Marco was taking  a nice, long nap the other day and it occurred to me to play a little dress-up during the quiet time! I wanted to show how I recycle items to create several different looks, simply by changing accessories and shoes.

So, these are 4 variations using 2 base items: 1 grey plaid skirt purchased at Nordstrom in September 2007 and 1 grey boyfriend tee-shirt purchased at Target several months ago. Ignore the camera remote in my hand; I was by myself!

Brown suede peep toe heels: Christian Louboutin ‘Very Prive’ (purchased 2008)
Tan trench coat: Forever21 (purchased 2007)
Necklace: Forever21 (purchased 2008)

Cable knit sweaterwith faux fur hood: Forever21 (purchased 2008)
Purple knee-socks: Target
Brown faux-leather boots, purchased in Venice, Italy (2008)

Might as well JUMP!
Grey emblem sweater: Forever21 (purchased 2008)
Brown faux suede loafer wedges: Payless (purchased 2009)
Purple knee-socks: Target

And finally, the lazy way I will most likely wear this skirt, in lieu of the more fashionable ways I listed:

Green military-style jacket: Forever21
Black slip-on Converse: Zappos.com

Okay phew! I finally have some time to post the 2nd part of my birthday post.

Wednesday evening, the Gomers came up to Napa to have a Gomer-Dickson birthday dinner, as Justin and Belle would not be able to make the dinner on Saturday. We went to Firewood Cafe and had a very delicious meal, which included a free pizza – I love coupons!!

Thursday was a relaxing day with my baby boy and hubby, and Friday night I covered a shift at work for my co-worker. It was kind of a crazy day, between taking care of Marco, working, grocery shopping, baking cupcakes for Saturday, and trying to eat somewhere in there. After all the chores were done, Tim and I relaxed with 2 episodes of ‘Dexter’ (almost done with Season 3!!) and books. I’m still working on The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Saturday I slept in (thanks, Timmy!), went to La Vie Nail Spa and got a manicure, pedicure and my eyebrows done. My nails look awesome, I love the OPI color ‘My Private Jet’.

After that, I put together some goody bags for my birthday dinner guests. I didn’t really know what to put in them, so it ended up being some silly, random items. I put bags of one of my favorite Tazo teas, EO Sweet Orange shampoo, Fun size Snickers, Skittles, mini notepad, temporary tattoos, and Hershey’s kisses.

My birthday dinner was at Il Fornaio in Walnut Creek. I’ve been to this location several times, and to the one in downtown San Jose. Good Italian food and a fun atmosphere. Marco was an angel the entire time! He was wide awake, but had hardly any fussiness and was generally happy just hanging out with everyone!

All my friends just looked so lovely, and I was so excited with my outfit. I ended up picking the pink and grey strapless peplum dress from ModCloth. I love that my birthday has become a dress-up event.

My mom and Marco

Marco gets lots of smooches

We actually got everyone in the photo!!

Saving these for my 62nd birthday LOL

Feelin’ cute hee hee

Okay, I love presents. My mom and sister TOTALLY spoiled me! They gave me a Nordstrom gift card, a purse, a Betsey Johnson necklace and earrings!!

Isn’t this purse adorable? My sister knows me too well

All the girls: Adrian, Micaela, me, Adrienne , and Robyn
 

Love this outfit!

thinking, that’s all

Sunday I met up after work with my friends Erin and Jacqi for drinks at Barolo in Calistoga. We had some delicious cupcakes from Sift and good conversation.

It’s been an amazing birthday week! I love my friends and family, and thank you so much for making this week so perfect. XOXOXOXO

Finally got to wear my chambray dress.  Marco and I decided to visit Tim while he was at work, so of course, we had to look cute!

Dress: Jolt
Navy belt: Shiraleah
Sunglasses and wedges: Target

Smooching after dinner on Tuesday

It was hard to leave the paradise that is the Esperanza Resort in Los Cabos, but I am glad to be home with Chloe and Stabler. I missed them so much!

Everything went smoothly and perfectly. Chloe and Stabler were checked on regularly by our friend Shannon, and the house didn’t burn down, flood, or spontaneously explode. The cars were where we left them, and we didn’t lose our luggage. PHEW.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

We collected some beach treasures (coral, shells and such) and are going to put them in a small jar in his room, next to a copy of this picture.

Christmas Eve we visited with the Gomers and exchanged gifts. Belle crawled up to me and gave me a hug and that made my day. Afterwards, we drove to San Jose to visit with my family. My uncles were all a little tipsy by night’s end, resulting in interesting conversations!! Lots of conversations about the baby, of course. Much advice given against our desire to have just 1 child, which shall most likely be ignored. But, it was great to see my family and lots of yummy snacks! I got a gift card to Macy’s from my mum, and a book for the baby!

Christmas Day we slept in a little, and exchanged gifts. Stabler was SO excited with his new toy mouse! It makes a realistic mouse noise just by tapping it, and he was chasing it all around the house. He still hasn’t left it alone! Luckily, the noise isn’t annoying. Chloe was happy with her doggy treats, and less than enthusiastic about her PetiCure grooming tool. Timmy suprised me with a Bose Wave system for my record player, complete with an iPod docking station! I can’t wait to get it all set up. His mom sent us a surprise gift, a Flip Video HD camera! It takes 120 minutes of video, perfect for fun videos of the baby. I gave Tim his Nikon Coolpix, as well as a nice leather camera case. He also got a few surprises in his stocking, including a copy of Oregon Trail!!

I had to whip up some bruschetta to take to Christmas dinner at his Dad’s house, and even though tomatoes are no longer it season I managed to make a tasty appetizer, complete with fresh baguettes from Bouchon Bakery. Things got derailed when I failed to eat enough breakfast before taking my prenatal vitamin, which resulted in me leaning over the sink, expelling everything. We had a nice, relaxing time at his parent’s house, and received some fun gifts. I got the black suede gloves from Nordstrom that I’d asked for, as well as the calendar. I ate way too much food, but it was hard to stop snacking!!

After work on Saturday morning, I came home and Tim and I took naps and lazed around a bit. He finished putting up all the doors, and then we went to dinner at Siena, at the Meritage Resort here in Napa. The food was good, but not great. I probably wouldn’t go back, because there are much more fantastic places to eat at here, and some are a little less expensive. We’d had a $50 dining cheque from OpenTable.com, so it was almost completely paid for. I love opentable! I use them all the time to make free dinner reservations. I get points for each reservation, which I then turn in for dining cheques that I can use at any restaurant listed with them.

Here are a few pics taken with Tim’s new camera, after dinner:

Adrian, Adrienne, Me and Micaela

Me and Adan

Me

Tim and I at the gas station

I still look good, even at 2am!!