Billie Jean

Mini Fashion

So, it has been quite quiet over here for a long time. Sorry about that. This past summer I got a promotion at work, so that meant putting Tory in preschool and working long days, just like everyone else with a full time job. Then, something very, very exciting happened!!! Joey got a new job in Texas so that meant that we got to move back home. Bye bye Baton Rouge, you won't be missed. At all. So I have spent August, September and October house hunting, traveling back and forth between Louisiana and Texas, packing and unpacking. Also, Tory had her third birthday last week so I had a birthday party to put together on top of everything else!!!! So that explains why this blog has been quite neglected lately. Again, sorry about that. 

Once Joey and I got settled into our new home in Houston, I put Tory into a new preschool here and she is quite the little diva. My mom took her to Nordstrom to get some new, cool school clothes!! Tory only goes three days a week. The point is to give me a break during the week and she actually wants to go to preschool. She loves socializing and playing with other kids. I am just working on the weekends for now. And during those three days a week she is at preschool, I can get my ducks all in a row (and take a nap). It is amazing how fast kids grow out of their clothes!! I buy so much for her every season and I just took her shopping and she already grew out of her shoes, pants and tops!!! So thank goodness my mom told me she'd help me out and get her some new things for the Fall and Winter seasons!! 

Nordstrom kids has the cutest things right now!! I LOVE the kids line, Mini Boden!! Adorable!! I love quirky and fun and Mini Boden is both of those!! I think when it gets a little colder, I'm going to get her some of their winter coats. Another positive things about being back in Texas is that there is actually a Nordstroms here!! Yeah!! I think there was a Saks in New Orleans but other than that, there isn't much in Louisiana when it comes to fashion (or high fashion). Although, there were some really cute boutiques in Baton Rouge that I loved shopping at (Rodeo, Head over Heels, NK Boutique). 

One specific item that I am obsessed with right now are Dr. Marten boots for toddlers!!! I think I put them on her almost every time she goes to preschool. I got her a pink pair and floral pair about 6 months ago, but she has already grown out of them!! So we're having fun pairing the purple color with her Mini Boden and other cute clothes my mom got her. I am also obsessed with converse for babies and toddlers!! How cute are those purple ones from above? Tory's cousin, Ragan, actually got her those for her birthday! Another favorite spot to pick up some cute clothes for the kiddo is Baby Gap!! Baby Gap understands my love for hats and all things cute!! I cannot wait until the Kate Spade line for Baby Gap launches on the 30th!!! 

Invade Magazine

CREATE AND CONQUER

Invade is "produced by a small team in New Orleans LA, with content contributions from writers and photographers from all over the United States." Invade is the Solange Knowles of magazines. Hip, artistic, and unique. Instead of reading another magazine about celebrities, Invade likes to shine the light on the "thinkers, doers, and creators" who are a little less known but who are just as interesting. It is a "lifestyle brand for the indie [and] creative ...we embody fashion, music, nightlife and the arts." The print magazine comes out every quarter but you can find material that is uploaded daily on their blog. There are also in-person events, dinners, and workshops you can attend if you are seeking to get more involved. 

Whenever I was contacted by the founder, Justin Shiels, and asked if I wanted to receive a copy of their first issue, I was very intrigued from the get-go. I didn't know what to expect and I have to admit that I wasn't expecting to find a brand that is both fairly new and well put together. I've been living in Baton Rouge for almost two years now and I haven't found a magazine or publication that reaches out to me from an artistic point of view. Art, photography, fashion, and music have been such a huge part of my life (I come from a family of artists, musicians, and singers) so I am a very visual. Invade is visually appealing and it is a collection of beautifully, well-written articles, and photographs, that I was happy to gaze at and read from cover to cover. 

 "An Invader is a tastemaker who is interested in experiencing everything life has to offer. Someone who questions the media status quo; someone who believes that artistry, imagination, and ingenuity are the key to creating a meaningful society."

 If you are interested in submitting any creative material, you can do so on their website here. Invade is interested to see your submissions from all over the United States. They want to highlight great talent from all over! So if you have anything that is fashion, film, music, photography or illustration related then go for it and submit your work! I am actually thinking about doing it! You can also go here for more information about how to be a contributor. GO INVADE!!

Q & A a day // 4

Question on March 10th, 2014: "What was the last movie you rented?"

Answer: And can you guess it?? ....Last Vegas!! I am sorry, I know I am only in my twenties and I guess movies about "old farts" aren't suppose to be funny to me yet, but this movie was hilarious!! One day, Joey & I will be those old people. And I hope that we will be in Vegas celebrating something. Maybe our 50th anniversary. We're crazy like that, folks! Just kidding. Anyways, these pictures are not "real life" ...they are a photo op, just in case anyone was wondering!! I am sure there is someone out there that thinks these are real photo I took after a crazy night. The only types of "crazy" nights that Joey & I have around here are renting movies from Redbox. Seriously. We don't get out much. I guess we are old farts. 

She Would Swing All Day

||Leggings, Crew Cuts (similar here & on sale)||Jacket, Baby Gap (similar here & on sale)||Rain Boots, Baby Gap||Top, Baby Gap (similar here & on sale)||Necklace, Kate Spade (old)||

She's getting mad because she wants me to push her. She would be in a swing all day if she could!! When she was a newborn, her swing was my knight and shining armor!! When I was small, one of my favorite memories was of my great grandfather pushing me in my swing outside in the backyard. He would pull up a lawn chair and just sit there for hours until I was ready to go inside. He was the sweetest man I ever met. He would have done anything for anybody. He lived until he was 98 years old. I miss him! This is Tory after I pulled up a chair of my own and starting swinging her:

Shop the Look: Express

Express has so many fabulous pieces in their store right now!! I just got home from the Mall of Louisiana, trying to get out of the house, and I walked passed the Express store and couldn't help but be lured inside by all of the cute mannequins in the window! I admit that I haven't shopped at Express since high school -I guess because Express has a more tailored market for business women who are looking for great suits and I've never had a purpose for a suit before. All of their suits in the store had so many great "mix and match" options, especially in black and white color combos -which I am obsessed with (there are plenty of other colors available as well). If I worked in an office, I would totally shop at Express for suits!! I am not a traditional suit girl, but if I had to dress business professional at work, I would want something that was also trendy and fashion forward. Everything at Express right now is just that, both professional and chic. I would recommend going in there if you haven't lately because all of these looks below can be worn to other nontraditional work places or even out on the town with your girlfriends!! Enjoy!