Leopard & Shopbop Sale!

 
The last big Shopbop sale I picked up this clear and white leather Staud bag that I'd been eyeing for months. It's already been such a fun piece to spruce up an outfit, and will definitely be getting it out even more this spring and summer.  I especially love it mixed with leopard and sneakers!
Outfit Details:

Right now, only until end of day Friday the 12th, Shopbop is having another big sale with code EVENT19 to get 20-25% off (even off sale items)!  Here are some of my favorite picks (including my favorite white block heeled mules I wear alllllll the time, my APL slide sneakers, my favorite beach/summer hat and these white woven slides that are similar to mine:

Let me know what you are getting in this sale?!

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Favorite Wears: Oversized Blazers

  I have been wanting to get into the oversized blazer trend - a blazer more for fun than work (though they can certainly work for both) - since last Spring when the casual blazer look started being such a thing. I loved the look on other people, but couldn't find the right one for me, without spending a ton.  On a whim, I got this one, because I thought the color (while I wasn't totally sure about it at first) felt good for Spring/Summer, and the price was right.
What I learned after getting this one, was that the double-breasted style added more fabric to drape and apply that "oversized" look without being too bulky around the shoulders/back (making me look even broader).  I also had fun styling this blazer casually with a t-shirt and sneakers.
I wear these sneakers with everything - and have over the last year (or more) I've had them. They are super comfortable and feel like they make any outfit a bit cooler. ;)
Shop this outfit:

What do you think about the oversized blazer trend?

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Favorite Wears: Scrunchy, Leopard & Sneakers - Oh my!

    I love taking a shirt dress that I've historically dressed up for events or work, and turn it casual with sneakers - and a scrunchy (gasp!).  Sneakers are my go-to these days, and I love a pair that look a bit different.  I wore this outfit to work and then out after with friends for a night of shopping and dinner.
Guys, are scrunchies back?  I mean, I'm definitely seeing them way more, and in an effort to be kinder to my hair (it breaks so easily), I have swapped my hair bands for them! But I feel like these with a little bow help keep it modern?   But maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better...
Shop this look here:

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Favorite Wears: Spring Pants

 

  Spring is all about layers, loose fits for breezy feels and fun colors. I had to give these wide leg, easy breezy pants a try - and they are indeed fun. I especially like them dressed down with my new favorite sneakers and casual jacket, but they can easily be dressed up, too!
One thing I've been working on more: I try not to avoid wearing certain colors or things just because I'm not a size 4.  And what I find that makes bolder pieces work on me most is having fun with them and confidence. But also balancing a more adventurous item with neutral or tried and true piece helps! 
What helps you be more adventurous or try new trends/items?

Shop this look:

 Photos by the talented Elizabeth of Elizabeth Ladean Photography.  

She shoots portraits, engagements/weddings and lifestyle sessions all around Kansas City.  You can follow here on Facebook here and on Instagram here to see more of her work!

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

10 Things to do on your Sabbatical!

  {New denim jacket, great workout leggings for warmer weather, old favorite bag and sneakers on sale!}

  One of the best perks of my company is that those that have been with them for 10+ years earn a one month sabbatical (off from work completely).  This is in addition to vacation and other personal/sick days received throughout the year.  So, if you follow me on Instagram and have seen some of my latest IG stories, you might have figured out - I'm on mine right now!
I've compiled my top list of what I plan to do with mine, and what I've heard from other co-workers who've already taken theirs below. But first an important tip: Don't let others try to dip into your sabbatical. I started to get a lot of, "well while you're off, you can do this..." or "since you're off, I don't have to do this..." etc.  Keep business as normal every where else, so you can really do what you need/want with the extra time.  And for me, those needs/wants are in the below list:
1. My number one goal for this time off - clean out my house!  We are literally quickly becoming hoarders and I'm about ready to have a breakdown.  My suggestion is to do a space at a time so it isn't too overwhelming - and get help if you can! I'm using a little bit of most of my time off to clean out one space or fill one (at least small) bag of stuff to either donate, sell or return.  I'm also using a whole day to work with an organizer to help me further!  I'm most excited about this.
P.S. I'm listing some of my better things on eBay here, if you're interested!
2. Workout!  This is my second goal for this time off. My goal is to workout at least 20 times within my 30 days off.  I'm trying new workout classes, doubled my weekly trainer sessions from once to twice a week and just getting in my steps/activity in overall.  This is especially important to me as I work in a busy environment where finding this time has become harder and harder, and I hope I can reset and keep this a priority when I return to work.

{Tried the new Caffetteria with friends last week}
3.  Try new restaurants/coffee shops. This is a great time to go to new restaurants/coffee shops (or ones you haven't been to yet) - and pick times they won't be as crowded!  And even better - meet friends/family to spend time with those you haven't seen in awhile or are craving quality time with.
4. Go to a movie during the day. I'm excited to just see a movie in general - I only get a few adult ones in a year, it seems, and this is something you can easily do alone!
5. Go to Trader Joe's - when they aren't as busy and without kids. I don't know about your Trader Joe's, but the two in my city are a nightmare during the weekends and in the evenings. I don't shop there very often because of this reason - so I plan to get at least one visit in at a less crowded time. 
Tip: Did you know Google tells you popular times for each day? I find this by searching my Trader Joe's and it comes up on the right side, under the map and store info/hours.  Looks like weekday mornings are best time to go!
6. Catch up on appointments. I booked a lot of my annual doc appts for this month off, so I didn't have to worry about potentially needing to reschedule, run late or move things around to make them actually work out.  This isn't as fun, but took a lot of the stress of appointments away by doing it this way.  I even got in some elective type appointments (like food sensitivity screening) that I've been wanting to do.
7. Spa day I mean, duh, right?  But I don't just mean a spa appointment - but like a whole day (or as long as you can take it). I did this already, and it was amazing. Started the morning off in the spa's pool/hot tub, then had a massage, then a facial, ended the services with a pedicure and then a late lunch! It was very relaxing - a great first week of your time off to start with. I went home and took a small afternoon nap, which was also amazing.

