Tag Archives: Fashion Blogger

Faux Fur + Boho Vibes…

Nordstrom had another “Clear the Rack” sale.  They’ve had a few that I managed to avoid, but honestly, I’ve been working my arse off and figured this was the time to use my $20 Nordstrom dollars from the last Clear the Rack that I did damage on… 🙂Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-1 Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-2 Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-3 Again, I’m a total sucker for an interesting back!!Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-4 Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-5 Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-6 Blog Faux Fur Vest Free People Princess Gwendoline Top Streets Ahead Suede Turquoise Belt Current Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noire Booties-7Blog Circo Faux Leather Jacket OshKosh Top Joes Jeans PippyToes Shoes-1Blog Circo Faux Leather Jacket OshKosh Top Joes Jeans PippyToes Shoes-2Blog Circo Faux Leather Jacket OshKosh Top Joes Jeans PippyToes Shoes-3Blog Circo Faux Leather Jacket OshKosh Top Joes Jeans PippyToes Shoes-4On me…

Vest- Thrifted (similar here)
Top- Free People “Princess Gwendolyn” (from Nordstrom Rack-sold out, love this here)
Belt- Streets Ahead (old)
Jeans- Current Elliott (thrifted for $5.60!)
Boots- Cafe Noire (thrifted, but similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Circo (thrifted)
Top- Osh Kosh (thrifted)
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted)
Shoes-Pippytoes (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
Yes, that would be a measuring tape, aka Maya’s snake.  She found it in my desk drawer (design student supplies!) and she wouldn’t leave the car without it haha.  I finally managed to take it out of her hand, and then she was NOT feeling taking any pics.  So…we went home and played.Blog Outtake Faux Fur
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Fringe and Cowboy Boots

 I honestly love any kind of boots, but I’m totally partial to cowboy boots.  They have a little bit of a heel, but are still totally comfortable!  I have a completely beat up pair that is 25+ years old that I still wear on shoots.

I mentioned in this post that my mother in law lives in Oklahoma.  She is a total horse lover and still a competing rider! She generously bought Maya these boots for her birthday which she also wore here (she LOVES them!).  Well, I may have gushed about them so much that she got me a pair too-lucky me!!  They are my Christmas present, but I swear she said it was ok for me to wear them early!! 😉

They are SO gorgeous!  The studded detail??  The stitching that matches Maya’s boots?  DYING!  I’ll apologize ahead of time for the fact that these will be on repeat this fall/winter 🙂Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-8Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-1 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-2 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-3 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-4 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-5 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-6 Blog Jamison Fringe Sweater Talbots White Sleevless Blouse Genetic Denim Twig in Strip Lucchese Cowboy Boots-7Maya kept running up and down the walkway to the house next to us.  Over and over and over 🙂Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Gap brown Velour Dress Zulily Leopard Tights Corral Turquoise Toddler Boots-1Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Gap brown Velour Dress Zulily Leopard Tights Corral Turquoise Toddler Boots-2Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Gap brown Velour Dress Zulily Leopard Tights Corral Turquoise Toddler Boots-3Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Gap brown Velour Dress Zulily Leopard Tights Corral Turquoise Toddler Boots-4 On me…

Sweater- Jamison (Old, but very similar here)
Top- Talbots (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- Genetic Denim “The Twig in Strip” (ebay, similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Osh Kosh (thrifted, but similar here)
Dress- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Tights- Zulily (similar here)
Keeping it Real…
A few minutes into this, it started raining.  Thankfully we were under some trees, but after about 10 minutes it started POURING!  We were only a few blocks from home, so we packed up the wagon, I told Maya to hang on tight, and we ran home.  “Mommy, you’re running really FAST!!”  So, yes, these cowboy boots were made for walking and running 😉
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Winter Whites + Leather Jacket + Lace Up Boots

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!1 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-1 1 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-2 1 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-3Dying over this next one one… She’s actually eating a bowl of grapes 🙂 1 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-4 1 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-5 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-1 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-2 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-3So 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! 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-4I just want to eat her up… 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-5 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-6 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-7 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-8 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-9 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-10 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-11 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-12 1 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-13She kept running down the hill and tackling me with a hug.

“Again!!!” 🙂2 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-12 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-22 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-32 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-42 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-52 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-62 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-72 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-1 2 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-2 2 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-3 2 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-4 2 Blog Janie and Jack Faux Fur Vest Hanna Andersson Tee DL1961 Harper Jeans Zulily Link Alyson Floral Boots-5On me…

Jacket- Doma Leather (eBay, 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.

Coated + Colored Denim…

 I had about 10 minutes before I had to leave for a shoot this past weekend, so we ran outside for few quick pics.

I’ve mentioned before my love of coated denim.  I scored these purple ones off eBay and I’m in LOVE!!  One of the many great things about them is that muddy little footprints wipe right off!Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-1 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-2 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-3 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-4Teaching her the blogger pose hahaha.  🙂 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-5Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-6“Look Mommy, I’m like a backpack!” 🙂 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-7 Blog Sweet Romeo Sweater Helmut Lang High Gloss Cropped Skinny Jeans Gray Suede Converse-8My father in law stopped by to pick something up “Hi Papa!!  HIIIIII!!”Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-1Sometimes I capture a look that is so her.  This is one of them.  I could just eat her up!Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-2Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-3Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-4Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-5I said “Maya!  You stay on that curb til I come get you!!”Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-6Um…Blog Osh Kosh Jean Jacket Mini Boden Cool Tee 7FAM mustard jeans Blue Toddler Converse Hight Tops-7On me…

Sweater- Sweet Romeo (from Nordstrom Rack, similar here)
Scarf- Thrifted, similar here.
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Osh Kosh (thrifted, but similar here)
Top-Mini Boden (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- 7FAM (ebay but similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
I’ve been slammed with work, and have had some stuff going on in my personal life.  All that to say, I’ve been a tad overwhelmed.  Once again, this blog has been a nice creative escape and a reminder to get out and have fun with the Peanut.  So, thanks again for reading and following along 🙂
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Fall is in the air…

Fall really is my favorite time of the year.  The leaves changing, the weather is still somewhat nice (at times), but still chilly so that you get to cozy up with loved ones in layers.1 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-11 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-1I kept telling her.  It’s NOT a swing!  Well, she found out the hard way 😦  Doesn’t mean she didn’t get right back up and try again though haha.1 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-2After looking at this picture, I realized that my hair was NOT so happy with the wind and humidity.  Might be the last of my straight hair days til the spring :{2 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-1 2 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-2 2 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-3Her face in this next one kills me!  SO CUTE! 2 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-42 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-13 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-1For every 20 of these we do, I capture one of them perfectly 🙂  Who needs to go to the gym, when you have a toddler that loves to be thrown in the air??blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-35squareCrop4 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-1 4 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-54 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-1 4 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-2Here I am telling her “Ok, you can jump in the puddle, but WAIT first!!”5 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-15 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-2“Now, Mom???!” 🙂5 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-1Sure…why not. 🙂5 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-25 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-3Hahaha.  This next one cracks me up.  It’s a little blurry, but could she be any more excited??5 Blog Gap Purple Fishermans Cardi HM Tank DL1961 Harper Minogue Blue Converse High Tops-4On me…

Jacket- StyleMint (old, similar here)
Swing Tee- Zara (old, similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but love these)
On Maya…
Sweater- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- H&M (purchased from ThredUp, but similar here)
Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
Here’s one of the 20 that didn’t turn out haha.  This one was literally right before the shot I got perfectly.  A little kick to the chest doesn’t deter me!
“If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again!” 🙂
OMG, I just looked up this quote to make sure I had it right.  Don’t think I’d ever heard the last part-HA!
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it.”
BAHAHA.  Good thing I didn’t know the rest of the quote… 😉
Blog 2 StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-34
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))
dit-elle-Lauren

Moto Inspired…

 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.Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-1Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-1-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 🙂 Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-2Blog Zara Button Back Sweater Audrey 3 pluse One DL1961 Emma Denver-5 Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-3LOVE 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??!!!”Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-4 Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-5 Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-6 Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-7This is another darker pair of the Harper.   The skinny boyfriend cut is so flipping cute!!Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-1And, 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 🙂Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-2Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-3Then she saw some other kids and a dog…Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-4and…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…Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-5Not giving up though.  LOVE HER!Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-6Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-7Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-8Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-9Here she is trying to “Freeze” me when I told her it was about time to go home hahaBlog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-10Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-11Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-12Where’s Maya??  I have no idea where she could be… 😉Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-13Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-14Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-16Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-17Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-18Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Tea Striped Tee DL1961 Harper Candy Heart Vans-19On me…

Sweater- Zara (Old, but very similar entire layered open back look here)
Top- Audrey 3+1 (thrifted)
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 :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Happy Halloween! A day late…hope you recovered from your sugar coma ;)

 Ok, so I’ll admit it.  This is the FIRST Halloween that Maya really participated in. (insert horror emoticon that I can’t yet do via my computer :))  It’s the busiest season for me (workwise), so up until now, I just talked myself into thinking she really didn’t care, so…why stress myself out trying to do all the “stuff” that goes along with HALLOWEEN!  Now that the day has come and gone, and her complete JOY over the 2 day festivities has really hit me.  I realize, it’s such a fun day for her, and I will absolutely treat it as such going forward!

All that to say.  I still bought her main outfit at Goodwill for a few dollars haha!  When we were there and looking at all the stuff (insert CRAP), I pulled this one out and asked her

“How about this one?”

She said “I don’t like it!”

“But it’s a Pumpkin PRINCESS!?”

“Oooooooh, OK!!”

And so I made her a crown to go with the outfit and all was right in the world of Maya 🙂Blog Halloween 2014 Pumpkin Princess-1Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-1Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-2I didn’t get creative with my look…all black works for Halloween, right??Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-3Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-4Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-5Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-6Blog Matty M Faux Leather Shearling Jacket Collective Concepts Swing Tee DL1961 Amanda LAX Born Booties-7These were before her preschool Halloween Party. Blog Halloween 2014 Pumpkin Princess-2I asked her to “curtsy” and showed her how (I mean, how cute, right?!)  She bowed and said “Your Majesty” hahaha

I’ll take it!!! Blog Halloween 2014 Pumpkin Princess-3This just shows you that I woke her up about 30 minutes before it was time to go to school.  Dazed and confused…yet so cute. Blog Halloween 2014 Pumpkin Princess-4On me…

Jacket- Matty M (via Instagram similar here)
Top- Collective Concepts (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- Dl1961 “Amanda” LAX (ebay, similar here)
Boots- Born (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Outfit-  (thrifted)
Crown- DIY (Instructions here)
Boots- Kenneth Cole Reaction (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
The above pics were taken over a two day period.  Thursday Maya had her Preschool Party, and then Friday was actually Halloween.  This next picture was us going trick or treating.  She woke up late from her nap because I had a shoot that went late.  I rushed her into her costume and gave her turkey jerkey before we headed out.  Since it was our first venture out, I thought that we might only be gone for 30 minutes MAX.  Mother of the year?  I’m thinking no.  Maya?  She’s thinking YES!!  Because she ran from house to house for an  hour and a half on a relatively empty stomach, and would have gone more if I hadn’t dragged her back for a late dinner before one piece of candy 😉
I call this “completely dark FLASH face 🙂Blog Halloween 2014 Pumpkin Princess-KIR
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Sweaters that feel like old friends…

 My favorite part of fall is rediscovering old favorites from last fall/winter.  It’s almost like going shopping…in your own closet! 🙂Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-1 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-2 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-3 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-4 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-5 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-6 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-7 Blog J Crew Olive Fishermans Sweater Blank NYC Destroyed Relaxed Straight Leg Cafe Noire Harness Boots-8 Blog Mini Boden Grey Tee Old Navy Overalls Old Navy Plaid Slip on Sneakers-1 Blog Mini Boden Grey Tee Old Navy Overalls Old Navy Plaid Slip on Sneakers-2 Blog Mini Boden Grey Tee Old Navy Overalls Old Navy Plaid Slip on Sneakers-3 Blog Mini Boden Grey Tee Old Navy Overalls Old Navy Plaid Slip on Sneakers-4Right about now, it totally started raining all of a sudden.  I’m like “Maya!  We have to GO!!” Blog Mini Boden Grey Tee Old Navy Overalls Old Navy Plaid Slip on Sneakers-5Then, as we were driving back home, I saw this!  Yeah, I had to pull over! Blog Seattle Skyline Rainbow into the Space Needle-1 On me…

Sweater- J Crew (eBay, similar here or turtleneck option here)
Belt- Old
Jeans- Blank NYC (ebay, similar here)
Boots- Boots- Cafe Noir (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive version here.)
On Maya…
Top- Mini Boden (thrifted)
Overalls- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Literally 2 minutes after I took the images of the two of us, Maya went and jumped into a GINORMOUS puddle.  So….it totally looked like she peed her pants haha.  Thankfully, she started dancing and struck poses that hid her wet pants 🙂
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Cashmere + Boyfriend Jeans

 When we get into fall and it’s raining and windy (which it absolutely was when I got dressed this particular morning!), there’s nothing cozier than a super soft cashmere sweater and worn in boyfriend jeans.  I’ve had this pair for 4-5 years, and they are so soft with all the washings.  To avoid looking too sloppy with a baggy sweater and baggy pants, I wore some comfy booties.  Just enough of a heel to add some polish to the look, but low enough that I easily ran after Maya when she took off and wore them all day running errands.  Total win.Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-1 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-2 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-3Blog Gap Butterfly Boho Dress Sanita Brown Toddler Clogs-1Blog Gap Butterfly Boho Dress Sanita Brown Toddler Clogs-2Blog Gap Butterfly Boho Dress Sanita Brown Toddler Clogs-3Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-24Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-25Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-26Blog StyleMint Green Parka Red Joie Cashmere Sweater with Elbow Patches Rich and Skinny Studded boyfriend jeans Nine West Brown Suede Booties-27On me…

Jacket- StyleMint (old, similar here)
Sweater- Joie (ebay but here it is in gray)
Jeans- Rich & Skinny “Super Studly” (old, but similar here, and less expensive here)
Boots- Nine West  (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Dress- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Tights- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Sanita  (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
I was SWEATING like a pig at the end of this.  I kid you not.  It was raining when I walked Maya to school in the morning, chilly and overcast when we walked home, chilly with blue skies when we left the house, blue sky and RAINING right before we took these pictures, and then super sunny 5 minutes after we started taking them.  This bipolar weather is killing me!!
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

My favorite denim…

I honestly cannot remember how or when I came across DL1961 Denim.  Looking back, I remember wearing them when I was pregnant with Maya because the fabric was perfectly stretchy and SO comfy.  Obviously, that was over 3 years ago, and I now have 10+ pairs (I can’t help myself, they’re that good!!).   What I do know, is that they are hands down my favorite denim.  I’ve talked about the amazing 360 degree stretch a number of times on this blog, and how perfect they are for active moms.  Really, they are good for anyone who wants to look better and feel like you’re still wearing your yoga pants haha.  I actually wore them for my very first blog post-that was weird to look back on!!

All this to say, I literally could not believe my eyes when I got an email asking if I’d be interested in doing a Mother/Daughter collaboration with them!!  Like…mouth hanging open, and I reread the email about 10 times before I convinced myself it wasn’t spam :}.  Everything that they wanted to show, is exactly why I wanted to do this blog.  That there are comfy cute clothes that let you play with your kids and still look good.

They just came out with a line for kids this summer that not only has 4-way stretch that is great for playing/climbing/jumping, but it’s also anti-bacterial, odor-resistant fabric-WHAT??!  And if that wasn’t amazing enough, theirs are about 40% less than other designer denim for kids-only slightly more than chain store toddler denim!

So…in an effort to step up my mom game a little, I did my hair, actually put make up on, put a liiiiittle more thought into what we wore, and went to one of my favorite parks.  All of which (besides the hair and make up :)) are totally within the realm of daily activities for us!

The weather here is still a bit bipolar.  Raining one minute, sunny the next, windy and cold soon thereafter.  Big scarves are the perfect in between accessory.  They keep you warm, but not too warm!1 1 blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-14c2I wish you could feel how soft and comfortable this fabric is!  This particular pair “The Emma in Bloom” is softer than any other pair I have.  Feels almost like a stretch silk denim. 1 Blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-2The faux front pockets make it so you don’t have that annoying pocket lump.  And really, who puts anything in their front pocket?? 1 Blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-3I seriously took more pics of my arse in this post than ever before.  BUTT (haha ;)) they really do flatter the backside!!  And, who couldn’t use that?! 1as Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-15c 1 Blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-5I mean…can you sit like this comfortably in many other jeans?  Fyi, Maya’s off to the side eating her apple 😉1a1 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-17cAnd…playing with her dolls that I couldn’t manage to get out of her hands for half these shots.  Keeping it real over here 😉 1 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-1This was so fun for me as a photographer.  I usually only set the tripod up in one maybe 2 situations, get a few shots, and then move on to taking pics of Maya or just put the camera away and play.  I tried to get a little more variety this time and shoot shots that I would want to shoot if I were only the photographer vs also the subject.2 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-1Love, love, LOVE these next three.  It’s so us.  She loves to be cuddled, and I LOVE TO CUDDLE HER! Blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-22c1 SP Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-24 2 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-31 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-6 2 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-4Maya’s wearing a “slouchy slim” fit.  The fabric on these is the same ridiculously soft fabric as my jeans!  I admit to putting her in skinny jeans that probably aren’t the most comfy for her (yes, I’m admitting it Mom and Dad!!), but these?  She could climb just about anything! 2 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-1 2 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-2 2 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-31 A Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-32c 3 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-13 Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-21 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-17 2 Blog Circo brown faux leather Jacket Gap Pink Top DL1961 Harper Minogue Osh Kosh Leopard Booties-5On me…

Scarf- Vintage (thrifted, LOVING this here)
Sweater- Autumn Cashmere (old, similar here and here)
Boots- Sam Edelman “Petty Suede Boots” (thrifted for $8.40!!!)
On Maya…
Jacket- Circo (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- DL1961 “Harper” (C/O)
Shoes- Osh Kosh (purchased from Zulily, similar here)
Keeping it Real…
So, about 10 minutes into shooting an entire field trip of kids came up to where we were and were learning about the park/pine cones/who knows what.   They were literally right where I was standing in the first shot, so….I just flipped the camera around to get the ones of me and Maya.  Yes, I was embarrassed for all of about 2 minutes, and then I figured-what the heck.  I am NOT wasting a non rainy day, on which I actually did my hair and make up haha.  So, the show went on!
Here’s a picture I took with my phone 🙂
1 Behind the Scenes
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren