What’s my new obsession this week?  It’s scallops!  Wait a second, I didn’t mean the seafood… although those are pretty good too.  But I mean scalloped edges on clothing and accessories!  I’ve been seeing it around a lot lately and I think it’s the perfect little subtle edge to spice up a piece of clothing.  I think it adds a little cute, feminine, trendy flair and I am really digging it.  I think I only own one scalloped tank, but once May gets here and I can shop again, that will probably change.  Here’s a few pieces on my shopping “wants” list…

1 These are the cutest thing ever.  I love the yellow color and scallop detail.  This is on my list once May gets here.  Lucca Couture Scallop Shorts

2 Ease your way into scalloped edges with a little hint of it on your collar.  ASOS Shirt With Scalloped Collar

3 This top is totally cute for a party with a colorful skirt or for work with some classic trousers.  Conversation Pieces Martini Cocktail Party Shirt

4 Love the color and detail of this dress!  Shop Tobi Pinkies Up Scalloped Dress

5 Lace + scallop is pretty much a perfect combination.  Karen Kane Scallop Lace Top

6 Colorblock + scallop is another key to perfection!  Ali Ro Colorblock Dress

7 This backpack is totally cute with the little scallop edge detail, so fun! ASOS Scallop Edge Backpack

8 These heels scream fabulous.  Justfab Oksana

I can’t believe the weekend is here already again!  This week has been a busy one trying to deal with car repairs and the aftermath of the accident I was in last Saturday.  I’m currently driving around a huge Chevy Impala these days until my car gets fixed and that thing eats gas up like crazy, I tell ya.  This weekend I’m going to an event on the Plaza where I’ll get to see Tim Gunn, can’t wait to see some other Kansas City bloggers there!  Yes, Tim Gunn from Project Runway.  I hope to hear him say “Make it work” in person, haha!  This will be a true test of my willpower since I will be surrounded by all my favorite stores… H&M, Forever 21, Francesca’s, GAP, J.Crew, Anthropologie… I must resist for a few more days!

Are you a fan of scalloped edges?

Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Urban Outfitters (similar) | Shoes: Michael Kors (similar) | Necklace worn as Bracelet c/o Twillypop | Necklace c/o Anna Delores

Never did I ever think that I’d write a blog post with the word “Mullet” in the title.  That just cracks me up.  And no, I’m not referring to the hairstyle (wouldn’t that be kind of awesome if I surprised you all with a mullet haircut) but I’m referring to this new trend for skirts/dress/tops!  It’s where the front is short and the back is long, also known as “hi lo” or “high low” or “hi low”.  I’d been on the hunt for the perfect mullet skirt to add to my wardrobe and last month I was at Urban Outfitters and found this perfect floral skirt just hanging on a rack all by itself with some other dresses (it was in the wrong section).  I quickly picked it up, realized it was my size and headed down to the dressing room.  I put it on and was SO SO happy that it fit.  And then I was determined to buy a nice top that would pull out one of the colors from the skirt.  Of course Forever 21 did not fail me in finding the perfect peplum ruffle tank.  My nude Michael Kors heeled sandals I got from Nordstrom Rack, beautiful aqua bracelet from Twillypop and fun Santa Monica ferris wheel necklace from Anna Delores were just what I needed to top this look off.

On a complete different subject, some of you may have seen on Twitter, this past Saturday I got into a car accident while I was driving my car with my Mom and little baby Austin in the car.  It was a fender bender where me and the other car were both turning left out of parking lots across the street from each other.  My car got hit on the front right headlight area and thank goodness NO ONE WAS HURT.  Baby A slept through the whole thing and none of us got whiplash or anything since the speed was pretty slow.  Just wanted to say thank you for all those that prayed for us and we are all OK.  I was just shaken up a bit and am nervous about driving, but life goes on.  So this is just a friendly reminder to all to please drive safe and pay attention to the roads at all times, life is precious.

P.S. The winner of the Fresh Tangerine layering bracelets giveaway is Pamela W of Heartbreak Boutique!

Do you own any mullet skirts, dresses, tops?

Blouse: Francesca’s | Blazer: TJ Maxx | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: MelodyJoy 1983 | Purse: Jason Wu for Target

It is no April Fools joke, my friends.  From April 1-30, 2012, I am going on a clothes/accessory/shoe shopping hiatus.  Well not exactly, but let me explain.  In the past few months, I’ve kind of done a lot of shopping.  A lot of in store shopping, a lot of online cute boutiques shopping, a lot of etsy shopping and I think it’s about time I check myself.  So, I’ve made a deal with myself that for the whole month of April, I am going to limit myself to $100 ($35) to only spend at thrift/consignment stores.  (Anything I receive as a gift or to do a review on does not count.)  Do I think I can do it?  Probably not, but I am sure as heck going to try!

So in honor of this challenge, I’ve posted pictures of one of the last outfits I wore on a shopping date with a girl friend.  I am in love with my grey Gap denim.  And I think you already know my love for polka dots.  And I feel so special to have that Jason Wu for Target purse I had been eyeing, Marv gave it to me for Valentine’s Day since I couldn’t find it in stores myself when the collection came out!

And that’s all folks.  Here’s to only thrift shopping in the next 30 days!  Please help keep me honest!  And if you’d like to send me clothes/shoes/accessories in the month of April, be my guest! 

P.S. I’m featured today as a Mod Mama over at Life in Mod!!

Have you ever put yourself on a shopping hiatus?

Blouse: Modcloth | Skirt: Forever 21 | Belt: Target | Blazer: Amelia’s Boutique | Earrings: This Enchanted Pixie | Shoes: Off Broadway

12 weeks have gone by WAY too fast.

Today is the day I go back to work… for those of you who don’t know, I work as a Consultant/Team Lead at a Healthcare IT company.  I travel the world going from hospital to hospital trying to help the Lab go paperless and manage a few associates as well.    However, with my new duties of being a Mom, hopefully my travels won’t be as crazy as they used to be.  It’ll be quite the change being away from my little munchkin for 9+ hours, let alone Monday – Thursday.

In the first few weeks of maternity leave, I obviously needed the time to recover from just having given birth.  But I have to be honest, by 6 weeks or so, I was ready to go back to work.  Caring for a baby is not all sunshine, puppies and rainbows, I tell ya.  It requires a lot of attention and is HARD WORK.  Days are filled with feedings, changing diapers, crying, and lack of sleep.  It’s especially tough when you are trying to figure out the little guy’s cries and when he has growth spurts.  But most recently, things have turned for the better and I mean A LOT better, and I don’t know how many people have said to me but it’s true, THINGS DO GET BETTER!  The cries are easier to decipher, we’ve created a pretty great routine, he sleeps 5-7 hours at night, and we know how to make him smile/laugh (and no, it’s not gas anymore)!  But really, it’s the smiles and laughs that make it all worth it… to see him every minute, every hour.    Oh how I’m going to miss him so.

P.S. The winner of the Goodmarvin giveaway is Tara Huff of The Happy Clipper!!  Congrats!  Will send you an email shortly!    Remember, you can still use the code ALAMODE10 for 10% off your purchase through the end of March!

Have any tips for making it easier to go back?

Button Down: Target | Sweater: Forever 21 | Jeggings: Gift from Mom | Boots: Old Navy | Accessories: Forever 21

We’re giving one last shout out to winter with this outfit, and then Spring weather and clothing it is, ya hear?  Orange and flannel are true rarities in my closet.  I’ve honestly never been a fan of orange (except to wear on Halloween) until I realized that orange + grey together is a pretty, modern, color combination together.  And flannel?  Isn’t that for grandpas to wear?  Well maybe, but gingham on flannel was a must have for me.  I can wear it to sleep, while I’m nursing, AND out and about… it’s a 3 in 1 and a winner in my wardrobe.

By the way, year 2009 called, and they told me to bring back jumping pictures… so I did! 

P.S.  Are you following me via Bloglovin?  Thinking about having an awesome reader appreciation GIVEAWAY when I reach 300 followers!  Still kinda mourning over the loss of my GFC widget here…

What colors/patterns are lacking in your closet?