Category Archives: Favorite

Distressed Overalls + Bodysuit + Lace Up Booties

I’m sure that there is an age when it’s really not appropriate to wear overalls…

But I’m thinking/convincing myself that that age is a ways off… 😉 . Because, I love them! I’ve had a love for them since the 2nd grade when Dexys Midnight Runners came out with “Come on Eileen” . And if you are too young to remember that song, then listen, and dance along! All that to say… My love of overalls runs deep. 🙂

So, oddly enough this looks like a foggy day in Seattle.

It wasn’t. It was during the wildfires that happened back in early September. I remember thinking that it was overcast, so it was ok to wear overalls. At the end of this, I was a hot sweaty MESS!

BUT…let’s just pretend it was a cool foggy October day… 🙂

She says all the time….

“Mom…no pictures!!”

But you know what… I’ll keep doing them. Because once we are actually THERE…

This is what I get. And as much as I love looking back at these over and over…

I have to think that she will too. Pretty sure she has the best laugh EVER! Oh, and this outfit? Totally wish I could pull it off!!

Faux leather shorts…might be a thing of my past.

BUT NOT OVERALLS!!

haha.One of the things I’ve always loved capturing…

Her running towards me!!

LOVE!!!! When she was younger, it always ended in her knocking me over with a hug. Now…she just runs on past…haha. SUPER MAYA!!!

On me…

Overalls- 7FAM “Josephina Destroyed” (eBay)

Bodysuit- H&M (similar here)

Booties- Boden (thrifted, similar here and obsessing over these! )

On Maya…

Jean Shirt- Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Top- Tucker and Tate (Nordstrom Rack)

Faux Leather Shorts- GapKids (thrifted, similar here)

Ballet Flats- Clarks (thrifted, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

UGH!!! The thing about taking our pictures with a tripod and shutter release is that we take a bunch of shots before I even go back to look and make sure that I actually got the focus right and….we didn’t dance right out of the shot. That is a very common thing. Oddly, the thing I most complain about when I ask others to take out pic haha.

These next ones. TOTALLY out of focus, and…while fun, not at all in the frame! BUT…I love them!!! In all their blurriness!!

Oh, and I kid you not. I DID a LOT of pics in this non focused shot!!

Thankfully, I changed it up and refocused. CORRECTLY!

(all pictures taken with a self timer/shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Bodysuits + High Waisted Chambray Pants + Leather Jacket + Booties

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I posted a look last week that was beyond comfy, yet still for the warmer temps.

Seattle has since gotten a lot colder, but it’s hopefully going to be back in the 60’s this next week a few times!

The easiest way I know to transition your summer favs into fall is by adding a fun jacket (my favs are denim and leathe!) and booties!

So…I did just that! And meanwhile…there’s Maya art directing haha. 😉

On me…

Leather Jacket- Plein Sud (eBay, similar here), faux leather option here)

Bodysuit- Velvet Torch

Jeans- Ella Moss “Stella” (eBay, sold out, love these here)

Booties- Sam Edelman “Posey Chain Trim Bootie” (eBay, fun ones here & here)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (love this for fall)

Leggings-Hanna Andersson (thrifted, similar here)

Clogs- Hanna Andersson ( similar here)

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Maya is SIX!!

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Maya recently turned SIX on October 4th!!

I’m kind of in denial about it…

What I’m NOT in denial about is the fact that I am constantly in awe of the little person she is becoming, and I am BEYOND proud that she is not only my flesh and blood, but SO thankful that I get to hang out with her on the daily, and that she choses to hang out with ME!!

So, Maya, just know… You are beyond loved.

And this year…

You still ABSOLUTELY know what you want and cannot be swayed. A common comment from teachers, yet they always say it with a smile on their face vs a look of concern. 🙂

You LOVE to sing. Anytime. Anywhere. I finally put you in two separate weeklong singing/performance camps this summer, and low and behold you had a solo!! Not once but twice!! Yet, you kept it a SECRET, so we were totally surprised come performance time at the end of the camp!! Good thing your mama always has her camera and phone ready!!

