I know that Birkenstocks are a thing right now, but I just can't hang with this trend.
Am I the only one??
I've even tried to talk myself into it, because I've seen other gals pulling off the look....but I can't.
Can't do it.
It may have something to do with the fact that it reminds me of my awkward middle school years when I used to wear these.
They are also just a bit too comfortable looking for me.

I mean, I can definitely appreciate a comfortable pair of shoes, especially being on my feet most of the day with the kids, but when I have to sacrifice pretty for comfy...I usually just go with uncomfortable feet.
Beauty is pain, right? Ha ;).

Sooo when I came across Yellowbox Shoes I had to check their sandals out.
I wanted to see if they are actually as comfy as they look, because they pass both my *budget-friendly and style test with flying colors.

The results are in.
They are indeed comfortable! Very. You know how sandals sometimes have a "breaking in period" where they rub on your heals in a weird way and sometimes even leave you with red marks by the end of the day? These sandals don't do that. I have worn them a few times already, all day, and I didn't feel like taking them of...at all.

Yellowbox has some other styles that I am diggin', so I'm sharing those with you as well...

Carey | Eira | Jeriel | Kinsey | Mimosa | Taissa 

...aaaaand Mad's let me hold Applejack?! *gasp* If you know Moo at all you know this is a big deal. This pony is never out of her sight or arms. Everrrrrrr.

my outfit: Yellowbox Devona Sandal - c/o | Marshalls top | J. Crew Factory shorts, similar
moo's outfit: Target dress | Target sandals 


*budget friendly- I think it's important for me to clarify what I find to be "budget-friendly". You're probably thinking, "these sandals are $50+. What's terribly affordable about that? I'll go with Target, thank you very much". Well, when it comes to a staple pair of shoes, I am willing to spend a bit more to get a bit more, if you know what I mean. You get what you pay for. I love Target and their prices, but sometimes it's just worth the money to save and invest in a good pair of sandals for the Summer...ones that will last for at least a few Summers. Ya feel me?

Styling Old Navy's Ponte Fit & Flare Dress - Up, Down, All Around -

Dressed up

The flirty flare of this dress is perfect for a date night.

Date night? What's that? Ha.

It's easy to style too...which is always a win for me.

I kind of stress over accessories- which actually work for what, etc.

The neckline on this dress means you can skip the necklace and just pop on some statement earrings.

I also threw on some simple bangles and grabbed a clutch.

A clutch? What's that? Haaa.

Can you tell it's been quite a while since I've been out with my husband? :-D

dress | earrings | bangles | clutch | sandal pumps

Dressed down

Grocery store, park, play date or weekend outfit - this dress works for all.

It has an amazing way of hiding that pooch too...

which I very much still have.

(I just started T25, but that's another story for another day. My body hurts ::hehh::)

The dress flares out riiiiight at the perfect spot. 

Grab a hat, huuuuge bag (to tote all that your toddler insists on stuffing in it) and you're good to go. 

dress | denim jacket | hat | handbag | sandals

Dressed for all around

So I threw this little ensemble on at the last minute and...my gosh.
I love it.
Mixing the feminine with the comfy and you've got a winning combo.
Am I right, mamas?
I'm ready to run around and get things done with babe on hip and toddler in tow.
BAM.

dress | shoes | canvas tote

Now, I wouldn't expect this dress to last for more than one or two seasons.
It's $15 and from Old Navy.
However, it's trendy and if you're looking to spend little...
this is the dress for you.

$100. thredUP. 8 Spring outfits.

outfit #1: gap tee / j.crew shorts / steve madden sandals
outfit #2: nine west button-up / j.crew shorts / ann taylor cardigan / steve madden sandals
outfit #3: banana republic short-sleeve jacket / j.crew shorts / nine west wedges
outfit #4: ann taylor cardi / nine west button-up / ann taylor loft skirt / steve madden sandals
outfit #5: nine west button-up / ann taylor loft skirt / nine west wedges
outfit #6: ann taylor cardi / ann taylor loft skirt / steve madden sandals 
*all c/o thredUP

Yep, I did wear a cardigan backwards in that last outfit - fun and simple way to make an otherwise ordinary outfit more exciting and noticeable.

outfit #1: gymboree cardigan / old navy tee / tractor jean shorts
outfit #2: gymboree cardigan / old navy tee / gap khakis (brand new) 
*all c/o thredUP

The only way I could get Mads to stand relatively still for this was by bribing her with a ring pop - haha.
Hey, do what ya have to.
................

