Building a closet

Every season, people ask me what they need to buy. But sometimes, 'what to buy' is not as important as working with what you already own. Having the basics in your closet make it easy to layer the season's trend or add an accessory to change up the look. Here are a few of my essentials for any wardrobe:

Click to view or buy: 
Trench 388 || Blazer 73.50 || Striped tee 39.50 || Black dress 168 || Skinny jeans 98 || Flats 195

PS - Your votes would be much appreciated!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

To buy, or not to buy, THAT is the question

Someone please advise, asap.  Remember when I was trying The 30-Day Method?  Well, it lasted 8 days because another 28-day visitor interrupted and made me very grouchy.  I told myself if I completed the workout and got back into pre-baby shape, I would get to reward myself with one of these bathing suits.  Since I didn't complete it, and am so far from pre-baby shape that I look like I'm having another baby, I have not even thought about getting into a bathing suit.

Until today.  We're headed to the beach for Memorial Day weekend so I looked at a couple of my favorite swimsuits online.  Turns out my favorite one is on sale!  For more than HALF-OFF!  Half-off, people!

So here's the question: do I buy the bathing suit even though it may not look as good on me as I'd like, or do I not buy it as the consequence for not following through on my workout?  Do I really need to learn a lesson right now?  There are many more summers and many more pounds to go before I really need consequences, right? I mean, look how pretty she is:

via

Here's another question: if you are working out regularly AND a full-time working mother of a young toddler, cooking healthy meals and keeping your house clean, how do you do it all?  I get it, "schedule in the workout", but how do you even have the energy to get it all done???

Let's get physical, physical...

With swimsuit season upon us, and a little Bitty that loves the water, I need to get back in shape. Thanks to good genes, (you know, the Asian ones) I have always been rather thin and petite.  I still am, however, my weight has now shifted into uncomfortable places like dripping from the edges of my pre-pregnancy jeans. No longer a muffin top, it's now graduated into a full muffin drip. And it's time to take control.

So I'm starting the Tracy Anderson Method, which, if you are unfamiliar, is the same workout routine done by Gweneth Paltrow, Madonna, etc. She believes in high reps (like 100) and no more than 3 pound weights to build lean muscle rather than bulk up.  The cardio is some kind of tribal dance that I am much too uncoordinated to follow but it's fun and gets me moving.  Strength training relies mostly on your own body weight for resistance so it's a good thing I gained that extra 5 lbs recently.  And she doesn't talk too much like those annoying guys on other videos (ahem, P90X).  I'm only two days in, but I'm sticking to it and using any of the swimsuits below as motivation!  Especially #4...

1 2 3 4 5

Do you have any good workout routines or advice?  
And share your favorite songs to get you moving too!

 

Caped crusader

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailer's site:

1. Nordstrom $78
2. J. Jill $29.99 (on sale from $99)
3. Anthropologie $58
4. Old Navy $39.50

I can't say the word "pancho" without thinking about Ugly Betty, so while magazines and retailers may be using that term, I prefer to refer to them as capelets.  Whatever you want to call them, they are everywhere this season and provide the volume on top to balance your skinny jeans or leggings.  They're also great for days when you're afraid to walk by a mirror and catch a glimpse of last night's too-much-Mexican-food-bloat.  Throw them on over a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck, some boots or clogs and a big statement ring and you're done.  Bring on the margaritas, extra salt.

These boots are made for walkin'

Boots are one of my favorite fashion things about fall.  Wear them with a dress, skirt, leggings, skinny pants or jeans.

You can make your spring dress work into fall with a pair of boots, tights, and a chunky knit sweater.  Or pair them back to a belted cardigan and pencil skirt to toughen up the tailored look. And of course, they are the perfect complement to jean leggings. Whatever your style, invest in a good pair that you'll wear year after year.

Below are a few fall boots in my three favorite colors this season: olive green, nude, and gray.

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailers site:

1. Anthropologie $298

2. Cole Haan $298

3. Nine West $149
4. Zurich $64.97 (on sale from $198)

5. Charlotte Russe $40

6. Target $39.99

7. Frye $428

8. Blowfish $59