Mother's Day

Motherhood is such a beautiful blessing. That gift should never be taken for granted. Instead of having expectations of gifts and pampering, try to love on your children just a little bit extra today. The rewards you gain from their life is worth so much more than a cliche holiday that only offers obligatory gifts.

My goal for today is to enjoy my family. Honor my mothers. Give extra hugs. Read Cassi just one more story at bedtime. Rock Capri just a few extra minutes. Play catch with my son. And be thankful that I've been given this gift of motherhood. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of you beautiful women!

Last of the trip

I left my sister's on Sunday. I wore this to church and just switched out the skirt for jeans for the flight home after the service.

 

 

This was the only picture I got of my sister and I together. We spent too much time visiting and not enough time taking pictures and videos! ha ha!

 

My husband sent me these pretty roses to say he missed me all week, with the most romantic note ever (which you don't get to hear what he said because it was just too sweet!).

 

And here is one last picture (my favorite picture) of the precious little baby girl I got to be with last week.

 



And now it is already Thanksgiving week! Hope you are all enjoying some vacation time this week to reflect on what you are thankful for while surrounding yourself with family and friends.

More of the visit

Missi took us out to lunch yesterday for Mexican food. She and her children are already well adjusted to having an additional family member so this was an easy event even though the baby is still so new.

 

 

I wore this. All the accessories are my sisters. I love traveling to see my sis, because I can pack light and just raid her closet.

 

 

Here is my little angel niece waiting to try Mexican food from her mamma.

 

 

 

Sweet Little New Baby

Enjoying my time with my sister and her beautiful family!

Cameo Appearance by Missi

OK, so she's not even truly making an appearance, because she's not even the one posting this. For those of you who don't know, Missi is my sister and she began this blog with me back in 2007. Somewhere along the way she stopped posting, but she's never stopped looking stylish!

My brother was visiting her this past week and he took these pictures. When I saw them I told Missi I HAD to post this dress on the blog. So cute, right?!

She got the dress at Marshall's for $24. I wish I had a Marshall's out here.

And, by the way, Missi is in her second trimester. Baby #3 is on the way! Woohoo!

Answer to a reader question...

Hi! My name is Athena, and I'm 15. I'm going to meet my boyfriends parents, and I want to create a really nice look. I usually dress a mixture of both preppy and hipster, so I'm not sure how to create a sophisticated style. I want them to think that I know how to dress, but I don't want it to seem like I'm trying too hard. Can you please help me find a good outfit? Thank you so much!

Hi Athena,

I find the best way to keep yourself from looking like you are trying too hard is to just keep it simple. Simple pieces that you dress up a bit with your accessories and/or hair.

You want to find something you already feel really comfortable in. If you are comfortable in your body or outfit, that shines through in your personality and presence. So what do you like to wear? Are you a strictly jeans girl? Do you rock the sun dresses and fun, flirty skirts? Cause sure, every Mom would love to see a girl in a sweet sun dress with a cute jacket or cardigan, but if that's not your style, why present a wrong front?

A few things to avoid, anything too short, too tight or too low-cut on top. Also, you should avoid super high heels or boring old running shoes. Super high heels will make you look like you're trying too hard, while running shoes show you don't care what they think.

If you want a summer dress look, you could start with something really sweet like this from Forever 21:



Add a simple cardigan like this from Old Navy:

Finish it off with sandals that reflect your personality. Something to reflect your hipster style might be these from Aldo.

Complete your outfit with a bracelet and/or earrings. No necklace needed.
Here is another cute dress that you could just add a skinny belt and sandals to.

If you are more of a jeans girl, show you have style by wearing white jeans instead of the typical blue washes. Gap has a great pair:

Stay away from the rock 'n roll vibe some jeans have (in other words, no rips, tears, studes, or crazy bleaches). Parents will associate that with rebelliousness, and that certainly won't impress them! A regular blue wash jean in any cut that flatters your figure should work. Add a plain white t-shirt, this jacket, and you'll be good to go. Or, to keep it even simpler, forget the jacket, and just opt for a pair of cute wedges, and a long necklace with your jeans and t-shirt. 

