You only get the day........

Yesterday was a run around in the day, make dinner and run back out at night kind of day. One of my friends was having her baby shower and what better way to get away with shoving  politely eating mass amounts a little bit of cheesecake then to hide your bloated belly under the tango tank? I have to admit, sitting next to her while she opened baby girl clothes made me a little sad. I love having four boys but I can't wait to have a little girl to dress up (don't gasp, she will most likely be a grand daughter).

I wish I took a picture of how I dressed up my daytime outfit for the event but my camera decided to hide. Luckily I found it this morning in the laundry room (a.k.a. my garage).  I wish it had at least had the common courtesy to do a few loads while it was stranded out there. Anyways, I am sooooo ready for the three day weekend....whoot....whoot.....anybody have any great plans?

 Here is the Polyvore........

Day & Night by modestlyme featuring J Crew

Items in this set:

JCrew-Viscose tango tank (light grey heather), $50

Women's sweaters - cotton - Jackie cardigan - J.Crew, $62

Old Navy Womens The Weekend Jeans, $35

Women's Apparel: 323 Martin sexy flare textured pant: martin pants by..., $79

Seychelles Kick Up Your Heels in Black, $92

In the Navy

I thought this title was appropriate for a former Navy Brat! I wasn't sure how I'd like these two pieces together but I really did. The embellishments of the zig zag zinnia tee coordinated perfectly with the embellishments on the blooming lattice cardigan, like they were meant to be together ;)

My best friend and her family are arriving in town this morning for a few days so I may not be getting back to your comments for awhile or posting on your blogs (forgive me).

And here is the Polyvore. I actually picked up this cardigan NWT off of eBay for less then the current retail price, love it when that happens:

in the navy by modestlyme featuring Old Navy jeans

Items in this set:

Blooming Lattice Cardigan, $88

Zigzags & Zinnias Tee, $68

Old Navy Womens Blue Jet The Weekend Jeans, $13

Bandolino Adiva, $69

Reese Witherspoon And Hair. Reese Witherspoon. Medium Blonde Straight...

Some OOTDs, color repeats and the leather moto jacket

Yesterday was a "catch up" day. Ya know when you go head to head with the never ending pile of laundry, finally go throught the "I don't want to deal with this now" stack of mail and so on. I didn't get dressed or leave the house until afternoon carpool and this is what I wore:

Bubble Tank-the Loft

Cardigan-?? had it for ever

Weekend Jeans-Old Navy

As you saw the other day, I have this clothing rack full of clothes for tomorrow's class so of course now I want to wear everything on that rack because......well, because I can't. Here is what I did end up wearing to work:

Olive Stretch Flannel Top-J Crew

Belt-J Crew

Jackson Pants-Banana Republic

I got a really great question from Jenni the other day, she asked:

"So I want to know how do you decide what colors to get of cardigans/tanks/shirts? Since you have quite a few I'm sure you repeat colors from time to time...how do you decide when to get another black cardigan vs a cream, etc? That's where I always run into issues...I think to myself well, I already have 3 black cardigans, do I really need this 4th?? Know what I mean? "

Coming from someone who has 71 cardigans, I can tell you that there are still color/styles I feel that I am missing. For example, right now I really, really want an apple green jackie (or other crew neck) cardi. But for me, I have some simple rules for myself that I use when I am looking at a cardigan I already have. First off, how similar is the style? A black crew neck cardi will serve a different styling purpose  then a v-neck boyfriend cardi. Also, if it is embellished I will get the same color that I may already have in a non-embellished. I opt for a lot of color in my cardigan collection, there are so many different shades of each color it is easy not to repeat. This rule, for me is different when it comes to tanks and tees. There are three colors I am ridiculously drawn to...pale pinks, dark gray and ivory. I have to work to avoid the over purchasing of these. I try to limit myself to one top in a certain colorway that is for the same type of style/purpose. For example, one lavender top that is casual and one that is for dressier outfits.....hope this all makes sense. Howevever for nuetrals (and my favs), I will allow myelf two of each without too much guilt!

JennC asked me for some IRL photos of the leather motorcycle jacket (which I should have done ages ago). I took these early this morning before my "photographer" went to school so they are NOT very well done. I almost didn't post them because they don't do the jacket justice. I will try to get some better shots posted tonight!

Stickin' Around

I have now survived my oldest son turning 14 and returning to public school to finish 8th grade. He has been in an independent study program for the last year so it is a huge adjustment for all of us not to have him home most days. He is loving being back so that is a huge positive.

I even lived to tell that I had TWO dreaded trips to the DMV yesterday with both of the two year olds.  A combined wait time of three and a half hours with only two attempted prison breaks and no melt downs (from the little ones at least) was pretty impressive plus I only broke a sweat once.

On to some OOTD's. In the first one I was running late getting ready for church and this is just what the end result was after throwing clothes through the air. Not perfect but it has potential.

Cardigan-J Crew

Rolling Ruffles Tank-J Crew

Sirt-Merona for Target

Belt-Kohls

Shoes- J Crew (Juliet's)

And here is today's OOTD. I am not lopsided nor do I have a growth on my side. The way I was standing with my purse somehow caused me to droop. The outfit was much cuter in person.....really, I promise.

Cardigan-The Loft

Tissue Garland Tank-J Crew

Weekend Jeans-Old Navy

Lastly, here are some fun shots of two of my boys on the velcro wall, why didn't they have these things when we were kids?

A little taste of summer.........

We are having a little bit of a winter heat streak in San Diego so why not pull out the white jeans in February if it's going to be 77 degrees out?  The kids have the week off so I think we will take advantage of the weather and head on out to the zoo tomorrow before they drive me crazy.....hope you all are having a great week!

p.s. have you checked out Boden's Summer line here? I don't find it nearly as irresistable as the Spring Line but there are some great pieces. I'll share some of my favorites tomorrow!

Tango Tank-J Crew

Cropped Cardigan-Old Navy

Weekend Jeans-Old Navy

Polka Dotted Monday

Today is another crazy busy Monday. First I got to work in Chase's Kindergarten classroom and now I have to do some vacuuming, floor cleaning and counter/cabinet wiping in order to meet our other adoptions worker (yes, we have two of them plus our social worker) at 3:00. T-Ball practice is at 4:00 and then we have to leave at 5:30 to get to one of our required adoption classes............whew. I am tired just thinking about it.

Luckily, everything today is casual so one outfit will last me through the day if I want it to. I had on my juliet heels but flats just seemed more practical with everything going on. And although I have been dressed for hours, obviously the toddlers are not but they look so darn cute and comfy.

Top- DownEast Basics

Flutter Bow Cardigan- J Crew

Weekend Jeans-Old Navy

Flats-Old Navy

I postponed my trip to J Crew and Anthropologie this weekend when I saw that they had added the in-store promo 0f 30% off all sale items to the online (promo code EXTRA30). I plan on going to Anthropologie tomorrow or Wednesday so be on the look out for some reviews. In the meantime here is what I picked up on final sale from J Crew. I was good and kept the total low.

Roses and Ruffles Tank:  I am just a sucker for ruffles and roses done in knit. I had tried it on in store and liked it so I scooped it up for just $20.99

Jackie Cardigan: A Jackie also for just $20.99, how could I pass that up. All they had left in my size was the light pewter (now gone) but I am sure it will get put to good use all the same!

Silk Ruffle Cascade Jacket.....oh my!

I was going to save the debut of this jacket for the girls night out tomorrow but since a few of you requested IRL pics, I had an excuse to wear it early. I LOVE this jacket. It is a little boxy when you first put it on but it seems to deflate take a closer shape as you wear it and your arms hit it, relax it, etc. I really love the way it looks great with skinny jeans/pants tucked into boots but since it is in the mid-seventies here today you are getting a more "Springy" look.

And for an added bonus, look how cute the back is:

Silk Cascade Ruffle Jacket in Rosebud-J Crew

Silk Brulee Tank-J Crew

Weekend Jeans-Old Navy

Tiered Crystal Libretto Necklace-J Crew

Apt9 Shoes-Kohls

Mommy brain boo boo

So, when I was catching up on my blogs I saw that one of you had recreated this look from the Loft styling. I loved the way it turned out so much I decided to try it out myself but as I went to post this, I could not remember or find for the life of me, which blog I found it on to give you the credit.....I call it "mommy brain" and I am sorry!

I am off today to the bank, grocery store and one last Christmas gift. Is anyone else still scrambling for their last minute Christmas stuff? Every time I think I am all the way done, I remember something else but the list has dwindled down so I think I am actually about done this time and I better be since I work all day tomorrow!

**Update, it was Sweet Tea in Seattle's post here that I was looking for, thanks App Gal and Rae!**

White Blouse-Target

Chiffon Rose Sweater-The Loft

Jeans-Old Navy

Shoes-Target

Bed of Grey Roses

I know that oday's look is not that exciting  but I haven't even left the house yet and when I do, it will be for groceries and a trip to the bank. I am loving this Bed of Roses Tee that I picked up at The Loft the other day. I adore the salt and pepper coloring and the baggier fit balanced with the rose applique trim around the neckline. It just adds a little bit of extra polishing  to an otherwise "grubby" outfit.

LS Tee from The Loft

Banana Republic Belt

Weekend Jeans from Old Navy

Moto Jacket IRL and Today's Outfit.....

Here is what I wore today. I knew it was casual errands day but luckily my new jacket can easily be dressed down. It's structured shape has a corseted effect making it very slimming (gotta love that).

Military Ruffle Jacket from Ann Taylor Loft

Meet Cute Top from Anthropologie

Weekend Jeans from Old Navy

Mossimo flats from Target

Here is the IRL photo of the Moto Jacket at Target. It is a think jersey knit (like a sweatshirt) where the Banana Republic jacket is a very nice sweater knit. I have to admit though, I did like the Target version better on. This is a size Medium and it was comfortable but I probably could have sized down to a small for a more fitted look.