Kid of the Year (in other words, give your mom a really great Mother's Day gift and be funny)

Do you want to earn "favorite child status" from mom this year? I can guarantee that you'll be in the running if you give your mom a Mother's Day Gift that is equal parts thoughtful, useful, and delightful. A present that will make her smile + a card that will make her laugh = sure hit. Here are some ideas that will make your siblings wish they would have thought of that:
1. CANDLE // card inspiration: "No one holds a candle to you, Mom."
[pictured: Capri Blue Red Volcano candle via Anthropologie]

2. RING // card inspiration: "For all those times when I was growing up and you wanted to ring my neck."
[pictured: Catbird Heart Ring exclusive to Anthropologie]

3. SHOES //  card inspiration: "I bet raising us was no easy feet!"
[pictured: white crochet TOMS via Nordstrom]

4. TOTE // card inspiration: "You are TOTE-ally the best mom, ever!"
[pictured: red striped reusable tote by Baggu]

5. MEASURING CUPS //  card inspiration: "When it comes to being a mom, you more than measure up." or (sappier) "Our love for you is beyond measure."
[pictured: Measuring Hedgies via Anthropologie]

6. GRATER // card inspiration: "Mom, you're grate!"
[pictured: Beak the Clock Grater via ModCloth]

7. WHISK // card inspiration: "I whisk you were here!"
[pictured: Martha Stewart stainless steel balloon whisk via Macy's]

8. WINE GLASSES // card inspiration: "For all those years you had to put up with my wining."
[pictured: Mikasa Cheers white wine set via Dillard's]

9. DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME //  card inspiration: "I can't picture a life without you!"
[pictured: Kodak Pulse wi-fi digital frame via Amazon]

If your mom does, indeed, deem you her favorite child after you used one of these ideas, high fives all around! If anyone else has any punny gift ideas, leave them in the comments below!

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This post also appears on the Simon Style Setter blog. I love that they let me come up with the permalink title. Ha!

My postpartum favorites + a giveaway [closed]

As I write this, I am still pregnant, but tomorrow is my due date! We are ready to go here in the Adams household, eager to welcome our (as of now, unnamed) little girl into our lives. Last month I did a little post about some of my favorite products and books I used throughout my pregnancy. As I gear up to shift out of pregnancy, I thought I'd post a little idea sparker for gifts you can get a new mom to help her in her immediate postpartum days:
1. pajamas that button up the front // 2. thick body butter formulated to help fade stretch marks* // 3. deodorant powder // 4. a sleep mask filled with lavender pods // 5. thank you cards // 6. a nice pen

Please follow the jump to read my product reviews and to win a full-sized container of DreamBelly Butter ($17.95 ARV). Three winners will be chosen!

Must be the Asian in me

I have always loved brocade fabric and clothes with a little Asian flare. I own two kimono inspired jackets (seen here and here), and I have been on the lookout for a more traditional brocade jacket. I was so surprised when Jolie, one of my sweet local readers, included some goodies for me along with some amazing handmade baby shoes for Jude (photos of those coming soon!). Among the goodies for me was this amazing coat from Shanghai:

The photos really don't do it justice. It's amazing and reversible to black!

date: 1 December 2010
occasion: picking up my mom from the airport, pediatrician appointment
jacket: gift from Jolie
button down: borrowed from Hubs (thrifted via Savers)
jeans: gift from Simplicity/ Built by Wendy (via modeling job)
zebra bracelet: Fashionique
canvas oxfords: UO

Look at poor June Bug! She had her lady bits removed on Saturday and she is relegated to the Cone of Shame for another week or so:That didn't stop her from wanting her photo taken, though. Even in the cone, she's still a little ham. Too bad there won't be any little Junes, ever. Perhaps I'll have her cloned.

jewelry jackpot!

Last week I felt like I hit a small jewelry jackpot. My mother-in-law, who has impeccable taste and who really gets my aesthetic sent me this jaw dropping Alexis Bittar bracelet for my birthday:I LOVE it but I am considering trading it for a different Alexis Bittar bracelet with a hinge. Little known fact: though I have somewhat slender wrists, I have GIANT MAN HANDS. Bangles are sometimes tricky for me because of my huge hands! Once I slide 'em on, it's hard for me to slide 'em off.

I usually never have a problem with necklaces, and Judith from A Box From My Treasure has once again fed my insatiable thirst for animal jewelry with this adorable deer necklace:

This is the only deer I own even though I really love fawns. I have since decided that I need more deer in my collection. Oh, Judith, thanks for continuing to feed the obsession!

Thank you, Cara!