Yeh. So.

$100. Eight outfits for Spring.

6 for me and 2 for the tot. 

Incredible, right?

I could have employed my best sale shopping skills to score this much elsewhere, but...

I probably would have failed. 

Miserably. 

Take it from me. ThredUP is where it's at. 

They have flawless used clothing from top notch brands, all at a great price.  

Yes, you could scour your local thrift shops for Spring outfits, 

but I am telling you...

you won't find the quality and selection that you'll find at thredUP. 

Plus- you can shop on your bum, with coffee in hand.

I mean, win win. 

*click on over here to get $10 to spend*

You can see the last used clothing challenge I did with thredUP here. 

& I can't not include little buddy...I heart him so...

mom cool.

One simple way to look cooler than you are...

wear a vest. 

Denim cut-offs and heart shaped sunnies help too.
I almost returned the sunglasses, because...well...
I'm a mom and not a teeny bopper.
::hehh::

Then I had a revelation...I need these in my life.
I push around a stroller, tote an (almost) three year old on my hip, nurse all day (erryday), get spit up on 100x/day, wrestle with the laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning...

I need a frikkin' ridiculous pair of heart shaped sunnies.
The end. :)

sunnies / v neck / vest / shorts / sandals

ps. This is my new office/blog/playroom - I'm excited that I now have the space  to shoot my day-to-day outfits and share them more often with you! 

Isabella Oliver - pregnancy, postpartum & beyond

I used to say I'd never wear maternity clothes after pregnancy...
but that was before I met this dress.

Amazing.
I was surprised with how beautiful, flattering and not to mention comfortable it is on me
...even with it being maternity.
I already knew Isabella Oliver could make me feel like a gazillion bucks while pregnant...
but postpartum too?

That's a yes, apparently.
I slipped on this maxi dress from their new Spring '14 line over the weekend and...gosh.
I felt better in it than anything else I've worn since giving birth!
I even nursed while wearing it...score.
All of you mamas know how frustrating getting dressed can be...during pregnancy and after.
It's important to have at least one clothing item that you feel AMAZING in...even if nothing else in your closet fits- hehhh. :)

My poochy post-baby body thanks you, Isabella Oliver.
You have won me over (yet again).

Of course, not all of Isabella Oliver's maternity pieces can really be worn unless you are actually pregnant, but I do think quite a few can definitely work postpartum and beyond. My picks are below...

More Isabella Oliver...

my outfit: Isabella Oliver Vienna Print maxi dress // *Onecklace Carrie Name necklace + Dogeared ribbon bow necklace // Wallis biker jacket // Nine West Heavy Hitter Shopper // JCP ballet flats (similar)

*Onecklace is offering LiM readers 10% off w/ code- lifeinmod

when I used to get dressed and do things...

Haha.
I maaay be missing my weekend job at the boutique. Just a bit.

I think what I actually miss the most is getting dressed for it.

I was just going through my old IG photos and...gosh...some of my favorite outfits have been ones I've worn to that place...

and yes, unabashedly snapped selfies of in that mirror every time.
(can you blame a mama?!)

I'm actually loving that I did take those pics now.

It reminds me, as I sit here in holey work-out pants (no, I did not work-out), a true messy bun and uggs, that I do actually have the ability to look nice.

 lol. 

After babe #2 is pretty much weaned and I can bear to leave him for longer than an hour -ha-, I hope to get back to work at Summerbird.

Life has that way of changing from year to year though.
BIG time.
We'll see!

Oooooh, but but...the sipping of the coffees, time to flip through mags, helping people shop, adult conversation...peace & quiet...

Sorry...was daydreaming there for a sec. Haaaa. 

