Rule Breaker

 

top: boutique in Phoenix (similar)
pants: Target (similar)
shoes: ALDO (similar)
clutch: H&M (similar)
necklace: Forever21 (similar)

There used to be a few rules in fashion. For example, you are not supposed to wear white before Memorial Day, never mix prints or wear pink and red together, and definitely never double up on one print. 

The new rule is to break all the rules. 

Wear camo and animal print together.

Again stripes and floral.

Get super matchy.

Wear the weird daring color combo.

Double up on same print. 

Boyfriend jeans with pink heels. 

White before Memorial Day.

Ballerina skirts for everyday wear. 

Shorts with boots.

Neon shoes. Again.   

And much more.

So, I'm wearing one of my favorite prints twice in one outfit (inspire by this look) and loving it. 

Forget all the fashion rules your aunt has ever taught you and brave the new trends.

Have a great day!

  

Sunshine In The Sky

top: Old Navy (similar),  pants: Target,  flats: J.Crew (similar),  bag: Kate Spade (via TJMaxx), glasses: DKNY 

When I was a young girl, I wasn't very... ummm... stylish. I didn't like cords. I didn't think that black tights looked good. I didn't want to wear blue top with brown pants because I thought it didn't match. Basically, I wasn't into clothes and my mom had to fight with me to put something on. 

Until about 12 years old. Then I discovered boys and pretty shoes. 

One day mom told me something I will remember for the rest of my life - if the color combination is in the nature, then you can wear it. Examples include black and yellow (bumble bee), green and blue (ocean and sky) and pink and red (lilies)

So here is sunshine (yellow shirt) in the sky (blue pants). 

By the way, pattern mixing is not part of my mom's lesson - she's very classic lady but you get it. 

So what's the point of this rambling? Your mom does know something about life and taught you many valuable things. Too bad most of us realize it only when we grow up.

I wish, I listened to my mom more when I was young. I would've been one stylish kiddo. 

Instead I have pictures of myself in black skirt with white tights. I mean, c'mon!
Have a great Monday! 

A Little Fluffy

top: Loft, cords: Lands End, heels: Guess, bag: H&M

This post is part of Blog Everyday In May Challenge and although I'm starting kind of late, this is totally relevant and something I have been thinking about for a while. 

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

As you may have noticed, after having Jonathan, I've retained some of the baby-weight, a.k.a maternal stores. It's only been 3 months since I gave birth (via C-section) but it just doesn't feel like the weight is coming off fast enough. 

Right now my lot in life is this slightly over-weight body and all the remnants of big belly (stupid ugly stretch marks). I woutwould go on a diet and start a rigorous workout regime if I wasn't nursing. But when I have to make sure that my baby gets enough to eat, it's a whole different story. 

I'm pretty good at eating healthy, taking long walks with while Jonathan naps in the stroller and avoiding junk food but it's still not happening fast enough. All my pre-pregnancy clothes are safely tucked away in the basement waiting to be released by my newly slimmed down self.

In my mind I do understand that it takes time.

That my body went through a lot.

That it's not healthy to loose weight rapidly.

That some weight loss is better then none.

Then I look at myself in the mirror. 

Emotions come rushing in and I'm filled with sadness and disappointment.

Then there was yesterday. Yesterday was different 

 I step on the scale and there it is - the number has finally moved in the downward direction. 

YAY! I think I jumped and checked it twice. It's true.

I'm consciously thinking about every single thing I eat and make myself go the extra few steps, while skipping whipped cream at Starbucks, and it's FINALLY paying off! 

Nobody said that it's easy. I'm not one of those girls who gives birth and five minutes late she's in her skinny size 0 jeans. I have to work at it. 

. 

It's hard not to hate my body at this stage and not to throw into towel only because I don't see immediate results.

It's hard to pass up on that dessert when everyone is having some.

It's hard switching from regular to almond milk. Still debating if it's worth it.

It's hard getting my butt out of the bed and out the door when it's hot/cold/windy. Trust me, there is always an excuse not to exercise.

But one thing I know, it's ALL going to be totally worth it when I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. 

And although right now, I'm not in the best shape, I'm happy to say that I'm doing everything in my power to get there. And one day soon I will. 

Everyday Life

tee: H&M, pants: Target, necklace: Burlington Coat Factory, clutch: TJMAxx, shoes Vince Camuto

Everyday life gets boring.

 Its mundane existence sometimes just drags between grocery shopping, running errands, working and making dinners. 

