Another Beginning's End...

For most, today is just the end of 2012...but, for me today is also my last day oat work.  I have spent the last decade doing this job, developing a love of advertising all all that comes with it, learning and spending time with the best boss out there.

2013 starts my journey as a stay at home mom..."stay at home" is such a misnomer...when I am not working, most of the time spent with the kids is not really at home.  I see a future of school dropoff/pickup, driving to activities and running errands... I think I am going to start referring to myself as a "in the car with the kids mom"...

The whole not working thing is something I still haven't totally wrapped my head around, but I am trying my hardest not to let it consume me...own me...


May I present the final work outfits of 2012 and beyond...

 Jacket-Nordstrom's/Pants-Zara/Booties-Steve Madden/Necklace-House of Gemmes

Skirt-Target/Blazer Gap/Boots-Kenneth Cole/Necklace-Black Sheep

And today...the final day at work...the final day of 2013...

Skirt-Calvin Klein/Vest-Fox's/Jewelry-H&M, Hot Momma, The Limited

Today's outfit is just a hodge podge of goodness.  The only tights that were clean were brown...first skirt I saw in my closet that went with brown (too bad it is the wrong season for floral cotton).  To counter act the light skirt, I decided upon the furry vest...hmmm...interesting choice...I am just so sick of a tank and cardigan!  I thought the t-shirt underneith was black...until I got to work...navy matches too...I guess!  

I have no idea what I am going to wear tonight for our exciting New Year's plans of dinner and a movie...that would require forethought, of which I have none...the boys must have hidden that trait somewhere...along with my sanity!

With hope and love from my corner of the internet, I close the chapter of 2012 and welcome 2013 with open arms...

Bring it on 2013!

Party On The Porch...

Pants/vest-Gap/Boots-LOFT/Shirt-Old Navy/Sweatshirt-Hot Mama/Jewelry-Target, Akira

My casual mom wardrobe from Thursday. Basically, my stay at home mom"uniform" for the next few months, until it warms up.  Comfy yet fashionable layers is where it is at!!!  This polka dotted denim shirt from Old Navy is a fun new addition to my wardrobe.  A denim shirt is such a staple layering piece for me, so this shirt is going to get a lot of face time with me!  

This outfit was worn on Thursday... the boys and I took my mom out for a birthday lunch and playtime at the book store.  Alex loves the small amount of snow were have on the ground here.  He sees it and squeals with joy... literally! The boys had so much fun running around in the cold and the snow, Alex passed out when we got home...too tired to even take his jacket off. The only reason jack didn't fall asleep...he was too busy playing Star Wars on the Nintendo DS he received for Hannukah... direct quote form Jack, "Best thing ever...I rock at this game!"

Festivus For The Rest Of Us...

Happy Holiday's from my family to yours...

This is the closest we get to a family photo...only 75% of the household  is good with their face on the world wide web!

No matter what you celebrate, may you have a happy holiday full of joy and love!


Christmas Eve attire...

Holiday cookie party attire... Yes, I ate way too many cookies and regretted it the next day!

Out Past My Bedtime...

Last Thursday night  I attended the K & L Holiday Arm party.  Kristen and Lindsay are the fabulous ladies behind House of Gemmes.  House of Gemmes is an accessory e-boutique that "promises to make all your accessory dreams come true"...and after viewing some of their merchandise at the party, I am pretty sure they can fulfill their promise!  I was so excited about having a night out and attending their party at Wild Monk Pub, out by me in the suburbs.  I had so much fun...Kristen and Lindsay are such nice ladies, and their jewelry was amazing...so fun, on trend, adorable and affordable jewelry, it was hard not to abuse my credit card and buy lots of baubles!

I had such a fun time, met so many great people and, of course, purchased a few presents for myself...

If you still need holiday presents, check out House Of Gemmes holiday shop for some great jewelry.

Daytime Mom

I was looking forward to a great night out, but I did not have much time to get ready once the hubby got home.  I wore these greenish jeans during the day, styled casual with this great sweatshirt, with sequin detailing at the neckline, and black suede ankle booties. I wanted to look classy and fun for the party, so I replaced the sweatshirt with a lace top and put on my Missoni for Target pumps...after adding some jewelry and a smokey eye, I was ready to hit up the party.

