Tag Archives: Mother Lifestlye Blog

Leather and Layers…

 Our weather really can’t make up it’s mind, and the temps can change DRASTICALLY if you are in the shade vs being in the sun.  I mean, duh, but…BRRRRR!!!  That also means you might be sweating one minute and then teeth chattering the next.  All this just means…layers, layers, layers!  Which is good, because I’m just feeling little fluffier lately, since I’ve continued the holiday overindulging way past the holidays ;{Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-1 Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-2 Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-3 Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-4OMG!!  Her face in this next one?  I want to eat her up!!! Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-5Practicing our “Blogger Pose” or…pretending we are flamingos?

You decide 😉Blog Vintage leather Jacket StyleMint Carrington Sweater Destroyed Levis 514 Cafe Noire Boots-6I mean…how CUTE ARE THESE??!!  Scored them for $4.25 at the thrift store, and they looked like they’d never been worn!Blog Brown Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-Blog Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-1Hahahaha.  Kung Fu Panda!  { You’re welcome 🙂 }Blog Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-2 Blog Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-3 Blog Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-4Omg, her face on this next one kills me.  It’s like a cheesy toothpaste commercial-DING! 😉 Blog Circo Faux Leather Old Navy Cardigan Overalls GapKids Tee Fuzzy Puppy Converse-5On me…

Jacket- Vintage (similar here, and less expensive here)
Sweater- StyleMint “Carrington” on sale  now!
Top- no tag?  from Nordstrom Rack a while ago, similar here.
Jeans- Levi’s 514 (thrifted, similar non destroyed here)
Boots- Cafe Noire (thrifted, but similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Circo (thrifted, but similar here)
Sweater- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Overalls- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Yeah, this was when we were in the shade and she was cold.  We quickly went out to the path and, well, you saw how happy she was once she was in the sun 🙂Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Vintage Clogs!

I’m so excited clogs are coming back in style.  Comfy, yet give your legs some length?  YES, PLEASE!!  I have a black pair that I got in 2002 for a trip to Italy that I pulled out of my closet and have been wearing a lot lately!

I’ve been wanting a pair of vintage open back ones, and then what do you know!?  I dropped some clothes off at my neighborhood consignment store last week, and this beautiful pair was just waiting for me.  And, they were free with the credit I had on file-SCORE!!Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-1 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-2 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-3I had found these for Maya at a thrift store a few months ago for $3.99!!  They retail for $68 and are SO well made!  Honestly, I’m not sure they are the most practical toddler shoe (for running and playing).  They keep falling off when she runs, but maybe she’d get used to them?  I hope she does! 😉  This is the first time she’s worn them outside of the house.  She loves to clomp around the house though 🙂 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-4 Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-5 One of my favorite things about this next one is the lone clog that was flung off 😉Blog Zara Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Vintage Holje Clogs-6Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-1Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-2Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-3Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-4Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-5It was so funny…

Maya- Is that my shadow?

Me- Yup.

M- Is that MAYA?!

Me- {chuckling} Yup!

M- {As she’s trying to step on it, yet it keeps getting away from her} Is that Maya’s SHADOW?!

Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-6Blog Gap Sweater DL1961 Chloe Whiteley Toddler Sven Clogs-7On me…

Sweater- Zara (last year, but similar here)
Clogs- Vintage Holje (Funky Jane’s Consignment, find some similar here)
On Maya…
Sweater- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Sven Clogs (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…
Here’s an image that shows how I got the shot above of me holding Maya up in the air.  Blog OuttakeI placed the stand where I will end up being.  The little toy at the end makes it easier to focus on :).  I press the shutter halfway down to lock in my focus, and then switched it over to manual focus so it would stay focused on that spot.  I then hit the timer, ran to where the stand was, asked Maya to jump to me, and there you have the above shot!  One of thees days I will do another video that shows the whole thing.  I know I keep saying that…
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Comfy Sweaters and Moto Jeans…

 I’m a total sucker for little details on things…Blog Vince Draped Cardigan Mother Denim Speedster Airwalk Slip Ons-1The diamond pattern at the knees… Blog Vince Draped Cardigan Mother Denim Speedster Airwalk Slip Ons-2The zipper all the way up the calf?  LOVE IT!Blog Vince Draped Cardigan Mother Denim Speedster Airwalk Slip Ons-4Plus, they are ridiculously comfortable.  I looove that so many denim brands are using really soft stretchy fabrics that hold their shape.  BIG FAN!!

