Outfit: My Son's B-day

Top: Banana Republic, Shorts: Old Navy, Sandals: Target, Earrings: Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar, Ring: Lia Sophia, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO, Sunnies: MNG by Mango, Necklace: Gift 

My son celebrated his 4th birthday over the weekend and we let him have the party of his dreams. He's finally has an opinion about what he wants (and a strong opinion at that) so we created a party around what he wanted. He asked for a bubble guppies themed party, bouncy house, cake (yellow cake with blue frosting to be exact), and french fries. Alright little dude, you got it! ;) He counted down on his calendar and every morning would tell us how many days until his party. He had a wonderful time and said it was so fun. Mission accomplished! Kinda easy to throw a dream party for a 4 year old, I wonder what he'll ask for next year....

And here's me asking my hubby to take a nice photo, this is what I got:
Seriously?

Come on, please.....

Jerk!! ;)

** Make sure you check out the Sisters Marie blog today, fun new item for sale! ;)

Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar Design Contest

Erin of Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar has come up with an amazing idea for the readers of Stilettos and Diaper Bags! I told you in yesterday's post how amazing the customizable feature is on their website, so here's your chance to show us what you've got!

Head over to Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar and design a piece of jewelry. It can be any style/type you want (necklace, earrings, bracelets, etc)! When you are finished save the photo to your computer and email the image to me at sadbblog@yahoo.com.

I took all of 5 minutes and threw together 2 designs to give you guys some examples. The first is my family charm bracelet:

It has my kids initials and birth stones and mine/my hubbys (we have the same birth month) birth stone as well! 

The second I just play around with one of my favorite necklace designs and came up with this colorful number:

I will put all the photos that are emailed to me up on my Facebook page. 

Next week Erin and I will pick our favorite 3 designs and feature them in a post.  At that point you the readers will pick which design is the favorite. 

The winner of this contest will get a $100 gift card to Erin Gallagher's Gem bar! Good luck everyone, and have fun!!! One entry per person please and don't forget to send your name along with the photo. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar

For those of you who don't know, I used to design and assemble jewelry for Erin Gallagher Jewelry now known as Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar. When I recently looked at her website I was BLOWN AWAY!! The selection of jewelry has always been amazing, but the customizable feature has come such a long way and can now be done with pretty much every piece they create! If you want to change up an item that is not customizable online, simply go into their store and design your dream piece with a member of the EG team! I LOVE THAT! Here are some of my favorite pieces for sale (not only online but also at their store in Chicago).

They specialize not only in custom jewelry, but also in bridal jewelry (I had my jewelry as well as my bridesmaids jewelry done by the EG team). I have to say I kinda want to get married again (to my hubby of course!) so I can wear some of these STUNNING pieces! Here are some of my bridal favorites:

The best thing about the website is the custom feature. You can choose gem color, chain type and length, charms, and pretty much create whatever you want to fit your taste and price.
Check back tomorrow for a VERY EXCITING Erin Gallagher's Gem Bar announcement just for Stilettos and Diaper Bag readers! I have to say it's a really awesome opportunity for you guys.... 

Lara Miller Lookbook Photo Shoot

Here are the official photos from the lookbook photo shoot.

Photos taken by Bret Grafton (website, FB, Twitter) and clothes by Lara Miller (website, FB, TWitter). Also wearing Kristin Hassan bracelets and Erin Gallagher Jewelry Earrings.

Here are the rest of the photos of Chicago Bloggers, CBN staff, and Lara Miller Staff. I really hope I didn't leave anyone out! If I missed your photo let me know and I'll get it up!!

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin

Lara Miller CBN Event

This event was beyond amazing! Here is the outfit that I wore:

Dress: Victoria's Secret, Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Clutch: Threadsence, Cuffs: H&M, Earrings: Erin Gallagher Jewelry, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO, Black Ring: Lia Sophia

I was invited to Lara Miller's Studio for a photo shoot and party. Our task was to use her clothing and style a look, have our hair and makeup done by Anthony Balthazar & Laura Pederson, be photographed in the outfit, and then just mingle with fellow bloggers, eat, drink, shop, and have fun! Yeah, for sure an ideal opportunity! ;) Here are a few pictures of what clothes and accessories we had to choose from. There were 2 rooms of clothes so these pictures do not do it justice!

Here I am getting all dolled up for the shoot. What do you think of the outfit I choose? I went with Lara Miller's sweater dress, cream sweater slip, and cowl neck infinity scarf.

I also (OF COURSE) wore all Chicago designer's jewelry. Kristin Hassan bracelets and Erin Gallagher Jewelry earrings.

After the shoot I got to catch up with some of my favorite blogger ladies.

And lastly, a shot of me and Lara:

I want to thank the Chicago Blogger Network and Lara Miller for putting on such a great night! Also big thanks to Kind Snacks, Smart Water, Finch Beer, Pop Chips, and Homage Street Food!

I can NOT wait to see all the photos, who will make the 2012 fall lookbook, and who won the 3 prizes (1st prize is $500 worth of Lara Miller clothes!) I will post my photos from the actual shoot as soon as I get them and keep you posted if I won any amazing Lara Miller clothing. And if I didn't win I need to buy that sweater slip I wore ASAP. It goes with EVERYTHING and just clings so perfectly to your body. Kinda think everyone in the world needs this piece. Just saying... ;)

Bell bottoms and lace

Top: Lulus, Jeans: 7 for all mankind, Shoes: Forever 21, Earrings: Erin Gallagher, Wrist wrap: c/o Kristin Hassan, wood bangle: Vintage, Gem bracelet: c/o Katrina

I can't believe I haven't worn this top yet! Since I have lots of plans to layer up over it, I decided to wear the sheer top as is for a day. I probably should have worn a tank under, but I was in a bandeau kind of a mood. ;)
I just love the lace detail at the neck and on the back of the arms. I felt retro and playful all at the same time. LOVE!
** please excuse my faces above. Not sure if I was mad or what, but I think they are too funny!

Double Date night

Dress MNG by Mango, Belt Express, Shoes Jessica Simpson, Necklace self made, Earrings Erin Gallagher Jewelry, Quartz Ring Free People, Stackable Ring Baublebar

This past Friday, the hubbs and I went out for dinner with another couple. Kristin and I talked blogs and the boys talked music (we seriously could have been at different tables our convos were so separate)! lol
We had a wonderful time and it reminded me how much I love (and need to spend more time with) my fellow mommy friends!

I FINALLY wore my Mango maxi dress!! I got this bad boy months ago and have been debating having it shortened. (it's soooo long on me!!) I ended up adding a belt and pulling it up a bit, as well as adding a 6 inch heel. Hey, a girls got to do what a girls got to do! I love it even more now! I'm not sure how yet, but I am going to try to style it a bunch of different ways so I can keep wearing it this fall/winter! Maybe a knit over, maybe a blazer, we'll see.... ;)

I don't know how she does it

I was graciously invited to see a pre-screening of the new Sarah Jessica Parker movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Kristin. Of course I had to go, I never pass up a girls night in the city! ;)




Top: Forever 21 (swap C/O Kaitlyn)
Blazer: Urban Outfitters
Tank: Target
Skinny Jeans: Express
Shoes: Forever 21
Ring: Charming Charlie
Bracelet: Jewelmint
Earrings: Self made (you can get a pair of your own in real or faux pearls from Erin Gallagher Jewelry)
Purse: Creatively Yours

I had such a fun time and the movie was adorable! I really wish they would have dressed SJP's character better, she was a little frumpy and who said working moms have to be frumpy?! ;) Plus it's SJP so you kind of expect there to be some awesome fashion, alas, there was not. Either way it was a lovely night away and I got to hang with 2 fellow blogger moms! You can check out Kristin's blog here and Diandra's website (where you can click through to her blog) here!

BBQ plans, rain please go away!

Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Forever 21
Pashmina: Nordstrom
Earrings: Erin Gallagher Jewelry
Wrap bracelet (Gray): Baublebar
Silver beads triple bracelet: Express

What is up with me and twirling?! lol Seriously, I think I've spun around in 4 recent posts! I guess when my clothes flow, I twirl....there are worse things in the world I guess! ;)
This day was cooler then normal while it rained, and then the sun came through and it was back up to the lower 80's. I was so glad I ended up wearing a dress to this family bbq. I got good sun, hair back so my bean didn't yank it out, and had my pashmina to double as a blanket while inside with the kiddos (OK, it was a bit short for 2 kids under 3 to be around and needing to be picked up repeatedly! Live and learn.)

Sadly I have to say, the dress was a bit too big on me. It is in size large and I felt like I was pulling it up all night. Alas, it is now for sale in the "shop my closet" section. My weight loss is your dress gain! lol

Dressing to Music: MGMT "Kids"

I LOVE THIS SONG! It is on at our house often and we have many family dance parties to it! ;) This day, I dressed to it and then oddly enough danced in it again at a party!




Dress: Modcloth
Shoes: Victoria's secret
Earrings: Erin Gallagher Jewelry
Heart Ring: Jewelmint
Gold Ring: Kohls
Purple wrap bracelet: Baublebar

I am gaga for this dress! I wanted it and it was sold out, so I gave my email and hoped that one day they would tell me it's back it stock. 3 weeks later guess what's back into inventory?! Yay! I just love the lace and the print! I am also loving the color peridot in my earrings with the purple and gold in my wrap bracelet! The outfit just kinda came together as I jammed out in my room! What do you think? Loving the navy, gold, purple, and green combo or not so much?

Last date night before surgery

Dress: Mango
Shoes: Colin Stuart
Necklace and Bracelet: Jewelmint
Earrings: Erin Gallagher Jewelry
Cami: Victoria's Secret

I bought my first ever Groupon. Thanks to my sister-in-law passing over the information to me, I was able to get 2 pieces of jewelmint jewelry for the price of 1. I love my new necklace and bracelet!
I also loved my dinner out with the hubs. He took me to a swanky restaurant and then out for some retail therapy. Yes, my husband loves to shop as much as I do! Okay, maybe not as much, but he's smart enough to know happy wife happy life! lol

Update: Sadly (but good for you), this dress no longer fits (i'm down some more weight, and plan to keep it off ;) and it is for sale in my "shop my closet" section!