plaid and platforms

details:dress(worn as skirt)-vintage/cardigan&belt-anthro/shoes-j.simpson/bag-bakers

It's been awhile but instead of issuing apologies for bad blogging behavior I'm going to ask how are you?

I hope all is well with you:)

I took some advice from commenters and purchased a pair of Dansko clogs to wear to work. I was 100% confident in my ability to create an outfit around anything. These clogs...not so much! I've settled into a daily uniform of skinny ankle jeans, blousey top, cardigan and dansko clogs. Not very exciting stuff:(

Today was rare day off. The husband is out of town for work so instead of spending my day off with him and doing stuff around I decided to meet the bff for lunch at a new sushi place. Donning a pretty vintage skirt, ridiculously high heels,catching up on life, indulging in a post sushi cupcake and paging through my guilty pleasure UsWeekly is just what the doctor ordered to make me feel like my old self.

This is the first time my husband and I have been away from each for more than a night. I miss him like crazy but I confess I'm loving watching all of my tv shows in bed while surfing the internet!

What do you do when you're home without the honey that you wouldn't do when they're home?   

fbff:balance

Today's FBFF post is about balance.

1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, where does blogging fall?

I'm juggling a lot lately. I don't really believing in the concept of multi tasking. It's too much like being a jack of all trades and master of none. I prefer to do one thing at a time and at least try to master it.  

I'm still a newlywed and a mom. I have a new career path I'm trying to flesh out and develop. So right now blogging is the low on the to-do list.

I wish I had more time to devote to it or could figure out a way to organize myself better. I'm open to suggestions:)

2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you have and being more productive?

See first answer. I have no tools or tricks and often like I'm playing catch up. So, I'm very interested in reading how other bloggers stay ahead of game.

3. Have you discovered any shortcuts that makes blogging easier or more time effective?

I know there are lots of bloggers that plan or schedule posts. I've thought a lot about things I want to include on my blog. If I ever get my act together and implement some of them, scheduling posts will make things easier. As it stands, this is basically a style journal. It's virtually impossible to journal about things that haven't yet happened.

 I usually try to find 15-20 minutes to snap a few picks during the day and 15-20 to write the post in the early evening. Hmmmm, writing that down makes me a little sad. I really do love blogging. When you love something shouldn't you put more time and effort into it?  

4. Do you have an editorial calender or something similar that helps you plan ahead?

     So I've clearly established that planning ahead(in some aspects of my life) is not my strong suit. I have seen a few editorial resources out there specifically geared toward fashion/style bloggers. I tend to write out a few outfit ideas whenever inspiration strikes so that when I'm at a loss I have somewhere to start.

Typically, these "outfit notes" serve as a starting point. 95% of the time the outfit I end up wearing bears very little resemblance to my initial idea.

5. If time wasn't an issue, what would you be doing on/for your blog that you are not doing now?

So much! I would be doing restaurant and recipe posts. I enjoy cooking(most of the time) and really try hard to feed my family yummy meals that are cost effective(which can be hard for a family of 6). The husband and I also really love going to great locally owned restaurants in the city. I'd love to post these as well. I read lots of blogs that include daily life type posts. I love those! If time were not an issue I think I'd make this more of a "lifestyle"(for lack of a better word) blog. Of course, I don't know that anyone would care to read about all of  that stuff.

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is a discussion group started by Kathy at

ModlyChic

signing in the rain

details:blouse-uo/skirt-f21/cardi-anthro/tights-target/shoes-seychelles

So, it's Friday! I would let out a huge sigh of relief but, I have to work this weekend. Boo! Not really. I will miss relaxing on Sunday while the mister makes me waffles:(

It was cool, rainy and an all around miserable day. I needed a shot of color and a dose of whimsy today. Cue the bright, borderline clashing colors and an umbrella with hearts:D

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!! 

orange crush


details:blouse-jcrew/cardi,skirt&belt-anthro/tights-target/booties-aldo


Today is a well deserved day off! I'm exhausted but happy to be spending the day with the husband.
Sunshine and warm temps have decided to make a cameo appearance. Bright and cheerful was the order for the day. Enter, the most obnoxiously vibrant skirt I own! It really is kind of traffic cone orange and I'm okay with it:) And what goes with orange? Mint green and polka dots, of course! I wish I had a better detail shot of the top. It's kind of a creamy ivory with tiny polka dots. But, I was in such a hurry to enjoy my afternoon that I didn't feel like retaking the pics.

