Category Archives: Girl’s Night Out

Leather Jacket + Sequins + Coated Denim….Holidays are coming!

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving surrounded by ones you love! I’m listing some of the things I’m most thankful for in the “Keeping it Real” at the bottom 🙂

The holidays are coming, and that means parties! Well, for some of us. It used to mean a few parties for me, but now…not as much haha. That said, there are still times when we do go out, and I want to make sure I’m ready! So….I thought for the next month, I’d do a post a week that wasn’t really as much “mom friendly” as it was “get me out of the house and party” friendly 😉

I wish it meant a fun dress (I have a ridiculous amount of them waiting to be worn!), but I really just don’t feel comfortable in dresses. I LOVE them, buy them, and then 30 minutes before we are about to leave…rip them off and change in a panic!!

For me, that means black or coated denim, something a little fun/sparkly on top, and a leather jacket. Oh…and HEELS!! Becuase…those really only come out for special occasions and they make me feel like I’m stepping it up (HA, literally and figuratively) 🙂I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that if you are reading this blog that you are either my family (haha) or that you like fashion, food, or ridiculously cute little girls (ha!) Anyway, for those of you that are fashion minded, you will appreciate this. I coveted these jeans for soooooo long, as I talked about here and when I finally scored them from Nordstrom Racks “Clear the Rack” here,. And yet…I’ve only worn them ONCE! What the heck??!!! They are comfy, repel toddler gook, I LOVE THEM, yet…I save them/never wear them? I need to get over it!! I really have been trying to work things into my wardrobe that I’ve been “saving” aka…most of my clothes, but this blog is actually making me stick to it a little more…little by little. I still tend to wear the same jeans 3 days in a row when we are not taking pictues (for whatever reason) In the beginning, I was all about taking pictures every day to show what a day in the REAL life of a mom was, but…A) who wants to see that?? and B) I just don’t have time for that! So…now, it’s a mix of boring reality and fun 🙂 By the way…I’m TOTALLY open to suggestions of what you might want to see if anyone has any!!!All that said. Leather + Fun Top + Coated Denim = My Happy Place/Comfort Zone And THIS…is our happy place 🙂 Um, yes. She is the cutest thing in the world. Just in case anyone was wondering! 🙂 On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, similar here)

Top- Velvet “Vonnie Sequin Top” (similar here)

Jeans- Paige Edgemont coated (Nordstrom Rack)

Boots- Paul & Joe (Old, similar here and less expensive option here)

On Maya…

Jacket- Amy Coe (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)

Leggings- Zulily

Shoes- (thrifted, and DIY glitter toe shown here)

Keeping it Real…

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!! Things have been a bit crazy in our life lately, so it was even more special and nice to just relax, overindulge, and be thankful. It’s so easy to focus on the daily grind and get overwhelmed with what’s not going the way you want. That’s the best thing about Thanksgiving. Hopefully, you have the day off from work, are surrounded by loved ones, eat way more amazing food than you every should, and…reflect on what you are thankful for.

This is what I’m most thankful for…

1- Family– I am so incredibly blessed the have an amazing family. They say you can’t choose your family, but if I had to pick mine out of a ginormous book, I’d choose mine in a heart beat! Which…is kind of my 2, 3, and 4 🙂

2- The Huz- I not only married my best friend, but I married the yin to my yang. We have enough in common to understand each other and have fun, but also have completely different strengths, that allow us to navigate through this crazy life in a way I never even dreamed was possible.

3- My Parents- Before the Huz, they were my best friends. Still are… I’m so lucky that they now live only a few blocks away and that both Maya and I get to see them almost every day.

4- Our kids– Two teenage sons and a toddler… It can be tough at times, but we are so lucky to have 3 genuinely good, caring, NICE, kids that truly all love each other. What more could you want?

4- Life– It can be crazy at times, but I am soooo lucky to be able to do something that I love to do while getting to spend the majority of my day with my favorite partner in crime (and play!).

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

Kimonos + Black Ripped Skinnies (and a video!)

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I LOVE the look of kimonos! They can be a little tricky to wear though. At least for me. I see them on other people, and pretty much love however they are worn. But then I try it, and I end up taking them off haha. LOVE this one from Free People. Really, anything Free People makes, I love lately.

