Dressing to Music: Bloc Party - Banquet

This song is an oldie but a goodie. It's upbeat, rockin, and it just puts me in a great mood. It also gets my tush in gear and I roll right through the dressing/accessory process. This is what I came up with:




Top: Oomph shop
Tank: Loft
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Earrings: Jewelmint
Ring: Jewelmint

The song lead me to a chic, simple, dark hued ensemble! I love my new sheer black blouse. My daughter pulled it unbuttoned about one million times that night, but I look forward to wearing it on a child-free night! ;)

Baublebar

Yes ladies, I have found another jewelry site to love and shop at! ;) Baublebar.com is a place where you can find great jewelry at low prices:

"Our unique sourcing model, direct from high-end jewelry designers to you, coupled with our online-only presence allow us to bring you the in-season jewelry you love at the accessible price points you want. Without the high costs of a traditional retailer, we are able to price our gems so that experimenting with style doesn’t have to mean a big investment for you."

"BaubleBar branded jewelry is sourced from the same designers that sell to upscale retailers - this designer network is the genius behind the BaubleBar pieces you see and love. Designer partners are selected for their workmanship and design aesthetic, and work with the BaubleBar team to create items in a variety of materials and price points, so you can spoil yourself without sacrificing quality."

Here are a few of their pieces:





Happy shopping ladies! ;) You can also "Like" their Facebook page here.

My new sweater

Sweater: Forever 21
Tank: Express
Jean Leggings: Target
Shoes: Forever 21
Necklace: Jewelmint
Chain Ring: Tiffany & CO
Ring: Macys (Judith Jack is the designer)

This was the perfect look for having a little get together with another family for dinner. Cute, casual, and cozy! Which is ideal when you're burping babies and changing diapers! lol
This sweater is my new favorite! I got it from Bonnie over at Flashes of Style in her "shop" section. I love shopping other peoples closets! What's that saying? One persons trash is another persons treasure. Well, this sweater is FAR from trash, but you get where I'm going with this! ;)

Thanks for the new sweater Bonnie! I love it!
In other news, 7 pounds left until I'm back to pre-baby weight! I'm so excited!!

What's happening in my world....

First off, we have finally reached 200 blogspot followers here at Stilettos and Diaper Bags! woo hoo! Thanks guys! Who would of thought?! ;)

So things are crazy busy around the home front. Everyone is sick, well me and the kids are anyway. Somehow my hubby has not caught what we have. LUCKY BASTARD! lol

We have been keeping busy with my son's 3 hours of EI therapies per week. Also starting to fill out paperwork for his transition into the public school district in the fall. So weird that he'll be in school soon. Seriously scary! I'm also in the process of planning his 3rd B-day party! (Can you believe I am going to be the mother of a 3 year old?! Time just flies!) I think this year we are going with a Word World theme. (PBS Kids show)

My little lady is thriving. She laughs, sucks her thumb, and grabs objects and her feet. She can roll from her front to back but has not mastered the back to front roll yet. (Thank goodness, I'm in no rush for her to be mobile!)

On top of being a full time mommy and blogger, I have recently gone into business with my sister-in-law and it is all very hush hush and exciting. As soon as everything is trademarked and underway, you all will be the first to know what that's all about! Promise!!

So I guess the moral of the story is, I'm crazy busy, but enjoying myself! Life is good!

Have you entered this months giveaway yet?! Only 8 days left to enter!

Questions Answered

This question is from AndreaLeigh:

I always thought you were in your mid-20s. you look fabulous. what skincare products do you use? tell me your secrets because I am 32 and look a hot mess.

Okay Andrea, first off LMAO!! Secondly, and of course, THANK YOU! I can't tell you how this has made my day/year! ;)

On a day to day basis, and in this order, this is what I am currently using in the morning (I say currently because I switch up some serums and creams every month):

Face Wash: Brand: Nature's Alternative (Mario Tricoci brand) Pumpkin seed & Vitamin A Eczema Bar
Toner: Brand: BeautiControl Skinlogics (gold collection) tonic
Quick Refiner: Brand: Bioelements (New Beauty Test Tube)
Serum: Brand: Skin Ceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
Eye Serum: Brand: BeautiControl Regeneration tight, firm, and fill
Lotion: Brand: Pevonia Age-defying collagen cream (New Beauty Test Tube)

At the end of the day after I take my makeup off I put on the B5 serum and on some nights Bioelements night cream.

I ALWAYS use the same face wash, toner, eye serum, and vitamin B5 serum, but since I am a user of New Beauty Test Tube, I switch everything else up monthly. I have been told my a few estheticians that it is good to mix it up to keep skin looking great!
I have always thought of myself as someone with sensitive skin, but everything I try seems to be gentle enough for my skin.

I also think getting facials are super important!! I get anywhere from 2-4 per year (I would love to get more, but it's just not in the budget). I usually go with the pomegranate or collagen facials at Mario Tricoci. Both very hydrating and great at making skin shinny and young looking!

Lets be honest here, genes do play a role in this! Both my parents look super young for their ages! My older sister looks like she's 12, well, all my siblings look young for their ages.  It just runs in the family!!!
I also decided I liked being told I look younger very early on in life and started using "age defying" creams in my early 20's!

Hmmm....what else? Here are some rules to live by! ;)

NEVER go to bed with makeup on!
ALWAYS wear sun screen! (I don't wear lower then 45 on my face)
NEVER fake and bake!
Don't smoke! (seriously, the fastest way to look older! Not to mention give you cancer or kill you!)

Hope this answered your question!

My search for hair pretties: Ever Creations

I found some amazing hair pretties for my little bean. Well, let's be honest, I have a 16 pound 4 month old! I think the bean has put on some winter weight. She has also lost most of her hair. Hey, a lot of girls have bad hair years! The problem is her head so chubby no regular headbands fit her without being too tight. Also she doesn't have enough hair for a barrette not to look like a floating bow. The solution? Crocheted headbands that TIE in the back of the head. And super cute ones at that!!!

I got these 2 and as soon as I saw they are even more amazing in person I bought another one! Check out the etsy site!
She has really cute packaging and at the bottom is a picture of my little bean sporting her new look!

Seriously love these! They are soft, comfortable against my baby's head, and of great quality! I'm so glad I found her stuff!!

This weeks "I want what she has!"/Wait....you do what now?!

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Jessi Savioli. I saw this hat on her facebook page and I knew I needed to own it! lol No, seriously! When I went in for a closer look, I noticed she had written that she made it!!!! So she has kindly agreed to make and sell me one just like it!! woo hoo!
When we got to talking, I found out that knitting is just a hobby of hers! She also has a Etsy site where she sells her jewelry. But this is just a hobby too! (She mentioned that more items will be coming soon!)
What she really likes to do in her free time though, is make quilts! Here are some examples of her work:






I was so blown away by these! The detail is just amazing. She is now also making both my kids baby sized quilts!
If you are interested in having her make you a custom quilt in the baby size or twin size you can email her at jsavioli11@gmail.com. She will only be taking 1 or 2 orders at a time so make sure you order in advance if it's a gift you need by a certain date! Prices vary on size and how intricate you want the design.
So you see, what started with "I want what she has!" has ended in I'm buying everything she has! lol
Great work Jessi, you are such a talented person!

70's or Boho? You can't make me choose just one!!!

Top: Piperlime
Jean Legging: Target
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Hat: Charming Charlie
Heart Ring: Jewelmint
Long Ring: Banana Republic
Earrings: House of Harlow (Somehow not shown!! ;( I will wear them much more no worries!!)

I LOVE THIS TOP! Seriously I would buy it in all 3 colors it comes in, but I fear I would wear them (and only them) everyday for the rest of my life! And how lame would that be for you the readers! lol But really, it's my new favorite. It's light weight and breezy. LOVE!
This was just a simple outfit (leggings, a top, and a great heel) accessorized with gold jewelry, a hat, and a red lip! Easy, effortless, and beautiful (well, I think so anyway!).
Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Bloggers day of silence: Friday March 18

Read about it and donate here! Every little bit counts!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day and hope you all have a fun and safe weekend! xo

Time to bust out the riding boots

Sweater: Old Navy
Jean Leggings: Target
Boots: Jessica Simpson
Earrings: Lia Sophia
Ring: Jewelmint
Necklace: Self made (you can find one like mine at Erin Gallagher Jewelry)

I got these bad boys over a year ago, but didn't fit comfortably back into them until recently. Plus I got rid of my other brown boots in my "shop my shoes" section to make me wear my awesome ones more! ;)
And can we just check out my hair please!? I have very little idea of how this worked but I twisted the sides, braided the back and put it in a bun and used lots of bobby pins! It was so nice to have no baby/toddler pulling my hair for a day! And when I took it out, I had amazing waves! This style will have to be used on the super hot summer days this year!

what guys really think

Combat boots


WhoWhatWear




Lisa: HATE IT! Especially when you don't even take the time to lace them up (Ahhemmm Lindsay Lohan)! I'm all for women wearing men's inspired wear, but I like it in a more tailored feminine manor. I get it, wear them with something super girly for an edgy look, but I still would not be caught dead in them. Hey, I'm finally excepting flat riding boots (and loving them by the way), but that doesn't mean I want to add laces and buckles all the way up.
I do think a few of these ladies look great in them, but again not something I'm going to be trying any time soon.

Ryan: So let me get this straight Hollywood starlets - you weigh 89 pounds, eat nothing but sushi & Red Bull all day and decide to CLUNK up your outfit with Frankenstein's boating shoes? Rachel Bilson, stop breaking my heart! For the record, the recent trend of dudes walking around with their Air Jordans untied is equally egregious ("tie your shoes!" says the old man from his front porch). Anyway girlfriends, keep killin' it with some flats, heels, pumps or whatever else you wear to keep us slobs interested (and you feelin' sexy/comfortable/sexy-but-uncomfortable), but leave the combat boots to marines & movie monsters.

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Lindsay Burdett. The entire look is amazing, but I was gushing over that bag!

Canvas Bag: $53.79 ASOS

I love that you can hold the bag, throw it over your shoulder, or even wear it cross body! It goes with anything and everything and is great for spring! Great find Lindsay....we may need to do a closet swap soon! And my "may need" I mean yes please! ;)

Giveaway: Nicole Smith Family Trees

This giveaway is just in time for Mother's Day! One lucky winner will receive a 5 by 7 framed "love addition" family tree with up to 12 people (a $44.50 value)! Here are examples of what your tree could look like. The winner even gets to choose the color of the frame!



Isn't it beautiful?! I got a family tree for my mother-in-law for Christmas 2 years ago and I also have a family magnet in my kitchen. I just love Nicole's stuff! Here are a few other examples of the new love addition pieces:



To enter:
Visit Nicole's Etsy site and copy the url from your favorite item and paste it in the comments section below along with your email address.
For an additional entry "like" NS Family Trees on Facebook

Winner announced April 6th.

In addition to the giveaway, Nicole is offering readers of my blog 10% off any purchase through 3/31 by using the code LISASBLOG at checkout!

Dear Jessica Simpson, I Love Your Shoes! Sincerely, Lisa Fergus

Okay, how absolutely amazing are these shoes?! I have been seeing them everywhere and could not stand to not own them any longer! I went to Jessica's online store and they had them in grey and purple, but black and brown were sold out! I actually found that brown was sold out at a LOT of places! I finally found them at Shoes.com and pressed that "add to cart" button faster then you can say Jessica Simpson! lol
I can't wait to wear these bad boys all summer long! They are actually my first pair of 6 inch heels! Thank God my hubby is 10 inches taller then me! ;)

My sons new favorite dessert

Last week I read on Momnivore's dilemma about a great ice cream alternative. I found out about her blog because both our sons have the same developmental therapist. I am so glad to have found her here on blogspot. I can not tell you how many recipes I steal from her! lol I am currently in the same boat as her and am always looking for more gluten free ideas for my little man! This one is so simple, but it is darn good so I figured I had to share it with people! ;)

What you'll need:
Bananas
Enjoy life Chocolate Chips
wax paper
cookie sheet
freezer

Directions:
1.) slice up your bananas and place them on the wax paper lined cookie sheet
2.) Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave
3.) Dip the slices in the melted chocolate or spoon it on the top (I went with the messy free route while my little man ate chips out of a measuring cup!)
4.) place in freezer

That's it!



I'm a huge fan of frozen bananas so this is something we all like! If you or your kids are on a gluten free, dairy free, soy free diet I strongly urge you to check out her blog! We also use her hulk shake recipe and alternate fruit and veggies for breakfast a few days a week!

In other news, you can now shop my closet, jewelry box, and shoes! So many more items to come in the next few weeks!!!

My new picture wall

For as long as I can remember I have always wanted a picture wall. Well, more of a collage wall, but a picture wall non the less! I finally started collecting frames of all shapes and sizes and mirrors starting back in September. Since I had NO IDEA how to do a project like this without ending up with a wall full of holes, I asked Lindsay from Yams Designs to help. She surpassed my expectations and then some!! She come over with craft paper and traced all my frames (making marks on the paper were the hooks are and everything) and began taping them up my wall! Here is what we came up with using the frames I had at this point:

I decided I was going to want more frames, so I went on Amazon.com and found a 10 pack for $29.99. When those came I added them to the existing collage. Here is what I have up as of now:

It's not done yet! I still need to add a custom piece that Lindsay is making to the top left of the wall. I also need to fill some of the frames that are up and undoubtedly I will probably add a few more frames.
I was so lucky to have Lindsay to help me on this project. She is a design consultant, so this is a smaller job then she usually takes on, but she was more then happy to help. You can check out her blog here and here Etsy store here! And if you ever need design help, I urge you to use her. She really has a great eye for design. You should see the chair she picked out for my front room/office. Well, that's a work in process and another post! ;)

Adding a little color to my day

Cardigan: H&M
Tank: NY&CO
Jeans: Target
Earrings: Closet Swap (F21 in Las Vegas)
Ring: Jewelmint
Necklace: Self made

I'm finally feeling like my pre-baby self again. I have 9 pounds left to loose and my tummy is still like a bowl of jelly, but hey, it's been four months and I'm darn proud of the way my body bounced back again!
I decided to embrace my new size and wear something a bit more figure hugging then normal (well, tighter then I have worn in the past year anyway!). I love the orange color of my top with the turquoise in the earrings and the hot pink nails. Great color combo, don't you think?! And this ring is my new favorite! It was my February selection from Jewelmint and I keep wanting to style everything with gold so I can wear it over and over! Something about the placement of the 2 stones on it...I just find myself drawn to it!

Questions?

Do you guys have any questions for me? I have questions for you!!

Okay, so lately I've been asked about what skin care products I use and also about my hair products. I will answer those for sure! What else do you want to know? Any hair style videos you want me to do? This is your chance to ask anything people so don't be shy!!

Now it's my turn to do the asking! ;) I've decided to add a "shop my closet", "shop my jewelry box", and "shop my shoes" section to my page. I've got way too many possessions!!! Even more shameful I have lots of never used/gently used items that need to go! Everything will range from $2-$30 and it will be like my very own worldwide garage sale! lol So my question is would anyone actually buy my things?
On to other questions......
Do you like the blog? Any items you don't like? Do you like the new segment I do with the hubby (what guys really think")? Anything you want to see more of? Anything you want to see less of? My feelings will not be hurt, so please be honest.
I love that so many of you come back here to read my posts daily and I want to keep you guys coming back! Thank you in advance for your feedback and suggestions. Excited about what's to come here on Stilettos and Diaper Bags!

Great find: Cuticle Oil

Cuticle Oil: $12 Sephora

This stuff is amazing! My nails are always dry and I very rarely find time to use cuticle oil. But that's what's so great about this oil, it's a perfect size for your purse and the no mess brush helps it go on easy. It's also not crazy oily so you can continue what you were doing with your hands a few minutes later! Seriously love this stuff! Anyone else use this? or know of another good on the go product like this one?

This weeks "I want what she has!"

This weeks "I want what she has!" goes to Abbey Kenny. What don't I like?! Seriously, she walks in my door and I'm all, oohhhhh, what's that?! and ooooooo la la, how much were these! lol

Burn-out T: $4.99 Urban Outfitters
Jeans: $89.50 Banana Republic
Boots: $? (2 years old) Nordstrom
Earrings: (gift, not sure of price) Style Studio

Great finds Abbey! I also love your Coach purse!!

Oscar's Party

Top: Charming Charlie
Cami: JC Penny
Cardigan: Forever 21
Jean Leggings: Target
Boots: Venus
Necklace: Jewelmint
Ring: Charming Charlie





I went to a red carpet party! lol Well, there was a red carpet there! How adorable is this themed party?! My mother-in-law and sister-in-law bake and cook up a storm every year for this event! They even printed out ballots for us to fill out. Absolutely adorable! We had an wonderful time and ate delicious food while talking about everyone outfits and jewelry! What more can you ask for? A tiara you say? Those were there too! I love me a good girls party! ;)

ps- please do not mind my awful black borders around my collages. I just found a program I like and am now learning to always change the boarder to white! ;)

Winner Announced

Thank you to all who entered the Pixie Chicago giveaway. Sadly I could not find my usual giveaway jar to keep all your email addresses in, so I had to use one of my daughter's bowls! Hey, it had pink stripes!

Drum roll please:


Congrats to Lindsay! I hope you love the stationalry as much as I do! I will be emailing you later today!