Guilty.

Before kids, 9 times out of 10, your #1 focus is on yourself.  You make time to stay in shape.  You make time to get massages or facials.  You put yourself first.

Then it happens, you give birth and see your child for the first time, that you love more than anything. Something changes, instead of focusing on yourself, your entire life begins to revolve around that little human being.  You stay up late with diaper changes and feedings, you’re typically covered in spit-up, you can’t remember the last time you showered or brushed your teeth. The next thing you know, you’re looking at yourself in a mirror and you don’t recognize yourself. It wasn’t as bad after baby #1, but once Olivia came around, I was 100% guilty of this.  I still am and Olivia is 18 months old.  

I was reading reading one of my favorite blogs, The Naptime Diaries, and came across a blog post that she wrote titled 5 reasons mamas don't take care of themselves. Something clicked in me after reading that post, that in order to take care of my family, my friends and others around me, I need to take  care of myself first.  Self care is much more important that you realize.  One of my goals for this year was to start taking care of myself.  When  you take care of yourself, you are more confident and happier. I want to be happier, I want to take care of myself and to be a good role model for my daughter as she grows up. 

For the rest of January, I am going to really focus on getting in some me time.  I want to start going to bed at a reasonable time, so I can start waking up early. I want to be able to have some un-interrupted time to be able to have some time with God, to focus on my bible studies.  I want to go to the gym and eat to fuel my body. Not necessarily with the goal of losing weight (but that would be a great bonus!), but to become healthier and to help relieve some of my most recent symptoms (I’m allergic to something and have “attacks” weekly. but we can’t pinpoint what it is).   I want my children to have a role model in being healthy and in being in touch with their faith.  

This is my year.

Fall 30x30 Challenge: Days 13-18

I think the sickness may have finally left.  I’m hoping that I don’t end up getting it anytime soon and that maybe my kids will nap today so I can disinfect the entire house!

I loved almost all of the outfits that I picked out this week, but I think like almost everyone else, I really I cannot wait to have my other wardrobe back.  I’ve bought a few super cute pieces that I’d really love to wear.  Only 2 more weeks to go!

I should disclose that I did miss Monday.  I had 2 kids (Livi and my husband) with the flu and all I wore was some yoga pants and a tee.   I didn't want to get my nice things all gross.


Day 13:

{ Target Chambray Top, Striped Old Navy Tee, Black Maxi from Loft and Cami slip ons}

This outfit was super comfy and will definetely be something that I wear again.  I've always been kind of afraid of my maxi skirt and I don't know why.  It is way easier to style than I thought it would be.  That would be Jordan to the left photo bombing me.

Day 14

{Navy Lace Target Dress and Target Booties (later Camo Slip ons)}

I just did some light running around with the kids and it was such a nice day out so I thought I'd try something new with the booties. It lasted about 10 mintues before I realized there was no way I could tackle the mall in them. Although now I think that this means I really need some cute flat booties.

Day 15

{Target Emerald Blazer, H&M Tank, ,Old Navy Skinny jeans, Target Booties}

Day 15 was my favorite day this entire challenge.   I loved this outfit.  We went out with friends who were in town and it was just the right amount of dressed up but it was still so comfortable. 

Day 16:

{Old Navy Cardi, Mint Gap Top, Gap Skinnys and Target Booties}

We did almost nothing this day.  It was just me and the kids because my husband was at the Buffalo Bills game with his friends (We actually won!).  It was nice to be somewhat dressed up though, because I was surprisingly productive.

Day 18. 

{Gap Striped Dress, Gap Skinnys, Target Slip Ons}

I turned my Gap dress into a shirt.  I think it turned out great.  I'm liking that this challenge is making me think out of the box and try things in ways that I haven't thought of before. 

Oh Target.

My idea of an exciting night these days is when I can trick my husband into thinking that I need to run to the store and grab one or two things. I really just want to spend an hour of my night walking around Target alone with a Starbucks. 

