Smile And Wave

What I Wore: Family Date Night Turned Night In

Friday nights have quickly become family movie night. Brett and I are usually both pretty tired so it's a nice way to enjoy the evening because it means less fussing and more smiles. This weekend Brett decided to take our evening to the movie theater to see a claymation film so we all got ready and shuffled about the house until it was time to go. I am not a claymation fan and Brett must've picked up on my vibe because he offered to turn it into a mama's night off while dad takes the kids out.

I am so lucky.

I really only wore this for about an hour before changing into jean shorts and a t-shirt for my Pinterest marathon. I was searching for backyard inspiration like it was my job!

Outfit Details: Dress, Target. Shoes, TJMaxx. Belt, Target?. Necklace, ModCloth.

The kids had a great time. We realized later that it was Ruby's first movie theater experience! Well, if you don't count that time we brought her in to see New Moon when she was a few weeks old. She slept through most of it. 

I love this photo of Sebastian above. He's such a cool kid. 

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

-Rachel

What I Wore: Mother's Day Skirt

This maxi wrap skirt has got to be one of the quickest sewing projects I've ever finished! I bought this fabric at my friend, Roxanne's, garage sale about a month ago and set it aside knowing someday it'd be put to good use. After seeing so many beautiful maxi skirts on fashion blogs and Pinterest I decided I needed to make one myself. In fact, if my sewing machine gets fixed soon I'll happily share a tutorial to make your own. In the meantime you can find one here, here, and in our Home Ec e-course.

It's light and flowy and easy to wear. It takes a lot of fabric but would work well in a solid (cheaper). I'm thinking a linen-like fabric or even a light denim should be next on my list. 

Outfit Details: T-shirt, Target. Maxi skirt, handmade from vintage fabric. Gypsy platforms c/o Blowfish. Sand Timer Necklace c/o Unexpected Expectancy. Leather bag, thrifted. Vintage glasses, thrifted. 

I love the extra inches these Gypsy platforms give me. At 5' 4" (barely), I need all the boost I can get when going with a maxi. They're also the most comfortable pair of shoes I currently own!

This skirt makes the fifth article of handmade clothing I've added to my wardrobe this year including the two tops I made last week. I'm hooked! 

What summer trend would you make yourself if you could?

-Rachel

What I Wore: Tulips and Sunshine

I'd like to nominate yesterday (Monday) as an alternate Mother's Day. Mostly because of the sunshine. 

Ruby and I enjoyed some time trolling about the backyard enjoying the perfect weather while rearranging strawberry plants and sweeping dirt. We took a walk to the park to swing and pick dandelions before nap time and dog poop duty. I bet you've never worn a dress to pick up dog poop, have you. It doesn't make it any more fun.

Our afternoon included a thrift store or two, NPR on the radio with the windows down, and more glorious sunshine. I didn't have to cook (thank you leftovers!) and after hosing the kids down in the yard, we skipped baths and Brett put the kids to bed while I went to the gym. 

Outfit Details: Vintage dress c/o Katie Shelton. Belt, Target (?). Cowboy boots, thrifted. Cameo necklace c/o Benandi. Vintage suitcase, thrifted.

Maybe that's all a girl really needs to be happy - sunshine, a pretty dress, and the people she loves most. I'm telling you, that thrifting didn't hurt either.

Ruby and Sebastian were chasing Sunday around in between shots. I think Ruby thought this was her cue to come stand by me for our regular mama/daughter vintage shot. Sweet thing was covered in dirt and chocolate pudding but still has that great little smirk. 

Here's to sunshine!

-Rachel

What I Wore: Spring Shoulders

Great weather means it's finally time to bare the shoulders! I purchased this black and white zig-zag number from ModCloth about a month ago because I love the graphic print. It's actually a dress but it's a bit shorter than I'm comfortable with so I layered a skirt over it. 

I made my skirt last year during a weekend sewing frenzy. I was in the mood for something new but it wasn't in the budget so I got resourceful. I think those kinds of projects are some of the most satisfying! I made it reversible from two vintage sheets in really great colors. The other side is a green, tan, yellow, and white plaid print. 

Do you like how I'm wearing sunglasses inside? That's how bright it is in our dining room. Just kidding.

Outfit Details: Dress, ModCloth. Skirt, handmade. Belt, thrifted. Boots c/o Lotta from Stockholm. Wooden Veneer Glasses c/o Tumbleweeds. Necklace c/o Unexpected Expectancy. Turquoise rings from two different trade shops.

