My Week in Style: SHEIN x Coachella

So I admittedly have always had a hankering to make it to Coachella, and yet in the 7 years we lived in LA I never made the trek. To add even more salt to my wound, this year my awesome Fashion Mamas tribe is hosting their first “Mama Mirage” Coachella event, sponsored by Havaianas (cue sad face). Because I never like to wallow in my own sorrow, I figured what better way than to pay it forward to all my lovely followers. I’ve partnered with SheIn to send 2 lucky persons to Coachella – including airfare and hotel! The winners will also receive makeovers by some of hottest influencers for the entire weekend – seriously how cool is that??

Click here for more details & check out my “If I were going to Coachella” SheIn look below – because mama’s too old for a crochet crop-top and cut-offs 😉

Here are some important rules:

1) Download the SheIn App & create an account

2) Follow on Instagram & Facebook @sheinofficial

3) Like one of the posts below and leave your “SheIn user name” in the comments

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSAQyqOjGTU/

Or https://www.facebook.com/SheInside/photos/a.383950494978094.93127.380039845369159/1581342001905598/?type=3&theater

4) Repost our “Ultimate Coachella” post with #sheincoachella, tag both @sheinofficial and one friend you will take to Coachella.

The Winner will be randomly selected from everyone who has completed all 4 steps. The prize package includes 2 Coachella General Admissions wristbands, airfare for 2 and 2 nights accommodations. The Winner will be announced during SHEIN LIVE on 3/30 at 6PM PDT. So make sure you download the SHEIN APP and tune in. Good luck! *Must be at least 18 years of age to enter.

photo cred: Marlo Carroll Photography

Shop the Look:

SheIn, Blue Vertical Striped Flower Embroidery Dip Hem Blouse

Liz Lange for Target, Maternity Over the Belly White Jean Shorts

Toms, Red Strappy Wedge Espadrille Sandal (old, no longer available – similar here and here)

Stila Cosmetics, Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Amalfi

Links à la Mode, March 30th

• Aesthetic Distance: 5 Myths About Style Blogging And The Fashion Industry
• April Was Here: Transition to Spring: Shirt Dress
• Cammeo Head to Toe: My Week in Style: SHEIN x COACHELLA
• Fashionista Momma: Joggers
• Hampton Roads: Casual Classic | Batwing Sweater
• Lil Miss JB Style: 10 Tips for Buying Clothes Online
• Middle of Somewhere: Spring Florals & The Weekly Style Edit Linkup
• Tales of Two: The Tea Dress Guide for the Quirky
• The Curvy Edit: Stripes + Lemons
• The Modalista: Burgundy & New Blogger Friends

SPONSOR: Shopbop Ella Moss, Sol Angeles, Ganni Dresses, Courreges, Steven Alan, JAGGAR, Pretty in Pink, Modern Americana, SoCal Cool, Men’s Kenzo

My Week in Style: 35 is the New 25

NEWS FLASH: I turned 35 this week. It felt just like any other birthday, with the exception of one thing – it was one of those “mid” birthdays. Remember the first time you had to refer to yourself as “mid-twenties,” and you realized all those life expectations you set for yourself in your younger years were like one big fat joke played on you by the universe? Saying things like, “I’m totally gonna be married with a kid by the time I’m 25” or “I’m gonna live in a big house with two dogs and an awesome car.” But that’s the beauty of young naivety – you can dream about these things and no one will fault you for it. In fact, your parents even condone it all the while secretly knowing that life is a heck of a lot more unpredictable than you can explain to a teenager.

I mean, who knows what I might be saying now if my life circumstances had been any different. What if my dad hadn’t passed away right after my college graduation? Or, what if I hadn’t met Grant and decided at 25 to pick up and move my life to NY and then later to LA? Maybe I would have been celebrating this birthday in a little house up in the Hill Country, married to my college sweetheart with three rug rats running the place. But as I officially embark on yet another mid-decade milestone, I can’t help but feel like 35 is actually when my life is settling down the way I always imagined it to be. Sure, the past ten years have been a wild and exciting ride – not a bit of which I would change. Why? Because all of it had to fall into place to lead us here.

Here, where I’ve come back to my Texas roots, with a loving husband who I feel I could tackle anything in this crazy life with and end up laughing our heads off at the end of the day. Here, where I’m a mom to a child that I literally dreamt about having ever since I was ten years old, begging my mom for a baby brother and boring my best friend with ideals of motherhood. Here, where we finally found that first home, the one we’ve dreamt out loud about cozied up in our one bedroom apartments – and can you believe it’s back in the town where we dated? (“Clear Lake Fixer Upper” future post alert).

So you can find me here – 35 and the only place I want to be.

Shop the Look:

Target, Mockneck Bodycon Dress (bday gift to myself)

Gap, Chambray Button-Down Shirt old/no longer available (similar here and here)

Steve Madden at Saks Houston Premium Outlets, Edania Zippered Sneakers (hubs bday gift)

Prada, Sunglasses (Christmas gift from hubs)

Links à la Mode, November 3rd

• Cammeo Head to Toe: My Week in Style: 35 is the New 25
• Casual Fancy Girl: Brows, Lashes, Lips, Done! | Makeup Tutorial
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: {Fashion Folio} Classic Cozy
• Chiconomical: Last Minute Diwali Outfit Ideas for The Bohemian Girl
• Ella Pretty Blog: So Basic, but So Good…
• Fashion Studio: Fashion Week Diary
• Greige Market: Wearing Down Your Wardrobe
• Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Blogging Networks: The Secret to Success is Support
• Have Clothes, Will Travel: Fashion Week Sydney
• I Can Style U: Ways to Wear a McQueen Scarf
• I’m a Norbyah: LBD
• La Veine: Things I did at Nineteen
• Middle of Somewhere: The Weekly Style Edit Link Up: Black
• One Awesome Momma: Sleeveless Coat
• Pudding Monster: All I Wanna Do | White Dress Street Style
• Simplistique: All Black
• Skulls and Tulles: Fashion Facade – The Camo Military Jacket!
• Smile is It: Must Haves for Fall/Winter Skincare Routine
• Splash of Teal: Why You Should Have Basic Turtlenecks in Every Color
• Travel Fashion Girl: The Travel Shoe Disaster that Nearly Broke My Feet

SPONSOR: Amazon’s Shopbop, Club Monaco, Enza Costa Sweaters, Splendid Booties, MCM Sunglasses, Fringe, Pajamas, Faux Fur Vests, Wallets, Black Mules, Men’s FairEnds

Mom Jean Confessions: I Was Wrong

Garrett’s 3rd birthday came and went this week, and like most important life events – the build up is way bigger than the actual thing itself. I mean, I kept telling myself/repeating what I’d read from the mommysphere “the 3rd birthday is the one they start to remember.” That’s all I needed to hear and it was on. I picked a theme – construction, naturally. If you know my son I feel like his obsession with trucks is at a whole other level, so I felt like my creative skills needed to be kicked up a notch. I did the late night Pinterest binge to get the juices flowing, and hit up the trusty party planning spots the next day – Party City, Dollar Tree, Target and Hobby Lobby. I included photos below from his party along with all the décor and where I found them – hope it helps for future bday party ideas!

But similar to the reflection I did on his 2nd bday last year (see HIMYM), I felt compelled to do the same this year. So I’m fessing up to all the ways I’ve realized “I was wrong” on this road to motherhood (and yes, I can almost hear the hub’s ears perk up in the other room, ha), so here goes (in no particular order)…

1. I thought work wouldn’t be rewarding after a child. I was wrong.
2. I thought if I did everything for my son, I was protecting him from the world. I was wrong.
3. I thought disciplining him would come naturally. I was wrong.
4. I thought my husband wouldn’t want to do all the “mommy type” duties. I was wrong.
5. I thought we needed a great big house instead of our small one bedroom to make a home. I was wrong.
6. I thought living in a city would be more well-rounding than the suburbs. I was wrong.
7. I thought only girls were sensitive. I was wrong.
8. I thought all boys were loud, rambunctious, balls of energy. I was wrong.
9. I thought dressing a boy wouldn’t be as much fun as a girl. I was wrong.
10. I thought my son wouldn’t remember half the things we say to him. I was wrong.
11. I thought chronicling our lives online would bring criticism not support. I was wrong.
12. I thought my friends didn’t understand how much my life had changed. I was wrong.
13. I thought I couldn’t talk about the anxiety I felt in the beginning because I was the only one. I was wrong.
14. I thought my  mom wouldn’t be able to sympathize with how I felt as a new mom. I was wrong.
15. I thought our relationship as a couple wouldn’t be any different after a child. I was wrong.
16. I thought I couldn’t confide in my husband on all my fears as a parent. I was wrong.
17. I thought yelling would get my point across and correct behavior. I was wrong.
18. I thought my husband had everything figured out as a parent. I was wrong.
19. I thought I would miss our freedom. I was wrong.
20. I thought I couldn’t be any happier than we were when it was just the two of us. I was wrong.

 

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Party décor:

Party City – You can find a ton of stuff online, but I was told they don’t carry any in the store so mama had to get creative. I found the construction worker hat first in the Halloween costumes, then came across a pack of construction trucks, and the caution signs  I found in the “over the hill” aisle but just had to peel the “senior” part off of it. The napkins/straws I thought I’d go with black & white to compliment the orange/yellow. For the table treats I got popcorn bags and buckets for candy. The bubbles, whistles, slinkies, bouncy balls, and Tonka truck tattoos I used as décor but then reused in yellow gift bags I ended up passing out to the kids at his preschool bday party.

Hobby Lobby – Hobby Lobby was always my go-to growing up, and they ended up having the cutest construction themed plates, signs, cupcake toppers and banner which were perfect to tie my theme all together. I saw a cute idea on Pinterest to use hard hats as snack holders which I filled with chips, gold fish and candy corn which doubled as traffic cones. They also had actual traffic cones that I just placed on the table, and I totally lucked into the dump truck piñata that I found on clearance. Tabletop construction stickers and construction truck erasers I also used in the gift bags.

Target – I bought all of the food here including bags of Boom Chicka Pop popcorn which I got the idea from Joy Cho of Oh Joy! to top with rainbow sprinkles which was a huge hit with the kiddos!

Dollar Tree – I knew they had Matchbox construction trucks, which I just wanted as extras on the table for the kids to play with and Garrett loves them. I snagged some accent yellow balloons, and wrapping paper/cards at a great price.

Adventures in Shopping: Old Town Tomball

Let’s just set the record straight. I’m a sucker for anything old. Vintage cameos, antique decor, old towns – you name it, I covet it. It started with weekends spent strolling the quaint streets of Old Town Spring with my parents growing up, where the shops and restaurants make you feel like you’re living in an old west town rather than in the middle of the booming city of Houston. We’d spend hours at our favorite lunch spot, the British Trading Post & Tea Room, where my father bonded with a fellow Brit, Maureen, who ran the place with her daughters and quickly became like family. After moving away, I would plea for Grant to take me back any time we visited home, just to get a glimpse of my childhood memories.

Now as we work to set down roots in Houston, I found myself yearning to explore the city once again for a little character and nostalgia. After hearing my sister-in-law, who’s lived and worked in Tomball for nearly 20 years, talk so much about all the antique stores and charming tea room – I finally talked the hubs into spending the day exploring Old Town Tomball. We started on Main Street where the sidewalks are lined with boutiques, restaurants, and the coolest custom boot shop where you can literally watch boots being made by the original shop owner’s grandson.

We also stumbled upon Kid’s Anthem, the cutest children’s clothing and toy store, while waiting out Garrett’s first day of preschool (aka, longest day of my life). The shop owner Sharon is a doll and chatted with us for quite a while, which was a welcome and pleasant distraction. Now if you’re looking for true, authentic antiques – you’ll have to wander one block over to Market Street, a little enclave of vintage goodness. My favorite shop was The Whispering Willow & Co., with its variety of antique home decor that had me daydreaming about shopping alongside my unknowing BFF Joanna Gaines. Not to mention, the lovely ladies working there reminded me how much I’d been missing that sweet southern hospitality. Speaking of, if you do find yourself in the area – don’t forget to stop by O’Suzannas and tell Linda (my best friend’s mom) “Hi” for me!

Since I had become so smitten with its charm, I knew it would be the perfect backdrop to share my favorite new bomber that you can score now on sale! Crazy story about this dress though – can you believe I paid a whopping $0 for it?? Gotta love the buy-one, get-one free clearance section at Forever 21. I just love how lightweight it is considering the warmer fall climates we all seem to be experiencing, and the sheer paneling at the bottom just adds a cool touch of design. Now if only I could save all my pennies to buy that vintage Dumas coat I found…

Shop the Look:

Target, Floral Bomber Jacket (love this Who What Wear one at Target too, and these are all super cute – Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdale’s, and Aqua)

Forever 21, Asymmetrical Hem Shift Dress (similar here and here)

All Saints, Ankle Boots no longer available (similar here, here and here)

Links à la Mode, October 13th

• Al-Balsam Life: Balsam Style Pics: The Ultimate Guide on What to Wear this Season
• Attire Club: Fashion and Technology: Making it in the Mainstream?
• Cammeo Head to Toe: Adventures in Shopping: Old Town Tomball
• Distinguished Diva: Favourite Fall Lipsticks with Mac Cosmetics, Kiko Milano and Seventeen
• Everyday Starlet: The Best Lip Plumpers for Fuller Lips
• Fancier’s World: Transitional Layering for Fall with Colorblock Asymmetrical Dress
• Finite1: A Fall Fashion Look on a Budget
• Five Foot Nothing Shopping: 6 Rainy Fall Day Outfit Tips
• Joyfully Styled: How to Wear a Sweater Dress with Boots
• Layer of Chic: The Ultimate Velvet Boots Shopping Guide at Every Price Point
• Life in the Fash Lane: Minimal Fall Wardrobe Ideas
• Love. Laugh. Explore.: What We Can Learn from Kim Kardashian’s Robbery
• Modavracha: African Luxury Fashion: Handmade Accessories
• Mon-Chic Style: How to Style a Summer Romper for Fall
• Pudding Monster: Enjoy Your Flight
• Sweet Tea Salvage: TokyoMilk/Dark Eau de Parfum Review
• The Curious Portafoglio: Faces at Afropunk
• The Fashion Panache: Semi Formal Look – Alexa Chung Victorian Blouse
• The Wanderbliss: Transition
• We Are Ready Made: Rene Gurskov

Mural Support: Adam Lippes x Target

On Sunday, I coerced the hubs into a City Target run so that I could check out the new Adam Lippes for Target collection. Naturally I’d done my research and already had my eye out for a few key pieces. I halfway expected the store to be ransacked (see Lilly Pulitzer debacle), but apparently plaid doesn’t give off the same drug-induced psychosis as floral-prints-on-crack do. Lucky for me, there was still a healthy selection and I managed to snag the last size mediums in the two garments I wanted most. Lucky for you, there’s also quite a bit still available online – unless of course you’re feeling up to a dumpster dive (as my loving husband so calls it). See my favorite look styled below for some shopping inspo – understanding husband and two year old not included…

CH2T Covets: Slip-on Sneakers Galore

Just when I finally get comfortable with my self-imposed “shopping hiatus” – bam, out of the blue another trend blindsides me. So here I am again, struggling with the urge to add yet another pair of shoes to my already “bursting at the seams” closet. Unless you’ve been living under a very large rock (hey, I don’t judge – I’m a mom, I pretty much live in the stone age), you’ve probably seen the latest trend in sneakers – slip-on, that is.

So I tell myself – at least slip-on sneakers are practical right? You slip em on, slip em off – how much easier does it get? I realize you may not be sold (shocker), so I’ve curated a few of my top picks. They also come in nude, leopard print or calf hair, but I’m partial to the black leather look this chic lady is sporting below. I’ve managed to narrow it down to perforated vs. quilted – which sounds more like a toilet paper choice than shoe selection. Which actually just gave me an epiphany – quilted is way better, done and done…