Loopsway Style

I'm often drawn to certain colors when shopping. I love pastels, neutral colors, whites, and blacks. I suppose I like to keep things simple, and I prefer softer hues. When the owner of the fabulous online boutique, Loopsway, contacted me about collaborating with this blouse, I automatically had a preference for color. I figured that either the white or pale pink would look best on me. I was wrong. Once we took the photos, I discovered that my favorite was actually the vibrant cerulean blue. I surprised myself.

It's funny how that happens. I guess it just goes to show that I shouldn't be afraid to try new things when it comes to my look. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut of wearing the same colors and styles. This is actually one bonus to my recent blogging ventures in fashion--it's forcing me outside my comfort zone, a fact that I'm having fun with.

This particular blouse actually comes in two other colors as well--black and a light olive green. I love how flowy it is without feeling shapeless. I also love the gold detail on the neckline--simple, pretty. Loopsway is an online boutique that specializes in spectacular jewelry at affordable prices. Recently, they have started branching out into clothing as well. With their cute styles and awesome prices, this is a shop worth following!

Loopsway 

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Red, White, and Chambray Memorial Day Continued | Klair Bear Style

As promised, here are the pictures we took of Klair yesterday in her holiday attire. In addition to remembering all of the fallen heroes who died serving our country, Memorial Day is one that reminds us of our own family members who have gone before. The most prominent in my mind is always the person who Klair is named after--my dad. Rather than dwell on his loss and spend the day in sadness, we chose to remember him by enjoying our little family, and especially his granddaughter who shares the same name. She is the promised morning light that comes after a long, dark night of sorrow. She brings new life to my dad's name and memory. She is all of his good qualities, a symbol of hope, and a reminder that families really can be together forever. Plus, she just looks so darn cute in her little dress and bow, how could we resist from taking 10,000 photos?

We set out to simply enjoy the day as a family. Sam has been travelling a lot for work lately, so a weekday spent together was a much needed reprieve. We played outside, took baby girl shopping with us, and even took a nap together. Our next door neighbors have a cat that loves to come hang out with us while we are in the yard, and is surprisingly fond of Klair. I don't know of many cats that would seek out a toddler, but Klair is really gentle with the little kitty and it's fun to see the bond the two have formed. In the evening we had some friends over for a barbecue, and we ate out on the deck and enjoyed the perfect weather. They brought their pup along, and Klair was thrilled to walk him around the yard. Between the cat and the dog, Klair Bear was in heaven. It was a simple, wonderful holiday. I'm convinced my dad was all smiles yesterday as he watched his namesake romp around and enjoy the beautiful day with her parents--as he watched us enjoy life.

Dress: Carter's | Bow: Homemade (Tutorial Here) | Shoes: Target | Sunnies: Carter's (Similar Here)

Red, White and Chambray | Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!  This holiday is a lot more meaningful than Sam getting the day off. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he gets a paid holiday... any extra time with him is appreciated (especially with as much as he's been traveling for work lately) but the holiday is much more than that. It's a day to be grateful--to reflect on what we have, and why we have it. From those who have gone before us, to those who are currently making sacrifices to make this life as we know it possible... they deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. America may not be perfect. We have our fair share of problems to work through. Yet, the fact that I live in a country that enjoys and protects a degree of freedom that many throughout the history of this world could only have dreamed of, is not lost on me. I can get on this little blog of mine, and shout my ideas and opinions all day long if I so desire. Me. A member of a religion born in obscurity and protected by the freedoms promised by the constitution--a true homegrown, American undertaking (and one that, I'm convinced, could not have survived anywhere else). Me. A woman--educated, empowered, encouraged even to do and say as I please.  These are not a trifle things. Peering through the lens of history (and sadly some contemporary events as well) the rights that I enjoy are made that much more impressive.

As a social studies major in college I took my fair share of history classes that emphasized the negative in American history and politics. Yet, despite the shortcomings, there has always been a silver lining--a desire to improve, to move forward, and to stay true to the principles this country was founded on. We may not always agree on the best ways to implement the American dream, or what that even means--but I'm glad for the opportunity to disagree. Democracy, freedom... it can be a messy business letting everyone have a voice, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am proud to be an American--proud of my heritage, and proud of our potential. And, along with my love of country, comes a deep and profound respect for those who have made very real, often heartbreaking sacrifices to protect it. I owe much to the men and women who have fought--even died--to protect that freedoms I enjoy every day. 

...like (but not limited to of course) the ability to talk about fashion and photography. This is my first pair of Buffalo brand jeans, and I'm in love. I've been looking for a good pair of distressed, lighter washed jeans to wear this summer, and these are perfect. I love the fit, feel, and look of them--almost the definition of a boyfriend jean, but skinny rather than a relaxed fit (which I prefer). Additionally from this post, my red and white checkered shirt is my attempt at being festive. At Sam's suggestion I paired it with my straw fedora hat I got earlier this spring. Klair went to bed a little early last night, so Sam and I had some fun taking a few fun/creative photos in our yard. Don't worry though, there will be an overload of Klair pictures once we get them uploaded. She's pretty darn cute in her little holiday outfit, if I do say so myself!

Happy Memorial Day!

 I hope you all have a beautiful day filled with lots of love and laughter. 

Jeans | Shirt (similar) | Hat (similar) | Shoes 

Plaid, Pearls, and Polka Dots | Mom and Daughter Style

My Outfit Deatails (similar items): 

Blouse | Skirt | Necklace | Booties 

Baby Girl's Outfit Details (similar items): 

Dress | Headband | Tights | Shoes 

Mixing prints is a popular trend right now, thus Klair and I proudly present a plaid and polka dot combo... with some pearls for good measure. The necklace also doubles as a toy/baby distraction (as do the bracelets seen in the photo above) which is kind of awesome. Because, when you're a mom trying to get your toddler through a church meeting (or any other social function for that matter) you have to think of these things. Fashion AND function... the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. For instance, take this eShakti skirt I scored for $5 at a fashion blogger consignment sale. It has pockets! These days, having pockets is not only nice, it's necessary. And, with the fullness of the skirt, the possibility of mom goods I can stash away makes for one happy mama.

This photo shoot was actually done a few Sundays back on a cool, rainy day. And, although our outfit colors aren't exactly "springy" in the traditional sense, I do think that Klair's little red dress really pops against the just after rain greenness of our yard, don't you? I love that little dress. In fact, I think red might be my very favorite color on Klair... something I  believe has rubbed off on her. She is obsessed with her little red Mary Jane shoes, and wants to wear them all the time, every time. They're actually the first shoes she successfully put on by herself--and on the correct feet too! Since that accomplishment she has found a new passion for putting shoes on, taking them off, and putting them on again. Her footwear obsession is both exciting and a little scary. Have I created a shoe lover/monster already? Kids really are impressionable, aren't they?

I hope you have a happy Thursday! I for one am excited for the rest of the week. Sam has been out of town since Friday and is finally home. So yes, he missed out on Mother's Day. Luckily I had the cutest girl in the world to keep me company, but I definitely missed him (he did spoil me with presents though, so I can't complain). Sam got in late last night, but was pretty tired. I can't wait to have him home and hang out with him tonight after work. Although Klair keeps me very busy while he is away, I always miss him terribly. That's the problem with fiercely loving your husband. Being apart sucks. Although, I suppose it's a good problem to have...

Mother's Day | "MOMories"

"Mama."

This is who I am--my identity. Later it will likely change to "Mommy" then "Mom" and, on occasion during those lovely teen years "MO-OM!" (pronounced "mah-ahm" with an evident bit of annoyance).

I'm a MOM. !!! 

Wow. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that one. I'm not sure I ever will. I brought a life into this world. My body housed and nourished a child for 9 months, and fed her for another 14 after that. I know I did these things. I remember them, I have photographic evidence... but it still seems so surreal. The whole pregnancy process is mysterious, amazing, and beautiful. All of motherhood is.  I continue to feed, nurture, teach, and love her, but she teaches me more. She is my daughter. She looks to me for comfort, safety, love, assurance, guidance, and fun. We have so much fun! I turn to her for everything. She and her dad are my world, and every moment I spend with either of them strengthens the love I have for both. I have spent more time with that little girl than anyone else in my life. We know each other so intimately, yet... there's still so much to learn. And, I wouldn't have it any other way.

My Klair Marie has captured my heart. She has taught me to love in a way I didn't know was possible until that blue eyed, mischievous little blonde came along. She showed me what it means to truly live. She is the embodiment of the love that Sam and I share. Before her we were happy, but now... now our happiness is at a level that we could never have dreamed of. She is everything good, beautiful, and pure in this world, and I am humbled to be able to call her mine.

With Mother's Day approaching, I can't help but think of all the beautiful moments that I've been able to experience in the past couple of years. I was recently approached by Dropcam for a "MOMory" campaign that they are doing in honor of Mother's Day. Thus, with this cute little pun in mind, here's a link-up with a few of my fondest "MOMories" with Klair:

 The moment we discovered I was pregnant--when we found out she was in fact a she. The first kick. The ultrasounds. The magnificently beautiful, transcendent moment Klair was born. All of her firsts--her first cry, her first smile, her first laugh, her first word ("mama"), her first scoot (she was a scooter) her first step. I even remember some of the harder moments with a bittersweet sense of fondness. When she has been sick or sad, she clings to me for comfort, and in those moments I am able to calm the storm within her--not because of me, but because of what she inspires within me. 

Additionally, as Mother's Day approaches, I can't help but think of my own mom. She went through so much, struggled so terribly at times to keep it all together in a family that was constantly being barraged by the fierce winds of opposition. Yet, through all of the pains in our family, addiction, illness of every variety, the death of my dad--she somehow made it through. And, although there were hard times, I always knew that I was loved. I had a sense of security. I had a home. I knew I could go to my mom, and she would let me lay my head in her lap while she played with my hair. I have many fun, beautiful, and tender "MOMories" of my own mom. And, now that she's a grandma, I'm able to see her in a whole new light that only adds appreciation for the mother that she is.

Lastly, with Mother's Day just a few days away, I can't help but think of all the strong, loving, nurturing female figures in my life who have "mothered" me in some way or another. I don't think that motherhood is reserved only for those who have children. There are some women who give birth that never mother a day in their lives. While there are others without children of their own who mother every day of their life. I believe when we, as women, accept and embrace the divine potential within us to love, to nurture, to inspire, to lift the hearts that hang heavy, then in those moments we truly embody the essence of what it means to be a mother. There have been many women, too many to count, who have extended love and true charity to me in a way that only those with a mother heart really can.

Motherhood. In a world where the role of a mom is viewed as less than--is constantly diminished and relegated to the sidelines in terms of what is important, or worthy of a modern woman's time--I'm grateful to know how important moms and mothers of every variety really are. I'm thrilled to be part of a church that honors, even reveres the sacred work of women--of mothers. Because of Him, I have strength, guidance, and perspective. Because of Him, I have true purpose and joy.

 “Motherhood, is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels." 

-The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
...

Our Matching Outfits.
Yep, I'm one of those moms.

Mine (similar items): 

Chambray Shirt | Midi Skirt | Pumps | Necklace 

Klair's (similar items): 

Chambray Shirt | Dress | Necklace (vintage) | Shoes | Bow (homemade--tutorial here)