Night Out Mom

 

Jeans-Wit & Wisdom/Top-Banana Republic/Shoes-Missoni for Target/Jewelry-H&M, Madewell

Wrapped Up With A Bow

Worn to work Wednesday, December 12

 Sweater-the Limited/Skirt-Loft/Boots-Franco Sarto/Jewelry-Black Sheep, F21, Target

I finally styled up the bow sweater that I bought from the Limited on Black Friday.  Since I had to work, I paired it with a ruffly skirt.  But, I am thinking about styling it with my green skinnies and high heel ankle boots for a night out!  I have always loved bows... They bring back memories of being a little girl.  I had real long hair and my mom always made sure I had matching bows every day.   
So, I went to a House of Gemmes jewelry party last night (detailed post to come), had a few drinks with new friends and stayed out way past my 10pm bed time.   My penance for having a fun night out...being woke up at 3 am by a puking 6 year old.  Needless to say, it is not fun cleaning up throw up with a hangover... At least I can rest today while tending to the flu virus on the couch named Jack! 

Get In My Belly...

Worn to work Monday, December 10

 

Dress-Gap/Boots-OTBT/Jewelry-Black Sheep, Lori's, F21

Combat boots and a sweater dress...Alex told me I looked like a fancy army man...I will take that as a compliment!

I usually wear a belt to reign in the flowiness of this dress...but, I just did not feel like having my stomach cinched in today.  Last night was the family Hannukah party...my  mom makes the best crunchy macaroni and cheese and I over indulged...plus I had a sliver of ice cream cake...I am still full...and there are leftovers!

On the changing hair color front...

I am going with the final look I mocked up last week.  Lighter brown overall with less layers.  Light carmel highlights throughout with ombre highlights through the ends.  Also, I will be taking a few inches off, may hair dresser thinks getting rid of all the damaged ends would be perfect for the fresh look and color I am looking for.  So we got started on Saturday...lightening up the base...next Friday, will be the big day for the cut and highlights!  I am so excited for the change up!!

I got my first gel manicure this weekend.  It was so weird having someone wipe my finger nails just minutes after they were polished.  I kept cringing, waiting for it to smear!  Here's to hoping the color lasts more than two weeks...

Change Is In the Air...

There has been so much change going on in my life lately.  Besides being in a place I never saw myself, as the mother of two boys...I will soon have a new title...stay at home mom.  I never wanted the word "mom" to define me, hence the title of my corner of the internet, and, up until now I felt I was dong a pretty good job of not losing my self...I think working helped.  Now that I will be staying home, I am so afraid I will get lost. But, I do need a change, but change I can control... So, I think a change in appearance might do me some good. 

I have been playing around with what I would look like with a different hair color...

I have never been a blonde, but I thinking I might just have to do it.  The is very blonde with subtle tan highlights.  The make-up is my natural, everyday colors.

I always wanted really red hair...very Amelia Pond (Doctor Who).  I went subtle red a year or so ago and now that I look back on the photos...I am not really fond of the look...thumbs down.  I also tried a coral lip here...I like it!

The final look is just a small change from my current styling...  Lighter ends, less layers...

 Finally, this me...today...poop brown with grey "highlights"...

I say go big or go home...so I think I am going to gather the guts and go light.  I don't want to go to short...I think it make my face look fat...plus, I still need to be able to put it up for working out...

Happy Hannukah...tomorrow...to all my Jewish friends...I guess I am going to have to make it a late night wrapping the boys presents.

Have a great weekend...hopefully Monday, I will be styling a new do!!

Get While The Getting Is Good...

Worn to work this week...

 Dress-The Limited/Booties-Steve Madden/Jewelry-Target, Bauble Bar, F21, The Limited

Such a comfy sweater dress.  I had been stalking it at The Limited, and when I saw the 40% off sign in the store window, it was destines to be mine!  You cannot tell that well in the photos, but the top has a bit of shimmer to it.  The short sleeves are perfect, since I always get warm...even in the winter!

Sweater, shirt-Old Navy/Skirt-Target/Boots-William's/Jewelry F21, Target, Black Sheep

I did not originally intend to wear this sweater today when I laid my clothes out last night.  Plans were for the Target sweater with a dog on it...plucked yesterday form the sales rack.  But, the bagginess of the sweater did not sit well over this button up shirt...I think the polkadots are a noble substitute.

 So, I threw my back out yesterday...at Target...I have a feeling someone is trying to tell me something about my Target habit.  Spent the rest of the day flat on my back, alternating between laying on the heating pad and laying on a back of ice...so much pain.  I feel a bit better today, thanks to a muscle relaxer... But before, I screamed in pain in the toy isle, I checked out the Neiman Marcus + Target Holiday Collection...my store still had a lot of all the items.  I was more impressed than I thought I would be.  I am lusting for the Tory Burch Thermos and the men's Rag and Bone sweater.  The prices were a bit to high for my taste...if they ever go one sale, I will definitely have to scoop them up!