The Windy City Posted by Unknown | Sunday, July 22

 

I have had a busy couple weeks and part of that was enjoying a weekend in Chicago celebrating my beautiful mother for her 60th birthday!  We called it "60 In The City." It was the first time I have left all 5 littles with daddy and first time leaving the twins overnight in 9 months! So I had a little apprehension, but also truly NEEDED some fun girl time with my sisters!

We started our ventures at Trump Tower, which was truly fabulous!  Right in the heart of the city and near all the shopping of course. We ate dinner at the The Purple Pig and toasted with some delicious red wine and lots of yummy tapas. Day 2 we slept in until 8am... and for us moms that is sleeping in. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the room and hit the city.

We got all dressed up as girls love to do and went to a fab latin inspired restaurant Carnivale, check out the decor, huge fixtures and mirrors. Bright, punchy colors, polka dots and mosaic colorful glass.

We realized quickly how old we are all getting when after a few drinks at dinner we were ready for bed. So we headed back and got all snuggled up in our jammies, thinking we would watch a movie... well 5 minutes later we were all out.

The celebration continued with a wonderful morning at the spa and then off to one of the most brilliant ideas yet. Blowtique. Literally a salon that only blows out your hair and making you look gorge for your night on the town! You get your hair shampooed and scalp massaged, then you choose which hair style you are going for and the blow dryer, hair stylist, and some really cool brushes work their magic

After slipping into our dresses we were off to the Pumproom which is known for celebrity sightings!  We had some tuna tar tar, ginger mojitos and sea bass and kale. No celebrities, just a guy named Stu and his dad! And now for the best part of the weekend The Rock of Ages.  I mean if you like the 80's at all, it's a must see. We sang every song and laughed hysterically as the witty narrator took us on an epic adventure filled with fantastic dancing, singing, and of course a love story.  

 

If all that wasn't enough we ended up at The Chocolate Bar at The Peninsula.  Just a note, come hungry and be prepared to engorge yourself in every kind of chocolate possible. 

We ended the weekend with a quick trip to Starbucks and I had to take a shot of this adorable girl wearing this ridiculous ensemble. I just love it!  The white with the stripes with the rolled pant with a leopard shoe and a coral purse, seriously!  Not to mention she was just beautiful! Love Chicago style! 

Flower Headbands + Giveaway Posted by Unknown | Monday, July 2

I have to say accessories just make everything prettier and especially flowers! Flower pieces are certainly an up and coming trend. Just about every line has some kind of flower pieces, either, belts, necklaces, pins, headbands etc.
*images pinterest and crew

Even the elite in fashion like Dolce and Gabbana  have designed beautiful headbands with crystal, bronzed flowers, and adorned with jewels. 

I found myself drawn to this beauty worn by Kirsten Dunst and decided I would design my own piece for Heirbloom.  And even better it could be yours... I am doing a giveaway this week for Heirbloom. 

This headband has 24 carrot gold lace, vintage cintron jewels, paper flowers, tool, and a beautiful vintage piece from the Heirbloom collection. Here is how you can win and make sure to comment and tell me what you did:

- Share this link on Facebook or Twitter
- Like my Fan Page here -  HeirBloom
- Comment here and tell me what you would wear it with

* You will get an entry for each one you do
** winner will be announced next Wed the 11th

Fav Styling Right Now Posted by Unknown | Thursday, June 21

J Crew /31 Bits

Swim Suit Styling Posted by Unknown | Sunday, June 17

Sometimes finding the perfect swimsuit can be exhausting.  Trying on hundreds of styles and shapes.  A few of this years trends are one piece retro, high waisted, ruffles and of course stripes! You can snag these beauties from Mod Cloth

Luckily for us there are so many places to shop for swimsuits, no longer are we stuck to department stores or specialty stores.  Anything from Old Navy  to Target , TJ Maxx, VIctoria Secret   and one of my favs J crew.  J Crew has decided to make it a little easier to find that perfect suit, by letting you order with free shipping and returns from now through August!

Go online and order as many pieces as you want, try on, keep what you like, return what you don't and there you go!  All the labels are included, you just stick it on the same box. Couldn't be easier. So of course I did just that.

