Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A casual outfit

 

What I am wearing:
Dress: Express (buy similar here or here
Jacket: H&M (buy similar here or here
Sunglasses: Kate Spade Gayla 

 




Since I am still at home, the outfits I post are going to be on the casual side. I wore this outfit to lunch with some of my co-workers last week when the weather was absolutely gorgeous. This week's weather is a different story. I am going to stay inside with my little one tonight. 37 degrees is just too cold for a new born to be outside. If you're going (or taking your kids) trick or treating tonight, have a blast and stay warm.

 Happy Halloween! 
Sydney

Friday, October 26, 2012

Introducing...


{For those who asked: This photo taken by me with the Nikon D90 and the Nikon 50mm 1.4G lens}

Six weeks ago, we welcomed baby Madelyn into our lives. Having a baby is a life-changing event. For the past 6 weeks, I've experienced all kinds of feelings from joy, fascination, and excitement to exhaustion. One day I wish I could be a stay-at-home mom and the next day, I can't wait to go back to work. The best advice I can give is to rest as much as you can and accept any help that was offered.

For the first few weeks at home, I was happy that Madelyn slept so peacefully during the day. I was able to get everything done from doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, baking and everything else in between. By 7:00 P.M, I am dead tired. Since she slept so much during the day, she wanted to stay up and play at night(when my body and my mind desperately needed to go to sleep).

Since I am still on my maternity leave, I offered to take care of Madelyn at night so everyone can get a good night's sleep. That didn't last very long. One night at 1:00 A.M, I broke down and asked my husband if he could take the baby before I lose my mind. Poor guy didn't know what happened because he thought things were under control.

Lesson learned! Since then, we put together a “baby duty” schedule so both of us can have at least 4 hours of sleep each night. I am glad that we're doing/enjoying this together. In this fast-paced society, we are always in a hurry and there is never enough time in the day to accomplish all the things that need to be done. Sometimes, we forget to slow down and enjoy the little things along the way. It's still hard for me to see dirty clothes in the baskets, things are on the floor, no home-made meals every night. Although, I know I need to prioritize my chores and take care of myself first. That way I'll have the energy and cherish every single moment with my girls. A new baby can bring much joy, but it can also challenge you in ways you never expected. Despite all the hard work, this precious face is worth every effort.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A bit of Edge

I think it's very difficult to stay true to your personal style yet still look fresh and on trend. The best way I can describe my style is casual and classic. Often times, my style is heavily influenced by classic, casual pieces and of course, mostly in neutrals. Classic clothes and accessories are great investment pieces, but the style can become boring if it isn't mixed with others. I always try to stay true my style but love adding a twist to a classic look.



For someone who loves classic lines, a leather jacket is not always high on my list. Although, I did spend quite a bit of time last year looking for one. I gave up after a while because everything I found was either too expensive or not the right fit. Originally, I wanted a real leather jacket. Later on, I realized it wasn't a smart buy to spend over $300 on something that I wasn't sure about. For some people, leather jackets are winter staples. For me, a leather jacket is just a trendy accessory to my wardrobe. I would grab my pea coat over a leather jacket any day. 

   

For a trendy piece I only wear a few times a year, I am happy with the standing collar biker jacket from OASAP. The faux leather is incredibly soft. The fit is perfect for someone my size. I like the cropped look with subtle rock-chic details. This particular jacket is sold out but they have several different styles to choose from. One item crossed off my fall/winter wish list =)



Here's a recap of what I've accomplished so far on my wish list:
1. Ankle-strap flats (purchased)
2. A burgundy skirt (purchased)
3. A cross-body bag for work (purchased)
4. A pair of printed pumps (purchased)
5. A leather/faux leather moto jacket (purchased)
6. An over-sized sweater
7. A new pair of riding boots (something similar to this or this)
8. A leopard infinity scarf (thinking about getting this scarf)
9. A plaque belt (something similar to this) or a leopard belt (something similar to this)



Readers, how would you describe your personal style?
Sydney

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Fall/Winter 2012 Wishlist

Last year, I put together a Fall wishlist and it worked out really well. Since I don’t have an unlimited budget, a wish list helps me stay focused on what I truly want. It also gives me something to work towards when I am out shopping instead of buying things I end up not needing. Here are 10 items on my wishlist this Fall. Though I don't have much time to go shopping these days, I've already knocked off a few items from my list (thanks to online shopping!)


1. Ankle-strap flats (purchased)
2. A burgundy skirt (purchased)
3. A cross-body bag for work (purchased)
4. A pair of printed pumps (purchased)
5. A leather/faux leather moto jacket (purchased)
6. An over-sized sweater
7. A new pair of riding boots (purchased)
8. A leopard infinity scarf (purchased)
9. A plaque belt (something similar to this) or a leopard belt (something similar to this)
10. New skincare product. I've been searching for new skincare products to improve my skin. I heard so many great things about the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. I think I am going to give it a try.


As you can see, my list is a good mix of classic and trendy items. I am so excited for the cooler weather and looking forward to add these new items to my wardrobe.

Readers, what's on your Fall wish list this year?
Sydney

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Recipe: Cinnamon Baked French Toast

I typically don't eat breakfast during the week. However, on the weekends, we always make an effort to eat breakfast (either at home or somewhere else). My husband and I are huge fans of pancakes and French toast. I am always on the lookout for great breakfast recipes. A few months ago, I stumped upon this recipe and decided to give it a try. I've been using the recipe for months and it comes out perfect every time. Did I mention how wonderful the house smells when the butter is melting =)? If you are a fan of french toast, you have to give this recipe a try.



Ingredients (from the original recipe)
1 loaf crusty sourdough or french bread
8 whole eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup whipping (heavy) cream 
3/4 cups sugar
2 tables spoons vanilla extract

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Fall is in the air


What I am wearing:
Blouse: Old Navy *old* (buy similar here)
Denim: Sevens 7 Classic Flare *old* (buy similar here)
Belt: J.Crew *old* (buy similar here)



Nothing says Fall better than a small dose of leopard print =)

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Old pieces

Happy Thursday, everyone!

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words on my last post. You guys sure know how to make me feel good =). To be honest with you, I haven’t done anything trying to lose weight. I am very fortunate that I am one of those lucky people who have a fast metabolism. I gained 25 pounds with my first pregnancy. I left the hospital with only 5 pounds left to lose. I eventually lost all of my baby weight within 3 weeks.

 

What I am wearing:
Jacket: Ann Taylor - size 0P (buy similar)
Pants: Old Navy Rockstar denim - size 2
Shoes: Target suede wedges (buy similar)
Tee: H&M - size 4 (buy similar
Sunglasses: Kate Spade Gayla

Monday, October 1, 2012

Polka dot trench

Today marks the beginning of my third week postpartum and I feel like myself again. The recovery was rough but I am feeling better every day. I am constantly pumping, nursing, doing laundry and changing baby M all day long. Sometimes, I feel like my body is about to shut down. At other times, I look at her precious face and can't imagine life could get much more perfect. Research shows 1 out of every 8 women has postpartum depression. While I am not depressed by any means, I do try my best to keep my spirits up. It's one of the reasons I want to get back into blogging. Getting back into doing things that you love is the best way to keep your mind on the right track.
What I am wearing:
Trench: Polka dot trench c/o OASAP - size small
Jeans: Ruehl (buy similar here and here)
Pumps: Banana Republic (buy similar here and here)
Sweater: A&F (buy similar here and here)
Necklace: c/o JewelIQ