The Same, But Different

This outfit has a lot of the same notes as yesterday's, but it is way more conducive to every day life. Especially when everyday life involves rain. Lots of rain. And, tomorrow we are suppose to get 5 inches of snow here in the dirty Jersey. That's surely an April Fool's joke, right???

Top: J. Crew

Belt: Super Old, No idea

Pants: Victoria's Secret

Flats: Born

Shop Similar: Top, Pants

The No Comfort Zone

I mean that literally. I went to lunch with some girlfriends, and I could barely breathe in those pants, let alone enjoy my lobster mac and cheese (that's a lie. I fully enjoyed my food).

Following lunch, I got to watch the Preschool Princess walk in space at her school. It was cute. And there was donuts. Totally worth it.

Top: Free People

Tee: Victoria's Secret

Trousers: Vintage Krizia Poi

Shoes: Steve Madden

Shop Similar: Trousers, Shoes

Happy Boy Spot.

I was just working on a lampshade for the master bedroom, but my hot glue gun blew up in my face. It was wild (and scary...very scary). I have no idea why it happened, but now I can't finish until I get a new hot glue gun.

So, I thought I would catch you up on a few other projects I have been working on all in one post. I am pretty behind on all the things I want to share because my husband has been out of town and I have been spending my time trying to find a new apartment instead of blogging.

I tell ya, I finally start loving our town home and then my husband gets a new job...in a different state...after only one year of living here. I'm hoping we will be at our next place long enough to really make it feel like a home. For now, this is what we've got. Just remember, we are renters. No paint or pretty home details. Just outdated, boring walls.

Welcome to my son's room. He is 3 and loves cars. :)

He loves to tell us what the lights means at every stop light so I made him the words in the coordinating colors so he can relate the words to their meanings. I used my Cricut and vinyl.
I have moved the art and pictures all over his room and I finally love it all together.
My son and I made the 'C' together. He painted it blue and then that night I made the yellow road stripes with a small stencil I made and hot glued cars he no longer played with on.

I got the idea for the license plate art at [kreyv]. Instead of using fabric and wood, I used a canvas I had picked up at Michaels on sale (2 for $4.99) and painted it with a mix of beige and white acrylic paints (also on sale, $0.29 each). I spray painted the plates and then just used gorilla glue to glue them on. Not as fancy as the original, but I still like it and my son loves it!

The little night stand was inherited from my parents. I had painted it black before my son was born, but I didn't like the black with the brown and blues anymore. Plus, the black had taken a beating. Each chip was very obvious. I painted it white and got a new pretty silver knob. I love it now.
My sister-in-law, Tracy, who also occasionally writes on this blog made him the gorgeous blanket on his bed. The colors are so perfect for his room.

I made the pennant banner by just cutting out triangles with some scrap fabric I had and sewing them together on a piece of ribbon. My son refers to them as his "racing flags."

The dresser was given to us my mother-in-law who had received it from one of her friends. When we got it, it was a bad yellow and very used. I originally painted it black for my son's nursery and then painted it white recently to make his room feel more calming (in hopes it would calm my child...didn't work). I made the numbers with my Cricut and vinyl. I think they may be my most favorite thing in the room.
I also made this mobile using my Cricut. I cut out paper circles and train shapes and then just glued them on a piece of thread and tied them on a painted embroidery ring. I love the way it lightly blows with the fan on.
My sweet boy kissing his baby sister. My mother-in-law made that bag chair. We are all obsessed with it.

3M Natural View Screen Protector Review

Smartphones can cost a pretty penny so of course, you want to protect it. My husband just got the EVO and we decided we could invest in about $10 more dollars for a Sprint screen protector. Within a week, the corners of the protector was peeling away, bubbles were forming, and he was having a hard time seeing his screen. He removed it since it clearly was not very protective after all.

When we received the 3M Natural View Screen Protector made especially for the EVO, my husband immediately applied it to his phone while following the included instructions. It applied smoothly and even after several weeks, the protector is still flat on his phone. You actually can't even tell that he has a screen protector on his phone. It looks that great. His phone has remained free of fingerprints, scratches, and looks very clean.

Need to see how to apply your 3M Screen Protector? Check out this video below:

Are you in the market for a screen protector? 3M also offers a universal, cut-to-fit protector; Apple, Samsung, BlackBerry, Motorola, and HTC protectors.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of 3M and received a Natural View Screen Protector to facilitate my review and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

{Sort of A} Lady in Red

I taught Sunday School and Relief Society today. That's a whole lot of Erica for one Sunday.

I'll leave it at that.

Dress: Shabby Apple (on sale!!)

Shoes: Steven

The Departure

I am attempting to break free from my ordinary. I even went to playgroup instead of the gym this morning. Hot dang, I may be unrecognizable by days end.

And I am pretty sure my Rock Band skills would be drastically increased in these boots. Bonus.

I still gravitated towards my uniform this morning. I just put it on the chunkers instead.

Blouse: F21

Under Tee: Shade

Blazer: Urban Outfitters

Belt: F21

Jeggings: Guess

Boots: Material Girl (on sale!!)

Shop Similar: Blouse, Blazer

Uniform

Capturing my daily wearings has illustrated one simple fact: I am boring.

My outfit changes only slightly from day-to-day, always featuring something over sized on the top, something skinny on the bottom, and boots.

I choose to blame Old Man Winter for my lackluster apparel choices. And since there is still 4 inches of snow outside, boring remains.

Cardigan: Vintage America

Tee: Victoria's Secret

Skinnies: F21

Boots: Apepazza

Shop Similar: Cardigan

Seriously?

It was 75 degrees here on Friday. And my parents were in town. All weekend. It was lovely.

It is now snowing. As in full on blizzarding out my window. And the princess' preschool was cancelled. And the monkey man had a delayed opening. Meaning, my morning was shot.

And what the crap happened to spring???

Stupid groundhog.

Blouse: MM Couture

Tee that matches way better than it looks in the picture (I hope): Victoria's Secret

Corduroy Leggings: Nordstrom

Boots: MIA (price drop!!)

Shop Similar: Blouse

Baby's Room Complete (for now)

If you have been wondering where most of my projects have been going in my home, it is the baby's room. I think her nursery is finished. It is the only girly room in our home and it is REALLY girly. Lots of pink! :)

Try to remember we are renters so there is only so much I can so with those nasty blinds, gross colored walls, and dated brown baseboards. It is what it is. Still, I love her room. It makes me happy being in there. I hope it will make my baby happy, too.I'm still crazy in love with my rose petal "chandelier."
Spray paint makes a big difference. Here are some old gold frames I had from college. I spray painted them white to bring them into 2011.
Much better.
I also spray painted the pink frames. The angel is a painting my b.f.f made for me while we were in high school. It has been with me ever since. The picture of my baby is on her blessing day so the white frame is extra appropriate. I saw the 'You Are Beautiful Just The Way You Are' printable on another blog, but now I can't find it. Does anyone know where it came from? I would love to give them credit. I didn't print it, I made it with my Cricut and vinyl, copying the printable design.
My baby stares at the rosette balls while I nurse her. Notice her little head in the corner? I bit creepy (and adorable), right?
Letters I spray painted and decorated with a butterfly shape using my Cricut, diamond stickers, scrap booking paper, and tissue paper roses.
I love the tulips. I found this bedding at Target for only $16! Bargain!
Do you see the hair clip holder in the corner? My mother in law made it. It is awesome and now I am able to see what clips I have. By the way...most of her hair clips came from Orange5. They are beyond lovely.

Filtrete Healthy Home

With two very young children, I have a lot of worries and fears about their health, environment, allergens, and so many harmful substances all around them. I want my children's home, things, and life to be clean and healthy for them. To do this, I keep a clean home, use detergents without dyes or scents, use cleaning supplies in areas they touch or toys they play with that are natural and safe, avoid wearing perfume or using heavily scented fragrances in my home, keeping my floors clean and my furniture dust free, and changing my air filter with Filtrete air filtration often.

"Since most people with allergies develop them during childhood, Dr. Alanna Levine, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), shares the ABC's to help maintain a healthier home environment for children:

• A is for Avoid: Whenever possible, avoid irritants that often trigger allergies, such as products made of feathers or down. Use hypoallergenic pillows on your child's bed, and limit exposure to perfume, talcum powder, hair spray, air fresheners, fabric softeners or other strong odors or sprays. Strong fragrances and odors may aggravate allergy symptoms.

• B is for Balance: Maintain a consistent balance in the home to help minimize allergens. Keep the windows shut and use central air conditioning during high pollen seasons to help protect children from pollen particles that trees, grasses and weeds release into the air. These particles can harbor in the eyes, nose, and airways, causing allergy symptoms to flair for those allergic to pollen. Also, give children washable, non-allergenic stuffed toys when possible, and be sure to wash the ones played with the most on a weekly basis, in hot water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

• C is for Change: Change items that are easy to neglect but are important for maintaining a healthier home, such as leaky faucets, pipes and other high moisture areas that are common places for mold growth. Don't neglect their air in the home either. Change your filter every three months, and use a high performance filter, such as a Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Filter from 3M."

To find out more healthy home living tips, money saving offers, filter change reminders, and sign up for Filtrete's seasonal newsletter, check out the Clear Advantages program.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Dreary Days

The weather seems perfectly fitting for the mood of the world. Gloomy. Sad. Dark.

I need a good soak in some sunshine; on the news, on my skin, in my soul.

Maybe tomorrow.

Open Front Cardigan: Urban Outiftters

Blouse: F21

Under Tee: Victoria's Secret

Black Skinnies: TJ Maxx

Boots: Apepazza

Who Stole My Hour?

And how do I get it back??? We're like land of the living dead over here.

Not helped by The Mister waking me up at 5:30 this morning asking me where his phone charger was.
Especially when the answer is: plugged in right where you left it dear.
If only I could have fallen back asleep....

Button-down: Tulle

Cardigan: J Crew

Skirt: Gap

Boots: Aldo

Shop Similar: Top, Skirt, Boots

Drop Cloth Pillows

I have been seeing a lot of people use painting drop cloths to make some pretty awesome things. For about $6, I made two pillows and still have enough to make probably 2 or 3 more. Sweet deal.

I painted this pillow with a chevron stencil I found at Tatertots & Jello.

I ruffled strips of fabric for this. Very time consuming, but very cute.

Would you use drop cloth in your home for something other than painting?

Sunday Feature: Pairing Patterns

Glamour told me I should mix prints this Spring, and if Glamour tells me to jump off a bridge, I will, so here goes.

I am always looking for new ways to wear what is already in my closet and now I am relying on you to be my inspiration. Play dress-up with my by posting a picture of yourself on your blog (or elsewhere on the web) wearing this week's featured item, and leave a link in the comment section below.

How do you love to mix and match patterns?? I can't wait to see!

Shirt: BCBG

Skirt: Macy's

Scarf: F21

Shoes: Guess

Shop Similar: Skirt

Clarity

I didn't produce as many outfits as I had hoped this week. My house got hit with the pukes. Making my days slimy, stinky, sprite-sipping and laundry-filled; replacing my skinnies with sweats and my camera with cuddles. Sleep has been non-existent (hence my fresh-from-my-nap wrinkledness), and headaches and tummy aches rampant.

And yet, none of that compares to the devastation occurring across the globe. My insignificant complaints got a good dose of perspective this morning. I am gripped to my TV and yet afraid to watch. I am off to go breathe in and cherish my sickly, smelly babies and be nothing but grateful for my easy-as-pie life.

Tunic: Free People

Tee: Victoria's Secret

Skinnies: TJ Maxx

Boots: Michael Kors

Little Boys, Lovely Things.

I have become consumed in all things Justin Bieber. He has coupled talent unmatched with persistence proven, consequently capturing dreams, dollars and the most devoted following of daddy’s daughters.

I don’t even have to date him—like I’d be happy as his friend or mother or sister who buys the booze [I would never! We’re keeping him whole and happy and clear of insta-daddy]. Nonetheless, I’d sell my soul if he’d say he’d love me forever.

Consider that my hearty endorsement for “Never Say Never.”

And a few related notes:

Baby Bieber wears white skinny jeans, which means I do, too. Lucky for us both, they’re a must-have this spring—as in, my pedophilia might actually be mistaken for an effort toward trend. Thank Heavens; I clearly need that on my side.

New York Fashion Week paired whites with whites—clean, crisp, cut. I layered lace and a tee and topped with a necklace—it’s less clean than the runway, but more suited for everyday wear. Then I paired my pants with a cream top (save or splurge) and gold accessories—I’m not sure that color combo is even allowed, but it’s warmer and more romantic than all white, so I’d consider it for date night, or something.


[Sorry for the weird shots. I had wet hair, no make-up and glasses, and that sight is not for public viewing].

Trendy Baby Bieber delivered his own purple-y take on white. You already know I followed [It was celebrity dress-up day at work. Give me a little credit].


Speaking of bold colors and their trendy emergence this spring, count this dress as mine. Like it, love it, gotta have it.


I made Justin Bieber cupcakes for my bestie’s birthday a couple weeks ago. The young man was kind enough to stop by and validate.


Those are microphones. And Bieber hair. And that Nike swoosh—because Justin wears Nike boots—took me an hour to form. I guess I’m asking you to be impressed. In the event you ever want to make edible microphones yourself, use baby cones, fill with frosted baby cakes and sprinkle with silver dragees, which you can find at Michael’s or specialty stores that sell Wilton products. Bear in mind you’ll likely need one large cupcake per microphone (for support), or you’ll need to fill the cones (with candy) to make them less top-heavy.

And my promised end note:

Against: Oversized tops with flares. That's a lot of material.
For: Lace and cream and oversized tops with jeggings.

Also, if you want an all-purpose lace top, buy this one. You won't find better, you get it on sale...and me and TSwift have it in black.

I guess my posts will actually always be novels.

No regretz,
Amanda