Yeh, I wouldn't complain about it at all. ;)

If you'd like, you can get a closer look at the boutique I'm talking about here and here.

I'm pretty much in love with it. 

Pretty much.

If you'd like any outfit deets, let me know. :)

the Postpartum pants I can't get enough of

...and the husband wants to throw out the window. :-D

More Steve Madden...

 I have literally been living in these cargo pants recently.

I saw them hanging there at Tarjay, thought..."oh, husband will definitely hate these. Let's get 'em!" Ha ha. 

No, but really.

My body feels so wacked out since giving birth.

I don't fit into anyyyything I own.

Go ahead. Roll those eyes (I'm used to that reaction when I whine about this, because of my height yada yada).

It's true though...and it's frustrating. 

I'm at the point where sleep is better, days are more structured and I am managing to get out of the house more with the kiddies,

but the clothes....the getting dressed.

Ugh.

It's depressing when you go into your closet and can't fit into your favorite pair of jeans anymore.

I just want to fit into something again!!!

So.

I bought these baggy pants with a stretchy waistband and have been loving them. They are cute with a tee...and definitely work for the day-to-day mama routine.

However, I think I have come to the point where I need to get over it and buy some clothes (pants specifically) that are a few sizes up from my pre-baby size ::wahhh:: - some with shape, that show my curves and make that husband take a second look.
I need to do it and not be sad about it.

It happens. I had a baby. I have had two babies! My body has changed.

It's silly for me to sulk around and wait to fit back into my pre-baby clothes.
Maybe one day I will fit back into those fave jeans...or maybe I won't.

If I wear clothes that fit me I will feel better, regardless of how many sizes I went up.

Just doooo it, Cams. 

Have you struggled with getting dressed postpartum?

What did you find yourself wearing?...or did you have to give in and get bigger clothes too?

Being Type A & Letting things go

I am a Type A personality.
It's what both drives me and drives me crazy.
Having children throws off my type A groove...and I say that in the most loving way possible. lol.
I don't mean that I'm not happy and thankful to have children, because I am. Love them to death. It just means I have to really take steps to control my anxiety, impatience, high expectations and over-all need to go and do do doooooo.

I feel like I have to get. things. done. Everyday.
Not only that...I have to do them well. Almost perfectly.
It's ridiculous really, ya'll.
Having our first child did help me to slow down...a bit.
I could still pretty much do whatever I wanted or needed to do though. Once you get the hang of it it's relatively easy-ish to tote one babe around.
Now...two?
That's a totally different story.

I have days where I feel like I am trying to swim in quicksand...

and then there are the triumphant, "I CAN do this" days.

I've totally got it down pat and then another day comes and I totally don't have it. At all.

It's really a toss up. ;)

I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this (come on, Cams. Get to the point) is that with two I am really reeeeeally learning the importance of letting things go.
I can't get hung up on the fact that my sink is full of dirty dishes, my floors are filthy, I haven't gotten out of the house in a week and I look like a homeless person.
I have to let it go.
It's simply impossible to tackle it all in one day with two kids!
I have to lower my super high expectations...and it's hard for me.
Really. hard.

However, having to do so is making me a better mother. I can see it.
When I do calm down and let it go...I can breathe, notice more and soak up the small things that I would completely miss if I was running around like a maniac.
It's freeing and I'm much happier!
It's funny and almost doesn't make sense, but I think with each child...I have actually become a more patient person instead of the opposite.
I think that by being forced to get over things I have had to learn to control my anxiety, etc.

I will always be Type A. Ha. That will never change.
However, I hope to be a calmer, more patient version.
My babes deserve it, my husband needs it and most of all...
I will benefit from it.
Honestly, who really enjoys being a crazed maniac that's running around all of the time?
Not me.
I want to enjoy my kids, my husband, my days...life.

Who's with me on this? Are you Type A?

I have soooo many dirty dishes in my kitchen right now.
It's driving me crazyyyy. Haha!

:)

 outfit: sheInside jacket | Old Navy graphic tee | Target jeans | Target belt | DSW Crown Vintage loafer