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! ;)

Giveaway: Just Fab Shoes & Winner Announced

Romper: Camilla and Marc via  Rent the Runway, Belt: Loft, Shoes: C/O Just Fabulous, Necklace: Banana Republic, Clutch: Charming Charlie, Bracelets: C/O Kristin Hassan, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO, Heart Ring: Verameat

I love this look! Would this be considered safari chic?! lol The shoes clearly made the look though, which leads me to the most important part of this post. 

Just Fabulous sent me a pair of these amazing wedges, but they took it up a notch and sent me 2 pair. (one for me and one for one lucky winner!)

The only thing is they are also in my size (size 8). Wear size 8 and want these? (They are beautiful right?!)

To enter simply "like" JustFab on Facebook and leave me a comment below telling me you have done so! That's it! Winner will be announced 3-16-12 (next Friday). Good luck! 

**I am happy to announce the winner of the Just Fabulous blue fringe bag.

the winner is:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congrats Erin K! I will be emailing you today for your shipping address. Thanks to all who entered and a big thanks to Just Fabulous for hosting this giveaway!

Outfit: Movies with the family

Top: Express, Pants: Loft (similar), Wedges: Express (similar) (similar), Bangle and Triple watch wrap: C/O Kristin Hassan, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO

We took both kids out this weekend to see The Lorax and this was my "movie with the family" look. We met up with my in-laws and thankfully they got there earlier then us and saved some awesome seats! Bot kids sat through the entire movie! Seriously!

It was so fun to see my son dance around in his seat and my little bean light up and smile and say "yay!" at the end of each song. Great times were had! Has anyone else seen The Lorax yet? Super cute.

Now lets talk hair. Not sure what I did exactly, but I loved it! ;) I didn't have time to dry or do my hair so I french braided pigtails and started pinning them up. Took about 7 minutes to complete and it will for sure be a style I do again. Just too easy to not do it again. 

Outfit: Casual Chic

Cardigan: Piperlime, Blouse: Forever 21 (similar), Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Victoria's Secret,Swan Bangle: C/O Kristin Hassan, Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO

For a blouse I spent less then $20 on, I sure have been getting a lot of use out of it! (LOVE great finds like that, don't you?!)

I decided to pair it with a flowy cardigan, jeans, boots, and simple accessories to meet up with the family for a dinner. Causal can be chic after all. ;)

In other news, time for a bang trim! I hate when they are too long to wear down but too short to side sweep properly. I think next month I am FINALLY going to get my color done again (last done in August 2011). Obviously staying dark on top (who has time to do touch ups often?), but I think I'll be putting the highlights underneath back in. Thoughts?

*Don't forget all Stiletto and Diaper Bags readers can get 20% off all Kristin Hassan jewelry now through Sunday night by using code LISA20 at checkout

Outfit: Everyday Wear

Top: Free People from Threadsence, Tank: Forever 21, Jean Leggings: Express, Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Diamond Necklace: C/O Anjolee, Bracelet: Kristin Hassan, Chain Ring: Tiffanys & CO

This is me on a regular mommy day. This outfit is as cozy as jams, but it's a bit more fashionable! ;) What's not to love about that?

Can we talk about how cute these flats are?! I know I'm usually a heel gal, but I've added a few flats as of late to the rotation. I love these because the are very cozy and the color is amazing. (I'm pretty sure they make these in hot pink and teal too!) I would say go a 1/2 size down though, the fit is a bit loose. But I love that, so I got my size. ;) Nothing worse then breaking in shoes, with these that is not an issue as the fit is loose and does not hurt your heel or sides of feet. Score! 

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... ;)

Blue Suede Shoes

Blazer: Express, Top: Stylemint, Jeans: Guess, Shoes: Lulus, Bracelet: Kristin Hassan, Ring: Tiffany & CO, Earrings: C/O Shopjules

I want to start out by saying shame on me! I was given these amazing blue suede shoes for Christmas last year, and this is the first time I have worn them (I'm so sorry Kaitlyn!).
I love them! I was going through my shoe boxes and came across these at the bottom of my pile. SCORE!
This is what I wore to meet up with some friends for pizza night. I can't believe how well behaved our kids were this night so myself and the hubs had a great time catching up with our friends from out of town. What more can what out of life? Great friends, well behaved children, and great shoes! ;)

Grabbing a drink with a fellow blogger

Sweater, Leggings, Clutch, and Wedges: Express, Tank: Target, Necklace: Self made, Chain ring: Tiffanys & CO, Ring: Judith Jack
I feel like an Express mannequin. ;) The sweater and wedges are from this year, the leggings are from last year, and the clutch was from 3 years ago. I guess Express consistently makes me happy!
I met up with a fellow Chicago blogger Mariposa from Clever Clipper on Tuesday night. I had such a fun time!! It's cool to make new friends at this stage of my life, and lets be honest, you can never have too many great people in your life!
Mariposa and myself (and a few other ladies) have very exciting things happening next week. More info on that tomorrow..... yes, I am keeping you in suspense.. ;)

My date with Edward Cullen

Blazer: Urban Outfitters, Top: Closet swap w/ Kaitlyn, Jeans: Gap, Belt: MNG by Mango, Necklace: Shop Frankies, Cuff: Jewelmint, Ring: Macy's, Chain ring: Tiffany & co, Shoes: Jessica Simpson

I finally got to go see Breaking Dawn part 1 on Monday morning. I loved it! Yes, it was weird. Yes, it dragged a bit, but it did good by the book and that's all I care about. If you know me then you know I have read all 4 books 3 times and I love everything Twilight! GO TEAM EDWARD! LOL okay, now that that's out of my system, lets talk outfit. ;)
I went with a very chic look and added this great red necklace to accessorize. Did I feel overdressed to be at the movies at 10:00am? sure. But did I dress appropriate for my date with Edward? YES! I went out with the girlfriend for sushi after so by noon I blended in just fine.
I'd rather be over dressed then under dressed any day of the week!
Now onto my hair aka stringy mess. I need a hair cut BAD! Thinking I'll do a full overhaul (cut/ color) after the holidays but in the meantime I must lose a few inches STAT!

Coupon codes:
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Falling for fall

Skirt Piperlime, Top Victoria's Secret, Necklace c/o Kristin Hassan, chain ring Tiffany & CO, Belt MNG by Mango, shoes Jessica Simpson

Happy Halloween!!!! I hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend, we sure did over at my house!

These pictures were taken last weekend when we had that beautiful 60 degree day. I decided to get my family all dressed up and we headed over to a forest preserve by my home. I set up the tripod and took pictures of us under this tree. The pictures turned out better then I could have imagined and my Christmas cards have already been ordered! I also took pictures of each of the kids so we can have some awesome holiday gifts for the grandparents. Mission accomplished! See, having an great camera comes in handy for more then just my blog! ;)

Pumpkin Painting

dress & sweater Forever 21, Boots Victoria's Secret, Earrings Pree Brulee, Chain Ring Tiffany & CO

This weekend we went over to my hubby's aunts house for the annual pumpkin painting contest. Now, I've been married for almost 4 years, and this was our first year attending! Believe me, I will be far more prepared next year, I had no idea everyone was going so all out!
My daughter cut 2 new teeth this weekend (you can imagine how much fun we had with this) so unless you held her she was a blubbering mess. Now that I think about it, she cried most of the time I held her too! lol
Anyway, I had under 5 mins to paint my pumpkin so I made the green witch above. All you moms out there can attest to this, we can do ANY task in less then 5 mins! It's a mom thing! ;) I came in 4th place, but the entire thing was rigged so Ry's dad would win. We'll have to do something about this next year. ;)
I paired my maxi dress with a crocheted knit and a crop boot. I think it was the perfect look for this cool fall night!
What are your Halloween traditions? Painting or carving?

Dress Rehearsal

Tee: Victoria's Secret
Skirt: Romwe
Shoes: Aldo
Silver Bangle: c/o Kristen Hassan
Rhinestone Bangle: Kristen Hassan (part of sold out bangle set)
Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO
Circle Ring: Lia Sophia
Earrings: Jewelmint
Necklace: Forever 21

Today me and my son are walking in a children's charity fashion show. Each child has a song to walk to and they talk about what they like and what not as they make there ways down the catwalk waving. I am the parent escort. ;) Is it weird that I'm nervous?! Don't worry, lots of pics will be taken for sure!
I am loving this blue skirt I just got from Romwe! You will for sure be seeing this one in heavy rotation. I also was very excited to bust out my rhinestone bangle! It came in a brass bangle set I got from Kristin Hassan, but I never mixed it in with the others. I love how it sits higher up on the arm and stays put.
Okay, lastly lets touch on these shoes. I had these in "shop my shoes" for the longest time, I'm so glad you guys didn't buy them!! I still love them! lol A little unexpected pop of a pattern is always the way to go!