2 For Me, 1 For You

How many of you adopt the two-for-me-one-for-you rule of thumb when Christmas shopping? I do, I do! And I really don't mean to, but dang those sales and cozy sweaters and twinkling lights that all call my name...more like scream my name! Now, I live in a warm climate and I enjoy buying gifts for others and I also have adopted the concept that if it will break your heart to leave without an item, it is worth taking home (it has to be love), but that didn't seem to stop me from buying numerous sweaters and cozy hats and blankets or from buying more for myself than anyone else. It was madness and I felt guilty, but sooooo good.

Anyway...there were a bunch of amazing sales that I shopped at. I frequented stores and website alike and found some great deals that were just too good to pass up. I found myself even shopping at store I  don't typically frequent, but I found so many things at H&M, Zara, Target, Nordstrom and many many more.

This is just a small haul I decided to photograph right after I had gotten them. The rest pretty much went straight into my closet to be used almost immediately. Some of them can be found on my instagram. These particular items were from Nordstrom and Target. They may no longer be in store anymore, but it's worth a look just in case. 

This Topshop pajama set was everything. I don't even know exactly what it is about them, but I loved it. Even the girl at the counter said it was cute and thought it could be used as separates for a daily look. It is a little thin, but I don't mind that it's a bit see through as I probably won't use it outside of the house and also won't cause me
to overheat. ;)

This sweater with the bubble sleeves from Nordstrom was a random find in the clearance racks. The color was something I didn't already have and the tie detailing with the keyhole was so fun. It's comfy, casual and easy, but still chic. These leggings are also new and I think I found them at Nordstrom Rack. I've been on the hunt for leggings that aren't see through and have been coming up super short. I don't know why it's so hard to find. Even if the material is thick, if you bend over just right, ta-da. No bueno. If you have suggestions, leave them in the comments. Thanks!!!

This sweater is so much fun. I also randomly found it in the Clearance racks at Target. The main part is a regular cotton, sweater material, but the bubble sleeves are a thinner cotton material with a fun ribbon tie detail. I couldn't pass this one up. It was just so different and interesting.

This criss cross floral top was on the clearance racks as well. I originally bought it because of the way it hung on the hanger. It looked kind of like a kimono style top that tied in the front, but when I tried it on and realized that the strings were different length, I knew it was meant to be crossed and one string was supposed to wrap around the body and tie at the front. I don't mind it that way, but I think  I will use it both ways if I can figure out how to disguise the longer string. The floral print is cute and it was a great price.

This last item is obviously not from Nordstrom or Target, but just thought I'd include it since I tried it on at the same time. I love the rose gold detailing of these leggings. I'm not sure if I'm actually going to work out in these or just use them as everyday pants. I'm obsessed with Rose Gold err'thing right now. 

I have a serious shopping problem, but I'm trying to give my credit card a break and trying to let it recover some so I'm steering clear of the malls for a little bit. I'm also trying to ignore my email account filling up with sale messages. But it does kind of help that I've been distracting myself with organizing and cleaning the rest of my life and home. The sales are slowing down as well what with the end of year sales coming to an end and holiday sales being long gone. Hope you found some cute things for yourself as well. While you don't need to get out of hand like I often do, it's still nice to treat yourself once in a while. Happy New Year and may you find all the deals and feel all the pretty feels this year!!!

XO,

Stephanie

Easy Access Style ;)

I recently found myself back as a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) -- I'm not hating it...the flexibility to take care of the things I need to on my own schedule and most importantly, on the off-peak traffic schedule (you all know Honolulu has the worst traffic in the nation, right). Anyway, here I am at home again because baby number 4 arrived at the beginning of the year and I was just going to be working to pay for daycare...what was the point.

As a new mom again, I find myself starting everything all over again. I had sold off all my baby gear thinking we were done having little ones (Baby W was a pleasant surprise!). And I had only kept the baby clothes from my other kids that I REALLY loved. I had no maternity outfits left and I needed to get used to the sleepless nights and nursing and baby proofing once more. But I'm Mom. I got all of that under control...again, this isn't my first rodeo. BUT, the biggest issue I have is finding cute outfits that are also nursing-friendly.

I live in Hawaii...so long-sleeved button-down shirts/blouses are a huge NO THANK YOU! I am the type of person that would rather be cold and layer up than be hot and uncomfortable even naked. This is one of the hazards of living in paradise. So, I'm looking for cool, trendy, easy-access clothes that are still appropriate for a mom of 4. That being said, a strapless tube top wasn't going to cut it even though it fit all of the above specifications. I also know that I am not going to be having any more children (steps are being taken) and I won't be nursing forever so I want to find things that I'll still want to wear afterwards. What is a girl to do?

Some of my go-to pieces are seen on my instagram.

* I just got this shirtdress from H&M. It has sleeves, but the material is lightweight and dresses tend to be cooler since, well, the bottom allows for some airflow. 

* The white blouse I got from a local boutique called Eden In Love and it is absolutely perfect for nursing. It is flowy and cap-sleeved, but the best part is that it has zippers that go up both sides allowing for me to lift it away and nurse away.

* The last option is kind of my no fail option. A simple cami under a kimono top. I can easily pull the top of the cami down and hide baby under the kimono. I also tend to just layer a cami under a regular tee that I can simply lift up. The cami hides any belly skin from being skin (although I'm working on it, I'm not yet comfortable showing that part of me off.

I'm still on the hunt for other pieces that are nursing-friendly. If you have some cute ideas to share, please comment below!

~S

So Minty

As Spring fights to make its appearance, many colors are blooming in stores everywhere - my very favorite one being MINT! A close second is coral. In the past, I've been very comfortable with neutrals, but it's easy to introduce a tiny bit of color to brighten any look and make moms feel hot and confident chasing after kids and/or taking on all of the household chores and errands. Here are some of my top picks for incorporating the seasons hottest color in a classy way into your look now!

1. I love dainty jewelry pieces, though they are not always kid-friendly as they tug on every part of you. This adorable bracelet found at ShopDal's Etsy shop is only $14 making it reasonable to stack with several other pieces also found in the same collection. Arm candy is huge right now!

2. This is a not-so-great picture of 2 trends I'm loving. The most obvious being the mint colored watch. It is Anthropologie-inspired from Moolala (a daily sale event website). The cost was $19.99, but you can find a similar look at anthropologie.com.
    The second item is the textured nail applique on my accent nail. These are tiny little pearl-like balls that will stick to wet nail polish. (I painted a clear top coat over them to keep them a little better). I found these while taking my daughter shopping on her birthday at Claire's for about $9.00.

3. The textured nail thing can get messy, so an easier option is the nail sheets that don't require painting or drying time. These are ideal for busy moms who don't have the option to sit around waiting for your nails to dry. Sally Hansen makes these, but I found an awesome mint colored design from a Jamberry consultant. I love mint and gold together!!! You can get about 3 manicures out of one set for $15 if you use them on all 10 fingers, but I'll likely use them just as an accent once I get them. I was pretty weary of that trend at first, but it's a more subtle way of doing fun nail art without going overboard.

4. Colored pants are huge right now! I have a pair of pink ones that I love and I also love the mint! These work best when you tone down everything else. Keep the top, shoes and accessories all muted tones and you'll look fab! A white t-shirt or blazer is sophisticated with gold jewelry. This pair is from Express for $79.90, but the store usually mails out great coupons to use!

5. Here I chose an envelope clutch from Gap for $39.95. I usually sport a larger handbag where everything I need (ie. keys, credit cards, etc.) gets lost in the abyss. My husband calls my purses suitcases. But I also love clutches on those occasions I'm not trucking around 3 children like those far and few between date nights. This option is simple and sleek.

6. Last, but certainly not least, we have shoes!!! I chose a high heeled, gold accented pair because after all, my blog is called High Chairs/HIGH HEELS. :) Like the colored pants, these should be worn with neutral everywhere else. They should be the center of your look. I especially love that they are platform because they tend to be kinder to your arches. Zappos is an awesome site to find your most wanted fashion needs. These were $44.99 on sale. On the other hand, flats work perfectly well, too. The neutral rule doesn't apply as harshly here so go ahead and play with a little bit of color elsewhere. Just be sure not to cross the overboard line.

Keep in mind that the colors of Spring and Summer are very similar and range from pastels to neon. Mint can fall into either color category and transition effortlessly from season to season. Have fun with it!!!

New Year, New You

(Please note that this post was written 2 weeks ago, but I went on a trip and brought back a really, really bad cold that I am still recovering from)

Holy guacamole! It has been a really long time since I wrote a post, but I have been on a really crazy ride called life. I have been working really hard on my photography business and getting it off the ground which is taking quite a bit of my time up. There was also all that family time during the holidays and we're leaving on another trip in a few days so I'm packing, packing, packing for the 5 of us. But there is so much that I want to share with you all. I want to share the Christmas gifts I put together for my daughter's many teachers, I want to tell you all about our Christmas, I want to talk about resolutions. And I hope to get to all of that. But before I do, in celebration of my first post of the new year, I would like to talk about a few products I have recently become acquainted with that are reasonably priced and have made a difference in my life. :) I cannot stress enough how OK it is to take care of yourself as well as your families and work. Do not feel guilty...and at these prices, there is no reason to feel guilty.

The first item is Josie Maran's Bear Naked Nail Wipes. I have a tendency to linger near the checkout counter at Sephora where they keep all of the travel/trial sized products and look for new things to try at low(er) costs. These go for $9.00 for 20 pads and 1 wipe is supposed to remove the nail polish off of all 10 fingers (thought it took me 2 since I had those stubborn nail polish colors on) and treat your cuticles and nails. I was quite surprised how great my fingers felt and I was more than prepared to use the whole container of pads for my digits. And how can it get any better than proceeds going to help the polar bears. :) Oh, and I have to mention that they smell pretty good, too!! I rather enjoyed doing my own nails on a 2 hour drive to New York.

Another product I found from Sephora is Bumble and Bumble's Grooming Creme. This hair creme is meant for the women who does not have the patience or time to make fiddle with her hair every morning. That is totally me! I just ran my fingers through my hair with the product on and it kept from frizzing and acted as a very light gel/hairspray. I really liked it and it didn't make my hair feel oily or anything like what normal frizz-free serums tend to feel like.

Last, but not least is the new Botanical Effects line of face care from Mary Kay. All my time as a consultant, I used the TimeWise line, but once my last facial bar was gone, I switched it up to this line, the newest of the face care thus far. My face didn't feel dry at all after cleansing, but felt very clean. And once I applied the moisturizer, my skin just felt amazing. I am winding down my business with Mary Kay, but this is a great product I have come to love at the last minute. And I can't fail to mention that it is made from natural ingredients.

Are there any new things you've tried recently that I should know about?

All I want for Christmas

Gosh, time is just flying by. Here I thought I was ahead of the game with planning my son's birthday party and somehow it is coming up a week from today! I did my best to work make a majority of my decorations, menu, and other plans DIY to save a bit of dough. I will post more on that once the event actually happens. :)

Anyway, the reason I'm here tonight is because, as I said, time is just comin' and goin' without warning. The holidays are on its way and I don't want them to sneak up on me. So, we started doing some Christmas shopping today. However, this is not about the kids. This is about...well, me. There are tons of "What's Hot" toy lists going around, but what about big girl gifts? I'm not into those perfume sets (Calgon take me away?) or fruit cake. In fact, I'm usually pretty happy with something for my kids...but I find myself putting together a little something anyway.

When I'm asked what I want for Christmas every year, I never know what to say. Truly, Christmas time means family time and tradition and thankfulness and love and charity to me. That's my politically correct version of an answer. Haha. But seriously, Christmas is about the kids. And I absolutely love the feeling of picking out a special gift that the recipient truly loves. I put so much into picking the right gift for each person that is special to me. So when I'm put on the spot, I'm never prepared. But I'm only human and there are material objects that exist that my heart desires. Here is the Christmas list I've come up with.

• A food processor These things intrigue me and I would love to try some recipes out...for example some yummy salsa!!! This one is small and reasonably priced for a newbie to the appliance with decent reviews and the best part, it's pink!!! I'll be looking for some great Black Friday deals on this one. :)

• Conair Jumbo Ion Shine Instant Heat Soft Hair Setter I've read some pretty decent reviews on various websites for this basic set for a beginner like me. Who doesn't want Victoria's Secret waves while I'm getting myself ready without standing in front of the mirror for half an hour with a curling iron. But I may need more than one set for the amount of hair I have and I may have to do it at night. I'm really not a morning person :p

• A Nikon 1 J1 Digital Camera I am a new portrait photographer trying to start a business and a self proclaimed Mommarazzi. I have one of those big DSLR cameras that I take everywhere with me! However, I would absolutely love to be able to carry a camera around that takes great quality pictures, but is not so bulky and a huge PITA! I think this one would be a great supplement for every day pictures with my family on outings and at events where the moments are important to me, but they don't have to be professional grade shots. Besides, it just looks sexy!!!

• A piece of plexiglass I would like a nice sized piece of thin plexiglass for taking studio portraits. It just gives pictures a sleek, nice touch. My hubby knows where to find this...Home Depot.
• A massage Being a mom takes a toll on your entire being. The relaxation, the pampering, the quiet time is essential to rejuvenating ones self. You must take care of yourself in order to better take care of others. It's OK to be a little selfish once in a while. So go ahead and enjoy.

Based on this list, it seems as though I'm looking to try new things. I didn't even realize it until I put things down on paper...well a virtual piece of paper I guess. Haha.

I don't expect gifts. I really don't. But if I happen to be on your list this year,  I hope you know I truly appreciate your thinking of me.  I hope, if anything, this list at least helps my husband. :) Though I love it even more when he is creative and puts thought into picking the right gift and surprising me. I love you, honey!

Hope you get all you ask for under your tree this year!

XOXO,

What's in the Mirror

This is a boring one, but I thought I'd put it out there anyway. After 3 kids I dont expect to look the same as I did before they were even thought of...ok, I'm a woman so of course they were thought of...but you know what I mean. Anyway, my husband has been on a health kick. I was right there with him for a while. And when I say right there with him I mean in spirit for the first couple of weeks and then I actually even worked out with him...that lasted a whole week! Haha.  But somehow at some point I fell off the wagon and now here I am.

I suppose I'm not the only one which is why America has the problems it does. So why is it that our society puts so much pressure on everyone to look their best yet motivation is fleeting and will power, in my case, is nonexistent. I look in the mirror and wish the excess away as if I have melt away vision. How do people do it? I'm not exactly comfortable with my reflection (though I try my best to maintain fabulosity because moms deserve it, too) but it doesn't seem like enough to get my butt moving. *shrug*

Anyway, on another note, I have such a long list of projects I want to do, but not enough time to do it!!! Ahh...stay posted for what's to come!

Minor Details

Ever since the Android Market released the Pinterest App, I have been going crazy pinning - mostly Fall looks, easy recipes, and birthday party ideas for kids. And I have been trying a few of them out as well and wanted to share how it worked for me here, but of course, the internet decided to check itself out and we're having issues getting any real help from the cable company...grrrrr! Nonetheless here I am amidst this issue borrowing internet from the nearby community center because I just couldn't wait any longer.

For me multi-use clothing is essential for this penny pinching momma. Don't get me wrong, I'm often a brand (excuse my language) whore, but I will also look for the best price on the item or work in some kind of discount to my advantage. So finding a look that could transition from Summer to Fall on Pinterest got me all kinds of hot and bothered! Hahaha. This look takes the bright colors of the warm weather months to comfy cozy chic of the briskier temperatures approaching. And I'll even share my secret to where I got my mock-up look. But first, here is the original pin:

Pinned from here.

And here is my version (please excuse the smudge on the mirror as my mini diva enjoys looking at herself as well):

Pocket Maxi Dress from a boutique I love here (used a $25 gift card promotion from Facebook)

Express cardigan - old and found on clearance, but cardis are currently everywhere so find one you love

Leopard infinity scarf here (used my 10% military discount and if you took the survey on the receipt after your last purchase, you can stack that on there too)

Black wedges here.

Enjoy!

Ketchup

Wow! Hello 'ol friend! It has been such a long time...I guess I have been on kind of a blogging hiatus. But not to worry...that's coming to an end. Our month long vacation to Hawaii was fun, but now we are home and have gotten back into the swing of our day to day life as well as preparing for school to start up again!

To start off...traveling with 3 under 5 was challenging to say the least. We had lots of stuff that we stuffed into a minimal amount of bags and suitcases. We brought along our bulky double stroller and 2 car seats. Our oldest has been a frequent flyer since she was a month young so other than her repeated "Are we there yet?" every half hour or so she did pretty well. And of course, our youngest wasn't particularly difficult. The biggest challenge was that his feeding times happened to coincide with the times we had to check in and board, etc. The number 2 child, on the other hand, was a ball of energy who could not and would not be confined to a stroller or mommy's or daddy's laps. He really wanted nothing to do with sharing the computer tablet with sissy to watch movies or to read or to color. No, he wanted to run around or play musical parents. Nonetheless no passengers were hurt in the process and we all survived in tact.

That long flight across the country is pretty brutal. It's a surprise the hubby and I didn't strangle each other. Even had we been sans kids, the longevity of the flight and discomfort of those confined seats were enough to drive us mad. And with the 6 hour time difference and lack of sleep on the flights, it took a good week or so for us to get back to normal. The kids were going to bed anywhere between 9pm and midnight. The hubby started back to work after a couple of days. It was a task, but here we are, trying to enjoy what remains of the summer before the kids head off to school and the air gets a bit more chilly and brisk.

Because we were away for a good majority of the summer, we had some catching up to do (Ketchup).  We took a tour of my daughter's new school where she will be entering Kindergarten, scheduled screenings and doctor's appointments, and had to shop for back-to-school essentials like reusable thermoses, a minimal amount of school supplies and most important of all...clothes! The kids got a few things they needed...and well didn't need...and Mommy got a few things to spruce up her closet for the upcoming Fall. That brings me to the topic of the day. I found several looks on Pinterest that will definitely take its' place in my Fall wardrobe. I found many affordable pieces that you can find at a store near you in order to stay on trend with the Pinterest and real world just like me! :)

The first trend is Animal Print. This can be kind of intimidating or over the top, but done right, you can pull it off in a minimal and conservative yet glamorous way as well.

Everyday buys: Xhiliration Faux Leather Moto Jacket ($39.99, Target), Mossimo Pocket Tee ($8.00, Target), Leopard Infinity Scarf ($14.94 Old Navy), Black classic skinny jeans ($10.80, Forever 21), Tassled Zipper Tote ($34.80, Forever 21), Square Sunglasses ($5.80, Forever 21).

Everyday buys: Straight Jean ($29.99, American Eagle Outfitters), Fitted Stretch Shirt ($19.95, H&M), Square Sunglasses ($5.80, Forever 21), Zip-Pocket Blazer ($39.99, Charlotte Russe), Chelsea Flat ($16.99, Payless Shoes), Chocolate New York Satchel ($44.99, Target), Leather Belt ($12.95, H&M), Shimmering Rhinestoned Ring ($5.80, Forever 21).

The next couple of looks are Classic. They won't go out of style. The first is your typical Fall colors: black and brown while the second look includes a pop of color that will transition from the bright looks of summer.

Everyday buys: V-neck Dress ($29.95, H&M), Studded Crisscross Lace Belt ($6.80, Forever 21), Wayfarer Readers ($5.80, Forever 21), Lace Back Wedge Boot ($42.50, Charlotte Russe), Fold-over Quilted Evening Bag ($19.50, Charlotte Russe)

Everyday buys: Striped Drop Shoulder Sweater ($19.80, Forever 21), Aviator Sunglasses ($5.80, Forever 21), Lock & Key Necklace ($5.80, Forever 21), Structured Bag ($24.95, H&M), Metal Trim Hip Belt ($4.80, Forever 21), Life in Progress Destroyed Skinnies ($27.80, Forever 21), Layered Flower Studs ($3.80, Forever 21), Lacquered Zigzag Bangle Set ($12.80, Forever 21), Mother of Pearl Gold Bracelet Watch ($19.99, Target), Almond Toe Wedges ($24.80, Forever 21)

I totally hate when I click on a pin and it takes me nowhere because it's spam or I have to go hunting for the source or better yet, it's just a gallery of pictures and there is no source for where you can find those fabulous fashion finds you've been pinning and pinning and pinning to your boards. So, I've taken it upon myself to find a few of my own and on sites I frequent and are reasonably priced. :) Yay! Hope its helpful to you, too!

Enjoy!

Mix & Match

Phew! It has been quite a while since I posted a blog. How in the world did I keep quiet for so long. I'll tell ya...I was sick for a few days...some kind of stomach bug I suppose. And the days that I was feeling well enough to do more than sit on the couch while the kids played nearby, I have been preparing for our family vacation. It's quickly approaching and in actuality, I'm starting to get a little nervous aside from the excitement. I have not had to pack for a family of 5 before and the idea of flying 10 hours with a high-energy toddler is nerve-racking. The plus side is that I will be near family and anything I have forgotten can probably be attained there. :)

Anyway, as promised, I am here to offer personal advice on packing light...as light as possible anyway. Here it's all about the clothes and mixing and matching items in order to provide full outfits for the entire trip without recycling a single put-together look. I took a total of 13 tops and dresses and 6 bottoms for a month-long excursion (thank goodness for washers and dryers at my parents' house :] ). These items included 5 basic tanks in different neutral colors for layering, 3 blouses that fall into the following trends - color blocking, sheer coolness and the chambray shirt. Rounding out the tops and dresses includes a bold cobalt blue dress, a nautical striped maxi dress, a going out dress for church and/or nice dinners out, a scarf vest for layering and an asymmetrical cardigan. The bottoms were a range of shorts, boyfriend jeans, and 1 pair of leggings (one of my staples). Here are those items.

The key to the success of not recycling a single look is the accessories. I chose a few summer must-haves like a straw fedora, a bib necklace, aviator sunglasses, cat eye sunglasses, a light scarf and gold bangles amongst others.

Below are 22 looks that I came up with (not including the night out dress). I used each top 2-3 times and the dresses twice each as they are both bold numbers and would probably be best used at significantly different times of the vacation. I apologize for the white shorts being washed out with the white background. Now 22 days does not complete our vacation, and no I will not be strutting my birthday suit for the remainder of my time there, however I have taken into consideration that I will probably do some shopping especially at my favorite boutiques that I have missed so very much. In fact, I have already sent my best friend to pick a few things I just had to have (in case it wasn't there when I got in :] ). Shh...don't tell the hubby. Hehe.

Seeing as it is summer time, we will probably be spending a lot of time around water. So, I am taking 2 bathing suit tops and 2 bottoms that can also be mixed and matched to create 4 by the water looks. Throw in the sunnies and fedora and we're good to go! I'll be looking for a sarong when I get there. ;)

Now, I will be doing the same for the hubby and children as well. This will definitely be tons lighter than packing a month's worth of clothes for all 5 of us. Our items will be rolled rather than folded and the items that can wrinkle easily or should lay flat will be on top. This will create much more packing space. However, you need to be careful with this because it can cause luggage to be over the airline's weight limits. Besides, we want to save room for anything we may be bringing back home for our visit.

Hope this was helpful and fun. Let me know about your packing adventures and any other recommendations you may have.

Real Live Barbie Doll

I decided that today, I wanted to erk my daughter just as much as she had been erking me...that's what 5-year-olds are supposed to do apparently. Anyway, I tortured her by making her participate in a "photo shoot" in five different outfits.  I had to bribe her to do this for me by allowing her to use some of my lipgloss. The shade - Fancy Nancy. As you will see, it didn't take long for her to get into the whole idea. She posed herself while I just kept pressing the shutter button. I took today's trends and translated them into girls' outfits and the best part is that each piece was $20 AND UNDER!!! I love quality brands, especially when they are on SALE!!

BOLD IS BEAUTIFUL

Here we used a bold colored flower applique shirt (Crew Cuts Outlet) paired with colorful striped tights (Circo @ Target) and of course, a sequined tutu from (Gap). Every girly girl owns tulle skirts in every girl...I know mine does. The color of the year is tangerine, but my daughter's fav color is purple so we went with that. Besides, I think tangerine would wash out with the tan she's been getting from playing outside at school.

PRETTY PASTELS

I chose a teal skirt (Gap) for this look because it's flowy and cool for summer and paired it with a grey bowed tank (also Gap). We can't forget the accessories. Here I chose a brown zebra print scarf (Gymboree). It's very light and airy so still great for summer. I thought the grey toned down the color of the skirt. Colors are great for children, but if I were to let my daughter pick out her own outfits for the day, she would have one color on top, a totally different color on bottom. I am loving pastels this summer. I am working on dyeing my own pastel pink jeans at the moment, in fact.

SUMMER DRESS

Summer dresses are a staple for the season. They are light, and flowy and cool in the warm weather. I chose a neutral butterfly sleeveless dress with gold accents and a matching gold butterfly headband (both Gap). So precious.

CASUAL COOL

Layering has been a trend for years now. This is a hip way to layer for the warm weather. The side tie pink tank (Gap) layered with a denim vest (H&M) is boho chic over a pinstriped denim skirt (Target). The vest is versatile and would look adorable with a floral dress and pink flatters every little girl!

AHOY MATEY!!!

A simple white tank (Gymboree) over a nautical skirt (TJ Maxx) is essential for the summer months. It's classy, sophisticated, yet playful. And we especially love this style since daddy is, after all, a sailor!

Who says that kids can't be stylish in their play wear? Our children are a reflection of us so why not take a little extra care in how they look, too? And it doesn't have to break the bank, either. Super cute outfits can be found at many consignment shops and thrift stores, too. Plus, it's so much fun to dress our little girls up as if they are real live Barbie dolls. I know my daughter is my little protege or mini-me as many people refer to her. 

Have fun dressing your little doll!

I did one of my Mary Kay facial parties last night. It was my first time out alone in a very long time and I was really looking forward to it. There was a good turnout of guests and I had fun. So, this got me thinking of my next post. I know that many of us mommies are extremely busy...especially if you are working outside of the home or have more than one child. Either way, once you become a mom, life changes dramatically and your world revolves more around your child(ren) and less around yourself. But I believe that part of feeling good on the inside has to do with looking good on the outside. I rarely leave home without at least a little bit of face paint. Even when I have literally 5 minutes to get myself ready, I can pull what I call (and what the Mary Kay company has labeled) the 2-minute-look.

The 2-minute-look is made up of only 3 key ingredients: mascara, blush/bronzer, and lip color be it lipstick, lip gloss or some kind of hybrid. Of course, we all brush our teeth and style our hair or, in my case, throw it up in a messy bun. Then we often run out the door without a second look in the mirror because quite frankly, that might scare us straight. That's where the 2-minute-look comes in. A good routine consists of washing and moisturizing your face twice a day. Once you've gotten that taken care of, your skin should look and feel good naked...no foundation, no powder...just you. But eyes are often one of those characteristics that draw others in. Adding some mascara helps make them pop no matter what color they are and without the extra fumbling around.

One of Mary Kay's newest mascara products is the Lash Love mascara which gives a fuller, thicker look to your lashes.

Second, adding some color to your cheeks gives dimension to your face and offers a beautiful glow to the natural color of your skin. Being that it's summer, bronzer is a great option and gives you that sun-kissed glow without the damaging affects of soaking up the rays.

Mary Kay has four amazing bronzing powders in various shades. They come in dual color compacts. Mixed together the two shades offer more dimension and the ability to blend well with your natural color. Used as is (light on top and dark on bottom) along your cheek bones can enhance your cheek bones or give the appearance of high cheek bones even if you don't have them.

Last, but not least, the perfect pout makes a world of difference. Lipstick often adds more color to your lips while lip gloss offers a less dramatic, fuller look with its sheer and often shimmery components. Come on, haven't you been obsessed with lip gloss since you were a young lady? It's typically the first makeup product we're introduced to and remains a staple in every woman's cosmetic bag.

Mary Kay's Liquid Lip Color offers the color of a lipstick, but the feel of a lip gloss with the added vitamins and nutrients to keep your lips feeling soft even after all the face paint is removed.

Now, time yourself the next time you're getting ready and let me know how you feel with the natural, quick look you get in 2 minutes or less!!!

You can find similar products to these listed in your local super store or drugstore or you can contact your Mary Kay representative for the ones you see here. For those of you in the Hawaii or Connecticut area, you can shop online with me at www.marykay.com/s_elkins.

Hope you found this helpful! Come back soon!

One Foot Out of the Box

There are a whole bunch of curious and colorful trends out there these days - 80's neon, printed nail art, and colorful hair. I'm more on the conservative end of the spectrum when it comes to style, but I still love fashion! So, I saw an ad in InStyle Magazine for Sultra hair extensions sold at Sephora for $18. These are just small chunks of vibrant-colored hair. They come in red, pink, purple, blue and various cheetah patterns as well. Against my hubby's disapproval, I decided to pick up a box and try the purple since I have very dark hair and thought it would blend the best. I kind of like it and am thinking of picking up a couple more boxes just to spread it out more throughout my hair. I'm very lazy when it comes to doing my hair in the mornings...mostly because I am NOT a morning person. But this pop of color gives it some of the attitude that I want without much effort. It's a snap...literally!

Even after seeing it in my hair, my husband is not the least bit convinced. In fact, the first time I wore it (I didn't tell him I had purchased it) I asked him if he had noticed anything different. He said that he saw it, but didn't want to acknowledge it. Oh geez...haha. Whatever. I love his admiration, but I don't need his approval for everything I do to myself. It is something fun that I wanted to try out. At least it's removable and not permanently colored ROYAL PURPLE! I don't have the guts to actually dye my hair anyhow. :P

Yesterday we spent the morning at the beach. Mother Nature couldn't make up her mind between rain or shine, so once it started coming down, we packed it up and headed back home. It was kind a family day...just being together snuggling or playing. I had the slow cooker on since about midnight with a pork roast in it seasoned with coarse sea salt and liquid smoke. This made a fabulous Kalua Pork meal. It tasted almost like home. Kalua Pork is a great family meal they make by cooking a pig in an underground oven (an imu) and is often served at luaus. My husband was quite excited for it and had 2 large servings while my son tried to take over my plate after his own dinner. 

Hope you had a great weekend, too, whether it was rainy or shiny. I'm going to enjoy the peacefulness of the rest of the morning while my boys nap doing odds and ends around the house. And after I pick my daughter up from school, it's all up in the air. We'll see what kind of mood my rat pack is in. :) Have a fabulous day!