Who Are You...

I am not sure what has been put in my coffee...but I have been feeling pretty great lately.  Physically, my knees are killing me...I am sitting here with ice packs in my knees while typing, and I am exhausted.  But mentally, I am feeling like the puzzle pieces are starting to fit into place...I think I am finally adjusting to cutting back to working part-time.  Having two days off during the week gives me free time to get my crap (Target, Old Navy, bank, groceries, drinking coffee and reading magazines in silence) done while the kids are at camp.  Now, I have more time to relax and spend quality time with the boys on weekend. 

I wore this outfit to work on Wednesday and I felt great!

Skirt, Shirt-Target/Shoes Naturalizer/Jewelry-Jewelmint, F21, Francesca's

Body-image wise...I have got the confidence going there too!  Brace yourself folks....I bought a bathing suit...yes...you heard me right...I bought a bathing suit!!  I have not worn a bathing suite since pre 2000... I am totally serious!  Not only did I buy it...but, I wore it today!  I strutted my my confident self around the pool, played with Alex in the water and just relaxed...it felt amazing! 

Double The Pleasure...Double The Fun!

Woo hoo for relaxing weekends!! Two hubby birthday celebrations...two midday naps...two well behaved boys at the dentist...two trips to Target...

and the styling of two dresses...

Dress-Old Navy/Shoes-Nine West/Necklace-Stole from Mom/Jewelry, F21, Italy

This Old Navy dress is almost perfection... Love the color, shape, feel...silky texture, airy for the summer heat and it has pockets!  The only downfall is it is a tiny bit big in the hip area...but if I sized down, the button pulled on the chest.  It also comes in black and pink...I think I am going to have to scoop up the pink one in July when I can use my Super Cash!  Also, I think it will wear well in the colder months with tights, boots and a blazer!

Dress, Sandals-Target/Jewelry-Nordstrom's Rack, Black Sheep, H&M

Again, another great Target dress.  New sandals...Target of course...love that they are available in tons of colors and only $15

So, I just went the doctor, my knees are still killing me...I could barely walk this weekend and was starting to really worry! I was informed that the ligaments around my knees and sprained and the knee caps are rubbing...I didn't quite get it all!  But he said to lay off the running, ice them and keep them straight, not bent and dangling...oh, and no heels!  He said they are a tool of the devil for ladies with bad knees!!

It's Not Easy Being A Purple Dinosaur...

For some reason, I feel like I am forgetting how to dress up for work.  I have been focusing on putting together casual looks and when I had to get dressed for work this morning, I was blank!

Skirt/Cardigan-LOFT/Flats-Naturalizer/Jewelry-F21, Black Sheep

Yep...I have am sporting a lot of purple today.  I started with the skirt...when I bought it, I thought is was purple...but, I brought it home and realized it was brown...oh well...I will consider it brople!!!

Just bought this cardi and since I thrive on instant gratification...I wanted to wear it NOW!  Grabbed this tank...another shade of purple and got dressed.  Since my knees are a big mess of pain and I have to wear flats for a while, I figured since I already looked like Barney the Dinosaur had barfed on me,  I would finish off today's look with purple flats.  

Dress, Flats-Target/Jewelry-F21, Black Sheep, Target, BR

This outfit screams..."I'm tired, hot and easy..."  Me...I am definitely tired...when am I not.  Hot...well it has been in the 90's here in Chicago...I am drenched in sweat just breathing.  Easy...definitely not.  Unfortunately things are never usually easy with me...well, except this outfit!!

Spiffing It Up!

I was recently asked by a fellow mom, what are a few key things she needs to do to spiff up her stay at home mom summer fun wardrobe of tees and shorts, while staying comfortable and casual enough to run around after her kiddos...

Here are two great examples of a casual summer outfits...kicked up a notch with a few simple additions...

Both of these outfits started with a basic t-shirt and shorts...

-Swap a plain short for a fun patterned pair...these Ikat ones from Loft are my favorite summer staple.  I also love styling my red madras plaid pair.

