Walking a Mile

Walking a mile in Mama's shoes!

Sandals

All the cute closed toe sandals seemed to be for the walker and toddler sizes.  But little girls need them too!  Especially when the school dress code calls for them.
Here are some of the favorites I found:

{these are my favorite, but only go to size 12}

Nordstrom

De Osu

Sierra Trading Post

{these are what I ended up getting Emberly}

Amazon

Lace Tie

I wore this last weekend.

Put on a bit more makeup, earrings and some heels, voila, ready for a date at the movies!

Top: J. Crew
Scarf: H&M
Belt: NY&Co
Purse & Jeans: Target
Shoes: Sperry / very old discount warehouse heels

Shoe Envy

As I was taking these photos, I was wishing I had found a pair of booties that I thought were as cute as these little Nine West ones I found for Emberly.
Apparently, I'm not the only one.  Emberly told me after school that on the bus, a third grade girl badgered her until she agreed to switch shoes for the day.  They're all scuffed up now and it's only the second time she's ever worn them.  I know she probably would've done as much damage on her own, but it's irking to have had another child do it.

Muffs: F21
Jacket and Top: Target
Shirt: Gymboree via consignment
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Nine West via DSW

She also has a chapstick necklace which [sort of] keeps her from losing chapstick everyday!

Riding Boots

Emberly LOVES these boots.  She likes wearing them with skirts to school, but my favorite is on the weekends with her too-short skinny jeans so that it hides the too-short problem!

Headband and skirt: Target
Tee: crewcuts
Cardi: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW

Top and Tights:Children's Place
Shorts: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW

Battered Feet

I wore this out for wine with my girlfriends the other night.

Top: F21
Jeans: Topshop via Nordstrom
Belt: NY&Co
Boot: Aldo
These boots have a hold on me.  I love them.  But they're damn uncomfortable.  The peep toe rubs a blister onto my big toe no matter what I do (I really thought putting an insert on the ball of the foot would keep my foot from sliding enough to prevent the blister causing friction, but no!).
I guess I have battered feet syndrome.

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

Billboard

Perhaps Nike would like to pay this sporty little walking billboard?  College funds start somewhere :P Bauer got the tee and shorts for Christmas (and they're still a little big, they'll probably survive to be worn next summer!) and then I found these sneakers when I was scouring clearance for new running gear for myself.

Braids & Chains

I love these braided leather sandals I found on sale.  And I really love the chain-link style jewelery that's been on trend for a while now, but rarely in my price range for accessories...

Top, necklace, bracelets: NY&Co
Skirt: F21
Bracelets: Target, H&M
Ring: Loft
Sandals: Pink & Pepper via DSW

Stripes and Hunting

I almost always pair more fitted skirts with a blouse.  But it's too hot and I'm not going anywhere special.  What to do?  Knot a striped tank on top.  That was easy.
And good thing too, because instead of sitting in the shade watching the kids hop around a splash pad as I intended, I had to hunt for a missing shoe all around Town Square (an outdoor mall) until it was time for swim lessons, courtesy of Sir Kicks-a-lot.
"Bauer, you lost your other shoe! Where's your shoe?"
"Shoes? Lost shoe?"
"Yes, where'd you kick it off at?  In the street?  In the store?"
"Lost shoe."
Thanks.  Thanks a million.  I found it, right before I was going to have cut my losses and jet.

Top: American Eagle
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Dolce Vita via Nordstrom

Pleats & Coral

Top: F21
Necklace: gift from Damon
Skirt and Earrings: H&M
Belt and Bracelet: NY&Co
Shoes: Target

Modest Loot

I was excited after the fall ATG consignment sale to participate in the spring.  Until it was announced that it would be 25+ miles away.  I think participating requires at least 3 treks and at the price of gas, 150mi wasn't going to work for me.  In addition to just not having time to go over there with my current workload.
But when my hairstylist generously offered me her extra pre-sale ticket (i told her how easy it was and she did consign this time), I decided that I would go check it out one time.
Well, it took much longer to get up there than I anticipated (more than twice the google maps estimate) and I was somewhat rushed since I planned the trip before picking up the kids.  I ended up with a couple of dollar toys (a wooden pull train and some little monster trucks) and a couple outfits that caught my eye for my best friend's daughter.
I didn't find anything I wanted for Emberly (and I'm much more hesitant to buy for her since discovering she'll be wearing a uniform come fall).  And Bauer was able to wear everything I got him today:

Top: Calvin Klein Jeans via Consignment

Jeans: Old Navy

Loafers: Baby Gap via Consignment

Finally

I found a pair of leopard flats that I lurve.  Sperry Topsider Skiffs.  So comfy.

Mini Kendi Kopy Kat

Last week when I saw Kendi's post about $20 trend trials, I called Emberly over to check it out.

"Hey, I have those pants!" she immediately declared.
I pointed out that she also had a similar shirt.  Obvi, a mini Kendi kopy kat post was in order.  {I escape the kay-kay-kay danger with the "mini" in front} She doesn't have any bright shoes right now, so burgundy janes had to cut it.  We'll probably rectify that soon.

{i asked her what was up with her expressions and she gave me this crazy-eyed gem}

Caj

That's how one would annoyingly abbreviate casual, right? :D
Ever since I found these boots on clearance at target, I've kind of been living in them with leggings. It may not really be outfit post worthy, but, it's the comfy truth.

Top: F21
Scarf: h&m
Bottoms/Boots: Target

More Packing Light

Have you ever had your luggage stolen?  Are you also too cheap to pay for checking bags?  Then you're just like me!  Damon thought it was ridiculous that I wasn't going to check anything for a week long vacation.  I told him to feel free to check if he needed to, but, I was not.  At first, when you think about everything you want to bring, it does seem impossible.  But when I thought about the number of days and what we'd be doing, it became pretty easy to weed things out.
I brought:

• 3 bikinis(which I thought would be hard for me because I have a ton, but trying them on dissuaded me from several LOL) and a sarong
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 1 skirt
• 2 dresses
• 6 tops (one of which doubled as a dress)
• 2 pairs of sandals
• 1 sports bra and yoga short

Heels just wouldn't fit in the bag, which when I got there and saw the sandy cobblestones everywhere, wasn't such a tragedy.
I wore my sneakers and a pair of pants to the airport.
And I did actually wear everything I brought, except for the sports bra (never did a high impact workout.  Hey, it was vacation), even remixing a few pieces.
Here are a few shots (some pretty crappy, sorry)!