Last look idea would be a skirt and top. The look from J.Crew below is very easy. It is simple and sweet, and would definitely impress anybody's parents.

For a cheaper version of the skirt, try this one:

Add your personality with some funky jewelry.

If all of this isn't really "you," stick with something that fits you well, is modest enough, and is appropriate for where you will be (indoors, bring a sweater for the A/C; outdoors, dress cool). Adding a braid to your hairdo, or teasing your hair at the crown and pulling it into a cute ponytail are cute options for your hairstyle too.

Just remember, the first meeting should not hide who you are and what your personality is. You want to make sure your outfit reflects enough of your personality, without showing any disrespect to your boyfriend's parents' taste.

I hope some of these looks inspire you and you come up with something fabulous! Feel free to send pictures or let us know what you chose.

Missi

Outfit Post: Work lunch

I am late in posting, since this work related lunch took place last Thursday, but I love my new little green dress so I decided to post a picture. I have to say the pockets are a bit of a novelty for me, since most of my dresses, okay, all of my dresses are pocket-less. I don't really use pockets...ever...but it's kind of neat to have the option. :-)

Dress ~The Limited $50

Black heels ~ Nine west $60

Necklace ~ Gifted from Nic's wedding

French Macaroon

Hi! Missi here, I'm out in Ohio visiting Nic "helping" her and getting my fill of her two adorable children.

Nic and I have been talking about making French Macaroons for awhile now, so this morning I thought I'd try my hand.

We did run into a problem, we were unable to obtain Almond flour for our delectable treats. So...I MADE some! Using Nic's blender I put in a few handfuls and whirled away. After, I went ahead and sifted the Almond flour, in hopes to rid myself of some of the skin.

Next I made a little raspberry puree for the cookies.

Sugar, Anyone?

After whipping the egg whites till light and fluffy, folding in the flour/sugar mixture and adding the raspberry puree. I pipped the filling onto parchment paper and placed in a preheated oven for about ten minutes.
After cookies cooled, I sandwiched with raspberry jam and had my taste tester sample for approval. Approval was granted:-)
I tried two batches. One batch I cooked longer then the other, seeing which would taste better.
In the end, the shorter cooked cookies not only tasted the best, but also kept their pink color
Next time I'll use blanched almonds for my flour, so there aren't any brown flecks in the cookies and I'll try some cocoa powder in the cookie and chocolate ganache for the filling!

Sunday

I got to wear my fabulous trench dress that was gifted to me, from Nic, at Christmas...for the first time today! We finally had a sunny and semi-warm day today! I'm looking forward to many more warm and sunny days and styling and re-styling this fabulous summer staple.
Here is my after church wear. We plan to head out to the Farmers Market and then the local park for some batting practice (softball season is on it's way!) Here my daughter and I serious...
...and silly

Running errands

Jacket ~ Roxy gifted

Top ~ Vera Wang for Kohls gifted

Belt ~ Gap $25

Jeans ~ Old Navy $20

Booties ~ gifted

Bag ~ Kohls $20

Bracelet ~ Forever 21 $5

In & Out

I am a sweater girl through and through. If I'm home and there is even the slightest chill in the air, I will be wearing a cardigan. If there isn't a cardigan handy, then I'll be wearing my oversized, fluffy, red robe that makes me look something like Elmo or Santa Claus depending on the season *grin*

So in posting today, I showed both looks. What I look like while at home and what I switch when going out.

In:
Out:
Sweater ~ Forever 21 gifted

Jacket ~ H&M $15

Stripped shirt ~ H&M $7

Belt ~ Gap $25 (but free with a $25 coupon I had!)