You are still hands down one of the funniest human beings I know. Always ready with a joke, and an attempt to make people laugh! The fact that YOU laugh hysterically is your fail safe! 😉

You LOVE dogs. Anywhere we go, you want to stop and ask “Can I pet your dog?!!” You are SO good with them. You know to hold out your hand for them to sniff, and then your second question always is “Do you have any treats for them?!” Even without treats, all dogs love you. I constantly hear “Oh, they usually don’t like kids!” But they always love you. You’ve even talked about wanting to start a dog walking business when you get older!

Tonight (as luck might have it, to be fresh in my mind!!) as I was making dinner with you standing next to me on your stool, you said.

“We are a lucky family.” I agreed, but then asked what you meant by that, and you said.

“Well, we have healthy food that tastes good (I was making a salad, which you love). And we have a really nice home. And, we’re just lucky!”

The fact that you just pop those things out randomly? I wish I wrote more of those things down!! But…I couldn’t agree with you more, Peanut! And I couldn’t be luckier to have YOU as a daughter!!!

LOVE YOU!!!

I really wanted to surprise Maya with balloons when she got out of school, and a few other little gifts from the dollar store to add to the few things we had gotten her.

As an fyi, if you have a dollar store near you-most cities do (they have different names)!! They have mylar balloons for $1! Even ones with sayings! I was SHOCKED once when I went to get a last minute gift/balloon at just HOW EXPENSIVE balloons can be, so I vowed to go to the dollar store after that! Oh, and one of her favorite gifts? A plastic microphone that really echo’s her voice when she sings!!! For those in the Seattle area…yay Dollar Tree!!

All that said…

Things have been a little rough this past month, with Maya starting kindergarten, and my workload starting to increase. She’s not been her usual happy go lucky self. Especially at school and with the new kids she’s met. And to say that I’ve been an overthinking/overstressing hot mess about that is a pretty big understatement…

Thankfully, I’ve had a few really good talks with her teacher (who I love!), and what I’ve discovered is that I need to just step back and let Maya be Maya. She truly has a better head on her shoulders than I do, and the way she looks at life, is WAY beyond her years. I literally learn from HER every single day.

Right after this next image, she saw a woman sitting on a bench by herself. Granted she had headphones on and probably just wanted to chill.

Maya said… “Can I go say ‘hi’ to her? She looks like she’s kind of left out…”

Oddly enough, I actually took a video of it, NOT knowing that was what she was going to do. I mainly had wanted to get a video of her running with the balloons. But THAT is her. SO freaking kind and sweet.
Ok, note to self. Balloons are NOT the best prop! They always seem like a good idea, but getting them in the frame and YOU? Not so much. Unless they randomly get blown towards you. Thank you wind! Yeah…balloons, cropped out, because…I’d rather have US! Then…as we were leaving a woman came by with her dog (immediate magnet for Maya!) and a camera. She said she was there to practice taking pictures of her dog, and asked what we were doing. We told her we were taking pics for Maya’s birthday.

Then Maya asked if she wanted to take pictures of her! hahaha. Of course she won’t “pose” for me, but a stranger? She was ON!

I was DYING! Are you kidding me??! These next two….LOVE!

On me…

Bodysuit- H&M (similar here)

Pants- Club Monaco (really old, similar here and less expensive here)

Clogs- Sven “Ankle Wrap Strap”C/O

On Maya…

Jacket- Zara Kids (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- GapKids (thrifted)

Belt- Old

Leggings- GapKids (thrifted)

Clogs- Sven Sling Strap Children’s Clog C/O

Keeping it Real…

She really wanted me to spin her, but it’s kiiiiiind of hard to do with balloons ha!

Haha. Her face! But honestly, I’m so impressed with her balance! In clogs, no less!!

(all pictures taken with a self timer/shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Bodysuits + High Waisted Chambray Pants + Clogs = Jammies in public!

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I’m all about outfits that make you feel like you’re in your jammies, yet totally fake people out that you have your sh*t together! 🤣

This is one of those outfits! 💃🏼🙌🏻🤗

On me…

Bodysuit- Velvet Torch

Jeans- Ella Moss “Stella” (eBay, sold out, love these here)

Clogs- Swedish Hasbeens “Fideli” (eBay, sold out, similar here)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (love this for fall)

Leggings-Hanna Andersson (thrifted, similar here)

Clogs- Hanna Andersson ( similar here)

Keeping it Real…

A lot of the times, I tell Maya she can pick what we do.

