Amazing What A Skirt Can Do...

Worn to work Friday, July 29

 This necklace was one of my birthday presents to myself.  I always wanted on of the House of Harlow necklaces and when this one was on Gilt I snatched it up...mine, mine, mine...

Skirt-Express/Tank top, Jacket-Old Navy/necklace-Gilt via House of Harlow/shoes-random German brand/

Jewelry-DIY, Mexican Shop, Street Vendor

I made an interesting discovery today...
When you dress like everyone else in a place or group, they tend to feel more comfortable with you and are friendlier...
All the mothers at the boy's camp today were so nice to me, saying hi, smiling.  Did I have something on my face, was my hair sticking up, was my skirt tucked into my undies...what...?
Then I realized everyone was friendlier because I looked more like them today...I had on a maxi skirt...
The camp is run by a Modern Orthodox sect of Judaism, Chabad...they are very accepting of all families of all sects on Judaism.  But, they believe that women should be dressed modestly, not to distract men.  So, a good portion of the mom's at drop-off and pick-up, that I interact with, are wearing long skirts, long sleeve shirts and some have scarf-type head wraps.  If you are reader of my corner of the internet, you will know that I dress for no one but myself.  I wear everything from maxi skirts to short dresses...but always in good taste...I like to wear tank tops without jackets, but I never let everything just hang out...
I have not problem showing my individuality and wearing what is me, but I now realize, people inherently feel more comfortable around people that look and act like them. 

I had totally forgot about these shoes...I guess that is what happens when you don't get around to digging into some of the summer storage boxes until the end of July.  So, when I received a box from Gilt last night, I ripped it open, so excited to show off my birthday present to myself...love it! I thought styling it with a bright colored tank would be the best way to show it off.  It is 65 degrees in my office and I sit directly under the vent, so I decided to crab my cargo jacket to keep me warm.

I hope everybody was a great and relaxing weekend...I know I will try too.

Small Time Style...

Morgan from Mamma Loves Papa know that us mom's love to show off our kids style...So, on Thursdays she hosts Small Time Style.  Take a look at what my munchkins are styling...

Lately it is getting harder and harder to get my boys to sit still for pictures...
When I do get Jack to sit, he insists on making a monster face of some kind.  I can get Alex to smile, but his big smile consists of making squinty eyes and chewing on his fingers.  If I can wrangle them to sit together for a picture, the insist on hitting and pushing each other...I guess boys will be boys...

Wow...they need haircuts!

Head on over to Mama Loves Papa to see all the other fashionable cuties!

Aladdin Cannot Swim...So What!

It is Wednesday...So What! Wednesday...
I am joining the hilarious Shannon from Life after I "Dew" to let it all out...

This is what I am saying "So What!" to this week...

If I just had more carbs for breakfast today that I have had in the last few days...

If I really enjoyed that fresh everything bagel with cream cheese I just devoured...

If I am counting the hours until the end of the day so I can hit up the craft store so I can work on a necklace DIY I have churning in my brain.

If yesterday, while reading bedtime stories to the boys, I insisted to them Aladdin was in The Little Mermaid... I was all Disney discombobulated...no wonder they looked confused...

If I don't "fit" into any certain mold...I am who I am...I will never be just like you...or you...or even you...

If I did not wear a statement necklace today...um...I kinda feel naked without one!!

Skirt-Anthropologie/Shirt-BR/Jewelry-Mexican Shop/Shoes-Steve Madden

Go on over and visit Shannon at Life After I "Dew" to check out what everyone else is saying           "So What!" to this week.  Also, check out her party prep for her little girlie's first birthday!!

I am Not Skirting the Issue...

Worn to work Tuesday, July 26

 Pants, top-Ann Taylor Loft/Necklace-Lydell via Gilt/Shoes-Eric Michael

Pants...really...why yes, I will...

So, I decided to take a road trip outside my comfort zone by wearing pants today... Not sure the the journey was a very smart one. I have not worn these pants since last summer...or pants in general since early spring.   After having the kids, I tended to carry my weight in my stomach, if I bought pants that fit there, they were baggy in the hips and thighs...one of the reasons I have foregone pants.  After the surgeries, I lost the stomach pooch, but gained a scar tissue lump and hip to hip incision.  Now pants fit better, but just are not quite comfortable.  I thought this outfit looked good when I took a quick glance on the way out of the house this morning...maybe the dirty mirror affected my vision...

Maybe I should stick to skirt and dresses...

Worn to work Monday, July 25

Comfy dress...check, Statement necklace...check!!

Me and my usual uniform to start out the work week. 

I finally got my new contacts...makes it alot easier to drive, read, pretty much do anything...Thank you
Lenscrafters for the rush order...you rock!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Worn to work Friday, July 22

Friday was a very long day...
Driving to camp drop-off, the sky was dark...on the verge of storming.  I got to my office right before the big storm hit...

I had to sit in the car for 1/2 hour waiting for the downpour to stop...

About noon, I got a call from hubs that the power is out in the house...the storm knocked down a power line by our house.  Com Ed said they should have the electricity up by 7pm.  But, by 3pm, without air conditioning the house had reached a balmy 91 degrees...ahhhh...so glad i was at work with the air conditioning on high...plus the basement was flooding! Then hubs calls, he was on his way to the urgent care center...he stepped on an nail and had to go get a tetanus shot.  He had to go buy a cane yesterday because he is having trouble walking...Then, Friday night, Jack had his final game and awards ceremony.  Nothing like watching a t-ball game in the 90 degree heat... He was very proud of his medal...

On Sunday, I went to brunch with my friend Missy.

 As I took this photos, Alex proceeded to lean against the gate and fall backwards into the mud...he was not very happy!

I was so excited to see my friend Missy today.  We have been friends for about ten years.  She is the kind of friend that you can go without talking to for a year and then pick up like not time has gone by.  I was on the phone with her the day I had my first date with hubs...I talked to her for hours as I went from store to store trying on clothes to wear to dinner.  Our first "over night" date was a St. Patrick's day pub crawl organized by her.  She stood up at my wedding and was there after my boys were born.  Now she is pregnant,  i am so happy for her, I cannot even express my joy!

Hope everyone is having a very relaxing weekend!

Dress Me Up...

I have always wanted to be a paper doll...I guess this is the closest I will ever get...
The adorable Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy started the Paper Doll Project where bloggers are paired up to put together outfits for each other.
Franca from Oranges and Apples put this outfit together for me based around my new yellow skirt.

Skirt-Nordstrom's/Tank top-Old Navy/Jacket-H&M/Shoes-Indigo/Jewelry-DIY, F21

I would have never thought to pair this skirt (bought at the Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale last weekend) with a peachish tank top...thanks Franca.

Go check out the outfit I picked out for Franca at her great blog Oranges and Apples...her outfits are just so colorful and fun!  Also make sure to Check out all the other Paper Doll Project Pairs over at
Miss Vinyl Ahoy.

Thanks Suze for putting together such a great project...I love being a paper doll for the day!!

I Do Not Care What You Think About That...

The wonderfully honest Shannon, over at Life After I "Dew" hosts SO WHAT! Wednesday... where venting is not only allowed, but it is encouraged...

This week I am saying SO WHAT! If...

-Until this morning, I had washed my hair since Sunday morning

-Yesterday morning I told the kids to go watch TV I was going to take a shower, but in reality I crawled
back into bed to cuddle with the husb for 5 more minutes

-The boys came looking for me and found me sleeping instead of showering...they told me I tricked them...Ha!

-Some nights I go to bed before the kids do...I work all day and I am tired too...

-When I order something online sometimes I pay extra so I can have it waiting on my door step the next day...I am all about the instant gratification...I want it now!

-When someone asked me if I was going to keep having kids and try for a girl...I said "hell no"... 

two hands, two kids, two parents...enough for me!

-I get a big old thrill out of the fact 3/4 of the bracelets I pile on my wrists on a daily basis are made my little ole me...I feel so cool!

-This is all I am going to show you of my outfits from Tuesday and Wednesday...it was way too hot to take many photos...I was getting my sweat on just setting up my tripod...