Jeans ~ Forever 21 $9.99

Tall boots ~ Target $15 (top is genuine leather, normally $50)

Three days of outfits

Many things have changed since the last time I did an outfit post. For instance. I've become somber, serious, stoic and my hair has gotten very long.
But...somethings have not changed. I still am goofy with a silly sense of humor! LOL
Saturday Outfit:

Tunic ~ H&M

Sweater and Jeans ~ Gap

Necklace ~ Target

Booties ~ Kohls

Since it has been awhile I thought I'd get a picture up of my children. Jade is now 4 and Cutter is 1. They are getting so big!

Sunday Outfit:

Jacket ~ Ross

Green Tank ~ Marshall's

Skirt ~ H&M

Necklace ~ Forever21

Boots ~ Aldo

The sun is shining in western Washington, the wind is blowing my hair and even though it's a bit chilly I'm still gonna wear sandals!
Monday's Outfit:

Sweater ~ Old Navy

Shirt ~ Gap

Belt ~ Gap

Sandals ~ American Eagle

Scarf ~ Old Navy

Outfit post

What to wear on a cold, windy, rainy, NW day?

boots, jeans and a sweater, of course!

Sweater ~ Gap $30

Tshirt ~ Old Navy $10

Jeans ~ Old Navy $19

Boots ~ $30 JCP

Food Post: Homemade flour tortillas

I grew up on homemade whole wheat flour tortillas, but must confess, since marriage, I have not made them myself.

We were having some friends over last night and I had a hankering for chicken burritos. We had no tortillas in the house so I decided to make some from scratch. Very simple to make, just a bit time consuming to roll out. The tortillas turned out great! Warm, yummy, fresh tortillas are the best! I used this recipe.
The filling was chipotle lime shredded chicken, black beans, corn, mozzarella, cream fraiche and lettuce. We also had a fabulous side dish of mexican rice that my friend brought over (I was told it was rice, chicken broth and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies)
Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

More "birthday weekend" pictures

Do you see a gray and black theme going on here? That's my plan, lots of gray, black, white with maybe a tiny splash of color. For Fall that is:) Friday night we went out with a bunch of couples for "Happy Hour" and to celebrate my birthday.
Black long vest ~ Charlotte Russe $7

Tunic Tank ~ Gifted

Jeans ~ Old Navy $20

Nude heels ~ Kohls ?

Saturday I spent the day shopping with some of my girlfriends, all of us found at least one thing to buy. The skirt below was a new purchase for me and I'm excited for Fall to come so I can pair it with tights and boots
Jacket ~ H&M $15

Tank ~ Target ?

Skirt ~ H&M $17

Heels ~ Ann Taylor Loft ~ ?

Necklace ~ Target $20

My daughter wanted to pose and she was so cute I had to include her church outfit too!

I'm so excited about these gray boot wedges! Only $25 at Forever 21 and surprisingly comfortable to wear. I was looking for a replacement for my old, old, dansko clogs but I didn't want something to fancy or heels for every day. I hope these make for a good dressy/casual combination.
It's after church, we all want to be comfy and soon we are going to the park to hang out. Can't wait, this was a great birthday weekend!
Stripped Tunic Tee ~ H&M $7

Jeans ~ Old Navy $20

Scarft ~ Gifted from Nic

my new gray wedges!

Birthday post

Yesterday was my 27th birthday!!! Hurray for me! I LOVE birthday's! The night before my birthday I had an excuse to dress up a bit, attending a work related dinner with my husband. Any excuse I have to put on heels and curl my hair I take!
The day of my birthday I had plans to meet a friend downtown for lunch at an adorable cafe called "The Bread Peddlers" Jade and I shared the ham and comte sandwich and almond croissant, with some lemon flavored San Pelligrino. So good!! if you are ever in Olympia and need a sweet little french bakery stop by there!
The scarf I am sporting was a gift from a dear friend. She drove over at 8am just to give it to me on my birthday!

Gray top with bejeweled shoulder embellishments ~ Ann Taylor loft $30

White Jeans ~ Gap $30

Nude strappy heels ~ Kohls ?

Clutch ~ gifted

White top ~ Old Navy $10

Jean skirt ~ Gap $30

Scarf ~ Gifted

T-strap sandals ~ Gap $5.50