Category Archives: Misc Maya

Color Blocking + my DIY Destroyed Skinny Jeans!

 I showed a sneak peek of these over the weekend in the tutorial for how I made some DIY destroyed jeans for me and Maya.  I love how they turned out, and can’t wait to do some more 🙂

One of the MANY things I love about Maya?  She is freaking hysterical!  Cracks me up all the time!! Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-1And then turns around and is the sweetest thing ever…Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-2Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-3Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-4Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-5I should add that I did not distress these jeans.  They came this way 🙂Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-6Doing her part to keep the dandy lion population alive :{  Don’t tell my neighbors… She loves them though.  “LIONS!!”Blog Splendid Sweater DIY Destroyed Goldsign Superga-7On me…

Sweater- Splendid (eBay but similar here and less expensive here)
Jeans- Goldsign “Frontier” (destroyed by me, similar here, here and less expensive here)
Shoes- Superga
On Maya…
Vest- Old Navy (thrifted)
Top- Old Navy (thrifted)
Jeans- Levi’s (thrifted, but similar style here and without the distressing here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Leather Pants… The new Mom Jeans? :)

 I would have scoffed at the title too, but hear me out.  This week I tried to work in pants that have been sitting in my closet gathering dust.  I tend to “save things for a special occasion”, and then…never wear them!!  Leather pants for day?  Playing in a park??  YES!  Maya got mud ALL OVER ME when I kept picking her up.  Since I had wet wipes handy, I just wiped it right off.  TADA!  Leather Pants… The new mom jeans! 😉  Granted, leather pants can be SPENDY, but I scored these off eBay for $50-whoop whoop!

Took the tripod and ventured out of the hood again.  Looking for ducks…that I may have told her would be there and weren’t :{Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-1 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-2See?  No dirt! Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-3 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-4Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-5 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-6 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-7 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-8 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-9 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-10 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-11 Blog Zara Sweater Goldsign Leather Pants Booties-12

On me…

Sweater- Zara (on sale!)
Pants- Goldsign “The Misfit” Leather (Scored of eBay and sold out, but similar here and less expensive coated option here)
Boots- Cafe Noir (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive version here.)
On Maya…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- Zulily
Skirt-  Children’s Place (thrifted)
Boots- Zulily

dit-elle-Lauren

White + Black & a pop of Red

 I’ve mentioned before my love of white jeans.  They really aren’t practical when you have a toddler, but I can’t help myself.  They make me think of summer, which is a nice thing to think about right now 🙂Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-1 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-2 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-3Can I just say how much I love these shoes??  I got them off eBay for a steal, and wasn’t sure how cool they really would be until I got them.  LOVE THEM!!

Pretty sure my neighbors thought I was even more crazy that usual while I was trying to get this shot.  Balancing the camera on the ground, while kneeling on a towel to focus/get the exposure (had to protect the jeans!!)  As a photographer, I always have these shots in mind, and I love trying to figure out how to do them myself 🙂 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-4 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-5 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-6 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-7AND THEN….Maya went traipsing through the mole hills that have attacked our neighborhood.  She looks quite pleased with herself, doesn’t she?   There went my nice clean white jeans…but hey, that’s what stain remover is for!Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-8 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-9 Blog Genetic Denim JCrew Apron Top Zara Sweater Superga Studded Shoes-10On me…

Sweater- Zara
Top- J Crew (found at Funky Janes similar solid color here)
Shoes- Superga (similar here)
On Maya…
Sweater- Old Navy (thrifted, and slim pickings on sweater links)
Jeans- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

Menswear inspired…or just actual menswear?

