30 for 30: day 26

top: Banana Republic . jacket: BCBG . jeggings: AE . shoes: Bumper

Mr. Hot Stuff took me on a much needed date tonight. We went to see a late movie together while Oakie played with Grandma and Grandpa. Man does it feel good to just sit and relax with a big bag of popcorn in your lap and a hot guy holding your hand. 

30 for 30: day 25

top and cardigan: AE / skirt: F21 / boots: Wet Seal

I have the worst luck with cameras. My own cameras, not when I use a friends. I don't mean to treat mine so horribly, it just happens. If they aren't lost they're broken. And now I can't find the card to my nicer camera because I'm pretty sure Oaklen took it out of the usb camera cord and lost it somewhere in the unknown. So I now use the one and only digital camera from the beginning of digital camera time. And I just love grainy pictures!

Oh yeah. The day I choose to wear a skirt, the heavenly skies decide to dump, and I mean dump, snow alllll day long. So it was a cold day for my legs.

5 more days. 5 more days. 5 more days....

cry me a river

So I'm a little behind on posting my pictures for 30 for 30, but would you believe me if I told you I haven't cheated this whole time?! I've worn ONLY my 30 items everyday since day 1. But the only time I seem to have when it comes to taking pictures is late at night, and when that time rolls around I'm already exhausted. I'm hoping I'll get the rest of my pictures up today or tomorrow. No promises...

I've said this before but I'll say it again.
I'd never been one to cry or get emotional at...well, anything really. Sad movies, sad stories, inspirational or uplifting things. They just never hit that level of emotion with me. I remember watching P.S. I Love You in theaters with two of my friends and I finally cried. Tears streaming down my face, bawl like a baby type of crying. But who doesn't when watching that movie for the first time? Best movie ever.

Then I got pregnant and ohmygosh I could cry at anything. And I did. This commercial still has me in tears the minute it starts playing. I finally had to turn the channel or turn away from the t.v. anytime it was on.
(And just now while trying to find that video, I found this one and, water works, all over again)

I thought for sure once I was done being pregnant I wouldn't be so emotional.

Ha.

Last night as we were driving home we had to pull over for a fire truck racing through with lights and sirens. I kept thinking how respectful it is of people to make way for them (law or not), and BAM. Tears. All because I thought it was cool that people pulled over.

This is getting a tad bit ridiculous. I can't stop!

This is the same face I predict I'll have when singing Happy Birthday to Oaklen next week.
Next week?? Oh my gosh. Here I go again....

30 for 30: day 22

top #1: Wet Seal / top #2: F21 / skirt as shirt: F21 / jeggings: AE / shoes: UO

I tried again at wearing this skirt as a shirt. It's so versatile. The best 6 bucks I've spent in a long time! Although, I'm still not sure if I like it or not yet, but it worked for the day. Plus it's something completely different, and I'll take that!

On a different note, my son thinks he's a comedian when getting dressed. If it's not wrestling him into his clothes, it's trying to get him to stop playing with them, that stinker.

30 for 30: day 21

top: Wet Seal / cardigan: AE / belt: thrifted / jeans: AE / shoes: Bumper

I feel like I'm wearing the same thing every single day. Well, I guess I sort of am...

I cannot wait to wear anything I want from my closet in 9 days! Can't. Wait. I'm already putting outfits together in my head. A skill I perfected while taking this challenge, thankyouverymuch. 

Random tidbits of my day:

 

These pants are too big. And they stretch a little. Which means - I almost lost my pants a time or two. 

Those little rubber pads on the bottom of the heel of your high heels are really important.

Having a conversation with my husband and suddenly realizing it's his phone he's talking to and not me makes for a really awkward situation. And embarrassing.

Not knowing the latest lingo used these days made me feel old. 

I realized today that I have full blown baby fever. Actually, I take that back. I Just really want to snuggle and cuddle a newborn for a day and then hand baby back over to it's mom. 

I'm about to finish off a carton of ice cream. I have no shame in it. It's delicious.

30 for 30: day 20

top #1: Banana Republic / cardigan: AE / top #2: F21 / jeggings: AE / shoes: F21

I wore this with a skirt and tights earlier today but I really didn't like it. I'm starting to dislike pencil skirts, when at one point they were my favorite type of skirt. I'm really liking maxi dresses these days. Or just about any one of Victoria Beckham's dresses from her fall/winter 2011 collection. Especially this one. I dream of going to fashion week one day. To me, that would be better than going on a tropical vacation.

30 for 30: day 19

top: F21 / top: (white) Old Navy / cardigan: AE / jeggings: AE / shoes: Bumper

Day 18 will be posted shortly. I did get dressed, I just didn't have a hand to snap a picture. I felt like an octopus trying to hold, feed, play and care for a baby while measuring, cutting and gluing all of Oak's invites. And they are DONE! And you know what's even better?! I have to redo ALL of them!! Woohoo! And the party is less than 2 weeks away. Double woohoo!!

Someone please remind me to hire a party planner for every birthday from here on out. This may be the death of me.

P.S. helllloooo red-ish hair. If you decided to stop hiding underneath all that brown and completely take over from here on out, I would be A-OK with that. You've been hanging out for a long, long time and I think it's your turn to take center stage, kapeesh?

30 for 30: day 17

top: Old Navy / cardigan: AE / belt: thrifted / jeggings: AE / shoes: Bumper

February seems to be flying by. I feel like I'm constantly deciding on an outfit, changing and taking pictures, but it all makes the days go by much faster. I'm actually hoping it continues to rush by because I don't know how much more creative I can get with these 30 items. And I am starting to miss some clothes just hangin' out in my closet. I feel like they scream at me to wear them every time I open those doors. It's so darn tempting. But I'm staying true to the challenge and I'll take every item that doesn't belong in my 30 for 30 and stash it in a hidden place to escape the temptation if I have to. 

30 for 30: day 16

I really did wear some of my 30 items under there. I'm really not cheating that much. But when it was a beautiful 55 degrees and sunny, to crazy wind/snow blizzard with 4+ inches of snow in 2 hours, it made for an outfit like this. I had to wear as much clothing as I possibly could to weigh me down. The wind could have very easily swept me off my feet. In a bad, bad way. Next winter I plan on packing up and moving to a warm beach with white sand and wearing nothing but my swimsuit all day long. My translucent skin could really use a dose of sunshine right about now.

30 for 30: day 15

top: Old Navy / cardigan: AE / jeans: AE / shoes: Bumper / necklace: Stella & Dot

I know I'm slacking a little in my posting, but I'm just happy I can remember to do it these days. A couple weeks ago my busiest time of the day was getting myself in the shower and ready for the day. Before dinnertime. And that right there took much preparation and hard work, my friends. Now I'm running around town like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to figure out what I need in order to plan this birthday party of Oaklens. I totally underestimated it. I thought I could get the invitations printed, cut, cute and sent all within 1 day. I'm now on day FOUR and I just now got them printed out and (sort of) cut. These are the times that I wished I didn't live 12 hours away from my sisters. I could use a little kick in the butt in the creative department.Or the procrastination deptartment. Either or.

Oh yeah, I had a point. My pictures from here on out may be cell phone pictures with crappy quality because, mama doesn't have time, people. When dropping my husband off at work, knowing that I wouldn't see him until late that night, I said "So errr, I know yer in a hurry to get to work and all but, eerrrr, could yah snap a picture of me in front of them bricks right therr?" (apparently I talk in redneck/pirate voice when I'm in awkward situations, just throwin' that out there). 

So that's that.

30 for 30: day 14

top: Banana Republic / jeggings: AE / boots: Wet Seal / scarf: Tea Collection

This is literally the only picture I have for today. All the sudden Oaklen started screaming off the top of his lungs for no apparent reason so I spent the next 45 minutes hugging and cuddling my boy. Well, he hugged me for about 6 of those minutes and then wanted to read books, clap and high five me for the rest of the time. Whatever floats your boat, sonny! 

