Another floral mini combo

Today was the perfect day to be able to wear this mini skirt outfit. I had this inspiration photo forever in my stack. I think this photo might have been the reason this 'floral mini skirt' had made it to my fall/winter wish list.

Since I don't have the perfect black boots I wore my dark brown ones therefore kept the jacket and the tights in dark navy.

I also added a suede tassle belt just cause the waist felt empty. This blazer jacket is just so perfect. It is crop and 3/4 sleeves and very lightweight and easy to wear.

Floral Mini Skirt, Blazer Jacker, Bib Necklace - Forever 21

Tee - Target

Boots - Steve Madden

Belt - do not remember (very old)

Today's Activities: It was my turn to take my son (and my husband took my dauthter) today. We first went to the mall to visit the Disney Store. He loves that store and is totally fine with not buying anything as long as I tell him before we go. They have this huge screen where the kids can choose their own song clips to play on it. My son loves that part the best. He put on 'life is a highway' from Cars and danced to it. We then went to the movies with my friend and her son to see 'Gnomeo & Juliet'. My son loved eating popcorn but I do have to have to constantly explain what is hapenning and answer his questions but then he watched the whole movie with interest. We then had lunch at the food court. My friend left and as discussed put Trevor in the stroller covered with a big blanket for some quiet time while I browsed a few shops. He didn't sleep but was very good resting quietly under the blanket. He really does great if you just tell him all the things you will be doing. We came home to meet my dad, brother and sister-in-law. Went to the pretty beach that has cliffs for their pregnancy photo shoot. It was fun playing photographer. Got some great shots. Came home to play and have a big pizza dinner all together.

Here is my son joinning my photo shoot before we left in the morning...

My son in the Disney Store singing to 'life is a highway'

Wild about boucle

Very basic outfit today. Not much thought to it. Got the idea from the following chictopia post...

Kind of cool to pair sneakers with a tweed jacket.

I love this jacket which was part of a very pricey Ann Taylor suit bought at the same time as the red suit I had written about way back when in NYC when I first started my job out of college. It resembles Chanel's style which is why I had fallen in love with it. I plan to use both the skirt and the jacket in various different outfits.

I have worn this lacey ruffle hem top before. The back is made out of t-shirt material so it is very very comfy.

Since there is not much to the oufti we were having fun with the kids doing a photo shoot together...

Also breaking in my new 'dark skinny' jeans from H&M. This pair has hardly and lycra in it which you might think makes it not so comfy but I love it because it stays put all day long and keeps its shape. No belt required. It felt like a corset actually which I was fine with.

Boucle Blazer Jacket - Ann Taylor

White lacey top - Victoria's Secret Catalog

Skinny Jeans - H&M

Sneakers - Rocket Dog

Today's Activities: Worked up the motivation to push myself out the door this morning and went to the zoo. I bargained myself that I won't have to pack lunch if I just got ready and left and it worked. We had buy lunch there but we rarely do so it was fine. Negoitated with my son so we can visit the animals that are mostly in the flat area. Otherwise if you ask him he always wants to go to the lions which happen to be in the most top part of the huge park which takes forever to get to and come back from. We stuck with flamingo's, monkey trail, gorillas and orangutans. Than went to the Children's zoo section which is conveniently located right by the exit. Kids loved petting the goats and feeding them and playing in their big play slide structure. Had lunch early so we can leave the park on time and come home for naps. Had to wake them up so we can go to their dr appts in time. My mom came to help. Had my daughter's 2 yr check-up and had my son xrayed to figure out if he is constipated. Will be going to dinner at my girlfriend's house just as soon as I get the kids pretty much ready for bed.

It was the kids' idea to pose to begin with and pose like this. They are so amazingly cooperative when it comes to taking their photos when I do my blog shoot. It is pretty cool...

Here are the kids at the petting zoo...

Here is my 'wild one'...

Blush Inspiraiton

This is my attempt to create Bee's (atlantic-pacific) look in her early January post see below:

I loved the idea of layerin pastels and faux fur. I wish I had a more pastel dress but the only dress that came close was this one. I haven't worn this in over 15 years. It was burried in my son's closet. Not sure why I even kept it as it is a cheap one but I guess I figured it might make a come back. There is a similar dress with darker colors that I will wear eventually this season as well.

My dress is calf length so I used a belt to blousan the top and shorten the skirt so you can barely see the knee high socks which I love the look of...

This super lightweight cream 'snood' is a new purchase from Forever 21. It is light enough to be even worn in spring which is why I bought it. $5.80 if you can beleive it.