 I have been in search of the perfect “boyfriend” jeans.  I have a couple that I like ok, but mainly it’s because they are so darn comfortable it’s hard not to like them!  But flattering?  Not so much.  I snagged this pair at a thrift store for $7, and really wasn’t sure what they were.  Boyfriend jeans?  No, they say “relaxed”.  Finally, it hit me why I couldn’t figure it out.  They are mens jeans, that were accidentally marked and put in the women’s section.  So, they are quite literally “boyfriend” jeans.  That is…if I had a tiny boyfriend.  Thankfully, I don’t 🙂

Then, these ADORABLE little oxfords came in the mail from Zulily the other day for Maya, so it was a menswear kind of day 🙂Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-1 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-2 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-3Thought I’d add a little femininity with this vintage flower lariat necklace. Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-4 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-5 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-6 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-7 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-8I made these jeans for Maya “destroyed” over the weekend, and I LOVE how they turned out.  Sooner or later I will blog how I did it. Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-9 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-10 Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-11THAT.FACE! Blog 7FAM Boyfriend Zara Striped Tee Timberland Loafers-12On me…

Jacket- Banana Republic (old, but similar in navy here)
Top- Zara (sold out, but similar here)
Jeans- 7 For all Mankind-similar (men’s 🙂 thrifted)
Shoes- Timberland (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive option here)
On Maya…
Vest- Janie and Jack (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Gap (similar)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted and destroyed by me)
Shoes- Zulily (by Osh Kosh)

dit-elle-Lauren

Do snakes and leopards get along? :)

 Obviously! 🙂

Seattle really gets a bad rap in regards to how much it rains.  It really is so beautiful from about June-October.  November and December are touch and go, but then January hits.  January and February are the months where you just want to get away.  Anyways.  It stopped raining for all of about 15 minutes this past Saturday, and we bolted outside.  It started sprinkling when we were taking these, and then started pouring again at the end.  If you look closely, you can see the rain drops 🙂Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-1 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-2LOVE THIS ONE! Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-3I’ve been determined to try different combos this year.  Break away from my “uniform” of skinny jeans + sweater + comfy shoes.  Well, this is baby steps.  I decided to stop saving these “going out” jeans for “going out”.  I love how they look with basic tee and sneakers!  The coated material is great too, because things just wipe right off! Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-4 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-5 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-6 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-7 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-8 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-9 Blog J Brand Coated Superga Gray Wrap Sweater-10On me…

Sweater- Ebay
Top- Zara (ThredUp , similar here)
Jeans- J Brand 
Shoes- Superga
On Maya…
Jacket- Thrifted
Top- Gap (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, similar here)
Shoes-  Osh Kosh via Zulily

dit-elle-Lauren

Little Boogaweezin SS ’14 Style Ambassador Search + a TON of personal ramblings… :}

 I’ve never been much of a New Year’s Resolution kind of person.  The last time I did one though, was 6 years ago when I said that my one effort in “dating” {UGH!!} was going to be that I would accept the offer from anyone that wanted to set me up.  Up until that point, I’d always just said “Oh….uh, well, um, that’s nice”  Yet quickly changed the subject and NEVER.SPOKE.OF.IT.AGAIN.  I kid you not.  Two weeks later I was set up with the Huz.  SO, maybe I should do them more often, no?

THIS year, I said I was going to make a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone more.  I mean, I’m turning 40, why NOT??!!  Just doing this blog is TOTALLY stepping outside of my comfort zone (thank you Esther for kicking my arse into doing it!).  Granted, I have only shared it with a few of my closest friends hahaha, but whatever.

So, fast forward to me REALLY stepping out of my comfort zone.  Little Boogaweezin is an online store/blog that caters to fashionable moms and babes (uh, LOVE that!!).  I originally stumbled upon their blog and found the “Revamped Mom Uniform”.  I poured through all of them, visited the mommy blogs, and was hooked.  Then I looked at their store.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!  They have this perfect vintage look to them, and then you stop to read what’s written on them….SO COOL!

Seriously, does this not almost bring tears to your eyes (ok, maybe only if you’re a mom haha)

Dear Big MeIf you can’t read it, it says “dear big me, i can’t wait to see who I become one day-the little me”

GAH!!!!

I’m following them on Instagram, and they announce that they are looking for a mother and daughter Style Ambassador for their Spring/Summer ’14 line.  NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS would I enter anything like that….before.  Then it hits me.  I LOVE the “Revamped Mom Uniform”.  One of the big reasons I wanted to do this blog was to show that a 40 year old, work from home mom could get out of her sweats and look decent.  So, I would kick myself if I didn’t at least enter!  At this point, I don’t even care if we get chosen (ok, bit of a white lie :}), I’m just so glad I actually did it.  This is what we submitted…StyleAmbassadorIt was relatively easy doing this first little collage (don’t kid yourself I had a few glasses of wine before I hit “ok” on the posting!)  Then a few days went by and I thought.  Holy &$%.  On the off chance we get chosen, could I style their pieces, and more importantly photograph them NOT on the sidewalk in front of our house/in the alleys blocks from our house??  I didn’t want to be a complete a-hole that just enters random drawings willy nilly in the hopes of getting free stuff-BARF!!  I knew I had to buy something.  I was looking and loving EVERYTHING I was seeing, and then because I’m me (!!!) I checked out the sale button and found the PERFECT TANK!!!!  Sadly, it’s sold out now, but maaaaaybe it will be back and in different styles???Little Boogaweezin TankA)  It’s almost our logo!!!!  B) My dad has called me Beez for I don’t even know how long.  Like, doesn’t call me Lauren….ever?  Maybe he’ll comment and tell me 🙂  That morphed into LMB when I had Maya “Little Mama Beez”, so this was just about perfect.  All they had left was a XS, but I bought it immediately thinking I could either squeeze myself into it or have it be a tunic for Maya.  Happy to say it fit me!  Yay for having no boobies!!  And…that leads us to the actual blog post.  PHEW! 🙂  We took the tripod on a little field trip.  It was a MIRACLE that it wasn’t raining sideways, but…there were 20mph winds.  Can we just pretend I hired a wind machine?? 🙂Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-1 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-2 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-3 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-4 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-5 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-6 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-7There was no looking at me with all the puddles we found… Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-8 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-9Seriously love this next one.  PUDDLE!!! Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-10 Blog Doma Leather Jacket Little Boogaweezin J Brand Coach Slip ons-11Three more days to enter, for all those Mama’s out there!!

On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, but similar here less expensive here.)
Top- Little Boogaweezin (sold out, but even cuter stuff here)
Shoes- Coach (thrifted, and OMG are they comfy! Similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren

A swing and a miss…

 My 13 year old stepson- “What are you wearing?!?”

Me- “What do you mean??”

Him- “Well, normally you look pretty stylish, but….what are you wearing?!

Hmph.  At least I was comfortable… TGIF!!!Blog Theory Sweater Joes Cargo Skinny Converse-1 Blog Theory Sweater Joes Cargo Skinny Converse-2 Blog Theory Sweater Joes Cargo Skinny Converse-3On me… if anyone cares :{

Sweater-  Theory (old, but similar here)
Pants- Joe’s Jeans (a few sizes too big, thrifted, similar here and less expensive here)
Belt- Massimo Dutti (Old, similar here and here)
Shoes- Converse- Thrifted (similar)
On Maya…
Sweater- (Thrifted, similar here)
Top- H&M (Thrifted, similar here)
Pants- Joe’s Jeans (ThredUp, similar here)
Boots- Zulily

dit-elle-Lauren

With this weather…you need statement jackets!

 I managed to find a tiny break in the weather where it wasn’t raining, and we ran outside to take these and go for a walk around the neighborhood.  About halfway through it started sprinkling again… Ugh, what am I going to do for the next 4 months??Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-1 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-2 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-3Sometimes the classics are best.  You can never go wrong with a white button down shirt, jeans, and boots! Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-4 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-5 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-6 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-7 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-8 Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-9OMG.  When I capture these smiles, my heart just melts in a puddle on the floor.  She really is such a happy kid.  SO lucky… Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-10And can we talk about how I could spend HOURS to make my hair look like that, and yet it never would.  Sigh… Blog Geren Ford Coat Goldsign Vintage Frye-11On me…

Coat- Geren Ford (old, but love these here and here)
Shirt- H&M (similar)
Jeans- Goldsign “Frontier” (sold out, but similar here and less expensive here)
Boots- Vintage Frye (similar here, less expensive here)
On Maya…
Coat- Baluga of NY (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, similar here)
Boots- Unknown?  (thrifted)

dit-elle-Lauren

Neutral Shades…

 I bet you’re thinking…”I think I’ve seen that outfit recently…?”  Ok, yes.  It’s the oatmeal version of the Zara Boyfriend sweater that I wore last week.  I LOVE IT!  Am I the only one that buys things in multiple colors when you find something you love?  Especially if it’s on sale?!  Anyway.  So comfy, and I love the elbow patches.

Side note-don’t you just want to squeeze her (obviously, I do!)??  Since I take all these with a self timer, I don’t really know what she’s doing until later.  GAH!!  I could just eat her up.Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-1 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-2 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-3 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-4 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-5 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-6 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-7 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-8 Blog Zara Boyfriend Sweater J Brand Frye-9On me…

Sweater- Zara
Scarf- Thrifted (similar here)
Jeans- J Brand
Boots- Frye (similar)
On Maya…
Sweater- Gap (thrifted, but similar here and here)
Top- C&C California (thrifted, but similar here)
Pants- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots- Zulily

dit-elle-Lauren

Stripes + Faux Fur On the two of us…

 I’m pretty sure it’s obvious, but I am so obsessed with stripes!  The “don’t wear horizontal stripes” is for sure a rule to break.  Everyone can!  Little hints of it peeking out of layering…LOVE!!!  I’m also a bit obsessed with the faux fur trend, but have only really had the nerve to try it out on Maya (my little fashion guinea pig :})Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-1 Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-2See the below expression?  That would be me awkwardly trying to talk to a neighbor that came out while the self timer was going off.  Hey, I have a limited window of Maya snacking in the wagon.  I’ve got to keep this moving! 🙂  He eventually went back inside… Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-3 Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-4 Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-5And THIS is why I am so thankful I’m doing this blog.  Are you kidding me with that smile?  LOVE HER!  In her hand is a doll from LinaMarieDolls.  They are SO CUTE (sorry, I didn’t get a better picture of the doll, but getting Maya to “show me the doll” wasn’t exactly working.  I won it in a cut throat auction, and have never been so glad to spend more than retail price on anything! 🙂  It’s all for a good cause, right?  She has SO many other cute creations!!  I foresee our house being overrun by them… 🙂 Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-6I see so many other bloggers talking about “reality” vs “blogging reality”.  I admit.  I’m only posting pictures that look good.  Where me and Maya look happy.  Duh.  Honestly, I’m so lucky.  Maya really is a happy kid, but I HAD to put these in here.  These are SO going to be my teenage years… Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-7This is such a blogger pose below… And remember this sweater in red?  YES, I found it in another thrift store in cream.  Same “too big” size!  This one was $1.50.  SCORE!! Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-8Now, back to reality.  “I’m jumping!!” Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-9Lastly.  Wow, I’m rambling a LOT in this post.  I’m not sure if any of you care about coats, but I’m thinking with the crazy weather in the US, the answer is yes?!  I LOVE vintage coats.  They are a fraction of the cost, look totally current (most designers base their looks on vintage coats), and nobody else will have them (WIN!!).  All around SCORE as far as I’m concerned!!  I haven’t really blogged much about outerwear, but I thought I might at the end for those that care.  Pretty sure I got this coat for less than $20.  It’s been a while… Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-10 Blog HM Sweater Genetic Denim Shane Coated-11On me…

Sweater- H&M
Coat- Vintage
Jeans- Genetic Denim “The Shane” Coated (similar here and less expensive here)
Shoes- Report (sold out).  Similar here.
On Maya…
Sweater- Old Navy (thrifted, and sweaters are slim pickings on line right now but love this here)
Vest- Koala Kids (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Gap (similar)
Boots- Minnetonka (thrifted, but similar here)

dit-elle-Lauren