-Tuck in the t-shirt...or just the front of it...  I love the partial tuck...it drapes over my side flab, but highlights my flat-ish stomach.

-The addition of a necklace and earrings...even tiny ones, ads color and shine.

-I have a tendency to stack on the bracelets, but just adding a few, or just one statement cuff, ads color and interest.

-I vote to ditch the flip flops... But, I am biased since I just cannot wear them...not enough support.  There are so many options for flat and comfy sandals out there that can add so much more to an outfit!  My comfy staples are my Toms and silver Sperry's.

Please pardon the glasses and puffy face...my allergies are at an all time worst.  I have decided to forgo a small slice of vanity, and sport my specs for a while.  I wore glasses all through childhood, so when I wear them, I feel like a little kid playing dress-up!

I am linking up with the fabulous gals at Monday Mingle

Slow Down And Let Me Out...

Beautiful day today in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin...too bad I was here for work...not relaxation...

 

Skirt-Target/Blazer-Halogen via Nordstroms/Shoes-Steve Madden/Jewelry-Macy's, H&M, Black Sheep/Purse-JCrew

I had great hopes for my photos today.  I planned on staging a little photo shoot, after my meeting, right here by the lake.  Well, the meeting ran longer than expected and I had to make sure I got back to the city in time to take Jack to T-ball, so photos ended up a bit rushed...

Real life does not slow down for blogging...but, it sure would nice nice if it did...

Easy As 1...2...3...

I think dresses were invented to make make getting dressed in the morning easier for me...just one piece to throw on, add some accessories and slip on a pair of shoes.  Now, if someone could invent someting to make getting my boys dressed and to two separate camps on time...I would be eternally greatfull!

Worn to work Monday, June 11

Dress-BR outlet/Shoes-Lori's/Jewelry-Francesca's, Accent Shop, Target

I went to the outlet mall yesterday looking for a new pair of running shoes and came home with this dress...typical...ha!!  I have decided to take up running again,,,it has been a good 4 or 5 years since I ran consistently, and I am looking forward to getting back into the running groove...there is a prairie path behind my house...it runs for about 20 miles...great trail...a lot of shaded areas to keep cool in the heat.  I got so used to running on the treadmill at the gym and I almost forgot how much harder it is to run outside...my shins and arthritic knees are none to happy with me.  Funny story...my trainer who fitted me for the right shoes for my stride length recommended the Nike Air Pegasus...same running shoe I wore 20 years ago when I ran cross country in High School...I guess if it isn't broke, don't fix it! Now, I just have to find my size...2 stores no luck...I think i am just going to order them online...I can customize them and everything!

Worn to work Friday, June 8

 

Dress-Target/Wedges-Nine West/Jewelry-BR, Old Navy

Like my new sunglasses...I won them from from Carly at ThirtySomethingFashion...she is a fabulous style blogger who is also a mom of almost two...she has one little boy and has another one the way.  She has such amazing style...plus she is about my age, so for once I don't feel like an old blogger.  This is my first pair of fancy sunglasses...I usually buy the $10 ones from Target since the kids tend to break them...No kids are touching these beauties...thanks Carly!!

Since it is Monday...I am linking up with the fabulous ladies at Monday Mingle...

Tons Of Summer Fun...

Since this was the only week that there was no camp or sports happening, the boys insisted on a picnic in the park on Tuesday...

There were no pancakes or ants, but I did have broccoli in my salad 

and mosquitos were everywhere...

Styling Toms and my new My Other Bag tote...

On Thursday, we went to Brookfield Zoo with friends...spent a long day seeing all the animals...

In the Children's Zoo there was a greenhouse exhibit where the kids could spray water all 

the plants...the boys loved it!

Alex's favorite was the penguins and Jack loved the reptiles...

Perfect weather...shorts and silver Sperry's to visit the animals

So, it was my first week back to only working part-time and being home with the boys two days a week.  I felt weird not being at work all day.  I am sure it will take some getting used to, but I am excited to spend more time with Jack and Alex.

Thank you Instagram...not sure what I would do without you...