What I Wore

I really am loving the cooler weather, but truth be told, my pink hair is totally cramping my fall style. haha.  This week I'm getting rid of it, and back to brunette it is. I'm definitely ready for it,  though, I've loved the funny comments I've gotten from people along the way. :)  Time for a change.

Dress: Local Boutique
Jacket: Vera Wang for Kohls
Belt: Down East Outfitters
Scarf: J. Crew
Pants: Express
Boots: A random cowboy shop in Jackson Hole, WY :)

What I Wore

I am loving this cooler weather. Don't get me wrong, Summer is the best, but the one thing that keeps me sane living in a place that gets like a zillion degrees below zero is clothing options.  I can only take summer clothes for so long, before I start itching for some sweaters, boots, hats, scarves and coats.  While It's not quite cold enough to wear all that, I'm taking a stand against sandals.  Okay, so that's a bit dramatic, but lets just say, I'm thrilled that fall has finally arrived.  

Top and Necklace: Ella Bella Boutique

Pants: Urban Couture

Boots: Urban Outfitters

What I wore: Family Pictures

Life is delicate, No? We work so hard and worry so much about making it the way we want. Yet, We have such little control over it. In a single instant our entire world can change. A child gets sick or a spouse is taken before we can prepare. People save their entire lives just to lose everything they've worked for.  Women that would make incredible Mothers struggle to become them.  The worst part is that not one of us is invincible and it's only a matter of time before we are faced with our own trials. 

 My way of coping with these thoughts is through memories.   Making them, I mean. And taking way more pictures than my family appreciates.  I never want to regret not having documented each and every stage of life. Not because I want to live in the past, but because when things get rough, we need something to remind us what makes it all worth it.

And so you see why I love having family pictures taken. Especially by someone as talented as Jennifer Fauset.  She was a gem to work with, and the photos are exactly what I was looking for. Seriously, I could spend hours on her blog looking at all her beautiful work.

What We Wore:

Me:

Top and Scarf: J. Crew

Skirt: Target

Belt: Downeast Outfitters

Shoes: Steve Madden

Jewelry: Express

Steve:

Undershirt: Target

Button down: J. Crew

Sweater: Gap

Pants: Express

Shoes: Aldo

Alfie:

Shirt: Crew Cuts

Cardigan, Jeans and Shoes: Gap Kids

Juju:

Shirt and Necklace: Crew Cuts

Cardigan: Baby Gap

Jeans: Joe Jeans

Boots: Target

Hairbow: Made by me 

What I Wore

Top: TJ Maxx

Skirt: J. Crew

Shoes: Via Spiga

Bracelets: Express

Bow tie: Dear Lizzie

I bought this handmade bow brooch a month or two ago and have been trying to figure out what to wear it with. I was finally inspired when I saw the new Bolo Tie from Freshly Picked.  She is one talented lady when it comes to sewing leather. Seriously, jump over there and check out her baby moccasins. You'll melt, I promise. 

What I Wore

I am completely and utterly infatuated with the new J. Crew Minnie Pant. It's got a similar look to colored denim, but is far more comfortable and I think, more flattering. Seriously, go try a pair on. You'll think the dressing room turned into a time machine and you have your high school butt back. :)

Top and Pants: J. Crew

Shoes: Miz Mooz

Glasses: Nordstrom BP

What I Wore

Top: Downeast Outfitters

Dress: Our Little Store

Earrings: J. Crew

Bracelets: Express

What I Wore

I've been a bit obsessed with shopping at local boutiques lately, there is one in particular that I've been driving by for a couple years now and have never stopped by.  The shop name is "Our Little Store" and without sounding like a total snob, I didn't like the name, I'm not sure why, but I never went in. Okay, that's sounds really bad. Talk about judging a book by it's cover! I cannot believe all the good finds I picked up at my new favorite shop ;) They aren't online, but I tried talking the owner into it, because I know you all would love her taste. My most sincere apologies for acting like a total brat.

