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 

Lady in Blue

This blog has really brought me out of my fashion shell, I have to admit. 

Prior to becoming a fashion blogger (if I can really call myself that is up for debate), 

I was admittedly, a bit boring in my fashion choices. 

I stuck with jeans and tshirts, the occasional sundress, and ballet flats. 

They were some rockin' tshirts, but I typically stuck to the more neutral palate of whites, grays, blacks and tans. Especially when it came to shoes. 

So, since I have become a fan of checking out other fashion bloggers,

especially the ones more courageous than myself who willingly post pictures of themselves in all their finery, 

and have come to fall in love with 

COLOR.

One of the colors I'm kinda freaking out about at the moment is royal blue. 

Or peacock blue, whatever you want to call it. 

I'm actually wearing this shiny jewel-toned blue blouse as I'm typing this, 

which works so well with the hot-pink manicure I gave myself yesterday. 

Style points for me. 

Anyway, 

I wanted to share with you all pictures of my royal blue love affair I'm currently in. 

Hopefully, this inspires you all as well. 

live-breathe-fashion.tumblr.com

google.com

ampersanddesignstudios.blogspot.com

theberry.com

tobi.com

Its really easy to fall for this color. 

Stella McCartney high rise shorts, $695
Kara summer shoes, £35
CÉLINE bag
Glam Rock leather jewelry, $1,195
Pieces white pearl jewelry, $22
Balenciaga aviator shades, $375
Lily and Lionel floral shawl, £150
2b skinny belt, $9.95
Butter London bright nail polish, $14


Confession: While I was typing this, I was simultaneously ordering a pair of shorts in this color.

My husband is going to sign me up for Shopaholics Anonymous any day now,
I can see it happening.

Do YOU love royal blue? 

10 Things I'm Stoked About: Colored Denim

And you thought I forgot. 

Or had completely abandoned my previous quest, 

as I typically do. 

This time, I kept at it. 

So the NEXT thing on my list of things I'm stoked about is...

COLORED. DENIM.

Boom. 

See what I did there?

So I take it by now you have heard about this trend more times than you care to mention. 

I have only recently become a huge junkie for it, 

so much so that I have been parading 4 different types of colored denim around Alabama much to the delight (or wonder) of the local populace. 

Learn to love it, Southerners. 

While I haven't branched out from the pink shades (I currently own peach, pink, coral shades). 

There are so many awesome options out there.

shoppingandinfo.com

alluringmelodies.tumblr.com

kissies.se

longislandprep.tumblr.com

brooklynblonde.com

So amazing. 

After viewing these photos and putting together the outfit below, I think my next purchase will be of the green denim variety.

Graumann silk top, 1.299 DKK
Boyfriend jacket, $130
Old Navy star jeans, $35
Costume National leather booties, $403
Chloé top handle handbag, £790
Alexander mcqueen jewelry, $495
Marc by Marc Jacobs yellow gold jewelry, $250
Sequin necklace, $158
Worthington cuff bangle, $12
H&M retro shades, £4.99
Butter London lacquer nail polish, $14



I think I need those shoes too. 

I myself am wearing some ridiculously awesome pants today:

 That's right. 

Pink. Power.


Do YOU love colored denim??? 

10 Things I'm Stoked About: America Day

So this series really should have been "5 Things I'm Stoked about..."

I was a tad bit overzealous on the get-go, 

and now I'm scrambling to find a complete 10. 

Oh well. 

I will persevere. 

ANYWAY

while it is months away

the next thing I am STOKED about is

the 

FOURTH OF JULY!

I always love this holiday but especially this year because I vow to make it the best one ever. 

etsy.com

lindseysdolcevita.blogspot.com

eighten25.blogspot.com

allrecipes.com

Another reason I am really excited about the upcoming holiday

is because last year I spent it watching the fireworks from the Pediatric ICU 

while my youngest, Madelyn, was recovering from open heart surgery. 

I want to make this one special. 

For her, for the rest of my family (since we were separated from one another last year), 

and for me. 

Victoria s Secret slouchy shirt, $18
Flag Printed Hotpants, $68
Jimmy Choo roman sandals, $275
Oasis crossbody handbag, $70
Oasis bracelet, $50
House of Harlow 1960 gold plated jewelry, $30
The 2 Bandits chain jewelry
Burberry aviator shades, £179
Butter London nail polish, $14

I want those shorts. 
For. Realz. 


I hope you all are as excited as me for the Fourth this year. 

BBQ, fireworks, family, and (hopefully)
a big ass margarita with my name on it. 


What will YOU be doing this Fourth of July??? 

A little bit of Zooey

I recently launched my own graphic design studio. 

Can I get a wut WUT?!

I even have my own business cards. 

What a big girl I am turning out to be. 

So upon this new beginning, 

I took a look in the mirror and decided I needed to 

polish up my look. 

My hair is always a hot mess, 

so I think a little bit of taming is order. 

Cue the need for a grown-up hair do. 

I'm not saying I want to look like Hilary Clinton [nooooooo!!!!]. 

Nor am I hatin' on old girl, 

but upon realizing I had pinned at least 20 pictures of Zooey Deschanel, 

I think I needed to take a closer look at this option. 

And share some Zooey love with you all. 

pocandposh.com

fancysouth.tumblr.com

elericj,tumblr.com

divergentmusings.com

It's easy to assume I might be slightly obsessed with our Ms. Deschanel. 

In a purely innocent, none-uber psycho stalker way, promise. 

So, with all these magnificent photos of our gal here giving me a major hair crush, 

here is YOUR job...

Take a looksie at my photo below and tell me (honestly, but nicely) if her do would 

look good on myself. 

I can't take a serious photo of myself to save my life. 

I'm horribly awkward when it comes to pictures. 

To wrap this up, 

below is a bit more of my weird homage to Zooey. 

Mango lace top, £35
Pleated denim skirt, £12
Madewell ballerina shoes, $88
Lulu Guinness leather bag, $1,025


  I haven't even seen her show. 
What kind of mega-fan am I?

Do YOU love Zooey??

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??