-I currently like the profile of my face better than how it looks straight on in photos...I am not sure how to smile sometimes..

SO...now if you feel the need to vent, or want to see what other gals have on their mind...

go visit Life After I "Dew"...and ask for Shannon...

Fogging Up the Joint...

Worn to work Monday, June18

 

Let me start off my saying...I am hot...not sexy hot, but sweaty sticky hot.  When I got in my car the temperature read 99 degrees..99 FREAKIN DEGREES!! Way too hot to handle...and to add insult to injury, I had to wear my glasses today.  When I took my contacts out last night, in my blindness, I dropped one of my contacts in the sink.  Not realizing it, I out the case away.  When I went to put my contacts in this morning...too my surprise...there was not right one.  So, I went in the drawer where I keep my spare pair...lo and behold...there were two left eyes.  So, I had to wear my glasses today.  To begin with, I am not a fan of wearing them...no peripheral vision, uncomfortable and it is really hard to put makeup on when you are wearing glasses...and then when I take then off to put on mascara, I cannot see if I am doing it correctly since my eyes are so bad...ahhhh!  So, I finally get my makeup on...messily...leave the house, and my glasses immediately fog up!!! WTF!!!  Every time I got out of my car or anywhere that is air conditioned they fog up...Oh...my...gosh...what a pain. 

You gals who wear glasses, how do you do it in the summer?

The only positive thing to come out of having four eyes today...a co-workers said They made me look smart...and younger...hmmmm...

I Will Take One Of Each, Please...

Worn to work Thursday, July 14

Skirt-Target/Shirt-Gap/Belt-Target/Jewelry-Martin & Osa, DIY, Lori's/Shoes-Me Too

Woke up late, threw hair in a pony tail, put on my favorite casual skirt (think I have worn it three times in the last week) and leopard T....pile on some jewelry, wrangle up sweaty kids, 2 backpacks, purse, laptop and run out the door...whew...



Worn to work Friday, July 15

Dress-Ann Taylor Loft/Sandals-Indigo/Jewelry-Target, Francesca's, DIY

Way too much thought went into this outfit today.  I have a cocktail hour meet and greet with a client and the Blackhawks again, then spending some time at the Blackhawks Convention.  So, I did not want to dress to fancy, but I still wanted to look dressed up and mature.  Instead of my classic black cocktail dress, I though I would go with this blue dress.  I wanted to make it a bit more casual, so I replaced the fabric belt that came with the dress with this more rugged looking brown one. Now came the bigger dilemma, how much jewelry... I frequent throw on multiple necklaces, rings and sleeves of bracelets...love me some jewelry...but, I decided to reel it in a bit today.  The debate was do I overwhelm and stand out with my jewelry, or do I keep it simpler, not to stand out and scream "hi" at the cocktail party...  I sometimes feel like I have to stifle my personality for some situations...I don't like it, but I deal.  I decided today to take the middle path and wear 1 layered necklace, 1 chunky ring, 2 big bangles on one arm and a watch and 3 small beaded bangles on the other...oh, and small gold studs in the ears.  I know it is probably more adornment than most people wear, but I love it...so there! Almost forgot, the only high wedge sandals that are comfortable were a must...hockey players are tall!!

Looking at these photos, I realize how much younger I look in casual clothes with my hair up...things that make me think!

Hope everybody has a good weekend.  I plan to go shopping and spend some of my birthday money. Nordstroms's Sale...here I come!

Hockey Night In America...

Yesterday, I was over at the United Center (where the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks play) for a meeting with the Blackhawks for one of my clients.  After the meeting, they gave us a tour of the place, including the locker room.  As we walked into the players area, we were presented with this...

 

Authentic game jerseys with our names on them...so cool!!...I have a feeling my boys are going to fight over it when they get bigger...Jack likes hockey and always asks me when I am I going to teach him to ice skate...

In college we used to have Hockey Night in America parties every Wednesday.  Beer, pizza and hockey on TV always made for a fun evening!  Ever since then, I have always been a hockey fan and closely followed their Stanley Cup Championship run in 2010!


I wanted to look professional for the meeting, so I went with a simple dress with some fun jewelry...

This used to be one of my favorite dresses...not sure why I haven't worn it in a while.  I previously wore it in the colder seasons with tights and a sweater.  But, it is not too short, so I definitely can see wearing it bare-legged this summer.  Alex actually found these wedges in a box under the bed.  I had put a ton of summer clothes and shoes in storage when we moved into our house...I was 8 months pregnant with Alex and had no desire to ever see a fitted dress or wedge sandals....I guess I never really finished unpacking.  Love me some comfy wedges with fun grommets...

Superwoman Never Wore Yellow...

But Everybody, Everywhere sure does...

  I treated myself to a pedicure for my birthday...

Today over at the wonderful website Everybody, Everywhere yellow is the color of the month...all the bloggers out there are styling up their yellow!

I had a totally different outfit planned out in my head...but it just did not work this morning and I did not have the time to experiment.  Now that I think about it, I am not sure how to wear my new open weave, tunic length yellow cotton sweater...hmmmm! So, I went to one of my favorites...this Old Navy skirt.  I wasn't sure what top wear on top, but then I remember this mustard blazer that was still sitting in the back of the closet with the tags still on...score, new to me!!

I do not really have anything witty or interesting to share today...Work is busy and I am at frustration level high...  But, lunch did perk me up...Latina omelet from M Henry...eggs, peppers, tomatoes, green onions, black beans...yummm!!

If you love yellow...I know you do...go check out all the ladies at Everybody, Everywhere...
(not meant to sound creepy)...

Blow Out The Candles And Make a Wish...

JULY 9th MY BIRTHDAY

  Alex had too much partying!

Jack wanted to party all night long!

 

So, now I am 35... I felt old before, now I feel even older now that it is official!!

I had a wonderful birthday.  We went out for my favorite Mexican food for dinner...YUM!  After dinner we went home for cake and presents.  I ate so much sweets this weekend...must detox. My boys made me the cutest cards and gave me a gift certificate for a massage, they picked it out themselves.  I must thank my husband for taking care of the boys this weekend so I could relax for my birthday...that was the best present ever!  I wore my new maxi dress for our fiesta...I am not sure it I like the look on me.  The large was a little baggy in the chest...never thought I would be typing that... Next time I think I might try to style it with a tank top under and a chunky necklace.  I liked how comfy it was, so I am not giving up on the maxi dress yet.

I usually love my birthday, but this year I am finding it a little depressing...

Worn to work Friday, July 8

Friday was a very long day.  Drove an hour to drop the kids at camp...two hours to Milwaukee for a three hour meeting...two hours back to the office...then two hours to get home...LONG DAY...good thing the Alien is good on gas!  Since I was going to be doing a lot of sitting, I wanted to be comfortable and this dress fits the bill.  I once wore this leopard cardi, yellow necklace combo before and remember really liking how it looked, so I threw it on again.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and your Monday is treating you well...so far!

The Business Of The Sport...

Worn to work Thursday, July 7

 

 Shirt-Gap/Skirt-Ann Taylor Loft/Shoes-Nine West/Jewelry-Target, BR, DIY

Work has been pretty busy lately...tons of meetings, so my outfits are a bit more conservative when I have to go to clients.  This pencil skirt is dark chambray...looks enough like navy.  Love this top...fun pattern, bright color and the great ties on the shoulders...love them! I thought the neutral goldish sandals and gold jewelry would top of my look well. 

Today I made it my business to get to Jack's t-ball game.  In his age group, the kids just bunch up in the infield and all run to the ball and pile up on each other...not very effective...but, so darn cute.  Jack had two hits and I was that mom that stood at the fence cheering him on...I am so proud of him.  

 

 Alex had a lot of fun watching Jack play too...

Yippeeee....my mom found the purple maxi dress in my size from Target that I had been on the hunt for.  I tried four different Targets including online and no luck...then she went to the Target by her house and found it right away!  Thanks mom!!  I cannot wait to wear it...I have all these outfit ideas bouncing around in my brain...