Lookbook (Fall Awakening)

{Cardigan: Gap, Jeans: Forever 21, Belt: Urban Outfitters,
Boots: Steve Madden Maryn, Messenger Bag: Louis Vuitton}

Just like that, without warning, I woke up to a chilly and overcast Fall morning. Our plan for the day was to go to a small town parade. Just another reason I kinda like the suburbs. A charming small town parade made up of local fire & police departments, high school marching bands and mom & pop businesses, all tossing candy and treats to wide eye kids along the parade route.

I wasn't ready for such an abrupt injection of Fall. I kinda panicked. Not for me, but for my little one. As worried as I have been about the little rugrat's consistent protest to eating she actually grew over the summer. I really need to get a leg up on the princess' Fall Winter wardrobe. I did manage to pull together something that would keep her warm this brisk 55 degree morning.

As for me, I excitedly threw on the Steve Madden Mryn boots I bought at Nordie's Anniversary sale. I dusted off my favorite pair of Forever 21 jeans and belted a Gap cascading cardigan. Welcome Fall!!

More Forever 21...

Personal Shopper (Forever 21)

As I've mentioned before, I like fashion to be accessible. Quite often by the time I do outfit posts things are no longer available or hard to find. So today I'll be your personal shopper of sorts and post a few items that were recently acquired, giving you lovely readers a chance at items while they are still available.

{Forever 21 Julie Sweater Top $19.80}

One thing I can't wait to slip into this Fall is the chunky sweater. I picked up the Julie sweater that has a nice cowl neck. What I really like about this sweater, besides it's $20 price tag, is that it is chunky and slouchy without being sloppy or bulky. The horizontal knit also gives it interest. Vertical knits are so predicable. Pair this with tweed shorts, tights and boots. A Polyvore set would be helpful right about now, wouldn't it? Hmm. I'll work on that. One more thing, I recommend sizing up on this one.

{Forever 21 Black Hole Necklace $8.80}

The second item I picked up is the Black Hole necklace. The second I saw it on Ahn I needed it. She wears it oh so well. I love this necklace because it looks like a vintage find. Shh...don't tell anyone that it was under $9.

One thing I hate to do is pay for shipping and right now Forever 21 is offering free shipping on any amount with code MISSYOU10 through Sunday 9/19/10. So if you want to avoid the sensory overload shopping experience that is Forever 21 you can shop from the comfort of your own home. Disclaimer if you are not familiar with F21's return policy. Accessories are final sales and other items are only exchangeable or store credit.

Allergy Free Granola Bites

{I can't wait until it cools. I must have a bite!}

{Thank goodness for Enjoy Life Allergy Free Chocolate Chips!!}

I am always looking for allergy free recipes for the little princess. Anything that appeals to my own sweet tooth is always a plus. Cooking without eggs or dairy is always a challenge but I am determined to find yummy substitutes that the entire family can enjoy. One of the things that we miss out on are granola bars. I was on the hunt for something that travels well that I can keep in the car for a quick snack.

Thanks to Melissa at AnotherLunch.com for this granola receipe. I was able to use the recipe and make it allergy free. A treat free of egg, dairy, soy, nuts and wheat is a feat. These allergy free granola bites are easy to make and you can add all your favorite mix ins. This recipe turns out crunchy granola bites. I am still on the hunt for gooey granola bars, so if you have one pass it along.

Allergy Free Granola Bites

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C. quick oats
1/2 C. crisp rice cereal
1/2 C. Enjoy Life Allergy Free chocolate chips
1/3 C. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. canola oil
1/4 C. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
* optional: ground flax seed and/or wheat germ (I use 3 heaping Tbs. or so of each).

Mix all ingredients together, except chocolate chips. When ingredients are well combined add chocolate chips. Use a mini muffin pan. Spray each cup with non-stick pray. Spoon granola mixture into each cup pressing granola mixture into cup and level with the top of the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 45 minutes. It is important to let the granola bites sit in the pan to cool.

If you to remove before the bites cool and set your granola will crumble and fall apart. You can use a regular muffin pan, just cook a little longer and let cool overnight.

Lookbook (Reality Check)

{Top: Charlotte Russe, Pants: Sanctuary, Shoes: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Forever 21}

More often than not, it isn't feasible to wear heels, wedges or anything over 2" when toting around a little rugrat. All of the outfits I post I actually wear, but in reality, sometimes there are shoe swaps. I do wear flip flops (gasp!) but I try to choose something other than rubber. There are so many more fashionable options out there. When the weather turns I will break out ballet flats.

{Tory Burch shoe option, cute and comfortable.}

Not always can I wear the shoes I want but I know the right flat (or glorified flip flop) can still pull together an outfit. Here I am in the same adorable outfit in a different shoe option. Today I wore the wedges all day (way too cute not to), but if it was going to be a very active day I would have gone with the flats. Not as chic but not completely sacrificing style.

Many women put everyone's needs before their own. Priorities definitely change when kids are involved. It took me over a year to get back into the swing of things. I finally had to do it for myself. Besides dressing for myself, I enjoy putting together outfits that inspire other women and moms. Not only do I want to be able to inspire, but I want the looks to be accessible and affordable. Who wouldn't love to have a limitless shopping budget? Oxymoron I know, but you know what I mean. Moving to what is technically the Midwest also limits my choices of where I can shop. I'm sure there are others that feel limited this way, but there is always the internet! Thank goodness for the internet or else I would have put up a big stink about relocating.

More Charlotte Russe...

Lookbook (A day in the life)

We all know not everyday can be fabulous. Being a mother is not glamorous. In fact our daily lives are vicious cycles. The term "choosing your battles" has never been so true than trying to reason with a toddler. Today I am giving you readers a glimpse of a day in the life of the Couture and Crayons mom.

• Make breakfast. Check. Little princess literally eats one bite of bacon. This is a daily battle. She wins.

• Make bento lunch. Check. This lunch is so cute, I hope this encourages her to eat since she ate nothing for breakfast. Pray.

• Get little princess dressed for preschool. Check. Get me dressed for the gym. Check. I hate the gym and briefly think about calling a friend for coffee. No I gotta go, because I just munched while preparing the bento lunch.

• Preschool drop off. Oh crap, I forgot to tell Ms. Tricia that the princess should stay away from the sandbox because I don't want to deal with sand in the cast. Crap, crap, crap!

• Gym time. Ah, thank goodness The Rachel Zoe Project is on, treadmill time will pass quickly with fashion as a distraction.

• Quickly speed home to shower and eat. Spent too much time chatting with a gym acquaintance. Doesn't she know I'm on borrowed time?

• Make an appointment for upholstery cleaning because that green washable marker really wasn't that washable. What? $120 to clean my sofa?! Tomorrow at 1pm will be fine.
  

• Make a hair appointment for the little princess because I am tired of fighting with her hair. I have a chic bob in mind, tangle free please. The princess is going to my stylist because Super Cuts is also known as Butcher Cuts.

• Preschool pick-up. Ms. Tricia says she didn't eat anything but a few bites. Lovely. I hope she makes up for lost calories at dinner.

• Back home for a little breather. Little Princess has become a hoarder. She piles everything she owes on her new Dora couch (a get well gift) and on my marker stained couch. I find a box of fresh mushrooms she smuggled from my grocery bag from YESTERDAY! She may win the hoarding battle but I took back my mushrooms.

• Time for a hair cut. Major meltdown. Hmm should I cancel? No, we are going! Big mistake. No breakfast and lunch has come to bite me in the ass. Meltdown in the salon. Gotta go, sorry for crying toddler in posh salon. Huge favor. Call me to reschedule? Perrtty please.
  

• Trip to Mickey D's drive through per the princesses request. I'll do anything please eat!!

• Preschool must have been rough because her eyes are getting heavy. It is 4pm, I'll just lay her down for a nap. She gave up naps two months ago, but she needs one today. I'll have to deal with a late bedtime later. I don't feel like dealing with a grouchy toddler now.

• Hoarding continues in crib. Mini meltdown. She needs two baby dolls, specifically the one with the spotted cheeks and Coco. Oh and the carrier stuffed with Halloween napkins. Check.

Pheww! A day in the life. Fun stuff!

{Top: Wendy Hil, Jeans: True Religion, Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target}

See if you can spot a half eaten a banana, a single shoe that we will be looking for later and a little princess sitting on a heaping hoarding pile? Bonus points for spotting a mini hair claw. My version of Where's Waldo.

Because I don't have enough to do, I created another blog. I started Tales of a Crazy Crafty Mom for BOTD (Bentos Of the Day) and all things crafty. I don't want to bore fellow fashionistas with my crazy ideas inspired by the little princess. Follow me over there for bentos, recipes and other crafty goodness.