Smart Style: Capelet

While I had pretty much stuck to a capsule wardrobe this last fall/winter, introducing a few "creative" pieces into the rotation this spring has been quite fun!  This striped cape is one of those fun pieces, as well as my adventure with overalls a few weeks back.  These kinds of trendier looks pair best with neural, understated basics...black, white, wood accents, etc.

Capelet: Tiaras // Tee: Target // Black Skinnies: Level 99 // Handbag: Kate Spade // Earrings, Necklace: Lavish Leathers // Clogs: Target


It's about to get REAL HOT here in Texas, and so I'm hanging on for dear life to the chances I get to wear a little jacket or cardigan...or cape!  Summer is coming peeps.

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Hashtag Happenings

Having some hashtag fun today....Who says they're only for social media?

I'm a little embarrassed to say, but I "think" in hashtags more often than I'd like to admit.  It's like the stuff you want to say, but don't....RIGHT?  RIGHT???

#tellmeimnotcrazy

^^^ Little B wasn't having it with the pre-church pic his momma so desperately wanted. ^^^

#rageagainstthebowtie

^^^ At Tyler Bree's dance competition last weekend...I always wait until the last minute and then remember I've taken zero pictures.  Please note the dance mom tshirt I'm sporting....Evidently I've crossed over. ^^^

#whoami?

#lavishleathers

^^^ I plan to literally lock my kids outside this summer, so I'm conditioning these two early.  I want my kids to use their imagination, get dirty, be bored...and all those other things I did in my own childhood.  OUTDOORS.  Clearly, their getting right on it. ^^^

#lazykids

#pleasedontcallCPS

^^^ Seriously, the duck face??? ^^^ #kidsthesedays

^^^ The obligatory stop at the American Girl store while we were in Houston for Spring Break. ^^^ #MoneyPit #Racket #AGfanclubbers

P.S.  What if Joey from "Friends" had an Instagram  (there's a Ross one too!)



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Fist Pump Friday 3.27.15

Happy Friday Y'all!  Here's what I'm fist-pumping about this week...

1.  Over the past few weeks, I've been in earring heaven.  A new local designer just released a chic line of leather earrings, and I'm completely smitten.  The shop is called Lavish Leathers and her designs can be found on their website HERE, or you can check out some I've worn here on the blog...such as these lovely turquoise ones or the gold and pink ones from this post...also, upcoming designs were recently teased on their Facebook page!  Can you tell I'm a fan!?!
2.  Stay tuned to my Instagram this weekend, as we have Tyler Bree's first dance competition of the season (Remember the "All About One Child" post?  Yep, still in full effect) and I will have officially arrived as a dance mom.  You'll see what I'm talking about.  I'm a full-blown, t-shirt wearing, rhinestoning, hair-spraying, hard core dance mom...pulling along something I never thought I'd ever purchase behind me....and I'm loving it.  Mostly.  ;)
3.  Exactly two weeks from today we leave for our road trip to Florida for our Disney Cruise!  Having gone on one before, we pretty much know what to expect, but I could definitely use any pointers or tips you seasoned cruisers might have to impart on me.  What packing items are a MUST for you when cruising???

Outfit details: top and pants:  c/o CAbi // Pebble Pant and U-neck Tee jean jacket:  Gap wedges:  Toms via Nordstrom bag:  Michael Kors Jet Set Tote earrings: c/o Lavish Leathers sunnies:  Old Navy necklace:  Rocksbox // use code MRSANDMOMMAXOXO for a free month!

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Smart Style: Jumpsuit + Kimono

How long have jumpsuits been around lately?  (And of course, by "lately", I mean since they've made a re-emergence from the 70's and 80's.)  Let's be generous and say a year...
So in that year, I've seen some really cute jumpsuits (as well as some not-so-cute ones), and thought...I want to try out that look.  I can pull it off....maybe? right?  But it would have to be JUST the right one.  Pulling the trigger on this piece of clothing has not been a quick drawl.  A jumpsuit usually looks really flattering (and elongating) for most, but I wanted to make sure I got it right.
Enter this CAbi jumpsuit from their new "In The Sun" Spring addition.  Not only is it super soft and comfy, but the adjustable straps and drawstring waist allows me to adjust it to fit me just right.  This is truly a versatile piece that can be dressed up with heels or dressed down to wear poolside as a cover-up.  I can't wait to see how many ways I can wear it this season!  Jumpsuits for the win!

Outfit details: Jumpsuit:  Wrap Romper c/o CAbi kimono:  Jane.com shoes:  Kork-ease bag:  Madewell via Nordstrom necklaces: Kendra Scott // Stell & Dot belt:  c/o Francesca's

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Smart Style: Stripes & Leopard

Happy Spring Break!!!!  Spring has sprung and it's glorious!  I know I talk a big talk about loving cold weather (and despising everything else), but man...it's hard to beat a crisp morning that blossoms into a clear, cool, beautiful day!  

This striped tee is on repeat and I'm not sorry about it.  Mainly because I just snagged another (almost identical one) from Old Navy this morning, and I think I may have a little obsession...Hello my name is Kristen, and I'm a striped tee addict.

This week, we're doing dance intensives for Tyler Bree, headed to H-Town tomorrow for the Houston stock show, and then turn around and head back to Houston again this weekend for a wedding (it's formal attire and I have NOTHING to wear!!!).  Spring Break sure filled up with a bunch of little things that prevented us from going anywhere special, so I'm hoping we can make Houston kind of a getaway of sorts for the kids.  Definitely for the girls at least, as their entire goal for the trip is to step inside the American Girl store...aka, "heaven" for little girls and "money pit" for adults.

What are your plans for Spring Break???  I hope it's a great one!!!!  XOXO!