Speaking of pictures...I usually take my own pics with a camera, tripod and self timer but today i asked my husband to take them. At the last minute I chickened out because I thought it would be too awkward. He threatened to turn on a fan, mist me with water and scream things 'like make love to the camera!" at me. Ha! He cracks me up but I think I'll stick to taking them myself:D  

 Enjoy the rest of your evening friends. 

polka stripes

details:striped top-h&m/skirt-f21(dress worn as skirt)/cardi-express/tights-h&m/shoes-steve madden

Thank you for all of your sweet words and well wishes yesterday! I'm so excited and hopeful about what this opportunity may bring into my life. But yesterday was so busy. And,  exhausted is not the word! Can you see it on my face in the last picture? So yeah...the outfit.

Until I started reading blogs I never would have thought to tuck the top part of this strapless dress into my skirt and wear it as a skirt. Maybe I still have a little v day love hangover because I'm loving the combination of red and pink. Pink and red, florals, stripes and polka dots......craaazzzzyyy...crazy awesome!

My dear, sweet, polka dot tights, I owe you a huge apology for allowing you languish in my dresser drawer and ignoring you for your brightly colored kin. I was seriously unaware of the awesome you pack in one powerful polka dot punch!   

You know what Tuesday night means? Tomorrow is half way to the weekend!!!    

i heart you

details:dress-small earth vintage-etsy/shoes-enzo agnelli/belt-f21/cardi-bebe

Last week a really good opportunity fell into my lap. For the last year I've been wondering if the florist thing was really what I wanted to do. I have a way of romanticizing things without giving any thought to what is really involved in doing the job. Yes, I love creating and I love flowers but is the day to day something I can deal with? Last week I got a job with a florist! It's not the dream job...yet, but it is a great way to get some practical experience. It's not with the floral designer that I loooove(and if she ever had a position open up I'd take it in a heartbeat!) Here's the thing working at a florist the week before Valentine's Day...insaaaane!! Waking up at 5 to work out, a 45 min commute, long days spent mostly on my feet and I really like it:) 

So, there was no time for blog reading and posting. I missed it so much! I also spent all week in jeans and t shirts. But, today is Valentine's Day!! How could I not put on a little somethin' pretty today?

When I saw this dress in Small Earth vintage on etsy I was smitten! Hearts and a vibrant color palette? Yes please! I was determined to wear my Dorothy Christmas shoes. It's been so cold and there's been soooo much snow that I had no choice but to tuck these lovelies away in the box -so sad, no? But today is Valentine's Day and I'll sparkle if I want to!

We don't really do much in terms of celebrating but who needs candy hearts and cliche roses when I get to come home everyday look into those baby blues, kiss, cuddle, plan our future, whisper sweet nothings, make dinners, laugh, hold hands and grow old together....

I Love You, Ace

XOXO

neon trees

Hello there! Can we breathe a big sigh of relief that this week is almost dunzo!?

It has been an exceptionally hard week for me. 

I think if you ask people that know me the consensus would be that I'm an outgoing person-a little self deprecating and never with out an opinion. In some cases this is absolutely true. I want people to enjoy being around me and have a good time. I hate awkward so I think I go out of my way to make people feel comfortable. However, I am a fairly solitary person. I sometimes find face to face interaction exhausting(because of my need to entertain). My circle of close friends is very small. I'm content to stay in, read or watch television. I'm really quite happy to be alone. I think this is why I internalize things that are going on around me in a way that can be torturous.  On the outside I'm officially a grown up but inside I still feel like an angst-y teenager!