I tried on several options and sizes and surprisingly did not find anything that outshined this beauty from TJ Maxx for $29.00

I was drawn to the stone color first, but then the material and the shape ended up making it the winner!  So now what, I have a cute suite, but I will certainly need accessories. I knew a sun hat was the top on the list because, well I have to keep this marshmallow skin marshmallowy! My eye went directly to this adorable hat from the new lux Webster line at Target. 

Flower Heirbloom - $30 

Bracelet J Crew - $29

Swim Suit - T J Maxx - $29 

Sun Hat - Target - $19 

Sun Glasses - H&M

Front Door Styling Posted by Unknown | Monday, June 11

What does your front door say about you?  Do you have a summer wreath with flowers or a beautifully painted colored door, or is it plain with lots of potted plants?  I have styled my front porch this way and have been looking for something to add to my plain tan door.  I found some great inspiration on Pinterest and decided on a Moss letter.  I love a little DIY project, so off to the craft store.  Michaels is having a 50% off craft sale right now.  Michaels Craft Coupons

Here is what you will need:

A wooden letter (I prefer wood over foam because of the hot glue)
Medium bag of green moss
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Ribbon

Start with your letter on a bag, for easy clean up.  Then begin placing moss down to get a visual of how the pieces will fit. Then start gluing down in small sections and spreading with your fingers.  This will give you an even look.

Next, pick a ribbon that suits your style and hot cut a long enough piece to tie a bow.

And there you have it!  A very pretty moss letter! I used a clear hanger for my door.

The Little Black Dress Project Posted by Unknown | Monday, June 4

As most of you know I have five littles and most recently twin girls Adie and Arlie who are almost 8 months old! The above picture is of me on my honeymoon, over 13 years ago now.  I was 20 and in prime shape! It was a slight adjustment having 3 children in 4 years starting at 23. Most of my life I have been an athlete (well my hubby would say dance, gymnastics and cheerleading don't count), but I would have to disagree!  I also did track and lots of Jane Fonda work out tapes with my mom growing up!  I love being in shape!  As a young girl I struggled with insecurity and becoming comfortable with my body.  It is so easy to compare ourselves to others and until I really got educated on the many different body shapes women have, I just felt bulky and muscular.  It is so helpful to know what your God given body shape is so you can learn the tricks to dressing smart and which areas will make the most impact with your workouts.

April Marin  wrote up a really great style guide by body shape

Round Body types have generous bust, wider rib cage, narrow hips, and slender legs.  This body type should wear tops that are v neck, and avoid tops that are fitted

Invented Triangle body shapes have broad shoulders, medium bust, narrow hips, and shapely long legs.  Pants that have flare are best for this figure. 

Hourglass body has a bust, defined waist, curved hips, and shapely legs.  A great trend is to wear wraps that accentuate your waist.  

Pear shape bodies have narrow shoulders, small bust, as well as a shapely waist and generous lower hips.  Pants that are the best are flowing fabrics that accentuate your hips and tailored shirts

Diamond shape body is when you have narrow shoulders, a small bust, and generous thighs.  What you should avoid is any pants that have detail on the bottom.  What looks great on this figure are tops that are fitted but a little flare to go over your hips.

Straight body types is when you upper and lower torso is equal.  Shirts that have a neckline below your collarbone to elongate your torso and straight skirts.  Avoid belts or pleats since they will accentuate your hips and make them look thick.

And so here I am a few days before delivering the twins... 

And here is where the Fit Mom's For Life Little Black Dress Project comes in.  I have just stopped nursing the babes and was looking for a "plan" to get into tip top shape for summer.  Dustin Maher, who has been featured just about everywhere developed this program along with Ripped In 42 to get you in the best shape of your life... in 42 days!  And whats even better is at the end of the 42 days we get to have a party and show off our incredible results! So for me and my good friend Theresa we are a week into this plan and loving it... but not loving it!  I have my little black dress picture on my fridge as motivation for me through these 7 day a week work outs and protein/produce diet! 

At the end of the plan I will post my new Little Black Dress body as a 33 year old mother of 5 in her prime!  

UPDATE... Here is my picture right before having the twins and my "After" the Ripped in 42 Program.  I am not back to my honeymoon weight but on my way.  It feels fantastic to be in shape and have tons of energy to chase my babes around! You can see my "story" on Fit Mom's For Life