Another Non-Traditional "Mom" Outfit

Hello My Fashionistas,
  I wanted to share with you another non-traditional " mom" outfit after blogging about my unwillingness to succumb to mom jeans. And so, for lunch with the girls at " Uncle Ernie's Bayfront Grill," I opted for a simple, yet elegant outfit that incorporated both color and a pair of GAP jeans, I never thought I would purchase. I remember during my middle school and high school years, I was obsessed with GAP and had to make sure my wardrobe consisted strictly of their clothing since all the cool and popular kids were wearing that brand. However, in the mid 2000's GAP seemed to suffer since people no longer wanted to wear their jeans and were opting for high end jeans such as 7 For All Mankind or substituting with Abercrombie and Fitch. As a result, I also took two steps back from the store that was until I had Layth! And, once again,  I became obsesed. Never thinking I would buy a pair of their jeans for myself since I am usually just in Baby Gap purchasing jeans for Layth, I thought I would take a look since all jeans were on sale. Considering I own over 30 pairs, I skipped over to the Clearance rack to see if they had any white jeans for sale. Sure enough, I was in luck! I picked up a pair of low-waisted, straight leg cropped white jeans for just $19.99! I have since incorporated them into many of my Spring outfits, including this one I am going to share with you!

Jeans: GAP
Top: BCBG
Shoes: Boutique 9 for Nine West
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Bracelet: Amrita Singh 

We Love Toys and Tiaras

 Hello Everyone,
 If any of you have not already guessed it by now, I am all about supporting local businesses, and an avid Groupon customer! And so, when I saw Groupon was offering a $20 voucher to a new local toy store, I jumped at the opportunity to try something new and purchased it. Also, it is the role of a " Domestic Goddess" to find ways to save money for family while staying on top of knowing the latest places to take her child. However, as one in training, I was not staying on top of my role. I always see the store when Layth and I go to grab cupcakes at yet another local business, Gigi's Cupcakes but never thought to go in. Now, I had an incentive to go into the toy store! Not only did I need to use my Groupon, but I had to also purchase two baby shower gifts. I figured this would also be somewhere new to take Layth and grab cupcakes afterwards. I was a little apprehensive upon entering the store, but when I stepped foot into it, it was every child's dream ( as far as local businesses are concerned). It had candy vendors, a few train stations for the children to play with while mom shops and another automatic station where children can control and manipulate the train as it goes around the track. Since Layth loves trains, it was the perfect thing to occupy him as I searched for baby shower gifts. The owner, too was so nice and stylish ( I loved her shoes) that it just made my shopping experience even better. As a mother of three boys, she was not worried about Layth going through the aisles mesmerized by the number of toys she had to offer, or how we went from one station to another playing with the toys she had set up. It also helped to ease some of my worries about whether or not Layth would go crazy going through all the toys or protesting being inside the store. Almost forty minutes later, I walked out with a happy toddler, two baby shower gifts, a pack of chocolate flavored straws that are intended to give your milk some flavor, and a mini train set. I will definitely be returning to this store and recommend anyone with children to stop in!

Layth playing w/the trains 

Layth playing with the farm animals

 The Store is located on 4741 Poplar Ave in the heart of East Memphis

Conducting the trains with the shops' owner

Flavored Straws Intended to Add Taste to Your Milk ( Can't wait to try!)

Cornish Hen For Dinner

 Hello Everyone,
 After an excitingly exhausting day with two great friends, Elaf and Tharwa, and their two curly haired cuties, I find myself coming home and wanting to relax. Normally, I would take a nap with Layth, whose day was equally as tiring, but when I think about the amount of things I need to get done in those two hours, it keeps me from running to the bed. A day spent at Pump it Up and at the park can take its toll on anyone who is semi-sleep deprived! And so, rather than folding the mountain of laundry I have awaiting for me, packing unused household items into boxes, and trying to think of an elaborate dinner to make, I am blogging! A domestic goddess would not approve of my choice to indulge in a simple pleasure as writing versus trying to tackle my endless duties of homemaker. And I am completely fine with that, because I would not take back any day spent cleaning and making my house perfect over the day I spent with Layth! As a result, I am resorting to one of my simpler recipes which I know both Chafeek and Layth would like despite its simplicity: a cornish hen. All it requires of me is to thaw it, spice it and bake it!  If I were really a domestic goddess, I would think of some tasty side dish to accompany it, but rather choose to spend the time resting versus slaving away in the kitchen. It is also such a waste to spend a day like this indoors slaving away in a hot kitchen when the beautiful outdoors is calling your name ( I think she would approve on that standpoint, because I am preventing my child from watching television!). But we will see how much I can get accomplished in the short two hours Layth takes his nap; otherwise it will be a cornish hen for dinner!

Moms Don't Need to Sacrifice Style!