There are some things-personal things-that happened this week that have hit me hard. I don't want to sound melodramatic and everyone is healthy so please don't worry. But, this week I've been constantly reminding myself of that quote "comparison is the thief of joy". I have so much to be thankful and joyful about but for some reason I let the negative tapes play in my head and get top billing. I think last night I finally turned the page on most of what I've been trying to process so I'm hoping the rest of the week is easy, breezy:)

And of you made it through that wall of text...bless your heart;)    

details:sweater-f21/cami-express/cords-gap/scarf-?/shoes-aldo

Since I'm feeling like a tortured teen, I decided to pile on the neon which was the shizz in my day!(Yes, I double layered my polos, popped the collars on those suckers and wore them with my most neon jams! Tell me I'm not alone here.) 
Nothing says "Cheer up!" quite like wearing something unabashedly, verging on obnoxiously bright:D

Here's to a happy "revel in your own awesome-ness" Thursday!!

yesterday

details:

jacket~f21

blouse~walmart

jeans~target

shoes~steve madden

yesterday was another long and busy but fun day!

i think i'm finally ready to confess my reason for the lack of posting and general whining about long days and exhaustion. i'm getting married...in 98 days! or at least that's the plan. i've been keeping it to myself because right now we are extremely worried about the budget. due to some unforeseen events our budget was gutted and now we are scrambling to put together a plan b. so there it is. i'm getting married on may 1.

yesterday after work i met up with a friend that also happens to own an amazing catering company. the plan was to talk menu, etc and then head out for dinner. we had a wonderful time putting together a great menu. she needed some work clothes and an outfit to wear out dancing so she enlisted my help as her personal shopper. we had a blast putting different looks together. then we had a fantastic dinner, a great bottle of wine and talked about everything from food to men to the inappropriate conversation two employees of f21 were having while we were in he dressing room(i won't go into details but when did it become okay to talk about kinky sex at work?). it was a great night!

i didn't think this outfit was anything special but i got a ton of compliments on it yesterday:) the jacket is another one of my favorite f21 finds. i love the sparkle in the threads. the blouse was a late night walmart find. i'm pretty sure that it's almost 100% polyester so it can feel a little icky on the body. i almost didn't buy it but ultimately the print, the slight old lady vibe and the$5 price won me over. these wide leg jeans are the only jeans that are comfortable for me to wear all day.

today it's off to the gym and dinner with the future in-laws tonight. do you have any big weekend plans? have a wonderful saturday!

date night

details:

top~anthropologie

necklace~anthropologie

cropped cords~the gap

cardigan~f21

patent leather pumps~steve madden

the kids are spending the weekend with my parents! thanks mom and dad for the mini break. doug works on saturdays so i had the house all to myself!! that rarely happens. i took advantage of my free time by lounging around the house, reading magazines, surfing the internet and of course i played my glee soundtracks as loud as i wanted while cleaning;)

tonight we are going to our neighbors house for drinks and dinner. i wanted to wear something a little casual but kind of flirty too. i really like the combination of the mint color with mustard yellow. i hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

spot on!

details:

satin short trecnch~f21

ruffled skirt~target

leopard spot hoodie~rodarte for target

turtleneck~old navy

boots~jessica simpson

tgif!!! this week has been so hectic i'm so glad it's friday. the kids didn't have school today and that messed up my whole morning schedule. instead of hitting the snooze button, i turned the alarm off! i woke up late...very late!! i didn't really think about what i was wearing i just grabbed some stuff and prayed to the fashion gods that i wouldn't look a hot mess. i'm not a fan of hoodies in general but when i saw this leopard print one among the rodarte goodies i decided to buy it. i like it. it's a little sportier than my usual style put i think it's fun. everything else you've seen before. i will say i can't wait to wear this target skirt in the warmer months with a pair of sandals for a night out. i love the ballet pink color. all the black and the animal print keeps the skirt from being too cutesy.

