We Want To Pump You Up...

So, Saturday I did something different...  I attended the Mid-Illinois NPC Figure and Body Building Championships to cheer on my friend Sarah, who is also my trainer.  Sarah has taught me to love the body I have...that healthy is not skinny, it is fit...muscles are a good thing...it is not just how many calories you put in your body, but what they are made of that counts.  Once or twice per year she competes in these shows.  It is amazing the discipline she shows while training for these events, it is inspiring.  This is the second show I have been to, cheering her on from the audience.  Only for Sarah, will I drive and hour and a half, to the middle of nowhere and miss the Doctor Who premier...don't worry, I watched it as soon as I got home at midnight!!  I know some people think she looks a little extreme, but this is her in show shape...not everyday.  I think she looks amazing!!!

After the show, we always go to BW3.  After two months of a no sugar, no "white carbs, high protein diet, it is her favorite place to indulge.  It was so nice to have a day out, no kids, great friends and a few beers. 


Now, what I wore...

 Jeans-Gap/Top-Old Navy/Jewelry-Black Sheep, Old Navy, F21/Shoes-Steve Madden via Gilt

A little pattern mixing and necklace layering for a day of muscles!

I am obsessed with these Gap jeans. I love the subtle polka dot pattern...my first dive into the printed pants trend.  They are the 1969 legging skinny jeans...so soft and comfy.  They stretch out a bit with wear, I plan to order them in red and I think I might just size down.

I hope you all have a great weekend...here's to a busy week!!

Fabulous Finger Fix

Every once and a while, when I find a product that I that I love and makes my life easier, I have to share with everyone.  While reading the Everygirl...a fabulous website and blog that is a daily must read...the budget find section featured CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss.  Since I was in the market for new nail polish, and did not feel like shelling out big bucks for a trendy new color, I thought I would give the ColorGirl a whirl...I am really glad I did.

First purchase, I went with Reliable Red...not sure why they call it that since it was bright pink, and that is what I was looking for.

Oh my, this nail polish is wonderful.  First, it only costs $5.99...woo hoo!!  Second, goes on smooth, not clumpy...total color coverage in two easy to apply coats.  I hate it so much when the color is too sheer, even after two coats... Third, dries quick, which is so important when I only have about 5 minutes before a little boy screeches he needs something or other.  The bottle says no top coat is necessary, but I always use one.  The most wonderful thing about this CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish...still looking great after two weeks...amazing.

My next pick up was called Mint Mojito...more blue tan mint...but i loved it

Two weeks later...today...I decided I want to switch up the color to something more subtle...professional.  I have two school interviews on Friday and I want to make sure I carry a professional, serious about my degree vibe. So, I went with megawatt mauve.  I love the subtle pink.

 

 

I highly recommend you pick up a bottle the next time you wander into Target or such... There are tons of shades...trendy brights and bolds...metallics...as close to nail polish perfection as I have seen!!

Time And Relative Dimension In Space...

Me...trying not to look too much like the hot mess I am feeling like... There is just not enough coffee or sleep to keep my puffy eyes open lately...

Friday

Sweater, shirt-Old Navy/Jeans-Level 99/Shoes-OTBT/Jewelry-Target, Old Navy, Nana

Saturday

Sweater-The Limited/Jeans-Level 99/Shoes-Target/Jewelery-In God We Trust, H&M

There has just been a lot of running around with boys...and there is no end in sight...spring break has started!  We have many plans this week...it the boys stay home together too long, I am afraid they might kill each other while I hide in the bathroom!

The only thing keeping me from hiding under the bed lately, is the promise of spring.  Just the one or two days of 40 plus degrees is enough to keep me going.  Of course, it could possibly show in the next 24 hours...what the what...is is is end of March!!

Only 6 more days until the Doctor returns...I am pathetically excited to see him!! 

Well Hello There...

Skirt, Boots-LOFT/Sweater-Gap/Jewelry-H&M, Black Sheep, House of Harlow

Again, pathetically excited to have a reason to throw on a skirt today.  It was Alex's Passover seder at school.  His class is only 6 kids, so all the events are nice and intimate.  The kids did a short service... 15 minutes of mostly a mismash of songs and prayers sung by tone-deaf 4 year olds!! Its not like I needed to dress up...most parents are in jeans, but I feel more put-together and "adult"when I can throw on a skirt and nice sweater.

Denim...Not Just For Jeans...

I love me a good denim shirt...

3 or 4 days per week, there is a denim shirt layered somewhere on me.  It is just such a versatile piece of clothing.  I can be dressed up with a skirt or blazer,  or more casual with jeans or shorts.  Dark denim, light denim, polkadotted denim... So, you can bet I was pretty excited when I discovered a denim shirt printed with anchors at Old Navy. 

For me, a denim shirt is perfect for a day of running around with the boys and being comfy, while still looking pulled together.