Hello My Fashionistas,

After my last post regarding my James Campbell Oxfords, so many of you were asking about the top I was wearing in my photos. Although the pictures do not give the top justice, I do appreciate all the comments. The yellow polka dot dress is in fact intended to be a dress, and was purchased from "The Pink Coconut Boutique" located in Hernando, MS. It was purchased at the Southern Women's Show that took place here in Memphis in March ( I recommend all Memphians to attend) without really any intention to wear it. I recall purchasing it simply because I thought it would look cute in hopes I might find the occasion to wear it. So when we went out to San Francisco last month, the tunic/dress seemed like the perfect top since it was going to be 60 degrees and sunny. I paired the top with a pair of Joe Jeans Jeggings, a Banana Republic bracelet, and my James Campbell Oxfords. It just goes to say, that when needing to complete errands a " mom" does not need to go around wearing the so called " mom jeans" and can actually be stylish. It has been 2.5 years since I have had Layth and still have not succumbed to the so called shapeless " mom jeans". And so, if you can manage to continue wearing heels, designer jeans and have your hair and make up done all while being " super mom", then I applaud you! But before I officially end this post, I just want all of you who are interested in purchasing the top, the wonderful ladies of " The Pink Coconut" are on Facebook and will ship to out of town!

James Campbell Oxfords

Hello My Fashionistas!

As a self proclaimed " shoe-addict", I feel like I have become a connoisseur of shoes, simply opting to buy them for their unique style over comfort. Or, buying them just because I like them with no intention to wear but once or twice. And ever since having Layth I have battled with trying to wear heels as I am running with or after Layth, and realized it's one I usually fail at the cost my shoes or my energy. As a result, I still buy heels, but always look for a cute flat alternative, and every once in a while, I find a flat that incorporates both style and comfort. My current find have been the James Campbell brown checkered oxfords with side cutouts. Initially, I had no intention in buying them when the sales associate at Sachi Memphis ( a store I will greatly miss when we move out to California) convinced me that I will get great wear out of them; particularly, since I live in jeans. After the first wear I regretted taking her suggestion, since they were so uncomfortable, but the many compliments I received for them was enough to encourage me to wear them again. It was not until after the third wear, I really broke them in, and cannot stop wearing them! Not only do I love wearing them, but because they are so different, I can dress them up or down. And so, if you are looking for a great shoe that incorporates both style and individuality, I would highly recommend you invest in a pair of James Campbell Oxfords!

Here I am accessorizing my Oxfords in San Francisco

Here are options of other Oxford styles James Campbell has to offer:

Consignment Sale Madness

As we prepare for the last consignment sale we intend on participating in, I am quiet relieved they are all coming to an end. And, I say, " we" because Layth has become my little helper. He has now become an expert in handing me labels, cutting them and pasting them onto the string labels. He has also helped me in gathering unused plastic hangers from his closet to hang the gently used designer items he quickly grew out. And so, now two nights before the sale, Layth and I are going crazy gathering books, toys, clothes, etc. trying to get them tagged and ready for drop off. In all honesty though, it has been nice getting the house rid of these items as we prepare for the big move ( such a headache though, the night before). As I am trying to become a domestic goddess ( something I will never be), I would like to look back and think she would approve, but know she would not. Instead she would imply that I am imposing labor upon my child and make mention about managing my time better insisting why did not tag the items while Layth was either at school or napping. But since I am still in training, I am not going to worry about her approval. It seems for the last two months there was a sale occurring each week, allowing me to rid the house of more and more item; thus, allowing Layth and I to be come experts in preparing the items. A task that once took me all night to complete, now takes us 30 to 40 minutes depending upon how many items we cosign. And now that the last one is approaching this weekend, I am eager for them to all end. My fingers and Layth deserve a break from all the tagging we have done.

Moving Out West

Hello Everyone, and after a short hiatus, I'm back with more posts than I can possibly imagine! Thus, giving you a more in depth look at how crazy life has been these past several weeks. First, I have successfully managed to clear out many of Layth's unused baby items: his bouncer, jumper, a handful of of unused toys and infant bathtub through these infinite children consignment sales that seem to be taking place in Memphis. Secondly, I have started putting some household items i.e. items that will not fit in our San Francisco apartment, regardless of whether or not we purchase a house or condo, up for sale and donating various knick knacks to thrift stores. It is interesting how picky Goodwill has gotten, they no longer take just anything! They have become a consignment shop essentially, only taking items they can make a profit from ( almost defeats its purpose, in my opinion). Lastly, planning a last minute trip to the Bay Area has been taking the bulk of my time between looking at properties online and trying to determine whether we are going to buy and/or rent. I would not be lying if I say, " I am anticipating this trip," because I am really not looking forward to downsizing to a smaller living space. With this in mind, I am trying to remain optomistic since there has got to be a reason why land in the Bay area is so highly sought after. And so, between planning a ten day vacation that comprises of a six day visit to Panama City Beach where I will see my parents, siblings and cousins, and trying to plan a San Francisco trip all while trying to juggle mommyhood, life has been a bit busy. But I am enjoying every minute of it!