All American

I love how this came out today. What a great idea to tie the scarf like this don't you think? I got the idea from the photo below:

This was an ad for some brand (may be American Eagle) I am not sure. I actually have a very similar looking velvet navy blazer my mom loaned me but I do not have a red plaid scarf. What I did have is this plaid scarf and since it has a touch of red in it figured it would look great over a red blazer.

Have to tell you the story behind this red blazer. Skip this section if you are not interested. :)

This was part of a suit. My first expansive suit I bought when I was 22 yrs old in NYC. You see I moved to NYC right after college graduation and faced the ugly truth about entry level jobs. Envisioning myself as a wall st analyst with an office, only to end up as an assistant to 3 EVPs of a broker firm. Fancy title for pretty much secretarial work. Just starting to pay off my hefty student loans wondering what it was for if I was to only make photocopies and answer phone calls, I was pretty depressed. NYC also was a city that everyone judged you by your title and the brand of the clothes you had on. I had neither so no one talked to me. So, after my first paycheck I went out and bought this amazing blazing red suit from Ann Taylor for like $500. It took me months to pay it off but it was worth it. I loved this suit. It was my statement that I was going to make it to the top somehow. And I sure did. After moving back to SD a year later and starting my true career job I started moving up fast and would buy extremely conservative suits to make myself look older to be taken seriously. So my suits range in the lovely tones of Black, Navy, Brown and Grey. Except this one. I could never part from it because it will always remind me of how I felt during those times and how determined I was. So, now years later, already have achieved all my career goals and now living the time of my life with my two amazing kids it is wonderful to be able to wear it again!
Sorry for the long story...

A lot of layers so it looks a bit bulky but cynching it with a belt makes it work I think. These were my first skinny jeans when skinny jeans starting becoming in fashion. You can see they are no where being skinny but more like a 'slim cut' but works for this look.

And yes to all of you who have been making comments, I do have a pretty sick closet. It is really the product of years and years of shopping and I think smart shopping, buying staple items that keep coming back style again and again. Also investing in a lot of base layer items too which are very diverse. One of these days I will take you inside by closet to show. I also have been wanting to do a segment on organization as I am crazy organized and have lots of tips. All in good time.

Red Blazer - part of an Ann Taylor suit

Jeans - Rock Republic

White tank - Eddie Bauer

White eyelet blouse - Lucky

Scarf - Forever 21

Belt - Express

Boots - Via Spiga

Today's Activities: Started a bit of Christmas shopping today. My sister joined us as she was off from work. We hit bed bath and beyond then the mall. Disney store just opened here and it is my son's favorite place to visit. He can stay there for hours. Bought my friend's kids gifts there and my son finally decided on his gift from Santa which is the 'Aladding gift set'. Love it as it is only $12. I already ordered it on Cyber Monday and got a great discount too. I am now searching for some sort of a case/bag so he can carry the set. Of course love that my son picks these Disney Movie that are years and years old and merchandise is no longer carried. His favorite is Lion King of course. He also loves Oliver and Company and now into Aladdin. Why can't he like Cars or Toy Story is beside me. Well, actually I know why they do not have any songs. He is only interested in musicals. After a tiring shopping spree we had lunch at the mall and returned home for a very late nap time. After naps packed everyone up with lots of clothes and went to Sea World's Member night and met my Mom and Stepdad there. Every year Sea World holds a member night to open their xmas celebration events. It is usually crazy but I like going. They give a very pretty hand blown glass ornament to each person as well and we have been collecting since my son's first xmas. But did not get this year's as the line was waaaaay too long. Still had fun...

Here are some photos from Sea World:

Pretty Fish Tree: 

My mom and step dad with the kids: 

Me and My Mom: 

 

Bowling Fashion

Another magazine photo inspired look today: 

Ah, this outfit would have looked killer with my sister's liquid leggings from F21. But, I didn't plan this in advance enough to barrow so wore my leather pants. They look OK but they are not skin tights so you somewhat loose the look.

