Category Archives: Misc Maya

Comfy cozy sweater + Boots = My winter uniform

During the fall and winter, my uniform changes from jeans, t-shirt, and flip flops to jeans, boots, and sweaters.  I’m pretty simple like that 🙂 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-1 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-2 blog Brown Chunky Theory Sweater Community Denim Frye-3Maya likes cozy sweaters and boots too!1MayaEliseSept2013-2c

On me…

Jeans- Community Denim (Old, but similar here, and less expensive here.)
Tank Top- Fresh Laundry (similar here, less expensive here.)
Sweater- Theory (Old)

Boots- Frye (ebay!) old, but similar here.

On Maya…
Jeans- Gap.
Top- Children’s Place (thrifted)
Sweater- vintage
dit-elle-Lauren

Tis the season…for skulls?

I got this sweater a while ago.  It’s so fun, and I love the metallic coating.   Who says skulls are just for Halloween?  Not me!Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-1 Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-2 Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-3 Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-4 Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-5This was a “self timer” shoot.  Maya kept saying “Again! Again!”  She loves running back and forth from the camera to the “spot” hahaBlog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-6 Blog Vintage Havana Skull Sweater Red Black Orchid Frye Boots-7On me…

Jeans- Black Orchid (Old, but similar here and less expensive on sale! here)
Sweater- Vintage Havana (sold out, but similar here and LOVE this one if it wasn’t so expensive)
Boots- Frye (less expensive version here)
On Maya…
Jeans- Gap. (old, but LOVE these purple ones)
Sweater- Old Navy (old)
Boots- Zulily
dit-elle-Lauren

How to take your own fashion blog pictures…

So, about 60% of the shots I take are with my tripod and a timer.  20% my husband takes, and the other 20% one of my parents take.  (*edited to add* As I’ve gotten better with this process, I now take about 98% of the shots of me/me with Maya).  When I take images with my tripod and timer this is how I do it.

1-Put my camera on a tripod.

2- Find something I can focus on.  I’ve used a chair, Maya’s stroller, a long stick stuck in the grass, and then I figured out I could use a light stand.  Most people won’t have a light stand, so just use anything that will stand on it’s own that’s at least 3 feet tall.  (*edited to add.  I now tie something onto the top of my stand, so that the camera really has something clear to focus on.  I actually tied a little stuffed animal to it :})

3-Have your lens on auto focus.  Focus on your fake subject, and while you still have the shutter pressed halfway down, move the focus to manual.  This will keep the focus locked where you want it.

4-Mark where you had your fake subject.  If you are shooting at a shallow depth of field, a few inches will matter.  I usually use a leaf or a crack in the pavement.

5-Either use the self timer button or a shutter release.  I’ve got both, but end up using the self timer, so that I don’t have to worry about having something in my hand.  Plus, a lot of the times that’s how I get good laughing shots on my own.  I might trip on my way back to my spot, have a neighbor drive by wondering what the heck I’m doing, or just laugh at the hilariousness of it all.

Blog Hudson Jeans Pink Converse- Blog Hudson Jeans Pink Converse-1Ok, truth be told.  It doesn’t ALWAYS work haha.  I almost scrapped this post because I totally messed up on the focusing, but why just show my success stories?  Maya now thinks it’s a fun game.  Press the button, run to the spot…go back to the camera.  Over and over :).Blog Hudson Jeans Pink Converse-2It also helps to have a handy assistant to lug all your gear around for you 😉 Blog Hudson Jeans Pink Converse-3Good Luck!!

On me…

Jeans- Hudson
Shoes- Converse
On Maya…
Jeans- Cherokee
Top- Gap
Sweater– H&M (old)
Shoes- Converse
dit-elle-Lauren

Color blocking… in a subtle way.

Sometimes when there’s a trend I want to try, but I’m not sure I can pull it off…I dip my toes into it (haha)  That was so cheesy, I can’t believe I wrote that, but hey…so true!  Especially in this case. 😉blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-1I‘m wearing yet another pair of DL 1961 jeans.  I cannot say enough how comfortable these jeans are! blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-2 blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-3 blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-4 blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-5 blog Silk Blouse DL 1961 Jeans Color Block Shoes-6Maya’s take on color blocking…or, just stripes (whatever :)) blog Maya 104wks Striped Sweaterblog Maya 104wks Striped Sweater-2On me…

Jeans- DL 1961 (these are the Emma Leggings)
Shirt- Thrifted, but LOVE this one.
Shoes- Leifnotes from Anthropologie (Sold out, but similar here and these look fun too!)
On Maya…
Jeans- Gap. (old, but similar on sale here )
Sweater- Gap. (old but love this one!)
Boots- Faded Glory (Thrifted, but similar here.  Dying over these!
Super Mom Tip-
Don’t be afraid to buy/wear silk.  Especially if you get it on the cheap.  I rarely take things in to be dry cleaned/hand wash.  This top has gone into the wash on gentle, hung dry, and come out unscathed.  It does take a while to iron, but it’s a great break from my usual t-shirts!
dit-elle-Lauren

Stripes…

I feel like stripes are always in style… I love black and white paired with a pop of color in the shoe.blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-1 blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-2 blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-3I swear I wasn’t thinking “stripes all around”, but alas…it happened 🙂  This was at Maya’s birthday BBQ with her 4 legged brother Max. blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-4 blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-5Can’t believe she’s TWO!! blog Striped Stylemint Hudson Skinny Jeffrey Campbell-6On me…

Jeans- Hudson
Shirt- StyleMint (sold out, but similar here , here, and love this one here)
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell (old, but LOVE these and these)
On Maya…
Dress- Gap (ThredUp but love this!)
Leggings- Gap (old, but similar here)
Boots- SmartFit (old, but similar here and love these here)
dit-elle-Lauren

What I wear on a photo shoot…and Happy Birthday to Maya!

So, this is exactly what I would wear on a photo shoot (ie-when I’m photographing others :)).  The only addition is that I normally wear boots in the fall because I’m traipsing through fields.  These jeans are super comfortable, because they have a lot of stretch yet don’t stretch out.  The dark comes in handy because it doesn’t show dirt.  All of these advantages translate over to day to day motherhood haha. 🙂Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-1 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-2 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-3 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-4 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-5This particular photo shoot was very special though.  The nugget turns two today!

I cannot express how much love and happiness she has brought to me the last two years.  She has more joy in her little finger than most people have in their entire bodies.  She makes me a better person every single day…Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-8 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-9 Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-7Blog Green Design History Sweater Blank Zipper Jeans-6On me…

Jeans-Blank NYC (old, but similar here and here)
Sweater- Design History (similar color here)
T-Shirt- StyleMint
Shoes- Restricted (thrifted)  Similar here
On Maya…
Dress- Gap (old)
Sweater- Pumpkin Patch (old, similar here)
Tights- Baby Legs (similar here)

Boots- Faded Glory (Thrifted, but similar here.  Love these!)

dit-elle-Lauren

The classics never go out of style…

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a bit of a clothes hoarder… Well, I’d like to call it a collector of classics hahaha.  In all seriousness, I have stuff in my closet that is over 20 years old that I still wear!  Case in point-these boots.  I bought these on my first trip to Europe with FIDM 20 years ago!  Years go by and I don’t wear them.  Then suddenly I fall in love with them all over again and wear them in a completely new way.Blog Cream J Crew Sweater Destroyed Blank Lace up Boots-1Blog Cream J Crew Sweater Destroyed Blank Lace up Boots-3 Blog Cream J Crew Sweater Destroyed Blank Lace up Boots-2 Blog Cream J Crew Sweater Destroyed Blank Lace up Boots-4 Blog Cream J Crew Sweater Destroyed Blank Lace up Boots-5Here’s Maya wearing a vintage dress (probably MORE than 20 years old…)1Maya100weeksvintagedressfog-2
Jeans- Blank (old, similar here)
Sweater- J Crew (old, but similar here and here)
Boots- 20 years old!  Similar here and here.
On Maya…
Dress- Vintage (similar here and here)
Jacket- Children’s Place (similar here)
Boots- Children’s Place (Thrifted, but similar here.
Leggings- Children’s Place (on sale!)dit-elle-Lauren

Sometimes you just want to wear black…

I used to wear a lot of black.  A LOT!!  Then I made a conscious effort to work color into my wardrobe, and I love color now.  That said…it’s still my security blanket.  When I’ve indulged a little too much over the weekend or am a little brain dead and don’t want to think about what to wear….black is the easy answer.Blog Black leifsdottir cardigan Black AG jeans Boots-1These Adriano Goldschmied jeans are amazing!  I may have two pairs in the denim too (made one pair into capris for the summer :)).  The elastic waist band is SO comfortable, and there’s no bulge when you wear long tunics.  Yet the denim, really is denim-not a legging.  I actually wore these when I was pregnant too.  I wish they would have made them in even more washes! Blog Black leifsdottir cardigan Black AG jeans Boots-2 Blog Black leifsdottir cardigan Black AG jeans Boots-3 Poor nugget got into a tussle with the cabinet and lost… Oh, and btw, if you follow us on Instagram, you’ll know how much I spent on this ADORABLE faux leather jacket 🙂Blog Black leifsdottir cardigan Black AG jeans Boots-4Blog Black leifsdottir cardigan Black AG jeans Boots-5On me…

Jeans- Adriano Goldschmied (sold out 😦 the denim version is sold out too, but check on eBay!)
Sweater- Leifsdottir (old, but similar here)
Boots- Nocona
On Maya…
Top- Pumpkin Patch (Nordstrom Rack, but similar here)
Boots- Children’s Place (Thrifted, but similar here.
Jacket- Circo (thrifted, but this one is so cute)
dit-elle-Lauren

Boyfriend Jeans + Cashmere = weekend comfort outfit!

Boyfriend jeans have been a trend for a while now.  I’ve tried a few pairs…  They are incredibly comfortable, but I’m not a big fan of the longer rise that usually comes with them, and how they make my butt look (c’mon, that’s HUGE in jeans decisions :)).  So…now I cheat and just buy up a couple of sizes on a normal pair.  This is especially great when I go thrift shopping and find pairs not in my size=boyfriend jeans!  That was the case with the pair I’m wearing here.  This particular pair was hemmed already and about an inch too short.  Was I deterred from scooping up a pair of Seven for All Mankind for less than $10?  NO!  Roll them, I say 😉

Ps-it’s been raining CONSTANTLY in Seattle, so…inside pick for this one.  I’ll try and get more creative later.blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-1When you go the “boyfriend” style route, it’s best to pair it with a tighter fitting top.  That way you don’t look too frumpy (NOBODY WANTS THAT!)  This sweater isn’t too tight, but it’s more fitted. blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-2 blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-3 blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-4cThen I dug this leather jacket out of the trenches.  I have had this particular jacket for over 10 years!  I’m such a hoarder… BUT, I find that things always come back around, and I’m SO glad I never got rid of it! blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-5 blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-8 blog Yellow StyleMint Cashmere 7 Boyfriend Cafe Noir-9And Maya’s take on the rolled too big jeans 🙂1Maya85wksRainPony-2cOn me…

Jeans- 7 for All Mankind (I bought these 2 sizes bigger than my normal size)
Sweater- StyleMint (sold out :()  Similar here and here.
Boots- Cafe Noir (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive version here.)
Jacket- Old, but similar here.
On Maya…
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (got these on ThredUp for $10!)
Sweater- Old Navy
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)
Super Mom Tip-
Thrift store shop for premium denim (great deals are out there if you look!).  Both Value Village and Goodwill have carts that you can put your child in while you shop (hands free shopping!)  Plus, a lot of times you will find jeans already hemmed perfectly (if you have shorter legs).  If you find a pair that are too short…roll them!dit-elle-Lauren

Going green…

Green is my favorite color, so you will see a lot of it on here.  When I found these boots at Funky Janes Consignment store for $25, I knew I had to have them!  Once again, I go to purge my closet…then add to it.  Oh, well.  Let’s just call it recycling, which is good for the environment, right? 🙂  These are so fun, and they go perfectly with these jeans from Black Orchid!  I mentioned before how comfortable these are.  They truly feel like you are wearing sweats-best trait for a jean if you ask me!blogGreen Black Orchid Boots Cream StyleMint-1blogGreen Black Orchid Boots Cream StyleMint-4I love that this top from StyleMint has little sheer panels.  It was hard to capture on camera, but the side panels make this look less like a big mumu.  I actually got the top in a bigger size than I normally would because they were sold out.  I kind of like the slouchy tunic look…happy accident! blogGreen Black Orchid Boots Cream StyleMint-2Sometimes if I’m wearing a big baggy top, I like to wear a long necklace to give it shape. blogGreen Black Orchid Boots Cream StyleMint-3And…truth be told.  These were the shoes I wore for most of the day 🙂  So, this outfit really can go from day, to office, to night.  Just change out the shoes and remove/add jewelry! blogGreen Black Orchid Boots Cream StyleMint-51Maya101wksGreenshirtFall-1On me…

Top- StyleMint Maxwell T (sold out :() similar here and I like this one too!
Shoes- Biviel (scored at Funky Janes Consignment similar here.
Jewelry- Lariat Neclace (old and I bought it as a belt, but similar here,) bracelets Cartier and H&M (love mixing high and low end!) watch- Vintage Gucci

On Maya…

Top- Vintage (thrifted)
Jeans-Gap
Super Mom Tip-
If you see something that you like on sale, and they don’t have your size-try a different size!  This top was supposed to hit a few inches below the belt line, but all they had left was a size 4 (sizing is 1-4, which translates to XL).  I bought it anyway, and love it!  I do this with jeans I find at the thrift store and make them “boyfriend jeans”.  I’ve even tried on a size that was too small, only to find that it fit.  I find that jean sizing is all over the board, so why not try it!
dit-elle-Lauren