Party, Party, Party!

I felt like Cinderella. In May, I gave up getting "dressed" for the office in order to live in sweats and yoga pants for a nanny position that is segueing me into the life I've always dreamed of - being a SAHM. But when I received an invitation to my boss' yearly Christmas cocktail party, I knew it was my chance to finally get glammed up after such a long time of losing my identity behind the bulk of too big t-shirts. I'd been on the search for the perfect long-sleeved black shift dress, preferably with lace detailing, and on Friday, I still hadn't found the perfect frock. Instead of giving up and wearing something I already owned, I bought a dress at Kohl's that was just okay. Then, it hit me. Hello... I never shop at department stores, so I should probably just try it this once. JCPenny was the jackpot! I found my perfect dress and was able to return the mediocre one. Getting dressed up in the cocktail dress of my dreams, doing my hair and make-up, and wearing ridiculous shoes that made me want to cry was SO.MUCH.FUN!

dress: R&K from JCPenny

shoes: Mossimo from Target

bag: Dama Handbags, won from TFD giveaway

 face make-up: Dinair Airbrush kit + Bare Minerals 

eyeshadow: e.l.f. Studio palette 

mascara: L'Oreal Million Lashes

lipstick: Jet Setter by Rimmel

My brother caught a picture of me telling the dog to back it up out of my photo sesh. Although I look like a bossy brat, this is the only good picture of my silver and black eyeshadow, so in place of fear that you'll think I'm a yeller, I'll spare myself and imagine you really just wanted to see my make-up.

And just like Cinderella, I had a wonderful time at the party, came home, and got back into my rags. Then I spent the entire glamorous night waking up with my itty bitty who is very, very sick with a cold/cough situation. Pray she gets it out of her system before the holiday!

Black, White, & Red All Over

When one does not get dressed often, one finds it necessary to put on some red lips. One = me, by the way. I bought my very first red lipstick, ever, and I'm sort of obsessed. I had no idea how blue my eyes would look with red lips! And I feel so Christmas-y! Or... perhaps that's the undecorated tree behind me.

lipstick: Jet Setter by Rimmel

sweater: New York & Company

skirt: Thrifted

booties: Payless

handbag: Dama Handbags, giveaway win from TFD

I realize I haven't been much of an outfit poster lately and I'm working on changing that! It really is tough when I don't have many reasons to "get dressed." So many stay-at-home-moms have told me that when they stay home, they really do dress to impress and I hope I can do the same when I start staying home in March. However, when I'm caring for four toddlers, ages 1, 2, 3, and 4, and doing dishes, preparing meals, cleaning up all the time, I swear it's yoga pants, sweats, and t-shirts. So once I begin staying at home and caring for one toddler, cleaning up, preparing meals, oh... and throw taking care of two dogs in there, we'll see if I can manage. In the meantime, I'll be sure to photograph EVERY single weekend outfit I ever wear. Okay, I'll try really hard!

And in case you were missing Little S. -

Obviously, she's missing you, too!

If you need to do some holiday shopping or holiday decorating, I know a GREAT PLACE.