All that said. I realized as I was going over these images that I looked totally pregnant in this outfit- I’m NOT! I definitely learn things after posting outfits. There’s only so much that you can see when you look in the mirror. Especially when you take all of about 2 minutes to get dressed! I thought all loose and flowey would be good on top with the skinny jeans on the bottom, but…I’m thinking a tighter shirt might have been a better idea. Oh, well! 🙂 All that said, if I were pregnant, I would TOTALLY rock this outfit as well! Although, I still might do a tighter shirt to showcase the bump 🙂 But ooooooh, that cascade of flowing fabric?? LOVE!! This next one cracks me up haha. Kind of an outtake, but too funny not to include! Maya’s face, and the side karate kick-love it! Again…NOT PREGNANT!! :{I’ve been wanting to do a video of how I take our shots with a self timer and tripod. I’ve done a post about it, but I really want to do one that goes over the entire process, because I really want to show Maya’s role in it (here’s a video of Maya doing it all by herself 🙂), and how much fun she has. But haven’t had the time yet. I did manage to capture this video of me doing the thing Maya loves the most. Flying in the air-aka working out with your toddler :). I am SO glad I finally did it-LOVE IT! I may or may not have already watched this about 827 times 😉

And here’s the image I took in the video! Honestly, all the stars aligned in that I got this shot the one time I shot the video. I would have just posted another one that wasn’t videoed had I not hahahaha (just keeping it real ;))The dress Maya is wearing is SO ADORABLE!! The only problem is that it’s 100% silk (aka is a wrinkle nightmare) and it’s short sleeve. But, she’s been asking to wear it every since I bought it (for $1.50!!!!), and I kept putting her off. Finally, I gave in and just layered her up. 🙂 It cracks me up how opinionated she already is (insert snicker from my dad!!) She is her mother’s daughter 🙂

Lion in hand… She has to be holding a toy at all times 🙂Are you kidding me with that look??? 🙂And then THIS? I just wanted to scoop her up and smother her with kisses!! On me…

Kimono- Free People “Printed Duster Scarf” (Nordstrom Rack, can still buy it here)

Top- Mod’Land Paris (thrifted, similar here)

Jeans- J Brand Skinny Leg Shadow Destroyed (ebay, not destroyed here and less expensive here)

Boots- SixtySeven “Blake” Bootie (Nordstom Rack, sold out, loving these)

On Maya…

Jacket- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)

Dress- CrewCuts (thrifted, but similar drop waist style here)

Leggings- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Kids Feet (Consignment Store credit used, similar here)

Keeping it Real…

Here’s a few outtakes I took before I had the thought to video it. What’s really funny is that I’ve always performed better under pressure-HA! I had to totally laugh when I saw this next on the back of the camera. Where’s Maya??! hahaha And then…I flipped the camera to portrait vs landscape ;).

And one that I caught on the way down vs up…

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

Winter Whites + Leather Jacket + Lace Up Boots

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I love wearing white jeans in the fall/winter! Wearing them near a muddy cuddly toddler maaaaay not have been the best choice, but thank goodness for stain remover 😉

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite parks to go to. It’s so pretty, and Maya ran around for an hour-WIN! Dying over this next one one… She’s actually eating a bowl of grapes 🙂 So in love with these boots that I scored from Zulily’s blow out sale! They still have some in different colors, if you search for Link Boots! I just want to eat her up… She kept running down the hill and tackling me with a hug.

“Again!!!” 🙂 On me…

Jacket- Doma Leather (eBay, similar here)

Top- Free People “Sue’s Swinging Peplum” (Nordstrom Rack, sold out, similar here)

Belt- Linea Pelle (Old, similar here)

Jeans- DL1961 Amanda (the not distressed version-on sale now!)

Shoes- ShoeMint “Lily”

On Maya…

Vest- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive here)

Top-Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)

Shoes- Zulily $9.99! (search Link Boots)

Keeping it Real…

I’ve been dying to shoot in “good light”, but it’s so hard in the fall. Maya takes her nap between 3-6, so it’s dark when she wakes up. We usually go for a long walk with my parents in the morning or Maya has preschool twice a week, so morning shoots are usually out. This morning, my parents were out of town, and it was a gorgeous fall morning! So, we put off the morning walk and went to the park! No time for showers though, but hey…I can only fit in so many things haha.

Moto Inspired…

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I’m a sucker for anything “moto” inspired! Leather jackets, jeans, boots, and don’t even get me started on coated and leather pants! However, I like to balance it out with something a little feminine, so people aren’t’ looking around for my Harley 🙂 Enter a flowing layered polka dot tank, and the perfect pair of black skinnies…

These are the 2nd pair of DL1961 jeans I go to try, and of course I love them. If there is one thing every woman should have in their closet, it’s a perfect fitting black skinny jean. You can read more about why I love this brand so much here.When Zara had these sweaters on sale, I scooped them up in just about every color hahaha. I LOVE the button up back-or unbuttoned in this case 🙂 LOVE this next one!!! I really never know what I’m getting with the self timer and tripod, but this…this is so us, and I am SO glad I got it!!

Maya- “Tickle me??!!!” This is another darker pair of the Harper. The skinny boyfriend cut is so flipping cute!!And, Maya’s moto faux leather jacket?? I almost died when I found it at the thrift store!! She balanced her look out with candy heart Vans 🙂Then she saw some other kids and a dog…and…they kept on going 😦 It always makes me so sad when she gets excited about seeing older kids and wants to play “Hi kids, HI!!!” and then they don’t want to play with her…Not giving up though. LOVE HER!Here she is trying to “Freeze” me when I told her it was about time to go home haha Where’s Maya?? I have no idea where she could be… 😉On me…

Sweater- Zara (Old, but very similar entire layered open back look here)

Top- Audrey 3+1 (thrifted)

Jeans- DL1961 “Emma” in Denver (C/O)

Boots- Fiorentini + Baker 7040 Boot (purchased via an Instagram acct)

On Maya…

Jacket- Amy Coe (thrifted, but similar here)

Top- Tea (thrifted)

Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)

Shoes- Vans (thrifted, but these are fun)

Keeping it Real…

I made a promise to myself when I started this blog that I wouldn’t Photoshop myself, as tempting as it might be. WELL….I’ve broken that rule a few times. A) When the gray hair/roots are OUT OF CONTROL (yeah, I spare you that!) B) when I take pics in the morning or after maybe a night with not much sleep-I might diminish the bags under BOTH Maya and my eyes, although usually I just shoot from far away ha! 😉 C) If Maya gets mud on me or herself, I clean that up. That was DEFINITELY the case on this shoot!!

So there’s the “not so real” keeping it real 😉

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

Sometimes it’s fun to dress up for no reason…

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As a work from home mom, sometimes it’s a miracle if I take a shower, let alone get out of my walking clothes. Yes, this blog has helped inspire me to into normal clothes more often than not, but I still have those days when 7pm rolls around, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and think “YIKES!” Then I’m left to wonder if I even brushed my teeth… :{ Other days, I just feel like putting on some heeled booties and wearing a top that I’ve been “saving for a special occasion” for no real occasion at all. Sadly, I only put the effort in from the neck down haha. No shower, no make up, lazy mom top knot. I did however, brush my teeth 🙂

This is the same park we went to the other the day for Maya’s 3 year pictures. I love that it’s not really a park. It’s in the middle of this little neighborhood, but nobody has ever been there when we’ve gone. Perfect for running around, and nerdy self portraits 😉This was actually sold as a dress. I may have washed it (dry clean only, WHATEVER!!), and shrunk it a little… Like I would ever have worn it as a dress anyway… If Maya had control over what she wore, she would wear this dress and one other one every.single.day. Now, she knows to ask “Is the purple dress dirty?” Because I say that all the time in order to get her into something else haha.She could jump into my arms over and over. “AGAIN!!!” Which is good, because it took me a while to time these right. I really wanted one of her mid air, but we’ll try again another day 🙂Love this next one. I’m so glad she’s such a snuggler!!On me…

Top/Dress- H&M (cream is sold out, but here it is in Black)

Jeans- Goldsign “Mayhem” (Sold out, but similar here)

Boots- Frye “Lisa Short Stitch” (eBay, sold out but similar here and here and less expensive here)

On Maya…

Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted)

Shoes- Arizona Jeans (thrifted, but loving these)

Keeping it Real…

Funny story. My husband had a work event a few weeks ago that happened to be in Seattle for once. He asked me to take some pictures, and his one request? “Um, do you think you could wear your hair down?” haha.

