Outfit: Sunny Day Outside back

Dress: Because I shop Too Much-Abby's Closet, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Baublebar, Earrings: C/O Kristin Hassan, Sunnies: Loft

I spent this day at home and most of the day out back with the kiddos. My hair was still wet from my shower so I twisted it into pigtails which I later took down and it turned out like beach waves. (Totally kicking myself that I didn't get a photo of this!)

I found this dress on Because I shop too much for $7. Super cute right? Sadly, it is just a bit short on me and I'm pretty sure I gave my neighbors a nice show! lol

I put it back up for sale in my closet so if you're shorter then 5"4 and a size small, it's all you!

What do you think? Ever throw on a sundress, twist up wet hair, and call it a day?! I think both moms and non moms alike can relate to this, no?

Outfit: Knits and Shorts

I went to the Zoo Brew at Brookfield Zoo on Sunday and this is what I wore:

Sweater: Loft (similar) (similar), Shorts: Old Navy, Boots: Victoria's Secret (similar) (similar and under $40), Ring and Necklace: C/O Silver Speck, Umbrella: Urban Outfitters, Hat: Charming Charlie, Bag: Coach

This was mine and my hubby's first time at a beer tasting together. I had been to one years ago at the Sam Adams factory in Boston, but this was so different. We were handed glasses, 20 drink tickets each, and a bag of pretzals. The weather was awful, but we for sure made the best of it!

We had a blast and I would gladly go to many more of these. Plus we got super cute rain shots so it's a win win. lol

Now lets talk jewelry, how STUNNING is this ring and necklace? I am obsessed! Lots more Silver Speck pieces to share with you in the weeks to come, if you've never visited their website  you should for sure check them out!



What do you think? Ever go to beer tastings? And what's your go to rain look? I think rain boots and a hat were the perfect way to beat the wet dog look! ;)

*Check out my feature on Your Next Shoes! 

Jewelry Repair

I was given these dangle earrings as a free gift by Baublebar, but they were 2 different lengths. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted to change out the bottom stone so they were even. Good thing I used to make jewelry for a living, I had all the tools on hand as well as 2 matching stones. Sadly I did not have 2 black stones, but these opal colored ones did the trick. Here are the before shots:

I cut the bottom stone off. Used 2 pieces of wire and doing a basic wire wrap added one stone to the bottom of each earring.

What do you think? Like the new style? I may switch them out again in a few months when I go stone shopping and get black ones, but for now I'm loving how you can see these in my dark hair!

Dressing to Music: Sleigh Bells-Rill Rill

Dress: Because I shop too Much- Jessica's Closet (LOVE Brand), Coat: Lulus (sold out), Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Necklace: Currently for sale Kaitlyn's Closet on BISTM, Watch: Kristin Hassan

What do you think? I felt super edgy and girly all at the same time!



Bobbi Brown Event

The ladies of Jess + Jill invited myself and Kaitlyn to a Bobbi Brown makeup event at Bloomingdale's in Chicago on Saturday and this is what I wore:



Dress & Belt: Rad & Refined (sold out), Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Clutch: Shoedazzle (similar) (similar), Watch: Fossil, Ring: C/O Pree Brulee, Earrings: via ThirtySomthingFashion Box Service

 We all met up (makeup less, oh the horror! lol) and got matched up with makeup consultants to get a Pretty Powerful Makeup Lesson.
Here are some shots of our day:

Myself, Jess + Jill, Kaitlyn (Sisters Marie), Sportsanista

The wonderful woman who did my makeup and bloggers being bloggers ;)

Sisters Marie and Laurie of Product Girl

We had so much fun and I now have a lot of new Bobbi Brown makeup! I am super in love with my 2 new lip colors blue raspberry and rose blossom (both shades seen above on myself and Katie)! Thanks to Jess and Jill for inviting us!

*Head over to the Sisters Marie blog to see Kaitlyn's pics from the event! 

My Son, My Hero

My 4 year old and I had the most amazing conversation a few days ago.

I asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up and he said "I no know mama, wa?". I then told him he can be whatever he wants.

I asked him what are his interests, what makes him happy.

He said, "um, um, wa?"

Since he is autistic it is hard for him to have back and forth conversations so I started asking him yes no questions.

Do you want to be a race car driver? "No."

Do you want to work with planets, you love planets? "No."

Do you want to work with numbers? "Yes!"

"What work numbers mama?"

Well, you can do something with math. "No."

You can be a scientist. "What does a scientist?"

Well, depends on what kind of scientist you want to be, but you can help discover cures for sick people...

At this point he stops me mid sentences and says "yes mama, I do that! I make peoples brains feel better. Like me."

You mean other kids with autism? "Yes."

You want to cure autism? "Yes. But with no shots mama, I don't like shots."

And then I cried for about 10 minutes.

I have a 4 year old who wants to grow up and find a cure for autism.

 I am raising the smartest kid I know.

**Every 3 days when we give him his vitamin b12 shots we tell him it will make his brain and belly feel better. Whenever he sees a "treat" he wants to eat, we tell him "that won't make your brain feel good, lets find something else we can eat". Hence the brain feeling better convo above. ;)

My Life In IPhone Photos

Top Row: Sisters Marie and Kristin Hassan, My BROKEN phone (been like that for 2 months now), me and the hubby

Middle Row: My babies, self portrait

Bottom Row: Wilco Concert, me and Lindsay, and the hubby at Lombard fest shooting things ;)

Top Row: Sisters Marie, Self Portrait, and Kristin Hassan wrist wrap with Etsy Love bracelet

Middle shot: myself and Jillian

Bottom row: My Kristin Hassan Jewelry Collection, Kristin Hassan Wrist Wrap & T plus J Designs Necklace, My statement necklace collection

Latest Obsessions

Here are a few of my latest obsessions:



Starbucks: Refreshers-Very Berry Hibiscus

This drink is beyond! I am obsessed and find myself driving by Starbucks just to get one a few times a week.

Dr. Mercola: Pure Gold Raw Honey

I've always had an obsession with honey. It's my chocolate. Obviously it's not the best thing for you when you are eating the processed kind, so I found my healthy alternative.

I eat this stuff by the spoonful. Mostly over coconut milk ice cream or in my coffee. But yeah, off the spoon too. It's amazing!



Just Fabulous: After Glow Clutch

I'm sure you have noticed in a number of outfit post so far that I just can't get enough of this clutch. It's edgy, classic, and neutral all at the same time. I find myself wanting to wear it more often then I thought I would for a skull clutch for sure.

What are your current obsessions?

*Check out my outfit post over on Sisters Marie today!

Outfit: Neons and Neurtals-Boho Style

I got this crochet skirt back when I ordered the box service from ThirtySomethingFashion, but haven't really known what to pair it with until now. When I saw this top in my FriendSwap bag from Kaitlyn, I knew it was a match made in heaven. ;) Here is how I styled this amazing skirt:



Top: Swap w/ Kaitlyn, Skirt: Hazel via ThirtySomethingFashion Box Service, Shoes: Colin Stuart, Bag: Karmaloop (similar), Watch: Fossil, Earrings: C/O Kristin Hassan, Ring: C/O Pree Brulee

I loved this pairing. I super loved the little pop of teal in my ring as well! What do you think?

I did learn that this skirt would work better with a wedge next time as it got stuck in my heels every time I sat down. lol

Live and learn. ;)

**INPINK Winners were chosen today! EVERYONE who entered won! I am passing all emails along to the INPINK team and they will send you your credits! Thanks to INPINK and to all who entered. 

Outfit: Girls Only

We had a bit of a girl's only outside day as my son and hubby were inside because my son hurt his foot. (No worries, he's in a walking boot now so after 3 day's bed rest, he can at least walk around again). Ok, back to the point. The girls wanted to be outside so I decided we should take some photos. Imagine that! ;) Here is what we wore: 

Dress: Swap w/ Kaitlyn (Francesca's), Hat: Shop in Las Vegas, Wrist Wrap and Watch: Kristin Hassan, Necklace: C/O T plus J Designs, Sunnies: Michael Kors

Beans Dress: Target

No shoes of course, and maxi dresses for both of us! 
I LOVE this maxi dress. It belongs to Kaitlyn, but I requested it end up in my FriendSwap bag this time around. I'm so glad I did as it is super cozy and I just love the print. 
Now let's talk photos. I am totally printing and framing the 2nd photo in this post. I love it! 
See, good things happen when you set up a tripod and play with your kids in the yard! ;) 

Recipe: Gluten Free/Dairy Free Spinach and Tomato Pizza

I realize that the title "gluten free/dairy free pizza" sounds like an oxymoron. lol

But this is what our diet allows, so we are trying to make the best of it.

My son is a pizza junkie so I had to figure out a way for him to still eat it every now and then but without the dairy now too.

I decided to just use Bob's Red Mill bag mix for the gluten free crust. I followed the package directions and then added spinach, tomato, and daiya for the cheese substitute.

It was actually pretty good. No, it didn't taste just like regular pizza so I'm not even going to pretend that it did.

Diaya is more gooey then dairy cheese (almost like a nacho cheese) when heated so it was for sure a "stick to your teeth" kind of meal. Both kids and myself did eat the heck out of it though. It was really great warm out of the oven. Not so great as leftovers heated up the next day.

Are you on a GF/DF diet? What's your go to pizza alternative?

Outfit: Meow

I met up with my partner/sister-in-law for a business dinner and this is what I wore:

Top: Zara (similar) (Similar, Kate Spade), Jeans: 7 for all mankind, Heels: Lulus (similar), Bag: Michael Kors, Jacket: C/O Sheinside, Sunnies: Loft, Red wrist Wrap: Kristin Hassan, Black and gold bangles: Baublebar, Black and gold bangle: C/O T plus J Design, Red and gold bracelet: Because I shop too much- Meagan's Closet, Necklace: Piperlime

I have been loving the peplum trend from a distance thus far thinking it maybe wasn't for me. Then I saw this top at Zara and it was love at first site! After wearing it, I love this type of top even more. I know it's not very creative to pair leopard with red, gold, and black, but that is what I did. I feel like these colors/patterns just go together, no?!

And here's a shot of us at dinner. Okay, maybe it wasn't all business....we for sure had a great time! ;)



Do you Juice?

I recently started juicing and I just can't get enough! Yes, a juicer is an investment but I think it for sure worth it. Here is the one I got:

So far my favorite juice combo is apple, carrot, and spinach (or kale). It's super yummy, gives me lots of energy and the kids LOVE to help put the fruits and veggies in the top of the juicer. I am new to this, so I'll be sure to let you know when I've found a really great combo. So far though, drinking this mid day has knocked out my 2nd cup of coffee (which is amazing) and I'm getting more fruit and veggies then I usually eat in a regular day.

Do you juice? Have a favorite combo, do share?!

Outfit: Bridal Shower Atire

I attended Lindsay's bridal shower over the weekend (Lindsay from K + L: The blog) and had an amazing time! This is what I wore:

Dress: Because I shop too Much - Kaitlyn's closet, Jacket: PePe Jeans (sold out), Shoes: C/O Sole Society, Bracelet: Etsy, Clutch: C/O Just Fabulous, Watch: Kristin Hassan, Necklace: J. Crew, Sunnies: Loft, Earrings and Cuff: C/O Kristin Hassan

I was elated when I saw this dress on Because I shop too much! Talk about a great find, it was a steal at $8.00!
I decided to pair it with a neutral shoe, gold and neutral clutch, watch, and cuff, and added a pop of color with the necklace. I finished the look off with my favorite jacket.
What do you think?
I have to say, Lindsay's shower was beyond beautiful! And she looked STUNNING! You'll have to check back on their blog to see both her and Kristin's outfit posts from this day. You'll be wanting both of their dresses for sure! ;)