Oh, and the fact that the brand is “Mother Denim”??  Even better 🙂Blog Vince Draped Cardigan Mother Denim Speedster Airwalk Slip Ons-3 Blog Vince Draped Cardigan Mother Denim Speedster Airwalk Slip Ons-5And…I found a pair of moto denim for Maya thrifting!!!  DYING!!! Blog Gray GapKids Fishermans Sweater Naartjie Pink Top Ralph Lauren Moto Jeans Black Toms-1 Blog Gray GapKids Fishermans Sweater Naartjie Pink Top Ralph Lauren Moto Jeans Black Toms-2 Blog Gray GapKids Fishermans Sweater Naartjie Pink Top Ralph Lauren Moto Jeans Black Toms-3She was not in the mood for pics this day, so we kept it short and then just went and played. Blog Gray GapKids Fishermans Sweater Naartjie Pink Top Ralph Lauren Moto Jeans Black Toms-4On me…

Sweater- Vince (Nordstrom Rack, sold out, similar here)
Top- Zara (ThredUp)
Shoes- AirWalk (thrifted, similar here)
On Maya…
Sweater- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)
Top- Naartjie (thrifted, but similar here)
Jeans- Ralph Lauren (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes-Tom’s (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Ok, yes.  I’m that bad mom that still took the picture.  I can’t help it.  Even when she’s not in the mood, she’s adorable!!!Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

My search for the perfect black leather pants is OVER!

 I’ve mentioned many times my search for the perfect leather pants.  I think we all know there is NO WAY IN &%$$ that I’m forking over $900-$1500, so of course my search has been limited to eBay, thrift stores, and Nordstrom Rack.

I’ve settled for really cool coated jeans (these are my favorite thus far!!!).  I’ve even tried faux leather, but nothing has fit just right.

  Until now…

I talked about the perfect pair of marbled copper ones I scored over the holidays on eBay for $50 that I wore here.  Yes, $50!!!!  Granted nothing will compare to that deal…

Then…I came across a listing for one of my favorite denim brands on one of my favorite sellers site.  The going price was $49 up until a few hours of them ending.  I was hopeful!!  And then, I got into “must.win.these.pants.” mode.  I think all serious eBayers will know what I mean here. hahaha It really is sad how the adrenaline and competitiveness kicks in.  But…it does.  And I set an alarm in my calendar. :}

I know how perfectly this brand fits, and I read the reviews online of this particular pair-I wanted them!  And then the countdown began.  I may or may not have put off dinner “things are still cooking!!!” while I ran downstairs and hovered over my “confirm bid” to be able to hit it in the last 5 seconds, because my phone sometimes delays.  Sad???  ABSOLUTELY!!  But…I ended up getting these GORGEOUS leather pants that were regularly $995 for…$89!!!  New with tags!!  I’m not going to lie.  My bid was A LOT higher than this, because I wanted them so bad!!  When it ended, I had to do a double take.  Then I practically skipped upstairs to make dinner!!! 🙂Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-1 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-2 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-3 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-4 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-5Oh, and I’ve mentioned before that they are the perfect mom pants.  Maya’s boots were so muddy, but a little wipe with a wet wipe, and my pants were good as new!  Then there’s the fact that they suck you in (WIN!!!).Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-6 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-7She kept twirling on her own, and then getting dizzy.  I totally remember doing that all the time as a kid…Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-1Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-2Then she kept getting into my purse.  First for Tic Tacs, and then she found a protein bar.   I told her she couldn’t have it, but for some reason she thought it was hilarious to balance it on her head 🙂Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-3Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-4 A lot of times the bright sun can be your worst enemy for pictures.  And then…it’s your best friend.Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-5Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-6Blog Amy Coe Faux Leather Jacket Gap Denim Vest Cyrillus Dress Baby Quiz Boots-7Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-21 Blog Levis Jacket Free People two to tango Top Genetic Shya Leather Pants Superga-22On me…

Jacket-Levi’s (thrifted, similar here)
Top- Free People  “Two to Tango” (Nordstrom Rack, sold out, similar here)
Pants- Genetic Denim (eBay sold out, similar here and here)
Shoes- Superga (thrifted)
On Maya…
Jacket- Amy Coe (thrifted, but similar here)
Denim Vest- Gap DIY fron a jacket 🙂  (thrifted, but similar here)
Dress- Cyrillus (thrifted, but similar here)
Tights- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots- Baby Quiz (thrifted, similar here)
Keeping it Real…
90% of the time we really do have as much fun as it looks like we are having.  Then there’s the other 10%.  When Maya is just full of sass, running away from me, not listening, etc.  I walked to the car at the end of this adventure SO ready to put her down for a nap.  On the way home, she was all slumped over in her car seat, and I asked
“Were you being difficult because you were tired?”
One word.  “Yes.”
And then I laughed.  And she laughed, and all the crankiness was forgotten.
Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

My comfort zone…

I tend to wear the same thing (or version there of) most days.  But really, what fun would that be to photograph?  It’s not like I wear things totally different on days that I take pictures.  However, there’s something fun about thinking of new ways to wear things, or digging through my closet to find things I haven’t worn in a while.  OR…having an excuse to wear things I’ve just recently scored 😉

What I feel most comfortable in though is a comfy jeans, a tee/sweater, and slip on shoes of some sort.  Oh, and usually the top is white, cream, gray, or black 🙂

So…this is me in a nutshell.Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-1 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-2There was this totally magical fog layer that was just hovering over the city.  Just before we got there it was curling around the Space Needle.  It was so pretty.  There were actually a few tourists out taking pics too.  Yeah, don’t mind us haha ;} Blog Seattle Skyline in the FogBlog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-3 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-4 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-5 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-6 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-7 Blog Banana Republic Loose Knit Scarf Halogen Cashmere Sweater Joes Jeans the Skinny Destroyed Black Converse-8Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-1 Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-2In this shot, there was a tourist (girl in her early 20’s I’d guess) taking pics off the end of the pier.  She turned around and started taking pics of Maya dancing.  This is Maya looking at her.  Not really so sure about someone else also taking her pic haha.  I’d LOVE to see the picture!  Later on when we were down on the rocky beach I asked if she wanted me to take her picture.  She said yes, but could Maya get in the shot with her?  Of course Maya went up and gave her a big hug.  Too cute 🙂 Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-3 Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-4 Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-5 Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-6Gah!!  Her little fingers always get me. Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-7But the look below?  I want to just eat her up!!!! Blog Old Navy Faux Fur Vest Gap Zipper Tunic Gap Moto Jeggings Link Flower Boots-8On me…

Scarf- Banana Republic (old, similar here)
Sweater- Halogen (Nordstrom Rack, similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
On Maya…
Vest- Old Navy (thrifted, but similar here)
Tunic- Gap (ThredUp)
Pants- Gap (ThredUp)
Boots- Zulily (search Link Boots)
Keeping it Real…
I don’t always get the self timer just right haha 😉Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Chunky Hand Knits + Leather Pants

 I went over to my parents house a while ago and saw this sweater in a bag that was supposed to be “donated”.  Except…I recognized it as a sweater that my dad had knitted himself, so I grabbed it!  I mean, I couldn’t let a gorgeous hand knitted by my father sweater go!!  It was a little big for the Huz, but oversized comfy knits are the best, so I stole it for my own! 🙂  And honestly, I’ve been wearing it almost every night around the house ever since…Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-1And…I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect leather pants for over a year now.  I’ve bought a bunch and then either returned or sold them, but this holiday season…I SCORED!  It pays to shop on eBay when everyone else is rightly so focused on shopping for others (whoops!!) ;}  This particular pair, I snagged for $50!!!  Yes, leather pants…$50!!!  The bonus of it all?  I had just sold a bunch of stuff, so they were free with my Paypal credit-woo hoo!

The next two pairs I bought…not so much, but, whatever 😉  I have a stack of things I’m going to sell, so it will all even out.

These were even better in person.  The marbled copper and black?  They will go with everything!  Be prepared to see these a lot in the future (apologies in advance :))Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-2Yes, I’m a little embarrassed about my frizzy non showered hair.  I mean, the messy no shower top not is not a rarity on this blog, but it was especially out of control on this day.  I didn’t really realize it until I was going through the pics.  Oh well-sorry! :{ Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-3 Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-4 Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-5Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-1This totally reminds me of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz for some reason, except obviously she’s not crossing her arms.  Her sweater is a little too big, so her left hand is lost… 😉Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-2Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-26Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-27Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-28“Mommy, kiss my nose!”  She’s been obsessed with me kissing her nose at nap time and at bed time lately…Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-29Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-30Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-31Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-32Blog Chunky Hand Knit Cardigan StyleMint North Beach Leather Pants Target Leopard Flats-33Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-23 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-24 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-25And then she was like “Mommy, I want to stand on that rock!”  Um… Yeah, I tried to dissuade her, but no go.  And really, what’s the worst that could have happened?  She fell in 6 inches deep of water?  Not worth the fight… And the joy???  SO WORTH IT!! 🙂Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-26 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-27 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-28 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-29 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-30 Blog Earth Ragz Bunny Cardigan DL1961 Chloe Rafaeli Purple Converse-31On me…

Sweater- Hand knit by my dad
Pants- North Beach Leather ( eBay, similar here)
Shoes- Target
On Maya…
Sweater- Earth Ragz (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
 Words cannot describe how nice it’s been to have TWO consecutive weekends off!!  I have a couple of shoots in January, but I’m soooo glad to be out of the 3-4 shoots a week holiday season.  Not that I don’t love my clients and feel incredibly thankful to be able to do what I do!!.  I’m incredibly lucky!!  But…truth be told, I just want to enjoy this little nugget and not be so stressed out 😉  That sure is nice…
Oh, and I almost had a runner!!  Scared the crap out of me!Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Cold and windy day at the beach…

 Maya has been asking to go to the beach the last few days, but it’s been so cold and WINDY!!  Granted, not as cold as other parts of the US, but for us low 20’s in the morning and mid 30’s in the afternoon is cold!  Toss in the wind down by the water and it’s closer to 30.  ANYWAY, it was sunny on New Years Eve, and it didn’t seem that windy outside, so I finally gave in and told her we could go.  Wow, what a difference a few blocks makes.  We got to the beach and all you could see was white caps and peoples hair flying everywhere.   BUT…I wasn’t about to say no to her once we were actually there!

Oh, and I need more jeans like I need another hole in my head, but when I saw these at the Rack this week for $46 plus an additional 25% off, I had to try them on… :}  They are SO soft and comfy, and I looooove the zipper details!!  So, they came home with me. 🙂Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-1Yeah, not windy or anything 😉 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-2The minute her feet hit the sand, she was OFF and running!! 🙂 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-3I have been living in the hoodie.  It’s soooo soft and thick!  What you can’t see is that it says “Protector, Lover, Mother” on the back-love that!  It was too freaking cold to take my jacket off! Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-4I managed to lure her back for a few shots… Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-5 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-6 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-7 Blog Vintage Leather Jacket LB Brand PLM Hoodie Joes Jeans Miley Skinny Superga-8And then she was off again!Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-1 Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-2 Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-3 Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-4Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-4-“Mommy, you go over there!”  This after I told her she could not run in the water…haha.Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-5Yeah, that worked :{  I mean, you can just see the anticipation in her fingers.Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-6 So hard to deny the joy she gets from running in the water, but when it was this cold, I had to finally pull her away. Blog Amy Coe faux Leather Jacket Old Navy Sweater LB Milk Drunk Raglan Joes Jeans Superga-7On me…

Jacket- Vintage (similar here, and less expensive here)
Hoodie- LB Brand (my particular one looks like it’s sold out, but similar one here)
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans “Miley” (Nordstrom Rack (, similar here without the zippers and here with)
Shoes- Superga (thrifted)
On Maya…
Jacket- Amy Coe (thrifted, but similar here)
Cardigan- Old Navy (thrifted, similar here)
Raglan- Little Boogaweezin (old, but tee shirt version here)
Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (thrifted, but similar here)

Shoes- Superga (thrifted, similar here)

Keeping it real…

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve.  I knew we were going to stay home and have a low key evening, but I may have taken it a step further ;).  I haven’t been sleeping very well lately, and me and lack of sleep do not go well together.  Anywho…I had a couple glasses of wine, laid down to watch Legends of Oz with the Huz and Maya, “rested my eyes” for a few minutes, and was OUT before 9 HAHAHAHA.

Sorry Huz…dit-elle-Lauren

2014 recap of Maya and me…thank you for following along!!

This was such a fun year blogging!  We really didn’t know what we wanted to do with this blog when we started, and I specifically wasn’t really sure what I wanted my posts to be about.  They started off as casual mom fashion posts, but quickly turned into me documenting Maya and me having fun together, but…also showcasing our mostly thrifted clothing. 🙂

Fashion aside, I hope some of the images just made you smile 🙂  The main point for me is to have fun with Maya and to be able to show this to her when she grows up.  That is the best thing to have come out of this little venture.

Life can get hectic and overwhelming, but this blog has consistently been something I look forward to doing.  The images I now have of Maya and me are invaluable.  Having a structured way to document us having fun and stories along the way, an absolute unexpected bonus!  The people I have “met” both from the blogging community and on Instagram probably know more about my daily life than a lot of my family and friends (I still don’t really share this blog with that many people…maybe some day I will :))!  For those of you that have followed along and become friends along the way…thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙂

Anyway…No idea how I narrowed down my favorites from this year, but…here are a few (ok, a LOT haha).

Blog Best me and Maya 2014-1 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-2 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-3 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-4 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-6 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-7 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-9 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-11 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-12 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-13 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-14Blog Best me and Maya 2014-8Blog J Crew J Brand Timberland-4Blog Best me and Maya 2014-10 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-15 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-16 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-17 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-18 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-19 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-20 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-21 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-22 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-23 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-24 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-25 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-26 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-27 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-28 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-29 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-30 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-31 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-32 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-33 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-34 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-35 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-36 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-37 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-38 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-40 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-41Blog Little Boogaweezin PLM Tee Zara High Waisted Faux Leather Shorts Black Converse Beach-7Blog Xhiliration Cream Boho Top Genetic Denim The Shane Nine West Booties-5 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-42 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-43Blog Naartjie Tank DIY Levis Cut Offs Old Navy Gladiator Sandal-4Blog Free People Crochet Crop Vintage Belt Levis Birkenstocks-4Blog Free People Top Vintage Levis 501 Birkenstocks-5Blog 3 Dots Cowl Neck Destroyed 7FAM Mystique Silver Wrap Sandals-9 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-44 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-45 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-46 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-47 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-48 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-491 Blog Maya 149 weeks HM Purple Moto Jacket Three Little Trees Romper Xhiliration Moto Boots-11 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-50Blog IG Maya 139 Weeks Red Balloons for Ryan-1c Blog Best me and Maya 2014-51 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-52Blog HM Cream Sweater Current Elliott Boyfriend Leather Shorts SixtySeven Blake Bootie-8 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-53Blog Oxford Trunk Flannel HM Button down DL1961 Emma Cellar Minnetonka Booties-4 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-54Blog Vintage Wool Hat Zara Tank Current Elliott Boyfriend Jeans Cafe Noir Booties-25 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-55Blog Oxford Trunk Coated Sweater DL1961 Emma Converse-6 Blog Vintage Brown Plaid Scarf Autumn Cashmere Sweater DL1961 Emma Bloom Sam Edelman Petty Suede Booties-22c1 Blog StyleMint Green Parka Zara Swing Tee DL1961 Emma Bloom Pink Converse-1Blog HM Cream Tunic Goldsign Gray Mayhem Skinny Jeans Frye Lisa Short Stitch Booties--11Blog Maya 157 Weeks Sophies Closet Dress Gap Jeggings Arizona Jeans Boots-2Blog Karen Zambos Dress Nine West Heels-7Blog Zara button back sweater DL1961 Emma Denver Fiorentini Baker 7040 Boots-4 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-57 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-58 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-59 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-601 Blog Doma Leather Knit Jacket Free People Sues Swinging Peplum Top Linea Pelle Gold Studded Belt DL1961 Amanda Milk ShoeMint Lily-5 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-61 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-62Blog Doma Leather Inhabit Cashmere Cardigan J Brand Coated Skinny Leopard Vans-3 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-63 Blog Best me and Maya 2014-64Blog Oxford Trunk White Top DL1961 Emma Cellar Joan and David Booties-6

Happy New Year!!!

(All pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya and 6 random ones of us that either my mom or the Huz took-can you guess which ones they are?? :))dit-elle-Lauren

Vintage Levi’s Jean Jackets + Combat Boots…twinning (oops!)

 I’ve been on the HUNT for a vintage Levi’s jacket.  I wanted it to be a little boxy, but not too big.  And then…there it was just hanging on the end of a rack at the thrift store.  I’ve said it before.  I’m ridiculously lucky when it comes to thrifting.  I think of something I want, and sooner or later (usually sooner) it’s there for about 90-95%+ less than retail price!  This was not a major score at $10, but because it was something on my wish list, it was a total score (insert happy dance the minute I saw it!!) to me!Blog Levis Jacket Oxford Trunk J Brand Frye Harness-1 Blog Levis Jacket Oxford Trunk J Brand Frye Harness-2I had found one for May a while back, so…yes we were totally twinning this day haha.  Whatever, I’m not even sorry!! 😉Blog Levis Jacket Oxford Trunk J Brand Frye Harness-3 Blog Levis Jacket Oxford Trunk J Brand Frye Harness-4 Blog Levis Jacket Oxford Trunk J Brand Frye Harness-5Blog Toddlers Levis Jacket Hanna Black Dress Xhiliration Moto Boots-1 Blog Toddlers Levis Jacket Hanna Black Dress Xhiliration Moto Boots-2 Blog Toddlers Levis Jacket Hanna Black Dress Xhiliration Moto Boots-3If only we could find joy as adults, as toddlers do jumping of a single step…over, and over, and over 🙂 Blog Toddlers Levis Jacket Hanna Black Dress Xhiliration Moto Boots-4 Blog Toddlers Levis Jacket Hanna Black Dress Xhiliration Moto Boots-5On me…

Jacket- Levi’s (thrifted, similar here)
Top- The Oxford Trunk (sold out, but similar here)
Jeans- J Brand Skinny Leg Shadow Destroyed (ebay, not destroyed here and less expensive here)
On Maya…
Jacket- Levi’s (thrifted, but similar here)
Scarf- Mine, old
Dress- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, but similar here)
Leggings- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Xhiliration (eBay, but similar here)

 

Keeping it Real…
I don’t really have a keeping it real.  I’m still on the high of the holidays, and…the holidays being over! ;}  What I mean by that is I LOVE the actual holidays!!  Getting to spend time with family, eating amazing food, drinking good wine, giving, and ok, let’s be honest receiving gifts!! 😉 THAT all makes the time leading up to the holidays-the prep for them during my busiest work time of year, all worth it.  That said… The fact that all the running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the last 3 months is coming to an end is…such a relief (does that sound bad??) Honestly, I don’t even care if it does sound bad!!
I am such a creature of habit.  I love the simple day to day activities.  I eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch about 90% of the time, and honestly, my day to day doesn’t vary all that much!  When too much out of the ordinary happens or too much gets out of whack, I just feel out of control and overwhelmed.  And let me tell you, the last 3 months has been ALL THAT and MORE!!!  So…January, I am soooo ready for you! 🙂
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Leather + Animal Print for the holidays…

Truth be told, I’m not really sure I like this outfit on me.  Ok, I don’t.  I kept trying to make these pants work, but I’ve had them for over a year and have never worn them.   I put them up on eBay, and someone asked to see pictures of them on.  Well, if I was going to bother taking pictures of them, I might as well blog it haha.  So, I dressed Maya up and this is a take on a holiday look. blog Charles Gray Leopard Jacket Vince Blouse Milly Leather Ankle Zip Pants Via Spiga Pumps-1blog Charles Gray Leopard Jacket Vince Blouse Milly Leather Ankle Zip Pants Via Spiga Pumps-2blog Charles Gray Leopard Jacket Vince Blouse Milly Leather Ankle Zip Pants Via Spiga Pumps-3blog Charles Gray Leopard Jacket Vince Blouse Milly Leather Ankle Zip Pants Via Spiga Pumps-4blog Charles Gray Leopard Jacket Vince Blouse Milly Leather Ankle Zip Pants Via Spiga Pumps-5Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-1Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-2Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-3Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-4Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-5Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-6Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-7Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-8Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-9Blog Baby Gap Silver Holiday Dress And Velvet Coat Nordstrom Toddler Patent Boots-10On me…

Jacket- Charles Gray (thrifted, similar here)
Top- Vince (eBay, similar here)
Pants- Milly (old, similar here)
Heels- Via Spiga
On Maya…
Jacket- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Dress- Gap (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots- Nordstrom (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
Not really a keeping it real, but I took holiday pictures of Maya in this dress last year, and LOVED IT.  I was so sad when she outgrew it.  Then I found it in a bigger size at the thrift store-SCORE!!!
Amazing the difference a year makes!blog-joie-silk-dress-9Gah!!!  Her little fingers kill me! blog-joie-silk-dress-10
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren