Wednesday

Attire:
Old Navy - Tangerine puff sleeve tee
Gap - Hot pink super fine cardigan, white low-slung flare trousers
Born - Orange leather thong sandals
Silver jewelery

Hair:
Next day, just did a light brushing with wood-bristle brush
Smoothed bangs with round brush and dryer (haven't mastered the bangs yet)
Tiny bit of Jonathan Silky Dirtto finish

Beauty:
Burberry London Eau De Parfum(I always forget to post my fragrance!)
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral foundation in Intensity 3.0; pink and gold shadows mixed together froma GWP compact I recently received
Nars - Blush in Orgasm
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black
Benefit - Her Glossiness in Next Question Please (but applied pre-breakfast)

I am between a 14 and a 16 in these pants. Some days, the 14 fits like a dream, other days it's a bit snug and I feel more comfortable in the 16. Think it's all about how comfy I want to be and how much sodium or caffeine was consumed the day prior. These are the 16s which you can see look a bit slouchy/lumpy. Had another tough night with Emerson so I wasn't feeling like fitted trousers today or anything that required work or restriction.

I am also between petite and regular - the petites are fine until they are washed. I had this happen with a black pair and a khaki linen-blend pair thought it was because they went in the dryer. Nope - the white ones were air dried and still shrunk up a good half inch. So now I have a collection of too-short chinos. Fab. These are the regular length and I hemmed them myself the same amount as the hem (so could easily be dropped back down if they too shrunk in the wash). It's frustrating because my goal was to have the petites for flat shoes and the regulars for shoes with heels. Oh well, that's what you get for clearance trousers...

FYI: The lovely Boutique Girl is offering a very fun giveaway at her site - Things a Boutique Owner Sees. Head on over there and enter - you may win one of three pieces of jewelery. Contest ends this Friday. If one of you wins, you will HAVE to let me know! :)

Ask Allie – All About Bras

As a large busted woman, I understand the difficulty in finding bras that lift, fit, flatter and properly support. I know many of you readers have the same issues and many have contacted me recently regarding bras. Here are some of the questions I have received and my answers; please offer your own suggestions in the Comments – we women should share the great brands and stores that we have experienced!

I need a good sports bra! I have a large chest and can't find a bra that will adequately support high impact activity (running, aerobics, doing jumping' jacks or jump rope). I have one sports bra now, but it still gives “the girls” too much bounce. Other bras I have are sized medium and they only work because I compress my boobs like an Ace bandage and it is quite uncomfortable. I want to run again but can't do it with my current bra situation. I'd love to hear your suggestions to save me from wasting my money on several bras that won't work!

I have always had success finding great bras at Title Nine. This company is completely geared towards female athletes and they have one of the most extensive selections of sports bras. They separate their bras by barbells – those with three or more barbells offer the most support and compression and are geared toward high-impact activities and large breasts. The product descriptions are wonderful – not canned text from the company but true opinions on how the bras work, what shapes and activities they are best for, and what they do for your figure. On top of that, Title Nine has an amazing return policy so you don’t end spending your money on that which doesn’t work.

X-chrom is a company that specializes in sports bras, plus size bras, surgical bras, and activewear and do a great job in offering details, reviews and organization by construction, activity, and even for surgical procedure. The company also does online custom bra fittings. The owner works hard to offer a ton of selection, information and support for female athletes. I love this quote I got from the X-chrom site: “This is a very personal garment. We aren't all 34Bs. We don't all love underwires. Some of us insist on no-bounce control; some of us do not care.“ Isn’t that true! Right now X-chrom is offering free shipping on all purchases so be sure to check them out!

I am a plus-sized (16-18) girl who is 27 weeks pregnant. Can you tell me about nursing bras and tanks? Which have worked best for you?

I was utterly stunned by the lack of supportive nursing bras and tanks for plus size and large-busted women. It doesn’t make much sense since postpartum women have larger breasts than usual and they are quite sensitive. On top of that, the entire body is still larger (nope, that body does not bounce back right after the baby is born!). Nothing makes a body look better than a properly supported bustline and when you are feeling less than beautiful in the postpartum days, having a physical lift can really provide a mental lift too!

Most nursing tanks are similar in structure to classic bra tanks and camisoles – a basic knit shelf bra, just now with a couple clasps and cut-outs. For women who are C cups and larger, these usually do not provide enough support, shape or coverage. Also most companies do not offer nursing tanks in plus sizes. I did find great success with Bravado nursing tanks. They offer extended sizes and the torso is long enough and comfortable enough for curves as well as postpartum bellies. I chose to order a cup size larger that what I actually wear to ensure I had plenty of coverage. This tank is not as supportive as a classic bra, but it does a pretty great job for hanging around the house, sleeping and wearing under cardigans and button-down shirts. I found a great selection of sizes and colors as Nest Mom, Diapers.com always has coupons in the free baby magazines and they do fast free shipping, and you can often find great prices and color selection (and Free Super Saver Shipping) at Amazon.

For nursing bras, Anita, Anita, Anita! Anita is a brand of nursing bras that I have found beat all the rest in regard to support, comfort, durability and appeal. Most nursing bras look like a combo between your cheapo padded training bra from middle school and a sports bra. Hideous and cheap. Anita bras… well they look like regular bras. They also do a wonderful job of making large breasts look beautiful while still making it easy to unhook with one hand and discreetly nurse. I found mine at Nordstrom, and found this the easy route because I knew I could send The Husband to the mall with any that didn’t fit correctly. However if you know your size, you can find them cheaper at places like Fresh Pair and Mom’s Milk Boutique.

I never found a sleep bra that worked for my figure; I chose to get a classic Bravado cotton nursing bra and use that. Nest Mom will tie dye Bravado bras for you – this effect made me look even more like a field hockey player, but it was far more fun to look at than pale pink or dingy white. I also would wear a Bravado nursing tank to sleep. After a few months, your child and you will have gotten the hang of nursing and you will be able to quickly feed your little one even when wearing a traditional tank or camisole.

If you plan on nursing, be prepared with some nursing pads. I started with disposables, but switched to washable to save money and reduce waste. I tried many popular brands (Lansinoh, Medela), but found the best absorbency, comfort and the ones that disappeared under my clothing the best were by an Etsy shop called ArtsyFartsyFooFoo. I ordered two pairs in nude, one pair in black so they totally became invisible under my bras. These could hold hours worth of leaks and only got softer and more absorbent with each washing.

However I highly recommend to NOT stock up until after you have given birth. Web sites will tell you to order a cup or two larger, but you really can’t predict the shape and needs of your breasts until a week or so postpartum. I spent my first week in one Bravado classic nursing tank and a bunch of old knit dresses from the summer that had surplice necklines.

I have large breasts – where can one find sexy bras that support and don’t cost an arm and a leg?

I am one who feels that bras are worth the money. Your bustline completely affects how your clothing lies, how your figure is shaped, how old/young you look. If you properly care for your lingerie, they will give you months and months of happiness.

That being said, time and again I return to Frederick’s of Hollywood. They have a decent selection of Full Figure bras and most are under $30. Their Smooth Sensation bra is one I have worn for over a decade (and I just purchased one in my current size to wear with a bridesmaid dress for an upcoming wedding). Shaped to work well with low-cut tops, in a bevy of pretty colors and plenty of lift and support (I remove the extra cookies to have the support without extra padding). These bras usually only last a couple months before falling apart, but every time I wear them I feel like a pin up queen!

We are similar sizes; what is your favorite tee shirt bra?
The Chantelle "Senso" Underwire bra. It is molded (usually what I HATE), It is very stiff in the band when you first wear it (not too comfy), but within two wearings, it is the BEST bra and gives me fantastic shape. On top of that, the straps are adjustable so you can have them cross in the back or just be connected closer together if you are wearing racer back or cutout styles. No crazy stitching, no lace, no bows, no flowers, completely invisible under the thinnest white tee shirt. I am wearing one today, and I have been replacing my one tattered nude colored one every six months (about the life on these if you wear them several times a week and launder by hand).

Tuesday

Attire:
Ann Taylor - Off white jeans
Language - Ivory print knit top
Callisto - Tan leather sandals
Limited - Bead necklace
Silver hoops and cuff

Hair:
Washed and conditioned with Pureology Volumizing
Frederick Fekkai Glossing Curls
Air dry, smooth bangs with dryer and round brush
Jonathan Product Silky Dirt

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious foundation in Intensity 3.0
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Stila - Glossy Lipstick in Amber

This Weekend

This weekend was action-packed!

Friday after work a few friends came over. We did a pot luck dinner and then played a board game. It's so funny, ten years ago I would see that as the lamest Friday night EVA but now, I found it to be so much fun! Emerson goes to bed around 8pm now, so we turned on the baby monitor, cracked open a couple cold ones (and some bottles of wine) and had a good chill time.

Saturday was my friend Shelly's bachelorette party. I am her Matron of Honor and I planned a winery tour. We went with a company in the DC area that plans the entire event - picked us up at Shelly's house, took pictures, booked the tastings, offered a Wine 101 class, booklets to take notes, lunch and even drove us to the sushi place near Shelly's house after the tour so we could pick up dinner!

I had ordered a dress to wear for the day and it didn't arrive. For some reason on Friday I didn't receive any mail - packages or even junk in my mailbox. So I was in a bit of a scramble. I actually had ordered this cardigan from Gap and was planning on returning it this week... but desperate times (and dirty laundry) call for desperate measures.

Attire:
Gap - Hot pink cardigan, black ribbed tank, white low-slung flare trousers
Sofft - Black patent T-strap sandals
Silver necklace, hoops and cuff

Hair:
Washed and conditioned
Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream
Let hair air-dry most of the way, since leaving with wet hair (very frantic morning) to get to Shelly's house, I dried the bangs with a brush and dryer.

Figured this was a decent picture of the current hair. You can tell in the pictures that the day was quite overcast; there was drizzle most of the day and typical DC-area thick humidity. I didn't even THINK of trying to straighten the hair, and the cut really made the humidity work in my favor. I again chose dark brown lowlights and just a couple highlights in caramel and auburn.

Beauty:
Philosophy - The Present
Estee Lauder - Nutritious foundation in Intensity 3.o
Nars - Blush in Orgasm
Clinique - Longwear Lipstick in Beauty
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black

On the ride home, I spilled some red wine on my pants. And I was so proud to have gone so long drinking red wine in white trousers without a single dribble! No worries, my trusty Dawn and peroxide combo did the trick Sunday morning. I used it, let it sit, tossed in a hot wash with a bit of bleach and the pants are good as new!

But the winery tour was fun - we visited three different wineries in Virginia. At first we thought it was a bit lame - we arrived to the first winery at the same time as another group and felt we had to compete for time and attention. Then our wine class was a bit hokey and we spent most of the time making faces at one another as though we were back in high school. However the second winery totally changed our opinions. The place was gorgeous, the staff really passionate about teaching us about their wine, the wines delicious (I bought two bottles for home and we got some to enjoy with our lunch). The third one was super busy and at first the woman providing the tasting was a bit rude, but then we killed her with kindness and silly jokes, she admitted she consumed White Zinfandel during a recent NKOTB concert, and all was lovely and fun. After the tour, we picked up sushi, went back to the bride-to-be's house for dinner, more wine and girly movies.

Sunday was our friends' son's first birthday. Again, the plan was to possibly wear the same dress from Saturday, this time with some flip flops for a more casual look. No dress, so I re-wore the newly laundered white pants!

Attire:
Gap - White low-slung flare trousers
Havanias - Silver flip flops
Banana Republic Outlet - Indigo jersey top
Silver jewelery

Hair:
Next day, straightened while dry with round brush and dryer

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious foundation in Intensity 3.0
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black
Benefit - Her Glossiness in Next Question Please

It was a lovely birthday party. One relative made the CUTEST cupcakes decorated as various animals. The mom made a blue and green cake, it was a buffet of fresh summer food like gazpacho and kabobs and orzo salad with veggies and shrimp and herbs. Just family and close friends. We had a lovely time and the weather cooperated so we could all enjoy the festivities outside.

Here is my husband and Emerson at the party - Emerson is teething and yesterday she really felt it for the first time. She was a bit cranky, tired, overwhelmed and last night had a low-grade fever. However she still had a good time at the party. She had watermelon and bread and grilled squash and met lots of little kids.

Best story from the party... The birthday boy was chewing on a little rubber ducky and went up to E, took out the duck and placed it at her feet. She picked up the duck with one hand, took her pacifier out with the other and handed him her pacifier. He stuck the pacifier in his mouth and crawled away, she gummed on the duck. The boy's dad made a joke about only a year old and already swapping spit with the ladies. It was very cute and funny.

Today I am totally spent from being up all night with teething crying Emerson. I felt so bad because this girl NEVER cries and is always so chill. I knew she had to be unhappy to be that vocal and distressed. We tried a few natural remedies thus far for teething which have done great, but last night we finally gave her some meds so she could rest. Now it's time for Mommy to get a bit of rest. :)

Friday through Wedneday

Friday... what the heck did I wear on Friday? It was so long ago...

Anyway, Saturday my husband had a wedding to shoot and I assisted. I wore black trousers from Talbots (right now sale is an additional 50% off so I got $120 pants for $30!), a black ribbed tank from Gap and a black short sleeved cardigan from Ann Taylor. My black patent T-strap sandals from Sofft were comfy until the last hour and it was a 12.5 hour day! The outfit was purposely nondescript because my job was to move equipment, fix hair, that sort of thing. The outfit could let me get on the floor, run around, have plenty of pockets for memory cards and Tide to Go pens.

Sunday we headed to the farmer's market. I wore a pair of my white Gap low-slung flare trousers with my black Gap nursing tank and flip flops. We then came home to have lunch and do a couple of chores.

Monday, I sported the same cardigan from the wedding with a fresh black ribbed tank from Gap and my white jeans from Ann Taylor.

Tuesday I called out sick. I was just not functioning well by that day. Emerson is teething, we have been oh so busy, work has been hectic and I woke up feeling hungover though I hadn't drank alcohol, was fully hydrated, etc. I ended up going back to bed and sleeping for four hours until E needed to be fed again and took another nap later in the day.

That night I went to a concert and wore my blue print matte jersey dress from Ann Taylor with my red patent T-strap sandals from Sofft (sort of a retro look). This is me with my husband at the end of the concert. I dig guys with scars - that scratch looks so manly but was actually done by Emerson's tiny sharp nails! :)

Here is me today. Obvious OBVIOUS need of a haircut and color - but I am going TONIGHT! I am so excited to go to Kathleen and get this mop managed!!!

Attire:
Nordstrom: Blue print rouched jersey top, silver necklace
Talbots - Black trousers
Callisto - Tan sandals (black shoes were in the car)
Silver hoops and cuff

Hair:
Hideous.

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious mineral foundation in Intensity 3.0
Nars - Blush in Orgasm
Clinique - Longwear lipstick in Beauty
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Cover Girl - lashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black

Will be sure to post pictures of my hair after it has been cut and colored!

Oh, and I have posted about Etsy before and I have to share my newest Etsy love. This was actually a gift from my sister. I found them goofy until I owned my own and now I can't imagine not having one!

This is a reusable coffee cozy/sleeve. Right now it's on my Coffee Northern Light from Caribou, but it also works on hot drinks.

Instead of getting one of those cardboard sleeves and adding to landfills and the destruction of trees, you can have a reusable one that is cozy, better with heat and cold insulation, collects condensation better and looks oh so darn cute!

This specific coffee sleeve is from the Etsy seller Pink Gasoline. This seller puts a layer of thermo insulation between the fabric layers to protect your hand. It is slightly tapered to fit a coffee drink perfectly and is reversible too! I just think it is too cute!

Speaking of coffee, off to get myself a drink so I can survive the rest of this day and not snore in the stylist's chair at the hair salon tonight! :)

Thursday

The busy woman's work outfit - this is my equivalent to jeans and flip flops or sneakers and yoga pants. A couple pairs of easy-wash and wear pants and some sandals not made out of plastic in the wardrobe and I can "pass" for business casual, even if I get dressed in five minutes. This morning we had dog drama (worse than a bunch of teenagers sometimes), hungry babies, laundry and much more so I was NOT having the time to primp and prep.

Good thing I didn't go against dress code today (no jeans at work unless it's Friday, no tee shirts and no foam flip flops) because there are a bunch of people visiting from another one of our offices and I ended up being introduced to all of them. I always say you never know what life will hand you each day so you better not look as though you just rolled out of bed (even if you did)...

Attire:
Gap - Cashmere stripe cardigan, white ribbed tank and blue-gray low slung flare trousers
Lands End - Tan leather sandals
Silver jewelery

Hair:
Second day. Husband gave me a very much-appreciated head rub last night while watching TV and it left my hair a bit crazy. I used a wide-tooth comb to detangle this AM and then hit sections with a curling iron and then finger combed. This was the result. It actually looked better once I got to work - we rode in with the windows down and it really left it piecey in a nice touseled way.

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 3.0
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Stila - Lip Glaze in Fruit Cake
Avon - Glimmersticks liner in Black

I left work a bit early yesterday because I knew today and tomorrow were going to be utter insanity and long days. Came home, opened a bottle of Chardonnay, had a bubble bath and took a nap. TOTALLY what I needed after the past couple of weeks!

Friday - Wednesday

We're having a couple more crazy weeks at my job. Vacations, family circumstances that have had people out of the office and clients hoping to get the world created in a day. On top of that, there's still weddings and showers to shoot and attend, family situations and babies who are learning to eat solids and are going to crawl any day now! However I will still try to post regularly to keep this lovely blog (and you readers) going.

As you have noticed, comments are currently turned off. I just don't have the time and was going through a bit of guilt not responding to comments and questions. If I turn them off... then I don't get an Inbox full of sweet comments and valid questions and a head full of guilt and thinking I cannot maintain a proper blog. I hope to turn them back on very soon. Do know I wouldn't leave you readers hanging - if I ever did plan on ending this blog I would provide notice. And that is NOT the plan any time soon! :)

Friday - Sunday
This past weekend I returned to the beach. This time it was the annual trip with my mom and sister (see 2008, 2007 and 2006) and we brought Emerson along for the ride!

What I packed:
- White Gap low-slung flare trousers (two pairs - were on sale and then got 30% off!)
- Old Navy puff sleeve tees - black and Kelly green
- Gap ribbed tanks - White and black
- Ann Taylor matte jersey wrap dress in black
- Callisto heeled sandals in tan
- J. Crew flip flops in black
- Miraclesuit one-piece in black
- Old Navy jersey flippy skirt in black (wear as skirt and also as tube-top style beach coverup)
- Aqua sleeveless v-neck sweater tunic from Gap (has ties at the shoulders - think on clearance right now)
- Black yoga pants and dark red Bravado nursing tank for PJs

What I wore on the trip down:
- Gap low-slung flare trousers in light blue-gray
- Purple Old Navy v-neck tee with silkscreened pattern on front
- Flip flops

After unpacking, we headed out to Rehoboth Avenue to grab lunch and do a bit of shopping. I switched out of the silkscreened tee to my black puff sleeved tee and added a bit of silver jewelery.

Friday night I didn't go out because Emerson and I were exhausted. My mom and sister brought me back dinner and E slept while I had a pajama party eating decadent Italian from Adriatico in my bed while watching The Soup. Not too glamorous, but it really was a treat after how hectic life has been as of recent (and Emerson slept through the night too!).

Saturday we went to the beach all day. I wore the black jersey skirt, the green tee and flip flops. I pulled up the skirt to be a beach coverup when necessary, and threw back on the tee when we headed back to dry land for lunch and when we went back to the hotel. The bod is not back to normal, and a Miraclesuit did a great job at pulling everything in. This is the one that I wore - I felt that the neckline did a good job at not making it look like a "Mom Suit." I may BE a Mom and I may not be skinny, but I don't want to look dumpy or dowdy! This Mom still is hot! :)

Saturday night we went out to dinner and roamed around the town a bit. It was still an early night because I didn't want to get Emerson off her sleep schedule. I wore the black ribbed tank over the white one, the white trousers and a new turquoise multi-bead necklace I purchased the day prior. Tan sandals with the look.

Sunday we had breakfast and then headed to the outlets to do a bit of shopping. I wore the aqua sweater with white trousers and the tan sandals and silver jewelery. We didn't stay at the Outlets long because we didn't want to torture Emerson but I did get two really cute tops from Banana Republic Outlet!

The beach was really fun, and Emerson LOVED the hotel pool. She was a bit freaked out by the waves and putting her feet in the water and sand, but was fascinated by it when safe in my arms. I look forward to taking her back again next year!

Monday:
Attire:
Banana Republic Outlet - Indigo Jersey top
Gap - Low slung flare trousers in White
Sofft - Black patent T-strap heels
Silver jewelery

Hair:
Only conditioned with Matrix. Curl.Life conditioner (trying to shampoo less)
Frederic Fekkai Luscious Curls Cream
Let air dry (sister drove me to work so no wet head on public transportation)
The no-poo worked - I ended up with lovely silky ringlets

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 3.0, some beige shadow that came as a gift with purchase
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black
Stila - Glossy Lipstick in Amber

Tuesday:
No pictures Tuesday, running late. Too bad because my top was cute. Oh well, you'll see it next week! :)

I wore my new emerald green short-sleeved sweater from Banana Republic Outlet with my off-white jeans from Ann Taylor and my orange leather thong sandals from Born. Gold knot necklace from Ann Taylor. Hair was second day and still looked pretty fab - I gently brushed out the ends and then used a touch of Jonathan Silky Dirt to separate and smooth.

Makeup was pretty basic - same Estee Lauder foundation and Cargo bronzer, but I used the Revlon ColorStay shadow quad for a day-worthy smoky eye.


Wednesday:
Attire:
Old Navy - my VERY trusty black matte jersey wrap dress
Treehouse - New turquoise multi-bead necklace
Sofft - Black patent T-strap heels

Hair:
Teeny bit of Pureology shampoo, only at the roots and the Matrix conditioner.
Wanted to do the same thing as Monday with the air drying the Luscious Curls Cream, but I showered and applied then E needed to be fed. She likes to yank on my hair and break off the ends while nursing so I have to put up in an elastic to feed her. By time I took it out, my hair looked as though I was in an over the hill metal band. So I took large sections in a curling iron, let the big curls cool, then finger combed. This was the result.

Beauty:
Same Cargo bronzer, same Stila lipstick, same Estee Lauder foundation, same Revlon ColorStay shadow quad. I think it's the same face I had on Tuesday! :)

I know it's a corny pose, still trying to perfect the five-second daily photo location. The parking lot of my court isn't that great though I am providing morning entertainment for all my neighbors! ;)

Monday

Attire:
Ann Taylor - Ivory and black print ruffle-trim jersey wrap top
Banana Republic - Black knit cami
Old Navy - Black ponte trousers
Sofft - Red patent T-strap sandals
Ralph Lauren - Silver necklace
Silver hoops and cuff

Hair:
Washed and conditioned night prior
Frederic Fekkai - Luscious Curls Cream added while damp
Just left as-is because I showered and then was playing with Emerson and not really caring about my hair except to keep her from pulling it. This morning I put in the curling iron in large sections and once I got to work I fluffed and it looked quite nice.

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 3.0, Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Wild Ginger
Nars - Blush in Orgasm
Stila - Eye shadow in Kitten
Maybelline - UltraLiner in Black
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black

I completely forgot to take a closeup picture so here is one I snapped just while typing this. Good way to see how the makeup and hair holds up throughout the day...

Saturday and Sunday

This weekend was spent in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with four of my dear friends. One friend has a beach house a couple miles from the water and we stayed there. I'll admit it, we never went to the actual beach. We have all had such hectic lives lately, the getaway was more about R&R than sand and sun.

Friday evening we arrived quite late since we all worked that day and had dinner together before getting on the road. We pretty much unpacked and went to sleep.

Saturday it was so nice to wake when my body told me to - but since I am still nursing I woke early to pump. But I was able to snuggle back into bed! :) We made breakfast and then headed to the community pool which was literally across the street from the house. We spent the day there reading magazines, napping, swimming slow laps and catching up with one another.

Saturday night we decided to hit the town, and that town was Dewey Beach.

Attire:
Ann Taylor - Black jersey ruffle-trim sleeveless wrap top
H&M - Black synthetic cami
Gap - White low-slung flare trousers
Callisto - Tan leather sandals
Silver jewelery

Hair:
Bumble & Bumble - Styling Lotion
Dried with round brush and dryer

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 3.0
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Stila - Shiny Lipstic in Amber
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black

Oh yes, I get my friends involved with the blog photos - hence the cheesy picture with the wine glass! :)

We went out to dinner and then headed to Downtown Dewey to see a popular local band, drink some beer on the water and have some amazing People Watching. My beer-driven photography is unfortunately on my sister's camera so I can't share at this time. But there is always some pretty hysterical beach fashion!

Sunday, we did another Dewey tradition - The Starboard's Suicide Sunday. We believe in handling this tradition in the proper manner - no fancy outfits, no fresh hair, no morning after shower.

So here I am after ocean mist and humidity on Sunday morning (which gave me some awesome waves and body), sipping my custom-made Bloody Mary. I wore my black nursing tank from Gap (which doesn't look super nursing) and my low-slung flare chinos from Gap in the light blue/gray color. Black flip flops, my Ray Bans aviators, a bit of waterproof mascara and lip balm!

We had a great breakfast/brunch/social time and headed back to the house. We toyed with hitting the pool or beach but decided we all wanted to get home so we could unpack and decompress before the work week. Good thing, because it started raining cats and dogs (and mice and raccoons) just 45 minutes after getting on the road!

Al really nice weekend with some really nice friends. Truly what I needed after such hectic weeks as of recent!

Thursday and Friday

Thursday:
Attire:
Ann Taylor Loft - Blackberry dolman sweater
Gap - Navy linen blend trousers
Gift - Olive chrocheted scarf
Ralph Lauren - Silver necklace
Silver chain with wedding band, silver hoops and cuff
Lands End - Tan leather sandals

Hair:
Washed and conditioned
Frederic Fekkai - Luscious Curls Cream added while damp, scrunched, let air dry

Beauty:
Estee Lauder - Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup in Intensity 3.0
Cargo - Matte BeachBlush in Tenerife
Revlon - ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis
Benefit - Lipstick in Bouquet Dive
Cover Girl - LashBlast mascara in Rich Black

Friday:
Friday I worked from home so I spent the day in black yoga pants from Old Navy and a dark red nursing tank from Bravado. Friday night I left for Rehoboth Beach for the weekend with four of my close girl friends. More detail in next post!