Mommy and Caleb...Playdate Day

So apparently it's Fall all the sudden, and it was a great reminder that my maternity leave is soon coming to an end. So I really want to get in a few extra mommy and me dates in before the clock turns midnight and the fairy tale is over. I know I've told everyone that I'm excited and ready to go back to work, but let's be honest, I'll still probably be the mom at the doorway of the daycare pouting and tearing up as I count the hair on my baby's head in case any new ones grow in throughout the day. 

So with babydates on the horizon and a crisp fall sensation in the air, I threw on some high waisted dark skinnies and a colorful burnt orange top.

 

I layered it with quite possibly my favourite sweater of all time that screams to be worn on a crisp day. 

Then to piss off the black and brown, matchy matchy Gods, I put on my new brown boots. 

My watch and bracelet I got in Europe and ...

outfit done...Phew because Caleb's nap was shorter than I thought (I swear they have a sensor that says, mom might need a few extra minutes today...i should wake up early to keep her on her toes)

We hit the streets to a wonderful day.

Caleb saw his pals, Maivis and Jack. He's a bit jealous that Jack is walking around.  

Then he got to see one of his girlfriends, Goergia...and we definitely showed why they should have a mama section in Starbucks...cheerios everywhere!

Great Day all around! 

Even Moms Break Rules

Today was a glorious day! Filled with family and friends and a fun outfit!

After creating the world's largest lego car/train and hanging out with my cutie pies, I was going to drop them off at Lita's for nap time. So I got ready to go out for a day a visiting.

As my clothes came out of the closet I realized I was breaking a billion fashion rules. Remember when just wearing blacks and browns together was a faux pas? 

I threw on a simple black tank with my fancier version of a jogger pant. 

Fun hat with a little red bow and blue detailing. 

And some fun faux booty heels. 

After I was fully dressed I was looked at my reflection and thought, big print on my pants, with a crazy hat, and funky heels..."What are you trying to do, be Carrie Bradshaw? Come on Steph, you're a mother!" My face slowly turned into a smiley face, I loved it. Of course I did...because I love breaking the rules!!! I grabbed my purse and was ready to leave!

On the way out I looked at my babies smiling at me and laughed... Okay I'll take something sensible and grabbed my sandals to throw in the car. I love my heels and all, but depending on how the day goes, the idea of running after Brayden in stiletto's is not exactly my idea of being cute. I'm pretty sure that's a recipe for going from Carrie Bradshaw to horror movie's Carrie White. Backup sandals, check!

Lunch with Kerbear was delicious!! 

Visit with Jaclyn was super fun (we did some gardening...and I mean Jaclyn pulled vegies for me as I irrigated her lawn) 

and dinner with Lito and Lita was a perfect end to the day. 

Breaking the rules today was fun!

European Treasure

It's been a crazy few weeks since my last post, but what an amazing time it's been. Celebrating 30 in Europe was an absolutely hit. It was also a wonderful place to find a few priceless pieces that I couldn't leave on the other side of the pond. 

I'm in Missouri right now for some family time with Ryan's fam and I had to show of one piece I got. I got it on the streest of Bath. Literally, a little dress stand in the middle of the street. One caught my attention and I couldn't leave it behind. It's a little easy breezy, a little empire waist, a little fun with the design, pretty little detail around the collar...a little European treasure. 

It was a fabulous day today with my babies ( i have to say I'm loving my boys even more since I returned. If you want to appreciate your kids, leave them for ten days, and that will teach you to whine about your kids).

We went to church and I thought this outfit hit the mark because it was cute but casual enough. It's also easy to wear having the boys. Mamas out there, you know that some dresses are hard, especially with length or buttons! All the sudden you're flashing people at church or walking out of the store with your skirt tucked in your undies because you were more concerned about changing your babies diaper than making sure your outfit's in order.

To top off the dress...or to "bottom" off the dress, I threw on my new fave flats from Barcelona! Rachel, these were a fabulous find, so happy we got a matching pair!

Oh Europe I miss you already, but this outfit made me think of you fondly. 

Had to add this photo...simply because...well HELLO what a cutie pie!

Dress: Bath 10 pounds!!

Shoes: Barcelona 15 euros!!

Watch: Guess-mine

Belt: Old-mine

Bright Shirt...Bright Day

Tuesdays can be tough sometimes. I've been spoiled all weekend with Ryan and friends and family. Brayden watches Ryan leave for work and looks at me like he just lost out on a bet. Sooooo sometimes it can be hard to pick myself up. 

So I went to the closet. In it hung a Saks 5th Avenue top I bought in New York last year and still had the tag on it. Every time I've wanted to wear it I always felt it was a little bright. Well gosh darn it, today...on this Monday...I need a little yellow to brighten my day!

The moment I put it on, I remembered why I bought. So lightweight, so soft, so comfortable and pretty. It was a super warm day so I paired them up again with my linen shorts that you all know I'm currently is a serious relationship with and threw on some floral flats. 

I took ten minutes to actually curl the locks while the Brayden emptied out every toy container he had in his room and Brayden climbed every dangerous thing he could. 

Curl...check on them...curl..."Brayden stop it"...curl..."Ahhh Caleb, how did you get up there?"...curl. Eventually most of the hair had a wave or two.

So sometimes a mama has to do what a mama has to do to give herself a little pick me up. And today it meant a yellow shirt (even if it screams construction worker Michael Miller!). Went to mall, had lunch with dad, Ryan and boys and ended another lovely day with some family and friends. It's days like this that I can't complain about anything. God has put way too much good stuff in my life that outweighs the hard stuff. 

Thank You God for this amazing day...and thanks Saks 5th Avenue top for starting me off in the right direction.

Top: Saks 5th Avenue

Shorts: H&M

Bracelet: Juicy Couture

Watch: Guess

Shoes: Ardene

Red Hot Friday!

Friday is here!! Woo hoo! I had an amazing date night with my hubby yesterday. Went out for drinks and food then off to a wonderful Michael Buble concert, where yet again, he was perfection! To top it off my little men were at Lito and Lita's house for a sleepover. Why is that so great, you ask? SLEEPING IN PEOPLE!!!

So...as my mom sent me photos of the boys eating breakfast at 6 am this morning, I closed my eyes and snuggled with Tiger in bed. I could have stayed in bed all day... but I had to check out some bathing suits at the mall and pick up the little tikes. So up and up went for my run, had a quick shower, then I almost did it...put on my yoga pants. I was lazy and didn't really want to put much thought into my clothes today. But I remembered something I saw on TV yesterday about clothes not just being clothes and that our outsides reflect our insides. Well darn it I wanted to show that I was crazy happy and blessed! So I took a few extra minutes and threw on my red skinny jeans! Nothing says HELLO like red jeans! Plus IT IS Canada Day soon. I added a simply black and white striped tee, did a little tuck (for some reason I'm obsessed lately) and slipped into my denim loafers. 

Didn't have time for hair... a quick french braid and my fun Flat Cap did just the trick.

The day went great. Bathing suit shopping wasn't as horrible as I thought, I only wanted to punch the mirror twice. ;)

I then had a wonderful lunch time with my mom and the boys. Food, family, fun...what more could a girl ask for.

 

It was amazing that the lazy attitude I had this morning was obliterated by the good mood that I've been carrying since I got dressed this morning. 

Well red jeans, even though it took me 5 minutes to get you on this morning, I thank you for raising to the occasion and making this a sensational Friday. 

I'm planning on an amazing Canada Day weekend, and wish a wonderful weekend to all of you!

P.S.: I want to add that I'm not totally unrealistic. I know we all need days to be in sweats, to be in yoga pants, heck maybe your thing is to be in nothing at all ;) but make yourself accountable to how many days you give yourself. It can start to affect what is going on inside as well. Think about the mood you're in when you're still in your pajamas at 6 pm, versus the mood you're in, when you've showered and put on a clean shirt. In my world, it's a night and day difference, but that's just my experience.

Shirt:Walmart

Jeans: Joe Fresh

Shoes: No Clue

Hat: H&M

Watch: Vintage watch from Dad

Purse: Coach**(off streets of New York)

Mamita's Livin la Vida Linen

What a great Monday it has been! Family, friends and fashion-well mamita's fashion. 

I knew it was going to be a muggy day and I was going out with the boys shopping and meeting Ryan for lunch, so I still wanted to look cute! I definitely love me some linen. They are a secret weapon during the warmer temps. Lightweight, breathable, durable....mamas can you hear me?? I love linen pants, shirts, bags, and most certainly shorts!

So today my personal pièce de résistance were my dark gray linen shorts. Love the feel, the length, the cuff and the way they sit around my budunkadunk. I took an old Tommy Hilfiger beach cover up and rolled up the sleeves to disguise it as a regular top. I love this idea because this item is super lightweight because its meant for the beach so it works awesome in muggy temps. 

I threw on my snazzy little sandals that I get a billion compliments on, even though I bought them centuries ago (Charm I really do need that shoe cobbler to fix the bottoms!!). 

Dressed for the day and with my vanilla latte (McDonalds, you're really impressing me these day!) things were rolling by swimmingly...the boys and I were playing and enjoying the sweet morning hours...I love these guys.

Just one hour later: ah crap...Tiger is sitting on the picnic table again, Brayden was in timeout for the 2nd time this morning, and Caleb had spit-up on my shorts. On a positive note, did I mention how easy linen is to clean??!! Fabulous. oohh look, Caleb is playing with my hat. Maybe I'll wear that today!

The day finished off with some lounging on the couch with a friend and The Bachelorette and yes I was still super comfy. Oh linen shorts, I love ya. Thanks for partaking in my awesome day!

Shorts: Forever 21

Top: Tommy Hilfiger

Sandals: Old

Watch: Guess

Charm Bracelet: Agatha Paris

Belt: Kohls

Mamita's Moccasins

  It's really true what they say, the value is always in the eye of the beholder. Well this beholder clearly loves herself the pink moccasin flats she got herself last year because today I found myself wanting to wear them yet again. With a closet full of shoes (many that no one should ever see to be honest), I still basically planned my whole outfit around these bargain beauties.

After a morning of fun times with the crazy little monkeys, they were exhausted and needed an afternoon of napping. With Lita (Grandma) watching over them I was able to escape the house for an afternoon of work, friends and a meeting. It was a gross drizzly day so I wanted some pants, so I threw on my face skinny dark denim, that to this day I can't remember where I got them, but I sweat it was at some cheap store like Papaya or something. I threw on a favourite vintage shirt (it was my mother's when she was a teen) and tucked it in with a brown belt. I've been on a bit of belt kick, which often isn't good for such a hippy lady, but these Hips Don't Lie, so it's time to embrace them. Cuffed the bottom of las pantalones for added effect and put on the sundae's cherry with my moccasin flats. 

Yeah, changed in 5 minutes. Perfect because I NEED TO LEAVE! NEED TO LEAVE. 

I felt naked though...hhmm...ahah! The frosting! You won't see me often without a watch, so threw on my watch, bracelet on and my new favourite pair of pearls (thanks Betinna), shoved everything I needed in my LuluLemon Bag (BEST VERSION OF A DIAPER BAG, WORKOUT BAG, WORK BAG EVER!! Great job Rach) and was set to go!

Say goodnight to Brayden. Go to Caleb's room... and that's when I saw this...

Well screw the schedule. I sat there and took pictures of the cutest baby in the world sleeping in what looked like the most uncomfortable yet adorable way in the world. 

Wipe away a tear, blow him a kiss, grab my trench and I'm out!

Pants: Unknown

Top: Old

Shoes: Ardene

Watch: Fossil

Charm Bracelet: Agatha Paris

Belt: who the heck knows

Trench: Burberry London

Bag: LuluLemon