Back to School Shopping

It's back to school time in full force over here. Mia did two years of pre-k, but Kindergarten just seems so much BIGGER!!!  Maybe it's the bus, which I'm too nervous to let her ride. Or with Wes starting pre-k, maybe it's the logistics of getting everyone to & from, that has me feeling all sorts of overwhelmed. Whatever it is,  I'm officially a hot mess, overwhelmed mom of school aged children. Help US!

Now the fun part is OBVIOUSLY the back to school shopping. The new backpack, unicorn Lisa Frank folders, fresh hair cut and new shoes were my favorite parts of back to school!!!  See Kai Run gifted Mia & Wes each a pair of shoes for back to school. Usually Damon takes the kids shoe shopping & they always come back with the most expensive, GREAT for their feet shoes, that are NOT CUTE!! The are big, clunky & look terrible with dresses & shorts.  I want GREAT for their feet AND adorably stylish,  like any instamom would!

See Kai Run saved us because they are adorable annnnd promote healthy foot development. More info on their Best in Fit program here. A win for mom & dad  The kids actually went on their website and picked out the shoes themselves. Mia wanted "fancy, fashion shoes and jumped for joy when her Carli's came!!! I'm just super pumped they don't pinch or rub her heels like some of her other "fashion shoes." She has been running and jumping in them like they are tennis shoes! Bonus points to Wes' Sammi shoes for being wide enough for him to slip them on himself!! He has several pairs of Converse that he never wears because he can't slip his foot in. Since I am almost always holding a twin (why wasn't I born with four arms?), this is seriously helpful for getting us out the door on time. Or only ten minutes late instead of the standard thirty.

This post is in partnership with See Kai Run. 

The Blowout Bar, Try IT!!!!

This week has been brutal. Work has been crummy, its been raining for three weeks & Wes has turned into a devil child.The bright side? I got to visit The Blowout Bar for the first time!!!! Friend them on FB & IG!! When they are training new stylists they may offer a limited number of free blowouts! I was lucky enough to nab one! In keeping with my crummy week I was 15 minutes late for my 30 min appointment. Instead of guilting me, my sweet stylist Jess whipped up this adorable fishtail braid for me. Even though this outfit is super casual, I felt cute & put together w my special hair do! Thank you, Thank you to The Blowout Bar for being a ray of sunshine to an otherwise gray week! I can't wait to come back for a Flirtini!!

Shirt: Banana Republic via DFW Shorts: American Eagle Thrifted Shoes: Clothes Mentor Bag: Kate Spade via Clothes Mentor

The Cherry On Top

Certain dresses aren't cut to flatter every body shape. Sometimes they're too young others show too much skin. Whatever the reason, don't give up if you LOVE the skirt!!! I found this dress at the thrift store for $3. Totally not right on top, totally awesome on the bottom. Now comes my favorite trick. A shirt over the unflattering top & let the adorable skirt shine!!! Bring on the warm weather & bare legs!!!!  Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhoooooo! P.S I'm obsessed with my new Urban Decay Naked concealer. And Prada Candy? Heaven.

 Chambray:Target Dress: Thrift Store Booyah Lips: Nars Heat Wave Sunnies: Coach via Clothes Mentor Wedges: Clothes Mentor Bag: Madewell Transport Tote

Birthday Outfit

I was digging around at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago & came upon this gorgeous Vince Camuto dress. It had a $148 price tag, but the TJ's tag was only $50!! Still almost walked away, thinking what in the world do I need with a white dress. Then I thought, my birthday dinner!!! Never one to skip the chance to get dressed up & feel beautiful, I snatched it up. It worked!! I felt gorgeous & because its not overly fitted,  super comfortable all nite!! This Anthro Jacket is on SALE here!!!!! Last seen here.

Dress: Vince Camuto via TJ Maxx Leather Jacket: Anthropologie  Heels: Express Last Season Clutch: Gap Lip: Mac Vegas Volt

Kiwi Crate

For Christmas the kids received a Kiwi Crate subscription form their Grandparents. Each month Kiwi Crate sends a box filled with materials for 2-3 art/science projects geared towards children. You get to pick the appropriate age group. We got 3-4yrs. The best thing about Kiwi is they have EVERY SINGLE THING you need in the packaged in an easy, super organized manner.  Adhesive, simple instructions, even the scissors are included. You're not going to google some pinterest project get your kid all excited about it & realize the baby chewed up the glue stick. True Story!

At first I thought this snowman project was a little to simple. Just stickers & markers. What shocked me was how much Mia LOVED playing the game. It held her attention for almost an hour which is a miracle in itself. My parents got the siblings crate so Wes can get in on the action. He's a little too young at this point. Lucky for Mia's little buddies we can use the  extra supplies when they come over for play dates!!! 

Last Minute Christmas List

I had the opportunity to take over the @LiveColumbus IG account this week. I shared some of my favorite gifts & stocking stuffers. I know it's super last minute but if your out this weekend you might want to grab a few of these.

1. 3KidsKitchen Caramels from Celebrate Local at Easton. The most delicious stocking stuffer ever. Anyone I've ever given these too has wanted to be my best friend & begged for more!!!! 2. Another great stocking stuffer? This initial mug from Urban Home & Garden at Polaris. 

3. How about a gift card to join us at Thai Tuesday? Thai Grille in Westerville is our fav. This is the salmon coconut curry. Sooo tasty. I also love the shrimp pad thai. I had a peach cinnamon hot to that was AMAZING. I didn't even add my usual milk & sweeter the flavor was perfect. Check em out at College ave., Westerville. 4. Francesca's. Always one of my favorites places for trendy affordable pieces. This buffalo plaid coat with the perfect  amount of furry goodness is PERFECT!!!! Of course I'd been striking out here then last few months. Go in to shop for other people? I find like 30 things i WANT!!!!! 

5. Most of you know I've worked in senior care of the last 10 years. I love it! This is my friend LT. He's a 91-year-old veteran who flew B17s during World War II. LT is thrilled to be part of the ‪#‎HonorFlightNetwork‬. Honor Flight is a program dedicated to getting veterans to Washington DC to see their World War II Memorial. What better gift to give a grandparent? Get them involved or make a donation in their name. The Honor Flight program was born right here in Ohio. Check them out at www.honorflight.org 6. The greatest gift we can give our kids is time & patience. I 've been struggling with the last one this week. It's hard not to explode when i have to tell my 3 year old to put her undies on 30xs. This week I'm going to try super hard not to raise my voice. To let them splash in an extra long bath. To read a bonus book before bed. It's Christmas after all.  

7. Need some boots? I looked everywhere & finally scored at the Nordstrom Rack on Sawmill. two pairs for $115. 8. How perfect is this Dear Stress print?  I need a daily reminder to chill! You can never have too many owls! Both of these are at Simply Vague,  Polaris. Happy last minute shopping. xoxo

Easy Breezy

After last weeks cancelled date nite & a week filled w shrieking babies, we were beyond thrilled to get out last nite. Perhaps not the most energetic we've ever been, but thrilled none the less. Dinner  on the patio at Rusty Bucket & the new Transformers movie. I usually love Transformers but this was prob my least fav. It went on FOREVER. If you're excited about the dinobots prepare to wait since they don't show up until the last ten minutes. Nerd le sigh.

This is the dress I ordered during the 4th of July ASOS sale, my 1st ever ASOS purchase. It's like wearing a T-shirt. A short one. lol It shipped super fast, too. I think I got it in three days!!!

Dress: ASOS Hat: Thrifted Purse Coach: via Clothes Mentor Shoes: Francesca's old Lips: NARS Jungle Red

Disclaimer: No babies were hurt in the shooting of these photos. Oh wait, Wesley scratched his eye w a stick & fell out of his crib........

A Little Sunday Shopping?

You know I'm not an online shopper, but I always see beautiful pieces on my favorite bloggers from ASOS & Zara. Welllllllll......ASOS is having a BIG sale so I pulled the trigger & bought something. Free Shipping here & back if it doesn't fit! Cross your fingers it does. Some of the stuff is dirt cheap!! My dress total was $32.76!!!!!  Happy shopping!

A few of my favs.........1. Here 2. Here 3. Here 4. Here 5. Here 6. Here