The power of Social Media…

 You can say anything you want about pictures and make it so…

I could lie and say I took these a few days ago when we had a random hour of sun and 60 degree weather, but…they are from about a month and a half ago.  I’ve been so busy with work and life!  Plus, it’s been off and on POURING and windy lately, so we haven’t been taking as many pics.  Thankfully, I have few that I never posted for one reason or the other, which is what you’ve seen posted sporadically lately 🙂

I DIY ripped these vintage Levi’s because my collection was growing a little out of control.  I thought I’d at least make these different 😉  I did a tutorial on how I do the DIY ripped jeans here.Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-1 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-2 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-3 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-4 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-5Of course I had to DIY rip a pair for Maya too! Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-6 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-8 Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-9Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-1Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-2Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-3Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-4Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-5Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-6Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-7Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-8Blog Arizona Jeans Heart Sweater DIY Ripped Levis Sperry Topsider Brown Shoes-9Seriously…love this city on a gorgeous day.Blog Seattle SkylineOn me…

Top- Zara (old, similar here)
Belt- Vintage (thrifted)
Jeans- Levi’s DIY ripped by me (thrifted)
Shoes- Birkenstocks (20 years old, and still hanging in there!)
On Maya…
Sweater- Arizona  (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Levi’s DIY ripped (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Sperry Topsider  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
When you look at this picture, I’m sure you think “Awe, that’s so sweet.  Maya looking up sweetly at me…”  Blog Zara Stiped Crop Top Vintage DIY Destroyed Levis Birkenstocks-7
In reality, she’s in time out for biting me when I tried to pull her away from running under the tripod and almost knocking my camera over.
Thank GOODNESS that phase is gone.
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Avocado Toast with a Soft Boiled Egg…

Avocado toast is just about everywhere, and for good reason.  It’s DELICIOUS and good for you too!!  You can keep it pure, or mix it up.  That’s one of the things I love about food and fashion.  You can get inspired by others, and then make it your own.  I got this idea from Frugal Feeding‘s Avocado Puff Tart recipe.  My mouth started watering the minute I saw it…

We got some yummy artisan bread at the Sunday Farmer’s Market, and I just new I wanted to make a variation of his recipe using it.  I had some tomatoes that were on their last legs, so I diced them up, soft boiled some eggs, and dinner was served!  SO easy and delicious-total win!!Blog Avocado Toast with Soft Boiled Egg and Tomatos-1Ingredients

  • Loaf of bread (any kind will do-can even use gluten free!)
  • Avocado (amount varies on how many people you are going to feed)
  • Tomatoes
  • Soft Boiled eggs (I did one per slice of toast)
  • Chili Pepper Flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Slice up some bread.
  • Mash up the avocado in a bowl and season with a little salt and pepper.
  • Dice up the tomotoes
  • Soft Boil the eggs.  Bring a pot of water to boil.  Drop eggs in and let them cook for 8 minutes.  Drain water, and immediately cover with cold water to stop them from cooking further.
  • Pile everything on the bread and sprinkle with chili flakes (optional).Blog Avocado Toast with Soft Boiled Egg and Tomatos-2Blog Avocado Toast with Soft Boiled Egg and Tomatos-3Enjoy!dit-elle-Lauren

Jeans that feel like pajamas? Count me IN!

 I’m a little embarrassed by how many days in a row I’ve worn these jeans :}  They are not the most flattering jeans, but you cannot beat them for comfort!  Not only are they super baggy, but the cotton is this super soft thin fabric.  Even better?  I got them off eBay for $15!Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-1I recently scored this sweater from StyleMint when they had their get 3 for $20 sale.  Yes, this sweater was less than $7 (regularly $69.98)!! Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-2 Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-3 Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-4 Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-5Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-6Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-1Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-2 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-3 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-4 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-5 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-6 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-7 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-8 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-9 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-10 Blog Old Navy Gold Striped Sweatshirt DL1961 Harper Cherokee Faux Fur Boots-11Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-20Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-21Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-23The road to having this sweet little nugget was not an easy one.  Looking back now, I’m glad for every road bump, every hope dashed, and every tear shed, because they’ve been blown away by all the laughter and love she has brought into our lives.  For those that have struggled to have a child, it’s SO hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Believe that it is there…

I vascilated between leaving it at that and telling the whole drawn out story (I actually did, but ended up deleting it because it was literally a novel that maybe 2 people would read…)

My story really isn’t any different from many.  We started trying to have Maya a little before I was 35, aka “advanced maternal age”-UGH, can they not think of a better phrase now a days??!!  So…I was somewhat prepared for complications and not so easy road.  What I wasn’t that prepared for was exactly how much of an emotional roller coaster it would be.  Every month, getting your hopes up, and then having them crushed.  A process that is supposed to be joyful, ended up just being frustrating and depressing.

