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.

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.

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.)

Now and Then.

Outfit inspiration:
The young cast of Now and Then
(*Source: IMDB)

Who didn't want to live this movie as a young girl?  Except for the whole getting stuck in the storm sewer thing, of course.  Ew.  That was then.  Now, my own mother makes fun of me, calling me Sam's Grandma (played by the hilarious Cloris Leachman) when I sweep the crumbs up while my kids are still eating.

What?  I hate crumbs.  And my kids are messy.

Now, I need this top!  Love the fly-away back with the tie details.  Definitely on my wish list.

Kimberly Boatneck, Anthropologie  

Now (Spring):

J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie
Buckled Peep-Toe Wedges, Anthropologie

Then (Summer):

Denim Roll-up bermudas, Old Navy

Frye "Wendy" Tassel Moccasin, Nordstrom

I think young Sam would wear this to ride her banana seat bike around town and perseverate on Dear Johnny.

Dot dot dot.

Women's Printed Pullover, Old Navy

I must have seen this same top on 10 different style blogs.  Did everyone buy this sweater?  Well, it checks all my boxes:  thin, cotton, 3/4 sleeve, cute little print.  And for $24.94 (on sale now for $20!).  I mean, how can you go wrong?

PTO Meeting:

Women's Printed Pullover, Old Navy
AG Stevie ankle, Anthropologie
Gumdrop earrings, kate spade
Reva leather ballet flats, Tory Burch

Date Night:

Women's Printed Pullover, Old Navy
AG Stevie ankle, Anthropologie
Intyce boots in cognac, Steve Madden

Playgroup at the Park:

Women's Printed Pullover, Old Navy
Boyfriend jeans, Express
Classic Canvas in red, TOMS

Lunch with the Girls:

Women's Printed Pullover, Old Navy
Vince Camuto Pleated shorts, Nordstrom
Reva leather ballet flats, Tory Burch
Daisy earrings, Juicy Couture

Dear Natalie,

You're so right!  You do need these...

AG Stevie Ankle in Gold, Anthropologie

...and these, and these, and these, and these, and these too.

AG Stevie Ankle jeans, Anthropologie
Wine, Blue, Bone, Sulfur Plum, Purple

I guess that means I do too.  I wouldn't want you to go shopping all by your lonesome.  What kind of friend would I be?

Breakin' the Law

Climbing Thicket pullover, Anthropologie 2010
AG Stevie jeans in white, Anthropologie
Steve Madden Intyce boots in Cognac

Fashion law states that you can't wear white after Labor day.  I beg to differ.

Afternoon Pinochle

Pinochle blouse, Anthropologie

I must have tried this blouse on during three different trips to Anthropologie before deciding to commit.  Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood and would say, "Pass."  But something kept calling me back.  Maybe it was a sale.

I'm really happy with this purchase and found it to be a more versatile piece than I thought.

Look #1:  70's Chic  (Girl's Night Out)

Pinochle blouse, Anthropologie
J Brand Bette jeans, Anthropologie
Infinity charm necklace, Stella and Dot
Hammered Disc earrings, Dillard's
Bardot Spiral bangle, Stella and Dot
Norma Heels, Anthropologie

Look #2:  Modern Boho  (Shopping)

Pinochle blouse, Anthropologie
3" Chino shorts, J. Crew
Hammered Disc earrings, Dillard's
Decker Boyfriend watch, Fossil
Dandy wedge booties, Skechers

Look #3:  So Cal Hippie  (Out for Lunch)

Pinochle blouse, Anthropologie
Black leggings, The Limited (Similar)
Hammered Disc earrings, Dillard's
Intyce boots in Cognac, Steve Madden

Mr. Green Jeans

center:  AG Stevie ankle jeans, Anthropologie
clockwise:  Pocket and Some Swing tee in blue, Fluttered Hem tee,  Sailboats Boyfriend tee by Pilcro, Dotline Boatneck, Racer tank, black and white striped tee (Similar) (*The Gap),  Draped Snail tank, Washed Chambray Buttondown, Slubby Scoopneck, Every Saturday tee, Tarpan Buttondown in red motif.
Anthropologie (unless indicated *)

I have been wearing pj's for a solid 3 weeks as I recover from my surgery.  So I literally have been dreaming up outfit combos to wear when I'm back in action.  I'm obsessed with my favorite new pair of jeans.  And when I think of green as a neutral, I find I can get more creative with what to pair together.  Just call me Mr. Green Jeans!  (That reference just pin-pointed my age.)

Outfit inspiration:
Mr. Green Jeans, "Captain Kangaroo"

Giggle:

This is a pic my sister sent seconds after I posted this entry.  "Coincidence?"  Great style runs in the family.

Abby, in her green AG Stevies, enjoying today's blog entry. 

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!