I don’t think these jeans have made it to a hanger in my closet for a loooong time.  They go straight from being folded in the laundry basket to back on my legs.

In other news, I’m officially on summer break.  (Sorry, I’ll try to not rub it in.)  But this means that I’ll have (a little) more time to spend with you here!  Keep your eyes open for more frequent posts…I have some fun stuff planned!

Until then go take a peek at a write-up I did for Comeback Momma.  It’s all about tips for getting dressed when you’re trying to run out the door.

Linked with Two Thirty-Five Designs

Saturday was supposed to be my sister’s bachelorette party…but the cancellation of her wedding didn’t stop us ladies from getting together!  ; )  Black on black felt very appropriate for the night.

It always feels so good to step out of the house by myself.  Of course I love my kids and husband, but every now and then a “break” is needed!

silk top, pants – thrifted // belt, earrings – vintage

Linked with WIWW, GYPO and Random Wednesday

I’m sure that I’ll have this black maxi in my closet for a very long time.  It’s one of those classic pieces that can be “on trend” year after year.  In fact, I did wear this dress last Mother’s Day.  Back then I wore it with a denim jacket and gold accessories.  This time I have a denim vest, a colored bag, and floral wedges.  All it took was a few changes to update the look.

Speaking of updates, I’ve been thinking about the things that I share here on KUF.  Sometimes I mention things, then I never follow up!  I really don’t mean to do that!  So, to ease my mind (I’ve been in a cleaning-up/wrapping-up-loose-ends mood…), and if any of you are interested, here are a few follow-ups to things that I have mentioned…

1. A little over 5 months ago, my aunt was in a terrible accident.  She since has fully recovered.  The family is all so extremely happy to have witnessed such a miracle!

2.  I have found a gluten-free pancake recipe that my kids love!  It’s actually the recipe on the back of Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix.  It’s so good, that I don’t mind paying more than I normally would for pancakes…plus the mix makes some killer chocolate chip cookies, too!

3.  During my spring break I helped my sister clean out her closet, shop for missing pieces, and then put outfits together.  I posted about the first two parts, but I never got around to publishing what outfits we put together.  I wasn’t too thrilled with the picture quality…maybe we’ll reshoot something over the summer.

4.  I’ve been trying to style my hair as much as possible because I was planning on donating 10 inches of it after my sister’s wedding.  But…Locks of Love has been portrayed negativity in the news lately.  And…my sister isn’t getting married now…I’ll just keep my hair a little while longer until I get tired of it.

Wow…that was a lot of random babblings!  And with three day and 40 minutes left in the school year, that’s about how my mind is feeling at the moment!!

Linked with Visible Monday and Monday Mingle

Trying new things can be scary.  (Just ask my daughter how she feels when she sees a new vegetable on her dinner plate!)  But when it comes to your style, trying new things can be fun.

My typical nail polish color consists of reds and oranges, but this yellow color was just calling my name.  Well, at least I thought it was.  After painting my nails, I decided that the color was just not that flattering.  Eh…win some, lose some.  Right?!

On the other hand, printed pants were another “new thing” that I wanted to try.  They have been a current trend, but I didn’t feel that I was ready to go all out with a bold, bright print.  These neutral stripes are perfect.  They are subtle enough to help with any fear of print pants, and yet they make me want to experiment with the trend more.

jacket (Loft), sweater (vintage), pants – thrifted // shoes – Jeffery Campbell

Linked with: WIWW, Marionberry Style, Random Wednesday

I think this anorak jacket might temporarily replace the camo one that I’ve been wearing non-stop.  This light-weight piece works equally well in the chilly morning as it does once the AC kicks on in my classroom after lunchtime.

There’s just something about outdoorsy style jackets that get me every time!

Hope all you moms had a fabulous mother’s day!

jacket (Loft), shirt, pants, clutch, necklaces – thrifted

Linked with Monday Mingle, Visible Monday, IFB Project #95, and My Thrifty Chic

I’m so excited to be part of another Links a la Mode! Take a look…

Gift of Glamour

With all the dazzle of this week’s Met Gala and the upcoming excitement of the Great Gatsby, this summer is going to be all about glam. Between dressing up, dazzling flapper beading, maxi dresses, it’s a sure hit to doll it up during the most casual of months. This week’s roundup has just about everything you need to know about looking fabulous, how to find the best deals in most unexpected places and how to shop on the go (without even going into a store.) That’s just what we need to get some more outdoor time.

Links à la Mode: May 9th

• DIY Dyonne: A Primer on Primer: Madge’s Beauty Picks
• Fashion & Beauty INC: Steal Daisy Buchanan’s Glam Great Gatsby Makeup
• Fashstash: Shoes of Prey x Romance Was Born
• Hunting in Heels: Designer Uniforms
• I Can Style U: How to Catch A Geek’s eye
• Inspirations and Celebrations: How To Wear Animal Prints
• Knocked Up Fabulous: 4 Items to Buy for Yourself at the Children’s Department
• La Petite Pear: The Beginner’s Guide to Pattern Mixing
• Lesimplyclassy: The Ultimate Guide: How to make your lipstick last longer
• Lollieshopping: Shopping for Clothes without Trying Them on
• Olive Brown: Unerrated Fashion Icons: Nina Simone
• Rose & Pine: Top Ten Best Dressed Ladies at the Costume Institute Gala!
• Slightly Oddley: How to: Shop online (disappointment free)
• Skint in The City: Six Ways to Make Your Summer Clothes Sing
• Spy Girl: Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s: Review
• Storybook Apothocary: Why I Can Never Be Anorexic (Despite Past Attempts)
• Style Curated: Gatsby Glamour
• The Occasional Fashionista: Why should we care about the Met Ball?
• Wilde Hunt: Wilde Hunt Corsetry – Antique Textile Adventure
• We Are Ready Made: Gender Confusion

SPONSOR: Sale Shopbop Kilburn, Jason Wu Bags, Graf & Lantz, Lovers&Friends, Anton Heunis, Marie Turnor, MBMJ Totes, Skye Staghorn, Bikini, One Piece, & Swimwear Sale

 I finally had a chance to switch out my clothes bins!  Good bye, heavy sweaters…hello, spring fabrics!  This light-weight blouse always reminds me of spring.  The pretty colors and funky design just look like an abstract floral bouquet or something.

Besides for cleaning out my clothes, I started going through all these kids clothes that have over taken my laundry room and basement!  I think my next project is to sort out the clothes that are outgrown and take them to a place like Once Upon a Child to sell them.  Has anyone sold their children’s clothes before?  How painful is the process??

Linked with Two Thirty-Five Designs and the Mrs. & the Momma

I never got a “push” present.  When I hear about celebrities getting huge, fat rings for delivering a kid, it just sounds pathetic.  (I’m actually surprised that they deliver their own babies, for that matter!)

And, I think if men actually understood how demanding this motherhood thing is, then we’d get more shiny things.

It’s not like I need a ring to feel valued as a mother, but when I’m knee-deep in you-know-what with vomit all over my shirt, a toddler in one arm and a nagging preschooler tugging on my leg, it’s nice to glance down at my hand and see a little sparkle.

(The message is simple guys…get rings for women.)

1/2/3/4/5

Linked with Random Wednesday

]]> http://knockedupfabulous.com/2013/05/07/something-shiny/feed/ 7 aprilgia Rings for Women - Knocked Up Fabulous http://knockedupfabulous.com/2013/05/07/a-musana-jewelry-mothers-day/ http://knockedupfabulous.com/2013/05/07/a-musana-jewelry-mothers-day/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 09:07:12 +0000 aprilgia http://knockedupfabulous.com/?p=6785 ]]> This mother’s day, I was invited to participate with Musana Jewelry for a little Mother’s Day project.

Musana Jewelry is a company that employs and empowers Ugandan women.  These women make lovely jewelry that gets sold locally and across the United States.  100% of the proceeds help provide the artisans with steady income and educational services, among other things.

More importantly though, Musana provides these women with hope.

This year Musana connected 9 of their artisans with 9 bloggers.  Each partnership asked each other questions about what motherhood means to her and responded to the other’s via video.

I was partnered with Betty.  I asked Betty about what challenges she faces as a mother, and what she finds most rewarding about motherhood.

In return, Betty asked me three questions…

Let me tell you how cool this experience was!  (Minus the awkwardness of shooting the video!)  Even my husband was excited to see Betty’s video!  There’s nothing in the world like motherhood, and when you see and hear from mothers across the globe about how they deal with “motherhood” issues, it brings a sense of unity.

Interested in watching more artisans and blogger videos?  Head over to the Musana blog!  Every day this week features one or two new partnerships.

 I know that I made smart purchases when I find myself wearing the same items (in different ways) over and over again.

This leather jacket, though fake, has gotten lots of use.  I love how it adds a little toughness to an outfit.

These boyfriend jeans (literally boyfriend…they’re from the men’s section) have also been in heavy rotation.  I was just wearing them the other day!

A fun pair of heels always works wonders!  Red has been my go-to color, but I can’t wait to get my hands on a pointy-toe, white pair.

These gold hoops are new to my arsenal of essentials.  Hoops never disappoint!  I was drawn to the textured design on these…a glamorous upgrade on a classic.

What have you been finding yourself wearing again and again recently?

jacket – Carson’s // button down – thrifted // jeans – H&M // earrings – c/o Jewellery World // heels – Nine West

Linked with Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, My Thrifty Chic and WIWW