project runway...anyone? any favorites yet? i don't know all the designers names yet but i adored the plaid/punk dress! i would so wear that. i was happy to see nina and michael kors and guest judge nicole richie. small confesion..i love nicole richie. not necessarily my favorite designer(although i kind of liked his dress even if the judges weren't crazy about it) but definitely my favorite personality is anthony!

i have a ton of paperwork to finish and a meeting at 2:30 and then i'm done! i can see myself in bed and asleep by 9 because i'm exhausted. have a happy friday and a wonderful weekend:)

purple haze

details:

dress~rachel roy

cardigan~express

tights~american eagle

shoes~harajuku lovers

necklace~f21

happy almost friday!!! i had such a good time last night with my firend e. we laughed, we talked, we ate yummy indian food and drank martinis...it was fantastic! however, i woke up feeling not so hot-spicy food and alcohol..enough said. because of exams my kids had late arrival which meant i lounged in bed until the last possible minute. i really had no idea what i wanted to wear today. then, i remembered this dress. i wore it on thanksgiving but i feel like i neglected it a bit. i didn't really try to style it, i just threw it on in a panic about 20 minutes before people were supposed to arrive. i'll admit i didn't give it much more thought this morning. i thought solid tights would be too predictable so i decided to wear the polka dot ones. i was also worried that the print of the dress, the polka dots and the colorblock shoes would be a little bit busy but i'm happy with the way everything looks together. i love this necklace from f21 but i think i've only worn it one other time. it reminds of an anthropologie necklace.

we've been eating too much junk food lately. mainly because my schedule has been so hectic. tonight i'm going to cook a healthy dinner and settle in to watch the season premiere of project runway. i'm hoping this season will be better than the last. i was completely underwhelmed last season. it wasn't that the designers were less talented(although some of them were not very good). i think it was just missing a bit of a spark. i'm hoping that because they're back in new york we'll see more nina garcia and michael kors and less random guest judges. have a lovely thursday!

grandma chic

details:

swiss dot dress~rodarte for target

fair isle sweater~the gap

tights~hue~anthropologie

owl necklace~anthropologie

wedge shoes~steve madden

fur~vintage

yesterday was a snow day! the kids didn't have school, i called into to work and doug worked from home. it is kind of nice to be snowed in with your family. i mostly lounged, drank coffee and tried to make a dent in the stack of magazines and books on my nightstand. i always think that the first day of a snowfall is a little bit magical. today it's back to the daily grind, although it's a friday! today's outfit is built around another rodarte dress. it reminds me of a polly flinders dress i had as a kid-i'm sure that reference totally dated me. does anyone even still dress their kids in those dresses? one of my all time favorite color combinations is pale blue with red. i knew right away i wanted to pair this dress with red tights for the winter but i needed something to pull the whole thing together. then i found this sweater the other day at the gap. i said i wasn't going to shop this month but honestly they are having a huge sale and this sweater was an additional 40% off. it ended up being something like $9! i think it does a great job of marrying the reds and the blues. it also makes the outfit a little less "girly". once again i belted the cardigan to make it less bulky and give me a little definition in the waist. it's like 15 degrees here today and i braved the cold to take outside photos! it wasn't too bad. these were taken on our front porch and i'm sure the neighbors now think i'm insane:) i know that there are people with some strong opinions about fur. would i buy a new fur coat? probably not, but my mom found this vintage one for me at a thrift store and i fell in love with it instantly. it kind of reminds me of the one carrie wore in sex and the city. i don't wear it very often because it seems a little over the top(even for me) which is a shame because i really love it and it's soooo warm.

doug's dad and stepmom are in town so we'll have his family over tomorrow night. we're doing a homemade pizza buffet! i've been dying to see up in the air. i'm hoping i can convince my honey to brave the cold for dinner and amovie tonight. other than that no big plans for the weekend.

