Utility styling a summer dress

Happy to be wearing this summer dress again. I really love the colors, fit and material of this dress. I have worn it a few times before but in a more dress fashion. Today, I decided to make it more casual by adding a utility shirt (worn like a jacket) and flat ankle cuff sandals. I still couldn't resist adding the coral belt and necklace as they go so well with this dress's colors but they do bring more dressiness to the outfit. The shirt/jacket was a great choice today as most of the morning was overcast and chilly.

Dress - Anthropologie

Utility shirt worn like a jacket - Gap

Ankle cuff suede sandals - Colin Stuart from Victoria's Secret

Coral stretch belt - Anthropologie

Coral bead necklace - Charlotte Rousse

Evil eye bracelet - from Turkey

Today's Activities: My hubby woke up not feeling great but was a trooper as he dragged himself through our busy day. Went to two 3 yr old b-day parties. Great to be getting back together with all our mommy group friends after such a long absense. Love to see how much the kids have grown and developed even more personality. Our younger ones have changed drastically and fun to watch them imitate their older siblings. We divided up our time by having lunch at one party and cake at the other. Kids took a hard and long nap after we got home a bit later than usual.  After naps we had no plans and it was too cold to swim. Went over to my Dad's so kids can play with Grandpa. Afterwards went to McDonald's for dinner (horrible I know) but the one we went to has a real cool tunnel slide climbing structure so it was fun for kids. Came home and cozied up to watch our most recent netflix rental of 'Surf's up' as a family. A sad 'saturday night' for the young and single crowd but it was perfect for me. :)

Tie Tee

Giving this funky tie tee one more turn in my outfit combo list. I felt it was somewhat long enough to wear on top of leggings. Due to the design it has to be pulled all the way down so it has to be topped something skinny and form fitting, hence leggings seemed like a good choice. I tried them on with peep toe lace up boots but it felt too black with the pants so went with these platform heels that have a hot pink stiching which goes great with the pink polka dots on the tie print. I acessorized with silver charm necklace worn as a bracelet, all black watch and a silver and pink heart ring. Of course these heels have no place in my mommy day so I wore my converses instead most of the time (see last photo)...

Vest and tie print tee set - from Turkey - Vena

Black leggings - H&M

Platform heels - Boutique 9 (TJ Maxx)

Silver charm necklace - Betsey Johnson

Black watch - from Turkey

silver ring - gift from Step Dad

Here is the outfit with converses:

Today's Activities: Another rough night with my daughter waking up before we event went to bed and no matter how strong I tried to stay I gave up after 1 hour and took her to our bed not much sleep. Had no set plans this morning so took our time getting ready. Did a quick run to the grocery store. This is my new thing now, we go to the store and I drive back home but do not get the kids out of the car and rush in the food and quickly throw the perishables in the fridge and go. With some snack cups I can accomplish this unloading with no crying and under 5-8 minutes. We then went to the indoor play club. Kids had a great time there as I downed two cups of jasmine iced tea. Then and this is creative planning on my part, took our packed lunch I made in the morning to the car shop. After a super complicated schedule of having my paretnts come twice to get my car diagnosed to discover it needs a part replaced that will take 20 minutes decided  to just bite the bullet and go there with the kids. They actually did fine since they had food and the car was done just when we finished so it was perfect. Came home for naps. I turbo cooked and even set the table for our dinner party tonight.  When they woke up it was still warm so we swam in the pool again which is always such a fun actvity for them. Then we hosted another mommy and her two kids for a playdate. They left when our dinner guests arrived. Hectic but a productive day.

A little Romanian

So, this is a blouse my grandpa had brought from Romania for me when I was I think 10 or so. Somehow I can still wear it as a 3/4 sleeve crop top. Just added a tight red tube top underneath to help with the cropness. I think the blouse is a perfect match to these adorable clogs. When I saw these on the clearance rack in my size! I had to get them. I mean where would you ever find a pair like these? Loved it when my son screamed 'Mommy who put these rasberries on your shoes?' Cut off distressed jean shorts contrast with the sweetness of the top and the shoes. Kept jewelry to a minimum with heart loop silver earings and evil eye anklet and a watch.  It was one of those rare days where I actually wore the same outfit all day!

Blouse - gift from Grandpa from Romania

Red tube top - super old from a store that is no longer in business

Cut off shorts - TJ Maxx

Clogs - Anthropologie (of course!)

Heart loop earings - baby phat from Macy's

Anklet - from Turkey

Watch - Bulova

Today's Activities: Went to a friend's house for a water table playdate. Took the kids in swim suits and allowed them to get and dirty as they pleased. Just hosed and dried and changed them into PJs before coming home all ready for naps. During nap, had to have my stepdad come over so I can take my car to a shop then have him and my mom come over couple hours later to drop us off at the car shop. Just a simple task of taking my car in to get checked is an absolute nightmare when you have kids. Rushed to our second playdate afterwards. Met this mommy on our plane ride from Turkey to San Diego. She is Turkish as well, her husband is Italian and they just moved to SD from London. Their 5 year old daughter is trilangual. Kids had a great time playing with her. Came home late just in time for dinner (good thing I cook dinner during nap times!). Costco tilapia was a big hit with the kids. Had a fun bath time before bed.