Hi-Low and Hello Again!

More catching up!

I really love the Parted Rays Blouse even though it is very long on me, and probably not the most flattering when I wear it untucked.  Although I hate the idea of hiding the cute yellow layer on this top, I knew when I saw the store inspiration post over at Effortless Anthropologie, that I had to recreate this outfit.

 

Outfit details here 

And here are two quick, casual outfits with some more hi-low tops from this season. I really like the way this silhouette pairs with skinny jeans, giving you good coverage in the back, the extra length makes me feel less self-conscious.

 

Outfit details here 

This top I have paired with dark denim, white denim, and now yellow - plus I've worn it with shorts - definitely a summer favorite!

Outfit details here

Yes, Campbell does steal the show, and our hearts every single day - she is our doll baby for sure! Thanks for the sweet words :)  Since she rarely leaves my arms, you'll be seeing lots more of the girliest baby sister!

Duets

I have been snapping outfit pictures all summer, but frequent jaunts to the pool, vacation (and all the packing/laundry associated with it) and just general madness and mayhem of having four young kids home all day has prevented me from finding the time to actually post them.

Time to catch up!

I wouldn't go so far as to dance behind my shopping cart in Staples, but with back-to-school upon us, I can't help but feel excited to return to a more scheduled life.  And with only two little people home during the day I should be able to blog with more frequency in the Fall.  Unless of course homework, soccer, street hockey, 3 kids birthdays and a trip to Disney come between me and being on the computer... Let's just hope my babies have mercy on me and nap simultaneously!

Shouts out to Gemma!!!

I was so excited when Gemma, reached out to me a few weeks ago to say that she would be vacationing in my area and wanted to meet up at Anthropologie.  Gemma is an incredibly sweet commenter who also added a darling baby girl to her family just a couple of months before we welcomed Campbell into ours. As a testimony to how much I really, really wanted to meet up with her I actually braved the brick and mortar with all four of my offspring.  Between us, we had five boys throwing pennies into the fountain... mine were the ones fishing theirs back out so they could toss them multiple times.  As you can imagine it was a bit hectic to actually do much chatting or hard core shopping, but I had a great time and I'm so glad I was able to meet Gemma - she is the teeny-tiniest and completely gorgeous.  Plus, she TOTALLY MADE MY DAY when she found the BEST ANTHRO SCORE OF ALL TIME and plucked a Pink Cottage Blouse in my size from the sale rack and handed it to me (she already owns this beauty) - I had to hug her on the spot!

As we gave a final once over to the sale section Gemma commented on having recently acquired the Shoaling Gleam Pullover. I have to confess this was a piece I had never noticed on the website and it looked rather boxy and shapeless hanging on the rack.  However, when it popped back online during the extra 25% off promo, I decided that such a cute, petite girl as Gemma wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't fabulous. I threw it into my cart to try out.  And what do you know, it's a total win - I call it a sleeper-keeper ;) Super comfy & easy with great colors to play with - the fish are way adorable once you have it on.

Two fantastic finds thanks to one kindred shopping buddy - shouts out to you Gemma!  XOXO!

loud

Summer break has officially begun and things at my house are as chaotic as ever...I don't think I have called the boys their right names once in the past 48 hours. This morning I took everyone to Kohls to buy a shirt for my FIL for Father's Day and Sawyer & Graham took turns singing potty words in their outside voices all throughout the store.  Harrison pointed out that the employees were looking at us - at least I am safe to assume that it was because of my loud entourage, and not my very bright pants they were raising their eyebrows at - though to be honest, I felt very conspicuous about both. 

I really do love the legging jeans from Gap, they are soft and incredibly comfortable and I can get away with the inseam.  These are a size 00 and I like that they fit well in the waist.  After trying this outfit on this morning, I decided I preferred the jeans with a wedge, and asked my husband to choose the nude pair or the black...he said "the black" and I had to go with it or else he would accuse me of never following his advice, and why to I even bother asking him blah, blah, blah.  Something about hot pink and black though...I feel outside of my element in this combination.  I definitely lean towards "cutesy" looks, and this pairing is pushing me out of my comfort zone.  The Silk Roads Mosaic Top from Anthropologie is also a little different then what I usually gravitate towards, but I really love the mix of prints and colors and even though there technically isn't any hot pink in the pattern - it works with these jeans. 

Silk Road Mosaic & Pink by janrussell

We are headed out bowling this afternoon, I'm hopeful that my crew won't cause a raucous at the lanes! Gotta keep 'em busy!

Ivy Tunic

The Ivy Tunic was one of those pieces that I had no real interest in online. Then I saw it in person and better yet, saw the price was down to 19.95 and decided it couldn't hurt to try it on. I am so glad I took this top into the fitting room with me - it's comfortable, flattering and I totally need more green in my closet since green and white are our school colors - a mom has to represent at field day and Race for Education, etc. Tomorrow is actually Harrison and Sawyer's last day - and I am a bit terrified that they might fight all Summer. The school year flew by so fast...maybe I will be saying the same thing about their Summer break come September - fingers crossed ;) 

Anthropologie Ivy Tunic
Gap Always Skinny Jeans
Seychelles Harlow Wedge

Anthropologie Beaconed Treasure Necklace

Anthropologie Fall's Memento Earrings

Loft Bracelet

Campbell wearing Baby Nay

Hint of Trend

The Narmer Earrings were my lone purchase from the recent set of markdowns at Anthropologie. I have been wanting some turquoise earrings, but nothing too Southwestern, and for the sale price, I decided to give this pair a shot.  I really love them and the size is perfection for not getting lost in my long hair.

And look Campbell matches my earrings ;)

Also, the Floral Printed Legging Jeans from Gap are the perfect way to dip my toe into floral denim.  I really love how subtle they are.  Fit wise they are a bit loose in my waist, but the rise isn't super low, so it's not a problem.  I have to tuck the hem under to keep them from being too long - eventually I will find the motivation to have them hemmed, but for now they stay in place this way, nicely. The jeans are soft and very comfy!

Gap Floral Printed Legging Jeans by janrussell
  
Happy weekend!

Ikat Cardi

I'm taking advantage of our slightly cooler June temps and breaking out my Ikat cardigan for today - I love how vibrant and bold this piece is!  I've made my way to Target this morning, and of course I forgot to buy the one thing I went there specifically for.  I might have rock hard biceps (thank you all for your way too sweet comments btw, I don't do anything to work out) but my brain has turned to mush!

here are the outfit details - my jeans are from Gap and I'm wearing the Rocks & Stones Necklace from Anthro since I don't own the one used in the Polyvore set (not yet, anyway!) ;)

Ikat Cardi by janrussell