Loving Cropped sweaters

Sweater: MNG by Mango (last season), Jeans: E street Denim, Earrings: Jewelmint, Shoes: Express Stone Ring: Vintage, Ring: Judith Jack

For a long time tunics and longer t's, knits, and tops were in but last season entered crop tops (I should say they came back into rotation since the 90's). My initial reaction was HELL NO! lol I'm not the belly shirt kind of a girl (I mean come on, I have 2 kids!;). Lately I'm loving them. As long as you are wearing a higher rise jean and don't put your arms over your head too much, I think they are perfect.
I paired my crop sweater with my dark wash jeans, threw my hair in a bun, and put some amazing earrings on! It's wonderful how a dark lip, some eyeliner, and earrings jazz a very simple look up! ;)

Oh the weather outside is weather...

Top hand-me-down, Faux Fur vest Charlotte Russe, Jean jacket Vintage, Cargo pants c/o Katrina, clogs Jessica Simpson, Necklace Jewelmint, Earrings Kate Spade, Ring Lia Sophia

It's getting darn cold out her in the Chicago suburbs. Time for layers!! Last time I wore this vest, I wore it as a jacket. This time, I needed to add a thin jacket to it.
I had lots of errands to run and this look did the trick on this 45 degree day. I layered a top, the faux fur vest, and a jean jacket on top and paired them with my green cargo pants. It was such a simple outfit, but it felt chic and put together even though I was out the door in 10 mins flat!

Pumpkin Patch

Top American Eagle, Jeans Forever 21, Socks Modcloth, Boots UrbanOg, Earrings Jewelmint

Another Fall tradition of ours is to meet up with my sisters and brothers and their kids (we have made 7 grand kids for my parents...so far) and we go to the Bumpkin. There is a bouncy house, tractor rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and a hay maze. We had so much fun this year! (errrr, I mean, the kids did!) And let me say that I did not plan on going in the bouncy maze, my son got stuck and mom to the rescue! Let's all thank Ryan for laughing at me and taking pictures! Thanks babe!

I decided to wear a flannel I got last year around this time. I love the colors in it and it went perfectly with my black skinny jeans and black boots. For added warmth I went with a knee sock as well.

I will leave you now with a cute shot of my son running through the hay maze. We actually had to pull him out of there when we wanted to go! He loves a good fort/maze! lol

My little guy walked the runway this weekend

top Forever 21, shorts Lauren Conrad for Kohls, blazer Urban Outfitters, Shoes Nicole Miller, bangles and stackable ring Baublebar, heart ring Jewelmint

Over the weekend my son was in a charity fashion show. It was at the Chicago Marriott and channel 5 news covered the event (my hubby, dad, father-in-law, and mom made it on TV) and I was his escort. There was a lunch, silent auction, raffle items, and then main event! All the kids looked adorable in their outfits and it was so cute how they all danced and looked so proud walking down the catwalk! About 400 people showed up and they raised lots of money for ASPIRE (a company that supplies services to children and adults with special needs). I was so proud of my son and thought he looked super handsome in his new outfit!

I did not plan an outfit for myself. Honestly I remembered I had to walk too the day before. I decided to pair my bow neck blouse with these shorts. I then added the blazer and booties to polish the look. I loved this look! I'm trying to be more unexpected in my outfits lately and I think it's paying off! What do you guys think, hit or miss?

special night out

Dress: Swap c/o Kaitlyn
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Bangles: Baublebar (sold out)
Heart Ring: Jewelmint
Gold band ring: Kohls
Necklace: Stella and Dot

This past weekend we celebrated my sister-in-laws recent engagement with a super dinner bash! It was such a beautiful night filled with laughter, amazing food, champagne, cake, and stories of what's to come for the happy couple!
I wore a dress I got from my last swap with Kaitlyn and I really felt beautiful in it! It was a bit big in the bust (damn you well endowed Katie), but I figured heck with it, I'm wearing this one! I paired it with black shoes and black with gold jewelry. I know that wearing black with brown used to be taboo, but I just love mixing neutrals! What do you guys think? Ever mix black and brown or do you sick to the old school rules?



**Don't forget, you have until Sunday at 10pm to use code SADBBLOG10 on Kristin Hassan's site to receive $10 OFF ANY PIECE OF JEWELRY! Shipping is always free too! Happy shopping!

Taking the little man to meet his teacher

Blazer: Threadsence Sold out
Tank: Victoria's Secret
Cargo Pants: Banana Republic (c/o Katrina)
Wedges: Forever 21
Stackable Rings: E Street Denim
Earrings: Jewelmint
Necklace: Self made
Bag: Coach

My little guy starts early childhood Monday! I can not even believe he's going to school 5 days a week, but it is time. On this day we went to meet the teacher, pay, and see what we needed to bring for his first day. Since I knew we would be hitting Jewel up right after I wanted to be able to do a lot of walking around. These are just like wearing gym shoes as far as I'm concerned! I seriously could do all day 5 days a week in these bad boys! ;)
Can we talk about these pants now? These were another hand-me-down from Katrina before she left and I seriously love them! They are a size too big, but when you cuff them they look more like a boyfriend pant and I really love the relaxed fit! Great addition to my year round wardrobe, no?!
What do you guys think on the color combo? I was wondering if the peachy blazer was too "spring" with the army green pant. Hopefully I pulled off the transitioning to fall look without looking too much like an Easter egg! lol

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!

Lake house chic

Top: Alloy (swap c/o Kaitlyn)
Tank: Express
Jeans: E Street Denim
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Jewelmint
Ring: Lia Sophia
Sunnys: MNG by Mango

We were at the hubby's family lake house over the long weekend and this was my outfit for walking and heading down to the lake. I don't wear flats super often, but when you're doing a lot of walking you have to be smart. (let me say though, I could and have walked miles in some of my heels....I'm just saying ;)
I got these jeans the day before at E Street Denim. I love this store! What I love even more is a great sale. Jeans were all 50% off and if you buy 2 or more pair they were 75% off! I just got one pair, but I'm in love with the wash and color. I also love that I don't have to alter these, as I alter most of my jeans! Double yay!

Tie dye and high heels

Dress: Free People
Shoes: Shoedazzle
Necklace: self made
Belt: Express
Heart Ring: Jewelmint
Gold band ring: Kohls
Orange Stone bracelet: Keyna Africa c/o Katrina
Gold and orange bangles: Forever 21

Anyone who knew me back in and before college knows I am quite a hippy at heart. I would have made a great flower child. Truly! So on that note, here's me mixing my old favorite with my new one! ;) Just because I would have been a great flower child doesn't mean I wouldn't have been a chic one! lol

date night

Dress: Victoria's Secret
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Green Ring: Modcloth
Quartz ring: Free people
Gold band: Kohls
Charm necklace: Stella & Dot (sold out)
Earrings: Jewelmint
Bag: Rachel Zoe

I have been waiting FOREVER to wear this dress. I finally decided screw it, I don't need to wait for a fancy night out, I'll just wear it! Truth be told I'd rather be over dressed then under dressed any day of the week. ;)
This was my look for dinner at the movies. Yes, at the movies. We went back to our old favorite spot. We love it because your seats recline, you have a waiter in the theater, and you get a pillow and blanket.
Turns out they have new ownership and it's a totally different place. It's more affordable now, but honestly, it's not as nice. I'd rather pay the 7 extra dollars to have the old style and personal attention back. In this economy though, I guess I understand how a cheaper, sports bar style, serve your self, seat yourself, no waiter after the first 20 minutes of the movie would do better, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! ;) At least the seats still recline and you get a pillow and blanket! And the food was good so I guess my rant is over.
Now can we talk about how I wore this figure hugging dress and then ate nachos and burgers with sweet potato fries? lol I'm a thinker!

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! New posts will start back up on Tuesday! xo

Therapies and play dates

Tank: Victoria's Secret
Under tank: Target
Jeans: American Eagle
Wedges: Forever 21
Necklace: Pree Brulee (style sold out)
wrap bracelets: Baublebar
Stackable ring: Baublebar
Heart ring: Jewelmint

I generally show you all of my "go out/event" outfits, here is an everyday one. On this day I walked and pushed the double stroller to my son's speech therapy (less then 1 mile away) and had a play date right after. I am in love with this necklace! It will for sure be seen on this blog quite a few times! ;)
Now lets talk jeans. I'm not bragging, okay maybe a little, but these are my skinny jeans and I'm back in them!! No not my between kids skinny jeans, the ones that I tucked away in a drawer hoping one day I'd fit into them again....yeah, THOSE! I actually saved 4 pair for college and now they all fit. I'd say those are bragging rights! lol I'm officially back to the size I was when I met my hubby. I would like to send a special shout out to Ryan for loving me just at much at 198 pounds that he does at 130! Love you Ryan!
Okay, now onto the hair. I want to thank Kim over at Eat Sleep Wear for inspiring me to try out her signature bun! What do you guys think? I love it! Super easy and super quick. What's not to like?

Hand-me-downs and hangouts

Dress: Hand-me-down c/o Katrina (American Rag)
Shoes: Forever 21
Bangle set: Kristin Hassan (this set sold out, but so many other great cuffs and sets!)
Red and gold bangle: Baublebar
Earrings: Jewelmint
Pendant Necklace: Piperlime
Charm Necklace: Stella & Dot (sold out)
Ball Ring: Discovery
Gold band: Kohls

Nail Color: Sally Hansen-Commander in Chic

Lets start off talking about this awesome dress. I mentioned that when Katrina was leaving the country she gave me a bag of clothes and goodies, this is one of my new favorites! I don't know if it counts as a hand-me-down if the tags are still on it when you get it, but either way, THANK YOU Katrina! I love this dress!
I decided there wasn't enough jewelry I could wear this day! lol Usually the rule of thumb is take one piece off before you leave and honestly, I did! (so you can imagine how much I intended on wearing out this night! lol)
We met up with friend at a local bar for a 30th B-day celebration for one of our favorite guys and had a night out with our friends! What's better then free clothes, a night out, and great company? NOT MANY THINGS! ;)

Saying goodbye to a dear friend..

Blouse: Target
Bandeau: LuLus
Paperbag Shorts: Threadsense
Shoes: Forever 21
Earrings: Jewelmint
Sunnys: Target
Wrap Bracelet: Baublebar
Ring: Lia Sophia (style no longer available)

This was a bitter sweet day for me. I had to say goodbye to a truly great friend of mine as her and her husband are moving out of the country. Please do not be fooled I am wearing no makeup and sunnys because I was a big cry baby! ;) I was all sorts of out of wack that day and decided to pair paper bag style shorts with a flowy top?! Looking back it was not my best choice, but I was sad so this is what you get! lol
On the up side Katrina brought over 2 garbage bags filled with clothes and a few other bags filled with jewelry, accessories, and makeup that she didn't want to take with her. I gladly took it off her hands!
Thank you again Katrina for all of your amazing hand-me-downs and please know that you will be greatly missed! A girl only has so many great friends and on this day one of mine moved away. ;( Thank GOD for skype, FB, and Twitter!!! I will be stalking her ass! lol Miss you already lady!! xo

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?