BUT…after two years, almost as soon as I became pregnant, I knew!  Before any kind of testing, I just knew, and I WAS!!  I’m tearing up just typing this.  I took a test early, and it came back positive.  Yes, I still have the test (gross to some, but there is no way I’ll ever throw it away!!)

And then…I got to go get the official word.  The only real bonus to going to a fertility specialist is ALL the extra/early tests you get!  I remember the crappy parking on a downward hill to get to the clinic.  I remember getting in the elevator to get to the office.  I remember it ALL.  And I have the worst memory ever!!

The minute I heard the heartbeat…it became a reality.  Maya became a reality.

A reality, I could never have imagined… A love I could never have imagined.  A joy I could never have imagined, and yet it was mine.

I know so many people that have stories way more complicated and heart wrenching than mine.  The ability to have a child is such a gift.  A gift many can’t have.

I will never stop being thankful for this gift.

Blog Nordstrom Hat StyleMint Nicholas Sweater Rag and Bone Boyfriend Jeans Leopard Flats-24On me…

Hat- Nordstrom (thrifted, similar here)
Belt- Vintage (thrifted)
Jeans- Rag & Bone (ebay, similar here)
Shoes- Target
On Maya…
Top- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)
Boots- Cherokee (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
I wear these jeans around the house unrolled, but they look even more unflattering that way.  SOOOO comfy though.  The fabric is so soft that they don’t really hold a roll though.  SO…about every picture I took I had to roll them again… 😦  All in the name of vanity, because I couldn’t show you just how slubby I really look every day-HA!  Oh, and while I’m at it.  Yeah, not only was I NOT showered, we had just gotten back from the gym.  It was such a nice day though, and I knew I wouldn’t have time to take pics after we took our shower/bath.  Maya was already dressed, so I just grabbed what was laying in a heap on my dresser from the day before hahaha.  Thank GOODNESS there’s no smell cam on computers 😉  And double thank goodness for the hat trend!Blog outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

How to keep warm with 3 levels of layering…

 This day was deceptively cold.  It was clear and sunny, but in the 30’s.  Not so cold that we needed our ginormous coats and hats, but cold enough for layers…Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-1 Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-2 Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-3 Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-4 Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-5 Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-6 hahaha, I love that she just busts a move out of nowhere 🙂Blog Leather Jacket Gap Jean Shirt StyleMint DL1961 Emma Riker Cafe Noire Booties-7Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-1Can you tell it was WINDY?Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-2Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-3Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-4Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-5Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-6Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-7Blog Faux Fur Vest DL1961 Chloe Whiteley-8On me…

Leather Jacket- Bought in Italy 20+ years ago
Denim Shirt- Gap (thrifted, similar here)
Striped Top- StyleMint
Jeans- DL1961 “Emma” in Riker (ebay score!)
Boots- Cafe Noire (thrifted, but similar here)
On Maya…
Vest- Koala Kids (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- (thrifted, but similar here)
Denim Shirt- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots- Cherokee (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
This was a very quick outting!  I didn’t think it was that cold, but then the sun went down very quickly and we were in the shade.  As long as I was hugging Maya or she was jumping/dancing all was well.
This is Maya’s face right before she said “Mom, it’s cold.  I want to go home…”  And so we did!  Seriously…those fingers?!  I love them!blog outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

A Pop of Fuchsia for Gray Fall Days

Inspired by the bright pink flowers on Camelia trees, and especially in winter or days when all you want to wear is black, gray, blues.. a fabric flower clip adds such a nice pop of color to the palette! Flower clips are easy to find online or in stores or make one with a flower from a craft store and clip. I’ll add that to my DIY & kid fun project and publish whenever we get there! 🙂

Blog Black Outfit with Flower-2

Blog Black Outfit with Flower-1

Lauren’s daughter Maya was entertaining us by digging in the dirt and having a lot of fun! 🙂

Jeans: Silver Jeans Co. On sale now. 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Classics never go out of style… Leather Jackets + Converse

 Ok, so I did it again.  I dressed us alike.  I honestly didn’t mean to, but then it just happened.  Oh well.

Just wait for it…. 🙂1 blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-7 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-2 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-41 blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-11 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-7 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-8 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-9 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-10 Blog Doma Leather Jacket StyleMint tee DL1961 Emma Denver Black Converse-11You know, because who needs a jacket it the winter???  Obviously, not Maya…blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-1And then I managed to wrestle it back on her! blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-2 blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-3 blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-4 blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-5 blog purple faux leather Jacket Hanna Andersson Checked blouse DL1961 Harper Pataky Black Toddler Converse-6On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, but similar here and less expensive here)
Top- StyleMint (similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
On Maya…
Jacket- H&M (last year, but similar here)
Top- Hanna Andersson (thrifted)
Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
This was cut a little short because I didn’t realize HOW MUDDY it was going to be at the park.  Maya had said she wanted to try and fly her little butterfly kite, but once we got there all she saw was MUD!!!  And…have you ever tried to distract a toddler from mud??  Thankfully I had a full package of wet wipes with me 😉
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Apple Tartlets

It’s definitely apple season! Pick a favorite cooking apple (Granny Smith apples are wonderful), make this easy crust, and voila – easy paleo dessert. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for some totally-non-paleo goodness! 🙂

The recipe calls for apple juice – this is the only sweetener. I thought the apples might be too tart – but they are perfect. Even without the ice cream, this is a yummy dessert!

These Upside Down Apple Tartlets are inspired from Elana’s Pantry (with some minor modifications).

Blog apple tartlett (3) Blog apple tartlett (1)

Crust

  • 2 cups blanched almond flour
  • dash sea salt
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, at room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Filling

  • 6 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced, and cut into ¼-inch slices (I like Granny Smith Apples for baking)
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (What’s arrowroot? That’s what I said! It’s a natural thickener – a starch extracted from arrowroot. Read more on Wikipedia.)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and place eight 1-cup wide mouth Mason jars on a large baking sheet (you could also make one large pie/tart if you prefer – just use an ~8″ round or square baking dish and crumble or lay the crust on top)
  2. To make the crust, pulse together almond flour and salt in a food processor, then add coconut oil and vanilla and pulse until the mixture forms a ball
  3. Transfer dough to a piece of parchment paper and place in freezer for 20 minutes
  4. To make filling, toss apples, apple juice, lemon juice, arrowroot powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl to combine
  5. Transfer apples to Mason jars so that each one is overfull and divide remaining juice from the bottom of the bowl between the jars
  6. Remove dough from freezer, place between 2 pieces of parchment paper generously dusted with almond flour and roll out to about ¼-inch thick and remove top sheet of parchment
  7. Use top of a wide-mouth Mason jar to cut out 8 circles of dough
  8. Place one on top of each apple-filled Mason jar
  9. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the juices are bubbling and the crust is golden brown
  10. Serve the tartlets hot out of the oven with coconut whipped cream or ice cream 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

One of my favorite posts…Because I can’t think of a title…and it is :)

 I envy anyone who has a way with words.  Someone that pulls you in with their story.  One that can make you feel as if you were there by the way they describe what happened to them.  Witty titles.  Heart wrenching stories that pull you in, and make you ache from what you read or make you laugh out loud.  Or…just a recounting of their day (good or bad) that makes you think of a day you similarly had that makes you connect to them.

I follow people’s blogs or on Instagram that have this gift, because they inspire me and leave me in awe, but I will never be that person.  I’ve never had that special way with words.  I’ve always used another medium to express myself.  Right now…it’s pictures.  And, honestly, I feel blessed to be able to do that for other people, and honestly…for myself.

I’ve never been good at story telling.  I always forget 75% of what I’m trying to tell.  I’d never be able to accurately recount to Maya all the fun we had in her childhood, but through this blog…I can.  And I am forever grateful for that.  Zero followers or a bunch of followers.  It doesn’t really matter.  The end result is that I can show her this later and show her how much fun we had and how much I love her.  Because by the time she actually reads this, she will “hate me” for telling her she can’t wear this or that I’m sure haha :{

I’m sure it isn’t a secret that I don’t really feel comfortable in dresses.  I love them, buy them, but never wear them.  One of the pages I follow on Instagram is CoastToCoastCentral.  Not only do they have great fashion posts and challenges, but they are very involved in raising awareness around sex trafficking.  It literally makes my shudder to think about this being a reality, but is sadly it very much is.  They recently partnered with Dressember in order to raise awareness of human trafficking.  Honestly, I can’t wear a dress for the entire month (ugh, maybe I could, but…this year, I will try to commit to wearing them MORE! Baby steps).

Sooo, day 1 (or, in reality Day 8 by the time I post this)!  Honestly, this dress would be indecent on a 40 year old mom (who’s 5′ 8″!), so I paired it with some skinny jeans and boots and I was happy as a clam!  Extra bonus?  Totally hides all the holiday indulging-WIN!!

Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-1 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-2 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-3 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-4 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-5And then the sun went away… In case you were wondering 😉Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-6OMG, loooove that I captured this!!  Usually, I only capture the after math (ginormous hug), but this is what leads up to it, which…is almost just as good 😉 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-7Ok, this is better 🙂 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-8 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-9“Maya, can you stand like a flamingo?” haha.  Because she’s obsessed with flamingos, and there’s no way she would follow “Can you do what I’m doing?”  Hey…whatever works, because…how cute, right?? 😉 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-10 Blog Levis Jacket Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan Free People Sunbeams Dress DL1961 Emma Bloom Frye Harness Boots-11Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-1Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-2I cannot tell you how much I love it when she just busts a move!! 🙂Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-3Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-4Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-5Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-6Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-7OH MY GOSH, I have no words.  She is so freaking cute I can hardly stand it.  And no, I’m not biased (haha ;)) SHE IS!!!Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-8Looove this one too.Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-9Does anyone remember Geoffrey?  Yeah, he disappeared, and no other stick has lasted past the walk we are on.  This stick stayed on the path.  For those that don’t remember Geoffrey, he came with us everywhere for…a month?  Broke twice, had bandaides all over, and kept on going until…he was lost. 😦Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-10Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-11Blog HM Hat Old Navy faux fur vest cardigan Little Boogaweezin DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Pink Checked Vans-12On me…

Jacket- Levi’s (thrifted)
Sweater- Inhabit (ebay, LOVING this one here)
On Maya…
Hat- (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- (thrifted, but similar here)
Vest- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Little Boogaweezin (sold out, but the SS15 is preview is AMAZING!)
Shoes- Vans (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Ok, this first one…hahaha.  I was trying to show the movement of the dress and in my mind I wanted a graceful twirl.  What I got instead! HA-NOT GRACEFUL!  Hey…you try twirling for 10 seconds and have it time it just right 😉  Totally cracked me up when I saw it though!!  I look like a tween line dancing (no offense to line dancers!!)blog outtake-And, this next one wouldn’t be an outtake if there wasn’t a guy walking his dog (I probably could have removed him in photoshop), and the voluminous dress didn’t look soooo unflattering when I bent over :{  But…it happens, and I still love it, so it’s an outtake! 🙂
blog outtake-1
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Leather + Coated Denim…again :)

 So, in my quest to wear things that I love but that I wasn’t wearing, I’m now on repeat haha.  Hey, there are worse things.  Plus, these coated denim are basically like spanx, so you’re lucky you don’t see these on me every single day.  Although, these pictures were taken a few weeks ago before the holiday binging, so they might not even fit me right now ;}Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-1 Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-2 Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-3 Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-4 Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-5 Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-6“C’mon Mom, this way!!” Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-7 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-1Love, love love these next three.  I couldn’t decide which one to post, so I’m posting them all…because I can 🙂 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-2 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-3 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-4 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-5 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-6 Blog Gap Green Parka Old navy Star Dress HM Tights Zulily Link Navy Boots-7On me…

Jacket- Doma (old, similar here)
Sweater- Inhabit (ebay, LOVING this one here)
Jeans- J Brand
Shoes- Vans (thrifted for $5!, similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here although, hers is a boys jacket :))
Dress- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Tights- H&M (similar here)
Boots- Zulily $9.99! (search Link)
Keeping it Real…
Maya had gotten up earlier than normal on this day.  She’s actually been pretty good about sleeping in until 7:00-7:30.  She goes to bed at 9:00.  Has since she was a baby.  I’ve tried to put her down earlier, because I always just assumed kids slept from 7-7 (like my brothers kids and friends kids did).  Hey, I would have been excited about 8-8 or 9-9.  BUT…I really l can’t complain, because she’s always been (and still is) and amazing napper.  That’s when I get all my work done, so I really wouldn’t trade that for anything!  Plus, it’s nice that she gets to stay up and see and hang out with all of us vs going to bed right after dinner.
ANYWHO…she got up around 6ish on this day (if I remember correctly), and we had time to kill before preschool.  So…we took pics.  Disregard the bags under both of our eyes, and the fact that I didn’t shower.  At this point, the fact that I haven’t showered isn’t really “keeping it real” anymore :}
Here she is eating an after breakfast/before preschool snack.Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles

Love the Gluten Free Waffles we posted last week? Here’s a pumpkin version! 🙂

Blog gluten free waffles-2 (1) Blog gluten free waffles 2 (6)  Blog gluten free waffles 2 (2)

Ingredients

  • 1  cup rice flour or a gluten free flour mix
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal (omit if you are corn free and add another 1/4 cup of the rice flour back)
  • 1/2 cup potato starch (NOT Potato Flour)
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  • 2  teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • dash of salt
  • 1/4 cup melted butter or coconut oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (regular milk works, too)

Directions

  • Mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another
  • Combine and mix
  • Add more liquid if you need to thin the batter (water, milk or more pumpkin)
  • Scoop in portions onto waffle iron and cook
  • Serve with butter & sugar & cinnamon, maple syrup & whipped cream & toasted pecans, or other favorite toppings

dit-elle-Esther