P.S. I haven't seen my Valentine all day. =( What a sad V-Day. He's been busy since 8 a.m. and yet he still finds the time to sneak home for 5 minutes to drop off some pretty flowers while I'm in the shower. (cue the awww's)

with love, from Oak

30 for 30: day 13

top: Maurices / jeggins: AE / boots: Delias

This is my least favorite outfit so far. I felt obligated to wear this shirt because it's had no action yet, and I didn't want to leave the feller hangin'. It's a cute shirt, but actually wearing it sorta sucks. I hate elastic at the bottom of shirts because it always travel north. It's just not my favorite, and I'm pretty sure it will end up in my "clothes only used to wear over my swim suit in the summer" pile. After this challenge - sayonara shirt. 

That's why I skipped right on over to my closet and switched into my favorite tee ever. I have no idea what "lijit" even is. Stamp a unicorn on it and I'd still wear that bad boy around proudly. 

30 for 30: day 12

top: F21 / sweater: Old Navy / jeggins: AE / shoes: Bumper

This is where I got my inspiration today. Sydney is the cutest thing alive. And I'm so glad we wear somewhat similar things. Except for the fact that she looks like a magazine cover. And I....do not.

I've been trying to peak in on some of the other remixers for this 30 for 30 challenge, but did you see how many there are? It's exciting. I had no idea there would be that many ladies. Holla!

30 for 30: day 11

top: F21 / button-up: AE / jeggings: AE / shoes: F21 / cutest baby ever: Oaklen

That little cutie right there in my arms has 18 more days left of babyhood. Guys, I'm gonna have a ONE YEAR OLD. This time last year I was crossing my fingers he would make his debut by his due date, if not a little before. Now I'm planning a birthday party. I know every mother says this, but where did all that time go?! By this time next year, I'm going to be packing his lunch and sending him off to 3rd grade. And the year after that I'll be helping his date pin on his boutonniere for prom. If only pregnancy could go this fast, and the s l o w pregnant days would happen once they're born, when you can just sit and smell that new baby smell all day long. 

Now excuse me while I go gobble this handsome baby up.

30 for 30: day 10

top: Wal Mart / cardigan: AE / jeggings: AE / shoes: Bumper

Every Thursday is my "girl's night out", and I look forward to this night all week. I head over to my cousin's house and we all watch The Vampire Diaries together. It's a total replica of Twilight, but have you seen the cast members?! I become a complete fan girl every Thursday night. It's ridiculous. And I love it. And I haven't missed an episode yet.

Anyway, I was pumped for tonight, like usual. Dressed, ready to go. The plan was Straton picking me up at 6, right when he gets off of work (thanks to one working car at the moment), and then I was dropping him off at the fire station for drill, and rushing over to drool over my t.v. boyfriends. It was a great plan.

Well 6:15 rolls around. 6:30 strolls on by. 6:40 - what the heck?! 

Oh yeah. He forgot all about me. Went straight from work to drill. Not even the usual "I'm on my way home" phone call. Lauren at home on Thursday night + no cable = NO Vampire Diaries.

Our next conversation went something like this - via texting:

6:40-

Laur: Where are you?!?!?!?

(tick tock, tick tock)

Strat: I forgot to come home. I got off work and came straight to drill.

Strat: lol I'm super sorry.

Laur: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

 (30 minutes later)

7:10-

Laur: Vampire Diaries is on right now. Just in case you were wondering.....

Laur: Oh yeah. And I'm at HOME.

Men.....

He decided a Strawberry Banana smoothie would make me feel better.

It did. Smooth moves Hot Stuff.

30 for 30: day 9

top: Banana Republic / jacket: BCBG Max Azria / pants: AE / shoes: Bumper

I should rename this post to "Lauren doesn't look at the camera because she's not wearing any makeup, and feels slightly awkward". 

We may have a small situation. I originally had a different pair of pants (the only ones that weren't AE pants), but after trying them on, I realized they were about 2 sizes too big. I probably should have tried them on before I started the challenge. I figured they'd still fit after not wearing them for, oh, 4 years? Guess not. So I have officially swapped them out for this pair of pants. And I tried to keep it similar to the ones I took out, that way I wouldn't really be cheating.

everybody watch out!

