Orange Tassels at the Nature Center

Had to pick a moderately casual outfit today given our activity. This was inspired by a girl I saw at the thread show. She was wearing long denim shorts like this with a white tee and black vest. I thought that would be a perfect backdrop for these crazy orange tassel earrings.

The crop vest is my mom's. Although it is thick leather since it is small can be worn during summer...

 

These earrings were a thread show purchase. They are made out of leather. Aren't they cool? Click here to buy them online. Of course the online price is much higher than what I paid at the Thread Show. Which is the beauty of that show where sellers sell their stuff directly at practically cost prices.

Added the all black watch and the silk string evil eye bracelet for additional accessories...

Converses were perfect to make the outfit funky and also for my visit to the nature center today...

 My new nails... Yesterday my Dr appt ended early and my mom and step-dad had the kids so I got my nails done. Finally got them to do the two tone nails like I wanted. Last time they messed up and couldn't get it done. I love this pink and orange combination. This is the new gel polish where it lasts close to 2 weeks.

 

Leather Vest - Mom's

White Tee - Target

Denim Shorts - lei 

Hat - old (?)

Shoes - Converse

Earrings - Micha Design

Today's Activities: Another super fun day with the preschool visiting a Nature Center quite south of San Diego. This city constantly amazes me as to how much more stuff there is to do with kids that we don't even know about. This place was about 25 miles south (just minutes away from the border to Mexico). It is a huge nature center and a preserve. The school had arranged for a discussion and song time that included meeting an owl and making an owl craft. Then we had free time to walk around the area which was very cool.
Long and exhausting day though. It is a lot of fun to let the kids experience new things and play and run around with their friends and explore but it is also exhausting keeping track of all of them, making sure they do not get into trouble in addition to the many potty breaks, hand washes, constant demands of food.
Realized when we got back that I had not sit down for 3.5 hours straight and was dead tired. Napped a little while they did and felt a bit better. In the afternoon my dad joined us for some play time at the indoor play area.
Hoping to catch up a little tonight. Last night my bf came over to watch back to back new episodes of True Blood and I had no on-line time.

Kids checking out the snakes and frogs at the nature center...

 

They had all sorts of fish tanks with the most beautiful fish AND glass sculptures in them. It was an amazing combination and what a great idea!

See the black and white eels around and coming from the vases above? They blend it perfectly!

 This was also very pretty with ruin like pieces made out of glass and tiny bright blue fish!

 Kids listening to the discussion and learning an owl song!

 

Climbing to see the Bald Eagle and the Falcon....

Pretty Trails... My boy (in yellow green tee with his buddies)

Inspiration Monday Diane Kruger

Doing the Inspiration Monday by Megan and Nora from Two Birds Blog...

Today's Inspiration was Diane Kruger in a J Crew get-up...

I downloaded a few other photos to show the details of her outfit....

For some reason I do not have a cardigan or knit top this color! I know hard to believe right. I also do not have a mint green skirt. Again shocking... So for the first time I did a similar outfit to re-create...

This skirt is very old and about 2 sizes too big. I pull it up and synch the belt at the waist paper bag style to make it fit and since it is quite long it works fine this way... The bow belt is a new purchase from TJ Maxx for $12. The inner part is animal print. Love it.

Added nude heels like her (for the photos though) for the pool playdate switched to blue beaded flip flops.

This hat was a perfect compliment with blue and coral on its trim...

 

The straw purse and the layered necklace worn as a bracelet worked perfect...

Tried about 4 different necklaces and settled on the blue ones to pick up the tiny bits of blue on the hat trim...

Found this side corner of my yard with the rustic ladder I used to use as a towel rack in my old house's bathroom for backdrop...

 Coral Top - Victoria's Secret

Skirt - Will Smith 

Belt - Betsey Johnson

Necklace, hat - Forever 21

Purse - TJ Maxx

Bracelet - H&M

Shoes - Steve Madden

To see others post on this outfit click HERE!

Today's Activities: Had yet another very fun playdate at my friend's house. They have a pool too so we had the kids swim for an hour. It is tough handling two kids to 1 adult ratio but the boys can mostly swim on their own so it is not bad. But knowing it takes a second for a kid to drown you have to be constantly aware of both!

Had a nice big lunch and more playtime before returning home.

Getting this post out quickly before I go to my Dr appointment while my mom takes my daughter to her Dr to get a stubborn splinter that is turning into an infection out of her foot and my step dad is taking my son on a bike ride....

Gypsy Kings

 This was my outfit Saturday late afternoon/evening. After the floral outfit of the day we came home and I switched to swim suit and cover up for the swimming portion of our party. Then changed into this before dinner.

I actually should have included this trend (head scarves) as something I 'love but afraid to pull off' for the FBFF questions. So this home party covering my frizzy wet after pool hair was perfect opportunity to risk a look that I am not very comfortable with.

My husband said I look like a gypsy and I think he is right but kind of cute right? The animal print skirt with the built in shorts are very comfy and airy. Even got to use this green pendant necklace from Turkey that I have never worn before. It was a gift.

Silk Scarf - TJ Maxx

Brown Tee - TJ Maxx (very old)

Sheer Animal Print Skirt - Forever 21

Necklace - from Turkey

SATURDAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: Despide my worry we actually had ample time between our return from the beach b-day party and our own party at the house. Had to give the kids a full bath before naps since they were covered in sand. They woke up just a bit before the guests came so it worked out great.
I waited until everyone arrived and got all the appetizers out and drinks served then got in the pool with everyone else. My parents were there to swim with the kids so actually got to relax, drink and chat with my friends for an hour or so before I had to get out get dressed and start heating the dinner. Everything heated perfectly even my fried stuff. The key was to warm them in the oven to prevent them getting soggy. Everyone loved the food and we got to all sit and eat the same time despite the 7 children. We achieved that by feeding the kids first, then have them play (and watch TV) while we ate.
My friends decided to stay past their kids' bedtime so we can play cards. Since it was our house I put my kids to bed though. We had a great time. These are the friends we go way way back so there is this natural comfort zone that I love. Old friendships are priceless!

Adults at the table (the group consisted of 4 couples originally, my ex and I got divorced but kept the group going and my husband joined in, and now another couple is divorced so our numbers are a bit off. And this time I invited my parents)...

Some of the kids are sitting for lunch not sure where the rest are...

So one of the guys slam dunk shuddered our basketball hoop glass and before it started breaking the guys all worked together to take it down. It was an event to watch. We were all laughing cause mostly they are all holding it as the only handy and capable guy, who is my step dad, takes the thing down!

My daughter and my best friend's youngest are playing together (they are 2.5 months apart)...

My son and my bf's middle son are watching TV after hours of swimming....

Here are some of the other kids sitting for some chocolate cake dessert!