goldenpig

Cavity-inducing disclaimer: I don't mean to give you whiplash or make your teeth ache from all the sugar, but going from morbid queen of darkness holding a skull knuckle clutch one day to pastel princess holding an ice cream truck clutch the next does require a "keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times" warning!

Also I don't think my coloring really lends itself to dressing in pastels, but I like to break the rules once in a while. What do you think, can I get away with the occasional mint or blush? I've been wearing these blush pink shoes a lot actually.

Bonus kid pics with DS2 holding my ice cream truck clutch and DD enjoying some mint chip ice cream at the county fair over the holiday weekend. Throwing in some more fun fair pics. The kids loved it especially the carousel, roller coaster, corn dogs and fireworks! Happy summer!

Banana Republic mint sweater
1.State white culottes
Halogen blush flats
Stella and Dot necklace
BR Trina Turk bracelet

More bloody fun with Hamlet and my Obsession scarf, this time with bright red! Got lots of compliments on the dress. I was going to wear my studded black heels, but went with my studded black flats instead--much more comfy for a day spent standing for procedures. I was a little overdressed to pick up the kids at swimming, but what can you do. (I didn't think to bring clothes to change into). Always be fabulous. And when in doubt, wear red!

Adrianna Papell red dress (TJ Maxx)
Alexander McQueen knuckle duster clutch and Obsession scarf
Hermes CDC red bracelet
Halogen black studded flats

Wanna know what mischief I've been up to? Here is my birthday present (DH told me I could get a fancy purse). It involves a bit of "skull"-duggery...(and I hinted that it could double as a weapon, LOL).

First we have to set the soundtrack for this post: Obsession by Animotion:

nofollow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIs5StN8J-0

Side note: could this woman be any more eighties? Neon blue peplum dress with matching blue fan, permed hair in a side pony with scrunchie, blue eyeliner, lace gloves, and those shutter shade glasses! Totally awesome to the max!

I'm in this Facebook doctor fashion group and a couple months ago someone posted that they bought this Alexander McQueen knuckle box clutch with skulls on it. I was instantly obsessed and I've been thinking about it ever since. Just gorgeous. I started looking into the brand more and it really appeals to my shadow persona--I love goth, punk, skulls, black and gunmetal, Victoriana, insects, pretty with an edge. Why have I not gotten into this line before?!

My shopping outfit was in 1-2. Stopped by Chanel to get a bottle of nail polish (Ballerina), because my manicure that DH got me for my birthday is already chipped (with a full time job and three kids, there is no way that was going to last long). It is funny how wearing a Chanel bag gets you lots of attention from the SAs. I even saw the SA who sold me the bag and she said, "I didn't recognize you at first but then I saw your bag and remembered who you were." Hahaha.

Then I went to the Alexander McQueen store. I went specifically to see this knuckle clutch. But then I realized my phone (iPhone 6 Plus) is too big to fit! Darn it! So I looked at some alternatives (6-7) which could fit my phone, but I just didn't love them as much. They were cheaper and larger but I wasn't feeling it. The wallet on chain in 6 had really sharp studs so it wasn't nice to hold. And I already have a large black studded satchel (though not with a skull padlock like that one) and I liked the Obsession print bag but not the giant logo on the front. In the end though I decided to go with the one that really spoke to me, practicality be damned. It's pretty much a fancy lipstick case (fits a mini card case, key and lipstick), but I don't care. It'll be a great evening bag, or I can just toss it in my other bag and take it out to pet during the day, LOL. It's so fun to put my fingers through the rings and run my fingers over the smooth little nubs--it's like sensory stress relief therapy! I'm going to call him Hamlet (I like that better than Yorick). And you can call me Queen Impractical Clutch. Hamlet can join my polar bear on ice, ice cream truck, camera, and hedgehog. I swore I wouldn't buy any more clutches, yet here we are. Someone stage an intervention if I ever want another whimsical clutch!

I loved the Obsession print as well. Hummingbirds, butterflies, flowers, skulls, jewels, lipstick--it's got everything a girl could want! I looked at the shirt or dress but they were super expensive. The scarf was much more affordable, and I never have to worry about my body changing--it will always fit!

