Shorts Appropriate

So part of getting older means realizing a few things you used to wear aren't exactly going to work in your life anymore. 

One of those things is

shorts. 

Or, I should clarify, 

length of shorts. 

Now, up until recently, 

I have always been the chick who likes to wear shorts shorter than I should. 

I am seriously lacking in the bootay region (as a matter a fact, my ass as never come close to being described as a bootay...),

so wearing short shorts was never really an issue. 

No inappropriate butt bulge in sight. 

High five...to me...

That was until I had my babies, 

and I started paying attention to the amount of time I spend during my day bending over to pick up my kids. 

Cue: inappropriate butt bulge. 

AND the inspiration behind this post. 

Now, to discuss the various short lengths, 

and their appropriateness. 

Level 1:

unknown Pinterest photo

 If your butt looks like this when you bend over,

or even worse, 

when you are standing, 

I don't care how old you are. 

NO. 

No No No. 

Nooooooo.

This is not ok. 

You'll have passerbys placing bets to whether you are a stripper or a hooker, 

and if you are neither...

well, my dear...

that is a situation I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Level 2:

Pinterest

This is usually the level of shortness I stick to, 

and even this is fairly short. 

I have to stop and ask myself sometimes, 

do most women in their late 20s with children wear shorts this short?

And the answer is...

I don't really care. 

Until my butt and upper legs starts looking like it got hit with a bag of nickels, 

I'm going to keep wearing shorts like this. 

Shazaam. 

Level 3:

Pinterest

This level is usually appropriate for anyone. 

And its probably the length I should consider. 

Even if you have a JLo behind, 

these should work for you. 

These allow those who like to dress more appropriate than myself

look sexy and classy. 

All at the same time. 

Win. Win. 

Level 4:

manrepeller.com

The Bermuda. 

The universally flattering short length. 

I seriously have yet to see any woman who does not look good in Bermuda shorts. 

If you are not as daring,

but are facing 100 degree weather like I have been for the last two weeks, 

these are your go-to shorts. 

I have been literally foaming at the mouth for some lace shorts...

These are kinda sorta a BIG DEAL right now, 

and I am on the hunt for some reasonably priced, 

and not too short, 

lace shorts. 

Lace shorts can be paired with a multitude of tops, shoes, etc, 

but the key to wearing lace shorts, 

at least if they are white, 

is to have them rest a little bit longer on your leg. 

That takes away the risk of diaper drama. 

I don't know about you guys, 

but

I don't ever want to be mistaken for wearing a diaper in public. 

Shorts Appropriate by ninjasandnailpolish featuring wrap jewelry

Vero Moda short shorts, $17 / ALDO high heels / Hermès clutch handbag / Alexander McQueen jewelry / Gorjana stud earrings / Oasis wrap jewelry, $46 / Friendship bracelet / Tom Ford cat eye sunglasses, $300 / Essie nail polish

Sometimes You Just Need a Boost

Are you one of those girls that needs to look at pretty pictures to bring your mood up?

I know I am. 

Some girls may look at puppies (I do this too), 

Some at cute babies (I have my own), 

and some like to look at pretty pictures. 

In my case, the best way to cheer me up when I need a boost, 

is to look at pretty clothes. 

Fashion for me is a source of inspiration, 

and let's not confuse my overly eager love of fashion for materialism or a me being a tad bit superficial. 

Its just an honest to goodness love affair with style.

Here's why:

I love how an ordinary tee can look stunning with the right accessories. 

ashley-ringmybell.blogspot.com.es

I love how the perfect combination of coral and pleats can make your day instantly better. 

itsonbitch.tumblr.com

I love how lace can make you look dainty, when you are in fact Superwoman. 

weheartit.com

I love that you can represent your personality in a single outfit.

capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com

I love that a neutral outfit can give you the confidence to conquer anything.

cupcakesandcashmere.com

And I love that the right combination of heels and dress can bring your man (or woman!) to their knees.

Fashion is exciting, representative of who you are, and can give you the confidence to conquer the day when you walk out the door in the morning. Or evening. Whenever you leave your house. 

I'm not trying to tell you that you need to look a certain way to be happy, or fulfilled, 

but I do think that when you present yourself in the best way possible, 

you will generally feel amazing. 

So, to wrap this up, I paired together a fun and fearless outfit I would love to wear this summer. 

Going out top, £16
Peplum skirt, $68
Diane von Furstenberg suede sandals, $275
Chanel quilted shoulder bag, $4,812
Astley Clarke yellow gold earrings, $795
Nordstrom jewelry, $38
Mango cuff jewelry, £20
Victoria Beckham metal sunglasses, $559
Essie sheer nail polish, $8


 I love a good mint and gold combo. So chic. 

XX
Cat

H&M Madness

OMG.

The fashion angels have answered my prayers, ya'll. 

Starting this summer, I will officially be living within 20 minutes of my very own...

H&M!!!!!!

Real talk: This is like a big girl Forever 21. 

More real talk: I still shop at Forever 21, but after seeing the passion my fellow fashion bloggers have for H&M, and how stinkin' amazing they look in their duds, it has made me ridiculous with excitement that I too will be able to shop there very, very soon. 

Here are some lovely ladies sporting H&M attire that brings my excitement level to an eleven.

(Spinal Tap reference, anyone?)

 All these lovely photos are of H&M clothing!

With all this fashionable attire at a price I can hand over my bank card for, 

I may actually find the courage to start posting photos of my own outfit compilations...

Holy cheeseballs. 

While I'm sure that these fashions are no longer in stores (just my luck...), 

I do hope to find the below blazer, or at least a similar option for one. 

I have been literally foaming at the mouth for a pink blazer. 

H M dress, £15
H M jacket, £25
H&M sandals, £7.99
H M shoulder bag, £13
H M bracelet, £3.99
H M necklace, £13
H M ring, £1.99
H&M sunglasses, £4.99
Essie nail polish


Do you live near a H&M? If so, PLEASE take advantage of it. Do you even see the prices next to the above outfit? Come on people... :-)


Smooches, 

Cat 

10 Things I'm Stoked About: Swimsuits

Two post in one day?

Talk about a productive double whammy. 

So about the next thing I'm totally stoked about...

Swimwear.

Call me crazy, but this is the first year I am actually excited about rocking out my bathing suit and strutting my stuff. 

And this is AFTER having my second child. 

While I can appreciate a well-fitting bikini, 

I love a vintage inspired one piece. 

Plus, its really more appropriate when you have a fanny pack of skin where your six-pack used to rest. 

dreamsicleday.tumblr.com

etsy.com

4.bp.blogspot.com

I could totally see myself in any of those one-pieces. 

Miu Miu bandeau bikini, $245
Xhilaration Juniors Cotton Voile Tunic Swim Cover Up Dress Orange..., $20
Oasis glitter sandals, $35
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent leather tote, $260
Linea Pelle Collection leather jewelry, $64
Yves Saint Laurent red bangle, $395
Roxy beach umbrella, $44
Phase Eight floppy hat, £30
Mango oversized sunglasses, £23
Philosophy sun care, $26
Essie blue nail polish, $8
MASLIN Zebra hide towel with leather holster, £240


This is the first year I am looking forward to swimming in the pool 
IN. PUBLIC. 

Yay for self-confidence!

Are YOU excited about swimsuit season?? 

If I was a Pin-Up...

I have always been a huge fan of the "pin-up" look. 

Whether or not it is considered "in", 

I like to rock out a classic 40s-50s look every now and then. 

You can't help but feel like Marilyn Monroe every time you adorn a pair of cropped pants, or a well-fitted pencil skirt. 

 

life.time.com

 

As it would appear, 

however, 

it is coming back IN.

There is something so sexy, feminine, and classic when it comes to this look,
so its no wonder that a slew of celebrities and fashion icons are choosing to adopt this classic and timeless image of womanhood.

brightgreenlaces.com

news.instyle.com

dedica.la

generally-speaking.com

I mean, c'mon.

I decided to put together a fairly dainty pin-up inspired look.

When you have two young children, trying to look "sexy" is just laughable. 
Especially because you have a good chance of being covered in some sort of substance regularly,

Sexy is not the first term that comes to mind.
Regardless of what you're wearing.

Polka dot dress, $80
Suede high heels, £55
Henry Cuir genuine leather handbag, $2,485
Mastoloni freshwater pearl jewelry, $190
Givenchy pearl earrings, $26
Cat eye sunglasses, $14
Iman red lipstick, $10
False eyelash, $2.96
Essie nail polish, $8


I really think I need to find a way to purchase all of this outfit immediately. 
Truth. 

Do YOU love pin-ups?? 

10 Things I'm Stoked About: Peep Toes and Polish

So I kinda lied to you all. 

Not a big one. 

However, I told you that this new series would be a Tuesday thing. 

And I changed my mind. 

I'm too excited about everything for SPRING(!), so I didn't want to wait to talk about them. 

Anyway, 

on to the topic of today's post. 

The next thing I'm stoked about for Spring is

Peep Toes and Polish!

flickr.com

sterlingstyle.net

google.com

fashionettes.tumblr.com

cupcakesandcashmere.com

link!

Needless to say, I am really, really, REALLY excited about exposing my little piggies to the sunshine. 

And getting to paint them. 

Today, I painted them a brilliant hot pink. 

Below are some possible peep toe and polish combinations:

Wallis blue shoes, $61
Alexander McQueen heel booties, £465
Flat heel shoes, €89
Sam Edelman snakeskin heels, £205
Melissa peach shoes, 145 AUD
Essie nail polish
Essie nail polish, $8
Christian Dior nail polish, $23
Christian Dior nail polish, $23
Nail polish

So ladies, get out there.
Let your toes out of those sweaty cages they've been cooped up in for months


And paint them a glorious color to accent the equally amazing footwear choice I'm sure you will all adorn. 

What type of peep-toe/polish combination is YOUR favorite?

Easter Sunday

So I have been admittedly depressed lately. 

I had originally thought it was the result of the anticipation related to my daughter's upcoming cardiologist check-up, but since that appointment has come and gone (with her coming away from it doing amazing!!), I still feel...

Sad. 

So, I immediately got down to business in trying to remedy this problem. 

One of my first theories was the weather. 

Fall/Winter makes me sad. 

There is no sun. No life. No excuse to paint my toenails because nobody will see them. 

It tends to be a depressing time. 

However, today it is in the 70s, is lovely out...took a walk with my girls...

And I'm still down in the dumps. 

So I tried doing some art, a former (and current) passion of mine that usually lifts my spirits. 

Please excuse the painted over outlet cover...we just painted...
This boosted my spirits, and inspired me to start doing my artwork again, 
but again...the thrill subsided and I felt incomplete again. 

Then I hopped onto the internet while my older daughter was napping and my younger one crawled all over my bedroom, exploring everything now that she is MOBILE (baby proofing still needs to happen). 
I thought purchasing a pair of mint skinnies would help.

Buy me!

No...still did not work....
Mood---still not lifted.


Then I happened across a new post my friend Melissa made on her inspirational blog. 
And then I realized something. 
I miss my friends. 
Since moving to Alabama while my husband is on recruiting duty, I have been extremely lonely. 
Being with my daughters all day is a joy, but there are times where you need to be with your girls...
And I have no "girls" here. 
That is exactly what I miss. 
I miss the huge population of stay at home moms, who were always up for a weekday brunch, a night time Mexican dinner, or a play date at the park. 
I had an amazing group of ladies that made deployments, field ops, and day to day stress bearable and fun. 
Ladies...you know who you are...I miss you. 

So, after reading Melissa's blog, I made a decision. 
I would find a new church here in our new town. 
I went to a wonderful church back at our former duty station, one that felt comfortable and like home. 
I have made it my mission to find another one that makes me feel that wonderful. 
And when I find it, I will join a small group. 
I will find a new group of fabulous ladies. 
And I will make this place feel more like home. 

Church is MAJOR down here...as it rightfully should be. High five, Jesus!

Here is what I plan to wear on Easter Sunday. 

Rare floral print dress, £45
Alexander McQueen blazer, £1,145
Dorothy Perkins heel wedge, $69
Chanel quilted bag, £3,725
Chanel chain jewelry, £485
Chan luu jewelry, $115
Carolee glass earrings, $28
Sparkle sunglasses, $10
Essie nail polish, €14


Yes, there is Chanel. And Alexander McQueen. 
Two hot labels that I cannot afford currently (and greatly wish that I could). 
However, I do have a white blazer. And some awesome gold wrist candy. 
::sigh:: Chanel bag...we will meet someday...

I promise to get back to my quirky, upbeat posts. 


What are YOU going to wear on Easter Sunday?? 

Stylish Comfort

Stylish Comfort by ninjasandnailpolish featuring black teardrop earrings