Saturday at the Fair

This was my outfit for our outing to the local annual fair that takes place in San Diego called The Del  Mar Fair. It will be followed by the horse races. Great summer tradition to go. Always end up spending way too much money and eating a variety of yummy but probably not so healthy food. I have been going since I moved here and of course the activities have changed quite a bit from going with a group of friends to towing kids...

I am so happy the weather cooporated and it was sunny and somewhat warm enough to wear an outfit with shorts and totally justifying my huge hot pink sun hat!

 This tee is super cool cause it has small pops of neon pink and neon green over the greyish pattern...

 

 Not much taught went into accessorizing. The pink evil eye bracelet, black watch and pink/blue silver ring.

 This is the first time I am wearing my new hot pink hat. It is from NEXT and the brim has built in wire so you can shape it anyway you like...

Cardigan & Tee - Forever 21

Shorts - Express (ridicilous old)

Hat - NEXT

Sneakers - Rocket Dog

Accessories - from Turkey

Today's Activities: Had a great time at the Fair with my Dad. My brother, SIL and baby nephew joined us for part of that time as well. My husband got a bit overwhelmed with the kids but to me it is like vacation to have 4 extra pairs of hands to help out as I am all on my own with that chaos 24/7 during the week.
We stayed a bit longer past the kids nap time and for some reason when that happens my daughter takes so much longer to go down. They are taking a very late nap right now and we plan to spend the rest of the day at home playing and hanging out. My husband and I plan to use our jacuzzi for the first time tonight after the kids go to bed.

This fair is huge. It has all sorts of activities from cars to farm animals to adult and kid rides, food arenas, concert halls and monster truck rallies...

I hate when blogger does not save my rotate edition...

 

Florals and Stripes and a diaper bag

The weather here is getting on my nerves at this point. Normal days I can deal with but lots of plans this weekend and I really wanted to break into some short/dress outfits but the forecast is showing low 60s. Sucks.

So today's outfit inspiration came from the following Anthropologie catalog photo:

Well, I don't own a striped skirt but I do own this striped maxi dress which I bought months and months ago from Marshalls but never worn it yet.

I liked the idea of mixing a silky floral blouse with striped maxi. My colors a bit different but I think they work.  Recognize the tucker Target blouse that a lot of bloggers seem to own?

Added a silver necklace since the belt buckle is silver. This double finger ring is from my mom. She actually bought it for my sister but it was too big for her so I got it! The dark gem earrings are my Aunt's creations...

I tried on a few different shoes under this outfit. And amazingly none of the high heeled platforms worked. I liked how these ankle cuff sandals looked and I didn't even have to change shoes from shoot to real life!

Since this is a dress and not a skirt I couldn't tuck in the blouse. But I did belt it on top at waist and opened a few buttons so you can see the top part of the dress too...

Dress - Marshalls

Blouse - Target

Belt and Necklace - Forever 21

Sandals - Boutique 9 (from zappos)

So Becks who is one hot mommy @ Oomph has tagged me to share the contents of my bag. You can check out what is in her Sonia Rykiel Lauren tote HERE...
AND she even helped me number the items in my photo since I don't own photo shop. How nice is she?
WARNING: You know I am a SAHM so I don't really have a 'purse' per se. What I have is a diaper bag and an over the shoulder wallet bag. So, it is not going to be that exciting...

So, here is the 'Diaper Bag'

Kathy Van Zeeland

First I always have a hair clip attached to the handle. My hair is long and I get flustered at times with the kids so need a clip on hand to pull up all my hair in a bun.

I also have an attached mini anti bacterial (aka germ juice as kids call it) on the handle...

They sell these at bath and body. Best invention ever!

These are the items in the inside pocket:

1. Comb, pens, nail file
2. A straw (you know in case the kids loose the straw of their milk or juice box) & Tissues
3. Emergency Money
4. lip balm
5. gum
6. random bracelet of my daughter
7. A zip lock bag of emergency medication like kid tylenol, ab ointment and advil for me.
8. CARs passports they gave us at disney store
9. more pens
10. Another advil
11. notepad with a pen

41. Folding toilet seat for kids (this comes in handy when the toilets are too dirty or too big)
42. Wipes of course!
43. A bag of extra underwear and bottoms (for the girl in potty training)
44. Extra pairs of socks for all 3 of us in case we go to the indoor play area and not wearing any.
45. A huge bundle of grocery bags (to carry all the soiled clothes as result of potty accidents)

24. His and hers hats
25. His and hers sunglasses (hers Ariel, his Cars) we also carry a pair for both in the car too...
26. My sunglasses

27 & 28. Random toys for unexpected waits, delays or restaurants
29. Napkins
30. A bag of plastic utensils. Sometimes I forget them when I pack lunch.
31. Emergency snack: raisins
32. More bags
33. First aid stuff like bandaids and AB spray
34. My son's wallet
35. Face and body sunblock

36. Sunblock for me
37. A bigger tube of AB.
38. Kids water bottle. It gets too heavy to carry 2 so I let them share and we take turns using his or hers.
39. Hand wipes
40. Tissues

My purse wallet is from H&M currently. I own 3 though and change according to season...

Inside this bag are all more valuables and I never take off the bag unless I am at someone's home...

12. Tissues (yes I carry a lot but we got through a lot)
13.   Blackberry
14. My credit cards and driver's licence. Found this in Turkey and my step dad bought it as a present.
15. Money
16. Flash drive (so I can swap photos with my Dad or friends easily)
17. Gum
18. This cute little owl pouch is where I put the recent receipts. I file them weekly.
19. This black pouch is for store coupons or gift certificates
20. My portable camera. I always have it on me which is why I can take so many photos of the kids. My husband bought this couple years ago and got it engraved. It reads 'one hot mommy' and has my name.
21. change
22. pen
23. blog cards

What is in YOUR bag?

Melissa @ Working Mom's Closet

Aysun @ Aysstyle

E @ District of Chic

Love Joice 

Mom and Son

Natasha @ Required2beInspired

Bloggers Do It Better - Neon plus Neutral Event

 

This is my 

 Neon + Neutral 

outfit post for the 

 Bloggers Do It Better 

challenge hosted by 

Pretty Shiny Sparkly...

 I was just commenting on Katy's blog that I too had a difficulty creating this look. I own 2 neon pieces. One is this tank I acquired from F21 a few months ago and a super cute ruffle mini that is coral neon. However, all the outfits ideas with these pieces were not neutral. A lot of blacks or darker colors like army green or cobalt blue or teal green etc... So came up with this last minute last night...

Added the straw fedora hat for fun and actual sun protection today. The trim colors complimented the outfit by adding some dashes of color...

 

These pink hair clips came in the mail yesterday from my Amazon order. They are so much fun. Also notice my pink lipstick. This is a covergirl and I have to go back and buy more shades cause it is very creamy and it truly does last for hours even after eating and drinking and lots of pink kiss marks on the kids cheeks!

 These key charms were so cute at F21 so couldn't resist. The dual one with the neon pink I thought would be perfect to add a touch of neon to other outfits...

Although I have to admit every time I picked up my daughter the keys would snag in her hair. Minor issue...

The long wrap around cardigan is from Ruche. It is silky smooth and very easy to wear...

Neon Tank, Khaki Capri's, Necklaces, Hat - Forever 21

Cardigan - Ruche

Sandals - Victoria's Secret

Hair Clips - Amazon

To see other who participated in the Neon + Neutral trend for BDIB click HERE!

Today's Activities: This morning was so much fun. Like I explained yesterday the new summer schedule for our co-op preschool is two days of outdoor classes where the parks will vary every week. It is a great way to get to know this amazing city better and made me once again thank my lucky stars for being able to raise my kids in such a city.

We gathered at a public playground/park that had very cool play structures but also a very nice water play area that came on at 10 AM. And since this park is deep inland the weather was nice and warm for kids to enjoy the play in cold water.

Ironic that we live on the coast, 5 minutes to the beach but to enjoy Summer we have to drive 35 minutes inland!

Went fully prepared of course with covered in sunscreen head to toe, swim suits, hats, sunglasses and water shoes and towels.

I am also now carrying a folding porter potty that uses plain grocery bags everywhere with us. That way I can have my daughter sit frequently and avoid accidents. Quite practical.

Always have to pack double the food for these outdoor classes cause the kids eat twice as much. Lets see, my son for example ate a full PB&J sandwich, a full sliced apple, a mini bag of fish crackers mixed with raisins, a small cup of pirate booty, a bowl of cut up pineapple chunks, cubed whole peach and a bag of mini kosher dill pickles! They are crazy. And this sounds all very healthy but trust me it is just very normal here in my circles. You will not find a single mommy who has cookies, or chips or ultra salty crackers or hamburgers in their lunchboxes. Every mommy packs the most amazing and healthy snacks and lunches for their kids. Like pasta salads with veggies, turkey sandwiches, home made soups (in thermos), cherry tomatoes, cut up cucumbers, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, hummus and pita bread, cheese sticks, yogurts and lots and lots of fruit. We love to get ideas from each other and kids love to pick on each other's food which we allow since everyone's is very good. I am so lucky to have this great network of mommy's. It is really what keeps me sane!

Here is the photo of the water feature area.... 

For those of you who live here this is the 'Hilton Head Park' in El Cajon!

Amazing how 5 sprinklers can create so much entertainment!

Boys loved this to target unexpecting kids standing in their path!

My son loved the arch that had water streamers. He said 'it is like rain coming down'...

Touching the sensors that keep the water flowing...

Posing with my little 'Abby Caddaby'....