August 12

New Nails and Some Older Nail Designs -FBFF August 12

These are some nail designs I have worn recently, as I participate in the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday group, hosted this week by the blog Thrifty and Shameless.

I am so excited about this first look, but it really would not photograph well for me at all.  I will show you what I did get, despite my fight with the camera.

The thing is… these nails look like polished chrome.  Really!  They are so shiny that the camera couldn’t stop reflecting their glimmer.  And, I must say this again, they look so much better In Real Life!  😉

They are nail “stickers.”  I found them at Sephora.  Their official name is Chic Prints For Nails.  They are not too difficult to apply, but it does take a bit of practice.

These were in a recent post, but I thought they deserved a second look. 🙂  I like the silver crackle very much.

Finally, here are two other colors I have been wearing often lately. 

I can’t wait to see what everyone else is doing.

Category: FBFF, Nail Polish | 12 Comments on New Nails and Some Older Nail Designs -FBFF August 12
May 14

FBFF May 13 – Outside Influences

Here is my FBFF post for May 13.  (I am a day late.)

This is hosted by the great ModlyChic site.  Stop by over there to see many other blogger’s answers to these questions.

May 13: Outside influences… a couple weeks ago we talked about our
inspiration when it comes to blogging and so many people said that
other fashion bloggers are a huge inspiration. But there are many
other factors that influence us.


1.      What magazines do you subscribe to?

As is the case with many other bloggers and friends who are slightly fashion obsessed, I subscribe to MANY magazines.  I love to sit for hours and go through magazines, tearing out pages that give me inspiration.  My top two favorites have to be InStyle
 and People Style Watch.

 Image from InStyle.com

InStyle always seems to have the best tips about how to actually use items you have on hand.  I love when take an item and show how to style it several different ways.

2.      Do you watch any fashion TV shows?

Why does it feel silly to admit the answer to this question?  🙂  Yes, I watch What Not To Wear, Fashion Police and Project Runway, all as often as I can.  I think my current favorite is Fashion Police.  Joan Rivers is a comedic genius.

 Image from here.  Visit E!online for more Fashion Police.

3.      Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion
inspiration?

This is similar to what I have said above.  I go to magazine sites most often.  I also visit sites of products I enjoy, like M.A.C. or Chanel.  I also enjoy visiting store sites like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
4.      Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a
product or brand… what ads do you like and why?

I don’t have a great answer for this question.  I do love to look at ads, but I don’t seem to have any favorites that stand out in my mind.

5.      Do you own any fashion books?

I do own a few books right now, and I am particularly enjoying one of them.  It is called The One Hundred, by Nina Garcia. Here is the link to Amazon.

I have really been enjoying this book.  It outlines the top 100 pieces that every stylish woman should own.  Although no one woman  (or maybe only a very few) will own every single item listed in this book, it does give very good suggestions.  Plus, it’s fun to read!

Category: FBFF | 1 Comment on FBFF May 13 – Outside Influences
May 6

FBFF May 6 – Shoes!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!  SHOES!

This week, the topic for FBFF from the blog Modlychic, is about shoes.  I like shoes.  😉  This should be fun.

May 6: Shoes….
1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?

Since This Mother is a bit of a shoe collector (it is my “hobby” of choice,)  I have no chance of narrowing this down to a pair of shoes.  However, I believe I can focus on one particular type of shoes.  In this case, I think it would have to be the wedge shoe.  They are so useful for everyday activities as a mom (or anyone else for that matter.)  Here are a few of my favorites.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?

It may seem that a girl with so many shoes may not put much thought into what I buy.  I am sure that it may appear that a certain Mother who wears Heels might just run about willy nilly and buy anything she sees.  Truly, that is not the case.  Every time I buy a pair of shoes, I think of several things. 

1.) Comfort –  Does the shoe fit?  Does it pinch my toes, or anywhere else on my foot?  This is very important to me, because no matter what the shoe costs, if it hurts, I won’t wear it (much.) 😉

2.) Cost –  I do actually consider the cost of each pair of shoes.  How often will I wear it?  Will it go with a few different looks?  How long will it last?

3.) Appearance –  How cute is this shoe?  Is it unique?  If it is a basic/staple shoe, is it classic?  Is the color right with my skin-tone?
3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?


Majority???  That is tough to say.  I do not have a majority of anything, but let me just share a photo with you, to show the color that I find often in my shoe collection. 🙂

These are most, but not all of my black shoes.

I believe the real answer to this question though, is that I LOVE color.  Most of my shoes are very bright and colorful, in some shape or form.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and
why?

Well, not to be predictable, but I do love Christian Louboutin.

I adore the towering high heels on their shoes.  The designs are feminine and sexy, as well as do great things for the shape of your legs and feet.

This Mother is also a big fan of Miu Miu.

Miu Miu is a playful shoe.  Their designs tend to be unique and creative, and they are who I look to for something a bit off the beaten path.

Currently, I am also really enjoying Jessica Simpson and Steve Madden.

Lovely.

I guess we can all see why this blog is not called “Mother In Flats.” 😉
5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?

Hmmm.  I think the Mother has already answered that question through the other answers.

Category: FBFF, Shoes | 8 Comments on FBFF May 6 – Shoes!
April 22

FBFF April 22 “Inspiration”

This is my Fashion Beauty Friend Friday Post for tis week.  You can find others answers to these questions at the ModlyChic website.

April 22: Inspiration – To further mark one year of FBFF we are going
to answer the same set of questions asked this time last year as I
think they are still pertinent today and usually ever changing.
1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion
inspiration?

This is a good question, but when I think of the answer, it really should be “who do I NOT look to” for inspiration for me personally.  I try to take inspiration from wherever I can find it.  I am a bit of a magazine junkie.  I read every fashion periodical that I can get my hands on.  I am not picky about who is wearing what, but more about what and how an out fit is put together.  With that said, here are a few that I enjoy. 🙂

Jennifer Aniston image came from here.   Gwen Stefani from here.

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?

I like a classic look.  Usually I like to stay on a fairly familiar path with what I wear.  I don’t think I am boring, but I tend to wear and like traditional looks.
3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?

What I would like is for fashion to be more accepted by everyone. (Why can’t we all just get along?) 😉  What I mean is, that sometimes dressing nice or liking fashion is looked upon as being frivolous or simple minded.  I would enjoy it if more people felt comfortable “dressing up” for everyday activities.  I hope that my readers can spread the belief that fasion on a daily basis is a good thing.

 
4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you?

Hmmm.  Let’s see.  Church, music, books, magazines, other people’s blogs, and of course friends and family.
5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you?

I do not think I am going to be able to narrow it down very easily.  I listen to music all the time.   In the house, in the car, wherever.  I like classical and pop mostly, but I will listen to almost all types.  Both of my boys play the piano and the pipe organ, so music is a constant in our home. 

But, since the question is about Idol, I think I can limit myself to Idol songs.

I really liked Adam Lambert last season.  Most of the songs he did on the show were great.

I have to confess that I haven’t watched the show consistently this season, so I do not have any favorites.  I have liked that Will i am has been on the show often.  I love most of the music by the Black Eyed Peas, so he has been fun to watch.

Category: FBFF | 6 Comments on FBFF April 22 “Inspiration”
April 15

FBFF Friday April 15 – Gratitude

This is my second time writing on the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday topic.  I love the topic of “gratitude” for this week.  It is one of the things I am enjoying blogging about most, but I may have a bit of a challenge answering the questions this week since I am a new-ish blogger.  I really do enjoy the Modly Chic blog and the FBFF idea is fun, so check it out if you would like.  This is one of her cute blog button pictures:

April 15: Gratitude – This is the official one-year anniversary of
FBFF! (I’m already moved just thinking of its approach.) So I wanted
to do something about gratitude. We each have so many people in our
lives and in the blogging community who have helped us along the way.
It’s time to shine the spotlight on them and give credit where credit
is due.
1.  When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

I feel that I am so very grateful about so much in my life, so I am wondering why this first question feels so hard to answer.  

I think that who I am right now, is the question, really.  When I ask myself that, the answer seems much easier in that it is to be a wife and mother.  Now, I think the answer obviously becomes, for me, my husband and children.  I am the wife I am because I am lucky enough to have a husband who inspires me to be my best.  I want to do things that make him feel happy and loved.  The same goes for our children.  I do all the things I do as a mother with the two of them in mind.  All of my choices are designed to help them become the best people they can be.  I am so grateful to the three of them for giving me the inspiration to work hard and be the best I can be.
2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

This question is really the same answer as above because my personal and professional lives are mostly one and the same.
3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people
for helping me through some rough spots:

I have not really had any rough spots yet, but I am sure my time will come.  I guess I am grateful the sailing has gone so smoothly so far.  I am grateful however, to all the other wonderful bloggers I am discovering every day.  I am so excited to find fun new wonderful sites all the time.  These people are full of unique ideas that spark my own creativity each time I visit their sites.
4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me
stronger was…

I really do not have an answer to this question.
5. To my readers, I’d like to say…

Thank you so much!  I am so pleased to think that people might enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences, even if it’s only a few people so far. 🙂  I like to write and share my ideas about fashion and being a mom in San Diego and I hope I can share some of the joy I get from those everyday experiences.

Category: FBFF | Comments Off on FBFF Friday April 15 – Gratitude