Usually, she wants me to copy her.

Usually, we do something weird haha. 😉

I just wanted to post this, because it looks like I actually have boobies here!

I don’t… 🙂

Must remember what bra I was wearing haha.

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Maya’s officially a Kindergartener…

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Maya officially started Kindergarten this past Monday, and if I’m honest…it’s been a bit of an adjustment…for both of us. We’ve both been used to spending A LOT of time together these past (well, almost 6 years!)

Her school starts at 7:45, so gone are our mornings of leisurely cuddling on the couch for 30 minutes as we wake up. Ok, I wake up. She wakes up bright eyed and bushy tailed from the start!

She’s always been the kid to just jump right into any new situation with a smile on her face and an energetic “Bye mom!!”

Even on her first day of preschool at under 3…much to my teary eyed surprise!

She’s always been so concerned about the kids who cry, and always used to go up and ask if they were ok.

Her first day started off great! She was excited yet a little nervous. When we got to the playground, it was a crazy zoo! She walked right up to two girls she didn’t know and asked what their names were. She asked if they were going into Kindergarten, and when they said they were she goes… “Oh! It’s like we’re twins!! We’re ALL going into KINDERGARTEN!!” haha. So sweet… When it was time to go in, they let us walk them to their rooms. We found her cubby, found her name on a table, and she plopped right down and started coloring in her name balloon. When it was time to go- “Bye mom!”

Tuesday was a little sketchier. On the way to school, she said. “I don’t really want to go back. I don’t get to do anything I want, and I really just want to hang out with you!”

Well…this past Wednesday was rough. It was the 1st day they wanted us to NOT walk them in. We were supposed to say our good byes at the line up on the playground. She started bawling when it was her classes turn to go in. She wouldn’t let go of me and said that she didn’t want me to leave. That she just wanted to hang out with me all day. I ended up walking her to her door, where to teacher literally had to pull her off of me. Ugh, I’m tearing up again as I type this!! I think it’s hard no matter what if your child is crying, but it was also such a shock and such a departure from her usual demeanor… Truth be told, I was a hot mess all day until pick up. THANKFULLY every Wednesday is early release, so I didn’t have to wait as long!

That afternoon, we went to our neighborhood drugstore and got her a little beanie boo key chain to put on her back pack. I told her that if she ever got sad, that she new her little dragon was there with her. I also made sure that we made time for at least 15 minutes of cuddling on the couch on Thursday,

Thursday morning, I made sure that we made time for at least 15 minutes of cuddling on the couch, and at drop off, she grabbed another little girls hand that was looking sad, and together they both walked in waving as they went!

For me, it’s hard because I actually have LESS time to work than I did when she was in half day pre-school. That is, if I still want to go to the gym, which I mentally NEED. So…I’m frantically trying to get as much work done as I can, and then work more at night. All that to say. Not much time for this blog, which bums me out…

ANYWHO…I’m sure we will get our groove back, and we will find ways to spend quality time together, even if it’s not as much as we used to…sniff sniff.

Here she is the morning of Kindergarten. The light sure is pretty at 7:25am!!

And she sure is freaking cute!!!

I started this questionnaire last year, so I had to do it again!

Again, all answers are straight from her as she said them.

What’s your favorite color?
💜purple

What’s the favorite thing you did this summer?
Watching everything I want, eating, and playing with Findley and Miles (our neighbors/future in laws 😂).

What’s your favorite food? 🌯Burritos, 🍝pasta, and 🥑guacamole with cottage cheese.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
👸🏼 A Princess! That has a lot of pets!

What’s your favorite thing to do?
📱Watch everything I want and play with my toys. (I swear I didn’t just let her sit around all day with the iPad all summer!!)

What’s your favorite sport?
🏈Flag football and 🤽🏻‍♀️dodgeball.

Then Maya got to pick a question and she chose….

