Black Magic

TODAY, I am going to be demonstrating a shaper by 

Vedette Shapewear!

I was approached by the company to do a post demonstrating how the shapewear works before and after in return for two of their products!

The company believes that moms deserve to always look good!  We may forget ourselves sometimes, but we deserves no less!  With Vedette Shapewear, mommies will feel more fabulous! 

I realize this outfit is not your classic tight dress example you might think of when demonstrating a shaper. But it was a perfect example of when I would want to use one. The sheer top and the low rider leggings show a bit more flab than I would like. 

See Before...

 You can see it is not very flattering to have that bit of tummy (baby) fat flab peeking through the sheer blouse over the legging....

I chose a nude 'Waist Cincher' (model name Renee) that hooks up in front. Coverage starts from under the bust down to the hips. So you stll wear your own undergarments. This would also look super cute worn over a white blouse too for that retro corset look.

It has two lines of hook placement and my mom showed me how to use both. For the tummy area I hooked at the looser line but then as I moved up I switched to the tighter line so it conformed my torso.

 I got this necklace the other night. Reminded me of the delicate and simple kate spade necklaces. It actually had two other chain layers but I just simply wore those to the back and kept it simple.

Surprisingly it felt really good to have my midsection hugged like that. I always feel self conscious and uncomfortable when wearing clothes that compromise my mid area and I feel I constantly have to adjust the clothing and suck in my tummy especially when sitting. But with the shaper I could just relax and have it do all the work.

The only con I would say is it is a bit of a work to put it on and latch all the hooks. And when I took it off I realized I was a bit hug but it is quite hot here.

I love the print on these leggings. I am always afraid leggings usually look like tights on me instead of pants but with a large print like this they make my legs thicker and it works. :)

Next week I will show the other piece from the 'Sensual' line and at that time there will be an amazing GIVEAWAY so you can win a piece of your choice too!

How exciting is that?

Blouse - Anthropologie

Leggings and Necklace - Forever 21

Heels - Steve Madden

WEDNESDAY:
We switched our plans a bit this morning and went to a friend's complex pool for a swimming playdate instead. And had potluck lunch by the poolside.
Since I was close I stopped at Ulta to return the hair styler I bought which didn't do much to my hair at all. Definitely not $100 worth.
Then ran couple more errands and headed home.
Afternoon cooked dinner and my mom came over for our Arbonne party.
Have you heard of this brand?
It was quite amazing products. We had so much fun doing a night facial. My daughter joined us too and she was in heaven putting lotions and masks on her face and wiping them with wachclothes dipped in water. That is her favorite stuff. We were cracking up just watching her...

Mother - Daughter Facials...

Birthday at the Mall

 Here is my birthday outfit with my new hair color and bangs!!!

I immediately fell in love with this skirt when I first spotted at the thrift store 'My Sister's Closet'! Then I put it on and it fit!!! It was faith. This skirt is like a dream. Due to its taffeta texture it always looks and feels voluminous even though it is light and thin. The layers, the edging the tiny gingham print are just all amazing. I guess this is how it feels to wear designer! I have been waiting for my birthday to finally wear it out.

How do you like my new color and blunt bags!? After pouring over images on the Internet and then browsing the fall magazines I decided I wanted to go dark and I really liked the light bangs my wonderful hair stylist gave me last time so decided to commit 100% and go with blunt ones which are totally in coming this fall. She also showed me how to trim so I can keep them up. We then experimented with the tousled look. Loving it... Looks great in a pony tail too and also straight. I like versatility and best of all I so love change!

This corset top is my mom's. The ends kind of curve up and poke from the skirt but didn't have a better option. will come up with some fall styling for this skirt for sure with different tops...

LOVE!

In a rush to get ready and out the door I completely forgot to add any accessories! Oh well...

The floral print Dior purse from years ago... Going all designer today!

Blouse - Bebe

Skirt - Prada

Belt - Mango from Turkey

Purse - Dior

Wedges - from Turkey

TODAY - MY BIRTHDAY:
One year shy of the big 4-0 I enjoy my last thirty something birthday today!
The morning was spent at home with the kids. My step dad came to relieve me so I can go to my hair appointment. I truly love my stylist. Other than being ridiculously affordable her expertise in color and style and understanding how it would look with my hair texture and skin tone makes me trust her 100%. I come up with fun and different ideas and she makes them happen.
After my hair met my mom in the Mall. Oh it was sooo nice to to browse the non-discount shops. Breath in the nice and organized aura of the shops. I even tried on a pair of new Prada booties (well I am wearing a Prada skirt after all) and Valentino flats. Felt so amazing. I would never shell out the $850+ price tag for each pair but it sure felt nice.
Then the family surprised with a gathering at the food court with gifts and a cake after we all grabbed what we wanted to eat. It was perfect then going to a restaurant where the kids go bonkers and no one remembers what they ate or what they talked about. My step dad was even nice enough to take my crazy kids to two different stores so they can pick their gifts for me.  Cause they didn't like the nice gifts my hubby picked out from them last night! They were so cute.
My mom, cousin and Dad bought me stuff I picked out while we were at the mall which was perfect.
Got the new Marc Jacob's Dot perfume and matching body lotion. Mom and I found this perfect and unique fringed leather belt from BCBG that will tough up silk pleated skirts and dresses.
And of course the day ended with an hour at Forever 21 where my friend joined us too.
Very fun birthday indeed!

My hubby knows how much I love fruit. He got this pie from the same bakery we had our wedding cake made! So romantic....

Such a cute ballerina card from my Mom and Step Dad... And the earrings are what my son picked for b-day present for me!

 The kids refused to give a good pose so here they are in non posing state!

My little nephew has discovered his toes as great chewing toy!

With my Hubby!

Baby Blues

 Sunday's outfit for the family baby shower I hosted for my cousin and her husband...

 I bought this white dress loving it but every event I wanted to wear it was some sort of wedding related event and I didn't want to wear white and steal away from the bride... This was perfect finally...

Trying a cat eye make up with the new eyeliner we bought last Friday night....

Dress, Earrings - Forever 21

Ring - From Turkey

Heels - Laundry

Linking up to MONDAY MINGLE after a long absence...

Check out the lovely posts at Bon Bon Rose Girls Blog.

CLICK HERE!

SUNDAY:
It was a bit hectic and unrealistic to host a party that started at noon when my husband is gone playing tennis and for the first time I decided to make all the side dishes myself from scratch instead of buying from costco like I always do. The result was a bit crazy and of course I so was not ready by noon. I was done cooking and cleaning the kitchen but then I had to go and shower and get ready. I hate not being all ready to greet guests when they come even though it was just family still....
It turned out OK at the end I just couldn't spend any time with anyone until after lunch.
The guys swam with the kids in the pool twice so that kept them busy while we did couple traditional baby shower games for the parents to be...

Lots of Turkish side dishes made by my mom and myself...

The mommy to be requested shrimp and these came out great after a soak in sugar and salt!

I wanted to do this punch in blue but couldn't find a blue mix so it was yellow!

Sprite, White grape Juice, Lemon powder mix, sugar & 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream!

The happy parents to be....

My mom sew this mermaid bathing suit for my daughter and she LOVED it of course. When swimming she wears the tail to the back... I never got a chance to see what it looks like in the water but I bet it was super cute....