I'm Stepping Out

This weekend kept feeling like it was going by so quickly (as they usually do) but now being back at home, after a fireworks party, a short trip to see my folks, frozen yogurt with friends, a rainbow italian ice, a pit stop at my fave bakery for a rainbow cookie, a play date for Jonah, a bbq with my parents and then one more with Joel's, this weekend felt very fulfilling.

This is what I stepped out in on Friday night to Joel's hometown fireworks show and his friends' party.


Tank & Skirt: H&M,  Sandals: Timberland,  Stereo Necklace: H&M,  Charm Necklace: F21,  Belt: my grandfather's (he shortened it for me years & years ago).




My friend Denise from high school and her cutie pie son!!


I basically swallowed this thing whole, my semi dainty bite was just for show.


I am a hardcore italian ice girl.  It's what my mouth waters for the second we get into NY.  And I do LOVE rainbow ice.

As I write this I am watching the most awesome fireworks outside my window.  I am instantly transported back to my childhood hoping and praying for just 1 more.  Joel and I are getting ready for a quick trip down to Philly.  I can't wait!!!  I hope you all had a joyful weekend!

simple

Tank: H&M,  Shorts: Calvin Klein from TJ Maxx,  Belt: TJ Maxx, Shoes: Timberlands,  Bracelets: F21,  Scarf: Goodwill.



I was so excited to start the 30 for 30 challenge and I've been sticking with it but I haven't been keeping up with taking photos everyday of my outfits.  Hopefully that will change.

I want to ask though- if you love a piece of clothing do you go out and get an extra just in case?  Not in another color or pattern but the same exact item?  I bought this tunic a few years ago and wore it endlessly that it got pilly and faded real fast.  I ended up getting the same exact tunic because I couldn't bear to be without it.  I just donated the old worn in one and still have the backup.  I am seriously contemplating getting this tank top again because I could wear it everyday.  I know striped tanks aren't hard to come by but I just love the way this one fits.  I just hate when clothes start to get all pilly and just look older than they really are.

Total Gems

I am finally posting my first outfit for Kendi's Summer 30x30 challenge.  At least with these photos I have some sense that it can only get better from here.


Tank: Target,  Skirt: Old Navy (I cringe at the wrinkled state this skirt is in),  Belt: TJ Maxx, Shoes: taken from my mother,  Necklace: Target.





I change my mind... these photos are total gems.

Mama's Going Shopping

Shirt/Skirt/Blazer: H&M, Shoes: Blowfish Shoes, Tights & Belt: Target, Socks: Kohl's, Necklace: F21.

These Java shoes in Dark Brown from Blowfish Shoes are quickly becoming my favorite pair of shoes. They are just so different than any other pair I own. And they seem to go with almost everything in my closet.

I am really happy that I participated in the 30 for 30 challenge. It may have seemed like it was 30 days just caring about clothes but I learned a lot and really appreciated the experience. It made me excited to jump in the shower, before my baby woke up, and get dressed for the day. It reminded me how much I used to love having a personal style and how outgoing I could be with a certain pair of purple thigh high socks, peach tights, or striped puffy sleeved top. I've fallen in love with blogging that much more and have already met some really cool new people.

Now that this challenge is over- can you suggest something else to post in the next few days?

Stripes & Sparkles

Shirt & Skirt: H&M, Shoes: taken from my mother, Tights & Socks: Target, Belt: Century 21, Necklace: Aldo.

I've got sparkly eyeshadow and nowhere to go. Sometimes it's just fun to play dress up for a night on the couch with Grey's Anatomy and blog stalking.

That Girl is Posing in the Street Again!

Shirt: Target, Vest: F21, Jeans: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Blowfish Shoes, Scarf: Target.

Sweater: H&M, Cowlneck Tunic: American Apparel, Skirt: H&M, Tights: Target, Socks: Sock Dreams, Shoes: Blowfish Shoes, Belt: H&M, Scarf: DAVA (a gift from my sister in law Lauren).

Jonah joined us again outside for some photos and I had to entertain him so he wouldn't put his hands over the lens. My crazy eyes are public on the interwebs.

I can only wonder what nosy neighbors must think when each day Joel and I are running outside and I'm posing in the front of the camera. I'm guessing they'll miss me when this challenge is over.

Cat Hair & Cupcakes

Shirt: H&M, Cowl Neck Tunic: American Apparel, Jeans: Target, Boots: Blowfish Shoes, Belt: Target.

When is cat hair going to become trendy?

Shirt: Target, Skirt: H&M, Tights: Target, Socks: Sock Dreams, Boots: Blowfish Shoes, Belt: NY&Co., Necklace: F21

We took a much needed afternoon trip to Philly. We talked about it the night before but didn't really know if we would actually go. However, the morning came and the promise of a walk through Rittenhouse Square and cupcakes was too much of a pull not to go. In the 5 hours that we spent there we hit up 5 different food spots: sandwiches from DiBrunos, cupcakes from Betty's Speakeasy, chocolate cherry bread and a sourdough pretzel from Metropolitan Bakery, dinner at North 3rd, and more cupcakes (this time from Pamcakes). I also got to check out the new Paper Source that opened on Walnut Street, walk around our old neighborhood and pick up the new Lykke Li & Alexander (of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros) albums at Repo Records. I didn't take nearly enough photo sans my outfit shots but we're going back soon enough. I'm taking the time before we go back to prime my stomach for even more pretzel and cupcake consumption. And cheese fries... I can't forget cheese fries (with cheez whiz, oh yeah).

Memoriiiies

Dress: GAP (the link just leads to a photo of the dress since it's out of stock), Sweater: H&M, Socks: Sock Dreams, Tights & Shoes: Target, Belt: H&M.

I seriously am in love with this MAC lipstick in High Tea that Kim gave me.

I repeat myself a lot! I can't remember who I've told stories too and just repeat myself over and over again. So if you've heard this before I'm sorry. This is going to be a little bit about high school and a little bit about my mother.

I can't help but think of the things I used to wear in high school when I put this outfit together. It's a little more tame than what I used to wear but nostalgia set in nonetheless. I cared about clothes and style a lot. Once I hit 7th grade I traded in my matching sweatsuit outfits with the turtleneck underneath for babydoll dresses at Contempo, bell bottoms (they were back in AGAIN), and wearing semi short skirts with opaque ribbed tights and platform heels. I had an issue of Teen magazine from the summer of '93 and it was my bible (well Torah... I am jewish after all). Photos of runway styles from Todd Oldham and Cynthia Rowley were plastered all over my bedroom walls. I, of course, was on a limited budget so I made my babysitting money work hard. I shopped at Marshall's, sales at Contempo, Macy's & Gap, The Salvation Army, really everywhere and anywhere. I had this floor length skirt floral skirt that I called my gypsy skirt because it reminded me of something Stevie Nicks would wear. I remixed that skirt like crazy- wearing it with a scoop neck top and 4 inch platforms one day, then an oversized hoodie and thick soled black boots another time. I owned a couple of boa's- not the feathery kind but they were still considered boa's and wore them frequently in high school.

I had this black maxi dress that I loved but it was kind of short so I decided to find a way to make my flowy pink tutu stick out from the bottom. Making that outfit work requested the help from a pair of bike shorts, safety pins and dental floss. It was probably the craziest thing I did with an outfit but I loved the outcome- pretty flowy pink fabric peeking out from under my black maxi dress, and after 3rd period or so I got used to walking with a tutu attached to my bike shorts with floss and safety pins. All for the sake of fashion, right? Although it is such a small similarity this outfit pictured here reminded me of what I used to do to make an outfit look different. I wanted to wear my dress from Gap but with it's short sleeves I knew I would be cold. I already wore it with my Target cardigan so I tried it with my black H&M sweater. Since the sweater was longer than the waist on the dress I folded the bottom hem up and cinched it with a belt. Such an easy alteration but I was weirdly proud of that accomplishment.

I mentioned how this will also be a little bit about my mother. Even though there were days that I dressed straight up strange for school not once did my mother roll her eyes, smirk or make any negative comments. I got plenty of those from my older brothers and sister in law (goodness they still make fun of my tutu!!!). My mother was (and still is) an incredibly CONFIDENT woman and made sure to find ways to encourage my own confidence. Not ONCE did I ever hear her utter the words, "How do I look?". She didn't need to ask because she knew the answer, which always was AMAZING! I never saw her look into a mirror examining or scrutinizing her body- she dressed with confidence, walked with confidence and enjoyed herself sans insecurities. I'm sure my mother had insecurities but she chose confidence instead and she forced me to be the same way. And I do mean forced!! If I was in a self loathing "I hate my body" mood, she would either take me shopping to find something that made me feel good (regardless if the size was an 8 or 16) or she would drag me to the bathroom mirror and make me look at myself until I was convinced that I was pretty. And I couldn't pretend, I had to mean it. Seriously, don't ever try to win one over on a sassy Dominican mother. Through example and sheer force my mother gave me the confidence to wear the styles I loved so much.

I still have more I would like to write on the topic of style and confidence and the way women talk about body issues... but for now this is all. Just a bit of nostalgia and overall love for my mommy!!!

Purple & Green and a Sentimental Me

Shirt: Target, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Bare Feet, Scarf: American Eagle, Belt: Target, Cupcake earrings: F21

Shirt: H&M, Skirt: H&M, Boots: Blowfish Shoes, Simply Vera tights: Kohl's, Scarf & Belt: H&M, Necklace: a shop in Buenos Aires.

And these are the expressions that come from Joel saying things like, "You Go Girl" or "Booyah" while taking my photo. Yes, I have clenched fists in the first photo and yes he actually said "Booyah".

It's the 1st of March! I love March!! This month is filled with so many memorable dates, the first day of Spring, the promise that spring weather is near, and the month in which my hubby turns 30. I've already started celebrating Joel's birthday- 30 days before his 30th birthday. For each day I have decided to do something special for him (like actually cook dinner) or give him a gift or treat (exciting gifts like socks and work pants and then the occasionally swedish fish wrapped in a goody bag decorated with washi tape). I'll be sure to share the more interesting or thoughtful gifts as they come along.

Weekend Update: Note to self- it's still February.

So if I were still living in Philadelphia these outfit photos would be taken in very different locations. But here I am living in CT and I'm really excited about searching for new locations for photo sessions. Scouting areas for my 30 for 30 challenge is the perfect excuse. This past weekend Joel and I found ourselves on more of a country-ish road surrounded by snow and I was in heaven. I can't wait to go back in the spring too!

Shirt: GAP, Cardigan: Target, Jeans: Urban Outfitters, Boots: Blowfish Shoes, Scarf: American Eagle, Necklace: H&M, Belt: A gift from my dollar store loving friend.

It's almost March but I still might need to invest in snow boots!!

Cowl Neck Tunic: American Apparel, Cardigan: Target, Blazer: H&M, Jeans: Target, Scarf: a market in Rome, Shoes: Target, Belt: Joel's.

Joel was surprised that I wasn't nearly as interested in a lazy Sunday as he was. This is so different than the Cynthia he married who could stay in pajamas all weekend long watching movies. But I've got outfits to wear and photos to take!! Even though we got a late start we all jumped in our "new to us" car and headed to Sonic for some creme slushes and then went food shopping. My life is incredibly interesting and exciting... I know, I know, I'll stop bragging.

Just a little bit of cheating

Sweater: H&M, Skirt: H&M, Tights: Hue from Macy's, Boots: Bare Feet in Philly, Belt: Target, Scarf: American Eagle.

I couldn't help it- it was so wet and dreary that I needed to wear my hearts rain boots.

Shirt: H&M, Vest: TJ Maxx, Jeans: Urban Outfitters, Blazer: H&M, Boots: Blowfish Shoes.

Joel and I went out and even though I just added a blazer to Day 8's outfit I am counting it in my remix. I can't believe how easy it was to find something to wear to go when you only have a few options. Applying red lipstick took longer than figuring out what to wear.