What’s your favorite fruit?
🍌Banana, mango, and papaya.

Later that night, we went outside to get a few shots of us together…

She kills me! Creative crop, or I laughed my way out of the frame…hmmm, you decide!
SO excited to wear booties and a jacket again!!! It’s been chilly in the mornings and evenings, but still 70ish in the afternoon. I’ve worn this jacket a lot, but I’ve never done a close up of all the cool distressing.

One of my BEST Goodwill scores ever! And…I’m wearing it Maya’s 1st day of Pre-K pics too haha.

On me…

Jean Jacket- 3×1 thrifted for $10!!! (similar here retails for $300!!)

Dress- Feel the Piece “FreeBird Dress” (eBay)

Boots- El Naturalista Duna N528 (thrifted for $7!!)

On Maya…

Jacket- GapKids (thrifted)

Hoodie- Juicy Couture (thrifted)

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

These always crack me up…

I had originally wanted to get the sun behind us, but it set too quickly. Her facet tho!!

(all pictures taken with a self timer, because I lost my remote-wah wah!!, except ones of Maya :))

Happy Anniversary to us! || “8” in Whistler

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The Huz and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on 8/8. I’m a bit of a numbers nerd, so I was kind of excited about this one!

We were super lucky that my parents were able to watch Maya (and they took her to SO many amazing places!!), so we could escape town and have some one on one time. It was SO needed and so amazing!

We went up to Whistler, and I only took my camera out once. For like 5 minutes! Actually exactly 5 minutes! I just looked at the time stamp on the images haha. The Huz isn’t a huge fan of pictures, and honestly it was REALLY smokey due to the all wildfires that are going on.

SO…this was it. We had gone to an earlier dinner and I convinced the Huz to take a few pics outside our hotel. This was a pretty busy walking path, and a group of 30 somethings walked by and asked if we were taking pictures for Tinder!

UM….WTF?

No…
Nope, not awkward. OMG, and I just now noticed my remote on the top of the fence post! Oh well. Too lazy to remove that now! He’s a good sport 🙂 LOOOOOVE these next two of us!! We took a walk one day to Lost Lake, and it was SO pretty. But kind of eery with all the smoke! AND…after being outside for a few hours, we were both feeling the effects of the smoke. Kind of sad, but also nice to lay in our hotel room reading-aka HEAVEN!

Here’s a few iPhone pics from that walk. And…NO FILTER! So odd looking back on these, and seeing just how smokey it was… Nope, no filter!!From our first night out… (iPhone)

We went to the same restaurant both nights!

We thought about going to another restaurant the second night, but we had so much fun sitting at the bar at Bar Oso, that we went there again the second night!

I highly recommend going early and sitting at the bar! The first night we sat at the bartender’s end and watched him make all these AMAZING cocktails! Some serious love went into them, and the Huz benefited from a few 😉 I stuck with boring wine…

The second night we sat at the food end. They plate all the food right in front of you!! And the attention to detail is AMAZING to watch and…eat!!

And, of course I had to take pictures of our food!! Sadly, I only took them with my phone, but…still

On me…

Dress- Fraiche by J (Nordstrom Rack)

Belt- Old

Clogs- Miz Mooz (old, similar here )

On The Huz…

Shirt- Toscano (Nordstrom Rack)

Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

I make the weirdest faces….fact.

Haha.

The Huz is like….Um….

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod)

Gray Split Back Tee + White Raw Hem Skinnies + Ankle Wrap Clogs!

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If I sound like a broken record, I’m sorry…

I LOVE classics with a twist!

From the front, this looks like a pretty basic outfit. And then… LOVE this back!!

And But….love her more!
But they came right back on for a dance off! Oh, and the side details of these super comfy clogs?

Yes, I’ve been wearing them a LOT! and then I decided to tie the back of this tee for a more fitted look…

Love Maya’s shoes just flung around haha.
I can’t even!

Maya was like “OH! We almost made a circle!!” when she saw this. 🙂 Seriously, so cute with the tied back right??!! I can’t even…I LOVE capturing the way we look at each other!! My dad goes for a walk in the evening, and we see him when we are out playing after dinner.

LOVE these next images of them!

On me…

Top- TopShop “Split Back High Low Tee” (Nordstrom Rack)

Jeans- Current Elliott “The Cropped Straight Leg” (Bought on eBay like new for $2.26!!!)

Clogs- Sven C/O

On Maya…

Dress- Naartjie Kids (thrifted)

Clogs- Sven C/O

Keeping it Real…

Soooooo….sometimes I tell Maya we can do whatever SHE wants.

Dancing is usually on the list haha.

And sometimes she grabs the remote and starts shooting a kazillion pictures.

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Party in the Back Top + Jeans + Espadrilles || Girls’ Night out!

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If there is one combination that I’m always about, it’s white/cream top + jeans + (whatever shoe fits the situation)!!!

It’s a classic.. It’s a no brainer!

And whenever I find fun and “interesting” white/cream tops, I’m IN!

They come through in a pinch, and I know that I can work them in whenever!! They are always there when you need a “go to” fall back.

From the front….looks pretty basic!
Wait for it…I’m ALWAYS a sucker for an interesting back! If you are unsure of a dress code. You can play it casual in the front, and then….add a pop of fun in the back!

A mullet top if you will 😉

I posted on Friday another post with my friend and her daughter who came to stay with us a few weeks ago.We had my parents over for dinner since they knew Laura so well.

We had my parents over for dinner since they knew Laura so well, and then decided to take some pictures, because…duh.

Love ALL THESE LADIES!!!I remember when Kylie was 18 months old!!

SO weird…yet, she’s become such an amazing young woman!
Totally nailed the Charlie’s Angels pose!

HA!

On me…

Top- 10 Crosby Derek Lam (eBay)

Jeans- DL1961 Toni “midrise” (eBay, similar here)

Shoes- Banana Republic (old, similar here)

On Maya…

Dress- Tea Collection “La Ventana Embroidered Dress” (thrifted for $3!!)

Sandals- Saltwater Sandals “Sun San” (thrifted,)

Keeping it Real…

I have NO idea what’s going on with my face here, but hahahaha….

Um…stretchy jeans??

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Off the shoulder top + Skinnies + Wedges | Girls Night Out!

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My girlfriend of over 20 years and her daughter came to stay with us a few weeks ago.

We shopped, we ate, we drank rose, and…we laughed.

What more could you ask for?

I mean…what’s the good of taking pics in front of your house if you can’t have a glass of wine while doing so?

hahaha

Ok, funny story. We actually took the BUS to a neighborhood restaurant earlier in the evening. HA! We were a liiiiiiiittle more dressed up than most of the passengers.

Whatever…
Because no matter how big, they are always our babies right?? Playing with the remote. Aka…taking a picture of herself!

On me…

Top- Sincerely Jules “Everly Top” (Nordstrom Rack currently only $29!)

Jeans- Citizens Of Humanity (thrifted, similar here)

Sandals- Ugg (thrifted, LOVE these here)

On Maya…

Dress- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here in two toned)

Shoes- Salt Water Sandals (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

Um….

Hi, my name is Lauren, and I’m a very enthusiastic laugher… 🙂

Two things about this. YES, the guy didn’t realize he was walking into our shot until the LAST minute. Oh, and THEN..Maya thought it would be hilarious to pull my top down!

Good times… 😉

I have no idea what’s going on here haha.

(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

Little Black Dresses for my birthday…

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I posted on Friday about my early birthday celebration over the weekend.

The upside to having your birthday during the week, is that you get a double celebration!

We had my parents over for dinner on my actual birthday, and then went outside after dinner for a few pictures. I LOVE these shots! Her leaping into my arms and looking directly at the camera on the tripod….as if there is anyone there!

Funny, no?
Loooooooove!! Maya saw this picture and said “Look! We’re both twirling at the same time!!” 👯💃🏼💃🏼 I’ve tried to do this a few times and failed miserably or…comically! 😂. This time… #Nailedit 🤗 🙌🏻 And…convinced the Huz to get in a few! She loves her Meme and BOPO! And…this dress was made for twirling! As most Hanna Andersson dresses are! Which is why they are a favorite of ours!