Vegas and Shopping!

It's been a while since my last post. For whatever reason, we are completely busy. Our schedule is packed from sun up to sun down. Oh, the joys of summer!

A few weeks ago I went to Vegas for a weekend of shopping, sunning and eating with two girlfriends. We were celebrating Marti's upcoming wedding and it was the perfect girl's getaway. We stayed at the Bellagio and spent lots of quality time at the pool. When we had taken in all the sun we could manage we were off to Fashion Show Mall, the shops at the new Palazzo, or The Forum Shops. We also did our fair share of eating and drinking. As usual, our dinner at Tao did not disappoint!

Because we visited so many shops I made a huge mental list of what I need for my summer wardrobe. Now, you would think that since it's already almost the end of June I would have my summer wardrobe, but since we didn't have a day over 60 degrees until 2 weeks ago, I am a little behind in my shopping. That, combined with the fact that I barely have a free second to spare would be yet another reason I am still missing some summer "must haves." A few items I decided simply cannot wait:

• A strapless swim suit so that I can avoid having weird tan lines at Marti's wedding (hwich should be arriving from Nordstrom any day)
• A new pair of seven "Ginger" jeans (again, on their way from Nordstrom). I wear my Gingers quite often and I think I need at least two pairs in my wardrobe. I love the dark, wide leg and have yet to find another pair I like as much.
  
• A black cotton maxi dress
• A summer-weight gauze-y scarf
• A black tube top for girls nights out (thank you forever 21)
• A black tank with sequins (complements of Old Navy)
• A gray cardigan (cute, with a bow enclosure, because my office is FREEZING - from Gap)

I know it's not a very exciting list, but when your office has no dress code (I wear jeans and flip flops!) and you have small children, a tank top with sequins is considered black-tie.

Oh, and I am thrilled to report that Forever 21 and Sephora have finally opened! I haven't visited either store yet. The reports from my girlfriends are that both stores are very crowded so I am giving them a few weeks. I need the amateur shoppers some time before an expert such as myself goes in! I like to shop early in the day, on a week day, when the crowds are smaller so I have room to browse.

What NOT To Wear

I tend to have the moments quite often: I am out somewhere in public and see someone wearing something that is so horrible that there is NO WAY that person looked in the mirror before they left the house and said "damn, I look good!" I mean, did you even look in the flipping mirror?! Then, there are the women I see wearing clothes that clearly came from a juniors section. Not that I don't sometimes wear stuff from the juniors section, because sometimes I do. But I mean wearing stuff that is nine sizes too small, or that looks too immature for a woman's figure, is made of cheap material, you get the idea. Ladies, take note. Can't we all look as though we have some pride?
Some things just are NOT appropriate!
1. If you're at work, wearing anything with lettering across the ass is a definite DON'T. Seriously, I don't ever want to see rhinestone words across anyone ass again in my place or work, or elsewhere. Frankly, no one over the age of 21 should be wearing letters across their ass.
2. Really, there is no need to fit every single trend into one outfit. Pick one trend and go with it. I don't need to see animal prints, sparkles and vibrant colors all in the same outfit. It makes me dizzy.
3. If you think your jeans are too tight, you probably should not wear them to the office. No one wants to see every dimple - especially not me!
4. Please, when you are in a public place, let's keep our shoes on our feet! I really do not want to sit next to another woman at the movies who decides it's OK to take off her shoes and then put her feet up on the chair in front of her for the entire duration of the film. Yes, you heard that right people. SHE TOOK OFF HER SHOES IN A THEATER AND PUT HER FEET UP ON THE CHAIR. How gross is that?! Keep your flipping shoes on people!

I don't think these are difficult rules to follow. A monkey could make this work. So, women everywhere, pay attention to what you look like and please act like you care!

Family Photos

We had family photos taken last weekend. I was completely stressed out before the photos because, up until about 3 hours prior, I didn't know what I was going to wear! I had the kids clothes straightened out well in advance. Abby wore white jeans and an adorable blue trapeze tank from The Gap. Benjamin wore khakis and a blue polo (I know - too easy). The afternoon of the "shoot" I found a really cute top at a local boutique. It's gray with some white sequins on it. I paired that with white pants.

The pictures turned out great, and I invite everyone to check them out at www.paigebphotography.com. Click on the blog and you can see some of our photos. If you are looking to have photos taken of your family, I highly recommend Paige!

Wedding Prep!

No silly, not my wedding!! But, I am going to be in a wedding at the end of the summer. I think it's the first time since my own wedding that I am really excited to be in a wedding! Not that I haven't enjoyed being a part of the zillion weddings I have been in, but the last time I was in a wedding was just a few weeks after Benjamin was born. I looked like a whale in my dress, I was exhausted, we had to leave early...the list goes on. The bride in this upcoming wedding is one of my oldest friends and she is letting all of the bridesmaids choose our own chocolate brown dress for the wedding! I am particularly excited about the dress because I love chocolate brown and it's a great color for me. I've settled on this dress by Nicole Miller. I still need to track down shoes for this puppy, but I am confidant I can find something I like. It's an outdoor wedding, so this dress is just the right length.

For the rehearsal dinner I found the most adorable navy and cream silk blouse super wide leg pants, complements of my friend Jenny Schulte and her Bill Blass New York trunk show. I cannot wait to wear this outfit!

We are headed off to Vegas in a few weeks for the bachelorette party and I cannot wait! I am sooo looking forward to laying out by the pool without having to keep my eye on the toddler set!

Spring is Here

Spring is finally here (I think). We had a few really nice days last week and yesterday was a very nice day. I even got a tan line from sitting out at the park! Even my kids have gotten into the spring spirit! We spent some much needed time outside. Benjamin has mastered the Crazy Coupe and then took some time to admire Abby's sidewalk art. She has completely embraced sidewalk paint and stencils. Hours of entertainment (and mess) for all....

On another note, if you're looking for cute play clothes for boys, Old Navy has some really cute stuff these days. Benjamin seems to have gone through a growth spurt, so we spent a few minutes at Old Navy this morning, stocking up on size 2T. I can't believe my baby is in toddler sizes!!!!

Hot Lips!

The last few weeks have been very busy at our house. Not for any particular reason - we've just had lots going on. Plus, work has taken on a new level of crazy.

Anyone who has a daughter knows that one thing little girls like to do is to watch their mom put on makeup. What you probably didn't know is that a four-year-old girl can't (or won't) make the distinction between a fancy lip gloss and a black magic marker. Here is my sweetpea after a battle with a Crayola. Thank goodness these things are washable!!!

So, I know this isn't fashion related, but it's so darn funny! Next time...I promise something related to clothes or beauty!

The Best $30 I've Ever Spent...

This afternoon I spent the best $30 I've probably ever spent...for my own peace of mind. For the cost of my insurance co-pay I spent 20 minutes with a dermatologist who checked my skin from the top of my scalp to the bottom of my feet (and even between my toes!) to make sure that my skin is free and clear from any suspicious looking moles or melanoma. With the doctor's seal of approval, I am ready for another summer full of fun at the pool (with suncsreen of course!). Now, if the sun would just come out, and if it would just warm up about 40 degrees it would certainly help. I highly recommend that all of my readers (yes, all 3 of you!) get yourselves checked every other year. You can never be too careful!