Sleeveless

One way to get your layer on and pretend it's not still ridiculous hot is to go sleeveless.

Bus Stop

Most mornings mean hanging out at the bus stop.
Bauer LOVES the bus stop.  He hops around making faces at random parents and big kids.  He finds berries in the rocks and tries to climb trees.  He tries to fasten himself back into the stroller.  He gets his heart broken when his plans to board the bus are foiled daily.
But my favorite thing to watch is when he gets all up in his sister's mix.  "What are you guys doing?! I'm just going to insert myself in the middle of your girl huddle and check it out."  Luckily, she and the other little girls rarely mind.

AND, I've stumbled on some nice cheap finds online and in-store too.  Mostly fall stuff that it's still too warm here for, but a few tanks and things too.

Cardi: H&M
Tank: Crewcuts
Skirt: Cherokee
Sneakers: Paisley

Staring Problems

Remember when I said we would be here all the time.
We are.

Well they have a comfy little lounge room that we were sharing with another group the other night.  This group seemed uncomfortable, like maybe one of them had just broken up with another in front of the others and no one wanted to be there anymore, but they for some reason were unable to leave.  And then to make things more awkward, they just somberly stared at me while my girlfriend snapped a picture for me.  Hence my unflattering tense pose.  I do better with quizzical glancing than somber staring.  I'll work on that.

Top, pant: Target
Belt, bracelet: NY&Co
Shoes: Sperry

The Weekend

I tested all my gear on my long run this weekend.  Ready for race day!

Minimalist

I've been drawn to easy, plain looks lately.  Probably because summer is supposedly over, but it's still sweaty season here and maybe I'm over it.  I don't want to get dressed and put makeup on just to melt away.  But as long as I put on colorful sandals and eyeliner, I'm still "dressed," right?

Top: Target
Skirt: F21
Bracelet: NY&Co
Sandal: Pink & Pepper
Necklace: gift (it has my children's birthstones!)

Pep Talk

I stopped using my gym time to read and started running. I've improved a lot.  I think I have a chance of meeting my goal of finishing a half marathon under 2:30.  So I'm trying to focus on that and not on the fact that I've had my hair in various forms of braided and bunned ponytails for nearly 2mos while killing myself on the hilly terrain around my neighborhood but somehow managed to not lose a single pound or inch.  I'm not going to focus on that.
But at least you know now why my hair is *always* pulled back.

top, bag, shorts: Target
necklace, bracelets: NY&Co
bracelet, sunnies: H&M
sandal: DV via Nordstrom (pretty old now...)

Besties

I've shared pictures of one of my best girlfriends before, but I don't think I've said much about her.
I met Loujuana when I was 18 at Stenner Glen.  Which were essentially off-campus dorms for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the community college there, the name for which I cannot remember right now...  We shared a small room together and a small living area with two other girls for over nine months.  We were two of three black girls in the entire complex and somehow ended up as roommates, despite declining to answer race/ethnicity questions on the application (as many multi-ethnic people I've learned are often inclined to do...).  We hit it off right away.  And there were a couple rough times (did I mention it was a small room?), but in the end the experience bonded us, forever!  We have gotten closer and closer even with years where we didn't get to see much of each other.  She introduced me to my husband!  So it could even be said that we wouldn't have our two sugar boogers without her.
She's one of the strongest, most loyal and funniest women I know.  Oh, and smart and gorgeous.  There's that.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life!

{@ a sushi spot at fox hills mall... i already forgot the name.  bad blogger}

The Weekend

This weekend we traveled to SoCal to meet a new baby and see a recovering aunt.
Long car rides seem better when you get to eat In-N-Out.  And when you get to gush over a new baby at the end.  Burgers + Babies = Great Weekend.

Shiny

I got these shoes on clearance from Target for less than $8.  But I whenever I thought about wearing them, I ended up opting not to.  I've come to the conclusion that they're too shiny.  I think I'd wear them more if they were matte.  Do you like shoes with a glossy finish?  Lots of patent in your closet?  I'm realizing I don't!

Top: Loft
Bracelets: H&M, F21, NY&Co
Shorts: AE
Shoes: Target

Swag

My sister made this cute gif of Emberly going to the "school of swag" that I meant to include in last week's uniform adventures post, but I forgot.  So I'm making a whole new post with the cartoon and some new pics of Emberly's uniform looks.

Short sleeved cardi: crewcuts
Lace sleeveless tunic and belt: 77kids
Leggings: children's place
Boat shoes: target
Pocket tee: crewcuts
Necklace: heirloom
Skirt: cherokee (under-skirt bike shorts for playground modesty: gapkids)
Sandals: target

The Weekend

1. Grilling some delicious ribs
2. Playing
3. Riding home from the pool
4. Post swimming hair wash
5. Peaches from the farmer's market

School Spirit

My school colors in high school were gold and blue, so that's all I can think of when I see myself in this tank and these sandals.

{unseen bracelet from H&M}

Uniform Schmuniform

My top 3 picks that aren't polos, khakis and tennis dresses.

Source: mylittlejules.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: s7.jcrew.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: ae.com via Amber on Pinterest

See my entire pinterest board dedicated to the un-uniform here.

Loft 5

One of my girlfriend's hosted our girls' night at her place in Loft 5.  You can see the complex from the 15 and it looks very modern.  The interior met expectations!  And Erin has such delectable style, I wanted to move in.  It seemed like anything I'd ever lusted for from a West Elm catalog had a home in her loft!  I told her to hide her keys, lest I make a copy ;)  The dusk-time pictures I snapped don't even do the space justice.
The only thing I didn't care for there was the parking situation.  There is virtually no guest parking and that sucked.

{lurve the cucumber vodka!}

Labor Day

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend!
Our kids enjoyed an extra day with daddy and his gadgets.  Mommy's kind of boring old news, so I just held the camera ;)

{daddy, do you know a game with this ball?
daddy, let me punch you in the face in attempt to get this toddler hat on you!}

PS: I wrote a guest post that's featured over the weekend on The Words of Williams!  Go check it out and get to know Eric, Kelsey and their adorable baby girl, Rooney!