Oh, dang. I missed a post yesterday. I woke up at the butt crack of dawn and took Brooke to the airport (super sad face!). Then I went back to bed and my body played catch-up from having company for two weeks. I had city group last night and by the time I got home I was too wiped to crank out a post. I hope you'll forgive me!

As I round the corner of this pregnancy (can you believe I'm already in my third trimester?! It seems like just last week I was announcing the good news!), I'm finding that it's harder and harder to take flattering daily photos. Heck! It's getting harder and harder to find clothes that are flattering because I have gained more than 25 pounds!



dress: Anne Taylor Loft, gift from Cara (thank you, Cara!)
bandeau bra: courtesy of Barely There
necklace (as headband): courtesy of Uchenna
fish necklace: City Wide Garage Sale (now up for grabs on Smashion)
sandals: Old Navy

Cara, who lives in Indiana and who has been reading Adored Austin for a while emailed me and asked me if I would like this dress (and an identical one in berry) because she was going to give them to Goodwill otherwise. Um, yes, please! Isn't that the sweetest thing? Y'all kill me with your kindness and turn me into a blubbering, blessed mess at my mailbox on the regular!

I was delighted by Cara's generosity, but I was dubious that they'd fit. Over the last week I have ballooned! These Loft dresses are a non-maternity size medium. As much as I wanted to avoid buying maternity specific clothing, I've been finding that because I look like I'm smuggling a beach ball under my clothes, lately I have to buy dresses made especially for a pregnant body. However, miracle of all miracles, they fit! They fit, and I was so excited that I did a ridiculous dance around my bedroom and bathroom last night!

I'll put together a primer of what works on a growing baby bump and what doesn't. Jersey knits are great. Things that tie in the back are wonderful. Empire waists are super flattering, so all in all, this dress is an all-around winner!

It's all in the angles!

I am excited that strangers have been asking me when I'm due. From the side I may look like I'm about to pop:
From the front? Meh. Not so much:

date: 22 July 2010
occasion: watching Joanie's baby, possibly hitting up Ladies who Lunch, and The Bleet-Up tonight.
tank: Calvin Klein (via Costco!)
skirt: F21
oxfords: courtesy of a Lulus giftcard that I won
belt: Buffalo Exchange, new merch
penguin necklace: gift from my friend Pam (available at ModCloth)

This penguin necklace is too cute! It's my first piece of animal jewelry that features both a mama and a baby! No doubt this will be in heavy rotation from here on out. Pam, a long time Adored Austin reader and friend, is a jewelry aficionado. (In fact, she and her partner Mark hand make silver and gold jewelry themselves). She and I have a common love for whimsical animal jewelry. She sends me great links all the time, pointing me toward awesome critters. She saw this penguin (that I somehow missed!), scooped it up, and sent it to me and Baby Adams. Thank you, Pam! As always, good find!

Whoa! Five more animals!

I am feeling overwhelmed by kindness! I absolutely love that whenever you see funny animal jewelry, you often think of me. Sweet Annie of Little Ocean Annie fame recently sent me these fabulous vintage deadstock necklaces she picked up:

Being the overly emotional person I am, I literally got teary when I opened the package. The seahorse is my favorite.

I always get mushy when I see a seahorse. If Hubs and I had to choose a mascot for our relationship, we'd choose a seahorse. Did you know that seahorses mate for life, and they often hook tails and dance with each other for hours as part of their courtship and romance ritual? They win an award for most romantic animals, ever!

I wore the tiny fish Annie gave me today along with a woven necklace from fabric artist (and Burda Style community manager) David. See? I'm trying to work the accessories with my otherwise paugh dress:

date: 14 July 2010
occasion: birthing class (got to be comfortable!)
dress: Pink Rose via Ross
wedges: TOMS
fish necklace: gift from Little Ocean Annie (thank you, Annie!)
woven necklace: gift from Uchenna (thank you, David!)

I can't remember if I mentioned this or not, but I did end up sending my original TOMS wedges back to exchange for a half size bigger (thanks, swollen pregnancy feet). After two days of wearing them around the house, they are perfection now, easily some of the most comfortable shoes I own.

I'm still feeling overwhelmed with kindness. Thank you for all the sweet words about my pregnant belly yesterday. It's an odd thing, seeing your body take on a totally new shape, but I am very thankful for y'all and for this little Hamburglar. So far, it's been a fun challenge dressing the bump.

Oh, hi! I hope you remember me!

You know what never happens in real life that always happens in the movies? After doing sex, the woman demurely wraps herself in the bedsheet and runs around the house. I have never, ever done that or even thought to do that. However, with this American Apparel convertible bandeau dress, I sorta feel like I'm just traipsing around in a bedsheet, since I had to configure it around my body and tie in such a way to make it stay put.





date: 12 April 2010
occasion: dessert outing to Casey's (for my third snowcone this season, already!)
dress: gift from American Apparel
hat: Billabong, courtesy of Pac Sun
flips: Volcom, courtesy of Pac Sun
scarf (on hat): gift from Grandma
bee pin (as barrette): gift from my friend Giselle

I want to apologize for taking the last week off from Adored Austin. After my food poisoning eased up, I got an eye infection, so I just took time off to rest. I feel like I am back at almost 100% now, and I hope to never, ever take that much time off between now and October 19th. Now that I'm feeling better, I'll be answering emails and sending out about a dozen Delightful Dozen packages (long overdue!). I even got the new Android phone yesterday to help me catch up (it is soooo much better than the Windows Mobile phone I had been using). I'm enamored!

It feels so good to be back! I expect that I'll be sporting this dress many times over the next few months as I continue to expand.

Giveaway: Etsy Austin swag bag

UPDATE: 26 March 2010- contest closed and winner drawn! Thank you!

One of the unawesome things about me is the fact that I can't even sew a button on without it immediately coming off. I admire those who create crafts that are so wonderful that other people want to buy them.

This is one of the many reasons why I admire the women at Etsy Austin. Some of their members generously provided swag for goody bags during the New Media Fashion brunch, and I thought it'd be awesome to introduce some of these crafty women to you guys-- my dear readers who live all over the world. You can win the very same swag bag that was given to the New Media Fashion brunch attendees last Friday. How's that for awesome?

Inside the swag bag you'll find:

copper and silver earrings by Adorn Modern.


a Scrabble tile necklace by Amelia Beth.


a mini wallet by annemarie.


an obi belt by Craft Chi.


a cameo necklace from Diamonds and Guns by Action Jackson.


a stone and silver guitar pendent from Gem Junkie.


a yo-yo ring from The Good Shoppe.


a jewelry cloth from Merritt Gade.


a business card holder from Paired Hearts.


black and white beaded earrings from Polished Two.


an oki-obi tie belt kit from The WonderCraft (as seen here on Cass).
Now that you're chomping at the bit to enter, here's how you can win all that loot:
1. Make sure you're following Adored Austin either on Google Reader, Blog Lovin', or on Networked Blogs on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment by Thursday, March 25th saying:

• Your first name and last initial,
• Answer this question: "What is something you wish you could make?",
  
• Your email address (so I can contact you if you win. Don't worry. I delete all comments at the end of the contest period, so your privacy remains protected from spam bots), and
  
• Your webpage and/ or your Twitter address (optional)
  example:
  - Indiana A.
  - I wish I could sew summer dresses!
  - indiana at adoredaustin dot com
  - www.adoredaustin.com/ @adoredaustin

This contest is open to almost* everyone, worldwide, and you are not required to repost or retweet this. I'll be drawing the winner on video on Friday, March 26th, and I will contact you via email to let you know you've won. Prize must be claimed by Friday, April 2nd.

*I say "almost everyone" because New Media Fashion brunch attendees should not enter because that'd be weird, considering you already got a bag.

Please visit the following individuals to learn more about what they create. I am certain that these Austin based, independent artists would appreciate your business!

Etsy Austin | Adorn Modern | Amelia Beth | annemarie | Craft Chi | Diamonds and Guns by Action Jackson | The Good Shoppe | The Jasmine Gallery | Merritt Gade | Paired Hearts | Polished Two | The WonderCraft

My lucky hat

I think I love hats. Until yesterday, I only owned one hat, but now my collection has doubled thanks to the kind folks at Hats in the Belfry. I literally gasped when I opened the box and saw this beauty nestled among a bed of soft tissue paper. This is my first cloche! And yes, I do feel very Angelina circa the Changeling in it... 'cept not in a creepy "this isn't my child!" way at all:

This hat made me long for a peach flapper dress, but since I am without, I had to improvise. But believe me, I'm not above buying a thrifted flapper-like dress just so my darling new hat has a worthy dance partner.

date: 2 March 2010
occasion: audition call-back and City Group
white shirt: thrifted (Buffalo Exchange)
peach tank: Tara Jarmon for Target
shorts: JC Pennys
tights: Target
bag: thrifted (Buffalo Exchange)
shoes: thrifted Isaac Mizrahi (Goodwill)
cloche: courtesy of Hats in the Belfry

I realized that hats are awesome because no matter how big I get or how terrible my hair looks, a hat will still fit and will still look smashing. I fully intend to buy at least two more summer hats from Hats in the Belfry. I'm excited that they're super high quality and made under fair labor conditions in the U.S.

In other awesome news, today I had a call-back for the commercial audition I had last week. They paired me up with a different kid today, but she was pretty good, too. I feel like I did really well, but I'm a bit nervous as the casting folks decided to audition the kids' real moms, in addition to the handful of professional actresses they called back in. Fingers crossed! If I get it, this darling cloche will be my new lucky hat!

[the hat was a gift from Hats in the Belfry]

14 points!

Aren't my new bracelets perfection?

The totally sweet (and gorgeous!) Cassiday Proctor from the JB & Sandy Morning Show sent me a Twitter message telling me that her mom Debbi makes Scrabble bracelets. I know, right?! I had to know more!

I met Cassiday Saturday at Flightpath for tea, and her mom had gifted me with these two, incredible bracelets! I absolutely love them, and I'm going to wear them tonight for my big Scrabble game against Robie.

Debbi makes and sells these bracelets via word of mouth, which I think is phenomenal (she doesn't have a website or an Etsy). If you're interested in a Scrabble bracelet of your own, email Debbi Proctor at mrssandmn [at] aol [dot] com. She can do custom pieces up to six tiles long and she also has some that are already made. I love mine and I love that they're handmade by someone's super creative mom! Thank you, Debbi and Cassiday!

[note: because of that FTC law, I'm legally required to tell you that these bracelets were a gift...
as if that wasn't already obvious in my post].

Comment from Cassiday: Hey ladies (and possible gents)....this is Cassiday and I asked Mom about the bracelets, and she said she'd do them for a great price if you mention Adored Austin. Just email her and she said they'd be $15 each or $25 for two bracelets (plus shipping, but she's in the U.S., so I'm sure it'd be affordable) . If you want charms or beading, it'd be a little extra. Just wanted to pass that along.

Shopping for Christmas gifts with a broken toe. In other words: ouch.

I just realized why I feel like I'm having an off day! I broke my toe on Friday, and I've been running around town -in pain- picking up Christmas presents:
Broken toes are no fun... even if you draw a heart on the buddy taping.

Specific requests from a couple kids at the Austin Children's Shelter.

Hubs sent me to buy his dad a growler. Contrary to popular belief this is a growler... not this.

Whoa! Incredible gift from Accessorize.com

I started this blog because I love affordable clothing and I love blogging and being funny. I am humbled and blessed daily by the comments and emails I get from the people that take time out of their day to read my little site.

One of the unexpected perks of doing this is that several companies and individuals who like my voice and style aesthetic want to partner with me to spread the word about their products. I've turned down a lot of companies because they don't quite fit in with my fashion philosophies or with what I perceive y'all would like. However, one company that I have recently allowed to send me some goodies is the upcoming website Accessorize.com. My packages came yesterday, and I was shocked they were so big:

Accessorize.com is an English company that will be launching in the U.S. this spring, and they asked if they could send me a gift that I was under no obligation to blog about. Frankly, I was surprised to see such a large box from them! This was totally unexpected.

All in all, they gifted me with TWENTY ONE products (nine necklaces, four little bags, four rings, three purses, and a scarf)! This is far, far too generous, and each piece is absolutely lovely.

This is my very first large package from a company, and I feel that it's only right that I pass most of these on to you guys!

Therefore, this Friday I'm going to have a giveaway with multiple winners! I'm going to try to come up with something fun and creative for it, so stay tuned. Thanks again to Accessorize.com for such an astoundingly generous gift. I love everything, and I can't wait to share some of these with my readers!

Thank you, everyone, for my birthday.

I'm not going to lie. I love gifts. I love giving them and I really love getting them! I probably love gifts even more than the average person, so it's all I can do to contain my excitement about the sincerely kind and generous things I was given for my birthday this past weekend. Here are some of the clothes and accessories that may appear in my self-style photos in the near future:

Insanely thoughtful John Lenon shirt from Andrea. Forward Collective t-shirt designed, printed, and given to me by Kevin, Giselle, and Cami. THANK YOU!

Beautiful black beaded F21 necklace from Patrice. Breathtaking 36 inch pearl necklace (!!!) from Hubs. Lovely purple hand beaded Ten-Thousand Villages necklace from Kaori and David. THANK YOU!

Stunning silver Tiffanys (!!!) bracelet from Hubs' mom. Awesome zebra bracelet from Abby. THANK YOU!

I'm still gushing about the fact that my friends went all out for my birthday. The costumes, the fancy dinner at Luby's, the house party. Gosh. I'm humbled to be able to call so many awesome people my friends, and I feel so blessed by all the birthday wishes y'all left me here on Adored Austin, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Truly, it was my best birthday, ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone!