Fancy Face at 26 Weeks

(I'm wearing Fresh Produce dress c/o; Lisa Leonard necklace c/o; Sam Edelman shoes; 

Zara earrings; makeup by Sweet Emotions Makeup Artistry & Photos by M. Shanti Photo)

My friend Amber came over today to give me a little makeup lesson, because I really need some help! Great tips and makeup industry secrets soon to be forthcoming :)  Since my face was all fancy, Miranda took a few pictures of me.  So why not do a bit of a pregnancy update for baby bean #3?  I officially turn 26 weeks tomorrow and the time really is flying by.  My energy is for the most part high during the day, but I crash by about 6 pm.  Not the most convenient of times when I've got homework to do with a 1st grader and dinner to get on the table. But I'm thankful for my blessings and am really trying to enjoy this pregnancy so much knowing that it will be my last.  Some bullet points of this pregnancy if you will:

• My worst pregnancy symptom is still insomnia.  Every 3-4 days I'll get one night of good solid sleep, but then back to the insomnia train the next day.  Considering heartburn, indigestion and all the other more complicated things that I could be experiencing, I'll take the insomnia.
• This baby kicks a lot, all day long.  I usually don't feel him/her when I'm moving, but as soon as I slow down to sit or stand, I feel a lot of wiggling and kicking.  It's truly one of the most amazing feelings in the world.
• I've already exceeded the 25 lb. weight gain mark.  Oops!  My doctor says I'm doing fine, so I'll just take her word for it ;)
• Since this is my last, I want to feel good, and that means not dressing in sweats and maternity pants all day.  If I find a dress or pair of shorts here and there that are non-maternity and still fit (thank you elastic waistbands and empire waists), I've treated myself.  Attempting to look good when I get dressed in the morning has definitely helped my overall mood.  May sound superficial, but it works.  
• I no longer have any weird cravings or have been craving junk food like I did in my 1st trimester and my eating habits are more back in line with my regular non pregnancy eating habits.  However, I do indulge myself a bit (okay a lot) more than I usually do, and I'm okay with that ;)
• I'm not exercising as much as I'd like, but between walks and bike rides with the kids, I'm staying active enough so I don't feel like a lazy lop. 
• My mood swings are still a bit up and down and I snap at Art a bit more than I should (especially during the whole garage fiasco, which is pretty much done btw!).  But, overall I feel happy you guys.  I feel at peace.  Maybe it's some crazy pregnancy hormone, but I'm not at all nervous about starting over anymore like I once was.  Thank you Lord.  
• I still miss wine and sushi.  And I hate taking my prenatal vitamins and skip them more than I should (sorry!).  I haven't cracked a baby preparedness book, although I did download an app.  When it told me I should avoid caffeine all together I flipped it off and haven't opened it since.  And I still have to get my sister my guest list for my shower.  We don't have a name or know where the baby is going to sleep.  Ahh, lots to do!  But I feel like I actually for some crazy reason, have everything under control.  Wild right?  

It's been so fun having this space to share my 3rd and final pregnancy with you guys.  Thank you for all the love and support and advice along the way.  3rd trimester here I come!

By the way, this dress has been worn more times than I can count.  I have to say I've never owned anything from Fresh Produce before but I was pleasantly surprised when I received this dress and saw just how lovely it was.  The quality of the fabric is just gorgeous and it drapes over my body really well, skimming over lumps here and there instead of hugging them ;)  And this lovely necklace hasn't left my neck for the past week.  I can't believe I've been a mother for 7 years and have never owned one of these name plate necklaces.  Stay tuned for a Lisa Leonard giveaway next week!

Playgrounds & Lollipops - 8-30-12

 {Top - Nordstrom (old); Skirt - ASOS Maternity; Shoes - Calvin Klein (old); Belt - St. John}

I wanted to let you all in on what's been going on the past couple of months, especially why my posts have been so spotty.  It seems I've gone and got myself pregnant again ha!  We are very excited and a little bit nervous.  The kids will be 5 and 7 when this baby is born, and quite honestly the thought of starting all over again with sleepless nights and diapers and baby food is a bit terrifying, but at the end of the day our family just didn't feel complete.  I had my triple screen ultrasound yesterday and got my blood results back and so far we seem to have been blessed with a healthy little baby that will come at the end of August.  The kids and Art are especially excited.  Like I said, I'm terrified ;)   

I'm starting to feel semi back to normal so I hope to get back to regular posting soon, hopefully when I return from Blissdom.  Until then, thanks for sticking with me!  I'm actually quite excited to share with you guys a bit more about my pregnancy and how different it's been than the last 2, but I have lots of packing to do.  I leave on a 6 am flight tomorrow out of LAX...I really don't know what I was thinking booking such an early flight.  Until then my friends, take care!  Linking up with Lindsey for WIWW

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Red

{top - vintage from flea market; boyfriend jeans - Gap; flats - Prada; flower shoe clips - ban.do}

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  My house never got decorated and I bought my husband a box of chocolates from CVS.  It is officially the most unromantic I've ever been for the day of love, but I think everyone in the house will be just fine ;)   The good news though is that I am wearing red; red flowers on my shoes no less!  Have a fun day and no tears, even if you do just get a box of chocolates from CVS. 

