Teacher's Pet

 My outfit Sunday afternoon to my stepdad's birthday dinner gathering…

The inspiration is an old one I had saved from Atlantic Pacific:

This was a somewhat conservative but a festive look. I never had the right event for it or the weather. This party was perfect though. Although it was warm so I mostly did not add the jacket….

I wasn't sure about this collar. It kept sliding away and looking weird… 

Jacket, Top, Skirt - Forever 21

Collar - Marni for H&M

Heels - Boutique 9

SATURDAY:
We woke up at Big Bear and got to sleep in so was feeling a little better.
As the mommies were sitting on the deck with our morning coffee we felt the whole ground shake to an earthquake. It was quite a rush to get the kids out of the cabin and make sure it was OK. With that jolt we started hearing lightenings and the guys decided we should get on the road before it starts raining. We had to pack and load up the cars in the rain. Our hosts decided to stay a little longer and relax. So we got on the road and made good time back.
It was unpacking and starting laundry when we got home and showering.
Then got ready for my stepdad's birthday and went over to my mom's.
She had gone all out preparing a fest and he was grilling tons of steak and lamb chops.
It was great to see some of their old friends and family again…
The kids were so happy cause they had planned to spend the night there. And since we were there during the evening I made sure they went to bed on time to catch up on the sleep they had lost during our trip….

Skinny Pants

 Another two outfit post today to catch-up but in reverse order as I liked today's combo better I am going to show this one first...

The inspiration was from J Crew catalog:

I wore this knit top backwards so the v-neck hit the back than attached the jeweled collar...

I am loving the kika skinny pants. They are just so comfy and feel great all day long. 

Sweater - Victoria's Secret

Denim Shirt - from Turkey

Collar - Asos

Skinny Pants by kika Paprika

Flats - Tilly's

YESTERDAY's OUTFIT

 It was chilly so went with something warm and cozy which was another J Crew inspired combo:

Jacket - 'Natalie' by kika Paprika 

Sweater - H&M

T-Neck - Gap

Beret & Pants - Forever 21

Boots - Steve Madden

Necklace - J Crew

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...