So here's the purse and scarf with my leather moto, ripped jeans and tee (8-9) and with a skirt outfit that I wore to work (13-20). I wondered briefly if it was appropriate for a doctor to wear skulls to work, but I figured if it's appropriate enough for Princess Kate to wear to Wimbledon (21), it's good enough for me!

1-2. BR leather moto, Suburban Riot Happy Camper tee (I bought because DD's upcoming birthday party will be a backyard campout sleepover), Vigoss distressed jeans, Ugg moto boots, Spring bracelet, Alexis Bittar necklace, Chanel Boy.

13-20. BR leather moto, Target zip shirt, Vince Camuto tube skirt, Tildon dragonfly cuff, Topshop booties, Alexander McQueen Obsession scarf and knuckle duster clutch.

Thank you all so much for your lovely YLF birthday wishes! You made me feel so happy and really made my day special.

I had a fun day, full of cake (for breakfast, lunch and dinner!), and was spoiled rotten by DH and the family. It started with apple crumb cake & blueberries with a homemade smoothie for breakfast. Then we went to a birthday party for one of DS1's friends (I joked that I got a free birthday party!). The kids had fun swimming.

Then afterward DH surprised me with a mani-pedi that he had arranged in advance. He pretended like he wanted me to hop down and get something at the grocery for him, but when we got there he said I had an appointment for a deluxe mani-pedi and he would be back in an hour and a half to get me. So he watched the kids and I got to sip champagne and get my arms and legs massaged and nails painted. DH definitely got the raw end of the deal on that one, as DS2 cried and cried the whole time for me. He threw a huge tantrum because he wanted me, and kept kicking DH and throwing things at him and then stripped off all his clothes (he does that when he's mad). He only put them back on when DH said, "It's time to go pick up Mommy", and then promptly fell asleep in the car.

Then we came home and DH made a wonderful birthday dinner for me, with flank steak with chimichurri sauce, caramelized onions and tomatoes, lemon-mint orzo and crisp green beans. He baked a cake which the kids decorated for me and got me a beautiful purple flower bouquet. I have a memory book that I have the kids write in instead of giving me cards for Mother's Day and my birthday. All 3 kids drew pictures, including DS2 who drew "Mama in a boat with a pink fish in the water" and "Mama holding a balloon and a pear." 

I got myself some small gifts--a couple of jewelry organizers (see the bracelet rack). DH promised me I could get something nice. I had been interested in a Goyard bag, but when I went to the SF store a few days ago I tried on the totes and the strap drop was too small on the small bag. I'm interested in a different bag with a zipper but they only sell it in NY and Beverly Hills so I'm planning to wait on that one. I would want to try it on in person since the handles may be too snug. So instead I am interested in a different gift...I am going to take a look at it in the next couple of days when I can get downtown. I'll give you a hint--it's for my shadow style, and could potentially be used as a weapon. ;)

Oh, I wore my favorite H&M floral pants (DH called them clown pants when he first saw them so I think of them as my clown pants), and what better bag to celebrate my birthday with than the orange slice bag--always brings a smile to my face! And cake for every meal too!

Karen Kane white shirt, H&M floral pants, Paul Green Cayanne, Banana Republic Trina Turk bracelet, Charming Charlie pineapple necklace, and Kate Spade orange slice bag.

Love Angie's ensemble of combining dressy skirts with denim. I certainly have plenty of dressy skirts to choose from! I already did blue denim shirt with a dressy skirt  (6/7) so this time I'm trying white denim instead. Last time I wore this floral set with a pink cardigan (5), but I think this gives a nice slightly more casual twist. And I'm getting a lot of use out of these blush pink flats!

AE white cropped denim jacket, Kate Spade hazy floral silk tank, midi skirt and matching purse, Halogen studded blush flats, Charming Charlie rose gold rose necklace, Kate Spade bird bracelet.

I was inspired by Shevia's post about Parisienne style to try a Parisienne-inspired outfit myself. I started with a black cashmere sweater and added plain white jeans and metallic sandals. Of course a French scarf (my only chance to add some color!), and a bronze bag (also French!) to mix black and tan. Had to ditch the Apple watch for something more old school/less trendy, and paired it with an elegant bracelet. But I still indulged my matchy-matchy sense with turquoise toenails to match my scarf. And wore big French sunnies to maintain that "I'm a French movie star" air. Et voila! How did I do?

I got lots of compliments on my outfit today, especially on the scarf. A lot of people said I looked so chic, The funny thing is, I'm not sure it felt 100% my style. I kept thinking, this is fun, but I wouldn't want to dress this way all the time. I love my bright colors, lots of prints, matchy matchy and whimsy, so doing neutrals and uniform dressing and minimalist understated chic might get boring rather quickly for me. I'm glad we live where we do and can feel free to embrace a wide variety of styles! I like to play dress up and be Parisienne one day, colorful and feminine Kate Spade-like the next, and then tough and edgy UWP. I can admire French style and try it out, but not feel like I need to aspire to or emulate it all the time. Vive le difference!

Everlane black cashmere sweater
Kut from the Kloth Chrissy flares
Hermes scarf
Lacoste sunnies
Longchamp metallic tote
Burberry watch
Alexis Bittar bracelet
Paul Green Cayanne sandals

Another red white and blue outfit for July 4. I was going to wear red sandals but I didn't have time to paint my toes blue, so I went with the red Converse instead. I took the kids to my sister's house and we went swimming. She made brownies served with mochi ice cream for my upcoming birthday. I brought a couple bags of clothes & shoes for my sister. She said she is happy to go "shopping" when I pass things on to her. I know I could get a little money back if I tried to sell stuff but it isn't worth the effort. I've brought stuff to a consignment store before and never get that much, so I'm happy to just hand things down to her. (I gave a bunch of baby clothes to my other sister too.)

Side note, I have to confess I am not feeling that fab about my flab around the waist. I semi tucked my shirt and really watched my posture/sucked it in for the photo, but it feels better to untuck and hide the evidence. I lost 7 lb earlier this year, but it seems to have crept right back on and my pants feel really tight. I know we're not supposed to dwell on negative body image but I'm posting for accountability. I'm just 5-6 lb away from having an "obese" BMI which is shocking, so I need to get my health under control.  I need to get serious again and up my game in the healthy eating and exercise habits. My goal is to lose a couple of pounds a month through the end of the year. Don't know if I can do it, but I at least need to try.

You know me, I love theme-y holiday outfits and here's another July 4th outfit. Wearing this a little early since Angie's July 4th ensemble came out today. I don't have a stars shirt or red striped skirt, but I can still have some fun with the theme!

Red Converse, white shorts, and blue T shirt. With red "fireworks" necklace and bracelet. And just for fun, the Paul Frank British Julius handbag to celebrate our independence from England!

By the way, my kids have been loving the series "Liberty's Kids" (7), which is a cartoon miniseries all about the Revolutionary War. It's really detailed--40 episodes! They watch it in the car. Even my three year old likes it and they're learning a lot about American history. There are three kids, a girl and two boys, and each of them identifies with one of them. They learned about Patrick Henry saying "Give me liberty or give me death!" and I told them about the Far Side cartoon (8) where young Patrick Henry says "Give me potatoes or give me death!" and they thought that was hilarious, so now whenever they want something passed to them at the table they say, "Give me seaweed or give me death!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty%27s_Kids

4-6. Here's some more of my previous July 4th outfits (fun to see old kiddo pics!):

2014
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....rk-andwork

2012
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....e-and-blue

Number forty-seven said to number three
You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock

Banana Republic leather moto, striped tank, and white skirt
BR outlet necklace
WHBM bracelet
Brahmin striped bag
Halogen black flats

I posted a "Finding Dory" outfit (1/2) earlier, and that inspired me to create a whole week's worth of ocean themed outfits!
1/2 Finding Dory
3/4 Jellyfish tunic and starfish bracelet--I wore this to DD's 6th Under the Sea Little Mermaid birthday party. It's getting a bit too tight now unfortunately, but I'm still hoping to get back in better shape.
5/6 Aquarium dress
7/8 Finding Nemo--agate dress and koi shoes and Nemo orange bag
10/11 Even workout wear was water themed!
12/13 Mosaic shorts--kinda like water droplets