Linking up to Mom Trends & Pretty Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do It Better Challenge: Red

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Cut Off

{Tucker for Target blouse, J. Crew Cafe Capris, Michael Kors Watch, Forever 21 Necklace, 

Cents of Style Shoes, Nordstrom Leather Jacket}

Taylor took these photos today.  Head cut off, slightly out of focus, no specific attention to detail, mischievous boys getting in the way of things.  In reviewing them I was about to throw in the towel and call it a lost cause, but as I sat here looking at this I decided that they are rather appropriate considering how this past week has been for me.  Some days I do feel a bit like my head has been cut off and I'm chasing it around.  I'm sure I'm not alone, right my friends? 

Blissdom is two weeks away, I'm in the middle of designing the style blog, I'm working on a big project for another blogger, and somehow my commitments at both kid's schools are at an all time high these next two weeks.  February feels like it's punishing me for being so lazy and carefree in January, indeed.  Happy Wednesday friends. Linking up with Glamamom

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Wiggle Room

{Boyfriend jeans - Gap (this was the only place I could find an affordable pair that were true boyfriend jeans btw); 

Neon striped tee - Gap; Leopard flats - Boden; Trench - James Perse; Bracelet - DIY by me; 

Necklaces - vintage from flea market; Preston frames - Warby Parker}

These boyfriend jeans made an appearance in last week's style post, but they didn't get much attention.  I wanted to come back round to these because I've gotta say after years of squeezing into skinny jeans, it is a breath of freaking fresh air to give my legs and booty some wiggle room I tell ya.

Remember this DIY post I did for the Daily Buzz Style?  Well I ended up winning $100 for it and with that money I opted to get myself these jeans and had money to spare to buy the neon striped bit of 80's heaven I'm sporting on top.  Let's just say that my body is thanking me 1000 times over for the breathing room.  Skinny jeans, I may never come back to you again.  Maybe.  Okay probably will, but not for a while.  As you can see, these jeans are making me quite happy and fancy free.  Linking up with Momtrends and Lindsey 

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Hello Preston

{sweater, blouse & bracelet - J.Crew; jeans - Gap; heels - Kate Spade; necklaces - Juicy Couture & vintage; 

glasses - Warby Parker Preston in Whiskey Tortoise} Photos taken by M.Shanti Photo

I've been wearing glasses for 27 years.  I had just started the 3rd grade and my first pair were translucent pink.  I'm sure I went through a couple of more pairs that are none too memorable, until 7th grade, when I chose a pair of bright jade green Liz Claiborne frames that bore a striking resemblance to the ones Sally Jesse Raphael wore, but in red.  I thought they were cool, until a friend pointed out the uncanny resemblance.  I was stuck with those suckers until my mom finally allowed me my first pair of contact lenses in 9th grade.  Since then I've only ever worn contact lenses, and only wore my glasses at night before bed time.  But these frames have finally gotten me to trade in my contacts.  I couldn't be happier with them, and even with my bad prescription and the special lenses they had to put in, they are still nice and light weight and aren't geeky thick.  Thanks so much for all your help in helping to pick this pair.  You guys are neat :)

Yes, I wear glasses.  No, I'm not trying to be hipster; I actually need them.  Classic.  Linking up with Lindsey and Jill

Week 2 Looks Promising

{dress and sweater - James Perse; purse - Louis Vuitton; necklace - Forever 21; shoes - c/o Cents of Style}

I'm guest posting, in this outfit, over at my friend Alissa's blog Rags to Stitches today.  Alissa is one of the most supportive gals out there, so I was thrilled when she asked (no one ever really asks my to guest blog for some reason).  I'm sharing a bit about how this outfit in particular is the perfect example of lifestyle dressing, and I share a fun quiz I found over the weekend while wasting time on the internet.  Please go check it out and say hi...I'll feel very lonely without you guys ;)

And I just wanted to make sure to post these pictures because look!  I'm not standing in the parking lot of my husband's office building.  2012 Goal Setting and Meeting in the house baby.  In addition to planning ahead and not standing in parking lots, I have also been on time to Pop Physique everyday in the new year (I'm always 10 minutes late), and I'm doing better about being more active in the blogging community, which reminds me, I've been responding to your comments in the comments section, and I left a few questions for some of you on yesterday's post...I'm still confused about the whole oil thing.  Have a great day ladies, and gents - Gerry :) 

Playgrounds & Lollipops - Style Shift

{sweater - Madewell; chambray shirt - Kohl's; cafe capris - J. Crew; pearls - vintage; chain necklace - diy by me; 

watch - Michael Kors; handbag - Kate Spade; leopard flats - Boden} 

I've noticed a shift in my style in the past couple of months.  I'm gravitating towards the following: 

layered looks
pearls and other bauble necklaces
classic bottoms, like these capris
interesting flats

Because I've been going with more simplified looks lately, like here and here, I'm finding the need to make them a little more interesting by layering more, or using more accessories.  It's always fun to go through a little shift in personal style.  I turn 36 this year (wow) and as I continue to grow into this skin of a woman in her "mid 30's" I'm finding that I don't have much time, or room in my closet for items that are anything but timeless, classic, comfortable.  We'll see how long this stage lasts...  

p.s. I think my new year's resolution for this blog should be to plan outfit shots better and no longer take them in the parking lot of my husband's office building. It seems we've switched from the front of my house to here.

Linking up with Monday Mingle at Glamamom and Lindsey for WIWW 

Sequins - 1 Style 9 Ways

Hi everyone and welcome back to semi-reality.  How were your holidays?  I hope they were wonderful.  We had a great Christmas, but I am admittedly still recovering from 4 days in a row of celebrations.  By 8pm on Christmas Day I was getting into pajamas while we still had a house full of guests.  Some days I have no shame.  I don't really have any Christmas pictures to share, as we got caught up with taking lots of video footage and forgot to also take the usual 500 pictures, but either way we have some great memories captured on camera.  So instead of the obligatory Christmas post, I thought I'd fast forward and move onto a style post giving you some ideas on how you can get extended wear out of sequins throughout the year.     

There's a pretty good chance that many of you picked up something with sparkle over the holidays, either a skirt or a top, but some of you may be wondering just what to do with it after the Christmas and New Years Eve are over.  I decided to flex my styling muscles a bit and see just how far I could take my own sequins top from The Loft, and I was able to rework it 9 different ways, all with items I already had in my closet.  So if you're looking for some inspiration to get some longevity out of your sparkly something, here are a few ideas. 

{look 1: Cafe capri - J. Crew; flats - Prada; pearls - estate sale find}

This first look is probably my favorite.  Simple, yet still sophisticated, I could see myself wearing this out to lunch with a friend, something I've been trying to make more of an effort to do. 

 {look 2: skirt - Gap; flats - Gap with added studs by me; belt - St. John; necklace - Carole Lee}

I wore this exact same outfit to Christmas Eve service at church, and then to our family celebration.  I felt pulled together and festive without feeling too glitzy. 

{look 3: jeans - Gap; blouse - James Perse; Hunter Wellies - estate sale find; necklace - H&M}

To be honest I don't know how often I'd see myself wearing this outfit, but I love it just for fun.  Just where could I wear this to?  Any ideas?  

{look 4: pants - Forever 21; smoking flats - Ralph Lauren estate sale find}

This is my second favorite look and would be perfect for just having friends over at home.  The navy pants and smoking flats make it a little less formal and heavy looking and would work great going into spring.

{look 5: jeans - Gap; heels - Chloe}

This is my husband's favorite look.  It's fun and flirty and would be perfect if I were a bit younger and going to a bar perhaps?  But since I don't often frequent bars, I'll leave this look for you younger gals ;)

{look 6: blazer - Nordstrom; jeans - Ann Taylor Loft; booties - Target}

You might recognize this look from the Camp Mighty team dinner.  I still love the simple all-black look and the casual spin I put on it. 

And since Christmas and New Year's Eve aren't the only holidays to celebrate all year long, here are a couple of more ideas for an evening party. 

{look 7: silk blouse - J.Crew; pencil skirt - St. John; suede pumps - Banana Republic}

This is the perfect throw together outfit for all you ladies working in an office.  Simple pencil skirt and blouse by day, and for an after-work cocktail event, just layer on some sparkle.

{look 8: skirt - Ann Taylor Loft; booties - Stuart Weitzman}

For those of you that have been reading for the last year, you might remember this outfit from our 2011 New Year's Eve celebration.  Still a classic a year later.  Can't go wrong with gold and sparkle.

{look 9: skirt - Zara; booties - Stuart Weitzman}

This final look was the castaway outfit from the Camp Mighty party, but I still love it.  For the right occasion such as a cocktail party with close friends I would still wear it. 

I hope you enjoyed this little styling session and please let me know if you have any other ideas, or better yet, links to your holiday outfits.