Another Day In Paradise

 Another swim suit cover-up/beach outfit…

This was sold as a regular dress at Express but I bought for the sole purpose of a cover-up and it is very thin and comfy for that purpose… Just can't wear it over every swim suit cause it is strapless….

Today I wore it over my basic black bikini so the straps are not weird for the dress…

 I always use a inexpensive cotton cross body bag to the beach for my most valuables (money, phone, sunglasses) and everything else goes into the giant beach tote. 

I realized my shadow was in the pool and decided to capture it on the camera… Pretty cool right?

Dress - Express

Denim Shirt - From Turkey

Hat - Forever 21

Purse, Bikini - H&M

Flip Flops - Havainas

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

WEDNESDAY:
We have officially started our summer playdate schedule with the big group.
My son is at Surf and Skateboard Camp all day this week so hanging solo with my princess.

First playdate was on Wednesday. Visited the Coronado Island's Ferry Landing Beach.
It is not really a beach, but this tiny sand area that is by the bay with the gorgeous view of San Diego downtown skyline and ferry boats…
The parking is right next to it and very convenient. Great spot for a no hassle beach outing.

Star light star bright

 My outfit Christmas Eve. The inspiration for this outfit and Christmas Day outfit came from Anthropologie's holiday catalog. Loosely based as I altered the pieces a bit....

 I could have added a shrug and fur to this outfit but it was too warm as I was hosting and running around too much...

 Hi-Lo pleated skirt with the silver foil peplum top... Added a sequin collar and an embellished belt for more glam...

 Bought the headband in the photo from Anthropologie....

Headband - Anthropologie

Collar - Asos

Belt - Ann Taylor Loft

Heels - Shoedazzle

Everything else from Forever 21

CHRISTMAS EVE:
We had a great family gathering at our house Christmas Eve. Since my mom was hosting the big sit down dinner the next day we had an appetizer party where everyone brought an appetizer to share.
It was still very filling and yummy and we ate buffet style so it was simple.
The kids were the center of entertainment. After a few 'puppet' and 'magic' shows they performed upstairs, my daughter performed a very long one man show to everyone downstairs for us. I video taped the whole thing and it was hilarious. We were laughing till there were tears in our eyes.
She definitely loves the attention and stage presence for sure...
After the kids went to bed and cookies and food were left out for Santa and his reindeer, the adults had fun with games. Some of the guys played pool (finally our pool table being used more than a laundry folding table) and the rest of us played a long game of 'mexican train' (which is a form of dominos).
I then stayed up until very late to make sure everything was cleaned and put away before the gift frenzy that awaited us the next day....

Hope you all had a nice Christmas too (if you celebrate it)....

With My Dad....

The kids in their party attire... Put real pearls (necklace and earrings) on my daughter. She was showing them to everyone...

With my Hubby...

With Mom and lil Sis

The Buffet Table is ready....

Her 'One Man' show...

 Cookies and orange and 'rice milk' for Santa (kids wanted to give him Rice Milk)... And carrots and celery and 'reindeer food' for the reindeers...

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...