The terrible twos are coming a year early for the Oakmeister. Sure he looks sweet and innocent in these photos, but tell him no, and he'll be a tantrum throwing pro.

Things that are constantly said at our house, and which usually bring on a small temper tantrum episode from Oak:

"No Oaklen. You can't play in the toilet."
"No Oaklen. garbage is yucky."
"Oaklen, please stop pulling everything out of Mommy's diaper bag"
"Pulling all of Mommy's tampons out of the box is not ok. Daddy would not be happy if he found you like this."

Oh well. I think I'll keep him. ;-)

30 for 30: day 8

top: F21 / cardigan: AE / skirt: F21 / boots: Wet Seal

Beautiful sunny days = skirt days. And really white legs (the trick to having big beautiful mountains in the background. Takes the focus off of my dead fish like legs). I don't know how people can wear skirts so often. I'm just not lady-like enough to always cross my legs or crouching down to pick something up, rather than bending over. I was constantly pulling my skirt down. It wasn't actually going anywhere, but I just felt a tad bit naked.

Oh yeah. That's my I'm-freezing-to-death pose, just in case you were wondering.

30 for 30: day 7

button up: AE / top: Wet Seal / jacket: BCBG Max Azria / jeans: AE / shoes: Bumper

It's 10:30 p.m. and I'm just now sitting down at the computer. I've had a long day full of cleaning, errands and slowly dying from a case of the "C" word. You know. Woman's best friend that only comes around once a month to kick the crap out of your uterus, and then laugh in your face as you cry. Or so it feels like...

Annnndd goodnight.

30 for 30: day 6

top: Banana Republic / skirt: DownEast Basics / shoes: F21



I hate football. I'll just say that right now. But I will admit that I like super bowl. Probably because I get to eat all the snacks while Straton watches the game. I especially like this game because he's watching Oaklen while I have lots of me time. Which includes watching reality t.v. AND playing on the computer. So....I guess football isn't that bad.

30 for 30: day 5

top: Old Navy / cardigan: Old Navy / jeggings: AE / boots: Delias

Taking these pictures made me realize how much I hate wearing my hair up. When I was in jr. high and high school, I remember being told that all I ever wore was a sweatshirt, jeans and my hair in a pony tail. I made a vow to myself that I would stop. Thankfully I actually kept up with it and wore my hair down a lot more. Although, I can't say to much about the sweatshirt and jeans part. Now all I do is wear it down. And I'm pretty sure I should keep it that way.

About an hour after I took these (awful) pictures, I made the mistake of giving Oak a tiny bite of a blue m&m. Who was on my lap. Who decided to give mom a huge cheesy grin that allowed blue drool to dribble nicely down on my white shirt. Again, it's a good thing he's so darn cute.

30 for 30: day 4

top: F21 skirt worn as shirt / sweater: AE / jeggings: AE / boots: Wet Seal

I normally never wear this cardigan buttoned up, but Oaklen was dead set on exposing me every chance he could get. So buttoned up it is. 

I'm not a big skirt wearing girl (I wish I was), and I thought wearing my skirts only on Sunday's would be pretty boring. So I decided to get a little more use out of this skirt, and wore it as a shirt. I really didn't think it would fit so well. Now my mind is wondering what else I can think up with these skirts...

And I'll admit that I had other plans with my hair, but laziness completely took me over. I'm pretty sure I haven't even fixed it since I woke up. Ha! Oh well. There's always tomorrow.

What is the 30 for 30 Challenge?

30 for 30: day 3

top: F21 / Jacket: BCBG Max Azria / jeggings: AE / shoes: Urban Outfitters 

Granted I'm only on day 3, but I'm feeling pretty good about the challenge so far. I keep thinking how I won't be sick of these 30 items at the end because there are so many ways I can mix and match them all. 

Ask me if I still feel that way towards the end. Things could take a very different turn.

And this is what happens when you try to take pictures when your 11 month old is on attack mode: