Ava Grace's Closet: May 2011
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Monday, May 30, 2011

Reluctant Subject. Not.

Finally got fancy tripod and self-timer set up.
So we took it outside for a bit.
And Jules said "he didn't want his picture taken".
These pictures tell a different story...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I would like to thank the Academy...

On this rainy Saturday morning, I received a nice surprise all the way from Rome! 

From one of my favorite cities in the world, one of my new favorite bloggers bestowed the Versatile Blogger Award upon our little blog. Gush.
Visit Mom In Rome  if you haven't yet, it's like a little piece of Italy right here in blogland. 
Sigh.


Seven MORE silly things about me...hmmm.
1. I drive-thru McDonald's in my pj's every morning for coffee. I throw a jean jacket on so that it looks like I'm dressed. Smart non?
2. I have a work husband. Whose name is also Lee. Don't worry, my Li is well aware of his presence. And he's ok with it.
3. I love photographs. I still print them. And put them in albums and everything. 
4. I love reading autobiographies. I'm at S so Shania Twain's and Steven Tyler's are next. 
5. I will always be a smoker who chooses not to smoke. Especially hard when I am holding a glass of wine. Which is sadly not that often. 
6. I love platinum blonde hair and red lips. Just not on me.
7. I am more than happy to skip a real meal and just have dessert. And I do. Too often.

I am passing this fab award along to a few of my new faves...you should definitely visit.
1. WildRuffle 

Happy Saturday!
Have you entered little miss' gift giveaway? 4 days left...go NOW !

Friday, May 27, 2011

The white T

I am forever in search of the perfect white T shirt.
Many have tried.
The Gap.
H + M.
Banana.
None have conquered this girl.
I don't like them ribbed.
I don't like them v-necked. 
I like them just so in length. 
I like a little lycra.
I hate them too transparent. I really hate that.

Pause for inspiration...
The kids - the whole lot of 'em - rocking white t's some years ago.
B.A. as in Before Ava. 
Sweet non?
And all of them had a perfect white T. (whine)


I have found the perfect white tank.
These I enjoy ribbed.
It comes from Forever XXI. (and costs a sweet $4.50)
The search continues.
For now, I will continue my love affair with my old white T.
This one happens to be from Esprit. (akward self-portrait)
Not quite perfect but it will do for now.


Little miss tries her big brother's on for size.
With the must-have white T accessory...pearls. (and Bobo)
Have you entered here to win a fab Stella + Dot set for your own budding fashionista?

Who makes your fave white t? Do tell.
I promise not to buy them all.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The ONE!!!!

BIG news.
It's happened.


If you have no idea what I'm talking about, get caught up here and then right here
I'll wait....

We've found her!!!! (happy dance)
The ONE!!!
Babymama's new live-in assistant, our nanny, Donna. 
Cue music.
Is it wrong that we walk around the house singing this song whenever we mention her name? 
We are singing out of pure joy I assure you.
Joy that we found her.
Joy that we do not have to interview another nanny.

She starts on July 4th. 
I can hardly stand it.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A Baby Story

Our little miss is 14 months old. As of Sunday. It's funny how for the first couple of years every month is a milestone. 
In our house, every 22nd of the month is her "birthday". 
It's also funny how the older you get the more you want to forget it's your birthday. 
Sigh.


Sometimes we still can't believe we had another baby. Three kids.
We never planned on a third. But between you and me, I never really felt "done".
I'm not the type of woman who is envious of other women's clothes, shoes (maybe a little) or what have you; but see a pregnant woman...and I was all in.
Relatively odd since my pregnancies are a bit of a nightmare.
Nausea. Non-stop. Diclectin. Non-stop. 


Let me take you back to the summer before last. 
Our yearly trip to Florida. And the monthly gift that had yet to arrive.
I waited.
And waited.
And finally bought a pregnancy test. Or two.
I peed.
And waited for the results.
It was very faint but it was definitely there. 
My husband didn't believe me. (or didn't want to)
So I peed again.
And there it was. Faint. But definitely there.
I threw up. Once. 
I drank only virgin margaritas. Just in case.

The vacation ended.
We came home.
I threw up. Again.
Dr's visit. Stat. Said monthly gift had yet to arrive.
She told me that because of the "faint" results, chances were low I was pregnant. 
She was wrong. 
As evidenced by...
Ultrasound. Stat.
The ultrasound technician had no idea I had been told the chances that I was actually pregnant "were slim".
She was all "and there's your baby!!". Big smile.
I must have been in shock because all I could do was laugh. A tad hysterically maybe.


And so it went.
And our sweet baby girl joined our family.
I am not a religious person. But I truly believe she was a gift from God.
And meant to complete our family.
After all, I wasn't done.
But I am now.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Stylish Blogger Award = Stylish Giveaway!

Happy Sunday lovelies!
I was so excited to find this stylish award bestowed upon our little blog this morning...
Thanks to Kathleen from www.coulditbeceliac.blogspot.com whose blog is equally stylish and more. 

Rules, rules...I'm to share 7 things about myself with you. Hmmm...
1. I was hypnotized for a fear of flying. It kinda sorta worked. 
2. I'm ridiculously anal. I could organize closets all day. Sadly true.
3. I played the violin and took ballet for years. I'm not that classical anymore.
4. The only sport I will watch is tennis. For us croatians, this is a religion more than a sport.
5. I have seen Rod Stewart in concert more times than I care to remember. I really don't like Rod Stewart all that much. Or ever did. I am a GREAT friend.
6. I have read and re-read the Shopaholic series twice. It is sort of a training manual as far as I'm concerned.
7. I am low maintenance. Hard to believe I know. I hate getting my hair done, massages and sitting through mani/pedi's. So I don't. At least not very often. 

I'm passing the stylish blogger award to these equally stylish bloggers...
2. Jordynn's stylist at www.littlemissjordynn.blogspot.com
5. Miss Rosie at www.hellorosie.blogspot.com
6. Michelle at mommylovesstilletos.com

Whew. 
And in other news...I've hit 100+ GFC followers!! Exciting, non? 
In the spirit of this, our little fashionista has an equally fashionable giveaway for one of her new friends. Feast your eyes on this little piece of heaven from the girls collection at Stella + Dot. 
One of Ava's favorites - see more here
Every little girl needs pearls I say...

To enter:
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
1. Follow me on GFC (if you're not already silly!)
2. Follow me on twitter here
3. Like our sponsor on Facebook here
4. Visit Melanie Knight's Stella+ Dot page here and tell me which other girl's piece you LOVE 
(She's offering 10% off any girl's piece starting NOW for Ava Graces Closet readers)
5. Tweet about this giveaway and let me know you did
Giveaway runs through May 31st, 2011. Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on June 1st, 2011.
(approx. retail value $24)
GOOD LUCK fashionistas!

Friday, May 20, 2011

It's all about the SHOES

Our little miss has built up quite the shoe collection in her short life. 
Her selection du-jour (or for about the next 3 months) includes...
Clockwise from top:
pink patent
- Pablosky Kids
black runners - Vans
pink hi-tops - Converse by Dr. Suess
brown polka dot - Pediped
black velvet maryjanes - Joe FRESH
Everything a girl needs. 
And then some.

Here are some of the recent finds I've added to my own collection:

Olive studded - David Dixon
Grey suede - Pegabo
Cheetah print - Nine West
Black suede ruffled - David Dixon
All at end-of-season deals so ridiculously good, I couldn't resist getting them all. 
And I will get around to actually wearing them. Eventually. 
I might even be a tad over-dressed for weekly playgroup. Don't judge.

And on this shoe-fetish Friday, it is only fitting that our budding fashionista wore...
It is all about the shoes after all!

Monday, May 16, 2011

My LOVE HATE relationship with Mondays

Sadly, no matter what I do, Monday still comes around. Like every week. 

The weekend over. 
The older ones back to school. 
And not much left to remind me of the weekend except a few half-emptied wine glasses on the kitchen counter - a reminder of the good company we had the night before. 
The Tylenol pm makes me slightly drowsy this morning (I may be addicted) but thankful for a somewhat better sleep. Even though little miss woke up at 4am. And cried on and off until 5am. (until I caved and gave her a bottle) Sigh.

Today, my cleaning lady did not come. Hate that. (I hate Mondays)
Routine. Alone time with Ava. (I love Mondays)
It is laundry day. (I hate Mondays)
Semi-standing (LARGE McDonalds) coffee date this morning. Weekend catch-up(I love Mondays)
Raining.Again.5th.Day.In.A.Row. (I hate Mondays)
Pick-up mail. Received package I have been waiting on. (I love Mondays)
We have no milk. Which means grocery shopping. Hate that too. (I hate Mondays)
Lululemon tracksuit day. (I love Mondays)
Double-check homework. Read 50 notes from school in a panic. (I hate Mondays)
Caught up on bloghop visits. SO many new followers. And such lovely comments. Blush. (I love Mondays)

How is your Monday so far??

Friday, May 13, 2011

Everything OLD is NEW again

Happy Friday!

Fashion is so fleeting. It seems like one trend after the other appears and sometimes (the reallly good ones) reappear. 
Case in point? 
The legging. Back with a vengeance as of late, non? 

The 80's. Madonna. 
I was a very young tween and would have done ANYTHING to look just like her. 


See-through mesh. Leggings. AND a skirt? 
Swear. I watched this video 1000 times. She was the epitome of confidence. You had to be to rock this outfit.


And on this Friday, everything OLD is NEW again.

Here's our Ava kicking it old school with a look the ever-fabulous Madonna inspired. 
Flower headband is handmade (find equally fabulous versions on Etsy - my faves are from here and here) Eyelet onesie by Joe Fresh. Lace trimmed leggings by Old Navy. Denim skirt is italian. As in from Italy.
(note: she may or may not be giving me the finger in this picture)
Extreme close-up...

Lucky Star?
I think so.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

What that baby Wore : Ruffled

I'm a sucker for ruffles. 
And this little top was an absolute steal.
Love Joe Fresh.

Headband stolen borrowed from big sis
Ruffled T Joe FRESH
Floral leggings Children's Place

Monday, May 9, 2011

Could it be the one?

This Mother's Day, we tried (repeat tried) to get a picture of the kids and I - sort of like last years (just minus my 6 week post-partum poundage) seen here...


not sure what was going on here
girls only...and look who still managed to get in the background (note to self: edit boy out)



And as if the picture-taking fiasco wasn't enough torture for one day...
I had an interview booked in the late afternoon to meet with (yet another) potential nanny. (catch up here
So I did what every good suburban mom would do...I picked her up and took her to Starbucks. 


We chatted for a while and (dare I say it out loud??), I really liked her. She was smart, well-spoken and very sweet, charming even. I could almost picture myself shopping with her. This is a good thing in my books. Hubby and I had a plan. If she was "meh" I would have a quick coffee with her and call it a day. If she had potential, I would bring her back to the house to meet him. I decided to. 
Also a good thing. 


I truly believe that kids are sometimes the best judges of character. Both of my older ones took to her immediately. She engaged with them, complimented their cuteness (2 points) and took a genuine interest in their questions. 

"Can you make cookies?!"


Ms Ava walked over in her new-walking-drunken-fashion and promptly took potential nanny's sunglasses and waddled away. A smile was even granted. This is looking reallllllly good. We talked for for quite a while and after dropping her off, both hubby and I decided she could "BE THE ONE". 
Could our search finally be over?
 I tell ya, I certainly hope so.

I am "nannied out".
Happy Monday!

Friday, May 6, 2011

The WANT list

Yes, it's true. I keep an ongoing WANT list in my blackberry. This way, should I be inclined to purchase something I really don't need (which is often) I can simply check the list and walk away. Yeah, right.

Right now, the list looks like this:

yellow off-shoulder top
gold flips
black skinny cargo pants
small wallet (for crossbody)
the earrings

The last item needs no description as I have been WANTING these for so long they have become THE earrings.

Here is the inspiration... (at a recent dinner party I attended, one of the lovely ladies was actually (gasp) WEARING them)
They are by Van Cleef and Arpels. When I tried to find out the price of these lovelies, all lookups led to PRICE UPON REQUEST. This is never good. 
Pricetag? $35,000. Yikes.

Above is Kelly Rutherford from Gossip Girl wearing MY earrings. Beyatch.
Now look what mama found on a recent trip to Forever 21...(I know! I know! Exciting right??)
Pricetag? $6.50 
Strikingly similiar, non? Yes...I know they will probably turn black. 
But seriously...I will not have to worry about being killed for them. 
Or will I? 

REVISED Want List
yellow off-shoulder top 
gold flips
black skinny cargo pants
small wallet (for crossbody)
the earrings

And on this HAPPY Friday, here's what little miss wore...
Adorable right? The cargos and print t are by Old Navy. Denim jacket by BabyGap. Crochet hat (which can be found all over Etsy) is by Zero20Bambini.
Extreme closeup...
And that's all she wrote.
Off to chase my budding fashionista...

Thursday, May 5, 2011

One LOVELY blog award?!






Gee thanks. Gush.


Oh www.fosterandboo.blogspot.com you are too kind.








Once awarded, I'm to share 7 things about myself...I will try to make them somewhat interesting. 
1. My babymama had me at 39. I used to laugh at this. Then I got pregnant...at oh, 39. Karma.
2. I was once trapped in a 3 by 3 elevator in Rome. Still avoid them whenever possible.
3. Sadly, I am addicted to coffee. Although I didn't start drinking it until I was in my 30's.
4. I am also addicted to diet coke. This started much earlier.
5. I'm half-croatian, half-slovenian. I can speak, read and write both. Yes, I am THAT smart.
6. I could shop for 24 hours straight. Or more. And I really don't need to actually BUY anything. I don't sleep much so this should really impress you.
7. I wish I lived near the beach. Or on the beach. Even though my hair does not do well at the beach. Or even near the beach.

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

BRACEFACE

It's a BIG day around here. 
The Original Babygirl finally lost all of her baby teeth and was ready to get her braces on. 
She was beyond excited. 

Before...

After...

Possible she is even cuter WITH braces? 
Could be.
Love her.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Rewind

In the end, memories are all we really have. True, non?

I am forever obsessed with trying to make sure that what I do for one child, I do for each of them. Be it keeping a memory box filled with firsts, their detailed baby books or first year photo albums. 
(yes I still print pictures) 

I recently enrolled little miss in Gymboree play classes so that she too could experience the fun her big sister and brother had before her. 
She loves it. As did they...

Rewind. 
The Original Babygirl.
..that's her in the burgundy chenille sweater and floral leggings
And here at bubble time...
always with soother
The King. Still just a little prince here.
with Gymbo

The King and I.
with mommy
Fast forward. 
Today...our little miss
"the roll and walk"
Enjoying her very own bubble time...
lovin' the bubbles
Some things really do stay the same
And that makes me happy this Sunday.