Today was something new though, the flu has found our house (so far I’m the only one who has been spared) and my husband stayed home from work.   While he napped with Liv, I took the opportunity to take my favorite 3 year old on a little day date.   It was so nice to be able to spend some one on one time with him.  We were able to go to the three stores I wanted and he was a perfect little angel (most of the time).   I think he really enjoyed it and I want to try and do it more often with him.

I thought I would share some of the things I found today while browsing (instead of trying to keep two kids quiet) that I am LOVING at Target lately.

{Open Sweater with faux leather detailing}

{Faux Leather Cardigan}

{Faux Leather Sleeved Tee}

I'm really loving all of the faux leather trimmed pieces this season.  Target was full of them.  I'm hoping a few of them go on sale soon so I can pick some pieces up.

{Peplum Sweater}

I'm loving anything peplum, but I always feel like they end up looking too short on me.  This one seems to be the perfect length and it comes in a bunch of different colors.

{Fit and Flare Dress}

I don't really need anymore black dresses, but I loved the fit of this one.  It was so flattering.  I think it would be great for the million of Holiday parties we have.  I'd probably pair it with some fun heels and a great statement necklace.

{The Kodi Boot}

I love these boots so much! Now that they are on clearance I am really tempted to buy them. I keep thinking about all of the awesome outfits I could pair them with.

{Threshold Antlers}

{Threshold Stag Head}

I am in love with these Ceramic-esque deer heads and antlers.   I think they would look great above my tv in the living room  and they are some of the most  inexpensive ones that I've found and I'm really loving gold accents lately.


What are you loving from Target or anywhere lately?  

30x30 Challenge: Days 7-12

This week was so much harder and to be honest, I almost gave up on the challenge.  I've been MIA because I've had two little sicklings.  Miss Olivia has been crying non stop since Sunday, so in most of these pictures I look exhausted.  I’m hoping next week will be better!  I broke some rules though, my sister “borrowed” 3 pieces that I was going to use, so I just replaced them.

Day 7:

{ Old Navy Cardigan, J.Crew Shirt Dress, Camo Slip Ons}

Day 8:
Don't mind the awful quality cell phone pic.  I forgot to take a picture before we left so I took one when we were done swimming with the kids!

{American Eagle Cardi, Neon Target Tee, Gap Ankle Zip Skinnys, Camo Slip-on}

Day 9:

{H&M Dress, Target Leggings, Target Booties, Loft Belt}

Day 10:  This is my favorite day this week!

{Old Navy Cardi, Target Chambray, J.Crew Skinnys, Just Fab boots}

Day 11:

{American Eagle Cardi, H&M Tank, Polka Dot Skinnys, Camo Slip-ons}

Day 12:  I didn't take any time to dress up.  I had to take two crazy kids to the Dr's. I almost didn't get dressed at all.

{J.Crew Cardi (one of my new items I swapped), H&M Tank, Target leggings, Camo Slip-ons}

Check out the items I picked to complete the challenge with and what outfits I came up with for last week.

Don’t forget to check out all of the other lovely ladies participating in the challenge.

30x30 Fall Challenge: Days 1-6

I totally agree with everyone that says the hardest part of this challenge is the photos.  I either need to buy a large floor length mirror or something.   I don’t know how these fashion bloggers do it, especially those that take their own photos!  I'm going to have to spend the week working on my photo taking skills and not making dumb faces!

Day 1:  It was a good thing this was the first day of the challenge and I couldn’t miss the first day.  I threw my shoulder/back out and I did not want to get dressed!

{Striped Gap Dress, Just Fab Boots}

Day 2:  We took my in-laws who were visiting from Long Island to the zoo with the kids and then headed to my brother and sister-in-laws house for dinner.  I tried to keep it cute but casual because I had two toddlers to chase all day.