Speaking of being resourceful, I am setting a new goal this summer to make at least four more things that I'll realistically wear in public. I've already got a sketch in my mind for a wrap type dress and another for a shirt waist dress. Here's to setting some fun goals, saving some money, and using up some of my fabric stash!

-Rachel

Worn: Misha Lulu Got It Right Again

I have been a fan of Misha Lulu's collections for a few years now after having seen several of her pieces worn online and by some pretty cute kids in Springfield. I love how her lines have evolved over the years but still have that consistency of being absolutely charming and playful and mixing and matching great prints. I don't think I've ever seen something from any season that I wouldn't want for Ruby. 

Outfit Details: Vintage dress, thrifted. Circus shorts c/o MishaLulu. Saltwaters from last summer, here.

Karen and her team have been working incredibly hard to launch the Spring/Summer '12 collections and she was so sweet to send Ruby a few pieces to add to her wardobe. One of my favorites are these striped shorts because they are so soft (easy to play in) and go with almost everything. We like to mix and match over here!

They're already a new favorite staple in her spring/summer wardrobe. 

When I first set eyes on some of the illustrations from the circus line I got a little giddy. They are so beautiful and the color story is perfect. Pinks, corals, yellow, and black. In love.

We styled this shirt with some jeggings and a skirt I made from some darling polyester fabric I thrifted and her sparkly sandals. She loves to show off her mama pedicure. 

Outfit Details: Top c/o MishaLulu. Jeggings, Target. Skirt, handmade from vintage fabric. Sandals, thrifted. Amber teething necklace (that we still wear because we love it), Amberizon.

You can find Misha Lulu from a number of stockists online to pick out one or two of your favorites. One of the best things about Misha Lulu pieces are how well made they are to last more than one season and sometimes even more than a few years. Ruby has had a tunic that she's been able to wear since last spring and it's still going to be big enough to wear as a top next spring. 

Speaking of spring, I think we've struck gold with the beautifully mild weather here in Colorado Springs. It's been dresses and shorts and bare feet for a few weeks now. I'm going to enjoy every single day of it!

What are your favorite things to mix and match in your wardrobe? In your kids? Do you still find ways to layer in spring? 

-Rachel

What We Wore: Denver For A Day

What's cooler than exploring a new city on the perfect sunny day? Doing it with your favorite people in the world!

That's exactly what our family did last Friday to celebrate Brett's 31st birthday. We have a history of travel/shopping birthdays for Brett.

There was San Francisco in 2008 where we visited the Alameda Flea Market, Rare Device, and a few other fun handmade shops.

April 2009 I was in my first trimester with Ruby so there is no documentation of Brett's birthday and I can't remember for the life of me what we did! Sorry, Brett.

In April 2010 we took a surprise day trip to Arkansas to pick up his birthday present, a Vespa! 

April 2011 was a weekend trip to Oklahoma City where we got to enjoy a whole day of exploring by ourselves while my parents watched the kids. It was AMAZING.

This year we made some more fun memories thanks to everyone's suggestions on Twitter and on the blog. If you're planning a trip or just haven't been out in awhile, check the comments in this post!

We were planning on staying overnight before we realized we were so close to home that we could easily enjoy a full day and still get back to our own beds. Staying in hotels is not quite as fun or relaxing with children who won't go to sleep unless you do too. Hehe.

Outfit Details: Dress, Target three years ago. Flats c/o Blowfish. Belt, thrifted. Satchel, ModCloth (similar to this). Wooden glasses c/o Tumbleweeds. Top locket c/o Gleeful Peacock. Middle locket, vintage and thrifted. Bottom locket designed by Elsie for ModCloth (gifted).

Ruby's wearing: Vintage dress, traded. Too small shoes from Target that totally fit in the store. Wooden sunglasses c/o Tumbleweeds. 

Sebastian's wearing: Thrifted shirt, gifted shorts, shoes from Target that I let him pick out. He's ready for a summer in Colorado, for sure!

Brett said it was the best birthday he's ever had. I think it had more to do with Sebastian and Ruby being exceptionally sweet to him than all the browsing on Broadway and Colfax. Sebastian's presents to him included a Yoda birthday card, two chocolate pudding cups, and as many turns playing his Lego Star Wars video game as he wants. Like, twenty turns. Talk about thoughtful!

Trips to two record stores wasn't bad, either. 

I plan on sharing all the places we managed to fit in in another post with lots of Instagram photos for anyone who'd like to do their own exploring. Thanks for all of Brett's birthday wishes on Instagram last Thursday!

-Rachel

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes!

I get it! I used to wonder how women could own more than five pairs of shoes. Seven at most and only because you needed different shoes for different weather. I used to only buy a pair of shoes I would wear almost every day and wear them out that season because they didn't cost much. 

Fast forward until about six months ago and call me enlightened! Maybe it's because I'm thirty now and finally feel like it's okay to spend more than $35 on a pair of footwear. I want to invest in things that will last longer than my water filter. I want to enjoy my shoes!

It's true that a pair of shoes can make you feel like a million bucks. When someone asked a famous designer on Project Runway All-Stars recently what the most important things are to invest in as far as your appearance his advice was that you can't spend too much money on your hair and that the second most important thing was your shoes. My dad always says you get what you pay for. 

I'm not saying anyone should run away with that advice and go into debt over their shoe collection because it makes them feel pretty but I finally understand what a great pair of shoes can do for your wardrobe, how you feel about yourself, and how others perceive you. Appearances aren't everything. We all know that. They are something, though.

As a new member of the shoe club, I'm here to share my top ten favorites for spring from Modcloth. If I could only choose one it'd be between three and five. Those colors are just so happy.

Source: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. 

Which one is your favorite?

-Rachel

What I Wore: Feeling Fancy

As soon as these boots showed up in the mail I started planning what to wear with them. They're kind of gorgeous and an extra three inches never hurt anyone my height!

Outfit Details: Vintage lace dress c/o Red Velvet. Vintage navy and lace slip, thrifted. Vintage belt, thrifted. Spring Primula boot clogs* c/o Lotta From Stockholm.

I may have surprised Brett with my fancy outfit when he got home from work and he may have taken us all downtown for pizza afterwards. Other than having my camera fall off my shoulder and realizing my new lens is kind of in working pieces, it was a great day. 

Has spring been teasing you this week where you live? 

-Rachel

* Spring Primula boot clogs coming soon to Lotta From Stockholm.

What I Wore: Weekending

This jacket is soft like a pillow pet. If you don't know what a pillow pet is, ask one of your mom friends with toddlers. I found it this week at Goodwill and really couldn't wait for a chance to wear it. I didn't even leave the house yesterday except to go to the YMCA and pick up some teriyaki sauce at the store but I always feel better about my day when I make an effort in the wardrobe department. Even on lazy Saturdays.

I'm wearing: Jacket, thrifted. Boyfriend tee and necklace, Target. Jeans, Jessica Simpson. Leopard flats c/o Blowfish.

That chicken teriyaki I made was gooooood! 

Also, I haven't really worked out regularly this year but now that we're getting settled in our new town I've recommitted to getting back to a healthy place. I love the way I feel after a good workout but I also want to make sure I'm investing in my future health and setting a strong example for our kids. The downtown YMCA is pretty amazing and only a short drive from our new place. They couldn't have made it any easier on me short of making me a protein shake when I'm done. 

What'd you do this weekend? 

-Rachel

What's In My Bag?

This is my first What's in my Bag post. It's only taken me five years of blogging to join in. 

I've been carrying this bag from ELF ever since it came in the mail all the way from Bali. I've always had a thing for caramel colored leather and this slouchy tote is functional, sturdy, and well tailored. It's the bag I'll carry until it falls apart, I like it that much. Fast forward five more years and you'll probably still catch it in an outfit post.

Everything in my bag is pretty self-explanatory. I keep the basics because I get too overwhelmed if it fills up with travel snacks, random toys, the odd sock, etc. That was me two years ago. This is the 'I don't have little babies anymore' Rachel. I know, I'm sad about it a little bit, too.

I still carry around a diaper and wipes case because Ruby never fails to poop when I don't bring one along. I've carried a few different versions but have recently been using this darling clutch from Red Velvet to contain everything. It's not only big enough to stash it all, it's pretty enough that no one knows what's inside. Also, it can double as a travel pillow.

True story.

I did clean things out a bit because a floating diaper, our YMCA contract, the grocery list, and those random receipts were needing to go anyway. Also, the Vespa key is only in my bag because I've been keeping it safe during our move. It's the really important key that you have to have to ever get your scooter worked on. I have only ridden it once and I nearly dropped it. Yikes!

The list: Mi Vida bag c/o ELF. Favorite sunglasses, Sid and Nancy. Backup sunglasses, pens, and wallet, Target. Lip colors, various drug stores. Orla Kiely notebook, gifted from Janae. Clutch c/o Red Velvet. 

So, tell the truth. Is your bag a bottomless pit or a tidy little space?

-Rachel