8. Spend time outside. I'm still hoping I'll get to do this. But with the unseasonably cold weather, I'm getting nervous. I'm taking advantage of any time day to get outside in the sun - took a walk with a friend who is on maternity leave on the sliver of nice weather we've had, and aim to do some reading on a patio and/or lounging on the lawn of our city's museum yard. 
9.  Volunteer This is encourage by my company to spend some of our time volunteering, but it's also a great idea in general. I am spending some of my time volunteering at my son's school and a local senior center.

{Nora and I went on a coffee/chocolate milk date last Thursday, and it was fun to chit chat with her.}
10.  Spend some extra time with my kids/husband. I hope to get in a day date, or at least lunch with my husband, pending his own work schedule and I've already gotten some extra time with each of my kids and will get some more before my sabbatical is over.  It's fun to have some one-on-one time with them.
A lot of people might spend some of their time traveling - and that's definitely a good idea! But for me, we already have a lot of travel planned for the year, and I didn't want to be away from my kids/they couldn't miss school, so that wasn't a direction I took my time off in.
I'm also trying to stay on a reasonable schedule - so not taking this time to sleep in or take an excess of naps since I will have to go back to work quicker than I even know, and I don't want to "waste" my time off sleeping. I am allowing my self some time for a short nap or binge watch Netflix shows, though! ;)
What would you do with a month off? 

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Favorite Wears: Jeans with an Edge

  I'm LOVING all the new and fun styles of jeans this season. It really makes them a bit more fun and more of an eye-catching piece to an outfit than just the basic - and my favorite are these uneven hemmed jeans (by my favorite jeans brand).  These ones show off my favorite part of my leg... a tiny sliver of ankle. ;) hahahaha - but really, I love the way they look with all shoes - especially my black sneaker slides (they come in a lot of colors, and are very comfortable).
This is one of my few fall outfit uniforms: a long cardigan with a t-shirt over jeans (or leggings) with comfy footwear. Perfect casual work day and weekend look in my book. And you can really change it all up easily by the style and look of the t-shirt, color of the cardi and/or pants.
What is YOUR fall uniform??
Shop this look:

Photos by the talented Elizabeth of Elizabeth Ladean Photography.  

She shoots portraits, family, engagements/weddings and lifestyle sessions all around Kansas City.  You can follow here on Facebook here and on Instagram here to see more of her work! 

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Mamas & Minis Collective: Fall Shoes for Back to School

 

  Minnetonka & Lindsay Stewart of Free Range Mama collaborated on a mommy & me hand painted collection that celebrates young imaginations and the people who help nurture them!  Just in time for back to school, Nora selected the limited edition Splash design, and I totally copied her.  But what I love even more than semi-matching (I prefer coordinated) with my threenager, is that a portion of the proceeds go towards funding classroom projects in partnership with DonorsChoose.org.
Nora's had little Minnetonka booties every fall/winter since she was 10 months old, so it's fun to see her style and personality shine as she picks out her own pair, this year with the fun splattered print. And I'm loving the mama-slip on sneakers that are SO comfortable (key).  Minnetonka is always a staple in our back to school/fall style - and now I'm ready for some cooler weather!
Nora's fall outfit is my most favorite.  It's funny, one day I work up and I was having way more fun dressing her (and now watching her dress herself) than I was with my own clothing and style.  Personally, I've really started to turn to pieces that are versatile, comfortable, simple and a splash of something special to make the look more unique.
Our Outfit Details:

Make sure to check out the other mama's and their mama & me Minnetonka style, and add these to your back to school wardrobe update to support classrooms.  Carly is giving back to school tips and Sandy is sharing how her and her mini style the tan style!

Lipgloss & Crayons | Walking In Memphis In High Heels | Sandy a la Mode

See more Mama & Mini posts here.

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

  A few weekends ago we went to our first baseball game of the season (as a family).  Luck would have it, it started raining top of the 2nd inning, and after a 2 hour delay packed with snacks and lunch to keep us all occupied, they started back up again for us only to make it through the 4th inning!  Regardless of the very little actual baseball we got to watch, the kids LOVED eating all the peanuts.  And Liam will take watching any amount of baseball that he can get. ;)  Liam and I, and for a little bit, Nora, also wore matching baseball shoes that were gifted to us, which Liam got a big kick out of. Nora's were a tad big for her, so she'll be ready to wear them next year (I love that her size has velcro!).  Mine, which you can't see, were actually customized to be KC Royals with a little logo on the outside of the shoe - back by the heel.  They were really cute, and now my friends are all ready to borrow mine for their own games.
Shop our looks:

Follow along here: BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook