High Waisted Flares…and shades of coral.

 I had a work meeting earlier in the day and brought Maya.  Let’s just pretend I had time to take these before the meeting when I wasn’t a wrinkled mess 😉Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-1 Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-2 Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-3 Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-4“I’m flying mommy!” Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-5Maya grabbed this top out of my dresser when I was getting dressed.

Maya- “Wear this!”

Me- “Well, it’s my shirt…”

Maya- “It’s a princess dress for Peanut!!” as she’s attempting to put it on…Um..ok.  And so she wore it as a dress haha. Blog Maya 133 weeks Coral Tank Zepra Pants Checked Vans-1 Blog Maya 133 weeks Coral Tank Zepra Pants Checked Vans-2 Blog Maya 133 weeks Coral Tank Zepra Pants Checked Vans-3“The letter D!” Blog Maya 133 weeks Coral Tank Zepra Pants Checked Vans-4

On me…

Top- Banana Republic (old, similar here)
Belt- H & M (sold out, similar here)
Jeans- J Brand “Bianca” (thrifted for $6.99! sold out, but similar here)
Shoes- Jeffrey Campbell (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Dress- My tank that she wanted to wear 😉 (Mossimo from Target)
Tank- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Leggings- Carter’s (part of a set, similar here)
Shoes- Vans (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
She’s quick that one… 🙂Blog Banana Republic J Brand Bianca Monaco-6
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Easter Egg Tree

A beautiful, inexpensive, and FUN activity with kids! Only about a few weeks late, but figured I’d post it as inspiration for next year! 🙂

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What you need

  • Eggs
  • Dye
  • Toothpicks
  • Thread
  • Fresh tree branches (Forsythia, dogwood or other work well)

How to make your Easter Tree

  • Select fresh white eggs and blow them out. Here’s how: 1) make a small hole in each end by tapping/chiseling with the tip of a sharp knife, 2) poke a toothpick inside one of the holes to break yolk, 3) then blow the egg white/yolk out into a bowl, 4) wash off egg and let try. This is a tricky process and not recommended for kids – you should do this first and then you can have the kids help with dyeing the eggs. More tips here.
  • Dye eggs and decorate as you wish – some metallic paint brushed on dyed eggs is a fun way to add some sparkle or shine!
  • Hang by tying some sewing thread to a 1/2 toothpick inserted into the egg to create a stopper.
EstherEasterEggs

Ava quickly became a pro egg dyer!

EstherEastertree

My Easter Tree via Instagram!

dit-elle-Esther

And…I’m outta here!

 Words cannot describe how excited I am to be heading down to Santa Barbara this afternoon for a girl’s weekend.  SO EXCITED!!  Of course Maya chose Wednesday as the day to finally give in and try potty training again.  :/  She did SO well Thursday.  We had her Little Gym in the morning, so she wore a pull up there, but went both before and after WOO HOO!  All that said.  For all you mother’s out there, you know that the first few days are totally mixed with overwhelming pride, excitement, joy, frustration, patience testing to the max, and…lots of clean ups.  Oh, and not much free time to pack/get all the stuff done that you hope to get done before you leave for vacation.

Certainly didn’t have time to take pics, but thankfully I took these last week before I had a shoot.Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-1Love, love, love this sweater from Free People!  I love any kind of white/cream top that has a little fun mixed in.   Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-2 Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-3 Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-4 Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-5 Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-6You can’t really see them, but Maya’s running to meet my parents as they come down the block from their walk (that we had to miss out on :()  They were nice enough to watch Maya while I had to work.  Once she sees them, it’s “Bye Mommy!  Going to Meme and BOPO’s!!”  🙂Blog Free People Sweater J Brand Born Boots-7 On me…

Sweater- Free People (Nordstrom Rack, sold out similar here)
Jeans- J Brand (eBay) (sold out, similar here)
Boots- Born (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Dress- Chaps (gift from her Gigi, similar)

Shoes- Converse  (thrifted, but similar here)

Keeping it Real…
Did I mention how excited I am to be going out of town??  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE that I get to stay home with Maya everyday, and I feel SO fortunate that I’m able to work doing what I love to do.  All that said…it’s a tad overwhelming at times trying to do both well, and I am very very ready for some girl time, wine, and kid free relaxation!
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Back Zippers + Rips

 As the weather gets nicer, my “neighborhood shots” are going to get a little more embarrassing.  Thankfully, I’ve already had to explain “what I’m doing” to a lot of them already.  This day, we were playing with our neighbors, and I’m like “Don’t mind me…just going to bang out a few pictures”, whipped out my tripod and there we go.  haha 🙂  For the 3 of my friends and family that follow this blog, they will know that this shot is totally me.  Head back laugh… 🙂Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-1 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-2I think we all know by now that an interesting back is my downfall… 🙂 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-3 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-4 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-5 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-6Yup, that’s Maya’s “I’m going in for a hug” look.  This time it was my neighbor getting the hug, not me 🙂 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-7I had to laugh when I saw this one.  This is so a me mannerism!  Littel foot twist.  So funny! Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-8“Mommy, I’m running in the grass!”  Yes, you are 🙂  Too bad it’s a neighbor that wasn’t present 😐Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-9 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-10 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-11 Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-12 On me…

Sweater- Heather by Bordeaux (Nordstrom Rack, similar here)
Jeans- Levis (thrifted, similar here,and here)
Shoes- H&M (scored for 50% off-emails are the death of me!)
On Maya…
Top- Osh Kosh (last summer, similar here)
Pants- Zulily 
Shoes- Converse  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
When you are shooting with your neighbors and Maya just wants to play…this is what we get 🙂  Especially when her favorite neighbor boy had a stick!!! 😉Blog Heather Coral Back Zip Ripped Levis HM Leopard Shoes-13
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Peacocks and some bad a$$ boots :)

 We have an annual pass to the zoo, so it’s someplace we go fairly often.  I was kind of on the fence about it, because it totally makes me sad to see all the animals caged up.  On the other hand, Maya absolutely loves it, so… I caved.Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-1And can we talk about these boots?  I’ve LOVED/OBSESSED about them from afar for sooooo long.  Someone I follow on Instagram was cleaning out her closet, and had these in my size for a quarter of the price!!  I’d call that fate.  haha 😉Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-2And they are comfy too-WIN!! Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-3 Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-4We chilled at the park while we were waiting for our friends.  Am I the only mean mom that has found the only park near her without swings?  Maya would stay in them the entire time, and not run around..which is totally the point of going to the park, no??  Sadly, most parks have them.  It’s fun to see her so happy though…Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-5I told Maya she had to give one of the sticks to her friend.  She totally analyzed them before giving her the one she didn’t want haha.  Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-6Seriously, she has NO FEAR!  I told her she could go look at the peacock, and she totally wanted to pet it!  I may have very calmly grabbed her and then ran. :}Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-7My friend took this with my phone of us on a little break.  “Mommy sit?  Mommy cuddle?”  Done and done 🙂Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-8 Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-9 Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-10

On me…

Top- AE (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- DL1961 Emma (eBay, similar here)
Boots- Fiorentini + Baker 7040 Boot (purchased via an Instagram acct)
On Maya…
Top- Gap (gift from a friend)
Jeans- Gap (thrifted, distressed by me, but similar here)
Boots- Cherokee  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
I mean, who wants to take pictures when there’s a Zoo to go to?!  Obviously not Maya 🙂Blog AE Shirt DL1961 Jeans Fiorentini Baker-7040 Boot-11
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya 🙂 and the iPhone pic of the two of us)

dit-elle-Lauren

If there was ever a day for turquoise jeans, it’s Easter :)

 I know most people would wear dresses on Easter, but that’s really not me…Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals- Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-2Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-3 Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-4 No problems putting them on Maya though haha.  She’s totally in the “princess dress” phase.  Basically, if I call it a “Princess Dress” she will put it on 🙂  Her Aunt and cousin brought over this dress so that the cousins could match.  It was pretty cute 🙂 Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-5This is what she had on earlier for the neighborhood Easter egg hunt though… Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-6Successful egg gathering! Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-7Surveying the loot (in a private spot of course haha) Blog French Connection Top DL 1961 Emma Mystique Tie Sandals-8On me…

Top- French Connection (eBay) Similar here)
Jeans- DL1961 Emma (eBay, similar here)
Shoes- Mystique (old, but love these here )
On Maya…
Dress- Osh Kosh
then…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- Zulily (thanks Meme)
Skirt- Zulily (thanks Meme)
Leggings- Zulily (thanks Meme)
Boots- Circo (thrifted but similar here and here)
Keeping it Real…
It was a good day.  I woke Maya up to go on the Easter egg hunt, then we went pretty much non stop til her nap, when she passed out for three hours (hallelujah!!).  All in all, a great day spent with family.
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya 🙂 and my mom took the one of me and Maya)

dit-elle-Lauren

Fringe + Booties

 I am still totally on the fence about these booties.  I love the idea of them, but when I put them on, I’m still not so sure about the color… :{  I do like them with a darker jean vs the gray skinnies I wore them with before, so I guess I’ll hold on to them for a little bit longer.  I’m thinking they’d look totally cute with a summer dress, no?Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-1 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-2 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-3 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-4 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-5 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-6 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-7Oh, what’s that you found? 😉 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-8Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-9 Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-10Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-12On me…

Sweater- Jamison (sold out, but similar here)
Top- Aqua (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- Jeans- J Brand (thrifted)
Boots- Frye (similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- The Children’s Place (thrifted, but similar here)
Top-Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Gap  (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Converse  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Obviously, just wanted to get down and find a big stick!Blog Jamison Sweater Aqua Top J Brand Frye Carson Short-11
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

No cut hemmed jeans

I may be the only person still wearing boot-cut jeans these days.. but I had to retire some pairs of jeans recently and in a pinch one day (it was a classic day in our house where laundry was back-logged, I didn’t have time to go on a hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, and didn’t want to spend a fortune either..) so I dusted off this pair of Silver jeans which were too long and had been sitting in my closet for a few years..

I hemmed them using a quick and easy, no-cut, technique – this is not the “fold under and sew” way, which removes the bottom edge!

Here’s how!

First put jeans on and measure exactly how much you need to shorten them by. For example if you want to take an inch off, you’ll fold up a big cuff and then pin the 1″ into the bottom portion of the cuff (1/2″ front/back). Once you’ve pinned it, turn the cuff down, try the jeans back on to make sure the seam is going to hit where you want it and the length is good.

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Fold up jeans as shown – your seam will be where the legs get shortened – so determine first how much you are needing to hem them by. I took an inch off these.

blog bootjeanshem2

After you’ve sewn the cuff inside out, fold it over and sew a security seam to pin down the fold and create an edgier look (also see above).

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Once sewn, flatten, pin the fold downward and sew another security seam to create a bit of an edge and set the fold.

 

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Blog Black Outfit with Boots Close UP- Blog Black Outfit with Pewter Flats-1

 

Blog Black Outfit with Flower-1

Successful shortening of the jeans! 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Lace + Flares

 

Usually it’s my parents that watch Maya when me and the Huz go out on a date, but we were long overdue to celebrate my dad’s bday.  So, we got a babysitter and all went out-yay!Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-1Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-I’m so loving mixing flares in with my skinnies.  Honestly, I totally forgot I had these :}  Went looking for a different pair, found these, tried them on, and liked them even more!  Score one for the hoarder in me 🙂  Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-2Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-3Yes, she has a sock on her hand.  Thank you Sandra Boynton “Blue Hat, Green Hat”… And, yes, she wants to touch tongues.  Mother’s love, right there!Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-4Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-5Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-6Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-7Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-8Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-9Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-10Sooooo excited to see Daddy!Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-11And BOPO and Meme 🙂Blog Zara Lace Hudson Flare Seychelles Espadrilles-12and then….we left 😐

On me…

Top- Zara (sold out, similar here)
Belt- H & M (sold out, similar here)
Jeans- Hudson (thrifted, similare here)
Shoes- Seychelles (old, similar here)
On Maya…
Top- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- H & M (old, similar here)
Shoes- Converse  (thrifted, these are fun here)
Keeping it Real…
Took these right before we went out, because let’s be honest…I hadn’t taken a shower 😉dit-elle-Lauren

A different kind of boyfriend jean…

I went to college in the 90’s when grunge was at it’s height of fashion.  I loved thrift stores almost more back then, than I do now.  Mostly out of necessity, but also for the thrill of the hunt like today.  One of the things I used to love to find and wear were army pants.  Like…actual US Military Army pants.  They were always so perfectly worn in and soft, and I loved the extra large pockets.  Made me feel dainty, which when you’re 5’8 is a total plus 🙂

 Anywho!  I found these “Army Pants” by Current Elliott on Twice (online resale store that has great stuff and repeatedly sends coupons!) for $21.  I had a $10 coupon from a prior purchase, so I jumped on them.  I wasn’t disappointed.  They fit exactly like the true army pants!  I like that they are a different spin on the boyfriend jean too…Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-1 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-2While we are talking about nostalgia, how about these Dr. Scholls!??  I remember my mom wearing them in the 70’s, so when they kind of came back in the 90’s I snatched up a few pairs.  Ok…I got 3 colors haha.  Of course I still have them.  I figure if Birks are making a comeback, these should too! Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-3 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-4 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-5Maya’s totally into holding my face right now.  She says “Awe…nice!”  Yet, sometimes it’s not so gentle :{ Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-6 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-7 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-8Dying over this little top from Little Boogaweezin!  She’s offering 30% off all baby/kids clothing on Friday when you use the code SURPRISE.  Such cute stuff for both baby and Mama!Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-9Dancing in the leaves… Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-10 Blog Stem Top Current Elliott Army Pant Dr Scholls-11On me…

Top- Stem (Nordstrom Rack, similar here)
Jeans- Current Elliott “The Army Pant” (sold out, similar but different color here)
On Maya…
Top- Little Boogaweezin (on sale!)
Jeans- Levi’s (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Vans  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
We are on Spring Break in Whistler right now.  I wasn’t sure if we would take many pics while here, and we haven’t.  Truth be told, the first day, I was in no mood to take her picture.  She figured out how to climb out of the pack and play, so it was co-sleeping for us.  She hasn’t done that since she was 3 months old, so there was a lot of.  “Hi Mommy…kiss?  Hug?  Daddy, what are you doing?  Kiss?  Hug?”  When she finally went to sleep it was horizontally across the bed with her feet in the Huz’s face and arms stretched out to mine.  Needless to say, NOT much sleep was had, and I was a tad cranky the first day of our trip.  Oh, and even if I had, I forgot my card reader. 😦 These were taken the Friday before we left… Might be the only outfit post we do this week.  Feel free to check out our Instagram for iphone trip pics.
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren