The very long and very true story of Jude's birth

Since Little Lady Bird's arrival is eminent and I've been prescribed bedrest from now until her birth, I've been laying here thinking a lot about Jude's birth, excited to see if LLB's birth unfolds in a similar manor.

When Jude was born, I didn't share a lot of details here because I kept all birth stuff and family stuff separate from this site. In the last two years, I've become more comfortable sharing stories about my family here, so I thought I'd take a moment to relay some truths about what really went down on Jude's birth day. Beware. This story is very detailed and very long, but for those of you who are curious, here is my complete and true account of what really happened the day Jude was born.

[photo by Amber Snow, announcement by Oodles of Color]

WARNING: Do not read on if you're squeamish about birth details or a male (who is not Chris) who knows me personally. There's a NSFW "photo" below, and honestly, I would never wish for you to picture any of the things I'm about to tell you.

Jude picked out his own clothes today.

Perhaps he's been overexposed to style bloggers...

In unrelated news, Jude is feeling much better today!

American Apparel on GILT, and man, oh, man does it look good!

It's been well documented over here that I love American Apparel (1, 2, 3). I know, I know... I've heard it all in your comments before: the CEO has a spotty reputation, their models sometimes look scary, their ads often objectify young women and men... sigh, but I can't help it! It's my go-to place for new, American made basics. Their cardigans are always a perfect fit, I'm crazy for their chiffon stuff, and their t-shirts last and last.

When I tell people that I'm kind of an American Apparel fan girl, I often get the side-eye. "American Apparel? Really? You? You usually seem so sensible." Yes! Me! And don't call me sensible again!

I have a theory that I get the side-eye over my America Apparel love because of the reputation the brand may have incurred due to the model styling on their website. Case in point: For two more days, American Apparel is on GILT. Instead of using the typical American Apparel models styled starkly with "I just walked through the wind" hair and no makeup, GILT styled up American Apparel in a way that made me ooh and ahh over American Apparel like I never have before. Let's compare, shall we?
[unisex thin striped sweater]Switch out those summer camp counselor shorts for some leggings, untuck the shirt, and -whoa!- how did this end up in my online shopping cart that fast?
[cotton spandex double-u long sleeved mini dress]They both do the "nonchalant/bored model" thing well, but adding those black tights makes this go from sleazy to "Yes, please! Me!"
[cotton spandex jersey turtleneck dress]A little pose adjustment (and perhaps some shapewear and a cup of coffee?) made this turtleneck dress seem almost office appropriate.
[cotton spandex jersey turtleneck dress]I prefer the dress without the cutout for my super long armpit hair. Oh? That's her hair hair? My bad.
[baby rib cap sleeve t]Cap sleeves are not a good look on anyone over the age of two (except for GILT models, apparently). Mom jeans with a tucked in cap sleeved t-shirt that's so tight I can see your triangle bra underneath is also not a good look on anyone over the age of two. Or even those under the age of two. Eep.
[cotton jersey spandex leggings]No shirt, no shoes? Then no red leggings. Yes, I do prefer my red leggings with shirts and shoes, instead of invisible shirts and invisible high heels.
[sheer jersey chemise]

Prepubescent ballerina post dance rehearsal vs. hot bombshell meeting friends for karaoke and cocktails? I'm buying that shirt from the second girl, for sure. Wait. Is this the girl from Once Upon a Time? Oh my gosh! Emma! Are you sad about the huntsman and what is up with slutty red riding hood and who is Henry's father and ... oh. Not her? Sorry, Jennifer Morrison.

[riding pant]You know your pants are high when you're tucking your bra into them. GILT covers up the guilt... and also where can I get those wedges?!

Video: Happy Halloween, sexy.

One of the unexpected perks that sometimes goes along with having a personal style blog is the amount of review opportunities I'm given. I try to only do reviews on products that I think you will appreciate or things that I myself may buy. Obviously I jumped at a chance to review any costume of my choice from SexyCostumes.com. I thought a video review was the only way to do my review justice... (this is sfw-- I swear!):
You like? It was a close call, y'all. I almost got one of these animal costumes, instead:

Belt this

I belt everything. I am convinced that adding a belt makes my manish figure look more ladylike. I could be wrong in this, and I'm sure that in a couple years from now I'll look back on old photos and wonder, "Why did I belt that?!"

Future self, if you're looking at this post and wondering that, please know that you bought this skirt at the thrift store and it had a busted elastic waist which you hadn't yet replaced. The belt was a necessity to keep said skirt up. (There is no explanation for this, though).

date: 31 July & 2 Aug | occasion: Austin City Life & breakfast at Juan in a Million
skirt: thrifted, Texas Thrift (San Antonio) | tank: Old Navy | wedges: thrifted Nine West, Buffalo Exchange | belt: thrifted, Savers | necklace: c/o Maya Brenner | sunglasses: c/o 80's Purple

I joked on Twitter the other day that I should start coming up with style blogger song parodies. This one is called "If You Liked it Then ya' Shoulda Put a Belt on it" (sung in the style of Beyoncé's "Single Ladies"):

Spectacles of spectacles

I wear prescription glasses sometimes. My vision isn't that bad, so most days I just go without (I usually only wear glasses when I'm playing video games). This is a little embarrassing to admit, but... here goes-- I wear fake glasses more often than I wear real glasses. Yes, I've been one of those people since my freshman year of college.

I recently got this pair of glasses from 80's Purple via the Delightful Dozen:

I'll wait 'till the laughter has died down...

Still waiting...

Okay. Whew!

Yes, these are comically oversized to say the least. They've been sitting on the arm of my sofa for a few days now, and every time I try them on to laugh at myself, I actually find that I'm liking them more. Are these brainwashing glasses? Or is my mind starting to go in my old age?

I posted this photo on Facebook and Heather, one of my old college roommates, commented that I look like the Old Navy lady. I promptly recalled that the Old Navy lady was Carrie Donovan so Heather unintentionally gave me the best compliment I have ever received in my entire life.

Carrie Donovan and Iris Apfel I am not, nonetheless, I'm going to wear these out and about tomorrow to see if I can actually pull these off. Possible? We shall see.

Finalists: Sheer Embarrassment- Lulu*s $75 gift card prize

Whoa. Intern Rachel and I have had the hardest time narrowing down the entries in last month's "Sheer Embarrassment" contest. I invited readers to share their most embarrassing summer stories (I shared my "I peed my pants at Epcot" story) and the one that made us laugh the most would win.

There were a ton of entries. Y'all have some really humiliating stories! We got it down to two really great stories, and neither Intern Rachel nor I are able to choose the winner. We decided to have Stephanie over at Lulu*s choose. All of the stories were stomach clutching/ tears from laughing hilarious, but alas, we had to narrow it down, so we finally got it down to these two. Get ready to laugh...

It never should have come to this...

Late last night, I joked about scrapping 90% of my current wardrobe and starting over from scratch. Ever since then, I cannot stop thinking about it.

This is, perhaps, the most embarrassing post I've ever done or ever will do. All joking aside, people, I have a very serious problem. Internet, meet my closet:
It didn't always look this way (proof 1 and 2), but ever since I had Jude, my closet has become overwhelmingly messy. My clothes have taken over. Truly, I'm cringing about posting this photo, but I can feel that I've lost control. I honestly feel like I should be on the tv Hoarders! My laundry room looks the same, and my closet is spilling over into my bedroom now. I even have clothes stashed in my guest room closet, my office, and our fall coat closet. Most of these are clothes from thrift stores or things I've had since college and have kept them thinking, "Oh, it still fits and it's still in great condition, so I'll just hang on to it."

I am very scared. I can't find matching shoes, I've lost my favorite belt, and I haven't seen my short, black slip in ages. So I'm doing it. I've posted this photo as a BEFORE. I'm purging and I'm making a solemn promise to myself, my husband, and my readers that I will never, ever let this happen again.

Now someone send in the bulldozer and excavation team! This time next week, expect me to show you a completely different photo. I'm using Kendi's guides to get things done. [see purging, assessing, and organizing]. Afterward, I'll do one trip to Buffalo Exchange and donate the rest to Savers. From here on out, I will let things go.

You cannot even believe how nervous I am.

Pajama Jeans!

Are these old news? If so, apologies.
They're jeans! They're pajamas! My entire freshman year of college would have been vastly different had these been around.

Fact: These will be on my doorstep in 4- 6 weeks. This may be because I'm going to review them like I did Bump-its and Smooth Away a while back. Or it may be because I'm a lazy suburban housewife now, and someone invented these with my ever expanding booty in mind. Video to come!

Best of 2010

I'm on the road heading back to my beloved Texas today, so I thought I'd do a little 2010 wrap-up. Instead of posting my favorite outfits (big yawn!*), I thought I'd post some links to my favorite Adored Austin posts:

January 26: No Nike Shorts! No Nike Shorts!

February 17: Worst Valentines Day, ever

June 25: The Anatomy of a Fashion Blogger

September 29: Sexy Halloween?

August 26: What Not to Wear- the Pregnancy Edition

November 10: Celebrities smell

Thank you to all of you! You have made 2010 a banner year for Adored Austin. I've had a lot of fun, but I do have some big changes coming up for 2011 (to be announced soon). I hope you'll stick with me in the new year. I've loved having you!

*Tiny P.S.
I don't think all "best of what I wore this year" posts are boring. I just think mine would be boring.

What's in a name?

Genius idea. Terrible company name.From The Heel Condoms "ABOUT" page:

The Heel Condoms have many perks:
+ Make simple shoes a conversation piece
+ Mix and Match with outfits
+ Great for travel
+ Easy to wear
+ Protect heels from damage
+ Reusable

When I think "condom" I do think "protect", but I do not think any of the other five selling points... specifically "conversation piece" and "reusable".

Comment of the Day: You didn't know condoms are re-usable? Guess that's why Jude's here. Lack of basic sex ed knowledge [...] THAT IS A JOKE. ONLY SHOE CONDOMS ARE REUSABLE. Go ask your mom about this stuff... Side note I love those things! -Jameil

Celebrities smell

Alright, people. Can we all agree that this is getting out of hand?

It all started this morning while I was watching Mariah Carey's new music video "Oh, Santa" (side note: it's catchy, but it ain't no "All I Want for Christmas"). I was momentarily confused as the video started with a faux-retro announcer-type extolling Ms. Carey's newest fragrance "Lollipop Bling".

Hold the friggin' phone there.

Lollipop Bling? Lollipop Bling? LOLLIPOP BLING?! Really?! Is that the name of her new fragrance? I'm just slightly surprised because last I checked, Mariah Carey was a FORTY YEAR OLD WOMAN, not, you know... nine years old.
I'm all for one being young at heart, but this Lollipop Bling advertisement looks like it was designed by Lisa Frank circa 1990. Is this perfume being marketed toward children? Or just women who love suckers and diamonds?

Then I started thinking about celebrity fragrances, in general. Lollipop Bling is definitely a contender for most absurd name, but let's not forget Jessica Simpson's "Fancy Nights":I have never, in my adult life, used the adjective "fancy" without a heavy dose of sarcasm and/ or irony. And what is with this ad? This does not look like a "fancy night" in so much as it looks like Ms. Simpson is vying to be an extra in The Vampire Diaries.

Speaking of crazy looking ads, did you see Christina Aguilera's ad for her perfume "Inspire"? No? Well, get a gander at this: It is clear that the inspiration Ms. Aguilera gets for her perfume is from Glinda, the Good Witch. I'm sure it must arrive via pink bubble. Now I'm inspired to watch The Wizard of Oz. Or to sing some songs from Wicked. One of those.

And have you ever noticed how perfume ads often show a grown woman swinging?
Does smelling good= field trip to the playground? And here's a question for Kim Kardashian: How in the heck can a perfume be described as "voluptuous?" How does voluptuous smell? I guess for $50 I could find out...

Last but by no means least, is Paris Hilton. She, oddly enough, is one of the perfume industry's most prolific celebrity scent endorsers. She has TEN fragrances out (second only to J.Lo and Celine Dion who each have 14), but in my opinion she reigns supreme in the ridiculous ad department:

For Fairy Dust she no doubt saw the new Tinkerbell movie. For Siren she saw "The Little Mermaid", and for Can Can she saw "Moulin Rouge". I really, really want her to watch "Apollo 13" and dress like an astronaut for her next perfume. Someone call her publicist or Tweet her and MAKE THAT HAPPEN, okay?

Anyway, you can see a Wikipedia list of celebrity fragrances here, but I urge you, my fellow females, let's put an end to this absurdity! Let's bring back the days of wearing Love's Baby Soft or Clinique Happy or something that, you know, doesn't need an absurd celebrity advertisement and endorsement to move units. Except "With Love by Hilary Duff". Leave her alone. It's awesome.

Absurd things that Halloween tries to pass off as sexy:

Sesame Street Characters.

Actual quote from costume description: "She did it all for the cookie!"

I watched Sesame Street daily from ages three to five and not once since then did I think that either Elmo, Cookie Monster, or Big Bird were saucy. And is it just me, or does it look like these women MURDERED our beloved Sesame Street characters and are wearing their faces and pelts like proud hunters? NOT SEXY.

Speaking of murderers, you know what else is not sexy? Horror movie men:

Actual quote from costume description: "Slay them with your outfit and slash the competition!"

Behold the sexy lady versions of Leatherface (from Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th), and Mike Myers (Halloween). I just want to know why the Leatherface costume doesn't come with... you know... a leather face.

Too much sexy? Probably!

Other random things that Halloween deems sexy: crayons, candy, Sponge Bob, and Finding Nemo.

The "Naughty Nem-oh" costume description is just too hilarious to not post in its entirety:
"They claim that there are plenty of fish in the sea but none as sexy as this. You will be the catch of a lifetime dressed in the Women's Naughty Nem-Oh Sexy Fish Costume."

Oh. My. Word! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and I'm sad that I won't be able to partake this year. I'm not one to try to use it as an excuse to dress sexy or slutty, though. Honestly, I really appreciate a costume that is pieced together thoughtfully from thrift stores and isn't just a cheap polyester thing from the Spirit Halloween store (proof). However, I have to admit that the Skittles dress and the "Naughty Nem-oh" costume CRACK ME UP! I'm not above procuring them for the irony factor for next year.

[photos from Spirit Halloween]

Comment of the Day: A good friend of mine moved to the States from Korea when he was young. On his first Halloween, his mother made him his costume - he wanted to be a crayon. She made the body out of a sheet, and even made him a pointed hat to wear. The only problem? She made him a white crayon.

On the day of his school's Halloween costume parade, he showed up draped in a white sheet with a white pointy hat. His family didn't know about the KKK, and it took a bit of explaining. -Katie

What not to wear: the pregnancy edition

Hi! Sorry for my absence. I've missed you! I thought I was just tired and recovering from Austin Fashion Week last week, but it turns out my thyroid levels dipped a little low (I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis). No worries, though! I went to the doctor this morning and got a little adjustment in my medicines, and I should be back to 100% tomorrow!

After my doctor's appointment, I went to Walmart to get my oil changed. I had an hour to kill, so I thought I'd show you some things that I've found do not work for a pregnant body. Laugh and enjoy!

Don't tell me to just move up a size.
A- Rompers don't come in "maternity", and
B- This is a size large.


Classy, Adams. Real classy. Makes you wonder, "Is that how she got pregnant in the first place?"


I know that maternity pants (and pants in general) are hard to keep up and around a gestating womb, but nothing makes a pregnant body suddenly look like an old man's beer gut body like suspenders.


Non-maternity button up shirts may seem harmless at first...

but then one of your co-workers loses an eye due to a projectile button off your shirt.


You thought the combo of maternity pants and suspenders was bad? Obviously you have never seen the combo of maternity pants with a body suit. Um, just because you can squeeze into it doesn't mean you should wear it. Yikes!

Just for your peace of mind, please know that I do not usually sport outfits such as those above. No, sirree. Lately I've been in the tried and true combo of empire waist cotton dresses and sandals. Boring, yes, but at least I don't look like a nut case (or a cased sausage!):

date: 26 August 2010
occasion: running errands
dress: Liz Lange Maternity (Target)
sandals: Target, like five years ago

Is there anything else that pregnant women shouldn't attempt to wear?

The trouble with skirts

I don't think we can call it a baby bump any longer. This thing has grown to giant proportions and deserves a name like baby mountain or Mt. Baby or something of that ilk. In fact if it's a boy, I really should consider naming it Everest Adams. In any regard, this has caused quite a wardrobe conundrum. Do my skirts go above or below the outgrowth?Putting my skirt above Mt.Baby makes me feel like Urkle, but putting it below makes me feel like one of these gentlemen. Thoughts?

I have a dentist appointment today, and I'm quite apprehensive. I think I've mentioned this here before, but my greatest fear is the dentist office. In fact, pre-pregnancy I had to take a little pill to calm my nerves before my dentist appointment. Even if it's just a little 'ole cleaning, my hygienist gives me a soft blanket to wrap up in, a pillow to hold, and puts the ocean on the tv. I crank the iPod and count to 100 over and over again to keep my mind off the freaky noises and vibrations reverberating off my brain. I am not looking forward to this appointment, so like last time, I'm wearing something whimsical to boost my sour mood.


date: 11 August 2010
occasion: dentist office
skirt: vintage via Smashion
tank: courtesy of Love 21 Maternity
wedges: TOMS
bow: I made it this morning!

This is the skirt I blogged and bought on Smashion.com, and it makes me so happy! When getting dressed this morning I thought, "This outfit needs something..." I had some leftover fabric from the cloth napkins I made a few weeks ago, so I crafted up this little bow to add a touch of whimsy. For me, whimsy is a requirement to offset an afternoon touture session at the dentist office!

[Smashion is an Adored Austin partner.]

Just in case you weren't sure...

Here's some more evidence that I am a completely ridiculous person. Hubs and I finally got around to getting a joint banking account and here's the debit card I picked out:
This card even out-ridiculizes my ironically blinged out phone.

Comment of the Day: hah! I have that card. Actually, since my husband and I have a joint account he has it too. lol. What a guy...he carries around a Hello Kitty card to make me happy. ;-) -Kristel

Am I getting too old for this?

I want to preface this post with this: I love the fashion blogging community, and I really hope you all know that. Gush, gush, gush! In the (almost) year I've been doing this, I've been so fortunate to make friends with other women who do this, too and so many of you who stop by Adored Austin. I really love doing this, and I hope that I do this for a long, long time.

But can we just take a moment to laugh at ourselves? Please? Just one moment? I'm getting older, and I'm finding that I just don't dress as "cool" as I did when I was in college. I mean, people used to call me on Halloween to borrow the clothes that I wore on a normal, daily basis!

I find myself still drawn to pieces that I would have worn when I was younger, but I don't usually pair them all up together. But what if I did?

All of these pieces are mine. It's just that I don't usually dress like this when I'm... you know... going grocery shopping or something like that.

Oh, irony: Heart this on Weardrobe. Hype this on Lookbook. Deem this Chic on Chictopia.

I am certainly guilty of everything on the "Anatomy of a Fashion Blogger" list (especially the pigeon toes!), but for the most part, I try my best to dress like the sensible, conservative, mom-to-be that I am. I read a ton of style blogs, and my favorites are the ones that are real women, with real bodies, who dress realistically while incorporating some of the outlandish or innovative.

All that to say this: we're all having fun, right? Fashion is fun. Keep all this in mind for later today, okay? This all has to do with this awesome giveaway/ contest that's now up and ready for you to enter!