These are two outfits that I wore during this past week to showcase my new denim shirt.  Such a fun, subtle pattern... While writing this post, I decided dig through my closet and count all my denim shirt goodness...
-2 dark denim shirts, 1 fitted and 1 big and sloppy-Old Navy, Gap
-2 light denim shirt-Madewell (one of my faves!), Gap
-1 polkadotted denim shirt-Old Navy
-1 anchor printed denim shirt-Old Navy

Wow...that is a lot of denim shirts...

For The Love of Frocks...

Oh dresses, how much I have missed you...I miss having a reason to wear you proudly...adorn you with jewels...layer you with tights and cardigans...I hope to see you again soon my love!

Dress-Old Navy/Cardigan-Banana Republic/Boots-Williams/Jewelry-Black Sheep/Old Navy/F21

One of my favorite warm weather dresses...styled up for the cooler temps...

I had a client meeting today, so I decided to overcompensate for my usual daily attire of jeans.  I have a closet full of dresses that I miss wearing.  Last year, when I worked full time, my daily uniform was dresses and skirts...I barely ever wore pants during the week.  Now, I crave a reason throw on a pretty dress...


Some other ways I have styled this dress...I love it so much, I also have it in pink!

A Trip Down The Rabbit Hole...

Daylight savings has kicked my ass... who would have thought just one little hour could reek so much havoc on the circles under my eyes and my ability to keep said baggy eyes open.  What a long Monday this has turned out to be...

 Sweatshirt, Shirt, Jeans-Gap/Boots-William's/Jewelry-Target, Bauble Bar, The Limited, H&M

Think I shop at the Gap much...Alex's coat is even from there...ha!!

This outfit is the result of being a blogger for almost 2 years now.  Before staring my corner of the internet, I would have never had the guts or inspiration to wear printed jeans.  And, now that I have dipped my toe in the the printed and colored jeans and pants pond, I plan to wade in and swim laps!! When I purchased these polka dotted wonders last week, I also purchased a pair of grass green chinos and I plan to scoop up a pair of mint or red skinnies as soon as they go on sale.  Also, the fact that I a. loving that I am wearing a sweater with sequins, layered over an oxford...blows my mind...brilliance!

Thank you blogging community for inspiring me to dress and generally think outside my comfort zone...

Tooday I am linking up with the gals over at the The Monday Mingle...go check it out!

Watching From The Other Side...

As if making the transition from dressing for the office everyday to dressing to stay at home and run around with the kids all day was not a big enough challenge, I now have found my self with a part-time gig that requires me to dress somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.
I have been taking on a few more photography jobs and meeting with perspective clients to address their social media marketing needs.  

So, the question is what to wear when you start the day with carpool...then a creative client meeting...back to carpool...ending the day with working from home on my computer...

Pants, Blazer-Gap/Shoes-DSW/Bag-Target/Jewelry-Black Sheep, Francesca's

Then on Wednesday my day went from carpool...running errands...photo shoot....carpool...and another night of working from home...

Sweater-Macy's/Leggings-Old Navy/Boots-Kenneth Cole/Bag-Kelly Moore/Jewelry-Old Navy/Nordstrom's/H&M

For this outfit, I knew I would be spending the day running around at the photo shoot, so I had to be comfortable, but also professional.  I couldn't wear dress pants since I have to trudge through about 6 inch deep show just to get to my car...I couldn't wear a a skirt and tights, since I had to bend, squat and climb to set up and get a good shot.  So, I opted for a sweater dress that I usually have trouble styling since it is short, leggings and my rubber boots.  The outfit turned out perfect for the busy day I had.

The White Stuff Has Arrived...

We went to sleep Monday night expecting snowmageddon here in Chicago.  I never understood why people in the Midwest get so crazy when it snows...you would think they would be used to it by now.  The only time I ever got all freaked out and crazy about the snow was when we got 2 1/2 feet back in February 2011.  But, when we woke up Tuesday morning for school, there was only about 1 inch, but it was falling steadily.  It seems like we were one of the only school districts not to call a snow day.  Having both of the boys home all day might just kill the few bits of sanity I still have left.  Since the boys are constantly fighting about everything, it was a blessing Jack had to bundle up and go to school. Besides taking Alex to gymnastics and school carpool, not much else had to be done, so Alex and I decided to make a Target run, then hang out around the house all day.

 

After stocking up on fresh groceries, doing the dishes and starting the laundry we decided it was lunch time...

Since I was feeling all "domestic", we decided it was cookie time...

By the time we went to go pick Jack up from from school, there was about 4 inches of the white stuff on the ground and it was still coming down.  I even got my car stuck at the end of the driveway.  Thank god for friendly neighbors who pushed my car and graciously snow blowed my driveway.

I think I am going to go cuddle on the couch with a cup if tea, some cookies and a new episode of Pretty Little Liars...