just walked around the block. Discovered a grass hill where I made them race running up and down. After naps felt a bit more normal with just enough energy to hit to the indoor play area. Once my husband got home I left to meet my best friend. We met at the mall for an hour of shopping. I hadn't been since after xmas so checked out some very picked out xmas sales. J Crew has an amazing sale with everything 40% off of the sale price. Got two layering base tees for $6 each. Anthropologie had amazing stuff as usual and I fell in love with 4 pieces but even on sale they were ranging from $60 to $70 each so sadly put them back. Did get a $14 belt that was very unique. We then drove to a restaurant part of the 'cohn' group as they are all having fixed menu specials to celebrate their anniversary. There was 1.5 hour wait though so we settled to eat at the bar once a spot opened.  Great dinner plus buy one wine by the glass get the second one for 10 cents we scored. Came home late and hit the sack immediately.

Unusual Colors

Different color combination today. I cut out this picture back late summer and hadn't had a chance to wear it yet. Here is my inspiration photo:

I liked this black and white silky top layered over purple. I had a purple LS cotton top but it has a silver design and button front. So I wore it backwards to get the solid purple front you see in my outfit! :)

This polka dot silk top was a b-day gift from my sister from one of my favorite stores: Bebe. It is obviously a very dressy top. But, worn like this over a cotton top top of cords with rugged boots it works for day time doesn't it?

I wear this watch all the time in my outfits but don't think ever got a good photo of it before. My new camera rocks! :) 

This is the ring my aunt made. I absolutely love it...

Playing around with the camera and trying to put some action into the photos! :)

Purple cotton top - From Turkey

Silk Top - Bebe

Mustard Cords - Forever 21

Brown Belt - Macy's may be? Not certain

Rugged Boots - Steve Madden

Watch - Michael Kors

Ring - from Turkey

Today's Activities: We are back to our normal schedule now with swimming in the morning and music class in the afternoon. Kids were very excited to get back in the pool this morning. My daughter for the first time was able to scale the pool wall with her hands all by herself. After swim, we went to eat gyros (my son's favorite as it is also a big Turkish dish) at a greek restaurant.  Then did a bit of grocery shopping before heading home for naps. We left shortly after they woke up so we can get a snack (and most importantly coffee for me) at the coffee shop right by the music class. They have a mini play area for the kids so love that place. Got home after music class and met my sister who came over to visit us and we had dinner together.

Biker Chic vs. Sexy Plaid

Today, I will be demonstrating creating two different looks with the same primary items. I got the inspiration from the following photo:

The primary items are the plaid ruffle front shirt and the dark grey skinny jeans. For the day outfit I created the 'biker chic' outfit by adding my motorcycle leather jacket (from College) and the military boots.

For accessory chose this black leather fringe necklace on a silver chain. Wore it a bit longer and I think it goes well.  This is the necklace I found on Bebe's Clearence rack for $10. The cool thing is the fringes never get tangled unlike my silver one from H&M.

These boots were already old to begin with and this winter they are being worn to death and as I suspected don't think they will make it to another season. But for now they go great under these types of outfits. Over skinny jeans they look very rugged which was exactly the look I was going for.

As I always mention I keep a list of outfits on an excel spreadsheet. As I get ideas and inspirations I add to thsi list and take off stuff I have worn. I separate the outfits by season and then by type. I use three types: 'Dressy' for those outfits worn with heels, 'Everyday' outfits that are worn with flats or comfy shoes and lastly 'Both' which are outfits like these that can be worn with both flats and heels. I go to this category whenever I have an event at night. That way I dress once and change only a few things in my outfit for the night portion.

Here is the NIGHT oufit:

Switched off the military boots for patent leather heels, went from silver to gold jewelry and traded in my biker jacket for the retro crinkled leather jacket. Also added a purse since I won't be carrying a diaper bag at night.

Here are the shoes and the purse and the ring and the watch:

Here is the outfit with the Jacket. This is the jacket we found at the Thread Show for $40. My mom bought it for me as a present. I absolutely love it.

Skinny Jeans - Closet

Plaid shirt - Gap

DAY:

Biker Jacket - Contempo Casuals (whereever that is from??)

Military Boots - Steve Madden

Fringe Necklace - Bebe

NIGHT:

Jacket - Thrifted at Thred Show

Patent Leather Heels - Steven by Steve Madden

Necklace - Charlotte Russe

Ring - From Turkey

Watch - Ed Hardy

Purse - Chloe

Today's Activities: Finally made it to preschool after a 2.5 week break. It was nice to see everyone. Still tough to get the kids to sit through circle times but I bought a similar calendar for home for my son to learn the days/months and speculate the weather etc... Hoping it will make it more fun and interesting for him. I have not been feeling great today, signs of cold, so took a nap when the kids napped. Therefore had to cook dinner when they woke up. It is pretty much easier to cook anytime but right before dinner time. They get too cranky and hungary and my daughter attaches herself to my leg. But when I cook off hour they seem to tolerate it. Odd. As I was getting ready though got an email from my girlfriend indicating she won't make it tonight to our dinner plans. So there goes my night outfit. Took the photos anyways since I was already dressed. But as we were going to the indoor play area, did switch to uggs. :) After dinner we all sat on the couch (hubby included) and watched half of ice age 3 with the kids. They were so cute. I love moments like those.

Here are some random pictures with the kids as I was doing my photo shoot. They insist on having these taken which is really the only time at least my son will pose for the camera!

MORNING:

AFTERNOON: 

Comfy in Ruffles

Real simple outfit today. Not that exciting but you can't get more excited about dressing up at 4:50 AM in the morning which is when I woke up! The jeggings (denim leggings) were perfect for an all day of car ride and sitting. This brown sweater is a maternity purchase but I kept it cause it is so soft and comfy and love the touch of gold glitter in it.

Wore the lace and tulle hem tank top underneath to add interest. Needed more coverage on top so that worked out perfectly. As I had mentioned before I bought this tank top solely for its hem and it does look great under everything.

My brother felt my ruffle high heel boots were a bit much for our day but I don't get to wear these high heels normally with kids so figured why not today when I am going to do minimal walking. They somewhat compliment the ruffle hem of the tank too. The vintage D&B purse's colors were too perfect to pass up.

The pose my dad laughed at...

Sweater - Victoria's Secret Catalog

Ruffle hem tank - Charlotte Russe

Denim Leggings - Guess

Ruffle boots - Newport News Catalog

Purse - Dooney & Burke

Watch - Michael Kors

Feather Earings - Thread Show

Today's Activities: As I said woke up at 4:45 AM this morning. My brother and Dad picked me up at 5:20 AM and we headed for Laguna beach for my dad's blood phroesis (sp?) appointment. Lots of waiting around for us and uncomfortable sitting position for my Dad for 3+ hours. At least he got to watch a DVD (they had a pretty good selection) while my brother and chatted and browsed internet on his ipad for baby gear for their upcoming baby. By the time we got out it was only 10:30 AM but we were starving and hard to find a lunch place open that early. We got lucky and found an apparently chain restaurant that we had never heard of called Z pizza. They make healthy organic pizzas with great toppings. Tried 4 different mini ones and they were yummy. The drive back was fast but we were all so tired. Except I drank too much coffee and coke and couldn't nap. Waited for my car to finish before picking up the kids from my Mom's.