Outfit Details: skirt: c/o CAbi striped tee: Target kimono: similar // similar wedges: Toms (via Nordstrom) necklace/bracelet: Stella & Dot earrings: handmade (email me for details)

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Spring/Summer Closet Must-Have: Striped Tee

I've been on a major striped tee kick lately.  I found one that I loved from H&M, but sadly it just didn't work.  Ever since that disappointment, the hunt has been ON like Donkey Kong.  Sure, I have several stripe variations in my closet, but what better time to refresh and renew your striped tee options than right now as we head into Spring!?!

And I have a suspicion that I'm not the only stripe-lover out there (holla!), so I went ahead and did you all a solid by bringing together my favorite striped tee options in stores right now...

ALL UNDER $30!!!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Target Merona Striped Scoop Neck Tee

{bought this one yesterday}

Forever 21 Striped V-Neck Tee

Nordstrom "Layered Look" Striped Tee {On MAJOR sale right now!}

ASOS striped tee

Gap Striped Boat Neck Tee 

Gap Striped V-Neck Tee

Calvin Klein Striped Tee

ModCloth Striped Tunic

Old Navy Mixed Striped Top



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Spring/Summer Closet Must-Have: Blush Denim

Blush-colored denim is ALL over the place right now.  Sure there are pastels a-plenty, but that light pink is where it's at this Spring and Summer.  Most of the styles are in the form of slim fit or skinny jeans (like the ones I wore in this post), but if that's not your jam, I've found several other cuts as well, which are shoppable below (just hover over the image for details)!

Also, I've created a Pinterest board for all my Spring/Summer style inspiration, which of course has tons of ways to wear blush colored denim!  Check it out HERE!

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Believe, Inspire, Give

CAbi invited me to attend their B.I.G. Event in San Antonio on Tuesday and it was a huge HIT!  The clothing company's broadcast was viewed all over the country by women interested in a career with CAbi, established CAbi consultants, and guest like me.  I live tweeted and Instagrammed for CAbi throughout the event and to my surprise...I could hardly keep up with all the inspiring quotes, information, and fashion!

My favorite part of the event was meeting and mingling with ladies like these....

(Believe or not, we are each wearing a different style of white denim pant!  Mine is the Indie Jean from the current season.)

They could not have been sweeter and more welcoming...such a shining example of what the CAbi culture is all about.  Making connections.  The company's president spoke on being a woman "on purpose" and intentional womanhood.  I loved it!  What a passionate message to broadcast to this vast audience that being a woman is what's it's all about...and all the connections, success, and confidence enjoyed as a product of that.

To my personal delight, they gave a little sneak peak of their fall line (raise your hand if you're already thinking "skip over the heat, let's get to fall"...me!) and we got an exclusive look at their new St. Barths collection just released in time for summer with a "vacation state of mind" theme.

If you ever have the chance to attend a CAbi function/party or might want to host one yourself, I promise you will fall in love.  The women in my family host CAbi parties every fall and spring (when the two lines come out), and we wouldn't have continued this for years had we not experienced an unmatched quality and uniqueness about their style and designs.  And what's not to love about shopping and trying on clothes in your own home???
Are you a CAbi fan? If so, what's your favorite piece you own?
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***I was compensated for this post, however the opinions are all my own.

Smart Style: Nautical Navy {plus coral & white}

If you follow me on Twitter/Instagram or remember this post from the other day, you'll know I attended a CAbi event yesterday in San Antonio.  It's was a neat experience, which I'll share with you tomorrow, but today, let's just talk clothes, shall we?

I had been wanting some white denim this summer and CAbi hit it out of the ballpark with these skinnies.  LOVE them.  But man, white pants are NOT dog and kid friendly...I had forgotten about that annoying fact.  Nonetheless, I'll be sporting these as much as I can!

Style tip: Go for navy this spring/summer!

I'm normally not much of a navy girl, but every time I wear it, I think...gosh, my closet could use some more of this color.  It's super flattering, while also taking the place of a heavy black during these warmer months.  Another reason to add some navy in your life, is the nautical trend!  I fell in love with this striped "skipper vest"...do I look like I'm about to take off on my yacht???

Yeah, I get that a lot.  ;)

^^^ I'm clearly in disguise here...you don't see me. #outtake ^^^

Outfit details: white denim and vest: CAbi blouse (option):  Banana Republic shoes: DSW clutch: Purse & Clutch bracelets and necklace: Stella & Dot earrings: Kendra Scott

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Austin Fun: Wiener Dog Races

As I mentioned yesterday, we attend wiener dog races this past weekend...but these are no ordinary dog races...no.
Our little town's infamous Wiener Dog Races make up an entire weekend festival of rides, food, live music, booths, and most importantly...the racing of Dachshunds. People come from all around with their dogs in hopes of bringing home first place...or for some, having their dog simply finish the race for bragging rights. Did you know wiener dogs are easily distracted by hundreds of screaming onlookers???  Yeah, shocker.

The best part is watching the owners.  They go to any and all lengths to get their wiener dogs to run as fast as their stubby legs and carry them, all the way to the finish line.  Hilarious, people.  Absolute hilarity.

We didn't stay too long, but gave the girls and Bennett the chance to play and run around.  The girls rode the little ponies, and Blakely's face was pure joy the entire time.  I love watching my children experience things for the first time!  Bennett opted out, but maybe next time...

You know, even though I talk about how much our area has grown and how it's not the small town in which I grew up...going to this little festival still gives a small town feel.  I know fewer people than I once did, but that sense of a tight community still exists...however diluted it may be.
So if you're looking for some cheap family fun (and personal amusement)...I'm telling you, Wiener Dog races are where it's at.
Have you ever been???

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