This Domesticated Diva has MOVED!!!!

Hey y'all!  No, I haven't stopped blogging altogether.  I've just moved to a new location.  And somehow it slipped my mind to post it here.  My deepest apologies.  I adjust facebook, twitter, bloglovin, and pinterest but somehow missed my blog?!?  Lame.

Anywho!!!  Come check out the NEW ME and let me know what you think!  Right now I'm hosting a Noonday Collection trunk show and I have lots of new fall looks for you to check out as well as at the opportunity to win a $50 Noonday gift card.  Don't miss out!!!

Boho Chic

Lately I've been inspired by the bohemian look..but with the recent bleaching of my hair, I was giving it some time to recover before I tried the beachy waves again.

Source

Source

Well the day has come.  Sort of.  So it's still a little hesitant to bounce back (pun intended) to it's usual form...but it's enough that it doesn't drive me completely crazy, haha!  You can't deny that these boho beach waves make for an effortless style.

I've had this headband sitting in my drawer for who knows how long and I decided I should finally get some wear out of it.  What do you think?  Oh yes, and this lace tank?!?  I tried it on forever ago on a girls night out and COULDN'T get it out of my head.  Well when I went back the other day, I happened to find it on the CLEARANCE RACK!  It was just my day what can I say?  Because I also snagged that fabulous gold ring and the sunnies below >>>>>

Yep, these.  There a little 80's and I kinda love them.  And don't mind the crazy shot....with these dark shades I didn't exactly realize that I was having the kids look directly into the sun when I was trying to get them to pose for this shot.  Oh well.

Have I mentioned the sunshine is my happy place?  True story.  And the reason I parked my caboose on our little private drive here?  There's a dead rat in my backyard that I refuse to go near.  My kids keep telling me to handle it so they can go play, but I'll tell ya right now - that's not going to happen.

Ha!  And I see there's bird poop on my chair.  Classy as always, right?!? ;)  

Headband: Francesca's Collections (similar)
Lace Tank: Francesca's Collections (clearance)
Gold ring: Francesca's Collections (clearance)
Sunnies: Francesca's Collections (similar)
Cross Necklace: Forever 21 (here)
Bathing Suit: ASOS (here)

Sassy Saturday

Our jam-packed Saturday schedule had us running from one place another this past weekend.  By the time our head hit our pillows we were just completely exhausted - but OH it was SO much fun!!!  You know that kind of day, right?

If you haven't already put together the pieces, I should inform you that we don't live near our parents.  I mean, we don't live across the country either...but it's a good two hour drive so we want to have a really good reason to make the trip (besides, you know, just saying "hi").  Well Saturday was one of those days.

Every year, my MIL's work throws a company picnic, like I think a lot of places do.  But this is no ordinary potluck they do.  This is one of those all day, beer on tap, meat on the bbq (all ten of them), bouncy house, train ride, petting zoo, face painting type of picnics.  You know, the kind you drive two hours for and don't bat an eye.  So yes, we make a habit of attending this thing, along with the rest of the family.  It's well worth our time, that's for sure.  The kids have a blast and are WORN OUT by the time evening hits (hehehe --> my maniacal laugh).

This is my favorite summer sweater, BTW!!! =)

Excuse the critters =)  Just didn't want to show these kiddos b/c I don't know who they are!

But as if that wasn't a good enough reason, my graduating class (2003 baby!) was celebrating our 10 reunion.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to drop the kid's off at grandma's and dress up for a kid-free night out.  It was wonderful to see so many friends that I haven't seen in YEARS and catch up and reminisce!  It helped that hubby and attended the same high school, so even though he's two years older than me he still knew several of my classmates.

Of course I was the lame girl who forgot to take pictures practically the whole night, so this is all I really got.  =(  SAD!  I didn't even take a good pic of my new dress for y'all!  Boo.  However, there was a photo booth there so I'm HOPING those pictures will be posted on Facebook soon so that I can have some keepsakes of the night.  Regardless it was still fabulous!

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack
Dress: Urban Outfitters (Here)

Summer Date Nights

If you know me, you know I live for the sun.  So these consistently warm summer days are just heavenly to me.  My husband and I had been itching to get out of the house....and then in recent light of finding out he was no longer allergic to seafood (or rather, never really WAS allergic to seafood...long story), we had also been itching to give The Crab Pot in downtown Seattle a try.  With the weather in the 80's where it should be, the timing was perfect.

There's no denying the fact that I am a girl who loves to dress up!  And date nights are certainly no exception.  This fabulous dress (WITH removable straps and the stylish high-low hemline) caught my eye at Target several weeks back and I snagged it without even thinking.  Thankfully I LOVE it and it gets a lot of use in this house.

It's one of those fabulous (and affordable) pieces that you can dress up or dress down.  Since we were planning on walking around a bit downtown on the waterfront, I decided to stick with my go-to flats - these gladiator sandals (which I'm sad to say are on their way out...waaaah!).  They give a little sparkle which I always love!

Of course Cocoa can't resist jumping in on the photo shoot....especially when mama is on her way out.  Sweet baby girl.

This awkward shot is brought to you by one of my kids.  Can't for the life of me remember which one though!  I cropped my face out of it (because believe it or not that was even more awkward than my crazy hand pose here, haha) so that you could just zoom in on the arm candy a little bit.  I love myself an arm party - yes I do!

So yes, date night at The Crab Pot WAS absolutely fabulous!  And no allergic reactions from my hubby so YAY!  Hahaha!  Not that we were expecting any.  But we didn't exactly heed the doctor's warning to take it slow and EASE back into the seafood.  Yep - this was the first time in....14 years(???) that hubby here had shellfish.  CRAZY, huh?!?

So if you DON'T know about The Crab Pot, this is SO FUN!  They tie bibs around your neck (hence the crazy photo above and below!) give you a little board and mallot and dump a bucket of yum in front of you.  We ordered two types of crab, mussels, clams, and shrimp....and it comes with potatoes and sausage and corn as well.  Oh my yum-ness!!!!  

My hubs found quite the entertainment in watching me attempt to pound the meat out of my crab legs.  Let's just say he started doing it for me after a while.  But hey!  When you're hubby can't eat shellfish you kinda try to avoid it with him.  Unless he's not with you in which case I GO TO TOWN!  Hahaha!  I'm just thankful we can enjoy it together now.  Mmmmm.

Like I said, the night was beautiful.  And nothing better than a night out with the man of your dreams!  We will DEFINITELY be repeating this night again!!!

Dress: Target (Here)
Sandals: Payless Shoes (old)
Bangles: Forever 21(similar)
Bracelet: Francesca's Collections (Here)
Watch: Francesca's Collections (Here)
Sunnies: Kohl's (similar)

And remember!  If you want sneak peeks to my upcoming posts and...well, to my life, follow me on Instagram!!!  If I have time for nothing else, that is where I will post.  

Proud to be an American!

Ooooooh how I wish this was posting weeks earlier than it actually is!  Haha!  So is life.

The Fourth of July.  It really is one of my favorite times of year!  I mean, parades, good food, good friends, fireworks...what could be better?!?  Oh yeah - and SUN!!!  It's one of the few dates that us in the PNW can pretty much guarantee will be sunny.  And the sun-kissed faces and red "tan"lines the day after are proof that we enjoy it to the max!

This year, we entered our kids in the Kiddie Parade once again.  We do it every year and the kids have come to love it.  They were SO excited to decorate their wagon and wave their flags and dress up, so we went all out as usual.  We even got crafty and made some toilet paper roll rockets for a little pazazz!  Hollywood was very proud, given rockets are pretty much his favorite thing ever!

This was my sneak peek on Instagram the day before the festivities!

The clothes this year were a piece of cake.  Cocoa's outfit from last year still fit (yep, she's that tiny, don't let the pictures fool you!) so all we needed was a $6 red t-shirt for Hollywood.  Easy enough, right?  Being that it is also National Afro Day, Cocoa rocked her Fro's on the Fourth (and even won this year's Instagram competition)!

A few friends have asked me what the Kiddie Parade actually is.  You just sign your kid up and show up with your registration info (a simply form you print out online) and check which category you want to be "judged" for.  I don't remember all the categories but we always check "best stroller/wagon".  We never win though.  All the fun is in the kid's faces.  They get a participation ribbon, and those who do win for their category get to be at the front of the parade.  Then come 11:30 we all walk the parade route and wave at everyone watching, and then sit at the end to watch the big parade!

"Yaaay, participation!"

Me with my BFF who willingly faced the crowds with us!

When we reached the end of the parade, our friends Joe and Trish (and their little cutie Katie) were there saving a spot for us to watch the big parade.  Our little ladies hadn't seen each other since last year's parade, but ran into each other's arms squealing anyway!  

We found the BEST spot across the street from air conditioned bathrooms and a FREE popcorn stand!  The kids were in heaven.  

Had to show you my FRO-TASTIC little lady!!!

I promise I did NOT pose this - she did it all on her own and I (thankfully) captured it!!!

After the police motorcycles and firetrucks, things got even MORE exciting when an ice cream truck came buy throwing popsicles and ice cream sandwiches into the crowd!  My kids each got their favorites and savored them with joy.

Oh yeah, and the kids got an amazing opportunity to sit on a police motorcycle!  They were both a little freaked out by it, but mostly because of the hot seat.  They agreed to a picture and then they were OFF!  All in all it was a great day, followed up with great food, and great fireworks to end the evening!!!!!

But if you really wanted to summarize the fun, you could just take a peek at my Instagram posts for the day!!!  Hahaha!  

Hope y'all had a great 4th of July as well!  Proud to be an American!!!!

Less Is More

Summer fashion this year has me just drooling.  The colors and textures are just right up my alley, like I've mentioned here before.  I love pastels, and fancy bows, and girly ruffles and lace.  But since I'm paying for my own wardrobe and money doesn't grow on trees (somedays I really miss my high school allowance), I have to fight the urge to buy every trend that hits the shelves season after season.  In reality, I understand that most of us do.  What I have learned most over the years is that when you need to buy less, you carefully think through each purpose.  You look over the quality and make sure it will last.  And when you do that, sometimes it turns out that less really is more.  Because high quality pieces (and especially timeless high quality pieces) will last you season after season and year after year.  And that's not to say I spend a lot on my clothes.  But I do look at what they are made of and if I can use them for multiple seasons.

I love this outfit.  It's simple and chic and honestly....really comfortable.  This tank is flowy and breathable, but not too low cut and doesn't show your bra straps.  It's a great way to stay cool on a warm day while running errands with the kids.

Yes, I am very aware that my pedicure is chipped and needs to come off (how embarassing ;) but busy moms don't always make time for those kind of mundane tasks.  BUT - I did want to show you my new shoes I got!  I was looking for a comfortable pair of black heels, and well, these wedges had me at hello!

A chic out fit needs a simple hair do, and what's more perfect on third day hair than the simple top knot?!?  Have you tried this look this summer?  Another go-to for me when my hair is too greasy to be left down but I don't want to wash it quite yet.  (Sorry if that grosses you out, just being honest!)  Have super fine hair and wondering how to make it last one more day?  Invest in a little hair powder, brush it through, and then sweep your locks back into something like this.  Try it - you might just thank me!!! ;)

Oh how I love the light airy colors of summer.  I'm going to miss pulling off these tones come fall, that's for sure!  Thankfully there will be a lot of bold and vibrant hues to replace them!  =)

Speaking of summer, I'm doing the dreaded bathing suit shopping now.  Our family is headed to the lake not too long from now and my last year's bathing suit no longer fits!  That's actually a good thing....but I still hate bathing suit shopping.  Especially when my body is not where I want it to be yet. But oh well, getting healthy takes time if you do it right.  Right?!?  ;)

Happy Monday friends!  Would love to hear how y'all are doing.  Maybe we should have another blog coffee date?  Thoughts??

Top: Francesca's Collections (similar)
Pants: A Boutique in Franklin
Shoes: Target (here)
Earrings: Francesca's Collections (old)
Watch: Francesca's Collections (similar)