Change of Plans

Today was supposed to be a beach day for us but we woke up to overcast skies and decided to head to the movies instead. I tried out my new trouser "jorts" (do they still call them that?") from the Gap Outlet. I really like them! They are cute and comfy and I feel a little more put together in them then in my staple cutoffs.

I've been trying different things out with these pictures and I know the quality isn't great but hopefully I'll learn!

You can see the colors and details of the top much better in this shot!

I love any kind of charm bracelet and this one is so whimsical, it always puts me in a good mood!

Shorts: Gap Outlet (summer 2011, still available as of Wednesday)
Shirt: Old Navy (spring 2011) still available here
Cardigan: Loft (spring 2011, no longer available)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Screen Gem (last year) still available in some sizes here
Bracelet: Lia Sophia Menagerie

Meh!

I don't love this outfit. I feel like it's kind of a mish mosh. The shirt is old and doesn't fit that well but I love the colors in it, which draws me to wear it every once and a while. The cut off jeans are a huge staple in my summer wardrobe. I wear them. A LOT. So much so that I invested in a denim trouser style short when I hit up my local Gap Outlet yesterday. I needed another short of the denim variety to over wear.

I'm also having issues with finding good spots to take pictures. So I decided to sit this one out! While this outfit is not anything earth shattering I figured I would post it since I'm trying to give this fashion thing a shot!
Here are my 2 favorite parts of this ensemble:

Shoes and accessories make me happy :)

Shirt: Target (really old)
Shorts: Gap Outlet (last year)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Flower Gem (last year) similar here
Bracelets: Christmas gift from Red Envelope

Who's Meaner?

I'm not the perfect mom by any stretch. I let my kid have sugar products, watch T.V., and heck, I don't even give a bath every single night during the summer (the pool counts, right? :) I love being home with my little guy right now. I get to spend time with him that I miss and crave during the 10 months that I'm teaching. But it's usually around this time of the summer that I start to hit a wall. Play dates, swimming pool, beach, sprinkler park, shopping malls, playground, library group. I try to keep our days filled with activities to stimulate both of us. Yesterday was just one of those days. We ran errands. We went in the baby pool (well he did), we went in the big pool, Robert took a nap, woke up and I felt myself staring at the clock wondering how in the heck we did all that and it was still only 3:30? So it was "downtime" which for me means I play that ridiculous  Zumba game on facebook and for Robert it means he plays with his toys or watches T.V. 

Usually this is fine by him but sometimes it isn't. He likes to climb on top of me just as I'm trying to fire the little colored balls at the snake thingy. I miss. I get annoyed. I snap. And then I'm labeled as "mean". So yesterday's exchange went something like this: "Mommy you're MEAN." Me: "Well that was mean of you to call mommy mean." R: "You're mean mommy!" Me, "It's mean that you're bothering mommy while I'm trying to play the Zumba game."

Meanie

This went on for about 30 seconds, 30 seconds too long of course! I should not be arguing with a 3 year old. I also should not be so addicted to Zumba blitz but that's another story. In the end dinner was cooked, dessert was eaten, more fun outdoor activities were played. And mommy was loved once again.

Beach & Pool Style

During the summer we spend a lot of time at the pool and beach. I'm very lucky to have a pool in my yard and we are out there every chance we get. Since I'm in my bathing suit a lot, I try to wear cute, colorful cover ups to keep it interesting. The one pictured below is my favorite.

I love the turquoise color and the neckline has pretty white details. I always bring a tote to the beach, but as I'm sure many moms out there know, the days of throwing a towel and book in my beach tote and heading on my way are long gone. Now it's sand pails, shovels, castle molds, 5 different varieties of sunscreen, etc. I don't know what I'd do without one of these.  Whoever invented that thing is a genius! 

Dress: Gap Outlet (a couple of years ago)

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction last year similar pair here

Shiver me timbers!

My nephew had a pirate themed 4th birthday party on Saturday so I baked him pirate themed cupcakes. I got the pirate chocolate molds at Michael's Craft Store and the cupcakes are your basic store bought cupcake mix and frosting! My son was very excited to help me bake them. I love that he's at the age where he can be much more of a participator in projects!

Outlet Queen

When I post outfits you might see the word "outlet" attached to end of it quite often. That's because I live in NJ and I have 3 major outlet centers all within 40 minutes of my house.  Teachers also get coupon books when we show our school ID so I get extra savings on top of the already great savings! This outfit is kind of plain, just jeans and a t-shirt. I tried to make it cuter with the necklace and fun shoes.

T-shirt: Gap Outlet (spring 2011)
Jeans: Gap Outlet (a couple of years ago)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction - Screen Gems available here
Necklace: Charming Charlie (spring 2011)

I love Charming Charlie! They have the cutest accessories and this necklace has been one of my favorites this spring/summer.

Kenneth Cole Reaction shoes. I have a lot of Kenneth Cole shoes because my sister works for the company! Sorry for the foot shot!

Birthday Party

On Saturday we had my nephew's 4th birthday party and this is what I wore. I wanted to keep it cool and casual since it was oh, 100 + degrees out and I knew at least SOME outdoor activities would be involved. I don't usually wear flowy tops like this one because they make me feel a little extra bulky, but I loved the color and pattern of this shirt so I thought I would give it a shot!
top: Ann Taylor Loft (summer 2011)
shorts: Gap Outlet (2 years ago at least)
shoes: Macy's (bandolino) still available on-line in denim and black here

A close up of the shoe. They are really cute and my feet were not totally screaming after wearing them all day in the heat!

I love fun accessories and have a ton of Lia Sophia stuff. These earrings are called Lacey and you can find them here. The bracelet was a gift from a parent.

Absolutely Shore

This is not a clever post title at all, but the very clever name of a fun nail polish color by Essie that I love. It's the perfect sea foam shade that makes you want to find the nearest beach and bury your feet in the sand and surf (although that might ruin your pedi!) Pedicures = happiness for me. Why? I'm a Kindergarten teacher and mom of an active 3 year old boy, need I say more? I love to try new, fun colors on my toes. This one did not disappoint!

Absolutely Shore by Essie

On my nails, didn't want to include a foot
shot in case someone is actually reading and
hates feet!

Castles in the Sand

It's very hot. That is an understatement. What does everyone do when it's hot (besides run to the nearest pool/beach/fire hydrant)? They head to the freezer for some variety of an icy treat! Here is a little something I made for my July 4th BBQ that will cool you off in a cute way. It's an ice cream sundae in a sand pail. Last summer we had a play date and the little girl's mom brought a sand pail that looked very similar to this one. It was adorable and delicious and everyone wanted to know where she got it. She told us the place (I don't remember the name of it) and  how much it cost. Fifty dollars. Well, it was cute, but fifty dollars cute?  I knew instantly that I could make this myself for much much cheaper. And trust me I'm not one to be cheap, in fact ordinarily my laziness takes over and I run out and buy stuff as opposed to making it myself. I guess the Kindergarten teacher in me wanted to try something cute and crafty. So I did! I got the sand pails for a dollar, 2 gallons of ice cream, and some seashell chocolate molds and umbrellas at Michael's Craft store. I made the "sand" out of graham crackers and Nilla wafers. It was a big hit with kids and adults at my party!
Here's how to do it:
Blend Nilla Wafers and graham crackers in blender to make the "sand"
Add a layer of ice cream to the bottom of sand pail
Add "sand" and chocolate syrup (this is all I layered with but feel free to add on other "goodies")
Add another layer of ice cream, sand, syrup, etc.
Continue until you get to the top of the pail
Add a final layer of sand to the top of the pail, decorate with chocolate mold seashells and little umbrellas
Enjoy!
I am supposed to attempt a cupcake version of this for my nephew's birthday party this weekend but the sweltering temperatures are making me dread even turning my oven on. So we'll see!

Just in case..

I decide to go the fashion route with this.. not sure if I will or not but I do love clothes and I've tried not to get caught in the mommy fashion rut since I've had Robert.  As a teacher I dress professionally, but try to keep from being stuffy or too "school-marm-ish". I think I do an OK job. Summer is a different story and it's easy to get stuck in the shorts/t-shirt/flip flop routine everyday.  We also have a lovely pool in our yard (coming in handy during this current ridiculous heat wave) so it can easily become a swimsuit/cover up/flip flop routine.  This summer I'm challenging myself to try and throw on some dresses and keep it cuter, even if still casual. This is what I wore yesterday. Ann Taylor Loft dress and (really old) Old Navy flip flops.  All we did yesterday was a breakfast out and shopping trip with my mom.

Don't know what I'm doing!

I don't know what I'm doing or why I'm starting this blog! Just an outlet to get me writing again. That's me, Rosanna and my little boy Robert. I'm a school teacher on summer vacation at the moment. I love fashion, shopping, writing, teaching, and just being mommy to my 3 year old boy and wife to my hubby.  Let's see where this goes!!