I was pretty amazed once again that I have almost every similar item in my closet from the inspiration photo. I like the navy jacket with the denim shirt and the black leather pants. Once again proves you can mix black and navy. The deep red scarf (I call this the 'carpet scarf' as the design reminds me of a kilim) really compliments the colors.

Even had the fingerless gloves to give the similar look. I think my mom got me these a while ago. They have a touch of gold in them so it was perfect.

Would have looked better with solid booties but these were OK with black socks.

Attemps to pose with my daughter but she can't get the tripod timing correctly....

Leather pants - vintage (mom's)

Denim shirt - from Turkey

Crop navy blazer jacket - Forever 21

Scarf - Forever 21

Boots - Juicy Couture

Gloves - gift

Today's Activities: Swim class in the morning followed by lunch out and grocery and art supply shopping. I am crazy as I decided to hand make a few gifts for my two good friends and my baby nephew who will be born in end of March. My only craft talent is 'cross stiching' taught to me by my aunt. Over the years I have made impressive collages mostly all for my grandparents. I have also made two big ones for my son and daughter. They take months and months and require hours of dedication everyday. So, not sure where I think I will have this time but bought the designs anyway. We shall see.

After naps we went to music class than immediately left to pick up my husband head over to my friend's b-day party at a bowling alley. It was quite far (50 miles each way) so it was tiring with the kids in the car but they had a blast there. Both went to bed way past bed time.

Here are a few fun bowling photos from tonight.... 

These were the smallest size shoes they had and they are way too big on her... 

Tucker and Tucker

The lighting is off in all these photos so I apologize for that. I was happy with how this come turned out. I had many options for my legs and feet. Another one I liked was with gold ankle socks and navy patent platforms. But the issue was my white pasty legs so opted for the navy tights and nude heels instead.

This is the debut of many new items in my closet: The Tucker skirt and blouse and the heels. The shirt has the prettiest butterfly design with navy and pink on a cream background. The skirt is this awesome material with gold thread. I just wish the skirt's waist wasn't so high rise. I wear small sizes and have very narrow hips but do not have the skinniest waist line. So have to always size up if buying something that sits on waist like this skirt.

The point of these heels were suppose to be worn on bare legs and blend with my skin tone. But they do look against dark tights like these too I think and the pinkish nude color compliments the dusty pink color of the cardigan. Do you know that Steve Madden has 5 different shades and styles of nude heels? I tried them all to find the one that blends with my skin tone. Realized the platform styles look cool but that platform line up front prevents the shoe from blending so I opted for this style where the platform is hidden and seemless from the outside.

Of course I happened to have a navy patent purse with gold details right in my closet....Plus added the super cute heart cuff watch my mom got me last year.

The outfit works with or without this cardigan. I needed it for an extra layer. On top I carried my pink trench coat too but ended up never needing it.

Silk Blouse and navy skirt - Tucker for Target

Navy tights - no idea

Nude Heels - Steve Madden

Pink Scarf - no idea

Pink cardigan - Express

Navy patent purse - Maxx New York

This was my afternoon/night outfit. During the first part of the day I wore this:

Inspired by this: 

This is just a very basic combo but looks great efforlessly. Perfect mommy outfit with the right amount of layers and proper shoes.

Today's Activities: Went to the preschool class in the morning. My son got to be the teacher's helper today which entails him ringing the bell for each circle time as well as helping count the day, month, predicting the weather and choosing what should be worn in such weather. He loved it. Once they went down for their naps my mom came over to take over so I could go to my 2 hour dentist appt which sucked of course. I hate going to the dentist cause I can not multi task. But afterwards got to meet my girlfriend who I have not seen in a while and had happy hour drinks and appetizers for dinner. She lives right by my dentist so it was perfect planning. My husband picked up the kids from my mom and I was home in time to help with bedtime stories and tucking in. Oh, I forgot to tell you yesterday, I have officially booked my Brazilian blowout appt for day before xmas eve. It is my xmas gift from my husband. I am so very excited.