But then there are days when you realize how fast the time is going. One day you wake up and you are married, with a fancy college degree (that gave you a fancy student loan) and have a baby to take care of. Then you decide to make the most every moment of every day. That lasts about a day until the mundane and the boring gets to ya. And the cycle repeats.

But what's different now is that this new life that you brought into this world has forever changed everything. Seriously! Life is never dull anymore, it's full of glorious ups and downs. 

Every day is never boring. Ever again.  

They Say

sweater, bag: H&M, cords: Lands End, shoes: Nine West

They say that surviving the first month with a newborn is the hardest part of parenting. They would know.
They also say that it's the hardest going from no kids to one. Then it gets easier they say. 

First they say to put the baby to sleep on his tummy. Then couple years later they go ahead and change it. Now they say that baby should always be sleeping on his back.

They say that you need to sterilize the water every time you bathe an infant up until he's three months old.

They say that you should definitely give co-sleeping a try. It's the way nursing was meant to be.

But then they say that the only place the baby should be sleeping in is his own crib.

They say that teaching baby to sleep through the night will decrease the milk supply.

Then they go on to say that children need schedule and disciple from the day one. 

Who are they? 

And why do they have so much to say?!
Why is it always something different?

They are your mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, other bloggers, experts, parenting books, lactation consultants and neighbors. They are the people behind you at the check out counter in the store and and your pediatrician.

They say what they know and only want the best. 

In the world of expert advice and sea of parenting books it's hard to navigate. 

But as mothers we have to make tough decisions and stick with them, standing up for what we believe in. So when they say something again, take the best and throw out the rest.

P.S. This video says it all. Must watch for all parents.
Too funny not to laugh

Fail

sweater: French Connection, blazer: thrifted, jeans: Target Maternity,  boots: TJMaxx, bag: Nine West

I must admit - this outfit should not be granted the time and space on the world wide web. I was only going to Walmart to get some grocery shopping done and later that night came up with a much better version of this outfit. Alas, I'm out of practice and out of touch with my fashionable side. 

Taking outfit pictures three weeks postpartum has its challenges. Try to appear slim(er) and wear the pre-pregnancy clothes while desperately attempting to be stylish again. So there are couple things I've learned from this outfit to avoid for the post-preggos like me.

a// don't wear a turtleneck when you have chubby cheeks. baaad idea

b.. ditch the maternity wear (yay! finally) and maybe get a pair that fits you right now  

c// don't look so stiff. 

d// try to comb your hair so it doesn't look like a lion mane (hubby did warn me of this)

Since we got that out of the way, let's attempt to look a little more polished and styled next time, shall we? 

This shall go down into the history as an epic fail.

Good day.

Mr. Chipmunk Called. He Wants His Cheeks Back

sweater: J.Crew blazer: thrifted, jeans: Motherhood Maternity, booties: Old Navy

At some point, the denial has to stop. And that point is when you look at my cheeks and think I have something in my mouth - well I don't. That means I have gotten to the point of significant weight gain and there is no way to stop it. Maybe just accept it.

I have seven more weeks to go and this maybe the time to stop taking pictures of myself to commemorate on this. But this is why I started the blog in the first place - to show real women being real.

Part of that reality is getting fat chubby cheeks and dealing with it. My hubby calls me 'his little Pooh" and I don't know if I should find it endearing or be insulted. 

In any case, those cheeks are staying for now. Get used to them.

Have a great day and thanks for reading!

Pretty in Polka

top: Target. khakis: Gap, shoes: Aldo, necklace: J.Crew(via Ebay)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 Everywhere I go... 

Except we are getting some warm temperatures up here... And I love it! The longer I can wear my non-winter clothes, the better. On the other hand, I love seeing all the Christmas decor up. Unfortunately, this year I won't be decorating much because we are in the middle of a move and it's going to  take a while. 

Although, no snow and 60s? I'll take that over any decorations...

Have a great day and thank you for reading!

Casual Wednesday

jeans: Liz Lange Maternity for Target, blouse: Gap, blazer: H&M, shoes: Guess,  bag: Kate Spade NY

Is there such thing as casual Wednesday? Well, there should be. Honestly, I am ready for this week to be over and it's only half way through. I am breaking out the maternity jeans and probably not going to take them off until February 7th (a.k.a. my due date).

The only thing that's wrong with them is that I'm not quiet big enough ready for them yet (I did get the smallest size). Every time I sit down, bend over or walk, they slide a little and I'm constantly pulling them up. It's truly a wonderful picture - pulling on my maternity jeans. When they slide, they create a small kangaroo-like pouch that probably can fit a tiny kangaroo baby. Then it just looks weird.
Add to that, me trying to keep them on and you get one big weirdo over here.

I know, complaining about maternity jeans, seriously? Well, now-a-days that's my life goal - try to fit into something. So thank you for listening (that is if you ever got to the end of this sad, what's-wrong-with-these-jeans post). Please enjoy your regular, non-maternity, without-a-kangaroo-pouch jeans and while you at it, say' Hi' to them for me. Tell them, I missed them, but I'm coming back. One day.

Parenting in Overzealous World

top: TJMaxx, cardigan: Gap, pants: Loft, shoes: Aldo, bag: Kate Spade NY
I'm obviously in love with my polka dot burgundy pants (while they still fit:-) 

Preparing for arrival of our little man, my hubby and I got very responsible. Not that we aren't responsible college educated adults with jobs, but knowing that we are going to be responsible for another life... I mean, that's a whole another ball game. 

I have been reading parenting books and must say, nothing makes you feel like an inadequate adult than reading one of them. There are millions of different perspectives on whether to have a feeding schedule or just go with on-demand feedings. Different authors swear by their methods of getting an infant to sleep through the night by three months old. Then there are the gender differences between raising boys and girls. 

My head is spinning already. 

I love getting educated and being an expert on subject matter but the truth is, you cannot fully prepare for parenthood until it happens. You can read all the books in the world but until you hold that precious little baby in your hands, you don't know how you are going to feel, react and discipline that child. 

With that being said, I'm not against books - just think that sometimes, going with your gut and common sense is more important than what Dr. Whatever-His-Name said.

Here is what I'm reading now... 

Bringing Up a Bebe - one the of the best, funny and interesting books I've read. It's not a book of methods or how-tos, just a summary of life abroad. 

Strong Willed Child - Dr. Dobson is my favorite writer on family and children, I respect him immensely, so this book was a no-brainer

Parent Babble - have we had too much psychology and 'expert' advice? It seems that our grandparents did a fine job bringing up the most successful generation of adults in history of our country, why not do what they did? Just started it and love it already

Heads Up for J.Crew Sale offering extra 30% off... time to stock up on those sweaters...

Think Again

We enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and gorgeous view while out for a walk.
Isn't this absolutely magnificent? 

People just don't know that being pregnant makes you that much more sensitive to the remarks they make.

First of all, yes, I know I'm showing. You do not need to reiterate that with "Wow! you are getting big". Seriously, you don't think I know that my narrow waist is gone and I can do nothing about it? You don't think I check myself in the mirror? Well, think again.

Next, do not predict the size of my child by looking at me. Do not tell me that I'm going to get huge with the way things are going. Again, think.

Do not tell me that my stomach is squishy and soft, if I let you touch it. Thanks a lot. I know that I'm a big blob of gushy mess. Just don't say it.

Lastly, the only thing you can say to a pregnant woman is that she is glowing. 

Tell her that she is carrying very well and that her child is going to be so lucky to have her as a mom.

So next time you want to say something less than absolutely one hundred percent positive and reassuring to  to a pregnant woman, think again.

It's Only the Beginning

Hair Tutorial Inspiration

top: Banana Republic similar, sweater: J.Crew similar, pants: Loft similar, heels: Tahari

I know I have been talking a lot about this whole pregnancy thing. Well, this whole experience is very new to me. I am happy to be bringing a child into this world, into our loving home but what I'm not happy about is what that precious child is doing to my body.

First of all, super dry skin. I am slathering ridiculous amounts of almond oil all over myself every morning.

Then the vitamins and the very needed Calcium that's giving me a little bit of the unmentionable.

After that it's the food. Technically, I don't have any crazy cravings but a lot of times I don't know what I want to eat. I know that I need to have nutritious meals, I must have breakfast but a lot of times I just don't want to eat at all. Guilty pleasure of this week - fried chicken sandwich. A quest for the perfect crispy chicken through different places, ended up exceeding my quota for bad food for the entire month.

Lastly, the weight gain. As of last Friday I have gained eight pounds and the baby is weighing 15.5 oz. This is a pretty good number according to my physician but I don't feel that way. 

The thing is, this is only the beginning. Two more weeks and I will start my last trimester which means all of the above multiplied by like ten. So bare with me as I try to navigate through this confusing but most exciting time. And tell you all about it if you are willing to listen.