new year, new decade!

details:

cardigan~forever 21

skirt~ forever 21

necklace~ anthropologie

skinny belt~ forever 21

shoes~ leopard peeptoe~aldo

nude fishnets~ hue~macy's

hello!!! wow i didn't mean to take such a long break but in all honesty i've been enjoying doing nothing for the last week. which means that my outfits have consisted of yoga pants, t-shirts and my favorite old over sized sweater(because it's freakin' freezing in our house!). no inspiration there:) on my little vacation i did manage to take down the christmas tree/decorations, clean out my closet and see sherlock holmes(which i loved!). today is my first day back at work and even though there isn't much going on i wanted to dress up a bit because i'm meeting doug for lunch when i get off. i can't believe this entire outfit came from f21:) i love the soft minty color of this sweater. the details give it a vintage vibe and it's super soft. this skirt has been hanging in my closet for a while-funny what you find when you can actually see things in your closet- it has some sheen to it but i love how it looks with this sweater. i'm in love with this mustard colored belt but thought it looked a little random until i added the necklace from anthro which in addition to adding a vintage feel, it has all of these soft, lovely colors. since it's freezing i p[probably need to have on opaque tights but i wasn't really feeling the way they looked so i brought out the fishnets and the peeptoes..note to self:check the forecast before leaving the house in 4 inch open toe shoes..we're supposed to get snow today so getting to my car after work may be a little treacherous in these shoes:)

a new year(and a new decade) has me feeling a bit reflective but very optimistic. typically, i don't do well with resolution but this year i'm going to put it out there and see what happens.

1. i want to let more joy in and to really "be" in those moments and not get so stuck in my head.

2. surround myself with more positive people

3.be kinder to myself-i am my own worst critic! i really need to cut myself a little bit of slack

4. spend less and save more..what it could happen:)

i'm sure there are a few more kicking around in my head but i'm going to need to do this in baby steps.

it's monday and i'm back!!!

details:

skirt~dress worn as skirt~nataya from local boutique

turtleneck~old navy

black motorcycle jacket~f21

black suede booties~f21

sunnies~lenscrafters~armani

good grief! it seems like i haven't posted in forever. between d's flu, keeping track of the girls schedule, shuttling my son back and forth to my parents house, work, etc...i was exhausted. i ended up taking two days of from work to regroup. everyone is home and healthy and things in our household are back to normal.

this weekend i finally got to see the september issue! it didn't open here until last weekend and things have been so hectic that i couldn't squeeze it in until yesterday. i loved it!! it was nice to see the personality behind the iconic bob and sunglasses. you know the phrase "if looks could kill"...yeah i think that i would die if anna shot me one of her withering glares. grace coddington is amazing. the shoots she creates are really works of art. it made me wish that i'd really had the confidence to go to new york and be a part of the fashion world when i was younger. it was really what i wanted but for whatever reason i didn't think it could be my reality. anyway, if you haven't seen it you should. i'm also looking forward to seeing where the wild things are with my son. i think i'm going to surprise him and take him one afternoon when he gets home from school. d told me he's never read where the wild things are! how can that be? where the wild things are, where the sidewalk ends and the giving tree are some of my favorite children's books and he hasn't read or been read any of them. i'm stopping to get him a copy on the way home.

the dress i'm wearing as a skirt today is one of my favorites. it has kind of a 20s feel to it. i wore this dress with the most amazing hat to the kentucky derby maybe eight years ago. i had a blast. the asymmetrical hemline and the sort of shredded ruffles on one side make it kind of quirky and interesting. the boots and the motorcycle jacket are the perfect contrast to the romance of the skirt. i've been a lot about who i am and what my style is lately. over the weekend a friend paid be the nicest compliment. he told me i was classic, continental and a little bit quirky..in a good way. i guess i'm still basking in the glow of that compliment. have a happy monday!