This blush boyfriend cardi is a new purchase. I didn't even have to think twice as I knew it would be a great layering piece for any season in my closet. And for $11.50 you really don't have to think too much. Got to love Forever 21. A cardigan like this would go for $50-$60 at JCrew and I swear the quality is pretty great. But, then again I seldom over wear any clothes so who knows... The pockets are so cool right at the correct length for me to put my hands in.

Since I am wearing two scarves right around my neck, had to put up my hair. I am not nearly as elobarate with my hair as Bee is so I simply clipped it up. This clip is from the bazaar in Turkey. Looks very expansive but of course it wasn't. Also added a cute black rhinestone bobby pin (came in a set of 3 from Forever 21).

I know I have been asked before and not sure if I ever answered but yes this door I sometimes photograph infront of is in my house. As eloborate and as cool as it looks you will be surprised to find it actually houses my hsuband's shoes. I know it more looks like a wine cellar. I designed this door and we had it custom made in Mexico (you know I am in SD so that is about a 30 minute drive south for us). This door is right in our entry way facing our front door... 

My wedges which were this season's purchase are being used so often and really bring style to any outfit I feel. Since I am wearing faux fur around my neck I decided to wear them without the fur trim. I always find the best stylish shoes from Victoria's Secret. Already have my eye on a cream sandal/boot for summer in there and waiting for it to go down in price.

Dress - from NYC (I think the store was called 'strawberry' if it even still exists)

Cardigan, cream snood, faux fur scarf, bronze thin belt - Forever 21

Socks - Charlotte Russe

Wedges - Victoria's Secret Catalog

Today's Activities: We have a new swim class time. Used to be 10:30 and now it is at 11:30 AM which gave me a lot more time in the morning to lounge around with the kids. It was my daughter's first day in an upper level swim class. She did great and enjoyed it even more. When she went in with me I had to hold her at all times but in this level class she gets to wait on a sunk in platform in the water and gets to play by herself while the instructor swims with the other students so was more fun for her. She was adorable in her new 'Abby Caddaby' swim suit and singing  to herself the whole time mostly the 'happy birthday to you' song from her many b-day celebrations last week.  After class we came home right away for lunch. It is nice to do lunch at home but my gosh not sure how dirty dining room and kitchen get from such simple meal I do not know. That 30 minute swim class was tiring enough for them to take solid naps. Woke up barely in time to make it to the music class. Afterwards my husband took over and I went out with my girlfriend to a 'captain's appreciation' dinner organized by the parent connection group which bring together mommy groups. Since I am the captain of my group it was free for me which was cool.

P.S. I obviously did not wear the above outfit to the pool (swim class). Snapped a photo of what I wear so you can see what my 'sweats' looks like. When I do wear sweats I like wearing bright colors. This 'pink' combo was bougt on clearance and provides the exact look I look for in a casual outfit.

Even though I love buying crocs for my kids I do not like them on grown-ups. These look alike model (which did not cost any less) was purchased while in Turkey. I loved the funky design on it and needed comfy slippers that can be worn inside or outside with our without socks. And at home they make great gardenning clogs and I sometimes wear them out too... 



The Anticipated Spreadsheet

Recovering from a cold and spent a whole day and a half in my PJs so it was nice to take a long bath and get dressed this afternoon. And since I missed a day of outfit post I am going to include my spreadsheet info at the end of this post as a bonus!

The inspiration for this outfit came from the following:

This has been in my list for such a long time. I think the photo is from September or October. First off I realized non of my old slacks fit anymore. Even these were cynched tight with a belt so they would stay put. I realized though after putting them on that they have a pretty large flared legs and might be perfect for the upcoming trend.  I added the shrug when it got cold.

Her outfit is in brown tones and mine has that deep burgandy/maroon hue going. My pants have a touch of purple so I added the burgandy shrug and the scarf is deep reds which all goes pretty  nicely.

Adding browns with the purse, belt and boots completed the look.

I bought this cream henley a while back from Target for the purpose of layering. Amazingly this is the first time I am wearing it. I like that it had brown buttons and patch pockets in front which is nice detail for a layering top. 

Wanted to get these taken before my mom brought the kids so my hair is still wet from the shower.

Cream henley - Target

Shrug - Alloy's

Pants & Scarf - Forever 21

Boots - Steve Madden

Watch - Michael Kors

Ring - from Turkey

Sunglasses - Chanel

Today's Activities: So recovering from the cold. Yesterday I woke up feeling absolutely horrible. Took all my energy to get the kids ready and packed and thankfully my mom was not working and came and picked them up by 10 AM! I spent the day rotating between my bed and couch with occasional trips to kitchen and bathroom. I never imagined I could nap so much but probably needed it. My mom and Step dad said they can keep the kids overnight so I can get more rest. Funny when we went on that vegas trip I missed the kids but was fine with being away. Being home and not having them was unbearable. I kept going to their rooms. Pathetic I know. They came home for naptime today and I couldn't wait till they woke up. We went to the gym class which my daughter was making up from missing her actual class on Saturday due to her b-day party. My son was so good standing by my side and not interfering at all till my friend came to take him to the next door play area. We came home and I cooked spagetthi and meatballs and veggies and we had a nice dinner together and baths. So, may be I can now start cooking dinner at dinner time. They have been more tolerant about that so I am excited to use nap time as 'my time'.

My outfit SPREADSHEET...

I have been getting a lot of questions and comments about the 'list' or the 'spreadsheet' I keep my outfit ideas on. I am not super technical savy so not sure how to attach a document but if you send me your email and would like a copy of the file I can send it to you.

So this list was born out of necessity. I first started writing down my outfit ideas so I wouldn't forget. But the hand written notes were too hard to look back on. I am pretty excel fanatic so a spreadsheet was an ideal

way to go for me. This way I can sort by different categories whenever I want.

Other than listing the pieces that go in an outfit I also added the following categories:

Season - this category allows me to differentiate warmer outfits from the ones with jackets or tights etc... when the weather is cold I only look at the 'winter' section for example.

Type - this category allows me identify each outfit as 'dressy' or 'everyday' or 'both'. When I used to work I used labels such as 'work', 'weekend' or 'casual'. So you can pick whatever works for you.

I also use the following two categories simply to help me sort out:

Worn - Any new outfit has 'no' in this column. When I wear an outfit I type 'yes' so when I sort these are moved to the bottom and can be removed from the list.

Photo - this column is strictly for blog purposes. I type a 'P' in this column if I have an inspiration photo to go with the outfit. I type '*' and insert a comment if the photo is digital.

So here are the primary column headers:

Bottom - before I write a description of the bottom piece I first write what it is, skirt, pants, shorts, jeans, dress, etc... this way when I sort by the 'bottom' column all the pants are in one area. This allows me to pick outfits more easily. For example if I am going to a the park I only look at 'jeans' or 'pants' section.

Top1, Top2 - I simply describe the tops in these fields. Top1 could be the base layer, and top2 the 2nd layer etc...

Top 3 - This could be the 3d top layer or I use this field for specifying tights or scarves or hats.

Dressy Shoes - If the shoe has heels they go in this field

Casual Shoes - flat or comfy shoes go here.

I also have fields for 'jewelry', 'belt', 'handbag'... Most of the time I do not fill the 'handbag' field as I use the same diaper bag.

I also keep separate spreadsheets for different seasons. For example for Fall/Winter I have one spreadsheet and 'spring/summer' another. That way the lists are not too long.

I sort in the following order:

Worn

Type

Season

Bottom

I handwrite/mark outfits I am wearing throughout the week(s) and update the spreadsheet on the computer and re-print may be every other week. I also add new outfits as I get inspired from other blogs or magazines or by trying on different things in my closet (very rarely do I have time for this one).

You don't have to create something so elaborate of course but this works for me. :)

So, let me know and I can email you the shell sheet.

Maxi

I got this inspiration for this combo from November Grey but did not note which post of hers so can't reference the link. Sorry.  

Any idea to re-wear this black maxi skirt is welcome in my book. I liked the idea of adding a brown belt and grey boots. I needed tights but instead of all black decided to wear my fishnets!

Maxi Skirt - Banana Republic

Tee - from a bazaar in Turkey

Crop motorcycle Jacket - Old Wet Seal

grey patent boots - from Turkey

Belt - Limited

Today's activities: My daughter was up for no reason last night and because she only does this about once a month we always question ourselves and wonder 'what if she is sick' and give in and get her. Big Mistake! We all end up not sleeping for a few hours until we give up and take her back and let her cry it out which does not last more than 10 minutes before falling a sleep. So felt like a train wreck all morning. After preschool and coming home we all took naps. When they woke up we had snacks while I put away the laundry and cleaned up the house. Then packed up all my bills and checkbooks and went to the indoor play area so I could budget, pay the bills etc... Came home a bit earlier so I can cook. Amazingly my daughter did not hold onto my leg for her dear life like she always does and I was able to cook dinner at actual dinner time! Even fit in ironning afterwards as they were watching a movie. My husband and I feel a cold coming so taking night time medication and hitting the sack now. Hope we don't get sick.