{Black V- Neck, Aztec Cardy, Cobalt jeans, tan boots}

Day 3: Sunday I was able to look a little more put together.  We spent the day with family celebrating my niece Annie’s baptism. ( Sorry for the Iphone photo and the not so good photographer husband, trying to get two toddlers and two adults out of the house and to church by 9:30 and be gone for the whole day was no joke)

{Ivory sleeveless Target top. Leopard Cardigan from Old Navy.  Black H&M skinny jeans.  Black Target Booties.}

Day 4: I spent Monday running errands all around town with the kids and organizing things around the house with my mother in law..

{Target Chambray, Black Leggings, Tan Just Fab boots}

Day 5: I spent the day at the Dr, enough said.

{Target Chambray, Black and White Tee, Black Skinnys, Camo Slip on}

Day 6:  This was a "grandma went home withdrawl" day, so I was luckily to get out alive or get dressed! (P.s. I cut off my head because I was making literally the most stupid face ever!)

{H&M henley, leggings, boots}

I think that next week I want to try and incorporate more accessories into my outfits.  I think they could use an extra pop.

My favorite outfit for the week would probably be Day 3.  It was nice to find an outfit that was cute, dressed up a little and yet still comfortable and I was still able to chase my kids around the church and the party afterwards.

What was your favorite outfit?  Any ideas of different ways for me to pair my clothes together? Don't forget to check out the other lovely talented ladies also participating in this fall challenge!

Fall 30x30 Challenge

 
If you’re anything like me, then you envy those fashion bloggers that always look so  fantastic with their amazingly put together outfits.  It’s one of the reasons I love Kelly from Modern Camelot, she’s a mom but girlfriend also has some amazing fashion sense.  She has one of these 30x30 challenges every so often and the past few times she’s hosted one of them I’ve thought about joining.  I finally decided to bite the bullet and participate in this fall challenge!  I need to break out of this yoga pants and snotty t-shirt clothing rut that I am in.   She’s co-hosting this fall challenge with Aubrey from Dreaming about Someday.

The general gist of this challenge is that you choose 30 pieces from your wardrobe and you can only put together outfits that include those pieces.   You can see more info on Kelly’s blog 30x30 challenge.

I was trying to keep in mind my day job when picking out my 30 clothing choices and shoes.  I’m a stay at home mom to two very busy toddlers, so I want to make sure that I look good, but that I can also chase my son down the aisles of Target when he starts ripping his clothes off and running away from me (sadly, that has happened more than once) as well as things that will work great for the events we have this month.   I’m just hoping to break out of my shell a little and become a little more fashion forward and put together.

Without further ado, here’s my picks for this fall challenge.

Tops:

{From L-R}:  Aztec open cardigan (Old Navy), Black and White Cardigan (Old Navy), Black Cardigan (American Eagle), Leopard Cardigan (Old Navy)

{From L-R}:  Dressy Tank (Target), Neon Yellow Tee (Target), Black and White Striped Tee (Old Navy), Pink-ish henley (H&M)

{From L-R}: Baseball Tee (Target), Zip up (Victoria’s Secret), Light Chambray Button up (Target)

Not shown; Black tee (Target), White Tee (Target), Black Tank (H&M), Cobalt and White striped open cardigan (J.Crew)

Pants:

{From L-R}:  Polka Dot skinnys (Target) , Black leggings (Target),  Dark Skinnys (Old Navy), Distressed ankle zip skinnys (Gap) Cobalt skinnys (J, Crew).  Not shown Black Skinny jeans (H&M)

Skirts:

Black Maxi (Loft)

Dresses:

{From L-R}: Cobalt shift type dress (H&M), Lace navy dress (Target), Purple Striped Tunic/Dress (Gap), Chambray Shirt Dress (J. Crew)

Shoes: (Yes, I know I’m missing a shoe or two, one of two toddler shoe thieves have hidden them!)

{From L-R}:  Cognac Riding Boots (Just Fab), Black ankle booties (Target), Camo slip-ons (Target), Gold Driving shoes (Steve Madden)

I didn’t include any jackets in here because, I live in Buffalo and the weather is unpredictable!