Weekly Surf:

The man of many bath time faces:

this song was on my running mix this week

loving these baby portraits

Gorgeous reupholstered chairs

(this girls got amazing taste)

I'd love an indoor swing for those days when it's yucky outside

a carnival inspired wedding

I'm LOVING these ideas and photos!

I love both of the dresses she wore.....

"get drunk on fresh air"

oh how I long to have sand up my butt...

We need a vacation!

was perplexed, mind was blown & felt completely alive

this week reading this with my hubby

Again, I REALLY love this blogger

{Tonight consisted of Vampire Diaries, hand massages and chicken enchiladas. This week has been LONG-too long with 4:30am-6:30pm work days for Dustin and anything i could add right ______ to complain about (that doesn't even compare to how sucky his week was compared to mine. Mine was a mere cake walk). Thank God for 3 day weekends. I felt an overwhelming sense of us "clinging" onto each other as if the Titanic were sinking and we were both screaming to our pitiful demise this week. BUT TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY! And God's GRACE is sufficient and blah blah blah..... That's why HE is a lamp to our feet and not a spot light showing the entire path. If He were a spot light, we wouldn't have to go to him for anything because we would already know what is ahead. I get it. I literally said to Dustin tonight, "Chill out! You're not at work anymore. Take a deep breath!" As he relived every bad memory of his week and every construction worker he had to tear a new ass hole and how the world hates him and how broke we are and yatta yatta yatta! BUT, Home is where you come to recharge and get your energy back so you can go and conquer another day!

And God is good, so quitcherbitchen' Chelsea!}

{Have a great weekend Dolls}

Purple, red, & black {love}

Dressed down with a "Love" tee shirt and white sandals:

(for a sushi dinner date with my pal Nicky)

I am wearing:

Skirt: Vintage thrifted ($1.50)

(Dustin says this is his favorite skirt)

Shirt: Target?

Shoes: Victoria Secret

Jacket: F21

I think it would look just as nice a few inches shorter?

Dressed up with a ruffly top: (Ann Taylor)
and black heels: (Doll House)

(worn for church)

Conrad says "Shoes! Shoes!" although he HATES wearing them.

(Yes, I wore the same skirt twice in one weekend....)

I seriously need a spray tan or something. 

The Old Navy Mom messed me up real good:

Recently we had a date night at The Cheese Cake Factory.
The three of us.....

It was probably the 5Th time we've gone to a restaurant together past 6:00pm.

Conrad's bed time has been pushed back a bit and Dustin got home early on Friday, so we were able to go out together

(for the 5Th time ever!) Seriously.

Our son is usually in bed by 6:30ish which means we eat at home on a regular basis.

I'm not into family dining. I don't enjoy it. I don't prefer it, I don't like baby-sitting my kid at a restaurant and trying to juggle everything at once. I don't like keeping him civil while the childless couple next to us rolls their eyes at my loud heathen child who screams and throws stuff. I should get used to it and learn how to like it though. I get that part. Conrad needs to learn how to be a civil "restaurant goer". My kid does throw crap on the floor and I HATE it! He's a very bad restaurant "goer". He has a lot to learn, and unfortunately, WE HAVE TO TEACH HIM! Just because something is "hard" doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. Like weaning him from the Binky (baby steps). I just look at dates out of the house as times of relaxation and when Conrad is out with us I get anxiety and

I'm NEVER relaxed.

(My son had already had his bath and was in his Pj's.....

just in case we had to leave in a mad dash and he wanted to go ni-night. I'm a freak.)

Back before I was pregnant I saw this mom at Old Navy with her screaming toddler, (I haven't been able to forget about her.) Everyone was staring, baby was flailing out of it's stroller, and she just kept saying

"I know it's nap time, but Mommy wants to look!

We're almost done sweetie, almost done!"

I wanted to grab the crap she had in her cart and say

"Give your kid it's nap for god sakes!" UGH!

I totally believe in militant schedules. I think schedules and consistence keep kids happy (just as long as they aren't teething, sick, and all is well in the world. Not even my militant schedule can save me from a bad day, and I know this! But it helps.) I know that my son has 2 gaps in the day when I can take him out of the house in between his naps, and he eats at the same time everyday as well, so there aren't any surprises. It's boring, it's monotonous, and it's rather inconvenient at times (getting up and just going anywhere anytime whether my son likes it or not-he should just deal with it and learn how to "roll with the punches" so I can get my tasks done or stay out as late as I want.....etc.) I don't agree with this mentality, and although you can't quite help it at times, consistency has been my best friend. I want my toddler to be in a good mood when we're in public. And if he's had a good nap and food in his belly, he's usually pretty good.

God forbid I judge another mom and her parenting style, but I really feel like the O.N.M was being unfair to her toddler (but what did I know. I was childless at the time, so I should shut my trap!) The Old Navy Mom is what freaks me out if we go off of schedule. I won't be her. I won't do it. Even if it means I have to suffer and become a friggin' hermit who never goes anywhere! The Old Navy Mom has kept me cooped up in my home when my baby has been in a pissy mood. The Old Navy lady ruined going in public for me.

OK, I'm done now.

BUT, our "family date night" was a success. I tried not to scarf my meal down in one big bite and I didn't ask the waiter for the bill right when he brought us our food (just in case Conrad lost his shit and needed to go home right away! I usually do this anytime we're out with him). I chilled out and tried to be cool about it. But honestly, I'm not a fan of dates with the baby. Sorry dude.

Please tell me I'm not the only parent who doesn't like taking their baby to restaurants?!

The two of us trying to stay calm and collected

as our son threw silver ware on the ground:

Do we look like happy parents or what?!

To keep him happy, I brought my secret weapon. Marshmallows. Every time he had that look in his eye, and started to squirm in his high chair, I just plopped a few more colorful, sugary-low-in-nutrition-content- marshmallows in front of him and he wasn't a crazy man for a few precious minutes of dining-pleasure.

Do what you gotta' do.

What are your secret weapons for

an enjoyable dinner experience with your rug rat?

Guest Fashionista: {Mom}

I've been thinking about "fashion" lately and thinking about why people wear what they wear and for what reasons. I would like to think that fashion is a means in which we express ourselves to the world. An outfit is a canvas-whether your canvas is expensive or cheap, plain or detailed, designer or target, what we put on our bodies is sort of an outward expression of what's going on in our hearts (in a sense). If I'm feeling low, It often times can be reflected in my appearance.

For the first six months of Conrad's life, I dealt with a bit of postpartum depression. Some days were harder than others, and most people had no idea that I was struggling to keep it together on the inside and outside. I wasn't taking much pride in how I presented myself and after a while, I was being buried under that sadness, self pity, and laziness. I credit running for getting me back on track physically and emotionally. I have gained so much from just getting my ass off the couch. I also credit my husbands sweet efforts to encourage me to take care of my body (pulling a comb through my hair, showering now and then, working my heart out so I don't keel over anytime soon, and loving the body I have today-honoring God by caring for it well. etc.) you get the idea.

But most days, I wear baggy jeans and a tee shirt (the "mommy uniform"). If I have somewhere important to be, I usually put more thought into how I want the world to view me. It feels nice when your pediatrician says "You always look so cute!" while I'm thinking "Oh yeah? I had smashed banana down the front of my tee shirt and my kid sneezed in my face during his snack, giving me an apple sauce facial before we came!" I sure fooled her! Ha! (And certainly, I have showed up to the ped's office with a head of greasy hair and no make up....)

I've always been a bit of a "tom boy" wearing my jeans a tee's. Recently though, I've come to realize how much my husband likes the girly-girl side of me and would prefer I wear skirts 24-7 (not happening honey)! I think a lot of moms will agree that now-a-days, a pedicure, a hair cut, or

putting on something pretty makes you feel like a million bucks

(it means more now than it did before) AND

US moms NEED to feel feminine after a day of hanging out with a baby.

We have the right to feeling pretty and I think we should. That's why I think of fashion as a sort of "hobby", that's why I love to play dress up and think of my clothes as "art" rather than just clothes.

It makes me feel pretty.

But enough about me, let me show you how cute this lady I know is:

She is wearing:

Necklaces: Express

Yellow leather sandals: DSW

Skirt & Top: Anthropologie

She has been eyeing this skirt forever now and it finally went on sale, so she used her gift card from Mother's day (I got my thrifty-clearance bug from her). Don't you just love when you get something that you've really been wanting....AND it's on sale?! Score!

Thanks for looking super adorable and for sharing your clothes with me!

You're such a little fashionista Mom!

Weekend In Photos:

We enjoyed a baby-less Saturday-and oh was it refreshing.

(At one point I said to Dustin, "What did we DO before the baby? We did NOTHING.

We never thought about nap times or teething....we just hung out. ALL THE TIME!")

We laid in bed and watched 6 episodes of it's always sunny in Philadelphia.

We went down town and ate some Chinese

(you know it's authentic when you're the only white people in the restaurant. I asked the very rude very busy Chinese woman who didn't have time to explain to me what a "hot pot" was and her response made me feel super-white and super-stupid.

"It's a HOT POT that sizzles!"

(while she walked away speaking profanities under her breath

"stupid white girl!What's a hot pot? Idiot!")

I am not exaggerating AT ALL. She really was that mean.

Authentic Chinese is NOTHING like Panda Express.

At one point, while struggling to pick up his curry pork with his chop sticks, Dustin threw them down on the table, waved our super nice waitress over and asked for a friggin' fork for god sakes (I'm white HELLO!). He then leans over the table and loudly whispers "That's why they're all so damn skinny! They eat with chop sticks!" He spends the next eight minutes going off and grumbling to himself, while the slender gentlemen next to us shovel rice into their faces grain by grain (they weren't white.)

And I just laughed at my adorable-overly dramatic husband who makes lunch at Chinese restaurants so much more fun.

We were under-whelmed by City Center

AND at the end of the day, we got our baby back from Grammy and

enjoyed some pizza and beer (and more it's always sunny episodes.)

Surprisingly, my husband allowed me to snap some photos of him during lunch.

I was rater happy to do so although he's not always gung-ho about it.

I also took some photos of the boys playing:

Waiting for Polaroids to develop is

probably one of my favorite things in the whole wide world.

{How was your weekend?}

weekly Surf:

Our son is JUST like my husband, as far as personality goes. If he's around other babies, he likes to sit back and watch them rather then engaging, stealing toys, talking, moving, etc. He's a lump. Seriously. For a while I was sort of worried that my son would forever be an adorable-even kilter ed-carbon copy of Dustin and was sad that he had no traces of his mothers personality in him. This week he has turned a corner in proving me wrong. Maybe he IS more like me than I think?!  He's screaming, walking, pointing at the dogs on his pj's when we ask "Where's the dogs?!", shoving the whole head of the rubber duck in his mouth, spitting the duck out, and then pointing to it shouting "Duh-DUH!" (duck). He's been wrestling me on the couch and throwing his body into the pillows. He spent a good 15 mins going between Dustin and I squishing our noses when we asked him "Where's my nose?!" and then laughing at himself when we cheered him on and clapped for him. He's a crazy man! A ball of energy! A rebel! He's not the calm, sweet, reserved baby we once thought he was! 

This week we went to the water park to splash around. It was an impromptu stop after our errands, so we weren't prepared with towels and swim diapers, but didn't mind getting our clothes wet. I watched him squeal as the big kids ran past him and I watched him hit big puddles of water with his tiny hand and couldn't help but feel a huge sense of gratitude that I get to experience these precious times of my son exploring the world around him. 

I can't believe he's WALKING, and saying "Duh-duh" and giving so many unexpected hugs. 

If you haven't met him yet, please allow me to introduce you to 

Mr. Colander man:

my new favorite blogger check her out

I need one of these for my jewelry

is graffiti a crime if it inspires?

my fav. mens site to scout out mens fashions

loving these bright colors

the perfect personalized gift

(These are genius)

a wardrobe for your camera

(looking for a camera strap for my Polaroid camera)

would you wear a wooden ring? or a snack around your neck?

my blog header was created by this little lady

 My favorite part of the header is the logo. I love the calculator in Dustin's hand.
(go check her out)

{Have a great weekend}

Floral & Yellow:

I am wearing:

Yellow top: Vintage (thrifted)

I LOVE the ruffly sleeves!

Skirt: Anthropologie (Mom's closet)

Shoes: Nine West (buffalo exchange)

I've been wearing a lot of yellow lately (and a lot of skirts)

If my husband liked me in baggy tee-shirts- you can bet your butt I'd be

wearing baggy tee-shirts all the time,

But when he stops and notices little things I do and says

"Those earrings look so good on you."

or

"I really love when you wear lipstick."

It only encourages me to buy more shades of lipstick, or wear earrings to the pool!

(I was pregnant when my Mom purchased this skirt, and I was fuming when she told me what size she got it in. I was like "Couldn't you have gotten a size ...... TEN?! But months later, I can finally fit into it. Thanks Mom!)

my guys wanted to show off

what they were wearing too:

Last night my mom and I had dinner and Conrad showed off his walking skills

(about ten-ish steps).

I was glad my Mom got to see him walk!

My little man is about to be a BIG walking machine!

I'm super excited!

Weekend In Photos:

Gettin' down on some apricots:

Note man behind Conrad on towel, sun bathing in his super-short 

Dolce & Gabbana swim-booty shorts:

Dustin: "ChelSEA! STOP staring!"

Me: "I'm sorry! I just don't get it! Does he NOT think that D&G swim-suit-booty-shorts wouldn't 

cause a commotion?! For God sakes, could they BE any shorter?!"

Dustin: "Really? Do you have to stare every time he gets up?!"

Me: "Seriously, He's TOtally gay! It's like a car crash, I can't NOT look!"