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

Transitioning to fall…Knits + Leather Shorts + Booties

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First of all, I want to say Happy Birthday to my mom!! I am so lucky to have you so close, and look forward to spending today with you!! 🙂 xoxox

Now, I’ll be honest. I was worried that a 40 year old mom had no business wearing leather shorts with booties. That is one of the things that I’ve loved about doing this blog. Stepping out of my comfort zone… Sometimes when I see the pictures, I think “what was I thinking??”, and then other times, I think…”Hey, that actually worked!” I kind of think this worked! It helps that the shorts kind of look like just plain khaki shorts, but that if you get close you notice that they are leather 🙂 On me…

Sweater- H&M (last fall, but similar here)

Belt- Old

Shorts- Current Elliott “Boyfriend Leather” (similar here)

Boots- SixtySeven “Blake” Bootie (Nordstom Rack)

On Maya…

Top- Ahoy Amigo

Skirts- Xhiliration (thrifted)

Shoes- Vans (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…

The Huz was out of town, so I had all these hopes of taking some pictures as the sun was setting, with the golden light. Well…the sun sets at 6:30 now!! UGH! I made Maya dinner to go, we raced out of the house at 6:15, then drove to the place I had in mind. The sun was already too far set for my original location, so I drove down to the beach. The sun was literally at the horizon, so I knew by the time I unloaded both of us and set up the tripod it would be gone. Plus, there were a ton of people sitting around watching the sun go down. So… we just pulled over and went to a park instead haha. The moon was literally out when we took these. Best laid plains…oh well.

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

All Black…never fails.

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I feel like I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off this past week. The last thing I want to think about is what I want to wear (SO unlike me!) So…I default into my comfort zone. All black. You really can’t go wrong 🙂 And, since I didn’t want to think about what Maya was wearing either. All black. All around 🙂 I kid you not. Maya took and posed for this picture all on her own haha. The tripod was all set up for the above pictures. Sometimes she likes to push the button and then we both run to the designated spot for the picture. She pushed the button and then ran and did this! 99% sure it’s her “Let it Goooooo!” Elsa pose 🙂 So funny, because she’s only ever done this on her own once before. So funny!! And…PERFECT!On me…

Sweater- Joie (Twice Clothing)

Jeans- DL1961 “Emma” in Wick (eBay)

Boots- Fiorentini + Baker 7040 Boot (purchased via an Instagram acct)

On Maya…

Top- Gap (thrifted)

Skirt- KidsCorner (thrifted)

Boots- Xhiliration (thrifted)

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

Taking a Striped Mini Dress from day to night…

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First of all…I am so not a dress girl, but I’m LOVING this dress I found at my local consignment shop. There’s something freeing about buying things with a credit you have. It’s like… “Why not?!” And then…I love it!!Yes, Maya is in the car next to me eating her lunch 🙂 She’s obsessed with popping my gum bubbles 🙂 Converse rule… 🙂And then….a little shoe change takes it from day to night! Btw…I didn’t take it from day to night haha. I stayed in the day… The idea was good though, no? AND…I’m thinking this might be my outfit for our family pictures?! Thoughts? Because, I can’t even remember all the things I’ve worn/what I should wear. Suggestions welcome! Blog Silence and Noise striped Dress SixtySeven Booties-1 And then…Funny thing about sticks. She loves them, but there was only one Goffrey 2 that stood the test of time (a month+ and a few bandages and band aids). No idea what happened to him. We came back from Napa and he was gone (NO, I am not blaming Meme and BOPO!). But…no stick has lasted more than a walk since him… Um…are you kidding me with this pose???! Below is me saying “Maya! You HAVE to stay on the sidewalk. You CANNOT get on or cross over the curb!!” Her “What about aaaaaaaaalmost sitting??” Good Lord, she is so my daughter. Help me! And Dad-SHUSH!!! 🙂 On me…

Dress-Silence & Noise (from Funky Janes Consignment)

Jean Jacket- Gap (Old)

Shoes (day)- Converse (thrifted)

Boots (night)- SixtySeven (Nordstrom Rack)

On Maya…

Jacket- Gap (thrifted)

Top- Gap (thrifted)

Jeans- Peek (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted)

Keeping it Real…

Aaaaand, we have a runner!! 🙂

Blog Gap Jean Jacket Gap Ruffled Pink Top Peek Black Jeans Zebra Converse-8

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

A little leopard here…A little leopard there…

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I really think you can never have too much leopard print in your life. I just recently scored these shoes from ShoeMint when they were having a bunch of their shoes on sale for $25! Yes, these were only $25, and they are so comfy and cute!! Plus, they give you a little length to your leg without being a super tall heel. Overall win in my book! Seriously, so cute, right?! Not sure how long I’m going to be able to do these, but I was pretty stoked that I timed this just right 🙂 On me…