Top: local boutique Our Little Store

Jeans: Joes Jeans

Shoes and Sunglasses: Target

Bracelet and Earrings: Forever 21

What I Wore

Mixing prints has always been a topic of debate,  but not in my world. In fact, it's one of my favorite things to do. I found this top and could not spot a single thing in my closet that made me like it, until I pulled out the old faithful, leopard print pants. Just the bite of edginess it needed then added a pair of heels and I'm set.  

Top: TJ Maxx

Pants: Target

Shoes: SteveMadden from Nordstrom

Eiffel Tower Earrings: Betsey Johnson from Nordstrom Rack. 

What I Wore

I saw this dress in the window of a local shop while I was running errands and thought it looks like an easy wear.  You know what I mean, right? It's easy to wear, when you don't have to try so hard to layer, accessorize or the like.   I was stoked when I spotted it, but a little bummed when I saw the super low back, But after hauling my two tired and grumpy kids into that shop, I was not about to give up the dream. I cut up an old J.Crew tank top from last summer and stitched it into the back. I kinda like how it turned out.  

Dress: Ambiance from Ella Bella Boutique

Earrings: Forever 21

Now that was easy.

What I Wore

Dress and T: Target

Vest: H&M (Holland)

Sandals: Minnetonka 

Earrings and Bracelet: Forever 21

What I Wore

Did you know the J.Crew outlet has separate designers from the regular J.Crew store?

 I found that interesting. 

Unfortunately, the price difference seems to be minimal and oddly enough I prefer the designs at the outlet. 

A wedding reception:

 Top and skirt: J. Crew Outlet

Tights: Target

 Shoes: Steve Madden

Earrings: Nordstrom Rack

Church Service

Top and Skirt: J.Crew Outlet

Cardi: Gap

Shoes: Steve Madden

What I Wore

 I love to wear jeans, and a T-shirt on a daily basis, dressed up with some huge earrings and a killer pair of shoes.  I've been crazy for all the colored denim to take my "casual" up a notch, so you can imagine my delight at the discovery of these leopard print jeans... 

Jeans and T: Target

Shoes: Minnetonka (bought in Yellowstone)

Earrings: Nordstrom

Pin It

What I Wore

 

Do you ever buy something and then forget about it? It's like finding 20 bucks in last year's winter coat. I was so excited when I remembered this skirt I purchased about 2 months ago and haven't enjoyed. I pulled it out Sunday and wore it to church.

Skirt and Top: Express

Tights and Earrings: Target

Shoes: Steve Madden from Nordstrom

Pin It

What I Wore

 Date Night is my saving grace. It's the one time a week, I undoubtedly get to feel feminine (unless, of course, we are lassoing cattle), This one day each week I do something just for me...get pretty. If you have kids or are a human being, then you probably know what I'm talking about. 

I wore:

Tunic:  Ark & Co -Burlington Coat Factory

Shirt: Target

Belt: Downeast Outfitters

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Miz Mooz- Nordstrom

Earrings: Express

What I Wore: The "other" Anniversary

Photo Taken by Collin Kartchner Studios

Steve and I have 2 Anniversaries. The First, when we were legally married and the other, when we were sealed as a family in the Salt Lake Temple. Our church allows us to have a special ceremony in the temple where we are sealed to our families and no matter what happens to any of us, as long as we are good people, we get to spend eternity together... sounds pretty amazing to me. 

We got sealed 4 years ago, when Alfie was only 8 months old, and any children we have had or will have thereafter are born into the covenant and are already sealed to us.  

Members of our faith usually get married in the temple and are sealed on that day, but Steve and I did things a little backwards. Sometimes, the plans we make for ourselves don't match the plans God has for us, but then we wouldn't be who we are today if it weren't for our trials and experiences. 

I love that the occasion falls near Valentine's day, a day to celebrate love. There is nothing in this wide world I adore more than these people. 

Our wedding Anniversary is always celebrated with a trip for Steve and I and our sealing Anniversary is generally celebrated as a family.  This year is was a nice (I won't say quiet) dinner out with the kids.

