Circus circus.

Striped Tailspin tank, Madewell
Regional Embroidered Boyfriend shorts, Eddie Bauer
Initial Charms necklace, Stella & Dot
earrings, Forever 21
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

My sister got this tank when Madewell first opened up in Scottsdale Fashion Square.  So like the total copy cat that I am, I just had to have it!  It's patriotic, yet exudes an element of circus.

I always thought I would make a fantastic tightrope walker or trapeze artist.  After all, I was groomed to be a circus freak.

Bitty Mollie, circa 1982

High school Mollie, 1996

Hope you all had a great start to your Summer this Memorial Day weekend!  

Knock it off.

top, Urban Outfitters
shorts, Target
flip flops, Reef
earrings, Aldo
Idiom bangles, Kate Spade (*Thanks Mom!)
sunnies, Anthropologie

Fake-out 15 second top knot.

inspiration:
Floral Thompson
by Citizens of Humanity jeans,  Anthropologie
$185

As a rule, I try not to spend $185 for a pair of jeans.  And I have reservations about spending that much on a trendy floral print, especially at the start of the Summer season.  I'm not one of those crazy-ass people you see wearing jeans and a black turtleneck sweater in mid June when it's 108 degrees.  I figure those people must work at Sea World in the Penguin Encounter.

Anyhoo, I found these $15 shorts at Target with a knock off print of the Citizens of Humanity jeans I have on my wish list.  And unlike long thick denim, at least I can wear these shorts within the next six months... unless I start working at Sea World.

All day long.

top, Loft
Smocked Button-front Denim skirt, Old Navy
T-strap wedges, Clarks
earrings, Anthropologie
Charm bracelet, Juicy Couture
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

I wore this outfit all day long (you may congratulate me).  It's unusual that I wear an "out of the house" outfit the entire day (unless it's a stay-in-your-pj's day, of course).  Typically I would swap out this skirt and top for a pair of old cheerleading shorts and holey tank as soon as I got home from the grocery store and picking up Noah from school.  

But the kids wanted to play in the backyard beach (i.e. play in the sandbox and swim in the baby pool) and I got sidetracked digging my toes in the sand and chasing bubbles.  I was talking to my mom on the phone and, SURPRISE... Noah had a T-ball game we totally forgot about.

Between rinsing out Noah's uniform, packing up snacks for the game, getting everyone dressed, fed and ready to go to the ball park, I forgot to change.  I thought to myself, "Can I wear this to T-ball?"    

Sidenote:  Good thing I talked to my mom... Coach pitched a few balls to the kids during the game and Noah had his first big hit of the season!  Woo hoo!

And yes, I did, indeed, wear the same skirt two days in a row.  That is why Downy fabric refresher was invented.

Fragmented.

Cuentos Del Mar tunic, Anthropologie
J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie
earrings, Aldo
bag, Aldo
bracelet, Forever 21
kid, Max

My evening (and my sanity) in fragments:

Girls' night out.

Husband home late.

Fix baby's supper.

Three minute shower.

Ask for outfit pics.

Six-year-old photographer.

Baby photo bombing.

Validation from sister about needing time to myself.

Can't find a parking spot.

Eat my weight in chips and table side made salsa.

Margarita.

Laugh with new and old friends.

Sanity restored.

Olives make me gag.

Ping Pong blouse, Anthropologie

J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie

itty bitty silver locket (*Love, Jeff)

Silver Heart tag bracelet, Tiffany & Co.

Silver Ball bracelet, Tiffany & Co. (*Thanks, Abby!)

These are not olives on my shirt.  Literally my gag reflex is triggered at the thought of eating an olive.  But I like playing ping pong.  That doesn't make me gag.  

And thus concludes my random thought of the day.    

Degrees and decades.

Stitchery Peasant blouse, Anthropologie
J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie
sunnies, Karen Walker
saddlebag, Anthropologie
Leoma bangles, Chico's
clogs, Anthropologie

Summer temps are on their way to the Arizona desert.  (Groan.)  In honor of today being our last day around the 70 degree mark, I wore a little 1970's inspired outfit.  I didn't get a chance to get an outfit pic before I changed back into my sweats, so you have to use your imagination, kids.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 84 degrees.  I will be crimping my hair and wearing blue eye shadow.

Sp(brrrrr)ring!

buttondown shirt, Anthropologie
Mended Boyfriend jeans, Eddie Bauer
boots, Aldo (circa 2009)
Nuptse vest, The North Face
Original Wayfarers, Ray-Bans

(Cute kid comment alert!)  My type-A baby boy was trying ever so hard to wipe the paint splatters off of my jeans at lunch.  Poor kid is going to be annoyed his entire life.

First day of Spring?  Ha.  I don't think so... it was only a high of 58 degrees!  Brrrrr!  I know that sounds obnoxious to those of you in the rest of the country, but we are spoiled by our 70 degree temps all winter here in AZ.  So when the mercury dips below 60 we stay indoors, bunker down and hide under the covers.

But it was zoo day for playgroup, so I had to suck it up, bundle up and face the fridged temps.  Silver lining:  At least I got one good use out of my puffy vest and boots this year.

Peace. Love. Bells.

Outfit inspiration:
Linen Extreme Flare, Free People

I just love these linen bells, but they are a bit peace-lovin', bongo-playin', patchouli-wearin' hippie.  A little too much... even for me.

This is my grown-up playgroup appropriate version:      

Wide Leg Chambray Trousers, Anthropologie
Graphic tee, Old Navy
Original Wayfarers, Ray-Ban
Poppy Dream C Signature Ponytail scarf, Coach
Norma Heels, Anthropologie
Crown ID Friendship Bracelet, Juicy Couture

Peace.  Love.  Designer accessories.

Disco.

Shiloh Silk Peasant blouse, Anthropologie

J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie

Bent Rays Hoops, Anthropologie

Riika Heels, Anthropologie

What is with my obsession with peasant tops?  Well, for one I think they look so chic with chunky heels and retro flares.  Or maybe it's because they are flowy so I don't have to suck in my stomach.  Tip: Wear a peasant top to your next trip to an all-you-can-eat buffet.

(And you thought you wouldn't learn anything from this blog.  Pish-posh.)

B'gosh.

Outfit inspiration:

Calvin Klein, Spring 2009

Say it ain't so!  Overalls are back?

Holding Horses Overall Jumper, Anthropologie

Farmgirl Chic:

Holding Horses Overall Jumper, Anthropologie

Contrast Striped Tee, J. Crew

Colorblocked Strands Necklace, Anthropologie

Classic Canvas, TOMS

Do I fall under that fashion rule that says you can only wear one trend per lifetime?  I guess leg warmers are out too?

Mollie's Denim Challenge

J Brand Bette, Anthropologie
1969 legging jeans, The Gap
Boyfriend fit mended jeans, Eddie Bauer
AG Stevie ankle in green, Anthropologie

Of course jeans are my "go to" item in my closet for playgroup.  And I try to wear them as much as I can in our blip of a Winter here in AZ.  I don't have to tell you how hard it is to find the perfect pair of jeans.  But I think I might have had a breakthrough this year.  

The challenge:  Find the perfect pair of jeans.

The challenger:  Mollie.  

Stats:  Short legs, a Hungarian buttski, and residual gymnastics/cheerleading thighs.

High rise flares:

I love the 70's vibe and the classic, yet modern shape of J Brand's Bette.  I pulled them on and thought I was dreaming because there was no gap in the waistband.  This has never happened to me since the days of Oshkosh B'gosh and their genius elastic waist.  Lord knows I grew out of size 6x long ago, but I digress.  There was about 8 extra inches of fabric I was tripping over at the ankles.  I paid a pretty penny for these and didn't want to screw up the hem.  So after a quick trip to my tailor, voila!  Denim perfection. 

Jeggings:

I hate "skinny jeans."  The name alone is evil and makes me want to eat chocolate cake.  And certainly no amount of duct tape was going to get my fat athletic calves and thick denim fabric squeezed into my super cute new boots.  So started my hunt for skinny jeans.  Well, look no further than the 1969 legging jean, girls.  The Gap's answer to pajama jeans.  They aren't traditional denim fabric, but more of a soft knit and oh so comf.  Yup, folks.  I am a proud owner of jeggings.

Boyfriend jeans:    
I love to pair something really feminine with schlubby boyfriend jeans because I love the juxtaposition of the two.  I decided to give Eddie Bauer a go after I struck out at every other place.  Well, kudos to Eddie Bauer on these!  I love the extra details of the patches, paint splatters and stitch work.  I had to alter these at the waist, but overall a happy purchase.

Technicolor jeans:
I really wanted to jump on the colorful jeans bandwagon this season.  They are so fun and unexpectedly easier to pair as a neutral than you think.  I so heart the AG Stevies!  And I got a smokin' deal when I found them in the Anthro sale room (plus I had my 15% birthday coupon).  Score!  I had to take the waist in with these, but they fit everywhere else perfectly.  I have been known to wear these 4 days in a row.  Don't judge me.  Tip:  Spray a bit of Downy Wrinkle Reducer on them and you will smell April fresh.

Happy shopping, girls!