I was trying to explain to Dustin that I wasn't checking the totally-gay-guy out at the pool, It was his attitude. "Look at him strut around this pool, bending over oh-so delicately to retrieve his tropical fruit cock tail from the waitress and shaking his hair back and forth as he gets out of the pool dripping wet in his D&G booty shorts! What an f-ing rock star! Who does this guy think he is!? Damn." 

I thought to myself, as Dustin watched me stare a hole through his D&G's.

Regardless, I've got a major staring problem. If it wasn't him, it was the 6'0 tall blond with the flattest stomach I've ever seen! I couldn't peel my eyes away from those hot ass abs if i tried! I just stare OK, and it's rude and whatever but it's just a thing I do. Take it or leave it. Anyway. 

(I WILL have the kind of confidence that Mr. booty shorts man had! I will!)

We had a great time at the pool, thanks to my super-amazingly-fast-runner/super tan-hot body/ Vampire Diaries loving friend Kacie who got us into the GVR pool Sat. (And we thank you kind friend.)

We enjoyed the heat, the water, and... apricots?!

Feeding apricots to mommy:

A congratulatory snuggle and laugh at himself for a job well done-feeding Mommy an apricot. 

I, Hardly able to smile with a mouthful of apricot was bursting at the seams. 

He is pure joy. 

He and Daddy played with some snakes and jellyfish....

What a restful weekend (I had). Dustin was up at the butt crack of dawn Sat. helping my sweet granny move. What a nice grand-son-in-law...Sunday we went to the driving range with my in laws and brother in law and Conrad walked! He's so big! 

Conrad is slowly giving up his "B". 

But he did however point to each dog on his PJ'S and loudly exclaim,

"DOG! DOG!" 

So give the kid a break, He's adorable. 

He can do whatever he darn-well pleases at this point!

His foot is lifted in the air because I said "Where's your toes!" Although I'm totally being ignored otherwise because Sponge Bob is on the TV..... rude. 

(Can't a mom brag a little?

Other babies his age are saying "Grandma" and doing calculus already, 

so I can get excited about his achievements!)

Weekly Surf:

Things that make me terribly happy:

My husband swinging our son upside-down like a pendulum

while my son giggles his face off!

Despite our son waking up every night shrieking in pain, this week has been a great week.

Have I mentioned that teething sucks?!.....

Last night our son had to "cry it out" (because daddy is a very mean daddy....) and by the time I gave up on letting him "cry it out" he had gotten so worked up that his crib was covered in little splatters of brown-cupcake-barf (Conrad didn't do a very good job of hiding the evidence by barfing it up! Dustin gets on my case a lot for indulging in sweets with our son!) SOoooo, we cleaned him up, and immediately gave him some pain meds to which he collapsed in his Dustin's arms and went to sleep! And then I got a talking to about the cupcake. Ooopsies. (I thought the screaming would eventually stop and he'd get worn out-but it went on for a good while which resulted in barf-art! Note to self, If your kid screams and hits his head repeatedly against the wall, he probably needs some Tylenol because his teeth hurt!) Anyway. Teething really bites!

Get your surf on:

Some rad photos of Conrad's favorite thing in the world
(dogs)

swagger wagon
(Amanda sent me this video this week.
Apparently, this is Dustin & I....)

Something to make you laugh

(note the "Desitin twins")

Inspired to rock what I got, like Marilyn did

here is the recipe for the cupcakes we made this week
(Add 2 cups of chocolate chips to batter!)

the latest on my photo blog

inspired by this art wall

and the most important happening of the week....

Did you see the finale of Vampire Diaries?! Thoughts?!

Conrad showing off his pearly whites:

Have a great weekend!

Summer Trends:

Orange & Fishtails

What I'm wearing:

Skirt: Vintage thrifted ($1.50)

Shorts: Gap thrifted (3.99)

Shirt: H&M

Necklace: Thrifted

Snake skin gladiator heels: Moms's closet

When I'm not busy saving the world, fighting crime, & being a mommy,
I like to sit in a hot bath and read fashion mags.

Apparently Orange is a hot color this summer, so when I found these two

pieces, I was excited (especially since they were inexpensive).
It was hard to find a top to go with such bright colors,
but I found a floral print at H&M for less than 10$ and was sold.

I feel a little eighties-ed out in these outfits, but they're fun, so whatevs.

*The shorts are super high waisted so I have to make sure they don't

creep up too much resulting in really embarrassing camel toes and such.

I tried to do an orange lipstick that matched the outfits,

but i felt like neon orange lip stick was a bit much.

Other summer trends:
Fishtail braids

loving these looks & these looks