I wore:

Top: Forever 21

Skirt: Lu Lu Luxe

Leggings: Gap

Shoes: House of Harlow

Bracelet: Ted Baker

What I Wore: Manhattan, NY

I spent the weekend in Manhattan for my friend's Birthday. I'm pretty sure I packed enough to stay for a fortnight, but 3 days later we were packing to leave... and with twice as much stuff as I brought ;)  Can't leave with out I heart NY shirts for every one I know, because let's be honest, who doesn't love it?

I Wore:

Top: J. Crew

Cardigan: Gap

Jacket: Esley from Dear Lizzie Boutique

Scarf: Target

Jeans: G. Star from Bastille

Glasses: Ray-Ban

Top: J. Crew

Jacket: J. Crew

Scarf: Target

Pants: Forever 21

Boot Socks: Target

Boots: Etienne Aigner

What I Wore: Christmas Service

Top Hat: Nordstrom (Christmas Gift from Steve)

Dress: Kohls

Slip: Made by me

Cardigan: Nordstrom

Shoes: BP Nordstrom

What I wore: Live Nativity

What I wore:

 Coat: Anthropolgie

Sweater: Splendid

Shirt: Gap

Pants: Paper Denim

Shoes: Hunter

What I should have worn:

I love going out during the holidays with my family, but good heavens at only 18 degrees outside what was I thinking!  1.2 seconds after we got out of the car, Alfie screamed out that his eyes were hurting.  It was that cold.  Thankfully the kids were dressed a little more appropriately than I was, and I would not have missed this amazing live nativity just to be warm.  It was our first year going and it was truly magical.

They drove us up in horse trailers (is that legal?) and dropped us off at a farm, where they had bonfires to stand around and hear from shepherds who told us their stories. We walked up a bit and saw real goats, camels and donkeys as well as soldiers on horses. They also had a barn where you could hear the three wisemen talk about their gifts and see people weaving baskets and rugs as well as making pottery and bread. We walked across to the other barn where they had carolers singing on the top balcony to set the feeling before we entered the stable where everyone got quiet with reverence and we walked by the most peaceful, precious, sleeping baby who was supposed to be the baby Jesus.  It was all so incredible, and the hot chocolate they served afterwards helped warm us up for the walk back down.  What a great experience for our family. This is definitely the start of a new tradition.  

What I Wore: Church

One of the benefits of going to church each week is being able to get dressed up and feel pretty. If you've ever stopped working and had the chance to stay home with kids, then you know why I love this. While it's not my #1 reason for attending, it is nice to buy those dresses you might normally think you'd have no where to wear and I am an avid believer (by the influence of my parents) that if you are going somewhere to worship you should always look your best.  

I Wore:

Dress: Dear Lizzie Boutique

Belt: Vintage

Tights: Target

Shoes: Steve Madden -The Hubby picked them up at Last Chance while he was in AZ.  Have you been there? It pretty much rocks my world.) 

Linking to Pleated Poppy

Pin It

What I wore: Bags

I had a request to do a post on the bags I wear and where I buy them. The purse in the photo above was bought a boutique in Vegas but I'll be honest, I don't buy a lot of bags. 

I really want to though. When I see them in all their glory at the department store, I really want to buy them, but my true fetish is shoes and that tends to trump any accessory that might call out to me.  

So, you can imagine my joy when Steve picked me up this l.a.m.b. clutch/bag for our anniversary

(all by himself, mind you).  I'm so in love, and I like my husband too :)

I think another reason I don't purchase many handbags is because I love to sew and since I don't think ruffle pants would look great on me, it's one of the few items I can sew for myself with all the gorgeous cotton fabrics at my fingertips.  

Here are some of the bags I've sewn lately (and use ALL the time) :

1. The Down Home Tote, which I modified to function as a camera bag.

2. The Perfectly Pleated Clutch . Started out as a clutch and ended up as a makeup bag. 

3. The Sew Obsessed Bag, The bag I use everyday in every way.  

4. Key Keeper coin purse. I hooked this onto my keys and slip my phone into it when I'm at the gym.

Pin It

  

Fabrics and Patterns used: