lately lyla

Lyla is currently liking...

favorite food - mac and cheese and pb&j sandwiches

favorite toys - leap pad and cinderella dress

favorite movie - mulan

favorite book - bible stories book

favorite color - pink

favorite bible verse - "Jesus called them and immediately they followed Him" Matthew 4:21-22

How to get this look: headband and knit sweater from target.  jean jacket from gap.  black shiny leggings from american apparel and red boots from boot barn.

mommy and me red boots

Lyla has been obsessed with my red cowgirl boots for a long time now.  She often goes to my closet and tries them on or insists that I wear them.  Then she sighs and says, "I wish I had some Jessie boots".  Jessie is the cowgirl character from the Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 movies.  Her wish finally came true this Christmas when she got these beauties.  It's so sweet that she actually wants to match her mommy.  I know this won't last, so I am enjoying it while I can. 

brrrrr...it's 56 degrees

I know,  I know.  56 degrees outside is not that cold.  But when you've had a record long summer with temps well over 100 degrees, this weather feels pretty chilly.  So we're bundling up around here.  The weather here has been gorgeous.  The clouds in the sky have been very puffy (I think they're called cumulus?) which makes for stunning morning skies and breathtaking sunsets.  We've also had a few rainbows due to some scattered showers.  It's really been quite magical.  Not to mention that it's cool enough to enjoy my most recently discovered favorite: the pumpkin spice chai tea latte!  Thank you, Jesus, for giving me a substitute for the pumpkin spice lattes that I love so dearly.  I'm trying to stay away from caffeine as much as possible in these early weeks of pregnancy, so I was delighted to find out that this drink existed.  If you haven't tried it, you should!  It's so good.

Now for today's fashion.  Cody is wearing a gap beanie, old navy shirt, zara jeans, and ugg boots. These boots were Lyla's last year and now they fit Cody!  Lyla wears a long sleeve shirt from target, vest from zara, jeans from gap, and boots from h&m. 

Loving this boot weather!

It must be Fall

It must be fall because we're wearing our minnetonka moccasins!  These are Lyla's very first pair of moccs and they are epic.  When I was a little girl, I had a very similar pair.  Mine looked just like the "thunderbird" style she is wearing except that mine were white.  They were awesome.  I'm pretty sure that I spent many hours pretending to be an Indian Princess in that pair of shoes!  I hope these moccasins are just as special for Lyla as they were for me.

Cody doesn't have moccasins yet, but I'm tempted to get him these boy chukkas.  His feet are growing so fast still and I am kind of waiting for that to slow down a bit.  Today he is wearing his brixton hat, american apparel shirt, and zara skinny jeans.  High-top shoes from h&m.  He looks so much older when he wears his skinny jeans.

Lyla's long sleeved white shirt is from h&m and her short-alls are from zara.

just the girls

Lyla and I have matching straightened hair today.  She looks so grown up with her straight hair and it only takes about 5 minutes with a straightening iron.  In just two weeks, this little lady is going to be turning 4 years old!  I have been very busy with planning all the details of her birthday party.  It's kind of an obsession.  I can't wait to share all the party planning goodness with you here on the blog.

Fashion:  My gray top is from a brand called "language" and was a hand-me-down from my mom.  I love it when my mom gives me clothes because she has great style!  My kelly green pleated skirt is brand "double zero" and I purchased it at TJ Maxx.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but it is a chiffon material with a silver glitter waistband.  My silver ballet flats are from "tory burch" and I've had them for years.  I think that one pair of gold shoes and one pair of silver shoes are a must-have in your closet because you can match them with almost any outfit.

Lyla wears her southwest inspired t-shirt from old navy and skinny purple jeans from gap. 

Looking for caterpillars on our grape vines.  Last year the vines were destroyed by the little critters!  No signs of them this year though (much to Lyla's dismay).

so ready for the long weekend!

We couldn't be happier about this three day weekend!  We plan to sleep in, BBQ, and just hang out with family.  How about you?

Lyla attempts to beat the summer heat in her old navy black tank and her floral capri leggings from h&m.

Cody stays hydrated with sippy cup always close at hand.  His shirt is from children's place, blue skinny pants from zara, and old navy flip-flops.  Remember last month when I said he wouldn't wear them?  He likes them now.  Every time I go to his shoe basket he asks for his "fee-fops"!

little rebel racers

This might be a farewell photo session with daddy's motorcycle.  It has been for sale for a while and we have a potential buyer coming to look at it today.  This vintage honda cafe racer has been in the family since before we even had a family.  I bought it for Travis as a gift on our first Christmas together as a married couple.  But now it's time to say goodbye.  Parting is such sweet sorrow. 

Cody in his "Danger Zone!" tank from Target, skinny jeans from old navy, and laceless converse.  See that lollipop?  I had to bribe him with it so that he would stand still for the pictures.  Ha!

Most of the time, Lyla loves the camera.  Lyla poses sweetly in her hello kitty shirt, grey leopard print jeans from gap, and black slip-on vans.  This morning I tried to explain to Lyla that hello kitty is a cat, leopards are cats too, and so the outfit really makes sense as a whole ensemble.  She stared at me blankly.  I guess my stream of fashion reasoning was lost on her.

too cool for preschool

Today marks the completion of lyla's first week of preschool.  The verdict?  Thumbs up!  She is having fun, learning a lot about Jesus, and she loves her teachers.  We knew that Lyla would transition really well into preschool because she is such a social butterfly.  Lyla told me on Wednesday that she tried to comfort another little girl who was crying because she missed her mommy and daddy.  She has such a big heart.  But don't let that fool you, she will be up to many shenanigans this school year, no doubt.  This little girl is always up to something.

Lyla is wearing a "bonjour" GAP t-shirt (clearance section +30% off = I paid next to nothing!), old navy skinny jeans, and laceless converse.

Lyla's cute hello kitty style bow clip is from "chic baby rose" on etsy.  It comes in lots of colors and you can buy a 5-pack here.  We can't seem to keep track of hairclips around my house, so it just makes sense to buy in bulk.

Cody is wearing a mickey t-shirt from target and mustard skinny jeans from zara.  Cody is way too cool for school...for now.  In two short years it will be his turn to sport a backpack and lunchbag! 

lazy summer mornings

I have been really bad about rounding up the family for fashion friday pictures.  It's not so much that we have been busy, it's just that I can't seem to get myself out of bed at a decent time in the mornings.  Lately, Lyla has been crawling into bed with us in the wee early hours and falling back asleep (thank you, Jesus!).  It is such a precious time.  She usually comes in with her eyes half open, kisses me on the cheek, and then cuddles up next to me.  If this is a bad habit, I just don't care! 



It has been hot, hot, hot this summer, so Lyla has been wearing a lot of dresses to stay cool.  She particularly loves long dresses and often protests that the dresses we get her are not long enough because they don't go down to the ground.  Sorry Lyla, but ankle-length maxi dresses are as close as we're going to get.  We're lucky they're in style right now.  This dress is from GAP and was purchased in the big girl section...hard to believe that lyla will be out of the toddler sizes and onto regular kid sizes soon.  This dress is a XS, which translates to a 4T/5T.  We're almost there!

And check out mr cool guy.  His shirt and shorts are from GAP and his sandals are from Zara.  He refuses to wear thong sandals that go between his toes, so we had to opt for the straps that go over the top of his foot.  Let me tell you, it's hard to find sandals in his size that aren't too girly looking.  Cody is all boy!

how about a little afternoon tea?

Afternoon Tea is this really adorable kids clothing line that is "globally inspired".  The design of their clothing is really cute and very good quality.  I would even dare to say maybe the highest quality kids clothes that I've found.  The colors don't fade after many washes and the material is thick and durable.  Here's Lyla modeling her new terrific tank top and ikat swing shorts that we ordered online.  They are on sale right now.  Check out the sale here.

fashion...hair!

It's about time we post about hair here for fashion friday!  Here's my first attempt at a single french braid on Lyla.  I am really looking forward to doing all the crazy braid styles that are popular right now...the waterfall, fishtail, crown, cascade, maiden, etc.  lyla's hair is finally long enough to do it.  She will learn to love it; i.e. she will just have to accept the fact that she has to sit still for me to do her hair every morning.

check out this tutorial I found at a beautiful mess blog.  It is a fantastically adorable blog about fashion, decor, recipes, beauty, crafts, etc.  there are tons of other hair tutorials there too!

 

these kids...

Nobody wanted to cooperate this morning for pictures.  Least of all, my phone.  I dropped my phone on saturday night and shattered the screen.  I am currently using an old nokia until I can get over to t-mobile to buy a new one.  These photos were taken on the nokia, so not the best quality ever. 

Here are the kids in their friday outfits.  I love these kids even if they hate when I take their pictures.

Lyla is wearing a white tank top from old navy and striped skirt from janie and jack.  Today is her first day wearing "real" jewelry and she is covering it up with her hand in the picture!  I let her wear my swarovski hello kitty necklace.  She felt pretty special to be wearing jewelry.

 Cody is wearing his grey gap skinny jeans (featured way too many times on the blog, but I love how he looks in them) and red sweatshirt from Op.  Black vans shoes.  This little dude is going in for his 18 month well-visit today...which means he will get the dreaded immunizations.  I hate when my kids get shots!  I think it must be harder for me than it is for them.  I will have to shower him with extra tlc today.

And in other news...we are preparing for our very first garage sale tomorrow morning!  I am so excited to clean out our garage, get rid of some old stuff, and hopefully make some cash!  I will let you all know how it goes.  Happy Friday, everyone!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

camo and stripes

Have I mentioned that my kids love to match eachother?  Something so simple as matching garments can bring squeals of joy!  They both have camouflage pants, so I thought I would delight them and dress both in camo today.

I am wearing a light pink sheer blouse with ruffles from forever 21.  Striped maxi skirt and gold sandals from target. 

Here's Lyla in a flowy top from Greece (a gift from a family friend who traveled there a couple years ago).  I love how it fit as an off-shoulder dress when we first got it and now it's a top.  I think it's the one thing that has fit her and has stayed in her closet for this long!  She is also wearing camo leggings from Children's Place and "strappy gladiator sandals" from Diamond Footwear.

Lyla shows Cody the baby boy's nose.  Cody wears a plum bunny by kate quinn shirt and camo shorts from target.

my model family

I might be biased, but I do believe that I have a seriously good looking family!  Don't these two look like baby models?

And Cody with his sweet smile and big eyes?  To die for!  He is wearing an Old Navy flannel shirt, a Children's Place t-shirt that says "Captain of this vessel" with a ship on it, and gap skinny jeans.

Lyla is wearing a "lil brood" brixton hat, Children's Place scarf, and LAmade shirt.  Her baggy jeans are from h&m.

Handsome Trav.  He is wearing a Band of Outsiders shirt and black skinny tie from Bo Clothing.  He looks like he could be in a GQ ad.

where's cody?

I adore this picture of me and my little gal.  Lyla's blouse is from tippicanu and leggings from target.  She is wearing her gap peep-toe flats.  I am wearing a button-up shirt from barney's and skirt from target.  Heels are coach.

Travis.

Shirt from forever 21 and vintage skinny tie and tie tack circa 1950s.

Shoes from forever 21.

Cody did not make fashion friday today.  He ended up looking like a dorky tourist today, so we opted him out of the pictures (believe me, he was perfectly fine with that!).  Happy weekend, everyone!

tea collection

I purchased a few kids clothing items online a couple weeks ago and totally forgot about my order.  A box came in the mail yesterday and it was so exciting to open it, because I had no idea what was inside!  I guess that's what happens when you do a lot of online shopping at discount sites.  Today Lyla and Cody are wearing their "tea collection" goodies.  At full retail this brand is too expensive, but I got them at a great price on theminisocial).  If you haven't signed up on this site, you seriously need to!

Lyla wears the "boxy floral top".  Her shorts are ROXY and silver sandals by "unlisted".

Cody in the "mucha lucha libre hoodie" and cut-off cord shorts (both tea collection).

love the lightning bolt!

Can't wait to put Cody in soccer when he is big enough! 

TGIF!

Check out my men in their cardigans!  I just can't stand how cute they are! 

Cody looks so dapper in his: cardigan from h&m, buttoned shirt from kenneth cole, pants from plum bunny by kate quinn, and shoes from h&m.  He is holding daddy's bowler hat.

Travis wears: cardigan from forever 21, shirt from heritage, "linwood" skinny tie from Bo Clothing, brixton "fiddler" hat, and nixon "the capitol" watch.

This is the best picture I could get of Lyla this morning.  She was totally rebelling against the photo session.  Can you tell?  Lyla wears: v-pocket tee from LAMADE, jeans from oshkosh, and vans shoes.  She's too cool for photos though.

I am wearing: v-neck from victoria's secret PINK, coral pants from target, gold glitter ballet flats from a boutique store in Tokyo, and necklace from forever 21.

I love these shoes.  I have had them for almost 5 years and they are still some of my favorite go-to shoes.  They are just so glittery and fun!